Behavioral evaluation of auditory stream segregation in rats

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Neuroscience Research
Author(s): Takahiro Noda, Hirokazu Takahashi
Perceptual organization of sound sequences into separate sound sources or streams is called auditory stream segregation. Neural substrates for this process in both the spectral and temporal domains remain to be elucidated. Despite abundant knowledge about their auditory physiology, behavioral evidence for auditory streaming in rodents is still limited. We provided behavioral evidence for auditory streaming in the go/no-go discrimination task, but not in the two-alternative choice task. In the go/no-go discrimination phase, rats were able to discriminate different rhythms corresponding to segregated or integrated tone sequences in both short inter-tone interval (ITI) and long ITI conditions. Nevertheless, performance was poorer in the long ITI group. In probe testing, which assessed the ability to discriminate one of the segregated tone sequences from ABA- tone sequences, the detection rate increased with the difference in frequency (ΔF) for short (100 ms), but not long (200 ms) ITIs. Our results indicate that auditory streaming in rats on both the spectral and temporal features in the ABA- tone paradigm is qualitatively analogous to that observed in human psychophysics studies. This suggests that rodents are a valuable model for investigating the neural substrates of auditory streaming.



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Neuroimaging correlates of narcolepsy with cataplexy: A systematic review

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Neuroscience Research
Author(s): Masataka Wada, Masaru Mimura, Yoshihiro Noda, Shotaro Takasu, Eric Plitman, Makoto Honda, Akiyo Natsubori, Kamiyu Ogyu, Ryosuke Taurmi, Ariel Graff-Guerrero, Shinichiro Nakajima
Recent developments in neuroimaging techniques have advanced our understanding of biological mechanisms underpinning narcolepsy. We used MEDLINE to retrieve neuroimaging studies to compare patients with narcolepsy and healthy controls. Thirty-seven studies were identified and demonstrated several replicated abnormalities: (1) gray matter reductions in superior frontal, superior and inferior temporal, and middle occipital gyri, hypothalamus, amygdala, insula, hippocampus, cingulate cortex, thalamus, and nucleus accumbens, (2) decreased fractional anisotropy in white matter of fronto-orbital and cingulate area, (3) reduced brain metabolism or cerebral blood flow in middle and superior frontal, and cingulate cortex (4) increased activity in inferior frontal gyri, insula, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens, and (5) N-acetylaspartate/creatine-phosphocreatine level reduction in hypothalamus. In conclusion, all the replicated findings are still controversial due to the limitations such as heterogeneity or size of the samples and lack of multimodal imaging or follow-up. Thus, future neuroimaging studies should employ multimodal imaging methods in a large sample size of patients with narcolepsy and consider age, duration of disease, age at onset, severity, human leukocyte antigen type, cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin levels, and medication intake in order to elucidate possible neuroimaging characteristic of narcolepsy and identify therapeutic targets.



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CHARACTERIZATION OF MOUSE CHORDA TYMPANI RESPONSES EVOKED BY STIMULATION OF ANTERIOR OR POSTERIOR FUNGIFORM TASTE PAPILLAE

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Neuroscience Research
Author(s): Stuart A. McCaughey
Different gustatory papilla types vary in their locations on the tongue. Distinctions have often made between types, but variation within fungiform papillae has seldom been explored. Here, regional differences in fungiform papillae were investigated by flowing solutions selectively over either an anterior fungiform (AF, tongue tip) or a posterior fungiform (PF, middle third) region as taste-evoked activity was measured in the chorda tympani nerve of C57BL/6J (B6) mice. Significantly larger responses were evoked by NaCl applied to the AF than PF region, and the ENaC blocker amiloride reduced the NaCl response size only for the former. Umami synergy, based on co-presenting MSG and IMP, was larger for the AF than PF region. The regions did not differ in response size to sour chemicals, but responses to L-lysine, L-arginine, sucrose, and tetrasodium pyrophosphate were larger for the AF than PF region. Thus, fungiform papillae on the tongue tip differed from those found further back in their transduction mechanisms for salty and umami compounds. Gustatory sensitivity also showed regional variation, albeit with a complex relationship to palatability and taste quality. Overall, the data support a regional organization for the mouse tongue, with different functional zones for the anterior, middle, and posterior thirds.



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Breast Lesions Detected via Molecular Breast Imaging

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Jason G. Ching, Rachel F. Brem
Rationale and ObjectivesTo evaluate correlations between molecular breast imaging (MBI) descriptor characteristics and positive predictive value (PPV) in detecting breast cancer.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review was performed on 193 suspicious findings from 153 women (31–81 years) with positive MBI examinations. We assessed associations between (i) lesion pattern (mass vs. nonmass) and PPV; (ii) lesion pattern and suspected likelihood of cancer (low vs. moderate vs. high); (iii) background parenchymal uptake (BPU) (homogeneous vs. heterogeneous) and PPV; (iv) breast density (dense vs. non-dense) and PPV; and (v) BPU and density.ResultsOne hundred ten of 153 patients were diagnosed with malignancy or high-risk pathology (PPV1 = 71.9%), and 130/193 biopsies resulted in malignant or high-risk lesions (PPV3 = 67.4%). Biopsies of mass vs. nonmass findings had comparable PPV3 (71.7% vs. 61.3%; P = .0717). Mass findings were correlated with higher suspicion for cancer than nonmass findings (P < .001). There was no significant difference in PPV3 when comparing biopsies from homogeneous vs. heterogeneous BPU (72.5% vs. 60.7%; P = .103). No association was found between patients' BPU and diagnosed cancer or high-risk lesions (P = .513). Biopsies from nondense breasts demonstrated higher PPV3 than biopsies from dense breasts (85.4% vs. 60.6%; P = .0025); patients with nondense breasts were more likely to be diagnosed with cancer or high-risk pathology (PPV1 = 87.8% vs. 66.0%; P = .00844). Dense breasts had a greater association with heterogeneous BPU (P = .0844).ConclusionNeither variability in mass or nonmass positive MBI findings, nor variability in BPU on MBI were significant determinants for the probability of malignancy. Dense breasts were associated with lower predictability and heterogeneous BPU on MBI.



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Designing a Curriculum for Professionalism and Ethics Within Radiology

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Aine Marie Kelly, Patricia B. Mullan
Although professionalism and ethics represent required competencies, they are more challenging than other competencies to design a curriculum for and teach. Reasons include variability in agreed definitions of professionalism within medicine and radiology. This competency is also framed differently whether as roles, duties, actions, skills, behavior, beliefs, and attitudes.Standardizing a curriculum in professionalism is difficult because each learner's (medical student/resident) professional experiences and interactions will be unique. Professionalism is intertwined throughout all (sub) specialties and areas and its teaching cannot occur in isolation as a standalone curriculum. In the past, professionalism was not emphasized enough or at all, with global (or no) assessments, with the potential effect of trainees not valuing it.Although we can teach it formally in the classroom and informally in small groups, much of professionalism is witnessed and learned as "hidden curricula". The formal, informal, and hidden curricula often contradict each other creating confusion, disillusion, and cynicism in trainees.The corporatization of medicine pressurizes us to increase efficiency (throughput) with less focus on aspects of professionalism that add value, creating a disjoint between what we do in practice and preach to trainees. Progressively, expectations for our curriculum include providing evidence for the impacts of our efforts on patient outcomes.Generational differences in the perception of professionalism and the increasingly diverse and multicultural society in which we live affects our interpretation of professionalism, which can add to confusion and misunderstanding.The objectives of this article are to outline challenges facing curriculum design in professionalism and to make suggestions to help educators avoid or overcome them.



