Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
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Τετάρτη 20 Ιουνίου 2018
Issue Highlights
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
https://ift.tt/2ytYtNe
Intra-arterial Chemoradiation Therapy as an Option for Maxillary Sinus Cancers
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): Akihiro Homma, Rikiya Onimaru
https://ift.tt/2llpHMw
Preoperative Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Sinus Malignancies
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): Brian O'Sullivan, John Waldron
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Carl Mansfield, MD, ScD, FACR, FASTRO (1928-2018)
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): Dwight E. Heron, Nagalingam Suntharalingam, Karen M. Winkfield, William F. Regine
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In Regard to Chen et al
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): Melek Tugce Yilmaz, Pervin Hurmuz, Mustafa Cengiz
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Radiation Therapy Research: A Global Analysis 2001-2015
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): Ajay Aggarwal, Grant Lewison, Danielle Rodin, Anthony Zietman, Richard Sullivan, Yolande Lievens
Radiation therapy is a core modality of cancer treatment; however, concerns have been expressed regarding its underutilization and its lack of prioritization as a research domain relative to other cancer treatment modalities, despite its rapid technical evolution. It is therefore important to understand, from a public policy perspective, the evolution of global radiation therapy research, to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. This study used a bibliometric approach to undertake a quantitative analysis of global radiation therapy research published between 2001 and 2015 and available in the Web of Science (Wos) database, with particular focus on the 25 leading research-active countries. A total of 62,550 radiation therapy research articles from 127 countries, published in 2531 international journals, were analyzed. The United States was responsible for 32.3% of these outputs, followed by Japan (8.0%) and Germany (7.7%). Nearly half of all publications related to preparation and delivery of radiation therapy, combined-modality regimens, and dose fractionation studies. Health services research, palliative care, and quality of life studies represented only 2%, 5%, and 4% of all research outputs, respectively. Countries varied significantly in their commitment to different research domains, and trial-related publications represented only 5.1% of total output. Research impact was analyzed according to 3 different citation scores, with research outputs from Denmark, The Netherlands, and the United States consistently the highest ranked. Globally, radiation therapy publication outputs continue to increase but lag behind other spheres of cancer management. The types of radiation therapy research undertaken appear to be regionally patterned, and there is a clear disconcordance between the volume of research output from individual countries and its citation impact. Greater support for radiation therapy research in low- and middle-income countries is required, including international collaboration. The study findings are expected to provide the requisite knowledge to guide future radiation therapy research programs.
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In Regard to Chi et al
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): Daniel E. Roos, Jennifer G. Smith
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Differences in Treatment-Induced Facial Growth Deformity Between AMORE and EBRT for Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma Treatment in Children
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): M.L.F. Hol, T.J.M. Maal, A.G. Becking, B.R. Pieters, H.C. Mandeville, M.N. Gaze, J.C. Chisholm, O. Slater, J.H.M. Merks, P. Saeed, T. Alderliesten, L.E. Smeele
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Scholarly Publishing and the Metric System
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): W. Robert Lee, Adam C. Olson
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Hypothalamic-Pituitary Dysfunction After Radiation for Brain Tumors—A Population-based Study
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): Lorna Zadravec Zaletel
https://ift.tt/2ljWrFX
Radiation Therapy for Solitary Plasmacytoma and Multiple Myeloma: Guidelines From the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group
Publication date: 15 July 2018
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 101, Issue 4
Author(s): Richard W. Tsang, Belinda A. Campbell, Jayant S. Goda, Chris R. Kelsey, Youlia M. Kirova, Rahul R. Parikh, Andrea K. Ng, Umberto Ricardi, Chang-Ok Suh, Peter M. Mauch, Lena Specht, Joachim Yahalom
PurposeTo develop guidelines for the work-up and radiation therapy (RT) management of patients with plasma cell neoplasms.Methods and MaterialsA literature review was conducted covering staging, work-up, and RT management of plasma cell neoplasms. Guidelines were developed through consensus by an international panel of radiation oncologists with expertise in these diseases, from the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group. RT volume definitions are based on the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements.ResultsPlasma cell neoplasms account for approximately one-fifth of mature B-cell neoplasms in the United States. The majority (∼95%) are diagnosed as multiple myeloma, in which there has been tremendous progress in systemic therapy approaches with novel drugs over the last 2 decades, resulting in improvements in disease control and survival. In contrast, a small proportion of patients with plasma cell neoplasms present with a localized plasmacytoma in the bone, or in extramedullary (extraosseous) soft tissues, and definitive RT is the standard treatment. RT provides long-term local control in the solitary bone plasmacytomas and is potentially curative in the extramedullary cases. This guideline reviews the diagnostic work-up, principles, and indications for RT, target volume definition, treatment planning, and follow-up procedures for solitary plasmacytoma. Specifically, detailed recommendations for RT volumes and dose/fractionation are provided, illustrated with specific case scenarios. The role of palliative RT in multiple myeloma is also discussed.ConclusionsThe International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group presents a standardized approach to the use and implementation of definitive RT in solitary plasmacytomas. The modern principles outlining the supportive role of palliative RT in multiple myeloma in an era of novel systemic therapies are also discussed.
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Looking for more food or more people? Task context influences basic numerosity perception
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Michele Fornaciai, Abigail Farrell, Joonkoo Park
Approximate numerical magnitude (or numerosity) is thought to represent one of the fundamental sensory properties driving perceptual choices. Recent studies indicate that numerosity judgment on a dot array is primarily driven by its numerical magnitude, largely independent from its other non-numerical visual dimensions. Nevertheless, these findings do not preclude the possibility that non-numerical cues such as size or spacing of a dot array influence numerosity judgment. Here, we test the hypothesis that numerosity judgment is influenced by non-numerical dimensions of a dot array depending on the context to which those non-numerical cues could be useful. Participants were asked to choose the more numerous of two dot arrays in two different contexts that differed only in one aspect. In one condition, the task was framed as choosing a set with more fruits to consume. In the other condition, the task was framed as choosing a group with more people to join. The results demonstrate that the influence of non-numerical cues – and particularly of the dimension of size – was significantly smaller when participants made quantitative choices about people than when they made choices about food, illustrating that the representation of discrete magnitude is more pronounced in the former case. These findings suggest that the information pooled to reach a decision about numerosity is flexibly determined according to the context and the goals of such judgment.
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Combinatorial treatment of Rhizoma Paridis Saponins and sorafenib overcomes the intolerance of sorafenib
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Author(s): Jingwen Yao, Shuli Man, Honghong Dong, Li Yang, Long Ma, Wenyuan Gao
Sorafenib, as a multi-kinase inhibitor, was the first FDA-approved anti- hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) drug. Rhizoma Paridis saponins (RPS) as natural products have shown antitumor activity through regulation of glycolytic and lipid metabolism which was regarded as the side effect limited the utility of sorafenib. In this research, we tried to use metabolomics to verify the probability of combinatorial treatment of RPS and Sorafenib. As a result, Sorafenib + RPS increased the antitumor effect of sorafenib and RPS in H22 mice. They mitigated the change of liver weight and the increasing levels of AST and ALT in serum, and AFP and MDA in liver tissues, which indicated their liver protective activity. They also up-regulated the activity of NOX and SDH, concentration of ATP, and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1a and concentration of lactate, which suggested they protected against mitochondria damage and inhibited anaerobic glycolysis. Meanwhile, the combination group remarkably down-regulated the concentration of octadecanoic acid and hexadecanoic acid in serum, and tetradecanoic acid in liver tissues compared with model group (p < 0.05). Relative regulation mechanism included their decreasing mRNA levels of FASN, CPT1, GLUT1, Myc, Akt, mTOR and LDHA, and increasing the protein expression of p53 in tumor and liver tissues (p < 0.05). Furthermore, similar influence can be observed in protein levels of CPT1A, p-PI3K, p-mTOR and p53 in liver tissues and FASN in serum. All of that provided possibility to overcome the intolerance of sorafenib by drug compatibility through protection against mitochondria damage, inhibition of anaerobic glycolysis and suppression of lipid synthesis based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Graphical abstract
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Scents in the stack: olfactometric proficiency testing with an emission simulation apparatus
Abstract
Olfactometry is globally acknowledged as a technique to determine odor concentrations, which are used to characterize odors for regulatory purposes, e.g., to protect the general public against harmful effects of air pollution. Although the determination procedure for odor concentrations is standardized in some countries, continued research is required to understand uncertainties of odor monitoring and prediction. In this respect, the present paper strives to provide answers of paramount importance in olfactometry. To do so, a wealth of measurement data originating from six large-scale olfactometric stack emission proficiency tests conducted from 2015 to 2017 was retrospectively analyzed. The tests were hosted at a unique emission simulation apparatus—a replica of an industry chimney with 23 m in height—so that for the first time, conventional proficiency testing (no sampling) with real measurements (no reference concentrations) was combined. Surprisingly, highly variable recovery rates of the odorants were observed—no matter, which of the very different odorants was analyzed. Extended measurement uncertainties with roughly 30–300% up to 20–520% around a single olfactometric measurement value were calculated, which are way beyond the 95% confidence interval given by the widely used standard EN 13725 (45–220%) for assessment and control of odor emissions. Also, no evidence has been found that mixtures of odorants could be determined more precisely than single-component odorants. This is an important argument in the intensely discussed topic, whether n-butanol as current reference substance in olfactometry should be replaced by multi-component odorants. However, based on our data, resorting to an alternative reference substance will not solve the inherent problem of high uncertainty levels in dynamic olfactometry. Finally, robust statistics allowed to calculate reliable odor thresholds, which are an important prerequisite to convert mass concentrations to odor concentrations and vice versa.
