Effects of pregnancy on skin properties: A biomechanical approach

Abstract

Background

A woman's skin is dramatically affected by pregnancy. Its biomechanical properties are critical for resisting highly stressed areas. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of pregnancy on the mechanical properties of skin, as well as to evaluate the imprint that pregnancy leaves on the skin after delivery.

Materials and Methods

Suction tests using a cutometer were performed on 15 non-pregnant women and 26 pregnant women at 8 months of pregnancy and 4 months after delivery. Areas of abdomen and thighs were studied.

Results

Significant differences between the non-pregnant and 8-month pregnant groups were observed. Our data demonstrate that skin becomes less elastic and less deformable on the abdomen during pregnancy. On the thighs, a loss of elasticity and firmness was also observed. At 4 months after delivery, the skin did not return to its initial state.

Conclusion

This study showed that the mechanical properties of skin changed drastically during pregnancy compared to the non-pregnant condition and that these properties remain altered 4 months after delivery. In addition to alterations in abdominal skin during pregnancy, we also observed mechanical changes on the thighs, which are less subject to stretching.

http://ift.tt/2F66B8w

Expression of miR-200c and its clinicopathological significance in patients with colorectal cancer

Publication date: Available online 26 February 2018
Source:Pathology - Research and Practice
Author(s): Mee Sook Roh, Hyoun Wook Lee, Sang Bong Jung, Kyungeun Kim, Eun Hee Lee, Moon-il Park, Jae Seok Lee, Mee-Seon Kim
MicroRNA-200c (miR-200c) is known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition processes. However, the biological function of miR-200c in human carcinogenesis remains controversial. We examined the association of miR-200c expression with various clinicopathological factors, including KRAS mutation status and survival, in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression level of miR-200c was evaluated in 109 paired CRC and normal tissue samples using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The KRAS mutation status of the CRC samples was determined using the PNAClamp™ KRAS Mutation Detection kit. Compared with the normal tissue group, miR-200c expression was significantly upregulated in the CRCs (P < .001). The expression of miR-200c was increased in CRCs with higher grade (P = .009), advanced stage (P = .042), and lymphovascular invasion (P = .003). Thirty-one CRCs (28.4%) had KRAS mutations in codon 12 or 13. CRCs with KRAS mutations had significantly higher miR-200c expression than CRCs with wild-type KRAS (P = .003). In survival analysis, high miR-200c expression was correlated with worse overall survival (P = .017) and recurrence-free survival (P = .048). Our results indicate that miR-200c is involved in tumor progression and aggressiveness in CRCs, and this oncogenic role of miR-200c may be triggered by activation of the KRAS signaling pathway.



http://ift.tt/2EVSMGA

Onycholemmal carcinoma: a case report with its molecular profiling

Onycholemmal carcinoma (OC), also called microcystic nail bed carcinoma by some authors¹, is a slow-growing malignant epithelial tumor originating from the nail bed epithelium. Since the first description by Alessi and collegues in 2004², only twelve other cases have been described in the English literature, so far^1,3-7.

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Is HPV vaccination of pregnant women really safe?

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Fate of estrogens in a pilot-scale step-feed anoxic/oxic wastewater treatment system controlling by nitrogen and phosphorus removal

Abstract

The control measures for estrogens in the aquatic environment are topics of growing concern. It is a meaningful issue to finding optimal process parameters for efficient removal of estrogens with the purpose of efficient total nitrogen (TN) or total phosphorus (TP) removal in sewage treatment plants. The present paper is concerned with the relationships between the estrogen removal and TN or TP removal in a pilot-scale three-stage anoxic/oxic (A/O) system treating real municipal wastewater. The total removal efficiency for estrone (E1) and 17β-estradiol (E2) and their sulfate and glucuronide conjugates were on average 87% in the pilot-scale system. The concentrations of the sulfate and glucuronide conjugates of estrogens (E1 and E2) in the system were much lower than the estrogens, which might be caused by the rapid degradation of conjugates in the pilot-scale system. The average removal efficiencies of E1 and E2 and their sulfate and glucuronide conjugates were significantly lower under high TP removal conditions than those under high TN removal conditions that suggested that the ammonia oxidation promotes estrogen degradation. When the system achieved efficient TN removal, the concentrations of both E1 and E2 were generally lower in the aerobic zones than those in the anoxic zones. Instead, when the system achieved efficient TP removal conditions, the estrogen concentrations were higher in the aerobic zones than in the anoxic zones. However, it was thought that the variation of the concentrations of the estrogen conjugates had weak influence on concentrations of the free estrogens. The increase of the free estrogens in the aerobic zones could be attributed to the release of the estrogens adsorbed on the sludge. The variation of estrogens in a three-stage A/O system can be properly estimated and measured by a binary linear regression model with the variables of TP and TON (NO₂⁻-N and NO₃⁻-N), which is probably the important information for the improvement and optimization of wastewater treatment processes to obtain higher removal efficiency for estrogens.

http://ift.tt/2GK519I

Altered density, composition and microanatomical distribution of infiltrating immune cells in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of organ transplant recipients

Summary

Background

The inflammatory tumor microenvironment is crucial for effective tumor control and long-term immunosuppression has been identified as a major risk factor for skin carcinogenesis. In solid organ transplant recipients (OTR) undergoing long-term pharmacologic immunosuppression an increased incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and more aggressive tumor growth compared to immunocompetent patients (IC) has been reported.

Objectives

To determine the density and phenotype of immune cells infiltrating SCC and surrounding skin in OTR, and to characterize the microanatomical distribution patterns in comparison to IC.

Methods

We analyzed immune cell infiltrates within SCC and at defined regions of interest (ROI) of tumor- surrounding skin in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue of 20 renal transplant patients and 18 carefully matched IC by high-resolution semi-automated microscopy on complete tissue sections stained for CD4, CD8, CD20 and CD68.

Results

The overall immune cell density of SCC arising in OTR was significantly reduced compared to IC. Particularly CD4+ infiltrates at the directly invasive margin and tumor vicinity, intratumoral CD8+ T cell densities and the overall density of CD20+ tumor-infiltrating B cells (TIL-B) were significantly reduced in tissue of OTR.

