Changes in fMRI activation in anterior hippocampus and motor cortex during memory retrieval after an intense exercise intervention

Publication date: Available online 21 January 2017
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Gerd Wagner, Marco Herbsleb, Feliberto de la Cruz, Andy Schumann, Stefanie Köhler, Christian Puta, Holger W. Gabriel, Jürgen R. Reichenbach, Karl-Jürgen Bär
Strong evidence indicates that regular aerobic training induces beneficial effects on cognitive functions. The present controlled fMRI study was designed to investigate the impact of a short-term intense aerobic exercise on the pattern of functional activation during the retrieval of learned pair-associates in 17 young and healthy male adults compared to 17 matched control subjects. We further aimed to relate putative changes in hippocampal activation to postulated changes in the exercised-induced brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The supervised exercise program was performed on a bicycle ergometer and lasted six weeks, with three aerobic sessions per week.We found profound improvement of physical fitness in most subjects indicated by the target parameter 'individual anaerobic threshold'. Significant improvements in the cognitive performance were detected in the exercise group, but also in the control group. We observed significant differences in the activation pattern of the left anterior hippocampus during the pair-associates task after the intervention. We could also show a significant positive correlation between changes in exercise-induced BDNF and left anterior as well as right hippocampal activation. Moreover, we observed the brain's motor network to be significantly stronger activated after the exercise intervention. Thus, our results suggest BDNF dependent activation changes of the hippocampus in addition to previously described structural changes after exercise.



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Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors suppress CCL2 chemokine in monocytes via epigenetic modification

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 83
Author(s): Yi-Ching Lin, Yu-Chih Lin, Ming-Yii Huang, Po-Lin Kuo, Cheng-Chin Wu, Min-Sheng Lee, Chong-Chao Hsieh, Hsuan-Fu Kuo, Chang-Hung Kuo, Wen-Chan Tsai, Chih-Hsing Hung
The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors could lead to adverse effects. Therefore, the identification of downstream therapeutic targets is important. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, also called CCL2) is related to RA disease activity, and epigenetic modifications are hypothesized to regulate gene expression in RA pathogenesis. We studied the effects of two TNF-α inhibitors, etanercept and adalimumab, on CCL2 expression and the potentially associated intracellular mechanisms, including epigenetic regulation. Etanercept and adalimumab decreased CCL2 production in THP-1 cells and human primary monocytes, as detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and these changes in the CCL2 levels were independent of the TNF-α levels. Etanercept and adalimumab suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phospho-p38, phospho-JNK, phospho-ERK and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) phospho-p65, as demonstrated using western blot analyses. The investigation of epigenetic modifications using chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that etanercept and adalimumab down-regulated acetylation of histone (H)3 and H4 in the CCL2 promoter region by decreasing the recruitment of the NF-κB associated acetyltransferases p300, CBP and PCAF. Etanercept and adalimumab also down-regulated trimethylation of H3K4, H3K27, H3K36 and H3K79 in the CCL2 promoter region by decreasing the expression of the related methyltransferases WDR5 and Smyd2. We demonstrated that TNF-α inhibitors exert immunomodulatory effects on CCL2 expression in human monocytes via MAPKs, NF-κB and epigenetic modifications. These findings broaden the mechanistic knowledge related to TNF-α inhibitors and provide novel therapeutic targets for RA.

Graphical abstract

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Electroencephalographic characteristics of status epilepticus after cardiac arrest

Publication date: Available online 21 January 2017
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Sofia Backman, Erik Westhall, Irina Dragancea, Hans Friberg, Malin Rundgren, Susann Ullén, Tobias Cronberg
ObjectiveTo describe the electrophysiological characteristics and pathophysiological significance of electrographic status epilepticus (ESE) after cardiac arrest and specifically compare patients with unequivocal ESE to patients with rhythmic or periodic borderline patterns defined as possible ESE.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of consecutive patients treated with targeted temperature management and monitored with simplified continuous EEG. Patients with ESE were identified and electrographically characterised until 72 hours after ESE start using the standardised terminology of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society.ResultsESE occurred in 41 of 127 patients and 22 fulfilled the criteria for unequivocal ESE, which typically appeared early and transiently. Three of the four survivors had unequivocal ESE, starting after rewarming from a continuous background. There were no differences between the groups of unequivocal ESE and possible ESE regarding outcome, neuron-specific enolase levels or prevalence of reported clinical convulsions.ConclusionESE is common after cardiac arrest. The distinction between unequivocal and possible ESE patterns was not reflected by differences in clinical features or survival.SignificanceA favourable outcome is seen infrequently in patients with ESE, regardless of using strict or liberal ESE definitions.



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Effect of piroxicam on lipid membranes: Drug encapsulation and gastric toxicity aspects

Publication date: 30 March 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 100
Author(s): Natalia Wilkosz, Sami Rissanen, Małgorzata Cyza, Renata Szybka, Maria Nowakowska, Alex Bunker, Tomasz Róg, Mariusz Kepczynski
Uptake of piroxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, from the intestines after oral intake is limited due to its low solubility and its wide use is associated with several side effects related to the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and fluorescent spectroscopy were employed to investigate the interaction of piroxicam in neutral, zwitterionic, and cationic forms with lipid bilayers composed of phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and PEGylated lipids. Our study was aimed to assess the potential for encapsulation of piroxicam in liposomal carriers and to shed more light on the process of gastrointestinal tract injury by the drug. Through both the MD simulations and laser scanning confocal microscopy, we have demonstrated that all forms of piroxicam can associate with the lipid bilayers and locate close to the water-membrane interface. Conventional liposomes used in drug delivery are usually stabilized by the addition of cholesterol and have their bloodstream lifetime extended through the inclusion of PEGylated lipids in the formulation to create a protective polymer corona. For this reason, we tested the effect of these two modifications on the behavior of piroxicam in the membrane. When the bilayer was PEGylated, piroxicam localize to the PEG layer and within the lipid headgroup region. This suggests that PEGylated liposomes are capable of carrying a larger quantity of piroxicam than the conventional ones.

Graphical abstract

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Effect of 6-gingerol on AMPK- NF-κB axis in high fat diet fed rats

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 88
Author(s): Reem M. Hashem, Laila A. Rashed, Kamel M.A. Hassanin, Mona H. Hetta, Asmaa O. Ahmed
ObjectivesAdenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in metabolic homeostasis and regulation of inflammatory responses through attenuation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Thus AMPK may be a promising pharmacologic target for the treatment of various chronic inflammatory diseases. We examined the effect of 6-gingerol, an active ingredient of ginger on AMPK-NF-κB pathway in high fat diet (HFD) rats in comparison to fish oil.MethodsProtein levels of AMPK-α1 and phosphorylated AMPK-α1 were measured by western blot while Sirtuin 6 (Sirt-6), resistin and P65 were estimated by RT-PCR, TNF-α was determined by ELISA, FFAs were estimated chemically as well as the enzymatic determination of the metabolic parameters.Results6-Gingerol substantially enhanced phosphorylated AMPK-α1 more than fish oil and reduced the P65 via upregulation of Sirt-6 and downregulation of resistin, and resulted in attenuation of the inflammatory molecules P65, FFAs and TNF-α more than fish oil treated groups but in an insignificant statistical manner, those effects were accompanied by a substantial hypoglycemic effect.ConclusionGingerol treatment effectively modulated the state of inflammatory privilege in HFD group and the metabolic disorders via targeting the AMPK-NF-κB pathway, through an increment in the SIRT-6 and substantial decrement in resistin levels.



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Cutaneous alternariosis in a renal transplant patient successfully treated with posaconazole: Case report and literature review

Publication date: Available online 21 January 2017
Source:Medical Mycology Case Reports
Author(s): Rajinder Bajwa, Amy L. Wojciechowski, Chiu-Bin Hsiao
Cutaneous alternariosis is an uncommon fungal infection that most commonly presents in organ transplant patients on immunosuppressive therapy. There are no clinical trials or guidelines to guide treatment of this condition, however itraconazole is the most commonly used antifungal in published cases. Here we report on a case of cutaneous alternariosis in a renal transplant recipient treated with a newer antifungal, posaconazole. A review of published reports of cutaneous alternariosis since 2008 is also discussed.



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Cranial Nerve Injury After Carotid Endarterectomy: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Time Trends

Publication date: Available online 21 January 2017
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Author(s): J.D. Kakisis, C.N. Antonopoulos, G. Mantas, K.G. Moulakakis, G. Sfyroeras, G. Geroulakos
Objective/BackgroundΤo review the incidence of post-carotid endarterectomy (CEA) cranial nerve injury (CNI), and to evaluate the risk factors associated with increased CNI risk.MethodsThe study was a meta-analysis. Pooled rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for CNIs after primary CEA. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for potential risk factors. A fixed-effects model or a random effects model (Mantel–Haenszel method) was used for non-heterogeneous and heterogeneous data, respectively. Meta-regression analysis was performed to examine the influence of publication year upon CNI rate.ResultsTwenty-six articles, published between 1970 and 2015, were included in the meta-analysis, corresponding to 20,860 CEAs. Meta-analysis revealed that the vagus nerve was the most frequently injured cranial nerve (pooled injury rate 3.99%, 95% CI 2.56–5.70), followed by the hypoglossal nerve (3.79%, 95% CI 2.73–4.99). Fewer than one seventh of these injuries are permanent (vagus nerve: 0.57% [95% CI 0.19–1.10]; hypoglossal nerve: 0.15% [95% CI 0.01–0.39]). A statistically significant influence of publication year on the vagus and hypoglossal nerve injury rate was found, with the injury rate having decreased from about 8% to 2% and 1%, respectively, over the last 35 years. Urgent procedures (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.21–2.10; p = .001), as well as return to the operating room for a neurological event or bleeding (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.35–3.61; p = .002) were associated with an increased risk of CNI, whereas no statistically significant association was found between CNIs and the type of anaesthesia, the use of a patch, redo operation, and the use of a shunt.ConclusionThe vagus nerve appears to be the most frequently injured cranial nerve after CEA, followed by the hypoglossal nerve, with only a small proportion of these injuries being permanent. The CNI rate has significantly decreased over the past 35 years to a point indicating that CNIs should not be considered a major influencing factor in the decision making process between CEA and stenting.



