Enhancing Effect of 100.414-kHz Electromagnetic Field Produced by Defender’s Pulse Generator on the ChIFN γ-Like Molecule Inducing Capacity of Lens culinaris Agglutinin and 10% PBS Washouts of Different Holocene Minerals

Technology in Cancer Research &Treatment, Volume 18, Issue , January 2019.


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Spotlight on fungal pectin utilization—from phytopathogenicity to molecular recognition and industrial applications

Abstract

Pectin is a complex polysaccharide with d-galacturonic acid as its main component that predominantly accumulates in the middle lamella of the plant cell wall. Integrity and depolymerization of pectic structures have long been identified as relevant factors in fungal phytosymbiosis and phytopathogenicity in the context of tissue penetration and carbon source supply. While the pectic content of a plant cell wall can vary significantly, pectin was reported to account for up to 20–25% of the total dry weight in soft and non-woody tissues with non- or mildly lignified secondary cell walls, such as found in citrus peel, sugar beet pulp, and apple pomace. Due to their potential applications in various industrial sectors, pectic sugars from these and similar agricultural waste streams have been recognized as valuable targets for a diverse set of biotechnological fermentations.

Recent advances in uncovering the molecular regulation mechanisms for pectinase expression in saprophytic fungi have led to a better understanding of fungal pectin sensing and utilization that could help to improve industrial, pectin-based fermentations. Related research in phytopathogenic fungi has furthermore added to our knowledge regarding the relevance of pectinases in plant cell wall penetration during onset of disease and is therefore highly relevant for agricultural sciences and the agricultural industry. This review therefore aims at summarizing (i) the role of pectinases in phytopathogenicity, (ii) the global regulation patterns for pectinase expression in saprophytic filamentous fungi as a highly specialized class of pectin degraders, and (iii) the current industrial applications in pectic sugar fermentations and transformations.

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Quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound of renal perfusion: a technology for the assessment of early diabetic nephropathy in cynomolgus macaques with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in predicting early nephropathy in cynomolgus macaques with spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

Six cynomolgus macaques with spontaneous T2DM and six normal cynomolgus macaques (Group 1) were included in this study. The time–intensity curve was used to obtain parameters such as peak values, red blood volume (RBV), red blood flow (RBF), time to peak (TTP), and mean transit time (MTT). Biopsy renal tissue samples were assessed histopathologically. Six cynomolgus macaques with spontaneous T2DM were subgrouped into T2DM without nephropathy group (Group 2) and T2DM with nephropathy group (Group 3) based on histopathological findings.

Results

Peak value had the largest area under the curve comparing with RBF, RBV, TTP, MTT. The sensitivity and specificity of peak value with cut-off value of 38.65 dB for the diagnosis of DN were 98.3% and 83%, respectively. Peak value, RBV, and RBF in Group 3 was significantly decreased compared with Group 1 and Group 2 (P = 0.000, x² = 23.99; P = 0.003, x² = 9.14; P = 0.02, x² = 5.14).

Conclusions

The perfusion parameter of peak value in CEUS might be useful in predicting early diabetic nephropathy in spontaneous T2DM cynomolgus macaques.

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Comparative accuracy of qualitative and quantitative 18F-FDG PET/CT analysis in detection of lymph node metastasis from anal cancer

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic performance of qualitative and quantitative 18F-FDG PET/CT in detection of regional and distant lymph node metastasis in patients with anal cancer.

Methods

Between 2004 and 2017, 28 patients with anal cancer who had staging PET/CT and pathological assessment of suspicious lymph nodes were included. For qualitative analysis, positive lymph nodes were defined as uptake visually higher than the liver reference uptake. For quantitative study, lymph nodes were contoured to determine maximum standard uptake value (SUV_max) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to extract the optimal cut-offs and area under the curve (AUC) of SUV_max, lesion to background (L/B) ratio, short axis diameter (SAD), and MTV of lymph nodes. Histopathologic analysis was a reference standard.

Results

A total of 28 lymph nodes (24 inguinal, 2 external iliac, 1 internal iliac, and 1 paraaortic nodes) in 28 patients on PET/CT were included. With the qualitative visual analysis, 19 patients were categorized as positive for nodal metastasis with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 85%, 75%, and 82%. The optimal SUV_max and L/B ratio cut-offs were 2.6 and 1.0 with both sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 75% (AUC of SUV_max = 0.893, AUC of L/B ratio = 0.912). Using the best cut-off of 1.6 cm for SAD and 3.65 cm³ for MTV, both sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 100% (AUC of SAD = 0.950, AUC of MTV = 0.931).

Conclusions

SUV_max optimization may be helpful in enhancing the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in nodal staging patients with anal cancer.

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Quantification of fat and skeletal muscle tissue at abdominal computed tomography: associations between single-slice measurements and total compartment volumes

Abstract

Purpose

Body composition is of great prognostic value in several severe diseases, including different types of cancer as well as cardiometabolic disorders. We aimed to investigate the correlations of skeletal muscle mass and abdominal adipose tissue compartments between volumetric and single-slice measurements to study the usefulness of several anatomical landmarks for estimation of total compartment volumes using abdominal CT-scans.

Methods

In this retrospective study volumetric quantifications of paraspinal skeletal muscles (SM) and adipose tissue compartments (visceral adipose tissue, VAT; subcutaneous adipose tissue, SAT) were performed in 50 consecutive patients (26 male; mean age, 63 ± 15 years) who underwent abdominal multislice-CT for diagnostic purposes using an in-house software. Associations between total volumes of SM, VAT, and SAT with single-slice measurements at eight predefined anatomical landmarks (median intervertebral disk spaces T12/L1 to L5/S1; level of the umbilicus (U); level of the radix of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)) were studied using correlation coefficients.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed a strong association between single-slice measurements of adipose tissue compartments with total VAT and SAT volume (VAT: all r > 0.89, P < 0.001; SAT: all r > 0.95, P < 0.001). The strongest associations with total SM volume were found for single-slice measurements obtained at L3/4 (r = 0.94, P < 0.001) and were further improved by normalization to height (r = 0.98, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Single-slice measurements of SM, VAT, and SAT at several anatomical landmarks are strongly associated with total compartment volumes and therefore allow for easy and simultaneous assessment of skeletal muscle mass and adipose tissue compartment volumes.

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Two new glutarimide antibiotics from Streptomyces sp. HS-NF-780

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The Use of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Alopecia Areata: A Review of the Literature

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, Ahead of Print.


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A Qualitative Analysis of Canadian Indoor Tanning Policies

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, Ahead of Print.


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Pattern of FDG and MET Distribution in High- and Low-Grade Gliomas on PET Images

Purpose of the Report This study aimed to determine the most effective metabolic index of FDG-PET and MET-PET to differentiate high- and low-grade gliomas, and then to characterize tumor metabolism according to the 2016 WHO classification. We also developed a new calculation method of potential infiltrative tumor volume to overcome the current limitations of tumor evaluation according to metabolic index, which focuses solely on tumor core area. Materials and Methods Patients who underwent both FDG-PET and MET-PET, as well as surgical treatment, were retrospectively identified. All tumors were diagnosed histologically and included 44 high-grade and 19 low-grade gliomas. Metabolic indices of tumor-to-normal (T/N) ratio and maximum value within the tumor itself were compared between high- and low-grade tumors. A calculation method for potential infiltrative tumor volume was developed and compared between these 2 grades. Results T/N, calculated as tumor value divided by normal cortex value, was the most effective (area under the curve, 0.800 for FDG-PET; area under the curve, 0.773 for MET-PET) for differentiating high- and low-grade gliomas. Potential infiltrative volume effectively distinguished between high- and low-grade glioma (43.8 ± 30.2 mL vs 14.0 ± 12.6 mL; P = 0.005 [t test]). A combination of T/N, with a cutoff value of 0.9 or higher on FDG-PET and/or 3.0 or higher on MET-PET, and potential infiltrative volume, with a cutoff value of 20.0 mL or higher, provided a diagnostic accuracy of 89% in distinguishing high- from low-grade gliomas. Conclusions Evaluation of potential infiltrative volume surrounding the tumor core area, in addition to the T/N ratio of the tumor core, may help distinguish between high- and low-grade gliomas. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal. Received for publication August 7, 2018; revision accepted November 25, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Miwako Takahashi, MD, PhD, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo. 3-1 Hongo 7-Chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. E-mail: tmiwako-tky@umin.ac.jp. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Diagnosis of Primary Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Vagina by 18F-FDG PET/CT

A 41-year-old woman presented with irregular vaginal bleeding, and a vaginal tumor was found and proved to be a clear cell carcinoma by biopsy. An 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed to exclude its metastatic possibility, which showed the vaginal tumor was the only lesion with 18F-FDG avidity. The vaginectomy and hysterectomy were performed to resect the lesion, and primary clear cell carcinoma of the vagina was finally diagnosed. Received for publication November 20, 2018; revision accepted December 1, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Zhanli Fu, MD, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku St, West District, Beijing, 100034, China. E-mail: fuzhanli2002@163.com. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Multiple Myeloma of Testes and Spermatic Cord on 18F-FDG PET/CT

