Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Author(s): J. Neunzig, R Bernhardt
In the last decades, sulfonated steroids evolved from inactive metabolites intended for excretion to highly relevant compounds involved in many physiological processes. Investigations of the impact of sulfonated steroids on the steroid hormone biosynthesis revealed that, on the one hand, these can serve as substrate for steroidogenic cytochromes P450 and, on the other hand, these are able to influence the catalytic properties of these enzymes. In this review the relevance of sulfonated steroids for the steroid hormone biosynthesis will be discussed.
http://ift.tt/2tv2a0v
Σάββατο 8 Ιουλίου 2017
Effect of sulfonated steroids on steroidogenic cytochrome P450-dependent steroid hydroxylases
Tensins: Bridging AMP-Activated Protein Kinase with Integrin Activation
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Trends in Cell Biology
Author(s): Maria Georgiadou, Johanna Ivaska
Integrin activation is essential for cell adhesion and for connecting the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton. Thus, inappropriate integrin activation has been linked to several diseases, including cancer. Recent insights demonstrate that the main fibrillar adhesion component tensin maintains β1-integrin active in these mature adhesions. Depletion or silencing of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the energy sensor involved in maintaining the energy balance of the cell, enhances integrin activity by increasing the expression of tensin and thereby promoting cell adhesion, matrix formation, and mechanotransduction. Here, we discuss the role of tensin and AMPK in the regulation of integrin activity and integrin-dependent processes and their implication in diseases such as cancer and tissue fibrosis.
http://ift.tt/2tCDjX2
Cost-effectiveness of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in older Australians
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): S. Dirmesropian, J.G. Wood, C.R. MacIntyre, P. Beutels, P. McIntyre, R. Menzies, J.F. Reyes, C. Chen, A.T. Newall
BackgroundThe 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) has been funded under the Australia National Immunisation Program (NIP) since January 2005 for those aged >65years and other risk groups. In 2016, PCV13 was accepted by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) as a replacement for a single dose of PPV23 in older Australian adults.MethodsA single-cohort deterministic multi-compartment (Markov) model was developed describing the transition of the population between different invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal disease related health states. We applied a healthcare system perspective with costs (Australian dollars, A$) and health effects (measured in quality adjusted life-years, QALYs) attached to model states and discounted at 5% annually. We explored replacement of PPV23 with PCV13 at 65years as well as other age based vaccination strategies. Parameter uncertainty was explored using deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.ResultsIn a single cohort, we estimated PCV13 vaccination at the age of 65years to cost ∼A$11,120,000 and prevent 39 hospitalisations and 6 deaths from invasive pneumococcal disease and 180 hospitalisations and 10 deaths from community acquired pneumonia. The PCV13 program had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of ∼A$88,100 per QALY gained when compared to a no-vaccination, whereas PPV23 was ∼A$297,200 per QALY gained. To fall under a cost-effectiveness threshold of A$60,000 per QALY, PCV13 would have to be priced below ∼A$46 per dose. The cost-effectiveness of PCV13 in comparison to PPV23 was ∼A$35,300 per QALY gained.ConclusionIn comparison to no-vaccination, we found PCV13 use in those aged 65years was unlikely to be cost-effective unless the vaccine price was below A$46 or a longer duration of protection can be established. However, we found that in comparison to the PPV23, vaccination with PCV13 was cost-effective. This partly reflects the poor value for money estimated for PPV23 use in Australia.
http://ift.tt/2u5BLrV
A Temporal and Spatial Analysis Approach to Automated Segmentation of Microbubble Signals in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Images: Application to Quantification of Active Vascular Density in Human Lower Limbs
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
Author(s): Wing Keung Cheung, Katherine J. Williams, Kirsten Christensen-Jeffries, Brahman Dharmarajah, Robert J. Eckersley, Alun H. Davies, Meng-Xing Tang
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using microbubble contrast agents has shown great promise in visualising and quantifying active vascular density. Most existing approaches for vascular density quantification using CEUS are calculated based on image intensity and are susceptible to confounding factors and imaging artefact. Poor reproducibility is a key challenge to clinical translation. In this study, a new automated temporal and spatial signal analysis approach is developed for reproducible microbubble segmentation and quantification of contrast enhancement in human lower limbs. The approach is evaluated in vitro on phantoms and in vivo in lower limbs of healthy volunteers before and after physical exercise. In this approach, vascular density is quantified based on the relative areas microbubbles occupy instead of their image intensity. Temporal features of the CEUS image sequences are used to identify pixels that contain microbubble signals. A microbubble track density (MTD) measure, the ratio of the segmented microbubble area to the whole tissue area, is calculated as a surrogate for active capillary density. In vitro results reveal a good correlation (r2 = 0.89) between the calculated MTD measure and the known bubble concentration. For in vivo results, a significant increase (129% in average) in the MTD measure is found in lower limbs of healthy volunteers after exercise, with excellent repeatability over a series of days (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.96). This compares to the existing state-of-the-art approach of destruction and replenishment analysis on the same patients (intra-class correlation coefficient ≤0.78). The proposed new approach shows great potential as an accurate and highly reproducible clinical tool for quantification of active vascular density.
http://ift.tt/2tuUATM
Reproducible Computer-Assisted Quantification of Myocardial Perfusion with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
Author(s): Yuanwei Li, Navtej Chahal, Roxy Senior, Meng-Xing Tang
Myocardial perfusion can be quantified by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and is used for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, existing MCE quantification software is highly operator dependent and has poor reproducibility and ease of usage. The aim of this study was to develop robust and easy-to-use software that can perform MCE quantification accurately, reproducibly and rapidly. The developed software has the following features: (i) semi-automatic segmentation of the myocardium; (ii) automatic rejection of MCE data with poor image quality; (iii) automatic computation of perfusion parameters such as myocardial blood flow (MBF). MCE sequences of 18 individuals (9 normal, 9 with CAD) undergoing vasodilator stress with dipyridamole were analysed quantitatively using the software. When evaluated against coronary angiography, the software achieved a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 91% for hyperemic MBF. With the automatic rejection algorithm, the sensitivity and specificity further improved to 77% and 94%, respectively. For MBF reproducibility, the percentage agreement is 85% (κ = 0.65) for inter-observer variability and 88% (κ = 0.72) for intra-observer variability. The intra-class correlation coefficients are 0.94 (inter-observer) and 0.96 (intra-observer). The time taken to analyse one MCE sequence using the software is about 3 min on a PC. The software has exhibited good diagnostic performance and reproducibility for CAD detection and is rapid and user-friendly.
http://ift.tt/2t0Tagh
The tumor suppressor CYLD controls epithelial morphogenesis and homeostasis by regulating mitotic spindle behavior and adherens junction assembly
Source:Journal of Genetics and Genomics
Author(s): Wei Xie, Yunfan Yang, Siqi Gao, Ting Song, Yuhan Wu, Dengwen Li, Min Liu, Jun Zhou
Epithelial morphogenesis and homeostasis are essential for animal development and tissue regeneration, and epithelial disorganization is associated with developmental disorders and tumorigenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the morphogenesis and homeostasis of the epithelium remain elusive. Herein, we report a novel role for the cylindromatosis (CYLD) tumor suppressor in these events. Our results show that CYLD depletion disrupts epithelial organization in both Drosophila egg chambers and mouse skin and intestinal epithelia. Microscopic analysis of proliferating cells in mouse epithelial tissues and cultured organoids reveals that loss of CYLD synergizes with tumor-promoting agents to cause the misorientation of the mitotic spindle. Mechanistic studies show that CYLD accumulates at the cell cortex in epithelial tissues and cultured cells, where it promotes the formation of epithelial adherens junctions through the modulation of microtubule dynamics. These data suggest that CYLD controls epithelial morphogenesis and homeostasis by modulating the assembly of adherens junctions and ensuring proper orientation of the mitotic spindle. Our findings thus provide novel insight into the role of CYLD in development, tissue homeostasis, and tumorigenesis.
http://ift.tt/2sCQ0Qc
Identification of a prototypical single-stranded uracil DNA glycosylase from Listeria innocua
Source:DNA Repair
Author(s): Jing Li, Ye Yang, Jose Guevara, Liangjiang Wang, Weiguo Cao
A recent phylogenetic study on UDG superfamily estimated a new clade of family 3 enzymes (SMUG1-like), which shares a lower homology with canonic SMUG1 enzymes. The enzymatic properties of the newly found putative DNA glycosylase are unknown. To test the potential UDG activity and evaluate phylogenetic classification, we isolated one SMUG1-like glycosylase representative from Listeria innocua (Lin). A biochemical screening of DNA glycosylase activity in vitro indicates that Lin SMUG1-like glycosylase is a single-strand selective uracil DNA glycosylase. The UDG activity on DNA bubble structures provides clue to its physiological significance in vivo. Mutagenesis and molecular modeling analyses reveal that Lin SMUG1-like glycosylase has similar functional motifs with SMUG1 enzymes; however, it contains a distinct catalytic doublet S67-S68 in motif 1 that is not found in any families in the UDG superfamily. Experimental investigation shows that the S67M-S68N double mutant is catalytically more active than either S67M or S68N single mutant. Coupled with mutual information analysis, the results indicate a high degree of correlation in the evolution of SMUG1-like enzymes. This study underscores the functional and catalytic diversity in the evolution of enzymes in UDG superfamily.
