Publication date: 15 July 2017
Source:Chemical Engineering Journal, Volume 320
Author(s): Grzegorz Boczkaj, André Fernandes
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been used as an alternative and effective option for treatment of industrial wastewater, especially in the case of the non-biodegradable compounds. Despite of several well developed AOPs, the majority of them are effective only at acidic or neutral pH, namely Fenton related processes, making the list of available effective advanced oxidation technologies strongly limited. In many cases, industrial effluents are formed at basic pH conditions. This paper reviews the state of the art of AOPs exclusively at alkaline pH, the type of compounds and effluents effectively degraded, the influence of pH on the efficiency of the processes, economic evaluation and degradation pathways. Spent caustic, polyester and acetate fiber dye effluents, phenol, acidic and sulfur based compounds, specific dyes and drugs were effectively degraded at basic pH. Factors like point of zero charge, pKa of the compounds, amount of radicals produced and activation of the oxidants are crucial factors that affect the treatment efficiency of AOPs at basic pH. H2O2 and O3 were the cheapest processes while peroxone was the most expensive. The treatment costs were in general too expensive and unrealistic using the methodology used in the literature. The alternative methodology proposed in this paper reduced the treatment costs by three orders of magnitude to values more realistic and economical feasible. Literature regarding treatment of real effluents using AOPs at basic pH is scarce and further research is needed to perform complete analysis. It is important to present some alternatives regarding the treatment of alkaline effluents without pH correction using such technologies.
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Δευτέρα 27 Μαρτίου 2017
Wastewater treatment by means of advanced oxidation processes at basic pH conditions: A review
Spatial analysis of trace elements in a moss bio-monitoring data over France by accounting for source, protocol and environmental parameters
Publication date: 15 July 2017
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volumes 590–591
Author(s): Emeline Lequy, Nicolas P.A. Saby, Ilia Ilyin, Aude Bourin, Stéphane Sauvage, Sébastien Leblond
Air pollution in trace elements (TE) remains a concern for public health in Europe. For this reasons, networks of air pollution concentrations or exposure are deployed, including a moss bio-monitoring programme in Europe. Spatial determinants of TE concentrations in mosses remain unclear. In this study, the French dataset of TE in mosses is analyzed by spatial autoregressive model to account for spatial structure of the data and several variables proven or suspected to affect TE concentrations in mosses. Such variables include source (atmospheric deposition and soil concentrations), protocol (sampling month, collector, and moss species), and environment (forest type and canopy density, distance to the coast or the highway, and elevation). Modeled atmospheric deposition was only available for Cd and Pb and was one of the main explanatory variables of the concentrations in mosses. Predicted soil content was also an important explanatory variable except for Cr, Ni, and Zn. However, the moss species was the main factor for all the studied TE. The other environmental variables affected differently the TE. In particular, the forest type and canopy density were important in most cases. These results stress the need for further research on the effect of the moss species on the capture and retention of TE, as well as for accounting for several variables and the spatial structure of the data in statistical analyses.
Graphical abstract
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Risk of Cerebrovascular Events in 178 962 Five-Year Survivors of Cancer Diagnosed at 15 to 39 Years of Age: The TYACSS (Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study).
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Site Principal Investigators in Multicenter Clinical Trials: Appropriately Recognizing Key Contributors.
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Public Health Urgency Created by the Success of Mechanical Thrombectomy Studies in Stroke.
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The Development of Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation: A Conversation With Melvin A. Scheinman, MD.
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Increased Risk of Cerebrovascular Events in Young Cancer Survivors: The Downside of Surviving Cancer.
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Age-Specific Trends in Incidence, Mortality, and Comorbidities of Heart Failure in Denmark, 1995 to 2012.
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Trends in Heart Failure Incidence in the Community: A Gathering Storm.
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Value-Based Payments Likely to Survive Affordable Care Act Repeal: Coverage, Patient Protections May Be at Risk.
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National Trends in Atrial Fibrillation Hospitalization, Readmission, and Mortality for Medicare Beneficiaries, 1999-2013.
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Augmentation of Muscle Blood Flow by Ultrasound Cavitation Is Mediated by ATP and Purinergic Signaling.
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Loss of Endothelial CXCR7 Impairs Vascular Homeostasis and Cardiac Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction: Implications for Cardiovascular Drug Discovery.
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Estimating Longitudinal Risks and Benefits From Cardiovascular Preventive Therapies Among Medicare Patients: The Million Hearts Longitudinal ASCVD Risk Assessment Tool: A Special Report From the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.
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Edoxaban for the Prevention of Thromboembolism in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Bioprosthetic Valves.
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Letter by Kalavrouziotis et al Regarding Article, "Temporal Trends in Predictors of Early and Late Mortality After Emergency Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction".
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Response by Davierwala and Leontyev to Letter Regarding Article, "Temporal Trends in Predictors of Early and Late Mortality after Emergency Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction".
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Letter by Koh Regarding Articles, "Predicting the 10-Year Risks of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Chinese Population: The China-PAR Project (Prediction for ASCVD Risk in China)" and "Distribution of Estimated 10-Year Risk of Recurrent Vascular Events and Residual Risk in a Secondary Prevention Population".
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Response by Kaasenbrood et al to Letter Regarding Article, "Distribution of Estimated 10-Year Risk of Recurrent Vascular Events and Residual Risk in a Secondary Prevention Population".
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Response by Yang and Gu to Letter Regarding Article, "Predicting the 10-Year Risks of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Chinese Population: The China-PAR Project (Prediction for ASCVD Risk in China)".
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Correction to: Estimating Longitudinal Risks and Benefits From Cardiovascular Preventive Therapies Among Medicare Patients: The Million Hearts Longitudinal ASCVD Risk Assessment Tool: A Special Report From the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.
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Assessment of the impacts of aromatic VOC emissions and yields of SOA on SOA concentrations with the air quality model RAMS-CMAQ
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 158
Author(s): Jialin Li, Meigen Zhang, Fangkun Wu, Yele Sun, Guiqian Tang
The secondary organic aerosol (SOA) concentration is generally underestimated by models. Recent studies suggest that the underprediction is related to underestimations of aromatic volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and SOA yields in current models. Here, the impacts of these two factors in China were investigated with the regional air quality modeling system RAMS-CMAQ, referring to field observations during the episode from October 14 to November 14, 2014. Comparisons between the observed and modeled SOA of four sensitivity simulation cases indicated the significant impacts of the two underestimated factors on the SOA output. By considering these two aspects, the simulated mean SOA concentrations significantly increased by nearly 4 times with a good representation of the intensively temporal variations of concentrations, which were largely controlled by photochemical processes rather than meteorological conditions. The improvement in SOA compensated for the underestimations by approximately 23.5% and contributed to the mean fraction of SOA to organic aerosol (OA) by increasing the fraction from less than 7% to more than 25%, which was closer to the observed result. These results suggested a more reasonable and more realistic representation of SOA formation in the model after allowing for the two factors. Due to the better simulation of SOA, predictions of OA were correspondingly improved when the correlation coefficient increased from 0.57 to 0.73 and other bias parameters were reduced, which indicated the improved ability of our model to trace the temporal variations of OA. Based on the improved simulation throughout the episode, the mean SOA concentration was obviously higher in eastern China than in the west. The highest concentration appeared in the Sichuan Basin and Pearl River Delta (PRD) areas, with values of 6–11 μg/m3 and 8–17 μg/m3, respectively. Over the wide regions of central and eastern China, the dominant component in SOA was formed from anthropogenic sources (ASOA), generally accounting for more than 60%.
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Meteorological constraints on characteristics of daily dustfall in Xi'an
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 158
Author(s): Yan Yan, Hongyun Chen, Lianji Liang, Long Ma, Xingxing Liu, Haijiao Liu, Youbin Sun
Dust deposition is a crucial link of dust cycle that is less constrained in model studies. This study acquired profiles of flux and size distribution of daily dustfall from 2012 to 2013 in Xi'an on the southern Chinese Loess Plateau. On this basis, we made quantitative estimates of dust contribution from particular sources and processes, which provides important boundary conditions for model studies. Regrouping the data into transport- and source-limited deposition scenarios, we revealed that besides precipitation extreme wind speed and average relative humidity are the primary meteorological constraints in the transport- and source-limited scenarios, respectively. Stronger extreme wind speed promotes higher flux and deposition of dust >16 μm, corroborating previous interpretations of variation of flux and grain size of aeolian deposits. However, higher average relative humidity favors lower flux and deposition of dust <16 μm, which is a deposition process not recognized before, and is possibly due to hygroscopicity of mineral dust or the influence of water vapor on air convection. Elucidating this process in future studies might substantially improve model performance on dust deposition.