Extramedullary multiple myeloma (EM) has negative prognostic implications on the overall survival as well as progression-free survival. Testis is a rare site of EM, which can be a part of diffuse involvement in multiple myeloma or a site of recurrence in patients with remission. We present a case of EM of testes and left spermatic cord in an 80-year-old man who presented with painless progressive enlargement of the scrotum. 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed tracer avidity of both testes and left spermatic cord. Bilateral radical orchidectomy was subsequently performed, and the diagnosis of multiple myeloma was confirmed on histopathology. Received for publication August 15, 2018; revision accepted December 2, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Jyothirmayi Velaga, FRCR, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, 1 Hospital Dr, Singapore 169608. E-mail: vjyotirmayi@gmail.com. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Baseline Pancreatic Beta Cell Imaging After Pancreatic Transplantation Using Whole-Body 68Ga-DOTA-Exendin-4 PET/CT: A Spectrum of 2 Cases of Diabetes Mellitus

Whole pancreatic transplant and islet cells transplantation are currently available strategies aiming toward diabetes cure. Beta cell specific noninvasive functional imaging using novel PET radiotracers are now available and can be used for beta cell imaging and quantification. Herein we describe a spectrum of 2 cases demonstrating beta cell targeted imaging using 68Ga-DOTA-exendin-4 PET/CT in patients with diabetes after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Received for publication February 4, 2018; revision accepted December 1, 2018. Ethical approval: All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Aashish Gambhir, MBBS, DRM, DNB, Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006, India. E-mail: aashishgambhir61@gmail.com. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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18F-FDG PET/CT in Intramuscular Mantle Cell Lymphoma With Elongated Lymphomatous Neurovascular Extension

Skeletal muscle involvement by lymphoma is rare, particularly for mantle cell lymphoma. We describe a 65-year-old man who presented with a rapidly growing left thigh mass. FDG PET/CT characterized the mass as malignant. Interestingly, an unusual hypermetabolic elongated tumorous extension was demonstrated arising from the intramuscular mass disseminating alongside the neurovascular bundle of the thigh up to the groin. Histopathology revealed intramuscular mantle cell lymphoma. In this case, we aim to highlight this interesting FDG PET/CT imaging finding, which can serve as a clue allowing one to strongly suggest lymphoma as the leading diagnosis. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Received for publication October 2, 2018; revision accepted December 7, 2018. Correspondence to: Sophie Lantsberg, MD, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Soroka University Medical Center, POB 151, Beer-Sheva, Israel. E-mail: SophieL@clalit.org.il; and Nir Hod, MD, MHA, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Soroka University Medical Center, POB 151, Beer-Sheva, Israel. E-mail: hod_n@yahoo.com. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Effect of Sentinel Node Biopsy in Clinically N0, BRAF V600E–Mutated, Small Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Pilot Study

Purpose BRAF V600E mutation papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is more aggressive with a higher risk of lymph node involvement and a poorer prognosis. Prior studies failed to demonstrate the superiority of prophylactic lymphadenectomy. We investigated the utility of additional radio-guided sentinel node biopsy (SNB). Methods We analyzed 15 patients with N0 PTC by ultrasound and BRAF mutation on preoperative biopsy treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) or TT + prophylactic central neck dissection (PCND) alone or with SNB. Conventional surgery was performed before SNB. We recorded primary tumor diameter, multifocality, extrathyroid infiltration, neoplastic emboli, and tall cell variant. At follow-up, we evaluated basal and stimulated thyroglobulin and ultrasound or radioiodine scintigraphy. Results Of 15 consecutive patients, 5 received conventional surgery alone, and 10 had SNB. For the first group, 4 underwent TT, and 1 had TT + PCND. Among the SNB group, 1 had no sentinel node detected and underwent a simple TT, 2 had TT + PCND+ SNB in the lateral compartment, and 7 had TT + SNB in 1 to 3 neck compartments. Micrometastases were found in 1 of 3 PCND specimens. Sentinel node biopsy revealed metastasis in 3 of 6 central compartment biopsies, in 2 of 6 biopsies in the ipsilateral lateral compartment, and in none of 2 biopsies in the contralateral compartment. Sentinel node biopsy allowed the removal of micrometastases in 4 of 10 patients. At 53 months' (mean) follow-up, no relapse was documented. Conclusions Radio-guided SNB correctly and efficiently stages cN0 BRAF–mutated PTC patients. Sentinel node biopsy could limit time-consuming, risk-exposing compartmental prophylactic dissections. Received for publication November 14, 2018; revision accepted December 6, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional, the national research committee, and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Correspondence to: Marco Puccini, MD, Department of Surgery, Pisa University, Pisa 36100, Italy. E-mail: marco.puccini@med.unipi.it; or Patrick M. Colletti, Department of Radiology, Southern California University, 90033 Los Angeles, CA. E-mail: colletti@med.usc.edu. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Tumor Identification of Less Aggressive or Indolent Lymphoma With Whole-Body 11C-Acetate PET/CT

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of whole-body [11C]acetate PET/CT in less aggressive or indolent lymphomas, wherein [18F]FDG PET/CT would exhibit limited sensitivity. Methods Between September 2016 and May 2018, we prospectively evaluated 17 patients (9 men, 8 women; mean age [range], 71 [45–87] years) with pathologically proven less aggressive or indolent lymphomas according to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Classification Project, using both [18F]FDG PET/CT and [11C]acetate PET/CT (performed on the same day). Detected nodal lesions were recorded according to the Ann Arbor classification. Extranodal (EN) lesions were also evaluated. We compared whole-body lesion detection between [18F] FDG PET/CT and [11C]acetate PET/CT using the McNemar test. Results In all patients, significantly more nodal and EN lesions were detected using [11C]acetate PET/CT than [18F]FDG PET/CT (nodal: 84 vs 64 regions; P

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Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mimicking Neuroendocrine Tumor Metastasis on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT

68Ga-DOTATATE is a radiolabeled somatostatin analog used for the detection and characterization of somatostatin receptor (SSR)–overexpressing tumors, particularly well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors. We present a case of a 65-year-old man with well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor post–Whipple surgery and a new liver lesion on CT. 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was performed for SSR characterization and restaging, which demonstrated the lesion to be intensely SSR positive and interpreted as a neuroendocrine metastasis. However, subsequent pathology proved the lesion to be a hepatocellular carcinoma. This case adds hepatocellular carcinoma as a potentially DOTATATE-avid malignancy to be considered in the differential diagnoses of SSR-positive liver lesions. Received for publication November 19, 2018; revision accepted December 9, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: L.B. is a consultant for Ipsen and AAA. G.A.U. is a consultant for Sanofi. Correspondence to: Gary A. Ulaner, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, Box 77, New York, NY 10065. E-mail: ulanerg@mskcc.org. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Primary Pulmonary Paraganglioma Revealed by FDG PET/CT

Primary pulmonary paraganglioma is a rare type of extra-adrenal paragangliomas arising from neuroectodermal-derived paraganglionic tissue. We report herein the case of a 49-year-old woman with a round-like well-defined nodule in the right middle lobe detected by chest CT. FDG PET/CT also revealed this homogeneous nodule with increased FDG accumulation. Finally, the patient underwent right middle lobe resection, and the pathological findings demonstrated the diagnosis of pulmonary paraganglioma. Received for publication November 26, 2018; revision accepted December 11, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 81471692). None declared to all authors. Correspondence to: Anren Kuang, MD, Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China. E-mail: kuanganren@263.net. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Resolution of Hypoxic Tissue in Cerebellar Hemispheres After Arterial Bypass Surgery in a Patient With Symptomatic Bilateral Vertebral Artery Occlusion: A 18F-FRP170 PET Study

A 48-year-old man experienced recurrent vertigo refractory to antiplatelet medications. Cerebral angiography showed occlusion of bilateral vertebral arteries with poor collateral circulation. PET using 15O2 gas showed reduced blood flow and metabolic rate of oxygen and elevated oxygen extraction fraction in bilateral cerebellar hemispheres. Subsequent 18F-FRP170 (1-(2-18F-fluoro-1-[hydroxymethyl]ethoxy)methyl-2-nitroimidazole) PET, which depicts hypoxic but viable tissue, revealed elevated tracer uptake in the same regions. After superficial temporal artery-posterior cerebral artery anastomosis, 15O-gas PET showed normalization of blood flow, metabolic rate of oxygen, and oxygen extraction fraction in bilateral cerebellar hemispheres. Abnormally elevated 18F-FRP-170 uptake was also resolved in those regions. Received for publication April 7, 2018; revision accepted December 11, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: This work was partly supported by Grants-in-Aid for Strategic Medical Science Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (S1491001); and Scientific Research from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP15K10313 and JP18K09002). None declared to all authors. Correspondence to: Kuniaki Ogasawara, MD, Department of Neurosurgery, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, 020-8505 Japan. E-mail: kuogasa@iwate-med.ac.jp. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Acral Involvement of Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Revealed on FDG PET/CT

