Individual differences in socioemotional sensitivity are an index of salience network function

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Gianina Toller, Jesse Brown, Marc Sollberger, Suzanne Shdo, Laura Bouvet, Paul Sukhanov, William W. Seeley, Bruce L. Miller, Katherine P. Rankin
Connectivity in intrinsically connected networks (ICN) may predict individual differences in cognition and behavior. The drastic alterations in socioemotional awareness of patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) are presumed to arise from changes in one such ICN, the salience network (SN). We examined how individual differences in SN connectivity are reflected in overt social behavior in healthy individuals and patients, both to provide neuroscientific insight into this key brain-behavior relationship, and to provide a practical tool to diagnose patients with early bvFTD. We measured SN functional connectivity and socioemotional sensitivity in 65 healthy older adults and 103 patients in the earliest stage (Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score ≤1) of five neurodegenerative diseases (14 bvFTD, 29 Alzheimer's disease, 20 progressive supranuclear palsy, 21 semantic variant primary progressive aphasia, and 19 non-fluent variant primary progressive aphasia). All participants underwent resting-state functional imaging and an informant described their responsiveness to subtle emotional expressions using the Revised Self-Monitoring Scale (RSMS). Higher functional connectivity in the SN, predominantly between the right anterior insula (AI) and both "hub" cortical and "interoceptive" subcortical nodes, predicted socioemotional sensitivity among healthy individuals, showing that socioemotional sensitivity is a behavioral marker of SN function, and particularly of right AI functional connectivity. The continuity of this relationship in both healthy and neurologically affected individuals highlights the role of socioemotional sensitivity as an early diagnostic marker of SN connectivity. Clinically, this is particularly important for identification of patients in the earliest stage of bvFTD, where the SN is selectively vulnerable.



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Behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia: a unique window into the disrupted self Reply to Genon & Salmon

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Stephanie Wong, Muireann Irish, Michael Hornberger




http://ift.tt/2GRc3tq

Polychlorinated biphenyls in the Yellow River of Henan section: occurrence, composition, and impact factors

Abstract

The levels, spatial variation, congener profiles, impact factors, and ecological risk of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the sediment from the Yellow River of Henan section, China, were investigated in this paper. Total concentration of 31 PCBs and seven indicator PCBs varied from ND to 1015 pg g⁻¹ and ND to 423 pg g⁻¹, respectively. Compared with other aquatic environments around China, PCB levels in the studied area were relatively low. Spatial variations revealed that tributaries possessed higher PCB levels, in comparison to mainstream, which acted as input sources of PCBs in the mainstream. The homolog profiles were dominated by lighter PCBs (Tri–PentaCBs), contributing above 70% of total PCBs. Correlation analysis between PCB concentrations and total organic carbon indicated that local input or atmospheric deposition was the primary controls of spatial variation of PCBs. According to simple sediment quality guidelines (SQG), the risks posed by PCBs in the sediments might be negligible.

http://ift.tt/2oCQRQg

Reduction of N-nitrosodimethylamine formation from ranitidine by ozonation preceding chloramination: influencing factors and mechanisms

Abstract

Formation of toxic N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) by chloramination of ranitidine, a drug to block histamine, was still an ongoing issue and posed a risk to human health. In this study, the effect of ozonation prior to chloramination on NDMA formation and the transformation pathway were determined. Influencing factors, including ozone dosages, pH, hydroxyl radical scavenger, bromide, and NOM, were studied. The results demonstrated that small ozone dosage (0.5 mg/L) could effectively control NDMA formation from subsequent chloramination (from 40 to 0.8%). The NDMA molar conversion was not only influenced by pH but also by ozone dosages at various pre-ozonation pH (reached the highest value of 5% at pH 8 with 0.5 mg/L O₃ but decreased with the increasing pH with 1 mg/L O₃). The NDMA molar yield by chloramination of ranitidine without pre-ozonation was reduced by the presence of bromide ion due to the decomposition of disinfectant. However, due to the formation of brominated intermediate substances (i.e., dimethylamine (DMA), dimethyl-aminomethyl furfuryl alcohol (DFUR)) with higher NDMA molar yield than their parent substances, more NDMA was formed than that without bromide ion upon ozonation. Natural organic matter (NOM) and hydroxyl radical scavenger (tert-butyl alcohol, tBA) enhanced NDMA generation because of the competition of ozone and more ranitidine left. The NDMA reduction mechanism by pre-ozonation during chloramination of ranitidine may be due to the production of oxidation products with less NDMA yield (such as DMA) than parent compound. Based on the result of Q-TOF and GC-MS/MS analysis, three possible transformation pathways were proposed. Different influences of oxidation conditions and water quality parameters suggest that strategies to reduce NDMA formation should vary with drinking water sources and choose optimal ozone dosage.

http://ift.tt/2HTzLqj

Cosmetics, Vol. 5, Pages 20: Cosmeceutical Properties of Two Cultivars of Red Raspberry Grown under Different Conditions

Cosmetics, Vol. 5, Pages 20: Cosmeceutical Properties of Two Cultivars of Red Raspberry Grown under Different Conditions

Cosmetics doi: 10.3390/cosmetics5010020

Authors: Maria Papaioanou Evangelia Chronopoulou Gheorghii Ciobotari Rodica Efrose Liliana Sfichi-Duke Marianna Chatzikonstantinou Evangelia Pappa Ioannis Ganopoulos Panagiotis Madesis Irini Nianiou-Obeidat Taofen Zeng Nikolaos Labrou

Plant selection, input, and field management are proven strategies that produce high yields of crops bearing selected desirable characteristics for the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industry. This study reports on the effect of substrate and light on selected quantitative and qualitative bioactive properties of two cultivars of Rubus idaeus L ('Ruvi' and 'Cayuga'). Our results demonstrated that the quantitative and qualitative fruit characteristics (yield, fruit dimensions, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids contents), plant growth, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and total antioxidant capacity, are significantly affected by genotype, light intensity, and substrate type. Fruits from 'Ruvi' plants cultivated under low light conditions, on soil/peat substrate exhibited high levels of antioxidant capacity, phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and high inhibitory potency towards the skin-regulating enzymes tyrosinase and elastase. Extract derived from these fruits was formulated into a topical skin care cream. This cream exhibited excellent compatibility and stability characteristics. Our research concluded that quantity and quality of Rubus idaeus L. fruits could be efficiently managed through conventional agronomic practices. Our project determined the optimal agronomic management practices to produce desirable characteristics and maximize bioactive content that determine the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical quality of the red raspberry.

http://ift.tt/2HTJQU4

Analytical and clinical performance of progesterone receptor antibodies in breast cancer

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:Annals of Diagnostic Pathology
Author(s): Benjamin C. Calhoun, Brian Mosteller, Daniel Warren, Margie Smith, J. Jordi Rowe, Christopher P. Lanigan, Karen C. Mrazeck, Espen Walker, Amy Hanlon Newell, Raymond Jones
ObjectiveComparison of analytical and immunohistochemical performance of progesterone receptor (PR) antibodies with correlation to recurrence of invasive breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy.MethodsThe binding-affinity kinetics of PR clones 1E2, 1A6, 16 and 636 were compared using synthetic peptides derived from identified epitopes on a Biacore T200. A cohort of 351 cases (Hormone Receptor (HR)+/HER2−) were stained for PR expression with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and scored according to ASCO/CAP criteria.ResultsThe stability of the antigen/antibody complex was greater for the 1E2 clone compared to 1A6, 16 and 636 clones. PR IHC on archival tissue resulted in 94.3% (299/317) concordance with clones.ConclusionClones evaluated in this study had a high level of concordance with IHC despite PR (1E2) demonstrating higher analytical binding properties than other clones. In a minority of cases (1.3% for 1E2 and 2.5% for 636) IHC results could convert estrogen receptor (ER)−/PR− to ER−/PR+ tumors, making these patients potentially eligible for endocrine therapy.



