Tanning Bed Perception Survey: A Questionnaire-based Study

OBJECTIVE

This study was intended to investigate the perception of tanning bed use among college students.

DESIGN

A 15-question survey was given to young adults regarding tanning perceptions.

SETTING

Rochester Community College in Rochester, Minnesota.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-four respondents between 18 and 51 years of age.

MEASUREMENTS

Data was collected via a self-reported questionnaire.

RESULTS

In this study, 50 percent of participants were not educated on the risks of melanoma, and 68 percent were not interested in receiving information on melanoma and completing a follow-up survey. More specifically, 63 percent versus 89 percent of participants with no tanning bed versus some tanning bed use did not want information regarding melanoma, respectively. This study also shows that more tanning bed users believe tanning helps prevent burning than non-tanning bed users. Fifty-seven percent of the 35 participants who had never used a tanning bed thought that they never prevent sunburn, while only 11 percent of the nine participants who had used a tanning bed in the past thought that they never prevent sunburn, which was statistically significant.

Is central nervous system an immune-privileged site?

The central nervous system (CNS) was once considered to be an immune-privileged area. However, increasing evidence shows that the central nervous system is not an immune-privileged but is an active surveillance site. There is a bi-directional communication between the central nervous system and immune system. Normally, immune cells migrate into the central nervous system microenvironment through choroid plexus and interact with the central nervous system resident cells through either through neuromediators or immunomediators. This finding has led to a significant interest in neuroimmunological interactions and investigation onto the role of the immune system in the pathology of various neurological disorders and examine whether it can be targeted to produce novel therapeutic strategies.

Self-assembly of skyrmion-dressed chiral nematic colloids with tangential anchoring

We describe dipolar nematic colloids comprising mutually bound solid microspheres, three-dimensional skyrmions, and point defects in a molecular alignment field of chiral nematic liquid crystals. Nonlinear optical imaging and numerical modeling based on minimization of Landau-de Gennes free energy reveal that the particle-induced skyrmions resemble torons and hopfions, while matching surface boundary conditions at the interfaces of liquid crystal and colloidal spheres. Laser tweezers and videomicroscopy reveal that the skyrmion-colloidal hybrids exhibit purely repulsive elastic pair interactions in the case of parallel dipoles and an unexpected reversal of interaction forces from repulsive to attractive as the center-to-center distance decreases for antiparallel dipoles. The ensuing elastic self-assembly gives rise to colloidal chains of antiparallel dipoles with particles entangled by skyrmions.

Evaluation of a method to detect Mycobacterium bovis in air samples from infected Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and their setts

Environmental air sampling was evaluated as a method to detect the presence of M. bovis in the vicinity of infected badgers and their setts. Airborne particles were collected on gelatine filters using a commercially available air sampling instrument and tested for the presence of M. bovis using bacteriological culture and real-time PCR. The sensitivity of bacteriological culture was broadly similar to that of real-time PCR when testing samples artificially spiked with M. bovis. Sampling was undertaken from directly under the muzzles of badgers which had been experimentally infected with M. bovis (37 samples), within enclosures housing the experimentally infected animals (50 samples), and in the vicinity of setts with resident infected wild badgers (52 samples). The methods employed did not detect M. bovis from either infected badgers or artificial or natural setts known to contain infected animals. However, samples taken at four of the six natural setts were positive for Mycobacterium gordonae.

The T genotype of the MGMT C>T (rs16906252) enhancer single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is associated with promoter methylation and longer survival in glioblastoma patients

Clinical studies in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated with temozolomide have shown that the methylation status of the O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene is both predictive and prognostic of outcome. Methylation of the promoter region of MGMT is the most clinically relevant measure of MGMT expression and its assessment has become integral in current and planned clinical trials in glioblastoma. Our study confirmed that MGMT methylation, assessed by pyrosequencing, is associated with a significant survival benefit in glioblastoma patients treated with temozolomide (either concurrently with radiotherapy or sequential treatment). More interestingly, our study demonstrated that a promoter variant, the c.-56C>T (rs16906252) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located within a cis-acting enhancer element at the proximal end of MGMT, is associated with the presence of MGMT promoter methylation in de novo glioblastoma. Furthermore, we show that the overall survival of patients carrying both the SNP and MGMT methylation showed a strong survival benefit when compared to either molecular event on their own. Promoter reporter experiments in MGMT methylated glioblastoma cell lines showed the T allele conferred a ∼30% reduction in normalised MGMT promoter activity compared to the wild-type haplotype. This might account for the propensity of the T allele to undergo promoter methylation, and in turn, the improved survival observed in carriers of the T allele. An independent validation on larger cohorts is required to confirm the prognostic and predictive value of individuals carrying the T allele.