Lymphoma rarely involves hand or foot. We presented the FDG PET/CT findings of lymphoblastic lymphoma in a 28-year-old man who had recurrent disease in many bones, including those of the hand and foot without any lymph node involvement 17 years after initial diagnosis. Received for publication November 24, 2018; revision accepted December 11, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Hongming Zhuang, MD, PhD, Department Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, 34th & Civic Ctr Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail: zhuang@email.chop.edu. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Quality and Safety in Health Care, Part LI: Engagement and Burnout

Engagement has 3 different components, the most important of which are felt by some to be vigor and dedication. The third component is absorption. Engagement is considered by some to be the opposite of burnout, although others consider these terms to be not quite opposite, but nearly so. Engaged physicians have greater job satisfaction and less burnout and are less likely to leave their job than physicians who are not engaged. Those physicians who are engaged in their work tend to render patient care that is not only more efficient but also has a higher degree of quality and safety. Received for publication December 1, 2018; revision accepted December 11, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Jay A. Harolds, MD, Division of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Advanced Radiology Services, PC, 3264 North Evergreen Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. E-mail: harolds112@cox.net. Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citation appears in the printed text and is provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's Web site (www.nuclearmed.com). Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Pericholecystic Rim Sign and Gallbladder Nonvisualization Indicating Acute Gangrenous Cholecystitis on 99mTc-MIBI Myocardial Perfusion SPECT

Rim sign is assumed as an ominous sign of gangrenous cholecystitis and mandates an urgent surgery. The main mechanism by which this phenomenon arises is increased regional blood flow as a result of an inflammatory process. Therefore, it is expected that this finding be visualized in varieties of scans with various radiopharmaceuticals, including myocardial perfusion scan with 99mTc-MIBI as an extracardiac finding. Herein, we present a case of acute cholecystitis with a rim sign on preoperative myocardial perfusion SPECT using 99mTc-MIBI, which posed the possibility of gangrene and perforation and thus the need for urgent surgical intervention. Received for publication December 5, 2018; revision accepted December 13, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Mohsen Qutbi, MD, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taleghani hospital, Yaman St, Velenjak, Tehran 1985711151, Iran. E-mail: mohsen.qutbi@gmail.com, mohsen.qutbi@sbmu.ac.ir. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Dynamic Renal Ptosis Demonstrated on 18F-FDG PET/CT

Renal ptosis, otherwise known as nephroptosis or "floating kidney," is a condition of abnormal descent of the kidney, often asymptomatic with controversy over its clinical and therapeutic significance. The aberrant location of renal and renal collecting system activity associated with this condition may serve as a diagnostic pitfall in PET/CT interpretation. We report a case of dynamic renal ptosis demonstrated on 18F-FDG PET/CT, identified as right kidney migration from an ectopic location on attenuation correction CT images, obtained immediately after upright positioning, to the right renal fossa on subsequent PET images, obtained after approximately 10 min of supine positioning. Received for publication September 18, 2018; revision accepted December 16, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or U.S. Government. Correspondence to: Justin Taylor, MD, Department of Radiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 4494 North Palmer Road | Building 9 | Floor 1, Bethesda, MD 20889. E-mail: justin.r.taylor32.mil@mail.mil. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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68Ga-PSMA Uptake in Prostate Cancer Sciatic Nerve Metastasis

Most prostate cancers spread to regional lymph nodes, axial skeleton and lungs. Perineural malignant involvement is very rare. We present a 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT image of a sciatic nerve metastasis in a 65-year-old man with recurrent prostate cancer. Received for publication October 4, 2018; revision accepted December 17, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Patrícia Barros Gouveia, MS, Rua Maria Feliciana n°47 r/c direito, 4465-280, São Mamede Infesta, Porto, Portugal. E-mail: parigouveia@gmail.com. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR Can Be False Positive in Normal Prostatic Tissue

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in the cytosol of normal prostate tissue and highly overexpressed on the membrane of prostate cancer, therefore increasingly used to image prostate cancer. We report a case of a 65-year-old man with two focal PSMA-positive areas on a 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR, one corresponding to a prostate carcinoma (Gleason score 4 + 3) and another region without any evidence of malignancy, but with corresponding high PSMA-expression on immunohistochemistry. Received for publication August 14, 2018; revision accepted December 16, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Daniela A. Ferraro, MD, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland. E-mail: Daniela.ferraro@usz.ch. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Lymphadenopathy Due to Kimura’s Disease Mimicking Lymphoma on FDG PET/CT

Kimura's disease is a clinically rare, chronic, benign lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown etiology. A 36-year-old man presented with painless axillary swelling, which was suspected as lymphoma. PET/CT was performed for staging. The images showed multiple foci of increased activity in bilateral axillary and right inguinal lymph nodes. Laboratory tests revealed an increased eosinophil ratio and eosinophil count. Pathological examination from dissected axillary lymph nodes was consistent with Kimura's disease. Received for publication August 28, 2018; revision accepted December 15, 2018. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: ZhenGuang Wang, MD, PET/CT Centre, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 59, Haier Rd., Qingdao 225001, China. E-mail: mingmingyu@vip.sina.com. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Supernumerary incisive canals in a cadaver: a rare anatomical variation

Abstract

We present a rare anatomical variation in which an additional incisive canal was observed during the routine dissection of the palatal region in a cadaver. The diameter of the incisive and additional incisive canals measured 4.59 mm and 0.91 mm, respectively. Even though this variation is rare, oral surgeons should be aware of such anatomical variations for a better understanding.

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[ASAP] Base-Controlled Heck, Suzuki, and Sonogashira Reactions Catalyzed by Ligand-Free Platinum or Palladium Single Atom and Sub-Nanometer Clusters

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b07884

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Strategic research agenda for biomedical imaging

Abstract

This Strategic Research Agenda identifies current challenges and needs in healthcare, illustrates how biomedical imaging and derived data can help to address these, and aims to stimulate dedicated research funding efforts.

Medicine is currently moving towards a more tailored, patient-centric approach by providing personalised solutions for the individual patient. Innovation in biomedical imaging plays a key role in this process as it addresses the current needs for individualised prevention, treatment, therapy response monitoring, and image-guided surgery.

The use of non-invasive biomarkers facilitates better therapy prediction and monitoring, leading to improved patient outcomes. Innovative diagnostic imaging technologies provide information about disease characteristics which, coupled with biological, genetic and -omics data, will contribute to an individualised diagnosis and therapy approach.

In the emerging field of theranostics, imaging tools together with therapeutic agents enable the selection of best treatments and allow tailored therapeutic interventions.

For prenatal monitoring, the use of innovative imaging technologies can ensure an early detection of malfunctions or disease.

The application of biomedical imaging for diagnosis and management of lifestyle-induced diseases will help to avoid disease development through lifestyle changes.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning in imaging will facilitate the improvement of image interpretation and lead to better disease prediction and therapy planning.

As biomedical imaging technologies and analysis of existing imaging data provide solutions to current challenges and needs in healthcare, appropriate funding for dedicated research is needed to implement the innovative approaches for the wellbeing of citizens and patients.

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Health and productivity at work: which active workstation for which benefits: a systematic review

In order to reduce sedentary behaviour at work, research has examined the effectiveness of active workstations. However, despite their relevance in replacing conventional desks, the comparison between types of active workstations and their respective benefits remains unclear. The purpose of this review article is thus to compare the benefits between standing, treadmill and cycling workstations. Search criteria explored Embase, PubMed and Web of Science databases. The review included studies concerning adults using at least two types of active workstations, evaluating biomechanical, physiological work performance and/or psychobiological outcomes. Twelve original articles were included. Treadmill workstations induced greater movement/activity and greater muscular activity in the upper limbs compared with standing workstations. Treadmill and cycling workstations resulted in elevated heart rate, decreased ambulatory blood pressure and increased energy expenditure during the workday compared with standing workstations. Treadmill workstations reduced fine motor skill function (ie, typing, mouse pointing and combined keyboard/mouse tasks) compared with cycling and standing workstations. Cycling workstations resulted in improved simple processing task speeds compared with standing and treadmill workstations. Treadmill and cycling workstations increased arousal and decreased boredom compared with standing workstations. The benefits associated with each type of active workstation (eg, standing, treadmill, cycling) may not be equivalent. Overall, cycling and treadmill workstations appear to provide greater short-term physiological changes than standing workstations that could potentially lead to better health. Cycling, treadmill and standing workstations appear to show short-term productivity benefits; however, treadmill workstations can reduce the performance of computer tasks.

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Algal sorbent derived from Sargassum horneri for adsorption of cesium and strontium ions: equilibrium, kinetics, and mass transfer

Abstract

An algal sorbent derived from Sargassum horneri was prepared and used to adsorb cesium and strontium ions from aqueous solution. The phenomenological mathematical models associated to the predicted equilibrium isotherms were developed to determine the rate-limiting steps of the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of cesium ion and strontium ion was calculated to be 0.358 and 1.72 mmol g⁻¹, respectively. The adsorption kinetics followed to the pseudo-second-order equation. It was found that adsorption of cesium or strontium ions onto the active sites of the biosorbent was the rate-limiting step. In addition, the external mass transfer and the internal mass transfer cannot be neglected for the adsorption of strontium ion based on the error analysis. The functional groups relevant to the adsorption were carboxyl and sulfate groups.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Proposed Transparency Rule Threatens Health

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed requiring that data considered when making public policy be "publicly available" and "transparent." The authors discuss the implications of this proposed rule, its intention, and what effect it could have on environmental protection and public health.

