Not all nitrogen atoms are equal: contribution of peripheral versus internal amines to the observed reactivity and capture properties of melamine dendrons on SBA-15

The role of different nitrogen atoms in melamine dendrons tethered to SBA-15 is elucidated. For the nitroaldol (Henry) reaction all nitrogen atoms of the capping group participate in the reaction. For metal binding, uptake correlates with the diamine content indicating interior amines are accessible. Carbon dioxide uptake properties are dictated by the presence of the peripheral amines with little interior contribution. The results show that different nitrogen atoms contribute to different processes including catalysis, metal sequestration, and gas separations.

Validity, reliability, and responsiveness to change of the "Osteoporosis and You" knowledge scale

We studied the Osteoporosis and You knowledge scale in 7749 participants enrolled in a clinical trial. Results confirmed its psychometric properties in a diverse audience. Baseline scores were associated with better recall of bone mineral density test results at follow-up; however, the scale was not responsive to knowledge change.

INTRODUCTION

The goal of this study was to confirm the measurement properties of the Osteoporosis and You (O&Y) knowledge scale using classic test theory methods in the 7749 men and women participating in the Patient Activation After DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) randomized controlled trial. We hypothesized a simple factor structure that would reflect the four-factor model previously published.

METHODS

We conducted psychometric analyses which included item analysis, internal consistency reliability, construct validity using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA), comparing knowledge levels across pre-specified groups, and responsiveness to change.

RESULTS

PAADRN participants were predominantly college educated, White females with low bone density, and a moderate level of 10-year fracture risk. EFA revealed four domains closely matching those in two previous reports. While overall scale reliability was minimally acceptable at 0.68, the reliabilities of the domain subscales were unacceptably low (0.59, 0.64, 0.45, and 0.36 for the Biological, Lifestyle, Consequences, and Prevention and Treatment subscales). CFA revealed the data fit the hypothesized model reasonably well with the items loading on their expected latent variable. The scale was not responsive to change, but although not significant, improved knowledge indicated better DXA result recall at 12 and 52 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

In the PAADRN population, the O&Y knowledge scale had psychometric properties similar to those previously reported. Over 12 and 52 weeks, participants did not demonstrate significant changes in knowledge, but those with higher knowledge at baseline were more likely to accurately recall their baseline DXA result.

The cost of a patient activation intervention for achieving successful outcomes: results from the PAADRN randomized controlled trial

In a large, pragmatic clinical trial, we calculated the costs of achieving four successful patient-centered outcomes using a tailored patient activation DXA result letter accompanied by a bone health brochure. The cost to achieve one successful outcome (e.g., a 0.5 standard deviation improvement in care satisfaction) ranged from $127.41 to $222.75.

INTRODUCTION

Pragmatic randomized controlled trials (RCTs) should focus on patient-centered outcomes and report the costs for achieving those outcomes. We calculated per person incremental intervention costs, the number-needed-to-treat (NNT), and incremental per patient costs (cost per NNT) for four patient-centered outcomes in a direct-to-patient bone healthcare intervention.

METHODS

The Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) pragmatic RCT enrolled 7749 patients presenting for DXA at three health centers between February 2012 and August 2014. Interviews occurred at baseline and 52 weeks post-DXA. Intervention subjects received an individually tailored DXA result letter accompanied by an educational bone health brochure 4 weeks post-DXA, while the usual care subjects did not. Outcomes focused on patients (a) correctly identifying their results, (b) contacting their providers, (c) discussing their results with their providers, and (d) satisfaction with their bone healthcare. NNTs were determined using intention-to-treat linear probability models, per person incremental intervention costs were calculated, and costs per NNT were computed.

RESULTS

Mean age was 66.6 years old, 83.8% were women, and 75.3% were non-Hispanic whites. The incremental per patient cost (costs per NNT) to increase the ability of a patient to (a) correctly identify their DXA result was $171.07; (b) contact their provider about their DXA result was $222.75; (c) discuss their DXA result with their provider was $193.55; and (d) achieve a 0.5 SD improvement in satisfaction with their bone healthcare was $127.41.

CONCLUSION

An individually tailored DXA result letter accompanied by an educational brochure can improve four patient-centered outcomes at a modest cost.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01507662.

The effects of a patient activation intervention on smoking and excessive drinking cessations: results from the PAADRN randomized controlled trial

Patients may exhibit risky bone health behaviors. In a large pragmatic clinical trial, we tested whether a tailored patient activation DXA result letter accompanied by a bone health brochure led to smoking and excessive drinking cessations. The intervention did not, however, alter these risky bone health behaviors.

INTRODUCTION

Besides dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) screening and pharmacotherapy when indicated, beneficial bone health behaviors including proper calcium and vitamin D intake and weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise should be encouraged. Similarly, risky bone health behaviors like smoking and excessive drinking should be discouraged. We examined whether a direct-to-patient activation intervention led to smoking and excessive drinking cessations.

