title stringlengths 0 901 | abstract stringlengths 3 9.89k | PMID int64 22 25.3M | embedding listlengths 768 768 |
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iNOS expression and osteocyte apoptosis in idiopathic, non-traumatic osteonecrosis. | Non-traumatic osteonecrosis is a progressive disease with multiple etiologies. It affects younger individuals more and more, often leading to total hip arthroplasty. We investigated whether there is a correlation between inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and osteocyte apoptosis in non-traumatic osteonecrosis. We collected and studied 20 human idiopathic, non-traumatic osteonecrosis femoral heads. Subchondral bone samples in the non-sclerotic region (n = 30), collected from osteoarthritis patients, were used as controls. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were used as a model for osteonecrosis in the study. We used scanning electron microscopy, TUNEL assay, and immunohistochemical staining to study osteocyte changes and apoptosis. The morphology of osteocytes in the areas close to the necrotic region changed and the number of apoptotic osteocytes increased in comparison with the same region in control groups. The expression of iNOS and cytochrome C in osteocytes increased while Bax expression was not detectable in osteonecrosis samples. Using spontaneously hypertensive rats, we found a positive correlation between iNOS expression and osteocyte apoptosis in the osteonecrotic region. iNOS inhibitor (aminoguanidine) added to the drinking water for 5 weeks reduced the production of iNOS and osteonecrosis compared to a control group without aminoguanidine. Our findings show that increased iNOS expression can lead to osteocyte apopotosis in idiopathic, non-traumatic osteonecrosis and that an iNOS inhibitor may prevent the progression of the disease. | 25,191,931 | [
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Temporary epiphyseodesis for limb-length discrepancy. 8- to 15-year follow-up of 34 children. | For the treatment of leg-length discrepancies (LLDs) of between 2 and 5 cm in adolescent patients, several epiphyseodesis options exist and various complications have been reported. We reviewed the 8- to 15-year outcome after temporary epiphyseodesis in patients with LLD. 34 children with LLD of up to 5 cm were included in the study. Mean age at epiphyseodesis was 12.8 (10-16) years. Temporary epiphyseodesis was performed with Blount staples or 8-plates. The LLD was reviewed preoperatively, at the time of implant removal, and at follow-up. Every child had reached skeletal maturity at follow-up. Long-standing anteroposterior radiographs were analyzed with respect to the mechanical axis and remaining LLD at the time of follow-up. Possible complications were noted. The mean LLD changed from 2.3 (0.9-4.5) cm to 0.8 (-1.0 to 2.6) cm at follow-up (p<0.001). 21 patients had a final LLD of <1 cm, and 10 had LLD of <0.5 cm. At the time of follow-up, in 32 patients the mechanical axis crossed within Steven's zone 1. No deep infections or neurovascular lesions were seen. 4 implant failures occurred, which were managed by revision. Temporary epiphyseodesis is an effective and safe option for the treatment of LLD. The timing of the procedure has to be chosen according to the remaining growth, facilitating a full correction of the LLD. If inaccurate placement of staples is avoided, substantial differences between the mechanical axes of both legs at skeletal maturity are rare. | 25,191,935 | [
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Serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of invasive and noninvasive pneumococcal isolates in Tunisia. | Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have not yet been introduced into the national program for childhood vaccination in Tunisia. The aim of this 7-year study was to obtain local data about serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae. A total of 203 isolates of culture confirmed that S. pneumoniae was evaluated. Invasive (n=108) and noninvasive (n=95) pneumococcal isolates were obtained from patients aged from 1 month to 85 years old. Considering all age groups, vaccine coverage was 40%, 62%, and 68% for PCV7, PCV10, and PCV13 serotypes, respectively. Overall, 31% of these isolates were penicillin G nonsusceptible. The most prevalent serotypes identified were those found in currently available pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, emphasizing the importance of implementing the vaccine in the routine immunization schedule at the national level. | 25,191,941 | [
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Report of the fourth PANDA Symposium on "Anesthesia and Neurodevelopment in Children". | On April 12, 2014, the Pediatric Anesthesia and NeuroDevelopment Assessment (PANDA) study team held its fourth biennial scientific symposium at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York (MS-CHONY). The symposium was organized by the PANDA study team and co-sponsored by the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and the Department of Anesthesiology of Columbia University. The PANDA symposium has become a platform to review current preclinical and clinical data related to anesthetic neurotoxicity, to discuss relevant considerations in study design and approaches to future research among clinicians and researchers, and finally to engage key stakeholders in this controversial public health topic. Program attendants and speakers represented many of the most active investigators in the area of pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity as well as stakeholders from many different backgrounds outside of anesthesia that provided their own unique perspectives, concerns, and input regarding anesthetic-related neurotoxicity in children. | 25,191,956 | [
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Aerosol liquid water driven by anthropogenic nitrate: implications for lifetimes of water-soluble organic gases and potential for secondary organic aerosol formation. | Aerosol liquid water (ALW) influences aerosol radiative properties and the partitioning of gas-phase water-soluble organic compounds (WSOCg) to the condensed phase. A recent modeling study drew attention to the anthropogenic nature of ALW in the southeastern United States, where predicted ALW is driven by regional sulfate. Herein, we demonstrate that ALW in the Po Valley, Italy, is also anthropogenic but is driven by locally formed nitrate, illustrating regional differences in the aerosol components responsible for ALW. We present field evidence for the influence of controllable ALW on the lifetimes and atmospheric budgets of reactive organic gases and note the role of ALW in the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Nitrate is expected to increase in importance due to increased emissions of nitrate precursors, as well as policies aimed at reducing sulfur emissions. We argue that the impacts of increased particulate nitrate in future climate and air quality scenarios may be under predicted because they do not account for the increased potential for SOA formation in nitrate-derived ALW, nor do they account for the impacts of this ALW on reactive gas budgets and gas-phase photochemistry. | 25,191,968 | [
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Tunable volatile organic compounds sensor by using thiolated ligand conjugation on MoS2. | One of the most important issues in the development of gas sensors for breath analysis is the fabrication of gas sensor arrays that possess different responses for recognizing patterns for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Here, we develop a high-performance chemiresistor with a tunable sensor response and high sensitivity for representative VOC groups by using molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and by conjugating a thiolated ligand (mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA)) to MoS2 surface. Primitive and MUA-conjugated MoS2 sensing channels exhibit distinctly different sensor responses toward VOCs. In particular, the primitive MoS2 sensor presents positive responses for oxygen-functionalized VOCs, while the MUA-conjugated MoS2 sensor presents negative responses for the same analytes. Such characteristic sensor responses demonstrate that ligand conjugation successfully adds functionality to a MoS2 matrix. Thus, this will be a promising approach to constructing a versatile sensor array, by conjugating a wide variety of thiolated ligands on the MoS2 surface. Furthermore, these MoS2 sensors in this study exhibit high sensitivity to representative VOCs down to a concentration of 1 ppm. This approach to fabricating a tunable and sensitive VOC sensor may lead to a valuable real-world application for lung cancer diagnosis by breath analysis. | 25,191,976 | [
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Regio- and stereospecific synthesis of C-3 functionalized proline derivatives by palladium catalyzed directed C(sp3)-H arylation. | Functionalization of C(sp(3))-H bonds at the unactivated 3-position of proline derivatives has been achieved using aryl iodides and palladium catalysis. This directly affords cis-2,3-disubstituted pyrrolidines as single stereoisomers. 3-Arylation occurs in high yield under solvent-free conditions with aminoquinoline and methoxyaminoquinoline directing groups. The latter was readily removed to give primary amide derivatives with physicochemical properties appropriate for use as fragments in drug discovery. | 25,191,995 | [
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Thermochromism, stability and thermodynamics of cobalt(II) complexes in newly synthesized nitrate based ionic liquid and its photostability. | In this work a 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium nitrate ionic liquid, [HO(CH2)2mim]NO3, has been synthesized in order to serve as a new thermochromic material upon addition of cobalt(II) ions. Spectrophotometric measurements of a series of cobalt(II) nitrate and cobalt(II) chloride solutions in [HO(CH2)2mim]NO3 at 298.15, 308.15, 318.15, 328.15, and 338.15 K, were performed. Based on the recorded spectra, the overall stability constants and thermodynamic parameters for the cobalt(II) associations with chloride and nitrate ions were calculated. The thermodynamic calculations suggest that thermochromism is not observed in the ionic medium due to a small entropy change during the replacement of nitrate with chloride ions in the co-ordination sphere of cobalt(II). The absence of the molecular solvent was also the reason for the lack of thermochromism. Thus, cobalt(II) solutions in [HO(CH2)2mim]NO3 and water mixtures were studied as a new and green medium that can be used for the auto-regulation of the light intensity and shade protection. The investigated system with water upon addition of cobalt(II) was found to be a far more efficient and responsive thermochromic medium for all of the studied systems up until now. The structure of [HO(CH2)2mim]NO3 was confirmed by both (1)H NMR and IR spectroscopy. Also, the efficiency of different advanced oxidation processes (UV-induced photolysis, UV/H2O2 photolysis, heterogeneous photocatalysis using TiO2 Degussa P25 and TiO2 with 7.24%, w/w Fe catalysts) for [HO(CH2)2mim]NO3 degradation were investigated. The reaction intermediates formed during the photo-oxidation process were identified using LC-ESI-MS/MS and (1)H NMR techniques. | 25,192,002 | [
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Ratio of intratumoral macrophage phenotypes is a prognostic factor in epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma. | The tumor micro-environment and especially the different macrophage phenotypes appear to be of great influence on the behavior of multiple tumor types. M1 skewed macrophages possess anti-tumoral capacities, while the M2 polarized macrophages have pro-tumoral capacities. We analyzed if the macrophage count and the M2 to total macrophage ratio is a discriminative marker for outcome after surgery in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and studied the prognostic value of these immunological cells. 8 MPM patients who received induction chemotherapy and surgical treatment were matched on age, sex, tumor histology, TNM stage and EORTC score with 8 patients who received chemotherapy only. CD8 positive T-cells and the total macrophage count, using the CD68 pan-macrophage marker, and CD163 positive M2 macrophage count were determined in tumor specimens prior to treatment. The number of CD68 and CD163 cells was comparable between the surgery and the non-surgery group, and was not related to overall survival (OS) in both the surgery and non-surgery group. However, the CD163/CD68 ratio did correlate with OS in both in the total patient group (Pearson r -0.72, p<0.05). No correlation between the number of CD8 cells and prognosis was found. The total number of macrophages in tumor tissue did not correlate with OS in both groups, however, the CD163/CD68 ratio correlates with OS in the total patient group. Our data revealed that the CD163/CD68 ratio is a potential prognostic marker in epithelioid mesothelioma patients independent of treatment but cannot be used as a predictive marker for outcome after surgery. | 25,192,022 | [
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Green electrochemical sensing platforms: utilizing hydroxyapatite derived from natural fish scales as a novel electrochemical material for the sensitive detection of kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1). | Urinary KIM-1 is an ideal biomarker for acute kidney injury diagnosis. The proof-of-concept is demonstrated by utilizing the hydroxyapatite derived from natural fish scales as an electrode material, where the sensing of KIM-1 is shown to be possible for the first time with a linear range from 0.01 to 0.20 μg mL(-1) and a detection limit of 0.017 μg mL(-1) under model conditions; proof-of-concept is demonstrated in spiked urine. | 25,192,033 | [
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Sensitization to apomorphine in pigeons: a multifactorial conditioning process. | Apomorphine (apo), an unspecific direct dopamine agonist, elicits an intense and lasting pecking bout in pigeons. Apo yielded orderly dose-response functions, and repeated administrations led to sensitization. Strain and individual differences in sensitivity to apo were at least partly due to genetic factors. However, a strong cage-context dependency of the sensitization, which is indicative of conditioning, occurred in both pigeon strains studied. Apo-induced pecking and sensitization also occurred in total darkness. Pigeons could be conditioned to discriminate between an apo state and a non-apo state. A small dose of apo was effective as a conditioned stimulus when paired with a high dose as an unconditioned stimulus. The conditioned response (CR) was strongly specific to the context in which the sensitization to apo took place. The resistance to extinction of the CR could be increased through an oversensitization treatment. The incremental responses arising during the sensitization treatment and the CRs shown afterward by individual pigeons correlated significantly. The sensitization to apo in pigeons is well accounted for by a conditioning schema in which an interoceptive drug state is a conditional conditioned stimulus for the full expression of the incremental response. Variants of the scheme might also account for the sensitization of rodents to psychostimulants. A neural model that embodies the characteristics of the conditioning scheme has been proposed. | 25,192,069 | [
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Crystal structure of transglutaminase 2 with GTP complex and amino acid sequence evidence of evolution of GTP binding site. | Transglutaminase2 (TG2) is a multi-functional protein involved in various cellular processes, including apoptosis, differentiation, wound healing, and angiogenesis. The malfunction of TG2 causes many human disease including inflammatory disease, celiac disease, neurodegenerative diseases, tissue fibrosis, and cancers. Protein cross-linking activity, which is representative of TG2, is activated by calcium ions and suppressed by GTP. Here, we elucidated the structure of TG2 in complex with its endogenous inhibitor, GTP. Our structure showed why GTP is the optimal nucleotide for interacting with and inhibiting TG2. In addition, sequence comparison provided information describing the evolutionary scenario of GTP usage for controlling the activity of TG2. | 25,192,068 | [
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Condensation of helium in aerogel and athermal dynamics of the random-field Ising model. | High resolution measurements reveal that condensation isotherms of (4)He in high porosity silica aerogel become discontinuous below a critical temperature. We show that this behavior does not correspond to an equilibrium phase transition modified by the disorder induced by the aerogel structure, but to the disorder-driven critical point predicted for the athermal out-of-equilibrium dynamics of the random-field Ising model. Our results evidence the key role of nonequilibrium effects in the phase transitions of disordered systems. | 25,192,103 | [
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Self-replicating cracks: a collaborative fracture mode in thin films. | Straight cracks are observed in thin coatings under residual tensile stress, resulting into the classical network pattern observed in china crockery, old paintings, or dry mud. Here, we present a novel fracture mechanism where delamination and propagation occur simultaneously, leading to the spontaneous self-replication of an initial template. Surprisingly, this mechanism is active below the standard critical tensile load for channel cracks and selects a robust interaction length scale on the order of 30 times the film thickness. Depending on triggering mechanisms, crescent alleys, spirals, or long bands are generated over a wide range of experimental parameters. We describe with a simple physical model, the selection of the fracture path and provide a configuration diagram displaying the different failure modes. | 25,192,105 | [
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Controlling spin relaxation in hexagonal BN-encapsulated graphene with a transverse electric field. | We experimentally study the electronic spin transport in hexagonal BN encapsulated single layer graphene nonlocal spin valves. The use of top and bottom gates allows us to control the carrier density and the electric field independently. The spin relaxation times in our devices range up to 2 ns with spin relaxation lengths exceeding 12 μm even at room temperature. We obtain that the ratio of the spin relaxation time for spins pointing out-of-plane to spins in-plane is τ(⊥)/τ(||) ≈ 0.75 for zero applied perpendicular electric field. By tuning the electric field, this anisotropy changes to ≈ 0.65 at 0.7 V/nm, in agreement with an electric field tunable in-plane Rashba spin-orbit coupling. | 25,192,116 | [
