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.

First Determination of the Level Structure of an sd-Shell Hypernucleus, _{Λ}^{19}F

We report on the first observation of γ rays emitted from an sd-shell hypernucleus, _{Λ}^{19}F. The energy spacing between the ground state doublet, 1/2^{+} and 3/2^{+} states, of _{Λ}^{19}F is determined to be 315.5±0.4(stat)_{-0.5}^{+0.6}(syst)  keV by measuring the γ-ray energy of the M1(3/2^{+}→1/2^{+}) transition. In addition, three γ-ray peaks are observed and assigned as E2(5/2^{+}→1/2^{+}), E1(1/2^{-}→1/2^{+}), and E1(1/2^{-}→3/2^{+}) transitions. The excitation energies of the 5/2^{+} and 1/2^{-} states are determined to be 895.2±0.3(stat)±0.5(syst) and 1265.6±1.2(stat)_{-0.5}^{+0.7}(syst)  keV, respectively. It is found that the ground state doublet spacing is well described by theoretical models based on existing s- and p-shell hypernuclear data.

Whole-Tumor Histogram and Texture Analyses of DTI for Evaluation of IDH1-Mutation and 1p/19q-Codeletion Status in World Health Organization Grade II Gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Prediction of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1)-mutation and 1p/19q-codeletion status of World Health Organization grade ll gliomas preoperatively may assist in predicting prognosis and planning treatment strategies. Our aim was to characterize the histogram and texture analyses of apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy maps to determine IDH1-mutation and 1p/19q-codeletion status in World Health Organization grade II gliomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-three patients with World Health Organization grade II gliomas with known IDH1-mutation and 1p/19q-codeletion status (18 IDH1 wild-type, 45 IDH1 mutant and no 1p/19q codeletion, 30 IDH1-mutant and 1p/19q codeleted tumors) underwent DTI. ROIs were drawn on every section of the T2-weighted images and transferred to the ADC and the fractional anisotropy maps to derive volume-based data of the entire tumor. Histogram and texture analyses were correlated with the IDH1-mutation and 1p/19q-codeletion status. The predictive powers of imaging features for IDH1 wild-type tumors and 1p/19q-codeletion status in IDH1-mutant subgroups were evaluated using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator.

RESULTS

Various histogram and texture parameters differed significantly according to IDH1-mutation and 1p/19q-codeletion status. The skewness and energy of ADC, 10th and 25th percentiles, and correlation of fractional anisotropy were independent predictors of an IDH1 wild-type in the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The area under the receiver operating curve for the prediction model was 0.853. The skewness and cluster shade of ADC, energy, and correlation of fractional anisotropy were independent predictors of a 1p/19q codeletion in IDH1-mutant tumors in the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.807.

CONCLUSIONS

Whole-tumor histogram and texture features of the ADC and fractional anisotropy maps are useful for predicting the IDH1-mutation and 1p/19q-codeletion status in World Health Organization grade II gliomas.

Skin photorejuvenation effects of light-emitting diodes (LEDs): a comparative study of yellow and red LEDs in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Red-coloured light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can improve skin photorejuvenation and regeneration by increasing cellular metabolic activity.

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of visible LEDs with specific wavelengths for skin photorejuvenation in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

Normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) from neonatal foreskin were cultured and irradiated in vitro by LEDs at different wavelengths (410-850 nm) and doses (0-10 J/cm(2) ). In vivo experiments were performed on the skin of hairless mice. Expression of collagen (COL) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was evaluated by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR (semi-qRT-PCR), western blotting and a procollagen type I C-peptide enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Haematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome stains were performed to evaluate histological changes.

RESULTS

In HDFs, COL I was upregulated and MMP-1 was downregulated in response to LED irradiation at 595 ± 2 and 630 ± 8 nm. In the EIA, a peak result was achieved at a dose of 5 J/cm(2) with LED at 595 ± 2 nm. In vivo, COL I synthesis was upregulated in a dose-dependent manner to both 595 and 630 nm LED irradiation, and this effect was prolonged to 21 days after a single irradiation with a dose of 100 J/cm(2) . These histological changes were consistent with the results of semi-qRT-PCR and western blots.

CONCLUSION

Specific LED treatment with 595 ± 2 and 630 ± 8 nm irradiation was able to modulate COL and MMPs in skin, with the effects persisting for at least 21 days after irradiation. These findings suggest that yellow and red LEDs might be useful tools for skin photorejuvenation.

Dual-graft adult living donor liver transplantation with ABO-incompatible graft: short-term and long-term outcomes

ABO-incompatible (ABOi) dual-graft (DG) adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) is not commonly performed due to its inherently intricate surgical technique and immunological complexity. Therefore, data are lacking on the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of ABOi DG ALDLT. We performed a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of patients who underwent ABOi DG ALDLT between 2008 and 2014. Additionally, computed tomography volumetric analysis was conducted to assess the graft regeneration rate. The mean age of a total of 28 recipients was 50.2 ± 8.5 years, and the mean model for end-stage liver disease score was 12.2 ± 4.6. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rate was 96.4% during the mean follow-up period of 57.0 ± 22.4 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft survival rate was 96.4%, 94.2%, and 92.0%, respectively, and no significant differences were observed between ABO-compatible (ABOc) and ABOi grafts (P = .145). The biliary complication rate showed no significant difference (P = .195) between ABOc and ABOi grafts. Regeneration rates of ABOi grafts were not significantly different from those of ABOc grafts. DG ALDLT with ABOi and ABOc graft combination seems to be a feasible option for expanding the donor pool without additional donor risks.

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.

Transoral robotic surgery in Eagle's syndrome: our experience on four patients

Eagle's syndrome is characterised by focal pain in the tonsillar fossa on wide mouth opening or head rotation and various accompanying symptoms. While the syndrome is difficult to diagnose, shortening the styloid process via a transoral or transcervical surgical approach has been shown to be the most effective treatment. The aim of this article was to document our experience with a transoral robotic approach to treat Eagle's syndrome and to present the outcomes of four patients. We reviewed the cases of four patients with Eagle's syndrome who underwent transoral robotic surgery (TORS). The average age of patients was 53.75 years, and there were equal numbers of males and females. The styloid processes were reconstructed in 3D from the preoperative CT scans and were measured as an average of 4.18 cm (range 3.3-5.1). The mean set-up time and operation times were less than 10 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively. All patients were completely relieved of symptoms, and were able to restart an oral diet on post-operative day 1. No patient suffered intraoperative or postoperative complication, including cranial nerve injury, haemorrhage, or deep neck infection. In our experience, transoral excision of the styloid process via a robotic approach can be considered as a feasible treatment option for Eagle's syndrome.

