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Purpose: Alzheimer disease (AD) biomarker testing is now common in research and approaching clinical translation. Disclosure protocols must be informed by diverse participants' perspectives on if/how the information would be useful., Methods: This study utilized semistructured interviews assessing interest in receiving positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid and tau results, as well as perceived risks and benefits of hypothetical PET disclosure as a function of race and participant diagnosis., Participants: Participants [39% Black; 61% White; Mage =74.28 (5.98)] included 57 adults diagnosed as either cognitively healthy (58%) or with mild cognitive impairment (42%) and their respective care partners [33% Black; 67% White; Mage =66.93 (10.92)]., Results: Most dyads endorsed strong interest in PET results (82.5% of both participants and partners) regardless of race or diagnosis. Black care partners were less interested in receiving the participant's results than White care partners ( χ2(4) =8.31, P =0.047). Reasons for disclosure were diverse and highly personalized, including access to treatments or clinical trials (23.2% participants; 29.8% partners), advance planning (14.3% participants; 17.5% partners), and improved health knowledge (12.5% participants; 15.8% partners). In contrast, over 80% of respondents denied any risks of disclosure., Discussion: Results suggest that predisclosure education, decisional capacity assessment, and a flexible disclosure approach are needed., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Up-conversion nanoparticles have garnered lots of attention due to their ability to transform low energy light (near-infrared) into high-energy (visible) light, enabling their potential use as remote visible light nano-transducers. However, their low efficiency restricts their full potential. To overcome this disadvantage, fluoroindate glasses (InF 3 ) doped at different molar concentrations of Yb 3+ and Er 3+ were obtained using the melting-quenching technique, reaching the highest green emission at 1.4Yb and 1.75Er (mol%), which corresponds to the 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 (540-552 nm) transition. The particles possess the amorphous nature of the glass and have a high thermostability, as corroborated by thermogravimetric assay. Furthermore, the spectral decay curve analysis showed efficient energy transfer as the rare-earth ions varied. This was corroborated with the absolute quantum yield (QY) obtained (85%) upon excitation at 385 nm with QYEr = 17% and QYYb = 68%. Additionally, InF 3 -1.4Yb-1.75Er was milled and functionalized using poly(ethylene glycol) to impart biocompatibility, which is essential for biomedical applications. Such functionalization was verified using FTIR, TG/DSC, and XRD., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

This study presented an analysis of the TeO 2 /GeO 2 molar ratio in an oxide glass system. A family of melt-quenched glasses with the range of 0-35 mol% of GeO 2 has been characterized by using DSC, Raman, MIR, refractive index, PLE, PL spectra, and time-resolved spectral measurements. The increase in the content of germanium oxide caused an increase in the transition temperature but a decrease in the refractive index. The photoluminescence spectra of europium ions were examined under the excitation of 465 nm, corresponding to 7 F 0 → 5 D 2 transition. The PSB (phonon sidebands) analysis was carried out to determine the phonon energy of the glass hosts. It was reported that the red ( 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 ) to orange ( 5 D 0 → 7 F 1 ) fluorescence intensity ratio for Eu 3+ ions decreased from 4.49 (Te0Ge) to 3.33 (Te15Ge) and showed a constant increase from 4.58 (Te20Ge) to 4.88 (Te35Ge). These optical features were explained in structural studies, especially changes in the coordination of [4] Ge to [6] Ge. The most extended lifetime was reported for the Eu 3+ doped glass with the highest content of GeO 2 . This glass was successfully used for the drawing of optical fiber.

An investigation of the structural and luminescent properties of the transparent germanate glass-ceramics co-doped with Ni 2+ /Er 3+ for near-infrared optical fiber applications was presented. Modification of germanate glasses with 10-20 ZnO (mol.%) was focused to propose the additional heat treatment process controlled at 650 °C to obtain transparent glass-ceramics. The formation of 11 nm ZnGa 2 O 4 nanocrystals was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. It followed the glass network changes analyzed in detail (MIR-Mid Infrared spectroscopy) with an increasing heating time of precursor glass. The broadband 1000-1650 nm luminescence (λ exc = 808 nm) was obtained as a result of Ni 2+ : 3 T 2 ( 3 F) → 3 A 2 ( 3 F) octahedral Ni 2+ ions and Er 3+ : 4 I 13/2 → 4 I 15/2 radiative transitions and energy transfer from Ni 2+ to Er 3+ with the efficiency of 19%. Elaborated glass-nanocrystalline material is a very promising candidate for use as a core of broadband luminescence optical fibers.

