Publication date: Available online 2 March 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Joseph J. Foy, Robin Marsh, Randall K. Ten Haken, Kelly C. Younge, Matthew Schipper, Yilun Sun, Dawn Owen, Martha M. Matuszak
PurposePlanning for spine stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is time consuming and differences in planner experience and technique result in discrepancies in plan quality between facilities. Here, knowledge-based planning (KBP) is analyzed in order to determine if it may be effective in improving the quality and efficiency of spine SBRT planning.MethodsThirty-eight spine SBRT cases were collected from the XXX database and inverse planned to deliver three 10-Gy fractions to the PTV. These plans were used to train a knowledge-based model (Model A) using RapidPlan (Varian Medical Systems). The model was evaluated for outliers and validated in ten independent cases. Each of these cases was manually planned in order to compare the quality of the model-generated plans with the manual plans. In order to further test the robustness of the software, two additional models (Models B and C) were created with intentional outliers due to inconsistent contouring.ResultsUsing Models A, B, and C, all 10 generated plans met all dose objectives for modeled organs-at-risk (OARs) (spinal cord, cord PRV, and esophagus) without user intervention. The target coverage and OAR dose sparing was improved or equivalent to manual planning by an expert dosimetrist. However, manually created plans typically required 1–1.5hours to produce and model-generated plans required only 10–15minutes with minimal human intervention in order to meet all dose objectives.ConclusionThe plans produced by RapidPlan were found to be of improved or similar clinical quality as the manually created plans in terms of normal tissue objectives and PTV dose coverage and could be produced in a fraction of the time. RapidPlan is a robust technique that can improve planning efficiency in spine SBRT while maintaining or potentially improving plan quality and standardization across planners and centers.
http://ift.tt/2lWC56Z
Τετάρτη 1 Μαρτίου 2017
An analysis of knowledge-based planning for stereotactic body radiation therapy of the spine
Bean peptides have higher in silico binding affinities than ezetimibe for the N-terminal domain of cholesterol receptor Niemann-Pick C1 Like-1
Source:Peptides
Author(s): Luis M. Real Hernandez, Elvira Gonzalez de Mejia
Niemann-Pick C1 like-1 (NPC1L1) mediates cholesterol absorption at the apical membrane of enterocytes through a yet unknown mechanism. Bean, pea, and lentil proteins are naturally hydrolyzed during digestion to produce peptides. The potential for pulse peptides to have high binding affinities for NPC1L1 has not been determined. In this study , in silico binding affinities and interactions were determined between the N-terminal domain of NPC1L1 and 14pulse peptides (5≥ amino acids) derived through pepsin-pancreatin digestion. Peptides were docked in triplicate to the N-terminal domain using docking program AutoDock Vina, and results were compared to those of ezetimibe, a prescribed NPC1L1 inhibitor. Three black bean peptides (−7.2 to −7.0kcal/mol) and the cowpea bean dipeptide Lys-Asp (−7.0kcal/mol) had higher binding affinities than ezetimibe (−6.6kcal/mol) for the N-terminal domain of NPC1L1. Lentil and pea peptides studied did not have high binding affinities. The common bean peptide Tyr-Ala-Ala-Ala-Thr (−7.2kcal/mol), which can be produced from black or navy bean proteins, had the highest binding affinity. Ezetimibe and peptides with high binding affinities for the N-terminal domain are expected to interact at different locations of the N-terminal domain. All high affinity black bean peptides are expected to have van der Waals interactions with SER130, PHE136, and LEU236 and a conventional hydrogen bond with GLU238 of NPC1L1. Due to their high affinity for the N-terminal domain of NPC1L1, black and cowpea bean peptides produced in the digestive track have the potential to disrupt interactions between NPC1L1 and membrane proteins that lead to cholesterol absorption.
http://ift.tt/2mNQ50p
Trace element composition of smolt scales from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), geographic variation between hatcheries
Publication date: June 2017
Source:Fisheries Research, Volume 190
Author(s): Belinda Flem, Vidar Moen, Tor Erik Finne, Hildegunn Viljugrein, Anja Bråthen Kristoffersen
The escape of farmed Atlantic salmon is a problem for the Norwegian aquaculture industry. Escapes in all phases of the life cycle of the farmed fish create situations unwanted by authorities and industry, as well as with those depending on the wild Atlantic salmon for commercial or recreational fishing. As a contribution to develop a dependable and feasible method of linking escaped salmon to their hatchery, the chemical variation of 12 elements in sclerites of scale from smolt from hatcheries located all along the coast have been analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS). The survey comprised data on B, Ba, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, S, Sr, U and Zn in 1347 scales from 24 groups of smolt collected from 18 hatcheries, the largest survey with regard to statistical and geographical variation conducted to date. A majority vote between the result of four different classification methods (linear discriminant analysis, Naïve Bayes, k-nearest neighbour and random forest) misplaced only 55 scales (4%) to group of origin. Sr and Ba are the two most important elements for group separation. Without Sr, the success of correct hatchery classification is reduced from 95.8% to 92.2%, and to 93.4% without Ba.Chemical composition (same elements as in sclerites, except for S and U) of local floodplains' sediments revealed elevated levels of Pb coinciding with most of the hatcheries where Pb in sclerites was above detection limit.The other elements incorporated in the hydroxyapatite layer (HAP-layer) analysed for this study seems shifted by water treatment done in the hatcheries. Scale chemistry may provide a powerful tool to determine the origin of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon. However, further investigations should be performed before this method can be implemented in the Norwegian salmon management, particularly on two topics. These are the stability of trace elements incorporated in the HAP-layer after change of water environment, and whether the elemental profile from the freshwater hatchery is still recognizable after the salmon has spent more than 2 years in sea.
http://ift.tt/2mNGPJI
Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of microrod to nanoparticle of new mixed-ligand zinc(II) fumarate metal-organic polymer
Publication date: July 2017
Source:Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, Volume 37
Author(s): Payam Abdolalian, Ali Morsali, Giuseppe Bruno
Micro and nano-structures of a new mixed-ligand Zn(II) fumarate metal-organic polymer, {[Zn(tptz)(fum)].DMF}n (1), (tptz=2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine, fum=fumarate, DMF=N,N-dimethylforamide), were synthesized by sonochemical method. These new micro and nano-structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Compound 1 was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and consists of the primary unit of [Zn(tptz)(fum)]. Self assembly between the units of [Zn(tptz)(fum)] from Zn–O bonds results in the formation of a one-dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer. The ZnII-ion in compound 1 has ZnO2N3 coordination sphere with a trigonal bipyramidal molecular geometry. Compound 1 was synthesized by ultrasound irradiation under different concentrations and times. The microrods structure of compound 1 with increasing of concentration and ultrasound radiation time were synthesized as nanoparticles structure successfully. So ultrasound radiation change morphology from microrods to nanoparticles.
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Evaluation of the bioaccessible gastric and intestinal fractions of heavy metals in contaminated soils by means of a simple bioaccessibility extraction test
Publication date: June 2017
Source:Chemosphere, Volume 176
Author(s): C. Jorge Mendoza, R. Tatiana Garrido, R. Cristian Quilodrán, C. Matías Segovia, A. José Parada
A study is made to evaluate the bioaccessibility of heavy metals in contaminated soils through a simple bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET), applied to the analysis of both the gastric and intestinal phases. Soils with high metal content of the Mapocho, Cachapoal, and Rancagua series were studied; they are located in suburban areas of large cities in the central valley of Chile. The bioaccessible concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were related to the main physicochemical characteristics of the soils and to the chemical forms obtained by sequential extraction.The elements Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn are distributed in the soils between the exchangeable fractions, bound to oxides, to organic matter, and in the residual fraction. On the other hand, Cr and Pb are found mainly in the fractions bound to organic matter and in the residual fraction. The three soils have a high Cu content, (640–2060 mg/kg), in the order Cachapoal > Rancagua > Mapocho. The SBET test allowed establishing a different bioaccessibility for the elements in the soil. Cu was notoriously bioaccessible in both the gastric and intestinal phases in the three soils, reaching more than 50% in the Cachapoal and Rancagua soils. The other elements, regardless of the soil, were bioaccessible only in one of the phases, more frequently in the gastric phase. The multiple correlation study indicates that the metal forms have a higher incidence than the soil's physicochemical factors on the extractability to evaluate the human oral bioaccessibility of the metals.
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The off-stoichiometry effect on the optical properties of water-soluble copper indium zinc sulfide quantum dots
Publication date: 15 June 2017
Source:Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 496
Author(s): Yanqiao Xu, Ting Chen, Xiaobo Hu, Wan Jiang, Lianjun Wang, Weihui Jiang, Jianmin Liu
CuInZnS quantum dots (CIZS QDs) were prepared via reflux method in aqueous solution using CuCl2·2H2O, InCl3·4H2O, Zn(OAc)2·2H2O and Na2S·9H2O as raw materials, l-glutathione (GSH) and sodiumcitrate (SC) as stabilizing agents, respectively. The effects of off-stoichiometry (Cu/In and Zn/Cu ratios) on the crystal structure and morphology were systematically studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and the relative optical properties were also investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectra. The as-prepared water-dispersible CIZS QDs were around 3–4nm and possessed the tetragonal chalcopyrite crystal structure. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of QDs was significantly increased with decreasing the Cu/In ratio. Compared with the Cu/In ratio variation, changing Zn/Cu ratio was an effective strategy to realize a more uniform irradiation and a wide range of emission wavelength tunability.
