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34301184

A prospective observational study of community acquired pneumonia in Kenya: the role of viral pathogens.

BACKGROUND Lower respiratory tract infections continue to contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality across all age groups globally. In sub-Saharan Africa, many studies of community acquired pneumonia in adults have focused on HIV-infected patients and little attention has been given to risk factors and etiologic agents in an urban area with a more moderate HIV prevalence. METHODS We prospectively enrolled 77 patients admitted to a 280 bed teaching hospital in Kenya with radiographically confirmed community acquired pneumonia from May 2019 to March 2020. The patients were followed for etiology and clinical outcomes. Viral PCR testing was performed using the FTD respiratory pathogen-21 multiplex kit on nasopharyngeal or lower respiratory samples. Additional microbiologic workup was performed as determined by the treating physicians. RESULTS A potential etiologic agent(s) was identified in 57% including 43% viral, 5% combined viral and bacterial, 5% bacterial and 4% Pneumocystis. The most common etiologic agent was Influenza A which was associated with severe clinical disease. The most common underlying conditions were cardiovascular disease, diabetes and lung disease, while HIV infection was identified in only 13% of patients. Critical care admission was required for 24, and 31% had acute kidney injury, sometimes in combination with acute respiratory distress or sepsis. CONCLUSION Viruses, especially influenza, were commonly found in patients with CAP. In contrast to other studies from sub-Saharan Africa, the underlying conditions were similar to those reported in high resource areas and point to the growing concern of the double burden of infectious and noncommunicable diseases.

['Nambafu|Jamila|J|', 'Achakolong|Mary|M|', 'Mwendwa|Fridah|F|', 'Bwika|Jumaa|J|', 'Riunga|Felix|F|', 'Gitau|Samuel|S|', 'Patel|Hanika|H|', 'Adam|Rodney D|RD|']

2021

28847266

Independent Relationship between Serum Osteocalcin and Uric Acid in a Cohort of Apparently Healthy Obese Subjects.

BACKGROUND It is generally accepted that serum osteocalcin (OC) is a reliable marker of bone formation, while the role of serum uric acid (UA) in bone metabolism is still debated. However, recent studies have shown that endogenous UA within the normal range may exert a positive effect in bone formation by means of its antioxidant role in both sexes. To date, no studies have been carried out in obese subjects aiming to study the relationship between serum OC and UA, given that obesity is considered as a risk factor for osteoporosis and fracture and, at the same time, for cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVES Our search purpose was to verify the relationship between endogenous levels of OC and serum UA in a cohort of obese subjects without any metabolic or chronic diseases (i.e. hypertension, renal failure, diabetes mellitus, etc.). MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and twenty one obese subjects (93 women and 28 men) were enrolled for this study. Serum OC and UA were assessed and compared with demographic characteristics, clinical and biochemical parameters (age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, waist circumference, serum lipids and glycaemia). RESULTS Serum OC was directly and independently correlated with circulating UA in our population of obese subjects, while neither BMI, age, serum lipids, fasting glycaemia nor gender showed a statistically significant correlation with endogenous plasma levels of OC. CONCLUSION The positive effect determined by serum OC in bone metabolism of our obese subjects might be partly due to the antioxidant properties that normal plasma UA levels exert at bone tissue level.

['De Pergola|Giovanni|G|', 'Giagulli|Vito A|VA|', 'Bartolomeo|Nicola|N|', 'Gaeta|Federica|F|', 'Petruzzella|Antonella|A|', 'Guastamacchia|Edoardo|E|', 'Triggiani|Vincenzo|V|', 'Silvestris|Franco|F|']

2017

24962426

Perceptions of melanoma risk among Australian adolescents: barriers to sun protection and recommendations for improvement.

OBJECTIVES To explore adolescents' perceptions of melanoma risk, sun protection intervention preferences and perceived barriers to sun protection recommendations. METHODS Semi-structured focus groups were held in school classes, stratified by location (coastal, inland) and sector (public, private); discussions were transcribed verbatim and data were analysed using NVivo8 software. RESULTS 100 students (mean age=14.4 years, SD=0.5; range=14-16 years) from six high schools participated. Students demonstrated a high level of sun protection knowledge and understanding of sun exposure as a primary risk factor for the development of melanoma. There was, however, an under-estimation of melanoma prevalence and mortality rates among youth, and poor understanding of the increased risk associated with sunburn during childhood/adolescence. Adolescents' preferences for intervention focused on first-person accounts of receiving a melanoma diagnosis, communicated by young melanoma survivors. Interventions modelled on youth marketing campaigns or utilising social media were rated poorly. CONCLUSIONS Despite young Australians' adequate knowledge of melanoma and related health recommendations, poor adherence continues to place young people at risk. Study findings suggest that social media interventions developed to influence behaviour change, are not necessarily preferred by adolescents.

['McLoone|Jordana K|JK|', 'Meiser|Bettina|B|', 'Karatas|Janan|J|', 'Sousa|Mariana S|MS|', 'Zilliacus|Elvira|E|', 'Kasparian|Nadine A|NA|']

2014

25092938

Automated conversation system before pediatric primary care visits: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Interactive voice response systems integrated with electronic health records have the potential to improve primary care by engaging parents outside clinical settings via spoken language. The objective of this study was to determine whether use of an interactive voice response system, the Personal Health Partner (PHP), before routine health care maintenance visits could improve the quality of primary care visits and be well accepted by parents and clinicians. METHODS English-speaking parents of children aged 4 months to 11 years called PHP before routine visits and were randomly assigned to groups by the system at the time of the call. Parents' spoken responses were used to provide tailored counseling and support goal setting for the upcoming visit. Data were transferred to the electronic health records for review during visits. The study occurred in an urban hospital-based pediatric primary care center. Participants were called after the visit to assess (1) comprehensiveness of screening and counseling, (2) assessment of medications and their management, and (3) parent and clinician satisfaction. RESULTS PHP was able to identify and counsel in multiple areas. A total of 9.7% of parents responded to the mailed invitation. Intervention parents were more likely to report discussing important issues such as depression (42.6% vs 25.4%; P < .01) and prescription medication use (85.7% vs 72.6%; P = .04) and to report being better prepared for visits. One hundred percent of clinicians reported that PHP improved the quality of their care. CONCLUSIONS Systems like PHP have the potential to improve clinical screening, counseling, and medication management.

['Adams|William G|WG|', 'Phillips|Barrett D|BD|', 'Bacic|Janine D|JD|', 'Walsh|Kathleen E|KE|', 'Shanahan|Christopher W|CW|', 'Paasche-Orlow|Michael K|MK|']

2014

25043314

Uptake and elimination kinetics of metals in soil invertebrates: a review.

Uptake and elimination kinetics of metals in soil invertebrates are a function of both soil and organism properties. This study critically reviewed metal toxicokinetics in soil invertebrates and its potential use for assessing bioavailability. Uptake and elimination rate constants of different metals are summarized. Invertebrates have different strategies for essential and non-essential metals. As a consequence, different types of models must be applied to describe metal uptake and elimination kinetics. We discuss model parameters for each metal separately and show how they are influenced by exposure concentrations and by physiological properties of the organisms. Soil pH, cation exchange capacity, clay and organic matter content significantly affect uptake rates of non-essential metals in soil invertebrates. For essential metals, kinetics is hardly influenced by soil properties, but rather prone to physiological regulation mechanisms of the organisms. Our analysis illustrates that toxicokinetics can be a valuable measurement to assess bioavailability of soil-bound metals.

['Ardestani|Masoud M|MM|', 'van Straalen|Nico M|NM|', 'van Gestel|Cornelis A M|CAM|']

2014

33208303

Development in PaCO2 over 12 months in patients with COPD with persistent hypercapnic respiratory failure treated with high-flow nasal cannula-post-hoc analysis from a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION Persistent hypercapnic failure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with poor prognosis. Long-term home non-invasive ventilation is recommended for patients with PaCO2 >7.0 kPa. Domiciliary high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) reduces PaCO2 in short-term studies. This post-hoc analysis examines the effect of HFNC on PaCO2 levels, exacerbations and admissions in patients with COPD with persistent hypercapnic and hypoxic failures. METHODS The original trial included 74 long-term oxygen-treated patients (31 HFNC treated/43 controls) with persistent hypercapnic failure (PaCO2 >6 kPa) who completed the 12-month study period. Baseline data included age, sex, blood gases, exacerbations and hospital admissions in the previous year. Data on blood gases were also recorded at 6 and 12 months for all patients. In addition, acute changes in blood gases after 30 min of HFNC use at site visits were examined, as were exacerbations and hospital admissions during study. RESULTS Patients were comparable at baseline. After 12 months there was a 1.3% decrease in PaCO2 in patients using HFNC and a 7% increase in controls before HFNC use on site (p=0.003). After 30 min of HFNC at visits PaCO2 changed significantly, with comparable reductions, at 0, 6 and 12 months, including for controls who tried HFNC at study end (p<0.001). The exacerbation rate increased, compared with 12 months prestudy, by 2.2/year for controls (p<0.001) and 0.15/year for HFNC-treated patients (p=0.661). Hospital admission rates increased in the control group,+0.3/year from prestudy (p=0.180), And decreased by 0.67/year (p=0.013)for HFNC-treated patients. CONCLUSION This post-hoc analysis indicates that HFNC stabilises patients with COPD with persistent hypoxic and hypercapnic failures, in terms of PaCO2, exacerbations and number of hospitalisations, whereas those not receiving HFNC worsened. This suggests that HFNC is a possible treatment for patients with persistent hypercapnic COPD.

['Storgaard|Line Hust|LH|', 'Hockey|Hans-Ulrich|HU|', 'Weinreich|Ulla Møller|UM|0000-0003-1975-3654']

2020

26135547

Effect of highly purified capsaicin on articular cartilage and rotator cuff tendon healing: An in vivo rabbit study.

Highly purified capsaicin has emerged as a promising injectable compound capable of providing sustained pain relief following a single localized treatment during orthopedic surgical procedures. To further assess its reliability for clinical use, the potential effect of highly purified capsaicin on articular cartilage metabolism as well as tendon structure and function warrants clarification. In the current study, rabbits received unilateral supraspinatus transection and repair with a single 1 ml injection of capsaicin (R+C), PEG-only placebo (R+P), or saline (R+S) into the glenohumeral joint (GHJ). An additional group received 1 ml capsaicin onto an intact rotator cuff (I+C). At 18 weeks post-op, cartilage proteoglycan (PG) synthesis and content as well as cell viability were similar (p>0.05) across treatment groups. Biomechanical testing revealed no differences (p>0.05) among tendon repair treatment groups. Similarly, histologic features of both cartilage and repaired tendons showed minimal differences across groups. Hence, in this rabbit model, a single injection of highly purified capsaicin into the GHJ does not induce a deleterious response with regard to cartilage matrix metabolism and cell viability, or rotator cuff healing. These data provide further evidence supporting the use of injectable, highly purified capsaicin as a safe alternative for management of postoperative pain following GHJ surgery.

['Friel|Nicole A|NA|', 'McNickle|Allison G|AG|', 'DeFranco|Michael J|MJ|', 'Wang|FanChia|F|', 'Shewman|Elizabeth F|EF|', 'Verma|Nikhil N|NN|', 'Cole|Brian J|BJ|', 'Bach|Bernard R|BR|', 'Chubinskaya|Susan|S|', 'Kramer|Susan M|SM|', 'Wang|Vincent M|VM|']

2015

33926128

Diazocarbonyl and Related Compounds in the Synthesis of Azoles.

Diazocarbonyl compounds have found numerous applications in many areas of chemistry. Among the most developed fields of diazo chemistry is the preparation of azoles from diazo compounds. This approach represents a useful alternative to more conventional methods of the synthesis of azoles. A comprehensive review on the preparation of various azoles (oxazoles, thiazoles, imidazoles, pyrazoles, triazoles, and tetrazoles) from diazocarbonyl and related compounds is presented for the first time along with discussion of advantages and disadvantages of «diazo» approaches to azoles.

['Budeev|Anton|A|', 'Kantin|Grigory|G|', "Dar'in|Dmitry|D|0000-0002-0413-7413", 'Krasavin|Mikhail|M|0000-0002-0200-4772']

2021

23766504

Effect of airway control by glottal structures on postural stability.

Maintenance of upright posture involves complex neuromotor processes that include control of thoracic and abdominal pressures. Control of airflow by glottal structures is a primary determinant of thoracic pressure and may have a role in control of postural stability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of modulation of airway control on upright postural stability during postural perturbations. Standing balance was gently perturbed in the sagittal plane during 7 breathing/voicing tasks that ranged from completely closed (breath-hold), to partially opened (voicing) or completely open (sigh) glottal conditions in 11 healthy adults. Dependent measures were peak amplitude of displacement of the thorax and center of pressure (CoP). When the glottis was completely open during sigh, thoracic displacement in response to the perturbation was greater than in all other conditions, regardless of direction of perturbation (post hoc, all P < 0.002). The absolute amplitude of CoP displacement was greater with backward perturbation (main effect, Direction P = 0.001) and was greater at both extremes of glottal modulation (glottis closed and completely open) than when the glottis was partially opened during counting out loud (post hoc, all P < 0.04). These results show that airway modulation affects postural control during upright perturbations. The thorax was more stable when the glottis was engaged than when it was required to remain open, whereas control of CoP displacement appeared more optimal during the natural dynamic mid-range airway modulation of voicing. These data suggest that glottal control influences balance, and that glottal control strategies may be an important consideration for patients with breathing and/or balance disorders.

['Massery|M|M|', 'Hagins|M|M|', 'Stafford|R|R|', 'Moerchen|V|V|', 'Hodges|P W|PW|']

2013

24303485

Zinc: Role in the management of diarrhea and cholera.

Diarrhea and cholera are major health problems. Vibrio cholera, the causative agent of cholera, infects the small intestine, resulting in vomiting, massive watery diarrhea and dehydration. Reduced water and electrolyte absorption is also due to zinc deficiency. Zinc has an important role in recovery from the disease. The combination of zinc with cholera vaccine and oral rehydration solutions has a positive impact on cholera and diarrhea. It has led to a decrease in the mortality and morbidity associated with diarrhea.

['Qadir|M Imran|MI|', 'Arshad|Arfa|A|', 'Ahmad|Bashir|B|']

2013

24197920

Factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in a Norwegian population: the HUNT Study.

Vitamin D deficiency occurs worldwide. Winter season and high Body Mass Index (BMI) are associated with low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). We estimated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a Norwegian adult population and examined factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. A cohort of 25, 616 adults (19-55 years) who participated in both the second and third Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2 (1995-1997) and HUNT 3 (2006-2008)) was established in a previous study. A 10% random sample of the cohort population was recruited for serum 25(OH)D measurements (n=2584), which was used for the current cross-sectional study. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25(OH)D level <50 nmol/L. The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 40%, but varied by season (winter: 64%; summer: 20%). Winter season (adjusted prevalence ratio (PR): 3.16, 95% CI 2.42 to 4.12) and obesity (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2) (PR: 1.74, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.10) were strongly associated with prevalent vitamin D deficiency. Current smoking also demonstrated an increased PR (1.41, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.65). Daily intake of cod liver oil (PR: 0.60, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.77), increased physical activity (PR: 0.80, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.95) and more frequent alcohol consumption (PR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.95) were associated with a reduced PR. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was high in Norwegian adults. Winter season, high BMI and current smoking were positively associated, and intake of cod liver oil, increased physical activity and more frequent alcohol consumption were inversely associated with vitamin D deficiency.

['Larose|Tricia L|TL|', 'Chen|Yue|Y|', 'Camargo|Carlos A|CA|', 'Langhammer|Arnulf|A|', 'Romundstad|Pål|P|', 'Mai|Xiao-Mei|XM|']

2014

30201162

Development and applications of solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods for quantification of microcystins in urine, plasma, and serum.

The protocols for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of six microcystins (MCs; MC-LR, MC-RR, MC-LA, MC-LF, MC-LW, and MC-YR) from mouse urine, mouse plasma, and human serum are reported. The quantification of those MCs in biofluids was achieved using HPLC-orbitrap-MS in selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode, and MCs in urine samples were also quantified by ultra-HPLC-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Under optimal conditions, the extraction recoveries of MCs from samples spiked at two different concentrations (1 μg/L and 10 μg/L) ranged from 90.4% to 104.3% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ≤ 4.7% for mouse urine, 90.4-106.9% with RSDs ≤ 6.3% for mouse plasma, and 90.0-104.8% with RSDs ≤ 5.0% for human serum. Matrix-matched internal standard calibration curves were linear with R2 ≥ 0.9950 for MC-LR, MC-RR and MC-YR, and R2 ≥ 0.9883 for MC-LA, MC-LF, and MC-LW. The limits of quantification (LOQs) in spiked urine samples were ∼0.13 μg/L for MC-LR, MC-RR, and MC-YR, and ∼0.50 μg/L for MC-LA, MC-LF, and MC-LW, while the LOQs in spiked plasma and serum were ∼0.25 μg/L for MC-LR, MC-RR, and MC-YR, and ∼1.00 μg/L for MC-LA, MC-LF, and MC-LW. The developed methods were applied in a proof-of-concept study to quantify urinary and blood concentrations of MC-LR after oral administration to mice. The urine of mice administered 50 μg of MC-LR per kg bodyweight contained on average 1.30 μg/L of MC-LR (n = 8), while mice administered 100 μg of MC-LR per kg bodyweight had average MC-LR concentration of 2.82 μg/L (n = 8). MC-LR was also quantified in the plasma of the same mice. The results showed that increased MC-LR dosage led to larger urinary and plasma MC-LR concentrations and the developed methods were effective for the quantification of MCs in mouse biofluids.

['Palagama|Dilrukshika S W|DSW|', 'Baliu-Rodriguez|David|D|', 'Lad|Apurva|A|', 'Levison|Bruce S|BS|', 'Kennedy|David J|DJ|', 'Haller|Steven T|ST|', 'Westrick|Judy|J|', 'Hensley|Kenneth|K|', 'Isailovic|Dragan|D|']

2018

32922924

Plasma medicine for neuroscience-an introduction.

Plasma is an ionized gas. It is typically formed at high temperature. As a result of both the development of low-temperature plasma sources and a better understanding of complex plasma phenomena over the last decade, "plasma medicine" has become a booming interdisciplinary research topic of growing importance that explores enormous opportunities at the interface of chemistry, plasma physics, and biomedical sciences with engineering. This review presents the latest development in plasma medicine in the area of the central nervous system and aims to introduce cutting-edge plasma medicine to clinical and translational medical researchers and practitioners.

['Yan|Xu|X|0000-0002-0072-4258', 'Ouyang|Jiting|J|', 'Zhang|Chenyang|C|', 'Shi|Zhongfang|Z|', 'Wang|Boran|B|', 'Ostrikov|Kostya Ken|KK|']

2019

32208135

Sleep Disturbance in Pediatric Intracranial Hypertension.