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Effects of a Personalized Web-Based Decision Aid for Surrogate Decision Makers of Patients With Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background:

Treatment decisions commonly have to be made in intensive care units (ICUs). These decisions are difficult for surrogate decision makers and often lead to decisional conflict, psychological distress, and treatments misaligned with patient preferences.

Objective:

To determine whether a decision aid about prolonged mechanical ventilation improved prognostic concordance between surrogate decision makers and clinicians compared with a usual care control.

Design:

Multicenter, parallel, randomized, clinical trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01751061)

Setting:

13 medical and surgical ICUs at 5 hospitals.

Participants:

Adult patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation and their surrogates, ICU physicians, and ICU nurses.

Intervention:

A Web-based decision aid provided personalized prognostic estimates, explained treatment options, and interactively clarified patient values to inform a family meeting. The control group received information according to usual care practices followed by a family meeting.

Measurements:

The primary outcome was improved concordance on 1-year survival estimates, measured with the clinician–surrogate concordance scale (range, 0 to 100 percentage points; higher scores indicate more discordance). Secondary and additional outcomes assessed the experiences of surrogates (psychological distress, decisional conflict, and quality of communication) and patients (length of stay and 6-month mortality). Outcomes assessors were blinded to group allocation.

Results:

The study enrolled 277 patients, 416 surrogates, and 427 clinicians. Concordance improvement did not differ between intervention and control groups (mean difference in score change from baseline, −1.7 percentage points [95% CI, −8.3 to 4.8 percentage points]; P = 0.60). Surrogates' postintervention estimates of patients' 1-year prognoses did not differ between intervention and control groups (median, 86.0% [interquartile range {IQR}, 50.0%] vs. 92.5% [IQR, 47.0%]; P = 0.23) and were substantially more optimistic than results of a validated prediction model (median, 56.0% [IQR, 43.0%]) and physician estimates (median, 50.0% [IQR, 55.5%]). Eighty-two intervention surrogates (43%) favored a treatment option that was more aggressive than their report of patient preferences. Although intervention surrogates had greater reduction in decisional conflict than control surrogates (mean difference in change from baseline, 0.4 points [CI, 0.0 to 0.7 points]; P = 0.041), other surrogate and patient outcomes did not differ.

Limitation:

Contamination among clinicians could have biased results toward the null hypothesis.

Conclusion:

A decision aid about prolonged mechanical ventilation did not improve prognostic concordance between clinicians and surrogates, reduce psychological distress among surrogates, or alter clinical outcomes. Decision support in acute care settings may require greater individualized attention for both the cognitive and affective challenges of decision making.

Primary Funding Source:

National Institutes of Health.

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External Validation of the MEESSI Acute Heart Failure Risk Score A Cohort Study

Background:

The MEESSI-AHF (Multiple Estimation of risk based on the Emergency department Spanish Score In patients with AHF) score was developed to predict 30-day mortality in patients presenting with acute heart failure (AHF) to emergency departments (EDs) in Spain. Whether it performs well in other countries is unknown.

Objective:

To externally validate the MEESSI-AHF score in another country.

Design:

Prospective cohort study. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01831115).

Setting:

Multicenter recruitment of dyspneic patients presenting to the ED.

Participants:

The external validation cohort included 1572 patients with AHF.

Measurements:

Calculation of the MEESSI-AHF score using an established model containing 12 independent risk factors.

Results:

Among 1572 patients with adjudicated AHF, 1247 had complete data that allowed calculation of the MEESSI-AHF score. Of these, 102 (8.2%) died within 30 days. The score predicted 30-day mortality with excellent discrimination (c-statistic, 0.80). Assessment of cumulative mortality showed a steep gradient in 30-day mortality over 6 predefined risk groups (0 patients in the lowest-risk group vs. 35 [28.5%] in the highest-risk group). Risk was overestimated in the high-risk groups, resulting in a Hosmer–Lemeshow P value of 0.022. However, after adjustment of the intercept, the model showed good concordance between predicted risks and observed outcomes (P = 0.23). Findings were confirmed in sensitivity analyses that used multiple imputation for missing values in the overall cohort of 1572 patients.

Limitations:

External validation was done using a reduced model. Findings are specific to patients with AHF who present to the ED and are clinically stable enough to provide informed consent. Performance in patients with terminal kidney failure who are receiving long-term dialysis cannot be commented on.

Conclusion:

External validation of the MEESSI-AHF risk score showed excellent discrimination. Recalibration may be needed when the score is introduced to new populations.

Primary Funding Source:

The European Union, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss Heart Foundation, the Cardiovascular Research Foundation Basel, the University of Basel, and University Hospital Basel.

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Fanconi Syndrome and Tenofovir Alafenamide: A Case Report

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Knowing Is (Only) Half the Battle

In their article, Cox and colleagues examine whether a surrogate-facing decision aid improves clinician–surrogate concordance on estimates of 1-year survival or any of several patient and surrogate outcomes for patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation and find no such benefits. The editorialists posit that interventions that merely enhance knowledge and induce deliberation may never promote better surrogate decision making.

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Kidney Transplantation in Lupus Nephritis: Can We Do Even Better?

Jorge and colleagues examined data from 1995 to 2014 to assess outcomes of patients with lupus nephritis who initiated dialysis and were placed on the waitlist for a kidney transplant. The editorialists discuss the findings in light of slow progress in the treatment of lupus nephritis. Given higher patient and allograft survival with both preemptive and early kidney transplant, it is essential that transplant be considered as promptly as possible for patients with lupus nephritis.

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Renal Transplantation and Survival Among Patients With Lupus Nephritis A Cohort Study

Background:

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to lupus nephritis (LN) have high rates of premature death.

Objective:

To assess the potential effect on survival of renal transplant among patients with ESRD due to LN (LN-ESRD) in the United States.

Design:

Nationwide cohort study.

Setting:

United States Renal Data System, the national database of nearly all patients with ESRD.

Participants:

Patients with incident LN-ESRD who were waitlisted for a renal transplant.

Measurements:

First renal transplant was analyzed as a time-varying exposure. The primary outcomes were all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of these outcomes associated with renal transplant in the primary analysis. Sequential cohort matching was used in a secondary analysis limited to patients with Medicare, which allowed assessment of time-varying covariates.

Results:

During the study period, 9659 patients with LN-ESRD were waitlisted for a renal transplant, of whom 5738 (59%) had a transplant. Most were female (82%) and nonwhite (60%). Transplant was associated with reduced all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.27 to 0.33]) among waitlisted patients. Adjusted HRs for cause-specific mortality were 0.26 (CI, 0.23 to 0.30) for cardiovascular disease, 0.30 (CI, 0.19 to 0.48) for coronary heart disease, 0.41 (CI, 0.32 to 0.52) for infection, and 0.41 (CI, 0.31 to 0.53) for sepsis.

Limitation:

Unmeasured factors may contribute to the observed associations; however, the E-value analysis suggested robustness of the results.

Conclusion:

Renal transplant was associated with a survival benefit, primarily due to reduced deaths from cardiovascular disease and infection. The findings highlight the benefit of timely referral for transplant to improve outcomes in this population.

Primary Funding Source:

National Institutes of Health.

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Kidney Transplants in Patients With Lupus Nephritis

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Perfect Compliance: The 2018 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Well-Being Survey

Last year, a "well-being survey" was added to the annual faculty survey from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. A program director ponders its purpose and the possible ramifications for faculty who respond to it.

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Poststreptococcal Myalgia and Myositis

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Caring for Patients With Multiple Chronic Conditions

Multimorbidity, the coexistence of multiple chronic conditions, is common among all adults receiving health care and the norm among older adults. The authors discuss the limitations of disease-focused, guideline-based medication prescribing (and the randomized clinical trials that inform it) for older adults with multimorbidity and propose strategies to counteract these concerns.

