The anatomy of the thoracic duct at the level of the diaphragm: a cadaver study

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger
Author(s): Ingmar L. Defize, Bernadette Schurink, Teus J. Weijs, Tom A.P. Roeling, Jelle P. Ruurda, Richard van Hillegersberg, Ronald L.A.W. Bleys
BackgroundInjury and subsequent leakage of unrecognized thoracic duct tributaries during transthoracic esophagectomy may lead to chylothorax. Therefore, we hypothesized that thoracic duct anatomy at the diaphragm is more complex than currently recognized and aimed to provide a detailed description of the anatomy of the thoracic duct at the diaphragm.Basic proceduresThe thoracic duct and its tributaries were dissected in 7 (2 male and 5 female) embalmed human cadavers. The level of origin of the thoracic duct and the points where tributaries entered the thoracic duct were measured using landmarks easily identified during surgery: the aortic and esophageal hiatus and the arch of the azygos vein.Main findingsThe thoracic duct was formed in the thoracic cavity by the union of multiple abdominal tributaries in 6 cadavers. In 3 cadavers partially duplicated systems were present that communicated with interductal branches. The thoracic duct was formed by a median of 3 (IQR: 3–5) abdominal tributaries merging 8.3 centimeters (IQR: 7.3–9.3cm) above the aortic hiatus, 1.8 centimeters (IQR: −0.4–2.4cm) above the esophageal hiatus, and 12.3 centimeters (IQR: 14.0–−11.0cm) below the arch of the azygos vein.ConclusionThis study challenges the paradigm that abdominal lymphatics join in the abdomen to pass the diaphragm as a single thoracic duct. In this study, this occurred in 1/7 cadavers. Although small, the results of this series suggest that the formation of the thoracic duct above the diaphragm is more common than previously thought. This knowledge may be vital to prevent and treat post-operative chyle leakage.



http://ift.tt/2CWxrv0

Electrochemical testing of a novel alloy in natural and artificial body fluids

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger
Author(s): Ioana Bunoiu, Mihaela Mindroiu, Claudiu Constantin Manole, Mihai Andrei, Adrian Nicoara, Ecaterina Vasilescu, Monica Popa, Andreea Cristiana Didilescu
There is a recent trend in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to use nanotechnology and bionanomaterials to obtain materials that mimic the surface properties of a natural tissue. From this perspective, nanolevel tissue engineering can be viewed as a novel anatomy of the future. In this paper, a novel titanium-based alloy is studied following this strategy. The alloy nanostructuration is proposed as an improved alternative for restorative prosthodontics or an implantable biomaterial. Tests in i) standard solution of simulated body fluid (SBF) and ii) natural saliva were performed to investigate the alloy's electrochemical stability. The results show that nanochannel growth on the alloy surface confers a higher stability than that of the untreated one in both natural and simulated environments.



http://ift.tt/2FRhgls

The potential of foodwaste leachate as a phycoremediation substrate for microalgal CO 2 fixation and biodiesel production

Abstract

Foodwaste leachate (FWL) is often generated during foodwaste treatment processes. Owing to its high nutrient content, FWL has high potential for phycoremediation, a microalgal technology application for water treatment while acting as CO₂ fixation tank. Additionally, the end product of microalgal from phycoremediation can be potentially used for biodiesel production. Therefore, the phycoremediation has drawn a lot of attention in recent decades. This study evaluates the performance of microalgal foodwaste leachate treatment and the potential of utilizing FWL as medium for microalgal biodiesel production. Two microalgal species, Dunaliella tertiolecta and Cyanobacterium aponinum, were selected. For each species, two experimental levels of diluted FWL were used: 5 and 10% FWL. The partial inhibition growth model indicates that some inhibit factors such as ammonia; total suspended solids and oil and grease (O&G) content suppress the microalgal growth. Most of the nutrient such as nitrogen and phosphorus (> 80%) can be removed in the last day of phycoremediation by D. tertiolecta. C. aponinum also show considerable removal rate on total nitrogen ammonia and nitrate (> 60%). Biomass (0.4–0.5 g/L/day) of D. tertiolecta and C. aponinum can be produced though cultivated in diluted FWL. The bio-CO₂ fixation rates of the two species were 610.7 and 578.3 mg/L/day of D. tertiolecta and C. aponinum. The strains contain high content of saturated fatty acid such as C₁₆ and C₁₈ making them having potential for producing good quality biodiesel.

http://ift.tt/2oIuDNy

Eco-industrial zones in the context of sustainability development of urban areas

Abstract

Industry is one of the main activities in the city and in many cities of the world, and the dominant industrial zones are the most significant morphological forms of concentration of industrial facilities in the city and are concentrated industrial and business activity. Industrial parks combine activities related to energy and resource consumption, emissions, waste generation, economic benefits, and regional development. The focus of this work is the path of transformation between the present and the vision of a sustainable city in the future. The problem and the subject of research related to two related objects of research: the city and sustainable development. In this paper, the co-author's industrial symbiosis parks, modern tendencies of the spatial distribution of productive activities, circular economy, to attract leading corporations and open the way for new ventures while preserving the living environment in an urban area.

http://ift.tt/2tblCRQ

Assessment of heavy metal pollution risks and enzyme activity of meadow soils in urban area under tourism load: a case study from Zakopane (Poland)

Abstract

Effect of tourism, especially skiing activities, and urbanization on chemical and biochemical properties of soils in touristy town—Zakopane—was investigated. The concentration of heavy metals, nutrients, soil organic matter (SOM), dehydrogenase (DHA), invertase (IA) and urease (Ure) activities in soils from the town centre and out of the town centre was compared with the respective values of adjacent soils in protected areas (TNP). In order to evaluate a degree of contamination and risks of degradation enrichment factor (EF), ecological risk index (RI), Nemerov Pollution Index (PI_Nemerov) as well as enzyme activity index (EAI) were calculated. Soils in the centre of Zakopane were polluted with Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu in a moderate degree when those of skiing areas were polluted with Pb and Cd in a high degree. Strong positive correlation between these metals and negative correlation between them and a distance from the main roundabout in town indicated their anthropogenic origin. Soils of both locations were also enriched in P, but depleted in SOM when compared to TNP soils. Soils of touristy areas (out of the centre) were additionally enriched in N. Activity of studied enzymes was also lowered in soils of Zakopane when compared to soils of TNP. Pollution indices, RI, PI_Nemerov as well as EAI, indicated that soils of Zakopane are at risk of degradation. Soils of touristy areas are under stronger negative impact than soils of the centre because of the cumulative effect of transport of heavy metals from the city centre, pollution by skiing machinery and melting water from the artificial snow.

http://ift.tt/2H25nZA

Ecotoxicological assessment of perchlorate using in vitro and in vivo assays

Abstract

Perchlorate is an inorganic ion widespread in the environment, generated as a natural and anthropogenic pollutant, with known endocrine disruption properties in the thyroid gland. Nonetheless, there are few reports of its ecotoxicological impact on wildlife. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adverse effects of KClO₄ exposure on different cell lines, HEK, N2a, and 3T3, as well as in ecological models such as Vibrio fischeri, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Daphnia magna, and Eisenia fetida. Perchlorate exhibited similar toxicity against tested cell lines, with LC₅₀ values of 19, 15, and 19 mM for HEK, N2a, and 3T3, respectively; whereas in V. fischeri, the toxicity, examined as bioluminescence reduction, was considerably lower (EC₅₀ = 715 mM). The survival of the freshwater algae P. subcapitata was significatively impaired by perchlorate (LC₅₀ = 72 mM), and its effect on the lethality in the crustacean D. magna was prominent (LC₅₀ = 5 mM). For the earthworm E. fetida, the LC₅₀ was 56 mM in soil. In this organism, perchlorate induced avoidance behavior, weight loss, and decreased egg production and hatchling, as well as morphological and histopathological effects, such as malformations, dwarfism, and necrosis. In conclusion, perchlorate toxicity varies according to the species, although E. fetida is a sensitive model to generate information regarding the toxicological impact of KClO₄ on biota.

http://ift.tt/2FcmwmY

Investigation of LAMTOR1 gene and protein expressions in germinal vesicle and metaphase II oocytes and embryos from 1-cell to blastocyst stage in a mouse model

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Gene Expression Patterns
Author(s): Erkan Gumus, Ismail Sari, Meral Yilmaz, Ali Cetin
Improving the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and infertility treatment depend on understanding basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of human preimplantation development. Pre-implantation mouse embryo model is an ideal empiric system to understand these mechanisms. This study was aimed to investigate the gene and protein expressions of LAMTOR1 in mouse oocytes and pre-implantation embryos at different developmental stages. The findings demonstrate that LAMTOR1 was detected in the oocytes and in subsequent all stages of embryo development. The expression was increased progressively from MII-stage oocyte to morula stage embryo (p < 0.05), highest expression was identified in morula stage (p < 0.05), and decreased in blastocyst stage (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence analysis showed outer and inner nuclear membranes and cytoplasmic subcellular localizations of LAMTOR1 in oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. The LAMTOR1 immunoexpression was gradually increased from MII oocyte and the highest level was detected at the morula stage of embryo development (p < 0.05). The lowest LAMTOR1 immunoexpression was detected at GV-stage oocyte (p < 0.05) and no clear difference in M2 oocyte, I-cell, 2-cell, and blastocyst stage embryos. In conclusion, both the mRNA and protein levels of LAMTOR1 increase progressively in cleavage-stage mouse embryos. LAMTOR1 has a significant higher embryonic expression at 2-cell to morula stage. LAMTOR1 may play a role in the oogenesis process and probably required for further developmental stages and it may play a possible role in the process of compaction and cavitation in mice. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore the LAMTOR1 expression especially in the different stages of embryonal development.



http://ift.tt/2F9Yd8R

Pathological collecting behavior

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Michitaka Funayama, Taketo Takata, Motoichiro Kato, Masaru Mimura




http://ift.tt/2I1BIkj

Adaptation reveals unbalanced interaction between numerosity and time

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Andromachi Tsouli, Serge O. Dumoulin, Susan F. te Pas, Maarten J. van der Smagt




http://ift.tt/2CXiitr

Questions Regarding Statistical Inferences, Quality of Life, and Conclusions From the COBRA Study

