IJMS, Vol. 18, Pages 1998: Juvenile Moyamoya and Craniosynostosis in a Child with Deletion 1p32p31: Expanding the Clinical Spectrum of 1p32p31 Deletion Syndrome and a Review of the Literature

IJMS, Vol. 18, Pages 1998: Juvenile Moyamoya and Craniosynostosis in a Child with Deletion 1p32p31: Expanding the Clinical Spectrum of 1p32p31 Deletion Syndrome and a Review of the Literature

International Journal of Molecular Sciences doi: 10.3390/ijms18091998

Authors: Paolo Prontera Daniela Rogaia Amedea Mencarelli Valentina Ottaviani Ester Sallicandro Giorgio Guercini Susanna Esposito Anna Bersano Giuseppe Merla Gabriela Stangoni

Moyamoya angiopathy (MA) is a rare cerebrovascular disorder characterised by the progressive occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Its aetiology is uncertain, but a genetic background seems likely, given the high MA familial rate. To investigate the aetiology of craniosynostosis and juvenile moyamoya in a 14-year-old male patient, we performed an array-comparative genomic hybridisation revealing a de novo interstitial deletion of 8.5 Mb in chromosome region 1p32p31. The deletion involved 34 protein coding genes, including NF1A, whose haploinsufficiency is indicated as being mainly responsible for the 1p32-p31 chromosome deletion syndrome phenotype (OMIM 613735). Our patient also has a deleted FOXD3 of the FOX gene family of transcription factors, which plays an important role in neural crest cell growth and differentiation. As the murine FOXD3−/− model shows craniofacial anomalies and abnormal common carotid artery morphology, it can be hypothesised that FOXD3 is involved in the pathogenesis of the craniofacial and vascular defects observed in our patient. In support of our assumption, we found in the literature another patient with a syndromic form of MA who had a deletion involving another FOX gene (FOXC1). In addition to describing the clinical history of our patient, we have reviewed all of the available literature concerning other patients with a 1p32p31 deletion, including cases from the Decipher database, and we have also reviewed the genetic disorders associated with MA, which is a useful guide for the diagnosis of syndromic form of MA.

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Successful treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis as a complication of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case report

Although gastrointestinal involvement in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis is uncommon, it is associated with mild to severe life-threatening complications. We present a case of pneumatosis cystoi...

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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1079: Mini-Review: The Contribution of Intermediate Phenotypes to GxE Effects on Disorders of Body Composition in the New OMICS Era

IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1079: Mini-Review: The Contribution of Intermediate Phenotypes to GxE Effects on Disorders of Body Composition in the New OMICS Era

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph14091079

Authors: Edna Nava-Gonzalez Esther Gallegos-Cabriales Irene Leal-Berumen Raul Bastarrachea

Studies of gene-environment (GxE) interactions describe how genetic and environmental factors influence the risk of developing disease. Intermediate (molecular or clinical) phenotypes (IPs) are traits or metabolic biomarkers that mediate the effects of gene-environment influences on risk behaviors. Functional systems genomics discovery offers mechanistic insights into how DNA variations affect IPs in order to detect genetic causality for a given disease. Disorders of body composition include obesity (OB), Type 2 diabetes (T2D), and osteoporosis (OSTP). These pathologies are examples of how a GxE interaction contributes to their development. IPs as surrogates for inherited genotypes play a key role in models of genetic and environmental interactions in health outcomes. Such predictive models may unravel relevant genomic and molecular pathways for preventive and therapeutic interventions for OB, T2D, and OSTP. Annotation strategies for genomes, in contrast to phenomes, are well advanced. They generally do not measure specific aspects of the environment. Therefore, the concepts of deep phenotyping and the exposome generate new avenues to exploit with high-resolution technologies for analyzing this sophisticated phenome. With the successful characterization of phenomes, exposomes, and genomes, environmental and genetic determinants of chronic diseases can be united with multi-OMICS studies that better examine GxE interactions.

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Hear from @bangalorelion from @Karunashraya who helped with the development of our India #PalliativeCare course:… https://t.co/qMMtDufkus

Hear from @bangalorelion from @Karunashraya who helped with the development of our India #PalliativeCare course:… https://t.co/qMMtDufkus

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Development of silica protective layer on pyrite surface: a column study

Abstract

An appealing technique to prevent and/or minimize pyrite oxidation and subsequent acid generation in mine waste sites is the formation of a protective coating on the surface of sulfide grains. To investigate the conditions for the formation of an efficient coating on pyritic tailings, column tests were performed. These tests involved the treatment with a coating solution, which was continuously recycled through the packed bed of tailings. The coating solution was consisted of SiO₄⁻⁴ oxyanions, an oxidant (H₂O₂), and adjusted to pH 6. The effect of the volume of coating solution per mass of material (L/S ratio), Si concentration and treatment duration on coating formation was studied. Based on the results, a protective coating can be developed on the pyrite particles following treatment with a solution of 0.1 mM Si concentration, which resulted in the reduction of sulfate release by 84% compared to non-treated pyrite samples.

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Effects of moso bamboo ( Phyllostachys edulis ) invasions on soil nitrogen cycles depend on invasion stage and warming

Abstract

Plant invasions may alter soil nutrient cycling due to differences in physiological traits between the invader and species they displace as well as differences in responses to anthropogenic factors such as nitrogen deposition and warming. Moso bamboo is expanding its range rapidly around the world, displacing diverse forests. In addition, near expansion fronts where invasions are patchy, moso bamboo and other species each contribute soil inputs. Nitrogen transformations and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are important processes associated with nutrient availability and climate change that may be impacted by bamboo invasions. We collected soils from uninvaded, mixed, and bamboo forests to understand bamboo invasion effects on carbon and N cycling. We incubated soils with warming and N addition and measured net nitrification and N mineralization rates and GHG (CO₂ and N₂O) emissions. Mixed forest soils had higher pH and total N and lower total organic carbon and C/N than either uninvaded or bamboo forest soils. Bamboo forest soils had higher total carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and ammonium N but lower total and nitrate N than uninvaded forest soils. Soil GHG emissions did not vary among forest types at lower temperatures but bamboo forest soils had higher CO₂ and lower N₂O emissions at higher temperatures. While net N transformation rates were lower in bamboo and uninvaded forest soils, they were highest in mixed forest soils, indicating non-additive effects of bamboo invasions. This suggests that plant invasion effects on N transformations and GHG emissions with global change in forests partially invaded by bamboo are difficult to predict from only comparing uninvaded and bamboo-dominated areas.

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Isolation and identification of antifungal peptides from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens W10

Abstract

Antifungal metabolites produced by Bacillus sp. W10, which was previously isolated from the tomato rhizosphere, were investigated. Strain W10 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by analysis of its 16S rDNA and gyrB gene partial sequences. PCR analysis showed the presence of fenB, sfp, and ituD genes, coding for fengycin, surfactin, and iturin, respectively. A novel small antifungal peptide, designated 5240, produced by this strain was isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Superdex 200 gel filtration chromatography. The 5240 peptide was stable at 100 °C for 20 min and remained active throughout a wide pH range (4–10). The antagonistic activity was not affected by protease K and trypsin. The purified 5240 peptide exhibited a broad inhibitory spectrum against various plant pathogenic fungi and was identified as iturin A (C₁₄-C₁₆). Moreover, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry indicated the presence of fengycin A (C₁₄-C₁₅), fengycin B (C₁₆-C₁₇), and surfactin (C₁₃-C₁₆) isoforms in supernatants from strain W10. These results suggest that B. amyloliquefaciens W10 has significant potential as a biocontrol agent.

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Mowat-Wilson syndrome

Mowat-Wilson syndrome: a genetic (inherited) condition present at birth that features square-shaped face with deep-set, widely spaced eyes, a broad nasal bridge, pointed chin, uplifted earlobes, intellectual disability,the intestinal disorder Hirschsprung disease, small head (microcephaly), other birth defects, and delayed development and motor skills.

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Evolution of the claustrum in Cnidaria: comparative anatomy reveals that it is exclusive to some species of Staurozoa and absent in Cubozoa

Abstract

The claustrum in Cnidaria is a tissue in the gastrovascular cavity delimited by a central layer of mesoglea surrounded by gastrodermis (i.e., gastrodermis-mesoglea-gastrodermis), without communication with epidermis. By dividing the gastrovascular cavity, the four claustra provide an additional level of complexity. The presence of claustra in Cubozoa and Staurozoa has been used as evidence supporting a close relationship between these two cnidarian classes. However, the detailed anatomy of the claustrum has never been comparatively analyzed, rendering the evolution of this character among Cnidaria and its homology in Staurozoa and Cubozoa uncertain. This study provides a comparative investigation of the internal anatomy of the claustrum in Staurozoa and Cubozoa, addressing its evolutionary history based on recent phylogenetic hypotheses for Cnidaria. We conclude that the claustrum is a character exclusive to some species of Staurozoa, with a homoplastic evolution in the class, and that the structure called the "claustrum" in Cubozoa corresponds to the valve of gastric ostium, a structure at the base of the manubrium, which is also present in Staurozoa with and without claustrum. Thus, the claustrum cannot be a synapomorphy of a hypothetical clade uniting Staurozoa and Cubozoa, nor can its hypothetical presence in enigmatic fossils be used to support cubozoan affinities.

