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Κυριακή 18 Δεκεμβρίου 2016

Quinidine therapy for West syndrome with KCNTI mutation: A case report

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:Brain and Development, Volume 39, Issue 1
Author(s): Masataka Fukuoka, Ichiro Kuki, Hisashi Kawawaki, Shin Okazaki, Kiyohiro Kim, Yuka Hattori, Hitomi Tsuji, Megumi Nukui, Takeshi Inoue, Yoko Yoshida, Takehiro Uda, Sadami Kimura, Yukiko Mogami, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Hirotomo Saitsu, Naomichi Matsumoto
The KCNT1 gene encodes the sodium-dependent potassium channel, with quinidine being a partial antagonist of the KCNT1 channel. Gain-of-function KCNT1 mutations cause early onset epileptic encephalopathies including migrating partial seizures of infancy (MPSI). At 5months of age, our patient presented with epileptic spasms and hypsarrhythmia by electroencephalogram. Psychomotor retardation was observed from early infancy. The patient was diagnosed with West syndrome. Consequently, various anti-epileptic drugs, adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy (twice), and ketogenic diet therapy were tried. However, the epileptic spasms were intractable. Whole exome sequencing identified a KCNT1 mutation (c.1955G>T; p.G652V). At 2years and 6months, the patient had daily epileptic spasms despite valproate and lamotrigine treatment, and was therefore admitted for quinidine therapy. With quinidine therapy, decreased epileptic spasms and decreased epileptiform paroxysmal activity were observed by interictal EEG. Regarding development, babbling, responsiveness, oral feeding and muscle tone were ameliorated. Only transient diarrhea was observed as an adverse effect. Thus, quinidine therapy should be attempted in patients with West syndrome caused by KCNT1 mutations, as reported for MPSI.



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A case of acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion: Utility of arterial spin labeling sequence

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:Brain and Development, Volume 39, Issue 1
Author(s): Keita Kuya, Shinya Fujii, Fuminori Miyoshi, Koyo Ohno, Yuki Shinohara, Yoshihiro Maegaki, Toshihide Ogawa
A 1-year-old boy was admitted because of febrile status epilepticus (FSE). A secondary cluster of seizures was seen on day 5 after onset, and the patient eventually displayed developmental delay. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no abnormal findings on day 1 after onset, but showed reduced diffusion in the subcortical regions of bilateral frontal lobes on day 5 after onset. Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) was diagnosed. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) revealed reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) in bilateral frontal lobes on day 1 after onset and showed increased CBF in the corresponding region in the subacute phase. Outcomes after prolonged febrile seizures are usually good, but mental deficit and/or epilepsy often remain in AESD. Discriminating between these syndromes is difficult, because no useful biomarkers have been identified. Reduced CBF in bilateral frontal lobes was observed on ASL on day 1 of FSE in the present case, and this finding may be predictive of developing AESD.



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Neurogenic muscle hypertrophy in a 12-year-old girl

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:Brain and Development, Volume 39, Issue 1
Author(s): Matija Zutelija Fattorini, Alenka Gagro, Tomislav Dapic, Goran Krakar, Josip Marjanovic
Muscular hypertrophy secondary to denervation is very rare, but well-documented phenomena in adults. This is the first report of a child with neurogenic unilateral hypertrophy due to S1 radiculopathy. A 12-year-old girl presented with left calf hypertrophy and negative history of low back pain or trauma. The serum creatinine kinase level and inflammatory markers were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging showed muscle hypertrophy of the left gastrocnemius and revealed a protruded lumbar disc at the L5-S1 level. The protruded disc abuts the S1 root on the left side. Electromyography showed mild left S1 radiculopathy. Passive stretching and work load might clarify the origin of neurogenic hypertrophy but there is still a need for further evidence. Clinical, laboratory, magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography findings showed that S1 radiculopathy could be a cause of unilateral calf swelling in youth even in the absence of a history of back or leg pain.



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Announcements and reports

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:Brain and Development, Volume 39, Issue 1





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Cover

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:Brain and Development, Volume 39, Issue 1





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Contents

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:Brain and Development, Volume 39, Issue 1





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Reconsideration of the diagnosis and treatment of childhood migraine: A practical review of clinical experiences

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Yoshiaki Saito, Gaku Yamanaka, Hideki Shimomura, Kazuhiro Shiraishi, Tomoyuki Nakazawa, Fumihide Kato, Yuko Shimizu-Motohashi, Masayuki Sasaki, Yoshihiro Maegaki
ObjectiveTo provide insight into the wide spectrum of migraine during childhood to establish practical and comprehensive treatment strategies.BackgroundAlthough recent studies have confirmed the effect of anti-migraine agents in childhood headaches fulfilling the criteria of migraine without aura, there have been no studies regarding the efficacy of these drugs in childhood migraine without aura not filling the diagnostic criteria.MethodsIn total, 154 patients with a clinical diagnosis of migraine, with onset of repetitive headaches at the age of ⩽15years, were retrospectively included from clinics in seven tertiary medical centers.ResultsPatients' diagnoses included migraine with aura (n=49), migraine without aura (n=65), clinical migraine without aura not fulfilling International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 beta criteria (suspected migraine without aura; n=38), and hemiplegic migraine (n=2). Abortive medicine was effective in 74 of 97 patients, and preventive medicine was effective in 61 of 84 patients. Drugs with high efficacy were acetaminophen and ibuprofen for abortive therapy and cyproheptadine, amitriptyline, and propranolol for preventive therapy. Psychosocial problems were less common, and abnormalities on electroencephalography were more common in the suspected migraine without aura group. Otherwise, clinical features and drug responsibility were comparable among the migraine with aura, migraine without aura, and suspected migraine without aura groups. Retrospectively, experts clinically diagnosed childhood migraine without aura when the headache met at least one of the three criteria B, C, and D in International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 beta in addition to A and E. Abortive and preventive medication including paroxetine (n=2) benefited 10 and 15 of the 33 patients with daily headache, respectively. Psychotherapy/counseling (n=4), treatment for orthostatic dysregulation (n=4), and elimination of stressors (n=3) markedly alleviated headache in this group.ConclusionOur results indicated that those with suspected migraine without aura not filling International Classification of Headache Disorders diagnostic criteria should be included in the treatment for migraine. Treatment should also be targeted to comorbid developmental disorders, orthostatic dysregulation, and psychosocial problems in patients with refractory daily headaches.



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One-pot large-area synthesis of graphitic filamentous nanocarbon-aligned carbon thin layer/carbon nanotube forest hybrid thin films and their corrosion behaviors in simulated seawater condition

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Chemical Engineering Journal
Author(s): Namjo Jeong, Eunjin Jwa, Chansoo Kim, Ji Yeon Choi, Joo-youn Nam, Kyo Sik Hwang, Ji-Hyung Han, Han-ki Kim, Soon-Chul Park, Yong Seog Seo, Moon Seok Jang
In this work, we demonstrate the large-area synthesis of graphitic filamentous nanocarbon-aligned carbon thin layer (GFNACTL) on Cu foil by chemical vapor deposition of C2H2 at 700 °C at 5 Torr pressure. The thickness of the GFNACTL can be controlled to vary in the range 50–4000 nm by varying the synthesis time. The graphitic filamentous nanocarbon with outer diameters ∼10–20 nm have highly oriented and well-connected graphitic structures that are stacked perpendicular to the growth direction. This result shows that the presence of a native oxide layer on the Cu foil was beneficial for the GFNACTL growth. Our approach can be extended to the one-pot synthesis of GFNACTL/carbon nanotube (CNT) forest hybrid thin films. The tip growth of CNTs with diameters of ∼ 50 nm was catalyzed on the GFNACTL by Cu41Sn11 nanoparticles. Corrosion measurements were performed in 0.6 M NaCl solution. Electrochemical analysis revealed a strong improvement in corrosion resistance as compared to pure Cu specimens, indicating the superior uniformity and promise of the GFNACTL/ CNT forest hybrid thin films for application as a protective coating.

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Fluorescent nanodiamonds engage innate immune effector cells: a potential vehicle for targeted anti-tumor immunotherapy

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine
Author(s): Lorena P. Suarez-Kelly, Amanda R. Campbell, Isaac V. Rampersaud, Ambika Bumb, Min S. Wang, Jonathan P. Butchar, Susheela Tridandapani, Lianbo Yu, Arfaan A. Rampersaud, William E. Carson
Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) are nontoxic, infinitely photostable, and emit fluorescence in the near infrared region. Natural killer (NK) cells and monocytes are part of the innate immune system and are crucial to the control of carcinogenesis. FND-mediated stimulation of these cells may serve as a strategy to enhance anti-tumor activity. FNDs were fabricated with a diameter of 70±28nm. Innate immune cell FND uptake, viability, surface marker expression, and cytokine production were evaluated in vitro. Evaluation of fluorescence emission from the FNDs was conducted in an animal model. In vitro results demonstrated that treatment of immune cells with FNDs resulted in significant dose-dependent FND uptake, no compromise in cell viability, and immune cell activation. FNDs were visualized in an animal model. Hence, FNDs may serve as novel agents with "track and trace" capabilities to stimulate innate immune cell anti-tumor responses, especially as FNDs are amenable to surface-conjugation with immunomodulatory molecules.

