The effects of 17β-estradiol on blood brain barrier integrity in the absence of the estrogen receptor alpha; an in-vitro model

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Acta Histochemica
Author(s): Serap Erdem Kuruca, Sabriye Karadenizli, Kadriye Akgun-Dar, Aysegul Kapucu, Zulal Kaptan, Gulay Uzum
The blood-brain barrier (BBB), which saves the brain from toxic substances, is formed by endothelial cells. It is mainly composed of tight junction (TJ) proteins existing between endothelial cells. Estrogen is an important regulatory hormone of BBB permeability. It protects the BBB before menopause, but may increase BBB permeability with aging. In addition, nitric oxide modulates BBB permeability. Alcohol impairs the integrity of the BBB with oxidants and inflammatory mediators such as iNOS. We investigated the effects of estrogen on BBB integrity in an in vitro BBB model created with ERα-free HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial-like cells) to mimics the menopausal period.In vitro BBB model is created with HUVEC/C6 (rat glioma cells) co-culture. The effect of 17β-estradiol on ethanol-induced BBB disruption and change/or increase of iNOS activity, which modulate BBB integrity, were evaluated. Inducibility and functionality of BBB were investigated using transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the expression of proteins TJ proteins (occludin and claudin-1) and iNOS activity by immunostaining.Our results revealed that 17β-estradiol treatment before and after ethanol decrease expression of occludin and claudin-1 and value of TEER which are BBB disrupt indicators. In addition, ethanol and 17β-estradiol separately and pre- and post-ethanol 17β-estradiol treatment increased iNOS expression. Thus our study suggests caution in the use of 17β-estradiol after menopause because 17β-estradiol at this time may both increase the inflammatory process as well as damage the BBB. We think that beneficial effects of 17β-estradiol may be through ERα but it needs further studies.



http://ift.tt/2hRYHW4

Shotgun metagenomic data on the human stool samples to characterize shifts of the gut microbial profile after the Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 14
Author(s): Eugenia A. Boulygina, Maria I. Markelova, Dilyara R. Khusnutdinova, Maria N. Siniagina, Sergey Yu. Malanin, Rustam A. Abdulkhakov, Sayar R. Abdulkhakov, Vladislav M. Chernov, Tatiana V. Grigoryeva
The shotgun sequencing data presented in this report are related to the research article named "Gut microbiome shotgun sequencing in assessment of microbial community changes associated with H. pylori eradication therapy" (Khusnutdinova et al., 2016) [1]. Typically, the H. pylori eradication protocol includes a prolonged two-week use of the broad-spectrum antibiotics. The presented data on the whole-genome sequencing of the total DNA from stool samples of patients before the start of the eradication, immediately after eradication and several weeks after the end of treatment could help to profile the gut microbiota both taxonomically and functionally. The presented data together with those described in Glushchenko et al. (2017) [2] allow researchers to characterize the metagenomic profiles in which the use of antibiotics could result in dramatic changes in the intestinal microbiota composition. We perform 15 gut metagenomes from 5 patients with H. pylori infection, obtained through the shotgun sequencing on the SOLiD 5500W platform. Raw reads are deposited in the ENA under project ID PRJEB21338.



http://ift.tt/2wAVZYz

Phase 1 study of darolutamide (ODM-201): a new-generation androgen receptor antagonist, in Japanese patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Abstract

Purpose

This trial assessed the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of darolutamide (ODM-201), a new-generation nonsteroidal androgen receptor antagonist, in Japanese patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Methods

In this open-label, nonrandomized, two-cohort, dose-escalating phase 1 study, Japanese patients with mCRPC were enrolled after a screening period. In the single-dose period (≈1 week), darolutamide was administered at 300 mg (Cohort 1) or 600 mg (Cohort 2) on day-5 (fasting state) and day-2 (fed condition). In the subsequent multiple-dose period (fed condition), patients received darolutamide 300 mg twice daily (Cohort 1) or 600 mg twice daily (Cohort 2) for 12 weeks. Primary endpoints: evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics of darolutamide.