Graphical abstract
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Synthesis, crystal structure, and luminescent properties of two coordination polymers based on 1,4-phenylenediacetic acid
Publication date: 5 June 2017
Source:Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1137
Author(s): Meili Zhang, Yixia Ren, Zhenzhen Ma, Lei Qiao
Two coordination polymers, [Zn(pda)(bib)]n (1) and [Cd(pda)0.5(bib)Cl]n (2)]. (H2pda = 1,4-phenylenediacetic acid, bib = 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), have been synthesized by using Zn(II)/Cd(II) salts with two flexible ligands pda and bib under hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray crystallography and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Due to the coordination geometry around the metal ions and the diverse coordination modes of the flexible ligands, the obtained complex show diverse structures. In the structure of 1, a pair of bib ligands connect two Zn(II) atoms give rise a 22-membered ring, which is further extended by pda ligands in bidentate coordination mode leading a ring-containing 2D layer. In 2, bib ligands join [Cd2Cl2]2+ dimmers generate 1D polymeric ribbon, the pda ligands further extend such ribbon forming a 2D layer network containing rectangular windows, which discovers the effect of the central metal ions on the formation of metal–organic frameworks. In additional, luminescent properties of two complexes have also been studied, they could be potential fluorescence materials.
Graphical abstract
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Synthesis, characterization, spectral, thermal analysis and computational studies of thiamine complexes
Publication date: 5 June 2017
Source:Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1137
Author(s): Mamdouh S. Masoud, Doaa A. Ghareeb, Shahenda Sh. Ahmed
Thiamine metal complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility, ESR spectra of Cu(II) complex and EDX for structural investigation of the complexes to know their geometries and mode of bonding. All the manganese, iron, copper, zinc, tungsten and mercury complexes are with octahedral geometry, while cobalt and nickel complexes are with tetrahedral geometry. The selenium and palladium complexes are with square planner geometry, while vanadium complex with stoichiometry (2:1) is with square pyramidal geometry. The thermal properties of the complexes were examined. The kinetic thermodynamic parameters were estimated from the TGA and DTA curves. Molecular modeling of the ligand and its complexes was performed using PC computer to give extra spot lights on the bonding properties of these compounds. Some theoretical studies were carried out to obtain the charges, bond lengths, bond angles and dihedral angles, energies of highest occupied molecular orbital (EHOMO), energies of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (ELUMO), the separation energy (ΔE), chemical potential, electronegativity, hardness, softness, ionization potential and electron affinity of the studied ligand and its complexes. Correlation analysis was done to explore the relationships between some different parameters of the studied complexes.
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High performance and prospective application of xanthate-modified thiourea chitosan sponge-combined Pseudomonas putida and Talaromyces amestolkiae biomass for Pb(II) removal from wastewater
Publication date: June 2017
Source:Bioresource Technology, Volume 233
Author(s): Nana Wang, Xingjian Xu, Haiyan Li, Quanying Wang, Lizhu Yuan, Hongwen Yu
Biosorption using microbes has been proved to be an efficient technology to remove heavy metals from wastewater, whereas the imperfections in mechanical property and separation limit their practical application. In this study, Pseudomonas putida I3 and Talaromyces amestolkiae Pb respectively combined with xanthate-modified thiourea chitosan sponge (PXTCS and TXTCS) were synthesized to investigate the Pb(II) removal ability from solutions. The prepared biosorbents possessed a three-dimensional macroporous structure convenient for separation. Experimental data indicated their biosorption behaviors well followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum biosorption capacities of PXTCS and TXTCS were 232.03 and 241.61mgg−1 with 40% P. putida I3 and 15% T. amestolkiae Pb, respectively. For the effects of co-existing metal ions on Pb(II) biosorption, the promoting degree followed the sequence: Zn(II)>Na(I)≈K(I)>Ca(II)>Mg(II)≈Al(III)≫Cd(II)>Fe(III). Both prepared biosorbents were effective in removing heavy metals from simulated industrial effluents containing various trace-level heavy metals or high concentration Pb(II).
Graphical abstract
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The Lymphatic Anatomy of the Lower Eyelid and Conjunctiva and Correlation with Postoperative Chemosis and Edema
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182
The genetics of brain function and psychophysiology: an introduction to the special issue
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Andrey P. Anokhin
http://ift.tt/2mNwXQ8
Acoustic Behavior of Halobacterium salinarum Gas Vesicles in the High-Frequency Range: Experiments and Modeling
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
Author(s): Emmanuel Cherin, Johan M. Melis, Raymond W. Bourdeau, Melissa Yin, Dennis M. Kochmann, F. Stuart Foster, Mikhail G. Shapiro
Gas vesicles (GVs) are a new and unique class of biologically derived ultrasound contrast agents with sub-micron size whose acoustic properties have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the acoustic collapse pressure and behavior of Halobacterium salinarum gas vesicles at transmit center frequencies ranging from 12.5 to 27.5 MHz. The acoustic collapse pressure was found to be above 550 kPa at all frequencies, nine-fold higher than the critical pressure observed under hydrostatic conditions. We illustrate that gas vesicles behave non-linearly when exposed to ultrasound at incident pressure ranging from 160 kPa to the collapse pressure and generate second harmonic amplitudes of −2 to −6 dB below the fundamental in media with viscosities ranging from 0.89 to 8 mPa·s. Simulations performed using a Rayleigh–Plesset-type model accounting for buckling and a dynamic finite-element analysis suggest that buckling is the mechanism behind the generation of harmonics. We found good agreement between the level of second harmonic relative to the fundamental measured at 20 MHz and the Rayleigh–Plesset model predictions. Finite-element simulations extended these findings to a non-spherical geometry, confirmed that the acoustic buckling pressure corresponds to the critical pressure under hydrostatic conditions and support the hypothesis of limited gas flow across the GV shell during the compression phase in the frequency range investigated. From simulations, estimates of GV bandwidth-limited scattering indicate that a single GV has a scattering cross section comparable to that of a red blood cell. These findings will inform the development of GV-based contrast agents and pulse sequences to optimize their detection with ultrasound.
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Mutation analysis of CTNNB1 gene and the ras pathway genes KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA in eyelid sebaceous carcinomas
Publication date: Available online 1 March 2017
Source:Pathology - Research and Practice
Author(s): Mi Jung Kwon, Eun Sook Nam, Seong Jin Cho, Hye-Rim Park, Soo Kee Min, Jinwon Seo, Ji-Young Choe
Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) represents a rare, aggressive eyelid malignancy with poor prognosis and is a possible component of Muir-Torre syndrome. However, genetic features as driver mutations or potential therapeutic targets are not fully elucidated. Recent a few studies have shown that SCs have concurrently multiple mutations including RAS/RAF/MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways via next-generation sequencing in western population. Because we recently demonstrated absence of KRAS mutations in Korean eyelid SCs, we extended our previous study to the analysis of NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, and CTNNB1 mutations, and the examination of related protein expressions in 15 eyelid SCs.Repeated molecular analysis by peptide nucleic acid-mediated PCR clamping method, PNA clamping-assisted fluorescence melting curve analysis, and direct sequencing revealed that all eyelid SCs had wild type alleles of NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA in hotspot exon locations. Only silent mutations in the CTNNB1 gene (p.Q61Q) were identified. Using immunohistochemistry and microsatellite instability analysis, they harbored all intact mismatch repair gene proteins with microsatellite stability. Membranous and cytoplasmic β-catenin staining was found in all tumors, whereas the one third of those tumors showed cyclin D1 overexpression, of which 40% and 80% showed p53 expression and p16 expression, respectively.The lack of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutation in our study may suggest that a subset of eyelid SCs is unlike that of eyelid SCs of western countries. The mismatch repair gene proteins and microsatellite instability analysis as a screening test for Muir-Torre syndrome may be limited in the Korean eyelid SCs.
http://ift.tt/2lW3gPg
The mystery of puberty initiation: genetics and epigenetics of idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP)
Abstract
Puberty is a major developmental stage. Damaging mutations, considered as "mistakes of nature", have contributed to the unraveling of the networks implicated in the normal initiation of puberty. Genes involved in the abnormal hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis development, in the normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (nIHH), in the X-linked or autosomal forms of Kallmann syndrome and in precocious puberty have been identified (GNRH1, GNRHR, KISS1, GPR54, FGFR1, FGF8, PROK2, PROKR2, TAC3, TACR3, KAL1, PROK2, PROKR2, CHD7, LEP, LEPR, PC1, DAX1, SF-1, HESX-1, LHX3, PROP-1). Most of them were found to play critical roles in HPG axis development and regulation, the embryonic GnRH neuronal migration and secretion, the regulation and action of the hypothalamic GnRH. However, the specific neural and molecular mechanisms triggering GnRH secretion remain one of the scientific enigmas. Although GnRH neurons are probably capable of autonomously generating oscillations, many gonadal steroid-dependent and -independent mechanisms have also been proposed. It is now well proven that the secretion of GnRH is regulated by kisspeptin as well as by permissive or opposing signals mediated by neurokinin B and dynorphin. These three supra-GnRH regulators compose the kisspeptin-neurokinin B-dynorphin neuronal (KNDy) system, a key player in pubertal onset and progression. Moreover, an ongoing increasing number of inhibitory, stimulatory and permissive networks acting upstream on GnRH neurons, such as GABA, NPY, LIN28B, MKRN3 and others integrate diverse hormonal and peripheral signals and have been proposed as the "gate-keepers" of puberty, while epigenetic modifications play also an important role in puberty initiation.
http://ift.tt/2mNI0Zy
A modified intraoral and extraoral approach osteotomy for the prominent mandibular angle
A prominent mandibular angle (PMA) is a relatively common condition in Asians, and surgeons typically use the intraoral approach to treat it. However, the approach can have many drawbacks due to the limited operative field and view. The procedures of the osteotomy are not easily performed, and an exact resection is difficult. In addition, major complications can occur readily. This article presents a modified osteotomy method for the PMA that avoids these disadvantages and makes the procedure easier to execute.
http://ift.tt/2mHODgX
Correction of tuberous breast deformity: a retrospective study comparing lipofilling versus breast implant augmentation
Breast implants and more recently autologous fat grafting are the two most common treatments used to correct tuberous breast deformity (TBD). Post-surgical quality of life between the two techniques is not well demonstrated. The purpose of this study is to compare satisfaction and health-related quality of life in patients affected of TBD between these two techniques.All TBD patients operated between January 2008 and May 2015 were retrospectively identified and only those treated with implants or lipofilling were included.