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Importance of soil NO emissions for the total atmospheric NOx budget of Saxony, Germany

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Publication date: March 2017
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 152
Author(s): Saúl Molina-Herrera, Edwin Haas, Rüdiger Grote, Ralf Kiese, Steffen Klatt, David Kraus, Tatjana Kampffmeyer, Rainer Friedrich, Henning Andreae, Benjamin Loubet, Christof Ammann, László Horváth, Klaus Larsen, Carsten Gruening, Arnoud Frumau, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl
Soils are a significant source for the secondary greenhouse gas NO and assumed to be a significant source of tropospheric NOx in rural areas. Here we tested the LandscapeDNDC model for its capability to simulate magnitudes and dynamics of soil NO emissions for 22 sites differing in land use (arable, grassland and forest) and edaphic as well as climatic conditions. Overall, LandscapeDNDC simulated mean soil NO emissions agreed well with observations (r2 = 0.82). However, simulated day to day variations of NO did only agree weakly with high temporal resolution measurements, though agreement between simulations and measurements significantly increased if data were aggregated to weekly, monthly and seasonal time scales. The model reproduced NO emissions from high and low emitting sites, and responded to fertilization (mineral and organic) events with pulse emissions. After evaluation, we linked the LandscapeDNDC model to a GIS database holding spatially explicit data on climate, land use, soil and management to quantify the contribution of soil biogenic NO emissions to the total NOx budget for the State of Saxony, Germany. Our calculations show that soils of both agricultural and forest systems are significant sources and contribute to about 8% (uncertainty range: 6–13%) to the total annual tropospheric NOx budget for Saxony. However, the contributions of soil NO emission to total tropospheric NOx showed a high spatial variability and in some rural regions such as the Ore Mts., simulated soil NO emissions were by far more important than anthropogenic sources.



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Iron nanomedicines induce Toll-like receptor activation, cytokine production and complement activation

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Publication date: March 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 119
Author(s): Johan J.F. Verhoef, A. Marit de Groot, Marc van Moorsel, Jeffrey Ritsema, Nataliia Beztsinna, Coen Maas, Huub Schellekens
Approximately a dozen of intravenous iron nanomedicines gained marketing authorization in the last two decades. These products are generally considered as safe, but have been associated with an increased risk for hypersensitivity-like reactions of which the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesized that iron nanomedicines can trigger the innate immune system. We hereto investigated the physico-chemical properties of ferric gluconate, iron sucrose, ferric carboxymaltose and iron isomaltoside 1000 and comparatively studied their interaction with Toll-like receptors, the complement system and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Two out of four formulations appeared as aggregates by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis and were actively taken up by HEK293T- and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a cholesterol-dependent manner. These formulations triggered in vitro activation of intracellular Toll-like receptors 3, -7 and -9 in a dose- and serum-dependent manner. In parallel experiments, we determined that these compounds activated the complement system. Finally, we found that uptake of aggregation-prone iron nanomedicines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in whole blood induced production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, but not IL-6.



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Editorial board

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Publication date: February 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 117





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Glucose modulates antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans in biofilms

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Luis Cláudio Suzuki, Ilka Tiemy Kato, Renato Araujo Prates, Caetano Padial Sabino, Tania Mateus Yoshimura, Tamires Oliveira Silva, Martha Simões Ribeiro
Candida albicans biofilm is a main cause of infections associated with medical devices such as catheters, contact lens and artificial joint prosthesis. The current treatment comprises antifungal chemotherapy that presents low success rates. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) involves the combination of a photosensitizing compound (PS) and light to generate oxidative stress that has demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against a broad-spectrum of pathogens, including C. albicans. This fungus senses glucose inducing an upregulation of membrane transporters that can facilitate PS uptake into the cell. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of glucose on methylene blue (MB) uptake and its influence on PDI efficiency when combined to a red LED with central wavelength at λ=660nm. C. albicans biofilms were grown on hydrogel disks. Prior to PDI assays, MB uptake tests were performed with and without glucose-sensitization. In this system, the optimum PS administration was determined as 500μM of MB in contact with the biofilm during 30min before irradiation. Irradiation was performed during 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18min with irradiance of 127.3mW/cm2. Our results showed that glucose was able to increase MB uptake in C. albicans cells. In addition, PDI without glucose showed a higher viability reduction until 6min; after 9min, glucose group demonstrated a significant decrease in cell viability when compared to glucose-free group. Taking together, our data suggest that glucose is capable to enhance MB uptake and modulate photodynamic inactivation of C. albicans biofilm.

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Multicolor imaging of hydrogen peroxide level in living and apoptotic cells by a single fluorescent probe

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Publication date: 15 May 2017
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 91
Author(s): Ying Wen, Fengfeng Xue, Haichuang Lan, Zhenhua Li, Shuzhang Xiao, Tao Yi
To understand the entangled relationship between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis, there is urgent need for simultaneous dynamic monitoring of these two important biological events. In this study, we have developed a fluorescent probe, pep4-NP1, which can simultaneously detect H2O2 and caspase 3, the respective markers of ROS and apoptosis. The probe contains a H2O2 fluorescence reporter (NP1) and Cy5 fluorescent chromophore connected by a caspase 3 specific recognition peptide. The detecting strategy was realized through a controllable fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process between NP1 and Cy5 of pep4-NP1, after reaction with H2O2, which was verified by molecular calculation and in vitro spectral studies. In the absent of caspase 3, the accumulation of H2O2 induces red fluorescence of pep4-NP1 centered at 663nm in living cells due to the existence of FRET. In contrast, FRET is inhibited in apoptotic cells due to cleavage of the peptide spacer of pep4-NP1 by over-expressed caspase 3. Consequently, green fluorescence (555nm) predominated when labelling production of H2O2 in apoptotic cells. Moreover, Pep4-NP1 shows excellent selectivity towards H2O2 and caspase 3 on their respective reaction sites. Therefore, pep4-NP1 can distinguish endogenously generated H2O2 between living cells and apoptotic cells with different fluorescence wavelengths, providing additional information on the ROS production pathways.



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Unilateral chronic pain may neglect the healthy side

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Sophie Jacquin-Courtois, Laure Christophe, Eric Chabanat, Karen T. Reilly, Yves Rossetti




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The “Proust Phenomenon”: odor-evoked autobiographical memories triggered by direct amygdala stimulation in human

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Fabrice Bartolomei, Stanislas Lagarde, Samuel Médina Villalon, Aileen McGonigal, Christian G. Benar




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Functional anatomy of the macaque temporo-parieto-frontal connectivity

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Elena Borra, Giuseppe Luppino
The primate parietal lobe is primarily dedicated to the processing of sensory information for the guidance of motor behavior, based on the integration of sensory with motor signals (sensorimotor transformations), mediated by specific, strong, and reciprocal connections with the motor cortex. Sensorimotor transformations have been regarded as an automatic process carried out independently from the temporal cortex, which is considered the location where sensory information is used for perceptual processes. However, both human and non-human primate studies have shown interactions between these two regions in different aspects of sensorimotor and cognitive processes. Connectional studies in macaques have provided a detailed description of the possible neural substrate for these interactions. Specifically, temporo-parietal connections almost exclusively involve the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and display a fine topographic organization, providing the substrate for the role of the macaque IPL in "perception-based" control of motor behavior. Particularly, more rostral IPL areas are involved in motor and cognitive motor functions related to hand action organization and oculomotor control as well as in action and intention understanding, whereas more caudal IPL areas are involved in multisensory integration for the construction of space representations for guiding arm and eye motor behavior. Temporal and IPL-interconnected areas also share connections with specific ventral frontal areas and are thus part of large-scale cortical networks in which the various nodes are linked through "dorsal" temporo-parieto-frontal and "ventral" temporo-frontal pathways. Anatomical and functional studies suggest homologies between human and macaque temporo-parieto-frontal connectivity; they also suggest that higher-order functions of the human IPL could have evolved from the exploitation and adaptation of phylogenetically older neural mechanisms that occur in macaque brains. Thus, connectional data from macaque studies appear essential for understanding human brain mechanisms, even in cases of cognitive abilities undeveloped in other animals, and for interpreting clinical data, including disconnection syndromes.



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How specialized are writing-specific brain regions? An fMRI study of writing, drawing and oral spelling

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Samuel Planton, Marieke Longcamp, Patrice Péran, Jean-François Démonet, Mélanie Jucla
Several brain imaging studies identified brain regions that are consistently involved in writing tasks; the left premotor and superior parietal cortices have been associated with the peripheral components of writing performance as opposed to other regions that support the central, orthographic components. Based on a meta-analysis by Planton, Jucla, Roux, and Demonet (2013), we focused on five such writing areas and questioned the task-specificity and hemispheric lateralization profile of the brain response in an fMRI experiment where 16 right-handed participants wrote down, spelled out orally object names, and drew shapes from object pictures. All writing-related areas were activated by drawing, and some of them by oral spelling, thus questioning their specialization for written production. The graphemic/motor frontal area, a subpart of the superior premotor cortex close to Exner's area (Roux et al., 2009), was the only area with a writing-specific lateralization profile, that is, clear left lateralization during handwriting, and bilateral activity during drawing. Furthermore, the relative lateralization and levels of activation in the superior parietal cortex, ventral premotor cortex, ventral occipitotemporal cortex and right cerebellum across the three tasks brought out new evidence regarding their respective contributions to the writing processes.



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Stimulus uncertainty enhances long-term potentiation-like plasticity in human motor cortex

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Martin V. Sale, Abbey S. Nydam, Jason B. Mattingley
Plasticity can be induced in human cortex using paired associative stimulation (PAS), which repeatedly and predictably pairs a peripheral electrical stimulus with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the contralateral motor region. Many studies have reported small or inconsistent effects of PAS. Given that uncertain stimuli can promote learning, the predictable nature of the stimulation in conventional PAS paradigms might serve to attenuate plasticity induction. Here, we introduced stimulus uncertainty into the PAS paradigm to investigate if it can boost plasticity induction. Across two experimental sessions, participants (n = 28) received a modified PAS paradigm consisting of a random combination of 90 paired stimuli and 90 unpaired (TMS-only) stimuli. Prior to each of these stimuli, participants also received an auditory cue which either reliably predicted whether the upcoming stimulus was paired or unpaired (no uncertainty condition) or did not predict the upcoming stimulus (maximum uncertainty condition). Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) evoked from abductor pollicis brevis muscle quantified cortical excitability before and after PAS. MEP amplitude increased significantly 15 minutes following PAS in the maximum uncertainty condition. There was no reliable change in MEP amplitude in the no uncertainty condition, nor between post-PAS MEP amplitudes across the two conditions. These results suggest that stimulus uncertainty may provide a novel means to enhance plasticity induction with the PAS paradigm in human motor cortex. To provide further support to the notion that stimulus uncertainty and prediction error promote plasticity, future studies should further explore the time course of these changes, and investigate what aspects of stimulus uncertainty are critical in boosting plasticity.