The relationship between fatty liver index and bone mineral density in Koreans: KNHANES 2010-2011

Analyses using a nationally representative cohort have revealed that high fatty liver index (FLI) is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) regardless of insulin resistance in men, thereby supporting the deteriorated bone metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

INTRODUCTION

NAFLD is linked to deteriorated bone health. We investigated the association of FLI, a scoring model for NAFLD, with BMD.

METHODS

This was a population-based, cross-sectional study from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys including 4264 Koreans (1908 men and 2356 women). FLI was calculated using body mass index, waist circumference, serum triglyceride, and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase level. Insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, and whole body.

RESULTS

Men had a higher FLI than women, while the HOMA-IR index was similar between men and women. The significant association between FLI and BMD was observed only in men, but not in women. FLI was negatively correlated with total hip, femoral neck, and whole body BMD in men after adjusting for all potential confounders, including HOMA-IR (P < 0.001 to 0.010). Lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, and whole body BMD in men showed a decreasing trend as the FLI tertile increased after adjusting for all potential confounders, including HOMA-IR (P for trends < 0.001 to 0.034). In men aged 50 years or older, odds ratios for combined osteopenia and osteoporosis increased across increasing FLI tertiles after adjusting for confounders (P for trends < 0.011 to 0.029).

CONCLUSION

NAFLD is associated with low bone density regardless of insulin resistance in men. These findings suggest an undiscovered direct link between liver and bone that increases the risk of osteoporosis in men with NAFLD.

Prediction of IDH1-Mutation and 1p/19q-Codeletion Status Using Preoperative MR Imaging Phenotypes in Lower Grade Gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

WHO grade II gliomas are divided into three classes: isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype, IDH-mutant and no 1p/19q codeletion, and IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted. Different molecular subtypes have been reported to have prognostic differences and different chemosensitivity. Our aim was to evaluate the predictive value of imaging phenotypes assessed with the Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images lexicon for molecular classification of lower grade gliomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MR imaging scans of 175 patients with lower grade gliomas with known IDH1 mutation and 1p/19q-codeletion status were included (78 grade II and 97 grade III) in the discovery set. MR imaging features were reviewed by using Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images (VASARI); their associations with molecular markers were assessed. The predictive power of imaging features for IDH1-wild type tumors was evaluated using the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator. We tested the model in a validation set (40 subjects).

RESULTS

Various imaging features were significantly different according to IDH1 mutation. Nonlobar location, larger proportion of enhancing tumors, multifocal/multicentric distribution, and poor definition of nonenhancing margins were independent predictors of an IDH1 wild type according to the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator. The areas under the curve for the prediction model were 0.859 and 0.778 in the discovery and validation sets, respectively. The IDH1-mutant, 1p/19q-codeleted group frequently had mixed/restricted diffusion characteristics and showed more pial invasion compared with the IDH1-mutant, no codeletion group.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative MR imaging phenotypes are different according to the molecular markers of lower grade gliomas, and they may be helpful in predicting the IDH1-mutation status.

Accuracy of Plain Abdominal Radiography in the Differentiation between Small Bowel Obstruction and Small Bowel Ileus in Acute Abdomen Presenting to Emergency Department

Introduction

Our purpose was to evaluate whether plain abdominal radiography (PAR) could accurately differentiate between small bowel obstruction (SBO) and small bowel ileus (SBI) in an emergency setting. We also evaluated the value of known classic signs on the PAR for differentiating between SBO and SBI.

Methods

This retrospective study included 216 emergency room patients who had small bowel distension (maximal small bowel diameter ≥2.5 cm) on the PAR and who underwent successive abdominal computed tomography. One radiologist and one emergency physician retrospectively reviewed PAR in consensus, unaware of the patients' clinical data; they divided the patients into an SBO group and an SBI group according to the radiographic findings. Presence or numeric values of 10 radiographic signs were also recorded. Final diagnoses of SBO and SBI were established by a combined analysis of medical charts, surgical records, radiographic findings on abdominal computed tomography, and small bowel studies. The differential diagnoses based on PAR and the final diagnoses were compared, and the sensitivity and specificity of PAR were calculated. We also evaluated the differences among 10 radiographic signs between the final SBO and SBI groups.

Results

Sensitivity and specificity of PAR for SBO were 82.0% and 92.4%, respectively. Among the 10 radiographic signs, all except maximal colon diameter were statistically significant predictors on the final diagnosis.

Conclusions

PAR is an accurate and effective initial imaging modality for differentiating between SBO and SBI in an emergency setting, and most of the classic radiographic signs have a diagnostic value.

Integration of different criteria for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer using classification tree analysis: the use of radiological tumour-vascular interface in correlation with surgical and pathological outcomes

AIM

To integrate various criteria for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) based on radiological parameters using classification tree analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and waived the requirement for informed consent. Two hundred and thirty-five tumour-vein interfaces and 67 tumour-artery interfaces in 245 patients with surgically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent both preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were assessed by two independent readers. Radiological parameters for evaluation of the tumour-vascular interface were boundary, length of interface, degree of circumferential interface, and contour deformity of affected vessels. Classification tree analysis was performed to determine parameters associated with vascular invasion using pathological and surgical results as the reference standard.

RESULTS

In the classification tree analysis for the tumour-vein interface, contour deformity and degree of circumferential interface were the first and second determining factors, respectively, for both surgical and pathological vascular invasion. For the tumour-artery interface, boundary and degree of circumferential interface were the first and second determining factors for surgical invasion, while contour deformity and length of interface were the first and second determining factors for pathological invasion. The BRPC group of modified criteria arbitrarily formed based on the results had similar surgical (74.1-81.6%) and pathological (54.3-63.3%) venous invasion compared to that of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria, and the lowest surgical (33.3%) and pathological (6.7%) arterial invasion compared with those in previously established criteria for BRPC (43.3-55.6% and 22.2-26.1%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Various criteria for BRPCs were integrated using classification tree analysis, and a modified criterion for BRPC, which provides satisfactory results, was established.

Repeated Measurement of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Is Not Essential for Asthma Screening

BACKGROUND AND OBJETIVE

Older guidelines recommend that fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) should be checked more than twice during the same session to confirm an asthma diagnosis. Recent studies show the excellent reproducibility of FeNO measurements. Objetive: We aimed to determine whether repeated FeNO measurements during the same session are necessary for asthma screening.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of adult outpatients who visited the respiratory medicine department for diagnosis of asthma and assessed FeNO measurements obtained from June 2016 to July 2017.