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An assessment of 10-year NOAA aircraft-based tropospheric ozone profiling in Colorado
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 158
Author(s): Mark Leonard, Irina Petropavlovskikh, Meiyun Lin, Audra McClure-Begley, Bryan J. Johnson, Samuel J. Oltmans, David Tarasick
The Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network Aircraft Program at NOAA has sampled ozone and other atmospheric trace constituents in North America for over a decade (2005-present). The method to derive tropospheric ozone climatology from the light aircraft measurements equipped with the 2B Technology instruments is described in this paper. Since ozone instruments at most of aircraft locations are flown once a month, this raises the question of whether the sampling frequency allows for deriving a climatology that can adequately represent ozone seasonal and vertical variability over various locations. Here we interpret the representativeness of the tropospheric ozone climatology derived from these under-sampled observations using hindcast simulations conducted with the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory chemistry-climate model (GFDL-AM3). We first focus on ozone measurements from monthly aircraft profiles over the Front Range of Colorado and weekly ozonesondes launched in Boulder, Colorado. The climatology is presented as monthly values separated in 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 95th percentiles, and averaged at three vertical layers: lower (1.6–3 km), middle (3–6 km), and upper (6–8 km) troposphere. The aircraft-based climatology is compared to the climatology derived from the nearest located ozonesondes launched from Boulder, Colorado, from GFDL-AM3 co-sampled in time with in-situ observations, and from GFDL-AM3 continuous 3-h samples. Based on these analyses, we recommend the sampling frequency to obtain adequate representation of ozone climatology in the free troposphere. The 3-h sampled AM3 model is used as a benchmark reference for the under-sampled time series. We find that the minimal number of soundings required per month for the all altitude bins (1.6–3, 3–6, and 6–8 km) to sufficiently match the 95% confidence level of the fully sampled monthly ozone means vary between 3 and 5 sounding per month, except in August with a minimum of 6 soundings per month. The middle altitude bin required the least number of samplings per month. We determine the reasonably good agreement between the ozonesondes and aircraft measurements near Boulder suggest that valuable climatologies could be developed from the aircraft sites where no ozonesondes exist even though the aircraft measurements are more limited in number than the ozonesondes. When averaged over a number of years the aircraft data provide valuable information. More frequent sampling could tell us more but the measurements given would indicate that they can provide interesting climatological results.
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Parameters determining the use of zeolite 5A as collector medium in passive flux samplers to estimate N 2 O emissions from livestock sources
Abstract
The present study analyzes the effect of parameters that determine the use of the zeolite 5A as collector medium in passive flux samplers (PFS) developed to estimate N2O emissions from livestock buildings. The study analyzes the mass of N2O collected on the zeolite 5A as a function of gas flow rate (40 and 130 ml/min), inlet mass of N2O to the PFS (from 7 to 84 μg), adsorbent mass (4 and 13.6 g), length of the adsorbent bed (1.9 and 10.9 cm), and inlet N2O concentration (0.6 and 2 ppmv). The mass of N2O collected on the zeolite 5A ranged from 1.24 to 6.19 μg of N2O/g of adsorbent, which was mainly affected by inlet N2O concentration and mass of adsorbent contained in the PFS. The mass of N2O collected presented a significant relationship with the inlet N2O concentration and the adsorbent bed. Tests were performed using PFS in a laboratory farm under semi-real conditions. It was found that at sampling time of 1.5 h, the accuracy and precision of PFS was appropriate. Under evaluated conditions, a maximum variation between PFS and direct detection of around 12% was estimated.
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Dissipation of chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos-methyl and indoxacarb—insecticides used to control codling moth ( Cydia Pomonella L.) and leafrollers ( Tortricidae ) in apples for production of baby food
Abstract
Dissipations of three insecticides: chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos-methyl and indoxacarb in apples were studied following their foliar application on apples intended for production of baby food. The apples were sprayed with formulations for control of codling moth (Cydia Pomonella L.) and leafrollers (Tortricidae). Six experiments were conducted; each insecticide was applied individually on dessert apples. A validated gas chromatography-based method with simultaneous electron capture and nitrogen–phosphorus detection (GC-ECD/NPD) was used for the residue analysis. The analytical performance of the method was satisfactory, with expanded uncertainties ≤36% (a coverage factor, k = 2, and a confidence level of 95%). The dissipations of insecticides were studied in pseudo-first-order kinetic models (for which the coefficient of determination, R 2 , ranged between 0.9188 and 0.9897). Residues of studied insecticides were below their maximum residue limits of 0.5 mg/kg at an early stage of growth of the fruit. The half-lives of chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos-methyl and indoxacarb were 16–17, 4–6 and 20–24 days, respectively. The initial residue levels declined gradually and reached the level of 0.01 mg/kg in 1 month for chlorpyrifos-methyl, 2 months for chlorantraniliprole and 2.5 months for indoxacarb. To obtain the insecticide residue levels below 0.01 mg/kg, which is the default MRL for food intended for infants and young children, the application of the studied insecticides should be carried out at recommended doses not later then: 1 month before harvest for chlorpyrifos-methyl, 2 months for chlorantraniliprole and 2.5 months for indoxacarb.
http://ift.tt/2obkAyD
Bolstering cholesteryl ester hydrolysis in liver: A hepatocyte-targeting gene delivery strategy for potential alleviation of atherosclerosis
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 130
Author(s): Hongliang He, Michael G. Lancina, Jing Wang, William J. Korzun, Hu Yang, Shobha Ghosh
Current atherosclerosis treatment strategies primarily focus on limiting further cholesteryl esters (CE) accumulation by reducing endogenous synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. No therapy is currently available to enhance the removal of CE, a crucial step to reduce the burden of the existing disease. Given the central role of hepatic cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH) in the intrahepatic hydrolysis of CE and subsequent removal of the resulting free cholesterol (FC), in this work, we applied galactose-functionalized polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer generation 5 (Gal-G5) for hepatocyte-specific delivery of CEH expression vector. The data presented herein show the increased specific uptake of Gal-G5/CEH expression vector complexes (simply Gal-G5/CEH) by hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the upregulated CEH expression in the hepatocytes significantly enhanced the intracellular hydrolysis of high density lipoprotein-associated CE (HDL-CE) and subsequent conversion/secretion of hydrolyzed FC as bile acids (BA). The increased CEH expression in the liver significantly increased the flux of HDL-CE to biliary as well as fecal FC and BA. Meanwhile, Gal-G5 did not induce hepatic or renal toxicity. It was also not immunotoxic. Because of these encouraging pre-clinical testing results, using this safe and highly efficient hepatocyte-specific gene delivery platform to enhance the hepatic processes involved in cholesterol elimination is a promising strategy for the alleviation of atherosclerosis.
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Nrf-2-driven long noncoding RNA ODRUL contributes to modulating silver nanoparticle-induced effects on erythroid cells
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 130
Author(s): Ming Gao, Beibei Zhao, Minjun Chen, Yun Liu, Ming Xu, Zhe Wang, Sijin Liu, Chengdong Zhang
The biosafety and biological effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on human health attract increasing concern. Although considerable studies have been performed to reveal the molecular mechanisms responsible for AgNP-induced effects, the current understanding mainly focuses on oxidative stress-associated signaling pathways activated by Ag particles and/or Ag ions. However, the molecular bases underlying the activation of these stress signaling pathways have not been thoroughly elucidated yet. In the current study, we aimed to shed light on the molecular bases of AgNP-induced effects on erythroid cells from the perspective of long noncoding RNAs. We identified a long-noncoding RNA molecule, ODRUL, which was substantially enhanced in K562 erythroid cells responding to AgNPs, coupled to accelerated cell death. Further, we uncovered oxidative stress-driven Nrf2 transcriptionally promoted ODRUL expression in K562 cells. Downstream of Nrf2-ODRUL activation by AgNPs, ODRUL was recognized to interact with PI4Kα protein to modulate the activities of its targets AKT and JNK. As a result, the Bcl-2 level was negatively regulated by PI4K-AKT/JNK signaling under AgNP-induced stress, leading to enhanced cell death. Together, our findings unearthed that Nrf2-mediated lncRNA ODRUL was indispensable for AgNP-induced toxicity in erythroid cells through regulation of AKT/JNK-Bcl-2 signaling dependent on a physical interaction with PI4Kα. Thus, this study would open a new path to depict the molecular bases of AgNP-induced effects on erythroid cells.
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Risk of Gonadoblastoma Development in Patients with Turner Syndrome with Cryptic Y Chromosome Material
Abstract
Current guidelines recommend that testing for Y chromosome material should be performed only in patients with Turner syndrome harboring a marker chromosome and exhibiting virilization in order to detect individuals who are at high risk of gonadoblastoma. However, cryptic Y chromosome material is suggested to be a risk factor for gonadoblastoma in patients with Turner syndrome. Here, we aimed to estimate the frequency of cryptic Y chromosome material in patients with Turner syndrome and determine whether Y chromosome material increased the risk for development of gonadoblastoma. A total of 124 patients who were diagnosed with Turner syndrome by conventional cytogenetic techniques underwent additional molecular analysis to detect cryptic Y chromosome material. In addition, patients with Turner syndrome harboring Y chromosome cell lines had their ovaries removed prophylactically. Finally, we assessed the occurrence of gonadoblastoma in patients with Turner syndrome. Molecular analysis demonstrated that 10 patients had Y chromosome material among 118 patients without overt Y chromosome (8.5%). Six patients with overt Y chromosome and four patients with cryptic Y chromosome material underwent oophorectomy. Histopathological analysis revealed that the occurrence of gonadoblastoma in the total group was 2.4%, and gonadoblastoma occurred in one of six patients with an overt Y chromosome (16.7%) and 2 of 10 patients with cryptic Y chromosome material (20.0%). The risk of developing gonadoblastoma in patients with cryptic Y chromosome material was similar to that in patients with overt Y chromosome. Therefore, molecular screening for Y chromosome material should be recommended for all patients with Turner syndrome to detect individuals at a high risk of gonadoblastoma and to facilitate proper management of the disease.
