Childhood adversity predicts reduced physiological flexibility during the processing of negative affect among adolescents with major depression histories

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Shimrit Daches, Maria Kovacs, Charles George, Ilya Yaroslavsky, Eniko Kiss, Agnes Vetro, Roberta Dochnal, István Benak, Ildikó Baji, Kitti Halas, Attila Makai, Krisztina Kapornai, Jonathan Rottenberg
BackgroundAdversity during early development has been shown to have enduring negative physiological consequences. In turn, atypical physiological functioning has been associated with maladaptive processing of negative affect, including its regulation. The present study therefore explored whether exposure to adverse life events in childhood predicted maladaptive (less flexible) parasympathetic nervous system functioning during the processing of negative affect among adolescents with depression histories.MethodsAn initially clinic-referred, pediatric sample (N=189) was assessed at two time points. At Time 1, when subjects were 10.17years old (SD=1.42), on average, and were depressed, parents reported on adverse life events the offspring experienced up to that point. At Time 2, when subjects were 17.18years old (SD=1.28), and were remitted from depression, parents again reported on adverse life events in their offspring's lives for the interim period. At time 2, subjects' parasympathetic nervous system functioning (quantified as respiratory sinus arrhythmia) also was assessed at rest, during sad mood induction, and during instructed mood repair.ResultsExtent of adverse life events experienced by T1 (but not events occurring between T1 and T2) predicted less flexible RSA functioning 7years later during the processing of negative affect. Adolescents with more extensive early life adversities exhibited less vagal withdrawal following negative mood induction and tended to show less physiological recovery following mood repair.ConclusionsEarly adversities appear to be associated with less flexible physiological regulatory control during negative affect experience, when measured later in development. Stress-related autonomic dysfunction in vulnerable youths may contribute to the unfavorable clinical prognosis associated with juvenile-onset depression.



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Chemical characteristics of soluble aerosols over the central Himalayas: insights into spatiotemporal variations and sources

Abstract

In order to investigate the spatial and temporal variations of aerosols and its soluble chemical compositions of the data gap zone in the central Himalayan region, aerosol samples were collected at four sites. The sampling location were characterized by four different categories, such as urban (Bode), semi-urban site in the northern Indo-Gangetic Plain (Lumbini), rural (Dhunche), and semiarid rural (Jomsom). A total of 230 aerosol samples were collected from four representative sites for a yearlong period and analyzed for water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs). The annual average aerosol mass concentration followed the sequence as Bode (238.24 ± 162.24 μg/m³)> Lumbini (161.14 ± 105.95 μg/m³)> Dhunche (112.40 ± 40.30 μg/m³)> Jomsom (78.85 ± 34.28 μg/m³), suggesting heavier particulate pollution in the urban and semi-urban sites. The total soluble ions contributed to 12.61–28.19% of TSP aerosol mass. The results revealed that SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻ were the major anion and Ca²⁺ and NH₄⁺ were the major cation influencing the aerosol composition over the central Himalayas. Calcium played a major role in neutralizing aerosol acidity followed by NH₄⁺ at all the sites. The major compound of aerosol was (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄HSO₄ in the central Himalayas. Clear seasonality was observed at three observation sites, with higher concentrations during non-monsoon (dry periods) and lower during monsoon (wet period), suggesting washing out of aerosol particles by heavy precipitation during monsoon. In contrast, semiarid sites did not show the clear seasonal trend due to limited precipitation. Stationary sources were predominant over the mobile sources mostly in the remote sites. Principal component analysis confirmed that the major sources of WSIIs in the region were industrial emissions, fossil fuel and biomass burning, and crustal fugitive dusts. Nevertheless, transboundary aerosol transport over the region from polluted cities from south Asia could not be ignored as indicated by the clusters of air mass backward trajectory analysis.

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Biochemical, hematological, and pathological related healing effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia hydroalcoholic extract in 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in male golden hamster

Abstract

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the cancer chemotherapy-related side effects which can affect the quality of life of affected patients. This study was designed to investigate the healing effect of Elaeagnus angustifolia in 5-flurouracil (5-FU)-induced OM in golden hamster. Fifty-six adult male golden hamsters received three intraperitoneal injections of 5-FU at a dose of 60 mg/kg on days 0, 5, and 10. The cheek pouch mucosa was scratched superficially under local anesthesia. Then, two horizontal scratches were made across the everted cheek pouch on days 3 and 4. All treatments were started on day 12 for equal number of animals in control group with no treatments, gel base group that was treated with carboxy methyl cellulose as gel base which used in preparation of the topical gel, topical gel group that used gel containing 10% hydroalcoholic extract of E. angustifolia (HEEA) topically, and dietary group which was treated with 300 mg/kg HEEA. At 2 and 5 days after treatment, blood and pouch tissue sampling were done and analyzed for blood composition, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities plus histopathological evaluations. Both topically and orally HEEA-treated groups showed a significant relief in OM compared to the control and base gel groups. However, the systemic form had higher efficiency in some parts especially decreasing the MPO (0.27 ± 0.17 vs. 0.56 ± 0.17 IU/L) and increasing SOD (6.46 ± 0.15 vs. 5.36 ± 0.18 IU/L) activities in pouch tissue in comparison to topical form mostly at 5 days after treatment. It seems that hydroalcoholic extract of E. angustifolia can be used as an appropriate drug choice for the treatment of oral mucositis based on its healing stimulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.

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Rule reactivation and capture errors in goal directed behaviour

Publication date: Available online 10 September 2017
Source:Cortex
Author(s): María Roca, Milagros García, Juliana Torres Ardilla, María Luz González Gadea, Teresa Torralva, Jesica Ferrari, Agustín Ibáñez, Facundo Manes, John Duncan
In everyday life people may act automatically, following "unwanted" lines of action which are triggered by contextual cues and may interfere with current goals. Such occurrences are known as "capture errors" in reference to errors that occur when a more salient behaviour takes place when a similar, but less salient, action was intended. Clinical neuropsychological studies suggest that reactivation of previous rules may play an important role in behavioural interference, but such reactivation has been little studied in normal subjects and simple experimental tasks. In the present study we develop this theme, presenting data on 4 subjects who spontaneously showed capture errors in verbal fluency tasks, and developing a new experimental paradigm specifically designed to elicit such interference in normal subjects. In the new paradigm, 101 normal subjects performed a simple series of working memory tasks, including occasional stimuli whose answer matched both the current and the previous rule. We found that normal controls indeed tend to commit more mistakes after the presentation of a stimulus whose answer is consistent with a current and preceding rule. In this case, however, the errors produced are not necessarily associated with a shift back to the old rule, suggesting that rule reactivation leads to a more general interference effect. We discuss the importance of our data from both theoretical and clinical perspectives.



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Health anxiety by proxy in women with severe health anxiety: a case control study

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Author(s): Mette Viller Thorgaard, Lisbeth Frostholm, Lynn Walker, Jens Søndergaard Jensen, Butrin Morina, Hanne Lindegaard, Lone Salomonsen, Charlotte Ulrikka Rask
Health anxiety (HA) refers to excessive worries and anxiety about harbouring serious illness based on misinterpretation of bodily sensations or changes as signs of serious illness. Severe HA is associated with disability and high health care costs. However, the impact of parental HA on excessive concern with their children's health (health anxiety by proxy) is scantly investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate HA by proxy in mothers with severe HA. Fifty mothers with severe HA and two control groups were included, i.e. mothers with rheumatoid arthritis (N=49) and healthy mothers (N=51). All participants completed self-report questionnaires on their own HA and illness perceptions and on illness worries and illness behaviour related to their children.The results showed that mothers with severe HA reported significantly more negative illness perceptions and more HA on behalf of their child (i.e. by proxy) compared to both control groups.HA by proxy may be an overlooked treatment target in mothers with severe HA, and improving our understanding of this condition can have important preventive and clinical implications.



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Integrating iCBT for Generalized Anxiety Disorder into Routine Clinical Care: Treatment Effects Across the Adult Lifespan

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Author(s): Megan J. Hobbs, Alison E.J. Mahoney, Gavin Andrews
The burden attributable to late-life Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is set to increase alongside the ageing population. Yet, the psychogeriatric workforce is limited in size and few studies have focused on the treatment of GAD among older patients. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) could be integrated into existing infrastructure and scale the psychogeriatric workforce, if shown to be effective across the adult lifespan. This study examined age-related differences in presentation, adherence and effects of iCBT for GAD among patients in routine clinical care (N=942; 18–29years (n=267); 30–39years (n=260); 40–49years (n=180); 50–59years (n=124); and 60+ years (n=111)). Compared to younger patients, older patients were less likely to present with probable GAD and MDD diagnoses (<60years vs. 60+ years) and more likely to complete treatment (<50years vs. 50+ years). iCBT produced moderate to large effect size reductions in symptom severity, distress and impairment independent of age. iCBT is therefore an effective treatment for GAD across the adult lifespan, which can be delivered in routine clinical care. Continuing to integrate iCBT into existing services has the potential to improve the capacity of the existing workforce to manage those seeking help for GAD particularly as the population ages.



