Cost-benefit analyses of supplementary measles immunisation in the highly immunized population of New Zealand

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): D.T.S. Hayman, J.C. Marshall, N.P. French, T.E. Carpenter, M.G. Roberts, T. Kiedrzynski
As endemic measles is eliminated from countries through increased immunisation, the economic benefits of enhanced immunisation programs may come into question. New Zealand has suffered from outbreaks after measles introductions from abroad and we use it as a model system to understand the benefits of catch up immunisation in highly immunised populations. We provide cost-benefit analyses for measles supplementary immunisation in New Zealand. We model outbreaks based on estimates of the basic reproduction number in the vaccinated population (Rv, the number of secondary infections in a partially immunised population), based on the number of immunologically-naïve people at district and national levels, considering both pre- and post-catch up vaccination scenarios. Our analyses suggest that measles Rv often includes or exceeds one (0.18–3.92) despite high levels of population immunity. We calculate the cost of the first 187 confirmed and probable measles cases in 2014 to be over NZ$1 million (∼US$864,200) due to earnings lost, case management and hospitalization costs. The benefit-cost ratio analyses suggest additional vaccination beyond routine childhood immunisation is economically efficient. Supplemental vaccination-related costs are required to exceed approximately US$66 to US$1877 per person, depending on different scenarios, before supplemental vaccination is economically inefficient. Thus, our analysis suggests additional immunisation beyond childhood programs to target naïve individuals is economically beneficial even when childhood immunisation rates are high.



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Challenges in immunisation service delivery for refugees in Australia: A health system perspective

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): A. Mahimbo, H. Seale, M. Smith, A. Heywood
BackgroundRefugees are at risk of being under-immunised in their countries of origin, in transit and post-resettlement in Australia. Whilst studies have focused on identifying barriers to accessibility of health services among refugees, few focus on providers' perspectives on immunisation service delivery to this group. Health service providers are well placed to provide insights into the pragmatic challenges associated with refugee health service delivery, which can be useful in identifying strategies aimed at improving immunisation coverage among this group.MethodsA qualitative study involving 30 semi-structured interviews was undertaken with key stakeholders in immunisation service delivery across all States and Territories in Australia between December 2014 and December 2015. Thematic analysis was undertaken.ResultsVariability in accessing program funding and vaccines, lack of a national policy for catch-up vaccination, unclear roles and responsibilities for catch-up, a lack of a central immunisation register and insufficient training among general practitioners were seen as the main challenges impacting on immunisation service delivery for refugees.ConclusionsThis study provides insight into the challenges that impact on effective immunisation service delivery for refugees. Deliberate strategies such as national funding for relevant vaccines, improved data collection nationally and increased guidance for general practitioners on catch-up immunisation for refugees would help to ensure equitable access across all age groups.



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Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination response in patients after community-acquired pneumonia, differences in patients with S. pneumoniae versus other pathogens

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): G.H.J. Wagenvoort, B.J.M. Vlaminckx, D.A. van Kessel, R.C.L. Geever, B.A.W. de Jong, J.C. Grutters, W.J.W. Bos, B. Meek, G.T. Rijkers
ObjectivesThe goal of this study is to investigate the immune response to the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in former pneumococcal CAP patients. We hypothesize that an impaired or suboptimal humoral immune response against (specific) pneumococcal serotypes might explain the vulnerability for pneumococcal disease.MethodsHospitalised adult CAP patients who participated in two trials (2004–2006 (n=201) and, 2007–2009 (n=304)) were screened. Patients eligible for inclusion had CAP caused by either S. pneumoniae (pneuCAP) or due to another well-defined pathogen (otherCAP). Serotype-specific pneumococcal antibody concentrations (total IgG and IgG2/IgG1) before and 3–4weeks after PCV13 administration were measured (Luminex) and compared between pneuCAP and otherCAP patients.ResultsWe vaccinated 60 patients:i.e. 34 pneuCAP and 26 otherCAP patients. In the pneuCAP group, 74% of patients were categorized as good responders (≥9/13 serotypes with concentration≥1300ng/ml), versus 77% in the otherCAP group. Significantly fewer full responders (i.e. 13/13 serotypes with a concentration≥1300ng/mL) were identified in the pneuCAP group (15% vs 42% respectively, p=0.02). For serotype 1, total IgG and IgG2/IgG1 subset post-vaccination concentrations were significantly lower among pneuCAP patients. Our additional case-series showed that of 16 pneuCAP patients who were infected by a serotype included in PCV13 three patients did not respond against the serotype originally responsible for their CAP episode, including one former bacteraemic pneumococcal CAP patient who also failed to show a response against the serotype responsible for CAP during infection. Thirteen patients did respond to the previously infecting serotype following PCV13 including three patients who had bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia and did not show a response during infection against the serotype responsible for CAP.ConclusionsOur results confirm the immunogenic properties of PCV13 in former pneumococcal CAP patients including patients previously regarded as potential hyporesponders. A slightly diminished overall humoral response to polysaccharides characterizes the former pneumococcal CAP patients.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02141009.



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Feasibility of using global system for mobile communication (GSM)-based tracking for vaccinators to improve oral poliomyelitis vaccine campaign coverage in rural Pakistan

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Subhash Chandir, Vijay Kumar Dharma, Danya Arif Siddiqi, Aamir Javed Khan
Despite multiple rounds of immunization campaigns, it has not been possible to achieve optimum immunization coverage for poliovirus in Pakistan. Supplementary activities to improve coverage of immunization, such as door-to-door campaigns are constrained by several factors including inaccurate hand-drawn maps and a lack of means to objectively monitor field teams in real time, resulting in suboptimal vaccine coverage during campaigns. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) - based tracking of mobile subscriber identity modules (SIMs) of vaccinators provides a low-cost solution to identify missed areas and ensure effective immunization coverage. We conducted a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of using GSM technology to track vaccinators through observing indicators including acceptability, ease of implementation, costs and scalability as well as the likelihood of ownership by District Health Officials. The real-time location of the field teams was displayed on a GSM tracking web dashboard accessible by supervisors and managers for effective monitoring of workforce attendance including 'time in-time out', and discerning if all target areas - specifically remote and high-risk locations - had been reached. Direct access to this information by supervisors eliminated the possibility of data fudging and inaccurate reporting by workers regarding their mobility. The tracking cost per vaccinator was USD 0.26/month. Our study shows that GSM-based tracking is potentially a cost-efficient approach, results in better monitoring and accountability, is scalable and provides the potential for improved geographic coverage of health services.



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In vitro and in vivo studies of deglycosylated chimeric porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus as a vaccine candidate and its realistic revenue impact at commercial pig production level

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Jung-ju Kim, Jung-Ah Lee, Hwi-yeon Choi, Jang-hyuck Han, Won Huh, Jae-Ho Pi, Jung-Keun Lee, Sangshin Park, Ki-hyun Cho, Joong-bok Lee
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes major economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. Vaccination is the most effective method to control the disease. In a previous study, a chimeric PRRSV named as K418 which had a genome composed of ORF 1 from the FL12 strain and ORF 2-7 from the Korean representative LMY strain was created. We constructed K418DM, K418 with deglycosylated glycoprotein 5 (GP5), to improve its humoral immunity. In the follow-up on in vivo and in vitro virological and serological tests, no back mutation in amino acids of GP5 associated with deglycosylation was shown after 9 passages on MARC-145 cells, whereas only one case of back mutation was detected after single passage in pig. In serological study, K418DM induced higher serum neutralization (SN) antibody and more limited viremia compared with those of K418 virus. In clinical trial and economic analysis, the K418DM elicited SN antibody titers and PRRSV-specific IgG over protection limit. From the economic viewpoint, there was statistically significant reduction in percentage of weak pigs. These results indicated that vaccination with the K418DM may provide enhanced protection for pigs in PRRS endemic situation and increase growth performance in commercial pig farms.



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Prevention of graying: Is KROX20 the solution?