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The role of the IFG and pSTS in syntactic prediction: evidence from a parametric study of hierarchical structure in fMRI

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Cortex
Author(s): William Matchin, Christopher Hammerly, Ellen Lau
Sentences encode hierarchical structural relations among words. Several neuroimaging experiments aiming to localize combinatory operations responsible for creating this structure during sentence comprehension have contrasted short, simple phrases and sentences to unstructured controls. Some of these experiments have revealed activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), associating these regions with basic syntactic combination. However, the wide variability of these effects across studies raises questions about this interpretation. In an fMRI experiment, we provide support for an alternative hypothesis: these regions underlie top-down syntactic predictions that facilitate sentence processing but are not necessary for building syntactic structure. We presented stimuli with three levels of structure: unstructured lists, two-word phrases, and simple, short sentences; and two levels of content: natural stimuli with real words and stimuli with open-class items replaced with pseudowords (jabberwocky). While both the phrase and sentence conditions engaged syntactic combination, our experiment only encouraged syntactic prediction in the sentence condition. We found increased activity for both natural and jabberwocky sentences in the left IFG (pars triangularis and pars orbitalis) and pSTS relative to unstructured word lists and two-word phrases, but we did not find any such effects for two-word phrases relative to unstructured word lists in these areas. Our results are most consistent with the hypothesis that increased activity in IFG and pSTS for basic contrasts of structure reflects syntactic prediction. The pars opercularis of the IFG showed a response profile consistent with verbal working memory. We found incremental effects of structure in the anterior temporal lobe (ATL), and increased activation only for sentences in the angular gyrus/temporal-parietal junction (AG/TPJ) – both regions showed these effects for stimuli with all real words. These findings support a role for the ATL in semantic combination and the AG/TPJ in thematic processing.



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Bimetal-organic frameworks/polymer core-shell nanofibers derived heteroatom-doped carbon materials as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Carbon, Volume 114
Author(s): Qijian Niu, Junxia Guo, Binling Chen, Jun Nie, Xindong Guo, Guiping Ma
In this work, Zn-Co-ZIF-n(shell)/PAN(core) nanofibers were well-designed and prepared through bimetal zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) grown on the surface of 2-Methylimidazole/Polyacrylonitrile (MIM/PAN) electrospun nanofibers. After carbonization of Zn-Co-ZIF-n/PAN nanofibers (n was the molar ratio of Zn/Co before carbonization), the core layer was converted to nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (NCNFs) and the shell layer was converted to Zn/Co bimetal nanoparticles coated with graphitic carbon layer (Zn/Co@C). It was found that Zn/Co@C-NCNFs are featured with hierarchical network structure and high surface area. Further doped by nitrogen species and embedded by Zn/Co bimetal nanoparticles, it exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), better than the reference samples. By further investigating the electrocatalytic performance, the optimized sample Zn/Co@C-NCNFs (0.50) derived from Zn-Co-ZIF-0.50/PAN at 800 °C carbonization exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity (the onset and half-wave potentials were −0.099 V and −0.20 V vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively and nearly four electron selectivity (3.69)). Moreover, its methanol tolerance and duration stability was better than that of the commercial 20 wt% Pt/C. It provides an effective strategy to design non-precious metal electrocatalysts from the Zn-Co-ZIF-n/PAN nanofibers or other MOFs/polymer nanofibers for ORR in fuel cells.

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Metal homeostasis in infectious disease: recent advances in bacterial metallophores and the human metal-withholding response

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Current Opinion in Chemical Biology, Volume 37
Author(s): Wilma Neumann, Anmol Gulati, Elizabeth M Nolan
A tug-of-war between the mammalian host and bacterial pathogen for nutrients, including first-row transition metals (e.g. Mn, Fe, Zn), occurs during infection. Here we present recent advances about three metal-chelating metabolites that bacterial pathogens deploy when invading the host: staphylopine, staphyloferrin B, and enterobactin. These highlights provide new insights into the mechanisms of bacterial metal acquisition and regulation, as well as the contributions of host-defense proteins during the human innate immune response. The studies also underscore that the chemical composition of the microenvironment at an infection site can influence bacterial pathogenesis and the innate immune system.



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Distal Pb-Zn-Ag veins associated with the world-class Donggou porphyry Mo deposit, southern North China craton

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Ore Geology Reviews, Volume 82
Author(s): Zhan-Ke Li, Shi-Jian Bi, Jian-Wei Li, Wen Zhang, David R. Cooke, David Selby
The southern North China craton hosts numerous world-class porphyry Mo and Pb-Zn-Ag vein deposits. Whether or not the Pb-Zn-Ag veins are genetically associated with the porphyry Mo system remains contentious. Here we focus on the genetic relationships between the Sanyuangou Pb-Zn-Ag vein deposit and the world-class Donggou porphyry Mo deposit, and discuss the potential implications from the spatial and temporal relationships between porphyry and vein systems in the southern North China craton.At Sanyuangou, vein-hosted sulfide mineralization mainly comprises pyrite, sphalerite, and galena, with minor chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, bornite, tetrahedrite, covellite, polybasite and argentite. The mineralization is hosted by a quartz diorite stock, which has a zircon U-Pb age of 1756±9Ma. However, sericite from alteration selvages of Pb-Zn-Ag sulfide mineralization yields a well-defined 40Ar/39Ar plateau age of 115.9±0.9Ma. Although nominally younger, the sericite 40Ar/39Ar age is similar to the age of the nearby Donggou porphyry Mo deposit (zircon U-Pb age of 117.8±0.9; molybdenite Re-Os ages of 117.5±0.8Ma and 116.4±0.6Ma). Pyrite from Donggou has elevated contents of Mo and Bi, whereas pyrite from Sanyuangou is enriched in Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag, Au, and As. This trace element pattern is consistent with metal zonation typically observed in porphyry related metallogenic systems. Pyrite grains from Sanyuangou have lead isotopes overlapping those from Donggou (17.273–17.495 vs. 17.328–17.517 for 206Pb/204Pb, 15.431–15.566 vs. 15.408–15.551 for 207Pb/204Pb, and 37.991–38.337 vs. 38.080–38.436 for 208Pb/204Pb). Collectively, the geological, geochronological, and geochemical data support a magmatic-hydrothermal origin for the Sanyuangou Pb-Zn-Ag deposit and confirm that the Pb-Zn-Ag veins and the Donggou Mo deposit form a porphyry-related magmatic-hydrothermal system.Given the widespread Pb-Zn-Ag veins and Mo mineralized porphyries in many districts of the southern North China craton, the model derived from this study has broad implications for further exploration of Mo and Pb-Zn-Ag resources in the area.

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Genesis of Luobuzhen Pb–Zn veins: Implications for porphyry Cu systems and exploration targeting at Luobuzhen-Dongshibu in western Gangdese belt, southern Tibet

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Ore Geology Reviews, Volume 82
Author(s): Xiang Sun, Youye Zheng, Miao Li, Haitao Ouyang, Qiangqiang Liu, Xinkui Jing, Guoping Sun, Qingjie Song
Porphyry systems are known to form in magmatic arc environment and commonly include porphyry Cu, epithermal Pb–Zn–Au–Ag, skarn polymetallic mineralization, etc. The systems are rarely reported in collisional zones, such as the Gangdese belt in southern Tibet where many postcollisional porphyry copper deposits occurred. In addition, other types of mineral systems are rarely present except porphyry copper mineralization in the Gangdese belt. In this study, we present Pb–Zn-bearing quartz veins at Luobuzhen in the western Gangdese belt. The Luobuzhen Pb–Zn veins cross-cut dacite of the Linzizong Group with zircon U–Pb age of 50.1±0.2Ma and monzogranite with zircon U–Pb age of 17.1±0.1Ma. Ore minerals include sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and pyrite; gangue minerals are quartz with minor chlorite and sericite. Primary fluid inclusions of quartz are liquid-rich, aqueous, and two-phase inclusions. The homogenization temperatures of these primary inclusions are moderate to high (267–400°C), and salinities range from 8.9 to 18.4wt.% NaCl equiv. Quartz has δ18OSMOW values of 6.2–9.3‰, while sulfides have δ34SV-CDT values of −5.1‰ to 0.1‰, 206Pb/204Pb of 18.722–18.849, 207Pb/204Pb of 15.640–15.785, and 208Pb/204Pb of 39.068–39.560. These data suggest that magmatic fluids with contribution from meteoric water, magmatic sulfur, and lead derived from upper crust and metasomatized mantle by Indian continental materials would be critical for the Luobuzhen base metal mineralization.The Dongshibu area, located at ∼2km east of the Luobuzhen, is characterized by high concentrations of Cu (up to 1450ppm) and Mo (up to 130ppm) of stream sediments, which is quite different from high concentrations in Pb, Zn, Ag, and Au shown in the Luobuzhen area. In addition, porphyry copper mineralization-related alteration and veins/veinlets occur in the Miocene monzogranite at Dongshibu. The monzogranite is characterized by high Sr/Y ratios, which are also shown on ore-forming intrusions in the Gangdese postcollisional porphyry copper deposits, and shows similar zircon Hf isotopes to the ore-related high Sr/Y intrusions from the Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit which is located ∼20km northeast of the Luobuzhen-Dongshibu. A comprehensive analysis allows us to infer that the base metal veins at Luobuzhen are components of a porphyry Cu system with porphyry Cu mineralization likely present at Dongshibu and epithermal Au–Ag veins possibly occurring at Luobuzhen, which are indicative of the existence of porphyry copper systems in collisional zones. The potential porphyry Cu mineralization and epithermal Au–Ag veins should be targeted in future exploration at Luobuzhen-Dongshibu.