http://ift.tt/2mgAolS
Engineered microenvironments for synergistic VEGF – Integrin signalling during vascularization
Publication date: May 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 126
Author(s): Vladimíra Moulisová, Cristina Gonzalez-García, Marco Cantini, Aleixandre Rodrigo-Navarro, Jessica Weaver, Mercedes Costell, Roser Sabater i Serra, Matthew J. Dalby, Andrés J. García, Manuel Salmerón-Sánchez
We have engineered polymer-based microenvironments that promote vasculogenesis both in vitro and in vivo through synergistic integrin-growth factor receptor signalling. Poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) triggers spontaneous organization of fibronectin (FN) into nanonetworks which provide availability of critical binding domains. Importantly, the growth factor binding (FNIII12-14) and integrin binding (FNIII9-10) regions are simultaneously available on FN fibrils assembled on PEA. This material platform promotes synergistic integrin/VEGF signalling which is highly effective for vascularization events in vitro with low concentrations of VEGF. VEGF specifically binds to FN fibrils on PEA compared to control polymers (poly(methyl acrylate), PMA) where FN remains in a globular conformation and integrin/GF binding domains are not simultaneously available. The vasculogenic response of human endothelial cells seeded on these synergistic interfaces (VEGF bound to FN assembled on PEA) was significantly improved compared to soluble administration of VEGF at higher doses. Early onset of VEGF signalling (PLCγ1 phosphorylation) and both integrin and VEGF signalling (ERK1/2 phosphorylation) were increased only when VEGF was bound to FN nanonetworks on PEA, while soluble VEGF did not influence early signalling. Experiments with mutant FN molecules with impaired integrin binding site (FN-RGE) confirmed the role of the integrin binding site of FN on the vasculogenic response via combined integrin/VEGF signalling. In vivo experiments using 3D scaffolds coated with FN and VEGF implanted in the murine fat pad demonstrated pro-vascularization signalling by enhanced formation of new tissue inside scaffold pores. PEA-driven organization of FN promotes efficient presentation of VEGF to promote vascularization in regenerative medicine applications.
Graphical abstract
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Impact of caries and dental fluorosis on oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in schoolchildren receiving water naturally fluoridated at above-optimal levels
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of caries and fluorosis on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among schoolchildren living in areas with high concentrations of fluoride in water.
Methods
Five hundred and twenty-four schoolchildren (8–12 year olds) residing in rural communities in central Mexico were examined for oral hygiene, caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System, ICDAS II), and fluorosis (Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index, TFI). OHRQoL was evaluated with the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for two age groups (CPQ8–10 and CPQ11–14). Generalized structural equation models were constructed for data analysis.
Results
Overall prevalence of caries was 88.5% and fluorosis 46.9%. In the group of 8–10 year olds, 48% of the children had advanced carious lesions in primary or permanent teeth (ICDAS ≥4), 22.6% had moderate/severe fluorosis, and 59.9% of children had an impact on OHRQoL. Schoolchildren with ICDAS ≥4 were more likely [OR = 1.75, (95% CI 1.34–2.28)] to suffer a negative impact on OHRQoL. In the group of 11–12 year olds, 19.9% of children had advanced carious lesions and 23.2% showed moderate/severe fluorosis; 67.3% of children reported had an impact on OHRQoL. Children 11–12 year olds with fluorosis (TFI ≥4) [OR = 2.39 (95% CI 2.12–2.69)], caries (ICDAS ≥4) [OR = 2.18 (95% CI 2.13–2.24)], and low brushing frequency [OR = 2.04 (95% CI 1.21–3.44)] were more likely to have deterioration on OHRQoL.
Conclusion
A negative impact on OHRQoL was observed in children with caries and fluorosis.
Clinical relevance
Deterioration on OHRQoL found in children as a sequel of caries and fluorosis should be considered when designing health policies leading to prevention and effective health promotion programs and incorporated to clinical guidelines for timely dental treatment.
http://ift.tt/2lYCEvc
Quality assurance guidelines for superficial hyperthermia clinical trials
Abstract
Quality assurance (QA) guidelines are essential to provide uniform execution of clinical trials with uniform quality hyperthermia treatments. This document outlines the requirements for appropriate QA of all current superficial heating equipment including electromagnetic (radiative and capacitive), ultrasound, and infrared heating techniques. Detailed instructions are provided how to characterize and document the performance of these hyperthermia applicators in order to apply reproducible hyperthermia treatments of uniform high quality. Earlier documents used specific absorption rate (SAR) to define and characterize applicator performance. In these QA guidelines, temperature rise is the leading parameter for characterization of applicator performance. The intention of this approach is that characterization can be achieved with affordable equipment and easy-to-implement procedures. These characteristics are essential to establish for each individual applicator the specific maximum size and depth of tumors that can be heated adequately. The guidelines in this document are supplemented with a second set of guidelines focusing on the clinical application. Both sets of guidelines were developed by the European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology (ESHO) Technical Committee with participation of senior Society of Thermal Medicine (STM) members and members of the Atzelsberg Circle.
http://ift.tt/2lYFxMJ
Consensus statement for the treatment of infantile haemangiomas with propranolol
Abstract
Although most infantile haemangiomas do not require treatment due to a natural history of spontaneous involution, some require early intervention. The Australasian Vascular Anomalies Network and the Australasian Paediatric Dermatology Network have developed a consensus statement for the treatment of infantile haemangiomas with oral propranolol. Infants with haemangiomas that are life threatening, at risk of ulceration, or at risk of causing a significant functional impairment, psychological impact or physical deformity should be treated early with oral propranolol. Oral propranolol is safe and effective and in most healthy infants oral propranolol can be started in an outpatient setting.
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Burden of human scabies in sub-Saharan African prisons: Evidence from the west region of Cameroon
Abstract
Background/Objectives
There is little data on the profile and magnitude of scabies in sub-Saharan African prisons. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of scabies in prisons of the west region of Cameroon.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study from March to August 2014, and consecutively recruited volunteer detainees of three randomly selected prisons in the West Region of Cameroon. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings after assessment by two experienced and well-trained dermatologists.
Results
We enrolled 755 prisoners, 17 (2%) of whom were women. Their mean age was 32 ± 12 years. There were 242 cases (32%) of scabies, with significantly more cases in the most crowded prison (P < 0.0001). Men were significantly more affected than women (P = 0.004) and the prevalence of scabies significantly decreased when the level of education increased (P < 0.0001). In addition to a low level of education (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.90; P < 0.0001), sharing clothes/bedding (aOR 2.72; P < 0.0001) and the number of detainees per cell > 10 (aOR 1.89; P = 0.002), but not age, duration of incarceration, number of baths/week and washing/week, were independent drivers of scabies occurrence.
Conclusion
Almost one-third of prisoners suffered from scabies in our prisons. A low educational level, the sharing of clothes/bedding and number of detainees/cell > 10 were independent determinants of the disease. Urgent measures must be undertaken to reduce the burden of scabies in our prisons.
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Gene expression profiling of circulating CD133+ cells of hepatocellular carcinoma patients associated with HCV infection
Publication date: Available online 1 March 2017
Source:Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute
Author(s): Abdel-Rahman N. Zekri, Enas R. El-Sisi, Zeinab F. Abdallah, Alaa El-Din Ismail Abd El-Motaleb, Ahmed Barakat Barakat
AimIdentifying the genetic expression profile of CD133+ cells from HCC patients compared to CD133+ cells from healthy volunteers that may contribute in hepatocarcinogenesis process.MethodCirculating CD133+ cells were sorted from the peripheral blood of HCC patients as well as from healthy volunteers using magnetic activated cell sorting. The differential expression profile of stem cell related genes was performed using the Stem Cell PCR profiling assay.ResultsData analysis of stem cells related genes in CD133+ cells of the HCC group compared to the control group showed that; CCND2, COL1A1, CTNNA1, DLL3, JAG1, KRT15, MYC, NOTCH2, T and TERT were up-regulated (fold change=80, 68.6, 6.67, 7.22, 3.8, 15.2, 14.5, 105.6, 26.6 and 99 respectively while only CD3D was down-regulated (fold change=0.055) in HCC patients. However, after application of Beferroni correction to adjust P-value; KRT15 was the only gene that was significantly over expressed in CD133+ cells of HCC compared to control group (P-value=0.012).ConclusionKRT15 can be used to differentiate between circulating CD133+ cells from HCC group control group. However, further study may be needed to confirm on the protein level.
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Prognostic significance of epithelial/stromal caveolin‐1 expression in prostatic hyperplasia, high grade prostatic intraepithelial hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma and its correlation with microvessel density
Publication date: Available online 1 March 2017
Source:Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute
Author(s): Dareen A. Mohammed, Duaa S. Helal
Caveolin-1 may play a role in cancer development and progression. The aim was to record the expression and localization of caveolin-1 in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and prostatic carcinoma (PCa). Microvessel density was evaluated with CD34 immunostain. Correlations with known prognostic factors of PCa were recorded. Immunohistochemical expression of caveolin-1 and the MVD was evaluated in 65 cases; BPH (25), HGPIN (20) and PCa (20). Stromal caveolin-1expression was significantly higher in BPH than HGPIN and PCca. There was significant inverse relation between stromal caveolin-1 expression and extension to lymph node and seminal vesicle in carcinoma cases. Epithelial caveolin-1 was significantly higher in carcinomas than in BPH and HGPIN. Epithelial expression in carcinoma was significantly associated with preoperative PSA, Gleason score and lymph node extension. MVD was significantly higher in PCa than in BPH and HGPIN. There were significant relations between MVD and preoperative PSA, Gleason score, lymph node and seminal vesicle extension. Stromal caveolin-1 was associated with low MVD while epithelial caveolin-1 with high MVD. Conclusions: Caveolin-1 plays an important role in prostatic carcinogenesis and metastasis. Stromal expression of caveolin-1 in PCa is lowered in relation to BPH and HGPIN. In PCa; stromal caveolin-1 was associated with good prognostic parameters. Epithelial caveolin-1 is significantly increased in PCa than BPH and HGPIN. It is associated with clinically aggressive disease. Caveolin-1 may play a role in angiogenesis.