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Human lung fibroblast-derived matrix facilitates vascular morphogenesis in 3D environment and enhances skin wound healing
Publication date: Available online 27 March 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Ping Du, Muhammad Suhaeri, Sang Su Ha, Seung Ja Oh, Sang Heon Kim, Kwideok Park
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial to many aspects of vascular morphogenesis and maintenance of vasculature function. Currently the recapitulation of angiogenic ECM microenvironment is still challenging, due mainly to its diverse components and complex organization. Here we investigate the angiogenic potential of human lung fibroblast-derived matrix (hFDM) in creating a three-dimensional (3D) vascular construct. hFDM was obtained via decellularization of in vitro cultured human lung fibroblasts and analyzed via immunofluorescence staining and ELISA, which detect multiple ECM macromolecules and angiogenic growth factors (GFs). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) morphology was more elongated and better proliferative on hFDM than on gelatin-coated substrate. To prepare 3D construct, hFDM is collected, quantitatively analyzed, and incorporated in collagen hydrogel (Col) with HUVECs. Capillary-like structure (CLS) formation at 7 day was significantly better with the groups containing higher doses of hFDM compared to the Col group (control). Moreover, the group (Col/hFDM/GFs) with both hFDM and angiogenic GFs (VEGF, bFGF, SDF-1) showed the synergistic activity on CLS formation and found much larger capillary lumen diameters with time. Further analysis of hFDM via angiogenesis antibody array kit reveals abundant biochemical cues, such as angiogenesis-related cytokines, GFs, and proteolytic enzymes. Significantly up-regulated expression of VE-cadherin and ECM-specific integrin subunits was also noticed in Col/hFDM/GFs. In addition, transplantation of Col/hFMD/GFs with HUVECs in skin wound model presents more effective re-epithelialization, many regenerated hair follicles, better transplanted cells viability, and advanced neovascularization. We believe that current system is a very promising platform for 3D vasculature construction in vitro and for cell delivery toward therapeutic applications in vivo.Statement of SignificanceFunctional 3D vasculature construction in vitro is still challenging due to the difficulty of recapitulating the complex angiogenic extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. Herein, we present a simple and practical method to create an angiogenic 3D environment via incorporation of human lung fibroblast-derived matrix (hFDM) into collagen hydrogel. We found that hFDM offers a significantly improved angiogenic microenvironment for HUVECs on 2D substrates and in 3D construct. A synergistic effect of hFDM and angiogenic growth factors has been well confirmed in 3D condition. The prevascularized 3D collagen constructs also facilitate skin wound healing. We believe that current system should be a convenient and powerful platform in engineering 3D vasculature in vitro, and in delivering cells for therapeutic purposes in vivo.
Graphical abstract
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3D high-resolution two-photon crosslinked hydrogel structures for biological studies
Publication date: Available online 27 March 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Laura Brigo, Anna Urciuolo, Stefano Giulitti, Gioia Della Giustina, Maximilian Tromayer, Robert Liska, Nicola Elvassore, Giovanna Brusatin
Hydrogels are widely used as matrices for cell growth due to the their tuneable chemical and physical properties, which mimic the extracellular matrix of natural tissue. The microfabrication of hydrogels into arbitrarily complex 3D structures is becoming essential for numerous biological applications, and in particular for investigating the correlation between cell shape and cell function in a 3D environment. Micrometric and sub-micrometric resolution hydrogel scaffolds are required to deeply investigate molecular mechanisms behind cell-matrix interaction and downstream cellular processes. We report the design and development of high resolution 3D gelatin hydrogel woodpile structures by two-photon crosslinking. Hydrated structures of lateral linewidth down to 0.5 µm, lateral and axial resolution down to a few µm are demonstrated. According to the processing parameters, different degrees of polymerization are obtained, resulting in hydrated scaffolds of variable swelling and deformation. The 3D hydrogels are biocompatible and promote cell adhesion and migration. Interestingly, according to the polymerization degree, 3D hydrogel woodpile structures show variable extent of cell adhesion and invasion. Human BJ cell lines show capability of deforming 3D micrometric resolved hydrogel structures.Statement of significanceThe design and development of high resolution 3D gelatin hydrogel woodpile structures by two-photon crosslinking is reported. Significantly, topological and mechanical conditions for polymerized gelatin structures were suitable for cell accommodation in the volume of the woodpiles, leading to a cell density per unit area comparable to the bare substrate. The fabricated structures, presenting micrometric features of high resolution, are actively deformed by cells, both in terms of cell invasion within rods and of cell attachment in-between contiguous woodpiles. Possible biological targets for this 3D approach are customized 3D tissue models, or studies of cell adhesion, deformation and migration.
Graphical abstract
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Regional mechanical properties of human brain tissue for computational models of traumatic brain injury
Publication date: Available online 27 March 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): John D. Finan, Sowmya N. Sundaresh, Benjamin S. Elkin, Guy M. McKhann, Barclay Morrison
To determine viscoelastic shear moduli, stress relaxation indentation tests were performed on samples of human brain tissue resected in the course of epilepsy surgery. Through the use of a 500µm diameter indenter, regional mechanical properties were measured in cortical grey and white matter and subregions of the hippocampus. All regions were highly viscoelastic. Cortical grey matter was significantly more compliant than the white matter or hippocampus which were similar in modulus. Although shear modulus was not correlated with the age of the donor, cortex from male donors was significantly stiffer than from female donors. The presented material properties will help to populate finite element models of the brain as they become more anatomically detailed.Statement of Significance:We present the first mechanical characterization of fresh, post-operative human brain tissue using an indentation loading mode. Indentation generates highly localized data, allowing structure-specific mechanical properties to be determined from small tissue samples resected during surgery. It also avoids pitfalls of cadaveric tissue and allows data to be collected before degenerative processes alter mechanical properties. To correctly predict traumatic brain injury, finite element models must calculate intracranial deformation during head impact. The functional consequences of injury depend on the anatomical structures injured. Therefore, morbidity depends on the distribution of deformation across structures. Accurate prediction of structure-specific deformation requires structure-specific mechanical properties. This data will facilitate deeper understanding of the physical mechanisms that lead to traumatic brain injury.
Graphical abstract
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Two-photon polymerization for production of human iPSC-derived retinal cell grafts
Publication date: Available online 27 March 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Kristan S. Worthington, Luke A. Wiley, Emily E. Kaalberg, Malia M. Collins, Robert F. Mullins, Edwin M. Stone, Budd A. Tucker
Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology have paved the way for the production of patient-specific neurons that are ideal for autologous cell replacement for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In the case of retinal degeneration and associated photoreceptor cell therapy, polymer scaffolds are critical for cellular survival and integration; however, prior attempts to materialize this concept have been unsuccessful in part due to the materials' inability to guide cell alignment. In this work, we used two-photon polymerization to create 180 μm wide non-degradable prototype photoreceptor scaffolds with varying pore sizes, slicing distances, hatching distances and hatching types. Hatching distance and hatching type were significant factors for the error of vertical pore diameter, while slicing distance and hatching type most affected the integrity and geometry of horizontal pores. We optimized printing parameters in terms of structural integrity and printing time in order to create 1 mm wide scaffolds for cell loading studies. We fabricated these larger structures directly on a porous membrane with 3 µm diameter pores and seeded them with human iPSC-derived retinal progenitor cells. After two days in culture, cells nested in and extended neuronal processes parallel to the vertical pores of the scaffolds, with maximum cell loading occurring in 25 μm diameter pores. These results highlight the feasibility of using this technique as part of an autologous stem cell strategy for restoring vision to patients affected with retinal degenerative diseases.Significance StatementCell replacement therapy is an important goal for investigators aiming to restore neural function to those suffering from neurodegenerative disease. Cell delivery scaffolds are frequently necessary for the success of such treatments, but traditional biomaterials often fail to facilitate the neuronal orientation and close packing needed to recapitulate the in vivo environment. Here, we use two-photon polymerization to create prototype cell scaffolds with densely packed vertical pores for photoreceptor cell loading and small, interconnected horizontal pores for nutrient diffusion. This study offers a thorough characterization of how two-photon polymerization parameters affect final structural outcomes and printing time. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of using two-photon polymerization to create scaffolds that can align neuronal cells in 3D and are large enough to be used for transplantation. In future work, these scaffolds could comprise biodegradable materials with tunable microstructure, elastic modulus and degradation time; a significant step towards a promising treatment option for those suffering from late-stage neurodegeneration, including retinal degenerative blindness.
Graphical abstract
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Effect of e-beam sterilization on the in-vivo performance of conventional UHMWPE tibial plates for total knee arthroplasty.
Publication date: Available online 27 March 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Shine Tone, Masahiro Hasegawa, Giuseppe Pezzotti, Leonardo Puppulin, Akihiro Sudo
Although the introduction of highly cross-linked polyethylene is effective in reducing the amount of wear, there are still major concerns regarding the use of this material in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), essentially due to the reduction of fatigue resistance and toughness. Monitoring the in-vivo performance of different types of UHMWPE is a much needed task to tackle the lack of information on which should be the most reliable choice for TKA. The present study was aimed at investigating the mid-term degradation of electron beam sterilized conventional UHMWPE tibial plates. Visual inspection enabled to grade the surface damage of 12 retrievals according to the Hood's score: the total wear damage correlates to the in-vivo time (Spearman's ρ=0.681, p<0.05) and BMI (ρ=0.834, p<0.001). Surface degradation was less severe than that quantified in similar studies on γ-sterilized UHMWPE. Raman and infra-red spectroscopies were utilized to unfold the microstructural modifications. In the load zone, polyethylene whitened damage regions were noticed in the inserts implanted longer than 1 year, in which oxidation index (OI) is clearly higher than 1 (max 8). The maximum OI (ρ=0.802, p<0.005) and αc (ρ=0.816, p<0.005) correlate to the implantation time in the load zone. The crystallinity increased along with the extent of oxidation. Concentration of absorbed species from synovial fluid is higher in the contact zone and correlates to maximum OI (Spearman's ρ=0.699, p=0.011). Absorption was promoted in the contact area by the mechanical action of the femoral counterpart and it exacerbated the oxidative degradation in retrievals with high concentration of absorbed species. In the non-load zone, mild but detectable oxidation was observed, probably due to free radicals trapped after sterilization.Statement of SignificanceAlthough several clinical studies on retrieved tibial bearings have been published so far, monitoring and comparing the in-vivo performance of different types of UHMWPE is still a much needed task. The present study reports for the first time results on the effect of sterilization by electron beam on the mid-term in-vivo performance of conventional UHMWPE tibial plates. In the present investigation, visual inspection of wear damage based on the Hood's scoring method, Raman micro-spectroscopy and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy were utilized to unveil the damage, the microstructural modifications and the oxidation occurred during implantation. The findings of this investigation have been discussed and compared to previous clinical studies on γ-air sterilized, γ-inert sterilized tibial bearings.
