Because the genome stores all genetic information required for growth and development, it is of pivotal importance to maintain DNA integrity, especially during cell division, when the genome is prone to replication errors and damage. Although over the last two decades it has become evident that the basic cell cycle toolbox of plants shares several similarities with those of fungi and mammals, plants appear to have evolved a set of distinct checkpoint regulators in response to different types of DNA stress. This might be a consequence of plants' sessile lifestyle, which exposes them to a set of unique DNA damage-inducing conditions. In this review, we highlight the types of DNA stress that plants typically experience and describe the plant-specific molecular mechanisms that control cell division in response to these stresses.
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Medicine by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis,Anapafseos 5 Agios Nikolaos,Crete 72100,Greece,tel :00302841026182 & 00306932607174
Δευτέρα 27 Ιουνίου 2016
Mechanisms used by plants to cope with DNA damage
Efficacy of Sensory Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Perceived Pain and Gait Patterns in Individuals with Experimental Knee Pain
Publication date: Available online 23 June 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): S. Jun Son, Hyunsoo Kim, Matthew K. Seeley, J. Ty Hopkins
ObjectiveTo examine the influence of experimental knee pain on perceived knee pain and gait patterns, and examine efficacy of TENS on pain-induced knee gait mechanics.DesignCrossover.SettingBiomechanics laboratory.SubjectsRecreationally active, healthy subjects aged 18-35 years (n=30).InterventionsThirty able-bodied subjects were assigned to either a TENS (n=15) or placebo group (n=15). All subjects completed three experimental sessions in a counterbalanced order separated by two days: (i) hypertonic saline infusion (5% NaCl), (ii) isotonic saline infusion (0.9% NaCl), and (iii) control. Each group received sensory electrical stimulation or placebo treatment for 20 minutes, respectively.Main Outcome MeasuresPerceived pain was collected every two minutes using a 10-cm VAS for 50 minutes, and analyzed using a mixed model, analysis of covariance with repeated measures. Gait analyses were performed at baseline, infusion, and treatment. Sagittal- and frontal-plane knee angle and internal net joint torque across the entire stance were analyzed using a functional data analysis package in the statistical program "R".ResultsHypertonic saline infusion increased perceived pain (4/10 cm on a VAS; P < .05), and altered right knee angle (more flexion and less abduction; P < .05) and internal net joint torque (less extension and greater abduction; P < .05) across various stance phases. TENS treatment reduced perceived pain and improved right sagittal-plane gait abnormalities compared with placebo treatment (P < .05).ConclusionsThis pain model increases perceived pain and induces compensatory gait patterns in a way that indicates potential quadriceps weakness. TENS treatment, however, effectively reduces perceived pain and restores pain-induced gait abnormalities in sagittal knee mechanics.
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Editorial Board
Publication date: July 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 97, Issue 7
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Table of Contents
Publication date: July 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 97, Issue 7
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Measurement Characteristics of the Perceived Stress Scale in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury
Publication date: July 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 97, Issue 7
Author(s): Kristian P. Nitsch, Ana Miskovic, Barbra Rodichok
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Editors' Selections From This Issue: Volume 97 / Number 7 / July 2016
Publication date: July 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 97, Issue 7
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Use of the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment short version in mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease
Publication date: Available online 23 June 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Sarah K. Hendred, Erin R. Foster
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution, internal consistency reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity of the World Health Organization QOL assessment short version (WHOQOL-BREF) in persons with mild to moderate PD.DesignCross-sectional.SettingMovement disorders center.ParticipantsConvenience sample of people with PD (n = 96) recruited from a movement disorders center and controls (n = 60) recruited from the community.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasureWHOQOL-BREF.ResultsThe WHOQOL-BREF domain data were relatively normally distributed and internal consistency reliability was acceptable (α = 0.65-0.85). PD participants reported lower QOL than controls in all except the Environment domain, and Physical QOL was the most impaired domain in the PD group. Age, fatigue and physical activity limitations predicted Physical QOL; depression, fatigue and apathy predicted Psychological QOL; education, executive dysfunction and apathy predicted Social QOL; and age, education, depression and apathy predicted Environment QOL.ConclusionThe WHOQOL-BREF is a suitable tool to assess QOL in mild to moderate PD. It is relatively normally distributed, internally consistent, effectively discriminates between individuals with and without PD, and correlates with relevant demographic characteristics, PD-related impairments and activity limitations.