Results

Of 12 patients enrolled, 9 received darolutamide (Cohort 1, n = 3; Cohort 2, n = 6). All 9 patients experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE; majority Grade 1/2). Incidence of drug-related TEAEs (DR-TEAEs) was 44% (all grades; n = 4); most common DR-TEAE was decreased appetite (22%), and 1 serious DR-TEAE (Grade 3 nausea) was observed. No Grade ≥4 DR-TEAEs or new safety signals were observed. C _max and AUC (0–t _last) were dose-dependent; pharmacokinetics of each dose appeared to be linear over time. Prostate-specific antigen response was observed in 11% (1/9) of patients. Compared with fasting status, geometric mean C _max increased 2.5-fold after 300 mg and 2.8-fold after 600 mg; geometric mean AUC (0–t _last) increased 2.5-fold after both doses under fed conditions.

Conclusions

Darolutamide was well tolerated at the examined doses in Japanese patients with mCRPC, without differences in safety and pharmacokinetics relative to Western patients.

http://ift.tt/2fwZyLf

Dysregulation of glucose metabolism since young adulthood increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with bipolar disorder

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Author(s): Pao-Huan Chen, Yen-Kuang Lin, Chi-Kang Chang, Shuo-Ju Chiang, Shang-Ying Tsai
Aging patients with bipolar disorder (BD) are at a high risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, few studies have directly examined the association between metabolic risks and CVDs in patients with BD across the lifespan. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine lifetime metabolic risk factors for CVDs in patients with BD. We recruited BD-I patients who were more than 50 years old and had had at least one psychiatric hospitalization. Patients who had a cardiologist-confirmed CVD diagnosis (ICD-9 code 401–414) were assigned to the case group. Fifty-five cases were matched with 55 control patient without CVDs based on age and sex. Clinical data were obtained by retrospectively reviewing 30 years of hospital records. Compared to control subjects, a significantly higher proportion of cases had impaired fasting glucose between ages 31 and 40 (44.0% versus 17.4%, p = 0.046), diabetes mellitus between ages 41 and 50 (25.6% versus 8.6%, p = 0.054), and diabetes mellitus after age 51 (36.3% versus 12.7%, p = 0.005). No significant difference was found in overweight, obesity, or dyslipidemia. After adjusting for years of education, first episode as mania, and second generation antipsychotic use, lifetime diabetes mellitus remained a risk factor for CVDs (OR = 4.45, 95% CI = 1.89–10.66, p = 0.001). The findings suggest that glucose dysregulation across the adult age span is probably the major metabolic risk contributing to CVDs in patients with BD. Clinicians therefore have to notice the serum fasting glucose levels of BD patients since young adulthood.



http://ift.tt/2hQD1K1

Microstructure and mechanical properties of cast in-situ TiAl matrix composites reinforced with (Ti,Nb)2AlC particles

Publication date: 5 November 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 133
Author(s): J. Lapin, A. Klimová, Z. Gabalcová, T. Pelachová, O. Bajana, M. Štamborská
The in-situ TiAl matrix composites with nominal compositions of Ti-44.5Al-8Nb-0.8Mo-0.1B-xC (at.%), where x is ranging from 1.4 to 4.8at.%, were prepared by casting. The microstructure of the as-cast composites consists of primary (Ti,Nb)2AlC particles distributed in the matrix composed of lamellar γ(TiAl)+α2(Ti3Al) and γ phase regions with a small amount of β/B2 phase. The chemical composition of some coarse carbides is not homogeneous and central regions enriched by C are identified to be (Ti,Nb)C phase. The mean aspect ratio of the primary carbide particles decreases and their volume fraction and shape factor increase with increasing content of C. A linear relationship is identified between the volume fraction of the carbide particles and average content of C in the composites. The heat treatments lead to the formation of fine secondary carbide particles within the matrix. The mean grain size of the as-cast composites increases during the heat treatments. The Vickers hardness, compression yield strength, Charpy impact value and dynamic fracture toughness of the heat-treated composites decrease with the increasing volume fraction of carbide particles. The brittle fracture behaviour of the in-situ composites includes crack deflection, delamination on the matrix-carbide interfaces and pull-out of the carbide particles from the γ matrix.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2vpEvzP