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Modulation of the frontal-parietal network by low intensity anti-phase 20 Hz transcranial electrical stimulation boosts performance in the attentional blink task

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Zachary Yaple, Roman Vakhrushev
Performance in the attentional blink task has been demonstrated to be directly influenced by alpha and beta neural oscillatory activity. In two experiments we stimulated the right parietal cortex and left frontal cortex with transcranial alternating current stimulation. For the first experiment we targeted only the right parietal cortex and found a non-significant increase in performance from 20 Hz stimulation. In the second experiment we applied two stimulators to the right parietal and left frontal cortex and found a significant increase in performance from 20 Hz tACS with a phase difference of 180°. Since low intensity stimulation has been shown to inhibit cortical excitability, and anti-phasic stimulation has been hypothesized to decrease presynaptic activation in one region and drive postsynaptic spikes in the other, we suggest that low intensity anti-phasic 20 Hz stimulation inhibited the parietal cortex, thereby disinhibiting the frontal cortex. This visual attention mechanism supposedly reduces processing of distractor stimuli and enhances processing of target stimuli. This study reveals that the frontal-parietal visual attention network may be modulated with low intensity 20 Hz anti-phase tACS.



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IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants: Core Study Results at 6 Years

Background: The structured breast implant utilizes different technology than saline or silicone gel implants, making it a third type of implant. FDA and Health Canada granted approval in November 2014. This implant is filled with saline, but has an internal structure consisting of a series of nested shells that support the upper pole when upright and control fluid movement. It combines certain key features and benefits of saline and silicone gel implants. Like saline, the filler is only saline, which women like for peace of mind in case of rupture/deflation. Like silicone gel, it has a natural feel, but without risk of silent rupture and FDA-recommended MRI scans - women can simply look in the mirror and know their implants are intact. Methods: This US trial enrolled 502 women: 399 primary augmentations and 103 replacements of existing augmentation implants. Investigators were 45 ABPS certified plastic surgeons at 35 sites. Of the 502 women enrolled, 438 (87.3%) completed 6-year follow-up visits, a higher percentage than other Core breast implant trials. Results: At 6 years, patient satisfaction was 89.7% for primary and 91.6% for replacement augmentations; surgeon satisfaction was 92.6% for primary and 94.0% for replacement. Kaplan-Meier adverse event rates were: Baker class III & IV capsule contracture – 5.7% for primary, 11.5% for replacement; rupture/deflation – 1.8% for primary, 4.7% for replacement. Conclusion: 6-year results from 438 women show the structured breast implant has high patient and surgeon satisfaction, a low rate of capsule contracture and a low rate of rupture/deflation. Financial Disclosure Statement: Ideal Implant Incorporated designed and funded the study. The authors received research support for conducting this study. Gregg Anigian is an Ideal Implant Incorporated stockholder. Presented in part at: Plastic Surgery The Meeting (ASPS) 2017 in Orlando, Florida. This trial is registered under the name "Core Study of the Safety and Effectiveness of IDEAL IMPLANT® Saline-filled Breast Implants," ClinicalTrials.gov identification number NCT00858052 (http://ift.tt/2oFzXR1) The study was approved by a central investigational review board (RCRC IRB, now Salus IRB, Austin, TX). Corresponding author: Larry S. Nichter, M.D., Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, 3991 MacArthur Boulevard Suite 320, Newport Beach, CA 92660 USA lnichter@gmail.com ©2018American Society of Plastic Surgeons

http://ift.tt/2ouZEVc

Behavioral and neurochemical consequences of perinatal exposure to lead in adult male Wistar rats: protective effect by Centella asiatica

Abstract

The present study evaluated the protective effects of Centella asiatica (CA) leaf extract on behavioral deficits and neurotoxicity in adult rat exposed to lead during perinatal period. Adult Wistar rats were exposed to 0.15% lead acetate (Pb) from gestation day 6 through drinking water and the pups were exposed lactationally to Pb till weaning. Significant perturbations in locomotor activity and exploratory behavior were observed in rats exposed to Pb during perinatal period. The levels of lipid peroxidation increased significantly with a reduction in levels of glutathione and activity levels of acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes in hippocampus, cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla of brains excised from Pb-exposed rats. Oral supplementation of CA during postweaning period provided significant protection against Pb-induced behavioral impairments and neurotoxicity, without chelating tissue Pb levels. The possible neuroprotective efficacy of CA may be due to its antioxidant potential but not by lowering effects of brain Pb content.

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The ghost in the machine – Is musculoskeletal medicine lacking soul?

Publication date: Available online 28 February 2018
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Matt Wallden, Paul Chek
In recent times there have been, concurrently, increasing volumes of research questioning whether biomechanics have any relevance at all to musculoskeletal medicine; and a blossoming field of Pain Science identifying that perception of, and context for, pain is often more important than the tissues generating the pain in the first instance. From the academic world to social media, much excitement has been generated in supporting this new direction. However, most of the great work arising from the Pain Science arena is focused on pain itself and on the patients' conscious beliefs around their pain. A redirection of focus toward function beyond the pain, and awareness of how unconscious behavioral programming accounts for the majority of lifestyle habits and perceptions, may facilitate more effective outcomes. Other unconscious processes which are known to contribute to persistent pain, yet are still largely unacknowledged in musculoskeletal practice, are those involved in central sensitivity. A plethora of systemic and visceral conditions are known to contribute to central sensitivity yet are barely considered in typical clinical screening or management. The more that is understood about the complexity of these and other interacting factors in pain, the more the inadequacies of our prevailing research and clinical methodologies are exposed. The question posed is, are unconscious processes the next key field of exploration and "harvest" in musculoskeletal medicine and, if so, how can we most effectively address them?



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Impact of global signal regression on characterizing dynamic functional connectivity and brain states

Publication date: June 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 173
Author(s): Huaze Xu, Jianpo Su, Jian Qin, Ming Li, Ling-Li Zeng, Dewen Hu, Hui Shen
Recently, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have been extended to explore fluctuations in correlations over shorter timescales, referred to as dynamic functional connectivity (dFC). However, the impact of global signal regression (GSR) on dFC is not well established, despite the intensive investigations of the influence of GSR on static functional connectivity (sFC). This study aimed to examine the effect of GSR on the performance of the sliding-window correlation, a commonly used method for capturing functional connectivity (FC) dynamics based on resting-state fMRI and simultaneous electroencephalograph (EEG)-fMRI data. The results revealed that the impact of GSR on dFC was spatially heterogeneous, with some susceptible regions including the occipital cortex, sensorimotor area, precuneus, posterior insula and superior temporal gyrus, and that the impact was temporally modulated by the mean global signal (GS) magnitude across windows. Furthermore, GSR substantially changed the connectivity structures of the FC states responding to a high GS magnitude, as well as their temporal features, and even led to the emergence of new FC states. Conversely, those FC states marked by obvious anti-correlation structures associated with the default model network (DMN) were largely unaffected by GSR. Finally, we reported an association between the fluctuations in the windowed magnitude of GS and the time-varying EEG power within subjects, which implied changes in mental states underlying GS dynamics. Overall, this study suggested a potential neuropsychological basis, in addition to nuisance sources, for GS dynamics and highlighted the need for caution in applying GSR to sliding-window correlation analyses. At a minimum, the mental fluctuations of an individual subject, possibly related to ongoing vigilance, should be evaluated during the entire scan when the dynamics of FC is estimated.



