Κυριακή 10 Δεκεμβρίου 2017

Medication related osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with targeted therapy as monotherapy and in combination with antiresorptives. A report of 7 cases from the Copenhagen Cohort.

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Medication related osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with targeted therapy as monotherapy and in combination with antiresorptives. A report of 7 cases from the Copenhagen Cohort.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2017 Nov 06;:

Authors: Abel Mahedi Mohamed H, Nielsen CEN, Schiodt M

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report cases of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) associated with targeted therapy (TT) with or without concomitant antiresorptive treatment, among the Copenhagen ONJ cohort, which includes all consecutive cases of MRONJ seen in Copenhagen.
STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively studied the treatment of 204 consecutive patients with MRONJ, seen between January 2010 and May 2016, to identify those associated with TT.
RESULTS: We detected 7 cases of MRONJ associated with TT (3.4%). Four patients received TT only, whereas 3 were concomitantly treated with bisphosphonates (n = 3) and/or denosumab (n = 3). The TT regimens included sunitinib (Sutent) (n = 1), everolimus (Afinitor) (n = 1), erlotinib (Tarceva) (n = 1), bevacizumab (Avastin) (n = 3), dasatinib (Sprycel) (n = 1) and imatinib (Glivec) (n = 1). The MRONJ stage included stages 1 and 2, and mean score on the visual analogue scale for pain in the jaw was 4.0.
CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers should be aware of the possibility of MRONJ associated with the TT agents sunitinib, everolimus, and dasatinib and uncommon cancer types, including renal cell carcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, glioblastoma, and leukemia, where MRONJ may also occur.

PMID: 29221983 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Beam Expansion of Blind Spot Detection Radar Antennas Using a Radome with Defected Corrugated Inner Wall

A beam expanding radome for 76.5 GHz automotive radar antennas is presented whose inner surface is engraved with corrugations. The radar used for blind spot detection (BSD) requires a very wide beam width to ensure longer time for tracking out-of-sight objects. It is found that the corrugations modulate the phase velocities of the waves along the surface, which increases beam width in the far field. In addition, defects in the corrugation increase beam width even further. The presented structure satisfies the beam width requirement while keeping a low profile.

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Comparisons of proteomic profiles of whey protein between donor human milk collected earlier than 3 months and 6 months after delivery.

Comparisons of proteomic profiles of whey protein between donor human milk collected earlier than 3 months and 6 months after delivery.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(1):204-210

Authors: Hahn WH, Song JH, Seo JB, Lee JE, Lee JS, Song S, Lee J, Kang NM

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human milk has nutritional, protective, and developmental advantages for premature infants. However, proteomic information of low abundant protein of donor milk is insufficient. The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the proteome of low abundant protein of donor milk obtained at different postpartum ages other than the colostrum.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Donor breast milk from 12 healthy mothers was collected 15 days, 2 months and 6 months after delivery and stored by medically approved methods. The whey milk proteomes were analyzed by mass spectrometry and classified using bioinformatics analysis.
RESULTS: Human milk obtained 15 days and 2 months after delivery showed more abundant expression of whey proteins related to the generation of precursor metabolites and energy, metabolism, and catalytic activity, compared with milk collected at 3 months. Immune and transport-related proteins were abundant at all time points. Proteins involved in cellular movement, immune cell trafficking, and the carbohydrate metabolism network was more abundant in whey milk collected at 15 day and 2 months using a network analysis.
CONCLUSIONS: We report proteomic information for human donor whey protein. As significant changes were found in whey proteome collected earlier than 2 months and 6 months after delivery, selecting human donor milk earlier than 2 months might be more helpful for early postnatal recipients.

PMID: 29222900 [PubMed - in process]



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quality of care; +52 new citations

52 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

quality of care

These pubmed results were generated on 2017/12/10

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.



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Type 2 proatlantal intersegmental artery.

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Type 2 proatlantal intersegmental artery.

Surg Radiol Anat. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Uchino A

PMID: 29222578 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Greening Software Requirements Change Management Strategy Based on Nash Equilibrium

Recently, green computing has become more and more important in software engineering (SE), which can be achieved by effectively recycling the software system and utilizing the computing resources. However, the requirement change may lead to unnecessary labor and time cost. Moreover, it may also result in the waste of hardware and computing resources once unreasonable requirements are realized. Thus, to perform green computing in SE, it is necessary to propose effective strategies to manage the requirement change. For this decision-making problem, game theoretical methods can be feasible solutions. In this paper, we propose a novel requirement change management approach based on game theory. Specifically, we model the problem as a game between the stakeholders and the developer and devise the payoff matrix between different strategies of the players. We then propose a Nash equilibrium-based game theoretical algorithm to manage requirement change. The evaluation results show that, compared to the exhaustive algorithm, our method not only can achieve almost the same optimal results but also can significantly reduce the computational time complexity. Thus, our method is feasible for a lot of requirement changes and can facilitate the green computing targets from the perspective of software engineering.

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Two-Stage Tissue-Expander Breast Reconstruction: A Focus on the Surgical Technique

Objective. Breast cancer, the most common malignancy in women, comprises 18% of all female cancers. Mastectomy is an essential intervention to save lives, but it can destroy one’s body image, causing both physical and psychological trauma. Reconstruction is an important step in restoring patient quality of life after the mutilating treatment. Material and Methods. Tissue expanders and implants are now commonly used in breast reconstruction. Autologous reconstruction allows a better aesthetic result; however, many patients prefer implant reconstruction due to the shorter operation time and lack of donor site morbidity. Moreover, this reconstruction strategy is safe and can be performed in patients with multiple health problems. Tissue-expander reconstruction is conventionally performed as a two-stage procedure starting immediately after mammary gland removal. Results. Mastectomy is a destructive but essential intervention for women with breast cancer. Tissue expansion breast reconstruction is a safe, reliable, and efficacious procedure with considerable psychological benefits since it provides a healthy body image. Conclusion. This article focuses on this surgical technique and how to achieve the best reconstruction possible.

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Ureteric entrapment in sacroiliac joint causing hydroureter and ipsilateral kidney hypertrophy.

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Ureteric entrapment in sacroiliac joint causing hydroureter and ipsilateral kidney hypertrophy.

Anat Sci Int. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Otsuru Y, Kondo C, Hara S, Takahashi H, Matsuno K

Abstract
A unilateral megaureter was found in an elderly female cadaver during routine dissection. The left proximal ureter, which was thick and convolute, descended and entered into the pelvic cavity, where the distal ureter was attached to the posterior pelvic wall at the inlet level. Removal of connective tissue surrounding the attached region revealed ureteric entrapment in the sacroiliac joint. The ipsilateral kidney, from which the megaureter originated, showed no pelvicalyceal dilatation. In contrast, the left kidney was enlarged, weighing 24% more than the right kidney. Differences in the upper urinary system between the obstructed and normal sides were examined in terms of gross anatomy, measurements, and histology. Although ureteric obstruction frequently causes hydroureter and hydronephrosis, the present case is very rare as the incomplete obstruction may have stimulated ipsilateral kidney growth, instead of contralateral compensatory augmentation.

PMID: 29222673 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Taxane, platinum and 5-FU prior to chemoradiotherapy benefits patients with stage IV neck node-positive head and neck cancer and a good performance status.

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Taxane, platinum and 5-FU prior to chemoradiotherapy benefits patients with stage IV neck node-positive head and neck cancer and a good performance status.

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Lowe NM, Bernstein JM, Mais K, Garcez K, Lee LW, Sykes A, Thomson DJ, Homer JJ, West CM, Slevin NJ

Abstract
PURPOSE: The benefit of adding docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) induction chemotherapy to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate whether ICT is well tolerated when given with prophylactic treatment against predicted adverse effects and which patients benefit most.
METHODS: A single-centre audit identified 132 HNSCC patients with stage IVa/b neck node-positive disease, prescribed TPF followed by CRT. TPF involved three cycles of docetaxel (75 mg/m2 IV) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2 IV) on day 1 plus 5-FU (750 mg/m2 IV) on days 2-5. Planned CRT was 66 Gy in 30 fractions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin (100 mg/m2 IV) at the beginning of week 1 and 4 (days 1 and 22). All patients received prophylactic antibiotics and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.
RESULTS: Median follow-up was 39.5 months. 92.4% of patients completed three cycles of TPF; 95.5% of patients started chemoradiotherapy. Grade 3/4 adverse events were low (febrile neutropenia 3.0%), with no toxicity-related deaths. 3-year overall survival was 67.2%; disease-specific survival was 78.7%; locoregional control was 78.3%. Distant metastases rate was 9.8% (3.0% in those without locoregional recurrence). Good performance status (p = 0.002) and poor tumour differentiation (p = 0.018) were associated with improved overall survival on multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSION: With prophylactic antibiotics and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor TPF was well tolerated with good survival outcomes. TPF should remain a treatment option for stage IV neck node-positive patients with a good performance status. The use of tumour grade to aid patient selection for TPF warrants investigation.

PMID: 29222650 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Occupational prestige trajectory and the risk of lung and head and neck cancer among men and women in France.

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Occupational prestige trajectory and the risk of lung and head and neck cancer among men and women in France.