This work reports on the fabrication and analysis of near-infrared and mid-infrared luminescence spectra and their decays in fluoroindate glasses co-doped with Yb 3+ /Ho 3+ . The attention has been paid to the analysis of the Yb 3+ → Ho 3+ energy transfer processed ions in fluoroindate glasses pumped by 976 nm laser diode. The most effective sensitization for 2 μm luminescence has been obtained in glass co-doped with 0.8YbF 3 /1.6HoF 3 . Further study in the mid-infrared spectral range (2.85 μm) showed that the maximum emission intensity has been obtained in fluoroindate glass co-doped with 0.1YbF 3 /1.4HoF 3 . The obtained efficiency of Yb 3+ → Ho 3+ energy transfer was calculated to be up to 61% (0.8YbF 3 /1.6HoF 3 ), which confirms the possibility of obtaining an efficient glass or glass fiber infrared source for a MID-infrared (MID-IR) sensing application.

The ErF 3 -doped oxyfluoride phospho-tellurite glasses in the (40-x) TeO 2 -10P 2 O 5 -45 (BaF 2 -ZnF 2 ) -5Na 2 O-xErF 3 system (where x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 mol%) have been prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method. The effect of erbium trifluoride addition on thermal, structure, and spectroscopic properties of oxyfluoride phospho-tellurite precursor glass was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy as well as emission measurements, respectively. The DSC curves were used to investigate characteristic temperatures and thermal stability of the precursor glass doped with varying content of ErF 3 . FTIR and Raman spectra were introduced to characterize the evolution of structure and phonon energy of the glasses. It was found that the addition of ErF 3 up to 1.25 mol% into the chemical composition of phospho-tellurite precursor glass enhanced 2.7 µm emission and upconversion. By controlled heat-treatment process of the host glass doped with the highest content of erbium trifluoride (1.25 mol%), transparent erbium-doped phospho-tellurite glass-ceramic (GC) was obtained. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of BaF 2 nanocrystals with the average 16 nm diameter in a glass matrix. Moreover, MIR, NIR, and UC emissions of the glass-ceramic were discussed in detail and compared to the spectroscopic properties of the glass doped with 1.25 mol% of ErF 3 (the base glass).

Microdroplet fusion chemistry is an emerging area of analyte manipulation that utilizes the ion source region of a mass spectrometer to covalently derivatize or manipulate the charge state distribution. This technique utilizes two electrospray emitters in close proximity, where the droplets from each electrospray plume fuse and undergo the subsequent chemistry. In this study, microdroplet fusion chemistry via bipolar dual spray has demonstrated the ability to reduce the average charge state of polyethylene glycol (PEG) cations using anionic reagents. Bipolar dual spray was implemented on a commercial mass spectrometer with limited hardware modifications to the ion source. Reagents including ammonium hydroxide, formic acid, and lithium chloride showed dramatic shifts in the average charge state of PEG 3.8 K cations (e.g., 5.0+ to 2.5+) along with the emergence of newly detected charge states. An organic base, tributylamine, had no effect on the charge state distribution of PEG 3.8 K cations. These results were consistent with an ion-pairing mechanism, where reagent anions destabilized ammonium cation interactions with PEG 3.8 K upon droplet fusion from the negative and positive emitters. Additional bipolar dual spray experiments with PEG 12.6 K demonstrated the ability to transform uninterpretable mass information into distinct charge states ranging from [M+8NH 4 ] + to [M+3NH 4 ] + . Overall, this study provides insight into the nature of dual spray chemistry and will aid future experimental design in microdroplet covalent chemistry.