Graphical abstract
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Raman spectroscopy of biomedical polyethylenes
Publication date: Available online 27 March 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Giuseppe Pezzotti
With the development of three-dimensional Raman algorithms for local mapping of oxidation and plastic strain, and the ability to resolve molecular orientation patterns with microscopic spatial resolution, there is an opportunity to re-examine many of the foundations on which our understanding of biomedical grade ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPEs) are based. By implementing polarized Raman spectroscopy into an automatized tool with an improved precision in non-destructively resolving Euler angles, oxidation levels, and microscopic strain, we become capable to make accurate and traceable measurements of the in vitro and in vivo tribological responses of a variety of commercially available UHMWPE bearings for artificial hip and knee joints. In this paper, we first review the foundations and the main algorithms for Raman analyses of oxidation and strain of biomedical polyethylene. Then, we critically re-examine a large body of Raman data previously collected on different polyethylene joint components after in vitro testing or in vivo service, in order to shed new light on an area of particular importance to joint orthopedics: the microscopic nature of UHMWPE surface degradation in the human body. A complex scenario of physical chemistry appears from the Raman analyses, which highlights the importance of molecular-scale phenomena besides mere microstructural changes. The availability of the Raman microscopic probe for visualizing oxidation patterns unveiled striking findings related to the chemical contribution to wear degradation: chain-breaking and subsequent formation of carboxylic acid sites preferentially occur in correspondence of third-phase regions, and they are triggered by emission of dehydroxylated oxygen from ceramic oxide counterparts. These findings profoundly differ from more popular (and simplistic) notions of mechanistic tribology adopted in analyzing joint simulator data.
Graphical abstract
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Emotion dysregulation explains the relation between insomnia symptoms and negative reinforcement smoking cognitions among daily smokers
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 72
Author(s): Brooke Y. Kauffman, Samantha G. Farris, Candice A. Alfano, Michael J. Zvolensky
IntroductionInsomnia co-occurs with smoking. However, mechanisms that may explain their comorbidity are not well known.MethodThe present study tested the hypothesis that insomnia would exert an indirect effect on negative reinforcement smoking processes via emotion dysregulation among 126 adult non-treatment seeking daily smokers (55 females; Mage=44.1years, SD=9.72). Negative reinforcement smoking processes included negative reinforcement smoking outcome expectancies, negative reinforcement smoking motives, and two negative expectancies from brief smoking abstinence (somatic symptoms and harmful consequences).ResultsInsomnia symptoms yielded a significant indirect effect through emotion dysregulation for negative reinforcement smoking outcome expectancies, negative reinforcement smoking motives, and harmful consequences expectancies from brief smoking abstinence. In contrast to prediction, however, insomnia was not associated with somatic symptom expectancies from brief smoking abstinence through emotion dysregulation.ConclusionsThese data may suggest that the indirect effect of emotion dysregulation is more relevant to cognitive-affective negative reinforcement processes rather than somatic states. Overall, the present findings contribute to a growing body of literature linking emotion dysregulation as an explanatory mechanism for insomnia and smoking and uniquely extend such work to an array of clinically significant negative reinforcement smoking processes.
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Descriptive drinking norms in Native American and non-Hispanic White college students
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 72
Author(s): Kylee J. Hagler, Matthew R. Pearson, Kamilla L. Venner, Brenna L. Greenfield
ObjectiveCollege students tend to overestimate how much their peers drink, which is associated with higher personal alcohol use. However, research has not yet examined if this phenomenon holds true among Native American (NA) college students. This study examined associations between descriptive norms and alcohol use/consequences in a sample of NA and non-Hispanic White (NHW) college students.MethodNA (n=147, 78.6% female) and NHW (n=246, 67.8% female) undergraduates completed an online survey.ResultsNAs NHWs showed similar descriptive norms such that the "typical college student," "typical NA student," and "typical NHW student" were perceived to drink more than "best friends." "Best friends" descriptive norms (i.e., estimations of how many drinks per week were consumed by participants' best friends) were the most robust predictors of alcohol use/consequences. Effect size estimates of the associations between drinking norms and participants' alcohol use were consistently positive and ranged from r=0.25 to r=0.51 across the four reference groups. Negative binomial hurdle models revealed that all descriptive norms tended to predict drinking, and "best friends" drinking norms predicted alcohol consequences. Apart from one interaction effect, likely due to familywise error rate, these associations were not qualified by interactions with racial/ethnic group.ConclusionsWe found similar patterns between NAs and NHWs both in the pattern of descriptive norms across reference groups and in the strength of associations between descriptive norms and alcohol use/consequences. Although these results suggest that descriptive norms operate similarly among NAs as other college students, additional research is needed to identify whether other norms (e.g., injunctive norms) operate similarly across NA and NHW students.
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Jia-Jian-Di-Huang-Yin-Zi decoction reduces apoptosis induced by both mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum caspase12 pathways in the mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
Publication date: 5 May 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 203
Author(s): Jingsi Zhang, Zhennian Zhang, Jie Bao, Zhonghai Yu, Min Cai, Xiangting Li, Ting Wu, Jun Xiang, Dingfang Cai
Ethnopharmacological relevanceAs a classical prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Jia-Jian-Di-Huang-Yin-Zi decoction (JJDHYZ) has been used to treat the symptoms of neurological disorders with a long history.Aim of the studyTo evaluate the effects and possible mechanisms of JJDHYZ on a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced subacute mouse model of Parkinson's disease.Materials and methodsAdult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: control, MPTP, JJDHYZ low dosage (JJDHYZ-L, 8.5g/kg/day), medium dosage (JJDHYZ-M, 17g/kg/day) and high dosage (JJDHYZ-H, 34g/kg/day). Behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of JJDHYZ. The mechanism was further explored using TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining and transmission electron microscopy. The protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, full-length caspase9, cleaved caspase9, cleaved caspase3, caspase12 and C/EBP homologous protein was assessed. The toxicity on hepatocytes and renal cells was detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.ResultsJJDHYZ-H restored the behavior performance impaired by MPTP, and reduced the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase. Additionally, it blocked the apoptosis, activated cleaved caspase3 and protected the ultrastructural integrity of mitochondria by regulating the expression of proteins in both mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) caspase12 pathways.ConclusionsJJDHYZ-H showed behavior recovery and dopamine neuron protection by inhibiting the apoptotic activities associated with mitochondrial and ER caspase12 pathways.
Graphical abstract
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IFC (Journal of Ethnopharmacology)
Publication date: 6 April 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 201
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Identifying the mechanisms through which behavioral weight-loss treatment improves food decision-making in obesity
Source:Appetite, Volume 114
Author(s): Kathryn E. Demos, Jeanne M. McCaffery, J. Graham Thomas, Kimberly A. Mailloux, Todd A. Hare, Rena R. Wing
ObjectivesBehavioral weight loss (BWL) programs are the recommended treatment for obesity, yet it is unknown whether these programs change one's ability to use self-control in food choices and what specific mechanisms support such change. Using experimental economics methods, we investigated whether changes in dietary behavior in individuals with obesity following BWL are driven by one or more of the following potential mechanisms: changes in the perception of the 1) health or 2) taste of food items, and/or 3) shifting decision weights for health versus taste attributes. Therefore, we compared these mechanisms between obese participants and lifetime normal weight controls (NW) both before and after BWL.MethodsFemales with obesity (N = 37, mean BMI = 33.2) completed a food choice task involving health ratings, taste ratings, and decision-making pre- and post-standard BWL intervention. NW controls (N = 30, BMI = 22.4) completed the same task.ResultsIndividuals with obesity exhibited increased self-control (selecting healthier, less tasty food choices) post-treatment. However, their rates of self-control remained significantly lower than NW. We found no differences in initial health perceptions across groups, and no changes with treatment. In contrast, taste ratings and the relative value of taste versus health decreased following treatment. Although, post-treatment participants continued to perceive unhealthy foods as tastier and used less self-control than NW controls, they showed significant improvements in these domains following a BWL intervention.ConclusionsTo help individuals improve dietary decisions, additional research is needed to determine how to make greater changes in taste preferences and/or the assignment of value to taste versus health attributes in food choices.
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Do emotion regulation difficulties when upset influence the association between dietary restraint and weight gain among college students?
Source:Appetite, Volume 114
Author(s): Tyler K. Hunt, Kelsie T. Forbush, Kelsey E. Hagan, Danielle A.N. Chapa
Obesity is a significant public health concern that affects more than one-fifth of adolescents aged 12–19 in the United States. Theoretical models suggest that prolonged dietary restraint leads to binge-eating behaviors, which in turn increases individuals' risk for weight gain or obesity. Results from the literature indicate a potential role for negative urgency (the tendency to act rashly when distressed) as a mediating variable that explains the link between dietary restraint and binge-eating episodes. The current study tested short-term, prospective longitudinal associations among dietary restraint, binge eating, negative urgency, and weight gain among college students – a population at increased risk for the development of overweight and obesity. We hypothesized that dietary restraint and weight gain would be mediated by negative urgency and binge eating, but only among participants with overweight and obesity. College students (N = 227) completed the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory, UPPS-P Impulsivity Scale, and self-reported weight and height to calculate body mass index. Results showed that the association between dietary restraint and weight gain was mediated by negative urgency and binge eating, but only among participants with overweight and obesity. Our findings indicated that negative urgency might represent a mechanism that explains why dietary restraint leads to future binge-eating episodes and weight gain among college students with overweight and obesity. Results suggest that future treatment and prevention programs for overweight and obesity may benefit from incorporating strategies to improve emotion regulation as a way to reduce binge eating and to prevent additional weight gain among 'at-risk' populations.