RESULTS

Of the 132 patients enrolled, 79 (59.8%) were diagnosed with asthma. Repeated FeNO measurements taken during the same session showed high reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.9; P<.001) and a strong correlation (Pearson coefficient >0.9; P<.001), although reproducibility and correlation were slightly weaker in patients with low FeNO values. The value of repeated measurement was not significant; however, the second FeNO measurement was significantly higher than the first measurement in patients with the worst and best lung function. The predictive power of the first measurement of FeNO (sensitivity, 80.5%; specificity, 85.1%) was not inferior to the second (sensitivity, 76.6%; specificity 85.1%). The same was true of the geometric mean of the two.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated FeNO measurement during the same session is not essential for asthma screening in cases where the first acceptable FeNO measurement is performed using the proper method.

Totally robotic single docking low anterior resection for rectal cancer: pearls and pitfalls

Total robotic resection of mid- and low rectal cancers confers technical advantages within the confines of the pelvis and allows difficult rectal cancer cases to be performed efficiently with less risk of conversion to open. To maximize the advantage of robotic surgery, we utilize the technique of single docking totally robotic dissection for rectal cancer for both the Da Vinci Si and Xi Surgical Systems. All steps are performed robotically, with the surgery divided into two phases. The first phase consists of inferior mesenteric artery and vein ligation, sigmoid and descending colon mobilization and splenic flexure takedown. Phase two is rectal dissection and pelvic total mesorectal excision. In this article, which is complemented by a video, we describe in detail our surgical technique for totally robotic dissection for rectal cancer using a standardized 'medial to lateral' approach with emphasis on the pearls and pitfalls of this surgery.

Evidence for Isospin Violation and Measurement of CP Asymmetries in B→K^{*}(892)γ

We report the first evidence for isospin violation in B→K^{*}γ and the first measurement of the difference of CP asymmetries between B^{+}→K^{*+}γ and B^{0}→K^{*0}γ. This analysis is based on the data sample containing 772×10^{6}BB[over ¯] pairs that was collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e^{+}e^{-} collider. We find evidence for the isospin violation with a significance of 3.1σ, Δ_{0+}=[+6.2±1.5(stat)±0.6(syst)±1.2(f_{+-}/f_{00})]%, where the third uncertainty is due to the uncertainty on the fraction of B^{+}B^{-} to B^{0}B[over ¯]^{0} production in ϒ(4S) decays. The measured value is consistent with predictions of the standard model. The result for the difference of CP asymmetries is ΔA_{CP}=[+2.4±2.8(stat)±0.5(syst)]%, consistent with zero. The measured branching fractions and CP asymmetries for charged and neutral B meson decays are the most precise to date. We also calculate the ratio of branching fractions of B^{0}→K^{*0}γ to B_{s}^{0}→ϕγ.

Search for Heavy Higgs Bosons A/H Decaying to a Top Quark Pair in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=8 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

A search for heavy pseudoscalar (A) and scalar (H) Higgs bosons decaying into a top quark pair (tt[over ¯]) has been performed with 20.3  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=8  TeV. Interference effects between the signal process and standard model tt[over ¯] production, which are expected to distort the signal shape from a single peak to a peak-dip structure, are taken into account. No significant deviation from the standard model prediction is observed in the tt[over ¯] invariant mass spectrum in final states with an electron or muon, large missing transverse momentum, and at least four jets. The results are interpreted within the context of a type-II two-Higgs-doublet model. Exclusion limits on the signal strength are derived as a function of the mass m_{A/H} and the ratio of the vacuum expectation values of the two Higgs fields, tanβ, for m_{A/H}>500  GeV.

Search for Dark Matter Produced in Association with a Higgs Boson Decaying to bb[over ¯] Using 36 fb^{-1} of pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

Several extensions of the standard model predict associated production of dark-matter particles with a Higgs boson. Such processes are searched for in final states with missing transverse momentum and a Higgs boson decaying to a bb[over ¯] pair with the ATLAS detector using 36.1  fb^{-1} of pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the LHC. The observed data are in agreement with the standard model predictions and limits are placed on the associated production of dark-matter particles and a Higgs boson.

Search for CP Violation and Measurement of the Branching Fraction in the Decay D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}

We report a study of the decay D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} using 921  fb^{-1} of data collected at or near the ϒ(4S) and ϒ(5S) resonances with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The measured time-integrated CP asymmetry is A_{CP}(D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0})=(-0.02±1.53±0.02±0.17)%, and the branching fraction is B(D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0})=(1.321±0.023±0.036±0.044)×10^{-4}, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the normalization mode (D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0}). These results are significantly more precise than previous measurements available for this mode. The A_{CP} measurement is consistent with the standard model expectation.

Morphometric analysis of the maxillary root apex positions according to crowding severity

OBJECTIVES

To determine differences in arch forms derived from the root apices locations between individuals with <2 mm maxillary crowding and controls.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

The Department of Orthodontics, Pusan National University. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 102 patients in the control group and 95 patients in the crowding group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

X, Y and Z coordinates of the tip of the crowns and the apex of the root of the maxillary teeth (except second molars) were determined on the CBCT images. The acquired three-dimensional (3D) coordinates were converted into two-dimensional (2D) coordinates via projection on the palatal plane, and the Procrustes analysis was employed to process the converted 2D coordinates. The mean shape of the arch form derived from the location of the tip of the crowns and the apex of the root was compared between groups using the statistical shape analysis.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference (P = .046) between the groups for the mean shape of the root apex arch form, but the difference was small and clinically irrelevant as it is minor compared to the degree of crowding.

CONCLUSIONS

Maxillary arch from at the level of the maxillary apices only shows minor differences between crowded and non-crowded dentitions.

HLA-DPB1*519:01, a new allele identified by sequence-based typing in a Korean individual

The new allele DPB1*519:01 showed one nucleotide difference with DPB1*13:01:01 at codon 234 (GTG/ATG).

Search for the Dimuon Decay of the Higgs Boson in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

A search for the dimuon decay of the Higgs boson was performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1  fb^{-1} collected with the ATLAS detector in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. No significant excess is observed above the expected background. The observed (expected) upper limit on the cross section times branching ratio is 3.0 (3.1) times the Standard Model prediction at the 95% confidence level for a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV. When combined with the pp collision data at sqrt[s]=7  TeV and sqrt[s]=8  TeV, the observed (expected) upper limit is 2.8 (2.9) times the Standard Model prediction.