Thyroxin releasing chitosan/collagen based smart hydrogels to stimulate neovascularization

Publication date: 5 November 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 133
Author(s): Abdur Raheem Aleem, Lubna Shahzadi, Farah Alvi, Ather Farooq Khan, Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, Ihtesham ur Rehman, Muhammad Yar
The development of new biomaterials with tailored properties is highly desired in tissue engineering field. The neovascularization is essential part of tissue regeneration which provides food and nutrients to cells. There is a real need for proangiogenic biomaterials to assist wound healing. The ideal dressing should be inexpensive and achieve rapid healing with minimal inconvenience to the patient. In this paper, new porous thyroxin containing pro-angiogenic hydrogels were generated via freeze gelation protocol. The chemical structural analysis of the synthesized hydrogels was investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The morphology and pore dimensions were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In swelling studies, 10μg thyroxine loaded hydrogel (TLH-10) showed greater degree of swelling as compared to 1 μg loaded thyroxine material (TLH-1) and control. The degradation studies were tested in three different media, i.e. phosphate buffer saline (PBS), lysozyme and hydrogen peroxide and relatively higher degradation was seen in hydrogen peroxide. The synthesized materials were implanted on the chick chorioallantoic membrane to investigate their angiogenic potential. The TLH-1 hydrogel stimulated angiogenesis greater than the TLH-10; in this case blood vessels were attached and very much grown into the scaffold.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2vpVYrF

A phase 1 randomized open-label clinical study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a novel recombinant hepatitis E vaccine

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Yu-Feng Cao, Hong Tao, Yue-Mei Hu, Cheng-Bo Shi, Xing Wu, Qi Liang, Chun-Ping Chi, Li Li, Zheng-Lun Liang, Ji-Hong Meng, Feng-Cai Zhu, Zhao-Hui Liu, Xin-Ping Wang
BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability for variable dosages of a novel hepatitis E vaccine p179.MethodsThe randomized open-label parallel control phase 1 clinical trial enrolled 120 eligible participants aged 16–65years in Jiangsu Province, China. The experimental groups were randomized to receive different dosages of 20μg, 30μg, and 40μg Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) p179 vaccines, with the 30μgHEV vaccine p239 Hecolin as control, and vaccinated at 0, 1 and 6month intervals. Participants were observed for solicited local and systemic adverse reactions (ARs) occurring within 7days after each vaccination, and any serious adverse events (SAEs) occurring within 6months post-vaccination. Blood samples were collected from participants 3days before and after each injection, to determine the blood routine and serum biochemical indexes.ResultsThe solicited local ARs incidence in experimental groups were significantly lower than that of the control group (P=0.027). The difference between solicited total and systemic ARs incidence of experimental groups and the control group were not significant (P>0.05). Similar patterns were observed when the analyses were performed on the group having ARs of varying grades and symptoms. All changes in blood biochemical indexes and routine blood tests before and after different vaccinations were mild (grade 1) or moderate (grade 2), and the difference in experimental groups and the control group were not statistically significant. No vaccine related SAEs occurred in any of the subjects during the study.ConclusionThree different dosages of HEV p179 vaccine were deemed safe and well tolerated. No vaccine-associated SAEs were identified, and the 30μg dosage formulation was selected for further investigation for efficacy.Clinical trials registration number: 2012L01657.



http://ift.tt/2wAMxnF

Building capacity for active surveillance of vaccine adverse events in the Americas: A hospital-based multi-country network