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In-vitro performance of CAD/CAM-fabricated implant-supported temporary crowns

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the in-vitro performance and fracture resistance of a temporary computer-aided designed and computer-aided manufactured polymethylmethacrylate (CAD/CAM-PMMA) material as implant or tooth-supported single crown with respect to the clinical procedure (permanently bonded/temporarily cemented).

Materials and methods

Sixty-four crowns were fabricated on implants or human molar teeth simulating (a) labside procedure on prefabricated titanium-bonding base ([TiBase] implant crown bonded in laboratory, screwed chairside), (b) labside procedure ([LAB] standard abutment and implant crown bonded in laboratory, screwed chairside), (c) chairside procedure ([CHAIR] implant crown bonded to abutment), and (d) reference ([TOOTH] crowns luted on prepared human teeth). Crowns were made of a CAD/CAM-PMMA temporary material (TelioCAD, Ivoclar-Vivadent). For investigating the influence of fixation, half of the crowns were permanently (P) or temporarily (T) bonded. Combined thermal cycling and mechanical loading (TCML) was performed simulating a 5-year clinical situation. Fracture force was determined. Data were statistically analyzed (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, one-way ANOVA; post hoc Bonferroni, α = 0.05).

Results

All restorations survived TCML without visible failures. Fracture results varied between 3034.3 (Tooth-P) and 1602.9 N (Tooth-T) [TOOTH], 1510.5 (TiBase-P) and 963.6 N (TiBase-T) [TiBase], 2691.1 (LAB-P) and 2064.5 N (LAB-T) [LAB], and 1609.4 (Chair-P) and 1253.0 N (Chair-T) [CHAIR]. Tested groups showed significantly (p < 0.001) different fracture values. Failure pattern was characterized by fractures in mesial-distal, buccal-oral, or mixed (mesial-distal/buccal-oral) directions, with differences for the individual groups.

Conclusions

Temporary CAD/CAM crowns showed no different in-vitro performance but provided different fracture results that depended on cementation, screw channel, and type of abutment.

Clinical relevance

All bonded and screwed PMMA crowns were in a range where clinical application seems not restricted.

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Gingival recessions of lower incisors after proclination by orthodontics alone or in combination with anterior mandibular alveolar process distraction osteogenesis

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to longitudinally compare periodontal conditions in consecutive patients who had orthodontic treatment with proclination of lower incisors either by orthodontics alone or in combination with anterior mandibular alveolar process distraction osteogenesis (DO).

Materials and methods

Nineteen patients had orthodontic treatment with DO, 18 with extraction of lower premolars (Ex), and 18 without extractions (Nonex). Lateral cephalograms were used to evaluate lower incisor proclination, while study casts and intraoral photographs were used to evaluate labial and lingual gingival recessions before (T1) and at an average of 4.5 years (T2) after treatment.

Results

No differences in labial recessions on lower incisors were present between the patient groups despite greater lower incisor proclination in the Nonex and DO groups. The Ex group showed no new development of lingual recessions in contrast to the Nonex (eight sites; two subjects) and DO groups (seven sites; three subjects). Severe lingual recessions (increased ≥1 mm) were more present in the Nonex group (five sites; two subjects) compared to the Ex group (no sites). Proclination of lower incisors of 10° or more either by orthodontic tooth movement or displacement of the whole alveolar process increased the risk of lingual gingival recessions 17 times. This was not the case with labial gingival recessions.

Conclusions

Orthodontic or surgical proclination of lower incisors beyond a 10° limit increases the risk of inducing lingual gingival recessions.

Clinical relevance

During orthodontic treatment, with or without DO, one should avoid proclining lower incisors more than 10° to decrease the risk of gingival recessions.

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In vivo magnetic resonance imaging investigating the development of experimental brain metastases due to triple negative breast cancer

Abstract

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), when associated with poor outcome, is aggressive in nature with a high incidence of brain metastasis and the shortest median overall patient survival after brain metastasis development compared to all other breast cancer subtypes. As therapies that control primary cancer and extracranial metastatic sites improve, the incidence of brain metastases is increasing and the management of patients with breast cancer brain metastases continues to be a significant clinical challenge. Mouse models have been developed to permit in depth evaluation of breast cancer metastasis to the brain. In this study, we compare the efficiency and metastatic potential of two experimental mouse models of TNBC. Longitudinal MRI analysis and end point histology were used to quantify initial cell arrest as well as the number and volume of metastases that developed in mouse brain over time. We showed significant differences in MRI appearance, tumor progression and model efficiency between the syngeneic 4T1-BR5 model and the xenogeneic 231-BR model. Since TNBC does not respond to many standard breast cancer treatments and TNBC brain metastases lack effective targeted therapies, these preclinical TNBC models represent invaluable tools for the assessment of novel systemic therapeutic approaches. Further pursuits of therapeutics designed to bypass the blood tumor barrier and permit access to the brain parenchyma and metastatic cells within the brain will be paramount in the fight to control and treat lethal metastatic cancer.

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Reduced proliferation and colony formation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after dual targeting of EGFR and hedgehog pathways

Abstract

Purpose

The hedgehog signalling pathway (Hh) is frequently active in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Overexpressed Hh associates with poor prognosis. The Hh inhibitor vismodegib targets smoothened, and based on molecular data, may prevent resistance to EGFR targeting.

Methods

To elucidate potential roles of vismodegib in HNSCC therapy, its sole effects and those combined with cisplatin, docetaxel, and cetuximab on HNSCC cell lines were assessed by MTT metabolisation and BrdU incorporation. Colony formation (CF) of primary HNSCC cells was studied utilizing the FLAVINO-protocol. Combinatory effects were analysed regarding antagonism, additivity or synergism. Associations between the ex vivo detected mode of action of vismodegib with other treatments related to patient characteristics were assessed and progression-free survival (PFS) in patient groups compared using Kaplan–Meier curves.

Results

Vismodegib suppressed BrdU incorporation significantly stronger than MTT turnover; CF was significantly inhibited at ≥20 µM vismodegib while concentrations <20 µM acted hormetic. Combining 20 µM vismodegib plus docetaxel (T), cisplatin (P), and cetuximab (E), additively enhanced anti-tumoral activity in HNSCC samples from patients with superior PFS highlighting a potential role for ex-vivo testing of this combination for use as a prognostic classifier.

Conclusion

We provide ex-vivo evidence for vismodegib's potential in HNSCC therapies, especially if combined with cetuximab, cisplatin and docetaxel.

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Soil compaction effects on soil health and cropproductivity: an overview

Abstract

Soil compaction causes substantial reduction in agriculture productivity and has always been of great distress for farmers. Intensive agriculture seems to be more crucial in causing compaction. High mechanical load, less crop diversification, intensive grazing, and irrigation methods lead to soil compaction. It is further exasperated when these factors are accompanied with low organic matter, animal trampling, engine vibrations, and tillage at high moisture contents. Soil compaction increases soil bulk density and soil strength, while decreases porosity, aggregate stability index, soil hydraulic conductivity, and nutrient availability, thus reduces soil health. Consequently, it lowers crop performance via stunted aboveground growth coupled with reduced root growth. This paper reviews the potential causes of compaction and its consequences that have been published in last two decades. Various morphological and physiological alterations in plant as result of soil compaction have also been discussed in this review.

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Adsorption of nickel ions by oleate-modified magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

In this work, magnetic nanoparticles of iron oxide (MNPs) were synthesized, and then the surface was recovered with an oleate double layer in order to investigate the ability of this material to adsorb nickel ions. First, the solution chemistry of oleate ions was investigated in order to determine the critical micellar concentration (CMC) value and the arrangements of ions above the CMC. Then, the synthesized oleate-modified MNP was characterized (TEM, DLS, XRD, FTIR, zeta potential, magnetometry). Finally, adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH and as a function of nickel concentration in 0.1 g L⁻¹ suspensions of oleate-modified MNP. The results show that CMC of oleate ranges from 1 to 2.5∙10⁻³ mol L⁻¹. Above CMC, arrangement of oleate ions as droplets, vesicles, or micelles depends on pH and influences the average size and solution absorbance. Potentiometric titrations allowed determining a pKa value of 7.8 for sodium oleate. The high stability in aqueous suspensions and characterization of oleate-modified MNP confirm that oleate ions are arranged as a bilayer coating at the surface of MNP. Retention of nickel was found to be highly dependent on pH, with a maximum adsorption (90%) beginning from pH = 7.5. The sorption isotherms were well fitted with the Langmuir model and the maximum nickel adsorption capacities were found to be 44 and 80 mg g⁻¹ for pH = 6.8 and 7.2, respectively. The efficient removal of nickel combined with the magnetic properties of the NMP make the oleate-modified MNP an interesting water purification tool.

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Biochemical and physiological responses of halophilic nanophytoplankton ( Dunaliella salina ) from exposure to xeno-estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol

Abstract

The environmental impacts of various pollutants on the entire levels of organisms are under investigation. Among these pollutants, endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) present a serious hazard, even though the environmental significance of these compounds remains basically unknown. To drop some light on this field, we assessed the effects of a 11-day exposure of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on the growth, metabolic content, antioxidant response, oxidative stress, and genetic damage of Dunaliella salina, isolated from Tunisian biotopes. The results showed that at 10 ng L⁻¹, EE2 could stimulate the growth of D. salina and increase its cellular content of photosynthetic pigments and metabolites; however, it did not significantly increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) or the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In contrast, exposure to high levels of EE2 concentrations significantly inhibited the growth of D. salina (P < 0.05), decreased the cellular content of photosynthetic pigments, increased the cellular content of all of the metabolites and the SOD activity, and inhibited CAT and GPx activities. Nevertheless, the balance between oxidant and antioxidant enzymes was disrupted because H₂O₂ content along with MDA content simultaneously increased. Contrary to expected results, DNA damage (strand breaks) decreased after the exposure of algae to EE2. The results of this study suggest that EE2 toxicity could result in environmental impacts with consequences on the whole aquatic community.