STUDY OBJECTIVES There is a well-established association between headache disorders and sleep disturbances in children, but it is unknown if sleep disturbance plays a role in pediatric intracranial hypertension. The objective of this study was to examine sleep issues related to pediatric intracranial hypertension. METHODS Patients with intracranial hypertension who were followed in the Pediatric Intracranial Hypertension Clinic were recruited between July 2017 and September 2018. Demographic data was collected from the electronic medical record in addition to patient and parent completed questionnaires. Information on sleep behaviors was gathered using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, and control data was obtained from patient siblings. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-tests or two-sample t-tests, as appropriate. RESULTS Sixty-two pairs of patients and matched sibling controls were compared. There was a statistically significant difference in total sleep disturbance score (control mean 44.3; patient mean 48.1; n=33 pairs, t=-2.2, p=0.035) as well as subscale scores of sleep onset delay (control mean 1.4; patient mean 1.7; n=52 pairs, t=-2.53, p=0.014), parasomnias (control mean 8.5; patient mean 9.5; n=42 pairs, t=-2.59, p=0.013), and sleep disordered breathing (control mean 3.1; patient mean 3.4; n=44 pairs, t=-2.61, p=0.013). There was no difference found in bedtime resistance, sleep duration, sleep anxiety, night wakings, and daytime sleepiness subscales. Furthermore, there was no difference in total sleep disturbance score between patient subsets including: primary versus secondary intracranial hypertension, body mass index, pubertal status, presence of headaches, or intracranial hypertension treatment. CONCLUSIONS This observational study suggests that pediatric intracranial hypertension is associated with a modest increase in sleep disturbances.

['Kornbluh|Alexandra B|AB|', 'Thompson|Katherine|K|', 'Mcmahen|Gada|G|', 'Rogers|David L|DL|', 'Jordan|Catherine O|CO|', 'Aylward|Shawn C|SC|', 'Lehwald|Lenora M|LM|']

2020

27546570

Late pacemaker lead tip perforation documented by chest CT.

Late cardiac perforation by a right ventricular (RV) pacemaker lead may be a challenge to diagnose. Echocardiography often will not adequately demonstrate lead tip migration, but chest computed tomography (CT) readily identifies the lead and tip location. A patient presented one month after dual-chamber pacemaker implantation with fever, sepsis and failure of RV pacer lead capture. Echocardiography demonstrated vegetations on the RV lead and a pericardial effusion, but the lead tip location could not be identified. CT identified the tip as having migrated through the pericardium into the anterior mediastinum. These complimentary echo and CT findings helped make a diagnosis and direct patient therapy.

['Jain|Neeraj|N|', 'Ravipati|Vijay|V|', 'Kerut|Edmund K|EK|']

2016

32802701

Practical Protocol for Making Calibration Curves for Direct and Sensitive Quantitative LC Orbitrap-MS of Large Neuropeptides.

Peptides larger than 3-4 kDa, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), orexin-B, and alpha-MSH, have practical issues that arise when conducting direct and sensitive quantitative liquid chromatography (LC) orbitrap-FT mass spectrometry (MS) due to their adsorption and low ionization efficiency, especially in standard solutions. A mixing solvent consisting of 0.5% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and 35-50% aq. acetonitrile was developed as the standard NPY for creating calibration curves, as well as a matrix to block the experimental tube surface to minimize adsorption. The mixture matrix effectively blocked non-specific adsorption of the standard peptides with tryptic digested bovine serum albumin (BSA) (small fragment peptides) and orexin-B (a large chain peptide). A sample containing 1 : 100 peptide:water was detected in the developed sample solution. Finally, 2 to 1,000 fmol/μL NPY could be analyzed quantitatively and reproducibly using conventional LC-MS. Parameters of the calibration curves, such as X-intercept, Bias (%), and relative standard deviation (RSD), were adjusted to optimize the sample solutions and the sensitive and quantitative LC-MS analyses.

['Yamagaki|Tohru|T|', 'Yamazaki|Takashi|T|']

2020

28513911

Sperm capacitation pretreatment positively impacts bovine intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

The efficiency of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in bovines is low compared to other species due in part to inadequate egg activation and sperm nucleus decondensation after injection. We hypothesized that this low efficiency is due to the lack of complete sperm capacitation, so we evaluated the effects of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) on bovine sperm capacitation and on the preimplantation developmental potential of bovine embryos generated by ICSI. Treatment with IBMX and MβCD decreased sperm viability (between 13-30%); nevertheless, 0.4 mM IBMX and 1 mM MβCD increased (p < 0.05) capacitation metrics-that is, acrosome exocytosis, intracellular calcium level, plasma membrane fluidity, and tyrosine phosphorylation-compared to the control. After ICSI, embryos injected with IBMX- and MβCD-treated sperm showed similar cleavage to the untreated group (range 82-88%). Pronucleus formation rate was higher with MβCD-pretreatment (54%) compared to the control group (25%), and blastocyst rate was significantly improved with MβCD-pretreatment (24%) compared to the IBMX (18%) and control (17%) groups. Importantly, embryo quality-as assessed by the total number of cells, cell allocation, and apoptotic cell index-was not affected by the sperm treatments. In conclusion, MβCD pretreatment of sperm improved the efficiency of blastocyst production in bovine ICSI.

['Águila|Luis|L|', 'Zambrano|Fabiola|F|', 'Arias|Maria E|ME|', 'Felmer|Ricardo|R|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2140-0797']

2017

25922284

Hormone Receptor Status and HER2 Expression in Primary Breast Cancer Compared With Synchronous Axillary Metastases or Recurrent Metastatic Disease.

Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2/neu are the most important tissue markers in the management of breast cancer, in the adjuvant setting and in the setting of metastatic disease. Many studies have demonstrated a discordance of expression between primary breast cancer, synchronous axillary metastases, and metastatic sites. The aim of this article is to review studies on discordance of expression of these predictive parameters to better understand the importance of a reassessment of biomolecular status to modify treatment strategies. We performed a literature review to identify studies that assessed ER, PR, and HER2 discordance between primary breast cancer, synchronous axillary lymph node metastasis, and other metastatic sites. We reviewed these data related to (1) relevance of discordance rates in clinical practice and (2) therapeutic consequences of discordance rate. Results were analyzed qualitatively. Changes in ER and particularly in PR are observed in locoregional and in distant metastases reaching a rate of 10% to 30% for ER and 20% to 50% for PR. The loss of PR is more frequent than ER loss. High HER2 concordance between primary tumors and axillary lymph node or distant metastases has been demonstrated in many studies; in the discordant cases, it is more frequent to have HER2-positive metastases with negative primary tumors than the opposite. A reassessment of biomolecular status in residual tumors after neoadjuvant treatment or in metastatic sites is advisable, whenever it is possible, to correct/modify the treatment schedule and to estimate the actual prognosis.

['Rossi|Sabrina|S|', 'Basso|Michele|M|', 'Strippoli|Antonia|A|', 'Dadduzio|Vincenzo|V|', 'Cerchiaro|Eleonora|E|', 'Barile|Rosalba|R|', "D'Argento|Ettore|E|", 'Cassano|Alessandra|A|', 'Schinzari|Giovanni|G|', 'Barone|Carlo|C|']

2015

28261976

Prevalence of co-morbidities and evaluation of their monitoring in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: comparison with the results of an international, cross-sectional study (COMORA).

AIM We designed this study to evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities, their monitoring states and association with treatment medication in Korean rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared with patients from other countries. METHODS We analyzed 1050 RA patients from 11 Korean centers and compared them with 3520 patients from 16 other countries using an international, cross-sectional study evaluating comorbidities of RA (COMORA) database. RESULTS Annual evaluations of cardiovascular (CV) risk were less frequently performed in Korea (P = 0.0011). The prevalence of CV-associated morbidity was similar between Korean and international RA patients, although the proportions of current smokers, patients with a family history of CV disease, patients with hyperlipidemia, and patients with Framingham score > 20% were significantly lower in Korea (P < 0.0001 for all), and the antiplatelet agents were more optimally used in Korea (P = 0.0004). Prostate cancer screening was less frequently performed compared to other countries (P < 0.0001). Less than 10% of Korean RA patients were given influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations according to current recommendations. CONCLUSIONS There are differences in the prevalence of comorbidities and monitoring states of the risk factors between patients in Korea and in other countries. The prevalence of CV morbidity was similar between the two groups although the prevalence of CV risk factors was significantly low in Korea, suggesting that rheumatologists in Korea need to pay more attention to yearly CV risk monitoring, in addition to the screening of malignancy and vaccination of RA patients against infectious diseases.

['Choi|In Ah|IA|', 'Park|Sung Hwan|SH|', 'Cha|Hoon-Suk|HS|', 'Park|Won|W|', 'Kim|Hyun Ah|HA|', 'Yoo|Dae-Hyun|DH|', 'Baek|Han Joo|HJ|', 'Lee|Seong Geun|SG|', 'Lee|Yun Jong|YJ|', 'Park|Yong Bum|YB|', 'Shim|Seung-Cheol|SC|', 'Hmamouchi|Ihsane|I|', 'Song|Yeong Wook|YW|']

2018

31410738

Electrical impedance tomography during spontaneous breathing trials and after extubation in critically ill patients at high risk for extubation failure: a multicenter observational study.

BACKGROUND This study aims to assess the changes in lung aeration and ventilation during the first spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) and after extubation in a population of patients at risk of extubation failure. METHODS We included 78 invasively ventilated patients eligible for their first SBT, conducted with low positive end-expiratory pressure (2 cm H2O) for 30 min. We acquired three 5-min electrical impedance tomography (EIT) records at baseline, soon after the beginning (SBT_0) and at the end (SBT_30) of SBT. In the case of SBT failure, ventilation was reinstituted; otherwise, the patient was extubated and two additional records were acquired soon after extubation (SB_0) and 30 min later (SB_30) during spontaneous breathing. Extubation failure was defined by the onset of post-extubation respiratory failure within 48 h after extubation. We computed the changes from baseline of end-expiratory lung impedance (∆EELI), tidal volume (∆Vt%), and the inhomogeneity index. Arterial blood was sampled for gas analysis. Data were compared between sub-groups stratified for SBT and extubation success/failure. RESULTS Compared to SBT success (n = 61), SBT failure (n = 17) showed a greater reduction in ∆EELI at SBT_0 (p < 0.001) and SBT_30 (p = 0.001) and a higher inhomogeneity index at baseline (p = 0.002), SBT_0 (p = 0.003) and SBT_30 (p = 0.005). RR/Vt was not different between groups at baseline but was significantly greater at SBT_0 and SBT_30 in SBT failures, compared to SBT successes (p < 0.001 for both). No differences in ∆Vt% and arterial blood gases were observed between SBT success and failure. The ∆Vt%, ∆EELI, inhomogeneity index and arterial blood gases were not different between patients with extubation success (n = 39) and failure (n = 22) (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS Compared to SBT success, SBT failure was characterized by more lung de-recruitment and inhomogeneity. Whether EIT may be useful to monitor SBT remains to be determined. No significant changes in lung ventilation, aeration or homogeneity related to extubation outcome occurred up to 30 min after extubation. Trial registration Retrospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03894332; release date 27th March 2019).

['Longhini|Federico|F|', 'Maugeri|Jessica|J|', 'Andreoni|Cristina|C|', 'Ronco|Chiara|C|', 'Bruni|Andrea|A|', 'Garofalo|Eugenio|E|', 'Pelaia|Corrado|C|', 'Cavicchi|Camilla|C|', 'Pintaudi|Sergio|S|', 'Navalesi|Paolo|P|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3733-3453']

2019

30288256

Factors associated with bacteraemia due to multidrug-resistant organisms among bacteraemic patients with multidrug-resistant organism carriage: a case control study.

Background Infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are emerging worldwide. Physicians are increasingly faced with the question of whether patients need empiric antibiotic treatment covering these pathogens. This question is especially essential among MDRO carriers. We aim to determine the occurrence of MDRO bacteraemia among bacteraemic patients colonized with MDRO, and the associated factors with MDRO bacteraemia among this population. Methods We performed a retrospective monocentric study among MDRO carriers hospitalized with bacteraemia between January 2013 and August 2016 in a French hospital. We compared characteristics of patients with MDRO and non-MDRO bacteraemia. Results Overall, 368 episodes of bacteraemia were reviewed; 98/368 (26.6%) occurred among MDRO carriers.Main colonizing bacteria were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (40/98; 40.8%), ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (35/98; 35.7%); methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (26/98; 26.5%) and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) (12/98; 12.2%).There was no significant difference considering population with MDRO bacteraemia vs. non-MDRO bacteraemia, except for immunosuppression [OR 2.86; p = 0.0207], severity of the episode [OR 3.13; p = 0.0232], carriage of PA [OR 5.24; p = 0.0395], and hospital-acquired infection [OR 2.49; p = 0.034].In the multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with MDRO bacteraemia among colonized patient were only immunosuppression [OR = 2.96; p = 0.0354] and the hospital-acquired origin of bacteraemia [OR = 2.62; p = 0.0427]. Conclusions According to our study, occurrence of bacteraemia due to MDRO among MDRO carriers was high. Factors associated with MDRO bacteraemia were severity of the episode and hospital-acquired origin of the bacteraemia. Thus, during bacteraemia among patients colonized with MDRO, if such characteristics are present, broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment is recommended.

['Mascitti|Hélène|H|', 'Duran|Clara|C|', 'Nemo|Elisabeth-Marie|EM|', 'Bouchand|Frédérique|F|', 'Câlin|Ruxandra|R|', 'Descatha|Alexis|A|', 'Gaillard|Jean-Louis|JL|', 'Lawrence|Christine|C|', 'Davido|Benjamin|B|', 'Barbier|François|F|', 'Dinh|Aurélien|A|0000-0002-5843-4819']

2018

31477446

Excimer Laser in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Device Uncrossable Chronic Total and Functional Occlusions.

Device uncrossable lesions are a challenge in interventional cardiology and despite improvements in balloon and microcatheter profile, rotational atherectomy is necessary in some circumstances in order to ablate and traverse the lesion. Nevertheless, the application of rotational atherectomy requires utilization of a specific wire, Rotawire, which is not always so easily navigable. Debulking of device uncrossable lesions can be performed by coronary laser over any kind of angioplasty guidewire. We present a series of six patients with chronic total (100%) and functional occlusions (99% stenosis) in whom after successful wire crossing, microcatheter failed to traverse the lesion. After coronary laser performance, 5 out of 6 lesions were successfully dilated, achieving a successful final angiographic result of 83.3%.

['Mohandes|Mohsen|M|', 'Rojas|Sergio|S|', 'Moreno|Cristina|C|', 'Fernández|Francisco|F|', 'Fuertes|Mónica|M|', 'Guarinos|Jordi|J|']

2020

27790315

Validation of the ECOS-16 Questionnaire in Koreans with Osteoporosis.

STUDY DESIGN Prospective study. PURPOSE To evaluate the reliability and validity of the adapted Korean version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (ECOS-16). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE The validity of the Korean version of ECOS-16 has not been completely demonstrated. METHODS Translation/retranslation of the English version of ECOS-16, and full cross-cultural adaptation were performed. The Korean version of a visual analog scale measure of pain, and the Korean versions of ECOS-16 and of the previously validated short form-36 (SF-36) were mailed to 158 consecutive patients with osteoporosis. Factor analysis and reliability assessment using kappa statistics of agreement for each item, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Cronbach's α were done. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing responses to ECOS-16 with responses to SF-36 using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS Factor analysis extracted three factors. All items had a kappa statistics of agreement >0.6. The ECOS-16 showed good test/re-test reliability (0.8469) and internal consistency of Cronbach's α (0.897). The Korean version of ECOS-16 showed significant correlation with SF-36 total scores and with single SF-36 domains scores. CONCLUSIONS The adapted Korean version of the ECOS-16 was successfully translated and showed acceptable measurement properties. It is considered suitable for outcome assessments in Korean patients with osteoporosis.

['Lee|Jung Sub|JS|', 'Son|Seung Min|SM|', 'Goh|Tae Sik|TS|', 'Kim|Taek Hoon|TH|', 'Noh|Eun Yeong|EY|']

2016

26955311

Comparison of efficacy among various topical anesthetics: An approach towards painless injections in periodontal surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Local anesthetics (LAs) are most commonly used agents in dentistry. They are used to prevent the pain and nociception generated during dental procedures. Since pain associated at the time of injection of LA is uncomfortable, most of the dentists are on pursuit of painless administration of LA injection and use of topical anesthetics prior to the injection has proven effective in reducing anxiety and pain to the patient. The aim of this study is to compare pain responses after application of three types of topical anesthetics with control in the patients referred for periodontal full mouth flap surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 83 patients (42 males and 41 females) participated in the study with age group ranging from 30 to 50 years. The present study is to evaluate the efficacy of three topical anesthetics (Precaine gel, Benzocaine topical paste and Lignocaine spray) before infiltration in altering visual analog scale (VAS) scores of pain during LA injection. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 15.0 software. Repeated analysis of variance was performed to know the effect of each variable and reveal statistical significance. RESULTS Results revealed that Precaine gel had least VAS score compared with other topical anesthetics. CONCLUSION From the present study, it can be concluded that procaine gel is a better than other topical LA agents, as the number of studies on this subject is rare and clinical results are mixed, further studies are required with a larger sample before its routine application in our field.

['Koppolu|P|P|', 'Mishra|A|A|', 'Swapna|L A|LA|', 'Butchibabu|K|K|', 'Bagalkokar|A|A|', 'Baroudi|Kusai|K|']

2016

32722035

Thermoresponsive Nanogels of Modified Poly((di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-co-(2-aminoethyl methacrylate))s.

A series of copolymers of di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (D) and 2-aminoethyl methacrylate (A) (P(D-co-A)) with variable ratios of comonomers were synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization. Then, the amino groups of obtained copolymers were modified to clickable azide or prop-2-yn-1-yl carbamate groups. A thermoresponsive copolymers were obtained with the value of cloud point temperature (TCP) dependent on the type and number of functional groups in the copolymer and on the concentration of solutions. For P(D-co-A) copolymers, the TCP increased with increasing content of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate comonomer. The presence of azide and prop-2-yn-1-yl carbamate groups caused the changes of TCP of modified copolymers. All studied copolymers in dilute aqueous solutions aggregated above TCP to nanoparticles with sizes dependent on the solution concentration, heating procedures, and types and numbers of functional groups present in a copolymer chain. The presence of hydrophilic elements in the chain and the increase in the copolymer concentration led to the enlargement of the particle sizes. Aggregates were crosslinked using click reaction between an azide and prop-2-yn-1-yl carbamate groups that led to stable thermoresponsive nanogels. A systematic study of the behavior of copolymers allowed the determination of the chains useful for possible application in drug delivery.