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Modeling the relationship between gross capital formation and CO 2 (a)symmetrically in the case of Pakistan: an empirical analysis through NARDL approach

Abstract

This paper tries to ensure the relationship between gross capital formation (GCF) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the case of Pakistan for the period 1980–2016 by employing Non-Linear Auto Regressive Distribution Lag (NARDL) model under the expansion of Environmental Kuznets hypothesis (EKC) while controlling for coal and oil consumption variables as a potential factors of CO₂ emissions. Our main objective is to check whether or not the effect of changes in GCF on CO₂ emissions is asymmetric or symmetric for Pakistan that is among one of the main contributors to CO₂ emissions in Asia, as the emissions were grown by 15.6 million tonnes or 8.5% increase in percentage terms in 2016. Our result confirms the existence of an asymmetric effect of GCF shocks on CO₂ emissions both in the short and long-terms. Moreover, our empirical finding also suggests that coal and oil consumptions have a significant contribution to CO₂ emissions both in the short and long-terms. Further, our results also significantly support the existence of the EKC hypothesis both in the long and short-terms. That confirms the inverted U-shaped connection among per capita growth and CO₂ emissions in Pakistan. In the last, our study suggests that the implementation and use of clean energies and technologies are vital for controlling pollution in Pakistan.

from Energy Ecology Environment Ambio via Terpsi Hori on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2Rn4TSt

Cultural Identity and Materiality at French Fort St. Joseph (20BE23), Niles, Michigan

Abstract

Fort St. Joseph was one of many French colonial outposts established throughout the St. Lawrence River valley and the western Great Lakes region in the late 17th to 18th centuries to cultivate alliances with native peoples. The result was an exchange, amalgamation, and reinterpretation of material goods that testify to the close relationships the French maintained with various Native American groups. Yet, closer examination suggests that both the French and natives employed material goods in distinctive ways to ensure survival and promote their interests in the colonial encounter; borrowing was merely an expedient strategy. This interpretation shifts attention away from the amicable relations, altruistic behaviors, and hybridization that researchers previously posited toward an understanding grounded in more pragmatic forms of materiality that agents practice to ensure the persistence of cultural identities under colonialism.

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In his element: looking back on Primo Levi’s The Periodic Table

In his element: looking back on Primo Levi's The Periodic Table

In his element: looking back on Primo Levi's <i>The Periodic Table</i>, Published online: 28 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00288-6

Tim Radford celebrates an extraordinary short-story collection.

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Daily briefing: How to run a 500-year experiment

Daily briefing: How to run a 500-year experiment

Daily briefing: How to run a 500-year experiment, Published online: 28 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00328-1

First, assume that science still exists. Plus: the unsung women behind the periodic table and scientists respond to the end of the US shutdown.

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Herding experts and polishing text: 10 tips for creating an edited volume

Herding experts and polishing text: 10 tips for creating an edited volume

Herding experts and polishing text: 10 tips for creating an edited volume, Published online: 28 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07814-y

What you should know before starting an anthology.

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Children glued to screens show delays in key skills

Children glued to screens show delays in key skills

Children glued to screens show delays in key skills, Published online: 28 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00306-7

Greater screen time at age two corresponds to poorer scores on developmental test at age three.

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Celebrate the women behind the periodic table

Celebrate the women behind the periodic table

Celebrate the women behind the periodic table, Published online: 28 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00287-7

Brigitte Van Tiggelen and Annette Lykknes spotlight female researchers who discovered elements and their properties.

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The first synthetic element

The first synthetic element

The first synthetic element, Published online: 28 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00236-4

When Mendeleev proposed his periodic table in 1869, element 43 was unknown. In 1937, it became the first element to be discovered by synthesis in a laboratory — paving the way to the atomic age.

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Flying squirrels are secretly pink

Flying squirrels are secretly pink

Flying squirrels are secretly pink, Published online: 28 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00307-6

Forest ecologist stumbles across a New World gliding rodent that glows rosé in ultraviolet light.

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Two-dimensional MoS2-enabled flexible rectenna for Wi-Fi-band wireless energy harvesting

Two-dimensional MoS₂-enabled flexible rectenna for Wi-Fi-band wireless energy harvesting

Two-dimensional MoS₂-enabled flexible rectenna for Wi-Fi-band wireless energy harvesting, Published online: 28 January 2019; doi:10.1038/s41586-019-0892-1

Integration of an ultrafast flexible rectifier made from a two-dimensional material with a flexible antenna achieves wireless energy harvesting of Wi-Fi radiation, which could power future flexible electronic systems.

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Image-based clustering and connected component labeling for rapid automated left and right ventricular endocardial volume extraction and segmentation in full cardiac cycle multi-frame MRI images of cardiac patients

Abstract

A rapid method for left and right ventricular endocardial volume segmentation and clinical cardiac parameter calculation from MRI images of cardiac patients is presented. The clinical motivation is providing cardiologists a tool for assessing the cardiac function in a patient through the left ventricular endocardial volume's ejection fraction. A new method combining adapted fuzzy membership-based c-means pixel clustering and connected regions component labeling is used for automatic segmentation of the left and right ventricular endocardial volumes. This proposed pixel clustering with labeling approach avoids manual initialization or user intervention and does not require specifying the region of interest. This method fully automatically extracts the left and right ventricular endocardial volumes and avoids manual tracing on all MRI image frames in the complete cardiac cycle from systole to diastole. The average computational processing time per frame is 0.6 s, making it much more efficient than deformable methods, which need several iterations for the evolution of the snake or contour. Accuracy of the automated method presented herein was validated against manual tracing-based extraction, performed with the guidance of cardiac experts, on several MRI frames. Dice coefficients between the proposed automatic versus manual traced ventricular endocardial volume segmentations were observed to be 0.9781 ± 0.0070 (for left ventricular endocardial volume) and 0.9819 ± 0.0058 (for right ventricular endocardial volume), and the Pearson correlation coefficients were observed to be 0.9655 ± 0.0206 (for left ventricular endocardial volume) and 0.9870 ± 0.0131 (for right ventricular endocardial volume).

Graphical abstract

The left ventricular endocardial volume segmentation methodology illustrated as a series of algorithms.

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Seasonal ecotoxicological monitoring of freshwater zooplankton in Bir Mcherga dam (Tunisia)

Abstract

Dams represent large semi-closed reservoirs of pesticides and various organic and inorganic pollutants from agricultural and human activities, and their monitoring should receive special attention. This study evaluated the environmental health status of Bir Mcherga dam using zooplankton species. The dam has a capacity of 130 Mm³ and its waters are used for irrigation, water drinking supply, and fishery. Copepods and cladocerans (crustaceans) were collected in situ monthly between October and August 2012. Oxidative stress (CAT, MDA), neurotoxicity (AChE), and genotoxicity (micronucleus test) biomarkers were analyzed in two zooplankton species: Acanthocyclops robustus and Diaphanosoma mongolianum. High values of cells with a micronucleus were observed during summer. AChE activities were inhibited during early winter and summer. The high seasonal variability of CAT and MDA levels indicates that zooplankton is continuously exposed to different oxidative stresses. These results suggest that there is an obvious and continuous multi-faceted stress in Bir Mcherga reservoir and, consequently, an urgent monitoring of freshwater environments in Tunisia is needed, particularly those intended for human consumption and irrigation.

from Energy Ecology Environment Ambio via Terpsi Hori on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2RSlkv8

Effect of Vicia faba L. var. minor and Sulla coronaria (L.) Medik associated with plant growth-promoting bacteria on lettuce cropping system and heavy metal phytoremediation under field conditions

Abstract

Researches involving the use of association between legumes and PGPBs (plant growth-promoting bacteria) in heavy metal phytoremediation process were mainly performed for soils highly contaminated. However, even in agriculture soils, with moderate or low contamination levels, plants can accumulate high rates of heavy metals. So, food chain contamination by these metals presents a real threat to animal and human health. This work aimed to evaluate the use of two legumes/PGPB symbioses; Vicia faba var. minor and Sulla coronaria have been inoculated with specific heavy metal-resistant inocula in a crop rotation system with Lactuca sativa as a following crop, in order to assess their effects on soil fertility, lettuce yield, and heavy metal content. Our results showed that legume inoculation significantly enhanced their biomass production, nitrogen and phosphorus content. The use of our symbioses as green manure before lettuce cultivation, as a rotation cropping system, affected positively soil fertility. In fact, we recorded a higher organic matter content, with rapid decomposition in the soil of inoculated plots. Besides, results demonstrated a greater nitrogen and phosphorus content in this soil, especially in the plot cultivated with inoculated V. faba var. minor. The improvement of soil fertility enhanced lettuce yield and its nitrogen and phosphorus content. Moreover, inoculated legumes extracted and accumulated more heavy metals than non-inoculated legumes. Our symbioses play the role of organic trap for heavy metals, making them unavailable for following crops. These facts were supported by lettuce heavy metal content, showing a significant decrease in metal accumulation, mainly zinc and cadmium, in edible parts. Results showed the usefulness of the studied symbioses, as a main part of a rotation system with lettuce. Our symbioses can be suggested for agriculture soil phytoremediation, aiming to enhance non-legume crop yield and limit heavy metal translocation to food chain.

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Diagnosing a Breast Cancer Gene Mutation with Our Very Own Smartphone

With that in mind, Manas Gartia, LSU Mechanical Engineering assistant professor, went to work at creating a POC that could detect a breast cancer gene mutation. "Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States," said Gartia. "In 2015, 41,523 women died of breast cancer in the U.S., with 3,523 of those in Louisiana. We believe that early detection saves lives. That's why genetic testing is so popular. People want to catch it [cancer] before it's found in a mammo...

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Using Sequencing and AI for Infectious Disease Detection

Day Zero Diagnostics (DZD) is seeking to develop a more effective way of detecting infectious disease using artificial intelligence and genome sequencing. The Boston-based company announced it has raised $8.6 million in its mission to further develop the test. DZD's series A round was led by Triventures with significant participation from existing investors including Sands Capital Ventures and Golden Seeds. With the financing, the company will accelerate prototype development of its sam...

