Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182
6948891480
Πέμπτη 15 Δεκεμβρίου 2016
First report of urinary endoscopic vacuum therapy
Abstract
Purpose
The technique of active urinary endoscopic vacuum therapy (uEVT) is described. The surgical technique is demonstrated in detail with the help of a video of the operation, which is available online. Vesical fistulas are a rare complication following rectal surgery. The EVT technique is a novel method for the treatment of gastrointestinal leakage. This endoscopic procedure has been adapted to treat a large bladder defect after abdomino-perineal resection of the rectum with urine flowing out of the perineal wound.
Materials and methods
A new open-pore film drainage (OFD) catheter with an external diameter of only a few millimeters was developed and constructed from a very thin open-pore double-layered film and a drainage tube. The OFD was inserted into the bladder by means of flexible endoscopy and channeled out through a suprapubic incision. Continuous suction was applied with an electronic vacuum pump to actively drain the urine completely. A passive catheter drainage of urine from the renal pelvis via a transurethral single J stent was carried out simultaneously during the complete duration of treatment. The healing process was monitored during and after therapy via intravesical endoscopy.
Results
The application of continuous negative pressure via the OFD resulted in total collapse of the bladder. The urine in the bladder was actively and permanently drained through the OFD. Urine leakage from the perineal wound stopped immediately after induction of suction. The bladder defect healed after 18 days of treatment with uEVT. After therapy and removal of the catheters, the patient had normal micturition.
Conclusion
A novel small-bore OFD was developed for EVT. The OFD technique allows for endoscopic application of negative pressure in the bladder. This first successful experience proves uEVT to be a potent interventional alternative in the treatment of bladder defects.
http://ift.tt/2h73iyH
Erstbeschreibung einer endoskopischen Vakuumtherapie der ableitenden Harnwege
Zusammenfassung
Ziel
Die Methode der aktiven Urinableitung mittels urologischer endoskopischer Vakuumtherapie (uEVT) wird beschrieben. Anhand eines Operationsvideos, welches online zur Verfügung steht, wird zudem die Operationstechnik detailliert dargestellt. Vesikale Fisteln sind eine seltene Komplikation der Rektumchirurgie. Die endoskopische Vakuumtherapie (EVT) ist eine neue interventionelle endoskopische Methode zur Behandlung gastrointestinaler Defekte. Wir zeigen die Adaptierung dieses endoskopischen Verfahrens zur Therapie eines großen Harnblasendefektes mit Urinausfluss aus der perinealen Wunde nach abdominoperinealer Rektumexstirpation.
Material und Methode
Eine neuartige offenporige Foliendrainage (OFD) mit einem Außendurchmesser von wenigen Millimetern wurde aus einer sehr dünnen doppellagigen Drainagefolie und einem Absaugschlauch konstruiert. Die OFD wurde mittels flexibler Endoskopie in die Harnblase eingeführt und suprapubisch ausgeleitet. Mit einer elektronischen Vakuumpumpe wurde ein Unterdruck angelegt und somit auf aktive Weise der Urin kontinuierlich aus der Harnblase abgesaugt. Während der gesamten Behandlungsdauer erfolgte gleichzeitig eine passive Katheterableitung des Urins aus den Nierenbecken über transurethral ausgeführte Mono-J-Schienen. Regelmäßige endoskopische Untersuchungen der Blase dokumentierten den Wundheilungsverlauf.
Ergebnisse
Die Ausübung eines kontinuierlichen Unterdrucks über die OFD führte zum Kollabieren der Harnblase. Der Urin in der Harnblase wurde vollständig aktiv und permanent entlang der OFD drainiert. Der Urinaustritt aus der perinealen Wunde sistierte unmittelbar nach Anlage des Unterdruckes. Nach 18-tägiger Therapiedauer mit uEVT war der Harnblasendefekt verschlossen. Nach Entfernung sämtlicher Katheter hatte der Patient eine normale Miktion.
Fazit
Eine neuartige kleinlumige OFD wurde für die endoskopische Vakuumtherapie entwickelt. Die OFD ermöglicht jetzt auch die urologische Anwendung der endoskopischen Vakuumtherapie. Die uEVT kann eine interventionelle Alternative in der Behandlung von Harnblasendefekten darstellen.
http://ift.tt/2gQpocI
Zwangsmaßnahmen in deutschen Kliniken für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
Zusammenfassung
Ziel der Studie
Im Rahmen eines Pilotprojektes der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Nervenheilkunde (DGPPN) wurde ein einfaches Instrument zur fallbezogenen Erfassung von Zwangsmaßnahmen getestet.
Methodik
Zur Erfassung von Zwangsmaßnahmen wurden Daten in 8 Kliniken für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie in Deutschland im Verlauf von 3 Monaten erhoben. Dokumentiert wurden die Art der angewendeten Maßnahmen, die Hauptdiagnosen und die den Zwangsmaßnahmen zugrunde liegenden Rechtsgrundlagen.
Ergebnisse
Der Einsatz von Zwangsmaßnahmen erfolgte in der untersuchten Stichprobe in 8,0 % der Fälle. Zwangsmaßnahmen wurden am häufigsten bei Patienten aus dem schizophrenen Formenkreis eingesetzt. Der rechtfertigende Notstand als Rechtsgrundlage von Zwangsmaßnahmen kam besonders häufig zur Anwendung.
Schlussfolgerung
Grundlage für die Reduzierung von Zwangsmaßnahmen sind geeignete Messinstrumente und verlässliche Daten, die das Lernen von „best practice" ermöglichen.
http://ift.tt/2gRrXtn
Zur Legalisierungsdebatte des nichtmedizinischen Cannabiskonsums
Zusammenfassung
Zurzeit werden vermehrt Forderungen nach einer Legalisierung von Cannabis laut. Einige Juristen, verschiedene Politiker und Parteien sowie Verbände fordern ein Umdenken in der Drogenpolitik. Die Debatte um die Legalisierung wird lebhaft geführt und von den Medien breit aufgenommen. Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Nervenheilkunde (DGPPN) nimmt aus medizinisch-wissenschaftlicher Sicht Stellung zu den wichtigsten Fragen: Kann Cannabiskonsum psychische Erkrankungen auslösen? Welche Folgen hätte eine Legalisierung für das medizinische Versorgungssystem? Wo besteht Forschungsbedarf?
http://ift.tt/2hUHo1X
Is physiotherapy integrated virtual walking effective on pain, function, and kinesiophobia in patients with non-specific low-back pain? Randomised controlled trial
Abstract
Purpose
According to literature, virtual reality was found to reduce pain and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic pain. The purpose of the study was to investigate short-term effect of the virtual reality on pain, function, and kinesiophobia in patients with subacute and chronic non-specific low-back pain
Methods
This randomised controlled study in which 44 patients were randomly assigned to the traditional physiotherapy (control group, 22 subjects) or virtual walking integrated physiotherapy (experimental group, 22 subjects). Before and after treatment, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), TAMPA Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Timed-up and go Test (TUG), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Single-Leg Balance Test were assessed. The interaction effect between group and time was assessed by using repeated-measures analysis of covariance.
Results
After treatment, both groups showed improvement in all parameters. However, VAS, TKS, TUG, and 6MWT scores showed significant differences in favor of the experimental group.