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The effects of non-invasive radiofrequency treatment and hyperthermia on malignant and nonmalignant cells. | Exposure of biological subjects to electromagnetic fields with a high frequency is associated with temperature elevation. In our recent studies, we reported that non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) treatment at 13.56 MHz with the field ranging from 1 KeV to 20 KeV/m2 inhibits tumor progression in animals with abdominal tumor xenografts and enhances the anticancer effect of chemotherapy. The RF treatment was followed by temperature elevation in tumors to approximately 46 °C during 10 min of exposure. In contrast, the temperature of normal tissues remained within a normal range at approximately 37 °C. Whether all biological effects of RF treatment are limited to its hyperthermic property remains unclear. Here, we compared how RF and hyperthermia (HT) treatments change the proliferation rate, oxygen consumption and autophagy in malignant and nonmalignant cells. In the current study, cancer and nonmalignant cells of pancreatic origin were exposed to the RF field or to conventional HT at 46 °C, which was chosen based on our previous in vivo studies of the tumor-specific RF-induced hyperthermia. Only RF treatment caused declines in cancer cell viability and proliferation. RF treatment also affected mitochondrial function in cancer cells more than HT treatment did and, unlike HT treatment, was followed by the elevation of autophagosomes in the cytoplasm of cancer cells. Importantly, the effects of RF treatment were negligible in nonmalignant cells. The obtained data indicate that the effects of RF treatment are specific to cancer cells and are not limited to its hyperthermic property. | 25,192,147 | [
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Hunting the human DPP III active conformation: combined thermodynamic and QM/MM calculations. | Multiple choices of the protein active conformations in flexible metalloenzymes complicate study of their catalytic mechanism. We used three different conformations of human dipeptidyl-peptidase III (DPP III) to investigate the influence of the protein environment on ligand binding and the Zn(2+) coordination. MD simulations followed by calculations of binding free energy components accomplished for a series of DPP III substrates, both synthetic and natural, revealed that binding of the β-strand shaped substrate to the five-stranded β-core of the compact DPP III form (in antiparallel fashion) is the preferred binding mode, in agreement with the experimentally determined structure of the DPP III inactive mutant-tynorphin complex (Bezerra et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 2012, 109, 6525). Previously it was proposed that the catalytic mechanism of DPP III is similar to that of thermolysin, which assumes exchange of five and four coordinated Zn(2+), and activation of Zn-bound water by a nearby Glu. Our QM/MM calculations, performed for a total of 18 protein structures with different zinc ion environments, revealed that the 5-coordinated metal ion is more favourable than the 6-coordinated one in only the most compact DPP III form. Besides, in this structure E451 is H-bonded to the metal ion coordinating water. Also, our study revealed two constraints for the broad substrate specificity of DPP III. One is the possibility of the substrate adopting the β-strand shape and the other is its charged N-terminus. Altogether, we assume that the human DPP III active conformation would be the most compact form, similar to the "closed X-ray" DPP III structure. | 25,192,149 | [
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Nonradiological method for 3-dimensional implant position assessment using an intraoral scan: new method for postoperative implant control. | This study presents a method to verify the position of dental implants after insertion without the repeated x-ray exposure. An implant was inserted into the natural gap between the canines and premolars of 8 domestic pigs and 1 human patient. A scanbody was then connected to the implants and a digital intraoral impression of the jaw segment was acquired using a handheld scanner. In addition, the implant position was radiologically detected by cone beam computed tomography. The position of the implant based on both techniques was compared by digital matching. The position of the dental implants determined by the scanner accurately represents the position in the radiograph in the pigs and also in the human patient. Evaluating the position of implants using intraoral scans is a straightforward, accurate, and radiation-free method of 3-dimensional implant position determination. | 25,192,152 | [
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Torque ratio as a predictable factor on primary stability of orthodontic miniscrew implants. | To evaluate the torque ratio (TR) as a predictable factor on primary stability of orthodontic miniscrews. Fifty-eight orthodontic patients (17 men, 41 women; mean age, 21.9 years) with a total of 112 titanium miniscrews of 3 different diameters were subjected. Maximum insertion torque (MIT) and maximum removal torque (MRT) were measured by a digital torque checker at the screw placement. Four weeks after the placement, the stable screw was recorded as a success. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the influence of each clinical variable on success. Success rates were 82.1% to 89.5%, and there were no significant differences in the 3 types of miniscrews. MIT and MRT showed a positive correlation but did not affect the success rates of miniscrews directly. On the contrary, TR was significantly higher in the success group than in the failure group. In multiple regression analysis, age, TR, and screw proximity had a significant influence on the miniscrew success. TR might be related with the miniscrew success rates, and it can be used as a predictable factor on primary stability of orthodontic miniscrew implants. Miniscrew implants should be replaced if MRT is significantly lower than MIT at placement surgery. | 25,192,157 | [
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Comparison of 2 crestal sinus floor lift techniques performed on human cadavers. | To compare the effectiveness of 2 different techniques to lift the maxillary sinus floor through a crestal approach on fresh human cadaver heads: the Intralift technique using Piezosurgery and the Summers technique using osteotomy. Two different protocols were simulated on 11 fresh human cadaver heads or 22 maxillary sinuses. Inclusion criteria were: bilateral edentulous maxilla with a residual ridge height between 3 and 9 mm. CT scans were performed before and after surgery on all fresh cadaver heads. Both Intralift and Summers techniques were performed on the same maxilla on the 2 sinuses. The surgical procedure was performed by 2 independent operators, 1 experienced and 1 novice to compare the 2 results. The parameters assessed were the procedure duration and the sinus membrane preservation. The procedure duration was shorter when the operator was more experienced (P = 0.03). There was a correlation between the operator dexterity and the time required for surgery. The Intralift technique seemed safer for sinus membrane preservation. The Intralift technique is an interesting alternative to the Summers technique. | 25,192,160 | [
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Posting behaviour patterns in an online smoking cessation social network: implications for intervention design and development. | Online Cessation Support Networks (OCSNs) are associated with increased quit success rates, but few studies have examined their use over time. We identified usage patterns in New Zealand's largest OCSN over two years and explored implications for OCSN intervention design and evaluation. We analysed metadata relating to 133,096 OCSN interactions during 2011 and 2012. Metrics covered aggregate network activity, user posting activity and longevity, and between-user commenting. Binary logistic regression models were estimated to investigate the feasibility of predicting low user engagement using early interaction data. Repeating periodic peaks and troughs in aggregate activity related not only to seasonality (e.g., New Year), but also to day of the week. Out of 2,062 unique users, 69 Highly Engaged Users (180+ interactions each) contributed 69% of all OCSN interactions in 2012 compared to 1.3% contributed by 864 Minimally Engaged Users (< = 2 items each). The proportion of Highly Engaged Users increased with network growth between 2011 and 2012 (with marginal significance), but the proportion of Minimally Engaged Users did not decline substantively. First week interaction data enabled identification of Minimally Engaged Users with high specificity and sensitivity (AUROC= 0.94). Results suggest future research should develop and test interventions that promote activity, and hence cessation support, amongst specific user groups or at key time points. For example, early usage information could help identify Minimally Engaged Users for tests of targeted messaging designed to improve their integration into, or re-engagement with, the OCSN. Furthermore, although we observed strong growth over time on varied metrics including posts and comments, this change did not coincide with large gains in first-time user persistence. Researchers assessing intervention effects should therefore examine multiple measures when evaluating changes in network dynamics over time. | 25,192,174 | [
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Diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG-PET versus scintigraphy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis of prospective literature. | The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-PET (F-FDG-PET), leukocyte scintigraphy (LS), and monoclonal antigranulocyte antibody scintigraphy (MAAS) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and perform pairwise comparisons of the diagnostic accuracy between these different imaging modalities. Through a search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (January 1993-May 2013), we performed a random effects meta-analysis and constructed summary receiver operating characteristic curves on per-bowel-segment or per-patient basis. Two-sample Z-tests were performed to evaluate differences in sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), and the Q* index between any two diagnostic modalities on per-bowel-segment basis. Twenty prospective studies were reviewed. On per-bowel-segment basis, the F-FDG-PET had a pooled sensitivity of 0.84, specificity of 0.86, AUC of 0.913, and Q* index of 0.845, whereas for LS, the corresponding values were 0.79, 0.86, 0.877, and 0.808, respectively, and for MAAS they were 0.45, 0.94, 0.524, and 0.518, respectively. On per-patient basis, the corresponding values of LS were 0.91, 0.85, 0.937, and 0.874, respectively. Statistically significant differences were not found in the sensitivity, specificity, AUC, and Q* index between F-FDG-PET and LS on per-bowel-segment basis. F-FDG-PET has a high degree of diagnostic performance compared with LS and MAAS on per-bowel-segment basis in patients with IBD. LS may be used with satisfactory diagnostic accuracy in detecting active IBD when PET systems are unavailable. A larger prospective validation of these findings would be valuable. | 25,192,191 | [
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'Act on oncology' as a new comprehensive approach to assess prostate cancer centres--method description and results of a pilot study. | Multidisciplinary care of prostate cancer is increasingly offered in specialised cancer centres. It requires the optimisation of medical and operational processes and the integration of the different medical and non-medical stakeholders. To develop a standardised operational process assessment tool basing on the capability maturity model integration (CMMI) able to implement multidisciplinary care and improve process quality and efficiency. Information for model development was derived from medical experts, clinical guidelines, best practice elements of renowned cancer centres, and scientific literature. Data were organised in a hierarchically structured model, consisting of 5 categories, 30 key process areas, 172 requirements, and more than 1500 criteria. Compliance with requirements was assessed through structured on-site surveys covering all relevant clinical and management processes. Comparison with best practice standards allowed to recommend improvements. 'Act On Oncology'(AoO) was applied in a pilot study on a prostate cancer unit in Europe. Several best practice elements such as multidisciplinary clinics or advanced organisational measures for patient scheduling were observed. Substantial opportunities were found in other areas such as centre management and infrastructure. As first improvements the evaluated centre administration described and formalised the organisation of the prostate cancer unit with defined personnel assignments and clinical activities and a formal agreement is being worked on to have structured access to First-Aid Posts. In the pilot study, the AoO approach was feasible to identify opportunities for process improvements. Measures were derived that might increase the operational process quality and efficiency. | 25,192,213 | [
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Endoscopic and clinical recurrences after laparoscopic or open ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease. | After ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease, studies concerning the influence of the laparoscopic or open approach on clinical and endoscopic recurrences are scarce. In a prospective database, we identified all patients operated on between 2004 and 2012 for primary ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease, with at least 6 months of follow-up. The rates of endoscopic recurrence during the first postoperative year and the clinical recurrence at any time during follow-up were measured and compared after the laparoscopic or open approach. Sixty-two patients (mean±standard deviation age, 33.5±12.7 years; 35 females) were operated on through laparoscopy (n=28) or laparotomy (n=34). Medical treatment, evolution and phenotype of disease, and postoperative course were comparable in both groups. Mean±standard deviation follow-up was 3.5±1.9 years. Ileocolonoscopy was available in 46 (74.2%) patients. Normal endoscopy or minor recurrence (i0 or i1 grade) was significantly more frequent after laparoscopy (14/24 [58.3%]) versus laparotomy (5/22 [22.7%]) (P=.019). Clinical recurrence was comparable at 1 year (P=.116) and at the end of follow-up (P=.799) after laparoscopy (28.6% and 50%, respectively) or laparotomy (11.8% and 55.9%, respectively). After resection, normal or minor endoscopic lesions (i0 or i1 grade) were more frequent after laparoscopy than after laparotomy. However, clinical recurrence was similar after both techniques. | 25,192,247 | [
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Characterization of indoor extremely low frequency and low frequency electromagnetic fields in the INMA-Granada cohort. | To characterize the exposure to electric fields and magnetic fields of non-ionizing radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum (15 Hz to 100 kHz) in the dwellings of children from the Spanish Environment and Childhood-"INMA" population-based birth cohort. The study sample was drawn from the INMA-Granada cohort. Out of 300 boys participating in the 9-10 year follow-up, 123 families agreed to the exposure assessment at home and completed a specific ad hoc questionnaire gathering information on sources of non-ionizing radiation electric and magnetic fields inside the homes and on patterns of use. Long-term indoor measurements were carried out in the living room and bedroom. Survey data showed a low exposure in the children's homes according to reference levels of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection but with large differences among homes in mean and maximum values. Daytime electrostatic and magnetic fields were below the quantification limit in 78.6% (92 dwellings) and 92.3% (108 dwellings) of houses, with an arithmetic mean value (± standard deviation) of 7.31±9.32 V/m and 162.30±91.16 nT, respectively. Mean magnetic field values were 1.6 lower during the night than the day. Nocturnal electrostatic values were not measured. Exposure levels were influenced by the area of residence (higher values in urban/semi-urban versus rural areas), type of dwelling, age of dwelling, floor of the dwelling, and season. Given the greater sensitivity to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields of children and following the precautionary principle, preventive measures are warranted to reduce their exposure. | 25,192,253 | [
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Diaceno[a,e]pentalenes from homoannulations of o-alkynylaryliodides utilizing a unique Pd(OAc)2/n-Bu4NOAc catalytic combination. | A heterogeneous catalytic system, Pd(OAc)2/n-Bu4NOAc, for the efficient synthesis of diaceno[a,e]pentalenes via a tandem Pd catalytic cycle is reported. The catalytic partner n-Bu4NOAc played indispensable and versatile roles, acting as both the media for recovering active Pd(0) species and their stabilizer. A series of new diaceno[a,e]pentalenes were obtained in moderate to high yields, among which the octacyclic dianthracenopentalene was found to be highly emissive. | 25,192,255 | [
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Epidemiological African day for evaluation of patients at risk of venous thrombosis in acute hospital care settings. | This study aimed to identify patients at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) among all patients hospitalised, and to determine the proportion of at-risk hospital patients who received effective types of VTE prophylaxis in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A multinational, observational, cross-sectional survey was carried out on 1 583 at-risk patients throughout five SSA countries. The prevalence of VTE risk was 50.4% overall, 62.3% in medical and 43.8% in surgical patients. The proportion of at-risk patients receiving prophylaxis was 51.5% overall, 36.2% in medical and 64% in surgical patients. Low-molecular weight heparin was the most frequently used prophylactic method in 40.2% overall, 23.1% in medical and 49.9% in surgical patients. This study showed a high prevalence of VTE risk among hospitalised patients and that less than half of all at-risk patients received an American College of Clinical Pharmacy-recommended method of prophylaxis. Recommended VTE prophylaxis is underused in SSA. | 25,192,298 | [