Graphical abstract

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Association between heavy metal and metalloid levels in topsoil and cancer mortality in Spain

Abstract

Spatio-temporal cancer mortality studies in Spain have revealed patterns for some tumours which display a distribution that is similar across the sexes and persists over time. Such characteristics would be common to tumours that shared risk factors, including the geochemical composition of the soil. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between heavy metal and metalloid levels in topsoil (upper soil horizon) and cancer mortality in mainland Spain. Ecological cancer mortality study at a municipal level, covering 861,440 cancer deaths (27 different tumour locations) in 7917 Spanish mainland towns, from 1999 to 2008. The elements included in this analysis were Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Topsoil levels (partial extraction) were determined by ICP-MS at 13,317 sampling points. For the analysis, the data on the topsoil composition have been transformed by the centred logratio (clr-transformation). Principal factor analysis was performed to obtain independent latent factors for the transformed variables. To estimate the effect of heavy metal levels in topsoil composition on mortality, we fitted Besag, York and Mollié models, which included each town's factor scores as the explanatory variable. Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) was used as a tool for Bayesian inference. All results were adjusted for sociodemographic variables. The results showed an association between trace contents of heavy metals and metalloids in topsoil and mortality due to tumours of the digestive system in mainland Spain. This association was observed in both sexes, something that would support the hypothesis that the incorporation of heavy metals into the trophic chain might be playing a role in the aetiology of some types of cancer. Topsoil composition and the presence of potentially toxic elements in trace concentrations might be an additional component in the aetiology of some types of cancer, and go some way to determine the ensuing geographic differences in mortality in Spain. The results support the interest of inclusion of heavy metal levels in topsoil as a hypothesis in analytical epidemiological studies using biological markers of exposure to heavy metals and metalloids.

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Heavy metals and nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) in sediments: relationships to land uses, environmental risks, and management

Abstract

Management of sediments in polluted rivers requires an inventory of sediment quantities as well as their nutrient and metal contents and the chemical forms of pollutants. We investigated the influence of three major land uses (i.e., orange plantation—OP, OP + residential + industrial—OPRI, and residential + industrial—RI) on the quality of surface sediments (0–20 cm below water/sediment interface) at the Sanyang Wetland (China). The total contents of metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and nutrients (C, N, and P) as well as metal speciation in sediments were examined. GIS technology was used to estimate the volume of sediments needed to calculate the amounts of stored nutrients and metals in sediments. The surface sediments in the 3.2-km² study area contain more than 2800 Mg C, 200 Mg N, and 100 Mg P. OPRI and RI land uses contribute more total C, N, P, Zn, and Cd to sediments than OP land use. High contents of C, N, and P may provide options to recycle the sediments as fertilizer but must be used with caution due to high levels of metals. Total Cd in sediments is at an order of magnitude (up to 59 mg kg−1) higher than the Level III criterion in the Chinese Environmental Quality Standards for Soil. Sediments in all land uses have very high risks due to >50% exchangeable + carbonate-bound Zn, Ni, and Cd. It is suggested that toxicity tests be conducted to better assess the environmental risks associated with any potential use of sediments.

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The nexus of oil consumption, CO 2 emissions and economic growth in China, Japan and South Korea

Abstract

This article attempts to explore the nexus between oil consumption, economic growth and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in three East Asian oil importing countries (i.e. China, South Korea and Japan) over the period 1980–2013, by using the Granger causality, Johansen cointegration test, Generalised Impulse Response functions (GIRF) and variance decompositions. The empirical findings provide evidence for the existence of a long-run relationship between oil consumption and economic growth in China and Japan. The results also point to a uni-directional causality from running from oil consumption to economic growth in China and Japan, and from oil consumption to CO₂ emissions in South Korea. The overall results of GIRF reveal that while economic growth in China and South Korea shows a positive response to oil consumption, this variable responses negatively to the same shock in Japan. In addition, oil consumption spikes cause a negative response of CO₂ emissions in Japan and China, as well as a U-shape response in South Korea.

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Cadherin-11 as a therapeutic target in chronic, inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Publication date: Available online 21 January 2017
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Petros P. Sfikakis, Nikolaos I. Vlachogiannis, Panagiotis F. Christopoulos
Cadherin-11 has been identified as a key regulator of synovial architecture mediating contact between Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes and organization in the lining layer. A central role for cadherin-11 has also been suggested in the formation of the rheumatoid pannus. Therapeutic targeting of cadherin-11 results in amelioration of autoimmune experimental arthritis, as well as of experimental fibrosis. In addition, cadherin-11 expression is upregulated in the synovium of patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis, whereas detection of cadherin-11 mRNA transcripts in the peripheral blood has been associated with more severe disease phenotypes in two prototypic conditions of chronic joint inflammation and fibrosis, namely, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis, respectively. Currently, a monoclonal antibody against cadherin-11 is in early phases of clinical trials in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Herein, we review the current knowledge regarding the potential role of cadherin-11 in pathogenesis, as well as a biomarker and therapeutic target in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases.



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Development of a model to predict the 10-year cumulative risk of second primary cancer among cancer survivors

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 47
Author(s): Marie Moitry, Michel Velten, Brigitte Trétarre, Simona Bara, Laetitia Daubisse-Marliac, Bénédicte Lapôtre-Ledoux, Xavier Troussard, Florence Molinié, Karine Ligier, Anne-Sophie Woronoff, Véronique Bouvier, Marc Colonna, Delphine Klein, Anne-Valérie Guizard, Jérémie Jégu
BackgroundTo develop a prediction model to quantify the cumulative risk of Second Primary Cancer (SPC) among cancer patients given that they survive their disease.MethodsA cohort of 293,435 patients based on data from twelve French cancer registries was analyzed. For five first cancer sites, SPC incidence rates were estimated using Poisson regression models. The cumulative risks of SPC were computed for different follow-up times. For comparison purpose, the same method was used to estimate the probability of cancer in the general population.ResultsIn this population-based cohort, 27,320 patients presented with a SPC. The cumulative risk of SPC varied depending on first cancer site, with a 10-year cumulative probability of SPC ranging from 6.2% for women with breast cancer to 44.0% for men with head and neck cancer. Compared with the general population, the 10-year cumulative risk of SPC was dramatically elevated for tobacco-related first cancers, with an increase of +7.3% for men aged 55 to 64 with a first lung cancer and +35.6% for men aged 45 to 54 with a first head and neck cancer. Lower differences were observed among patients diagnosed with a first prostate cancer (+5.5% among men aged 55 to 64), colorectal (+4.1% for women aged 55 to 64 and +6.3% for men aged 55 to 64), and breast (+2.0% among females aged 75 and older) cancers.ConclusionThis study provides physicians with a practical estimate to assess the risk of SPC of their patients more accurately.



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Les néoplasies intra-épithéliales bowénoïdes HPV-induites du pénis

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie
Author(s): J.-.N. Dauendorffer, B. Cavelier Balloy, M. Bagot, C. Renaud-Vilmer




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Splenic Enlargement and Bone Marrow Hyperplasia in Patients Receiving Trastuzumab-Emtansine for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background

An association between trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) and splenic enlargement is reported in preclinical data, and has been noted anecdotally in patients receiving T-DM1 at our institution. Use of whole-body MRI examinations (WB-MRI) allows for detailed bone marrow assessment and semi-automated splenic volume calculations.

Objective

To retrospectively evaluate changes in splenic volume versus evidence of bone marrow hyperplasia and/or changes in portal venous pressure in patients receiving T-DM1 for metastatic breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

Twelve metastatic breast cancer patients underwent 29 WB-MRIs before and during T-DM1 therapy. Splenic volume, portal vein diameter, bone marrow diffusion-weighted normalised signal intensity (nSI), quantitative water diffusivity (apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC) and fat fraction (rF%) were measured and correlated.

Results

Splenic volume increases were observed in 92% of patients. Mean splenic volume increased from 144 cm³ (95% CI 110–177 cm³) to 209 cm³ (95% CI 161–257 cm³) on T-DM1 therapy (p = 0.006). Splenic volume increases correlated with treatment duration (r² = 0.43). Bone marrow hyperplasia was evidenced by an increase in bone marrow nSI (3.5 to 4.8, p = 0.12), and decreases in rF% (64.3% to 57.3%, p = 0.12) and ADC (655 μm²/s to 543 μm²/s, p = 0.11). No changes to portal vein diameter were seen.

Conclusions

Previously unreported increases in splenic volume and bone marrow hyperplasia are observed on WB-MRI in patients on T-DM1 therapy. Caution must be applied to avoid misinterpreting T-DM1-induced bone marrow hyperplasia as diffuse disease progression in bone.

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CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 reverses the neurogenesis promoted by enriched environment and suppresses long-term seizure activity in adult rats of temporal lobe epilepsy

Publication date: 30 March 2017
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 322, Part A
Author(s): Zhike Zhou, Tingting Liu, Xiaoyu Sun, Xiaopeng Mu, Gang Zhu, Ting Xiao, Mei Zhao, Chuansheng Zhao
It has been showed that enriched environment (EE) enhances the hippocampal neurogenesis and improves the cognitive impairments, accompanied by the increased expressions of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in adult rats of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We examined whether the enhanced neurogenesis and improved cognitive functions induced by EE following seizures were mediated by SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the EE combined with CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 on neurogenesis, cognitive functions and the long-term seizure activity in the TLE model. Adult rats were randomly assigned as control rats, rats treated with EE, rats subjected to status epilepticus (SE), post-SE rats treated with EE, AMD3100 or EE combined with AMD3100 respectively. We used immunofluorescence staining to analyze the hippocampal neurogenesis and Nissl staining to evaluate hippocampal damage. Electroencephalography was used to measure the frequency and mean duration of spontaneous seizures. Cognitive function was evaluated by Morris water maze test. EE treatment significantly, as well as improved cognitive impairments and decreased long-term seizure activity, and that these effects might be mediated through SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway during the chronic stage of TLE. Although AMD3100 reversed the effect of EE on neurogenesis, it did not abolish the cognitive improvement induced by EE following seizures. More importantly, EE combined with AMD3100 treatment significantly suppressed long-term seizure activity, which provided promising evidences to treat TLE.



http://ift.tt/2iNgaPH

Effect of ZBD-2 on chronic pain, depressive-like behaviors, and recovery of motor function following spinal cord injury in mice

