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Τρίτη 28 Νοεμβρίου 2017
Scholar : American Journalism, Volume 34, Issue 4, Fall 2017 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online
Role of nature reserves in giant panda protection
Abstract
Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a flagship species in nature conservation of the world; to protect this species, 67 nature reserves have been established in China. To evaluate the protection effect of giant panda nature reserves, we analyzed the variation of giant panda number and habitat area of 23 giant panda nature reserves of Sichuan province based on the national survey data released by State Forestry Administration and Sichuan Forestry Department. Results showed that from the third national survey to the fourth, giant panda number and habitat area of 23 giant panda nature reserves of Sichuan province failed to realize the significant increase. Furthermore, we found that the total population growth rate of 23 nature reserves in the last 12 years was lower than those of the province total of Sichuan and the national total of China, and the total habitat area of the 23 nature reserves was decreasing in the last 12 years, but the province total and national total were all increasing. We propose that giant panda protection should pay more attention to how to improve the protective effects of nature reserves.
http://ift.tt/2BtYUVb
Nucleic acid-based electrochemical nanobiosensors
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 102
Author(s): Alireza Abi, Zahra Mohammadpour, Xiaolei Zuo, Afsaneh Safavi
The detection of biomarkers using sensitive and selective analytical devices is critically important for the early stage diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The synergy between the high specificity of nucleic acid recognition units and the great sensitivity of electrochemical signal transductions has already shown promise for the development of efficient biosensing platforms. Yet nucleic-acid based electrochemical biosensors often rely on target amplification strategies (e.g., polymerase chain reactions) to detect analytes at clinically relevant concentration ranges. The complexity and time-consuming nature of these amplification methods impede moving nucleic acid-based electrochemical biosensors from laboratory-based to point-of-care test settings. Fortunately, advancements in nanotechnology have provided growing evidence that the recruitment of nanoscaled materials and structures can enhance the biosensing performance (particularly in terms of sensitivity and response time) to the level suitable for use in point-of-care diagnostic tools. This Review highlights the significant progress in the field of nucleic acid-based electrochemical nanobiosensing with the focus on the works published during the last five years.
http://ift.tt/2BjudRM
Scholar : Journal of Heritage Tourism, Volume 13, Issue 1, February 2018 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online
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Health risk evaluation of heavy metals in green land soils from urban parks in Urumqi, northwest China
Abstract
Here, we sampled, tested, and analyzed heavy metals in soil obtained from green land in urban parks of Urumqi. Analysis included soil nutrient contents, particle size distribution, and health risks of heavy metal contaminants. Results showed that (1) organic matter and rapidly available phosphorus contents of all samples ranged from 6.07–58.34 and 6.52–116.15 mg/kg, with average values of 31.26 and 36.24 mg/kg, respectively; (2) silt (particle size 20–200 μm) comprised most of the particle distribution, accounting for 46.56–87.38% of the total, and the remaining particles were clay particles (0–20 μm) and sand (200–2000 μm); (3) calculations of HQing, HQinh, and HQderm for eight heavy metals in three exposure patterns revealed values less than 1 for children and adults, indicating a level of carcinogenic risk for these heavy metals; and (4) calculating the carcinogenic risks of nickel, chromium, and cadmium through breathing pathway indicating no potential carcinogenic risk for any of the three. This research showed high soil nutrient content, providing fertile ground for plant growth in the green land of these urban parks. However, measures such as using sprinklers and increased green vegetation areas have been proposed to improve soil texture. This research can serve as a reference point for soil environmental protection efforts as well as future plant growth in urban Urumqi parks.
http://ift.tt/2id5I4O
Apraxia of object-related action does not depend on visual feedback
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Christoph Sperber, Andrea Christensen, Winfried Ilg, Martin A. Giese, Hans-Otto Karnath
Pantomime of tool use is typically affected in neurological patients with apraxia, while at the same time these patients are able to perform the use of the actual tool with less or no errors. This discrepancy is commonly explained by differences in afferent input, in particular a lack of visual online feedback from the object in pantomime. The present study investigated the role of visual feedback in apraxia of pantomime by testing neurological patients with apraxia and healthy controls in a task requiring the pantomime of tool use as well as real tool use. Visual feedback was systematically removed at different phases of the action using shutter glasses that were controlled online based on real-time motion-capturing. Data analyses revealed more errors in pantomime than in real tool use. These differences were similar in patients as well as in controls. Removal of visual feedback did not affect apractic errors specifically; it neither increased patients' apractic errors during pantomime of tool use nor transformed the patients' normal movements with a real tool into movements with apractic errors. Our findings contradict the hypothesis that apraxia patients pathologically over-rely on visual feedback. Instead, we propose that pantomime of tool use requires cognitive processes that are not necessary for real tool use and independent of visual online feedback.
http://ift.tt/2juiE2H
Scholar : Asian Journal of Political Science, Volume 25, Issue 3, December 2017 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online
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Scholar : Contemporary Music Review, Volume 36, Issue 3, June 2017 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online
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Scholar : Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, Volume 64, Issue 2, February 2018 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online
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Management of childhood psoriasis in France. A national survey among general practitioners, pediatricians, and dermatologists
Abstract
Psoriasis affects 0.5–2% of children. Severe forms required use of systemic treatments. Few studies are published on efficiency and tolerance of systemic treatments in children. We conducted a survey in France to better understand management of children with psoriasis. A survey on childhood psoriasis management was sent by e-mail to GPs, pediatricians, and dermatologists. The survey included 384 physicians. Respectively 53.1%, 49.8%, and 83.3% of GPs, pediatricians, and dermatologists declare to have seen at least one child with psoriasis during the 3 previous months. Less than 5% of GPs and pediatricians used severity score versus 23.7% of dermatologists. If most of physicians declare to use local treatments, less than 5% of GPs and pediatricians used systemic treatments. 32.4% of dermatologists declared to use at least one systemic treatment, but only 2.9% to use the 4 systemic treatments available in France. This survey shows that only half of GPs and pediatricians see children with psoriasis, but most of dermatologists. However, the management of severe forms seems limited by the underuse of severity scores and systemic treatments. These results should stimulate dermatology societies to promote prospective studies and guidelines in young populations with psoriasis.
