Prognostic Utility of Computed Tomography Histogram Analysis in Patients With Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome: Evaluation Using an Automated Whole-Brain Extraction Algorithm.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of computed tomography (CT) histogram analysis with an automated whole-brain extraction algorithm in patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). Methods: Computed tomography data from consecutive patients between January 2009 and February 2012 were obtained and retrospectively analyzed. All CT images were obtained using a 64-detector-row CT scanner with a slice thickness of 4.0 mm. A brain region was extracted from the whole-brain CT images using our original automated algorithm and used for the subsequent histogram analysis. The obtained histogram statistics (mean brain tissue CT value, kurtosis, and skewness), as well as clinical parameters, were compared between the good and poor outcome groups using the Student t test. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for the discrimination between the 2 groups for each parameter. Results: One hundred thirty-eight consecutive PCAS patients were enrolled. The patients were classified into good (n = 47) and poor (n = 91) outcome groups. The mean brain tissue CT value was significantly higher in the good outcome group than in the poor outcome group (P

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Attention training to pleasant stimuli in anxiety

Publication date: Available online 9 March 2016
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Sarah M. Sass, Travis C. Evans, Kue Xiong, Felicia Mirghassemi, Huy Tran
Attentional bias for threatening stimuli in anxiety is a common finding in the literature. The present study addressed whether attention training toward pleasant stimuli can reduce anxiety symptoms and induce a processing bias in favor of pleasant information in nonpatients who were selected to score similarly to individuals with generalized anxiety or panic disorder on a measure of worry or physiological arousal, respectively. Participants were randomly assigned to attention training to pleasant (ATP) stimuli or to a placebo control (PC) condition. All participants completed baseline and post-test dot-probe measures of attentional bias while event-related brain potentials were recorded. As expected, worry symptoms decreased in the ATP and not PC condition. ATP was also associated with early evidence (P100 amplitude) of greater attentional prioritization of probes replacing neutral stimuli within threat-neutral word pairs from pre-to-post intervention and later RT evidence of facilitated processing of probes replacing pleasant stimuli within pleasant-threat word pairs at post compared to PC. PC was associated with later evidence (P300 latency) of less efficient evaluation of probes following pleasant stimuli within pleasant-threat word pairs from pre-to-post and later RT evidence of facilitated processing of probes following threat stimuli within pleasant-threat word pairs at post compared to ATP. Results highlight early and later mechanisms of attention processing changes and underscore the potential of pleasant stimuli in optimizing attention-training interventions for anxiety.



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Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiographic Findings Can Predict Short-Term Mortality of Saddle Pulmonary Embolism: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Objective: In patients with saddle pulmonary embolism (PE), the correlation between computed tomographic pulmonary angiographic (CTPA) findings and short-term outcome remains unclear. The purpose is to determine if CTPA findings predict 1-month mortality of patients with saddle PE. Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective study of saddle PE. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiographic findings of 115 consecutive patients (male-to-female ratio, 65:50; mean age, 64.3 +/- 16.3 years) with saddle PE were evaluated. One-month mortality after diagnosis was the primary end point. Results: Twenty-four patients died within 1 month. Among CTPA findings, quantitative parameters including right/left ventricular area ratios (RVa/LVa), right/left atrial diameter ratios, Cobb angle, and Mastora score were significantly enlarged in survivors. Also, qualitative findings including contrast agent reflux into the azygos vein and pericardial effusion were significantly different between survivors and nonsurvivors. Areas under the curve on receiver operating characteristic curves revealed the cutoff values for predicting early mortality of saddle PE using right/left atrial diameter ratios, RVa/LVa, Mastora score, and Cobb angle, respectively, were 2.15, 2.00, 69%, and 58[degrees]. Logistic regression analysis suggested that both RVa/LVa (odds ratio, 5.100; P = 0.0004) and Cobb angle (odds ratio, 1.596; P = 0.0321) were independent predictors of early mortality. The combination of RVa/LVa and Cobb angle increased the area under the curve to 0.882, but the difference did not reach significance compared with RVa/LVa or Cobb angle, alone (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with saddle PE, RVa/LVa and Cobb angle seem valuable in predicting short-term mortality. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Association of Quadriceps Muscle Fat With Isometric Strength Measurements in Healthy Males Using Chemical Shift Encoding-Based Water-Fat Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Magnetic resonance-based assessment of quadriceps muscle fat has been proposed as surrogate marker in sarcopenia, osteoarthritis, and neuromuscular disorders. We presently investigated the association of quadriceps muscle fat with isometric strength measurements in healthy males using chemical shift encoding-based water-fat magnetic resonance imaging. Intermuscular adipose tissue fraction and intramuscular proton density fat fraction correlated significantly (P