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NIPTL-Novo: Non-isobaric peptide termini labeling assisted peptide de novo sequencing

Publication date: 10 February 2017
Source:Journal of Proteomics, Volume 154
Author(s): Shen Zhang, Yichu Shan, Shurong Zhang, Zhigang Sui, Lihua Zhang, Zhen Liang, Yukui Zhang
A simple and effective de novo sequencing strategy assisted by non-isobaric peptide termini labeling, NIPTL-Novo, was established. The y-series ions and b-series ions of peptides can be clearly distinguished according to the different mass tags incorporated in N-terminus and C-terminus. This is helpful for improving the accuracy of peptide sequencing and increasing the sequencing speed. For the spectra commonly identified by both de novo sequencing and database searching software (Mascot or Maxquant), NIPTL-Novo gave identical result to more than 85% of these spectra. Furthermore, the quantitative profiling of the sample can be performed simultaneously along with de novo sequencing. Finally, this strategy can be applied to discover the peptides with potential mutation sites by combining with mass-defect based isotopic labeling.SignificanceThe aim of the research presented in this paper is to establish a simple but effective de novo sequencing strategy based on non-isobaric peptide termini labeling, named NIPTL-Novo. First, different mass tags incorporated in N-terminus and C-terminus generated by non-isobaric peptide termini labeling will help to distinguish both b and y ion series, which significantly simplify the MS/MS spectra and reduce the time consumption for de novo sequencing. Second, the isolation window of this strategy is just 4Da, much smaller than most existed labeling assisted de novo sequencing methods, which reduces the interferences caused by co-fragmentation ions. Third, the quantitative profiling of the sample can be performed simultaneously along with the de novo sequencing, and the quantitative accuracy is comparable to other chemical labeling methods. Finally, this strategy was expanded to the analysis of peptide mutation with combination of mass-defect based labeling, and two reliable mutated peptides were discovered.

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Development of highly reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene rubber composites via controlled loading of sol-gel titania

Publication date: 27 January 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 109
Author(s): Chayan Das, Naresh D. Bansod, Bharat P. Kapgate, Uta Reuter, Gert Heinrich, Amit Das
Remarkable improvement in mechanical properties of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites is achieved by incorporating nano-titania that is synthesised in solution of the raw rubber using titanium n-butoxide (TNB) as the titania precursor. This is achieved by designed and controlled incorporation of titania that resulted in very good dispersion of titania of nanometric dimension in rubber matrix and enhanced rubber-filler interaction. This sol-gel transformation is carried out under optimised reaction condition. Surface modification of titania by a silane coupling agent (bis-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-tetrasulfide, TESPT) causes further improvement in filler dispersion and composite properties when added in the reactive sol-gel system during in situ titania generation rather than it's external addition in the titania filled NBR during mixing and compounding. Thorough characterisation of the composites are done that encompasses a wide range of studies on thermal, morphological, mechanical, dielectric, dynamic mechanical, rheological and antifungal properties. The results are analysed on a comparative basis to investigate the effect of in situ incorporation and in situ surface modification of titania on the composite properties.

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Interlayer-expanded MoS2

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Publication date: Available online 16 December 2016
Source:Materials Today
Author(s): Kowsalya Devi Rasamani, Farbod Alimohammadi, Yugang Sun
Motivated by the novel properties of two-dimensional materials, MoS2 has been extensively explored with discoveries surging in the recent years. Such impressive progress benefits from the success in synthesizing nanostructured MoS2 with precisely controlled parameters including edge density and crystalline phase. In this review, we focus on the synthesis of MoS2 with expanded interlayer spacing and their applications in energy storage, catalysis and environmental remediation, highlighting the importance of tuning interlayer spacing on improving performance of MoS2. The challenges faced in this emerging research area and perspective research directions are also discussed.



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IDD Newsletter November 2016

IDD NEWSLETTER – November 2015 (PDF File, 9.42 MB)
VOLUME 44 NUMBER 4 NOVEMBER 2016
IODINE GLOBAL NETWORK (formerly ICCIDD Global Network) is a nongovernmental organization dedicated to sustained optimal iodine
nutrition and the elimination of iodine deficiency throughout the world.

The post IDD Newsletter November 2016 appeared first on American Thyroid Association.



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MRI-guided breast vacuum biopsy: Localization of the lesion without contrast-agent application using diffusion-weighted imaging

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Publication date: May 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 38
Author(s): Nicole Berger, Zsuzsanna Varga, Thomas Frauenfelder, Andreas Boss
ObjectiveIn magnetic resonance-guided breast vacuum biopsies, the contrast agent for targeting suspicious lesions can typically be applied only once during an intervention, due to the slow elimination of the gadolinium chelate from the extracellular fluid space. This study evaluated the feasibility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for lesion targeting in vacuum assisted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biopsies.ConclusionDWI may be used as an alternative to dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with the advantage of reproducibility. However, the targeted lesion requires the characteristics of a mass-like lesion, substantial diffusion restriction, and a minimum size of approximately 1cm.



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The impact of spin coupling signal loss on fat content characterization in multi-echo acquisitions with different echo spacing

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Publication date: May 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 38
Author(s): K. Nikiforaki, G.C. Manikis, T. Boursianis, K. Marias, A. Karantanas, T.G. Maris
PurposeThis study aimed to assess the effect of echo spacing in transverse magnetization (T2) signal decay of gel and fat (oil) samples. Additionally, we assess the feasibility of using spin coupling as a determinant of fat content.MethodsPhantoms of known T2 values, as well as vegetable oil phantoms, were scanned at 1.5T scanner with a multi echo FSE sequence of variable echo spacing above and below the empirical threshold of 20ms for echo train signal modulation (6.7, 13.6, 26.8, and 40ms). T2 values were calculated from monoexponential fitting of the data. Relative signal loss between the four acquisitions of different echo spacing was calculated.ResultsAgreement in the T2 values of water gel phantom was observed in all acquisitions as opposed to fat phantom (oil) samples. Relative differences in signal intensity between two successive sequences of different echo spacing on composite fat/water regions of interest was found to be linearly correlated to fat fraction of the ROI.ConclusionThe sample specific degree of signal loss that was observed between different fat samples (vegetable oils) can be attributed to the composition of each sample in J coupled fat components. Hence, spin coupling may be used as a determinant of fat content.



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Benefits of Centralized Scheduling in a Post- Acute Residential Rehabilitation Program for people with acquired brain lesions. A Pilot Study

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Alec Vestri, Silvia Pizzighello, Sara Piccoli, Andrea Martinuzzi
ObjectiveTo verify if the use of a designated staff person to coordinate and schedule therapy services in a post acute residential rehabilitation program for people with acquired brain lesions results in a higher intensity treatment allowing the reaching of clinical outcome in a reduced length of stay. Cost saving and perceived satisfaction were explored.DesignThis nonrandomized retrospective study uses data collected relative to two different methods of scheduling: Self Planning in which each single team member makes appointments which are then displayed on a shared board, and Managed Planning in which appointments were made by a designated staff person.SettingThe study was conducted in a residential centre for people with post acute acquired brain lesions between 2009 and 2012.Participantsand main outcome measure: Patients of Managed Planning group (N=10) were balanced with patients of Self Planning group (N=10) on the basis of clinical and demographical characteristics. The sample of 20 patients was analysed using organizational measures (length of stay in rehabilitation, number of treatment hours and the total cost of rehabilitation), clinical outcome scales (Disability Rating Scale, Functional Independence Measure and Functioning and Barthel Index), perceived quality of treatment by patients (Questionnaire) and perceived satisfaction of team members (Job Descriptive Index).InterventionsNot applicableResultsAll patients improved on all clinical rating scales at the moment of discharge (all effect size are large). In the Managed Planning, number of treatment hours increased (Cohen's d = 2.15) resulting in reduced length of stay (Cohen's d = 0.95) and cost of rehabilitation (Cohen's d = 1.22); the quality of treatment perceived by the patients and their families increased while team member satisfaction did not change.ConclusionThe use of a designated staff person to manage therapy services improve efficiency and efficacy of a patient centered health care system. The proposed scheduling system results in a remarkable cost saving for the National Health System.



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Resilience and function in adults with physical disabilities: an observational study

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Samuel L. Battalio, Arielle M. Silverman, Dawn M. Ehde, Dagmar Amtmann, Karlyn A. Edwards, Mark P. Jensen
ObjectiveTo determine if resilience is uniquely associated with functional outcomes (satisfaction with social roles, physical functioning, and quality of life) in individuals with physical disabilities, after controlling for measures of psychological health (depression and anxiety) and symptom severity (pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance). We also examined the potential moderating effect of gender, age, and diagnosis on the hypothesized associations between resilience and function.DesignCross-sectional survey study.SettingSurveys were mailed (81% response rate) to a community sample of 1949 individuals multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, post poliomyelitis syndrome, or spinal cord injury. Participants were recruited through web or print advertisement (28%), a registry of previous research participants who indicated interest in future studies (21%), a departmental registry of individuals interested in research (19%), disability specific registries (18%), by word of mouth (10%), or other sources (3%).ParticipantsA convenience sample of community-dwelling adults aging with physical disabilities (N=1574) with a mean Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC10) score of 29.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures of Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities and Physical Functioning, the World Health Organization's Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL-brief), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC10).ResultsAfter controlling for age, age2, gender, diagnosis, psychological health, and symptom severity, resilience was significantly and positively associated with satisfaction with social roles (β = .17, p < .001) and quality of life (β = .39, p < .001), but not physical function (β = .04, p > .05). For every 1 point increase in scores of resilience, there was an increase of .5 in the quality of life score and .2 in the satisfaction with social roles score. Gender also moderated the association between resilience and satisfaction with social roles, F(1, 1453) = 4.09, p = .043.ConclusionsThe findings extend past research, providing further evidence indicating that resilience plays a unique role in non-physical functional outcomes among individuals with physical disabilities.