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Lavado de manos - PreOp® - Educación del paciente

Lavado de manos - PreOp® - Educación del paciente
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Este video es sobre la práctica del lavado de manos para eliminar gérmenes y evitar la transmisión de las infecciones.
Los gérmenes son bacterias, hongos y virus que causan enfermedades e infecciones. Son tan pequeños que no se pueden ver.
Siempre hay gérmenes en sus manos y pueden ser propagados a otras partes de su cuerpo, a la persona a quien está atendiendo y a cualquier otra cosa que usted toque.
Lávese las manos después de toser, estornudar o sonarse la nariz, tocar la basura y después de tocar cualquier cosa ensangrentada o sucia.
Debe lavarse las manos antes y después de prestar cuidados a un paciente, tocar la comida o bebida de un paciente y usar el inodoro.
Para lavar las manos bien, necesita lavar por 20 a 30 segundos, casi medio minuto. Para saber cuanto tiempo tomar, puede tararear la canción "Que lo cumplas feliz" dos veces seguidas. Si usted puede ver suciedad en sus manos, entonces toma más tiempo limpiarlas, así que no lo haga rápido.
Frotarse las manos, una contra la otra, desprende la suciedad y los gérmenes de la piel y el agua corriente los enjuaga.
Asegúrese de limpiar la parte anterior y posterior de las manos, entre los dedos y por debajo de las uñas.
Si es posible, use jabón líquido, ya que el jabón en barra puede tener gérmenes en la superficie.
Asegúrese de que existan toallas de papel y un basurero cerca.
Quítese la joyería de las manos exceptuando la sortija de matrimonio y súbase las mangas.
Abra la llave del agua y moje sus manos.
Bombee suficiente jabón del dispensador para cubrir las manos mientras las frota una contra la otra.
En este momento empiece a contar hasta 20 despacito o tararee la canción "Que lo cumplas feliz" 2 veces.
Frote los dedos unos con otros, la parte posterior de cada mano y alrededor de cada pulgar.
Ponga jabón debajo de sus uñas, frotándose las uñas contra la palma o en la parte de adentro de su otra mano. Si están sucias, limpie debajo de las uñas.
Siga frotando las manos una contra la otra hasta que termine el conteo.
Enjuáguese bien las manos.
Ya que el lavabo tiene gérmenes, use una toalla de papel para cerrar la llave del agua.
Deseche la toalla de papel.
Use una toalla de papel nueva para secarse bien las manos
Luego deséchela.
Si no cuenta con agua y jabón, puede usar un desinfectante a base de alcohol sin agua. Use suficiente desinfectante como para cubrir sus manos por completo mientras las frota y siga frotándolas una contra la otra hasta que se sequen.
Los desinfectantes sin agua matan a casi todos los gérmenes, pero no a todos. Los desinfectantes no son tan eficaces como el agua y el jabón para los gérmenes de la diarrea, especialmente para una bacteria llamada Clostridium difficile.
Tampoco funcionan si usted puede ver la suciedad en las manos o si están mojadas con sangre o con cualquier otra cosa.
Los puntos claves a recordar para el lavado de las manos son usar jabón de un dispensador, frotarse las manos una contra la otra durante 20 a 30 segundos y enjuagarse bien con agua.
Recuerde que al usar desinfectantes sin agua debe frotarse las manos hasta que se seque, que no son buena opción si usted puede ver la suciedad en las manos y que no mata a todos los gérmenes, especialmente los que se encuentran en la diarrea.
Este video tiene la intención de ser una herramienta para ayudarle a entender mejor las instrucciones de cuidado que se le han dado. No se pretende reemplazar ningún consejo específico, ni ninguna instrucción sobre sus cuidados personales que usted haya recibido por parte de su equipo de atención médica. Si usted tiene cualquier pregunta o problema por favor llame o pida ser atendido.

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Improving membrane protein expression by optimizing integration efficiency [Protein Synthesis and Degradation]

The heterologous overexpression of integral membrane proteins in Escherichia coli often yields insufficient quantities of purifiable protein for applications of interest. The current study leverages a recently demonstrated link between co-translational membrane integration efficiency and protein expression levels to predict protein sequence modifications that improve expression. Membrane integration efficiencies, obtained using a coarse-grained simulation approach, robustly predicted effects on expression of the integral membrane protein TatC for a set of 140 sequence modifications, including loop-swap chimeras and single-residue mutations distributed throughout the protein sequence. Mutations that improve simulated integration efficiency were four-fold enriched with respect to improved experimentally observed expression levels. Furthermore, the effect of double mutations, on both simulated integration efficiency and experimentally observed expression levels were cumulative and largely independent, suggesting that multiple mutations can be introduced to yield higher levels of purifiable protein. This work provides a foundation for a general method for the rational overexpression of integral membrane proteins based on computationally simulated membrane integration efficiencies.

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AllergoOncology: Opposite Outcomes of Immune Tolerance in Allergy and Cancer

Abstract

While desired for the cure of allergy, regulatory immune cell subsets and non-classical Th2-biased inflammatory mediators in the tumour microenvironment can contribute to immune suppression and escape of tumours from immunological detection and clearance. A key aim in the cancer field is therefore to design interventions that can break immunological tolerance and halt cancer progression, whereas on the contrary allergen immunotherapy exactly aims to induce tolerance. In this position paper, we review insights on immune tolerance derived from allergy and from cancer inflammation, focusing on what is known about the roles of key immune cells and mediators. We propose that research in the field of AllergoOncology that aims to delineate these immunological mechanisms with juxtaposed clinical consequences in allergy and cancer may point to novel avenues for therapeutic interventions that stand to benefit both disciplines.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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A Systematic Review on Recent Advances in mHealth Systems: Deployment Architecture for Emergency Response

The continuous technological advances in favor of mHealth represent a key factor in the improvement of medical emergency services. This systematic review presents the identification, study, and classification of the most up-to-date approaches surrounding the deployment of architectures for mHealth. Our review includes 25 articles obtained from databases such as IEEE Xplore, Scopus, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and SAGE. This review focused on studies addressing mHealth systems for outdoor emergency situations. In 60% of the articles, the deployment architecture relied in the connective infrastructure associated with emergent technologies such as cloud services, distributed services, Internet-of-things, machine-to-machine, vehicular ad hoc network, and service-oriented architecture. In 40% of the literature review, the deployment architecture for mHealth considered traditional connective infrastructure. Only 20% of the studies implemented an energy consumption protocol to extend system lifetime. We concluded that there is a need for more integrated solutions specifically for outdoor scenarios. Energy consumption protocols are needed to be implemented and evaluated. Emergent connective technologies are redefining the information management and overcome traditional technologies.

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Sex Differences of Human Cardiac Progenitor Cells in the Biological Response to TNF-α Treatment

Adult cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs), isolated as cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs), represent promising candidates for cardiac regenerative therapy. CDCs can be expanded in vitro manyfolds without losing their differentiation potential, reaching numbers that are appropriate for clinical applications. Since mechanisms of successful CDC survival and engraftment in the damaged myocardium are still critical and unresolved issues, we aimed at deciphering possible key factors capable of bolstering CDC function. In particular, the response and the phenotype of CDCs exposed to low concentrations of the multifunctional cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), known to be capable of activating cell survival pathways, have been investigated. Furthermore, differential biological responses of CDCs from male and female donors, in terms of cell cycle progression and cell spreading, have also been assessed. The results obtained indicate that (i) the intracellular signaling activated in our experimental conditions is most likely due to the prosurvival and proliferative signaling of TNF-α receptor 2 and that (ii) cells from female patients appear more responsive to TNF-α treatment in terms of cell cycle progression and migration ability. In conclusion, the present report highlights the hypothesis that TNF-stimulated CDCs isolated from females may represent a promising candidate for cardiac regenerative therapy applications.

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Relay Selections for Security and Reliability in Mobile Communication Networks over Nakagami-m Fading Channels

This paper studies the relay selection schemes in mobile communication system over Nakagami-m channel. To make efficient use of licensed spectrum, both single relay selection (SRS) scheme and multirelays selection (MRS) scheme over the Nakagami-m channel are proposed. Also, the intercept probability (IP) and outage probability (OP) of the proposed SRS and MRS for the communication links depending on realistic spectrum sensing are derived. Furthermore, this paper assesses the manifestation of conventional direct transmission scheme to compare with the proposed SRS and MRS ones based on the Nakagami-m channel, and the security-reliability trade-off (SRT) performance of the proposed schemes and the conventional schemes is well investigated. Additionally, the SRT of the proposed SRS and MRS schemes is demonstrated better than that of direct transmission scheme over the Nakagami-m channel, which can protect the communication transmissions against eavesdropping attacks. Additionally, simulation results show that our proposed relay selection schemes achieve better SRT performance than that of conventional direct transmission over the Nakagami-m channel.

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Pretreatment Liver Injury Predicts Poor Prognosis of DLBCL Patients

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous group of lymphoma, with different clinical manifestation and prognosis. The International Prognostic Index (IPI), an index designed during the prerituximab era for aggressive lymphoma, showed variable values in the prediction of patient clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic value and causes of pretreatment liver injury in 363 de novo DLBCL patients in our institution. Pretreatment liver impairment, commonly detected in lymphoma patients, showed significant association with poor outcomes and increased serum inflammatory cytokines in DLBCL patients but had no relation to hepatitis B virus replication nor lymphomatous hepatic infiltration. Multivariate analysis revealed that liver dysfunction, advanced Ann Arbor stage, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were independent adverse prognostic factors of both PFS and OS. Accordingly, a new liver-IPI prognostic model was designed by adding liver injury as an important factor in determining IPI score. Based on Kaplan-Meier curves for PFS and OS, the liver-IPI showed better stratification in DLBCL patients than either the IPI or the revised IPI in survival prediction.