http://ift.tt/2AgVpRI
Use of adapalene in alopecia areata: Efficacy and safety of mometasone furoate 0.1% cream versus combination of mometasone furoate 0.1% cream and adapalene 0.1% gel in alopecia areata
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by non-cicatricial hair loss. No definitive therapy currently exists for AA. To compared the efficacy and safety of the mometasone furoate 0.1% cream alone with the mometasone furoate 0.1% cream plus adapalene 0.1% gel in treatment of AA. Twenty patients with AA and with mean age of 27.4 ± 9.2 years were enrolled. Patches with a diameter of < 5 cm were treated with mometasone furate 0.1% cream (M), and patches with a diameter of ≥5 cm were treated with mometasone furate 0.1% cream plus adapalene 0.1% gel (M + D) for a period of 12 weeks. Hair regrowth was evaluated using a Re-growth score (RGS). Mean RGSs of M + D group were higher than M group for 4th week (2.60 vs. 1.45); 8th week (3.85 vs. 2.40) and 12th week (4.40 vs. 3.30). Mean percentages of hair re-growth in M + D group were statistically higher than M group for 4th (50.2% vs. 23.5%), 8th (78.5% vs. 50.7%), and 12th week (90.5% vs. 71%). Study revealed the efficacy and safety of adapalene and mometasone furoate combination in AA. Adapalene can be used as a new therapeutic modality in AA.
http://ift.tt/2zwnymG
High-voltage electrical injury: Modified surgical technique for optimal defect closuring of extra-large cranial defect
Abstract
Electrical burns are group of traumatic injuries with a mortality rate of 3–15%. High-voltage induced extensive electric burns are rarely seen in the cranial area, compared to upper and lower limbs, but extremely difficult for treatment, due to the limited flexibility in this area. The spectrum of therapeutic interventions in electrical burns in general, evolving initial necrectomy, decompression, and aggressive debridement with early skin coverage is usually not enough in cases of extensive cranial defects. The performance of a suitable flap combined with skin graft in donor site, and further implantation of expander is challenging in this area. We present a case of a high-voltage induced extra-large cranial injury in a 38-year-old man, treated with modified single large rotation flap and a split skin-thickness graft technique, for optimal defect closuring with satisfied aesthetic result.
http://ift.tt/2AgVg0C
Complete cure of Fusarium solani sp. complex onychomycosis with Qs NdYAG treatment
Abstract
The incidence of non dermatophytic mould (NDM) onychomycosis (OM) has been steadily increasing Fusarium spp is the most common cause of NDM OM in most geographical locations. Fusarium spp and other NDMs are largely resistant to commonly used anti-fungals. The successful use of laser and light based devices has been demonstrated in dermatophytic OM, but there is no previous report of their successful use in any NDM OM. We describe a patient with OM caused by Fusarium solani spp, who was clinically (with a normal appearing nail) and mycologically (with negative microscopy and culture on repeated samples) cured of her infection following treatment with 2 sessions of Qs NdYAG (532nm and 1064nm) given 1 month apart.
http://ift.tt/2zwnof4
Styling without shedding: Novel topical formula reduces hair shedding by contracting the arrector pili muscle
Abstract
Approximately 40% of women experience excessive hair shedding during styling (e.g., hair brushing). Previously, we demonstrated that topically applied phenylephrine, a potent α1 adrenergic receptor agonist, can be used to contract the arrector pili muscle of the follicular unit; thus, increasing the force required to pluck hair and reducing shedding during brushing. While demonstrating efficacy, phenylephrine has several drawbacks when applied to the scalp, including the possibility cardiovascular events. We hypothesized that a high concentration of a weak α1 agonist would allow for: (a) rapid penetration through the stratum corneum eliciting a quick response; (b) a low probability of cardiac adverse events owing to the low receptor binding affinity; and (c) an efficacy of the weak α1 agonist similar to that of phenylephrine at the local site of application. Accordingly, we developed a novel topical solution, AB-102, containing a high concentration of a weak α1 agonist. Several studies were conducted to test the safety and efficacy of AB-102. In a dose escalating safety study, utilizing a wearable holter monitor, we observed no cardiac or hemodynamic adverse events. In addition, in a controlled efficacy study, AB-102 reduced the number of hairs shed during brushing by up to 77% (average of 38%).
http://ift.tt/2AhJHq5
The role of zinc in the treatment of acne: A review of the literature
Abstract
Acne vulgaris is a chronic disease of the pilosebaceous units presenting as inflammatory or noninflammatory lesions in individuals of all ages. The current standard of treatment includes topical formulations in the forms of washes, gels, lotions, and creams such as antibiotics, antibacterial agents, retinoids, and comedolytics. Additionally, systemic treatments are available for more severe or resistant forms of acne. Nevertheless, these treatments have shown to induce a wide array of adverse effects, including dryness, peeling, erythema, and even fetal defects and embolic events. Zinc is a promising alternative to other acne treatments owing to its low cost, efficacy, and lack of systemic side effects. In this literature review, we evaluate the effectiveness and side-effect profiles of various formulations of zinc used to treat acne.
http://ift.tt/2zwn5AW
Effects of bilingualism on white matter integrity in older adults
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 167
Author(s): John A.E. Anderson, John G. Grundy, Jaisalmer De Frutos, Ryan M. Barker, Cheryl Grady, Ellen Bialystok
Bilingualism can delay the onset of dementia symptoms and has thus been characterized as a mechanism for cognitive or brain reserve, although the origin of this reserve is unknown. Studies with young adults generally show that bilingualism is associated with a strengthening of white matter, but there is conflicting evidence for how bilingualism affects white matter in older age. Given that bilingualism has been shown to help stave off the symptoms of dementia by up to four years, it is crucial that we clarify the mechanism underlying this reserve. The current study uses diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to compare monolinguals and bilinguals while carefully controlling for potential confounds (e.g., I.Q., MMSE, and demographic variables). We show that group differences in Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and Radial Diffusivity (RD) arise from multivariable interactions not adequately controlled for by sequential bivariate testing. After matching and statistically controlling for confounds, bilinguals still had greater axial diffusivity (AD) in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus than monolingual peers, supporting a neural reserve account for healthy older bilinguals.