['Lipowska-Kur|Daria|D|', 'Otulakowski|Łukasz|Ł|', 'Trzebicka|Barbara|B|0000-0002-6131-4017', 'Utrata-Wesołek|Alicja|A|', 'Dworak|Andrzej|A|']

2020

27264017

Neoadjuvant treatment sequencing adds value to the care of patients with operable pancreatic cancer.

Treatment sequencing for resectable pancreatic cancer remains controversial and there is lack of level one evidence comparing neoadjuvant versus adjuvant strategies. However, a comparison of the cost-effectiveness analysis of the treatment strategies may help to better define the healthcare value of each approach. This review will highlight the rationale for multimodality therapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adjuvant therapy, and conceptualize the cost-effectiveness of a neoadjuvant approach with regard to healthcare value. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:291-295. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

['Asare|Elliot A|EA|', 'Evans|Douglas B|DB|', 'Erickson|Beth A|BA|', 'Aburajab|Murad|M|', 'Tolat|Parag|P|', 'Tsai|Susan|S|']

2016

32122242

Knowledge Gaps among Patients and Providers in HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE To describe the level of knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) among the general population and health care providers. DATA SOURCES Systematic search was performed on December 20, 2018, using MEDLINE (1966 to December 2018), EMBASE (1975 to December 2018), Web of Science (1900 to December 2018), and CENTRAL (1996 to December 2018) databases. English-language literature involving human subjects was used, and studies were limited to case series, case-control, cohort, and randomized controlled trial designs. REVIEW METHODS Studies were included if they assessed knowledge of HPV and HPV-associated OPSCC. The primary outcome measure was the knowledge of HPV-associated OPSCC among the general population and with health care providers. Meta-analysis of proportions was attempted using random-effects model. The PRISMA guidelines were used for accuracy of reporting. RESULTS Thirty-two studies were included with 17,288 participants. There was a high degree of heterogeneity preventing completion of a meta-analysis. Knowledge of HPV and HPV-associated OPSCC varied between the general population and health care providers. The proportion of the general population and health care providers with knowledge of HPV ranged from 16% to 75% and 21% to 84%, respectively. Knowledge of HPV-associated OPSCC was greater in health care providers and ranged from 22% to 100% compared with the general population, which ranged from 7% to 57%. CONCLUSION There is a knowledge gap of HPV-associated OPSCC for both the general population and health care providers. Additional education may not only increase awareness but may also result in prevention and earlier detection.

['Parsel|Sean M|SM|', 'Barton|Blair M|BM|', 'Beatty|Sydney|S|', 'Friedlander|Paul L|PL|']

2020

29362101

Tempranillo clones differ in the response of berry sugar and anthocyanin accumulation to elevated temperature.

The intra-varietal genetic diversity of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) may be exploited to maintain grape quality under future warm conditions, which may alter grape berry development and composition. The present study assesses the effects of elevated temperature on the development of berry, grape composition and anthocyanins:sugars ratio of thirteen clones of V. vinifera. cv. Tempranillo that differed in length of the ripening period (time from veraison to berry total soluble solids, mainly sugars, of ca. 22 °Brix). Two temperature regimes (24 °C/14 °C or 28 °C/18 °C, day/night) were imposed to grapevine fruit-bearing cuttings from fruit set to maturity under greenhouse-controlled conditions. Elevated temperature hastened berry development, with a greater influence before the onset of ripening, and reduced anthocyanin concentration, colour intensity and titratable acidity. The clones significantly differed in the number of days that elapsed between fruit set and maturity. At the same concentration of total soluble solids, the anthocyanin concentration was lower at 28 °C/18 °C than 24 °C/14 °C, indicating a decoupling effect of elevated temperature during berry ripening. Thermal decoupling was explained by changes in the relative rate of response of anthocyanin and sugar build-up, rather than delayed onset of anthocyanin accumulation. Clones differed in the degree of thermal decoupling, but it was directly associated with differences neither in the length of their ripening period nor in plant vigour.

['Arrizabalaga|Marta|M|', 'Morales|Fermín|F|', 'Oyarzun|Mónica|M|', 'Delrot|Serge|S|', 'Gomès|Eric|E|', 'Irigoyen|Juan José|JJ|', 'Hilbert|Ghislaine|G|', 'Pascual|Inmaculada|I|']

2018

21673930

Natural-synthetic hybrid polymers developed via electrospinning: the effect of PET in chitosan/starch system.

Chitosan is an amino polysaccharide found in nature, which is biodegradable, nontoxic and biocompatible. It has versatile features and can be used in a variety of applications including films, packaging, and also in medical surgery. Recently a possibility to diversify chitosan properties has emerged by combining it with synthetic materials to produce novel natural-synthetic hybrid polymers. We have studied structural and thermophysical properties of chitosan + starch + poly(ethylene terephthalate) (Ch + S + PET) fibers developed via electrospinning. Properties of these hybrids polymers are compared with extant chitosan containing hybrids synthesized by electrospinning. Molecular interactions and orientation in the fibers are analyzed by infrared and Raman spectroscopies respectively, morphology by scanning electron microscopy and thermophysical properties by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Addition of PET to Ch + S systems results in improved thermal stability at elevated temperatures.

['Espíndola-González|Adolfo|A|', 'Martínez-Hernández|Ana Laura|AL|', 'Fernández-Escobar|Francisco|F|', 'Castaño|Victor Manuel|VM|', 'Brostow|Witold|W|', 'Datashvili|Tea|T|', 'Velasco-Santos|Carlos|C|']

2011

32624401

Evaluation and Comparison of Quantitative Right Ventricular Strain Assessment by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Pulmonary Hypertension Using Feature Tracking and Deformable Registration Algorithms.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE Deformable registration algorithms (DRA) has been used to detect left ventricular myocardial changes, however, its clinical utility in right ventricular (RV) function has not been evaluated. In this study, we aim to evaluate and compare quantitative RV strain assessment by cardiac magnetic resonance in pulmonary hypertension (PH) using feature tracking (FT) and DRA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients were confirmed to have PH using right heart catheterization, and 16 healthy controls were evaluated with cardiac magnetic resonance. Global and segmental RV strain was measured by DRA and FT methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficient of variation, and Bland-Altman analysis were used to assess and compare the interobserver and intraobserver variability of the DRA and FT methods. RESULTS DRA was more sensitive than FT in the detection of RV circumferential and septal dysfunction. The global longitudinal strain (GLS) obtained by the two methods was reduced in mild-moderate PH patients (mean pulmonary artery pressure≤45 mm Hg), and the GLS and global circumferential strain (GCS) were reduced in severe PH patients (mean pulmonary artery pressure >45 mm Hg). DRA and FT methods demonstrate similar observer agreement in global strain using ICC (ICC greater than 0.90), but RV strain derived from DRA had lower variability using COV ([8%-14%] for DRA versus [11%-39%] for FT).For segmental longitudinal strain, DRA showed higher ICC and lower COV compared with that of the FT method. Correlations between RVEF and RV global strain parameters were strong (p < 0.01):GLS-DRA, r = -0.696; GLS-FT, r = -0.832; GCS-DRA, r = -0.745; and GCS-FT, r = -0.817. GLS-DRA was weakly correlated with mPAP (r = 0.385, p < 0.05).In multiple linear regression analysis, RVEF and mPAP were independent predictors of GLS-DRA (R2 = 0.57, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The DRA method is more sensitive and robust for RV myocardial strain measurements than FT method.

['Song|Jing|J|', 'Chen|Yousan|Y|', 'Cui|Yue|Y|', 'Kong|Xiangchuang|X|', 'Liu|Jia|J|', 'Cao|Yukun|Y|', 'Zhou|Xiaoyue|X|', 'Wetzl|Jens|J|', 'Shi|Heshui|H|']

2021

25844202

Crystal structure study of a cobaltoan dolomite from Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

A structural study has been undertaken on a cobaltoan dolomite, with chemical formula CaMg0.83Co0.17(CO3)2 (cal-cium magnesium cobalt dicarbonate), from Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Pale-pink euhedral cobaltoan dolomite was associated with kolwezite [(Cu1.33Co0.67)(CO3)(OH)2] and cobaltoan malachite [(Cu,Co)2(CO3)(OH)2]. A crystal with a Co:Mg ratio of 1:5.6 (SEM/EDAX measurement), twinned on (11 -2 0) was used for crystal structural refinement. The refinement of the structural model of Reeder & Wenk [Am. Mineral. (1983 ▶), 68, 769-776; Ca at site 3a with site symmetry -3; Mg site at site 3b with site symmetry -3; C at site 6c with site symmetry 3; O at site 18f with site symmetry 1] showed that Co is totally incorporated in the Mg site, with refined occupancy Mg0.83Co0.17, which compares with Mg0.85Co0.15 from chemical data. The Co substitution reflects in the expansion of the cell volume, with a pronounced increasing of the c cell parameter.

['Perchiazzi|Natale|N|']

2015

25960941

Update on the Epidemiology and Prevention of HIV/AIDS in the United States.

This update on the epidemiology and prevention of HIV in the United States is intended to provide contextual background that will help inform an understanding of recent developments in the domestic HIV epidemic. We describe the epidemiology of HIV disease in the US and the HIV continuum of care based on data collected primarily through HIV surveillance systems led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention including HIV incidence, prevalence, comorbidities and death. Populations and geographic regions disparately impacted by HIV are also highlighted. The HIV prevention armamentarium is also described including behavioral approaches to prevention, the emerging availability of biomedical prevention interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, and structural and population-level interventions including treatment as prevention. Finally gaps in our understanding of the epidemic are underscored and suggestions for future epidemiologic research are proposed.

['Castel|Amanda D|AD|', 'Magnus|Manya|M|', 'Greenberg|Alan E|AE|']

2015

25043294

Quantifying serotonin transporters by PET with [11C]-DASB before and after interferon-α treatment.

BACKGROUND Interferon-α (IFN-α) therapy is frequently associated with disabling depression, fatigue, and related neuropsychiatric effects. Although depression in major depressive disorder is associated with low serotonin transporter binding, animal models suggest that IFN-associated mood effects are linked to increased presynaptic serotonin transporter binding. This study tested the hypotheses that IFN administration to human subjects increases presynaptic serotonin binding activity, and that this effect correlates with incident depression symptoms. METHODS Positron emission tomography (PET) scans using [11C]-DASB were obtained for nine hepatitis C patients before and after IFN-α treatment for 8 weeks. Serotonin transporter binding was estimated using the likelihood estimation in graphical analysis (LEGA) model and measured as the volume of distribution (VT) divided by the free fraction of ligand (fP). Depression was measured with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Diagnosis (SCID) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). RESULTS Compared to pre-IFN treatment values, changes in serotonin transporter binding and depression symptoms were not significant. There was no correlation between changes in serotonin transporter binding and depression symptoms. LIMITATIONS The study is limited by small sample size, minimal effect on observed mood symptoms within the sample, and brief duration of follow-up. CONCLUSION These findings do not support the hypothesis of an IFN-induced change in serotonin transporter function as the cause of incident depressive symptoms in patients treated with IFN-α. Additional study of these possible relationships should be of longer duration and include more subjects with more pronounced changes in mood.

['Shapiro|Peter A|PA|', 'Sloan|Richard P|RP|', 'Deochand|Chetram|C|', 'Franceschi|Ana M|AM|', 'Delorenzo|Christine|C|', 'Mann|J John|JJ|', 'Parsey|Ramin V|RV|']

2014

30081036

The contribution of orexins to sex differences in the stress response.

Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from stress-related psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), however, the biological basis of these sex differences is not fully understood. Interestingly, orexins are known to be dysregulated in these disorders. This review first discusses the important role of orexins regulating the response to stress. Next, we review the evidence for sex differences in the orexin system, in which the majority of both preclinical and clinical studies have reported higher orexin system expression in females. Finally, we discuss the functional consequences of these sex differences in orexin expression. Most importantly, the preclinical literature reveals that higher orexin system activity in females contributes to exaggerated neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress. In sum, the available data suggests that orexins may be important in the etiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders that present differently in men and women. Thus, targeting orexins could potentially ameliorate many phenotypes of stress-related illness in a sex-specific way.

['Grafe|Laura A|LA|', 'Bhatnagar|Seema|S|']

2020

30217539

Cannabidiol prevents haloperidol-induced vacuos chewing movements and inflammatory changes in mice via PPARγ receptors.

The chronic use of drugs that reduce the dopaminergic neurotransmission can cause a hyperkinetic movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia (TD). The pathophysiology of this disorder is not entirely understood but could involve oxidative and neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychotomimetic compound present in Cannabis sativa plant, could be a possible therapeutic alternative for TD. This phytocannabinoid shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antipsychotic properties and decreases the acute motor effects of classical antipsychotics. The present study investigated if CBD would attenuate orofacial dyskinesia, oxidative stress and inflammatory changes induced by chronic administration of haloperidol in mice. Furthermore, we verified in vivo and in vitro (in primary microglial culture) whether these effects would be mediated by PPARγ receptors. The results showed that the male Swiss mice treated daily for 21 days with haloperidol develop orofacial dyskinesia. Daily CBD administration before each haloperidol injection prevented this effect. Mice treated with haloperidol showed an increase in microglial activation and inflammatory mediators in the striatum. These changes were also reduced by CBD. On the other hand, the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 increased in the striatum of animals that received CBD and haloperidol. Regarding oxidative stress, haloperidol induced lipid peroxidation and reduced catalase activity. This latter effect was attenuated by CBD. The combination of CBD and haloperidol also increased PGC-1α mRNA expression, a co-activator of PPARγ receptors. Pretreatment with the PPARγ antagonist, GW9662, blocked the behavioural effect of CBD in our TD model. CBD also prevented LPS-stimulated microglial activation, an effect that was also antagonized by GW9662. In conclusion, our results suggest that CBD could prevent haloperidol-induced orofacial dyskinesia by activating PPARγ receptors and attenuating neuroinflammatory changes in the striatum.

['Sonego|Andreza B|AB|', 'Prado|Douglas S|DS|', 'Vale|Gabriel T|GT|', 'Sepulveda-Diaz|Julia E|JE|', 'Cunha|Thiago M|TM|', 'Tirapelli|Carlos R|CR|', 'Del Bel|Elaine A|EA|', 'Raisman-Vozari|Rita|R|', 'Guimarães|Francisco S|FS|']

2018

29757971

Comparison of the Conventional and Electroenhanced Direct-Immersion Solid-Phase Microextraction for Sampling of Nicotine in Biological Fluids of the Human Body.

A stainless steel fiber was made porous and adhesive by platinization and then coated by nanostructured polypyrrole (PPy), using an appropriate electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. The morphological surface structure and functional groups of the PPy-coated fiber were studied using SEM (Scanning electron microscope) instrument. The prepared fiber was used for comparison of direct immersion (DI) and electroenhanced direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (EE-DI-SPME) of nicotine in human plasma and urine samples followed by gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID) determination. The effects of the influential experimental parameters on the efficiency of the DI-SPME and EE-DI-SPME methods, including the pH and ionic strength of the sample solution, applied Direct current (DC) voltage, extraction temperature and time and stirring rate, were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves for the DI-SPME-GC-FID and EE-DI-SPME-GC-FID methods were linear over the ranges of 0.1⁻10.0 μg mL-1 and 0.001⁻10.0 μg mL-1, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 6) were found to be 6.1% and 4.6% for the DI and EE strategies, respectively. The LODs (limit of detection) of the DI-SPME-GC-FID and EE-DI-SPME-GC-FID methods were found to be 10 and 0.3 ng mL-1, respectively. The relative recovery values (for the analysis of 1 µg mL-1 nicotine) were found to be 91⁻110% for EE-DI-SPME and 75⁻105% for DI-SPME. The enrichment factors for DI-SPME and EE-DI-SPME sampling were obtained as 38,734 and 50,597, respectively. The results indicated that EE-SPME was more efficient for quantitation of nicotine in biological fluids. The developed procedure was successfully carried out for the extraction and measurement of nicotine in real plasma and urine samples.

['Abdolhosseini|Sana|S|', 'Ghiasvand|Ali Reza|AR|0000-0002-4570-7988', 'Heidari|Nahid|N|']

2018

25452367

Stepwise surgical correction of instability in flexion after total knee replacement.

Instability in flexion after total knee replacement (TKR) typically occurs as a result of mismatched flexion and extension gaps. The goals of this study were to identify factors leading to instability in flexion, the degree of correction, determined radiologically, required at revision surgery, and the subsequent clinical outcomes. Between 2000 and 2010, 60 TKRs in 60 patients underwent revision for instability in flexion associated with well-fixed components. There were 33 women (55%) and 27 men (45%); their mean age was 65 years (43 to 82). Radiological measurements and the Knee Society score (KSS) were used to assess outcome after revision surgery. The mean follow-up was 3.6 years (2 to 9.8). Decreased condylar offset (p < 0.001), distalisation of the joint line (p < 0.001) and increased posterior tibial slope (p < 0.001) contributed to instability in flexion and required correction at revision to regain stability. The combined mean correction of posterior condylar offset and joint line resection was 9.5 mm, and a mean of 5° of posterior tibial slope was removed. At the most recent follow-up, there was a significant improvement in the mean KSS for the knee and function (both p < 0.001), no patient reported instability and no patient underwent further surgery for instability. The following step-wise approach is recommended: reduction of tibial slope, correction of malalignment, and improvement of condylar offset. Additional joint line elevation is needed if the above steps do not equalise the flexion and extension gaps.

['Abdel|M P|MP|', 'Pulido|L|L|', 'Severson|E P|EP|', 'Hanssen|A D|AD|']

2014

34828722

Prevalence and Potential Determinants of Aggregate Anthropometric Failure among Pakistani Children: Findings from a Community Health Survey.

Malnutrition among children is an important public health problem in Pakistan. Conventional indicators (stunting, wasting and underweight) are well known. However, there is a need for aggregate indicators in this perspective. The goal of this study is to assess the prevalence and trends of malnutrition among Pakistani children under the age of five using the so-called composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF), a tool for calculating the whole aggregate burden of malnutrition. The data were extracted from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2012-2013. Mothers' education and socioeconomic statuses (SES) were assessed as important factors in malnutrition. Chi-squared analysis was used to check the bivariate association, and multiple logistic regression was used to identify the significant correlates of child malnutrition. Moreover, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was applied to strengthen the use of CIAF as an outcome variable. The study looked at 3071 children under the age of five, with 52.2% of them falling into the CIAF. Children of educated mothers had 43% fewer odds of being malnourished (OR (Odd Ratio) = 0.57, 95% CI (Confidence Interval) = 0.44-0.73). Additionally, a decreasing trend in malnutrition was found with increasing SES. There is a need to improve maternal education. Such programs focusing on increasing women's autonomy in making home decisions should be established. Furthermore, long-term interventions for improving home SES and effective nutritional methods should be examined. For policymakers, the use of CIAF is suggested since it provides an estimate of the entire burden of undernutrition.