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Influence of (p)ppGpp on biofilm regulation in Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Source:Microbiological Research
Author(s): Huizhong Liu, Yujie Xiao, Hailing Nie, Qiaoyun Huang, Wenli Chen
The global regulatory molecule (p)ppGpp is synthesized under limited nutrition conditions and involves in many cellular processes in bacteria. (p)ppGpp has been reported to affect biofilm formation in several bacterial species. Here, we found that deletion of (p)ppGpp synthase genes of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 led to enhanced biofilm formation in polystyrene microtitre plates. Besides, the pellicle of this mutant formed at the air-liquid interface lost the robust structure and became frail. The biofilm formation and its structure are mainly determined by exopolysaccharides (EPSs) and adhesins. Transcriptional analysis of four EPS operons designated as pea, peb, alg and bcs and two adhesin genes nominated as lapA and lapF showed that the deletion of (p)ppGpp synthase genes increased the expression of peb, bcs and lapA but repressed the expression of pea and lapF. Furthermore, expression of the regulation factor FleQ was significantly augmented in (p)ppGpp-synthase mutants while the expression of sigma factor RpoS was reduced. Since FleQ and RpoS play important roles in regulating expression of EPS and adhesin genes, (p)ppGpp may mediate the synthesis of biofilm matrix via influencing these regulators to control the biofilm formation and pellicle structure.
http://ift.tt/2sSHMI1
Seeing the unseen: Imaging rotation in cells with designer anisotropic particles
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Micron
Author(s): Yuan Gao, Yanqi Yu, Lucero Sanchez, Yan Yu
Cellular functions are enabled by cascades of transient biological events. Imaging and tracking the dynamics of these events has proven to be a powerful means of understanding the principles of cellular processes. These studies have typically focused on translational dynamics. By contrast, investigations of rotational dynamics have been scarce, despite emerging evidence that rotational dynamics are an inherent feature of many cellular processes and may also provide valuable clues to understanding those cell functions. Such studies have been impeded by the limited availability of suitable rotational imaging probes. This has recently changed thanks to the advances in the development of anisotropic particles for rotational imaging. In this review, we will summarize current techniques for imaging rotation using particle probes that are anisotropic in shape or optical properties. We will highlight two studies that demonstrate how these techniques can be applied to explore important facets of cellular functions.
Graphical abstract
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A comprehensive review of preparation, characterization, properties and stability of hybrid nanofluids
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Author(s): D. Dhinesh Kumar, A. Valan Arasu
Nanofluids are emerging as promising thermo fluids for heat transfer application. Nano fluids are two phase fluids of solid liquid mixture. The presence of solid nanoparticles in the base fluid increases significantly the effective thermal conductivity of the fluid and consequently enhances the heat transfer characteristics. Addition of single nanoparticle in base fluid, to improve the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the base fluid is a proven technology. In recent years, attention is focused on research studies involving impregnation of two or more nanoparticles in base fluids, called hybrid or composite nanofluids. Research studies on nanofluid containing composite nanoparticle showed better enhancement in thermal and rheological characteristics of base heat transfer fluid compared to mono nanoparticle based nanofluids. The research studies carried out on preparation, characterization, properties and stability of hybrid nanofluids are comprehensively reviewed in this paper. The models for properties such as thermal conductivity, viscosity, density, specific heat, friction factor and heat transfer coefficient of hybrid nanofluids are presented. The potential application and the challenges including stability methods and measures for hybrid nanofluids are discussed.
http://ift.tt/2sCwDHa
Current Challenges in the Management of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Seminars in Oncology
Author(s): Ciara C. O'Sullivan, Nicole N. Davarpanah, Jame Abraham, Susan E. Bates
Approximately 50% of patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) ultimately develop breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM), which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The advent of HER2-directed therapy resulted in greatly improved survival outcomes, but unfortunately at the price of an increased cumulative incidence of BCBM. We review challenges in the management of BCBM, and potential treatment strategies, including novel agents such as poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (olaparib, veliparib), cyclin dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors (palbociclib, abemaciclib) and taxane derivatives (e.g. ANG1005 and TPI-287). The utility of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-directed therapies − lapatinib, ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), neratinib and tucatinib − is also being studied in this setting. We address the need for improved imaging techniques and innovation in clinical trial design. For example, the current practice is to initially administer whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) as treatment for patients with multiple BCBM. However, in selected circumstances, first line systemic treatment may be more appropriate in order to avoid neurocognitive toxicities and potential options should be evaluated in window of opportunity trials. Other strategies that may aid development of more effective clinical trials and expedite the development of promising agents include the use of different clinical endpoints and different imaging tools.
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Nanoparticle doubles-up tumor targeting
Source:Nano Today
http://ift.tt/2tZcwGN
Nanocomposite makes printing glass a synch
Source:Nano Today
http://ift.tt/2uXpSjU
Correlation between air pollution and weather data in urban areas: Assessment of the city of Rome (Italy) as spatially and temporally independent regarding pollutants
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 165
Author(s): Gabriele Battista, Roberto de Lieto Vollaro
Air pollution represents the biggest environmental risk for health. It is so widespread and it represents one of the main problems of the worldwide, especially because it is emitted by so many different types of sources. The pollutants can originate directly by exhausted or they can be formed because of the reaction with the atmosphere. The first one includes particulate matter and gaseous pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon oxides. The second one includes the ozone formed from nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, and particulate sulfate and nitrate aerosols created in the atmosphere from sulfur and nitrogen oxide gases. During the entire life course, people are exposed to the pollutants and suffer from different consequences depending on the age. The first nine month of life are generally recognized as more critical than latter time periods. The mortality associated to air pollutant exposure is main related to the concentrations of NOx, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxides and particular matter. More than 92% of the world's population lives in places where air quality levels exceed the standards. In 2012, one out of every nine deaths was the result of air pollution-related conditions. In 2016 about 3 million deaths a year were linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution. In the last few years many epidemiological studies have shown associations between air pollutant concentrations and human health. Apart from people, even monuments and artworks can be damaged by pollution, especially in city centres. Furthermore, urbanization modified microclimate conditions of the cities, and, together with traffic and domestic heating, led to a discomfort of living conditions. For these reasons, there is the necessity to improve the research on the impact of pollutant and microclimate conditions inside urban areas. In this work different kinds of pollutants in Rome from 2006 to 2015 were analysed, and different techniques of post elaboration were used. In particular, the attention was focused on statistic and cross statistic techniques in time and space. The results led to describe Rome as spatially and temporally independence regarding pollutant. Even weather changes were studied in relation with pollution. In particular, cross-correlation analysis were done with air temperature, solar radiation, wind direction and velocity, highlighting a strong coupling for the most of cases except for particular matter.
http://ift.tt/2uXw7Ev
Short-term aerosol radiative effects and their regional difference during heavy haze episodes in January 2013 in China
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 165
Author(s): Xinghong Cheng, Zhian Sun, Deping Li, Xiangde Xu, Mengwei Jia, Siyang Cheng
Short-term direct effects of aerosols on surface shortwave radiation and its regional difference during heavy haze episodes in January 2013 in China are investigated using the offline Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) - the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ)- second Sun-Edward-Slingo radiative transfer (SES2) model system. The aerosol concentrations are first generated using the WRF-CMAQ model simulations and then corrected based on the observed concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5. The atmospheric profile data produced by the WRF model and the corrected aerosol concentrations are used as inputs to the SES2 model to calculate the global horizontal irradiance (GHI) and direct solar irradiance (DIR) at the surface for a period of heavy haze episodes in January 2013 in China. The effects of aerosol on the GHI and DIR at the surface are then analyzed. The modeled radiation is evaluated against the observations first and the results show some improvement due to the correction for the aerosol concentrations. The aerosol shortwave radiative effects are determined by the difference between the model calculations with and without the inclusion of aerosols. It is found that the short-term aerosol radiative impacts during heavy haze days are very large, range between 100 and 500 W m-2. The aerosol concentrations have a large spatial variation with the highest concentration occurring in the areas of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, which causes a large difference in the radiative effect nation wide. In addition to the total concentration, the aerosol vertical distributions s also vary from the north to south in China and this leads to a significant difference in radiative effect even when the PM10 concentration is similar at three regions.
http://ift.tt/2tYTT5G
How private vehicle use increases ambient air pollution concentrations at schools during the morning drop-off of children
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 165
Author(s): Matthew D. Adams, Weeberb J. Requia
A child's exposure to environmental pollutants can have life-long health effects. Thus it is critical to understand the potential exposure pathways. In this paper, we examine the increase in ambient PM2.5 concentrations at schools from private vehicle use for dropping children off at school. In North America, students are commonly driven to school in a private vehicle. Additionally, students walk or cycle, or take a school bus. Our vehicle surveys recorded between 23 and 116 personal vehicles at 25 schools, where enrolment ranged from 160 to 765 students. We fit a linear regression model to predict the number of vehicles at schools we did not observe within our study area, which explained 57% of the variation in our surveys. A microsimulation traffic model was created for each of the 86 schools we studied. Outputs from the traffic model were used to determine the emissions generated at each school. PM2.5 emissions varied from 0.14 to 6.38 g. Lastly, we dispersed the emissions produced by private vehicles dropping off students, which are emissions generated by unnecessary trips because students further than walking distance are provided transportation by the school board. At the drop-off location in front of the school, we found ambient concentration increases of at least 5 μg/m3, 10 μg/m3, 25 μg/m3 and 50 μg/m3 during 16.8%, 7.6%, 2.0% and 0.5% of the mornings, respectively. This research was conducted in a medium-sized North American city and should allow transferability to similar cities. We conclude that the use of private vehicles can significantly increase local concentrations, regardless of background conditions.
http://ift.tt/2uWXVbV
Temporal characteristics of columnar aerosol optical properties and radiative forcing (2011–2015) measured at AERONET’s Pretoria_CSIR_DPSS site in South Africa
Publication date: September 2017
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 165
Author(s): K. Raghavendra Kumar, Na Kang, V. Sivakumar, Derek Griffith
Ground-based observations of the spectral aerosol optical depths (AODs) revealed that the northwest of South Africa (SA) possessed large aerosol loading and still remained unexplored as none of the authors have been extensively studied. The characteristics of aerosol optical, physical, and radiative properties, as well as their relationships presented in this paper, were derived from the direct sun and sky radiances measured at Pretoria during August 2011–December 2015 using the AERONET's (CE-318) automatic sun/sky radiometer. The annual mean AOD440, AE440-870, and SSA-T440 estimated at Pretoria during the study period were 0.23 ± 0.13, 1.50 ± 0.26, and 0.91 ± 0.04, respectively. The mean AOD440 (AE440-870) for the study period appeared higher during the spring and summer seasons (summer), suggest dominance of fine mode particles attributed to biomass burning activities and seasonal influence of meteorology. Analysis of frequency occurrences of AOD and AE also indicate that this region is richly populated with fine mode particles. Further, the AOD-AE relationship was studied at Pretoria and the result concluded that the mixed type aerosols contributed more among the others followed by the urban/industrial-biomass burning and clean continental (background) aerosols. The high summertime SSA-T440 and fine mode radius of AVSD could be associated with the hygroscopic growth of water-soluble aerosols under high water vapor (absorbing aerosols). The positive (negative) values of aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) were observed in all the months, an indication of significant heating (cooling) within the atmosphere (top of the atmosphere (TOA) and bottom of the atmosphere (BOA)) were due to strong absorption (scattering) of radiation. Further, the efficiency derived between ARF and AOD440 indicated that ARF is a strong function of AOD at the BOA noted with a high degree of correlation coefficient (r = 0.93).