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Evaluation of Nonlinear Optical Differences between Breast Cancer Cell Lines SK-BR-3 and MCF-7; an in Vitro Study
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Alireza Ghader, Ali Abbasian Ardakani, Habib Ghaznavi, Ali Shakeri-Zadeh, Soraya Emamgholizadeh Minaei, Salman Mohajer, Mohammad Hosein Majles Ara
BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the potential of the Z-scan technique to improve accuracy in identifying SK-BR-3 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines.MethodsThree in vitro samples were prepared for each breast cancer cell line. A closed-aperture Z-scan technique was used to measure the sign and magnitude of the nonlinear refractive index of each sample. Prior to the Z-scan, all samples were fixed with 1 mL of 5% paraformaldehyde.ResultsThe sign of the nonlinear refractive indices of MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell lines were negative and positive, respectively. The repeated Z-scan measurements for all samples of each cell line were similar.ConclusionThe results indicated that the proposed bio-optical method is a reliable method for characterizing differences in various breast cancer cell types. It is suggested that the nonlinear refractive index of cells be considered as an indicator for differentiating various breast cell lines from each other.
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Severe Acne in Monozygotic Twins Treated with Photodynamic Therapy
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Shan-Shan Li, Ling-Lin Zhang, Shu Nie, Ting Lv, Hong-Wei Wang
Acne is a common skin disease in adolescence. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units, which mainly occurs on the face and upper parts of the trunk. Based on severity of the lesions, acne can be mild, moderate or severe. Severe acne is usually featured with a protracted course and residual scars. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been demonstrated to be effective in severe acne recently. We report a case of monozygotic twins with severe acne who were successfully treated with PDT.
https://ift.tt/2JZOfFr
Nanoparticles and Methylene Blue for Enhancement Photodynamic Therapy
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): V.P.S. Jesus, L. Raniero, G.M. Lemes, T.T. Bhattacharjee, P.C. Caetano Júnior, M.L. Castilho
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death related to cancer among women worldwide. Screening and advancements in treatments have improved survival rate of women suffering from this ailment. Novel therapeutic techniques may further reduce cancer related mortality. One of the several emerging therapeutic options is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) that uses light activated photosensitizer (PS) inducing cell death by apoptosis and/or necrosis. Nanotechnology has made contribution to improve photosensitizer for PDT, increasing the efficiency of therapy using gold and silver nanoparticles. Efforts have been done to develop better mechanism to improve PS and consequently PDT effects. In this study, we investigate the efficacy of the PDT using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) when mixed to methylene blue (MB) in the treatment of the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-468). The MDA-MB-468 was treated in the presence of different MB concentrations with/without AuNPs or AgNPs. The colloidal solution of AgNPs showed a plasmon resonance band at 411 nm in UV-visible range and a bimodal size distribution. The results of viability analysis showed that cells treated with nanoparticles exhibited higher cytotoxicity than cells treated with only MB, improving the efficiency of the treatment in the tumor cells. The cytotoxicity effect of MB associated with AgNPs on MDA-MB-468 cell line could be related to increased reactive oxygen species production due to the release of Ag+ ions from nanoparticles surface, suggesting that the association between FS and AgNPs has potential as a PDT agent.
Graphical abstract
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A Previously Undescribed Hexapeptide His-Arg-Phe-Leu-Arg-His-NH2 From Amphibian Skin Secretion shows CO2 and Metal Biding Affinities
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:Peptides
Author(s): Diego A.T. Pires, Luisa M.R. Arake, Luciano P. Silva, Alejandro Lopez-Castillo, Maura V. Prates, Claudia J. Nascimento, Carlos Bloch
A previously undescribed six residues long peptide His-Arg-Phe-Leu-Arg-His was identified and purified from the skin secretion of the amphibian Phyllomedusa centralis. A synthetic analogue carboxyamidated HRFLRH-NH2 showed structural changes induced by CO2 and metal ions in aqueous solution when analyzed by NMR. The present work reports NMR structures for the carboxyamidated hexapeptide in the presence CO2, Zn2+ and Cd2+, suggesting possible affinity regions on the polypeptide chain for each ligand. The NMR structures were optimized by DFT to identify probable biding sites of these species in the polypeptide structure. To our best knowledge, this is the first time that a putative CO2 binding site is described on a peptide structure obtained in aqueous conditions, at room temperature.
Graphical abstract
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Glucose, some amino acids and a plant secondary metabolite, chlorogenic acid induce the secretion of a regulatory hormone, tachykinin-related peptide, from the silkworm midgut
Source:Peptides
Author(s): Takayuki Yamagishi, Haruka Endo, Keisuke Fukumura, Shinji Nagata, Tohru Hayakawa, Satomi Adegawa, Mayu Kasubuchi, Ryoichi Sato
Enteroendocrine cells in the insect midgut are thought to secrete peptide hormones in response to the nutritional state. However, the role of dietary compounds in inducing peptide hormone secretion from enteroendocrine cells in insects remains unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that several dietary compounds from mulberry leaves, including glucose, amino acids, and the secondary metabolite chlorogenic acid, induced significant secretion of tachykinin-related peptides from isolated silkworm midguts at the luminal concentrations measured in fed larvae. This study provides evidence that the insect midgut senses a non-nutritious secondary metabolite in addition to nutrient metabolites to monitor luminal food status and secretes a feeding regulatory hormone, suggesting that a unique dietary sensory system modulates insect feeding via enteroendocrine control.
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The Phoenixins: From Discovery of the Hormone to Identification of the Receptor and Potential Physiologic Actions
Source:Peptides
Author(s): Lauren M. Stein, Christopher J. Haddock, Willis K. Samson, Grant R. Kolar, Gina L.C. Yosten
Using a series of classical protein purification techniques, coupled with more modern molecular approaches, a family of neuropeptides, the Phoenixins, were identified to be produced in brain and heart, and to bind selectively in pituitary gland, ovary and brain. These same binding sites were revealed, using a novel receptor identification strategy, to express the orphan G protein-coupled receptor, GPR173, the expression of which was required for the actions of phoenixin both in vivo and in vitro. In fact, studies using small interfering RNA molecules to compromise GPR173 expression revealed the physiologic relevance of the initially reported pharmacologic actions of the peptides. Those include not only the reproductive actions of the peptides in brain and pituitary gland, but also a CNS site of action in the maintenance of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Additional pharmacologic actions of the phoenixins have been described and the race is on to establish the physiologic relevance of those actions as well as the therapeutic potential of phoenixin analogs.
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Neuroprotective potential of glibenclamide is mediated by antioxidant and anti-apoptotic pathways in intracerebral hemorrhage
Source:Brain Research Bulletin
Author(s): Fangfang Zhou, Yangjun Liu, Binbin Yang, Zhiping Hu
The sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1)-regulated NCca-ATP channels were progressively upregulated and demonstrated unchecked opening in central nervous system (CNS) injury, which induced cerebral damage. Glibenclamide (GLI) can block NCca-ATP channels and consequently exert protective effects. Recent studies have found that GLI has antioxidative effects. In this study, we primarily explored the antioxidative effects of GLI in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We found that GLI could scavenge free radicals, reduce activated-caspase-3 expression, increase the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, inhibit apoptosis, and improve functional neurological outcomes in a rat model of ICH.
https://ift.tt/2yrwldx
Amygdala stimulation promotes recovery of behavioral performance in a spatial memory task and increases GAP-43 and MAP-2 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of male rats
Source:Brain Research Bulletin
Author(s): D. Mercerón-Martínez, W. Almaguer-Melian, E. Alberti-Amador, J.A. Bergado
The relationships between affective and cognitive processes are an important issue of present neuroscience. The amygdala, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex appear as main players in these mechanisms. We have shown that post-training electrical stimulation of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) speeds the acquisition of a motor skill, and produces a recovery in behavioral performance related to spatial memory in fimbria-fornix (FF) lesioned animals. BLA electrical stimulation rises bdnf RNA expression, BDNF protein levels, and arc RNA expression in the hippocampus. In the present paper we have measured the levels of one presynaptic protein (GAP-43) and one postsynaptic protein (MAP-2) both involved in synaptogenesis to assess whether structural neuroplastic mechanisms are involved in the memory enhancing effects of BLA stimulation. A single train of BLA stimulation produced in healthy animals an increase in the levels of GAP-43 and MAP-2 that lasted days in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. In FF-lesioned rats, daily post-training stimulation of the BLA ameliorates the memory deficit of the animals and induces an increase in the level of both proteins. These results support the hypothesis that the effects of amygdala stimulation on memory recovery are sustained by an enhanced formation of new synapses.