['Balogun|Oluwafemi Samson|OS|0000-0002-8870-9692', 'Asif|Atta Muhammad|AM|0000-0003-0633-141X', 'Akbar|Muhammad|M|0000-0002-0381-3547', 'Chesneau|Christophe|C|', 'Jamal|Farrukh|F|']

2021

25913635

Inhibition of temporomandibular joint input to medullary dorsal horn neurons by 5HT3 receptor antagonist in female rats.

Repeated forced swim (FS) conditioning enhances nociceptive responses to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) stimulation in female rats. The basis for FS-induced TMJ hyperalgesia remains unclear. To test the hypothesis that serotonin 3 receptor (5HT3R) mechanisms contribute to enhanced TMJ nociception after FS, ovariectomized female rats were treated with estradiol and subjected to FS for three days. On day 4, rats were anesthetized with isoflurane and TMJ-responsive neurons were recorded from superficial and deep laminae at the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis/upper cervical (Vc/C1-2) region and electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from the masseter muscle. Only Vc/C1-2 neurons activated by intra-TMJ injections of ATP were included for further analysis. Although neurons in both superficial and deep laminae were activated by ATP, only neurons in deep laminae displayed enhanced responses after FS. Local application of the 5HT3R antagonist, ondansetron (OND), at the Vc/C1-2 region reduced the ATP-evoked responses of neurons in superficial and deep laminae and reduced the EMG response in both sham and FS rats. OND also decreased the spontaneous firing rate of neurons in deep laminae and reduced the high-threshold convergent cutaneous receptive field area of neurons in superficial and deep laminae in both sham and FS rats. These results revealed that central application of a 5HT3R antagonist, had widespread effects on the properties of TMJ-responsive neurons at the Vc/C1-2 region and on jaw muscle reflexes under sham and FS conditions. It is concluded that 5HT3R does not play a unique role in mediating stress-induced hyperalgesia related to TMJ nociception.

['Okamoto|K|K|', 'Katagiri|A|A|', 'Rahman|M|M|', 'Thompson|R|R|', 'Bereiter|D A|DA|']

2015

34088584

Change in waist circumference over 2 years and the odds of left ventricular hypertrophy among Chinese children.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS High waist circumference (WC) is associated with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in childhood. However, no studies have assessed the association between WC change and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in childhood. This study aimed to investigate the association between change in WC status over 2 years on LVH among Chinese children. METHODS AND RESULTS Data were from a population-based prospective cohort study in China. Children without LVH at baseline (n = 1067) were assigned to four WC status change groups (persistent normal WC, WC loss, WC gain, and persistent abdominal obesity). Over a 2-year follow-up, 103 (out of 1067) children had LVH. LVMI levels were the highest among the persistent abdominal obesity group (31.5 ± 3.8 g/m 2.7), lower in the WC gain group (31.0 ± 3.6 g/m 2.7) and the WC loss group (29.8 ± 3.7 g/m 2.7), and lowest in the persistent normal WC group (29.1 ± 3.7 g/m 2.7). Compared with children in the persistent normal WC group, the odds of LVH was highest in the persistent abdominal obesity group [odds ratio (OR) = 3.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.18-5.83], followed by the WC gain group (OR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.50-5.41). In contrast, the odds of LVH was not increased in the WC loss group (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.21-4.07). CONCLUSION Although these findings highlight the importance of maintaining normal WC in childhood to reduce the odds of developing LVH, our data suggest the increased odds associated with abdominal obesity can be reversed by WC loss.

['Wang|Huan|H|', 'Zhao|Min|M|', 'Magnussen|Costan G|CG|', 'Xi|Bo|B|']

2021

34334834

Cross-Link-Functionalized Nanoparticles for Rapid Excretion in Nanotheranostic Applications.

Most NIR-IIb fluorophores are nanoparticle-based probes with long retention ( ≈ 1 month or longer) in the body. Here, we applied a novel cross-linked coating to functionalize core/shell lead sulfide/cadmium sulfide quantum dots (PbS/CdS QDs) emitting at ≈ 1600 nm. The coating was comprised of an amphiphilic polymer followed by three crosslinked amphiphilic polymeric layers (P3 coating), imparting high biocompatibility and > 90% excretion of QDs within 2 weeks of intravenous administration. The P3-QDs were conjugated to an engineered anti-CD8 diabody (Cys-diabody) for in vivo molecular imaging of CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in response to anti-PD-L1 therapy. Two-plex molecular imaging in combination with down-conversion Er nanoparticles (ErNPs) was performed for real-time in vivo monitoring of PD-L1 positive tumor cells and CTLs with cellular resolution by non-invasive NIR-IIb light sheet microscopy. Imaging of angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment and of lymph nodes deep in the body with a signal-to-background ratio of up to ≈ 170 was also achieved using P3-QDs.

['Ma|Zhuoran|Z|', 'Wang|Feifei|F|', 'Zhong|Yeteng|Y|', 'Salazar|Felix|F|', 'Li|Jiachen|J|', 'Zhang|Mingxi|M|', 'Ren|Fuqiang|F|', 'Wu|Anna M|AM|', 'Dai|Hongjie|H|']

2020

31042504

Expression and utility of IMP3 in the differential diagnosis of atypical glandular cells and adenocarcinoma in liquid-based cervical cytology.

BACKGROUND Atypical glandular cell (AGC) interpretation in gynecological cytopathology presents many diagnostic challenges. We evaluated the expression of IMP3 in liquid-based cervical cytology and its utility in differentiating premalignant/malignant glandular lesions from benign/reactive processes. Additionally, we tried to determine whether IMP3 may be useful in differentiating among the types of uterine adenocarcinomas. DESIGN Our cohort included 82 cases; 59 diagnosed with AGC and 23 with adenocarcinoma (Ac). IMP3 immunocytochemical stain was performed on ThinPrep slides and the results correlated with subsequent biopsy findings. IMP3 positivity was assessed by strong (2+ and 3+) granular cytoplasmic staining in at least one group of three epithelial cells. RESULTS In the AGC group, IMP3 was positive in 14 (73.7%) of 19 cases that on histologic follow-up were confirmed Ac, and 39 (98.6%) of 40 non-glandular lesions/benign cases were negative. In the Ac group, IMP3 was expressed in 16 (69.6%) of 23 cases, of which 16 (72.2%) of 21 were uterine Ac. By combining the two groups, and excluding the 2 extrauterine carcinomas, IMP3 was positive in 30 (75%) of 40 uterine Ac, most of which (86.7%) were in situ/invasive endocervical Ac, and type II endometrial Ac (Papillary Serous and Clear Cell Carcinoma), and only 40% endometrioid Ac. CONCLUSION In ThinPrep slides with AGC, IMP3 positivity predicts the presence of a significant endocervical or endometrial lesion on subsequent histology, and may also be a potential diagnostic tool useful in differentiating among the types of adenocarcinomas of the female lower genital tract.

['Ligato|Saverio|S|', 'Valdes|Ana Yuil|AY|', 'Newcomb|Pamela|P|', 'Cartun|Richard W|RW|']

2016

24194709

Evolution, development, and plasticity of the human brain: from molecules to bones.

Neuroanatomical, molecular, and paleontological evidence is examined in light of human brain evolution. The brain of extant humans differs from the brains of other primates in its overall size and organization, and differences in size and organization of specific cortical areas and subcortical structures implicated into complex cognition and social and emotional processing. The human brain is also characterized by functional lateralizations, reflecting specializations of the cerebral hemispheres in humans for different types of processing, facilitating fast and reliable communication between neural cells in an enlarged brain. The features observed in the adult brain reflect human-specific patterns of brain development. Compared to the brains of other primates, the human brain takes longer to mature, promoting an extended period for establishing cortical microcircuitry and its modifications. Together, these features may underlie the prolonged period of learning and acquisition of technical and social skills necessary for survival, creating a unique cognitive and behavioral niche typical of our species. The neuroanatomical findings are in concordance with molecular analyses, which suggest a trend toward heterochrony in the expression of genes implicated in different functions. These include synaptogenesis, neuronal maturation, and plasticity in humans, mutations in genes implicated in neurite outgrowth and plasticity, and an increased role of regulatory mechanisms, potentially promoting fast modification of neuronal morphologies in response to new computational demands. At the same time, endocranial casts of fossil hominins provide an insight into the timing of the emergence of uniquely human features in the course of evolution. We conclude by proposing several ways of combining comparative neuroanatomy, molecular biology and insights gained from fossil endocasts in future research.

['Hrvoj-Mihic|Branka|B|', 'Bienvenu|Thibault|T|', 'Stefanacci|Lisa|L|', 'Muotri|Alysson R|AR|', 'Semendeferi|Katerina|K|']

2013

32423265

Thrombospondin-1 counteracts the p97 inhibitor CB-5083 in colon carcinoma cells.

p97 has recently emerged as a therapeutic target for cancer due to its essential functions in protein homeostasis. CB-5083 is a first-in-class, potent and selective ATP-competitive p97 inhibitor that induces proteotoxic stress in cancer cells. Potential mechanisms regulating the sensitivity of cells to p97 inhibition remain poorly studied. Here, we demonstrate that Thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) is a CB-5083-upregulated gene that helps confer resistance of HCT116 cells to CB-5083. Our immunoblotting and immunofluorescence data showed that CB-5083 significantly increases the steady-state abundance of THBS1. Blockade of THBS1 induction sensitized cells to CB-5083-mediated growth inhibition. Suppression of THBS1 caused an increase of CB-5083-induced sub-G1 population and caspase 3/7 activity suggesting that its function is linked to the survival of cancer cells in response to p97 inhibition. Altogether our data provide new evidence that THBS1 is important for the susceptibility of cells to p97 inhibition.

['Her|Nam-Gu|NG|', 'Kesari|Santosh|S|', 'Nurmemmedov|Elmar|E|']

2020

29070713

Long-Term Intake of a High-Protein Diet Affects Body Phenotype, Metabolism, and Plasma Hormones in Mice.

Background: High-protein diets (HPDs) recently have been used to obtain body weight and fat mass loss and expand muscle mass. Several studies have documented that HPDs reduce appetite and food intake.Objective: Our goal was to determine the long-term effects of an HPD on body weight, energy intake and expenditure, and metabolic hormones.Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice (8 wk old) were fed either an HPD (60% of energy as protein) or a control diet (CD; 20% of energy as protein) for 12 wk. Body composition and food intakes were determined, and plasma hormone concentrations were measured in mice after being fed and after overnight feed deprivation at several time points.Results: HPD mice had significantly lower body weight (in means ± SEMs; 25.73 ± 1.49 compared with 32.5 ± 1.31 g; P = 0.003) and fat mass (9.55% ± 1.24% compared with 15.78% ± 2.07%; P = 0.05) during the first 6 wk compared with CD mice, and higher lean mass throughout the study starting at week 2 (85.45% ± 2.25% compared with 75.29% ± 1.90%; P = 0.0001). Energy intake, total energy expenditure, and respiratory quotient were significantly lower in HPD compared with CD mice as shown by cumulative energy intake and eating rate. Water vapor was significantly higher in HPD mice during both dark and light phases. In HPD mice, concentrations of leptin [feed-deprived: 41.31 ± 11.60 compared with 3041 ± 683 pg/mL (P = 0.0004); postprandial: 112.5 ± 102.0 compared with 8273 ± 1415 pg/mL (P < 0.0001)] and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) [feed-deprived: 5.664 ± 1.44 compared with 21.31 ± 1.26 pg/mL (P = <0.0001); postprandial: 6.54 ± 2.13 compared with 50.62 ± 11.93 pg/mL (P = 0.0037)] were significantly lower, whereas postprandial glucagon concentrations were higher than in CD-fed mice.Conclusions: In male mice, the 12-wk HPD resulted in short-term body weight and fat mass loss, but throughout the study preserved body lean mass and significantly reduced energy intake and expenditure as well as leptin and GLP-1 concentrations while elevating postprandial glucagon concentrations. This study suggests that long-term use of HPDs may be an effective strategy to decrease energy intake and expenditure and to maintain body lean mass.

['Vu|John P|JP|', 'Luong|Leon|L|', 'Parsons|William F|WF|', 'Oh|Suwan|S|', 'Sanford|Daniel|D|', 'Gabalski|Arielle|A|', 'Lighton|John Rb|JR|', 'Pisegna|Joseph R|JR|', 'Germano|Patrizia M|PM|']

2017

30001182

Phage-Based Applications in Synthetic Biology.

Bacteriophage research has been instrumental to advancing many fields of biology, such as genetics, molecular biology, and synthetic biology. Many phage-derived technologies have been adapted for building gene circuits to program biological systems. Phages also exhibit significant medical potential as antibacterial agents and bacterial diagnostics due to their extreme specificity for their host, and our growing ability to engineer them further enhances this potential. Phages have also been used as scaffolds for genetically programmable biomaterials that have highly tunable properties. Furthermore, phages are central to powerful directed evolution platforms, which are being leveraged to enhance existing biological functions and even produce new ones. In this review, we discuss recent examples of how phage research is influencing these next-generation biotechnologies.

['Lemire|Sebastien|S|', 'Yehl|Kevin M|KM|', 'Lu|Timothy K|TK|']

2018

26300824

Are maternal reflective functioning and attachment security associated with preadolescent mentalization?

This study investigated the impact of maternal reflective functioning (RF) and attachment security on children's mentalization. The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) was administered to mothers in a sample of 41 mother-preadolescent dyads. AAI transcripts were rated in terms of the Berkeley AAI System (Main and Goldwyn, 1998) and the Reflective Functioning Scale (RFS; Fonagy et al., 1998). Preadolescent mentalization was assessed using a semi-structured interview adapted from O'Connor and Hirsch (1999) and also by analyzing mental-state talk produced during an autobiographical interview. Relationships between maternal RF and children's mentalization were analyzed, with consideration given to the different RFS markers and references to positive, negative, and mixed-ambivalent mental states. Children's mentalization was positively correlated with the mother's RF, particularly the mother's ability to mentalize negative or mixed-ambivalent mental states. No significant differences in mentalization were observed between children of secure and insecure mothers.

['Rosso|Anna Maria|AM|', 'Viterbori|Paola|P|', 'Scopesi|Alda M|AM|']

2015

31119345

Effect of structure levels on surface-enhanced Raman scattering of human telomeric G-quadruplexes in diluted and crowded media.

Human telomeric G-quadruplexes are emerging targets in anticancer drug discovery since they are able to efficiently inhibit telomerase, an enzyme which is greatly involved in telomere instability and immortalization process in malignant cells. G-quadruplex (G4) DNA is highly polymorphic and can adopt different topologies upon addition of electrolytes, additives, and ligands. The study of G-quadruplex forms under various conditions, however, might be quite challenging. In this work, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has been applied to study G-quadruplexes formed by human telomeric sequences, d[A3G3(TTAGGG)3A2] (Tel26) and d[(TTAGGG)4T2] (wtTel26), under dilute and crowding conditions. The SERS spectra distinctive of hybrid-1 and hybrid-2 G-quadruplexes of Tel26 and wtTel26, respectively, were observed for the sequences folded in the presence of K+ ions (110 mM) in a buffered solution, representing the diluted medium. Polyethylene glycol (5, 10, 15, 20, and 40% v/v PEG) was used to create a molecular-crowded environment, resulting in the formation of the parallel G-quadruplexes of both studied human telomeric sequences. Despite extensive overlap by the crowding agent bands, the SERS spectral features indicative of parallel G4 form of Tel26 were recognized. The obtained results implied that SERS of G-quadruplexes reflected not only the primary structure of the studied human telomeric sequence, including its nucleobase composition and sequence, but also its secondary structure in the sense of Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds responsible for the guanine tetrad formation, and finally its tertiary structure, defining a three-dimensional DNA shape, positioned close to the enhancing metallic surface. Graphical abstract.

['Papi|Francesco|F|http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1760-1999', 'Kenđel|Adriana|A|', 'Ratkaj|Marina|M|', 'Piantanida|Ivo|I|', 'Gratteri|Paola|P|', 'Bazzicalupi|Carla|C|', 'Miljanić|Snežana|S|']

2019

29199107

Species limits in the Morelet's Alligator lizard (Anguidae: Gerrhonotinae).

The widely distributed, Central American anguid lizard Mesaspis moreletii is currently recognized as a polytypic species with five subspecies (M. m. fulvus, M. m. moreletii, M. m. rafaeli, M. m. salvadorensis, and M. m. temporalis). We reevaluated the species limits within Mesaspis moreletii using DNA sequences of one mitochondrial and three nuclear genes. The multi-locus data set included samples of all of the subspecies of M. moreletii, the other species of Mesaspis in Central America (M. cuchumatanus and M. monticola), and some populations assignable to M. moreletii but of uncertain subspecific identity from Honduras and Nicaragua. We first used a tree-based method for delimiting species based on mtDNA data to identify potential evolutionary independent lineages, and then analized the multilocus dataset with two species delimitation methods that use the multispecies coalescent model to evaluate different competing species delimitation models: the Bayes factors species delimitation method (BFD) implemented in ∗BEAST, and the Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BP&P) method. Our results suggest that M. m. moreletii, M. m. rafaeli, M. m. salvadorensis, and M. m. temporalis represent distinct evolutionary independent lineages, and that the populations of uncertain status from Honduras and Nicaragua may represent additional undescribed species. Our results also suggest that M. m. fulvus is a synonym of M. m. moreletii. The biogeography of the Central American lineages of Mesaspis is discussed.

['Solano-Zavaleta|Israel|I|', 'Nieto-Montes de Oca|Adrián|A|']

2018

28329736

Delay in Renal Hemodynamic Response to a Meat Meal in Severe Obesity.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Little information is available about the tubular functions and the renal adjustments that take place in obese subjects after a protein meal. How the excess fat may affect renal response to dietary proteins is currently only partially understood. This paper aims to address (i) whether severe obesity, in the absence of other comorbidities, is responsible of kidney dysfunction at either the glomerular or the tubular level and (ii) whether it compromises renal adaptations to a large protein meal. METHODS Twenty-eight obese subjects without albuminuria, along with 20 control subjects, age and gender matched, have been studied. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR; inulin clearance), renal plasma flow (p-aminohippurate clearance), the proximal tubular function (lithium clearance), the fractional excretion of sodium (FPRNa) have been measured at the basal level (steady state) and after a protein meal (perturbation). RESULTS Under steady state conditions, filtration fraction, proximal tubular sodium handling and the FPRNa were not significantly different in non proteinuric obese subjects compared with controls. However, a protein meal led to a delayed glomerular hyperfiltration in obese patients compared with controls. CONCLUSION This study shows that obese patients, in the absence of significant comorbidities, have a normal proximal tubule Na+ absorption at basal; conversely, these subjects showed a different response to a protein meal compared with normal subjects in terms of changes of GFR. Overall, these results suggest that the modified hemodynamic response to a protein meal might be the earliest hallmark of future kidney dysfunction in obese subjects.

