Colorimetric Recording of Thermal Conditions on Polymeric Inverse Opals

Recording thermal conditions, i.e., temperature and time, is of great importance for various applications. Although thermometers can measure temperature and record its temporal change with electronic devices, they are nondisposable and not patch-type, restricting their uses. Here, photonic films are designed that record thermal condition through irreversible structural deformation and intuitively report it with color patterns. The photonic films are inverse opals made of negative photoresist on a solid support, where the cross-linking density of the photoresist is regioselectively adjusted. The photonic films show a gradual blueshift of structural color upon heating due to anisotropic compression of the inverse opal, of which the rate depends on temperature and cross-linking density. For single cross-linking density, thermal input is quantified from the color change in the form of coupled temperature and time. With multiple cross-linking densities in a single film, the multicolor pattern is developed, from which the temperature and time are decoupled and separately estimated for isothermal condition.

Associations of various blood pressure parameters with functional outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischaemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

High blood pressure (BP) at presentation is associated with poor outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke, but serial BP measurements may better delineate the clinical implications of BP. The aim was to investigate the association between various BP parameters and functional outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT).

METHODS

This study reports a retrospective analysis of a prospective registry of a comprehensive stroke centre. Patients treated with EVT due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation were enrolled. BP was measured hourly during the first 24 h after admission. Associations of various BP parameters, including BP variability, with functional outcomes at 3 months, including good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2), were analysed.

RESULTS

Of the 378 enrolled patients (mean age 70 ± 11 years, male 54.2%), 313 (82.8%) achieved successful reperfusion after EVT, and 149 (39.4%) had good outcomes at 3 months. Higher mean systolic BP [each 10 mmHg increase, odds ratio 0.82 (0.69-0.97)] and higher systolic successive variation (SV) [each 10% increase, odds ratio 0.37 (0.18-0.76)] were associated with a reduced likelihood of achieving good outcomes. In addition, reperfusion status after EVT moderated the influence of higher systolic SV on good outcomes (P_int  = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results showed that a higher mean systolic BP and systolic SV during the first 24 h of EVT reduced the likelihood of good outcomes at 3 months. The effects of these parameters on outcomes are more substantial amongst patients with successful reperfusion after EVT, suggesting that different BP control strategies should be employed according to reperfusion status.

Abstract P3-01-02: Detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in blood and disseminated tumor cells (DTC) in bone marrow at surgery identifies breast cancer patients (pts) with long-term risk of distant recurrence and breast cancer-specific death

We examined the prognostic impact of CTCs and DTCs detected at the time of definitive surgery in pts diagnosed with early breast cancer (EBC).

Methods: Blood and bone marrow samples from 742 treatment-naïve EBC pts, not eligible for neoadjuvant therapy, were collected immediately prior to surgery. 87% were hormone receptor (HR)-positive, and 71% were node-negative. DTCs (n=584) were enumerated using an EPCAM-based method involving immunomagnetic enrichment and flow cytometry (IE/FC). CTCs were enumerated either by IE/FC (n=288) or CellSearch (n=380). Optimal cutoffs for CTC-/DTC-positivity were selected using Monte-Carlo cross validation. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine correlation between levels of CTCs/DTCs vs. distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS). The overall median follow-up was 7.1 years for DRFS and and 9.1 years for BCSS, but extended up to 13.3 years in subset analyses (Table 1).

Results: CTC-positivity by CellSearch was associated with HER2-positivity (Fisher p=0.01). Using optimized cutoffs in multivariate analyses, we found that CTC-positive pts by CellSearch had a statistically significant increased risk of distant recurrence (HR 4.93, p=0.0067). Moreover, pts who were CTC-positive by IE/FC had a statistically significant increased risk of breast cancer-specific death (HR=3.54, p=0.0138). DTC status, by itself, was not prognostic; however, when combined with CTC status by IE/FC (n=273), positive detection for both (CTC+DTC+) was significantly associated with increased risk of distant recurrence (HR=3.09, p=0.0270) and breast cancer-specific death (HR=4.55, p=0.0205).