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Pamela Bravo-Alcántara, Silvia Pérez-Vilar, Helvert Felipe Molina-León, Miriam Sturkenboom, Steven Black, Patrick L.F. Zuber, Christine Maure, Jose Luis Castro
New vaccines designed to prevent diseases endemic in low and middle-income countries are being introduced without prior utilization in countries with robust vaccine pharmacovigilance systems. Our aim was to build capacity for active surveillance of vaccine adverse events in the Americas. We describe the implementation of a proof-of-concept study for the feasibility of an international collaborative hospital-based active surveillance system for vaccine safety. The study was developed and implemented in 15 sentinel sites located in seven countries of the region of the Americas, under the umbrella of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Vaccine Safety Initiative. The study evaluated the associations between measles-mumps-rubella vaccines and two well-recognized adverse events: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and aseptic meningitis. The regional network contributed 63 confirmed ITP and 16 confirmed aseptic meningitis eligible cases to the global study, representing, respectively, 33% and 19% of the total cases. To ensure long-term sustainability and usefulness to investigate adverse events following new vaccine introductions in low and middle-income countries, the network needs to be strengthened with additional sites and integrated into national health systems.



http://ift.tt/2vpI3Sn

Oral cholera vaccine coverage in hard-to-reach fishermen communities after two mass Campaigns, Malawi, 2016

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Delphine Sauvageot, Christel Saussier, Abebe Gobeze, Sikhona Chipeta, Innocent Mhango, Gift Kawalazira, Martin A. Mengel, Dominique Legros, Philippe Cavailler, Maurice M'bang'ombe
ContextFrom December 2015 to August 2016, a large epidemic of cholera affected the fishermen of Lake Chilwa in Malawi. A first reactive Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) campaign was organized, in February, in a 2km radius of the lake followed by a preemptive one, conducted in November, in a 25km radius. We present the vaccine coverage reached in hard-to-reach population using simplified delivery strategies.MethodWe conducted two-stage random-sampling cross-sectional surveys among individuals living in a 2km and 25km radius of Lake Chilwa (islands and floating homes included). Individuals aged 12months and older from Machinga and Zomba districts were sampled: 43 clusters of 14 households were surveyed. Simplified strategies were used for those living in islands and floating homes: self- delivery and community-supervised delivery of the second dose. Vaccine coverage (VC) for at-least-two-doses was estimated taking into account sampling weights and design effects.ResultsA total of 1176 households were surveyed (2.7% of non-response). Among the 2833 individuals living in the 2km radius of Lake and the 2915 in the 25km radius: 457 (16.1%) and 239 (8.2%) lived in floating homes or on islands at some point in the year, respectively. For the overall population, VC was 75.6% and 54.2%, respectively. In the 2km radius, VC was 92.2% for those living on the lake at some point of the year: 271 (64.8%) used the simplified strategies. The main reasons for non-vaccination were absence during the campaign and vaccine shortage. Few adverse events occurring in the 24h following vaccination was reported.ConclusionsWe reached a high two-dose coverage of the most at-risk population using simplified delivery strategies. Because of the high fishermen mobility, regular catch-up campaigns or another strategy specifically targeting fishermen need to be assessed for more efficient vaccines use.



http://ift.tt/2wAmX2h

A review of the key factors to improve adult immunization coverage rates: What can the clinician do?

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Litjen (L.J.) Tan
Adult immunization coverage rates remain low in the United States and internationally, despite obvious benefits to vaccinating and maintaining a well-vaccinated adult population. Broad policy changes are required to identify and address gaps in financing, in immunization infrastructure, and patient and provider awareness and knowledge to improve the protection of our adult and aging population from vaccine-preventable diseases. There is good evidence that efforts are now underway both within the United States and across the world to advance these policy changes. There are successful interventions that have been demonstrated to improve rates in the pediatric population that must be translated into the adult patient population to meet the critical gaps that remain at the interface of the delivery of vaccinations to adults. Improvements in overall policy will only increase adult immunization coverage rates if interventions are adapted and implemented for adult patients. Often, these same interventions will be applicable to adolescent patients as well. These interventions have been reviewed by the United States Preventive Services Task Force and recommended interventions fall into three categories: (1) Enhancing Patient Access to Vaccination; (2) Improving community/patient demand; and (3) Provider- and healthcare system-directed interventions. Specific interventions that have been demonstrated successful for the adult population include interventions such as reducing patient out-of-pocket costs for vaccinations, patient or family incentive rewards, and implementation of quality measures and quality improvement interventions. Addressing the poor performance in adult immunizations requires approaches predicated on not repeating previous efforts and will require innovative thinking to integrate multiple interventions that have been successful separately, into a holistic approach to support and automate immunization assessment, recommendation, and administration. This can then lead to increased valuation of adult and adolescent immunizations within the priorities of a healthcare system, and improvements in clinic efficiency within a practice.



