Search

Abstract Molecularly imprinted silica layers coated to quantum dots (MIP-QDs) were successfully fabricated and applied as the fluorescence probe for highly selective and sensitive determination of diethylstilbestrol (DES). Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated successful grafting of molecularly imprinted silica layers onto the surface of QDs. Furthermore, the fluorescence assay based on the MIP-QDs showed excellent selectivity and fluorescence quenching capability in optimal conditions and a good linear relationship was obtained in the range of 2.0 × 10−4–10.0 mg/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9980. The limit of detection of 5.9 × 10−5 mg/L was acquired. Good recoveries ranging from 95.5% to 107.5% were achieved with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 8.4% for seawater and river water samples. The fabricated MIP-QDs were successfully employed as the recognition and response element of an microtitration 96-well fluorescence detection system. Good recoveries ranging from 82.9% to 102.0% with RSDs below 10.0% were obtained for seawater and river water samples. Results demonstrate that simple, rapid, and sensitive DES determination method based on MIP-QDs can be successfully applied to DES residue detection in seawater and river water samples. Graphical abstract The fluorescent assay and microtitration 96-well fluorescence detection method based on MIP-QDs were applied to the determination of DES in aqueous samples, respectively. fx1 Highlights • MIP-QDs with specific recognition and selective FL quenching capability to DES were fabricated. • The FL quenching characterization of MIP-QDs was investigated. • The FL nanosensor based on MIP-QDs for DES determination was developed with the LOD of 5.9 × 10−5 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present work a simple methodology for electroanalytical sensing of diethylstilbestrol (DES) using graphene quantum dots (GQD) surface modified screen‐printed electrodes (SPE) is reported. GQD was synthesized by simple bottom‐up method based on citric acid pyrolysis at 200 °C and electrodeposited directly at electrode surface under cyclic voltammetric conditions. The obtained GQD presented an average diameter of 7 nm and was characterized by techniques such as transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The proposed sensor exhibits a linear response from 0.05 to 7.5 μmol L−1, with limit of detection and quantification of 8.8 nmol L−1 and 29.0 nmol L−1, respectively. The repeatability study presented RSD=3.6 % for 6 consecutive measurements using the same electrode surface and the reproducibility study showed RSD=6.6 % for measurements with 6 different electrode surfaces. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for DES determination in synthetic urine and tap water spiked samples and good recoveries were obtained without any sample pre‐treatment, showing its promising analytical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diethylstilbestrol (DES), an estrogen agonist, increases prolactin (PRL) cells through transdifferentiation of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) cells to PRL cells as well as proliferation of PRL cells in adult male mouse pituitary. Since hyperacetylation of histone H3 is implicated in the regulation of activation of various genes, we examined the effect of DES on the state of histone H3 acetylation. DES significantly reduced the immunohistochemical signal for acetylated histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9ac) in PRL, LH and FSH cells, but not for H3K18ac or H3K23ac. DES-treated mice were injected intraperitoneally with HDAC inhibitors (HDACi), sodium phenylbutyrate (NaPB) or valproic acid (VPA), to mimic the acetylation level of histone H3. As expected, HDACi treatment restored the level of H3K9ac expression in these cells, and also inhibited DES-induced increase in PRL cells. Furthermore, NaPB and VPA also abrogated the effects of DES on the population density of both LH and FSH cells. Similarly, the numbers of proliferating and apoptotic cells in the pituitary in NaPB- or VPA-treated mice were comparable to those of the control mice. Considered together, these results indicated that the acetylation level of histone H3 plays an important role in DES-induced transdifferentiation of LH to PRL cells as well as proliferation of PRL cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1980s featured a remarkable series of lawsuits: the DES cases. The women who brought these cases had been harmed by a drug-- DES--that their mothers had taken while the future plaintiffs were in utero. Hundreds of companies manufactured DES, each unit of DES sold was chemically identical, and the harmed women were generally unable to identify the manufacturer who had filled their mothers' prescriptions. Many of the plaintiffs could not prove causation as to a specific manufacturer and so could not bring traditional tort suits. To provide relief, some courts forged ahead with a new tort theory: market-share liability. Under this theory, plaintiffs who were harmed by a fungible product and unable to identify the manufacturer who produced the unit that harmed them could sue all manufacturers of the product and collect from each of them according to their market share. But not every court recognized this new theory. And among the courts that did, disagreement emerged as to doctrinal determinations and mechanical considerations. This Note is the first survey of both the legal and practical questions surrounding claims based on market-share liability, from whether a prospective plaintiff qualifies for such a cause of action to determining the relevant market to pleading requirements. It asserts that marketshare liability furthers the purposes of tort and products-liability law, critiques existing state statutory schemes, and proposes a model statute for state legislatures to consider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Cervical clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCAC) is a rare malignant tumor with independent biological behavior in the female reproductive system. In this report, we collect the clinical and histopathological characteristics of 18 CCAC patients without exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) and conduct relevant clinical analysis. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 18 patients with CCAC who were diagnosed and treated from January 2009 to August 2017 in the Second Hospital of Jilin University. Results. A total of 18 patients were enrolled. The age of patients ranged from 37 to 74 years with the peak incidence between 45 and 55 years. The median age was 53 years. The most common symptom was vaginal bleeding (66.7%, 12/18). The most common type of lesion was the endocervical type (66.7%, 12/18). The negative rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) examination was 88.9% (8/9). Based on the staging criteria of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) cervical cancer clinical stage in 2018, 55.6% patients were stage I (n=10), 16.7% were stage II (n=3), 22.2% were stage III (n=4), and 5.6% were stage IV (n=1). Seventeen patients underwent surgery; 64.7% (11/17) of cases showed infiltration of the entire layer of the cervix, pelvic lymph node (PLN) metastasis was observed in 4 patients (26.7%, 4/15), endometrium metastasis was observed in 4 patients (25%, 4/16), and 13 patients (72.2%, 13/18) were diagnosed at an early stage (stage IB1-IIA2). Fifteen patients' immunohistochemistry indicated that napsin A, CK7, CK (AE1/AE3), and PAX-8 were positive, and p53, p16, ER, and vimentin were expressed to different degrees. Follow-up data were obtained in 13 patients (72.2%, 13/18). One patient died of recurrence 5 months after surgery, and the other patients' progression-free survival (PFS) ranged from 9 to 59 months. Tumor size (>4 cm), tumor stage (FIGO IIA2-IV), PLN, and endometrium metastasis had negative effects on PFS (P<0.05). Conclusions. CCAC is a highly invasive malignant tumor, whose pathogenesis may not be associated with HPV infection. Radical hysterectomy combined with chemotherapy (paclitaxel + platinum) has the ideal short-term curative effect. In the future, larger samples of clinical data are required to confirm these insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the rare neoplasms of cervix uteri and vagina is clear cell carcinoma; mostly in patients with a positive past medical history of intrauterine diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure which reveals the importance of other unknown risk factors of gynecologic neoplasms. 2 Asian women referred to the gynecology-oncology department. The first one came with a complaint of prolonged vaginal discharge and the second one with irregular bleeding. Neither did report a history of DES-exposure. On vaginal examination, it was found that both cases had mass which biopsied for histologic study. They were diagnosed with primary Clear Cell Carcinoma of Vagina in the first case and Cervix uteri in the other one. Both patients underwent cytoreductive surgery soon after diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Endocrine disruption is one of the consequences of industrialization and chemicals released into the environment have a profound impact on organisms. Waterborne micromolar concentrations of ioxynil (IOX) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) in fish affect the development of the heart, vasculature and thyroid gland. Objectives The present study aimed to determine how IOX and DES disrupt the crosstalk between the developing thyroid gland and cardio-vascular system in zebrafish. Methods Twelve hours post fertilization (hpf) wild type, Tg (fli1:GFP) or Tg (cmalc2:GFPCaaX) zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0.1 μM IOX or DES for 36 h (up until 48 hpf) or 60 h (up until 72 hpf). Embryos were used for vascular endothelial cell sorting, whole-mount immunohistochemistry, tissue selective transcriptomics, selected gene expression analysis by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and determination of heart rate by live imaging. Results Exposure of zebrafish embryos to IOX and DES (0.1 μM) increased heart beat frequency and reduced ventricle volume and aorta diameter. The transcriptome of endothelial cells from blood vessels of hypertrophic, dilated and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy was significantly changed and compound-specific toxic effects were found in IOX and DES exposed embryos. Both DES and IOX directly affected vascular and heart development and this indirectly impaired thyroid gland development in zebrafish. Even though the toxicity end-point of the two chemicals was similar, their action seemed to be via different gene regulatory pathways and physiological mechanisms. Conclusion IOX and DES directly disrupt cardiovascular development and there is an associated disruption of thyroid tissue that most likely has long term consequences for this endocrine axis. Highlights • Exposure to IOX and DES (0.1 μM) impairs heart function and morphology in zebrafish. • IOX and DES have common and compound-specific effects on endothelial cells. • IOX and DES directly impair the vasculature and heart and indirectly impair thyroid gland. • IOX and DES are thyroid disrupting compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Diagram showing Third Generation Study women in the present analysis (dark gray). Highlights • Studies of mice indicate intergenerational effects of DES exposure; i.e., effects in the offspring of prenatally DES-exposed animals. • We assessed DES exposure in relation to outcomes in a cohort of third generation women whose mothers were prenatally DES-exposed and unexposed. • Results suggested DES-exposed third generation women have increased risks of menstrual aberrations, preterm birth, and possibly ectopic pregnancy. • The data did not indicate an increase in same-sex orientation in DES-exposed third generation women. • Menstrual aberration and preterm birth in the DES-exposed third generation suggest intergenerational effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in humans. Abstract Background Animal studies suggest that prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) causes epigenetic alterations in primordial germ cells that affect the next generation, but human studies are sparse. Methods We assessed hormonally mediated outcomes in third generation women whose mothers were prenatally DES-exposed and unexposed. Results Compared to the unexposed, DES-exposed third generation women had an increased risk of irregular menses and amenorrhea; the respective prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in follow-up data were 1.32 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.60) and 1.26 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.49); associations were more apparent in third generation women whose prenatally DES-exposed mothers were affected by vaginal epithelial changes. The follow-up data also indicated an association with preterm delivery (relative risk (RR): 1.54; 95% CI: 1.35, 1.75). Conclusion DES third generation women may have an increased risk of irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, and preterm delivery, consistent with inter-generational effects of endocrine disrupting chemical exposure in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • ATPS was first developed for the salting-out extraction of ursolic acid from C. songaricum. • DESs used as adjuvants with small amount can significantly improve the extraction. • Ursolic acid can be recovered from the solution using water as the anti-solvent. • This method has high extraction efficiency, low cost and good environmental friendliness. Abstract Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were considered as a good alternative to conventional ionic liquids (ILs) used in the extraction and separation field. Therefore, the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) formed by ethanol and salt was used for the salting-out extraction (SOE), preconcentration, and preliminary purification of ursolic acid (UA) from Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. (C. songaricum) using various DESs as adjuvants in this study. The DES choline chloride-oxalic acid (ChCl-OA) was screened as the optimal adjuvant, which can play a dual role of enhancing the extraction yield in the preparation of the crude extract and adjusting the distribution of UA in ATPS. The factors influencing