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Food neophobia and its association with intake of fish and other selected foods in a Norwegian sample of toddlers: A cross-sectional study
Source:Appetite, Volume 114
Author(s): Sissel H. Helland, Elling Bere, Helga Birgit Bjørnarå, Nina Cecilie Øverby
Reluctance to try novel foods (food neophobia) prevents toddlers from accepting healthy foods such as fish and vegetables, which are important for child development and health. Eating habits established between ages 2 and 3 years normally track into adulthood and are therefore highly influential; even so, there are few studies addressing food neophobia in this age group. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the level of food neophobia and the frequency of toddlers' intake of fish, meat, berries, fruit, vegetables, and sweet and salty snacks. Parents of 505 toddlers completed a questionnaire assessing the degree of food neophobia in their toddlers (mean age 28 months, SD ± 3.5), and frequency of intake of various foods. Food neophobia was rated by the Children's Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS, score range 6–42). Associations between CFNS score and food frequency were examined using hierarchical multiple regression models, adjusting for significant covariates. Toddlers with higher CFNS scores had less frequent intake of vegetables (β = −0.28, p < 0.001), berries (β = −0.17, p = 0.002), fruits (β = −0.16, p < 0.001), and fish (β = −0.15, p = 0.001). No significant associations were found for CFNS score and frequency of toddlers' intakes of meat or of sweet and fatty snacks. These findings suggest that food neophobia in toddlers is associated with lower diet quality, and indicate a need for intervention studies to address the food neophobia.
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Influence of product placement in children's movies on children's snack choices
Source:Appetite, Volume 114
Author(s): Callie L. Brown, Camden E. Matherne, Cynthia M. Bulik, Janna B. Howard, Sophie N. Ravanbakht, Asheley C. Skinner, Charles T. Wood, Anna M. Bardone-Cone, Jane D. Brown, Andrew J. Perrin, Cary Levine, Michael J. Steiner, Eliana M. Perrin
BackgroundMedia exposure affects health, including obesity risk. Children's movies often contain food placements—frequently unhealthy foods. However, it is not known if these cues influence children's food choices or consumption after viewing. We explored whether children's snack choices or consumption differs based on: 1) recent exposure to movies with high versus low product placement of unhealthy foods; and 2) children's weight status.MethodsChildren ages 9–11 were assigned to watch a high ("Alvin and the Chipmunks," n = 54) or low ("Stuart Little," n = 60) product-placement movie. After viewing, participants selected a snack choice from each of five categories, several of which were specifically featured in "Alvin." Uneaten snacks from each participant were weighed upon completion. Snack choice and amount consumed by movie were compared by t-tests, and differences in snack choices by movie were tested with logistic regression.ResultsParticipants consumed an average of 800.8 kcal; mean kcal eaten did not vary by movie watched. Participants who watched the high product-placement movie had 3.1 times the odds (95% CI 1.3–7.2) of choosing cheese balls (most featured snack) compared to participants who watched the low product-placement movie. Children who were overweight or obese consumed a mean of 857 kcal (95% CI: 789–925) compared to 783 kcal (95% CI: 742–823, p = 0.09) for children who were underweight or healthy weight. Children's weight status did not significantly affect their choice of snack.ConclusionsBranding and obesogenic messaging in children's movies influenced some choices that children made about snack foods immediately following viewing, especially food with greatest exposure time in the film, but did not affect total calories consumed. Future studies should examine how the accumulation of these messages affects children's long-term food choices.
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Energy and macronutrient intake over the course of the day of German adults: A DEDIPAC-study
Publication date: 1 July 2017
Source:Appetite, Volume 114
Author(s): Friederike Wittig, Eva Hummel, Germaine Wenzler, Thorsten Heuer
The aim of the study was to analyze the energy and macronutrient intake over the course of the day of selected population groups in Germany defined by sex, age, BMI, SES, and diet quality. The study was based on food consumption data from the German National Nutrition Survey II (2005–2007) assessed by two 4-day dietary weighing records of 662 women and men aged between 18 and 80 years. Energy and macronutrient intake were calculated using the German Nutrient Database 3.02 and summarized for the periods 'morning', 'midday', 'afternoon', 'evening', and 'night'. Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine differences in energy and macronutrient intake. For women and men, a three-main-meal pattern ('morning', 'midday', and 'evening') was observed, indicated as peaks in energy intake at 08:00 to 09:00, 13:00 and 19:00 o'clock. The distributions of carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake mirror the distribution of energy intake over the course of the day. The highest energy intake was found in the 'evening' period, especially in young adults, overweight persons, persons with a high SES, and men with a low diet quality. Women of the oldest age group showed a similar energy intake across the three-main-meals in contrast to young adults, who had lower peaks in the 'morning' and 'midday' periods as well as a shift to later meal times. Young adults seem to have a higher variability in energy intake and a less distinct meal pattern, while seniors have a more structured day. Because a high energy intake in the 'evening' period is associated with negative health-related factors, the distribution of energy intake should be considered by recommendations for a healthy nutritional behavior.
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The current status of pediatric radiology in India: A conference-based survey
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):73-77
Introduction: Like most other developing countries, India has a large proportion of children among its population. However, the facilities for adequate treatment of this large population is inadequate. The development of pediatric radiology as a subspecialty is still at an infant stage in India. The goal of our study was to assess the awareness about the current status of pediatric radiology in India. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was handed over to all attendees of a pediatric radiology conference to assess their opinion regarding the adequacy of pediatric training and practice in India. The questionnaire consisted of 10 multiple-choice and two descriptive questions. Descriptive statistical methods were used for analyzing the results. Results: Eighty-one out of 400 delegates responded to the questionnaire. Among these 81 respondents, 50 (61.7%) felt that exposure to pediatric cases during postgraduate course was inadequate. Sixty-three out of 81 (77.7%) respondents thought that specialized training is required for practicing pediatric radiology, and 79 respondents (97%) felt that the number of such training programmes should increase. Forty-five out of 81 respondents (55.5%) were interested in pursuing pediatric radiology as a career. Conclusion: According to the opinion of the respondents of our survey, pediatric radiology remains an underdeveloped speciality in India. Considering the proportion of the population in the pediatric age and the poor health indicators in this age group, elaborate measures, as suggested, need to be implemented to improve pediatric radiology training and the care of sick children in India.
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Presidential address
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):4-5
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Author's reply
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):111-111
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Imaging in ductal plate malformations
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):6-12
Ductal plate malformations are a heterogenous group of congenital fibrocystic liver diseases resulting from insult to the ductal plate at various stages of embryogenesis. As a result various biliary malformations, cysts, hamartomas and congenital hepatic fibrosis may be seen. We present a radiological pictorial of ductal plate malformations, accurate diagnosis of which is important for clinical management.
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Percutaneous transhepatic techniques for management of biliary anastomotic strictures in living donor liver transplant recipients
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):92-99
Aim: To retrospectively analyze the percutaneous transhepatic techniques and their outcome in the management of biliary strictures in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients. Materials and Methods: We retrieved the hospital records of 400 LDLT recipients between 2007 and 2015 and identified 45 patients with biliary strictures. Among them, 17 patients (37.8%) (Male: female = 13:4; mean age, 36.1 ± 17.5 years) treated by various percutaneous transhepatic biliary techniques alone or in combination with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were included in the study. The technical and clinical success of the percutaneous management was analyzed. Results: Anastomotic strictures associated with leak were found in 12/17 patients (70.6%). Ten out of 12 (83.3%) patients associated with leak had more than one duct-duct anastomoses (range, 2–3). The average duration of onset of stricture in patients with biliary leak was 3.97 ± 2.68 months and in patients with only strictures it was 14.03 ± 13.9 months. In 6 patients, endoscopic-guided plastic stents were placed using rendezvous technique, plastic stent was placed from a percutaneous approach in 1 patient, metallic stents were used in 2 patients, cholangioplasty was performed in 1 patient, N-butyl- 2-cyanoacrylate embolization was done in 1 child with biliary-pleural fistula, internal-external drain was placed in 1 patient, and only external drain was placed in 5 patients. Technical success was achieved in 12/17 (70.6%) and clinical success was achieved in 13/17 (76.5%) of the patients. Posttreatment mean time of follow-up was 19.4 ± 13.7 months. Five patients (29.4%) died (two acute rejections, one metabolic acidosis, and two sepsis). Conclusions: Percutaneous biliary techniques are effective treatment options with good outcome in LDLT patients with biliary complications.
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Multimodality imaging of adult gastric emergencies: A pictorial review
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):13-22
Acute gastric emergencies require urgent surgical or nonsurgical intervention because they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Imaging plays an important role in diagnosis since the clinical symptoms are often nonspecific and radiologist may be the first one to suggest a diagnosis as the imaging findings are often characteristic. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of multimodality imaging (plain radiograph, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography) of various life threatening gastric emergencies.
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Spectrum of pulmonary valve morphology and its relationship to pulmonary trunk in tetralogy of Fallot
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):65-69
Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a complex congenital heart disease with anatomic variations. Although the pulmonary valve in TOF is abnormal, it has not been studied well, especially on newer imaging modalities such as multidetector computed tomography (CT), which gives excellent anatomic detail. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the morphology of pulmonary valve in TOF on CT and evaluate its association with the degree of hypoplasia of infundibulum and pulmonary trunk. Materials and Methods: The cardiac CT scans of 30 patients with TOF were reviewed to evaluate the morphology of the pulmonary valve, infundibulum, and pulmonary arteries. Fisher's exact test was performed to examine the association between pulmonary valve morphology and degree of hypoplasia of the infundibulum and pulmonary trunk. Results: 16.7% of patients with TOF had pulmonary atresia. The prevalence of tricuspid, bicuspid, and absent valves were 10%, 53.3% and 6.7%, respectively. In another 13.3% of patients, although valve tissue was present, exact morphology could not be determined on CT. The commissures of 62.5% of the bicuspid valves were at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock or slightly off the midline. There was statistically significant association between valve morphology and degree of infundibular hypoplasia (P < 0.001) and calibre of pulmonary trunk (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Morphological abnormality of the pulmonary valve is common in TOF. The most common type of pulmonary valve in TOF patients is bicuspid valve with commissures at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock or slightly off the midline. Fewer cusps of the pulmonary valve are associated with a more severe degree of pulmonary artery hypoplasia.