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Aortitis in giant cell arteritis: diagnosis with FDG PET/CT and agreement with CT angiography.

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Autoimmunity Reviews
Author(s): Mona Hommada, Arsène Mekinian, Pierre-Yves Brillet, Sébastien Abad, Claire Larroche, Robin Dhôte, Olivier Fain, Michael Soussan
ObjectivesTo assess the detection rate of aortitis in giant cell arteritis (GCA) with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET) and to compare the findings with CT angiography (CTA).MethodsFifty-two GCA patients and 27 controls were included. GCA patients had a PET scan at diagnosis (35/52) or during relapse (17/52). Concomitant CTA was performed in 35/52 patients. Aortitis was defined as FDG uptake higher than the liver for PET and wall thickness≥3mm for CTA. Agreement between PET and CTA was evaluated by the kappa coefficient and Spearman correlation coefficient.ResultsAortitis was diagnosed using PET in 40% (14/35) of patients at diagnosis and in 0% of controls (0/27). Agreement was perfect between PET and CT (kappa: 0.72 to 1). PET was positive in 35% (6/17) of patients scanned during GCA relapse, showing aortitis (n=4) and/or articular uptake (n=4). Discrepancies between PET and CT were observed only in relapsing GCA (n=3). Correlation between the maximum standardized uptake value and wall thickness was moderate at diagnosis (r: 0.57 to 0.7) and not significant during relapse.ConclusionsThe detection rate of aortitis in GCA patients using PET is 40%, approximately in the range of CTA rates, suggesting that the two techniques have similar sensitivity. PET seems valuable in relapsing GCA, allowing the detection of vascular and articular activities.



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Primary thromboprophylaxis with low-dose aspirin and antiphospholipid antibodies: Pro's and Con's

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Autoimmunity Reviews
Author(s): Laurent Arnaud, Fabrizio Conti, François Chasset, Laura Massaro, Gentian Denas, Francois Chasset, Vittorio Pengo
Whether primary prophylaxis should be prescribed in individuals with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) remains controversial due to the lack of relevant evidence-based data. Indeed, it is unclear whether the benefit of LDA outweighs the risk of major bleeding associated LDA in a low-risk population. On the contrary, stratification of aPL-positive subjects according to their aPL profile (combination, isotype and titer), presence of other concomitant risk factors for thrombosis and coexistence of an underling autoimmune disease is essential to decide whether primary prophylactic therapy should be prescribed. Additionally, the management of modifiable thrombotic risk factors is a necessary strategy, and the use of transient prophylaxis is crucial during high-risk periods. Specifically designed prospective trials are urgently needed to determine the real prophylactic impact of aspirin, as well as of alternative or concomitant therapeutic strategies such as hydroxychloroquine, statins or DOACS in aPL positive patients.



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Resolution of recurrent tonsillitis in a non-smoker who became a vaper. A case study and new hypothesis.

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): Joanna Astrid Miler, Peter Hajek
BackgroundEvidence concerning the impact of vaping on respiratory infections remains contradictory. Cell and animal studies suggested that vaping may increase vulnerability to respiratory infections, but human data do not confirm the concern.Case PresentationWe present a case of a never-smoker who became a vaper and after a few months of e-cigarette use experienced a complete resolution of chronic tonsillitis and a marked improvement in tonsilloliths.ConclusionsAs this is a never-smoker, the improvements cannot be attributed to smoking cessation. One possible explanation is that the improvement was due to antimicrobial properties of propylene glycol. The hypothesis could be tested by a trial of zero-nicotine e-cigarettes in patients with recurrent bacterial throat infection.



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A quick overview to the early phase clinical trials of Simtuzumab®: Are we loosing the most promising anti-fibrotic product?

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): Akif Altinbas




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Fractional carbon dioxide laser for the treatment of facial atrophic acne scars: prospective clinical trial with short and long-term evaluation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractional carbon dioxide laser for the treatment of acne scars. Thirty-one participants, 15 female and 16 male, whose mean age was 34.84 ± 10.94 years, were included in this prospective study. The study took place between 2012 and 2016. Participants were evaluated with the "ECCA Grading Scale" before the first session, 3 months (short-term evaluation) and 3 years after the last session (long-term evaluation). Participants received two or three treatment sessions at 4-week intervals, with a 10,600 nm fractional carbon dioxide laser with pulse energies ranging between 100 and 160 mJ, 120 spot type, 75–100 spot/cm² density, and 30 W power. Self-assessments by the participants were done 3 months and 3 years after the last session. The mean ECCA score was 107.90 ± 39.38 before the first session, and 82.17 ± 36.23 at the time of short-term evaluation (p = 0.000). The grade of improvement at the short-term evaluation was as follows: no improvement, mild, moderate, and significant improvement for 7 (22.6%), 11 (35.5%), 9 (29%), and 4 (12.9%) of the participants, respectively. Regarding self-assessments, 80.6 and 61.3% of the participants rated themselves as having at least mild improvement at the short-term and the long-term follow-up periods, respectively. The results of this study suggest that fractional carbon dioxide laser is an efficient treatment option for acne scars. Furthermore, self-assessment results show that more than half of the participants still experience at least mild improvement at the end of 3 years.

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Collective invasion in ductal and lobular breast cancer associates with distant metastasis

Abstract

Breast cancer undergoes collective tissue invasion and, in experimental models, can collectively metastasize. The prevalence of collective invasion and its contribution to distant metastasis in clinical disease, however, remains poorly defined. We here scored the adipose tissue invasion of primary invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), expressing E-cadherin, and E-cadherin negative invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and identified predominantly collective invasion patterns (86/86 samples) in both carcinoma types. Whereas collective invasion in IDC lesions retained adherens junctions, multicellular clusters and "Indian files" in ILC, despite the absence of adherens junctions (AJ) proteins E-cadherin and β-catenin, retained CD44 at cell–cell contacts. By histomorphological scoring and semi-automated image analysis, we show that the extent of collective invasion into the adipose tissue correlated with decreased distant metastasis-free survival (5-year follow-up; hazard ratio: 2.32 and 2.29, respectively). Thus, collective invasion represents the predominant invasion mode in breast cancer, develops distinct junctional subtypes in IDC and ILC, and associates with distant metastasis, suggesting a critical role in systemic dissemination.

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Impact Factor: A Curious and Capricious Metric

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Correction

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Metabolically Healthy Obese and Incident Cardiovascular Disease Events Among 3.5 Million Men and Women

AbstractBackground

Previous studies have been unclear about the cardiovascular risks for metabolically healthy obese individuals.

Objectives

This study examined the associations among metabolically healthy obese individuals and 4 different presentations of incident cardiovascular disease in a contemporary population.

Methods

We used linked electronic health records (1995 to 2015) in The Health Improvement Network (THIN) to assemble a cohort of 3.5 million individuals, 18 years of age or older and initially free of cardiovascular disease. We created body size phenotypes defined by body mass index categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity) and 3 metabolic abnormalities (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). The primary endpoints were the first record of 1 of 4 cardiovascular presentations (coronary heart disease [CHD], cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease).

Results

During a mean follow-up of 5.4 years, obese individuals with no metabolic abnormalities had a higher risk of CHD (multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45 to 1.54), cerebrovascular disease (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.11), and heart failure (HR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.86 to 2.06) compared with normal weight individuals with 0 metabolic abnormalities. Risk of CHD, cerebrovascular disease, and heart failure in normal weight, overweight, and obese individuals increased with increasing number of metabolic abnormalities.

Conclusions

Metabolically healthy obese individuals had a higher risk of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and heart failure than normal weight metabolically healthy individuals. Even individuals who are normal weight can have metabolic abnormalities and similar risks for cardiovascular disease events.

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Reply: Bioresorbable Scaffold Thrombosis: A Multifactorial Phenomenon Also Involving Hypersensitivity Inflammation?

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More Appropriate Cardiovascular Risk Screening Through Understanding Complex Phenotypes: Mind the Gap

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Chronic Chagas Heart Disease Management: From Etiology to Cardiomyopathy Treatment

Abstract

Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection is endemic in Latin America and is becoming a worldwide health burden. It may lead to heterogeneous phenotypes. Early diagnosis of T. cruzi infection is crucial. Several biomarkers have been reported in Chagas heart disease (ChHD), but most are nonspecific for T. cruzi infection. Prognosis of ChHD patients is worse compared with other etiologies, with sudden cardiac death as an important mode of death. Most ChHD patients display diffuse myocarditis with fibrosis and hypertrophy. The remodeling process seems to be associated with etiopathogenic mechanisms and neurohormonal activation. Pharmacological treatment and antiarrhythmic therapy for ChHD is mostly based on results for other etiologies. Heart transplantation is an established, valuable therapeutic option in refractory ChHD. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are indicated for prevention of secondary sudden cardiac death. Specific etiological treatments should be revisited and reserved for select patients. Understanding and management of ChHD need improvement, including development of randomized trials.