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Percutaneous needle tenotomy for the treatment of muscle and tendon contractures in adults with brain damage: results and complications

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Flavia Coroian, Claire Jourdan, Jérome Froger, Claire Anquetil, Olivier Choquet, Bertand Coulet, Isabelle Laffont
ObjectiveTo study the results and complications of percutaneous needle tenotomy (PNT) of superficial retracted tendons in brain damaged patients. Muscle and tendon contractures are common in this population and can lead to severe functional impairment. Care management is commonly based on open surgical tenotomy. PNT is a mini-invasive surgical procedure suspected to be safer among frail patients.DesignProspective observational studySettingUniversity Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Orthopedic Surgery Departments.ParticipantsThirty-eight patients with severe brain damage (60.7 years [24-93]; 21 women) requiring surgical management of contractures and eligible for PNT were enrolled between February 2015 and February 2016.InterventionsThe PNT gesture was performed by a PM&R physician trained by an orthopedic surgeon, under local or loco-regional anesthesia. Treated tendons varied among patients.Main Outcome MeasuresAll patients were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months to assess surgical outcomes (joint range of motion [ROM], pain, and functional improvement) while screening for complications.ResultsImprovements on ROM (37/38) and contractures-related pain (12/12) were satisfactory. Functional results were satisfactory (Goal Attainment Scale≥0) for most patients (37/38): nursing (12), putting shoes on (8), getting in bed or sitting on a chair (6), verticalization (7), transfers and gait (8), grip (2).Five patients had complications related to the surgical gesture: 2 cast-related complications, 2 hand hematoma and one cutaneous necrosis of the Achilles tendon in a patient with previous obliterative arteriopathy of the lower limbs.ConclusionPNT yields good results in the management of selected superficial muscle and tendon contractures. The complications rate is very low and this treatment can be an alternative to conventional surgery in frail neurological patients.



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Myofascial Induction Effects on Neck-Shoulder Pain in Breast Cancer Survivors: Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Cross-Over Design

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Eduardo Castro-Martín, Lucía Ortiz-Comino, Tania Gallart-Aragón, Bernabé Esteban-Moreno, Manuel Arroyo-Morales, Noelia Galiano-Castillo
ObjectivesTo investigate the immediate effects of myofascial induction (MI) with placebo electrotherapy as control on perceived pain, cervical/shoulder range of motion (ROM) and mood state in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with shoulder/arm morbidity. Our secondary objective was to examine the relationships between pain modifications and cervical/shoulder ROM on the side affected by breast cancer.DesignRandomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study.SettingPhysical therapy laboratory.ParticipantsTwenty-one BCSs who had a diagnosis of stage I-IIIA breast cancer and had completed adjuvant therapy (except hormonal treatment).InterventionDuring each session, the BCSs received either an MI (fascial unwinding) intervention focused on the upper limb area following the Pilat approach or placebo pulsed shortwave therapy (control group). Each session lasted 30 minutes, and an adequate wash-out period of 4 weeks between sessions was established.Main Outcome MeasuresThe Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and anxiety, shoulder-cervical goniometry for ROM, the Profile of Mood States (POMS) for psychological distress and the Attitudes Towards Massage (ATOM) Scale were used.ResultsAn analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed significant time x group interactions for VAS affected arm (P=0.031) but not for VAS cervical (P=0.332), VAS non-affected arm (P=0.698) or VAS anxiety (P=0.266). The ANCOVA also revealed significant interactions for affected shoulder flexion (P<0.001), abduction (P<0.001), external rotation (P=0.004) and internal rotation (P=0.001). Significant interactions for affected cervical rotation (P=0.022) and affected cervical lateral flexion (P=0.038) were also found. A significant negative correlation was found between changes in VAS affected arm and shoulder/arm internal rotation ROM (r=-0.46; P=0.03).ConclusionsA single MI session decreases pain intensity and improves neck-shoulder ROM to a greater degree than placebo electrotherapy for BCSs experiencing pain.



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Critical Review: CPAP and Weight Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Co-morbidities

The cardiovascular co-morbidities of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are similar to those of obesity. Cardiovascular co-morbidities often are the cause of adverse outcomes in overweight/obese OSA patients. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy resolves the symptoms of OSA, but may, or may not lead to improvement of a given cardiovascular co-morbidity. The impact of CPAP on cardiovascular risk variables, adverse cardiovascular events in overweight/obese OSA patients has been evaluated primarily in prospective, uncontrolled cohort studies.

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Letter to the Editor regarding article by Miranda et.al

The article, "Improved healthcare economic outcomes after liposomal bupivacaine administration" provides a unique perspective on the use of long-acting analgesia in breast surgery and we wish to congratulate the authors [1]. Liposomes are microscopic structures consisting of a phospholipid bilayer encapsulating an aqueous core and confer specific drug release patterns including increased stability and longer duration of drug release [2]. There are increasing reports of liposomal formulations in postoperative analgesia with key advantages proposed as reducing opioid intake and shortening inpatient stay.

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Reply to Letter to the Editor Regarding Article by Miranda et al.

We thank the author for his insightful and well-thought comments on our article, "Improved healthcare economic outcomes after liposomal bupivacaine administration in first-stage breast reconstruction," and the current utilization of liposomal bupivacaine in general1. There have been many advances with the use liposomal bupivacaine for post-operative analgesia both within and outside of plastic surgery2. As mentioned in the letter by Layton, further understanding of the safety profile and efficacy in a novel therapeutic for post-operative analgesia is crucial for its widespread adoption.

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Commentary: The Outcome of the Second Fat Graft is Significantly Better than that of the First Fat Graft for Romberg Syndrome: A Study of Three-Dimensional Volumetric Analysis

The authors use Parry Romberg Syndrome as a model to demonstrate efficacy of serial fat grafting.1 The hallmarks Romberg Syndrome include subcutaneous adipose attrition likely secondary to underlying vascular compromise.2 Three-dimensional scanning photography is used to measure the retention of volume. The surface scans obtained prior to any fat grafting were compared to the scans obtained three months after each round of fat grafting. The authors deemed the volume of surface change per volume of adipose injected as the survival rate.

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Competing causes of death in the head and neck cancer population

Publication date: February 2017
Source:Oral Oncology, Volume 65
Author(s): Sean T. Massa, Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters, Kara M. Christopher, Lauren D. Arnold, Mario Schootman, Ronald J. Walker, Mark A. Varvares
Purpose/objectivesThe increasing survivorship of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) comes with a risk of death from other causes, known as competing causes. The demographics of HNSCC are also evolving with increasing incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) associated tumors. This study describes competing causes of death for the HNSCC population compared to the general population and identifies associated risk factors.MethodsAdult patients with first mucosal HNSCC (2004–2011) were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result database. Competing causes of death were compared to reference populations using proportion of deaths and Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR). A multivariable competing risk survival analysis yielded subdistribution hazard ratios (HR) for competing mortality.ResultsOf 64,598 HNSCC patients, 24,602 (38.1%) were deceased including 7142 deaths (29.0%) from competing causes. The most common were cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and other cancers. All relative mortality rates were elevated, especially liver disease (SMR 38.7; 95% CI: 29.4–49.3), suicide (SMR 37.1; 95% CI: 26.1–48.6), and subsequent primary cancers (SMR 7.5; 95% CI: 6.78–8.32). Demographic and tumor factors independently increased risk of competing mortality, including age (HR per 5years 1.24; 95% CI: 1.22–1.25), sex (male HR 1.23; 95% CI: 1.16–1.32), race (Black HR 1.17; 95% CI: 1.09–1.26), insurance (uninsured HR 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09–1.50), and marital status (single HR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.21–1.37).ConclusionNearly one in three HNSCC patients died from competing causes. When developing long term survivorship regimens for HNSCC patients, clinicians should be familiar with this population's specific risks.



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Elevated plasma levels of copeptin linked to diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes

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Publication date: 15 February 2017
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Volume 442
Author(s): Qi Zhao, Xiao-Xuan Wu, Jun Zhou, Xiao Wang
BackgroundThe arginine vasopressin (AVP) system has been postulated to play a role in glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus in human and animal studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of plasma copeptin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR).MethodPlasma copeptin concentrations were determined in 281 patients with T2DM. At baseline, demographic and clinical information including presence of DR and vision-threatening DR (VTDR) was collected. The relationship between copeptin and DR or VTDR was investigated using logistic regression.ResultsT2DM participants with DR or VTDR had significantly higher plasma copeptin concentrations on admission (P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristics to predict DR and VDTR demonstrated areas under the curve for copeptin of 0.784 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.724–0.844) and 0.834 (95% CI 0.781–0.904), respectively, which were superior to those for the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (DR AUC 0.736, 95% CI 0.676–0.797; VTDR AUC 0.754, 95% CI 0.703–0.828; P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for common DR risk factors showed plasma copeptin concentrations ≥28.6 pmol/L (>3rd quartile) to be an independent marker of DR (OR 3.68, 95% CI 2.04–6.79; P < 0.0001) and VTDR (OR 4.32, 95% CI 2.12–8.14; P < 0.0001).ConclusionsWe found that increased plasma copeptin concentrations were an independent marker of DR and VDTR in Chinese patients with T2DM, suggesting a possible role of copeptin in the pathogenesis of DR complications.



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Phospholipid complex enriched micelles: A novel drug delivery approach for promoting the antidiabetic effect of repaglinide

Publication date: 1 March 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 99
Author(s): Ahmed Alaa Kassem, Sameh Hosam Abd El-Alim, Mona Basha, Abeer Salama
To enhance the oral antidiabetic effect of repaglinide (RG), a newly emerging approach, based on the combination of phospholipid complexation and micelle techniques, was employed. Repaglinide-phospholipid complex (RG-PLC) was prepared by the solvent-evaporation method then characterized using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XPRD). The results revealed obvious disappearance of the characteristic peaks of the prepared RG-PLCs confirming the formation of drug-phospholipid complex. RG-PLC enriched micelles (RG-PLC-Ms) were prepared by the solvent-evaporation technique employing poloxamer 188 as surfactant. The prepared RG-PLC-Ms showed high drug encapsulation efficiencies (93.81–99.38%), with nanometric particle diameters (500.61–665.32nm) of monodisperse distribution and high stability (Zeta potential < −29.8mV). The in vitro release of RG from RG-PLC-Ms was pH-dependant according to the release media. A higher release pattern was reported in pH=1.2 compared to a more retarded release in pH=6.8 owing to two different kinetics of drug release. Oral antidiabetic effect of two optimized RG-PLC-M formulations was evaluated in an alloxan-induced diabetic rat model for 7-day treatment protocol. The two investigated formulations depicted normal blood glucose, serum malondialdehyde and insulin levels as well as an improved lipid profile, at the end of daily oral treatment, in contrast to RG marketed tablets implying enhanced antidiabetic effect of the drug. Hence, phospholipid-complex enriched micelles approach holds a promising potential for promoting the antidiabetic effect of RG.