Publication date: 30 March 2017
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 322, Part A
Author(s): Xiao-ming Li, Jia Meng, Lin tao Li, Ting Guo, Liu-kun Yang, Qi-xin Shi, Xu-bo Li, Yong Chen, Qi Yang, Jian-ning Zhao
In addition to debilitating sensory and motor deficits, patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) may experience chronic hyperpathic pain (SCI-pain). Recent studies have revealed that translocator protein (TSPO) is involved in repairing neural cells as well as reducing anxiety and depression. However, the role of TSPO in SCI-pain and pain-induced depression remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine the effects of a new TSPO ligand, ZBD-2, on SCI-pain and consequent pain-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice. Treatment with ZBD-2 at either dose significantly attenuated the symptoms of chronic SCI-pain and pain-induced depressive-like behaviors. ZBD-2 reversed SCI-induced elevation of serum corticosterone levels, an index of hyper-activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Additionally, administration of ZBD-2 inhibited decreases in the expression of synaptic plasticity-related signaling proteins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB). Moreover, ZBD-2 administration reversed chronic, SCI-induced gliocyte activation at the lesion site. Therefore, ZBD-2 may improve chronic SCI-pain and pain-induced depressive-like behaviors via suppression of gliocyte activation and restoration of the synaptic plasticity-related signaling systems.



http://ift.tt/2kchA2l

Modulation on brain gray matter activity and white matter integrity by APOE ε4 risk gene in cognitively intact elderly: A multimodal neuroimaging study

Publication date: 30 March 2017
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 322, Part A
Author(s): Suping Cai, Yuanyuan Jiang, Yubo Wang, Xiaoming Wu, Junchan Ren, Min Seob Lee, Sunghoon Lee, Liyu Huang
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele is the genetic risk factor with the most established evidence for sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Previous neuroimaging studies have demonstrated insufficiently consistent functional and structural changes among healthy APOE ε4 carriers when compared to non-carriers. Here, in a cognitively intact elderly group (a total of 110: 45 APOE ε4 carriers, 65 non-carriers), we aimed to investigate the potential role of APOE ε4 in the modulation of grey matter activity, white matter integrity, and brain morphology before the development of clinically significant symptoms and signs, by methods of: amplitude of low frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity analysis based on resting state fMRI, and fiber tractography approach based on diffusion tensor imaging. Our results revealed that compared to non-carriers, APOE ε4 carriers showed: (1) an inconsistent pattern of activity change in the default mode network, including increased gray matter activity in anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex and decreased activity in precuneus; (2) lower mean diffusivity (MD) in fibers of corona radiata and corpus callosum, and lower axial diffusivity in genu of corpus callosum; and (3) significant positive correlation between the MD value of the right superior corona radiate and gross white matter volume; significant negative correlation between the MD value of the right superior corona radiate and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Our results suggested that APOE ε4 gene can modulate gray matter activity and white matter integrity in cognitive and memory related regions, even before any clinical or neuropsychic symtoms or signs of imminent disease.



http://ift.tt/2kc9QNS

Virtual reality conditioned place preference using monetary reward

Publication date: 30 March 2017
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 322, Part A
Author(s): Emma Childs, Robert S. Astur, Harriet de Wit
Computerized tasks based on conditioned place preference (CPP) methodology offer the opportunity to study learning mechanisms involved in conditioned reward in humans. In this study, we examined acquisition and extinction of a CPP for virtual environments associated with monetary reward ($).Healthy men and women (N=57) completed a computerized CPP task in which they controlled an avatar within a virtual environment. On day 1, subjects completed 6 conditioning trials in which one room was paired with high $ and another with low $. Acquisition of place conditioning was assessed by measuring the time spent in each room during an exploration test of the virtual environments and using self-reported ratings of room liking and preference. Twenty-four hours later, retention and extinction of CPP were assessed during 4 successive exploration tests of the virtual environments.Participants exhibited a place preference for (spent significantly more time in) the virtual room paired with high $ over the one paired with low $ (p=0.015). They also reported that they preferred the high $ room (p<0.001) and liked it significantly more than the low $ room (p<0.001). However, these preferences were short-lived: 24h later subjects did not exhibit a behavioral or subjective preference for the high $ room.These findings show that individuals exhibit transient behavioral and subjective preferences for a virtual environment paired with monetary reward. Variations on this task may be useful to study mechanisms and brain substrates involved in conditioned reward and to examine the influence of drugs upon appetitive conditioning.



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The effects of neonatal amygdala or hippocampus lesions on adult social behavior

Publication date: 30 March 2017
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 322, Part A
Author(s): Eliza Bliss-Moreau, Gilda Moadab, Anthony Santistevan, David G. Amaral
The present report details the final phase of a longitudinal evaluation of the social behavior in a cohort of adult rhesus monkeys that received bilateral neurotoxic lesions of the amygdala or hippocampus, or sham operations at 2 weeks of age. Results were compared to previous studies in which adult animals received amygdala lesions and were tested in a similar fashion. Social testing with four novel interaction partners occurred when the animals were between 7 and 8 years of age. Experimental animals interacted with two male and two female partners in two conditions – one in which physical access was restricted (the constrained social access condition) and a second in which physical access was unrestricted (the unconstrained social access condition). Across conditions and interaction partners, there were no significant effects of lesion condition on the frequency or duration of social interactions. As a group, the hippocampus-lesioned animals generated the greatest number of communicative signals during the constrained social access condition. Amygdala-lesioned animals generated more frequent stress-related behaviors and were less exploratory. Amygdala and hippocampus-lesioned animals demonstrated greater numbers of stereotypies than control animals. Subtle, lesion-based differences in the sequencing of behaviors were observed. These findings suggest that alterations of adult social behavior are much less prominent when damage to the amygdala occurs early in life rather than in adulthood.



http://ift.tt/2kc7n6b

Unraveling the Role of Ataxin-2 in Metabolism

Publication date: Available online 21 January 2017
Source:Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism
Author(s): Sara Carmo-Silva, Clevio Nobrega, Luís Pereira de Almeida, Claudia Cavadas
Ataxin-2 is a polyglutamine protein implicated in several biological processes such as RNA metabolism and cytoskeleton reorganization. Ataxin-2 is highly expressed in various tissues including the hypothalamus, a brain region that controls food intake and energy balance. Ataxin-2 expression is influenced by nutritional status. Emerging studies discussed here now show that ataxin-2 deficiency correlates with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, an action mediated via the mTOR pathway, suggesting that ataxin-2 might play key roles in metabolic homeostasis including body weight regulation, insulin sensitivity, and cellular stress responses. In this review we also discuss the relevance of ataxin-2 in the hypothalamic regulation of energy balance, and its potential as a therapeutic target in metabolic disorders such as obesity.



http://ift.tt/2jAARLG

Reply to Vinson et al.

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Author(s): Adam J. Singer




http://ift.tt/2kbRHQ7

Hemorrhagic Pericardial Cyst Diagnosis Accelerated by Emergency Physician Echocardiography: A Case Report

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Author(s): Michael F. Yip, Brooks M. Walsh
BackgroundThe differential diagnosis for chest pain in the emergency department is broad and includes both benign and life-threatening conditions–with pericardial cyst as a rare example. Emergency physician-performed point-of-care focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) is increasingly recognized as a useful modality in the evaluation of patients with chest pain.Case ReportWe report a case of hemorrhagic pericardial cyst in a young woman presenting with chest pain in which findings on FOCUS contradicted findings on chest x-ray study and thus, accelerated diagnosis and definitive treatment. We also comment on epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of this uncommon, potentially fatal cause of chest pain.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?This case report aims to bring an uncommon case to the attention of emergency providers and emphasize the importance of facility with FOCUS. Although definitive diagnosis and management were not accomplished at the bedside in this case, an abnormal finding on FOCUS prompted further investigation and timely treatment.



http://ift.tt/2iN6KDM

A national dosimetry audit for stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in lung

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Gail Distefano, Jonny Lee, Shakardokht Jafari, Clare Gouldstone, Colin Baker, Helen Mayles, Catharine H. Clark
Background and purposeA UK national dosimetry audit was carried out to assess the accuracy of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) lung treatment delivery.Methods and materialsThis mail-based audit used an anthropomorphic thorax phantom containing nine alanine pellets positioned in the lung region for dosimetry, as well as EBT3 film in the axial plane for isodose comparison. Centres used their local planning protocol/technique, creating 27 SABR plans. A range of delivery techniques including conformal, volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and Cyberknife (CK) were used with six different calculation algorithms (collapsed cone, superposition, pencil-beam (PB), AAA, Acuros and Monte Carlo).ResultsThe mean difference between measured and calculated dose (excluding PB results) was 0.4±1.4% for alanine and 1.4±3.4% for film. PB differences were −6.1% and −12.9% respectively. The median of the absolute maximum isodose-to-isodose distances was 3mm (−6mm to 7mm) and 5mm (−10mm to +19mm) for the 100% and 50% isodose lines respectively.ConclusionsAlanine and film is an effective combination for verifying dosimetric and geometric accuracy. There were some differences across dose algorithms, and geometric accuracy was better for VMAT and CK compared with conformal techniques. The alanine dosimetry results showed that planned and delivered doses were within ±3.0% for 25/27 SABR plans.



http://ift.tt/2iN2aFD

Treating patients with Dynamic Wave Arc: First clinical experience

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Manuela Burghelea, Dirk Verellen, Jennifer Dhont, Cecilia Hung, Thierry Gevaert, Robbe Van den Begin, Christine Collen, Kenneth Poels, Koen Tournel, Marlies Boussaer, Cyril Jaudet, Truus Reynders, Viorica Simon, Mark de Ridder
Background and purposeDynamic Wave Arc (DWA) is a system-specific noncoplanar arc technique that combines synchronized gantry-ring rotation with D-MLC optimization. This paper presents the clinical workflow, quality assurance program, and reports the geometric and dosimetric results of the first patient cohort treated with DWA.Methods and materialsThe RayStation TPS was clinically integrated on the Vero SBRT platform for DWA treatments. The first 15 patients treated with DWA represent a broad range of treatment sites: breast boost, prostate, lung SBRT and bone metastases, which allowed us to explore the potentials and assess the limitations of the current DWA site-specific template solution. For the DWA verification a variety of QA equipment was used, from 3D diode array to an anthropomorphic end-to-end phantom. The geometric accuracy of each arc was verified with an independent orthogonal fluoroscopy method.ResultsThe average beam-on delivery time was 3min, ranging from 1.22min to 8.82min. All patient QAs passed our institutional clinical criteria of gamma index. For both EBT3 film and Delta4 measurements, DWA planned versus delivered dose distributions presented an average agreement above 97%. An overall mean gantry-ring geometric deviation of −0.03°±0.46° and 0.18°±0.26° was obtained, respectively.ConclusionFor the first time, DWA has been translated into the clinic and used to treat various treatment sides. DWA has been successfully added to the noncoplanar rotational IMRT techniques arsenal, allowing additional flexibility in dose shaping while preserving dosimetrically robust delivery.