http://ift.tt/2vpZUZG

Sebocytes contribute to skin inflammation by promoting the differentiation of Th17 cells

Abstract

Background

The main function of sebocytes is considered to be the lipid production for moisturizing the skin. However, it became recently apparent that sebocytes release chemokines and cytokines and respond to pro-inflammatory stimuli as well as presence of bacteria.

Objectives

To analyze the functional communication between human sebocytes and T cells.

Methods

Immunofluorescence stainings for CD4 and IL-17 were performed on acne sections and healthy skin. Migration assays and T cell stimulation cultures were performed with supernatants derived from unstimulated or pre-stimulated SZ95 sebocytes. DCs were generated in presence of SZ95 supernatant and subsequently used in mixed leukocyte reactions.

Results

We could show that CD4+IL-17+ T cells accumulate around the pilosebaceous unit and are in close contact with sebocytes in acne lesions. By using SZ95 sebocyte supernatant, we demonstrate a chemotactic effect of sebocytes on neutrophils, monocytes and T cells in a CXCL-8 dependent manner. Furthermore, sebocyte supernatant induces the differentiation of CD4⁺CD45RA⁺ naïve T cells into Th17 cells via the secretion of IL-6, TGF-β and, most importantly, IL-1β. No direct effects of sebocytes on the function of CD4⁺CD45RO⁺ memory T cells were detected. Moreover, sebocytes functionally interact with Propionibacterium acnes in the maturation of dendritic cells leading to antigen presenting cells that preferentially prime Th17 cells.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence that human sebocytes actively participate in inflammatory processes in the skin by recruiting and communicating with immune cells. This interaction leads to the generation of Th17 cells that might contribute not only to the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, but to several inflammatory skin diseases.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2vVuYC0

Enhanced fluorescence detection of proteins using ZnO nanowires integrated inside microfluidic chips

Publication date: 15 January 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 99
Author(s): Lingxia Guo, Yuchen Shi, Xiangfei Liu, Zhitao Han, Zhenjie Zhao, Yong Chen, Wenhui Xie, Xin Li
Nanostructure-enhanced detection is promising for a number of applications such as early cancer diagnosis, environmental monitoring and mine safety, among which nanostructures integrated microfluidic chips offers unique advantage of ultra-low quantitative analyses. Here, dense ZnO nanowires of varied diameter and length were obtained by changing the content of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and growth time via simple hydrothermal growth in microfluidic channels for protein detection. We showed that this approach was superiorly efficient compared to the conventional hydrothermal method due to the flow-induced replenishment of nutrient and the effect of shear stress. When immobilizing FITC conjugated anti-bovine immunoglobulin G (IgG) on ZnO nanowires, the fluorescence emission was significantly amplified compared to glass substrate and ZnO seed layer. Under the different growth conditions, the most remarkable fluorescence enhancement was observed on the ZnO nanowire substrate grown for 3h with 5mM PEI in solution. It is ascribed not only to the increase of the binding surface area of proteins but also the intrinsic fluorescence enhancement of ZnO nanowires as waveguides. We further used the optimized ZnO nanowires to demonstrate multiple detection of cancer biomarkers, achieving a superior limit of detection (LOD) as low as 1pg/mL in human α-fetoprotein (AFP) assay and 100 fg/mL in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) assay with large dynamic range of 6–7 orders, which suggests that ZnO nanowire integrated microfluidic chips are promising for high-throughput fluorescence-based diagnostic assays.



http://ift.tt/2vV7GMk

Scholar : These new articles for Annals of the American Association of Geographers are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Annals of the American Association of Geographers and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Articles Assembling Enclosure: Reading Marine Spatial Planning for Alternatives Luke Fairbanks , Lisa M. Campbell , Noëlle Boucquey & Kevin St. Martin Pages: 1-18 | DOI: 10.1080/24694452.2017.1345611 Interested in the political-economic topics surrounding China? You wouldn't want to miss this exclusive collection. To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