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Infliximab, an anti-TNF-alpha agent, improves left atrial abnormalities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: preliminary results. | Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In the current prospective study, we addressed the impact of RA on left atrial (LA) function and electrical remodelling. Further, we tried to demonstrate the effects of infliximab, an anti-TNF-alpha agent, on echocardiographical LA abnormality in RA patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. We compared 38 female RA patients without clinical evidence of heart disease and 30 female controls without RA and clinical evidence of heart disease. Further, we compared RA patients receiving infliximab and increasing doses of prednisolone over a three-month period. At baseline and post treatment, this study assessed (1) LA and LV parameters using conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), and (2) electrocardiographic P-wave changes. The values of C-reactive protein (CRP), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), A wave, and deceleration time (DT) were significantly higher in RA patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05), whereas E/E' and E/A values were found to be lower (p < 0.05) in RA patients. E/E' values were lower in prednisolone- compared to infliximab-treated patients (p < 0.05). After three months of infliximab and prednisolone treatment, CRP and disease activity score (DAS 28) values decreased in both groups (p < 0.05), and Duke activity status index (DASI) increased (p < 0.05). Maximal left atrial volume index (LAVImax), pre-contraction left atrial volume index (LAVIpreA) and maximum P wave (Pmax) of the RA patients were higher compared to the control group (p < 0.05), whereas LA global strain was found to be lower (p < 0.05). There was no difference in Pmax values between groups before and after the treatment period. E/E', LAVImax and LAVIpreA values of infliximab-treated patients decreased and LA global strain increased after three months of therapy compared to baseline (p < 0.05). At baseline in both treatment groups, E/E' and LA global late diastolic strain rate were lower in prednisolone-compared to infliximab-treated patients (p < 0.05). There was echocardiographic LA abnormality in these RA patients. In this patient group there was also a meaningful increase in maximum P wave assessed by electrocardiography. Infliximab therapy for a period of three months improved LA abnormality. | 25,192,300 | [
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Fructo-oligosaccharides and iron bioavailability in anaemic rats: the effects on iron species distribution, ferroportin-1 expression, crypt bifurcation and crypt cell proliferation in the caecum. | The present study investigated the effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on the bioavailability of Fe from ferric pyrophosphate (FP), a water-insoluble compound, in Fe-deficient anaemic rats that were subjected to a Hb repletion assay. Male Wistar rats (n 64) were fed adequate or low (8 mg/kg) Fe diets for 15 d followed by 1 or 2 weeks of Fe repletion with diets providing 35 mg Fe/kg as ferrous sulphate (FS), FP or FP that was mixed with 7·5% FOS in the form of yacon flour or Raftilose P95 (RAF), a purified source of FOS. The effects of FOS were observed within the 1st week of the repletion period. Fe bioavailability was improved by FOS supplementation, as measured by Hb regeneration efficiency and hepatic Fe stores, which were more pronounced in the RAF group. Moreover, RAF supplementation resulted in a higher biological value relative to that of the FP group. FOS supplementation resulted in caecal enlargement, in addition to acidification and Fe species redistribution in the caecal contents relative to the control rats. These effects occurred concomitantly with decreased ferroportin (FPN)-1 expression in the caecal mucosa, which was similar in magnitude to that observed in the FS group. Caecum mucosal morphometry was influenced by FOS supplementation, whereas crypt fission and cell proliferation were highest in the caecum of the RAF group. These results reinforce the effects of FOS as Fe bioavailability enhancers in anaemic rats that are sustained by early changes in their caecal environment (decreased mucosal FPN-1 expression and increased Fe absorbability, crypt fission and cellularity). | 25,192,308 | [
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An improved method for dynamic measurement of deflections of the vertical based on the maintenance of attitude reference. | A new method for dynamic measurement of deflections of the vertical (DOV) is proposed in this paper. The integration of an inertial navigation system (INS) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is constructed to measure the body's attitude with respect to the astronomical coordinates. Simultaneously, the attitude with respect to the geodetic coordinates is initially measured by a star sensor under quasi-static condition and then maintained by the laser gyroscope unit (LGU), which is composed of three gyroscopes in the INS, when the vehicle travels along survey lines. Deflections of the vertical are calculated by using the difference between the attitudes with respect to the geodetic coordinates and astronomical coordinates. Moreover, an algorithm for removing the trend error of the vertical deflections is developed with the aid of Earth Gravitational Model 2008 (EGM2008). In comparison with traditional methods, the new method required less accurate GNSS, because the dynamic acceleration calculation is avoided. The errors of inertial sensors are well resolved in the INS/GNSS integration, which is implemented by a Rauch-Tung-Striebel (RTS) smoother. In addition, a single-axis indexed INS is adopted to improve the observability of the system errors and to restrain the inertial sensor errors. The proposed method is validated by Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that deflections of the vertical can achieve a precision of better than 1″ for a single survey line. The proposed method can be applied to a gravimetry system based on a ground vehicle or ship with a speed lower than 25 m/s. | 25,192,311 | [
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MicroRNAs in pulmonary arterial hypertension. | Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease without effective treatment. Despite decades of research and the development of novel treatments, PAH remains a fatal disease, suggesting an urgent need for better understanding of the pathogenesis of PAH. Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in patients with PAH and in experimental pulmonary hypertension. Furthermore, normalization of a few miRNAs is reported to inhibit experimental pulmonary hypertension. We have reviewed the current knowledge about miRNA biogenesis, miRNA expression pattern, and their roles in regulation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. We have also identified emerging trends in our understanding of the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of PAH and propose future studies that might lead to novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of PAH. | 25,192,340 | [
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Family members' requests to extend physiologic support after declaration of brain death: a case series analysis and proposed guidelines for clinical management. | We describe and analyze 13 cases handled by our ethics consultation service (ECS) in which families requested continuation of physiological support for loved ones after death by neurological criteria (DNC) had been declared. These ethics consultations took place between 2005 and 2013. Patients' ages ranged from 14 to 85. Continued mechanical ventilation was the focal intervention sought by all families. The ECS's advice and recommendations generally promoted "reasonable accommodation" of the requests, balancing compassion for grieving families with other ethical and moral concerns such as stewardship of resources, professional integrity, and moral distress. In cases we characterized as finite-goal accommodation, a "reasonable accommodation" strategy proved effective in balancing stakeholders' interests and goals, enabling steady progress toward resolution. When a family objected outright to a declaration of DNC and asked for an indefinite accommodation, the "reasonable accommodation" approach offered clinicians little practical direction, and resolution required definitive action by either the family or the clinical team. Based on our analysis and reflections on these 13 cases, we propose ethically justified and practical guidelines to assist healthcare professionals, administrators, and ECSs faced with similar cases. | 25,192,347 | [
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Pyrethroid pesticide exposure and parental report of learning disability and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in U.S. children: NHANES 1999-2002. | Use of pyrethroid insecticides has increased dramatically over the past decade; however, data on their potential health effects, particularly on children, are limited. We examined the cross-sectional association between postnatal pyrethroid exposure and parental report of learning disability (LD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children 6-15 years of age. Using logistic regression, we estimated associations of urinary metabolites of pyrethroid insecticides with parent-reported LD, ADHD, and both LD and ADHD in 1,659-1,680 children participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002). The prevalence rates of parent-reported LD, ADHD, and both LD and ADHD were 12.7%, 10.0%, and 5.4%, respectively. Metabolite detection frequencies for 3-PBA [3-phenoxybenzoic acid], cis-DCCA [cis-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid], and trans-DCCA [trans-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid] were 77.1%, 35.6%, and 33.9%, respectively. The geometric mean 3-PBA concentration was 0.32 μg/L (median = 0.31 μg/L; interquartile rage = 0.10-0.89 μg/L). cis- and trans-DCCA 75th-percentile concentrations were 0.21 μg/L and 0.68 μg/L, respectively. Log10-transformed 3-PBA concentrations were associated with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.18 (95% CI: 0.92, 1.51) for parent-reported LD, 1.16 (95% CI: 0.85, 1.58) for ADHD, and 1.45 (95% CI: 0.92, 2.27) for both LD and ADHD. Adjusted ORs remained nonsignificant and decreased after controlling for creatinine and other environmental chemicals previously linked to altered neurodevelopment. Similarly, no significant associations were observed for cis- and trans-DCCA. Postnatal pyrethroid exposure was not associated with parental report of LD and/or ADHD. Given the widespread and increasing use of pyrethroids, future research should evaluate exposures at current levels, particularly during critical windows of brain development. | 25,192,380 | [
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Occupational radon exposure and lung cancer mortality: estimating intervention effects using the parametric g-formula. | Traditional regression analysis techniques used to estimate associations between occupational radon exposure and lung cancer focus on estimating the effect of cumulative radon exposure on lung cancer. In contrast, public health interventions are typically based on regulating radon concentration rather than workers' cumulative exposure. Estimating the effect of cumulative occupational exposure on lung cancer may be difficult in situations vulnerable to the healthy worker survivor bias. Workers in the Colorado Plateau Uranium Miners cohort (n = 4,134) entered the study between 1950 and 1964 and were followed for lung cancer mortality through 2005. We use the parametric g-formula to compare the observed lung cancer mortality to the potential lung cancer mortality had each of 3 policies to limit monthly radon exposure been in place throughout follow-up. There were 617 lung cancer deaths over 135,275 person-years of follow-up. With no intervention on radon exposure, estimated lung cancer mortality by age 90 was 16%. Lung cancer mortality was reduced for all interventions considered, and larger reductions in lung cancer mortality were seen for interventions with lower monthly radon exposure limits. The most stringent guideline, the Mine Safety and Health Administration standard of 0.33 working-level months, reduced lung cancer mortality from 16% to 10% (risk ratio = 0.67 [95% confidence interval = 0.61 to 0.73]). This work illustrates the utility of the parametric g-formula for estimating the effects of policies regarding occupational exposures, particularly in situations vulnerable to the healthy worker survivor bias. | 25,192,403 | [
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Self-assembly thermodynamics of pH-responsive amino-acid-based polymers with a nonionic surfactant. | The behavior of pH-responsive polymers poly(N-methacryloyl-l-valine) (P1), poly(N-methacryloyl-l-phenylalanine) (P2), and poly(N-methacryloylglycyne-l-leucine) (P3) has been studied in the presence of the nonionic surfactant Brij98. The pure polymers phase-separate in an acidic medium with critical pHtr values of 3.7, 5.5, and 3.4, respectively. The addition of the surfactant prevents phase separation and promotes reorganization of polymer molecules. The nature of the interaction between polymer and surfactant depends on the amino acid structure in the side chain of the polymer. This effect was investigated by dynamic light scattering, isothermal titration calorimetry, electrophoretic measurements, small-angle neutron scattering, and infrared spectroscopy. Thermodynamic analysis revealed an endothermic association reaction in P1/Brij98 mixture, whereas a strong exothermic effect was observed for P2/Brij98 and P3/Brij98. Application of regular solution theory for the analysis of experimental enthalpograms indicated dominant hydrophobic interactions between P1 and Brij98 and specific interactions for the P2/Brij98 system. Electrophoretic and dynamic light scattering measurements support the applicability of the theory to these cases. The specific interactions can be ascribed to hydrogen bonds formed between the carboxylic groups of the polymer and the oligo(ethylene oxide) head groups of the surfactant. Thus, differences in polymer-surfactant interactions between P1 and P2 polymers result in different structures of polymer-surfactant complexes. Specifically, small-angle neutron scattering revealed pearl-necklace complexes and "core-shell" structures for P1/Brij98 and P2/Brij98 systems, respectively. These results may help in the design of new pH-responsive site-specific micellar drug delivery systems or pH-responsive membrane-disrupting agents. | 25,192,406 | [
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A penetrating nail-prick injury of the lateral plantar artery leading to pseudo-aneurysm formation and rupture. | Pseudo-aneurysm in the plantar region is so rare that there are only sporadic case reports in the literature. The aetiology is usually either iatrogenic or stepping on a piece of glass. In comparison to the medial plantar artery, the lateral plantar artery is the most common arterial structure injured in the plantar region due to its more superficial course and it being less protected by the surrounding structures. With variable presentation and different time intervals from injury to diagnosis, the mechanism and penetration depth of the injury is thought to have a major impact on the formation of a pseudo-aneurysm. The aims of this article were to present a case of a lateral plantar artery injury after stepping on a construction nail, leading to pseudo-aneurysm formation and rupture, and to review the literature with regard to the clinical characteristics of these rare and overlooked cases. | 25,192,411 | [
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Protein intake and lumbar bone density: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). | Dietary protein has been shown to increase urinary Ca excretion in randomised controlled trials, and diets high in protein may have detrimental effects on bone health; however, studies examining the relationship between dietary protein and bone health have conflicting results. In the present study, we examined the relationship between dietary protein (total, animal and vegetable protein) and lumbar spine trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) among participants enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (n 1658). Protein intake was assessed using a FFQ obtained at baseline examination (2000-2). Lumbar spine vBMD was measured using quantitative computed tomography (2002-5), on average 3 years later. Multivariable linear and robust regression techniques were used to examine the associations between dietary protein and vBMD. Sex and race/ethnicity jointly modified the association of dietary protein with vBMD (P for interaction = 0·03). Among white women, higher vegetable protein intake was associated with higher vBMD (P for trend = 0·03), after adjustment for age, BMI, physical activity, alcohol consumption, current smoking, educational level, hormone therapy use, menopause and additional dietary factors. There were no consistently significant associations for total and animal protein intakes among white women or other sex and racial/ethnic groups. In conclusion, data from the present large, multi-ethnic, population-based study suggest that a higher level of protein intake, when substituted for fat, is not associated with poor bone health. Differences in the relationship between protein source and race/ethnicity of study populations may in part explain the inconsistent findings reported previously. | 25,192,416 | [
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S-nitroso-proteome in poplar leaves in response to acute ozone stress. | Protein S-nitrosylation, the covalent binding of nitric oxide (NO) to protein cysteine residues, is one of the main mechanisms of NO signaling in plant and animal cells. Using a combination of the biotin switch assay and label-free LC-MS/MS analysis, we revealed the S-nitroso-proteome of the woody model plant Populus x canescens. Under normal conditions, constitutively S-nitrosylated proteins in poplar leaves and calli comprise all aspects of primary and secondary metabolism. Acute ozone fumigation was applied to elicit ROS-mediated changes of the S-nitroso-proteome. This treatment changed the total nitrite and nitrosothiol contents of poplar leaves and affected the homeostasis of 32 S-nitrosylated proteins. Multivariate data analysis revealed that ozone exposure negatively affected the S-nitrosylation status of leaf proteins: 23 proteins were de-nitrosylated and 9 proteins had increased S-nitrosylation content compared to the control. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 2 (log2[ozone/control] = -3.6) and caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (-3.4), key enzymes catalyzing important steps in the phenylpropanoid and subsequent lignin biosynthetic pathways, respectively, were de-nitrosylated upon ozone stress. Measuring the in vivo and in vitro phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity indicated that the increase of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in response to acute ozone is partly regulated by de-nitrosylation, which might favor a higher metabolic flux through the phenylpropanoid pathway within minutes after ozone exposure. | 25,192,423 | [