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New Blood Test Determines Likelihood of Lung Transplant Rejection

A simple blood test could help detect whether a newly transplanted lung is being rejected by a patient, even when there aren't any apparent signs of rejection. The donor-derived cell-free DNA test was developed by the National Institutes of Health/National Heart Blood and Lung Institute. A study about the performance of the blood test was published in EbioMedicine, a publication of The Lancet. The test relies on DNA sequencing and represents a great example of personalized medicine, as it ...

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Innovative new toothbrush breaks ground for better dental hygiene

The two inventors have expressed the hope that their NJ toothbrush will improve users' oral health. They have said that it will not be easy to convince toothbrush companies that a change of design is needed, but that this toothbrush will bring revolutionary changes to the concept of toothbrushing. Dr Tze-chuen Ng, an honorary associate professor at the university's Faculty of Dentistry, and Prof. Lijian Jin, Clinical Professor in Periodontology also at the faculty, designed the NJ toothbrush...

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Dance Biopharm Finds Its Rhythm

Dance Biopharm had a lot to celebrate in 2018 and if all goes according to plan the private biotech company will have even more to celebrate this year. The company's flagship product – an insulin product delivered via a smart handheld soft mist inhaler – is currently in two confirmatory phase II studies in type 1 and 2 diabetes patients, and Dance plans to initiate two phase III programs in type 2 diabetes patients in 2019. "2018 was a year where Dance really started to build momentum and ...

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23andMe Looking at Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndrome

Personal genetics specialist, 23andMe received a nod from FDA for a genetic health risk report on a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome. FDA's nod for the Mountain View, CA-based company's MUTYH-Associated Polyposis Genetic Health Risk report follows a previous authorization for the BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report in March 2018. The MUTYH-Associated Polyposis report was submitted to the FDA using the 510(k) submission pathway, enabled by the BRCA decision in...

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Using Immersive Virtual Reality Software for Surgical Education

When it comes to training for medical procedures, sometimes failure is the only path toward eventual success. The problem with taking that approach in surgical training is that, oftentimes, human life hangs in the balance — making failure not much of an option. Precision OS, a new orthopedic technology company out of Vancouver, is hoping to change that with their latest technology that aims to provide a virtual reality platform that can simulate the entire surgical experience. "Precision O...

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Abbott CEO Says the Libre Story Just Keeps Getting Better

It's been about four months since FDA approved Abbott's FreeStyle Libre Flash glucose monitoring system as a replacement for blood glucose monitoring (BGM) for adults and it's safe to say the Libre system has been a blockbuster product for the company. "First of all, it's going extremely well," CEO Miles White said during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call Wednesday, as transcribed by Seeking Alpha. "We did add 300,000 patients last quarter. That's almost equivalent to the entire u...

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Technogym supports professionals against football injuries

Technogym at Isokinetic 2018 is offering the ideal equipment for professionals involved in the rehabilitation of injuries in the world of elite football.

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3D Printing Prosthetics and Implants With Precision

There's never been a more exciting time for those who work with 3D scanning and printing technologies. Concepts that have long since been the stuff of science fiction are not only becoming a reality, but they are proving to become vital developments in the world of medtech. The latest of such sci-fi technologies is the introduction of 3D scanning and printing for next-gen prosthetics and custom-made implants. Anatomik Modeling, a company that specializes in designing and developing 3D cust...

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FDA Clears United Imaging Healthcare uExplorer Total-Body Scanner

United Imaging Healthcare (United Imaging) announced U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the uExplorer total-body scanner. uExplorer is the world's first nuclear imaging scanner that can capture a 3-D picture of the whole human body at one bed position, according to the company. The system was developed by United Imaging in partnership with the Explorer Consortium led by Simon Cherry, Ph.D., and Ramsey Badawi, Ph.D., from the University of California, Davis. uExplorer is a c...

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FDA Clears Siemens Healthineers' Multix Impact Digital X-ray System

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Multix Impact, an affordably priced, floor-mounted digital radiography (DR) system from Siemens Healthineers that expands access to high-quality imaging and enhances the patient experience. In addition to an intuitive operating system and versatile wireless detectors, the Multix Impact has a free-floating, flat tabletop for easy patient access. The touch user interface on the X-ray tube allows the technologist to remain at the pat...

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[ASAP] A “Clickable” Photoconvertible Small Fluorescent Molecule as a Minimalist Probe for Tracking Individual Biomolecule Complexes

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b13094

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[ASAP] Aminoxyl-Catalyzed Electrochemical Diazidation of Alkenes Mediated by a Metastable Charge-Transfer Complex

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b13192

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[ASAP] Electrochemical Dearomative 2,3-Difunctionalization of Indoles

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b13371

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Insertions of antihypertensive peptides and their applications in pharmacy and functional foods

Abstract

Hypertension is a worldwide health problem. It is the main cardiovascular risk factor and affects about 31% of the world's adult population. The drugs used to control hypertension may cause side effects; for this reason, there are many investigations focused on searching for alternatives to control or prevent this disease through diet. For example, many peptides have demonstrated antihypertensive effects. The insertion of bioactive peptides is a biotechnological implement used to improve the nutraceutical properties of proteins. This work reviews the current data on the insertion of antihypertensive peptides (AHPs) into food proteins, the systems used to produce the AHPs, the advantages and disadvantages between them, the parameters to produce them at major scales, and their potential applications in pharmacy and functional foods.

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The impact of sustainability performance indicators on financial stability: evidence from the Russian oil and gas industry

Abstract

Considering the dearth of research on the impact of sustainability reporting practices on financial stability in the context of transition economies, this study aims to explore sustainability reporting practices of top oil and gas companies in Russia and investigate the effects of sustainability performance indicators on financial stability in the context of a given emerging economy. The study is based on panel data analysis of sustainability performance indicators and financial data of forty-five largest oil and gas companies listed on the Russian Trading Stock Exchange over the period 2012–2016. Data on sustainability performance were collected through analyzing sustainability reports and annual reports, while financial data were obtained from audited financial statements downloaded from company websites. The empirical results indicate that companies improve their sustainability performance indicators in order to manage risk and improve their financial stability. The results also show that firm-specific characteristics, such as financial capacity, leverage, firm size, and firm age, are important underlying factors affecting the degree of financial distress and financial stability. The findings of the study provide managers and practitioners with useful aspects of sustainability performance indicators to improve financial stability and mitigate financial distress. Additionally, investors and practitioners should consider other underlying factors, including financial capacity, leverage, firm size, and firm age, that may influence financial stability. Finally, the findings are useful for policymakers and regulators in promoting Global Reporting Initiative guidelines which will ultimately lead to sustainable development and financial stability in the context of emerging markets.

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Phytoremediation potential and control of Phragmites australis as a green phytomass: an overview

Abstract

Phragmites australis (common reed) is one of the most extensively distributed emergent plant species in the world. This plant has been used for phytoremediation of different types of wastewater, soil, and sediments since the 1970s. Published research confirms that P. australis is a great accumulator for different types of nutrients and heavy metals than other aquatic plants. Therefore, a comprehensive review is needed to have a better understanding of the suitability of this plant for removal of different types of nutrients and heavy metals. This review investigates the existing literature on the removal of nutrients and heavy metals from wastewater, soil, and sediment using P. australis. In addition, after phytoremediation, P. australis has the potential to be used for additional benefits such as the production of bioenergy and animal feedstock due to its specific characteristics. Determination of adaptive strategies is vital to reduce the invasive growth of P. australis in the environment and its economic effects. Future research is suggested to better understand the plant's physiology and biochemistry for increasing its pollutant removal efficiency.

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Preface—a new paradigm for life cycle thinking: exploring sustainability in urban development scenarios

Abstract

Purpose

The main goal of this special issue is to further the understanding of how to integrate life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) methods and tools in the urban planning process. It is a relatively new and interdisciplinary topic that supports the integration of life cycle assessment techniques and expertise in urban planning and designing procedures such as strategic environmental assessment (SEA).

Methods

Starting with life cycle thinking, the integration of the environmental life cycle assessment, and also its implementation to assess economic (life cycle costing), and social impacts (social life cycle assessment) with other planning and designing methods and tools to the urban context have been analyzed and implemented in some case studies. Examples of planning and designing methods considered are urban metabolism, strategic environmental assessment, and multi-criteria decision analysis.

Results and conclusions

Ten contributions draw a clear picture on the current state of the art and present gaps and further developments necessary to build a complete and harmonized framework. It is evident that the variability of methodology and expertise involved in this multidisciplinary approach is very high, and that it is very important to support its further implementation to cover the current gaps. An interdisciplinary and harmonized framework and further implementation in three dimensions of sustainability are two examples of desirable future developments that were identified.

