Accounting for water levels and black carbon-inclusive sediment-water partitioning of organochlorines in Lesser Himalaya, Pakistan using two-carbon model

Abstract

This study was designed to monitor organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in riverine water of Lesser Himalaya along the altitude. Further, the sediment-water partitioning employing organic carbon and black carbon models were assessed. Results revealed higher water levels of organochlorine pesticides (0.07–41.4 ng L⁻¹) and polychlorinated biphenyls (0.671–84.5 ng L⁻¹) in Lesser Himalayan Region (LHR) of Pakistan. Spatially, elevated levels were observed in the altitudinal zone (737–975 masl) which is influenced by anthropogenic and industrial activities. Sediment-water partitioning of OCPs and PCBs were deduced using field data by employing one-carbon (f_OCK_OC) and two-carbon Freundlich models (f_OCK_OC + f_BCK_BCC_W^nF−1). Results suggested improved measured vs predicted model concentrations when black carbon was induced in the model and suggested adsorption to be the dominant mechanism in phase partitioning of organochlorines in LHR.

https://ift.tt/2HZarxP

The impacts of environmental governance on political turnover of municipal party secretary in China

Abstract

Political incentive is one of the most efficient methods to promote local officials to push for both economic growth and environmental progress in the context of China. Since previous scholars have never investigated the relationships between political turnover and environmental governance at the municipal level, in this work, we proxy pollution by SO₂, COD, SOOT, and NHx and examine whether environmental performance affects the political turnover of the municipal party secretary by exploiting a panel conditional logit with a fixed-effect model for the period 2002–2013. The results indicate that environmental performance does not significantly impact the turnover of municipal party secretaries, offering evidence that an increase of SO₂ is associated with the likelihood of promotion under the panel multinomial logit approach. However, a higher GDP growth rate plays the determinant factor affecting the promotion of China's municipal party secretaries. Specific policy recommendations are proposed in accordance with our empirical findings.

https://ift.tt/2K2P0kv

Micro-bubbles enhanced breakage warning for hollow fiber membrane integrity with a low-cost real-time monitoring device

Abstract

A low-cost device was developed to monitor the integrity of hollow fiber membrane by real-time online detecting and measuring air bubbles in the permeate flow. When a breakage occurs in the fiber membrane system, air bubbles will find their ways to enter the permeate flow. The monitoring device consists of two pairs of platinum probes attached to a pipe, along which the permeate flows. Membrane's breakage was identified by the voltage changes between the two pairs of probes when air bubbles in the permeate touch them. There was no addition of any other chemicals or materials into the system that would jeopardize final products of the membrane process. Experimental results showed that the voltage signal changes before and after a breach of membrane were obvious in the normal operation conditions. The smallest diameter of the bubbles that can be detected by the monitoring device was 50 μm, which was captured and identified with a high-speed camera. Furthermore, the sensitivity of device with two pairs of probes improved by 5~9% over that with one pair of probes. Finally, cost of the proposed device was roughly estimated only about 70 US dollars and the detection result was highly consistent with that obtained with the prevailing particle counters of several thousand US dollars.

https://ift.tt/2HUUEQF

Accessory bile duct: a rare but important anatomical variant

An 84-year-old man presented with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Following neoadjuvant chemoradiation, the patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy, complicated by early bile leak. Re-exploration and intraoperative cholangiogram identified an accessory common bile duct draining segment 5 of the right hepatic lobe, which was then ligated. The patient underwent a complicated postoperative course eventually developing sepsis secondary to biliary stasis. He elected for comfort measures and passed away secondary to complications of sepsis.

https://ift.tt/2JKZBBf

Identification of left ventricular chamber-like aneurysm related to cardiac sarcoidosis

Description

A 58-year-old woman was referred to us with an abnormal ECG, showing complete right bundle branch block and left anterior fascicular block. An echocardiogram showed left ventricular (LV) septal thinning and hinted at the presence of an LV aneurysm. An enhanced CT indeed revealed an LV aneurysm-like structure. After appropriate testing to exclude coronary artery disease, this LV anomaly led us to suspect the possibility of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Cine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging showed an apparent chamber-like aneurysm, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR showed transmural positive enhancement in the mid-portion of the LV at the region of the aneurysm (figure 1A,B). As our institution lacked an FDG-PET scanner, gallium scintigraphy was instead performed, which showed uptake in the heart and bilateral hilar lymph nodes (figure 2A,B); hilar lymphadenopathy was undetected on enhanced CT, and its presence strongly indicated sarcoidosis. We finally made...

https://ift.tt/2ykbZ5W

Concurrent metastases of papillary thyroid carcinoma to the scalp and Meckels cave

We present the case of a 65-year-old man with severe headaches and unilateral facial weakness, seen in consultation by the dermatology service to rule out primary cutaneous melanoma after brain imaging identified an enlarging mass within the right trigeminal (Meckel's) cave. Examination revealed only a pair of erythematous papules on the scalp, for which biopsy demonstrated metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Further evaluation and subsequent thyroidectomy confirmed the origin of widespread internal disease, followed by definitive excision of scalp lesions and multimodal management of systemic involvement. Whereas presentation of metastasis to the skin is highly variable, a low threshold for biopsy may allow for histological identification of internal disease not otherwise considered in the clinical differential.

https://ift.tt/2MAECPx

Varicella zoster lumbosacral plexopathy: a rare cause of lower limb weakness

This is a rare case of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) lumbosacral plexopathy in an 84-year-old women presenting with lower limb weakness and rash. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed enhancement of the left L3–L5 descending nerves and left lumbosacral plexus consistent with inflammatory/infectious aetiology. Cerebrospinal fluid PCR confirmed VZV DNA and cerebrospinal fluid serological testing was positive for VZV immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG antibodies. The patient was treated with intravenous acyclovir but this was complicated by the development of acute renal failure attributed to acyclovir-induced nephropathy, requiring dose adjustment. After a prolonged course of oral acyclovir and inpatient rehabilitation, the patient made a partial neurological and functional recovery.

https://ift.tt/2JTX3wy

Bone inside eye: choroidal osteoma presenting as exudative retinal detachment: a challenge to diagnosis

Description 

A 38-year-old woman presented to outpatient department with the chief complaints of gradual onset of painless diminution of vision in the right eye since last 1 month. At presentation, the visual acuity in OD was perception of light and 20/20 in OS. Slit-lamp examination of anterior segment was found to be within normal limits in both eyes. On fundus evaluation of right eye, exudative retinal detachment1 with shifting fluid along with oedematous disc with blurry margin and juxtapapillary subretinal yellowish brown mass were noticed (figure 1A). Fundus in the left eye was within normal limits (figure 1B). With the above clinical examination, a provisional diagnosis of right-eye choroidal osteoma with exudative retinal detachment was made and confirmed on sonography, with an elevated highly reflected choroidal mass persisting at lower scanning sensitivity and acoustic shadow along with retinal detachment (figure 2A). CT scan depicted evidence of...