['Anastasio|Pietro|P|', 'Viggiano|Davide|D|', 'Zacchia|Miriam|M|', 'Altobelli|Claudia|C|', 'Capasso|Giovambattista|G|', 'Gaspare De Santo|Natale|N|']

2017

30332728

The Diffusion of Low-Energy Methyl Group on ITO Film Surface and Its Impact on Optical-Electrical Properties.

Indium tin oxide (ITO) film is one of the ideal candidates for transparent conductive cathode in methylammonium lead halide perovskite solar cells. Thus, the diffusion of methyl group in ITO film is inevitable, which could deteriorate the optical-electrical property of ITO film. In this study, ITO films with and without (100) preferred orientation were bombarded by the low-energy methyl group beam. After the bombardment, the optical-electrical property of ITO film without (100) preferred orientation deteriorated. The bombardment of methyl group had little influence on the optical-electrical property of ITO film with (100) preferred orientation. Finally, combining the crystallographic texture and chemical bond structure analysis, the diffusion mechanism of low-energy methyl group on ITO lattice and grain boundary, as well as the relation between the optical-electrical property and the diffusion of the methyl group, were discussed systematically. With the above results, ITO film with (100) preferred orientation could be an ideal candidate for transparent conductive cathode in methylammonium lead halide perovskite solar cells.

['Zhao|Shiping|S|', 'Lv|Zhixuan|Z|', 'Guo|Xuelin|X|0000-0003-1128-2771', 'Liu|Chaoqian|C|', 'Wang|Hualin|H|', 'Jiang|Weiwei|W|', 'Liu|Shimin|S|', 'Wang|Nan|N|', 'Cui|Yunxian|Y|', 'Ding|Wanyu|W|0000-0002-1186-204X', 'Han|Bing|B|', 'Ju|Dongying|D|']

2018

25158681

Post-translational dual regulation of cytochrome P450 aromatase at the catalytic and protein levels by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation.

The post-translational regulation of aromatase has not been well characterized as compared with transcriptional regulation. Several studies of post-translational regulation have focused on decreases in catalytic activity following phosphorylation. We report here dual post-translational regulation of aromatase, at the catalytic activity and protein levels. Microsomal aromatase prepared from JEG-3 cells was rapidly inactivated and subsequently degraded in the presence of a cytosolic fraction with calcium, magnesium, and ATP. In a reconstituted system consisting of microsomal and cytosolic fractions, aromatase was protected from protein degradation by treatment with alkaline phosphatase, whereas degradation was enhanced by treatment with calcineurin inhibitors (FK506 and cyclosporin A). Furthermore, aromatase was protected from degradation by treatment with kinase inhibitors, especially the calcium/calmodulin kinase inhibitors KN62 and KN93. Similarly to the reconstituted system, aromatase in cultured JEG-3 cells was protected from degradation by KN93, whereas FK503 increased degradation in the presence of cycloheximide, although cellular aromatase mRNA levels were unchanged by these reagents. Knockdown of calcineurin and calcium/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) with small interfering RNAs resulted in a dose-dependent increase in aromatase degradation and protection from degradation, respectively. The cytosol fraction-dependent phosphorylation of microsomal aromatase was inhibited by calcineurin, KN62, and KN93, and promoted by CaMKII and FK506. These results indicate that aromatase is regulated acutely at the catalytic activity level and subsequently at the enzyme content level by CaMKII/calcineurin-dependent phosphorylation/dephosphorylation.

['Hayashi|Takanori|T|', 'Harada|Nobuhiro|N|']

2014

32532479

Risk of type III secretion systems in burn patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE The pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is multifactorial and attributed to the production of several cell-associated and extracellular virulence factors including those implicated in adherence, iron uptake, exoenzymes (Exo) and exotoxins. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of type III secretion systems (T3SS) effectors in Iranian burn patients with P. aeruginosa wound infection. METHODS A systematic search was conducted to identify papers published by Iranian authors in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar electronic databases during the period of January, 2000 to December, 2018. Publications which met our inclusion criteria were selected for data extraction and analysis by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software. The inclusion criteria were articles that include burn patients with a wound infection caused by P. aeruginosa, and reported the prevalence of aimed exoenzymes. RESULTS Ten publications were selected out of 15 full-text reviewed articles with the inclusion criteria. Of ten studies, the pooled prevalence of ExoS producing isolates was estimated at 57.1% (95% CI: 40.3-72.5%). Five studies reported the prevalence of ExoU and ExoT, from which, the pooled prevalence of ExoU and ExoT producing isolates was estimated at 51.4% (95% CI: 31.4-70.9%) and 86.4% (95% CI: 48.1-97.8%), respectively. Four studies reported the prevalence of ExoY, from which, the pooled prevalence of ExoY producing isolates was estimated at 79.0% (95% CI: 48.6-93.8%). CONCLUSION Our results showed a remarkable prevalence of T3SS-positive genotype in patients with burn injuries. These findings provided attractive targets for new therapeutic strategies for burn patients who were infected with cytotoxin-producing P. aeruginosa.

['Hasannejad-Bibalan|Meysam|M|', 'Jafari|Alireza|A|', 'Sabati|Hoda|H|', 'Goswami|Rajendra|R|', 'Jafaryparvar|Zakiyeh|Z|', 'Sedaghat|Farzaneh|F|', 'Sedigh Ebrahim-Saraie|Hadi|H|']

2021

30150534

Transition-Metal-Free Activation of Amide Bond by Arynes.

Highly reactive arynes activate the N⁻C and C=O bonds of amide groups under transition metal-free conditions. This review highlights the insertion of arynes into the N⁻C and C=O bonds of the amide group. The insertion of arynes into the N⁻C bond gives the unstable four-membered ring intermediates, which are easily converted into ortho-disubstituted arenes. On the other hand, the selective insertion of arynes into the C=O bond is observed when the sterically less-hindered formamides are employed to give a reactive transient intermediate. Therefore, the trapping reactions of transient intermediates with a variety of reactants lead to the formation of oxygen atom-containing heterocycles. As relative functional groups are activated, the reactions of arynes with sulfinamides, phosphoryl amides, cyanamides, sulfonamides, thioureas, and vinylogous amides are also summarized.

['Miyabe|Hideto|H|']

2018

33597300

Pathogen disgust sensitivity protects against infection in a high pathogen environment.

Disgust is hypothesized to be an evolved emotion that functions to regulate the avoidance of pathogen-related stimuli and behaviors. Individuals with higher pathogen disgust sensitivity (PDS) are predicted to be exposed to and thus infected by fewer pathogens, though no studies have tested this directly. Furthermore, PDS is hypothesized to be locally calibrated to the types of pathogens normally encountered and the fitness-related costs and benefits of infection and avoidance. Market integration (the degree of production for and consumption from market-based economies) influences the relative costs/benefits of pathogen exposure and avoidance through sanitation, hygiene, and lifestyle changes, and is thus predicted to affect PDS. Here, we examine the function of PDS in disease avoidance, its environmental calibration, and its socioecological variation by examining associations among PDS, market-related lifestyle factors, and measures of bacterial, viral, and macroparasitic infection at the individual, household, and community levels. Data were collected among 75 participants (ages 5 to 59 y) from 28 households in three Ecuadorian Shuar communities characterized by subsistence-based lifestyles and high pathogen burden, but experiencing rapid market integration. As predicted, we found strong negative associations between PDS and biomarkers of immune response to viral/bacterial infection, and weaker associations between PDS and measures of macroparasite infection, apparently mediated by market integration-related differences. We provide support for the previously untested hypothesis that PDS is negatively associated with infection, and document variation in PDS indicative of calibration to local socioeconomic conditions. More broadly, findings highlight the importance of evolved psychological mechanisms in human health outcomes.

['Cepon-Robins|Tara J|TJ|0000-0002-4508-8507', 'Blackwell|Aaron D|AD|0000-0002-5871-9865', 'Gildner|Theresa E|TE|0000-0001-7486-5208', 'Liebert|Melissa A|MA|0000-0001-8013-6773', 'Urlacher|Samuel S|SS|0000-0002-6489-4117', 'Madimenos|Felicia C|FC|0000-0001-5442-232X', 'Eick|Geeta N|GN|0000-0001-7512-3265', 'Snodgrass|J Josh|JJ|0000-0002-7021-777X', 'Sugiyama|Lawrence S|LS|0000-0003-1279-0006']

2021

30790510

Transcriptional Regulation of Nos2 via STAT5B Binding to Nos2 Gene Promoter Mediates Nitric Oxide Production: Relevance in β-Cell Maintenance.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) involves autoimmune attack due to reduced regulatory T cells as an effect of mutant Stat5b(C1462A) in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a T1D model resulting in pancreatic β-cell destruction. Although reactive oxygen species are considered to orchestrate the immune attack, the role of nitric oxide (·NO) still remains debatable. Since JAK-STAT pathway is known to induce Nos2, we investigated the role of STAT5B in nitric oxide generation and oxidative stress. METHODS In this study, we have used chromatin immunoprecipitation with STAT5B antibody to explore whether STAT5B binds Nos2 promoter. Using Stat5b gene silencing and overexpression models in MIN6 mouse pancreatic β-cell line we have assayed nitric oxide and its end products, superoxide levels, H₂O₂ levels, and expression of genes related to redox pathway by immunocytochemistry, biochemical assays, quantitative real time PCR and western blotting. RESULTS Our results prove that STAT5B binds to the candidate gamma-interferon-activated (GAS) element in Nos2 promoter thereby inducing Nos2 mRNA transcription resulting in NOS2 protein expression in MIN6, a mouse pancreatic β-cell line. Our findings are substantiated by reduced ·NO as well as nitric oxide end products (nitrate and nitrite), and increased superoxide production in Stat5b silenced MIN6 cells. Our results indicate that C1462A mutant STAT5B shows lack of ·NO generation ability. To detoxify excess superoxide as a consequence of lowered Nos2, an overexpressed SOD2 in Stat5b silenced cells results in increased H₂O₂ production. H₂O₂ metabolizing enzymes do not show upregulation upon Stat5b silencing, and thus oxidative stress is brought about by amassed H₂O₂. Stat5b silencing finally reduces AKT expression, a prosurvival signal. CONCLUSION Our study enables us to conclude that β-cell stress is aggravated by the incapability of STAT5B to induce Nos2 resulting in H₂O₂ accumulation and the ensuing oxidative stress enhances β-cell damage.

['Joseph|Annu|A|', 'Nair|Lekshmy C R|LCR|', 'Johnson|Betcy Susan|BS|', 'Thomas|Philip Litto|PL|', 'Padmanabhan|Renjini Ambika|RA|', 'Puthumadathil|Neethu|N|', 'Laloraya|Malini|M|']

2019

27721075

Dynamics of simultaneously impinging drops on a dry surface: Role of impact velocity and air inertia.

Three dimensional simulations are performed to investigate the interaction dynamics between two drops impinging simultaneously on a dry surface. Of particular interest in this study is to understand the effects of impact velocity and surrounding gas density on droplet interactions. To simulate the droplet dynamics and morphologies, a computational framework based on the phase-field lattice Boltzmann formulation is employed for the two-phase flow computations involving high density ratio. Two different coalescence modes are identified when the impinging droplets have different impact speeds. When one of the droplet has a tangential impact velocity component, asymmetric ridge formation is observed. Influence of droplet impact angle on the interaction dynamics of the central ridge is further investigated. Traces of different fluid particles are seeded to analyse internal flow dynamics in oblique impact scenarios. Greater overlapping between the fluid particles is observed with increase in the impact angle. Finally, the present simulations indicate that the ambient gas density has a significant influence to determine the final outcome of the droplet interactions.

['Ashoke Raman|K|K|', 'Jaiman|Rajeev K|RK|', 'Lee|Thong-See|TS|', 'Low|Hong-Tong|HT|']

2017

29027982

Regional Sustainable Development Analysis Based on Information Entropy-Sichuan Province as an Example.

According to the implementation of a scientific development perspective, sustainable development needs to consider regional development, economic and social development, and the harmonious development of society and nature, but regional sustainable development is often difficult to quantify. Through an analysis of the structure and functions of a regional system, this paper establishes an evaluation index system, which includes an economic subsystem, an ecological environmental subsystem and a social subsystem, to study regional sustainable development capacity. A sustainable development capacity measure model for Sichuan Province was established by applying the information entropy calculation principle and the Brusselator principle. Each subsystem and entropy change in a calendar year in Sichuan Province were analyzed to evaluate Sichuan Province's sustainable development capacity. It was found that the established model could effectively show actual changes in sustainable development levels through the entropy change reaction system, at the same time this model could clearly demonstrate how those forty-six indicators from the three subsystems impact on the regional sustainable development, which could make up for the lack of sustainable development research.

['Liang|Xuedong|X|', 'Si|Dongyang|D|', 'Zhang|Xinli|X|']

2017

29299784

Religiosity and Telomere Length in Colorectal Cancer Patients in Saudi Arabia.

Numerous studies have reported a significant relationship between psychological stress, depression, and telomere length (TL), an indicator of cellular lifespan. Religious involvement, which is associated with lower levels of stress and depression, has also recently been related to TL. To our knowledge, this relationship has not yet been examined in Muslims, colorectal cancer patients, cancer patients more generally, or any population outside the USA. A convenience sample of 50 colorectal patients was recruited from hospital-based oncology clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Religious involvement was assessed with the 13-item Muslim Religiosity Scale. Social and psychological mediators were measured using established scales. TL was determined from whole-blood leukocytes using quantitative PCR technology. Bivariate analyses indicated a positive but nonsignificant relationship between religiosity and TL (r = 0.13, p = 0.35). Controlling for age, did not affect the relationship (B = 15.6, SE = 17.3, p = 0.37), nor did controlling for other demographic, social or psychological factors. Religious involvement was unrelated to TL in this small sample of colorectal patients. Future cross-sectional and prospective studies in different populations with larger samples are needed.

['Al Ahwal|Mahmoud Shaheen|MS|', 'Al Zaben|Faten|F|', 'Sehlo|Mohammad Gamal|MG|', 'Khalifa|Doaa Ahmed|DA|', 'Koenig|Harold G|HG|']

2018

27233821

Multi-level regulation of the chloroplast ATP synthase: the chloroplast NADPH thioredoxin reductase C (NTRC) is required for redox modulation specifically under low irradiance.

The chloroplast ATP synthase is known to be regulated by redox modulation of a disulfide bridge on the γ-subunit through the ferredoxin-thioredoxin regulatory system. We show that a second enzyme, the recently identified chloroplast NADPH thioredoxin reductase C (NTRC), plays a role specifically at low irradiance. Arabidopsis mutants lacking NTRC (ntrc) displayed a striking photosynthetic phenotype in which feedback regulation of the light reactions was strongly activated at low light, but returned to wild-type levels as irradiance was increased. This effect was caused by an altered redox state of the γ-subunit under low, but not high, light. The low light-specific decrease in ATP synthase activity in ntrc resulted in a buildup of the thylakoid proton motive force with subsequent activation of non-photochemical quenching and downregulation of linear electron flow. We conclude that NTRC provides redox modulation at low light using the relatively oxidizing substrate NADPH, whereas the canonical ferredoxin-thioredoxin system can take over at higher light, when reduced ferredoxin can accumulate. Based on these results, we reassess previous models for ATP synthase regulation and propose that NTRC is most likely regulated by light. We also find that ntrc is highly sensitive to rapidly changing light intensities that probably do not involve the chloroplast ATP synthase, implicating this system in multiple photosynthetic processes, particularly under fluctuating environmental conditions.

['Carrillo|L Ruby|LR|', 'Froehlich|John E|JE|', 'Cruz|Jeffrey A|JA|', 'Savage|Linda J|LJ|', 'Kramer|David M|DM|']

2016

33757609

The intestinal microbiota as a predictor for antidepressant treatment outcome in geriatric depression: a prospective pilot study.

OBJECTIVES (1) To investigate if gut microbiota can be a predictor of remission in geriatric depression and to identify features of the gut microbiota that is associated with remission. (2) To determine if changes in gut microbiota occur with remission in geriatric depression. DESIGN Secondary analysis of a parent randomized placebo-controlled trial (NCT02466958). SETTING Los Angeles, CA, USA (2016-2018). PARTICIPANTS Seventeen subjects with major depressive disorder, over 60 years of age, 41.2% female. INTERVENTION Levomilacipran (LVM) or placebo. MEASUREMENTS Remission was defined by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 6 or less at 12 weeks. 16S-ribosomal RNA sequencing based fecal microbiota composition and diversity were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Differences in fecal microbiota were evaluated between remitters and non-remitters as well as between baseline and post-treatment samples. LVM and placebo groups were combined in all the analyses. RESULTS Baseline microbiota showed no community level α-diversity or β-diversity differences between remitters and non-remitters. At the individual taxa level, a random forest classifier created with nine genera from the baseline microbiota was highly accurate in predicting remission (AUC = .857). Of these, baseline enrichment of Faecalibacterium, Agathobacter and Roseburia relative to a reference frame was associated with treatment outcome of remission. Differential abundance analysis revealed significant genus level changes from baseline to post-treatment in remitters, but not in non-remitters. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study demonstrating fecal microbiota as a potential predictor of treatment response in geriatric depression. Our findings need to be confirmed in larger prospective studies.

['Lee|S Melanie|SM|', 'Dong|Tien S|TS|', 'Krause-Sorio|Beatrix|B|https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5495-6348', 'Siddarth|Prabha|P|', 'Milillo|Michaela M|MM|https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1370-8297', 'Lagishetty|Venu|V|', 'Datta|Tanya|T|', 'Aguilar-Faustino|Yesenia|Y|', 'Jacobs|Jonathan P|JP|', 'Lavretsky|Helen|H|']

2021

26598518

Regulation of c-Myc Expression by Ahnak Promotes Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generation.

We have previously reported that Ahnak-mediated TGFβ signaling leads to down-regulation of c-Myc expression. Here, we show that inhibition of Ahnak can promote generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) via up-regulation of endogenous c-Myc. Consistent with the c-Myc inhibitory role of Ahnak, mouse embryonic fibroblasts from Ahnak-deficient mouse (Ahnak(-/-) MEF) show an increased level of c-Myc expression compared with wild type MEF. Generation of iPSC with just three of the four Yamanaka factors, Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 (hereafter 3F), was significantly enhanced in Ahnak(-/-) MEF. Similar results were obtained when Ahnak-specific shRNA was applied to wild type MEF. Of note, expressionof Ahnak was significantly induced during the formation of embryoid bodies from embryonic stem cells, suggesting that Ahnak-mediated c-Myc inhibition is involved in embryoid body formation and the initial differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. The iPSC from 3F-infected Ahnak(-/-) MEF cells (Ahnak(-/-)-iPSC-3F) showed expression of all stem cell markers examined and the capability to form three primary germ layers. Moreover, injection of Ahnak(-/-)-iPSC-3F into athymic nude mice led to development of teratoma containing tissues from all three primary germ layers, indicating that iPSC from Ahnak(-/-) MEF are bona fide pluripotent stem cells. Taken together, these data provide evidence for a new role for Ahnak in cell fate determination during development and suggest that manipulation of Ahnak and the associated signaling pathway may provide a means to regulate iPSC generation.

