Erratum to: Plausibility Judgments of Atypical Symptoms Across Cultures: an Explorative Study Among Western and Non-Western Experts

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Delayed post mastectomy breast reconstructions with allogeneic acellular dermal matrix prepared by a new decellularizationmethod

Abstract

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is a tissue graft of allogeneic origin from post-mortem tissue donors prepared by an innovative decellularization process. The newly developed non-toxic and low cost decellularization process of cadaver origin dermis included ADM in breast reconstruction procedures proved to help coverage of the lower-pole of breast expanders or implants. As the results have shown, it did help to eliminate autologous dermis donor site morbidity along with shortening the operation time by avoiding elevation of additional muscle or fascia during the operation. Main aims of this article include histology evaluation of allogeneic acellular dermal matrix prepared by a new decellularization method and presentation of clinical results of its use. A total of 22 patients underwent 26 ADM based breast reconstructions. The mean patient's follow up was 12.6 months. Average total size of ADM used for one breast was 273 cm². Post-operative complications occurred in 3 patients including one expander infection, one expander extrusion and one expander pocket disfiguration. Microscopic analysis of tissue samples has confirmed incorporation of the acellular dermal matrices into the surrounding connective tissue without any noticeable immune reaction. In a majority of the ADM samples we found pseudocapsullar formation on implant side of samples without acute or chronic inflammatory cells. The use of ADM prepared by new preparation method in expansive post mastectomy breast reconstruction was associated by a relatively low complication rate resulting in good outcomes.

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Beveled posteromedial corner of the radial head: a three-dimensional micro-computed tomography modeling study

Abstract

The posteromedial quadrant of the radial head is known to be different from the other quadrants. However, the explanation of this unique anatomical feature remains elusive. Hence, this study was designed to address this unique anatomical variance using three-dimensional μCT (micro-computed tomography) analysis. Nine fresh cadaveric radial heads were scanned using μCT. Three-dimensional subchondral bone and cartilage models were rendered. Both models were separated into the four quadrants at both the periphery (rim) and the articulating dish (fovea): anteromedial (AM), posteromedial (PM), posterolateral (PL), and anterolateral (AL). Each quadrant was analyzed in terms of (1) subchondral bone porosity (SBP), (2) mean subchondral bone thickness (MSBT), and (3) mean cartilage thickness (MCT). There was a significant difference between the fovea and the rim in terms of its microarchitectural features. Although within the fovea, the PM quadrant did not differ significantly from the other quadrants, a significant difference was found within the rim. In terms of SBP, PM, AM, PL and AL were calculated as 33, 37, 36 and 35%, respectively. In terms of MSBT, PM, AM, PL and AL were calculated as 0.11, 0.10, 0.09, and 0.09 mm, respectively. In terms of MCT, PM, AM, PL and AL were calculated 1.09, 0.81, 0.84 and 0.83 mm, respectively. The PM corner of the radial head between the 8 and 9 o'clock positions, was beveled. This might explain why the PM quadrant of the rim differed significantly from the other quadrants in terms of its microarchitectural features.

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Pyoderma gangrenosum-like ulcer caused by Helicobacter cinaedi in a patient with hypogammaglobulinemia

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Disappearing subcutaneous papules and nodules: Characteristic features of muscle herniation and piezogenic pedal papules

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Examining self-reported and biological stress and near misses among Emergency Medicine residents: a single-centre cross-sectional assessment in the USA

Objectives

To examine the relationship between perceived and biological stress and near misses among Emergency Medicine residents.

Design

Self-rated stress and stress biomarkers were assessed in residents in Emergency Medicine before and after a day shift. The supervising physicians and residents reported numbers of near misses.

Setting

The study took place in the Emergency Department of a large trauma 1 centre, located in Detroit, USA.

Participants

Residents in Emergency Medicine volunteered to participate. The sample consisted of 32 residents, with complete data on 28 subjects. Residents' supervising physicians assessed the clinical performance of each resident.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Participants' preshift and postshift stress, biological stress (salivary cortisol, plasma interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), residents' and supervisors' reports of near misses, number of critically ill and patients with trauma seen during the shift.

Results

Residents' self-reported stress increased from an average preshift level of 2.79 of 10 (SD 1.81) to a postshift level of 5.82 (2.13) (p<0.001). Residents cared for an average of 2.32 (1.52) critically ill patients and 0.68 (1.06) patients with trauma. Residents reported a total of 7 near misses, compared with 11 reported by the supervising physicians. After controlling for baseline work-related exhaustion, residents that cared for more patients with trauma and had higher levels of TNF-α reported a higher frequency of near misses (R²=0.72; p=0.001). Residents' preshift ratings of how stressful they expected the shift to be were related to the supervising physicians' ratings of residents' near misses during the shift.

Conclusion

Residents' own ratings of near misses were associated with residents' TNF-α, a biomarker of systemic inflammation and the number of patients with trauma seen during the shift. In contrast, supervisor reports on residents' near misses were related only to the residents' preshift expectations of how stressful the shift would be.

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Prognostic significance of Daxx NCR (Nuclear/Cytoplasmic Ratio) in gastric cancer

Abstract

In addition to regulating apoptosis via its interaction with the death domain of Fas receptor, death domain associated protein 6 (Daxx) is also known to be involved in transcriptional regulation, suggesting that the function of Daxx depends on its subcellular localization. In this study, we aimed to explore Daxx subcellular localization in gastric cancer (GC) cells and correlate the findings with clinical data in GC patients. Seventy pairs of tissue samples (GC and adjacent normal tissue) were analyzed immunohistochemically for Daxx expression and localization (nuclear and cytoplasmic). The Daxx Nuclear/Cytoplasmic ratio (Daxx NCR) values in tissue microarray data with 522 tumor samples were further analyzed. The defined Prior cohort (n = 277, treatment between 2006 and 2009) and Recent cohort (n = 245, treatment between 2010 and 2011) were then used to examine the relationship between Daxx NCR and clinical data. The Daxx NCR was found to be clinically informative and significantly higher in GC tissue. Using Daxx NCR (risk ratio = 2.0), both the Prior and Recent cohorts were divided into high- and low-risk groups. Relative to the low-risk group, the high-risk patients had a shorter disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in both cohorts. Importantly, postoperative chemotherapy was found having differential effect on high- and low-risk patients. Such chemotherapy brought no survival benefit, (and could potentially be detrimental,) to high-risk patients after surgery. Daxx NCR could be used as a prognosis factor in GC patients, and may help select the appropriate population to benefit from chemotherapy after surgery.