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A palliative care hotline for multiple sclerosis: A pilot feasibility study. | Research findings suggest that patients severely affected by multiple sclerosis benefit from palliative care. Our objectives were to (1) implement a pilot palliative care counseling hotline for severely affected multiple sclerosis patients and their caregivers in order to connect them to palliative care, and (2) evaluate its preliminary feasibility through a pilot study. The hotline was designed in cooperation with the local state association of the German Multiple Sclerosis Society and based on a review of the literature. The initial study setting for the hotline was the broader region of the cities Cologne and Bonn in Germany. The hotline was introduced through a magazine published by the German Multiple Sclerosis Society and leaflets sent to local healthcare providers. Calls were conducted using a semistructured interview guide and documented by a standardized case report form. Measures to assess feasibility were both quantitative (e.g., number of calls) and qualitative (e.g., criteria for eligibility for palliative care). During its pilot year, the hotline received 18 calls. Some 15 callers were included in the analysis, and 10 of these 15 were deemed eligible for palliative care due to such criteria as medical characteristics, care or nursing conditions, caregiver strain, and concerns regarding death and dying. Access to palliative care services could be provided for all 10 callers. Based on our pilot feasibility study, the hotline seems to be a valuable service for patients severely affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) and their caregivers in order to gain information about and access to palliative care. It will be extended on a nationwide scale through a grant of the German Multiple Sclerosis Society. Awareness of the hotline needs to be enhanced in order to attract and support a significant number of new callers. | 25,192,425 | [
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A macroeconomic review of dentistry in Canada in the 2000s. | To describe trends in expenditures on dental health care services, the number of dental health care professionals and self-reported dental visits and cost barriers to dental care in Canada from 2000 to 2010. Data on licensed dental professionals; total expenditures on dental care, both public and private; and mean per capita amount spent on dental care were obtained from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Information on self-reported dental visits and cost barriers to dental care were collected from the Canadian Community Health Surveys and the Canadian Health Measures Survey. To compare Canada with other countries, data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) were used. From 2000 to 2010, the number of licensed dental professionals increased by 35%, with a particularly large rise in the number of dental hygienists (61%). Total real expenditures on dental care, after adjusting for inflation, increased by 56%, while the percentage of dental care expenditures paid by private insurance and through public funds decreased. Mean per capita expenditures increased from $233.94 in 2000 to $327.84 in 2010. Compared with other OECD countries, Canada ranked among the highest in mean per capita spending on dental care, but among the lowest in terms of public share. The proportion of people reporting a dental visit in the past year increased from 60.3% in 2001 to 75.5% in 2009, and those reporting cost barriers increased from 15% in 2001 to 17% in 2009. The dental care market appears to be growing, with increases in licensed dental professionals, total and mean per capita dental care expenditures and self-reported dental visits. However, these increases are not necessarily associated with greater effectiveness in meeting population needs and outcomes, such as equity in financing, delivery and improvements in oral health. Concerns with the financing of dental care and related issues of access may have implications for the future of dental care in Canada. | 25,192,447 | [
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Rewiring the niche: sympathetic neuropathy drives malignant niche transformation. | In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that hematological malignancies can alter their microenvironment, but the therapeutic implications of these changes and potential targets have not been well characterized. Recent findings now describe how sympathetic neuropathy can drive malignant transformation of the hematopoietic stem cell niche in hematopoietic malignancies. | 25,192,459 | [
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Endophyte infection of tall fescue and the impact of climatic factors on ergovaline concentrations in field crops cultivated in southern France. | Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) infected by Epichloe coenophiala contains ergot alkaloids responsible for fescue toxicosis in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, with only a few cases occurring in Europe. The detection of Epichloe in 166 L. arundinaceum collected in southern France revealed that 60% were infected, 51% being high ergovaline producers. The ergovaline level in endophyte-infected tall fescue Kentucky 31 was monitored during 3 years in various parts of the plant. Maturation of plants, recorded according to the BBCH scale, appeared to be the main factor for estimating the risk of toxicity. Ergovaline levels of ≥300 μg/kg dry matter were obtained at the end of spring, the beginning of autumn, and mid-winter. Positive correlation between ergovaline level and cumulative degree-d was observed, whereas rainfall had no effect. These results suggest that the lack of fescue toxicosis observed in France cannot be explained by the lack of ergovaline in tall fescue. | 25,192,465 | [
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The effects of aging on the dynamic adsorption of hazardous organic vapors on impregnated activated carbon. | The effects of an eight-year natural aging of ASC impregnated activated carbon on the adsorption capacity and breakthrough times of model organic vapors and of the nerve agent sarin were investigated. Aging delayed methanol breakthrough from dry air on pre-dried carbon, but shortened the breakthrough time of both methanol and hexane under relative humidity (RH) of 30-85% on pre-humidified carbon. Aging also shortened the breakthrough time of the less volatile model compound 2-methoxyethanol, especially under RH of 60-85%. Aging significantly reduced the protection capacity against sarin at RH of 85%. The effects of aging on physisorption are attributed to enhanced hydrogen-bonding capability and strength of the interaction between water and adsorption sites on the carbon surface. | 25,192,468 | [
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The Pipeline Embolization Device for the treatment of posterior circulation fusiform aneurysms: lessons learned at a single institution. | Vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VFAs) are rare lesions characterized by abnormal dilation and tortuosity of the vertebral and/or basilar arteries. Untreated, these aneurysms have a tendency to progress, often resulting in neurological symptoms or rupture leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage. The microsurgical treatment of these lesions can be difficult due to their location and the circumferential involvement of the arteries. These features make microsurgical treatment prone to high morbidity. The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) has gained popularity for the treatment of aneurysms of the internal carotid artery. Its use in the posterior circulation has been limited, likely due to a fear of perforating artery occlusion. The authors retrospectively reviewed their database of patients treated with the PED and identified 12 patients who had VFAs. The clinical features, complications, and outcomes of these patients were analyzed. At an average follow-up of 11 months, the mean modified Rankin Scale score was 1.9. Complete aneurysm occlusion was seen in 90% of the patients with radiographic follow-up. Three patients suffered new neurological deficits postoperatively. One of these patients died, while the remaining 2 demonstrated significant clinical improvement at follow-up. With attention to the anatomy of perforating arteries, staged contralateral vertebral artery sacrifice, and adequate platelet inhibition, PED may be an effective treatment option-alone or in a hybrid construct with stents of less coverage for VFAs-with an acceptable complication rate. | 25,192,476 | [
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A randomized controlled dual-center trial on shunt complications in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus treated with gradually reduced or "fixed" pressure valve settings. | This study was undertaken to investigate whether a gradual reduction of the valve setting (opening pressure) decreases the complication rate in patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) treated with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. In this prospective double-blinded, randomized, controlled, dual-center study, a VP shunt with an adjustable valve was implanted in 68 patients with iNPH, randomized into two groups. In one group (the 20-4 group) the valve setting was initially set to 20 cm H₂O and gradually reduced to 4 cm H2O over the course of the 6-month study period. In the other group (the 12 group), the valve was kept at a medium pressure setting of 12 cm H₂O during the whole study period. The time to and type of complications (hematoma, infection, and mechanical problems) as well as overdrainage symptoms were recorded. Symptoms, signs, and outcome were assessed by means of the iNPH scale and the NPH grading scale. Six patients in the 20-4 group (22%) and 7 patients in the 12 group (23%) experienced a shunt complication; 9 had subdural hematomas, 3 mechanical obstructions, and 1 infection (no significant difference between groups). The frequency of overdrainage symptoms was significantly higher for a valve setting ≤ 12 cm H₂O compared with a setting > 12 cm H₂O. The 20-4 group had a higher improvement rate (88%) than the 12 group (62%) (p = 0.032). There was no significant relationship between complications and body mass index, the use of an antisiphon device, or the use of anticoagulants. Gradual lowering of the valve setting to a mean of 7 cm H₂O led to the same rate of shunt complications and overdrainage symptoms as a fixed valve setting at a mean of 13 cm H₂O but was associated with a significantly better outcome. | 25,192,478 | [
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Risk factors of hyperammonemia in patients with epilepsy under valproic acid therapy. | Hyperammonemia has been reported to be associated with patients who receive valproic acid (VPA) therapy. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for hyperammonemia in patients with epilepsy treated with VPA. One hundred and fifty-eight adult patients with epilepsy aged older than 17 years who received VPA therapy were enrolled into this study. Blood samples were taken during the interictal state and analyzed for the blood level of ammonia. Statistical analysis was conducted between different groups of patients. The results showed that the frequency of hyperammonemia associated with VPA therapy was 27.8% (ammonia level >93 µg/dL), and 5.1% of the patients had severe hyperammonemia (ammonia level >150 µg/dL). The blood ammonia level was significantly correlated with the dosage of VPA and the plasma concentration of VPA. An increase of 1 mg in the dosage of VPA increased the risk of hyperammonemia by 0.1%. In addition, combination treatment with liver enzyme inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and antipsychotic drugs increased the risk of hyperammonemia. In conclusion, the use of VPA in adult patients with epilepsy was associated with a dose-dependent increase in blood concentrations of ammonia. Combination treatment with liver enzyme-inducing AEDs and antipsychotic drugs increased the risk of VPA-induced hyperammonemia. Most of the patients with VPA-induced hyperammonemia were asymptomatic; however, if patients taking VPA present with symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, somnolence, ataxia, and consciousness disturbance, the blood ammonia level should be measured. | 25,192,484 | [
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MicroRNA-346 mediates tumor necrosis factor α-induced downregulation of gut epithelial vitamin D receptor in inflammatory bowel diseases. | We recently reported that the gut epithelial vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling inhibits colitis through inhibition of intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, and the level of colonic epithelial VDR is markedly reduced in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). VDR downregulation promotes colitis, but the mechanism underlying VDR downregulation in IBD is unknown. VDR expression was analyzed in colon cancer cells under proinflammatory cytokine treatment. VDR as a target of miR-346 was confirmed using colon cancer cell culture. The relationship among inflammation, miR-346, and VDR was assessed in human IBD biopsies and experimental colitis models. We showed that tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) suppresses VDR expression while simultaneously upregulating miR-346 in human colon cancer cells. Further studies demonstrated that miR-346 inhibits VDR by a specific target sequence in the 3' untranslated region of the human VDR transcript, and blockade of miR-346 with a hairpin inhibitor abrogates the ability of TNF-α to inhibit VDR, confirming that TNF-α downregulates VDR by inducing miR-346. Consistently, in human IBD biopsies, the reduction of epithelial VDR is associated with increased immune cell infiltration and elevation of TNF-α and miR-346. In an experimental model of colitis, mucosal VDR expression is reduced over time with the progression of colitis, inversely correlated with the induction of TNF-α and miR-346 in the mucosa. These data suggest that during mucosal inflammation TNF-α induces miR-346, which downregulates epithelial VDR. Mucosal VDR reduction in turn compromises the integrity of the mucosal epithelial barrier, further driving mucosal inflammation and colitis development. | 25,192,497 | [
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Safety and activity of dersalazine sodium in patients with mild-to-moderate active colitis: double-blind randomized proof of concept study. | Dersalazine sodium is an inhibitor of platelet activator factor with potential efficacy in patients with ulcerative colitis through an alternative mechanism of action. The study was a first proof of clinical safety and activity of dersalazine sodium in patients with ulcerative colitis. A double-blind study of randomized patients with ulcerative colitis (Mayo score ≥ 5 and ≤ 10, including a sigmoidoscopy subscore ≥ 2) to dersalazine sodium 1200 mg/12 h, mesalazine 1200 mg/12 h, or placebo for 4 weeks. Mayo scores were calculated on week 2 (partial Mayo) and week 4 (full Mayo). All patients received open-label mesalazine for 4 additional weeks, and a final visit was done at week 8. The study included 34 patients (13 dersalazine sodium, 10 mesalazine, and 11 placebo). Clinical remission was observed in 46.2% patients treated with dersalazine sodium versus 12.5% in mesalazine and 10% in placebo after 4 weeks of treatment. Colon biopsies showed significantly decreased expression of inflammatory genes in dersalazine sodium patients. Adverse events at least possibly related to treatment were observed in 23%, 12.5%, and 7.6% of patients receiving dersalazine sodium, mesalazine, and placebo, respectively; no serious adverse reactions were reported. Increased liver enzymes were reported in 2/13 patients receiving dersalazine sodium, with normal bilirubin levels; both returned to normal values on treatment interruption. Studies in wider populations are needed to confirm the clinical activity of dersalazine sodium. Weekly measurements of liver function tests may be necessary for early detection of adverse events. | 25,192,498 | [
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Hereditary spastic paraplegia: clinical principles and genetic advances. | Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) refers to inherited disorders in which spastic gait is either the only feature or is a major syndrome feature. There are more than 70 genetic types of HSP. Neuropathological studies, albeit limited to only a few genetic types of HSP, have identified axon degeneration involving the distal ends of the corticospinal tracts and fasciculus gracilis fibers. In this review, the author highlights the clinical and genetic features of HSP. | 25,192,507 | [
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Mitochondrial disorders affecting the nervous system. | Mitochondrial diseases are multiorgan system disorders and the brain is the most commonly affected organ. The high-energy requirement of the brain leaves it vulnerable to energy failure. All components of the neuraxis including muscle, the neuromuscular junction, peripheral nerve, spinal cord, and brain can be affected. Genetic mitochondrial disease can be caused by nuclear gene defects and mitochondrial DNA defects. Mitochondrial medicine is rapidly expanding as exome and mtDNA sequencing is identifying new gene defects on a daily basis. This review will focus on primary genetic mitochondrial diseases that impair energy production and affect the nervous system, pathophysiology of disease, classical phenotypes, diagnosis, and treatment. | 25,192,510 | [
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Exploring the roles of UGT1A1 and UGT1A3 in oral clearance of GSK2190915, a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor. | Pharmacokinetic variability in drug exposure is a concern for all compounds in development including those for the treatment of asthma and other respiratory disorders. Substantial variability in the oral clearance of GSK2190915, a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor that attenuates the production of leukotriene B4 and cysteinyl leukotrienes, is largely unaccounted for by clinical variables. A study of 41 patients, 78% (32/41) of whom were non-Hispanic whites, with mild to moderate asthma identified an association of UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A3*2 with the oral clearance of GSK2190915 (P=3.8×10⁻⁴ and 1.2×10⁻⁵, respectively). However, in a subsequent replication study of 403 non-Hispanic white patients with asthma, we failed to observe a statistically significant association between oral clearance of GSK2190915 and either UGT1A1*28 or UGT1A3*2 (P>0.05). Therefore, genetic effects that could explain the systemic exposure level variability of GSK2190915 were not identified. | 25,192,553 | [
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Comparison of chronic wound culture techniques: swab versus curetted tissue for microbial recovery. | Health-care professionals are increasingly relying on wound cultures as part of their clinical assessment. Tissue viability nurses in the UK use wound swabbing as the standard specimen-taking technique, but others are used globally and there is no worldwide standard. This study compares two wound culture techniques in uninfected chronic wounds of active and former injection drug users seeking care through a civic needle exchange mobile wound clinic. For each wound, two sampling approaches were applied during the same visit: swab culture and curetted tissue culture. A total of 12 chronic wounds were assessed among 9 patients, including 19 swab cultures and 19 tissue cultures. These 38 cultures grew a total of 157 individually identified bacterial organisms, including 27 anaerobic organisms (17.2%), 63 Gram-positive species (40.1%), and 67 Gram-negative species (42.7%). The swab technique yielded a greater percentage recovery rate of anaerobic (55.6%), Gram-positive (52.4%), and all species (51.6%) compared to tissue culture (P>0.05). Recovery of common wound species, such as methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the same using either method (50.0%). Swab and curetted tissue cultures yielded similar recovery rates for common wound bacteria. Therefore, swabs (including a vacuum transport container) may offer an advantage in the recovery of anaerobes. Based upon this analysis, the swabbased culture method for chronic wounds currently used in the UK is reasonable. | 25,192,558 | [