http://ift.tt/2zx6TiR
Brain correlates of constituent structure in sign language comprehension
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 167
Author(s): Antonio Moreno, Fanny Limousin, Stanislas Dehaene, Christophe Pallier
During sentence processing, areas of the left superior temporal sulcus, inferior frontal gyrus and left basal ganglia exhibit a systematic increase in brain activity as a function of constituent size, suggesting their involvement in the computation of syntactic and semantic structures. Here, we asked whether these areas play a universal role in language and therefore contribute to the processing of non-spoken sign language. Congenitally deaf adults who acquired French sign language as a first language and written French as a second language were scanned while watching sequences of signs in which the size of syntactic constituents was manipulated. An effect of constituent size was found in the basal ganglia, including the head of the caudate and the putamen. A smaller effect was also detected in temporal and frontal regions previously shown to be sensitive to constituent size in written language in hearing French subjects (Pallier et al., 2011). When the deaf participants read sentences versus word lists, the same network of language areas was observed. While reading and sign language processing yielded identical effects of linguistic structure in the basal ganglia, the effect of structure was stronger in all cortical language areas for written language relative to sign language. Furthermore, cortical activity was partially modulated by age of acquisition and reading proficiency. Our results stress the important role of the basal ganglia, within the language network, in the representation of the constituent structure of language, regardless of the input modality.
http://ift.tt/2BvBr6c
Cortical networks for auditory detection with and without informational masking: Task effects and implications for conscious perception
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 167
Author(s): Katrin Wiegand, Sabine Heiland, Christian H. Uhlig, Andrew R. Dykstra, Alexander Gutschalk
Ambiguous and masked stimuli have been used to study conscious perception by comparing neural activity during different percepts of identical physical stimuli. One limitation of this approach is that it typically requires a reporting task that may engage neural processes beyond those required for conscious perception. Here, we explored potential fMRI correlates of auditory conscious perception with and without overt report. In experiment 1, regular tone patterns were presented as targets under informational masking, and participants reported their percepts on each trial. In experiment 2, regular tone patterns were presented without masking, while the uninformed participants (i) passively fixated, (ii) performed an orthogonal visual task, and (iii) reported trial-wise the presence of the auditory pattern as in experiment 1 (in fixed order). Under informational masking, target-pattern detection was associated with activity in auditory cortex, superior temporal sulcus, and a distributed fronto-parieto-insular network. Unmasked and task-irrelevant tone patterns elicited activity that overlapped with the network observed under informational masking in auditory cortex, the right superior temporal sulcus, and the ventral precentral sulcus in an ROI analysis. We therefore consider these structures candidate regions for a neural substrate of auditory conscious perception. In contrast, activity in the intraparietal sulcus, insula, and dorsal precentral sulcus were only observed for unmasked tone patterns when they were task relevant. These areas therefore appear more closely related to task performance or top-down attention rather than auditory conscious perception, per se.
http://ift.tt/2zx6DjT
Cerebral peak alpha frequency predicts individual differences in pain sensitivity
Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 167
Author(s): Andrew J. Furman, Timothy J. Meeker, Jeremy C. Rietschel, Sooyoung Yoo, Janusiya Muthulingam, Mariya Prokhorenko, Michael L. Keaser, Ronald N. Goodman, Ali Mazaheri, David A. Seminowicz
The identification of neurobiological markers that predict individual predisposition to pain are not only important for development of effective pain treatments, but would also yield a more complete understanding of how pain is implemented in the brain. In the current study using electroencephalography (EEG), we investigated the relationship between the peak frequency of alpha activity over sensorimotor cortex and pain intensity during capsaicin-heat pain (C-HP), a prolonged pain model known to induce spinal central sensitization in primates. We found that peak alpha frequency (PAF) recorded during a pain-free period preceding the induction of prolonged pain correlated with subsequent pain intensity reports: slower peak frequency at pain-free state was associated with higher pain during the prolonged pain condition. Moreover, the degree to which PAF decreased between pain-free and prolonged pain states was correlated with pain intensity. These two metrics were statistically uncorrelated and in combination were able to account for 50% of the variability in pain intensity. Altogether, our findings suggest that pain-free state PAF over relevant sensory systems could serve as a marker of individual predisposition to prolonged pain. Moreover, slowing of PAF in response to prolonged pain could represent an objective marker for subjective pain intensity. Our findings potentially lead the way for investigations in clinical populations in which alpha oscillations and the brain areas contributing to their generation are used in identifying and formulating treatment strategies for patients more likely to develop chronic pain.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2BtLKaQ
The effect of prior knowledge on post-encoding brain connectivity and its relation to subsequent memory
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 167
Author(s): Zhong-Xu Liu, Cheryl Grady, Morris Moscovitch
It is known that prior knowledge can facilitate memory acquisition. It is unclear, however, whether prior knowledge can affect post-encoding brain activity to facilitate memory consolidation. In this fMRI study, we asked participants to associate novel houses with famous/nonfamous faces and investigated how associative-encoding tasks with/without prior knowledge differentially affected post-encoding brain connectivity during rest. Besides memory advantages in the famous condition, we found that post-encoding hippocampal connectivity with the fusiform face area (FFA) and ventral-medial-prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) was stronger following encoding of associations with famous than non-famous faces. Importantly, post-encoding functional connectivity between the hippocampus (HPC) and FFA, and between the anterior temporal pole region (aTPL) and posterior perceptual regions (i.e., FFA and the parahippocampal place area), together predicted a large proportion of the variance in subsequent memory performance. This prediction was specific for face-house associative memory, not face/house item memory, and only in the famous condition where prior knowledge was involved. These results support the idea that when prior knowledge is involved, the HPC, vmPFC, and aTPL, which support prior episodic, social-evaluative/schematic, and semantic memories, respectively, continue to interact with each other and posterior perceptual brain regions during the post-encoding rest to facilitate off-line processing of the newly formed memory, and enhance memory consolidation.
http://ift.tt/2BtTpWJ
Scholar : These new articles for Asian Security are available online
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Do perioperative antibiotics reduce the risk of surgical site infections following excision of ulcerated skin cancers? a critically appraised topic
Summary
Aim
To review the efficacy of perioperative antibiotics in reducing the risk of surgical site infections (SSI) following excision of ulcerated skin cancers.
