Head and Neck Diseases by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis: 06/17/17

Σάββατο 17 Ιουνίου 2017

Unrevealing the effect of different dispersion agents on the properties of ethylene–propylene copolymer/halloysite nanocomposites

Publication date: 5 October 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 131
Author(s): E. Bischoff, G.P.O. Gonçalves, D.A. Simon, H.S. Schrekker, M. Lavorgna, L. Ambrosio, S.A. Liberman, R.S. Mauler
The properties of polyolefin nanocomposites strongly depend on the dispersion level of the nanoparticles and the addition of dispersion agents contributes to improving their performance. In this study, the morphology and the mechanical properties of heterophasic ethylene-propylene copolymer/halloysite nanocomposites were tailored by using two hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins: 90% and 100% hydrogenated and two compatibilizing agents: poly(propylene-g-maleic anhydride) and poly(ethylene-octene-g-maleic anhydride). The transmission electron microscopy indicated that the best dispersion of the halloysite nanotubes was achieved when hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins and poly(propylene-g-maleic anhydride) were used simultaneously. All nanocomposites showed an increase in mechanical stiffness and the most pronounced increase of 46% in the Young modulus was achieved with the system containing halloysite, poly(propylene-g-maleic anhydride) and the hydrocarbon resin with the higher degree of hydrogenation. Poly(ethylene-octene-g-maleic anhydride) caused the halloysite nanoparticles to concentrate preferentially in the rubber domains, wherein these hindered the crystallization of polypropylene and polyethylene chains, as showed by atomic force microscopy. In this case, the composite exhibited both high stiffness and improved toughness. These results highlight the key role of dispersion agents in promoting a good balance in the mechanical properties of resulting nanocomposites based on halloysite particles and heterophasic ethylene-propylene copolymers.

Graphical abstract

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Why don’t we mention “impact on intimacy” when we ask patients to give consent for treatment of oral cancer?

About a third of patients, usually younger rather than older, have reported serious concerns that sexual interest or enjoyment will be diminished after treatment of head and neck cancer.1 Ironically, as oncogenic variants of the human papillomavirus become more common, younger patients are more likely to be affected.2

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Distribution, subtype population, and IgE positivity of mast cells in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has been categorized into 2 subtypes in the Asian population: eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS; similar to CRSwNP in Western countries) and non-ECRS (characterized by inflammation dominated by T-helper cell type 1). The pathogenesis of CRSwNP and the role of mast cells are poorly understood.

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Accumulated evidence on Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of asthma

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection has been suggested to be related to a decreased risk of asthma, but findings in the literature are inconsistent.

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Mycoplasma pneumoniae and health outcomes in children with asthma

Acute infections with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) have been associated with worsening asthma in children. Mp can be present in the respiratory tract for extended periods; it is unknown whether the long-term persistence of Mp in the respiratory tract affects long-term asthma control.

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Economic evaluation of epinephrine auto-injectors for peanut allergy

Three commercial epinephrine auto-injectors were available in the United States in the summer of 2016: EpiPen, Adrenaclick, and epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector.

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Distribution, subtype population, and IgE positivity of mast cells in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Accumulated evidence on Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of asthma

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection has been suggested to be related to a decreased risk of asthma, but findings in the literature are inconsistent.

http://ift.tt/2sdHs4D

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and health outcomes in children with asthma

Economic evaluation of epinephrine auto-injectors for peanut allergy

Three commercial epinephrine auto-injectors were available in the United States in the summer of 2016: EpiPen, Adrenaclick, and epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector.

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Successful epithelialization of perianal infantile hemangioma, presenting as intractable ulcers, with application of protective colostomy powder

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Successful treatment of tufted angioma with low-dose electron beam radiation therapy: Report of two cases

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Radiotherapy-induced basal cell carcinoma in irradiated and surrounding areas in relation to exposure dose of radiation

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Chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay failed to detect anti-desmoglein 3 antibodies in a case of pemphigus vulgaris

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Linear immunoglobulin A/G bullous dermatosis associated with ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Linear immunoglobulin (Ig)A/G bullous dermatosis (LAGBD) is an autoimmune bullous disease characterized by formation of subepidermal blisters and linear deposition of IgA and IgG antibodies along the basement membrane zone (BMZ). The association between linear IgA bullous dermatosis and ulcerative colitis (UC) is well recognized, but reports of UC-associated LAGBD are lacking. We have reported a 24-year-old man suffering from LAGBD associated with UC, which occurred before exacerbations of skin rash. A skin biopsy indicated a subepidermal blister with an infiltration of primarily neutrophils and eosinophils in the dermis. Direct immunofluorescence (IF) studies showed a linear deposition of IgA, IgG and C3c. Indirect IF of human skin revealed IgA and IgG anti-BMZ autoantibodies. Indirect IF of 1 M NaCl-split human skin demonstrated reactivity of IgA and IgG antibodies at the epidermal side. Immunoblotting showed that IgG antibodies reacted to the BP180 NC16a domain and 120-kDa linear IgA dermatosis-1, and enzyme-linked immunoassay detected IgG anti-BP230 antibodies. Administration of prednisolone and diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) via the p.o. route improved skin lesions and bowel conditions. These results suggest that the bowel inflammation observed in UC may have a causative effect of initiation of the immune response to the skin and development of the bullous skin lesions in LAGBD. A combination of DDS and corticosteroid could be a recommended therapeutic option for patients with LAGBD with UC.

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Proposal for long-term protocols after Psoriasis Area and Severity Index clear with initial biologic therapy: Happily ever after with or without biologics in psoriasis therapy

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Antimicrobial susceptibility and phylogenetic analysis of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from acne patients in Japan between 2013 and 2015

Abstract

The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Propionibacterium acnes strains isolated from acne patients has been increasing in Japan. Here, to estimate the current resistance rate, we tested antimicrobial susceptibility among P. acnes from acne patients having visited a specialized dermatology clinic between 2013 and 2015. Rates of resistance to macrolides and clindamycin were 44.3 (31/70) and 38.6% (27/70), respectively. erm(X), which confers high-level clindamycin resistance (minimum inhibitory concentration ≥256 μg/mL), was detected in six isolates, whereas no resistance determinants were identified in eight strains showing high-level resistance to clindamycin. Using single-locus sequence typing, the P. acnes isolates were classified into five clades (A, E, F, H and K), with all high-level clindamycin-resistant strains lacking known clindamycin resistance determinants being grouped together (in clade F). P. acnes isolates from patients previously treated with macrolides and clindamycin showed a macrolide resistance rate (55.3%) significantly higher than that of those from patients not having received these treatments (21.7%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, strains of clade F, which were very rarely isolated from healthy individuals, were more frequently recovered from patients with severe acne (40.0%) than those with mild acne (23.3%). Our data showed an increase in macrolide-resistant P. acnes prevalence in Japan due to the use of antimicrobial agents for acne treatment. Furthermore, we identified strains of specific phylogenetic groups frequently associated with severe acne patients.

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Transnasal endoscopic removal of bilateral postoperative maxillary cysts after aesthetic orthognathic ssurgery: Differences from that of Caldwell-Luc operations

Postoperative maxillary cysts (PMCs) after orthognathic surgery are a rare disease condition. In this study, we reported first case of bilateral PMCs after cosmetic orthognathic surgery which was treated via the intranasal endoscopic approach. In addition, we compared the characteristics of PMCs after aesthetic orthognathic surgery with those of PMCs after Caldwell-Luc operation. We expect that this case will be helpful to surgeons who encounter similar cases.

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Transnasal endoscopic removal of bilateral postoperative maxillary cysts after aesthetic orthognathic ssurgery: Differences from that of Caldwell-Luc operations

Biomechanical evaluation of different osteosynthesis methods after mandibular sagittal split osteotomy in major advancements

The aim of this study was to assess the biomechanical stability of six different osteosynthesis methods after sagittal split osteotomy. Sixty polyurethane hemimandibles were divided into two groups, with six subgroups in each. After 10-mm advancement of the distal segment (group 1) and 10-mm advancement combined with 20° counterclockwise rotation (group 2), the bone segments were fixed using 2.0-mm plates/screws as follows: subgroup A, one conventional straight plate; subgroup B, two conventional straight plates; subgroup C, one conventional sagittal plate; subgroup D, one locking straight plate; subgroup E, two locking straight plates; subgroup F, one locking sagittal plate.

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Physiological and molecular responses of the earthworm Eisenia fetida to polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in soil

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of man-made organic compounds ubiquitously present in the biosphere. In this study, we evaluated the toxic effects of different concentrations of PCBs in two natural soils (i.e. red soil and fluvo-aquic soil) on the earthworm Eisenia fetida. The parameters investigated included anti-oxidative response, genotoxic potential, weight variation and biochemical responses of the earthworm exposed to two different types of soils spiked with PCBs after 7 or 14 days of exposure. Earthworms had significantly lower weights in both soils after PCB exposure. PCBs significantly increased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) activity in earthworms exposed to either soil type for 7 or 14 days and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in earthworms exposed to red soil for 14 days. Of the enzymes examined, SOD activity was the most sensitive to PCB stress. In addition, PCB exposure triggered dose-dependent coelomocyte DNA damage, even at the lowest concentration tested. This response was relatively stable between different soils. Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the weight variation, anti-oxidant enzyme activities, and MDA contents were significantly correlated with exposure concentration or exposure duration (P < 0.01). Furthermore, weight variation, CAT activity, and SOD activity were significantly affected by soil type (P < 0.01). Therefore, the soil type and exposure time influence the toxic effects of PCBs, and these factors should be considered when selecting responsive biomarkers.

