Animal models have been extensively used in cancer pathology studies and drug discovery.These models,however,fail to reflect the complex human tumor microenvironment and do not allow for high-throughput drug screening...Animal models have been extensively used in cancer pathology studies and drug discovery.These models,however,fail to reflect the complex human tumor microenvironment and do not allow for high-throughput drug screening in more human-like physiological conditions.Three-dimensional(3D)cancer models present an alternative to automated high-throughput cancer drug discovery and oncology.In this review,we highlight recent technology innovations in building 3D tumor models that simulate the complex human tumor microenvironment and responses of patients to treatment.We discussed various biofabrication technologies,including 3D bioprinting techniques developed for characterizing tumor progression,metastasis,and response to treatment.展开更多
Public opinion and consumer preferences are among the various constraints on the rollout of automated cars, as they will affect the decision-making of both automotive industry actors and public-sector regulators. This...Public opinion and consumer preferences are among the various constraints on the rollout of automated cars, as they will affect the decision-making of both automotive industry actors and public-sector regulators. This study contributes to the growing body of the literature regarding this issue, through a moderate-scale survey （n = 370） that incorporated both prioritization/attitudinal questions （regarding public opinion） and a stated-prefer- ence module （to identify consumer preferences）. The sur- vey protocol includes a stated-preference approach to investigate consumers＇ preferences for the possibility of very high rates of speed in automated cars on long-distance journeys. We found separately identifiable effects for average travel speeds （manifested as journey duration） and maximum travel speed in the stated-preference scenarios. In the ＇prioritization＇ component of the survey, respondents ranked having the ＇highest possible level of safety＇ as the single most important benefit that they would like auto- mated cars to deliver, ahead of benefits such as being able to performing activities while traveling or having traffic congestion reduced. This result has consequences for the car-following distances that are programmed into the control algorithms of automated cars. Documenting this finding is important, as decisions must be made in the near future by driving-algorithm designers, public-sector regu- lators, and ultimately the judiciary regarding the guidelines for acceptable automated driving-behavior instructions.展开更多
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is a sensitive and rapid technique for determining traces of inorganic cations in water samples. CZE with indirect UV-diode array detection (CZE-DAD) was utilized to identify sever...Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is a sensitive and rapid technique for determining traces of inorganic cations in water samples. CZE with indirect UV-diode array detection (CZE-DAD) was utilized to identify several inorganic cations in natural, potable, and wastewater samples. A pH 4.35 background electrolyte system was employed and consisted of 15 mM imidazole, 8 mM malonic acid, 2 mM 18-crown-6 ether as complexing agents, 10% v/v methanol as an organic modifier with indirect absorbance reference at 214 nm. The CZE method involved electromigration injection at 5 kV for 5 s, a separation voltage of 20 kV at 25℃, and a detection wavelength of 280 nm. Six main cations (ammonium , potassium K+, calcium Ca2+, sodium Na+, magnesium Mg2+, and lead Pb2+) were tested, and all but lead, were detected in the water samples at concentrations between 0.03 and 755 ppm with a detection limit ranging between 0.023 and 0.084 ppm. The successful evaluation of the proposed methodology allowed us to reliably detect and separate six metal ions in different water samples without any pretreatment. All water samples were collected from Northern New York towns and the Raquette River water system, the third longest river in New York State and the largest watershed of the central and western Adirondacks.展开更多
The authors investigate the impact of the recent financial crisis on dividend payout policies in the United States. The results are as follows. The authors find that： （l） Firms must have good financial profiles to ...The authors investigate the impact of the recent financial crisis on dividend payout policies in the United States. The results are as follows. The authors find that： （l） Firms must have good financial profiles to support a policy of increasing dividend payouts during a financial crisis; （2） Overall firms increasing dividend payouts are also engaged in stock repurchases; （3） Firms choosing to increase cash dividend payouts seem to have low opportunity costs, that is, they do not have as many exercisable stock options that they may need in the face of possible future redemptions; and （4） During a financial crisis, the aforementioned trade-off between exercisable stock options and increased dividend payouts would peak, as the stock price slides to where it could be expected to V-bound and then became moderate when stock price recovered. The abovementioned findings are consistent with the ＂silver- lining＂ hypothesis which the authors proffer to suggest that the storm of economic bad times often creates circumstances that influence dividend payout strategies for firms traded on exchanges in the United States, and different dividend payout strategies may be strategically elected to reveal to the market participants a silver-lining in the cloud of bad times.展开更多