Antepartum eclampsia <34 weeks case series: advisable to postpone delivery to administer corticosteroids for fetal pulmonary benefit?

OBJECTIVE

To determine if postponement of delivery to administer fetal lung maturation corticosteroids (PDACs) in mothers with antepartum eclampsia <34 weeks gestation benefits the fetus without compromising the mother.

STUDY DESIGN

A case series of 37 maternal-perinatal pairs over a 9-year period with antepartum eclampsia between 24 and 34 weeks gestation from a single tertiary center were reviewed retrospectively. Duration of PDAC, clinical course and maternal-fetal outcomes, including impact of duration of PDAC on neonatal pulmonary function, were recorded for each case. Group assignment was based on length of corticosteroid treatment course before delivery: Group A, 0 to ≤ 24 h, n=28; B, 24 to <48 h, n=5; C, ≥ 48 h, n=4. Data were collected and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), ANOVA on ranks, χ(2)-test and Fisher's exact tests where appropriate; statistical significance was determined by a P-value <0.05.

RESULT

Overall, 37 of 68 eclampsia patients in 1999 to 2007 met inclusion criteria. No adverse maternal or fetal event occurred while delivery was postponed. Immediate neonatal intubation or continuous positive airway pressure was required for 23/28 in A, 4/5 in B and 2/4 in C; room air was sufficient at birth for 5/28 in A, 1/5 in B and 2/4 in C. No newborn >33 weeks gestation required INI. Prolonged (that is, >1 day) mechanical ventilation was not required for any infant with a gestational age ≥ 32 weeks or PDAC ≥ 48 h. Two of three neonatal deaths in group A were attributed to pulmonary insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

PDAC for antepartum preterm eclampsia, especially ≤ 32 weeks gestation, appears to offer notable fetal pulmonary benefit without significantly increasing maternal or fetal risk.

Standard care and telecare services: comparing the effectiveness of two service systems with consumers with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

Onsite standard care and remote telecare supports were provided to adults with intellectual disabilities living in integrated community settings and evaluated in terms of effectiveness as consumers completed a series of novel household activities.

METHODS

Using an alternating treatment design with baseline and follow-up conditions in this single-case study, investigators compared the prompting effectiveness provided by onsite standard care staff and a remote telecare provider.

RESULTS

While both types of supports resulted in consumers completing tasks, results indicated consumers achieved slightly more independence when prompted by the telecare support provider. Additionally, telecare supports resulted in greater duration for task completion per consumer.

CONCLUSIONS

Although consumers completed tasks with greater independence using telecare supports, caution should be used when interpreting results due to the small number of participants. The potential for this technology certainly exists in supporting consumers in their own homes thus, suggestions for future investigations are provided.

Subtypes based on cerebrospinal fluid and magnetic resonance imaging markers in normal elderly predict cognitive decline

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show patterns of change in Alzheimer's disease (AD) that precede dementia. The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) studied normal controls (NC), subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and subjects with AD to identify patterns of biomarkers to aid in early diagnosis and effective treatment of AD. Two hundred twenty-two NC underwent baseline MRI and clinical examination at baseline and at least one follow-up. One hundred twelve also provided CSF at baseline. Unsupervised clustering based on initial CSF and MRI measures was used to identify clusters of participants with similar profiles. Repeated measures regression modeling assessed the relationship of individual measures, and of cluster membership, to cognitive change over 3 years. Most individuals showed little cognitive change. Individual biomarkers had limited predictive value for cognitive decline, but membership in the cluster with the most extreme profile was associated with more rapid decline in ADAS-cog. Subtypes among NC based on multiple biomarkers may represent the earliest stages of subclinical cognitive decline and AD.