https://ift.tt/2JKZyp3

Tracheal agenesis in a new born: lessons learnt

Tracheal agenesis is a rare but fatal congenital tracheal malformation. Lack of prenatal symptom and a typical clinical presentation lead to failure to arrive at a correct diagnosis and confusion during resuscitation. We report a case of a newborn male child with type 2 tracheal agenesis. Despite a typical presentation, diagnosis was delayed after unsuccessful intubation, examination under anaesthesia and emergency tracheostomy. The embryology, diagnostic criteria and potential treatment options are discussed. This case report is valuable in increasing awareness of this rare condition and will help us in being better prepared in managing these children. Future studies should aim to find the optimal replacement for the tracheal.

https://ift.tt/2JX7TCd

Isolated thyroid metastasis from benign phyllodes tumour

We present a rare and interesting case of a 35-year-old woman who initially underwent an uneventful wide excision for a 13 cm left benign phyllodes tumour. She then noted a slowly growing left thyroid nodule 8 months postsurgery which on thyroidectomy 4 years later was shown to be a 6.9cm isolated thyroid metastasis from the phyllodes tumour. As this may be the first reported such case in the literature, implications on histological classification, predictive factors for disease progression, mechanisms of metastasis, and evaluation, management and surveillance of benign phyllodes tumours and thyroid nodule/s with a history of phyllodes tumour can thus be significantly impacted.

https://ift.tt/2MwPayV

Beware of beta! A case of salbutamol-induced lactic acidosis in severe asthma

A 22-year-old woman presented with symptoms and signs consistent with acute severe asthma. After significant doses of beta-agonist, she developed a significant lactic acidosis. Significant issues arose in this patient's history with regards to purchase of medications, compliance and follow-up with respiratory service. Beta-adrenergic receptors when stimulated have been hypothesised to increase lipolysis, producing free fatty acids, which inhibit the conversion of pyruvate to coenzyme A within the Krebs cycle. Additional pyruvate is generated through stimulation of glycolysis and glycogenolysis through simultaneous catecholamine surge. This increased pyruvate load is shunted through anaerobic glycolysis, producing increased lactate. Steroid use during an asthma attack enhances the beta-2 receptor sensitivity, further potentiating lactate production. The hyperadrenergic state in this young asthmatic likely resulted in pyruvate and therefore lactate rise and thus metabolic acidosis as mentioned before. This piece highlights a physiological phenomenon that may occur in the context of iatrogenic hyperadrenergism.

https://ift.tt/2JUKukL

Phemphigoid gestationis

Description 

A 32-year-old nulliparous woman presented at 33 weeks' gestation with intense pruritus initiated 1 month earlier. She was under treatment for scabies, with no improvement. She was healthy and her pregnancy had had no intercurrences so far. During the physical examination at the emergency room, extensive erythematous plaques with vesicles and bullae could be seen on her abdomen, trunk, neck and all four extremeties (figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1

Macroscopic skin lesions of 33-week pregnant woman: initially, lesions are like erythematous papules or targetoid lesions (A, abdomen; B, back).

Figure 2

Macroscopic skin lesions of 33-week pregnant woman: over time, small vesicles or bullae appear on normal skin or on top of urticarial plaques (C, feet).

Due to the severity of her symptoms, she was admitted to the obstetrics ward in order to undergo intravenous...

https://ift.tt/2MwP8qN

Case of posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) evolved to PCA-CBS

A 68-year-old lawyer developed insidious disturbances in topographic orientation and apraxia. He underwent a geriatric evaluation, only documenting slight cognitive disturbances, and a 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), showing mild right-lateralised frontoparietal hypometabolism. After 1 year, because of worsening in spatial orientation and the onset of dressing apraxia, he was referred to our memory clinic. The neuropsychological evaluation documented proeminent visuospatial, praxis deficits and dysgraphia. Cerebrospinal fluid biomarker analysis showed mild increase of total-, with normal Aβ1–42, ruling out Alzheimer's disease. Progression of the right parietal hypometabolism at FDG-PET and right superior longitudinal fasciculus damage at high-field MRI revealed a probable neurodegenerative aetiology. The neurological examination disclosed then Gerstmann's and Balint's syndromes, and extrapyramidal signs later appeared, suggesting the diagnosis of posterior cortical atrophy associated with corticobasal syndrome. Genetic analysis for mutations inmicrotubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), C9orf72 and GRN genes was negative. A 1-year follow-up documented significant worsening of the cognitive and functional impairment, revealing a frank dementia.

https://ift.tt/2ykbTv6

Beliefs of a traditional rural Indian family towards naturalistic and faith healing for treating epilepsy: a case study

In this case study, we describe our experiences with a rural poor family from north India that initially contacted faith healers for treatment of their child who was having symptoms suggestive of epilepsy, but the seizures continued even after this. The family migrated to a city, where they started allopathic treatment, but eventually they had to discontinue it as there was no apparent relief. Again, they went back to their native village and restarted the treatment from the faith healer.

This case study highlights the fact that in spite of the significant development of medical science, many questions pertaining to epilepsy treatment are still unanswered. Such dissatisfaction with the allopathic treatment of epilepsy is very common. Complexity of the disease and high cost of modern medication, side effects of drugs, efficient but heavy treatment protocols and unpredictable outcome are responsible for continued practice of people consulting faith healers for treatment of epilepsy. However, these remain unnoticed and undocumented.

https://ift.tt/2JKZuWl

Correction: Multiloculated mesothelial cyst presenting as a malignant mimic

Peng S, Park L, Kilpatrick SE, et al. Multiloculated mesothelial cyst presenting as a malignant mimic. BMJ Case Rep 2018. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-222280.

