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J Glob Oncol 2018 Dec(4):1-13

Mehreen A. Khan, Qamar-un-Nisa Chaudhry, Tariq M. Satti, and Syed K. Mahmood, Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre/National Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplant, Rawalpindi; Parvez Ahmed, Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan; and Qaiser Bashir, MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX.

Use of haploidentical (haplo) donors for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has significantly increased in the last decade. The major advantage with this strategy is universal availability and faster acquisition of the donor, along with affordability and provision of immunotherapy in post-transplantation period. Historically, haplo-HCT was associated with compromised outcomes because of high rates of graft-versus-host disease and graft failure, but after the development of a post-transplantation high-dose cyclophosphamide strategy, which results in selective T-cell depletion, these issues have been addressed to a large extent. Read More

Clin Oral Implants Res 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Prosthodontics, Propaedeutic and Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.

Objective: The purpose of this laboratory study was to evaluate the fatigue resistance, fracture resistance and mode of failure of posterior hybrid-abutment-crown versus hybrid-abutment with separate crown, both bonded to short titanium bases.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-two titanium implants were embedded perpendicularly in auto-polymerizing resin. Implant-supported restorations simulating a maxillary first premolar were designed and milled using a CAD/CAM system and divided into 2 groups according to material (n=16): zirconia (Z) and lithium disilicate (L). Read More

Int J Cancer 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China.

The prevalence of Lynch syndrome (LS) varies significantly in different populations, suggesting that ethnic features might play an important role. We enrolled 3330 consecutive Chinese patients who had surgical resection for newly diagnosed colorectal cancer. Universal screening for LS was implemented, including immunohistochemistry for mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, BRAF mutation test and germline sequencing. Read More

Bioinformatics 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany.

Motivation: Histones form octameric complexes called nucleosomes, which organize the genomic DNA of eukaryotes into chromatin. Each nucleosome comprises two copies each of the histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, which share a common ancestry. Although histones were initially thought to be a eukaryotic innovation, the subsequent identification of archaeal homologs led to the notion that histones emerged before the divergence of archaea and eukaryotes. Read More

J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

From the Department of Orthopaedics (Dr. R. F. Murphy, Dr. Plumblee, Dr. Barfield, and Dr. Dow), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC, Children's Orthopaedics of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA (Dr. J. S. Murphy, Mr. Fuerstenau), the Department of Orthopaedics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN (Dr. Spence and Dr. Kelly), and Shriner's Hospital for Children, Springfield, MA (Dr. Mooney).

Introduction: Septic arthritis of the hip (SAH) is a common condition encountered by pediatric orthopaedic surgeons and is treated with arthrotomy and irrigation. Depending on the response to initial treatment, some patients require surgical treatment beyond the index procedure. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for repeat surgical intervention after initial arthrotomy for presumed SAH. Read More

Analyst 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Departamento de Química, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, E46022, Valencia, Spain. and Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico (IDM), Universitat Politècnica de València-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain and Unidad Mixta UPV-La Fe, Nanomedicine and Sensors, IIS La Fe, Valencia, Spain.

The development of a high-performance assay readout using integrated detectors is a current challenge in the implementation of DNA tests in diagnostic laboratories, particularly for supporting pharmacogenetic tests. A method for allelic discrimination, associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), is presented. Genomic DNA is extracted from blood and buccal swab samples. Read More

Analyst 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan. and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan and Institute of NanoEngineering and Microsystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are among the most severe complications emerging from prosthetic joint replacement surgeries. In order to possess a rapid means of diagnosing PJIs, an integrated microfluidic system was developed herein for detecting and identifying bacteria in human synovial fluid (HSF). The entire molecular diagnostic process, including (1) sample treatment, (2) bacterial isolation, (3) bacterial lysis, (4) nucleic acid amplification (via polymerase chain reaction (PCR)), and (5) optical detection, could be automated on a single chip. Read More

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Background: To learn more about local prostate cancer (PCa) disparities, we conducted descriptive analyses of the role of race and age in PCa using the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry data for Philadelphia (2005-2014).

Methods: We focused on the most prevalent race/ethnic groups: white (33%), black (44%), and Hispanic (9%). Outcomes included PCa rates, tumor stage, and tumor grade. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

FISABIO-UJI-Universitat de València Joint Research Unit in Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Valencia, Spain.