Int J Public Health. 2017 Dec 09;:

Authors: Menvielle G, Dugas J, Franck JE, Carton M, Trétarre B, Stücker I, Luce D, Icare group

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at investigating the associations between occupational prestige trajectories and lung and head and neck (HN) cancer risk and to assess to what extent smoking, alcohol drinking, and occupational exposures contribute to these associations.
METHODS: Using data from the ICARE case-control study (controls (2676 men/715 women), lung cancers (2019 men/558 women), HN cancers (1793 men/305 women), we defined occupational prestige trajectories using group-based modeling of longitudinal data. We conducted logistic regression models.
RESULTS: Among men, a gradient was observed from the downward "low to very low" trajectory to the stable very high trajectory. The associations were reduced when adjusting for tobacco and alcohol consumption and occupational exposures. Among women, when compared to the stable high trajectory, there was an increased cancer risk in all trajectories. The associations remained globally unchanged or even increased after adjustment for tobacco and alcohol consumption and did not change when adjusting for occupational exposures. The ORs were smaller for lung than for HN cancers in men.
CONCLUSIONS: Occupational prestige trajectory is strongly associated with lung and HN cancer risk in men and women.

PMID: 29222577 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Quantitative Analysis and Classification of the Nasal Base Using a Parametric Model.

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Quantitative Analysis and Classification of the Nasal Base Using a Parametric Model.

JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2017 Dec 07;:

Authors: Barnes CH, Chen H, Chen JJ, Su E, Moy WJ, Wong BJF

Abstract
Importance: The nasal base view is often overlooked in rhinoplasty analysis and, unlike lateral and frontal views, lacks detailed quantitative analysis and descriptors. While shape-category analysis of the nasal base is well established, these descriptive methods remain subjective and do not facilitate quantitative analysis.
Objective: To establish a simple and quantitative classification scheme using a multiple-parameter numerical model for analyzing and describing the shape of the nasal base.
Design, Setting, and Participants: Deidentified photographs of the nasal base view were analyzed without knowledge of patients' pathology or medical history. Each nose was classified into 1 of 6 categories derived from literature (equilateral, narrow, flat, cloverleaf, boxy, and round). Finite parametric modeling was performed on each nose, and the correlations between the resulting parameters and the 6 categories were analyzed. Photographs for this study were acquired from the practice of a single facial plastic surgeon (B.J.F.W.) at a tertiary care academic medical center. One hundred twenty-one consecutive patients who had nasal base view photographs taken were included in the study.
Main Outcomes and Measures: All of the 121 images were classified into 1 of the 6 categories by 1 reviewer (C.H.B.). The contour of each nasal base was curve fit to a 5-parameter numerical model. The 5 parameters controlled base size, deviation from the midline, projection-to-width ratio, degree of nasal alar recurvature, and anterior-posterior positioning of nasal base bulk. A numerical value for each nasal base shape type was predicted by the parametric model.
Results: In 121 patient photographs, the parametric model generated shapes that accurately matched the tracing of the actual nasal base contours with an average correlation coefficient of greater than 0.98. This finding indicates close approximation of the nasal base shape with the curve fit constructed by the PM. Parameters b (projection-to-width ratio) and e (roundedness) were shown to have significant differences among the groups (F statistic, 8.88; P < .001 and F statistic, 13.05; P < .001, respectively). These two curve-fit parameters alone could be used to classify nasal shape into 1 of the 6 clinically determined base geometries.
Conclusions and Relevance: A numerical approach to classify nasal base shape was developed using a 5-parameter model and tested against subjective analysis. This model may aid in the advancement of algorithm-driven objective nasal analysis techniques, preoperative modeling, intraoperative guidance, and surgical outcome measures beyond using Likert scales.
Level of Evidence: NA.

PMID: 29222563 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Dysphagia and Pharyngeal Obstruction in a Nonsmoker.

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Dysphagia and Pharyngeal Obstruction in a Nonsmoker.

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Dec 07;:

Authors: Nuyen BA, Berry G, Megwalu U

PMID: 29222562 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Masseteric Nerve Transfer for Facial Nerve Paralysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

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Masseteric Nerve Transfer for Facial Nerve Paralysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2017 Dec 07;:

Authors: Murphey AW, Clinkscales WB, Oyer SL

Abstract
Importance: A review of the role of masseteric nerve transfer is needed to guide its use in facial reanimation.
Objective: To systematically review the available literature, and, when applicable, analyze the combined outcomes of masseteric nerve transfer to better define its role in reanimation and to guide further research.
Data Sources: Two independent researchers conducted the review using PubMed-NCBI and Scopus literature databases for studies on masseteric nerve transfer for facial nerve paralysis.
Study Selection: Studies that examined masseter nerve transfer with additional cranial nerve transposition/coaptation or muscle flap were excluded.
Data Extraction and Synthesis: Literature review and data extraction followed established PRISMA guidelines. Two researchers extracted data independently.
Main Outcomes and Measures: The main planned outcomes for the study were quantitative results of facial nerve movement after nerve transfer including oral commissure movement and time to nerve recovery.
Results: A total of 13 articles met inclusion criteria with a total of 183 patients undergoing masseteric nerve transfer. From those studies, there were a total of 183 patients who underwent masseteric nerve transfer. There were 85 men and 98 women with a mean (SD) age of 43 (12.2) years and mean (SD) follow up examination after surgery of 22 (7.6) months. Mean (SD) duration of nerve paralysis was 14 (6) months. Most common cause of paralysis was cerebellopontine angle tumors (81%). Six studies coapted the masseteric nerve to the main facial nerve trunk, whereas 7 used distal branches (buccal or zygomatic). Four studies used interposition nerve grafts with great auricular nerve. Two measures, improvement in oral commissure excursion and length from reanimation to facial movement, were measured consistently across the studies. Pooled analysis showed time from surgery to first facial movement, described in 10 studies, to be 4.95 months (95% CI, 3.66 to 6.24). Distal branch coaptation improved time to recovery vs main branch coaptation, 3.76 vs 5.76 months (95% CI, -0.33 to 4.32), but mean difference was not significant. The use of interposition graft significantly delayed time of nerve recovery, 6.24 vs 4.06 months (95% CI, 0.20 to 4.16). When controlled for main trunk coaptation only, interposition nerve graft delayed recovery but difference was no longer statistically significant, 6.24 vs 4.75 months (95% CI, -0.94 to 3.92). Reported complications were minor and rare occurring in only 6.5% (12 of 183) of patients.
Conclusions and Relevance: The masseteric nerve was found to be a good option for nerve transfer in this patient population, and showed favorable results in both time to nerve recovery and improvement in oral commissure excursion.

PMID: 29222560 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Collinearity and Sample Coverage Issues in the Objective Measurement of Vocal Quality: The Case of Roughness and Breathiness.

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Collinearity and Sample Coverage Issues in the Objective Measurement of Vocal Quality: The Case of Roughness and Breathiness.

J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2017 Dec 08;:1-24

Authors: Ferrer CA, Haderlein T, Maryn Y, de Bodt MS, Nöth E

Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to address the reported inconsistencies in the relationship between objective acoustic measures and perceptual ratings of vocal quality.
Method: This tutorial moves away from the more widely examined problems related to obtaining the perceptual ratings and the acoustic measures and centers in less scrutinized issues regarding the procedure to establish the correspondence. Expressions for the most common measure of association between perceptual and acoustic measures (Pearson's r) are derived using a multiple linear regression model. The particular case where the multiple linear regression involves only roughness and breathiness is discussed to illustrate the issues.
Results: Most problems reported regarding inconsistent findings in the relationship between given acoustic measures and particular perceptual ratings could be linked to sample properties not directly related to the actual relationship. The influential sample properties are the collinearity between the regressors in the multiple linear regression and their relative variances. Recommendations on how to rule out this possible cause of inconsistency are given, varying in scope from data collection, reporting, manipulation, and results interpretation.
Conclusions: The problems described can be extended to more general cases than the exemplified roughness and breathiness sample's coverage. Ruling out this possible cause of inconsistency would increase the validity of the results reported.

PMID: 29222538 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Anti-cancer activity of a new dihydropyridine derivative, VdiE-2N, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

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Anti-cancer activity of a new dihydropyridine derivative, VdiE-2N, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Eur J Pharmacol. 2017 Dec 05;:

Authors: Goto RN, Sobral LM, Sousa LO, Garcia CB, Lopes NP, Marín-Prida J, Ochoa-Rodríguez E, Verdecia-Reyes Y, Pardo-Andreu GL, Curti C, Leopoldino AM

Abstract
This study aims to examine the effects of a new 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, VdiE-2N, on cell signaling pathways and mitochondrial events in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells, and on a mice model of xenograft tumor growth/cell proliferation. Four HNSCC cell lines (HN13, HN12, HN6, and CAL27), HEK293 cells (human embryonic kidney 293 cells), and human oral healthy mucosa fibroblasts (OHMF) were used for in vitro assessment of cell viability (resazurin assay) and invasion capacity (modified Boyden chamber assay), and mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1 fluorescence assay), morphology (transmission electron microscopy), and number of mitochondria (MitoTracker® imaging). SET and pDRP1 proteins were analyzed by immunofluorescence, and proteins involved in cell death/survival pathways were analyzed by Western blotting. HN12 xenograft tumors were established in the flank of Balb/c nude mice, and their characteristics and sensitivity to VdiE-2N were determined by immunohistochemistry and histology. VdiE-2N decreased cell viability in HNSCC cells (IC50 = 9.56 and 22.45µM for HN13 and HN12 cells, respectively) more strongly than it decreased cell viability in OHMF and HEK293 cells (IC50 = 32.90 and > 50µM, respectively). In HN13 cells, VdiE-2N dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential and altered the mitochondria size, shape, and number in a concentration-dependent manner, as well as it induced apoptosis and reduced their invasion capacity. Treatment of mice bearing xenograft tumors with VdiE-2N significantly diminished proliferation of cancer cells. Therefore, VdiE-2N induces HNSCC cell death in vitro through mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways and dampens tumor growth in vivo, thus supporting a potential anti-cancer effect.