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Methotrexate for treatment of vitiligo

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Topical cetirizine 1% for treatment of androgenetic alopecia

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Rate of serious infection in patients who are prescribed systemic biologic or nonbiologic agents for psoriasis: A large, single center, retrospective, observational cohort study

Abstract

Background

Systemic biologic and nonbiologic agents used to treat psoriasis may or may not contribute to serious infection (SI) risk. Safety data, particularly for biologic agents, and associated risk for SI, are scarce. The study's aim was to explore the risk for SI in psoriasis patients exposed to systemic biologic or nonbiologic agents.

Methods

A large, single-center electronic medical record repository was searched between January 2010 and December 2014. Records for patients prescribed a systemic agent for psoriasis (SAP) with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis diagnoses were included (ICD-9 codes 696.1 and 696.0, respectively). SIs were those who required hospitalization, and/or injectable antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal therapy. SIs occurring within 120 days after exposure to a SAP, were included for study.

Results

A total of 1,346 patients were exposed to a SAP between January 2010 and December 2014; 27 (2%) had a SI. Comparing biologic and nonbiologic agent exposure, no statistically significant difference for risk of SI was detectable (p = .83).

Conclusion

In this population, the SI rate for biologic and nonbiologic systemic agents was clinically indistinguishable, thereby supporting consideration of the entire spectrum of available systemic therapeutic agents, both biologic and nonbiologic agents, for management of moderate to severe psoriasis.

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A novel topical agent in the treatment of seborrheic keratoses: A proof of concept study by clinical and dermoscopic evaluation

Abstract

In this proof of concept study, 50 lesions from 15 patients with multiple seborrheic keratoses (SKs) were treated with a novel aqueous solution containing nitric acid, zinc and copper salts, and organic acids (acetic, lactic, and oxalic acid). Treatment consisted in the application of an amount of the solution sufficient to obtain a whitening/yellowish reaction. Application of the nitric–zinc solution was performed every other week until clinical and dermoscopic clearance or crust formation, for a maximum of 4 applications. Efficacy evaluation was performed at 8 weeks (T1) and 6 months (T2). All subjects, who reported no or minimal discomfort during and after the application of the solution, completed the study. At T1, a complete clinical and dermoscopic resolution was observed in 37 lesions after an average of 3 applications/lesion (range 2–4). A partial response, with minimal persistent residual spots, was detected in the remaining 13 lesions. All patients with complete clearance showed no relapses at a 6-month follow-up (T2). The positive preliminary results indicate that this novel solution may represent a promising alternative option for SKs especially in patients not keen or eligible to undergo invasive tissue-destructive procedures.

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Irradiación de Cabeza & Cuello en la Infancia

The post Irradiación de Cabeza & Cuello en la Infancia appeared first on American Thyroid Association.

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Survey data reflecting popular opinions of the causes and mitigation of climate change

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 14
Author(s): Jonathan E. Thompson
The data presented within this manuscript reports the results of a 20-question opinion survey concerning popular beliefs regarding the causes of and possible mitigation of climate change. The results and opinions from 746 survey respondents are presented. The data reflects certain misconceptions of climate change, and is useful for investigators to begin forming opinions of the public's knowledge regarding the potentially inflammatory topics of climate change, greenhouse gases, and geo-engineering.



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Dataset on electro-optically tunable smart-supercapacitors based on oxygen-excess nanograin tungsten oxide thin film

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 14
Author(s): Akbar I. Inamdar, Jongmin Kim, Yongcheol Jo, Hyeonseok Woo, Sangeun Cho, Sambhaji M. Pawar, Seongwoo Lee, Jayavant L. Gunjakar, Yuljae Cho, Bo Hou, Seung Nam Cha, Jungwon Kwak, Youngsin Park, Hyungsang Kim, Hyunsik Im
The dataset presented here is related to the research article entitled "Highly Efficient Electro-optically Tunable Smart-supercapacitors Using an Oxygen-excess Nanograin Tungsten Oxide Thin Film" (Akbar et al., 2017) [9] where we have presented a nanograin WO3 film as a bifunctional electrode for smart supercapacitor devices. In this article we provide additional information concerning nanograin tungsten oxide thin films such as atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Moreover, their electrochemical properties such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical supercapacitor properties, and electrochromic properties including coloration efficiency, optical modulation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are presented.



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Long-term climate data description in Ethiopia

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 14
Author(s): Gezahegn Abebe
This article presents long-term analyzed rainfall and temperature data obtained from the National Metrological Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia. Using tables and graphic trends of analysis, the article shows the low and declining level of average annual rainfall as well as the high inter-annual fluctuations for 18 weather stations located in different agro-climatic zones of the country. The high variation of annual maximum and minimum temperature has been similarly observed for decades in the stations. Ethiopia's average annual temperature has risen between 1955 and 2015 by 1.65°C. The country's agricultural production depends heavily on local temperature and rainfall. The evidence is clear that a slight change in such climatic elements negatively affects the food security condition of both producers and consumers. Although data from the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) show that major cereal crop production has increased at the national level, partly due to the increasing application of fertilizers and modern seeds, Ethiopia's food security condition is deteriorating due to global climatic events caused droughts and rain failure. The rate of food price inflation is thus often higher than the general consumer price inflation rate.



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Data and calculus on isobolographic analysis to determine the antinociceptive interaction between calcium channel blocker and a TRPV1 blocker in acute pain model in mice

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 14
Author(s): Juliana F. Silva, Manuella R. Palhares, Duana C. Santos, Cláudio A. Silva-Junior, Juliano Ferreira, Marcus V. Gomez, Célio J. Castro Junior
Determining antinociceptive interaction between Phα1β toxin (a voltage gated calcium channel blocker) and SB366791 (selective TRPV1 antagonist) may have both clinical and mechanistic implications for the pain management. This data in brief article is associated to the research paper "Synergistic antinociceptive effect of a calcium channel blocker and a TRPV1 blocker in an acute pain model in mice". This material supports the isobolographic analysis performed with the above drugs and shows: data of the dose response curves of the agents given as single drug or combination regimens. Mathematics and statistical processing of dose response curves, proportion of drugs dosage to be used in the combination, calculus of theoretical additive DE20 dose as well as experimentally obtained DE20 are provided. It is also presented details of statistical comparison between theoretical and experimentally obtained DE20.



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Dataset on the impact of UV, nitric acid and surfactant treatments on low-density polyethylene biodegradation

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 14
Author(s): Vinay Mohan Pathak, Navneet Kumar
Present investigation evaluates the LDPE (low-density polyethylene) biodegradation efficiency of polymer degrading bacteria along with UV, nitric acid and surfactant treatments. In current scenario LDPE contamination reported as dominant pollutant in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem due to its expulsion from commercial and domestic practices. Biodegradation serve as an innovative and effective approach to waste management as compared to land filling and burning processes. The outcomes of UV, nitric acid and surfactant treatments on polymer degradation in addition to bacterial treatment were determined by SEM, FT-IR and electrical conductivity analysis.



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Impact of body mass index on treatment outcome of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO)
Author(s): Yanwu Sun, Zongbin Xu, Huiming Lin, Xingrong Lu, Ying Huang, Shenghui Huang, Xiaojie Wang, Pan Chi
AimTo determine the effect of obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI), on tumor response, surgical outcome in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and radical surgery.MethodLARC patients undergoing nCRT and radical surgery from 2008 to 2014 were included and divided into three groups: nonobese (BMI < 25.0 kg/m²), obese I (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m²), and obese II (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m²). Tumor response, surgical and oncological outcome were compared between groups. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for local recurrence.ResultsA total of 522 LARC patients were analyzed (407 non-obese, 93 obese I, 22 obese II). Postoperative complications did not differ between groups. Increased BMI was associated with poorer T downstaging and Rectal Cancer Regression Grade (P = 0.116, P = 0.036). With a mean follow-up of 57 months, the 5-year overall survival and distant metastasis rates did not differ between groups (P = 0.861, P = 0.116). The 5-year local recurrence rate in obese II patients was 14.6%, higher than that in nonobese and obese I groups (P = 0.015). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (HR = 6.187, P = 0.010) was significantly associated with increased risk for local recurrence.ConclusionObesity was associated with poorer T downstaging and Rectal Cancer Regression Grade, and thus poor local control in LARC following nCRT in Asian patients. More effective treatment strategies to improve treatment outcome for obese patients with LARC is warranted.



