Superb Electrically Conductive Graphene Fibers via Doping Strategy

Graphene fibers (GFs) with superb electrical conductivity are produced via a chemical doping strategy. The electrical conductivities reach up to 0.77 × 10⁷–2.24 × 10⁷ S m⁻¹, which are the highest values among all the reported GFs. The combination of lightness, superb conductivity, and easy scalability makes GFs a promising new carbonaceous fiber species with high performance and advanced functionality.

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Epitaxial 2D PbS Nanoplates Arrays with Highly Efficient Infrared Response

2D nonlayered semiconductors have attracted intense interest due to their unique planar structure and various fascinating optoelectronic properties. Here, a method is developed to design orientation-controlled and well-defined single-crystalline PbS nanoplates arrays on mica. Furthermore, the single PbS nanoplate device displays great photoresponsivity, detectivity, and photogain values as high as 1621 A W⁻¹, 1.72 × 10¹¹ Jones, and 2512, respectively.

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How Does Difficulty Communicating Affect the Social Relationships of Older Adults? An Exploration Using Data from a National Survey

Publication date: Available online 22 June 2016
Source:Journal of Communication Disorders
Author(s): Andrew D. Palmer, Jason T. Newsom, Karen S. Rook
Healthy social relationships are important for maintaining mental and physical health in later life. Less social support, smaller social networks, and more negative social interactions have been linked to depression, poorer immune functioning, lower self-rated health, increased incidence of disease, and higher mortality. Overwhelming evidence suggests that communication disorders adversely affect social relationships. Much less is known about whether some or all aspects of social relationships are negatively affected by a communication disorder. The relative impact of a communication disorder on social relationships, as compared to other kinds of disability, is also poorly understood. Data were analyzed from a representative national sample of community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older living in the continental United States (n=742). Results from multiple regressions indicated that difficulty communicating was significantly associated with several parameters of social relationships even after controlling for age, gender, partnership status, health, functional limitations, and visual impairment. Communication difficulty was a significant predictor of smaller social network size, fewer positive social exchanges, less frequent participation in social activities, and higher levels of loneliness, but was not a significant predictor of negative social exchanges. These findings suggest that communication disorders may place older adults at increased risk for mental and physical health problems because of social isolation, reduced social participation, and higher rates of loneliness. In addition, it appears that communication disorders may have a greater impact on positive, rather than negative, aspects of social relationships.Learning outcomes: As a result of this activity, the following learning outcomes will be realized: Readers will be able to (1) describe changes in the social relationships of older adults that occur as part of normal aging, (2) identify the aspects of social relationships that were significantly impacted by a communication difficulty, and (3) discuss possible reasons for these findings including potential clinical implications.



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Reactive Multifunctional Template-Induced Preparation of Fe-N-Doped Mesoporous Carbon Microspheres Towards Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction

A novel in-situ replication and polymerization strategy is developed for the synthesis of Fe-N-doped mesoporous carbon microspheres (Fe-NMCSs). This material benefits from the synergy between the high catalytic activity of Fe-N-C and the fast mass transport of the mesoporous microsphere structure. Compared to commercial Pt/C catalysts, the Fe-NMCSs show a much better electrocatalytic performance in terms of higher catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability for the oxygen reduction reaction.

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Giant Negative Electrocaloric Effects of Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 Thin Films

Hafnia (HfO₂)-Zirconia (ZrO₂) solid solution films showed giant positive (ΔT = 13.4 K) and negative (ΔT = −10.8 K) electrocaloric effects that can be simply controlled by tuning the Hf/Zr ratio. It is expected that the combination of the electrocaloric effects with opposite signs in this lead-free, simple, binary oxide can significantly improve the efficiency of electrocaloric cooling.

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Locally Grafting of Ionic Liquid in Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Amorphous Region and the Subsequent Microphase Separation Behavior in Melt

Polymer-based nanostructures can be generally created by self-assembly of block copolymers that are commonly synthesized by living radical polymerization. In this study, a new strategy is proposed to fabricate block-like copolymers by using the template of binary phase structure of semicrystalline polymers. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is thermodynamically miscible with an unsaturated ionic liquid (IL) (1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) in the melt and IL molecules are expelled out from the crystalline parts during the crystallization of PVDF. Therefore, the IL molecules are only located at the amorphous region of PVDF crystals. The electron beam irradiation of the IL incorporated PVDF leads to the local grafting of IL molecules onto the PVDF molecular chains in the amorphous region, so block-like grafting polymer chains of crystalline PVDF-b-(amorphous PVDF-g-IL)-b-crystalline PVDF can be achieved. The subsequent heating of the irradiated sample induces the microphase separation of PVDF-g-IL from the ungrafted PVDF chains.

A new strategy to fabricate block-like copolymer by using the binary phase structure of semicrystalline polymers as a template is proposed. Ionic liquid (IL) molecules are locally grafted onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) by electron beam irradiation at room temperature. Subsequent melting induces the microphase separation of PVDF-g-IL from the ungrafted PVDF chains.

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Poly(paraphenylene sulfide) and Poly(metaphenylene sulfide) via Light-Initiated SRN1-Type Polymerization of Halogenated Thiophenols

In this work, the synthesis of various halogenated thiophenol derivatives is presented. These thiophenols are used as monomers in light-initiated S_RN1-type radical polymerization reactions. The method provides easy access to industrially relevant poly(paraphenylene sulfide) and poly(metaphenylene sulfide). The influence of the halide leaving group and of other substituents in the thiophenol monomer on the polymerization process is investigated.

The synthesis of various halogenated thiophenol derivatives is presented and their reactivity in light-initiated S_RN1-type radical polymerization reactions is explored. The method provides easy access to industrially relevant poly(paraphenylene sulfide) and poly(metaphenylene sulfide).

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Extensional Flow-Induced Dynamic Phase Transitions in Isotactic Polypropylene

With a combination of fast extension rheometer and in situ synchrotron radiation ultra-fast small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering, flow-induced crystallization (FIC) of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) is studied at temperatures below and above the melting point of α crystals (Tmα). A flow phase diagram of iPP is constructed in strain rate–temperature space, composing of melt, non-crystalline shish, α and α&β coexistence regions, based on which the kinetic and dynamic competitions among these four phases are discussed. Above T_mα, imposing strong flow reverses thermodynamic stabilities of the disordered melt and the ordered phases, leading to the occurrence of FIC of β and α crystals as a dynamic phase transition. Either increasing temperature or stain rate favors the competiveness of the metastable β over the stable α crystals, which is attributed to kinetic rate rather than thermodynamic stability. The violent competitions among four phases near the boundary of crystal-melt may frustrate crystallization and result in the non-crystalline shish winning out.