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Multiphase Multi-Detector Row Computed Tomography Imaging Characteristics of Large (>5 cm) Focal Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the multiphase multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) imaging findings of large (>5 cm) focal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Following review of the medical records of 321 patients with newly diagnosed HCC who underwent MDCT within the radiology database from January 2007 to November 2014, 27 patients (20 men and 7 women; mean age, 69 [SD, 10.1] years [range, 49-87 years]) with histologically confirmed HCC greater than 5 cm were included in this institutional review board-approved study. Multiphase, dedicated liver MDCT images of these cases were retrospectively reviewed by 2 radiologists in consensus to describe the enhancement characteristics of these lesions. Results: Mean tumor diameter was 8.4 (SD, 2.4) cm (range, 5.2-13.5 cm). Cirrhosis was present in 16 (59%) of 27 patients. Seventeen (85%) of 20 patients with available laboratory data presented with elevated alpha-fetoprotein (median, 97 ng/mL). Twenty-three (85%) of 27 demonstrated either heterogeneous enhancement with gradual fill-in (14/27 [52%]) or peripheral enhancement with centripetal fill-in (9/27 [33%]). Twenty-two (81%) of 27 lacked washout on delayed phase images, and 21 (78%) of 27 demonstrated a pseudocapsule. Twenty-seven of 27 lesions were well defined, 8 (30%) of 27 were exophytic, 15 (56%) of 27 were unifocal, 5 (25%) of 20 cases demonstrated vascular invasion, and 7 (26%) of 27 cases presented with extrahepatic metastases. Conclusions: Large (>5 cm) focal HCC may present as a dominant mass with a pseudocapsule and initial heterogeneous or peripheral enhancement with gradual or centripetal fill-in without washout on multiphase MDCT. Awareness of this variant is important to allow distinction from other benign (eg, hemangioma) and malignant (eg, cholangiocarcinoma) focal liver lesions. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Utility of MDCT MIP Postprocessing Reconstruction Images in Children With Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether maximum intensity projection (MIP) images improve the detection and the delineation of the anatomic makeup of pulmonary nodules and/or arteriovenous malformations (pAVMs) in children with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Materials and Methods: Two radiologists (D.M., E.I.C.) performed a blinded review of chest multidetector computed tomography scans in 39 children (age, 0-18 years) with proven HHT. Multiplanar 2.5 mm slices were blindly compared with multiplanar MIP for the presence of nodules and/or overt pAVMs and for the ability to identify vessels associated with the pAVMs. Parameters that were assessed included number of definitive nodules, number of definitive pAVMs, and the ability to detect the feeding artery or draining vein in both conventional and MIP images. Results: Our study showed similar detection rates between axial scans and MIP images for the detection of nodules (axial R1: 75 vs 62, P = 0.05; MIPS: 78 vs 86, P = 0.05) and in the determination of definite pAVMS (axials: 21 vs 29, P = 0.0007; MIPS: 27 vs 35, P = 0.01). Statistically significant differences were obtained in the ability to identify the feeding artery and draining vein between standard 2.5 mm slices and MIP images (axials: 13 vs 13, P = 0.0008; MIPS: 27 vs 23, P = 0.01). No other data parameters achieved statistically significance. Conclusions: Maximum intensity projection images in children with HHT can help identify the presence and the anatomy of pAVMs for future embolization. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Evaluating the Microcirculation of Normal Extraocular Muscles Using Quantitative Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the microcirculation of normal extraocular muscles using quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (DCE-MRI). Materials and Methods: The institutional review board approved the study. Forty-eight eyes were examined using quantitative DCE-MRI on a 3-T MRI system. Quantitative parameters, including the volume transfer constant (K trans), the fractional volume of extravascular extracellular space (V e), and the rate constant (K ep) of each extraocular muscles, were analyzed. The type of DEC time-intensity curve (TIC) was evaluated. The parameters of bilateral extraocular muscles were compared using the Wilcoxon test. The difference in quantitative values of different extraocular muscles was compared using independent-samples Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: No statistical differences of parameters were found between the left and right extraocular muscles (P > 0.05). Volume transfer constant values in medial rectus (MR) muscles and inferior rectus (IR) muscles were significantly higher than those in the lateral rectus (LR) muscles and superior rectus (SR) muscles (P 0.05). In the 4 extraocular muscles, the V e values of MR are the largest, followed by the IR, LR, and SR values. The DCE time-intensity curves of extraocular muscles are type II or type III. Medial rectus and IR are mainly type III, and LR and SR are mainly type II. Conclusion: The quantitative DCE-MRI can be used as an important and noninvasive technique to evaluate the microcirculation of extraocular muscles. Further investigations for other extraocular muscles diseases by using quantitative DCE-MRI are warranted. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Differentiation Between Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Lymphoma at the Primary Site.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the utility of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) for differentiating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from lymphoma. Methods: Intravoxel incoherent motion-based parameters including the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pure diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), perfusion fraction (f), and fD* (the product of D* and f) were retrospectively compared between 102 patients (82 with NPC, 20 with lymphoma) who received pretreatment IVIM DWI. Results: Compared with lymphoma, NPC exhibited higher ADC, D, D*, fD* values (P

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Paradoxically Decreased Mean Transit Time in Patients Presenting With Acute Stroke.

Objective: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) has become a mainstay in acute stroke management. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of an unreported phenomenon of a paradoxically decreased mean transit time (MTT) in the cerebral area of ischemia. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with an acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke were selected. Computed tomography perfusion diffusion maps of all patients were reviewed by 2 blinded and experienced neuroradiologists. Results: A total of 31 patients were included in the study. Eighteen subjects (58%) had a paradoxical MTT perfusion map, whereas only 13 (42%) had an expected CTP profile. No significant associations between the paradoxical MTT perfusion and the size of the infarct, the side of the occlusion, or the age of the patients were observed. However, a trend in collateral circulation status and paradoxical MTT was noted. Conclusions: A paradoxical MTT response is a frequent finding in CTP analysis of patients with acute stroke. Its presence is not associated to the location or size of the affected cerebral territory and could be related to the presence of collateral circulation. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Use of a Balloon Rectal Catheter in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Complex Anal Fistula to Improve Detection of Internal Openings.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of a balloon rectal channel catheter (BRCC) in complex anal fistula magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A prospective study was done on 54 patients with clinical diagnosis of complex anal fistula. Eighteen patients had preoperative MRI before and after inserting BRCC. Another 18 underwent MRI with BRCC and the rest without. Fistulas, internal openings, extensions, and abscesses were identified on MRI and compared with surgical findings. Intraindividual and interindividual differences with and without BRCC were analyzed. Results: In intragroup patients, the accuracy of MRI in detecting the number of fistulas, internal openings, extensions, and abscesses before and after using BRCC was 100%/100%, 67%/90%, 95%/95%, and 100%/100%, respectively, with a significant difference on internal openings (P

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Prognostic Utility of Computed Tomography Histogram Analysis in Patients With Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome: Evaluation Using an Automated Whole-Brain Extraction Algorithm.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of computed tomography (CT) histogram analysis with an automated whole-brain extraction algorithm in patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). Methods: Computed tomography data from consecutive patients between January 2009 and February 2012 were obtained and retrospectively analyzed. All CT images were obtained using a 64-detector-row CT scanner with a slice thickness of 4.0 mm. A brain region was extracted from the whole-brain CT images using our original automated algorithm and used for the subsequent histogram analysis. The obtained histogram statistics (mean brain tissue CT value, kurtosis, and skewness), as well as clinical parameters, were compared between the good and poor outcome groups using the Student t test. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for the discrimination between the 2 groups for each parameter. Results: One hundred thirty-eight consecutive PCAS patients were enrolled. The patients were classified into good (n = 47) and poor (n = 91) outcome groups. The mean brain tissue CT value was significantly higher in the good outcome group than in the poor outcome group (P

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L’évaluation de la perte de chance en responsabilité médicale, une mission à repréciser pour l’Expert

