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Chronic inflammation plays a key role in arterial stiffness pathogenesis. Dietary components can display anti- or pro-inflammatory properties. Nonetheless, the association between the diet's overall inflammatory potential and arterial stiffness is unclear. This study aimed to assess the association between the diet's overall inflammatory potential and arterial stiffness assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). This cross-sectional study included 1307 participants from the STANISLAS family cohort study. Dietary data were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The adapted dietary inflammatory index (ADII) score was calculated to assess the inflammatory potential of the participants' diet. The association of ADII score quartile with cfPWV was assessed using IPW-weighted linear mixed models with random family effect. The median (Q1-Q3) ADII score was 0.45 (-1.57, 2.04). Participants exhibiting higher ADII scores demonstrated elevated energy intake, dietary saturated fat, and ultra-processed foods. Conversely, individuals with lower ADII scores exhibited higher vitamins and omega intakes, and a higher diet quality, as assessed by the DASH score. Despite these observations from the descriptive analyses, ADII score quartiles were not significantly associated with cfPWV (β(95% CI) were 0.01 (-0.02,0.04) for Q2, 0.02 (-0.01,0.05) for Q3, and 0.02 (-0.01,0.05) for Q4 compared to Q1). In this cross-sectional study, participants had a relatively modest consumption of pro-inflammatory foods, no substantial associations were observed between the diet inflammatory potential and arterial stiffness. Further longitudinal studies in larger cohorts are needed to better understand the link between inflammatory diet and arterial stiffness. • Chronic inflammation plays a key role in arterial stiffness pathogenesis. • Dietary components can display anti- or pro-inflammatory properties. • Link between diet inflammatory score and arterial stiffness association was studied. • The Adapted Dietary Inflammatory Index (ADII) was fairly neutral with 0.45 as median. • No association were observed between ADII and arterial stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal pain is a common emergency department complaint, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the abdomen is increasingly being utilized to evaluate clinical manifestations. It aids in accurate diagnoses and assists in procedures, particularly in emergency and critical care settings. Imaging is often required to confirm the etiology of abdominal pain. POCUS provides the benefit of avoiding radiation exposure and enables quicker diagnosis compared to computed tomography scans. There is growing evidence of the diagnostic accuracy for numerous abdominal POCUS applications, including appendicitis, intussusception, diverticulitis, gastric ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) is commonly utilized in the setting of renal colic. The presence of perinephric fluid may be an overlooked finding associated with ureteral obstruction. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of perinephric fluid on emergency physician-performed PoCUS and to determine whether perinephric fluid was associated with stone size or urologic intervention. This was a 12-month cross-sectional study at an academic emergency department (ED) that took place from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. All adult ED patients ≥18 years of age who had a renal PoCUS examination performed were included. Patients with missing or inadequate PoCUS images were excluded. Investigators blinded to PoCUS images and interpretations performed chart review for demographic data and outcome variables, while separate investigators blinded to clinical data reviewed PoCUS images to assess for perinephric fluid and hydronephrosis. A chi-square analysis was used to determine significance of association between perinephric fluid and outcome variables (stone size, urologic intervention). There were 442 patients screened; 18 were excluded due to inadequate images and 4 were repeat visits of which only the initial visit was analyzed. Of the remaining 420 patients included, the prevalence of perinephric fluid was 6.2% (n = 26). Most patients (23/26) with perinephric fluid had final diagnoses consistent with ureterolithiasis. Hydronephrosis was present in 115 of the 420 patients (27.4%) and of these, 22 (19.1%) had perinephric fluid which was significantly associated with a need for urologic intervention; odds ratio (OR) 10.38 (95% CI 2.70–39.85), p < 0.01. Among the 67 patients with confirmed ureterolithiasis on computed tomography, perinephric fluid was associated with stone size ≥5 mm; OR 4.00 (95% CI 1.01–15.85), p = 0.04. The prevalence of perinephric fluid on emergency physician-performed renal PoCUS was 6.2% of all studies and 19.1% of patients with hydronephrosis. In the setting of ureterolithiasis, perinephric fluid was associated with larger stone size and need for urologic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a new single-step mechanism for the combustion of arbitrary hydrocarbons and alcohols. Unlike most single-step models, no tabulation is required, as the method builds upon a new analytical description of the thermochemical equilibrium of fuel-oxidizer mixtures including dihydrogen and carbon monoxide – two species usually discarded in one-step descriptions – yielding correct adiabatic temperature. The single-step chemistry includes varying stoichiometric coefficients, ensuring a convergence towards thermochemical equilibrium regardless of the local state. The reaction rate is then carefully adjusted to reproduce accurately premixed flames. To tackle ignition simultaneously, an additional passive scalar advection-diffusion-reaction equation is introduced, with a rate fitted on ignition delays. The scalar then serves as an efficiency to modify the single-step reaction rate in autoignition configurations. The obtained scheme is then validated for a wide range of equivalence ratios on homogeneous reactors, premixed flames, a triple flame, and a counterflow diffusion flame. The new analytical thermochemical equilibrium formulation may also serve in speeding up infinitely fast chemistry calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nosocomial or healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are associated with a financial burden that affects both patients and healthcare institutions worldwide. The clinical best care practices (CBPs) of hand hygiene, hygiene and sanitation, screening, and basic and additional precautions aim to reduce this burden. The COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed these four CBPs are critically important prevention practices that limit the spread of HCAIs. This paper conducted a systematic review of economic evaluations related to these four CBPs using a discounting approach. We searched for articles published between 2000 and 2019. We included economic evaluations of infection prevention and control of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea, meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli. Results were analysed with cost-minimization, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, cost-benefit and cost-consequence analyses. Articles were assessed for quality. A total of 11,898 articles were screened and seven were included. Most studies (4/7) were of overall moderate quality. All studies demonstrated cost effectiveness of CBPs. The average yearly net cost savings from the CBPs ranged from $252,847 (2019 Canadian dollars) to $1,691,823, depending on the rate of discount (3% and 8%). The average incremental benefit cost ratio of CBPs varied from 2.48 to 7.66. In order to make efficient use of resources and maximize health benefits, ongoing research in the economic evaluation of infection control should be carried out to support evidence-based healthcare policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to identify homogenous echocardiographic phenotypes in community-based cohorts and assess their association with outcomes. Asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction leads to a high risk of long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; however, better echocardiographic classification of asymptomatic individuals remains a challenge. Echocardiographic phenotypes were identified using K-means clustering in the first generation of the STANISLAS (Yearly non-invasive follow-up of Health status of Lorraine insured inhabitants) cohort (N = 827; mean age: 60 ± 5 years; men: 48%), and their associations with vascular function and circulating biomarkers