Genomic and clinical evidence uncovers the enterohepatic species Helicobacter valdiviensis as a potential human intestinal pathogen

Abstract

Background

Helicobacter valdiviensis is a recently described enterohepatic species isolated from wild bird's fecal samples. Currently, its pathogenic potential and clinical significance are unknown mainly due to the lack of whole-genome sequences to compare with other helicobacters and the absence of specific screenings to determine its prevalence in humans.

Materials and Methods

The species type strain (WBE14^T) was whole-genome-sequenced, and comparative analyses were carried out including the genomes from other Helicobacter species to determine the exact phylogenetic position of H. valdiviensis and to study the presence and evolution of virulence determinants. In parallel, stools from diarrheic patients and healthy individuals were screened by PCR to assess the clinical incidence of H. valdiviensis.

Results

Helicobacter valdiviensis belongs to a monophyletic clade conformed by H. canadensis, H. pullorum, H. winghamensis, H. rodentium, and H. apodemus. Its predicted genome size is 2 176 246 bp., with 30% of G+C content and 2064 annotated protein-coding genes. The patterns of virulence factors in H. valdiviensis were similar to other enterohepatic species, but evidence of horizontal gene transfer from Campylobacter species was detected for key genes like those coding for the CDT subunits. Positive PCR results confirmed the presence of H. valdiviensis in 2 of 254 (0.78%) stools of patients with acute diarrhea while not a single sample was positive in healthy individuals.

Conclusions

Horizontal gene transfer has contributed to shape the gene repertory of H. valdiviensis, which codes for virulence factors conserved in other pathogens that are well-known human pathogens. Additionally, the detection of H. valdiviensisDNA in diarrheic patients supports its role as a potential emergent intestinal pathogen. Further, sampling efforts are needed to uncover the clinical relevance of this species, which should be accomplished by the isolation of H. valdiviensis from ill humans and the obtention of whole genomes from clinical isolates.

http://ift.tt/2vVqJGh

Upfront immunohistochemistry improves specificity of Helicobacter pylori diagnosis. A French pathology laboratory point of view

Abstract

Background

There is no consensus about the histopathologic methods to detect Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies to date. We aimed to question about the value of upfront anti-H. pylori immunohistochemistry in this field.

Material and Methods

We led a retrospective study about the rate of H. pylori-positive gastric biopsies before and after the implementation of upfront immunohistochemistry, the inter-rater and intermethods agreements in H. pylori identification about Hematoxylin-Eosin Saffron (HES), Giemsa, and immunohistochemistry stains and the histopathologic features associated with low amounts of H. pylori.

Results

First, the rate of H. pylori-positive gastric biopsies significantly diminished after the implementation of upfront immunohistochemistry (from 21.15% to 12.56%, P<.0001), suggesting potential overdiagnosis of H. pylori infection before the use of immunohistochemistry. Secondly, immunohistochemistry was the most reproducible and performing stain (kappa values >0.80), but HES and Giemsa stains also presented good-to-very good agreements. Finally, less than 1% of gastric biopsies with inconspicuous H. pylori infection showed no mucosal injury pointing out that any HES-detected mucosal injury could help to preselect the gastric biopsies requiring ancillary stains for the detection of H. pylori.

Conclusions

Albeit being considered as a gold standard in the detection of H. pylori, the interest of using immunohistochemistry as an upfront stain on gastric biopsies is still debated. In our opinion, its use in second line in case of ambiguous HE/HES-Giemsa result is more appropriate. Further effort is needed to optimize the inexpensive but feasible HE/HES-based detection of H. pylori.