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Cardiac Progenitor Cells and the Interplay with Their Microenvironment

The microenvironment plays a crucial role in the behavior of stem and progenitor cells. In the heart, cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) reside in specific niches, characterized by key components that are altered in response to a myocardial infarction. To date, there is a lack of knowledge on these niches and on the CPC interplay with the niche components. Insight into these complex interactions and into the influence of microenvironmental factors on CPCs can be used to promote the regenerative potential of these cells. In this review, we discuss cardiac resident progenitor cells and their regenerative potential and provide an overview of the interactions of CPCs with the key elements of their niche. We focus on the interaction between CPCs and supporting cells, extracellular matrix, mechanical stimuli, and soluble factors. Finally, we describe novel approaches to modulate the CPC niche that can represent the next step in recreating an optimal CPC microenvironment and thereby improve their regeneration capacity.

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On Consistency of Cross-Approximate Entropy in Cardiovascular and Artificial Environments

Cross-approximate entropy (XApEn) quantifies the mutual orderliness of simultaneously recorded time series. Despite being derived from the firmly established solitary entropies, it has never reached their reputation and deployment. The aim of this study is to identify the problems that preclude wider XApEn implementation and to develop a set of solutions. Exact expressions for XApEn and its constitutive parts are derived and compared to values estimated from artificial data. This comparison revealed vast regions within the parameter space that do not guarantee reliable probability estimation, making XApEn estimates inconsistent. A simple correction to one of the XApEn procedural steps is proposed. Three sets of formulae for joint parameter selection are derived. The first one is intended to maximize threshold profile. The remaining ones minimize XApEn instability according to the strong and weak criteria. The derived expressions are verified using cardiovascular signals recorded from rats (long signals) and healthy volunteers (short clinical signals), proposing a change of traditional parameter guidelines.

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Polymorphism in Commercial Sources of Fusidic Acid: A Comparative Study of the In Vitro Release Characteristics of Forms I and III from a Marketed Pharmaceutical Cream

A comparison of the polymorphic forms of 3 commercial sources of fusidic acid using FTIR and XRPD techniques has been performed in this study. It has been demonstrated that polymorphic Forms I and III are currently available on the commercial market. The influence of the observed polymorphism on the stability of the drug substance in bulk form has been investigated through stability and stress testing according to current ICH guidelines. Significant differences were detected between commercial sources with regard to the stability of the bulk substance under photolytic and humidity stress conditions. When properly packaged in an inert atmosphere, fusidic acid from all 3 manufacturers showed a comparable stability. The effects of the observed polymorphic differences on the intrinsic dissolution rate of the drug substance and its in vitro release from the marketed drug product Fusicutan® plus Betamethasone cream have been investigated. Results indicated that the release rate of the drug substance is similar for polymorphic Forms I and III, allowing both forms to be used during manufacture without affecting the safety or efficacy of the drug product.

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Neural Plasticity Associated with Hippocampal PKA-CREB and NMDA Signaling Is Involved in the Antidepressant Effect of Repeated Low Dose of Yueju Pill on Chronic Mouse Model of Learned Helplessness

Yueju pill is a traditional Chinese medicine formulated to treat syndromes of mood disorders. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effect of repeated low dose of Yueju in the animal model mimicking clinical long-term depression condition and the role of neural plasticity associated with PKA- (protein kinase A-) CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) signaling. We showed that a single low dose of Yueju demonstrated antidepressant effects in tests of tail suspension, forced swim, and novelty-suppressed feeding. A chronic learned helplessness (LH) protocol resulted in a long-term depressive-like condition. Repeated administration of Yueju following chronic LH remarkably alleviated all of depressive-like symptoms measured, whereas conventional antidepressant fluoxetine only showed a minor improvement. In the hippocampus, Yueju and fluoxetine both normalized brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and PKA level. Only Yueju, not fluoxetine, rescued the deficits in CREB signaling. The chronic LH upregulated the expression of NMDA receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, and NR2B, which were all attenuated by Yueju. Furthermore, intracerebraventricular administration of NMDA blunted the antidepressant effect of Yueju. These findings supported the antidepressant efficacy of repeated routine low dose of Yueju in a long-term depression model and the critical role of CREB and NMDA signaling.

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Smoking cessation and response to periodontal treatment

Abstract

Smoking has detrimental oral effects. The aim of this study was to review the literature related to the impact of smoking cessation on periodontal health, periodontal disease and periodontal treatment outcome as well as to review the smoking cessation strategies and the dentist's role in the smoking cessation effort. Smoking cessation seems to have a positive effect on the periodontium, to decrease the risk for incidence and progression of periodontitis and to lead to a non-significant trend for greater mean probing depth reductions after non-surgical treatment over a 12-month period. Smoking cessation effect on the periodontium should be further investigated. Dentists should inform their patients on the harmful effect of smoking and the beneficial effect of smoking cessation on oral health. They should advise, motivate and support their patients to quit smoking. Smoking-control strategies should be incorporated in the dental practice. The dentist's role in the smoking cessation effort is important. Guidelines on smoking-control strategies applied in the dental office are required.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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A clinical, randomized study on the influence of dental whitening on Streptococcus mutans population

Summary

Dental whitening with peroxides has been popularized through the at-home technique, which employs low concentrations of peroxide applied on individual trays. However, there are few clinical trials reporting the effects of its continuous use on oral microbiota. Thus, the purpose of the present clinical, randomized study was to evaluate the influence of at-home whitening treatment on Streptococcus mutans in saliva, buccal mucosa, and subgingival and supragingival plaque. Thirty volunteers were randomly divided into 2 study groups (n=15) according to the whitening therapy: G CP- whitening using 10% carbamide peroxide 4 hours daily for 21 days and G HP- whitening using 6% hydrogen peroxide 1.5 hours daily for 21 days. Samples from the predetermined locations were collected evaluation periods: T1- before, T2- immediately after and T3- 30 days after the beginning of the treatment. The microbiological evaluation was made using conventional and molecular methods. Student′s T test found a statistically significant decrease in S. mutans population in the subgingival and supragingival plaque for HP samples between T1 and T2 no difference was found between T1 and T3 regardless of the location and the whitening product used (α=0.05). Therefore, although HP reduced Streptococcus mutans during treatment, the levels returned to baseline when assessed 30 days after the treatment.

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Tonsillectomy in adults: Analysis of indications and complications

Tonsillectomy is one of the surgical techniques most practiced by otolaryngologists, and despite being a relatively simple technique; it presents a considerable percentage of complications, such as postoperative bleeding. The aim of this study is to describe the surgical indications and most frequent complications, analyze whether surgical suture of the tonsillar pillars has an influence on bleeding, and study the data of hospital stay and its importance for the control of complications.

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Tonsillectomy in adults: Analysis of indications and complications

Tonsillectomy is one of the surgical techniques most practiced by otolaryngologists, and despite being a relatively simple technique; it presents a considerable percentage of complications, such as postoperative bleeding. The aim of this study is to describe the surgical indications and most frequent complications, analyze whether surgical suture of the tonsillar pillars has an influence on bleeding, and study the data of hospital stay and its importance for the control of complications.

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TLR expression profile of human alveolar bone proper-derived stem/progenitor cells and osteoblasts

Alveolar bone proper-derived stem/progenitor cells (AB-MSCs) and alveolar osteoblasts (OBs) are pivotal cells with positive attributes in regenerative medicine. During regenerative approaches, AB-MSCs may interact with their surrounding environment via their expressed toll-like-receptors (TLRs). This study aimed to depict for the first time the TLRs expression profile of AB-MSCs and OBs.Cells were isolated from human alveolar bone proper, and STRO-1-immunomagnetically sorted to segregate AB-MSCs and OBs.

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TLR expression profile of human alveolar bone proper-derived stem/progenitor cells and osteoblasts

Alveolar bone proper-derived stem/progenitor cells (AB-MSCs) and alveolar osteoblasts (OBs) are pivotal cells with positive attributes in regenerative medicine. During regenerative approaches, AB-MSCs may interact with their surrounding environment via their expressed toll-like-receptors (TLRs). This study aimed to depict for the first time the TLRs expression profile of AB-MSCs and OBs.Cells were isolated from human alveolar bone proper, and STRO-1-immunomagnetically sorted to segregate AB-MSCs and OBs.

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Removal of endrin and dieldrin isomeric pesticides through stereoselective adsorption behavior on the graphene oxide-magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

A novel stereoselective removal behavior of isomeric endrin and dieldrin pesticides from sample solution is demonstrated using nanocomposite of graphene oxide (GO) and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The removal efficiency of endrin and dieldrin was found higher when GO-MNPs was used as a separating probe than the individual use of GO and MNPs. The removal efficiency of both the pesticides was found to be more favorable when the dosage amount of GO-MNPs was 30 mg for 30-min contact time with pH 4.0 at room temperature. The good correlation of determination (R ²) with 0.975 and 0.973 values obtained for endrin and dieldrin, respectively demonstrated a well fitting of Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The higher removal percentage (86.0%) and higher slope value of Langmuir adsorption isotherm were estimated for endrin compared to dieldrin (74.0%). The reason for higher adsorption percentage of endrin is due to the endo-position of oxygen atom in molecule favors more interaction of molecules with GO-MNPs compared to the exo-position of oxygen present in dieldrin. In addition, the higher value of R ² for endrin and dieldrin demonstrated better suitability of pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, respectively. The advantages of the present method are use of simple UV-vis spectrophotometry for monitoring and low-cost use of GO-MNPs nanomaterial for the removal of pesticides from sample solution.