were also assessed. These phenotypes were externally validated in the Malmö Preventive Project cohort (N = 1,394; mean age: 67 ± 6 years; men: 70%), and their associations with the composite of cardiovascular mortality (CVM) or heart failure hospitalization (HFH) were assessed as well. Three echocardiographic phenotypes were identified as "mostly normal (MN)" (n = 334), "diastolic changes (D)" (n = 323), and "diastolic changes with structural remodeling (D/S)" (n = 170). The D and D/S phenotypes had similar ages, body mass indices, cardiovascular risk factors, vascular impairments, and diastolic function changes. The D phenotype consisted mainly of women and featured increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers, whereas the D/S phenotype, consisted predominantly of men, displayed the highest values of left ventricular mass, volume, and remodeling biomarkers. The phenotypes were predicted based on a simple algorithm including e′, left ventricular mass and volume (e′VM algorithm). In the Malmö cohort, subgroups derived from e′VM algorithm were significantly associated with a higher risk of CVM and HFH (adjusted HR in the D phenotype = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.04 to 3.37; adjusted HR in the D/S phenotype = 3.02; 95% CI: 1.71 to 5.34). Among asymptomatic, middle-aged individuals, echocardiographic data-driven classification based on the simple e′VM algorithm identified profiles with different long-term HF risk. (4th Visit at 17 Years of Cohort STANISLAS-Stanislas Ancillary Study ESCIF [STANISLASV4]; NCT01391442) [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report vigilance attention outcomes from a cluster randomized controlled trial of early childhood development caregiver training for perinatally HIV-exposed/uninfected preschool-age children in rural Uganda. The Early Childhood Vigilance Test (ECVT) provides a webcam recording of proportion of time a child views an animation periodically moving across a computer screen.Study Design: Sixty mothers/caregivers received biweekly year-long training sessions of the Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC), and 59 mothers received biweekly training about nutrition, hygiene, and health care. Children were tested for attention at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months with the ECVT, in terms of proportion of time spent viewing a 6-minute animation of animals greeting the child and moving across the computer monitor screen. Time viewing the animation were scored by trained observers using ProCoder program for webcam scoring of proportion of time the child faced the animation. Mixed-effects modeling was used to compare ECVT outcomes for the 2 intervention groups.Results: Unadjusted and adjusted (for age, sex, height, and ECVT at baseline) group differences on ECVT significantly favored the MISC arm at 6 months (P = .03; 95% CI (0.01, 0.11), effect size = 0.46) but not at 12 months. Both groups made significant gains in sustained attention across the year-long intervention (P = .021) with no significant interaction effects between time and treatment arms or sex.Conclusions: Caregiver early childhood development training enhanced attention in at-risk Ugandan children, which can be foundational to improved working memory and learning, and perhaps related to previous language benefits reported for this cohort.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00889395. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The College of American Pathologists mandates that telepathology services are included in laboratory quality management programs. The aim of this study was to assess a telecytology quality assurance (QA) process that we implemented in 2015. Each month, a cytotechnologist randomly selected 3 telecytology fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cases from each cytopathologist on the FNA service that month. Data were recorded in a monthly worksheet and included onsite telecytology adequacy, final adequacy, concordance, onsite operator, cytopathologist, and reason for discrepancy, if present. The worksheet was reviewed monthly, discordant cases were re-examined, and feedback to cytologists was provided. For this study, worksheets from October 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The QA program captured 488 cases, representing 25% of total cases that utilized telecytology during the evaluation period (n = 1983). The telecytology onsite assessment was concordant with the final cytologic assessment in 84% (410 of 488) of cases. The majority of discordant cases (72 of 78, 92%) were the result of an "Inadequate" onsite telecytology assessment, but a final diagnosis was able to be rendered; 92% of these cases were attributed to diagnostic material being present in cytologic preparations not available during the onsite assessment. Nine telecytology onsite interpretation errors were identified, of which 7 were provided by cytopathologists with less than 2 years of experience. Most telecytology cases with onsite assessment errors were evaluated by cytopathologists with less than 2 years of practice experience; therefore, careful monitoring of new staff should be considered when developing a telecytology QA program. • The College of American Pathologists mandates that telepathology services are included in laboratory quality management programs. • We assessed a formal telecytology quality assurance program that was implemented in 2015. • Most telecytology cases with onsite assessment errors were evaluated by cytopathologists with less than 2 years of practice experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated a standardized and personalized approach to verify the effects of conditions on intrarater and interrater reliability, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable difference for provocative tests and range-of-motion (ROM) tests used in hip pain assessment: flexion-adduction-internal rotation (FADIR), flexion-abduction-external rotation-extension (FABER), and hip internal rotation with 90° of hip flexion (hip IR). Nineteen participants (mean [± SD] age = 24 ± 2 years; 10 women and 9 men) without lower limb or back pain were recruited. Three raters evaluated each participant during 2 testing sessions, 1 day apart. Raters performed the 3 tests in 4 conditions: classic (C), controlled pressure duration (CPD), subject-specific position (SSP), and mixed (M = CPD + SSP). For intrarater reliability, the CPD condition showed the highest intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs; mean and 95% confidence interval [CI]) for hip IR ROM (0.83; 95% CI, 0.53-0.94) and FADIR ROM (0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.89). The SSP condition showed the highest ICCs for FABER height (0.71; 95% CI, 0.42-0.87) and FABER ROM (0.62; 95% CI, 0.27-0.83). Concerning interrater reliability, the classic condition presented the highest ICCs for FABER variables (height: 0.54; 95% CI, 0.28-0.76; ROM: 0.58; 95% CI, 0.32-0.79) and hip IR ROM (0.72; 95% CI, 0.51-0.87). The CPD condition showed the highest ICC for FADIR ROM (0.57; 95% CI, 0.32-0.78). In the conditions of this study, CPD showed the highest ICCs for hip IR ROM and FADIR ROM , and SSP showed the highest ICCs for FABER height and FABER ROM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to quantify and report the intrarater and interrater reliability of hip internal rotation (IR) range of motion supine with the hip and knee at 90° of flexion and for the flexion-adduction-internal rotation (FADIR) test. Hip internal rotation measured in a lying supine position with the hip and knee at 90° of flexion revealed information on hip impairments. To date no simple quantification approach has been presented in this position; therefore, the FADIR test has not been quantified yet. Twenty participants (mean ± standard deviation [SD] age, 24.0 ± 2.1 years; 10 women and 10 men) without lower-limb or back pain were recruited. Three raters evaluated each participant during 2 testing sessions, 1 day apart. A built-in smartphone compass application was used to obtain the hip IR range of motion in both procedures. Mean (± SD) supine IR was 51.7° (± 9.7°) and 62.6° (± 11.4°) for men and women, respectively. Concerning the FADIR test, mean values were 41.8° (± 9.64°) and 50.1° (± 8.0°) for men and women, respectively. The mean intrarater and interrater reliability coefficients were 0.80 and 0.72 for hip IR and 0.75 and 0.40 for the FADIR test. The standard error of the mean ranged from 4.8° to 8.3° (minimal detectable difference [MDD], 13.3° to 22.9°) for hip IR and from 4.6° to 10.3° (MDD, 12.8° to 28.6°) for the FADIR test. Overall, the smartphone compass application