Graphical abstract
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Vermi-modification of ruminant excreta using Eisenia fetida
Abstract
Present investigation aims on the vermicomposting of the excreta of different ruminants to convert it into manure employing earthworm species, Eisenia fetida. A total of 11 feedstocks (FS1–FS11) with different ratios were prepared from the excreta of different ruminants, viz., sheep, cow, buffalo, and goat. Semi-composted feedstocks were fed to E. fetida for 90 days under laboratory conditions. Vermicomposting enhanced the nutrient contents of ruminant excreta and converted it into odor-free and homogenous vermicompost. The growth of E. fetida was significant in all the feedstocks, but largest biomass gain was achieved in buffalo excreta followed by [sheep + buffalo] > [goat + buffalo] and [cow + buffalo] feedstocks. Highest fecundity (782 ± 23.3) was also recorded in buffalo excreta followed by [goat + buffalo] excreta feedstock (484.6 ± 15.7). In vermicomposted feedstocks, total organic carbon and organic matter was lesser, while NPK and heavy metals were higher as compared to raw feedstocks. C/N ratios of vermicomposts ranged from 15.37 to 38.56, which indicate a good level of maturity and stabilization of feedstocks.
http://ift.tt/2sCmyde
Optimal scale of China’s cities under the maximization of economic benefits and environmental benefits
Abstract
The cities are the consumption concentration of energy, resources, and the concentration of CO2 emissions. The cities' area only accounted for 2% in the world's surface; however, their population accounted for about 50% of the total population, and CO2 emissions accounted for about 80% of the total emissions. The cities lie in a key position in solving the global climate change. China's urbanization level was just exceeding by 50%, which was in the intermediate stage of urbanization. The rapid development of the urbanization process and the expansion of city scale have brought economic growth and all kinds of environmental issues. Therefore, is there an optimal city scale which can make cities maintain economic growth and can also reduce or even avoid the environmental problems in the meantime? The question deserves deep research. Based on the background, the data from 1998 to 2014, and the goals of the cities' economic and environmental benefits, this paper builds the optimal scale model for the cities, and obtain two conclusions: (1) in a certain period and range, the cities have the optimal scale; (2) for the cities in China, the optimal scale is about 1.78 million people.
http://ift.tt/2tV4G13
Ricinus communis L . (castor bean) as a potential candidate for revegetating industrial waste contaminated sites in peri-urban Greater Hyderabad: remarks on seed oil
Abstract
Ricinus communis L. (castor bean or castor oil plant) was found growing on metal-contaminated sites (4) of peri-urban Greater Hyderabad comprises of erstwhile industrial areas viz Bollaram, Patancheru, Bharatnagar, and Kattedan industrial areas. During 2013–2017, about 60 research papers have appeared focusing the role of castor bean in phytoremediation of co-contaminated soils, co-generation of biomaterials, and environmental cleanup, as bioenergy crop and sustainable development. The present study is focused on its use as a multipurpose phytoremediation crop for phytostabilization and revegetation of waste disposed peri-urban contaminated soils. To determine the plant tolerance level, metal accumulation, chlorophyll, protein, proline, lipid peroxidation, oil content, and soil properties were characterized. It was noticed that the castor plant and soils have high concentration of metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). The soils have high phosphorous (P), adequate nitrogen (N), and low concentration of potassium (K). Iron (Fe) concentrations ranged from1672±50.91 to 2166±155.78 mg kg−1 in the soil. The trend of metal accumulation Fe>Zn>Mn>Pb>Cd was found in different plant parts at polluted sites. The translocation of Cd and Pb showed values more than one in industrial areas viz Bollaram, Kattedan, and Bharatnagar indicating the plants resistance to metal toxicity. Chlorophyll and protein content reduced while proline and malondialdehyde increased due to its tolerance level under metal exposure. The content of ricinoleic acid was higher, and the fatty acids composition of polluted areas was almost similar to that of the control area. Thus, R. communis L. can be employed for reclamation of heavy metal contaminated soils.
http://ift.tt/2sCk3aO
TiO 2 -SnS 2 nanocomposites: solar-active photocatalytic materials for water treatment
Abstract
The study is aimed at evaluating TiO2-SnS2 composites as effective solar-active photocatalysts for water treatment. Two strategies for the preparation of TiO2-SnS2 composites were examined: (i) in-situ chemical synthesis followed by immobilization on glass plates and (ii) binding of two components (TiO2 and SnS2) within the immobilization step. The as-prepared TiO2-SnS2 composites and their sole components (TiO2 or SnS2) were inspected for composition, crystallinity, and morphology using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analyses. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was used to determine band gaps of immobilized TiO2-SnS2 and to establish the changes in comparison to respective sole components. The activity of immobilized TiO2-SnS2 composites was tested for the removal of diclofenac (DCF) in aqueous solution under simulated solar irradiation and compared with that of single component photocatalysts. In situ chemical synthesis yielded materials of high crystallinity, while their morphology and composition strongly depended on synthesis conditions applied. TiO2-SnS2 composites exhibited higher activity toward DCF removal and conversion in comparison to their sole components at acidic pH, while only in situ synthesized TiO2-SnS2 composites showed higher activity at neutral pH.
http://ift.tt/2sCfsFO
Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Evidence Based Update 2016
Source:Brain Stimulation
Author(s): Mariane M. Godinho, Daniela R. Junqueira, Mariana L. Castro, Yoon Loke, Su Golder, Hugo P. Neto
http://ift.tt/2sBRIBw
Concentration of selenium, zinc, copper, Cu/Zn ratio, total antioxidant status and c-reactive protein in the serum of patients with psoriasis treated by narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy: A case-control study
Publication date: December 2017
Source:Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 44
Author(s): Marta Wacewicz, Katarzyna Socha, Jolanta Soroczyńska, Marek Niczyporuk, Piotr Aleksiejczuk, Jolanta Ostrowska, Maria H. Borawska
BackgroundPsoriasis is a common, an inflammatory skin disease. Trace elements may play an active role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to estimate the concentration of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and Cu/Zn ratio as well as total antioxidant status (TAS) and c-reactive protein (CRP) in the serum of patients with psoriasis.MethodsIn this case-control study sixty patients with psoriasis and fifty-eight healthy people were examined. Serum levels of Se, Zn and Cu were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Cu/Zn ratio was calculated. TAS was measured spectrophotometrically. CRP was analyzed by immunoturbidimetric method. Clinical activity of psoriasis was evaluated using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).ResultsSerum concentration of Se in patients with psoriasis (71.89±16.90μg/L) was lower as compared to the control group (79.42±18.97μg/L) and after NB-UVB. Cu level of patients was higher (1.151±0.320mg/L) as compared to controls (1.038±0.336mg/L), but Zn level did not differ. We observed higher Cu/Zn ratio (p<0.05) in examined patients than in the control group and after NB-UVB. We found decrease TAS before and after NB-UVB. CRP levels was found to be normal range. A significant correlation coefficient between CRP and Cu/Zn was observed.ConclusionsThe study showed some disturbances in the serum levels of trace elements and TAS in psoriatic patients.
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Multi-frequency interpolation in spiral magnetic resonance fingerprinting for correction of off-resonance blurring
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Jason Ostenson, Ryan K. Robison, Nicholas R. Zwart, E. Brian Welch
Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) pulse sequences often employ spiral trajectories for data readout. Spiral k-space acquisitions are vulnerable to blurring in the spatial domain in the presence of static field off-resonance. This work describes a blurring correction algorithm for use in spiral MRF and demonstrates its effectiveness in phantom and in vivo experiments. Results show that image quality of T1 and T2 parametric maps is improved by application of this correction. This MRF correction has negligible effect on the concordance correlation coefficient and improves coefficient of variation in regions of off-resonance relative to uncorrected measurements.
http://ift.tt/2sSsnaO
The effect of radiotherapy on fat content and fatty acids in myxoid liposarcomas quantified by MRI
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Skorpil Mikael, Rydén Henric, Wejde Johan, Lidbrink Elisabet, Brosjö Otte, Berglund Johan
BackgroundMyxoid liposarcomas are highly radiosensitive. Consequently radiotherapy is often used pre-operatively to reduce tumor volume and lessen the post-operative deficit. In soft-tissue sarcomas therapy response is mainly evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the fundamental criterion for a positive response is decreased tumor size. In myxoid liposarcomas an increased fat content is also known to occur as a response to radiotherapy.ObjectiveTo highlight the difficulties of MRI for therapy response evaluation in irradiated myxoid liposarcomas, by using MRI Dixon techniques enabling objective quantification of proton density fat fraction (%) and the number of double bonds (ndb; unsaturation degree) of fatty acids. Secondly, to compare quantitative fat fraction measurements versus visual grading of fat content on T1-weighted images.Case descriptionsPrior to surgery, two patients with myxoid liposarcoma were treated with 50Gy. Following radiotherapy, both tumors on MRI showed reduced size, elevated fat fraction and transformed fat fraction histograms with diverse changes of ndb, while histopathological specimens showed discordant treatment effects; one case having good response and the other having poor response.ConclusionsA decrease in tumor size and increase in fat content on MRI cannot be interpreted as positive therapy response in radiotherapy of myxoid liposarcomas. Our data also give further supporting evidence that differentiation and maturation of tumor cells is the cause for the lipoma-like areas seen after radiotherapy. Finally, quantitative MRI Dixon techniques are preferable to visual grading for estimating the fat content in lipomatous tumors.