The aim of this paper is to systematically review the scientific literature on the possible relation of chronic mercury exposure and blood pressure among children and adolescents. We searched for observational studies in 6 electronic databases and grey literature for English, French or Spanish language studies published up to 30 November 2017. We performed a quality assessment of primary studies. Read More

Langenbecks Arch Surg 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Clinical Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Background: Improved outcome after liver resections have been reported in several series, but outcomes from national cohorts are scarce. Our aim was to evaluate nationwide practice and short-term outcomes after liver surgery in a universal healthcare system.

Methods: A complete 5-year cohort of all liver resections from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR). Read More

Prev Sci 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Global Center for Applied Health Research, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 720, Phoenix, AZ, 85004-0693, USA.

This article describes a test in Guatemala City of Mantente REAL, a linguistically adapted version of the keepin' it REAL universal substance use prevention curriculum for early adolescents that teaches culturally grounded drug resistance, risk assessment, and decision making skills. Academic researchers collaborated with a local non-profit to recruit and randomize 12 elementary schools in Guatemala City to intervention and comparison conditions. Regular classroom teachers were trained to deliver the ten-lesson Mantente REAL (MR) manualized curriculum to sixth-grade students. Read More

Ir Med J 2018 06 7;111(6):771. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

UCD Centre for Human Reproduction, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Cork St, Dublin 8, Ireland

Aims Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may be universal or selective based on risk factors. We audited selective screening with an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Methods Clinical and laboratory details of the first 200 women who delivered a baby in 2017 were analysed. Read More

Psychol Res Behav Manag 2018 12;11:581-588. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, Philosophy and Anthropology, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastián, Spain.

Purpose: The study had two goals as follows: 1) to identify the prevalence of children with mild and severe depression (MD and SD), exploring sex differences; and 2) to determine possible significant differences in adaptive and clinical variables between children with different levels of depression (absence of depression, MD, and SD).

Materials And Methods: We used a sample of 420 participants aged 7-10 years (53.3% boys) enrolled in third and fourth grade of primary education, from schools in the Basque Country (Spain). Read More

J Virol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, the Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

Hemagglutinin (HA) stalk-reactive antibodies are the basis of several current "one-shot" universal influenza vaccine efforts because they protect against a wide spectrum of influenza virus strains. The appreciated mechanism of protection by HA-stalk antibodies is to inhibit HA stalk reconfiguration, blocking viral fusion and entry. This study shows that HA stalk-reactive antibodies also inhibit neuraminidase (NA) enzymatic activity, prohibiting viral egress. Read More

BMJ 2018 Dec 5;363:k5131. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

J Clin Microbiol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

McGill International TB Center, Montreal, Canada

Access to diagnostics is a key component of universal health coverage (UHC). However, healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have given little importance to diagnostics and laboratories. Disease management in such countries largely relies on empirical therapy and syndromic management. Read More

Int J Soc Psychiatry 2018 Dec 5:20764018816344. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

7 Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune, India.

Background:: Family life is a near-universal condition and a fundamental human right. It can also have a significant impact on mental health, including recovery from mental health conditions. In India, families play a considerable role, representing a source of social, cultural, religious and, often, financial support. Read More

J Allied Health 2018 ;47(4):250-254

Dep. of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 6610 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229, USA. Tel 614-366-7880.

While institutional and program accreditation has long been required for physician and nursing education, paramedic program accreditation was largely voluntary in the US until recently. Our objective was to assess whether program accreditation is associated with higher pass rates and cognitive ability performance. This was a cross-sectional evaluation of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians' (NREMT) Paramedic Certification cognitive examination results for graduates of US paramedic pro¬grams. Read More

Health Educ Res 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Division of Health Promotion and Behavior, School of Public Health, Georgia State University, 140 Decatur St., Suite 300, Atlanta, GA. USA.

This study assessed attitudes toward HIV and awareness of previous HIV prevention campaigns among young black men in the United States of America (USA). The study also ascertained the appropriateness of HIV testing messages for young black men and explored the use of social networking sites to deliver HIV testing messages for social media marketing campaigns. Nineteen (n = 19) black male college students attending a public university in Atlanta, GA, USA from September 2016 to October 2016 participated in three focus groups. Read More

Genet Mol Biol 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular I, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between prostate cancer (PCa) and Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the Mexican population. We studied 356 paraffin-embedded tissues from unrelated Mexican men with PCa or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with the latter serving as control. HPV detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal primers, and viral genotypes were detected using sequencing or multiplex PCR. Read More

PLoS One 2018 3;13(12):e0208028. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

International Institutional Cooperation, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Paris, France.