A phase diagram based on different flow induced structures of isotactic polypropylene regulated by strain rate and temperature is constructed. β crystal is generated simultaneously with α crystal showing the enhancement of nucleation ability compared to α crystal. The generation of non-crystalline shish is attributed to frustration effect of violent competitions among all involved four phases.

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Impact of the Metal Centre and Functionalization on the Mechanical Behaviour of MIL-53 Metal–Organic Frameworks

An extended series of MIL-53(M)_X metal–organic frameworks (MIL = Materials of Institute Lavoisier; M = Al, Cr, Fe, Sc; X = Cl, CH₃, NO₂) have been systematically investiaged to explore the impact of the nature of both the metal centre and the functions grafted on to the organic linker on the mechanical behaviour of this family of highly flexible hybrid porous frameworks under the application of an external pressure of up to 3 GPa. The high-pressure X-ray diffraction measurements allowed the characterization of the pressure-induced phase transitions of the hydrated structures, the associated volume changes/pressure transitions, and their mechanical resilience through the determination of their bulk moduli.

The pressure-induced phase transitions of a series of hydrated MIL-53 metal–organic frameworks and their compressibility have been investigated as a function of the nature of both the metal centre and the functions grafted on to the organic linker.

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Intracell Hydrogen Adsorption–Transmission in a Co2P Solid Hydrogen-Storage Material

Co₂P nanoparticles, obtained by a simple mechanical ball-milling treatment, have been shown to undergo a new hydrogen adsorption–transmission process called intracell Kubas-enhanced adsorption, which results in an improved hydrogen-storage capacity. It is found that in this intracell Kubas-enhanced adsorption process hydrogen is firstly adsorbed by the Co atoms in Co₂P through a Co···H interaction and activated. It is then spilt over to the P atoms in Co₂P accompanied by the formation of a P–H bond, which has a lower bonding energy. This adsorption–transmission process is unambiguously proved by a detailed analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and quantum chemical calculation results.

An intracell Kubas-enhanced adsorption mechanism for improving the hydrogen-storage capacity of Co₂P has been described for the first time.

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A snapshot survey of perceptions of healthcare professionals on ageing surgeons

Objective

The aim of this research was to understand healthcare professionals' perception of the continued practice of ageing surgeons in Singapore.

Methodology

A quantitative method was chosen for this research to determine healthcare professionals' perception of the practice of ageing surgeons. Ethical approval was obtained from the local ethical review board. A cross-sectional method using a population survey was performed among healthcare professionals in two tertiary institutions and the study was confined to stakeholders in practices of ageing surgeons. The population sampled was limited to nurses in the theatre, anaesthetists, surgeons and geriatricians (physicians). An online questionnaire was designed for the survey that took into consideration the various conceptual frameworks of ageing surgeons' practice that was obtained from a literature review.

Results

There were 104 respondents of a population of 350 sampled (theatre nurses, anaesthetists, physicians and surgeons) giving a respondent rate of 30%. The mean age of the participants was 39.7; 72% were doctors (surgeons 34%, physicians 20% and anaesthetists 18%) and 28% nurses. Only 35% agreed with the statement that older surgeons face deterioration in cognitive faculties and 29% remained neutral. A similar trend was seen with the perception that older surgeons face a decline in memory. However, 44% agreed with the statement that older surgeons face a decline in visuospatial ability and another 40% agreed that they had a decline in psychomotor skills and reaction time. Fifty per cent agreed with the statement that they face deterioration in physical abilities. Sixty-three per cent did not think that older surgeons face a decline in reasoning and judgement. Forty-eight per cent believed that older surgeons' vast fund of knowledge and experience could compensate for physical and cognitive changes. Only 13% agreed with the statement that older surgeons have higher surgical mortality. Forty-five per cent agreed that the retirement age should be 65 while 22% believed it should be over 65. Forty-four per cent agreed that a regular multidisciplinary, objective and comprehensive evaluation of an older surgeon's physical and cognitive function would help to identify and treat reversible problems which when corrected would aid in restoring the surgeon's function. Seventy-four per cent felt that it was the responsibility of all stakeholders to decide or report on when an ageing surgeon is unsafe to continue practicing. Fifty-five per cent disagreed with a mandatory retirement age for surgeons.

Conclusions

This study showed that, in Singapore, stakeholders agreed there are changes in physical and cognitive abilities of ageing surgeons but they thought that these can be overcome with selective strategies to optimise their role in the workforce. They also disagreed on a mandatory retirement age.

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Involvement of Tight Junction Plaque Proteins in Cancer

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Here we review the molecular organization and protein–protein interactions of the following plaque proteins of tight junction (TJ): MAGI-1, -2 and -3, the polarity complex Par3/Par6/aPKC, afadin, MUPP1, PATJ, Pals1, cingulin, paracingulin, and JEAP. We analyze the status of these proteins in cancer tissue and their association to tumor suppressor proteins, kinases, and viral oncoproteins. Zonula occludens plaque proteins of the TJ are discussed separately in the preceding review within this issue.

Recent Findings

The expression of the above-mentioned TJ plaque proteins is frequently altered in cancer. However, while the loss of some of these proteins correlates with cancer development and low sensitivity to apoptosis, the overexpression of others is associated with poor patient survival rates. Some of these proteins are associated with tumor suppressor proteins like PTEN or to kinases activated in cancer like Src, while others are the target of oncoviral proteins or interact with signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and transformation.

Summary

TJ present at the apical junctional complex of epithelial cells control the passage of ions and molecules through the paracellular route and block the movement of proteins and lipids within the plasma membrane from the apical to the basolateral surfaces. TJ are constituted by integral proteins linked to a vast group of plaque proteins, which form a scaffold associated with the actomyosin cytoskeleton. In cancerous tissues some of these plaque proteins are silenced while others are overexpressed.

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Nm23H1 mediates tumor invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by regulation of CLDN1 through the AKT signaling

Nm23H1 mediates tumor invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by regulation of CLDN1 through the AKT signaling

Oncogenesis 5, e239 (July 2016). doi:10.1038/oncsis.2016.46

Authors: K-T Kuo, C-L Chen, T-Y Chou, C-T Yeh, W-H Lee & L-S Wang

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Study of the electrical and dielectric measurements of a rare-earth doped perovskite La 0.6 Nd 0.1 Sr 0.3 Mn 0.7 Ti 0.3 O 3

Abstract

Electrical and dielectric properties of a polycrystalline La_0.6Nd_0.1Sr_0.3Mn_0.7Ti_0.3O₃ sample prepared by standard solid state reaction technique are presented. FTIR studies have showed the vibration of (Mn/Ti)O₆ octahedra. The complex impedance is investigated in a temperature range 120–340 K and in frequency range 40 Hz–10 MHz. The impedance spectra have indicated that the electrical properties are strongly dependent on temperature and frequency, showing a good correlation with the sample microstructure. Ac conductivity is found to obey Jonscher power law. The value of activation energy estimated from the conductivity analysis is slightly higher than that deduced from relaxation analysis.