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Effects of vortioxetine and fluoxetine on the level of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF) in the hippocampus of chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive rats
Source:Brain Research Bulletin
Author(s): Yanxia Lu, Cyrus S. Ho, Roger S. McIntyre, Wei Wang, Roger C. Ho
Vortioxetine is a novel antidepressant capable of improving depressive and cognitive symptoms associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study established whether treatment with vortioxetine, fluoxetine or vehicle alters the modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) under the 21-day chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) condition in 54 Sprague-Dawley rats. Vortioxetine mitigated the reduction in rearing behavior by CUMS in the OFT on day 7 and 21, as well as sucrose preference on day 21. Histological examination by H&E staining showed that most hippocampal neurons in the CUMS + FLU and CUMS + VOR groups were intact, although some of them demonstrated karyopyknosis. The mean optical density value of hippocampal BDNF was significantly higher in the CUMS + VOR group than the CUMS and CUMS + FLU groups. There was a trend towards a higher number of hippocampal BDNF-positive cells in the CUMS + VOR group, although it did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, vortioxetine, but not fluoxetine, increased hippocampal BDNF levels in rats subject to CUMS.
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Editorial Board
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 51
https://ift.tt/2K3nIav
Influence of controlled burning on the mobility and temporal variations of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in the soils of a legacy gold mine site in Central Victoria, Australia
Publication date: 1 December 2018
Source:Geoderma, Volume 331
Author(s): Joji Abraham, Kim Dowling, Singarayer Florentine
Controlled burns also known as managed burns or prescribed fires conducted in fire-prone areas are an efficient and economic option to reduce the frequency and intensity of wildfires. The objective of this study is to investigate the remobilization of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in the soils of a legacy gold mine site in Central Victoria, Australia after a controlled burn and to describe their temporal variations in concentrations. Soil samples were collected two days before, two days after and five times later (3, 6, 9, 12 months and after major rainfall) in the post-burn environment after a controlled burn, from the Maldon legacy mine site and analysed for PTM concentrations. The results revealed PTM mobilization after the burn and most of the PTMs (As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn) evidenced an increase immediately after the burn but a reduction in the subsequent post-burn environment. The increase is postulated to be associated with addition of PTM enriched ash to the soil, while the decrease is due to the removal of ash and surface soil by wind activity as well as rainfall runoff and leaching. The PTM mobility is of specific concern due to the negative impacts on human and ecosystems health. Climate change and the resulting projection of increased forest fire frequency highlight the environmental significance, given the expected concomitant increase in PTM mobilization through wildfires and controlled burns. Hence, the practice of controlled burning should be carefully considered as a forest management option in any legacy mining areas and indeed in other areas where PTM contamination is reported.
Graphical abstract
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Carbon coated mixed-metal selenide microrod: Bimetal-organic-framework derivation approach and applications for lithium-ion batteries
Publication date: 1 November 2018
Source:Chemical Engineering Journal, Volume 351
Author(s): Weiwei Sun, Chang Cai, Xuxu Tang, Li-Ping Lv, Yong Wang
Transitional metal selenides can be explored as a class of candidate electrodes for lithium-ion batteries, because of their large lithium storage ability, wide availability, and good safety. Besides, hybridization with carbonaceous materials, as well as the design of porous or hollow structure, would be effective approaches to improve the cycling stability and rate performance of transitional metal selenide electrodes. By a facile bimetal-organic-framework approach, a carbon-coated bimetal selenide microrod composite (Co-Zn-Se@C) is fabricated for the first time in this work. On account of the MOF-derived porous particle-assembled structure, along with the buffering effect between two metal components, the Co-Zn-Se@C electrode manifests extremely large reversible capacity of 949 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles with good high-rate capability for lithium ion batteries. It would extend the synthesis and application of metal selenides in the field of energy storage.
Graphical abstract
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Homogeneity study of candidate reference material (contaminated soil) based on determination of selected metals, PCBs and PAHs
Publication date: November 2018
Source:Measurement, Volume 128
Author(s): Małgorzata Rutkowska, Kinga Kochańska, Lekhanath Kandel, Gabriela Bajger-Nowak, Marta Słomińska, Mariusz Marć, Katarzyna Chojnacka, Halina Polkowska–Motrenko, Bożena Zabiegała, Jacek Namieśnik, Piotr Konieczka
Reference materials (RMs) are an indispensable part of QA/QC system and have played a critical role in the continual expansion of analytical capabilities of the analytical laboratories. The homogeneity study of the candidate for reference material is essential for the quality of reference material (certified reference material) used in quality assurance activities. The homogeneity study of candidate for reference materials of contaminated soil collected from a plot situated near the chemical factory "Rokita" in Brzeg Dolny (Silesian Region of Poland) for total metal content of Mg, Fe, Zn, Hg and analytes from a group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was carried out. The experimental design and study by using one way ANOVA showed no significant difference within and between bottle homogeneity and the material was found homogeneous. Total expanded uncertainty (k = 2) due to heterogeneity for all four metals and analytes from a group of PCBs and PAHs was determined within the range of 5–15%. The candidate for reference material of fortified soil was found to be homogeneous up to the minimum sample size of 100 mg for total Hg, 500 mg for Mg, Fe, Zn and 1 g from a group of PCBs and PAHs, and thus is suitable for certification.
Graphical abstract
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Metal toxicity and recovery response of riverine periphytic algae
Publication date: 15 November 2018
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volume 642
Author(s): Lalit K. Pandey, Elizabeth A. Bergey
In the present study, in situ assessment of metal (Cu and Zn) toxicity followed by their recovery response was examined in periphyton dominated by diatoms. For doing so, metal diffusing substrates (MDS) were constructed and deployed in the river water for 6 weeks (3 weeks stress and 3 weeks recovery after replacing metal solution from the MDS). The use of MDS ensured that colonised periphyton on metal diffusing and control substrates were exposed to similar environmental conditions. The metal toxicity and recovery response of the community was examined in terms of traditional algal community parameters (biovolume, species richness, Shannon index, relative abundance) as well as with the newer non-taxonomical parameters (deformities and lipid bodies in diatoms). Both traditional and non-taxonomical parameters indicated complete recovery (from metal toxicity) of periphytic communities after 3 weeks following the withdrawal of Cu and Zn solution from the diffusing substrates. Newer non-taxonomical parameters, such as, deformities and lipid bodies, provide a new insight to understand metal toxicity and recovery response of diatom assemblages (the dominant autotrophs in the periphyton community) because these features are directly visible in live frustules, need no expertise in identification of diatoms and can be globally assessed with simple protocol. The experimental loss of metal pollutants and the constant immigration of algae (not previously exposed to high levels of metals) in fluvial systems aided periphyton recovery. Lastly, it is found that periphytic biofilms (dominated by diatoms) proved to be good bioindicators of metal toxicity and recovery in fluvial ecosystem.
Graphical abstract
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Pre-harvest zinc spray impact on enzymatic browning and fruit flesh color changes in two apple cultivars
Publication date: 20 October 2018
Source:Scientia Horticulturae, Volume 240
Author(s): Masoud Rasouli, Mahmoud Koushesh Saba
Enzymatic browning (EB) in apple occurred during processing or fresh consumption as fresh cut. EB in response to pre-harvest Zn spray at two apple cultivars was investigated. Trees of apple (Malus domestica cultivar 'Delbard Estival' and 'Kohanz') were sprayed with water (control), 0.13% of Chelated Zn (C-Zn) or 0.13% of Nano-Chelated Zn (NC-Zn) three or four weeks before harvest. Assessments were carried at spray time, three or four weeks (H1 and H2) after spray and also after 3 weeks of storage (H1 + 3 W and H2 + 3 W) at 4 °C with 95% (RH). The browning index (BI) and total color changes (ΔE) decreased from spray time until harvest time. BI and ΔE in treated fruit were lower than control at all time points except in H1. Starch index was delayed in fruit treated with C-Zn or NC-Zn. The highest firmness of 'Delbard Estival' and 'Kohanz' cultivars was observed in NC-Zn than other treatments at all sampling times. Titratable acidity, soluble solids content and total phenol showed no distinct changes during time. The ascorbic acid, total antioxidant activity and superoxide dismutase in C-Zn or NC-Zn treatments were higher than control in both cultivars except superoxide dismutase activity at H1 for NC-Zn. The polyphenol oxidase activity in both cultivars treated with C-Zn or NC-Zn was lower than control at all sampling time except at H1 in 'Kohanz' cultivar. These findings suggest that the pre-harvest spray with Zn and especially NC-Zn can improve flesh color changes and quality parameters in apples.