Background And Aim: The majority of seasonal influenza vaccines are trivalent, containing two A virus strains (H1N1 and H3N2) and one B virus strain. The co-circulation of two distinct lineages of B viruses can lead to mismatch between the influenza B virus strain recommended for the trivalent seasonal vaccine and the circulating B virus. This has led some manufacturers to produce quadrivalent influenza vaccines containing one strain from each B lineage in addition to H1N1 and H3N2 strains. Read More

PLoS Comput Biol 2018 Dec 3;14(12):e1006617. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Korea Institute for Advanced Study, Seoul, Korea.

We investigate spatiotemporal dynamics of human interphase chromosomes by employing a heteropolymer model that incorporates the information of human chromosomes inferred from Hi-C data. Despite considerable heterogeneities in the chromosome structures generated from our model, chromatins are organized into crumpled globules with space-filling (SF) statistics characterized by a single universal scaling exponent (ν = 1/3), and this exponent alone can offer a quantitative account of experimentally observed, many different features of chromosome dynamics. The local chromosome structures, whose scale corresponds to that of topologically associated domains (∼ 0. Read More

Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Klinefelter syndrome is the most common sex chromosome abnormality in men. Hypogonadism and testicular degeneration are almost universal. Truncal adiposity, metabolic syndrome and low bone mass occur frequently. Read More

Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Genitoplasty in children with disorders of sex development (DSD) is an ethically complex issue. From a surgical perspective, genitoplasty in early childhood is preferred because it is felt to be associated with improved tissue healing, decreased risk of complications, and reduced psychological impact of genital surgery. However, advocacy groups and recent ethics literature have argued for deferring genitoplasty until a child reaches decisional maturity. Read More

Lancet Oncol 2018 Dec;19(12):e709-e719

Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA.

Medical devices are indispensable for cancer management across the entire cancer care continuum, yet many existing medical interventions are not equally accessible to the global population, contributing to disparate mortality rates between countries with different income levels. Improved access to priority medical technologies is required to implement universal health coverage and deliver high-quality cancer care. However, the selection of appropriate medical devices at all income and hospital levels has been difficult because of the extremely large number of devices needed for the full spectrum of cancer care; the wide variety of options within the medical device sector, ranging from small inexpensive disposable devices to sophisticated diagnostic imaging and treatment units; and insufficient in-country expertise, in many countries, to prioritise cancer interventions and to determine associated technologies. Read More

Elife 2018 Dec 3;7. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Replication dependent (RD) core histone mRNA produced during S-phase is the only known protein-coding mRNA presenting a 3' stem-loop instead of the otherwise universal polyA tail. A metallo β-lactamase (MBL) fold enzyme, cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 73 (CPSF73), is proposed to be the sole endonuclease responsible for 3' end processing of both mRNA classes. We report cellular, genetic, biochemical, substrate selectivity, and crystallographic studies providing evidence that an additional endoribonuclease, MBL domain containing protein 1 (MBLAC1), is selective for 3' processing of RD histone pre-mRNA during the S-phase of the cell cycle. Read More

Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Bioengineering Research Group, Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials Department, Materials & Energy Research Center (MERC), Tehran, Iran.

The use of different biomaterials with the ability to accelerate the repair and regeneration processes is of great importance in tissue engineering strategies. On this point, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs or nanoceria) have recently attracted much attention due to their excellent biological properties including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and antibacterial activities as well as high angiogenic potential. The results of incorporation of these nano-sized particles into various constructs and scaffolds designed for tissue engineering applications have proven the success of this strategy in terms of improving healing process of different tissues. Read More

Expert Opin Ther Targets 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

a IRCCS, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy.

Introduction The advent of targeted therapies and immunecheckpoints inhibitors has enhanced the treatment of metastatic melanomas. Despite striking improvements of patients' survival, drug resistance continues to limit the efficacy of such treatments. Genetic and non genetic/adaptive mechanisms of resistance could be involved; in the latter mechanism, non coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as key players. Read More

ACS Nano 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Integration of biological macromolecules with inorganic materials via biomineralization has demonstrated great potential for development of nanotheranostic agents. To produce multifunctionality, integration of multiple components in the biomineralized theranostic agents is required; however, how to efficiently and reproducibly implement this is challenging. In this report, a universal biomineralization strategy is developed by incorporation of oxidization polymerization into albumin-templated biomineralization for facile synthesis of nanotheranostic agents. Read More

HIV Med 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Internal Medicine, Antoine Béclère Hospital, Clamart, France.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess whether the timing of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation, the choice of cART and virological response differ in migrants versus European natives in the north and east of Paris area, after dissemination of French recommendations for universal treatment.