http://ift.tt/2kc2wBD

Data on gut metagenomes of the patients with Helicobacter pylori infection before and after the antibiotic therapy

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 11
Author(s): Oksana E. Glushchenko, Andrei E. Samoilov, Evgenii I. Olekhnovich, Boris A. Kovarsky, Alexander V. Tyakht, Alexander V. Pavlenko, Vlad V. Babenko, Andrei K. Larin, Elena S. Kostryukova, Maja V. Malakhova, Elena N. Ilina, Rustem A. Abdulkhakov, Dilyara I. Safina, Tatiana V. Grigoryeva, Sayar R. Abdulkhakov, Vadim M. Govorun
Antibiotic therapy can lead to the disruption of gut microbiota community with possible negative outcomes for human health. One of the diseases for which the treatment scheme commonly included antibiotic intake is Helicobacter pylori infection. The changes in taxonomic and functional composition of microbiota in patients can be assessed using "shotgun" metagenomic sequencing. Ten stool samples were collected from 4 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection before and directly after the H. pylori eradication course. Additionally, for two of the subjects, the samples were collected 1 month after the end of the treatment. The samples were subject to "shotgun" (whole-genome) metagenomic sequencing using Illumina HiSeq platform. The reads are deposited in the ENA (project ID: PRJEB18265).



http://ift.tt/2jLehT8

Data on the influence of cold isostatic pre-compaction on mechanical properties of polycrystalline nickel sintered using Spark Plasma Sintering

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 11
Author(s): Guy-Daniel Dutel, Patrick Langlois, David Tingaud, Dominique Vrel, Guy Dirras
Data regarding bulk polycrystalline nickel samples obtained by powder metallurgy using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) are presented, with a special emphasis on the influence of a cold isostatic pre-compaction on the resulting morphologies and subsequent mechanical properties. Three types of initial powders are used, nanometric powders, micrometric powders and a mixture of the formers. For each type of powder, the SPS cycle has been optimized for the powders without pre-compaction and the same cycle has been used to also sinter pre-compacted powders.



http://ift.tt/2jZ5U3v

Functional magnetic resonance imaging data of incremental increases in visuo-spatial difficulty in an adult lifespan sample

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 11
Author(s): Kristen M. Kennedy, Jenny R. Rieck, Maria A. Boylan, Karen M. Rodrigue
These data provide coordinates generated from a large healthy adult lifespan sample undergoing functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) while completing a spatial judgment task with varying levels of difficulty, as well as a control categorical condition. The data presented here include the average blood-oxygen-dependent (BOLD) response to the spatial judgment vs. the control task, as well as the BOLD response to incremental increasing difficulty; see also "Age-related Reduction of BOLD Modulation to Cognitive Difficulty Predicts Poorer Task Accuracy and Poorer Fluid Reasoning Ability" (Rieck et al., 2017) [1].



http://ift.tt/2jLfCtj

Phytosterols isolated from Clinacanthus nutans induce immunosuppressive activity in murine cells

Publication date: March 2017
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 44
Author(s): Cheng-Foh Le, Thina Hareesh Kailaivasan, Sek-Chuen Chow, Zunoliza Abdullah, Sui-Kiong Ling, Chee-Mun Fang
Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the Acanthaceae family. Its therapeutic potentials have been increasingly documented particularly the antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. However, majority of these studies used crude or fractionated extracts and not much is known about individual compounds from these extracts and their biological activities. In the present study, we have isolated four compounds (CN1, CN2, CN3 and CN4) from the hexane fractions of C. nutans leaves. Using NMR spectroscopic analysis, these compounds were identified to be shaftoside (CN1), stigmasterol (CN2), β-sitosterol (CN3) and a triterpenoid lupeol (CN4). To determine the immunosuppressive potential of these compounds, their effects on mitogens induced T and B lymphocyte proliferation and the secretion of helper T cell cytokines were examined. Among the four compounds, stigmasterol (CN2) and β-sitosterol (CN3) were shown to readily inhibit T cell proliferation mediated by Concanavalin A (ConA). However, only β-sitosterol (CN3) and not stigmasterol (CN2) blocks the secretion of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). Both compounds have no effect on the secretion of Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ), suggesting that β-sitosterol treatment selectively suppresses Th2 activity and promotes a Th1 bias. CN3 was also found to significantly reduce the proliferation of both T helper cells (CD4⁺CD25⁺) and cytotoxic T cells (CD8⁺CD25⁺) following T cell activation induced by ConA. These results suggested that phytosterols isolated from C. nutans possess immunomodulatory effects with potential development as immunotherapeutics.



http://ift.tt/2jZ3OAM

The bony anchoring reinforcement system (BARS) for flank hernia repair: a versatile technique

Abstract

Background

Abdominal wall reconstruction, especially when fascial defects occur in the flank region, is a field of high interest given the morbidity of hernias. The flank hernia is a rare and challenging entity requiring adequate overlap and secure fixation for a successful repair.

Methods

This is a retrospective case series study including all patients undergoing flank hernia repair using the bony anchoring reinforcement system (BARS) technique from March 2013 through August 2015. An electronic chart review identified seven patients with flank hernias that underwent the BARS procedure.

Results

Six of the patients followed-up for a full year with one patient dropping out after returning to exercise and indicating high satisfaction with operative outcome. There was one recurrent hernia 29 months later. There were no surgical site or mesh infections.

Conclusions

The BARS technique is a versatile and efficacious open approach for repairing flank hernias. It allows for a large area of overlap and secure fixation to the bony structures in the pelvis.

Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study

http://ift.tt/2jK2vYH

Impact of G protein-coupled receptor heteromers in endocrine systems

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): K.C. Jonas, A.C. Hanyaloglu
The fine-tuning of endocrine homeostasis is regulated by dynamic receptor mediated processes. The superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have diverse roles in the modulation of all endocrine axes, thus understanding the mechanisms underpinning their functionality is paramount for treatment of endocrinopathies. Evidence over the last 20 years has highlighted homo and heteromerization as a key mode of mediating GPCR functional diversity. This review will discuss the concept of GPCR heteromerization and its relevance to endocrine function, detailing in vitro and in vivo evidence, and exploring current and potential pharmacological strategies for specific targeting of GPCR heteromers in endocrine heath and disease.



http://ift.tt/2iWg2Za

MODIS 3 km and 10 km aerosol optical depth for China: Evaluation and comparison

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 153
Author(s): Qingqing He, Ming Zhang, Bo Huang, Xuelian Tong
The recently released Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) Collection 6 introduced a fine scale aerosol optical depth (AOD) distribution, the 3 km product, which is expected to perform well in analyzing aerosols and identifying local air pollution, especially in the severely polluted atmosphere of China. However, few detailed evaluations of regional variations have been conducted. In this paper, we evaluate MODIS 3 km and 10 km AOD products for China against ground-based measurements and compare their performance with respect to spatial and temporal variations. The ground validations indicate that the two products are generally correlated well to ground-based observations. Spatially, the 3 km product slightly outperform the 10 km product in well-developed areas of southern China. Temporally, both products perform worse during spring and summer. Atmospheric clouds and underlying surface are two key factors that influence the accuracy and number of retrievals for both products. The comparison analysis reveals the newly introduced AOD product clearly shows good relationships with the coarse resolution retrievals in spatial and temporal variation but significant differences regarding details. The 3 km AOD product provides better aerosol gradients, more retrievals in bare areas of western China and some spikes of diurnal variation in cloudy days. Seasonal comparisons show the 3 km AOD product is higher than the 10 km product in all seasons, especially during spring and summer. Although the 3 km product for China generally performs slightly worse than the 10 km product, the added information of the MODIS 3 km AOD product shows potential for studying local aerosol characterization, and may facilitate studies of air pollution.



http://ift.tt/2iMUt23

Chapter 19 Diamond-Based Radiation Detectors for Applications in Highly Corrosive Solutions and High-Radiation Fields

Publication date: 2017
Source:Materials Under Extreme Conditions
Author(s): D. Jain, J. Nuwad, N. Manoj, V. Sudarsan
Diamond, with its name derived from the Greek word adamas (meaning unconquerable/invincible), is a unique material with potential use in several applications. In nature, it occurs deep down in the Earth's crust in regions of high temperatures and high pressures with limited availability and nonreproducible quality. It is also synthesized industrially using high-temperature, high-pressure methods or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods. CVD methods in particular have excellent control over the quality of diamond, and it is possible to synthesize pure/doped diamonds using simple gaseous precursors like H2 and suitable carbon source (CH4, CO2, C2H4, etc.) at low pressures. Both single crystals and polycrystalline diamonds of desired quality can be routinely synthesized. CVD method has therefore brought about a revolution in this field and expanded the development of diamond-based technologies. With its inherent physicochemical properties, diamond is an excellent host matrix for radiation detection purposes. It offers the best performance potential especially under extreme operational conditions such as high temperatures, corrosive environments, intense radiation fields, fast radiation events, etc. CVD diamonds have immense application in this area. The present chapter outlines the potential of CVD diamond as a host matrix for radiation detection under extreme conditions and gives description of diamond-based alpha particle detectors for use in highly corrosive chemical environments, with special reference to estimation of actinides in acidic liquids. Results obtained in our research group on development of such detectors are also summarized. Essential factors that influence performance of diamond-based radiation detectors and possible methods to address them are also detailed.