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Patterns of care and the survival of elderly patients with high-risk endometrial cancer: A Case-control study from the FRANCOGYN group

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO)
Author(s): Aline Rousselin, Sofiane Bendifallah, Krystel Nyangoh Timoh, Lobna Ouldamer, Geoffroy Canlorbe, Emilie Raimond, Nina Hudry, Charles Coutant, Olivier Graesslin, Cyril Touboul, Pierre Collinet, Alexandre Bricou, Cyrille Huchon, Emile Daraï, Marcos Ballester, Jean Levêque, Vincent Lavoue
BACKGROUNDThe standard of care of endometrial cancer involves complex procedures such as pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy and omentectomy, particularly for high-risk endometrial cancer. Few data are available about these complex surgical procedures and adjuvant therapy in elderly women. We aim to examine treatment and survival of elderly women diagnosed with high-risk endometrial cancer.STUDY DESIGNWe performed a case-control study of women diagnosed between 2001 and 2013 with high-risk endometrial cancers. Women older than 70 years (n=198) were compared with patients <70 years (n=198) after matching on high-risk for recurrence and LVSI status.RESULTSElderly patients had lymphadenectomies less frequently compared with younger patients (76% vs 96%, p<0.001) and no adjuvant treatment more frequently (17% vs 8%, p=0.005) due to less chemotherapy being administered (23% vs 46%, p<0.001). The 3-year DFS, CSS and OS of patients ≥ 70 years was 52% (43-61), 81% (74-88) and 61% (53-70), respectively. These were significantly lower than the 3-year DFS, CSS, and OS of younger patients, which was 75% (68-82) (p<0.001), 92% (87-96) (p<0.008) and 75% (69-82) (p=0.018), respectively. Cox proportional hazard models found that elderly women had 57% increased risk of recurrence (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.04-2.39) compared with younger patients.CONCLUSIONAlthough we found an independently significant lower DFS in elderly patients with high-risk endometrial cancer when compared with young patients, elderly women are less likely to be treated with lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy. Specific guidelines for management of elderly patients with high-risk endometrial cancer are required to improve their prognosis.



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Suprapubic approach for robotic complete mesocolic excision in right colectomy: oncologic safety and short-term outcomes of an original technique

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO)
Author(s): Wanda Petz, Dario Ribero, Emilio Bertani, Simona Borin, Giampaolo Formisano, Sofia Esposito, Giuseppe Spinoglio, Paolo Pietro Bianchi
IntroductionRight–sided colon cancer has a worse prognosis than left-sided colon cancer. Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vessels ligation (CVL) reduces local recurrence, but is technically demanding, particularly with a laparoscopic approach.Aim of this study is to describe a new robotic approach to right colectomy with CME and CVL and to report oncologic safety and short term outcomes.MethodsTwenty consecutive patients were included. All patients had a right colon adenocarcinoma and underwent right colectomy with a suprapubic approach. Surgery was realized with the Da Vinci Xi® system and all trocars were placed along an horizontal line 3-6 cm above the pubis. CME with CVL was realized in all the patients.Data analysed were: duration of surgery, conversions to open surgery, intraoperative and postoperative complication by Clavien Dindo classification, margins of resections, length of specimen and number of lymph nodes retrieved.ResultsPatients median age was 69 years, median body mass index was 27 kg/m². Median operative time was 249 minutes, blood loss was negligible, no conversions to open or laparoscopic surgery occurred. Median hospital stay was six days; two postoperative grade IIIa Clavien-Dindo complications occurred, no 30-days postoperative death was registered. Resection margins were negative in all patients; median tumour diameter was 3.6 cm, median specimen length was 40 cm, median number of harvested lymph nodes was 40.ConclusionsRobotic right colectomy with CME using a suprapubic approach is a feasible and safe technique that allows for an extended lymphadenectomy and provides high quality surgical specimens.



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Confocal Raman spectroscopy: in vivo measurement of physiological skin parameters—a pilot study

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Journal of Dermatological Science
Author(s): Lisa Binder, Safoura Sheikh Rezaei, Andreas Baierl, Lukas Gruber, Michael Wolzt, Claudia Valenta
BackgroundIn vivo application of confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) allows non-invasive depth measurement of the skin. Thereby obtained knowledge of the skin composition is essential to reliably assess the actual skin state. Besides other components, the skin cholesterol concentration is of interest; however, little is known about its connection to the cholesterol concentration quantified in venous blood.ObjectiveIn this study, the skin composition of the volar forearm was characterised in vivo using CRS. In particular, the potential of CRS as a non-invasive method to determine cholesterol levels was validated.MethodsRaman spectra of the volar forearm of 15 participants were recorded twice within two weeks. Depth concentration profiles for major skin components were generated. Stratum corneum (SC) thickness was calculated from water concentration profiles. In order to examine the usability of dermal CRS for cholesterol level determination, results were compared to fasting total cholesterol values in venous blood as determined by an enzymatic method.ResultsDepth concentration profiles for the skin components of interest showed a comparable curve progression for the participants. It was possible to link changes in concentration to physiological processes. Moreover, age-related differences could be found. Several novel mathematical approaches for the comparison of the skin cholesterol content and the blood cholesterol concentration have been developed. However, no correlation passed the Bonferroni multiple testing correction.ConclusionCRS serves as useful tool for the in vivo monitoring of skin components and hydration. Concentration depth profiles provide information about the current skin condition. No distinct correlation between the skin and blood cholesterol concentration was found within the scope of the present study. Concerning this matter, the heterogeneous distribution of cholesterol in the skin may be a factor influencing these results.



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Primary cutaneous acral CD8 positive T-cell lymphoma with extra-cutaneous involvement: a long-standing case with an unexpected progression

ABSTRACT

Primary cutaneous acral CD8+ T-cell lymphoma (acral CD8+ TCL) is a new provisional entity characterized by acral skin lesions and an indolent course. We describe an extraordinary case characterized by relapsed nodules with CD8+ cytotoxic infiltrates on the left ear. After 35 years, the skin lesions spread to other acral sites, and a mass with the same histological features as the other skin lesions appeared on the nose. Multiple courses of chemotherapy led to stable disease. Histological examinations carried out at different times showed the gradual transformation of the neoplastic cells with an increased proliferation index. Genomic analysis revealed losses in the regions harbouring the genes involved in cell cycle control. This is the first case of an acral CD8+ TCL with a very long history of indolent nodular lesions progressing to extra-cutaneous sites.

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Congenital cutaneous lymphadenoma

Abstract

Cutaneous lymphadenoma is an uncommon benign neoplasm often considered to be an adamantinoid variant of trichoblastoma. Lesions present in both sexes, between 14 and 87 years of age, and are mainly located on the head and neck. Cases in children are rare and there is only one previous case of a congenital lymphadenoma.

An 8-year-old Asian girl presented with a congenital lesion on her forehead comprising four pink papules, the largest 5 mm in diameter. Microscopy revealed a well circumscribed tumor within the dermis and subcutis comprising well demarcated epithelial lobules of basaloid and clear cells with subtle peripheral palisading, growing in a collagenous stroma but lacking retraction artefact. A relatively dense accompanying predominantly lymphocytic inflammatory cell infiltrate including both T-cells (CD3+) and B-cells (CD20+) permeated the nodules and spilled into the stroma. CD68+ histiocytes and CD1a+ Langerhans cells were moderately numerous. This is the second case of congenital lymphadenoma which -in spite of its rarity in childhood- widens the diagnostic possibilities of cutaneous lymphoepithelial tumors in children.

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Feasibility Study in Teledermatopathology: An Examination of the Histopathologic Features of Mycosis Fungoides and Spongiotic Dermatitis

Abstract

Background

Digital pathology offers numerous advantages, allowing remote information sharing using whole slide imaging (WSI) to digitize an entire glass slide at high resolution, creating a digital slide.