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PCI Versus CABG in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes and Multivessel Disease

AbstractBackground

It is unknown if coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may offer a survival benefit in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in need of multivessel revascularization.

Objectives

This study sought to determine if patients with T1D and multivessel disease may benefit from CABG compared with PCI.

Methods

In an observational cohort study, the authors included all patients with T1D who underwent a first multivessel revascularization in Sweden from 1995 to 2013. The authors used the SWEDEHEART (Swedish Web-system for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-based care in Heart disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies) register, the Swedish National Diabetes Register, and the Swedish National Patient Register to retrieve information about patient characteristics and outcomes. They estimated hazard ratios (HRs) adjusted for confounders with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, stroke, and heart failure using inverse probability of treatment weighting based on propensity scores.

Results

In total, 683 patients who underwent CABG and 1,863 patients who underwent PCI were included. During a mean follow-up of 10.6 years, 53% of patients in the CABG group and 45% in the PCI group died. PCI, compared with CABG, was associated with a similar risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.32), but higher risks of death from coronary heart disease (HR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.74), myocardial infarction (HR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.23 to 1.78), and repeat revascularization (HR: 5.64; 95% CI: 4.67 to 6.82). No differences in risks of stroke or heart failure were found.

Conclusions

Notwithstanding the inclusion of patients with T1D who might not have been able to undergo CABG in the PCI group we found that PCI, compared with CABG, was associated with higher rates and risks of coronary heart disease mortality, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularizations. Our findings indicate that CABG may be the preferred strategy in patients with T1D in need of multivessel revascularization.

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ABIM/ACC Competency-Based Education Pilot in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease

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Type 1 Diabetes, Coronary Disease Complexity, and Optimal Revascularization Strategy

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Reply: Left Ventricle Assist Device Recovery Should Include Recovery of Ventilatory and Autonomic Nervous System Abnormalities

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Relationship of PCSK9 and Urinary Thromboxane Excretion to Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

AbstractBackground

Soluble proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients who are at high cardiovascular risk. No data on the effect of PCSK9 levels in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are available.

Objectives

This study investigated the association between PCSK9 and CVEs in AF as well as the relationship between PCSK9 and urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B₂ (11-dh-TxB₂), a marker of platelet activation.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, single-center cohort study, including 907 patients with AF treated with vitamin K antagonists (3,865 patient-years), to assess CVEs, including fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular death. At admission, plasma PCSK9 and urinary 11-dh-TxB₂ (n = 852) were measured. The population was divided into tertiles of PCSK9 for the analysis.

Results

The mean age of patients was 73.5 ± 8.2 years, and 43.0% were women. At follow-up, 179 CVEs (4.6%/year) occurred: 43 (15.3%), 49 (15.5%), and 87 (28.0%) in the first, second, and third tertiles of PCSK9, respectively (log-rank test p = 0.009). Patients with CVEs had higher median PCSK9 compared with those without (1,500 pg/ml [IQR: 1,000 to 2,300 pg/ml] vs. 1,200 pg/ml [IQR: 827 to 1,807 pg/ml], respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the third versus the first tertile of PCSK9 (hazard ratio: 1.640; 95% confidence interval: 1.117 to 2.407; p = 0.012), female sex, age, diabetes, smoking, heart failure, previous cerebrovascular and cardiac events, digoxin use, and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were associated with CVEs. In 682 patients not treated with antiplatelet therapy, circulating PCSK9 and 11-dh-TxB₂ were significantly correlated (Spearman's rho: 0.665; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Plasma PCSK9 levels are associated with an increased risk of CVEs in patients with AF. The direct correlation between PCSK9 and 11-dh-TxB₂ suggests PCSK9 as a mechanism potentially implicated in platelet activation.

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JACC Instructions for Authors

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Exploration of PCSK9 as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor: Is There a Link to the Platelet?

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Diversity Matters

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Long-Term Prognostic Value of Gasping During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

AbstractBackground

Gasping is a natural reflex that enhances oxygenation and circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Objectives

This study sought to assess the relationship between gasping during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and 1-year survival with favorable neurological outcomes.

Methods

The authors prospectively collected incidence of gasping on all evaluable subjects in a multicenter, randomized, controlled, National Institutes of Health–funded out-of-hospital cardiac arrest clinical trial from August 2007 to July 2009. The association between gasping and 1-year survival with favorable neurological function, defined as a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score ≤2 was estimated using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The rates of 1-year survival with a CPC score of ≤2 were 5.4% (98 of 1,827) overall, and 20% (36 of 177) and 3.7% (61 of 1,643) for individuals with and without spontaneous gasping or agonal respiration during CPR, respectively. In multivariable analysis, 1-year survival with CPC ≤2 was independently associated with younger age (odds ratio [OR] for 1 SD increment 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43 to 0.76), gasping during CPR (OR: 3.94; 95% CI: 2.09 to 7.44), shockable initial recorded rhythm (OR: 16.50; 95% CI: 7.40 to 36.81), shorter CPR duration (OR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.51), lower epinephrine dosage (OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.87), and pulmonary edema (OR: 3.41; 95% CI: 1.53 to 7.60). Gasping combined with a shockable initial recorded rhythm had a 57-fold higher OR (95% CI: 23.49 to 136.92) of 1-year survival with CPC ≤2 versus no gasping and no shockable rhythm.

Conclusions

Gasping during CPR was independently associated with increased 1-year survival with CPC ≤2, regardless of the first recorded rhythm. These findings underscore the importance of not terminating resuscitation prematurely in gasping patients and the need to routinely recognize, monitor, and record data on gasping in all future cardiac arrest trials and registries.

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Effect of the FDA Regulatory Approach on the 0/1-h Algorithm for Rapid Diagnosis of MI

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A Natural Biomarker Deserving Attention: Gasping Following Primary Cardiac Arrest

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Bioresorbable Scaffold Thrombosis: A Multifactorial Phenomenon Also Involving Hypersensitivity Inflammation?

http://ift.tt/2gYM0oz

Cardioprotective Effects of HSP72 Administration on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

AbstractBackground

Although early reperfusion is the most desirable intervention after ischemic myocardial insult, it may add to damage through oxidative stress.

Objectives

This study investigated the cardioprotective effects of a single intravenous dose of heat shock protein-72 (HSP72) coupled to a single-chain variable fragment (Fv) of monoclonal antibody 3E10 (3E10Fv) in a rabbit ischemia-reperfusion model. The Fv facilitates rapid transport of HSP72 into cells, even with intact membranes.

Methods

A left coronary artery occlusion (40 min) reperfusion (3 h) model was used in 31 rabbits. Of these, 12 rabbits received the fusion protein (Fv-HSP72) intravenously. The remaining 19 control rabbits received a molar equivalent of 3E10Fv alone (n = 6), HSP72 alone (n = 6), or phosphate-buffered saline (n = 7). Serial echocardiographic examinations were performed to assess left ventricular function before and after reperfusion. Micro–single-photon emission computed tomography imaging of ^99mTc-labeled annexin-V was performed with micro–computed tomography scanning to characterize apoptotic damage in vivo, followed by gamma counting of the excised myocardial specimens to quantify cell death. Histopathological characterization of the myocardial tissue and sequential cardiac troponin I measurements were also undertaken.

Results

Myocardial annexin-V uptake was 43% lower in the area at risk (p = 0.0003) in Fv-HSP72–treated rabbits compared with control animals receiving HSP72 or 3E10Fv alone. During reperfusion, troponin I release was 42% lower and the echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction 27% higher in the Fv-HSP72–treated group compared with control animals. Histopathological analyses confirmed penetration of 3E10Fv-containing molecules into cardiomyocytes in vivo, and treatment with Fv-HSP72 showed fewer apoptotic nuclei compared with control rabbits.

Conclusions

Single-dose administration of Fv-HSP72 fusion protein at the time of reperfusion reduced myocardial apoptosis by almost one-half and improved left ventricular functional recovery after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits. It might have potential to serve as an adjunct to early reperfusion in the management of myocardial infarction.

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Left Ventricle Assist Device Recovery Should Include Recovery of Ventilatory and Autonomic Nervous System Abnormalities

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Experiences of pregnant women receiving osteopathic care

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Anna Sheraton, Julie Streckfuss, Sandra Grace
The state of women's health during pregnancy and in the post-natal period can have profound and long-term effects on their own health and that of their children. Women are increasingly seeking complementary and alternative therapies during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of women who received osteopathic treatment during pregnancy.MethodThis phenomenological study used semi-structured interviews with pregnant patients who were undergoing osteopathic care in northern NSW and south-east Queensland, Australia. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsOsteopathic care provided symptom relief, particularly for low back and pelvic pain. Participants wanted a natural childbirth with minimal medical intervention if possible. Osteopathic care was perceived as helping prepare women's bodies for birth and in so doing helped alleviate anxieties associated with childbirth and with entering the mainstream medical system.ConclusionsPregnant women receiving osteopathic care reported experiencing physical and mental health benefits both during pregnancy and in the post-natal period.