210Po in the marine biota of Korean coastal waters and the effective dose from seafood consumption

The activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Po were determined in plankton and selected species of macroalgae, crustaceans, molluscs, and fish from Korean coastal waters to understand ²¹⁰Po distribution in these trophic levels and to assess the effective dose of ²¹⁰Po from seafood ingested by the average Korean. The activity concentration of ²¹⁰Po in macroalgae, mixed plankton, anchovy (whole body), abalone muscle, and abalone viscera was 0.97-1.43, 32-137, 59-392, 2.93 ± 0.86, and 1495 ± 484 Bq kg^-1 (w.w.), respectively. Polonium-210 concentration in the whole flesh of mussel and oyster were 47.8 ± 5.9 and 45.3 ± 7.1 Bq kg^-1 (w.w.), respectively. Polonium-210 concentration in the muscle of the five tested species of fish other than anchovy ranged from 0.51 to 5.56 Bq kg^-1 (w.w.), with the lowest amount in a demersal species. In fish, ²¹⁰Po activity concentration was as much as three orders of magnitude higher in viscera than in muscle. The average annual effective ²¹⁰Po dose per average Korean adult, who consumes 42.8 kg of seafood a year (excluding anchovy), was estimated to be 94 μSv y^-1, with 42-71% of this attributed to shellfish. Further studies are required to assess the dose of ²¹⁰Po from anchovy owing to its high activity concentration and the manner in which anchovy is consumed.

HLA-A*24:02:01:09, a new allele identified by sequence-based typing in a Korean individual

One nucleotide insertion between residues 1804 and 1805 of HLA-A*24:02:01:01 results in a new allele, HLA-A*24:02:01:09.

Suggested new breakpoints of anti-MERS-CoV antibody ELISA titers: performance analysis of serologic tests

To provide optimal cut-off values of anti-Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) serologic tests, we evaluated performance of ELISA IgG, ELISA IgA, IFA IgM, and IFA IgG using 138 serum samples of 49 MERS-CoV-infected patients and 219 serum samples of 219 rRT-PCR-negative MERS-CoV-exposed healthcare personnel and patients. The performance analysis was conducted for two different purposes: (1) prediction of neutralization activity in MERS-CoV-infected patients, and (2) epidemiologic surveillance of MERS-CoV infections among MERS-CoV-exposed individuals. To evaluate performance according to serum collection time, we used ‘days post onset of illness (dpoi)’ and ‘days post exposure (dpex)’ assessing neutralization activity and infection diagnosis, respectively. Performance of serologic tests improved with delayed sampling time, being maximized after a seroconversion period. In predicting neutralization activity, ELISA IgG tests showed optimal performance using sera collected after 21 dpoi at cut-off values of OD ratio 0.4 (sensitivity 100% and specificity 100%), and ELISA IgA showed optimal performance using sera collected after 14 dpoi at cut-off value of OD ratio 0.2 (sensitivity 85.2% and specificity 100%). In diagnosis of MERS-CoV infection, ELISA IgG exhibited optimal performance using sera collected after 28 dpex, at a cut-off value of OD ratio 0.2 (sensitivity 97.3% and specificity 92.9%). These new breakpoints are markedly lower than previously suggested values (ELISA IgG OD ratio 1.1, sensitivity 34.8% and specificity 100% in the present data set), and the performance data help serologic tests to be practically used in the field of MERS management.

The Initial Area Under the Curve Derived from Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI Improves Prognosis Prediction in Glioblastoma with Unmethylated MGMT Promoter

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although perfusion and permeability MR parameters have known to have prognostic value, they have reproducibility issues. Our aim was to evaluate whether the initial area under the time-to-signal intensity curve (IAUC) derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging can improve prognosis prediction in patients with glioblastoma with known MGMT status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively examined 88 patients with glioblastoma who underwent preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging. The means of IAUC values at 30 and 60 seconds (IAUC30_mean and IAUC60_mean) were extracted from enhancing tumors. The prognostic values of IAUC parameters for overall survival and progression-free survival were assessed with log-rank tests, according to the MGMT status. Multivariate overall survival and progression-free survival models before and after adding the IAUC parameters as covariates were explored by net reclassification improvement after receiver operating characteristic analysis for 1.5-year overall survival and 1-year progression-free survival and by random survival forest.

RESULTS

High IAUC parameters were associated with worse overall survival and progression-free survival in the unmethylated MGMT group, but not in the methylated group. In the unmethylated MGMT group, 1.5-year overall survival and 1-year progression-free survival prediction improved significantly after adding IAUC parameters (overall survival area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.86; progression-free survival area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.74-0.76) to the model with other prognostic factors (overall survival area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.81; progression-free survival area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.69; P < .05 for all) except in the case of IAUC60_mean for 1-year progression-free survival prediction (P = .059). Random survival forest models indicated that the IAUC parameters were the second or most important predictors in the unmethylated MGMT group, except in the case of the IAUC60_mean for progression-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

IAUC can be a useful prognostic imaging biomarker in patients with glioblastoma with known MGMT status, improving prediction of glioblastoma prognosis with the unmethylated MGMT promoter status.

Effect of ketogenic diet and other dietary therapies on anti-epileptic drug concentrations in patients with epilepsy

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The ketogenic diet (KD) is an effective high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet for patients with refractory epilepsy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of the KD and other dietary therapies on the concentrations of anticonvulsants in patients with epilepsy.

METHODS

Patients with epilepsy who were treated with the KD and other dietary therapies for more than 30 days with at least one measurement performed both before and during the diet were evaluated. The mean serum concentrations and the mean serum concentrations per weight per daily dose per bioavailability (F) of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) before and during the treatment were assessed. We also compared the rates of events out of reference ranges of the AEDs between before and during the KD and other dietary therapies. We compared the serum albumin, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase data of patients with valproic acid before and during the KD.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

One-hundred thirty-nine patients including 81 male patients were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 2.91 (0.15-15.46) years. The median duration of the dietary therapies was 153 (35-2307) days. After the dietary therapies, the serum concentrations of carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, topiramate and valproic acid decreased, whereas that of phenobarbital slightly increased. However, statistical significance was found only with valproic acid (67.07±25.89 μg/mL vs 51.00±20.19 μg/mL, P<.05). The serum concentrations per weight per daily dose per drug F significantly decreased for valproic acid (1.38±1.39×10^-2 vs 0.82±0.82×10^-2  μg d mL^-1  F^-1 ) and phenobarbital (6.66±7.20×10^-2 vs 4.75±4.07×10^-2  μg d mL^-1  F^-1 , P<.05). The rate of occurrence of events out of reference ranges significantly increased with valproic acid (36.08% vs 57.23%, P<.05).

