The measurement of media literacy in eating disorder risk factor research: psychometric properties of six measures

Abstract

Background

Evaluation of media literacy-based interventions for the prevention of eating disorder risk is limited by the lack of appropriate measures with established psychometric properties with which to assess change in media literacy. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the psychometric properties and use in eating disorders risk factor research of six measures of media literacy that assess media processing and critical thinking about general media and critical thinking about appearance-focused media.

Methods

The factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity, including convergent and discriminant validity, were examined in six measures in two samples of early adolescent females. The measures were the Realism Scepticism, Similarity Scepticism, and Desirability Scepticism subscales of the Media Attitudes Questionnaire, the Fake subscale of the Critical Processing of Beauty Images Scale, the Critical Thinking about Media Messages scale, and Critical Thinking about Media Messages - Appearance Focus scale.

Results

The factor structure of the measures was supported with factor analysis. Items from the Media Attitudes Questionnaire loaded on the three subscales Realism Scepticism, Similarity Scepticism, and Desirability Scepticism and items from each of the Fake subscale, Critical Thinking about Media Messages scale and Critical Thinking about Media Messages - Appearance Focus scale loaded on one scale. In addition, scores on the measures were reliable (adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability) and valid (adequate construct, convergent, and discriminant validity) in early adolescent females. Two exceptions were Realism Scepticism, which had slightly low test-retest reliability, and the Fake subscale, for which support for construct validity was lacking.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence to support the use of select media literacy measures, particularly the Realism Scepticism subscale and the Critical Thinking about Media Messages scale, in eating disorder risk factor research and the findings will contribute to enhanced evaluation of media literacy-based prevention interventions.

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20Q: Rehabilitative Audiology - Remaining Competitive in a Changing Hearing Healthcare Environment

1. I know you've talked about the importance of rehabilitative audiology for many years. Still have the same beliefs today? Nancy Tye-Murray: Even more so! This is a crucial topic. The ground is shifting rapidly and many audiologists are expressing concerns about how changing government rules and regulations, new technologies such as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), automated hearing tests, and inexpensive hearing aids offered by discount stores will impinge on their professional territory and even their livelihood.

http://ift.tt/2ewlSDm

Metastasectomy in Cutaneous Melanoma

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO)
Author(s): Konstantinos Lasithiotakis, Odysseas Zoras
Metastectomy remains the only treatment in malignant melanoma to offer complete pathologic response within a few days of in-hospital stay. It has been historically associated with the highest survival rates in the literature reported for patients of this stage. However, only a minority of patients are amenable to curative resection of distant metastatic disease. This patient group exhibit slow growing oligometastases as indicated by: a. Long disease free interval after treatment of their primary tumours and b. An exhaustive preoperative work up with the use of PET/CT and MRI scans (im not sure what this sentence means). Only complete resection of all metastases is associated with long term survival and debulking should not be attempted. Metastasectomy has also been shown to offer significant palliation in cases of gastrointestinal bleeding or obstruction. The timing and the sequencing of surgery in the modern multimodal targeted treatment of melanoma is still unclear and warrants further investigation.



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NSAIDs in the Treatment of Postoperative Pain

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Postoperative pain results in multiple undesirable physiologic and psychological outcomes, and it should be managed in a multimodal approach. This article reviews the latest scientific literature of NSAIDs in the treatment of postoperative pain. The goal is to answer the following questions: (1) Are NSAIDs effective in the postoperative period? (2) Are NSAIDs safe in all surgical patients? and (3) Are adverse effects of NSAIDs increased or diminished in the acute postoperative period?

Recent Findings

NSAIDs are safe and effective in the treatment of postoperative pain, and they should be administered to all postoperative surgical patients unless contraindicated.

Summary

Based on literature, NSAIDs have been shown to increase patient satisfaction and decrease opioid requirements, minimizing opiate-induced adverse events. They have no increased incidence of adverse effects during the acute postoperative period. NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors, however, should be used with caution in colorectal surgery as they are proven to increase the risk of anastomotic leak.

http://ift.tt/2fLDCIo

NSAIDs in the Treatment of Postoperative Pain

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Postoperative pain results in multiple undesirable physiologic and psychological outcomes, and it should be managed in a multimodal approach. This article reviews the latest scientific literature of NSAIDs in the treatment of postoperative pain. The goal is to answer the following questions: (1) Are NSAIDs effective in the postoperative period? (2) Are NSAIDs safe in all surgical patients? and (3) Are adverse effects of NSAIDs increased or diminished in the acute postoperative period?

Recent Findings

NSAIDs are safe and effective in the treatment of postoperative pain, and they should be administered to all postoperative surgical patients unless contraindicated.

Summary

Based on literature, NSAIDs have been shown to increase patient satisfaction and decrease opioid requirements, minimizing opiate-induced adverse events. They have no increased incidence of adverse effects during the acute postoperative period. NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors, however, should be used with caution in colorectal surgery as they are proven to increase the risk of anastomotic leak.

http://ift.tt/2fLDCIo

Microbial genome-wide association studies: lessons from human GWAS

With the increasing availability of microbial whole genomes, researchers are beginning to carry out genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in bacteria, viruses and protozoa. In this Review, the authors discuss the specific challenges and considerations associated with the application of GWAS methods to microorganisms and consider the future of microbial GWAS in the light of lessons learned from human studies.

http://ift.tt/2fLGODO

Making sense of genomic islands of differentiation in light of speciation

To characterize the genetic underpinnings of speciation, genome scans can identify genomic regions that differ between divergent populations of wild organisms. In this Review, Wolf and Ellegren describe the methodological details of these approaches and how genomic islands of differentiation should be interpreted cautiously in the search for 'speciation genes'. They also discuss methodological best practice that takes into consideration genomic differentiation occurring through speciation-independent evolutionary processes.