Daxx NCR can be used as a prognosis factor in GC patients, and may provide an alternative view on adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with gastric cancer.

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Guillain-Barre syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome: A disorder characterized by progressive symmetrical paralysis and loss of reflexes, usually beginning in the legs. The paralysis characteristically involves more than one limb (most commonly the legs), is progressive, and is usually proceeds from the end of an extremity toward the torso. Areflexia (loss of reflexes) or hyporeflexia (diminution of reflexes) may occur in the legs and arms.

Guillain-Barre syndrome is not associated with fever, an important fact in differentiating Guillain-Barre from other diseases. Guillain-Barre usually occurs after a respiratory infection, and it is apparently caused by a misdirected immune response that results in the direct destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding the peripheral nerves or of the axon of the nerve itself. The syndrome sometimes follows other triggering events, including vaccinations. Among the vaccines reportedly associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome are the 1976-1977 swine flu vaccine, oral poliovirus vaccine, and tetanus toxoid. Aside from vaccinations, infection with the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni and viral infections can trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome.

There is presently no test to prove the diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Other conditions such as polio that may mimic Guillain-Barre need to be ruled out before the diagnosis is made. Treatment includes plasmapheresis and intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG). In most cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, the patient makes a complete or nearly complete recovery.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt may not have had polio but rather the Guillain-Barre syndrome, according to a review of his clinical findings in 2003. FDR was diagnosed with polio at age 39 in 1921. As with most distant diagnoses, this is retrospective speculation.

See also: Demyelination; Landry ascending paralysis; Polio.

MedTerms (TM) is the Medical Dictionary of MedicineNet.com.
We Bring Doctors' Knowledge To You

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A Dinosaur's Burial at Sea

Broken bones tell a dinosaur's unusual tale.

-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

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Trundling Toward Extinction

A new study investigates what killed the Midwest's last mastodons.

-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

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Topically Applied Carvedilol Attenuates Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Induced Skin Carcinogenesis

In previous studies, the β-blocker carvedilol inhibited EGF-induced epidermal cell transformation and chemical carcinogen-induced mouse skin hyperplasia. As exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation leads to skin cancer, the present study examined whether carvedilol can prevent UV-induced carcinogenesis. Carvedilol absorbs UV like a sunscreen; thus, to separate pharmacological from sunscreen effects, 4-hydroxycarbazole (4-OHC), which absorbs UV to the same degree as carvedilol, served as control. JB6 P+ cells, an established epidermal model for studying tumor promotion, were used for evaluating the effect of carvedilol on UV-induced neoplastic transformation. Both carvedilol and 4-OHC (1 mM) blocked transformation induced by chronic UV (15 mJ/cm²) exposure for eight weeks. However, EGF-mediated transformation was only inhibited by carvedilol but not by 4-OHC. Carvedilol (1 and 5 mM), but not 4-OHC, attenuated UV-induced AP-1 and NF-kB luciferase reporter activity, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory activity. In a single dose UV (200 mJ/cm²) induced skin inflammation mouse model, carvedilol (10 mM), applied topically after UV exposure, reduced skin hyperplasia and the levels of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2 in skin. In SKH-1 mice exposed to gradually increasing levels of UV (50-150 mJ/cm²) three times a week for 25 weeks, topical administration of carvedilol (10 mM) after UV exposure increased tumor latency compared with control (week 18 vs. 15), decreased incidence and multiplicity of squamous cell carcinomas, while 4-OHC had no effect.  These data suggest that carvedilol has a novel chemopreventive activity and topical carvedilol following UV exposure may be repurposed for preventing skin inflammation and cancer.

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Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal and Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition in Mesenchymal Tumors: A Paradox in Sarcomas?

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible process comprised of various subprograms via which epithelial cells reduce their intercellular adhesions and proliferative capacity while gaining a mesenchymal phenotype with increased migratory and invasive properties. This process has been well described in several carcinomas, which are cancers of epithelial origin, and is crucial to metastatic tumor cell dissemination and drug resistance. In contrast, the precise role of EMT-related processes in tumors originating from mesenchymal tissues, such as bone and soft-tissues sarcomas, is still largely unclear. In fact, although the existence of the EMT in sarcomas appears paradoxical because these cancers are, by definition, mesenchymal ab initio, accumulating evidence suggests that many sarcomas can undergo EMT-related processes, which may be associated with aggressive clinical behavior. These processes may be especially operative in certain sarcoma subtypes, such as carcinosarcomas displaying a biphenotypic morphology with characteristics of both mesenchymal and epithelial tumors. In this review, we discuss findings regarding the potential existence of EMT-related processes in sarcomas and propose that sarcomas can reside in a metastable state, enabling them to become either more mesenchymal or epithelial under specific conditions, which likely has important clinical implications. Cancer Res; 77(17); 1–6. ©2017 AACR.

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Transglutaminase 2 Is a Direct Target Gene of YAP-TAZ—Response

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Transglutaminase 2 Is a Direct Target Gene of YAP/TAZ—Letter

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De Novo Lipid Synthesis facilitates Gemcitabine Resistance Through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress In Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is moderately responsive to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy, the most widely used single agent therapy for pancreatic cancer. While the prognosis in pancreatic cancer remains grim in part due to poor response to therapy, previous attempts at identifying and targeting the resistance mechanisms have not been very successful. By leveraging TCGA dataset, we identified lipid metabolism as the metabolic pathway that most significantly correlated with poor gemcitabine response in pancreatic cancer patients. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between alterations in lipogenesis pathway and gemcitabine resistance by utilizing tissues from the genetically engineered mouse model and human pancreatic cancer patients. We observed a significant increase in fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression with increasing disease progression in a spontaneous pancreatic cancer mouse model, and a correlation of high FASN expression with poor survival in patients and poor gemcitabine responsiveness in cell lines. We observed a synergistic effect of FASN inhibitors with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells in culture and orthotopic implantation models. Combination of gemcitabine and the FASN inhibitor orlistat significantly diminished stemness, in part due to induction of ER stress that resulted in apoptosis. Moreover, direct induction of ER stress with thapsigargin caused a similar decrease in stemness and showed synergistic activity with gemcitabine. Our in vivo studies with orthotopic implantation models demonstrated a robust increase in gemcitabine responsiveness upon inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis with orlistat. Altogether, we demonstrate that fatty acid biosynthesis pathway manipulation can help overcome the gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer by regulating ER stress and stemness.

