Morphological criteria of feminine upper eyelashes, quantified by a new semi-automatized image analysis: Application to the objective assessment of mascaras.

Abstract

Background

The wide diversity of feminine eyelashes in shape, length, and curvature makes it a complex domain that remains to be quantified in vivo, together with their changes brought by application of mascaras that are visually assessed by women themselves or make-up experts.

Methods

A dedicated software was developed to semi-automatically extract and quantify, from digital images (frontal and lateral pictures), the major parameters of feminine eyelashes of Mexican and Caucasian women and to record the changes brought by the applications of various mascaras and their brushes, being self or professionally applied.

Results

The diversity of feminine eyelashes appears as a major influencing factor in the application of mascaras and their related results. Eight marketed mascaras and their respective brushes were tested and their quantitative profiles, in terms of coverage, morphology, or curvature were assessed. Standard applications by trained aestheticians led to higher and more homogeneous deposits of mascara, as compared to those resulting from self-applications.

Conclusion

The developed software appears a precious tool for both quantifying the major characteristics of eyelashes and assessing the making-up results brought by mascaras and their associated brushes.

http://ift.tt/2fjerxk

Acellular Dermal Matrix: Treating Periocular Melanoma in a Patient with Xeroderma Pigmentosa

We report a 7-year-old girl with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), who presented in our clinic with a large melanoma (35 × 50 × 20 mm, Breslow depth 18 mm) in the zygomatic-malar area. Palliative surgery was performed to maintain her residual vision and to reduce the pain caused by the compression of local structures. Because of the limited access of autologous skin grafts in pediatric patients with XP who are severely affected, we opted to use an acellular dermal matrix. There was 100% graft uptake, and the pain due to compression by the tumor was alleviated. This case demonstrates that acellular dermal matrices can be safely and effectively used in oncological facial reconstruction, especially in patients with progressive conditions such as XP.

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Methods report: European S3-Guideline on the systemic treatment of psoriasis vulgaris – Update Apremilast and Secukinumab – EDF in cooperation with EADV and IPC

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Case of multiple microcystic adnexal carcinomas on the sun-exposed area

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Total cell necrosis of metastatic malignant melanoma at the regional lymph node in a patient treatment with nivolumab

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Synergistic effects of interferon-beta and nivolumab in oral mucosal melanoma

Abstract

Mucosal melanoma is a rare aggressive cancer with a very poor prognosis. Clinical and pathological characteristics of mucosal melanoma differ from those of cutaneous melanoma and there are no established management guidelines for mucosal melanoma. Complete surgical excision is one of the most effective treatments for localized lesions, while targeted therapies and immunotherapies, such as monoclonal antibodies that target cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated molecule-4, and the programmed death (PD)-1/PD-ligand 1 pathway inhibitors, are treatment options for unresectable or metastatic lesions. Here, we describe the case of a patient with oral mucosal melanoma with multiple metastases. In our case, local injection of interferon (IFN)-β with dacarbazine–nimustine–vincristine therapy provided antitumor effects on an invasive tumor on the upper gingiva. Nivolumab therapy produced complete remission of lymph node and bone metastases. In contrast, the remaining in situ portion of oral mucosal melanoma on the hard palate was refractory to IFN-β monotherapy and nivolumab therapy. However, after administration of nivolumab, peritumoral injection of IFN-β showed rapid therapeutic effects. Our case suggested that nivolumab upregulated the antitumor effects of IFN-β, which induced the recruitment of CD8⁺ T cells into the tumor microenvironment contributing to the deletion of tumor cells. Combination therapy of IFN-β and nivolumab may be a potential treatment option for patients with oral mucosal melanoma.

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Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in non-HIV immunosuppressed patients

Abstract

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) represents a clinical phenomenon of immune-mediated inflammation against various antigens, including pathogenic microorganisms, drugs and unknown autoantigens, during recovery from immunosuppressed conditions. IRIS has become well recognized in HIV-infected populations. However, IRIS has seldom been recognized in HIV-negative immunocompromised patients. In the last 15 years, the immunopathogenesis of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) has been largely determined. Laboratory data and clinical observations support the idea that DIHS represents a prototype of non-HIV IRIS. Primary diseases in which non-HIV IRIS is secondary include severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions, such as DIHS, autoimmune diseases, collagen diseases, pregnancy and internal malignancies. Potential triggers of recovery from an immune deterioration state include a discontinuation or abrupt tapering of systemic steroids and/or immunosuppressants, withdrawal or reduced effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α antibodies, and the use of immune-checkpoint antagonists for the advanced stages of malignancies. Wide use of IRIS across large populations risks oversimplification but highlights a key unifying principle. Balanced sensitivity and specificity for its diagnostic criteria and classification are necessary for the establishment of clinical practice guidelines for non-HIV IRIS. Additionally, the development of a useful combination of biomarkers is currently an urgent issue.

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Bullous pemphigoid induced by ipilimumab in a patient with metastatic malignant melanoma after unsuccessful treatment with nivolumab

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Lymph node metastatic melanoma from ungual melanoma: Identification of somatic mutations in KIT and LZTR1

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Anaphylaxis due to ingestion of jellyfish with possible evidence of epicutaneous sensitization

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Integration of soil magnetometry and geochemistry for assessment of human health risk from metallurgical slag dumps

Abstract

The main objective of the study was an assessment of the pollution level of agricultural land located close to dumps of industrial waste remaining after former Zn and Pb ore processing in Poland. The integrated geophysical-geochemical methods were applied for assessment of soil quality with respect to trace element pollution. Additionally, human health risk induced by the contaminated arable soil and dusting slag heap was estimated. The investigations pointed out that soils in the vicinity of the metallurgical slag dump in Piekary were heavily polluted. Spatial distribution of magnetic susceptibility corresponding well with distribution of the content of potentially toxic elements indicated the local "pollution hotspots." Proper geophysical and geochemical data interpretation supported by statistical factor analysis enabled identification of three different sources of pollution including metallurgical slug dump as a main source, but also traffic pollution influencing the area located along the busy road and relatively strong influence of the geochemical background. Computed health hazard index revealed no adverse health effect to the farmers cultivating arable soil, but in the direct vicinity of dusting, slag dump health risk occurred, caused mostly by very toxic elements as As and Tl. In the future, investigation should be focused on contribution of different sources to the heavy metal pollution in soil-crop system in this area. It should be highlighted that a site-specific approach should be taken in order to redevelop this kind of area in order to reduce ecological and human health threat. The study proved the integrated two-stage geophysical-geochemical method to be a feasible, reliable, and cost-effective tool for identification of the extent of soil pollution and areas at risk.

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Development of a comprehensive screening method for more than 300 organic chemicals in water samples using a combination of solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry

Abstract

A comprehensive screening method for 311 organic compounds with a wide range of physicochemical properties (log Pow −2.2–8.53) in water samples was developed by combining solid-phase extraction with liquid chromatography–high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Method optimization using 128 pesticides revealed that tandem extraction with styrene-divinylbenzene polymer and activated carbon solid-phase extraction cartridges at pH 7.0 was optimal. The developed screening method was able to extract 190 model compounds with average recovery of 80.8% and average relative standard deviations (RSD) of 13.5% from spiked reagent water at 0.20 μg L⁻¹, and 87.1% recovery and 10.8% RSD at 0.05 μg L⁻¹. Spike-recovery testing (0.20 μg L⁻¹) using real sewage treatment plant effluents resulted in an average recovery and average RSD of 190 model compounds of 77.4 and 13.1%, respectively. The method was applied to the influent and effluent of five sewage treatment plants in Kitakyushu, Japan, with 29 out of 311 analytes being observed at least once. The results showed that this method can screen for a large number of chemicals with a wide range of physicochemical properties quickly and at low operational cost, something that is difficult to achieve using conventional analytical methods. This method will find utility in target screening of hazardous chemicals with a high risk in environmental waters, and for confirming the safety of water after environmental incidents.

http://ift.tt/2htqWqK

Effects of tannery wastewater exposure on adult Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of exposure to tannery wastewater on mortality and/or antioxidant enzyme system in adult wild-type Canton-S Drosophila melanogaster. Exposure to tannery wastewater induced a concentration-dependent lethality in adult Canton-S flies. Tannery wastewater was able to alter antioxidant enzyme activities, specifically glutathione peroxidase-like and glutathione S-transferase, in adult Canton-S D. melanogaster. We conclude that D. melanogaster is a reliable model to evaluate the toxicity induced by tannery wastewater.

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Adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis with pulmonary and colorectoanal involvement: a case report

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare systemic disease characterized by the abnormal overproduction of histiocytes that tend to infiltrate single or multiple organ systems leading to significant tissue damag...

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Latent-Profile Analysis Reveals Behavioral and Brain Correlates of Dopamine-Cognition Associations

Abstract

Evidence suggests that associations between the neurotransmitter dopamine and cognition are nonmonotonic and open to modulation by various other factors. The functional implications of a given level of dopamine may therefore differ from person to person. By applying latent-profile analysis to a large (n = 181) sample of adults aged 64–68 years, we probabilistically identified 3 subgroups that explain the multivariate associations between dopamine D_2/3R availability (probed with ¹¹C-raclopride-PET, in cortical, striatal, and hippocampal regions) and cognitive performance (episodic memory, working memory, and perceptual speed). Generally, greater receptor availability was associated with better cognitive performance. However, we discovered a subgroup of individuals for which high availability, particularly in striatum, was associated with poor performance, especially for working memory. Relative to the rest of the sample, this subgroup also had lower education, higher body-mass index, and lower resting-state connectivity between caudate nucleus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We conclude that a smaller subset of individuals induces a multivariate non-linear association between dopamine D_2/3R availability and cognitive performance in this group of older adults, and discuss potential reasons for these differences that await further empirical scrutiny.

