Assessment of treatment outcomes for facial prostheses in patients with craniofacial defects: A pilot retrospective study

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Thais Bianca Brandão, Aljomar José Vechiato Filho, Victor Eduardo de Souza Batista, Ana Carolina Prado Ribeiro, Hugo Nary Filho, Israel Chilvarquer, Martha E. Nunn, Alan Roger Santos-Silva, Valentim Adelino Ricardo Barão, Alvin G. Wee
Statement of problemThe longevity of silicone facial prostheses is short, and published data concerning this type of rehabilitation are limited.PurposeThe purpose of this retrospective study was to identify predictive variables for prosthetic failure and to highlight the results that can be expected after treatment with silicone facial prostheses.Material and methodsAfter institutional approval, patient records from a single Brazilian institution for the time period 2004 to 2015 were assessed. A standardized form was used to collect patient data. Frailty survival modeling (simple random effects survival model) was used to test whether age, sex, type of prosthesis, source of defect, number of implants, and type of retention have a direct impact on the prosthetic failure rate (α=.05).ResultsAuricular prostheses were the most frequently fabricated prostheses. Eighty-four prostheses were fabricated during the follow-up period. The overall survival rate for facial prostheses was 34.5%. Color alteration was the most common reason for new prostheses (27.38%). The implant success rate was 98.18%. The number of implants approached statistical significance (P=.06) with a reduced risk of failure when the patient had 2 implants compared with patients with zero implants and patients with more than 2 implants.ConclusionsPatients should be recalled frequently so that retouches can be performed, avoiding the repeated fabrication of new prostheses. Well-designed studies are necessary to identify more relevant complications and factors that lead to prosthetic failure.



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A modified open tray implant impression technique for limited mouth opening

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Sumit Bhansali, Sonal Priya Bhansali, Priyanka




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Cameo surface recording in complete denture fabrication using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: A clinical report

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Dheeraj Koli, Aditi Nanda, Harsimran Kaur, Mahesh Verma, Chandan Jain
Severe bone loss in patients with complete edentulism poses a treatment challenge. In fabricating a denture, the stability of the prosthesis must be enhanced by recording the cameo surface within the confines of the physiological position of the cheek and tongue muscles (the neutral zone) and by shaping it accordingly. The treatment of a patient with a completely edentulous maxillary arch and severe maxillary anterior bone loss is described. The cameo surface was recorded within the physiological limits during the fabrication of a complete denture by using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).



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Effect of different treatments on the flexural strength of fully versus partially stabilized monolithic zirconia

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Taiseer A. Sulaiman, Aous A. Abdulmajeed, Khalil Shahramian, Lippo Lassila
Statement of problemRecent monolithic zirconia materials used for indirect restorations are predominantly fully stabilized zirconia with claims of enhanced optical properties. These restorations may behave differently from the conventional partially stabilized zirconia restorations, which may negatively affect some of the core properties required for restoration success.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the effects of staining, airborne-particle abrasion, and artificial aging on the flexural strength of fully and partially stabilized zirconia material.Material and methodsEach partially stabilized monolithic zirconia (PSZ) and fully stabilized zirconia (FSZ) material and a zirconia core material (control) were prepared as bar-shaped specimens (2×2×25 mm) and divided into 6 groups (n=8/subgroup): regular sintering, vacuum sintering, stained, airborne-particle abrasion, artificially aged regular sintering, and artificially aged vacuum sintering. Critical load to fracture was determined for all groups by using monotonic uniaxial loading in accordance with International Organization for Standardization standard 6872. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey honest significant difference post hoc test (α=.05).ResultsThe control and PSZ (1034 and 1008 MPa) displayed a significantly higher (P<.05) flexural strength than FSZ (582 MPa). Airborne-particle abrasion significantly (P<.05) enhanced the strength of the control and PSZ (1413 and 1227 MPa) but significantly (P<.05) reduced the flexural strength of the FSZ (442 MPa). Staining, artificial aging, and vacuum sintering had no significant effects on any of the groups.ConclusionsFully stabilized zirconia may behave differently from conventional PSZ, especially with regard to airborne-particle abrasion, which may weaken the FSZ. The strength of PSZ is approximately double the strength of FSZ. Both of the zirconia materials showed resistance to artificial aging.



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Palatal lift prosthesis for bolus transport in a patient with dysphagia: A clinical report

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Tomohisa Ohno, Norimasa Katagiri, Ichiro Fujishima
A palatal lift prosthesis (PLP) is an intraoral device that provides lift for the soft palate. The usual purpose of a PLP is to reduce nasopharyngeal reflux and the hypernasal speech caused by velopharyngeal incompetence. However, for this patient, the main purpose was to relieve a functional blockage at the oropharyngeal isthmus by suspending the soft palate. A PLP with soft and flexible lift was applied in a patient with a traumatic brain injury and dysphagia. The PLP improved oropharyngeal bolus transit time by relieving the blockage at the oropharyngeal isthmus. This type of PLP may help to improve bolus transport for patients with dysphagia.



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Patients’ esthetic expectations and satisfaction with complete dentures

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Michael McCunniff, Wei Liu, Deborah Dawson, Leonardo Marchini
Statement of problemUnderstanding the factors affecting patients' satisfaction with their dentures is essential to achieving higher satisfaction rates.PurposeThe purpose of this clinical study was to test for possible relationships between the esthetic satisfaction of complete denture therapy and factors including age, sex, and esthetic expectations.Material and methodsData were integrated from 4 previous studies of complete denture satisfaction, and a secondary data analysis was performed. All studies, which had similar methodologies, recorded patients' esthetic expectation and satisfaction scores using a 0 to 10 visual analog scale. The Sign test was used to test the difference between satisfaction and expectations. The Fisher exact, Spearman rank correlation, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, as well as the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test using ridit scores, were used to assess the relationships regarding the heterogeneity among studies, satisfaction, and factors of interest.ResultsOf the 283 participants studied, 52% were female, and the median age was 58 years. The satisfaction scores exceeded expectation scores significantly (P<.001), although they were both high. Age, sex, and expectations were different among studies (P<.008); age also differed between sexes (P=.004). After adjusting for the study, men had higher expectations than women (P=.005); there was no sex difference in level of satisfaction. Only in men was satisfaction positively correlated with expectations (r=0.300; P<.001).ConclusionsOverall, patients were more esthetically satisfied than they expected after completing denture therapy; esthetic satisfaction did not differ between sexes or with age. The expectation of men was higher than that of women and was positively correlated with their level of satisfaction.



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Prevention of periimplant skin inflammation using an acrylic resin housing with a tunnel design for an implant-retained auricular prosthesis

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Hai Hoang Phan, Natdhanai Chotprasert, Prana Shakya, M. L. Theerathavaj Srithavaj
Implant-retained auricular prostheses offer better retention than conventional adhesive retentive methods. Periimplant skin inflammation, which results from improper substructure design, poor hygiene, skin thickness, and the hot and moist environment around abutments, however, is a common complication of craniofacial implants. This article describes a technique for fabricating an acrylic resin housing design with an extended arm to improve ventilation around implants and to reduce the risk of the silicone prosthesis tearing away from the acrylic resin housing.



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Use of CAD-CAM technology for the fabrication of complete dentures: An alternative technique

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Burak Yilmaz, Aysen Nekora Azak, Gülce Alp, Hilal Ekşi
Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technology is available for the fabrication of complete dentures as an alternative to conventional fabrication techniques. This report describes a work flow for a technique that combines the use of conventional impressions and maxillomandibular relationship records with CAD-CAM technology for the fabrication of maxillary and mandibular complete dentures.



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Force-to-failure of a simulated implant-supported complete fixed dental prosthesis reinforced with glass fiber

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Jack Goldberg, Gelareh Ronaghi, Jin-Ho Phark, Sajid Jivraj, Winston Chee
Statement of problemThe joint adjacent to the cantilevered section of an implant-supported complete fixed dental prosthesis (ICFDP) undergoes the most stress because of force magnification in this area, making it more prone to mechanical failure.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the ultimate force-to-failure distal to the terminal implant of a simulated ICFDP reinforced with glass fiber compared with that of a conventionally fabricated prosthesis.Material and methodsThirty ICFDPs with bilateral distal cantilevers were fabricated and divided into 3 groups: the not-reinforced (NR) group was processed without reinforcement, the glass-fiber-reinforced (GR) group was reinforced with glass fiber, and the titanium-reinforced (TR) group was fabricated with a titanium bar. The specimens were screw-retained onto a standardized mandibular model with 4-implant analogs embedded in acrylic resin. All groups were processed using heat-polymerized acrylic resin. After 24 hours, the cantilevers were loaded to fracture (in N) 10 mm away from the center of the most distal analog under compression at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Statistical analysis of data was performed using a 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model by using Tukey B post hoc comparison procedures (α=.05).ResultsData revealed the mean fracture load of the NR group was 1073 ±108 N, 1400.75 ±123.53 N for the GR group, and 1652.78 ±274.14 N for the TR group. Statistically significant differences (P<.05) were found among all 3 groups. Comparison between the left and right side of the tested prostheses did not show any significant differences (P=.595).ConclusionsA fiber-reinforced ICFDP provides better biomechanical properties than an unreinforced one, which may allow its longer-term use as an interim ICFDP. However, the titanium bar ICFDP still provided the best resistance to fracture.