Purpose: p53 and Ki67 status can be relevant to the management of glioblastoma. The goal of this study is to determine whether tumor morphology and bulk depicted on MRI correlate with p53 and Ki67 in glioblastoma., Methods: A retrospective review of 223 patients with glioblastoma and corresponding p53 or Ki67 status, along with T1-weighted post-contrast MR images was performed. Enhancing tumors were outlined for determining surface regularity, tumor bulk, and necrotic volume. The median value of 0.1 was chosen for p53 and 0.2 for Ki67 to separate each data set into two classes. T tests and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed to determine the separation of the classes and the predicting power of each feature., Results: There were significant differences between tumor surface regularity (p = 0.01) and necrotic volume (p = 0.0429) according to Ki67 levels, although neither had statistically significant predictive power (AUC = 0.697, p = 0.0506 and AUC = 0.577, p = 0.164, respectively). There were also significant differences between tumor bulk (p = 0.0239) and necrotic volume (p = 0.0200) according to p53 levels, but again no significant predictive power was found using ROC analysis (AUC = 0.5882, p = 0.0894 and AUC = 0.567, p = 0.155, respectively)., Conclusion: Quantitative morphological tumor characteristics on post-contrast T1-weighted MRI can to a certain degree provide insights regarding Ki67 and p53 status in patients with glioblastoma.

In this paper structural and optical properties of Rare Earth doped (RE) gallo-germanate glasses modified with various amount of Al 2 O 3 have been investigated. Glasses doped with Yb 3+ , Tm 3+, and Ho 3+ ions were synthesized to study Al 2 O 3 additive influence on their structural and emission properties in the visible spectral region. MIR spectra indicated that the structure of prepared glasses tends to order and its polymerization along with the aluminum content increase. Glass samples consisting of the low molar content of Al 2 O 3 are characterized by a significant contribution of Tm 3+ ions in light emission while Ho 3+ ions luminescence dominates in samples consisting of the higher molar content of Al 2 O 3 . Additionally, investigation of light emission in visible range showed that samples consisting of the low molar content of Al 2 O 3 are characterized by greenish blue light emission whereas light emitted by samples consisting of 15-20 mol% is much closer to the white colour., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Research on the implementation of patient decision aids to facilitate shared decision making in clinical settings has steadily increased across Western countries. A study which implements decision aids and measures their impact on shared decision making has yet to be conducted in the Eastern part of Europe., Objective: To study the use of Option Grid TM patient decision aids in a sample of Grupa LUX MED clinics in Warsaw, Poland, and measure their impact on shared decision making., Method: We conducted a pre-post interventional study. Following a three-month period of usual care, clinicians from three Grupa LUX MED clinics received a one-hour training session on how to use three Option Grid TM decision aids and were provided with copies for use for four months. Throughout the study, all eligible patients were asked to complete the three-item CollaboRATE patient-reported measure of shared decision making after their clinical encounter. CollaboRATE enables patients to assess the efforts clinicians make to: (i) inform them about their health issues; (ii) listen to 'what matters most'; (iii) integrate their treatment preference in future plans. A hierarchical logistic regression model was performed to understand which variables had an effect on CollaboRATE., Results: 2,048 patients participated in the baseline phase; 1,889 patients participated in the intervention phase. Five of the thirteen study clinicians had a statistically significant increase in their CollaboRATE scores (p<.05) when comparing baseline phase to intervention phase. All five clinicians were located at the same clinic, the only clinic where an overall increase (non-significant) in the mean CollaboRATE top score percentage occurred from baseline phase (M=60 %, SD=0.49; 95 % CI [57-63 %]) to intervention phase (M=62 %, SD=0.49; 95% CI [59-65%]). Only three of those five clinicians who had a statistically significant increase had a clinically significant difference., Conclusion: The implementation of Option Grid TM helped some clinicians practice shared decision making as reflected in CollaboRATE scores, but most clinicians did not have a significant increase in their scores. Our study indicates that the effect of these interventions may be dependent on clinic contexts and clinician engagement., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