This article was published with the author order listed incorrectly. The correct author order is as follows: June S Peng, Lisa Park, Scott E Kilpatrick, Sricharan Chalikonda.

https://ift.tt/2JSBufP

Multi-channel silk sponge mimicking bone marrow vascular niche for platelet production

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 178
Author(s): Lorenzo Tozzi, Pierre-Alexandre Laurent, Christian A. Di Buduo, Xuan Mu, Angelo Massaro, Ross Bretherton, Whitney Stoppel, David L. Kaplan, Alessandra Balduini
In the bone marrow, the interaction of progenitor cells with the vasculature is fundamental for the release of blood cells into circulation. Silk fibroin, derived from Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons, is a promising protein biomaterial for bone marrow tissue engineering, because of its tunable architecture and mechanical properties, the capacity to incorporate labile compounds without loss of bioactivity and the demonstrated ability to support blood cell formation without premature activation. In this study, we fabricated a custom perfusion chamber to contain a multi-channel lyophilized silk sponge mimicking the vascular network in the bone marrow niche. The perfusion system consisted in an inlet and an outlet and 2 splitters that allowed funneling flow in each single channel of the silk sponge. Computational Fluid Dynamic analysis demonstrated that this design permitted confined flow inside the vascular channels. The silk channeled sponge supported efficient platelet release from megakaryocytes (Mks). After seeding, the Mks localized along SDF-1α functionalized vascular channels in the sponge. Perfusion of the channels allowed the recovery of functional platelets as demonstrated by increased PAC-1 binding upon thrombin stimulation. Further, increasing the number of channels in the silk sponge resulted in a proportional increase in the numbers of platelets recovered, suggesting applicability to scale-up for platelet production. In conclusion, we have developed a scalable system consisting of a multi-channeled silk sponge incorporated in a perfusion chamber that can provide useful technology for functional platelet production ex vivo.



https://ift.tt/2JJF8Nf

Producing anti-inflammatory macrophages by nanoparticle-triggered clustering of mannose receptors

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 178
Author(s): Jingjing Gan, Yunyan Dou, Yurong Li, Zhenzhen Wang, Lintao Wang, Shang Liu, Qiu Li, Heran Yu, Chunyan Liu, Congwei Han, Zhen Huang, Junfeng Zhang, Chunming Wang, Lei Dong
Macrophages are highly plastic cells that can either mediate or suppress inflammation, depending on their cellular phenotype and cytokine secretion. Inducing macrophages from an inflammatory ('M1') to anti-inflammatory ('M2') phenotype has significant implications for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and regeneration of injured tissues. Although certain cytokines, such as interleukin-4 and -13, are known to induce this phenotypic switch, their therapeutic use in vivo has both safety and efficacy concerns. Here, we demonstrate an alternative approach to change macrophage phenotype from M1 to M2, through inducing the clustering of mannose receptors (MR) on the cell surface, by using carbohydrate-presenting substrates. We prepared and screened glucomannan-decorated silicon oxide of different sizes ranging from 10 to 1000 nm, and identified one type (KSiNP30) that could potently induce MR clustering on macrophages and thereby stimulated the cells into an M2 phenotype – as an unexpected consequence of MR activation. Further administration of KSiNP30 in a murine model of inflammatory bowel disease efficiently alleviated the colitis symptoms, indicating the translational potential of our finding for therapeutic applications. In summary, we report for the first time an approach to modulate cellular immune responses by manipulating the assembly of cell-surface receptors, without the aid of cytokines. Our approach may provide insights for the development of new anti-inflammatory therapies.



https://ift.tt/2M1IGqN

CD4 T-cells regulate angiogenesis and myogenesis

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 178
Author(s): Brian J. Kwee, Erica Budina, Alexander J. Najibi, David J. Mooney
Ischemic diseases, such as peripheral artery disease, affect millions of people worldwide. While CD4⁺ T-cells regulate angiogenesis and myogenesis, it is not understood how the phenotype of these adaptive immune cells regulate these regenerative processes. The secreted factors from different types of CD4⁺ T-cells (Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg) were utilized in a series of in vitro assays and delivered from an injectable alginate biomaterial into a murine model of ischemia to study their effects on vascular and skeletal muscle regeneration. Conditioned medium from Th2 and Th17  T-cells enhanced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, in part by directly stimulating endothelial sprouting. Th1 conditioned medium induced vascular regression in vitro and provided no benefit to angiogenesis in vivo. Th1, Th2, and Th17 conditioned medium, to varying extents, enhanced muscle precursor cell proliferation and inhibited their differentiation in vitro, and prolonged early stages of muscle regeneration in vivo. Treg conditioned medium had a moderate or no effect on these processes in vitro and no discernible effect in vivo. These findings suggest that Th2 and Th17 T-cells may enhance angiogenesis and myogenesis in ischemic injuries, which may be useful in the design of immunomodulatory biomaterials to treat these diseases.



https://ift.tt/2JK8knb

Epidemiology of spider mite sensitivity: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Spider mites, including Tetranychus urticae, Panonychus citri, and Panonychus ulmi, are common pests in gardens, greenhouses, and orchards. Exposure, particularly occupational exposure, to these organisms may lea...

https://ift.tt/2tfrAOo

Comparative immunological study of the snail Physella acuta (Hygrophila, Pulmonata) reveals shared and unique aspects of gastropod immunobiology

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 101
Author(s): Jonathan H. Schultz, Lijing Bu, Coen M. Adema
The freshwater snail Physella acuta was selected to expand the perspective of comparative snail immunology. Analysis of Physella acuta, belonging to the Physidae, taxonomic sister family to Planorbidae, affords family-level comparison of immune features characterized from Biomphalaria glabrata, the model snail often used to interpret general gastropod immunity. To capture constitutive and induced immune sequences, transcriptomes of an individual Physella acuta snail, 12 h post injection with bacteria (Gram –/+) and one sham-exposed snail were recorded with 454 pyrosequencing. Assembly yielded a combined reference transcriptome containing 24,288 transcripts. Additionally, genomic Illumina reads were obtained (∼15-fold coverage). Recovery of transcripts for two macin-like antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), 12 aplysianins, four LBP/BPIs and three physalysins indicated that Physella acuta shares a similar organization of antimicrobial defenses with Biomphalaria glabrata, contrasting a modest AMP arsenal with a diverse set of antimicrobial proteins. The lack of predicted transmembrane domains in all seven Physella acuta PGRP transcripts supports the notion that gastropods do not employ cell-bound PGRP receptors, different from ecdysozoan invertebrates yet similar to mammals (vertebrate deuterostomes). The well-documented sequence diversification by Biomphalaria glabrata FREPs (immune lectins comprising immunoglobulin superfamily domains and fibrinogen domains), resulting from somatic mutations of a large FREP gene family is hypothesized to be unique to Planorbidae; Physella acuta revealed just two bonafide FREP genes and these were not diversified. Furthermore, the flatworm parasite Echinostoma paraensei, confirmed here to infect both snail species, did not evoke from Physella acuta the abundant expression of FREP proteins at 2, 4 and 8 days post exposure that was previously observed from Biomphalaria glabrata. The Physella acuta reference transcriptome also revealed 24 unique transcripts encoding proteins consisting of a single fibrinogen-related domain (FReDs), with a short N-terminal sequence encoding either a signal peptide, transmembrane domain or no predicted features. The Physella acuta FReDs are candidate immune genes based on implication of similar sequences in immunity of bivalve molluscs. Overall, comparative analysis of snails of sister families elucidated the potential for taxon-specific immune features and investigation of strategically selected species will provide a more comprehensive view of gastropod immunity.



