Survey on awareness and attitudes of secondary school students regarding plastic pollution: implications for environmental education and public health in Sharjah city, UAE

Abstract

Since the industrial revolution in the 1800s, plastic pollution is becoming a global reality. This study aims to assess knowledge and attitude about plastic pollution among secondary school students in Sharjah city, United Arab Emirates. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 students in 6 different secondary schools in Sharjah city. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed through probability stratified random sampling method between February and April 2016. Majority of the population understands how harmful plastic wastes are to the environment (85.5%). However, the students' mean knowledge score was 53%, with females (P < 0.01), grades 11 and 12 (P = 0.024), and students whose mothers were more educated (P = 0.014) being more knowledgeable and inclined towards pro-environmental behavior. Yet, all students showed tendency to be involved in the fighting against this dilemma. Strategies which address deficiencies, provide incentives for change, and assure governmental support along with environmental education are needed to bridge the information gap and enhance opportunities to adopt pro-environmental behaviors.

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Biological nutrient recovery from culturing of pearl gourami ( Trichogaster leerii ) by cherry tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) in aquaponic system

Abstract

The possibility of using different densities of cherry tomato as a bio-filter in a simple media-based aquaponic system to recycle nutrients from pearl gourami intensive culture wastewater was evaluated. Water quality parameters including total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite (NO₂⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) were determined in outlet of the aquaponic system during a 60-day experimental period. Cherry tomato was planted at four densities of 0 (control), 3 (T1), 6 (T2), and 9 (T3) plants per aquaponic unit with a constant fish stock density. Each treatment was equipped with aquaponic systems containing fish tank and plant growing bed. Productivity of the system was measured by recording the fish and plant growth indices. The potential in removing nitrogen of the water was the highest in T3 (with nine plants) compared to other treatments (p < 0.05). The highest concentrations of TAN (6.59 ± 0.241 mg/L), nitrite (0.42 ± 0.005 mg/L), nitrate (0.45 ± 0.162 mg/L), and phosphate (30.47 ± 0.371 mg/L) were obtained in control group, while the lowest concentrations of TAN (0.05 ± 0.091 mg/L), NO₂⁻ (0.11 ± 0.008 mg/L), NO₃⁻ (29.77 ± 0.205 mg/L), and phosphate (18.59 ± 0.185 mg/L) were detected in T3 (p < 0.05). The maximum fish weight gain was recorded in T3 (26 ± 0.014%) with 1.26 ± 0.059 FCR, and the lowest fish weight gain was measured in the control group (15 ± 0.024%) with 2.19 ± 0.446 FCR (p < 0.05). Total plant length gain was reached at the maximum value in T3 (74.70 ± 1.153 cm) in comparison to other groups (p < 0.05). It was concluded that small-scale aquaponic growing bed system can be created a sustainable ecosystem which both the plant and fish can thrive and suitable for home-made production system.

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Predictive statistical modelling of cadmium content in durum wheat grain based on soil parameters

Abstract

Regulatory limits on cadmium (Cd) content in food products are tending to become stricter, especially in cereals, which are a major contributor to dietary intake of Cd by humans. This is of particular importance for durum wheat, which accumulates more Cd than bread wheat. The contamination of durum wheat grain by Cd depends not only on the genotype but also to a large extent on soil Cd availability. Assessing the phytoavailability of Cd for durum wheat is thus crucial, and appropriate methods are required. For this purpose, we propose a statistical model to predict Cd accumulation in durum wheat grain based on soil geochemical properties related to Cd availability in French agricultural soils with low Cd contents and neutral to alkaline pH (soils commonly used to grow durum wheat). The best model is based on the concentration of total Cd in the soil solution, the pH of a soil CaCl₂ extract, the cation exchange capacity (CEC), and the content of manganese oxides (Tamm's extraction) in the soil. The model variables suggest a major influence of cadmium buffering power of the soil and of Cd speciation in solution. The model successfully explains 88% of Cd variability in grains with, generally, below 0.02 mg Cd kg⁻¹ prediction error in wheat grain. Monte Carlo cross-validation indicated that model accuracy will suffice for the European Community project to reduce the regulatory limit from 0.2 to 0.15 mg Cd kg⁻¹ grain, but not for the intermediate step at 0.175 mg Cd kg⁻¹. The model will help farmers assess the risk that the Cd content of their durum wheat grain will exceed regulatory limits, and help food safety authorities test different regulatory thresholds to find a trade-off between food safety and the negative impact a too strict regulation could have on farmers.