Conclusions

Immune cells infiltrates within SCC and at defined ROI of tumor-surrounding skin in OTR differ markedly in their composition and microanatomical distribution compared to tumors arising in IC. Our findings substantially broaden the understanding of how long-term systemic immunosuppression modulates the local inflammatory microenvironment in the skin and at the site of invasive SCC.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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SSET Project: Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Surgical Specialty Emergency Trays in the Emergency Department

Background: We hypothesize that reusable, on-site specialty instrument trays available to plastic surgery residents in the emergency department (ED) for bedside procedures are more cost-effective than disposable on-site and remote re-usable operating room (OR) instruments at our institution. Methods: We completed a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the use of disposable on-site kits and remote OR trays to a hypothetical, custom, reusable tray for ED procedures completed by PRS residents. Material costs of existing OR trays were used to estimate the purchasing and use-cost of a custom on-site tray for the same procedures. Cost of per procedure 'consult time' was estimated using procedure and resident salary. Results: Sixteen bedside procedures were completed over a 4.5 month period. A mean of 2.14 disposable kits were used per-procedure. Mean consultation time was 1.66 hours. Procedures that used OR trays took 3 times as long as procedures that used on-site kits (4 vs. 1.1 hours). Necessary, additional instruments were unavailable for 75% of procedures. Mean cost of using disposable kits and OR trays was $115.03/procedure versus an estimated $26.67/procedure cost of using a custom tray, yielding $88.36/procedure cost-savings. Purchase of a single custom tray ($1,421.55) would be redeemed after 2.3 weeks at 1 procedure/day. Purchasing 4 trays has projected annual cost-savings of $26,565.20. Conclusion: The purchase of specialized procedure trays will yield valuable time and cost-savings while providing quality patient care. Improving time efficiency will help achieve the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) goals of maintaining resident well-being and developing quality improvement competency.

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Effect of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, and Curcuma longa L. on Th1- and Th2-cytokine responses and human leukocyte antigen-DR expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of septic patients

Publication date: 10 May 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 217
Author(s): Huang-Pin Wu, Yin-Ku Lin
Ethnopharmacological relevanceMany traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), such as Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, and Curcuma longa L., have been reported to have various immune-modulatory effects.Aim of the studyTo determine the effects of extracts from these three TCM on type 1 T help (Th1)- and Th2-cytokine responses and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from septic patients.Materials and methodsLipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PBMCs of healthy controls and septic patients were cultured for 48 hs with or without 0.05/0.1 mg/ml of TCM extract. HLA-DR expression in monocytes was detected using flow cytofluorimetry. The interferon [IFN]-γ, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin (IL)− 2, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 levels in supernatants were measured with a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsTreatment with either 0.05 or 0.1 mg/ml of C. longa L. extract significantly restored the percentage of HLA-DR-positive monocytes, which was decreased by LPS in control and patient groups. Treatment with 0.05 or 0.1 mg/ml E. ulmoides Oliv. and C.longa L. extract decreased IL-10 production from LPS-stimulated PBMCs of controls and patients. In patients with sepsis, C. longa L. extract decreased IL-10 production to a greater degree than did E. ulmoides Oliv extract. Although IFN-γ, TNF-α, or IL-13 productions from LPS-stimulated PBMCs were influenced by E. ulmoides Oliv., G. pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, or C. longa L. in control or sepsis groups in this study, only the influence of IL-10 was consistent in both control and sepsis groups.ConclusionsBy enhancing monocyte HLA-DR expression and decreasing IL-10 production, C. longa L. might help restore inflammatory responses in septic patients to eradicate pathogens.

Graphical abstract

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Arachidonic acid metabonomics study for understanding therapeutic mechanism of Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan on rat model of rheumatoid arthritis

Publication date: 10 May 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 217
Author(s): Nannan Wang, Xiaoning Zhao, Jiaxin Huai, Yiran Li, Congcong Cheng, Kaishun Bi, Ronghua Dai
Ethnopharmacological relevanceHuo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (HLXLD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is commonly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Aim of the studyTo explore the potential therapeutic mechanism of HLXLD on anti-inflammatory activity.Materials and methodsA metabolomic approach based on UFLC–MS/MS to profile arachidonic acid (AA) metabolic changes was used. The cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) catalyzed metabolites in plasma were quantified on 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the rats injected with Complete Freund's adjuvant and orally administrated with HLXLD, methotrexate and dexamethasone in parallel as the positive control drugs.ResultsNineteen metabolites involved in COX and LOX pathways in RA model group were significant increased compared with normal group (P < 0.05), including 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), 15-HETE, 8-HETE, leukotriene B4(LTB4), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PGI2, PGD2, PGF2α, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), etc. From day 7 to day 28, the trajectory direction of HLXLD group and positive control groups gradually moved towards the initial space, and the concentrations of AA and its metabolites after HLXLD treatment were significantly reduced in dual pathways compared to control groups.ConclusionHLXLD induced a substantial change in the AA metabolic profiles through refrain the expression of COX and LOX. The present investigation also highlights that distinct ingredients of this formula tend to inhibit different target to achieve a therapeutic effect.

Graphical abstract

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Frightened by the perpetrator’s voice: Startle responsivity and cognitive processing predict earwitness speaker identification

Publication date: Available online 25 February 2018
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Maartje J. Schreuder, Thomas Meyer, Alana C. Krix
This study was inspired by the case of a robbery victim who was startled and reminded of the crime upon hearing a stranger's voice, while not clearly recognizing the speaker. To investigate whether specific voices can modulate startle reactions and thereby predict speaker identification, we presented an audio hijack scenario to 84 participants and afterwards asked them to identify the perpetrator among neutral and negative speech fragments, while measuring flash-evoked eye-blink startle responses. Furthermore, we addressed data-driven cognitive processing during the audio scenario as a potential moderator in voice discrimination. Negative speech and the perpetrator's voice led to potentiated startle. Enhanced startle was positively associated with voice discrimination, but only in neutral speech fragments. In negative fragments, this association was weakened as a function of self-reported levels of data-driven processing during encoding. Thus, startle responses can generally predict accurate voice recognition, but speech emotionality and cognitive processing moderate this relationship.