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS

Most anti-epileptic drug serum concentrations remained stable during the KD and other related dietary therapies except those of valproic acid. Therefore, serum concentrations of valproic acid should be monitored when the KD and other dietary therapies are concomitantly administered.

Increased propionate concentration in Lactobacillus mucosae-fermented wet brewers grains and during in vitro rumen fermentation

AIMS

This study was conducted to isolate and identify propionate-producing bacteria that can be used as an inoculum in improving wet brewers grains and rumen fermentation via increasing propionate concentration.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A strain of Lactobacillus that exhibits high levels of propionate production was identified and characterized as Lactobacillus mucosae 521129 by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Wet brewers grains were fermented through L. mucosae inoculation and resulted in an increase in propionate concentration. Fermented wet brewers grains were used in in vitro rumen fermentation and revealed that L. mucosae-fermented wet brewers grains produced more gas and had higher accumulations propionate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) than the control. The fewest methanogen DNA copies were detected in L. mucosae-fermented wet brewers grains.

CONCLUSION

Identified L. mucosae improved the fermentation of wet brewers grains and the in vitro rumen fermentation via increasing propionate and total VFA concentrations.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The presented research provided the identification of L. mucosae 521129 as a propionate producer and was metabolically profiled. Furthermore, data present the putative application of this organism in improving the fermentation of wet brewers grains and in vitro rumen fermentation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome with hyperandrogenism as a risk factor for non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known to be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, most studies investigated the prevalence of NAFLD in obese PCOS patients.

AIM

To compare the prevalence of non-obese NAFLD in women with or without PCOS, and to assess an independent association between PCOS and NAFLD in a non-obese Asian cohort.

METHODS

This was a case-control study using a prospective PCOS cohort. After subjects with other potential causes of chronic liver disease were excluded, 275 non-obese women with PCOS and 892 non-obese controls were enrolled. NAFLD was determined by hepatic ultrasonography. Main outcomes were the prevalence of NAFLD on hepatic ultrasonography between non-obese women with or without PCOS, and an independent association between non-obese NAFLD and PCOS.

RESULTS

Non-obese women with PCOS had a significantly higher prevalence of NAFLD than those without PCOS (5.5% vs. 2.8%, P = 0.027). PCOS was associated with non-obese NAFLD (odds ratio: 2.62, 95% confidence intervals: 1.25-5.48) after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI). In women with PCOS, the level of androgenicity represented by free testosterone or free androgen index was associated with NAFLD after adjustment for age, BMI, lipid profile, insulin resistance or glycaemic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-obese NAFLD is more prevalent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome than in those without. In non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperandrogenemia may be an independent risk factor for non-obese NAFLD.

Measurement of the τ Lepton Polarization and R(D^{*}) in the Decay B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ}

We report the first measurement of the τ lepton polarization P_{τ}(D^{*}) in the decay B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ} as well as a new measurement of the ratio of the branching fractions R(D^{*})=B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}ℓ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{ℓ}), where ℓ^{-} denotes an electron or a muon, and the τ is reconstructed in the modes τ^{-}→π^{-}ν_{τ} and τ^{-}→ρ^{-}ν_{τ}. We use the full data sample of 772×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] pairs recorded with the Belle detector at the KEKB electron-positron collider. Our results, P_{τ}(D^{*})=-0.38±0.51(stat)_{-0.16}^{+0.21}(syst) and R(D^{*})=0.270±0.035(stat)_{-0.025}^{+0.028}(syst), are consistent with the theoretical predictions of the standard model.

MicroRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a) regulates cell motility and EMT by directly targeting oncogenic TM4SF1 in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide, and many oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are involved in CRC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can negatively regulate gene expression. Previous studies have revealed that miRNAs regulate the development and progression of many cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of microRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a) in CRC and its unknown mechanisms.

METHODS

qRT-PCR was used to detect miR-30a and TM4SF1 mRNA expression in CRC specimens and cell lines. CRC cell migration and invasion were assessed after transfection with miR-30a or TM4SF1 using wound healing and trans-well migration and invasion assays. Transmembrane-4-L-six-family protein (TM4SF1) was validated as a target of miR-30a in CRC through luciferase reporter assay and bioinformatics algorithms. Moreover, two EMT regulators, E-cadherin and VEGF, were also identified using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

We found that miR-30a was down-regulated in CRC tumor tissues and cell lines, and miR-30a was inversely associated with advanced stage and lymph node metastatic status compared with normal tissues. miR-30a decreased migration and invasion in CRC cell lines, and miR-30a overexpression not only down-regulated TM4SF1 mRNA and protein expression, but also inhibited the expression of VEGF and enhanced expression of E-cadherin. We also showed that TM4SF1 was up-regulated in CRC tumor specimens compared with adjacent normal tissues, and TM4SF1 expression was significantly associated with advanced stage and lymph node status compared with adjacent normal tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that miR-30a is an important regulator of TM4SF1, VEGF, and E-cadherin for CRC lymph node metastasis, a potential new therapeutic target in CRC.

Lepton-Flavor-Dependent Angular Analysis of B→K^{*}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-}

We present a measurement of angular observables and a test of lepton flavor universality in the B→K^{*}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} decay, where ℓ is either e or μ. The analysis is performed on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 711  fb^{-1} containing 772×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs, collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider KEKB. The result is consistent with standard model (SM) expectations, where the largest discrepancy from a SM prediction is observed in the muon modes with a local significance of 2.6σ.

Risk factor assessment to predict the likelihood of a diagnosis of metastasis for indeterminate hepatic lesions found at computed tomography in patients with rectal cancer

AIM

To assess the significant factors on rectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict the likelihood of a diagnosis of metastasis for indeterminate hepatic lesions found at computed tomography (CT) in patients with rectal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 207 patients with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic CT, and rectal and liver MRI were included. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the determining factors for the significance of indeterminate hepatic lesions on CT in patients with rectal cancer.

RESULTS

Hepatic metastases were diagnosed in 29 (20.9%) of 139 patients who had indeterminate hepatic lesions on preoperative CT obtained for rectal cancer. On univariate analysis, carcinoembryonic antigen level, N stage, mesorectal fascia (MRF) invasion, diameter of superior haemorrhoidal vein, and mesorectal vascular lesion (MVL) grade on rectal MRI (p<0.05) were associated with the possibility of metastasis for indeterminate hepatic lesions on CT. On multivariate analysis, MVL grade and MRF invasion on rectal MRI were independent factors associated with the possibility of metastasis for indeterminate hepatic lesions on CT (p<0.0005 and p=0.0066, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MVL grade and MRF invasion on rectal MRI are independent factors for estimating hepatic metastasis among indeterminate hepatic lesions on CT in patients with rectal cancer.