PMID: 29221949 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Ethanol Embolotherapy for the Management of Refractory Chronic Skin Ulcers Caused by Arteriovenous Malformations.

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Ethanol Embolotherapy for the Management of Refractory Chronic Skin Ulcers Caused by Arteriovenous Malformations.

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2017 Dec 05;:

Authors: Jin Y, Yang X, Hua C, Lin X, Chen H, Ma G, Wang T, Yu W

Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features and treatment outcomes of ethanol embolotherapy in refractory chronic skin ulcers caused by arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2011 to October 2015, 12 patients (5 male; mean age, 26.2 y) with refractory chronic skin ulcers caused by AVMs were treated at a single institution. Ethanol embolotherapy was performed by direct puncture techniques. Needles were directly inserted toward the nidus of the lesion based on imaging analysis. When fast blood reflux was noted, angiography was performed to ensure only the nidus and draining vein were opacified. Symptoms before and after treatment, previous treatment of AVMs and ulcers, embolotherapy sessions, follow-up time, complications, and degree of devascularization were recorded. Treatment outcomes were established by evaluating symptom outcomes and the degree of devascularization on follow-up angiography.
RESULTS: Fifty embolotherapy procedures were performed in 12 patients: 6 underwent procedures on the head and neck, 4 on the feet, and 2 on the hands. Four patients (33.3%) experienced complete resolution of abnormal angioarchitecture according to follow-up angiography. Complete control of ulcers was achieved in all 12 patients. Two procedures (4%) in 2 patients (16.7%) caused superficial skin necrosis that healed spontaneously within 4 weeks. Thirteen procedures (26%) in 9 patients (75%) caused blistering immediately after treatment. There were no major complications.
CONCLUSIONS: In a limited series, ethanol embolotherapy was effective and safe in the treatment of refractory chronic skin ulcers caused by AVMs.

PMID: 29221921 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Prospective medical analysis of radiation therapist image repositioning during image-guided radiotherapy.

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Prospective medical analysis of radiation therapist image repositioning during image-guided radiotherapy.

Cancer Radiother. 2017 Dec 05;:

Authors: Lauche O, Castan F, de Forges H, Guillaumon C, Gourgou S, Fenoglietto P, Aillères N, Azria D, Riou O

Abstract
PURPOSE: Radiation oncologists are responsible for deciding which day-to-day variations are acceptable or not in the treatment setup. However, properly qualified and trained radiation therapists might be capable to perform image registration. We evaluated in our centre the capability and accuracy of radiation therapists to validate positioning images in a prospective study.
METHODS AND PATIENTS: A total of 84 patients treated for prostate, head and neck, lung or breast cancer was prospectively and randomly included from July 2011 to July 2013 in radiotherapy unit of our institution. For each patient, three positioning images were randomly analysed. Two radiation oncologists analysed all positioning images and shifts decided by the radiation therapists in an independent and blinded way. The radiation oncologists had to decide whether to validate or not this shift and give a corresponding additional shift, if any. A theoretical disagreement rate less than 5% between radiation therapists and radiation oncologists was planned.
RESULTS: A total of 240 images were analysed (head and neck: 15.0%; prostate: 14.2%; breast: 55.0%; lung: 15.8%). The global disagreement between radiation oncologists and radiation therapists for all the images analysed was 2.5% 95% confidence interval (95% CI) [1.0-5.0], corresponding to six images out of 240. A 100% agreement was reached for prostate and lung images, a 97.2% agreement for head and neck images and a 96.2% agreement for breast images.
CONCLUSIONS: The radiation therapist validation for repositioning images seemed accurate for image-guided radiotherapy in our institution. Periodic evaluation and in-house training are warranted when routine delegation of image registration to radiation therapists is considered.

PMID: 29221676 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of MUC expression in head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of MUC expression in head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Oncotarget. 2017 Nov 10;8(56):96359-96372

Authors: Lu H, Liang D, Zhu Y, Xu W, Zhou K, Liu L, Liu S, Yang W

Abstract
The prognostic value of mucins expression in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) remains controversial. To address this, a meta-analysis was performed to systematically evaluate prognostic significance of mucins expression in HNC. Electronic and manual searches were performed and a total of 20 studies including 2046 patients were selected for the final analysis. Increased mucins expression was associated with unfavorable overall survival in HNC patients (HR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.43-2.33, p=0.000). Mucins overexpression was also in correlation with more advanced TNM stage (RR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97, p=0.017), higher risk of lymph node metastasis (RR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.57-0.84, p=0.000) and deeper invasion (RR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.44-0.76, p=0.000). These results suggested that elevated mucins expression was significantly associated with worse prognosis and more detrimental clinicopathological outcomes, revealing the promising potential of mucins as biomarkers for HNC management.

PMID: 29221212 [PubMed]



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Direct HPV E6/Myc interactions induce histone modifications, Pol II phosphorylation, and hTERT promoter activation.

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Direct HPV E6/Myc interactions induce histone modifications, Pol II phosphorylation, and hTERT promoter activation.

Oncotarget. 2017 Nov 10;8(56):96323-96339

Authors: Zhang Y, Dakic A, Chen R, Dai Y, Schlegel R, Liu X

Abstract
Human Papillomavirus Viruses (HPVs) are associated with the majority of human cervical and anal cancers and 10-30% of head and neck squamous carcinomas. E6 oncoprotein from high risk HPVs interacts with the p53 tumor suppressor protein to facilitate its degradation and increases telomerase activity for extending the life span of host cells. We published previously that the Myc cellular transcription factor associates with the high-risk HPV E6 protein in vivo and participates in the transactivation of the hTERT promoter. In the present study, we further analyzed the role of E6 and the Myc-Max-Mad network in regulating the hTERT promoter. We confirmed that E6 and Myc interact independently and that Max can also form a complex with E6. However, the E6/Max complex is observed only in the presence of Myc, suggesting that E6 associates with Myc/Max dimers. Consistent with the hypothesis that Myc is required for E6 induction of the hTERT promoter, Myc antagonists (Mad or Mnt) significantly blocked E6-mediated transactivation of the hTERT promoter. Analysis of Myc mutants demonstrated that both the transactivation domain and HLH domain of Myc protein were required for binding E6 and for the consequent transactivation of the hTERT promoter, by either Myc or E6. We also showed that E6 increased phosphorylation of Pol II on the hTERT promoter and induced epigenetic histone modifications of the hTERT promoter. More important, knockdown of Myc expression dramatically decreased engagement of acetyl-histones and Pol II at the hTERT promoter in E6-expressing cells. Thus, E6/Myc interaction triggers the transactivation of the hTERT promoter by modulating both histone modifications, Pol II phosphorylation and promoter engagement, suggesting a novel mechanism for telomerase activation and a new target for HPV- associated human cancer.

PMID: 29221209 [PubMed]



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Methylated claudin-11 associated with metastasis and poor survival of colorectal cancer.

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Methylated claudin-11 associated with metastasis and poor survival of colorectal cancer.

Oncotarget. 2017 Nov 10;8(56):96249-96262

Authors: Li J, Zhou C, Ni S, Wang S, Ni C, Yang P, Ye M

Abstract
As one of crucial epigenetic modification, DNA methylation plays an important role during the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). In the current study, we used a human genome methylation array to detect the aberrant methylation genes in CRC. We further identified the hypermethylation of claudin-11 (CLDN11) and proved inverse correlation between CLDN11 methylation and its expression in CRC. In vitro experiments showed debased migration ability of colonic cancer cells in accompany with the converted methylation of CLDN11 after colonic cancer cells treated with demethylation agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Besides, our results also represented that hypermethylation of CLDN11 was associated with increased metastatic potential of CRC and with low progression free survival (PFS) of CRC. In conclusion, our findings supported that the hypermethylated CLDN11 is associated with metastasis of CRC and prognosis of poor survival of CRC.

PMID: 29221203 [PubMed]



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Functional FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism contributes to oral squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility.

Related Articles

Functional FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism contributes to oral squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility.

Oncotarget. 2017 Nov 10;8(56):96225-96238

Authors: Chou CH, Hsieh MJ, Chuang CY, Lin JT, Yeh CM, Tseng PY, Yang SF, Chen MK, Lin CW

Abstract
Aberrations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) genomic region include amplification of FGFR4, activation of FGFR4 kinase domain mutations, and overexpression of FGFR4, which lead to sustained cell proliferation and contribute to tumor development. However, the association between FGFR4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains to be determined. We investigated the relationships between FGFR4 genetic polymorphisms, OSCC development and clinicopathological variables. We recruited a total of 955 patients with OSCC and 1191 controls. Four SNPs of FGFR4 (rs2011077, rs351855, rs7708357, and rs1966265) were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. We found that with the rs351855 GA genotype and a combination of the GA and AA genotypes exhibited a 1.431-fold (95% CI: 1.092-1.876) and 1.335-fold (95% CI: 1.033-1.725) higher risk of OSCC. However, patients with OSCC with a homozygous A/A genotype of FGFR4 rs351855 polymorphism had a lower risk of advanced stage OSCC (P = 0.0252). Furthermore, the patients with the FGFR4 rs351855/rs1966265 A-A haplotype had a 2.890-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.257-3.700) higher risk of OSCC than the controls. Betel quid chewers with the A-A haplotype had a considerably higher risk (95% CI: 16.159-26.937) of OSCC than did betel quid nonchewers with other haplotypes. Moreover, an additional integrated in silico analysis proposed that rs351855 G allele variant to the A allele exhibited a relatively low energy of the transmembrane region. In conclusion, our results suggest that the FGFR4 rs351855 may play a role in susceptibility for OSCC development.