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Structural design, synthesis and substituent effect of hydrazone-N-acylhydrazones reveal potent immunomodulatory agents

Publication date: Available online 25 February 2018
Source:Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Author(s): Cássio S. Meira, José Maurício dos Santos Filho, Caroline C. Sousa, Pâmela S. Anjos, Jéssica V. Cerqueira, Humberto A. Dias Neto, Rafael G. da Silveira, Helena M. Russo, Jean-Luc Wolfender, Emerson F. Queiroz, Diogo R.M. Moreira, Milena B.P. Soares
4-(Nitrophenyl)hydrazone derivatives of N-acylhydrazone were synthesized and screened for suppress lymphocyte proliferation and nitrite inhibition in macrophages. Compared to an unsubstituted N-acylhydrazone, active compounds were identified within initial series when hydroxyl, chloride and nitro substituents were employed. Structure-activity relationship was further developed by varying the position of these substituents as well as attaching structurally-related substituents. Changing substituent position revealed a more promising compound series of antiinflammatory agents. In contrast, an N-methyl group appended to the 4-(nitrophenyl)hydrazone moiety reduced activity. Antiinflammatory activity of compounds is achieved by modulating IL-1β secretion and prostaglandin E2 synthesis in macrophages and by inhibiting calcineurin phosphatase activity in lymphocytes. Compound SintMed65 was advanced into an acute model of peritonitis in mice, where it inhibited the neutrophil infiltration after being orally administered. In summary, we demonstrated in great details the structural requirements and the underlying mechanism for antiinflammatory activity of a new family of hydrazone-N-acylhydrazone, which may represent a valuable medicinal chemistry direction for the antiinflammatory drug development in general.

Graphical abstract

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Synthesis, antitumor activity and DNA binding features of benzothiazolyl and benzimidazolyl substituted isoindolines

Publication date: Available online 25 February 2018
Source:Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Author(s): Irena Sović, Samy Jambon, Sandra Kraljević Pavelić, Elitza Markova-Car, Nataša Ilić, Sabine Depauw, Marie-Hélène David-Cordonnier, Grace Karminski-Zamola
In this paper novel isoindolines substituted with cyano and amidino benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles were synthetized as new potential anti-cancer drugs. The new structures were evaluated for antiproliferative activity, cell cycle changes, cell death, as well as DNA binding and topoisomerase inhibition properties on selected compounds. Results showed that all tested compounds exerted antitumor activity, especially amidinobenzothiazole and amidinobenzimidazole substituted isoindolin-1-ones and benzimidazole substituted 1-iminoisoindoline that showed antiproliferative effect in the submicromolar range. Moreover, the DNA-binding properties of selected compounds were evaluated by biophysical and biochemical approaches including thermal denaturation studies, circular dichroism spectra analyses and topoisomerase I/II inhibition assays and results identified some of them as strong DNA ligands, harboring or not additional topoisomerase II inhibition and able to locate in the nucleus as determined by fluorescence microscopy. In conclusion, we evidenced novel cyano- and amidino-substituted isoindolines coupled with benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles as topoisomerase inhibitors and/or DNA binding compounds with potent antitumor activities.

Graphical abstract

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Sexuality in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities: A meta-ethnographic synthesis of qualitative studies

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 75
Author(s): Charlotte Whittle, Catherine Butler
BackgroundThe normalisation movement calls for more recognition of the sexual rights of people with intellectual disabilities to challenge classically paradoxical cultural beliefs: 'hypersexual' versus 'asexual'.AimsThis meta-ethnographic qualitative synthesis aimed to explore the voices of people with intellectual disabilities in regards to their experiences and perceptions of sexuality using a Coordinated Management of Meaning framework to derive new conceptual understandings of how their sexuality exists within multiple contexts.Methods and proceduresA systematic literature search and quality assessment yielded 16 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were synthesised following the method of meta-ethnography.Outcomes and resultsFour core themes were identified; 'Sociocultural Norms'; 'Under Others Power'; 'Sexual Identity' and 'Sexual Experience'.Conclusions and implicationsApplication of the hierarchical Coordinated Management of Meaning model suggested caregivers contextual beliefs about people with intellectual disabilities' sexuality inhibited or facilitated positive expressions of sexuality over and above individual needs and desires. Rights-based cultural messages provided the only context that led to positive sexuality outcomes and research that explores sexuality within this context is much needed. The Coordinated Management of Meaning model identified by this research may act as a framework to support the reflective-practice of caregivers.



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Editorial Board

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Autoimmunity Reviews, Volume 17, Issue 3





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Should Multiple Vessels be Recanalised for Tissue Loss Irrespective of Pedal Anatomy and Angiosome?

Publication date: Available online 24 February 2018
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Author(s): Sikandar Z. Khan, Hasan H. Dosluoglu




http://ift.tt/2FwLlGX

Interoception sensitivity in the parental brain during the first months of parenting modulates children's somatic symptoms six years later: The role of oxytocin

Publication date: Available online 24 February 2018
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Eyal Abraham, Talma Hendler, Orna Zagoory-Sharon, Ruth Feldman
Interoception, the perception and interpretation of one's own bodily signals, is a key aspect of human caregiving that impacts infant health and well-being across life. Interoception relies on limbic structures, mainly the amygdala, and the agranular visceromotor cortex, particularly the anterior insula (AI), that integrate with the oxytocin (OT) system to support interoceptive sensitivity. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine whether interoception sensitivity in the parent's brain during the first months of parenting combines with sensitive parenting and OT-system functionality to predict children's somatic symptoms six years later. We followed 45 primary-caregiving first-time mothers and fathers and their infants across the first six years of parenting. In infancy (Time 1), parents' brain response to infant stimuli was imaged, salivary OT measured, and parent-infant interactions coded for parent sensitivity. In preschool (Time 2), parent and child's OT and parent sensitivity were measured again. At six years (Time 3), parents reported on children's somatic symptoms. Greater activation of the parent's AI bilaterally when his/her child was an infant predicted lower child somatic problems at six years. Parent sensitivity partially mediated the links between parental AI activation and child somatic symptoms. In addition, greater parental bilateral amygdala activity predicted higher child OT levels at 3 years and parental OT moderated the relations between preschoolers' OT and later somatic symptoms. Our findings chart two independent cross-generational pathways from interoception sensitivity in the parent's brain and child somatization. The first defines an evolutionary-ancient path including the amygdala and the OT system that support mammalian attention to arousal modulations in response to social cues; the second, via the AI, implicates higher-order interoceptive representations of bodily responses and affective states that underpins human embodiment.