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Effects of bracing in adult with scoliosis: a retrospective study
Publication date: Available online 22 June 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): C. Palazzo, J.P. Montigny, F. Barbot, B. Bussel, I. Vaugier, D. Fort, I. Courtois, C. Marty-Poumarat
ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of bracing in adult with scoliosis.DesignRetrospective cohort studySettingOutpatients followed in 2 French tertiary care hospitalsParticipants38 adults with non-operated progressive idiopathic or degenerative scoliosis treated by custom-molded lumbar-sacral orthosis (LSO), with a minimum follow-up time of 10 years before bracing and 5 years after bracing. Progression was defined as a variation in Cobb angle ≥ 10° between the first and the last radiograph before bracing. The brace was prescribed to be worn for a minimum of 6 hours per day.Interventionnot applicableMain outcome measureRate of progression of Cobb angle before and after bracing measured on upright 3-foot full spine radiographs.Results38 patients were included. At the moment of bracing, mean age was 61.3 ± 8.2 years and mean Cobb angle was 49.6 ± 17.7 degrees. The mean follow up time was 22.0 ± 11.1 years before bracing and 8.7 ± 3.3 years after bracing. For both types of scoliosis, the rate of progression decreased from 1.28 degrees/year ± 0.79 before to 0.21 ± 0.43 after bracing (p<0.0001). For degenerative and idiopathic scoliosis, it dropped from 1.47 degrees/year ± 0.83 before to 0.24 ± 0.43 after bracing (p <0.0001), and 0.70 degrees/year ± 0.06 before to 0.24 ± 0.43 after (p=0.03), respectively.ConclusionsFor the first time, this study suggests that underarm bracing may be effective in slowing down the rate of progression in adult scoliosis. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
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Request for Proposals
Publication date: July 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 97, Issue 7
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Measuring Environmental Factors: Unique and Overlapping ICF Coverage of Five Instruments
Publication date: Available online 23 June 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Allen W. Heinemann, Ana Miskovic, Patrick Semik, Alex Wong, Jessica Dashner, Carolyn Baum, Susan Magasi, Joy Hammel, David S. Tulsky, Sofia F. Garcia, Sara Jerousek, Jin-Shei Lai, Noelle E. Carlozzi, David B. Gray
ObjectivesTo describe the unique and overlapping content of the newly developed Environmental Factors Item Banks (EFIB) and 7 legacy environmental factor instruments, and evaluate the EFIB's construct validity by examining associations with legacy instruments.DesignCross-sectional, observational cohort.SettingCommunity.ParticipantsA sample of 597 community-dwelling adults with stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury.InterventionsNoneMain Outcome MeasuresEFIB covering domains of the Built and Natural Environment; Systems, Services, and Policies; Social Environment; and Access to Information and Technology; the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) short form; the Facilitators and Barriers Survey (FABS/M) short form; the Home and Community Environment Instrument (HACE); the Measure of the Quality of Environment (MQE) short form; 3 of PROMIS' Quality of Social Support measures.ResultsThe EFIB and legacy instruments assess most of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) environmental factors chapters, including Chapter 1 (products and technology, 75 items corresponding to 11 codes), Chapter 2 (natural environment and human-made changes, 31 items, 7 codes), Chapter 3 (support and relationships, 74 items, 7 codes), Chapter 4 (attitudes, 83 items, 8 codes), and Chapter 5 (services, systems, policies, 72 items, 16 codes). Construct validity is provided by moderate correlations between EFIB measures and the CHIEF, MQE Barriers, HACE Technology Mobility, FABS/M Community Built Features, PROMIS item banks, and small correlations with other legacy instruments. Only 5 of the 66 legacy instrument correlation coefficients are moderate, suggesting they measure unique aspects of the environment, while all intra-EFIB correlations were at least moderate.ConclusionsThe EFIB measures provide a brief and focused assessment of ICF Environmental Factor chapters. The pattern of correlations with legacy instruments provides initial evidence of construct validity.
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Effects of a home-based upper-limb training program in patients with Multiple Sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial
Publication date: Available online 22 June 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Araceli Ortiz-Rubio, Irene Cabrera-Martos, Janet Rodríguez-Torres, Waldo Fajardo-Contreras, Ana Díaz-Pelegrina, Marie Carmen Valenza
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of home-based upper limb training program on arm function in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Additionally, the effects of this program on manual dexterity, handgrip stregth and finger prehension force were analyzed.DesignRandomized, single-blinded controlled trial.SettingHome-based.ParticipantsThirty-seven patients with a clinical diagnosis of MS acknowledging impaired manual ability were randomized into two groups.InterventionThose patients in the experimental group were included in a supervised home-based upper limb training program during 8 weeks twice a week. Those in the control group received information in form of a leaflet with a schedule of upper limb exercise training.Main Outcome MeasuresPrimary outcome measure was arm function (motor functioning assessed using Finger Tapping Test and a functional measure, the Action Research Arm Test, ARAT). Secondary outcome measures were manual dexterity assessed with the Purdue Pegboard Test, handgrip strength and finger prehension force evaluated with a handgrip and a pinch dynamometer, respectively.ResultsAfter 8 weeks, a significant between-group improvement (p<0.05) was found on the ARAT bilaterally and the Finger Tapping Test in the most affected upper limb. Secondary outcomes also improved in the most affected limb in the experimental group.ConclusionsAn 8-weeks home-based intervention program focused on upper limbs twice a week improves arm function and physiologic variables with a primary focus on the more affected extremity in patients with MS compared to a control group.