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Pilot study of the feasibility of a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled localized area ultraviolet phototherapy trial methodology
Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.
https://ift.tt/2JR68dH
The revised EEMCO guidance for the in vivo measurement of water in the skin
Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.
https://ift.tt/2M8tZ5r
Multiphotonic staging of chronic wounds and evaluation of sterile, optical transparent bacterial nanocellulose covering: A diagnostic window into human skin
Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.
https://ift.tt/2tcyqVF
Cosmetics, Vol. 5, Pages 39: Research on Hair Bleach that Causes Less Hair Damage and Smells Less Pungent than Ammonium Hydroxide
Cosmetics, Vol. 5, Pages 39: Research on Hair Bleach that Causes Less Hair Damage and Smells Less Pungent than Ammonium Hydroxide
Cosmetics doi: 10.3390/cosmetics5020039
Authors: Kyouhei Igarashi Kazuhisa Maeda
Problems associated with bleaching hair include damage to the hair and the pungent smell of ammonium hydroxide. Many consumers dislike the stiffness and smell of bleached hair. In this study, we investigated the suppression of both the damage and pungent smell of bleach by using an aqueous solution of 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD) as an alkaline agent. The test results focused on scanning electron microscope observations, antioxidant activity and protein loss, and showed that the use of AMPD aqueous solution as an alkaline agent suppressed both hair damage and undesirable odor compared with the use of ammonium hydroxide. AMPD aqueous solution is considered more useful than ammonium hydroxide as an alkaline agent in the hair-bleaching process.
https://ift.tt/2ta0uZJ
Over-expressed miRNA-200b ameliorates ulcerative colitis-related colorectal cancer in mice through orchestrating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inflammatory responses by channel of AKT2
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 61
Author(s): Shuangjiao Deng, Hongfei Wang, Heng Fan, Lijuan Zhang, Jianli Hu, Qing Tang, Zhexing Shou, Xingxing Liu, Dongmei Zuo, Jia Yang, Meng Xu, Qianyun Chen, Yalan Dong, Zhen Nan, Hui Wu, Yujin Liu
Our study was to explore the potential role of miRNA-200b in modulating tumorigenesis in the model of ulcerative colitis-related colorectal cancer (UCRCC) and, further, to decipher the underlying mechanisms associated with this effect. In this study, we examined a greater number of polyps or adenomas, a higher grade of epithelial dysplasia accompanied with a decrease in survival ratio in azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model mice compared to mice treated with over-expressed miRNA-200b. Surprisingly, enforced miRNA-200b expression significantly suppressed AOM/DSS-induced up-regulation of oncologic markers including β-catenin and CD133. Independent of this, treatment with miRNA-200b obviously attenuated inflammatory responses, as indicated by down-regulating tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and blockade of AKT2-mediated NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, a simultaneous shift in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers such as E-cadherin and N-cadherin were observed to be increased and decreased, respectively. Coupled with the associated influence of over-expressed miRNA-200b were change in colorectal cell morphology shown by Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a decrease in expression of rho-kinase2 (ROCK2) together with AKT2 phosphorylation (p-AKT2). Moreover, mice which were transfected with negative control of miRNA-200b possessed results that were in line with that obtained from AOM/DSS model mice. Additionally, we demonstrated that the 3′untranslated region (UTR) of AKT2 was a direct target of miRNA-200b through bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase assay. Collectively, these findings suggest that miRNA-200b's contribution to tumor-suppressing program was correlated with EMT and inflammatory responses in a AKT2-dependent manner.
https://ift.tt/2tnMBXh
Changes in inflammatory factors and protein expression in sulfur mustard (1LD50)-induced acute pulmonary injury in rats
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 61
Author(s): Yuan-yuan Jiang, Zun-shan Li, Dan Yu, Jian-wei Xie, Xiao-ji Zhu, Yu-xu Zhong
https://ift.tt/2ll7bUw
Table of Contents
Source:Brachytherapy, Volume 17, Issue 4
https://ift.tt/2yqxF0a
Editorial Board
Source:Brachytherapy, Volume 17, Issue 4
https://ift.tt/2ln5kyE
Masthead
Source:Brachytherapy, Volume 17, Issue 4
https://ift.tt/2tjZ9yU
Comparison of computed tomography with magnetic resonance imaging for imaging-based clinical target volume contours in cervical cancer brachytherapy
Source:Brachytherapy, Volume 17, Issue 4
Author(s): Agnieszka Zolciak-Siwinska, Adam Kowalczyk, Katarzyna Sikorska, Michal Bijok, Wojciech Michalski, Ewelina Gruszczynska
PurposeTo compare CT- and MRI-based brachytherapy (BT) target volumes for patients with advanced cervical cancer so as to identify those who benefit most from MRI-based planning. We also studied how the natural mobility of the organ at risks (OARs) affects the given doses.Methods and MaterialsSubjects were 60 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage IB–IVA cervical cancer. The CT high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) was first delineated, then the MRI HR-CTV, with volume discrepancies calculated by subtraction. The DICE coefficient (DC) of similarity was calculated from a superimposition of the volumes. Maximum doses delivered to D2cc of OARs in CT and MRI plans were compared; the effect of time on the natural mobility was analyzed.ResultsThe mean HR-CTVs and the maximum doses given to OARs in CT- and MRI-based planes were similar. Multivariate analysis showed that deep infiltration affecting the uterine corpus and bowel loops adjacent to the cervix were the factors significantly impacting on the volume discrepancy between CT and MRI HR-CTV (p = 0.001, p = 0.045) and on the DC (p = 0.005, p = 0.028). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the FIGO stage had a significant impact on DC (p = 0.022). Patients with bowel loops adjacent to the cervix had lower body mass indices (p = 0.003). The median difference between the doses given in CT- and MRI-based plans, caused by mobility, were 0.5 Gy, 0.3 Gy, and 0.45 Gy per fraction for the rectum, bladder and sigmoid, respectively. No correlation of observed uncertainties and time between image acquisitions was detected.ConclusionsCT- or MRI-based scans at BT are adequate for OAR dose–volume histograms analysis. Cervical cancer patients with deep infiltration affecting the uterine corpus, a low body mass index with bowel loops adjacent to the cervix and an FIGO Stage III–IVA benefit most from MRI-based planning of BT.
https://ift.tt/2lliYCr
Improving the treatment planning and delivery process of Xoft electronic skin brachytherapy
Source:Brachytherapy, Volume 17, Issue 4
Author(s): Ryan Manger, Douglas Rahn, Jeremy Hoisak, Irena Dragojević
PurposeTo develop an improved Xoft electronic skin brachytherapy process and identify areas of further improvement.Methods and MaterialsA multidisciplinary team conducted a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) by developing a process map and a corresponding list of failure modes. The failure modes were scored for their occurrence, severity, and detectability, and a risk priority number (RPN) was calculated for each failure mode as the product of occurrence, severity, and detectability. Corrective actions were implemented to address the higher risk failure modes, and a revised process was generated. The RPNs of the failure modes were compared between the initial process and final process to assess the perceived benefits of the corrective actions.ResultsThe final treatment process consists of 100 steps and 114 failure modes. The FMEA took approximately 20 person-hours (one physician, three physicists, and two therapists) to complete. The 10 most dangerous failure modes had RPNs ranging from 336 to 630. Corrective actions were effective at addressing most failure modes (10 riskiest RPNs ranging from 189 to 310), yet the RPNs were higher than those published for alternative systems. Many of these high-risk failure modes remained due to hardware design limitations.ConclusionsFMEA helps guide process improvement efforts by emphasizing the riskiest steps. Significant risks are apparent when using a Xoft treatment unit for skin brachytherapy due to hardware limitations such as the lack of several interlocks, a short source lifespan, and variability in source output. The process presented in this article is expected to reduce but not eliminate these risks.
https://ift.tt/2tofToy
Technique for the administration of high-dose-rate brachytherapy to the bile duct using a nasobiliary catheter
Source:Brachytherapy, Volume 17, Issue 4
Author(s): Christopher L. Deufel, Keith M. Furutani, Robert A. Dahl, Michael P. Grams, Luke B. McLemore, Christopher L. Hallemeier, Michelle Neben-Wittich, James A. Martenson, Michael G. Haddock
PurposeCholangiocarcinoma patients who are potential candidates for liver transplantation may be treated with high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy using a minimally invasive nasobiliary catheter in an effort to escalate the radiotherapy dose to the tumor and maximize local control rates. This work describes the equipment, procedures, and quality assurance (QA) that enables successful administration.Methods and MaterialsThis work describes the nasobiliary catheter placement, simulation, treatment planning, treatment delivery, and QA. In addition, a chart review was performed of all patients who received endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for HDR bile duct brachytherapy at our institution from 2007 to 2017. The review evaluated how many patients were treated and the number of patients who could not be treated because of anatomic and/or equipment limitations.ResultsFrom 2007 to 2017, 122 cholangiocarcinoma patients have been treated with HDR brachytherapy using a nasobiliary catheter. Three patients underwent catheter placement but did not receive brachytherapy treatment due to catheter migration between placement and treatment or because the HDR afterloader was unable to extend the source wire into the treatment site. Periodic QA is recommended for ensuring whether the HDR afterloader is capable of extending the source wire through an extensive and curved path.ConclusionsIntraluminal HDR brachytherapy with a nasobiliary catheter can be successfully administered. Procedures and QA are described for ensuring safety and overcoming technical challenges.