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Expression profiles of stemness genes in gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Publication date: Available online 25 February 2018
Source:Human Pathology
Author(s): Chenguang Bai, Xiaohong Liu, Jingjing Xu, Chen Qiu, Runqiu Wang, Jianming Zheng
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is believed to originate from intestinal cells of Cajal or their stem-cell precursors, and expresses stemness-related markers, such as CD117, CD34, DOG1 and nestin. To further characterize phenotypic features of GISTs, we examined expression profiles of a panel of stemness genes in GISTs, by analyzing existing gene expression profiling datasets. Our results showed that mRNA levels of B-lymphoma moloney murine leukaemia virus insertion region-1 (BMI1), kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), sal-like protein 4 (SALL4) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) were significantly unregulated in GISTs. Subsequently, protein expression of BMI1 and TERT was identified in GIST specimens by immunohistochemistry. Especially, we found that high expression of nuclear BMI1 was associated with large tumor size (P = 0.0239), high mitotic count (P < 0.01), high Ki-67 index (P = 0.0357), advanced National Institute of Health (NIH) criteria (P = 0.0025) and advanced World Health Organization (WHO) classification (P < 0.01) in GISTs. Functional and pathway enrichment analysis showed that most of BMI1's coexpressed genes were involved in tumor growth-related process, such as regulation of cell cycle and proliferation. Furthermore, we confirmed RAS oncogene family (RAB18) and limb development membrane protein 1 (LMBR1) genes as novel targets for BMI1 in GIST cells. These results provide valuable information for the expression profiles of stemness genes in GISTs, and identified nuclear BMI1 as an important marker of GIST cell proliferation and progression.



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Primary low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma of breast: A rare case report with immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization detection

Publication date: Available online 25 February 2018
Source:Human Pathology
Author(s): Yutao Zhang Master, Dan Wan Master, Fuping Gao Master
Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare tumor with a bland histological appearance but malignant biological behavior. Primary LGFMS of breast has not been described in the English-language literature. Here, we report a 58-year-old Chinese female patient who presented with a painless mass in the right breast for more than 30 years. The tumor consists of spindle cells resembling fibroblasts and includes two kinds of morphological change, which are alternating collagenized hypocellular zone and cell-rich myxoid area. There are more arcades of curvilinear blood vessels. The spindle cells are not heteromorphic and mitotic figures are scarce. Immunostaining shows tumor cells are positive for vimentin, mucin4, CD99 and Bcl-2, but negative for SMA, desmin, S100, CD34, ALK and myogenin. FUS gene rearrangement is positively detected by FISH. The patient has been followed up for 59 months and is in a favorable condition. This rare location of LGFMS should be noted.



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Familial PDGFRA mutation- syndrome: somatic and gastrointestinal phenotype

Publication date: Available online 25 February 2018
Source:Human Pathology
Author(s): Paul N. Manley, Suzan Abu-Abed, Richard Kirsch, Andrea Hawrysh, Nicole Perrier, Harriet Feilotter, Aaron Pollett, Robert Riddell, Lawrence Hookey, Jagdeep S. Walia
Germline activating platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mutations have been described in four families. All the index patients have presented with multiple mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. We identified a fifth family with four first-degree relatives that harbor a PDGFRA exon 18 (D846V) germline mutation. The affected kindred have a unique phenotype including coarse facies and skin, broad hands and feet, and previously undescribed premature tooth loss. While the index patient presented with multiple small bowel inflammatory fibroid polyps (IFPs) and has a gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), no tumors have yet been identified in other family members. We describe the pathology, genetics and the incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity of the familial PDGFRA-mutation syndrome referencing the mouse knock-in Pdgfra model. We speculate on the role of the telocyte, a recently described CD34, PDGFRA+ stromal cell, in the development of inflammatory fibroid polyps and the somatic phenotype.



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Risk of alcohol use disorder among South African university students: The role of drinking motives

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 82
Author(s): J. Maphisa Maphisa, Charles Young




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Why I eat at night: A qualitative exploration of the development, maintenance and consequences of Night Eating Syndrome

Publication date: 1 June 2018
Source:Appetite, Volume 125
Author(s): James A. Shillito, James Lea, Stephanie Tierney, Jacqueline Cleator, Sara Tai, John P.H. Wilding
Night Eating Syndrome (NES), as a diagnosis, presents as a combination of disordered eating, sleep and mood. Patients identified as having both NES and obesity demonstrate poorer outcomes in terms of weight loss compared to those with NES only. However, research focusing on psychological factors associated with NES remains relatively underdeveloped. This study aimed to explore the relationship between NES and the experience of emotion from the perspective of patients accessing a weight management service. Ten adults who met diagnostic criteria for moderate or full NES took part in a semi-structured interview. Data were analysed using a constructivist approach to grounded theory. A core concept to emerge from the analysis was termed 'emotional hunger'; reflecting an urge or need to satiate a set of underlying unmet emotional needs. It was underpinned by the following interrelated themes: (1) Cultivating a dependency on food; (2) Relying on food to regulate emotions; (3) Understanding the significance of night-time; (4) Acknowledging the consequences of night eating. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the relationship between NES and the experience of emotion from the perspective of patients attending a weight management service. Results have potential to inform future service development, particularly around the adoption of a more holistic approach to night eating behaviours.