METHODS

The Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) pragmatic clinical trial enrolled 7749 patients between February 2012 and August 2014. Interviews occurred at baseline and 12 and 52 weeks later. Intervention subjects were mailed an individually tailored DXA results letter accompanied by a bone health educational brochure 4 weeks post-DXA. Usual care subjects were not sent these materials. Smoking and excessive drinking were assessed by self-report at each interview. Intention-to-treat linear probability models were used.

RESULTS

Mean age was 66.6 years, 83.8% were women, and 75.3% were Non-Hispanic-Whites. Smoking was reported at baseline by 7.6% of the intervention group vs. 7.7% of the usual care group (p = 0.873). Excessive drinking was reported at baseline by 6.5% of the intervention group vs. 6.5% of the usual care group (p = 0.968). Intention-to-treat analyses indicated no significant differences between the intervention vs. usual care groups at either 12 or 52 weeks post-DXA (all p values ≥ 0.346).

CONCLUSION

An individually tailored DXA result letter accompanied by an educational brochure did not lead to smoking or excessive drinking cessations in patients who received DXA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01507662.

Interleukin33 deficiency causes tau abnormality and neurodegeneration with Alzheimer-like symptoms in aged mice

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.142.

The interactome of metabolic enzyme carbonic anhydrase IX reveals novel roles in tumor cell migration and invadopodia/MMP14-mediated invasion

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a hypoxia inducible factor 1-induced, cell surface pH regulating enzyme with an established role in tumor progression and clinical outcome. However, the molecular basis of CAIX-mediated tumor progression remains unclear. Here, we have utilized proximity dependent biotinylation (BioID) to map the CAIX ‘interactome’ in breast cancer cells in order to identify physiologically relevant CAIX-associating proteins with potential roles in tumor progression. High confidence proteins identified include metabolic transporters, β1 integrins, integrin-associated protein CD98hc and matrix metalloprotease 14 (MMP14). Biochemical studies validate the association of CAIX with α2β1 integrin, CD98hc and MMP14, and immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrates colocalization of CAIX with α2β1 integrin and MMP14 in F-actin/cofilin-positive lamellipodia/pseudopodia, and with MMP14 to cortactin/Tks5-positive invadopodia. Modulation of CAIX expression and activity results in significant changes in cell migration, collagen degradation and invasion. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that CAIX associates with MMP14 through potential phosphorylation residues within its intracellular domain, and that CAIX enhances MMP14-mediated collagen degradation by directly contributing hydrogen ions required for MMP14 catalytic activity. These findings establish hypoxia-induced CAIX as a novel metabolic component of cellular migration and invasion structures, and provide new mechanistic insights into its role in tumor cell biology.

Patient-activation and guideline-concordant pharmacological treatment after bone density testing: the PAADRN randomized controlled trial

Patients often do not know or understand their bone density test results, and pharmacological treatment rates are low. In a clinical trial of 7749 patients, we used a tailored patient-activation result letter accompanied by a bone health brochure to improve appropriate pharmacological treatment. Treatment rates, however, did not improve.

INTRODUCTION

Patients often do not know or understand their dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test results, which may lead to suboptimal care. We tested whether usual care augmented by a tailored patient-activation DXA result letter accompanied by an educational brochure would improve guideline-concordant pharmacological treatment compared to usual care only.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blinded, pragmatic clinical trial at three health care centers in the USA. We randomized 7749 patients ≥50 years old and presenting for DXA between February 2012 and August 2014. The primary clinical endpoint at 12 and 52 weeks post-DXA was receiving guideline-concordant pharmacological treatment. We also examined four of the steps along the pathway from DXA testing to that clinical endpoint, including (1) receiving and (2) understanding their DXA results and (3) having subsequent contact with their provider and (4) discussing their results and options.

RESULTS

Mean age was 66.6 years, 83.8 % were women, and 75.3 % were non-Hispanic whites. Intention-to-treat analyses revealed that guideline-concordant pharmacological treatment was not improved at either 12 weeks (65.1 vs. 64.3 %, p = 0.506) or 52 weeks (65.2 vs. 63.8 %, p = 0.250) post-DXA, even though patients in the intervention group were more likely (all p < 0.001) to recall receiving their DXA results letter at 12 weeks, correctly identify their results at 12 and 52 weeks, have contact with their provider at 52 weeks, and have discussed their results with their provider at 12 and 52 weeks.

CONCLUSION

A tailored DXA result letter and educational brochure failed to improve guideline-concordant care in patients who received DXA.

Predictors of bone mineral density testing among older women on Medicare

Although dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is recommended for all women ≥65 and is covered by Medicare, 40 % of women on Medicare report never having had a DXA. In a longitudinal cohort of 3492 women followed for two decades, we identified several risk factors that should be targeted to improve DXA testing rates.

INTRODUCTION

DXA is used to measure bone mineral density, screen for osteoporosis, and assess fracture risk. DXA is recommended for all women ≥65 years old. Although Medicare covers DXA every 24 months for women, about 40 % report never having had a DXA test, and little is known from prospective cohort studies about which subgroups of women have low use rates and should be targeted for interventions. Our objective was to identify predictors of DXA use in a nationally representative cohort of women on Medicare.