['Lim|Hee Jung|HJ|', 'Kim|Jusong|J|', 'Park|Chang-Hwan|CH|', 'Lee|Sang A|SA|', 'Lee|Man Ryul|MR|', 'Kim|Kye-Seong|KS|', 'Kim|Jaesang|J|', 'Bae|Yun Soo|YS|']

2016

31122813

An Ultrasound Vibro-Elastography Technique for Assessing Papilledema.

Papilledemais optic nerve swelling caused by increased intracranial hypertension, which has the potential to cause significant vision loss. Papilledema from idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is typically bilateral and symmetric, but can be asymmetric and even unilateral. The purpose of this study was to develop ultrasound vibro-elastography (UVE) for non-invasive measurement of ocular tissue wave speed for patients with papilledema. A total of 9 patients with papilledema from IIH and 9 age-matched healthy control patients were enrolled in this study. A local, gentle, 0.1-s harmonic vibration was applied on the eyelid to generate wave propagation in the ocular tissue. We used 3 excitation frequencies of 100, 150 and 200 Hz to measure the wave speeds. A 6.4-MHz ultrasound probe was used to non-invasively measure wave propagation in the ocular structures. Wave speeds were analyzed in the posterior sclera of the maculae of the eyes. The magnitudes of wave speed at each frequency of the IIH patients' posterior sclera were significantly higher than those of healthy patients. It was found that the magnitudes of wave speed at each frequency were statistically higher in the eyes with papilledema than in the contralateral eyes without papilledema for the patients with unilateral papilledema. UVE provides a non-invasive technique to measure the wave speed of posterior sclera, which may be useful for assessing patients with papilledema.

['Zhou|Boran|B|', 'Chen|John J|JJ|', 'Kazemi|Arash|A|', 'Sit|Arthur J|AJ|', 'Zhang|Xiaoming|X|']

2019

30700188

Impact of vulvovaginal atrophy of menopause: prevalence and symptoms in Italian women according to the EVES study.

This cross-sectional study included postmenopausal women, aged 45-75 years, with the aim to assess the presence of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) confirmed by a clinical assessment in the Italian population attending menopausal/gynecological centers. Apart from baseline variables, women scored vaginal, vulvar and urinary VVA symptoms. Impact of VVA on sexual function and quality of life (QoL) was assessed thorough EuroQoL questionnaire (EQ5D3L), Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging (DIVA), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-revised (FSDS-R). A physical examination was carried out in accordance with routine gynecological practice. VVA was confirmed in 90% of the 1226 evaluable patients (aged 59.0 ± 7.3 years). The prevalence of postmenopausal women with VVA confirmed by gynecological clinical assessment was 75.3%. The patients with VVA confirmed (n = 926) had more severe symptoms (p < .0005), lower QoL (EQ-visual analog scale, p = .008 and DIVA, p < .0005) and worsened sexual function (FSFI and FSDS-R, p < .0005 for both) when compared with the patients having nonconfirmed VVA (n = 140). VVA is highly prevalent among postmenopausal Italian women. The objective of VVA confirmation is associated with severe symptoms and impaired QoL and sexual function. A proactive approach of Italian clinicians to promote regular and early gynecological evaluation should be performed in order to delay the advancing of the disorder.

['Nappi|R E|RE|', 'Seracchioli|R|R|', 'Salvatore|S|S|', 'Cagnacci|A|A|http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2714-623X', 'Di Paolantonio|T|T|', 'Busacca|M|M|', '|||']

2019

30451373

In situ Study Unravels Bio-Nanomechanical Behavior in a Magnetic Bacterial Nano-cellulose (MBNC) Hydrogel for Neuro-Endovascular Reconstruction.

Surgical clipping and endovascular coiling are well recognized as conventional treatments of Penetrating Brain Injury aneurysms. These clinical approaches show partial success, but often result in thrombus formation and the rupture of aneurysm near arterial walls. The authors address these challenging brain traumas with a unique combination of a highly biocompatible biopolymer hydrogel rendered magnetic in a flexible and resilient membrane coating integrated to a scaffold stent platform at the aneurysm neck orifice, which enhances the revascularization modality. This work focuses on the in situ diagnosis of nano-mechanical behavior of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) membranes in an aqueous environment used as tissue reconstruction substrates for cerebral aneurysmal neck defects. Nano-mechanical evaluation, performed using instrumented nano-indentation, shows with very low normal loads between 0.01 to 0.5 mN, in the presence of deionized water. Mechanical testing and characterization reveals that the nano-scale response of BNC behaves similar to blood vessel walls with a very low Young´s modulus, E (0.0025 to 0.04 GPa), and an evident creep effect (26.01 ± 3.85 nm s-1 ). These results confirm a novel multi-functional membrane using BNC and rendered magnetic with local adhesion of iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles.

['Pavón|Juan Jose|JJ|', 'Allain|Jean Paul|JP|0000-0003-1348-262X', 'Verma|Devendra|D|', 'Echeverry-Rendón|Mónica|M|', 'Cooper|Christy L|CL|', 'Reece|Lisa M|LM|', 'Shetty|Akshath R|AR|', 'Tomar|Vikas|V|']

2019

34354536

The Emi2 Protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a Hexokinase Expressed under Glucose Limitation.

Hexokinases catalyze glucose phosphorylation at the first step in glycolysis in eukaryotes. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae , three enzymes for glucose phosphorylation have long been known: Hxk1, Hxk2, and Glk1. In this study, we focus on Emi2, a previously uncharacterized hexokinase-like protein of S. cerevisiae . Our data show that the recombinant Emi2 protein (rEmi2), expressed in Escherichia coli , possesses glucose-phosphorylating activity in the presence of ATP and Mg 2+ . It was also found that rEmi2 phosphorylates not only glucose but also fructose, mannose and glucosamine in vitro . In addition, we examined changes in the level of endogenous Emi2 protein in S. cerevisiae in the presence or absence of glucose and a non-fermentable carbon source. We found that the expression of Emi2 protein is tightly suppressed during proliferation in high glucose, while it is strongly upregulated in response to glucose limitation and the presence of a non-fermentable carbon source. Our data suggest that the expression of the endogenous Emi2 protein in S. cerevisiae is regulated under the control of Hxk2 in response to glucose availability in the environment.

['Umekawa|Midori|M|', 'Hamada|Kaito|K|', 'Isono|Naoto|N|', 'Karita|Shuichi|S|']

2020

27248313

The pathogenesis of drug-induced liver injury.

Drugs can induce liver injury when taken as an over-dose, or even at therapeutic doses in susceptible individuals. Although severe drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a relatively uncommon clinical event, it is a potentially life threatening adverse drug reaction and is the most common indication for the drug withdrawal. Areas covered: However, the diagnosis of DILI remains a significant challenge, because the establishment of causality is very difficult, and the histopathologic findings of DILI may be indistinguishable from those of other hepatic disorders, such as viral and alcoholic hepatitis. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in identification of serologic markers of diagnosis and prognosis, etiologic factors for susceptibility and diagnostic evaluation of DILI, with a focus on its pathogenic mechanisms and the role of liver biopsy. Expert commentary: Further studies of divergent research platforms, using a systems biology approach such as genomics and transcriptomics, may provide a deeper understanding of human drug metabolism and the causes, risk factors, and pathogenesis of DILI.

['Lee|Sun-Jae|SJ|', 'Lee|Youn Ju|YJ|', 'Park|Kwan-Kyu|KK|']

2016

29177696

Leaching Characteristics of Calcium and Strontium from Phosphogypsum Under Acid Rain.

Phosphogypsum (PG) stored close to phosphorus chemical plants has caused worldwide environmental problems. Column leaching experiments were conducted to evaluate Ca and Sr leaching from PG under simulated acid rain at pH levels typical for rain in the study region (Shifang, China). High concentrations of Ca and Sr in leachates in the first five leaching events could pollute the soil and groundwater around the PG. Leachates pH was lower than and had no correlation with simulated rain pH. No correlations between simulated rain pH and cumulative Ca and Sr content in leachates were noted. Around 2.0%-2.2% of Ca and 0.5%-0.6% of Sr were leached out from PG by the simulated summer rainfall in Shifang. Electrical conductivity values, Ca and Sr concentrations at bottom sections of PG columns were higher than those of top sections, while pH values showed a reverse trend. More precautions should be taken to protect the environment around PG stacks.

['Wang|Mei|M|', 'Luo|Houqiao|H|', 'Chen|Yong|Y|', 'Yang|Jinyan|J|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0730-554X']

2018

27194064

Four New Ladybug Species Belonging to Decadiomus Chapin (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Puerto Rico.

While searching for native natural enemies attacking invasive insect pests in Puerto Rico, we found four undescribed ladybug species belonging to the Caribbean ladybug genus Decadiomus Chapin. In this article, we describe the following species from Puerto Rico: Decadiomus seini n. sp., Decadiomus ramosi n. sp., Decadiomus hayuyai n. sp., and Decadiomus martorelli n. sp. Illustrations of the dorsal habitus, shape of prosternal carinae, and drawings of male and female genitalia are presented. We also present a key for Diomini of Puerto Rico and discuss their importance as potential biocontrol agents.

['Segarra-Carmona|A E|AE|', 'Otero|M|M|']

2014

30219187

MR Imaging of the Musculoskeletal System Using Ultrahigh Field (7T) MR Imaging.

MR imaging is an indispensable instrument for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal diseases. In vivo MR imaging at 7T offers many advantages, including increased signal-to-noise ratio, higher spatial resolution, improved spectral resolution for spectroscopy, improved sensitivity for X-nucleus imaging, and decreased image acquisition times. There are also however technical challenges of imaging at a higher field strength compared with 1.5 and 3T MR imaging systems. We discuss the many potential opportunities as well as the challenges presented by 7T MR imaging systems and highlight recent developments in in vivo research imaging of musculoskeletal applications in general and cartilage, skeletal muscle, and bone in particular.

['Alizai|Hamza|H|', 'Chang|Gregory|G|', 'Regatte|Ravinder R|RR|']

2018

32138248

Stiffness Identification of Foamed Asphalt Mixtures with Cement, Evaluated in Laboratory and In Situ in Road Pavements.

The article presents the possibilities of using foamed asphalt in the recycling process to produce the base layer of road pavement constructions in Polish conditions. Foamed asphalt was combined with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and hydraulic binder (cement). Foamed asphalt mixtures with cement (FAC) were made, based on these ingredients. To reduce stiffness and cracking in the base layer, foamed asphalt (FA) was additionally used in the analyzed mixes containing cement. The laboratory analyzes allowed to estimate the stiffness and fatigue durability of the conglomerate. In the experimental section, measurements of deflections are made, modules of pavement layers are calculated, and their fatigue durability is determined. As a result of the research, new fatigue criteria for FAC mixtures and correlation factors of stiffness modules and fatigue durability in situ with the results of laboratory tests are developed. It is anticipated that FAC recycling technology will provide durable and safe road pavements.

['Skotnicki|Lukasz|L|', 'Kuzniewski|Jarosław|J|0000-0003-4071-9207', 'Szydlo|Antoni|A|']

2020

25497330

A method to accurately quantitate intensities of (32)P-DNA bands when multiple bands appear in a single lane of a gel is used to study dNTP insertion opposite a benzo[a]pyrene-dG adduct by Sulfolobus DNA polymerases Dpo4 and Dbh.

Quantitating relative (32)P-band intensity in gels is desired, e.g., to study primer-extension kinetics of DNA polymerases (DNAPs). Following imaging, multiple (32)P-bands are often present in lanes. Though individual bands appear by eye to be simple and well-resolved, scanning reveals they are actually skewed-Gaussian in shape and neighboring bands are overlapping, which complicates quantitation, because slower migrating bands often have considerable contributions from the trailing edges of faster migrating bands. A method is described to accurately quantitate adjacent (32)P-bands, which relies on having a standard: a simple skewed-Gaussian curve from an analogous pure, single-component band (e.g., primer alone). This single-component scan/curve is superimposed on its corresponding band in an experimentally determined scan/curve containing multiple bands (e.g., generated in a primer-extension reaction); intensity exceeding the single-component scan/curve is attributed to other components (e.g., insertion products). Relative areas/intensities are determined via pixel analysis, from which relative molarity of components is computed. Common software is used. Commonly used alternative methods (e.g., drawing boxes around bands) are shown to be less accurate. Our method was used to study kinetics of dNTP primer-extension opposite a benzo[a]pyrene-N(2)-dG-adduct with four DNAPs, including Sulfolobus solfataricus Dpo4 and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius Dbh. Vmax/Km is similar for correct dCTP insertion with Dpo4 and Dbh. Compared to Dpo4, Dbh misinsertion is slower for dATP (∼20-fold), dGTP (∼110-fold) and dTTP (∼6-fold), due to decreases in Vmax. These findings provide support that Dbh is in the same Y-Family DNAP class as eukaryotic DNAP κ and bacterial DNAP IV, which accurately bypass N(2)-dG adducts, as well as establish the scan-method described herein as an accurate method to quantitate relative intensity of overlapping bands in a single lane, whether generated from (32)P-signals or by other means (e.g., staining).

['Sholder|Gabriel|G|', 'Loechler|Edward L|EL|']

2015

31109465

Influences of gender, hand dominance, and anthropometric characteristics on different types of pinch strength: A partial least squares (PLS) approach.

The relationships of demographic and anthropometric characteristics (17 dimensions related to the hand, wrist, and arm) with four different pinch strengths (lateral pinch, key pinch, three-jaw chuck pinch and tip-to-tip pinch strengths) were evaluated among 196 (96 males and 100 females) young adults aged 19-30 years. For both dominant and non-dominant hands, the lateral pinch was greatest, followed by the key pinch, three-jaw chuck pinch and tip-to-tip pinch strengths. Mean pinch strengths of the dominant and non-dominant hands of females varied between 62%-78% and 61%-73% of those exerted by males, respectively. Strength of the dominant hand was 5.3%-7.5% stronger than of that of the non-dominant hand, with this difference being generally higher in females than in males. Hand length and forearm length showed the strongest correlation with all types of pinch strengths exerted by both the dominant and non-dominant hands. In the partial least squares analysis, 10 out of 17 anthropometric indices including hand length, forearm length, arm length, middle finger width, thumb length, index finger width, thumb width, wrist depth, palm depth and index finger depth had considerable loadings in the extracted component, explaining 37% of the total variance. These findings can fill the gap in the strength data, or used by health professionals and designers in the field.

['Maleki-Ghahfarokhi|Azam|A|', 'Dianat|Iman|I|', 'Feizi|Hossein|H|', 'Asghari-Jafarabadi|Mohammad|M|']

2019

25278362

On the supramacromolecular structure of core-shell amphiphilic macromolecules derived from hyperbranched polyethyleneimine.

The supramacromolecular structure of core-shell amphiphilic macromolecules (CAMs) with hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (HPEI) cores and fatty acid chain shells (HPEI-Cn) for different chain lengths was investigated both, in colloidal suspension, solid phase and at the air-water interface using Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS), X-ray Reflectometry (XRR) and Langmuir isotherms. At low temperatures colloidal toluene suspensions of the HPEI-Cn polymers form, as evidenced by peaks arising in the structure factor of the system showing mean particle-to-particle distances correlated with the length of the aliphatic chains forming the shells of HPEI-Cn unimicelles. The CAM sizes as found from the SAXS experiments also display a clear dependence on shell thickness suggesting that the aliphatic chains adopt a brush-like configuration. After solvent extraction, HPEI-Cn adopts ordered structures with hexagonal packing of the aliphatic chains. Submitted to lateral pressure Π at the air-water interface, HPEI-Cn undergoes a disorder-order transition with increasing transition pressure for increasing chain lengths. The CAMs show different behaviors in-plane and out-of-plane. While out-of-plane the aliphatic chains behave as a brush remaining almost fully unfolded, whereas parallel to the air-water interface the chains fold down in a mushroom way with increasing lateral pressure Π.

['Picco|Agustin|A|', 'Kraska|Martin|M|', 'Didzoleit|Haiko|H|', 'Appel|Christian|C|', 'Silbestri|Gustavo|G|', 'Azzaroni|Omar|O|', 'Stühn|Bernd|B|', 'Ceolin|Marcelo|M|']

2014

32082283

Long-Term Effects of Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment on Gut Microbiota and Its Health Consequences.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis has adverse health effects on human body. Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment uses a variety of antibiotics typically for more than 20 months, which may induce gut microbiota dysbiosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of MDR-TB treatment on human gut microbiota and its related health consequences. A total of 76 participants were recruited at a hospital in Linyi, China. The study included one active MDR-TB treatment group, one recovered group from MDR-TB and two treatment-naive tuberculosis groups as control. The two treatment-naïve tuberculosis groups were constructed to match the sex and the age of the active MDR-TB treatment and the recovered group, respectively. The fecal and blood samples were collected and analyzed for gut microbiota and metabolic parameters. An altered gut microbiota community and a loss of richness were observed during the MDR-TB treatment. Strikingly, 3-8 years after recovery and discontinuing the treatment, the gut microbiota still exhibited an altered taxonomic composition (p = 0.001) and a 16% decrease in richness (p = 0.018) compared to the gut microbiota before the treatment. The abundance of fifty-eight bacterial genera was significantly changed in the MDR-TB recovered group versus the untreated control group. Although there were persistent and pervasive gut microbiota alterations, no gastrointestinal symptom such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, and constipation was observed in the recovered group. However, chronic disorders may be indicated by the elevated level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) (p = 0.034) and total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.017). These adverse lipid changes were associated with the altered gut bacterial taxa, including phylum Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia and genera Adlercreutzia, Akkermansia, Butyricicoccus, Coprococcus, Clostridioides, Eubacterium, Erysipelatoclostridium, Fusicatenibacter, Klebsiella, Psychrobacter, and Streptococcus. Collectively, MDR-TB treatment induced a lasting gut microbiota dysbiosis, which was associated with unfavorable changes in lipid profile.

['Wang|Jinyu|J|', 'Xiong|Ke|K|', 'Zhao|Shanliang|S|', 'Zhang|Chao|C|', 'Zhang|Jianwen|J|', 'Xu|Lei|L|', 'Ma|Aiguo|A|']

2020

33899506

Diaphragm Motor-Evoked Potential Induced by Cervical Magnetic Stimulation following Cervical Spinal Cord Contusion in the Rat.