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Robust is not necessarily reliable: From within-subjects fMRI contrasts to between-subjects comparisons

Publication date: June 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 173
Author(s): Zachary P. Infantolino, Katherine R. Luking, Colin L. Sauder, John J. Curtin, Greg Hajcak
Advances in cognitive and affective neuroscience come largely from within-subjects comparisons, in which the functional significance of neural activity is determined by contrasting two or more experimental conditions. Clinical and social neuroscience studies have attempted to leverage between-subject variability in such condition differences to better understand psychopathology and other individual differences. Shifting from within-to between-subjects comparisons requires that measures have adequate internal consistency to function as individual difference variables. This is particularly relevant for difference scores—which have lower reliability. The field has assumed reasonable internal consistency of neural measures based on consistent findings across studies (i.e., if a within-subject difference in neural activity is robust, then it must be reliable). Using one of the most common fMRI paradigms in the clinical neuroscience literature (i.e., a face- and shape-matching task), in a large sample of adolescents (N = 139) we replicate a robust finding: amygdala activation is greater for faces than shapes. Moreover, we demonstrate that the internal consistency of the amygdala in face and shape blocks was excellent (Spearman-Brown corrected reliability [SB] > .94). However, the internal consistency of the activation difference between faces and shapes was nearly zero (SB = −.06). This reflected the fact that the amygdala response to faces and shapes was highly correlated (r = .97) across individuals. Increased neural activation to faces versus shapes could not possibly function as an individual difference measure in these data—illustrating how neural activation can be robust within subjects, but unreliable as an individual difference measure. Strong and reproducible condition differences in neural activity are not necessarily well-suited for individual differences research—and neuroimaging studies should always report the internal consistency of, and correlations between, activations used in individual differences research.



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Does the U Stand for Useless? The Urine Drug Screen and Emergency Department Psychiatric Patients

Publication date: Available online 28 February 2018
Source:The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Author(s): Steven T. Riccoboni, Michael A. Darracq
BackgroundBehavioral emergencies account for a significant portion of emergency department (ED) visits in the United States. Substance abuse is common in this population and may precipitate or exacerbate preexisting psychiatric illness. Contrary to ED policy guidelines, many behavior health centers (BH) require a urine drug screen (UDS) in stable patients prior to transfer.ObjectiveWe sought to determine the role of the UDS in ED length of stay (LOS), cost, and charges to patients and inpatient psychiatric care.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of all patients transferred to an in-network BH from September 1–30, 2014. Clinical data were extracted and analyzed from our electronic medical record, including records from both the ED visit and the BH stay.ResultsThere were 205 patient encounters identified; 89 patients had a UDS performed in the ED and 89% were obtained after the ED medical clearance. LOS were similar between the two groups, however, time to ED departure from time of medical clearance was delayed in the UDS group. BH providers mentioned UDS results < 25% of the time and no confirmatory tests were performed. There was no difference in BH LOS or discharge diagnosis of substance-abuse disorder. Patient charges for UDS over the month totaled $21,093.ConclusionThe UDS did not seem to have any significant effect on inpatient psychiatric care; whereas ED LOS and cost were both negatively affected. Based on these results, the UDS seems to be of little-to-no benefit in the setting of acute psychiatric illness.



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Public architecture as performance space in the prehispanic central southwest

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Volume 50
Author(s): Katherine A. Dungan, Matthew A. Peeples
Public or religious architecture in non-state societies has traditionally been interpreted as integrative, an assumption that has limited the ability of archaeologists to study religious change in these settings. We argue that considering such structures within their local historical contexts offers a better approach to understanding diversity in religious architecture. This study examines great kivas, large public or religious buildings in the prehispanic U.S. Southwest, as potential performance spaces, using structure size to estimate audience capacity relative to community size. We compare circular great kivas present along the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau with rectangular great kivas used in the Transition Zone to the south between the 11th and 14th centuries CE. The two traditions share certain similarities, and some great kivas in the area where the two traditions meet appear to be "hybrids." However, examining great kivas as potential performance venues in relationship to the surrounding settlements suggests that the social roles played by rectangular and circular great kivas followed notably different historical trajectories. Although settlement size increased in both areas, circular great kivas became less restricted and more accessible through time, while the latest rectangular great kivas were probably less accessible and more exclusive than their forebears.



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Governing martial traditions: Post-conflict ritual sites in Iron Age Northern Europe (200 BC–AD 200)

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Volume 50
Author(s): Mette Løvschal, Mads Kähler Holst
Iron Age martial ritual sites constitute some of the richest archaeological evidence that violence and mass behavior not only became increasingly a part of the political reality in the Iron Age, but that it subsequently began to permeate the religious sphere. Of particular interest are the post-conflict ritual sanctuaries of Northern Gaul and the war bogs of Scandinavia, both of which display the remains of violent conflicts with exceptional amounts of (often mutilated) weapon paraphernalia and/or human remains. The purpose of this paper is to examine the linkage between these two traditions in the period 200 BC–AD 200. It is based on a new compilation of 80 sites with post-conflict ritual practices from this period. We suggest that the significant latitude in the combination of different martial practices and elements points both to local customs and to supra-regional links. This pattern is explained by the existence of a partly shared symbolic reservoir of symbols and practices. Dependent on differing ritual governance structures, different patterns come about in the archaeological record. In this respect, post-conflict sites represent largely self-organized settings associated with large-scale conflicts, assembled groups, and high-arousal group behavior. They thus differ from governing structures at community or family group level. This approach gives post-conflict rituals a new and more central role in the development and upholding of ritual traditions across Iron Age Northern Europe.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2t11CBn

Editorial Board

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Volume 49





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Expressions of ritual in the Paleoindian record of the Eastern Woodlands: Exploring the uniqueness of the Dalton cemetery at Sloan, Arkansas

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Volume 49
Author(s): Ashley M. Smallwood, Thomas A. Jennings, Charlotte D. Pevny




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Late to Terminal Formative period political transformations and their household-level impact at Cerro Jazmín, Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Volume 49
Author(s): Verónica Pérez Rodríguez, Antonio Martínez Tuñón, Ricardo Higelín Ponce de León
In the Formative period, Cerro Jazmín, a settlement in the Mixteca Alta region of Oaxaca, experimented with different sociopolitical strategies to first consolidate its position as a nascent urban center and later to convey its regional independence. In this article, we investigate whether the sociopolitical changes that took place from the Late Formative to the Terminal Formative period at this settlement are also evident at the household level. The article focuses on a household located on Terrace 131 where our excavations revealed a continuous residential occupation, fluctuating material wealth, and changes in household economic activity. The patterns identified and the timing of these shifts reflected broader socioeconomic changes that took place across the entire polity and region.



http://ift.tt/2ow0UXZ

Gold‑manganese oxide nanocomposite suppresses hypoxia and augments pro-inflammatory cytokines in tumor associated macrophages

