Response monitoring in math-anxious individuals in an arithmetic task

We examine whether math anxiety is related to altered response monitoring in an arithmetic task. Response-locked event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were evaluated in 23 highly (HMA) and 23 low math-anxious (LMA) individuals while they performed an arithmetic verification task. We focused on two widely studied ERPs elicited during error processing: error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe). Correct-related negativity (CRN), an ERP elicited after a correct response, was also studied. The expected ERN following errors was found, but groups did not differ in its amplitude. Importantly, LMA individuals showed less negative CRN and more positive Pe amplitudes than their more anxious peers, suggesting more certainty regarding response accuracy and better adaptive behavioral adjustment after committing errors in an arithmetic task in the LMA group. The worse control over response performance and less awareness of correct responses in the HMA group might reduce their ability to 'learn from errors'.

Analysis of the correlation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk of colorectal neoplasms

This study aims at assessing the potential association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and colorectal neoplasms (CRN). PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for cohort studies. 14 cohort studies with a total population of 38,761,773 were included for meta-analysis after selection. The results showed that NAFLD is related to an increased risk of CRN (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.14-1.32; I2 = 70.7%, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, NAFLD were found to be the independent risk factor of colorectal adenoma (CRA) (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.15-1.45; I2 = 66.4%) and colorectal cancer (CRC) (OR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.12-1.15; I2 = 69.4%). There is no close correlation between smoking status of NAFLD patients and CRN. Interestingly, bioinformatics analysis revealed that there were overlap of dysregulated gene sets among NAFLD, CRC, and two recently identified regulated cell death types, ferroptosis and cuproptosis, respectively. Our meta- and bioinformatics analysis shows that NAFLD increases the risk of CRN. Ferroptosis and cuproptosis may be the critical links between NAFLD and CRN, respectively. These findings here support that NAFLD is necessary to be considered as an emerging risk factor for CRN.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings of Iris Ischemia and Reperfusion in Cytomegalovirus Panuveitis

PURPOSE

To report a case of iris ischemia in an eye affected by Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-related Chronic Retinal Necrosis (CRN) with partial reperfusion after antiviral therapy demonstrated by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

METHODS

Retrospective case report. Multimodal imaging was performed at each follow-up visits.

RESULTS

At baseline, the clinical findings and PCR on aqueous confirmed the diagnosis of CMV-induced CRN, while OCTA and Fluorescein Angiography showed multi-sectoral retinal and iris non-perfusion. After three weekly intravitreal injections of Foscarnet and retinal photocoagulation, the clinical and angiographic picture improved, with partial reperfusion of both retinal and iris vasculature.

CONCLUSION

Retinal and iris non-perfusion in CRN can be partially reversible, if prompt treatment is administered. OCTA of the anterior segment allowed an accurate follow-up of the iris vasculature and its perfusion.

Using event-related potentials to characterize inhibitory control and self-monitoring across impulsive and compulsive phenotypes: a dimensional approach to OCD

OBJECTIVE

"Subsyndromal" obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms (OCDSs) are common and cause impaired psychosocial functioning. OCDSs are better captured by dimensional models of psychopathology, as opposed to categorical diagnoses. However, such dimensional approaches require a deep understanding of the underlying neurocognitive drivers and impulsive and compulsive traits (ie, neurocognitive phenotypes) across symptoms. This study investigated inhibitory control and self-monitoring across impulsivity, compulsivity, and their interaction in individuals (n = 40) experiencing mild-moderate OCDSs.

METHODS

EEG recording concurrent with the stop-signal task was used to elicit event-related potentials (ERPs) indexing inhibitory control (ie, N2 and P3) and self-monitoring (ie, error-related negativity and correct-related negativity (CRN): negativity following erroneous or correct responses, respectively).

RESULTS

During unsuccessful stopping, individuals high in both impulsivity and compulsivity displayed enhanced N2 amplitude, indicative of conflict between the urge to respond and need to stop (F(3, 33) = 1.48, P < .05, 95% Cl [-0.01, 0.001]). Individuals high in compulsivity and low in impulsivity showed reduced P3 amplitude, consistent with impairments in monitoring failed inhibitory control (F(3, 24) = 2.033, P < .05, 95% CI [-0.002, 0.045]). Following successful stopping, high compulsivity (independent of impulsivity) was associated with lower CRN amplitude, reflecting hypo-monitoring of correct responses (F(4, 32) = 4.76, P < .05, 95% CI [0.01, 0.02]), and with greater OCDS severity (F(3, 36) = 3.32, P < .05, 95% CI [0.03, 0.19]).