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Resurrection of whole liver radiotherapy—A case report
Publication date: Available online 1 March 2017
Source:Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute
Author(s): Sabeena Choudhary, Swarupa Mitra, Manoj Kumar Sharma, Pooja Khullar, Upasna Saxena
IntroductionThis is a case report of a patient of lymphoma with liver metastasis who had persistent pain and jaundice despite multiple lines of chemotherapy. She underwent palliative liver irradiation. This is an uncommon modality due to fear of radiation induced hepatitis. We reviewed literature available on the use of liver irradiation for palliation and concluded that it can be safely used with good results. A 33-year-old female with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) presented with obstructive jaundice. She underwent stenting followed by chemotherapy. She was lost to follow up to later present with a progressively increasing right hypochondrial mass, pain and icterus. Ultrasound abdomen revealed massive hepatomegaly with hypodense lesions in both liver lobes and centring the porta with dilatation of biliary radicals. Despite multiple lines of chemotherapy and use of opioids, there was no symptomatic relief in pain, size of mass or any decrease in biochemical parameters. Then she was offered palliative radiation in the form of partial liver irradiation to a dose of 21Gy/7 fractions. She had >50% pain relief after 2 fractions and was off opioids by last fraction. Liver span reduced from 6cm to 1cm below costal margin in mid clavicular line. Radiologically 60% reduction in size of liver lesions was observed. Also, a decreasing trend in biochemical parameters was observed. Use of whole or partial liver irradiation is rare in clinical practice due to fear of radiation induced hepatitis by conventional techniques. Newer techniques of delivering radiation can highly improvise accuracy and permit further dose escalation.
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Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the tongue with an unusual pattern of recurrence
Publication date: Available online 1 March 2017
Source:Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute
Author(s): Soumyajit Roy, Ajeet Kumar Gandhi, Bharti Devnani, Lavleen Singh, Bidhu Kalyan Mohanti
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of oral cavity is an extremely uncommon malignancy. Less than 15 cases have been reported since 1973 though none of them describes a distant metastasis. We present a rare case of MPNST of the tongue who presented with features of hypoglossal nerve palsy. Incisional biopsy showed a malignant spindle cell tumor in the sub-epithelial connective tissue. The tumor cells were immune-positive for S-100. He underwent surgery followed by adjuvant chemo-radiation. Later the disease recurred in the form of isolated pelvic bone metastasis. Palliative chemotherapy was offered to him. With this case report we intend to refer to such unusual presentation and pattern of recurrence in a MPNST of tongue.
http://ift.tt/2mvPhAW
Spectrum of fungal infection in head and neck cancer patients on chemoradiotherapy
Publication date: Available online 1 March 2017
Source:Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute
Author(s): Gunjesh Kumar Singh, Malini R. Capoor, Deepthi Nair, K.T. Bhowmik
BackgroundRadiotherapy for head and neck cancers (HNC) causes alteration of oral mucosal barrier predisposing it to colonization and infection. Such infections often result in pain and burning sensation thus contributing to major morbidity.Objective1. To identify the fungi isolated from the patients undergoing radiotherapy for HNC.2. To determine their antifungal susceptibility and week of colonization.3. To find out association between oral fungal infection and severity of oral mucositis.Materials and methodsStudy was done on 50 patients of HNC treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Three samples (throat, urine, blood) were collected for fungal culture and sensitivity. These samples were collected before the start of radiotherapy, during radiotherapy (2nd and 6th week) and post radiotherapy (10th week).ResultsOnly 49 patients were available for analysis. Fungal infection was found in 27/49 patients (55.10%) out of which Non-albicans Candida was isolated in 18/49 (36.73%) and Candida albicans in 9/49 (18.36%) cases. About 66.66% (18/27) isolates were sensitive to fluconazole. Maximum isolation of yeast was during 6th week of radiotherapy. All grade 4 and 71.42% of grade 3 oral mucositis were found in patients who were positive for fungal infection.ConclusionThe spectrum of fungal species in throat swab was: Non-albicans Candida and Candida albicans observed in 36.73% and 18.36% of patients respectively. Higher rate of fungal colonization and infection was found in patients with grade 3/4 oral mucositis. Prophylactic fluconazole in HNC patients on concurrent chemoradiotherapy has the potential to reduce emerging invasive fungal infection and its associated morbidity.
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Sequential curing of thiol-acetoacetate-acrylate thermosets by latent Michael addition reactions
Publication date: 24 March 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 113
Author(s): Ali Osman Konuray, Freddy Liendo, Xavier Fernández-Francos, Àngels Serra, Marco Sangermano, Xavier Ramis
Thiol-acetoacetate-acrylate ternary dual-curing thermosets were prepared by a sequential process consisting of thiol-Michael addition to acrylates at room temperature followed by Michael addition of acetoacetates to acrylates at moderately elevated temperature. The curing sequence can be controlled with the help of the different acidities of the protons on thiol and acetoacetate groups, the favorable pKa of the base used as catalyst and the self-limiting character of Michael additions. The latency of the curing steps can be regulated by selection of the right catalysts, temperature and curing conditions. The properties of the intermediate and final materials can be tuned by changing the structure of the monomers and the contribution of both Michael addition reactions.
Graphical abstract
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In-situ orientation and crystal growth kinetics of P3HT in drop cast P3HT:PCBM films
Publication date: 24 March 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 113
Author(s): Abul F. Huq, Ali Ammar, Abdullah M. Al-Enizi, Alamgir Karim
Effect of casting solvents on drop cast thin films of conductive conjugated polymers is largely studied by characterizing post processed films. However, the results have often been inconclusive due to the complexity of the in-situ evolution of structures. In this research we implement in-situ grazing incidence wide angle x-ray scattering (GIWAXS) approach to extracting morphological evolution information during film formation in model Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT): [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend films that have otherwise been widely studied. Casting solvents include chloroform, benzene and tetrahydrothiophene (THT), carefully selected for their relative solubilities of P3HT and PCBM. Individual casting solvent studies show that the casting solvents' solubility for P3HT and pure solvent boiling point, along with residual solvent content in the films have significant implications on final thin film morphology and crystallization of its constituent components. For example, the orientations of P3HT in P3HT:PCBM films, cast from different solvents, are largely affected by the individual solubilities of P3HT and PCBM, and substrate surface energy. On the other hand PCBM crystal growth from different PCBM solutions predominantly depends on the solubilities of PCBM in the solvents and boiling points of solvents. In this study we correlate and distinguish the drying behavior of the blend films with respect to the drying behavior of its constituent components. These results have important ramifications for controlling desired morphology for polymer electronics, such as organic photovoltaics (OPV), organic field effect transistor (OFET) and photo-detectors.
Graphical abstract
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Morphologies of spherical polyampholyte brushes: Effects of counterion valence and charged monomer sequence
Publication date: 24 March 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 113
Author(s): Qianqian Cao, Hao You
We study the conformational behavior of spherical brushes composed of polyampholyte chains end-grafted onto spherical particles in the presence of monovalent and tetravalent counterions using molecular dynamics simulations. The overall net charge for each chain consisting of both positively and negatively charged segments is zero. The dependences of the structural properties of the brushes on the chain stiffness, grafting density and charge sequence along the chains are examined systemically. For the diblock brushes, our results indicate that increasing the chain rigidity leads to a significant effect of counterion valence and a reduced collapsing degree of the brushes. At high chain stiffness, the number of high-valent counterions trapped in the brushes is diminished compared to the cases with monovalent counterions, corresponding to lower osmotic pressure. For the flexible brushes, the short-range and electrostatic interactions depending on the charge sequence, determine the conformational transition of the brushes, whereas the effect of counterion valence becomes weaker. In the presence of high-valent counterions, the brushes which consist of polyampholyte chains with blocks of medium length, adopt a slightly stretched conformation owing to relatively strong electrostatic correlation between high-valent counterions and oppositely charged monomers.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2mvKXld
Plasma apolipoproteins and physical and cognitive health in very old individuals
Publication date: Available online 1 March 2017
Source:Neurobiology of Aging
Author(s): Julia Muenchhoff, Fei Song, Anne Poljak, John D. Crawford, Karen A. Mather, Nicole A. Kochan, Zixuan Yang, Julian N. Trollor, Simone Reppermund, Kate Maston, Adam Theobald, Susanne Kirchner-Adelhardt, John B. Kwok, Robyn L. Richmond, Mark McEvoy, John Attia, Peter W. Schofield, Henry Brodaty, Perminder S. Sachdev
Apolipoproteins play a crucial role in lipid metabolism with implications in cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and longevity. We quantified seven apolipoproteins in plasma in 1067 individuals aged 56–105 using immunoassays and explored relationships with APOE polymorphism ε2/3/4, vascular health, frailty and cognition. ApoA1, ApoA2, ApoB, ApoC3, ApoE, ApoH and ApoJ decreased from midlife, although ApoE and ApoJ had U-shaped trends. Centenarians had the highest ApoE levels and the lowest frequency of APOE ε4 allele relative to younger groups. Apolipoprotein levels trended lower in APOE ε4 homo- and heterozygotes compared to non-carriers, with ApoE and ApoJ being significantly lower. Levels of all apolipoproteins except ApoH were higher in females. Sex- and age-related differences were apparent in the association of apolipoproteins with cognitive performance, as only women had significant negative associations of ApoB, ApoE, ApoH and ApoJ in mid-life, whereas associations at older age were non-significant or positive. Our findings suggest levels of some apolipoproteins, especially ApoE, are associated with lifespan and cognitive function in exceptionally long-lived individuals.
http://ift.tt/2mgwaut
Pancreas Transplantation Delays the Progression of Morphological, Morphometric and Ultrastructural Changes in Testes of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2017; 125: 106-115
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-122137
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of pancreas transplantation on the progression of testicular lesions in diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetic rats were subjected to pancreas transplantation and sacrificed after 6, 14, 26 and 50 weeks of follow-up, using non-diabetic and untreated diabetic rats as controls. Results: Successful pancreas transplantation corrected all of the metabolic changes observed in diabetic rats, including low levels of testosterone. The testicular mass was decreased, and the relative weight of the testes was high in diabetic rats. The seminiferous tubules of diabetic rats showed progressive atrophy of the germinal epithelium, with cytoplasmic vacuolization, detachment of germ cells to the tubular lumen and the appearance of giant cells. Leydig cells were abnormally distributed, and hyperplasia of Sertoli cells was observed. Sperm were not detectable within the tubular lumen in late follow-up. The diameter, total area, lumen area, and germinal epithelium area of the seminiferous tubules were low, and tubular density was high in diabetic rats. Ultrastructural changes were also observed in these rats, compromising the cytoplasm, organelles and cellular nuclei of the germ, Sertoli, and Leydig cells. The most frequent changes consisted of accumulation of lipid droplets and electron-dense dark material in the cell cytoplasm, cellular degeneration and apoptosis. Similar to non-diabetic rats, pancreas-transplanted rats showed progressive testicular lesions, but they were much less severe and occurred much later than in the untreated diabetic controls. Conclusion: Diabetes causes morphological and ultrastructural changes in rat testes, but the progression of lesions can be significantly delayed by successful pancreas transplantation, which may have a positive impact on male infertility due to diabetes.