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Immunosuppression with tacrolimus improved implantation and rescued expression of uterine progesterone receptor and its co-regulators FKBP52 and PIASy at nidation in the obese and diabetic mice: Comparative studies with metformin
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Ahmad J.H. Albaghdadi, Frederick W.K. Kan
Diabesity is often associated with subfertility and recurrent miscarriages. Evidence links systemic and local uterine cytotoxicity to the pathogenesis of implantation failure (IF) in diabetes. Immunosuppression with tacrolimus improved pregnancy outcomes in obese and diabetic mice and repeated IF in women with elevated Th1/Th2 blood cell ratios. However the mode of action of tacrolimus in protecting against IF and the molecular mechanisms associated with recurrent miscarriages in the obese and diabetic subjects are yet to be elucidated. Here we administered tacrolimus (FK506) (0.1 mg/kg) for four consecutive weeks to the NONcNZO10/LtJ mice, a model of human PCOS, chronically fed with 60% kCal fat for 16 consecutive weeks to simulate human obesity-associated T2DM. Compared to those immunosuppressed with tacrolimus and their normative controls, high-fat fed (HFD) diabetic NONcNZO mice exhibited higher rates of peri- and post-implantation resorption and had aberrant expression of uterine IFNγ and progesterone receptor (PGR) and its immunophilin co-chaperone FKBP52 at nidation. Immature uterodomes and lack of activation of uterine STAT3 and NFκB at implantation were characteristics of IF in the HFD-dNONcNZO dams also low in the deciduogenic factors IL11 and GM-CSF. Therapeutic interventions with tacrolimus or metformin normalized the expression of decidual IFNγ, PGR and FKBP52, increased co-localization of protein inhibitor of activated STATy (PIASy) to PGR and resulted in the upregulation of uterine IL11and LIF. Rescued phosphorylation of STAT3 and NFκBp65 and uterodome maturation at nidation defined implantation success in treated dams. To our knowledge this is the first report to show that the impact of HFD on the hemochorial implantation is at least in part mediated through disruption of PGR signaling at nidation and that immunosuppression with tacrolimus or treatment with metformin restores PGR-mediated influences during implantation in the obese and diabetic subjects.
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A homologue of Nr5a1 activates cyp19a1a transcription additively with Nr5a2 in ovarian follicular cells of the orange-spotted grouper
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Boyang Shi, Huijie Lu, Lihong Zhang, Weimin Zhang
Transcription factors of nuclear receptor 5A (Nr5a) subfamily play pivotal roles in regulation of steroidogenic enzymes in vertebrates including teleosts. In the orange-spotted grouper, the expression of Nr5a1a was only detectable in the ovary, spleen, and head kidney in the female. The immunoreactive Nr5a1a was present in ovarian follicular and germ cells. In the ovarian follicular cells surrounding vitellogenic oocytes, Nr5a1a was detected both in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and co-localized with Cyp19a1a and Nr5a2. In the ovarian follicular cells surrounding fully grown oocytes, Nr5a1a was localized almost exclusively to the cytoplasm together with Nr5a2. Nr5a1a could up-regulate cyp19a1a promoter activities through Nr5a sites, and further increase the responses elicited by Nr5a2 at sub-maximal doses. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that Nr5a1a bound to cyp19a1a promoter in the vitellogenic but not fully grown ovary. Taken together, Nr5a1a up-regulates cyp19a1a additively with Nr5a2 during vitellogenesis, and its cytoplasmic sequestration may also contribute to the down-regulation of cyp19a1a in the fully grown ovary.
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Pediatric Skeletal Scintigraphy: What a General Radiologist Needs to Know
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Fathima Fijula Palot Manzil, John Baldwin, Asim Kumar Bag
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Radiology Trainee Versus Faculty Radiologist Fluoroscopy Time for Imaging-Guided Procedures: A Retrospective Study of 17,966 Reports Over a 5.5-Year Period
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Ariadne K. DeSimone, Andrew Post, Richard Duszak, Phuong-Anh T. Duong
Rationale and ObjectivesTo evaluate differences in fluoroscopy time (FT) for common vascular access and gastrointestinal procedures performed by radiology trainees versus faculty radiologists.Materials and MethodsReport information was extracted for all 17,966 index fluoroscopy services performed by trainees and/or faculty from two university hospitals over 66 months. Various vascular access procedures (e.g., peripherally-inserted central catheters [PICCs] and ports) and gastrointestinal fluoroscopy procedures (e.g., upper gastrointestinal and contrast enema studies) were specifically targeted. Statistical analysis was performed.ResultsFT was recorded in 17,549/17,966 reports (98%) The 1393 procedures performed by non-physician providers or transitional year interns were excluded. Residents, fellows, and faculty were primary operators in 5,066, 6,489, and 4,601 procedures, respectively. Average FT (in seconds) for resident and fellow services, respectively, was less than that of faculty only for PICCs (75 and 101 vs. 148, p < 0.01). For all other procedures, average FT of trainee services was greater than that for faculty. This was statistically significant (P < 0.05) for fellows vs. faculty port placement (121 vs. 87), resident vs. faculty small bowel series (130 vs. 96), and both resident and fellow vs. faculty esophagram procedures (143 and 183 vs. 126 ). FT for residents was significantly less than that for fellows only for PICCs (75 vs. 101, p < 0.01).ConclusionFor most, but not all, fluoroscopy procedures commonly performed by radiology trainees, FT is greater than that for procedures performed by faculty radiologists. Better awareness and understanding of such differences may aid training programs in developing benchmarks, protocols, and focused teaching in the safe use of fluoroscopy for patients and operators.
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Current Techniques and Clinical Applications of CT Urography
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Vijay Krishnan, Ashish Chawla, Kedar G. Sharbidre, Wilfred Peh
From conventional radiograph to MR urography, imaging of urinary system has evolved with variety of investigations over the past several decades with each of them having advantages and limitations of their own. In the current era, Computed tomography (CT) has emerged as a preferred investigations for evaluation of the urinary tract. There are various techniques involved in performing CT urography (CTU) with triple bolus technique (TB-CTU) currently drawing a special attention because of its low radiation exposure. This article aims to discuss the current techniques, indications and clinical applications of CTU with illustrations.
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PD-L1 and immune escape - insights from melanoma and other lineage-unrelated malignancies
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Human Pathology
Author(s): Noah Frydenlund, Meera Mahalingam
One of the major breakthroughs in oncology in the past decade has been the research and development of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Since the discovery of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis as a key mediator in peripheral self-tolerance and the subsequent discovery of its role promoting immune escape in cancers, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has produced considerable excitement from both a scientific and therapeutic stand point. The past decade has seen an explosion in the number of clinical trials utilizing antI-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Notably, pathologists have played a critical role in the development of these trials, and in guiding the use of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies in FDA approved clinical settings. Analysis of tissue biopsies has been increasingly used to predict patients with which cancers are most likely to benefit from these new therapies. However, many open questions remain in a rapidly changing therapeutic and scientific landscape.In this review, we describe the basic functioning of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in normal biology, how it is coopted by cancers to promote immune escape, and then review the literature regarding the prognostic value of tumoral PD-L1 expression on its own before discussing recent therapeutic advances, and the emerging role for pathologists in predicting response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies. Special attention is given to melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, malignancies which have the seen the broadest applications of anti-PD-L1/PD-1 therapies.
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Assessing and Promoting the Wellness of United States Ophthalmology Residents: A Survey of Program Directors
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Journal of Surgical Education
Author(s): Elaine M. Tran, Ingrid U. Scott, Melissa A. Clark, Paul B. Greenberg
ObjectiveTo report on the status of residency-based wellness initiatives in ophthalmic graduate medical education and identify strategies for promoting ophthalmology resident wellness by surveying US ophthalmology program directors (PDs).DesignThe PDs were each sent an e-mail containing a link to an anonymous online 15-question survey. The PDs also received a letter with the survey link and a $1 incentive. After 2 weeks, nonresponders received 2 weekly reminder e-mails and phone calls. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the multiple choice responses and categorize the free response answers.SettingNational survey.ParticipantsAll 111 US ophthalmology PDs were invited to participate.ResultsOf 111 PDs, 56 (50%) responded; 14 (26%) of 53 respondents reported that their programs faced an issue involving resident depression, burnout, or suicide within the last year; 25 (45%) of 56 reported that their department had a resident wellness program. Respondents without wellness programs reported a shortage of time (19/30; 63%) and lack of training and resources (19/30; 63%) as barriers to instituting these programs. Respondents reported that the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education could better promote resident wellness by providing training resources for burnout and depression screening (35/53; 66%), resilience skills building (38/53; 72%), and wellness program development (36/53; 68%).ConclusionsThis survey suggests that there is a substantial burden of burnout and depression among residents in ophthalmic graduate medical education and that this burden can be addressed by promoting the training of educators to recognize the signs of burnout and depression, and providing resources to develop and expand formal wellness programs.
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Parenting children with down syndrome: An analysis of parenting styles, parenting dimensions, and parental stress
Source:Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 68
Author(s): B. Allyson Phillips, Frances Conners, Mary Elizabeth Curtner-Smith
BackgroundEffective parenting is vital for a child's development. Although much work has been conducted on parenting typically developing children, little work has examined parenting children with Down syndrome.AimsThe purpose of the current study was to compare the parenting styles and dimensions in mothers of children with DS and mothers of TD children.Methods and proceduresThirty-five mothers of children with DS and 47 mothers of TD children completed questionnaires about parenting, parental stress, child behavior problems, and child executive function.Outcomes and resultsWe found that mothers of children with DS use an authoritative parenting style less and a permissive parenting style more than mothers of TD children. Additionally, we found that mothers of children with DS use reasoning/induction and verbal hostility less and ignoring misbehavior more than mothers of TD children. All of these differences, except for those of reasoning/induction, were at least partially accounted for by the higher levels of parental stress in the DS group.Conclusions and implicationsParenting interventions should be focused on reducing parental stress and training mothers to parent under stress in an effort to improve parenting techniques, which would, in theory, improve long-term child outcomes for children with DS.
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How services for children with disabilities in Serbia affect the quality of life of their families
Source:Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 68
Author(s): Tamara Dzamonja Ignjatovic, Marko Milanovic, Nevenka Zegarac
BackgroundFamilies that have children with disabilities face numerous difficulties related to the lack of services support, social isolation and poverty in Serbia. Mostly due to the prolonged effect of social and economic crisis, there are insufficient adequate and diverse community-based services for those families.AimsThe aim of the study was to examine the effect of newly introduced services on the quality of families' life.MethodsA pretest/posttest study was conducted at the beginning of service and one year later to evaluate the effect of services measured by Family Quality of Life Scale (Hoffman et al., 2006). The sample consists of 153 families of children with disabilities from 35 different places in Serbia.ResultsThe results show that the services generally improved the families' quality of life, particularly in the aspects targeted by services, but also had significant positive effect on family interaction and parenting. The services had the highest impact on the families that perceived the lowest life quality before using them. The life quality was improved, regardless of the type of services, but the effectiveness is affected by the severity of child disability.ImplicationsThe results might be useful for further steps in developing and evaluating individually and flexible tailored service that support families' needs and suits them the best.