Setting and Design
Study selection, data extraction and analysis were carried out independently by four authors. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reported in the English Language were included.
Included studies
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the English language in which patients received perioperative topical, intralesional, or oral antibiotics for dermatological surgery including Mohs micrographic surgery in General Practice, Dermatology or Plastic Surgery Departments were included.
Outcome
The proportion of participants developing surgical site infection (SSI) following excision of skin lesions.
Results
Thirteen RCTs17-20,26-33,35 were identified from our literature search of Pubmed and Embase which evaluated SSI following use of topical (n=5)26-29,35, oral (n=3)17-19, intramuscular (n=2)20,32, intravenous (n=1)33 and intralesional antibiotics (n=2)30,31 in dermatological surgery. Two RCTs specifically investigated SSI in ulcerated skin cancer excisions; one RCT investigated SSI rate following surgical treatment specifically for ulcerated skin cancers in individuals randomised to topical antibiotics versus oral cephalexin and one RCT compared intravenous cefazolin to no antibiotic demonstrating significant reduction in SSI rates for ulcerated tumours (p=0.04).
Conclusion
The heterogeneity of the RCTs included in this study makes it difficult to make a direct comparison of the outcomes measured. High quality evidence demonstrating a beneficial effect of the use of peri-operative antibiotics to prevent SSI following excision of ulcerated skin cancers is lacking. In the absence of an evidence-base, we propose that a well-designed multi-centred RCT could evaluate the effect of peri-operative antibiotics following excision of ulcerated tumours, and potentially reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
http://ift.tt/2nc0o3p
Assessing the potential impact of a front-of-pack nutritional rating system on food availability in school canteens: A randomised controlled trial
Source:Appetite, Volume 121
Author(s): Kathryn Reilly, Nicole Nathan, Jason H.Y. Wu, Tessa Delaney, Rebecca Wyse, Megan Cobcroft, John Wiggers, Rachel Sutherland, Kym Buffett, Sze Lin Yoong, Luke Wolfenden
BackgroundFront-of-pack graphical nutritional rating of products is becoming an important strategy in many countries to improve healthy food purchases by consumers. Evidence of the effectiveness of such on facilitating healthy food choices by school food service providers has not been reported. The primary aim of the study was to assess the impact of providing front-of-pack nutritional rating information on school canteen managers' likely food selections. Secondary outcomes were canteen manager awareness, attitudes and reported barriers to using the front-of-pack information.MethodsA randomised controlled trial involving primary school canteen managers was conducted in a single region in New South Wales, Australia. Eligible participants were randomised to an intervention or control group and asked in a telephone interview which of 12 common food products sold in school canteens they would sell. Both groups received product name and brand information. The intervention group also received information regarding the nutritional rating of products.ResultsCanteen managers in the intervention group were significantly more likely than those in the control group to indicate they would sell three of the six 'healthier' products (p = 0.036, 0.005, 0.009). There was no difference between groups in the likelihood of making available for sale any of the six 'less healthy' products. The majority of canteen managers who had heard of a product nutritional rating system agreed that it was helpful in identifying 'healthier' foods (88%, n = 31).ConclusionsThe inclusion of product nutritional rating information has the potential to improve the availability of some 'healthier' items on canteen menus and contribute to improving child dietary intake. Further research is required to determine whether the use of product nutritional rating information actually makes a difference to canteen manager choices.
http://ift.tt/2n9sexb
Personality and attitudinal correlates of meat consumption: Results of two representative German samples
Publication date: 1 February 2018
Source:Appetite, Volume 121
Author(s): Tamara M. Pfeiler, Boris Egloff
The vast amount of meat consumed in the Western world is critically discussed with regard to negative health consequences, environmental impact, and ethical concerns for animals, emphasizing the need to extend knowledge regarding the correlates of meat consumption in the general population. In the present article, we conducted two studies examining the associations between meat consumption and personality traits, political attitudes, and environmental attitudes in two large German representative samples (Ntotal = 8,879, aged 18–96 years). Cross-sectional data on frequency of meat consumption, socio-demographics, personality traits, and political and environmental attitudes were collected via self-reports. In both studies, male sex, younger age, and lower educational attainment were significantly positively related to meat consumption. In Study 1, results of the partial correlations and the hierarchical regression analysis controlling for socio-demographics showed that the personality traits of openness and agreeableness, as well as conservative political and social views, explained unique variance in meat consumption. In Study 2, partial correlations and hierarchical regression analyses showed that openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were all uniquely negatively related to meat consumption. Moreover, these analyses documented that people scoring high in right-wing attitudes and low in pro-environmental attitudes reported more overall meat consumption. Taken together, these two studies provided evidence that socio-demographics, personality traits, and attitudes are indeed related to how much meat is consumed. Implications and future prospects for the study of individual differences in meat consumption are discussed.