KISS1 tumor suppressor protein regulates cancer cell invasion via MMP9 metalloproteinase. Downregulation of KISS1 gene expression promotes progression of breast cancer and melanoma, resulting in the development of distant metastases. In the current study, we investigated whether restoration of KISS1 expression in KISS1-deficient human metastatic breast cancer cells holds potential as an advanced anticancer strategy. To this end we engineered an infectivity-enhanced conditionally-replicative human adenovirus type 5 encoding KISS1 as an "arming" transgene in the Ad5 E3 region for an ectopic KISS1 expression in transduced cancer cells. The oncolytic potential of the vector was examined using brain-invading metastatic clones of CN34 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which supported high levels of AdKISS1 replication, correlating with a robust CRAd-mediated cytotoxicity. Secretion of cellular factors responsible for tumor angiogenesis, cell-to-cell communication and anti-tumoral immune responses upon KISS1 expression in breast cancer cells was analyzed by a RayBiotech Kiloplex Quantibody array. Overall, our results indicate that KISS1 transgene expression provides an important benefit for CRAd-mediated cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells and holds potential as an anticancer treatment in conjunction with oncolytic virotherapy of breast and other metastatic cancers., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Silicone oil is the one of the artificial materials used in vitreoretinal surgery for retinal detachment treatment. Since the silicone oil is sometimes applied along with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation the direct influence of silicone oil on the artificial implant should be taken into account. Presented study was performed in order to determine the time-dependent impact of silicone oil on hydrogel based ophthalmic materials. Two kinds of IOLs based on hydroxyethyl 2-methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogel material were immersed in silicone oil based on linear poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). Incubation in oil medium was performed in 37°C for 1, 3 and 6months. After appropriate period of the incubation samples were examined by means of FTIR-ATR method as the technique of surface study as well as Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) as the method of internal structure investigation. Results obtained during the study revealed that silicone oil is not capable to penetrate the internal structure of investigated materials and its impact has come down to interaction with the samples surfaces only., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The effect of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based silicone oil, that is widely used in vitreoretinal surgery, on internal structures of the polymer intraocular lenses was investigated. The effect of PDMS was studied on the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) rigid lenses and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) flexible lenses. The research was carried out by means of the positron lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) as well as the infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the Raman spectroscopy (RS). The studies involving the use of PALS and FT-IR methods have revealed that the PHEMA based lenses absorbed, whereas the PMMA lenses did not absorb, silicone oil. The results obtained with the use of the RS method were inconclusive, probably due to the too low intensity of the characteristic PDMS bands. The evidence from this study was discussed in terms of physics and related to the clinical use of both silicone oil and intraocular lenses., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Purpose: To determine differences among healthy pitchers at various levels of competition regarding pitching history, pitching mechanics, and prevalence of breaking pitches., Methods: Demographic, anthropometric, pitching history, and kinematic data were collected on healthy youth pitchers using dual orthogonal high-speed video analysis. Players were grouped by maturity level (9 to 12 [prepubescent], 13 to 15 [pubescent], 16 to 17 [mature], and 18 to 22 years [adult]). Groups were compared regarding pitch counts, pitching mechanics, and use of breaking pitches. Mechanics were assessed for favorable observational parameters (e.g., closed foot orientation at foot-strike) and measurable parameters at cocking, foot-strike, and ball release (e.g., knee flexion)., Results: Two hundred ninety-five pitchers were included. Sixty-three were 9 to 12, 130 were 13 to 15, 78 were 16 to 17, and 24 were 18 to 22 years of age. Older pitchers threw more pitches per game (41, 52, 69, and 50 by age group; P < .001), per season (766, 975, 1,079, and 881; P = .017), and per year (901, 1,343, 2,064, and 1,302; P < .001). They were more likely to pitch for multiple teams, for more than 9 months, in showcases, and in violation of pitch count recommendations. Older pitchers were more likely to maintain their hand on top of the ball, maintain closed shoulders at foot-strike, achieve hip and shoulder separation, and lead with their hips. Older pitchers achieved greater relative stride-length, greater knee flexion at front-foot contact, and increased lead hip flexion at ball release. Pitchers began throwing curveballs and sliders at 12.6 and 13.5 years, respectively., Conclusions: As pitchers age, they throw more pitches per game, per season, and per year and are more likely than younger pitchers to violate pitch count recommendations. Older pitchers tend to pitch with improved mechanics and velocity. The proportion of pitchers throwing breaking pitches increases with age, with the greatest increase occurring between ages 12 and 13., Level of Evidence: Level II, cross-sectional study., (Copyright © 2016 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine if shoulder and elbow kinematics, pitching velocity and accuracy, and pain change during a simulated baseball game in adolescent pitchers., Methods: Adolescent male pitchers aged 13 to 16 years were included. Pitchers were excluded if they had undergone previous shoulder or elbow surgery, currently had a known shoulder or elbow injury, or were unable to complete the simulated game for any reason. Shoulder range of motion was assessed before and after the game. Velocity and accuracy were measured for every pitch, and every 15th pitch was videotaped from 2 orthogonal views in high definition at 240 Hz. Quantitative and qualitative mechanics were measured from these videos. Perceived fatigue and pain were assessed after each inning using a visual analog scale. Data were statistically analyzed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance., Results: Twenty-eight elite adolescent pitchers were included. These pitchers, on average, were aged 14.6 ± 0.9 years (mean ± standard deviation), had been pitching for 6.3 ± 1.7 years, and threw 94 ± 58 pitches per week. Our experimental model functioned as expected in that pitchers became progressively more fatigued (0.3 ± 0.6 to 3.5 ± 2.1), had more pain (0.1 ± 0.4 to 1.6 ± 