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Influence of an iodonium salt on the properties of dual-polymerizing self-adhesive resin cements

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Carolina Rocha Augusto, Vicente Castelo Branco Leitune, Fabrício Aulo Ogliari, Fabrício Mezzomo Collares
Statement of problemDual-polymerizing self-adhesive resin cements present mechanical properties that may adversely affect the clinical performance of luted fiber-reinforced posts.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the properties of dual-polymerizing self-adhesive resin cements after the addition of an onium salt.Material and methodsThe experimental groups were set according to the molar concentration of diphenyliodonium hexafluorphosphate (DPIHFP) (0.5, 1, and 2 mol%). The resin cements were submitted to a push-out bond strength test and assessed for flexural strength (ISO 4049/2009), degree of conversion (Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy), depth of polymerization, swelling coefficient, and degradation in solvent. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn multiple comparison, and paired Student t test (α=.05).ResultsAll the RelyX U100 groups with onium salt showed the highest degree of conversion after 24 hours and 7 days (P<.001). However, no statistical difference was found among the BisCem groups (P=.054). The addition of 0.5 mol% DPIHFP increased the push-out bond strength and microhardness of RelyX U100 and promoted less degradation after immersion in solvent. The BisCem control group did not present a statistical difference from the experimental groups in terms of bond strength; the control group and the 0.5 mol% group showed no degradation in solvent. For swelling coefficient and flexural strength, no difference was found between the BisCem groups (P=.067 and P=.173), and the RelyX U100 2 mol% group presented the lower value (P<.001 and P=.048). Depth of polymerization was not statistically different in the experimental groups for either resin cement (P=.999).ConclusionsThe addition of 0.5 mol% DPIHFP improved the physical properties of dual-polymerizing self-adhesive resin cements.



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3D late gadolinium enhanced cardiovascular MR with CENTRA-PLUS profile/view ordering: Feasibility of right ventricular myocardial damage assessment using a swine animal model

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 39
Author(s): Keigo Kawaji, Akiko Tanaka, Mita B. Patel, Hui Wang, Francesco Maffessanti, Takeyoshi Ota, Amit R. Patel
AimsTo develop a high-resolution, 3D late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for improved assessment of myocardial scars, and evaluate its performance against 2D breath-held (BH) LGE MRI using a surgically implanted animal scar model in the right ventricle (RV).Methods and resultsA k-space segmented 3D LGE acquisition using CENTRA-PLUS (Contrast ENhanced Timing Robust Acquisition with Preparation of LongitUdinal Signal; or CP) ordering is proposed. 8 pigs were surgically prepared with cardiac patch implantation in the RV, followed in 60days by 1.5T MRI. LGE with Phase-Sensitive Inversion Recovery (PSIR) were performed as follows: 1) 2DBH using pneumatic control, and 2) navigator-gated, 3D free-breathing (3DFB)-CP-LGE with slice-tracking. The animal heart was excised immediately after cardiac MR for scar volume quantification. RV scar volumes were also delineated from the 2DBH and 3DFB-CP-LGE images for comparison against the surgical standard. Apparent scar/normal tissue signal-to-noise ratio (aSNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (aCNR) were also calculated.3DFB-CP-LGE technique was successfully performed in all animals. No difference in aCNR was noted, but aSNR was significantly higher using the 3D technique (p<0.05). Against the surgical reference volume, the 3DFB-CP-LGE-derived delineation yielded significantly less volume quantification error compared to 2DBH-derived volumes (15±10% vs 55±33%; p<0.05).ConclusionCompared to conventional 2DBH-LGE, 3DFB-LGE acquisition using CENTRA-PLUS provided superior scar volume quantification and improved aSNR.



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An energy minimization method for MS lesion segmentation from T1-w and FLAIR images

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 39
Author(s): Yue Zhao, Shuxu Guo, Min Luo, Yu Liu, Michel Bilello, Chunming Li
In this paper, we extend the multiplicative intrinsic component optimization (MICO) algorithm to multichannel MR image segmentation, with focus on segmentation of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. The MICO algorithm was originally proposed by Li et al. in Ref. [1] for normal brain tissue segmentation and intensity inhomogeneity correction of a single channel MR image, which exhibits desirable advantages over other methods for MR image segmentation and intensity inhomogeneity correction in terms of segmentation accuracy and robustness. In this paper, we extend the MICO algorithm to multi-channel MR image segmentation and enable the segmentation of MS lesions. We assign different weights for different channels to control the impact of each channel. The weighted channels allow the enhancement of the impact of the FLAIR image on the segmentation of MS lesions by assigning a larger weight to the FLAIR image channel than the other channels. With the inherent mechanism of estimation of the bias field, our method is able to deal with the intensity inhomogeneity in the input multi-channel MR images. In the application of our method, we only use T1-w and FLAIR images as the input two channel MR images. Experimental results show promising result of our method.



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RIPK1 binds to vitamin D receptor and decreases vitamin D-induced growth suppression

Publication date: Available online 1 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Author(s): Waise Quarni, Panida Lungchukiet, Anfernee Tse, Pei Wang, Yuefeng Sun, Ravi Kasiappan, Jheng-Yu Wu, Xiaohong Zhang, Wenlong Bai
Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is an enzyme acting downstream of tumor necrosis factor alpha to control cell survival and death. RIPK1 expression has been reported to cause drug resistance in cancer cells, but so far, no published studies have investigated the role of RIPK1 in vitamin D signaling. In the present study, we investigated whether RIPK1 plays any roles in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3)-induced growth suppression. In our studies, RIPK1 decreased the transcriptional activity of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in luciferase reporter assays independent of its kinase activity, suggesting a negative role of RIPK1 in 1,25D3 action. RIPK1 also formed a complex with VDR, and deletion analyses mapped the RIPK1 binding region to the C-terminal ligand-binding domain of the VDR. Subcellular fractionation analyses indicated that RIPK1 increased VDR retention in the cytoplasm, which may account for its inhibition of VDR transcriptional activity. Consistent with the reporter analyses, 1,25D3-induced growth suppression was more pronounced in RIPK1-null MEFs and RIPK1-knockdown ovarian cancer cells than in control cells. Our studies have defined RIPK1 as a VDR repressor, projecting RIPK1 depletion as a potential strategy to increase the potency of 1,25D3 and its analogs for cancer intervention.



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Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and levofolinate for T3 or T4 stage II/III rectal cancer: the FACT trial

Abstract

Purpose

A multicenter phase II clinical study was performed in patients with T3 or T4 stage II/III rectal cancer to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, levofolinate, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6).

Methods

Patients received four 2-week cycles of mFOLFOX6 therapy (oxaliplatin at 85 mg/m² + leucovorin at 200 mg/m² + fluorouracil as a 400 mg/m² bolus followed by infusion of 2400 mg/m² over 46 h, all on Day 1). They were evaluated by computed tomography after completion of the fourth cycle. If there was no disease progression, two additional cycles were administered and then surgery was performed. Adjuvant chemotherapy was generally administered for 6 months using appropriate regimens at the discretion of the physician.

Results

mFOLFOX6 therapy was given to 52 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The preoperative response rate was 48.8% and the operation rate was 80.8%. Serious adverse events of Grade 3–4 were neutropenia (n = 5), leukopenia (n = 1), thrombocytopenia (n = 1), febrile neutropenia (n = 1), nausea (n = 1), vomiting (n = 1), and peripheral neuropathy (n = 2). The R0 resection rate, pathologic complete response rate, and sphincter preservation rate were 91.0, 11.9, and 73.8%, respectively. Postoperative complications were tolerable.

Conclusions

The present results suggested that neoadjuvant therapy with mFOLFOX6 is safe and effective, representing a reasonable treatment option for locally advanced rectal cancer.

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Field evoked potentials in the globus pallidus of non-human primates

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Neuroscience Research
Author(s): Ian A. Prescott, Robert A. Marino, Ron Levy
Stimulation-induced field evoked potentials (fEPs) have been described in the basal ganglia output nuclei of patients with Parkinson's disease and dystonia. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether fEPs were inducible in the external (GPe) and internal (GPi) segments of the globus pallidus in normal non-human primates (NHPs). Microelectrode recording and stimulation was performed in the GPe and GPi of 2 healthy NHPs. Stimulus response curves of the fEP response to changing pulse width and amplitude examined strength-duration relationships and allowed for calculation of fEP chronaxie in the GPe and GPi. Traditional localization techniques were also used, including comparison of neuronal firing rates, optic tract activation, and internal capsule activation. Notable differences were seen in the fEPs found in GPe compared to the fEPs found in GPi. The GPe fEP had a smaller chronaxie time and larger positive deflection amplitude compared to GPi. In addition, an earlier negative deflection was identified in both nuclei and a late negative deflection was observed in the GPe in contrast to reported fEPs in patients with movement disorders. fEPs proved valuable as an ancillary method in localizing the GPe and GPi in NHPs and may be useful in the operating room during human GPi deep brain stimulation or pallidotomy procedures.



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Variable training does not lead to better motor learning compared to repetitive training in children with and without DCD when exposed to active video games

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 62
Author(s): Emmanuel Bonney, Dorothee Jelsma, Gillian Ferguson, Bouwien Smits-Engelsman
BackgroundLittle is known about the influence of practice schedules on motor learning and skills transfer in children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Understanding how practice schedules affect motor learning is necessary for motor skills development and rehabilitation.AimsThe study investigated whether active video games (exergames) training delivered under variable practice led to better learning and transfer than repetitive practice.Methods and procedures111 children aged 6–10 years (M=8.0, SD=1.0) with no active exergaming experience were randomized to receive exergames training delivered under variable (Variable Game Group (VGG), n=56) or repetitive practice schedule (Repetitive Game Group (RGG), n=55). Half the participants were identified as DCD using the DSM-5 criteria, while the rest were typically developing (TD), age-matched children. Both groups participated in two 20min sessions per week for 5 weeks.Outcomes and resultsBoth participant groups (TD and DCD) improved equally well on game performance. There was no significant difference in positive transfer to balance tasks between practice schedules (Repetitive and Variable) and participant groups (TD and DCD).Conclusions and implicationsChildren with and without DCD learn balance skills quite well when exposed to exergames. Gains in learning and transfer are similar regardless of the form of practice schedule employed.What this paper addsThis is the first paper to compare the effect of practice schedules on learning in children with DCD and those with typical development. No differences in motor learning were found between repetitive and variable practice schedules. When children with and without DCD spend the same amount of time on exergames, they do not show any differences in acquisition of motor skills. Transfer of motor skills is similar in children with and without DCD regardless of differences in practice schedules.