http://ift.tt/2zM1Y1P
Consumers’ health-related perceptions of bread – Implications for labeling and health communication
Source:Appetite, Volume 121
Author(s): Pernilla Sandvik, Margaretha Nydahl, Iwona Kihlberg, Ingela Marklinder
There is a wide variety of commercial bread types and the present study identifies potential pitfalls in consumer evaluations of bread from a health perspective. The aim is to describe consumers' health-related perceptions of bread by exploring which health-related quality attributes consumers associate with bread and whether there are differences with regard to age, gender and education level. A postal and web-based sequential mixed-mode survey (n = 1134, 62% responded online and 38% by paper) with open-ended questions and an elicitation task with pictures of commercial breads were used. Responses were content analyzed and inductively categorized. Three fourths (n = 844) knew of breads they considered healthy; these were most commonly described using terms such as "coarse," "whole grain," "fiber rich," "sourdough," "crisp," "less sugar," "dark," "rye," "seeds," "a commercial brand," "homemade" and "kernels." The breads were perceived as healthy mainly because they "contain fiber," are "good for the stomach," have good "satiation" and beneficial "glycemic properties." The frequency of several elicited attributes and health effects differed as a function of age group (18–44 vs. 45–80 years), gender and education level group (up to secondary education vs. university). Difficulties identifying healthy bread were perceived as a barrier for consumption especially among consumers with a lower education level. Several of the health effects important to consumers cannot be communicated on food packages and consumers must therefore use their own cues to identify these properties. This may lead to consumers being misled especially if a bread is labeled e.g., as a sourdough bread or a rye bread, despite a low content.
http://ift.tt/2ncwNH1
Emotional ratings of high- and low-calorie food are differentially associated with cognitive restraint and dietary restriction
Source:Appetite, Volume 121
Author(s): Sarah E. Racine
Dietary restraint is a robust risk factor for binge eating and eating disorders, which may partially result from increased reward reactivity to food in individuals who attempt to diet. However, research examining the association between dietary restraint and reactivity to food cues is mixed. Mixed findings may reflect distinct relations between food cue reactivity and different dimensions of dietary behavior; attempts to diet (cognitive restraint) may be associated with increased positive evaluations of food, whereas actual reduction in food intake (dietary restriction) may be achieved through decreased reactivity to food cues. The aim of the current study was to examine whether cognitive restraint and dietary restriction, as assessed via subscales on a recently developed multidimensional measure of eating pathology (i.e., Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory [EPSI]), are differentially associated with emotional evaluations of high- and low-calorie food. Female participants (N = 203) viewed 12 high-calorie (i.e., sweet, savory) and 12 low-calorie (i.e., fruits, vegetables) food images, as well as 36 standard emotional images. Images were rated on the dimensions of valence, arousal, and craving using the Self-Assessment Manikin. Cognitive restraint was correlated with greater pleasure and craving ratings of low-calorie, but not high-calorie, foods. In contrast, dietary restriction was related to reduced pleasure and craving ratings for both high- and low-calorie foods. Findings suggest that cognitive restraint may be associated with a preference for low-calorie foods; whereas dietary restriction may relate to reduced sensitivity to the hedonic and motivational value of food, regardless of caloric content. Results also provide support for the distinction between cognitive restraint and dietary restriction, as assessed via the EPSI.
http://ift.tt/2zJSwvL
Presence of Stratum Corneum Serum in Non-Palmoplantar Psoriasis
Abstract
Psoriasis is a common, chronic, relapsing skin eruption characterized by abnormal hyperproliferation of the epidermis. Clinically, it typically consists of well-circumscribed erythematous plaques with a silvery white scale in its plaque form, located usually on the extensor surfaces of the extremities, sacral region, scalp and nails. There are a number of clinical variants, including guttate, pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis.
http://ift.tt/2Bkv6JP
Nuclear and cytoplasmic features in the diagnosis of Clark's nevi
Abstract
Background
Interpretation of Clark's nevi has generated debate over the years; although criteria has been proposed for grading morphological features of melanocytes, there is still confusion and variability in the assessment of these lesions.
Methods
This is a retrospective observational study conducted on 100 Clark's nevi and 84 melanomas. A single expert dermatopathologist evaluated all blinded and randomized photomicrographs of both the Clark's nevi and melanomas for the presence of 14 cytologic features. Subsequently a multivariate model was used to obtain sensitivity and specificity.
Results
Clark's nevi showed significant high frequency of absent-or-inconspicuous nucleoli over melanoma. Whereas mitotic figures, pleomorphism, notching, multiple nucleoli, peppered moth nuclear pattern, flattened adjacent nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and vesicular nucleus with rounded nucleoli were found significantly higher in frequency in melanomas
Conclusion
Our data suggest that nuclear alterations have a value in the diagnosis of melanoma.
http://ift.tt/2iYE8pb
Toxicity evaluation of textile effluents and role of native soil bacterium in biodegradation of a textile dye
Abstract
Water pollution caused by the discharge of hazardous textile effluents is a serious environmental problem worldwide. In order to assess the pollution level of the textile effluents, various physico-chemical parameters were analyzed in the textile wastewater and agricultural soil irrigated with the wastewater (contaminated soil) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis that demonstrated the presence of several toxic heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Zn) and a large number of organic compounds. Further, in order to get a comprehensive idea about the toxicity exerted by the textile effluent, mung bean seed germination test was performed that indicated the reduction in percent seed germination and radicle-plumule growth. The culturable microbial populations were also enumerated and found to be significantly lower in the wastewater and contaminated soil than the ground water irrigated soil, thus indicating the biotic homogenization of indigenous microflora. Therefore, the study was aimed to develop a cost effective and ecofriendly method of textile waste treatment using native soil bacterium, identified as Arthrobacter soli BS5 by 16S rDNA sequencing that showed remarkable ability to degrade a textile dye reactive black 5 with maximum degradation of 98% at 37 °C and pH in the range of 5–9 after 120 h of incubation.