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The potential effect of temperature-humidity index on productive and reproductive performance of buffaloes with different genotypes under hot conditions

Abstract

The current study was aimed to investigate the impact of THI on productive and reproductive indices of PE and F₁ crosses (50% PE and 50% Italian buffaloes) and back crosses (BC) (75% PE and 25% Italian buffaloes) under hot conditions. In this study, 8385 records used PE (1914, 1518, and 1737), F₁ (387, 447, and 657), and BC (495, 585, and 645) for low, medium, and high THI, respectively. The high THI reduced the conception rate after first insemination in PE, F₁, and BC ((odds ratio, OR) = 1.187, P = 0.007; 2.361, <0.0001 and 1.603, <0.0001, respectively) when compared with low THI. But, stillbirth and calving condition were not significantly influenced by different THI levels in BC and F₁. BC was more bearable to the harsh environment; they possessed the highest incidence of conception after first insemination (72.70, 72.60, and 62.40%), producing live calves (98.50, 100, and 99.40%) with easy calving condition (98.50, 100, and 99.40%) when compared to PE and F₁ at different levels of THI, respectively. The average daily milk yield and peak of milk production were decreased in PE (4.02 and 5.12%), BC (13.33 and 10.95%), and F₁ (25.29 and 12.20%) from low to high THI. However, BC revealed no significant changes in days open, dry period, calving interval, gestation length, service per conception, and the first service post-partum at different levels of THI when compared with PE and F₁. Therefore, rearing BC is recommended for improving buffalo productive and reproductive performance under hot conditions.

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Metal release from contaminated leaf litter and leachate toxicity for the freshwater crustacean Gammarus fossarum

Abstract

Industrialization has left large surfaces of contaminated soils, which may act as a source of pollution for contiguous ecosystems, either terrestrial or aquatic. When polluted sites are recolonized by plants, dispersion of leaf litter might represent a non-negligible source of contaminants, especially metals. To evaluate the risks associated to contaminated leaf litter dispersion in aquatic ecosystems, we first measured the dynamics of metal loss from leaf litter during a 48-h experimental leaching. We used aspen (Populus tremula L.), a common tree species on these polluted sites, and collected leaf litter on three polluted sites (settling pond of a former steel mill) and three control sites situated in the same geographic area. Then, toxicity tests were carried out on individuals of a key detritivore species widely used in ecotoxicology tests, Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea, Amphipoda), with uncontaminated and contaminated leaf litter leachates, using a battery of biomarkers selected for their sensitivity to metallic stress. Leaf litters collected on polluted sites exhibited not only significantly higher cadmium and zinc concentrations but also lower lignin contents. All leaf litters released high amounts of chemical elements during the leaching process, especially potassium and magnesium, and, in a lesser extent, phosphorus, calcium, and trace metals (copper, cadmium, and zinc but not lead). Toxicity tests revealed that the most important toxic effects measured on G. fossarum were due to leaf litter leachates by themselves, whatever the origin of litter (from polluted or control sites), confirming the toxicity of such substances, probably due to their high content in phenolic compounds. Small additional toxic effects of leachates from contaminated leaf litters were only evidenced on gammarid lipid peroxidation, indicating that contaminated leaf litter leachates might be slightly more toxic than uncontaminated ones, but in a very reduced manner. Further studies will be required to verify if these patterns are generalizable to other species and to investigate the effects of contaminated leaf litter ingestion by consumers on aquatic food webs. Nevertheless, our results do not permit to exclude potential chronic effects of an exposure to contaminated leaf litter leachates in aquatic ecosystems.

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Impact of heavy metal contamination on oxidative stress of Eisenia andrei and bacterial community structure in Tunisian mine soil

Abstract

The aims of this work were firstly to study the effect of heavy metal-polluted soils from Tunisian mine on earthworm biochemical biomarkers and on bacterial communities and therefore to analyze the interaction between earth worms and bacterial communities in these contaminated soils. For this purpose, we had introduced earthworm Eisenia andrei in six soils: one from mine spoils and five from agricultural soils, establishing a gradient of contamination. The response of worms to the presence of heavy metal was analyzed at the biochemical and transcriptional levels. In a second time, the impact of worm on bacterial community structure was investigated using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) fingerprinting. An impact of heavy metal-contaminated soils on the oxidative status of E. andrei was observed, but this effect was dependent of the level of heavy metal contamination. Moreover, our results demonstrate that the introduction of earthworms E. andrei has an impact on bacterial community; however, the major change was observed in the less contaminated site. Furthermore, a significant correlation between earthworm oxidative status biomarkers and bacterial community structure was observed, mainly in the mine spoils. Therefore, we contribute to a better understanding of the relationships between epigenic earthworms and bacterial communities in heavy metal-contaminated soils.

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Lung Adenocarcinoma Survival in EGFR-Mutated African-Caribbean Patients: A Multicenter Study in the French West Indies

Abstract

Background

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Shorter survival has been repeatedly reported for patients of African ancestry. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that this gap could be a consequence of socio-economic disparities instead of genetic specificities. However, those results were obtained in a pre-targeted therapies era and the effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting EGFR are not known in this population.

Objective

In this French West Indies study, we report overall survival (OS) in a frequently mutated population treated for lung adenocarcinoma within an equal-access healthcare system.

Patients and Methods

Clinical, demographic, survival, and treatment data have been retrospectively assessed for all patients diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma in the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe between 2013 and 2015.

Results

Two hundred and forty-one patients (82% African-Caribbean) were included. EGFR mutations were detected in 37% of all tumor specimens and were associated with non-smoker status in multivariate analysis. Median OS was 16.2 months. For patients with advanced disease, median OS was 11.5 months, depending on EGFR mutation (23 vs. 8.3 months for non-mutated patients, p = 0.0012). There was no difference in survival according to ethnicity or island. In multivariate analysis, performance status (PS) and EGFR mutation were the only independent prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Despite a higher frequency of EGFR mutations in African-Caribbean patients, ethnicity was not an independent factor of OS in lung adenocarcinoma. Lower initial PS in this mainly non-smoking African-Caribbean population may explain the absence of a difference in OS.

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Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint in EGFR- Mutated or ALK- Translocated Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, notably antibodies targeting programmed death–1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand–1 (PD-L1), have modified the management of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have been approved by health authorities for this indication and others are in clinical development. However, only a subset of patients truly benefits from these agents. For patients with mutated EGFR or translocated ALK NSCLC, for whom an immune checkpoint inhibitor can be prescribed after progression on tyrosine kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy, information is scarce and sometimes contradictory. Phase III randomized clinical trials have evaluated different immune checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab) vs. chemotherapy as second- or subsequent-line therapy in NSCLC, but included very few patients with EGFR/ALK-positive disease. Subgroup analyses found that these patients did not benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors. Retrospective data show progression-free survival lasting only 1.2–2.1 months. Preclinical data suggested a lower expression of PD-L1 in EGFR/ALK-positive patients compared to EGFR/ALK-negative patients. Our objective herein is to provide an up-to-date review of available data from the various publications on the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with EGFR/ALK-positive NSCLC.

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Comparison of endocranial morphology according to age in one-piece fronto-orbital advancement using a distraction in craniosynostotic plagiocephaly

The capacity for cranial remodelling is known to be better at younger ages. The timing of cranioplasty could affect the axis of the skull base. We investigated whether age at the time of distraction is related to the outcome of endocranial morphology correction. In this retrospective study, we investigated the surgical outcome of 14 patients with unilateral craniosynostotic plagiocephaly who underwent one-piece fronto-orbital advancement without bandeau by using a distraction technique between April 2005 and December 2015.

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Otolaryngology consultation tracheostomies and complex patient population

To assess for the differences in patients undergoing tracheostomy by the otolaryngology consult service versus other specialties.

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Otolaryngology consultation tracheostomies and complex patient population

To assess for the differences in patients undergoing tracheostomy by the otolaryngology consult service versus other specialties.

http://ift.tt/2tzPLpn

The effects of a desiccant agent in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective

Chemotherapeutic agents have been widely used as adjuncts for the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP). This study investigated and compared a desiccant agent as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) versus SRP alone for the treatment of CP.

Materials and methods

Thirty-six patients with CP were studied. Using a split-mouth design, the maxillary right and left quadrants were randomly assigned to SRP plus desiccant (Hybenx® EPIEN Medical, Inc. St. Paul, MN, USA) or SRP alone. Patients were examined on a regular basis for clinical, microbiological, and inflammatory mediator changes over a 1-year period. Clinical attachment level (CAL) was the primary outcome variable. In addition, the red complex bacteria and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) inflammatory mediators were monitored.

Results

Compared to baseline, both treatments demonstrated an improvement in periodontal parameters. Compared to SRP alone, SRP plus desiccant yielded a significant improvement in probing depth (PD) (SRP: 2.23 ± 0.31 mm vs. desiccant: 3.25 ± 0.57 mm, p < 0.05), CAL (SRP: 3.16 ± 0.29 mm vs. desiccant: 4.21 ± 0.34 mm, p < 0.05 mm) and bleeding on probing (BOP) (SRP: 4.56 ± 1.5% vs. desiccant: 34.23 ± 4.2%, p < 0.001) at 12 months. Similarly, in the SRP plus desiccant group, the bacteria of the red complex were significantly reduced (p < 0.05); and the level of inflammatory mediators was significantly reduced (p < 0.003) compared to SRP alone.

Conclusions

SRP plus the desiccant resulted in a greater reduction in clinical, microbial and inflammatory mediators compared to SRP alone.

Clinical relevance

Desiccant, when combined to SRP, was demonstrated as a significant approach to control the levels of certain periodontal pathogens, inflammatory mediators in patients with CP.

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Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis as presenting manifestation of profound combined immunodeficiency due to an ORAI1 mutation

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Mannose Receptor Modulates Macrophage Polarization and Allergic Inflammation through miR-511-3p

Mannose receptor (MRC1/CD206) has been suggested to mediate allergic sensitization and asthma to multiple glyco-allergens, including cockroach allergens.

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Epithelial proteome profiling suggests essential role of interferon-inducible proteins in allergic rhinitis

Evaluation of nasal epithelial brushings reveal an antagonistic proteome remodeling in seasonal allergic rhinitis, and underscores the importance of interferon inducible proteins in disease pathophysiology. Molecular signatures with disease-specific diagnostic potential are also highlighted.