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Involving patients with leg ulcers in developing innovations in treatment and management strategies. | Securing greater patient and public involvement is a central theme of health policy in many countries ( Coulter, 2011 ) and is a growing health-care phenomenon ( Staniszewska et al, 2011 ; World Health Organization, 2011 ). The challenge is how to ensure these voices are heard among the plethora of 'professional' voices representing different stakeholders of provider organisations, higher education, health-care industries and governments. Historically, in the management of leg ulcers, the professional 'user' voice has had a stronger input than that of the patient. This article outlines an approach that addresses this by moving beyond the concept of 'involving' the patient to putting the patient voice first, so that it sets the direction and leads the process in identifying innovation priorities in the management and treatment of chronic leg ulcers. | 25,192,559 | [
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[What is the level of evidence of new techniques in prostate cancer radiotherapy?]. | Prostate cancer radiotherapy has evolved from the old 2D technique to conformal, and then to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiotherapy. At the same time, image-guidance (IGRT) is routinely used. New techniques such as protontherapy or carbontherapy are being developed with the objective of increased efficacy, decreased treatment duration, toxicity or cost. This review summarizes the evidence-based medicine of new technologies in the treatment of prostate cancer. | 25,192,625 | [
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Anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in olfactory deficient Cnga2 knockout mice. | There is a close neuroanatomical connection between odor and emotional processing. Olfactory dysfunction is found in various neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, mice take the cyclic nucleotide gated channel 2 mutant gene (Cnga2), which is critical for olfactory sensory neurons to generate odor induced action potentials were used. The Cnga2 mice were congenitally anosmic. Adult mice were tested in a series behavioral paradigm such as open field, light/dark box, forced swim test and Y-maze. Our study found that Cnga2 mice showed increased anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors than their wide type siblings. However, Cnga2 mice showed no difference from the wide types when tested in the two-trial recognition Y-maze. The results indicate that innate olfactory deficiency might modulate emotional behaviors in mice. | 25,192,635 | [
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Behavioral and neuropathological consequences of transient global ischemia in APP/PS1 Alzheimer model mice. | Alzheimer's disease (AD) typically manifests in elderly people with several co-morbidities, especially cardiovascular, whereas transgenic mouse models of this disease usually employ middle-aged animals that have a good general health status. To assess the combined effect of compromised cerebral blood circulation and brain amyloid pathology we induced transient (17min) global ischemia (TGI) to young adult APPswe/PS1dE9 (APdE9) mice modeling AD amyloid pathology, and assessed the outcome on behavior two weeks and on histopathology five weeks after the ischemic insult. Ischemic injury resulted in reduced motor coordination and impaired spatial learning and memory. Neuropathological examination revealed circumscribed sites of neuronal loss in ischemic mice, including hippocampal CA2, lateral CA3 and medial CA1 pyramidal cell layer, and superficial layers of cortical patches. Notably, Fluoro-Jade staining revealed dying neurons as late as five weeks after the initial insult, and staining for active microglia and astrocytes confirmed the presence of inflammatory reaction. The extent of neuronal loss in CA2 and CA1 correlated significantly with impairment in spatial memory. There was no genotype difference in either behavioral or neuropathological consequences of TGI. However, the post-operative survival of transgenic animals was greatly reduced compared to wild type animals. APdE9 mice at a pre-plaque age appear to be more sensitive than wild-type mice to TGI in terms of post-operative recovery but the surviving APdE9 mice do not display more severe neurological deficits than wild-type mice. | 25,192,639 | [
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Modulation of BK channel activities by calcium-sensing receptor in rat bronchopulmonary sensory neurons. | This study was carried out to investigate the expression of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK) channels and to explore the possible modulation of BK channel activities by calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) in rat bronchopulmonary sensory neurons. The expression of BK channels was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Results from whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrated that activation of CaSR with its agonist spermine or NPS R-568 showed a dual regulating effect on BK channel activities: it potentiated BK currents in cells exhibiting low baseline BK activity while slightly inhibited BK currents in cells with high baseline BK activity. Blocking CaSR with its antagonist NPS 2143 significantly inhibited BK currents. Our results further showed that the modulation of BK currents by CaSR activation or blockade was completely abolished when the intracellular Ca(2+) was chelated by BAPTA-AM. In summary, our data suggest that CaSR plays an integrative role in bronchopulmonary afferent signaling, at least partially through the regulation of BK channel activities. | 25,192,641 | [
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Interaction of central and peripheral chemoreflexes in neonatal mice: evidence for hypo-addition. | The potential for interaction between the peripheral (PCR) and central (CCR) chemoreflexes has not been studied in the neonatal period, when breathing is inherently unstable. Based on recent work in adult rodents, this study addresses the hypothesis that in neonatal mice there is a hypoadditive interaction between the chemoreflexes. To test this, a mask-pneumotach system was used to expose postnatal day (P) 11-12 mouse pups to square-wave hyperoxia (100% O2; n=8) or hypoxia (10% O2; n=11), administered in normocapnic conditions (inspired CO2 (FICO2)=0.001-0.005), or following an episode of re-breathing to increase FICO2 by 0.015-0.02. The immediate (i.e. PCR-mediated) responses of frequency (fB), tidal volume (VT) and ventilation (V˙E) to square-wave hyperoxia and hypoxia were assessed. When given in a normocapnic background, hyperoxia induced an immediate (within the first 20 breaths, or ∼6s) but transient fall in fB (-46±9breaths/min) and V˙E (-149±41μlmin(-1)g(-1)) (P<0.001 for both), with no effect on VT. In contrast, hyperoxia had no influence on breathing when it was administered following re-breathing. Similarly, the hypoxia-induced increase in fB was greater when applied under normocapnic conditions (50±8breaths/min) then when applied following re-breathing (21±5breaths/min) (P=0.02). These data demonstrate a hypo-additive interaction between the PCR and CCR with respect to the immediate frequency response to inhibition or excitation of the PCR. Hypoaddition of the chemoreflexes could cause or mitigate neonatal apnea, depending on the prevailing PCO2. | 25,192,642 | [
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Autophagy suppression by exercise pretreatment and p38 inhibition is neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia. | Autophagy is a degradative mechanism for cellular proteins and organelles, but its role in the nervous system is still not clear. In the present study, we found that exercise pretreatment and p38 inhibition had influence on autophagic process after cerebral ischemia, contributing to their neuroprotective effects. We examined the levels of p62 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 as an autophagic marker and cell-survival marker respectively after cerebral ischemic injury. The brain infarction volume after ischemia was measured as well. Both treadmill training pretreatment and p38 inhibition decreased the degradation of p62, promoted the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and alleviated the brain infarction, indicating that these treatments could provide neuroprotection in cerebral ischemic injury via autophagy suppression. | 25,192,645 | [
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Molecular mechanisms of scar-sourced axon growth inhibitors. | Astrogliosis is a defense response of the CNS to minimize primary damage and to repair injured tissues, but it ultimately generates harmful effects by upregulating inhibitory molecules to suppress neuronal elongation and forming potent barriers to axon regeneration. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are highly expressed by reactive scars and are potent contributors to the non-permissive environment in mature CNS. Surmounting strong inhibition by CSPG-rich scar is an important therapeutic goal for achieving functional recovery after CNS injuries. Currently, enzymatic digestion of CSPGs with locally applied chondroitinase ABC is the main in vivo approach to overcome scar inhibition, but several disadvantages may prevent using this bacterial enzyme as a therapeutic option for patients. A better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying CSPG function may facilitate development of new effective therapies to overcome scar-mediated inhibition. Previous studies support that CSPGs act by non-specifically hindering the binding of matrix molecules to their cell surface receptors through steric interactions, but two members of the leukocyte common antigen related (LAR) phosphatase subfamily, protein tyrosine phosphatase σ and LAR, are functional receptors that bind CSPGs with high affinity and mediate CSPG inhibition. CSPGs may also act by binding two receptors for myelin-associated growth inhibitors, Nogo receptors 1 and 3. Thus, CSPGs inhibit axon growth through multiple mechanisms, making them especially potent and difficult therapeutic targets. Identification of CSPG receptors is not only important for understanding the scar-mediated growth suppression, but also for developing novel and selective therapies to promote axon sprouting and/or regeneration after CNS injuries. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Spinal cord injury. | 25,192,646 | [
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The influence of long-term cadmium exposure on phonotaxis in male Pelophylax nigromaculata. | Cadmium (Cd) is a common industrial and agricultural heavy metal found in the natural environment that disrupts the endocrine systems of vertebrates. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to endocrine disruptors because of their aquatic habitats and permeable skin. Endocrine disruptors are known to negatively affect amphibian acoustic behavior, but whether and how the ubiquitous pollutant Cd impacts this crucial amphibian signaling system remains unknown. Male black-spotted frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculata) show phonotactic responses to female receptive calls by emitting advertisement calls and moving towards females during the mating season, essential for reproductive success. To study whether long-term (60 d) exposure to low Cd concentrations (10(-8), 10(-7) and 10(-6) M) affects male phonotaxis, we recorded male responses to female calls following Cd exposure during the breeding season. We found that Cd adversely affected advertisement call characteristics (call latency, call duration and call rate), the proportion of individuals that responded and the time to first movement of the male. These results indicate that long-term exposure to Cd at environmentally relevant concentrations alters phonotaxis in male P. nigromaculata. | 25,192,651 | [
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Quantification of iron in the non-human primate brain with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. | Pathological iron deposits in the brain, especially within basal ganglia, are linked to severe neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease. As iron induces local changes in magnetic susceptibility, its presence can be visualized with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The usual approach, based on iron induced changes in magnetic relaxation (T2/T2'), is often prone, however, to confounding artifacts and lacks specificity. Here, we propose a new method to quantify and map iron deposits using water diffusion MRI. This method is based on the differential sensitivity of two image acquisition schemes to the local magnetic field gradients induced by iron deposits and their cross-term with gradient pulses used for diffusion encoding. Iron concentration could be imaged and estimated with high accuracy in the brain cortex, the thalamus, the substantia nigra and the globus pallidus of macaques, showing iron distributions in agreement with literature. Additionally, iron maps could clearly show a dramatic increase in iron content upon injection of an UltraSmall Particle Iron Oxide (USPIO) contrast agent, notably in the cortex and the thalamus, reflecting regional differences in blood volume. The method will benefit clinical investigations on the effect of iron deposits in the brain or other organs, as iron deposits are increasingly seen as a biomarker for a wide range of diseases, notably, neurodegenerative diseases in the pre-symptomatic stage. It also has the potential for quantifying variations in blood volume induced by brain activation in fMRI studies using USPIOs. | 25,192,653 | [
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The GABRB1 gene is associated with thalamus volume and modulates the association between thalamus volume and intelligence. | The GABRB1 gene encodes the beta 1 subunit of the gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABA A receptor), which is responsible for mediating inhibitory neurotransmission in the thalamus. Potential relationships between the GABRB1 gene, thalamus volume, and intelligence have been suggested by previous clinical studies, but have not been directly examined among nonclinical samples. The current study collected structural MRI, genetic, and behavioral data from 316 healthy Chinese adults (including 187 females and 129 males), and examined associations between GABRB1 variants, thalamus volume, and intelligence (measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised). After controlling for intracranial volume, sex, and age, GABRB1 genetic polymorphism at the SNP rs7435958 had the strongest association with thalamus volume (p = 0.002 and 0.00008 for left and right thalamus volumes, respectively), with GG homozygotes having smaller bilateral thalamus volumes than the other genotypes. Furthermore, there were positive correlations between bilateral thalamus volumes and intelligence, especially for GABRB1 rs7435958 GG female homozygotes (r's = 0.31 and 0.29, p < 0.01, for the correlations of intelligence with left and right thalamus volumes, respectively). This study provides the first evidence for the involvement of the GABRB1 gene in the thalamus structure and their interactive effects on intelligence. Future studies of the thalamus-intelligence associations should consider genetic factors as potential moderators. | 25,192,656 | [
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Genome-wide detection of allelic gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells using a human exome SNP chip. | Allelic variations in gene expression influence many biological responses and cause phenotypic variations in humans. In this study, Illumina Human Exome BeadChips containing more than 240,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to identify changes in allelic gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. We found 17 monoallelically expressed genes, 58 allelic imbalanced genes, and 7 genes showing allele substitution. In addition, we also detected 33 differentially expressed genes following LPS treatment in vitro using these human exome SNP chips. However, alterations in allelic gene expression following LPS treatment were detected in only three genes (MLXIPL, TNC, and MX2), which were observed in one cell line sample only, indicating that changes in allelic gene expression following LPS stimulation of liver cells are rare events. Among a total of 75 genes showing allelic expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, either monoallelic or imbalanced, 43 genes (57.33%) had expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data, indicating that high-density exome SNP chips are useful and reliable for studying allelic gene expression. Furthermore, most genes showing allelic expression were regulated by cis-acting mechanisms and were also significantly associated with several human diseases. Overall, our study provides a better understanding of allele-specific gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells with and without LPS stimulation and potential clues for the cause of human disease due to alterations in allelic gene expression. | 25,192,659 | [
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Integrated treatment of municipal sewage sludge by deep dewatering and anaerobic fermentation for biohydrogen production. | The increasing sludge generated in wastewater treatment plants poses a threat to the environment. Based on the traditional processes, sludge dewatered by usual methods was further dewatered by hydraulic compression and the filtrate released was treated by anaerobic fermentation. The difficulties in sludge dewatering were associated with the existence of sludge flocs or colloidal materials. A suitable CaO dosage of 125 mg/g dry sludge (DS) could further decrease the moisture content of sludge from 82.4 to 50.9 %. The filtrate from the dewatering procedure was a potential substrate for biohydrogen production. Adding zero-valent iron (ZVI) into the anaerobic system improved the biohydrogen yield by 20 %, and the COD removal rate was lifted by 10 % as well. Meanwhile, the sludge morphology and microbial community were altered. The novel method could greatly reduce the sludge volume and successfully treated filtrate along with the conversion of organics into biohydrogen. | 25,192,669 | [