Publication date: April 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 57
Author(s): Anupam Nath, Ramkrishna Pal, Leichombam Mohindro Singh, Himadri Saikia, Hasimur Rahaman, Sujit Kumar Ghosh, Ritwik Mazumder, Mahuya Sengupta
The tumor microenvironment, essentially hypoxic, is sustained by the hypoxia inducing factor (HIF), released from the pro-tumorigenic tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), functionally identical to the M2 phenotype macrophages. Stability of HIF mainly depends on molecular oxygen and an iron-dependent enzyme prolyl hydroxylase, while its activity may be inhibited by high levels of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide. The present work showcases a novel approach utilizing the anti-tumorigenic potential of a gold-manganese oxide nanocomposite material in the tumor microenvironment that affects tumor hypoxia, exploring the possibility of restoring the immunoregulatory nature of TAMs from their pro-tumorigenic state. Along with the biochemical markers, ELISA and FACS analyses have also confirmed the potential of these nanoparticles in reverting back the M2 phenotype of TAMs to their classically activated M1 phenotype.



http://ift.tt/2EXJYEm

In vitro maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells results in two populations of cells with different surface marker expression, independently of applied concentration of interleukin-4

Publication date: April 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 57
Author(s): Paweł P. Wołkow, Anna Gębska, Ryszard Korbut
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in the development of adaptive immune response. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) are generated in vitro to study DC biology and for use in immunotherapy. However, procedures to generate MDDCs vary and an impact this may have on their final phenotype is insufficiently studied.Monocytes isolated from healthy blood donors were cultured for 7 days with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (50 ng/mL) and low (500 IU/mL, L-IL4) or high (1000 IU/mL, H-IL4) interleukin 4 (IL4), to obtain immature DCs and for the following 2 days with addition of soluble CD40 ligand (500 ng/mL) and prostaglandin E2 (1 μg/mL) to obtain mature DCs. We measured mean fluorescence activity and percentage of cells, positive for CD14, HLA-DR, CD80, CD83, CD86, CCR7, and CD1a or CD209 markers after 7 and 9 days of culture, in both IL4 concentrations.Percentage of positively staining mature MDDCs was higher than among immature cells, for all studied markers. Interestingly, varying IL4 concentrations had negligible impact on staining of mature MDDCs. However, immature L-IL4 cultured MDDCs were less intensely stained for HLA-DR and CD209 than H-IL4 immature DCs. Flow cytometry revealed presence of 2 populations of cells (dominant P1 and less prevalent P2), when either L-IL4 or H-IL4 was used. Among mature MDDCs, population P1 had higher percentage of positively staining cells than P2, for all studied markers except CCR7.In conclusion, both concentrations of IL4 produce in vitro heterogeneous populations of mature MDDCs with similar staining for cell surface markers.



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Xenon Combined with Hypothermia in Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: a Noble Gas, a Noble Mission

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:Pediatric Neurology
Author(s): Ashraf R. Amer, Dorothy E. Oorschot
Perinatal hypoxia-ischemia is a major cause of neonatal morbidity. It generates primary neuronal damage of the neonatal brain and later secondary damage when reperfusion of the ischemic brain tissue causes a surge of oxygen free radicals and inflammation. This post-hypoxic-ischemic brain damage is a leading cause of motor and mental disabilities in survivors. Research worldwide has focussed on mitigating this injury. Mild or moderate hypothermia is standard treatment in many centres. However its benefit is modest and the search for combinatorial effective neuroprotectants continues. This review focusses on xenon as one such agent. The use of mild to moderate hypothermia is reviewed first. Then promising results on the use of xenon to potentiate the effect of hypothermia in in vitro and in vivo animal experiments are discussed. In the first feasibility study on human neonates, researchers found a significant benefit of using 50% xenon for 18 hours in addition to 72 hours hypothermia. Yet, this additional benefit of xenon is lacking if used beyond 6 hours of birth. The future of using xenon is promising, but further clinical studies are awaited to confirm the feasibility of its routine use, and its optimal timing, concentration and duration, for human neonatal hypoxia-ischemia.



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Monotherapy with a novel intervenolin derivative, AS-1934, is an effective treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection

Abstract

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection causes various gastrointestinal diseases including gastric cancer. Hence, eradication of this infection could prevent these diseases. The most popular first-line treatment protocol to eradicate H. pylori is termed "triple therapy" and consists of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), clarithromycin, and amoxicillin or metronidazole. However, the antibiotics used to treat H. pylori infection are hindered by the antibiotics-resistant bacteria and by their antimicrobial activity against intestinal bacteria, leading to side effects. Therefore, an alternative treatment with fewer adverse side effects is urgently required to improve the overall eradication rate of H. pylori.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and mechanism of action of an antitumor agent, intervenolin, and its derivatives as an agent for the treatment of H. pylori infection.

Results

We demonstrate that intervenolin, and its derivatives showed selective anti-H. pylori activity, including antibiotic-resistant strains, without any effect on intestinal bacteria. We showed that dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme for de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, is a target and treatment with intervenolin or its derivatives decreased the protein and mRNA levels of H. pylori urease, which protects H. pylori against acidic conditions in the stomach. Using a mouse model of H. pylori infection, oral monotherapy with the intervenolin derivative AS-1934 had a stronger anti-H. pylori effect than the triple therapy commonly used worldwide to eradicate H. pylori.

Conclusion

AS-1934 has potential advantages over current treatment options for H. pylori infection.

http://ift.tt/2F8Rewq

Clinical and Instrumental Evaluation of Late Dysphagia in Patients With Oropharynx and Nasopharynx Cancer, Candidates to Combined Radiochemotherapy With Intensity Modulated Technique (IMRT)

Conditions:   Cancer of Oropharynx;   Cancer of Nasopharynx
Intervention:  
Sponsor:   Azienda Ospedaliero, Universitaria Pisana
Recruiting

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Perfluorooctyl bromide & indocyanine green co-loaded nanoliposomes for enhanced multimodal imaging-guided phototherapy

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 165
Author(s): Danli Sheng, Tianzhi Liu, Liming Deng, Liang Zhang, Xuelin Li, Jie Xu, Lan Hao, Pan Li, Haitao Ran, Hangrong Chen, Zhigang Wang
As a highly biocompatible NIR dye, indocyanine green (ICG) has been widely explored for cancer treatment due to its various energy level transition pathways upon NIR light excitation simultaneously, which leads to different theranostic effects (eg. Photoacoustic (PA) and fluorescence imaging (FL), photodynamic and photothermal therapy (PDT&PTT)). However, the theranostic efficiency of ICG is restricted intrinsically, owing to the competitive relationship of its co-existing imaging and therapeutic effect. Moreover, the extrinsic hypoxia nature of tumor further limits its therapeutic effect, especially for the oxygen-dependent PDT. Herein, perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB), another biocompatible chemical, was integrated with ICG in a nanoliposome structure via a facile two-step emulsion method. Such an ICG&PFOB co-loaded nanoliposomes (LIP-PFOB-ICG) realized computed tomography (CT) contrast imaging in vivo, providing better anatomical information of tumor in comparison to ICG enabled PA and FL imaging. More importantly, LIP-PFOB-ICG inhibited MDA-MB-231 tumor growth completely via intravenous injection through enhanced PDT&PTT synergistic therapy due to the excellent oxygen carrying ability of PFOB, which effectively attenuated tumor hypoxia, improved the efficiency of collisional energy transfer between ICG and oxygen and reduced the expression of heat shock protein (HSP). As expected, the introduction of PFOB within nanoliposomes with ICG has augmented the theranostic effect of ICG comprehensively, which makes this simple biocompatible liposome-based nanoagent a potential candidate for clinical imaging guided phototherapy of cancer.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2CMfnDH