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Does static electric field from ultra-high voltage direct-current transmission lines affect male reproductive capacity? Evidence from a laboratory study on male mice

Abstract

With the development of ultra-high-voltage direct-current (UHVDC) transmission technology and increase in transmission voltage, the issue of environmental static electric field (SEF) pollution is standing out and its possible health effects have caused much public attention. In this study, the effects of chronic exposure to SEF on reproductive capacity of male mice were investigated. Twenty Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were exposed to SEF (56.3 ± 1.4 kV/m, 49 days) generated by a high-voltage device. Several biological end points related to spermatogenesis and testicular function were evaluated, including reproductive organ coefficients, sperm motility and morphology, serum testosterone level, and testicular histology. No significant differences were found between the SEF-exposed and sham-exposed groups at the end of the exposure period. However, further observation through transmission electron microscopy revealed cristae losses in mitochondria of spermatogenic cells after SEF exposure. Nevertheless, the mitochondria injury did not affect sperm motility, which might be explained from the perspective of energy supply. That is, most of the energy required for sperm movement is generated by glycolysis which occurs in the cytoplasm rather than oxidative phosphorylation which occurs in mitochondria. In conclusion, this study indicates that exposure to SEF (56.3 ± 1.4 kV/m, 49 days) has limited effects on male reproductive capacity.

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Hexabromocyclododecane diastereomers in fish and suspended particulate matter from selected European waters—trend monitoring and environmental quality standard compliance

Abstract

The brominated flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) was monitored in fish and sediment (from one lake) or suspended particulate matter (SPM; from five rivers) at European freshwater sites to study the effects of reduction measures implemented by HBCD producers and users in recent years. Bream (Abramis brama) were sampled annually between 2007 and 2013 in the rivers Götaälv/SE, Rhône/FR, Western Scheldt/NL, Mersey/UK, and Tees/UK and in Lake Belau/DE. Sediment/SPM was taken every second year between 2008 and 2014. HBCD was analyzed by LC/MS/MS allowing the determination of the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-diastereomers. For most sites, a decrease in ∑HBCD was observed in fish (e.g., in the Rhône and Western Scheldt by about 80 and 60%, respectively, with significantly decreasing trends, p < 0.01). In the Rhône, HBCD also decreased in SPM. At the sampling site in the Tees which was impacted by a former HBCD point source, fish HBCD levels decreased only after a major flood event in 2013. While fish data indicate a decline in environmental HBCD concentrations at most sites with diffuse emissions, SPM data were less conclusive. The European environmental quality standard for HBCD in fish of 167 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight was met by all fish samples in 2013.

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Toxicity of 56 substances to trees

Abstract

Toxicity data of substances to higher plants is needed for the purpose of risk assessment, site evaluation, phytoremediation, and plant protection. However, the results from the most common phytotoxicity tests, like the OECD algae and Lemna test, are not necessarily valid for higher terrestrial plants. The willow tree toxicity test uses inhibition of transpiration (aside of growth and water use efficiency) of willow cuttings grown in spiked solutions or soils as end point to quantify toxicity. This overview presents results from 60 studies including 24 new unpublished experiments for 56 different chemicals or substrates. Highest toxicity (EC₅₀ < 1 mg/L) was observed from exposure to heavy metals like copper and cadmium. Also, organotins and free cyanide showed very high toxicity. The toxic effect of chlorophenols on willows was comparable to that on duck weed (Lemna) and green algae, while volatile compounds like chlorinated solvents or benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene had less effect on trees than on these aquatic plants, due to volatilization from leaves and test media. In particular low (g/L range) toxicity was observed for tested nanomaterials. Effects of pharmaceuticals (typically weak acids or bases) depended strongly of the solution pH. Like for algae, baseline toxicity was observed for willows, which is related to the water solubility of the compounds, with absolute chemical activity ranging from 0.01 to 0.1, but with several exceptions. We conclude that the willow tree toxicity test is a robust method for relating uptake, accumulation, and metabolism of substances to the toxicity to trees.

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Effective oil removal from water by magnetically driven superhydrophobic and oleophilic magnetic titania nanotubes

Abstract

Development of efficient techniques to combat the harmful effects of oil spill is an emerging field, where fabrication of new sorbents for selective removal of oil has become a hot topic for environmental scientists. The present study reports the preparation of superhydrophobic/oleophilic magnetic titania nanotubes via a facile hydrothermal method, followed by the treatment with octadecylamine, as potential magnetically driven sorbent for selective removal of oil from water surface. The magnetic nature (superparamagnetism at 300 K) of the nanotubes enabled magnetic removal of the oil-sorbed material from water surface. Wettability test of the material depicted a static water contact angle of 166 ± 1°, indicating its superhydrophobic character. Oil uptake experiments and contact angle measurements revealed its superoleophilicity with maximum oil sorption capacity >1.5 g/g for a variety of oils. In addition to the ease of magnetic removal, the nanotubes possess sufficient buoyancy, high selectivity, and quick rate of oil uptake and is more than five times reusable.

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Corrigendum to “Integrative therapy decreases the risk of lupus nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A population-based retrospective cohort study” [J. Ethnopharmacol. 196 (2017) 201–212]

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Author(s): Ching-Mao Chang, Po-Chang Wu, Jen-Huai Chiang, Yau-Huei Wei, Fang-Pey Chen, Tzeng-Ji Chen, Tai-Long Pan, Hung-Rong Yen, Hen-Hong Chang

http://ift.tt/2teS3ec

Recent pharmaceutical evidence on the compatibility rationality of traditional Chinese medicine

Publication date: 12 July 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 206
Author(s): Miaomiao Zhou, Yanlong Hong, Xiao Lin, Lan Shen, Yi Feng
Ethnopharmacological relevanceChinese herbs have been used in China for thousands of years and are also becoming popular in Western medicine. Formulae of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which contain two or more herbs, can often obtain better curative efficacies and fewer side effects than single herbs. Though there are many reports on pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of TCM, there remains a serious lack of summarization and systemic analyses of these reported data to help uncover the compatibility rationale of TCM. This review therefore aims to provide such an overview mainly based on the reports published in the last decade. It could be served as an informative reference for researchers interested in compound prescriptions and holistic therapies.Materials and methodsRelevant information was collected from various resources, including books on Chinese herbs, China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI), and international databases, such as Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed.ResultsThirty-six relevant TCM formulae were collected to illustrate the compatibility rationality of TCM from the perspective of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, and/or pharmacodynamics.ConclusionsCompatibility is a key characteristic of multi-herb prescriptions. It often results in the change of the therapeutic material basis and, thus, produces the effect of reducing toxicity and/or increasing curative efficacy.

Graphical abstract

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Tinospora species: an overview of their modulating effects on the immune system

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Author(s): Areeful Haque, Ibrahim Jantan, Syed Nasir Abbas Bukhari
Ethnopharmacological relevanceStudies on the effects of natural immunomodulators to heal various diseases related to the immune system have been a growing interest in recent years. Amongst the medicinal plants, Tinospora species (family; Menispermaceae) have been one of the widely investigated plants for their modulating effects on the immune system due to their wide use in ethnomedicine to treat various ailments related to immune-related diseases. However, their ethnopharmacological uses are mainly with limited or without scientific basis.Aim of this reviewIn this article, we have reviewed the literature on the phytochemicals of several Tinospora species, which have shown strong immunomodulatory effects and critically analyzed the reports to provide perspectives and instructions for future research for the plants as a potential source of new immunomodulators for use as medicinal agents or dietary supplements.Materials and methodsElectronic search on worldwide accepted scientific databases (Google Scholar, Science Direct, SciFinder, Web of Science, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, ACS Publications Today) was performed to compile the relevant information. Some information was obtained from books, database on medicinal plants used in Ayurveda, MSc dissertations and herbal classics books written in various languages.ResultsT. cordifolia, T. crispa, T. sinensis, T. smilacina, T. bakis, and T. sagittata have been reported to possess significant immunomodulatory effects. For a few decades, initiatives in molecular research on the effects of these species on the immune system have been carried out. However, most of the biological and pharmacological studies were carried out using the crude extracts of plants. The bioactive compounds contributing to the bioactivities have not been properly identified, and mechanistic studies to understand the immunomodulatory effects of the plants are limited by many considerations with regard to design, conduct, and interpretation.ConclusionThe plant extracts and their active constituents should be subjected to more detail mechanistic studies, in vivo investigations in various animal models including pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies, and elaborate toxicity study before submission to clinical trials.

Graphical abstract

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Corydalis hendersonii Hemsl. protects against myocardial injury by attenuating inflammation and fibrosis via NF-κB and JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathways

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Author(s): Ruifeng Bai, Xu Yin, Xiao Feng, Yuan Cao, Yan Wu, Zhixiang Zhu, Chun Li, Pengfei Tu, Xingyun Chai
Ethnopharmacological relevanceCorydalis hendersonii Hemsl. (CH) with heat clearing and detoxifying effects are well described in Tibetan folk medicine. It has been used for centuries in China largely for the treatment of high altitude polycythemia, a pathophysiological condition referred to "plethora" in Tibetan medicine, hypertension, hepatitis, edema, gastritis, and other infectious diseases.Aim of the studyTo investigate the cardioprotective effects of Corydalis hendersonii extract in an ICR mouse model of myocardial ischemic injury.Materials and methodsEthanol [85% (v/v)] extract of CH whole plant was prepared, and their chemical profile was analyzed with use of HPLC-DAD and IT-TOF-ESI-MS. A mouse model of AMI was established by ligation of the left ventricular dysfunction (LAD) coronary artery. Mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12 per group): sham group, model group, CH groups treated with three doses of CH (100, 200, and 400mg/kg, intragastric), and a positive control group (captopril, 16.67mg/kg, intragastric). Heart function was evaluated by measurement of ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) by echocardiography. Serum levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), plasma levels of angiotensin II (AngII), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in the cardiac tissue homogenate, protein expressions of signal-transduction proteins, p65, IκBα, JAK2, and STAT3 in heart tissues were measured by ELISA and Western blot analyses. Inflammatory cell infiltration and changes in collagen deposition in the myocardial ischemic heart tissues were observed by histopathological examination. Platelet aggregation in vitro was also assessed.ResultsCH treatment showed a dose-dependent cardioprotective effect. It significantly reduced left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDs), improved EF and FS as compared to those in the model group; attenuated the increase levels of CK-MB and LDH in serum; reduced expressions of AngII, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß in plasma, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions in the cardiac tissue homogenate; and down-regulated myocardial expressions of p-p65, p-IκBα, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in AMI mice. Also, an obvious reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration in the myocardial infarct was found in all CH treated groups. Besides, CH also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by THR, ADP, and AA.ConclusionCH extract exerted a protective effect against myocardial ischemic injury via inhibition of inflammation, myocardial fibrosis, and platelet aggregation. This study demonstrates such protection for the first time and provides a basis for development of CH-based drugs for treatment of ischemic heart disease in clinical settings.