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The responses of two native plant species to soil petroleum contamination in the Yellow River Delta, China

Abstract

Petroleum contamination is a significant environmental problem in the Yellow River Delta. The responses of two native salt-tolerant plant species, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and bristle grass (Setaria uiridis Beauv), to soil petroleum contamination were investigated at five levels between 0 and 2.0% (w/w). Results showed that the total, aboveground and underground plant biomasses of both species were significantly reduced by petroleum contamination (p < 0.05), with the inhibition enhanced with increased petroleum levels. However, the emergence rate of bristle grass was promoted by petroleum contamination. Following 100 days of exposure, the number of soil petroleum degraders increased greatly, with a trend of initial increase followed by a decrease at 1.5% contamination or higher. Compared to bulk soils, bacteria-degrading alkanes, total hydrocarbons and PAHs in alfalfa rhizosphere soils increased by 1.33–4.18-, 0.85–3.01- and 4.12–12.75-fold, respectively, with an increase of 2.80–10.00-, 4.42–14.44- and 7.30–26.00-fold in bristle grass rhizosphere soils, respectively. The greatest number of petroleum degraders in bristle grass rhizosphere soils resulted in the highest petroleum degradation rate. Bristle grass may be the optimal species for petroleum remediation in the studied area.

http://ift.tt/2wV8u31

Effects of abamectin on bullfrog tadpoles: insights on cytotoxicity

Abstract

Abamectin is one of the most used pesticides worldwide. However, investigations about its effects on amphibian populations are rare. Thus, the present study sought to investigate possible cytotoxic effects on Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles exposed to low abamectin concentrations diluted in water. Accordingly, four experimental groups were set: negative control, positive control (cyclophosphamide—40 mL L⁻¹), abamectin at concentrations 36 μg a.i./L (ABA36 group), and 72 μg a.i./L (ABA72 group), applied as Kraft® 36EC. The micronucleus test was conducted and other nuclear abnormalities in peripheral blood erythrocytes were checked after 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure to the treatments. The total of other nuclear abnormalities was influenced by the treatments, whereas the frequency of micronuclei was influenced by the exposure time. Such frequency was higher in the animals comprising the ABA72 group, which was assessed 72 h after the exposure had begun. The total of other nuclear abnormalities was influenced by the treatments. Animals in the positive control, ABA36, and ABA72 groups showed similar frequency of these abnormalities at 48 and 72 h. However, this frequency was statistically higher than that of animals in their respective negative control groups. Thus, the present study confirmed the hypothesis that the exposure of L. catesbeianus tadpoles to abamectin caused cytotoxic effects on them, although this exposure lasted short and the concentrations were low. It disclosed prospects for variations in the nucleus of erythrocytes circulating in amphibians, a fact that may provide an important/complementary approach for the detection of cytotoxicity caused by abamectin exposure.

http://ift.tt/2wl7sKj

Chapter 22 Mycobiome and Gut Inflammation

Publication date: 2018
Source:Immunity and Inflammation in Health and Disease
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Witherden, David L. Moyes
The current age of high throughput sequencing has revealed to us the amazing complexity and extent of the microbial communities we play host to. Moreover, we are now beginning to understand just how dynamic the interactions between the host and members of these communities are. These interactions are diverse, and the variations in these communities observed between individuals are dependent on a multitude of different microbial and host factors, including inflammatory status. More importantly, it is becoming clear that different disease states are linked to significant changes in the makeup of these communities. While much energy has gone into defining these changes in bacterial communities, there is clear and growing evidence that shifts in host fungal communities (mycobiome) are also intimately linked with disease. In this chapter, we will explore the associations and potential role that the mycobiome plays in gut inflammatory diseases.



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Implicating anaesthesia and the perioperative period in cancer recurrence and metastasis

Abstract

Cancer, currently the leading cause of death in the population aged less than 85 years, poses a significant global disease burden and is anticipated to continue to increase in incidence in both developed and developing nations. A substantial proportion of cancers are amenable to surgery, with more than 60% of patients undergoing tumour resection. Up to 80% of patients will receive anaesthesia for diagnostic, therapeutic or palliative intervention. Alarmingly, retrospective studies have implicated surgical stress in disease progression that is predominantly characterised by metastatic disease—the primary cause of cancer-associated mortality. Our understanding of the mechanisms of surgical stress and impact of perioperative interventions is, however, far from complete. Accumulating evidence from preclinical studies suggests that adrenergic-inflammatory pathways may contribute to cancer progression. Importantly, these pathways are amenable to modulation by adapting surgical (e.g. minimally invasive surgery) and anaesthetic technique (e.g. general vs. neuraxial anaesthesia). Disturbingly, drugs used for general anaesthesia (e.g. inhalational vs. intravenous anaesthesia and potentially opioid analgesia) may also affect behaviour of tumour cells and immune cells, suggesting that choice of anaesthetic agent may also be linked to adverse long-term cancer outcomes. Critically, current clinical practice guidelines on the use of anaesthetic techniques, anaesthetic agents and perioperative adjuvants (e.g. anti-inflammatory drugs) during cancer surgery do not take into account their potential effect on cancer outcomes due to a lack of robust prospective data. To help address this gap, we provide an up-to-date review of current clinical evidence supporting or refuting the role of perioperative stress, anaesthetic techniques and anaesthetic agents in cancer progression and review pre-clinical studies that provide insights into biological mechanisms.

http://ift.tt/2wkvtRQ

Detailed characterisation of STC-1 cells and the pGIP/Neo sub-clone suggests the incretin hormones are translationally regulated

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Peptides, Volume 96
Author(s): Anna L. Gillespie, Xiaobei Pan, Anna Marco-Ramell, Caroline Meharg, Brian D. Green
STC-1 is a heterogeneous plurihormonal cell line producing several prominent gut peptide hormones. pGIP/Neo is a genetically selected sub-clone of STC-1 with augmented levels of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP). Morphometric parameters, hormone concentrations, mRNA transcripts, hormone immunocytochemistry and nutrient utilisation/production of these two cell lines were compared. Proglucagon-derived peptides (Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and – 2(GLP-2)) were lower in sub-clone cells than progenitor cells. High Content Analysis found altered intracellular GLP-1, GIP, cholecystokinin (CCK) and peptide YY (PYY) levels and differing hormone co-localisation. The proportion pGIP/Neo cells containing GIP immunoreactivity (82%) was greater than STC-1 (65%), as were the proportion with 'GIP only', 'GLP−1+GIP' or 'GIP+PYY' immunoreactivity. Most surprisingly mRNA transcripts of the proglucagon and GIP genes were inversely correlated to the levels of their translated peptides. This strongly suggests that proglucagon and GIP are encoded on 'translationally regulated genes' – a characteristic possessed by other endocrine hormones. Metabolomic profiling revealed differences in cellular nutrient utilisation/production and that under normal culture conditions both cell lines exhibit signs of overflow metabolism. These studies provide an insight into the metabolism and properties of these valuable cells, suggesting for the first time that incretin hormone genes are translationally regulated.



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Cognitive reserve and long-term change in cognition in aging and preclinical Alzheimer’s disease

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Neurobiology of Aging
Author(s): Anja Soldan, Corinne Pettigrew, Qing Cai, Jiangxia Wang, Mei-Cheng Wang, Abhay Moghekar, Michael I. Miller, Marilyn Albert
We examined if baseline level of cognitive reserve (CR) and of Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers modify the rate of change in cognition among individuals with normal cognition at baseline (n=303, mean baseline age = 57 years, mean follow-up = 12 years); 66 participants subsequently developed Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia due to AD. CR was indexed by years of education, reading, and vocabulary measures. AD biomarkers were measured with a composite score composed of measures of amyloid, phosphorylated tau and neurodegeneration. Higher CR scores were associated with better cognitive performance, but did not modify the rate of change in cognition among those who remained cognitively normal, nor among those who progressed to MCI prior to symptom onset, independent of baseline biomarker levels. However, higher CR scores were associated with faster cognitive decline after symptom onset of MCI. These results suggest that the mechanism by which CR mediates the relationship between pathology and cognitive function is by delaying the onset of symptoms rather than reducing the rate of cognitive decline.



http://ift.tt/2f0FQrn

Hyaluronic acid microneedle patch for the improvement of crow's feet wrinkles

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has an immediate volumizing effect, due to its strong water-binding potential, and stimulates fibroblasts, causing collagen synthesis, with short- and long-term effects on wrinkle improvement. We investigated the efficacy and safety of HA microneedle patches for crow's feet wrinkles. Using a randomized spilt-face design, we compared microneedle patches with a topical application containing the same active ingredients. We enrolled 34 Korean female subjects with mild to moderate crow's feet wrinkles. The wrinkle on each side of the subject's face was randomly assigned to a HA microneedle patch or HA essence application twice a week for 8 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated at weeks 2, 4, and 8. Skin wrinkles were measured as average roughness using replica and PRIMOS. Skin elasticity was assessed using a cutometer. Two independent blinded dermatologists evaluated the changes after treatment using the global visual wrinkle assessment score. Subjects assessed wrinkles using the subject global assessment score. Skin wrinkles were significantly reduced and skin elasticity significantly increased in both groups, although improvement was greater in the patch group at week 8 after treatment. In the primary and cumulative skin irritation tests, the HA microneedle patch did not induce any skin irritation. The HA microneedle patch is more effective than the HA essence for wrinkle improvement and is a safe and convenient without skin irritation.

http://ift.tt/2eZcHwu

Histopathologic Features of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and Use of CD1a Staining for Amastigotes in Old World and New World Leishmaniasis

Abstract

Background

Positive CD1a staining of leishmania has been reported in Old World leishmaniasis, but the sensitivity of such staining for other leishmania species is unknown.