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PDS, Merck to Launch Trial Testing Combo Therapy in Treating Certain Head and Neck Cancer Patients - Immuno-Oncology News

PDS, Merck to Launch Trial Testing Combo Therapy in Treating Certain Head and Neck Cancer Patients Immuno-Oncology News PDS Biotechnology Corporation and a subsidiary of Merck are collaborating to develop a Phase 2 clinical trial for a combination cancer treatment for people with certain types of head and neck cancer. The trial will investigate the safety and efficacy ...

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Palaeo-ecological and archaeological analysis of two Dutch Celtic fields (Zeijen-Noordse Veld and Wekerom-Lunteren): solving the puzzle of local Celtic field bank formation

Abstract

Celtic fields are the best preserved and most widely distributed type of prehistoric agricultural landscape in the Netherlands, and occur throughout north-western Europe. In this contribution, data from two excavated Dutch Celtic fields are used to explain the process of bank formation and to unravel the agricultural regime of Celtic fields. To this end, traditional archaeological methodologies and geochemical analyses are combined with detailed palaeo-ecological analyses. It is shown that Celtic field banks were constructed from a mixture of non-local soil, wetland vegetation, dung and settlement debris such as charcoal and sherds. A system was in place in which sods and plants were cut in lower-lying wetland landscapes and which were transported to the settlement, where they were presumably used as byre-bedding, became enriched with dung and were mixed with settlement debris. This mixture was carted to the fields, most likely to be spread across fallow plots as a manuring agent. From this primary, functional location, a composite sediment of agricultural sediments and the added manure was incorporated into the field banks. This process of incorporation was very slow and probably started with the uprooting of arable weeds from the fields, which were tossed to the side against the wattlework fences—together with minute quantities of soil attached to their root clusters. As a consequence of this chain of events, over the course of centuries, banks of anthropogenic sediment came to enclose fields within the Celtic field landscapes.

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Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Multicentric Retrospective Observational Study In Real-Life Setting

Abstract

We aimed to assess the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in a cohort of 213 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients treated in real-world practice at 8 Italian cancer centres. We computed descriptive statistics for all the variable of interest. Factors testing significant in univariate analysis were included in multivariate models. Survival data were compared by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test.

The median follow-up was 45 months. We observed 60 (28.2%) pathological complete response (pCR). The sequential anthracyclines-taxanes-based regimens produced the highest rate of pCR (42.6%), followed by concomitant anthracycline-taxane (24.2%), and other regimens (15.6%) (p = 0.008). When analyzing the role of baseline Ki-67, a 50% cut-off was the optimal threshold value for pCR prediction (p = 0.0005). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 57.3% and the 5-year overall survival (OS) was 70.8%. In patients not achieving pCR, the optimal Ki-67 variation between biopsy and surgical specimen with prognostic relevance on long-term outcomes was 13% (p = 0.04). Patients with a Ki-67 reduction (rKi-67) < 13% had worse outcomes compared to those who experienced pCR or a rKi-67≥13%. The number of NACT cycles also affected long-term outcomes (5-year DFS 65.7% vs 51.6% in patients having received >6 cycles compared with their counterparts, p = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, node status, grading and bio-pathological treatment response (including pCR and rKi-67) impacted DFS and OS. Our results confirmed the advantage conferred by more than 6 cycles of a sequential antracycline-taxane-based NACT. Higher baseline Ki-67 values shows greater predictive significance on pathogical response, while the rKi-67 plays a prognostic role on long-term outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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Real-time monitoring of antibody microdistribution during photoimmunotherapy