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Long-circulating polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate nanoparticles for tumor targeted docetaxel delivery: Formulation, optimization and in vitro characterization

Publication date: 1 March 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 99
Author(s): Harsh Vardhan, Pooja Mittal, Sandeep Kumar Reddy Adena, Brahmeshwar Mishra
In the present research an attempt was made to develop and optimize docetaxel-loaded polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) nanoparticles, using modified emulsification solvent evaporation technique and design of experiment (DOE) methodology. Formulation of docetaxel-loaded PHBV nanoparticles was conducted by factor screening studies with Plackett-Burman design (PBD) followed by Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD) to evaluate the effect of independent variables on responses. Five most important independent variables were screened out, which were obtained from failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) and factor screening studies. The effect of formulation parameters on selected responses was depicted by 2-D and 3-D response surface methodology (RSM). The final optimized batch was evaluated by various in vitro characterizations. The observed particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of optimized formulation was found to be 283±2.79nm, −17±2.64mV and 44±0.59% respectively. Morphological studies demonstrated the smooth and spherical shape of nanoparticles. In vitro drug release follows the Peppas-Korsmeyer model of drug release kinetics. Cytotoxicity study was assessed using MCF-7 for percentage inhibition of human breast cancer cell line. These results indicate that the PHBV Nanoparticles could be a promising drug delivery system for efficient prolong drug release.

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Large mammal biomass predicts the changing distribution of hunter-gatherer settlements in mid-late Holocene Alaska

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Volume 45
Author(s): Andrew H. Tremayne, Bruce Winterhalder
This study provides an ecological explanation for the distribution of Arctic Small Tool tradition (ASTt) settlements in Alaska and the origin of their arctic maritime adaptation. Theoretically grounded in the ideal free distribution (IFD) model, which predicts that higher ranked habitats will be occupied first and most continuously, we contend that the location of large mammals was a major factor influencing human dispersal and settlement decisions in the arctic and subarctic ecosystems of Alaska. We rank habitat suitability based on historic mammal population densities from wildlife ecology reports across predefined ecological zones in Alaska; we multiply densities by average animal weights per species to determine suitability rankings. Coastal habitats in Alaska are higher ranked than adjacent tundra habitats, but the interior boreal forest may have been the highest ranked, considering technological constraints of hunting aquatic species. The ASTt migration into Alaska created population pressure that promoted the colonization of the unoccupied Arctic coast and development of the dual, terrestrial-maritime economy. When pan-Alaska human populations declined around 3200–2500years ago low ranked tundra ecoregions were abandoned. As human populations recovered Alaska coasts became the most densely populated habitats. The adaptive logic entailed in the IFD provides a consistent evolutionary interpretation for settlement patterns documented in this region.

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Microchoerus hookeri nov. sp., a new late Eocene European microchoerine (Omomyidae, Primates): New insights on the evolution of the genus Microchoerus

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:Journal of Human Evolution, Volume 102
Author(s): Raef Minwer-Barakat, Judit Marigó, Joan Femenias-Gual, Loïc Costeur, Soledad De Esteban-Trivigno, Salvador Moyà-Solà
The study of Eocene primates is crucial for understanding the evolutionary steps undergone by the earliest members of our lineage and the relationships between extinct and extant taxa. Recently, the description of new material from Spain has improved knowledge of European Paleogene primates considerably, particularly regarding microchoerines. Here we describe the remains of Microchoerus from Sossís (late Eocene, Northern Spain), consisting of more than 120 specimens and representing the richest sample of Microchoerus from Spain. This primate was first documented in Sossís during the 1960s, on the basis of scarce specimens that were ascribed to Microchoerus erinaceus. However, the studied material clearly differs from M. erinaceus at its type locality, Hordle Cliff, and shows some characters that allow the erection of a new species, Microchoerus hookeri. This new species is characterized by its medium size, moderate enamel wrinkling, generally absent mesoconid and small hypoconulid in the M1 and M2, single paracone in the upper molars and premolars and, particularly, by the lack of mesostyle in most M1 and M2, a trait not observed in any other species of Microchoerus. Some specimens from Eclépens B (late Eocene, Switzerland), determined previously to be Microcherus aff. erinaceus, are also ascribed to M. hookeri. M. hookeri represents the first step of a lineage that differentiated from Necrolemur antiquus and, later, gave rise to several unnamed forms of Microchoerus, such as those from Euzet and Perrière, finally leading to M. erinaceus. This discovery sheds new light on the complex evolutionary scheme of Microchoerus, indicating that it is most probably a paraphyletic group. A detailed revision of the age of the localities containing remains of Microchoerus and the description of the still unpublished material from some European localities, are necessary to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among the members of this microchoerine group.



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Management of fish bone impaction in throat – Our experiences in a tertiary care hospital of eastern India

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences
Author(s): Santosh Kumar Swain, Santosh Kumar Pani, Mahesh Chandra Sahu
ObjectiveTo find out prevalence of accidental ingestion of fish bones and its management in a tertiary care hospital of eastern India.Materials & methodsThis is a prospective observational study. Three hundred thirty patients with complains of fish bone in throat who presented to the out patients department of Otorhinolaryngology and the emergency department of a Medical college between January 2008 to December 2015 were shortlisted for study. Followed by conventional examination, most were subjected to endoscopic examination and removal. The parameters analyzed were age and sex distribution, clinical presentation, duration of symptoms, location of impaction, conventional and endoscopic removal techniques.ResultAmong three hundred thirty patients, no foreign body was found in eighty patients. Patients in age group of 21–30years were affected mostly with almost equal sex distribution. Most patients presented with foreign body sensation in throat of short duration with precise finger point localization. Both conventional and endoscopic methods were employed with successful results but with definite advantage of endoscopic method.ConclusionFish bone in throat is a common occurrence in Otorhinolaryngological practice. Fish bone impaction is a common foreign body in the pharynx. Endoscopic removal is distinctly more helpful than the conventional ones.



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Commentary on “Patients with Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms are at Significant Risk of Cardiovascular Events and this Risk is not Addressed Sufficiently”

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Author(s): J.-B. Ricco




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Commentary on “Tip Design of Hemodialysis Catheters Influences Thrombotic Events and Replacement Rate”

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Author(s): X. Berard, S. Deglise




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Incidence of Stroke Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Descending Aortic Aneurysm: A Systematic Review of the Literature with Meta-analysis

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Author(s): R.S. von Allmen, B. Gahl, J.T. Powell
ObjectiveStroke is an increasingly recognised complication following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The aim of this study was to systematically synthesise the published data on perioperative stroke incidence during TEVAR for patients with descending thoracic aneurysmal disease and to assess the impact of left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage on stroke incidence.MethodsA systematic review of English and German articles on perioperative (in-hospital or 30 day) stroke incidence following TEVAR for descending aortic aneurysm was performed, including studies with ≥50 cases, using MEDLINE and EMBASE (2005–2015). The pooled prevalence of perioperative stroke with 95% CI was estimated using random effect analysis. Heterogeneity was examined using I2 statistic.ResultsOf 215 studies identified, 10 were considered suitable for inclusion. The included studies enrolled a total of 2594 persons (61% male) between 1997 and 2014 with a mean weighted age of 71.8 (95% CI 71.1–73.6) years. The pooled prevalence for stroke was 4.1% (95% CI 2.9–5.5) with moderate heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 49.8%, p = .04). Five studies reported stroke incidences stratified by the management of the LSA, that is uncovered versus covered and revascularised versus covered and not-revascularised. In cases where the LSA remained uncovered, the pooled stroke incidence was 3.2% (95% CI 1.0–6.5). There was, however, an indication that stroke incidence increased following LSA coverage, to 5.3% (95% CI 2.6–8.6) in those with a revascularisation and 8.0% (95% CI 4.1–12.9) in those without revascularisation.ConclusionStroke incidence is an important morbidity after TEVAR, and probably increases if the LSA is covered during the procedure, particularly in those without revascularisation.



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The impact of two fluoropolymer manufacturing facilities on downstream contamination of a river and drinking water resources with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants that have been detected in the environment, biota, and humans. Drinking water is a route of exposure for populations consuming water contaminated by PFAS discharges. This research study reports environmental measurement concentrations, mass flows, and the fate of dozens of PFASs in a river receiving effluents from two fluoropolymer manufacturing facilities. In addition to quantified levels of PFASs using LC- and GC-MS analytical methods, the total amount of unidentified PFASs and precursors was assessed using two complementary analytical methods, absorbable organic fluorine (AOF) determination and oxidative conversion of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA) precursors. Several dozen samples were collected in the river (water and sediment) during four sampling campaigns. In addition, samples were collected in two well fields and from the outlet of the drinking water treatment plants after chlorination. We estimated that 4295 kg PFHxA, 1487 kg 6:2FTSA, 965 kg PFNA, 307 kg PFUnDA, and 14 kg PFOA were discharged in the river by the two facilities in 2013. High concentrations (up to 176 ng/g dw) of odd long-chain PFASs (PFUnDA and PFTrDA) were found in sediment samples. PFASs were detected in all 15 wells, with concentrations varying based on the location of the well in the field. Additionally, the presence of previously discharged PFASs was still measurable. Significant discrepancies between PFAS concentration profiles in the wells and in the river suggest an accumulation and transformation of PFCA precursors in the aquifer. Chlorination had no removal efficiency and no unidentified PFASs were detected in the treated water with either complementary analytical method. Although the total PFAS concentrations were high in the treated water, ranging from 86 to 169 ng/L, they did not exceed the currently available guideline values.