2.2), and pitched with a lower velocity (73 ± 5 mph to 71 ± 6 mph) as pitch number increased (P < .001, P = .001, and P < .001, respectively). Knee flexion at ball release progressively increased (49° ± 15° to 53° ± 15°) with pitch number (P = .008). Hip-to-shoulder separation significantly decreased as pitch number increased, from 90% ± 40% at pitch 15 to 40% ± 50% at pitch 90 (P < .001). Upper extremity kinematics remained unchanged (P > .271 in all cases, 91% power for elbow flexion at ball release). External rotation and total range of motion in the pitching shoulder significantly increased after pitching (P = .007 and P = .047, respectively)., Conclusions: As pitchers progress through a simulated game, they throw lower-velocity pitches, become fatigued, and have more pain. Core and leg musculature becomes fatigued before upper extremity kinematics changes., Clinical Relevance: On the basis of these results, there is the potential that core strengthening and leg strengthening may be valuable adjuncts to prevent upper extremity injury. Further studies specifically looking at this must be conducted., (Copyright © 2016 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Shoulder and elbow injuries are a common cause of pain, dysfunction, and inability to play in overhead throwers. Pitch velocity plays an integral part in the etiology of these injuries; however, the demographic and biomechanical correlates with throwing velocity remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that pitchers with higher velocity would have shared demographic and kinematic characteristics., Methods: Normal preseason youth and adolescent pitchers underwent dual-orthogonal high-speed video analysis while pitch velocity was collected with a radar gun. Demographic and pitching history data were also collected. Kinematic data and observational mechanics were recorded. Multivariate regression analysis was performed., Results: A total of 420 pitchers were included, with a mean pitching velocity of 64 ± 10 mph. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the most important correlates with pitch velocity were age (P < .001; R(2) = 0.658), height (P < .001; R(2) = 0.076), separation of the hips and shoulders (P < .001; R(2) = 0.027), and stride length (P < .001; R(2) = 0.016); in combination, these 4 variables explained 78% of the variance in pitch velocity. Each year of age was associated with a mean 1.5 mph increase in velocity; each inch in height, with 1.2 mph; separation of the hips and shoulders, with 2.6 mph; and a 10% increase in stride length, with 1.9 mph., Conclusion: Pitch velocity is most strongly correlated with age, height, separation of the hips and shoulders, and stride length., (Copyright © 2015 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine the factors within pitcher demographic characteristics, pitching history, and pitch kinematics, including velocity, that correlate with a history of pitching-related injury., Methods: Demographic and kinematic data were collected on healthy youth and adolescent pitchers aged 9 to 22 years in preseason training during a single preseason using dual orthogonal high-speed video analysis. Pitchers who threw sidearm and those who had transitioned to another position were excluded. Players were asked whether they had ever had a pitching-related shoulder or elbow injury. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on those variables that correlated with a history of injury., Results: Four hundred twenty pitchers were included, of whom 31% had a history of a pitching-related injury. Participant height (P = .009, R(2) = 0.023), pitching for more than 1 team (P = .019, R(2) = 0.018), and pitch velocity (P = .006, R(2) = 0.194) served as independent correlates of injury status. A model constructed with these 3 variables could correctly predict 77% of injury histories. Within our cohort, the presence of a 10-inch increase in height was associated with an increase in a history of injury by 20% and a 10-mph increase in velocity was associated with an increase in the likelihood of a history of injury by 12%. Playing for more than 1 team increased the likelihood of a history of injury by 22%., Conclusions: Pitch velocity, pitcher height, and pitching for more than 1 team correlate with a history of shoulder and elbow injury. Current recommendations regarding breaking pitches may not prevent injury. Pitchers should be cautioned about pitching for more than 1 team. Taller pitchers and high-velocity pitchers may be at risk of injury., (Copyright © 2015 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Object: Simulation has become an important tool in neurosurgical education as part of the complex process of improving residents' technical expertise while preserving patient safety. Although different simulators have already been designed for a variety of neurosurgical procedures, spine simulators are still in their infancy and, at present, there is no available simulator for lumbar spine pathologies in pediatric neurosurgery. In this paper the authors describe the peculiarities and challenges involved in developing a synthetic simulator for pediatric lumbar spine pathologies, including tethered spinal cord syndrome and open neural tube defects., Methods: The Department of Neurosurgery of the University of Illinois at Peoria, in a joint program with the Mechanical Engineering Department of Bradley University, designed and developed a general synthetic model for simulating pediatric neurosurgical interventions on the lumbar spine. The model was designed to be composed of several sequential layers, so that each layer might closely mimic the tensile properties of the natural tissues under simulation. Additionally, a system for pressure monitoring was developed to enable precise measurements of the degree of manipulation of the spinal cord., Results: The designed prototype successfully simulated several scenarios commonly found in pediatric neurosurgery, such as tethered spinal cord, retethered spinal cord, and fatty terminal filum, as well as meningocele, myelomeningocele, and lipomyelomeningocele. Additionally, the formulated grading system was able to account for several variables involved in the qualitative evaluation of the technical performance during the training sessions and, in association with an expert qualitative analysis of the recorded sessions, proved to be a useful feedback tool for the trainees., Conclusions: Designing and building a synthetic simulator for pediatric lumbar spine pathologies poses a wide variety of unique challenges. According to the authors' experience, a modular system composed of separable layers that can be independently replaced significantly enhances the applicability of such a model, enabling its individualization to distinctive but interrelated pathologies. Moreover, the design of a system for pressure monitoring (as well as a general score that may be able to account for the overall technical quality of the trainee's performance) may further enhance the educational applications of a simulator of this kind so that it can be further incorporated into the neurosurgical residency curriculum for training and evaluation purposes.