PMID: 29221201 [PubMed]



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RANK expression in EBV positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis: a ready-to-treat target?

Related Articles

RANK expression in EBV positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis: a ready-to-treat target?

Oncotarget. 2017 Nov 10;8(56):96184-96189

Authors: Resteghini C, Alfieri S, Quattrone P, Dominoni F, Garzone G, Orlandi E, Locati L, Bergamini C, Galbiati D, Iacovelli NA, Fallai C, Licitra L, Bossi P

Abstract
Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) related Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC), is an highly chemo- and radiosensitive endemic malignancy in southeast Asia. More than one third of locally advanced cases relapse after curative treatment, especially because of bone, liver and lung metastases. Lymphocyte sub-populations favour EBV-associated carcinogenesis and tumour progression and several strategies aim to reverse this phenomenon. Receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK) and its Ligand (RANKL), key regulator of bone metabolisms, are expressed in several malignancies and tumor-infiltrating Tregs. We collected 17 paired FFPE specimen of primary and metachronous metastatic or regionally relapsed EBV related NPC and evaluated RANK expression by immunohistochemistry. All primary tumour specimens resulted not evaluable whereas all metastatic specimens, regardless of sites, showed high RANK IHC expression in the tumor with no staining in normal surrounding tissues. This observation deserves further clarifications and could open the way to trials testing the hypotesis that targeting the RANK/RANKL pathway with denosumab, an already available, clinically approved monoclonal antibody for metastatic bone lesions, might restore proper anti-tumor immune response in NPC metastatic patients.

PMID: 29221197 [PubMed]



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The clinicopathological and prognostic significances of CDC73 expression in cancers: a bioinformatics analysis.

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The clinicopathological and prognostic significances of CDC73 expression in cancers: a bioinformatics analysis.

Oncotarget. 2017 Nov 10;8(56):95270-95279

Authors: Zheng HC, Gong BC, Zhao S

Abstract
CDC73 interacts with human PAF1 complex, histone methyltransferase complex and RNA polymerase II for transcription elongation and 3' end processing. Its down-regulated expression was immunohistochemically detected in gastric, colorectal, ovarian and head and neck cancers, and positively correlated with aggressive behaviors and unfavorable prognosis of malignancies. We performed a bioinformatics analysis by using Oncomine, TCGA and KM plotter databases. It was found that CDC73 mRNA was overexpressed in gastric, lung, breast and ovarian cancers, even stratified by histological subtypes (p<0.05). CDC73 mRNA expression was stronger in gastric intestinal- than diffuse-type carcinomas (p<0.05), and positively correlated with distant metastasis and TNM staging of lung cancer (p<0.05). CDC73 mRNA expression was positively related to both overall and progression-free survival rates of the patients with gastric cancer, even stratified by gender, lymph node involvement, or treatment (p<0.05), while versa for breast cancer (p<0.05). The prognostic significance of CDC73 mRNA was dependent on the datasets and pathological grouping in lung and ovarian cancers. These findings indicated the CDC73 mRNA overexpression was positively linked to carcinogenesis. It is cautious to employ CDC73 mRNA to evaluate the clinicopathological behaviors and prognosis of cancers.

PMID: 29221126 [PubMed]



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Regional conduction velocity calculation from clinical multichannel electrograms in human atria.

Regional conduction velocity calculation from clinical multichannel electrograms in human atria.

Comput Biol Med. 2017 Nov 26;92:188-196

Authors: Verma B, Oesterlein T, Loewe A, Luik A, Schmitt C, Dössel O

Abstract
BACKGROUND: During atrial fibrillation, heterogeneities and anisotropies result in a chaotic propagation of the depolarization wavefront. The electrophysiological parameter called conduction velocity (CV) influences the propagation pattern over the atrium. We present a method that determines the regional CV for deformed catheter shapes, which result due to the catheter movement and changing wall contact.
METHODS: The algorithm selects stable catheter positions, finds the local activation times (LAT), considers the wall contact and calculates all CV estimates within the area covered by the catheter. The method is evaluated with simulated data and then applied to four clinical data sets. Both sinus rhythm activity as well as depolarization wavefronts initiated by stimulation are analyzed. The regional CV is compared with the fractionation duration (FD) and peak-to-peak (P2P) voltages. A speed of 0.5 m/s was defined to create the simulated LAT.
RESULTS: After analyzing the simulated LAT with clinical catheter spatial coordinates, the median CV of 0.5 m/s with an interquartile range of 0.22 and exact CV direction vectors were obtained. For clinical cases, the CV magnitude range of 0.08 m/s to 1.0 m/s was obtained. The P2P amplitude of 0.7 mV to 3.7 mV and the mean FD from 40.79ms to 48.66ms was obtained. The correlation of 0.86 was observed between CV and P2P amplitude, and 0.62 between CV and FD.
CONCLUSION: In this paper, a method is presented and validated which calculates the CV for the deformed catheter and changing wall contact. In an exemplary clinical data set correlation between regional CV with FD and the P2P voltage was observed.

PMID: 29223114 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Trisubstituted barbiturates and thiobarbiturates: Synthesis and biological evaluation as xanthine oxidase inhibitors, antioxidants, antibacterial and anti-proliferative agents.

Trisubstituted barbiturates and thiobarbiturates: Synthesis and biological evaluation as xanthine oxidase inhibitors, antioxidants, antibacterial and anti-proliferative agents.

Eur J Med Chem. 2017 Nov 27;143:829-842

Authors: Figueiredo J, Serrano JL, Cavalheiro E, Keurulainen L, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Moreira VM, Ferreira S, Domingues FC, Silvestre S, Almeida P

Abstract
Barbituric and thiobarbituric acid derivatives have become progressively attractive to medicinal chemists due to their wide range of biological activities. Herein, different series of 1,3,5-trisubstituted barbiturates and thiobarbiturates were prepared in moderate to excellent yields and their activity as xanthine oxidase inhibitors, antioxidants, antibacterial agents and as anti-proliferative compounds was evaluated in vitro. Interesting bioactive barbiturates were found namely, 1,3-dimethyl-5-[1-(2-phenylhydrazinyl)ethylidene]pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (6c) and 1,3-dimethyl-5-[1-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)hydrazinyl]ethylidene]pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (6e), which showed concomitant xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect (IC50 values of 24.3 and 27.9 μM, respectively), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (IC50 values of 18.8 and 23.8 μM, respectively). In addition, 5-[1-(2-phenylhydrazinyl)ethylidene]pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (6d) also revealed DPPH radical scavenger effect, with an IC50 value of 20.4 μM. Moreover, relevant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 13.3 μM) was observed with 5-[[(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)amino]methylene]-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione (7d). Finally, different 5-hydrazinylethylidenepyrimidines revealed antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (MIC values between 12.5 and 25.0 μM) which paves the way for developing new treatments for infections caused by this Gram-negative coccobacillus bacterium, known to be an opportunistic pathogen in humans with high relevance in multidrug-resistant nosocomial infections. The most promising bioactive barbiturates were studied in silico with emphasis on compliance with the Lipinski's rule of five as well as several pharmacokinetics and toxicity parameters.

PMID: 29223098 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Activity, toxicity, molecular docking, and environmental effects of three imidazolinone herbicides enantiomers.

Activity, toxicity, molecular docking, and environmental effects of three imidazolinone herbicides enantiomers.

Sci Total Environ. 2017 Dec 06;622-623:594-602

Authors: Xie J, Zhao L, Liu K, Guo F, Gao L, Liu W

Abstract
All imidazolinone (IMI) herbicides are chiral consisting of two enantiomers; however, studies on the enantioselectivities of their interactions are limited. This study is a systematic assessment of the enantiomers and racemates of IMI herbicides, including semi-preparation and determination of absolute configurations, stereoselective bioactivity toward target organisms (Echinochloa crus-galli and Microcystis aeruginosa), and toxicity toward Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells. R-imidazolinones were found to be more active than S-IMIs in the inhibition of target organisms, and neither enantiomer had estrogenic activity. Moreover, the relationship between the molecular structures and the efficiency of target growth inhibition by the IMI herbicides was investigated. Molecular modeling provided the rational structural basis for the enantioselectivity of the acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) activity of the IMIs. These findings encourage the application of enantiopure R-IMI herbicides to capitalize on their advantages over the racemates.

PMID: 29223083 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Impact on mortality of biomass combustion from wildfires in Spain: A regional analysis.

Impact on mortality of biomass combustion from wildfires in Spain: A regional analysis.