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Cerebral mechanisms underlying the effects of music during a fatiguing isometric ankle-dorsiflexion task
Abstract
The brain mechanisms by which music-related interventions ameliorate fatigue-related symptoms during the execution of fatiguing motor tasks are hitherto under-researched. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of music on brain electrical activity and psychophysiological measures during the execution of an isometric fatiguing ankle-dorsiflexion task performed until the point of volitional exhaustion. Nineteen healthy participants performed two fatigue tests at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction while listening to music or in silence. Electrical activity in the brain was assessed by use of a 64-channel EEG. The results indicated that music downregulated theta waves in the frontal, central, and parietal regions of the brain during exercise. Music also induced a partial attentional switching from associative thoughts to task-unrelated factors (dissociative thoughts) during exercise, which led to improvements in task performance. Moreover, participants experienced a more positive affective state while performing the isometric task under the influence of music.
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Harnessing solid-state packing for selective detection of chloride in a macrocyclic anionophore
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC03795J, Communication
We report the synthesis of an inherently fluorescent macrocyclic receptor for chloride. The use of a disulphide tether provides for an excellent yield in the macrocyclization step. This compound binds...
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Peripheral ligands as electron storage reservoirs and their role in enhancement of photocatalytic hydrogen generation
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC05222C, Communication
The contrasting early-time photodynamics of two related Ru/Pt catalysts with very different photocatalytic H2 generation capabilities are reported. Ultrafast equilibration (535+/-17 fs) creates an electron reservoir on the peripheral ligands...
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Recovering TMS-evoked EEG responses masked by muscle artifacts
Publication date: 1 October 2016
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 139
Author(s): Tuomas P. Mutanen, Matleena Kukkonen, Jaakko O. Nieminen, Matti Stenroos, Jukka Sarvas, Risto J. Ilmoniemi
Combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG) often suffers from large muscle artifacts. Muscle artifacts can be removed using signal-space projection (SSP), but this can make the visual interpretation of the remaining EEG data difficult. We suggest to use an additional step after SSP that we call source-informed reconstruction (SIR). SSP–SIR improves substantially the signal quality of artifactual TMS–EEG data, causing minimal distortion in the neuronal signal components.In the SSP–SIR approach, we first project out the muscle artifact using SSP. Utilizing an anatomical model and the remaining signal, we estimate an equivalent source distribution in the brain. Finally, we map the obtained source estimate onto the original signal space, again using anatomical information. This approach restores the neuronal signals in the sensor space and interpolates EEG traces onto the completely rejected channels.The introduced algorithm efficiently suppresses TMS-related muscle artifacts in EEG while retaining well the neuronal EEG topographies and signals. With the presented method, we can remove muscle artifacts from TMS–EEG data and recover the underlying brain responses without compromising the readability of the signals of interest.
Graphical abstract
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Spontaneous pupil dilations during the resting state are associated with activation of the salience network
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 139
Author(s): Max Schneider, Pamela Hathway, Laura Leuchs, Philipp G. Sämann, Michael Czisch, Victor I. Spoormaker
Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is increasingly applied for the development of functional biomarkers in brain disorders. Recent studies have revealed spontaneous vigilance drifts during the resting state, involving changes in brain activity and connectivity that challenge the validity of uncontrolled rs-fMRI findings. In a combined rs-fMRI/eye tracking study, the pupil size of 32 healthy subjects after 2h of sleep restriction was recorded as an indirect index for activity of the locus coeruleus, the brainstem's noradrenergic arousal center. The spontaneous occurrence of pupil dilations, but not pupil size per se, was associated with increased activity of the salience network, thalamus and frontoparietal regions. In turn, spontaneous constrictions of the pupil were associated with increased activity in visual and sensorimotor regions. These results were largely replicated in a sample of 36 healthy subjects who did not undergo sleep restriction, although in this sample the correlation between thalamus and pupil dilation fell below whole-brain significance. Our data show that spontaneous pupil fluctuations during rest are indeed associated with brain circuitry involved in tonic alertness and vigilance. Pupillometry is an effective method to control for changes in tonic alertness during rs-fMRI.