http://ift.tt/2g5vSVl

Dissecting the genetics of complex traits using summary association statistics

Investigating the genetic basis of complex traits and diseases using individual-level genetic data from genome-wide association studies is often hampered by privacy concerns and logistical considerations. Here, the authors review recent statistical methods that leverage summary association data, which are widely available and can circumvent these issues.

http://ift.tt/2fLGKUA

Hyperglycemia, tumorigenesis, and chronic inflammation

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
Author(s): Shu-Chun Chang, Wei-Chung Vivian Yang
Hyperglycemia is the most prominent sign that characterizes diabetes. Hyperglycemia favors malignant cell growth by providing energy to cancer cells. Clinical studies also showed an increased risk of diabetes being associated with different types of cancers. In addition, poorly regulated glucose metabolism in diabetic patients is often found with increased levels of chronic inflammatory markers, e.g., interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and emerging evidence has highlighted activation of the immune response in the progression and development of cancer cells. Therefore, uncontrolled proinflammatory responses could conceivably create a chronic inflammatory state, promoting a tumor-favorable microenvironment and potentially triggering immune overactivation and cancer growth. To further understand how hyperglycemia contributes to immune overactivation, the tumor microenvironment and the development of chronic inflammation-associated tumors may provide insights into tumor biology and immunology. This paper provides a brief introduction to hyperglycemia-associated diseases, followed by a comprehensive overview of the current findings of regulatory molecular mechanisms of glycosylation on proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix under hyperglycemic conditions. Then, the authors discuss the role of hyperglycemia in tumorigenesis (particularly in prostate, liver, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers), as well as the contribution of hyperglycemia to chronic inflammation. The authors end with a brief discussion on the future perspectives of hyperglycemia/tumorigenesis and potential applications of alternative/effective therapeutic strategies for hyperglycemia-associated cancers.



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Systems Medicine Approaches to Improving Understanding, Treatment, and Clinical Management of Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer

Background: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. More than 200,000 new cases are added each year in the US, translating to a lifetime risk of 1 in 7 men. Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an aggressive and treatmentresistant form of prostate cancer. A subset of patients treated with aggressive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) present with NEPC. Patients with NEPC have a reduced 5-year overall survival rate of 12.6%. Knowledge integration from genetic, epigenetic, biochemical and therapeutic studies suggests NEPC as an indicative mechanism of resistance development to various forms of therapy. </p><p> Methods: In this perspective, we discuss various experimental, computational and risk prediction methodologies that can be utilized to identify novel therapies against NEPC. We reviewed literature from PubMed and computationally analyzed publicly available genomics data to present different possibilities for developing systems medicine based therapeutic and curative models to understand and target prostate cancer and NEPC. </p><p> Results: We discuss strategies including gene-set analyses, network analyses, genomics and phenomics aided drug development, microRNA and peptide-based therapeutics, pathway modeling, drug repositioning and cancer immunotherapies. We also discuss the application of cancer risk estimations and mining of electronic medical records to develop personalized risk predictions models for NEPC. Preemptive stratification of patients who are at risk of evolving NEPC phenotypes using predictive models could also help to design and deliver better therapies. </p><p> Conclusion: Collectively, understanding the mechanism of NEPC evolution from prostate cancer using systems biology approaches would help in devising better treatment strategies and is critical and unmet clinical need. </p><p>

http://ift.tt/2f7uLPT

Novel Immunotherapies for Hematological Malignancies

The successful treatment of hematological malignancies remains challenging. Prognosis is often dismal given the frequency of disease relapse or treatment refractory disease. Cytotoxic and cytostatic chemotherapy remain mainstream therapeutics for most hematological malignancies. However, improved understanding of tumor immunobiology is providing appealing anti-cancer strategies targeting selected component of immune response. Since approval of rituximab for treating B cell malignancies in 1997, availability of monoclonal antibodies against tumor specific surface molecules has driven the development of the emerging field of cancer immunotherapy. This strategy of modulating the immune response is taking an increasingly prominent role in the treatment of hematological malignancies with several new antibody-based therapeutics becoming available for patients with leukemia/lymphoma. In addition, with an increasingly appreciated role for T cell immunity in cancer pathogenesis, strategies enhancing T cell activation as well as inhibiting T cell suppression mechanisms are under active development. Therapeutic vaccines to improve efficacy of antigen processing and presentation, agonists for co-stimulatory molecules, adoptive transfer of genetically-modified T cells, as well as agents that suppress negative regulatory pathways for T cell function are all under active clinical investigation. Although most of these studies are in early stages, preliminary data are very promising. Availability of additional immune-based therapeutic options for patients with hematological malignancies is anticipated in the near future.

http://ift.tt/2czpPCG

Competition Between Tumor and Mononuclear Phagocyte System Causing the Low Tumor Distribution of Nanoparticles and Strategies to Improve Tumor Accumulation

In the past few decades, nanoparticles have shown their advantages in anti-cancer therapy. After intravenous injection, they could preferentially arrive at tumor tissue either by extravasation from tumor vasculature or targeting vascular endothelial cells. But at the same time, their quantity in mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) is far more than that in tumor. In this review, we discuss the advantages of MPS in spleen and liver over tumor on competing nanoparticles. The biophysical causes of spleen and liver help the MPS to capture nanoparticles, such as sufficient flux of blood stream, capillary network with fenestrations in liver and venous sinuses in spleen. Meanwhile, liver and spleen are the two major organs that contain MPS. Various properties of nanoparticles may affect their biodistribution. It is suggested that nanoparticles with proper size and shape, suitable charge, polyethyleneglycol and ligands will minimize the clearance by MPS. Several novel and promising approaches for cancer therapy are introduced in this review. This review seeks to provide guidelines for improving nanoparticles accumulation in tumor through both optimizing nanoparticles design and novel ways to design nanodelivery system for cancer therapy.

http://ift.tt/2f7t993

Hybrid Soft Computing Approach for Prediction of Cancer in Colon Using Microarray Gene Data