https://ift.tt/2ln516Y
Hippocampal Maturation Drives Memory from Generalization to Specificity
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Author(s): Attila Keresztes, Chi T. Ngo, Ulman Lindenberger, Markus Werkle-Bergner, Nora S. Newcombe
During early ontogeny, the rapid and cumulative acquisition of world knowledge contrasts with slower improvements in the ability to lay down detailed and long-lasting episodic memories. This emphasis on generalization at the expense of specificity persists well into middle childhood and possibly into adolescence. During this period, recognizing regularities, forming stable representations of recurring episodes, predicting the structure of future events, and building up semantic knowledge may be prioritized over remembering specific episodes. We highlight recent behavioral and neuroimaging evidence suggesting that maturational differences among subfields within the hippocampus contribute to the developmental lead–lag relation between generalization and specificity, and lay out future research directions.
https://ift.tt/2yo9hws
Reversible, Spatial and Temporal Control over Protein Activity Using Light
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:Trends in Biochemical Sciences
Author(s): Mark W.H. Hoorens, Wiktor Szymanski
In biomedical sciences, the function of a protein of interest is investigated by altering its net activity and assessing the consequences for the cell or organism. To change the activity of a protein, a wide variety of chemical and genetic tools have been developed. The drawback of most of these tools is that they do not allow for reversible, spatial and temporal control. Here, we describe selected developments in photopharmacology that aim at establishing such control over protein activity through bioactive molecules with photo-controlled potency. We also discuss why such control is desired and what challenges still need to be overcome for photopharmacology to reach its maturity as a chemical biology research tool.
https://ift.tt/2I4wG5B
Scholar : New articles have been published for Journal of Natural History, Volume 52, Issue 23-24
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How Do African-American Caregivers Navigate a Food Desert to Feed Their Children? A Photovoice Narrative
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, Rafael Monge-Rojas, Tambra R. Stevenson, Haley Burns, Shaneka Thurman, Joel Gittelsohn, Tilly A. Gurman
ObjectivesTo determine how African-American caregivers living in a food desert navigate neighborhood resources to procure foods for their children and to identify actions to improve those resources.DesignUsing the Photovoice approach, we conducted two sets of individual in-depth interviews with 16 African-American primary caregivers of children (total of 32 interviews) and one culminating workshop (n=10 participants). Data were systematically analyzed according to the Social Ecological Framework to evaluate the role of different environments in shaping individual decisions.SettingUrban, low-income and geographically marginalized neighborhoods.ResultsDespite the challenges of living in a food desert, caregivers perceived that they were providing the foods that they wanted for their children. These perceptions were based on their own health concerns, food customs, time and convenience, and responses to their children's food preferences. Caregivers were resourceful in how they procured these foods, searching for quality and better-priced foods. They relied on their friends, family, and local/national programs to mitigate the challenges of the food desert. Caregivers were interested in taking action to improve the underlying determinants of food access and choice (eg, affordable housing, job training, nutrition knowledge, food shopping experience).ConclusionThese African-American caregivers procured foods they thought were best for their children by relying on their strong social relationships and national and local food programs to navigate the food desert. Public health nutrition interventions that aim to reduce diet-related disparities should look beyond the presence or absence of supermarkets in food deserts to address multisectoral determinants of access while shaping food choices.
https://ift.tt/2M8IRR1
Functional Pulmonary Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Detection of Ischemic Injury in a Porcine Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion System Prior to Transplantation
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Julius Renne, Marcel Gutberlet, Andreas Voskrebenzev, Agilo Kern, Till Kaireit, Jan B Hinrichs, Peter Braubach, Christine S Falk, Klaus Höffler, Gregor Warnecke, Patrick Zardo, Axel Haverich, Frank Wacker, Jens Vogel-Claussen, Norman Zinne
Rationale and ObjectivesTo evaluate the feasibility of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lungs to detect impaired organ function in a porcine model of ischemic injury within an ex-vivo lung perfusion system (EVLP) prior to transplantation.Materials and MethodsTwelve pigs were anesthetized, and left lungs were clamped to induce warm ischemia for 3hours. Right lungs remained perfused as controls. Lungs were removed and installed in an EVLP for 12hours. Lungs in the EVLP were imaged repeatedly using computed tomography, proton MRI (1H-MRI) and fluorine MRI (19F-MRI). Dynamic contrast-enhanced derived parenchymal blood volume, oxygen washout times, and 19F washout times were calculated. PaO2 was measured for ischemic and normal lungs, wet/dry ratio was determined, histologic samples were assessed, and cytokines in the lung tissue were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric testing.ResultsEleven pigs were included in the final analysis. Ischemic lungs showed significantly higher wet/dry ratios (p = 0.024), as well as IL-8 tissue levels (p = 0.0098). Histologic assessment as well as morphologic scoring of computed tomography and 1H-MRI did not revealsignificant differences between ischemic and control lungs. 19F washout (p = 0.966) and parenchymal blood flow (p = 0.32) were not significantly different. Oxygen washout was significantly prolonged in ischemic lungs compared to normal control lungs at the beginning (p = 0.018) and further prolonged at the end of the EVLP run (p = 0.005).ConclusionMultiparametric pulmonary MRI is feasible in lung allografts within an EVLP system. Oxygen-enhanced imaging seems to be a promising marker for ischemic injury, enabling detection of affected lung segments prior to transplantation.
https://ift.tt/2MEyrtC
Monitoring and Follow-Up of High Radiation Dose Cases in Interventional Radiology
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Brandon C. Perry, Christopher R. Ingraham, Brent K. Stewart, Karim Valji, Kalpana M. Kanal
Rationale and ObjectivesTo assess the implementation of radiation dose monitoring software, create a process for clinical follow-up and documentation of high-dose cases, and quantify the number of patient reported radiation-induced tissue reactions in fluoroscopically guided interventional radiology (IR) and neuro-interventional radiology (NIR) procedures.Materials and MethodsWeb-based radiation dose monitoring software was installed at our institution and a process to flag all procedures with reference point air kerma (Ka,r) > 5000 mGy was implemented. The entrance skin dose was estimated and formal reports generated, allowing for physician-initiated clinical follow-up. To evaluate our process, we reviewed all IR and NIR procedures performed at our hospital over a 1-year period. For all procedures with Ka,r > 5000 mGy, retrospective medical chart review was performed to evaluate for patient reported tissue reactions.ResultsThree thousand five hundred eighty-two procedures were performed over the 1-year period. The software successfully transferred dose data on 3363 (93.9%) procedures. One thousand three hundred ninety-three (368 IR and 1025 NIR) procedures were further analyzed after excluding 2189 IR procedures with Ka,r < 2000 mGy. Ten of 368 (2.7%) IR and 52 of 1025 (5.1%) NIR procedures exceeded estimated skin doses of 5000 mGy. All 10 IR cases were abdominal/pelvic trauma angiograms with/without embolization; there were no reported tissue reactions. Of 52 NIR cases, 49 were interventions and 3 were diagnostic angiograms. Five of 49 (10.2%) NIR patients reported skin/hair injuries, all of which were temporary.ConclusionSoftware monitoring and documentation of radiation dose in interventional procedures can be successfully implemented. Radiation-induced tissue reactions are relatively uncommon.
https://ift.tt/2M6Djqj
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt:The Impact of Portal Venous Pressure Declines on Shunt Patency and Clinical Efficacy
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Yue-Meng Wan, Yu-Hua Li, Zhi-Yuan Xu, Hua-Mei Wu, Xi-Nan Wu, Ying Xu, Tao Guo
Rationale and ObjectivesTransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement using the same-diameter covered stents can lead to differed declines of portal venous pressure declines (PVDs). This study aimed to compare the long-term shunt patency and clinical efficacy of TIPS placement that caused low PVDs (≤9 mmHg) and high PVDs (>9 mmHg).Materials and MethodsA total of 129 patients treated by TIPS placement with 8 mm-diameter polytetrafluoroethylene covered stents were included and analyzed retrospectively. They were stratified into group A with low PVDs (n = 69) and group B with high PVDs (n = 60).ResultsThe 6-year actuarial probabilities of remaining free of shunt dysfunction (47.2% vs 64.6%; p = 0.007) and variceal rebleeding (48.3% vs 63.9%; p = 0.038) were significantly lower in group A than in group B. The 6-year actuarial probability of remaining free of hepatic encephalopathy was significantly higher in group A than in group B (44.5% vs 32.5%; p = 0.010), though the 6-year cumulative survival rate was similar in both groups (A vs B: 65.5% vs 56.0%; p = 0.240). The baseline portal vein thrombosis (hazard ratio [HR]: 6.045, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.762–13.233; p = 0.000) and stent type (HR: 4.447, 95%CI: 1.711–11.559, p = 0.002) were associated with shunt dysfunction, whereas only ascites was associated with mortality (HR: 1.373, 95%CI: 1.114–3.215; p = 0.024).ConclusionHigh PVDs (>9 mmHg) were associated with higher shunt patency, lower incidence of variceal rebleeding, but higher frequency of hepatic encephalopathy and similar survival rate than low PVDs (≤9 mmHg) after TIPS placement.