Methods

A retrospective review was done on skin biopsies of proven cutaneous leishmaniasis based on histology, immunohistochemistry, culture, and/or PCR. We assessed the pattern of inflammation present and assessed for CD1a (MTB1 clone) positivity in amastigotes. Patients without a clearly documented travel history to delineate Old versus New World leishmaniasis and cases without tissue for CD1a staining were excluded.

Results

Various patterns of granulomatous inflammation were observed including sarcoidal (31%), diffuse (25%), suppurative and granulomatous (25%), palisaded (13%), and lichenoid (6%). CD1a staining was positive in amastigotes in 9/16 cases (56%). Five of 7 (71%) cases of Old World disease were CD1a positive, while 4/9 cases (44%) of New World cases were positive.

Conclusions

Multiple patterns of granulomatous inflammation occur in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Our results confirm CD1a (MTB1 clone) can be a diagnostic adjunct to highlight amastigotes in biopsies of cutaneous leishmaniasis, with variable positivity in both Old World and New World forms of the disease. As 44% of cases were CD1a negative in our cohort, there are significant limitations to this screening approach.

http://ift.tt/2xrjgiW

Spatial variation of multiple air pollutants and their potential contributions to all-cause, respiratory, and cardiovascular mortality across China in 2015–2016

Publication date: November 2017
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 168
Author(s): Huan Chen, Yun Lin, Qiong Su, Liqiu Cheng
Association of serious air pollution with adverse health effects in China has become a matter of public concern. However, many of studies that focused on a single air pollutant or a single city in China have rarely reflected the overall potential contribution of air pollution to unfavorable health outcomes. Therefore, our study estimated the spatial variation of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and gaseous pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO, and O3). Moreover, an additive approach was conducted to evaluate their overall potential contributions to mortality across China in 2015–2016 using the exposure-response coefficients. The results showed that cities with relatively high PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were mainly distributed in the North China Plain (NCP). The average annual PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in the NCP was 75.0 ± 14.7 and 131.2 ± 21.6 μg m⁻³. The potential contributions of six air pollutants ranged from 6.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.4–7.5%) to 25.7% (95% CI: 22.2–28.9%) in all-cause mortality, from 6.5% (95% CI: 4.7–8.3%) to 24.9% (95% CI: 18.6–30.9%) in respiratory mortality, and from 7.0% (95% CI: 5.3–8.6%) to 29.5% (95% CI: 24.3–34.5%) in cardiovascular mortality. Many cities with high potential contributions of the multiple air pollutants were in the NCP. NCP had the average potential contribution of 20.0% (95% CI: 17.2–22.6%) in all-cause mortality, 19.5% (95% CI: 14.5–24.3%) in respiratory mortality, and 23.0% (95% CI: 18.8–27.0%) in cardiovascular mortality. Besides, the Taklimakan Desert (TD) also had high potential contribution of 19.9% (95% CI: 17.1–22.4%) in all-cause mortality, 19.5% (95% CI: 14.3–24.3%) in respiratory mortality, and 23.5% (95% CI: 19.2–27.5%) in cardiovascular mortality.



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Greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty natural gas, hybrid, and conventional diesel on-road trucks during freight transport

Publication date: November 2017
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 168
Author(s): David C. Quiros, Jeremy Smith, Arvind Thiruvengadam, Tao Huai, Shaohua Hu
Heavy-duty on-road vehicles account for 70% of all freight transport and 20% of transportation-sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States. This study measured three prevalent GHG emissions – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) – from seven heavy-duty vehicles, fueled by diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG), and compliant to the MY 2007 or 2010 U.S. EPA emission standards, while operated over six routes used for freight movement in California. Total combined (tractor, trailer, and payload) weights were 68,000 ± 1000 lbs. for the seven vehicles. Using the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) radiative forcing values for a 100-year time horizon, N2O emissions accounted for 2.6–8.3% of total tailpipe CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2-eq) for diesel vehicles equipped with Diesel Oxidation Catalyst, Diesel Particulate Filter, and Selective Catalytic Reduction system (DOC + DPF + SCR), and CH4 emissions accounted for 1.4–5.9% of CO2-eq emissions from the CNG-powered vehicle with a three-way catalyst (TWC). N2O emissions from diesel vehicles equipped with SCR (0.17–0.30 g/mi) were an order of magnitude higher than diesel vehicles without SCR (0.013–0.023 g/mi) during highway operation. For the vehicles selected in this test program, we measured 11–22% lower CO2-eq emissions from a hybrid compared to conventional diesel vehicles during transport over lower-speed routes of the freight transport system, but 20–27% higher CO2-eq emissions during higher-speed routes. Similarly, a CNG vehicle emitted up to 15% lower CO2-eq compared to conventional diesel vehicles over more neutral-grade highway routes, but emitted up to 12% greater CO2-eq emissions over routes with higher engine loads.

Graphical abstract

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The vaccines and antibodies associated with Als3p for treatment of Candida albicans infections

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Xue Sui, Lan Yan, Yuan-ying Jiang
Candida albicans is the most common fungal microorganism in healthy individuals, as well as the cause of high mortality infections in high-risk hosts such as immunocompromised patients. Antifungal vaccines and monoclonal antibodies useful for active or passive immunizations have recently generated considerable excitement for the treatment of fungal infections. The cell wall proteins of C. albicans, which are crucial for virulence and pathogenicity, are attractive target antigens. Als3p, a member of the C. albicans agglutinin-like sequence (ALS) family, is a hyphal-specific glycophosphatidylinositol cell wall protein that plays a key role in the interaction with host cells. The abundance of Als3p on the hyphal surface makes it an attractive target. For example, the NDV-3 vaccine, targeted at the N-terminus of Als3p, has entered a preparation of Phase 2 clinical trial. The Als3p-specific antibodies include monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 3-A5, MAb 113, and scFv3. In addition, MAb C7, MAb 3D9.3 and MAb 2G8, which were supposed to be identifying other targets, have also provided good protection by recognizing Als3p. In this review, we summarize the functions of Als3p and highlight the development of the vaccines and the antibodies that are associated, directly or indirectly, with this protein.



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The impact of 10-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on hospitalization for pneumonia in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Cristiano Alicino, Chiara Paganino, Andrea Orsi, Matteo Astengo, Cecilia Trucchi, Giancarlo Icardi, Filippo Ansaldi
BackgroundThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at summarizing available data on the impact of PCV10 and PCV13 in reducing the incidence of CAP hospitalizations in children aged <5years.MethodsA systematic search of the literature was conducted. We included time-series analyses and before-after studies, reporting the incidence of hospitalization for pneumonia in the periods before and after the introduction of PCV10 or PCV13 into the immunization program. Pooled estimates of Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) were calculated by using a random-effects meta-analytic model. Results were stratified according to age-groups (<24months and 24–59months) and case definitions of pneumonia (clinically and radiologically confirmed pneumonia).ResultsA total of 1533 potentially relevant articles were identified. Of these, 12 articles were included in the analysis. In children aged <24months, the meta-analysis showed a reduction of 17% (95%CI: 11–22%, p-value<0.001) an of 31% (95%CI: 26–35%, p-value<0.001) in the hospitalization rates respectively for clinically and radiologically confirmed pneumonia, respectively, after the introduction of the novel PCVs.In children aged 24–59months, the meta-analysis showed a reduction of 9% (95%CI: 5–14%, p-value<0.001) and of 24% (95%CI: 12–33%, p-value<0.001) in the hospitalization rates for clinically and radiologically confirmed pneumonia, respectively, after the introduction of the novel PCVs.High heterogeneity was detected among studies evaluating the hospitalization rate for clinically and radiologically confirmed pneumonia.ConclusionsThe results of this study revealed a significant impact of PCV10 and PCV13 in reducing the hospitalizations for pneumonia, particularly in children aged <24months and for radiologically confirmed disease. Further appropriately designed studies, comparing the impact of PCV10 and PCV13, are needed in order to obtain solid data on which to establish future immunization strategies.