[...]
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents | Abstract | Full text
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Theoretical Implications of Oxygenation in Limb Replant or Transplant
J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599102
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.
Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents | Full text
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Multicenter, randomized, open-label Phase II study comparing S-1 alternate-day oral therapy with the standard daily regimen as a first-line treatment in patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer
Abstract
Purpose
Non-inferiority for overall survival (OS) following alternate-day treatment with the oral anticancer drug S-1 compared with standard daily treatment was assessed in Japanese patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer in a multicenter, randomized, phase II study. This trial was registered at the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (no. 000008604).
Methods
Chemotherapy-naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were randomly assigned 2:1 to treatment with alternate-day (twice daily on alternate days from days 1 through 42 of a 42-day cycle) or daily (twice daily on days 1 through 28 of a 42-day cycle) treatment with S-1. The primary endpoint was OS. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), time to treatment failure, response rate, quality of life assessments, and safety.
Results
A total of 190 patients were enrolled, of which 185 were included in the final analysis (alternate-day: 121; daily: 64). Median OS was 9.4 for the alternate-day group and 10.4 months for the daily group [hazard ratio (HR), 1.19; 95% credible interval, 0.86 to 1.64], indicating that non-inferiority of alternate-day treatment to daily treatment was not demonstrated. Median PFS was 3.0 for the alternate-day group and 4.2 months for the daily group (HR, 1.65; 95% credible interval, 1.20–2.29). The incidence of anorexia, fatigue, neutrophils, pigmentation, and pneumonitis was lower in alternate-day treatment compared with daily treatment.
Conclusion
S-1 for advanced pancreatic cancer should be taken daily as recommended, based on the decreased OS and PFS and marginal improvement in safety observed in the alternate-day group.
http://ift.tt/2lAN1EJ
Editorial Board
Source:Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, Volume 111
http://ift.tt/2lesxVX
Fetal Imaging, Other Infectious Diseases Screening of Fetus With Zika Virus Infection and the Need for Long-Term Follow-Up
Publication date: Available online 1 March 2017
Source:Pediatric Neurology
Author(s): Juan Esteban Garcia-Robledo, Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
http://ift.tt/2lAYJiv
GABAA receptor subtypes in the mouse brain: Regional mapping and diazepam receptor occupancy by in vivo [18F]flumazenil PET
Publication date: 15 April 2017
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 150
Author(s): Adrienne Müller Herde, Dietmar Benke, William T. Ralvenius, Linjing Mu, Roger Schibli, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Stefanie D. Krämer
Classical benzodiazepines, which are widely used as sedatives, anxiolytics and anticonvulsants, exert their therapeutic effects through interactions with heteropentameric GABAA receptors composed of two α, two β and one γ2 subunit. Their high affinity binding site is located at the interface between the γ2 and the adjacent α subunit. The α-subunit gene family consists of six members and receptors can be homomeric or mixed with respect to the α-subunits. Previous work has suggested that benzodiazepine binding site ligands with selectivity for individual GABAA receptor subtypes, as defined by the benzodiazepine-binding α subunit, may have fewer side effects and may even be effective in diseases, such as schizophrenia, autism or chronic pain, that do not respond well to classical benzodiazepines. The distributions of the individual α subunits across the CNS have been extensively characterized. However, as GABAA receptors may contain two different α subunits, the distribution of the subunits does not necessarily reflect the distribution of receptor subtypes with respect to benzodiazepine pharmacology. In the present study, we have used in vivo [18F]flumazenil PET and in vitro [3H]flumazenil autoradiography in combination with GABAA receptor point-mutated mice to characterize the distribution of the two most prevalent GABAA receptor subtypes (α1 and α2) throughout the mouse brain. The results were in agreement with published in vitro data. High levels of α2-containing receptors were found in brain regions of the neuronal network of anxiety. The α1/α2 subunit combinations were predictable from the individual subunit levels. In additional experiments, we explored in vivo [18F]flumazenil PET to determine the degree of receptor occupancy at GABAA receptor subtypes following oral administration of diazepam. The dose to occupy 50% of sensitive receptors, independent of the receptor subtype(s), was 1–2mg/kg, in agreement with published data from ex vivo studies with wild type mice. In conclusion, we have resolved the quantitative distribution of α1- and α2-containing homomeric and mixed GABAA receptors in vivo at the millimeter scale and demonstrate that the regional drug receptor occupancy in vivo at these GABAA receptor subtypes can be determined by [18F]flumazenil PET. Such information should be valuable for drug development programs aiming for subtype-selective benzodiazepine site ligands for new therapeutic indications.
Graphical abstract
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General and emotion-specific neural effects of ketamine during emotional memory formation
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 150
Author(s): Benjamin Becker, Maria Steffens, Zhiying Zhao, Keith M. Kendrick, Claudia Neumann, Bernd Weber, Johannes Schultz, Mitul A. Mehta, Ulrich Ettinger, Rene Hurlemann
Animal studies suggest that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dependent signalling in limbic and prefrontal regions is critically involved in both cognitive and emotional functions. In humans, ketamine-induced transient, and disorder associated chronic NMDAR hypofunction (i.e. in schizophrenia) has been associated with deficient performance in the domains of memory and higher-order emotional functioning, as well as altered neural activity in the underlying limbic-prefrontal circuits. To model the effects of NMDAR hypofunction on the integration of emotion and cognition the present pharmacological fMRI study applied the NMDAR antagonist ketamine (target plasma level=100ng/ml) to 21 healthy volunteers in a within-subject placebo-controlled crossover design during encoding of neutral, positive and negative pictures. Our results show that irrespective of emotion, ketamine suppressed parahippocampal and medial prefrontal activity. In contrast, ketamine selectively increased amygdala and orbitofrontal activity during successful encoding of negative stimuli. On the network level ketamine generally increased medial prefrontal-parahippocampal coupling while specifically decreasing amygdala-orbitofrontal interplay during encoding of negative stimuli. On the behavioural level, ketamine produced generally decreased memory performance and abolished the emotional enhancement of memory after a wash-out period of 5 days. The present findings suggest that ketamine produces general as well as valence-specific effects during emotional memory formation. The pattern partly overlaps with alterations previously observed in patients with schizophrenia.
http://ift.tt/2leB0IP
Involuntary orienting of attention to a sound desynchronizes the occipital alpha rhythm and improves visual perception
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 150
Author(s): Wenfeng Feng, Viola S. Störmer, Antigona Martinez, John J. McDonald, Steven A. Hillyard
Directing attention voluntarily to the location of a visual target results in an amplitude reduction (desynchronization) of the occipital alpha rhythm (8–14Hz), which is predictive of improved perceptual processing of the target. Here we investigated whether modulations of the occipital alpha rhythm triggered by the involuntary orienting of attention to a salient but spatially non-predictive sound would similarly influence perception of a subsequent visual target. Target discrimination was more accurate when a sound preceded the target at the same location (validly cued trials) than when the sound was on the side opposite to the target (invalidly cued trials). This behavioral effect was accompanied by a sound-induced desynchronization of the alpha rhythm over the lateral occipital scalp. The magnitude of alpha desynchronization over the hemisphere contralateral to the sound predicted correct discriminations of validly cued targets but not of invalidly cued targets. These results support the conclusion that cue-induced alpha desynchronization over the occipital cortex is a manifestation of a general priming mechanism that improves visual processing and that this mechanism can be activated either by the voluntary or involuntary orienting of attention. Further, the observed pattern of alpha modulations preceding correct and incorrect discriminations of valid and invalid targets suggests that involuntary orienting to the non-predictive sound has a rapid and purely facilitatory influence on processing targets on the cued side, with no inhibitory influence on targets on the opposite side.