http://ift.tt/2wOUuoV

Sex disparities in cancer incidence in Jiashan County, China, 1995–2014

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 50, Part A
Author(s): Xiyi Jiang, Shaofang Cai, Yunqing Hu, Ding Ye, Qilong Li, Kun Chen, Mingjuan Jin
PurposeTo describe the sex-specific incidence rates and the male-to-female incidence-rate ratios (IRRs) of different cancer types, and to explore the corresponding sex disparities in an area of Eastern China.MethodsWe used data from the Cancer Registry in Jiashan County, and calculated the sex-specific age-standardized (2010 China standard population) incidence rates and the male-to-female IRRs for different cancer types during the period 1995–2014.ResultsThe age-standardized incidence rates of all cancers for the whole period 1995–2014 were 151.48 per 100,000 person-years for males and 83.75 per 100,000 person-years for females, and the corresponding male-to-female IRR was 1.81 (95% confidence interval: 1.77–1.85). Specifically, males presented higher incidences in most types of cancer with the exceptions of cancers of connective and other soft tissues, gallbladder (including extrahepatic bile ducts), and thyroid gland. In addition, the age-specific incidences of the ten most common cancers in males were higher than those in females in most age groups.ConclusionsOur results reveal a male predominance in incidence for a majority of cancers in Jiashan County, Eastern China. Possible explanations for these sex disparities in cancer incidence may include lifestyle factors, particularly smoking.



http://ift.tt/2wAyzlY

Corrigendum

http://ift.tt/2fyjCwP

Scholar : These new articles for The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Original Articles A novel non-opioid protocol for medically supervised opioid withdrawal and transition to antagonist treatment Gregory Rudolf MD, Jim Walsh MD, Abigail Plawman MD, Paul Gianutsos MD, MPH, William Alto MD, Lloyd Mancl PhD & Vania Rudolf MD, MPH Pages: 1-8 | DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2017.1334209 FREE ACCESS: Health Care for Women International: Research on Women's Health in Africa: Issues, Challenges & Opportunities To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

Cortical Auditory-Evoked Responses in Preterm Neonates: Revisited by Spectral and Temporal Analyses

Abstract

Characteristic preterm EEG patterns of "Delta-brushes" (DBs) have been reported in the temporal cortex following auditory stimuli, but their spatio-temporal dynamics remains elusive. Using 32-electrode EEG recordings and co-registration of electrodes' position to 3D-MRI of age-matched neonates, we explored the cortical auditory-evoked responses (AERs) after 'click' stimuli in 30 healthy neonates aged 30–38 post-menstrual weeks (PMW). (1) We visually identified auditory-evoked DBs within AERs in all the babies between 30 and 33 PMW and a decreasing response rate afterwards. (2) The AERs showed an increase in EEG power from delta to gamma frequency bands over the middle and posterior temporal regions with higher values in quiet sleep and on the right. (3) Time–frequency and averaging analyses showed that the delta component of DBs, which negatively peaked around 550 and 750 ms over the middle and posterior temporal regions, respectively, was superimposed with fast (alpha–gamma) oscillations and corresponded to the late part of the cortical auditory-evoked potential (CAEP), a feature missed when using classical CAEP processing. As evoked DBs rate and AERs delta to alpha frequency power decreased until full term, auditory-evoked DBs are thus associated with the prenatal development of auditory processing and may suggest an early emerging hemispheric specialization.

http://ift.tt/2uN5yRN

Rewards and Cognitive Control in the Human Prefrontal Cortex

Abstract

The human prefrontal cortex (PFC) subserves cognitive control, that is, the ability to form behavioral strategies that coordinate actions and thoughts in relation to internal goals. Cognitive control involves the medial and lateral PFC but we still poorly understand how these regions guide strategy selection according to expected rewards. We addressed this issue using neuroimaging, computational modeling and model-based analyses of information flows between medial and lateral PFC. We show here that the (dorsal) medial PFC encodes and conveys to lateral PFC reward expectations driving strategy selection, while strategy selection originates in lateral PFC and propagates backward to medial PFC. This functional loop through lateral PFC enables strategy selection to further comply with learned rules encoded in lateral PFC rather than with reward expectations conveyed from medial PFC. Thus, the medial and lateral PFC are functionally coupled in cognitive control for integrating expected rewards and learned rules in strategy selection.

http://ift.tt/2uuy7sa