Table 1.Multivariate analysis to determine the prognostic significance of CTCs and DTCs detected at the time of surgery in treatment naive early breast cancer patients. Adjusted for age at diagnosis, tumor size, pathologic stage, HR and HER2 status, node status and grade.  DRFS  BCSS  Variable and Method% positiveHR [95% CI]Wald p-valueMedian f/u [range] Years*HR [95% CI]Wald p-valueMedian f/u [range] Years*CTC+ vs. CTC- by CellSearch94.93[1.56-15.6]0.00676.4 [0.16-13.8]4.50[0.76-26.5]0.09627.5 [0.71-15.0]CTC+ vs. CTC- by IE/FC401.92[0.93-3.95]0.07599.8 [0.09-18.5]3.54[1.29-9.72]0.013813.3 [1.93-18.5]DTC+ vs. DTC- by IE/FC181.46[0.75-2.81]0.26317.5 [0.09-18.5]1.48[0.64-3.42]0.35429.8 [1.55-18.5]CTC+DTC+ vs. CTC-DTC- by IE/FC8**3.09[1.14-8.40]0.02709.8 [0.09-18.5]4.55[1.26-16.39]0.020513.3 [1.93-18.5]*f/u - follow-up; **double positive

Conclusions: We demonstrate the impact of quantitative evaluation of CTCs and DTCs by IE/FC. Our large single institution dataset, in which CTCs and DTCs have been contemporaneously quantitated, has the longest patient follow-up. Simultaneous detection of CTCs and DTCs at the time of definitive surgery in treatment naïve EBC pts is an independent prognostic factor associated with increased long-term risk of distant recurrence and death due to breast cancer. Given the lack of early endpoints for low-risk patients, liquid biopsy may be an important consideration for future studies.

Citation Format: Magbanua MJM, Yau C, Wolf D, Lee JS, Chattopadhyay A, Scott JH, Yoder E, Hwang S, Alvarado M, Ewing CA, Delson AL, van't Veer L, Esserman L, Park JW. Detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in blood and disseminated tumor cells (DTC) in bone marrow at surgery identifies breast cancer patients (pts) with long-term risk of distant recurrence and breast cancer-specific death [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-01-02.

White matter hyperintensities and recurrent stroke risk in patients with stroke with small-vessel disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a predictor of stroke among elderly individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the association between WMH severity and the risk of recurrent vascular events among Asian patients with ischaemic stroke with small-vessel disease (SVD) including micro/macrobleeds and lacunes.

METHODS

Data from participants (n = 1454) in the PICASSO (PreventIon of CArdiovascular Events in iSchemic Stroke Patients with High Risk of Cerebral HemOrrhage) trial were reviewed. The severity of WMH in baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging scans was assessed using the Fazekas scale. The association between WMH severity and stroke (ischaemic or hemorrhagic) and major vascular events (MVEs) (a composite of stroke/myocardial infarction/vascular death) was assessed.

RESULTS

Study patients had a significant burden of SVD: Fazekas score 0 (n = 2), 1 (n = 426), 2 (n = 650) and 3 (n = 376) [median Fazekas score 2 (mean follow-up, 1.9 ± 1.3 years)]. The stroke incidence rate per 100 personyears was 2.6 in the Fazekas 0-1 group, 3.6 in the Fazekas 2 group and 7.0 in the Fazekas 3 group, and the rates for MVEs were 3.3, 4.3 and 7.6, respectively. Compared with the Fazekas 0-1 group, the Fazekas 3 group was associated with a higher risk of stroke [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-3.88; P = 0.011], ischaemic stroke (adjusted HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.07-4.15; P = 0.031), hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted HR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.09-12.70; P = 0.036) and MVEs (adjusted HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.20-3.66; P = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

Advanced WMH in Asian patients with ischaemic stroke with SVD burden was associated with an increased risk of recurrent vascular events. It may exert an effect as a prognostic indicator in high risk of recurrent vascular events.