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Gamma-Band Oscillations Preferential for Nociception can be Recorded in the Human Insula

Abstract

Transient nociceptive stimuli elicit robust phase-locked local field potentials (LFPs) in the human insula. However, these responses are not preferential for nociception, as they are also elicited by transient non-nociceptive vibrotactile, auditory, and visual stimuli. Here, we investigated whether another feature of insular activity, namely gamma-band oscillations (GBOs), is preferentially observed in response to nociceptive stimuli. Although nociception-evoked GBOs have never been explored in the insula, previous scalp electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography studies suggest that nociceptive stimuli elicit GBOs in other areas such as the primary somatosensory and prefrontal cortices, and that this activity could be closely related to pain perception. Furthermore, tracing studies showed that the insula is a primary target of spinothalamic input. Using depth electrodes implanted in 9 patients investigated for epilepsy, we acquired insular responses to brief thermonociceptive stimuli and similarly arousing non-nociceptive vibrotactile, auditory, and visual stimuli (59 insular sites). As compared with non-nociceptive stimuli, nociceptive stimuli elicited a markedly stronger enhancement of GBOs (150–300 ms poststimulus) at all insular sites, suggesting that this feature of insular activity is preferential for thermonociception. Although this activity was also present in temporal and frontal regions, its magnitude was significantly greater in the insula as compared with these other regions.

http://ift.tt/2xv4W6e

The Effects of Audiovisual Inputs on Solving the Cocktail Party Problem in the Human Brain: An fMRI Study

Abstract

At cocktail parties, our brains often simultaneously receive visual and auditory information. Although the cocktail party problem has been widely investigated under auditory-only settings, the effects of audiovisual inputs have not. This study explored the effects of audiovisual inputs in a simulated cocktail party. In our fMRI experiment, each congruent audiovisual stimulus was a synthesis of 2 facial movie clips, each of which could be classified into 1 of 2 emotion categories (crying and laughing). Visual-only (faces) and auditory-only stimuli (voices) were created by extracting the visual and auditory contents from the synthesized audiovisual stimuli. Subjects were instructed to selectively attend to 1 of the 2 objects contained in each stimulus and to judge its emotion category in the visual-only, auditory-only, and audiovisual conditions. The neural representations of the emotion features were assessed by calculating decoding accuracy and brain pattern-related reproducibility index based on the fMRI data. We compared the audiovisual condition with the visual-only and auditory-only conditions and found that audiovisual inputs enhanced the neural representations of emotion features of the attended objects instead of the unattended objects. This enhancement might partially explain the benefits of audiovisual inputs for the brain to solve the cocktail party problem.

http://ift.tt/2y2wZxb

Age Differences in the Neural Mechanisms of Intertemporal Choice Under Subjective Decision Conflict

Abstract

Older decision-makers may capitalize on their greater experiences in financial decisions and by this offset decline in cognitive abilities. However, this pattern of results should reverse in situations that place high demands on cognitive control functions. In this study, we investigated how decision conflict affects the neural mechanisms of intertemporal decision-making in younger and older adults. To individually adjust the level of decision conflict we determined the indifference point (IDP) in intertemporal decision-making for each participant. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants performed choice options close to their IDP (high conflict) or far away from the IDP (low conflict). In younger adults, decision conflict leads to reduced delay discounting and lower discount rates are associated with higher working memory (WM) capacity. In older adults, high decision conflict is associated with enhanced discounting, hypoactivation in the ventral striatum as well diminished ventral striatal representations of differences in subjective values. Taken together, our results show that under enhanced decision conflict, younger adults engage in a more reflective decision mode that reflects individual differences in WM capacity. In contrast, older adults get more present-oriented under high demands on cognitive control and this decision bias is associated with changes in striatal value signaling.

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Response of the freshwater diatom Halamphora veneta (Kützing) Levkov to copper and mercury and its potential for bioassessment of heavy metal toxicity in aquatic habitats

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of copper and mercury on growth rate, chlorophyll a content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, SOD mRNA gene expression, and frustule morphology of the benthic freshwater diatom Halamphora veneta (Kützing) Levkov and the potential utility of each for toxicity assessment in aquatic habitats. Results showed the following: (1) Compared to mercury, exposure to copper resulted in greater growth inhibition of H. veneta even at low concentrations and after short durations of exposure; (2) high accumulation of chlorophyll a in H. veneta is a stress response to the presence of heavy metals; (3) SOD activity and SOD gene expression varied in H. veneta according to the concentration, exposure time, and type of heavy metal; and (4) exposure to mercury resulted in deformity in the shape and an increase in size of the frustule of H. veneta. Growth rate, chlorophyll a content, SOD activity and gene expression, and frustule morphology of H. veneta are all potential candidates for the toxicological assessment of copper and mercury in aquatic habitats.

http://ift.tt/2wQ6NAU

Biobarcode assay for the oral anticoagulant acenocoumarol

Publication date: 1 February 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 178
Author(s): Marta Broto, J. Pablo Salvador, Roger Galve, M. Pilar Marco
A novel approach for therapeutic drug monitoring of oral anticoagulants (OA) in clinical samples is reported, based on a NP-based biobarcode assay. The proposed strategy uses specific antibodies for acenocumarol (ACL) covalently bound to magnetic particles (pAb236-MP) and a bioconjugate competitor (hACL-BSA) linked to encoded polystyrene probes (hACL-BSA-ePSP) on a classical competitive immunochemical format. By using this scheme ACL can be detected in low nM range (LOD, 0.96 ± 0.26, N = 3, in buffer) even in complex samples such as serum or plasma (LOD 4 ± 1). The assay shows a high reproducibility (%CV 1.1 day-to-day) and is robust, as it is demonstrated by the fact that ACL can be quantified in complex biological samples with a very good accuracy (slope = 0.97 and R² = 0.91, of the linear regression obtained when analyzing spiked vs measured values). Moreover, we have demonstrated that the biobarcode approach has the potential to overcome one of the main challenges of the multiplexed diagnostic, which is the possibility to measure in a single run biomarker targets present at different concentration ranges. Thus, it has been proven that the signal and the detectability can be modulated by just modifying the oligonucleotide load of the encoded probes. This fact opens the door for combining in the same assay encoded probes with the necessary oligonucleotide load to achieve the detectability required for each biomarker target.

Graphical abstract

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A comprehensive review on poly(3-alkylthiophene)-based crystalline structures, protocols and electronic applications

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2017
Source:Organic Electronics
Author(s): Samira Agbolaghi, Sahar Zenoozi
Poly (3-alkylthiophenes) (P3ATs) particularly poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) have vigorous tendency to crystallize into the ordered morphologies, thereby reflect the efficient electrical and optical characteristics. Here, the remarkable crystalline structures of P3ATs comprising single crystals, nanofibers, nano/microwires, nanoribbons, micelles, nanowhiskers, thin films, spherulites, etc. are thoroughly reviewed. In each category, the principle aspects like preparation methodologies (e.g., self-seeding, shearing, electrospinning, self-organization, epitaxial solidification, etc.), micro/nanostructures, orientation and optical properties are meticulously brought into consideration. Applications of the ordered P3AT structures in solar cells, organic field-effect transistors, and sensors as well as the theoretical studies are also highlighted. Furthermore, the polymorphism, sol-gel, nanoparticles, liquid crystalline morphology, and two-dimensional sheets are reviewed.

Graphical abstract

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Optimization of alginate microcapsules containing cells overexpressing α-l-iduronidase using Box-Behnken design

Publication date: 1 January 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 111
Author(s): Dirnete Diel, Valeska Lizzi Lagranha, Roselena Silvestri Schuh, Fernanda Bruxel, Ursula Matte, Helder Ferreira Teixeira
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by deficiency of α-l-iduronidase (IDUA), which results in the lysosomal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) leading to widespread clinical manifestations. The microencapsulation of IDUA overexpressing recombinant cells has been considered as a promising strategy for the treatment of MPS I. This study aimed at the optimization of alginate microcapsules containing recombinant BHK (Baby Hamster Kidney) cells (rBHK) overexpressing IDUA produced by electrostatic extrusion technique. The alginate microcapsule (MC-A) optimization study was carried out by means of an experimental Box-Behnken Design that allowed the simultaneous evaluation of the influence of voltage (kV), alginate/cell suspension flow (mL/h), and alginate concentration (%) on size and IDUA activity. The optimal conditions of voltage (10kV), flow (25mL/h), and alginate concentration (1.3%) made possible to obtain the smallest microcapsules showing the highest IDUA activity. After optimization, the microcapsules were sequentially coated with PLL and alginate (MC-APA) to increase their stability. MC-A and MC-APA presented monodisperse populations (span<1.22) with an average diameter of less than 350μm. The coating increased the mechanical stability of MC-APA by about 6-fold and modulated the permeability to the enzyme. Surface analyzes of MC-APA showed the presence of PLL bands, suggesting that the last alginate layer appears to have only partially coated the PLL. After 30days of subcutaneous implantation of the MC-APA microcapsules containing rBHK cells in a MPS I murine model, a significant increase in IDUA activity was observed in the skin near the implant. Histological analysis revealed an inflammatory infiltrate at the application site, which did not prevent the release of the enzyme under the conditions evaluated. Taken together, the overall results demonstrate the feasibility of MC-APA as a potential alternative for local treatment of MPS I.

Graphical abstract

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Superhydrophobic sand grains structured with aligned Cu(OH)2 nano-needles for efficient oily water treatment

Publication date: 5 December 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 135
Author(s): Liwei Chen, Yang Wu, Zhiguang Guo
Desert sand as an abundant natural resource rarely has been reconsidered and reutilized due to its superhydrophilicity. Aiming at the combination of super-wettability with sand resource, we successfully design the aligned Cu(OH)2 nano-needles on the sand grain surfaces through a skillful strategy and conferred superhydrophobic properties on them in this study. The water contact angle and rolling angle are shown to be ~158° and ~6°, which break our traditional understanding towards desert sand, i.e., superhydrophilicity. More importantly, the selective superhydrophobic-superoleophilic wettability and the cavities between nano-needles and sand grains allow the sand to be a good candidate for efficient oily water treatment. The as-prepared superhydrophibic sand can not only absorb light oils from water surface, but separate heavy oils from oil/water mixtures. The speed of oil/water separation is up to 16,985Lm⁻²h⁻¹ when a 0.35cm thickness of superhydrophobic sand layer is used. Significantly, it exhibits both high separation rate and high separation efficiency (>99.5%). The as-prepared superhydrophobic sands are expected to become a new candidate of highly efficient oil/water separation material and to realize the reutilization of desert sand resource.