Cervical spinal injury is typically associated with respiratory impairments due to damage to bulbospinal respiratory pathways and phrenic motoneurons. Magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive approach for the evaluation and modulation of the nervous system. The present study was designed to examine whether cervical magnetic stimulation can be applied to evaluate diaphragmatic motor outputs in a pre-clinical rat model of cervical spinal injury. The bilateral diaphragm was monitored in anesthetized rats using electromyogram at the acute, subchronic, and chronic stages following left mid-cervical contusion. The center of a figure-of-eight coil was placed 20 mm caudal to bregma to stimulate the cervical spinal cord. The results demonstrated that a single magnetic stimulation can evoke significant motor-evoked potentials in the diaphragms of uninjured animals when the animal's head was placed 30 mm right or left from the center of the coil. The spontaneous bursting of the diaphragm was significantly attenuated by contusion injury at all-time-points post-injury. However, the threshold of the diaphragmatic motor-evoked potential was reduced, and the amplitude of the diaphragmatic motor-evoked potential was enhanced in response to cervical magnetic stimulation at the acute injury stage. Moreover, the motor-evoked potentials of the bilateral diaphragm in animals with contusions were generally larger when the coil was placed at the left spinal cord at the subchronic and chronic injury stages. These results suggested that cervical magnetic stimulation can be used to examine the excitability of phrenic motor outputs post-injury, and magnetic stimulation applied more laterally may be more effective for triggering diaphragmatic motor-evoked potentials.

['Lee|Kun-Ze|KZ|', 'Liou|Li-Min|LM|', 'Vinit|Stéphane|S|']

2021

25441543

Quality of life of individuals treated in an outpatient burn treatment centre: application of the BSHS-R.

BACKGROUND Burns are injuries that affect individuals' physical and emotional health and may impair their quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to evaluate the QOL of individuals from an outpatient burn treatment centre in southern Brazil, according to the Burn Specific Health Scale-Revised (BSHS-R), and to determine the relationships between sociodemographic variables, burns history and the mean domains of BSHS-R. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out with 107 participants from July 2012 to January 2013 by administering the BSHS-R scale and a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and the participants' history of burns. Statistical analyses were performed comparing the scores obtained in the domains of the BSHS-R. Multiple linear regressions with the stepwise method were used to obtain a model that allowed the prediction of BSHS-R as a function of independent variables. RESULTS A negative impact on the individuals' quality of life was revealed for the domains Simple Functional Ability, Work, Affect and Body Image and Interpersonal Relationships. Predictors of a poorer BSHS-R total score were: environment of trauma occurrence (reg. coefficient -0.39 95% CI -0.77;-0.01), gender (reg. coefficient -0.52 95% CI -0.82;-0.21), occupation (reg. coefficient -0.52 95% CI -0.86;-0.18) and place of residence (reg. coefficient -0.52 95% CI -0.83;-0.13). CONCLUSIONS Sociodemographic determinants have the greatest effect on determining the QOL of individuals who have suffered burns. Therefore, actions to promote education on preventing burns in workplaces and homes are needed.

['Cabulon|Elisana Agatha Iakmiu Camargo|EA|', 'Cardoso|Jefferson Rosa|JR|', 'Maciel|Sandra Mara|SM|', 'Martins|Julia Trevisan|JT|', 'Robazzi|Maria Lucia do Carmo Cruz|ML|', 'Cardelli|Alexandrina Aparecida Maciel|AA|']

2015

32970297

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with standard imaging planes for mitral valve scallop pathology: interrater agreement and comparison with echocardiography.

Magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is applied in mitral valve regurgitation (MR) to quantify regurgitation volume/fraction and cardiac volumes, but individual scallop pathology is evaluated by echocardiography. To evaluate CMR for determination of individual scallop pathology, interrater variability on evaluation of scallop pathology from echocardiography and a standard clinical CMR protocol including a transversal stack was compared. 318 mitral scallops from 53 patients with primary MR were evaluated by two cardiologists evaluating echocardiography scans and two other cardiologists evaluating CMR scans (blinded). Inter-rater variability was determined with percentage agreement and Cohen's kappa. In evaluable scallops, interrater agreement on the diagnosis of a prolapsing and/or flail scallop was 77-87% and kappa values of 0.27-0.67, irrespective of physician or modality. Important differences between modalities were primarily related to CMR-evaluators judging the A3 and the P3 to be normal when echocardiography demonstrated prolapsing or even flail scallops; poor imaging of calcification; and flailed scallops occasionally being undetected with CMR since the flow-voids may mask the scallop. Inter-rater agreement for scallop pathology in primary MR is comparable for echocardiography and standard magnetic resonance imaging scans, but CMR has important pitfalls relating to evaluation of A3 and P3 scallops, and suffers from poor visualization of calcification and lower spatial resolution than echo. CMR with standard planes cannot replace CMR with longitudinal planes or echo for the evaluation of specific scallop pathology in severe primary MR.

['Søgaard|Stinne Byrholdt|SB|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1611-4585', 'Gustavsen|Pia|P|', 'Dalsgaard|Morten|M|', 'Vejlstrup|Niels G|NG|', 'Madsen|Per Lav|PL|']

2021

33515967

Effects of 4-week impairment-based rehabilitation on jump-landing biomechanics in chronic ankle instability patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine effects of 4-weeks of impairment-based rehabilitation on lower extremity neuromechanics during jump-landing. DESIGN Descriptive laboratory study. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-six CAI subjects (age = 21.4 ± 3.1 sex=(M = 7,F = 19), height = 169.0 ± 8.8 cm, weight = 71.0 ± 13.8 kg) completed 15 jump-landing trials prior to and following 12 supervised rehabilitation sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Frontal and sagittal lower extremity kinematics and kinetics and sEMG amplitudes (anterior tibialis, peroneus brevis, peroneus longus, and medial gastrocnemius). Means and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for 100 ms prior to and 200 ms following ground contact. Areas where pre- and post-rehabilitation CIs did not overlap were considered significantly different. Kinematic and kinetic peaks and kinematic excursion were compared with paired t-test (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS Following rehabilitation, CAI subjects exhibited less ankle (2.1° (0.8, 3.4), P < 0.01) and hip (2.0° (0.5, 3.7), P = 0.01) frontal plane excursion and lower peak hip abduction (2.5° (0.0, 5.0), P = 0.05). There was less ankle (5.0° (1.7, 8.3), P < 0.01) and knee (3.4° (0.8, 6.0), P = 0.01) sagittal plane excursion following rehabilitation. There was decreased peroneus longus activity from 9 ms to 135 ms post ground contact and decreased peak plantar flexion moment (0.08 N∗m/kg (0.01, 0.13), P = 0.02) following rehabilitation. CONCLUSION Progressive impairment-based rehabilitation resulted in reductions in kinematic excursion and peroneus longus muscle activity, suggesting a more efficient landing strategy.

['Feger|Mark A|MA|', 'Donovan|Luke|L|', 'Herb|C Collin|CC|', 'Hart|Joseph M|JM|', 'Saliba|Susan A|SA|', 'Abel|Mark F|MF|', 'Hertel|Jay|J|']

2021

25871509

One-Year Prospective Study of Community Acquired Influenza and Parainfluenza Viral Infections in Hospitalized Egyptian Children with Malignancy: Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND Respiratory viruses are widespread in the community and easily transmitted to immunocompromised patients. AIMS Assess the prevalence of community-acquired respiratory viral infections among children with cancer presenting with clinical picture suggestive of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), and evaluate its risk factors and prognosis. METHODS Over a year, 90 hospitalized children with malignancy and LRTIs recruited, subjected to clinical assessment, investigated through hematology panel, blood culture, chest x-ray, CT chest and PCR for influenza A and B, parainfluenza (PIV) types 1 and 3 viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and prospectively followed up for the clinical outcome. RESULTS Viral pathogens were identified in 34 patients (37.7%), with a seasonal peak from April to May. The most frequently detected virus was influenza virus [type A (16 cases; 47%), type B (4 cases; 12%)] followed by parainfluenza virus [PIV1 (9 cases; 26%), PIV3 (3 cases; 15%)], and none had RSV. Bacteria were identified in 26 patients, fungi in four, mixed infections [bacterial/viral and bacterial/fungal] in 13, and 36 cases had unidentified etiology. The majority of patients with influenza and parainfluenza infections had hematological malignancy, presented with fever, and had mild self-limited respiratory illness. Five patients with mixed viral and bacterial infection had severe symptoms necessitating ICU admission. Six patients died from infection-related sequelae; two had mixed PIV and Staphylococcal infections. CONCLUSIONS Community acquired influenza and parainfluenza infections are common in pediatrics patients with malignancy, either as isolated or mixed viral/bacterial infections. Clinical suspicion is essential as hematological and radiological manifestations are nonspecific. Rapid diagnosis and management are mandatory to improve patients' outcome.

['Tantawy|Azza A G|AA|', 'Barakat|Moustafa M A|MM|', 'Adly|Amira A M|AA|', 'Ebeid|Fatma S E|FS|', 'Shamaa|Manal F El|MF|', 'Yassin|Mohamed|M|']

2015

30042554

Ripening quality of Dusehri mango in relation to harvest time.

The effect of different harvesting time on ripening quality of mango cv. Dusehri was investigated under sub-tropics of northwestern India. Fruits were harvested at 101, 106 and 111 days after fruit set (DAFS) and kept at 25 °C in temperature controlled chamber for ripening. Fruits were analyzed periodically for physico-chemical characteristics at the time of harvest (0 h) and after 72, 96 and 120 h of ripening period. With advancement in ripening period, an increase in physiological loss in weight, soluble solids content (SSC), sensory quality rating, β-carotene and pulp colour development of mango fruits was recorded. While a decline in fruit firmness and titratable acidity (TA) was observed with ripening period. Fruits picked at 111 DAFS recorded highest SSC (8.01%), sensory rating (4.67), β-carotene (0.427 mg/100 g) vis-à-vis lowest fruit firmness (15.3 lbf) and TA content (1.56%). The luminosity of fruit pulp decreased with the storage period. The redness and yellowness of the fruit pulp represented by a* and b* values, respectively increased with delay in harvesting period. The rate of ripening was rapid in late harvested fruits as compared to early harvested fruits. After 96 h of ripening period, fruits harvested at 111 DAFS showed very much desirable quality whereas fruits harvested at 101 DAFS showed moderately desirable quality. Results showed that harvesting of mango fruits can be extended to 111 days and such fruits attained optimum ripening quality after 96 h at 25 °C.

['Kour|Ramandeep|R|0000-0002-3928-1044', 'Singh|Mandeep|M|', 'Gill|P P S|PPS|', 'Jawandha|S K|SK|']

2018

27993989

The transcription factor mohawk homeobox regulates homeostasis of the periodontal ligament.

The periodontal ligament (PDL), which connects the teeth to the alveolar bone, is essential for periodontal tissue homeostasis. Although the significance of the PDL is recognized, molecular mechanisms underlying PDL function are not well known. We report that mohawk homeobox (Mkx), a tendon-specific transcription factor, regulates PDL homeostasis by preventing its degeneration. Mkx is expressed in the mouse PDL at the age of 10 weeks and expression remained at similar levels at 12 months. In Mkx-/- mice, age-dependent expansion of the PDL at the maxillary first molar (M1) furcation area was observed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that Mkx-/- mice presented collagen fibril degeneration in PDL with age, while the collagen fibril diameter gradually increased in Mkx+/+ mice. PDL cells lost their shape in Mkx-/- mice, suggesting changes in PDL properties. Microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses of Mkx-/- PDL revealed an increase in osteogenic gene expression and no change in PDL- and inflammatory-related gene expression. Additionally, COL1A1 and COL1A2 were upregulated in Mkx-overexpressing human PDL fibroblasts, whereas osteogenic genes were downregulated. Our results indicate that Mkx prevents PDL degeneration by regulating osteogenesis.

['Koda|Naoki|N|', 'Sato|Tempei|T|', 'Shinohara|Masahiro|M|', 'Ichinose|Shizuko|S|', 'Ito|Yoshiaki|Y|', 'Nakamichi|Ryo|R|', 'Kayama|Tomohiro|T|', 'Kataoka|Kensuke|K|', 'Suzuki|Hidetsugu|H|', 'Moriyama|Keiji|K|', 'Asahara|Hiroshi|H|0000-0002-5215-8745']

2017

26835728

Effect of elasticity on wall shear stress inside cerebral aneurysm at anterior cerebral artery.

BACKGROUND Many numerical studies have been published with respect to about flow structures around cerebral aneurysm assuming to be rigid. Furthermore, there is little experimental research concerning aneurysm with elastic wall. Wall shear stress in elastic wall comparing with rigid wall should be clarified in experimental approach and verified in CFD. OBJECTIVE We have experimentally realized elastic aneurysm model accompanying with wall deformation. Wall shear stress was examined for both rigid and elastic aneurysm models in pulsatile flow. METHODS Effect of elasticity on wall shear stress inside aneurysm induced at the apex of anterior cerebral artery was experimentally examined by particle image velocimetry in vitro. In order to adjust the wall deformation, the pressure adjustment chamber was specially equipped outside the aneurysm wall. RESULTS Effect of elasticity on wall shear stress was noticed on the comparison with that of rigidity. Wall elasticity reduced the peak magnitude, the spatial and temporal averaged wall shear stress comparing with those of wall rigidity experimentally. These reductions were endorsed by fluid-structure interaction simulation. CONCLUSION Elastic wall comparing with rigid wall would reduce the peak magnitude, the spatial and temporal averaged wall shear stress acting on vascular wall.

['Xu|Lijian|L|', 'Sugawara|Michiko|M|', 'Tanaka|Gaku|G|', 'Ohta|Makoto|M|', 'Liu|Hao|H|', 'Yamaguchi|Ryuhei|R|']

2016

29435019

NAC1 promotes the migration of prostate cancer cells and participates in osteoclastogenesis by negatively regulating IFNβ.

Nucleus accumbens-associated protein 1 (NAC1), a transcriptional co-regulator, is overexpressed in advanced prostate cancer. However, the NAC1-regulated transcriptome has not been completely explored. In the present study, the functional silencing of NAC1 blocked the migration of prostate cancer cells and suppress osteoclastogenesis. The present study also determined that NAC1 was overexpressed in the highly aggressive prostate cancer cell lines PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP. NAC1 small interfering RNA treatment of DU-145 cells decreased cell migration, but interestingly had no significant effects on cell proliferation. Furthermore, microarray analysis showed that a group of genes may be associated with the development of prostate cancer after NAC1 knockdown, including interferon-β (IFNβ), which is reported to be involved in osteoclastogenesis, an important factor affecting bone metastasis. The mechanisms of NAC1 function were further explored by co-culture studies using PC-3 and RAW264.7 osteoclast precursor cells, which demonstrated that silencing NAC1 downregulated the genes associated with the activation of osteoclasts. Furthermore, it was revealed that NAC1 had the ability to affect the release of IFNβ into the extracellular environment. Together, these findings indicated that NAC1 promoted cell migration, and that NAC1 may have a key role in osteoclastogenesis.

['Chen|Fang|F|', 'Yin|Yinghao|Y|', 'Yan|Zhifeng|Z|', 'Cao|Ke|K|', 'Zhong|Kuangbiao|K|']

2018

33598108

WJMSC-derived small extracellular vesicle enhance T cell suppression through PD-L1.

Both mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their corresponding small extracellular vesicles (sEVs, commonly referred to as exosomes) share similar immunomodulatory properties that are potentially beneficial for the treatment of acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD). We report that clinical grade Wharton's Jelly-derived MSCs (WJMSCs) secrete sEVs enriched in programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), an essential ligand for an inhibitory immune checkpoint. A rapid increase in circulating sEV-associated PD-L1 was observed in patients with aGvHD and was directly associated with the infusion time of clinical grade WJMSCs. In addition, in vitro inhibitory antibody mediated blocking of sEV-associated PD-L1 restored T cell activation (TCA), suggesting a functional inhibitory role of sEVs-PD-L1. PD-L1-deficient sEVs isolated from WJMSCs following CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing fail to inhibit TCA. Furthermore, we found that PD-L1 is essential for WJMSC-derived sEVs to modulate T cell receptors (TCRs). Our study reveals an important mechanism by which therapeutic WJMSCs modulate TCR-mediated TCA through sEVs or sEV-carried immune checkpoints. In addition, our clinical data suggest that sEV-associated PD-L1 may be not only useful in predicting the outcomes from WJMSC clinical administration, but also in developing cell-independent therapy for aGvHD patients.

['Li|Meizhang|M|', 'Soder|Rupal|R|', 'Abhyankar|Sunil|S|', 'Abdelhakim|Haitham|H|', 'Braun|Mitchell W|MW|', 'Trinidad|Camille V|CV|', 'Pathak|Harsh B|HB|', 'Pessetto|Ziyan|Z|', 'Deighan|Clayton|C|', 'Ganguly|Siddhartha|S|', 'Dawn|Buddhadeb|B|', 'McGuirk|Joseph|J|', 'Dunavin|Neil|N|', 'Godwin|Andrew K|AK|']

2021

25202165

Combined evaluation of grazing incidence X-ray fluorescence and X-ray reflectivity data for improved profiling of ultra-shallow depth distributions.

The continuous downscaling of the process size for semiconductor devices pushes the junction depths and consequentially the implantation depths to the top few nanometers of the Si substrate. This motivates the need for sensitive methods capable of analyzing dopant distribution, total dose and possible impurities. X-ray techniques utilizing the external reflection of X-rays are very surface sensitive, hence providing a non-destructive tool for process analysis and control. X-ray reflectometry (XRR) is an established technique for the characterization of single- and multi-layered thin film structures with layer thicknesses in the nanometer range. XRR spectra are acquired by varying the incident angle in the grazing incidence regime while measuring the specular reflected X-ray beam. The shape of the resulting angle-dependent curve is correlated to changes of the electron density in the sample, but does not provide direct information on the presence or distribution of chemical elements in the sample. Grazing Incidence XRF (GIXRF) measures the X-ray fluorescence induced by an X-ray beam incident under grazing angles. The resulting angle dependent intensity curves are correlated to the depth distribution and mass density of the elements in the sample. GIXRF provides information on contaminations, total implanted dose and to some extent on the depth of the dopant distribution, but is ambiguous with regard to the exact distribution function. Both techniques use similar measurement procedures and data evaluation strategies, i.e. optimization of a sample model by fitting measured and calculated angle curves. Moreover, the applied sample models can be derived from the same physical properties, like atomic scattering/form factors and elemental concentrations; a simultaneous analysis is therefore a straightforward approach. This combined analysis in turn reduces the uncertainties of the individual techniques, allowing a determination of dose and depth profile of the implanted elements with drastically increased confidence level. Silicon wafers implanted with Arsenic at different implantation energies were measured by XRR and GIXRF using a combined, simultaneous measurement and data evaluation procedure. The data were processed using a self-developed software package (JGIXA), designed for simultaneous fitting of GIXRF and XRR data. The results were compared with depth profiles obtained by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS).

['Ingerle|D|D|', 'Meirer|F|F|', 'Pepponi|G|G|', 'Demenev|E|E|', 'Giubertoni|D|D|', 'Wobrauschek|P|P|', 'Streli|C|C|']

2014

29545062

Purification and biochemical characterization of two isolated laccase isoforms from Agaricus bisporus CU13 and their potency in dye decolorization.