Methods

In this study, we examine the concordance in diagnoses made on 40 digital slides (DS) versus traditional glass slides (GS) in differentiating between spongiotic dermatitis (SD) and patch/plaque-stage mycosis fungoides (MF).

Results

Greater interobserver concordance rate in final diagnosis of SD vs MF was observed with the utilization of DS (86.7%) compared to the utilization of GS (80%). Intraobserver concordance rate between the diagnoses rendered by a particular dermatopathologist on GS and DS was 86.7%. For all histopathological criteria, a correlation in the magnitudes of interobserver versus intraobserver discordances suggests that discordance between glass versus digital evaluation of these criteria may be largely expected subjective read variation independent of the media. Discordance in identification of histopathological features did not have a statistically significant link to discordance in diagnosis for 7 out of the 8 features.

Conclusions

The similarity between interobserver and intraobserver discordances suggests that WSI does not introduce additional barriers or variability to accurately identify histopathologic feature and to discriminate between MF and SD beyond interobserver variability.

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Design of nanocarriers based on complex biological barriers in vivo for tumor therapy

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Nano Today
Author(s): Junjie Liu, Menghuan Li, Zhong Luo, Liangliang Dai, Xingming Guo, Kaiyong Cai
Nanoscale drug delivery systems (NDDS) have shown great potential in tumor treatment due to its unique advantages, especially its unique enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR) in solid tumors. Therefore, NDDS have been extensively explored in recent years. However, current NDDS did not achieve satisfied clinical therapeutic effect against to tumor treatment. This is mainly ascribed to two reasons. One is that nanocarriers would inevitably encounter a series of physiological and pathological barriers in vivo, leading to low drug transport efficiency. The other is that tumor stroma pose a huge obstruction to tumor therapy, nanotherapeutics just focus on the tumor cells themselves are insufficient for complete tumor eradication. Here in this review, we first outlining sequential biological obstacles encountered by nanocarriers from three levels of blood, tumor tissue and tumor cells. Then, we give a detailed discussion of the role of tumor stroma, and highlight the therapeutic resistances mediated by tumor stroma. In light of these formidable barriers, we provide promising approaches to overcome each barrier or remodel stroma through innovative NDDS design. Finally, we give proposals and considerations of NDDS design, and then discuss several existing challenges and further opportunities of NDDS in clinical application. This review seeks to provide guidelines for optimizing NDDS design through mitigation of biological barriers to efficient tumor therapy.

Graphical abstract

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Chain-length dependent interfacial immunoreaction kinetics on self-assembled monolayers revealed by surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy

Publication date: 1 January 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 176
Author(s): Wen-Jing Bao, Jian Li, Tian-Yuan Cao, Jin Li, Xing-Hua Xia
Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) has been extensively applied as ideal interface layer for construction of biosensors. Its chain length and end functional groups determine the physical and chemical properties of the modified surfaces, which will affect the performance of constructed biosensors. Herein, we studied the influence of chain length of n-alkanethiols SAMs on the immunoreaction kinetics employing attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS). Antibody (rabbit immunoglobulin) is assembled on carboxyl terminated SAMs \of n-alkanethiols with different chain lengths (n = 3, 6, 11, 16). The whole fabrication steps of the immunoassay can be monitored in situ by the ATR-SEIRAS. From the time-dependent SEIRA spectra, the interfacial immunoreaction kinetics between the immobilized antibody and antigen (goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin) can be evaluated. We found that the immunoreaction became faster with increasing the chain length of SAMs. This chain length dependent kinetics might be attributed to different orientations of the assembled antibody caused by different packing densities of SAMs. The present research offers a sensing platform to evaluate immunoassay kinetics and provides fundamentals for construction of immunoassay with high performance.

Graphical abstract

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Staying alive! Sensors used for monitoring cell health in bioreactors

Publication date: 1 January 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 176
Author(s): P. O'Mara, A. Farrell, J. Bones, K. Twomey
Current and next generation sensors such as pH, dissolved oxygen (dO) and temperature sensors that will help drive the use of single-use bioreactors in industry are reviewed. The current trend in bioreactor use is shifting from the traditional fixed bioreactors to the use of single-use bioreactors (SUBs). However as the shift in paradigm occurs there is now a greater need for sensor technology to play 'catch up' with the innovation of bioreactor technology. Many of the sensors still in use today rely on technology created in the 1960's such as the Clark-type dissolved oxygen sensor or glass pH electrodes. This is due to the strict requirements of sensors to monitor bioprocesses resulting in the use of traditional well understood methods, making it difficult to incorporate new sensor technology into industry. A number of advances in sensor technology have been achieved in recent years, a few of these advances and future research will also be discussed in this review.

Graphical abstract

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Co-encapsulation of paclitaxel and C6 ceramide in tributyrin-containing nanocarriers improve co-localization in the skin and potentiate cytotoxic effects in 2D and 3D models

Publication date: 15 November 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 109
Author(s): Vanessa F.M. Carvalho, Amanda Migotto, Daniela V. Giacone, Débora P. de Lemos, Thalita B. Zanoni, Silvya S. Maria-Engler, Leticia V. Costa-Lotufo, Luciana B. Lopes
Considering that tumor development is generally multifactorial, therapy with a combination of agents capable of potentiating cytotoxic effects is promising. In this study, we co-encapsulated C6 ceramide (0.35%) and paclitaxel (0.50%) in micro and nanoemulsions containing tributyrin (a butyric acid pro-drug included for potentiation of cytotoxicity), and compared their ability to co-localize the drugs in viable skin layers. The nanoemulsion delivered 2- and 2.4-fold more paclitaxel into viable skin layers of porcine skin in vitro at 4 and 8h post-application than the microemulsion, and 1.9-fold more C6 ceramide at 8h. The drugs were co-localized mainly in the epidermis, suggesting the nanoemulsion ability for a targeted delivery. Based on this result, the nanoemulsion was selected for evaluation of the nanocarrier-mediated cytotoxicity against cells in culture (2D model) and histological changes in a 3D melanoma model. Encapsulation of the drugs individually decreased the concentration necessary to reduce melanoma cells viability to 50% (EC50) by approximately 4- (paclitaxel) and 13-fold (ceramide), demonstrating an improved nanoemulsion-mediated drug delivery. Co-encapsulation of paclitaxel and ceramide further decreased EC50 by 2.5–4.5-fold, and calculation of the combination index indicated a synergistic effect. Nanoemulsion topical administration on 3D bioengineered melanoma models for 48h promoted marked epidermis destruction, with only few cells remaining in this layer. This result demonstrates the efficacy of the nanoemulsion, but also suggests non-selective cytotoxic effects, which highlights the importance of localizing the drugs within cutaneous layers where the lesions develop to avoid adverse effects.

Graphical abstract

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Remarks on the article “Effect of maximum inhalation flow and inhaled volume on formoterol drug deposition in-vitro from an Easyhaler dry-powder inhaler” by Abadelah, et al., volume 104, page 180–87 (2017)

Publication date: 15 November 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 109
Author(s): Daryl L. Roberts, Jolyon P. Mitchell




http://ift.tt/2vmidi2

Role of medial premotor areas in action language processing in relation to motor skills

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Melody Courson, Joël Macoir, Pascale Tremblay
The literature reports that the supplementary motor area (SMA) and pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) are involved in motor planning and execution, and in motor-related cognitive functions such as motor imagery. However, their specific role in action language processing remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the impact of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over SMA and pre-SMA during an action semantic analogy task (SAT) in relation with fine motor skills (i.e., manual dexterity) and motor imagery abilities in healthy non-expert adults. The impact of rTMS over SMA (but not pre-SMA) on reaction times (RT) during SAT was correlated with manual dexterity. Specifically, results show that rTMS over SMA modulated RT for those with lower dexterity skills. Our results therefore demonstrate a causal involvement of SMA in action language processing, as well as the existence of inter-individual differences in this involvement. We discuss these findings in light of neurolinguistic theories of language processing.