Graphical abstract

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Coatings on implants: Study on similarities and differences between the PCL coatings for Mg based lab coupons and final components

Publication date: 5 December 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 135
Author(s): Deepa B. Prabhu, P. Gopalakrishnan, K.R. Ravi
Corrosion behaviour of polymer coated Mg alloy screw is compared with a laboratory coupon with emphasis on the adhesion of coating to surface features such as threads. The corrosion behaviour of poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) coated commercial pure Mg (CP Mg) and Mg-4Zn-0.2Ca alloy in simulated body fluid (SBF) is investigated. CP Mg with a high corrosion rate (8.426mmyr⁻¹) formed large amount of corrosion products on the surface which pushed out the PCL layer. In contrast the Mg-4Zn-0.2Ca alloy with a corrosion rate of 2.481mmyr⁻¹ held the PCL coating intact for up to 72h. Fully and partially threaded screws of the Mg-4Zn-0.2Ca alloy were fabricated and coated with PCL. It was found that pH variation of the medium depends on PCL adhesion to screw, which was better in the threaded regions than in smoother areas. As a result, the fully threaded screws showed slower pH rise than partial threaded ones. The crests and troughs of the threads act as anchoring points for the polymer. It was found in the current study that the increased adhesion of PCL coating to threaded Mg alloy substrate dominates over the increased corrosion rates of threaded surface.

Graphical abstract

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Bifunctional linker-based immunosensing for rapid and visible detection of bacteria in real matrices

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Youngsang You, Seokwon Lim, Jungwoo Hahn, Young Jin Choi, Sundaram Gunasekaran
Detection of pathogens present in food and water is essential to help ensure food safety. Among the popular methods for pathogen detection are those based on culture and colony-counting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, the time-consuming nature and/or the need for sophisticated instrumentation of those methods limit their on-site applications. We have developed a rapid and highly sensitive immunosensing method for visible detection of bacteria in real matrices based on the aggregation of AuNPs without requiring any readout device. We use biotinylated anti-bacteria antibodies as bifunctional linkers (BLs) to mediate the aggregation of streptavidin-functionalized gold nanoparticles (st-AuNPs) to produce visually recognizable color change, due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which occurs in about 30min of total assay time when the sample is mildly agitated or within three hours in quiescent conditions. The aggregation of st-AuNPs, which produces the indication signal, is achieved very differently than in visual detection methods reported previously and hence affords ultrahigh sensitivity. While BLs can both bind to the target and crosslink st-AuNPs, their latter function is essentially disabled when they bind to the target bacteria. By varying the amount of st-AuNPs used, we can tailor the assay effectiveness improving limit of detection (LOD) down to 10CFUmL⁻¹ of E. coli and Salmonella. Test results obtained with tap water, lake water and milk samples show that assay performance is unaffected by matrix effects. Further, in a mixture of live and autoclaved E. coli cells our assay could detect only live cells. Therefore, our BL-based immunosensor is suitable for highly sensitive, rapid, and on-site detection of bacteria in real matrices.



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Nanostructured materials with plasmonic nanobiosensors for early cancer detection: A past and future prospect

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Sathish Sugumaran, Mohd Faizal Jamlos, Mohd Noor Ahmad, Chandar Shekar Bellan, Dominique Schreurs
Early cancer detection and treatment is an emerging and fascinating field of plasmonic nanobiosensor research. It paves to enrich a life without affecting living cells leading to a possible survival of the patient. This review describes a past and future prospect of an integrated research field on nanostructured metamaterials, microwave transmission, surface plasmonic resonance, nanoantennas, and their manifested versatile properties with nano-biosensors towards early cancer detection to preserve human health. Interestingly, (i) microwave transmission shows more advantages than other electromagnetic radiation in reacting with biological tissues, (ii) nanostructured metamaterial (Au) with special properties like size and shape can stimulate plasmonic effects, (iii) plasmonic based nanobiosensors are to explore the efficacy for early cancer tumour detection or single molecular detection and (iv) nanoantenna wireless communication by using microwave inverse scattering nanomesh (MISN) technique instead of conventional techniques can be adopted to characterize the microwave scattered signals from the biomarkers. It reveals that the nanostructured material with plasmonic nanobiosensor paves a fascinating platform towards early detection of cancer tumour and is anticipated to be exploited as a magnificent field in the future.

Graphical abstract

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Processable enzyme-hybrid conductive polymer composites for electrochemical biosensing

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Yu Liu, Anthony P.F. Turner, Maojun Zhao, Wing Cheung Mak
A new approach for the facile fabrication of electrochemical biosensors using a biohybrid conducting polymer was demonstrated using glucose oxidase (GOx) and poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as a model. The biohybrid conducting polymer was prepared based on a template-assisted chemical polymerisation leading to the formation of PEDOT microspheres (PEDOT-MSs), followed by in-situ deposition of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and electrostatic immobilisation of glucose oxidase (GOx) to form water processable GOx-PtNPs-PEDOT-MSs. The morphology, chemical composition and electrochemical performance of the GOx-PtNPs-PEDOT-MS-based glucose biosensor were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta potential and electrochemical measurements, respectively. The biosensor delivered a linear response for glucose over the range 0.1–10mM (R² = 0.9855) with a sensitivity of 116.25µAmM⁻¹cm⁻², and limit of detection of 1.55µM (3×SD/sensitivity). The sensitivity of the developed PEDOT-MS based biosensor is significantly higher (2.7 times) than the best reported PEDOT-based glucose biosensor in the literature. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (Km^app) of the GOx-PtNPs-PEDOT-MS-based biosensors was calculated as 7.3mM. Moreover, the biosensor exhibited good storage stability, retaining 97% of its sensitivity after 12 days storage. This new bio-hybrid conducting polymer combines the advantages of micro-structured morphology, compatibility with large-scale manufacturing processes, and intrinsic biocatalytic activity and conductivity, thus demonstrating its potential as a convenient material for printed bioelectronics and sensors.



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Towards a high throughput impedimetric screening of chemosensitivity of cancer cells suspended in hydrogel and cultured in a paper substrate

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Kin Fong Lei, Tai-Kun Liu, Ngan-Ming Tsang
In order to achieve high predictive value of cell chemosensitivity test for clinical efficacy, cancer cells were suggested to be encapsulated and cultured in hydrogel to mimic the natural microenvironment of tumors. However, handling 3D cells/hydrogel culture construct is tedious and cellular response is difficult to be quantitatively analyzed. In the current study, a novel platform for conducting 3D cell culture and analyzing cell viability has been developed towards a high throughput drug screening. Cells encapsulated in the hydrogel were cultured in the microwells of a paper substrate. The substrate was then immersed in the culture medium containing drug for 2 days. At 24 and 48h during the culture course, the paper substrate was placed on the measurement electrodes for conducting the impedance measurement in order to quantify the cell viability in the hydrogel. Cell viability of two human hepatoma cell lines (Huh7 and Hep-G2) was quantitatively investigated under the treatment of two drugs (doxorubicin and etoposide). The results represented by IC50 values revealed that Huh7 cells had a higher drug resistance than Hep-G2 cells and doxorubicin had a higher efficacy than etoposide for treating hepatocellular carcinoma. The current work has demonstrated a high throughput, convenient, and quantitative platform for the investigation of chemosensitivity of cells cultured in the 3D environment.



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Visual electrochemiluminescence biosensing of aflatoxin M1 based on luminol-functionalized, silver nanoparticle-decorated graphene oxide

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Seyyed Mehdi Khoshfetrat, Hasan Bagheri, Masoud A. Mehrgardi
A sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) detection by a closed bipolar electrode (BPE) array has been introduced. The thiolated AFM1 aptamer was immobilized on gold nanoparticle-coated magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Apt-GMNPs). Luminol-functionalized silver nanoparticle-decorated graphene oxide (GO-L-AgNPs) participates in π-π interactions with the unpaired bases of the immobilized aptamer (Apt-GMNPs-GO-L-AgNPs). After the Apt-GMNPs-GO-L-AgNPs were introduced to a gold anodic BPE array, the individual electrodes were subjected to different concentrations of AFM1. Upon the interaction of AFM1 with the aptamers, the GO-L-AgNPs detach from the aptamer; the resulting ECL of luminol and H2O2 at the anodic poles is monitored using a photomultiplier tube (PMT) or smartphone, and the images are analyzed using ImageJ software. This process triggers thionine reduction at the cathodic poles. Under the optimal conditions obtained by a face-centered central composite design (FCCD), the PMT-based detection of the BPE-ECL aptasensor exhibit a linear response over a wide dynamic range from 5 to 150ngmL⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.01ngmL⁻¹. Additionally, smartphone-based detection shows a linear relationship between the ECL image gray value and the logarithmic concentration of the AFM1 target over a range of 10–200ngmL⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.05ngmL⁻¹. Furthermore, the BPE-ECL aptasensor was successfully used to detect AFM1 in milk complex media without any serious interferences with reliable reproducibility (average relative standard deviation (RSD = 2.3%)). This smartphone-based detection opens a new horizon for bioanalysis that does not require a trained technician to operate and is a promising technology for point-of-care testing.