https://ift.tt/2leEzfG

Comparative immunological study of the snail Physella acuta (Hygrophila, Pulmonata) reveals shared and unique aspects of gastropod immunobiology

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 101
Author(s): Jonathan H. Schultz, Lijing Bu, Coen M. Adema
The freshwater snail Physella acuta was selected to expand the perspective of comparative snail immunology. Analysis of Physella acuta, belonging to the Physidae, taxonomic sister family to Planorbidae, affords family-level comparison of immune features characterized from Biomphalaria glabrata, the model snail often used to interpret general gastropod immunity. To capture constitutive and induced immune sequences, transcriptomes of an individual Physella acuta snail, 12 h post injection with bacteria (Gram –/+) and one sham-exposed snail were recorded with 454 pyrosequencing. Assembly yielded a combined reference transcriptome containing 24,288 transcripts. Additionally, genomic Illumina reads were obtained (∼15-fold coverage). Recovery of transcripts for two macin-like antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), 12 aplysianins, four LBP/BPIs and three physalysins indicated that Physella acuta shares a similar organization of antimicrobial defenses with Biomphalaria glabrata, contrasting a modest AMP arsenal with a diverse set of antimicrobial proteins. The lack of predicted transmembrane domains in all seven Physella acuta PGRP transcripts supports the notion that gastropods do not employ cell-bound PGRP receptors, different from ecdysozoan invertebrates yet similar to mammals (vertebrate deuterostomes). The well-documented sequence diversification by Biomphalaria glabrata FREPs (immune lectins comprising immunoglobulin superfamily domains and fibrinogen domains), resulting from somatic mutations of a large FREP gene family is hypothesized to be unique to Planorbidae; Physella acuta revealed just two bonafide FREP genes and these were not diversified. Furthermore, the flatworm parasite Echinostoma paraensei, confirmed here to infect both snail species, did not evoke from Physella acuta the abundant expression of FREP proteins at 2, 4 and 8 days post exposure that was previously observed from Biomphalaria glabrata. The Physella acuta reference transcriptome also revealed 24 unique transcripts encoding proteins consisting of a single fibrinogen-related domain (FReDs), with a short N-terminal sequence encoding either a signal peptide, transmembrane domain or no predicted features. The Physella acuta FReDs are candidate immune genes based on implication of similar sequences in immunity of bivalve molluscs. Overall, comparative analysis of snails of sister families elucidated the potential for taxon-specific immune features and investigation of strategically selected species will provide a more comprehensive view of gastropod immunity.



https://ift.tt/2leEzfG

SIRT2 Promotes the Migration and Invasion of Gastric Cancer through RAS/ERK/JNK/MMP-9 Pathway by Increasing PEPCK1-Related Metabolism

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Neoplasia, Volume 20, Issue 7
Author(s): Yang Li, Mingming Zhang, Robert G. Dorfman, Yida Pan, Dehua Tang, Lei Xu, Zhenguo Zhao, Qian Zhou, Lixing Zhou, Yuming Wang, Yuyao Yin, Shanshan Shen, Bo Kong, Helmut Friess, Shimin Zhao, Lei Wang, Xiaoping Zou
Metastasis is the most important feature of gastric cancer (GC) and the most widely recognized reason for GC-related deaths. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanism behind this metastasis remains unknown. Mounting evidence suggests the dynamic regulatory role of sirtuin2 (SIRT2), a histone deacetylase (HDAC), in cell migration and invasion. The present study aims to evaluate the biological function of SIRT2 in GC and identify the target of SIRT2 as well as evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. We found that SIRT2 was upregulated in GC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and this was correlated with reduced patient survival. Although CCK8 and colony-formation assays showed that SIRT2 overexpression marginally promoted proliferation in GC cell lines, SIRT2 knockdown or treatment with SirReal2 decreased the migration and invasion of GC cells. We demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo that SirReal2 could inhibit the deacetylation activity of SIRT2 and its downstream target PEPCK1, which is related to mitochondrial metabolism and RAS/ERK/JNK/MMP-9 pathway. Taken together, these results demonstrate for the first time that SirReal2 selectively targets SIRT2 and decreases migration as well as invasion in human GC cells. SirReal2 therefore shows promise as a new drug candidate for GC therapy.



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Aging of human alpha rhythm

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 69
Author(s): Maria G. Knyazeva, Elham Barzegaran, Vladimir Y. Vildavski, Jean-François Demonet
Alpha rhythm (AR) changes are the most pronounced electroencephalogram phenomenon in the aging brain. We analyzed them based on the inherent AR structure obtained by parallel factor analysis decomposition in the cortical source space. AR showed a stable multicomponent structure in 78% of sixty 20- to 81-year-old healthy adults. Typically, it consists of 2 components. The distribution of the higher frequency occipito-parietal component widens with age, with its maximum moving from BA18/19 to BA37. The low-frequency component originating from the occipito-temporal regions in young adults also moves anteriorly with age, while maintaining its maximum within BA37. Both components slow down by 1 Hz over the adult lifespan. The multicomponent AR is more common in younger subjects, whereas a single-component AR in older subjects. This uneven occurrence as well as the increasing spatial and frequency overlaps between components suggest transformation of the multicomponent AR into the single-component AR with age. A detailed knowledge of AR component structure would be useful to monitor age-related neurodegenerative processes in humans.



https://ift.tt/2ytBWAj

The relation between Scrabble expertise and brain aging as measured with EEG brain signal variability

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 69
Author(s): Hongye Wang, Penny M. Pexman, Gary Turner, Filomeno Cortese, Andrea B. Protzner
Recent empirical work suggests that the dynamics of brain function, as measured by brain signal variability, differs between younger and older adults. We extended this work by examining how the relationship between brain signal variability and age is altered in the context of expertise. We recorded electroencephalography from Scrabble experts and controls during a visual word recognition task. To measure variability, we used multiscale entropy, which emphasizes the way brain signals behave over a range of timescales and can differentiate the variability of a complex system (the brain) from a purely random system. We replicated previously identified shifts from long-range interactions among neural populations to more local processing in late adulthood. In addition, we demonstrated an age-related increase in midrange neural interactions for experts, suggesting greater maintenance of network integration into late adulthood. Our results indicate that expertise-related differences in the context of age and brain dynamics occur across different timescales and that these differences are linked to task performance.



https://ift.tt/2lhdgl6

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma – a rare entity: a case report

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is a rare tumor of the central nervous system occurring mainly in the posterior fossa, which shows neuronal and variable astrocytic differentiation with foci of lipomatous differenti...

https://ift.tt/2tgDsQi

Non-linear transfer characteristics of stimulation and recording hardware account for spurious low-frequency artifacts during amplitude modulated transcranial alternating current stimulation (AM-tACS)