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Erratum

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics





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Multiple variants in 5q31.1 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility and sub-phenotypes in the Han Chinese population

Abstract

Background

A previous study provided evidence for genetic association between PPP2CA on 5q31.1 and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) across multi-ancestral cohorts, but failed to find significant evidence for association in the Chinese Han population.

Objective

To explore the association between this locus and SLE using data from our previously published genome-wide association study (GWAS) of SLE in Han Chinese population.

Methods

SNPs rs7726414 and rs244689 (near TCF7 and PPP2CA in 5q31.1) were selected as candidate independent associations from a large-scale study in a Han Chinese population consisting of 1,047 cases and 1,205 controls (a previously published GWAS). Subsequently 3,509 cases and 8,246 controls were genotyped in two further replication studies. We then further investigated the SNPs' associations with SLE sub-phenotypes, and gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from cases and controls (analyzed by real-time PCR).

Results

Highly significant associations with SLE in the Chinese Han were detected for SNPs rs7726414 and rs244689 by combining the genotype data from our previous GWAS and two independent replication cohorts (rs7726414, P_combined =1.66×10^-13, OR=1.42; rs244689, P_combined = 1.21×10^-20, OR=1.29). Further conditional analyses indicated that these two SNPs contribute to disease susceptibility independently from each other. A significant association was found for rs7726414 with SLE age at diagnosis < 20 years (P = 0.00027). The expression levels of TCF7 and PPP2CA messenger RNA (mRNA) in patients with SLE were significantly decreased compared with those in healthy controls.

Conclusions

This study finds evidence for multiple associations with SLE in 5q31.1 at genome-wide levels of significance for the first time in a Han Chinese population, in a combined genotype dataset of 4,556 cases and 9,451 controls. These findings suggested that variants in the 5q31.1 locus not only provide novel insights into the genetic architecture of SLE but also contribute to the complex sub-phenotypes of SLE.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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IL-17A localizes in the exocytic compartment of mast cells in psoriatic skin

Psoriasis is a frequent, chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease that substantially affects the quality of life of patients. IL-17A is believed to play a major role in its pathogenesis, as strategies to block this cytokine proved to be particularly effective in the treatment of psoriasis¹. However, the cellular sources of IL-17A in psoriasis are still debated. Th17 cells have been suggested as major contributors^2,3, although this hypothesis has been recently challenged by the histological analysis of lesional psoriatic skin from several independent groups. In the epidermis, neutrophils – forming the so-called Munro's microabscesses – stain strongly positive for IL-17A, while in the dermal compartment IL-17A is mainly found in mast cells, less so in neutrophils and only rarely in T cells^3-5.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Long term complications of Stevens-Johnson syndrome / Toxic epidermal necrolysis: The spectrum of chronic problems in patients who survive an episode of SJS/TEN necessitates multi-disciplinary follow up

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe adverse reactions to drugs which cause a life-threatening eruption of mucocutaneous blistering and epithelial sloughing. The two terms describe phenotypes occurring at either end of a severity spectrum: SJS is the less extensive form (<10% body surface area (BSA) detachment), while TEN is the more extensive (>30% BSA detachment). Cases in which there is 10-30% epidermal detachment are referred to as SJS-TEN overlap.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Dermatological screening of a middle-aged and elderly population: the Rotterdam Study

The prevalence of several skin diseases increases with age, in part due to age-related physio-pathological alterations.¹ The global burden of disease project (GBD) ^2,3 presented a comprehensive overview of the burden due to skin diseases across different age groups. However, the point prevalences of many common skin diseases, especially in elderly and non-institutionalized settings, are still unknown ⁴. In this study, we estimated the point prevalence and age- and sex-adjusted standardized prevalence rates of common inflammatory and (pre)malignant skin diseases in a cross-sectional study in a middle-aged to elderly population.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Association of patient demographic characteristics with Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans tumor size at diagnosis in the National Cancer Data Base

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, infiltrative but low-grade cutaneous tumor. Middle-aged and younger adults, males, and African-Americans are more likely to be affected by this malignancy, with up to 5 cases per million reported annually in the US. Despite its low metastatic potential and excellent survival, DFSP is prone to recurrence and can be very locally destructive. While most studies did not find significant impact of tumor size on survival, a more recent analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) suggested larger DFSP size to be a risk factor in survival analysis.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Categorizing facial creases: A review

Summary

Ensuring uniformity in the nomenclature standardization of facial creases is important to enable the scholarly community to follow and debate the advancements in research. This review highlights the prevailing disparity in the nomenclature that refers to the same facial crease by researchers and laypeople, and suggests uniform names for the facial creases based on available literature. The previous and current trends in facial crease classification are also discussed. The nomenclature of the facial creases considered for this review include the following: the nasolabial fold, corner of the mouth lines, upper and lower lip creases around the mouth region, the mandibular folds, the bifid nose, the transverse nasal line, the vertical glabellar line, chin crease, the mental crease, four type of creases around the eyes, forehead creases, and periauricular creases. A figure illustrating the above facial creases is included as reference. It is hoped that the proposed standardization of nomenclature would ensure a more scientific referencing of facial creases enabling more effective scientific interaction among the scholarly community as well as the laypeople interested in the research and application of facial creases.

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A multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new monophasic hyaluronic acid filler with lidocaine 0.3% in the correction of nasolabial fold

Summary

Background

Many new brands of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are being introduced, but comparative research on the characteristics of similar products is limited.

Objective

To test the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of a HA filler with lidocaine, Dermalax implant plus™ (Across), which is used for correcting nasolabial folds (NLFs), and to compare the performance of that of Restylane Sub-Q^® (Q-Med).

Methods

A total of 52 subjects with visible NLFs were enrolled in this randomized, multicenter, patient/evaluator-blind, active-controlled, matched-pair clinical study. Each subject was injected with Dermalax implant plus™ in one NLF and Restylane Sub-Q^® in the other. All participants were reassessed for cosmetic changes at 2, 8, 12, 16, and 24 weeks. Wrinkle severity was rated using the 5-point Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS).

Results

At week 24, the mean improvement in the WSRS compared to baseline was 1.06±0.54 for the PLUS side and 0.69±0.58 for the Sub-Q side (week 2: 1.67±0.58 and 1.21±0.67, week 8: 1.60±0.63 and 1.23±0.65, week 12: 1.58±0.61 and 1.15±0.61, week 16: 1.02±0.54 and 0.60±0.53). Average values of pain evaluated by self-assessment 100-mm VAS score within 30 minutes after the procedure in the PLUS and Sub-Q groups were 14.65±16.23 and 38.29±27.27, respectively. Both fillers were well tolerated, and adverse reactions were mild.

Conclusion

We confirmed that the monophasic HA containing pre-incorporated lidocaine (PLUS) is not inferior to well-studied biphasic HA (Sub-Q) in correcting to severe nasolabial folds for 24 weeks and less painful than biphasic HA not containing lidocaine.

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Inside front cover continued (editorial board members)

Publication date: February 2017
Source:Biological Psychology, Volume 123





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Editorial board

Publication date: February 2017
Source:Biological Psychology, Volume 123





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The effects of microalloying on the precipitate microstructure at grain boundary regions in an Mg-Zn-based alloy

Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): B. Langelier, G. Sha, A. Korinek, P. Donnadieu, S.P. Ringer, S. Esmaeili
Microalloying additions to Mg-Zn base alloys can refine precipitation and improve hardening, but their effect on the microstructure at the grain boundary regions are seldom analyzed. Here the grain boundary microstructure is examined in an Mg-4Zn (wt.%) alloy, which has been microalloyed with Ce-Ca. This combination of elements has previously been shown to successfully enhance ductility, texture, and precipitation hardening, compared to binary Mg-Zn. Coarse grain boundary precipitates are found with or without microalloying, but precipitate-free zones (PFZs) for β′1 that surround the boundaries are far narrower with Ce-Ca microalloying additions. Furthermore, fine basal precipitates containing Ca are found uniformly distributed up to the boundary, making those zones devoid of β′1 not truly precipitate-free. Electron microscopy and atom probe analysis of early-stage ageing conditions reveals that Ca readily forms clusters with Zn, and forms fine ordered GP zones, while Zn also segregates to the grain boundaries. The tendency of Ca to homogeneously form clusters and precipitates reduces Ca migration to the grain boundaries, which has a beneficial effect on producing the refined precipitate distributions at the grain boundary regions.

Graphical abstract

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Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of ZnAl2O4-reinforced Al2O3/Al2O3 joints brazed with a bismuth borate zinc glass

Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): Wei Guo, Tiesong Lin, Peng He, Tong Wang, Yini Wang
Amorphous bismuth borate zinc glass with a composition of 40Bi2O3–40B2O3–20ZnO (in mol.%) was used as a braze to join 95wt.% purity alumina ceramics (95Al2O3) in air. The interfacial phases in the brazed joints were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. Zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4) was identified as the main reaction product in the joints due to the chemical reaction between the Al2O3 substrate and ZnO from the glass. Typical microstructure of the Al2O3/Al2O3 brazed joints was Al2O3 substrate/glassy matrix phase+ZnAl2O4 particles/Al2O3 substrate. The dependence of the microstructure and mechanical properties on brazing temperature was investigated. The size of ZnAl2O4 increased with an increase in brazing temperature. It was found the room lap shear strength of Al2O3/Al2O3 joints firstly increased and then declined with increasing brazing temperature. The maximum lap shear strength of 95MPa was obtained for the samples brazed at 675°C for 30min, which was mainly attributed to the formation of ZnAl2O4.

Graphical abstract

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Self-assembly of quaternized chitosan nanoparticles within nanoclay layers for enhancement of interfacial properties in toughened polymer nanocomposites

Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): Omid Zabihi, Mojtaba Ahmadi, Minoo Naebe
Role of montmorillonite nanoclay in self-assembly of quaternized chitosan nanoparticles (QCn) within the clay layers was investigated. Inorganic-organic nanohybrid of clay-chitosan was used as a reactive reinforcing agent in preparation of toughened epoxy nanocomposites. Intercalation of QCn within the clay layers increases d-spacing of clay layers from 1.2nm to 3.6nm, leading to an enhanced exfoliation degree in epoxy nanocomposites. The nanohybrid of clay modified with QCn was then incorporated into an epoxy matrix. It was found that the strong interfacial interactions benefit not only the dispersion of the clay within epoxy but also the effective interfacial stress transfer, leading to significantly improved mechanical properties. Rheological investigations showed that the interfacial interactions between the QCn modified clay and epoxy are dominated by the covalent/hydrogen bondings between the amine/hydroxyl enriched QCn and the epoxy matrix.