Publication date: Available online 8 March 2016
Source:Médecine & Droit
Author(s): Annabelle De Souza, Clotilde Rougé-Maillart, Renaud Clément, Nathalie Jousset
La perte de chance, considérée aujourd'hui comme un préjudice à part entière, autant par la Cour de cassation que le Conseil d'État, reste indéniablement difficile à évaluer en pratique. La question de la réparation du manquement au devoir d'information a été pendant de nombreuses années l'occasion d'éprouver ce concept par les différentes juridictions. Toutefois, si les critères définissant cette notion, d'origine jurisprudentielle, sont établis, le mode d'emploi permettant au juge de la quantifier n'existe pas. Comment évaluer cette fraction du dommage corporel déterminée en fonction de l'ampleur de la chance perdue ? Il s'agit avant tout d'une question technique, du même ordre que celle de l'évaluation d'un taux d'incapacité. Or, cette demande ne figure pas dans les mission-types de droit commun d'expertises médicales judiciaires ou administratives. Le juge est laissé seul dans l'appréciation de cette probabilité, là où l'expert aurait vocation, dans la mesure du possible, d'apporter un éclairage scientifique et statistique pour une meilleure définition de la perte de chance.Loss of opportunity, which today is considered as a prejudice in its own right, both for the French Supreme Court and the Council of State, remains undeniably difficult to assess in practice. For many years, the issue of compensation for breach of duty of disclosure gave the various courts the ability to roadtest this concept. However, although the criteria defining this concept, of judicial origin, have been established, the modus operandi allowing the judge to quantify it does not exist. How can this portion of personal injury be determined in relation to the size of the opportunity lost? This is primarily a technical issue, similar to that of assessing a disability rate. However, this request does not feature in typical common law missions for judicial or administrative medical expertise. The judge alone is left to assess this probability, whereas the expert would be in a position, as far as possible, to provide scientific and statistical assistance enabling a better definition of loss of opportunity.



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Ballon intragastrique pour traitement de l’obésité

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Dynamic Self-Referencing Approach to Whispering Gallery Mode Biosensing and Its Application to Measurement within Undiluted Serum

Analytical Chemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b00365

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Electrochemical Label-Free Aptasensor for Specific Analysis of Dopamine in Serum in the Presence of Structurally Related Neurotransmitters

Analytical Chemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b04207

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Medical Sciences, Vol. 4, Pages 6: Targeting in Cancer Therapies

Drug developers recruit and combine principles, procedures and strategies from chemistry, pharmacology, nanotechnology and biotechnology, focusing on the generation of functional vehicles as nano-carriers of drugs for improved stability and enhanced intracellular delivery.[...]

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The effect of prenatal exposure to 1800 MHz electromagnetic field on calcineurin and bone development in rats

PURPOSE: To investigated the effects of exposure to an 1800 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) on bone development during the prenatal period in rats. METHODS: Pregnant rats in the experimental group were exposed to radiation for six, 12, and 24 hours daily for 20 days. No radiation was given to the pregnant rats in the control group. We distributed the newborn rats into four groups according to prenatal EMF exposure as follows: Group 1 was not exposed to EMF; groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to EMF for six, 12, and 24 hours a day, respectively. The rats were evaluated at the end of the 60th day following birth. RESULTS: Increasing the duration of EMF exposure during the prenatal period resulted in a significant reduction of resting cartilage levels and a significant increase in the number of apoptotic chondrocytes and myocytes. There was also a reduction in calcineurin activities in both bone and muscle tissues. We observed that the development of the femur, tibia, and ulna were negatively affected, especially with a daily EMF exposure of 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Bone and muscle tissue development was negatively affected due to prenatal exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field.

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Video-assisted ovariohysterectomy in domestic cats (Felis catus, Linnaeus, 1758) using two access portals

PURPOSE : To describe video-assisted ovariohysterectomy (OHE) with two portals access in adult intact queens. METHODS Fifty-two females cats were used. A 4 mm cannula was positioned in the abdomen through an incision close to the umbilicus (first portal), and a pneumoperitoneum was established. A second portal was positioned in the midline of the pre-pubic region. Females were positioned in right lateral recumbency to locate the left ovarian pedicle, and the uterine horn was held by a transcutaneous suture. The pedicle was cauterized and incised. The procedure was then performed on the contralateral ovary. The ovaries were exteriorized from the abdomen, along with the uterus, through the second access point. The uterine body was exposed, fixed and sectioned, and the abdominal incisions were sutured. RESULTS Surgeries were performed in an average of 41.4±14.2 minutes. The main complications included hypotension (7.7%) and subcutaneous emphysema (7.7%), and 13.5% of the surgeries were converted to laparotomy. CONCLUSION Ovariohysterectomy using a video-assisted technique and two access portals is safe, has minimal risks and is effective for the spaying of queens.

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Facial nerve identification with fluorescent dye in rats

PURPOSE The parotidectomy technique still has an elevated paresis and paralysis index, lowering patient life's quality. The correct identification of the facial nerve can prevent nerve damage. Fluorescent dye identifies nerves in experimental studies but only few articles focused its use on facial nerve study in parotidectomies. We aimed to stain the rat facial nerve with fluorescent dye to facilitate visualization and dissection in order to prevent injuries. METHODS Forty adult male Wistar rats were submitted to facial injection of saline solution (Gsf-control group, 10) or fluorescent dye solution (Gdye group, 30) followed by parotidectomy preserving the facial nerve, measuring the time for localization and facility of localization (LocTime and LFN). Nerve function was assessed using the Vibrissae Movements (PMV) and Eyelid Closure Motion (PFP) scores. RESULTS Nerve localization was faster in Gdye group, with 83% Easy LFN rate. The Gdye group presented with low nerve injury degree and better PMV and PFP scores, with high sensitivity and accuracy. CONCLUSIONS This experimental method of facial nerve fluorescence was effective for intraoperative nerve visualization, identification and preservation. The technique may be used in future facial nerve studies, translated to humans, contributing to the optimization of parotid surgery in the near future.

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Ultrasound biomicroscopy and claudication test for in vivo follow-up of muscle repair enhancement based on platelet-rich plasma therapy in a rat model of gastrocnemius laceration

PURPOSE: To track the regeneration process of lateral gastrocnemius due to a muscle laceration in rats, and to treatment with plateletrich plasma (PRP). METHODS: Ultrasound (40 MHz) images were used for measuring pennation angle (PA), muscle thickness (MT) and mean pixel intensity, along with claudication scores, of treated (PRPG) and non-treated (NTG) groups of rats. RESULTS: NTG showed a PA increase for the non-injured leg (p<0.05) and a tendency of MT to increase, whereas for PRPG there were no differences. There was a progressive reduction of the claudication score for the PRPG group throughout the entire period, with an immediate difference after seven days (p<0.05), whereas the NTG had a significant reduction only at day 28 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was observed a compensatory hypertrophic response due to the overload condition imposed to healthy leg for NTG that did not occur in PRPG, suggesting an accelerated repair process of the injured leg due to treatment, anticipating its use.

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Effect of ozone on colon anastomoses in rat peritonitis model

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of medical ozone theraphy on the colon anastomosis of peritonitis model in rats. METHODS: Eighteen rats were randomly assigned into three equal groups; control, cecal punctuation and colon anastomosis and ozone theraphy. Sepsis was performed with a cecal punctuation in groups 2 and 3. The medical ozone theraphy was administered intraperitonealy for three weeks in group 3 while the other rats received saline injection. At the twenty second day serum were obtained for TNF-α and IL-1β, the colonic burst pressures were measured and colonic tissue samples were obtained for MDA and MPO levels. Histolopatological examination was evaluated with H&E stain, and Ki-67, IL-1β and the VEGF immunostaining densities were also compared. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal ozone administration reversed TNF-α, IL-1β, MDA and MPO levels and the colonic burst pressures. There was also a significant difference at immunostaining densities of histopathological examination. CONCLUSION: Medical ozone therapy may contribute to tissue healing by affecting the proliferation and the vascularization thus has benefits on colonic anastomosis at peritonitis in rats.