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Sensitive proton-detected solid-state NMR spectroscopy of large proteins with selective CH3 labelling: application to the 50S ribosome subunit

Chem. Commun., 2016, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC04484K, Communication

Vilius Kurauskas, Elodie Crublet, Pavel Macek, Rime Kerfah, Diego F. Gauto, Jerome BOISBOUVIER, Paul Schanda
Solid-state NMR spectroscopy allows the characterization of structure, interactions and dynamics of insoluble and/or very large proteins. Sensitivity and resolution are often major challenges for obtaining atomic-resolution information, in particular...
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Propagation of measurement accuracy to biomass soft-sensor estimation and control quality

Abstract

In biopharmaceutical process development and manufacturing, the online measurement of biomass and derived specific turnover rates is a central task to physiologically monitor and control the process. However, hard-type sensors such as dielectric spectroscopy, broth fluorescence, or permittivity measurement harbor various disadvantages. Therefore, soft-sensors, which use measurements of the off-gas stream and substrate feed to reconcile turnover rates and provide an online estimate of the biomass formation, are smart alternatives. For the reconciliation procedure, mass and energy balances are used together with accuracy estimations of measured conversion rates, which were so far arbitrarily chosen and static over the entire process. In this contribution, we present a novel strategy within the soft-sensor framework (named adaptive soft-sensor) to propagate uncertainties from measurements to conversion rates and demonstrate the benefits: For industrially relevant conditions, hereby the error of the resulting estimated biomass formation rate and specific substrate consumption rate could be decreased by 43 and 64 %, respectively, compared to traditional soft-sensor approaches. Moreover, we present a generic workflow to determine the required raw signal accuracy to obtain predefined accuracies of soft-sensor estimations. Thereby, appropriate measurement devices and maintenance intervals can be selected. Furthermore, using this workflow, we demonstrate that the estimation accuracy of the soft-sensor can be additionally and substantially increased.

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Spotlights on our sister journals: Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 19/2016

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Front Cover: Template Synthesis of Alkyl-Substituted Metal Isocorroles (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 19/2016)

The cover picture shows, in a symbolized manner, the two elemental processes that occur during the metal-templated macrocyclization of linear tetrapyrroles: the locking of a pseudomacrocyclic conformation and the induced cyclization by coupling of the tetrapyrrole termini. Isocorroles are new members of the porphyrinoid family that have been made accessible by this approach and are highlighted as love padlocks. Details are discussed in the article by M. Bröring et al. on p. 3076 ff. For more on the story behind the cover research, see the Cover Profile.

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Template Synthesis of Alkyl-Substituted Metal Isocorroles

Abstract

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Martin Bröring from the Technical University Braunschweig, Germany. The cover image shows the metal-ion-templated macrocyclization of linear tetrapyrroles for the synthesis of non-aromatic porphyrinoids.

We are interested in the application of non-natural porphyrinoids as cofactor analogs in biohybrid compounds, that is, heme proteins carrying an artificial porphyrin-like metal complex…

Read more about the story behind the cover in the Cover Profile and about the research itself on p. 3076 ff.

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Birch pollen immunotherapy inhibits anaphylaxis to the cross-reactive apple allergen Mal d 1 in mice

Abstract

Background

Cross-reactive apple allergy is a common co-morbidity of birch pollen allergy, caused by the presence of a Bet v 1 homologue allergen in apple, Mal d 1. Treatment of tree pollen hay fever by immunotherapy is well-established, but its effect on the accompanying apple allergy is debated.

Objective

To establish a mouse model of birch pollen induced cross-reactivity to Mal d 1 and investigate the effect of birch pollen immunotherapy on the cross-reactivity to Mal d 1.

Methods

Respiratory allergy was induced in Balb/c mice by intraperitoneal exposure to alum-adsorbed birch pollen extract (BPE) in combination with short or prolonged intranasal exposure to BPE. To evaluate the response to Mal d 1, mice were exposed intraperitoneally to Mal d 1. Immunoglobulin responses and cytokine production by splenocytes were measured by ELISA. Allergic symptoms were evaluated by measuring airway hyper-reactivity and hypothermia as a surrogate marker for anaphylaxis. Immunotherapy was performed subcutaneously with alum-adsorbed BPE.

Results

Mice exposed to BPE develop cross-reactive IgE to Mal d 1. Early after exposure to BPE, this response is still weak and does not yet translate into anaphylaxis. Interestingly, later re-challenge with BPE increased cross-reactivity to a level where Mal d 1 exposure induced anaphylaxis. Cross-sensitization can also be induced by systemic Mal d 1 exposure. Birch pollen immunotherapy significantly reduced the anaphylactic response of mice to Mal d 1.

Conclusion & Clinical Relevance

A mouse model mimicking birch pollen induced cross-reactivity to Mal d 1 was successfully established. In this model birch pollen immunotherapy significantly ameliorated the anaphylaxis induced by Mal d 1. Our experimental data suggest that boosting of Mal d 1 recognizing immunoglobulins by BP SCIT is important for the amelioration of apple allergy in human.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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A Presenilin-2-ARF4 trafficking axis modulates Notch signaling during epidermal differentiation

How primary cilia impact epidermal growth and differentiation during embryogenesis is poorly understood. Here, we show that during skin development, Notch signaling occurs within the ciliated, differentiating cells of the first few suprabasal epidermal layers. Moreover, both Notch signaling and cilia disappear in the upper layers, where key ciliary proteins distribute to cell–cell borders. Extending this correlation, we find that Presenilin-2 localizes to basal bodies/cilia through a conserved VxPx motif. When this motif is mutated, a GFP-tagged Presenilin-2 still localizes to intercellular borders, but basal body localization is lost. Notably, in contrast to wild type, this mutant fails to rescue epidermal differentiation defects seen upon Psen1 and 2 knockdown. Screening components implicated in ciliary targeting and polarized exocytosis, we provide evidence that the small GTPase ARF4 is required for Presenilin basal body localization, Notch signaling, and subsequent epidermal differentiation. Collectively, our findings raise the possibility that ARF4-dependent polarized exocytosis acts through the basal body–ciliary complex to spatially regulate Notch signaling during epidermal differentiation.