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Activated carbon adsorptive removal of azo dye and peroxydisulfate regeneration: from a batch study to continuous column operation

Abstract

The performance of activated carbon (AC) for the adsorption of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) was investigated in both batch and column studies. The optimal conditions for adsorption process in batch study were found to be a stirring speed of 500 rpm, AC dosage of 5 g/L, and initial AO7 concentration of 100 mg/L. The spent AC was then treated with peroxydisulfate (PDS), and the regenerated AC was used again to adsorb AO7. Both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order rate models for adsorption kinetics were investigated, and the results showed that the latter model was more appropriate. The effects of regeneration time, PDS concentration, and stirring speed on AO7-spent AC regeneration were investigated in batch studies, and the optimal conditions were time 2 h, stirring speed 700 rpm, and PDS concentration 10 g/L. Under the same adsorption conditions, 89% AO7 could be decolorized by adsorption using regenerated AC. In the column studies, the effect of flow rate was investigated and the adsorption capacity was nearly the same when the flow rate rose from 7.9 to 11.4 mL/min, but it decreased significantly when the flow rate was increased to 15.2 mL/min. The performance of regenerated AC in the column was also investigated, and a slight increase in the adsorption capacity was observed in the second adsorption cycle. However, the adsorption capacity decreased to some extent in the third cycle due to the consumption of C-OH group on the AC surface during PDS regeneration.



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Thermal effects on development and adult longevity of endoparasitoid Chelonus murakatae Munakata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract

The effects of temperature on the development duration and longevity of adult of Chelonus murakatae were studied under five constant temperatures including 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30 and 32.5 ± 0.5 °C under laboratory conditions. It was observed that the development time was inversely proportional to the temperature within the range of 22.5 to 32.5 °C. The results indicated that the optimum temperature for development ranged from 25 to 30 °C. Thermal threshold was estimated by a linear model which was recorded as 15.5 and 18.5 °C for males and females, respectively. Number of degree days required to complete the development from egg to adult were 439.6 degree days in males and 336.8 degree days in females. Adult longevity also decreased with increase in temperature. This information can be used for optimizing mass culturing and field release for an efficient biological control of Chilo suppressalis in this specie.



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Re. “Fate of the Distal False Aneurysms Complicating Internal Carotid Artery Dissection: Systematic Review”

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Author(s): V.E.C. Pourier, G.J. de Borst




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Change in thermal transitions and water uptakes of poly(l-lactic acid) blends upon hydrolytic degradation

Publication date: February 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 10
Author(s): Hideko T. Oyama, Daisuke Tanishima, Shintaro Maekawa
This article reports experimental data related to the research article entitled "Poly(malic acid-co-l-lactide) as a Superb Degradation Accelerator for Poly(l-lactic acid) at Physiological Conditions" (H.T. Oyama, D. Tanishima, S. Maekawa, 2016) [1]. Hydrolytic degradation of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) blends with poly(aspartic acid-co-l-lactide) (PAL) and poly(malic acid-co-l-lactide) (PML) oligomers was investigated in a phosphate buffer solution at 40°C. It was found in the differential scanning calorimetry measurements that upon hydrolysis the cold crystallization temperature (Tc) and the melting temperature (Tm) significantly shifted to lower temperature. Furthermore, the hydrolysis significantly promoted water sorption in both blends.



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Announcements

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), Volume 43, Issue 1





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List of Reviewers 2016

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), Volume 43, Issue 1





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Treatment of Second Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Event: A need for a new type of evidence for avoiding mastectomy

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO)
Author(s): Mark Trombetta, Jean-Michel Hannoun-Levi




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Inferior mesenteric artery lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: Incidence, prediction and prognostic impact

Publication date: January 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), Volume 43, Issue 1
Author(s): Y. Sun, P. Chi, H. Lin, X. Lu, Y. Huang, Z. Xu, S. Huang, X. Wang
AimTo assess the effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) on inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) nodal metastasis and identify predictors for IMA nodal metastasis in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) after nCRT.MethodPropensity score matching of 1167 patients with LARC was performed. Clinicopathological predictors and survival rates were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsCompared to surgery alone, nCRT reduced the incidence of IMA nodal metastasis (before matching, 4.8% vs 9.1%, p = 0.004; after matching, 4.3% vs 10.1%, p = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that poorly differentiated (OR = 5.955, p < 0.001), tumors located above the peritoneal reflection (OR = 3.513, p = 0.005), and preoperative CEA levels ≧10 ng/ml (OR = 4.774, p = 0.005) were associated with IMA nodal metastasis. Time intervals to surgery ≧6 weeks were associated with fewer IMA nodal metastasis (OR = 0.274, p = 0.009).Over a median 40-month follow-up, the 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 63.0% and 43.1% in IMA-positive patients, respectively, which were significantly lower than the corresponding 89.0% and 82.4% rates in IMA-negative patients. Cox regression analysis revealed that IMA nodal metastasis was independently associated with unfavorable 3-year DFS.ConclusionnCRT reduced the incidence of IMA node metastasis. Tumors located above the peritoneal reflection, poorly differentiated, and higher preoperative CEA levels were associated with IMA nodal metastasis after nCRT. IMA lymph node dissection is beneficial to certain patients with IMA nodal metastases, and the oncologic benefit may be improved if IMA nodal metastasis can be predicted.



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Follow-up of colon cancer patients; causes of distress and need for supportive care

Publication date: January 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), Volume 43, Issue 1
Author(s): T. Wieldraaijer, L.A.M. Duineveld, K.M. van Asselt, A.A.W. van Geloven, W.A. Bemelman, H.C.P.M. van Weert, J. Wind
BackgroundColon cancer survivors experience physical and psychosocial problems that are currently not adequately addressed. This study investigated distress in patients after curative surgery for colon cancer and studied how this corresponds with the need for supportive care.MethodsProspective cohort of patients with stage I–III colon carcinoma, treated with curative intent, currently in follow-up at 6 different hospitals. A survey recorded symptoms, experienced problems, and (un)expressed needs. Satisfaction with supportive care was recorded.ResultsTwo hundred eighty four patients were included; 155 males and 129 females, with a mean age of 68 years (range 33–95), and a median follow-up of 7 months. 227 patients completed the survey.Patients experienced a median of 23 symptoms in the week before the survey, consisting of a median of 10 physical, 8 psychological and 4 social symptoms. About a third of these symptoms was felt to be a problem. Patients with physical problems seek supportive care in one in three cases, while patients with psychosocial problems only seek help in one in eight cases.Patients who recently finished treatment, finished adjuvant chemotherapy, or had a stoma, had more symptoms and needed more help in all domains.Patients most frequently consulted general practitioners (GPs) and surgeons, and were satisfied with the help they received.ConclusionColon cancer survivors experience many symptoms, but significantly fewer patients seek help for a psychosocial problem than for a physical problem. Consultations with supportive care are mainly with GPs or surgeons, and both healthcare providers are assessed as providing satisfying care.



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Comments on “intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green in colorectal carcinomatosis surgery: proof of concept”

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), Volume 43, Issue 1
Author(s): G. Liberale, P. Bourgeois, V. Donckier




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Focused parathyroidectomy without intraoperative parathormone testing is safe after pre-operative localization with 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), Volume 43, Issue 1
Author(s): M. Hocevar, L. Lezaic, S. Rep, K. Zaletel, T. Kocjan, M.J. Sever, J. Zgajnar, B. Peric
A focused surgical approach based on pre-operative localization replaced the classical four-gland exploration in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP). Sestamibi scanning and ultrasound are most often used localization modalities with reported sensitivity of 54–100% for identification of single gland disease.The aim of this study was to analyze the results of pre-operative localization with 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT (FCh-PET) in patients with PHP.A retrospective review of 151 patients with PHP who underwent surgery after pre-operative localization with FCh-PET was performed. Only a focused parathyroidectomy without ioPTH testing had been done in patients with single adenoma on FCh-PET. Primary outcome was operative failure, defined as persistent PHP.According to pre-operative FCh-PET 126 (83,4%) patients had single adenoma, 22 (14,5%) multiglandular disease and the test was negative in only two patients. Intraoperative failure experienced 4/126 patients (3,3%) with single adenoma. Removed parathyroid glands were normal in three and hyperplastic in one patient with intraoperative failure. A limited bilateral neck exploration with ioPTH testing was used in 14/22 patients with double adenoma and a classical four-gland exploration without ioPTH testing was used in 8/22 patients with more than two pathological glands according to pre-operative FCh-PET. Intraoperative failure experienced 2/22 patients (9,1%). In two patients with negative FCh-PET a classical four-gland exploration without ioPTH testing was used and one experienced intraoperative failure.A preoperative localization with FCh-PET is a reliable test in patients with PHP. Patients with a single adenoma on FCh-PET can safely undergo a focused parathyroidectomy without ioPTH testing.



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Calendar

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), Volume 43, Issue 1





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Symptoms, signs and radiologic findings in patients having reoperative surgery for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma

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Publication date: January 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), Volume 43, Issue 1
Author(s): M.D. Llanos, P.H. Sugarbaker
BackgroundA reasonable estimate is that 50% of patients treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative chemotherapy for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma will recur. Recognition of this recurrence and knowledgeable selection for additional surgical intervention is important in improving survival of patients who progress.Material and methodsPatients treated for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with CRS and perioperative chemotherapy were placed in follow-up for assessment of symptoms and signs and radiologic abnormalities by CT. The data were prospectively maintained and retrospectively reviewed.ResultsFrom a database of 130 patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, 38 patients who had 50 reoperations with disease recurrence that was histologically confirmed were studied. The median time to first recurrence was 14 months with a range of 3–102. Considering 50 reoperative events the most common symptoms or signs were abdominal pain (40%) and abdominal distention (34%). The most common radiologic finding was a tumor mass (56%). Patients with an abdominal or pelvic mass had a reduced prognosis (p = 0.006) and patients with an absence of radiologic abnormalities had an improved survival (p = 0.047).ConclusionsIn patients having reoperative surgery, symptoms, signs and radiologic abnormalities associated with recurrent (progressive) malignant peritoneal mesothelioma are abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and a tumor mass. An abdominal or pelvic mass was associated with a reduced prognosis and an absence of radiologic abnormalities with an improved prognosis.