Scholar : American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Volume 60, Issue 4, April 2018 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online

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The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Volume 60, Issue 4, April 2018 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online. This new issue contains the following articles: Editorial Editorial Stephen R. Lankton Pages: 303-304 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1426318 Obituary   Jon K. Amundson Pages: 305-306 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1427989 Original Articles Freud's Rejection of Hypnosis, Part I: The Genesis of a Rift Richard P. Kluft Pages: 307-323 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1426321 Freud's Rejection of Hypnosis, Part II: The Perpetuation of a Rift Richard P. Kluft Pages: 324-347 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1426326 Two are Better Than One: Dual-Track Interventions in Hypnotherapy Shaul Navon Pages: 348-356 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2017.1312261 The Rate of Adverse Events Related to Hypnosis During Clinical Trials Jared W. Bollinger Pages: 357-366 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2017.1315927 Integrating Hypnosis with Other Therapies for Treating Specific Phobias: A Case Series Joseph A. Hirsch Pages: 367-377 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2017.1326372 An Extension Study Using Hypnotic Suggestion as an Adjunct to Intravenous Sedation Edward F. Mackey Pages: 378-385 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2017.1416279 Psychometric Analysis of the Barber Suggestibility Scale in a Clinical Population Xavier Pellicer Asensio, Adela Fusté Escolano & José Ruiz Rodríguez Pages: 386-402 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2017.1421138 Film Review In the room with Milton H. Erickson, M.D. Volume 2 (October 5th – 10th, 1979), Discs 7-12 Stephen R. Lankton Pages: 403-407 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1427995 Book Reviews Elkins, Gary (Ed.). (2017). Handbook of medical and psychological hypnosis: Foundations, applications, and professional issues. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, 744 pp., $125.00 (soft cover), ISBN-13: 978-0826124869 Amir P. Faghfoory M.S., M.D. Pages: 408-411 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1427997 Miscellany Review of the International Literature Pages: 412-414 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1427998 Editorial Board Editorial Board EoV Pages: 415-415 | DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1427999 2018 Future Directions Forum JOIN US at the 2018 Future Directions Forum for Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology - June 15-16, 2018 To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. Unsubscribe from new content alerts for this journal (both new issue and latest article notifications) 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.

Hereditary association between testicular cancer and familial ovarian cancer: A Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry study

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 53
Author(s): John Lewis Etter, Kevin Eng, Rikki Cannioto, Jasmine Kaur, Hani Almohanna, Emad Alqassim, J. Brian Szender, Janine M. Joseph, Shashikant Lele, Kunle Odunsi, Kirsten B. Moysich
BackgroundAlthough family history of testicular cancer is well-established as a risk factor for testicular cancer, it is unknown whether family history of ovarian cancer is associated with risk of testicular cancer.Materials and methodsUsing data from the Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry on 2636 families with multiple cases of ovarian cancer, we systematically compared relative frequencies of ovarian cancer among relatives of men with testicular and non-testicular cancers.ResultsThirty-one families with cases of both ovarian and testicular cancer were identified. We observed that, among men with cancer, those with testicular cancer were more likely to have a mother with ovarian cancer than those with non-testicular cancers (OR = 3.32, p = 0.004). Zero paternal grandmothers of men with testicular cancer had ovarian cancer.ConclusionThese observations provide compelling preliminary evidence for a familial association between ovarian and testicular cancers Future studies should be designed to further investigate this association and evaluate X-linkage.



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Scholar : Angelaki, Volume 23, Issue 1, February 2018 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online

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The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content Angelaki, Volume 23, Issue 1, February 2018 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online. queer objects. issue editors: guy davidson and monique rooney This new issue contains the following articles: Foreword QUEER OBJECTS Guy Davidson & Monique Rooney Pages: 1-2 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435357 Editorial Introduction QUEER OBJECTS Guy Davidson & Monique Rooney Pages: 3-4 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435359 Original Articles EVE SEDGWICK'S "OTHER MATERIALS" for jonathan goldberg and michael moon, in appreciation Scott Herring Pages: 5-18 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435365 ACTS AGAINST NATURE Elizabeth A. Wilson Pages: 19-31 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435368 SOLID OBJECTS AND MODERN TONICS, OR, WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG CAMP WOOLF? Alexander Howard Pages: 32-47 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435371 LIBRARY TROLLS AND DATABASE ANIMALS kenneth halliwell and joe orton's library book alterations Melissa Hardie Pages: 48-60 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435374 RAY JOHNSON'S ANTI-ARCHIVE blackface, sadomasochism, and the racial and sexual imagination of pop art Benjamin Kahan Pages: 61-84 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435379 Interview ON RAY JOHNSON'S SEXUALITY, LOVES, AND FRIENDSHIPS an interview between william s. wilson and benjamin kahan Benjamin Kahan Pages: 85-87 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435380 Original Articles THE SHAMELESS PERFORMATIVITY OF CAMP IN PATRICK WHITE'S THE TWYBORN AFFAIR Jackson Moore Pages: 88-101 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435381 TOM RIPLEY, QUEER EXCEPTIONALISM, AND THE ANXIETY OF BEING CLOSE TO NORMAL Victoria Hesford Pages: 102-115 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435382 CAPOTE'S FROZEN CATS sexuality, hospitality, civil rights Michael P. Bibler Pages: 116-130 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435387 COOPER'S QUEER OBJECTS Marcie Frank Pages: 131-143 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435388 OBJECTS OF DESIRE masculinity, homosociality and foppishness in nick hornby's high fidelity and about a boy Nikola Stepić Pages: 144-155 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435391 QUEER OBJECTS AND INTERMEDIAL TIMEPIECES reading s-town (2017) Monique Rooney Pages: 156-173 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435392 EPHEMERAPHILIA a queer history Gillian Russell Pages: 174-186 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435393 Title page DOSSIER THE ARGONAUTS AS QUEER OBJECT Pages: 187-187 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435396 Original Articles MEDEA'S PERINEUM So Mayer Pages: 188-193 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435397 "FERAL WITH VULNERABILITY" on the argonauts Kaye Mitchell Pages: 194-198 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435398 THEORY AND THE EVERYDAY Monica B. Pearl Pages: 199-203 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435401 ON BEING A GOOD-ENOUGH READER OF MAGGIE NELSON'S THE ARGONAUTS Jackie Stacey Pages: 204-208 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435402 IN THE MARGINS WITH THE ARGONAUTS Robyn Wiegman Pages: 209-213 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435403 notes on the contributors notes on the contributors Pages: 214-217 | DOI: 10.1080/0969725X.2018.1435404 Browse this free access collection on Communication, Media and Culture in Asia: http://bit.ly/cmc-in-asia To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. Unsubscribe from new content alerts for this journal (both new issue and latest article notifications) 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.