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SEC16A is a RAB10 effector required for insulin-stimulated GLUT4 trafficking in adipocytes

RAB10 is a regulator of insulin-stimulated translocation of the GLUT4 glucose transporter to the plasma membrane (PM) of adipocytes, which is essential for whole-body glucose homeostasis. We establish SEC16A as a novel RAB10 effector in this process. Colocalization of SEC16A with RAB10 is augmented by insulin stimulation, and SEC16A knockdown attenuates insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation, phenocopying RAB10 knockdown. We show that SEC16A and RAB10 promote insulin-stimulated mobilization of GLUT4 from a perinuclear recycling endosome/TGN compartment. We propose RAB10–SEC16A functions to accelerate formation of the vesicles that ferry GLUT4 to the PM during insulin stimulation. Because GLUT4 continually cycles between the PM and intracellular compartments, the maintenance of elevated cell-surface GLUT4 in the presence of insulin requires accelerated biogenesis of the specialized GLUT4 transport vesicles. The function of SEC16A in GLUT4 trafficking is independent of its previously characterized activity in ER exit site formation and therefore independent of canonical COPII-coated vesicle function. However, our data support a role for SEC23A, but not the other COPII components SEC13, SEC23B, and SEC31, in the insulin stimulation of GLUT4 trafficking, suggesting that vesicles derived from subcomplexes of COPII coat proteins have a role in the specialized trafficking of GLUT4.

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The Sam68 nuclear body is composed of two RNase-sensitive substructures joined by the adaptor HNRNPL

The mammalian cell nucleus contains membraneless suborganelles referred to as nuclear bodies (NBs). Some NBs are formed with an architectural RNA (arcRNA) as the structural core. Here, we searched for new NBs that are built on unidentified arcRNAs by screening for ribonuclease (RNase)-sensitive NBs using 32,651 fluorescently tagged human cDNA clones. We identified 32 tagged proteins that required RNA for their localization in distinct nuclear foci. Among them, seven RNA-binding proteins commonly localized in the Sam68 nuclear body (SNB), which was disrupted by RNase treatment. Knockdown of each SNB protein revealed that SNBs are composed of two distinct RNase-sensitive substructures. One substructure is present as a distinct NB, termed the DBC1 body, in certain conditions, and the more dynamic substructure including Sam68 joins to form the intact SNB. HNRNPL acts as the adaptor to combine the two substructures and form the intact SNB through the interaction of two sets of RNA recognition motifs with the putative arcRNAs in the respective substructures.

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Erratum: Percutaneous CT Guided Ablation in the Hepatic Dome: Artificially Induced Pneumothorax for Safe Transpleural Access

Journal of Clinical Imaging Science 2016 6(1):28-28



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Whole-genome sequencing in French Canadians from Quebec

Abstract

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have had a tremendous success in the identification of common DNA sequence variants associated with complex human diseases and traits. However, because of their design, GWAS are largely inappropriate to characterize the role of rare and low-frequency DNA variants on human phenotypic variation. Rarer genetic variation is geographically more restricted, supporting the need for local whole-genome sequencing (WGS) efforts to study these variants in specific populations. Here, we present the first large-scale low-pass WGS of the French-Canadian population. Specifically, we sequenced at ~5.6× coverage the whole genome of 1970 French Canadians recruited by the Montreal Heart Institute Biobank and identified 29 million bi-allelic variants (51 % novel), including 19 million variants with a minor allele frequency (MAF) <0.5 %. Genotypes from the WGS data are highly concordant with genotypes obtained by exome array on the same individuals (99.8 %), even when restricting this analysis to rare variants (MAF <0.5, 99.9 %) or heterozygous sites (98.9 %). To further validate our data set, we showed that we can effectively use it to replicate several genetic associations with myocardial infarction risk and blood lipid levels. Furthermore, we analyze the utility of our WGS data set to generate a French-Canadian-specific imputation reference panel and to infer population structure in the Province of Quebec. Our results illustrate the value of low-pass WGS to study the genetics of human diseases in the founder French-Canadian population.

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Assembling Substrate-less Plasmonic Metacrystals at the Oil/Water Interface for Multiplex Ultratrace Analyte Detection

Analyst, 2016, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C6AN01239F, Paper

Yih Hong Lee, Hiang Kwee Lee, Jonathan Ho, Yijie Yang, Xing Yi Ling
Current substrate-less SERS platforms are limited to uncontrolled aggregation of plasmonic nanoparticles or quasi-crystalline arrays of spherical nanoparticles, with no study on how the lattice structures formed by nanoparticle self-assembly...
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In Solution SERS Sensing using Mesoporous Silica-coated Gold Nanorods

Analyst, 2016, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C6AN01159D, Paper

Zhe Gao, Nathan D. Burrows, Nicholas Valley, George Schatz, Catherine Murphy, Christy Haynes
Mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods (AuNR@MS) act as a colloidally stable Raman sensing platform with a built-in analyte size cutoff. Herein, these core-shell plasmonic nanostructures were presented with a range of...
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Suppression of cell migration is promoted by miR-944 through targeting of SIAH1 and PTP4A1 in breast cancer cells

Abstract

Background

Aberrant expression of microRNAs has been associated with migration of tumor cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological significance of miR-944 whose function is unknown in breast cancer.

Methods

MiR-944 expression in breast cancer cells and tumors was evaluated by Taqman qRT-PCR assays. Transcriptional profiling of MDA-MB-231 cells expressing miR-944 was performed using DNA microarrays. Cell viability, migration and invasion were assessed by MTT, scratch/wound-healing and transwell chamber assays, respectively. The luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate targeting of SIAH1, PTP4A1 and PRKCA genes by miR-944. SIAH1 protein levels were measured by Western blot. Silencing of SIAH1 gene was performed by RNA interference using shRNAs.

Results

Our data showed that miR-944 expression was severely repressed in clinical specimens and breast cancer cell lines. Suppression of miR-944 levels was independent of hormonal status and metastatic potential of breast cancer cells. Gain-of-function analysis indicated that miR-944 altered the actin cytoskeleton dynamics and impaired cell migration and invasion. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of MDA-MB-231 cells that ectopically express miR-944 showed that 15 genes involved in migration were significantly repressed. Notably, luciferase reporter assays confirmed the ability of miR-944 to bind the 3´UTR of SIAH1 and PTP4A1 genes, but not PRKCA gene. Congruently, an inverse correlation between miR-944 and SIAH1 protein expression was found in breast cancer cells. Moreover, SIAH1 was upregulated in 75 % of miR-944-deficient breast tumors. Finally, SIAH1 gene silencing by RNA interference significantly impaired cell migration of breast cancer cells.