Background: Colon cancer remains among the top perpetrators of deaths linked to cancer. The probability of cancer reaching more parts of the body is extremely high in colorectal cancers. Early detection is hence, highly important for faster treatment. </p><p> Method: In the current work, a hybrid approach toward the detection of colon cancers through the usage of microarray datasets, is presented. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is utilized for features extraction, while Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Bagging approaches are utilized as classifiers. </p><p> Results: The Colon Microarray Gene Dataset is used to evaluate minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (mRMR), Bagging, SVM, PSO and PSO-SVM with regard to classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The proposed PSO-SVM displays best performance in all categories. </p><p> Conclusion: Experiments reveal the capabilities of the proposed PSO-SVM to explore features space for the optimal features combination for gene selection from microarray data. </p><p>

http://ift.tt/2ewbGul

Targeted Vascular Drug Delivery in Cerebral Cancer

This review presents the present-day literature on the anatomy and physiological mechanisms of the blood-brain barrier and the problematic of cerebral drug delivery in relation to malignant brain tumors. First step in treatment of malignant brain tumors is resection, but there is a high risk of single remnant infiltrative tumor cells in the outer zone of the brain tumor. These infiltrative single-cells will be supplied by capillaries with an intact BBB as opposed to the partly leaky BBB found in the tumor tissue before resection. Even though BBB penetrance of a chemotherapeutic agent is considered irrelevant though the limited success rate for chemotherapeutic treatability of GBM tumors indicate otherwise. Therefore drug delivery strategies to cerebral cancer after resection should be tailored to being able to both penetrate the intact BBB and target the cancer cells. In this review the intact bloodbrain barrier and cerebral cancer with main focus on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is introduced. The GBM induced formation of a blood-tumor barrier and the consequences hereof is described and discussed with emphasis on the impact these changes of the BBB has on drug delivery to GBM. The most commonly used drug carriers for drug delivery to GBM is described and the current drug delivery strategies for glioblastoma multiforme including possible routes through the BBB and epitopes, which can be targeted on the GBM cells is outlined. Overall, this review aims to address targeted drug delivery in GBM treatment when taking the differing permeability of the BBB into consideration.

http://ift.tt/2f7ubBS

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type III with a prevalence of cutaneous features

Summary

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PAS) is the name given to a group of autoimmune disorders of the endocrine glands. PAS type III (PAS III) comprises several autoimmune diseases (autoimmune thyroiditis, immune-mediated diabetes mellitus, pernicious anaemia, vitiligo, alopecia areata and many others) and is subdivided into four subcategories. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo, alopecia areata, psoriasis and lichen sclerosus, suggesting a clinical diagnosis of PAS IIIC with a singular prevalence of cutaneous features.

http://ift.tt/2fxyMxV

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type III with a prevalence of cutaneous features

Summary

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PAS) is the name given to a group of autoimmune disorders of the endocrine glands. PAS type III (PAS III) comprises several autoimmune diseases (autoimmune thyroiditis, immune-mediated diabetes mellitus, pernicious anaemia, vitiligo, alopecia areata and many others) and is subdivided into four subcategories. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo, alopecia areata, psoriasis and lichen sclerosus, suggesting a clinical diagnosis of PAS IIIC with a singular prevalence of cutaneous features.

http://ift.tt/2fxyMxV

Evaluation of inflammation-related signaling events covering phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of proteins based on mass spectrometry data

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:Journal of Proteomics
Author(s): Andrea Bileck, Rupert L. Mayer, Dominique Kreutz, Tamara Weiss, Sabine Taschner-Mandl, Samuel M. Meier, Astrid Slany, Christopher Gerner
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are important players in immune regulation relying on a complex network of signaling pathways. In this study, we evaluated the power of label-free quantitative shotgun proteomics regarding the comprehensive characterization of signaling pathways in such primary cells by studying regulation of protein abundance, post-translational modifications and nuclear translocation events. The effects of inflammatory stimulation and the treatment of stimulated cells with dexamethasone were investigated. Therefore, a previously published dataset accessible via ProteomeXchange consisting of 6901 identified protein groups was re-evaluated. These data enabled us to comprehensively map the c-JUN, ERK5 and NF-κB signaling cascade in a semi-quantitative fashion. Without the application of any enrichment, 3775 highly confident phosphopeptides derived from 1249 proteins including 66 kinases were identified. Efficient subcellular fractionation and subsequent comparative analysis identified previously unrecognized inflammation-associated nuclear translocation events of proteins such as histone-modifying proteins, zinc finger proteins as well as transcription factors. Profound effects of inflammatory stimulation and dexamethasone treatment on histone H3 and ZFP161 localization represent novel findings and were verified by immunofluorescence. In conclusion, we demonstrate that multiple regulatory events resulting from the activity of signaling pathways can be determined out of untargeted shotgun proteomics data.SignificanceRelevant functional events such as phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of proteins were extracted from high-resolution mass spectrometry data and provided additional biological information contained in shotgun proteomics data.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2fObx1K

Low-symmetry two-dimensional materials for electronic and photonic applications

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:Nano Today
Author(s): He Tian, Jesse Tice, Ruixiang Fei, Vy Tran, Xiaodong Yan, Li Yang, Han Wang
In this review article, we discuss the synthesis, properties, and novel device applications of low-symmetry 2D materials, including black phosphorus and its arsenic alloys, compounds with black-phosphorus like structure such as the monochalcogenides of group IV elements like Ge and Sn, as well as the class of low-symmetry transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) materials such as rhenium disulfide (ReS2) and rhenium diselenide (ReSe2). Their unique physical properties resulting from the low symmetry in-plane crystal structure and the prospects of their application in nanoelectronics and nanophotonics, as well as piezoelectric devices and thermoelectrics are discussed.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2eVND6V

"J BUON"[jour]; +43 new citations

43 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

"J BUON"[jour]

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/11/13

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Survival and Prognostic Factors in Chinese Patients with Osteosarcoma: 13-Year Experience in 365 Patients Treated at a Single Institution