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Oncocytic papillary cystadenoma with prominent mucinous differentiation of parotid gland: a case report
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Pathology - Research and Practice
Author(s): Borislav A. Alexiev, Lawrence J. Jennings, Sandeep Samant, Sambasiva Rao
We describe the case of an oncocytic papillary cystadenoma with mucinous differentiation of the parotid gland in a 64-year-old male. Histologically, the tumor exhibited distinctive areas of intracystic papillary growth pattern with microcystic and macrocystic spaces containing mucinous secretions and small crystals. The cyst wall and papillary fronds were lined by oncocytic admixed with numerous mucocytes. Lymphoid tissue and invasive features were not identified. The tumor showed strong expression of CK7 and mammaglobin in oncocytes, and BRST-2 and MUC4 in mucocytes. p63, ER, PR, SOX10, DOG-1, and S100 stains were negative. No rearrangement of the MAML2 gene region or ETV6-NTRK3 fusion transcript was detected. The diagnosis of oncocytic papillary tumor with prominent mucinous differentiation is particularly problematic owing to the large number of potential mimics and should prompt consideration of appropriate molecular studies.
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Kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies of methylene blue adsorption from water by Mytella falcata waste
Abstract
This work evaluates the application of Mytella falcata shells, discarded in large quantities in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, as adsorbent for methylene blue dye (MB). It was investigated how the amount of adsorbent (M), the average particle diameter (G), and the agitation speed (A) affected the adsorption. Kinetic and equilibrium studies were conducted, and the pseudo-second-order equation adequately represented the kinetic data and isotherms following Liu's model (q max = 8.81 mg g−1 at 60 °C). The adsorption was spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic. Mytella falcata shell is a suitable adsorbent for MB and could potentially contribute to its removal from the environment.
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Micro-CT and FE-SEM enamel analyses of calcium-based agent application after bleaching
Abstract
Objectives
The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) on bleached enamel.
Materials and methods
A bleaching agent (35% hydrogen peroxide) was applied, 4 × 8 min on premolar teeth (n = 8). A CPP-ACP paste was applied for 7 days. Prior and post-treatment, microtomography images were obtained and 3D regions of interest (ROIs) were selected, from outer enamel, extending to 110.2-μm depth. CT parameters of structure: thickness (St.Th), separation (St.Sp), and fragmentation index (Fr.I.) were calculated for each (ROI). Data was submitted to paired t tests at a 95% confidence level. The samples were evaluated at 3000 to 100,000 magnification. Quantitative analysis of enamel mineral content was also determined by SEM EDX.
Results
There was a significant increase in structure thickness and calcium content. The phosphorus content increased after bleaching. There was also a decreased separation and fragmentation index on the outer enamel to a depth of 56.2 μm (p < 0.05). There were no changes at 110.2-μm depth for the bleaching CPP-ACP association. A covering layer and decreased spaces between the hydroxyapatite crystals appeared around the enamel prisms, 7 days after the CPP-ACP application.
Conclusions
The application of a CPP-ACP provides a compact structure on the enamel's outer surface, for 7 days, due to calcium deposition. CT parameters seem to be a useful tool for mineralizing and remineralizing future studies.
Clinical relevance
CPP-ACP neutralizes any adverse effects on enamel surface when applied during a week after bleaching and minimizes any side effects of the bleaching treatment due to a more compact structure.
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A systematic review of the current knowledge regarding revenge pornography and non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Kate Walker, Emma Sleath
The aim of this review was to synthesize the current literature regarding revenge pornography and the non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media. A systematic search was made of five databases using relevant search terms. From these searches, 82 articles were retained for inclusion within the systematic review. The literature spanned areas of research including legal, theory, as well as psychology related empirical papers. The findings show that particularly in the U.S., but in other countries as well, there are significant concerns regarding the implementation of revenge pornography legislation, despite this being recognized as an important endeavor. Non-consensual sharing perpetration and victimization rates can vary considerably according to how the behavior is defined and measured, however, these behaviors were evident for a considerable number of individuals across both genders.
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So you want to study bullying? Recommendations to enhance the validity, transparency, and compatibility of bullying research
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Anthony A. Volk, René Veenstra, Dorothy L. Espelage
Bullying is a serious problem that affects millions of individuals worldwide each year. In response to this, thousands of research articles have been published on bullying. Unfortunately, much of bullying research remains largely atheoretical in its approach to defining bullying as a unique form of aggression. Another key problem in bullying research is the proliferation of heterogeneity of bullying measures whose validity is sometimes questionable. Combined, these two problems have made progress difficult as comparisons between studies and results are impeded by a lack of commonality. As a solution to these problems a discussion of the issues surrounding defining and measuring bullying is offered. This paper aims to promote thoughts and insights about the critical issues and concepts facing those who seek to define and measure bullying for research, intervention, or policy work. Although suggestions for best practices are offered, the overriding goal is to promote all practices that enhance the validity, transparency, and compatibility of bullying research. The time seems right for a general call to action for researchers to individually produce data that are both theoretically and empirically more communicable to the broader bullying community.
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Contents
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
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Reduced electrode arrays for acute electroencephalography: Can less be more?
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
Author(s): Kenneth G. Jordan
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Unsupervised Detection and Removal of Muscle Artifacts from Scalp EEG Recordings using Canonical Correlation Analysis, Wavelets and Random Forests
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Maria Anastasiadou, Manolis Christodoulakis, Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, Savvas S. Papacostas, Georgios D. Mitsis
ObjectiveThis paper proposes supervised and unsupervised algorithms for automatic muscle artifact detection and removal from long-term EEG recordings, which combine canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and wavelets with random forests (RF).MethodsThe proposed algorithms first perform CCA and continuous wavelet transform of the canonical components to generate a number of features which include component autocorrelation values and wavelet coefficient magnitude values. A subset of the most important features is subsequently selected using RF and labelled observations (supervised case) or synthetic data constructed from the original observations (unsupervised case). The proposed algorithms are evaluated using realistic simulation data as well as 30 min epochs of non-invasive EEG recordings obtained from ten patients with epilepsy.ResultsWe assessed the performance of the proposed algorithms using classification performance and goodness-of-fit values for noisy and noise-free signal windows. In the simulation study, where the ground truth was known, the proposed algorithms yielded almost perfect performance. In the case of experimental data, where expert marking was performed, the results suggest that both the supervised and unsupervised algorithm versions were able to remove artifacts without affecting noise-free channels considerably, outperforming standard CCA, independent component analysis (ICA) and Lagged Auto-Mutual Information Clustering (LAMIC).ConclusionThe proposed algorithms achieved excellent performance in both simulation and experimental data. Importantly, for the first time to our knowledge, we were able to perform entirely unsupervised artifact removal, i.e. without using already marked noisy data segments, achieving performance that is comparable to the supervised case.SignificanceOverall, the results suggest that the proposed algorithms yield significant future potential for improving EEG signal quality in research or clinical settings without the need for marking by expert neurophysiologists, EMG signal recording and user visual inspection.
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Editorial Board
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
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Band-specific atypical functional connectivity pattern in childhood autism spectrum disorder
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
Author(s): Tetsuya Takahashi, Teruya Yamanishi, Sou Nobukawa, Shinya Kasakawa, Yuko Yoshimura, Hirotoshi Hiraishi, Chiaki Hasegawa, Takashi Ikeda, Tetsu Hirosawa, Toshio Munesue, Haruhiro Higashida, Yoshio Minabe, Mitsuru Kikuchi
ObjectiveAltered brain connectivity has been theorized as a key neural underpinning of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but recent investigations have revealed conflicting patterns of connectivity, particularly hyper-connectivity and hypo-connectivity across age groups. The application of graph theory to neuroimaging data has become an effective approach for characterizing topographical patterns of large-scale functional networks. We used a graph approach to investigate alteration of functional networks in childhood ASD.MethodMagnetoencephalographic signals were quantified using graph-theoretic metrics with a phase lag index (PLI) for specific bands in 24 children with autism spectrum disorder and 24 typically developing controls.ResultsNo significant group difference of PLI was found. Regarding topological organization, enhanced and reduced small-worldness, representing the efficiency of information processing, were observed respectively in ASD children, particularly in the gamma band and delta band.ConclusionsAnalyses revealed frequency-dependent atypical neural network topologies in ASD children.SignificanceOur findings underscore the recently proposed atypical neural network theory of ASD during childhood. Graph theory with PLI applied to magnetoencephalographic signals might be a useful approach for characterizing the frequency-specific neurophysiological bases of ASD.
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Pilot prospective study of post-surgery sleep and EEG predictors of post-operative delirium
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
Author(s): Joanna L. Evans, Jacob W. Nadler, Xavier A. Preud'homme, Eric Fang, Rommie L. Daughtry, Joseph B. Chapman, David Attarian, Samuel Wellman, Andrew D. Krystal
ObjectiveDelirium is a common post-operative complication associated with significant costs, morbidity, and mortality. We sought sleep/EEG predictors of delirium present prior to delirium symptoms to facilitate developing and targeting therapies.MethodsContinuous EEG data were obtained in 12 patients post-orthopedic surgery from the day of surgery until delirium assessment on post-operative day 2 (POD2).ResultsDiminished total sleep time (r=−0.68; p<0.05) and longer latency to sleep onset (r=0.67; p<0.05) on the first night in the hospital were associated with greater POD2 delirium severity. Patients experiencing delirium slept 2.4h less and took 2h longer to fall asleep. Greater waking EEG delta power (r=0.84; p<0.05) on POD1 and less non-REM sleep EEG delta power (r=−0.72; p<0.05) on night 2 also predicted POD2 delirium severity.ConclusionsLoss of sleep on night1 post-surgery is an early predictor of subsequent delirium. EEG Delta Power alterations in waking and sleep appear to be later indicators of impending delirium. Further work is needed to evaluate reproducibility/generalizability and assess whether sleep loss contributes to causing delirium.SignificanceThis first study to prospectively collect continuous EEG data for an extended period prior to delirium onset identified EEG-derived indices that predict subsequent delirium that could aid in developing and targeting therapies.