http://ift.tt/2jtUghF
Scholar : These new articles for Environmental Claims Journal are available online
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Editorial Board and Contents
Publication date: December 2017
Source:Trends in Immunology, Volume 38, Issue 12
http://ift.tt/2hX3gvt
Long term radiological features of radiation-induced lung damage
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Catarina Veiga, David Landau, Jamie R. McClelland, Jonathan A. Ledermann, David Hawkes, Sam M. Janes, Anand Devaraj
PurposeTo describe the radiological findings of radiation-induced lung damage (RILD) present on CT imaging of lung cancer patients 12 months after radical chemoradiation.Material and methodsBaseline and 12-month CT scans of 33 patients were reviewed from a phase I/II clinical trial of isotoxic chemoradiation (IDEAL CRT). CT findings were scored in three categories derived from eleven sub-categories: (1) parenchymal change, defined as the presence of consolidation, ground-glass opacities (GGOs), traction bronchiectasis and/or reticulation; (2) lung volume reduction, identified through reduction in lung height and/or distortions in fissures, diaphragm, anterior junction line and major airways anatomy, and (3) pleural changes, either thickening and/or effusion.ResultsSix patients were excluded from the analysis due to anatomical changes caused by partial lung collapse and abscess. All remaining 27 patients had radiological evidence of lung damage. The three categories, parenchymal change, shrinkage and pleural change were present in 100%, 96% and 82% respectively. All patients had at least two categories of change present and 72% all three. GGOs, reticulation and traction bronchiectasis were present in 44%, 52% and 37% of patients.ConclusionsParenchymal change, lung shrinkage and pleural change are present in a high proportion of patients and are frequently identified in RILD. GGOs, reticulation and traction bronchiectasis are common at 12 months but not diagnostic.
http://ift.tt/2iZasrY
DSM-5 personality trait domains and withdrawal versus approach motivational tendencies in response to the perception of other people’s desperation and angry aggression
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Ilona Papousek, Nilüfer Aydin, Christian Rominger, Kurt Feyaerts, Karin Schmid-Zalaudek, Helmut K. Lackner, Andreas Fink, Günter Schulter, Elisabeth M. Weiss
Expressions of affect communicate social messages, which trigger approach and withdrawal/avoidance motivational tendencies in the observer. The present study investigated relationships between inter-individual differences in the motivational responses to other people's affect expressions and DSM-5 personality trait domains. State-dependent, transient EEG alpha asymmetry responses provided indicators of the relative activation of withdrawal versus approach motivation in the respective social-emotional contexts. The Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5) was used for the assessment of personality traits in a non-clinical sample. Individuals with higher levels of Antagonism showed relative activation of approach versus withdrawal motivation (as indicated by less relative right frontal activation) in response to confrontation with auditory expressions of angry aggression, whereas participants with higher levels of Detachment showed relative activation of withdrawal versus approach motivation (as indicated by greater relative right frontal activation) to the perception of other people's desperate crying.
http://ift.tt/2n9eum5
The Role of Inhibition in Avoiding Distraction by Salient Stimuli
Publication date: Available online 27 November 2017
Source:Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Author(s): Nicholas Gaspelin, Steven J. Luck
Researchers have long debated whether salient stimuli can involuntarily 'capture' visual attention. We review here evidence for a recently discovered inhibitory mechanism that may help to resolve this debate. This evidence suggests that salient stimuli naturally attempt to capture attention, but capture can be avoided if the salient stimulus is suppressed before it captures attention. Importantly, the suppression process can be more or less effective as a result of changing task demands or lapses in cognitive control. Converging evidence for the existence of this suppression mechanism comes from multiple sources, including psychophysics, eye-tracking, and event-related potentials (ERPs). We conclude that the evidence for suppression is strong, but future research will need to explore the nature and limits of this mechanism.
http://ift.tt/2zJW0yd
PD-L1 status does not predict the outcome of BRAF inhibitor therapy in metastatic melanoma
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 88
Author(s): Katrin Schaper-Gerhardt, Steven Okoye, Rudolf Herbst, Jens Ulrich, Patrick Terheyden, Claudia Pföhler, Jochen S. Utikal, Alexander Kreuter, Peter Mohr, Edgar Dippel, Imke Satzger, Antje Sucker, Dirk Schadendorf, Selma Ugurel, Ralf Gutzmer
BackgroundTargeted therapies with BRAF plus MEK inhibitors (BRAFi; MEKi) represent the major treatment strategy for patients with BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma (MM). Previous analyses suggested a correlation between programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in tumour tissues and the outcome of targeted therapies. This study investigated PD-L1 as a potential predictive biomarker of BRAFi-based targeted therapies in MM patients.Patients and methodsWe analysed two independent cohorts of BRAF V600-mutated MM patients undergoing BRAFi-based therapies for PD-L1 expression in pre-treatment tumour tissues. The oligocentre cohort 1 included 83 patients whose tumour tissues were analysed retrospectively with the anti-PD-L1 antibody clone E1L3N. The multicentre cohort 2 included 58 patients whose tumour tissues were analysed prospectively within the framework of the "Registry of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologische Onkologie" (ADOREG) and "Tissue Registry in Melanoma" (TRIM) project using the anti-PD-L1 antibody clone 28–8.ResultsPD-L1 expression in pre-treatment tumour tissue did not correlate with response or survival to BRAFi-based therapies in both MM patient cohorts. This finding was not influenced by retrospective versus prospective immunohistochemistry analyses, oligocentre versus multicentre cohorts or the different anti-PD-L1 antibody clones used. In cohort 1, PD-L1 positivity was detected in tumour tissue of 41.0% and 18.1% of patients (cut-off 1% and 5%, respectively). In cohort 2, 58.6% and 39.7% of patients showed PD-L1 positivity (cut-off 1% and 5%, respectively).ConclusionIn two independent cohorts including a total of 141 MM patients, PD-L1 expression in tumour tissue did not correlate with the outcome of BRAFi-based treatment. Therefore, PD-L1 cannot be recommended for the use as a predictive biomarker of BRAFi-based therapy in BRAF V600-mutated MM.