Host nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 defense system determines the outcome of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water led to significant bout of colitis simulating ulcerative colitis of human. However, colitis usually developed 5 - 7 days after DSS administration. Therefore, we hypothesized host defense system might protect colitis up to 5 days of DSS administration. 2.5% DSS-induced colitis were administered to C57BL/6 mice and sequential measurements of pathology, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NADPH quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and keap1 were done at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 120, and 168 hour of DSS administration, respectively. DSS-induced colitis was repeated in either COX-2^-/- or Nrf2^-/- mice. On serial pathological analysis, significant colitis was noted after 120 h of DSS administration, during which both activations of COX-2/NF-κB and HO-1/Nrf2 were noted. Nrf2 activations after keap1 inactivation led to significant increases in HO-1 after 168 hours of DSS administration, when NF-κB nuclear translocation was noted. Significantly attenuated colitis was noted in DSS-challenged COX-2^-/- mice, in which the levels of HO-1 were significantly decreased compared to DSS-challenged WT littermates (p < 0.01), while the levels of NQO1 were significantly increased. On DSS administration to Nrf2^-/- mice, colitis was significantly aggravated (p < 0.01), in which the expressions of COX-2 as well as expressions of HO-1 and γ-GCS were significantly increased (p < 0.01). Reciprocal activations of inflammatory and antioxidative defense signaling after DSS administration might be prerequisite to make intestinal homeostasis and host defense Nrf2 system can determine colitis.

Length of hospital stay after hip fracture surgery and 1-year mortality

There is ongoing effort to discharge patients early after hip fracture surgery to reduce the medical and economic burden. We tried to find whether there is any related side effect, and discovered that early discharge, especially before 10 days after surgery, is associated with higher mortality.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the length of hospital stay after hip fracture and 1-year mortality in older adults aged ≥ 65 years old.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service data to identify patients who were discharged after hip fracture surgery from 2007 to 2009 among 487,460 older adults of age ≥ 65 years. The lengths of stay involving hip fracture surgery were categorized at 10-day interval, and analyzed in relation to 1-year mortality from the date of hospital discharge.

RESULTS

A total of 4213 patients were discharged after hip fracture surgery, of whom 604 (14.3%) died within 1 year of discharge. The average length of stay was 30.7 days (standard deviation 24.5 days). The 1-year mortality was the highest for the length of stay ≤ 10 days group at 21.7%, followed by 15.2%, 14.3%, 13.3%, and 12.4% for > 40, 21-30, 31-40, and 11-20 days groups, respectively (p value 0.05). On Cox proportional hazard regression, the adjusted hazard ratio for length of stay ≤ 10 days group was 1.56 (95% confidence interval 1.14-2.12) against the reference group (11-20 days), while other groups did not show statistical significance. Higher risk of death was associated with increasing age, male gender, Charlson comorbidity index ≥3, subtrochanteric fracture, and discharge to tertiary care hospitals and long-term care hospitals.

CONCLUSION

Older adults discharged within 10 days of hospital admission for hip fracture surgery have higher 1-year mortality after discharge.

Identification of a novel plant amalgavirus (Amalgavirus, Amalgaviridae) genome sequence in Cistus incanus

Amalgaviridae is a family of double-stranded, monosegmented RNA viruses that are associated with plants, fungi, microsporidians, and animals. A sequence contig derived from the transcriptome of a eudicot, Cistus incanus (the family Cistaceae; commonly known as hoary rockrose), was identified as the genome sequence of a novel plant RNA virus and named Cistus incanus RNA virus 1 (CiRV1). Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis indicated that CiRV1 is a novel species of the genus Amalgavirus in the family Amalgaviridae. The CiRV1 genome contig has two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs). ORF1 encodes a putative replication factory matrix-like protein, while ORF2 encodes a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain. An ORF1+2 fusion protein, which functions in viral RNA replication, is produced by a +1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) mechanism. A +1 PRF motif UUU_CGU, which matches the conserved amalgavirus +1 PRF consensus sequence UUU_CGN, was found at the boundary of CiRV1 ORF1 and ORF2. Comparison of 25 amalgavirus ORF1+2 fusion proteins revealed that only three different positions within a 13-amino acid segment were recurrently used at the boundary, possibly being selected so as not to interfere with correct folding and function of the fusion protein. CiRV1 is the first virus found to be associated with the Cistus species and may be useful for studying amalgaviruses.