Graphical abstract

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The palisade cartilage tympanoplasty technique: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tympanoplasty is a common procedure performed by Otolaryngologists. Many types of autologous grafts have been used with variations of techniques with varying results. This is the first systematic review of the...

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The palisade cartilage tympanoplasty technique: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Molecular cloning and mRNA expression pattern of Sox4 in Paramisgurnus dabryanus

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Gene Expression Patterns
Author(s): Xiaohua Xia, Ruyan Wan, Weiran Huo, Linxia Zhang, Xiaopei Xia, Zhongjie Chang
Sox4 belonged to the SoxC subfamily of the Sox family, which play important roles in the development of the vertebrate gonad and nervous system. A Sox4 homologue was cloned from brain of Paramisgurnus dabryanus by using homologous cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), designated as PdSox4. The full-length cDNA was 2163bp, containing the 759bp 5'-untranslated region, 267bp 3'-untranslated region and encoding a putative protein of 378 amino acids with a characteristic high mobility group box (HMG-box) DNA-binding domain of 79 amino acids with the specific motif (RPMNAFMVW). Alignment and phylogenetic analyses indicated that PdSox4 shares highly identical sequence with Sox4 homologues from different species. The signal peptide analysis predicted that PdSox4 is a non-secretory protein. The hydropathy profile of PdSox4 protein revealed that this protein is hydrophilic in nature. The expression profiles of PdSox4 in different developmental stages and various adult tissues of sexs were analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and In situ hybridization (ISH). The results showed that PdSox4 was ubiquitously expressed during embryogenesis and various adult tissues, especially in central nervous system. Tissue distribution analyses revealed that PdSox4 was expression in developing germ cells. Taken together, these preliminary findings suggested that PdSox4 is highly conserved during vertebrate evolution and involved in a wide range of developmental processes including embryogenesis, neurogenesis and gonad development.

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Unusual primary breast cancer – malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: a case report and review of the literature

Sarcomas are a rare type of breast malignancies and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors of the breast are even rarer. There are no specific clinical and radiological features for the diagnosis of this tum...

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Responsiveness of postural performance measures following balance rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis patients

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Hossein Negahban, Saeideh Monjezi, Mohammad Mehravar, Neda Mostafaee, Ali Shoeibi
IntroductionEvaluating responsiveness has an important role in design and interpretation of the interventional studies. The aim was to estimate the responsiveness and minimally important difference (MID) of postural performance measures following balance rehabilitation in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS, n=38).MethodsPostural measures were evaluated at baseline and after 4 weeks intervention. Laboratory-based measures were center of pressure parameters. Clinically-based measures were Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Gait Assessment (FGA); and walking measures 2 Minute Walk (2MW), 10 Meter Timed Walk (10MTW) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) performed under single and dual-task conditions. To evaluate responsiveness, we calculated the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) and the Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC). The optimal values for the MID were the cutoffs corresponding to the upper left corner of the ROC.ResultsThe AUCs for mean and standard deviation of sway velocity were above the cutoff of 0.50 in most conditions. For the clinically-based measures, the highest AUCs were found for the ABC, and cognitive-2MW, followed by the BBS and 10MTW.ConclusionsIn this preliminary study, the most appropriate postural performance measures and the MID values for detecting meaningful changes in MS undergoing balance rehabilitation have been provided.

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Residual stress measurements via neutron diffraction of additive manufactured stainless steel 17-4 PH

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Data in Brief
Author(s): M. Masoomi, N. Shamsaei, R.A. Winholtz, J. Milner, T. Gnäupel-Herold, A. Elwany, M. Mahmoudi, S.M. Thompson
Neutron diffraction was employed to measure internal residual stresses at various locations along stainless steel (SS) 17-4 PH specimens additively manufactured via laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF). Of these specimens, two were rods (diameter = 8 mm, length = 80 mm) built vertically upward and one a parallelepiped (8 × 80 × 9 mm³) built with its longest edge parallel to ground. One rod and the parallelepiped were left in their as-built condition, while the other rod was heat treated. Data presented provide insight into the microstructural characteristics of typical L-PBF SS 17-4 PH specimens and their dependence on build orientation and post-processing procedures such as heat treatment. Data have been deposited in the Data in Brief Dataverse repository (doi:10.7910/DVN/T41S3V).

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Sigma-2 receptor ligands QSAR model dataset

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Data in Brief
Author(s): Antonio Rescifina, Giuseppe Floresta, Agostino Marrazzo, Carmela Parenti, Orazio Prezzavento, Giovanni Nastasi, Maria Dichiara, Emanuele Amata
The data have been obtained from the Sigma-2 Receptor Selective Ligands Database (S2RSLDB) and refined according to the QSAR requirements. These data provide information about a set of 548 Sigma-2 (σ2) receptor ligands selective over Sigma-1 (σ1) receptor. The development of the QSAR model has been undertaken with the use of CORAL software using SMILES, molecular graphs and hybrid descriptors (SMILES and graph together). Data here reported include the regression for σ2 receptor pKi QSAR models. The QSAR model was also employed to predict the σ2 receptor pKi values of the FDA approved drugs that are herewith included.

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Care and Feeding of a Visiting Professor, Revisited: To Adelaide and Beyond

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Douglas S. Katz

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Editorial Board

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology, Volume 123, Issue 3

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A review of patterns of practice and clinical guidelines in the palliative radiation treatment of uncomplicated bone metastases

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Vithusha Ganesh, Stephanie Chan, Srinivas Raman, Ronald Chow, Peter Hoskin, Henry Lam, Bo Angela Wan, Leah Drost, Carlo DeAngelis, Edward Chow
Background and purposeSingle fraction radiation treatment (SFRT) is recommended for its equivalence to multiple-fraction (MF) RT in the palliation of uncomplicated bone metastases (BM). However, adoption of SFRT has been slow.Materials and methodsLiterature searches for studies published following 2014 were conducted using online repositories of gray literature, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and Embase Classic, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases.ResultsA total of 32 articles detailing patterns of practice and clinical practice guidelines were included for final synthesis. The majority of organizations have released high level recommendations for SFRT use in treatment of uncomplicated BM, based on evidence of non-inferiority to MFRT. There are key differences between guidelines, such as varying strengths of recommendation for SFRT use over MFRT; contraindication in vertebral sites for SFRT; and risk estimation of pathologic fractures after SFRT. Differences in guidelines may be influenced by committee composition and organization mandate. Differences in patterns of practice may be influenced by individual center policies, payment modalities and consideration of patient factors such as age, prognosis, and performance status.ConclusionAlthough there is some variation between groups, the majority of guidelines recommend use of SFRT and others consider it to be a reasonable alternative to MFRT.

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Publication date: June 2017
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology, Volume 123, Issue 3

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Important ESTRO dates

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology, Volume 123, Issue 3

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A contextual review of the Carnivora of Kanapoi

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Journal of Human Evolution
Author(s): Lars Werdelin, Margaret E. Lewis
The Early Pliocene is a crucial time period in carnivoran evolution. Holarctic carnivoran faunas suffered a turnover event at the Miocene-Pliocene boundary. This event is also observed in Africa but its onset is later and the process more drawn-out. Kanapoi is one of the earliest faunas in Africa to show evidence of a fauna that is more typical Pliocene than Miocene in character. The taxa recovered from Kanapoi are: Torolutra sp., Enhydriodon (2 species), Genetta sp., Helogale sp., Homotherium sp., Dinofelis petteri, Felis sp., and Parahyaena howelli. Analysis of the broader carnivoran context of which Kanapoi is an example shows that all these taxa are characteristic of Plio-Pleistocene African faunas, rather than Miocene ones. While some are still extant and some went extinct in the Early Pleistocene, P. howelli is unique in both originating and going extinct in the Early Pliocene.

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Unusual primary breast cancer – malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: a case report and review of the literature

Improving compliance with surgical antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines: A multicenter evaluation

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Cristiane Schmitt, Rubia Aparecida Lacerda, Ruth Natalia Teresa Turrini, Maria Clara Padoveze
BackgroundImproving surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) use is an important element in the control of antimicrobial resistance. However, compliance with SAP guidelines is unsatisfactory. This study investigated the level of compliance with SAP guidelines in neurosurgery, and institutional characteristics associated with compliance.MethodsThis study assessed surgeries in 9 Brazilian hospitals. Medical record reviews and a structured questionnaire were used to assess compliance and to describe institutional characteristics. Six attributes of compliance with SAP guidelines were evaluated; full compliance was defined whenever all these attributes were met. Logistic and linear regressions were used to investigate the association between compliance, patients, and hospital characteristics.ResultsFull compliance was 10% and was associated with weekly hours of infection control personnel per intensive care unit bed (95% CI, 0.2–0.1), hospital-wide dissemination of SAP guidelines (95% CI, 1.2–25.1), monitoring (95% CI, 1.2–25.1), and feedback of compliance rates (95% CI, 3.8–25.2). Daytime procedures had greater compliance regarding drug dose (odds ratio [OR], 3.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-6.65) and initial time (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.24-4.25). Spinal procedures achieved greater compliance with initial time (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.12-3.01) and duration (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.7-2.16).ConclusionsA low level of compliance was identified, which pointed out the need for an innovative stewardship approach to improve adherence to SAP guidelines. Targeted training programs need to be developed to ensure dissemination of guidelines among surgeons. Monitoring, feedback, and closer interaction between the infection control personnel and the surgical team are key factors for better compliance rates of SAP.