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Development of a bifunctional nanobiosensor for screening and detection of chemokine ligand in colorectal cancer cell line

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Saeromi Chung, Pranjal Chandra, Jaseok Peter Koo, Yoon-Bo Shim
Highly sensitive detection of chemokines in various biological matrices and its interaction with a natural receptor molecule has tremendous importance in cell signaling, medical diagnostics, and therapeutics. In this direction, we have designed the first bifunctional nanobiosensor for chemokine screening and detection in a single experimental setting. The sensor probe was fabricated by immobilizing CXCR2 on the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited 2,2′:5′,2''-terthiophene-3′ (p-benzoic acid) (TBA) nanocomposite film. The interaction between CXCR2 and chemokines was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and voltammetry. CXCL5 among three ligands showed the strongest affinity to CXCR2, which was further utilized to develop an amperometric CXCL5 biosensor. Analytical parameters, such as CXCR2 receptor concentration, temperature, pH, and incubation time were optimized to obtain the high sensitivity. A dynamic range for CXCL5 detection was obtained between 0.1 and 10ng/mL with the detection limit of 0.078 ± 0.004ng/mL (RSD < 4.7%). The proposed biosensor was successfully applied to detect CXCL5 in clinically relevant concentrations in human serum and colorectal cancer cells samples with high sensitivity and selectivity. Interference effect and the stability of the developed biosensor were also evaluated. Method verification was performed by comparing the results using commercially available ELISA kit for CXCL5 detection.



http://ift.tt/2wQ6Rkd

Consolidative Radiotherapy for Limited Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

This phase 2 randomized clinical trial examines whether intervening with noninvasive stereotactic ablative radiotherapy prior to maintenance chemotherapy in patients with nonprogressive limited metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer after induction therapy led to significant improvements in progression-free survival.

http://ift.tt/2fK8Twe

Endoscopic enucleation of large jaw cysts: Promising outcomes

To describe the endoscopic approach for management of large jaw cysts and assess the feasibility of endoscopic enucleation as well as analyze its outcome on a wide scale at Mansoura University Hospital MUH.

http://ift.tt/2xsv2qL

Endoscopic enucleation of large jaw cysts: Promising outcomes

To describe the endoscopic approach for management of large jaw cysts and assess the feasibility of endoscopic enucleation as well as analyze its outcome on a wide scale at Mansoura University Hospital MUH.

http://ift.tt/2xsv2qL

A Unique and Promising Combination of Medications for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2017
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): James D. Weinstein
At present there is no therapy for Alzheimer's Disease which completely stops the progressive dementia effecting late onset Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients. It is felt that the main reason for this failure is that AD appears to be a disease caused by four major pathological processes. To date, efforts to develop treatments have addressed only one or another of these four etiologies. However, even a partially effective therapy against one cause allows the others, untreated, to continue their inexorable destruction of the neurons of the brain. It is suggested that a therapy is required which inhibits all four causes of the disease. Just such a therapy is proposed here with four specific drugs and a vitomer together in a combination treatment.The four major pathologic processes causing AD are: I. vascular hypoperfusion of the brain with associated mitochondrial dysfunction. II. destructive protein occlusions. III. uncontrolled oxidate stress and IV: pro-inflammatory immune processes secondary to microglial and astrocytic dysfunction in the brain.A detailed literature search has provided four drugs and a B6 vitomer which together provide an ideal combination to treat the four etiologies of AD. All four drugs are used clinically for various indications and would be used "off label" in combination to treat AD. The drugs have been used in preliminary studies to treat dementia with favorable indications in all of them inhibiting dementia with only modest side effects. In in-vitro studies all five of the combination have been shown effective in inhibiting one or more of the four disease etiologies and together they are effective against all four.The four drugs are Trental, Nicergeline, Nilotinib, and Methylene blue. The vitamir is B6 pyridoxamine. The cumulative benefits of this combination should provide an effective treatment to completely stop the progressive dementia of AD, measured in 12-18 months.The use of an endpoint of complete cessation of progressive dementia rather than the standard of a statistical determination of the slowing of progressive dementia allows the study to be conducted with a cohort of only 15 patients (no statistics and no placebo patients) as every AD patient would otherwise show progressive dementia without the effective treatment.



http://ift.tt/2wfjJk2

Oxytocin intranasal administration as a new hope for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism patients

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2017
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): Mohammad Saied Salehi, Sareh Pandamooz, Homayoun Khazali
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a form of hypogonadism which also known as secondary or central hypogonadism. Congenital HH can occur due to defect in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, upstream regulators of GnRH neurons or pituitary gonadotropic cells. Testosterone or gonadotropins therapy are widely used to treat HH patients, however both have undesirable effects and GnRH treatment for HH patients is time and cost consuming. Direct delivery of therapeutics to the brain via the nasal route is located in the center of attention during the last decade and trial application of intranasal oxytocin as a method of enhancing social interactions are reported. It has been delineated that oxytocin stimulates GnRH release from the rat hypothalamic explants and intranasal applied oxytocin up-regulates GnRH expression in the male rat hypothalamus. Therefore application of intranasal oxytocin might be a new strategy to cure HH patients.



http://ift.tt/2fj0TBM

A randomised crossover trial comparing Thai and Swedish massage for fatigue and depleted energy

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Alasdair MacSween, Susan Lorrimer, Paul van Schaik, Marie Holmes, Anna van Wersch
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and social constructions of Thai massage (TM) and Swedish massage (SM) for patients experiencing fatigue or depleted energy.Method: Twenty participants were randomised to receive three once-weekly TM treatments and three once-weekly SM treatments, with crossover after three massages. Symptom checklists were administered at three time points and included Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List and VAS Scale. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and participants' diary entries.ResultsBoth massage types enhanced physical, emotional and mental wellbeing through improved sleep, relaxation, relief of stress and relief of muscular tension. TM alone showed specific energising and psychological stimulation results, along with carry-over effect and longer lasting benefits. Ninety-five percent of participants found relief from their initial reason presenting symptoms.ConclusionTM or SM can relieve symptoms of fatigue or low energy by releasing stress, promoting relaxation, relieving muscular aches and pains and improving energy. SM results in a larger effect in relaxation and improved sleep whereas TM results in a larger effect in energising, rejuvenating and mentally stimulating effects.



http://ift.tt/2wNdUis

The effect of kinesiotaping on hand function in stroke patients: A pilot study

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Fathollah Qafarizadeh, Minoo Kalantari, Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari, Alireza Akbarzadeh Baghban, Aliasqar Jamebozorgi
Upper extremity motor impairment is one of the most prevalent problems following stroke. Considering the functional importance of the upper extremity in the daily life, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of kinesiotaping (KT) on hand function and spasticity in individuals following a stroke. Eight individuals who had experienced a stroke, with their age ranging from 47 to 66, participated in this pretest-posttest clinical study. An I- strip of tape was placed on the extensor muscles of the forearm. Primary outcome measures were the Modified Modified Ashwoth Scale, Box and Block test, and Nine Hole Peg test. At the immediate assessment, there were significant differences between two hand function tests scores. Secondary assessment was done after one week and the results showed significant differences between two hand function test scores. There was no significant change in flexor muscles spasticity after the intervention. This pilot study indicated that KT in the direction of the extensor muscles could result in better hand function in stroke patients.



http://ift.tt/2yzJOfo

Peptidomic analysis of skin secretions of the Mexican burrowing toad Rhinophrynus dorsalis (Rhinophrynidae): insight into the origin of host-defense peptides within the Pipidae and characterization of a proline-arginine-rich peptide

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2017
Source:Peptides
Author(s): J. Michael Conlon, Laure Guilhaudis, Jérôme Leprince, Laurent Coquet, Maria Luisa Mangoni, Samir Attoub, Thierry Jouenne, Jay D. King
The Mexican burrowing toad Rhinophrynus dorsalis is the sole extant representative of the Rhinophrynidae. United in the superfamily Pipoidea, the Rhinophrynidae is considered to be the sister-group to the extant Pipidae which comprises Hymenochirus, Pipa, Pseudhymenochirus and Xenopus. Cationic, α-helical host-defense peptides of the type found in Hymenochirus, Pseudhymenochirus, and Xenopus species (hymenochirins, pseudhymenochirins, magainins, and peptides related to PGLa, XPF, and CPF) were not detected in norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions of R. dorsalis. Skin secretions of representatives of the genus Pipa also do not contain cationic α-helical host-defense peptides which suggests, as the most parsimonious hypothesis, that the ability to produce such peptides by frogs within the Pipidae family arose in the common ancestor of (Hymenochirus+Pseudhymenochirus)+Xenopus after divergence from the line of evolution leading to extant Pipa species. Peptidomic analysis of the R. dorsalis secretions led to the isolation of rhinophrynin-27, a proline-arginine-rich peptide with the primary structure ELRLPEIARPVPEVLPARLPLPALPRN, together with rhinophrynin-33 containing the C-terminal extension KMAKNQ. Rhinophrynin-27 shows limited structural similarity to the porcine multifunctional peptide PR-39 but it lacks antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Like PR-39, the peptide adopts a poly-l-proline helix but some changes in the circular dichroism spectrum were observed in the presence of anionic sodium dodecylsulfate micelles consistent with the stabilization of turn structures.



http://ift.tt/2xtS4h0

Comparison of the impacts of zinc ions and zinc nanoparticles on nitrifying microbial community

Publication date: 5 February 2018
Source:Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 343
Author(s): Qiang Wu, Kailong Huang, Haohao Sun, Hongqiang Ren, Xu-xiang Zhang, Lin Ye
To understand the effects of metal ions and nanoparticles (NPs) on nitrifying bacterial communities, this study investigates the impacts of zinc (Zn) NPs, zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs and Zn ions on the nitrifying bacterial communities. Under low Zn concentration (0.1mgL⁻¹), the nitrification rate was promoted by Zn ions and inhibited by the two NPs, indicating that the toxicity of NPs was caused by the NPs themselves instead of the released Zn ions. Further analysis showed that both Zn NPs and ZnO NPs could result in substantial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the nitrifying bacteria community. The inhibition was strongly correlated with amoA gene expression, but not with the expression of hao and nxrA genes. These results indicated that the main difference of the Zn ions and Zn NPs on nitrifying bacterial community could be due to the different impacts on the ROS production and amoA gene expression. Collectively, the findings in this study advanced understanding of the different effects of Zn NPs, ZnO NPs and Zn ions on nitrifying bacteria.



http://ift.tt/2wL65tA

Synthesis, crystal structure, DNA binding and molecular docking studies of zinc(II) carboxylates

Publication date: 5 February 2018
Source:Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, Volume 190
Author(s): Niaz Muhammad, Muhammad Ikram, Abdul Wadood, Sadia Rehman, Shaukat Shujah, Erum, Mehreen Ghufran, Shahnaz Rahim, Muzamil Shah, Carola Schulzke
New zinc(II) carboxylate complexes [Zn(3-F-C6H4CH2COO)2]n (1), [Zn3(3-F-C6H4CH2COO)6(Phen)2] (2) and [Zn3(3-F-C6H4CH2COO)6(bipy)2] (3) were synthesized and characterized by atomic absorption, single crystal structural analysis and IR studies. Complex 1 crystallizes as a coordination polymer constituting a web of μ−η¹,η¹ carboxylate bridged tetrahedral zinc centers. Complexes 2 and 3 comprise trinuclear zinc centers with two terminal fivefold coordinated slightly distorted square-pyramidal and central sixfold coordinated octahedral zinc centers. The complexes were also assessed for their DNA binding ability by UV/−Vis spectroscopy and their behavior rationalized theoretically by molecular docking studies. A DNA binding study has shown groove binding interactions with the complexes.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2hprW2I