is adequate to quantify hip IR in a lying supine position. However, the poor to moderate interrater reliability in the FADIR test and the size of the MDD values suggest that the FADIR test should be standardized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Francaise d'Allergologie is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of the study was to investigate how peer alcohol use moderates genetic and environmental influences on three different developmental trajectories of alcohol use during adolescence: low (continuously low levels of use), early-onset fast-escalating (initiated use early, the level of use increased quickly), and normative increasing (started at a low level and increased steadily) using biometric modeling. Data were from a longitudinal study on a sample of population-based adolescent twins (N = 842, 52.7% female, 84% European Caucasian). Adolescents self-reported past-year alcohol use at age 13, 14, 15, and 17 years. Adolescents' nominated friends reported their own past-year alcohol use at age 13, 15, and 17 years. Genetic and environmental influences on adolescents' alcohol use trajectories were differentially moderated by friends' alcohol use in different trajectories. Gene-environment interaction was implicated in the low and early-onset trajectories, such that genetic contributions were amplified when friends used more alcohol. Environment-environment interaction was involved in the normative increasing and early-onset trajectories, such that person-specific environmental contributions were amplified when friends' alcohol use increased. Adolescent alcohol use remains a major public health issue, with peer alcohol use being a major risk factor. These findings suggest that close supervision to reduce deviant peer affiliation as well as preventions targeting peer group norms of alcohol use might be especially beneficial for adolescents following the normative increasing and early-onset trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This research investigates the determinants of the attractiveness of urban tourism in two recognized tourist and heritage cities, Québec City and Bordeaux. In an analysis based on a tripartite theoretical model of attractiveness, a statistical comparative analysis was done in both cities to examine visitors' perceptions using a questionnaire survey completed by about 500 visitors. This analysis produced three main findings. First, a factor analysis demonstrated that tourists recognize attractiveness on four levels (context, tourist belt, complementary attractions and nucleus). Second, elements linked to the tourist belt, such as public spaces and the urban environment, are viewed as the most important. Third, mean value comparisons revealed that tourists who consult the Internet and social media have heightened sensitivity to nucleus, complementary attraction and context levels. To stimulate tourism attractiveness, cities' communications should thus emphasize the elements associated with the tourist belt, and effectively utilize Internet and social media to convey its caracteristics. Because urban public areas play an essential role in tourism attractiveness, it is also recommended that cities incorporate tourism into their planning strategy. Highlights • A theoretical model is applied to the determinants of urban tourism attractiveness. • Results indicate four levels: context, belt, complementary attractions and nucleus. • Tourists mainly assess attractiveness in the public space. • Internet and social media are associated with different attractiveness evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Influenza virus infections are a significant public threat and the best approach to prevent them is through vaccination. Because of the perpetual changes of circulating influenza strains, the efficacy of influenza vaccines rarely exceeds 50%. To improve the protection efficacy, we have designed a novel vaccine formulation that shows a broad range of protection. The formulation is made of the matrix protein 2 (M2e) and the nucleoprotein (NP) antigens. The multimerization of NP into nanoparticles improved significantly the immune response to NP. The combination of the NP nanoparticles with the PapMV-M2e nanoparticles enhances significantly the immune response directed to NP revealing the adjuvant property of the PapMV platform. The vaccine formulation combining these two types of nanoparticles protects mice from infectious challenges by two different influenza strains (H1N1 and H3N2) and is a promising influenza A vaccine capable to elicit a broad protection. Graphical abstract A novel vaccine formulation to influenza A was developed. The vaccine formulation contains two highly conserved influenza A antigens, the M2e peptide and the full length NP that are presented as a nanoparticle to improve their immunogenicity. When added together in one formulation we obtained a very robust protection to a challenge with a mouse attenuated strain H3N2. This result confirms that our vaccine formulation trigger a broad protection to influenza A viral strains. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyramidal neurons in the neocortex receive a majority of their synapses on dendritic spines, whose growth, gain, and loss regulate the strength and identity of neural connections. Juvenile brains typically show higher spine density and turnover compared to adult brains, potentially enabling greater capacity for experience-dependent circuit ‘rewiring’. Although spine pruning and stabilization in frontal cortex overlap with pubertal milestones, it is unclear if gonadal hormones drive these processes. To address this question, we used hormone manipulations and in vivo 2-photon microscopy to test for a causal relationship between pubertal hormones and spine pruning and stabilization in layer 5 neurons in the frontal cortex of female mice. We found that spine density, gains, and losses decreased from P27 to P60 and that these measures were not affected by pre-pubertal hormone injections or ovariectomy. Further analyses of spine morphology after manipulation of gonadal hormones suggest that gonadal hormones may play a role in morphological maturation and dynamics. Our data help to segregate hormone-sensitive and hormone-insensitive maturational processes that occur simultaneously in dorsomedial frontal cortex. These data provide more specific insight into adolescent development and may have implications for understanding the neurodevelopmental effects of changes in pubertal timing in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test the associations between the timing and chronicity of maternal depression symptoms (MDS) and children's long-term verbal abilities.Study Design: Participants were 1073 mother-child pairs from a population-based birth cohort in Canada. MDS were assessed at ages 5 months, 1.5, 3.5, and 5 years using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Verbal abilities were measured at 5, 6, and 10 years using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R). Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the association between timing (early: 5 months and/or 1.5 years vs late 3.5 and/or 5 years) and chronicity (5 months, 1.5, 3.5, and 5 years) of exposure to elevated MDS and children's mean PPVT-R scores.Results: Children exposed to chronic MDS had lower PPVT-R scores than children never exposed (mean difference = 9.04 [95% CI = 2.28-15.80]), exposed early (10.08 [3.33-16.86]) and exposed late (8.69 [1.85-15.53]). There were no significant differences between scores of children in the early compared with the late exposure group. We adjusted for mother-child interactions, family functioning, socioeconomic status, PPVT-R administration language, child's birth order, and maternal IQ, psychopathology, education, native language, age at birth of child, and parenting practices. Maternal IQ, (η2 = 0.028), native language (η2 = 0.009), and MDS (η2 = 0.007) were the main predictors of children's verbal abilities.Conclusions: Exposure to chronic MDS in early childhood is associated with lower levels of verbal abilities in middle childhood. Further research is needed in larger community samples to test the association between MDS and children's long-term language skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) seems to be underdiagnosed. The aim of this study was to assess awareness of OSAHS among the general population of the Lorraine Region of France. Methods A descriptive epidemiological study was carried out from July to November 2015 in the Lorraine Region, using an anonymous questionnaire that assessed knowledge of OSAHS-related symptoms and complications. The survey was also circulated on the