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Tailoring CT Dose to Patient Size

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Yan Klosterkemper, Elisabeth Appel, Christoph Thomas, Oliver T. Bethge, Joel Aissa, Patric Kröpil, Gerald Antoch, Johannes Boos
Rationale and ObjectivesTo use an automatic computed tomography (CT) dose monitoring system to analyze the institutional chest and abdominopelvic CT dose data as regards the updated 2017 American College of Radiology (ACR) diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) based on water-equivalent diameter (Dw) and size-specific dose estimates (SSDE) to detect patient-size subgroups in which CT dose can be optimized.Materials and MethodsAll chest CT examinations performed between July 2016 and April 2017 with and without contrast material, CT of the pulmonary arteries, and abdominopelvic CT with and without contrast material were included in this retrospective study. Dw and SSDE were automatically calculated for all scans using a previously validated in-house developed Matlab software and stored into our CT dose monitoring system. CT dose data were analyzed as regards the updated ACR DRLs (size groups: 21–25 cm, 25–29 cm, 29–33 cm, 33–37 cm, 37–41 cm). SSDE and volumetric computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) were used as CT dose parameter.ResultsOverall, 30,002 CT examinations were performed in the study period, 3860 of which were included in the analysis (mean age 62.1 ± 16.4 years, Dw 29.0 ± 3.3 cm; n = 577 chest CT without contrast material, n = 628 chest CT with contrast material, n = 346 CT of chest pulmonary, n = 563 abdominopelvic CT without contrast material, n = 1746 abdominopelvic CT with contrast material). Mean SSDE and CTDIvol relative to the updated DRLs were 43.3 ± 26.4 and 45.1 ± 27.9% for noncontrast chest CT, 52.3 ± 23.1 and 52.0 ± 23.1% for contrast-enhanced chest CT, 68.8 ± 29.5 and 70.0 ± 31.0% for CT of pulmonary arteries, 41.9 ± 29.2 and 43.3 ± 31.3% for noncontrast abdominopelvic CT, and 56.8 ± 22.2 and 58.8 ± 24.4% for contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic CT. Lowest dose compared to the DRLs was found for the Dw group of 21–25 cm in noncontrast abdominopelvic CT (SSDE 30.4 ± 21.8%, CTDIvol 30.8 ± 21.4%). Solely the group of patients with a Dw of 37–41 cm undergoing noncontrast abdominopelvic CT exceeded the ACR DRL (SSDE 100.3 ± 59.0%, CTDIvol 107.1 ± 63.5%).ConclusionsOn average, mean SSDE and CTDIvol of our institutional chest and abdominopelvic CT protocols were lower than the updated 2017 ACR DRLs. Size-specific subgroup analysis revealed a wide variability of SSDE and CTDIvol across CT protocols and patient size groups with a transgression of DRLs in noncontrast abdominopelvic CT of large patients (Dw 37–41 cm).



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Recognition of Neonatal Lymphatic Flow Disorder

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): David M. Biko, Jordan A. Johnstone, Yoav Dori, Teresa Victoria, Edward R. Oliver, Maxim Itkin
Rationale and ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe prenatal and postnatal imaging features and outcomes of neonates with neonatal lymphatic disorders (NLDs).Materials and MethodsAn institutional review board-approved search of the radiology database for patients with NLD identified five patients. Inclusion criteria include prenatal imaging (fetal magnetic resonance [MR] imaging and ultrasound) and postnatal three-dimensional T2 Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrasts using different flip angle Evolution (SPACE) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography within 6 months of life. Chart review was undertaken to evaluate morbidity and mortality.ResultsPrenatal finding of "nutmeg lung" or fetal pulmonary lymphatic disorder was identified in all five patients on fetal MR imaging, and in four of five patients on fetal ultrasound. Postnatal dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography demonstrated abnormal lymphatic flow to the lungs in four of five patients, but absent in the single patient with coexisting hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Dermal backflow was seen in one patient, also the only patient with prenatal body wall edema. Three patients with lymphatic flow to the lungs only were classified as neonatal chylothorax. The patient with dermal backflow and perfusion to the lungs was diagnosed with central lymphatic flow disorder (CLFD). The HLHS patient with normal lymphatic perfusion maintained the HLHS diagnosis. Of the five patients, the patient with CLFD and the one with HLHS expired because of respiratory distress.ConclusionsNLDs can be recognized on prenatal and postnatal imaging and may be primary, as in neonatal chylothorax or CLFD, or secondary. In this small series, "nutmeg lung" was present in all patients. Prenatal imaging demonstrates that body wall edema may correlate with postnatal dermal backflow, which, in our small cohort, carried a poor prognosis.



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Observer Variability in Breast Cancer Diagnosis between Countries with and without Breast Screening

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Delgermaa Demchig, Claudia Mello-Thoms, Warwick Lee, Khulan Khurelsukh, Asai Ramish, Patrick Brennan
Rational and ObjectivesImage reporting is a vital component of patient management depending on individual radiologists' performance. Our objective was to explore mammographic diagnostic efficacy in a country where breast cancer screening does not exist.Materials and MethodsTwo mammographic test sets were used: a typical screening (TS) and high-difficulty (HD) test set. Nonscreening (NS) radiologists (n = 11) read both test sets, while 52 and 49 screening radiologists read the TS and HD test sets, respectively. The screening radiologists were classified into two groups: a less experienced (LE) group with ≤5 years' experience and a more experienced (ME) group with ≥5 years' experience.A Kruskal–Wallis and Tukey–Kramer post hoc test were used to compare reading performance among reader groups, and the Wilcoxon matched pairs tests was used to compare TS and ND test sets for the NS radiologists.ResultsAcross the three reader groups, there were significant differences in case sensitivity (χ² [2] = 9.4, P = .008), specificity (χ² [2] = 10.3, P = .006), location sensitivity (χ² [2] = 19.8, P < .001), receiver operating characteristics, area under the curve (χ² [2] = 19.7, P < .001) and jack-knife free-response receiver operating characteristics (JAFROCs) (χ² [2] = 18.1, P < .001).NS performance for all measured scores was significantly lower than those for the ME readers (P < .006), while only location sensitivity was lower (χ² [2] = 17.5, P = .026) for the NS compared to the LE group. No other significant differences were observed.ConclusionLarge variations in mammographic performance exist between radiologists from screening and nonscreening countries.



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Scholar : These new articles for Amyloid are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Amyloid and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Original Article A functional assay to identify amyloidogenic light chains Emily B. Martin, Angela D. Williams, R. Eric Heidel, James S. Foster, Ronald H. Lands, Stephen J. Kennel & Jonathan S. Wall Pages: 1-8 | DOI: 10.1080/13506129.2018.1456425 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.

Early life trauma: An exploratory study of effects on OXTR and NR3C1 gene expression and nurturing self-efficacy in mothers of infants

Publication date: Available online 24 March 2018
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Alysson E. Light, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Chris L. Porter, Kathleen C. Light
BackgroundIn animals, adverse early experience alters oxytocinergic and glucocorticoid activity and maternal behavior in adulthood. This preliminary study explored associations among childhood trauma (loss of a parent or sexual abuse in childhood), maternal self-efficacy, and leukocyte gene expression (mRNA) of oxytocin and glucocorticoid receptors (OXTR and NR3C1) in mothers of infants.Methods62 mothers (20 with early life trauma) with healthy 3-month old infants reported maternal self-efficacy, depression, infant temperament, and overall social support; the effects of early trauma on these measures were assessed. Of these, 35 mothers (14 with early trauma) underwent blood draws after 2 infant feeding times; their OXTR and NR3C1 mRNA was compared to a control group of 25 no-infant women without early trauma, and also was examined for associations with self-efficacy.ResultsOXTR mRNA was increased in mothers of infants versus no-infant controls (p < 0.0003), and mothers with greatest prior maternal experience had higher OXTR than those with less experience (0–2 vs. 3+ older children, p < 0.033). Mothers with early trauma and less maternal experience had lower OXTR mRNA than no-trauma mothers (p < 0.029) and lower NR3C1 mRNA than controls (p < 0.004). Mothers with depression also had lower NR3C1 than other mothers (p < 0.003) but did not differ in OXTR. Mothers with early trauma also reported their support network to be less helpful and more upsetting and unpredictable than other mothers (p < 0.035–p < 0.005). Regarding maternal behavior, in mothers with early trauma, helpful support networks increased self-reported nurturing self-efficacy when babies were not fussy but decreased it with fussy babies (p < 0.05). Support was unrelated to self-efficacy in no-trauma mothers. Similarly, among mothers with low OXTR or NR3C1 (−1SD, most having early trauma and lower maternal experience), greater support was associated with lower self-efficacy (p < 0.05), while mothers with high OXTR or NR3C1 (+1SD) tended to have higher self-efficacy with greater support.ConclusionsThese preliminary findings need confirmation in a larger sample but suggest that childhood trauma influences maternal behavior and both OXTR and NR3C1 pathways in mothers of infants, and that both depression and prior maternal experience may be other important factors. Effects on maternal behavior appear to require more complex modeling.