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Action observation effects reflect the modular organization of the human motor system

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Pauline M. Hilt, Eleonora Bartoli, Elisabetta Ferrari, Marco Jacono, Luciano Fadiga, Alessandro D'Ausilio
Action observation, similarly to action execution, facilitates the observer's motor system and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been instrumental in exploring the nature of these motor activities. However, contradictory findings question some of the fundamental assumptions regarding the neural computations run by the Action Observation Network (AON). To better understand this issue, we delivered TMS over the observers' motor cortex at two timings of two reaching-grasping actions (precision vs power grip) and we recorded Motor-Evoked Potentials (4 hand/arm muscles; MEPs). At the same time, we also recorded whole-hand TMS Evoked Kinematics (8 hand elevation angles; MEKs) that capture the global functional motor output, as opposed to the limited view offered by recording few muscles. By repeating the same protocol twice, and a third time after continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) over the motor cortex, we observe significant time-dependent grip-specific MEPs and MEKs modulations, that disappeared after cTBS. MEKs, differently from MEPs, exhibit a consistent significant modulation across pre-cTBS sessions. Beside clear methodological implications, the multidimensionality of MEKs opens a window on muscle synergies needed to overcome system redundancy. By providing better access to the AON computations, our results strengthen the idea that action observation shares key organizational similarities with action execution.



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Implicit guidance of attention: The Priority State Space framework

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Rebecca M. Todd, Maria G.M. Manaligod
Visual selective attention is the process by which we tune ourselves to the world so that, of the millions of bits per second transmitted by the retina, the information that is most important to us reaches awareness and directs action. Recently, new areas of attention research have opened up as classic models dividing attention into top-down and bottom-up systems have been challenged. In this paper, we propose a theoretical framework, the priority state space (PSS) framework, integrating sources of salience that guide visual attention according to a nested hierarchy of goals. Using the PSS framework as a scaffold, we review evidence of selected sources of implicit attentional guidance, including recent research on statistical learning, semantic associations, and motivational and affective salience. We next summarize current understanding of the underlying neural circuitry facilitating guidance of attention by specific sources of salience, including key neuromodulator systems, with an emphasis on affective salience and the noradrenergic system. Finally, we discuss evidence for common mechanisms of prioritization, including integration of sources of salience via priority maps, and introduce the concept of the priority state space as a model for mapping a complex dynamic attentional landscape.



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Normal composite face effects in developmental prosopagnosia

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Federica Biotti, Esther Wu, Hua Yang, Guo Jiahui, Bradley Duchaine, Richard Cook
Upright face perception is thought to involve holistic processing, whereby local features are integrated into a unified whole. Consistent with this view, the top half of one face appears to fuse perceptually with the bottom half of another, when aligned spatially and presented upright. This 'composite face effect' reveals a tendency to integrate information from disparate regions when faces are presented canonically. In recent years, the relationship between susceptibility to the composite effect and face recognition ability has received extensive attention both in participants with normal face recognition and participants with developmental prosopagnosia. Previous results suggest that individuals with developmental prosopagnosia may show reduced susceptibility to the effect suggestive of diminished holistic face processing. Here we describe two studies that examine whether developmental prosopagnosia is associated with reduced composite face effects. Despite using independent samples of developmental prosopagnosics and different composite procedures, we find no evidence for reduced composite face effects. The experiments yielded similar results; highly significant composite effects in both prosopagnosic groups that were similar in magnitude to the effects found in participants with normal face processing. The composite face effects exhibited by both samples and the controls were greatly diminished when stimulus arrangements were inverted. Our finding that the whole-face binding process indexed by the composite effect is intact in developmental prosopagnosia indicates that other factors are responsible for developmental prosopagnosia. These results are also inconsistent with suggestions that susceptibility to the composite face effect and face recognition ability are tightly linked. While the holistic process revealed by the composite face effect may be necessary for typical face perception, it is not sufficient; individual differences in face recognition ability likely reflect variability in multiple sequential processes.



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Mental imagery of gravitational motion

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Silvio Gravano, Myrka Zago, Francesco Lacquaniti
There is considerable evidence that gravitational acceleration is taken into account in the interaction with falling targets through an internal model of Earth gravity. Here we asked whether this internal model is accessed also when target motion is imagined rather than real. In the main experiments, naïve participants grasped an imaginary ball, threw it against the ceiling, and caught it on rebound. In different blocks of trials, they had to imagine that the ball moved under terrestrial gravity (1g condition) or under microgravity (0g) as during a space flight. We measured the speed and timing of the throwing and catching actions, and plotted ball flight duration versus throwing speed. Best-fitting duration-speed curves estimate the laws of ball motion implicit in the participant's performance. Surprisingly, we found duration-speed curves compatible with 0g for both the imaginary 0g condition and the imaginary 1g condition, despite the familiarity with Earth gravity effects and the added realism of performing the throwing and catching actions. In a control experiment, naïve participants were asked to throw the imaginary ball vertically upwards at different heights, without hitting the ceiling, and to catch it on its way down. All participants overestimated ball flight durations relative to the durations predicted by the effects of Earth gravity. Overall, the results indicate that mental imagery of motion does not have access to the internal model of Earth gravity, but resorts to a simulation of visual motion. Because visual processing of accelerating/decelerating motion is poor, visual imagery of motion at constant speed or slowly varying speed appears to be the preferred mode to perform the tasks.



http://ift.tt/2wx2yLJ

Evidence of perceptive impairment in OSA patients investigated by means of a visual search task

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Enrico Giora, Andrea Galbiati, Sara Marelli, Marco Zucconi, Luigi Ferini-Strambi
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by episodes of complete or partial obstruction of respiratory airways during sleep that leads to hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation. One relevant daytime consequence of OSA is a negative impact on neurocognitive domain, ranging from psychomotor performance to executive function. In spite of a huge amount of evidence regarding cognitive impairment, little is known about perceptual processing in these patients. The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of OSA on visual mechanisms by employing a visual search paradigm. 19 OSA patients and 19 age-matched healthy controls (HC) participated in a case-control study. After a nocturnal cardiorespiratory monitoring, patients performed a visual search task in which they had to detect the presence/absence of a target (letter T) embedded in the 50% of trials into a set of distractors (letters Os, Xs, or Ls). Target's salience and distractors' numerosity were manipulated as independent variables, whereas accuracy and reaction times (RT) were recorded as dependent variables. HC, after the exclusion of any sleep disorder or sleepiness, performed the same experiments. Results generally confirmed the typical effects of visual search. OSA patients reported significantly slower RT in comparison with HC, indicating an overall perceptual deficit consisting in a harder extraction of relevant information from noise. Neither patients' age nor the objective clinical indices were associated with RT. This study indicates the presence of an impairment in OSA patients involving basic mechanisms of visual processing and likely ascribable to the disorder per se.



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A systematic linguistic profile of spontaneous narrative speech in pre-symptomatic and early stage Huntington’s disease

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Wolfram Hinzen, Joana Rosselló, Cati Morey, Estela Camara, Clara Garcia-Gorro, Raymond Salvador, Ruth de Diego-Balaguer
Cognitive decline accompanying the clinically more salient motor symptoms of Huntington's disease (HD) has been widely noted and can precede motor symptoms onset. Less clear is how such decline bears on language functions in everyday life, though a small number of experimental studies have revealed difficulties with the application of rule-based aspects of language in early stages of the disease. Here we aimed to determine whether there is a systematic linguistic profile that characterizes spontaneous narrative speech in both pre-manifest and/or early manifest HD, and how it is related to striatal degeneration and neuropsychological profiles. Twenty-eight early-stage patients (19 manifest and 9 gene-carriers in the pre-manifest stage), matched with 28 controls, participated in a story-telling task. Speech was blindly scored by independent raters according to fine-grained linguistic variables distributed over 5 domains for which composite scores were computed (Quantitative, Fluency, Reference, Connectivity, and Concordance). Voxel-based morphometry was used to link specific brain degeneration patterns to loci of linguistic decline. In all of them significant differences were observed between groups. Deficits in Reference and Connectivity were seen in the pre-manifest stage, where no other neuropsychological impairment was detected. Among HD patients, there was a significant positive correlation only between the values in the Quantitative domain and gray matter volume bilaterally in the putamen and pallidum. These results fill the gap of qualitative data of spontaneous narrative speech in HD and reveal that HD is characterized by systematic linguistic impairments leading to dysfluencies and disorganization in core domains of grammatical organization. This includes the referential use of noun phrases and the embedding of clauses, which mediate crucial dimensions of meaning in language in its normal social use. Moreover, such impairment is seen prior to motor symptoms onset and when standardized neuropsychological test profiles are otherwise normal.