Publication date: 1 October 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 179
Author(s): Florian H. Kasten, Ehsan Negahbani, Flavio Fröhlich, Christoph S. Herrmann
Amplitude modulated transcranial alternating current stimulation (AM-tACS) has been recently proposed as a possible solution to overcome the pronounced stimulation artifact encountered when recording brain activity during tACS. In theory, AM-tACS does not entail power at its modulating frequency, thus avoiding the problem of spectral overlap between brain signal of interest and stimulation artifact. However, the current study demonstrates how weak non-linear transfer characteristics inherent to stimulation and recording hardware can reintroduce spurious artifacts at the modulation frequency. The input-output transfer functions (TFs) of different stimulation setups were measured. Setups included recordings of signal-generator and stimulator outputs and M/EEG phantom measurements. 6^th-degree polynomial regression models were fitted to model the input-output TFs of each setup. The resulting TF models were applied to digitally generated AM-tACS signals to predict the frequency of spurious artifacts in the spectrum. All four setups measured for the study exhibited low-frequency artifacts at the modulation frequency and its harmonics when recording AM-tACS. Fitted TF models showed non-linear contributions significantly different from zero (all p < .05) and successfully predicted the frequency of artifacts observed in AM-signal recordings. Results suggest that even weak non-linearities of stimulation and recording hardware can lead to spurious artifacts at the modulation frequency and its harmonics. These artifacts were substantially larger than alpha-oscillations of a human subject in the MEG. Findings emphasize the need for more linear stimulation devices for AM-tACS and careful analysis procedures, taking into account low-frequency artifacts to avoid confusion with effects of AM-tACS on the brain.



https://ift.tt/2ldEzMT

Chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI contrast in the human brain at 9.4 T

Publication date: 1 October 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 179
Author(s): Moritz Zaiss, Mark Schuppert, Anagha Deshmane, Kai Herz, Philipp Ehses, Lars Füllbier, Tobias Lindig, Benjamin Bender, Ulrike Ernemann, Klaus Scheffler
PurposeThe high chemical shift separation at 9.4 T allows for selective saturation of proton pools in exchange with water protons. For the first time, highly selective and comprehensive chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) experiments were performed in the human brain at 9.4 T. This work provides insight into CEST signals in the human brain in comparison with existing animal studies, as well as with CEST effects in vivo at lower field strengths.MethodsA novel snapshot-CEST method for human brain scans at 9.4 T was optimized and employed for highly-spectrally-resolved (95 offsets) CEST measurements in healthy subjects and one brain tumor patient. Reproducibility and stability between scans was verified in grey and white matter after B0, B1, and motion correction of the acquired 3D CEST volumes. Two-step Lorentzian fitting was used to further improve separation of spectrally discernible signals to create known and novel CEST contrast maps at 9.4 T.ResultsAt a saturation power of B1 = 0.5 μT most selective CEST effects could be obtained in the human brain with high inter-scan reproducibility. While contrast behavior of previously measured signals at lower field, namely amide-, guanidyl- and NOE-CEST effects, could be reproduced, novel signals at 2.7 ppm, and −1.6 ppm could be verified in healthy subjects and in a brain tumor patient for the first time.ConclusionHigh spectral resolution chemical exchange saturation transfer at 9.4 T allows deeper insights into the Z-spectrum structure of the human brain, and provides many different contrasts showing different correlations in healthy tissue and in tumor-affected areas of the brain, generating hypotheses for future investigations of in-vivo-CEST at UHF.



https://ift.tt/2yi71Xd

Individual differences in aesthetic engagement are reflected in resting-state fMRI connectivity: Implications for stress resilience

Publication date: 1 October 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 179
Author(s): Paula G. Williams, Kimberley T. Johnson, Brian J. Curtis, Jace B. King, Jeffrey S. Anderson
ObjectiveIndividual differences in aesthetic engagement—the propensity to be moved by art, nature, and beauty—are associated with positive health outcomes, as well as stress resilience. The purpose of the current study was to identify potential neural substrate mechanisms underlying individual differences in aesthetic engagement and reported proneness to aesthetic chill.MethodsData from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) 1200 Subjects Release were utilized. Resting-state fMRI connectivity was extracted for 361 regions in the brain including cortical, subcortical and cerebellar regions for each participant, using participant-specific segmentation and parcellation of subcortical gray matter nuclei and a network-based statistics analytical approach. The Aesthetic Interests subcluster of the Openness to Experience scale (NEO-Five Factor Inventory; NEO-FFI) was used to characterize individual differences in aesthetic engagement and chill.ResultsParticipants reporting higher aesthetic engagement, particularly proneness to aesthetic chill responses, exhibited significantly higher connectivity between the default network and sensory and motor cortices, higher connectivity between the ventral default and salience networks, and decreased connectivity between the cerebellum and somatomotor cortex.ConclusionsCurrent findings suggest that greater integration of the default mode network, involving processing of internal narrative, with neural representations of sensory perception and salience detection may be a mechanism underlying individual differences in aesthetic engagement. Thus, these individual differences may reflect general integration of environmental perception with internal emotional experience, which in turn may facilitate comfort with novelty, self-regulation, and positive adaptation to potentially stressful experiences.



https://ift.tt/2lfdIzZ

Whole head quantitative susceptibility mapping using a least-norm direct dipole inversion method

Publication date: 1 October 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 179
Author(s): Hongfu Sun, Yuhan Ma, M. Ethan MacDonald, G. Bruce Pike
A new dipole field inversion method for whole head quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is proposed. Instead of performing background field removal and local field inversion sequentially, the proposed method performs dipole field inversion directly on the total field map in a single step. To aid this under-determined and ill-posed inversion process and obtain robust QSM images, Tikhonov regularization is implemented to seek the local susceptibility solution with the least-norm (LN) using the L-curve criterion. The proposed LN-QSM does not require brain edge erosion, thereby preserving the cerebral cortex in the final images. This should improve its applicability for QSM-based cortical grey matter measurement, functional imaging and venography of full brain. Furthermore, LN-QSM also enables susceptibility mapping of the entire head without the need for brain extraction, which makes QSM reconstruction more automated and less dependent on intermediate pre-processing methods and their associated parameters. It is shown that the proposed LN-QSM method reduced errors in a numerical phantom simulation, improved accuracy in a gadolinium phantom experiment, and suppressed artefacts in nine subjects, as compared to two-step and other single-step QSM methods. Measurements of deep grey matter and skull susceptibilities from LN-QSM are consistent with established reconstruction methods.