Conclusions

Our results pointed out that miR-944 is a novel upstream negative regulator of SIAH1 and PTP4A1 genes and provided for the first time evidence for its functional role in migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. They also suggest that miR-944 restoration may represent a potential strategy for breast cancer therapy.

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Comparison of the miRNA profiles in HPV-positive and HPV-negative tonsillar tumors and a model system of human keratinocyte clones

Abstract

Background

Better insights into the molecular changes involved in virus-associated and -independent head and neck cancer may advance our knowledge of HNC carcinogenesis and identify critical disease biomarkers. Here we aimed to characterize the expression profiles in a matched set of well-characterized HPV-dependent and HPV-independent tonsillar tumors and equivalent immortalized keratinocyte clones to define potential and clinically relevant biomarkers of HNC of different etiology.

Methods

Fresh frozen tonsillar cancer tissues were analyzed together with non-malignant tonsillar tissues and compared with cervical tumors and normal cervical tissues. Furthermore, relative miRNAs abundance levels of primary and immortalized human keratinocyte clones were evaluated. The global quantitation of miRNA gene abundance was performed using a TaqMan Low Density Array system. The confirmation of differentially expressed miRNAs was performed on a set of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples enriched for the tumor cell fraction by macrodissection.

Results

We defined 46 upregulated and 31 downregulated miRNAs characteristic for the HPV-positive tonsillar tumors and 42 upregulated miRNAs and 42 downregulated miRNAs characteristic for HPV-independent tumors. In comparison with the expression profiles in cervical tumors, we defined miR-141-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-200a-3p, miR-302c-3p, and miR-9-5p as specific for HPV induced malignancies. MiR-335-5p, miR-579-3p, and miR-126-5p were shared by the expression profiles of HPV-positive tonsillar tumors and of the HPV immortalized keratinocyte clones, whereas miR-328-3p, miR-34c-3p, and miR-885-5p were shared by the miRNA profiles of HPV-negative tonsillar tumors and the HPV-negative keratinocytes.

Conclusions

We identified the miRNAs characteristic for HPV-induced tumors and tonsillar tumors of different etiology, and the results were compared with those of the model system. Our report presents the basis for further investigations leading to the identification of clinically relevant diagnostic and/or therapeutic biomarkers for tumors of viral and non-viral etiology.

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Use and misuse of common terminology criteria for adverse events in cancer clinical trials

Abstract

Background

Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 3.0 (CTCAE v3.0) were released in 2003 and have been used widely to report toxicity in publications or presentations describing cancer clinical trials. Here we evaluate whether guidelines for reporting toxicity are followed in publications reporting randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for cancer.

Methods

Phase III RCTs evaluating systemic cancer therapy published between 2011 and 2013, were reviewed to identify eligible studies, which stated explicitly that CTCAE v3.0 was used to report toxicity. Each AE term and its grade were located in CTCAE v3.0 to determine if they fell within the guidelines provided in the explanatory file.

Results

A total of 166 publications were included in this analysis. Criteria from CTCAE v3.0 were frequently used incorrectly. For example, CATEGORY names such as Metabolic were misreported as AEs in 19 trials, and inappropriate grades for AEs assigned frequently. For example, febrile neutropenia was graded 1 or 2 in 35 of 91 studies (38 %), but the minimum grade for this toxicity is 3. Alopecia was graded 3 or more in 19 of 77 studies (25 %), but the maximum is only grade 2.

Conclusion

The present study provides evidence of poor reporting of toxicity in clinical trials. The study provides a lower estimate for the misuse of AE terms and grades, and implies that other AE terms and grades that conform to CTCAE v3.0 guidelines may have been assigned incorrectly. Inaccurate reporting of toxicity in clinical trials can lead clinicians to make inappropriate treatment decisions.

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Expansive hematoma in delayed cerebral radiation necrosis in patients treated with T-DM1: a report of two cases

Abstract

Background

Multiple new targeted agents have been developed for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) – positive breast cancer. Patients with HER2– positive breast cancer will develop brain metastases with greater incidence than patients with non-HER2 cancers, and many of them will undergo stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or other CNS radiotherapy. The interaction between radiation effects and new targeted agents is not well understood. We report two cases suggesting a novel adverse effect of T-DM1 (trastuzumab emtansine) on symptomatic enlargement of radiation necrosis (RN) after SRS.

Case presentation

Two patients with HER2-positive breast cancer had received SRS for single brain metastasis more than 5-years ago. They had been heavily treated for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (trastuzumab and pacritaxel, lapatinib and capecitabine). They initiated T-DM1 therapy for progressive systematic disease 5.5 years after stereotactic irradiation, when a small RN was recognized on brain MR images of each patient. The RN lesions increased in size and became symptomatic during 13 or 14 months of T-DM1 treatment. The patients underwent surgical resection of the lesion. Pathological examination revealed necrosis, hematoma, granulation tissue and telangiectasia without neoplastic cells.

Conclusions

A potential enhancement of RN by T-DM1 in the brain may be one of important adverse events associated with the use of T-DM1 for patients after SRS. These cases highlight the need of careful follow-up when combining new systemic targeted therapies and SRS for brain metastases.

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Lifestyle in Multiple Myeloma - a longitudinal cohort study protocol

Abstract

Background

Deterioration in bone health is one of the presenting symptoms of Multiple Myeloma (MM), a cancer of plasma cells. As a consequence of this condition, patients suffer bone pain and bone damage and report cancer-related fatigue, resulting in deterioration in their quality of life. Evidence in patients with solid tumours shows promise for the positive effects of physical activity on quality of life. However, in the case of patients with MM a better understanding of the association between physical fitness and quality of life factors is still required. Therefore, this cohort study aims to objectively and longitudinally assess activity and fitness levels in patients with MM in order to explore their role in bone health, fatigue and quality of life for this patient population.

Methods/Design

The study is a prospective cohort study of MM patients in remission to assess physical activity, fatigue and bone health. Clinical markers of health, self-reported measures of psychological and physical well-being, and lifestyle behaviours are assessed at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. At each time point, patients complete cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) along with a series of objective tests to assess physical fitness (eg accelerometry) and a number of self-report measures. A complementary qualitative study will be carried out in order to explore patients' desire for lifestyle advice and when in their cancer journey they deem such advice to be useful.

Discussion

This study will be the first to prospectively and longitudinally explore associations between physical fitness and well-being, bone health, and fatigue (along with a number of other physical and clinical outcomes) in a cohort of patients with MM with the use of objective measures. The findings will also help to identify time points within the MM pathway at which physical activity interventions may be introduced for maximum benefit.