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Bacterial biofilm-based catheter-associated urinary tract infections: Causative pathogens and antibiotic resistance

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Nargis Sabir, Aamer Ikram, Gohar Zaman, Luqman Satti, Adeel Gardezi, Abeera Ahmed, Parvez Ahmed
BackgroundWe sought to determine the incidence of bacterial biofilm-based catheter-associated urinary tract infections, identify variables affecting biofilm formation, and identify etiologic bacterial pathogens and antibiotic-resistance patterns associated with biofilm-based catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in our setup.MethodsPatients who developed at least 2 symptoms of urinary tract infection after at least 2 days of indwelling urinary catheters were included. Urine was collected aseptically from catheter tubing and processed per standard microbiologic practices. Bacterial pathogens were identified on the basis of gram staining, colony morphology, and biochemical reactions. The detection of the biofilm was done using the tube adherence method. Drug susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.FindingsBiofilm was detected in 73.4% isolates, whereas 26.6% of isolates were nonbiofilm producers. Mean duration of catheterization after which biofilm was detected was 5.01 ± 1.31 days. A latex catheter was used in 69.5% of patients, whereas a silicone catheter was used in 30.4% of patients. Escherichia coli was found to be the most common pathogen isolated (52.3%), whereas Enterobacter cloacae exhibited the highest biofilm production (87.5%) among isolated pathogens. Among biofilm producers, the highest resistance was observed with ampicillin (100%). Fosfomycin exhibited the lowest resistance (17.2%). Significant association with biofilm was detected for gender, duration of catheterization, and type of catheter.ConclusionBiofilm-based CAUTI is an emerging problem. E coli was the most frequent isolate. High antibiotic resistance was observed in biofilm-producing strains. Using the variables affecting biofilm formation, tailored intervention strategies can be implemented to reduce biofilm-based CAUTIs.

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Nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus colonal complex 5: Prevalence, influencing factors, and phenotypic and molecular characteristics in pregnant Chinese women

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Jialing Lin, Chuanan Wu, Qianting Ou, Dongxin Lin, Ting Zhang, Chan Bai, Haoqu Zheng, Jiaping Ye, Xiaojie Wang, Ying Li, Xiaohua Ye, Zhenjiang Yao
BackgroundColonal complex 5 (CC5) has been referred to as the most pandemic community-associated Staphylococcus aureus in most Asian countries. However, few studies have focused on CC5 isolates in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and phenotypic and molecular characteristics of S aureus and methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) CC5 nasal colonization in pregnant Chinese women.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study between August and November 2015 in 2 hospitals in Shenzhen, China. Pregnant women were asked to complete questionnaires, and nasal swabs were collected. Log-binomial regression models were used to explore factors influencing S aureus and MRSA nasal colonization between the CC5 and non-CC5 or non–S aureus groups. Polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect the molecular characteristics of isolates.ResultsOverall, 2,172 pregnant women were included in this study. The prevalence of S aureus and MRSA was 25.60% (n = 556) and 5.62% (n = 122), respectively. The multilocus sequence typing of S aureus isolates was diversified. A lower frequency of daily handwashing (<7) and weekly bathing (<7) were risk factors for the prevalence of S aureus (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.41 and aPR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03-1.45) and MRSA (aPR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.23-3.14 and aPR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.21-2.44) nasal colonization in the CC5 groups of pregnant women.ConclusionsThe prevalence of S aureus and MRSA nasal colonization was moderate. The molecular characteristics of S aureus and MRSA isolates indicated possible cross-transmission among multiple resources. A higher frequency of daily handwashing and weekly bathing significantly decreased the prevalence of S aureus and MRSA CC5 nasal colonization in the pregnant women.

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Active identification of patients who are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonized is not associated with longer duration of vancomycin therapy

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Carlos Acuna-Villaorduna, Westyn Branch-Elliman, Judith Strymish, Kalpana Gupta
BackgroundExcessive prescribing of vancomycin among patients admitted to inpatient wards is a challenge for antimicrobial stewardship programs, especially in the setting of expanded screening programs for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Studies examining factors associated with longer duration of vancomycin use are limited.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the impact of universal MRSA admission screening on duration of vancomycin use at the VA Boston Healthcare System during the period from January 2013-November 2015.ResultsA total of 2,910 patients were administered intravenous vancomycin during the study period. A clinical culture positive for MRSA was strongly associated with vancomycin administration lasting >72 hours (odds ratio [OR], 2.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86-3.97; P < .001). After controlling for clinical culture results, admission MRSA colonization was not associated with vancomycin use past 72 hours (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.8-1.1). A negative MRSA nasal swab on admission had a high negative predictive value for all MRSA infections evaluated (99.6% for pneumonia, 99.6% for bloodstream infection, and 98.1% for skin and soft tissue infection).ConclusionsAdmission surveillance for MRSA nasal colonization is not a major driver of prolonged vancomycin use. A negative admission MRSA nasal screen may be a useful tool for antimicrobial stewardship programs to limit vancomycin use, particularly in noncritically ill patients.

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Using inherent and elective behavior to improve hand hygiene monitoring in health care

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Carolyn Dawson, Fiona Wells, Jamie Mackrill, Kate Prevc
This study established a method for collecting hand hygiene (HH) performance data based on behavioral drivers (inherent or elective) that can be used by infection preventionists (IPs) to improve practice. Further, we explored the influence that task and setting has on HH behavior. A significant effect was found between task and setting that has implications for improving the usefulness of HH measurement, with positive feedback reported regarding the new measurement method.

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Enhanced Nutrient Transport Improves the Depth-Dependent Properties of Tri-Layered Engineered Cartilage Constructs with Zonal Co-Culture of Chondrocytes and MSCs

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Minwook Kim, Megan J. Farrell, David R. Steinberg, Jason A. Burdick, Robert L. Mauck
Biomimetic design in cartilage tissue engineering is a challenge given the complexity of the native tissue. While numerous studies have generated constructs with near-native bulk properties, recapitulating the depth-dependent features of native tissue remains a challenge. Furthermore, limitations in nutrient transport and matrix accumulation in engineered constructs hinders maturation within the central core of large constructs. To overcome these limitations, we fabricated tri-layered constructs that recapitulate the depth-dependent cellular organization and functional properties of native tissue using zonally derived chondrocytes co-cultured with MSCs. We also introduced porous hollow fibers (HFs) and HFs/cotton threads to enhance nutrient transport. Our results showed that tri-layered constructs with depth-dependent organization and properties could be fabricated. The addition of HFs or HFs/threads improved matrix accumulation in the central core region. With HF/threads, the local modulus in the deep region of tri-layered constructs nearly matched that of native tissue, though the properties in the central regions remained lower. These constructs reproduced the zonal organization and depth-dependent properties of native tissue, and demonstrate that a layer-by-layer fabrication scheme holds promise for the biomimetic repair of focal cartilage defects.Statement of SignificanceArticular cartilage is a highly organized tissue driven by zonal heterogeneity of cells, extracellular matrix proteins and fibril orientations, raising depth-dependent mechanical properties. Therefore, the recapitulation of the functional properties of native cartilage in a tissue engineered construct requires such a biomimetic design of the morphological organization, and this has remained a challenge in cartilage tissue engineering. This study demonstrates that a layer-by-layer fabrication scheme, including co-cultures of zone-specific articular CHs and MSCs, can reproduce the depth-dependent characteristics and mechanical properties of native cartilage while minimizing the need for large numbers of chondrocytes. In addition, an introduction of a porous hollow fiber (combined with a cotton thread) enhances nutrient transport and depth-dependent properties of the tri-layered construct. Such a tri-layered construct may provide critical advantages for focal cartilage repair. These constructs hold promise for restoring native tissue structure and function, and may be beneficial in terms of zone-to-zone integration with adjacent host tissue and providing more appropriate strain transfer after implantation.

Graphical abstract

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Engineered Myocardium Model to Study the Roles of HIF-1α and HIF1A-AS1 in Paracrine-only Signaling under Pathological Level Oxidative Stress

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Aylin Acun, Pinar Zorlutuna
Studying heart tissue is critical for understanding and developing treatments for cardiovascular diseases. In this work, we fabricated precisely controlled and biomimetic engineered model tissues to study how cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions influence myocardial cell survival upon exposure to pathological level oxidative stress. Specifically, the interactions of endothelial cells (ECs) and cardiomyocytes (CMs), and the role of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), with its novel alternative regulator, HIF-1α antisense RNA1 (HIF1A-AS1), in these interactions were investigated. We encapsulated CMs in photo-crosslinkable, biomimetic hydrogels with or without ECs, then exposed to oxidative stress followed by normoxia. With precisely controlled microenvironment provided by the model tissues, cell-cell interactions were restricted to be solely through the secreted factors. CM survival after oxidative stress was significantly improved, in the presence of ECs, when cells were in the model tissues that were functionalized with cell attachment motifs. Importantly, the cardioprotective effect of ECs was reduced when HIF-1α expression was knocked down suggesting that HIF-1α is involved in cardioprotection from oxidative damage, provided through secreted factors conferred by the ECs. Using model tissues, we showed that cell survival increased with increased cell-cell communication and enhanced cell-matrix interactions. In addition, whole genome transcriptome analysis showed, for the first time to our knowledge, a possible role for HIF1A-AS1 in oxidative regulation of HIF-1α. We showed that although HIF1A-AS1 knockdown helps CM survival, its effect is overridden by CM-EC bidirectional interactions as we showed that the conditioned media taken from the CM-EC co-cultures improved CM survival, regardless of HIF1A-AS1 expression.Statement of Significance: Cardiovascular diseases, most of which are associated with oxidative stress, is the most common cause of death worldwide. Thus, understanding the molecular events as well as the role of intercellular communication under oxidative stress is upmost importance in its prevention. In this study we used 3D engineered tissue models to investigate the role of HIF-1α and its regulation in EC-mediated cardioprotection. We showed that EC-mediated protection is only possible when there is a bidirectional crosstalk between ECs and CMs even without physical cell-cell contact. In addition, this protective effect is at least partially related to cell-ECM interactions and HIF-1α, which is regulated by HIF1A-AS1 under oxidative stress.