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Magnetodielectric effects in membranes based on magnetorheological bio-suspensions

Publication date: 5 October 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 155
Author(s): I. Bica, E.M. Anitas
Controlled release of bio-active components in systems based on magnetorheological suspensions (MRSs) can be achieved by exploiting the magnetodielectric effects aimed at investigating the time dependence of electrical conductivity in the presence of a magnetic field for similar membranes, and where membranes with stable physical properties in time have been manufactured. Here, magnetorheological bio-suspensions (MRBSs) are prepared using a microfiber cloth soaked with carbonyl iron and various concentrations of honey and turmeric powder. Plane capacitors are manufactured having MRSs as dielectric materials. We build and describe an experimental setup for measuring the electrical resistance and the quality factor of the capacitors in a static magnetic field superimposed on an alternating electric field. The measured quantities are then used to obtain the electrical conductivity and dispersion curves of MRSs-based membranes. The results show that the obtained quantities are sensibly influenced by the electric field frequency, magnetic flux density as well as by the ration between honey and turmeric powder concentrations.

Graphical abstract

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Design and mechanical evaluation of a novel dynamic growing rod to improve the surgical treatment of Early Onset Scoliosis

Publication date: 5 October 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 155
Author(s): Alba Gonzalez Alvarez, Karl D. Dearn, Bernard M. Lawless, Carolina E. Lavecchia, Francesco Vommaro, Konstantinos Martikos, Tiziana Greggi, Duncan E.T. Shepherd
This paper describes the development of a dynamic implant designed to correct three dimensional spinal deformities in children with Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS). The device is a distraction-based implant that provides two innovative features: (1) a dynamic-viscoelastic system, which gives some flexibility to the implant, to avoid potential device fractures; and (2) a lengthening mechanism that allows minimally invasive elongation surgery to reduce infection. The novel device was designed and evaluated with finite element analysis. Five working prototypes were produced and mechanically tested according to a modified version of the ASTM F1717 Standard. Results demonstrated that the maximum load achieving run-out at 5 million cycles was 180 N. One prototype withstood almost two tests in a row (9 million cycles) with the peak load of 180 N and showed no sign of failure. Three tests performed with higher loads (190 and 200 N) did not achieve full runout due to pedicle screw fracture with only one device fracture along the weld. These results demonstrated an improved fatigue performance in comparison with data from the commercially available VEPTR I device (Depuy Synthes Spine, Raynham, USA). Therefore, the novel device proposed has the clinical potential to improve the surgical treatment of EOS.

Graphical abstract

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Application of “banana cochleostomy” and looped electrode insertion for cochlear implantation in children with common cavity malformation and cystic forms of cochlear hypoplasia

Publication date: September 2018
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 112
Author(s): Józef Mierzwiński, Egwin Van Den Heuvel, Andrew J. Fishman, Arnaldo L. Rivera, Karolina Haber, Jiri Skrivan
ObjectivesPatients with profound hearing loss due to inner ear malformations may benefit from cochlear implantation; however, the surgery may present a substantial problem for the cochlear implant surgeon due to anatomical variations.The authors describe a new surgical and technical advancement for implantation in patients with small inner ear cavities that make the surgery easier and safer. On the basis of experience involving five consecutive surgeries performed in four patients with inner ear malformations, we present the advantages and application possibilities of the technique.MethodsThe technique does not change the surgical approach in general; however, modification of the cochleostomy shape and looping of the cochlear implant electrode enables safe advancement of the electrode with optimal positioning in the cavity. Additionally, these modifications protect against the insertion of the electrode into the internal auditory canal minimizing the risk of gushing and extracochlear stimulation.ResultsThe present technique has been used in five cases of cystic implantable inner ear spaces in three independent institutions by different surgeons. It has proven to be a reliable, relatively easy and safe procedure performed with very good anatomic and initially functional effects (positive intraoperative neural response telemetry measurements).ConclusionsWe hope that utilization of the "banana cochleostomy" and insertion of the looped cochlear implant electrode in the implantable cystic spaces of children with malformed inner ears will facilitate and simplify the surgical technique in this difficult procedure and additionally, in revision surgical cases. To our knowledge, the looped insertion and banana-shaped cochleostomy have not been reported previously.



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Resolution and evaluation of 3-chlorophenyl-3-hydroxypropionylhydroxamic acid as antivirulence agent with excellent eradication efficacy in Helicobacter pylori infected mice

Publication date: 30 August 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 121
Author(s): Qi Liu, Wei-Wei Ni, Zhen Li, Cai-Fu Bai, Dan-Dan Tan, Chang-Jun Pu, Dong Zhou, Qing-Peng Tian, Ni Luo, Kai-Li Tan, Le Dai, Yuan Yan, Yong Pei, Xian-Hui Li, Zhu-Ping Xiao, Hai-Liang Zhu
The continuing emergence of drug-resistant Helicobacter pylori (HP) drives the ongoing need for the development of new and effective anti-HP drugs. Urease inhibitor has now gained strong interest as an alternative approach for HP infections. 3-Chlorophenyl-3-hydroxypropionylhydroxamic acid (CPH), a novel urease inhibitor identified in our group, shows impressive potency, which was optically separated for a further exploration. Here, we report in vitro/in vivo pharmacological evaluation of (±)-CPHs and the enantiomers. The raceme and the individual enantiomers significantly suppress gastritis at 32 mg/kg b.i.d dose with lower toxicity to mammalian cells (with CC50s ≥ 3.16 mM) and mice (LD50s ≥ 2338 mg/kg) than the clinically used agent acetohydroxamic acid. Furthermore, a significant increase of eradication of HP is observed for the combination of (±)-CPHs or the enantiomers with an antimicrobial. These studies revealed that CPH is a promising candidate for an alternative treatment of HP-dependent conditions by targeting virulence factor urease, and CPH may be used as a raceme.

Graphical abstract

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Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Gestational Diabetes Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline

Publication date: Available online 30 May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Maria O. Duarte-Gardea, Diana M. Gonzales-Pacheco, Diane Marie Reader, Alyce M. Thomas, Susan R. Wang, Rebecca P. Gregory, Tami A. Piemonte, Kyle L. Thompson, Lisa Moloney




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Addressing Barriers for Patients with Celiac Disease When Assessing for Gluten in Medications

Publication date: Available online 5 June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Georgina Rubal-Peace, Caroline Sepp




https://ift.tt/2JGzj30

New Equations to Predict Body Fat in Asian-Chinese Adults Using Age, Height, Skinfold Thickness, and Waist Circumference