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Mass Spectrometry Imaging Can Distinguish on a Proteomic Level Between Proliferative Nodules Within a Benign Congenital Nevus and Malignant Melanoma.
http://ift.tt/2mfVwZc
Hydroa Vacciniforme-Like T-Cell Lymphoma: A Further Brazilian Case.
http://ift.tt/2mGOY3d
Intraepithelial Melanoma in the Stomach After Treatment With Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy.
http://ift.tt/2mfVwsa
History and epidemiology of anabolic androgens in athletes and non-athletes
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Gen Kanayama, Harrison G. Pope
The use of androgens, frequently referred to as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), has grown into a worldwide substance abuse problem over the last several decades. Testosterone was isolated in the 1930s, and numerous synthetic androgens were quickly developed thereafter. Athletes soon discovered the dramatic anabolic effects of these hormones, and AAS spread rapidly through elite athletics and bodybuilding from the 1950s through the 1970s. However it was not until the 1980s that widespread AAS use emerged from the elite athletic world and into the general population. Today, the great majority of AAS users are not competitive athletes, but instead are typically young to middle-aged men who use these drugs primarily for personal appearance. AAS abuse has now become particularly prevalent in regions such as Scandinavia, the United States, Brazil, and British Commonwealth countries, but remains rare in countries such as China, Korea, and Japan – a pattern that reflects cultural differences in attitudes towards male muscularity.
http://ift.tt/2lVgZWp
IL Second counts
Source:Microbes and Infection
Author(s): Sophia Häfner
http://ift.tt/2mGHPjw
Unusual extramedullary hematopoietic neoplasms in lymph nodes
Publication date: April 2017
Source:Human Pathology, Volume 62
Author(s): Vanessa D. Dayton, Sarah J. Williams, Robert W. McKenna, Michael A. Linden
Myeloid, plasma cell, and lymphoblastic neoplasms are expected findings in bone marrow but are much less commonly diagnosed as primary processes in lymph nodes. The objective of this review is to aid pathologists in recognizing common hematopoietic neoplasms in the unusual setting of initial presentation in lymph nodes. Review of historical background and evolution of testing strategies is presented to improve understanding of the need for accurate diagnosis and classification using current nomenclature. The review is based on peer-reviewed literature and the personal experience of the authors. The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview provides lymph node diagnostic consultation services for its busy oncology and therapeutic hematopoietic cell transplant divisions serving patients from around the globe. Although readily recognizable when they present in bone marrow, myeloid leukemia in the form of myeloid sarcoma, plasmacytoma, and lymphoblastic lymphoma can create diagnostic and classification challenges when they present as primary lymph node pathologies. Use of all diagnostic tools may be necessary to ensure accurate and reproducible diagnoses.
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Differential regulation analysis reveals dysfunctional regulatory mechanism involving transcription factors and microRNAs in gastric carcinogenesis
Source:Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
Author(s): Quanxue Li, Junyi Li, Wentao Dai, Yi-Xue Li, Yuan-Yuan Li
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most incident malignancies in the world. Although lots of featured genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified to be associated with gastric carcinogenesis, underlying regulatory mechanisms still remain unclear. In order to explore the dysfunctional mechanisms of GC, we developed a novel approach to identify carcinogenesis relevant regulatory relationships, which is characterized by quantifying the difference of regulatory relationships between stages. Firstly, we applied the strategy of differential coexpression analysis (DCEA) to transcriptomic datasets including paired mRNA and miRNA of gastric samples to identify a set of genes/miRNAs related to gastric cancer progression. Based on these genes/miRNAs, we constructed conditional combinatorial gene regulatory networks (cGRNs) involving both transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs. Enrichment of known cancer genes/miRNAs and predicted prognostic genes/miRNAs was observed in each cGRN. Then we designed a quantitative method to measure differential regulation level of every regulatory relationship between normal and cancer, and the known cancer genes/miRNAs proved to be ranked significantly higher. Meanwhile, we defined differentially regulated link (DRL) by combining differential regulation, differential expression and the regulation contribution of the regulator to the target. By integrating survival analysis and DRL identification, three master regulators TCF7L1, TCF4, and MEIS1 were identified and testable hypotheses of dysfunctional mechanisms underlying gastric carcinogenesis related to them were generated. The fine-tuning effects of miRNAs were also observed. We propose that this differential regulation network analysis framework is feasible to gain insights into dysregulated mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and other phenotypic changes.
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Chronic Treatment with Minoxidil Induces Elastic Fiber Neosynthesis and Functional Improvement in the Aorta of Aged Mice
Rejuvenation Research , Vol. 0, No. 0.
http://ift.tt/2ma2UoD
Forthcoming Events
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
http://ift.tt/2mMhob8
Contents
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
http://ift.tt/2ldOLHQ
Chronic Foot Ulcers: Revascularization of Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): G.L. Grove, S. Urbonavicius, A.L. Høgh
http://ift.tt/2mLXHAD
Endovenous Treatment or Surgery of Varicose Veins. Does It Matter?
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): L.H. Rasmussen
http://ift.tt/2ldJ1xz
Follow-up of Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Using Three-dimensional Ultrasound: Volume Versus Diameter
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): Q.M. Ghulam, K.K. Bredahl, L. Lönn, L. Rouet, H.H. Sillesen, J.P. Eiberg
http://ift.tt/2mMh1gX
Editorial Board
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
http://ift.tt/2ldDg3f
Validation of Diagnoses of Peripheral Arterial Disease from the Danish National Patient Registry
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): A.N. Lasota
http://ift.tt/2mLXMnI
Percutaneous Ligation of the Saphenous Veins With Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy And Miniphlebectomies
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): J. Lawaetz, M. Lawaetz, L. Rasmussen
http://ift.tt/2ldIQm1
Outcome of REVAR vs. Open Repair of Ruptured Aortic Aneurysms in Patients Treated at Odense University Hospital
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): M.L. Hansen, S. Duvnjak, T. Balezantis
http://ift.tt/2mM6zWB
Selected Abstracts from the March Issues of the Journal of Vascular Surgery and the Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
http://ift.tt/2ldAXwS
One year on: Test your knowledge from the previous year
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
http://ift.tt/2lsKLhF
Follow-up of Fascial Suture After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Evaluated with Duplex Ultrasound
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): K. Fredholm, K.K. Bredahl, L. Lönn, K.C. Vogt, H. Sillesen, J.P. Eiberg
http://ift.tt/2lAhd2L
Comparison of Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation, Laser Ablation, Foam Sclerotherapy and Surgical Stripping for Great Saphenous Varicose Veins. Extended 5-Year Follow-up of a RCT
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): M. Lawaetz, J. Serup, B. Lawaetz, L. Bjoern, A. Blemings, B. Eklof, L. Rasmussen
http://ift.tt/2muFJXf
Trends in Major Amputations After Vascular Reconstruction in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): L.S. Londero, A. Høgh, K. Houlind, J. Lindholt
http://ift.tt/2lAb32E
Outcomes of Arterial Reconstruction with Autologous Femoral Vein Grafts
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): G.G. Raabe, L.L. Clausen
http://ift.tt/2muCjU5
Catheter-directed Thrombolysis is Effective and Safe in the Treatment of Acute Ischemia in Lower Extremities
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): L. Urbak, L. de la Motte, P. Rørdam, A. Siddiqi, H. Sillesen
http://ift.tt/2lAm0kz
Post-anaesthesia Care Unit Challenges After Infra-inguinal Arterial Vascular Surgery
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
Author(s): K. Yeung, H. Kehlet, J. Eiberg, E.K. Aasvang
http://ift.tt/2muCOgS
EJVES vol. 53, issue 3 (March 2017) - Spanish Translated Abstracts
Publication date: March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3
http://ift.tt/2lAkjDZ
A National Needs Assessment to Identify Technical Procedures in Vascular Surgery for Simulation Based Training
Publication date: Available online 1 March 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Author(s): L.J. Nayahangan, L. Konge, T.V. Schroeder, C. Paltved, K.G. Lindorff-Larsen, B.U. Nielsen, J.P. Eiberg
Objectives and backgroundPractical skills training in vascular surgery is facing challenges because of an increased number of endovascular procedures and fewer open procedures, as well as a move away from the traditional principle of "learning by doing." This change has established simulation as a cornerstone in providing trainees with the necessary skills and competences. However, the development of simulation based programs often evolves based on available resources and equipment, reflecting convenience rather than a systematic educational plan. The objective of the present study was to perform a national needs assessment to identify the technical procedures that should be integrated in a simulation based curriculum.Design and methodsA national needs assessment using a Delphi process was initiated by engaging 33 predefined key persons in vascular surgery. Round 1 was a brainstorming phase to identify technical procedures that vascular surgeons should learn. Round 2 was a survey that used a needs assessment formula to explore the frequency of procedures, the number of surgeons performing each procedure, risk and/or discomfort, and feasibility for simulation based training. Round 3 involved elimination and ranking of procedures.ResultsThe response rate for round 1 was 70%, with 36 procedures identified. Round 2 had a 76% response rate and resulted in a preliminary prioritised list after exploring the need for simulation based training. Round 3 had an 85% response rate; 17 procedures were eliminated, resulting in a final prioritised list of 19 technical procedures.ConclusionA national needs assessment using a standardised Delphi method identified a list of procedures that are highly suitable and may provide the basis for future simulation based training programs for vascular surgeons in training.
http://ift.tt/2muqKwb
Excellent performance of cobalt-impregnated activated carbon in peroxymonosulfate activation for acid orange 7 oxidation
Abstract
Cobalt-impregnated activated carbon (GAC/Co) was used to produce sulfate radical (SO4·−) from peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in aqueous solution (hereafter called PMS activation). We evaluated its effectiveness by examining the degradation of orange acid 7 (AO7). GAC/Co exhibited high activity to activate PMS to degrade AO7. The degradation efficiency of AO7 increased with increasing dosage of GAC/Co or PMS and elevated temperatures. pH 8 was most favorable for the degradation of AO7 by GAC/Co-activated PMS. The radical quenching experiments indicated that the reactions most likely took place both in the bulk solution and on the surface of GAC/Co. We found that SO4·− played a dominant role in AO7 degradation. Sodium chloride (NaCl) which presents in most dye wastewater had a significant impact on AO7 degradation. Low dosages (<0.4 M) of NaCl showed a slight inhibitory effect, whereas high dosages (0.8 M) increased the reaction rate. HOCl was confirmed as the main contributor for accelerating AO7 degradation with high concentration of NaCl. In a continuous-flow reaction with an empty-bed contact time of 1.35 min, AO7 was not detected in the effluent for 0 to 18.72 L of treated influent volume (156 h) and 85% removal efficiency was still observed after 40.32 L of treated volume (336 h). Finally, the azo bond and the naphthalene structure in AO7 were destroyed and the degradation pathway was proposed.