A heavy metal module coupled with the SWAT model and its preliminary application in a mine-impacted watershed in China

Publication date: 1 February 2018
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volumes 613–614
Author(s): Yaobin Meng, Lingfeng Zhou, Shouliang He, Chao Lu, Ganlin Wu, Wan Ye, Peixi Ji
Heavy metal behavior in soil and water requires modeling for a better understanding of the potential adverse impacts on the ecosystem as well as on humans. A heavy metal transport and transformation module is combined with the well-established SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model for the purpose of simulating the fate and transport of metals at the watershed scale. The heavy metal module accounts for sorption, complexation and slow reactions among metal species; the heavy metals in the upland are allowed to transport vertically through percolation and evaporation-induced water rising as well as horizontally through soil erosion and surface/subsurface runoff; the heavy metals in the water body, in contrast, are modeled to undergo settling, resuspension, diffusion and burial processes. As a demonstration, the SWAT-laden heavy metal module (SWAT-HM) was calibrated to simulate zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) dynamics in an upstream watershed of the Liuyang River in China, which has been impacted by mining activities for decades. The model simulations were found to agree reasonably well with the monitored results. In particular, the elevation of metal loads in channels with precipitation events was well represented, demonstrating that a considerable amount of Zn and Cd in the waste rock dumps and contaminated soil was released into rivers through rainfall. After a simulation of 6years (2009–2014), the simulated Zn and Cd concentrations were used as a surrogate for the Predicted Environmental Concentration (PEC), whereby an ecological risk assessment was conducted for the demonstrative mining area. This initiative toward developing a heavy metal module combined with SWAT has high potential for application in environmental risk analysis and pollution control.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2hqmsol

Fluorescent ligand fishing combination with in-situ imaging and characterizing to screen Hsp 90 inhibitors from Curcuma longa L. based on InP/ZnS quantum dots embedded mesoporous nanoparticles

Publication date: 1 February 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 178
Author(s): Yue Hu, Anchen Fu, Zhaoyi Miao, Xiaojing Zhang, Tianlin Wang, An Kang, Jinjun Shan, Dong Zhu, Wei Li
Although ligand fishing has been shown to be an efficient technique for the identification of bioactive components from complex mixtures such as natural products, it cannot be applied to biomedical image processing. Herein, a specific fluorescent ligand fishing combined with in situ imaging approach is presented for the identification of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp 90) inhibitors from complex matrixes, Curcuma longa L., using N-terminus immobilized Hsp 90α functionalized InP/ZnS quantum dots embedded mesoporous nanoparticles (i.e. Hsp 90α (NT)-FQDNs) as extraction sorbents and fluorescent tracer. The fished ligands were identified by liquid chromatography time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (LC-TOF/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Moreover, in situ imaging by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was applied for evaluating the effect of fished-ligands on bioactivity-induced apoptosis morphologically in HeLa cells. MTT assay verified the bioactivity of the ligands and molecular docking results further provided convincing information to verify the feasible binding mode between ligands and protein. Twelve ligands as potential Hsp 90 inhibitors were ultimately fished and identified from Curcuma longa L. crude extracts. The proposed approach based on Hsp 90α functionalized nanocomposites is superior in the combination of highly specific screening efficiency and concurrent visual in situ imaging, which could have great promise for the development of other plant-derived Hsp 90 inhibitors, and providing a rapid and reliable platform for discovering biologically active molecules in natural products.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2yzKMsf

Calculating fluoride concentrations data using ambient temperatures in drinking water distribution networks in select provinces of Iran

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 15
Author(s): Mohammad Ali Zazouli, Reza Sadeghnezhad, Laleh R. Kalankesh
Fluoride concentrations in drinking water were analyzed relative to air temperature data collected in different provinces of Iran. Determining suitable concentrations of fluoride in drinking water is crucial for communities because of the health effects of fluoride on humans. This study analyzed fluoride concentrations in drinking water from selected Iranian provinces. The data were derived mainly from a detailed literature review. The annual mean maximum temperatures (AMMTs) were collected from a popular website that maintains records of daily ambient temperature measurements for the last five years (2012–2016). Using regional ambient temperatures, the optimal value of fluoride in drinking water for each province was calculated by the Galgan and Vermillion formula. These optimal fluoride concentrations in drinking water for different Iranian regions were calculated to be 0.64–1.04mgF/L. Most of the selected provinces were found to have acceptable concentrations of fluoride, except for Alborz, Khuzestan, and Hormozgan, which reported concentrations of 0.66, 0.66, and 0.64mg/L, respectively.



http://ift.tt/2y2vT4E

Transitioning from adequate to inadequate sleep duration associated with higher smoking rate and greater nicotine dependence in a population sample

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 77
Author(s): Freda Patterson, Michael A. Grandner, Alicia Lozano, Aditi Satti, Grace Ma
IntroductionInadequate sleep (≤6 and ≥9h) is more prevalent in smokers than non-smokers but the extent to which sleep duration in smokers relates to smoking behaviors and cessation outcomes, is not yet clear. To begin to address this knowledge gap, we investigated the extent to which sleep duration predicted smoking behaviors and quitting intention in a population sample.MethodsData from current smokers who completed the baseline (N=635) and 5-year follow-up (N=477) assessment in the United Kingdom Biobank cohort study were analyzed. Multivariable regression models using smoking behavior outcomes (cigarettes per day, time to first cigarette, difficulty not smoking for a day, quitting intention) and sleep duration (adequate (7–8h) versus inadequate (≤6 and ≥9h) as the predictor were generated. All models adjusted for age, sex, race, and education.ResultsWorsening sleep duration (adequate to inadequate) predicted a more than three-fold higher odds in increased cigarettes per day (OR=3.18; 95% CI=1.25–8.06), a more than three-fold increased odds of not smoking for the day remaining difficult (OR=3.90; 95% CI=1.27–12.01), and a >8-fold increased odds of higher nicotine dependence (OR=8.98; 95% CI=2.81–28.66). Improving sleep duration (i.e., inadequate to adequate sleep) did not predict reduced cigarette consumption or nicotine dependence in this population sample.ConclusionTransitioning from adequate to inadequate sleep duration may be a risk factor for developing a more "hard-core" smoking profile. The extent to which achieving healthy sleep may promote, or optimize smoking cessation treatment response, warrants investigation.



http://ift.tt/2jTIeSq

Biodistribution and safety of a live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine in the cynomolgus monkey

Publication date: 13 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 43
Author(s): Guillaume Ravel, Nathalie Mantel, Jeremy Silvano, Alexandra Rogue, Bruno Guy, Nicholas Jackson, Nicolas Burdin
BackgroundThe first licensed dengue vaccine is a recombinant, live, attenuated, tetravalent dengue virus vaccine (CYD-TDV; Sanofi Pasteur). This study assessed the biodistribution, shedding, and toxicity of CYD-TDV in a non-human primate model as part of the nonclinical safety assessment program for the vaccine.MethodsCynomolgus monkeys were given one subcutaneous injection of either one human dose (5log10 CCID50/serotype) of CYD-TDV or saline control. Study endpoints included clinical observations, body temperature, body weight, food consumption, clinical pathology, immunogenicity, and post-mortem examinations including histopathology. Viral load, distribution, persistence, and shedding in tissues and body fluids were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe subcutaneous administration of CYD-TDV was well tolerated. There were no toxicological findings other than expected minor local reactions at the injection site. A transient low level of CYD-TDV viral RNA was detected in blood and the viral genome was identified primarily at the injection site and in the draining lymph nodes following immunization.ConclusionsThese results, together with other data from repeat-dose toxicity and neurovirulence studies, confirm the absence of toxicological concern with CYD-TDV and corroborate clinical study observations.



http://ift.tt/2wPVGYq

Tetanus Toxoid carrier protein induced T-helper cell responses upon vaccination of middle-aged adults

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Marieke van der Heiden, Aafke Duizendstra, Guy A.M. Berbers, Annemieke M.H. Boots, Anne-Marie Buisman
IntroductionVaccines frequently induce suboptimal immune responses in the elderly, due to immunological ageing. Timely vaccination may be a strategy to overcome this problem, which classifies middle-aged adults asan interesting target group for future vaccine interventions. However, the immunological fitness of the middle-aged population is ill-defined. It is currently unknown whether effective T-cell help towards B-cells is initiated by conjugate-carrier vaccines at middle-age.AimWe characterized systemic Tetanus Toxoid (TT) specific T-helper cell responses in the circulation of middle-aged adults (50–65years of age, n=31) having received the MenACWY-TT vaccination.MethodsBlood samples were taken pre- as well as 7days, 28days, and 1year post-vaccination. TT-specific T-cell responses were determined by IFNγ Elispot and by the secretion of IFNγ, IL13, IL10, IL17, and IL21 in cell culture supernatants. Circulating CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+IL21+ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, and meningococcal and TT-specific IgG responses by bead-based immunoassays. The correlation between the T-cell help and humoral responses was evaluated.ResultsVaccination with a TT-carrier protein induced a mixed TT-specific Th1 (IFNγ), Th2 (IL13, IL10), and Th17 (IL17) response in most participants. Additionally, circulating CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+IL21+ cells were significantly increased 7days post-vaccination. Pre-vaccination TT-specific cytokine production and post-vaccination Th2 responses correlated positively with the increase of CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+IL21+ cells. No correlation between T-cell help and antibody responses was found.ConclusionThe characteristics of the T-cell response upon a TT-carrier vaccination suggests effective T-cell help towards B-cells in response to meningococcal polysaccharides, although the absence of a correlation with the antibody responses warrants further clarification. However, the robust T-helper cell response in middle-aged adults, decades after previous TT vaccinations, strengthens the classification of this age group for future vaccine interventions in the context of population ageing.