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2nDhiG0

Autologous Myoblasts for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence: Results of a Phase 2 Randomized Placebo-controlled Study (MIAS)

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intrasphincteric injections of autologous myoblasts (AMs) in fecal incontinence (FI) in a controlled study. Summary of Background Data: Adult stem cell therapy is expected to definitively cure FI by regenerating damaged sphincter. Preclinical data and results of open-label trials suggest that myoblast therapy may represent a noninvasive treatment option. Methods: We conducted a phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of intrasphincteric injections of AM in 24 patients. The study compared outcome after AM (n = 12) or placebo (n = 12) injection using Cleveland Clinic Incontinence (CCI), score at 6 and 12 months. Patients in the placebo group were eligible to receive frozen AM after 1 year. Results: At 6 months, the median CCI score significantly decreased from baseline in both the AM (9 vs 15, P = 0.02) and placebo (10 vs 15, P = 0.01) groups. Hence, no significant difference was found between the 2 groups (primary endpoint) at 6 months. At 12 months, the median CCI score continued to ameliorate in the AM group (6.5 vs 15, P = 0.006), while effect was lost in the placebo group (14 vs 15, P = 0.35). Consequently, there was a higher response rate at 12 months in the treated than the placebo arm (58% vs 8%, P = 0.03). After delayed frozen AM injection in the placebo group, the response rate was 60% (6/10) at 12 months. Conclusions: Intrasphincteric AM injections in FI patients have shown tolerance, safety, and clinical benefit at 12 months despite a transient placebo effect at 6 months.

http://ift.tt/2seh64w

Prevent the Bleed: How Surgeons Can Lead the National Conversation About Firearm Safety Forward

In the 5 years since the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and 6 of their teachers, we have witnessed intolerably more mass shooting events. In the intervening years, over 150,000 Americans have died because of firearm violence, 3 times the number who lost their lives during the Revolutionary war. In the last 2 months, we have been left reflecting on 2 more tragedies. The first came on October 1 in Las Vegas, at the Route 91 music festival where 58 were killed and over 500 injured by a single gunman. The second, on November 5, took place in Sutherland Springs, Texas (population 600) near San Antonio and claimed the lives of 26 men women and children while they prayed. As was witnessed in Orlando and San Bernardino, these most recent mass casualty incidents strained first responders, law enforcement, and the state's trauma systems to their breaking point. Once again, we were left searching for the reasons behind these tragedies asking predictable questions: who did this and why? Was it part of a terrorist plot or a lone psychopath with a grudge? Were the weapons obtained legally, and why would anyone need so many? How can we stop this from happening again?

http://ift.tt/2scVxkP

Dissecting Surgeon Behavior: Leveraging the Theoretical Domains Framework to Facilitate Evidence-based Surgical Practice

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2sbBLX5

A British Perspective on the American College of Surgeons Conversation About Firearm Safety

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2GSlV79

Hospital Standards to Promote Optimal Surgical Care of the Older Adult: A Report From the Coalition for Quality in Geriatric Surgery

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish high-quality, valid standards to improve surgical care of the older adult. Background: The aging population increases demand for high-quality surgical care. Building upon prior guidelines, quality indicators, and pilot projects, the Coalition for Quality in Geriatric Surgery (CQGS) includes 58 diverse stakeholder organizations committed to improving geriatric surgery. Methods: Using a modified RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Methodology, 44 of 58 CQGS Stakeholders twice rated validity (primary outcome) and feasibility for 308 standards, ranging from goals and decision-making, pre-operative assessment and optimization, perioperative and postoperative care, to transitions of care beyond the acute care hospital. Results: Three hundred six of 308 (99%) standards were rated as valid to improve quality of geriatric surgery. There were 4 sections. Section 1 included 157 (57%) standards and focused on goals and decision-making, preoperative optimization, and transitions into and out of the hospital. Section 2 included 84 (27.3%) standards focused on in-hospital care, across the immediate preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. Section 3 included 59 (19.1%) standards about program management, including personnel and committee structure, credentialing, and education. Section 4 included 8 (2.6%) standards establishing overarching concepts for data collection and patient follow-up. Two hundred ninety of 308 standards (94.2%) were rated as feasible; 18 (5.8%) were rated as uncertain in feasibility. Conclusions: CQGS Stakeholders rated the vast majority of standards of care as highly valid (99%) and feasible (94%) for improving the quality of surgical care provided to older adults. Future work will focus on a pilot phase to better understand and address challenges to implementation of the standards.

http://ift.tt/2nKE1za

Laparoscopic Versus Open Liver Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases—Which Is a More Suitable Standard Practice?

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2CX1pil

Social Media as a Platform for Surgical Learning: Use and Engagement Patterns Among Robotic Surgeons

In response to technological advances and growing dispersion of surgical practice around the globe, social media platforms have emerged in recent years as channels for surgeons to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another. To better understand surgeons' engagement with these platforms, we analyzed data from a closed-membership Facebook group for robotic surgeons. Our analysis revealed that surgeons posted more frequently on midweek days, and further that text posts received significantly more comments, and significantly fewer "likes," than posts containing links, photos, or videos. We discuss the implications of these use and engagement patterns for the viability of social media platforms as tools for surgeons to learn vicariously from their peers' experiences and expertise.

http://ift.tt/2CYpy88

Design Principles for Building a Leadership Development Program in a Department of Surgery

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2FQ7BMe

Magnetic Surgery: Results From First Prospective Clinical Trial in 50 Patients

Objective: To evaluate a new magnetic surgical system during reduced-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a prospective, multicenter clinical trial. Background: Laparoscopic instrumentation coupled by magnetic fields may enhance surgeon performance by allowing for shaft-less retraction and mobilization. The movements can be performed under direct visualization, generating different angles of traction and reducing the number of trocars to perform the procedure. This may reduce well-known associated complications of trocars, including incisional pain, scarring, infection, bowel, and vascular injuries, among others. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, single-arm, open-label study was performed to assess the safety and performance of a magnetic surgical system (Levita Magnetics' Surgical System). The investigational device was used during a 3-port laparoscopic technique. The primary endpoints evaluated were safety and feasibility of the device to adequately mobilize the gallbladder to achieve effective exposure of the targeted surgical site. Patients were followed for 30 days postprocedure. Results: Between January 2014 and March 2015, 50 patients presenting with benign gallbladder disease were recruited. Forty-five women and 5 men with an average age of 39 years (18–59), average body mass index of 27 kg/m2 (20.4–34.1) and an average abdominal wall thickness of 2.6 cm (1.8–4.6). The procedures were successfully performed in all 50 patients. No device-related serious adverse events were reported. Surgeons rated as "excellent" (90%) or "sufficient" (10%) the exposure of the surgical site. Conclusions: This clinical trial shows that this new magnetic surgical system is safe and effective in reduced-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

http://ift.tt/2FbSD22

Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery 3.0: Lessons Learned From the History of Lung Cancer Surgery

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2FRq1MH

Volume Increases and Shared Decision-making in Joint Replacement Bundles

No abstract available

http://ift.tt/2F9P3VT

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Surgeons Performing Minimally Invasive Surgery: A Systematic Review

Objective: The aim of this study was to review musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevalence among surgeons performing minimally invasive surgery. Background: Advancements in laparoscopic surgery have primarily focused on enhancing patient benefits. However, compared with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery imposes greater ergonomic constraints on surgeons. Recent reports indicate a 73% to 88% prevalence of physical complaints among laparoscopic surgeons, which is greater than in the general working population, supporting the need to address the surgeons' physical health. Methods: To summarize the prevalence of MSDs among surgeons performing laparoscopic surgery, we performed a systematic review of studies addressing physical ergonomics as a determinant, and reporting MSD prevalence. On April 15 2016, we searched Pubmed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsychINFO. Meta-analyses were performed using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method. Results: We identified 35 articles, including 7112 respondents. The weighted average prevalence of complaints was 74% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 65–83]. We found high inconsistency across study results (I2 = 98.3%) and the overall response rate was low. If all nonresponders were without complaints, the prevalence would be 22% (95% CI 16–30). Conclusions: From the available literature, we found a 74% prevalence of physical complaints among laparoscopic surgeons. However, the low response rates and the high inconsistency across studies leave some uncertainty, suggesting an actual prevalence of between 22% and 74%. Fatigue and MSDs impact psychomotor performance; therefore, these results warrant further investigation. Continuous changes are enacted to increase patient safety and surgical care quality, and should also include efforts to improve surgeons' well-being.

http://ift.tt/2FPajBp

The Global Incidence of Appendicitis: A Systematic Review of Population-based Studies

Objective: We compared the incidence of appendicitis or appendectomy across the world and evaluated temporal trends. Summary Background Data: Population-based studies reported the incidence of appendicitis. Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for population-based studies reporting the incidence of appendicitis or appendectomy. Time trends were explored using Poisson regression and reported as annual percent change (APC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). APC were stratified by time periods and pooled using random effects models. Incidence since 2000 was pooled for regions in the Western world. Results: The search retrieved 10,247 citations with 120 studies reporting on the incidence of appendicitis or appendectomy. During the 21st century the pooled incidence of appendicitis or appendectomy (in per 100,000 person-years) was 100 (95% CI: 91, 110) in Northern America, and the estimated number of cases in 2015 was 378,614. The pooled incidence ranged from 105 in Eastern Europe to 151 in Western Europe. In Western countries, the incidence of appendectomy steadily decreased since 1990 (APC after 1989=−1.54; 95% CI: −2.22, −0.86), whereas the incidence of appendicitis stabilized (APC=−0.36; 95% CI: −0.97, 0.26) for both perforated (APC=0.95; 95% CI: −0.25, 2.17) and nonperforated appendicitis (APC=0.44; 95% CI: −0.84, 1.73). In the 21st century, the incidence of appendicitis or appendectomy is high in newly industrialized countries in Asia (South Korea pooled: 206), the Middle East (Turkey pooled: 160), and Southern America (Chile: 202). Conclusions: Appendicitis is a global disease. The incidence of appendicitis is stable in most Western countries. Data from newly industrialized countries is sparse, but suggests that appendicitis is rising rapidly.