Graphical abstract

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Structure-property relationships in ZnO:Al-hydroquinone films grown on flexible substrates by atomic and molecular layer deposition

Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): Grzegorz Luka, Lukasz Wachnicki, Bartlomiej S. Witkowski, Rafal Jakiela, Ihor S. Virt
ZnO:Al-hydroquinone (AZO-HQ) films were grown on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrates by atomic and molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD). Organic contents in the films varied from 0 to ≈4vol%. Structural and electrical investigations of the films were carried out. Electrical measurements were performed under film bending. The piezoresistive effect in the films with different organic contents was observed and described. Critical bend radius, critical strain, and piezoresistive coefficient values were related to the film microstructure. The piezoresistivity was found to be enhanced for the deformations of ZnO crystallites along the a-axis whereas higher critical strain was influenced by long crystallites oriented in the deformation direction. AZO-HQ films having 2vol% of the organic content are characterized by the lowest critical bend radius and the highest critical strain among the films under study.

Graphical abstract

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Contribution of image-guided adaptive brachytherapy to pelvic nodes treatment in locally advanced cervical cancer

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Brachytherapy
Author(s): Warren Bacorro, Isabelle Dumas, Antonin Levy, Eleonor Rivin Del Campo, Charles-Henri Canova, Tony Felefly, Andres Huertas, Fanny Marsolat, Christine Haie-Meder, Cyrus Chargari, Renaud Mazeron
PurposeWith the increasing use of simultaneous integrated boost in the treatment of cervical cancer, there is a need to anticipate the brachytherapy (BT) contribution at the level of the pathologic pelvic lymph nodes. This study aimed to report the dose delivered at their level during BT.Methods and MaterialsPatients with pelvic nodal involvement and treated with a combination of chemoradiation followed by image-guided adaptive pulsed-dose-rate BT were selected. On per BT three-dimensional images, pelvic lymphadenopathies were delineated, without planning aim. For the purposes of the study, D100, D98, D90, and D50 were reviewed and converted in 2-Gy equivalent doses, using the linear quadratic model with an α/β of 10 Gy.ResultsNinety-one patients were identified, allowing evaluation at the level of 226 lymphadenopathies. The majority of them were external iliac (48%), followed by common iliac (25%), and internal iliac (16%) regions. The 2-Gy equivalent doses D98 were 4.4 ± 1.9 Gy, 5.4 ± 3.1 Gy, and 4.3 ± 2.1 Gy for the obturator, internal iliac, and external iliac, respectively, and 2.8 ± 2.5 Gy for the common iliac. The contribution to the common iliac nodes was significantly lower than the one of external and internal iliac (p < 0.001).ConclusionsBT significantly contributes to the treatment of pelvic nodes at the level of approximately 5 Gy in the internal, external, and obturator areas and 2.5 Gy in the common iliac, allowing the anticipation of nodal boost with the simultaneous integrated boost technique. However, important individual variations have been observed, and evaluation of the genuine BT contribution should be recommended.



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Melanin-concentrating hormone in peripheral circulation in the human

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide with a well-characterised role in energy homeostasis and emergent roles in diverse physiologic functions such as arousal, mood and reproduction. Work to date has predominantly focused on its hypothalamic functions using animal models; however, little attention has been paid to its role in circulation in humans. The aims of this study were to (a) develop a radioimmunoassay for the detection of MCH in human plasma; (b) establish reference ranges for circulating MCH and (c) characterise the pattern of expression of circulating MCH in humans. A sensitive and specific RIA was developed and cross-validated by RP-HPLC and MS. The effective range was 19.5–1248 pg MCH/mL. Blood samples from 231 subjects were taken to establish a reference range of 19.5–55.4 pg/mL for fasting MCH concentrations. There were no significant differences between male and female fasting MCH concentrations; however, there were correlations between MCH concentrations and BMI in males and females with excess fat (P < 0.001 and P = 0.020) and between MCH concentrations and fat mass in females with excess fat (P = 0.038). Plasma MCH concentrations rose significantly after feeding in a group of older individuals (n = 50, males P = 0.006, females P = 0.023). There were no robust significant correlations between fasting or post-prandial MCH and resting metabolic rate, plasma glucose, insulin or leptin concentrations although there were correlations between circulating MCH and leptin concentrations in older individuals (P = 0.029). These results indicate that the role of circulating MCH may not be reflective of its regulatory hypothalamic role.

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Binding of the chemokine CXCL12α to its natural extracellular matrix ligand heparan sulfate enables myoblast adhesion and facilitates cell motility

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 123
Author(s): Dhruv Thakar, Fabien Dalonneau, Elisa Migliorini, Hugues Lortat-Jacob, Didier Boturyn, Corinne Albiges-Rizo, Liliane Coche-Guerente, Catherine Picart, Ralf P. Richter
The chemokine CXCL12α is a potent chemoattractant that guides the migration of muscle precursor cells (myoblasts) during myogenesis and muscle regeneration. To study how the molecular presentation of chemokines influences myoblast adhesion and motility, we designed multifunctional biomimetic surfaces as a tuneable signalling platform that enabled the response of myoblasts to selected extracellular cues to be studied in a well-defined environment. Using this platform, we demonstrate that CXCL12α, when presented by its natural extracellular matrix ligand heparan sulfate (HS), enables the adhesion and spreading of myoblasts and facilitates their active migration. In contrast, myoblasts also adhered and spread on CXCL12α that was quasi-irreversibly surface-bound in the absence of HS, but were essentially immotile. Moreover, co-presentation of the cyclic RGD peptide as integrin ligand along with HS-bound CXCL12α led to enhanced spreading and motility, in a way that indicates cooperation between CXCR4 (the CXCL12α receptor) and integrins (the RGD receptors). Our findings reveal the critical role of HS in CXCL12α induced myoblast adhesion and migration. The biomimetic surfaces developed here hold promise for mechanistic studies of cellular responses to different presentations of biomolecules. They may be broadly applicable for dissecting the signalling pathways underlying receptor cross-talks, and thus may guide the development of novel biomaterials that promote highly specific cellular responses.



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Limiting the protein corona: A successful strategy for in vivo active targeting of anti-HER2 nanobody-functionalized nanostars

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 123
Author(s): Antoine D'Hollander, Hilde Jans, Greetje Vande Velde, Charlotte Verstraete, Sam Massa, Nick Devoogdt, Tim Stakenborg, Serge Muyldermans, Liesbet Lagae, Uwe Himmelreich
Gold nanoparticles hold great promise as anti-cancer theranostic agents against cancer by actively targeting the tumor cells. As this potential has been supported numerously during in vitro experiments, the effective application is hampered by our limited understanding and control of the interactions within complex in vivo biological systems. When these nanoparticles are exposed to a biological environment, their surfaces become covered with proteins and biomolecules, referred to as the protein corona, reducing the active targeting capabilities. We demonstrate a chemical strategy to overcome this issue by reducing the protein corona's thickness by blocking the active groups of the self-assembled monolayer on gold nanostars. An optimal blocking agent, 2-mercapto ethanol, has been selected based on charge and length of the carbon chain. By using a nanobody as a biological ligand of the human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor (HER2), the active targeting is demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in an experimental tumor model by using darkfield microscopy and photoacoustic imaging. In this study, we have established gold nanostars as a conceivable theranostic agent with a specificity for HER2-positive tumors.



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Selective transduction of astrocytic and neuronal CNS subpopulations by lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with Chikungunya virus envelope

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 123
Author(s): Ioanna Eleftheriadou, Michael Dieringer, Xuan Ying Poh, Julia Sanchez-Garrido, Yunan Gao, Argyro Sgourou, Laura E. Simmons, Nicholas D. Mazarakis
Lentiviral vectors are gene delivery vehicles that integrate into the host genome of dividing and non-dividing mammalian cells facilitating long-term transgene expression. Lentiviral vector versatility is greatly increased by incorporating heterologous viral envelope proteins onto the vector particles instead of the native envelope, conferring on these pseudotyped vectors a modified tropism and host range specificity. We investigated the pseudotyping efficiency of HIV-1 based lentiviral vectors with alphaviral envelope proteins from the Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV-G) and Sindbis Virus (SINV-G). Following vector production optimisation, titres for the CHIKV-G pseudotype were comparable to the VSV-G pseudotype but those for the SINV-G pseudotype were significantly lower. High titre CHIKV-G pseudotyped vector efficiently transduced various human and mouse neural cell lines and normal human astrocytes (NHA) in vitro. Although transduction was broad, tropism for NHAs was observed. In vivo stereotaxic delivery in striatum, thalamus and hippocampus respectively in the adult rat brain revealed localised transduction restricted to striatal astrocytes and hippocampal dentate granule neurons. Transduction of different subtypes of granule neurons from precursor to post-mitotic stages of differentiation was evident in the sub-granular zone and dentate granule cell layer. No significant inflammatory response was observed, but comparable to that of VSV-G pseudotyped lentiviral vectors. Robust long-term expression followed for three months post-transduction along with absence of neuroinflammation, coupled to the selective and unique neuron/glial tropism indicates that these vectors could be useful for modelling and gene therapy studies in the CNS.