Conclusion
Virtual walking integrated physiotherapy reduces pain and kinesiophobia, and improved function in patients with subacute and chronic non-specific low-back pain in short term.
http://ift.tt/2hqBAQL
Analysis of complications and perioperative data after open or percutaneous dorsal instrumentation following traumatic spinal fracture of the thoracic and lumbar spine: a retrospective cohort study including 491 patients
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the current study is to analyze perioperative data and complications of open vs. percutaneous dorsal instrumentation after dorsal stabilization in patients suffering from fractures of the thoracic or lumbar spine.
Methods
In the time period from 01/2007 to 06/2009, open surgical approach was used for dorsal stabilization. The percutaneous surgical approach was used from 05/2009 to 03/2014. In every time period, all types of fractures were treated only by open or by percutaneous approach, respectively, to avoid any selection bias. Retrospectively, epidemiological data, complications and perioperative data were documented and statistically analyzed.
Results
A total of 491 patients met the inclusion criteria. Open surgery procedure was carried out on 169 patients, and percutaneous surgery procedure was carried out on 322 patients. Fracture level ranged from T1 to L5, and fractures were classified types A, B, and C. In 91.4% of all patients, no complication occured following dorsal stabilization after traumatic spine fracture during their hospital stay. However, 42 complications related to dorsal stabilization have been documented during the hospital stay. The complication rate was 14.8% if open surgical approach has been used and was significantly reduced to 5.3% using percutaneous surgical approach. Post-operative hospital stay was also reduced significantly using the percutaneous surgical approach.
Conclusions
According to the current study, percutaneous dorsal stabilization of the spine could also be safely used in trauma cases and is not restricted to degenerative spinal surgery.
http://ift.tt/2hBKrgz
Is the duration of pre-operative conservative treatment associated with the clinical outcome following surgical decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis? A study based on the Spine Tango Registry
Abstract
Background
The incidence of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) continues to rise, with both conservative and surgical management representing options for its treatment. The timing of surgery for LSS varies from shortly after the onset of symptoms to several months or years after conservative treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the duration of pre-operative conservative treatment and the ultimate outcome following surgical interventions for LSS.
Methods
The study was based on prospective multicentre registry data (Spine Tango). Cases of LSS with a documented duration of conservative treatment, undergoing spinal decompression with at least one post-operative patient assessment between 3 and 30 months, were included in the study. Cases of LSS with spondylolisthesis, additional spinal pathology or previous spinal surgery were excluded. Interrogation of the Spine Tango Registry listed 3478 patients meeting the prescribed inclusion criteria. This cohort was stratified into four groups: (1) no previous treatment (n = 497; 14.3%), (2) conservative treatment <6 months (n = 965; 27.8%), (3) conservative treatment between 6 and 12 months (n = 758; 21.8%), and (4) conservative treatment >12 months (n = 1258; 36.1%). Group 4 reference group in regression analysis. The inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied using the propensity score to balance the groups for their characteristics. Outcome measures included achievement of the minimum clinically important change (MCIC) score of 2 points for (a) back pain, (b) leg pain and (c) Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI), and (d) surgical complications, (e) general complications and (f) operation time >2 h.
Results
Patient group ("duration of conservative therapy") was not associated with achievement of the MCIC for post-operative relief of leg pain (p = 0.22), achievement of MCIC for the COMI score (p = 0.054), surgical complications (p = 0.11) or general complications (p = 0.14). Only MCIC for post-operative relief of back pain (p = 0.021) and operation time were significantly associated with patient group (p = 0.038). However, compared with the reference group of >12 months of conservative treatment there was no significant difference in the likelihood of achieving the MCIC for those with none, <6 or 6–12 months of conservative treatment.
Conclusions
The duration of pre-operative conservative treatment was not associated with the ultimate outcome of decompression surgery. Further research is required to investigate optimal thresholds/indications for surgery and its appropriate timing in individual patients.
http://ift.tt/2hqEtkh
Aggressive osteoblastoma of the cervical spine involving the canal and vertebral artery: a case report
Abstract
Objective
We present such a case of aggressive osteoblastoma of cervical spine. We describe its complicated clinical progression, hoping to shed light on the surgical strategy of this complex tumor.
Methods
We present such a case of aggressive osteoblastoma involving the C6–7 vertebrae. A 25-year-old man was diagnosed as aggressive osteoblastoma of the cervical spine. The lesion encroached upon the radicular foramina and was located adjacent to the canal of the vertebral artery. Preoperative embolization was performed to reduce intraoperative bleeding and to prevent intraoperative injury of the vertebral artery.
Results
A pathologic examination showed osteoblasts suggestive of osteoblastoma. At 2-year follow-up, bony union was achieved, and there was no evidence of recurrence on a CT scan.
Conclusion
En bloc total resection for highly vascular osteoblastoma is ideal, but this case shows that piecemeal total resection following preoperative embolization is a surgical option for highly expansive osteoblastoma.
http://ift.tt/2hBOUzM
Development and Content Validity of the Statin Experience Assessment Questionnaire (SEAQ)©
Abstract
Introduction
The National Lipid Association Statin Intolerance (SI) Panel recognized the need for better understanding of the patient SI experience.
Objective
The objective of this research was to develop a patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire to assess a patient's experience with SI.
Methods
Questionnaire development was informed via a series of research activities: literature review, concept elicitation, item generation, and content evaluation. Following the literature review and concept elicitation, a draft questionnaire was constructed and subsequently modified based on feedback from therapeutic area experts and patients via cognitive debriefing interviews.
Results
Muscle-related symptoms were the most commonly reported symptoms associated with SI in the literature review (35 of 41 articles reviewed [85%]) and in semi-structured interviews with experts (n = 5 [100%]) and patients (n = 17 of 20 [85.0%]). Physical and other impacts of SI symptoms on daily activities were also frequently reported. A 17-item draft questionnaire was created, and cognitive debriefing with experts (n = 5) and patients (n = 15) was conducted. Overall, the items, response options, and instructions were comprehensible and positively reviewed; minor changes resulted in the 15-item Statin Experience Assessment Questionnaire (SEAQ)©. Using a 30-day recall period, the SEAQ© assesses the severity and impact of six SI symptoms (muscle ache, muscle pain, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, tiredness, and joint pain) on an 11-point numeric scale. Statin discontinuation and likelihood of discontinuation due to symptoms are assessed and scored on a yes/no and five-point verbal response scale, respectively.
Conclusion
The SEAQ© is a novel content-valid PRO questionnaire that assesses patient SI experience and fosters dialogue about SI between patients and providers.
http://ift.tt/2hqNtWS
Prevalence of erosive lesions with respect to risk factors in a young adult population in Poland—a cross-sectional study
Abstract
Objective
The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of erosive lesions and related risk factors in the population of 18-year-old young adults in Poland.
Materials and methods
Calibrated examiners measured erosive tooth wear according to Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) scoring system in 1869 patients and assessed the impact of risk factors with a questionnaire.
Results
Erosion was present in 42.3% of the patients. Early damage to the enamel was the most frequent finding (BEWE 1)—28.9%. More advanced lesions (BEWE 2) were observed in 12% of the patients. Advanced damage to the teeth (BEWE 3) was diagnosed rarely—1.4% of the examined population. Acidic diet, hygienic habits, and medical conditions such as asthma, eating disorders, and esophageal reflux showed statistical significance, as associated with erosion in the examined population.