https://ift.tt/2MHELka
Evaluation of the Talar Cartilage in Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability with Lateral Ligament Injury Using Biochemical T2* Mapping
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Yiwen Hu, Hongyue Tao, Yang Qiao, Kui Ma, Yinghui Hua, Xu Yan, Shuang Chen
Rationale and ObjectivesThis study aims to quantitatively compare T2* measurements of the talar cartilage between chronic lateral ankle instability (LAI) patients with lateral ligament injury and healthy volunteers, and to assess the association of T2* value with American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score.Materials and MethodsNineteen consecutive patients with chronic LAI (LAI group) and 19 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled. Biochemical magnetic resonance examination of the ankle was performed in all participants using three-dimensional gradient-echo T2* mapping. Total talar cartilage was divided into six subcompartments, including medial anterior (MA), central medial, medial posterior, lateral anterior, central lateral (LC), and lateral posterior regions. T2* values of respective cartilage areas were measured and compared between the two groups using Student t test. AOFAS scoring was performed for clinical evaluation. Then, the association of T2* value with AOFAS score was evaluated by Pearson correlation.ResultsThe T2* values of total talar cartilage, as well as MA and LC cartilage compartments, in the chronic LAI group were significantly higher than control values (P < .001, P = .039, and P = .014, respectively). Furthermore, the T2* value of MA in the chronic LAI group was negatively correlated with AOFAS score (r = −0.8089, P < .001).ConclusionsChronic LAI with lateral ligament injury may have a causal connection with early cartilage degeneration in the ankle joint, especially in MA and LC cartilage compartments, as assessed by quantitative T2* measurements. The clinical score correlates highly with T2* value of the MA cartilage compartment, indicating that MA may be the principal cartilage area conferring clinical symptoms.
https://ift.tt/2K262fe
Implementation of an Innovative Tablet-based Curriculum for Radiology Resident Education
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Mina S. Makary, Summit H. Shah, Rose J. Miller, Steven P. Doukides, Mark A. King
Rationale and ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to prospectively examine the impact of a tablet-based curriculum on the radiology resident educational experience.Materials and MethodsA comprehensive tablet-based curriculum was developed by creating subspecialty modules with appropriate content level for each required rotation at our diagnostic radiology residency program. Daily assignments included key learning points, readings, and reference presentation slides, covering all objectives published by the ABR Core Exam Study Guide. Residents were provided with iPad devices preconfigured with the curriculum and online access to most major radiology textbooks available in our institutional digital library. Assessment surveys were administered at baseline and 12 months following curriculum implementation.ResultsTwenty-two residents completed both surveys. In comparing the pre versus postsurvey results, 32% versus 73% residents agreed or strongly agreed that study resources were well-organized, 41% versus 91% agreed or strongly agreed that study resources were easily accessible, 27% versus 77% agreed or strongly agreed that the modules encouraged active learning, 18% versus 82% agreed or strongly agreed that resources motivate them to study daily, 36% versus 82% agreed or strongly agreed that the resources adequately prepared the resident for the radiology board exam, and 36% versus 82% agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the resources provided by the residency program (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur study demonstrated the positive impact of implementing a complete tablet-based curriculum on radiology resident motivation, satisfaction, and engagement. Use of mobile tablet devices has the potential to dramatically transform content delivery in residency education.
https://ift.tt/2MJdDB4
Yield of Routine Image-Guided Biopsy of Renal Mass Thermal Ablation Zones: 11-Year Experience
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Ashish P Wasnik, Ellen J Higgins, Giovanna A Fox, Elaine M Caoili, Matthew S Davenport
PurposeTo determine the yield of routine image-guided core biopsy of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) thermal ablation zones.MethodsInstitutional review board approval was obtained for this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant quality improvement effort. Routine core biopsy of RCC ablation zones was performed 2 months postablation from July 2003 to December 2014. Routine nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide staining was performed by specialized genitourinary pathologists to assess cell viability. The original purpose of performing routine postablation biopsy was to verify, in addition to imaging, whether the mass was completely treated. Imaging was stratified as negative, indeterminate, or positive for viable malignancy. Histology was stratified as negative, indeterminate, positive, or nondiagnostic for viable malignancy. Histology results were compared to prebiopsy imaging findings.ResultsRoutine ablation zone biopsy was performed after 50% (146/292) of index ablations (24 cryoablations, 122 radiofrequency ablations), and postablation imaging was performed more often with multiphasic computed tomography than magnetic resonance imaging (100 vs 46, p < 0.0001). When imaging was negative (n = 117), biopsy added no additional information (92% [n = 108] negative, 0.9% [n = 1] indeterminate, 7% [n = 8] nondiagnostic). When imaging was indeterminate (n = 19), 11% (n = 2) of biopsies had viable RCC and 89% (n = 17) were negative. When imaging was positive, biopsy detected viable neoplasm in only 10% (1/10) of cases; 80% (8/10) were negative and 10% (1/10) were nondiagnostic.ConclusionRoutine biopsy of renal ablation zones to validate postablation imaging results was not value-added and therefore was discontinued at the study institution.
https://ift.tt/2M7hS8I
Interobserver Variation in Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Arunabha Karmakar, Apeksha Kumtakar, Himanshu Sehgal, Savith Kumar, Arjun Kalyanpur
PurposeResponse Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) is the gold standard for imaging response evaluation in cancer trials. We sought to evaluate consistency of applying RECIST 1.1 between 2 conventionally trained radiologists, designated as A and B; identify reasons for variation; and reconcile these differences for future studies.MethodsThe study was approved as an institutional quality check exercise. Since no identifiable patient data was collected or used, a waiver of informed consent was granted. Imaging case report forms of a concluded multicentric breast cancer trial were retrospectively reviewed. Cohen's kappa was used to rate interobserver agreement in Response Evaluation Data (target response, nontarget response, new lesions, overall response). Significant variations were reassessed by a senior radiologist to extrapolate reasons for disagreement. Methods to improve agreement were similarly ascertained.ResultsSixty one cases with total of 82 data-pairs were evaluated (35 data-pairs in visit 5, 47 in visit 9). Both radiologists showed moderate agreement in target response (n = 82; ĸ = 0.477; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.314–0.640-), nontarget response (n = 82; ĸ = 0.578; 95% CI: 0.213–0.944) and overall response evaluation in both visits (n = 82; ĸ = 0.510; 95% CI: 0.344–0.676). Further assessment demonstrated "Prevalence effect" of Kappa in some cases which led to underestimation of agreement. Percent agreement of overall response was 74.39% while percent variation was 25.6%. Differences in interpreting RECIST 1.1 and in radiological image interpretation were the primary sources of variation. The commonest overall response was "Partial Response" (Rad A:45/82; Rad B:63/82).ConclusionInspite of moderate interobserver agreement, qualitative interpretation differences in some cases increased interobserver variability. Protocols such as Adjudication, to reduce easily avoidable inconsistencies are or should be a part of the Standard Operating Procedure in imaging institutions. Based on our findings, a standard checklist has been developed to help reduce the interpretation error-margin for future studies. Such check-lists may improve interobserver agreement in the preadjudication phase thereby improving quality of results and reducing adjudication per case ratio.Clinical RelevanceImproving data reliability when using RECIST 1.1 will reflect in better cancer clinical trial outcomes. A checklist can be of use to imaging centers to assess and improve their own processes.
https://ift.tt/2MDgc7U
Household air pollution from cooking fuel and respiratory health risks for children in Pakistan
Abstract
Around 2.7 billion people in the world cook with polluting fuels, such as wood, crop residue, animal dung, charcoal, coal, and kerosene. Household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels is recognized as a major risk factor for the disease burden. In this study, we examine the effect of using polluting fuels for cooking on the respiratory health of children in Pakistan. This study uses cross-sectional data from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2012–13, with the sample size of 11,040 children under 5 years of age. Using logistic regression model, we control for factors such as averting activities, child characteristics, household characteristics, mother characteristics, and the unobserved factors using fixed effects. The results show that children in households using polluting fuels are 1.5 times more likely to have symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) than children in households using cleaner fuels.
https://ift.tt/2K0Dt1W
A molecularly imprinted electrochemiluminescence sensor for ultrasensitive HIV-1 gene detection using EuS nanocrystals as luminophore
Publication date: 15 October 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 117
Author(s): Bahareh Babamiri, Abdollah Salimi, Rahman Hallaj
Development of simple, sensitive and specific method for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) assays are urgently demand. In this study, we developed a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) electrochemiluminescence (MIP-ECL) sensor for the highly sensitive and selective HIV-1 gene detection using Europium sulfide nanocrystals (EsNCs) as signal producing compound. Here, the HIV aptamer as the template and o-phenylenediamine as the functional monomer, were electropolymerized directly on the surface of ITO electrode. With the hybridization reaction between the assemblies of EuS NCs functionalized 5-amino-labeled oligonucleotides as capture probes and oligonucleotides as detection target (HIV gene), the ECL signal significantly increased using K2S2O8 as coreactant. Taking advantage of both MIP-ECL assays and the strong electrochemiluminescence emission of EuS NCs, the sensitive and selective HIV gene detection has been achieved in a linear range 3.0 fM to 0.3 nM with a detection limit of 0.3 fM. The present MIP-ECL biosensor showed good specificity for HIV DNA detection compared to non-complementary and two bases mismatched sequences. The proposed ECL biosensor was applied to detect of HIV DNA in real human serum samples and satisfactory results were obtained. Due to high sensitivity and selectivity, excellent reproducibility and stability of the proposed assay, EuS NCs can be used as novel luminophore for development of MIP-ECL sensors for detection of other DNA biomarkers.