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Targeting a single alternative polyadenylation site coordinately blocks expression of androgen receptor mRNA splice variants in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of male cancer deaths due to disease progression to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Androgen receptor (AR) splice variants including AR-V7 function as constitutively active transcription factors in CRPC cells, thereby promoting resistance to AR-targeted therapies. To date, there are no AR variant specific treatments for CRPC. Here we report that the splicing of AR variants AR-V7 as well as AR-V1 and AR-V9 is regulated coordinately by a single polyadenylation signal in AR intron 3. Blocking this signal with morpholino technology or silencing of the polyadenylation factor CPSF1 caused a splice switch that inhibited expression of AR variants and blocked androgen-independent growth of CRPC cells. Our findings support the development of new therapies targeting the polyadenylation signal in AR intron 3 as a strategy to prevent expression of a broad array of AR variants in CRPC.

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Ozone generated by air purifier in low concentrations: friend or foe?

Abstract

Ozone helps decontamination environments due to its oxidative power, however present toxicity when it is in high concentrations, by long periods of exposition. This study aimed to assess the safety of ozone generator air purifier at concentrations of 0.05 ppm in rats exposed to 3 and 24 h/day for 14 and 28 days. No significant differences are observed between groups in clinical signs, feed and water intake, relative body weight gain and relative weight of organs, macroscopy and microscopy of lungs, and oxidative plasma assay. In this exposure regime, ozone does not cause genotoxicity and no significant changes in pulmonary histology indicative of toxicity. Ozone generated in low concentrations, even in exposure regimes above the recommended is safe, both acute and sub-acute exposition.

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The replication and transcription activator of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 cooperatively enhances cytokine-activated, STAT3-mediated gene expression [Signal Transduction]

Gammaherpesviruses (γΗVs) have a dynamic strategy for life-time persistence, involving productive infection, latency, and intermittent reactivation. In latency reservoirs, such as B lymphocytes, γΗV exists as a viral episome and expresses few viral genes. Although the ability of γHV to reactivate from latency and re-enter the lytic phase is challenging to investigate and control, it is known that the γΗV replication and transcription activator, RTA, can promote lytic reactivation. In this study, we provide first evidence that RTA of murine γΗV 68 (MHV68) selectively binds and enhances the activity of tyrosine-phosphorylated host STAT3. STAT3 is a transcription factor classically activated by specific tyrosine 705-phosphorylation (pTyr705-STAT3) in response to cytokine stimulation. pTyr705-STAT3 forms a dimer that avidly binds a consensus target site in the promoters of regulated genes, and our results indicate that RTA cooperatively enhances the ability of pTyr705-STAT3 to induce expression of a STAT3 responsive reporter gene. As indicated by co-immunoprecipitation, in latently infected B cells that are stimulated to reactivate MHV68, RTA bound specifically to endogenous pTyr705-STAT3. An in vitro binding assay confirmed that RTA selectively recognizes pTyr705-STAT3 and indicated that the C-terminal transactivation domain of RTA was required for enhancing STAT3-directed gene expression. The cooperation of these transcription factors may influence both viral and host genes. During MHV68 de novo infection, pTyr705-STAT3 promoted the temporal expression of ORF59, a viral replication protein. Our results demonstrate that MHV68 RTA specifically recognizes and recruits activated pTyr705-STAT3 STAT3 during the lytic phase of infection.

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Region-specific protein misfolding cyclic amplification reproduces brain tropism of prion strains [Protein Structure and Folding]

Human prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are transmissible brain proteinopathies, characterized by the accumulation of a misfolded isoform of the host cellular prion protein (PrP) in the brain. According to the prion model, prions are defined as proteinaceous infectious particles composed solely of this abnormal isoform of PrP (PrPSc). Even in the absence of genetic material, various prion strains can be propagated in experimental models. They can be distinguished by the pattern of disease they produce and especially by the localization of PrPSc deposits within the brain and the spongiform lesions they induce. The mechanisms involved in this strain-specific targeting of distinct brain regions still are a fundamental, unresolved question in prion research. To address this question, we exploited a prion conversion in vitro assay, protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), by using experimental scrapie and human prion strains as seeds and specific brain regions from mice and humans as substrates. We show here that region-specific PMCA in part reproduces the specific brain targeting observed in experimental, acquired, and sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases. Furthermore, we provide evidence that, in addition to cellular prion protein, other region- and species-specific molecular factors influence the strain-dependent prion conversion process. This important step toward understanding prion strain propagation in the human brain may impact research on the molecular factors involved in protein misfolding and the development of ultrasensitive methods for diagnosing prion disease.

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Distinct structural mechanisms determine substrate affinity and kinase activity of Protein Kinase C{alpha} [Computational Biology]

Protein kinase Cα (PKCα) belongs to the family of AGC kinases that phosphorylate multiple peptide substrates. While the consensus sequence motif has been identified and used to explain substrate specificity for PKCα, it does not inform the structural basis of substrate binding and kinase activity for diverse substrates phosphorylated by this kinase. The transient, dynamic, and unstructured nature of this protein-protein interaction has limited structural mapping of kinase-substrate interfaces. Here, using multiscale MD simulation-based predictions and FRET sensor-based experiments, we investigated the conformational dynamics of the kinase-substrate interface. We found that the binding strength of the kinase-substrate interaction is primarily determined by long-range columbic interactions between basic (Arg/Lys) residues located N-terminally to the phosphorylated Ser/Thr residues in the substrate and by an acidic patch in the kinase catalytic domain. Kinase activity stemmed from conformational flexibility in the region C-terminal to the phosphorylated Ser/Thr residues. Flexibility of the substrate-kinase interaction enabled an Arg/Lys two to three amino acids C-terminal to the phosphorylated Ser/Thr to prime a catalytically active conformation, facilitating phosphoryl transfer to the substrate. The structural mechanisms determining substrate binding and catalytic activity formed the basis of diverse binding affinities and kinase activities of PKCα for 14 substrates with varying degrees of sequence conservation. Our findings provide insight into the dynamic properties of the kinase-substrate interaction that govern substrate binding and turnover. Moreover, this study establishes a modeling and experimental method to elucidate the structural dynamics underlying substrate selectivity among eukaryotic kinases.