Conclusions
The present study indicates that dental erosion is a common oral disease in the 18-year-old population with prevalence of frequency and intensity in males. However, on the basis of observations carried out in recent years, it may be assumed that the prevalence of this type of lesion is increasing.
Clinical relevance
Present findings support other longitudinal studies toward evaluation of the BEWE system as a valuable standard for assessing erosive and related risk factors among different populations.
http://ift.tt/2gFJX6Y
Na + /H + exchanger 3 inhibitor diminishes the amino-acid-enhanced transepithelial calcium transport across the rat duodenum
Abstract
Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE)-3 is important for intestinal absorption of nutrients and minerals, including calcium. The previous investigations have shown that the intestinal calcium absorption is also dependent on luminal nutrients, but whether aliphatic amino acids and glucose, which are abundant in the luminal fluid during a meal, similarly enhance calcium transport remains elusive. Herein, we used the in vitro Ussing chamber technique to determine epithelial electrical parameters, i.e., potential difference (PD), short-circuit current (Isc), and transepithelial resistance, as well as 45Ca flux in the rat duodenum directly exposed on the mucosal side to glucose or various amino acids. We found that mucosal glucose exposure led to the enhanced calcium transport, PD, and Isc, all of which were insensitive to NHE3 inhibitor (100 nM tenapanor). In the absence of mucosal glucose, several amino acids (12 mM in the mucosal side), i.e., alanine, isoleucine, leucine, proline, and hydroxyproline, markedly increased the duodenal calcium transport. An inhibitor for NHE3 exposure on the mucosal side completely abolished proline- and leucine-enhanced calcium transport, but not transepithelial transport of both amino acids themselves. In conclusion, glucose and certain amino acids in the mucosal side were potent stimulators of the duodenal calcium absorption, but only amino-acid-enhanced calcium transport was NHE3-dependent.
http://ift.tt/2hJUlzk
Two distinct patterns of interference in between-attribute Stroop matching tasks
Abstract
In between-attribute Stroop matching tasks, participants compare the meaning (or the color) of a Stroop stimulus with a probe color (or meaning) while attempting to ignore the Stroop stimulus's task-irrelevant attribute. Interference in this task has been explained by two competing theories: A semantic competition account and a response competition account. Recent results favor the response competition account, which assumes that interference is caused by a task-irrelevant comparison. However, the comparison of studies is complicated by the lack of a consensus on how trial types should be classified and analyzed. In this work, we review existing findings and theories and provide a new classification of trial types. We report two experiments that demonstrate the superiority of the response competition account in explaining the basic pattern of performance while also revealing its limitations. Two qualitatively distinct interference patterns are identified, resulting from different types of task-irrelevant comparisons. By finding the same interference pattern across task versions, we were additionally able to demonstrate the comparability of processes across two task versions frequently used in neurophysiological and cognitive studies. An integrated account of both types of interference is presented and discussed.
http://ift.tt/2gH7BzX
The influence of action video game playing on eye movement behaviour during visual search in abstract, in-game and natural scenes
Abstract
Action game playing has been associated with several improvements in visual attention tasks. However, it is not clear how such changes might influence the way we overtly select information from our visual world (i.e. eye movements). We examined whether action-video-game training changed eye movement behaviour in a series of visual search tasks including conjunctive search (relatively abstracted from natural behaviour), game-related search, and more naturalistic scene search. Forty nongamers were trained in either an action first-person shooter game or a card game (control) for 10 hours. As a further control, we recorded eye movements of 20 experienced action gamers on the same tasks. The results did not show any change in duration of fixations or saccade amplitude either from before to after the training or between all nongamers (pretraining) and experienced action gamers. However, we observed a change in search strategy, reflected by a reduction in the vertical distribution of fixations for the game-related search task in the action-game-trained group. This might suggest learning the likely distribution of targets. In other words, game training only skilled participants to search game images for targets important to the game, with no indication of transfer to the more natural scene search. Taken together, these results suggest no modification in overt allocation of attention. Either the skills that can be trained with action gaming are not powerful enough to influence information selection through eye movements, or action-game-learned skills are not used when deciding where to move the eyes.
http://ift.tt/2hMtyCs
Increased experience amplifies the activation of task-irrelevant category representations
Abstract
Prior research has demonstrated the benefits (i.e., task-relevant attentional selection) and costs (i.e., task-irrelevant attentional capture) of prior knowledge on search for an individual target or multiple targets from a category. This study investigated whether the level of experience with particular categories predicts the degree of task-relevant and task-irrelevant activation of item and category representations. Adults with varying levels of dieting experience (measured via 3 subscales of Disinhibition, Restraint, Hunger; Stunkard & Messick, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 29(1), 71–83, 1985) searched for targets defined as either a specific food item (e.g., carrots), or a category (i.e., any healthy or unhealthy food item). Apart from the target-present trials, in the target-absent "foil" trials, when searching for a specific item (e.g., carrots), irrelevant items from the target's category (e.g., squash) were presented. The ERP (N2pc) results revealed that the activation of task-relevant representations (measured via Exemplar and Category N2pc amplitudes) did not differ based on the degree of experience. Critically, however, increased dieting experience, as revealed by lower Disinhibition scores, predicted activation of task-irrelevant representations (i.e., attentional capture of foils from the target item category). Our results suggest that increased experience with particular categories encourages the rapid activation of category representations even when category information is task irrelevant, and that the N2pc in foil trials could potentially serve as an indication of experience level in future studies on categorization.
http://ift.tt/2gHjE06
Distinct Fragmentation Pathways of Anticancer Drugs Induced by Charge-Carrying Cations in the Gas Phase
Abstract
With the growth of the pharmaceutical industry, structural elucidation of drugs and derivatives using tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) has become essential for drug development and pharmacokinetics studies because of its high sensitivity and low sample requirement. Thus, research seeking to understand fundamental relationships between fragmentation patterns and precursor ion structures in the gas phase has gained attention. In this study, we investigate the fragmentation of the widely used anticancer drugs, doxorubicin (DOX), vinblastine (VBL), and vinorelbine (VRL), complexed by a singly charged proton or alkali metal ion (Li+, Na+, K+) in the gas phase. The drug–cation complexes exhibit distinct fragmentation patterns in tandem mass spectra as a function of cation size. The trends in fragmentation patterns are explicable in terms of structures derived from ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS) and theoretical calculations.
Graphical Abstract
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http://ift.tt/2hMidCx
Polyphasic characterisation of three novel species of Paraboeremia
Abstract
Paraboeremia was recently introduced for a distinct lineage in the family Didymellaceae. Currently, three species are included, i.e. P. adianticola, P. putaminum and P. selaginellae, all of which are plant pathogens. Paraboeremia is morphologically similar to Phoma but phylogenetically distinct. In this paper, three new species, i.e. Paraboeremia camelliae isolated from Camellia sp., P. litseae from Litsea sp., and P. oligotrophica from cave limestone, are described, illustrated and compared with closely related taxa. Phylogenetic analysis based on the multi-locus sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 and 5.8S nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (ITS), partial large subunit 28S nrDNA region (LSU), partial β-tubulin (TUB2) gene and RNA polymerase II (RPB2) gene regions confirmed the distinction of these species in Paraboeremia. These three new species were discovered from habitats and hosts that are previously unknown from this genus.
http://ift.tt/2h6qOMc
The RIPASA score is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in a western population
Abstract
Aim
The definitive diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) requires histopathological examination. Various clinical diagnostic scoring systems attempt to reduce negative appendectomy rates. The most commonly used in Western Europe and the USA is the Alvarado score. The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha appendicitis (RIPASA) score achieves better sensitivity and specificity in Asian and Middle Eastern populations. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the RIPASA score in Irish patients with AA.