Strong familial association of bone mineral density between parents and offspring: KNHANES 2008-2011

Bone mineral density (BMD) of offspring was significantly associated with their parents' BMD. Parental BMD Z-score ≤-1 was a significant predictor for BMD Z-score ≤-1 in their offspring. Peak bone mass acquisition during early adulthood is more substantially influenced by genetic factors rather than lifestyle or environmental factors.

INTRODUCTION

A person's BMD is affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Family history of osteoporosis or fragility fracture is a well-known risk factor for low bone mass or fracture. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the familial association of BMD between parents and offspring in Korean population.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study based on the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) conducted from 2008 to 2011. A total of 5947 subjects (3135 parents and 2812 offspring) were included.

RESULTS

In age-adjusted partial correlation analyses, all BMD values acquired from the lumbar spine, femur neck, total hip, and whole body showed significant associations between parents and offspring. Among these associations, whole-body BMD showed the strongest relationship between offspring and parents. The narrow-sense heritability of BMD ranged from 0.203 to 0.542 in male offspring and from 0.396 to 0.689 in female offspring. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that offspring's BMD was independently associated with BMD of both parents after adjusting for covariates. Lifestyle or environmental factors including dietary calcium intake, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, regular exercise, current smoking, and alcohol intake showed only moderate or no associations with BMD. In multiple logistic regression analyses in offspring aged 19-25 years, the son's risk of having BMD Z-score ≤-1 was associated with both parents' BMD Z-score ≤-1, while the daughter's risk was only associated with maternal BMD Z-score ≤-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm the strong familial association of BMD between parents and offspring in Korean population and suggest that peak bone mass acquisition during early adulthood is more substantially influenced by genetic factors rather than lifestyle or environmental factors.

Abstract P6-09-42: The role of serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in triple-negative breast cancer

This abstract was not presented at the symposium.

Abstract OT1-01-12: A phase II, multicenter, randomized trial of eribulin plus gemcitabine (EG) vs. paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (PG) in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer as first-line chemotherapy

Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is an incurable disease and is needed to improve effective chemotherapy. Paclitaxel plus Gemcitabine (PG) combination chemotherapy is one of the preferred chemotherapeutic regimens for patients with MBC, and was found to be proper as a maintenance chemotherapy regimen with survival benefit and feasible toxicity profile. Eribulin mesylate is a non-taxane inhibitor of microtubule dynamics of the halichondrin class of antineoplastic drugs. A recent pooled analysis of two phase II studies with eribulin showed improved overall survival in in various patient subgroups with advanced/metastatic breast cancer who had previously received an anthracycline and a taxane. Furthermore, eribulin may have rational benefit compared with paclitaxel in terms of neurotoxicity. Therefore, Eribulin plus Gemcitabine (EG) combination chemotherapy may have less neurotoxocity comparing to PG.

Trial Design: Prospective randomized phase 2, open-label, two-arm, multi-center study comparing EG chemotherapy with PG chemotherapy for patients with HER-2 negative MBC as first-line chemotherapy.

Eligibility Criteria: Histologically confirmed breast cancer patients, at least 19 years of age, with no prior history of chemotherapy for metastatic, recurrent breast cancer with evaluable lesions (as per RECIST, 1.1) who have adequate hematologic, renal, and hepatic function. Patients either may or may not have a prior anthracycline containing regimen. Prior hormonal therapy as a treatment of metastatic disease is allowed.

Specific Aims:

The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial is Progression-Free Survival (PFS). The secondary efficacy endpoints are: Time to Treatment Failure (TTF); Overall Survival (OS); neuropathic scale (FACT for Taxane QOL assessment); toxicity; duration of response; Objective Response Rate (ORR); Clinical Benefit Rate. The exploratory endpoint of the study includes pharmacogenetic profile.

Statistical Methods:

The initial sample size of the present study was determined based on the data derived from a previous trial on PG maintenance chemotherapy design; 6-month PFS is 70% for PG chemotherapy. This design was hypothesized that EG chemotherapy would not be inferior to PG chemotherapy. Thus, estimated PFS for each arm is 70%. Based on this estimate, we would plan to recruit a total of 100 patients (50 per arm). Considering drop-out rate of 10%, total 112 MBC patients planned to be enrolled.

Present Accrual and Target Accrual:Enrollment has been completed as of March, 2016 with a target enrollment of 112 patients.

Contact information:Kyung Hae Jung MD, Ph.D. khjung@amc.seoul.kr

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02263495.

Citation Format: Park YH, Im S-A, Sohn JH, Lee KS, Chae YS, Lee KH, Kim J-H, Im Y-H, Ahn JS, Kim T-Y, Lee K-H, Kim S-B, Ahn J-H, Kim GM, Park IH, Lee SJ, Han HS, Kim SH, Jung KH. A phase II, multicenter, randomized trial of eribulin plus gemcitabine (EG) vs. paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (PG) in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer as first-line chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-01-12.

The prevalence and impact of sarcopenia on degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and to examine its impact on patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This case-control study included two groups: one group consisting of patients with DLSS and a second group of control subjects without low back or neck pain and related leg pain. Five control cases were randomly selected and matched by age and gender (n = 77 cases and n = 385 controls) for each DLSS case. Appendicular muscle mass, hand-grip strength, sit-to-stand test, timed up and go (TUG) test, and clinical outcomes, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and the EuroQol EQ-5D were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The prevalence of sarcopenia, as defined by hand-grip strength, was significantly higher in the DLSS group (24%) when compared with the age- and gender-matched control group (12%) (p = 0.004). In the DLSS group, the sarcopenia subgroup demonstrated inferior results for the TUG test and ODI scores when compared with the non-sarcopenia subgroup (p = 0.006 and p = 0.039, respectively) after adjusting for age and gender.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a higher prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with DLSS and highlighted its negative effect on clinical outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1093-8.

Observation of D^{0}→ρ^{0}γ and Search for CP Violation in Radiative Charm Decays

We report the first observation of the radiative charm decay D^{0}→ρ^{0}γ and the first search for CP violation in decays D^{0}→ρ^{0}γ, ϕγ, and K[over ¯]^{*0}(892)γ, using a data sample of 943  fb^{-1} collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The branching fraction is measured to be B(D^{0}→ρ^{0}γ)=(1.77±0.30±0.07)×10^{-5}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The obtained CP asymmetries A_{CP}(D^{0}→ρ^{0}γ)=+0.056±0.152±0.006, A_{CP}(D^{0}→ϕγ)=-0.094±0.066±0.001, and A_{CP}(D^{0}→K[over ¯]^{*0}γ)=-0.003±0.020±0.000 are consistent with no CP violation. We also present an improved measurement of the branching fractions B(D^{0}→ϕγ)=(2.76±0.19±0.10)×10^{-5} and B(D^{0}→K[over ¯]^{*0}γ)=(4.66±0.21±0.21)×10^{-4}.