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Chapter 1 Material Studies at High Pressure

Publication date: 2017
Source:Materials Under Extreme Conditions
Author(s): Surinder M. Sharma, Nandini Garg
Subjecting materials to very high pressures is one of the well-established methods to study condensed matter under extreme conditions. Application of pressure can bring about significant changes in the bonding character and consequently in the structural and physicochemical properties of the materials. High-pressure and high-temperature conditions can help simulate the physical conditions inside the earth, planets, and super-earth, synthesize new materials with exotic properties, etc. Even food preservation and successful preservation of organs for transplant can be carried out by application of pressure. This chapter deals with several aspects of high-pressure science, methods of pressure generation, different diagnostic methods employed for studying high-pressure phenomena, and a few studies elucidating the exciting changes in the materials brought about by its application.



http://ift.tt/2j6mYqa

Selective Unidirectional Horizontal Saccadic Paralysis From Acute Ipsilateral Pontine Stroke: Response.

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2j5TicI

New Treatments in Neuro-Ophthalmology: The Role for Evidence.

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2jYo1qB

Validity of the modified Berg Balance Scale in adults with intellectual and visual disabilities

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 62
Author(s): Annemarie Dijkhuizen, Wim P. Krijnen, Cees P. van der Schans, Aly Waninge
BackgroundA modified version of the Berg Balance Scale (mBBS) was developed for individuals with intellectual and visual disabilities (IVD). However, the concurrent and predictive validity has not yet been determined.AimThe purpose of the current study was to evaluate the concurrent and predictive validity of the mBBS for individuals with IVD.MethodFifty-four individuals with IVD and Gross Motor Functioning Classification System (GMFCS) Levels I and II participated in this study. The mBBS, the Centre of Gravity (COG), the Comfortable Walking Speed (CWS), and the Barthel Index (BI) were assessed during one session in order to determine the concurrent validity. The percentage of explained variance was determined by analyzing the squared multiple correlation between the mBBS and the BI, COG, CWS, GMFCS, and age, gender, level of intellectual disability, presence of epilepsy, level of visual impairment, and presence of hearing impairment. Furthermore, an overview of the degree of dependence between the mBBS, BI, CWS, and COG was obtained by graphic modelling. Predictive validity of mBBS was determined with respect to the number of falling incidents during 26 weeks and evaluated with Zero-inflated regression models using the explanatory variables of mBBS, BI, COG, CWS, and GMFCS.ResultsThe results demonstrated that two significant explanatory variables, the GMFCS Level and the BI, and one non-significant variable, the CWS, explained approximately 60% of the mBBS variance. Graphical modelling revealed that BI was the most important explanatory variable for mBBS moreso than COG and CWS. Zero-inflated regression on the frequency of falling incidents demonstrated that the mBBS was not predictive, however, COG and CWS were.ConclusionsThe results indicated that the concurrent validity as well as the predictive validity of mBBS were low for persons with IVD.



http://ift.tt/2jJAL6M

Predictive value of General Movement Assessment for preterm infants’ development at 2 years − implementation in clinical routine in a non-academic setting

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 62
Author(s): Freia De Bock, Heike Will, Ulrike Behrenbeck, Marc N. Jarczok, Mijna Hadders-Algra, Heike Philippi
BackgroundGeneral movements (GM) are used in academic settings to predict developmental outcome in infants born preterm. However, little is known about the implementation and predictive value of GM in non-academic settings.AimsThe aim of this study is twofold: To document the implementation of GM assessment (GMA) in a non-academic setting and to assess its predictive value in infants born preterm.Methods and proceduresWe documented the process of implementing GMA in a non-academic outpatient clinic. In addition, we assessed the predictive value of GMA at 1 and 3 months' corrected age for motor and cognitive development at 2 years in 122 children born <33 weeks' gestation. Outcome at two years was based upon the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II (mental/psychomotor developmental index (MDI, PDI)) and a neurological examination. The infants' odds of atypical outcome (MDI or PDI ≤70 or diagnosis CP) and the predictive accuracy of abnormal GMA were calculated in a clinical routine scenario, which used all available GM information (primarily at 3 months or at 1 month, when 3 months were not available). In addition, separate analysis was undertaken for the samples of GMA at 1 and 3 months.Outcomes and resultsTips to facilitate GMA implementation are described. In our clinical routine scenario, children with definitely abnormal GM were more likely to have an atypical two-year outcome than children with normal GM (OR 13.2 (95% CI 1.56; 112.5); sensitivity 55.6%, specificity 82.1%). Definitely abnormal GM were associated with reduced MDI (−12.0, 95% CI −23.2; −0.87) and identified all children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the sample of GMA at 3 months only.Conclusions and implicationsGMA can be successfully implemented in a non-academic outpatient setting. In our clinical routine scenario, GMA allowed for adequate prediction of neurodevelopment in infants born preterm, thereby allaying concerns about diagnostic accuracy in non-academic settings.



http://ift.tt/2iW4chI

Carnosine modulates glutamine synthetase expression in senescent astrocytes exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/recovery

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:Brain Research Bulletin
Author(s): Xiaojie Shi, Bingyu Wang, Yuan Liu, Jingjing Zhang, Yuyan Huang, Pei Cao, Yao Shen, Jianxin Lyu
Carnosine is believed to be neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia. However, few reports concern its function on senescent astrocytes during cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carnosine on cell damage and glutamine synthetase (GS) expression in D-galactose-induced senescent astrocytes exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/recovery (OGD/R). The results showed that OGD/R caused massive cell damage and a significant decrease in GS expression both in the young and senescent astrocytes. The GS expression level was partly recovered whereas it continued to decline in the recovery stage in the young and senescent astrocytes, respectively. Decreased GS expression significantly inhibited glutamate uptake and glutamine production and release. Carnosine prevented the cell damage, rescued the expression of GS and reversed the glutamate uptake activity and glutamine production in the senescent astrocytes exposed to OGD/R. The modulatory effect of carnosine on GS expression was partly antagonized by pyrilamine, a selective histamine H1 receptors antagonist, but not bestatin. Bisindolylmaleimide II, a broad-spectrum inhibitor of PKC could also reverse the action of carnosine on GS expression. Thus, histamine H1 receptors and PKC pathway may be involved in the modulatory action of carnosine in GS expression in the senescent astrocytes exposed to OGD/R.



http://ift.tt/2jKPcYD

Improved ethanol recovery through mixed-matrix membrane with hydrophobic MAF-6 as filler

Publication date: 7 May 2017
Source:Separation and Purification Technology, Volume 178
Author(s): Qianqian Li, Long Cheng, Jie Shen, Jiayan Shi, Guining Chen, Jing Zhao, Jingui Duan, Gongping Liu, Wanqin Jin
Increasing the hydrophobicity of membrane was believed as an effective approach to enhance the performance of organophilic pervaporation (PV) membrane. In this work, the superhydrophobic alkyl group modificated metal organic framework (MOF) of RHO-[Zn(eim)2] (MAF-6) was incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer to fabricate mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The morphologies, physical and chemical properties of as-prepared MAF-6 nanocrystals and membranes were characterized with XRD, FESEM, EDX, QCM, contact angle and nano-scratch tests. The pervaporation experiments of ethanol/water mixture show the simultaneously enhanced flux and separation factor of MMMs compared with PDMS pristine membrane (with the optimal flux of 1200g/m²h¹, and separation factor of 14.9), which stems from the hydrophilicity and high porosity of MAF-6, successfully overcoming the trade-off effect.



http://ift.tt/2iMDVqP

Minerals in thalassaemia major patients: An overview

Publication date: May 2017
Source:Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 41
Author(s): Zeynep Ozturk, Gizem Esra Genc, Saadet Gumuslu
Thalassaemia major (TM) is a hereditary blood disease characterised by reduced or absent production of beta globin chains. Erythrocyte transfusions are given to raise the haemoglobin level in patients with thalassaemia major. However, transfusions have been related to increased risk of iron overload and tissue damage related to excess iron. Both elevated oxidative stress due to iron overload and increased hemolysis lead to over utilisation of minerals required for antioxidant enzymes activities. Iron chelators have been used to prevent iron overload in thalassaemia major patients, but these chelators have the possibility of removing minerals from the body. Thalassaemia patients are more at risk for mineral deficiency because of increased oxidative stress and iron chelation therapies. Growth and maturational delay, cardiomyopathy, endocrinopathies and osteoporosis are the complications of thalassaemia. Minerals may play a particular role to prevent these complications. In the current review, we provide an overview of minerals including zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) in thalassaemia major patients. We, also, underline that some complications of thalassaemia can be caused by an increased need for minerals or lack of the minerals.



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Additive manufacturing of complex-shaped graded TiC/steel composites

Publication date: 15 March 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 118
Author(s): Asaf Levy, Aslan Miriyev, Amy Elliott, Sudarsanam Suresh Babu, Nachum Frage
Complex-shaped TiCx ceramic preforms with a gradient of carbon content in the titanium carbide phase (x changes from 0.7 to 0.98) were fabricated for the first time by Binder jet 3D printing technology. The complex-shaped preforms were infiltrated with molten carbon steel (0.7wt.% C). Thermodynamic considerations showed that carbon could be transferred from titanium carbide to steel and vice versa according to the initial concentration of carbon (activity) in both phases. After infiltration, solidification and slow cooling, a microstructural gradient was obtained throughout the steel matrix from ferrite, in the region where the steel was in contact with titanium carbide of low carbon content (x=0.7), to pearlite, in the region where the steel underwent interactions with stoichiometric titanium carbide (x=0.98). After annealing at 900°C and quenching in oil, a structural gradient in the steel matrix from ferrite to martensite was obtained, resulting in a hardness gradient of 700–1600HV. The suggested processing approach allows for fabrication of complex-shaped graded composites with the desired property gradient suitable for a wide range of practical applications.