Graphical abstract
https://ift.tt/2JO2LEi
Surgical management of metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Author(s): Yvonne Schrage, Henk Hartgrink, Myles Smith, Marco Fiore, Piotr Rutkowski, Dimitri Tzanis, Christina Messiou, Vincent Servois, Sylvie Bonvalot, Jos van der Hage
BackgroundGastrointestinal stomal tumours (GISTs) are the most frequently diagnosed mesenchymal tumour of the gastrointestinal tract. The response of most GISTs to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKIs) treatment is spectacular; however progression and/or secondary resistance inevitably occurs with long-term treatment of recurrent or metastatic disease. Randomised studies investigating the potential additive benefit of metastasectomy in addition to TKI treatment unfortunately failed to accrue sufficient patients. Therefore, the apparent benefit of surgery in the setting of metastatic disease is based on retrospective institutional series or extrapolation of data from studies which were not intended directly to investigate the impact of surgery. The aim of this review is to summarise the current literature to inform an approach to the surgical management of metastatic GIST.MethodsRelevant articles were retrieved from a comprehensive literature search using the PubMed database. Keywords included: GIST, metastasis, surgery, tyrosine kinase inhibitor. No restrictions on publication date were used.ResultsAn overview of relevant literature and suggestions for multidisciplinary decision making are formulated.ConclusionsOur narrative review has identified studies which suggest that surgery may be beneficial in selected patients with metastatic GIST with responsive or stable disease during TKI treatment. Similarly, surgery for isolated clonal proliferative progressive disease may improve progression free survival and delay switch to second-line TKI in some cases.
https://ift.tt/2K5yNaQ
Corrigendum to “Antidepressants appear safe in patients with carcinoid tumor: Results of a retrospective review” [YEJSO 44 (6) (June 2018) 744–749]
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Author(s): Elie Isenberg-Grzeda, Meredith MacGregor, Afton Bergel, Stacy Eagle, Fernando Espi Forcen, Reema Mehta, Konstantina Matsoukas, Jonathan Wills, Diane Reidy-Lagunes, Yesne Alici
https://ift.tt/2K1IaM6
Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC improve survival compared to palliative chemotherapy for biliary carcinoma with peritoneal metastasis: A multi-institutional cohort from PSOGI and BIG RENAPE groups
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Author(s): I. Amblard, F. Mercier, D.L. Bartlett, S.A. Ahrendt, K.W. Lee, H.J. Zeh, E.A. Levine, D. Baratti, M. Deraco, P. Piso, D.L. Morris, B. Rau, A.A.K. Tentes, J.-J. Tuech, F. Quenet, E. Akaishi, M. Pocard, Y. Yonemura, G. Lorimier, D. Delroeux, L. Villeneuve, O. Glehen, G. Passot
BackgroundPeritoneal metastasis from biliary carcinoma (PMC) is associated with poor prognosis when treated with chemotherapy.ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact on survival of cytoreduction surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), and compare with conventional palliative chemotherapy for patients with PMC.Material and methodsA prospective multicenter international database was retrospectively searched to identify all patients with PMC treated with a potentially curative CRS/HIPEC (CRS/HIPEC group). The overall survival (OS) was compared to patients with PMC treated with palliative chemotherapy (systemic chemotherapy group). Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and compared with Log-Rank test.ResultsBetween 1995 and 2015, 34 patients were included in the surgical group, and compared to 21 in the systemic chemotherapy group. In the surgical group, median peritoneal cancer index was 9 (range 3-26), macroscopically complete resection was obtained for 25 patients (73%). There was more gallbladder localization in the surgical group compared to the chemotherapy group (35% vs. 18%, p=0.001). Median OS was 21.4 and 9.3 months for surgical and chemotherapy group, respectively (p=0.007). Three-year overall survival was 30% and 10% for surgical and chemotherapy group, respectively.ConclusionTreatment with CRS and HIPEC for biliary carcinoma with peritoneal metastasis is feasible and may provide survival benefit when compared to palliative chemotherapy.
https://ift.tt/2I6dKTX
Coupling detrended fluctuation analysis of the relationship between O3 and its precursors –a case study in Taiwan
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 188
Author(s): Chunqiong Liu, Hui Geng, Peng Shen, Qingeng Wang, Kai Shi
The relationship between ozone and its main precursors exhibits complex non-linear feature in the atmospheric photochemical system. Therefore, sophisticated mathematical and nonlinear methods are very important for studying the O3 sensitivity to its precursors and improving the O3 prediction model. In this study, the coupling detrended fluctuation analysis (CDFA) method has been used to investigate the multi-temporal scaling pattern of coupling correlations between O3 and its precursors. Hourly concentrations of ozone (O3), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) from 1 March 2016 to 28 February 2017 of two traffic monitoring sites in Taiwan are analyzed. Coupling multifractality features are confirmed in the temporal distribution of coupling correlations between O3 and its precursors. And the sources of coupling multifractal features are investigated by the phase randomized surrogates and the shuffling procedures. Moreover, in order to confirm the ozone sensitivity to its precursors at different time scales, a novel dynamical index, namely the coupling sensitivity degree (CSD), is introduced based on CDFA method. High temporal scale resolution of the O3-NMHCs-NOx sensitivity is presented based on the concept of sliding window. And the O3-NMHCs-NOx sensitivity regime can be shown visually by the temporal evolutions of the CSD on the whole year. Furthermore, statistics of seasonal CSD values are obtained by averaging the hourly sliding values. Result shows that the CSD values for both NMHCs and NOx are greatest in summer due to the more active photochemical reaction, compared to the other seasons. Meanwhile, the photochemical system is more sensitive to NMHCs for the two sites, which is consistent with the characteristics of pollutant emissions in the urban traffic area. At last, the diurnal pattern of the CSD for NMHCs and NOx are investigated. It is found that the greatest CSD for both NMHCs and NOx series are synchronized to the maximum O3 generation. This study provides a feasible and effective dynamical index to describe O3-NOx-NMHCs sensitivity, and suggests a new approach to improve the ozone prediction models in the photochemical system.
https://ift.tt/2K1GLFk
Heterogeneous reaction of Cl2 and NO2 on γ-Al2O3: A potential formation pathway of secondary aerosols
Publication date: September 2018
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 188
Author(s): Siqun Tang, Lingling Ma, Min Luo, Zhaohui Zhang, Xingzhong Cao, Zhenling Huang, Rui Xia, Ye Qiu, Shuo Feng, Peng Zhang, Chuanqin Xia, Yongdong Jin, Diandou Xu
The importance of the oxidizing capacity of reactive chlorine species, and the heterogeneous reactions of atmospheric pollution gases on the surface of particles has been well established in field observation, modeling simulation and laboratory exploration. However, less is known about the reactions of reactive chlorine on mineral particles. We studied the effect of Cl2 on the heterogeneous reaction of NO2 with γ-Al2O3 by using ion chromatography and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The presence of Cl2 can promote the uptake of NO2 on γ-Al2O3 at humid conditions. The probable explanations are that Cl2 rapidly reacts with NO2 on the γ-Al2O3 surface in the presence of adsorbed water, and nitrites, as the intermediate products during the heterogeneous reaction of NO2 on mineral dust, are immediately oxidized by adsorbed Cl2. In the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy experiment, a porous γ-Al2O3 was demonstrated by the relatively high fourth lifetime intensity. The increase in the number of anions (onto γ-Al2O3) when the reaction time was prolonged was a direct consequence of the decrease in the o-Ps intensity and the o-Ps lifetime, which illustrated that the heterogeneous reactions might occur on the porous surface of γ-Al2O3. Our results suggest that the oxidative effect of Cl2 on the heterogeneous conversion of NO2 to nitrogen-containing particles might have a significant contribution to the fine particle growth and to the unknown sources of nitrate observed in secondary inorganic aerosols.