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:Pathology - Research and Practice
Author(s): Wei Wang, Jing Yang, Yun Wang, Dianjun Wang, Gang Han, Jinpeng Jia, Meng Xu, Wenzhi Bi
This study was designed to retrospectively analyze the survival and prognostic factors in Chinese osteosarcoma patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or/and surgery in a single institution. A total of 365 patients with pathological proved osteosarcoma undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy or/and surgery in a single institution between December 1999 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed for the demographic, tumor-related, and treatment-related variables, prognostic factors for survival rate and chemotherapy response. There were 231 males and 134 females (ratio, 1.72:1). The average age was 21±10years, with peak age between 10 and 20 years old (62%, 226/365). Of 365 patients, 319 (87.4%) suffered from primary tumor only, and 46 (12.6%) had metastases upon initial presentation. The overall 5-year survival rate was 65%. Upon univariate analysis, tumor site (femur 60.3%; other long bone 70.2%; trunk 33.6%; P=0.012), primary metastases (yes 36.7%; no 68.9%; P=0.000), tumor response to preoperative chemotherapy (good 89.8%; poor 47.5%; P=0.001) and recurrence/metastases after treatment (yes 36.2%; no 63.8%; P=0.000) were associated with higher 5-year survival rate. All factors except tumor site maintained their significance in multivariate testing. Male sex and nonconventional subtype of tumor were related to a higher likelihood of poor chemotherapy response.The absence of metastases at initial presentation, negative local recurrence or metastases after treatment, and tumor response to chemotherapy are of independent prognostic value in osteosarcoma. The overall prognostic factors and survival in Chinese patients are similar to those patients reported in western countries.



http://ift.tt/2g4KkNp

A critical overview of the current myofascial pain literature – January 2017

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2016
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Jan Dommerholt
Due to a change in the production schedule of this journal, two issues of this article were due within a month of each other, which precluded the usual group of authors to contribute to the current paper, but they will return with the next issue. This overview includes several articles questioning the use of dry needling (DN) by non-acupuncturists, which continues to be a controversial topic especially in the United States. Several researchers examined the effects of manual trigger point (TrP) techniques applied to TrPs in the upper trapezius muscle. The results were mixed and not necessarily consistent among studies. The research of the clinical management of TrPs is still limited, because of small sample sizes, insufficient power, the inherent risk of the introduction of bias, and poor study methodologies.



http://ift.tt/2eRjO41

Plantar heel pain

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Warrick McNeill, Mark Silvester




http://ift.tt/2g8BBZH

Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma involving cranial nerves in a patient with left glottic carcinoma treated with definitive radiation therapy: a case report

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Kunal Sindhu, William Armstrong, Anton Hasso, Ted Farzaneh, Parima Daroui




http://ift.tt/2g8yOzy

State of Dose Prescription and Compliance to International Standard (ICRU-83) in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy among Academic Institutions

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Indra J Das, Aaron Andersen, Zhe (Jay) Chen, Andrea Dimofte, Eli Glatstein, Jeremy Hoisak, Long Huang, Mark P. Langer, Choonik Lee, Matthew Pacella, Richard A. Popple, Roger Rice, Jennifer Smilowitz, Patricia Sponseller, Timothy Zhu
Purpose/Objective(s)To evaluate dose prescription and recording compliance to international standard (ICRU-83) in IMRT treated patients among academic institutions.Materials/MethodsTen institutions participated in this study to collect IMRT data to evaluate compliance to ICRU-83. Under institutional review board (IRB) clearance, 5094 patient data including treatment site, technique, planner, physician, prescribed dose, target volume, monitor units, planning system and dose calculation algorithm were collected anonymously. The dose-volume histogram (DVH) of each patient, as well as dose points, D100, D98, D95, D50, D2 were collected and sent to a central location for analysis. Homogeneity index (HI) as a measure of the steepness of target which is a measure of the shape of the DVH was calculated for every patient and analyzed.ResultsIn general, ICRU recommendations for naming the target, reporting dose prescription, and achieving desired levels of dose to target were relatively poor. The nomenclature for the target in the dose prescription had large variations, having every permutation of name and number contrary to ICRU recommendations. There was statistically significant variability in D95, D50 and HI among institutions, tumor site and technique with p values <0.01. Nearly 95% of patients had D50 higher than 100% (103.5±6.9) of prescribed dose and varied among institutions. On the other hand, D95 was close to 100% (97.1±9.4) of prescribed dose. Liver and lung sites had a higher D50 compared to other sites. Pelvic sites had a lower variability indicated by HI (0.13±1.21). Variability in D50 is 101.2±8.5, 103.4±6.8, 103.4±8.2 and 109.5±11.5 for IMRT, Tomotherapy, VMAT and SBRT with IMRT, respectively.ConclusionNearly 95% of patient treatments deviated from the ICRU-83 recommended D50 prescription dose delivery. This variability is significant (p<0.01) in terms of treatment site, technique and institution. To reduce dosimetric and associated radiation outcome variability, dose prescription in every clinical trial should be unified with international guidelines.



http://ift.tt/2eRgWnI

Newly listed firms’ M&A activities data and their VC-backing data

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 9
Author(s): Ting Cao
This article contains hand collected and matched data on the VC investment situation in newly listed firms in SME and ChiNext board from 2009 to 2012 and the corresponding M&A activities data undertaken by these newly listed firms as acquirers in three years following initial public offering. Mentioned data are related to the research article "Heterogeneous Venture Capital, M&A Activity, and Market Response" (W. Li, T. Cao, Z. Feng, 2016) [1].



http://ift.tt/2g8wdG7

Community Supported Agriculture as a Dietary and Health Improvement Strategy: A Narrative Review