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Benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of stage II (T1-2N1M0) non-small cell lung cancer in elderly patients. | We evaluated the use and efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of T1-2N1M0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in elderly patients. Factors associated with the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients older than 65 years of age who underwent surgical resection of T1-2N1M0 NSCLC without induction chemotherapy or radiation in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database from 1992 to 2006 were assessed using a multivariable logistic regression model that included treatment, patient, tumor, and census tract characteristics. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier approach and inverse probability weight-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. Overall, 2,781 patients who underwent surgical resection as the initial treatment for T1-2N1M0 NSCLC and survived at least 31 days after surgery were identified, with adjuvant chemotherapy given to 784 patients (28.2 %). Factors that predicted adjuvant chemotherapy use were younger age and higher T status. The 5-year OS was significantly better for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy compared with patients not given adjuvant chemotherapy: 35.8 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 31.9-39.6) vs. 28.0 % (95 % CI 25.9-30.0) (p = 0.008). In the inverse probability weight-adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression model, adjuvant chemotherapy use predicted significantly improved survival (hazard ratio 0.84; 95 % CI 0.76-0.92; p = 0.0002). Adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of T1-2N1M0 NSCLC is associated with significantly improved survival in patients older than 65 years. These data can be used to provide elderly patients with realistic expectations of the potential benefits when considering adjuvant chemotherapy in this setting. | 25,192,680 | [
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Researching evaluation influence: a review of the literature. | The impact of an evaluation is an important consideration in designing and carrying out evaluations. Evaluation influence is a way of thinking about the effect that an evaluation can have in the broadest possible terms, which its proponents argue will lead to a systematic body of evidence about influential evaluation practices. This literature review sets out to address three research questions: How have researchers defined evaluation influence; how is this reflected in the research; and what does the research suggest about the utility of evaluation influence as a conceptual framework. Drawing on studies that had cited one of the key evaluation influence articles and conducted original research on some aspect of influence this article reviewed the current state of the literature toward the goal of developing a body of evidence about how to practice influential evaluation. Twenty-eight studies were found that have drawn on evaluation influence, which were categorized into (a) descriptive studies, (b) analytical studies, and (c) hypothesis testing. Despite the prominence of evaluation influence in the literature, there is slow progress toward a persuasive body of literature. Many of the studies reviewed offered vague and inconsistent definitions and have applied influence in an unspecified way in the research. It is hoped that this article will stimulate interest in the systematic study of influence mechanisms, leading to improvements in the potential for evaluation to affect positive social change. | 25,192,695 | [
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Role of nitric oxide in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during exercise. | Nitric oxide is produced within skeletal muscle fibres and has various functions in skeletal muscle. There is evidence that NO may be essential for normal increases in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction/exercise. Although there have been some discrepant results, it has been consistently demonstrated that inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) attenuates the increase in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction in mouse and rat muscle ex vivo, during in situ contraction in rats and during exercise in humans. The NO-mediated increase in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction/exercise is probably due to the modulation of intramuscular signalling that ultimately increases glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation and is, surprisingly, independent of blood flow. In this review, we discuss the evidence for and against a role of NO in regulating skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction/exercise and outline the possible mechanism(s) involved. Emerging findings regarding the role of neuronal NOS mu (nNOSμ) in this process are also discussed. | 25,192,731 | [
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A Gamblers Clustering Based on Their Favorite Gambling Activity. | The objective of this study was to identify profiles of gamblers to explain the choice of preferred gambling activity among both problem and non-problem gamblers. 628 non-problem and problem gamblers were assessed with a structured interview including "healthy" (sociodemographic characteristics, gambling habits and personality profile assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory-125) and "pathological" [diagnosis of pathological gambling, gambling-related cognitions (GRCs) and psychiatric comorbidity] variables. We performed a two-step cluster analysis based solely on "healthy" variables to identify gamblers' profiles which typically reflect the choice of preferred gambling activity. The obtained classes were then described using both "healthy" and "pathological" variables, by comparing each class to the rest of the sample. Clusters were generated. Class 1 (Electronic Gaming Machines gamblers) showed high cooperativeness, a lower level of GRC about strategy and more depressive disorders. Class 2 (games with deferred results gamblers) were high novelty seekers and showed a higher level of GRC about strategy and more addictive disorders. Class 3 (roulette gamblers) were more often high rollers and showed a higher level of GRC about strategy and more manic or hypomanic episodes and more obsessive-compulsive disorders. Class 4 (instant lottery gamblers) showed a lower tendency to suicide attempts. Class 5 (scratch cards gamblers) were high harm avoiders and showed a lower overall level of GRC and more panic attacks and eating disorders. The preference for one particular gambling activity may concern different profiles of gamblers. This study highlights the importance of considering the pair gambler-game rather than one or the other separately, and may provide support for future research on gambling and preventive actions directed toward a particular game. | 25,192,752 | [
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Working memory contents enhance perception under stimulus-driven competition. | It is well known that attention is biased toward a stimulus matching working memory contents. However, it has been debated at which processing stage this memory-driven attentional bias takes place. While some studies show that memory-driven attention affects the early, perceptual stage of information processing, others argue that the finding showing such an effect is the result of working memory contents reducing uncertainty regarding the location of a target stimulus, without affecting the perception of the target. The present study tested whether a previous finding showing the perceptual effect of memory-driven attention is solely due to reduced target location uncertainty. We found that attentional bias by working memory contents affected the perception of a target stimulus, especially when multiple stimuli were present, competing against each other. This perceptual effect was not due to reduced target location uncertainty because the target location was always indicated by a response cue. Similar results were found regardless of whether working memory contents predicted the target location or not. These findings suggest that automatic, involuntary orienting of attention by working memory contents affects perception by resolving stimulus-driven competition. | 25,192,799 | [
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Learning processes in the professional development of mental health counselors: knowledge restructuring and illness script formation. | An important part of learning processes in the professional development of counselors is the integration of declarative knowledge and professional experience. It was investigated in-how-far mental health counselors at different levels of expertise (experts, intermediates, novices) differ in their availability of experience-based knowledge structures. Participants were prompted with 20 client problems. They had to explain those problems, the explanations were analyzed using think-aloud protocols. The results show that experts' knowledge is organized in script-like structures that integrate declarative knowledge and professional experience and help experts in accessing relevant information about cases. Novices revealed less integrated knowledge structures. It is concluded that knowledge restructuring and illness script formation are crucial parts of the professional learning of counselors. | 25,192,819 | [
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Adult intussusception: a retrospective review. | Intussusception is common in children but rare in adults. The goal of this study was to review retrospectively the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of intussusception in adults. From 1997 to 2013, we experienced 44 patients of intussusception in patients older than 18 years. The patients were divided into enteric, ileocolic, ileocecal, and colocolonic (rectal) types. The diagnosis and treatment of these patients were reviewed. Of the 44 patients of adult intussusception, 42 were diagnosed with abdominal ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography. There were 12 patients of enteric intussusception, six patients of ileocolic intussusception, 16 patients of ileocecal type intussusception, and 10 patients of colonic (rectal) intussusception. Among them, 77.3 % were associated with a tumor. Among 12 patients of enteric intussusception, three were associated with a metastatic intestinal tumor, and one was associated with a benign tumor. Among six patients of ileocolic intussusception, two patients were associated with malignant disease. Also, 93.8 % of ileocecal intussusceptions were associated with tumors, 80.0 % of which were malignant. Similarly, 90.0 % of colonic intussusceptions were associated with malignant tumors. Intussusception was reduced before or during surgery in 28 patients. Surgery was performed in 41 patients, and laparoscopy-assisted surgery was performed for ab underlying disease in 12 patients. Preoperative diagnoses were possible in almost all patients. Reduction greatly benefited any surgery required and the extent of the resection regardless of the underlying disease and surgical site. | 25,192,846 | [
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Services for children with autism spectrum disorder in three, large urban school districts: Perspectives of parents and educators. | This study used qualitative methods to evaluate the perceptions of parents, educators, and school administrators in three large, urban school districts (Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Rochester) regarding services for children with autism spectrum disorder within the context of limited district resources. Facilitators followed a standard discussion guide that contained open-ended questions regarding participants' views on strengths and limitations of existing services and contextual factors that would facilitate or inhibit the process of introducing new interventions. Three primary themes were identified: (1) tension between participant groups (teachers and paraprofessionals, staff and administration, teachers and parents, special education and general education teachers), (2) necessity of autism spectrum disorder-specific and behavioral training for school personnel, and (3) desire for a school culture of accepting difference. These themes highlight the importance of developing trainings that are feasible to deliver on a large scale, that focus on practical interventions, and that enhance communication and relationships of school personnel with one another and with families. | 25,192,859 | [
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Risk factors associated with on-farm mortality in Swedish dairy cows. | Dairy cow mortality (unassisted death and euthanasia) has increased, worldwide and in Sweden. On-farm mortality indicates suboptimal herd health or welfare and causes financial loss for the dairy producer. The objective of this study was to identify cow-level risk factors associated with on-farm cow mortality. Cows with at least one calving between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009 from herds enrolled in the Swedish official milk recording scheme with >40 cow-years were included. Each cow was followed from the day of calving until she calved again or left the herd (died, slaughtered or sold). The effects of potential risk factors on on-farm cow mortality were analysed using a Weibull proportional hazard model with a gamma distributed frailty effect common to cows within herd. The event of interest (failure) was euthanasia or unassisted death. An observation was right censored if the cow was slaughtered, sold, calved again or had an on-going lactation at 500 days after calving. The lactations were split into seasons (January to April, May to August and September to December) and at 30 and 100 days in milk in order to evaluate seasonal effects and the effect of disease in different lactation stages. Primiparous and multiparous cows were analysed separately. The highest hazards for both primiparous and multiparous cows were found for traumatic events and diseases, both in the lactation stage in which the cow died and in the preceding stage. The hazard was higher in early lactation and lower in 2nd parity compared to higher parities. Increased age at first calving (for primiparous cows), calving between January and April, dystocia and stillbirth also increased the mortality hazard. Differences were also found between breeds, between milk production parameters at first test milking and between management types. The results from this study show the importance of good management and preventive health actions, especially around calving, to avoid mortality in dairy cows. | 25,192,868 | [
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Highly selective and sensitive detection of β-agonists using a surface plasmon resonance sensor based on an alkanethiol monolayer functionalized on a Au surface. | Immunosensor surfaces for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) have been constructed using a functionalized succinimidyl propanethiol monolayer as a linker to immobilize β-agonist protein conjugates on a Au surface. Because β-agonist is a small molecule, an indirect competitive inhibition immunoassay was used for detection. The lowest detection limits for ractopamine and salbutamol were 10 ppt (10 pg mL(-1)) and 5 ppt (5 pg mL(-1)), respectively. The fabricated immunosensor surface can be used again for detection after regeneration in 0.1 M sodium hydroxide. It was found that the same sensor surface could be reused for performing over 100 rapid immunoreactions. Moreover, one immunosensing-regeneration cycle requires only 600 s. The fabricated immunosensor surfaces were characterized using SPR and scanning tunneling microscopy observation. In the kinetic study of the indirect competitive immunosensing inhibition, the affinity constant (K1) of salbutamol antibody was smaller than the K1 of ractopamine antibody. Compared to a previous study of clenbuterol detection, it was concluded that the high K1 was coupled with low sensitivity. In the selectivity study, both immunosensor surfaces provided >90% of confidence level for the specific detection of β-agonist compounds. The fabrication of highly selective and sensitive sensor surfaces for detecting β-agonist compounds was confirmed. | 25,192,871 | [
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The cost-effectiveness of weight management programmes in a postnatal population. | The aim of the study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a weight management programme including elements of physical exercise and dietary restriction which are designed to help women lose excess weight gained during pregnancy in the vulnerable postnatal period and inhibit the development of behaviours which could lead to future excess weight gain and obesity. A mathematical model based on a regression equation predicting change in weight over a fifteen year postnatal period was developed. The model included programme effectiveness and resource data based on a randomized controlled trial of a weight management programme implemented in a postnatal population in the United States. Utility and mortality data based on body mass index categories were also included. The model adopted a National Health Service (NHS) and personal social services (PSS) perspective, a lifetime time horizon and estimated the cost effectiveness of a weight management programme against a no change comparator in terms of an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The baseline results show that the difference in weight between women who received the weight management programme and women who received the control intervention was 3.02 kg at six months and 3.53 kg at fifteen years following childbirth. This results in an ICER of £7355 per quality adjusted life year (QALY) for women who were married at childbirth. The estimated ICER would suggest that such a weight management programme is cost-effective at a NICE threshold of £20,000 per QALY. However significant structural and evidence based uncertainty is present in the analysis. | 25,192,882 | [
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Short-term water stress impacts on stomatal, mesophyll and biochemical limitations to photosynthesis differ consistently among tree species from contrasting climates. | Predicting the large-scale consequences of drought in contrasting environments requires that we understand how drought effects differ among species originating from those environments. A previous meta-analysis of published experiments suggested that the effects of drought on both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations to photosynthesis may vary consistently among species from different hydroclimates. Here, we explicitly tested this hypothesis with two short-term water stress experiments on congeneric mesic and xeric species. One experiment was run in Australia using Eucalyptus species and the second was run in Spain using Quercus species as well as two more mesic species. In each experiment, plants were grown under moist conditions in a glasshouse, then deprived of water, and gas exchange was monitored. The stomatal response was analysed with a recently developed stomatal model, whose single parameter g1 represents the slope of the relationship between stomatal conductance and photosynthesis. The non-stomatal response was partitioned into effects on mesophyll conductance (gm), the maximum Rubisco activity (Vcmax) and the maximum electron transport rate (Jmax). We found consistency among the drought responses of g1, gm, Vcmax and Jmax, suggesting that drought imposes limitations on Rubisco activity and RuBP regeneration capacity concurrently with declines in stomatal and mesophyll conductance. Within each experiment, the more xeric species showed relatively high g1 under moist conditions, low drought sensitivity of g1, gm, Vcmax and Jmax, and more negative values of the critical pre-dawn water potential at which Vcmax declines most steeply, compared with the more mesic species. These results indicate adaptive interspecific differences in drought responses that allow xeric tree species to continue transpiration and photosynthesis for longer during periods without rain. | 25,192,884 | [