Predictors of incisional hernia in adult liver transplant recipients

PURPOSE

Incisional hernia is a complication following abdominal operation. Patients undergoing liver transplantation have a high risk of developing incisional hernia because of immunosuppression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate incisional hernia after liver transplantation and to identify risk factors for hernia formation in those patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 1044 adult patients with more than 2 years of follow-up in patients who underwent liver transplantation from January 2000 to December 2015.

RESULTS

Incisional hernia was identified in 79 patients with more than 2 years of follow-up. The overall incisional hernia rate was 7.6%. The mean age and body mass index (BMI) of the patients with incisional hernia were 55 ± 9 years and 25.3 ± 3.7 kg/m², respectively. No significant differences in gender, diagnosis, diabetes, Child-Pugh score, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, donor type, hepatorenal syndrome, varix bleeding, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, ventilator use, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), or bile leakage were found between patients who did and did not develop incisional hernia. Patients with acute rejection before hernia development were more to have herniated patients hernia (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Age greater than 55 years and high BMI were significant risk factors. We identified risk factors for the development of incisional hernia. Based on these risk factors, attention should be paid to incisional hernia in older and obese patients.

Claudin-1 expression decreases with increasing pathological grade in actinic keratosis and may be a marker of high-risk actinic keratosis

BACKGROUND

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common sun-induced skin disorder that can progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. However, there is still no reliable method to predict high-risk AK.

AIM

To identify markers that reflect the biological behaviour of AK and to understand the pathogenesis of AK.

METHODS

In total, 52 patients with AK and 17 site-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. We evaluated solar elastosis and immunohistochemical features using antibodies to p53, vitamin D receptor (VDR), claudin-1 and Langerin (CD207). Comparisons between AK and HC skin were performed and analyses carried out according to the pathological grade of AK.

RESULTS

We found that in both patients and HCs, solar elastosis increased and Langerhans cell (LC) density decreased with ageing. Solar elastosis and p53 expression were higher and VDR expression was lower in patients than in HCs; however, there was no statistical difference between them in relation to the pathological grade of AK. Claudin-1 expression gradually decreased from HC skin to severe AK, and particularly decreased in areas with epidermal atypia. LC density in severe AK was significantly lower than in HC skin and mild AK, while there was no difference in LC density between HC skin, mild AK and moderate AK.

CONCLUSIONS

Claudin-1 could be a useful marker of the pathological severity of AK. In addition, p53 increases and VDR decreases in AK, not in a gradual manner but in the early steps of carcinogenesis. LC density is relatively maintained in AK until it reaches severe dysplasia.

Asymptomatic solitary mass on the sacral region

Nuchal-type fibroma (NTF) is a rare, benign, tumour-like fibrous proliferation of unknown pathogenesis. Despite the name, approximately one-third of cases occur at extranuchal sites. We report a rare case of NTF of the sacral region, an extremely uncommon extranuchal site. As NTF is often misdiagnosed because of its rarity and histopathological similarity with other fibrous tumours, we present this case to increase understanding of this rare disease entity.

Imaging divertor strike point splitting in RMP ELM suppression experiments in the DIII-D tokamak

Fast visible imaging of the lower divertor from above is used to study the structure and dynamics of lobes induced by resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) in Edge-Localized Mode (ELM) suppression experiments in DIII-D. The best compromise between the amount of light and sharp imaging was obtained using emission at 601 nm from Fulcher band molecular deuterium. Multiple spatially resolved peaks in the D₂ emission, taken as a proxy for the particle flux, are readily resolved during RMPs, in contrast to the heat flux measured by infrared cameras, which shows little spatial structure in ITER-like conditions. The 25 mm objective lens provides high spatial resolution (2-4 mm/pixel) from the centerpost to the outer shelf over 40° toroidally that overlaps the field of view of the IRTV that measures the divertor heat flux, allowing direct comparison in non-axisymmetric discharges. The image is coupled to a Phantom 7.3 camera using a Schott wound fiber bundle, providing high temporal resolution that allows the lobe dynamics to be resolved between ELMs and across ELM suppression onset. These measurements are used to study the heat and particle flux in 3D magnetic fields and to validate models for the plasma response to RMPs.