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2016
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Angie Vasquez, Nancy E. Sherwood, Nicole Larson, Mary Story
This narrative review summarizes the literature regarding community-supported agriculture (CSA) with a focus on its use as a dietary and health improvement strategy. CSA members are typically women, white, highly educated, and affluent. The majority of members are motivated to participate in CSA by a concern for the environment and a desire for locally grown, high-quality, and organic produce. Numerous studies have provided evidence of the economic, community, environmental, and food quality related benefits of CSAs. A substantial body of literature has also explored the CSA member experience and has found that members are generally very satisfied, but membership turnover rates are often high. Research regarding the association between dietary intake and health is more limited and mostly descriptive in nature. CSA members often report increased consumption and variety of fruits and vegetables, changes in the household food environment, and changes in meal patterns. A small number of anecdotal reports also support the association between CSA participation and improved health status. However, there is a dearth of experimental research in this area, and results of these studies are mixed. Future research opportunities include longitudinal studies to evaluate repeat CSA participation and the long-term sustainability of CSA-related dietary and health changes. In addition, research is needed to address some of the methodologic limitations of the current research with regard to survey tools, generalizability of results, self-reporting bias, and CSA member support.



http://ift.tt/2fOZCEz

Expression of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 in vitro and in vivo

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 80
Author(s): Yongjiao Yu, Lu Fu, Xiaoyu Jiang, Shanshan Guan, Ziyu Kuai, Wei Kong, Yuhua Shi, Yaming Shan
Despite unremitting efforts since the discovery of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), an effective vaccine has not been generated. Viral vector-mediated transfer for expression of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (BnAbs) is an attractive strategy. In this study, a recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 (rAAV8) vector was used to encode full-length antibodies against HIV-1 in 293T cells and Balb/c mice after gene transfer. The 10E8 or NIH45-46 BnAb was expressed from a single open reading frame by linking the heavy and light chains with a furin cleavage and a 2A self-processing peptide (F2A). The results showed that the BnAbs could be expressed in the 293T cell culture medium. A single intramuscular injection of rAAV8 led to long-term expression of BnAbs in Balb/c mice. The expressed antibodies in the supernatant of 293T cells and in Balb/c mice showed neutralization effects against HIV-1 pseudoviruses. Combined immunization of rAAV8 expressing 10E8 and rAAV8 expressing NIH45-46 in Balb/c mice could increase these neutralization effects on strains of HIV-1 sensitive to 10E8 or NIH45-46 antibody compared with a single injection of rAAV8 expressing either antibody alone. Therefore, the combined immunization may be a potential vaccine approach against HIV-1.



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Regulated localization of an AID complex with E2A, PAX5 and IRF4 at the Igh locus

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 80
Author(s): Jannek Hauser, Christine Grundström, Ramesh Kumar, Thomas Grundström
Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is the key mutagenic enzyme that initiates somatic hypermutation (SH) and class switch recombination (CSR) by deaminating cytosine to uracil. The targeting of AID and therefore SH and CSR to Ig genes is a central process of the immune system, but the trans-acting factors mediating the specific targeting have remained elusive. Here we show that defective calmodulin inhibition of the transcription factor E2A after activation of the B cell receptor (BCR) leads to reduced BCR, IL4 plus CD40 ligand stimulated CSR to IgE and instead CSR to other Ig classes. AID that initiates CSR is shown to be in a complex with the transcription factors E2A, PAX5 and IRF4 on key sequences of the Igh locus. Calmodulin shows proximity with each of them after BCR stimulation. BCR signaling reduces binding of the proteins to some of the target sites on the Igh locus, and calmodulin resistance of E2A blocks these reductions. AID binds directly to the bHLH domain of E2A and to the PD domain of PAX5. E2A, AID, PAX5 and IRF4 are components of a CSR complex that is redistributed on the Igh locus by BCR signaling through calmodulin binding.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2g3mn9a

Effects of Bothrops atrox venom and two isolated toxins on the human complement system: Modulation of pathways and generation of anaphylatoxins

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 80
Author(s): Danilo L. Menaldo, Carolina P. Bernardes, Anna L. Jacob-Ferreira, Cíntia G. Nogueira-Santos, Tania M. Casare-Ogasawara, Luciana S. Pereira-Crott, Suely V. Sampaio
The complement system plays important biological roles, including the activation of inflammatory processes in response to the generation of proteolytic fragments of its components. Here we evaluated the effects of Bothrops atrox venom and two of its toxins (the P-I metalloprotease Batroxase and the acidic phospholipase A2 BatroxPLA2) on the human complement system, evaluating their effects on the classical (CP), lectin (LP) and alternative (AP) pathways, as well as on different complement components associated to the generation of anaphylatoxins. Primarily, the venom and both toxins modulated the hemolytic activity of the complement CP, with the venom and Batroxase reducing this activity and BatroxPLA2 increasing it. ELISA deposition assays indicated that B. atrox venom and Batroxase were also capable of modulating all three activation pathways (CP, LP and AP), reducing their activity after incubation with normal human serum (NHS), while BatroxPLA2 apparently only interfered with AP. Additionally, the venom and Batroxase, but not BatroxPLA2, promoted significant degradation of the components C3, C4, Factor B and C1-Inhibitor, as shown by Western blot and SDS-PAGE analyses, also generating anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a and C5a. Therefore, B. atrox venom and Batroxase were able to activate the complement system by direct proteolytic action on several components, generating anaphylatoxins and affecting the activation pathways, while BatroxPLA2 only interfered with the hemolysis induced by CP and the C3 deposition related to AP. Our results indicate that Batroxase and possibly other metalloproteases should be the main toxins in B. atrox venom to induce pronounced effects on the complement system.



http://ift.tt/2g3lwFo

Expression of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 in vitro and in vivo