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Stress and psychological constructs related to eating behavior are associated with anthropometry and body composition in young adults

Publication date: 1 June 2018
Source:Appetite, Volume 125
Author(s): Katie C. Hootman, Kristin A. Guertin, Patricia A. Cassano
BackgroundThe transition to college is associated with weight gain, but the relation between eating behavior indicators and anthropometric outcomes during this period remains unclear.ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate sex differences in stress, emotional eating, tendency to overeat, and restrained eating behavior, and determine whether the psycho-behavioral constructs assessed immediately prior to starting college are associated with anthropometry and adiposity at the start of college, and with first-semester weight gain.MethodsA prospective study administered the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), Satter Eating Competence Inventory, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to 264 participants one month before college. Body composition was assessed via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the start of college, and anthropometry (weight, height, waist circumference [WC]) was collected at the beginning and end of the first semester. Ordinary least squares regression tested the cross-sectional association of baseline psychological and behavioral scales with baseline DXA and anthropometry, and the longitudinal association with change in anthropometry.ResultsAmong 264 participants, 91% (241) had baseline data, and 66% (173) completed follow-up. In sex-adjusted linear regression models, baseline TFEQ disinhibited and emotional (DE; EE) eating sub-scales were positively associated with baseline weight (P = 0.003; DE, P = 0.014; EE), body mass index (BMI, P = 0.002; DE, P = 0.001; EE), WC (P = 0.004; DE, P = 0.006; EE) and DXA fat mass index (P = 0.023; DE, P = 0.014; EE). Baseline PSS was positively associated with subsequent changes in weight and WC among males only (Pinteraction = 0.0268 and 0.0017 for weight and WC, respectively).ConclusionCollege freshmen with questionnaire scores indicating a greater tendency to overeat in response to external cues and emotions tended to have greater weight, BMI, and WC at the start of college. Males with higher perceived stress at college entrance subsequently gained significantly more weight in the first semester, but no such relation was evident in females.



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Intragastric preloads of l-tryptophan reduce ingestive behavior via oxytocinergic neural mechanisms in male mice

Publication date: 1 June 2018
Source:Appetite, Volume 125
Author(s): Sarah N. Gartner, Fraser Aidney, Anica Klockars, Colin Prosser, Elizabeth A. Carpenter, Kiriana Isgrove, Allen S. Levine, Pawel K. Olszewski
Human and laboratory animal studies suggest that dietary supplementation of a free essential amino acid, l-tryptophan (TRP), reduces food intake. It is unclear whether an acute gastric preload of TRP decreases consumption and whether central mechanisms underlie TRP-driven hypophagia. We examined the effect of TRP administered via intragastric gavage on energy- and palatability-induced feeding in mice. We sought to identify central mechanisms through which TRP suppresses appetite. Effects of TRP on consumption of energy-dense and energy-dilute tastants were established in mice stimulated to eat by energy deprivation or palatability. A conditioned taste aversion (CTA) paradigm was used to assess whether hypophagia is unrelated to sickness. c-Fos immunohistochemistry was employed to detect TRP-induced activation of feeding-related brain sites and of oxytocin (OT) neurons, a crucial component of satiety circuits. Also, expression of OT mRNA was assessed with real-time PCR. The functional importance of OT in mediating TRP-driven hypophagia was substantiated by showing the ability of OT receptor blockade to abolish TRP-induced decrease in feeding. TRP reduced intake of energy-dense standard chow in deprived animals and energy-dense palatable chow in sated mice. Anorexigenic doses of TRP did not cause a CTA. TRP failed to affect intake of palatable yet calorie-dilute or noncaloric solutions (10% sucrose, 4.1% Intralipid or 0.1% saccharin) even for TRP doses that decreased water intake in thirsty mice. Fos analysis revealed that TRP increases activation of several key feeding-related brain areas, especially in the brain stem and hypothalamus. TRP activated hypothalamic OT neurons and increased OT mRNA levels, whereas pretreatment with an OT antagonist abolished TRP-driven hypophagia. We conclude that intragastric TRP decreases food and water intake, and TRP-induced hypophagia is partially mediated via central circuits that encompass OT.



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A TRACER 3D Co-Culture tumour model for head and neck cancer

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 164
Author(s): Miki Young, Darren Rodenhizer, Teresa Dean, Elisa D'Arcangelo, Bin Xu, Laurie Ailles, Alison P. McGuigan
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the tumour microenvironment and have been shown to play an important role in the progression of cancer. To probe these tumour-stroma interactions, we incorporated CAFs derived from head and neck cancer patients and squamous carcinoma cells of the hypopharynx (FaDu) into the Tissue Roll for the Analysis of Cellular Environment and Response (TRACER) platform to establish a co-culture platform that simulates the CAF-tumour microenvironmental interactions in head and neck tumours. TRACER culture involves infiltrating cells into a thin fibrous scaffold and then rolling the resulting biocomposite around a mandrel to generate a 3D and layered structure. Patterning the fibrous scaffold biocomposite during fabrication enables control over the specific location of different cell populations in the rolled configuration. Here, we optimized the seeding densities and configurations of the CAF and FaDu cell tissue sections to enable a robust 3D co-culture system under normoxic conditions. Co-culture of CAFs with FaDu cells produced negligible effects on radiation resistance, but did produce increases in proliferation rate and invasive cell migration at 24 and 48 h of culture. Our study provides the basis for use of our in vitro co-culture TRACER model to investigate the tumour-stroma interactions, and to bridge the translational gap between preclinical and clinical studies.