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Transcriptomic and bioinformatics analysis of the early time-course of the response to prostaglandin F2 alpha in the bovine corpus luteum

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 14
Author(s): Heather Talbott, Xiaoying Hou, Fang Qiu, Pan Zhang, Chittibabu Guda, Fang Yu, Robert A. Cushman, Jennifer R. Wood, Cheng Wang, Andrea S. Cupp, John S. Davis
RNA expression analysis was performed on the corpus luteum tissue at five time points after prostaglandin F2 alpha treatment of midcycle cows using an Affymetrix Bovine Gene v1 Array. The normalized linear microarray data was uploaded to the NCBI GEO repository (GSE94069). Subsequent statistical analysis determined differentially expressed transcripts ± 1.5-fold change from saline control with P ≤ 0.05. Gene ontology of differentially expressed transcripts was annotated by DAVID and Panther. Physiological characteristics of the study animals are presented in a figure. Bioinformatic analysis by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was curated, compiled, and presented in tables. A dataset comparison with similar microarray analyses was performed and bioinformatics analysis by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, DAVID, Panther, and String of differentially expressed genes from each dataset as well as the differentially expressed genes common to all three datasets were curated, compiled, and presented in tables. Finally, a table comparing four bioinformatics tools' predictions of functions associated with genes common to all three datasets is presented. These data have been further analyzed and interpreted in the companion article "Early transcriptome responses of the bovine mid-cycle corpus luteum to prostaglandin F2 alpha includes cytokine signaling" [1].



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Data on the density of xanthophores in a whole scale of goldfish acclimated to white or black background color

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 14
Author(s): Kanta Mizusawa, Yutaka Yamamura, Satoshi Kasagi, José Miguel Cerdá-Reverter, Akiyoshi Takahashi
The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "Expression of genes for melanotropic peptides and their receptors for morphological color change in goldfish Carassius auratus" (Mizusawa et al., In press) [1]. This article describes data on the density of xanthophores in the scales of goldfish acclimated to white or black background color. To determine the effects of acclimation history during long-term background color adaptation, fish were transferred from a white tank to a white or black tank and vice versa halfway through the acclimation process. To observe xanthophores, the iridophore layer was scraped from the scale and the pteridine/carotenoid pigments were aggregated. The number of xanthophores was calculated after image processing.



http://ift.tt/2xrWN5o

Technoeconomic assumptions adopted for the development of a long-term electricity supply model for Cyprus

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 14
Author(s): Constantinos Taliotis, Emanuele Taibi, Mark Howells, Holger Rogner, Morgan Bazilian, Manuel Welsch
The generation mix of Cyprus has been dominated by oil products for decades. In order to conform with European Union and international legislation, a transformation of the supply system is called for. Energy system models can facilitate energy planning into the future, but a large volume of data is required to populate such models. The present data article provides information on key modelling assumptions and input data adopted with the aim of representing the electricity supply system of Cyprus in a separate research article. Data in regards to renewable energy technoeconomic characteristics and investment cost projections, fossil fuel price projections, storage technology characteristics and system operation assumptions are described in this article.



http://ift.tt/2gXzWUQ

The effect of laser power, blood perfusion, thermal and optical properties of human liver tissue on thermal damage in LITT

Abstract

In this work, the finite-element method (FEM) was used to predict the temperature distribution, and the thermal damage volume in human liver tissue subjected to laser in laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT). The effect of laser power, blood perfusion, and thermal and optical properties on maximum temperature and thermal damage volume were predicted using the finite-element method. A computer program was written in visual basic language, which was verified by comparing its result with data published elsewhere. The bio-heat equation together with the effect of linear laser source were used to simulate heat transfer through tissue from which the temperature distributions, and the subsequent thermal damage, were obtained based on Arrhenius equation. In this mathematical model for LITT, it was found that increasing laser power, absorption, and scattering coefficient increased the damage zone while increasing tissue water content, perfusion rate, and tissue anisotropy factor decreased the damage zone. These findings are important aspects for doctors in the pre-estimation of the damage zone before starting the therapy so as to kill only the desired zone.

http://ift.tt/2gYr0OW

A semi-analytical model for the influence of temperature on sound propagation in sintered metal fiber materials

Publication date: 15 November 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 134
Author(s): Shuwei Ren, Fengxian Xin, Tian Jian Lu, Chuanzeng Zhang
A semi-analytical model is developed to predict the influence of temperature on the sound absorbing performance of sintered metal fiber materials (SMFMs) by extending the Johnson-Champoux-Allard-Lafarge (JCAL) model. In this model, three micro-structure factors of the SMFMs – the Kozeny number and the thermal and viscous shape factors – are calculated by applying the multi-scale asymptotic method (MAM), and the temperature effect is taken into account by considering the variations of the thermo-physical parameters of saturated air with temperature. Key transport parameters (e.g., viscous and thermal permeability, tortuosity, viscous and thermal characteristic lengths) are then directly determined by fiber diameter and porosity of the material. High-efficiency of the semi-analytical model is demonstrated for estimating the influence of topological parameters upon sound absorption under different temperatures. The transport parameters obtained by the proposed model agree well with those calculated using fully numerical simulations. Also, the model predictions are in accordance with existing experimental measurements at different temperatures. The model reveals not only the underlying mechanisms of temperature effect on sound propagation in porous metals, but also provides a theoretical guideline for the sound absorption application of SMFMs in high temperature environments.

Graphical abstract

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Relationships of bullying involvement with intelligence, attention, and executive function in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Publication date: November 2017
Source:Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 70
Author(s): Tai-Ling Liu, Nai-Wen Guo, Ray C. Hsiao, Huei-Fan Hu, Cheng-Fang Yen
This study investigated the relationship of bullying victimization and perpetration with the levels of intelligence, attention, and executive function in children who had received a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The experiences of bullying involvement in 105 children with ADHD were assessed using the Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire. Their scores for four intelligence indexes on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4th Edition-Chinese version were determined. Their levels of attention and executive function were assessed using the Comprehensive Nonverbal Attention Test Battery. The results of logistic regression analyses indicated that a high Perceptual Reasoning Index was significantly associated with a decreased risk of being victims of bullying. A high level of executive function was significantly associated with a decreased risk of being victims and perpetrators of bullying. Bullying victimization and perpetration in children with ADHD having a low PRI and low executive function should be routinely surveyed.



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Immune Checkpoint Therapy With Nivolumab Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Condition:   Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Intervention:   Drug: Nivolimumab+Carboplatin/paclitaxel+Radiation
Sponsor:   New York University School of Medicine
Recruiting - verified September 2017

http://ift.tt/2fdxZn6

INCAGN01876 in Combination With Immune Therapies in Subjects With Advanced or Metastatic Malignancies

Conditions:   Advanced Malignancies;   Metastatic Malignancies
Interventions:   Drug: INCAGN01876;   Drug: Epacadostat;   Drug: Pembrolizumab
Sponsor:   Incyte Biosciences International Sàrl
Not yet recruiting - verified August 2017

http://ift.tt/2wRIJ4y

Characterization of cadmium-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae MCC 3091 promoted rice seedling growth by alleviating phytotoxicity of cadmium

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) phytotoxicity in agricultural land is a major global concern now-a-days resulting in very poor yield. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)-mediated bioremediation is one of the convenient strategies for detoxification of Cd from the soil and for plant growth promotion under Cd stress. The selected strain K5 was identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae based on MALDI-TOF MS ribosomal protein and 16S rDNA sequence-based homology. The strain possessed several PGP traits viz. IAA production (3413 μg/mL), phosphate solubilization (80.25 ppm), ACC deaminase activity (40 ng α-ketobutyrate/mg protein/h), N₂ fixation ability (1.84 μg N₂ fixed/h), etc. and has the highest Cd resistance (4000 μg/mL) among Cd-resistant PGPR so far reported. This strain efficiently accumulated Cd and remained viable under Cd stress as confirmed by AAS-TEM-EDX analysis and viability test, respectively. The significant (p < 0.05) positive effect of the strain was reflected in various plant growth parameters like increased seed germination (50 to 90%), root length (5-fold), shoot length (about 2-fold), root fresh weight (> 2-fold), and shoot fresh weight (1.23-fold) under Cd stress compared with uninoculated set. Moreover, the positive impact of this strain on antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, MDA, SOD) and several other biochemical parameters (proline, α-amylase, protease, total sugar, total protein, chlorophyll content) were also measured that favors plant growth promotion under Cd stress. Besides, the K5 strain also decreased stress-ethylene level under Cd stress and reduction of Cd accumulation in seedling (> 1.5-fold) was conducive to alleviate Cd phytotoxicity. Hence, K. pneumoniae strain K5 can be used as a phytostimulating and Cd-bioremediating biofertilizer for sustainable agriculture in heavy metal-contaminated sites.

http://ift.tt/2eQdEnk

MAPK Signalling Pathway in Cancers: Olive Products as Cancer Preventive and Therapeutic Agents

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Ilaria Peluso, Nagendra Sastry Yarla, Roberto Ambra, Gianni Pastore, George Perry
The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are fundamental in inflammation and cancer control, through the crosstalk between the redox regulated nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-kB (NFκB) gene expression. MAPKs regulate various cellular activities involved in cancer progression, including proliferation, apoptosis and immune escape and blockade of upstream kinases is a current therapeutic strategy. However, these therapies are associated with some adverse effects and with the paradoxical activation of the MAPKs pathway. In the context of cancer prevention and treatment, it has been suggested that dietary factors, are able to modulate cancer initiation and progression by interacting with the MAPKs. Within these dietary factors, virgin olive oil (VOO) is of particular interest due to its content in squalene, already used as drug delivery system in cancer therapy. The aim of this review is to discuss the studies pointing to the effects of olive-derived foodstuff and nutraceuticals on MAPKs signalling cascades. The reviewed experimental studies suggest that the stress-activated JNK and p38 MAPKs could be targets of olive-derived nutraceuticals. The latter, including phytochemicals from olive cultivation and processing wastes, could be adjuvants in chemotherapies, whereas VOO could be considered a "natural delivery system" of bioactive phytochemicals due to its high content in squalene.