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Neuromagnetic correlates of audiovisual word processing in the developing brain

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Samantha Dinga, Di Wu, Shuyang Huang, Caiyun Wu, Xiaoshan Wang, Jingping Shi, Yue Hu, Chun Liang, Fawen Zhang, Meng Lu, Kimberly Leiken, Jing Xiang
The brain undergoes enormous changes during childhood. Little is known about how the brain develops to serve word processing. The objective of the present study was to investigate the maturational changes of word processing in children and adolescents using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Responses to a word processing task were investigated in sixty healthy participants. Each participant was presented with simultaneous visual and auditory word pairs in "match" and "mismatch" conditions. The patterns of neuromagnetic activation from MEG recordings were analyzed at both sensor and source levels. Topography and source imaging revealed that word processing transitioned from bilateral connections to unilateral connections as age increased from 6 to 17 years old. Correlation analyses of language networks revealed that the path length of word processing networks negatively correlated with age (r = −0.833, p < 0.0001), while the connection strength (r = 0.541, p < 0.01) and the clustering coefficient (r = 0.705, p < 0.001) of word processing networks were positively correlated with age. In addition, males had more visual connections, whereas females had more auditory connections. The correlations between gender and path length, gender and connection strength, and gender and clustering coefficient demonstrated a developmental trend without reaching statistical significance. The results indicate that the developmental trajectory of word processing is gender specific. Since the neuromagnetic signatures of these gender-specific paths to adult word processing were determined using non-invasive, objective, and quantitative methods, the results may play a key role in understanding language impairments in pediatric patients in the future.



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Different profiles of decision making and physiology under varying levels of stress in trained military personnel

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Katherine R. Gamble, Jean M. Vettel, Debra J. Patton, Marianna D. Eddy, F. Caroline Davis, Javier O. Garcia, Derek P. Spangler, Julian F. Thayer, Justin R. Brooks
Decision making is one of the most vital processes we use every day, ranging from mundane decisions about what to eat to life-threatening choices such as how to avoid a car collision. Thus, the context in which our decisions are made is critical, and our physiology enables adaptive responses that account for how environmental stress influences our performance. The relationship between stress and decision making can additionally be affected by one's expertise in making decisions in high-threat environments, where experts can develop an adaptive response that mitigates the negative impacts of stress. In the present study, 26 male military personnel made friend/foe discriminations in an environment where we manipulated the level of stress. In the high-stress condition, participants received a shock when they incorrectly shot a friend or missed shooting a foe; in the low-stress condition, participants received a vibration for an incorrect decision. We characterized performance using signal detection theory to investigate whether a participant changed their decision criterion to avoid making an error. Results showed that under high-stress, participants made more false alarms, mistaking friends as foes, and this co-occurred with increased high frequency heart rate variability. Finally, we examined the relationship between decision making and physiology, and found that participants exhibited adaptive behavioral and physiological profiles under different stress levels. We interpret this adaptive profile as a marker of an expert's ingrained training that does not require top down control, suggesting a way that expert training in high-stress environments helps to buffer negative impacts of stress on performance.



https://ift.tt/2G5X9zm

Burden of Illness Associated with Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumors

Publication date: Available online 24 March 2018
Source:Clinical Therapeutics
Author(s): Tanya M. Burton, Xin Ye, Emily D. Parker, Tim Bancroft, John Healey
PurposeLittle is known about the burden of illness in patients with tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCT), which are rare, typically benign, lesions of the synovial tissue including giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCT-TS) and pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). The objective of this study was to describe health care resource use and costs for patients with GCT-TS and PVNS, which are rare and typically benign TGCT.MethodsA retrospective cohort study design was used to analyze administrative claims for adult commercial and Medicare Advantage health plan enrollees with evidence of GCT-TS and PVNS from January 1, 2006 through March 31, 2015. Participants were continuously enrolled for 12 months before (pre-index period) and 12 months after (post-index period) the date of the first tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) claim (index date). Preindex and postindex measures were compared using the McNemar test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results were stratified by TGCT type.FindingsThe study identified 4664 patients with TGCT, 284 with GCT-TS, and 4380 with PVNS. Mean age (GCT-TS group: 50 years; PVNS group: 51 years) and sex distributions (GCT-TS group: 60.2% female; PVNS group: 59.5% female) were similar for each group. Most patients with GCT-TS (78.2%) had at least one postindex surgery, compared with 38.7% of patients with PVNS. Mean total health care costs increased from $8943 in the preindex period to $14,880 in the postindex period (P < 0.001) for GCT-TS and from $13,221 in the preindex period to $17,728 in the postindex period (P < 0.001) for PVNS. Preindex to postindex ambulatory costs increased nearly 120% for patients with GCT-TS ($4340 to $9570, P < 0.001) and 50% for patients with PVNS ($6782 to $10,278, P < 0.001), and physical therapy use increased significantly during the same period (GCT-TS: 18% to 40%, P < 0.001; PVNS: 38% to 60%, P < 0.001).ImplicationsCosts increased substantially 1 year after the first TGCT claim, with more than half the costs covering ambulatory care. These results suggest a high health care burden once TGCT is identified.



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Cover 2: Editorial Advisory Board

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 65





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Contents Continued

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 65





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Corrigendum to “Central insulin dysregulation and energy dyshomeostasis in two mouse models of Alzheimer's disease” [Neurobiol. Aging 58 (2017) 1–13]

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 65
Author(s): Ramon Velazquez, An Tran, Egide Ishimwe, Larry Denner, Nikhil Dave, Salvatore Oddo, Kelly T. Dineley




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Cover 4: Contents

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 65





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The Virtual Shop: A new Immersive Virtual Reality Environment and Scenario for the Assessment of Everyday Memory

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Author(s): Émilie Ouellet, Benjamin Boller, Nick Corriveau-Lecavalier, Simon Cloutier, Sylvie Belleville
BackgroundAssessing and predicting memory performance in everyday life is a common assignment for neuropsychologists. However, most traditional neuropsychological tasks are not conceived to capture everyday memory performance.New MethodThe Virtual Shop is a fully immersive task developed to assess memory in a more ecological way than traditional neuropsychological assessments. Two studies were undertaken to assess the feasibility of the Virtual Shop and to appraise its ecological and construct validity. In study 1, 20 younger and 19 older adults completed the Virtual Shop task to evaluate its level of difficulty and the way the participants interacted with the VR material. The construct validity was examined with the contrasted-group method, by comparing the performance of younger and older adults. In study 2, 35 individuals with subjective cognitive decline completed the Virtual Shop task. Performance was correlated with an existing questionnaire evaluating everyday memory in order to appraise its ecological validity. To add further support to its construct validity, performance was correlated with traditional episodic memory and executive tasks.ResultsAll participants successfully completed the Virtual Shop. The task had an appropriate level of difficulty that helped differentiate younger and older adults, supporting the feasibility and construct validity of the task.Comparison with Existing Method(s)The performance on the Virtual Shop was significantly and moderately correlated with the performance on the questionnaire and on the traditional memory and executive tasks.ConclusionsResults support the feasibility and both the ecological and construct validity of the Virtual Shop.



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Editorial on Special Issue: Machine learning on MCI

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Author(s): Alessia Sarica, Antonio Cerasa, Aldo Quattrone, Vince Calhoun




https://ift.tt/2pChsNO

Predictors of fat-free mass loss 1 year after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Abstract

Purpose

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most frequently performed bariatric surgery interventions because of its safety and efficacy. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised on its detrimental effect on patient nutritional state that can ultimately lead to the loss of fat-free mass (FFM). There is interest in identifying predictors for the early identification of patients at risk of this highly unwanted adverse because they could benefit of nutritional preventive interventions. Therefore, we investigated whether anthropometric parameters, body composition or resting energy expenditure (REE) measured before surgery could predict FFM loss 1 year after LSG.

Methods

Study design was retrospective observational. We retrieved data on body weight, BMI, body composition and REE before and 1 year after LSG from the medical files of 36 patients operated on by LSG at our institutions. Simple regression, the Oldham's method and multilevel analysis were used to identify predictors of FFM loss.