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EPA's SHEDS-multimedia model: children's cumulative pyrethroid exposure estimates and evaluation against NHANES biomarker data. | The U.S. EPA's SHEDS-Multimedia model was applied to enhance the understanding of children's exposures and doses to multiple pyrethroid pesticides, including major contributing chemicals and pathways. This paper presents combined dietary and residential exposure estimates and cumulative doses for seven commonly used pyrethroids, and comparisons of model evaluation results with NHANES biomarker data for 3-PBA and DCCA metabolites. Model input distributions were fit to publicly available pesticide usage survey data, NHANES, and other studies, then SHEDS-Multimedia was applied to estimate total pyrethroid exposures and doses for 3-5 year olds for one year variability simulations. For dose estimations we used a pharmacokinetic model and two approaches for simulating dermal absorption. SHEDS-Multimedia predictions compared well to NHANES biomarker data: ratios of 3-PBA observed data to SHEDS-Multimedia modeled results were 0.88, 0.51, 0.54 and 1.02 for mean, median, 95th, and 99th percentiles, respectively; for DCCA, the ratios were 0.82, 0.53, 0.56, and 0.94. Modeled time-averaged cumulative absorbed dose of the seven pyrethroids was 3.1 nmol/day (versus 8.4 nmol/day for adults) in the general population (residential pyrethroid use and non-use homes) and 6.7 nmol/day (versus 10.5 nmol/day for adults) in the simulated residential pyrethroid use population. For the general population, contributions to modeled cumulative dose by chemical were permethrin (60%), cypermethrin (22%), and cyfluthrin (16%); for residential use homes, contributions were cypermethrin (49%), permethrin (29%), and cyfluthrin (17%). The primary exposure route for 3-5 year olds in the simulated residential use population was non-dietary ingestion exposure; whereas for the simulated general population, dietary exposure was the primary exposure route. Below the 95th percentile, the major exposure pathway was dietary for the general population; non-dietary ingestion was the major pathway starting below the 70th percentile for the residential use population. The new dermal absorption methodology considering surface loading had some impact, but did not change the order of key pathways. | 25,192,887 | [
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Microsatellite instability, promoter methylation and protein expression of the DNA mismatch repair genes in epithelial ovarian cancer. | The role of defective mismatch repair (MMR) system in ovarian carcinoma is not well defined. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between microsatellite instability (MSI), promoter methylation and protein expression of MMR genes in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). MSI and promoter methylation of MLH1, MSH2 and PMS2 genes were studied using PCR methods in the study cohort. A small subset of samples was used to analyze the protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). MSI was observed in >60% of tumor samples and 47% of normal ovaries. MLH1 was methylated in 37.5% and 64.3% EOCs and LMP tumors. The loss of immunoexpression of MMR genes was not seen in ovarian tumors. There was no correlation between MSI, promoter methylation and protein expression of the MMR genes suggesting that each may function independently. MSI is a common event in ovarian carcinoma and may increase the clinical awareness of the subset of tumors. | 25,192,888 | [
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Identification of learning and memory genes in canine; promoter investigation and determining the selective pressure. | One of the important behaviors of dogs is trainability which is affected by learning and memory genes. These kinds of the genes have not yet been identified in dogs. In the current research, these genes were found in animal models by mining the biological data and scientific literatures. The proteins of these genes were obtained from the UniProt database in dogs and humans. Not all homologous proteins perform similar functions, thus comparison of these proteins was studied in terms of protein families, domains, biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular location of metabolic pathways in Interpro, KEGG, Quick Go and Psort databases. The results showed that some of these proteins have the same performance in the rat or mouse, dog, and human. It is anticipated that the protein of these genes may be effective in learning and memory in dogs. Then, the expression pattern of the recognized genes was investigated in the dog hippocampus using the existing information in the GEO profile. The results showed that BDNF, TAC1 and CCK genes are expressed in the dog hippocampus, therefore, these genes could be strong candidates associated with learning and memory in dogs. Subsequently, due to the importance of the promoter regions in gene function, this region was investigated in the above genes. Analysis of the promoter indicated that the HNF-4 site of BDNF gene and the transcription start site of CCK gene is exposed to methylation. Phylogenetic analysis of protein sequences of these genes showed high similarity in each of these three genes among the studied species. The dN/dS ratio for BDNF, TAC1 and CCK genes indicates a purifying selection during the evolution of the genes. | 25,192,892 | [
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Osterix couples chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in post-natal condylar growth. | Osterix (Osx) is a transcription factor essential for osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization. Although there are indications that Osx also plays a regulatory role in cartilage, this has not been well-studied. The goal of this study was to define the function of Osx in the post-natal growth of the secondary cartilage at the mandibular condyle. Conditional Osx knockout (cKO) mice that were missing Osx only in cartilage were generated by crossing Osx-loxP mice to Aggrecan-Cre mice. Cre activity was induced by tamoxifen injection twice a week from day 12 to 1 mo of age, and specimens were collected at 1 and 5 mo of age. At 1 mo of age, the condylar hypertrophic chondrocyte zone in the cKO-mice was > three-fold thicker than that in the age-matched control, with little sign of endochondral bone formation. Immunohistochemistry and analysis of histological data revealed a defect in the coupling of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in the cKO mice. In five-month-old mice examined to address whether late-stage removal of the Cre-deletion event would alleviate the phenotype, the hypertrophic chondrocyte zone in the cKO condyles was considerably larger than in wild-type mice. There were large discrete areas of calcified cartilage in the hypertrophic zone, few signs of endochondral bone formation, and large regions of disorganized intramembranous bone. Analysis of these data further strengthens the notion that Osterix is essential for the coupling of terminal cartilage differentiation and endochondral ossification in mandibular condylar cartilage. | 25,192,899 | [
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Increased fracture risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: an overview of the underlying mechanisms and the usefulness of imaging modalities and fracture risk assessment tools. | Type 2 diabetes mellitus has recently been linked to an increased fracture risk. Since bone mass seems to be normal to elevated in patient with type 2 diabetes, the increased fracture risk is thought to be due to both an increased falling frequency and decreased bone quality. The increased falling frequency is mainly a result of complications of the disease such as a retinopathy and polyneuropathy. Bone quality is affected through changes in bone shape, bone micro-architecture, and in material properties such as bone mineralization and the quality of collagen. Commonly used methods for predicting fracture risk such as dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and fracture risk assessment tools are helpful in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but underestimate the absolute fracture risk for a given score. New imaging modalities such as high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography are promising for giving insight in the complex etiology underlying the fragility of the diabetic bone, as they can give more insight into the microarchitecture and geometry of the bone. We present an overview of the contributing mechanisms to the increased fracture risk and the usefulness of imaging modalities and risk assessment tools in predicting fracture risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. | 25,192,916 | [
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Vortical ciliary flows actively enhance mass transport in reef corals. | The exchange of nutrients and dissolved gasses between corals and their environment is a critical determinant of the growth of coral colonies and the productivity of coral reefs. To date, this exchange has been assumed to be limited by molecular diffusion through an unstirred boundary layer extending 1-2 mm from the coral surface, with corals relying solely on external flow to overcome this limitation. Here, we present direct microscopic evidence that, instead, corals can actively enhance mass transport through strong vortical flows driven by motile epidermal cilia covering their entire surface. Ciliary beating produces quasi-steady arrays of counterrotating vortices that vigorously stir a layer of water extending up to 2 mm from the coral surface. We show that, under low ambient flow velocities, these vortices, rather than molecular diffusion, control the exchange of nutrients and oxygen between the coral and its environment, enhancing mass transfer rates by up to 400%. This ability of corals to stir their boundary layer changes the way that we perceive the microenvironment of coral surfaces, revealing an active mechanism complementing the passive enhancement of transport by ambient flow. These findings extend our understanding of mass transport processes in reef corals and may shed new light on the evolutionary success of corals and coral reefs. | 25,192,936 | [
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Graft Patency in Long-term Survivors after Renovisceral Debranching with VORTEC. | This study was designed to evaluate retrospectively the long-term stent-graft patency after renovisceral revascularization with Viabahn Open Revascularization Technique (VORTEC) using computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). In 34 patients (seven women; mean age 72 ± 8 years) with aortic aneurysm, 63 renovisceral vessels (i.e., 54 renal, nine visceral arteries) were revascularized with VORTEC between 2004 and 2009. All patients obtained a pre- and postinterventional CTA and at least one follow-up CTA or MRA after 6 or more months following intervention (median follow up: 43 months). Detection of bypass occlusion, bypass stenosis, infolding, stent-graft fractures and dislocations, and kidney shrinkage were noted by two readers in consensus. Furthermore, mortality during follow-up was assessed using the medical report. During follow-up, 12.6 % of stent-grafts occluded. Cumulative patency rate was 95.2 ± 2.7 % at 12 months, 87.7 ± 4.4 % at 24 and 36 months, and 84.7 ± 5.2 % at 48, 60, 72, 84, and 89 months, respectively. Overall, 19 % of stent-grafts (12/63) developed bypass stenosis (<50 %, 10 stent-grafts; > 50 %, 2 stent-grafts), in one case stenosis (>70 %) was suspected to be hemodynamically significant. No secondary dislocation, no infolding of renovisceral stent-grafts, and no stent-graft fracture occurred. Kidney shrinkage occurred in nine patients, primarily in patients with an occluded Viabahn (n = 7). Eleven patients (32.3 %) died within the follow-up time period. In long-term survivors after VORTEC cumulative patency rate remained high, and no stent-graft fractures or secondary dislocations occurred. | 25,192,949 | [
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Victoria's Child FIRST and IFS differential response system: progress and issues. | Differential response has long been utilized by statutory child protection systems in Australia. This article describes the advent and history of Victoria's differential response system, with a particular focus on the Child FIRST and IFS programme. This program entails a partnership arrangement between the Department of Human Services child protection services and community-based, not-for-profit agencies to provide a diverse range of early intervention and prevention services. The findings of a recent external service system evaluation, a judicial inquiry, and the large-scale Child and Family Services Outcomes Survey of parents/carers perspectives of their service experiences are used to critically examine the effectiveness of this differential response approach. Service-user perspectives of the health and wellbeing of children and families are identified, as well as the recognized implementation issues posing significant challenges for the goal of an integrated partnership system. The need for ongoing reform agendas is highlighted along with the policy, program and structural tensions that exist in differential response systems, which are reliant upon partnerships and shared responsibilities for protecting children and assisting vulnerable families. Suggestions are made for utilizing robust research and evaluation that gives voice to service users and promotes their rights and interests. | 25,192,958 | [
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Mayo adhesive probability score: an accurate image-based scoring system to predict adherent perinephric fat in partial nephrectomy. | Image-based renal morphometry scoring systems are used to predict the potential difficulty of partial nephrectomy (PN), but they are centered entirely on tumor-specific factors and neglect other patient-specific factors that may complicate the technical aspects of PN. Adherent perinephric fat (APF) is one such factor known to make PN difficult. To develop an accurate image-based nephrometry scoring system to predict the presence of APF encountered during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). We prospectively analyzed 100 consecutive RAPNs performed by one surgeon and defined APF as the need for subcapsular renal dissection to isolate the renal tumor for RAPN. The scoring algorithm to predict the presence of APF was developed with a multivariable logistic regression model using a forward selection approach with a focus on improvement in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Thirty patients (30%; 95% confidence interval, 21-40) had APF. Single-variable analysis noted an increased likelihood of APF in male patients (p<0.001), higher body mass index (p=0.003), greater posterior perinephric fat thickness (p<0.001), greater lateral perinephric fat thickness (p<0.001), and those with perirenal fat stranding (p<0.001). Two of these variables, posterior perinephric fat thickness and stranding, were most highly predictive of APF in multivariable analysis and were therefore used to create a risk score, termed Mayo Adhesive Probability (MAP) and ranging from 0 to 5, to predict the presence of APF. We observed APF in 6% of patients with a MAP score of 0, 16% with a score of 1, 31% with a score of 2, 73% with a score of 3-4, and 100% of patients with a score of 5. MAP score accurately predicts the presence of APF in patients undergoing RAPN. Prospective validation of the MAP score is required. The Mayo Adhesive Probability score that we we developed is an accurate system that predicts whether or not adherent perinephric, or "sticky," fat is present around the kidney that would make partial nephrectomy difficult. | 25,192,968 | [
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The effects of seeds with hot and cold temperaments on serum thyroid hormones, corticosterone and urine vanillylmandelic acid concentrations of healthy rats. | Hot and cold temperaments are the basic concepts of Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). Nevertheless, studies on the functional mechanisms of medicinal herbs based on hot and cold temperaments are not very extensive. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diets containing hot or cold temperament seeds according to ITM on some hormonal and neuromediator parameters with a regulatory role in thermogenesis and energy metabolism in acute (24 hr) and subacute (7-day) experiments that were performed on rats. Each experiment was performed on 42 male Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into 7 groups. while 1 group received usual diet (controls), 6 other groups were fed with a diet containing 10% seeds, namely, anise, fennel, or ajowan (hot temperament groups) or cucumber, pumpkin, or watermelon (cold temperament groups), respectively. The levels of the rats׳ serum free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronin (FT3), triiodothyronin (T3), thyroxin (T4), corticosterone and urine vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) were analyzed. After 24 hours, a significant decrease in FT3 was observed in groups that were fed anise or fennel seeds. However, a significant increase in T3 was observed in the ajowan seed-fed group, and no changes in other parameters were observed in this group. On the 7th day, FT4 was significantly increased in fennel seed-fed group; T3 was significantly increased in the anise, fennel, ajowan and watermelon seed-fed groups; corticosterone was significantly increased in the watermelon and pumpkin seed-fed groups; and VMA was significantly increased in the fennel seed-fed group and significantly decreased in the cucumber seed-fed group. Alterations induced by hot and cold temperament seeds in measured hormonal and neuromediator levels that have a regulatory role in thermogenesis and the body׳s energy metabolism revealed that hot and cold temperament characteristics of studied seeds may most likely be related to their intervention in the body׳s energy metabolism, in that hot temperament seeds may increase energy metabolism and cold temperament ones may decrease it. | 25,193,009 | [
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The hidden world of Asian tiger mosquitoes: immature Aedes albopictus (Skuse) dominate in rainwater corrugated extension spouts. | The primary sources of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in its exotic range in North America are artificial containers in backyards, which vary widely in accessibility. In this study we examined their prevalence in two container types that are difficult to inspect: catch basins and corrugated extension spouts (CES), the latter used to divert rainwater in downspouts away from house foundations. We conducted larval and pupal surveys in catch basins, CES and open containers such as buckets and plant saucers in three urban locations in Mercer County, New Jersey, USA. We found that Ae. albopictus were rare in catch basins but prevalent in CES, and were often the only species collected in CES. Specific characteristics of the CES were not significantly associated with the presence or number of Ae. albopictus in them, but those longer and closer to the ground were significantly more likely to contain water, and therefore mosquitoes. During peak season (July-August), the abundance of immature Ae. albopictus was significantly higher in CES than open containers. We found that CES are an important source of Ae. albopictus in our region and propose that effective control strategies should be implemented to minimize mosquito populations from these cryptic habitats. | 25,193,027 | [