Agaricus bisporus CU13 laccase was purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation (40-80%), Sephadex G100, and DEAE Sephadex A50 anion exchange column chromatography, respectively. Two laccase isoenzymes (Lacc1 & Lacc2) with purification folds of 1.40 and 5.81 respectively, were obtained from DEAE Sephadex A50 column. Optimal temperature and pH were recorded at 55 °C and pH 5.0 for both laccase isoenzymes using ABTS as substrate. Lacc1 was more thermostable than Lacc2 with residual activity of 95, 80 and 6%, while Lacc2 only retained 72, 25 and 0.4% of its activity after incubation for 90 min. at 50, 60 and 70 °C, respectively. Lacc2 retained about 93 and 86% of the initial activity at pH 9.0 and 7.0, whereas Lacc1 was stable at pH 7.0 and 5.0 followed by pH 9.0 and retained about 87, 76, and 36% of its activity respectively, after 4 h of incubation. Lacc1 was activated by 40% in the presence of Cu2+ (10 mM). Km and Vmax values found to be 0.394 and 0.158 μM, and 0.1351 and 0.4755 μmol min-1 for Lacc1 and Lacc2, respectively. The efficiency of both isoenzymes to decolorize Acid blue dye, make the enzyme seems to be a prospective for further biotechnological applications.

['Othman|Abdelmageed M|AM|', 'Elsayed|Maysa A|MA|', 'Elshafei|Ali M|AM|', 'Hassan|Mohamed M|MM|']

2018

32138542

Availability and utilization of support services for South African male caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease in low-income communities.

The purpose of this study was to explore the needs of male caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease, by ascertaining the availability and utilization of Alzheimer's disease-related resources in low-income communities in the Western Cape. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 adult males who were familial caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease. They were recruited via purposeful sampling methods. Thematic analysis of the data generated four major themes, namely Awareness, Knowledge and Education; Caregivers who do not use services; Caregivers who use services and Service needs identified by male caregivers. Predominant findings were that male caregivers in lower income communities do not make use of formal Alzheimer's disease-related services - albeit being aware of them - because they do not perceive a need for its utilization. Instead, male caregivers prefer assistance in the form of respite care in the home environment to relieve and assist them with household needs. The role of culture may have a substantial influence on these patterns of help-seeking behavior due to the emphasis on a collective approach to caregiving using wider, informal social networks. Needs that were identified by the male caregivers in this study included the general awareness of Alzheimer's disease, access to information regarding service provision, psychoeducation and affordable services within improved care facilities for low-income communities. The findings of this study suggest a starting point for the needs that should be prioritized to facilitate culturally appropriate service use amongst male caregivers in similar settings.

['Mahomed|Aqeela|A|', 'Pretorius|Chrisma|C|https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9188-0255']

2021

32170892

Nanobiocomposite based on natural polyelectrolytes for bone regeneration.

We developed a composite hydrogel based on chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose with nanometric hydroxyapatite (nHA) as filler (ranging from 0.5 to 5%), by ultrasonic methodology to be used for bone regeneration. The 3D porous-structure of the biocomposite scaffolds were confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Microtomography analysis. Infrared analysis did not show specific interactions between the organic components of the composite and nHA in the scaffold. The hydrogel properties of the matrices were studied by swelling and mechanical tests, indicating that the scaffold presented a good mechanical behavior. The degradation test demonstrated that the material is slowly degraded, while the addition of nHA slightly influences the degradation of the scaffolds. Biocompatibility studies carried out with bone marrow mesenchymal progenitor cells (BMPC) showed that cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were increased depending on the matrix nHA content. On the other hand, no cytotoxic effect was observed when RAW264.7 cells were seeded on the scaffolds. Altogether, our results allow us to conclude that these nanobiocomposites are promising candidates to induce bone tissue regeneration.

['Belluzo|M Soledad|MS|', 'Medina|Lara F|LF|', 'Molinuevo|M Silvina|MS|', 'Cortizo|M Susana|MS|', 'Cortizo|Ana M|AM|']

2020

28660666

Factors associated with the pricing of childhood vaccines in the U.S. public sector.

Vaccine purchase cost has grown substantially over the last few decades. A closer look at vaccine prices reveals that not all vaccines shared the same increasing pattern. Various factors, such as vaccine attributes, competition, and supply shortages, could relate to price changes. In this study, we examined whether a variety of factors influenced the prices of noninfluenza childhood vaccines purchased in the public sector from 1996 to 2014. The association differed among price-capped vaccines and combination vaccines. There was an increasing time trend in real prices for non-price-capped vaccines, which was mostly offset by the effect of market longevity. The effect of competition in lowering prices was more pronounced among non-price-capped vaccines when manufacturer and vaccine component fixed effects were excluded. Supply shortage, manufacturer name change, and number of vaccine doses in series showed no effect. The results may help policy makers better understand price behaviors and make more informed decisions in vaccine planning and financing.

['Chen|Weiwei|W|0000-0002-2162-0941', 'Messonnier|Mark|M|', 'Zhou|Fangjun|F|']

2018

28878853

Bilateral Renal Metastasis of Hürthle Cell Thyroid Cancer with Discordant Uptake Between I-131 Sodium Iodide and F-18 FDG.

Renal metastasis of thyroid cancer is extremely rare. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with Hürthle cell thyroid cancer (HCTC) with lungs, bones, and bilateral kidneys metastases. The renal metastatic lesions were clearly demonstrated by 131I whole body scan (WBS) with SPECT/CT. However, they exhibited false-negative results in 18F-FDG PET/CT, kidney ultrasonography, and contrast-enhanced CT scan. The findings imply that tumors have low glucose metabolism and are able to accumulate radioiodine, which is not commonly found in the relatively aggressive nature of HCTC. The patient received two sessions of 200 mCi 131I therapy within 6 months duration. There was complete treatment response as evaluated by the second post-therapeutic 131I SPECT/CT and serum thyroglobulin. To our knowledge, renal metastasis from HCTC with positive 131I but negative 18F-FDG uptake has not been reported in the literature. This case suggests that 131I SPECT/CT is useful for lesion localization and prediction of 131I therapy response.

['Claimon|Apichaya|A|', 'Suh|Minseok|M|', 'Cheon|Gi Jeong|GJ|0000-0002-1360-5186', 'Lee|Dong Soo|DS|', 'Kim|E Edmund|EE|', 'Chung|June-Key|JK|']

2017

26229270

Relationship between depression and chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND Periodontitis is a chronic, multifactorial, polymicrobial disease causing inflammation in the supporting structures of the teeth. There is a plethora of nonoral risk factors which can be quoted to aid in the development of chronic periodontitis. According to WHO, depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration. Depression is associated with negligent oral health care and another mechanism proposed disturbance in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis system and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid system, which can affect the periodontal status by affecting the immune system. AIM The aim of this study was to assess the association between periodontal clinical parameters and depression rating. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study design is a case-control study with 35 patients each in case and control group. The periodontal parameters taken for measurement were probing depth and clinical attachment loss. Depression was calculated using Beck's depression scale. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The statistical analysis was performed by means of SPSS software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA; version 17.0 under windows 2000). Student's t-test was used to determine the relationship between the clinical periodontal parameters and depression. RESULTS Self-reported scoring of depression by using Beck's depression inventory has shown that periodontal patients had a significantly higher total depression score than normal controls. CONCLUSION This study reveals that there is a direct correlation between the severity of periodontal disease and the severity of depression in patients.

['Sundararajan|Shiyamali|S|', 'Muthukumar|Santhanakrishnan|S|', 'Rao|Suresh Ranga|SR|']

2015

32344183

Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of novel 1H-benzo[d]imidazole derivatives of dehydroabietic acid as PI3Kα inhibitors.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is one of the most attractive therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. In this study, a series of new 2-arylthio- and 2-arylamino-1H-benzo[d]imidazole derivatives of dehydroabietic acid were designed, synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and MS spectra analyses. In the in vitro anticancer assay, some title compounds showed significant inhibitory activities against four cancer cell lines (HCT-116, MCF-7, HeLa and HepG2). Among them, compound 9g exhibited the most potent activity with IC50 values of 0.18 ± 0.03, 0.43 ± 0.05, 0.71 ± 0.08 and 0.63 ± 0.09 μM against four cancer cell lines, and considerably lower cytotoxicity to human gastric mucosal cell line Ges-1 (IC50: 21.95 ± 0.73 μM). Besides, compound 9g displayed a certain selective activity to PI3Kα (IC50 = 0.012 ± 0.002 μM) over PI3Kβ, γ and δ, and meanwhile, it can remarkably decrease the expression level of p-Akt (Ser473). In addition, compound 9g could increase intracellular reactive oxygen species level, decrease mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulate Bax and cleaved caspase-3/9 levels, downregulate Bcl-2 level and thus induce the apoptosis of HCT-116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggested that compound 9g could be considered as a promising PI3Kα inhibitor.

['Yang|Ya-Qun|YQ|', 'Chen|Hao|H|', 'Liu|Qing-Song|QS|', 'Sun|Yue|Y|', 'Gu|Wen|W|']

2020

31398517

Body mass index cut-off points for predicting chronic non-communicable disease should differ by gender and age group.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study to determine whether body mass index (BMI) in different genders and age groups need different thresholds when predicting chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs). STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. METHODS Data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey conducted in 2009. Sequential sample cluster analysis was used to group age according to BMI. Propensity score matching was used to eliminate the influence of age. Receiver operating characteristic curve based on gender and age group was used to evaluate the cut-off values and efficiency of BMI in each group. RESULTS A total of 8469 individuals were enrolled in this study. Results of sequential sample cluster analyses showed age was divided into three groups: 18-39, 40-59 and 60-99 years. There were significant differences in the distribution of BMI among the three groups for both males and females (P < 0.001). Statistical differences were observed in the distribution of BMI between genders in the 18-39- and 60-99-year-old age groups (P < 0.001). For men, the cut-off values of BMI were ≥25 kg/m2, ≥24 kg/m2 and ≥23 kg/m2 in the 18-39, 40-59 and 60-99 years old groups, respectively; for women, the corresponding cut-off points were ≥25 kg/m2, ≥23 kg/m2 and ≥25 kg/m2 in groups. CONCLUSIONS The thresholds for BMI might be different between gender and age group. In addition, it might not be suitable to determine cut-off values of BMI to predict CNCDs for people aged ≥60 years.

['Pei|X|X|', 'Liu|L|L|', 'Cai|Y|Y|', 'Peng|Y|Y|', 'Ma|C|C|', 'Jin|Y|Y|', 'Ping|Z|Z|']

2019

26986788

A molecular evaluation of the Liagoraceae sensu lato (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta) in Bermuda including Liagora nesophila sp. nov. and Yamadaella grassyi sp. nov.

We have undertaken a comprehensive, molecular-assisted alpha-taxonomic examination of the rhodophyte family Liagoraceae sensu lato, a group that has not previously been targeted for molecular studies in the western Atlantic. Sequence data from three molecular markers indicate that in Bermuda alone there are 10 species in nine different genera. These include the addition of three genera to the flora - Hommersandiophycus, Trichogloeopsis, and Yamadaella. Liagora pectinata, a species with a type locality in Bermuda, is phylogenetically allied with Indo-Pacific species of Hommersandiophycus, and the species historically reported as L. ceranoides for the islands is morphologically and genetically distinct from that taxon, and is herein described as L. nesophila sp. nov. Molecular sequence data have also uncovered the Indo-Pacific L. mannarensis in Bermuda, a long-distance new western Atlantic record. DNA sequences of Trichogloeopsis pedicellata from the type locality (Bahamas) match with local specimens demonstrating its presence in Bermuda. We described Yamadaella grassyi sp. nov. from Bermuda, a species phylogenetically and morphologically distinct from the generitype, Y. caenomyce of the Indo-Pacific. Our data also indicated a single species each of Ganonema, Gloiocallis, Helminthocladia, Titanophycus, and Trichogloea in the flora.

['Popolizio|Thea R|TR|', 'Schneider|Craig W|CW|', 'Lane|Christopher E|CE|']

2015

31588605

Sudden cardiac arrest and ventricular arrhythmias following first type I myocardial infarction in the contemporary era.

INTRODUCTION Myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with an increase in subsequent heart failure (HF), recurrent ischemic events, sudden cardiac arrest, and ventricular arrhythmias (SCA-VA). The primary objective of the study to determine the role of intercurrent HF and ischemic events on the development of SCA-VA following first type I MI. METHODS AND RESULTS A retrospective cohort study of patients experiencing first type 1 MI in Olmsted County, Minnesota (2002-2012) was conducted by identifying patients using the medical records linkage system (Rochester epidemiology project). Patients aged ≥18 years were followed from the time of MI till death or 31 July, 2017. Intercurrent HF and ischemic events were the primary exposures following MI and their association with outcome SCA-VA was assessed. Eight hundred and sixty-seven patients (mean age was 63 ± 14.5 years; 69% male; 49.8% ST-elevation myocardial infarction) who had their first type I MI during the study period were included. Majority of acute MI patients were revascularized using percutaneous coronary intervention and bypass surgery (628 [72.43%] and 87 [10.03%] respectively). During a mean follow-up of 7.69 ± 4.17 years, HF, recurrent ischemic events and SCA-VA occurred in 155 (17.9%), 245 (28.3%), and 40 (4.61%) patients respectively. Low ejection fraction (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-0.98; P < .001), intercurrent HF (adjusted HR 3.11; 95% CI, 1.39-6.95; P = .006) and recurrent ischemic events (adjusted HR 3.47; 95% CI, 1.68-7.18; P < .001) were associated with subsequent SCA-VA. CONCLUSION SCA-VA occurred in a small proportion of patients after MI and is associated with intercurrent HF and recurrent ischemic events.

['Amin|Mustapha|M|', 'Kella|Danesh|D|', 'Killu|Ammar M|AM|0000-0002-5525-1806', 'Padmanabhan|Deepak|D|', 'Hodge|David O|DO|', 'Golafshar|Michael A|MA|', 'Chamberlain|Alanna M|AM|', 'Lee|Justin Z|JZ|', 'Shen|Win-Kuang|WK|', 'Friedman|Paul A|PA|0000-0001-5052-2948', 'Asirvatham|Samuel J|SJ|0000-0001-9835-5536', 'Roger|Véronique L|VL|', 'Gersh|Bernard J|BJ|', 'Mulpuru|Siva K|SK|0000-0002-7694-3617']

2019

33155846

Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of False Vocal Cord: Case Report.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a malignant tumor formed by monoclonal abnormal proliferation of plasma cells, which is mainly characterized by localized masses and very rare in the larynx, particularly in the false vocal cord. We present a larynx EMP that arises from the false cord without systematic involvement. After surgical resection, the patient received adjuvant radiotherapy and was recurrence-free during the 8-month follow-up.

['Lu|Guowei|G|', 'Zhang|Qiang|Q|']

2020

31020558

Multi-Genome Annotation with AUGUSTUS.

Comparing multiple related genomes can help to improve their structural annotation. The accuracy and consistency of the predicted exon-intron structures of the protein coding genes can be higher when considering all genomes at once rather than annotating one genome at a time.The comparative gene prediction algorithm of AUGUSTUS performs such a multi-genome annotation. A multiple alignment of genomes is used to exploit evolutionary clues to conservation and negative selection. Further, AUGUSTUS exploits the fact that orthologous genes typically have congruent exon-intron structures. Comparative AUGUSTUS simultaneously predicts the genes in all input genomes. In this chapter we walk the reader through a small example from eight vertebrate species, including the construction of an alignment of the input genomes and how to integrate RNA-Seq evidence from multiple species for gene finding.

['Nachtweide|Stefanie|S|', 'Stanke|Mario|M|']

2019

27990280

Hyphal ontogeny in Neurospora crassa: a model organism for all seasons.

Filamentous fungi have proven to be a better-suited model system than unicellular yeasts in analyses of cellular processes such as polarized growth, exocytosis, endocytosis, and cytoskeleton-based organelle traffic. For example, the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa develops a variety of cellular forms. Studying the molecular basis of these forms has led to a better, yet incipient, understanding of polarized growth. Polarity factors as well as Rho GTPases, septins, and a localized delivery of vesicles are the central elements described so far that participate in the shift from isotropic to polarized growth. The growth of the cell wall by apical biosynthesis and remodeling of polysaccharide components is a key process in hyphal morphogenesis. The coordinated action of motor proteins and Rab GTPases mediates the vesicular journey along the hyphae toward the apex, where the exocyst mediates vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane. Cytoplasmic microtubules and actin microfilaments serve as tracks for the transport of vesicular carriers as well as organelles in the tubular cell, contributing to polarization. In addition to exocytosis, endocytosis is required to set and maintain the apical polarity of the cell. Here, we summarize some of the most recent breakthroughs in hyphal morphogenesis and apical growth in N. crassa and the emerging questions that we believe should be addressed.

['Riquelme|Meritxell|M|', 'Martínez-Núñez|Leonora|L|']

2016

31398151

The association of aрai-polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) with development of generalized parodontitis in Ukrainian population.

OBJECTIVE Introduction: At present, it is believed that the genetic component is important in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. One of the candidate genes that are of major importance in the development of the disease is the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR). The association of its genetic polymorphisms, in particular Apal, with periodontitis in different populations of the world is proved. The aim: To study the association of the Apal-polymorphism VDR gene with the development of generalized periodontitis in the Ukrainian population. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: Patient genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction with subsequent analysis of restriction fragment length (PCR-RFLP) from buccal epithelium 116 patients with generalized periodontitis (GP) and 67 individuals of control group. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS-17,0 program. RESULTS Results: As a result of the performed studies, it was shown that in the group of patients with GP, the ratio of homozygous for the main allele (a/a), heterozygote (a/A) and homozygote for the minor allele (A/A) was 26 (22,4%), 62 (53,4%), 28 (24,2%), and in control group - 25 (37,3%), 27 (40,3%), 15 (22,4%), respectively. The distribution of genotypes in the comparison groups was not statistically significant (P = 0,084). By the method of binary logistic regression in the framework of the additive inheritance model (a/A vs a/a), a reliable relationship of the genotype with the Apal-polymorphism of the VDR gene was established with the development of generalized periodontitis (Р=0,029). It was shown that in heterozygotes (a/A) the risk of GP in 2,208 (95% CI = 1,084-4,496) times is higher than in homozygotes of the main allele (a/a). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking habit, BMI, the reliability of these results was maintained (P = 0,030). CONCLUSION Conclusions: The ApaI-polymorphism of the VDR gene is associated with the development of generalized periodontitis in the Ukrainian population.

['Fomenko|Ilia G|IG|', 'Harbuzova|Viktoriia Yu|VY|', 'Obukhova|Olha A|OA|', 'Pohmura|Vladislav V|VV|', 'Plakhtiienko|Inna A|IA|', 'Piven|Svitlana N|SN|']

2019