Source apportionments of PM 2.5 organic carbon during the elevated pollution episodes in the Ordos region, Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract

The Ordos region in the southwestern part of Inner Mongolia experiences frequent PM concentrations in excess of the national PM_2.5 air quality standards. In order to determine the key sources of PM_2.5 contributing to these pollution episodes, the main sources of PM_2.5 OC during elevated PM episodes in the Inner Mongolia were analyzed and compared with non-polluted days. This will provide insight to the main sources of particulate matter pollution during the high-pollution episodes and the effective seasonal strategies to control sources of particulate matter during months and with the highest PM concentrations that need to be controlled. The PMF source contributions to OC demonstrated that the industrial/coal combustion (4762.77 ± 1061.54 versus 2726.49 ± 469.75 ng/m³; p < 0.001) and mobile source factors (4651.14 ± 681.82 versus 2605.55 ± 276.50 ng/m³; p value < 0.001) showed greater contributions to the elevated concentrations during the episode. The spatial analysis of secondary organic carbon (SOC) factors, regional biomass burning, and biogenic sources did not show significant difference in the pollution episodes and the non-polluted months. In addition, the bivariate polar plots and CWT maps of the industrial/coal combustion and mobile illustrated a regional long-range transport patterns from the external sources to the study area, however, adjacent areas were mostly controlling the contributions of these factors during the PM elevated episodes. The SOC sources, regional biomass burning, and biogenic sources illustrated a regional long-range transport with similar locations found during the elevated pollution episodes compared to the normal situations.

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Evaluating gas chromatography with a halogen-specific detector for the determination of disinfection by-products in drinking water

Abstract

The occurrence of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water has become an issue of concern during the past decades. The DBPs pose health risks and are suspected to cause various cancer forms, be genotoxic, and have negative developmental effects. The vast chemical diversity of DBPs makes comprehensive monitoring challenging. Only few of the DBPs are regulated and included in analytical protocols. In this study, a method for simultaneous measurement of 20 DBPs from five different structural classes (both regulated and non-regulated) was investigated and further developed for 11 DBPs using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography coupled with a halogen-specific detector (XSD). The XSD was highly selective towards halogenated DBPs, providing chromatograms with little noise. The method allowed detection down to 0.05 μg L⁻¹ and showed promising results for the simultaneous determination of a range of neutral DBP classes. Compounds from two classes of emerging DBPs, more cytotoxic than the "traditional" regulated DBPs, were successfully determined using this method. However, haloacetic acids (HAAs) should be analyzed separately as some HAA methyl esters may degrade giving false positives of trihalomethanes (THMs). The method was tested on real water samples from two municipal waterworks where the target DBP concentrations were found below the regulatory limits of Sweden.

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Enhanced algae removal by Ti-based coagulant: comparison with conventional Al- and Fe-based coagulants

Abstract

The water eutrophication caused by cyanobacteria seasonally proliferates, which is a hot potato to be resolved for water treatment plants. This study firstly investigated coagulation performance of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) for Microcystis aeruginosa synthetic water treatment. Results show complete algal cell removal by TiCl₄ coagulation without damage to cell membrane integrity even under harsh conditions; 60 mg/L TiCl₄ was effective in removing the microcystins up to 85%. Furthermore, besides having stronger UV₂₅₄ removal capability and the higher removal of fluorescent substances over Al- and Fe-based coagulants, TiCl₄ coagulant required more compact coagulation and sedimentation tanks due to its significantly improved floc growth and sedimentation speed. Meanwhile, its' short hydraulic retention time avoided algal cell breakage and subsequent algal organic matter release. Microcystin concentrations were kept at a low level during sludge storage period, indicating that the TiCl₄ flocs could prevent algal cells from natural lysis. To facilitate water recycling without secondary contamination, the algae-containing sludge after TiCl₄ coagulation ought to be disposed within 12 days at 20 °C and 8 days at 35 °C.

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Anoxic conditions are beneficial for abiotic diclofenac removal from water with manganese oxide (MnO 2 )

Abstract

This is the first study examining pharmaceutical removal under anoxic conditions with MnO₂. This study compares the abiotic removal of seven pharmaceuticals with reactive MnO₂ particles in the presence of oxygen (oxic conditions) and in the absence of oxygen (anoxic conditions). Due to the novelty of pharmaceutical removal under anoxic conditions, the influence of phosphate buffer, pH, and MnO₂ morphologies is also examined. Results show that over 90% of diclofenac is removed under anoxic conditions. Additionally, we found that (1) anoxic conditions are beneficial for diclofenac removal with MnO₂, (2) phosphate buffer affects the pharmaceutical removal efficiencies, (3) higher pharmaceutical removal is obtained at acidic pH compared to that at neutral or alkaline conditions, and (4) amorphous MnO₂ removes pharmaceuticals better than crystalline MnO₂. The pharmaceutical molecular structure and properties, MnO₂ properties especially reactive sites of the MnO₂ surface, are important for degradation kinetics. This study provides a fundamental basis towards understanding pharmaceutical degradation with MnO₂ under anoxic conditions, and development of a cost-effective, sustainable technology for removal of pharmaceuticals from water.

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Impact of Previous Biologic Use on Efficacy and Safety of Brodalumab and Ustekinumab in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Integrated Analysis of AMAGINE-2 and AMAGINE-3

Abstract

Background

Biologics used increasingly used for treating moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Efficacy may differ in patients with previous biologics exposure.

Objective

To investigate the impact of previous biologic exposure on efficacy and safety of brodalumab and ustekinumab in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Methods

Two placebo- and ustekinumab-controlled phase 3 clinical trials. Initial 12-week induction phase where patients were treated with brodalumab (210mg Q2W or 140mg Q2W), ustekinumab or placebo. Efficacy endpoints included: Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) and Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA 0/1) versus placebo, PASI 100 versus ustekinumab, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI). Adverse events were monitored throughout.

Results

493 patients (334 [27%] brodalumab 210 mg Q2W and 159 [26%] ustekinumab) received prior biologics exposure; 150 (12%) and 62 (10%) reporting previously failed biologic. Brodalumab efficacy in patients with or without previous biologics exposure was statistically equivalent; 40.9% and 39.5% of bio-naïve and -experienced patients achieved PASI 100 at Week 12, compared with 21.1% and 17.0% with ustekinumab (both P<0.001). In patients where prior biologics had been successful or failed, 41.7% and 32.0% achieved PASI 100, compared with 21.1% and 11.3% with ustekinumab. Tolerability was similar, and did not appear to be influenced by previous biologic treatment.

Conclusions

Efficacy of brodalumab 210 mg Q2W was similar regardless of prior biologic therapy (P=0.31, 0.32 and 0.64 for PASI 75, 90, and 100 respectively). Almost twice as many patients achieved PASI 100 or complete clearance at Week 12 compared with ustekinumab; differences most noticeable where previous biologics had failed. Both treatments were well tolerated.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Development of a novel TiNbTa material potentially suitable for bone replacement implants

Publication date: 5 May 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 145
Author(s): E. Chicardi, C.F. Gutiérrez-González, M.J. Sayagués, C. García-Garrido
A novel (β+γ)-TiNbTa alloy has been developed by a combined low energy mechanical alloying (LEMA) and pulsed electric current sintering process (PECS). Microstructurally, this material presents interesting characteristics, such as a submicrometric range of particle size, a body-centered phase (β-TiNbTa) and, mainly, a novel face-centered cubic Ti-based alloy (γ-TiNbTa) not previously reported. Related to mechanical performance, the novel (β+γ)-TiNbTa shows a lower E (49±3GPa) and an outstanding yield strength (σy>1860MPa). This combination of original microstructure and properties makes to the (β+γ)-TiNbTa a novel material potentially suitable as biomaterial to fabricate bone replacement implants, avoiding the undesirable and detrimental stress-shielding problem and even the usual damage on the mechanical strength of Ti-based foams biomaterials.