http://ift.tt/2I0YLff

The Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Following Nonobstetric Surgery During Pregnancy: Estimates From a Retrospective Cohort Study of 6.5 Million Pregnancies

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the risk of adverse birth outcomes for women who underwent nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy compared with those who did not. Background: Previous research suggests that nonobstetric surgery occurs during 1% to 2% of pregnancies. However, there is limited evidence quantifying risks to the mother or pregnancy of such surgery. Methods: We examined maternity admissions using hospital administrative data collected between April 1, 2002, and March 31, 2012, and identified pregnancies wherein nonobstetric surgery occurred. We used logistic regression models to determine the adjusted relative risk, attributable risk, and number needed to harm of nonobstetric surgical procedures for adverse birth outcomes. Results: We identified 6,486,280 pregnancies. In 47,628 of these pregnancies, nonobstetric surgery had occurred. We found that nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes, although the attributable risk was generally low. We estimated that every 287 surgical operations were associated with 1 additional stillbirth, every 31 operations associated with 1 additional preterm delivery, every 39 operations associated with 1 additional low birth weight baby, every 25 operations associated with 1 additional caesarean section, and every 50 operations associated with 1 additional long inpatient stay. Conclusions: Although we have no means of disentangling the effect of the surgery from the effect of the underlying condition, we found that the risk associated with nonobstetric surgery was relatively low, confirming that surgical procedures during pregnancy are generally safe. We believe that our findings improve upon previous research, and are useful reference points for any discussion of risk with prospective patients.

http://ift.tt/2oO9NvE

New and safe formulation for scorpion immunotherapy: Comparative study between saponin and FCA adjuvants associated to attenuated venom

Publication date: 20 March 2018
Source:Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 13
Author(s): Abdelmounaim Nouri, Faez Amokrane Nait Mohamed, Fatima Laraba-Djebari
Envenoming by scorpion is a major health problem in Maghreb regions as well as in several regions of the world. Immunotherapy is the only effective treatment for scorpion stings. The immune sera are obtained from hyper-immunized animals with a formulation of venom associated to Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA). This formulation seems to protect against several alterations in immunized animals leading to worsening of their health due to added toxicity of native venom and FCA adjuvant. This study aims to provide a more efficient and non-toxic alternative to this formulation. Two formulations of saponin or FCA associated to irradiated venom of Androctonus australis hector (Aah) were used to compare their safety and their efficiency to better enhance the antibody titers against toxic antigens.Both of these formulations were used in immunization schedule of three months. Blood samples were collected every week, cell count, myeloperoxydase (MPO) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activities and specific antibody titers were evaluated. Four months after the last immunization, rabbits were challenged with increased doses of native Aah venom.Results showed that immunization with saponin formulation induced lower inflammatory cell activation as well as reduced MPO and EPO activities compared to that using FCA. The formulation of irradiated venom with saponin seems also to be more efficient in the activation of lymphocytes resulting in higher titers of specific IgG. The immunoprotective effect evaluation showed that the formulation using saponin seems to protected animals until 3 LD50 of native venom compared to that using FCA which protected only until 2 LD50. These results indicate that saponin formulation with irradiated antigen could be more efficient and safe immunizing preparation for the production of sera against scorpion envenomation.



http://ift.tt/2FdSDhJ

Immunization of pregnant cows with Shiga toxin-2 induces high levels of specific colostral antibodies and lactoferrin able to neutralize E. coli O157:H7 pathogenicity

Publication date: 20 March 2018
Source:Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 13
Author(s): Adriana Albanese, Flavia Sacerdoti, E. Abril Seyahian, Maria Marta Amaral, Gabriela Fiorentino, Romina Fernandez Brando, Daniel A. Vilte, Elsa C. Mercado, Marina S. Palermo, Angel Cataldi, Elsa Zotta, Cristina Ibarra
E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen responsible for bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The objective of the present work was to evaluate the ability of colostral IgG obtained from Stx2-immunized cows to prevent against E. coli O157:H7 infection and Stx2 cytotoxicity. Hyperimmune colostrum (HC) was obtained from cows intramuscularly immunized with inactivated Stx2 or vehicle for controls. Colostral IgG was purified by affinity chromatography. Specific IgG antibodies against Stx2 and bovine lactoferrin (bLF) levels in HC and the corresponding IgG (HC-IgG/bLF) were determined by ELISA. The protective effects of HC-IgG/bLF against Stx2 cytotoxicity and adhesion of E. coli O157:H7 and its Stx2-negative mutant were analyzed in HCT-8 cells. HC-IgG/bLF prevention against E. coli O157:H7 was studied in human colon and rat colon loops. Protection against a lethal dose of E. coli O157:H7 was evaluated in a weaned mice model. HC-IgG/bLF showed high anti-Stx2 titers and high bLF levels that were able to neutralize the cytotoxic effects of Stx2 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, HC-IgG/bLF avoided the inhibition of water absorption induced by E. coli O157:H7 in human colon and also the pathogenicity of E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli O157:H7Δstx2 in rat colon loops. Finally, HC-IgG/bLF prevented in a 100% the lethality caused by E. coli O157:H7 in a weaned mice model. Our study suggests that HC-IgG/bLF have protective effects against E. coli O157:H7 infection. These beneficial effects may be due to specific anti-Stx2 neutralizing antibodies in combination with high bLF levels. These results allow us to consider HC-IgG/bLF as a nutraceutical tool which could be used in combination with balanced supportive diets to prevent HUS. However further studies are required before recommendations can be made for therapeutic and clinical applications.



http://ift.tt/2oD4908

Editorial Board/Aims and Scope

Publication date: 20 March 2018
Source:Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 13





http://ift.tt/2oEVzxA

The evolution of immunization waiver education in Michigan: A qualitative study of vaccine educators

Publication date: 20 March 2018
Source:Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 13
Author(s): Mark C. Navin, Andrea T. Kozak, Emily C. Clark
BackgroundIn 2015, Michigan implemented an education requirement for parents who requested nonmedical exemptions from school or daycare immunization mandates. Michigan required parents to receive education from public health staff, unlike other states, whose vaccine education requirements could be completed online or at physicians' offices.Methods and FindingsResults of focus group interviews with 39 of Michigan's vaccine waiver educators, conducted during 2016 and 2017, were analyzed to identify themes describing educators' experiences of waiver education. The core theme that emerged from the data was that educators changed their perception of the purpose of waiver education, from convincing vaccine-refusing parents to vaccinate their children to promoting more diffuse and forward-looking goals.ConclusionsMichigan, and other communities that require vaccine waiver education, ought to investigate whether and how waiver education contributes to public health goals other than short-term vaccination compliance. Research shows that education requirements can decrease nonmedical exemption rates by discouraging some parents from applying for exemptions, but further studies are needed to identify ways in which waiver education can promote other public health goals, while minimizing costs and burdens on staff.



http://ift.tt/2H3RsSN

Evaluation of vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 outbreak response options: A randomized controlled trial, Karachi, Pakistan

Publication date: 20 March 2018
Source:Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 13
Author(s): Ali Faisal Saleem, Mohammad Tahir Yousafzai, Ondrej Mach, Asia Khan, Farheen Quadri, William C. Weldon, M. Steven Oberste, Syed S. Zaidi, Muhammad M. Alam, Roland W. Sutter, Anita K.M. Zaidi
BackgroundOutbreaks of circulating vaccine derived polioviruses type 2 (cVDPV2) remain a risk to poliovirus eradication in an era without live poliovirus vaccine containing type 2 in routine immunization. We evaluated existing outbreak response strategies recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for control of cVDPV2 outbreaks.MethodsSeronegative children for poliovirus type 2 (PV2) at 22 weeks of life were assigned to one of four study groups and received respectively (1) one dose of trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (tOPV); (2) monovalent OPV 2 (mOPV2); (3) tOPV together with a dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV); or (4) mOPV2 with monovalent high-potency IPV type 2. Stool and blood samples were collected and assessed for presence of PV2 (stool) and anti-polio antibodies (sera).ResultsWe analyzed data from 265 children seronegative for PV2. Seroconversion to PV2 was achieved in 48, 76, 98 and 100% in Groups 1–4 respectively. mOPV2 was more immunogenic than tOPV alone (p < 0.001); and OPV in combination with IPV was more immunogenic than OPV alone (p < 0.001). There were 33%, 67%, 20% and 43% PV2 excretors in Groups 1–4 respectively. mOPV2 resulted in more prevalent shedding of PV2 than when tOPV was used (p < 0.001); and tOPV together with IPV resulted in lower excretion of PV2 than tOPV alone (p = 0.046).ConclusionmOPV2 was a more potent vaccine than tOPV. Adding IPV to OPV improved immunological response; adding IPV also seemed to have shortened the duration of PV2 shedding. mIPV2 did not provide measurable improvement of immune response when compared to conventional IPV. WHO recommendation to use mOPV2 as a vaccine of first choice in cVDPV2 outbreak response was supported by our findings.Clinical Trial registry number: NCT02189811.



http://ift.tt/2oGMzs5

Acceptability of intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine, influenza knowledge and vaccine intent in The Gambia

Publication date: 20 March 2018
Source:Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 13
Author(s): Edwin P. Armitage, Janko Camara, Sulayman Bah, Alice S. Forster, Ed Clarke, Beate Kampmann, Thushan I. de Silva
BackgroundThe burden of influenza is increasingly recognised in Africa. The WHO recommends introducing influenza vaccination to high-risk groups: pregnant women, children <5 years, and the elderly. The Gambia currently has no influenza vaccination policy, but the NASIMMUNE study, a clinical trial of intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV) in young children provided an opportunity to study maternal attitudes towards LAIV for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa. We assess acceptability of LAIV, influenza knowledge and attitudes towards influenza vaccination in Gambian women. Additionally, we investigate predictors of willingness to receive influenza vaccine (intent) in pregnancy or seasonally for children <5.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in Gambian women at two urban health facilities. To assess LAIV acceptability, the exposure group (women whose children had received LAIV during the NASIMMUNE study) were compared to a control group (women whose children were not enrolled in the NASIMMUNE study). Demographics and health belief constructs were analysed as predictors of influenza knowledge and vaccine intent.FindingsThe exposure group (n = 150) expressed a higher preference for a nasal spray vaccine than an injection compared to the control group (n = 304) (93.3% vs. 34.9%, OR = 26.15, p < 0.0001). Those in the exposure group who preferred the nasal spray found it less distressing, safer or equally safe, and easier or equally easy to give (all p < 0.001) than injections. Influenza knowledge increased with education level (p = 0.006 for higher education vs. none), and varied between sites (p = 0.0005). Vaccine intent was >98%, but no association with influenza knowledge or difference between groups was observed. Various health belief constructs were associated with vaccine intent.ConclusionLAIV acceptability was higher in those with first-hand experience. Influenza vaccine intent was also high. Incorporation of seasonal LAIV into the childhood immunisation schedule in The Gambia would be feasible, particularly if combined with community-based health education.