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Effects of chitin and sepia ink hybrid sponge on the healing of burning wound rats and its impact on macrophages in vitro

PURPOSE: To detect whether chitin and sepia ink sponge (CS) can promote wound healing and elevate impact of CS on phagocytosis ability of macrophages. METHODS: Forty-eight rats were assigned to four groups: Normal group (Normal), negative control group (Con), chitin and sepia ink sponge group (CS) and positive control Surgicel Gauze(r) group (SG). Deep second-degree burn model was created in rats. Wound area was recorded by digital imaging and determined using Image J software. Samples were collected and kept at -80oC on 3d, 7d, 14d and 21d for cytokines detecting. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, hydroxyproline (Hyp) and macrophage activity reflected by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Comparing to Con and SG, scabs in CS group fell off and basically healed on 21 day. TGF-β1, IL-6, MMP-1 and Hyp were significantly increased by CS and SG comparing to Con (p < 0.05), CS had more apparently adjustment on TGF-β1 and MMP-1 compared to SG; results in vitro indicated CS significantly promoted phagocytosis ability of macrophages reflected in TNF-α (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CS improved wound healing through exerting significant influences on secretion of kinds of cytokines and activating macrophages.

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Evaluation of the effect of allopurinol as a protective factor in post ischemia and reperfusion inflammation in Wistar rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential protective effect of allopurinol on reperfusion injury by determining the inflammatory response through the measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). METHODS: Sixty rats were distributed into two groups: control and allopurinol and each group was divided into three subgroups, ischemia for two hours, ischemia for three hours and ischemia simulation. Allopurinol group rats received 100mg/kg dose of allopurinol, whereas control group rats received an equivalent dose of saline. Clamping of the infrarenal aorta was performed for two or three hours depending on the subgroup. Ischemia simulation subgroups did not suffer ischemia, just aortic dissection, and maintenance for three hours. After 72 hours of reperfusion, blood was collected by cardiac puncture for TNF-alpha measurement. RESULTS: Allopurinol reduced TNF-alpha significantly (p <0.001) when compared to the matching control subgroups (control X allopurinol in ischemia for two hours and for three hours). CONCLUSION: Allopurinol reduced the concentrations of serum TNF-alpha when used at different times of ischemia followed by reperfusion, which might indicate reduction of the inflammation provoked by the reperfusion injury.

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Effect of adenosine A2A receptor antagonists on motor disorders induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in rat

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of adenosine A2A receptors on 6-OHDA-induced motor disorder in rat. METHODS: In order to induce experimental model of Parkinson's disease, 6-hydoxydopamine (8 μg/rat) was injected unilaterally into the SNc. After three weeks as a recovery period, 6-OHDA-induced bradykinesia and balance disturbances were assessed by using beam traversal test 10, 30 and 60 minutes after intraperitoneal injections of the drugs (caffeine, SCH58261). RESULTS: The results showed that 6-OHDA (8 μg/rat, Intra-SNc) induced motor disorders of Parkinson's disease and increased elapsed time in the beam test (p<0.001). Injection of caffeine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and SCH58261 (2 mg/kg, i.p.) attenuated elapsed time on beam (p<0.01 and p<0.001). We showed that acute administration of caffeine and SCH 58261 can improve the 6-OHDA-induced bradykinesia and motor disturbance. CONCLUSION: Adenosine A2AR antagonists improve 6-OHDA-motor deficit and this effect seems to be mediated by the inhibition of A2A presynaptic receptors in substantia nigra pars compacta.

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Technique for implanting intramuscular electrodes in the diaphragm by videolaparoscopy in pigs

PURPOSE: To describe a novel approach for implanting intramuscular electrodes in the diaphragm through videolaparoscopy. METHODS: We used twelve pigs for this videolaparoscopic technique, which permits at the same time to explore the diaphragm, to locate its motor points and to fix the electrodes in the diaphragm bilaterally. In this technique we used three trocars: one portal for a 10-mm 0° viewing angle laparoscope, one portal for the manipulation of structures and another for electrode implantation. RESULTS: All animals survived the procedure without pneumothorax/capnothorax or other complication. Implanted electrodes provided an appropriate interface between the muscle and the electrical current generator, and electroventilation was satisfactorily generated in all animals. CONCLUSION: This videolaparoscopic technique with three trocars enables the exploration and identification of motor points and an efficient fixation of one or two electrodes in each hemidiaphragm.

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Ellagic acid inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells

PURPOSE: To investigate the anticancer activity of ellagic acid (EA) in U251 human glioblastoma cells and its possible molecular mechanism. METHODS: The cells were treated with EA at various concentrations for different time periods. Cell viability and cell proliferation were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay and live/dead assay respectively. Cell apoptosis were measured with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining method by flow cytometry and Mitochondrial membrane potential assay separately. Cell cycle was measured with PI staining method by flow cytometry. The expressions of Bcl-2, Survivin, XIAP, Caspase-3, Bax, JNK, p-JNK, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p38, p-p38, DR4, DR5, CHOP and GRP78-related proteins were detected by western blot after EA treatment. RESULTS: Cell viability and proliferation of glioblastoma cells treated with EA were significantly lower than the control group. EA caused robust apoptosis of the glioblastoma cells compared to the control group. EA significantly decreased the proportion at G0/G1 phases of cell cycling accompanied by increased populations at S phase in U251 cell lines. And the expressions of anti-apoptotic proteins were dramatically down-regulated. CONCLUSION: Ellagic acid potentially up-regulated DR4, DR5 and MAP kinases (JNK, ERK1/2 and p38). EA also caused significant increase in the expressions of CHOP and GRP78. Our findings suggest that EA would be beneficial for the treatment of glioblastoma.

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Erratum to: ‘Effectiveness of a behavioral incentive scheme linked to goal achievement: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial’

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A multicenter randomized controlled open-label trial to assess the efficacy of compound kushen injection in combination with single-agent chemotherapy in treatment of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

With the aging of the global population, an increasing number of elderly are diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although systematic chemotherapy has been one of the primary treatments for adva...

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The functional and clinical outcomes of exercise training following a very low energy diet for severely obese women: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Clinical practice guidelines globally recommend lifestyle modification including diet and exercise training as first-line treatment for obesity. The clinical benefits of exercise training in adults with obesit...