Graphical abstract

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Understanding the mechanical properties of novel UHTCMCs through random forest and regression tree analysis

Publication date: 5 May 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 145
Author(s): Antonio Vinci, Luca Zoli, Diletta Sciti, Cesare Melandri, Stefano Guicciardi
The microstructure and the mechanical properties of ZrB2–SiC–Cf ceramic composites were investigated. The SiC phase, whose amount was varied from 5 to 20vol%, was introduced in order to improve the densification, oxidation resistance and mechanical properties of the composite. The microstructure was analysed by SEM-EDS and image analysis. Increasing the amount of SiC from 5 to 20vol% resulted in an improvement of the materials density, from 90% to 94%. The non-brittle 4-pt flexural strength ranged from 164 to 247MPa, with no clear dependence on the amount of SiC added. The same holds true for the fracture toughness, ranging from 4.8 to 8.4MPa·m^0.5. In order to track the most important microstructural parameters affecting the properties, experimental data were analysed with the Random Forest and Regression Tree statistical models. The statistical analysis demonstrated that among the possible explanatory variables such as porosity, amount of SiC, fibre content, matrix content, SiC/fibre amount ratio, the one having a major influence on both the flexural strength and fracture toughness is the ratio between SiC and carbon fibre content.

Graphical abstract

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Cognitive Computational Neuroscience: A New Conference for an Emerging Discipline

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Author(s): Thomas Naselaris, Danielle S. Bassett, Alyson K. Fletcher, Konrad Kording, Nikolaus Kriegeskorte, Hendrikje Nienborg, Russell A. Poldrack, Daphna Shohamy, Kendrick Kay
Understanding the computational principles that underlie complex behavior is a central goal in cognitive science, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience. In an attempt to unify these disconnected communities, we created a new conference called Cognitive Computational Neuroscience (CCN). The inaugural meeting revealed considerable enthusiasm but significant obstacles remain.



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Data on novel C fibers@MoSe2 nanoplates core–shell composite for highly efficient solar-driven photocatalytically degrading environmental pollutants

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 17
Author(s): Meng Wang, Zhijian Peng, Jingwen Qian, Hong Li, Zengying Zhao, Xiuli Fu
The data presented in this article are related to a research article entitled 'Highly efficient solar-driven photocatalytic degradation on environmental pollutants over a novel C fibers@MoSe2 nanoplates core–shell composite' (Wang et al., 2018) [1]. In this article, we report original data on the synthesis processes optimization of the proposed composite together with its formation mechanism. The report includes the composition, microstructure and morphology of the corresponding samples, and the photocatalytic activity and stability of the optimal composite. Compared with commercially available MoSe2 powder, the reaction rate constant of the optimal composite catalyst for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight irradiation (SSI) could be increased in a factor of about 14 and 8, respectively. The data are presented in this format to allow the comparison with those from other researchers in this field, and understanding the synthesis and photocatalysis mechanism of similar catalysts.



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Geographical origin traceability of tea based on multi-element spatial distribution and the relationship with soil in district scale

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Food Control, Volume 90
Author(s): Lei Li, Bo Wen, Xiaolei Zhang, Yue Zhao, Yu Duan, Xiangfei Song, Shuang Ren, Yuhua Wang, Wanping Fang, Xujun Zhu
In this study, a discriminant model was established by determining mineral element contents in tea leaves and the soil, collected from Lishui, Jiangsu Province, China. The contents of 12 elements (Se, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cr, Pb, Mg, Ca, Cu, Al, Na, and K) were determined in both tea leaves and soil samples. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed for regional classification of tea samples. After data conversion and correlation analysis, spatial and quantitative prediction models were established by ordinary Kriging interpolation and multiple linear regressions. The results indicated a corresponding relationship of elements between tea and soil, and the cluster analysis and PCA showed a clear distinction between tea from the north to that from the middle and south of Lishui. Kriging interpolation predicted the levels of 12 elements, and among them, Se, Ca, and Cr showed a related spatial distribution. Three linear regression equations were established using Mn, Al, Ni, and K contents and soil pH, and these equations fitted well between predicted and actual values. The established linear equations can be used to identify the predominant mineral elements in tea plants and soil from Lishui and to identify the geographical origin of the tea product.



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Review of reduction factors by buildings for gamma radiation from radiocaesium deposited on the ground due to fallout

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 187
Author(s): Hiroko Yoshida-Ohuchi, Norihiro Matsuda, Kimiaki Saito
In order to estimate residents' external dose due to radionuclide exposure resulting from fallout deposit on the ground, the shielding and dose reduction effects provided by structures such as houses and workplaces are taken into account as most individuals spend a large portion of their time indoors. Many works on both calculation and measurement for European and American settlements have been reported and factors such as, shielding factors, protection factors, reduction factors, and location factors have been determined. However, measurement data for Japanese settlements are lacking. Thus, the Japanese government used reduction factors given in the International Atomic Energy Agency documents from American and European settlements when Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident occurred. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation used location factors from European settlements for the same reason. Soon after the FDNPP accident, several measurements and calculations were performed to obtain specific reduction factors for Japanese settlements due to this lack of data. This research reviews previous studies that determined factors such as, shielding factors, protection factors, reduction factors, and location factors and summarizes specific results for Japan. We discuss the issues in determining these factors and in applying them to estimate indoor dose. The contribution of surface contamination to the indoor ambient dose equivalent rate is also discussed.



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7Be concentration in the near-surface layer of the air in Bialystok (north-eastern Poland) in the years 1992–2010

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 187
Author(s): Jacek Kapała, Maria Karpińska, Stanisław Mnich, Anna Gromotowicz-Popławska, Grzegorz Kulesza
Weekly measurements of air ⁷Be concentrations (n = 769) were performed in the years 1992–2010 in Bialystok (north-eastern Poland) using gamma spectrometry. The arithmetic mean (AM) concentration of ⁷Be was 2.51 mBq m⁻³, and the median (M) was 2.24 mBq m⁻³ (range 0.47–7.81 mBq m⁻³). The observed ⁷Be concentrations were within the range of levels recorded in Europe. Typical seasonal variability was observed. Concentrations of ⁷Be in the warm season (May, June, July) were almost twice as high as those in the cold season (November, December, January).A correlation was found between weekly ⁷Be concentrations and mean weekly values of relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed throughout the observation period. Pearson's correlation coefficients were −0.63, p < 0.001; 0.477, p < 0.001; −0.288, p < 0.001, respectively.The correlation coefficient between sunspot number and mean annual ⁷Be concentrations in the air in the years 1992–2010 was −0.609.