Methods
All patients who presented to our institution with right iliac fossa pain and clinically suspected AA between January 1 and December 31, 2015, were indentified from our hospital inpatient enquiry database and retrospectively studied. Operating theatre records and histology reports confirmed those who underwent a non-elective operative procedure and the presence or absence of AA. SPSS version 22 was used for statistical analysis. Standard deviation is provided where appropriate.
Results
Two hundred eight patients were included in the study (106/51% male, mean age 22.7 ± 9.2 years). One hundred thirty-five (64.9%) had histologically confirmed AA (mean symptom duration = 36.19 ± 15.90 h). At a score ≥7.5, the previously determined score most likely associated with AA in Eastern populations, the RIPASA scoring system demonstrated a sensitivity of 85.39%, specificity of 69.86%, positive predictive value of 84.06%, negative predictive value of 72.86% and diagnostic accuracy of 80% in our cohort.
Conclusion
The RIPASA score is a useful tool to aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in the Irish population. A score of ≥7.5 provides sensitivity and specificity exceeding that previously documented for the Alvarado score in Western populations.
What does this paper add to the literature?
This is the first study evaluating the utility of the RIPASA score in predicting acute appendicitis in a Western population. At a value of 7.5, a cut-off score suggestive of appendicitis in the Eastern population, RIPASA demonstrated a high-sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and diagnostic accuracy in our cohort and was more accurate than the commonly used Alvarado score.
http://ift.tt/2gPDdbE
Myrrh exerts barrier-stabilising and -protective effects in HT-29/B6 and Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells
Abstract
Purpose
Myrrh, the oleo-gum resin of Commiphora molmol, is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In different animal models, it protected against DSS-, TNBS- and oxazolone-induced colitis. To date, no information concerning the effect of myrrh on barrier properties are available. Thus, this study investigates the effect of myrrh on paracellular barrier function in the absence or presence of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα.
Methods
Monolayers of human colon cell lines HT-29/B6 and Caco-2 were incubated with myrrh under control conditions or after challenge with the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. Barrier function was analysed by electrophysiological and permeability measurements, Western blotting, immunostaining in combination with confocal microscopy, and freeze-fracture electron microscopy.
Results
In Caco-2 cells, myrrh induced an increase in transepithelial resistance (TER) which was associated with downregulation of the channel-forming tight junction (TJ) protein claudin-2 via inhibition of the PI3 kinase signalling pathway. In HT-29/B6 cells, myrrh had no effect on barrier properties under basic conditions, but protected against barrier damage induced by TNFα, as indicated by a decrease in TER and an increase in fluorescein permeability. The TNFα effect was associated with a redistribution of the sealing TJ protein claudin-1, an increase in the expression of claudin-2 and a change in TJ ultrastructure. Most importantly, all TNFα effects were inhibited by myrrh. The effect of myrrh on claudin-2 expression in this cell line was mediated via inhibition of the STAT6 pathway.
Conclusions
This study shows for the first time that myrrh exerts barrier-stabilising and TNFα-antagonising effects in human intestinal epithelial cell models via inhibition of PI3K and STAT6 signalling. This suggests therapeutic application of myrrh in intestinal diseases associated with barrier defects and inflammation.
http://ift.tt/2h6tsls
Antifungal activity of Artemisia herba-alba on various Fusarium
Abstract
Essential oils have many therapeutic properties. In herbal medicine, they are used for their antiseptic properties against infectious diseases of fungal origin, against dermatophytes, and those of bacterial origin. The aim of our study is to determine the antifungal effect of essential oils of Artemisia herba-alba on some pathogenic fungi. It is a medicinal plant used in traditional therapy. Essential oils have many therapeutic properties. In herbal medicine, they are used for their antiseptic properties against infectious diseases of fungal origin, against dermatophytes, and those of bacterial origin. Humans use plants for thousands of years to treat various ailments in many developing countries; much of the population relies on traditional practitioners and their collections of medicinal plants to cure them. The test adopted is based on the diffusion method on solid medium (Antibiogram); this method allows the determination of the susceptibility or resistance of an organism according to the sample studied. Our study reveals that the essential oil of the plant Artemisia herba-alba has a different effect on the resistance of germs.
http://ift.tt/2h3HunE
Plasma ficolin levels and risk of nephritis in Danish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Abstract
Given the scavenging properties of ficolins, we hypothesized that variation in the plasma concentrations of the three ficolins may be associated with development of lupus nephritis (LN), type of LN, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and/or mortality among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE patients attending a Danish tertiary rheumatology referral center were included. Plasma concentrations of ficolin-1, ficolin-2, and ficolin-3 were determined and dichotomized by the median into high and low. LN was defined by clinical criteria; type of LN by renal biopsy; ESRD follow-up time was defined as time from onset of LN to the development of ESRD or censoring at the end of follow-up. The study included 112 SLE patients with median disease duration of 8 years of which 53 (47%) had LN at the time of inclusion. During a median follow-up of 10 years, five patients developed ESRD. Sixteen patients died. Odds ratios (ORs) of LN were 1.2 (95% CI: 0.6–2.7), 4.1 (95% CI: 1.7–9.7), and 0.9 (95% CI: 0.4–2.0) for patients with low ficolin-1, ficolin-2, and ficolin-3 plasma levels, respectively. The distribution of histological classes differed between patients with high and low plasma levels of ficolin-1 (p = 0.009). Patients with high ficolin-1 plasma levels had an increased risk of ESRD. There was no association between the levels of the analyzed plasma ficolins and mortality. Low plasma ficolin-2 levels were associated with an increased risk of having LN. High plasma levels of ficolin-1 were associated with the histological subtype of LN and development of ESRD.
http://ift.tt/2hCIIqR
An educational leaflet improves response to invitation for screening for arthritis in patients with psoriasis in primary care, but only in practices in the most deprived areas
Abstract
This study hypothesises that an educational leaflet about psoriatic arthritis (PsA) will improve psoriasis patients' attendance for screening for PsA. A random sample of patients ≥18 years old with a coded diagnosis of psoriasis and no diagnosis of PsA, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis were identified from five GP surgeries in Yorkshire, UK. Patients were randomised 1:1 to receive study information alone or with the educational leaflet, with an invitation to attend for a screening examination by a dermatologist and rheumatologist. Nine hundred thirty-two invitation packs were sent to recruit 191 (20.5%) participants. One hundred sixty-nine (88.5%) had current or previous psoriasis and 17 (10.1%) had previously undiagnosed PsA. The estimated prevalence of PsA was 18.1% (95% CI: 16.2, 20.1%).