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Viruses, Vol. 8, Pages 64: Recycling Endosomes and Viral Infection

Many viruses exploit specific arms of the endomembrane system. The unique composition of each arm prompts the development of remarkably specific interactions between viruses and sub-organelles. This review focuses on the viral–host interactions occurring on the endocytic recycling compartment (ERC), and mediated by its regulatory Ras-related in brain (Rab) GTPase Rab11. This protein regulates trafficking from the ERC and the trans-Golgi network to the plasma membrane. Such transport comprises intricate networks of proteins/lipids operating sequentially from the membrane of origin up to the cell surface. Rab11 is also emerging as a critical factor in an increasing number of infections by major animal viruses, including pathogens that provoke human disease. Understanding the interplay between the ERC and viruses is a milestone in human health. Rab11 has been associated with several steps of the viral lifecycles by unclear processes that use sophisticated diversified host machinery. For this reason, we first explore the state-of-the-art on processes regulating membrane composition and trafficking. Subsequently, this review outlines viral interactions with the ERC, highlighting current knowledge on viral-host binding partners. Finally, using examples from the few mechanistic studies available we emphasize how ERC functions are adjusted during infection to remodel cytoskeleton dynamics, innate immunity and membrane composition.

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A novel DNA tetrahedron-hairpin probe for in situ "off-on" fluorescent imaging of intracellular telomerase activity

Analyst, 2016, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C6AN00241B, Paper

Qiu-Mei Feng, Meng-Jiao Zhu, Ting-Ting Zhang, Jing-Juan Xu, Hong-Yuan Chen
A novel three-dimensional structure DNA probe is reported to realize in situ "off-on" imaging of intracellular telomerase activity. The probe consists of a DNA tetrahedron and a hairpin DNA on...
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Religions, Vol. 7, Pages 26: Effect of the “Spiritual Support” Intervention on Spirituality and the Clinical Parameters of Women Who Have Undergone Mastectomy: A Pilot Study

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the spiritual support intervention on spirituality and the clinical parameters of women who have undergone mastectomy. This is a pilot study of a randomized clinical trial. The spiritual support intervention was composed of meditation, guided imagery, music, and respiratory relaxation. The outcomes were: spirituality, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. A total of 27 patients were recruited for the study (intervention group, n = 13; control group, n = 14) (Clinical Trials: NCT 01866670/CAE: 00896312.0.0000.5393). The intervention helped patients with breast cancer to increase expression of their spirituality (p = 0.040) and it also decreased heart rate on the first (p = 0.038) and third day (p = 0.017). There was a difference in oxygen saturation on the second day in the control group (p = 0.039). Patients reported that their participation in the research was positive. This intervention had an effect on the sample of women who had undergone mastectomy.

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Remote Sensing, Vol. 8, Pages 217: Forest Disturbances and Regrowth Assessment Using ALOS PALSAR Data from 2007 to 2010 in Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR

This paper aims to develop a new methodology for monitoring forest disturbances and regrowth using ALOS PALSAR data in tropical regions. In the study, forest disturbances and regrowth were assessed between 2007 and 2010 in Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic. The deforestation rate in Vietnam has been among the highest in the tropics in the last few decades, and those in Cambodia and Lao are increasing rapidly. L-band ALOS PALSAR mosaic data were used for the detection of forest disturbances and regrowth, because L-band SAR intensities are sensitive to forest aboveground biomass loss. The methodology used here combines SAR data processing, which is particularly suited for change detection, forest detection and forest disturbances and regrowth detection using expectation maximization, which is closely related to fuzzy logic. A reliable training and testing database has been derived using AVNIR-2 and Google Earth images for calibration and validation. Efforts were made to apply masking areas that are likely to show different SAR backscatter temporal behaviors from the forests considered in the study, including mangroves, inundated forests, post-flooding or irrigated croplands and water bodies, as well as sloping areas and urban areas. The resulting forest disturbances and regrowth map (25-m resolution) indicates disturbance rates of −1.07% in Vietnam, −1.22% in Cambodia and −0.94% in Lao between 2007 and 2010, with corresponding aboveground biomass losses of 60.7 Tg, 59.2 Tg and 83.8 Tg , respectively. It is expected that the method, relying on free of charge data (ALOS and ALOS2 mosaics), can be applied widely in the tropics.

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IJMS, Vol. 17, Pages 348: Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of IgD in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Response to Streptococcus agalactiae Stimulus

IgD is considered to be a recently-evolved Ig and a puzzling molecule, being previously found in all vertebrate taxa, except for birds. Although IgD likely plays an important role in vertebrate immune responses, the function of IgD in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is virtually unknown. In the present study, a membrane form of IgD (mIgD) heavy chains were cloned from the GIFT strain of Nile tilapia (designated On-mIgD). The On-mIgD heavy chain's cDNA is composed of 3347 bp with a 31 bp of 5′-UTR, 3015 bp open reading frame (ORF) and 301 bp 3′-UTR, encoding a polypeptide of 1004 amino acids (GenBank accession no: KF530821). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that On-mIgD heavy chains showed the highest similarity to Siniperca chuatsi. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that On-mIgD expression occurred predominately in head kidney, thymus, spleen, and kidney. After Streptococcus agalactiae infection, transcripts of On-mIgD increased and reached its peak at 48 h in the head kidney and thymus, and 72 h in the spleen, respectively. Taken together, these results collectively indicated that IgD could possibly have a key role to play in the immune response when bacterial infections in Nile tilapia.

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Molecular Mechanisms Linking Autonomic Dysfunction and Impaired Cardiac Contractility in Critical Illness.

Objectives: Molecular mechanisms linking autonomic dysfunction with poorer clinical outcomes in critical illness remain unclear. We hypothesized that baroreflex dysfunction alone is sufficient to cause cardiac impairment through neurohormonal activation of (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase dependent) oxidative stress resulting in increased expression of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2, a key negative regulator of cardiac function. Design: Laboratory/clinical investigations. Setting: University laboratory/medical centers. Subjects: Adult rats; wild-type/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase subunit-2-deficient mice; elective surgical patients. Interventions: Cardiac performance was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography following experimental baroreflex dysfunction (sino-aortic denervation) in rats and mice. Immunoblots assessed G-protein-coupled receptor recycling proteins expression in rodent cardiomyocytes and patient mononuclear leukocytes. In surgical patients, heart rate recovery after cardiopulmonary exercise testing, time/frequency measures of parasympathetic variables were related to the presence/absence of baroreflex dysfunction (defined by spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity of

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“I Always Worry about What Might Happen Ahead”: Implementing Safer Conception Services in the Current Environment of Reproductive Counseling for HIV-Affected Men and Women in Uganda