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Identification of a unique insertion in Plant Organellar DNA polymerases responsible for 5'-dRP lyase and strand-displacement activities: Implications for Base Excision Repair

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:DNA Repair
Author(s): Carlos H. Trasviña-Arenas, Noe Baruch-Torres, Francisco J. Cordoba-Andrade, Víctor M. Ayala-García, Paola L. García-Medel, Corina Díaz-Quezada, Antolín Peralta-Castro, José Juan Ordaz-Ortiz, Luis G. Brieba
Plant mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes encode essential proteins for oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis. For proper cellular function, plant organelles must ensure genome integrity. Although plant organelles repair damaged DNA using the multi-enzyme Base Excision Repair (BER) pathway, the details of this pathway in plant organelles are largely unknown. The initial enzymatic steps in BER produce a 5'-deoxyribose phosphate (5'-dRP) moiety that must be removed to allow DNA ligation and in plant organelles, the enzymes responsible for the removal of a 5'-dRP group are unknown. In metazoans, DNA polymerases (DNAPs) remove the 5'-dRP moiety using their intrinsic lyase and/or strand-displacement activities during short or long-patch BER sub-pathways, respectively. The plant model Arabidopsis thaliana encodes two family-A DNAPs paralogs, AtPolIA and AtPolIB, which are the sole DNAPs in plant organelles identified to date. Herein we demonstrate that both AtPolIs present 5'-dRP lyase activities. AtPolIB performs efficient strand-displacement on a BER-associated 1-nt gap DNA substrate, whereas AtPolIA exhibits only moderate strand-displacement activity. Both lyase and strand-displacement activities are dependent on an amino acid insertion that is exclusively present in plant organellar DNAPs. Within this insertion, we identified that residue AtPollB-Lys593 acts as nucleophile for lyase activity. Our results demonstrate that AtPolIs are functionally equipped to play a role in short-patch BER and suggest a major role of AtPolIB in a predicted long-patch BER sub-pathway. We propose that the acquisition of insertion 1 in the polymerization domain of AtPolIs was a key component in their evolution as BER associated and replicative DNAPs.

Graphical abstract

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Erratum to “DNA Replication and associated repair pathways are involved in the mutagenesis of methylated cytosine”[DNA Repair, 62 (2018) 1–7]

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:DNA Repair
Author(s): Marketa Tomkova, Michael McClellan, Skirmantas Kriaucionis, Benjamin Schuster-Boockler




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Curcumin restrains hepatic glucose production by blocking cAMP/PKA signaling and reducing acetyl CoA accumulation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Zixia Wang, Dan Xu, Linlin She, Yirui Zhang, Qingli Wei, Jiye Aa, Guangji Wang, Baolin Liu, Yuan Xie
ObjectiveThis study is designed to investigate whether curcumin reduces excessive hepatic glucose production (HGP) via regulation of second messenger cAMP.MethodsHigh-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were orally administrated of metformin (200 mg/kg) or curcumin (50 mg/kg) daily for 10 weeks. Meanwhile, we stimulated mouse primary hepatocytes with palmitate (PA).ResultsCurcumin reduced hepatic cAMP accumulation by preserving PDE4B induction, thereby suppressing gluconeogenesis via blocking cAMP/PKA activation. Curcumin reduced lipid deposition by reducing free fatty acid uptake and prevented acetyl CoA accumulation by combating mitochondrial oxidation. As a result from inhibiting acetyl CoA accumulation, curcumin protected pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity and inhibited pyruvate carboxylase (PC), limiting the shift of mitochondrial pyruvate from oxidation to gluconeogenesis via the carboxylation.ConclusionCurcumin reduced cAMP accumulation by preserving PDE4B activity and inhibited acetyl CoA production by reducing mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, thereby restraining pyruvate-driven hepatic glucose production.



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Molecular and thyroid hormone binding properties of lamprey transthyretins: The role of an N-terminal histidine-rich segment in hormone binding with high affinity

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Kentaro Kasai, Norihito Nishiyama, Kiyoshi Yamauchi
Transthyretin (TTR) is a plasma thyroid hormone (TH) binder that emerged from an ancient hydroxyisourate hydrolase by gene duplication. To know how an ancient TTR had high affinity for THs, molecular and TH binding properties of lamprey TTRs were investigated. In adult serum, the lipoprotein LAL was a major T3 binder with low affinity. Lamprey TTRs had an N-terminal histidine-rich segment, and had two classes of binding sites for 3,3′,5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3): a high-affinity and a low-affinity site. Mutant TTRΔ3-11, lacking the N-terminal histidine-rich segment, lost the high-affinity T3 binding site. [¹²⁵I]T3 binding to wild type TTR and mutant TTRΔ3-11, was differentially modulated by Zn²⁺. Zn²⁺ contents of wild type TTR were 7–10/TTR (mol/mol). Our results demonstrate that lamprey TTR is a Zn²⁺-dependent T3 binder. The N-terminal histidine-rich segment may be essential for neo-functionalization (i.e., high-affinity T3 binding activity) of an ancient TTR after gene duplication.



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Editorial Board

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Gene Expression Patterns, Volume 27





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Curcumin restrains hepatic glucose production by blocking cAMP/PKA signaling and reducing acetyl CoA accumulation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Zixia Wang, Dan Xu, Linlin She, Yirui Zhang, Qingli Wei, Jiye Aa, Guangji Wang, Baolin Liu, Yuan Xie
ObjectiveThis study is designed to investigate whether curcumin reduces excessive hepatic glucose production (HGP) via regulation of second messenger cAMP.MethodsHigh-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were orally administrated of metformin (200 mg/kg) or curcumin (50 mg/kg) daily for 10 weeks. Meanwhile, we stimulated mouse primary hepatocytes with palmitate (PA).ResultsCurcumin reduced hepatic cAMP accumulation by preserving PDE4B induction, thereby suppressing gluconeogenesis via blocking cAMP/PKA activation. Curcumin reduced lipid deposition by reducing free fatty acid uptake and prevented acetyl CoA accumulation by combating mitochondrial oxidation. As a result from inhibiting acetyl CoA accumulation, curcumin protected pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity and inhibited pyruvate carboxylase (PC), limiting the shift of mitochondrial pyruvate from oxidation to gluconeogenesis via the carboxylation.ConclusionCurcumin reduced cAMP accumulation by preserving PDE4B activity and inhibited acetyl CoA production by reducing mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, thereby restraining pyruvate-driven hepatic glucose production.



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Neighborhood Resolved Fiber Orientation Distributions (NRFOD) in Automatic Labeling of White Matter Fiber Pathways

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2018
Source:Medical Image Analysis
Author(s): Devran Ugurlu, Zeynep Firat, Ugur Ture, Gozde Unal
Accurate digital representation of major white matter bundles in the brain is an important goal in neuroscience image computing since the representations can be used for surgical planning, intra-patient longitudinal analysis and inter-subject population connectivity studies. Reconstructing desired fiber bundles generally involves manual selection of regions of interest by an expert, which is subject to user bias and fatigue, hence an automation is desirable. To that end, we first present a novel anatomical representation based on Neighborhood Resolved Fiber Orientation Distributions (NRFOD) along the fibers. The resolved fiber orientations are obtained by generalized q-sampling imaging (GQI) and a subsequent diffusion decomposition method. A fiber-to-fiber distance measure between the proposed fiber representations is then used in a density-based clustering framework to select the clusters corresponding to the major pathways of interest. In addition, neuroanatomical priors are utilized to constrain the set of candidate fibers before density-based clustering. The proposed fiber clustering approach is exemplified on automation of the reconstruction of the major fiber pathways in the brainstem: corticospinal tract (CST); medial lemniscus (ML); middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP); inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP); superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP). Experimental results on Human Connectome Project (HCP)'s publicly available "WU-Minn 500 Subjects + MEG2 dataset" and expert evaluations demonstrate the potential of the proposed fiber clustering method in brainstem white matter structure analysis.

Graphical abstract

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Editorial Board

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Gene Expression Patterns, Volume 27





http://ift.tt/2F32VS4

Editorial Board

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Gene Expression Patterns, Volume 27





http://ift.tt/2F32VS4

Editorial Board

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Gene Expression Patterns, Volume 27





http://ift.tt/2F32VS4