the solid-liquid extraction, including type and amount of DESs, ethanol concentration, and solid-liquid ratio were investigated. Then, the major factors influencing the SOE, including salt type and concentration, extraction temperature, and system pH were also optimized. The maximum extraction yield of 108 mg/g in the solid-liquid extraction and the maximum extraction efficiency of >99% in the SOE were obtained, respectively. The recovery of UA from the solution was done using water as the anti-solvent with almost 96.6% UA being recovered, the purity of recovered UA reached 73.5%. This SOE using DESs as adjuvants has the advantages of high extraction efficiency, simple operation, low cost and good environmental friendliness, which is potential for the scale-up application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic estrogen hormone which is useful as hormone replacement therapy, but it also can trigger the abnormal cells growth that will develop into cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is associated with invasion and metastasis potential where the gold standard is a histopathological examination. [1][2]Histopathological examination is a method of seeing Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia growth. There is no therapy needed at the CIN1 medium, 80% can return to normal. CIN II & III can develop into cancer cells (true cervical cancers precursors). CIN or pre-cancer therapy is more effective and efficient, and also low cost before it develops into malignant cancer cells. Accurate diagnosis and prediction of malignancy are important issues in clinical management, including biomarker identification for CIN diagnosis.CIN screening is an effective method to identify the presence of cancer earlier to decrease the mortality.CIN that has been treated can regrow/recur by some trigger factors such as age, menopause, and surgery. Ocimum has an anti-cancer effect through the caspase-3 induction which stimulates PARF to release cytochrome-c.PARF induces apoptosis in cancer cells through ROS increase. Ocimumhas antioxidant activity, protects cell damage, and acts as a scavenger highly reactive free radicals. The results of the study group who received 100% diethylstilbestrol had Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasm (CIN).40% at CIN2 and CIN3Stadium, and 20% at CIN1. Chi-square test results showed that there was a significant effect between the administration of diethylstilbestrol and the occurrence of CIN in p-value <0.05. Then, there was no significant effect between the administration of Ocimum extract and CIN stadium withp-value > 0.05. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pouvoirs is the property of Editions du Seuil 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.)

In this work we describe the profiles of the estrogen receptor ERα, the most common type of hormone receptor on breast cells, in terms of its total binding energy in the presence of its full agonist ligands, endogenous 17β-estradiol and synthetic diethylstilbestrol, which are responsible for a large percentage of all breast cancers. The X-ray crystallographic structures of ERα in complexes with both agonists are considered, and the electrostatically embedded molecular fractionation with conjugate caps (EE-MFCC) scheme is applied within a dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) framework, taking into account the B97D/cc-pVTZ level of theory. Our quantum chemical computational results show that the total binding energy of both agonists to the ERα ligand-pocket, with radius varying from 2.0 to 12.5 Å, is well correlated with the experimental agonist binding affinity. In addition, we found that the most significant contributions to the total binding energy of the receptor–endogenous (synthetic) ligand complexes are mainly due to 12 (14) amino acid residues. Finally, we predict the energetic relevance of the estradiol and diethylstilbestrol regions, as well as the influence of each protein segment on ERα–agonist binding. This information is important for helping to decide whether or not the cancer is likely to respond to either endocrine therapy or other clinical treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen residues, including diethylstilbestrol in chicken, are one of the main food safety concerns all over the world owing to a series of negative effects on the human body. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) coupled with multivariate analysis was applied to detect rapidly diethylstilbestrol residues in chicken. The detection conditions, including the sizes of colloidal gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and the additional amounts of Au NPs, chicken extract containing diethylstilbestrol, and magnesium sulfate solution, as well as the adsorption time, were optimized by a single factor experiment to obtain a better detection effect of diethylstilbestrol residues in chicken. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was the best quantitative model for the detection of diethylstilbestrol residues in chicken by comparing four chemometric models. Diethylstilbestrol residues in chicken could be predicted by PLSR with the low root mean square error (RMSE = 0.4128 mg/L), and the high determination coefficient (R2 = 0.9811) and ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD = 7.2566) for the test set. A novel approach, which has the potential for the analysis of other estrogen residues in meat, was developed to detect rapidly the diethylstilbestrol residues in chicken by using SERS coupled with multivariate analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is an endocrine disruptor that was used to prevent adverse effects of pregnancy in women in late 1940s until early 1970s. Its use was banned following significant toxicity and negative effects not only in the mothers but also transgenerationally. Previous studies from our laboratory showed that DES induces thymic atrophy and immunosuppression in mice. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms through which DES triggers thymic atrophy, specifically autophagy. To that end, we treated C57BL/6 mice with DES, and determined expression of two autophagy-related proteins, microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1 (Becn1). We observed that DES-induced thymic atrophy was associated with increased autophagy in thymocytes and significant upregulation in the expression of both Becn1 and LC3. DES also caused downregulation in the expression of miR-30a in thymocytes, and transfection studies revealed that miR-30a targeted Becn1. Upon examination of methylation status of Becn1, we noted hypomethylation of Becn1 in thymocytes of mice exposed to DES. Together, these data demonstrate for the first time that DES induces autophagy in thymocytes potentially through epigenetic changes involving hypomethylation of Becn1 and down-regulation of miR-30a expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nurse educators have a vital role to mentor student nurses in relation to developing evidence-based practice (EBP) skills, accessing research products and participating in research projects. This requires more innovative teaching approaches that promote active participation, creativity and critical thinking in students such as online teaching and learning, accessing electronic resources, video conferencing and researchbased teaching and learning. Aim: To determine the nurse educators' experiences in implementing EBP in teaching and learning, and to describe the importance and benefits of EBP teaching and learning to the nursing profession, especially for nurse educators and student nurses. Setting: Two chosen campuses from Umgungundlovu Health District under the KwaZulu- Natal College of Nursing (KZNCN) and offering a 4-year R425 training programme. Methods: Qualitative research design and methods were followed in conducting the study. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to access the sample of 12 nurse educators. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, the interview guide, and the digital voice recorder. Results: Data were analysed manually, following a content thematic approach and two themes emerged as challenges experienced by nurse educators with the implementation of EBP in teaching and learning and benefits and value of EBP in teaching and learning. Findings revealed that, although most of the nurse educators are supportive and displayed a positive attitude towards implementing EBP in teaching and learning, the level of knowledge and skills was questionable. This was coupled with a lack of motivation and commitment towards research. Conclusions: Evidence-based practice has an essential potential role to play through incorporating more practice-based evidence of nurse educators in teaching and learning implementation. The nurse educators should use EBP to ensure that student nurses receive high-quality nursing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) is used to treat metastatic carcinomas and prostate cancer. We studied its interaction with membranes and its localization to understand its mechanism of action and side-effects. We used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showing that DES fluidized the membrane and has poor solubility in DMPC (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) in the fluid state. Using small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD), it was observed that DES increased the thickness of the water layer between phospholipid membranes, indicating effects on the membrane surface. DSC, X-ray diffraction, and 31P-NMR spectroscopy were used to study the effect of DES on the Lα-to-HII phase transition, and it was observed that negative curvature of the membrane is promoted by DES, and this effect may be significant to understand its action on membrane enzymes. Using the 1H-NOESY-NMR-MAS technique, cross-relaxation rates for different protons of DES with POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) protons were calculated, suggesting that the most likely location of DES in the membrane is with the main axis parallel to the surface and close to the first carbons of the fatty acyl chains of POPC. Molecular dynamics simulations were in close agreements with the experimental results regarding the location of DES in phospholipids bilayers.

This study investigated the detrimental effects of diethylstilbestrol (DES), an estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemical, on the viability of primordial germ cells (PGCs), embryonic precursors of germ cells, in Japanese quail. We injected 50 or 100 nmol DES solubilized in sesame oil into the yolk of stage X embryos and assessed changes in the population and cell cycle properties of circulating PGCs in blood vessels and gonadal PGCs after 2.5- and 7-day incubations, respectively. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer and Western blotting analyses identified DEAD-box polypeptide 4 (DDX4) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as a stem cell marker and proliferation marker of quail PGCs, respectively. Immunochemical analyses revealed significant decreases in the number of DDX4- and PCNA-positive blood-circulating PGCs in males treated with 50 and 100 nmol DES than in the oil-treated control group. These reductions were not observed in females. Furthermore, the number of DDX4-positive gonadal PGCs was smaller in males treated with 50 and 100 nmol DES than in the control group, and these reductions were not observed in females. The protein expression of the Sertoli cell marker showed normal testis development in DES-treated embryos on d 7. These results demonstrate the potentially cytotoxic effects of DES on male germ cells, namely, the inhibition of cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis in Japanese quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a threatening factor to the human endocrine system. Here, we reported a DNA origami-assembled plasmonic dimer nanoantenna-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor for measuring trace DES in foods. A critical factor influencing the SERS effect is interparticle gap modulation of SERS hotspots with nanometer-scale accuracy. DNA origami technology aims to generate naturally perfect structures with nano-scale precision. Exploiting the specificity of base-pairing and spatial addressability of DNA origami to form plasmonic dimer nanoantenna, the designed SERS biosensor generated electromagnetic-enhancement and uniform-enhancement hotspots to improve sensitivity and uniformity. Owing to their high target-binding affinity, aptamer-functionalized DNA origami biosensors transduced the target recognition into dynamic structural transformations of plasmonic nanoantennas, which were further converted to amplified Raman outputs. A broad linear range from 10−10 to 10−5 M was obtained with the detection limit of 0.217 nM. Our findings demonstrate the utility of aptamer-integrated DNA origami-based biosensors as a promising approach for trace analysis of environmental hazards. [Display omitted] • A DNA origami-based aptasensor targeting diethylstilbestrol (DES) was proposed. • Specificity of base-pairing and spatial addressability of DNA origami were utilized. • The structural transformations of nanoantennas can be converted to Raman outputs. • The biosensor achieved high selectivity and sensitivity sensing with LOD of 0.217 nM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix (CCAC) is a rare type of gynecological cancer. The risk factors and pathogenesis have yet to be clearly determined. This is a case report of a 19-year-old woman, who was never exposed to DES from her mother, who had gone for an examination for vaginal bleeding. A polypoid mass measured at 3 cm presenting in her cervix was discovered. Histological diagnosis following cervical biopsy proved the tumor to be a clear cell carcinoma. The patient was then referred to our hospital. A loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) was done and the pathological diagnosis was confirmed for clear cell carcinoma with a positive endocervical margin. Radical hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy and incidental appendectomy were achieved without any complications. The microscopic findings had revealed no residual tumor. The patient did not require adjuvant treatment. No sign of recurrence has been detected throughout 6 months of follow-up. We have performed the literature review on the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this unusual tumor.