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Influence of transcutaneous spinal stimulation on human LTP-like pain amplification. A randomized, double-blind study in volunteers
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
Author(s): L.M. Schweizer, P.K. Zahn, E.M. Pogatzki-Zahn, W. Magerl, M. Tegenthoff, C.H. Meyer-Frießem
ObjectiveTranscutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) has been proven to affect nociceptive signal processing. We designed a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study to investigate whether tsDCS applied before or after inducing long-term potentiation-(LTP)-like hyperalgesia may decrease nociceptive sensitivity.MethodsIn healthy volunteers, tsDCS (2.5mA, 15min) was applied to the thoracic spine prior (n=14) or immediately following (n=12) electrical high-frequency stimulation (HFS) to the thigh, inducing hyperalgesia. Mechanical and electrical perception were assessed before HFS stimulation and at three time points following HFS stimulation (all within 90min of HFS). Subjects took part in three separate sessions to test effects of anodal, cathodal, or sham tsDCS.ResultsWithin 60minHFS led to unilateral changes on the conditioned side: mechanical pain thresholds tended to decrease and electrical detection thresholds significantly decreased (p<0.001); pain ratings measured using the numerical rating scale (NRS) increased for electrical stimuli (p<0.01) and two categories of mechanical stimuli ("Light(8–64mN)": p=ns; "Heavy(128–512mN)": p<0.01). Irrespective of stimulation order or polarity, tsDCS could not influence nociceptive sensitivity.ConclusionHyperalgesia was adequately induced, but tsDCS had no effect on HFS-induced sensitization.SignificanceWhile tsDCS has been shown to affect pain measures, our results suggest irrespective of time of stimulation or polarity that tsDCS may be less effective in modulating pain in a sensitized state in healthy subjects.
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Phase-locked and non-phase-locked EEG responses to pinprick stimulation before and after experimentally-induced secondary hyperalgesia
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
Author(s): Emanuel N. van den Broeke, Bart de Vries, Julien Lambert, Diana M. Torta, André Mouraux
ObjectivePinprick-evoked brain potentials (PEPs) have been proposed as a technique to investigate secondary hyperalgesia and central sensitization in humans. However, the signal-to-noise (SNR) of PEPs is low. Here, using time-frequency analysis, we characterize the phase-locked and non-phase-locked EEG responses to pinprick stimulation, before and after secondary hyperalgesia.MethodsSecondary hyperalgesia was induced using high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the left/right forearm skin in 16 volunteers. EEG responses to 64 and 96mN pinprick stimuli were elicited from both arms, before and 20min after HFS.ResultsPinprick stimulation applied to normal skin elicited a phase-locked low-frequency (<5Hz) response followed by a reduction of alpha-band oscillations (7–10Hz). The low-frequency response was significantly increased when pinprick stimuli were delivered to the area of secondary hyperalgesia. There was no change in the reduction of alpha-band oscillations. Whereas the low-frequency response was enhanced for both 64 and 96mN intensities, PEPs analyzed in the time domain were only significantly enhanced for the 64mN intensity.ConclusionsTime-frequency analysis may be more sensitive than conventional time-domain analysis in revealing EEG changes associated to secondary hyperalgesia.SignificanceTime-frequency analysis of PEPs can be used to investigate central sensitization in humans.
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Stereo-electroencephalography identifies N2 sleep and spindles in human hippocampus
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Nicolas Carpentier, Thierry Cecchin, Laurent Koessler, Valérie Louis-Dorr, Jacques Jonas, Jean-Pierre Vignal, Marc Carpentier, William Szurhaj, Patrice Bourgin, Louis Maillard
ObjectivesTo describe the hippocampal stereo-electroencephalogram during sleep according to sleep stages (including N2 sleep) and cycles, together with the hippocampal spindles.MethodsAll patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy undergoing intra-hippocampal implantation between August 2012 and June 2013 at Nancy University Hospital were screened. Six patients with explored hippocampus devoid of pathological features were analyzed. During one night, we identified continuous periods of successive N2, N3 and REM sleep for two full cycles. We performed a spectral analysis of the hippocampal signal for each labeled sleep period.ResultsN2, N3 and REM sleeps were individualized according to their spectral powers, for each frequency band and sleep cycle. Hippocampal spindles showed dynamic intrinsic properties, the 11.5-16 Hz frequency band being mainly dominant, whereas the 9-11.5 Hz frequency band heightening during the beginning and the end of the transient. For N3 and REM sleep stages, the power of the hippocampal signal was significantly decreased between the first and the second sleep cycle.ConclusionDistinct N2 sleep, fast spindles and homeostatic profile are all common properties shared by hippocampus and cortex during sleep.SignificanceThe close functional link between hippocampus and cortex may have various sleep-related substrates.
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Association of posterior semicircular canal hypofunction on video-head-impulse testing with other vestibulo-cochlear deficits
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
Author(s): Alexander A. Tarnutzer, Christopher J. Bockisch, Elena Buffone, Konrad P. Weber
ObjectivesThe video-head-impulse test (vHIT) provides a functional assessment of all six semicircular canals (SCC). Occasionally isolated loss of the posterior canal(s) (ILPC) is diagnosed, though this finding is poorly characterized. Here we assessed how accurate that diagnosis is by measuring the co-occurrence of abnormalities on caloric irrigation, vestibular-evoked myogenic-potentials and audiometry.MethodsWe identified 52 patients with ILPC (unilateral=40, bilateral=12). We determined vHIT-gains and saccade-amplitudes and correlated vHIT-findings with other vestibulo-cochlear tests.ResultsThe most frequent diagnoses were history of vestibular neuritis (13/52), Menière's disease (12/52) and vertigo/dizziness of unclear origin (13/52). Unilateral ILPC on vHIT was accompanied by a deficient horizontal canal on calorics, saccular and/or utricular deficits ipsilesionally in 33/40 (83%), while ipsilesional hearing-loss was noted in 24/40 (60%). Involvement of other sensors was highest for vestibular schwannoma (100%) and history of vestibular neuritis (92%). Bilateral deficits in ≥1 vestibulo-cochlear sensor(s) were noted in 2/12 cases with bilateral ILPC.Conclusions>80% of patients with unilateral ILPC had additional deficits of other parts of the vestibular organ, while this rate was ≤20% for patients with bilateral ILPC.SignificanceDizzy patients should receive testing of the posterior canals and if abnormalities are observed, additional vestibulo-cochlear testing should be obtained.
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Focused high-resolution sonography of the suprascapular nerve: A simple surrogate marker for neuralgic amyotrophy?
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
Author(s): Leonhard Gruber, Alexander Loizides, Wolfgang Löscher, Bernhard Glodny, Hannes Gruber
ObjectivesTo define the diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) in the diagnosis of neuralgic amyotrophy (NA).MethodsThe cross-section areas (CSA) of the SSN at the C5 root (CSA1) and the omohyoid muscle in the midclavicular line (CSA2) were assessed bilaterally in 15 healthy volunteers and 14 patients with clinically and electrophysiologically verified NA.Receiver-operator-characteristics (ROC) curves were generated and cut-off values, sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), likelihood (LR) and odds ratios (OR) were calculated.ResultsPatients with NA had significantly higher CSA2-values than controls (6.36±2.75vs. 2.79±0.83mm2, p<0.0001) and significantly higher ratios of SSN CSA2-values of the affected vs. contralateral side (224.6±78.5% vs. 127.7±51.1%, p<0.0001). The ratios of SSN CSA2-values vs. CSA1-values (146.7±74.5% vs. 99.9±28.3%, p=0.008) and CSA1-values were also significantly higher (4.70±2.00vs. 2.90±0.90mm2, p=0.0028) than in controls.Beyond a CSA2 cut-off value of 4.2mm2, the ROC-AUC was 0.939 [0.861–1.00] when compared against healthy volunteers and 0.971 [0.901–1.00] when compared to patients with degenerative shoulder pain. Sensitivity was 85.7% [57.2–98.2%], specificity 96.7% [82.8–99.9%], PPV 92.3% [64.0–99.8%], NPV 93.5% [78.6–99.2%], OR 174.0 [14.4–2106.0] and LR 25.7 (95% confidence intervals in brackets).ConclusionSSN swelling in the lateral cervical region could be a supportive finding to identify NA patients.SignificanceThis method allows for the rapid sonographic identification of NA.
http://ift.tt/2tB2o4T
Announcement
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 8
http://ift.tt/2tAVWul
Measuring alterations in oscillatory brain networks in Schizophrenia with resting-state MEG: State-of-the-art and methodological challenges
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Golnoush Alamian, Ana-Sofía Hincapié, Annalisa Pascarella, Thomas Thiery, Etienne Combrisson, Anne-Lise Saive, Véronique Martel, Dmitrii Althukov, Frédéric Haesebaert, Karim Jerbi
ObjectiveNeuroimaging studies provide evidence of disturbed resting-state brain networks in Schizophrenia (SZ). However, untangling the neuronal mechanisms that subserve these baseline alterations requires measurement of their electrophysiological underpinnings. This systematic review specifically investigates the contributions of resting-state Magnetoencephalography (MEG) in elucidating abnormal neural organization in SZ patients.MethodA systematic literature review of resting-state MEG studies in SZ was conducted. This literature is discussed in relation to findings from resting-state fMRI and EEG, as well as to task-based MEG research in SZ population. Importantly, methodological limitations are considered and recommendations to overcome current limitations are proposed.ResultsResting-state MEG literature in SZ points towards altered local and long-range oscillatory network dynamics in various frequency bands. Critical methodological challenges with respect to experiment design, and data collection and analysis need to be taken into consideration.ConclusionSpontaneous MEG data show that local and global neural organization is altered in SZ patients. MEG is a highly promising tool to fill in knowledge gaps about the neurophysiology of SZ. However, to reach its fullest potential, basic methodological challenges need to be overcome.SignificanceMEG-based resting-state power and connectivity findings could be great assets to clinical and translational research in psychiatry, and SZ in particular.