Sci Total Environ. 2017 Dec 06;622-623:547-555

Authors: Linares C, Carmona R, Salvador P, Díaz J

Abstract
Studies that analyse the impact on mortality of particulate matter (PM) produced by biomass combustion from wildfires mostly focus on a single city or on cities in different countries, with very few concentrating on one country as a whole. Accordingly, the aim of this paper was to analyse the impact that PM has on daily mortality in Spain on days with biomass combustion from wildfires. To analyse natural PM advections the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing, Food & Environment divides Spain into 9 geographical regions. One province representative of each region for was selected analysis purposes, with provincial daily natural-cause mortality across the period 2004-2009 as the dependent variable, and daily mean PM concentrations in the provincial capital as the independent variable. We controlled for the effect of other chemical pollutants (NO2 and O3), maximum daily temperature on heat-wave days, day of the week, trends, seasonalities and the autoregressive nature of the series, using generalised linear models with the Poisson regression link to calculate relative risks (RRs) and the increase in RR (IRR) of PM-related mortality. The analysis was performed for days with and without biomass advections (DBA and DNBA respectively), with a breakdown by year, summer, and the remainder of the year (i.e., excluding summer). The results indicated that daily mean PM concentrations were higher on DBA than on DNBA, with statistically significant differences in most provinces. Furthermore, PM10 was associated with higher daily mortality on DBA in regions where wildfires were most frequent, but not in the remaining provinces. This translated as an IRR per 10μg/m3 of PM of 7.93 (2.36-13.81) in the North-west, 3.76 (1.36-6.22) in the Centre and 4.46 (2.99-5.94) in the South-west, values which in all cases were statistically higher than those obtained on DNBA. The increase in PM caused by biomass advections from wildfires is linked to a significant IRR of mortality in Spain. Hence, the fact that wildfires are likely to become increasingly frequent in the context of climate change makes this type of analysis particularly necessary.

PMID: 29223078 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Bioactive potential of silica coatings and its effect on the adhesion of proteins to titanium implants.

Bioactive potential of silica coatings and its effect on the adhesion of proteins to titanium implants.

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2017 Dec 06;162:316-325

Authors: Romero-Gavilan F, Araújo-Gomes N, Sánchez-Pérez AM, García-Arnáez I, Elortza F, Azkargorta M, de Llano JJM, Carda C, Gurruchaga M, Suay J, Goñi I

Abstract
There is an ever-increasing need to develop dental implants with ideal characteristics to achieve specific and desired biological response in the scope of improve the healing process post-implantation. Following that premise, enhancing and optimizing titanium implants through superficial treatments, like silica sol-gel hybrid coatings, are regarded as a route of future research in this area. These coatings change the physicochemical properties of the implant, ultimately affecting its biological characteristics. Sandblasted acid-etched titanium (SAE-Ti) and a silica hybrid sol-gel coating (35M35G30T) applied onto the Ti substrate were examined. The results of in vitro and in vivo tests and the analysis of the protein layer adsorbed to each surface were compared and discussed. In vitro analysis with MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells, showed that the sol-gel coating raised the osteogenic activity potential of the implants (the expression of osteogenic markers, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and IL-6 mRNAs, increased). In the in vivo experiments using as model rabbit tibiae, both types of surfaces promoted osseointegration. However, the coated implants demonstrated a clear increase in the inflammatory activity in comparison with SAE-Ti. Mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis showed differences in the composition of protein layers formed on the two tested surfaces. Large quantities of apolipoproteins were found attached predominantly to SAE-Ti. The 35M35G30T coating adsorbed a significant quantity of complement proteins, which might be related to the material intrinsic bioactivity, following an associated, natural and controlled immune response. The correlation between the proteomic data and the in vitro and in vivo outcomes is discussed on this experimental work.

PMID: 29223071 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Wavelength selection for portable noninvasive blood component measurement system based on spectral difference coefficient and dynamic spectrum.

Wavelength selection for portable noninvasive blood component measurement system based on spectral difference coefficient and dynamic spectrum.

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2017 Nov 26;193:40-46

Authors: Feng X, Li G, Yu H, Wang S, Yi X, Lin L

Abstract
Noninvasive blood component analysis by spectroscopy has been a hotspot in biomedical engineering in recent years. Dynamic spectrum provides an excellent idea for noninvasive blood component measurement, but studies have been limited to the application of broadband light sources and high-resolution spectroscopy instruments. In order to remove redundant information, a more effective wavelength selection method has been presented in this paper. In contrast to many common wavelength selection methods, this method is based on sensing mechanism which has a clear mechanism and can effectively avoid the noise from acquisition system. The spectral difference coefficient was theoretically proved to have a guiding significance for wavelength selection. After theoretical analysis, the multi-band spectral difference coefficient-wavelength selection method combining with the dynamic spectrum was proposed. An experimental analysis based on clinical trial data from 200 volunteers has been conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of this method. The extreme learning machine was used to develop the calibration models between the dynamic spectrum data and hemoglobin concentration. The experiment result shows that the prediction precision of hemoglobin concentration using multi-band spectral difference coefficient-wavelength selection method is higher compared with other methods.

PMID: 29223052 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Cohort-friendly protocol for a sensitive and fast method for trihalomethanes in urine using gas chromatography-Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

Cohort-friendly protocol for a sensitive and fast method for trihalomethanes in urine using gas chromatography-Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2017 Dec 06;1072:336-340

Authors: Charisiadis P, Makris KC

Abstract
A cohort-friendly biomonitoring protocol has been developed for measuring biomarkers of exposure to disinfection by-products (trihalomethanes, THM) in urine using small initial volume (3mL) and short analysis time (∼10min) that facilitates the throughput of a large number of samples. The objective of this study was to optimise a cohort-friendly biomonitoring protocol for the determination of four THM analytes in human urine using gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS). The proposed methodology will facilitate the inclusion of such urinary THM measurements into large population health studies.

PMID: 29223046 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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The symbolic affordances of a video-mediated gaze in emergency psychiatry.

The symbolic affordances of a video-mediated gaze in emergency psychiatry.

Soc Sci Med. 2017 Dec 02;197:87-94

Authors: Trondsen MV, Tjora A, Broom A, Scambler G

Abstract
While mental illness is a significant health challenge worldwide, the availability of specialists is limited, especially in rural areas and for psychiatric emergencies. Although tele-psychiatry, via real-time videoconferencing (VC), is used to provide consultative services in areas that lack psychiatrists, there are a paucity of studies on the use of VC for psychiatric emergencies. We examine how VC matters for patient involvement and professional practice in the first Norwegian emergency tele-psychiatric service. Through a decentralised on-call system, psychiatrists are accessible 24/7 by telephone and VC for patients and nurses in regional psychiatry centres. Based on 29 interviews with patients, psychiatrists and nurses, this article addresses how participation is fostered by VC, and how it may change the social dynamics of therapeutic emergency encounters. We identified four contributions of the 'video-mediated gaze' in the therapeutic encounter including those of the: (1) immediacy of assessment, (2) increased transparency, (3) sense of access to the 'real' expert, and (4) fostering of the patient's 'voice' in therapeutic decisions. These VC inflections of the therapeutic encounter are a mix of the pragmatic (1 and 2) and the symbolic (3 and 4), assembling in these contexts to foster patient-centeredness. With a sociological approach to video-conferenced emergency psychiatry, the identification of symbolic affordances adds necessary nuances to the application of new technologies into fragile therapeutic communication.

PMID: 29222999 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Bacterial community changes in copper and PEX drinking water pipeline biofilms under extra disinfection and magnetic water treatment.

Bacterial community changes in copper and PEX drinking water pipeline biofilms under extra disinfection and magnetic water treatment.

J Appl Microbiol. 2017 Dec 09;:

Authors: Inkinen J, Jayaprakash B, Ahonen M, Pitkänen T, Mäkinen R, Pursiainen A, Santo Domingo JW, Salonen H, Elk M, Keinänen-Toivola MM

Abstract
AIMS: To study stability of biofilms and water quality in pilot scale drinking water copper and PEX pipes in changing conditions (extra disinfection, magnetic water treatment MWT).
METHODS AND RESULTS: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) to describe total bacterial community and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) to describe active bacterial members in addition to traditional microbiological methods were applied. Biofilms from control copper and PEX pipes shared same most abundant bacteria (Methylobacterium spp., Sphingomonas spp., Zymomonas spp.) and average species diversities (Shannon 3.8-4.2) in rDNA and rRNA libraries whereas few of the taxa differed by their abundance such as lower total Mycobacterium spp. occurrence in copper (<0.02%) to PEX (<0.2%) pipes. Extra disinfection (total chlorine increase from ca. 0.5 to 1 mg l-1 ) affected total and active population in biofilms seen as decrease of many bacterial species and diversity (Shannon 2.7, P < 0.01, rRNA) and increase of Sphingomonas spp. as compared to control samples. Further, extra disinfected copper and PEX samples formed separate clusters in unweighted non-metric multidimensional scaling plot (rRNA) similarly to MWT-treated biofilms of copper (but not PEX) pipes that instead showed higher species diversity (Shannon 4.8, P < 0.05 interaction).
CONCLUSIONS: Minor chlorine dose addition increased selection pressure and many species were sensitive to chlorination. Pipe material seemed to affect mycobacteria occurrence, and bacterial communities with MWT in copper but not in PEX pipes.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study using rRNA showed that chlorination affects especially active fraction of bacterial communities. Copper and PEX differed by the occurrence of some bacterial members despite similar community profiles. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 29222953 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Transplanting HCV-positive livers into HCV-negative patients with preemptive antiviral treatment: A modeling study.

Transplanting HCV-positive livers into HCV-negative patients with preemptive antiviral treatment: A modeling study.