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CD4-T cell-restricted IL-2 signaling defect in a patient with a novel IFNGR1-deficiency

In depth analysis of immune function in a patient with a defined defect in IFNγR1 expression additionally identified an IL-2 associated signaling deficiency that was restricted primarily to the circulating CD4 T cell subset.

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A novel role for cilia function in atopy: ADGRV1 and DNAH5 interactions

This study in three family-based studies identified association between ADGRV1 and atopy and interaction between ADGRV1 and DNAH5, two genes that contribute to ciliary functions.

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A novel IKAROS haploinsufficiency kindred with unexpectedly late and variable B cell maturation defects

We report on the first truncating IKZF1 mutation associated with IKAROS haploinsufficiency and illustrate an unexpectedly late and variable block in central and peripheral B cell development in two patients and their asymptomatic mother.

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Effect of endotoxin and alum adjuvant vaccine on peanut allergy

Environmental endotoxin and alum-adjuvanted vaccines did not influence peanut-allergy development in mice. Exposure to alum and CpG-adjuvanted vaccines indirectly reduced allergic disease severity. Fecal metabolites differentiated mice based on disease severity.

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Specific Allergy & Asthma Prevention Coming to an Age: A Milestone in Children

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What’s the best electric toothbrush to reduce gum disease?

If you've been reading our work for a bit, you have probably come across our 2 part series that explores the question, "Are electric toothbrushes or manual toothbrushes better?".

And while we still love our not-fancy-but-effective Bass toothbrushes, if you find that you just don't have the time to manually get your teeth as clean as you'd like or have some physical challenge that compromises your manual dexterity, we may have found the solution for you…

 

Our embarrassing personal introduction to this electric brush…

Last year, a company reached out to us saying, "Hey, we see that you educate the public about the Bass Brushing Technique. Would you like to try out our electric toothbrush that uses the Bass Technique?"

It sounded good at first, then my 'judgment alert' rang loudly.

The name of the toothbrush: 30 Second Smile.

"Ugg", I thought, "The recommended 2 minutes for brushing is already such a short amount of time. Now there's a company that suggests that we can get our teeth clean in 30 seconds???"

I mean, after all, we've written an article arguing that 2 minutes isn't enough time to get your teeth clean.

One member of our family was willing to give it a try, so we accepted the gift.

It came and sat on my desk for weeks as I silently judged the preposterousness of getting your teeth clean in 30 seconds.

Until, of course, the family member was willing to use the brush. She found that she not only liked it, but she felt it got her teeth cleaner than she was able to achieve using manual Bass brush! That was when the humble pie began to hit me in the face.

It was at that point that I decided to take a closer look and formed as unbiased a view as I could of this electric toothbrush.

(Full disclosure, parents, the axiom 'you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink' definitely applies when it comes to children and brushing teeth.  We can model good habits, encourage, cajole, demand, beg, whatever.  But ultimately, it's our children's choice whether they want to walk the path to taking responsibility for their oral health.)

 

Impressive clinical study results…

In one clinical study, the 30 Second Smile brush went head-to-head with a Sonicare toothbrush. Researchers tested to see which toothbrush helped reduce gingival inflammation, plaque index, and number of bleed points (all measurements that are commonly used in dentistry for quantifying gum disease). The 30 Second Smile brush outperformed across the board.

An important point…

Like many studies, half of the participants used one brush and half used the other. Both groups were told to use the brush twice per day.

But (and it's a big but in this case), the participants using the 30 Second Smile brush were instructed to only use their brush for 30 seconds for each brushing. Meanwhile, the participants using Sonicare were instructed to use their brush for 2 minutes for each brushing.

In other words, the 30 Second Smile brush outperformed a Sonicare brushing in 1/4 of the brushing time.

This really doesn't surprise me because we know the Bass Brushing Technique is specifically looking to address gum disease. If you're not familiar with the story of Dr Bass, check out our article and video tutorial, "how to brush your teeth to reduce gum disease" here.

If you'd like to read the whole clinical trial article, here's the link.

 

2 year warranty…

I'm also really pleased that the company behind this brush solution offers a no-questions-asked 2 year warranty on the product.  Unlike other electric toothbrushes where we like the brush but don't care for the company, the company behind the 30 Second Smile brush backs up their products with a solid warranty.

 

Various applications

We see several potential applications for this toothbrush solution:

1. Anyone with Parkinson's disease or MS or any health challenge that compromises our ability to brush well
2. For those adults who just don't have the time on a daily basis to clean their teeth like they know is best
3. For young children who lack the fine muscle control required to perform Bass brushing correctly

 

Does this mean I can 'just' use this brush?

Not so fast there–nothing can replace you taking control of your oral health.

The fact is, each of us must soberly become the MVP (most valuable person) on our path to health/wellness. No product innovation, gadget or new supplement is ever going to allow us to 'set and forget' when it comes to our oral (or whole body) health.

However, if you find that your life is so full right now that you're just not able to make the time to give your mouth the regular cleaning it really deserves, this brush may help.

Yes, we still encourage each of us to take a moment to 'hack' our lives to create more space/time for our individual needs. But we get it. Sometimes life is just so full that it's all we can do to stay the course and wait for calmer waters.

 

Discount for OraWellness community

If you want to check out the 30 Second Smile brush, the company has extended a really great offer for our community.

They have offered to give you 23% off their retail price. To get the discount, just use the coupon code orawellness (all lowercase) to get your special pricing.

You can learn more about the 30 Second Smile brush here.

(Affiliate disclosure fine print:  Yes, the company behind this helpful toothbrush does give us an affiliate commission if you purchase a toothbrush from them.  We asked them to just give you the extra discount, but they insisted that we get a little something for our effort to share their solution with you.)

 

Helpful, Related Resources:

Electric vs Manual Brushing: Which is better? (part 1) [article]
Electric vs Manual Brushing: Which is better? (part 2) [article]
OraWellness Bass toothbrushes
FAQ: "How long should I brush my teeth?" [article]
How to brush your teeth to reduce gum disease

30 Second Smile toothbrush site

 

The post What's the best electric toothbrush to reduce gum disease? appeared first on OraWellness.

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The role of self-control and cognitive functioning in educational inequalities in adolescent smoking and binge drinking

Large differences in substance use between educational levels originate at a young age, but there is limited evidence explaining these inequalities. The aim of this study was to test whether a) smoking and bin...

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The availability of jobs in the biopharmaceutical industry is 45-fold greater for hematology oncology than medical specialties

The availability of jobs in the biopharmaceutical industry is 45-fold greater for hematology oncology than medical specialties

Blood Cancer Journal 7, e609 (September 2017). doi:10.1038/bcj.2017.91

Authors: V Kaestner & V Prasad

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Prevalence and timing of TP53 mutations in del(17p) myeloma and effect on survival

Prevalence and timing of TP53 mutations in del(17p) myeloma and effect on survival

Blood Cancer Journal 7, e610 (September 2017). doi:10.1038/bcj.2017.76

Authors: M Chin, J I Sive, C Allen, C Roddie, S J Chavda, D Smith, P Blombery, K Jones, G L Ryland, R Popat, A Rismani, S D'Sa, N Rabin, R E Gale & K L Yong

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Efficacy of pegaspargase, etoposide, methotrexate and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed advanced-stage extra-nodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma with the analysis of the prognosis of whole blood EBV-DNA

Efficacy of pegaspargase, etoposide, methotrexate and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed advanced-stage extra-nodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma with the analysis of the prognosis of whole blood EBV-DNA

Blood Cancer Journal 7, e608 (September 2017). doi:10.1038/bcj.2017.88

Authors: J-H Liang, L Wang, R Peter Gale, W Wu, Y Xia, L Fan, J-Y Li & W Xu

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Blinatumomab-induced lineage switch of B-ALL with t(4:11)(q21;q23) KMT2A/AFF1 into an aggressive AML: pre- and post-switch phenotypic, cytogenetic and molecular analysis

Blinatumomab-induced lineage switch of B-ALL with t(4:11)(q21;q23) KMT2A/AFF1 into an aggressive AML: pre- and post-switch phenotypic, cytogenetic and molecular analysis

Blood Cancer Journal 7, e607 (September 2017). doi:10.1038/bcj.2017.89

Authors: C L Haddox, A A Mangaonkar, D Chen, M Shi, R He, J L Oliveira, M R Litzow, A Al-Kali, W J Hogan & M A Elliott

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Financial conflicts of interest among editorialists in high-impact journals

Financial conflicts of interest among editorialists in high-impact journals

Blood Cancer Journal 7, e611 (September 2017). doi:10.1038/bcj.2017.92

Authors: V Kaestner & V Prasad

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Three-dimensional strut plate for the treatment of mandibular fractures: a systematic review

The treatment of mandibular fractures by open reduction and internal fixation is very variable. Thus, there are many controversies about the best fixation system in terms of stability, functional recovery, and postoperative complications. This systematic review sought scientific evidence regarding the best indication for the use of three-dimensional (3D) plates in the treatment of mandibular fractures. A systematic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Elsevier/Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to include articles published up until November 2016.