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 80
Author(s): Yongjiao Yu, Lu Fu, Xiaoyu Jiang, Shanshan Guan, Ziyu Kuai, Wei Kong, Yuhua Shi, Yaming Shan
Despite unremitting efforts since the discovery of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), an effective vaccine has not been generated. Viral vector-mediated transfer for expression of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (BnAbs) is an attractive strategy. In this study, a recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 (rAAV8) vector was used to encode full-length antibodies against HIV-1 in 293T cells and Balb/c mice after gene transfer. The 10E8 or NIH45-46 BnAb was expressed from a single open reading frame by linking the heavy and light chains with a furin cleavage and a 2A self-processing peptide (F2A). The results showed that the BnAbs could be expressed in the 293T cell culture medium. A single intramuscular injection of rAAV8 led to long-term expression of BnAbs in Balb/c mice. The expressed antibodies in the supernatant of 293T cells and in Balb/c mice showed neutralization effects against HIV-1 pseudoviruses. Combined immunization of rAAV8 expressing 10E8 and rAAV8 expressing NIH45-46 in Balb/c mice could increase these neutralization effects on strains of HIV-1 sensitive to 10E8 or NIH45-46 antibody compared with a single injection of rAAV8 expressing either antibody alone. Therefore, the combined immunization may be a potential vaccine approach against HIV-1.



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Regulated localization of an AID complex with E2A, PAX5 and IRF4 at the Igh locus

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 80
Author(s): Jannek Hauser, Christine Grundström, Ramesh Kumar, Thomas Grundström
Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is the key mutagenic enzyme that initiates somatic hypermutation (SH) and class switch recombination (CSR) by deaminating cytosine to uracil. The targeting of AID and therefore SH and CSR to Ig genes is a central process of the immune system, but the trans-acting factors mediating the specific targeting have remained elusive. Here we show that defective calmodulin inhibition of the transcription factor E2A after activation of the B cell receptor (BCR) leads to reduced BCR, IL4 plus CD40 ligand stimulated CSR to IgE and instead CSR to other Ig classes. AID that initiates CSR is shown to be in a complex with the transcription factors E2A, PAX5 and IRF4 on key sequences of the Igh locus. Calmodulin shows proximity with each of them after BCR stimulation. BCR signaling reduces binding of the proteins to some of the target sites on the Igh locus, and calmodulin resistance of E2A blocks these reductions. AID binds directly to the bHLH domain of E2A and to the PD domain of PAX5. E2A, AID, PAX5 and IRF4 are components of a CSR complex that is redistributed on the Igh locus by BCR signaling through calmodulin binding.

Graphical abstract

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Effects of Bothrops atrox venom and two isolated toxins on the human complement system: Modulation of pathways and generation of anaphylatoxins

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 80
Author(s): Danilo L. Menaldo, Carolina P. Bernardes, Anna L. Jacob-Ferreira, Cíntia G. Nogueira-Santos, Tania M. Casare-Ogasawara, Luciana S. Pereira-Crott, Suely V. Sampaio
The complement system plays important biological roles, including the activation of inflammatory processes in response to the generation of proteolytic fragments of its components. Here we evaluated the effects of Bothrops atrox venom and two of its toxins (the P-I metalloprotease Batroxase and the acidic phospholipase A2 BatroxPLA2) on the human complement system, evaluating their effects on the classical (CP), lectin (LP) and alternative (AP) pathways, as well as on different complement components associated to the generation of anaphylatoxins. Primarily, the venom and both toxins modulated the hemolytic activity of the complement CP, with the venom and Batroxase reducing this activity and BatroxPLA2 increasing it. ELISA deposition assays indicated that B. atrox venom and Batroxase were also capable of modulating all three activation pathways (CP, LP and AP), reducing their activity after incubation with normal human serum (NHS), while BatroxPLA2 apparently only interfered with AP. Additionally, the venom and Batroxase, but not BatroxPLA2, promoted significant degradation of the components C3, C4, Factor B and C1-Inhibitor, as shown by Western blot and SDS-PAGE analyses, also generating anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a and C5a. Therefore, B. atrox venom and Batroxase were able to activate the complement system by direct proteolytic action on several components, generating anaphylatoxins and affecting the activation pathways, while BatroxPLA2 only interfered with the hemolysis induced by CP and the C3 deposition related to AP. Our results indicate that Batroxase and possibly other metalloproteases should be the main toxins in B. atrox venom to induce pronounced effects on the complement system.



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O022 The relationship between asthma and food deserts in the hampton roads area

Publication date: November 2016
Source:Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Volume 117, Issue 5, Supplement
Author(s): D. Preston, M. Morales, A. Plunk




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Corrigendum to “Inhibitory effect of 9-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxydalbergiquinol from Dalbergia odorifera on the NF-кB-related neuroinflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse BV2 microglial cells is mediated by heme oxygenase-1” [Int Immunopharmacol (2013) 828–835]

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:International Immunopharmacology
Author(s): Dong-Sung Lee, Bin Li, Samell Keo, Kyoung-Su Kim, Gil-Saeng Jeong, Hyuncheol Oh, Youn-Chul Kim




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Transnasal, Transethmoidal Endoscopic Removal of a Foreign Body in the Medial Extraconal Orbital Space

Intraorbital foreign bodies are located within the orbit but outside the ocular globe. Though not uncommon, removal of these objects poses a challenge for surgeons. External approaches have been the most frequently used but are associated with increased complications and morbidity. An endoscopic endonasal approach can be an appropriate and less complicated technique in these cases. We report a case of a chronic intraorbital foreign body located within the medial extraconal space lateral to the lamina papyracea and behind the lacrimonasal duct, which was successfully removed using a transnasal, transethmoidal endoscopic technique. Neither postoperative complications nor ocular impairment was reported. The patient improved and remains asymptomatic. The transnasal transethmoidal endoscopic approach can be used as a safer and less invasive alternative when removing foreign bodies from the medial orbital compartment.