Background: The efficacy of rehabilitation in ischemic stroke patients likely varies because of brain plasticity. One of the main neurotrophins in the central nervous system is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)., Objectives: This study aimed to determine allelic and genotypic distribution of BDNF-196 G>A and -270 C>T polymorphisms, and to assess the impact of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on serum BDNF concentrations measured before rehabilitation, after the first 6 h of rehabilitation, and after 3 weeks of rehabilitation., Methods: Twenty-six patients with hand paresis and 20 with aphasia were randomly assigned to treatment with rTMS or sham stimulation (placebo group)., Results: In men with aphasia, after the first 6 h of rTMS-supported rehabilitation, BDNF concentration was lower among rTMS-treated patients than placebo-treated patients. A similar difference was observed in women with aphasia after 3 weeks of rTMS-supported rehabilitation. No significant differences in serum BDNF concentration were observed in patients with different BDNF-196 G>A or -270 C>T genotypes. During the observation period, BDNF concentration did not differ significantly between patients who improved and those who did not., Discussion: One possible explanation for the observed difference between rTMS-stimulated and sham-stimulated patients is the suppression of BDNF production by rTMS in the healthy brain hemisphere.

Glioblastoma (GBM) has been recognized as a clinical and pathologic entity for more than a century. Throughout its history, its cells of origin have been in question. Its behavior is aggressive and despite decades of effort, median survival is just beginning to improve. Surgical techniques and radiotherapy schemas continue to be refined, but the most recent progress has been achieved through improved medical therapies. These are the result of both pharmacological advances and a deeper understanding of the biological characteristics of GBM. Due to a combination of its complex phenotype and organ-specific clinical manifestations, efforts to refine GBM treatment with targeted therapies largely have been frustrated. In this review, we discuss recent attempts to exploit new molecular insights, consider the reasons for slow progress in developing better treatments, and examine future therapeutic options., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The novel cytokine melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7) was identified by subtractive hybridization in the mid-1990s as a protein whose expression increased during the induction of terminal differentiation, and that was either not expressed or was present at low levels in tumor cells compared with non-transformed cells. On the basis of conserved structure, chromosomal location and cytokine-like properties, MDA-7, has now been classified as a member of the expanding interleukin (IL)-10 gene family and designated as MDA-7/IL-24. Multiple studies have shown that the expression of MDA-7/IL-24 in a wide variety of tumor cell types, but not in the corresponding equivalent non-transformed cells, causes their growth arrest and ultimately cell death. In addition, MDA-7/IL-24 has been noted to be a radiosensitizing cytokine, which is partly because of the generation of reactive oxygen species and ceramide that cause endoplasmic reticulum stress. Phase I clinical trial data has shown that a recombinant adenovirus expressing MDA-7/IL-24 [Ad.mda-7 (INGN-241)] was safe and had measurable tumoricidal effects in over 40% of patients, which strongly argues that MDA-7/IL-24 may have significant therapeutic value. This review describes what is known about the impact of MDA-7/IL-24 on tumor cell biology and its potential therapeutic applications.