Results

Averaged percentage FFM loss 1 year after LSG was 17.0 ± 7.7% with significant differences between sexes (20.8 ± 6.6 in males and 12.2 ± 6.1% in females, p < 0.001). FFM loss was strongly predicted by pre-surgery FFM and this effect persisted also after correcting for the contribution of sex.

Conclusions

High FFM values before surgery predict a more severe FFM loss after LSG. This factor could also account for the higher FFM loss in men than in women. Our finding could help in the early identification of patient requiring a nutritional support after LSG.

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Posaconazole-Induced Adrenal Insufficiency in a Case of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia.

Posaconazole-Induced Adrenal Insufficiency in a Case of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia.

Case Rep Endocrinol. 2018;2018:2170484

Authors: Miller A, Brooks LK, Poola-Kella S, Malek R

Abstract
Introduction: Posaconazole is an azole used in treatment and prophylaxis of a broad spectrum of fungal infections. Antifungals such as ketoconazole have been shown to cause primary adrenal insufficiency (AI) as a result of direct inhibition on the steroidogenesis pathway. There is only one reported case of primary AI induced by posaconazole in a patient with mucormycosis. We report a case of posaconazole-related primary AI.
Case: A 63-year-old man with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia was admitted for fatigue and intermittent nausea and vomiting. He had recently discontinued prophylactic posaconazole 300 mg daily. He was assessed for AI with a morning cortisol of 1.9 mcg/dL followed by a failed cosyntropin stimulation (CS) test. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level was 154.6 pg/mL with negative 21-hydroxylase antibodies. The patient's symptoms improved with initiation of hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. One year after discontinuation of posaconazole, he underwent a repeat CS test which showed normal adrenal function with normal ACTH at 34.1 pg/mL.
Conclusion: In this case, we demonstrate that prolonged use of posaconazole is associated with primary AI. As use of posaconazole increases, knowledge of the potential risk of AI is important and must be included in the differential diagnosis when these patients present with hypotension, hypoglycemia, and failure to thrive.

PMID: 29568655 [PubMed]

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Out of the box: a psychedelic model to study the creative mind

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): K.P.C. Kuypers
Our creativity is challenged daily when facing new situations asking for novel solutions. Creativity, a multicomponent construct includes flexible divergent and rigid convergent thinking. Psychedelic drugs like psilocybin can enhance creativity and affect state of mind (mood, empathy, openness). Of note, flexible thinking is disturbed in psychopathological conditions like anxiety and depression and preliminary findings have shown psychedelics to be efficacious in the treatment of those conditions.The question how psychedelics induce this state of enhanced flexible thinking remains to be answered and investigating the neurobiology underlying this phenomenon will not only help in understanding why psychedelics are of use in the therapeutic setting but also in other settings where flexible thinking is challenged. A model including neuronal networks, neurotransmitters and personal factors playing a role in this process will be proposed which can be put to the test by means of placebo-controlled pharmaco-imaging studies in healthy volunteers.



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Atherosclerosis is a vascular stem cell disease caused by insulin

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): Friederike Traunmüller
The present article proposes the hypothesis that when multipotent vascular stem cells are exposed to excessive insulin in a rhythmic pattern of sharply rising and falling concentrations, their differentiation is misdirected toward adipogenic and osteogenic cell lineages. This results in plaque-like accumulation of adipocytes with fat and cholesterol deposition from adipocyte debris, and osteogenic (progenitor) cells with a calcified matrix in advanced lesions. The ingrowth of capillaries and infiltration with macrophages, which upon uptake of lipids turn into foam cells, are unspecific pro-resolving reactions. Epidemiological, histopathological, pharmacological, and experimental evidence in favour of this hypothesis is summarised.



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Differences in epidemiological features between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease: the early life-programmed versus late dysbiosis hypothesis.

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): Laurent Beaugerie, Ebbe Langholz, Nynne Nyboe-Andersen, Bénédicte Pigneur, Harry Sokol
It is increasingly admitted that Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two entities of inflammatory bowel disease, are initiated and reactivated by environmental factors in genetically susceptible hosts, and result from aberrant immune response to specific intestinal microbes, in the context of altered composition of intestinal microbiota, called dysbiosis. We hypothesize that the role of the gut microbiota in Crohn's disease pathogenesis is linked to early-life abnormal crosstalk with the host immune system under construction. By contrast, in ulcerative colitis, the detrimental effect of intestinal dysbiosis could occur at any time of life, due to instant environment. This hypothesis could explain why the incidence of Crohn's disease raises many years later than that of ulcerative colitis in developing countries that adopt the Western lifestyle. This would also explain why many early-life events, such as caesarean section, increased hygiene and repeated antibiotic exposure, are risk factors for subsequent development of Crohn's disease, but not ulcerative colitis.



https://ift.tt/2GlnaOA

Scholar : International Journal of Heritage Studies, Volume 24, Issue 6, June 2018 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online

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The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content International Journal of Heritage Studies, Volume 24, Issue 6, June 2018 is now available online on Taylor & Francis Online. This new issue contains the following articles: Articles Heritage down the chute: the demolition of Saskatchewan's grain elevators Hilary Grant Pages: 573-584 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1399282 Resisting relocation and reconceptualising authenticity: the experiential and emotional values of the Southbank Undercroft, London, UK | Rebecca Madgin, David Webb, Pollyanna Ruiz & Tim Snelson Pages: 585-598 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1399283 Looking into the 'black box' of heritage protection: analysis of conservation area disputes in London through the eyes of planning inspectors Nir Mualam & Rachelle Alterman Pages: 599-618 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1399284 Endangerment-driven heritage volunteering: democratisation or 'Changeless Change' | L. Harald Fredheim Pages: 619-633 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1399285 Talking to others: analysing tourists' communications on cultural heritage experiences Diolinda Ramírez-Gutiérrez, Heredina Fernández-Betancort & Agustín Santana-Talavera Pages: 634-648 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1413674 Digitally Mediated Iconoclasm: the Islamic State and the war on cultural heritage José Antonio González Zarandona, César Albarrán-Torres & Benjamin Isakhan Pages: 649-671 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1413675 Representing Doi Moi: history, memory and shifting national narratives in late-socialist Vietnam Graeme Were Pages: 672-686 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1413677 Book Reviews Curated decay: heritage beyond saving Ross J. Wilson Pages: 687-687 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1423015 Curated decay: heritage beyond saving David Crouch Pages: 687-688 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1423026 Curated Decay: heritage beyond saving John P. McCarthy RPA Pages: 689-690 | DOI: 10.1080/13527258.2017.1423012 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.

Scholar : These new articles for New Political Science are available online

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The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for New Political Science and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Symposium Claiming Kapwa: Filipino Immigrants, Community-Based Organizations and Community Citizenship in San Francisco Valerie Francisco-Menchavez, Jessa Delos Reyes, Tiffany Mendoza, Stephanie Ancheta & Katrina Liwanag Pages: 1-14 | DOI: 10.1080/07393148.2018.1449407 Urban Citizenship: Campaigns to Restore Immigrant Voting Rights in the US Ron Hayduk & Kathleen Coll Pages: 1-17 | DOI: 10.1080/07393148.2018.1449408 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.

MicroRNA expression profile of thyroid nodules in fine-needle aspiration cytology: a confirmatory series

Abstract

Introduction

MiRNAs are small endogenous non-coding RNAs implicated with gene expression regulation. Changes in miRNA levels have been reported in thyroid cancer. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the most reliable tool for differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Methods

We have analyzed 174 FNAC from 168 patients with thyroid nodules for expression levels of 11 miRNAs (miRNA197; -187; -181b-3p; -181b-5p; -224; -181a; 146b; -221; -222; -155 and miRNA183) known to be up-regulated in cancer tissues compared to benign lesions. Expression of miRNAs was analyzed in FNA samples calculating the fold change of miRNA expression relative to normal thyroid tissue after normalization to an endogenous control.

Results

In FNAC, miRNA expression was confirmed to be higher in malignant or suspicious for malignancy nodules compared to benign, only for miRNA146b, -222 and -221 (fold change expression ≥ 5).