Graphical abstract

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Effect of heavy metals on tissue-specific antioxidant response in Indian major carps

Abstract

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb) were measured in sediments, water and liver and kidney tissues of three Indian major carps (Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cirrhinus cirrhosus), belonging to two different weight groups (250 and 500 g), collected from ponds at two different sites (Nalban bheri and Diamond Harbour). The tissues were analysed for the levels of different antioxidant defence systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRd), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Concentrations of all the metals were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in sediment, water and the tissues from Nalban bheri compared to those in Diamond Harbour. Metal concentrations were the lowest in C. cirrhosus, which increased with an increase in fish weight, and the liver accumulated higher amount of metals than the kidney. Activities of all enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant parameters except GPx and GRd were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the tissues from Nalban bheri than those in Diamond Harbour. Significant multicollinearity was found in the values of SOD, CAT, GST, GRd, GPx and MDA with Pb, Cu and Ni in all three fish species at Nalban and with Cd in L. rohita and C. catla. Principal component analysis results revealed that stress response in a polluted site was directly regulated by an amalgamation of GSH profile and the levels of MDA in a synchronized manner. The study indicated a tissue-specific and species-specific difference for heavy metal-induced oxidative stress response in fish and a correlation between different heavy metals and individual oxidative stress markers.

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A Unified Pathophysiological Construct of Diabetes and its Complications

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism
Author(s): Stanley S. Schwartz, Solomon Epstein, Barbara E. Corkey, Struan F.A. Grant, James R. Gavin III, Richard B. Aguilar, Mary E. Herman
Advances in understanding diabetes mellitus (DM) through basic and clinical research have helped clarify and reunify a disease state fragmented into numerous etiologies and subtypes. It is now understood that a common pathophysiology drives the diabetic state throughout its natural history and across its varied clinical presentations, a pathophysiology involving metabolic insults, oxidative damage, and vicious cycles that aggravate and intensify organ dysfunction and damage. This new understanding of the disease requires that we revisit existing diagnostics and treatment approaches, which were built upon outmoded assumptions. 'The Common Pathophysiologic Origins of Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications Construct' is presented as a more accurate, foundational, and translatable construct of DM that helps make sense of the hitherto ambiguous findings of long-term outcome studies.

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3D black blood MR angiography of the carotid arteries. A simple sequence for plaque hemorrhage and stenosis evaluation

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Monica Sigovan, Clément Bidet, Sébastien Bros, Loic Boussel, Laura Mechtouff, Philip M. Robson, Zahi A. Fayad, Antoine Millon, Philippe Douek
ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (3D T1-w TSE) compared to 3D contrast-enhanced angiography (CE-MRA) for stenosis measurement and compared to 2D T1-w TSE for intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection.MethodsEighty three patients underwent carotid MRI, using a new elliptic-centric phase encoding T1-weighted 3D TSE sequence in addition to the clinical protocol.Two observers evaluated image quality, presence of flow artifacts, and presence of intra-plaque hemorrhage, and computed the NASCET degree of stenosis for CE-MRA and for the new sequence. Inter-observer agreement and correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA for NASCET stenosis was estimated using Cohen's kappa, and correlation using linear regression and Bland-Altman plots.Histology was performed on endarterectomy samples for 18 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of 2D and 3D TSE for IPH diagnosis were computed.Results3D TSE showed better image quality than 2D TSE (p<0.05). Interobserver agreement was good (kappa≥0.86). Correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA was excellent (R=0.95) for NASCET stenosis. Sensitivity and specificity for IPH diagnosis was 50% and 100% for 2D TSE and 100% and 83% for the 3D TSE.ConclusionsThe new 3D T1-w TSE allows both reliable measures of carotid stenosis, with a slight overestimation compared to CE-MRA (5%), and improved IPH identification, compared to 2D TSE.

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Correlation study between DKI and conventional DWI in brain and head and neck tumors

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Silvia Minosse, Simona Marzi, Francesca Piludu, Antonello Vidiri
PurposeTo investigate the relationship between the Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameters and conventional metrics provided by Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients affected by Brain or Head and Neck (HN) cancer.MethodsTen patients affected by brain tumor and nine patients with HN tumor underwent a pre-treatment MR examination at 3 T. The largest tumor section was manually contoured by two expert neuroradiologists. The apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) and apparent diffusional kurtosis (Kapp) parameters were determined at the voxel level by using the DKI model, and compared to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the tissue diffusion coefficient (Dmono) obtained from mono-exponential fitting methods. The Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) was calculated to assess the quality of the fitting methods. Cross-correlations between all the variables were assessed using the Spearman rank test.ResultsIncreased Kapp values were found in each lesion. All parameters were strongly related, in particular an inverse relationship emerged between median values of Kapp and Dapp/Dmono/ADC in both patient groups, while Dapp showed positive correlations with Dmono and ADC. From the analysis at the voxel level, significant inverse associations were found between Kapp and Dmono within the lesions, while a weak or moderate association emerged between Kapp and ADC or Dapp.ConclusionsA significant association between the apparent diffusional kurtosis Kapp and the tissue diffusion coefficient Dmono emerged for both brain and HN tumors at 3 T, suggesting that both variables may consistently reflect deeper insight into the microstructural characteristics of tumors.

Graphical abstract

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High resolution myelin water imaging incorporating local tissue susceptibility analysis

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Zhe Wu, Hongjian He, Yi Sun, Yiping Du, Jianhui Zhong
Quantitative myelin water imaging (MWI) from signal T2* decay acquired with multiple Gradient-Recalled Echo (mGRE) sequence has been widely used since its first report. A recent study showed that with low resolution data (2mm isotropic voxels), direct application of complex fitting to a three-pool WM model with frequency shift terms could produce more stable parameter estimation for myelin water fraction mapping. MWI maps of higher spatial resolution resulting in more detailed tissue structures and reduced partial volume effects around white matter/gray matter (WM/GM) interface, however, is more desirable. Furthermore, as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of original images decreases due to reduced voxel size, the direct complex fitting procedure of myelin water imaging becomes more prone to systematic errors which severely compromised stability and reliability of the result. Instead of using the original part of T2* decay, this work presents a new method based on the WM-induced phase from tissue susceptibility calculated with the same mGRE dataset, in a three-pool WM model (water of myelin, axon and extracellular water), to improve high resolution MWI. Compared with direct complex fitting for the higher spatial resolution case, the proposed method is shown to provide a stable and accurate estimation of MWI parameters, and finer details near WM/GM boundaries with greatly reduced partial volume effects.

http://ift.tt/2tyTtj7

Effects of fat saturation on short T2 quantification

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Michael Carl, Amin Nazaran, Graeme M. Bydder, Jiang Du
Ultrashort TE (UTE) sequences have the capability to image tissues with very short T2s that typically appear as low signal in clinical sequences. UTE sequences can also be used in multi-echo acquisitions which allow assessment of the T2s of these tissues. Here we study the accuracy of such T2 measurements when combined with fat saturation (FS).

http://ift.tt/2tyCbCr

Synergetic integration of laccase and versatile peroxidase with magnetic silica microspheres towards remediation of biorefinery wastewater

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In this study, a tailor-made biocatalyst consisting of a co-immobilized lignolytic enzyme cascade on multi-functionalized magnetic silica microspheres (MSMS) was developed. Physical adsorption was the most promising strategy for the synthesis of individual immobilized laccase (IL), immobilized versatile peroxidase (IP), as well as co-immobilized laccase (Lac) and versatile peroxidase (VP) with an enzyme activity recovery of about 79, 93, 27, and 27.5%, respectively. Similarly, the biocatalytic load of 116, 183, 23.6, and 31 U/g was obtained for IL, IP, and co-immobilized Lac and VP, respectively. The co-immobilized enzyme system exhibited better pH stability than the free and individual immobilized system by retaining more than 100% residual activity at pH 7.0 after a 150-h incubation; whereas, the thermal stability and kinetics of the co-immobilized biocatalyst were not much improved. IL and IP could be recycled for 10 cycles after which they retained 31 and 44% of their initial activities. Co-immobilized Lac and VP were reused for ten consecutive cycles at the end of which Lac activity was depleted, and 37% of VP activity was left. Free enzymes, IL, IP, co-immobilized Lac, and VP were applied to biorefinery wastewater (BRW) in a batch study to investigate the transformation of phenolic contaminants over a period of 5 days. The major classes of phenolic constituents in terms of their order of removal in a Lac-VP system was phenol >2-chlorophenol > trichlorophenol > dichlorophenol > cresols > dimethylphenol >2 methyl- 4, 6-dinitrophenol > 4-nitrophenol > tetrachlorophenols > pentachlorophenol. The free enzymes and individually immobilized enzymes resulted in 80% dephenolization in 5 days. By contrast, the co-immobilized biocatalyst provided rapid dephenolization yielding the same 80% removal within 24 h and 96% removal of phenols in 60 h after which the system stabilized, which is the major advantage of the co-immobilized biocatalyst.