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Oropharyngeal epignathus with partial facial duplication: report of a rare case

Foetal oral teratoma or epignathus is a rare benign condition that originates in the oropharyngeal region. The term 'teratoma' refers to a mass composed of poorly organized tissues derived from each of the three germ layers. Epignathus may occur when one twin ceases development during gestation and becomes vestigial to the fully formed dominant twin. The reported incidence of epignathus is approximately 1:35,000 to 1:200,000 live births. A unique case of partial facial duplication with gross histological and radiological evidence of partial duplication of the facial elements and organs is presented herein.

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Thermodynamic modeling of the Ca(NO3)2-MNO3 (M: alkali metal) systems

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Calphad, Volume 59
Author(s): Xiang Li, Kun Wang, Miao Shen, Zhu Wu, Leidong Xie
This work presents a thermodynamic evaluation of the Ca(NO3)2-MNO3 (M: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) binary systems using the CALPHAD approach. The required Gibbs energy of liquid Ca(NO3)2 is missing in the literature and has been successfully evaluated in the present work with a fusion enthalpy of 23849Jmol⁻¹. The substitutional solution model can thus be employed to describe the Ca(NO3)2-base liquid phase. All the intermediate compounds are treated to be stoichiometric and their Gibbs energies comply with the Neumann-Kopp rule. Empirical functions relating mixing enthalpies to ionic parameters are employed to predict the corresponding values of binary melts which are used as input data to assist in parameters optimization for the liquid phases. The final calculated results show good agreement with most of the experimental and predicted data.



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Mypractice9 Offers Oral Surgeons New Source of Referrals In 14 Additional Counties

The success of our sales and marketing effort has largely been driven by our advocacy for the high quality specialists who have been attracted to our online service." LAKE FOREST, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., September 15, 2017 / EINPresswire.com / -- Mypractice9 announced on social media additional hiring goals and plans to launch into 14 additional U.S. counties by year end.

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In memoriam Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kiefer

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Examining the Time Course of Genital and Subjective Sexual Responses in Women and Men with Concurrent Plethysmography and Thermography

Publication date: Available online 15 September 2017
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Jackie S. Huberman, Samantha J. Dawson, Meredith L. Chivers
Sexual response is a dynamic process, though there is limited knowledge of the time course and relationships among its psychological and physiological components. To address this gap, we concurrently assessed self-reported sexual arousal, genital temperature (with thermography), and genital vasocongestion (with vaginal photoplethysmography [VPP] or penile plethysmography [PPG]) during sexual and nonsexual films in 28 androphilic women (attracted to men) and 27 gynephilic men (attracted to women). Men and women had similarly strong agreement between subjective and genital responses (sexual concordance) with thermography, but this agreement was stronger in men than women with PPG/VPP. The time course of changes in self-reported arousal was most similar to changes in genital temperature (i.e., time to onset and peak response). Time-lagged correlations and multi-level modeling revealed changes in the strength of relationships between aspects of sexual response over time. Results highlight the dynamic nature of sexual response and drawbacks of relying on zero-order correlations to characterize sexual concordance.



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Dual MAPK / PI3K pathway inhibition with trametinib and GSK2141795 does not yield clinical benefit in metastatic NRAS mutant and wild type melanoma

Summary

Aberrant MAPK and PI3K pathway signaling may drive the malignant phenotype in NRAS mutant and BRAF^WT NRAS^WT metastatic melanoma.

To target these pathways NRAS mutant and BRAF^WT NRAS^WT patients received oral trametinib at 1.5 mg daily and GSK2141795 at 50 mg daily in a 2-cohort Simon 2-stage design. Participants had adequate end organ function and no more than 2 prior treatment regimens. Imaging assessments were performed at 8-week intervals.

10 NRAS mutant and 10 BRAF^WT NRAS^WT patients were enrolled. No objective responses were noted in either cohort. The median PFS and OS were 2.3 and 4.0 months in the NRAS mutant cohort 2.8 and 3.5 months in the wild-type cohort. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events, primarily rash, were observed in 25% of patients.

We conclude that the combination of trametinib and GSK2141795 does not have significant clinical activity in NRAS mutant or BRAF^WT NRAS^WT melanoma.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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CNVs affecting cancer predisposing genes (CPGs) detected as incidental findings in routine germline diagnostic chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing

Background

Identification of CNVs through chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing is the first-line investigation in individuals with learning difficulties/congenital abnormalities. Although recognised that CMA testing may identify CNVs encompassing a cancer predisposition gene (CPG), limited information is available on the frequency and nature of such results.

Methods

We investigated CNV gains and losses affecting 39 CPGs in 3366 pilot index case individuals undergoing CMA testing, and then studied an extended cohort (n=10 454) for CNV losses at 105 CPGs and CNV gains at 9 proto-oncogenes implicated in inherited cancer susceptibility.

Results

In the pilot cohort, 31/3366 (0.92%) individuals had a CNV involving one or more of 16/39 CPGs. 30/31 CNVs involved a tumour suppressor gene (TSG), and 1/30 a proto-oncogene (gain of MET). BMPR1A, TSC2 and TMEM127 were affected in multiple cases. In the second stage analysis, 49/10 454 (0.47%) individuals in the extended cohort had 50 CNVs involving 24/105 CPGs. 43/50 CNVs involved a TSG and 7/50 a proto-oncogene (4 gains, 3 deletions). The most frequently involved genes, FLCN (n=10) and SDHA (n=7), map to the Smith-Magenis and cri-du-chat regions, respectively.

Conclusion

Incidental identification of a CNV involving a CPG is not rare and poses challenges for future cancer risk estimation. Prospective data collection from CPG-CNV cohorts ascertained incidentally and through syndromic presentations is required to determine the risks posed by specific CNVs. In particular, ascertainment and investigation of adults with CPG-CNVs and adults with learning disability and cancer, could provide important information to guide clinical management and surveillance.

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Inactivated influenza vaccination in first trimester does not appear to increase risk of birth defects

Commentary on: Kharbanda EO, Vazquez-Benitez G, Romitti PA, et al. First trimester influenza vaccination and risks for major structural birth defects in offspring. J Pediatr 2017;187:234–239.e4.

Implications for practice and research

In this cohort study, inactivated influenza vaccination in first trimester did not increase risk of birth defects, which should reassure pregnant women of the safety of influenza vaccination in early pregnancy.

Despite evidence supporting the safety of antenatal vaccination, additional research investigating early pregnancy outcomes (ie, miscarriage) would be beneficial.

Context

Pregnant women and their infants are at higher risk of severe outcomes from influenza compared with other groups.1 Vaccination against influenza annually can prevent these severe infections. Despite the health benefits offered by vaccination during pregnancy, uptake of influenza vaccine during pregnancy, particularly early pregnancy, is poor.2 One of the most consistently cited reasons for vaccine refusal among pregnant women is concern about the safety of...

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Nursing and midwifery council registration for overseas childrens nurses: a perfect storm?

In the UK, and particularly in London, we rely on recruiting nurses trained in other countries to maintain adequate staffing levels.1 This is likely to continue for several years due to poor workforce planning.2 It is difficult to predict what impact the changes to the funding arrangements for preregistration nurses in England this September, outlined in a recent study,3  will have on overall numbers of student nurses. Early suggestions are that despite the Government's indicating their aim was to increase student numbers by 10 000 that there may be an overall drop in numbers of students starting courses in September 2017.4 5

Alongside the changes to funding for preregistration nursing courses, Health Education England (HEE) is experiencing economic pressures and the money available to support continuing professional development (CPD) has been significantly reduced.6 Consequently, the cost of CPD education will...

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Correction: Community-based exercise interventions during pregnancy are perceived as a satisfactory and motivating form of exercise engagement

Ette L. Community-based exercise interventions during pregnancy are perceived as a satisfactory and motivating form of exercise engagement. Evid Based Nurs2017;20:77–78. doi: 10.1136/eb-2017-102681

The author correspondence details should read 'Lizzie Ette', not 'Dr Lizzie Ette'.

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Kinetics of anti-ZIKV antibodies after zika infection using two commercial enzyme-linked immunoassays

Publication date: Available online 15 September 2017
Source:Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Author(s): Christophe Pasquier, Guillaume Joguet, Catherine Mengelle, Sabine Chapuy-Regaud, Lynda Pavili, Nadia Prisant, Jacques Izopet, Louis Bujan, Jean-Michel Mansuy
High performance assays are essential for the serological diagnosis of recent and past Zika virus (ZIKV) infections but few are presently available. We used two commercially available NS1 antigen-based enzyme-linked immunoassays to study the kinetics of anti-ZIKV IgM and IgG in fifteen ZIKV-infected patients for up to 180days after clinical onset. The Diapro assay detected anti-ZIKV IgM reactivity more frequently (100%) and for longer (median 53days) than did the Euroimmun assay (60%; 13days, p<0.005). Both assays detected anti-ZIKV IgG reactivity 11days after clinical onset in all subjects. ZIKV IgG reactivity decreased in 3 subjects, suggesting long term false negative results with the Euroimmun assay. Existing anti-Dengue antibodies seem to modify the detection of ZIKV IgG but the specificity of the immunoassays was not assessed. These enzyme-linked immunoassays were user-friendly and provided results rapidly in our hands but they need further assessment before being widely used for diagnosis or public health surveys.