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Angiofibroma Originating outside the Nasopharynx: A Management Dilemma

Background. Angiofibroma is a benign tumor, consisting of fibrous tissue with varying degrees of vascularity, characterized by proliferation of stellate and spindle cells around the blood vessels. It most commonly arises from the nasopharynx, although it may rarely arise in extranasopharyngeal sites. Case Report. A 46-year-old male presented with left side nasal obstruction and epistaxis for one month. Clinical nasal examination revealed left sided polypoidal mass arising from the vestibular region of the lateral nasal wall. Results. CT scan and MRI showed highly vascular soft tissue mass occupying the anterior part of the left nostril. Preoperative selective embolization followed by transnasal excision was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnoses of nasal vestibular angiofibroma. Conclusion. Extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a very rare pathology. It should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis with any unilateral nasal vestibular mass causing nasal obstruction and epistaxis. A biopsy without further investigation can cause life threatening bleeding in the patient.

http://ift.tt/2fPg31H

Transnasal, Transethmoidal Endoscopic Removal of a Foreign Body in the Medial Extraconal Orbital Space

Intraorbital foreign bodies are located within the orbit but outside the ocular globe. Though not uncommon, removal of these objects poses a challenge for surgeons. External approaches have been the most frequently used but are associated with increased complications and morbidity. An endoscopic endonasal approach can be an appropriate and less complicated technique in these cases. We report a case of a chronic intraorbital foreign body located within the medial extraconal space lateral to the lamina papyracea and behind the lacrimonasal duct, which was successfully removed using a transnasal, transethmoidal endoscopic technique. Neither postoperative complications nor ocular impairment was reported. The patient improved and remains asymptomatic. The transnasal transethmoidal endoscopic approach can be used as a safer and less invasive alternative when removing foreign bodies from the medial orbital compartment.

http://ift.tt/2fPbi8e

Angiofibroma Originating outside the Nasopharynx: A Management Dilemma

Background. Angiofibroma is a benign tumor, consisting of fibrous tissue with varying degrees of vascularity, characterized by proliferation of stellate and spindle cells around the blood vessels. It most commonly arises from the nasopharynx, although it may rarely arise in extranasopharyngeal sites. Case Report. A 46-year-old male presented with left side nasal obstruction and epistaxis for one month. Clinical nasal examination revealed left sided polypoidal mass arising from the vestibular region of the lateral nasal wall. Results. CT scan and MRI showed highly vascular soft tissue mass occupying the anterior part of the left nostril. Preoperative selective embolization followed by transnasal excision was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnoses of nasal vestibular angiofibroma. Conclusion. Extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a very rare pathology. It should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis with any unilateral nasal vestibular mass causing nasal obstruction and epistaxis. A biopsy without further investigation can cause life threatening bleeding in the patient.

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A ten-year follow-up cohort study of childhood epilepsy: Changes in epilepsy diagnosis with age

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2016
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Yoshiyuki Hanaoka, Harumi Yoshinaga, Katsuhiro Kobayashi
ObjectiveTo elucidate all of the characteristics of childhood epilepsy, we performed a long-term follow-up study on the patients who visited Okayama University Hospital.Subjects and methodsWe retrospectively investigated the patients who were involved in the previous epidemiological study and visited Okayama University Hospital for a period of 10years after December 31, 1999.ResultsOverall, there were 350 patients' medical records that were evaluated, and 258 patients with complete clinical information available for a 10-year period were enrolled. Ten patients died and the remaining 82 were lost to follow-up. Of 258 patients with complete information, 153 (59.3%) were seizure-free for at least 5years. One hundred thirty (50.4%) had intellectual disabilities and 77 (29.8%) had motor disabilities, including 75 (29.1%) with both disabilities on December 31, 2009. Thirty-four patients of 350 (9.7%) changed the epilepsy classification during follow-up. With regard to ten patients who died, nine of them had symptomatic epilepsy, particularly those with severe underlying disorders with an onset during the first year of life.ConclusionClinical status considerably changed during the decade-long follow-up period in childhood epilepsy. Changes in the epilepsy diagnosis are especially important and should be taken into account in the long-term care of children with epilepsy.



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Enhanced protective efficacy against tuberculosis provided by a recombinant urease deficient BCG expressing heat shock protein 70-major membrane protein-II having PEST sequence

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2016
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Yumiko Tsukamoto, Yumi Maeda, Toshiki Tamura, Tetsu Mukai, Satoshi Mitarai, Saburo Yamamoto, Masahiko Makino
Enhancement of the T cell-stimulating ability of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) is necessary to develop an effective tuberculosis vaccine. For this purpose, we introduced the PEST-HSP70-major membrane protein-II (MMPII)-PEST fusion gene into ureC-gene depleted recombinant (r) BCG to produce BCG-PEST. The PEST sequence is involved in the proteasomal processing of antigens. BCG-PEST secreted the PEST-HSP70-MMPII-PEST fusion protein and more efficiently activated human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in terms of phenotypic changes and cytokine productions than an empty-vector-introduced BCG or HSP70-MMPII gene-introduced ureC gene-depleted BCG (BCG-DHTM). Autologous human naïve CD8⁺ T cells and naïve CD4⁺ T cells were effectively activated by BCG-PEST and produced IFN-γ in an antigen-specific manner through DCs. These T cell activations were closely associated with phagosomal maturation and intraproteasomal protein degradation in antigen-presenting cells. Furthermore, BCG-PEST produced long-lasting memory-type T cells in C57BL/6 mice more efficiently than control rBCGs. Moreover, a single subcutaneous injection of BCG-PEST more effectively reduced the multiplication of subsequent aerosol-challenged Mycobacterium tuberculosis of the standard H37Rv strain and clinically isolated Beijing strain in the lungs than control rBCGs. The vaccination effect of BCG-PEST lasted for at least 6months. These results indicate that BCG-PEST may be able to efficiently control the spread of tuberculosis in human.



