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© The Author(s) 2017. Social networking sites (SNSs) have become common avenues for young people to share their life experience with peers, including their consumption experience. Although prior research on the media effects of SNSs has shown how online communication on SNSs promotes various volitional behaviors, current understanding is limited with respect to how young people’s use of SNSs is associated with their consumption experience and materialistic values. This study examines how SNS use related to consumption experience is associated with materialistic values among young adults and how their social perceptions mediate such association. This investigation also proposes that young adults’ self-regulation and close relationships with parents would buffer the impact of SNS use. Survey data gathered from 903 youths in Singapore lend strong empirical support to the hypotheses proposed. Implications are discussed.

Owing to their unique physicochemical properties, nanoparticles are used in a variety of ways in the field of cancer treatment, including imaging, drug delivery, and photothermal and photodynamic therapies. The fascinating properties of nanoparticles are determined by their size, morphology, and constituent elements, and various synthetic methods and post-synthetic techniques have been applied to control these factors. Herein, we present examples of shape and composition control through galvanic replacement, a technique that exploits redox potential differences between elements to induce spontaneous ion-exchange and highlight its specific contributions to cancer treatment applications. The present article identifies the recent advances in nanoparticle formation techniques and discusses the future outlook of the field.

Aims This multicentre, randomized, double-blind study investigated the efficacy and safety of gemigliptin in Korean type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (RI). Methods The study comprised a 12-week main part and a 40-week extension. We report here the results from the main part. In total, 132 patients were randomized to receive gemigliptin (n = 66) or placebo (n = 66). Changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c; primary endpoint), other glycaemic control parameters (fasting plasma glucose, glycated albumin and fructosamine), lipid profiles, renal function parameters and safety profiles were evaluated. Results Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups (mean HbA1c, 8.4% [68 mmol/mol]; age, 62.0 years; duration of type 2 diabetes, 16.3 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate, 33.3 mL/min/1.73 m2). At Week 12, the adjusted mean change ± standard error in HbA1c with gemigliptin was −0.82% ± 0.14% (−8.9 ± 1.5 mmol/mol), whereas it was 0.38% ± 0.14% (4.2 ± 1.5 mmol/mol) with placebo (significant between-group difference, P

Titanium dioxide as inorganic nanoparticles and emeraldine based (EB) polyaniline (PANI) as polymer are used in preparation of a nanoparticle–polymer composite. The polyaniline was prepared by a temperature-controlled self-stabilized dispersion polymerization method. The nanoparticles were plasma-treated in N 2 /SO 2 at a low pressure to improve dispersion in solvent and to sulfonate them. The plasma-treated nanoparticle, PANI, and a solvent were introduced into a reaction vessel. The mixtures were changed from heavy blue to green after stirring for 3 h. The characteristic peaks of the obtained composite in the UV–visible spectrum appeared at 325–360, 400–430, and 780–826 nm, which correspond to π–π*, polaron–π*, and π–polaron transitions, respectively. The results mean that PANI in the composite is in the doped state. The plasma-treated TiO 2 and the composite were preliminarily characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and transmission electron microscopy.

Here, we first demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of acupuncture after SCI. Acupuncture applied at two specific acupoints, Shuigou (GV26) and Yanglingquan (GB34) significantly alleviated apoptotic cell death of neurons and oligodendrocytes, thereby leading to improved functional recovery after SCI. Acupuncture also inhibited caspase-3 activation and reduced the size of lesion cavity and extent of loss of axons. We also found that the activation of both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and resident microglia after injury are significantly attenuated by acupuncture. In addition, acupuncture significantly reduced the expression or activation of pro-nerve growth factor, proinflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, nitric oxide synthase, cycloxygenase-2, and matrix metalloprotease-9 after SCI. Thus, our results suggest that the neuroprotection by acupuncture may be partly mediated via inhibition of inflammation and microglial activation after SCI and acupuncture can be used as a potential therapeutic tool for treating acute spinal injury in human.

Signal transduction cascades involving Rho-associated kinases (ROCK), the serine/threonine kinases downstream effectors of Rho, have been implicated in the regulation of diverse cellular functions including cytoskeletal organization, cell size control, modulation of gene expression, differentiation, and transformation. Here we show that ROCK2, the predominant ROCK isoform in skeletal muscle, is progressively up-regulated during mouse myoblast differentiation and is highly expressed in the dermomyotome and muscle precursor cells of mouse embryos. We identify a novel and evolutionarily conserved ROCK2 splicing variant, ROCK2m, that is preferentially expressed in skeletal muscle and strongly up-regulated during in vivo and in vitro differentiation processes. The specific knockdown of ROCK2 or ROCK2m expression in C2C12 myogenic cells caused a significant and selective impairment of the expression of desmin and of the myogenic regulatory factors Mrf4 and MyoD. We demonstrate that in myogenic cells, ROCK2 and ROCK2m are positive regulators of the p42 and p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase-p90 ribosomal S6 kinase-eucaryotic elongation factor 2 intracellular signaling pathways and, thereby, positively regulate the hypertrophic effect elicited by insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin, linking the multifactorial functions of ROCK to an important control of the myogenic maturation.