Background. We explored healthcare provider perspectives and practices regarding safer conception counseling for HIV-affected clients. Methods. We conducted semistructured interviews with 38 providers (medical and clinical officers, nurses, peer counselors, and village health workers) delivering care to HIV-infected clients across 5 healthcare centres in Mbarara District, Uganda. Interview transcripts were analyzed using content analysis. Results. Of 38 providers, 76% were women with median age 34 years (range 24–57). First, we discuss providers' reproductive counseling practices. Emergent themes include that providers (1) assess reproductive goals of HIV-infected female clients frequently, but infrequently for male clients; (2) offer counseling focused on "family planning" and maternal and child health; (3) empathize with the importance of having children for HIV-affected clients; and (4) describe opportunities to counsel HIV-serodiscordant couples. Second, we discuss provider-level challenges that impede safer conception counseling. Emergent themes included the following: (1) providers struggle to translate reproductive rights language into individualized risk reduction given concerns about maternal health and HIV transmission and (2) providers lack safer conception training and support needed to provide counseling. Discussion. Tailored guidelines and training are required for providers to implement safer conception counseling. Such support must respond to provider experiences with adverse HIV-related maternal and child outcomes and a national emphasis on pregnancy prevention.

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Catalytic activity and thermal stability of horseradish peroxidase encapsulated in self-assembled organic nanotubes

Analyst, 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5AN02655E, Paper

Qin Lu, Youngchan Kim, Nabil Bassim, Nisha Raman, Greg E. Collins
The confined nanospace of organic nanotubes protects enzymes against thermal denaturation and preserves catalytic activity following prolonged elevated temperature exposure.
To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.
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Materials, Vol. 9, Pages 179: Compositional Design of Dielectric, Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties of (K, Na)NbO3 and (Ba, Na)(Ti, Nb)O3 Based Ceramics Prepared by Different Sintering Routes

Lead free piezoelectric materials are being intensively investigated in order to substitute lead based ones, commonly used in many different applications. Among the most promising lead-free materials are those with modified NaNbO3, such as (K, Na)NbO3 (KNN) and (Ba, Na)(Ti, Nb)O3 (BTNN) families. From a ceramic processing point of view, high density single phase KNN and BTNN ceramics are very difficult to sinter due to the volatility of the alkaline elements, the narrow sintering temperature range and the anomalous grain growth. In this work, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and high-energy ball milling (HEBM), following heat treatments (calcining and sintering), in oxidative (O2) atmosphere have been used to prepare single phase highly densified KNN ("pure" and Cu2+ or Li1+ doped), with theoretical densities ρth > 97% and BTNN ceramics (ρth - 90%), respectively. Using BTTN ceramics with a P4mm perovskite-like structure, we showed that by increasing the NaNbO3 content, the ferroelectric properties change from having a relaxor effect to an almost "normal" ferroelectric character, while the tetragonality and grain size increase and the shear piezoelectric coefficients (k15, g15 and d15) improve. For KNN ceramics, the results reveal that the values for remanent polarization as well as for most of the coercive field are quite similar among all compositions. These facts evidenced that Cu2+ may be incorporated into the A and/or B sites of the perovskite structure, having both hardening and softening effects.

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Chromatography, Vol. 3, Pages 9: The Simultaneous Determination of Silicic, Boric and Carbonic Acids in Natural Water via Ion-Exclusion Chromatography with a Charged Aerosol Detector

The simple and simultaneous determination of silicic, boric and carbonic acids was made using ion-exclusion chromatography (IEC) and a Corona™ charged aerosol detector (C-CAD). Silicic and boric acids were separated by the column packed with a weakly acidic cation-exchange resin in H+-form and ultra-pure water eluent, and the detector responses were improved by the addition of acetonitrile to eluent. Under the optimized conditions, the simultaneous determination of weak inorganic acids, except for carbonic acid, was successfully performed. When the conversion column packed with a strong acidic cation-exchange resin in Na+- or K+-form was inserted between the separation column and the detector, weak inorganic acids including carbonic acid could be detected by the C-CAD. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.5–10 mg·L−1 as Si for silicic acid (r2 = 0.996), 10–100 mg·L−1 as B for boric acid (r2 = 0.998) and 1.3–21 mg·L−1 as C for carbonic acid (r2 = 0.993). The detection limits based on three times the standard deviation were 0.03 mg·L−1 as Si for silicic acid, 0.40 mg·L−1 as B for boric acid and 0.08 mg·L−1 as C for carbonic acid. This method was applicable to river, hot spring and drinking water.

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Applied Sciences, Vol. 6, Pages 76: Investigation of the Machining Stability of a Milling Machine with Hybrid Guideway Systems

This study was aimed to investigate the machining stability of a horizontal milling machine with hybrid guideway systems by finite element method. To this purpose, we first created finite element model of the milling machine with the introduction of the contact stiffness defined at the sliding and rolling interfaces, respectively. Also, the motorized built-in spindle model was created and implemented in the whole machine model. Results of finite element simulations reveal that linear guides with different preloads greatly affect the dynamic responses and machining stability of the horizontal milling machine. The critical cutting depth predicted at the vibration mode associated with the machine tool structure is about 10 mm and 25 mm in the X and Y direction, respectively, while the cutting depth predicted at the vibration mode associated with the spindle structure is about 6.0 mm. Also, the machining stability can be increased when the preload of linear roller guides of the feeding mechanism is changed from lower to higher amount.

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Materials, Vol. 9, Pages 178: Effects of Ca Content on Formation and Photoluminescence Properties of CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ Phosphor by Combustion Synthesis

Effects of Ca content (in the reactant mixture) on the formation and the photoluminescence properties of CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ phosphor (CASIN) were investigated by a combustion synthesis method. Ca, Al, Si, Eu2O3, NaN3, NH4Cl and Si3N4 powders were used as the starting materials and they were mixed and pressed into a compact which was then wrapped up with an igniting agent (i.e., Mg + Fe3O4). The compact was ignited by electrical heating under a N2 pressure of ≤1.0 MPa. By keeping the molar ratios of Al and Si (including the Si powder and the Si in Si3N4 powder) both at 1.00 and that of Eu2O3 at 0.02, XRD (X-ray diffraction) coupled with TEM-EDS (transmission electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope) and SAED (selected area electron diffraction) measurements show that AlN:Eu2+ and Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu2+ are formed as the major phosphor products when the Ca molar ratio (denoted by Y) is equal to 0.25 and AlN:Eu2+ and Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu2+ could not be detected at Y ≥ 0.75 and ≥1.00, respectively. CASIN (i.e., CaAlSiN3:Eu2+) becomes the only phosphor product as Y is increased to 1.00 and higher. The extent of formation of CASIN increases with increasing Y up to 1.50 and begins to decrease as Y is further increased to 1.68. While the excitation wavelength regions are similar at various Y, the emission wavelength regions vary significantly as Y is increased from 0.25 to 1.00 due to different combinations of phosphor phases formed at different Y. The emission intensity of CASIN was found to vary with Y in a similar trend to its extent of formation. The Ca and Eu contents (expressed as molar ratios) in the synthesized products were found to increase roughly with increasing Y but were both lower than the respective Ca and Eu contents in the reactant mixtures.