http://ift.tt/2H0qcoa

Post-licensure safety monitoring of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), 2009–2015

Publication date: 20 March 2018
Source:Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 13
Author(s): Jorge E. Arana, Theresa Harrington, Maria Cano, Paige Lewis, Adamma Mba-Jonas, Li Rongxia, Brock Stewart, Lauri E. Markowitz, Tom T. Shimabukuro
BackgroundThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (4vHPV) for use in females and males aged 9–26 years, since 2006 and 2009 respectively. We characterized reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a US spontaneous reporting system, in females and males who received 4vHPV vaccination.MethodsWe searched VAERS for US reports of adverse events (AEs) following 4vHPV from January 2009 through December 2015. Signs and symptoms were coded using Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA). We calculated reporting rates and conducted empirical Bayesian data mining to identify disproportional reports. Clinicians reviewed available information, including medical records, and reports of selected pre-specified conditions.FindingsVAERS received 19,760 reports following 4vHPV; 60.2% in females, 17.2% in males, and in 22.6% sex was missing. Overall, 94.2% of reports were non-serious; dizziness, syncope and injection site reactions were commonly reported in both males and females. Headache, fatigue and nausea were commonly reported serious AEs. More than 60 million 4vHPV doses were distributed during the study period. Crude AE reporting rates were 327 reports per million 4vHPV doses distributed for all reports, and 19 per million for serious reports. Among 29 verified reports of death, there was no pattern of clustering of deaths by diagnosis, co-morbidities, age, or interval from vaccination to death.InterpretationNo new or unexpected safety concerns or reporting patterns of 4vHPV with clinically important AEs were detected. Safety profile of 4vHPV is consistent with data from pre-licensure trials and postmarketing safety data.



http://ift.tt/2oEw2EW

Vaccine safety testing using magnetic resonance imaging in suckling pigs

Publication date: 20 March 2018
Source:Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 13
Author(s): Maren Bernau, Bernd Große Liesner, Sebastian Schwanitz, Ann-Sophie Kraus, Almuth Falkenau, Miriam Leipig-Rudolph, Walter Hermanns, Armin Manfred Scholz
Safety testing is one major part of the licensing procedure for veterinary vaccines and demands a large number of animals. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was tested as an alternative, which may lead to a reduction in numbers of animals required for safety testing, and, correspondingly to a detailed description of the three-dimensional extent of the local tissue reaction repetitively in live pigs. In previous pig studies the following questions arose:(1) Can MRI be used in suckling pigs in terms of safety testing?(2) Does the injection of 2 ml saline solution lead to a volume effect resulting in tissue alterations comparable to a vaccine response?(3) Is the local reaction size affected by the tattoo marking of the injection point for the final pathomorphologic examination?To answer these questions the following study was performed by comparing two vaccine groups of suckling piglets (8 animals per group; A and B) with two control groups (4 animals per group; C and D). One control group was injected with a saline solution (C) and the other was only tattoo marked (D). The animals were examined using MRI at days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, and 43 post vaccination, ending with a final pathomorphologic examination. Pathomorphologic examination confirmed MRI findings. Saline solution does not result in a local tissue reaction as detected after injecting vaccines. Tattoo marking causes no local tissue reaction, neither in MRI nor in pathomorphologic examination. Therefore, MRI can be used as an alternative method for safety testing of vaccines in pigs of different age categories offering repetitive measurements of local tissue reactions. Involved cells might be examined only in a final pathomorphologic examination at the end of the trial on a reduced number of animals.



http://ift.tt/2Fcu7Oe

Single-case synthesis tools I: Comparing tools to evaluate SCD quality and rigor

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Research in Developmental Disabilities
Author(s): Kathleen N. Zimmerman, Jennifer R. Ledford, Katherine E. Severini, James E. Pustejovsky, Erin E. Barton, Blair P. Lloyd
Tools for evaluating the quality and rigor of single case research designs (SCD) are often used when conducting SCD syntheses. Preferred components include evaluations of design features related to the internal validity of SCD to obtain quality and/or rigor ratings. Three tools for evaluating the quality and rigor of SCD (Council for Exceptional Children, What Works Clearinghouse, and Single-Case Analysis and Design Framework) were compared to determine if conclusions regarding the effectiveness of antecedent sensory-based interventions for young children changed based on choice of quality evaluation tool. Evaluation of SCD quality differed across tools, suggesting selection of quality evaluation tools impacts evaluation findings. Suggestions for selecting an appropriate quality and rigor assessment tool are provided and across-tool conclusions are drawn regarding the quality and rigor of studies. Finally, authors provide guidance for using quality evaluations in conjunction with outcome analyses when conducting syntheses of interventions evaluated in the context of SCD.



http://ift.tt/2I3qFqY

Innate immunity gene expression by epithelial cells of upper respiratory tract in children with adenoid hypertrophy

A major role of the innate immunity in the defence of mucosal tissue is well established. However, a balance between the main components of the immunity such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) and defensins in the pathology of upper respiratory tract in children has not been addressed yet. Our aim was to investigate the gene expression of some TLRs as well as alpha and beta-defensins in children suffered from adenoid hyperthrophy in comparison with healthy children.

http://ift.tt/2FchbaS

Treatment of pediatric esthesioneuroblastoma with smell preservation

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare malignant tumor of neuroectodermal origin and represents the most common cancer of the nasal cavity in pediatric age. The gold standard of treatment consists of en bloc resection, numerous studies have shown as the endoscopic approaches permit good control of the disease improving the quality of life after the treatment. Herein we describe the case of a 13-year-old patient referred to our outpatient clinic with a polypoid multi-lobed lesion occupying the left nasal cavity and imaging that confirmed a left-sided nasal mass without cribriform plate involvement (Kadish B).

http://ift.tt/2FPks14

Environmental factors associated with allergic rhinitis symptoms in Japanese university students: A cross-sectional study

Numerous studies have reported that various environmental factors during early life are key determinants for developing allergic disease. Herein, we aimed to investigate the impact of environmental factors on allergic rhinitis.

http://ift.tt/2Fa33za

Conservation of DNA and Ligand Binding Properties of Retinoid X Receptor from the Placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens to human

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Author(s): Adam M. Reitzel, Jason Macrander, Daniel Mane-Padros, Bin Fang, Frances M. Sladek, Ann M. Tarrant
Nuclear receptors are a superfamily of transcription factors restricted to animals. These transcription factors regulate a wide variety of genes with diverse roles in cellular homeostasis, development, and physiology. The origin and specificity of ligand binding within lineages of nuclear receptors (e.g., subfamilies) continues to be a focus of investigation geared toward understanding how the functions of these proteins were shaped over evolutionary history. Among early-diverging animal lineages, the retinoid X receptor (RXR) is first detected in the placozoan, Trichoplax adhaerens. To gain insight into RXR evolution, we characterized ligand- and DNA-binding activity of the RXR from T. adhaerens (TaRXR). Like bilaterian RXRs, TaRXR specifically bound 9-cis-retinoic acid, which is consistent with a recently published result and supports a conclusion that the ancestral RXR bound ligand. DNA binding site specificity of TaRXR was determined through protein binding microarrays (PBMs) and compared with human RXRɑ. The binding sites for these two RXR proteins were broadly conserved (~85% shared high-affinity sequences within a targeted array), suggesting evolutionary constraint for the regulation of downstream genes. We searched for predicted binding motifs of the T. adhaerens genome within 1000 bases of annotated genes to identify potential regulatory targets. We identified 648 unique protein coding regions with predicted TaRXR binding sites that had diverse predicted functions, with enriched processes related to intracellular signal transduction and protein transport. Together, our data support hypotheses that the original RXR protein in animals bound a ligand with structural similarity to 9-cis-retinoic acid; the DNA motif recognized by RXR has changed little in more than 1 billion years of evolution; and the suite of processes regulated by this transcription factor diversified early in animal evolution.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2oKuicu

[Solitary fibrous tumor: A clinical case].

[Solitary fibrous tumor: A clinical case].

Neurocirugia (Astur). 2018 Feb 26;:

Authors: Mansilla Fernández B, Román de Aragón M, Paz Solís JF, García Feijoo P, Roda Frade J, Regojo Zapata MR

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Solitary fibrous tumor (TFS) is a rare tumor of mesenchymal origin, located mainly in the pleura. It is extraordinarily infrequent find it at the intraespinal level, being the thoracic region the most frequent.
CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 48-year-old patient with progressive ascending lower limb and myelopathy of one month of evolution, with intraspinal location at the D3-D4 level. It was surgically operated by posterior dorsal approach and D3-D4 laminoplasty, with an intradural tumor with an intramedullary component of approximately 18×12mm. The resection was complete and the pathological anatomy gave the diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor. The patient is currently asymptomatic.
DISCUSSION: Complete tumor resection and histopathological features are the main prognostic factors. Surgery have a main role in this type of neoplasia.
CONCLUSION: There are few case published of solitary fibrous tumor with intraspinal localization. We apport another case to the literature.