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Breathlessness and the body: Neuroimaging clues for the inferential leap

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Olivia K. Faull, Anja Hayen, Kyle TS. Pattinson
Breathlessness debilitates millions of people with chronic illness. Mismatch between breathlessness severity and objective disease markers is common and poorly understood. Traditionally, sensory perception was conceptualised as a stimulus-response relationship, although this cannot explain how conditioned symptoms may occur in the absence of physiological signals from the lungs or airways. A Bayesian model is now proposed in which the brain generates sensations based on expectations learned from past experiences (priors), which are then checked against incoming afferent signals. In this model, psychological factors may act as moderators. They may alter priors, change the relative attention towards incoming sensory information, or alter comparisons between priors and sensations, leading to more variable interpretation of an equivalent afferent input.In the present study we conducted a supplementary analysis of previously published data (Hayen 2017). We hypothesised that individual differences in psychological traits (anxiety, depression, anxiety sensitivity) would correlate with the variability of subjective perceptions of equivalent breathlessness challenges. To better understand the resulting inferential leap in the brain, we explored where brain these behavioural measures correlated with functional brain activity across subjects.Behaviourally, anxiety sensitivity was found to positively correlate with each subject's variability of intensity and unpleasantness during mild breathlessness, and with variability of unpleasantness during strong breathlessness. In the brain, anxiety sensitivity was found to negatively correlate with precuneus activity during anticipation, positively correlate with anterior insula during mild breathlessness, and negatively correlate with parietal sensorimotor areas during strong breathlessness.Our findings suggest that anxiety sensitivity may reduce the robustness of this Bayesian sensory perception system, increasing the variability of breathlessness perception and possibly susceptibility to symptom misinterpretation. These preliminary findings in healthy individuals demonstrate how differences in psychological function influence the way we experience bodily sensations, which might direct us towards better understanding of symptom mismatch in clinical populations.



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Scholar : These new articles for Annals of the American Association of Geographers are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Annals of the American Association of Geographers and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Articles Embedding Carbon Markets: Complicating Commodification of Ecosystem Services in Mexico's Forests Tracey Osborne & Elizabeth Shapiro-Garza Pages: 1-18 | DOI: 10.1080/24694452.2017.1343657 Volunteered Geographic Videos in Physical Geography: Data Mining from YouTube Quinn W. Lewis & Edward Park Pages: 1-19 | DOI: 10.1080/24694452.2017.1343658 In Memoriam George Demko, 1933–2015: Engaging, Emphatic, Empowering Stanley D. Brunn, Roland Fuchs & Richard A. Wright Pages: 1-9 | DOI: 10.1080/24694452.2017.1345042 Interested in the political-economic topics surrounding China? You wouldn't want to miss this exclusive collection. To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

pT but not pN stage of the 8th TNM classification significantly improves prognostication in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Publication date: October 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 84
Author(s): Anna Melissa Schlitter, Moritz Jesinghaus, Carsten Jäger, Björn Konukiewitz, Alexander Muckenhuber, Ihsan Ekin Demir, Marcus Bahra, Carsten Denkert, Helmut Friess, Günter Kloeppel, Güralp O. Ceyhan, Wilko Weichert
The UICC TNM (tumour-node-metastasis) staging system for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been a matter of debate over decades because survival prediction based on T stages was weak and unreliable. To improve staging, the recently published 8th TNM edition (2016) introduced a conceptually completely changed strictly size-based T staging system and a refined N stage for PDAC. To investigate the clinical value of the novel TNM classification, we compared the prognostic impact of pT and pN stage between the 7th and 8th edition in two well-characterised independent German PDAC cohorts from different decades, including a total number of 523 patients. Former UICC T staging (7th edition 2009) resulted in a clustering of pT3 cases (72% and 85% of cases per cohort, respectively) and failed to show significant prognostic differences between the four stages in one of the investigated cohorts (p = 0.074). Application of the novel size-based T stage system resulted in a more equal distribution of cases between the four T categories with a predominance of pT2 tumours (65% and 60% of cases). The novel pT staging algorithm showed greatly improved discriminative power with highly significant overall differences between the four pT stages in both investigated cohorts in univariate and multivariate analyses (p < 0.001, each). In contrast, no prognostic differences were observed between the recently introduced pN1 and pN2 categories in both cohorts (p = 0.970 and p = 0.061).pT stage of resected PDAC patients according to the novel UICC staging protocol (8th edition) significantly improves patient stratification, whereas introduction of an extended N stage protocol does not demonstrate high clinical relevance in our cohorts.



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Risk of uterine cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers

Publication date: October 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 84
Author(s): Y.C. Lee, R.L. Milne, S. Lheureux, M. Friedlander, S.A. McLachlan, K.L. Martin, M.Q. Bernardini, C. Smith, S. Picken, S. Nesci, J.L. Hopper, K.A. Phillips
BackgroundWhether BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers have a clinically relevant elevated risk of uterine cancer has implications for risk-reducing surgery.AimThis multicentre, prospective cohort study assessed uterine cancer risk for mutation carriers compared with the general population.MethodsEligible mutation carriers were enrolled in the Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer (kConFab) cohort study, had a uterus present and no history of uterine cancer at cohort entry. Epidemiological, lifestyle and clinical data were collected at cohort entry and updated three-yearly. Cancer events were verified using pathology reports. Follow-up was censored at death or last contact. Relative risk of uterine cancer was estimated using the standardised incidence ratio (SIR), with the expected number of cases determined using population-based data for Australia.ResultsOf 1,111 mutation carriers in kConFab, 283 were excluded due to prior hysterectomy (N = 278), prior uterine cancer (N = 2) or being non-residents (N = 3). After a median follow-up of 9.0 years, five incident uterine cancers were reported in the 828 eligible women (419 had prior breast cancer and 160 had prior tamoxifen use), compared to 2.04 expected (SIR = 2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–5.72; P = 0.11). In 438 BRCA1 mutation carriers and 390 BRCA2 mutation carriers, three and two incident cases of uterine cancer were reported, respectively, compared to 1.04 expected (SIR = 2.87; 95% CI: 0.59–8.43; P = 0.18) and 0.99 expected (SIR = 2.01; 95% CI: 0.24–7.30; P = 0.52), respectively. All cases were endometrioid subtype, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics stage I–II disease. No serous uterine cancers were reported.ConclusionsOur findings are consistent with those from most other reports and do not support routine risk-reducing hysterectomy for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.



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Radiotherapy access in Belgium: How far are we from evidence-based utilisation?

Publication date: October 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 84
Author(s): Y. Lievens, H. De Schutter, K. Stellamans, M. Rosskamp, L. Van Eycken
IntroductionUnderutilisation of radiotherapy has been observed worldwide. To evaluate the current situation in Belgium, optimal utilisation proportions (OUPs) adopted from the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology – Health Economics in Radiation Oncology (ESTRO-HERO) project were compared to actual utilisation proportions (AUPs) and with radiotherapy advised during the multidisciplinary cancer team (MDT) meetings. In addition, the impact of independent variables was analysed.Materials and methodsAUPs and advised radiotherapy were calculated overall and by cancer type for 110,810 unique cancer diagnoses in 2009–2010. Radiotherapy utilisation was derived from reimbursement data and distinguished between palliative and curative intent external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and/or brachytherapy (BT). Sensitivity analyses regarding the influence of the follow-up period, the survival length and patient's age were performed. Advised radiotherapy was calculated based on broad treatment categories as reported at MDT meetings.ResultsThe overall AUP of 37% (39% including BT) was lower than the OUP of 53%, but in line with advised radiotherapy (35%). Large variations by tumour type were observed: in some tumours (e.g. lung and prostate cancer) AUP was considerably lower than OUP, whereas in others there was reasonable concordance (e.g. breast and rectal cancer). Overall, 84% of treatments started within 9 months following diagnosis. Survival time influenced AUP in a cancer type-dependent way. Elderly patients received less radiotherapy.ConclusionAlthough the actually delivered radiotherapy in Belgium aligns well to MDT advices, it is lower than the evidence-based optimum. Further analysis of potential barriers is needed for radiotherapy forecasting and planning, and in order to promote adequate access to radiotherapy.