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Multiple circadian transcriptional elements cooperatively regulate cell-autonomous transcriptional oscillation of Period3, a mammalian clock gene [Cell Biology]

Cell-autonomous oscillation in clock gene expression drives circadian rhythms. The development of comprehensive analytical techniques, such as bioinformatics and ChIP-sequencing, has enabled the genome-wide identification of potential circadian transcriptional elements that regulate the transcriptional oscillation of clock genes. However, detailed analyses using traditional biochemical and molecular-biological approaches, such as binding and reporter assays, are still necessary to determine whether these potential circadian transcriptional elements are actually functional and how significantly they contribute to driving transcriptional oscillation. Here, we focused on the molecular mechanism of transcriptional oscillations in the mammalian clock gene Period3 (Per3). The PER3 protein is essential for robust peripheral clocks and is a key component in circadian output processes. We found three E box-like elements located upstream of human Per3 transcription start sites that additively contributed to cell-autonomous transcriptional oscillation. However, we also found that Per3 is still expressed in a circadian manner when all three E box-like elements are functionally impaired. We noted that Per3 transcription was activated by the synergistic actions of two D box-like elements and the three E box-like elements, leading to a drastic increase in circadian amplitude. Interestingly, circadian expression of Per3 was completely disrupted only when all five transcriptional elements were functionally impaired. These results indicate that three E box-like and two D box-like elements cooperatively and redundantly regulate cell-autonomous transcriptional oscillation of Per3.

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Amyloid-induced {beta}-cell dysfunction and islet inflammation are ameliorated by 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) treatment [Research]

Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) aggregation is associated with β-cell dysfunction and death in type 2 diabetes (T2D). we aimed to determine whether in vivo treatment with chemical chaperone 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) ameliorates hIAPP-induced β-cell dysfunction and islet amyloid formation. Oral administration of PBA in transgenic (Tg) mice expressing hIAPP in pancreatic β cells (hIAPP Tg) counteracted impaired glucose homeostasis and restored glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Moreover, PBA treatment almost completely prevented the transcriptomic alterations observed in hIAPP Tg islets, including the induction of genes related to inflammation. PBA also increased β-cell viability and improved insulin secretion in hIAPP Tg islets cultured under glucolipotoxic conditions. Strikingly, PBA not only prevented but even reversed islet amyloid deposition, pointing to a direct effect of PBA on hIAPP. This was supported by in silico calculations uncovering potential binding sites of PBA to mono, di- and pentameric fibrillar structures, and by in vitro assays showing inhibition of hIAPP fibril formation by PBA. Collectively, these results uncover a novel beneficial effect of PBA on glucose homeostasis by restoring β-cell function and preventing amyloid formation in mice expressing hIAPP in β cells, highlighting the therapeutic potential of PBA for the treatment of T2D.—Montane, J., de Pablo, S., Castaño, C., Rodríguez-Comas, J., Cadavez, L., Obach, M., Visa, M., Alcarraz-Vizán, G., Sanchez-Martinez, M., Nonell-Canals, A., Parrizas, M., Servitja, J.-M., Novials, A. Amyloid-induced β-cell dysfunction and islet inflammation are ameliorated by 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) treatment.

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Fluorescent probes for selective protein labeling in lysosomes: a case of {alpha}-galactosidase A [Research]

Fluorescence-based live-cell imaging (LCI) of lysosomal glycosidases is often hampered by unfavorable pH and redox conditions that reduce fluorescence output. Moreover, most lysosomal glycosidases are low-mass soluble proteins that do not allow for bulky fluorescent protein fusions. We selected α-galactosidase A (GALA) as a model lysosomal glycosidase involved in Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) for the current LCI approach. Examination of the subcellular localization of AFD-causing mutants can reveal the mechanism underlying cellular trafficking deficits. To minimize genetic GALA modification, we employed a biarsenical labeling protocol with tetracysteine (TC-tag) detection. We tested the efficiency of halogen substituted biarsenical probes to interact with C-terminally TC-tagged GALA peptide at pH 4.5 in vitro and identified F2FlAsH-EDT₂ as a superior detection reagent for GALA. This probe provides improved signal/noise ratio in labeled COS-7 cells transiently expressing TC-tagged GALA. The investigated fluorescence-based LCI technology of TC-tagged lysosomal protein using an improved biarsenical probe can be used to identify novel compounds that promote proper trafficking of mutant GALA to lysosomal compartments and rescue the mutant phenotype.—Bohl, C., Pomorski, A., Seemann, S., Knospe, A.-M., Zheng, C., Krezel, A., Rolfs, A., Lukas, J. Fluorescent probes for selective protein labeling in lysosomes: a case of α-galactosidase A.

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Ensuring due process in the IACUC and animal welfare setting: considerations in developing noncompliance policies and procedures for institutional animal care and use committees and institutional officials [Review]

Every institution that is involved in research with animals is expected to have in place policies and procedures for the management of allegations of noncompliance with the Animal Welfare Act and the U.S. Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. We present here a model set of recommendations for institutional animal care and use committees and institutional officials to ensure appropriate consideration of allegations of noncompliance with federal Animal Welfare Act regulations that carry a significant risk or specific threat to animal welfare. This guidance has 3 overarching aims: 1) protecting the welfare of research animals; 2) according fair treatment and due process to an individual accused of noncompliance; and 3) ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Through this guidance, the present work seeks to advance the cause of scientific integrity, animal welfare, and the public trust while recognizing and supporting the critical importance of animal research for the betterment of the health of both humans and animals.—Hansen, B. C., Gografe, S., Pritt, S., Jen, K.-L. C., McWhirter, C. A., Barman, S. M., Comuzzie, A., Greene, M., McNulty, J. A., Michele, D. E., Moaddab, N., Nelson, R. J., Norris, K., Uray, K. D., Banks, R., Westlund, K. N., Yates, B. J., Silverman, J., Hansen, K. D., Redman, B. Ensuring due process in the IACUC and animal welfare setting: considerations in developing noncompliance policies and procedures for institutional animal care and use committees and institutional officials.

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Paleo Profile:

Overlooked bones reveal a new dinosaur species.

-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

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Genetic Landscape of HNSCC - OncLive

OncLive

Genetic Landscape of HNSCC OncLive There have been a couple of important sequencing papers, and the Cancer Genome Atlas now has more than 500 head and neck cancers in it. We clearly see, as Josh mentioned, that there's a difference in the mutational profile of the HPV-associated and the ...