Methods: Antiretroviral therapy-naïve HIV-1-infected adults with at least two follow-up visits at one of 15 participating centres between 1 January 2014 and 31 March 2015 were included in the study. Factors associated with cART initiation before 31 March 2015, with protease inhibitor (PI)-containing cART among individuals initiating cART, and with 1-year virological success after cART initiation were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models. Read More

Dev Sci 2018 Nov 30:e12779. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Simon Fraser University.

Gaze is considered a crucial component of early communication between an infant and her caregiver. When communicatively addressed infants respond aptly to others' gaze by following its direction. However, experience with face-to-face contact varies across cultures, begging the question whether infants' competencies in receiving others' communicative gaze-signals are universal or culturally specific. Read More

Mol Biol Rep 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

College of Medical Laboratory, Dalian Medical University, No.9 West Section Lvshun South Road, Dalian, 116044, China.

The goal of this study was to develop a method for measuring leukocyte phagocytosis based on 16S rDNA, and to investigate its clinical significance. Whole blood was collected and incubated with bacteria. Free bacteria were removed using differential centrifugation. Read More

Int J Public Health 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1885:61-71

Thomas Jefferson University, Basking Ridge, NJ, USA.

Preimplantation genetic testing has evolved tremendously from the early days of FISH detection for a select few chromosome aneuploidies to now combining the detection of all whole chromosome imbalances in conjunction with single gene disorder testing for inherited diseases. As universal carrier screening and exome or genome studies become more commonplace, more and more families are becoming interested in reducing the risk of having a child with a severe disease using preimplantation genetic testing. We describe here the use of quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the custom construction of single gene disorder testing plans for families, the validation of the probes designed, and the protocol for diagnosing an embryo biopsy. Read More

Plant Direct 2018 Jun 5;2(6). Epub 2018 Jun 5.

Department of Biology and Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri.

Mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels provide a universal mechanism for sensing and responding to increased membrane tension. MscS-like (MSL) 10 is a relatively well-studied MS ion channel from that is implicated in cell death signaling. The relationship between the amino acid sequence of MSL10 and its conductance, gating tension, and opening and closing kinetics remains unstudied. Read More

J Educ Health Promot 2018 29;7:129. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Department of Community Medicine, Seth G. S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Introduction: Immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases in adults is the need of the hour. The student nurses by virtue of training are the frontline health workers dealing with patient care. They are exposed to maximum risk of contracting the diseases. Read More

Indian Dermatol Online J 2018 Nov-Dec;9(6):409-413

Department of Pathology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.

Background: Granuloma annulare (GA) is an uncommon dermatologic disorder that presents as annular, skin-colored to erythematous plaques. Histopathologically, it is characterized by palisaded histiocytic granulomas. A definitive diagnosis of GA is based on clinicopathologic correlation. Read More

Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2018 Sep;7(5):621-627

Department of Cardiac Surgery, Harefield Hospital, London, UK.

Background: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) grafting is regarded as an alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) through full sternotomy, particularly for patients with isolated proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenosis deemed unsuitable for percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the technically demanding nature of the procedure and lack of long-term published outcomes have precluded its universal adoption. We report the comparative short-term outcomes and long-term survival of MIDCAB and conventional CABG through full sternotomy for grafting of isolated LAD. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2018 Nov;10(Suppl 30):S3604-S3613

Cardiovascular Institute, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, Madrid, Spain.