Background: This article aims to explore the idea of proportionality within the context of the application of continuous deep sedation in end-of-life care, and to evaluate its importance in discerning intention. Methods: Two case studies are used to explore the concept of proportionality and the ‘Doctrine of the Double Effect’. The first highlights the importance of a holistic appreciation of a patient’s clinical, social, emotional, psychological, spiritual and cultural contexts. The second case study evaluates the appropriateness of a proportional response to continuous deep sedation. Results: The case studies show that the responses made by a patient’s multidisciplinary care teams ought to ‘fit’ the situation. This highlights the need for proportionate, appropriate measures that are in keeping with the wishes and goals of the patient, and suggests a need to consider individuals’ narratives and a holistic appreciation of their situations. Conclusions: Application of the Theory or Principle of Proportionality is imperative to expound the intentions of the physician, and the multidisciplinary care team as a whole. The idea of proportionality encapsulates the idea of appropriate use and, in keeping with the patient’s wishes, echoes the central ethos of a palliative care approach.

Polypropylene nonwoven fabrics are treated by He atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma. After plasma treatment, weight loss (%), surface properties (wettability, morphology, and chemical composition changes), tensile strength, low-stress mechanical properties, and air permeability of the fabrics are examined. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows significant surface morphology changes in plasma-treated polypropylene fiber surfaces, corresponding to reductions in fabric weight. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals that surface oxidation by the formation of hydrophilic groups enhances the surface wettability of the fabrics. Surface morphology changes with plasma treatment increase fiber-to-fiber friction, playing an important role in enhancing their tensile strength, low-stress mechanical properties, and air permeability.

Background context Although tuberculous and pyogenic spondylodiscitis are common causes of spinal infections, their protean manifestation complicates differential diagnosis. Purpose The clinical, laboratory, and radiologic characteristics of tuberculous and pyogenic spontaneous spondylodiscitis were compared in this study. Study design This multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 11 teaching hospitals in the Republic of Korea from January 2011 to December 2013. Patient sample Study subjects included adult patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with tuberculous (n=60) or pyogenic (n=117) spontaneous spondylodiscitis. Outcome measures Risk factors for tuberculous spondylodiscitis were determined, and their predictive performance was evaluated. Methods Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors independently associated with tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis using the presence or absence of risk factors was used to generate a risk index to identify patients with increased probability of tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Results Of 177 patients, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with tuberculous spondylodiscitis (n=60) were more frequently women, with increased nonlumbar spinal involvement and associated non-spinal lesions, delayed diagnosis, higher serum albumin levels, reduced white blood cell counts, and lower C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels. Among 117 patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis, the most frequent causative microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus (64.1%). The mean diagnostic delay was significantly shorter, which may reflect higher clinical expression leading to earlier diagnosis. A combination of clinical data and biomarkers had better predictive value for differential diagnosis compared with biomarkers alone, with an area under the curve of 0.93, and sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 95.0%, 79.5%, 70.4%, and 96.9%, respectively. Conclusions This study provides guidance for clinicians to predict the causative organisms of spondylodiscitis in uncertain situations and before culture or pathologic examinations. Clinical data and single biomarkers combined can be useful for differential diagnoses between tuberculous and pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

Mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) result in X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (xid) in mice. While targeted disruption of the protein kinase C-beta (PKCbeta) gene in mice results in an immunodeficiency similar to xid, the overall tyrosine phosphorylation of Btk is significantly enhanced in PKCbeta-deficient B cells. We provide direct evidence that PKCbeta acts as a feedback loop inhibitor of Btk activation. Inhibition of PKCbeta results in a dramatic increase in B-cell receptor (BCR)-mediated Ca2+ signaling. We identified a highly conserved PKCbeta serine phosphorylation site in a short linker within the Tec homology domain of Btk. Mutation of this phosphorylation site led to enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation and membrane association of Btk, and augmented BCR and FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling in B and mast cells, respectively. These findings provide a novel mechanism whereby reversible translocation of Btk/Tec kinases regulates the threshold for immunoreceptor signaling and thereby modulates lymphocyte activation.