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Protective efficacy of a novel alpha hemolysin subunit vaccine (AT62) against Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2016
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Rajan P. Adhikari, Christopher D. Thompson, M. Javad Aman, Jean C. Lee
Alpha hemolysin (Hla) is a pore-forming toxin produced by most Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Hla is reported to play a key role in the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections, such as skin and soft tissue infection, pneumonia, and lethal peritonitis. This study makes use of a novel recombinant subunit vaccine candidate (AT62) that was rationally designed based on the Hla heptameric crystal structure. AT62 comprises a critical structural domain at the N terminus of Hla, and it has no inherent toxic properties. We evaluated the efficacy of AT62 in protection against surgical wound infection and skin and soft tissue infection. Mice were vaccinated on days 0, 14, and 28 with 20μg AT62 or bovine serum albumin (BSA) mixed with Sigma adjuvant system®. Mice immunized with AT62 produced a robust antibody response against native Hla. In the surgical wound infection model, mice immunized with AT62 and challenged with a USA300 S. aureus strain showed a significantly reduced bacterial burden in the infected tissue compared to animals given BSA. Similarly, mice passively immunized with rabbit IgG to AT62 showed reduced wound infection and tissue damage. Subcutaneous abscess formation was not prevented by immunization with AT62. However, in a skin necrosis infection model, immunization with the AT62 vaccine resulted in smaller lesions and reduced mouse weight loss compared to controls. Although AT62 immunization reduced tissue necrosis, it did not reduce the bacterial burdens in the lesions compared to controls. Our data indicate that AT62 may be a valuable component of a multivalent vaccine against S. aureus.



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Impact of a maternal immunization program against pertussis in a developing country

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2016
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Carla Vizzotti, Maria V. Juarez, Eduardo Bergel, Viviana Romanin, Gloria Califano, Sandra Sagradini, Carolina Rancaño, Analía Aquino, Romina Libster, Fernando P Polack, Juan Manzur
BackgroundPertussis disease is a growing concern for developing countries. In Argentina, rates of illness and death peaked in 2011. More than 50% of fatalities due to pertussis occurred in infants younger than two months of age, too young for vaccination. In 2012, the government offered immunization with a vaccine containing Tdap to all pregnant women after 20weeks of gestation with the intent of reducing morbidity and mortality in young infants.MethodsMaternal acellular pertussis vaccine impact on reducing infant disease burden was estimated based on data from the Argentinean Health Surveillance System. We divided Argentinean states in two groups experiencing high (>50) and low (⩽50) Tdap vaccine coverage and compared these two groups using a Bayesian structural time-series model. Low coverage regions were used as a control group, and the time series were compared before and after the implementation of the Tdap program.FindingsWe observed a relative reduction of 51% (95% CI [−67%, −35%]; p=0.001) in pertussis cases in high coverage states in comparison with the low coverage areas. Analysis of infants between two and six months showed a 44% (95% CI [−66%, −24%]; p=0.001) reduction in illness. Number of deaths was highest in 2011 with 76 fatalities, for an incidence rate of 2.9 per 100,000. Comparing with 2011, rates decreased by 87% to 10 subjects, or 0.9 per 100,000 in 2013.InterpretationWe show an age-dependent protective effect of maternal Tdap immunization in a developing country for infants younger than six months.



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Association of serum bactericidal antibody and opsonic antibody levels after Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate vaccine in Brazilian children and adolescents infected or not infected with HIV

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2016
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Wânia F. Pereira-Manfro, Raquel M. Alvino, Aline C. Cruz, Giselle P. Silva, Raquel B.N. Castro, Bianca Ferreira, Daniella M. Barreto, Ana Cristina C. Frota, Cristina B. Hofer, Lucimar G. Milagres
Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (MenC) is the main causative agent of meningitis in Brazil. HIV infection affects the quality of the immune system. HIV⁺ children have an increased risk of infection to encapsulated bacteria such as N. meningitidis. We evaluated the opsonic antibody (OPA) levels and its correlation with serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) levels induced by one and two doses of a MenC conjugate vaccine in children and adolescents HIV⁺ and HIV-exposed but uninfected children (HEU) group. Overall the data show the importance of two doses of vaccine for HIV⁺ individuals. About 79% and 58% of HIV⁺ patients showed SBA and OPA positive response after two doses of vaccine, respectively. For HEU group, 62% and 41% of patients showed SBA and OPA positive response after one dose of vaccine, respectively. A positive and significant association between SBA and OPA levels was seen after two doses of vaccine in HIV⁺ patients.



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The role of white matter microstructure in inhibitory deficits in patients with schizophrenia

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2016
Source:Brain Stimulation
Author(s): Xiaoming Du, Peter Kochunov, Ann Summerfelt, Joshua Chiappelli, Fow-Sen Choa, L. Elliot Hong
BackgroundInhibitory-excitatory (I-E) imbalance has increasingly been proposed as a fundamental mechanism giving rise to many schizophrenia-related pathophysiology. The integrity of I-E functions should require precise and rapid electrical signal transmission.Objective/HypothesisWe hypothesized that part of the I-E abnormality in schizophrenia may originate from their known abnormal white matter connectivity that may interfere the I-E functions.MethodsWe test this using short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) vs. intracortical facilitation (ICF) which is a non-invasive measurement of I-E signaling. SICI-ICF from left motor cortex and white matter microstructure were assessed in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.ResultsSchizophrenia patients showed significantly reduced SICI but not ICF. White matter microstructure as measured by fraction anisotropy (FA) in diffusion tensor imaging had a significant effect on SICI in patients, such that weaker SICI was associated with lower FA in several white matter tracts, most strongly with left corona radiata (r = −0.68, p = 0.0002) that contains the fibers connecting with left motor cortex. Left corticospinal tract, which carries the motor fibers to peripheral muscular output, also showed significant correlation with SICI (r = −0.54, p = 0.005). Mediation analysis revealed that much of the schizophrenia disease effect on SICI can be accounted for by mediation through left corona radiata. SICI was also significantly associated with the performance of processing speed in patients.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the importance of structural circuitry integrity in inhibitory signaling in schizophrenia, and encouraged modeling the I-E dysfunction in schizophrenia from a circuitry perspective.



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