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IOP-details

Publication date: March 2017
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology, Volume 113





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Editorial Board

Publication date: March 2017
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology, Volume 113





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Instructions to Authors

Publication date: March 2017
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology, Volume 113





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Biocompatibility of polymer-infiltrated-ceramic-network (PICN) materials with Human Gingival Keratinocytes (HGKs)

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Dental Materials
Author(s): Charlotte Grenade, Marie-Claire De Pauw-Gillet, Catherine Pirard, Virginie Bertrand, Corinne Charlier, Alain Vanheusden, Amélie Mainjot
ObjectiveBiocompatibility of polymer-infiltrated-ceramic-network (PICN) materials, a new class of CAD–CAM composites, is poorly explored in the literature, in particular, no data are available regarding Human Gingival Keratinocytes (HGK). The first objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility of PICNs with HGKs in comparison with other materials typically used for implant prostheses. The second objective was to correlate results with PICN monomer release and indirect cytotoxicity.MethodsHGK attachment, proliferation and spreading on PICN, grade V titanium (Ti), yttrium zirconia (Zi), lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (eM) and polytetrafluoroethylene (negative control) discs were evaluated using a specific insert-based culture system. For PICN and eM samples, monomer release in the culture medium was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography and indirect cytotoxicity tests were performed.ResultsTi and Zi exhibited the best results regarding HGK viability, number and coverage. eM showed inferior results while PICN showed statistically similar results to eM but also to Ti regarding cell number and to Ti and Zi regarding cell viability. No monomer release from PICN discs was found, nor indirect cytotoxicity, as for eM.SignificanceThe results confirmed the excellent behavior of Ti and Zi with gingival cells. Even if polymer based, PICN materials exhibited intermediate results between Ti–Zi and eM. These promising results could notably be explained by PICN high temperature–high pressure (HT–HP) innovative polymerization mode, as confirmed by the absence of monomer release and indirect cytotoxicity.

Graphical abstract

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Crystal orientation of poly(ε-caprolactone) chains confined in lamellar nanodomains: Effects of chain-ends tethering to nanodomain interfaces

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Polymer
Author(s): Shintaro Nakagawa, Yuki Yoneguchi, Takashi Ishizone, Shuichi Nojima, Kazuo Yamaguchi, Seiichi Nakahama
We have examined the crystal orientation of poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) chains covalently tethered to nanodomain interfaces at both chain-ends (T2-PCL), one chain-end (T1-PCL), and no chain-end (PCL homopolymers, T0-PCL) all confined in an identical lamellar nanodomain (nanolamella). In order to prepare these PCL chains, we synthesized two kinds of lamella-forming polystyrene-block-PCL-block-polystyrene (PS-b-PCL-b-PS) triblock copolymers with photocleavable o-nitrobenzyl groups (ONB) at either or both of block junctions. The chain-ends tethering significantly affected the tilt angle φ between the c axis of PCL crystals and the normal of nanolamella interfaces (ND). That is, the c axis of T2-PCL crystals oriented almost perpendicular to ND (φ ≥ 70°), whereas that of T0-PCL crystals took completely parallel orientation against ND (φ ∼ 0°) at high crystallization temperatures (>32 °C). The T1-PCL crystal showed an intermediate orientation between T2-PCL and T0-PCL crystals (35° < φ < 55°), which depended moderately on the crystallization temperature. The difference in crystal orientation was discussed in terms of a delicate balance between the heterogeneous nucleation rate and subsequent crystal growth rate by considering the difference in chain mobility based on the state of chain-ends tethering.

Graphical abstract

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High-strength silk fibroin scaffolds with anisotropic mechanical properties

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Polymer
Author(s): Berkant Yetiskin, Oguz Okay
In contrast to isotropic morphologies of synthetic hydrogels, many biological tissues possess anisotropic hierarchical morphologies leading to extraordinary mechanical properties that cannot be mimicked by synthetic materials. Here, we report preparation of anisotropic silk fibroin cryogels and scaffolds exhibiting a Young's modulus in the range of MPa that sustain up to 20 MPa compressive stresses. The cryogels were prepared by a combined directional freezing – cryogelation process starting from an aqueous 4.2 wt% fibroin solution containing butanediol diglycidyl ether cross-linker and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine. In the first step, the reactor containing the aqueous solution of fibroin, cross-linker, and TEMED was immersed into liquid nitrogen at a controlled rate to create a directionally frozen ice template. In the second step, cryogelation reactions were conducted in this frozen solution at −18 °C whereby the cryo-concentrated fibroin in the unfrozen microzones of the reaction system forms a 3D fibroin network. The scaffolds exhibit anisotropic microstructure and hence anisotropic mechanical properties, e.g., the Young's modulus is 3.4 ± 0.5 MPa and 0.8 ± 0.3 MPa when measured along the directions parallel and vertical to the freezing direction, respectively. All the cryogels could completely be compressed due to squeezing out of water from their pores. Upon removal of the load, the compressed cryogels immediately recover their original dimensions and mechanical properties by absorbing the released water into their pores.

Graphical abstract

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Sequence distribution and elastic properties of propylene-based elastomers

Publication date: 24 February 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 111
Author(s): Andy H. Tsou, Alexander I. Norman, Yonglai Lu, Joseph A. Throckmorton, Benjamin S. Hsiao
Three iso-specific organometallic catalysts for ethylene and propylene copolymerization with varying r1r2 parameters, i.e., the products of ethylene and propylene reactivity ratios, were utilized to synthesize equal-molecular-weight propylene-based elastomers (PBEs) of alternating, random, and blocky backbone sequences. To compensate for the variations in catalyst iso-specificity and thus to maintain a constant amount of 50% isotactic propylene trimer concentration, the ethylene content of PBEs was varied between 11 wt % and 16 wt %. Although all three PBEs have an equal amount of crystallizable sequences, the high-C2 (high-ethylene) blocky PBE was found to have the highest crystallinity and crystallization rate, while the low-C2 alternating PBE possesses the lowest crystallinity and rate. This suggests that the backbone sequence distribution of a PBE affects its rate and degree of crystallization. The polypropylene (PP) crystallite width and perfection were enlarged and improved in the order of random, alternating, and blocky PBE, as measured by crystalline peak widths using the wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) method. In addition, their crystals, cross-hatched lamellae web and embryonic axialites, which are the assembly of PP crystallites, are largest in the alternating PBE, followed by the random PBE as indicated by bimodal atomic force microscopy (AFM). A limited crystallite assembly was noted in the blocky PBE. Increasing crystallite assembly may have led to lowering the crosslink density (less crosslinks) and elasticity erosion. As a result of the wider and more perfect PP crystallites and the lack of assembly of these crystallites in the blocky PBE, it may have the highest crosslink density and strongest crosslinks and, hence, the best elasticity, as measured by set, hysteresis and retractive force, among the three, followed by the random PBE, and then the alternating PBE.

Graphical abstract

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Synthesis of polymeric ionic liquids with unidirectional chain topology by AB step growth polymerization

Publication date: 24 February 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 111
Author(s): M. Suckow, M. Roy, K. Sahre, L. Häußler, N. Singha, B. Voit, F. Böhme
Poly(ionic liquid)s with alkyl imidazolium moieties in the main chain were synthesized by step growth addition polymerization of the AB monomers 1-(4-chlorobutyl)-1H-imidazole, 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-1H-imidazole, and 1-(6-bromohexyl)-1H-imidazole in the melt. The molar masses of the polymers were controlled by adding 1-butyl-1H-imidazole as monofunctional chain stopper. The bromine containing monomer polymerized spontaneously at room temperature whereas the chlorine containing monomers were sufficiently stable up to 40 °C. This could be evidenced by DSC measurements which showed a broad exothermal peak above 40 °C caused by the polymerization. MALDI-TOF investigations proved that dissociation of the alkyl imidazolium groups which might disturb the expected directional chain topology (AB-AB-AB…) did not occur. This is an important precondition for the intended cross-linking free grafting reactions of the AB monomers on halide containing polymers without any danger of gelation. Additionally, the results of the MALDI-TOF investigations indicated partial complexation of the polymer with the matrix and structural rearrangements during the measurements which converted the ionic imidazolium moieties into neutral moieties. The thermal behavior of the poly(ionic liquid)s has proved to be dependent on the length of the alkyl linking group between the imidazolium moieties and the type of counter ion.

Graphical abstract

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Radiochemical “degelation” of polymethyl methacrylate networks

Publication date: 24 February 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 111
Author(s): Pierre Gilormini, Emmanuel Richaud, Jacques Verdu
Methyl methacrylate-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate networks were synthetized and submitted to radiochemical degradation, with ageing monitored by means of sol-gel analysis. The networks were shown to undergo chain scission predominantly, which leads to their degelation, i.e., the recovery of a thermoplastic-like behavior with loss of all elastically active chains. The degelation dose was shown to increase with crosslink density and the corresponding critical conversion ratio was discussed regarding a recent and general statistical theory that covers radiochemical as well as chemical chain scissions.

Graphical abstract

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Nanofiltration properties of asymmetric membranes prepared by phase inversion of sulfonated nitro-polyphenylsulfone

Publication date: 24 February 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 111
Author(s): Matan V. Brami, Yoram Oren, Charles Linder, Roy Bernstein
This study is a systematic investigation of preparation and characteristics of membranes, made from sulfonated nitro-polyphenylsulfone (SPPS-NO2) with different degrees of sulfonation and prepared by non-solvent–induced phase separation in different immersion baths (deionized water, 0.1 M HCl, or 1 M NaCl).Following nitration, the PPS-NO2 was sulfonated with different amounts of chlorosulfonic acid to achieve polymers with different ion exchange capacities (IECs), from 0 to 2.2 meq/g.The cross-sectional membrane morphology changed from porous to dense following sulfonation as seen by scanning electron microscopy. The phase inversion of the polymer solution was studied using the cloud-point method, light microscopy, and Langmuir isotherm. It was found that the liquid-liquid demixing of the polymer solution changed due to the increase in the IEC. This was mainly attributed to an increase in polymer miscibility in the aqueous non-solvent bath with an increasing degree of sulfonation. In addition, the phase-inversion properties of the ionic polymers were influenced by changing the aqueous composition of the immersion baths, probably due to partial protonation of the ionic sulfonic groups (in the case of HCl as the non-solvent) or to solvation effect (when NaCl was the non-solvent).Changing the morphology and of the membrane influenced its performance. Increasing the IEC increased the salt rejection and decreased flux. However, the permeability was improved without a large loss of selectivity by changing the non-solvent to aqueous NaCl. In addition, the new membrane showed high chlorine resistance due to the addition of a nitro group to the polymer backbone, and high acid resistance property.