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An outbreak of acute respiratory illnesses in primary school children with low vaccine uptake, UK, 2016

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Daiga Jermacane, M. Gobin, N. Young, J. Yates, Gloria Osei Owusu




http://ift.tt/2wPw7qu

Influenza epidemiology and immunization during pregnancy: Final report of a World Health Organization working group

Publication date: 13 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 43
Author(s): Deshayne B. Fell, Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, Michael G. Baker, Maneesh Batra, Julien Beauté, Philippe Beutels, Niranjan Bhat, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Cheryl Cohen, Bremen De Mucio, Bradford D. Gessner, Michael G. Gravett, Mark A. Katz, Marian Knight, Vernon J. Lee, Mark Loeb, Johannes M. Luteijn, Helen Marshall, Harish Nair, Kevin Pottie, Rehana A. Salam, David A. Savitz, Suzanne J. Serruya, Becky Skidmore, Justin R. Ortiz
From 2014 to 2017, the World Health Organization convened a working group to evaluate influenza disease burden and vaccine efficacy to inform estimates of maternal influenza immunization program impact. The group evaluated existing systematic reviews and relevant primary studies, and conducted four new systematic reviews. There was strong evidence that maternal influenza immunization prevented influenza illness in pregnant women and their infants, although data on severe illness prevention were lacking. The limited number of studies reporting influenza incidence in pregnant women and infants under six months had highly variable estimates and underrepresented low- and middle-income countries. The evidence that maternal influenza immunization reduces the risk of adverse birth outcomes was conflicting, and many observational studies were subject to substantial bias. The lack of scientific clarity regarding disease burden or magnitude of vaccine efficacy against severe illness poses challenges for robust estimation of the potential impact of maternal influenza immunization programs.



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Editorial Board/Aims and Scope

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42





http://ift.tt/2wPTQa5

Pain caused by measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines: A systematic literature review

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Corinne Willame, Ouzama Henry, Lan Lin, Volker Vetter, Laurence Baril, Nicolas Praet
PurposeThe risk of post-vaccination adverse events (AEs) is a primary public health concern. Among the AEs, pain is a significant source of anxiety for both children and their parents. This review describes and assesses the intensity of pain experienced by children post-vaccination with widely used Measles–Mumps–Rubella (MMR) vaccines.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane to identify publications describing immediate pain at injection site (primary objective) or pain within days (secondary objective) after 2 specific MMR vaccines. Immediate pain ('acute pain' according to the Brighton Collaboration case definition) was defined as pain occurring at the time or within 5min of injection.ResultsFour studies, which compared the intensity of immediate injection site pain experienced by children after MMR vaccination, were identified. Various pain assessment tools and methods were used to quantify the intensity of pain, including the median difference in Visual Analog Scale scores between vaccine groups. All four studies showed significantly less immediate pain caused by Priorix (GSK Vaccines) compared with M-M-R II (Merck & Co., Inc.).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this review summarizes for the first time the available scientific evidence on the intensity of pain following different MMR vaccines. It highlights that MMR vaccines can differ in terms of immediate pain. Further research may be needed to better understand the underlying reason for this observation. In this context, it is very important to understand which physicochemical properties are most relevant for the immediate pain profile of a vaccine to thereby support the development of vaccines with the best possible immediate pain profile.



http://ift.tt/2xybwe4

Human papillomavirus vaccines: WHO position paper, May 2017–Recommendations

Publication date: 13 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 43
Author(s): World Health Organization
This article presents the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations on the use of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines excerpted from the WHO position paper on Human papillomavirus vaccines: WHO position paper, May 2017, published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record [1]. This position paper replaces the 2014 WHO position paper on HPV vaccines [2].The position paper focuses primarily on the prevention of cervical cancer, but also considers the broader spectrum of cancers and other diseases preventable by HPV vaccination. It incorporates recent developments concerning HPV vaccines, including the licensure of a nonavalent (9-valent) vaccine and recent data on vaccine effectiveness, and provides guidance on the choice of vaccine. New recommendations are proposed regarding vaccination strategies targeting girls only or both girls and boys, and vaccination of multiple birth cohorts [3].Footnotes to this paper provide a number of core references including references to grading tables that assess the quality of the scientific evidence, and to the evidence-to-recommendation table. In accordance with its mandate to provide guidance to Member States on health policy matters, WHO issues a series of regularly updated position papers on vaccines and combinations of vaccines against diseases that have an international public health impact. These papers are concerned primarily with the use of vaccines in large-scale immunization programmes; they summarize essential background information on diseases and vaccines, and conclude with WHO's current position on the use of vaccines in the global context. Recommendations on the use of HPV vaccines were discussed by SAGE in October 2016; evidence presented at these meetings can be accessed at: http://ift.tt/2owj3Da.



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Editorial Board/Aims and Scope

Publication date: 13 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 43





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Cost of a measles outbreak in a remote island economy: 2014 Federated States of Micronesia measles outbreak

Publication date: 13 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 43
Author(s): Jamison Pike, Ashley Tippins, Mawuli Nyaku, Maribeth Eckert, Louisa Helgenberger, J. Michael Underwood
After 20years with no reported measles cases, on May 15, 2014 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was notified of two cases testing positive for measles-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Under the Compact of Free Association, FSM receives immunization funding and technical support from the United States (US) domestic vaccination program managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In a collaborative effort, public health officials and volunteers from FSM and the US government worked to respond and contain the measles outbreak through an emergency mass vaccination campaign, contact tracing, and other outbreak investigation activities. Contributions were also made by United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO). Total costs incurred as a result of the outbreak were nearly $4,000,000; approximately $10,000 per case. Direct medical costs (≈$141,000) were incurred in the treatment of those individuals infected, as well as lost productivity of the infected and informal caregivers (≈$250,000) and costs to contain the outbreak (≈$3.5 million). We assessed the economic burden of the 2014 measles outbreak to FSM, as well as the economic responsibilities of the US. Although the US paid the majority of total costs of the outbreak (≈67%), examining each country's costs relative to their respective economy illustrates a far greater burden to FSM. We demonstrate that while FSM was heavily assisted by the US in responding to the 2014 Measles Outbreak, the outbreak significantly impacted their economy. FSM's economic burden from the outbreak is approximately equivalent to their entire 2016 Fiscal Year budget dedicated to education.



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Telomerase based anticancer immunotherapy and vaccines approaches

Publication date: 13 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 43
Author(s): Chahal Kailashiya, Hanjabam Barun Sharma, Jyotsna Kailashiya
Telomerase is a Reverse Transcriptase that maintains the telomere length. It is absent in most somatic cells but is found in stem cells, germ cells and around 90% of cancers. It plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining cancer cells. Telomerase, a HLA class-I antigen, is able to stimulate cell mediated immune response by inducing cytotoxic T-cells. This property of telomerase is being exploited in targeting cancers by host's own immune responses; stimulated by various Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) derived vaccines. Many approaches and studies including clinical trials have shown effective anticancer responses of these vaccines, without toxicity to non cancer cells. In this article we have compiled different hTERT based anticancer immunotherapy approaches, vaccines and their performances.



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Live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccines: The needs and challenges of post-licensure evaluation of vaccine safety and effectiveness

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Ole Wichmann, Kirsten Vannice, Edwin J. Asturias, Expedito José de Albuquerque Luna, Ira Longini, Anna Lena Lopez, Peter G. Smith, Hasitha Tissera, In-Kyu Yoon, Joachim Hombach
Since December 2015, the first dengue vaccine has been licensed in several Asian and Latin American countries for protection against disease from all four dengue virus serotypes. While the vaccine demonstrated an overall good safety and efficacy profile in clinical trials, some key research questions remain which make risk-benefit-assessment for some populations difficult. As for any new vaccine, several questions, such as very rare adverse events following immunization, duration of vaccine-induced protection and effectiveness when used in public health programs, will be addressed by post-licensure studies and by data from national surveillance systems after the vaccine has been introduced. However, the complexity of dengue epidemiology, pathogenesis and population immunity, as well as some characteristics of the currently licensed vaccine, and potentially also future, live-attenuated dengue vaccines, poses a challenge for evaluation through existing monitoring systems, especially in low and middle-income countries. Most notable are the different efficacies of the currently licensed vaccine by dengue serostatus at time of first vaccination and by dengue virus serotype, as well as the increased risk of dengue hospitalization among young vaccinated children observed three years after the start of vaccination in one of the trials. Currently, it is unknown if the last phenomenon is restricted to younger ages or could affect also seronegative individuals aged 9years and older, who are included in the group for whom the vaccine has been licensed. In this paper, we summarize scientific and methodological considerations for public health surveillance and targeted post-licensure studies to address some key research questions related to live-attenuated dengue vaccines. Countries intending to introduce a dengue vaccine should assess their capacities to monitor and evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness and safety and, where appropriate and possible, enhance their surveillance systems accordingly. Targeted studies are needed, especially to better understand the effects of vaccinating seronegative individuals.



http://ift.tt/2wPjuMj

Assessing care-givers’ satisfaction with child immunisation services in Zambia: Evidence from a national survey

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Chitalu Miriam Chama-Chiliba, Felix Masiye, Chrispin Mphuka
AimThe main aim of this study was to assess care-giver satisfaction with vaccination services in public health facilities in Zambia, and examine its determinants.MethodsThis study used data from a recent population-based household survey, conducted from May to August 2015. Respondent satisfaction with vaccination services received during the last visit was measured on a five point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. We used an ordered logistic regression model to analyse the significance of perceived quality of vaccination services, immunisation delivery mode and a range of individual characteristics in predicting care-giver satisfaction.ResultsFindings show that one in five care givers were unsatisfied with the vaccination services that they had received, with rural populations showing a significantly higher level of satisfaction. Poor quality of care, defined by long waiting times, poor quality of communication between health staff and care givers, long distance to vaccination sites, mode of delivery, and personal characteristics were among major factors driving care-giver satisfaction ratings. We also find that receiving a vaccination at outreach mode of delivery was associated with higher odds of greater satisfaction compared to on-facility vaccination services. The odds of satisfaction were lower for respondents living further away from a health facility, which emphasizes the importance of access in seeking vaccination services.ConclusionThese findings suggest that major improvements in quality of vaccination and service organisation will be needed to increase client satisfaction and service utilisation.



http://ift.tt/2xybtio

Attitudes towards Zika screening and vaccination acceptability among pregnant women in Malaysia