Publication date: Available online 8 May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Christiani Jeyakumar Henry, Shalini D/O Ponnalagu, Xinyan Bi, Sze-Yen Tan
BackgroundAdiposity is an independent predictor of metabolic disease. However, highly accurate body fat assessment is not routinely done due to limited access to expensive and labor-intensive methods.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to develop body fat prediction equations for Asian-Chinese adults using easily attainable anthropometric measurements.DesignPrediction equations of body fat were developed using anthropometric and skinfold thickness measurements obtained from a cross-sectional study. These new equations were then validated using baseline data from an independent randomized controlled study.Participants/settingHealthy participants with no major diseases and not taking long-term medications were recruited in an ongoing cross-sectional study that began in June 2014 (n=439, 170 males, 269 females), as well as a randomized controlled trial (n=108, 58 males, 50 females) conducted from January 2013 to October 2014. Both the studies were conducted at Clinical Nutrition Research Center located in Singapore.Main outcome measuresData used to develop and validate equations were from two original studies that assessed body fat by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, age, waist circumference, height, and biceps and triceps skinfolds.Statistical analysis performedSex-specific percent body fat prediction equations were developed using stepwise regression with Akaike Information Criterion on the cross-sectional data. The equations were then validated using data from the randomized controlled study and also compared against Asian-specific Davidson equations.ResultsThe best body fat prediction model (R²=0.722, standard error of estimation=2.97 for females; R²=0.815, standard error of estimation=2.49 for males) for both sexes included biceps and triceps skinfolds, waist circumference, age, and height. The new equations developed resulted in modest discrepancies in body fat of 1.8%±2.7% in males (P<0.001) and 0.7%±3.1% in females (P=0.125; not significant) compared with the Asian-specific Davidson equations (−7.4%±3.2% [P<0.001] and −7.4%±2.7% [P<0.001], respectively).ConclusionsSex-specific equations to predict the percent body fat of Asian-Chinese adults with a higher degree of accuracy were developed. Ease of use in both field and clinical settings will be a major advantage.



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Nutrition Assessment, Exposures, and Interventions for Very-Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Infants: A Scoping Review

Publication date: Available online 2 June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Lisa Moloney, Mary Rozga, Tanis R. Fenton




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June 2018 Sites in Review

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 6





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Table of Contents

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 6





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Caring for Transgender Patients and Clients: Nutrition-Related Clinical and Psychosocial Considerations

Publication date: Available online 18 May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Rabia Rahman, Whitney R. Linsenmeyer




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What's New Online

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 6





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Table of Contents

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 5





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Introducing the Academy’s 2018-2019 President: Mary K. Russell, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 6
Author(s): Cindy Hamilton, Ainsley Malone, Mary Marian




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Strategies and Recommendations to Increase Diversity in Dietetics

Publication date: Available online 12 June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Kate Gardner Burt, Kathleen Delgado, May Chen, Rachel Paul




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Validation of a Questionnaire to Measure Fruits and Vegetables Selected and Consumed at School Lunch among Second- and Third-Grade Students

Publication date: Available online 31 May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Matthew M. Graziose, Randi L. Wolf, Pamela A. Koch, Heewon L. Gray, Isobel R. Contento
BackgroundInterventions designed to encourage fruit and vegetable (F/V) consumption within schools are increasingly common. Thus, there is a need for valid, practical dietary assessment instruments to evaluate their effectiveness.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the validity of a group-administered, paper-and-pencil questionnaire to assess F/V selection and consumption at school lunch relative to digital photography.DesignThis was a five-phase, method-comparison study in which the questionnaire was iteratively modified between each phase.Participants/settingThe study examined sets of questionnaires and photographs of lunch trays (n=1,213) collected on 44 days between May 2015 and June 2016 among second-grade students from three New York City schools (phases 1 to 4) and second- and third-grade students from 20 schools across eight states (phase 5).Main outcome measuresOutcomes assessed were selection, amount eaten, preference, and intention to consume F/V.Statistical analyses performedValidity was assessed by percent agreement (categorized as "match, omission, or intrusion" for items on or off tray and "match, overestimation, or underestimation" for amount eaten), Spearman correlation coefficients, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).ResultsThe total match rate for items on tray was substantial (phases 1 to 5: 83%, 84%, 92%, 93%, and 89%), with items more frequently intruded than omitted. For amounts eaten, the total match rates were moderate, but generally improved throughout the study (phases 1 to 5: 65%, 64%, 83%, 83%, and 76%), with overestimations more frequent than underestimations. There was good correspondence between methods in the estimates of amount eaten in a quantitative, cup equivalent amount (fruit ICC=0.61; vegetables ICC=0.64). Significant differences (α=.05) were not observed between second- and third-grade students, respectively, in the match rate for fruits (86% and 89%) or vegetable (89% and 86%) items on tray or fruit (69% and 73%) and vegetables (74% and 76%) amount eaten. Excellent correlations were observed between amount eaten and preference for fruit (r=0.91) and vegetables (r=0.93).ConclusionsThe questionnaire offers a feasible, valid instrument for assessing F/V selection and consumption among elementary students in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. Additional research is recommended to test the instrument's sensitivity and to reproduce these findings using an alternative reference method, such as direct observations.



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Nutrition Care for Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: An Evidence Scoping Review

Publication date: Available online 24 May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Mary Rozga, Deepa Handu




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Effective National Menu Labeling Requires Accuracy and Enforcement

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 6
Author(s): Yue Huang, Jennifer L. Pomeranz, Sean B. Cash




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Early Implementation of Malnutrition Clinical Quality Metrics to Identify Institutional Performance Improvement Needs

Publication date: Available online 10 May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Jennifer Doley, Wendy Phillips, Jennifer Talaber, Gisele Leger-LeBlanc




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Trends in Dietary Sodium from Food Sources in Australian Children and Adolescents from 2007 to 2011/12

Publication date: Available online 3 May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Carley A. Grimes, Ewa A. Szymlek-Gay, Caryl A. Nowson
BackgroundIn western countries, most children eat more sodium than is recommended. In Australia in 2009, voluntary sodium reformulation targets were adopted for nine categories of processed foods, but the impact of this initiative on children's sodium intake has not been assessed.ObjectiveTo compare sodium consumption of Australian children aged 2 to 16 years from 2007 to 2011/12.DesignCross-sectional analysis of data from the 2007 Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n=4,487) and the 2011/12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n=2,548).Participants/settingA nationally representative sample of 6,705 Australian children aged 2 to 16 years who provided plausible 24-hour dietary recall data according to Goldberg cutoffs for misreporting of energy intake.Main outcome measuresMean intakes of energy, sodium, and sodium density (mg/1,000 kcal) were assessed via one 24-hour dietary recall; measurement error models with up to two 24-hour dietary recalls were used to estimate usual sodium intake and the proportion of children exceeding the age-specific upper level for sodium.Statistical analyses preformedStatistical analysis incorporated survey weights and accounted for the complex survey design. Two-sample t-tests and two-sample test of proportions were used to assess differences in continuous and categorical variables between survey years.ResultsDietary sodium declined by 8% between 2007 and 2011/12 (−188±SE 31 mg/day; P<0.001), and this was in conjunction with a 5% reduction in energy intake (98±19 kcal/day; P<0.001). When stratified by age group, significant reductions in sodium intake remained across all four age groups (ie, 2-3 years, 4-8 years, 9-13 years, and 14-16 years); similarly, with the exception of 2- to 3-year-old children, reductions in energy intake were observed across all other age groups. Overall sodium density declined by 2% (−29 mg/1,000 kcal/day; P=0.01); however, in age subgroup analysis the decline in sodium density only remained among children aged 2 to 3 years. The upper level for sodium was exceeded by 94% or more children in 2007 and 78% or more in 2011/2012.ConclusionAlthough results suggest a small reduction in reported sodium intake over 5 years, most children in 2011/12 had a sodium intake that exceeded the recommended upper level. Ongoing efforts to reduce sodium in the diets of Australian children are required.