Publication date: 28 August 2017
Source:Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 260
Author(s): Kinam Park




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Ultrasound targeted CNS gene delivery for Parkinson's disease treatment

Publication date: 10 September 2017
Source:Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 261
Author(s): Ching-Hsiang Fan, Chung-Yin Lin, Hao-Li Liu, Chih-Kuang Yeh
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a potent neurodegenerative disease in which a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons eventually produces a loss of movement control and other symptoms. To date, in addition to pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and neurosurgical therapies, gene delivery has emerged as a potential therapeutic modality for PD. Effective targeted gene delivery is complicated in that gene vectors cannot penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thus clinical tests must rely on invasive intracerebral gene vector injection. Burst low-pressure focused ultrasound exposure with microbubbles has been demonstrated to noninvasively target and temporally open the BBB, opening new opportunities to transport large molecule substances into the brain for central nervous system (CNS) disease treatment, and raising the potential for noninvasive gene delivery for PD treatment. This paper reviews the underlying mechanism and current progress for focused ultrasound induced CNS gene delivery, and summarizes potential directions for further ultrasound-medicated PD gene therapy.

Graphical abstract

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Graphical Abstracts Contents Listing

Publication date: 28 August 2017
Source:Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 260





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Full title page

Publication date: 28 August 2017
Source:Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 260





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Pathogen-mimicking vaccine delivery system designed with a bioactive polymer (inulin acetate) for robust humoral and cellular immune responses

Publication date: 10 September 2017
Source:Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 261
Author(s): Hemachand Tummala, Sunny Kumar, Siddharth S. Kesharwani, Bhimanna Kuppast, Mohammed Ali Bakkari
New and improved vaccines are needed against challenging diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, Ebola, influenza, AIDS, and cancer. The majority of existing vaccine adjuvants lack the ability to significantly stimulate the cellular immune response, which is required to prevent the aforementioned diseases. This study designed a novel particulate based pathogen-mimicking vaccine delivery system (PMVDS) to target antigen-presenting-cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells. The uniqueness of PMVDS is that the polymer used to prepare the delivery system, Inulin Acetate (InAc), activates the innate immune system. InAc was synthesized from the plant polysaccharide, inulin. PMVDS provided improved and persistent antigen delivery to APCs as an efficient vaccine delivery system, and simultaneously, activated Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR-4) on APCs to release chemokine's/cytokines as an immune-adjuvant. Through this dual mechanism, PMVDS robustly stimulated both the humoral (>32 times of IgG1 levels vs alum) and the cell-mediated immune responses against the encapsulated antigen (ovalbumin) in mice. More importantly, PMVDS stimulated both cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells of cell-mediated immunity to provide tumor (B16-ova-Melanoma) protection in around 40% of vaccinated mice and significantly delayed tumor progression in rest of the mice. PMVDS is a unique bio-active vaccine delivery technology with broader applications for vaccines against cancer and several intracellular pathogens, where both humoral and cellular immune responses are desired.

Graphical abstract

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cRGD peptide installation on cisplatin-loaded nanomedicines enhances efficacy against locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma bearing cancer stem-like cells