The response rate was lower than expected and was not significantly higher when patients received the educational leaflet (22.8 vs 18.3%, p = 0.08). Response rates varied by practice (14.7 to 30.6%). However, deprivation scores for each practice revealed a significant increase in response with the leaflet for deprivation decile of 3 (p < 0.001) but no significant differences in the other practices. An educational leaflet about PsA improves attendance for screening in primary care, but only in those practices with higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation.
http://ift.tt/2hA1m5k
The Diet-related GHG Index: construction and validation of a brief questionnaire-based index
Abstract
The aim was to construct and validate a cost-efficient index to measure GHG emissions (GHGe) caused by Danish consumers' diets to be employed in questionnaire-based surveys. The index was modelled on the basis of actual food purchase data from a panel of ordinary Danish households and a questionnaire consisting of food frequency questions issued to the same panel. Based on the purchase data, diet-related GHGe were calculated for 2012. The data was then split into a learning sample and a validation sample. The index was constructed using the learning sample where a scoring procedure was calculated from responses to the questionnaire-based food frequency questions that predicted diet-related GHGe. Subsequently, the index scoring procedure was employed on the validation sample and the empirical relevance of the index was examined. In the learning sample, a scoring procedure to construct the index was developed on basis of 13 food frequency questions. In the validation sample, the index accounted for considerable variation in diet-related GHGe. Furthermore, the index was associated with the same socio-demographic and attitudinal factors as identified with calculated diet-related GHGe using food purchase data. Surprisingly, in this analysis, people's sense of obligation to do something about global warming did not lead to decreased GHGe. Higher social status and gastronomic interest, meanwhile, led to increased GHGe. The index can be used in future questionnaire surveys as a cost-efficient way to estimate diet-related GHG emissions of Danish consumers. Since the index is responsive to relevant socio-demographic and attitudinal factors, it can be utilised to monitor key attitudinal/habitual and socio-demographic drivers of change.
http://ift.tt/2hT7Dpj
Effect of PEG addition on pore morphology and biocompatibility of PLLA scaffolds prepared by freeze drying
Abstract
Purpose
A 3wt% poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) with different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG, 0~9wt%) was blended and lyophilized to evaluate the morphology and the biocompatibility of the PLLA/PEG scaffolds. The purpose of this study is to investigate the biocompatibility of the PLLA/ PEG blends. Morphology, degradation rate, cytotoxicity, skin sensitization, acute systemic toxicity, and intradermal reactivity are examined.
Methods
The morphology of the scaffolds was examined by using scanning electron microscopy. The degradation of the scaffolds in phosphate buffer solution was measured for up to 9 weeks by measuring the weight loss. The extract test method was conducted on the scaffolds to evaluate the potential of cytotoxicity on the base of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 10993-5). Skin sensitization, acute systemic toxicity, and intradermal reactivity were conducted according to ISO 10993-10(2010), ISO 10993-11(2006), ISO 10993-10(2010), respectively.
Results
The lamellar morphology of PLLA scaffold was changed to the ladder-like structure with adding PEG. The pore size of the PLLA/PEG blends decreased from 24±6 μm to 13±2 μm with increasing the PEG content from 0wt% to 9wt%. As a result of the measurement, degradation rate rose with increasing the PEG content in PLLA and biodegradable PLLA/PEG blend scaffolds exhibited excellent biocompatibility due to the absence of cytotoxicity, skin sensitizing potency, acute systemic toxicity, and intradermal reactivity.
Conclusions
This outcome implied that the biodegradable PLLA/PEG scaffolds were clinically safe and effective.
http://ift.tt/2hCrIRr
A review on wireless powering schemes for implantable microsystems in neural engineering applications
Abstract
Wireless power delivery is one of the key issues for fully implantable microsystems in neural engineering applications, such as microminiaturized neural stimulators and neural recording systems implanted in brain or other neural tissues. Although advances in semiconductor microelectronic technologies enable us to develop a low-power chip-scale neural microsystem, active electronics in the chip still consume challenging amounts of electrical energy for wireless energy harvesting to sense neural signals, processing data, and broadcasting the data to external receivers. In this paper, various wireless power delivery or harvesting schemes, including radio frequency, ultrasound, light, thermal, mechanical, and biochemical energies, have been reviewed, and performance characteristics, as well as pros and cons of the schemes, have been compared. This review aims at providing insightful information for system architects to design implantable neural microsystems with optimal wireless powering schemes.
http://ift.tt/2hzICDc
Spatially-offset fluorescence spectroscopy (SOFS) using ring illumination and point collection for sub-surface measurements in layered tissue
Abstract
Purpose
To report development of a depth-sensitive fluorescence spectroscopy system based on the configuration of point collection fixed at the centre of an illumination ring on the surface of a target sample.
Methods
The system makes use of an axicon for converting the collimated laser beam into ring shaped illumination and achieves the ability of subsurface interrogation by varying the radii of the illumination rings thereby introducing spatial offsets between collection and illumination. The system was validated on a non-biological phantom comprising a thin tissue paper overlaying a thick dye card and also on a biological tissue sample that was a chicken leg tissue consisting of a thin epithelial membrane on the top of a much thicker muscle tissue.
Results
It was found that while the fluorescence spectra corresponding to zero spatial offset are dominated by the fluorescence emission bands associated with the top layer of the layered samples, the fluorescence spectra measured with spatial offsets contain higher contribution of fluorescence signatures characteristics of the bottom layer as compared to the spectrum measured with the zero offset.
Conclusions
The SOFS based system is able to interrogate subsurface depths beyond the reach of the conventional confocal fluorescence by simply varying the position of the axicon in the excitation arm. Due to the simplicity in its instrumentation, the approach has the potential to be developed into a portable system for in situ measurement in a tissue.
http://ift.tt/2hCuOFg
Femtoliter scale quantitative injection control by experimental and theoretical modeling
Abstract
Purpose
Injection is a useful technology for delivery the solution like drug in medical science, because injection amount can be simply controlled by adjusting the injection duration and pressure. With advances in fabrication technology, the small size of syringe can be made from cm to nm scale. Therefore, its application model has been also decreased to a single cell. However, in femto-scale, the precise volume measurement and the theoretical estimation by the time and the pressure becomes very challengeable, because of the dramatic change of inertial forces. In order to estimate the quantitative value of injected volume in femtoliter scale, empirical equation was established as injection pressure, duration and viscosity.
Methods
We observed the experimental results of the injected volume in femtoliter scale as a function of viscosity, duration, and pressure. Based on these results, we design and experimentally verify a theoretical equation for the quantitative control of the volume in femto-scale. The quantitative deliveries of the injection solution in a living cell were investigated.
Results
When the external material has viscosity between 80 to 12 mPa·s, injection volume is observed to vary between 22 to 46 fL. At same conditions, it was observed similarities between theoretical values and experimental results. Furthermore, fluorescent material was quantitatively injected into a living single cell. The fluorescent intensity is linearly increased with the injection volume.
Conclusions
It is possible to quantitatively control the injection volume using the empirical equation in the scale of femtoliter without any process on coating an injection solution.
http://ift.tt/2hzPlNh
A real time surface electromyography signal driven prosthetic hand model using PID controlled DC motor
Abstract
Purpose
A surface electromyography (sEMG) driven proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control method is proposed to control the prosthetic hand model according to human intentions in real time.