CONCLUSION

The current findings provide evidence for differential, ERP-indexed inhibitory control and self-monitoring profiles across impulsive and compulsive phenotypes in OCDSs.

Cognitive control is quickly adapted to actual task requirements despite misleading context cues-Evidence from the N2, CRN, and ERN

Cognitive control is flexibly adapted to task requirements in healthy individuals. Medio-frontal negativities in the event-related potential of the electroencephalogram can serve as indicators of cognitive control. With increasing conflict frequency, stimulus-locked control, as indexed by the N2, is increased and response-locked control, as indexed by the correct-related negativity, is reduced. On the behavioral level, this shift is associated with improved conflict resolution as evident in reduced response times and error rates in incompatible trials and a reduced response time congruency effect. Cognitive control adaptation might be implemented through experience-based task sets specifying advantageous processing strategies. Here, we investigated whether the cognitive control task set will be sustained when coupled with a contextual cue, even when the initial task requirements are no longer present. A flanker task with two conflict frequency conditions (25% incompatible and 75% incompatible trials) was presented. In the training phase, the conflict frequency conditions were paired with a distinct context cue (i.e., background color). In the test phase, the previously associated cues were again presented, but conflict frequency was identical in both conditions (50% incompatible trials). Although typical cognitive control adaptation was observed in the training phase on the behavioral and event-related potentials level, this pattern was not sustained in the test phase. Thus, the present study provides further evidence that cognitive control is flexibly adapted to task requirements even in the presence of misleading cues.

EEG correlates of attentional control in anxiety disorders: A systematic review of error-related negativity and correct-response negativity findings

BACKGROUND

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and cause substantial personal, social and economic burden. Altered attentional control has been shown to be present across anxiety disorders and is associated with specific changes in brain activity which can be recorded by electroencephalogram (EEG). These include changes in the EEG markers of error-related negativity (ERN) and correct-response negativity (CRN), both believed to reflect response monitoring and attentional control pathophysiology in anxiety. The aim of this review was to systematically assess the research on ERN and CRN in attentional control in individuals with clinical anxiety and healthy controls, across emotional and non-emotional attentional control.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted for studies published prior to October 22^nd, 2020. Details of the protocol for this systematic review were registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019144885).

RESULTS

66 studies had their data extracted. All 66 studies measured ERN, with 85% finding significantly increased ERN amplitudes associated with clinical anxiety. Only 44 of the extracted studies analysed CRN and only ~20% of these found significant changes in CRN amplitude associated with individuals with clinical anxiety.

LIMITATIONS

There were several anxiety disorders that had either limited literature (i.e. specific phobia, separation anxiety disorder or agoraphobia) or nil literature (i.e. selective mutism) available. No extracted studies included samples of older adults (i.e. aged 60+ years), and only six extracted studies included measures of emotional attentional control.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate the promising utility of ERN of attentional control as a robust, transdiagnostic trait marker of clinical anxiety.

Neurocognitive efficiency in breast cancer survivorship: A performance monitoring ERP study

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can lead to longer term cognitive and emotional vulnerability, making the ability to efficiently adapt to setbacks critical. Whilst cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCI) are often reported amongst breast cancer survivors, investigation into the capacity to efficiently process errors is limited. The present study investigated the neurocognitive correlates of cognitive-control related performance monitoring, an important function influencing behavioural adjustment to mistakes. 62 participants (30 Breast Cancer Survivors, 32 Non-Cancer) completed a modified flanker task designed to challenge response inhibition as we measured neurocognitive indices of performance monitoring (ERN, the error-related negativity; CRN, the correct-response negativity; Pe, the error positivity). Findings indicated a blunted CRN and larger ∆ERN in the breast cancer survivors compared to the non-cancer group, in the absence of performance effects. This was followed by a larger Pe in the breast cancer survivors' group, indicating an exaggerated performance monitoring response. For women affected by breast cancer, findings suggest an early disrupted neural response to monitoring cognitive performance, followed by the requirement for more effortful processing in the conscious response to errors, indicating deficits in neurocognitive efficiency. These findings have important implications for developing cognitive rehabilitation programmes for breast cancer survivors affected by cognitive dysfunction to assist in the monitoring and adjustment of performance required to meet established goals in the face of adversity.