Hepatology. 2017 Dec 09;:

Authors: Chhatwal J, Samur S, Bethea ED, Ayer T, Kanwal F, Hur C, Roberts MS, Terrault N, Chung RT

Abstract
Under current guidelines hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive livers are not transplanted into HCV-negative recipients because of adverse post-transplant outcomes associated with allograft HCV infection. However, HCV can now be cured post liver transplant (LT) using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) with >90% success; therefore, HCV-negative patients on the liver transplant (LT) waiting list may benefit from accepting HCV-positive organs with preemptive treatment. Our objective was to evaluate if and in which HCV-negative patients the potential benefit of accepting an HCV-positive (i.e., viremic) organ outweighed the risks associated with HCV allograft infection. We developed a Markov-based mathematical model that simulated a virtual trial of HCV-negative patients on the LT waiting list to compare long-term outcomes in patients: 1) willing to accept any (HCV-negative or HCV-positive) liver versus 2) those willing to accept only HCV-negative livers. Patients receiving HCV-positive livers were treated preemptively with 12 weeks of DAA therapy and had a higher risk of graft failure than those receiving HCV-negative livers. The model incorporated data from published studies and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). We found that accepting any liver regardless of HCV status versus accepting only HCV-negative livers resulted in an increase in life expectancy when MELD was ≥ 20, and the benefit was highest at MELD 28 (0.172 additional life years). The magnitude of clinical benefit was greater in UNOS regions with higher HCV-positive donor organ rates, i.e. Regions 1, 2, 3, 10, and 11. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that model outcomes were robust.
CONCLUSIONS: Transplanting HCV-positive livers into HCV-negative patients with preemptive DAA therapy could improve patient survival on the LT waiting list. Our analysis can help inform clinical trials and minimize patient harm. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 29222916 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Vitamin D status and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults in Hong Kong: associations and implications.

Vitamin D status and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults in Hong Kong: associations and implications.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(1):231-237

Authors: Wang EW, Pang MY, Siu PM, Lai CK, Woo J, Collins AR, Benzie IF

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D deficiency is reportedly common, but we lack data from young adults. Such data are of interest because epidemiological data support vitamin D as a possible risk modulator for diabetes and cardiovascular ('cardiometabolic') disease. Our objectives were to assess vitamin D status (as plasma 25(OH)D concentration) and investigate associations between this and biomarkers of cardiometabolic disease risk in a group of still-healthy young adults in Hong Kong.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In this observational study, fasting venous blood was collected from 196 (63 males, 133 females), young (18-26 years) non-smoking, nonobese, consenting adults in good general health. Plasma 25(OH)D was measured by LC-MS/MS. A panel of established cardiometabolic risk factors (HbA1c, plasma glucose, lipid profile, hsCRP) and blood pressure were also measured.
RESULTS: Mean (SD) plasma 25(OH)D concentration was 42.1 (13.0), with range 15.7-86.8 nmol/L; 141/196 subjects (72%) had vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <50 nmol/L); 13/184 (6.6%) were severely deficient (<25 nmol/L). Inverse association was seen between 25(OH)D and fasting glucose (r=-0.18; p<0.05). Higher HbA1c and TC:HDL-C ratio and lower HDL-C were seen in those with plasma 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent and associated with poorer cardiometabolic risk profile in these young adults. Public health strategies for addressing vitamin D deficiency are needed urgently. These new data provide support for further study on vitamin D deficiency as a modifiable risk factor for cardiometabolic disease and the ameliorative effects of increased vitamin D intake on cardiometabolic disease risk profile of vitamin D-deficient young adults.

PMID: 29222903 [PubMed - in process]



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Relative validity of an indirect calorimetry device for measuring resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient.

Relative validity of an indirect calorimetry device for measuring resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(1):72-77

Authors: Wang X, Wang Y, Ding Z, Cao G, Hu F, Sun Y, Ma Z, Zhou D, Su B

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) are important for optimal nutritional care. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and repeatability of an indirect calorimetry device (IIM-IC-100) in the measurement of REE and RQ in healthy Chinese adults.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A total of 38 healthy adults (19 male and 19 female) aged 18-52 years (25±6 years) were enrolled in this study. REE and RQ were measured by IIM-IC-100 and by VO2000, alternately and in duplicate.
RESULTS: There was a highly significant correlation between IIM-IC-100 REE and VO2000 REE (r=0.906, p<0.001), with mean IIM-IC-100 REE significantly higher than that of VO2000 (1475±269 vs 1394±313 kcal/d, p=0.002). Bland- Altman analysis revealed that the mean difference between IIM-IC-100 REE and VO2000 REE was 81.3 kcal/d, with limits of agreement of -185 to +347 kcal/d. There was no significant difference in RQ between the two devices. No significant differences were observed between the repeated measurements for both devices. Intrasubject coefficients of variation (CVs) of REE were smaller for IIM-IC-100 (5.8%) than for VO2000 (10.5%), while CVs of RQ were similar for IIM-IC-100 (7.2%) and VO2000 (6.9%).
CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data indicated that the IIM-IC-100 showed promise as an accurate and precise tool in the assessment of REE and RQ in healthy Chinese adults.

PMID: 29222882 [PubMed - in process]



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Consumption and sources of added sugar in Indonesia: a review.

Consumption and sources of added sugar in Indonesia: a review.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(1):47-64

Authors: Atmarita, Imanningsih N, Jahari AB, Permaesih ID, Chan P, Amarra MS

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present report summarized the best available evidence regarding consumption level and sources of free or added sugars in Indonesia.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Information was extracted from food balance sheets, household expenditure surveys, nutrition surveys, published studies, unpublished theses/ dissertations, and government reports.
RESULTS: A total of 18 references were obtained, showing varying results. Indonesia's national surveys suggested intakes of sugar below 50 grams per day or below 10% of energy intake. Published studies suggested higher levels of intake. Studies used expenditure surveys or a single day of recall to determine dietary intake. None made use of biomarkers to determine the level of sugar intake. The 2014 Total Diet Study estimated that 11.8% of the population consumed >50 grams sugar per day. Common food sources were table sugar, wheat products, milk products, sweetened drinks, condiments, candies and chocolate products.
CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient evidence exists regarding the levels and sources of added sugar intake of different population groups in Indonesia. A nationwide survey using multiple (at least two) 24-hour recalls to allow estimation of usual intake and to identify food sources, and the use of biomarkers to validate intake will provide more accurate information on which to base policy decisions.

PMID: 29222880 [PubMed - in process]



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Non-Euclidean phasor analysis for quantification of oxidative stress in ex vivo human skin exposed to sun filters using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

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Non-Euclidean phasor analysis for quantification of oxidative stress in ex vivo human skin exposed to sun filters using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

J Biomed Opt. 2017 Dec;22(12):1-10

Authors: Osseiran S, Roider EM, Wang H, Suita Y, Murphy M, Fisher DE, Evans CL

Abstract
Chemical sun filters are commonly used as active ingredients in sunscreens due to their efficient absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Yet, it is known that these compounds can photochemically react with UV light and generate reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in vitro, though this has yet to be validated in vivo. One label-free approach to probe oxidative stress is to measure and compare the relative endogenous fluorescence generated by cellular coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides and flavin adenine dinucleotides. However, chemical sun filters are fluorescent, with emissive properties that contaminate endogenous fluorescent signals. To accurately distinguish the source of fluorescence in ex vivo skin samples treated with chemical sun filters, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy data were processed on a pixel-by-pixel basis using a non-Euclidean separation algorithm based on Mahalanobis distance and validated on simulated data. Applying this method, ex vivo samples exhibited a small oxidative shift when exposed to sun filters alone, though this shift was much smaller than that imparted by UV irradiation. Given the need for investigative tools to further study the clinical impact of chemical sun filters in patients, the reported methodology may be applied to visualize chemical sun filters and measure oxidative stress in patients' skin.

PMID: 29222855 [PubMed - in process]



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Fetal Electrocardiogram Extraction and Analysis Using Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Wavelet Transformation Techniques.

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Fetal Electrocardiogram Extraction and Analysis Using Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Wavelet Transformation Techniques.

J Med Syst. 2017 Dec 08;42(1):21

Authors: Sutha P, Jayanthi VE

Abstract
Birth defect-related demise is mainly due to congenital heart defects. In the earlier stage of pregnancy, fetus problem can be identified by finding information about the fetus to avoid stillbirths. The gold standard used to monitor the health status of the fetus is by Cardiotachography(CTG), cannot be used for long durations and continuous monitoring. There is a need for continuous and long duration monitoring of fetal ECG signals to study the progressive health status of the fetus using portable devices. The non-invasive method of electrocardiogram recording is one of the best method used to diagnose fetal cardiac problem rather than the invasive methods.The monitoring of the fECG requires development of a miniaturized hardware and a efficient signal processing algorithms to extract the fECG embedded in the mother ECG. The paper discusses a prototype hardware developed to monitor and record the raw mother ECG signal containing the fECG and a signal processing algorithm to extract the fetal Electro Cardiogram signal. We have proposed two methods of signal processing, first is based on the Least Mean Square (LMS) Adaptive Noise Cancellation technique and the other method is based on the Wavelet Transformation technique. A prototype hardware was designed and developed to acquire the raw ECG signal containing the mother and fetal ECG and the signal processing techniques were used to eliminate the noises and extract the fetal ECG and the fetal Heart Rate Variability was studied. Both the methods were evaluated with the signal acquired from a fetal ECG simulator, from the Physionet database and that acquired from the subject. Both the methods are evaluated by finding heart rate and its variability, amplitude spectrum and mean value of extracted fetal ECG. Also the accuracy, sensitivity and positive predictive value are also determined for fetal QRS detection technique. In this paper adaptive filtering technique uses Sign-sign LMS algorithm and wavelet techniques with Daubechies wavelet, employed along with de noising techniques for the extraction of fetal Electrocardiogram.Both the methods are having good sensitivity and accuracy. In adaptive method the sensitivity is 96.83, accuracy 89.87, wavelet sensitivity is 95.97 and accuracy is 88.5. Additionally, time domain parameters from the plot of heart rate variability of mother and fetus are analyzed.

PMID: 29222728 [PubMed - in process]



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SNF5 as a prognostic factor in skull base chordoma.