Graphical abstract

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Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of friction stir welding super-austenitic stainless steel S32654

Publication date: 15 March 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 118
Author(s): Huabing Li, Shouxing Yang, Shucai Zhang, Binbin Zhang, Zhouhua Jiang, Hao Feng, Peide Han, Jizhong Li
Super-austenitic stainless steel S32654 sheets with 2.4mm thickness were successfully welded by friction stir welding (FSW) at the rotational speeds of 300 and 400rpm with a constant traverse speed of 100mm/min using W-Re tool. The sound joints with almost no nitrogen loss were successfully produced. The microstructure evolution was characterized by optical digital microscope (ODM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM). The results suggest that the grain structure evolution in stir zone (SZ) is dominated by continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX). The strain rate plays a dominated effect on obvious grain refinement. The band structures containing W and Re are generated due to the wear between tool probe and steel in SZ. Furthermore, the microhardness measurements and transverse tensile tests indicate that the grain refinement combining with high density dislocations and substructures improves the hardness and strength, but greatly reduces the plastic deformation capacity of joints. The more suitable welding parameters are determined as 300rpm and 100mm/min for this steel.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2kbNb49

A new interatomic pair potential for the modeling of crystalline Li2SiO3

Publication date: 15 March 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 118
Author(s): Sheng-Gui Ma, Yan-Hong Shen, Xiang-Gang Kong, Tao Gao, Xiao-Jun Chen, Cheng-Jian Xiao, Tie-Cheng Lu
We have developed an effective interatomic pair potential for crystalline Li2SiO3. The potential parameters are fitted by the optimized lattice parameters and calculated elastic constants. Based on constructed potential, the physical properties including mechanical properties, phonon dispersion curves, thermodynamic properties such as enthalpy, heat capacity and entropy are obtained by molecular statics (MS) simulation. The simulated results using the constructed potential compare well with the density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the experimental data. It indicates that the pair potentials we constructed in this paper are effective to model the structural, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of crystalline Li2SiO3.

Graphical abstract

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Facile layer-by-layer assembly to construct methoxybenzene group functionalized graphene/poly (ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) barrier films under parallel electric field

Publication date: 15 March 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 118
Author(s): Hualin Wang, Baicheng Niu, Minmin Chen, Lilan Hao, Xinmin Cao, Shaotong Jiang
A facile layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly process using solutions under a parallel electric field was used to construct methoxybenzene group functionalized graphene oxide/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (fGO/EVOH) multilayer barrier films with a nanobrick wall structure. Using aryl diazonium salt as a functionalization agent, fGO was prepared by the reduction of graphene oxide (GO). During the functionalization process, the integrity of the exfoliated nanosheets was well maintained and could be assembled from solution on an EVOH matrix at a voltage of 45kV under a parallel electric field. The resulting films were the best moisture barrier even under a relative humidity of 99% (e.g., 0.028gm⁻²s⁻¹atm⁻¹ for (fGO/EVOH)20) and showed an excellent oxygen barrier (e.g., 0.05cm³m⁻² d⁻¹atm⁻¹ for (fGO/EVOH)20). Furthermore, the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the fGO/EVOH films were improved by >200% and 50% of that of the bare EVOH film, respectively. The fGO/EVOH LbL composite films may have potential as a packaging material for protecting perishable goods that are vulnerable to moisture and oxygen degradation.

Graphical abstract

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Solid-liquid cast-rolling bonding (SLCRB) and annealing of Ti/Al cladding strip

Publication date: 15 March 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 118
Author(s): H.G. Huang, P Chen, C Ji
By feeding the solid titanium strip together with the molten aluminum into the twin-roll caster simultaneously, Ti/Al cladding strips were successfully fabricated in a solid-liquid cast-rolling bonding (SLCRB) process. Annealing treatment was subsequently applied on the Ti/Al cladding strips to eliminate the residual stress and improve the bonding quality. The microstructure, composition of the interface reaction products and bonding strength were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), peeling and tension-shear test. It indicates that, at the beginning of the cast-rolling process, diffusion reaction occurs at the interface of the liquid aluminum and the titanium strip. At the exit of caster, the bonding interface presents jagged bite due to the hot rolling, and the thickness of diffusion layer is about 3μm. After annealing treatment at 520°C for more than 2h, a continuous compound layer was generated on the bonding interface and the composition is single TiAl3 phase. The influence of annealing time on the thickness of diffusion layer was discussed and it indicates that the interface growth kinetics obeys linear law from 25h to 200h. Annealing treatment can improve the adhesive strength of the cladding strip. After annealing treatment for 25h, the average peeling strength increases from 21N/mm to 27N/mm. The micro-morphology of the peeled surface was subsequently investigated, and the SEM images show that the Ti side surface is almost completely covered with aluminum, which indicates that the fracture is located at aluminum substrate.

Graphical abstract

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Manual of ICU Procedures.

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2jKx0y2

Smartphone-based behavioural intervention alleviates children's anxiety during anaesthesia induction: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anxiety negatively influences children's anaesthetic and surgical experience, and results in postoperative complications, such as emergence delirium and behavioural changes. Nonpharmacological management using alternative therapies that alleviate psychological stress can be as important as pharmacological ones in reducing children's anxiety. Nevertheless, their validity as an effective anxiety-reducing strategy in children remains controversial. OBJECTIVE(S): To verify whether nonpharmacological strategies, that is, leaflet and distraction with smartphone application presented to parents/guardians and children, respectively, were effective in preventing children's anxiety during anaesthesia induction. DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial. SETTING: A tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: In total, 84 children (aged 4 to 8 years; American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II) undergoing minor-to-moderate elective surgical procedures and their parents/guardians. INTERVENTIONS: Children were randomised into four groups: control group, in which the parent/guardian was verbally informed about the anaesthetic procedure; the informed group, in which the parent/guardian was also provided with an information leaflet about the anaesthetic procedure; the smartphone group, in which the parent/guardian was verbally informed and the child received a smartphone application to play with while in the holding area before entering the operating room and the smartphone and informed group, in which the parent/guardian also received an information leaflet and the child, a smartphone application to play with while in the holding area before entering the operating room. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Children's anxiety at two time points: in the holding area of the surgical centre and in the operating room during induction of anaesthesia by facemask. RESULTS: Median (IQR) anxiety levels were greater at time point operating room for children in the control group (55.0; range: 30.0 to 68.4) than in the other groups: informed group, 28.4 (23.4 to 45.0); smartphone group, 23.4 (23.4 to 30.0); smartphone and informed group, 23.4 (23.4 to 25.9). CONCLUSION: The behavioural distraction strategies using smartphones were effective in preventing an increase in children's anxiety during anaesthesia induction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02246062. (C) 2017 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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Moderate hyperoxia induces inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells: An in-vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative oxygen (O2) therapy can cause hyperoxia. Extreme hyperoxia can injure the cardiovascular system and remote organs. OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective was to test the hypothesis that exposure to moderate hyperoxia will induce injury to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), a model for studying the vascular endothelium under controlled conditions. DESIGN: In-vitro cell culture study. SETTING: Department of Anaesthesia, General Intensive Care and Pain Management, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Study period from the beginning of October 2013 to the end of July 2014. CELLS: HUVECs were isolated from fresh umbilical cords. INTERVENTIONS: HUVECs were exposed to constant hyperoxia (40% O2), cyclic hyperoxia/anoxia (40%/0% O2, average 20% O2), constant normoxia (21% O2) and constant anoxia (0% O2) using a cell culture bioreactor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cell growth, viability and release of IL-6, IL-8 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor were assessed at baseline and after 6, 12, 24 and 48 h of treatment. A phosphokinase array was performed after 60 min of treatment to identify activated cellular signalling pathways. RESULTS: Constant hyperoxia and cyclic hyperoxia/anoxia impeded cell growth, reduced viability, triggered a proinflammatory response, proven by IL-6, IL-8 and migration inhibitory factor release, and induced apoptosis and necrosis. The inflammatory and cytotoxicity responses were highest in the constant hyperoxia group. Phosphokinase arrays revealed that different O2 concentrations activated distinct sets of cytoprotective and cell death-associated kinases, including mitogen-activated protein kinases, Src kinases, p53, Akt, mitogen-activated and stress-activated kinase, Lyn, Lck, p70S6, signal transducers and activators of transcription 5b and 6, glycogen synthase kinase 3a/b and 5' AMP-activated protein kinases 1/2. CONCLUSION: Continuous moderate hyperoxia and cyclic moderate hyperoxia/anoxia-induced endothelial inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis. Given the large surface area of the vascular endothelium, moderately elevated O2 levels may contribute to cardiovascular inflammation and injury. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This in-vitro study was not registered in a database. (C) 2017 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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The nerve: A fragile balance between physiology and pathophysiology.

Regarding nerves as simple cables and electrical conduits is a gross error that does not allow us to understand the anomalies and disorders observed postoperatively. Instead, nerves should be seen as a living tissue of which physiological regulation is as complex as that of the blood-brain barrier. This review describes the basic structure and functions of this blood-nerve barrier and highlights the mechanisms of its breakdown and the resultant disorders. For clinical practice, it is important to note that the diffusion of molecules from the perineurium or from the blood is very limited, and so the blood-nerve barrier is a major pharmacologic barrier. Any stress upon neural physiological balance, particularly the terminal vascular blood supply, will induce the classic inflammatory cascade. Due to the complexity of the vascular system, nerve ischaemia will occur more quickly when the terminal blood supply is compromised. This blood supply can adapt in a variety of ways but when these possibilities of adaptation are exceeded, tissue ischaemia may be more extensive. Also, even after the initial injury has subsided, inflammation can cause a secondary insult. This could be particularly important in some patients with subclinical neuropathy. (C) 2017 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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Time course of copeptin during a model of experimental pain and hyperalgesia: A randomised volunteer crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: A reliable biomarker for quantifying pain or hyperalgesia has yet to be found. A surrogate marker of arginine vasopressin, copeptin, is elevated in a number of states of physiological and psychological stress and may have a role in quantifying pain and/or hyperalgesia. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate copeptin as a biomarker for pain or hyperalgesia developing after 120 min of sustained electrical stimulation. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomised, double-blinded, crossover trial. SETTING: Single, tertiary university hospital from September 2014 to January 2015. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 16 healthy, opioid-naive white men with no confounding medication or history of pain. INTERVENTIONS: Copeptin and cortisol were measured five times during an established model of transdermal electrical stimulation designed to assess pain and hyperalgesia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the change in copeptin concentration after 120 min of sustained electrical stimulation. Secondary outcomes were copeptin and cortisol concentrations after a subsequent period of rest and analyses of copeptin and cortisol concentrations were made in high-dose and low-dose fentanyl groups separately. RESULTS: Total copeptin concentrations were not significantly elevated after 120 min [9.15 pmol l-1 (interquartile ranges (IQR), 3.45 to 35.45 pmol l-1); P = 0.0150] compared with baseline [6.15 pmol l-1 (IQR, 3.60 to 10.62 pmol l-1)]. In the high-dose fentanyl group, there was a significant increase in copeptin within individuals [P = 0.001; median, 37.9 pmol l-1 (IQR, 8.1 to 62 pmol l-1)] after 120 min, and in the low-dose fentanyl group a significant decrease in copeptin concentrations within individuals [P = 0.006; median, 4.7 pmol l-1 (IQR, 3.13 to 9.35 pmol l-1)]. No correlation between copeptin concentration and either the area under the pain curve or area under the hyperalgesia curve could be found, indicating that the observed differences may be due to other fentanyl-mediated effects. CONCLUSION: Copeptin concentrations do not appear to be associated directly with pain and hyperalgesia. Instead, some fentanyl-mediated effect or effects appear to have greatly increased copeptin concentrations from baseline to 120 min. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02252458. (C) 2017 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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Hemin Binding by Porphyromonas gingivalis strains is dependent on the presence of A-LPS