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Infectious pneumonia in the immunocompetent host: What the radiologist should know
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):23-32
Lung infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly because of the rising antimicrobial resistance. According to the clinical setting, they can be categorized as community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Radiological patterns of lung infections are lobar consolidation, bronchopneumonia, interstitial pattern, and nodular pattern. In addition, typical imaging features of several infections serve as "red flag signs" in reaching a diagnosis or altering the management. It would be prudent for the radiologist to be well informed regarding these aspects of lung infections to be able to make a valuable contribution to the management.
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Role of penumbra mechanical thrombectomy device in acute dural sinus thrombosis
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):82-87
Background: In dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST), the mortality ranges 5–30%. Deep venous system involvement and septic dural sinus thrombosis have a higher mortality rate. In acute occlusion, collateral flow may not be established, which may result in significant edema and mass effect. Endovascular interventions may be considered as a treatment option in appropriate high-risk patients with DVST. Materials and Methods: Eight patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-confirmed dural sinus thrombosis, who did not respond to the conventional standard medical treatment, were subsequently treated with mechanical thrombectomy using the Penumbra System®. In all cases, medical treatment including anticoagulants were continued following the procedure for a minimum period of 1 year. Results: Recanalization of the dural sinus thrombosis was achieved in all 8 cases. There were no immediate or late endovascular-related complications. One death occurred due to an unrelated medical event. At 6 months, there was notable improvement in the modified Rankin Score (mRS), with 5/8 (62%) patients achieving mRS of 2 or less. The follow-up ranged between 3 months and 26 months (mean: 14.5 months), and there were no new neurological events during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare but life-threatening condition that demands timely diagnosis and therapy. In cases of rapidly declining neurological status despite standard therapy with systemic anticoagulation and anti-edema measures, mechanical thrombectomy could be a lifesaving and effective option. In this study, good outcomes were observed in the majority of patients at long-term follow up.
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Castleman's disease: A rare indication for endovascular therapy for hemoptysis
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):33-35
Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare lympho-proliferative disorder due to faulty immune regulation resulting in proliferation of lymphatic tissue. The vascular supply to these lesions have been reported to arise from the bronchial, internal mammary and the intercostal arteries. We report a case of hemoptysis secondary to intrathoracic CD with vascular supply arising from the left inferior phrenic artery which was successfully embolised with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles.
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Tibial periosteal ganglion cyst: The ganglion in disguise
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):105-109
Soft tissue ganglions are commonly encountered cystic lesions around the wrist presumed to arise from myxomatous degeneration of periarticular connective tissue. Lesions with similar pathology in subchondral location close to joints, and often simulating a geode, is the less common entity called intraosseous ganglion. Rarer still is a lesion produced by mucoid degeneration and cyst formation of the periostium of long bones, rightly called the periosteal ganglion. They are mostly found in the lower extremities at the region of pes anserinus, typically limited to the periosteum and outer cortex without any intramedullary component. We report the case of a 62 year-old male who presented with a tender swelling on the mid shaft of the left tibia, which radiologically suggested a juxtacortical lesion extending to the soft tissue or a soft tissue neoplasm eroding the bony cortex of tibia. It was later diagnosed definitively as a periosteal ganglion in an atypical location, on further radiologic work-up and histopathological correlation.
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Evaluation of MR perfusion abnormalities in organophosphorus poisoning and its correlation with SPECT
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):36-42
Aim: Acute organophosphate (OP) pesticide poisoning causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many imaging modalities, such as computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the brain, have been used for quantitative assessment of the acute brain insult caused by acute OP poisoning. Perfusion defects on SPECT in acutely poisoned patients with OPs have been described, however, MR perfusion abnormalities have not been described in the literature. MR perfusion Imaging has the advantage of having higher spatial resolution, no radiation, and better availability. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 20 patients who ingested OP compounds were included. All the patients underwent brain SPECT on a dual head SPECT gamma camera and MRI brain on a 1.5T MR system. Neurocognitive tests were performed for all patients. Results: SPECT showed perfusion defects in 7 patients and total number of perfusion defects were 29. On MR perfusion, based on the cut-off values of normalized cerebral blood volume (nCBV) ratios and normalized cerebral blood flow (nCBF) ratios, the total number of patients showing perfusion defects were 6 and 8; and the total number of perfusion defects were 29 and 45, respectively. There was significant difference of the nCBV ratios and nCBF ratios between the control group (n = 20) and positive patients group (n = 6 and n = 8, respectively) (P > 0.05). All the defects seen on SPECT were well appreciated on nCBF maps (MRI perfusion) suggestive of 100% correlation. Conclusion: MR perfusion imaging can be used as an effective modality for evaluation in acute OP poisoning.
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Quality program in radiology: Persue or perish
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):1-3
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Cavernous sinus melanoma: A rare tumor
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):43-45
Primay melanoma of the cavernous sinus is very rare with only few cases reported in the literature. We present the cross-sectional imaging findings of this rare tumor. The differential diagnosis for cavernous sinus mass lesion is wide as it contains vital neurovascular structures that may be affected by vascular, neoplastic, infective, and infiltrative lesions arising in the cavernous sinus proper or via extension from adjacent intra and/or extracranial regions. Radiologic imaging can narrow the differential diagnosis, however, imaging cannot definitely reach single diagnosis if they present in atypical form with hemorrage and cystic degeneration. This case report illustrates that primary cavernous sinus melanoma may present as a atypical tumor with diagnostic dilemma.
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Prenatal diagnosis of a rare aortic arch anomaly with left aortic arch and right ductus arteriosus: Cross ribbon sign
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):70-72
Here, we report a fetus with a rare aortic arch anomaly with left aortic arch and right ductus arteriosus, which has not been reported so far. In this condition, the aorta extends to the left of the trachea as in normal, while the ductus arteriosus extends to the right of the trachea and joins the descending aorta posterior to the trachea, with a cross-ribbon sign.
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Frontal sinus osteoma with pneumocephalus: A rare cause of progressive hemiparesis
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):46-48
Osteomas of paranasal sinuses are common benign tumors and are diagnosed incidentally. However, osteomas complicated by pneumocephalus with air fluid level presenting with progressive hemiparesis is rare. Here, we present a case report of a 22-year-old male who presented with left-sided progressive hemiparesis with history of generalized headache since 2 years.
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Reduction of blood culture contamination rates after implementation of a phlebotomist team
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Giovanni Fernandes Foggiato, Felipe F. Tuon, Guilherme Becker, Alan Homero dos Santos, Bruno Romero Pereira, Geovanna Labres de Souza, Luana Medeiros Limberger
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Inguinoscrotal hernia in infants: Three case reports in ultrasound diagnosis
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):78-81
An inguinal hernia occurs when an intestinal loop or part of the omentum or genital organs passes into the scrotal cavity or labia through an incompletely obliterated processus vaginalis. Inguinal hernias are most common in preterm neonates, especially at 32-weeks gestation. Content of hernia is mostly bowel and ovary/testicles. Presence of uterus in herniated sac is rare, and only few cases are reported in literature. Hernia is more frequently located on the right side because the right processus vaginalis closes later than the left. Physical examination is sufficient to enable diagnosis in most cases. Ultrasound examination is indicated in patients with inconclusive physical findings, in patients with acute scrotum, and to investigate contralateral involvement in patients in whom only a unilateral hernia is clinically evident. Routinely, color or power Doppler imaging is used in inguinal-scrotal hernia to investigate intestinal and testicular/ovarian perfusion. Urgent surgery is indicated in patients with an akinetic dilated bowel loop (a sign of strangulation) or impaired testicular/ovarian perfusion.
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Evaluation of 1-way valves used in medical devices for prevention of cross-contamination
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Poulomi Nandy, Megan Young, Shanil P. Haugen, Kristy Katzenmeyer-Pleuss, Edward A. Gordon, Stephen M. Retta, Steven C. Wood, Anne D. Lucas
BackgroundOne-way valves used in day use devices (used on multiple patients throughout a day without reprocessing between patients) are intended to reduce the potential for cross-contamination between patients resulting from the backflow of patient fluids. One-way valves are typically designed to withstand high levels of back pressure before failure; however, they may not be explicitly designed as a means of infection control as used in medical device applications.MethodsFive different medical grade 1-way valves were placed in low pressure configurations. After flushing in the intended direction of flow, bacteriophage, bacteria, or dye was placed patient side for 24 hours. The upstream device side of the valve was then evaluated for microbial growth or presence of visible dye.ResultsLeakage (ie, backflow) of the microorganisms occurred with a variety of 1-way valve designs across a range of fluid properties tested.ConclusionsThis study describes testing of the 1-way valves (component-level testing) for the potential of cross-contamination. Although day use medical device systems may use numerous other factors to prevent patient cross-contamination, this work demonstrates that 1-way valves themselves may not prevent leakage of contaminated fluid if the fluid is able to reach the upstream side of the 1-way valve.