Primary clear cell adenocarcinomas most commonly involve the genitourinary system, including the vagina. Previously, primary clear cell adenocarcinomas of the vagina have been discussed within the context of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol. Due to its widely proven role in the development of this carcinoma, administration of diethylstilbestrol is prohibited. We present two cases of non-diethylstilbestrol-associated primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina from the archives of the Anatomical Pathology Department at King Abdulaziz University in order to improve our understanding of its biological behavior. Our findings suggest that primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina may be unrelated to diethylstilbestrol exposure and that non-diethylstilbestrol-associated primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina, when present at a younger age, may have a worse prognosis.

The increased pericardial fat which often accompanies overall obesity is thought to alter cardiac structure/function and increase the risk for atrial fibrillation. We hypothesized that chronic exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) would induce pericardial fat, cardiac hypertrophy or arrhythmia. C57bl/6n dams were exposed to BPA (25 ng/ml drinking water) beginning on gestation day 11 and progeny continued on 2.5 ng BPA/ml drinking water. The progeny of control dams (VEH) and dams treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES, 1 μg/kg/day, gestation days 11–14) had tap water. After weaning progeny were fed either a control (CD) or high fat diet (HFD) for 3 months. Pericardial fat was present in CD-BPA and CD-DES and not CD-VEH mice, and was increased in all HFD mice. Catecholamine challenge revealed no differences in males, but BPA-exposed females had longer P-wave and QRS complex duration. Only CD-BPA and CD-DES females developed cardiac hypertrophy which was independent of increased blood pressure. Calcium homeostasis protein expression changes in HFD-BPA and HFD-DES mice predict reduced SERCA2 activity in males and increased SERCA2 activity in females. Thus, chronic BPA exposure induced pericardial fat in the absence of HFD, and female-specific changes in cardiac hypertrophy development and cardiac electrical conduction after a catecholamine challenge.

Photothermal immunochromatographic sensor is an emerging detection technology, and it is important to develop new sensing probes with excellent photothermal performance to improve its detection performance. In the present study, a novel photothermal sensing probe based on violet phosphorus nanosheets with satisfactory photothermal conversion efficiency (31.1 %) was reported for the first time. A photothermal immunochromatographic sensor using the above probe was applied for visual and photothermal detection of diethylstilbestrol. The diethylstilbestrol concentration was inversely proportional to photothermal sensing signal and showed a good linear correlation in the range of 0.75 ∼ 50 μg·L -1 . After optimizing, the visual and photothermal detection limits were 6 μg·L -1 and 0.56 μg·L -1 , respectively. The recovery rates in tap water, milk and pork samples ranged from 82.2 % to 115.2 %, with a coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from 2.0 % to 10.8 %. This work not only structured a new type of photothermal probe, but also expanded the application range of violet phosphorus., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the risk of cervical and vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) in women, aged 50 years or more, exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES) and contribute to a reevaluation of the recommendations for cervical and vaginal cancer and pre-cancer screening for these women., Methods: We carried out a retrospective review for patients received in a cancer institute. Two cohorts were consecutively studied, the first from 1970 to 2003 and the second from 2004 to 2021, and then linked., Results: During the first period, we observed 61 CCA cases, with a mean age at diagnosis of 23 years (7-42), 36 (59%) following DES exposure in utero. During the second period, we found 27 cases, with one case of DES exposure (4%) for a women diagnosed at the age of 40 years. The mean age of the second cohort was 38 years (14-79). For the seven women aged 50 years or more at the time of CCA diagnosis, DES exposure was excluded for five and considered unlikely for the other two., Conclusion: In total, 88 cases of cervical or vaginal CCA were observed over a period of 51 years in a cancer center. The 37 cases associated with DES exposure represented approximatively one third of the CCA related to DES expected in France. DES exposure was improbable for the seven cases of CCA for women aged 50 years or more. These results do not support the hypothesis of late cervical or vaginal CCA in women exposed to DES in utero and indicate the need for larger multicentric studies. For the present, we propose specific screening for women exposed to DES in utero in terms of : 1) methods: association of cytology and hrHPV testing, with cervical and vaginal sampling, 2) timing : annual, or without exceeding a three-year interval, continuing after 65 years of age and after hysterectomy., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is studied on Ag(111) and Cu(111) surfaces using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). We find that DES molecules on the silver surface adsorb intact and adopt a trans-conformation. On the more reactive copper surface, O–H bond cleavage results in molecular adsorption in the cis-conformation, thus providing the means of obtaining different adsorption geometries. The difference in isomerism is reflected in the observed self-assemblies which exhibit room-temperature stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the psychometric properties and feasibility of the Finnish translation of the measure of processes of care for adults (MPOC-A) when used in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Design: A feasibility study. Settings: Inpatient rehabilitation settings. Subjects: A total of 858 people with severe neurological disabilities, musculoskeletal problems, and mental disorders were recruited to the study. Methods: The MPOC-A questionnaire is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 34 items in five-factorial domains. The construct validity of the translated questionnaire was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. To compare the fit of the model to the fit of the independent null-model Comparative Fit Index was used. Internal consistency for the total scale and subscales was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient. Results: A total of 554 people, mean age 52 years (SD = 9), participated in the study. Most of the responders had musculoskeletal problems (n = 328, 57%). The respondents rated the client-centeredness in rehabilitation service as moderate (m = 5.40, SD = 0.81). The five-factor and the one-factor model fitted the data well according to all three indices. Internal consistency showed high reliability between the one-factor and five-factor models for all except one domain (0.49–0.93). The mean for Person Infit for the people with neurological disabilities was higher than for the other two groups (m = 1.77, SD = 1.32) indicating less predictable response patterns in this group. Conclusion: The results confirm the appropriate psychometric properties of the Finnish version of the MPOC-A, especially for people with musculoskeletal problems and those with mental health disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To empirically test the hypothesis that the 10 roles on the Revised Role Checklist are represented in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health participation areas. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Subjects: Investigators from Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States recruited a total of 295 adults from the general population. There were 103 (34.9%) male and 191 (64.7%) female participants with one participant not indicating gender. The age distribution of participants was from <25 (n = 68) to 75+ with a mode of 25–34 years. Main measure: The Revised Role Checklist Part 1 was used to assess perceived incumbency in 10 roles. In addition, subjects were asked to provide role examples. Results: Of the 7087 examples provided by participants, 6578 (92.8%) fit the original hypothesis that the roles in the Revised Role Checklist were covered in participation areas. Fit was determined when the role example was either named in the associated International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health participation area or when the criteria of: “does this example conceivably fit in the respective area as ‘a person’s involvement in life situations’ fit relative to each role.” Slight modification of the scope of three roles of the original hypothesis resulted in a 97.6% match. Conclusion: The roles in the Revised Role Checklist are well represented in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health categories of participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new diethylstilbestrol (DES) imprinted sensor approach based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) incorporated two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron nitride (2D-hBN) nanosheets was presented for DES detection. The methods such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) method, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used for all nanomaterials' characterizations. DES imprinted sensor was prepared in presence of 100.0 mM pyrrole containing 25.0 mM DES by CV. The developed method was validated and 5.0 × 10-12-1.0 × 10-8 M and 1.0 × 10-13 M were founded as the linearity range and the detection limit (LOD). DES imprinted glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was applied in presence of the natural estrogens such as estrone (E1), estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) and the other agents such as hydroquinone (HYD) and catechol (CAT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Fe 3 O 4 -doped nanoporous carbon (Fe 3 O 4 -NC) was synthesized through the carbonization of Fe-porous coordination polymer (Fe-PCP), which are also known as metal-organic framework (MOF), and fabricated into an electrochemical sensor for simultaneous analysis of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and 17β-estradiol (E2) in toner. Fe 3 O 4 -NC was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption-desorption and so on. It is of great practical significance to achieve the simultaneous determination of the two estrogens because estrogens are co-existing in many real samples. The simultaneous determination of two common estrogens, DES and E2, was achieved through electro-catalytically oxidization at a Fe 3 O 4 -NC modified glassy carbon electrode (Fe 3 O 4 -NC/GCE). The peak currents of DES and E2 increased linearly as their concentrations increasing from 0.01 to 12 μmol/L and from 0.01 to 20 μmol/L, with detection limits of 4.6 nmol/L and 4.9 nmol/L (S/N = 3), respectively. This work was focused on the simultaneous determination of the two estrogens in toner. Furthermore, the recoveries of DES and E2 were 91.2–110%, in actual toner samples. The experimental results manifest that the sensor with a stronger anti-interference ability can be used for the simultaneous detection of DES and E2 in the actual toner sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The high incidence of prostate carcinogenesis has prompted the search for novel effective treatment approaches. We have employed curcumin (Curc) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) to synthesize a series of polyacetal (PA)‐based combination conjugates for prostate cancer (PCa) treatment. Given their bihydroxyl functionalities, Curc and DES molecules were incorporated into a PA mainchain using a one‐pot reaction between diols and divinyl ethers. The PA‐conjugates released both drugs under acidic conditions, such as those found in the tumor microenvironment, endosomes, or lysosomes, while remaining stable at neutral pH 7.4. The drug ratio was optimized to achieve anticancer drug synergism with elevated cytotoxicity against LNCaP‐hormone‐dependent human PCa cells conferred via the induction of S phase cell cycle arrest by the upregulation of p53 and CDK inhibitors p21Waf/CIP1 and downregulation of cyclin D1. The application of rationally designed PA‐Curc‐DES combination conjugates represents a potentially exciting new treatment for prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioassay protocol for diethylstilbestrol (DES) was systematically proposed. The Au/UiO-66(NH 2 ) hybrid with countless active sites was fabricated using an in situ reduction strategy and was subsequently decorated with CdS nanoparticles (NPs) by a sequential chemical bath deposition process. The resulting Au/UiO-66(NH 2 )/CdS composites were exploited as a sensing matrix for the first time. The excellent photocurrent response of the as-prepared hybrid under visible light is attributed to its improved photo-electric conversion efficiency due to the local surface plasma resonance (LSPR) effect of Au and the matching energy-level structure between UiO-66(NH 2 ) and CdS. In addition, the competitive strategy for the detection of DES was devised by employing the direct Z-scheme Melem/CdTe heterojunction covalently conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA)-DES as signal tags. As a consequence, a cascade-like band-edge level was obtained, which could effectively promote the transfer of photogenerated charges and markedly improve the photocurrent. On the basis of the above strategy, the concentrations of DES could be detected through the competitive binding of DES antibodies (Anti-DES) with either Melem/CdTe/BSA-DES or free DES. Under optimal conditions, the linear range for the detection of DES was 0.1 pg mL −1 to 20 ng mL −1 . The detection limit was as low as 0.06 pg mL −1 (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the designed PEC DES-sensing approach has acceptable