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Editorial Board

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 162





http://ift.tt/2HKTisN

Molecular characterization of primary humic-like substances in fine smoke particles by thermochemolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 180
Author(s): Xingjun Fan, Siye Wei, Mengbo Zhu, Jianzhong Song, Ping'an Peng
In this study, the molecular structures of primary humic-like substances (HULIS) in fine smoke particles emitted from the combustion of biomass materials (including rice straw, corn straw, and pine branches) and coal, and atmospheric HULIS were determined by off-line tetramethylammonium hydroxide thermochemolysis coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (TMAH-GC/MS). A total of 89 pyrolysates were identified by the thermochemolysis of primary and atmospheric HULIS. The main groups were polysaccharide derivatives, N-containing compounds, lignin derivatives, aromatic acid methyl ester, aliphatic acid methyl ester, and diterpenoid derivatives. Both the type and distribution of pyrolysates among primary HULIS were comparable to those in atmospheric HULIS. This indicates that primary HULIS from combustion processes are important contributors to atmospheric HULIS. Some distinct differences were also observed. The aromatic compounds, including lignin derivatives and aromatic acid methyl ester, were the major pyrolysates (53.0%–84.9%) in all HULIS fractions, suggesting that primary HULIS significantly contributed aromatic structures to atmospheric HULIS. In addition, primary HULIS from biomass burning (BB) contained a relatively high abundance of lignin and polysaccharide derivatives, which is consistent with the large amounts of lignin and cellulose structures contained in biomass materials. Aliphatic acid methyl ester and benzyl methyl ether were prominent pyrolysates in atmospheric HULIS. Moreover, some molecular markers of specific sources were obtained from the thermochemolysis of primary and atmospheric HULIS. For example, polysaccharide derivatives, pyridine and pyrrole derivatives, and lignin derivatives can be used as tracers of fresh HULIS emitted from BB. Diterpenoid derivatives are important markers of HULIS from pine wood combustion sources. Finally, the differences in pyrolysate types and the distributions between primary and atmospheric HULIS suggested that the primary HULIS would undergo many atmospheric processes to reconstruct the macromolecular organic matter in atmospheric aerosols.



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Effectiveness of Systemic Treatments for Pyoderma Gangrenosum:A Systematic Review of Observational Studies & Clinical Trials

Summary

Background

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis with substantial morbidity. Currently, there is no consensus on gold-standard treatments.

Objectives

Our primary objective was to review the effectiveness of systemic therapy for PG.

Methods

We searched Cochrane Central, Cochrane DSR, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science for 24 systemic therapies for PG. Primary outcomes were complete healing and clinical improvement; secondary outcomes were time-to-healing and adverse effects.

Results

We found 3,326 citations, of which 375 articles underwent full-text review, and 41 studies met inclusion criteria. There were 704 participants amongst 26 retrospective cohort studies, 3 prospective cohort studies, 7 case series, 1 case-control study, 2 open-label trials, and 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT). Systemic corticosteroids were the most studied (n=32 studies), followed by cyclosporine (n=21), biologics (n=16), and oral dapsone (n=11). One RCT (STOP-GAP, n=121) showed that prednisolone and cyclosporine were similar, with 15-20% complete healing at 6-weeks and 47% at 6-months. Another RCT (n=30) found that infliximab was superior to placebo at 2-weeks (46% vs. 6% response), with 21% complete healing rate at 6-weeks. Two uncontrolled trials showed 60% and 37.5% healing in four months with canakinumab and infliximab, respectively; other data suggest that patients with concurrent IBD may benefit from biologics. The remaining studies were of poor quality and small sample sizes, though supported the use of corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and biologics.

Conclusions

Systemic corticosteroids, cyclosporine, infliximab, and canakinumab had the most evidence in treating PG. However, current literature is limited to small and lower-quality studies with substantial heterogeneity.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Use of emollients and topical glucocorticoids among adolescents with eczema – datafrom the population-based birth cohort BAMSE

Summary

Background

Knowledge regarding how adolescents treat their eczema is sparse.

Objectives

To explore the use of emollients and topical glucocorticoids in adolescents with eczema in relation to sex and disease severity, and to study dispensing patterns of topical glucocorticoids.

Methods

Questionnaire-based data on symptoms of eczema, eczema severity and treatment with emollients and topical glucocorticoids were obtained from 3,108 adolescents in the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE. Severity of reported eczema was evaluated with the BAMSE Eczema Severity Score (BESS) in a questionnaire and with the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure in clinically examined subjects with current eczema (n = 247). Information on dispensed topical glucocorticoids was obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register.

Results

In all, 10% reported eczema in the preceding year: 73% mild, 17% moderate and 10% severe according to BESS. Almost all used emollients, whereas use of topical glucocorticoids was reported by 55%, with no significant difference between sexes. The likelihood of treatment with emollients and topical glucocorticoids increased when the adolescents had symptoms of current eczema (OR_Adj 5.95, 95% CI 1.90-18.8), but not if they had more severe eczema compared to mild eczema (OR_Adj 1.57, 95% CI 0.58-4.25). Among those with reported eczema, 24% had a topical glucocorticoid dispensed in the preceding year and among those with moderate to severe current eczema 25% had dispensed a potent topical glucocorticoid.

Conclusions

This population-based study indicates that adolescents with eczema are undertreated or completely untreated, even those with severe eczema.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Novel in vivo observations of scrotal Nannizzia gypsea infection

Abstract

Tinea cruris is a common dermatophytosis, which usually firstly involved the intertriginous fold near the scrotum. Although dermatophytes may colonize the scrotum, they typically do not infect scrotal skin. However, tinea of scrotum is seldom reported as a specific type of Microsporum gypseum infection, presenting as white-paint-dot appearance, scutular-like or pseudomembranous-like lesions in immunocompromised or immunocompetent patients^1-6. According to the newest taxonomy, M. gypseum is now called Nannizia gypsea⁷. Herein we report novel in vivo observations of five cases of scrotal tinea caused by N. gypsea (formerly Microsporum gypseum) in immunocompetent patients.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Association between childhood atopic dermatitis, cutaneous, extracutaneous and systemic infections

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with higher risk of skin infections. US population-based studies found that childhood AD is associated with increased risk of caregiver-reported extra-cutaneous infections. We sought to confirm whether AD in childhood is associated with increased rates of healthcare diagnosed cutaneous and extra-cutaneous infections.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Unique clinical and serological features of bullous pemphigoid associated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors

Abstract

Recently, several cases of bullous pemphigoid (BP) associated with the use of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, a type of antihyperglycemic drug, have been reported (DPP4i-BP).^1,2 Béné reported a strong association between DPP-4 inhibitor use and the risk of BP.³ The juxtamembranous extracellular non-collagenous 16a (NC16a) domain of type XVII collagen (COL17, also termed BP180) is a major target epitope of autoantibodies in BP.⁴ A recent study found that BP cases whose autoantibodies bound to BP180 at regions other than NC16a exhibited a non-inflammatory phenotype with fewer erythemas. Intriguingly, half of these cases had taken DPP-4 inhibitors at the time of development of BP.⁵ In this study, we explored whether DPP4i-BP exhibited any unique clinical and serological features as suggested by the previous study.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Tanning Addiction: Conceptualisation, Assessment, and Correlates

Abstract

Background

Research into problematic tanning (or 'tanning addiction') has markedly increased over the past few years. Although several excessive tanning instruments exist, most of these are psychometrically poor, not theoretically anchored, and have mainly been used on small samples.

Objective

Against this background, a new tanning addiction scale was developed based on a specific theoretical approach utilising core addiction criteria.

Methods

A scale comprising seven items (i.e. salience/craving, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, relapse/loss of control, and problems) was administered online to a cross-sectional convenience sample of 23,537 adults (M_age=35.8 years, SD=13.3), together with an assessment of demographic factors, the five-factor model of personality, and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression.

Results

A confirmatory factor analysis showed that a one-factor model showed an optimal fit with the data collected (RMSEA=.050 [90% CI=.047–.053], CFI=.99, TLI=.99). High factor loadings (.781–.905, all p<.001) and coefficient omega indicator of reliability (ω=.941 [95% CI=.939–.944]) were also found using the new scale. In a multiple linear regression analysis, tanning addiction was positively associated with being female, not being in a relationship, extroversion, neuroticism, anxiety and obsessive-compulsiveness. It was also found that educational level, intellect/openness and depression were inversely associated with tanning addiction.

Conclusions

The new scale, Bergen Tanning Addiction Scale (BTAS), showed good psychometric properties, and is the first scale to fully conceptualise tanning addiciton within a contemporary addiction framework. Given this, the BTAS may potentially assist future clinical practice in providing appropriate patient care, prevention and disease management.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Incidence and Prevalence of Rosacea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background

The exact prevalence and incidence of rosacea remain unknown, although it is a common condition associated with severe non-cutaneous diseases. We performed a systematic review of published literature to examine the global incidence and prevalence of rosacea.

Methods

A systematic review of population-based studies reporting the incidence and/or prevalence of rosacea was performed using three electronic medical databases, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Data were extracted, and a proportion meta-analysis was performed to obtain pooled proportions.

Results

A total of 32 studies were included examining a total of 41 populations with 26,519,836 individuals. 22 populations were from Europe, three from Africa, four from Asia, nine from North America, and three from South America. The pooled proportion of rosacea was 5.46% (95% CI 4.91-6.04) in the general population and 2.39% (95% CI 1.56-3.39) among dermatology outpatients. Self-reported rosacea gave higher prevalence estimates than rosacea diagnosed by clinical examination, suggesting a low specificity of questionnaires based on symptoms. Rosacea affected both women (5.41%, (CI 95% 3.85-7.23)) and men (3.90% (CI 95% 3.04-4.87)), and mostly those aged 45-60 years.

Conclusion

We estimated the global prevalence of rosacea based on published data and found that 5.46% of the adult population is affected. However, the prevalence of rosacea depended on the diagnostic method with higher estimates in questionnaire studies and lower estimates in health registries.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Incidence of Sexual Dysfunction Among Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: a population based retrospective analysis

Abstract

Given the devastating psychological impact of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and since the disease process commonly affects intimate body regions, patients with the disease may be at risk for sexual dysfunction (SD). While SD has been established among HS patients through qualitative studies using instruments not validated for this context,the burden of SD has not been described in a population of HS patients.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Exploration of the platelet proteome in patients with early-stage cancer

Publication date: 15 April 2018
Source:Journal of Proteomics, Volume 177
Author(s): Siamack Sabrkhany, Marijke J.E. Kuijpers, Jaco C. Knol, Steven W.M. Olde Damink, Anne-Marie C. Dingemans, Henk M. Verheul, Sander R. Piersma, Thang V. Pham, Arjan W. Griffioen, Mirjam G.A. oude Egbrink, Connie R. Jimenez
Platelets play an important role in tumor growth and, at the same time, platelet characteristics are affected by cancer presence. Therefore, we investigated whether the platelet proteome harbors differentially expressed proteins associated with early-stage cancer. For this proof-of-concept study, patients with early-stage lung (n = 8) or head of pancreas cancer (n = 4) were included, as were healthy sex- and age-matched controls for both subgroups. Blood samples were collected from controls and from patients before surgery. Furthermore, from six of the patients, a second sample was collected two months after surgery. NanoLC-MS/MS-based proteomics of gel-fractionated platelet proteins was used for comparative spectral count analyses of patients to controls and before to after surgery samples. The total platelet proteome dataset included 4384 unique proteins of which 85 were significantly (criteria Fc > 1.5 and p < 0.05) changed in early-stage cancer compared to controls. In addition, the levels of 81 platelet proteins normalized after tumor resection. When filtering for the most discriminatory proteins, we identified seven promising platelet proteins associated with early-stage cancer. In conclusion, this pioneering study on the platelet proteome in cancer patients clearly identifies platelets as a new source of candidate protein biomarkers of early-stage cancer.Biological significanceCurrently, most blood-based diagnostics/biomarker research is performed in serum or plasma, while the content of blood cells is usually neglected. It is known that especially blood platelets, which are the main circulating pool of many bioactive proteins, such as growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines, are a potentially rich source of biomarkers. The current study is the first to measure the effect of early-stage cancer on the platelet proteome of patients. Our study demonstrates that the platelet proteome of patients with early-stage lung or head of pancreas cancer differs considerably compared to that of healthy individuals of matched sex and age. In addition, the platelet proteome of cancer patients normalized after surgical resection of the tumor. Exploiting platelet proteome differences linked to both tumor presence and disease status, we were able to demonstrate that the platelet proteome can be mined for potential biomarkers of cancer.