http://ift.tt/2lsGaMq
Metal accumulations in different tissues of cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis L., 1758) in the Eastern Mediterranean coasts of Turkey
Abstract
In this study, metal concentration levels (Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb) were investigated in the gill, hepatopancreas, ovary, testis, and mantle of the male and female cuttlefish Sepia officinalis in various stations (Iskenderun, Antalya, Kas, Gazipasa, and Anamur) in Mediterranean coasts of Turkey. Hepatopancreas tissue was a better indicator in terms of heavy metal concentration compared to the other tissues. In general, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb accumulation for the male was found more than that of the female, whereas Cd and Ni accumulation was found higher in the female. There was a relationship among the metals in the form of Co > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cr in the mantle tissue. The Pb concentration over the recommended limits was found in cuttlefish of Anamur, Antalya, and Iskenderun stations.
http://ift.tt/2muyheo
Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 for efficient adsorption and removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution
Abstract
Heavy metals are emerging toxic pollutants in which the development of advanced materials for their efficient adsorption and separation is thus of great significance in environmental sciences point of view. In this study, one of the zinc-based zeolitic imidazolate framework materials, known as ZIF-8, has been synthesized and used for chromium(VI) contaminant removal from water for the first time. The as-synthesized ZIF-8 adsorbent was characterized with different methodologies such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis, FT-IR, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectra of solid state. Various factors affecting removal percentage (efficiency) are experimentally investigated including pH of solution, adsorbent dosage, contact time and initial concentration of Cr(VI) to achieve the optimal condition. The obtained results indicate that the ZIF-8 shows good performance for the Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution so that 60 min mixing of 2 g of ZIF-8 adsorbent with the 2.5 ppm of Cr(VI) solution in a neutral environment will result in the highest separation efficiency around 70%. The time needed to reach the equilibrium (maximum separation efficiency) is only 60 min for a concentration of 5 mg L−1. Structure stability in the presence of water is also carefully examined by XRD determination of ZIF-8 under different contact times in aqueous solution, which suggests that the structure is going to be destructed after 60 min immersed in solution. Electrostatic interaction of Cr(VI) anions by positively charged ZIF-8 is responsible for Cr(VI) adsorption and separation. Moreover, equilibrium adsorption study reveals that the Cr(VI) removal process using ZIF-8 nicely fits the Langmuir and Toth isotherm models which mean the adsorbent has low heterogeneous surface with different distributions of adsorption energies during Cr(VI) adsorption. Equilibrium adsorption capacity is observed around 0.25 for 20 mg L−1 of initial Cr(VI) solutions.
http://ift.tt/2lsHkaJ
Decreased total antioxidant capacity has a larger effect size than increased oxidant levels in urine in individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Abstract
Oxidant/antioxidant imbalance may contribute to the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We assayed urinary levels of oxidative stress related biomarkers, hexanoyl-lysine (HEL), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), the DNA methylation biomarker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is major antioxidant enzyme. We examined the relationship between these four biomarkers and social responsiveness in 20 individuals with ASD and in 11 healthy controls. The sex (ASD group, 7/13 vs. control group, 4/7) and age distributions (ASD group, 10.7 ± 5.0 years vs. control group, 14.7 ± 6.3 years) were not significantly different between the groups. Social responsiveness was assessed using the social responsiveness scale (SRS). We used standardized regression coefficients to measure the effect size. The ASD group exhibited significantly lower urinary TAOC levels and significantly elevated urinary HEL levels than the control group. Urinary 8-OHdG levels and plasma SOD levels were not significantly different between the groups. The ASD group showed significantly higher SRS scores than the control group. Plasma SOD levels correlated significantly with urinary TAOC levels. Standardized regression coefficients revealed that TAOC levels had a larger effect size than HEL levels in urine. This study firstly reveals that an imbalance between urinary HEL and TAOC levels in favor of urinary TAOC levels may contribute to impaired social responsiveness in individuals with ASD. Plasma SOD levels may also affect urinary TAOC levels.
http://ift.tt/2murt0n
Oxidative stress and early DNA damage in workers exposed to iron-rich metal fumes
Abstract
Occupational exposure to metal fumes occurs routinely in many occupational settings. The inflammatory response to fumes and metals after exposure could lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species and level of DNA damage. In this study, the level of early DNA damage and oxidative stress was evaluated in a group of steel company (n = 30) and compared to the non-exposed (n = 28) subjects. All DNA damage markers in workers were significantly higher in exposed group in comparison with controls (p < 0.001). Stratified analysis based on smoking showed no significant differences between smoking and comet assay parameters. There was no significant difference between workers and controls in terms of HCT, TIBC, iron, and ferreting. However, HB in controls was significantly lower than exposed group (p < 0.001). A significant increase in catalase activity and MDA serum levels were observed in workers in comparison with controls. These findings suggest for the potential genotoxic effect of iron reach dust. Due to recent findings on the predictive potential of comet assay for cancer development, further, researches should be conducted to investigate the possible biochemical mechanism of such finding.
http://ift.tt/2lsILpC
Biostimulation and rainfall infiltration: influence on retention of biodiesel in residual clayey soil
Abstract
This study investigates the retention of biodiesel in residual clayey soil during biostimulation by nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) under conditions of rainfall infiltration. Several column tests were conducted in a laboratory under different void ratios (1.14, 1.24, and 1.34), varying moisture contents (15, 25, and 35%), and in both the presence and absence of biostimulation. The volume of biodiesel (which was equivalent to the volume of voids in the soil) was placed atop the soil and allowed to percolate for a period of 15 days. The soil was subjected to different rainfall infiltration conditions (0.30 or 60 mm). The greatest reductions in residual contaminants occurred after 60 mm of rain simulation, at values of up to 74% less than in samples with the same conditions but no precipitation. However, the residual contamination decay rate was greater with 0–30 mm (0.29 g/mm) of precipitation than with 30–60 mm (0.075 g/mm). Statistical assessment revealed that increased moisture and the presence of nutrients were the factors with the most powerful effect on contaminant retention in the soil. The residual contaminant level was 21 g/kg at a moisture content of 15% and no precipitation, decreasing to 12 g/kg at 35% moisture and no precipitation. Accordingly, it is possible to conclude that biostimulation and rainfall infiltration conditions can decrease the retention of contaminants in soil and allow a greater leaching or spreading of the contamination. All of these phenomena are worthy of careful examination for the in situ bioremediation of organic contamination.
Highlights
• The higher moisture in the soil, due to a high initial moisture content and/or infiltration of rainfall, can reduce contaminant retention,
• The use of biostimulation through the addition of nutrients to accelerate the biodegradation of toxic organic contaminants may induce inadvertent undesirable interactions between the soil and the contaminant.
• When adopting biostimulation for bioremediation, the effects of rainfall should be addressed; ideally, it should be prevented from entering the affected site, in order to avoid increased contaminant leaching and potential spreading.
http://ift.tt/2muBaw0
Morus alba leaf extract mediates neuroprotection against glyphosate-induced toxicity and biochemical alterations in the brain
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrate that glyphosate exposure is associated with oxidative stress and some neurological disorders such as Parkinson's pathology. Therefore, phytochemicals, in particular phenolic compounds, have attracted increasing attention as potential agents for neuroprotection. In the present study, we investigate the impact of glyphosate on the rat brain following i.p. injection and the possible molecular target of neuroprotective activity of the phenolic fraction from Morus alba leaf extract (MALE) and its ability to reduce oxidative damage in the brain. Wistar rats from 180 to 240 g were i.p. treated with a single dose of glyphosate (100 mg kg−1 b.w.) or MALE (100 μg mL−1 kg−1 b.w.) for 2 weeks. Brain homogenates were used to evaluate neurotoxicity induced by the pesticide. For this, biochemical parameters were measured. Data shows that MALE regulated oxidative stress and counteracted glyphosate-induced deleterious effects and oxidative damage in the brain, as it abrogated LDH, protein carbonyls, and malonyldialdehyde. MALE also appears to be able to scavenge H2O2 levels, maintain iron and Ca2+ homeostasis, and increase SOD activity. Thus, in vivo results showed that mulberry leaf extract is a potent protector against glyphosate-induced toxicity, and its protective effect could result from synergism or antagonism between the various bioactive phenolic compounds in the acetonic fraction from M. alba leaf extract.
http://ift.tt/2lsC2fC
The PBX1 lupus susceptibility gene regulates CD44 expression
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 85
Author(s): Yuxin Niu, Mayami Sengupta, Anton A. Titov, Seung-Chul Choi, Laurence Morel
PBX1-d is novel splice isoform of pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox 1 (PBX1) that lacks its DNA-binding and Hox-binding domains, and functions as a dominant negative. We have shown that PBX1-d expression in CD4+ T cells is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a mouse model as well as in human subjects. More specifically, PBX1-d expression leads to the production of autoreactive activated CD4+ T cells, a reduced frequency and function of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and an expansion of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. Very little is known about the function of PBX1 in T cells, except that it directly regulates the expression of miRNAs associated with Treg and Tfh homeostasis. In the present study, we show that PBX1 directly regulated the expression of CD44, a marker of T cell activation. Two PBX1 binding sites in the promoter directly regulated CD44 expression, with PBX1-d driving a higher expression than the normal isoform PBX1-b. In addition, mutations in each of the two binding sites had different effects of PBX1-b and PBX1-d. Finally, we showed that an enhanced recruitment of co-factor MEIS by PBX1-d over PBX1-b, while there was no difference for co-factor PREP1 recruitment. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the lupus-associated PBX1-d isoform directly transactivates CD44, a marker of CD44 activation and memory, and that it has different DNA binding and co-factor recruitment relative to the normal isoform. Taken together, these results confirm that PBX1 directly regulates genes related to T cell activation and shows that the lupus-associated isoform PBX1-d has unique molecular functions.