The supercoiling state of DNA determines the handedness of both H3 and CENP-A nucleosomes

Nucleosomes form the unit structure of the genome in eukaryotes, thereby constituting a fundamental tenet of chromatin biology. In canonical nucleosomes, DNA wraps around the histone octamer in a left-handed toroidal ramp. Here, in single-molecule magnetic tweezers studies of chaperone-assisted nucleosome assembly, we show that the handedness of the DNA wrapping around the nucleosome core is intrinsically ambidextrous, and depends on the pre-assembly supercoiling state of the DNA, i.e., it is not uniquely determined by the octameric histone core. Nucleosomes assembled onto negatively supercoiled DNA are found to exhibit a left-handed conformation, whereas assembly onto positively supercoiled DNA results in right-handed nucleosomes. This intrinsic flexibility to adopt both chiralities is observed both for canonical H3 nucleosomes, and for centromere-specific variant CENP-A nucleosomes. These data support recent advances suggesting an intrinsic adaptability of the nucleosome, and provide insights into how nucleosomes might rapidly re-assemble after cellular processes that generate positive supercoiling in vivo.

Epigenetic alterations of the BDNF gene in combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder

OBJECTIVE

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in modulating resilience and vulnerability to stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether epigenetic regulation of the BDNF gene is a biomarker of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development among veterans exposed to combat in the Vietnam War.

METHODS

Using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, combat veterans were grouped into those with (n = 126) and without (n = 122) PTSD. DNA methylation levels at four CpG sites within the BDNF promoter I region were quantified in the peripheral blood using pyrosequencing. The effects of BDNF DNA methylation levels and clinical variables on the diagnosis of PTSD were tested using binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Subjects with PTSD showed a higher DNA methylation of four CpG sites at the BDNF promoter compared with those without PTSD. High methylation levels at the BDNF promoter CpG site, high combat exposure, and alcohol problems were significantly associated with PTSD diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated an association between higher DNA methylation of the BDNF promoter and PTSD diagnosis in combat-exposed individuals. Our findings suggest that altered BDNF methylation may be a valuable biomarker of PTSD after trauma exposure.

Extra-nuclear effects of estrogen on cortical bone in males require ERαAF-1

Estradiol (E2) signaling via estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is important for the male skeleton as demonstrated by ERα inactivation in both mice and man. ERα mediates estrogenic effects not only by translocating to the nucleus and affecting gene transcription but also by extra-nuclear actions e.g., triggering cytoplasmic signaling cascades. ERα contains various domains, and the role of activation function 1 (ERαAF-1) is known to be tissue specific. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of extra-nuclear estrogen effects for the skeleton in males and to determine the role of ERαAF-1 for mediating these effects. Five-month-old male wild-type (WT) and ERαAF-1-inactivated (ERαAF-1⁰) mice were orchidectomized and treated with equimolar doses of 17β-estradiol (E2) or an estrogen dendrimer conjugate (EDC), which is incapable of entering the nucleus and thereby only initiates extra-nuclear ER actions or their corresponding vehicles for 3.5 weeks. As expected, E2 treatment increased cortical thickness and trabecular bone volume per total volume (BV/TV) in WT males. EDC treatment increased cortical thickness in WT males, whereas no effect was detected in trabecular bone. In ERαAF-1⁰ males, E2 treatment increased cortical thickness, but did not affect trabecular bone. Interestingly, the effect of EDC on cortical bone was abolished in ERαAF-1⁰ mice. In conclusion, extra-nuclear estrogen signaling affects cortical bone mass in males, and this effect is dependent on a functional ERαAF-1. Increased knowledge regarding estrogen signaling mechanisms in the regulation of the male skeleton may aid the development of new treatment options for male osteoporosis.

Association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index

BACKGROUND

Although many factors have been found to be involved in recovery from Bell's palsy, no study has investigated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and obesity. This study therefore evaluated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

Subjects were classified into five groups based on BMI (kg/m² ). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared among these groups. Assessed factors included sex, age, time from paralysis to visiting a hospital, the presence of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, degree of initial facial nerve paralysis by House-Brackmann (H-B) grade and neurophysiological testing, and final recovery rate.

RESULTS

Based on BMI, 37 subjects were classified as underweight, 169 as normal weight, 140 as overweight, 155 as obese and 42 as severely obese. Classification of the degree of initial facial nerve paralysis as moderate or severe, according to H-B grade and electroneurography, showed no difference in severity of initial facial paralysis among the five groups (P > 0.05). However, the final recovery rate was significantly higher in the normal weight than in the underweight or obese group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity or underweight had no effect on the severity of initial facial paralysis, but the final recovery rate was lower in the obese and underweight groups than in the normal group.

Search for triboson [Formula: see text] production in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] with the ATLAS detector

This paper reports a search for triboson [Formula: see text] production in two decay channels ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]) in proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 [Formula: see text] at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 [Formula: see text] with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events with exactly three charged leptons, or two leptons with the same electric charge in association with two jets, are selected. The total number of events observed in data is consistent with the Standard Model (SM) predictions. The observed 95% confidence level upper limit on the SM [Formula: see text] production cross section is found to be 730 fb with an expected limit of 560 fb in the absence of SM [Formula: see text] production. Limits are also set on WWWW anomalous quartic gauge couplings.

Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of rice dwarf mutants induced by gamma irradiation

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a powerful tool used to analyze changes in copy number, polymorphisms, and structural variations in the genome. Gene copy number variation (CNV) is a common form of natural diversity in the genome, which can create new genes and alter gene structure. Thus, CNVs may influence phenotypic variation and gene expression. In this study, to detect CNVs, we irradiated rice seeds with gamma rays (300 Gy) and selected two dwarf mutagenized plants, GA-III-189 and -1052, in the M₃ generation. These plants were subjected to CGH analysis using Agilent's RICE CGH array. Most of the CNVs identified were less than 10 kb in length. We detected 90 amplified and 18 deleted regions in GA-III-189, and 99 amplified and 11 deleted regions in GA-III-1052. Of note, CNVs were located on chromosome 12 in both GA-III-189 and -1052, which contained 39 commonly amplified regions in 29 genes. The commonly amplified genes included six genes encoding F-box domain-containing proteins. Alterations in these F-box domain-containing genes were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. Integration of CGH and gene expression data identified copy number aberrations and novel genes potentially involved in the dwarf phenotype. These CGH and gene expression data may be useful for uncovering the mechanisms underlying the dwarf phenotype.