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Context dependent regulatory patterns of the androgen receptor and androgen receptor target genes

Abstract

Background

Expression of the androgen receptor (AR) is associated with androgen-dependent proliferation arrest and terminal differentiation of normal prostate epithelial cells. Additionally, activation of the AR is required for survival of benign luminal epithelial cells and primary cancer cells, thus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) leads to apoptosis in both benign and cancerous tissue. Escape from ADT is known as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In the course of CRPC development the AR typically switches from being a cell-intrinsic inhibitor of normal prostate epithelial cell proliferation to becoming an oncogene that is critical for prostate cancer cell proliferation. A clearer understanding of the context dependent activation of the AR and its target genes is therefore desirable.

Methods

Immortalized human prostate basal epithelial EP156T cells and progeny cells that underwent epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), primary prostate epithelial cells (PrECs) and prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, VCaP and 22Rv1 were used to examine context dependent restriction and activation of the AR and classical target genes, such as KLK3. Genome-wide gene expression analyses and single cell protein analyses were applied to study the effect of different contexts.

Results

A variety of growth conditions were tested and found unable to activate AR expression and transcription of classical androgen-dependent AR target genes, such as KLK3, in prostate epithelial cells with basal cell features or in mesenchymal type prostate cells. The restriction of androgen- and AR-dependent transcription of classical target genes in prostate basal epithelial cells was at the level of AR expression. Exogenous AR expression was sufficient for androgen-dependent transcription of AR target genes in prostate basal epithelial cells, but did not exert a positive feedback on endogenous AR expression. Treatment of basal prostate epithelial cells with inhibitors of epigenetic gene silencing was not efficient in inducing androgen-dependent transcription of AR target genes, suggesting the importance of missing cofactor(s).

Conclusions

Regulatory mechanisms of AR and androgen-dependent AR target gene transcription are insufficiently understood and may be critical for prostate cancer initiation, progression and escape from standard therapy. The present model is useful for the study of context dependent activation of the AR and its transcriptome.

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Cetuximab-induced aseptic meningitis: case report and review of a rare adverse event

Abstract

Background

Cetuximab is a commonly used antibody agent in the treatment of colorectal or head and neck cancer. Although it is generally well tolerated in most patients, cetuximab has been associated with some rare but serious adverse events. Aseptic meningitis is one such distinctly uncommon adverse drug reaction.

Case presentation

We present the case of a middle-aged Caucasian patient, who presented with fever and headache within a few hours of starting cetuximab therapy and was diagnosed with cetuximab-induced aseptic meningitis after a complete workup.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the ninth case of cetuximab-induced aseptic meningitis reported in literature. Because of a nonspecific clinical presentation, this adverse drug reaction can be easily misdiagnosed. It is important to increase awareness of this potentially severe reaction among oncologists.

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Systematic drug screening reveals specific vulnerabilities and co-resistance patterns in endocrine-resistant breast cancer

Abstract

Background

The estrogen receptor (ER) inhibitor tamoxifen reduces breast cancer mortality by 31 % and has served as the standard treatment for ER-positive breast cancers for decades. However, 50 % of advanced ER-positive cancers display de novo resistance to tamoxifen, and acquired resistance evolves in 40 % of patients who initially respond. Mechanisms underlying resistance development remain poorly understood and new therapeutic opportunities are urgently needed. Here, we report the generation and characterization of seven tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cell lines from four parental strains.

Methods

Using high throughput drug sensitivity and resistance testing (DSRT) with 279 approved and investigational oncology drugs, exome-sequencing and network analysis, we for the first time, systematically determine the drug response profiles specific to tamoxifen resistance.

Results

We discovered emerging vulnerabilities towards specific drugs, such as ERK1/2-, proteasome- and BCL-family inhibitors as the cells became tamoxifen-resistant. Co-resistance to other drugs such as the survivin inhibitor YM155 and the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel also occurred.

Conclusion

This study indicates that multiple molecular mechanisms dictate endocrine resistance, resulting in unexpected vulnerabilities to initially ineffective drugs, as well as in emerging co-resistances. Thus, combatting drug-resistant tumors will require patient-tailored strategies in order to identify new drug vulnerabilities, and to understand the associated co-resistance patterns.

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The use of a multiple imputation method to investigate the trends in Histologic types of lung cancer in Songkhla province, Thailand, 1989–2013

Abstract

Background

The incidence of lung cancer in many parts of the country as shown in cancer registry statistics is not decreasing. The incidence of adenocarcinoma (ADCA) in Songkhla is now higher than that of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in both sexes. The percentage of the unknown histologic type of lung cancer in Songkhla is around 30 %. The objective of this study is to estimate trends in incidence of the two major histologic types of lung cancer: SCC and ADCA, in Songkhla province of Thailand from 1989 to 2013.

Methods

Age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were used to compare and described the trends in both major types of cancers. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to impute unknown histological cancer types using a multiple imputation (MI) method to account for the high percentage of unknown histology.

Results

The multinomial predictive model for major types of lung cancer in Songkhla consisted of sex, age, year of diagnosis, and place of residence. After MI, the number of cases with both SCC and ADCA in both sexes increased by one-third of the number of cases with originally known histology. The increasing trends were observed in ADCA in both sexes while SCC in males was stable and in females was decreasing.

Conclusions

A rapid increase in the incidence of ADCA was found while the incidence of SCC in males showed no significant change and it was declining in females. These results warrant an investigation into risk factors other than cigarette smoking. The number of cases has limited use when the age structure of the population under study is changing. Year of diagnosis was one of the predictors in the MI model.

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Erratum to: Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, suppresses vasculogenic mimicry and proliferation of highly aggressive pancreatic cancer PaTu8988 cells

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CD80 down-regulation is associated to aberrant DNA methylation in non-inflammatory colon carcinogenesis

Abstract

Background

The lack of positive costimulatory molecules represents one of the mechanisms by which tumor cells evade immune surveillance. Promoter hypermethylation plays a major role in cancer development through transcriptional silencing of critical genes. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of the costimulatory molecule CD80 in relationship with genomic methylation in non-inflammatory colon carcinogenesis.

Methods

Colonic mucosal samples were collected from healthy subjects (n = 30) and from dysplastic adenoma (n = 14), and colon adenocarcinoma (n = 10). DNA methyltransferases-1, −3a, −3b and CD80 mRNA expression were quantified by real time qRT-PCR. The methylation status of CDH13, APC, MLH1, MGMT1 and RUNX3 gene promoters was assessed by methylation-specific PCR. CD80 expression was assessed in HT29, HCT-15 and LoVo cell lines after treatment with the DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine.