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Rare Species Enhance Niche Differentiation Among Tropical Estuarine Fish Species

Abstract

Based on the assumption that rare species in estuarine systems may display a different set of traits relative to common species, we hypothesized that the extirpation of rare species would negatively affect functional diversity components of these ecosystems. Therefore, the contribution of rare species to the functional structure of estuarine fish assemblages in a tropical estuarine lagoon was tested using two different simulation scenarios of species loss: (1) losing the rare species first and (2) removal occurring at random. Overall, high functional redundancy among studied estuarine fish species was found, with many species, including some rare species performing similar functions as shown by the consistent and marked species' overlap in the functional space. Nevertheless, the removal of rare species negatively impacted niche differentiation among assemblages, indicating that while rare species play redundant functions in the studied estuary, they also have a crucial role in increasing niche differentiation among fish assemblages. Such increase in niche differentiation granted by rare species—mostly represented by marine straggler species—appears to be a key component of ecosystem stability by allowing functions to be continued even when the estuary is faced with disturbances.

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Multifunctional diesel exhaust emission soot coated sponge for water treatment

Abstract

We demonstrated that a pollutant and waste, diesel exhaust emission soot (DEES) can be used as an absorbent to remove oil and organic pollutants from wastewater. The diesel exhaust emission soot coated sponge (DEES sponge) was prepared using the dip-coating method. Prepared DEES sponge was found hydrophobic in nature as the contact angle between water drop and its surface was recorded to be 147°. The DEES sponge showed high absorption capacity with various oils, without any surface modifications and pretreatments. Highest oil absorption capacity was found to be 39 g/g for engine oil. Excellent separation efficiency was recorded (max. 98.5% for engine oil). It shows promising recyclability having 95% efficiency even after 10 cycles. DEES sponge also demonstrated the capability to be used as an adsorbent due to its ability to absorb pollutants like methylene blue (MB), ciprofloxacin, and detergent from the water. It was able to adsorb 93% of the dye MB from its aqueous solution having concentration of 15 μM.

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Improved Jayaweera-Mikkelsen model to quantify ammonia volatilization from rice paddy fields in China

Abstract

Current estimates of China's ammonia (NH₃) volatilization from paddy rice differ by more than twofold, mainly due to inappropriate application of chamber-based measurements and improper assumptions within process-based models. Here, we improved the Jayaweera-Mikkelsen (JM) model through multiplying the concentration of aqueous NH₃ in ponded water by an activity coefficient that was determined based on high-frequency flux observations at Jingzhou station in Central China. We found that the improved JM model could reproduce the dynamics of observed NH₃ flux (R² = 0.83, n = 228, P < 0.001), while the original JM model without the consideration of activity of aqueous NH₃ overstated NH₃ flux by 54% during the periods of fertilization and pesticide application. The validity of the improved JM model was supported by a mass-balance-based indirect estimate at Jingzhou station and the independent flux observations from the other five stations across China. The NH₃ volatilization losses that were further simulated by the improved JM model forced by actual wind speed were in general a half less than previous chamber-based estimates at six stations. Difference in wind speed between the inside and outside of the chamber and insufficient sampling frequency were identified as the primary and secondary causes for the overestimation in chamber-based estimations, respectively. Together, our findings suggest that an in-depth understanding of NH₃ transfer process and its robust representation in models are critical for developing regional emission inventories and practical mitigation strategies of NH₃.

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New wireless cardiac resynchronisation therapy device

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Flying squirrels are secretly pink

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A possible role of biogenic silica in esophageal cancer in North China?

Abstract

Certain areas in North China have the highest incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the world, which has not seen convincing explanation by any risk factor yet. Biogenic silica in millet bran was linked to ESCC in the early 1980s but the hypothesis was largely dismissed because of the lack of geographic correlation between millet consumption and ESCC. Later epidemiological studies disclosed the linkage of wheat consumption in North China to ESCC instead. Now, we hypothesize silica phytoliths (silicified bodies that have definite shapes) from wheat chaff are a major etiologic factor of ESCC in this region. This hypothesis is supported by the potentially high abundance of silica phytoliths on the bracts of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in North China due to favorable Si-accumulation genotype, arid climate, and siallitic soil with bioavailable Si. These silica phytoliths can contaminate wheat flour and cause repeated local injuries in the esophagus and stimulate proliferation by providing anchorage.

from Energy Ecology Environment Ambio via Terpsi Hori on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2Rpc6S2

Clinical performance of uncoated and precoated polymer mesh base ceramic brackets

To evaluate the clinical performance of the two types of InVu ceramic brackets. The clinical performance of these brackets was measured by determining failure as well as survival rates and tie-wing fractures. ...

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[ASAP] Structure and Reactivity of Aromatic Radical Cations Generated by FeCl3

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b12827

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[ASAP] TEMPO-Mediated Catalysis of the Sterically Hindered Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reaction between (C5Ph5)Cr(CO)3H and a Trityl Radical

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b12892

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[ASAP] Spotlights on Recent Publications

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b00887

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P and K additions enhance canopy N retention and accelerate the associated leaching

Abstract

This study evaluated the interactive effects of combined phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) additions on canopy nitrogen (N) retention (CNR) and subsequent canopy leaching at a long-term N manipulation site on Whim bog in south Scotland. Ambient deposition is 8 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and an additional 8, 24, and 56 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ of either ammonium (NH₄⁺) or nitrate (NO₃⁻) with or without P and K has been applied over 11 years. Throughfall N deposition below Calluna vulgaris and foliar N and P concentrations were assessed. Results showed that 60% for low dose and 53% for high dose of NO₃⁻ contrasting with 80% for low dose and 38% for high dose of NH₄⁺ onto Calluna was retained by Calluna canopy. The CNR was enhanced by P and K addition in which 84% of NO₃⁻ and 83% of NH₄⁺ for high dose were retained. CNR for NO₃⁻ increased the canopy leaching of dissolved organic N (DON) and associated organic anions. NH₄⁺ retention increased canopy leaching of magnesium and calcium through ion exchange. Even over 11-years N exposure without P and K, foliage N:P ratio of Calluna did not increase, suggesting that N exposure did not lead to N saturation of Calluna at Whim bog. Our study concluded that increases in P and K availability enhance CNR of Calluna but accelerate the associated canopy leaching of DON and base cations, depending on foliar N status.

from Energy Ecology Environment Ambio via Terpsi Hori on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2UnNMBM

Diversity and Spatiotemporal Distribution of Fungal Endophytes Associated with Citrus reticulata cv. Siyahoo

Abstract

Endophytic fungi are characterized as microorganisms found within internal tissues of living plants without any immediate, overtly negative effects. The present study was carried out to isolate, taxonomically characterize and determine the spatiotemporal distribution of endophytic fungi associated with leaf, stem, trunk, and root of mandarin (Citrus reticulata cv. Siyahoo). To do so, the sampling program was done seasonally in four geographically isolated mandarin growing areas of Hormozgan province of Iran, including Siyahoo, Ahmadi, Sikhoran, and Roudan. In total, 702 fungal isolates were obtained from leaf, stem, trunk, and root of healthy mandarin trees divided into 26 distinct morphotypes based on morphological characteristics. The morphotypes were taxonomically characterized through phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS4 rDNA region sequences. Accordingly, 10 different fungal orders from 5 fungal classes were identified, i.e., Saccharomycetes (Saccharomycetales), Eurotiomycetes (Eurotiales), Dothideomycetes (Capnodiales, Pleosporales, Dothideales), and Sordariomycetes (Diaporthales, Hypocreales, Microascales, Togniniales), all from Ascomycota, which represented 97.2% and Ustilaginomycetes (Ustilaginales) from Basidiomycota which represented 2.8% of the isolates. The Aureobasidium pullulans, Penicillium citrinum, and Dothideomycetes sp. were the most frequent isolates. The trunk and leaf showed the highest and lowest total colonization frequency and species richness of endophytic fungi, respectively, in all sampling periods. The results showed that the colonization frequency of endophytes in Hormozgan province was higher in autumn than that in spring, winter, and summer. The trunk showed the maximum diversity of endophytes over all seasons. The Shannon–Wiener (H′) and Simpson indices had significant correlation with sampling cites and tissue type and the maximum value of Shannon and Simpson indices (H′ = 3.05 and 1 − D = 0.94) was found in the specimens collected from Siyahoo. In conclusion, the three factors (season, location, and tissue type) all in together could determine fungal endophyte composition of C. reticulata.

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Effect Oral Administration Ampicillin on the Ecological Balance of rat Enterococcal gut Microbiota

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to investigate the impact of oral administration of ampicillin on the ecological balance of enterococci in the intestinal microbiota of rats during a treatment and a post-treatment. The results have showed that the treated animals excreted significantly higher percentages of resistant enterococci compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05) during the treatment and after the treatment. The most predominant species selected after the treatment began were Enterococcus faecium. The MICs for ampicillin for all isolates of E. faecium were 32 to 64 µg/mL, with the exception of two strains (TR1LBMB, TR5LBMB), were found to be highly resistant (MICs ≥ 128 µg/mL). Quantification of ampicillin in faeces by the RT-HPLC showed that the significant increase in the number of ampicillin-resistant enterococci was associated with the gradual accumulation of high levels of unabsorbed ampicillin in the faeces. Our results suggest that ampicillin treatment can now be understood as a side effect contributing to the increase in the number of resistant Enterococcus strains, particularly E. faecium strains, recognized as important nosocomial pathogens.