A New Chemical Compound, NecroX-7, Acts as a Necrosis Modulator by Inhibiting High-Mobility Group Box 1 Protein Release During Massive Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

BACKGROUND

Necrotic cell death is common in a wide variety of pathologic conditions, including ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The aim of this study was to develop an IR injury-induced hepatic necrosis model in dogs by means of selective left hepatic inflow occlusion and to test the efficacy of a new chemical compound, NecroX-7, against the IR injury-induced hepatic damage.

METHODS

A group of male Beagle dogs received intravenous infusions of either vehicle or different doses of NecroX-7 (1.5, 4.5, or 13 mg/kg) for a 20-minute period before a 90-minute left hepatic inflow occlusion followed by reperfusion.

RESULTS

The gross morphology in the NecroX-7-treated groups after occlusion appeared to be less congested and less swollen than that in vehicle-treated control group. Circulating alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels in the control group were elevated during the course of IR, and were effectively blocked in the 4.5 and 13 mg/kg NecroX-7-treated groups. The serum levels of high-mobility group box 1 protein showed a peak at 8 hours after occlusion in control group, and this elevation was significantly blunted by 4.5 mg/kg NecroX-7 treatment. Histologic analysis showed a marked ischemia or IR injury-induced hepatocytic degenerations, sinusoidal and portal vein congestions, and inflammatory cell infiltrations in the control group, whereas the treatment groups showed significantly diminished histopathology in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that NecroX-7 attenuated the hepatocyte lethality caused by hepatic IR injury in a large animal setting. We conclude that NecroX-7 may provide a wide variety of therapeutic options for IR injury in human patients.

Raw ready-to-eat seafood safety: microbiological quality of the various seafood species available in fishery, hyper and online markets

Microbiological quality of 206 raw ready-to-eat seafood samples was investigated according to species (gizzard shad, halibut, rockfish, tuna, oyster and squid) and distribution channels (fishery, hyper and online market). Enumeration of aerobic plate count and total coliforms (TC) and pathogenic bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus) was performed, and level of microbiological quality was classified into four groups: satisfactory, acceptable, unsatisfactory and unacceptable. Qualitative analysis was also performed for Escherichia coli and eight foodborne pathogens (B. cereus, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., S. aureus, Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus). Raw ready-to-eat seafood products revealed 0·5% at an unsatisfactory level and 4·9% at an unacceptable level due to ≥4 log CFU g^-1 of TC in squid and ≥3 log CFU g^-1 of V. parahaemolyticus in gizzard shad respectively. Gizzard shad was shown to be potentially hazardous, as its sashimi is eaten with its skin attached. Bacillus cereus, E. coli, S. aureus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus were qualitatively detected. Samples from the fishery market showed higher detection rate especially in V. parahaemolyticus (21·6%) and V. vulnificus (1·7%) which indicates the need to improve microbiological safety of raw ready-to-eat seafood products in fishery market.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Raw ready-to-eat seafood products like sashimi can be easily contaminated with various bacteria from aquatic environments and human reservoirs, which subsequently bring about a risk in food poisoning due to no heating process before consumption. The results of this study provide comprehensive microbiological data on various species of raw ready-to-eat seafood from various distribution channels. It may contribute to establish reasonable standard and effective strategies to ensure a good microbiological quality of raw ready-to-eat seafood for the safety of meals, like sashimi and sushi.

Effects of stock density on the laying performance, blood parameter, corticosterone, litter quality, gas emission and bone mineral density of laying hens in floor pens

The effects of stocking density on the performance, egg quality, leukocyte concentration, blood biochemistry, corticosterone levels, bone mineral density, and noxious gas emission of laying hens were investigated. Eight hundred 34-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments, each of which was replicated 4 times. Four stocking densities, including 5, 6, 7, and 10 birds/m2, were compared. A commercial-type basal diet was formulated to meet or exceed nutrient recommendations for laying hens from the National Research Council. The diet was fed to the hens ad libitum for 8 wk. Results indicated that hen-day egg production, egg mass, and feed intake were less for (P < 0.01) 10 birds/m2 stock density than other stock densities. Production rate of floor and broken eggs and eggshell strength were greater (P < 0.01) for 10 birds/m2 stock density than other stock densities. There were no significant differences in the level of leukocytes among densities. However, heterophils and the H/L ratio were greater (P < 0.01) for 10 birds/m2 than in stock density of 6 or 7 birds/m2 Serum corticosterone was greater (P < 0.01) 10 birds/m2 than stock density than other stock densities. Litter moisture and gas emission (CO2 and NH3) were greater (P < 0.01) for 10 birds/m2 than stock density than 6 and 7 birds/m2 stock density. Bone mineral content was not influenced by increasing stock density. However, bone mineral density was less (P < 0.05) for 10 m2 stock density than other stock densities. These results indicate that increasing the density beyond 5 birds/m2 elicits some negative effects on laying performance of Hy-Line brown laying hens.

Randomized clinical trial of preoperative skin antisepsis with chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone–iodine

Background

Skin antiseptic agents are used to prevent surgical-site infection (SSI); few trials have reported the superiority of any specific agent in clean-contaminated abdominal surgery. This RCT was designed to compare the effectiveness of chlorhexidine gluconate and povidone–iodine.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent clean-contaminated upper gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary–pancreatic open surgery between 2011 and 2014 were assigned randomly to either chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone–iodine. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of SSI within 30 days of surgery. Secondary endpoints included causative organisms and risk factors for SSI.

Results

A total of 534 patients were randomized; 31 (5·8 per cent) developed an SSI. There was no difference in the overall SSI rate in the chlorhexidine gluconate and povidone–iodine groups: 15 of 267 (5·6 per cent) and 16 of 267 (6·0 per cent) respectively (P = 0·853). The most common causative organism was Enterococcus faecalis. In subgroup analysis, biliary–pancreatic surgery had a higher SSI rate (26 of 127, 20·5 per cent) than upper gastrointestinal (2 of 204, 1·0 per cent) and hepatic (3 of 203, 1·5 per cent) resection. Both age (60 years and over) and type of incision were associated with the risk of SSI.

Conclusion

No difference was detected between chlorhexidine gluconate and povidone–iodine antiseptics for prevention of SSI. Registration number: NCT01495117 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).