Conclusion

In this study, we confirmed that a limited set of miRNAs can be used for the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

https://ift.tt/2IMDqGQ

Clinical evaluation of coronally advanced flap with or without platelet-rich fibrin for the treatment of multiple gingival recessions

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this randomized, controlled study was to assess the clinical effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in combination with coronally advanced flap (CAF) on root coverage, esthetics, and patient satisfaction when compared to CAF alone for the treatment of multiple Miller class I recessions.

Materials and methods

A total of 24 patients with 52 Miller class I multiple recessions ≥ 3 mm were included and divided into CAF + PRF and CAF groups. At baseline and 12 months after surgery, recession height (RH), keratinized tissue height, gingival thickness (GT), and mean and complete defect coverage were evaluated. Patient satisfaction and root coverage esthetic scores were also assessed.

Results

Baseline RH in CAF + PRF and CAF groups was 3.15 ± 0.24 and 3.36 ± 0.34 mm, respectively. Intragroup comparisons revealed significant differences at 12 months for all parameters (p < 0.05). RH reduction was 2.75 ± 0.33 and 2.51 ± 0.33 mm (mean root coverage of 88.36 and 74.63%) in the CAF + PRF and CAF groups, respectively. Intergroup differences were found to be significant for GT gain (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The additional use of PRF membrane did not provide additional benefits in terms of root coverage outcomes compared with CAF alone. The use of PRF membranes increased tissue thickness significantly.

https://ift.tt/2pB1pAO

Extraction of mandibular premolars and molars: comparison between local infiltration via pressure syringe and inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anesthetic efficiency of local infiltration anesthesia administered with a pressure syringe (P-INF) via a special technique versus direct block anesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve (IANB) for tooth extraction in the posterior mandible.

Materials and methods

In a prospective randomized study, 101 teeth in 101 patients were extracted in the posterior mandible under local anesthesia whereby two different administration techniques were used (P-INF n = 48; IANB n = 53). Primary objectives were comparisons of anesthetic success rate (yes/no) and efficacy (full/sufficient vs. insufficient). Secondary objectives were patients' pain perception during treatment, pain of injection (numerical rating scale), need for second injections (always IANB), time until onset of anesthetic action (min), and duration of local numbness (min).

Results

IANB was successful in all cases, whereas initial P-INF achieved 35% of success only. Furthermore, IANB reached significant higher values of anesthetic efficacy compared to P-INF (P < 0.001). Concerning pain of injection, patients rated IANB to be more painful (P = 0.039). Second injections were significantly more often necessary for P-INF (P = 0.006) whereas duration until onset of action as well as the duration of local numbness were found to be equal.

Conclusions

For anesthetic efficacy as well as anesthetic success, block anesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve (IANB) turned out to be more proficient to local infiltration via special delivering system with a special technique.

Clinical relevance

Infiltration, even when performed with 4% articaine and a pressure syringe system, is not a suitable method of anesthesia in the posterior mandible.

https://ift.tt/2G8w8eV

Effect of different endodontic sealers and time of cementation on push-out bond strength of fiber posts

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the effect of different endodontic sealers (epoxy resin, eugenol, and bioceramic/calcium silicate-based) and the time of cementation (immediately or 7 days after canal obturation) on the bond strength of a fiberglass post cemented with RelyX™ ARC.

Material and methods

Eighty-four premolars were instrumented and divided into groups (n = 12) according to the sealer and the time of post cementation: Endofill (EN), Endosequence BC Sealer (BC), and AH Plus (AH) had immediately fiber post cementation; EN7, BC7, and AH7 had post cementation after 7 days; and control group (C) had fiber post cementation without endodontic sealer. Each post space of the root was cut into slices and submitted to push-out test. Failure mode was assessed. Two-way ANOVA, Tukey's, and Dunnett's tests were used for statistical analysis (α = 5%).

Results

The type of endodontic sealer (p < 0.001), the time of post cementation (p = 0.038), and the interaction sealer time (p = 0.002) had negative influence on bond strength of fiberglass posts cemented with RelyX™ ARC. AH promoted the highest bond strength mean values (21.20 MPa immediately and 15.54 MPa at 7 days). EN (9.75 MPa immediately and 13.15 MPa at 7 days) and BC (10.43 MPa immediately and 5.73 MPa at 7 days) had lower bond strength than AH, regardless the time of cementation.

Conclusions

AH was the best sealer to obturate the root canal when fiberglass cementation with resin-based cement is planned.

Clinical relevance

The correct choice of an endodontic sealer and the adequate time of post cementation may avoid post dislocation caused by low bond strength to dentin.

https://ift.tt/2pAWLTf

Partial caries removal in deep caries lesions: a 5-year multicenter randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

This multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to compare the outcomes of stepwise excavation (SW) and partial caries removal (PCR) regarding the maintenance of pulp vitality in deep caries lesions over 5 years.

Methods

At baseline, 299 permanent molars with deep caries lesions were randomly assigned to control or test groups. The control group received the stepwise excavation treatment (SW), while the test group received partial caries removal from the pulpal wall followed by restoration in a single session (PCR). Treatments were conducted in two centers located in the cities of Porto Alegre (South Brazil) and Brasília (Midwest Brazil). Survival analysis was performed to compare PCR and SW over time (Weibull regression models). The primary outcome of this study was pulp vitality, determined by the combination of the following characteristics: positive response to cold test, negative response to percussion, absence of spontaneous pain, and absence of periapical lesion (radiographic examination).

Results

This 5-year study includes data pertaining to 229 teeth: 121 teeth actually examined at the 5-year appointment, and 108 teeth contributed with data collected in previous follow-ups (18 months or 3 years). Survival analysis showed success rates of 80% in PCR group and 56% in SW group (p < 0.001). Failure was significantly associated with treatment [PCR, HR=0.38; 95%CI=0.23–0.63)] and region [South, HR=2.22; 95%CI=1.21–4.08].

Conclusion

PCR significantly reduced the occurrence of pulp necrosis when compared with SW.

Clinical relevance

This study supports the PCR as a single-visit technique to manage deep caries lesions in permanent teeth.

https://ift.tt/2G8PekZ

Correction to: Cone beam computed tomography and ultrasonography imaging of benign intraosseous jaw lesion: a prospective radiopathological study

Abstract

In the original version of this article, '123 lytic intraosseous jaw lesions diagnosed in 112 patients' was incorrectly presented as '123 lytic intraosseous jaw lesions diagnosed in 121 patients' and 'an average age of 31.7 ± 15.4 (range, 6–72)' was incorrectly presented as 'average age of 15.4 ± 31.7 (range, 6–72)'.

https://ift.tt/2Ed3xEg

Efficacy of resin infiltration of proximal caries in primary molars: 1-year follow-up of a split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective

The main purpose of this split month, randomized, controlled clinical trial was evaluate the efficacy of caries infiltration in controlling the progression of non-cavitated proximal lesions in primary molars. Anxiety and time required for the caries infiltration was also evaluated.

Materials and methods

Fifty healthy children, 5 to 9 years, presenting two primary molars with proximal caries lesions (1/2 of the enamel or outer 1/3 of dentin), were included. Lesions were randomly allocated to the test group (fluoridated toothpaste + flossing + infiltration) or to the control group (fluoridated toothpaste + flossing). Caries risk was based on the Cariogram model. The main outcome after 1-year radiographic follow up was assessed by an independent blinded examiner A facial image scale (FIS) was applied to assess dental anxiety and time required to perform the infiltration was recorded.

Results

Of the sample, 92.9% corresponded to high or medium caries risk. In 42 patients (1-year follow up), caries progression was observed in 11.9% (5/42) of the test lesions compared with 33.3% (14/42) of the control lesions (p < 0.05). Five control and three test lesions progressed to the middle 1/3 of dentin and were restored. No side effects were observed. Anxiety was both low before and after the treatment, and mean time required for the infiltration was 11.29 min (± 1.16 min).

Conclusions

Caries infiltration of proximal caries lesions in primary molars is significantly more efficacious than standard therapy alone (fluoride toothpaste + flossing).

Clinical relevance

Caries infiltration is an applicable and well-accepted method be used in children, representing a promising micro-invasive approach.

https://ift.tt/2G8PdgV

Risk factors associated with new caries lesions in permanent first molars in children: a 5-year historical cohort follow-up study

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study is to analyze the factors associated with the occurrence of caries in the permanent teeth (PT) and in the permanent first molar (PFM) 5 years after their eruption.