Internet via social media. Exclusion criteria comprised age under 18 years, refusal to fill out the questionnaire and linguistic barrier. Results 1307 subjects filled out the survey: 1020 on paper format and 287 via the Internet. About two-thirds of the population recognized a majority of symptoms. However, there was a significant lack of knowledge of complications, especially cardiological and neurological. Suffering from OSAHS, having had higher education, and being under 40 years of age, were factors linked to better awareness of the syndrome. Internet respondents also showed better awareness. Conclusion Despite encouraging results regarding OSAHS symptoms, the general population showed limited awareness of its complications. Innovative educational campaigns must be organized to inform practitioners and the general public about the disease and raise awareness of its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Recent years have seen increased coverage of adolescent victimization and suicide. Both adolescent peer victimization and substance use have been associated with suicidal ideation, with evidence suggesting that all three factors are interrelated. There are at least four models which can explain the associations between these factors (i.e., self-medication, secondary mental disorder, bidirectional, and common factor). However, none of them is being empirically supported as the dominant model because few longitudinal studies have explored the association between these factors. Methods The present study compared longitudinal paths of all four models simultaneously using a cross-lagged model. This was done using self-reported measures of peer victimization, suicidal ideation, and alcohol use at age 13, 14, and 15 years in a longitudinal sample of 238 adolescents. Results All three variables were moderately stable across time. Significant cross-lagged associations were found, showing that frequent peer victimization at age 13 years was associated with higher odds of having suicidal ideation at age 14 years (odds ratio, 1.82; p < .05). In turn, presence of suicidal ideation at age 14 years was significantly associated with higher alcohol use frequency at age 15 years (β = .13; p < .05). Conclusions Results support previous literature suggesting that peer victimization predates alcohol use and extends it by showing clear directionality between suicidal ideation and alcohol use over 1 year, supporting the self-medication model. Clarifying the empirical basis of these underlying models could allow for earlier prevention strategies, by targeting the risk factor that appears the earliest in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall objectives of commercial thinning are to increase individual stem growth and, arguably, to increase stand yield. Yet few empirical results are available that would confirm the treatment meets such expectations in an industrial context. We studied the response of stands to commercial thinning with a particular focus on variables that were related to processes of stemwood production at the tree and stand levels. We inventoried permanent sample plots established between 1980 and 2000 in naturally regenerated conifer stands of southern Quebec seven to ten years after thinning. We reconstituted tree leaf area and wood production per unit leaf area using field and dendrochronological data for different years following thinning. Mixed linear models showed that tree basal area and leaf area increments following treatment were strongly related to the tree distance from the nearest skid trail. Wood production per unit leaf area was significantly higher for trees located within 5 m of a skid trail compared to control trees as soon as one year following thinning application, while significant differences in tree leaf area required five years. Compared to control stands, thinned stands had higher wood production per unit leaf area, but merchantable volume increment did not differ. These results provided insight into growth processes that are involved in tree responses to mechanized thinning and could aid in the development of decision tools that determine the suitability of stands for receiving the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Basic & Applied Ecology is the property of Urban & Fischer Verlag and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We provide a synopsis of ~ 60 million years of life history in Neotropical lowlands, based on a comprehensive survey of the Cenozoic deposits along the Quebrada Cachiyacu near Contamana in Peruvian Amazonia. The 34 fossil-bearing localities identified have yielded a diversity of fossil remains, including vertebrates, mollusks, arthropods, plant fossils, and microorganisms, ranging from the early Paleocene to the late Miocene–?Pliocene (> 20 successive levels). This Cenozoic series includes the base of the Huchpayacu Formation (Fm.; early Paleocene; lacustrine/fluvial environments; charophyte-dominated assemblage), the Pozo Fm. (middle + ?late Eocene; marine then freshwater environments; most diversified biomes), and complete sections for the Chambira Fm. (late Oligocene–late early Miocene; freshwater environments; vertebrate-dominated faunas), the Pebas Fm. (late early to early late Miocene; freshwater environments with an increasing marine influence; excellent fossil record), and Ipururo Fm. (late Miocene–?Pliocene; fully fluvial environments; virtually no fossils preserved). At least 485 fossil species are recognized in the Contamana area (~ 250 ‘plants’, ~ 212 animals, and 23 foraminifera). Based on taxonomic lists from each stratigraphic interval, high-level taxonomic diversity remained fairly constant throughout the middle Eocene–Miocene interval (8-12 classes), ordinal diversity fluctuated to a greater degree, and family/species diversity generally declined, with a drastic drop in the early Miocene. The Paleocene–?Pliocene fossil assemblages from Contamana attest at least to four biogeographic histories inherited from ( i ) Mesozoic Gondwanan times, ( ii ) the Panamerican realm prior to ( iii ) the time of South America’s Cenozoic “splendid isolation”, and ( iv ) Neotropical ecosystems in the Americas. No direct evidence of any North American terrestrial immigrant has yet been recognized in the Miocene record at Contamana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnant women with a history of miscarriages experience symptoms of anxiety and depression in a subsequent pregnancy and are in need of support in the period after miscarriage, when trying to get pregnant again and during the first phase of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a Positive Reappraisal Coping Intervention (PRCI) and Daily Record Keeping (DRK) chart, developed for use in assisted conception treatment, are also appropriate for use in pregnant women with a history of miscarriage(s). In this convergent parallel mixed method study, thirteen women visiting an Early Pregnancy Unit and/or Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic in a university medical center in the Netherlands were selected on the basis of the number of miscarriages and age. Exclusion criteria were not speaking the Dutch language, pregnancy after fertility treatment and having a medical cause identified for the miscarriages. Women used the PRCI and DRK for 3 weeks in a subsequent pregnancy. Quantitative data were obtained from the DRK and were analyzed by reporting frequencies and means for each case. Qualitative data were collected by semi-structured interviews and were analyzed by using thematic analysis. The majority of the women were able to use the PRCI and DRK for 3 weeks. Women adapted the way in which they used the PRCI and DRK based on their judgment about the effect, the intensity of the emotions they experienced, or whether they felt the effort to use these instruments to be worthwhile or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The GBA gene encodes the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase), responsible for the hydrolysis of glucocerebroside to glucose and ceramide. Heterozygous GBA mutations have been associated with the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We generated two induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from PD patients carrying heterozygous GBA W378G or N370S mutations and subsequently produced isogenic control lines using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. The patient-derived iPSCs and isogenic control lines maintained full pluripotency, normal karyotypes, and differentiation capacity. All iPSC lines could be differentiated into dopaminergic neurons, thus providing valuable tools for studying PD pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé L’utilisation des nouveaux anticoagulants oraux (NACO) ou anticoagulants oraux directs (AOD), selon la nouvelle appellation, justifie un accompagnement des prescripteurs en raison des risques de mésusage liés à la perception d’une relative simplicité d’utilisation, qui n’est en fait qu’apparente, cette classe thérapeutique exposant à des accidents constatés déjà en France et dans d’autre pays. Les AOD ont prouvé leur efficacité dans la prise en charge de la fibrillation auriculaire non valvulaire et les événements thromboemboliques veineux (ETEV) avec un haut niveau de preuve et leur utilisation s’accroît au détriment des antivitamines K (AVK). L’absence de surveillance biologique, souvent mise en avant, ne les dispense pas d’effets secondaires, principalement les accidents hémorragiques qui peuvent être graves et aboutir au décès. Le site « www.thromboclic.fr » vient en complément du travail déjà entrepris pour sensibiliser les prescripteurs. Ce site permettrait un accès simple et facile à l’information et réduirait le nombre et la gravité des erreurs médicales en fournissant aux soignants les informations nécessaires au moment qu’ils auront choisi. Summary The use of new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOA) justifies support by prescribers because of the risk of misuse related to the apparent relative simplicity of use. These therapeutic class exhibitor accidents have already occurred in France and other countries. The DOA have proven their effectiveness in non-valvular atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolic events (VTE) management with a high level of evidence and their use is growing compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA). The lack of biological monitoring does not exempt DOA of side effects and mainly bleeding events that can be dangerous and even lead to death. A web site “ www.thromboclic.fr ” is proposed to complete the work already undertaken with the aim of sensitizing prescribers. This tool allows easy access to information. It should be, by providing caregivers with the necessary information to choose the right anticoagulant drug, a way to reduce medical errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autosomal recessive mutations in either PRKN or PINK1 are associated with early-onset Parkinson's disease. The corresponding proteins, PRKN, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and the mitochondrial serine/threonine-protein kinase PINK1 play a role in mitochondrial quality control. Using CRISPR/CAS9 technology we generated three human iPSC lines from the well characterized AIW002-02 control line. These isogenic iPSCs contain homozygous knockouts of PRKN (PRKN-KO, CBIGi001-A-1), PINK1 (PINK1-KO, CBIGi001-A-2) or both PINK1 and PRKN (PINK1-KO/PRKN-KO, CBIGi001-A-3). The knockout lines display normal karyotypes, express pluripotency markers and upon differentiation into relevant brain cells or midbrain organoids may be valuable tools to model Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study examined the moderating role of sports participation in the concurrent and longitudinal links of peer victimization with depressive symptoms and externalizing problems. The sample consisted of 1250 participants assessed between ages 7 and 10 years. Children''s levels of peer victimization, depressive symptoms and externalizing problems were assessed by teachers. Mothers reported on children''s sports participation. Regression analyses revealed that victimized children who often participated in team sports at age 8 years displayed significantly fewer depressive symptoms concurrently compared to victims who rarely participated in such activities. Participation in team sports also counteracted (via a main effect) the longitudinal effect of victimization on depression symptoms two years later. Moreover, victimized children who often participated in team sports showed significantly fewer externalizing problems at age 10 compared to children who rarely participated in such activities. This moderating effect of team sports was partly mediated by a decrease in victimization at age 10. Specifically, victimized children who were part of a sporting team at age 8 were less victimized two years later, which accounted for part of the decrease in externalizing problems at age 10. Similar benefits were not apparent when victimized children participated in individual sports. These results suggest that sports participation may be beneficial in regard to several aspects of development, specifically for children who suffer from peer victimization. However, potential benefits may vary depending on the type of sports played. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In response to 2 reported cases of nosocomial legionellosis after anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment, the environmental controls and testing facilities in a 221-bed acute care hospital were investigated. This investigation led to the implementation of a series of specific preventive measures adapted from protocols used to protect immunosuppressed patients. These 2 cases of legionellosis might be related to 2 concurrent events: treatment of hospitalized patients with anti-TNF drugs and secondary environmental changes related to major construction work. Patients undergoing anti-TNF treatment may be at increased risk for developing opportunistic infections during construction work, renovations, or water supply perturbations and require specific preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Strontium ranelate (2g/day) appears to be a safe and efficient treatment of osteoporosis (OP), reducing the risks of both vertebral and non-vertebral fractures (including hip) in a wide variety of patients. Thus, the agent can now be considered as a first-line option to treat women at risk of OP fractures, whatever their age and the severity of the disease. A long-term treatment with strontium ranelate in OP women leads to a continued increase in bone mineral density at spine and hip levels, and a sustained antifracture efficacy. The mode of action of strontium ranelate involves a dissociation between bone resorption and formation, as the bone formation rate is increased and not influenced by the antiresorptive action of the agent. Strontium is heterogeneously distributed in bone tissue: it is absent from old bone tissue and is exclusively present in bone formed during the treatment. Total area containing strontium in bone tissue increases during treatment, although the focal bone strontium content is constant. Whatever the duration of treatment and the content of strontium in bone, the degree of mineralization is maintained in a normal range. Furthermore, no change at crystal level is detected up to 3 years of treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: More than 200 million people are affected by osteoporosis worldwide, as estimated by 2 million annual hip fractures and other debilitating bone fractures (vertebrae compression and Colles’ fractures). Osteoporosis is a multi-factorial disease with potential contributions from genetic, endocrine functional, exercise related and nutritional factors. Of particular considerations are calcium (Ca) status, vitamin D, fluoride, magnesium and other trace elements. Several trace elements such as zinc and copper are essential for normal development of the skeleton in humans and animals. Fluoride accumulates in new bone and results in a net gain in bone mass, but may be associated with a tissue of poor quality. Aluminum induces impairment of bone formation. Gallium and cadmium suppresses bone turnover. However, exact involvements of the trace elements in osteoporosis have not yet been fully clarified. Numerous investigators have evaluated the role of medications and supplementations with minerals and trace substances to reverse the progression of this disease. Although bisphosphonates are still the drugs of choice, low-dosed fluoride and strontium salts have shown promise for the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Most reports of sex differences in the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) are based on small or moderate sized cohorts of selected patients with VTE. Methods: We aimed to determine the effect of sex on recurrent VTE in a large non-selected, real-world population of men and women with incident VTE. Using the linked administrative health care databases of the province of Québec, Canada, we constructed a cohort of patients with a first-time diagnosis of VTE between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2004. Patients were followed forward in time for the occurrence of recurrent VTE until the earliest of either