Results

CD80 mRNA levels were significantly lower in the non-inflammatory dysplastic colonic mucosa of patients with one or more methylated genes and inversely correlated with patients' methylation scores (τ = −0.41, p = 0.05 and τ = −0.37, p = 0.05, respectively). Treatment with 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine significantly increased CD80 expression both in terms of the level of CD80 mRNA (p = 0.007) and of CD80+ cells (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

These results indicate that the failure of immune surveillance mechanisms in non-inflammatory colon carcinogenesis may be linked to genomic methylation directly or indirectly affecting CD80 expression.

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Computationally highly efficient mixture of adaptive filters

Abstract

We introduce a new combination approach for the mixture of adaptive filters based on the set-membership filtering (SMF) framework. We perform SMF to combine the outputs of several parallel running adaptive algorithms and propose unconstrained, affinely constrained and convexly constrained combination weight configurations. Here, we achieve better trade-off in terms of the transient and steady-state convergence performance while providing significant computational reduction. Hence, through the introduced approaches, we can greatly enhance the convergence performance of the constituent filters with a slight increase in the computational load. In this sense, our approaches are suitable for big data applications where the data should be processed in streams with highly efficient algorithms. In the numerical examples, we demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed approaches over the state of the art using the well-known datasets in the machine learning literature.

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Acidification of Stratum Corneum Prevents the Progression from Atopic Dermatitis to Respiratory Allergy

Abstract

The presence of congenitally impaired skin barrier followed by atopic dermatitis (AD) is an initial step in the atopic march. The maintenance of acidic pH in the stratum corneum (SC) has been suggested as a therapeutic or preventive strategy for barrier impairment caused by skin inflammation. To determine whether an AD murine model, flaky tail mice, with inherited filaggrin deficiency could develop airway inflammation by repeated topical application followed by nasal inhalation of house dust mite (HDM) antigen (defined as a novel 'atopic march animal model'), and whether maintenance of an acidic SC environment by continuous application of acidic cream could interrupt the following atopic march. During the course of HDM treatment, acidic cream (pH2.8) or neutral cream (pH7.4) was applied to flaky tail mice twice daily. Repeated applications and inhalations of HDM to flaky tail mice induced AD skin lesions followed by respiratory allergies. Maintenance of SC acidity inhibited the occurrence of respiratory allergic inflammation as well as AD-like skin lesions. Collectively, a novel atopic march model could be developed by repeated epicutaneous and nasal applications of HDM to flaky tail mice, and that the acidification of SC could prevent the atopic march from AD to respiratory allergy.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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The tripeptide KdPT ameliorates ongoing psoriasis-like skin inflammation in murine and human skin

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease appearing as scaly erythematous cutaneous lesions, which are characterized by parakeratosis and acanthosis as well as the infiltration of immune cells, like T helper-1 and T helper-17 cells. Here, we demonstrated that KdPT, a tripeptide structurally related to the C-terminal amino acids of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which was previously shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in intestinal inflammation, ameliorated ongoing disease in the mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation and in the small xenotransplant mouse model of psoriasis. We could show that systemic KdPT treatment significantly reduced hyperkeratosis and acanthosis in murine as well as human skin. Moreover, KdPT up-regulated Foxp3 in CD4⁺ T cells from mice and from peripheral blood of individuals with psoriasis and decreased the expression of type 1 inflammatory cytokines indicating that the beneficial effect of KdPT was, at least in part, mediated by the induction of functional regulatory T cells that suppressed the activation of pathogenic CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ and CD4⁺IL-17⁺ T cells. Thus, these data might suggest KdPT as a potential novel therapeutic alternative for the treatment of psoriasis.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Illuminating Current Pitfalls in Optimal Photobiomodulation Device Development and Assessment for treating hair loss

Abstract

In the article "Photobiomodulation devices for hair regrowth and wound healing: a therapy full of promise but a literature full of confusion", the authors identified important limitations in our knowledge and study of photobiomodulation (PBM) for hair growth. While describing novel and potential mechanisms of action, and pointing out wavelengths possibly more effective in achieving PBM responses (1,s1) the authors recognize important informational deficiencies impeding PBM optimization. Equally important were revelations about widely variant radiant densities (dosing) recommended by device manufacturers, as noted in table S1 of the article. Related to these observations, but perhaps unrecognized, are regulatory and cost factors influencing optical parameters.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Integrative concepts of rosacea pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and new therapeutics

Abstract

Rosacea is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease with high prevalence world-wide. Recent research suggests that dysregulation of innate and adaptive immune pathways as well as neuro-vascular changes are present, with different degrees of importance in the various subtypes. Neither the etiology, genetics, nor pathophysiological basis of the vascular, inflammatory or fibrotic changes are well understood. The clinical spectrum comprises a huge variability from erythema (vasodilation) to papules/pustules (inflammatory infiltrate) to phymata (fibrosis, glandular hyperplasia) making it a valuable human disease model to understand the interplay between the neurovascular and immune systems as well as the progression from chronic inflammation to fibrosis in skin. The lack of appropriate animal models emphasizes the importance of further translational research validating observed molecular pathways under disease conditions.

A wide spectrum of physical (UV, temperature), biological (microbiota, food) and endogenous (genetic, stress) stimuli have been discussed as 'trigger factors' of rosacea. Novel findings implicate keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, mast cells, fibroblasts, Th1/Th17 cells, antibody-producing B cells, and neurons in the pathobiology of rosacea. So far, pattern recognition receptors like TLR2, transient receptor potential ion channels (TRPV1, TRPA1), cytokines, chemokines, and proteases have been implicated as critical receptors/mediators. However, our understanding of the interactive networks on the molecular level is very limited. Identification of critical molecular components of the inflammatory cascade including antimicrobial peptides, the IL-1β inflammasome, TNF, IFNγ, proteases, and neuropeptides may provide the basis for novel pathomechanism-based therapeutic approaches for this frequent and bothersome skin disease.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Efficacy and Treatment Costs of Monotherapy with bDMARDs in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Patients Intolerant to or Inappropriate to Continue Treatment with Methotrexate

Abstract

Introduction

Only limited information is available on cost efficacy of the various biological agents used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis with intolerance or for whom it would be inappropriate to continue treatment with conventional agents. We estimated the efficacy and treatment costs of monotherapy with biological agents in the treatment of this group of patients.

Methods

Data from two previous meta-analyses in the treatment of patients who are intolerant to methotrexate (MTX), or for whom it would be inappropriate to continue treatment with MTX was used. Pharmacoeconomic comparison between biological agents was carried out to estimate the respective cost for the number needed to treat (NNT) compared to placebo using both American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria. The analysis involved the four agents approved in Italy: adalimumab (ADA), etanercept (ETN), certolizumab pegol (CTZ), and tocilizumab (TCZ). A six-month period was considered sufficient to understand the most important differences in efficacy and treatment costs. Direct medical costs, including pharmacological therapy, administration and monitoring were considered.