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Evaluation of PyroMark Q24 pyrosequencing as a method for the identification of mycobacteria

Publication date: Available online 15 September 2017
Source:Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Author(s): Kinuyo Chikamatsu, Akio Aono, Hiroyuki Hata, Yuriko Igarashi, Akiko Takaki, Hiroyuki Yamada, Kentaro Sakashita, Satoshi Mitarai
We evaluated PyroMark Q24 (QIAGEN) pyrosequencing as a method for the identification of mycobacteria, with potential application in clinical practice. Sequence data from the hypervariable region A of the 16S rRNA gene (43 and 35bp sequences) were obtained using PyroMark Q24, and a similarity search was performed automatically with PyroMark IdentiFire software. Of the 148 mycobacterial type strains tested, 138 (93.2%) were accurately identified to single or clade species level, including complex level. From the remaining 10 strains, three (Mycobacterium gilvum, Mycobacterium goodi, and Mycobacterium thermoresistible) showed poor sequencing quality of homopolymers. For six other strains (Mycobacterium cosmeticum, Mycobacterium flavescens, Mycobacterium pallens, Mycobacterium hodleri, Mycobacterium xenopi, and Mycobacterium crocinum), the sequences were unreadable from the middle, and Sanger sequencing indicated biallelic site. Finally, a 40bp sequence for Mycobacterium gordonae could not be obtained despite repeated attempts. PyroMark Q24 provided accurate identification of multiple mycobacterial strains isolated from common clinical settings, but additional gene sequencing is required to distinguish species identified as a group or complex.



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Changes in trust and the use of Korean medicine in South Korea: a comparison of surveys in 2011 and 2014

Korean medicine (KM) has been widely used in Korea. This study aimed to assess the general perceptions of KM, to investigate the patterns of its usage in 2014, and to compare the results with those of an earli...

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Plectranthus amboinicus essential oil and carvacrol bioactive against planktonic and biofilm of oxacillin- and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a worldwide concern and in order to find an alternative to this problem, the occurrence of antimicrobial compounds in Plectranthus amboinicus essential oil was inv...

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Cancer-specific mortality of high-risk prostate cancer after carbon-ion radiotherapy plus long-term androgen deprivation therapy

Abstract

The treatment outcomes of patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer (PC) after carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) combined with long-term androgen deprivation therapy (LTADT) were analyzed, and compared with those of other treatment modalities, focusing on PC-specific mortality (PCSM). A total of 1247 patients were enrolled in three phase II clinical trials of fixed-dose CIRT between 2000 and 2013. Excluding patients with T4 disease, 608 patients with high- or very-high-risk PC, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network classification system, who received CIRT with LTADT were evaluated.

The median follow-up was 88.4 months, and the 5-/10-year PCSM rates were 1.5%/4.3%, respectively. T3b disease, Gleason score of 9-10, and percentage of positive biopsy cores > 75% were associated with significantly higher PCSM on univariate and multivariate analyses. The 10-year PCSM rates of patients having all three (n=16), two (n=74), or one of these risk factors (n=217) were 27.1%, 11.6%, and 5.7%, respectively. Of the 301 patients with none of these factors, only 1 PCSM occurred over the 10-year follow-up (10-year PCSM rate, 0.3%), and significant differences were observed among the four stratified groups (p < 0.001).

CIRT combined with LTADT yielded relatively favorable treatment outcomes in patients with high-risk PC and very favorable results in patients without any of the three abovementioned factors for PCSM. Because a significant difference in PCSM among the high-risk PC patient groups was observed, new categorization and treatment intensity adjustment may be required for high-risk PC patients treated with CIRT.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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The miR-203 inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, and migration of non-small cell lung cancer by downregulating RGS17

Abstract

The involvement of the RGS17 oncogene in promotion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been reported, but the regulation mechanism in NSCLC remains unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate gene expression, and their dysregulation has been implicated in tumorigenesis. To understand the role of microRNAs in RGS17-induced NSCLC, we showed that miR-203 was downregulated during tumorigenesis, and inhibited the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells. We then determined if miR-203 regulated NSCLC by targeting RGS17. To characterize the regulatory effect of miR-203 on RGS17, we used lung cancer cell lines, A549 and Calu-1, and the constructed miR-203 and RGS17 overexpression vectors. The CCK8 kit was used to determine the cell proliferation, and the Transwell^® assay was used to measure cell invasion and migration. RT-PCR, western blots, and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the expression of miR-203 and RGS17, and the luciferase reporter assay was used to examine the interaction between miR-203 and RGS17. Nude mice were used to characterize in vivo tumor growth regulation. The expression of miR-203 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of lung cancer cell lines A549 and Calu-1 by targeting RGS17. The regulatory effect of miR-203 was inhibited after overexpression of RGS17. The luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-203 downregulated RGS17 by direct integration into the 3′-UTR of RGS17 mRNA. In vivo studies showed that the expression of miR-203 significantly inhibited the growth of tumors. Taken together, the results suggested that the expression of miR-203 inhibited tumor growth and metastasis by targeting RGS17.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Osimertinib almost doubles PFS versus SOC for first line EGFR mutated lung cancer, from 10 to 18 months, at #ESMO17… https://t.co/0pgFCG00MM

Osimertinib almost doubles PFS versus SOC for first line EGFR mutated lung cancer, from 10 to 18 months, at #ESMO17… https://t.co/0pgFCG00MM

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Multidisciplinary studies in Cucurbita maxima (squash) domestication

Abstract

Plant domestication is a complex process in which natural and cultural factors play important roles delimiting evolutionary pathways of plants under cultivation. In order to deal with and understand the changes generated during this process, multi-disciplinary research is required, especially when a full picture of the domestication history of a taxon is to be assessed. We present here some advances in the study of Cucurbita maxima (squash) domestication from an integrated perspective, including experimental, morphometric and archaeobotanical approaches, which are discussed in the light of new data from physiological analyses. Modern material includes plants obtained from experimental fields, derived from crosses between domesticated (C. maxima ssp. maxima) and spontaneous/wild forms (C. maxima ssp. andreana), resulting in F1 and F2 generations. The archaeobotanical material includes remains recovered from sites in southern Peru and northwest Argentina ranging in date from 3,000 to 800 bp. Morphological and anatomical analyses were conducted on seeds, pericarps and peduncles (the stem of the flower or fruit) for reconstructing squash size and shape evolution under domestication. The results suggest the presence of hybrid forms, mainly from the earlier sites, but also from more recent ones. As expected, a linear evolutionary pathway was not found. Diversity and multiple crossings seem to have been a constant in squash cultivation over time, emphasising the role of gene flows between domestic and wild variants in the domestication process. Finally, we hypothesize the possible linkage between past gene flow and different dormancy patterns as part of management practices, allowing the maintenance of squash populations adapted to different environmental conditions.

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Respiratory deposition and health risk of inhalation of particle-bound heavy metals in the carbon black feeding area of a tire manufacturer

Abstract

The health effects of metal-containing carbon black (CB) particles obtained from the CB feeding area of a tire manufacturing plant were investigated. Atmospheric samples were collected over 24 h for 20 working days in 2016 using the 12 impaction stages of micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor, and metal-containing particles were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. The concentration of total particulate matter in the CB feeding area was 944.8 ± 456.4 μg/m³, and the most abundant elements in the samples include Zn (8622.0 ± 5679.0 ng/m³), Al (3113.3 ± 2017.1 ng/m³), and Fe (1519.1 ± 875.0 ng/m³). Carcinogenic metals (Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni) with the mass median diameter were incorporated in submicron particles. The mean total deposition flux in the head airway (HA) region was approximately 16–30 times higher than that in the tracheobronchial (TB) region and alveolar region (AR). The most abundant deposition flux of heavy metals in the AR and TB region was distributed in particles of less than 3.2 μm. The cancer risk presented by carcinogenic metals (Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni) in total particles to CB feeding workers ranged from 5.52 × 10⁻⁴ to 5.65 × 10⁻², which is substantially higher than the acceptable cancer risk range 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁴. In particular, the cancer risk presented by these four metals in ultrafine particles (UFPs) exceeded the 10⁻⁶ benchmark level. These results demonstrate the high health risk presented by particle-bound heavy metals to workers in a CB feeding area via inhalation exposure.

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HLA class I expression predicts prognosis and therapeutic benefits from tyrosine kinase inhibitors in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma patients

Abstract

Purpose

Classical HLA class I antigen is highly involved in antigen presentation and adaptive immune response against tumor. In this study, we explored its predictive value for treatment response and survival in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients.

Experimental design

A TKI cohort of 111 mRCC patients treated with sunitinib or sorafenib and a non-TKI cohort of 160 mRCC patients treated with interleukin-2 or interferon-α-based immunotherapy at a single institution were retrospectively enrolled. HLA class I expression and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) density was assessed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Association between HLA class I and CTL was also assessed in the TCGA KIRC cohort.

Results

In the TKI cohort, down-regulated HLA class I was associated with lower objective response rate of TKI therapy (P = 0.004), shorter overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001), and shorter progression free survival (PFS) (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression model defined HLA expression as an independent prognostic factor for both OS [hazard ratio 1.687 (95% CI 1.045–2.724), P = 0.032] and PFS [hazard ratio 2.139 (95% CI 1.376–3.326), P = 0.001]. In the non-TKI cohort, HLA class I was not significantly associated with survival. HLA class I expression was associated with CTL infiltration and function, and its prognostic value was more predominant in CTL high-density tumors (P < 0.001) rather than CTL low-density tumors (P = 0.294).