death, termination of health coverage, or end of study period (December 31, 2005). The cohort comprised 55,314 patients (43% men and 57% women) with incident VTE and the mean age was 61.9 years. Results: During a mean follow-up of 3.9 years, 5243 (9.5%) of patients developed recurrent VTE. Men had a significantly higher rate of recurrence than women (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07–1.19), and this difference persisted when women with hormonally mediated VTE were excluded from the analysis (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.08–1.21). At 5 years, the cumulative probability of recurrent VTE was 12.4% among men versus 10.9% among women (P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Our study is the largest to date to report an effect of sex on risk of VTE recurrence, with men having about a 13% higher risk of recurrence than women. This provides further evidence that sex is a significant predictor of VTE recurrence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bone is a multiscale composite material made of both a type I collagen matrix and a poorly crystalline apatite mineral phase. Due to remodeling activity, cortical bone is made of Bone Structural Units (BSUs) called osteons. Since osteon represents a fundamental level of structural hierarchy, it is important to investigate the relationship between mechanical behavior and tissue composition at this scale for a better understanding of the mechanisms of bone fragility. The aim of this study is to analyze the links between ultrastructural properties and the mechanical behavior of bone tissue at the scale of osteon. Iliac bone biopsies were taken from untreated postmenopausal osteoporotic women, embedded, sectioned and microradiographed to assess the degree of mineralization of bone (DMB). On each section, BSUs of known DMB were indented with relatively high load ( mN) to determine local elastic modulus (), contact hardness and true hardness () of several bone lamellae. Crystallinity and collagen maturity were measured by Fourier Transform InfraRed Microspectroscopy (FTIRM) on the same BSUs. Inter-relationships between mechanical properties and ultrastructural components were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. This study showed that elastic deformation was only explained by DMB whereas plastic deformation was more correlated with collagen maturity. Contact hardness, reflecting both elastic and plastic behaviors, was correlated with both DMB and collagen maturity. No relationship was found between crystallinity and mechanical properties at the osteon level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: For hydrogen–oxygen–inert systems, just as for other fuel–oxidizer mixtures, systematically reduced chemistry has in the past been developed separately for premixed and diffusion flames and for autoignition. In computational work that addresses turbulent combustion or the transition from deflagration to detonation, however, autoignition and flames both may occur, and reduced chemistry may be required because of computer limitations. To fill that need, systematically reduced chemistry is presented here that encompasses autoignition and flames. The description involves three global steps among five reacting species, and , being based on approximations to chemical-kinetic steady states for O, OH and . These steady states apply well under all conditions except during autoignition in lean and stoichiometric mixtures, where they underpredict induction times substantially. To remedy this deficiency, which occurs only when is not in steady state, an autoignition analysis is employed to derive a correction factor that reduces the value of the reaction rates to produce agreement of calculated ignition delays. Introduction of a criterion for inclusion of this correction factor, based on a test for the steady state, results in a generally applicable three-step chemical-kinetic description for hydrogen–air combustion that possesses reasonable accuracy for most computational purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Neighbourhood competition indices (NCI), where position and species identity of neighbours are known, have been used to investigate growth and competitive interactions among adult trees. In this study, we used NCI in 8–15-year-old stands following clear-cutting in a boreal mixedwood forest of eastern Canada to improve our understanding of early successional forest dynamics. Trees of increasing diameter from the center (≥1cm) to the edge (≥5cm) were mapped in twenty-five circular 450m2 plots. Target trees (DBH≥1cm) were sampled in plot center to determine their annual radial stem growth. For each species, we compared a set of growth models using either a spatially explicit NCI or a non-spatial competition index. Both types of indices estimated a species-specific competition coefficient for each pair of competitor–target species. NCI were selected as the best competition model for all target species although differences in variance explained relative to the non-spatial index were small. This likely indicates that competition occurs at the local level but that the high density and the relative uniformity of these young stands creates similar neighbourhoods for most trees in a given stand. The effective neighbourhood radius for competitors varied among species and was smaller for shade tolerant species. Intraspecific neighbours were the strongest competitors for most species. Aspen (Populus tremuloides) was a weak competitor for all species as opposed to balsam fir (Abies balsamea) which was a strong competitor in all cases. These results are in contradiction with some widely used forest policies in North America (e.g. free-to-grow standards) that consider broadleaf species, such as aspen, as the strongest competitors. For these early successional forests, the decision regarding the use of spatial or non-spatial competition indices should rest on the intended use. For even-age management, spatial indices might not justify their use in high-density stands but they are needed for the simulation of novel harvest techniques creating complex stand structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Chronic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by mitochondria may contribute to the development of insulin resistance, a primary feature of type 2 diabetes. In recent years it has become apparent that ROS generation in response to physiological stimuli such as insulin may also facilitate signaling by reversibly oxidizing and inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Here we report that mice lacking one of the key enzymes involved in the elimination of physiological ROS, glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), were protected from high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance. The increased insulin sensitivity in Gpx1 −/− mice was attributed to insulin-induced phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt signaling and glucose uptake in muscle and could be reversed by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Increased insulin signaling correlated with enhanced oxidation of the PTP family member PTEN, which terminates signals generated by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase. These studies provide causal evidence for the enhancement of insulin signaling by ROS in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cross-cultural neuropsychology with African and American children provides evidence of consistent deficit patterns in attention, working memory, and learning in children at risk from disease affecting brain function by means of similar pathophysiologic mechanisms (e.g., cerebral malaria (CM) and sickle-cell disease (SCD); HIV in African and American children). These brain–behavior disease processes are also modified in a consistent manner cross-culturally by quality of developmental milieu and caregiving. We then present findings from the pioneering use of computerized cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CCRT) with Ugandan children surviving CM and with HIV. This neuropsychological evidence that CCRT enhances positive brain plasticity in a consistent manner across cultures supports the “coconstructive” paradigm (Li, 2003), since plasticity across the life span is the hallmark of this approach. Coconstructivism is a holistic multi-dimensional approach that emphasizes reciprocal biocultural influences across the life span. It also emphasizes the reciprocal interaction of culture and the genome in shaping brain/mind at multiple levels: neurobiological, cognitively, behavioral, and sociocultural (Li, 2003). Cross-cultural neuropsychology in healthy