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Synergistic Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects between Modified Citrus Pectin and Honokiol

Inflammation is a normal physiological process; however, dysregulation of this process may contribute to inflammatory-based chronic disorders and diseases in animals and humans. Therefore, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of natural products, often recognized in traditional medicine systems, represent therapeutic modalities to reduce or prevent uncontrolled inflammatory processes which in turn potentially ameliorate or prevent sequelae of inflammatory-based symptoms of chronic diseases. We have investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of honokiol (HNK) and modified citrus pectin (MCP) in vitro and examined whether the MCP : HNK combination has synergistic effects on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although both HNK and MCP induced a dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activity, the latter has a consistently higher antioxidant effect. The MCP : HNK (9 : 1) combination induced a synergistic effect on antioxidant activity suggesting that the combination is significantly more efficacious than individual compounds. In mouse monocytes, the lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced tumor necrosis- (TNF-) synthesis was significantly inhibited by HNK and the MCP : HNK combination in a dose-dependent manner and synergistic effects were clearly demonstrated with the combination on TNF- inhibition. This combination effect was also evident on inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B activity, cyclooxygenase-II activity, and lipid peroxidation in mouse monocytes. Further research into the combination is warranted.

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Electronic Cigarette Use among Mississippi Adults, 2015

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that deliver nicotine in the form of aerosol. We identify differences and associations in e-cigarette use by sociodemographic characteristics and describe the reported reasons for initiating use among Mississippi adults. We used the 2015 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which collected information on e-cigarette use from 6,035 respondents. The prevalence of current e-cigarette use and having ever tried an e-cigarette was determined overall and by sociodemographic characteristics. Weighted prevalences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and prevalences for subgroups were compared using the tests and associations were assessed using logistic regression. In 2015, 4.7% of Mississippi adults currently used e-cigarettes, while 20.5% had ever tried an e-cigarette. The prevalence of current e-cigarette use was significantly higher for young adults, whites, men, individuals unable to work, those with income $35,000–$49,999, and current smokers compared to their counterparts. Similar results were observed for having ever tried an e-cigarette. E-cigarette use was associated with age, race, income, and smoking status. Most (71.2%) of current e-cigarette users and over half (52.1%) of those who have ever tried e-cigarettes reported that a main reason for trying or using e-cigarettes was "to cut down or quit smoking."

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An Efficient Image Watermarking Method Based on Fast Discrete Cosine Transform Algorithm

This paper proposes an image watermarking method based on the fast discrete cosine transform (DCT) algorithm for implementation in digital signal processor. A digital watermark can be effectively embedded and efficiently extracted without the host image. The keys in watermarking process include four frequency coefficients in DCT, two random permutation vectors, and a quantization matrix for normalizing the watermark and the host image. The fast DCT algorithm has been shown to reduce the complexity of two-dimensional image transformation so that embedding/decoding an image watermark can be completed in real time within 0.33 seconds. The quality of both watermarked image and extracted (retrieved) watermark remains excellent. It is shown that the watermarking method is efficient in and robust to data cropping, transmission loss, and compression/decompression.

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A Multiobjective Robust Scheduling Optimization Mode for Multienergy Hybrid System Integrated by Wind Power, Solar Photovoltaic Power, and Pumped Storage Power

Wind power plant (WPP), photovoltaic generators (PV), cell-gas turbine (CGT), and pumped storage power station (PHSP) are integrated into multienergy hybrid system (MEHS). Firstly, this paper presents MEHS structure and constructs a scheduling model with the objective functions of maximum economic benefit and minimum power output fluctuation. Secondly, in order to relieve the uncertainty influence of WPP and PV on system, robust stochastic theory is introduced to describe uncertainty and propose a multiobjective stochastic scheduling optimization mode by transforming constraint conditions with uncertain variables. Finally, a 9.6 MW WPP, a 6.5 MW PV, three CGT units, and an upper reservoir with 10 MW·h equivalent capacity are chosen as simulation system. The results show MEHS system can achieve the best operation result by using the multienergy hybrid generation characteristic. PHSP could shave peak and fill valley of load curve by optimizing pumping storage and inflowing generating behaviors based on the load supply and demand status and the available power of WPP and PV. Robust coefficients can relieve the uncertainty of WPP and PV and provide flexible scheduling decision tools for decision-makers with different risk attitudes by setting different robust coefficients, which could maximize economic benefits and minimize operation risks at the same time.

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Impact of Thyroid Hormone Levels on Functional Outcome in Neurological and Neurosurgical Early Rehabilitation Patients

Background. Neurological and neurosurgical early rehabilitation (NNER) is a specialized treatment option for patients with severe neurological disorders. The present study investigated whether thyroid hormone levels on admission have an impact on the outcome of NNER patients. Method. The study included 500 NNER patients who were admitted to the BDH-Clinic Hessisch Oldendorf between 2009 and 2010. Data such as age, sex, diagnoses, comorbidities, Glasgow Coma Scale score, length of stay, and thyroid hormone levels (obtained as part of clinical routine care) were analyzed retrospectively. Improvement in the Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index (ERBI) at the end of the NNER treatment was defined as outcome parameter. Results. Most patients made functional progress during treatment, as reflected in significant enhancements of the ERBI. Approximately half of the patients were transferred to further rehabilitation treatment. Young age, early onset of NNER treatment, low functional impairment on admission, and, in particular, low total T3 levels were independently associated with a good outcome. Conclusion. Age, severity of disease, and time between injury and admission are known to predict outcome. The present study confirms the influence of these general factors. In addition, an association between thyroid hormones and functional outcome was demonstrated for NNER patients.

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Emotion Recognition from EEG Signals Using Multidimensional Information in EMD Domain

This paper introduces a method for feature extraction and emotion recognition based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD). By using EMD, EEG signals are decomposed into Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs) automatically. Multidimensional information of IMF is utilized as features, the first difference of time series, the first difference of phase, and the normalized energy. The performance of the proposed method is verified on a publicly available emotional database. The results show that the three features are effective for emotion recognition. The role of each IMF is inquired and we find that high frequency component IMF1 has significant effect on different emotional states detection. The informative electrodes based on EMD strategy are analyzed. In addition, the classification accuracy of the proposed method is compared with several classical techniques, including fractal dimension (FD), sample entropy, differential entropy, and discrete wavelet transform (DWT). Experiment results on DEAP datasets demonstrate that our method can improve emotion recognition performance.