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Attention mechanisms during predictable and unpredictable threat — A steady-state visual evoked potential approach
Publication date: 1 October 2016
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 139
Author(s): Matthias J. Wieser, Philipp Reicherts, Georgiana Juravle, Andreas von Leupoldt
Fear is elicited by imminent threat and leads to phasic fear responses with selective attention, whereas anxiety is characterized by a sustained state of heightened vigilance due to uncertain danger. In the present study, we investigated attention mechanisms in fear and anxiety by adapting the NPU-threat test to measure steady-state visual evoked potentials (ssVEPs). We investigated ssVEPs across no aversive events (N), predictable aversive events (P), and unpredictable aversive events (U), signaled by four-object arrays (30s). In addition, central cues were presented during all conditions but predictably signaled imminent threat only during the P condition. Importantly, cues and context events were flickered at different frequencies (15Hz vs. 20Hz) in order to disentangle respective electrocortical responses. The onset of the context elicited larger electrocortical responses for U compared to P context. Conversely, P cues elicited larger electrocortical responses compared to N cues. Interestingly, during the presence of the P cue, visuocortical processing of the concurrent context was also enhanced. The results support the notion of enhanced initial hypervigilance to unpredictable compared to predictable threat contexts, while predictable cues show electrocortical enhancement of the cues themselves but additionally a boost of context processing.
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The representation of level and loudness in the central auditory system for unilateral stimulation
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 139
Author(s): Oliver Behler, Stefan Uppenkamp
Loudness is the perceptual correlate of the physical intensity of a sound. However, loudness judgments depend on a variety of other variables and can vary considerably between individual listeners. While functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been extensively used to characterize the neural representation of physical sound intensity in the human auditory system, only few studies have also investigated brain activity in relation to individual loudness. The physiological correlate of loudness perception is not yet fully understood. The present study systematically explored the interrelation of sound pressure level, ear of entry, individual loudness judgments, and fMRI activation along different stages of the central auditory system and across hemispheres for a group of normal hearing listeners. 4-kHz-bandpass filtered noise stimuli were presented monaurally to each ear at levels from 37 to 97dB SPL. One diotic condition and a silence condition were included as control conditions. The participants completed a categorical loudness scaling procedure with similar stimuli before auditory fMRI was performed. The relationship between brain activity, as inferred from blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrasts, and both sound level and loudness estimates were analyzed by means of functional activation maps and linear mixed effects models for various anatomically defined regions of interest in the ascending auditory pathway and in the cortex. Our findings are overall in line with the notion that fMRI activation in several regions within auditory cortex as well as in certain stages of the ascending auditory pathway might be more a direct linear reflection of perceived loudness rather than of sound pressure level. The results indicate distinct functional differences between midbrain and cortical areas as well as between specific regions within auditory cortex, suggesting a systematic hierarchy in terms of lateralization and the representation of level and loudness.11 A preliminary report on this study was presented during the 17th International Symposium on Hearing in Paterswolde, NL (Behler and Uppenkamp, 2016).
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Intestinal arsenic absorption is increased by colon suspension from IBD patients
Arsenic (As) is a metalloid that brings about substantial health risks. Since human As exposure mainly occurs through the intake of contaminated water and food, gut epithelial barrier function is a key determinant of As toxicokinetics. If gut barrier function is compromised, as is the case for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), As may be increasingly ab-sorbed. Using a combination of semi-continuous gut simulators and Caco-2 cell cultures, we describe how simulated colon suspension derived from IBD patients displays a higher apparent permeability coefficient for As (4.2 ±1.3 x 10-5 cm/s) than colon suspension from healthy individuals (0.7 ± 0.1 ∙ 10-5 cm/s). Using a mixture of microorganisms (butyrate producing Clostridia cluster IV and XIVa), the epithelial barrier function was strengthen and thereby lower the epithelial As absorption rates (20±7 %), also in the presence of simulated colon fluids derived from IBD patients. Thus, individuals with compromised gut barrier functioning may be more vulnerable to pollutant exposure in general and inorganic As more specifically. Yet, our in vitro data show that probiotic strategies may alleviate these symptoms.
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IJMS, Vol. 17, Pages 1014: Oenocarpus bacaba and Oenocarpus bataua Leaflets and Roots: A New Source of Antioxidant Compounds
Native palm trees fruit from the Amazonian rainforest, Oenocarpus bacaba and Oenocarpus bataua, are very often used in the diet of local communities, but the biological activities of their roots and leaflets remain poorly known. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of root and leaflet extracts from Oenocarpus bacaba and Oenocarpus bataua were assessed by using different chemical assays, the oxygèn radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), the 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging capacity and the ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Cellular antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity were also measured in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts. The polyphenolic composition of Oenocarpus extracts was investigated by LC-MSn. Oenocarpus leaflet extracts were more antioxidant than root extracts, being at least as potent as Euterpe oleracea berries known as superfruit. Oenocarpus root extracts were characterized by hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeoylquinic and caffeoylshikimic acids), while leaflet extracts contained mainly caffeoylquinic acids and C-glycosyl flavones. These results suggest that leaflets of both Oenocarpus species could be valorized as a new non-cytotoxic source of antioxidants from Amazonia, containing hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids, in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic or agri-food industry.