and diseased brains, brain imaging technologies, and genomic research can triangulate the manner in which a universal brain/behavior omnibus drives plasticity across the life span. As such, the further scientific characterization of the brain/behavior omnibus can provide the vital lynchpin between biology and culture in Li''s coconstructive paradigm, revolutionizing our understanding of intelligence and culture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare 4 different gum-elastic bougies (GEBs) for differences in success rate, speed of intubation, and device preference. Methods: This was a randomized study of 4 different GEBs (Sunmed, Portex, Greenfield, and Eschmann) used by emergency medicine (EM) and anesthesiology residents and attending physicians on a simulated difficult airway model. Success, time to intubation, and personal preference were recorded for each participant. Data were compared with analysis of variance, χ 2 and t tests, and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) where appropriate. P < .05 was considered significant. Results: Twenty-one participants from EM (16 residents, 5 faculty) and 13 from anesthesia (9 residents, 4 faculty) were entered into the study. Overall success rates were 88% for Sunmed, 68% for Portex, 88% for Greenfield, and 79% for Eschmann. Participants were significantly more likely to be successful when using either the Sunmed or the Greenfield GEB compared with the Portex GEB (relative risk [RR] = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0-15.6). Success rate by specialty was significantly different with 60 (71%) of 84 for EM physicians and 50 (96%) of 52 for anesthesiologists. Speed of intubation was a mean ± SD of 22.5 ± 9.7 seconds, with no significant difference by GEB or specialty. Participants were significantly more likely to prefer the Sunmed over the Greenfield (P = .001, RR = 6.9, 95% CI = 1.5-24.8) and the Eschmann over the Greenfield (P = .003, RR = 6.1, 95% CI = 1.6-63.0). Conclusion: Emergency medicine physicians had better success rates using the Sunmed and Greenfield GEBs but low preference for the Greenfield GEB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective: Knee instability and joint loading transmission are two important biomechanical factors in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, the relationship between these factors in a rehabilitation treatment remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine the responsiveness of a new three-dimensional (3D) acceleration method used as an estimation of knee instability and joint loading transmission during gait in OA subjects after a rehabilitation treatment. Method: Twenty-four subjects with medial knee OA were included in this study. They had clinical and gait evaluations before and after 12 weeks of treatment. 3D linear knee accelerations, quadriceps and hamstring isometric strength and Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain were quantified, and compared between both evaluations. Nine asymptomatic subjects participated in this study for gait comparison. Results: A significant reduction of the anterior posterior (AP) knee acceleration peak (P =0.02) had been detected after the treatment. No difference for both distal and lateral knee accelerations peak was found. A significant increase in quadriceps (P <0.001) and hamstring (P =0.006) strength was seen after treatment. The WOMAC of pain had shown significant reduction after the treatment (P <0.001). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that the estimation of knee acceleration parameters is sensitive to changes in knee OA gait after a rehabilitation treatment. This study also indicates that a treatment of 3 months which combines therapeutic and exercises program could have benefits on knee OA by increasing AP knee stability and stabilize joint loading transmission during gait. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Turcot K, Aissaoui R, Boivin K, Hagemeister N, Pelletier M, de Guise JA. Test-retest reliability and minimal clinical change determination for 3-dimensional tibial and femoral accelerations during treadmill walking in knee osteoarthritis patients. Objective: To determine the test-retest reliability and the minimal clinical change determination for accelerometric parameters, estimated by a new accelerometric-based method that estimates 3-dimensional (3D) linear accelerations of the tibia and femur during comfortable and fast walking speeds. Design: Test-retest study. Setting: Gait laboratory in a research center. Participants: Patients (N=25; 6 men, 19 women) with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcomes Measures: Subjects attended 2 walking sessions in which accelerometers were rigidly fixed by means of an exoskeleton to the femoral and tibial segments. In both sessions, 3D accelerations were collected for 25 seconds for each of the walking speeds. Mean accelerometric pattern was calculated using 15 gait cycles. From each mean pattern, maximal, minimal, and range values were extracted from the loading phase period. The root mean square (RMS) value was also calculated for every pattern. Relative and absolute reliability were determined using intraclass correlation (ICC) and standard error (SE) of measurement, respectively. Minimal detectable change was calculated for each parameter as the least significant difference. Results: Tibial and femoral accelerations showed reliable values across sessions 1 and 2 with ICCs greater than or equal to .75 for 96% and 88% of the parameters at comfortable and fast speeds, respectively. The SE of measurement ranged from .01 to .05g for the RMS value and from .05 to .35g for maximal, minimum, and range point parameters. Conclusions: The proposed method is the first to have determined the reliability and the minimal detectable change for tibial and femoral acceleration parameters in knee OA patients during a treadmill walking evaluation. The minimal detectable change determined in this study will be used to determine improvement or deterioration of knee OA patients after rehabilitation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims: The retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor is functionally inactivated in most hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), although the mechanisms by which RB suppresses liver tumorigenesis are poorly defined. We investigated the impact of RB loss on carcinogen-induced liver tumorigenesis. Methods: Mice harboring liver-specific RB ablation and normal littermates were exposed to the hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN). The influence of RB loss on liver tumorigenesis was assessed by evaluating tumor multiplicity, proliferation, and genome integrity within tumors arising in RB-deficient and wild-type livers. In silico analyses were used to probe the association between gene expression signatures for RB loss and chromosomal instability and the ability of genes up-regulated by RB loss to predict the survival of human HCC patients. Results: RB deficiency significantly increased tumor multiplicity in livers exposed to DEN. Although hepatocytes in nontumor regions of DEN-exposed livers were quiescent regardless of RB status, tumors arising in RB-deficient livers were significantly more proliferative than those in normal livers and expressed high levels of RB/E2F target genes. Analysis of genes up-regulated by RB loss demonstrated significant overlap with a gene expression signature associated with chromosomal instability. Correspondingly, tumors arising in RB-deficient livers were significantly more likely to harbor hepatocytes exhibiting altered ploidy. Finally, gene expression analysis of human HCCs demonstrated that elevated expression of RB-regulated genes independently predicts poor survival. Conclusions: RB deletion in the mouse liver enhances DEN-induced tumorigenesis, associated with increased hepatocyte proliferation and compromised genome integrity. Evaluation of RB status may be a useful prognostic factor in human HCC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We examined omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue adipocyte size, and lipolysis and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in a sample of 33 men aged 22.6 to 61.2 years and with a body mass index ranging from 24.6 to 79.1 kg/m2. We tested the hypothesis that lipolysis rates would be higher in the omental fat depot than in subcutaneous adipose tissue and that this difference would persist across the spectrum of abdominal adiposity values. Omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were obtained during surgery. Adipocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion. Adipocyte