Cerebrovascular events following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is one of the most devastating complications. Several studies with magnetic resonance or cerebral filters have demonstrated the universal brain embolization after TAVI, in the majority of patients clinically silent. Embolic protection devices (EPD) have been developed as a mechanical barrier to prevent these emboli to reach cerebral vasculature and potentially reduce neurological events. Read More

Saudi J Biol Sci 2018 Nov 30;25(7):1298-1301. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

The deciduous habit and tendency to produce flowers prior to developing leaves, and a predominantly dioecious system of breeding in the genus leads to difficulties in its taxonomic identification at species level. The characteristics of easy amplification by universal primer, shorter length and higher discrimination power at the species level makes the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) to a smart gene for generating species-specific phylogenetic inferences in most of the plants groups. The present study deals the ITS sequence of nrDNA based molecular genotyping of seven species of the genus of Saudi Arabia. Read More

Oman J Ophthalmol 2018 Sep-Dec;11(3):300-302

Ophthalmic Pathology Service, Apollo Health City, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Isolated eyelid Rosai-Dorfman disease without orbital disease or systemic involvement is very rare and needs a high degree of suspicion. In this report, we describe a 16-year-old boy who presented with isolated eyelid Rosai-Dorfman disease involving the right upper eyelid. The lesion was treated by surgical debulking followed by intralesional steroid injection for the residual lesion. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 Nov 30;9(1):5089. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

UMR EGCE (Evolution, Génome, Comportement, Ecologie), CNRS-IRD-Univ. Paris-Sud, IDEEV, Université Paris-Saclay, 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.

The rise of Neogene C grasslands is one of the most drastic changes recently experienced by the biosphere. A central - and widely debated - hypothesis posits that Neogene grasslands acted as a major adaptive zone for herbivore lineages. We test this hypothesis with a novel model system, the Sesamiina stemborer moths and their associated host-grasses. Read More

Dent Mater J 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul Aydın University.

The micro-tensile bond strengths (micro-TBSs) of four universal adhesive systems, applied in two different bonding techniques, to carries-affected dentin after Er:YAG laser irradiation were investigated. Twenty-four extracted human molars were divided into four groups, according to the adhesive systems used. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups, depending on the bonding method used: the etch-and-rinse procedure or self-etch procedure. Read More

Emerg Med J 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Objectives: The primary purpose of this study was to determine if methicillin-resistant (MRSA) was present on the surface of oxygen cylinders and regulators used in the prehospital setting and secondarily to assess other surfaces for MRSA within the ambulance compartment, as a comparison.

Methods: On 17 March 2018, the surface of oxygen cylinders and regulators located in ambulances at an emergency medical services (EMS) station in North Alabama (n=9) and at an offsite oxygen cylinder storage area (n=70) were swabbed using sterile cotton-tipped applicators saturated in an 0.9% NaCl solution. Read More

Structure 2018 Nov 1. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore. Electronic address:

Histidine kinases (HKs) funnel diverse environmental stimuli into a single autophosphorylation event at a conserved histidine residue. The HK EnvZ is a global sensor of osmolality and cellular acid pH. In previous studies, we discovered that osmosensing in EnvZ was mediated through osmolyte-induced stabilization of the partially disordered helical backbone spanning the conserved histidine autophosphorylation site (His). Read More

Vaccine 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 440 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.

Alzheimers Dement 2018 Nov 15. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK; The LonDownS Consortium, London, UK.

Introduction: Down syndrome (DS) is associated with an almost universal development of Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with DS are therefore an important population for randomized controlled trials to prevent or delay cognitive decline, though it is essential to understand the time course of early cognitive changes.

Methods: We conducted the largest cognitive study to date with 312 adults with DS to assess age-related and Alzheimer's disease-related cognitive changes during progression from preclinical to prodromal dementia, and prodromal to clinical dementia. Read More

Harmful Algae 2018 Dec 19;80:107-116. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Division of Ocean Science and Technology, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China. Electronic address:

Harmful algal blooms (HAB) involving toxic microalgae have posed a serious threat to the marine industry and environment in the past several decades. Efficient techniques are required to monitor the marine environment to provide an effective warning of imminent HAB. Sequenced the partial large subunit rDNA (D1-D2) sequences of eight toxic harmful algae that are commonly distributed along the Chinese coast were cloned. Read More

Acta Biomater 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

School of Pharmaceutical Science, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, PR China. Electronic address:

Self-assembled nanovehicles of chemotherapy drug with photothermal agent are regarded as intriguing chemo-photothermal therapy nanoplatform. However, most of the drugs and photothermal agents have poor water solubility and poor interactions to drive the formation of self-assembled nanovehicles, which is a bottleneck of co-assembled drug/photothermal agent for cancer therapy. Here, we proposed a versatile strategy to create self-assembled chemo-photothermal therapy nanoplatform based on the chemical modification of photothermal agent and drug. Read More