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IJMS, Vol. 17, Pages 988: The X-ray Structures of Six Octameric RNA Duplexes in the Presence of Different Di- and Trivalent Cations
Due to the polyanionic nature of RNA, the principles of charge neutralization and electrostatic condensation require that cations help to overcome the repulsive forces in order for RNA to adopt a three-dimensional structure. A precise structural knowledge of RNA-metal ion interactions is crucial to understand the mechanism of metal ions in the catalytic or regulatory activity of RNA. We solved the crystal structure of an octameric RNA duplex in the presence of the di- and trivalent metal ions Ca2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Sr2+, and Tb3+. The detailed investigation reveals a unique innersphere interaction to uracil and extends the knowledge of the influence of metal ions for conformational changes in RNA structure. Furthermore, we could demonstrate that an accurate localization of the metal ions in the X-ray structures require the consideration of several crystallographic and geometrical parameters as well as the anomalous difference map.
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IJMS, Vol. 17, Pages 1016: Screening of α-Tocopherol Transfer Protein Sensitive Genes in Human Hepatoma Cells (HepG2)
α-Tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP) is a ~32 kDa protein expressed mainly in hepatocytes. The major function of the protein is to bind specifically to α-tocopherol and, together, the complex transfers from late lysosomes to the cell membrane. A previous study indicated that some factors might be required in the transferring process. However, there is little information available about the potential transferring factors. In addition, there remains much to learn about other physiological processes which α-TTP might participate in. Thus, in this study a human α-TTP eukaryotic expression vector was successfully constructed and expressed in human hepatoma cells (HepG2). The sensitive genes related to α-TTP were then screened by microarray technology. Results showed that expression of the vector in HepG2 cells led to the identification of 323 genes showing differential expression. The differentially expressed transcripts were divided into four main categories, including (1) cell inflammation; (2) cell cycle and cell apoptosis; (3) cell signaling and gene regulation; and (4) cellular movement. A few cellular movement related transcripts were selected and verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Expressions of some were significantly increased in α-TTP-expressed group, which indicated that these factors were likely to play a role in the transferring process.
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Gold-catalysed facile access to indene scaffold via sequential C-H functionalization and 5-endo-dig carbocyclization
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC04034A, Communication
A concise synthesis of functionalized indene derivates via the gold(I)-catalyzed cascade C-H functionalization/conia-ene type reaction of electron-rich aromatics with o-alkynylaryl -diazoesters have been developed. In this transformation, gold catalyst not...
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Hierarchically Porous Bio-inspired Films by combining "Breath Figure" Templating and selectively Degradable Block Copolymer Directed Self-Assembly
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC04760B, Communication
Polymer films with hierarchical micro- and nano-porosities were prepared by combining the fast solvent evaporation "Breath Figure" method (BF), exhibiting a highly regular honeycomb micro-porous texture, with the additional nanoscale...
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On the existence of intramolecular one-electron Be-Be bonds.
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC04350J, Communication
Although Be-Be bond is extremely weak in Be2 dimers, we have shown that rather stable Be-Be one-electron sigma bonds are formed upon electron attachment to 1,8-diBeX-naphthalene derivatives. Wavefunction analyses corroborate...
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Autoimmune/Inflammatory Arthritis Associated Lymphomas: Who Is at Risk?
Specific autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases have been associated with an increased risk of malignant lymphomas. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis, and celiac disease have been consistently linked to malignant lymphomas. Isolated cases of lymphomas associated with spondyloarthropathies and autoinflammatory diseases have also been reported. Direct association between autoimmunity and lymphomagenesis has been reinforced by large epidemiological studies. It is still uncertain whether disease specific determinants or phenotypic or treatment related characteristics increase likelihood of lymphomagenesis in these patients. For example, recent literature has indicated a positive correlation between severity of inflammation and risk of lymphomas among RA and Sjögren's syndrome patients. It is also debated whether specific lymphoma variants are more commonly seen in accordance with certain chronic autoimmune arthritis. Previous studies have revealed a higher incidence of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas in RA and SLE patients, whereas pSS has been linked with increased risk of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. This review summarizes recent literature evaluating risk of lymphomas in arthritis patients and disease specific risk determinants. We also elaborate on the association of autoimmune arthritis with specific lymphoma variants along with genetic, environmental, and therapeutic risk factors.