Publication date: 13 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 43
Author(s): Li Ping Wong, Haridah Alias, Jamiyah Hassan, Sazaly AbuBakar
The aim of this study was to examine the willingness of pregnant women to have prenatal screening for the Zika virus (ZIKV). Secondly, the study also assessed the acceptability of a hypothetical Zika vaccination and its association with the health belief model (HBM) constructs. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 4th October to 11th November 2016, among pregnant women who attended antenatal care at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The majority (81.8%) was willing to be tested for ZIKV and 78% felt that their spouse would be willing to be tested for ZIKV. A total of 94% expressed a willingness to receive a Zika vaccination if available. The participants expressed high perceived benefits of a ZIKV vaccination. Although many have a high perception of the severity of ZIKV, the proportion with a strong perception of their susceptibility to ZIKV was low. In the multivariate analysis of all the HBM constructs, cue-to-action, namely physician recommendation (odds ratio [OR]=2.288; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.093–4.793) and recommendation from friends or relatives (OR=4.030; 95% CI 1.694–9.587), were significantly associated with a willingness to be vaccinated against ZIKV. The favourable response to a Zika vaccination implies that more research attention has to be given to develop a vaccine against ZIKV. Should the vaccine be available in the future, publicity and healthcare providers would play a vital role in ensuring vaccine uptake among pregnant women.



http://ift.tt/2wPyCsZ

Determinants of under-immunization and cumulative time spent under-immunized in a Quebec cohort

Publication date: 13 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 43
Author(s): Shauna O'Donnell, Eve Dubé, Bruce Tapiero, Arnaud Gagneur, Margaret K. Doll, Caroline Quach
BackgroundUnder-immunization refers to a state of sub-optimal protection against vaccine preventable diseases. Vaccine coverage for age may not capture intentional or non-intentional spacing of vaccines in the recommended provincial immunization guidelines. We aimed to identify factors associated with coverage and under-immunization and to determine the number of days during which children were under-immunized during their first 24months of life.MethodsSecondary analysis of children ≤3years recruited through active surveillance for gastroenteritis from three Quebec pediatric emergency departments from 2012 to 2014. Vaccination status for children at least 24months of age was determined using provincial immunization guidelines. Cumulative days under-immunized were calculated for DTaP-VPI-Hib, PCV, MMR, and Men-C-C. Factors associated with up-to-date (UTD) status at 24months of life and for under-immunization ≥6months were analyzed using logistic regression.ResultsOf 246 eligible children, 180 (73%) were UTD by 24months of life. The mean cumulative days under-immunized for MMR was 107days, for PCV 209days, for Men-C-C 145days, and for DTaP-VPI-Hib 227days. Overall, 149 children (60%) experienced delay for at least 1 vaccine. Factors associated with both an UTD status at 24months and concurrently associated with being under-immunization ≥6months, included timely initiation of immunization (OR=5.85; 95% CI: 2.80–12.22) and (OR=0.13; 95% CI: 0.07–0.24), failure to co-administer 18-month vaccines (OR=0.15; 95% CI: 0.10–0.21) and (OR=3.29; 95% CI: 2.47–4.39), and having a household with ≥3 children under 18years ((OR=0.50; 0.28–0.86) and (OR=2.99; 1.45–6.22), respectively.ConclusionPaired with an unexpected low level of coverage at 24months of life, the majority of our cohort also experienced a state of under-immunization for a least one vaccine. Estimates of coverage do not capture intentional or non-intentional gaps in protection from vaccine preventable illnesses. Timely preventive care should be prioritized.



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Reaching every child with rotavirus vaccine: Report from the 10th African rotavirus symposium held in Bamako, Mali

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Samba O. Sow, A. Duncan Steele, Jason M. Mwenda, George E. Armah, Kathleen M. Neuzil
The Center for Vaccine Development – Mali (CVD – Mali), the World Health Organization's regional office in Africa (WHO/AFRO), and the CVD at the University of Maryland School of Medicine hosted the 10th African Rotavirus Symposium in Bamako, Mali on 1–2 June 2016. The symposium is coordinated by WHO/AFRO, the Regional Rotavirus Reference Laboratories, and the African Rotavirus Network (ARN), with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The event brings together leading rotavirus researchers, scientists, and policy-makers from across Africa and the world. Over 150 participants, from 31 countries, including 27 in Africa, joined forces to address the theme "Reaching Every Child in Africa with Rotavirus Vaccines." This symposium, the first in francophone Africa, occurred at an unprecedented time when 33 African countries had introduced rotavirus vaccines into their national immunization programs. The symposium concluded with a Call to Action to introduce rotavirus vaccines in the 21 remaining African countries, to increase access in countries with existing vaccination programs, and to continue surveillance and research on rotavirus and other diarrheal diseases.



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Debate on vaccines and autoimmunity: Do not attack the author, yet discuss it methodologically

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Abdulla Watad, Howard Amital, Yehuda Shoenfeld
Since Jenner, vaccines and vaccinations have stirred a hot, highly polarized debate, leading to contrasting positions and feelings, ranging from acritical enthusiasm to blind denial. On the one hand, we find anti-vaccination movements which divulge and disseminate misleading information, myths, prejudices, and even frauds, with the main aim of denying that vaccination practices represent a major public health measure, being effective in controlling infectious diseases and safeguarding the wellbeing of entire communities. Recently, the authors of many vaccine safety investigations are being personally criticized rather than the actual science being methodologically assessed and critiqued. Unfortunately, this could result in making vaccine safety science a "hazardous occupation". Critiques should focus on the science and not on the authors and on the scientists that publish reasonably high-quality science suggesting a problem with a given vaccine. These scientists require adequate professional protection so there are not disincentives to publish and to carry out researches in the field. The issues for vaccine safety are not dissimilar to other areas such as medical errors and drug safety.



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Using campaigns to improve perceptions of the value of adult vaccination in the United States: Health communication considerations and insights

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Glen J. Nowak, Angela K. Shen, Jason L. Schwartz
Vaccines have much relevance and promise for improving adult health in the United States, but to date, overall use and uptake remain far below desired levels. Many adults have not received recommended vaccinations and many healthcare providers do not strongly and actively encourage their use with patients. This has led some public health and medical experts to conclude that adult vaccines are severely undervalued by the U.S. public and healthcare providers and to call for campaigns and communication-based efforts to foster increased appreciation, and in turn, higher adult immunization rates. A narrative integrative review that draws upon the vaccine valuation and health communication literatures is used to develop a framework to guide campaign and communication-based efforts to improve public, provider, and policymakers' assessment of the value of adult vaccination. The review does this by: (1) distinguishing social psychological value from economic value; (2) identifying the implications of social psychological value considerations for adult vaccination-related communication campaigns; and (3) using five core health communication considerations to illustrate how social psychological notions of value can be integrated into campaigns or communication that are intended to improve adult vaccination value perceptions and assessments, and in turn, motivate greater support for and uptake of recommended adult vaccines.



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DNA vaccines against leptospirosis: A literature review

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Marcelle Moura Silveira, Thaís Larré Oliveira, Rodrigo Andrade Schuch, Alan John Alexander McBride, Odir Antônio Dellagostin, Daiane Drawanz Hartwig
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira species. The vaccines that are currently available for leptospirosis are composed of whole-cell preparations and suffer from limitations such as low efficacy, multiple side-effects, poor immunological memory and lack of cross-protection against different serovars of Leptospira spp. In light of the global prevalence of this disease, the development of a more effective vaccine against leptospirosis is of paramount importance. Genetic immunization is a promising alternative to conventional vaccine development. In the last 25years, several novel strategies have been developed for increasing the efficacy of DNA vaccines. Examples of such strategies include the introduction of novel plasmid vectors, adjuvants, alternate delivery routes, and prime-boost regimens. Herein we discuss the latest and most promising advances that have been made in developing DNA vaccines against leptospirosis. We also deliberate over the future directions that must be undertaken in order to improve results in this field.



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Prevaccination epidemiology of herpes zoster in Denmark: Quantification of occurrence and risk factors

Publication date: 9 October 2017
Source:Vaccine, Volume 35, Issue 42
Author(s): Sigrun A.J. Schmidt, Mogens Vestergaard, Lisbeth M. Baggesen, Lars Pedersen, Henrik C. Schønheyder, Henrik T. Sørensen
BackgroundHerpes zoster (HZ) is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Unfortunately, formulation of recommendations on routine immunization is hampered by a lack of data on disease burden, since most countries do not record cases of HZ in the general population. We developed and validated an algorithm to identify HZ based on routinely collected registry data and used it to quantify HZ occurrence and risk factors in Denmark prior to marketing of the HZ vaccine.MethodsWe included patients aged ≥40years with a first-time systemic Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, or Famciclovir prescription or a hospital-based HZ diagnosis in the Danish nationwide health registries during 1997–2013. In a validation substudy (n=176), we computed the proportion of persons with HZ among patients who redeemed antiviral prescriptions. In a cohort study, we computed age-specific rates of HZ (45,297,258 person-years). In a case-control study, we then computed odds ratios (ORs) for common chronic diseases and immunosuppressive factors among HZ cases (n=189,025) vs. matched population controls (n=945,111).ResultsMedical record review confirmed HZ in 87% (95% confidence interval: 79–93%) of persons ≥40years who dispensed antivirals at doses recommended for HZ. HZ rates increased from 2.15/1000 person-years in 40-year-olds to 9.45/1000 person-years in 95-year-olds. Rates were highest in women. HZ was diagnosed during hospitalization among 3.5%. As expected, persons with severe immunosuppressive conditions had the highest ORs of HZ (between 1.82 and 4.12), but various autoimmune diseases, asthma, chronic kidney disease, and inhaled glucocorticoids were also associated with increased ORs (between 1.06 and 1.64).ConclusionThis algorithm is a valid tool for identifying HZ in routine healthcare data. It shows that HZ is common in Denmark, especially in patients with certain chronic conditions. Prioritized vaccination of such high-risk patients might be an option in countries considering alternatives to universal vaccination.