Clopidogrel may decrease the risk of post-stroke infection after ischaemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The P2Y12 receptor, a well-known factor in the platelet activation pathway, plays a role in thrombosis as well as systemic inflammation. Clopidogrel, a prototype P2Y12 receptor antagonist, reportedly decreases inflammation and systemic infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether clopidogrel use decreases the risk of post-stroke infection following ischaemic stroke.

METHODS

A total of 1643 patients with acute ischaemic stroke (within 7 days after onset) were included for analysis between March 2010 and December 2015. Patients were categorized into two groups (clopidogrel users versus clopidogrel non-users), and clinical characteristics and risks of post-stroke infection were compared between the two groups. The inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity scores for baseline imbalance adjustments was applied.

RESULTS

Of the included patients (mean age 67.7 years; men 60.6%), 670 (40.8%) patients were clopidogrel users and 164 (10.0%) patients had post-stroke infection. The proportion of patients with post-stroke infection was significantly lower in clopidogrel users compared to clopidogrel non-users (6.7% vs. 12.2%, P ≤ 0.001). Moreover, clopidogrel users were less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (13.3% vs. 35.3%, P = 0.006). A multivariate analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting revealed that clopidogrel users exhibited a lower risk of post-stroke infection (odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.75) and intensive care unit admission (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.53).

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggested that clopidogrel users exhibit a lower risk of infection and develop less severe infections after ischaemic stroke. Further prospective studies are needed.

Mirage Andreev Spectra Generated by Mesoscopic Leads in Nanowire Quantum Dots

We study transport mediated by Andreev bound states formed in InSb nanowire quantum dots. Two kinds of superconducting source and drain contacts are used: epitaxial Al/InSb devices exhibit a doubling of tunneling resonances, while, in NbTiN/InSb devices, Andreev spectra of the dot appear to be replicated multiple times at increasing source-drain bias voltages. In both devices, a mirage of a crowded spectrum is created. To describe the observations a model is developed that combines the effects of a soft induced gap and of additional Andreev bound states both in the quantum dot and in the finite regions of the nanowire adjacent to the quantum dot. Understanding of Andreev spectroscopy is important for the correct interpretation of Majorana experiments done on the same structures.

CXCR3-deficient mesenchymal stem cells fail to infiltrate into the nephritic kidney and do not ameliorate lupus symptoms in MRL. Faslpr mice

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy is a promising candidate for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To exert their efficacy fully, mesenchymal stem cells must infiltrate efficiently into the lesion sites. Here, we examined the role of CXCR3 in mesenchymal stem cell infiltration into the kidney of MRL. Fas^lpr mice, which highly expressed CXCL10. The phenotypes, production of immunosuppressive mediators, and capacity to inhibit T and B cells of CXCR3-deficient mesenchymal stem cells were similar to those of wild-type mesenchymal stem cells. However, they showed less infiltration into the nephritic kidney, less conjugation with endothelial cells and weaker MMP-9 expression than did wild-type mesenchymal stem cells. Consequently, CXCR3-deficient mesenchymal stem cells did not ameliorate lupus symptoms in MRL. Fas^lpr mice in comparison with wild-type mesenchymal stem cells. In summary, our data suggest that upregulation of CXCR3 in mesenchymal stem cells will be a good strategy to increase their infiltration into the kidney, which will improve therapeutic outcomes in SLE.

Search for the Exotic Meson X(5568) with the Collider Detector at Fermilab

A search for the exotic meson X(5568) decaying into the B_{s}^{0}π^{±} final state is performed using data corresponding to 9.6  fb^{-1} from pp[over ¯] collisions at sqrt[s]=1960  GeV recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. No evidence for this state is found and an upper limit of 6.7% at the 95% confidence level is set on the fraction of B_{s}^{0} produced through the X(5568)→B_{s}^{0}π^{±} process.

High-Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for the Metabolic Assessment of Acute Rejection After Cardiac Transplantation in Rats

PURPOSE

To evaluate the potential of high-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for metabolite characterization and the differentiation of acute rejection after heart transplantation in rat models.