Effects of adaptive and non-adaptive three-week executive control training on interference control: Evidence from the N2, CRN, and ERN

The current pilot study investigated if interference control can be improved by a three-week at-home training comprising a flanker and a n-back task in healthy adults, thus exploring the training's suitability for future clinical application, i.e. as a treatment augmentation for psychological disorders. As training gains are assumed to be modulated by the amount of mismatch between task demands and brain resources, an adaptive and a non-adaptive training were contrasted in separate experiments. In the adaptive training, task difficulty was continuously adapted to participants' performance. In the non-adaptive training procedure, task difficulty remained stable on the lowest difficulty level. As deficits in interference control in psychological disorders often predominantly manifest on the electrophysiological level, the impact of the training procedures on medio-frontal negativities (N2, CRN, ERN) was investigated in addition to behavioral measures. The adaptive training led to significant improvements in interference control, as reflected in reduced response times and error rates in incompatible trials. This was accompanied by specific and complementary changes in medio-frontal negativities: After the adaptive training the N2 in incompatible trials was larger and the CRN in incompatible trials was reduced. The non-adaptive training procedure led to generally faster response times but also an increased error rate, indicating a speed-accuracy trade-off. This was accompanied by global changes to medio-frontal negativities irrespective of compatibility, possibly indicating task disengagement. Taken together, the current studies demonstrate that an adaptive training procedure can improve interference control thereby opening up possible clinical applications.

Cognitive Radio Networks for Internet of Things and Wireless Sensor Networks

Recent innovation, growth, and deployment of internet of things (IoT) networks are changing the daily life of people. 5G networks are widely deployed around the world, and they are important for continuous growth of IoT. The next generation cellular networks and wireless sensor networks (WSN) make the road to the target of the next generation IoT networks. The challenges of the next generation IoT networks remain in reducing the overall network latency and increasing throughput without sacrificing reliability. One feasible alternative is coexistence of networks operating on different frequencies. However, data bandwidth support and spectrum availability are the major challenges. Therefore, cognitive radio networks (CRN) are the best available technology to cater to all these challenges for the co-existence of IoT, WSN, 5G, and beyond-5G networks.

Genome-Wide Identification of Effector Candidates With Conserved Motifs From the Wheat Leaf Rust Fungus Puccinia triticina

Rust fungi secrete various specialized effectors into host cells to manipulate the plant defense response. Conserved motifs, including RXLR, LFLAK-HVLVxxP (CRN), Y/F/WxC, CFEM, LysM, EAR, [SG]-P-C-[KR]-P, DPBB_1 (PNPi), and ToxA, have been identified in various oomycete and fungal effectors and are reported to be crucial for effector translocation or function. However, little is known about potential effectors containing any of these conserved motifs in the wheat leaf rust fungus (Puccinia triticina, Pt). In this study, sequencing was performed on RNA samples collected from the germ tubes (GT) of uredospores of an epidemic Pt pathotype PHTT(P) and Pt-infected leaves of a susceptible wheat cultivar "Chinese Spring" at 4, 6, and 8 days post-inoculation (dpi). The assembled transcriptome data were compared to the reference genome of "Pt 1-1 BBBD Race 1." A total of 17,976 genes, including 2,284 "novel" transcripts, were annotated. Among all these genes, we identified 3,149 upregulated genes upon Pt infection at all time points compared to GT, whereas 1,613 genes were more highly expressed in GT. A total of 464 secreted proteins were encoded by those upregulated genes, with 79 of them also predicted as possible effectors by EffectorP. Using hmmsearch and Regex, we identified 719 RXLR-like, 19 PNPi-like, 19 CRN-like, 138 Y/F/WxC, and 9 CFEM effector candidates from the deduced protein database including data based on the "Pt 1-1 BBBD Race 1" genome and the transcriptome data collected here. Four of the PNPi-like effector candidates with DPBB_1 conserved domain showed physical interactions with wheat NPR1 protein in yeast two-hybrid assay. Nine Y/F/WxC and seven CFEM effector candidates were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. None of these effector candidates showed induction or suppression of cell death triggered by BAX protein, but the expression of one CFEM effector candidate, PTTG_08198, accelerated the progress of cell death and promoted the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, we profiled genes associated with the infection process of the Pt pathotype PHTT(P). The identified effector candidates with conserved motifs will help guide the investigation of virulent mechanisms of leaf rust fungus.