Graphical abstract

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Neutron diffraction study of conducting polyaniline doped with (±) camphorsulfonic acid

Publication date: 24 February 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 111
Author(s): Tomasz Kozik, Maciej Śniechowski, Wojciech Łużny, Adam Proń, David Djurado
Fully hydrogenated and partially deuterated free standing films of polyaniline doped with (±) camphorsulfonic acid (PANIh5/CSA and PANId4/CSA) are subjected to neutron diffraction study. Obtained results are analyzed and compared with X-ray diffraction measurements. The very distinct differences observed between the two neutron diffraction profiles are described in detail. Making use of the recently published new model of the crystalline structure of the PANI/CSA system, the neutron diffraction curves for the analogous structures are calculated. The two calculated neutron diffraction patterns exhibit similar differences as those obtained in experiment. This fully confirms the validity of the refined molecular model elaborated for this still important material for applications as synthetic metals or organic thermoelectrics.

Graphical abstract

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Cross-linked, polyurethane-based, ammonium poly(ionic liquid)/ionic liquid composite films for organic vapor suppression and ion conduction

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Polymer
Author(s): Dylan I. Mori, Rhia M. Martin, Richard D. Noble, Douglas L. Gin
A series of ammonium-diol and -triol ionic liquid (IL) monomers were synthesized and used in step-growth polymerization with the commercial di-isocyanate monomer, toluene-di-isocyanate (TDI), in the presence of free ammonium IL to form new curable ammonium-based polymerized ionic liquid/ionic liquid (PIL/IL) composite film coatings. The use of polyurethane chemistry allows for the near-complete curing of the alcohol and isocyanate monomers to yield solid, homogeneous, cross-linked polyurethane-based PIL/IL composite materials with no volatile side product formation. The physical properties and curing rates of these PIL/IL films were altered by tailoring the structures of the ammonium-alcohol IL monomers, the ratio of the linear vs. cross-linking IL monomers employed, and the amount of free IL in the curing reactions. Although ammonium-based PILs have been reported to be less thermally and electrochemically stable than their imidazolium counterparts in the literature, TGA results indicated a Tonset of up to 300 °C under air for the ammonium PIL/IL composites prepared in this study. These new PIL/IL materials were also tested as curable coatings in a toxic industrial chemical (TIC) vapor suppression and liquid uptake assay using o-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) as a simulant for polychlorinated biphenyls. The curable PIL/IL coatings were found to suppress 88% of the o-DCB vapor on o-DCB-contaminated painted steel substrates and 79% of the o-DCB vapor on o-DCB-contaminated rubber substrates, relative to uncoated control samples. However, although effective for TIC vapor suppression, these ammonium PIL/IL coatings only sorbed less than 50% of the applied liquid o-DCB from the same test substrates, making them slightly less effective for this latter application than previously reported imidazolium-based curable PIL/IL coatings. These materials exhibited comparable ionic conductivity values to other types of PIL/IL systems previously reported in the literature. However, it was found that the more heavily cross-linked ammonium-based PIL/IL films were more prone to free IL leach-out at higher temperatures, leading to their unexpectedly higher ionic conductivity at elevated temperatures.

Graphical abstract

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Investigation into dielectric behaviour and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of conducting styrene butadiene rubber composites containing ionic liquid modified MWCNT

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Polymer
Author(s): Jiji Abraham, Mohammed Arif P, Priti Xavier, Suryasarathi Bose, Soney C. George, Nandakumar Kalarikkal, Sabu Thomas
Designing new conducting materials with a promise for electromagnetic shielding applications attracted a wide spread interest in recent years. Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is a widely used low cost synthetic rubber for a large number of applications. However, their use in providing an effective barrier for electromagnetic radiations is limited by its poor electrical conductivity. Herein we report a facile synthesis of conducting polymer nanocomposite by incorporating non-covalently functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) with ionic liquid into SBR matrix and achieve a shielding efficiency of ca.35.06 dB @ 18 GHz (i.e ∼99.99% shielding attenuation). Importantly, ionic liquid embedded MWCNT makes it dispersible facilitated through cation–π interaction. A synergy between ionic liquid and MWCNT was well understood by analysing the dielectric behaviour and ac conductivity of composites in the frequency range of 100–20 MHz. A 5 mm thick soft rubber shielding material is fabricated and the shielding performance is analysed by vector network analyser for a frequency range of 2 GHz–18 GHz. A significant enhancement in the shielding effectiveness of the polymer nanocomposite with different amounts of f-MWCNT loading is observed. Electron microscopy analysis (TEM and FESEM) clearly illustrate the excellent dispersion state and microstructural development of MWCNTs within the SBR matrix which in turn accounts for the increase in the shielding performance of the polymer nanocomposite. This work opens up new paradigm for EMI shielding applications based on soft elastomer with the aid of a sustainable and simplified methodology.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2jTIXAK

Endothelin causes transactivation of the EGFR and HER2 in non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Peptides
Author(s): Terry W. Moody, Irene Ramos-Alvarez, Paola Moreno Perez, Samuel A. Mantey, Lisa Ridnour, David Wink, Robert T. Jensen
Endothelin (ET)-1 is an important peptide in cancer progression stimulating cellular proliferation, tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. ET-1 binds with high affinity to the ETA receptor (R) and ETBR on cancer cells. High levels of tumor ET-1 and ETAR are associated with poor survival of lung cancer patients. Here the effects of ET-1 on epidermal growth factor (EGF)R and HER2 transactivation were investigated using non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. ETAR mRNA was present in all 10 NSCLC cell lines examined. Addition of ET-1 to NCI-H838 or H1975 cells increased EGFR, HER2 and ERK tyrosine phosphorylation within 2min. The increase in EGFR and HER2 transactivation caused by ET-1 addition to NSCLC cells was inhibited by lapatinib (EGFR and HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)), gefitinib (EGFR TKI), ZD4054 or BQ-123 (ETAR antagonist), GM6001 (matrix metalloprotease inhibitor), PP2 (Src inhibitor) or Tiron (superoxide scavenger). ET-1 addition to NSCLC cells increased cytosolic Ca²⁺ and reactive oxygen species. ET-1 increased NSCLC clonal growth, whereas BQ123, ZD4054, lapatinib or gefitinib inhibited proliferation. The results indicate that ET-1 may regulate NSCLC cellular proliferation in an EGFR- and HER2-dependent manner.



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A Near-peer Point-of-care Ultrasound Elective for Medical Students: Impact on Anatomy Knowledge, Perceptions About Ultrasound, and Self-reported Skill Level

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Jacqueline T. DesJardin, Santo K. Ricceri, Stephen D. Brown, Emily M. Webb, David M. Naeger, Nathan A. Teismann
Rationale and ObjectivesWe aimed to assess the impact of our institution's recently created point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) course for preclinical medical students by examining its effect on first–year-level medical knowledge, self-reported skill level, and beliefs regarding the importance of ultrasound in future clinical practice.Materials and MethodsA total of 18 first-year medical students completed a 5-month near–peer-led training program in POCUS consisting of 3-hour teaching sessions (7), 4-hour clinical sessions (10–12), and an independent study. Students completed pre- and postprogram assessments examining (1) student perceptions about ultrasound and its importance to future careers, (2) students' self-reported skill level with ultrasound, and (3) performance on an anatomy and physiology knowledge quiz. Scores and responses were compared to 20 controls.ResultsThe majority of students believed that ultrasound was useful for learning anatomy and would be important in their future clinical practice. Students who completed our training program tended to perform better than controls on a test of medical knowledge. Despite reporting far fewer hours of formal ultrasound training, control students rated their skill level comparably to POCUS-trained students.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that ultrasound is well received by medical students and may be useful for teaching basic anatomy concepts.



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Antibiotic therapy in critically ill patients: expert opinion of the European Society of Anaesthesia Intensive Care Scientific Subcommittee: A narrative review.

Antimicrobial treatment is the cornerstone of infection treatment, and the selection of appropriate antibiotic treatment for critically ill patients is challenging. Clinicians working with critically ill patients usually feel a greater obligation towards their patient than towards maintenance of the delicate ecological balance of prevalent microbiological threats and their resistance patterns. Although antibiotic overtreatment is a frequent phenomenon, patient outcomes need not be compromised when antibiotic treatment is driven by informed decision-making. At the 2016 Euro Anaesthesia Conference (London, UK), the European Society of Anaesthesia Intensive Care Scientific Subcommittee convened an expert panel on antibiotic therapy. This article summarises the main conclusions of the panel, namely the principles of antibiotic therapy that all physicians working with critically ill patients must know. (C) 2017 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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Intraoperative monitoring of analgesia using nociceptive reflexes correlates with delayed extubation and immediate postoperative pain: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Immediate postoperative pain could be prevented by the administration of long-lasting analgesics before the end of the anaesthesia. However, to prevent over or underdosing of analgesics under anaesthesia, tools are required to estimate the analgesia-nociception balance. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether the pupillary dilation reflex (PDR) and the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) at the end of general anaesthesia correlate with immediate postoperative pain, as a sign of analgesic underdosing, and with delayed tracheal extubation as a sign of analgesic overdosing. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany, from May 2013 to April 2015. PATIENTS: A total of 110 patients scheduled for primary hip arthroplasty under general anaesthesia. OBSERVATIONS: Psychometric and clinical data were obtained preoperatively. The PDR and the NFR were assessed preoperatively and at the end of anaesthesia. Shortly after extubation of the trachea, patients rated their pain intensity. ENDPOINTS: The primary endpoint was the immediate postoperative numeric rating scale pain intensity (0 to 10) and the secondary endpoint was the length of the time interval between reflex measurements and tracheal extubation. RESULTS: PDR correlated significantly with the immediate postoperative pain intensity (Spearman's [rho] = -0.28, P

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Editorial Board

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2





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APIC Masthead

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2





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Knowledge of Ebola virus disease among a university population: A cross-sectional study

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2
Author(s): Muhammad Salman, Naureen Shehzadi, Khalid Hussain, Fahad Saleem, Muhammad Tanveer Khan, Nauman Asif, Maria Yousaf, Maham Rafique, Rushda Bedar, Sonia Tariq, Usman AbuBakar, Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman
This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of a Pakistani university population (students and employees) regarding Ebola virus disease. A total of 2,200 individuals were approached and 1,647 were enrolled in the study. We observed that the vast majority of study participants (91.8%) had inadequate knowledge of Ebola virus disease (knowledge score ≤ 12). Our findings highlight the need to increase the knowledge of Ebola virus disease by using multidimensional approach involving awareness campaigns, print, electronic, and social media.