Methods
The sEMG signals are acquired from the biceps and triceps brachii muscles of the human hand from 30 able bodied subjects. Two time domain features, integrated EMG (IEMG) and number of zero crossing (ZC) are extracted from the sEMG signals and these features are used for the estimation of human forearm kinematics. The estimation of human forearm kinematics is achieved by multi layered perceptron neural network (MLPNN) model based on nonlinear auto regressive with exogenous (NARX) inputs. The estimated human kinematics are utilized to control a direct current (DC) motor based prosthetic hand model using PID controller. The controller parameters are tuned manually to obtain the best possible results.
Results
It is observed that the IEMG and ZC varies with change in angular displacement and also with change in angular velocity. The performance of estimation and control is evaluated using two statistical parameters, root mean square error (RMSE) and regression value. The RMSE and regression value obtained during estimation of angular displacement is 5.89 and 0.97 and the corresponding value obtained for the estimation of angular velocity is 18.91 and 0.80. The RMSE and regression value obtained during control of angular displacement is 18.9096 and 0.9456 and the corresponding value obtained for the control of angular velocity is 27.91 and 0.68.
Conclusions
Experimental results confirm that the estimation using MLPNN and PID controlled prosthetic DC motor hand model performs well. The proposed method is simple in design and can be implemented in a human being with fewer costs.
http://ift.tt/2hCs9eE
Synthesis and biocompatibility assessment of a cysteine-based nanocomposite for applications in bone tissue engineering
Abstract
Purpose
To develop a robust ECM and enhance cellularmaterial interaction, we developed a cysteine-based nanocomposite combined with chitosan, nanohydroxyapatite and gelatin (cysteine-CnHAG) to effectuate essential factors.
Methods
The scaffolds were fabricated under same conditions using a freeze-drying technique and characterized with a scanning electron microscopy to study its internal architecture including pore distribution. They were further interacted with human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to investigate its biocompatibility. In this, cell viability and cell adhesion was assessed using optical microscopy.
Results
From the results, the scaffolds display a non-toxic effect with hMSCs and have a pore size range of between 12-142 μm. The result of the optical microscopy showed adhesion of the cells on the scaffold matrix of both cysteine- CnHAG and CnHAG, which implies the microenvironment of the scaffold is largely suitable for the MSC development
Conclusions
In conclusion, we believe cysteine-CnHAG can be a novel nanocomposite for potential applications in the field of bone tissue engineering.
http://ift.tt/2hzIoMk
Biomechanical assessment of a novel lengthening plate for distraction osteogenesis: A finite element study
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to describe a novel bone lengthening plate (BLP) and to evaluate the biomechanical performance of the plate before clinical use.
Methods
A finite element model was obtained from values of the compression test. It was used to evaluate the performance of the BLP, such as biomechanical stability and structural stiffness, according to materials of the shaft and column used for lengthening (type I: all Titanium-alloys, type II and III: Titanium-alloys and Cobalt-Chrome-alloys, type IV: all Cobalt-Chrome-alloys). Furthermore, Peak von Mises Stress, risk of screw breakage, and micro-motion between the bone and screw were evaluated.
Results
Structural stiffness and strain of the finite element model of the femur were similar to cadaveric femurs. Structural stiffness increased from type I (Titanium alloys) to type IV (Cobalt-Chrome-alloys) by at least 128%. First locking screw, which was inserted at the osteotomy site of the proximal femur (proximal to distal direction), showed the highest risk of breakage (75%).
Conclusions
This study investigated biomechanical stability of the novel BLP in relation to properties of the supporting structures. It was most biomechanically stable when the column and lengthening shaft were composed of Cobalt-Chrome-alloys (type IV).
http://ift.tt/2hCs6Q0
Feasibility study of pulse compression technique to improve accuracy of ultrasonic temperature estimation
Abstract
Purpose
In this work, we propose pulse compression technique using a chirp signal to improve accuracy of parameters including thermal expansion, propagation velocity of ultrasound, and calibration curve used for converting thermal strain data into its corresponding temperature in the therapeutic ultrasound.
Methods
The performance of the proposed method was experimentally demonstrated by in vitro experiments using an egg-white phantom and a sliced porcine liver. Measurement of thermal expansion and propagation velocity of ultrasound was done by transferring the specimen from a heating bath to a measuring bath per 5°C temperature resolution. The calibration curve was implemented by combining the measured thermal expansion and propagation velocity of ultrasound.
Results
In two received signals from a phantom and a sliced porcine liver, the amplitudes of pulse compressed signals were about 35 and 12.5 times higher than sinusoidal signal, respectively. Therefore, core parameters including thermal expansion, propagation velocity of ultrasound, and calibration curve used for ultrasonic temperature estimation were more accurately obtained based on the high sensitivity of pulse compression technique.
Conclusions
Our study indicates that increasing the amplitude of the received signal is a critical factor in order to obtain more accurate parameters such as thermal expansion, propagation velocity of ultrasound, and calibration curve. The proposed method can be one of the potential ways to increase the sensitivity of the received signal and thus, the accuracy of temperature estimation using ultrasound can be more improved.
http://ift.tt/2hzIBPm
A multi levels data fusion approach for an electric wheelchair control
Abstract
Purpose
Assistive technology has allowed providing valuable assistance to people with special needs. Several studies have targeted "smart" wheelchairs. However, these prototypes are not yet commercialized, mainly for security reasons. The objective of this study is to ameliorate the control success rate and fulfill maximally the security constraint.
Methods
In this paper, we present a multi-levels data fusion technique. Three subsystems operate separately to find the navigation command. These subsystems are based respectively on EEG signals, head position tracking and eye tracking. Their individual decisions are then fused to deliver the final command to the wheelchair.
Results
The proposed technique achieves was able to reach a success rate equal to 94.4%. This rate represents an improvement of 7% compared to single source control techniques.
Conclusions
The results of this study demonstrate the ability of data fusion to improve the success rate and to avoid critical situations such as total breakdown in case of sensor failure.
http://ift.tt/2hCmQM2
Study of variable magnetic field and endoscope on peristaltic blood flow of particle-fluid suspension through an annulus
Abstract
Purpose
In this article, the effects of variable magnetic field and endoscope on peristaltic motion of non-Newtonian blood flow of particle-fluid suspension through an annulus have been studied. The non-uniform annulus having incompressible, irrotational and electrically conducting fluid which is filled with rigid particles of different shapes. An assumption of long wavelength and zero Reynolds number approximation is applied to model the governing flow problem. A sinusoidal wave is traveling on the outer tube whereas the inner tube is considered as rigid and moving with a constant velocity.
Methods
The expressions of velocity (u f , u p ) and pressure gradient have been obtained analytically and closed form solutions are presented. Numerical computation has been performed using symbolic computational software "Mathematica" to calculate the expressions for pressure rise and friction forces for outer and inner tube.