Performance Monitoring and Correct Response Significance in Conscientious Individuals

There is sufficient evidence to believe that variations in the error-related negativity (ERN) are linked to dispositional characteristics in individuals. However, explanations of individual differences in the amplitude of the ERN cannot be derived from functional theories of the ERN. The ERN has a counterpart that occurs after correct responses (correct-response negativity, CRN). Based on the assumption that ERN and CRN reflect an identical cognitive process, variations in CRN might be associated with dispositional characteristics as well. Higher CRN amplitudes have been found to reflect task engagement. In the present study, a simple-choice-reaction task was used to investigate ERN and CRN amplitudes in relation to their score on a conscientiousness scale. The task consisted of a simple rule that required pressing the left or right key when a circle or square appeared, respectively. During alternative conditions that occur infrequently, participants were instructed to violate or reverse the previously established response rules. Smaller ΔERN amplitudes (manifested in almost equal CRN and ERN amplitudes) and a tendency of better task performance from participants scoring high on the conscientiousness scale might indicate a greater focus on the task and higher motivation of responding correctly. In addition, higher Pc amplitudes directly following the CRN indicated that the response monitoring system of less conscientious participants showed a higher disengagement. The role of individual differences in CRN amplitude should be studied in future experiments on performance monitoring.

Emotional interference under low versus high executive control

Previous research has demonstrated that task-irrelevant emotional distractors interfere with task performance especially under low phasic executive control (i.e., in nonconflict trials). In the present study, we measured medio-frontal ERPs (N2 and correct-related negativity, CRN) to elucidate which aspects of task performance are affected by emotional interference in a flanker task. To create emotional interference, negative and neutral pictures were presented during the flanker stimuli. N2 and CRN were reduced after negative pictures, indicating that conflict processing and performance monitoring are both affected by emotional interference. On the behavioral level, prolonged response times after negative pictures were observed under low phasic executive control (i.e., in compatible trials). Additionally, we explored whether emotional interference is modulated not only by phasic changes in executive control (i.e., conflict vs. nonconflict trials) but also by tonic changes in executive control (i.e., low vs. high overall conflict frequency). To this end, the flanker task consisted of two blocks with 25% versus 75% incompatible trials. Prolonged response times after negative pictures in compatible trials were observed only under low tonic executive control but not under high executive control.

The Medicago truncatula CLAVATA3-LIKE CLE12/13 signaling peptides regulate nodule number depending on the CORYNE but not the COMPACT ROOT ARCHITECTURE2 receptor

We previously showed that the rdn1 and sunn supernodulation mutants of Medicago truncatula respond differentially to overexpression of the rhizobial CLAVAT3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION (CLE) signaling peptides MtCLE12p and MtCLE13p, allowing the order of action of the genes to be determined in the autoregulation of nodulation (AON) signal transduction pathway. We tested the same gene constructs that lead to the production of proteolytically processed peptides (indicated by a p after the name) in plants mutant for two other proteins that control nodule number (CRN and CRA2) and were able to determine that CRN is involved in the same signaling pathway as MtCLE12p and MtCLE13p, while regulation in CRA2 mutants responds normally to the peptides, suggesting CRA2 likely signals separately from SUNN, RDN1, and CRN. Based on the analysis of the double mutant of cra2-2 and sunn-4, we also confirm recent findings that CRA2 acts independently of SUNN in nodule number regulation.