Material and methods

Children born in 2005 and enrolled in a community dental program were included. The inclusion criteria were: age 10 years in 2015; the availability of clinical dental history (CDH) data from before eruption of the PT and a follow-up period of 5 years after eruption of the PT. A total of 206 children were enrolled. Risk factors evaluated were: caries experience in the mother, educational level of the mother, frequent drug use, systemic diseases, eating habits, brushing frequency, presence of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in PT, and caries in deciduous teeth (DT). Associations between explanatory factors and the DMF-T (decayed, missing, filled teeth in PT) and DMFT-M (DMF in PFM) indexes, independently considering cavitated or cavitated and non-cavitated caries as outcomes, were evaluated by poisson regression with robust variance analysis.

Results

In the multivariate analysis, a cariogenic diet, especially soft drinks, was associated to high DMF-T and DMFT-M scores when both cavitated and non-cavitated caries were considered. A brushing frequency < 1 a day was significantly associated to high DMF-T scores. The presence of df-t (decayed and filled temporary teeth) score > 0 and MIH conditioned high DMF-T or DMFT-M values, considering cavitated or cavitated and non-cavitated caries.

Conclusions

The intake of sweets and soft drinks, brushing frequency, caries in DT, and MIH in PT were the best predictors of caries in PT.

Clinical relevance

Control of risk factors in early childhood is important for preventing caries in PT.

https://ift.tt/2pDjHRO

Dental prevention and disease awareness in children with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Objectives

The importance of excellent oral health is known to be crucial in children with congenital heart diseases (CHD). Data about dental health and disease awareness is limited. This study aims to assess preventive measures taken to improve dental health in children with CHD and to gain insight into disease awareness and knowledge about the importance of oral health in children with CHD and to propose measures that could be taken.

Material and methods

Parents of 150 children with CHD were asked to complete a questionnaire containing specific questions about the preventive measures taken by the parents and dental and medical practitioners and their knowledge about underlying disease and the importance of oral health.

Results

Our results show an absence of information in parents concerning preventive measures and oral hygiene. Knowledge of the indications for antibiotic prophylaxis and for actually given medications was lacking. Preventive dental measures were not performed according to current guidelines.

Conclusions

Knowledge of parents about the importance of oral health in children with CHD could be improved. However, specialized centers involving pediatric cardiologists and pediatric dentists could coordinate the education of parents at an early stage. Moreover, general dentists should be trained more frequently concerning the indications for antibiotic prophylaxis, in particular, and the dental care of children with chronic diseases, in general. Warning cards such as the heart pass should be issued to parents of children with CHD.

Clinical relevance

The current study reveals the need for the structured training of medical and dental practitioners to support parents of children with CHD.

https://ift.tt/2pAIrJR

Push-out bond strength of three different calcium silicate-based root-end filling materials after ultrasonic retrograde cavity preparation

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of three calcium silicate-based root-end filling materials.

Materials and methods

The root canals of 30 single-rooted teeth were endodontically treated; their root ends were resected and root-end cavities were prepared using ultrasonic tip. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups according to the material: (1) Micro-Mega mineral trioxide aggregate (MM-MTA), (2) Biodentine, and (3) TotalFill root repair material (RRM). Push-out test was performed using universal testing machine, and failure mode was analyzed by stereomicroscope. The data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Man-Whitney post hoc tests. All p values < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results

TotalFill RRM exhibited significantly higher bond strength (12.69 MPa) than Biodentine (9.34 MPa, p = 0.023) and MM-MTA (7.89 MPa, p = 0.002). The difference between Biodentine and MM-MTA was not significant (p = 0.447). Mixed failures were the most noted in all three groups. MM-MTA had more adhesive failures than Biodentine and TotalFill, and no cohesive failures, but without statistical significance (p = 0.591).

Conclusion

The bond strength was the highest for TotalFill RRM.

Clinical relevance

In order to provide a persistent apical seal, root-end filling materials should resist dislodgement under static conditions, during function and operative procedures. TotalFill RRM exhibited higher bond strength to dentin than MM-MTA and Biodentine.

https://ift.tt/2pAG7D9

Differences in maxillomandibular morphology among patients with mucopolysaccharidoses I, II, III, IV and VI: a retrospective MRI study

Abstract

Objective

The aims of this study were to analyze the maxillomandibular morphology of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type I, II, III, IVa and VI and to evaluate the craniofacial effect of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCST) in MPS I.

Materials and methods

One hundred head magnetic resonance images were retrospectively analyzed from 41 MPS and 27 control individuals. The width, height and length of the maxilla and mandible were plotted against age and the means of controls, MPS I, MPS II and MPS III were statistically compared. To determine the effect of HSCT in MPS I, jaw morphology was compared between MPS I patients with full donor chimerism versus patients with mixed/no donor chimerism.

Results

Maxillary dimensions were not statistically different between the MPS types. The height and length of the mandible were clearly smaller in MPS I as compared to those in controls, MPS II and MPS III. This was associated with progressive resorption of the mandibular condyles in MPS I, which was also observed in MPS II and VI, but not in MPS III or IVa. Whereas the success of HCST did not affect these changes, mandibular width was significantly smaller in MPS I individuals with full donor chimerism.

Conclusion

MPS I individuals have a smaller mandible as compared to control, MPS II and MPS III individuals due to progressive condylar degeneration. These abnormalities are also evident following successful HSCT.

Clinical relevance

Clinicians should be aware of specific differences in mandibular morphology and condylar involvement among the MPS subtypes.

https://ift.tt/2pCegBX

Color adjustment potential of resin composites

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate color adjustment potential (CAP) of resin composites.

Materials and methods

Two shades of each of eight commercial resin composites and one control shade were evaluated. Visual (color competent observers, controlled conditions) and instrumental color evaluations (spectroradiometer, spectrophotometer) were performed. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance, Fisher's PLSD intervals for comparison of means, and Spearman's rank order correlation.

Results

Instrumental color adjustment potential (CAP-I) ranged from − 0.51 to 0.74, and corresponding Fisher's PLSD intervals were 0.1 and 0.05, respectively (p < 0.0001, power 1.0). Visual color adjustment potential (CAP-V) ranged from 0.10 to 0.78, and corresponding Fisher's PLSD intervals were 0.2 and 0.1, respectively (p < 0.0001, power 1.0). The greatest overall color shifting between test shades in isolation and the same shades surrounded by control shade were recorded for HRi ENA enamel, followed by Clearfil Majesty ES2. The highest visual CAP (blending) was recorded for Herculite Ultra, HRi ENA enamel, and Clearfil Majesty ES2.

Conclusion

Within the limitation of the study, it was found that color adjustment potential (CAP) was composite and shade-dependent. Positive CAP was recorded both instrumentally and visually for majority of composites and shades. Overall, the measured color difference reduction associated with positive CAP was 31%, while the average visual CAP was 43%.

Clinical relevance

Resin composites with pronounced color adjustment potential interact with surrounding dental restorations. Introduced CAP-V and CAP-I were indirect measurements of blending (optical illusion).

https://ift.tt/2pBcuSf

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of derivatives of the phyllanthusmin class of arylnaphthalene lignan lactones

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Author(s): John L. Woodard, Andrew C. Huntsman, Pratiq A. Patel, Hee-Byung Chai, Ragu Kanagasabai, Soumendrakrishna Karmahapatra, Alexandria N. Young, Yulin Ren, Malcolm S. Cole, Denisse Herrera, Jack C. Yalowich, A. Douglas Kinghorn, Joanna E. Burdette, James R. Fuchs
A series of arylnaphthalene lignan lactones based on the structure of the phyllanthusmins, a class of potent natural products possessing diphyllin as the aglycone, has been synthesized and screened for activity against multiple cancer cell lines. SAR exploration was performed on both the carbohydrate and lactone moieties of this structural class. These studies have revealed the importance of functionalization of the carbohydrate hydroxy groups with both acetylated and methylated analogues showing increased potency relative to those with unsubstituted sugar moieties. In addition, the requirement for the presence and position of the C-ring lactone has been demonstrated through reduction and selective re-oxidation of the lactone ring. The most potent compound in this study displayed an IC50 value of 18 nM in an HT-29 assay with several others ranging from 50 to 200 nM. In an effort to elucidate their potential mechanism(s) of action, the DNA topoisomerase IIa inhibitory activity of the most potent compounds was examined based on previous reports of structurally similar compounds, but does not appear to contribute significantly to their antiproliferative effects.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2IQJjTu