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Information for Readers

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2





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Information for Authors

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2





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Updated resource: The APIC/JCR Infection Prevention and Control Workbook, Third Edition

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2





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Table of Contents

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2





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Longitudinal assessment of reprocessing effectiveness for colonoscopes and gastroscopes: Results of visual inspections, biochemical markers, and microbial cultures

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2
Author(s): Cori L. Ofstead, Harry P. Wetzler, Otis L. Heymann, Ellen A. Johnson, John E. Eiland, Michael J. Shaw
BackgroundFlexible endoscopes are currently reused following cleaning and high-level disinfection. Contamination has been found on endoscopes, and infections have been linked to gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urologic endoscopes.MethodsThis longitudinal study involved visual inspections with a borescope, microbial cultures, and biochemical tests for protein and adenosine triphosphate to identify endoscopes in need of further cleaning or maintenance. Three assessments were conducted over a 7-month period. Control group endoscopes reprocessed using customary practices were compared with intervention group endoscopes subjected to more rigorous reprocessing.ResultsAt final assessment, all endoscopes (N = 20) had visible irregularities. Researchers observed fluid (95%), discoloration, and debris in channels. Of 12 (60%) endoscopes with microbial growth, 4 had no growth until after 48 hours. There were no significant differences in culture results by study group, assessment period, or endoscope type. Similar proportions of control and intervention endoscopes (~20%) exceeded postcleaning biochemical test benchmarks. Adenosine triphosphate levels were higher for gastroscopes than colonoscopes (P = .014). Eighty-five percent of endoscopes required repair due to findings.ConclusionsMore rigorous reprocessing was not consistently effective. Seven-day incubation allowed identification of slow-growing microbes. These findings bolster the need for routine visual inspection and cleaning verification tests recommended in new reprocessing guidelines.



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The new frontier of diagnostics: Molecular assays and their role in infection prevention and control

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2
Author(s): Sanchita Das, Dena R. Shibib, Michael O. Vernon
Recent advances in technology over the last decade have propelled the microbiology laboratory into a pivotal role in infection prevention and control. The rapid adaptation of molecular technologies to the field of clinical microbiology now greatly influences infectious disease management and significantly impacts infection control practices. This review discusses recent developments in molecular techniques in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. It describes the basic concepts of molecular assays, discusses their advantages and limitations, and characterizes currently available commercial assays with respect to cost, interpretive requirements, and clinical utility.



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Infection control in the new age of genomic epidemiology

Publication date: 1 February 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 2
Author(s): Patrick Tang, Matthew A. Croxen, Mohammad R. Hasan, William W.L. Hsiao, Linda M. Hoang
With the growing importance of infectious diseases in health care and communicable disease outbreaks garnering increasing attention, new technologies are playing a greater role in helping us prevent health care–associated infections and provide optimal public health. The microbiology laboratory has always played a large role in infection control by providing tools to identify, characterize, and track pathogens. Recently, advances in DNA sequencing technology have ushered in a new era of genomic epidemiology, where traditional molecular diagnostics and genotyping methods are being enhanced and even replaced by genomics-based methods to aid epidemiologic investigations of communicable diseases. The ability to analyze and compare entire pathogen genomes has allowed for unprecedented resolution into how and why infectious diseases spread. As these genomics-based methods continue to improve in speed, cost, and accuracy, they will be increasingly used to inform and guide infection control and public health practices.



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Editorial Board

Publication date: February 2017
Source:Cancer Treatment Reviews, Volume 53





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Association of Facebook Use With Compromised Well-Being: A Longitudinal Study

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Face-to-face social interactions enhance well-being. With the ubiquity of social media, important questions have arisen about the impact of online social interactions. In the present study, we assessed the associations of both online and offline social networks with several subjective measures of well-being. We used 3 waves (2013, 2014, and 2015) of data from 5,208 subjects in the nationally representative Gallup Panel Social Network Study survey, including social network measures, in combination with objective measures of Facebook use. We investigated the associations of Facebook activity and real-world social network activity with self-reported physical health, self-reported mental health, self-reported life satisfaction, and body mass index. Our results showed that overall, the use of Facebook was negatively associated with well-being. For example, a 1-standard-deviation increase in "likes clicked" (clicking "like" on someone else's content), "links clicked" (clicking a link to another site or article), or "status updates" (updating one's own Facebook status) was associated with a decrease of 5%–8% of a standard deviation in self-reported mental health. These associations were robust to multivariate cross-sectional analyses, as well as to 2-wave prospective analyses. The negative associations of Facebook use were comparable to or greater in magnitude than the positive impact of offline interactions, which suggests a possible tradeoff between offline and online relationships.</span>

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Indoor Tanning and Melanoma Risk: Long-Term Evidence From a Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Indoor tanning is associated with increased risk of melanoma, but most evidence comes from case-control studies. Using data from the Norwegian Women and Cancer Study, a large prospective cohort study, we investigated the associations of age at initiation of indoor tanning, duration of tanning-device use, and dose response with melanoma risk and examined the role of indoor tanning in age at melanoma diagnosis. We used Poisson regression to estimate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for the relationship of indoor tanning to melanoma risk and linear regression to examine age of indoor tanning initiation in relation to age at diagnosis. During follow-up of 141,045 women (1991–2012; mean duration follow-up = 13.7 years), 861 women were diagnosed with melanoma. Melanoma risk increased with increasing cumulative number of tanning sessions (for highest tertile of use vs. never use, adjusted relative risk = 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 1.63); <span style="font-style:italic;">P</span>-trend = 0.006. Age at initiation <30 years was associated with a higher risk in comparison with never use (adjusted relative risk = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.59). Moreover, women who started indoor tanning prior to 30 years of age were 2.2 years (95% CI: 0.9, 3.4) younger at diagnosis, on average, than never users. This cohort study provides strong evidence of a dose-response association between indoor tanning and risk of melanoma and supports the hypothesis that vulnerability to the harmful effects of indoor tanning is greater at a younger age.</span>

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Ghiasvand et al. Respond to “Indoor Tanning—A Melanoma Accelerator?”

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Invited Commentary: Indoor Tanning—A Melanoma Accelerator?

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>In this issue of the <span style="font-style:italic;">Journal</span>, Ghiasvand et al. (<span style="font-style:italic;">Am J Epidemiol.</span> 2017;185(3):147–156) present results from a longitudinal study of the association between indoor tanning and melanoma in a large cohort of Norwegian women. These new data further support previous findings on the damaging effects of tanning bed exposure on women, particularly young women. The authors present compelling evidence that early exposure to tanning beds advances the date of diagnosis of melanoma by at least 2 years. With a strong design and a large cohort followed for a mean of 13.7 years, this study lends additional support to previous evidence of the negative effects of tanning beds and provides further justification for stronger policy initiatives designed to reduce tanning bed use among young women.</span>

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A Comprehensive Model of Colorectal Cancer by Risk Factor Status and Subsite Using Data From the Nurses’ Health Study

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>We expanded and updated our colon cancer risk model to evaluate colorectal cancer (CRC) and whether subsite-specific risk models are warranted. Using data from 1980–2010 for 90,286 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study, we performed competing-risks regression and tests for subsite heterogeneity (proximal colon: <span style="font-style:italic;">n</span> = 821; distal colon: <span style="font-style:italic;">n</span> = 521; rectum: <span style="font-style:italic;">n</span> = 376). Risk factors for CRC were consistent with those in our colon cancer model. Processed meat consumption was associated with a higher risk of distal (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.45; <span style="font-style:italic;">P</span> = 0.02) but not proximal (HR = 0.95; <span style="font-style:italic;">P</span> = 0.72) colon cancer. Smoking was associated with both colon (HR = 1.21) and rectal (HR = 1.27) cancer and was more strongly associated with proximal (HR = 1.31) than with distal (HR = 1.04) colon cancer (<span style="font-style:italic;">P</span> = 0.029). We observed a significant trend of cancer risk for smoking in subsites from the cecum (HR = 1.41) to the proximal colon (excluding the cecum; HR = 1.27) to the distal colon (HR = 1.04; <span style="font-style:italic;">P</span> for trend = 0.040). The <span style="font-style:italic;">C</span> statistics for colorectal (<span style="font-style:italic;">C</span> = 0.607), colon (<span style="font-style:italic;">C</span> = 0.603), and rectal (<span style="font-style:italic;">C</span> = 0.639) cancer were similar, although <span style="font-style:italic;">C</span> was slightly higher for rectal cancer. Despite evidence for site-specific differences for several risk factors, overall our findings support the application of risk prediction models for colon cancer to CRC.</span>