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Calcification of the submandibular gland in a patient with chickenpox
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):49-51
The pneumonia virus of chickenpox is now known to cause scattered calcified foci in the lungs, however to our knowledge, recent literature has not discussed calcification in the salivary glands. A 15-year-old boy consulted the department of radiology because of a swelling on the right side of the submandibular area. Radiological assessment included an ultrasonography and computerized tomography scan of the neck area, which demonstrated intraparenchymal amorph calcification, with approximately 13 mm diameter in the right submandibular gland. General condition and oral intake was good without distress in the patient, and hence he was discharged on the seventh day of follow-up treatment.
http://ift.tt/2naGDUk
Risk factors, characteristics, and outcomes of candidemia in an adult intensive care unit in Turkey
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Elif Tukenmez Tigen, Huseyin Bilgin, Hande Perk Gurun, Arzu Dogru, Beste Ozben, Nilgun Cerikcioglu, Volkan Korten
Thirty-six patients with candidemia and 37 control patients were included consecutively to determine the characteristics of candidemia episodes. The patients with candidemia had higher mortality with higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores and frequency of use of a central venous catheter, total parenteral nutrition, and broad-spectrum antibiotics; chronic renal failure with replacement therapy; and longer stay in an intensive care unit. Candida albicans was the predominant species followed by Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis. All isolates of C glabrata were itraconazole-resistant.
http://ift.tt/2nG3ETj
Radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma in common and technically challenging locations in pediatric population
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):88-91
Context: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of osteoid osteoma has a high technical and clinical success rate. However, there is limited data on its use in the pediatric population, especially in technically challenging locations. Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous RFA of osteoid osteoma in pediatric population. Patients and Methods: From June 2009 to May 2014, 30 patients with osteoid osteoma were treated with CT-guided RFA in common (25 cases) and technically challenging (five cases: four near articular surface and one in sacrum) locations. Therapy was performed under general anesthesia with a three-array expandable RF probe for 6 min at 90°C and power of 60–100 W. The patients were discharged next day under instruction. The treatment success was evaluated in terms of pain relief before and after (1 day, 1 month, and 6 months) treatment. Results: Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%). Primary clinical success was 96.66% (29 of total 30 patients), despite the pediatric population and atypical location. One patient had persistent pain after 1 month and was treated successfully with a second procedure (secondary success rate was 100%). One patient had immediate complication of weakness of right hand and fingers extension. No delayed complications were observed. Conclusions: CT-guided RFA is relatively safe and highly effective for treatment of osteoid osteoma in pediatric population, even in technically difficult locations.
http://ift.tt/2naGksX
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage between healthy students of medical and nonmedical universities
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Soleiman Abroo, Nima Hosseini Jazani, Yaeghob Sharifi
BackgroundMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a challenge for public health, and community-acquired (CA) infections seem to be increasing among people in different areas.MethodsA total of 700 healthy student volunteers residing in dormitories of universities in Urmia, Iran, were enrolled in this study. After identification of the isolates, antibiotic susceptibility, presence of mecA and pvl genes, and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing were evaluated.ResultsNasal screening identified 137 (19.6%) carriers of S aureus, and 18 (13.14%) were MRSA isolates. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolates revealed high resistance to penicillin (93.4%). All isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. The SCCmec typing showed that most MRSA strains belonged to SCCmec type IV (n = 14; 77.8%). Only 1 (5.56%) MRSA isolates carried the pvl gene.ConclusionsOur findings revealed the relatively high frequency of S aureus nasal carriers and the advent of multidrug resistance among these isolates. Most MRSA isolates were SCCmec type IV; the transfer of such MRSA strains from carriers to other individuals in crowded living conditions such as dormitories can act as a risk factor for outbreak of CA MRSA and is a serious threat for the study groups.
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Utility of supplemental screening with breast ultrasound in asymptomatic women with dense breast tissue who are not at high risk for breast cancer
Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging 2017 27(1):52-58
Objective: To assess the results of an initial round of supplemental screening with hand-held bilateral breast ultrasound following a negative screening mammogram in asymptomatic women with dense breast tissue who are not at high risk for breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant, Institutional Research Board approved study was performed at a single academic tertiary breast center. Informed consent was waived. A systematic review of the breast imaging center database was conducted to identify and retrieve data for all asymptomatic women, who were found to have heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breast tissue on screening bilateral mammograms performed from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012 and who received a mammographic final assessment American College of Radiology's (ACR) Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 1 or BI-RADS category 2. Hand-held screening ultrasound was performed initially by a technologist followed by a radiologist. Chi-square and t-test were used and statistical significance was considered at P< 0.05. Results: A total of 1210 women were identified. Of these, 394 underwent the offered supplemental screening ultrasound. BI-RADS category 1 or 2 was assigned to 323 women (81.9%). BI-RADS category 3 was assigned to 50 women (12.9%). A total of 26 biopsies/aspirations were recommended and performed in 26 women (6.6%). The most common finding for which biopsy was recommended was a solid mass (88.5%) with an average size of 0.9 cm (0.5–1.7 cm). Most frequent pathology result was fibroadenoma (60.8%). No carcinoma was found. Conclusion: Our data support the reported occurrence of a relatively high number of false positives at supplemental screening with breast ultrasound following a negative screening mammogram in asymptomatic women with dense breast tissue, who are not at a high risk of developing breast cancer, and suggests that caution is necessary in establishing wide implementation of this type of supplemental screening for all women with dense breast tissue without considering other risk factors for breast cancer.
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Extinction memory is facilitated by methylphenidate and regulated by dopamine and noradrenaline receptors
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 326
Author(s): Cristiane R.G. Furini, Jonny A.K. Behling, Carolina G. Zinn, Mara Lise Zanini, Eduardo Assis Brasil, Luiza Doro Pereira, Ivan Izquierdo, Jociane de Carvalho Myskiw
Extinction is defined as the learned inhibition of retrieval and is the mainstay of exposure therapy, which is widely used to treat drug addiction, phobias and fear disorders. The psychostimulant, methylphenidate (MPH) is known to increase extracellular levels of noradrenaline and dopamine by blocking their reuptake and studies have demonstrated that MPH can modulate hippocampal physiology and/or functions including long-term potentiation (LTP), learning and memory. However, the influence of MPH on fear extinction memory has been insufficiently studied. Here we investigate the effect of MPH infused into the CA1 region of the hippocampus on extinction memory in animals normally incapable of showing contextual fear conditioning (CFC) extinction because of weak training, and the possible mechanisms through which it acts during this process. For this, male Wistar rats with infusion cannulae stereotaxically implanted in the CA1 region were submitted to a weak extinction protocol in a CFC apparatus. Animals that received intra-CA1 infusion of MPH (12.5μg/side) 20min before the extinction training (Ext Tr) expressed less freezing behavior than Veh-treated animals during both Ext Tr and extinction retention Test (Ext Test). Additionally, the administration of MPH+Timolol (1μg/side) or MPH+SCH23390 (1.5μg/side) intra-CA1 20min before the Ext Tr blocked the enhancing effect of the MPH on extinction learning. These results suggest that MPH in the CA1 region of the hippocampus is able to induce the consolidation of extinction memory and this process occurs through both β-adrenergic and D1/D5 dopaminergic receptors.
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Generalized verrucosis and abnormal T cell activation due to homozygous TAOK2 mutation
Publication date: Available online 27 March 2017
Source:Journal of Dermatological Science
Author(s): Vered Molho-Pessach, Yuval Ramot, Maxim Mogilevsky, Leonor Cohen-Daniel, Eli M. Eisenstein, Abu-Libdeh Abdulsala, Ihab Siam, Michael Berger, Rotem Karni, Abraham Zlotogorski
BackgroundGeneralized verrucosis (GV) is a chronic and progressive cutaneous human papillomavirus (HPV) infection resulting in multiple warts and associated with acquired or genetic immune defects. We identified a consanguineous Arab family manifesting GV and recurrent bacterial and viral infections, in association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).ObjectiveTo identify the mutated gene responsible for GV, recurrent infections and IBD, in this family.MethodsFlow cytometry of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed, as well as proliferation and cell cycle assays of T cells. Whole exome sequencing was utilized to detect candidate mutated genes, assuming an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Skin fibroblasts from a patient, the mother and control were incubated with sorbitol to detect the phosphorylation ability of TAOK2, and a clonogenic assay was performed to assess the survival and proliferative capacity of fibroblasts' colonies.ResultsDespite normal immunophenotyping of T and B cells, T cell proliferation upon activation was impaired in a patient compared to a heterozygous family member and a control. Genetic analyses identified a rare homozygous missense variant, c.2098C>T (p.R700C) in the TAOK2 gene, segregating with the disease phenotype in the family. TAOK2 encodes the TAO2 kinase, a mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) in the p38-MAPK cascade. The mutation is predicted to disrupt its normal folding and molecular interaction; however, no impairment was observed in TAOK2 kinase activity toward its downstream target, MEK3/6, in patient's fibroblasts. Despite this normal kinase activity, a noticeably higher survival/proliferation of patient's skin fibroblasts was found.ConclusionsA mutation in TAOK2 appears to cause a novel form of primary immunodeficiency, characterized by an impaired T cell proliferation upon activation. This novel cause of GV gives further support to the importance of the p38-MAPK pathway in the immune response against HPV, and possibly also in the pathogenesis of IBD.