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New data on the karyotype and chromosomal rDNA location in Paradiplozoon megan (Monogenea, Diplozoidae), gill parasite of chubs. | New morphological data on chromosome complement of diplozoid parasite Paradiplozoon megan from the chub Squalius cephalus are shown herein. The karyotype of P. megan is characterized by seven pairs (2n = 14) of medium long (up to 11 μm) one-armed chromosomes which are nearly identical in number and morphological classification with chromosomes of other Paradiplozoon species described karyologically to date (Paradiplozoon bliccae, Paradiplozoon nagibinae, Paradiplozoon sapae, Paradiplozoon pavlovskii and Paradiplozoon homoion). A single locus for ribosomal RNA genes, visualized in the secondary constriction site by the fluorescent in situ hybridization method, is situated interstitially on a median part of a long arm of the smallest, 7th chromosome pair in P. megan. Phylogenetic interrelationships within the members of the family Diplozoidae and hypothesis for the ancestral karyotype are discussed here. | 25,193,046 | [
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Expression of nutrient transporters in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of Eimeria maxima-infected broiler chickens. | The uptake of amino acids is mediated by active transporters located on the basolateral and brush border membranes of intestinal epithelial cells. The current study investigated the expression of amino acid transporters (AAT) and other genes in the intestine of chicks infected with Eimeria maxima. At 7-day postinfection (PI), tissue from each intestinal segment (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) was taken from birds inoculated with 3 × 10(3) oocysts/bird and processed to recover RNA. Analysis of gene expression was performed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results were given as relative expression using β₂-microglobulin as an endogenous control. All the genes studied were expressed in three segments of the intestines, and expression of the genes was altered by infection with E. maxima. Even though the jejunum is considered the parasite's primary predilection site, there was no segment-related difference in expression of most of the genes studied. The antimicrobial peptide (LEAP2) was downregulated in all three segments of the intestine. The results also demonstrate that transporters associated with brush border membranes were downregulated while transporters associated with the basolateral membranes were upregulated and that E. maxima alters the expression of AAT and LEAP2 throughout the small intestine. | 25,193,050 | [
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Mortality and major morbidities in very preterm infants born from assisted conception or naturally conceived: results of the area-based ACTION study. | The use of assisted conception (AC) has been associated with higher risk of adverse perinatal outcome. Few data are available on the outcome of AC-neonates when pregnancy ends before 32 weeks of gestational age.The aim of this study was to compare the short-term outcome of AC- and naturally conceived preterm infants <32 weeks gestation. The area-based cohort study ACTION collected data on births 22-31 weeks gestation occurred in 2003-05 in 6 Italian regions. Infants born to 2529 mothers with known mode of conception were studied. The main outcomes were hospital mortality and survival free from major morbidities (IVH grade 3-4, cPVL, ROP stage ≥3, BPD), and were assessed separately for single and multiple infants. Other outcomes were also investigated. Multivariable logistic analyses were used to adjust for maternal and infants' characteristics. To account for the correlation of observations within intensive care units, robust variance and standard error estimates of regression parameters were computed. AC was used in 6.4% of mothers. Infants were 2934; 314 (10.7%) were born after AC. Multiples were 86.0% among AC and 21.7% among non-AC babies. In multivariable analysis no statistically significant difference in hospital mortality and survival without major morbidities was found between AC and non-AC infants. The risk of BPD was lower in AC than in non-AC multiples (aOR 0.41, CI 0.20-0.87), and this finding did not change after controlling for mechanical ventilation (aOR 0.42, CI 0.20-0.85) or presence of a patent ductus arteriosus (aOR 0.39, CI 0.18-0.84). When the analysis is restricted to very preterm infants and stratified by multiplicity, no significant associations between AC and increased risk of short-term mortality and survival without major morbidities emerge. This result is consistent with previous studies, and may confirm the hypothesis that the adverse effects of AC are mediated by preterm birth. However, larger appropriately powered studies are needed before definitely excluding the possibility of adverse events linked to AC in infants born before 32 weeks gestation. | 25,193,062 | [
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Describing methods and interventions: a protocol for the systematic analysis of the perioperative quality improvement literature. | Quality improvement (QI) methods are widely used in surgery in an effort to improve care, often using techniques such as Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to implement specific interventions. Explicit definition of both the QI method and quality intervention is necessary to enable the accurate replication of effective interventions in practice, facilitate cumulative learning, reduce research waste and optimise benefits to patients. This systematic review aims to assess quality of reporting of QI methods and quality interventions in perioperative care. Studies reporting on quality interventions implemented in perioperative care settings will be identified. Searches will be conducted in the Ovid SP version of Medline, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care database and the related articles function of PubMed. The journal BMJ Quality will be searched separately. Search strategy terms will relate to (i) surgery, (ii) QI and (iii) evaluation methods. Explicit exclusion and inclusion criteria will be applied. Data from studies will be extracted using a data extraction form. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist will be used to evaluate quality of reporting, together with additional items aimed at assessing QI methods specifically. PROSPERO http://CRD42014012845. | 25,193,066 | [
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Identification of a novel Orthohepadnavirus in pomona roundleaf bats in China. | Bats in Myanmar, Gabon, and Panama have been found to harbor diverse hepadnaviruses. Here, we report a novel hepadnavirus in 4 of 20 pomona roundleaf bats from Yunnan province, China. This virus contains 3,278 nucleotides (nt) in the full circularized genome, with four predicted open frames (ORFs) reading in the same direction. Full genomic sequence comparisons and evolutionary analysis indicate that this virus is a member of a new species within the genus Orthohepadnavirus. | 25,193,071 | [
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Wave propagation of myocardial stretch: correlation with myocardial stiffness. | The mechanism of flow propagation during diastole in the left ventricle (LV) has been well described. Little is known about the associated waves propagating along the heart walls. These waves may have a mechanism similar to pulse wave propagation in arteries. The major goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of myocardial stiffness and preload on this wave transmission. Longitudinal late diastolic deformation and wave speed (Vp) of myocardial stretch in the anterior LV wall were measured using sonomicrometry in 16 pigs. Animals with normal and altered myocardial stiffness (acute myocardial infarction) were studied with and without preload alterations. Elastic modulus estimated from Vp (E VP; Moens-Korteweg equation) was compared to incremental elastic modulus obtained from exponential end-diastolic stress-strain relation (E SS). Myocardial distensibility and α- and β-coefficients of stress-strain relations were calculated. Vp was higher at reperfusion compared to baseline (2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 1.3 ± 0.4 m/s; p = 0.005) and best correlated with E SS (r2 = 0.80, p < 0.0001), β-coefficient (r2 = 0.78, p < 0.0001), distensibility (r2 = 0.47, p = 0.005), and wall thickness/diameter ratio (r2 = 0.42, p = 0.009). Elastic moduli (E VP and E SS) were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.83, p < 0.0001). Increasing preload increased Vp and E VP and decreased distensibility. At multivariate analysis, E SS, wall thickness, and end-diastolic and systolic LV pressures were independent predictors of Vp (r2 model = 0.83, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the main determinants of wave propagation of longitudinal myocardial stretch were myocardial stiffness and LV geometry and pressure. This local wave speed could potentially be measured noninvasively by echocardiography. | 25,193,091 | [
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In chronic kidney disease, serum α-Klotho is related to serum bicarbonate and proteinuria. | Klotho is an "aging-suppressor" gene and encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein predominantly expressed in renal tubules. Whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects serum Klotho is poorly documented. We aimed to measure the relationship of serum α-Klotho with renal function, acid-base status, bone biomarkers, and proteinuria in CKD patients. We measured serum α-Klotho, serum FGF23, and glomerular filtration rate by inulin clearance in 60 CKD patients between January and July 2011. We also measured serum creatinine, bicarbonate, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, C-reactive protein, and 25-OH vitamin D. Proteinuria was obtained from a 24-h urine collection. The median serum α-Klotho was 478 (348-658) pg/mL. We found an inverse relationship between serum α-Klotho and serum creatinine (r = -0.36, P = .007), proteinuria (r = -0.36, P = .013), and a positive relationship with serum bicarbonate (r = 0.33, P = .011). There was no further significant relation between serum α-Klotho and inulin clearance or serum FGF23. Multiple regression analysis including serum bicarbonate, serum creatinine, and proteinuria indicated that only serum bicarbonate was associated with serum α-Klotho (P = .003). This study shows that in CKD, serum α-Klotho is related to serum bicarbonate and proteinuria and not to renal function. Further research is required to determine whether correcting these 2 amenable conditions would improve serum α-Klotho. | 25,193,108 | [
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Disruption of heme-peptide covalent cross-linking in mammalian peroxidases by hypochlorous acid. | Myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactoperoxidase (LPO) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) play a central role in oxidative damage in inflammatory disorders by utilizing hydrogen peroxide and halides/pseudo halides to generate the corresponding hypohalous acid. The catalytic sites of these enzymes contain a covalently modified heme group, which is tethered to the polypeptide chain at two ester linkages via the methyl group (MPO, EPO and LPO) and one sulfonium bond via the vinyl group (MPO only). Covalent cross-linking of the catalytic site heme to the polypeptide chain in peroxidases is thought to play a protective role, since it renders the heme moiety less susceptible to the oxidants generated by these enzymes. Mass-spectrometric analysis revealed the following possible pathways by which hypochlorous acid (HOCl) disrupts the heme-protein cross-linking: (1) the methyl-ester bond is cleaved to form an alcohol; (2) the alcohol group undergoes an oxygen elimination reaction via the formation of an aldehyde intermediate or undergoes a demethylation reaction to lose the terminal CH2 group; and (3) the oxidative cleavage of the vinyl-sulfonium linkage. Once the heme moiety is released it undergoes cleavage at the carbon-methyne bridge either along the δ-β or a α-γ axis to form different pyrrole derivatives. These results indicate that covalent cross-linking is not enough to protect the enzymes from HOCl mediated heme destruction and free iron release. Thus, the interactions of mammalian peroxidases with HOCl modulates their activity and sets a stage for initiation of the Fenton reaction, further perpetuating oxidative damage at sites of inflammation. | 25,193,127 | [
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Differential translocation of heat shock factor-1 after mild and severe stress to human skin fibroblasts undergoing aging in vitro. | Repeated exposure to mild heat shock (HS) has been shown to induce a wide range of health promoting hormetic effects in various biological systems, including human cells undergoing aging in vitro. In order to understand how cells distinguish between mild and severe stress, we have investigated the extent of early and immediate HS response by analyzing the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor heat shock factor-1 (HSF1), in serially passaged normal adult human facial skin fibroblasts exposed to mild (41 °C) or severe (43 °C) HS. Cells respond differently when exposed to mild and severe HS at different passage levels in terms of the extent of HSF1 translocation. In early passage young cells there was a 5-fold difference between mild and severe HS in the extent of HSF1 translocation. However, in near senescent late passage cells, the difference between mild and severe stress in terms of the extent of HSF1 translocation was reduced to less than 2-fold. One of the reasons for this age-related attenuation of heat shock response is due to the fact there was a higher basal level of HSF1 in the nuclei of late passage cells, which is indicative of increased intrinsic stress during cellular aging. These observations are consistent with previously reported data that whereas repeated mild stress given at younger ages can slow down aging and increase the lifespan, the same level of stress given at older ages may not provide the same benefits. Therefore, elucidating the early and immediate steps in the induction of stress response can be useful in deciding whether a particular level of stress is potentially hormetically beneficial or not. | 25,193,128 | [
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Multi-slice-to-volume registration for MRI-guided transperineal prostate biopsy. | Prostate needle biopsy is a commonly performed procedure since it is the most definitive form of cancer diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows target-specific biopsies to be performed. However, needle placements are often inaccurate due to intra-operative prostate motion and the lack of motion compensation techniques. This paper detects and determines the extent of tissue displacement during an MRI-guided biopsy so that the needle insertion plan can be adjusted accordingly. A multi-slice-to-volume registration algorithm was developed to align the pre-operative planning image volume with three intra-operative orthogonal image slices of the prostate acquired immediately before needle insertion. The algorithm consists of an initial rigid transformation followed by a deformable step. A total of 14 image sets from 10 patients were studied. Based on prostate contour alignment, the registrations were accurate to within 2 mm. This algorithm can be used to increase the needle targeting accuracy by alerting the clinician if the biopsy target has moved significantly prior to needle insertion. The proposed method demonstrated feasibility of intra-operative target localization and motion compensation for MRI-guided prostate biopsy. | 25,193,145 | [
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Electromagnetic tracking in surgical and interventional environments: usability study. | Electromagnetic (EM) tracking of instruments within a clinical setting is notorious for fluctuating measurement performance. Position location measurement uncertainty of an EM system was characterized in various environments, including control, clinical, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and CT scanner environments. Static and dynamic effects of CBCT and CT scanning on EM tracking were evaluated. Two guidance devices were designed to solely translate or rotate the sensor in a non-interfering fit to decouple pose-dependent tracking uncertainties. These devices were mounted on a base to allow consistent and repeatable tests when changing environments. Using this method, position and orientation measurement accuracies, precision, and 95 % confidence intervals were assessed. The tracking performance varied significantly as a function of the environment-especially within the CBCT and CT scanners-and sensor pose. In fact, at a fixed sensor position in the clinical environment, the measurement error varied from 0.2 to 2.2 mm depending on sensor orientations. Improved accuracies were observed along the vertical axis of the field generator. Calibration of the measurements improved tracking performance in the CT environment by 50-85 %. EM tracking can provide effective assistance to surgeons or interventional radiologists during procedures performed in a clinical or CBCT environment. Applications in the CT scanner demand precalibration to provide acceptable performance. | 25,193,146 | [
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0.03... |
Four cases of orbital hyperdensity identified by postmortem computed tomography. | Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has become a common examination method in the field of forensic medicine. Head computed tomography provides information of the orbit and eyes, and forensic pathologists may come across abnormal intraocular findings of cadavers upon PMCT. Here, we present four cases in which we identified orbital hyperdensity by PMCT. The first case showed calcified senile scleral plaques (CSSP), whereas the second case showed foreign bodies in the palpebral fissure, which resembled CSSP upon PMCT. The third case showed signs of silicone oil injection in the eye, while the fourth case showed bilateral phthisis bulbi. In the first case, the presence of CSSP was found to be helpful for age estimation, whereas the findings of cases 3 and 4 aided in the personal identification of the subjects. As demonstrated by these cases, intraocular PMCT findings may provide highly useful information, and correct interpretation of the intraocular PMCT findings by forensic pathologists is hence crucial. | 25,193,148 | [
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0.1256... |
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