http://ift.tt/2AcQnbr
Mammographic density and breast cancer risk in breast screening assessment cases and women with a family history of breast cancer
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 88
Author(s): Stephen W. Duffy, Oliver W.E. Morrish, Prue C. Allgood, Richard Black, Maureen G.C. Gillan, Paula Willsher, Julie Cooke, Karen A. Duncan, Michael J. Michell, Hilary M. Dobson, Roberta Maroni, Yit Y. Lim, Hema N. Purushothaman, Tamara Suaris, Susan M. Astley, Kenneth C. Young, Lorraine Tucker, Fiona J. Gilbert
BackgroundMammographic density has been shown to be a strong independent predictor of breast cancer and a causative factor in reducing the sensitivity of mammography. There remain questions as to the use of mammographic density information in the context of screening and risk management, and of the association with cancer in populations known to be at increased risk of breast cancer.AimTo assess the association of breast density with presence of cancer by measuring mammographic density visually as a percentage, and with two automated volumetric methods, Quantra™ and VolparaDensity™.MethodsThe TOMosynthesis with digital MammographY (TOMMY) study of digital breast tomosynthesis in the Breast Screening Programme of the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom (UK) included 6020 breast screening assessment cases (of whom 1158 had breast cancer) and 1040 screened women with a family history of breast cancer (of whom two had breast cancer). We assessed the association of each measure with breast cancer risk in these populations at enhanced risk, using logistic regression adjusted for age and total breast volume as a surrogate for body mass index (BMI).ResultsAll density measures showed a positive association with presence of cancer and all declined with age. The strongest effect was seen with Volpara absolute density, with a significant 3% (95% CI 1–5%) increase in risk per 10 cm3 of dense tissue. The effect of Volpara volumetric density on risk was stronger for large and grade 3 tumours.ConclusionsAutomated absolute breast density is a predictor of breast cancer risk in populations at enhanced risk due to either positive mammographic findings or family history. In the screening context, density could be a trigger for more intensive imaging.
http://ift.tt/2i9C54j
Results of methotrexate-etoposide-ifosfamide based regimen (M-EI) in osteosarcoma patients included in the French OS2006/sarcome-09 study
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 88
Author(s): Nathalie Gaspar, Bob-Valéry Occean, Hélène Pacquement, Emmanuelle Bompas, Corine Bouvier, Hervé J. Brisse, Marie-Pierre Castex, Nadir Cheurfa, Nadège Corradini, Jessy Delaye, Natacha Entz-Werlé, Jean-Claude Gentet, Antoine Italiano, Cyril Lervat, Perrine Marec-Berard, Eric Mascard, Françoise Redini, Laure Saumet, Claudine Schmitt, Marie-Dominique Tabone, Cécile Verite-Goulard, Marie-Cécile Le Deley, Sophie Piperno-Neumann, Laurence Brugieres
BackgroundIn most countries, reference chemotherapy for osteosarcoma is MAP regimen (M = high-dose methotrexate, AP = doxorubicin-cisplatinum). In France, the standard preoperative chemotherapy for children/adolescents combines M and etoposide-ifosfamide (EI), based on the OS94-trial. We report the safety and efficacy results of patients ≤25 years treated with preoperative M-EI regimen enroled in the French OS2006-study, between 2007 and 2014.MethodsTreatment comprised preoperative chemotherapy with the 7 M-courses and 2 EI-courses, then surgery and postoperative chemotherapy assigned by risk's groups: standard-risk (good histological response without metastases) received 12 M-courses, 3 EI-courses; high-risk (poor histologic response, initial metastases or unresectable primary) received 5 M-courses alternated with 5 AP-courses. 253 patients were randomised to receive (n = 128) or not (n = 125) zoledronate.Results409/522 patients enroled in the OS2006 study who received preoperative M-EI were analysed. Median age was 14.3 years (4.7–24.5), with 55 patients aged 18–25 years. Primary tumour location was limb in 383 patients (94%) and 85 (21%) presented metastases. Median chemotherapy duration was 37.4 weeks. 381 (96%) patients underwent surgery, 258 patients (65%) had a good histologic response. 187/324 patients (58%) with localised disease did not receive doxorubicin nor cisplatinum. Toxicity was evaluated in the randomised study: most patients experienced ≥1 severe toxicity (grade IV haematological or grade III/IV extra-haematological). Median follow-up was 4.8 years, and 168 patients had events. Five-year event-free survival was 56% (95% CI, 51–62%) and overall survival 71% (66–76%).ConclusionM-EI regimen/strategy was feasible for patient aged ≤25 years with survival rates are comparable to those obtained with MAP regimen.
http://ift.tt/2AdIrqi
Unexpected ground-state structures and properties of carbon nitride C3N at ambient and high pressures
Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 140
Author(s): Qinghua Wu, Qianku Hu, Yiming Hou, Haiyan Wang, Aiguo Zhou, Libo Wang, Guohua Cao
Thermodynamically stable C3N phases in the pressure range of 0–100GPa are searched and calculated by ab initio evolutionary algorithm and density functional theory. Ground-state C3N phase at ambient pressure is predicted to be a layered structure with Cmmm space group. The previously reported Fd3¯m phase exists only in the narrow pressure range of 6.1–7.4GPa, which transforms into a P3¯m1 phase at 7.4GPa and then into a R3¯m phase at 40.7GPa. The increasing pressure drives the R3¯m phase to a C2/c phase at 76.9GPa. Dynamical and mechanical stabilities of C3N phases are checked and confirmed by phonon dispersion and elastic constant calculations. It is diverse of the electronic properties of C3N with Cmmm (zero band gap), P3¯m1 (wide gap of 4.55eV), R3¯m (wide gap of 4.54eV) and C2/c (narrow gap of 1.94eV). The three-dimensional strong covalent C2/c C3N is superhard with high hardness of 79.5 and 86.9GPa calculated by Chen and Gao models. Pressure-temperature phase diagram of C3N is firstly established and shows high temperature can significantly decrease synthesis pressures of C2/c phase, which gives a theoretical guidance for further experimental synthesis.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2zLCvWc
The effect of defect emissions on enhancement photocatalytic performance of ZnSe QDs and ZnSe/rGO nanocomposites
Publication date: 30 March 2018
Source:Applied Surface Science, Volume 435
Author(s): Ramin Yousefi, H.R. Azimi, M.R. Mahmoudian, Wan Jeffrey Basirun