size and LPL activity as well as basal, isoproterenol-, forskolin-, and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate–stimulated lipolysis were measured. Although adipocytes from both fat compartments were larger in obese subjects, no difference was observed in the size of omental vs subcutaneous fat cells. Lipoprotein lipase activity, expressed as a function of cell number, was significantly higher in omental than in subcutaneous fat tissue (P < .005). Basal lipolysis and lipolytic responses to isoproterenol, forskolin, or dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate, expressed either as a function of cell number or as a fold response over basal levels, were not significantly different in omental vs subcutaneous fat cells. When stratifying the sample in tertiles of waist circumference, adipocyte diameter was similar in the omental and subcutaneous depots for all adiposity values. Omental adipocyte size reached a plateau in the 2 upper tertiles of waist circumference, that is, from a waist circumference of 125 cm and above. Lipoprotein lipase activity was significantly higher in omental cells in the middle tertile of waist circumference (P = .05), and no regional difference was noted in lipolysis values across waist circumference tertiles. In conclusion, in normal-weight to morbidly obese men, although adipocyte size and lipolysis tended to increase with higher waist circumference, no difference was observed between the omental and subcutaneous fat depot. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the present study was to investigate algal–bacterial interactions in a gradient of metal contaminated natural sediments. By means of multivariate techniques, we related the genetic structure (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, DGGE) and the physiological structure (community-level physiological profiling, CLPP) of the bacterial communities to the species composition of the algal communities and to the abiotic environmental variables, including metal contamination. The results revealed that genetic and physiological structure of the bacterial communities correlated with the species composition of the algal community, but hardly to the level of metal pollution. This must be interpreted as an indication for a strong and species-specific linkage of algal and bacterial species in floodplain sediments. Metals were, however, not proven to affect either the algal or the bacterial communities of the Dutch river floodplains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the independent and incremental prognostic value of the presence of stimulating autoantibodies directed against the human β1-adrenergic receptor (anti–β1-AR) in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: One hundred five antibody-typed chronic heart failure patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, n = 65) or ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM, n = 40) were prospectively followed for 10.7 ± 2.5 years. Information on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was collected throughout the observation period. Results: Stimulating anti–β1-AR were prevalent in 26% (17/65) of patients with DCM and 13% (5/40) with ICM. All-cause mortality in antibody-positive patients was 65% in those with DCM and 80% in those with ICM, and in antibody-negative patients 44% and 49%, respectively. In univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis (P < .05), presence of stimulating anti–β1-AR was associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk in DCM but not in ICM. Information on antibody status improved the prognostic capacity in models containing already extensive information on clinical profile, Holter electrocardiography, and invasive hemodynamic measurements (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.97; P < .05 for increase in receiver operating characteristic area). Conclusion: The presence of stimulating anti–β1-AR autoantibodies independently predicts increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk in DCM conferring incremental prognostic value in addition to established risk predictors. Our data indicate a clinical relevance of stimulating anti–β1-AR in DCM and encourage further research into antibody-directed strategies as a therapeutic principle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There is now compelling evidence that psychosocial stress is a cause of reproductive suppression in humans. However, women continue to conceive in the harshest conditions of war, poverty, or famine, suggesting that suppression can be bypassed. The reproductive suppression model (RSM) proposes that natural selection should favor factors that reliably predict conditions for reproduction. In this study, we examine two such factors, age and social position, in women undergoing fertility treatment. We hypothesized that stress-related reproductive suppression would be more likely in younger compared to older women and in women in lower compared to higher social positions. The final sample consisted of 818 women undergoing fertility treatment. Psychosocial stress and sociodemographic data were collected prior to the start of treatment (Time 1), whereas fertility, as indexed by pregnancy or live birth, was assessed 12 months later (Time 2). The results showed that younger women were four times more likely to suppress than older women, and that unskilled and manual workers were more likely to suppress than those in middle social positions (e.g., white collar workers). However, significant associations between stress and fertility were also observed for women in higher social positions (e.g., professionals and executives). The findings provide support for the RSM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims: Studies show that tegaserod effectively relieves the symptoms of chronic constipation/idiopathic constipation (CC). This pooled analysis assessed the safety and tolerability of tegaserod in a large dataset of CC patients. Methods: Adverse event (AE) data were pooled from 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trials of 12 weeks’ duration. Post hoc analysis was conducted for the most frequent AEs (incidence, ≥3%). Results: Eight hundred eighty-one, 861, and 861 patients received tegaserod 6 mg twice a day, 2 mg twice a day, or placebo, respectively. Most AEs were mild/moderately severe. AE incidence was similar for the tegaserod 6 mg and 2 mg twice a day (57.1% and 56.3%, respectively) and placebo groups (59.6%) and most frequent in the gastrointestinal system (tegaserod 6 mg twice a day, 25.8%; 2 mg twice a day, 22.5%; placebo, 24.6%). Headache, the most common AE, was slightly more frequent in the placebo group (tegaserod 6 mg twice a day, 11.0%; 2 mg twice a day, 10.1%; placebo, 13.2%). Diarrhea (generally transient and resolved with continued treatment) was the only AE with a statistically significant difference between groups (tegaserod 6 mg twice a day 6.6% vs placebo 3.0%, P = .0005). Serious AE incidence (1.4% overall) was comparable across treatment groups, although abdominal surgery was less common in the combined tegaserod (0.5%) than the placebo group (1.0%). Discontinuation as a result of AEs was slightly higher in tegaserod 6 mg twice a day patients (5.7%; 2 mg twice a day, 3.3%; placebo, 3.7%), mainly because of diarrhea. Laboratory and electrocardiogram parameters were comparable across groups. Conclusions: Tegaserod is well tolerated by patients with CC during 12 weeks of treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Potential of bacterial communities in biofilms to recover after copper exposure was investigated. Biofilms grown outdoor in shallow water on glass dishes were exposed in the laboratory to 0.6, 2.1, 6.8μmol/l copper amended surface water and a reference and subsequently to un-amended surface water. Transitions of bacterial communities were characterised with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and community-level physiological profiles (CLPP). Exposure to 6.8μmol/l copper provoked distinct changes in DGGE profiles of bacterial consortia, which did not reverse upon copper depuration. Exposure to 2.1 and 6.8μmol/l copper was found to induce marked changes in CLPP of bacterial communities that proved to be reversible during copper depuration. Furthermore, copper exposure induced the development of copper-tolerance, which was partially lost during depuration. It is concluded that bacterial communities exposed to copper contaminated water for a period of 26 days are capable to restore their metabolic attributes after introduction of unpolluted water in aquaria for 28 days. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]