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The Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise and Resistance Training as Transdiagnostic Interventions for Anxiety-Related Disorders and Constructs: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2017
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Author(s): Daniel M. LeBouthillier, Gordon J.G. Asmundson
Evidence supports exercise as an intervention for many mental health concerns; however, randomized controlled investigations of the efficacy of different exercise modalities and predictors of change are lacking. The purposes of the current trial were to: (1) quantify the effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training on anxiety-related disorder (including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder) status, symptoms, and constructs, (2) evaluate whether both modalities of exercise were equivalent, and (3) to determine whether exercise enjoyment and physical fitness are associated with symptom reduction. A total of 48 individuals with anxiety-related disorders were randomized to aerobic exercise, resistance training, or a waitlist. Symptoms of anxiety-related disorders, related constructs, and exercise enjoyment were assessed at pre-intervention and weekly during the 4-week intervention. Participants were further assessed 1-week and 1-month post-intervention. Both exercise modalities were efficacious in improving disorder status. As well, aerobic exercise improved general psychological distress and anxiety, while resistance training improved disorder-specific symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, and intolerance of uncertainty. Physical fitness predicted reductions in general psychological distress for both types of exercise and reductions in stress for aerobic exercise. Results highlight the efficacy of different exercise modalities in uniquely addressing anxiety-related disorder symptoms and constructs.



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Randomized controlled trial of internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy comparing standard weekly versus optional weekly therapist support

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2017
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Author(s): H.D. Hadjistavropoulos, L.H. Schneider, M. Edmonds, E. Karin, M.N. Nugent, D. Dirkse, B.F. Dear, N. Titov
Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) is effective for treating anxiety and depression. The relative benefits of offering standard weekly compared to optional weekly therapist support in conjunction with ICBT within routine care has not been examined. Patients seeking ICBT for depression and or anxiety in routine care were randomized to standard (n=92) or optional (n=88) weekly support. The optional approach resulted in therapists receiving half as many messages from (1.70 vs. 3.96) and sending half as many messages to patients (3.62 vs. 7.29). Optional Support was associated with lower completion rates (56.6% versus 82.4%), but, similar to Standard Support, resulted in large reductions on the GAD-7 (within Cohen's d≥1.08; avg. reduction ≥47%) and PHQ-9 (within Cohen's d≥0.82; avg. reduction ≥43%) at post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. Optional weekly support appears clinically effective and acceptable for many patients and may reduce costs, but safety requires monitoring given lower completion rates.



http://ift.tt/2yz945m

Klebsiella sp. confers enhanced tolerance to salinity and plant growth promotion in oat seedlings (Avena sativa)

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2017
Source:Microbiological Research
Author(s): Swapnil Sapre, Iti Gontia-Mishra, Sharad Tiwari
Plant growth and yield is adversely affected by soil salinity. Salt tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strain IG 3 was isolated from rhizosphere of wheat plants. The isolate IG 3 was able to grow in presence of NaCl ranging from 0-20% in Luria Bertani medium. The present study was planned to evaluate the role of inoculation of PGPR strain IG 3 and its efficacy in augmenting salt tolerance in oat (Avena sativa) under NaCl stress (100mM). The physiological parameter such as shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and relative water content (RWC) were remarkably higher in IG 3 inoculated plants in comparison to un-inoculated plants under NaCl stress. Similarly, the biochemical parameters such as proline content, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content and activities of antioxidant enzymes were analyzed and found to be notably lesser in IG 3 inoculated oat plants in contrast to un-inoculated plants under salt stress. Inoculation of IG 3 strain to oat seedlings under salt stress positively modulated the expression profile of rbcL and WRKY1 genes. Root colonization of root surface and interior was demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy and tetrazolium staining, respectively. Due these outcomes, it could be implicated that inoculation of PGPR strain IG 3 enhanced plant growth under salt stress condition. This study demonstrates that PGPR play an imperative function in stimulating salt tolerance in plants and can be used as biofertilizer to enhance growth of crops in saline areas.



http://ift.tt/2fJV2pW

Synchronous Ganglioneuroma and Schwannoma Mistaken for Carotid Body Tumor

Ganglioneuromas are a very rare benign neural tumor, commonly derived from the ganglia of the sympathetic system, and are composed of mature Schwann cells, ganglion cells, and nerve fibres. They may arise anywhere from the base of the skull to the pelvis along the paravertebral sympathetic plexus. We report a rare case of synchronous ganglioneuroma and schwannoma, mistaken for carotid body tumor. The coexistence of these two entities in head and neck region is very rare.

http://ift.tt/2yAidum

Synchronous Ganglioneuroma and Schwannoma Mistaken for Carotid Body Tumor

Ganglioneuromas are a very rare benign neural tumor, commonly derived from the ganglia of the sympathetic system, and are composed of mature Schwann cells, ganglion cells, and nerve fibres. They may arise anywhere from the base of the skull to the pelvis along the paravertebral sympathetic plexus. We report a rare case of synchronous ganglioneuroma and schwannoma, mistaken for carotid body tumor. The coexistence of these two entities in head and neck region is very rare.

http://ift.tt/2yAidum

Soft obturator prosthesis for postoperative soft palate carcinoma: A clinical report

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Tomohisa Ohno, Kyoko Hojo, Ichiro Fujishima
An intraoral prosthesis with a soft flexible obturator was provided for a patient with a soft palate perforation after surgical and chemoradiotherapy treatments of a soft palate tumor. An obturator composed of movable and flexible silicone was attached to a structure similar to a palatal lift; it was therefore able to move according to the movement of the soft palate, which was confirmed by endoscopic examination. The application of this prosthesis resulted in complete disappearance of hypernasality and food reflux, and the patient was able to eat without particular limitation during daytime wearing. This type of prosthesis represents a potential prosthetic approach to a soft palate nasal-oral fistula.



http://ift.tt/2fpUMQ7

Kinetics of interfacial polycondensation reactions – Development of a new method and its validation

Publication date: 3 October 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 127
Author(s): Subhalaxmi Behera, Akkihebbal K. Suresh
The structure and function of the thin polymeric functional layer in reverse osmosis membranes depend on the kinetics of the interfacial polycondensation (IP) reaction by which the film is formed. It has been a challenge to achieve a quantitative understanding of these kinetics because of the high velocity of the reactions and the complex geometry of the support membrane in which the reaction takes place. In this work, we describe a novel and convenient technique for studying such kinetics, and demonstrate the method on the IP reaction between meta-phenylene diamine and trimesoyl chloride. The method involves studying the reaction in a simple geometry of a drop-continuous phase interface in an emulsion, under such conditions that all transport resistances are eliminated. The reaction course is followed through an on-line pH measurement using a fast probe. Interfacial areas available for reaction are measured by an encapsulation technique, under the conditions of reaction. The methods developed have been used to study the kinetics of the m-PDA-TMC reaction as a function of m-PDA concentration and surfactant (tween-85) concentration, and a surface-area based rate function has been shown to fit the data adequately.

Graphical abstract

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Crystallization of polypropylene in the presence of biomass-based fillers of different compositions

Publication date: 3 October 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 127
Author(s): Jordi Girones, Loan T.T. Vo, Jean-Marc Haudin, Lionel Freire, Patrick Navard
Natural fillers composed of cellulose, lignin and fillers with a varying lignin/cellulose ratio (flax, jute, curauà fibers and miscanthus stem fragments) were used to prepare composites with polypropylene using the same procedure, with or without a maleic anhydride–grafted polypropylene (MA-g-PP) coupling agent. A clear acceleration of the crystallization kinetics was observed in the presence of miscanthus stem fragments. For non-coupled composites, the size and aspect ratio of fragments had no significant influence onto the crystallization kinetics of polypropylene. The presence of the MA-g-PP coupling agent increased even more the kinetics. A clear effect of the nature of the polymers present in the filler was observed. There is a direct relationship between the values of the Avrami kinetic constant k for the six fillers and their lignin content, the more effective to enhance crystallization kinetics being pure cellulose. Lignin has no effect onto the crystallization kinetics of polypropylene.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2ylAXwN

Polycarbonates derived from propylene oxide, CO2, and 4-vinyl cyclohexene oxides terpolymerization catalyzed by bifunctional salcyCoIIINO3 complex and its post-polymerization modification

Publication date: 27 October 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 129
Author(s): Hongye Zhang, Binyuan Liu, Huining Ding, Junwu Chen, Zhongyu Duan
Terpolymerizations of CO2, propylene oxide (PO), and 4-vinyl cyclohexene oxide (VCHO) were successfully catalyzed by a single cobalt(III) complex of a salen-type ligand bearing one quaternary ammonium salt on the five-position of each aromatic ring. The influences of various reaction conditions such as molar ratio of the monomers, reaction time and reaction temperature on the terpolymerization progress were investigated. The resulting terpolymers showed only one thermolysis peak and one adjustable glass-transition temperature (Tg) dependable on vinyl cyclohexene carbonate (VCHC) unit content with the relationship of "Tg (°C) = 64 × FVinyl + 39". Furthermore, the epoxy group was incorporated by oxidation of vinyl group of PVCHC units and the cyclic carbonate (CC) functional group was achieved by reaction of CO2 with epoxy-functionalized terpolymer. The linear dependencies of the Tg on the mole fractions ratio of pendent epoxy and CC groups on the poly(cyclohexene carbonate) main chain were also observed. Notably, the Tg of fully CC-functionalized PCHC was up to 196 °C, which was the highest Tg of CO2-based polycarbonate reported at the absence of cross-linked structure.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2ylI5JS

Glass transition of poly (methyl methacrylate) filled with nanosilica and core-shell structured silica

Publication date: 3 October 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 127
Author(s): Yihu Song, Jing Bu, Min Zuo, Yang Gao, Wenjing Zhang, Qiang Zheng
Core-shell (CS) nanocomposite particles with 53.4 wt% cross-linked poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shell of 11.6 nm in thickness were fabricated via miniemulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of modified nanosilica. The influence of nanosilica and CS nanoparticles on glass transition and segmental dynamics of PMMA in the nanocomposites prepared via solution casting was compared. The remarkable depression (≥10 °C) of glass transition temperature (Tg) induced by the incorporation of SiO2 and CS was both observed at low loadings. Here, different mechanisms were responsible for the effect of SiO2 and CS on the segmental acceleration of PMMA matrix. The formation of rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) layer around SiO2 with the thickness of 16.4 nm led to the adjacent molecular packing frustration, while the "lubrication" effect of nonwetting interface between the grafted crosslinked chains and matrix chains resulted in the segmental acceleration and the reduction of dynamic fragility.

Graphical abstract

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