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Expression and purification of norovirus virus like particles in Escherichia coli and their immunogenicity in mice

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Molecular Immunology
Author(s): Yuqi Huo, Xin Wan, Tong Ling, Jie Wu, Wenhui Wang, Shuo Shen
Norovirus (NoV) virus like particles (VLPs) produced in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells have been tested in human volunteers as vaccine candidate and were shown to be protective against NoV induced acute gastroenteritis. In this study, prevailing Sydney-2012-like NoV major capsid protein gene with or without N-terminal deletions (N26 and N38, 26 and 38 amino acids deleted from N terminus，respectively) were sub-cloned into prokaryotic expression vector, pCold III and pCold IV. Soluble and insoluble proteins were detected for both vectors after induction and higher levels of protein expression were observed for constructs pCold III-N26 and pCold III-N38. Electron microscopy observation of unpurified and purified lysates indicated in vivo assembly of VLPs with two sizes in accordance with those observed in Sf9 cells. In vitro salivary HBGA-VLP binding assay demonstrated that VLPs assembled in Escherichia coli (E. coli) exhibited the same binding pattern as that of VLPs assembled in Sf9 cells. Immunization of mice with purified VLPs derived from pCold III-N38 demonstrated higher IgG antibody titers and blocking antibody titers when compared with full-length capsid protein assembled VLPs from recombinant baculovirus expression system. In conclusion, NoV VLPs produced in E. coli using pCold expression vector might be used for the development of NoV vaccine.



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Scholar : These new articles for Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Original Article Synthesis of chalcone-imide derivatives and investigation of their anticancer and antimicrobial activities, carbonic anhydrase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes inhibition profiles Umit Muhammet Kocyigit, Yakup Budak, Meliha Burcu Gürdere, Fatih Ertürk, Belkız Yencilek, Parham Taslimi, İlhami Gülçin & Mustafa Ceylan Pages: 1-8 | DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2017.1360914 To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

Regulation of cell fate by near infrared-responsive telomerase activity

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Materials Today
Author(s): Jiasi Wang, Peng Shi, Kai Dong, Zhengqing Yan, Jinsong Ren, Xiaogang Qu
As a key regulator, telomerase plays important roles in aging and tissue renewal and lifespan. It has been demonstrated that telomerase reactivation in adult or old mice can lead to tissue regeneration, delayed aging and significant lifespan extension. Therefore, modulation of telomerase activity in a precise manner has been received much attention. Here we develop a strategy using near infrared (NIR) modulation of telomerase activity based on gold nanocage@smart polymer system. By using this biocompatible design, cell migration, differentiation, cell senescence and cell cycle have been regulated. NIR-induced upregulation of telomerase can even protect cells from neurotoxic amyloid β induced cell death. This system has been used in vivo by taking advantages of NIR, such as good biocompatibility and tissues penetration. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example for optical modulation of telomerase activity in living cells and tissues. In consideration of the important roles of telomerase in aging, cancer and hereditary disease, our work may inspire further application of multiple NIR-responsive control system for treatment of aging and related diseases.



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Functional polymer surfaces for controlling cell behaviors

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Materials Today
Author(s): Lina Chen, Casey Yan, Zijian Zheng
Thorough understanding of how to control cell behaviors including cell adhesion, orientation, migration and differentiation on an artificial surface is critical in materials and life sciences such as advanced biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, and cell-based bioassay. In nature, extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in controlling cell behaviors. It can not only provide the cells with mechanical support but also profoundly affect cell functions such as metabolism, movement and transport process. Functional polymer surface exhibits superior advantages over many other materials for use as artificial ECM owing to its excellent mechanical properties, abundant chemical species and remarkable capability to form various topographical surfaces. In particular, surface chemistry, mechanical properties and topography of these functional polymers are found to be three major parameters for effective control of cell behaviors. This paper comprehensively reviews the fundamental understanding of functional polymer surfaces for controlling cell behaviors. Different fabrication methods to achieve functional polymer surfaces and the parameters for effective control of cell behaviors are discussed. The future prospects and challenges particularly in cell biomedical engineering are also discussed at the end of this review paper.

Graphical abstract

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Scholar : These new articles for Archives and Records are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Archives and Records and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Book Review Copyright and e-learning: a guide for practitioners Victoria Stobo Pages: 1-2 | DOI: 10.1080/23257962.2017.1360764 To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

Retroreflection in binary bio-based PLA/PBF blends

Publication date: 8 September 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 125
Author(s): Yu Long, Ruoyu Zhang, Juncheng Huang, Jinggang Wang, Junwu Zhang, Nissim Rayand, Guo-hua Hu, Jian Yang, Jin Zhu
Corn starch based polylactide acid (PLA) and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) based poly(butylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF) are melt blended together, and the binary bio-based blends show high reflectivity by several processing methods, including hot pressing, injection molding and 3D printing. We use optical microscopy to study the underlying structures and find that the phase separated and semi-crystallization morphology in the blends is the key structure. The large surface area of PBF droplets and smooth surface of PLA lamellar compose a retro-reflection geometry, which is similar to the tapetum lucidum in a cat's eyes. The conclusion in this study is applicable to other polymer pairs, and is adaptable in many processing technologies.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2usgll5

Enhanced thermal stabilization of polymer nanofibrous web using self-polymerized 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine

Publication date: 8 September 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 125
Author(s): Ja Young Cheon, Won Ho Park
When used as an industrial polymer, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) has the disadvantage of low thermal decomposition temperature. Therefore, various studies are under way to overcome this drawback. PVA is thermally decomposed in a two-stage process, in which radicals are formed in the first stage, and subsequently the backbone chain of PVA is decomposed via a chain reaction. Poly(3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine) (pDA) synthesized by the self-polymerization of 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (DA) has radical scavenging ability. Therefore, the thermal stability of PVA was improved by the radical scavenging ability of pDA. The thermal decomposition behavior of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was compared with that of PVA, to confirm that the thermal stability improvement was due to the radical scavenging reaction. In addition, the radical scavenging ability of pDA was confirmed by using antioxidant reagents DPPH and ABTS. The thermal decomposition behavior of the polymer was characterized by TGA and DTG, and the radical scavenging activity was analyzed by UV-Vis spectrometry.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2usAmrB

Influence of regio-irregular structures on thermal behaviour of PVDF

Publication date: 8 September 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 125
Author(s): Nasim Anousheh, Armand Soldera
Experimentally, there is no consensus to find out which of the α and β crystal phases of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) exhibits the highest melting temperature. To unveil this ambiguity, we use an established procedure based on achieving the Gibbs-Thomson equation from molecular dynamics simulation on pure crystals and crystals containing 10% of regioisomerism defects. The rightness of the protocol is confirmed by the agreement with experimental data. We thus show that in pure crystals, it is the α form that exhibits the highest melting temperature. However, insertion of regioisomerism defects inside crystals influences more the value of the melting point of the α form than for the β crystal. The pure and altered β phase then show the highest melting temperature. This conclusion explains the experimental difficulty on finding which of the α and β crystal forms displays the highest melting temperature, since PVDF samples always contain regioisomerism defects.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2ushFEM

Direct spectroscopic detection of binding formation by kneading of biomass filler and acid-modified resin

Publication date: 8 September 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 125
Author(s): Saori Niwa, Yasuko Saito, Mizuki Ito, Shinji Ogoe, Hirokazu Ito, Yuta Sunaga, Kenji Aoki, Takashi Endo, Yoshikuni Teramoto
Compatibilizers added into filler-reinforced polymer composites are supposed to bring about the enhancement of mechanical properties by binding with the filler and entanglement with the polymer matrix. We elucidated the binding of maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene (MAPP) compatibilizer and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) filler. This is usually not readily detectable by spectroscopy. For this, we adopted a set of enzymatic digestion and refined but simple spectroscopy. A series of binary composites of MCC and MAPP was prepared by kneading. By the cellulolytic treatment and an adequate heat processing, we obtained clear IR signals due to the binding. Furthermore, by gel (swollen)-state NMR method which has attracted attention for analyzing plant cell wall, we acquired interface-specific liquid-state NMR spectra giving the information of the bonds between these components insoluble in commonly used solvents. Such analytical methods provide a useful perspective on the relationship between the microstructure and compatibility of composite materials.