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The value of CSF flow studies in the management of CSF disorders in children: a pictorial review

Abstract

CSF flow disorders are frequently encountered in children. The advent of MR technology with the emergence of new pulse sequences allowed better understanding of CSF flow dynamics. In this pictorial review, we aim to conduct a comprehensive review of the MR protocol used to study CSF flow disorders and to discuss the utility of each pulse sequence in the adopted protocol. We will focus on the key anatomical structures that should be examined to differentiate hydrocephalus form ventricular dilatation ex-vacuo. The MR features of obstructive and communicating hydrocephalus will be discussed, in addition to the manifestations of CSF disorders associated with posterior fossa malformations (Dandy-Walker malformation, Chiari, and Blake's pouch cyst). Moreover, the value of MRI in the assessment of patients following interventional procedures (ventriculoperitoneal shunt and third ventriculostomy) will be addressed.

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Abdominal applications of ultrasound fusion imaging technique: liver, kidney, and pancreas

Abstract

Fusion imaging allows exploitation of the strengths of all imaging modalities simultaneously, eliminating or minimizing the weaknesses of every single modality. Ultrasound (US) fusion imaging provides benefits in real time from both the dynamic information and spatial resolution of the normal US and the high-contrast resolution and wider field of view of the other imaging methods. US fusion imaging can also be associated with the use of different ultrasound techniques such as color Doppler US, elastography, and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS), for better localization and characterization of lesions. The present paper is focused on US fusion imaging technologies and clinical applications describing the possible use of this promising imaging technique in the liver, kidney, and pancreatic pathologies.

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Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of the female pelvic floor—a pictorial review

Abstract

Pelvic floor dysfunctions represent a range of functional disorders that frequently occur in adult women, carrying a significant burden on the quality of life, and its incidence tends to increase attending to the expected aging of the population. Pelvic floor dysfunctions can manifest as incontinence, constipation, and prolapsed pelvic organs. Since pelvic floor weakness is frequently generalized and clinically underdiagnosed, imaging evaluation is of major importance, especially prior to surgical correction. Given some interobserver variability of soft-tissue measurements, MR defecography allows a noninvasive, radiation-free, multiplanar dynamic evaluation of the three pelvic compartments simultaneously and with high spatial and temporal resolution. Both static/anatomic and dynamic/functional findings are important, since pelvic disorders can manifest as whole pelvic floor weakness/dysfunction or as an isolated or single compartment disorder. Imaging has a preponderant role in accessing pelvic floor disorders, and dynamic MR defecography presents as a reliable option, being able to evaluate the entire pelvic floor for optimal patient management before surgery. The purpose of this article is to address the female pelvic anatomy and explain the appropriate MR Defecography protocol, along with all the anatomic points, lines, angles, and measurements needed for a correct interpretation, to later focus on the different disorders of the female pelvic floor, illustrated with MR defecography images, highlighting the role of this technique in accessing these pathologic conditions.

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Daily briefing: How to run a 500-year experiment

from A via a.sfakia on Inoreader https://go.nature.com/2WqxlXm

Children glued to screens show delays in key skills

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Two-dimensional MoS2-enabled flexible rectenna for Wi-Fi-band wireless energy harvesting

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Herding experts and polishing text: 10 tips for creating an edited volume

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Ultra-high-resolution subtraction CT angiography in the follow-up of treated intracranial aneurysms

Abstract

In subtraction CT angiography (CTA), a non-contrast CT acquisition is subtracted from a contrast-enhanced CTA acquisition. Subtraction CTA can be applied in the detection, classification, and follow-up of intracranial aneurysms and is advantageous over conventional angiography because of its non-invasive nature, shorter examination time, and lower costs. Recently, an ultra-high-resolution CT scanner has been introduced in clinical practice offering an in-plane spatial resolution of up to 0.234 mm, approaching the resolution as seen during conventional invasive digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The twofold increase in spatial resolution as compared to a conventional CT scanner could improve the evaluation of small vascular structures and, coupled with dedicated post-processing techniques, further reduce metal artifacts. Technical considerations using a state-of-the-art high-resolution subtraction CTA protocol are discussed for application in the follow-up of surgical and endovascular treated intracranial aneurysms.

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Advanced endoscopic interventions on the pancreas and pancreatic ductal system: a primer for radiologists

Abstract

In recent years, technological advancements including endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance and availability of specifically designed stents further expanded the indications and possibilities of interventional endoscopy. Although technically demanding and associated with non-negligible morbidity, advanced pancreatic endoscopic techniques now provide an effective minimally invasive treatment for complications of acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Aiming to provide radiologists with an adequate familiarity, this pictorial essay reviews the indications, techniques, results and pre- and post-procedural cross-sectional imaging appearances of advanced endoscopic interventions on the pancreas and pancreatic ductal system. Most of the emphasis is placed on multidetector CT and MRI findings before and after internal drainage of pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis via EUS-guided endoscopic cystostomy, and on stent placement to relieve strictures or disruption of the main pancreatic duct, respectively in patients with chronic pancreatitis and disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome.

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The first synthetic element

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Minocycline ameliorates anxiety-related self-grooming behaviors and alters hippocampal neuroinflammation, GABA and serum cholesterol levels in female Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress

Publication date: Available online 28 January 2019

Source: Behavioural Brain Research

Author(s): Cai Zhang, Allan V. Kalueff, Cai Song

Abstract

Neuroinflammation induced by stress results in aberrant neurotransmission and dyslipidemia, which can trigger depression- and anxiety-like behaviors. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and cholesterol play a crucial role in anxiety-like states, including self-grooming - a common stress-evoked rodent behavior. However, the interaction between neuroinflammation, GABA and cholesterol under stress, and their effects on grooming, remain unclear. Here, we utilize the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat cohort used previously in our Zhang et al. (2019) study, to examine whether CUMS affects grooming behavior, and whether minocycline, a microglia antagonist, can correct these behavioral deficits, accompanied by altering hippocampal neuroinflammation, GABA and serum cholesterol levels. Female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a 6-week CUMS and received daily minocycline (40 mg/kg, i.p.) during this period, followed by behavioral testing in the open field test. Serum cholesterol, inflammatory cytokines and GABA levels in hippocampus were assayed by ELISA. CUMS significantly decreased locomotion, rearing, central zone entries and time spent in the open field center compared to unstressed controls. CUMS also strongly affected self-grooming behaviors, increasing the frequency of grooming episodes, the number of transitions, interruptions and individual elements of various grooming phases. However, these CUMS-induced behavioral abnormalities were corrected by minocycline. Likewise, CUMS elevated total serum cholesterol and lowered serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, whereas minocycline ameliorated these responses. CUMS also lowered hippocampal GABA, whereas minocycline normalized CUMS-induced GABA in the hippocampus. We also found significant correlations between neuroinflammation and GABA, neuroinflammation and cholesterol, GABA and grooming, as well as cholesterol and grooming measures, further implicating stress-evoked neuroinflammation, GABA and cholesterol in the regulation of complex rodent behaviors. In summary, minocycline ameliorated CUMS-induced aberrant self-grooming behaviors in rats by altering hippocampal neuroinflammation, GABA and serum cholesterol levels.

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[ASAP] Acid Responsive Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b12124

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WIF1 enhanced dentinogenic differentiation in stem cells from apical papilla

Abstract

Background

Odontogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from tooth tissues are a reliable resource that can be utilized for dental tissue regeneration. Exploration of the mechanisms underlying the regulation of their differentiation may be helpful for investigating potential clinical applications. The stem cell niche plays an important role in maintaining cell functioning. Previous studies found that Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1) is more highly expressed in apical papilla tissues than in stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) using microarray analysis. However, the function of WIF1 in SCAPs remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the function of WIF1 during dentinogenic differentiation in SCAPs.

Methods

A retrovirus containing HA-WIF1 was used to overexpress WIF1 in SCAPs. Using Western blot analysis, we verified the expression of HA-WIF1. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, Alizarin Red staining and quantitative calcium analysis were performed to investigate the in vitro potential for dentinogenic differentiation in SCAPs. The expression of dentinogenesis-associated genes DSPP, DMP1, Runx2 and OSX were assayed using real-time RT-PCR. Transplantation experiments were used to measure dentinogenesis potential in vivo.

Results

The real time RT-PCR results showed that WIF1 was more highly expressed in apical papilla tissues than in SCAPs, and its expression was increased during the process of dentinogenic differentiation. Overexpression of WIF1 enhanced ALP activity and mineralization in vitro, as well as the expression of DSPP, DMP1 and OSX in SCAPs. Moreover, in vivo transplantation experiments revealed that dentinogenesis in SCAPs was enhanced by WIF1 overexpression.

Conclusion

These results suggest that WIF1 may enhance dentinogenic differentiation potential in dental MSCs via its regulation of OSX and identified potential target genes that could be useful for improving dental tissue regeneration.

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