Results and Conclusions
The influence of all the physical parameters is discussed for pressure rise and friction forces. It is found that pressure rise increases due to the influence of magnetic field. It is also observed that friction forces for outer tube have greater magnitude as compared to friction forces for the inner tube. When the fluid depicts non- Newtonian behavior, then the pressure rise also diminishes. Moreover, the presence of particles in a fluid tends to resist the pressure. Higher values of Hartmann number diminish the friction forces significantly, however the friction forces for outer tube has greater magnitude as compared to inner tube. The present results are also presented for Newtonian fluid by taking λ 1 →0, as a special case of our study.
http://ift.tt/2hzGYRL
Seeds classification for image segmentation based on 3-D affine moment invariants
Abstract
Purpose
Image segmentation is a crucial topic in computer vision and medical image processing. However, accurate image segmentation is still a challenging task for many medical applications. The region growing based image segmentation process starts by selecting seed points within the region of interest. Hence, the segmentation algorithm is sensitive to the initial seeds and the result can be influenced greatly by the accuracy of seed selection process. Manual seed selection can be time-consuming and requires an expert to complete the selection. In this paper, we propose an innovative approach to automating the initialization process of the liver segmentation of magnetic resonance images. The seed points, which are needed to initialize the segmentation process we proposed in [1], are extracted and classified by using affine invariant moments and artificial neural network.
Methods
We calculated eleven invariant moments for 56 different points within the region of interest of an abdominal MR image. These points represent the bifurcation points of the vessels centerlines of the liver. In this paper, we divide the shape of the liver into four regions; left hepatic vein, center hepatic vein, hepatic portal vein, and right hepatic vein. Then, the moments are classified by an artificial neural network to decide to which part of the liver each point belongs.
Results
We have validated our proposed technique by comparing the method with manual seed selection. The experimental results show that our method outperforms the manual method in terms of the accuracy of seed point selection and the speed of the process.
Conclusions
The proposed technique is considered a robust technique for 3D point selection and classification. The selected seed points are used to initialize the segmentation process. The aim of this method is to efficiently detect and identify the seed points in MR images.
http://ift.tt/2hCs62s
Using Webinars for the Education of Health Professionals and People Affected by Cancer: Processes and Evaluation
Abstract
Technology provides an opportunity to engage with a variety of audiences to provide cancer education, information and support. Webinars are one such format that allow live presentations by experts that can be accessed online, from people's homes or other convenient locations. In 2015, Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) undertook a program of work to design and evaluate the effectiveness of a suite of webinars: four designed for people affected by cancer and two for health professionals. Webinars included a series of expert presentations, a panel discussion and an interactive component where participants posed questions to the panel. Evaluation included analysis of online metrics and a post-event survey covering experience and satisfaction with the webinar, self-reported changes in knowledge of key webinar concepts and confidence to discuss concepts with health professionals or patients. A total of 438 people participated in the webinars (41.5% of 1056 registrations), and 207 post-event surveys were completed by participants (47.3%). Overall, 90.1% indicated that webinar content was relevant to their interests and needs. Self-ratings of knowledge, awareness of resources and confidence to discuss webinar topics increased after the webinar. The majority (63.9%) had not participated in a webinar before, and 92.6% were interested in participating in future webinars. Over half of respondents (52.8%) had not accessed CCV resources before. This work provided a new opportunity to consolidate consistency of delivery and evaluation of webinars, demonstrating they are an effective, acceptable, accessible and sustainable vehicle for delivering information and support to health professionals and people affected by cancer.
http://ift.tt/2hAX2jT
Electrosteric stabilization of colloidal TiO 2 nanoparticles with DNA and polyethylene glycol for selective enhancement of UV detection sensitivity in capillary electrophoresis analysis
Abstract
A new approach to selectively enhance the ultraviolet (UV) detection sensitivity of titania (TiO2), albeit in the presence of silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), and zinc oxide (ZnO), nanoparticles in capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis was developed. Interactions of Triton X-100 (TX-100), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with TiO2 nanoparticles produced larger CE-UV peaks at various enhancement factors. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was a more effective adsorbate than double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) due to its flexible molecular structure that participated in a stronger interaction with TiO2 nanoparticles via its sugar-phosphate backbone. Disaggregation of TiO2 nanoparticles upon DNA binding due to electrosteric stabilization was validated using dynamic light scattering. PEG coating of TiO2-DNA nanoparticles further enhanced the UV detection sensitivity in CE analysis by providing extra electrosteric stabilization. This analytical technique, which involves binding of TiO2 nanoparticles with DNA followed by coating with PEG, has allowed us to achieve progressively an enhancement factor up to 13.0 ± 3.0 - fold in analytical sensitivity for the accurate determination of disaggregated TiO2 nanoparticles.
Graphical Abstract
Selective enhancement of UV detection sensitivity for TiO2 nanoparticles via electrosteric stabilization using ssDNA and PEG
http://ift.tt/2hB0j2A
A sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of regioisomers of epoxyeicosatrienoic and dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids in human plasma during endothelial stimulation
Abstract
Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are vasodilating lipid mediators metabolized into dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) by soluble epoxide hydrolase. We aimed to develop a LC-MS/MS method to quantify EETs and DHETs in human plasma and monitored their levels during vascular endothelial stimulation. Plasma samples, collected from 14 healthy and five hypertensive subjects at baseline and during radial artery endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation, were spiked with internal standards. Lipids were then extracted by a modified Bligh and Dyer method and saponified to release bound EETs and DHETs. Samples were purified by a second liquid–liquid extraction and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The assay allowed identification of (±)8(9)-epoxy-5Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (8,9-EET); (±)11(12)-epoxy-5Z,8Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET); (±)14(15)-epoxy-5Z,8Z,11Z-eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET); (±)8,9-dihydroxy-5Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (8,9-DHET); (±)11,12-dihydroxy-5Z,8Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (11,12-DHET); and (±)14,15-dihydroxy-5Z,8Z,11Z-eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-DHET). (±)5(6)-epoxy-5Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (5,6-EET) was virtually undetectable due to its chemical instability. The limits of quantification were 0.25 ng/mL for DHETs and 0.5 ng/mL for EETs. Intra- and inter-assay variations ranged from 1.6 to 13.2%. Heating induced a similar increase in 8,9-EET, 11,12-EET, and 14,15-EET levels and in corresponding DHET levels in healthy but not in hypertensive subjects. We validated a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for measuring simultaneously plasma EET and DHET regioisomers in human plasma and showed its interest for assessing endothelial function.
http://ift.tt/2hAZ4QZ
A sensitive aptasensor based on molybdenum carbide nanotubes and label-free aptamer for detection of bisphenol A
Abstract
To specifically and sensitively identify bisphenol A (BPA) with a simple and rapid method is very important for food safety. Using an anti-BPA aptamer and Mo2C nanotubes, we developed a label-free and low-background signal biosensor for BPA detection. The anti-BPA aptamer drastically increased the fluorescence signal of N-methylmesoporphyrin IX under an assistance of Help-DNA. Additionally, BPA can interact with the anti-BPA aptamer and switch its conformation to prevent the formation of a G-quadruplex, resulting in fluorescence quenching. Simultaneously, Mo2C nanotubes can reduce the background signals due to the adsorption of Help-DNA on their surface. This method shows a linear range of 2–20 nM with a detection limit of 2 nM for detecting BPA. This label-free BPA aptasensor with low background signal is inexpensive, easy to use, and can be applied to determine BPA in real water samples.