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Ultrasound Mediated Microbubbles Destruction Augmented Sonolysis: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Objective. This study was aimed at exploring ultrasound mediated microbubbles destruction (UMMD) assisted sonolysis in both the in vitro and in vivo clots. Methods. Therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) and lipid microbubbles (MBs) were used in whole blood clots and divided into the control, TUS group, and TUS + MB group. Thrombolytic rates and microscopy were performed. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and angiography were performed to evaluate the recanalization rates and flow scores in femoral arterial thrombus (FAT) in rabbits. FAT were dyed with H&E. Results. The average thrombolytic ratios of TUS + MB group were significantly higher than those of TUS group and the control group (both ). Clots had different pathological changes. Recanalization rates and flow scores in TUS + MB group were significantly higher than the control and TUS group. Flow scores and recanalization ratios were grade 0 in 0% of the control group, grade I in 25% of TUS group, and grade II or higher in 87.5% of TUS + MB group after 30 min sonolysis. Conclusions. Both the in vitro and in vivo sonolysis can be significantly augmented by the introduction of MBs without thrombolytic agents, which might be induced by the enhanced cavitation via UMMD.

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Effect of Spherical Aberration on the Optical Quality after Implantation of Two Different Aspherical Intraocular Lenses

Purpose. To compare the effect of spherical aberration on optical quality in eyes with two different aspherical intraocular lenses. Methods. 120 eyes of 60 patients underwent phacoemulsification. In patients' eyes, an aberration-free IOL (Aspira-aA; Human Optics) or an aberration-correcting aspherical IOL (Tecnis ZCB00; Abott Medical Optics) was randomly implanted. After surgery, contrast sensitivity and wavefront measurements as well as tilt and decentration measurements were performed. Results. Contrast sensitivity was significantly higher in eyes with Aspira lens under mesopic conditions with 12 cycles per degree (CPD) and under photopic conditions with 18 CPD (). Wavefront measurements showed a higher total spherical aberration with a minimal pupil size of 4 mm in the Aspira group (0.05 ± 0.03) than in the Tecnis group (0.03 ± 0.02) (). Strehl ratio was higher in eyes with Tecnis (0.28 ± 0.17) with a minimal pupil size larger than 5 mm than that with Aspira (0.16 ± 0.14) (). In pupils with a minimum diameter of 4 mm spherical aberration had a significant effect on Strehl ratio, but not in pupils with a diameter less than 4 mm. Conclusions. Optical quality was better in eyes with the aberration-correcting Tecnis IOL when pupils were large. In contrast, this could not be shown in eyes with pupils under 4 mm or larger. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03224728.

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Pesticide Residues in Honey from the Major Honey Producing Forest Belts in Ghana

Concentrations of pesticides residues in honey sampled from the major honey producing forest belts in Ghana were determined. Samples were purposively collected and extracted using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method and analysed for synthetic pyrethroids, organochlorine, and organophosphate pesticide residues. Aldrin, γ-HCH, β-HCH, ∑endosulfan, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, permethrin methoxychlor, ∑DDT, chlorpyrifos, fenvalerate, malathion, dimethoate, and diazinon were all detected at the concentration of 0.01 mg/kg, while cyfluthrin and permethrin were detected at mean concentrations of 0.02 and 0.04 mg/kg, respectively. All the pesticide residues detected were very low and below their respective maximum residue limits set by the European Union. Hence, pesticide residues in honey samples analyzed do not pose any health risk to consumers.

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Optimal Signal Design for Mixed Equilibrium Networks with Autonomous and Regular Vehicles

A signal design problem is studied for efficiently managing autonomous vehicles (AVs) and regular vehicles (RVs) simultaneously in transportation networks. AVs and RVs move on separate lanes and two types of vehicles share the green times at the same intersections. The signal design problem is formulated as a bilevel program. The lower-level model describes a mixed equilibrium where autonomous vehicles follow the Cournot-Nash (CN) principle and RVs follow the user equilibrium (UE) principle. In the upper-level model, signal timings are optimized at signalized intersections to allocate appropriate green times to both autonomous and RVs to minimize system travel cost. The sensitivity analysis based method is used to solve the bilevel optimization model. Various signal control strategies are evaluated through numerical examples and some insightful findings are obtained. It was found that the number of phases at intersections should be reduced for the optimal control of the AVs and RVs in the mixed networks. More importantly, incorporating AVs into the transportation network would improve the system performance due to the value of AV technologies in reducing random delays at intersections. Meanwhile, travelers prefer to choose AVs when the networks turn to be congested.

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Reduced-Order Modeling, Testing, and Control of Nonlinear Mechanical and Structural Systems

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The Early Cambrian Mianyang-Changning Intracratonic Sag and Its Control on Petroleum Accumulation in the Sichuan Basin, China

The older and deeper hydrocarbon accumulations receive increasing attention across the world, providing more technical and commercial challenges to hydrocarbon exploration. We present a study of an asymmetrical, N-S striking intracratonic sag which developed across the Sichuan basin, south China, from Late Ediacaran to Early Cambrian times. The Mianyang-Changning intracratonic sag is ~50 km wide, with its steepest part in the basin center. In particular the eastern margin shows its greatest steepness. Five episodes in the evolutions of the sag can be recognized. It begins in the Late Ediacaran with an uplift and erosion correlated to Tongwan movement. Initial extension occurred during the Early Cambrian Maidiping period, when more strata of the Maidiping Formation were deposited across the sag. Subsequently, maximum extension occurred during the Early Cambrian Qiongzhusi period that resulted in 450–1700 m thick Maidiping-Canglangpu Formations being deposited in the sag. Then, the sag disappeared at the Longwangmiao period, as it was infilled by the sediments. The intracratonic sag has significant influence on the development of high-quality reservoirs in the Dengying and Longwangmiao Formations and source-rock of the Niutitang Formation. It thus indicates that a high probability for oil/gas accumulation exists along the intracratonic sag, across the central Sichuan basin.