Conclusions

Classical HLA class I expression can serve as a potential predictive biomarker for TKI therapy in mRCC patients. Its predictive value was restricted in CTL high-density tumors. However, further external validations and functional investigations are still required.

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Antibodies, Vol. 6, Pages 13: Host Cell Proteins in Biologics Manufacturing: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Antibodies, Vol. 6, Pages 13: Host Cell Proteins in Biologics Manufacturing: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Antibodies doi: 10.3390/antib6030013

Authors: Martin Kornecki Fabian Mestmäcker Steffen Zobel-Roos Laura Heikaus de Figueiredo Hartmut Schlüter Jochen Strube

Significant progress in the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals has been made by increasing the overall titers in the USP (upstream processing) titers without raising the cost of the USP. In addition, the development of platform processes led to a higher process robustness. Despite or even due to those achievements, novel challenges are in sight. The higher upstream titers created more complex impurity profiles, both in mass and composition, demanding higher separation capacities and selectivity in downstream processing (DSP). This creates a major shift of costs from USP to DSP. In order to solve this issue, USP and DSP integration approaches can be developed and used for overall process optimization. This study focuses on the characterization and classification of host cell proteins (HCPs) in each unit operation of the DSP (i.e., aqueous two-phase extraction, integrated countercurrent chromatography). The results create a data-driven feedback to the USP, which will serve for media and process optimizations in order to reduce, or even eliminate nascent critical HCPs. This will improve separation efficiency and may lead to a quantitative process understanding. Different HCP species were classified by stringent criteria with regard to DSP separation parameters into "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" in terms of pI and MW using 2D-PAGE analysis depending on their positions on the gels. Those spots were identified using LC-MS/MS analysis. HCPs, which are especially difficult to remove and persistent throughout the DSP (i.e., "Bad" or "Ugly"), have to be evaluated by their ability to be separated. In this approach, HCPs, considered "Ugly," represent proteins with a MW larger than 15 kDa and a pI between 7.30 and 9.30. "Bad" HCPs can likewise be classified using MW (&gt;15 kDa) and pI (4.75–7.30 and 9.30–10.00). HCPs with a MW smaller than 15 kDa and a pI lower than 4.75 and higher than 10.00 are classified as "Good" since their physicochemical properties differ significantly from the product. In order to evaluate this classification scheme, it is of utmost importance to use orthogonal analytical methods such as IEX, HIC, and SEC.

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Androgen-deprivation therapy with enzalutamide enhances prostate cancer metastasis via decreasing the EPHB6 suppressor expression

Publication date: 1 November 2017
Source:Cancer Letters, Volume 408
Author(s): Jiaqi Chen, Lei Li, Zhao Yang, Jie Luo, Shuyuan Yeh, Chawnshang Chang
Early studies suggested that using ADT with the recently developed anti-androgen Enzalutamide (Enz, also named as MDV3100 could extent castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients' survival an extra 4.8 months. Yet the therapy in most patients might eventually fail due to development of Enz-resistance. Here we found Enz might also increase some unwanted side-effects via increasing the CRPC cell invasion that might involve altering the Enz-mediated androgen receptor (AR)/EPHB6 suppressor/JNK signaling. Results from multiple clinical surveys also indicated that EPHP6 might function as a suppressor of PCa metastasis. Mechanism dissection revealed that Enz-mediated AR might function via binding to the androgen-response-element (ARE) on the EPHB6 promoter to decrease EPHB6 suppressor expression, which might then activate the phosphorylation of JNK signals to increase the CRPC cell invasion. Targeting this newly identified AR/EPHB6/JNK signaling with JNK inhibitor (SP600125) may then block/reverse the Enz-increased CRPC cell invasion. Collectively, our results suggest that Enz may increase CRPC cell invasion via altering the AR/EPHB6/JNK/MMP9 signaling and targeting this newly identified signaling may help us to increase the Enz efficacy to better suppress the CRPC at the later metastatic stage.



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Anti-IgE and Anti-IL5 Biologic Therapy in the Treatment of Nasal Polyposis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Annals of Otology, Rhinology &Laryngology, Ahead of Print.


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You can't blame a toothache on bad genes

Even though people are born with microbes in their mouth that they inherited from their parents, these bacteria aren't associated with toothaches and cavities, a recent study suggests. Scientists and dentists have long understood that streptococcus bacteria in the mouth are linked to the formation of cavities.

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Childhood bereavement: The role of the surviving parent and the continuing bond with the deceased

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Advocacy and luck: Australian healthcare experiences following a suicide attempt

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Concurrent Improvement in Both Binge Eating and Depressive Symptoms with Naltrexone/Bupropion Therapy in Overweight or Obese Subjects with Major Depressive Disorder in an Open-Label, Uncontrolled Study

Abstract

Introduction

Binge eating disorder (BED) is associated with obesity and major depressive disorder (MDD). Naltrexone extended-release (ER)/bupropion ER (NB) is approved as an adjunct to diet and physical activity for chronic weight management. In a prospectively designed 24-week open-label, single-arm, single-site trial of 25 women with MDD and overweight/obesity, NB reduced weight and depressive symptoms.

Methods

This post hoc analysis investigated the relationship between change in self-reported binge eating behavior (evaluated with the Binge Eating Scale [BES]) and changes in weight, control of eating, and depressive symptoms.

Results

At baseline, 91% of subjects had moderate or severe BES scores, suggesting BED. BES scores were significantly improved from week 4, and by week 24, 83% reported "little or no problem." Improvement in BES scores correlated with improvement in depressive symptoms and control of eating.

Conclusion

NB may be effective in reducing binge eating symptoms associated with MDD and overweight/obesity. Evaluation of NB in BED appears warranted.

Funding

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc.

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Pollen and charcoal studies at the Wolf Willow site, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon, Canada

Abstract

This study aims to determine whether pollen and charcoal analyses of terrestrial samples from the Wolf Willow archaeological site at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada could help provide the sorts of data necessary to evaluate the role that environmental conditions may have played in the 6,000 year occupational history of the park. The results indicate that pollen and charcoal were sufficiently preserved for analysis and that pollen assemblages were not significantly affected by downwash or differential preservation. Environmental reconstructions show relatively moist conditions at ca. 4,850 bp continuing into the Oxbow period (ca. 4,800–4,100 bp), when a drying trend developed. The McKean period (ca. 4,200–3,000 bp) reflects a broadly dry period with increasing moisture through time. A hiatus interrupts the record, above which Prairie Side-Notched data (ca. 1,100–600 bp) reveal relatively moist conditions, followed by decreased moisture during Plains Side-Notched times (ca. 600–200 bp), which continued into the recent/historic period. Analyses also indicated possible distinctions between roasting and stone boiling features, repeated spring-time occupation, and task-dependant firewood selection. Comparison of the Wolf Willow records to palaeoenvironmental reconstructions derived from lake cores and other proxy data placed these results within the broader literature on several millennia of Northern Plains climatic and environmental variation. Thus, these results clearly indicate the high potential of such research to address questions regarding human-environment interaction and the role that palaeoenvironmental conditions may have played in drawing indigenous peoples from across the Northern Plains to repeatedly gather at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

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Antennal and behavioral responses of Mythimna separata (Walker) to three plant volatiles

Abstract

The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata, is distributed widely in eastern Asia and Australia. The response of M.separata to 27 compounds identified from plant volatiles was determined from electroantennography (EAG) and wind tunnel results, which allowed an evaluation of the possible plant volatile compounds. The highest EAG values of males were elicited by trans-2,cis-6-nonadienal, and virgin females by benzyl alcohol. The amplitude in EAG dose-response was in the range of 0.24 to 2.87 mV. In the wind tunnel bioassays, significantly more females showed behavioral responses to wilting leaves and headspace collection of Pterocarya stenoptera rather than control. In addition, significantly more females flew upwind with beta-ocimene compared with the control. The number of females that landed at the source with cis-3-hexen-1-ol, phenylethyl alcohol, trans-2-nonenal, and 2-pentylfuran was significantly different from the number that moved towards control.

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Bringing together raptor collections in Europe for contaminant research and monitoring in relation to chemicals regulations

Abstract

Raptors are good sentinels of environmental contamination and there is good capability for raptor biomonitoring in Europe. Raptor biomonitoring can benefit from natural history museums (NHMs), environmental specimen banks (ESBs) and other collections (e.g. specialist raptor specimen collections). Europe's NHMs, ESBs and other collections hold large numbers of raptor specimens and samples, covering long periods of time. These collections are potentially a valuable resource for contaminant studies over time and space. There are strong needs to monitor contaminants in the environment to support EU and national chemical management. However, data on raptor specimens in NHMs, ESBs and other collections are dispersed, few are digitised, and they are thus not easy to access. Specimen coverage is patchy in terms of species, space and time. Contaminant research with raptors would be facilitated by creating a framework to link relevant collections, digitising all collections, developing a searchable meta-database covering all existing collections, making them more visible and accessible for contaminant research. This would also help identify gaps in coverage and stimulate specimen collection to fill gaps in support of prioritised contaminant monitoring. Collections can further support raptor biomonitoring by making samples available for analysis on request.