A Perspective on CRN Proteins in the Genomics Age: Evolution, Classification, Delivery and Function Revisited

Plant associated microbes rely on secreted virulence factors (effectors) to modulate host immunity and ensure progressive infection. Amongst the secreted protein repertoires defined and studied in pathogens to date, the CRNs (for CRinkling and Necrosis) have emerged as one of only a few highly conserved protein families, spread across several kingdoms. CRN proteins were first identified in plant pathogenic oomycetes where they were found to be modular factors that are secreted and translocated inside host cells by means of a conserved N-terminal domain. Subsequent localization and functional studies have led to the view that CRN C-termini execute their presumed effector function in the host nucleus, targeting processes required for immunity. These findings have led to great interest in this large protein family and driven the identification of additional CRN-like proteins in other organisms. The identification of CRN proteins and subsequent functional studies have markedly increased the number of candidate CRN protein sequences, expanded the range of phenotypes tentatively associated with function and revealed some of their molecular functions toward virulence. The increased number of characterized CRNs also has presented a set of challenges that may impede significant progress in the future. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the CRNs and re-assess some basic assumptions regarding this protein family. We will discuss the latest findings on CRN biology and highlight exciting new hypotheses that have emanated from the field. Finally, we will discuss new approaches to study CRN functions that would lead to a better understanding of CRN effector biology as well as the processes that lead to host susceptibility and immunity.

Electrophysiological Correlates of Error Monitoring and Feedback Processing in Second Language Learning

Humans monitor their behavior to optimize performance, which presumably relies on stable representations of correct responses. During second language (L2) learning, however, stable representations have yet to be formed while knowledge of the first language (L1) can interfere with learning, which in some cases results in persistent errors. In order to examine how correct L2 representations are stabilized, this study examined performance monitoring in the learning process of second language learners for a feature that conflicts with their first language. Using EEG, we investigated if L2 learners in a feedback-guided word gender assignment task showed signs of error detection in the form of an error-related negativity (ERN) before and after receiving feedback, and how feedback is processed. The results indicated that initially, response-locked negativities for correct (CRN) and incorrect (ERN) responses were of similar size, showing a lack of internal error detection when L2 representations are unstable. As behavioral performance improved following feedback, the ERN became larger than the CRN, pointing to the first signs of successful error detection. Additionally, we observed a second negativity following the ERN/CRN components, the amplitude of which followed a similar pattern as the previous negativities. Feedback-locked data indicated robust FRN and P300 effects in response to negative feedback across different rounds, demonstrating that feedback remained important in order to update memory representations during learning. We thus show that initially, L2 representations may often not be stable enough to warrant successful error monitoring, but can be stabilized through repeated feedback, which means that the brain is able to overcome L1 interference, and can learn to detect errors internally after a short training session. The results contribute a different perspective to the discussion on changes in ERN and FRN components in relation to learning, by extending the investigation of these effects to the language learning domain. Furthermore, these findings provide a further characterization of the online learning process of L2 learners.

The Unique Role of the Pediatric Clinical Research Nurse in Anesthesia: An Interdisciplinary Collaboration

This article describes the distinctive function of the pediatric clinical research nurse (CRN) in the anesthesia setting. The pediatric CRN in anesthesia acts as a liaison between families and the research team and is the major nexus between the principal investigator or anesthesiologist on a study, and the collaborating surgeons from many different departments. This is unique because the CRNs collaborate with physicians in specialties that can include plastics, urology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, otolaryngology, cardiology, critical care, and many other departments. The profession requires a breath of knowledge ranging from clinical understanding of diseases, surgical procedures, and recovery to cognitive and developmental stages, to expertise in the research protocol process. Our objective was to describe these specialized activities of the pediatric anesthesia CRN, with focus on care coordination, communication, and continuity of care. Defining this role will enhance the quality of clinical research conducted by the CRN in anesthesia and may influence the development of novel medical treatments.