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Predictors of Hypertension among Nonpregnant Females Attending Health Promotion Clinic with Special Emphasis on Smokeless Tobacco: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim. To determine the predictors of hypertension among nonpregnant females attending a health promotion clinic. Design and Setting. A cross-sectional study was conducted during March to June 2016, at the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, India. Methods. The study included 319 nonpregnant females of age 20–70 years. Demographics such as age, literacy, and income were noted. History regarding use, frequency, and quantity of smokeless tobacco was taken. Height, weight, and blood pressure were measured and body mass index was calculated. Statistical Analysis. Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient was calculated between each of the variables of age, smokeless tobacco consumption, and body mass index versus systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. The linear as well as multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify the risk factors for hypertension. Results. A univariate linear regression analysis showed that age, smokeless tobacco consumption, and body mass index were associated with systolic blood pressure ( value

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Außerklinische Beatmung – Konzepte und Therapieempfehlungen

Dtsch med Wochenschr 2017; 142: 1197-1204
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-121787

The prognosis of patients receiving home mechanical ventilation is very heterogeneous and depends on the underlying disease, the degree of respiratory dependency and the comorbidities. Due to the severe chronic diseases, the initiation of a long-term NIV must be done during an inpatient treatment. Two recently published randomized controlled trials using more aggressive forms of NPPV targeted at normalizing hypercapnic PaCO2 values, showed improved long term survival also in patients with an underlying diagnosis of COPD. Consequently, the number of patients receiving home mechanical ventilation has dramatically increased in recent years and more and more outpatient settings has been established without scientific evidence. Nevertheless, beside reliable care structures, ethical aspects and health related quality of life are of great importance in the context of home mechanical ventilation.
[...]

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

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Außerklinische Beatmung – eine wachsende Herausforderung

Dtsch med Wochenschr 2017; 142: 1181-1181
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-109200

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Full text

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Fish eat bits of plastic because they think they smell good

Hungry fish are gulping down mouthfuls of plastic, perhaps because it smells like their favourite foods

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England will need over 71,000 extra care home places by 2025

The number of older people who will need substantial care is set to rise by 85.7 per cent, as increases in "healthspan" continue to lag behind longer lifespans

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In vitro antiplasmodial activity and prophylactic potentials of extract and fractions of Trema orientalis (Linn.) stem bark

Trema orientalis (T. orientalis Linn) has been used in the management of malaria in the western part of Nigeria and despite its application in ethnomedicine, there is dearth of scienti...

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Surgical versus percutaneous isolated pelvic perfusion (IPP) for advanced melanoma: comparison in terms of melphalan pharmacokinetic pelvic bio-availability

Isolated pelvic perfusion (IPP) can be used to treat unresectable melanoma metastases of the pelvis. IPP can be performed either by surgical or percutaneous approaches, using different balloon catheters. The a...

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Chikungunya: an emerging viral infection with varied clinical presentations in Bangladesh: Reports of seven cases

Chikungunya is an emerging and rapidly spreading viral infection in many parts of the world including Bangladesh. It shares many epidemiological and clinical characteristics with dengue. So, a sound knowledge ...

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Role of IQGAP3 in metastasis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide owing to its high rates of metastasis and recurrence. The oncogene IQ motif-containing GTPase activating protein 3 (IQGAP3) is ubiquitous...

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Improved outcome of childhood acute myeloid leukemia in an Eastern European country: Lithuanian experience

Abstract

The reported treatment outcomes of children treated for cancer in Eastern European countries are inferior to those in Northern/Western Europe. We hypothesized that recent survival rates could be comparable to the current standards and performed a population-based analysis of treatment outcome of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Lithuania, a small Eastern European country. Children < 18 years old who were treated for AML from 2000 to 2013 were included (n = 54). Estimates of 5-year event-free (EFS_5y) and overall survival (OS_5y) rates were analyzed. Comparing periods 2000–2006 (n = 32) and 2007–2013 (n = 22), the EFS_5y improved from 31 to 63% (p = 0.04), and the OS_5y improved from 31 to 72% (p = 0.02) because of reductions in toxicity-related mortality (42 vs. 15%, p = 0.08) and relapse (43 vs. 25%, p = 0.08). The most significant improvement was demonstrated in high-risk patients (OS_5y improved from 26 to 75%, p = 0.02) who benefited from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: the post-transplant EFS_5y increased from 13 to 86% (p = 0.01).

Conclusions: The current survival rate of Lithuanian children treated for AML was comparable to the expected rate in other parts of Europe.

What is Known: • In the last three decades, significant improvement has been achieved in treating childhood cancer, with an overall survival (OS) rate of > 80% in high-income countries. The difference in survival rates between Northern/Western and Eastern European countries as well as between high- and middle-/low-income countries is as much as 20%. Recently, the 5-year event-free survival rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has reached > 60% in high-income countries. The survival rates for myeloproliferative diseases were the lowest in Eastern European countries. • The reported inferior survival rates were calculated based on outcome data of patients treated until 2007. The recent survival rates in Eastern European countries are unknown.

What is New: • Being a small Eastern European country, Lithuania has experienced good economic growth during the last decade. We hypothesized that economic growth and gain of experience could result in better survival rates of children treated for cancer in our country in recent years. • A population-based analysis of treatment outcome of childhood AML treated in Lithuania in the recent years was performed for the first time. The survival rates of childhood AML in Lithuania are comparable to those of other high-income countries. Current survival rates of children treated for cancer in Eastern European countries could be comparable to the best current standards contributing to better European survival rates of childhood cancer in general.

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Buy kamagra soft usa - Ajanta pharma kamagra soft tabs picture - Troy Tropolitan

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Prognostic potential of KLOTHO and SFRP1 promoter methylation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Hypermethylation in the CpG island promoter regions of tumor suppressors is known to play a significant role in the development of HNSCC and the detection of which can aid the classification and prognosis of HNSCC. This study aims to profile the methylation patterns in a panel of key genes including CDKN2A, CDKN2B, KLOTHO (KL), RASSF1A, RARB, SLIT2, and SFRP1, in a group of HNSCC samples from Saudi Arabia. The extent of methylation in these genes is determined using the MethyLight assay and correlated with known clinicopathological parameters in our samples of 156 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded HNSCC tissues. SLIT2 methylation had the highest frequency (64.6%), followed by RASSF1A (41.3%), RARB (40.7%), SFRP1 (34.9), KL (30.7%), CKDN2B (29.6%), and CKDN2A (29.1%). KL and SFRP1 methylation were more predominant in nasopharyngeal tumors (P = 0.001 and P = 0.031 respectively). Kaplan Meier analysis showed that patients with moderately differentiated tumors who display SFRP1 methylation have significantly worse overall survival in comparison with other samples. In contrast, better clinical outcomes were seen in patients with KL methylation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the detection of frequent methylation in SFRP1 and KL genes' promoters could serve as prognostic biomarkers for HNSCC.