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A comparative study of inorganic elements in the blood of male and female Caspian pond turtles ( Mauremys caspica ) from the southern basin of the Caspian Sea

Abstract

Due to their bioaccumulation and biomagnification pathways, inorganic elements can accumulate in high-level aquatic organisms in the food web. Then, this species can be used to monitor the quality of the environment. Blood concentration of nine inorganic elements, including possible toxic metals (An, Cu, Mn, Se, As, Ni, Cd, Pb, and Hg), in 20 males and 20 females from eight different locations with high industry and agriculture activities in Iran were evaluated in this work. Additionally, size, sex, condition index, and locations were also included and analyzed. Among the essential elements, Zn and Se presented very high concentrations (56.14 ± 2.66 and 8.44 ± 0.77 μg/g ww, respectively) in all locations. Regarding possible toxic elements, Pb and Cd presented concerning concentrations as well (0.52 and 0.58 μg/g ww); this is especially true for Pb, an element found in very high concentrations in tissues of turtles from the same area in a previous study. The sex and the size of the individuals also had significant differences in concentration of Pb, Cd, As, and Hg.

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Erratum to “The “Crumple Zone” hypothesis: Association of frontal sinus volume and cerebral injury after craniofacial trauma” [J Craniomaxillofac Surg 45 (2017) 1094–1098]

The publisher regrets that Michael P. Grant's surname appeared incorrectly in the original article. It appears correctly above.

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Piperine-pro-nanolipospheres as a novel oral delivery system of cannabinoids: Pharmacokinetic evaluation in healthy volunteers in comparison to buccal spray administration

Publication date: 28 November 2017
Source:Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 266
Author(s): Irina Cherniakov, Dvora Izgelov, Dinorah Barasch, Elyad Davidson, Abraham J. Domb, Amnon Hoffman
Nowadays, therapeutic indications for cannabinoids, specifically Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are widening. However, the oral consumption of the molecules is very limited due to their highly lipophilic nature that leads to poor solubility at the aqueous environment. Additionally, THC and CBD are prone to extensive first pass mechanisms. These absorption obstacles render the molecules with low and variable oral bioavailability. To overcome these limitations we designed and developed the advanced pro-nanolipospheres (PNL) formulation. The PNL delivery system is comprised of a medium chain triglyceride, surfactants, a co-solvent and the unique addition of a natural absorption enhancer: piperine. Piperine was selected due to its distinctive inhibitory properties affecting both Phase I and Phase II metabolism. This constellation self emulsifies into nano particles that entrap the cannabinoids and the piperine in their core and thus improve their solubility while piperine and the other PNL excipients inhibit their intestinal metabolism. Another clear advantage of the formulation is that its composition of materials is approved for human consumption. The safe nature of the excipients enabled their direct evaluation in humans. In order to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of the THC-CBD-piperine-PNL formulation, a two-way crossover, single administration clinical study was conducted. The trial comprised of 9 healthy volunteers under fasted conditions. Each subject received a THC-CBD (10.8mg, 10mg respectively) piperine (20mg)-PNL filled capsule and an equivalent dose of the oromucosal spray Sativex® with a washout period in between treatments.Single oral administration of the piperine-PNL formulation resulted in a 3-fold increase in Cmax and a 1.5-fold increase in AUC for THC when compared to Sativex®. For CBD, a 4-fold increase in Cmax and a 2.2-fold increase in AUC was observed. These findings demonstrate the potential this formulation has in serving as a standardized oral cannabinoid formulation. Moreover, the concept of improving oral bioavailability described here, can pave the way for other potential lipophilic active compounds requiring enhancement of their oral bioavailability.

Graphical abstract

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quality of care; +1038 new citations

1038 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

quality of care

These pubmed results were generated on 2017/09/16

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

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Nocturnal heart rate variability in 1-year-old infants analyzed by using the Least Square Cosine Spectrum Method

To evaluate the dynamic nature of nocturnal heart rate variability, RR intervals recorded with a wearable heart rate sensor were analyzed using the Least Square Cosine Spectrum Method.

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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1076: Poverty Dynamics and Academic Trajectories of Children of Immigrants

IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1076: Poverty Dynamics and Academic Trajectories of Children of Immigrants

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph14091076

Authors: Liwei Zhang Wen-Jui Han

Using Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998–1999 (ECLS-K), we investigated the relationship between poverty and academic trajectories for children in immigrant families in the United States. We used family socioeconomic status (SES) which considers parental education, parental occupation, and family income to define poverty in correspondence with the U.S. federal poverty threshold. Three dimensions of poverty were examined including depth (i.e., not-poor, near-poor, poor or extreme poor), stability (i.e., continuously or intermittently), and duration (i.e., for how many times in poverty). Our results indicated that living in poverty, particularly when it was extreme, volatile, and for long spell could compromise children's reading and math achievements during the first nine schooling years. Children of immigrants were doing as well as, if not better than, children of native-borns in certain areas (i.e., math) or in facing of certain pattern of poverty (i.e., long-spell). However, deep poverty and volatile changes in family SES could compromise academic achievements for children of immigrants throughout their first nine years of schooling, a period holds important key to their future success. Implications to practice and policy as well as future directions were discussed.

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Infant avoidance training alters cellular activation patterns in prefronto-limbic circuits during adult avoidance learning: II. Cellular imaging of neurons expressing the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc/Arg3.1)

Abstract

Positive and negative feedback learning is essential to optimize behavioral performance. We used the two-way active avoidance (TWA) task as an experimental paradigm for negative feedback learning with the aim to test the hypothesis that neuronal ensembles activate the activity-regulated cytoskeletal (Arc/Arg3.1) protein during different phases of avoidance learning and during retrieval. A variety of studies in humans and other animals revealed that the ability of aversive feedback learning emerges postnatally. Our previous findings demonstrated that rats, which as infants are not capable to learn an active avoidance strategy, show improved avoidance learning as adults. Based on these findings, we further tested the hypothesis that specific neuronal ensembles are "tagged" during infant TWA training and then reactivated during adult re-exposure to the same learning task. Using cellular imaging by immunocytochemical detection of Arc/Arg3.1, we observed that, compared to the untrained control group, (1) only in the dentate gyrus the density of Arc/Arg3.1-expressing neurons was elevated during the acquisition phase of TWA learning, and (2) this increase in Arc/Arg3.1-expressing neurons was not specific for the TWA learning task. With respect to the effects of infant TWA training we found that compared to the naïve non-pretrained group (a) the infant pretraining group displayed a higher density of Arc/Arg3.1-expressing neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex during acquisition on training day 1, and (b) the infant pretraining group displayed elevated density of Arc/Arg3.1-expressing neurons in the dentate gyrus during retrieval on test day 5. Correlation analysis for the acquisition phase revealed for the ACd that the animals which showed the highest number of avoidances and the fastest escape latencies displayed the highest density of Arc/Arg3.1-expressing neurons. Taken together, we are the first to use the synaptic plasticity protein Arc/Arg3.1 to label neuronal ensembles which are involved in different phases of active avoidance learning and whose activity patterns are changing in response to previous learning experience during infancy. Our results indicate (1) that, despite the inability to learn an active avoidance response in infancy, lasting memory traces are formed encoding the subtasks that are learned in infancy (e.g., the association of the CS and UCS, escape strategy), which are encoded in the infant brain by neuronal ensembles, which alter their synaptic connectivity via activation of specific synaptic plasticity proteins such as Arc/Arg3.1 and Egr1, and (2) that during adult training these memories can be retrieved by reactivating these neuronal ensembles and their synaptic circuits and thereby accelerate learning.

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head and neck; +101 new citations

101 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

head and neck

These pubmed results were generated on 2017/09/16

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

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Treatment of severe psoriasis in children: recommendations of an Italian expert group

Abstract

This article provides comprehensive recommendations for the systemic treatment of severe pediatric psoriasis based on evidence obtained from a systematic review of the literature and the consensus opinion of expert dermatologists and pediatricians. For each systemic treatment, the grade of recommendation (A, B, C) based on the treatment's approval by the European Medicines Agency for childhood psoriasis and the experts' opinions is discussed. The grade of recommendation for narrow-band-ultraviolet B phototherapy, cyclosporine, and retinoids is C, while that for methotrexate is C/B. The use of adalimumab, etanercept, and ustekinumab has a grade A recommendation. No conventional systemic treatments are approved for pediatric psoriasis. Adalimumab is approved by the European Medicines Agency as a first-line treatment for severe chronic plaque psoriasis in children (≥ 4 years old) and adolescents. Etanercept and ustekinumab are approved as second-line therapy in children ≥ 6 and ≥ 12 years, respectively.

Conclusion: A treatment algorithm as well as practical tools (i.e., tabular summaries of differential diagnoses, treatment mechanism of actions, dosing regimens, control parameters) are provided to assist in therapeutic reasoning and decision-making for individual patients. These treatment recommendations are endorsed by major Italian Pediatric and Dermatology Societies.

What is Known: • Guidelines for the treatment of severe pediatric psoriasis are lacking and most traditional systemic treatments are not approved for use in young patients. Although there has been decades of experience with some of the traditional agents such as phototherapy, acitretin, and cyclosporine in children, there are no RCTs on their pediatric use while RCTs investigating new biologic agents have been performed.

What is New: • In this manuscript, an Italian multidisciplinary team of experts focused on treatment recommendations for severe forms of psoriasis in children based on an up-to-date review of the literature and experts' opinions.

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