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Medical Sciences, Vol. 4, Pages 2: Targeting in Cancer Therapies

Drug developers recruit and combine principles, procedures and strategies from chemistry, pharmacology, nanotechnology and biotechnology, focusing on the generation of functional vehicles as nano-carriers of drugs for improved stability and enhanced intracellular delivery.[...]

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Sustainability, Vol. 8, Pages 249: Subsurface Drainage to Enable the Cultivation of Winter Crops in Consolidated Paddy Fields in Northern Iran

Subsurface drainage is a prerequisite to grow winter crops in the consolidated paddy fields in Northern Iran. A four-year study (2011–2015) was conducted to quantify the effects of subsurface drainage on the saturated hydraulic conductivity, water table, drain discharge and winter crop yields. Subsurface drainage systems with two drain depths of 0.65 and 0.90 m and two drain spacings of 15 and 30 m were installed at the consolidated paddy fields of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Iran. During four successive winter seasons, the water table depth and drain discharge were measured daily. Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured twice; before drainage system installation and four years following the installation. Canola grain yields were determined at harvest of each cultivation season. During the study period, the soil saturated hydraulic conductivity increased with the highest increase in the top 0–30 cm. The deeper drains were more effective in controlling the water table compared to the shallow, and the daily drain discharge of the deeper drains in the fourth year were higher than those of shallow drains. The canola grain yield of all drainage systems increased significantly by the seasons, and the largest difference in canola grain yield between first and fourth seasons was 2191 kg·ha−1 (318% increase) in the fields with 0.90 m drain depth and 30 m drain spacing. Totally, it became clear that installation of subsurface drainage systems with 0.90 m depth and 30 m spacing in the paddy fields of Northern Iran can be recommended to achieve high yield of winter crop, soil condition improvement, and multi-purpose land use.

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Marine Drugs, Vol. 14, Pages 48: Antimicrobials from Cnidarians. A New Perspective for Anti-Infective Therapy?

The ability of microbes to counter the scientific and therapeutic advancements achieved during the second half of the twentieth century to provide effective disease treatments is currently a significant challenge for researchers in biology and medicine. The discovery of antibiotics, and the subsequent development of synthetic antimicrobial compounds, altered our therapeutic approach towards infectious diseases, and improved the quality and length of life for humans and other organisms. The current alarming rise in cases of antibiotic-resistance has forced biomedical researchers to explore new ways to recognize and/or produce new antimicrobials or to find other approaches for existing therapeutics. Aquatic organisms are known to be a source of compounds having the potential to play a role in fighting the battle against pathogenic microbes. In this connection, cnidarians occupy a pre-eminent role. Over the past few decades several studies have explored the antimicrobial/antibiotic properties of cnidarian extracts with the aim of isolating compounds possessing useful therapeutic features. This paper aims to review the existing data on this subject, taking into account the possible utilization of identified compounds.

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Forests, Vol. 7, Pages 61: Estimation of Tree Stem Attributes Using Terrestrial Photogrammetry with a Camera Rig

We propose a novel photogrammetric method for field plot inventory, designed for simplicity and time efficiency on-site. A prototype multi-camera rig was used to acquire images from field plot centers in multiple directions. The acquisition time on-site was less than two minutes. From each view, a point cloud was generated using a novel, rig-based matching of detected SIFT keypoints. Stems were detected in the merged point cloud, and their positions and diameters were estimated. The method was evaluated on 25 hemi-boreal forest plots of a 10-m radius. Due to difficult lighting conditions and faulty hardware, imagery from only six field plots was processed. The method performed best on three plots with clearly visible stems with a 76% detection rate and 0% commission. Diameters could be estimated for 40% of the stems with an RMSE of 2.8–9.5 cm. The results are comparable to other camera-based methods evaluated in a similar manner. The results are inferior to TLS-based methods. However, our method is easily extended to multiple station image schemas, something that could significantly improve the results while retaining low commission errors and time on-site. Furthermore, with smaller hardware, we believe this could be a useful technique for measuring stem attributes in the forest.

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Econometrics, Vol. 4, Pages 12: Evolutionary Sequential Monte Carlo Samplers for Change-Point Models

Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) methods are widely used for non-linear filtering purposes. However, the SMC scope encompasses wider applications such as estimating static model parameters so much that it is becoming a serious alternative to Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) methods. Not only do SMC algorithms draw posterior distributions of static or dynamic parameters but additionally they provide an estimate of the marginal likelihood. The tempered and time (TNT) algorithm, developed in this paper, combines (off-line) tempered SMC inference with on-line SMC inference for drawing realizations from many sequential posterior distributions without experiencing a particle degeneracy problem. Furthermore, it introduces a new MCMC rejuvenation step that is generic, automated and well-suited for multi-modal distributions. As this update relies on the wide heuristic optimization literature, numerous extensions are readily available. The algorithm is notably appropriate for estimating change-point models. As an example, we compare several change-point GARCH models through their marginal log-likelihoods over time.

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Sustainability, Vol. 8, Pages 246: A Novel Environmental Performance Evaluation of Thailand’s Food Industry Using Structural Equation Modeling and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Techniques

Currently, the environment and sustainability are important topics for every industry. The food industry is particularly complicated in this regard because of the dynamic and complex character of food products and their production. This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) and a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) to investigate which factors are suitable for evaluating the environmental performance of Thailand's food industry. A first-stage questionnaire survey was conducted with 178 managers in the food industry that obtained a certificate from the Department of Industrial Work of Thailand to synthesize the performance measurement model and the significance of the relationship between the indicators. A second-stage questionnaire measured 18 experts' priorities regarding the criteria and sub-factors involved in the different aspects and assessment items regarding environmental performance. SEM showed that quality management, market orientation, and innovation capability have a significantly positive effect on environmental performance. The FAHP showed that the experts were most concerned about quality management, followed by market orientation and innovation capability; the assessment items for quality policy, quality assurance, and customer orientation were of the most concern. The findings of this study can be referenced and support managerial decision making when monitoring environmental performance.

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Water, Vol. 8, Pages 90: Precipitation Intensity Effects on Groundwater Recharge in the Southwestern United States

Episodic recharge as a result of infrequent, high intensity precipitation events comprises the bulk of groundwater recharge in arid environments. Climate change and shifts in precipitation intensity will affect groundwater continuity, thus altering groundwater recharge. This study aims to identify changes in the ratio of groundwater recharge and precipitation, the R:P ratio, in the arid southwestern United States to characterize observed changes in groundwater recharge attributed to variations in precipitation intensity. Our precipitation metric, precipitation intensity magnification, was used to investigate the relationship between the R:P ratio and precipitation intensity. Our analysis identified significant changes in the R:P ratio concurrent with decreases in precipitation intensity. The results illustrate the importance of precipitation intensity in relation to groundwater recharge in arid regions and provide further insights for groundwater management in nonrenewable groundwater systems and in a changing climate.