Graphical abstract

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Explicit Instructions Facilitate Performance of OCD Participants but Impair Performance of non-OCD Participants on a Serial Reaction Time Task

Publication date: Available online 24 February 2018
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Author(s): Assaf Soref, Nira Liberman, Amitai Abramovitch, Reuven Dar
Previous studies have shown that individuals diagnosed with OCD tend to rely on explicit processing while performing implicit learning tasks. We sought to investigate whether individuals with OCD are capable of implicit learning, but would demonstrate improved performance when explicit processing strategies are enhanced. Twenty-four participants with OCD and 24 non-psychiatric control (NPC) participants performed an implicit learning task in which they responded to a single target stimulus that successively appears at one of four locations according to an underlying sequence. We manipulated the learning strategy by informing half of the participants that the target stimulus location was determined by an underlying sequence, which they should identify (intentional learning). The other half of the participants was not informed of the existence of the underlying sequence, and was expected to learn the sequence implicitly (standard learning). We predicted that OCD participants will exhibit inferior performance compared to NPC participants in the standard learning condition, and that intentional learning instructions would impair the performance of NPC participants, but enhance the performance of OCD participants. The results supported these predictions and suggest that individuals with OCD prefer controlled to automatic processing. We discuss the implications of this conclusion to our understanding of OCD.



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Let's stick together

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): David Bradley




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New stretchable material inspired by octopus camouflage

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): Laurie Donaldson




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Glass inequality

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): David Bradley




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Mussel power for building better elastomers

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): David Bradley




http://ift.tt/2BP6MTJ

Efficient photodetector developed that uses quantum processes

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): Laurie Donaldson




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CONTENTS 1

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1





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CONTENTS 2

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1





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Polymer scaffold makes bone cells feel at home

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): Cordelia Sealy




http://ift.tt/2BNS6o0

Smart composite lights the way to drug delivery

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): Cordelia Sealy




http://ift.tt/2ESU2OH

Novel nanocomposite cleans up

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): Cordelia Sealy




http://ift.tt/2BNmLSq

Nanoparticles shine new light on inflammatory disease

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): Cordelia Sealy




http://ift.tt/2opHoN2

Extreme electrons

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): David Bradley




http://ift.tt/2BQWWkx

Water, water

Publication date: January–February 2018
Source:Materials Today, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): David Bradley




http://ift.tt/2orNNak

Nanoscale residual stress depth profiling by Focused Ion Beam milling and eigenstrain analysis

Publication date: 5 May 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 145
Author(s): A.M. Korsunsky, E. Salvati, A.G.J. Lunt, T. Sui, M.Z. Mughal, R. Daniel, J. Keckes, E. Bemporad, M. Sebastiani
Residual stresses play a crucial role in determining material properties and behaviour, in terms of structural integrity under monotonic and cyclic loading, and for functional performance, in terms of capacitance, conductivity, band gap, and other characteristics. The methods for experimental residual stress analysis at the macro- and micro-scales are well established, but residual stress evaluation at the nanoscale faces major challenges, e.g. the need for sample sectioning to prepare thin lamellae, by its very nature introducing major modifications to the quantity being evaluated.Residual stress analysis by micro-ring core Focused Ion Beam milling directly at sample surface offers lateral resolution better than 1μm, and encodes information about residual stress depth variation. We report a new method for residual stress depth profiling at the resolution better than 50nm by the application of a mathematically straightforward and robust approach based on the concept of eigenstrain. The results are validated by direct comparison with measurements by nano-focus synchrotron X-ray diffraction.

Graphical abstract

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Effect of HF/HNO3-treatment on the porous structure and cell penetrability of titanium (Ti) scaffold

Publication date: 5 May 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 145
Author(s): Hyun Lee, Hyun-Do Jung, Min-Ho Kang, Juha Song, Hyoun-Ee Kim, Tae-Sik Jang
Porous titanium (Ti) implants have been used in orthopedic and dental applications because of their superior mechanical properties. Sufficient pore interconnectivity is required for effective bone regeneration and growth inside the Ti scaffold pore structure. We proposed post-treatment with HF/HNO3 to efficiently modify the internal pore structure of a Ti scaffold and achieve controllable mechanical properties with a pore neck structure. The porosity, pore size, wall thickness, and pore neck size were easily controlled by varying the acid treatment time, which produced a Ti scaffold with mechanical properties that were suitable for bone tissue engineering. As the mixed acid treatment time increased, internal isolated pores were gradually interconnected with adjacent pores. After 10min of treatment, nearly all the pores were interconnected. The post-treatment with HF/HNO3 also affected the surface properties. Surface carbon contaminants were significantly reduced after treatment with no hydride formation. Micron-scale surface roughness was uniformly generated across the whole surface. The actual cell penetrability of the Ti scaffold was evaluated using a perfusion-based in vitro cell test. Over 90% of the surface pores depict cell penetrability with a sufficient number of cells attached to the wall surface of the pore after performing acid treatment for 12min.

Graphical abstract

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Infant fMRI: A Model System for Cognitive Neuroscience

Publication date: Available online 24 February 2018
Source:Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Author(s): Cameron T. Ellis, Nicholas B. Turk-Browne
Our understanding of the typical human brain has benefitted greatly from studying different kinds of brains and their associated behavioral repertoires, including animal models and neuropsychological patients. This same comparative perspective can be applied to early development – the environment, behavior, and brains of infants provide a model system for understanding how the mature brain works. This approach requires noninvasive methods for measuring brain function in awake, behaving infants. fMRI is becoming increasingly viable for this purpose, with the unique ability to precisely measure the entire brain, including both cortical and subcortical structures. Here we discuss potential lessons from infant fMRI for several domains of adult cognition and consider the challenges of conducting such research and how they might be mitigated.



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