http://ift.tt/2oaU0WH
Podoplanin expression in peritumoral keratinocytes predicts aggressive behavior in extramammary Paget's disease
Publication date: Available online 27 March 2017
Source:Journal of Dermatological Science
Author(s): Zaigen Cho, Eiichi Konishi, Mai Kanemaru, Taro Isohisa, Takahiro Arita, Minako Kawai, Miho Tsutsumi, Hiromi Mizutani, Hideya Takenaka, Toshiyuki Ozawa, Daisuke Tsuruta, Norito Katoh, Jun Asai
BackgroundRecent studies have demonstrated podoplanin expression in several tumors, which has been associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. Podoplanin expression in peritumoral cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts also correlates with tumor progression in several cancers. However, podoplanin expression and its association with extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) remain unclear.ObjectiveIn this study, we examined whether the presence of podoplanin expression in tumor cells or peritumoral basal keratinocytes correlated with aggressive behavior in patients with EMPD and investigated the mechanisms of podoplanin-mediated tumor invasion in this disorder.MethodsSkin samples of 37 patients with EMPD were investigated by immunohistochemical analysis. The functions of podoplanin in keratinoctes were examined in vitro by RT-PCR and with invadopodia gelatin-degradation assays using HaCaT cells.ResultsPodoplanin was not identified in tumor cells in all cases. Podoplanin expression in peritumoral basal keratinocytes was observed in 25 patients (67.6%). In in situ EMPD, 50% of cases (9 in 18) exhibited podoplanin-positive keratinocytes, whereas 84.2% (16 in 19) demonstrated positive staining in invasive EMPD (P<0.05). Podoplanin expression in peritumoral keratinocytes was also associated with tumor thickness (P<0.005). By immunohistochemical analysis, podoplanin-positive peritumoral keratinocytes were found to be negative for E-cadherin, one of the major adhesion molecules of keratinocytes, which might contribute to tumor invasion into the dermis through a crack in the basal cell layer induced by down-regulation of cell adhesion therein. We further found that podoplanin-positive keratinocytes exhibited invadopodia, which are thought to function in the migration of cancer cells through tissue barriers, indicating that podoplanin-positive peritumoral basal keratinocytes might assist tumor invasion by degrading the extracellular matrix.ConclusionThe presence of podoplanin expression in peritumoral keratinocytes correlates with aggressive behavior in EMPD and might therefore serve as a useful prognostic marker for patients with EMPD.
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Serum peptides as putative modulators of inflammation in psoriasis
Publication date: Available online 27 March 2017
Source:Journal of Dermatological Science
Author(s): Tetsuhiko Matsuura, Masaaki Sato, Kouhei Nagai, Toshiyuki Sato, Mitsumi Arito, Kazuki Omoteyama, Naoya Suematsu, Kazuki Okamoto, Tomohiro Kato, Yoshinao Soma, Manae S. Kurokawa
BackgroundPsoriasis is a refractory inflammatory disease, however, its pathophysiology is still not fully understood.ObjectiveWe tried to identify novel serum peptides associated with the pathophysiology of psoriasis.MethodsSerum peptides from 24 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV), 10 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 14 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), and 23 healthy control (HC) subjects were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The effects of some peptides on the secretion of humoral factors from dermal cells were investigated by cytokine arrays and ELISAs.ResultsA total of 93 peptides was detected. 24, 20, 23, and 2 peptides showed at least 1.2-fold difference in ion intensity between the psoriasis (PV+PsA) and HC groups, between the PV+PsA and AD groups, between the PV and PsA groups, and between patients with severe-to-moderate PV (n=6) and those with mild PV (n=18), respectively (p<0.05). 13 out of 27 peptides that showed at least 1.5-fold ion intensity difference in the abovementioned 4 comparisons were identified. The parent proteins of the identified peptides included a coagulation factor, proteins involved in the maintenance of skin, and a protein relating to cytoskeleton. We focused on 2 peptides that were increased in the PV+PsA group: a fibrinogen α chain-derived peptide (1462m/z), the unmodified form of which was fibrinopeptide A-des-alanine (FPAdA), and a filaggrin (FLG)-derived peptide (1977m/z), a modified form of FLG2099-2118 (Q2099pE, Q2115E; FLG-pEE). FPAdA stimulation increased the secretion of GROα from dermal microvascular endothelial cells (dMVECs) and decreased the secretion of lipocalin-2 from keratinocytes in comparison to FPAdA-resequenced peptide stimulation (GROα, 280.9±7.3pg/mL vs. 229.6±5.0pg/mL, p<0.001; lipocalin-2, 273±13pg/mL vs. 350±10pg/mL, p<0.01). Interestingly, FLG-pEE stimulation decreased the secretion of GROα, IL-8, and MCP-1 from dMVECs in comparison to FLG-derived control peptide stimulation (GROα, 844.3±47.5pg/mL vs. 1038.5±96.9pg/mL, p<0.05; IL-8, 2240.1±172.6pg/mL vs. 3221.8±523.7pg/mL, p<0.05; MCP-1, 4057.8±157.2pg/mL vs. 4619.1±213.4pg/mL, p<0.05).ConclusionsThe results suggested that some serum peptides are involved in the pathophysiology of psoriasis, regulating the secretion of inflammatory chemokines and an antimicrobial protein. The modulation of serum peptides may be a potential therapeutic strategy for psoriasis.
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Selective photoinactivation of Histoplasma capsulatum by water-soluble derivatives chalcones
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Wanessa C.M.A. Melo, Mariana Bastos dos Santos, Beatriz de Carvalho Marques, Luis Octávio Regasini, Maria José Soares Mendes Giannini, Ana Marisa Fusco Almeida
http://ift.tt/2naJOvj
Pilot study on laser propagation in maxillary and mandibular bone: Grey level image analysis for optical measurements
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Monalisa Jacob Guiselini, Alessandro Melo Deana, Daniela de Fátima Teixeira da Silva, Nelson Hideyoshi Koshoji, Raquel Agnelli Mesquita-Ferrari, Katia Llanos do Vale, Marcelo Betti Mascaro, Simone Aleksandra de Moraes, Sandra Kalil Bussadori, Kristianne Porta Santos Fernandes
BackgroundBone tissue anatomy, density and porosity vary among subjects in different phases of life and even within areas of a single specimen. The optical characteristics of changes in bone tissue are analyzed based on these properties. Photobiomodulation has been used to improve bone healing after surgery or fractures. Thus, knowledge on light propagation is of considerable importance to the obtainment of successful clinical outcomes.ObjectiveThis study determines light penetration and distribution in human maxillary and mandibular bones in three different regions (anterior, middle, and posterior).MethodsA HeNe laser (633nm) irradiated maxillary and mandibular bones in the cervical-apical direction. The light propagation and scattering pattern were acquired and the grey level of the images was analyzed. Three-dimensional plots of the intensity profile and attenuation profiles were created.ResultsDifferences in optical properties were found between the mandibular and maxillary bones. The maxilla attenuated more light than the mandible at all sites, leading to a shallower penetration depth.ConclusionOur results provide initial information on the behavior of the propagation of red laser on alveolar bone using an optical method.
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Effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on the counts of salivary streptococcus mutans in children with severe early childhood caries
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Reza Fekrazad, Bahman Seraj, Nasim Chiniforush, Mehrak Rokouei, Niloofar Mousavi, Sara Ghadimi
BackgroundAntimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a novel technique for reduction of pathogenic microorganisms in dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aPDT on Streptococcus mutans reduction in children with severe early childhood caries.MethodsTwenty-two children with severe early childhood caries aged 3 to 6 years were treated with toluoidine blue O (TBO) for 1 minute and irradiated by a Light Emitting Diode (LED; FotoSan, CMS Dental, Denmark) with the exposure time of 150seconds. Saliva samples were collected at baseline, 1hour and 7 days after treatment. Streptococcus mutans counts were determined using the Dentocult SM Strip mutans.ResultsThe counts of Streptococcus mutans in saliva decreased significantly after 1hour (P<0.001). However, the difference in reduction of Streptococcus mutans counts in saliva was not significant between the baseline and 7 days after treatment (P>0.05).ConclusionaPDT seems to be efficient to reduce salivary Streptococcus mutans immediately after treatment in children with severe early childhood caries. However, further researches are needed to evaluate different doses and frequency of irradiation in combination with restoring carious teeth to find more durable results.
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Variation in Patients' Travel Times among Imaging Examination Types at a Large Academic Health System
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Andrew B. Rosenkrantz, Yu Liang, Richard Duszak, Michael P. Recht
Rationale and ObjectivesPatients' willingness to travel farther distances for certain imaging services may reflect their perceptions of the degree of differentiation of such services. We compare patients' travel times for a range of imaging examinations performed across a large academic health system.Materials and MethodsWe searched the NYU Langone Medical Center Enterprise Data Warehouse to identify 442,990 adult outpatient imaging examinations performed over a recent 3.5-year period. Geocoding software was used to estimate typical driving times from patients' residences to imaging facilities. Variation in travel times was assessed among examination types.ResultsThe mean expected travel time was 29.2 ± 20.6 minutes, but this varied significantly (p < 0.001) among examination types. By modality, travel times were shortest for ultrasound (26.8 ± 18.9) and longest for positron emission tomography-computed tomography (31.9 ± 21.5). For magnetic resonance imaging, travel times were shortest for musculoskeletal extremity (26.4 ± 19.2) and spine (28.6 ± 21.0) examinations and longest for prostate (35.9 ± 25.6) and breast (32.4 ± 22.3) examinations. For computed tomography, travel times were shortest for a range of screening examinations [colonography (25.5 ± 20.8), coronary artery calcium scoring (26.1 ± 19.2), and lung cancer screening (26.4 ± 14.9)] and longest for angiography (32.0 ± 22.6). For ultrasound, travel times were shortest for aortic aneurysm screening (22.3 ± 18.4) and longest for breast (30.1 ± 19.2) examinations. Overall, men (29.9 ± 21.6) had longer (p < 0.001) travel times than women (27.8 ± 20.3); this difference persisted for each modality individually (p ≤ 0.006).ConclusionsPatients' willingness to travel longer times for certain imaging examination types (particularly breast and prostate imaging) supports the role of specialized services in combating potential commoditization of imaging services. Disparities in travel times by gender warrant further investigation.
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Publication date: September 2017 Source: Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 110 Author(s): Lucía Fernández-del-Río, Anish Nag, Elen...
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Abstract Noise pollution is a major factor of environmental complaints in many cities, which has significant impacts on human health. As a...