Teaser

Synopsis: Patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma who recur and go on to have a second or third operation were studied. The symptoms, signs and radiologic findings were correlated with survival following the reoperative surgery.


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Short term safety of oncoplastic breast conserving surgery for larger tumors

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO)
Author(s): D.J. Wijgman, B. ten Wolde, N.R.A. van Groesen, M.E. Keemers-Gels, F.J.H. van den Wildenberg, L.J.A. Strobbe
BackgroundOncoplastic surgery (OPS) replaces lumpectomy as standard technique in breast conserving surgery (BCS). OPS has shown to give good cosmetic results, but is it as safe as standard lumpectomy? We conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine postoperative complications, resection margins and re-excision rates for OPS compared to standard lumpectomy.MethodsBased on data from the 'Netherlands Cancer Registry' and medical records we scored patient, treatment and follow-up related variables. All consecutive patients, with an initially breast conserving operation for primary breast cancer, performed between January 2010 and December 2014 in a dedicated breast center were eligible. Breast surgeons performed the operations. Invasive and in situ tumors were included. Postoperative complications within 30 days after surgery and the need for additional treatment were classified using the Clavien Dindo classification. Involved margin rates and subsequent re-excision were compared.ResultsWe included 828 women with 842 breast cancers, who had a standard lumpectomy (62.7%) or oncoplastic resection (37.3%). OPS was performed more often for larger tumors (17.5mm vs 13.6mm, p=0.002) and for tumors in the caudal half of the breast (33.1% vs 16.9%, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications. Positive surgical margins were similar (OPS 22.6%, lumpectomy 18.2%, p=0.119), as were re-excision rates (p=0.337).ConclusionOncoplastic breast surgery can be safely applied in larger tumors, resulting in comparable postoperative complications, resection margins and re-excision rates compared to standard lumpectomy.



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Aesthetic and Functional Outcome after Breast Conserving Surgery – Comparison between Conventional and Oncoplastic Resection

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO)
Author(s): Kaisu Ojala, Tuomo J. Meretoja, Marjut H.K. Leidenius
BackgroundRecent studies implicate that oncoplastic breast cancer surgery provides better aesthetic outcome than conventional resection. Several factors have been associated with poor aesthetic outcome. This study aims to compare patient-reported aesthetic and functional outcome after conventional and oncoplastic resection and to evaluate prognostic factors for poor aesthetic outcome in a population-based setting.Methods637 patients having breast conserving treatment (BCT) due to unilateral primary breast cancer at a single hospital district during 2010 were included. Aesthetic and functional outcome were evaluated using two questionnaires three years after surgery.ResultsQuestionnaires were returned by 379 (59%) patients; 293 (77%) of these had conventional and 86 (23%) oncoplastic resection. Patients in oncoplastic resection group had larger tumour diameter (p<0.001), larger resection specimens (p<0.001), and more often multifocal tumours (p=0.032), node positive cancer (p=0.029) and lower quadrant tumour localization (p=0.007). Aesthetic outcome according to BCTOS questionnaire was good in 284 (75%) patients; 52 (61%) patients in the oncoplastic group and 230 patients (81%) in the conventional resection group, p<0.001. Larger tumour diameter (p=0.033), multifocality (p=0.022), weight of resection specimen (<0.001) and oncoplastic surgery (p<0.001) were predicting poor aesthetic outcome, when all patients were included. Tumour multifocality (p=0.013) remained predictor of poor aesthetic outcome in conventional resection group but not in oncoplastic resection group.ConclusionsPatient satisfaction to aesthetic outcome after BCT is high. Conventional resection provides good aesthetic outcome in appropriately selected patients. Oncoplastic resection enables BCT in patients with larger and multifocal tumours with favourable aesthetic outcome.



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Plasma concentrations of osteocalcin are associated with the timing of pubertal progress in boys

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


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Influence of Social Media on the Dissemination of a Traditional Surgical Research Article

Publication date: Available online 16 December 2016
Source:Journal of Surgical Education
Author(s): EeeLN H. Buckarma, Cornelius A. Thiels, Becca L. Gas, Daniel Cabrera, Juliane Bingener-Casey, David R. Farley
ObjectiveMany institutions use social media to share research with the general public. However, the influence of social media on the dissemination of a surgical research article itself is unknown. Our objective was to determine whether a blog post highlighting the findings of a surgical research article would lead to increased dissemination of the article itself.DesignWe prospectively followed the online page views of an article that was published online in Surgery in May 2015 and published in print in August 2015. The authors subsequently released a blog post in October 2015 to promote the research. The number of article page views from the journal's website was obtained before and after the blog post, along with the page views from the blog post itself. Social media influence data were collected, including social activity in the form of mentions on social media sites, scholarly activity in online libraries, and scholarly commentary.ResultsThe article's online activity peaked in the first month after online publication (475 page views). Online activity plateaued by 4 months after publication, with 118 monthly page views, and a blog post was subsequently published. The blog post was viewed by 1566 readers, and readers spent a mean of 2.5 minutes on the page. When compared to the projected trend, the page views increased by 33% in the month after the blog post. The blog post resulted in a 9% increase in the social media influence score and a 5% absolute increase in total article page views.ConclusionsSocial media is an important tool for sharing surgical research. Our data suggest that social media can increase distribution of an article's message and also potentially increase dissemination of the article itself. We believe that authors should consider using social media to increase the dissemination of traditionally published articles.



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The First Trial—When Will We Examine the Effect of Duty Hours on Resident Burnout?

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Journal of Surgical Education
Author(s): Britney Corey




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Is insulin growth factor-1 the future for treating autism spectrum disorder and/or schizophrenia?

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): Rami Bou Khalil
To date, no curative psychopharmacologic treatment exists for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as for schizophrenia. Bumatenide is a specific antagonist of the first isoform of the Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC1). It is usually used as a diuretic but may also promote a decrease in intraneuronal chloride ion concentration leading to hyperpolarization in neuronal membrane and subsequent decrease in neuronal hyperexcitability. This physiologic effect has been considered to be behind the relative efficacy of bumetanide in improving symptoms of ASD and, to a lesser extent, schizophrenia. However, insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) shows the same physiologic effect. In addition, it may improve brain network dysconnectivity which is known to be an important neurobiological feature in ASD and schizophrenia. IGF-1 has started to prove its efficacy in improving symptoms of children with Rett syndrome, a genetic disorder that shares several clinical similarities with ASD. IGF-1 may also improve oxytocin secretion through the enhancement of the transient potential receptor V2 channel function. Accordingly, IGF-1 should be studied as a potential treatment of ASD and other mental disorders characterized with brain dysconnectivity such as schizophrenia.



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Tourette Syndrome in the Context of Evolution and Behavioral Ecology

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): Jared Edward Reser
Tourette syndrome, and the closely related spectrum of tic disorders, are inherited neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by the presence of repetitive and stereotyped movements. Tics are elicited by either environmental experiences or internal signals that instruct the basal ganglia to initiate automatic or procedural movements. In most vertebrates the basal ganglia encode instructions for habitually used sequences of motor movements that are essential to survival. Tic disorders may represent evolved phenotypes with a lower threshold for basal ganglia-directed actions. This may have produced a susceptibility to extraneous tics, but also produced fast-acting tactical solutions to immediate physical problems. During periods of nonstop movement, continual foraging, and sustained vigilance, it may have been advantageous to allow subcortical motor commands to intrude into ongoing motor activities. It is clear that the engrams for individual motor responses held in the basal ganglia are selected by converging cortical and subcortical inputs. This form of convergent action selection results in the selection of the most contextually reinforced actions. Today people with Tourette's have tics that seem arbitrary and inappropriate; however, this may be due to the vast discrepancies in reinforcement between the ancestral environment and the modern one. In prehistoric environments, the motor behaviors of individuals with tic disorders may have been appropriate in environmental context, and had ecological relevance in survival and self-promotion.



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Vaccine coverage and adherence to EPI schedules in eight resource poor settings in the MAL-ED cohort study

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Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Christel Hoest, Jessica C. Seidman, Gwenyth Lee, James A Platts-Mills, Asad Ali, Maribel Paredes Olortegui, Pascal Bessong, Ram Chandyo, Sudhir Babji, Venkata Raghava Mohan, Dinesh Mondal, Mustafa Mahfuz, Estomih R Mduma, Emanuel Nyathi, Claudia Abreu, Mark A. Miller, William Pan, Carl J. Mason, Stacey L. Knobler
BackgroundLaunched in 1974, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is estimated to prevent two-three million deaths annually from polio, diphtheria, tuberculosis, pertussis, measles, and tetanus. Additional lives could be saved through better understanding what influences adherence to the EPI schedule in specific settings.MethodsThe Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development (MAL-ED) study followed cohorts in eight sites in South Asia, Africa, and South America and monitored vaccine receipt over the first two years of life for the children enrolled in the study. Vaccination histories were obtained monthly from vaccination cards, local clinic records and/or caregiver reports. Vaccination histories were compared against the prescribed EPI schedules for each country, and coverage rates were examined in relation to the timing of vaccination. The influence of socioeconomic factors on vaccine timing and coverage was also considered.ResultsCoverage rates for EPI vaccines varied between sites and by type of vaccine; overall, coverage was highest in the Nepal and Bangladesh sites and lowest in the Tanzania and Brazil sites. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin coverage was high across all sites, 87–100%, whereas measles vaccination rates ranged widely, 73–100%. Significant delays between the scheduled administration age and actual vaccination date were present in all sites, especially for measles vaccine where less than 40% were administered on schedule. A range of socioeconomic factors were significantly associated with vaccination status in study children but these results were largely site-specific.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the need to improve measles vaccination rates and reduce delayed vaccination to achieve EPI targets related to the establishment of herd immunity and reduction in disease transmission.



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