selectivity, reproducibility, and stability and offers great promise for the detection of small molecules in biomedical, food and environmental samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sample of 1933 registered nurses working in 24 hospitals with shared leadership was surveyed to examine perceptions of nurse decisional involvement. Council participation was associated with higher decisional involvement scores (P = .03), and nurse experience was a statistically significant predictor of decisional involvement (P < .01). Nurse manager and staff registered nurse scores were significantly different (P < .01). Shared leadership may promote staff nurse perceptions of involvement in decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a prospective cohort study of the health effects associated with prenatal Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure, DES was associated with an increased breast cancer risk after 40 years of age. It is unknown whether it is associated with greater mammographic density, which strongly predicts breast cancer risk. A cohort of DES‐exposed and unexposed women was assembled at the Mayo Clinic in 1975, and followed through 2012 as part of the National Cancer Institute's DES follow‐up study. Mammographic density from 3,637 mammograms for 332 (222 DES‐exposed, 110 unexposed) women in this cohort screened at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester between 1996 and 2015 was determined clinically using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS). Any effect of prenatal DES exposure on mammographic density was estimated using repeated measures logistic regression. There was no association between prenatal DES exposure and high mammographic density for either premenopausal [Odds ratios (OR) = 0.92 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.50, 1.7] or postmenopausal women (OR = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.54, 1.5). Among premenopausal women, associations differed by body mass index (BMI), with ORs of 1.47 (0.70, 3.1) for women with BMI above the median and 0.53 (0.23, 1.3) for those with BMI below the median (pinteraction = 0.05). Overall, however, prenatal DES exposure was not associated with high mammographic density in this sample of DES Study participants. Consequently, this study does not provide evidence that high mammographic density is involved with the influence of DES on breast cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen drives the development and progression of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. However, the detailed mechanism underlying ER-driven carcinogenesis remains unclear despite extensive studies. Previously reports indicated higher expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) myocardial infarction associated transcript ( MIAT ) in ER-positive breast cancer tissues than in ER-negative tissues. However, the functional relevance of MIAT in ER-positive breast cancer tumorigenesis was poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of lncRNA MIAT in ER-positive breast cancer cells. MIAT was over-expressed in ER-positive breast cancer tissues and ER-positive breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Activating estrogen signaling by diethylstilbestrol (DES) led to a dose- and time-dependent up-regulation of MIAT in MCF-7 cells that was dependent on ERα, as evidenced by ERα silencing and pharmacological inhibition using ER antagonist ICI 182780. Silencing MIAT decreased DES-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation while overexpressing MIAT increased MCF-7 cell proliferation. Further mechanistic study identified that MIAT was critical for G1 to S phase cell cycle transition. Taken together, these results suggest that lncRNA MIAT is an estrogen-inducible lncRNA and a key regulator in ER-positive breast cancer cell growth. MIAT could serve as a potential biomarker and promising therapeutic target for ER-positive breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolactinomas are the most common tumor of the human pituitary. They result in excessive prolactin secretion and important changes in the vasculature. Pericytes are perivascular cells associated with capillaries and have crucial roles in physiological and pathological neovascularization. We previously reported that pericytes produce type I and III collagens in the anterior pituitary of adult rats. In addition, pituitary pericytes contained well-developed cell organelles and actively synthesized collagens during early postnatal development. However, the characteristics of pericytes in pituitary tumors are unclear. In this study, we used diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated rats as an animal model of prolactinoma. Using five common pericyte markers, more pericytes were observed in rats treated with DES for 3 months (prolactinoma) compared to the control. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that attached and semidetached pericytes exhibited active cell organelles. Moreover, we identified pericyte migration between capillaries. Although the fine structure of pituitary pericytes was active in prolactinoma, expressions of type I and III collagen mRNAs were greatly diminished. In sum, the characteristics and functions of pericytes were altered in pituitary tumors. This study is the first to clarify fine structural changes of pericytes in rat prolactinomas and improves our understanding of the function of pericytes under pathological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In New Zealand, haemoglobin A1c measurements are routinely offered at booking, preferably before 20 weeks gestation, to detect pre‐existing hyperglycaemia. A haemoglobin A1c <5.9% (41 mmol/mol) is considered normal based on the reference range for the non‐pregnant population. Aims: To determine pregnancy‐specific haemoglobin A1c centiles by gestation and ethnicity. Materials and Methods: This is a population‐based observational study of pregnancies uncomplicated by diabetes (pre‐existing or gestational) with ≥1 haemoglobin A1c measurement. Haemoglobin A1c centiles were calculated from data extracted from electronic laboratory and clinical records for pregnancies during 2008–2010. Results: Included were 6800 pregnancies, European 80% (5462), Māori 6% (415), Pacific Islander 3% (196) and 11% (727) ‘Others’ (mostly Asian). Haemoglobin A1c levels fell with increasing gestation, reaching a nadir at 24 weeks, a trend verified by longitudinal data from 112 women. The 97.5th centile for haemoglobin A1c in European women was 5.76% (39.5 mmol/mol) at 8+0 weeks, 5.70% (38.8 mmol/mol) at 16+0 weeks, and 5.65% (38.3 mmol/mol) at 24+0 weeks. Non‐European women had both higher plasma glucose levels (although within the range considered normal) and higher mean haemoglobin A1c levels compared with Europeans; mean (SD) difference in haemoglobin A1c in Māori +0.13% (0.05) (+1.4 mmol/mol (0.5)), Pacific +0.20% (0.03) (+2.2 mmol/mol (0.3)), ‘Others’ +0.10% (0.03) (+1.1 mmol/mol (0.3)). Conclusions: The New Zealand haemoglobin A1c cut‐point ≥5.9% (41 mmol/mol) for identifying hyperglycaemia in early pregnancy is greater than the 97.5th centile in European and ‘Other’ women. Utilising population haemoglobin A1c centiles adjusted by gestation may thus better guide management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the availability of numerous obesity prevention initiatives in developed countries including Australia, rising childhood obesity levels have been found among migrant communities which contribute to widening obesity-related disparities in these countries. We sought to understand the factors influencing the participation of migrant communities in childhood obesity prevention initiatives. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews among 48 migrant parents from African, Middle Eastern, Indian and Vietnamese origins living in disadvantaged areas of Victoria, Australia to explore their views on childhood obesity and its prevention. Thematic analysis showed low obesity literacy among migrant communities, cultural influences negatively impacting their healthy lifestyle behaviours and cultural, family-level and community-level barriers impacting their participation in childhood obesity prevention initiatives. There is an urgent need to improve obesity literacy among migrant communities using bicultural workers in order to improve their responsiveness to childhood obesity prevention initiatives. Health interventionists are urged to incorporate culturally-mediated influences in the design of obesity prevention programs to achieve energy balance and maintain healthy weight among migrants. Such culturally appropriate approaches have the potential of reducing the widening ethnic-related obesity disparities in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental toxicity is an adverse developmental outcome, i.e., death, malformation, growth retardation, or functional deficiency. Recently, alternative methods of assessing developmental toxicity using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a preliminary screening have attracted attention because of their low cost and high throughput. However, most toxicity evaluations have been based on a chemical concentration in an aqueous solution, and the chemical concentrations in embryos/larvae and their temporal behavior have in most cases been unclear, regardless of differences of chemical hydrophobicity. In the present study, we selected three teratogens with different hydrophobicities (caffeine, CA, log Kow -0.07; sodium valproate, VA, log Kow 0.26 (pH 7.4); and diethylstilbestrol, DES, log Kow 5.07), and we measured their concentrations in embryos/larvae exposed to these chemicals every 24 hr post-fertilization (hpf) until 144 hpf. Kinetic analysis based on a one-compartment fish model that yields first order kinetics for CA and VA revealed that concentrations of both CA and VA in embryos/larvae increased gradually and became saturated by around 100 hpf. In contrast, DES concentrations in embryos/larvae reached a maximum at 48 or 72 hpf and then decreased gradually. The present study suggests that the temporal pattern of chemical concentrations is a function of the hydrophobicity of the chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) has become one of the most widely used cognitive screening instruments since its initial publication. To date, only a handful of studies have explored longitudinal characteristics of the MoCA.Aim: The aim of this study is to characterize the trajectory of MoCA performance across a broad age continuum of older adults.Methods: Data from 467 cognitively normal participants were used in this analysis. The sample was grouped into four strata based on the participants’ age at baseline (60-69, 70-79, 80-89, and 90-99). Mixed model repeated measures (MMRM) analysis and mixed-effects spline models were used to characterize the trajectory of MoCA scores in each age stratum and in the entire sample. Intrasubject standard deviation (ISD) was used to characterize the natural variability of individual MoCA performance over time.Results: The ISD values for each of the age strata indicated that year-to-year individual variation on the MoCA ranged from zero to three points. MMRM analysis showed that the 60-69 stratum remained relatively stable over time while the 70-79 and 80-89 strata both showed notable decline relative to baseline performance. The mixed-effects spline model showed that MoCA performance declines linearly across the older adult age span.Discussion: Among cognitively normal older adults MoCA performance remains relatively stable over time, however across the older adult age-span MoCA performance declines in a linear fashion. These results will help clinicians better understand the normal course of MoCA change in older adults while researchers may use these results to inform sample size estimates for intervention studies.Conclusion: This study provides an enhanced view of the MoCA’s intraindividual trajectory in normal elderly aged 60 and older. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental exposure to estrogenic chemicals is an established risk factor for cancer of the female reproductive tract. This increase in risk has been associated with disruption of normal patterns of cellular differentiation during critical stages of morphogenesis. The goal of this study was to document uterine epithelial phenotypes over time following neonatal treatment with the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) or the soy phytoestrogen genistein (GEN) in female CD-1 mice. Both DES and GEN induced three distinct populations of abnormal endometrial epithelial cells: luminal (SIX1+/P63−/CK14−/CK18+), basal (SIX1+/P63+/CK14+/CK18−), and mixed/bipotential (SIX1+/P63−/CK14+/CK18+), which were all established by early adulthood. In older animals, DES and GEN resulted in uterine carcinomas with mixed glandular, basal, and squamous cell elements. All carcinomas were composed largely of the three abnormal cell types. These findings identify novel epithelial differentiation patterns in the uterus and support the idea that disruption of cellular programming in early development can influence cancer risk later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly 20 years ago, Hausmann and Güntürkün (2000a, 2000b) published a review article in the Journal of Neuropsychology/Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie on the influences of sex hormones on functional cerebral asymmetries (FCAs). They further presented a neuroendocrinological model (Hausmann & Güntürkün, 2000c) that could potentially explain how sex hormones modulate FCAs. Their model proposed that high levels of progesterone reduce the synaptic efficiency of cortico-cortical transmission, leading to a reduction of FCAs. However, empirical data testing their hypothesis directly were missing. Using various approaches, we have now gathered behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging data that partly support the original idea, while also pointing toward estradiol-modulating FCAs. The current review provides an update on this fascinating topic and briefly explores clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]