Combining MR imaging, positron-emission tomography, and CSF biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Different biomarkers for AD may potentially be complementary in diagnosis and prognosis of AD. Our aim was to combine MR imaging, FDG-PET, and CSF biomarkers in the diagnostic classification and 2-year prognosis of MCI and AD, by examining the following: 1) which measures are most sensitive to diagnostic status, 2) to what extent the methods provide unique information in diagnostic classification, and 3) which measures are most predictive of clinical decline.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ADNI baseline MR imaging, FDG-PET, and CSF data from 42 controls, 73 patients with MCI, and 38 patients with AD; and 2-year clinical follow-up data for 36 controls, 51 patients with MCI, and 25 patients with AD were analyzed. The hippocampus and entorhinal, parahippocampal, retrosplenial, precuneus, inferior parietal, supramarginal, middle temporal, lateral, and medial orbitofrontal cortices were used as regions of interest. CSF variables included Abeta42, t-tau, p-tau, and ratios of t-tau/Abeta42 and p-tau/Abeta42. Regression analyses were performed to determine the sensitivity of measures to diagnostic status as well as 2-year change in CDR-SB, MMSE, and delayed logical memory in MCI.

RESULTS

Hippocampal volume, retrosplenial thickness, and t-tau/Abeta42 uniquely predicted diagnostic group. Change in CDR-SB was best predicted by retrosplenial thickness; MMSE, by retrosplenial metabolism and thickness; and delayed logical memory, by hippocampal volume.

CONCLUSIONS

All biomarkers were sensitive to the diagnostic group. Combining MR imaging morphometry and CSF biomarkers improved diagnostic classification (controls versus AD). MR imaging morphometry and PET were largely overlapping in value for discrimination. Baseline MR imaging and PET measures were more predictive of clinical change in MCI than were CSF measures.

Multi-modal imaging predicts memory performance in normal aging and cognitive decline

This study (n=161) related morphometric MR imaging, FDG-PET and APOE genotype to memory scores in normal controls (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Stepwise regression analyses focused on morphometric and metabolic characteristics of the episodic memory network: hippocampus, entorhinal, parahippocampal, retrosplenial, posterior cingulate, precuneus, inferior parietal, and lateral orbitofrontal cortices. In NC, hippocampal metabolism predicted learning; entorhinal metabolism predicted recognition; and hippocampal metabolism predicted recall. In MCI, thickness of the entorhinal and precuneus cortices predicted learning, while parahippocampal metabolism predicted recognition. In AD, posterior cingulate cortical thickness predicted learning, while APOE genotype predicted recognition. In the total sample, hippocampal volume and metabolism, cortical thickness of the precuneus, and inferior parietal metabolism predicted learning; hippocampal volume and metabolism, parahippocampal thickness and APOE genotype predicted recognition. Imaging methods appear complementary and differentially sensitive to memory in health and disease. Medial temporal and parietal metabolism and morphometry best explained memory variance. Medial temporal characteristics were related to learning, recall and recognition, while parietal structures only predicted learning.

Nanofiber frequency doublers

Nanoscaled, needle-shaped frequency doublers have been generated via self-assembled surface growth from functionalized quaterphenylene molecules with a designed large hyperpolarizability. The nanofiber frequency doublers exhibit very weak fluorescence centered around 430 nm but emit a strong, resonance-enhanced second-harmonic signal when excited with infrared 80 fs laser pulses. The frequency doublers are employed to correlate second-harmonic response and morphology via two-dimensional true second-harmonic images of individual nanoaggregates obtained with the help of a femtosecond laser scanning microscope.