Aim: Whole body spiral CT scans have become a routine method in the radiological imaging of severely injured patients in emergency rooms of an increasing number of hospitals. The routine use of CT scans is, however, still discussed controversially, especially with regard to its use in children. This is mainly due to the reportedly higher level of exposure to radiation of CT scans as compared to plain radiographs. The aim of the present study was to compare the dose of exposure to radiation of a whole body CT scan to that of a plain radiograph protocol in an animal model for severely injured children., Material and Methods: We chose 3 female pigs of different weights to serve as a model for children at different ages. 4 film radiation dosimeters (positioned on the eye, under the breast, paravertebrally on the thoracic spine and in the small pelvis, respectively) were implanted into every pig for each examination. Plain radiographs of the chest and the pelvis in one plane and of the skull and the complete spine in two planes were performed. The CT scan included skull, cervical spine and the whole body from the thorax to pelvis., Results: The radiation dose of CT scans was 7 times higher as compared to the X-ray protocol, but the performance of CT scans was faster (8 vs. 18 min). The radiation dose of the whole body CT scan was at about 15 mSv., Conclusion: Based on our data and a review of the literature we will use whole body spiral CT scans as the preferred method in the primary radiological imaging of severely injured patients. In our opinion, the evident benefit of a reduced time of imaging in combination with superior image information outweighs the higher level of exposure to radiation.

To investigate the role of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2 in vivo, we generated IRS-2-deficient mice by gene targeting. Although homozygous IRS-2-deficient mice (IRS-2-/- mice) had a body weight similar to wild-type mice, they progressively developed type 2 diabetes at 10 weeks. IRS-2-/- mice showed insulin resistance and a defect in the insulin-stimulated signaling pathway in liver but not in skeletal muscle. Despite insulin resistance, the amount of beta-cells was reduced to 83% of that in wild-type mice, which was in marked contrast to the 85% increase in the amount of beta-cells in IRS-1-deficient mice (IRS-1-/- mice) to compensate for insulin resistance. Thus, IRS-2 plays a crucial role in the regulation of beta-cell mass. On the other hand, insulin secretion by the same number of cells in response to glucose measured ex vivo was significantly increased in IRS-2-/- mice compared with wild-type mice but was decreased in IRS-1-/- mice. These results suggest that IRS-1 and IRS-2 may play different roles in the regulation of beta-cell mass and the function of individual beta-cells.

Presently submitted and previously available data indicate that the recommended calcium requirement of 800 mg/day is inadequate for a large segment of the population, particularly the elderly. With an intake of 800 mg of calcium/day, calcium balance was only slightly positive, without consideration of dermal losses or other risk factors that may play a role in calcium bioavailability and calcium retention. A calcium intake of 1000-1200 mg/day is preferable, as calcium balance increased significantly when calcium intake was increased from 800 to 1200 mg/day; there was no further improvement in calcium balance on higher calcium intakes, up to 2300 mg/day.

The results are presented from receptor binding studies and isolated fat cell assays on A1-(2-nitro-4-trimethylammoniophenyl)insulin. In the former tests, the derivative is shown to have properties similar to native insulin and the fat cell assays afford a value of 76 +/- 4%. The importance of a charged, hydrophilic moiety attached at A1-glycine is discussed in the light of the above findings.