Graphical abstract
https://ift.tt/2I4ExjE
Role of dynamics on the formation and maintenance of the elevated aerosol layer during monsoon season over south-east peninsular India
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 188
Author(s): M. Venkat Ratnam, P. Prasad, M. Roja Raman, V. Ravikiran, S. Vijaya Bhaskara Rao, B.V. Krishna Murthy, A. Jayaraman
The existence of elevated aerosol layer is common over India during monsoon season. Though its sources are well explained through long-range transport, its formation and maintenance is not explained to date. The formation and maintenances of an elevated aerosol layer, starting from ∼2 km and extending up to ∼5.5 km noticed is explained using two nearby lidars located in peninsular India. Existence of a cleaner environment with low aerosol loading below 2 km is attributed to the wet scavenging and existence of no strong local source. The low level jet (LLJ) from Arabian Sea persisting between 2 and 3 km is the main mechanism suggesting strong role of dynamics in the formation of these elevated layers. Persistent strong shears existing between LLJ and tropical easterly jet during this season restrict the up-liftment of aerosols to the higher altitudes. Observed features are explained in the light of dynamics, meteorology and long-range transport.
https://ift.tt/2K3mk7P
Quantifying the impact of sulfate geoengineering on mortality from air quality and UV-B exposure
Publication date: August 2018
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 187
Author(s): Sebastian D. Eastham, Debra K. Weisenstein, David W. Keith, Steven R.H. Barrett
Sulfate geoengineering is a proposed method to partially counteract the global radiative forcing from accumulated greenhouse gases, potentially mitigating some impacts of climate change. While likely to be effective in slowing increases in average temperatures and extreme precipitation, there are known side-effects and potential unintended consequences which have not been quantified. One such consequence is the direct human health impact. Given the significant uncertainties, we take a sensitivity approach to explore the mechanisms and range of potential impacts. Using a chemistry-transport model, we quantify the steady-state response of three public health risks to 1 °C global mean surface cooling. We separate impacts into those which are "radiative forcing-driven", associated with climate change "reversal" through modification of global radiative forcing, and those "direct impacts" associated uniquely with using sulfate geoengineering to achieve this. We find that the direct (non-radiative forcing driven) impact is a decrease in global mortality of ∼13,000 annually. Here the benefits of reduced ozone exposure exceed increases in mortality due to UV and particulate matter, as each unit of injected sulfur incurs 1/25th the particulate matter exposure of a unit of sulfur emitted from surface sources. This reduction is exceeded by radiative forcing-driven health impacts resulting from using sulfate geoengineering to offset 1 °C of surface temperature rise. Increased particulate matter formation at these lower temperatures results in ∼39,000 mortalities which would have been avoided at higher temperatures. As such we estimate that sulfate geoengineering in 2040 would cause ∼26,000 (95% interval: −30,000 to +79,000) early deaths annually relative to the same year without geoengineering, largely due to the loss of health benefits associated with CO2-induced warming. These results account only for impacts due to changes in air quality and UV-B flux. They do not account for non-mortality impacts or changes in atmospheric dynamics, and must be considered in the wider context of other climate change impacts such as heatwave frequency and sea level rise.
https://ift.tt/2I3Wpek
Hollow-sphere SrTiO3 nanocube assemblies with enhanced room-temperature photoluminescence
Publication date: 5 October 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 155
Author(s): Yanan Hao, Jiameng Zhang, Meihua Bi, Zunpeng Feng, Ke Bi
A porous SrTiO3 (STO) three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical structure is fabricated by a rapid "TEG-sol" method under atmospheric pressure. The STO architecture is characterized by the hollow-sphere assemblies of well-crystallized sub-10 nm cubes. The formation kinetics of the STO hierarchical structure reveals that alkalinity of the reaction solvent plays a key role in the formation and self-assembly of the nanocubes. Owing to the large and highly-active specific surface area, the nanocubes present significantly enhanced room-temperature white photoluminescence (PL) emission. Moreover, the hollow-sphere STO nanocube assemblies with unique hierarchical structure show enhanced room-temperature PL emission, which provides a high-efficiency white PL material for the oxide-based optoelectronic devices. This method possesses mild reaction condition, rapid formation (2 h) and high efficiency, and the as-obtained nanopowders have a high purity, which is promising to be enlarged for the low-cost industrial production of perovskite oxides with well-controlled morphology and fine nanostructures.
Graphical abstract
https://ift.tt/2MGX5da
Defect-free TiC/Si multi-layer electrical discharge coatings
Publication date: 5 October 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 155
Author(s): J.W. Murray, R.B. Cook, N. Senin, S.J. Algodi, A.T. Clare
The process of electrical discharge coating (EDC) may be used to deposit hard materials on conformal substrate surfaces. Next generation EDM'd components may exploit attachment phenomena to enhance recast layer properties, to avoid the need for recast layer removal. Here, a ceramic based composite layer was developed without cracking and porosity for the first time, using sequential coating using sacrificial TiC and Si electrodes. Attenuation of the discharge process by gap widening using Si debris in the gap explained improved layer properties. Composite coatings combining WC and TiC were also demonstrated, with good elemental intermixing. Attachment level was correlated strongly with melting point, with high melting point materials resisting ejection due to more rapid solidification. Nanoindentation showed the TiC and WC/TiC layers possessed the highest mean hardness values, approximately double that of the Cu based machined layer which itself yielded a much higher hardness of 11.0 GPa compared to 1.9 GPa of the substrate.
Graphical abstract
https://ift.tt/2M3Vb5g
Influence of intermetallic compounds on the electrical resistivity of architectured copper clad aluminum composites elaborated by a restacking drawing method
Publication date: 5 October 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 155
Author(s): F. Moisy, A. Gueydan, X. Sauvage, A. Guillet, C. Keller, E. Guilmeau, E. Hug
Architectured wires containing 61 restacked Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA) wires were cold-drawn down to a diameter of 1 mm without intermediate annealing. Samples were taken at intermediate diameters of 3 mm and 1.7 mm to observe the wire structure at different steps. Independently of the wire diameter, the structure did not exhibit any porosity and initial CCA wires were uniformly distributed inside the structure with constant equivalent diameters. Post-elaboration annealing treatments performed on CCA and architectured wires led to the formation of Al2Cu, AlCu and Al4Cu9 intermetallic compounds (IMC). It was shown that IMC growth kinetics do not depend on the wire diameter, indicating no marked influence of the plastic deformation. The volume fraction of IMC strongly increased with the reduction of the diameter and impacted the electrical resistivity of the architectured wire. The equivalent resistivity has been easily computed by a linear rule of mixture model, with three electrical resistances in parallel (Al, Cu and IMC), weighted by their respective volume fraction. This model allowed extracting a mean resistivity of IMCs of 4.5 μΩ·cm. It also demonstrated that this restacking drawing process, without any intermediate annealing treatment is an interesting method for the elaboration of architectured wires with optimized functional properties.
Graphical abstract
https://ift.tt/2JSXqvB
Causal relationship between agricultural production and carbon dioxide emissions in selected emerging economies
Abstract
Continuous threat posed by climate change caused by carbon dioxide emission has reignited global advocacy to confront its negative ramification with the greatest possible firmness. Global food security and agriculture face major challenges under climate change as a result of the potential negative effect of production and implementation of sectoral action to limit global warming. Overall, agricultural greenhouse emissions continue to rise and the analysis of superior data on emissions from farming, livestock, and fisheries can help countries identify opportunities to contemporaneously reduce emissions and address their food security. This study seeks to contribute to the recent literature by examining the causal relationship between agriculture production and carbon dioxide emissions in selected emerging economies for the period 1971 to 2013. The study, therefore, disaggregated agriculture production into crop production index and livestock production index to explicate the distinct and to find individual variable contribution to carbon dioxide emissions. By using FMOLS and DOLS, empirical results indicate that 1% increase in economic growth, crop production index, and livestock production index will cause a proportional increase in carbon dioxide emission by 17%, 28%, and 28% correspondingly, while 1% increase in energy consumption and population improves the environment of emerging economies. The direction of causality among the variables was, accordingly, examined using PMG estimator. Potentially, for emerging countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring zero hunger for their citizenry requires the need to alter their farming production techniques and also adopt agricultural technology method, which is more environmentally friendly.
https://ift.tt/2MD0JEN
Interleukin-1 in monocyte activation phenotypes in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Observations from a clinical trial of rilonacept, an interleukin-1 inhibitor
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Yujuan Zhang, Saloni Gupta, Alexandra Ilstad-Minnihan, Sashi Ayyangar, Arielle D. Hay, Virginia Pascual, Norman T. Ilowite, Claudia Macaubas, Elizabeth D. Mellins
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a childhood rheumatic disease of unknown origin. Dysregulated innate immunity is implicated in disease pathology. We investigated if IL-1 inhibition affects circulating cytokines and monocyte gene expression. CD14+ monocytes from patients in the RAPPORT trial were analyzed by RT-PCR for expression of IL1B and transcription factors associated with monocyte activation. Serum IL-1ra decreased with treatment, and IL-18BP transiently increased. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-18 were unchanged. IRF5 and STAT6 were decreased, and PPARG was increased, independent of clinical response, and may represent a skew toward a PPARG-driven M2-like phenotype. IL1B expression was decreased in early clinical responders. A transient increase in STAT1, and a decrease in SOCS1 preceded the reduction in IL1B in early clinical responders. Changes in IL1B/STAT1/SOCS1 could be associated with crosstalk between IL-1 and IFN pathways in sJIA. These transcriptional changes might be useful as drug response biomarkers.
https://ift.tt/2yqxTER
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Publication date: September 2017 Source: Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 110 Author(s): Lucía Fernández-del-Río, Anish Nag, Elen...
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Abstract Noise pollution is a major factor of environmental complaints in many cities, which has significant impacts on human health. As a...