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Evidence-based clinical use of nanoscale extracellular vesicles in nanomedicine
Recent research has demonstrated that all body fluids assessed contain substantial amounts of vesicles that range in size from 30 to 1000 nm and that are surrounded by phospholipid membranes containing different membrane microdomains such as lipid rafts and caveolae. The most prominent representatives of these so-called extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized exosomes (70-150 nm), which are derivatives of the endosomal system, and microvesicles (100-1000 nm), which are produced by outward budding of the plasma membrane. Nanosized EVs are released by almost all cell types and mediate targeted intercellular communication under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Containing cell-type specific signatures, EVs have been proposed as biomarkers in a variety of diseases. Furthermore, according to their physical functions, EVs of selected cell types have been used as therapeutic agents in immune therapy, vaccination trials, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery. Undoubtedly, the rapidly emerging field of basic and applied EV research will significantly influence the biomedicinal landscape in the future. In this Perspective, we, a network of European scientists from clinical, academic, and industry settings collaborating through the H2020 European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program European Network on Microvesicles and.Exosomes in Health and Disease (ME-HAD), demonstrate the high potential of nanosized EVs for both diagnostic and therapeutic (i.e., theranostic) areas of nanomedicine.
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Loading capacity versus enzyme activity in anisotropic and spherical calcium carbonate microparticles
A new method of fabrication of calcium carbonate microparticles of ellipsoidal, rhomboidal, and spherical geometries is reported by adjusting the relative concentration ratios of the initial salt solutions and/or the ethylene glycol content in the reaction medium. Morphology, porosity, crystallinity, and loading capacity of synthesized CaCO3 templates were characterized in detail. Particles harboring dextran or the enzyme guanylate kinase were obtained through encapsulation of these macromolecules using the layer-by-layer assembly technique to deposit positively and negatively charged polymers on these differently shaped CaCO3 templates and were characterized by confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy, fluorometric techniques, and enzyme activity measurements. The enzymatic activity, an important application of such porous particles and containers, has been analyzed in comparison with the loading capacity and geometry. Our results reveal that the particles' shape influences morphology of particles and that, as a result, affects the activity of the encapsulated enzymes, in addition to the earlier reported influence on cellular uptake. These particles are promising candidates for efficient drug delivery due to their relatively high loading capacity, biocompatibility, and easy fabrication and handling.
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Characterization of a gram-positive broad-host-range plasmid isolated from Lactobacillus hilgardii
Two plasmids, pLAB1000 and pLAB2000 (3.3 and 9.1 kb, respectively), have been isolated from a grass silage strain of Lactobacillus hilgardii. Both plasmids were cloned in Escherichia coli and characterized through restriction mapping. A 1.6-kb XbaI-SacI fragment of pLAB1000 appeared to be sufficient for autonomous replication in Lactobacillus plantarum and in Bacillus subtilis. Different shuttle vectors for E. coli and gram-positive bacteria were developed using the pLAB1000 plasmid. These could stably be maintained in Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Bacillus under selective conditions. Plasmids sharing DNA homologies with pLAB1000 have been observed in different strains of the related species L. plantarum.
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Comprehensive review of golf-related ocular injuries
Retina
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The association between physician empathy and variation in imaging use
Academic Emergency Medicine
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Air Medical Evacuations From the German North Sea Wind Farm Bard Offshore 1: Traumatic Injuries, Acute Diseases, and Rescue Process Times (2011-2013)
Air Medical Journal
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Early neurologically focused follow-up after cardiac arrest is cost-effective: A trial-based economic evaluation
Resuscitation
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Clinical effects of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists compared with marijuana in emergency department patients with acute drug overdose
Journal of Medical Toxicology
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Neuropathic pain prevalence following spinal cord injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis
European Journal of Pain
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Correlations of perioperative coagulopathy, fluid infusion and blood transfusions with survival prognosis in endovascular aortic repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
World Journal of Emergency Surgery
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Focus on the prophylaxis, epidemiology and therapy of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surgical site infections and a position paper on associated risk factors: The perspective of an Italian group of surgeons
World Journal of Emergency Surgery
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International normalized ratio and serum C-reactive protein are feasible markers to predict complicated appendicitis
World Journal of Emergency Surgery
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Wells criteria for DVT is a reliable clinical tool to assess the risk of deep venous thrombosis in trauma patients
World Journal of Emergency Surgery
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Surgical treatment of multiple rib fractures and flail chest in trauma: A one-year follow-up study
World Journal of Emergency Surgery
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Associated injuries in skeletally immature children with pelvic fractures
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
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Identifying non-accidental fractures in children aged <2 years
Journal of Children's Orthopaedics
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Control of postpartum hemorrhage using vacuum-induced uterine tamponade
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Population-based study shows that resuscitating apparently stillborn extremely preterm babies is associated with poor outcomes
Acta Pediatrica
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Anticoagulant induced spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma, conservative management or surgical intervention—A dilemma?