A systematic study about the origin of defects emission of ZnSe structure was conducted by photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer at room temperature. It was observed that different intermediate energy levels in band-gap space of ZnSe structure were generated by different defects such as Se-, Zn-vacancies, Se-, Zn-interstitials, and surface states. Effects of these defects on the photocatalytic performance of ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) and ZnSe/graphene nanocomposites were investigated. The pristine ZnSe QDs and ZnSe/graphene nanocomposites were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The PL spectra of the samples showed four emissions from four regions of the visible spectrum such as violet, green, orange, and red emissions. The violet emission was associated with the near-band-edge (NBE) of the ZnSe nanostructures, while, the other emissions were related to different defects of ZnSe structures. Annealing the samples in the H2 atmosphere caused to increase orange emission intensity and indicated that origin of orange emission was a donor-acceptor pair (DAPs) related to singly positively charged Se-vacancies (VSe) to singly negatively charged zinc vacancy (VZn−). Photocatalytic study of the samples to remove the methylene blue (MB) dye showed that the photocatalytic performance of the samples improved by graphene as an additive and increasing the orange emission intensity.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2AGnNja
Self-template synthesis of double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97 hollow spheres for electrochemical energy storage
Publication date: 30 March 2018
Source:Applied Surface Science, Volume 435
Author(s): Chengzhen Wei, Qinglong Ru, Xiaoting Kang, Haiyan Hou, Cheng Cheng, Daojun Zhang
In this work, double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97 hollow spheres have been achieved via a simple self-template route, which involves the synthesis of Zn-Ni solid spheres precursors as the self-template and then transformation into double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97 hollow spheres by sulfidation treatment. The as-prepared double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97 hollow spheres possess a high surface area (105.26 m2 g−1) and porous structures. Benefiting from the combined characteristics of novel structures, multi-component, high surface area and porous. When applied as electrode materials for supercapacitors, the double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97hollow spheres deliver a large specific capacitance of 696.8C g−1 at 5.0 A g−1 and a remarkable long lifespan cycling stability (less 5.5% loss after 6000 cycles). Moreover, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was assembled by utilizing ZnS-NiS1.97 (positive electrode) and activated carbon (negative electrode) as electrode materials. The as-assembled device possesses an energy density of 36 W h kg−1, which can be yet retained 25.6 W h kg−1 even at a power density of 2173.8 W Kg−1, indicating its promising applications in electrochemical energy storage. More importantly, the self-template route is a simple and versatile strategy for the preparation of metal sulfides electrode materials with desired structures, chemical compositions and electrochemical performances.
Graphical abstract
http://ift.tt/2AENcdi
Δευτέρα 27 Νοεμβρίου 2017
Impact of Helicobacter pylori on Alzheimer's disease: What do we know so far?
Abstract
Background
Helicobacter pylori has changed radically gastroenterologic world, offering a new concept in patients' management. Over time, more medical data gave rise to diverse distant, extragastric manifestations and interactions of the "new" discovered bacterium. Special interest appeared within the field of neurodegenerative diseases and particularly Alzheimer's disease, as the latter and Helicobacter pylori infection are associated with a large public health burden and Alzheimer's disease ranks as the leading cause of disability. However, the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and Alzheimer's disease remains uncertain.
Methods
We performed a narrative review regarding a possible connection between Helicobacter pylori and Alzheimer's disease. All accessible relevant (pre)clinical studies written in English were included. Both affected pathologies were briefly analyzed, and relevant studies are discussed, trying to focus on the possible pathogenetic role of this bacterium in Alzheimer's disease.
Results
Data stemming from both epidemiologic studies and animal experiments seem to be rather encouraging, tending to confirm the hypothesis that Helicobacter pylori infection might influence the course of Alzheimer's disease pleiotropically. Possible main mechanisms may include the bacterium's access to the brain via the oral-nasal-olfactory pathway or by circulating monocytes (infected with Helicobacter pylori due to defective autophagy) through disrupted blood-brain barrier, thereby possibly triggering neurodegeneration.
Conclusions
Current data suggest that Helicobacter pylori infection might influence the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. However, further large-scale randomized controlled trials are mandatory to clarify a possible favorable effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology, before the recommendation of short-term and cost-effective therapeutic regimens against Helicobacter pylori-related Alzheimer's disease.
http://ift.tt/2zMIKsL
Detection of Helicobacter pylori in stool samples of young children using real-time polymerase chain reaction
Abstract
Background
The aims of this study were to develop and validate a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) assay of Helicobacter pylori in stool samples of healthy children. Additionally, we determined the prevalence of clarithromycin resistance and cagA gene in H. pylori-positive samples.
Materials and methods
Archived stool samples from 188 children aged 6-9 years and 272 samples of 92 infants aged 2-18 months were tested for H. pylori antigens using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). A multiplex q-PCR assay was designed to detect H. pylori 16S rRNA and urease and the human RNase P gene as an internal control. Kappa coefficient was calculated to assess the agreement between q-PCR and EIA.
Results
Laboratory validation of the q-PCR assay using quantitated H. pylori ATCC 43504 extracted DNA showed S-shaped amplification curves for all genes; the limit of detection was 1 CFU/reaction. No cross-reactivity with other bacterial pathogens was noted. Applying the multiplex q-PCR to DNA extracted from fecal samples showed clear amplification curves for urease gene, but not for 16S rRNA. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 50% (95% CI 43%-57%) by q-PCR (urease cycle threshold <44) vs 59% (95% CI 52%-66%) by EIA. Kappa coefficient was .80 (P < .001) and .44 (P < .001) for children aged 6-9 years and 2-18 months, respectively. Sixteen samples were positive for cagA and three were positive for clarithromycin resistance mutation (A2143G) as confirmed by sequencing.
Conclusions
The developed q-PCR can be used as a cotechnique to enhance the accuracy of H. pylori detection in epidemiological studies and in clinical settings.
http://ift.tt/2nbudB6
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Publication date: September 2017 Source: Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 110 Author(s): Lucía Fernández-del-Río, Anish Nag, Elen...