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Modified Version of Baby-Led Weaning Does Not Result in Lower Zinc Intake or Status in Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 6
Author(s): Lisa Daniels, Rachael W. Taylor, Sheila M. Williams, Rosalind S. Gibson, Samir Samman, Benjamin J. Wheeler, Barry J. Taylor, Elizabeth A. Fleming, Nicola K. Hartley, Anne-Louise M. Heath
BackgroundLittle is known about zinc intakes and status during complementary feeding. This is particularly true for baby-led approaches, which encourage infants to feed themselves from the start of complementary feeding, although self-feeding may restrict the intake of zinc-rich foods.ObjectiveTo determine the zinc intakes, sources, and biochemical zinc status of infants following Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS), a modified version of Baby-Led Weaning (BLW), compared with traditional spoon-feeding.DesignSecondary analysis of the BLISS randomized controlled trial.Participants/settingBetween 2012 and 2014, 206 community-based participants from Dunedin, New Zealand were randomized to a Control or BLISS group.InterventionBLISS participants received eight study visits (antenatal to 9 months) providing education and support regarding BLISS (ie, infant self-feeding from 6 months with modifications to address concerns about iron, choking, and growth).Main outcome measuresDietary zinc intakes at 7 and 12 months (weighed 3-day diet records) and zinc status at 12 months (plasma zinc concentration).Statistical analyses performedRegression analyses were used to investigate differences in dietary intakes and zinc status by group, adjusted for maternal education and parity and infant age and sex.ResultsThere were no significant differences in zinc intakes between BLISS and Control infants at 7 (median: 3.5 vs 3.5 mg/day; P=0.42) or 12 (4.4 vs 4.4 mg/day; P=0.86) months. Complementary food groups contributing the most zinc at 7 months were "vegetables" for Control infants, and "breads and cereals" for BLISS infants, then "dairy" for both groups at 12 months. There was no significant difference in mean±standard deviation plasma zinc concentration between the Control (62.8±9.8 μg/dL [9.6±1.5 μmol/L]) and BLISS (62.8±10.5 μg/dL [9.6±1.6 μmol/L]) groups (P=0.75).ConclusionsBLISS infants achieved similar zinc intake and status to Control infants. However, the BLISS intervention was modified to increase iron intake, which may have improved zinc intake, so these results should not be generalized to infants following unmodified BLW.



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Pave the Way for Our Global Future

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 5
Author(s): Donna S. Martin




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Malnutrition Intervention Implementation

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 5
Author(s): Krishnan Sriram, Suela Sulo, Gretchen VanDerBosch




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Retailer-Led Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Price Increase Reduces Purchases in a Hospital Convenience Store in Melbourne, Australia: A Mixed Methods Evaluation

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 6
Author(s): Miranda R. Blake, Anna Peeters, Emily Lancsar, Tara Boelsen-Robinson, Kirstan Corben, Christopher E. Stevenson, Claire Palermo, Kathryn Backholer
BackgroundLimited evidence has been gathered on the real-world impact of sugar-sweetened beverage price changes on purchasing behavior over time or in community-retail settings.ObjectiveOur aim was to determine changes in beverage purchases, business outcomes, and customer and retailer satisfaction associated with a retailer-led sugar-sweetened beverage price increase in a convenience store. We hypothesized that purchases of less-healthy beverages would decrease compared to predicted sales.DesignA convergent parallel mixed methods design complemented sales data (122 weeks pre-intervention, 17 weeks during intervention) with stakeholder interviews and customer surveys.Participants/settingElectronic beverage sales data were collected from a convenience store in Melbourne, Australia (August through November 2015). Convenience store staff completed semi-structured interviews (n=4) and adult customers exiting the store completed surveys (n=352).InterventionBeverages were classified using a state government framework. Prices of "red" beverages (eg, nondiet soft drinks, energy drinks) increased by 20%. Prices of "amber" (eg, diet soft drinks, small pure fruit juices) and "green" beverages (eg, water) were unchanged.Main outcome measuresChanges in beverage volume, item sales, and revenue during the intervention were compared with predicted sales.Statistical analysesSales data were analyzed using time series segmented regression while controlling for pre-intervention trends, autocorrelation in sales data, and seasonal fluctuations.ResultsBeverage volume sales of red (−27.6%; 95% CI −32.2 to −23.0) and amber (−26.7%; 95% CI −39.3 to −16.0) decreased, and volume of green beverages increased (+26.9%; 95% CI +14.1 to +39.7) in the 17th intervention week compared with predicted sales. Store manager and staff considered the intervention business-neutral, despite a small reduction in beverage revenue. Fifteen percent of customers noticed the price difference and 61% supported the intervention.ConclusionsA 20% sugar-sweetened beverage price increase was associated with a reduction in their purchases and an increase in purchases of healthier alternatives. Community retail settings present a bottom-up approach to improving consumer beverage choices.



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Chemicals from textiles to skin: an in vitro permeation study of benzothiazole

Abstract

Despite the possible impact on human health, few studies have been conducted to assess the penetration and accumulation of contaminants in the skin after a prolonged contact with textile materials. In previous studies, we have shown that benzothiazole and its derivatives, as well as other potentially hazardous chemicals, often are present as textile contaminants in clothes available on the retail market. Since benzothiazole is a common contaminant in clothes, these can be a possible route for human chemical exposure, both systemic and onto the skin. To investigate this potential exposure, Franz-type and flow-through cells were used for the permeation studies together with a Strat-M® artificial membranes. Experiments were performed using solutions of benzothiazole, as well as contaminated textile samples in the donor chamber. Benzothiazole was demonstrated to penetrate through, as well as being accumulated in the membrane mimicking the skin. After 24 h, up to 62% of benzothiazole was found in the acceptor cell, while up to 37% was found absorbed in the skin mimicking membrane. It also was shown that there was release and permeation from contaminated fabrics. The results indicate that benzothiazole can be released from textile materials, penetrate through the skin, and further enter the human body. This will possibly also apply to other chemical contaminants in textiles, and the results of this study indicate that the presence of these textile contaminants entails potential health risks. A rough risk assessment was made for clothing textiles according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European regulations for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic compounds, using literature data for benzothiazole.

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