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Cells, Vol. 5, Pages 10: Hypoxia Induced NF-κB

As Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) is a major transcription factor responding to cellular stress, it is perhaps not surprising that is activated by hypoxia, or decreased oxygen availability. However, how NF-κB becomes activated in hypoxia is still not completely understood. Several mechanisms have been proposed and this review will focus on the main findings highlighting the molecules that have been identified in the process of hypoxia induced NF-κB. In addition, we will discuss the role of NF-κB in the control of the cellular response to hypoxia.

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Entropy, Vol. 18, Pages 87: Entropy Production in the Theory of Heat Conduction in Solids

The evolution of the entropy production in solids due to heat transfer is usually associated with the Prigogine's minimum entropy production principle. In this paper, we propose a critical review of the results of Prigogine and some comments on the succeeding literature. We suggest a characterization of the evolution of the entropy production of the system through the generalized Fourier modes, showing that they are the only states with a time independent entropy production. The variational approach and a Lyapunov functional of the temperature, monotonically decreasing with time, are discussed. We describe the analytic properties of the entropy production as a function of time in terms of the generalized Fourier coefficients of the system. Analytical tools are used throughout the paper and numerical examples will support the statements.

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Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with elective lymph node irradiation for esophageal cancer: a systemic review and pooled analysis of the literature

Diseases of the Esophagus

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Low frequency of drug-resistant virus did not affect the therapeutic efficacy in daclatasvir plus asunaprevir therapy in patients with chronic HCV genotype-1 infection

Antiviral Therapy

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Function and clinical implications of short-chain fatty acids in patients with mixed refractory constipation

Colorectal Disease

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Antioxidant cocktail and pregabalin combination ameliorates pain recurrence after ductal clearance in chronic pancreatitis: results of a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

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Toxins, Vol. 8, Pages 67: Perfringolysin O Theta Toxin as a Tool to Monitor the Distribution and Inhomogeneity of Cholesterol in Cellular Membranes

Cholesterol is an essential structural component of cellular membranes in eukaryotes. Cholesterol in the exofacial leaflet of the plasma membrane is thought to form membrane nanodomains with sphingolipids and specific proteins. Additionally, cholesterol is found in the intracellular membranes of endosomes and has crucial functions in membrane trafficking. Furthermore, cellular cholesterol homeostasis and regulation of de novo synthesis rely on transport via both vesicular and non-vesicular pathways. Thus, the ability to visualize and detect intracellular cholesterol, especially in the plasma membrane, is critical to understanding the complex biology associated with cholesterol and the nanodomains. Perfringolysin O (PFO) theta toxin is one of the toxins secreted by the anaerobic bacteria Clostridium perfringens and this toxin forms pores in the plasma membrane that causes cell lysis. It is well understood that PFO recognizes and binds to cholesterol in the exofacial leaflets of the plasma membrane, and domain 4 of PFO (D4) is sufficient for the binding of cholesterol. Recent studies have taken advantage of this high-affinity cholesterol-binding domain to create a variety of cholesterol biosensors by using a non-toxic PFO or the D4 in isolation. This review highlights the characteristics and usefulness of, and the principal findings related to, these PFO-derived cholesterol biosensors.

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Diversity, Vol. 8, Pages 6: Update of “Biodiversity of the Hypersaline Urmia Lake National Park (NW Iran)”

Urmia Lake, an endorheic salt lake in northwestern Iran, was registered in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as a wetland of international importance, also a UNESCO biosphere reserve. In this review, we have updated our last checklist in 2014 with available information on the biodiversity of the lake.

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JMSE, Vol. 4, Pages 24: Effects of Exposure of Pink Shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum, Larvae to Macondo Canyon 252 Crude Oil and the Corexit Dispersant

The release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) during the Deepwater Horizon event coincided with the white and pink shrimp spawning season. To determine the potential impact on shrimp larvae a series of static acute (24–96 h) toxicity studies with water accommodated fractions (WAFs) of Macondo Canyon (MC) 252 crude oil, the Corexit 9500A dispersant, and chemically enhanced WAFS (CEWAFs) were conducted with nauplii, zoea, mysid, and postlarval Farfantepenaeus duorarum. Median lethal concentrations (LC50) were calculated and behavior responses (swimming, molting, light sensitivity) evaluated. Impacts were life stage dependent with zoea being the most sensitive. Behavioral responses for all stages, except postlarvae, occurred at below LC50 values. Dispersants had the greatest negative impact while WAFs had the least. No short-term effects (survival, growth) were noted for nauplii exposed to sub-lethal CEWAFs 39 days post-exposure. This study points to the importance of evaluating multiple life stages to assess population effects following contaminant exposure and further, that the use of dispersants as a method of oil removal increases oil toxicity.

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Sensors, Vol. 16, Pages 344: Measuring Surface Pressure on Rotating Compressor Blades Using Pressure Sensitive Paint

Pressure sensitive paint (PSP) was used to measure pressure on the blades of a radial compressor with a 51 mm inlet diameter rotating at speeds up to 50 krpm using the so called lifetime method. A diode laser with a scanning-mirror system was used to illuminate the paint and the luminescent lifetime was registered using a photo multiplier. With the described technique the surface-pressure fields were acquired for eight points in the compressor map, useful for general understanding of the flow field and for CFD validation. The PSP was of so called fast type, which makes it possible to observe pressure variations with frequencies up to several kHz. Through frequency spectrum analysis we were able to detect the pulsating flow frequency when the compressor was driven to surge.

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Materials, Vol. 9, Pages 176: Revealing the Dark Side of Portlandite Clusters in Cement Paste by Circular Polarization Microscopy

Plane and crossed polarization are the two standard light modes in polarized light microscopy that are widely used to characterize crystalline and amorphous phases in cement-based materials. However, the use of the crossed polarized light mode has been found to be restrictive for studying birefringent phases quantitatively due to the extinction phenomenon that arises depending on the crystal orientation. This paper introduces circular polarization microscopy as an alternative technique to overcome the extinction problem during the examination of cementitious materials' microstructure with optical microscopy. In order to evaluate the feasibility of this technique, selected optical and micromorphological features of portlandite clusters were investigated in cement paste. Image analysis results showed that compared to the conventional crossed polarization technique, circular polarization offers significant advantages when portlandite quantification is of interest, and it stands out as a promising low-cost alternative to backscattered electron microscopy.

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