METHODS

We transplanted syngeneic heart grafts from Lewis rats (n = 4) and allogeneic heart grafts from F344 rats (n = 4) heterotopically into Lewis recipients. On day 7 postoperatively, the transplanted hearts were harvested for ex vivo ¹H NMR spectroscopy and HR-MAS ¹H NMR spectroscopy. ¹H NMR spectroscopy and HR-MAS ¹H NMR spectroscopy were performed at 4.7 T and 11.7 T, respectively. Metabolomic profiles contributing to the differentiation of allogeneic and syngeneic graft groups were statistically assessed by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS/O2PLS-DA). Metabolite concentrations were normalized by total spectral intensities and were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS

One allogeneic graft that showed extensive necrotic change suggesting graft failure was excluded from the statistical analysis of the NMR spectroscopy. In the 4.7-T ¹H NMR spectroscopy, the creatine peak was decreased in the allogeneic group. The PLS-DA and OPLS/O2PLS-DA score plot demonstrated good discrimination of the allogeneic graft group from syngeneic graft group. The concentrations of creatine, myo-inositol, glucose, niacinamide, hypoxanthine, inosine, and glutamine were significantly decreased in the allogeneic graft group, whereas the concentrations of glycine, phosphoethanolamine, xanthine, sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, leucine, valine, and tyrosine were significantly increased (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

HR-MAS ¹H NMR spectroscopy can metabolically characterize the acute rejection of heart transplantation.

Urinary Pentosidine levels negatively associates with trabecular bone scores in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Pentosidine levels were higher in diabetic patients with vertebral fractures. Trabecular bone scores were negatively associated with pentosidine levels in diabetic patients only. Our results provide further evidence that AGEs are associated with the pathogenesis of bone fragility in patients with T2DM.

INTRODUCTION

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with fracture risk. Pentosidine, an advanced glycation end product (AGE), is associated with prevalent vertebral fractures (VFs) in patients with T2DM. Trabecular bone score (TBS) has been proposed as an index of bone microarchitecture associated with bone quality. This study evaluated the associations of urine pentosidine and TBS in T2DM and non-T2DM groups.

METHODS

A total of 112 T2DM patients and 62 non-T2DM subjects were enrolled. TBS was calculated using TBS insight® software (version 2.1). Pentosidine levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography method. We compared the BMD, TBS, and pentosidine levels between those with and without VFs with or without adjustment for age and sex. The association with TBS, lumbar spine BMD, and pentosidine levels were also evaluated in both T2DM and non-T2DM groups.

RESULTS

Pentosidine levels were significantly higher in T2DM patients with VFs. TBSs were significantly lower in patients with T2DM and VFs. In non-diabetic patients, there were no significant differences in TBS and pentosidine levels for those with and without VFs after adjustment for age and sex. Pentosidine levels were negatively associated with TBS only in patients with T2DM. In multivariate stepwise regression analysis, pentosidine levels were significantly associated with TBS in patients with T2DM.

CONCLUSIONS

TBS and pentosidine could be used as a method to assess bone quality to identify T2DM patients at risk of VFs. Our results also provide further evidence that AGEs are associated with the pathogenesis of bone fragility in patients with T2DM.

Outcomes after extensive manual curettage and limited burring for atypical cartilaginous tumour of long bone

AIMS

Adjuvant treatment after intralesional curettage for atypical cartilaginous tumours (ACTs) of long bones is widely accepted for extending surgical margins. However, evaluating the isolated effect of adjuvant treatment is difficult, and it is unclear whether not using such adjuvants provides poor oncological outcomes. Hence, we analyzed whether intralesional curettage without cryosurgery or chemical adjuvants provides poor oncological outcomes in patients with an ACT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 24 patients (nine men, 15 women) (mean age 45 years; 18 to 62) were treated for ACTs of long bones and followed up for a median of 66 months (interquartile range 50 to 84). All patients were treated with extensive manual curettage and limited burring. Bone cement and grafts were used to fill bone defects in 16 and eight patients, respectively. No chemical adjuvants or cryosurgery were used.

RESULTS

No local recurrence was detectable on plain radiographs and MRI or CT images. At the last follow-up, there were no distant metastases or disease-specific deaths. No procedure-related complications or postoperative fractures developed.

CONCLUSION

Intralesional curettage without cryosurgery or chemical adjuvants may provide excellent oncological outcomes for patients with ACTs of long bones, without the risk of complications related to adjuvant use. Our investigation suggests thorough curettage alone is a reasonable treatment option for ACT. However, we acknowledge the limited size of our investigation warrants a multicentre collaborative study to confirm our findings. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:256-61.