PMID: 29496403 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://ift.tt/2oEq8ng

Extraction and identification of α-amylase inhibitor peptides from Nephelium lappacheum and Nephelium mutabile seed protein using gastro-digestive enzymes

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Peptides
Author(s): Natashya Anak Evaristus, Wan Nadiah Wan Abdullah, Chee-Yuen Gan
The potential of N. lappacheum and N. mutabile seed as a source of α-amylase inhibitor peptides was explored based on the local traditional practice of using the seed. Different gastro-digestive enzymes (i.e. pepsin or chymotrypsin) or a sequential digestion were used to extract the peptides. The effects of digestion time and enzyme to substrate (E:S) ratio on the α-amylase inhibitory activity were investigated. Results showed that chymotrypsin was effective in producing the inhibitor peptides from rambutan seed protein at E:S ratio 1:20 for 1 h, whereas pepsin was more effective for pulasan seed protein under the same condition. A total of 20 and 31 novel inhibitor peptides were identified, respectively. These peptides could bind with the subsites of α-amylase (i.e. Trp58, Trp59, Tyr62, Asp96, Arg195, Asp197, Glu233, His299, Asp300, and His305) and formed a sliding barrier that preventing the formation of enzyme/substrate intermediate leading to lower α-amylase activity.



http://ift.tt/2F9HTF7

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for multiple pulmonary oligometastases: Analysis of number and timing of repeat SBRT as impact factors on treatment safety and efficacy

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): R.J. Klement, J. Hoerner-Rieber, S. Adebahr, N. Andratschke, O. Blanck, J. Boda-Heggemann, M. Duma, M.J. Eble, H.C. Eich, M. Flentje, S. Gerum, P. Hass, C. Henkenberens, G. Hildebrandt, D. Imhoff, K.H. Kahl, N.D. Klass, R. Krempien, F. Lohaus, C. Petersen, E. Schrade, T.G. Wendt, A. Wittig, M. Guckenberger
BackgroundStereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for oligometastatic disease is characterized by an excellent safety profile; however, experiences are mostly based on treatment of one single metastasis. It was the aim of this study to evaluate safety and efficacy of SBRT for multiple pulmonary metastases.Patients and methodsThis study is based on a retrospective database of the DEGRO stereotactic working group, consisting of 637 patients with 858 treatments. Cox regression and logistic regression were used to analyze the association between the number of SBRT treatments or the number and the timing of repeat SBRT courses with overall survival (OS) and the risk of early death.ResultsOut of 637 patients, 145 patients were treated for multiple pulmonary metastases; 88 patients received all SBRT treatments within one month whereas 57 patients were treated with repeat SBRT separated by at least one month. Median OS for the total patient population was 23.5 months and OS was not significantly influenced by the overall number of SBRT treatments or the number and timing of repeat SBRT courses. The risk of early death within 3 and 6 months was not increased in patients treated with multiple SBRT treatments, and no grade 4 or grade 5 toxicity was observed in these patients.ConclusionsIn appropriately selected patients, synchronous SBRT for multiple pulmonary oligometastases and repeat SBRT may have a comparable safety and efficacy profile compared to SBRT for one single oligometastasis.



http://ift.tt/2H4jnSD

Combined Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Tuberculosis in an Irish Adolescent Female

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology, which can affect any organ system. Tuberculosis (TB) is a common infection in SLE because of immune dysregulation associated with the latter. We report a case of an adolescent female who presented with a year's history of polyarticular arthralgia and fever. Physical examination revealed a large left effusion that needed drainage. Investigations revealed a combined diagnosis of SLE and TB. Management comprised quadruple anti-TB therapy and SLE treatment. She made a steady recovery and has maintained a stable state from the lupus perspective.

http://ift.tt/2FQNEon

Influence of ALA-mediated photodynamic therapy on secretion of interleukins 6, 8 and 10 by colon cancer cells in vitro

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Aleksandra Kawczyk-Krupka, Zenon Czuba, Wojciech Latos, Katarzyna Wasilewska, Thomas Verwanger, Barbara Krammer, Aleksander Sieroń
BackgroundPhotodynamic therapy has apart from a direct cytotoxic effect also immunomodulatory properties. The aim of our study was to investigate how photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-PDT) in sublethal doses influences the secretion of interleukins 6, 8 and 10 from colon cancer cells in vitro.MethodsWe used two human colon cancer cell lines SW480 and SW620 of different malignancies which were treated with a sublethal PDT protocol. Determination of interleukins was carried out using the Bio- Plex Assay Pro™ kit on the Bio- Plex Suspension Array System.ResultsSublethal ALA-PDT did not affect IL-6 secretion by SW480 cells, but caused a 40% decrease of IL-6 release by the SW620 cell line. It increased IL-8 secretion in both, the SW480 and SW620 cell lines, by 23% and 46%, respectively, and decreased the production of IL-10 (25% in SW480 and 32% in SW620 cells).ConclusionsALA-PDT in sublethal doses might influence colon cancer cell's progression and invasion by reducing the secretion of IL-6, IL-10 and increasing the IL-8 concentration with higher values in the more malignant cells.



http://ift.tt/2FmpDb5

Total Plasma Exchange in Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced Pancreatitis: Case Report and Literature Review

Objective. To emphasize the role of apheresis in management of pancreatitis. Methods. The clinical course of a patient admitted for hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis (HTGP) complicated by multiorgan dysfunction is described, who demonstrated dramatic improvement in his clinical status after total plasma exchange (TPE). In addition, the current guidelines for TPE and the alternative treatment options for HTGP are also presented. Results. A patient presenting with pancreatitis associated with severe systemic inflammatory response was admitted to our hospital with an initial triglyceride level of 1181 mg/dL. Given the patient's worsening clinical condition, he was started on TPE with a rapid fall in his serum TG levels, in turn leading to early clinical recovery. Conclusion. Though various therapeutic options for the treatment of HTGP are described in literature, there are no set guidelines available to tackle this difficult clinical situation. TPE, albeit not very well known in this context, is one of the many therapies available. Though it leads to a rapid, precipitous fall in the TG levels and early symptom resolution, the data about the long-term morbidity as well as the effectiveness of this therapy is still lacking.

http://ift.tt/2teSlFT

Infective Endocarditis in a Young Adult due to Lactococcus lactis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a condition mainly associated with valvular disease or prosthetic valve and intravenous drug use as a risk factor. Here, we describe a rare case of a previously healthy patient with endocarditis due to Lactococcus lactis associated with cattle contact, where antibiotic treatment resulted in full recovery.

http://ift.tt/2FhIiVx

A Seizure and Hemiplegia following Contrast Exposure: Understanding Contrast-Induced Encephalopathy

Contrast-induced encephalopathy is a rare, reversible phenomenon known to occur after intravenous or intra-arterial contrast exposure. This report describes a case involving a 73-year-old female admitted for an elective thoracic aortic aneurysm repair. During the procedure, a large volume of nonionic iodinated contrast was necessary for arteriography. Postoperatively, the patient developed seizure activity followed by left-sided hemiplegia. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain without contrast and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were negative for acute stroke but did show residual contrast surrounding the brain. Antiepileptic medications were administered with resolution of the seizure activity. The patient was treated with supportive management and improved to baseline over the next seven days. This case demonstrates a rare, nonionic iodinated contrast-induced encephalopathy with seizure activity and transient hemiplegia. The unique imaging findings differentiate it from other neurologic conditions.

http://ift.tt/2taIXTI

Low Frequency repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Potential role in treatment of patients with hemispheric cerebellar strokes

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:Brain Stimulation
Author(s): Isabelle Buard, Jean M. Berliner, Benzi M. Kluger




http://ift.tt/2I1d03u

Has the question “Number of pulses or number of sessions for rTMS in major depression” been answered adequately?

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:Brain Stimulation
Author(s): Christos Theleritis, Constantin R. Soldatos




http://ift.tt/2oNhSAI

Detection of GSK-3β activation index in pediatric chronic tonsillitis is an indicator for chronic recurrent inflammation

Chronic tonsillitis (TC) is among the most common bacterial diseases in pediatric otolaryngology. We aimed to evaluate the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) in a cohort of children with chronic tonsillitis (TC), and the correlation between GSK-3β activity index and inflammatory profiles of TC.

http://ift.tt/2GXN6wn

Dynamic imaging with sialography combined with sialendoscopy to manage a foreign body in Stensen's duct

We describe sialography as a dynamic imaging modality useful in establishing the diagnosis and planning for treatment of a parotid gland ductal foreign body.

http://ift.tt/2F9sCo7

Transoral robotic excision of laryngeal papillomas with Flex® Robotic System — A novel surgical approach

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis results in hoarseness, stridor and airway obstruction. Management is surgical, with most surgeons using microdebrider or laser. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has been successfully utilised for the excision of oropharyngeal malignancies and paediatric airway surgery. This is the first case report of TORS being used for the excision of laryngeal papillomas.

http://ift.tt/2CXbf3E

Does blindness affect ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials?

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of blindness on ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMP) responses.

http://ift.tt/2FbspjY

An autoregulatory loop controls the expression of the transcription factor NF-Y

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Gene Regulatory Mechanisms
Author(s): Silvia Belluti, Valentina Semeghini, Valentina Basile, Giovanna Rigillo, Valentina Salsi, Filippo Genovese, Diletta Dolfini, Carol Imbriano
The heterotrimeric NF-Y complex is a pioneer factor that binds to CCAAT-genes and regulates their transcription. NF-Y cooperates with multiple transcription factors and co-regulators in order to positively or negatively influence gene transcription. The recruitment of NF-Y to CCAAT box is significantly enriched in cancer-associated gene promoters loci and positively correlates with malignancy. NF-Y subunits, in particular the DNA-binding subunit NF-YA and the histone-fold subunit NF-YC, appear overexpressed in specific types of cancer.Here we demonstrate that NF-Y subunits expression is finely regulated through transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms thus allowing control over basal expression levels. NF-Y negatively regulates the transcription of the genes encoding for its subunits. DNA pull-down/affinity purification assay coupled with Mass Spectrometry identified putative co-regulators, such as Lamin A, involved in NF-YA gene transcription level. We also evidentiate how the stability of the complex is severely affected by the absence of one subunit.Our results identified for the first time one of the mechanisms responsible for NF-Y expression, which may be involved in the aberrant expression and activity observed in tumor cells and other pathological conditions.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2CWdODi

Revealing the neural time-course of direct gaze processing via spatial frequency manipulation of faces