Publication date: 10 September 2017
Source:Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 261
Author(s): Kazuki Miyano, Horacio Cabral, Yutaka Miura, Yu Matsumoto, Yuki Mochida, Hiroaki Kinoh, Caname Iwata, Osamu Nagano, Hideyuki Saya, Nobuhiro Nishiyama, Kazunori Kataoka, Tatsuya Yamasoba
Recalcitrant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) usually relapses after therapy due to the enrichment of drug resistant cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Nanomedicines have shown potential for eradicating both cancer cells and CSCs by effective intratumoral navigation for reaching particular cell populations and controlling drug delivery. The installation of ligands on nanomedicines is an attractive approach for improving the delivery to CSCs within tumors, though the development of CSC-selective ligand-receptor systems has been challenging. Herein, we found that the CSC subpopulation in HNSCC cells overexpresses αvβ5 integrins, which is preferentially expressed in tumor neovasculature and cancer cells, and can be effectively targeted by using cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (cRGD) peptide. Thus, in this study, we propose installing cRGD peptide on micellar nanomedicines incorporating cisplatin for improving their activity against CSCs and enhancing survival. Both cisplatin-loaded micelles (CDDP/m) and cRGD-installed CDDP/m (cRGD-CDDP/m) were effective against HNSCC SAS-L1-Luc cells in vitro, though cRGD-installed CDDP/m was more potent than CDDP/m against the CSC fraction. In vivo, the cRGD-CDDP/m also showed significant antitumor activity against HNSCC orthotopic tumors, i.e. SAS-L1 and HSC-2. Moreover, cRGD-CDDP/m rapidly accumulated into the lymph node metastasis of SAS-L1 tumors, effectively inhibiting their growth, and prolonging mice survival. These findings indicate cRGD-installed nanomedicines as an advantageous strategy for targeting CSCs in HNSCC, and particularly, cRGD-CDDP/m as a significant therapeutic strategy against regionally advanced HNSCC.

Graphical abstract

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Pegylated liposomal formulation of doxorubicin overcomes drug resistance in a genetically engineered mouse model of breast cancer

Publication date: 10 September 2017
Source:Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 261
Author(s): András Füredi, Kornélia Szebényi, Szilárd Tóth, Mihály Cserepes, Lilla Hámori, Veronika Nagy, Edina Karai, Péter Vajdovich, Tímea Imre, Pál Szabó, Dávid Szüts, József Tóvári, Gergely Szakács
Success of cancer treatment is often hampered by the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by P-glycoprotein (ABCB1/Pgp). Doxorubicin (DOX) is recognized by Pgp and therefore it can induce therapy resistance in breast cancer patients. In this study our aim was to evaluate the susceptibility of the pegylated liposomal formulation of doxorubicin (PLD/Doxil®/Caelyx®) to MDR. We show that cells selected to be resistant to DOX are cross-resistant to PLD and PLD is also ineffective in an allograft model of doxorubicin-resistant mouse B-cell leukemia. In contrast, PLD was far more efficient than DOX as reflected by a significant increase of both relapse-free and overall survival of Brca1^−/−;p53^−/− mammary tumor bearing mice. Increased survival could be explained by the delayed onset of drug resistance. Consistent with the higher Pgp levels needed to confer resistance, PLD administration was able to overcome doxorubicin insensitivity of the mouse mammary tumors. Our results indicate that the favorable pharmacokinetics achieved with PLD can effectively overcome Pgp-mediated resistance, suggesting that PLD therapy could be a promising strategy for the treatment of therapy-resistant breast cancer patients.

Graphical abstract

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Calendar

Publication date: 28 August 2017
Source:Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 260





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Widowed parenting self-efficacy scale: A new measure

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Side effects to prostate cancer surgery - Hair loss and tamoxifen treatment - The Village Reporter and the Hometown Huddle

The Village Reporter and the Hometown Huddle

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Long-term evaluation of single-puncture temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis in patients with unilateral temporomandibular disorders

Publication date: Available online 13 July 2017
Source:International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): M.F. Şentürk, D. Yıldırım, E. Bilgir, Y. Fındık, T. Baykul
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of the single-puncture arthrocentesis (SPA) technique. Forty-two patients with unilateral temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) were treated by SPA. Thirty-eight of these patients completed 1–24 months of follow-up (short-term group) and 21 completed 11 months or longer of follow-up (long-term group). The two groups were evaluated statistically for pain (visual analogue scale), maximum mouth opening, lateral excursion, and protrusion. Both follow-up duration groups showed significant improvements when compared to baseline levels for almost all of the outcome variables (P<0.05). Single puncture temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis is an effective treatment method over both the short and long term.