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Additive effect of calcium depletion and low resource quality on Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea, Amphipoda) life history traits

Abstract

Gammarus fossarum is an often-abundant crustacean detritivore that contributes importantly to leaf litter breakdown in oligotrophic, mainly heterotrophic, headwater streams. This species requires large amounts of Ca to moult, thus allowing growth and reproduction. Because resource quality is tightly coupled to the organism's growth and physiological status, we hypothesised that low Ca concentration [Ca] and low food resource quality (low phosphorus [P] and/or reduced highly unsaturated fatty acid [HUFA] contents) would interactively impair molecular responses (gene expression) and reproduction of G. fossarum. To investigate the effects of food resources quality, we experimentally manipulated the P content of sycamore leaves and also used diatoms because they contain high amounts of HUFAs. Three resource quality treatments were tested: low quality (LQ, unmanipulated leaves: low P content), high quality 1 (HQ1; P-manipulated leaves: high P content), and high quality 2 (unmanipulated leaves supplemented with a pellet containing diatoms: high P and HUFA content). Naturally, demineralised stream water was supplemented with CaSO₄ to obtain three Ca concentrations (2, 3.5, and 10.5 mg Ca L⁻¹). For 21 days, pairs of G. fossarum were individually exposed to one of the nine treatments (3 [Ca] × 3 resource qualities). At the individual level, strong and significant delays in moult stage were observed in gammarids exposed to lower [Ca] and to lower resource quality, with additive effects lengthening the duration of the reproductive cycle. Effects at the molecular level were investigated by measuring expression of 12 genes involved in energy production, translation, or Ca or P homeostasis. Expression of ATP synthase beta (higher in HQ2), calcified cuticle protein (higher in HQ1 and HQ2), and tropomyosin (higher in HQ2 compared to HQ1) was significantly affected by resource quality, and significant additive effects on Ca transporting ATPase expression were induced by [Ca] and resource quality (higher for low [Ca] and higher resource quality). These results highlight the potential drastic deleterious effects of water [Ca] depletion on G. fossarum physiology, populations, and ecosystem functioning, especially in oligotrophic environments.

http://ift.tt/2tywuVt

Procedures for precise measurements of 135Cs/137Cs atom ratios in environmental samples at extreme dynamic ranges and ultra-trace levels by thermal ionization mass spectrometry

Publication date: 1 November 2017
Source:Talanta, Volume 174
Author(s): James A. Dunne, David A. Richards, Hsin-Wei Chen
Determination of ¹³⁵Cs/¹³⁷Cs atom ratios has the potential to be a powerful tool for nuclear forensics and monitoring environmental processes. We present optimized chemical separation techniques and thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) protocols to obtain precise ¹³⁵Cs/¹³⁷Cs atom ratios for a range of environmental sample types. We use a combination of double AMP-PAN separation and Sr-spec resin column purification to yield excellent separation from the alkali metals (Rb separation factor > 600), which normally suppress ionization of Cs. A range of emission activators for the ionization of Cs were evaluated and glucose solution yielded the optimal combination of a stable Cs⁺ beam, minimal low-temperature polyatomic interferences and improved ionization efficiency. Mass-spectrometric determination of low abundance ¹³⁵Cs and ¹³⁷Cs is compromised by the presence of a very large ¹³³Cs⁺ beam, which may be scattered and cause significant spectral interferences. These are explored using multi-static Faraday cup – ion counter methods and a range of energy filter settings. The method is evaluated using environmental samples and standards from regions affected by fallout from Chernobyl (IAEA-330) and Fukushima nuclear disasters. Where the intensity of ¹³³Cs⁺ is large relative to ¹³⁵Cs⁺ and ¹³⁷Cs⁺ (< 30cps), minor polyatomic interferences need to be considered. In the absence of a standard with ^{135, 137}Cs/¹³³Cs < 1 × 10⁻⁸, we explored the reproducibility of ¹³⁵Cs/¹³⁷Cs atom ratios at these high dynamic ranges and extremely low abundance (¹³⁷Cs ≈ 12 fg g⁻¹) for sediments from an estuarine setting in SW England, UK.

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Determination of iodide and total iodine in estuarine waters by cathodic stripping voltammetry using a vibrating silver amalgam microwire electrode

Publication date: 1 November 2017
Source:Talanta, Volume 174
Author(s): Estrella Espada-Bellido, Zhaoshun Bi, Pascal Salaün, Constant M.G. van den Berg
Iodide in natural waters is an important nutrient to aquatic organisms and its determination is of relevance to marine aquaculture. For this reason it is of interest to have a simple analytical method for determination of iodide in water samples. Iodide in seawater can be determined electrochemically by cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) with a mercury drop electrode which has environmental drawbacks. In an attempt to minimise the use of mercury in voltammetry, a vibrating silver amalgam microwire electrode is used here for the determination by CSV of iodide speciation in natural waters including seawater. Microwire electrodes were made from silver wires (diameter: 12.5µm) and electrochemically coated with mercury. The electrode surface was stable for extended periods of analyses (at least one week) and was then replaced. The optimised conditions include a pH 8, a frequency of 500Hz and a deposition time of 60s, among others. The microwire was reactivated between scans using a conditioning potential at −3 V for 1s. The detection limit for iodide in seawater was found to be 0.7nM I^- at a deposition time of 60s. The response increased linearly with the concentration of iodide in seawater up to 100nM I^-. The method was successfully applied to various samples from the estuary of the river Mersey (Liverpool Bay). An existing procedure for iodine speciation was modified to enable determination of iodate and total iodine as well as iodide in estuarine waters.

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Extracellular matrix characterization in plaques from carotid endarterectomy by a proteomics approach

Publication date: 1 November 2017
Source:Talanta, Volume 174
Author(s): N. Ucciferri, S. Rocchiccioli, L. Comelli, M. Marconi, M. Ferrari, G. Pelosi, A. Cecchettini
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a fundamental component of multicellular organisms. Alteration of its structure and/or molecular composition are associated with several pathologies, among the others with atherosclerosis. To determine how the overall ECM architecture of a tissue as complex as the atheroma may change under varying pathological conditions constitutes a great technical challenge. This entails removing cell components and solubilisation of fibrillar proteins in order to allow enzymatic digestion and mass spectrometry analyses.This work aimed at testing and assessing an easy to use, standardized and reproducible proteomics protocol to map ECM proteins in carotid plaque specimens. To this end, plaques from endarterectomies were incubated in different buffers and the resulting solutions and tissue homogenates after incubation were processed for mass spectrometry. Comparison of the different workflows showed that 4M Guanidine treatment (following 0.5M NaCl and 0.08% SDS incubations) is the most promising in terms of ECM enrichment. The protocol can also be used to identify different and complementary classes of proteins both in plaque extracts and homogenates.

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A unique red-emitting two-photon fluorescent probe with tumor-specificity for imaging in living cells and tissues

Publication date: 1 November 2017
Source:Talanta, Volume 174
Author(s): Xiuqi Kong, Baoli Dong, Nan Zhang, Chao Wang, Xuezhen Song, Weiying Lin
Tumor-specific imaging can provide an attractive approach for the early detection and prognosis of cancer, as well as the precise image-guided tumor-removal surgery. Herein, we describe a unique red-emitting two-photon fluorescent probe (N-BN) for tumor-specific imaging. N-BN utilized Nile Red as the red-emitting two-photon fluorophore and employed biotin as the tumor-specific ligand. In the presence of a variety of biomolecules or in different pH buffers, the fluorescence intensity of N-BN at 655nm showed no noticeable change. N-BN exhibited the remarkable two-photon absorption cross sections of 15.4g under excitation at 800nm. Under the guidance of biotin, N-BN can be applied for the imaging of biotin-receptor positive cancer cells over biotin-negative cells under red-emitting one- and two-photon manners. Assisted by high-definition three-dimensional imaging, the living tumor tissues loaded with N-BN could display strong red two-photon fluorescence with a penetration depth of about 90µm. Moreover, the in vivo and ex vivo imaging studies intuitively revealed that N-BN could track the tumor with highly tumor-specific property by a near-infrared manner.

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Patterns of high-intensity drinking among young adults in the United States: A repeated measures latent class analysis

Publication date: November 2017
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 74
Author(s): Megan E. Patrick, Yvonne M. Terry-McElrath, John E. Schulenberg, Bethany C. Bray
ObjectiveUsing a national sample of young adults, this study identified latent classes of alcohol use including high-intensity drinking (10+ drinks) from ages 18 to 25/26, and explored associations between time-invariant covariates measured at age 18 and class membership.MethodLongitudinal data from the national Monitoring the Future study were available for 1078 individuals (51% female) first surveyed as 12th grade students in 2005–2008, and followed through modal age 25/26. Repeated measures latent class analysis was used to identify latent classes based on self-reported alcohol use: no past 30-day drinking, 1–9 drinks per occasion in the past 2weeks, and 10+ drinks per occasion.ResultsFour latent classes of alcohol use from ages 18 to 25/26 were identified: (1) Non-Drinkers (21%); (2) Legal Non-High-Intensity Drinkers (23%); (3) Persistent Non-High-Intensity Drinkers (40%); and (4) High-Intensity Drinkers (16%). Membership in the High-Intensity Drinkers class was characterized by higher than average probabilities of high-intensity drinking at all ages, with the probability of high-intensity drinking increasing between ages 18 and 21/22. Both gender and race/ethnicity significantly differentiated class membership, whereas neither parental education (a proxy for socioeconomic status) nor college plans at 12th grade showed significant associations.ConclusionsMore than one in seven individuals who were seniors in high school experienced a long-term pattern of high-intensity drinking lasting into middle young adulthood. Young adult high-intensity drinking is often preceded by high-intensity drinking in high school, suggesting the importance of screening and prevention for high-intensity drinking during adolescence.

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The Editor's Choice

Publication date: July 2017
Source:Journal of Dermatological Science, Volume 87, Issue 1

http://ift.tt/2rCbxMv

Editorial board

Publication date: July 2017
Source:Journal of Dermatological Science, Volume 87, Issue 1

http://ift.tt/2sm3HUq

High constitutive B7-H3 expression on human keratinocytes supports T cell immunity

Publication date: July 2017
Source:Journal of Dermatological Science, Volume 87, Issue 1
Author(s): Dagmar Quandt, Eckhard Fiedler, Anja Müller, Wolfgang Ch. Marsch, Barbara Seliger

http://ift.tt/2rBQPfH

Combined Immunotherapy: CTLA-4 blockade potentiates anti-tumor response induced by Transcutanous Immunization

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Journal of Dermatological Science
Author(s): Johanna Rausch, Pamela Aranda Lopez, Ariane Bialojan, Mark Denny, Peter Langguth, Hans Christian Probst, Hansjörg Schild, Markus P. Radsak
BackgroundThe epidermal application of the Toll Like Receptor 7 agonist imiquimod and a T-cell peptide epitope (transcutaneous immunization, TCI) mediates systemic peptide-specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) responses and leads to tumor protection in a prophylactic tumor setting. However, it does not accomplish memory formation or permanent defiance of tumors in a therapeutic set-up. As a distinct immunologic approach, CTLA-4 blockade augments systemic immune responses and has shown long-lasting effects in preclinical experiments as well as in clinical trials.ObjectiveThe study investigates the vaccination capacity of TCI in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor CTLA-4 in matters of primary response, memory formation and tumor protection and characterizes the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs).MethodsAfter performing TCI with IMI-Sol (containing 5% Imiquimod) and the model epitope SIINFEKL, 6-8 week old C57BL/6 mice received anti-CTLA-4 antibody either s.c or i.p. The CTL responses and frequency of peptide specific CD8⁺ T-cells were then evaluated on day 8. To determine anti-tumor effects, a therapeutic tumor challenge with B16 OVA melanoma was performed.ResultsThe combination of s.c. anti-CTLA-4 antibody and TCI leads to an enhanced systemic cytotoxic response, to memory formation and allows significantly improved survival in a tumor setting with B16 OVA melanoma. Towards the mechanism, we show that in this vaccination protocol the CTLA-4 antibody acts mainly Treg-independent.ConclusionWe demonstrate that the combination of TCI with IMI-Sol and anti-CTLA-4 can confer potent immune responses and tumor-protection. These results might contribute to the development of advanced vaccination approaches targeting tumors or persistent infectious diseases.