The subacute toxicities and toxicokinetics of a new erectogenic, DA-8159, were evaluated after single (at the 1st day) and 4-week (at the 28th day) oral administration of the drug, in doses of 0 (to serve as a control), 12.5, 50 and 200 mg/kg/day, to male and female dogs (n=3 for male and female dogs for each dose). DA-8159 had an effect on the immune-related organs (or tissues), circulatory systems, liver, adrenal glands, ovaries and pancreas. The toxic dose was 200 mg/kg and no observed adverse effect level was less than 50 mg/kg for male and female dogs. There were no significant gender differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters of DA-8159 for each dose after both single and 4-week oral administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters of DA-8159 were dose-independent after single oral administration; the time to reach a peak plasma concentration (Tmax) and the dose-normalized area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to 24 h in plasma (AUC0–24 h) were not significantly different among three doses. However, accumulation of DA-8159 after 4-week oral administration was considerable at toxic dose, 200 mg/kg/day. For example, after 4-week administration, the dose-normalized AUC0–24 h value at 200 mg/kg/day (4.71 and 15.3 μg h/ml) was significantly greater than that at 12.5 mg/kg/day. After 4-week oral administration, the dose-normalized Cmax and AUC0–24 h at 200 mg/kg/day were significantly higher and greater, respectively, than those after a single oral administration. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Improving the reliability of wind turbines (WT) is an essential component in the bid to minimize the cost of energy, especially for offshore wind because of the difficulties associated with access for maintenance. Numerous studies have shown that WT gearbox and generator failure rates are unacceptably high, particularly given the long downtime incurred per failure. There is evidence that bearing failures of the gearbox high-speed stage (HSS) and generator account for a significant proportion of these failures. However, the root causes of these failure data are not known, and there is therefore a need for fundamental computational studies to support the valuable ‘top down’ reliability analyses. In this paper, a real (proprietary) 2 MW geared WT was modelled to compute the gearbox–generator misalignment and predict the impact of this misalignment upon the gearbox HSS and generator bearings. At rated torque, misalignment between the gearbox and generator of 8500 µm was seen. For the 2 MW WT analysed, the computational data show that the L10 fatigue lives of the gearbox HSS bearings were not significantly affected by this misalignment but that the L10 fatigue lives of the generator bearings, particularly the drive-end bearing, could be significantly reduced. It is proposed to apply a nominal offset to the generator to reduce the misalignment under operation, thereby reducing the loading on the gearbox HSS and generator bearings. The value of performing integrated system analyses has been demonstrated, and a robust methodology has been outlined.

Engagement of antigen receptors expressed on T and B cells utilize four distinct families of cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases (Src, Syk, Tec, and Csk) that are required for the efficient generation of second messengers necessary for lymphocyte function and development. The coordinated activation of these PTKs by the antigen and coreceptors modulate both quantitative and qualitative aspects of signaling that control the biological fate of a given lymphocyte. Loss of any of these cytoplasmic PTKs abrogates antigen receptor function and induces developmental abnormalities of the immune system. Studies over the past 5 years utilizing molecular, structural, and genetic approaches have elucidated multiple mechanisms by which antigen and co-receptors can modulate PTK function. This chapter captures the basic concepts that have evolved from these studies. Structural, biochemical and genetic studies have significantly enhanced understanding of PTK function in T cell antigen receptor activation. While much has been learned, a precise understanding of the kinetic and spatial arrangements of these mechanisms is still lacking.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is pathologically characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies (LBs) in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. These intracellular inclusions are largely composed of misfolded α-synuclein (AS), a neuronal protein that is abundant in the vertebrate brain. Point mutations in AS are associated with rare, early-onset forms of PD, although aggregation of the wild-type (WT) protein is observed in the more common sporadic forms of the disease. Here, we employed multidimensional solid-state NMR experiments to assess A53T and E46K mutant fibrils, in comparison to our recent description of WT AS fibrils. We made de novo chemical shift assignments for the mutants, and used these chemical shifts to empirically determine secondary structures. We observe significant perturbations in secondary structure throughout the fibril core for the E46K fibril, while the A53T fibril exhibits more localized perturbations near the mutation site. Overall, these results demonstrate that the secondary structure of A53T has some small differences from the WT and the secondary structure of E46K has significant differences, which may alter the overall structural arrangement of the fibrils.

Purpose To report a case of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) after photodynamic therapy using verteporfin. Design Interventional case report. Methods After four cycles of photodynamic therapy, general weakness with generalized edema developed in an otherwise healthy 66-year-old woman, resulting in dyspnea and ascites. Urinalysis showed heavy proteinuria (4+) with decreased serum total protein and albumin, and increased total cholesterol levels, suggesting nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy and pathologic diagnosis were performed. Results Renal biopsy revealed normal glomeruli and tubulointerstitium by light microscopy, with no immunoglobin or complement deposition. Transmission electron microscopy showed diffuse effacement of the foot processes of visceral epithelial cells, which is the characteristic finding of minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Conclusions We herein report a case of minimal change nephrotic syndrome after photodynamic therapy using verteporfin.