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Inês Mares, Marie L. Smith, Mark H. Johnson, Atsushi Senju
Direct gaze is a powerful social cue signalling the attention of another person toward oneself. Here we investigated the relevance of low spatial frequency (LSF) and high spatial frequency (HSF) in facial cues for direct gaze processing. We identified two distinct peaks in the ERP response, the N170 and N240 components. These two components were related to different stimulus conditions and influenced by different spatial frequencies. In particular, larger N170 and N240 amplitudes were observed for direct gaze than for averted gaze, but only in the N240 component was this effect modulated by spatial frequency, where it was reliant in LSF information. By contrast, larger N170 and N240 components were observed for faces than for non-facial stimuli, but this effect was only modulated by spatial frequency in the N170 component, where it relied on HSF information. The present study highlights the existence of two functionally distinct components related to direct gaze processing.



http://ift.tt/2oLCtFo

Don’t judge me: Psychophysiological evidence of gender differences to social evaluative feedback

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt, Rudi De Raedt, Selene Nasso, Louise Puttevils, Sven C. Mueller
Human beings have a basic need for esteemed social connections, and receiving negative self-evaluative feedback induces emotional distress. The aim of the current study is to measure eye movements (a physiological marker of attention allocation) and pupillary responses (a physiological marker of cognitive and emotional processing) as online and objective indices of participants' reaction to positive/negative social evaluations from the same or opposite sex. Following the paradigm, subjective mood ratings and heart rate variability (HRV) – as an objective index of regulatory effort- were measured. Results demonstrate clear gender-specific results in all measures. Eye-movements demonstrate that male participants respond more with other-focused attention (and specifically to male participants), whereas women respond more with self-focused attention following negative social evaluative feedback. Pupillary responses show that social evaluative feedback is specifically eliciting cognitive/affective processes in male participants to regulate emotional responses when provided by the opposite gender. Finally, following the paradigm, female (as compared to male) participants were more subjectively reactive to the paradigm (i.e., self-reports), and were less able to engage contextual- and goal related regulatory control of emotional responses (reduced HRV). Although the current study focused on psychiatrically healthy young adults, results may contribute to our understanding of sex differences in internalizing mental problems, such as rumination.



http://ift.tt/2I14qBO

Heavy metals in soils and sediments from Dongting Lake in China: occurrence, sources, and spatial distribution by multivariate statistical analysis

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in soils/sediments and its impact on human health and ecological environment have aroused wide concerns. Our study investigated 30 samples of soils and sediments around Dongting Lake to analyze the concentration of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the samples and to distinguish the natural and anthropogenic sources. Also, the relationship between heavy metals and the physicochemical properties of samples was studied by multivariate statistical analysis. Concentration of Cd at most sampling sites were more than five times that of national environmental quality standard for soil in China (GB 15618-1995), and Pb and Zn levels exceeded one to two times. Moreover, Cr in the soil was higher than the national environmental quality standards for one to two times while in sediment was lower than the national standard. The investigation revealed that the accumulations of As, Cd, Mn, and Pb in the soils, and sediments were affected apparently by anthropogenic activities; however, Cr, Fe, and Ni levels were impacted by parent materials. Human activities around Dongting Lake mainly consisted of industrial activities, mining and smelting, sewage discharges, fossil fuel combustion, and agricultural chemicals. The spatial distribution of heavy metal in soil followed the rule of geographical gradient, whereas in sediments, it was significantly affected by the river basins and human activities. The result of principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that heavy metals in soils were associated with pH and total phosphorus (TP), while in sediments, As, Cr, Fe, and Ni were closely associated with cation exchange capacity (CEC) and pH, where Pb, Zn, and Cd were associated with total nitrogen (TN), TP, total carbon (TC), moisture content (MC), soil organic matter (SOM), and ignition lost (IL). Our research provides comprehensive approaches to better understand the potential sources and the fate of contaminants in lakeshore soils and sediments.

http://ift.tt/2FQQMAT

Meta-Analysis of Renal Function Following Suprarenal or Infrarenal Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Author(s): Philip W. Stather, James Ferguson, Ayoola Awopetu, Jonathan R. Boyle
Objective/BackgroundThe effect of suprarenal (SR) as opposed to infrarenal (IR) fixation on renal outcomes post-endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) remains controversial. This meta-analysis aims to update current understanding of this issue.MethodsA prior meta-analysis was updated through a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses search for additional studies published in the last 3 years reporting on renal dysfunction or related outcomes post-EVAR. Random effects meta-analysis was undertaken using SPSS.ResultsA total of 25 non-randomised studies comparing SR with IR fixation were included, totalling 54,832 patients. In total, 16,634 underwent SR and 38,198 IR. Baseline characteristics, including age, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, diabetes, cardiac disease, and smoking, were similar between the groups. There was a small but significant difference in outcomes for renal dysfunction at the study end point (SR 5.98% vs. IR 4.83%; odds ratio [OR] 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–1.40 [p < .001]); however, at 30 days and 12 months there was no significant difference, and this did not hold up to sensitivity analysis. Incidence of renal infarcts (SR 6.6% vs. IR 2.3%; OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.46–5.29 [p = .002]), renal stenosis (SR 2.4% vs. IR 0.8%; OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.00–8.38 [p = .05]), and renal artery occlusion (SR 2.4% vs. IR 1.2%; OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.15–4.25 [p = 0.02]) favoured IR fixation; however, there was no difference in haemodialysis rates.ConclusionThis meta-analysis has identified small but significantly worse renal outcomes in patients having SR fixation devices compared with IR; however, there was no difference in dialysis rates and a small effect on renal dysfunction, which did not stand up to rigorous sensitivity analysis. This should be taken into consideration during graft selection, and further studies must assess renal outcomes in the longer term, and in those with pre-existing renal dysfunction.



http://ift.tt/2tiad2W

Prevalence of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in the General Population and in Subgroups at High Cardiovascular Risk in Italy. Results of the RoCAV Population Based Study

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Author(s): Francesco Gianfagna, Giovanni Veronesi, Matteo Tozzi, Antonino Tarallo, Rossana Borchini, Marco M. Ferrario, Lorenza Bertù, Andrea Montonati, Patrizio Castelli
ObjectivesPrevalence data on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in women, subjects younger than 65 years and in subgroups carrying specific risk factors are scarce. AAA prevalence was evaluated in an Italian population including women and younger subjects, stratifying for the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and CVD risk score.Materials and methodsA population based cross-sectional study was conducted between 2013 and 2016. Men aged 50–75 and women aged 60–75 years, resident in the city of Varese (northern Italy), were randomly selected from the civil registry. A vascular surgeon performed an abdominal aortic ultrasound scan at four sites using the leading edge to leading edge method. CVD risk score was computed using the ESC-SCORE algorithm. The age and gender specific prevalence was estimated, stratifying by the presence of CVD and cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsAmong the 3755 subjects with a valid ultrasound measurement, 63 subjects with an AAA were identified (5 referred for surgical intervention), among whom 34 were not previously known (30 men 1.3%, 95% CI 0.9–1.8; 4 women 0.3%, 95% CI 0.1–0.8). Considering age classes in men only, the highest prevalence of screen detected AAA was found in subjects aged 65–70 (1.2%; 95% CI 0.4–2.5) and 70–75 (2.5%; 95% CI 1.4–4.0) years. Among 65–75 year old men, the highest AAA prevalence was found in subjects with a previous myocardial infarction (MI 4.9%, 95% CI 2.0–9.9) and in ever-smokers reporting more than 15 pack years of smoking (4.1%, 95% CI 2.5–6.3). Among the younger subjects, those having an ESC-SCORE higher than 5% or a previous CVD (MI or stroke) showed a prevalence of 1.4% (95% CI 0.3–4.2; prevalence including subaneurysms 6.7%, 95% CI 3.7–11.0%).ConclusionsIn the study population, both a general screening program in 65–75 year old men and an approach targeted to subgroups at higher risk merit evaluation in a cost-effectiveness study. In 50–64 year old men, strategies for population selection should consider CVD risk stratification tools.



http://ift.tt/2FjF43H

Local mechanisms regulating selective cargo entry and long-range trafficking in axons

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 51
Author(s): Laura F Gumy, Casper C Hoogenraad
The polarized long-distance transport of neuronal cargoes depends on the presence of functional and structural axonal subcompartments. Given the heterogeneity of neuronal cargoes, selective sorting and entry occurs in the proximal axon where multiple subcellular specializations such as the axon initial segment, the pre-axonal exclusion zone, the MAP2 pre-axonal filtering zone and the Tau diffusion barrier provide different levels of regulation. Cargoes allowed to pass through the proximal axon spread into the more distal parts. Recent findings show that diverse cargo distributions along the axon depend on the compartmentalized organization of the cytoskeleton and the local regulation of multiple motor proteins by microtubule associated proteins. In this review, we focus on the local mechanisms that control cargo motility and discuss how they play a role in the overall circulation of axonal cargoes.



http://ift.tt/2F94eml

The biological and behavioral computations that influence dopamine responses

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 49
Author(s): WR Stauffer
Phasic dopamine responses demonstrate remarkable simplicity; they code for the differences between received and predicted reward values. Yet this simplicity belies the subtle complexity of the psychological, computational, and contextual factors that influence this signal. Advances in behavioral paradigms and models, in monkeys and rodents, have demonstrated that phasic dopamine responses reflect numerous behavioral computations and factors including choice, subjective value, confidence, and context. The application of optogenetics has provided evidence that dopamine reward prediction error responses cause value learning. Furthermore, studies using advanced circuit tracing techniques have begun to uncover the biological network implementation of the reward learning algorithm. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in dopamine neurophysiology and synthesize an updated account of the behavioral function of dopamine signals.