SP1049C as first-line therapy in advanced (inoperable or metastatic) adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus: A phase II window study

4080

Background: SP1049C (a block co-polymer incorporating doxorubicin) has demonstrated broad in vitro activity and superior anti-tumour activity in 9/9 in vivo animal tumour models compared to doxorubicin. Methods: Chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-naïve patients with measurable, inoperable, recurrent or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus; KP ≥60; normal cardiac LVEF; adequate swallowing and adequate renal, hepatic and bone marrow function were eligible. SP1049C 75mg/m2 IV 30-minute infusion was given q3w, for up to 6 cycles. Radiological response was assessed after cycles 2, 4 and 6. Upon disease progression (PD) patients were offered standard chemotherapy. QoL (by QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES24 questionnaires), toxicity, disease-related symptoms and cardiac function were also prospectively assessed. Results: From February 2002 to December 2004, 21 patients (all male), median age 62 years (range 38–78) with stage 3 (n = 1) of stage IV (n = 20) disease were enrolled. Response rate (WHO criteria) in 19 patients eligible for efficacy analysis (radiologically re-assessed after ≥2 cycles of treatment) included: PR 9/19 (47%), SD (8/19) 42% and PD (2/19) 11% by investigator assessment (confirmed PR 41%, unconfirmed PR 12% and SD 29% by independent review, RECIST criteria). One responding patient underwent salvage resection of a pT2N0 (Stage 2A) tumour. All patients are evaluable for toxicity. Toxicity (Gd 1–2/3–4, by patient) included: neutropaenia 24%/62%, leucopaenia 19%/29%, anaemia 38%/5% and thrombocytopaenia 9.5%/0% (resulting in 9 (43%) patients being dose-reduced to 55 mg/m2 at cycle 2), nausea 81%/19%, vomiting 62%/24%, anorexia 52.4%/14%, lethargy 81%/14%, febrile neutropaenia -/29%, mucositis 48%/5%, and Gd 1–2 alopecia in 67%. Grade I cardiotoxicity (fall in LVEF by 10–19% from baseline, CTC v2.0) was seen in 4 (19%) patients. The median overall survival (all patients) is 10 months; four patients received 2nd-line chemotherapy. Conclusions: SP1049C appears to have activity in monotherapy in this patient group and combination studies with other active agents are warranted.

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Perineural spread of facial squamous cell carcinoma

A 64 year old man presented with progressive impairment of right sided cranial nerves. Chronic immunosuppression for renal transplantation had resulted in multiple squamous cell carcinomata of the head and neck. Magnetic resonance imaging and subsequent right facial nerve biopsy confirmed perineural spread of a squamous cell carcinoma as the cause of the multiple cranial neuropathies.

A 3D view on free-floating, space-fixed and surface-bound para-phenylene nanofibres

Nanofibres from para-hexaphenylene and functionalized quaterphenylene molecules are grown on mica surfaces and are thereafter transferred into solution, where they either freely rotate in water or are space-fixed in sucrose. From freely rotating aggregates highly anisotropic angular intensity distributions of emitted light for individual aggregates are determined. Luminescence is enhanced at the nanofibre tip as compared to the broad side by about an order of magnitude probably due to waveguiding along the long axis of the aggregates. For dense arrays of nanofibres on mica the increase of emitted intensity towards the substrate plane in the direction of the long axes of the nanofibres is smaller and it depends on the effective thickness of the nanofibre films. The difference between individual aggregates and aggregate arrays is interpreted in terms of light scattering at surface roughness inside the nanofibre film and on the border of the underlying mica substrate. Aggregates fixed in solution, with the help of femtosecond laser scanning microscopy, allow us to obtain two-photon absorption spectra of functionalized nanofibres between 720 and 900 nm as well as morphological features from three-dimensional optical images. The lateral resolution is about 400 nm.

Local magnetic susceptibility of the positive muon in the quasi-one-dimensional S=1/2 antiferromagnet dichlorobis (pyridine) copper (II)

We report muon spin rotation measurements of the local magnetic susceptibility around a positive muon in the paramagnetic state of the quasi-one-dimensional spin 1/2 antiferromagnet dichlorobis (pyridine) copper (II). Signals from three distinct sites are resolved and have a temperature dependent frequency shift which is significantly different than the magnetic susceptibility. This difference is attributed to a muon induced perturbation of the spin 1/2 chain. The obtained frequency shifts are compared with transfer matrix density-matrix renormalization-group numerical simulations.