Graphical abstract

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Scholar : These new articles for Sociological Spectrum are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Sociological Spectrum and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Original Articles Examining Differences in Identity Disclosure Between Monosexuals and Bisexuals M. N. Barringer, J. E. Sumerau & David A. Gay Pages: 1-15 | DOI: 10.1080/02732173.2017.1348276 To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

The alteration of autophagy and apoptosis in the hippocampus of rats with natural aging-dependent cognitive deficits

Publication date: 15 September 2017
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 334
Author(s): Yang Yu, Linjing Feng, Junnan Li, Xiaoxin Lan, Lixiang A, Xiaoyan Lv, Ming Zhang, Li Chen
AimsThe present study was aim to explore aging-dependent changes in hippocampal autophagy and apoptosis in a natural aging rat model from adult to old stages and to discover a suitable age for treating neurodegenerative diseases.MethodsWistar rats at 5, 18 and 24months of age were used to mimic the adulthood, initial old, and old phases, respectively. The learning and cognitive ability of the rats was detected by the Morris water maze test. Morphological changes in the hippocampus were observed. Expressions of apoptosis and autophagy-related proteins were examined by Western blot.ResultsThe adult group (5months) exhibited high levels of autophagy related p-ULK p-ULK-1/ULK-1 ratio, Beclin-1, LC3II and cell survival, maintaining normal learning and cognitive function and integrated hippocampal morphology. The initial old group (18 months) presented a reduced number of neurons and cognitive deficits, and exhibited high levels of apoptosis related Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, Caspase-3 activation and autophagy related p-ULK p-ULK-1/ULK-1 ratio, Beclin-1, LC3II compared to the adult group. The old group (24 months) exhibited a high level of apoptosis related Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, Caspase-3 activation and a low level of autophagy related p-ULK p-ULK-1/ULK-1 ratio, Beclin-1, LC3II compared to its younger group, as well as significant neuronal death and cognitive deficits. The degree of autophagy was generally consistent with its negative regulator, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis, in all groups.ConclusionOur data suggest that cognitive deficits are first observed in the initial old stage. The levels of autophagy and apoptosis tend to be opposite in the adult and old phases. High levels of autophagy and apoptosis coexist in the initial old stage. Our study indicates that up-regulation of autophagy in the initial old phase to anti-cognitive deficits must be further evaluated.



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Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) directly interfere with the regulation of E-cadherin in lung epithelial cells

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Microbes and Infection
Author(s): Inga Kaufhold, Sünja Osbahr, Kensuke Shima, Sebastian Marwitz, Kristina Rohmann, Daniel Drömann, Torsten Goldmann, Klaus Dalhoff, Jan Rupp
Loss of epithelial barriers characterized by reduction of E-cadherin is a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We investigated the effects of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) infections, associated with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, on the regulation of E-cadherin in host cells.NTHi infection decreased E-cadherin mRNA and protein-levels in lung epithelial cells. E-cadherin reduction was mediated by activation of the fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Slug.These data indicate that epithelial integrity and barrier function is disturbed by NTHi infection. Mainly, the destruction of cell-cell contacts is a prominent feature in NTHi infection.



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Genomics of the new species Kingella negevensis: diagnostic issues & identification of a locus encoding a RTX toxin

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Microbes and Infection
Author(s): Onya Opota, Sacha Laurent, Trestan Pillonel, Marie Léger, Sabrina Trachsel, Guy Prod'hom, Katia Jaton, Gilbert Greub
Kingella kingae, producing the cytotoxic RTX protein, is a causative agent of serious infections in humans such as bacteremia, endocarditis and osteoarticular infection, especially in young children. Recently, Kingella negevensis, a related species, has been isolated from the oral cavity of healthy children. In this study, we report the isolation of K. negevensis strain eburonensis, initially misidentified as K. kingae with MALDI-TOF MS, from a vaginal specimen of a patient suffering of vaginosis. The genome sequencing and analysis of this strain together with comparative genomics of the Kingella genus revealed that K. negevensis possesses a full homolog of the rtx operon of K. kingae involved in the synthesis of the RTX toxin. We report that a K. kingae specific diagnostic PCR, based on the rtxA gene, was positive when tested on K. negevensis strain eburonensis DNA. This cross-amplification, and risk of misidentification, was confirmed by in silico analysis of the target gene sequence. To overcome this major diagnostic issue we developed a duplex real-time PCR to detect and distinguish K. kingae and K. negevensis. In addition to this, the identification of K. negevensis raises a clinical issue in term of pathogenic potential given the production of a RTX hemolysin.



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Scholar : Journal of Strategic Marketing, Volume 25, Issue 7, november 2017 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content Journal of Strategic Marketing, Volume 25, Issue 7, november 2017 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online. This new issue contains the following articles: Articles The influence of eco-label knowledge and trust on pro-environmental consumer behaviour in an emerging market Khan Md Raziuddin Taufique , Andrea Vocino & Michael Jay Polonsky Pages: 511-529 | DOI: 10.1080/0965254X.2016.1240219 Original Articles Predictors of export performance in developing economies: a longitudinal analysis of Moroccan SMEs Hind El Makrini Pages: 530-546 | DOI: 10.1080/0965254X.2016.1148765 Untangling the relationships between consumer characteristics, shopping values, and behavioral intention in online group buying Weng Marc Lim Pages: 547-566 | DOI: 10.1080/0965254X.2016.1148767 Determinants of reverse marketing knowledge transfer potential from emerging market subsidiaries to multinational enterprises' headquarters Tiina Leposky, Ahmad Arslan & Minnie Kontkanen Pages: 567-580 | DOI: 10.1080/0965254X.2016.1195856 An examination of mobile app usage and the user's life satisfaction Stefan Linnhoff & Katherine Taken Smith Pages: 581-617 | DOI: 10.1080/0965254X.2016.1195857 Marketing flexibility measurement scale: conceptualization, development and nomological validation Kumar Shalender Pages: 618-628 | DOI: 10.1080/0965254X.2016.1195858 Editorial Board Editorial Board Pages: ebi-ebi | DOI: 10.1080/0965254X.2017.1364511 To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

Effect of Cholecalciferol therapy on serum FGF 23 in vitamin D deficient patients: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction

Fibroblast growth factor-23 plays an important role in regulating systemic phosphate homeostasis, and vitamin D metabolism. However, the effect of Cholecalciferol therapy on FGF₂₃ serum level in patients with vitamin D deficiency has not been studied, yet.

Materials and methods

This is a double-blind, randomized clinical trial on 119 vitamin D deficient patients in 2016. Biochemical variables of treatment and placebo groups were analyzed after 12 weeks of 50,000 IU of Cholecalciferol vs. placebo therapy once a week, by SPSS18.

Results

After Cholecalciferol therapy, delta of serum PTH in treatment group was less than the controls (P < 0.001). However, delta values of serum 25(OH)D₃, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and FGF₂₃ in vitamin D treated group were more than the placebo-treated ones (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.04, respectively). Moreover, FGF₂₃ serum level in treatment group was associated with serum calcium (P = 0.005, r = −0.256), and serum 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (P < 0.001, r = 0.529).

Conclusions

We propose that in these patients 1,25(OH)₂D₃ has a positive association with serum FGF₂₃, and hypostasized that serum calcium might be a down regulator of serum FGF₂₃.

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