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Causal Effect of Genetic Variants Associated With Body Mass Index on Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors. Recent studies indicate that childhood and adolescent obesity double the risk of MS, but this association may reflect unmeasured confounders rather than causal effects of obesity. We used separate-sample Mendelian randomization to estimate the causal effect of body mass index (BMI) on susceptibility to MS. Using data from non-Hispanic white members of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Plan of Northern California (KPNC) (2006–2014; 1,104 cases of MS and 10,536 controls) and a replication data set from Sweden (the Epidemiological Investigation of MS (EIMS) and the Genes and Environment in MS (GEMS) studies, 2005–2013; 5,133 MS cases and 4,718 controls), we constructed a weighted genetic risk score using 97 variants previously established to predict BMI. Results were adjusted for birth year, sex, education, smoking status, ancestry, and genetic predictors of MS. Estimates in KPNC and Swedish data sets suggested that higher genetically induced BMI predicted greater susceptibility to MS (odds ratio = 1.13, 95% confidence interval: 1.04, 1.22 for the KPNC sample; odds ratio = 1.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.15 for the Swedish sample). Although the mechanism remains unclear, to our knowledge, these findings support a causal effect of increased BMI on susceptibility to MS for the first time, and they suggest a role for inflammatory pathways that characterize both obesity and the MS disease process.</span>

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Prevalence of Masked Hypertension Among US Adults With Nonelevated Clinic Blood Pressure

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Masked hypertension (MHT), defined as nonelevated blood pressure (BP) in the clinic setting and elevated BP assessed by ambulatory monitoring, is associated with increased risk of target organ damage, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. Currently, no estimate of MHT prevalence exists for the general US population. After pooling data from the Masked Hypertension Study (<span style="font-style:italic;">n</span> = 811), a cross-sectional clinical investigation of systematic differences between clinic BP and ambulatory BP (ABP) in a community sample of employed adults in the New York City metropolitan area (2005–2012), and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2005–2010; <span style="font-style:italic;">n</span> = 9,316), an ongoing nationally representative US survey, we used multiple imputation to impute ABP-defined hypertension status for NHANES participants and estimate MHT prevalence among the 139 million US adults with nonelevated clinic BP, no history of overt cardiovascular disease, and no use of antihypertensive medication. The estimated US prevalence of MHT in 2005–2010 was 12.3% of the adult population (95% confidence interval: 10.0, 14.5)—approximately 17.1 million persons aged ≥21 years. Consistent with prior research, estimated MHT prevalence was higher among older persons, males, and those with prehypertension or diabetes. To our knowledge, this study provides the first estimate of US MHT prevalence—nearly 1 in 8 adults with nonelevated clinic BP—and suggests that millions of US adults may be misclassified as not having hypertension.</span>

http://ift.tt/2jTbwOJ

Associations of Accelerometer-Measured and Self-Reported Sedentary Time With Leukocyte Telomere Length in Older Women

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Few studies have assessed the association of sedentary time with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). In a cross-sectional study conducted in 2012–2013, we examined associations of accelerometer-measured and self-reported sedentary time with LTL in a sample of 1,481 older white and African-American women from the Women's Health Initiative and determined whether associations varied by level of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). The association between sedentary time and LTL was evaluated using multiple linear regression models. Women were aged 79.2 (standard deviation, 6.7) years, on average. Self-reported sedentary time was not associated with LTL. In a model adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and health-related factors, among women at or below the median level of accelerometer-measured MVPA, those in the highest quartile of accelerometer-measured sedentary time had significantly shorter LTL than those in the lowest quartile, with an average difference of 170 base pairs (95% confidence interval: 4, 340). Accelerometer-measured sedentary time was not associated with LTL in women above the median level of MVPA. Findings suggest that, on the basis of accelerometer measurements, higher sedentary time may be associated with shorter LTL among less physically active women.</span>

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Associations of Maternal Vitamin B12 Concentration in Pregnancy With the Risks of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Vitamin B12 (hereafter referred to as B12) deficiency in pregnancy is prevalent and has been associated with both lower birth weight (birth weight <2,500 g) and preterm birth (length of gestation <37 weeks). Nevertheless, current evidence is contradictory. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of individual participant data to evaluate the associations of maternal serum or plasma B12 concentrations in pregnancy with offspring birth weight and length of gestation. Twenty-two eligible studies were identified (11,993 observations). Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis (11,216 observations). No linear association was observed between maternal B12 levels in pregnancy and birth weight, but B12 deficiency (<148 pmol/L) was associated with a higher risk of low birth weight in newborns (adjusted risk ratio = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.31). There was a linear association between maternal levels of B12 and preterm birth (per each 1-standard-deviation increase in B12, adjusted risk ratio = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.97). Accordingly, B12 deficiency was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth (adjusted risk ratio = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.49). This finding supports the need for randomized controlled trials of vitamin B12 supplementation in pregnancy.</span>

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Maternal Concentrations of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Fetal Markers of Metabolic Function and Birth Weight The Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous, persistent chemicals that have been widely used in the production of common household and consumer goods for their nonflammable, lipophobic, and hydrophobic properties. Inverse associations between maternal or umbilical cord blood concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonate and birth weight have been identified. This literature has primarily examined each PFAS individually without consideration of the potential influence of correlated exposures. Further, the association between PFAS exposures and indicators of metabolic function (i.e., leptin and adiponectin) has received limited attention. We examined associations between first-trimester maternal plasma PFAS concentrations and birth weight and cord blood concentrations of leptin and adiponectin using data on 1,705 mother-infant pairs from the Maternal Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a trans-Canada birth cohort study that recruited women between 2008 and 2011. Bayesian hierarchical models were used to quantify associations and calculate credible intervals. Maternal perfluorooctanoic acid concentrations were inversely associated with birth weight <span style="font-style:italic;">z</span> score, though the null value was included in all credible intervals (log₁₀ β = −0.10, 95% credible interval: −0.34, 0.13). All associations between maternal PFAS concentrations and cord blood adipocytokine concentrations were of small magnitude and centered around the null value. Follow-up in a cohort of children is required to determine how the observed associations manifest in childhood.</span>

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Tracing a Path to the Past: Exploring the Use of Commercial Credit Reporting Data to Construct Residential Histories for Epidemiologic Studies of Environmental Exposures

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Large-scale environmental epidemiologic studies often rely on exposure estimates based on linkage to residential addresses. This approach, however, is limited by the lack of residential histories typically available for study participants. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of using address data from LexisNexis (a division of RELX, Inc., Dayton, Ohio), a commercially available credit reporting company, to construct residential histories for participants in the California Teachers Study (CTS), a prospective cohort study initiated in 1995–1996 to study breast cancer (<span style="font-style:italic;">n</span> = 133,479). We evaluated the degree to which LexisNexis could provide retrospective addresses prior to study enrollment, as well as the concordance with existing prospective CTS addresses ascertained at the time of the completion of 4 self-administered questionnaires. For approximately 80% of CTS participants, LexisNexis provided at least 1 retrospective address, including nearly 25,000 addresses completely encompassed by time periods prior to enrollment. This approach more than doubled the proportion of the study population for whom we had an address of residence during the childbearing years—an important window of susceptibility for breast cancer risk. While overall concordance between the prospective addresses contained in these 2 data sources was good (85%), it was diminished among black women and women under the age of 40 years.</span>

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Novel molecular insights into the function and the antioxidative stress response of a Peroxiredoxin Q protein from Cyanobacteria

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2017
Source:Free Radical Biology and Medicine
Author(s): Vijay Tailor, Anand Ballal
The PeroxiredoxinQ (PrxQ) proteins are thiol-based peroxidases that are important for maintaining redox homeostasis in several organisms. Activity of PrxQs is mediated by two cysteines, peroxidatic (Cp) and resolving (Cr), in association with a reducing partner. A PrxQ, Alr3183, from the cyanobacterium, Anabaena PCC 7120, was characterized in this study. Alr3183, which required thioredoxin A (TrxA) for peroxidase activity, was an intramolecular disulfide bond-containing monomeric protein. However, Alr3183 lacking Cp (Alr3183C46S) or Cr (Alr3183C51S) formed intermolecular disulphide linkages and was dimeric. Alr3183C46S was completely inactive, while Alr3183C51S required higher concentration of TrxA for peroxidase activity. Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed that unlike Alr3183 or Alr3183C46S, Alr3183C51S bound rather poorly to TrxA. Also, compared to the oxidized protein, the DTT-treated (reduced) Alr3183 displayed decreased interaction with TrxA. In vivo, Alr3183 was found to be induced in response to γ-radiation. On exposure to H2O2, Anabaena strain over-expressing Alr3183 showed reduced formation of ROS, intact photosynthetic pigments and consequently better survival than the wild-type, whereas overproduction of Alr3183C46S did not provide any protection. Significantly, this study (1) reveals the importance of Cr for interaction with thioredoxins and (2) demonstrates that over-expression of PrxQs can protect cyanobacteria from oxidative stresses.

Graphical abstract

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Combined p16 and p53 expression in cervical cancer of unknown primary and other prognostic parameters

Abstract

Background and purpose

Cervical cancer of unknown primary (CUP) represents an uncommon and heterogeneous subentity of head and neck cancer. However, both optimal diagnostics and therapy remain unclear. An improved understanding of the underlying pathology is essential to enable future tailored therapies and optimized outcomes.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analyzed 53 patients with head and neck CUP and 48 available cervical lymph node specimens. All patients have received radiotherapy between 2007 and 2015. Preradiotherapy involved lymph node specimens were analyzed for p16 and p53 immunoreactivity. The prognostic relevance of the combined p16 and p53 status and other clinical parameters were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Median patient age was 61.5 years and median irradiation dose to the involved nodal levels was 66 Gy. Of the 48 evaluated specimens, 13 (27%) were p16-positive and 31 (64.6%) p53-positive. After a median follow up of 32.9 months, patients with p16-negative and simultaneously p53-positive tumors showed a significantly inferior tumor-specific survival (TSS) compared to those with either p16+/p53−, p16+/p53+, or p16−/p53− (univariate: p = 0.055, multivariate: p = 0.038). Other factors with an adverse impact on TSS in the univariate analysis were smoking history (p = 0.032) and nodal stage (p = 0.038).

Conclusions

The combined p16- and p53-expression status in cervical metastases of CUP may represent a simple method for risk stratification. Further validation of these biomarkers in large prospective trials is essential to design rational trials for CUP treatment optimization.

http://ift.tt/2kRA9Jy