Thioamide substitution to probe the hydroxyproline recognition of VHL ligands

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Author(s): Pedro Soares, Xavier Lucas, Alessio Ciulli
Thioamide substitution influences hydrogen bond and n→π∗ interactions involved in the conformational stability of protein secondary structures and oligopeptides. Hydroxyproline is the key recognition element of small molecules targeting the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase, which are of interest as probes of hypoxia signaling and ligands for PROTAC conjugation. We hypothesized that VHL ligands could be a privileged model system to evaluate the contribution of these interactions to protein:ligand complex formation. Herein we report the synthesis of VHL ligands bearing thioamide substitutions at the central hydroxyproline moiety, and characterize their binding by fluorescence polarization, isothermal titration calorimetry, X-ray crystallography and molecular modeling. In spite of a conserved binding mode, the substitution pattern had a pronounced impact on the ligand affinities. Together the results underscore the role of hydrogen bond and n→π∗ interactions in fine-tuning hydroxyproline recognition by VHL.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2G5uMS0

Improved reactive nanoparticles to treat dentin hypersensitivity.

Publication date: Available online 24 March 2018
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Manuel Toledano-Osorio, Estrella Osorio, Fátima S. Aguilera, Antonio Luis Medina-Castillo, Manuel Toledano, Raquel Osorio
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different nanoparticles-based solutions for dentin permeability reduction and to determine the viscoelastic performance of cervical dentin after their application. Four experimental nanoparticle solutions based on zinc, calcium or doxycycline-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) were applied on citric acid etched dentin, to facilitate the occlusion and the reduction of the fluid flow at the dentinal tubules. After 24 h and 7 d of storage, cervical dentin was evaluated for fluid filtration. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis, AFM and Nano-DMA analysis were also performed. Complex, storage, loss modulus and tan delta (δ) were assessed. Doxycycline-loaded NPs impaired tubule occlusion and fluid flow reduction trough dentin. Tubules were 100% occluded in dentin treated with calcium-loaded NPs or zinc-loaded NPs, analyzed at 7 d. Dentin treated with both zinc-NPs and calcium-NPs attained the highest reduction of dentinal fluid flow. Moreover, when treating dentin with zinc-NPs, complex modulus values attained at intertubular and peritubular dentin were higher than those obtained after applying calcium-NPs. Zinc-NPs are then supposed to fasten active dentin remodeling, with increased maturity and high mechanical properties. Zinc-based nanoparticles are then proposed for effective dentin remineralization and tubular occlusion. Further research to finally prove for clinical benefits in patients with dentin hypersensitivity using Zn-doped nanoparticles is encouraged.Statement of significanceErosion from acids provokes dentin hypersensitivity (DH) which presents with intense pain of short duration. Open dentinal tubules and demineralization favor DH. Nanogels based on Ca-nanoparticles and Zn-nanoparticles produced an efficient reduction of fluid flow. Dentinal tubules were filled by precipitation of induced calcium-phosphate deposits. When treating dentin with Zn-nanoparticles, complex modulus values attained at intertubular and peritubular dentin were higher than those obtained after applying Ca-nanoparticles. Zn-nanoparticles are then supposed to fasten active dentin remodeling, with increased maturity and high mechanical properties. Zinc-based nanogels are, therefore, proposed for effective dentin remineralization and tubular occlusion. Further research to finally prove for clinical benefits in patients with dentin hypersensitivity using Zn-doped nanogels is encouraged.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2I3ujAu

Surgical resection versus systemic therapy for breast cancer liver metastases: Results of a European case matched comparison

Publication date: May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 95
Author(s): A. Ruiz, R. van Hillegersberg, S. Siesling, C. Castro-Benitez, M. Sebagh, D.A. Wicherts, K.M. de Ligt, L. Goense, S. Giacchetti, D. Castaing, J. Morère, R. Adam
BackgroundResection of breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) combined with systemic treatment is increasingly accepted but not offered as therapeutic option. New evidence of the additional value of surgery in these patients is scarce while prognoses without surgery remains poor.Patients and methodsFor this case matched analysis, all nationally registered patients with BCLM confined to the liver in the Netherlands (systemic group; N = 523) were selected and compared with patients who received systemic treatment and underwent hepatectomy (resection group; N = 139) at a hepatobiliary centre in France. Matching was based on age, decade when diagnosed, interval to metastases, maximum metastases size, single or multiple tumours, chemotherapy, hormonal or targeted therapy after diagnosis. Based on published guidelines, palliative systemic treatment strategies are similar in both European countries.ResultsBetween 1983 and 2013, 3894 patients were screened for inclusion. Overall median follow-up was 80 months (95% CI 70–90 months). The median, 3- and 5-year overall survival of the whole population was 19 months, 29% and 19%, respectively. The resection and systemic group had median survival of 73 vs. 13 months (P < 0.001), respectively. Three and 5-year survival was 18% and 10% for the systemic group and 75% and 54% for the resection group, respectively. After matching, the resection group had a median overall survival of 82 months with a 3- and 5-year overall survival of 81% and 69%, respectively, compared with a median overall survival of 31 months in the systemic group with a 3- and 5-year overall survival of 32% and 24%, respectively (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15–0.52; P < 0.001).ConclusionsFor patients with BCLM, liver resection combined with systemic treatment results in improved overall survival compared to systemic treatment alone. Liver resection should be considered in selected cases.



https://ift.tt/2G4h2qI

Titania And Silica Nanoparticles Coupled To Chlorin e6 For Anti-Cancer Photodynamic Therapy

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Zahraa Youssef, Valérie Jouan-Hureaux, Ludovic Colombeau, Philippe Arnoux, Albert Moussaron, Francis Baros, Joumana Toufaily, Tayssir Hamieh, Thibault Roques-Carmes, Céline Frochot
In this study, light-sensitive photosensitizers (Chlorin e6, Ce6) were linked to TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in order to develop new kinds of NP-based drug delivery systems for cancer treatment by PDT. the TiO2 or SiO2 NPs were modified either by the growth of a polysiloxane layer constituted of two silane reagents ((3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)) around the core (PEGylated NPs: TiO2@4Si-Ce6-PEG, SiO2@4Si-Ce6-PEG) or simply modified by APTES alone (APTES-modified NPs: TiO2-APTES-Ce6, SiO2-APTES-Ce6). Ce6 was covalently attached onto the modified TiO2 and SiO2 NPs via an amide bond. The absorption profile of the hybridized NPs was extended to the visible region of the light. The physicochemical properties of these NPs were explored by TEM, HR-TEM, XRD, FTIR and zeta potential. The photophysical characteristics including the light absorption, the fluorescence properties and the production reactive oxygen species (¹O2 and HO^•) were also addressed. In vitro experiments on glioblastoma U87 cells were performed to evaluate the photodynamic efficiency of the new hybridized NPs. The cells were exposed to different concentrations of NPs and illuminated (λexc  = 652 nm, fluence rate 10 J/cm²). In contrast to the PEGylated NPs, the APTES-modified nanosystems were found to be more efficient for PDT. An interesting photodynamic effect was observed in the case of TiO2-APTES-Ce6 NPs. After illumination, the viability of U87 was decreased by 89% when they were exposed to 200 µg/mL of TiO2-APTES-Ce6 NPs, which corresponds to 0.22 µM of Ce6. The same effect can be obtained with free photosensitizer but using a higher concentration of 10 µM of Ce6.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2G3xxY4

A Systematic Evaluation of the Two-Component Systems Network Reveals That ArlRS Is a Key Regulator of Catheter Colonization by Staphylococcus aureus.

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A Systematic Evaluation of the Two-Component Systems Network Reveals That ArlRS Is a Key Regulator of Catheter Colonization by Staphylococcus aureus.