Results

Using both ACR and EULAR criteria, TCZ (intravenous [iv]/subcutaneous [sc]) had a lower NNT than the other agents. The difference in NNT observed for ETN was more pronounced with EULAR criteria, whereas in the comparison with ADA, the most sensitive differences were observed with ACR criteria. ETN had the lowest treatment cost (€6402.19), followed by ADA (€6698.84), TCZ sc (€6887.61), and TCZ iv (€7130.83). TCZ sc had the lowest cost for NNT with both ACR and EULAR criteria. The differences compared to ETN and ADA were significant and related with the level of efficacy. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these results.

Conclusion

TCZ is a cost-effective therapeutic option compared to other tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (ADA, ETA, CTZ) as first-line monotherapy for patients who are intolerant to MTX, or for whom it is inappropriate to continue treatment with MTX.

Funding

Roche SpA.

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MR image segmentation and bias field estimation based on coherent local intensity clustering with total variation regularization

Abstract

Though numerous segmentation algorithms have been proposed to segment brain tissue from magnetic resonance (MR) images, few of them consider combining the tissue segmentation and bias field correction into a unified framework while simultaneously removing the noise. In this paper, we present a new unified MR image segmentation algorithm whereby tissue segmentation, bias correction and noise reduction are integrated within the same energy model. Our method is presented by a total variation term introduced to the coherent local intensity clustering criterion function. To solve the nonconvex problem with respect to membership functions, we add auxiliary variables in the energy function such as Chambolle's fast dual projection method can be used and the optimal segmentation and bias field estimation can be achieved simultaneously throughout the reciprocal iteration. Experimental results show that the proposed method has a salient advantage over the other three baseline methods on either tissue segmentation or bias correction, and the noise is significantly reduced via its applications on highly noise-corrupted images. Moreover, benefiting from the fast convergence of the proposed solution, our method is less time-consuming and robust to parameter setting.

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Awareness about sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents in urban slums of Jorhat district

2016-07-04T08-12-08Z
Source: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health
Anuja Baruah, Bishnu Ram Das, Abu Hasan Sarkar.
Background: Adolescence is a vulnerable period for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) because of curiosity, peer pressure, and lack of awareness. Objective: To assess the awareness regarding STDs in adolescents of urban slums of Jorhat district. Material and Methods: Community-based cross sectional study where 261 adolescents were interviewed using a predesigned, pre-tested proforma. Results: Among 261 adolescents, 74.7% had knowledge about STDs. Maximum awareness was seen in adolescents who were students (84.6%) and also in those belonging to the upper lower socio-economic class (87.5%). Most of the adolescents (48.3%) knew urethral discharge as a symptom of STD. Briefly, 55.17% adolescents felt that STDs can be prevented by the use of condom. Interestingly, 77% of the respondents felt that they should know more about STD and should be taught about STDs in school. Television (66.7%) was the most common source of information on STDs followed by friends (57.5%), newspaper (25.5%), and other means (17%). Conclusion: Correct scientific information should be disseminated to adolescent in both formal and informal settings so that they do not develop misconceptions. More awareness should be disseminated at schools, through mass media and a more friendly relationship is needed from parents.


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Effect of maternal antenatal influenza vaccination on adverse neonatal outcomes in terms of premature birth, small-for-gestational age and low birth weight: A comparative study

2016-07-04T08-12-08Z
Source: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health
Mokhtar Mahfouz Shatla, Mohammed Essam Khayat, Majd Masoud Ahmed, Aamer Ali Alzahrani, Aymen Abdulrzag Khadrawi, Abdulrahman Saleh Almisfer, Shamsuldin Jamaluddin Zawawi, Abdulaziz Fouad Miyajan.
Background: Maternal influenza infection can impose significant health risks to pregnant women and their neonates. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of maternal antenatal influenza vaccination on adverse neonatal outcomes in terms of premature birth, small-for-gestational age (SGA), and low birth weight (LBW). Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional retrospective study included women who gave birth to their live third trimester neonates at a secondary care hospital in Saudi Arabia after exposure to the 2013/2014 influenza season in any entire trimester of their pregnancy. Neonatal outcomes of women who received inactivated influenza vaccine in their first, second, or early third trimester have been compared to the neonates of women who did not receive the vaccine throughout pregnancy. Data were collected by chart review. Results: In the present study, 1237 women were included, of these 347 (28.05%) received the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Neonates born to vaccinated mothers were, on average, 97 g heavier (3279.7934 ± 337.6 compared with 3182.5107 ± 424.06, P = 0.001). Adverse neonatal outcomes were significantly lower in the vaccinated group; premature (9.1% compared with 17.6%, P = 0.001), SGA (8% compared with 14%, P = 0.003), and LBW (6.3% compared with 10.4%, P = 0.022). There was no significant increase in birth defects (2.2% compared to 2.6%, P = 0.711). Logistic regression analysis revealed that, compared to the neonates of mothers who received the vaccine, neonates of unvaccinated mothers are at almost two-fold increased risk of being premature (OR = 1.957; 95% CI, 1.3102.923; P = 0.001), 40% risk for SGA (OR = 1.409; 95% CI, 0.8722.275; P = 0.161), and 30% risk for LBW (OR = 1.306; 95% CI, 0.7732.206; P = 0.319). Conclusion: Maternal antenatal influenza vaccination is associated with reduced adverse neonatal outcomes in terms of premature birth, SGA, and LBW. Moreover, it is associated with having heavier babies, and not associated with increased birth defects.


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Factors of land abandonment in mountainous Mediterranean areas: the case of Montenegrin settlements

Land use changes have been investigated in the surroundings of 14 rural Montenegrin settlements in order to get specific information about trends in land abandonment since around 1950. Permanently, seasonally and less inhabited settlements with different geographic conditions were studied. This was done by interviewing local inhabitants, which enabled a holistic approach to reveal the underlying processes of land abandonment. According to the observed patterns of land use change, the study sites can be categorized into intensified, urbanized, extensified, overgrown and forested cases. The category of extensified settlements is characterized by a highly reduced agricultural management intensity, resulting in an increase in grasslands and fruit trees at the expense of cropland. This land use change is mainly related to emigrating and aging inhabitants, having less livestock. Such extensive land use is found in both permanently inhabited and abandoned villages. Only some studied settlements became largely overgrown by bushes and forest. The steep average slope gradients and a large distance to the nearest city are explanatory factors of such land abandonment. Land use intensification takes place in low-lying areas located nearby towns.

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Commercial land rental and investment performance in Western Ethiopia

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Land deals, local people's livelihood, and environment nexus (How to create win-win transnational land deals in Ethiopia?)

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