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Imaging of Biological Materials and Cells by X-ray Scattering and Diffraction

ACS Nano

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b03447

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DHK - Devon Whitbeck, 25, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Cobleskill, NY, with Dr. Glenn Hanna, head and neck ... - WEEI.com

WEEI.com

DHK - Devon Whitbeck, 25, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Cobleskill, NY, with Dr. Glenn Hanna, head and neck ... WEEI.com He says that Devon is a courageous and mature young adult battling a relatively uncommon head and neck cancer. Dr. Hanna admires his indomitable spirit, strength and determination throughout this difficult journey. Devon reminds him every visit what is ... and more »

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Global Head Neck Market: Siemens Healthcare, Identafi and GE ... - TimeGazette

Global Head Neck Market: Siemens Healthcare, Identafi and GE ... TimeGazette Market.Biz: The Global Head Neck Market report that particularly highlights the Head Neck market along with its growing trends and technologies in upcoming ... and more »

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Phase I dose-escalation study of pazopanib combined with bevacizumab in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma or other advanced tumors

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) directed therapies are being used in a large number of advanced tumors. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is highly dependent on the VEGF pathway; VEGF receptor (...

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Preliminary audiologic and peri-operative outcomes of the Sophono™ transcutaneous bone conduction device: A systematic review

To delineate the auditory functional improvement and peri-operative outcomes of the Sophono™ transcutaneous bone conduction device.

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Preliminary audiologic and peri-operative outcomes of the Sophono™ transcutaneous bone conduction device: A systematic review

To delineate the auditory functional improvement and peri-operative outcomes of the Sophono™ transcutaneous bone conduction device.

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The Future of Treatment for Patients With Medullary Thyroid Cancer - Curetoday.com

Curetoday.com

The Future of Treatment for Patients With Medullary Thyroid Cancer Curetoday.com In addition to inherited risk, factors contributing to the risk of developing thyroid cancer in general include the RET gene mutation, exposure to radiation or a low-iodine diet. Gender and age also play a role. Thyroid cancers occur about three times ...

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'Overdiagnosis epidemic' in thyroid cancer: University of Calgary ... - Todayville.com (registration)

'Overdiagnosis epidemic' in thyroid cancer: University of Calgary ... Todayville.com (registration) CALGARY — A study by researchers at the University of Calgary suggests there's an overdiagnosis epidemic when it comes to thyroid cancer. Dawnelle ...

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Stay Cool, but Protect Your Teeth

When the summer sun is beating down, what can you do to stay cool?

If you're tempted to grab an ice cold soda or a tall glass of lemonade, you might want to think twice. The combination of acid and sugar in these drinks can harm your teeth. Water is an excellent way to stay refreshed and tooth-healthy. Milk is another good choice for keeping teeth strong.

What about a sports drink? Sports drinks are acidic, and many of them have a high sugar content — so they aren't good for tooth enamel. Again, nothing hydrates like plain water, an option that never damages your teeth.

If you choose a beverage other than water, it's best to drink it with a meal, and swish your mouth with water afterwards to reduce acidity. This tip applies to all acidic drinks, including fruit juice and diet soda.

One more thing: Acidic food and drink can soften tooth enamel, so wait at least 30 minutes before brushing. This will prevent erosion of tooth enamel over time.

The best advice for cooling down on a sizzling summer day? Grab a cold one — a cold glass of water, that is.

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Cancer patients who use alternative medicine more than twice as likely to die

Source: http://ift.tt/eo5TIt Date: August 15, 2017 After five years, 78.3 per cent of people who opted for medical treatment were still […]

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POINT: Should Radiation Therapy After Surgery for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Be Standard Practice?

At this time RT following BCS remains the standard of care for most patients. Current tools, including prognostic scores and tumor genetics, have failed to identify a cohort for whom RT confers no benefit with respect to invasive recurrences. (Source: CancerNetwork)

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COUNTERPOINT: Should Radiation Therapy After Surgery for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Be Standard Practice?

To universally recommend breast irradiation for all women after excision of DCIS lesions ignores information now available to us that can spare the majority of women with DCIS the downsides of RT, but be applied in the treatment of DCIS patients at greater risk for invasive disease. (Source: CancerNetwork)

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Predicting response to radical (chemo)radiotherapy with circulating HPV DNA locally advanced head and neck squamous carcinoma

Predicting response to radical (chemo)radiotherapy with circulating HPV DNA locally advanced head and neck squamous carcinoma

British Journal of Cancer advance online publication, August 15 2017. doi:10.1038/bjc.2017.258

Authors: Jen Y Lee, Isaac Garcia-Murillas, Rosalind J Cutts, David Gonzalez De Castro, Lorna Grove, Tara Hurley, Fuqiang Wang, Christopher Nutting, Katie Newbold, Kevin Harrington, Nicholas Turner & Shreerang Bhide

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GNAQ and GNA11 mutations and downstream YAP activation in choroidal nevi

GNAQ and GNA11 mutations and downstream YAP activation in choroidal nevi

British Journal of Cancer advance online publication, August 15 2017. doi:10.1038/bjc.2017.259

Authors: M J C Vader, M C Madigan, M Versluis, H M Suleiman, G Gezgin, N A Gruis, J J Out-Luiting, W Bergman, R M Verdijk, M J Jager & P A van der Velden

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Dynamic plasma microRNAs are biomarkers for prognosis and early detection of recurrence in colorectal cancer

Dynamic plasma microRNAs are biomarkers for prognosis and early detection of recurrence in colorectal cancer

British Journal of Cancer advance online publication, August 15 2017. doi:10.1038/bjc.2017.266

Authors: Zixu Yuan, Kelsey Baker, Mary W Redman, Lei Wang, Scott V Adams, Ming Yu, Brandon Dickinson, Karen Makar, Neli Ulrich, Jürgen Böhm, Michelle Wurscher, Maria Westerhoff, Steve Medwell, Ravi Moonka, Mika Sinanan, Alessandro Fichera, Kathy Vickers & William M Grady

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Physiologie humaine appliquée, 2nde édition

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Empathy, please!

bmj;358/aug15_10/j3882/FAF1faMurdo & MacLeod/murdophoto.comRachel Bagshaw has had complex regional pain syndrome for some years. But it wasn't until two years ago, when she was trying to describe to...

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Patients being put at risk from unfilled out-of-hours shifts, GPs warn

Providers of out-of-hours GP services in England have warned that the rising cost of indemnity cover has left them struggling to fill shifts and is putting the care of patients at risk.GP indemnity...

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