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Characteristics of mandibular injuries caused by bullets and improvised explosive devices: a comparative study

Publication date: Available online 14 July 2017
Source:International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): S.Y.H. Bede, W.K. Ismael, D. Al-Assaf
The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in mandibular trauma caused by two mechanisms for the delivery of missile injuries: firearms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The data investigated included sex, age, mechanism of injury, and other clinical and radiographic manifestations. Seventy consecutive patients, predominantly male, with a mean age of 28.6±14 years (range 2–60 years) were enrolled: 38 patients (54.3%) sustained mandibular fractures caused by bullet injuries and 32 patients (45.7%) had mandibular fractures caused by IED explosion injuries. The study revealed that the differences in most of the investigated variables were not statistically significant; the only significant differences were the incidence of trauma to other body regions and the presence of retained foreign bodies. The effect on the mandible of IED explosion resembles that of bullets. Bullet injuries are associated with a relatively higher number of mandibular sites involved and more bilateral fractures, in addition to more extensive bone loss. IEDs, on the other hand, cause more multisystem injuries and result in more retained foreign bodies.



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The bone lid technique in oral surgery: a case series study

Publication date: Available online 14 July 2017
Source:International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): S. Sivolella, G. Brunello, F. Fistarol, E. Stellini, C. Bacci
The aim of this case series study was to illustrate the bone lid technique implemented using piezoelectric surgery to access mandibular alveolar bone diseases and to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes. The technique was used to treat 21 consecutive patients with various conditions: cysts in six cases, impacted teeth with associated cysts in nine, keratocystic odontogenic tumours in three, impacted teeth in two, and an endodontic lesion in one. The bone lid was fashioned using piezoelectric surgery and a thin osteotomy insert. After the surgical procedure, the bone lid was replaced and fixed with miniplates. On clinical and radiological follow-up at 12 months, the outcome measures were bone lid integration and alveolar bone volume recovery. Any complications were also documented. The lesion and bone lid healed completely in 19 cases; one patient experienced permanent mild paresthesia and one experienced trauma-induced bone lid necrosis. Computed tomography volumetric analyses conducted on 11 cases indicated a mean recovery of 93.8% of the volume of bone lost. Based on healthy biological reasoning, the bone lid technique with piezoelectric surgery and rigid fixation may be considered a valid alternative to ostectomy for the purposes of bone tissue healing.



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Cone beam computed tomography evaluation of midpalatal suture maturation in adults

Publication date: Available online 14 July 2017
Source:International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): F. Angelieri, L. Franchi, L.H.S. Cevidanes, J.R. Gonçalves, M. Nieri, L.M. Wolford, J.A. McNamara
The aim of this study was to evaluate midpalatal suture maturation in adults, as observed in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. CBCT scans from 78 subjects (64 female and 14 male, age range from 18 to 66 years) were evaluated. Midpalatal suture maturation was verified on the central cross-sectional axial slice in the superior–inferior dimension of the palate, using methods validated previously. Intra-examiner agreement was analyzed by weighted kappa test. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test whether sex and chronological age (adults <30 years or ≥30 years) could be used as a predictor for the maturational stages of the midpalatal suture. The majority of the adults presented a fused midpalatal suture in the palatine (stage D) and/or maxillary bones (stage E). However, the midpalatal suture was not fused in 12% of the subjects. Sex and chronological age were not significant predictors of the maturational stages of the midpalatal suture. The individual assessment of midpalatal suture maturation by way of CBCT images may provide reliable information critical to making the clinical decision between rapid maxillary expansion and surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion for the treatment of maxillary atresia in adults.



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