Summary

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative black pigmenting anaerobe unable to synthesise haem (Fe (II)-protoporphyrin IX) or hemin (Fe(III)-protoporphyrin IX-Cl) which are important growth/virulence-factors, and must therefore derive them from the host P. gingivalis expresses several proteinaceous hemin -binding-sites which are important in the binding/ transport of haem/hemin from the host. P. gingivalis also synthesises several virulence factors, namely cysteine-proteases Arg- and Lys-gingipains and two lipopolysaccharides (LPS), O-LPS and A-LPS. The gingipains are required for the production of the black pigment, μ-oxo-bishaem ([Fe(III)PPIX]₂ O), which is derived from hemoglobin and deposited on the bacterial cell-surface leading to the characteristic black colonies when grown on blood agar. In this study we investigated the role of LPS in the deposition of μ-oxo-bishaem on the cell-surface.

A P. gingivalis mutant defective in the biosynthesis of Arg-gingipains, namely rgpA/rgpB produces brown colonies on blood agar and mutants defective in Lys-gingipain (kgp) and LPS biosynthesis namely porR, waaL, wzy and pg0129 (α-1, 3 -mannosyltransferase) produce non-pigmented colonies. However, only those mutants lacking A-LPS showed reduced hemin-binding when cells in suspension were incubated with hemin. Using native, de-O-phosphorylated and de-lipidated LPS from P. gingivalis W50 and porR strains, we demonstrated that hemin-binding to O-polysaccharide (PS) and to the lipid A moiety of LPS was reduced compared to hemin-binding to A-PS. We conclude that A-LPS in the outer-membrane of P. gingivalis serves as a scaffold/ anchor for the retention of μ-oxo-bishaem on the cell surface and pigmentation is dependent on the presence of A-LPS.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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A Holistic Approach to Antiaging as an Adjunct to Antiaging Procedures: A Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Aging is a multifactorial process and depends on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Procedural options for diminishing signs of intrinsic aging and cosmetic rejuvenation have expanded dramatically. However, less attention is paid to counseling patients on options for mitigating extrinsic factors related to aging. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to review changes that occur with intrinsic and extrinsic aging, and provide evidence-based holistic counseling recommendations that can be used synergistically with aesthetic procedures to maximize antiaging interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted for articles on intrinsic and extrinsic aging as it relates to skin, fat, muscle, and bone. Key clinical trials and studies on the effect of diet, hormones, exercise, sleep, stress, dental hygiene, smoking, pollution, and oxidative stress on the aging process are reviewed, and treatment recommendations are summarized based on available evidence. RESULTS: Conventional cosmetic procedures and cosmeceuticals work together with nutritious diet, exercise, dental hygiene, hormonal balance, stress reduction, smoking and pollution avoidance, and healthy sleep patterns for a better effect on antiaging. CONCLUSION: A combination approach of multiple nonsurgical modalities along with healthy lifestyle recommendations to minimize intrinsic and extrinsic aging factors allows cosmetic practitioners to target multiple facets of aging concurrently and maximize the aesthetic interventions cosmetic dermatologists/practitioners provide. (C) 2017 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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General Guidelines for Quality Assurance of Immunohistochemistry in a Mohs Lab.

BACKGROUND: The adoption of recently created protocols introduces Mohs laboratories to the principles of immunohistochemistry (IHC) performance validation and clinical laboratory regulations that are unique to these evolving technologies. OBJECTIVE: To review Food and Drug Administration (FDA) IHC reagent classifications, IHC validation protocols, and quality assurance (QA) procedures and documentation needed in conjunction with IHC test guidelines. METHODS: A focused review of IHC reagent classifications and guidelines in clinical testing laboratories was conducted using PubMed and FDA source documents. RESULTS: The IHC regulation requirements are determined by the 3 FDA classifications of reagents: in vitro diagnostic reagents, analyte-specific reagents, and research use only reagents. To account for performance variability, IHC reagents benefit from routine validation and QA programs. We present our IHC adoption procedures for QA and documentation of IHC tests in a Mohs laboratory. CONCLUSION: Incorporating a well-organized IHC validation and QA program into Mohs laboratories can increase regulatory compliance and reagent performance. (C) 2017 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Arterial Penetration With Blunt-Tipped Cannulas Using Injectables: A False Sense of Safety?.

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2j5Tclg

Commentary on Inexpensive Device and App for Monitoring Temperature of Neuromodulator Storage.

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2jYnwfQ

Inexpensive Device and App for Monitoring Temperature of Neuromodulator Storage.

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2j5VGQv

Repair of a Full-Thickness Alar Defect.

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2jYkXKZ

Cyber violence: What do we know and where do we go from here?

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Jillian Peterson, James Densley
This paper reviews the existing literature on the relationship between social media and violence, including prevalence rates, typologies, and the overlap between cyber and in-person violence. This review explores the individual-level correlates and risk factors associated with cyber violence, the group processes involved in cyber violence, and the macro-level context of online aggression. The paper concludes with a framework for reconciling conflicting levels of explanation and presents an agenda for future research that adopts a selection, facilitation, or enhancement framework for thinking about the causal or contingent role of social media in violent offending. Remaining empirical questions and new directions for future research are discussed.



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Youth exposure to violence in the community: Towards a theoretical framework for explaining risk and protective factors

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Maria João Lobo Antunes, Eileen M. Ahlin
Exposure to community violence (ETV-C) negatively impacts youth development and is associated with many negative outcomes. Although attention has been paid to examining risk and protective factors that promote or reduce ETV-C, many of the studies in this growing body of literature do not place predictive models within a theoretical framework. In this review, we argue that the routine activity theory and lifestyles perspectives (RAT/LS) within an ecological framework is a useful strategy for examining how a series of behaviors and choices enacted by youth in their everyday lives affects their ETV-C. By focusing on the role of target suitability and capable guardianship within the neighborhood, family, peers, and individual levels of the mesosystem, we suggest scholars can examine the relative salience of these various components to determine whether they serve to increase youth's ETV-C or buffer against such experiences. We propose that the RAT/LS perspectives can not only be placed in an ecological framework, but it also provides effective tenets with which to explore ETV-C.



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Attitudes towards sexual offenders: What do we know, and why are they important?

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Craig A. Harper, Todd E. Hogue, Ross M. Bartels
Over the past two decades, a large body of research on attitudes towards sexual offenders has been conducted across a number of different contexts. However, there has been less discussion of their implications. Clinically, attitudes may be related to therapeutic climates and treatment outcomes and risk judgments, while in the social context, the views of the public about sexual offenders may play a key role in the reintegration of these offenders, and the political responses associated with sexual offending. Sexual crime is advocated as a public health issue, with attitudes towards the perpetrators of such offenses being of critical importance when trying to create a social environment within which to successfully reduce rates of sexual offending. In this article, the research evidence currently available in this area is reviewed. An analysis of the conceptualization and measurement of attitudes towards sexual offenders is provided, before the existing literature on the factors underlying such attitudes is explored. Following this, the malleability of attitudes towards sexual offenders is examined. The review concludes with some suggestions for future theoretical, empirical, and practical advancements in this important area.



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Editorial overview: Developmental neuroscience 2017

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:Current Opinion in Neurobiology
Author(s): Paola Arlotta, Pierre Vanderhaeghen




http://ift.tt/2jJtpjr

Anti-Fibrotic Effects of Chronic Treatment with the Selective FXR Agonist Obeticholic Acid in the Bleomycin-Induced Rat Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Author(s): Paolo Comeglio, Sandra Filippi, Erica Sarchielli, Annamaria Morelli, Ilaria Cellai, Francesca Corcetto, Chiara Corno, Elena Maneschi, Alessandro Pini, Luciano Adorini, Gabriella Barbara Vannelli, Mario Maggi, Linda Vignozzi
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) activation by obeticholic acid (OCA) has been demonstrated to inhibit inflammation and fibrosis development in liver, kidney and intestine in multiple disease models. FXR activation has also been demonstrated to suppress the inflammatory response and to promote lung repair after lung injury. This study investigated the protective effects of OCA treatment (3 or 10mg/kg/day) on inflammation, tissue remodeling and fibrosis in the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis rat model. Effects of OCA treatment on morphological and molecular alterations of the lung, as well as remodeling of the alveoli and the right ventricle were also evaluated. Lung function was assessed by measuring airway resistance to inflation.In the acute phase (7 days), bleomycin promoted an initial thickening and fibrosis of the lung interstitium, with upregulation of genes related to epithelial proliferation, tissue remodeling and hypoxia. At 28 days, an evident increase in the deposition of collagen in the lungs was observed. This excessive deposition was accompanied by an upregulation of transcripts related to the extracellular matrix (TGFβ1, SNAI1 and SNAI2), indicating lung fibrosis. Administration of OCA protected against bleomycin-induced lung damage by suppressing molecular mechanisms related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), inflammation and collagen deposition, with a dose-dependent reduction of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6, as well as TGF-β1 and SNAI1 expression. Pirfenidone, a recently approved treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), significantly counteracted bleomycin-induced pro-fibrotic genes expression, but did not exert significant effects on IL-1β and IL-6. OCA treatment in bleomycin-challenged rats also improved pulmonary function, by effectively normalizing airway resistance to inflation and lung stiffness in vivo. Results with OCA were similar, or even superior, to those obtained with pirfenidone.In conclusion, our results suggest an important protective effect of OCA against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by blunting critical mediators in the pathogenesis of IPF.



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