Journal of Acute Medicine
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Novel and scalable solid-state synthesis of nanocrystalline FeF3/C composite and its excellent electrochemical performance
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC03706B, Communication
We present a scalable and simple solid-state reaction to synthesize a promising FeF3 cathode material by using PTFE (-CF2- CF2-)n as a source of both fluorine and carbon. The developed...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry
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CBV_ASPECTS Improvement over CT_ASPECTS on Determining Irreversible Ischemic Lesion Decreases over Time
The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is a useful scoring system for assessing early ischemic signs on noncontrast computed tomography (CT). Cerebral blood volume (CBV) on CT perfusion defines the core lesion assumed to be irreversibly damaged. We aim to explore the advantages of CBV_ASPECTS over CT_ASPECTS in the prediction of final infarct volume according to time. Methods: Consecutive patients with anterior circulation stroke who underwent endovascular reperfusion according to initial CT_ASPECTS ≥7 were studied. CBV_ASPECTS was assessed blindly later on. Recanalization was defined as thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia score 2b-3. Final infarct volumes were measured on follow-up imaging. We compared ASPECTS on CBV and CT images, and defined ASPECTS agreement as: CT_ASPECTS - CBV_ASPECTS ≤1. Results: Sixty-five patients, with a mean age of 67 ± 14 years and a median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 16 (range 10-20), were studied. The recanalization rate was 78.5%. The median CT_ASPECTS was 9 (range 8-10), and the CBV_ASPECTS was 8 (range 8-10). The mean time from symptoms to CT was 219 ± 143 min. Fifty patients (76.9%) showed ASPECTS agreement. The ASPECTS difference was inversely correlated to the time from symptoms to CT (r = -0.36, p 2 h after symptom onset, CT_ASPECTS also correlated to final infarct (r = -0.39, p = 0.01). Conclusions: In acute stroke, CBV_ASPECTS correlates with the final infarct volume. However, when CT is performed after 120 min from symptom onset, CBV_ASPECTS does not add relevant information to CT_ASPECTS.
Intervent Neurol 2016;5:140-147
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Effects of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera leaves on Epidermal Wound Healing in Domestic Rabbit
2016-06-27T00-17-28Z
Source: International Journal of Livestock Research
Abayomi Kayode Olaifa.
ABSTRACT A study was undertaken to assess the healing properties of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on epidermal wounds in rabbits. Twelve adult rabbits were divided into two equal groups of six. A pair of wound measuring 2cm x 2cm each was created on each rabbit. The wound on the rabbits in the experimental group were treated with Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extracts while those in the control group were cleaned with distilled water daily. Wound contraction was measured daily with days 5, 9 and 12 representing the inflammatory, proliferative and maturation phases of wound healing respectively. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 5, 9 and 12 for analysis. Moringa oleifera leaf extract-treated animals had faster rates of wound contraction and healing with shorter days of scab fall off within 7 days; increases in packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts (P
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Haralick textural features on T2-weighted MRI are associated with biochemical recurrence following radiotherapy for peripheral zone prostate cancer
Purpose
To explore the association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including Haralick textural features, and biochemical recurrence following prostate cancer radiotherapy.
Materials and Methods
In all, 74 patients with peripheral zone localized prostate adenocarcinoma underwent pretreatment 3.0T MRI before external beam radiotherapy. Median follow-up of 47 months revealed 11 patients with biochemical recurrence. Prostate tumors were segmented on T2-weighted sequences (T2-w) and contours were propagated onto the coregistered apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images. We extracted 140 image features from normalized T2-w and ADC images corresponding to first-order (n = 6), gradient-based (n = 4), and second-order Haralick textural features (n = 130). Four geometrical features (tumor diameter, perimeter, area, and volume) were also computed. Correlations between Gleason score and MRI features were assessed. Cox regression analysis and random survival forests (RSF) were performed to assess the association between MRI features and biochemical recurrence.
Results
Three T2-w and one ADC Haralick textural features were significantly correlated with Gleason score (P < 0.05). Twenty-eight T2-w Haralick features and all four geometrical features were significantly associated with biochemical recurrence (P < 0.05). The most relevant features were Haralick features T2-w contrast, T2-w difference variance, ADC median, along with tumor volume and tumor area (C-index from 0.76 to 0.82; P < 0.05). By combining these most powerful features in an RSF model, the obtained C-index was 0.90.
Conclusion
T2-w Haralick features appear to be strongly associated with biochemical recurrence following prostate cancer radiotherapy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016.