http://ift.tt/2sRIRQk
Synaptic damage underlies EEG abnormalities in postanoxic encephalopathy: a computational study
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): B.J. Ruijter, J. Hofmeijer, H.G.E. Meijer, M.J.A.M. van Putten
ObjectiveIn postanoxic coma, EEG patterns indicate the severity of encephalopathy and typically evolve in time. We aim to improve the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these EEG abnormalities.MethodsWe used a mean field model comprising excitatory and inhibitory neurons, local synaptic connections, and input from thalamic afferents. Anoxic damage is modeled as aggravated short-term synaptic depression, with gradual recovery over many hours. Additionally, excitatory neurotransmission is potentiated, scaling with the severity of anoxic encephalopathy. Simulations were compared with continuous EEG recordings of 155 comatose patients after cardiac arrest.ResultsThe simulations agree well with six common categories of EEG rhythms in postanoxic encephalopathy, including typical transitions in time. Plausible results were only obtained if excitatory synapses were more severely affected by short-term synaptic depression than inhibitory synapses.ConclusionsIn postanoxic encephalopathy, the evolution of EEG patterns presumably results from gradual improvement of complete synaptic failure, where excitatory synapses are more severely affected than inhibitory synapses. The range of EEG patterns depends on the excitation-inhibition imbalance, probably resulting from long-term potentiation of excitatory neurotransmission.SignificanceOur study is the first to relate microscopic synaptic dynamics in anoxic brain injury to both typical EEG observations and their evolution in time.
http://ift.tt/2tBqKeR
High frequency activity overriding cortico-cortical evoked potentials reflects altered excitability in the human epileptic focus
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Katsuya Kobayashi, Riki Matsumoto, Masao Matsuhashi, Kiyohide Usami, Akihiro Shimotake, Takeharu Kunieda, Takayuki Kikuchi, Kazumichi Yoshida, Nobuhiro Mikuni, Susumu Miyamoto, Hidenao Fukuyama, Ryosuke Takahashi, Akio Ikeda
Objective: We aimed to clarify that high frequency activity (HFA) of cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs), elicited by single pulse electrical stimulation (SPES), reflects cortical excitability.Methods: We recruited 16 patients with refractory partial epilepsy who had chronic subdural electrode implantation for presurgical evaluation. A repetitive SPES was given to 1) the seizure onset zone (SOZ) and 2) the control cortices (non-seizure onset zone: nSOZ). CCEPs were recorded from the neighboring cortices within SOZ and nSOZ. We applied short-time Fourier transform to obtain the induced responses for the timing of early (<50 ms after SPES) and late CCEP components and analyzed the logarithmic power change for ripple (<200 Hz) and fast ripple (>200 Hz) bands.Results: Twenty-one clear CCEPs were recorded for both the SOZ and nSOZ. The HFA power of early CCEPs in SOZ significantly increased compared to that in nSOZ in both frequency bands, particularly in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).Conclusion: Similar to the features of spontaneous pathological HFOs, the power of stimulus-induced HFAs in SOZ were greater than that outside SOZ, particularly in MTLE.Significance: HFA overriding CCEPs can be a surrogate marker of cortical excitability in epileptic focus.
http://ift.tt/2sS2rfh
Effect of bladder distension on doses to organs at risk in Pulsed-Dose-Rate 3D image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer
Source:Brachytherapy
Author(s): Jean Philippe Nesseler, Claire Charra-Brunaud, Julia Salleron, Jean François Py, Andres Huertas, Emilie Meknaci, Florent Courrech, Didier Peiffert, Sophie Renard-Oldrini
PurposeTo evaluate the impact of bladder distension on doses to organs at risk in patients treated with 3D image-guided adaptive pulsed-dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy (BT) for locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods and MaterialsTwenty-two patients who had previously been treated by external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), underwent BT treatment planning to a pelvic MRI (or a CT scan in case of contraindication) after their bladder was filled with 100 cc of physiological saline (full bladder). This was immediately followed by a CT scan after emptying of the bladder. A fusion of these two examinations was conducted, and the dosimetry was duplicated for the study with an empty bladder. Equieffective doses of 2 Gy per fraction from EBRT and BT of bladder/rectum/sigmoid colon/small bowel were compared.ResultsA full bladder condition was found to be non-inferior in terms of the bladder D2cc (a difference of −0.9 Gy; 97.5% CI [−∞; 2.6]), and it resulted in a reduction in the bladder D0.1cc (p = 0.038). Bladder expansion resulted in a significant reduction of maximum doses received by the small bowel, both in terms of the D0.1cc (51.2 Gy vs. 63.4 Gy, p < 0.001) and the D2cc (48.5 Gy vs. 53.6 Gy, p < 0.001). A negative correlation was seen between the difference in the small bowel D2cc and the body mass index; (r = −0.55; p = 0.008). No differences were noted in regard to doses to the rectum and sigmoid colon.ConclusionsBladder distension with 100 cc of physiological saline can reduce maximum doses received by the small bowel without the alteration of the doses received by the other organs at risk during a 3D image–guided adaptive PDR BT for locally advanced cervical cancer. However, the maintenance of a predefined bladder volume is difficult to achieve with PDR BT, whereas it could be easily managed before each session in case of high-dose-rate BT.
http://ift.tt/2ttbDp8
Accelerated partial breast irradiation for elderly women with early breast cancer: A compromise between whole breast irradiation and omission of radiotherapy
Source:Brachytherapy
Author(s): Shakeel Sumodhee, Johan Levy, Emmanuel Chamorey, Daniel Lam Cham Kee, Marie-Eve Chand, Mathieu Gautier, Isabelle Peyrottes, Emmanuel Barranger, Jean-Michel Hannoun-Levi
PurposeRegarding adjuvant radiation therapy making decision for elderly women, Albert (2013) published a nomogram predicting the mastectomy-free survival (MFS) rate with or without adjuvant irradiation. Based on this approach, we proposed to investigate the use of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) vs. whole breast irradiation (WBI) or endocrine therapy alone in elderly low-risk breast cancer patients.Methods and MaterialsFor each elderly woman treated by conserving surgery and APBI (multicatheter interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy), 5- and 10-year MFS rates were calculated. For each treated patient, using the Albert nomogram, we calculated the estimated MFS rates at 5 and 10 years, with and without WBI. Then, we compared the estimated MFS rates after no irradiation and WBI vs. observed MFS rates after APBI.ResultsFrom 2005 to 2016, 79 patients were treated. Median followup was 96.8 months [68.6–104.9], median age was 77 years [66–89]. Expected 5- and 10-year mastectomy rates calculated with the Albert nomogram without WBI were 2.95% and 7.25%, respectively, leading to a 10-year MFS rate of 92.7%. Expected 5- and 10-year mastectomy rates after WBI were 1.41% and 3.66%, respectively, leading to a 10-year MFS rate of 96.3%. Regarding observed MFS rate, 1 pt (1.3%) experienced a salvage mastectomy. The 10-year MFS rate after APBI was 97.4% vs. 96.3% after WBI (p = 1) and 92.7% after no irradiation (p = 0.27). No toxicity Grade 3 or more was observed.ConclusionsAPBI seems to be an attractive compromise between WBI and no irradiation for elderly women with early stage breast cancer as far as local control, quality of life and cost benefit is concerned.
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Differences in urethral dosimetry between CT and MR imaging in multichannel vaginal cylinder brachytherapy
Source:Brachytherapy
Author(s): Katherine S. Chen, Scott M. Glaser, Hayeon Kim, Sushil Beriwal
PurposeIn image-based brachytherapy (IBBT), the dosimetry of small structures may be particularly sensitive to changes in contouring between imaging modalities. We therefore sought to characterize differences in urethral dosimetry in vaginal brachytherapy based on contouring on MRI vs. CT.Methods and MaterialsWe retrospectively identified our most recent 15 patients treated with intracavitary brachytherapy for distal vaginal malignancies. On T2-weighted MRI, both the lumen and urethral wall were contoured. On CT, the urethral lumen alone was contoured, as the wall is indistinguishable from surrounding tissue. High-dose-rate (HDR) IBBT plans were generated for all patients.ResultsMean urethral volume was higher on MRI than CT at 3.7 cc vs. 1.1 cc (p < 0.0005). As a result, there were statistically significant increases on MRI in D0.1cc and D0.5cc, as well as EQD2 D0.1cc and EQD2 D0.5cc when applied to a full course of treatment (45 Gy EBRT + 25 Gy IBBT).ConclusionsWe have quantified the expected differences in urethral volume and dosimetry when contoured on MRI vs. CT. Inclusion of the urethral wall on MRI, with its average thickness of 2.2 mm, likely more accurately reflects the true organ at risk and results in an increase in reported dose compared to CT.
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Brachytherapy boost for prostate cancer: A potential conflict of disinterest
Source:Brachytherapy
Author(s): Jean-Michel Hannoun-Levi, Arthur Hannoun
http://ift.tt/2sYO4Bi
Compromised inflammatory cytokine response to P. gingivalis LPS by fibroblasts from inflamed human gingiva
Abstract
Objectives
The aims of this study were to compare the in vitro cytokine response of gingival fibroblasts (GF's) from healthy and inflamed human gingival tissues and to assess whether GF's from inflamed gingivae are capable of mounting a secondary inflammatory response after exposure to P. gingivalis LPS.
Materials and methods
GF's were obtained from healthy donors and periodontitis patients and cultured in vitro. Cells were exposed to P. gingivalis LPS for 24h before measurement of MCP-1, GRO, IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF using a bead-based multiplex assay. Statistical comparisons were made between LPS-exposed GF's and unstimulated cells as well as the two patient groups by two-way ANOVA.
Results
GF's exposed to P. gingivalis LPS significantly increased their production of MCP-1, GRO, IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF compared to unstimulated cells. GF's isolated from inflamed tissue from periodontitis patients demonstrated consistently less cytokine production after exposure to P. gingivalis LPS, most notably for GRO and IL-6.
Conclusions
The current study demonstrates that GF's play an active role in the inflammatory response in periodontal disease by producing a number of chemokines and cytokines. Furthermore, inflamed GF's may be compromised in their ability to mount an adequate secondary immune response in relation to chemokine/cytokine production.