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SNF5 as a prognostic factor in skull base chordoma.

J Neurooncol. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Li M, Zhai Y, Bai J, Wang S, Gao H, Li C, Gui S, Du J, Zhang Y

Abstract
The current study aimed to characterize SNF5 expression and investigate the relationship between SNF5 and clinicopathological features in skull base chordoma. 48 patients diagnosed with skull base chordoma were enrolled in this study. Tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the expression of SNF5 in skull base chordoma. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess survival. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify risk factors affecting patient survival. The H-scores for cytoplasmic SNF5 ranged from 124.47 to 254.52. Low expression of SNF5 was correlated with shorter overall survival (OS) (p = 0.021). Patients with age > 55 years old had shorter progression free survival (PFS) and OS times than patients whose age ≤ 55 years old (p = 0.005 and 0.003, respectively). The gross total resection group showed longer PFS than the non-gross total resection group (p = 0.024). Females showed shorter PFS times than males (p = 0.033). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that age, extent of resection and sex were independent prognostic factors for PFS (p = 0.010, 0.013 and 0.042, respectively). Age was an independent prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.010). Our study indicate that low expression of SNF5 is associated with poor prognosis in skull base chordoma.

PMID: 29222701 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Venetoclax for Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia: An Evidence Review Group Perspective of a NICE Single Technology Appraisal.

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Venetoclax for Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia: An Evidence Review Group Perspective of a NICE Single Technology Appraisal.

Pharmacoeconomics. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Mistry H, Nduka C, Connock M, Colquitt J, Mantopoulos T, Loveman E, Walewska R, Mason J

Abstract
Venetoclax is licensed to treat relapsed or refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). As part of the Single Technology Appraisal (STA) ID944, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) invited AbbVie, the manufacturer, to submit evidence on the use of venetoclax, within its licensed indication. The Evidence Review Group (ERG), Warwick Evidence, was asked to provide an independent and critical review of the submitted evidence. Evidence came from three single-arm trials in CLL patients with or without 17p deletion [del(17p])/TP53 chromosomal abnormalities. The anticipated licensed indication specified that venetoclax-eligible del(17p)/TP53 patients should have not responded to, or be deemed unsuitable for, B-cell receptor inhibitor (BCRi) therapy, and that non-del(17p)/TP53 patients should have not responded to both chemoimmunotherapy and BCRi therapy. The three trials were heterogeneous in terms of both del(17p)/TP53 status and previous exposure to BCRi therapy. The M13-982 study investigated 158 R/R CLL patients with the 17p deletion, but only a small number had received previous BCRi therapy; the M12-175 study investigated 67 patients with CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma, some with the 17p deletion, but very few previously treated with BCRi therapy; and the M14-032 study included 105 patients previously treated with BCRi therapy (either idelalisib or ibrutinib), some of whom had unknown mutation status. The ERG concluded that the study populations did not directly conform to those specified in the licensed indication or in the NICE scope. Outcomes reported included overall response rate (ORR), duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS); adverse events were reported for the pooled population of all three studies, as well as separately for each study. The median PFS was 41.4 and 27.2 months among patients in the M12-175 and M13-982 trials, respectively, whereas the median PFS was not reached in the M14-032 trial. Some results were designated academic in confidence and cannot be reported here. The submission provided a de novo partitioned survival cost-effectiveness model with three health states: pre-progression, post-progression and dead. Transition probabilities between health states were estimated using Weibull models for PFS and OS. The ERG judged the model structure to be appropriate. Venetoclax was compared with best supportive care (BSC) in patients with or without del(17p)/TP53 mutation status, and with palliative care (PC). To populate the del(17p)/TP53 venetoclax arm, the submission pooled del(17p)/TP53 patients from all three studies and fitted Weibull models for PFS and OS. PFS and OS models for non-del(17p)/TP53 venetoclax patients were obtained by applying hazard ratios (HRs) to the del(17p)/TP53 OS and PFS models, derived using Cox's regression analysis comparing del(17p)/TP53 and non-del(17p)/TP53 patients pooled from the M14-032 and M12-175 studies. The ERG expressed reservations about the company's pooling procedure, but acknowledged its expedience given the small evidence base. For the BSC comparator arm, the submission used the rituximab + placebo arm from a randomised controlled trial comparing idelalisib + rituximab versus placebo + rituximab ('study 116'). Weibull regression data for OS and PFS were taken from the idelalisib STA (ID764) submitted by Gilead to NICE. The ERG considered the use of the study 116 rituximab arm to be inconsistent with the licensed indication for venetoclax because these patients had neither not responded to nor were inappropriate for BCRi therapy, being eligible to be randomised to idelalisib. Another difficulty was the requirement for a technical correction in survival analysis because of considerable switching from rituximab to idelalisib. The ERG considered that post-progression survival of patients from the idelalisib arm of study 116 provided a more appropriate representation of BSC since these patients had not responded to BCRi therapy, consistent with venetoclax's licensed indication. For PC, the company submission used data from the UK CLL Forum. The company's base-case analysis indicated that venetoclax was clinically effective, but the resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for del(17p)/TP53 (£39,940/quality-adjusted life-year [QALY] gained) and non-del(17p)/TP53 (£47,370/QALY gained) patients were well above the NICE threshold of £20,000-30,000/QALY. The ERG identified two errors in the implementation of the company's parametric models-one related to the implementation of HRs, and the other to the derivation of the Weibull shape parameters obtained from the Gilead idelalisib submission. The ERG made plausible adjustments to the company's base-case and corrected errors, resulting in a reduced estimate of the cost effectiveness of venetoclax in non-del(17p)/TP53 and del(17p)/TP53 indications; in the ERG's preferred base case, using post-progression survival of patients in the idelalisib arm of study 116 as the BSC comparator, deterministic ICERs were higher than the company's base-case for both indications: £57,476/QALY gained for del(17p)/TP53 and £77,779/QALY gained for non-del(17p)/TP53. The NICE Appraisal Committee's preliminary recommendation was that venetoclax used within its licensed indication should not be recommended for use in the National Health Service (NHS). In response to the preliminary recommendation, the company submitted new analyses; however, at a subsequent appraisal committee meeting, the original recommendation was upheld and the committee concluded there were large uncertainties around the clinical effectiveness of venetoclax and BSC, and that under the committee's preferred assumptions, the ICERs were higher than those generally considered cost effective, even when end-of-life criteria were taken into account. The company submitted further evidence, and the final guidance recommended venetoclax for use with the Cancer Drugs Fund for the two populations in this technology appraisal.

PMID: 29222670 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Phytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles in tobacco plants.

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Phytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles in tobacco plants.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Cvjetko P, Zovko M, Štefanić PP, Biba R, Tkalec M, Domijan AM, Vrček IV, Letofsky-Papst I, Šikić S, Balen B

Abstract
The small size of nanoparticles (NPs), with dimensions between 1 and 100 nm, results in unique chemical and physical characteristics, which is why they are implemented in various consumer products. Therefore, an important concern is the potential detrimental impact of NPs on the environment. As plants are a vital part of ecosystem, investigation of the phytotoxic effects of NPs is particularly interesting. This study investigated the potential phytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants and compared it with the effects of the same AgNO3 concentrations. Accumulation of silver in roots and leaves was equally efficient after both AgNP and AgNO3 treatment, with predominant Ag levels found in the roots. Exposure to AgNPs did not result in elevated values of oxidative stress parameters either in roots or in leaves, while AgNO3 induced oxidative stress in both plant tissues. In the presence of both AgNPs and AgNO3, root meristem cells became highly vacuolated, which indicates that vacuoles might be the primary storage target for accumulated Ag. Direct AgNP uptake by root cells was confirmed. Leaf ultrastructural studies revealed changes mainly in the size of chloroplasts of AgNP-treated and AgNO3-treated plants. All of these findings indicate that nano form of silver is less toxic to tobacco plants than silver ions.

PMID: 29222658 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Development of a kelp powder (Thallus laminariae) Standard Reference Material.

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Development of a kelp powder (Thallus laminariae) Standard Reference Material.

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2017 Dec 09;:

Authors: Yu LL, Browning JF, Burdette CQ, Caceres GC, Chieh KD, Davis WC, Kassim BL, Long SE, Murphy KE, Oflaz R, Paul RL, Sharpless KE, Wood LJ, Yen JH, Zeisler R

Abstract
A Standard Reference Material (SRM) of seaweed, SRM 3232 Kelp Powder (Thallus laminariae) has been developed to support food and dietary supplement measurements in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). The material was characterized for nutritional minerals, arsenic species, isomers of vitamin K1, proximates, and toxic elements. Kelp is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and it is an excellent source of dietary iodine. Kelp also contains a large amount of arsenic, which is toxic as inorganic species but much less so as organic species. To capture the dietary profile of kelp, certified values were issued for As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Pb, and Zn. Reference values for proximates were assigned. For the first time, a certified value for iodine, reference values for isomers of vitamin K1, and reference values for arsenic species including arsenosugars were assigned in a seaweed. SRM 3232 fills a gap in Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) needed for quality assurance and method validation in the compositional measurements of kelp and similar seaweeds used as food and as dietary supplements. Graphical Absract Arsenic species and isomers of vitamin K1 were determined in the development of SRM 3232 Kelp Powder (Thallus laminariae).

PMID: 29222652 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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What is the level of evidence for the use of currently available technologies in facilitating the self-management of difficulties associated with ADHD in children and young people? A systematic review.

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What is the level of evidence for the use of currently available technologies in facilitating the self-management of difficulties associated with ADHD in children and young people? A systematic review.