http://ift.tt/2H0c8eb

Nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and critical appraisal

Publication date: Available online 8 February 2018
Source:Autoimmunity Reviews
Author(s): Maurizio Cutolo, Karin Melsens, Sara Wijnant, Francesca Ingegnoli, Kristof Thevissen, Filip De Keyser, Saskia Decuman, Ulf Müller-Ladner, Yves Piette, Valeria Riccieri, Nicola Ughi, Els Vandecasteele, Amber Vanhaecke, Vanessa Smith
Nailfold capillaroscopy is an easy, non-invasive technique to assess microvascular involvement in rheumatic diseases. Multiple studies describe capillaroscopic changes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including a wide range of non-specific findings. On behalf of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) study group on microcirculation in rheumatic diseases, a systematic review was done to obtain all original research studies (in English) in which SLE patients had capillaroscopy. Forty such studies are identified. This article firstly provides a résumé of the results of these studies according to capillaroscopic parameters (density, dimensions, morphology, haemorrhages), semi-quantitative assessment and qualitative assessment of capillaroscopy in SLE patients. Secondly, the correlations between capillaroscopic parameters in SLE patients and clinical and laboratory parameters (including auto-immune parameters) are outlined. The following capillaroscopic parameters are found to be significantly more prevalent in SLE patients compared to healthy controls: tortuous capillaries, abnormal morphology and haemorrhages. Hairpin-shaped capillaries are significantly less prevalent than in healthy persons. The semi-quantitatively determined nailfold capillaroscopic score (NFC score) in SLE patients is also higher than in healthy controls. Several correlations between clinical and laboratory parameters and capillaroscopic parameters are identified in the review. Disease activity is correlated with NFC score in seven studies, with abnormal morphology (i.e. "meandering") in one study and with haemorrhages in one study. Frequent attacks of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and gangrene are significantly correlated with dilated capillaries. In two studies a possible correlation between anti-SSA antibodies and lower density of capillaries is withheld. About other immune parameters conflicting results are found. In one study a significant negative correlation is found between 24-hour proteinuria and abnormal morphology (i.e. "meandering"). For the first time, an overview of the nailfold capillaroscopic changes that have been described in SLE and their correlations with clinical and laboratory findings is given. Further large-scale research on the identification of capillaroscopic changes in SLE and their correlations with standardised clinical and laboratory parameters, is ongoing at the EULAR study group on microcirculation in rheumatic diseases.



http://ift.tt/2GXGTR9

Prefabricated fibula free flap with dental implants for mandibular reconstruction

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases
Author(s): D. Pauchet, J.-L. Pigot, F. Chabolle, C.-A. Bach
Free fibula transplant is routinely used for mandibular reconstruction in head and neck cancer. Dental rehabilitation, the objective of mandibular reconstruction, requires the use of dental implants as supports for fixed or removable dentures. Positioning of fibular bone grafts and implants determines implant osseointegration and the possibilities of dental rehabilitation.Prefabrication of a fibula free flap with dental implants prior to harvesting as a free flap can promote implant osseointegration. The position of the implants must then be precisely planned.Virtual surgery and computer-assisted design and prefabrication techniques are used to plan the reconstruction and then reproduce this planning by means of tailored fibula and mandible cutting guides, thereby ensuring correct positioning of fibular bone fragments and implants.The prefabricated fibula free flap technique requires two surgical procedures (prefabrication and flap transfer) and precise preoperative planning.Prefabricated fibula free flap with dental implants, by improving the quality of osseointegration of the implants before flap transfer, extends the possibilities of prosthetic rehabilitation in complex secondary mandibular reconstructions.



http://ift.tt/2H2odjb

Nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and critical appraisal

Publication date: Available online 8 February 2018
Source:Autoimmunity Reviews
Author(s): Maurizio Cutolo, Karin Melsens, Sara Wijnant, Francesca Ingegnoli, Kristof Thevissen, Filip De Keyser, Saskia Decuman, Ulf Müller-Ladner, Yves Piette, Valeria Riccieri, Nicola Ughi, Els Vandecasteele, Amber Vanhaecke, Vanessa Smith
Nailfold capillaroscopy is an easy, non-invasive technique to assess microvascular involvement in rheumatic diseases. Multiple studies describe capillaroscopic changes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including a wide range of non-specific findings. On behalf of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) study group on microcirculation in rheumatic diseases, a systematic review was done to obtain all original research studies (in English) in which SLE patients had capillaroscopy. Forty such studies are identified. This article firstly provides a résumé of the results of these studies according to capillaroscopic parameters (density, dimensions, morphology, haemorrhages), semi-quantitative assessment and qualitative assessment of capillaroscopy in SLE patients. Secondly, the correlations between capillaroscopic parameters in SLE patients and clinical and laboratory parameters (including auto-immune parameters) are outlined. The following capillaroscopic parameters are found to be significantly more prevalent in SLE patients compared to healthy controls: tortuous capillaries, abnormal morphology and haemorrhages. Hairpin-shaped capillaries are significantly less prevalent than in healthy persons. The semi-quantitatively determined nailfold capillaroscopic score (NFC score) in SLE patients is also higher than in healthy controls. Several correlations between clinical and laboratory parameters and capillaroscopic parameters are identified in the review. Disease activity is correlated with NFC score in seven studies, with abnormal morphology (i.e. "meandering") in one study and with haemorrhages in one study. Frequent attacks of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and gangrene are significantly correlated with dilated capillaries. In two studies a possible correlation between anti-SSA antibodies and lower density of capillaries is withheld. About other immune parameters conflicting results are found. In one study a significant negative correlation is found between 24-hour proteinuria and abnormal morphology (i.e. "meandering"). For the first time, an overview of the nailfold capillaroscopic changes that have been described in SLE and their correlations with clinical and laboratory findings is given. Further large-scale research on the identification of capillaroscopic changes in SLE and their correlations with standardised clinical and laboratory parameters, is ongoing at the EULAR study group on microcirculation in rheumatic diseases.



http://ift.tt/2GXGTR9

Age-associated distribution of normal B-cell and plasma cell subsets in peripheral blood

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Elena Blanco, Martín Pérez-Andrés, Sonia Arriba-Méndez, Teresa Contreras-Sanfeliciano, Ignacio Criado, Ondrej Pelak, Ana Serra-Caetano, Alfonso Romero, Noemí Puig, Ana Remesal, Juan Torres Canizales, Eduardo López-Granados, Tomas Kalina, Ana E. Sousa, Menno Van Zelm, Mirjam Van der Burg, Jacques J.M. van Dongen, Alberto Orfao
BackgroundHumoral immunocompetence develops stepwise throughout life and contributes to individual susceptibility to infection, immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and neoplasia. Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH)-isotype serum levels can partly explain such age-related differences, but their relationship with the IgH-isotype distribution within memory B-cell (MBCs) and plasma cell (PCs) compartments remains to be investigated.ObjectiveWe studied the age-related distribution of MBCs and PCs expressing different IgH-isotypes, in addition to the immature/transitional and naive B-cell compartments.MethodsB-cell and PC subsets, and plasma IgH-isotype levels, were studied in cord blood (CB, n=19) and peripheral blood (n=215) from healthy donors aged 0-90y by flowcytometry and nephelometry, respectively.ResultsIgH-switched MBCs expressing IgG1,2,3 and IgA1,2 were already detected in CB and newborns at very low counts, while CD27⁺ IgM⁺⁺D⁺ MBCs only became detectable at 1-5months(m), remaining stable until 2-4y, and IgD MBCs peaked at 2-4y, both populations decreasing thereafter. MBCs expressing IgH-isotypes of the second IGH-constant (IGHC) gene-block (IgG1, IgG3 and IgA1) peaked later during childhood (2-4y), while MBCs expressing third IGHC gene-block Ig-isotypes (IgG2, IgG4 and IgA2) reached their maximum during adulthood. PCs were already detected in newborns, increasing until 6-11m for IgM, IgG1-3 and IgA1-2, until 2-4y for IgD and until 5-9y for IgG4, decreasing thereafter. For most IgH-isotypes (except IgD and IgG4), maximum plasma levels were reached after PCs and MBCs peaked.ConclusionsPCs reach maximum values early in life, followed by MBCs and plasma IgH-isotypes. Importantly, IgH-isotypes from different IGHC gene-blocks show different patterns, probably reflecting consecutive cycles of IgH-isotype-switch recombination through life.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2F9r5OB

Zika virus in Thailand

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:Microbes and Infection
Author(s): Sarawut Khongwichit, Nitwara Wikan, Prasert Auewarakul, Duncan R. Smith
This review examines the historic reports of the presence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Thailand, as well as collates such information as exists on the current situation in Thailand with regards to ZIKV. We suggest that considerable caution must be applied in interpreting early serological studies, but that ZIKV is presently circulating over much of Thailand, with increasing numbers of cases being reported.



http://ift.tt/2H1OaPE

Perspectives of a Most Pestilent Past1

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:Microbes and Infection
Author(s): Sophia Häfner, Erik Fumi
Article highlight based on "Bioluminescent tracing of a Yersinia pestis pCD1+-mutant and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in subcutaneously infected mice" by Yazhou Zhou et al.



http://ift.tt/2oE7T1i

Activation of neutrophils by Chlamydia trachomatis-infected epithelial cells is modulated by the chlamydial plasmid

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:Microbes and Infection
Author(s): Saskia Lehr, Juliane Vier, Georg Häcker, Susanne Kirschnek
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial agent of sexually transmitted disease world-wide. Chlamydia trachomatis primarily infects epithelial cells of the genital tract but the infection may be associated with ascending infection. Infection-associated inflammation can cause tissue damage resulting in female infertility and ectopic pregnancy. The precise mechanism of inflammatory tissue damage is unclear but earlier studies implicate the chlamydial cryptic plasmid as well as responding neutrophils. We here rebuilt the interaction of Chlamydia trachomatis-infected epithelial cells and neutrophils in-vitro. During infection of human (HeLa) or mouse (oviduct) epithelial cells with Chlamydia trachomatis, a soluble factor was produced that attracted neutrophils and prolonged neutrophil survival, independently of Toll-like receptor signaling but dependent on the chlamydial plasmid. A number of cytokines, but most strongly GM-CSF, were secreted at higher amounts from cells infected with plasmid-bearing, compared to plasmid-deficient, bacteria. Blocking GM-CSF removed the secreted pro-survival activity towards neutrophils. A second, neutrophil TNF-stimulatory activity was detected in supernatants, requiring MyD88 or TRIF independently of the plasmid. The results identify two pro-inflammatory activities generated during chlamydial infection of epithelial cells and suggest that the epithelial cell, partly through the chlamydial plasmid, can initiate a myeloid immune response and inflammation.