Clinical relevance
The compromised inflammatory cytokine response of inflamed human gingival fibroblasts to P. gingivalis LPS may impact on their ability to recruit and activate inflammatory cells while maintaining persistent inflammation, a key feature of periodontal disease.
http://ift.tt/2sBrGOM
Evidence for Dry Needling in the Management of Myofascial Trigger Points Associated with Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Lin Liu, Qiang-Min Huang, Qing-Guang Liu, Nguyen Thitham, Li-Hui Li, Yan-Tao Ma, Jia-Min Zhao
ObjectiveTo evaluate the current evidence of the effectiveness of dry needling of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) associated with low back pain (LBP).Data SourcesPubMed, Ovid, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched until January 2017.Study SelectionRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used dry needling as the main treatment and included participants diagnosed with LBP with the presence of MTrPs were included.Data ExtractionTwo reviewers independently screened articles, scored methodological quality, and extracted data. The primary outcomes were pain intensity and functional disability at post-intervention and follow-up.Data SynthesisA total of 11 RCTs involving 802 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Results suggested that compared with other treatments, dry needling of MTrPs was more effective in alleviating the intensity of LBP (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD] = −1.06, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: −1.77 to −0.36, P = 0.003) and functional disability (SMD = −0.76, 95% CI: −1.46 to −0.06, P = 0.03); however, the significant effects of dry needling plus other treatments on pain intensity could be superior to dry needling alone for LBP at post-intervention (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.11, P < 0.00001).ConclusionsModerate evidence showed that dry needling of MTrPs, especially if associated with other therapies, could be recommended to relieve the intensity of LBP at post-intervention; however, the clinical superiority of dry needling in improving functional disability and its follow-up effects still remain unclear.
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Editorial Board
Source:Clinical Immunology, Volume 181
http://ift.tt/2sYWAjt
Immune complexes containing malondialdehyde (MDA) LDL induce apoptosis in human macrophages
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Gabriel Virella, Kelsey Wilson, Johnathon Elkes, Samar M. Hammad, Hussein A. Rajab, Yanchun Li, Charlyne Chassereau, Yan Huang, Maria Lopes-Virella
Immune complexes (IC) containing predominantly malondialdehyde-LDL and the corresponding autoantibodies (MDA-LDL IC) predict acute cardiovascular events, while IC rich in oxidized LDL (oxLDL IC) predict cardiovascular disease progression. Our objective was to determine mechanisms that could explain these prognostic differences. We compared the effects of the interaction of oxLDL, MDA-LDL and the corresponding IC with human macrophages focusing on apoptosis, metalloproteinases, and proinflammatory cytokines. MDA-LDL IC induced higher degrees of apoptosis, higher levels of caspase-3 expression, and increased expression and release of MMP-1 and TNF compared to MDA-LDL, oxLDL, and oxLDL-IC. The pro-apoptotic effects of MDA-LDL IC were inhibited by blocking TNFR 1 or FcγRI. Blocking FcγRI abrogated the induction and expression of MMPs and proinflammatory cytokines by MDA-LDL IC. In conclusion, the interaction of MDA-LDL IC with FcγRI triggers macrophage apoptosis and increased expression and release of TNF and MMP-1, which can lead to the rupture of unstable plaques.
http://ift.tt/2tt9Ujz
Idiopathic T cell lymphopenia identified in New York State Newborn Screening
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Stephanie Albin-Leeds, Juliana Ochoa, Harshna Mehta, Beth H. Vogel, Michele Caggana, Vincent Bonagura, Heather Lehman, Mark Ballow, Arye Rubinstein, Subhadra Siegel, Leonard Weiner, Geoffrey A. Weinberg, Charlotte Cunningham-Rundles
Quantification of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) for newborn screening for SCID has advanced the diagnosis of severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). However, it has led to the identification of infants with T cell lymphopenia without known cause. The clinical characteristics, appropriate laboratory monitoring, and outcomes of patients remain unclear. We performed a retrospective review of clinical and laboratory studies for 26 infants collected from 7 New York State referral centers from 2010 to 2016 with low TRECs (mean, 70copies/μl) and subnormal CD3 counts (mean, 1150/cubicmm). Over time absolute CD3 counts increased in 17 and decreased in 9; 22 (85%) have done well clinically regardless of absolute T cell values. Additional infants with TCL will continue to be identified in newborn screening panels. While most patients seem to do well clinically, parameters for diagnosis and monitoring have yet to be formalized, and additional information needs to be collected, causes and outcomes reported.
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Frequency of familial pituitary adenoma syndromes among patients with functioning pituitary adenomas in a reference outpatient clinic
Abstract
Introduction
Pituitary adenomas (PA) occur mainly as sporadic disease, but familial syndromes are found in approximately 5% of cases. Identification of these syndromes is important in order to diagnose individuals at risk at an earlier stage.
Aims
To evaluate the frequency of familial PA in a reference outpatient clinic devoted to PA treatment and to identify family members suspected to have pituitary disease.
Methods
Patients with PA were interviewed with respect to the presence of family members with diagnosis of PA or with signs or symptoms suggestive of them. The family members who had a clinical picture suggestive of pituitary disease were further evaluated in an attempt to identify new PA cases. In families with familial disease, the AIP gene was sequenced.
Results
262 patients were evaluated and familial syndrome was found in 13 (5%). Ten (3.8%) patients had familial isolated PA (FIPA) and three (1.2%) had multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. After evaluation of family members' symptomatology, 110 were considered suspected of having pituitary disease, but only 24 participated in the study. Of these 24, 1 was diagnosed with a corticotropinoma. AIP mutations were found in 20% of FIPA families.
Conclusion
We found a frequency of familial PA similar to that previously described, as well as a similar frequency of AIP mutations among FIPA families. An active search of the affected family members was able to identify one case of Cushing´s disease. Patients should be aware of pituitary disease's clinical picture to identify possibly affected family members.
http://ift.tt/2sB14xw
The earliest evidence for Upper Paleolithic occupation in the Armenian Highlands at Aghitu-3 Cave
Source:Journal of Human Evolution, Volume 110
Author(s): Andrew W. Kandel, Boris Gasparyan, Ethel Allué, Gerlinde Bigga, Angela A. Bruch, Victoria L. Cullen, Ellery Frahm, Robert Ghukasyan, Ben Gruwier, Firas Jabbour, Christopher E. Miller, Andreas Taller, Varduhi Vardazaryan, Davit Vasilyan, Lior Weissbrod
With its well-preserved archaeological and environmental records, Aghitu-3 Cave permits us to examine the settlement patterns of the Upper Paleolithic (UP) people who inhabited the Armenian Highlands. We also test whether settlement of the region between ∼39–24,000 cal BP relates to environmental variability. The earliest evidence occurs in archaeological horizon (AH) VII from ∼39–36,000 cal BP during a mild, moist climatic phase. AH VI shows periodic occupation as warm, humid conditions prevailed from ∼36–32,000 cal BP. As the climate becomes cooler and drier at ∼32–29,000 cal BP (AH V-IV), evidence for occupation is minimal. However, as cooling continues, the deposits of AH III demonstrate that people used the site more intensively from ∼29–24,000 cal BP, leaving behind numerous stone artifacts, faunal remains, and complex combustion features. Despite the climatic fluctuations seen across this 15,000-year sequence, lithic technology remains attuned to one pattern: unidirectional reduction of small cores geared towards the production of bladelets for tool manufacture. Subsistence patterns also remain stable, focused on medium-sized prey such as ovids and caprids, as well as equids. AH III demonstrates an expansion of social networks to the northwest and southwest, as the transport distance of obsidian used to make stone artifacts increases. We also observe the addition of bone tools, including an eyed needle, and shell beads brought from the east, suggesting that these people manufactured complex clothing and wore ornaments. Remains of micromammals, birds, charcoal, pollen, and tephra relate the story of environmental variability. We hypothesize that UP behavior was linked to shifts in demographic pressures and climatic changes. Thus, by combining archaeological and environmental data, we gain a clearer picture about the first UP inhabitants of the Armenian Highlands.
http://ift.tt/2tsD5mR
Investigation on the removal of H 2 S from microwave pyrolysis of sewage sludge by an integrated two-stage system
Abstract
In this study, an integrated two-stage system, including the in-situ catalytic microwave pyrolysis (ICMP) and subsequent catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) processes, was proposed to remove H2S released from microwave-induced pyrolysis of sewage sludge. The emission profile and H2S removal from the pyrolysis of raw sewage sludge (SS) and sewage sludge spiked with conditioner CaO (SS-CaO) were investigated. The results showed that CaO played a positive role on sulfur fixation during the pyrolysis process. It was found that SS-CaO (10 wt.%) contributed to about 35% of H2S removal at the first stage (ICMP process). Additionally, the CWO process was demonstrated to have promising potential for posttreatment of remaining H2S gas. At the Fe3+ concentration of 30 g/L, the maximum H2S removal efficiency of 94.8% was obtained for a single Fe3+/Cu2+ solution. Finally, at the pyrolysis temperature of 800 °C, 99.7% of H2S was eliminated by the integrated two-stage system meeting the discharge standard of China. Therefore, the integrated two-stage system of ICMP + CWO may provide a promising strategy to remove H2S dramatically for the biomass pyrolysis industry.
http://ift.tt/2sYFNND
The feasibility of sugammadex for general anesthesia and facial nerve monitoring in patients undergoing parotid surgery
Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Author(s): I-Cheng Lu, Pi-Ying Chang, Miao-Pei Su, Po-Nien Chen, Hsiu-Ya Chen, Feng-Yu Chiang, Che-Wei Wu
The use of neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) during anesthesia may interfere with facial nerve monitoring (FNM) during parotid surgery. Sugammadex has been reported to be an effective and safe reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block (NMB) during surgery. This study investigated the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of sugammadex for NMB reversal during FNM in Parotid surgery.Fifty patients undergoing parotid surgery were randomized allocated into conventional anesthesia group (Group C, n = 25) and sugammadex group (Group S, n = 25). Group C did not receive any NMBA. Group S received rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg at anesthesia induction and sugammadex 2 mg/kg at skin incision. The intubating condition and influence on FNM evoked EMG results were compared between groups. The intubation condition showed significantly better in group S patients than C group patients (excellent in 96% v.s. 24%). In group S, rapid reverse of NMB was found and the twitch (%) recovered from 0 to >90% within 10 min. Positive and high EMG signals were obtained in all patients at the time point of initial facial nerve stimulation in both groups. There was no significant difference as comparing the EMG amplitudes detected at the time point of initial and final facial nerve stimulation in both groups. Implementation of sugammadex in anesthesia protocol is feasible and reliable for successful FNM during parotid surgery.
http://ift.tt/2sYBzpf
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