Graphical Abstract
A low-background and label-free biosensor was designed based on Mo2C nanotubes and aptamer for BPA detection.
http://ift.tt/2hpRkU8
Aberrant CpG Methylation Mediates Abnormal Transcription of MAO-A Induced by Acute and Chronic l -3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine Administration in SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cells
Abstract
l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-dopa) remains the most effective drug for therapy of Parkinson's disease (PD); however, long-term use of it causes serious side effects. l-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) has consistently been related to l-dopa-derived excessive dopamine release, but the mechanisms have not been addressed very clear. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is one of the key enzymes in dopamine metabolism and therefore may be involved in l-dopa-induced side effects. And, epigenetic modification controls MAO-A gene transcription. To investigate the effects of l-dopa on MAO-A transcription and its underlying epigenetic mechanism, neuronal SH-SY5Y cells were treated with l-dopa for 24 h (acute) and for 7–21 days (chronic). Results showed that chronic l-dopa administration resulted in a dose-dependent and time-dependent downregulation of MAO-A, whereas acute l-dopa administration induced upregulation of MAO-A transcription and expression. Meanwhile, chronic l-dopa exposure induced CpG hypermethylation in MAO-A promoter, while acute l-dopa administration caused CpG hypomethylation. And, CpG demethylation resulted in reactivation of MAO-A transcription. These results indicated that aberrant CpG methylation might play a key role in MAO-A transcriptional misregulation in l-dopa administration. In addition, results showed that acute l-dopa administration induced downregulation of DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a). Transcription of ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) were significantly downregulated in chronic l-dopa administration. These data indicated that in chronic l-dopa administration, TET1 downregulation might mediate CpG hypermethylation, which is responsible for the downregulation of MAO-A transcription. In contrast, in acute l-dopa administration, DNMT3a downregulation might mediate hypomethylation, contributing to the MAO-A upregulation. In conclusion, our findings suggested that TET1 and DNMTs might mediate aberrant CpG methylation, associated with the misregulation of MAO-A in l-dopa administration, which might contribute to dopamine release abnormally leading to the side effects of l-dopa.
http://ift.tt/2hAVpTr
Compressive sensing for images using a variant of Toeplitz matrix for wireless sensor networks
Abstract
Recent advancement in the field of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has enabled its use in a variety of multimedia applications where the data to be handled are large that require more memory for storage and high bandwidth for transmission. As WSNs have limited capabilities in terms of computation, memory, energy and bandwidth, compression becomes necessary. The traditional compression methods consume more energy as well as memory which can be overcome by compressive sensing (CS) technique. CS is an emerging technique for efficiently acquiring and reconstructing the signal by processing the reduced number of samples specified by the Nyquist criterion. The objective of this paper is to implement CS for images using the proposed sensing matrix derived from the Toeplitz matrix and its variants. For reconstruction purpose, an existing greedy orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm is used. The measurements obtained from the framework are transmitted in real time using TelosB nodes under Contiki OS platform. The simulation results are compared with the experimental results, and the performance of the CS framework is evaluated in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio, storage overhead, energy computation, computational time, transmission energy and end-to-end transmission latency. The results show that the performance of the proposed sensing matrix is better in terms of memory requirement, energy computation and computational complexity when compared with an existing Gaussian matrix.
http://ift.tt/2gQ7zJi
Central sleep apnea in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study is to investigate sleep-disordered breathing and symptoms of sleepiness in a consecutive clinical cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
Methods
Twenty-one (16 females) community-dwelling adults aged 18–75 years with MS and an Expanded Disability Status Scale score between 2 and 6 were recruited consecutively from an academic teaching hospital MS clinic. Participants performed a home sleep study (ResMed ApneaLink Plus) to objectively quantify sleep-disordered breathing. Subjective sleepiness and its impact were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire.
Results
Three (one female) of the 19 participants who completed home overnight testing had central sleep apnea (median apnea-hypopnea index = 15 [range = 8–36] events/h sleep, median nadir SaO2 = 88 % [range = 81–88]). There were no cases of obstructive sleep apnea. Thirty-three percent of participants reported excessive daytime sleepiness, and 71% reported poor sleep quality.
Conclusions
Home sleep testing was well tolerated, and a high proportion of central rather than obstructive sleep apnea was observed in a clinical MS sample. Possible reasons include brainstem or spinal cord lesions from MS affecting the control of breathing. Poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were common in this group.
http://ift.tt/2gL2RhJ
MicroRNA-155: a Novel Armamentarium Against Inflammatory Diseases
Abstract
An increasing number of diseases are being newly closely associated with inflammation, where microRNAs seem to play a critical role in the whole disease process from initiation to development. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that govern gene expression and modulation by means of mRNA degradation or translational repression. After several profound research studies, new correlations between microRNA-155 and inflammation-related diseases are strongly emerging. Hence, we review in this paper the possible molecular mechanisms of microRNA-155 in inflammatory disorders. Furthermore, we also consider the feasibility of targeting it as a bright alternative to improve the early diagnose statistics and treatments in those diseases. MicroRNA-155 features a novel breakthrough in fine-tuning inflammatory responses and, thereby, in treating a wide spectrum of diseases with inflammation as a common denominator.
http://ift.tt/2h5fMXT
Desorption of Mercury from Contaminated Soil Using Sodium Sulfite
Abstract
An effective reagent for mercury desorption from contaminated soil is a key condition for mercury remediation. Effects of time, pH, temperature on mercury desorption using sodium sulfite were studied with a series of batch experiments. Results showed that desorption rate of mercury increased rapidly in the stage of 0 to 1 h, after that, a much slower stage appeared. Desorption rate reached 92.05% with 0.7 mol/L sodium sulfite at 25°C in 24 h. Moreover, potential value increased rapidly from −162 to –31 mV in desorption of 1 h. It indicates that desorption process was a process of Hg(II) turning into Hg(I). A higher pH (10.5) or temperature (35°C) was helpful to increase mercury desorption rate. Furthermore, small fold and curves appeared in the surface of soil particles presented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that soil particles may be destroyed in desorption process using sodium sulfite. The desorption of Hg from contaminated soil was accomplished within a reductive solution provided by sodium sulfite.
http://ift.tt/2gOpLVh
Strategies and Challenges in Recruiting Black Immigrant Mothers for a Community-Based Study on Child Nutritional Health in Ottawa, Canada
Abstract
There is a need to identify barriers to participation as well as recruitment strategies to engage minority parents of young children in health-oriented research. This paper offers insights on strategies and challenges in recruiting black immigrant mothers living in Ottawa (Canada) for a community-based health-oriented research project among 6-to-12-year-old children. We recruited 259 mother–child dyads. Most participants were recruited by team members during community events, fairs, religious gatherings, etc. Other successful strategies included referral from participants, community partners, and through research team members' networks. Mass media strategies were mostly ineffective. Instant and meaningful incentives, developing community partnerships, building and ensuring study legitimacy and trust, placing convenience of participants ahead of that of research team members, doing community outreach, and taking contact information on the spot, as well as using word-of-mouth were essential to recruiting. This study clearly indicates the importance of adopting multiple recruitment strategies.
http://ift.tt/2gOppMD
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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης Medicine by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis,Anapafseos 5 Agios Nikolaos 72100 Crete Greece,00302841026182,0030693260717...
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heory of COVID-19 pathogenesis Publication date: November 2020Source: Medical Hypotheses, Volume 144Author(s): Yuichiro J. Suzuki ScienceD...
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