http://ift.tt/2H2TW3P

An overview of mosquito vectors of Zika virus

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:Microbes and Infection
Author(s): Sébastien Boyer, Elodie Calvez, Thais Chouin-Carneiro, Diawo Diallo, Failloux Anna-Bella
The mosquito-borne arbovirus Zika virus (ZIKV, Flavivirus, Flaviviridae), has caused an outbreak impressive by its magnitude and rapid spread. First detected in Uganda in Africa in 1947, from where it spread to Asia in the 1960s, it emerged in 2007 on the Yap Island in Micronesia and hit most islands in the Pacific region in 2013. Subsequently, ZIKV was detected in the Caribbean, and Central and South America in 2015, and reached North America in 2016. Although ZIKV infections are in general asymptomatic or causing mild self-limiting illness, severe symptoms have been described including neurological disorders and microcephaly in newborns. To face such an alarming health situation, WHO has declared Zika as an emerging global health threat. This review summarizes the literature on the main vectors of ZIKV (sylvatic and urban) across all the five continents with special focus on vector competence studies.Zika virus (ZIKV, Flavivirus, Flaviviridae) has caused an outbreak impressive by its magnitude and rapid spread. This review summarizes the literature on the main vectors of ZIKV (sylvatic and urban) across all the five continents with special focus on vector competence studies.



http://ift.tt/2oG6C9U

Challenge and threat states: examining cardiovascular, cognitive and affective responses to two distinct laboratory stress tasks

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Gavin P. Trotman, Sarah E. Williams, Mary L. Quinton, Jet J.C.S. Veldhuijzen van Zanten
BackgroundThe theory of challenge and threat states in athletes (TCTSA) proposes psychological antecedents will predict psychological and cardiovascular responses to stress. The present study investigated this theory in two contextually different stress tasks.Method78 males completed a computerised competition and a public speaking task. Cardiovascular activity was measured with impedance cardiography and a blood pressure monitor. Challenge and threat antecedents, indicators of challenge and threat and emotions were assessed pre- and post-tasks.ResultsBoth tasks induced significant perturbations in cardiovascular activity and were perceived as highly challenging. Reported perceived threat was higher in the public speaking task compared to the competition task. Associations between the proposed antecedents, self-report and cardiovascular indices of challenge and threat and emotions support the TCTSA for the competition task, but less so for the public speaking task.ConclusionThe TCTSA is supported during competitive stress, however during social stress there is dissociation between self-report appraisals and cardiovascular reactivity.



http://ift.tt/2Fmenvo

Rewarding images do not invoke the reward positivity: They inflate it

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Darin R. Brown, James F. Cavanagh
Increasing evidence suggests that the reward positivity conforms to an axiomatic reward prediction error – that is, it closely follows the rule-like encoding of surprising reinforcers. However, a major limitation in these EEG studies is the over-reliance on a single class of secondary rewards like points or money, constraining dimensionality and limiting generalizability. In the current suite of studies we address this limitation by leveraging different classes of rewards outcomes, specifically emotionally pleasant pictures. Over a series of three experiments, participants were able to choose idiosyncratically preferred pictures as rewards. During the first two experiments, participants were rewarded with either high or low points or high or low preferred pictures. The reward positivity was modulated by points, but not by pictures (regardless of preference), which instead evoked enhanced N2 amplitudes. In a third study that paired high/low points and preferred/non-preferred pictures, the point-induced reward positivity was inflated by the presence of a preferred picture. In line with past research stating the reward positivity is primarily sensitive to positive reward prediction error, this report finds that it is also influenced by a liking dimension, which possibly acts as an affective state to frame the motivational aspect of extrinsic rewards.



http://ift.tt/2tbbrwJ

Does practicing a skill with the expectation of teaching alter motor preparatory cortical dynamics?

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Marcos Daou, Keith R. Lohse, Matthew W. Miller
Recent evidence suggests practicing a motor skill with the expectation of teaching it enhances learning by increasing information processing during motor preparation. However, the specific motor preparatory processes remain unknown. The present study sought to address this shortcoming by employing EEG to assess participants' motor preparatory processes while they completed a golf putting pretest, and then practiced putting with the expectation of (a) teaching another participant how to putt the next day (teach group, n = 30), or (b) being tested on their putting the next day (test group, n = 30). Participants' EEG during the 3-s prior to and 1-s after initiating putter movement was analyzed. All participants completed posttests 1 day after the practice session. The teach group exhibited better posttest performance (superior learning) relative to the test group, but no group differences in motor preparatory processing (EEG) emerged. However, participants in both groups exhibited linear decreases in both theta power at frontal midline and upper-alpha power over motor areas during putt initiation. These results suggest a decrease in working memory and action monitoring (frontal midline theta), and an increase in motor programming (motor upper-alpha) during putt initiation. Further, participants in both groups exhibited increased frontal midline theta from pretest to practice, but decreases in both upper motor-alpha and upper-alpha coherence between left/right temporal and motor planning regions. These results suggest participants utilized working memory and action monitoring to a greater extent during practice relative to pretest, while refining their motor programming and verbal-analytic/visuospatial involvement in motor programming.



http://ift.tt/2FkqQQg

Heart rate variability is associated with thermal heat pain threshold in males, but not females

Publication date: Available online 2 March 2018
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Lincoln M. Tracy, Julian Koenig, Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis, Stephen J. Gibson, Melita J. Giummarra
Previous research has suggested that heart rate variability (HRV; the variability in the interval between successive heartbeats) can predict the perception of experimentally-induced pain (i.e., pain sensitivity). However, little research has sought to investigate sex-specific associations between HRV and pain sensitivity. This is an important consideration, given that sex differences in resting HRV have been observed, and there has been extensive debate about sex differences in sensitivity to experimentally-induced pain. We examined whether the association between resting HRV and sensitivity to experimentally-induced pain differed in men and women. Fifty-one pain free individuals (26 women, mean age = 21.9 years) participated. Resting electrocardiography (ECG) was collected during a paced breathing task (15 cycles per minute), and measures of HRV were extracted via Fast Fourier Transformation. Thermal heat pain threshold (i.e., the point at which the sensation was first perceived as painful, rather than warm) was measured with a Medoc Pathway Pain and Sensory Evaluation System. There were no sex differences in resting HRV or thermal heat pain threshold, nor did sex moderate the relationship between HRV and thermal heat pain threshold. However, there were significant positive relationships between thermal heat pain threshold and LF-HRV (r = 0.47), and HF-HRV (r = 0.43) in men, but not in women. The results suggest that higher pain threshold appears to be related to greater engagement of the inhibitory parasympathetic nervous system in men only, and that other biopsychosocial mechanisms may contribute to experimental pain experience in women. Future research is needed to study these mechanisms further, accounting for other factors known to influence nociceptive and cardiovascular regulatory processes (e.g., ethnicity, hormones).



http://ift.tt/2tc3wiF

GPS-identified vulnerabilities of savannah-woodland primates to leopard predation and their implications for early hominins

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Journal of Human Evolution, Volume 118
Author(s): Lynne A. Isbell, Laura R. Bidner, Eric K. Van Cleave, Akiko Matsumoto-Oda, Margaret C. Crofoot
Predation is thought to have been a key selection pressure in primate evolution, especially in the savannah-woodland habitats where several early hominin species lived. However, predator-primate prey relationships are still poorly understood because human presence often deters predators, limiting our ability to quantify the impact of predation. Synchronized high-resolution tracking of leopards (Panthera pardus), vervets (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), and olive baboons (Papio anubis) during a 14-month study in Kenya revealed that increased vulnerability to leopard predation was not associated with higher encounter rates, smaller body size, smaller group size, or greater distance from refuges, contrary to long-standing inferences. Instead, the initiation, rate, timing, and duration of encounters, outcome of approaches, and predation events showed only a diel pattern of differential vulnerability. In the absence of human observers, vervets were more vulnerable during the day, whereas baboons were more vulnerable at night, but overall neither species was more vulnerable than the other. As our results show that leopards avoided baboons during the day and hunted them at night, we suggest that the same pattern would have applied to hominins—because they were even larger than baboons and bipedal, resulting in similarly offensive capability on the ground during the day but poorer agility in the trees at night, especially as they became committed bipeds. Drawing from hominid behavior and archaeopaleontological and ethnographic evidence, we hypothesize that ground-sleeping hominins initially dealt with this formidable threat by using stone tools to modify Acacia branches into 'bomas', thorny enclosures that provided nighttime shelter. The ability of hominins to create their own nightly refuges on the ground wherever Acacia spp. were available would have allowed them to range more widely, a crucial step in furthering the spread of hominins across Africa and beyond.



http://ift.tt/2tgmEfz

Detection of GSK-3β activation index in pediatric chronic tonsillitis is an indicator for chronic recurrent inflammation

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:American Journal of Otolaryngology
Author(s): Gao Yunfei, Mi Jiaoping, Chen Fenghong, Liao Zhenpeng, Feng Xiaoshan, Lv Minghui, He Haixin, Cao Yujie, Yan Yan, Zhu Zhe, Fan Yunping, Hong Haiyu
PurposeChronic tonsillitis (TC) is among the most common bacterial diseases in pediatric otolaryngology. We aimed to evaluate the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) in a cohort of children with chronic tonsillitis (TC), and the correlation between GSK-3β activity index and inflammatory profiles of TC.Materials and methodsThe expression of GSK-3β was comparably evaluated between children with TC (n = 26) and tonsillar hypertrophy (TH, n = 26). GSK-3β expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. The inflammatory profiles between the TC and TH groups were also evaluated.ResultsWe found that while GSK-3β was highly expressed in both TC and TH groups, no significant difference were detected at mRNA and protein levels between groups. The protein level of p-GSK-3β was significantly lower in the TC group as compared to the TH group. Additionally, the inflammatory markers, including NF-κB, T-bet, and IFN-γ were higher in the TC group compared to TH group. The GSK-3β activation index was positively correlated with the levels of NF-κB, T-bet, and IFN-γ in the TC group.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that GSK-3β activation index was demonstrated to be a clinically applicable indicator for chronic recurrent inflammation in pediatric TC.



http://ift.tt/2thAiiC