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Lymphatic Drainage System of the Brain: A Novel Target for Intervention of Neurological Diseases

Publication date: Available online 10 September 2017
Source:Progress in Neurobiology
Author(s): Bao-Liang Sun, Li-hua Wang, Tuo Yang, Lei-lei Mao, Jing-yi Sun, Ming-feng Yang, Hui Yuan, Robert A. Colvin, Xiao-yi Yang
The belief that the vertebrate brain functions normally without classical lymphatic drainage vessels has been held for many decades. On the contrary, new findings show that functional lymphatic drainage does exist in the brain. The brain lymphatic drainage system is composed of basement membrane-based perivascular pathway, a brain-wide glymphatic pathway, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage routes including sinus-associated meningeal lymphatic vessels and olfactory/cervical lymphatic routes. The brain lymphatic systems function physiological as a route of drainage for interstitial fluid (ISF) from brain parenchyma to nearby lymph nodes. Brain lymphatic drainage helps maintain water and ion balance of the ISF, waste clearance, and reabsorption of macromolecular solutes. A second physiological function includes communication with the immune system modulating immune surveillance and responses of the brain. These physiological functions are influenced by aging, genetic phenotypes, sleep-wake cycle, and body posture. The impairment and dysfunction of the brain lymphatic system has crucial roles in age-related changes of brain function and the pathogenesis of neurovascular, neurodegenerative, and neuroinflammatory diseases, as well as brain injury and tumors. In this review, we summarize the key component elements (regions, cells, and water transporters) of the brain lymphatic system and their regulators as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of neurologic diseases and their resulting complications. Finally, we highlight the clinical importance of ependymal route-based targeted gene therapy and intranasal drug administration in the brain by taking advantage of the unique role played by brain lymphatic pathways in the regulation of CSF flow and ISF/CSF exchange.



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Severity of Writer’s Cramp is Related to Faulty Motor Preparation

Abstract

We characterized, in 37 writer's cramp (WC) patients and 14 healthy volunteers (HV), the buildup of motor representations contralateral ("intended") and ispsilateral ("unintended") to the movement to be produced and the excitability changes in left primary motor cortex during the early reaction time (RT) of a pre-cued reaching movement to pick up a pen with either hand to write. We also tested the excitability of interhemispheric pathways from right dorsal premotor and motor cortices to left motor cortex. During early RT (1) the motor cortex excitability of unintended muscle representations did not decrease in patients as in HV and (2) the connection from the contralateral dorsal premotor cortex to the "intended" motor representation did not function in patients. In HV, the efficiency of intracortical GABA-ergic circuits at rest predicted the degree of excitability changes in the intended motor representation in the early RT. This was not true in patients who had lower efficiency of GABA-ergic circuits. Interestingly, the more severe was the writing impairment, the higher was the level of excitability in the intended and unintended motor representations. It demonstrates, for the first time, that abnormal motor preparation influences the severity of the writing impairment in WC patients.

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

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Archives and Manuscripts and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Miscellany Perspectives on records and archives: an update from the Royal Commission Australian Society of Archivists National Conference Thursday 20 October 2016 Parramatta Justice Jennifer Coate Pages: 1-10 | DOI: 10.1080/01576895.2017.1366819 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.

Scholar : Critical Discourse Studies, Volume 14, Issue 5, November 2017 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online

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The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content Critical Discourse Studies, Volume 14, Issue 5, November 2017 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online. This new issue contains the following articles: Original Articles The strategic ritual of emotionality in Chinese and Australian hard news: a corpus-based study Changpeng Huan Pages: 461-479 | DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1352002 The field-specific representation of climate change in factual television: a multimodal critical discourse analysis Andrea Sabine Sedlaczek Pages: 480-496 | DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1352003 Sacralisation of contested territory in nationalist discourse: a study of Milošević's and Putin's public speeches Aleksandar Pavković Pages: 497-513 | DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1360191 The topography of masculine normativities in South Africa Erez Levon , Tommaso M. Milani & E. Dimitris Kitis Pages: 514-531 | DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1342678 Language and gender in female celebrity chef cookbooks: cooking to show care for the family and for the self Kelsi Matwick Pages: 532-547 | DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1309326 Real women: objectivity versus situatedness in Critical Discourse Studies Rowan R. Mackay Pages: 548-568 | DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1320297 BOOK REVIEWS The politics of fear: what right wing populist discourses mean Elie Friedman Pages: 569-571 | DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1325383 Ecolinguistics: language, ecology and the stories we live by Robert Poole Pages: 571-574 | DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1299018 Editorial Board Editorial Board Pages: ebi-ebi | DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1373995 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.

Scholar : These new articles for Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: BEST STUDENT PAPER SOCIETY FOR TERRORISM RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 Identities "Betwixt and between': analysing Belgian representation in 'homegrown' extremism Paige V. Pascarelli Pages: 1-24 | DOI: 10.1080/19434472.2017.1374988 QHW publishes new thematic cluster on ADHD International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being (QHW) is an open access peer reviewed scientific journal that provides a forum for the exchange of data, knowledge, theoretical framework and methods on health and well-being.Read the journal's thematic cluster on ADHD today. 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.

Crescentic splinter haemorrhages reflect stroke pathophysiology in hypereosinophilic syndrome

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Dermatoscope-guided suturing for an open wound adjacent to the lacrimal sac and the nasolacrimal duct

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Fluconazole-induced Sweet's syndrome: A novel association

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ESSFN Mission

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2017;95:289

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WSSFN Society News

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2017;95:287

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ASSFN Society News

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2017;95:288

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Chromatin: Probing a piRNA paradox

Nature Reviews Genetics. doi:10.1038/nrg.2017.76

Author: Darren J. Burgess

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Harnessing ancient genomes to study the history of human adaptation

Nature Reviews Genetics. doi:10.1038/nrg.2017.65

Authors: Stephanie Marciniak & George H. Perry

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Double-Pedicled Free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap for the Coverage of Thigh Soft-Tissue Defect

Summary: Soft-tissue defects caused by radiation injury are a challenging task for the reconstructive surgeon, due to the extent of the soft-tissue damage and the associated injuries of the local blood vessels and bone tissue. We present the application of the versatile deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for the coverage of an extended lateral thigh soft-tissue defect after the surgical resection of an undifferentiated pleomorphic high-grade sarcoma, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy. A double-pedicled free DIEP flap (756 cm2) was harvested and anastomosed to the transverse branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and a lateral branch of the popliteal artery (P1). The flap survived completely without serious complications, and the patient was able to walk with crutches 3 months postoperatively. This is the first case report of a free bipedicled DIEP flap for the coverage of a thigh defect in a male patient.

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Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular prevention: the dogmas disputed

Abstract

In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), more intensive glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes leads to a modest (9%) reduction in major cardiovascular events (MACE), associated with a 20% reduction of kidney events and 13% reduction of eye events. The FDA issued guidance in 2008 led to the conduct of numerous cardiovascular outcomes (CVOT) trials to assess cardiovascular safety of new antihyperglycemic therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results of these trials show that insulin glargine, three different dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (saxagliptin, alogliptin, and sitagliptin) and lixisenatide (a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist) produce no significant difference in CVOT when compared with usual care or placebo. Other trials with newer diabetes drugs, including empagliflozin and canagliflozin (two sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors), liraglutide and semaglutide (two GLP-1 receptor agonists) succeeded in demonstrating CV benefit in people with type 2 diabetes. In the last two decades, the equation "diabetes equals myocardial infarction" have contributed to the development of preventive therapy for risk factors in diabetes. In both primary and secondary prevention, the diabetic patients with high rates of statin and aspirin treatment have improved CV outcome, as compared with non-users. The drugs used to reduce glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes seem important for the ultimate cardiovascular outcome: the combination of intensive glycemic control, when safely attainable, with newer diabetes drugs (empagliflozin, canagliflozin, liraglutide, and semaglutide) may decrease the incidence of MACE, nephropathy and retinopathy. Moreover, depending on the drug used, CV mortality and heart failure may also be reduced.