Glycoside hydrolases family 20 (GH20) represent putative virulence factors that are shared by animal pathogenic oomycetes, but are absent in phytopathogens

BACKGROUND

Although interest in animal pathogenic oomycetes is increasing, the molecular basis mediating oomycete-animal relationships remains virtually unknown. Crinkler (CRN) genes, which have been traditionally associated with the cytotoxic activity displayed by plant pathogenic oomycetes, were recently detected in transcriptome sequences from the entomopathogenic oomycete Lagenidium giganteum, suggesting that these genes may represent virulence factors conserved in both animal and plant pathogenic oomycetes. In order to further characterize the L. giganteum pathogenome, an on-going genomic survey was mined to reveal novel putative virulence factors, including canonical oomycete effectors Crinkler 13 (CRN13) orthologs. These novel sequences provided a basis to initiate gene expression analyses and determine if the proposed L. giganteum virulence factors are differentially expressed in the presence of mosquito larvae (Aedes aegypti).

RESULTS

Sequence analyses revealed that L. giganteum express CRN13 transcripts. The predicted proteins, like other L. giganteum CRNs, contained a conserved LYLA motif at the N terminal, but did not display signal peptides. In contrast, other potential virulence factors, such as Glycoside Hydrolases family 20 (hexosaminidase) and 37 (trehalase) proteins (GH20 and GH37), contained identifiable signal peptides. Genome mining demonstrated that GH20 genes are absent from phytopathogenic oomycete genomes, and that the L. giganteum GH20 sequence is the only reported peronosporalean GH20 gene. All other oomycete GH20 homologs were retrieved from animal pathogenic, saprolegnialean genomes. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that saprolegnialean and peronosporalean GH20 protein sequences clustered in unrelated clades. The saprolegnialean GH20 sequences appeared as a strongly supported, monophyletic group nested within an arthropod-specific clade, suggesting that this gene was acquired via a lateral gene transfer event from an insect or crustacean genome. In contrast, the L. giganteum GH20 protein sequence appeared as a sister taxon to a plant-specific clade that included exochitinases with demonstrated insecticidal activities. Finally, gene expression analyses demonstrated that the L. giganteum GH20 gene expression level is significantly modulated in the presence of mosquito larvae. In agreement with the protein secretion predictions, CRN transcripts did not show any differential expression.

CONCLUSIONS

These results identified GH20 enzymes, and not CRNs, as potential pathogenicity factors shared by all animal pathogenic oomycetes.

Goal relevance influences performance monitoring at the level of the FRN and P3 components

The feedback-related negativity (FRN) provides a reliable ERP marker of performance monitoring (PM). It is usually larger for negative compared to positive feedback, and for unexpected relative to expected feedback. In two experiments, we assessed whether these effects could be modulated by goal relevance, defined as feedback informativeness (reliability) and/or impact on a person's goals. EEG (64-channel) was recorded while 30 participants (in each experiment) performed a speeded go/no-go task across blocks in which the feedback on task performance was deemed either relevant or not. At the ERP level, the FRN component was larger for (frequent) negative compared to (deviant) positive feedback exclusively when the feedback was relevant (Experiment 1). When the probability of positive and negative feedback was balanced (Experiment 2), this valence-driven FRN effect was absent. However, across these two experiments, the FRN was always larger for irrelevant than relevant feedback. Moreover, the subsequent P300 component was larger for feedback in the relevant than the irrelevant blocks. This effect was valence unspecific in Experiment 1, while in Experiment 2 larger P3 amplitudes were recorded for negative than positive (relevant) feedback. Across the two experiments, a larger correct-related negativity in the irrelevant than relevant context was also observed, suggesting that PM is flexible. These ERP findings indicate that goal relevance influences feedback (and response) processing during PM, with two nonoverlapping neurophysiological effects: It gates reward prediction error brain mechanisms (FRN effect), before enhancing subsequent motivational processes (P300 effect).

Inflammation is an independent risk factor for colonic neoplasia in patients with ulcerative colitis: a case-control study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

An association between inflammatory activity and colorectal neoplasia (CRN) has been documented in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, previous studies did not address the duration of inflammation or the effects of therapy on risk for CRN. We investigated the effects of inflammation, therapies, and characteristics of patients with UC on their risk for CRN.