http://ift.tt/2smyh0o

Transcutaneous immunization with a novel imiquimod nanoemulsion induces superior T cell responses and virus protection

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Journal of Dermatological Science
Author(s): Pamela Aranda Lopez, Mark Denny, Ann-Kathrin Hartmann, Astrid Alflen, Hans Christian Probst, Esther von Stebut, Stefan Tenzer, Hansjörg Schild, Michael Stassen, Peter Langguth, Markus P. Radsak
BackgroundTranscutaneous immunization (TCI) is a novel vaccination strategy utilizing the skin associated lymphatic tissue to induce immune responses. TCI using a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope and the Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist imiquimod mounts strong CTL responses by activation and maturation of skin-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and their migration to lymph nodes. However, TCI based on the commercial formulation Aldara only induces transient CTL responses that needs further improvement for the induction of durable therapeutic immune responses.ObjectiveTherefore we aimed to develop a novel imiquimod solid nanoemulsion (IMI-Sol) for TCI with superior vaccination properties suited to induce high quality T cell responses for enhanced protection against infections.MethodsTCI was performed by applying a MHC class I or II restricted epitope along with IMI-Sol or Aldara (each containing 5% Imiquimod) on the shaved dorsum of C57BL/6, IL-1R, Myd88, Tlr7 or Ccr7 deficient mice. T cell responses as well as DC migration upon TCI were subsequently analyzed by flow cytometry. To determine in vivo efficacy of TCI induced immune responses, CTL responses and frequency of peptide specific T cells were evaluated on day 8 or 35 post vaccination and protection in a lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection model was assessed.ResultsTCI with the imiquimod formulation IMI-Sol displayed equal skin penetration of imiquimod compared to Aldara, but elicited superior CD8⁺ as well as CD4⁺ T cell responses. The induction of T-cell responses induced by IMI-Sol TCI was dependent on the TLR7/MyD88 pathway and independent of IL-1R. IMI-Sol TCI activated skin-derived DCs in skin-draining lymph nodes more efficiently compared to Aldara leading to enhanced protection in a LCMV infection model.ConclusionOur data demonstrate that IMI-Sol TCI can overcome current limitations of previous imiquimod based TCI approaches opening new perspectives for transcutaneous vaccination strategies and allowing the use of this enhanced cutaneous drug-delivery system to be tailored for the improved prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and cancers.

http://ift.tt/2rCatIA

Parenting in a digital age: A review of parents' role in preventing adolescent cyberbullying

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Caitlin Elsaesser, Beth Russell, Christine McCauley Ohannessian, Desmond Patton
While parents have a critical influence on reducing adolescent risk taking, adolescents' access to online spaces presents significant and novel challenges to parents' ability to reduce their youth's involvement in cyberbullying. The present study reviews the existing literature on parents' influence (i.e., parental warmth and parental monitoring) on adolescent cyberbullying, both as victims and perpetrators. 23 mostly cross sectional articles were identified for this review. Findings indicate that parental warmth is consistently associated with lower cyberbullying, both as victims and perpetrators. For parental monitoring, strategies that are focused on parental control, such as restricting the Internet, appear to be only weakly related to youth's involvement in cyberbullying victimization and perpetration. In contrast, strategies that are more collaborative with in nature (e.g., evaluative mediation and co-use) are more closely connected to cyberbullying victimization and perpetration, although evidence suggests that the effectiveness of these practices varies by sex and ethnicity. Results underscore the need for parents to provide emotional warmth that might support adolescent's disclosure of online activity. Implications for practice and future research are reviewed.

http://ift.tt/2rGXelh

Victimization in light of self-compassion: Development towards communal compassion

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Moshe Bensimon
The discipline of victimology emerged and continues to develop in response to the need to analyze the phenomenology of victims of crime. In the last decade, a new trend, positive victimology, has emerged; it emphasizes the role of "positive components" in efforts to promote the rehabilitation and recovery of victims. This perspective stresses the role of society and community in acceptance, encouragement, faith, forgiveness, goodness, gratitude, and compassion towards victims. One positive healing concept that has recently been found valuable for victims' well-being is that of self-compassion. The aim of the current paper was to explore the theory of self-compassion, which was first presented by Kristin D. Neff (2003a), as it applies to the lived experience of victimization. A comprehensive review of literature indicated the presence of uncompassionate responses as central in the lived experience of victims. These components include: (a) self-judgment and self-blame; (b) loneliness and alienation; and (c) over-identification and experiential avoidance. Seeing victimization from this perspective can deepen the understanding of victims' needs to increase compassionate and reduce uncompassionate responding. The present exploration also revealed the need, in the case of victimization, to adopt the notion of communal compassion, which expands the focus from self-compassion to compassion in the community.

http://ift.tt/2sc8j0S

Sexual minorities in conflict zones: A review of the literature

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Melinda W. Moore, John R. Barner
In civil and ethnic conflict, sexual minorities experience a heightened risk for war crimes such as sexual violence, torture, and death. As a result, sexual minorities remain an invisible population in armed conflict out of a need for safety. Further study of sexual minorities in conflict zones confronts matters of human rights, war crimes, and the psychosocial effects of war. This article reviews the existing research on sexual minorities in conflict zones, examines the findings on human rights, war crimes, and the psychosocial effects of war and violence on sexual minority populations, and reviews the barriers to effectiveness faced by intervention programs developed specifically to aid post-conflict societies. The article concludes with a summary of findings within the literature and further considerations for research on aggression and violent behavior with sexual minority groups in conflict zones.

http://ift.tt/2scksCY

Examining offender, victim and offence characteristics in cases of stranger child abduction: An exploratory comparison of attempted and completed cases using publicly available data from the UK

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Craig John Robert Collie, Karen Shalev Greene
The article examines the demographic features of victims and offenders involved in cases of stranger child abduction in the UK, performing a quantitative, secondary data analysis of a sample of 78 offences that have received a conviction in the UK since 1988. Information was gathered via a study of media and legal databases. The profiles of attempted and completed cases of stranger child abduction are compared to ascertain the relationship between case characteristics and offence outcome.Findings indicated that while females victims are targeted more frequently overall, male victims are at greater risk of being abducted successfully by strangers. Females are more likely to be approached by non-specialist offenders, whereas male victims are more likely to be targeted by chronic child sex offenders. Victims aged 10 were found to be at risk of being victimized successfully, while attempted victimization was even across all victim age groups. Finally, older offenders were found to be more persistent, with younger offenders discontinuing their offence earlier in the behavioural sequence.The implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations for future research made. The continued analysis of abduction offences utilizing the attempted-completed distinction is also strongly encouraged and endorsed.

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Editorial Board

Publication date: May 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 34

http://ift.tt/2schFtT

The importance of vaccine supply chains to everyone in the vaccine world

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Bruce Y. Lee, Leila A. Haidari
While the focus of many in the vaccine world has been on developing new vaccines and measuring their effects on humans, failure to understand and properly address vaccine supply chain issues can greatly reduce the impact of any vaccine. Therefore, everyone involved in vaccine decision-making may want to take into account supply chains when making key decisions. In fact, considering supply chain issues long before a vaccine reaches the market can help design vaccines and vaccine programs that better match the system. We detail how vaccine supply chains may affect the work and decision making of ten examples of different members of the vaccine community: preclinical vaccinologists, vaccine clinical trialists, vaccine package designers, health care workers, epidemiologists and disease surveillance experts, policy makers, storage equipment manufacturers, other technology developers, information system specialists, and funders. We offer ten recommendations to help decision makers better understand and address supply chains.

http://ift.tt/2sc5HQZ

Vaccination with a codon-optimized A27L-containing plasmid decreases virus replication and dissemination after vaccinia virus challenge

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): Osmarie Martínez, Ariana Bravo Cruz, Saritza Santos, Maite Ramírez, Eric Miranda, Joanna Shisler, Miguel Otero
Smallpox is a disease caused by Variola virus (VARV). Although eradicated by WHO in 1980, the threat of using VARV on a bioterror attack has increased. The current smallpox vaccine ACAM2000, which consists of live vaccinia virus (VACV), causes complications in individuals with a compromised immune system or with previously reported skin diseases. Thus, a safer and efficacious vaccine needs to be developed. Previously, we reported that our virus-free DNA vaccine formulation, a pVAX1 plasmid encoding codon-optimized VACV A27L gene (pA27LOPT) with and without Imiquimod adjuvant, stimulates A27L-specific production of IFN-γ and increases humoral immunity 7days post-vaccination. Here, we investigated the immune response of our novel vaccine by measuring the frequency of splenocytes producing IFN-γ by ELISPOT, the TH1 and TH2 cytokine profiles, and humoral immune responses two weeks post-vaccination, when animals were challenged with VACV. In all assays, the A27-based DNA vaccine conferred protective immune responses. Specifically, two weeks after vaccination, mice were challenged intranasally with vaccinia virus, and viral titers in mouse lungs and ovaries were significantly lower in groups immunized with pA27LOPT and pA27LOPT+Imiquimod. These results demonstrate that our vaccine formulation decreases viral replication and dissemination in a virus-free DNA vaccine platform, and provides an alternative towards a safer an efficacious vaccine.

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Αρχειοθήκη ιστολογίου

! # Ola via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader

Η λίστα ιστολογίων μου

Σάββατο 17 Ιουνίου 2017

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