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BRAF wild-type malignant melanoma developing on a thermal burn

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Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular prevention: the dogmas disputed

Abstract

In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), more intensive glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes leads to a modest (9%) reduction in major cardiovascular events (MACE), associated with a 20% reduction of kidney events and 13% reduction of eye events. The FDA issued guidance in 2008 led to the conduct of numerous cardiovascular outcomes (CVOT) trials to assess cardiovascular safety of new antihyperglycemic therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results of these trials show that insulin glargine, three different dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (saxagliptin, alogliptin, and sitagliptin) and lixisenatide (a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist) produce no significant difference in CVOT when compared with usual care or placebo. Other trials with newer diabetes drugs, including empagliflozin and canagliflozin (two sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors), liraglutide and semaglutide (two GLP-1 receptor agonists) succeeded in demonstrating CV benefit in people with type 2 diabetes. In the last two decades, the equation "diabetes equals myocardial infarction" have contributed to the development of preventive therapy for risk factors in diabetes. In both primary and secondary prevention, the diabetic patients with high rates of statin and aspirin treatment have improved CV outcome, as compared with non-users. The drugs used to reduce glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes seem important for the ultimate cardiovascular outcome: the combination of intensive glycemic control, when safely attainable, with newer diabetes drugs (empagliflozin, canagliflozin, liraglutide, and semaglutide) may decrease the incidence of MACE, nephropathy and retinopathy. Moreover, depending on the drug used, CV mortality and heart failure may also be reduced.

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Editorial Board

Publication date: September 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 36





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Endoscopic diode laser therapy for chronic radiation proctitis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of endoscopic diode laser therapy in patients presenting rectal bleeding due to chronic radiation proctitis (CRP). A retrospective analysis of CRP patients who underwent diode laser therapy in a single institution between 2010 and 2016 was carried out. The patients were treated by non-contact fibers without sedation in an outpatient setting. Fourteen patients (median age 77, range 73–87 years) diagnosed with CRP who had undergone high-dose radiotherapy for prostatic cancer and who presented with rectal bleeding were included. Six required blood transfusions. Antiplatelet (three patients) and anticoagulant (two patients) therapy was not suspended during the treatments. The patients underwent a median of two sessions; overall, a mean of 1684 J of laser energy per session was used. Bleeding was resolved in 10/14 (71%) patients, and other two patients showed improvement (93%). Only one patient, who did not complete the treatment, required blood transfusions after laser therapy; no complications were noted during or after the procedures. Study findings demonstrated that endoscopic non-contact diode laser treatment is safe and effective in CRP patients, even in those receiving antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant therapy.

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Inter-vender and test-retest reliabilities of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging: Implications for multi-center imaging studies

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 44
Author(s): Hyeong Su An, Won-Jin Moon, Jae-Kyun Ryu, Ju Yeon Park, Won Sung Yun, Jin Woo Choi, Geon-Ho Jahng, Jang-Yeon Park
This prospective multi-center study aimed to evaluate the inter-vendor and test-retest reliabilities of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) by assessing the temporal signal-to-noise ratio (tSNR) and functional connectivity. Study included 10 healthy subjects and each subject was scanned using three 3T MR scanners (GE Signa HDxt, Siemens Skyra, and Philips Achieva) in two sessions. The tSNR was calculated from the time course data. Inter-vendor and test-retest reliabilities were assessed with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) derived from variant component analysis. Independent component analysis was performed to identify the connectivity of the default-mode network (DMN). In result, the tSNR for the DMN was not significantly different among the GE, Philips, and Siemens scanners (P=0.638). In terms of vendor differences, the inter-vendor reliability was good (ICC=0.774). Regarding the test-retest reliability, the GE scanner showed excellent correlation (ICC=0.961), while the Philips (ICC=0.671) and Siemens (ICC=0.726) scanners showed relatively good correlation. The DMN pattern of the subjects between the two sessions for each scanner and between three scanners showed the identical patterns of functional connectivity. The inter-vendor and test-retest reliabilities of RS-fMRI using different 3T MR scanners are good. Thus, we suggest that RS-fMRI could be used in multicenter imaging studies as a reliable imaging marker.



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Reproducibility and relative stability in magnetic resonance imaging indices of tumor vascular physiology over a period of 24h in a rat 9L gliosarcoma model

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 44
Author(s): Tavarekere N. Nagaraja, Rasha Elmghirbi, Stephen L. Brown, Lonni R. Schultz, Ian Y. Lee, Kelly A. Keenan, Swayamprava Panda, Glauber Cabral, Tom Mikkelsen, James R. Ewing
PurposeThe objective was to study temporal changes in tumor vascular physiological indices in a period of 24h in a 9L gliosarcoma rat model.MethodsFischer-344 rats (N=14) were orthotopically implanted with 9L cells. At 2weeks post-implantation, they were imaged twice in a 24h interval using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Data-driven model-selection-based analysis was used to segment tumor regions with varying vascular permeability characteristics. The region with the maximum number of estimable parameters of vascular kinetics was chosen for comparison across the two time points. It provided estimates of three parameters for an MR contrast agent (MRCA): i) plasma volume (vp), ii) forward volumetric transfer constant (K^trans) and interstitial volume fraction (ve, ratio of K^trans to reverse transfer constant, kep). In addition, MRCA extracellular distribution volume (VD) was estimated in the tumor and its borders, along with tumor blood flow (TBF) and peritumoral MRCA flux. Descriptors of parametric distributions were compared between the two times. Tumor extent was examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Picrosirus red staining of secreted collagen was performed as an additional index for 9L cells.ResultsTest-retest differences between population summaries for any parameter were not significant (paired t and Wilcoxon signed rank tests). Bland-Altman plots showed no apparent trends between the differences and averages of the test-retest measures for all indices. The intraclass correlation coefficients showed moderate to almost perfect reproducibility for all of the parameters, except vp. H&E staining showed tumor infiltration in parenchyma, perivascular space and white matter tracts. Collagen staining was observed along the outer edges of main tumor mass.ConclusionThe data suggest the relative stability of these MR indices of tumor microenvironment over a 24h duration in this gliosarcoma model.



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MRI characteristics of the glia limitans externa: A 7T study

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 44
Author(s): Kiyotaka Suzuki, Kenichi Yamada, Kazunori Nakada, Yuji Suzuki, Masaki Watanabe, Ingrid L. Kwee, Tsutomu Nakada
PurposeTo perform a systematic analysis of the intrinsic contrast parameters of the FLAIR hyperintense rim (FHR), a thin layer of high intensity covering the entire surface of the cerebral cortex detected on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence T2 weighted imaging performed on a 7T system, in an attempt to identify its anatomical correlate.MethodsFast spin echo inversion recovery (FSE-IR) and cardiac-gated fast spin echo (FSE) images were obtained with defined parameters in eight normal volunteers on a 7 T MRI system to determine T2 and proton density, T1 characteristics. K-means clustering analysis of parameter sets was performed using MATLAB version R2015b for the purpose of identifying the cluster reflecting FHR. The results were subsequently confirmed by independent component analysis (ICA) based on T1 behavior on FSE-IR using a MATLAB script of FastICA algorithm.ResultsThe structure giving rise to FHR was found to have a unique combination of intrinsic contrast parameters of low proton density, long T2, and disproportionally short T1. The findings are in strong agreement with the functional and structural specifics of the glia limitans externa (GLE), a structure composed of snuggled endfeet of astrocytes containing abundant aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), the main water channel of the brain.ConclusionIntrinsic contrast parameters of FHR reflect structural and functional specifics of the GLE, and their values are highly dependent on the physiologic functionality of AQP-4. Microscopic imaging on a 7T system and analysis of GLE contrast parameters can be developed into a method for evaluating AQP-4 functionality.



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Perceptual Visual Skills in Delayed Language Developed Children

Publication date: Available online 9 September 2017
Source:Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences
Author(s): Eman Mostafa
AimTo evaluate Perceptual visual skills in delayed language developed children.Material and methodsThe relation between visual skills and language has not been rigorously examined in previous investigations. This is a case-control study which comprised of 25 preschool children with Delayed Language Development (DLD) (cases) and 25 typically developed children (control). Exclusion criteria: any neurological or visual impaired disorder. All children had undergone Intelligent Quotient (I.Q) using Stanford Binet (IV edition), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder Test (ADHDT) and Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA). The performance of cases was surprisingly superior to the performance of controls in all visual skills. Moreover, it was significantly different in visual closure (P value=0.027) and visual memory (P value=0.005).ConclusionReading disorders that may develop in children with DLD are more related to language than to visual skills. DLD has some strong perceptual skills such as visual closure and visual memory. This should be taken in consideration while planning a strategy for language therapy.



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Issue Information - TOC

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Continuing Professional Development Quiz

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Issue Information - JEB

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The use of mobile health applications in school dental screening

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Continuing Professional Development Calendar

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Personalized/Precision Dentistry – The Future of Dentistry?

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