METHODS

We used baseline and biennial follow-up survey data (1993-2012) for 3492 women ≥70 years old from the nationally representative closed cohort known as the Survey on Assets and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old (AHEAD). The survey data for these women were then linked to their Medicare claims (1991-2012), yielding 17,345 person years of observation. DXA tests were identified from the Medicare claims, and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used with both fixed and time-dependent predictors from the survey interviews including demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, health status, health habits, and the living environment.

RESULTS

DXA use was positively associated with being Hispanic American, better cognition, higher income, having arthritis, using other preventative services, and living in Florida or other southern states. DXA use was negatively associated with age, being African-American, being overweight or obese, having mobility limitations, and smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to increase DXA use should target the characteristics that were observed here to be negatively associated with such screening.

Rare Variants in LAMA5 Gene associated with FLT4 and FOXC2 Mutations in Primary Lymphedema May Contribute to Severity

Mutations in the Fms-related tyrosine kinase 4 (FLT4) and forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) genes cause Milroy disease (MD) and lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome (LDS), respectively, but the mechanism underlying disease pathology remains unclear. Applying whole-exome sequencing to two families with MD, one LDS family, and one sporadic LDS case, we identified four rare variants in the laminin subunit alpha-5 gene (LAMA5) in subjects carrying novel and known missense FLT4 mutations and a 7-bp duplication and 1-bp insertion in FOXC2. Phenotyping was expanded in some individuals using magnetic resonance lymphangiography, indiocyanine green fluorescence lymphography, and immunofluorescent lymphatic staining of skin tissue. Skin lymphatic staining showed the existence of dermal lymphatic vasculature in the MD case. Significant lymphatic dysfunction was observed in both MD and LDS patients. In the MD patient, tortuous lymphatics in the dorsum of the foot were slowly enhanced on indocyanine green fluorescent lymphography (ICG) imaging. Dilated lymph collectors with disruption and lymph leakage were observed in the familial LDS case on magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL). Numerous tortuous lymph collectors were visualized along the entire length of affected lower limbs on MRL imaging, and retrograde lymph flow was observed in the lymph collectors during ICG lymphography in the isolated LDS case. The finding of rare LAMA5 variants together with FLT4 and FOXC2 mutations suggests that these mutations may be co-responsible for these disorders and most likely interfere with the function of lymphatics. Further, larger studies are needed to confirm these results.

A Novel Micro Wall Slip Model Based on Chain Length and Temperature

A micro chain length and temperature (MCLT) wall slip model of polymer was developed on the basis of chain length and temperature. The effectiveness and accuracy of the MCLT slip model were verified through a micro-square-column filling rate experiment for Polypropylene (PP) material and a micro-square-column pressure difference experiment for Polystyrene (PS) material. The difference between the simulated data of the MCLT slip model and the experimental data decreased with decreasing feature size. The accuracy of the MCLT slip model was enhanced by decreasing the feature size. When the feature size was decreased to 200 μm, the maximum deviation between the simulated filling rate by the MCLT slip model and the experimental result was 8.67 %. Moreover, under different shearing rates, the simulated pressure drop by the MCLT slip model was closer to the experimental result than that by the conventional slip model. The micro-scale flow characteristics of the melt were also explored using the MCLT slip model. Melt flow velocity decreased from the center of the micro-channel to the wall, and the wall slip phenomenon was beneficial to the melt flow.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorβ/δ activation is essential for modulating p-Foxo1/Foxo1 status in functional insulin-positive cell differentiation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) participate in energy homeostasis and play essential roles in diabetes therapy through their effects on non-pancreas tissues. Pathological microenvironment may influence the metabolic requirements for the maintenance of stem cell differentiation. Accordingly, understanding the mechanisms of PPARs on pancreatic β-cell differentiation may be helpful to find the underlying targets of disrupted energy homeostasis under the pancreatic disease condition. PPARs are involved in stem cell differentiation via mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, but the subtype member activation and the downstream regulation in functional insulin-positive (INS⁺) cell differentiation remain unclear. Here, we show a novel role of PPARβ/δ activation in determining INS⁺ cell differentiation and functional maturation. We found PPARβ/δ expression selectively upregulated in mouse embryonic pancreases or stem cells-derived INS⁺ cells at the pancreatic mature stage in vivo and in vitro. Strikingly, given the inefficiency of generating INS⁺ cells in vitro, PPARβ/δ activation displayed increasing mouse and human ES cell-derived INS⁺ cell numbers and insulin secretion. This phenomenon was closely associated with the forkhead box protein O1 (Foxo1) nuclear shuttling, which was dependent on PPARβ/δ downstream PI3K/Akt signaling transduction. The present study reveals the essential role of PPARβ/δ activation on p-Foxo1/Foxo1 status, and in turn, determining INS⁺ cell generation and insulin secretion via affecting pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 expression. The results demonstrate the underlying mechanism by which PPARβ/δ activation promotes functional INS⁺ cell differentiation. It also provides potential targets for anti-diabetes drug discovery and hopeful clinical applications in human cell therapy.