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Whole-body PET/MRI for colorectal cancer staging: Is it the way forward?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is presently the modality of choice for the local staging of rectal cancer, with positron emission tomography (PET) being optional for the evaluation of colorectal cancer. Indeed, previous studies have demonstrated that liver MRI using hepatocyte-specific contrast agents can provide high diagnostic performance in the detection of colorectal cancer liver metastases. Recently, however, whole-body PET/MRI, which can provide information regarding both anatomy and metabolism, has been introduced to clinical imaging, and studies are under way to assess whether it can improve diagnostic performance for oncologic diseases as well as provide additional information regarding the disease phenotype and biology compared to conventional imaging modalities of computed tomography (CT), PET, or MRI. This review offers a brief overview of the technical considerations of the PET/MRI system, and the current status of imaging modalities in the staging of colorectal cancer. The potential of whole-body PET/MRI to improve the performance of colorectal cancer staging and the results of several recent studies will be discussed, and workflow considerations of whole-body PET/MRI for patients with colorectal cancer will be addressed. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016.
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Presence of anti-phosphatidylserine–prothrombin complex antibodies and anti-moesin antibodies in patients with polyarteritis nodosa
Abstract
We measured both serum anti-phosphatidylserine–prothrombin complex (anti-PSPT) antibodies and anti-moesin antibodies, as well as various cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, γ-interferon, tumor necrosis factor-α) levels in polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) patients with cutaneous manifestations. All patients showed the presence of a histological necrotizing vasculitis in the skin specimen. They were treated with i.v. cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (IV-CY) and prednisolone therapy or steroid pulse therapy. The immunological assessments were performed on sera collected prior to and after treatment with IV-CY or steroid pulse therapy. We found a significant positive correlation between serum anti-moesin antibodies and both clinical Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Scores and Vasculitis Damage Index. Anti-PSPT antibody and IL-2 levels after treatment in PAN patients were significantly lower than before treatment. In contrast, anti-moesin antibody levels were higher following IV-CY or steroid pulse therapy compared with the pretreatment levels. In the treatment-resistant PAN patients (n = 8), anti-PSPT antibody levels after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment. In contrast, anti-moesin antibody levels after treatment in the patients were significantly higher compared with the pretreatment levels. Immunohistochemical staining revealed moesin overexpression in mainly fibrinoid necrosis of the affected arteries in the PAN patients. We suggest that measurement of serum anti-PSPT antibody levels could serve as a marker for PAN and aid in earlier diagnosis of PAN. We also propose that elevated serum anti-moesin antibodies could play some role of the exacerbation in patients with PAN.
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Melanoma diagnosed in lesions previously treated by laser therapy
Abstract
Laser therapy has become a routine procedure in dermatological practice and is frequently also used for pigmented lesions. Few reports exist of melanomas diagnosed in lesions previously treated by laser therapy. Between 2007 and 2014, we identified 11 patients who presented to our department with a melanoma diagnosed in a region previously treated by laser therapy. The course of events until the diagnosis of melanoma was assessed as well as patient outcome including treatment for disease progression. No histological assessment had been performed prior to laser therapy in nine of 11 (82%) cases. Benign melanocytic lesions had been diagnosed by biopsy prior to laser therapy in the other two cases. Time from laser therapy to diagnosis of melanoma ranged from less than 1 to 10 years. Stage of disease at diagnosis varied from stage IA to IIIC. Four patients progressed to stage IV disease, of whom at least one died of melanoma. We conclude that laser treatment of pigmented lesions can complicate the diagnosis of melanoma and lead to diagnosis delay with potentially fatal consequences. Considering this risk, we believe laser therapy for pigmented lesions should either be avoided entirely or at a minimum performed only after prior histological assessment.
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Mutations in the drug resistance-determining region of Mycobacterium lepromatosis isolated from leprosy patients in Mexico
Abstract
Mycobacterium lepromatosis, an independent species from Mycobacterium leprae, has been found to be a causative agent for diffuse lepromatous leprosy (DLL) in Mexico, but remains poorly studied. Here, the drug resistance-determining regions (DRDR) of folP1, rpoB and gyrA (conferring resistance to dapsone, rifampicin and quinolone, respectively) in M. lepromatosis from leprosy patients in Mexico were characterized. No mutations or silent mutations were found at previously characterized major sites in DRDR of M. lepromatosis. However, a non-synonymous mutation was found in codon 54 between two major sites of the folP1 DRDR in M. lepromatosis sequences. All M. lepromatosis isolates showed CAG sequence in codon 54 of folP1. Because the next codons 53 and 55 are known as major mutation sites for drug resistance, more detailed analysis using more samples is needed to determine whether it influences susceptibility to dapsone and/or efficiency of folate biosynthesis in M. lepromatosis or not.
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