METHODS

We collected data from 141 patients with UC without CRN (controls) and 59 matched patients with UC who developed CRN (cases), comparing disease extent and duration and patients' ages. We used a new 6-point histologic inflammatory activity (HIA) scale to score biopsy fragments (n = 4449). Information on medications, smoking status, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and family history of CRN were collected from the University of Chicago Inflammatory Bowel Disease Endoscopy Database. Relationships between HIA, clinical features, and CRN were assessed by conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Cases and controls were similar in numbers of procedures and biopsies, exposure to steroids or mesalamine, smoking status, and family history of CRN. They differed in proportion of men vs women, exposure to immune modulators, and primary sclerosing cholangitis prevalence. In univariate analysis, HIA was positively associated with CRN (odds ratio [OR], 2.56 per unit increase; P = .001), whereas immune modulators (including azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate) reduced the risk for CRN (OR, 0.35; P < .01). HIA was also associated with CRN in multivariate analysis (OR, 3.68; P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a case-control study, we associated increased inflammation with CRN in patients with UC. Use of immune modulators reduced the risk for CRN, indicating that these drugs have chemoprotective effects. On the basis of these data, we propose new stratified surveillance and treatment strategies to prevent and detect CRN in patients with UC.

Multi-matrix assay of cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone using a combined MEPS-HPLC procedure

The development and validation of a bioanalytical assay for the simultaneous determination of cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone levels in several matrices, such as saliva, plasma, blood and urine samples have been described. The method is based on a rapid test which combines a microextraction by packed sorbent procedure and liquid chromatography-diode array technique. Chromatographic separation of the analytes (cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone) and the internal standard (methylprednisolone) was achieved in less than 10min on a reversed-phase pentafluorophenyl column using a mobile phase composed of phosphate buffer and acetonitrile. The assay was performed after an innovative microextraction procedure by means of C8 sorbent which guaranteed good clean-up of the matrices and satisfactory extraction yield of the analytes. Moreover, the method gave linear results over a range of 5-100ngmL(-1) and showed good selectivity and precision. This method was successfully applied for quantifying corticosteroids in specific matrices derived from some healthy volunteers in comparison to two socially diversified groups, namely former heroin addicts undergoing opioid replacement therapy and poly-drug abusers.

Pathogenesis of primary sclerosing cholangitis and advances in diagnosis and management

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), first described in the mid-1850s, is a complex liver disease that is heterogeneous in its presentation. PSC is characterized by chronic cholestasis associated with chronic inflammation of the biliary epithelium, resulting in multifocal bile duct strictures that can affect the entire biliary tree. Chronic inflammation leads to fibrosis involving the hepatic parenchyma and biliary tree, which can lead to cirrhosis and malignancy. The etiology of PSC is not fully understood, which in part explains the lack of effective medical therapy for this condition. However, we have begun to better understand the molecular pathogenesis of PSC. The recognition of specific clinical subtypes and their pattern of progression could improve phenotypic and genotypic classification of the disease. We review our current understanding of this enigmatic disorder and discuss important topics for future studies.

Characterization of cell death inducing Phytophthora capsici CRN effectors suggests diverse activities in the host nucleus

Plant-Microbe interactions are complex associations that feature recognition of Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns by the plant immune system and dampening of subsequent responses by pathogen encoded secreted effectors. With large effector repertoires now identified in a range of sequenced microbial genomes, much attention centers on understanding their roles in immunity or disease. These studies not only allow identification of pathogen virulence factors and strategies, they also provide an important molecular toolset suited for studying immunity in plants. The Phytophthora intracellular effector repertoire encodes a large class of proteins that translocate into host cells and exclusively target the host nucleus. Recent functional studies have implicated the CRN protein family as an important class of diverse effectors that target distinct subnuclear compartments and modify host cell signaling. Here, we characterized three necrosis inducing CRNs and show that there are differences in the levels of cell death. We show that only expression of CRN20_624 has an additive effect on PAMP induced cell death but not AVR3a induced ETI. Given their distinctive phenotypes, we assessed localization of each CRN with a set of nuclear markers and found clear differences in CRN subnuclear distribution patterns. These assays also revealed that expression of CRN83_152 leads to a distinct change in nuclear chromatin organization, suggesting a distinct series of events that leads to cell death upon over-expression. Taken together, our results suggest diverse functions carried by CRN C-termini, which can be exploited to identify novel processes that take place in the host nucleus and are required for immunity or susceptibility.