Front Microbiol. 2018;9:342

Authors: Burgui S, Gil C, Solano C, Lasa I, Valle J

Abstract
Two-component systems (TCS) are modular signal transduction pathways that allow cells to adapt to prevailing environmental conditions by modifying cellular physiology. Staphylococcus aureus has 16 TCSs to adapt to the diverse microenvironments encountered during its life cycle, including host tissues and implanted medical devices. S. aureus is particularly prone to cause infections associated to medical devices, whose surfaces coated by serum proteins constitute a particular environment. Identification of the TCSs involved in the adaptation of S. aureus to colonize and survive on the surface of implanted devices remains largely unexplored. Here, using an in vivo catheter infection model and a collection of mutants in each non-essential TCS of S. aureus, we investigated the requirement of each TCS for colonizing the implanted catheter. Among the 15 mutants in non-essential TCSs, the arl mutant exhibited the strongest deficiency in the capacity to colonize implanted catheters. Moreover, the arl mutant was the only one presenting a major deficit in PNAG production, the main exopolysaccharide of the S. aureus biofilm matrix whose synthesis is mediated by the icaADBC locus. Regulation of PNAG synthesis by ArlRS occurred through repression of IcaR, a transcriptional repressor of icaADBC operon expression. Deficiency in catheter colonization was restored when the arl mutant was complemented with the icaADBC operon. MgrA, a global transcriptional regulator downstream ArlRS that accounts for a large part of the arlRS regulon, was unable to restore PNAG expression and catheter colonization deficiency of the arlRS mutant. These findings indicate that ArlRS is the key TCS to biofilm formation on the surface of implanted catheters and that activation of PNAG exopolysaccharide production is, among the many traits controlled by the ArlRS system, a major contributor to catheter colonization.

PMID: 29563900 [PubMed]

https://ift.tt/2G8lvZg

Infective Endocarditis Associated with Atopic Dermatitis.

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Infective Endocarditis Associated with Atopic Dermatitis.

Int Heart J. 2018 Mar 20;:

Authors: Aoyagi S, Oda T, Wada K, Nakamura E, Kosuga T, Yasunaga H

Abstract
We report a case of aortic valve infective endocarditis (IE) in a 24-year-old man with atopic dermatitis (AD). He had a history of balloon valvuloplasty for a stenotic bicuspid aortic valve, and had dental caries but no invasive dental procedure before the onset of IE. On admission, skin lesions of AD with itching and scratches were found on the neck, trunk, and extremities. Echocardiography showed a vegetation on the aortic valve with mild steno-regurgitation, but extension of IE to the annulus was not detected. Magnetic resonance imaging identified fresh cerebral infarction without neurological dysfunction, leading us to suspect an embolism. Blood cultures grew methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. During emergency surgery, a vegetation attached to the conjoined cusp was observed, and the aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical valve. The patient recovered uneventfully without any complications such as recurrent IE or mediastinitis. We also review previously reported cases of IE associated with AD.

PMID: 29563378 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://ift.tt/2HVh84w

Numerical and experimental investigation on thermal shock failure of Y2O3-coated CVD ZnS infrared windows

Publication date: September 2018
Source:International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Volume 124
Author(s): Xing Liu, Jiaqi Zhu, Jiecai Han
Infrared transparent windows on aircraft and missiles can be subjected to extreme aerothermodynamics, which can cause thermal shock failure. Finite element analysis and oxygen–propane flame jet impingement tests were performed to investigate the thermal shock failure of an yttrium oxide-coated chemical vapor deposition (CVD) ZnS infrared window. Good agreement was achieved between the simulation and experimental results, which indicated that thermal shock failure occurs under high temperature differences and thermal stresses. The temperature and stress in the samples increased rapidly in a few seconds and then trended to be stable. The center area of the window surface failed most easily because the maximum temperature and stress both occurred in this area. No delamination of the Y2O3 films occurred during the thermal shock, which indicated good adhesion between the Y2O3 films and CVD ZnS substrate. In the experiment, the center area of the specimen surface was damaged in the form of pits and line cracks.



https://ift.tt/2INOrYv

Synthesis, characterization, nucleic acid interactions and photoluminescent properties of methaniminium hydrazone Schiff base and its Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes

Publication date: 15 July 2018
Source:Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1164
Author(s): M. Sennappan, P. Murali Krishna, Amar A. Hosamani, R. Hari Krishna
An environmental benign and efficient reaction was carried out via amine exchange and condensation reaction in water and methanol mixture (3:1) and absence of catalyst between 1-[3-(2-hydroxy benzylidene)amine)phenyl]ethanone and benzhydrazide yields methaniminium hydrazone Schiff base in high yield. The prepared ligand was structurally characterized by using single crystal XRD, elemental analysis and spectroscopy (UV–Vis, FT-IR, LC-MS and NMR) techniques. The crystal data indicates the ligand crystallizes in orthorhombic system with Pna21 space group. Further, the ligand was used in synthesis of mononuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes and were characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic moment and spectroscopy (UV–Vis, FT-IR and ESR) studies. The spectral data showed that ligand is coordinated to the metal ion through azomethine nitrogen and methaniminium nitrogen. The DNA binding absorption titrations reveals that, ligand, L and its metal complexes, 1–6 are avid binders to CT- DNA. The apparent binding constant values of compounds are in the order of 10⁶ M⁻¹. The nuclease activity of ligand, L and its metal complexes, 1–6 were investigated by gel electrophoresis method using pUC¹⁸ DNA. The photoluminescent properties of the methaniminium hydrazone ligand, L and its various metal complexes, 1–6 were investigated. The emission spectra of both ligand (L) and metal complexes (1-6) exhibits emission in the range of blue to red.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2pz8uBQ

Effect of ultraprecision polishing techniques on coherence times of shallow nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Diamond and Related Materials
Author(s): G. Braunbeck, S. Mandal, M. Touge, O.A. Williams, F. Reinhard
We investigate the correlation between surface roughness and corresponding T2 times of near-surface nitrogen-vacancy centers (~10 nm/5 keV implantation energy) in diamond. For this purpose we compare five different polishing techniques, including both purely mechanical as well as chemical mechanical approaches, two different substrate sources (Diam2tec and Element Six) and two different surface terminations (O- and H-termination) during nitrogen-vacancy forming. All coherence times are measured and compared before and after an oxygen surface treatment at 520 °C.We find that the coherence times of shallow nitrogen-vacancy centers are surprisingly independent of surface roughness.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2pAyhsA

The effect of wildfire on population dynamics for two native small mammal species in a coastal heathland in Queensland, Australia

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Acta Oecologica, Volume 88
Author(s): Adam C. Liedloff, John C. Wilson, Richard M. Engeman
The influences of wildfire through population dynamics and life history for two species of small mammals in a south-east Queensland heathland on Bribie Island are presented. Trapping results provided information on breeding, immigration and movement of Melomys burtoni (Grassland melomys) and Rattus lutreolus (Swamp rat). We first investigated and optimized the design of trapping methodology for producing mark-recapture population estimates to compare two adjacent populations, one of which was subjected to an extensive wildfire during the two year study. We consider how well rodents survive wildfire and whether the immediate impacts of fire or altered habitat have the greatest impact on each species. We found the R. lutreolus population was far more influenced by the fire than the M. burtoni population both immediately after the fire and over 18 months of vegetation recovery.



https://ift.tt/2pAUZBA

Pancreaticobiliary Trauma – A Multimodality Imaging Update

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI
Author(s): Staci Gagne, Bryan O′Sullivan-Murphy, Hao S. Lo, Lacey J. McIntosh
Pancreaticobiliary injury is an uncommon entity which more often occurs in the setting of blunt than penetrating trauma. We present cases of pancreaticobiliary traumatic injuries from our level one trauma center to illustrate an imaging update on the spectrum of injuries and correlation with current grading systems.



https://ift.tt/2ub42Og

Multidetector CT Imaging of Bowel and Mesenteric Injury: Review of Key Signs

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2018
Source:Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI
Author(s): Andrew E. Bennett, Robin B. Levenson, Jon D. Dorfman
In contemporary practice, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) plays a critical role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected acute mesenteric and bowel trauma. Although less common than solid organ injuries, it may be seen in up to 5% of blunt trauma patients. Evaluation with CT remains challenging even with improvements in technology. The major imaging signs of mesenteric and bowel trauma and what is known about their applicability in clinical practice are reviewed here. Examples illustrate both the subtlety and variable significance of many of the key signs as well as how these are typically integrated into clinical practice.



https://ift.tt/2IQoBTK