http://ift.tt/2mFYweW
Heat-transfer analysis of AZ31B Mg alloys during single-pass flat rolling: Experimental verification and mathematical modeling
Publication date: 5 May 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 121
Author(s): Weitao Jia, Qichi Le
The present study aimed to investigate the temperature distribution in AZ31B Mg alloy plate along the thickness direction during the single-pass flat rolling. The detection and tracking of the plate temperature were carried out under different rolling conditions. Due to the influence of the complex heat transfer factors during rolling, the uneven degree of the temperature distribution was different, which was also reflected in microstructure characteristics between different metal layers. The temperature and microstructure both exhibited great similarity between the center and 1/4·H in the rolling due to the main effect of heat generation due to plastic work, while drastic difference between the surface and the center and 1/4·H due to the surface chilling effect. The maximum surface-temperature drop and center-temperature rise through rolling, regarded as the rolling exit temperature-distribution status, both presented mathematical relationships with respect to rolling process parameters. During the modeling process of the maximum surface-temperature drop, the proportion coefficient of chilling layer was identified for AZ31B Mg alloys, and it depends on the work roll temperature. In addition, during the modeling process of the maximum center-temperature rise, the theoretical equation of temperature rise due to plastic deformation could be reasonably simplified for AZ31B Mg alloys.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2lsjQ5V
Characterization of 100Cr6 lattice structures produced by robocasting
Publication date: 5 May 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 121
Author(s): M. Yetna N'Jock, E. Camposilvan, L. Gremillard, E. Maire, D. Fabrègue, D. Chicot, K. Tabalaiev, J. Adrien
Lattice structures of 100Cr6 steel were manufactured from metallic-based inks by robotic-assisted deposition (robocasting) using Pluronic F-127 solution. The stability and pseudo-plastic behavior of the ink were optimized, and allowed printing through 200–840μm nozzles, leading to macroporous architectures composed of 300–600μm diameter rods separated by 90–350μm pores, after debinding and sintering. A second level of porosity (sub-micron size) was controlled by adjusting the sintering temperature. The linear shrinkage due to drying and thermal consolidation was evaluated from images obtained by micro-tomography and volumes measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry. Whatever the thermal treatments, the microstructure was always mainly composed of ferrite – α. The mechanical properties were estimated both at a local level (Young modulus and hardness of the rods by nanoindentation, coherent with those of 100Cr6 steel) and at the architecture level (stress-strain curve of the structures, showing a plastic behavior related to a good consolidation of the structure). Thus, dense metallic lattice structures with a regular macroporosity and interesting mechanical properties can be easily obtained with these water-based metallic inks, which do not require a complex formulation nor high organic content as reported in literature.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2lsdTps
Electrochemical deposition of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and flower-like hierarchical porous nanoflakes on 3D Cu-cone arrays for rechargeable lithium battery anodes
Publication date: 5 May 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 121
Author(s): Xin Qian, Qian Xu, Tao Hang, Sangaraju Shanmugam, Ming Li
A novel 3D nanostructured Fe3O4/Cu-cone arrays (Cu-CAs) anode is prepared by template-free chemical deposition of Cu-CAs on a flat Cu current collector followed by galvanostatic electrodeposition of polycrystalline Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and Fe3O4 nanoflakes (NFs) from electrolyte containing 0.1M tri-ethanol-amine (TEA) and 0.2M TEA, respectively. The developed anodes are characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Galvanostatic charge/discharge tests are carried out to evaluate the cycling performance of all the anodes at a constant current density of 680mAg−1 and cyclic voltammetry measurements are performed to characterize the charge/discharge potentials. The Fe3O4 NPs/Cu-CAs anode fabricated by 90s electrodeposition exhibits the best performance with a reversible discharge capacity of 442.96mAhg−1 after 100 cycles at 1 C-rate due to the optimal synergistic effect of crystallinity and reinforcement effect of Cu-CAs substrate. While the better performance of Fe3O4 NFs/Cu-CAs anode fabricated by 120s electrodeposition is attributable to the enhanced surface porosity and reinforcement effect of Cu-CAs. However, the comparison between anodes electrodeposited with 0.1M and 0.2M TEA indicates that the reinforcement effect of Cu-CAs plays the dominant role in determining the cycling performance of developed Fe3O4/Cu-CAs anodes.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2m9Bn6O
Online assessment of TiC decomposition in laser cladding of metal matrix composite coating
Publication date: 5 May 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 121
Author(s): Gopinath Muvvala, Debapriya Patra Karmakar, Ashish Kumar Nath
Decomposition of ceramic particles in metal matrix composite coatings developed by laser cladding process is one of the major problems that deteriorate the mechanical properties of coating. Further, a large number of process parameters involved in laser cladding makes the process optimization difficult. Therefore, a study was undertaken to assess the condition of TiC particles in the molten pool by monitoring the thermal history using an IR pyrometer. It was observed that with the increase of molten pool lifetime, a reaction layer is created between TiC particles and metal matrix which improves their bonding. However, with further increase in the molten pool lifetime TiC particles were found to decompose completely forming dendritic structure in the metal matrix through heterogeneous nucleation and subsequent crystallization during the solidification process. This results in a change of the solidification shelf slope which can be used as an effective signature to assess the TiC particle condition in molten pool online without performing any destructive test. The modified structure of metal matrix exhibited brittle nature which increased the wear rate due to fracture and spalling of coating during the wear test.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2m9wTNC
High temperature deformation behavior of melt hydrogenated (TiB+TiC)/Ti-6Al-4V composites
Publication date: 5 May 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 121
Author(s): Xuan Wang, Liang Wang, LiangShun Luo, Hui Yan, XinZhong Li, RuiRun Chen, YanQing Su, JingJie Guo, HengZhi Fu
Ti-6Al-4V matrix composites with 5vol% TiB and TiC particles were in situ synthesized in this study. Hydrogen was added into the composites directly by melting the composites in gas mixture of hydrogen and argon (Melt Hydrogenation Technology). Microstructure observation results showed that hydrogen addition changed the distribution of ceramic particles to near network structure. The effect of microstructure, deforming temperature, strain rate and hydrogen content on high temperature compressive behavior were investigated. Thermal simulation results of high temperature compression at same strain rate indicated that hydrogen addition caused softening effect at higher deforming temperature and hardening effect at lower temperature, competition of the dominant effect was decided by distribution of ceramic particles and microstructure of matrix. Experimental results of hot compression at same deforming temperature and increasing strain rate indicated that moderate hydrogen content decreased the peak stress and improved the hot workability of composites. Microstructure observation of as compressed composites indicated that hydrogen eliminated defects and encouraged the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) after hot compression, the mechanism of hydrogen induced improvement of DRX, and relationship among hydrogen content, dislocations density and percentage of DRX were discussed.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2m9AATb
Multi-mode Application of Graphene Quantum Dots Bonded Silica Stationary Phase for High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Publication date: Available online 28 February 2017
Source:Journal of Chromatography A
Author(s): Qi Wu, Yaming Sun, Xiaoli Zhang, Xia Zhang, Shuqing Dong, Hongdeng Qiu, Litao Wang, Liang Zhao
Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which possess hydrophobic, hydrophilic, π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding properties, have great prospect in HPLC. In this study, a novel GQDs bonded silica stationary phase was prepared and applied in multiple separation modes including normal phase, reversed phase and hydrophilic chromatography mode. Alkaloids, nucleosides and nucleobases were chosen as test compounds to evaluate the separation performance of this column in hydrophilic chromatographic mode. The tested polar compounds achieved baseline separation and the resolutions reached 2.32, 4.62, 7.79, 1.68 for thymidine, uridine, adenosine, cytidine and guanosine. This new column showed satisfactory chromatographic performance for anilines, phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in normal and reversed phase mode. Five anilines were completely separated within 10minutes under the condition of mobile phase containing only 10% methanol. The effect of water content, buffer concentration and pH on chromatographic separation was further investigated, founding that this new stationary phase showed a complex retention mechanism of partitioning, adsorption and electrostatic interaction in hydrophilic chromatography mode, and the multiple retention interactions such as π-π stacking and π-π electron-donor-acceptor interaction played an important role during the separation process. This GQDs bonded column, which allows us to adjust appropriate chromatography mode according to the properties of analytes, has possibility in actual application after further research.
http://ift.tt/2lXsPhb
Psychometric and Clinimetric Properties of the Melbourne Assessment 2 in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Tien-Ni Wang, Kai-Jie Liang, Yi-Chia Liu, Jeng-Yi Shieh, Hao-Ling Chen
ObjectiveThe Melbourne Assessment 2 (MA2) is increasingly used as an outcome measurement in clinical studies. The purposes of this study were to examine its psychometric and clinimetric properties.DesignPsychometric and clinimetric study.SettingCommunity.ParticipantsSeventeen children with CP from 5 to 12 years were recruited for the estimation of the test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC). Thirty-five children with CP were recruited to receive an eight-week intensive neurorehabilitation intervention to estimate the validity, responsiveness, and minimal clinically important difference (MCID).InterventionsThirty-five children with CP received upper limb neurorehabilitation programs for eight weeks.Main Outcome MeasuresThe Melbourne Assessment 2 (MA2) and the criterion measures, including the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency 2nd (BOT-2), the Box and Blocks Test (BBT), and the Pediatric Motor Activity Log-Revised (PMAL-R) were evaluated at pretreatment and posttreatment.ResultsThe MA2 has four subscales: range of motion, fluency, accuracy, and dexterity. The test-retest reliability of the MA2 is high (ICC=0.92-0.98). The significant relationships between the MA2 and BBT, BOT-2, and PMAL-R support its validity. The significance of paired t test results (p<0.001) and large magnitudes of the SRM (1.70-2.00) confirm the responsiveness of the MA2. The MDC values of the four subscales of the MA2 are 2.85, 1.63, 1.97, and 1.84, respectively, and the suggested MCID values of these four subscales are 2.35, 3.20, 2.09, and 2.22, respectively, indicating the minimum scores of improvement to be interpreted as both statistically significant and clinically important.ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicate that the MA2 has sound psychometric and clinimetric properties and is thus an adequate measurement for research and clinical applications.
http://ift.tt/2meCzq4
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Summary Insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours that classically present with fasting hypoglycaemia. This case report discusses an un...
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