Combined Forward-Backward Asymmetry Measurements in Top-Antitop Quark Production at the Tevatron

The CDF and D0 experiments at the Fermilab Tevatron have measured the asymmetry between yields of forward- and backward-produced top and antitop quarks based on their rapidity difference and the asymmetry between their decay leptons. These measurements use the full data sets collected in proton-antiproton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV. We report the results of combinations of the inclusive asymmetries and their differential dependencies on relevant kinematic quantities. The combined inclusive asymmetry is A_{FB}^{tt[over ¯]}=0.128±0.025. The combined inclusive and differential asymmetries are consistent with recent standard model predictions.

Magnetically Coated Bioabsorbable Stents for Renormalization of Arterial Vessel Walls after Stent Implantation

The insertion of a stent in diseased arteries is a common endovascular procedure that can be compromised by the development of short- and long-term inflammatory responses leading to restenosis and thrombosis, respectively. While treatment with drugs, either systemic or localized, has decreased the incidence of restenosis and thrombosis these complications persist and are associated with a high mortality in those that present with stent thrombosis. We reasoned that if stents could be made to undergo accelerated endothelialization in the deployed region, then such an approach would further decrease the occurrence of stent thrombosis and restenosis thereby improving clinical outcomes. Toward that objective, the first step necessitated efficient capture of progenitor stem cells, which eventually would become the new endothelium. To achieve this objective, we engineered intrinsic ferromagnetism within nonmagnetizable, biodegradable magnesium (Mg) bare metal stents. Mg stents were coated with biodegradable polylactide (PLA) polymer embedding magnetizable iron-platinum (FePt) alloy nanoparticles, nanomagnetic particles, ⁿMags, which increased the surface area and hence magnetization of the stent. ⁿMags uniformly distributed on stents enabled capture, under flow, up to 50 mL/min, of systemically injected iron-oxide-labeled (IO-labeled) progenitor stem cells. Critical parameters enhancing capture efficiency were optimized, and we demonstrated the generality of the approach by showing that ⁿMag-coated stents can capture different cell types. Our work is a potential paradigm shift in engineering stents because implants are rendered as tissue in the body, and this "natural stealthiness" reduces or eliminates issues associated with pro-inflammatory immune responses postimplantation.

Longitudinal cortical thinning and cognitive decline in patients with early- versus late-stage subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Biomarker changes in cognitively impaired patients with small vessel disease are largely unknown. The rate of amyloid/lacune progression, cortical thinning and cognitive decline were evaluated in subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI) patients.

METHODS

Seventy-two svMCI patients were divided into early stage (ES-svMCI, n = 39) and late stage (LS-svMCI, n = 33) according to their Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes score. Patients were annually followed up with neuropsychological tests and brain magnetic resonance imaging for 3 years, and underwent a second [¹¹ C] Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) positron emission tomography scan within a mean interval of 32.4 months.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the rate of increase in PiB uptake or lacune number between the ES-svMCI and LS-svMCI. However, LS-svMCI showed more rapid cortical thinning and cognitive decline than did the ES-svMCI.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that, whilst the rate of change in pathological burden did not differ between ES-svMCI and LS-svMCI, cortical thinning and cognitive decline progressed more rapidly in the LS-svMCI.

Spontaneous Rupture of Abdominal Aorta after Seizure in a 23-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report

Spontaneous non-aneurysmal aortic rupture is a rare and life threatening clinical entity. A 23-year-old female patient who visited a nearby hospital due to intractable seizure was transferred to our hospital with the impression of hypotension and decreased level of haemoglobin. She had a history of seizure attacks once a month. However, in the 2 weeks before presentation, the frequency of seizure attacks had increased to 2 to 3 times a day. An abdominal-pelvic computed tomogram scan showed extravasation of contrast from the abdominal aorta at L3 level. An emergency laparotomy revealed a 0.3 cm diameter tear in the posterior wall of the aorta, superior to the iliac bifurcation. We discuss the mechanism of spontaneous aortic rupture and the possibility of aortic rupture related to seizure attacks. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2014;21:103-106)