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Powell L, Parker J, Harpin V

Abstract
A number of technologies to help self-manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and young people (YP) have been developed. This review will assess the level of evidence for the use of such technologies. The review was undertaken in accordance with the general principles recommended in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. 7545 studies were screened. Fourteen studies of technology that aim to self-manage difficulties associated with ADHD in children and YP were included. Primary outcome measures were measures that assessed difficulties related to ADHD. Databases searched were MEDLINE, Web of Science (Core collection), CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest ASSIA, PsycINFO and Scopus. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed. This review highlights the potential for the use of technology in paediatric ADHD management. However, it also demonstrates that current research lacks robustness; using small sample sizes, non-validated outcome measures and little psychoeducation component. Future research is required to investigate the value of technology in supporting children and YP with ADHD and a focus psychoeducation is needed.

PMID: 29222634 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Association between sleep disorder and panic disorder in South Korea: Nationwide nested case-control study of data from 2004 to 2013.

Association between sleep disorder and panic disorder in South Korea: Nationwide nested case-control study of data from 2004 to 2013.

Psychiatry Res. 2017 Dec 05;260:286-291

Authors: Park HJ, Kim MS, Park EC, Jang SY, Kim W, Han KT

Abstract
After 2010, panic disorders became relatively common in South Korea, with many celebrities confessing to the public that they have panic disorder. The annual number of patients with panic disorder and sleep disorder have been gradually increasing. In light of these increases, we analyzed the relationship between sleep disorder and panic disorder. We used national claim data to design a 1:3 nested case-control study. The study included medical claims filed for 29,312 patients during 2004-2013. We performed conditional logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between sleep disorder and panic disorder. There were 7436 patients who were diagnosed with panic disorder, and 21,876 patients who were gender- and age-matched as controls. Patients with sleep disorder had higher incidence of panic disorder. In particular, patients with insomnia had the strongest association with panic disorder (adjusted, OR, 1.386; 95% CI, 1.201-1.599; p < 0.05). These associations were stronger in healthy patients and those with worse socioeconomic status. In conclusion, sleep disorder, in particular, insomnia was positively associated with panic disorder. Thus, healthcare professionals and policy makers should effectively control insomnia and consider strategies for early intervention for vulnerable patients with risk of panic disorder.

PMID: 29223044 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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The Ameliorative Effect of Fluoxetine on Neuroinflammation Induced by Sleep Deprivation.

The Ameliorative Effect of Fluoxetine on Neuroinflammation Induced by Sleep Deprivation.

J Neurochem. 2017 Dec 09;:

Authors: Xia M, Li X, Yang L, Ren J, Sun G, Qi S, Verkhratsky A, Li B

Abstract
It is well known that sleep disorders are harmful to people's health and performance, and growing evidence suggests that sleep deprivation (SD) can trigger neuroinflammation in the brain. The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is reported to be relevant to the neuroinflammation induced by SD, but the regulatory signaling that governs the NLRP3 inflammasome in SD is still unknown. Meanwhile, whether the regulatory action of antidepressants in astrocytes could affect the neuroinflammation induced by SD also remains obscure. In this study, we were the first to discover that the antidepressant fluoxetine, a type of specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) widely used in clinical practice, could suppress the neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis induced by SD. The main findings from this study are as follows: 1) SD stimulated the expression of activated NLRP3 inflammasomes and the maturation of IL-1β/18 via suppressing the phosphorylation of STAT3 in astrocytes; 2) SD decreased the activation of AKT and stimulated the phosphorylation of GSK-3β, which inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3; 3) the NLRP3 inflammasome expression stimulated by SD was partly mediated by the P2X7 receptor; 4) an agonist of STAT3 could significantly abolish the expression of NLRP3 inflammasomes induced by an agonist of the P2X7 receptor in primary cultured astrocytes; 5) the administration of fluoxetine could reverse the stimulation of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and function by SD through elevating the activation of STAT3. In conclusion, our present research suggests the promising possibility that fluoxetine could ameliorate the neuronal impairment induced by SD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 29222907 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Tai Chi and Qigong for cancer-related symptoms and quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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Tai Chi and Qigong for cancer-related symptoms and quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

J Cancer Surviv. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Wayne PM, Lee MS, Novakowski J, Osypiuk K, Ligibel J, Carlson LE, Song R

Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aims to summarize and critically evaluate the effects of Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) mind-body exercises on symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in cancer survivors.
METHODS: A systematic search in four electronic databases targeted randomized and non-randomized clinical studies evaluating TCQ for fatigue, sleep difficulty, depression, pain, and QOL in cancer patients, published through August 2016. Meta-analysis was used to estimate effect sizes (ES, Hedges' g) and publication bias for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methodological bias in RCTs was assessed.
RESULTS: Our search identified 22 studies, including 15 RCTs that evaluated 1283 participants in total, 75% women. RCTs evaluated breast (n = 7), prostate (n = 2), lymphoma (n = 1), lung (n = 1), or combined (n = 4) cancers. RCT comparison groups included active intervention (n = 7), usual care (n = 5), or both (n = 3). Duration of TCQ training ranged from 3 to 12 weeks. Methodological bias was low in 12 studies and high in 3 studies. TCQ was associated with significant improvement in fatigue (ES = - 0.53, p < 0.001), sleep difficulty (ES = - 0.49, p = 0.018), depression (ES = - 0.27, p = 0.001), and overall QOL (ES = 0.33, p = 0.004); a statistically non-significant trend was observed for pain (ES = - 0.38, p = 0.136). Random effects models were used for meta-analysis based on Q test and I 2 criteria. Funnel plots suggest some degree of publication bias. Findings in non-randomized studies largely paralleled meta-analysis results.
CONCLUSIONS: Larger and methodologically sound trials with longer follow-up periods and appropriate comparison groups are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn, and cancer- and symptom-specific recommendations can be made.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: TCQ shows promise in addressing cancer-related symptoms and QOL in cancer survivors.

PMID: 29222705 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Sleep-Related Painful Erections Following Sexual Intercourse.

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Sleep-Related Painful Erections Following Sexual Intercourse.

Arch Sex Behav. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Barnhoorn PC, Gianotten WL, van Driel MF

Abstract
Sleep-related painful erections (SRPE) is a rare disorder characterized by recurrent painful nocturnal erections during REM sleep in the absence of pain during daytime erections. Approximately 35 cases of SRPE have been reported in the literature, none of them associated with preceding sexual intercourse. We add the report of a 40-year-old patient with a 6-year history of SRPE which only, but always, occurred after sexual intercourse with ejaculation in the evening before. As a result, the frequency of intercourse diminished, causing relationship problems. A non-pharmacological solution was found in shifting the time of sexual intercourse. The patient refused any proposed pharmacological treatment, because of "not wanting to be a patient at his age."

PMID: 29222639 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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The Link Between Anxiety Severity and Irritability Among Anxious Youth: Evaluating the Mediating Role of Sleep Problems.

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The Link Between Anxiety Severity and Irritability Among Anxious Youth: Evaluating the Mediating Role of Sleep Problems.

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Poznanski B, Cornacchio D, Coxe S, Pincus DB, McMakin DL, Comer JS

Abstract
Although recent studies have linked pediatric anxiety to irritability, research has yet to examine the mechanisms through which youth anxiety may be associated with irritability. Importantly, sleep related problems (SRPs) have been associated with both child anxiety and irritability, but research has not considered whether the link between youth anxiety and irritability may be accounted for by SRPs. The present study investigated whether SRPs mediated the relationship between anxiety severity and irritability in a large sample of treatment-seeking anxious youth (N = 435; ages 7-19 years, M = 12.7; 55.1% female). Anxiety severity, SRPs and irritability showed significant pairwise associations, and the indirect effect of youth anxiety severity on irritability, via SRPs, was positive and significant. The present analysis is the first to examine youth anxiety, irritability, and SPRs in a single model in a sample of anxious youth, and provides preliminary evidence that SRPs partially mediate links between child anxiety and irritability.

PMID: 29222620 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Improvement in obstructive sleep apnea after a tailored behavioural sleep medicine intervention targeting healthy eating and physical activity: a randomised controlled trial.

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Improvement in obstructive sleep apnea after a tailored behavioural sleep medicine intervention targeting healthy eating and physical activity: a randomised controlled trial.

Sleep Breath. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Igelström H, Åsenlöf P, Emtner M, Lindberg E

Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of the present single-centre randomised controlled trial was to assess the effect of a behavioural sleep medicine (BSM) intervention on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity in patients who have been referred for new treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
METHODS: After baseline assessment including ventilatory and anthropometric parameters, and physical activity monitoring, 86 patients who were overweight (BMI ≥ 25) and had moderate-severe OSA with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 15 were randomised into a control group (CG; CPAP and advice about weight loss) or an experimental group (ExpG; CPAP and BSM intervention targeting physical activity and eating behaviour). The BSM intervention comprised 10 individual sessions with a dietician and a physiotherapist and included behaviour change techniques such as goal setting and self-monitoring. After 6 months, a new recording of ventilatory parameters was performed without CPAP.
RESULTS: In ExpG, 40% (n = 14) had improved from severe to moderate or mild OSA or from moderate to mild OSA compared to 16.7% in CG (n = 6, p = 0.02). Further, a lower AHI and amount body fat at baseline were correlated with improvement in severity class. Being in ExpG implied a mean improvement in AHI by 9.7 and an odds ratio of 4.5 for improving in severity classification.
CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the clinical importance of lifestyle modifications in conjunction with CPAP treatment in patients with OSA.

PMID: 29222619 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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