Purpose: Post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) for resected cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) with perineural invasion (PNI) is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a survey to review treatment recommendations a...Purpose: Post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) for resected cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) with perineural invasion (PNI) is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a survey to review treatment recommendations among Radiation Oncologists (ROs) in the management of CSCC with PNI. Materials & Methods: In March 2011, we contacted all ROs and trainees in the US through email addresses listed in the 2009 ASTRO directory. Our web-based survey presented clinical vignettes involving Mohs micrographically resected CSCC with microscopic PNI (mPNI) or clinical PNI (cPNI). For each vignette, ROs were asked to indicate if PORT was appropriate and to further specify the dose and volume to treat. Results: Three hundred fifty two responses were completed and analyzed. The majority of ROs (72%) had over 10 years of post residency experience. 64% of the sampled ROs had a special interest in treating head and neck cancers, and 64% treated 4 or more cases per year. Approximately 95% recommended PORT for cPNI whereas 59% recommended PORT for mPNI. Post residency experience (10+ yrs vs. <10 yrs) was associated with a greater propensity to recommend PORT for mPNI (48% vs. 30%, p = 0.005) and for mPNI of deep subcutaneous non-named nerve involvement (80% vs. 60%, p = 0.001). ROs treating 8 or more cases per year (vs. <7) were more likely to recommend PORT for mPNI in immunocompromised patients (74% vs. 57%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates significant variability among ROs in the management of CSCC with mPNI. For cases of cPNI, an overwhelming majority recommended PORT. In cases of mPNI, there was no consensus for recommending PORT, although experienced practitioners had a lower threshold for offering treatment. These results indicate the need for prospective clinical studies to clarify the role of PORT in CSCC patients with mPNI.展开更多
Current colorectal cancer (CRC) treatments exhibit unwanted cytotoxicity against healthy proliferating cells. Hence, these therapeutics demand higher specificity upon drug delivery, a task that may be facilitated by t...Current colorectal cancer (CRC) treatments exhibit unwanted cytotoxicity against healthy proliferating cells. Hence, these therapeutics demand higher specificity upon drug delivery, a task that may be facilitated by the discovery of anticancer agents bearing critical mechanisms of action. Baicalein is a flavonoid with promising anticancer activity, among other pharmacological benefits, and has therefore been of high clinical interest. We tested baicalein in vitro for its effect on several CRC hallmarks, including the suppression of metastasis (the spread of cancer cells from their initial site), the ability to induce apoptosis (cell death), and the inhibition of proliferation (the growth of cells). The suppression of the metastasis of CRC cells was recorded via two studies: the cell migration assay and the in silico docking of baicalein with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Results from the cell migration assay showed that baicalein inhibited metastasis by up to 25.76% (p 0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. We then reinforced these results by docking baicalein with TLR4 (binding affinity: -8.4 kcal/mol) and docking baicalein with MMP-9 (binding affinity: -7.9 kcal/mol), classifying strong binding affinities as those less than -6.0 kcal/mol. The induction of cell death was measured using a caspase activity assay. Again, a docking study was done to reinforce the findings from the primary in vitro experiment, though this time between baicalein and caspase-3 (binding affinity: -7.1 kcal/mol). Despite mixed observations in concentration dependence, caspase activity, relative to control, reached a maximal increase of 88.6% (p 0.01), and results from the MTT assay demonstrated a survival rate, relative to control, of as low as 59.64%. Considerations for future studies include the testing of baicalein in vivo and on more aberrative CRC cell lines.展开更多
Ischemic retinopathies are clinically well-defined chronic microvascular complications characterized by gradually progressive alterations in the retinal microvasculature and a compensatory aberrant neovascularization ...Ischemic retinopathies are clinically well-defined chronic microvascular complications characterized by gradually progressive alterations in the retinal microvasculature and a compensatory aberrant neovascularization of the eye. The subsequent metabolic deficiencies result in structural and functional alterations in the retina which is highly susceptible to injurious stimuli such as diabe-tes, trauma, hyperoxia, inflammation, aging and dys-plipidemia. Emerging evidence indicates that an effec-tive therapy may require targeting multiple components of the angiogenic pathway. Conceptually, mircoRNA(miRNA)-based therapy provides the rationale basis for an effective antiangiogenic treatment. miRNAs are an evolutionarily conserved family of short RNAs, each regulating the expression of multiple protein-coding genes. The activity of specific miRNAs is important for vascular cell signaling and blood vessel formation and function. Recently, important progress has been made in mapping the miRNA-gene target network andmiRNA-mediated gene expression control. Here wehighlight the latest findings on angiogenic and antian-giogenic miRNAs and their targets as well as potentiaimplications in ocular neovascular diseases. Emphasis isplaced on how specific vascular-enriched miRNAs regu-late cell responses to various cues by targeting severafactors, receptors and/or signaling molecules in orderto maintain either vascular function or dysfunction. Fur-ther improvement of our knowledge in not only miRNAspecificity, turnover, and transport but also how miRNAsequences and functions can be altered will enhancethe therapeutic utility of such molecules.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Micturition syncope is a relatively uncommon cause of sudden and temporary loss of consciousness. Most prevalent in older males, this condition is extremely rare in women. CASES: Two pregnant women present...BACKGROUND: Micturition syncope is a relatively uncommon cause of sudden and temporary loss of consciousness. Most prevalent in older males, this condition is extremely rare in women. CASES: Two pregnant women presented with recurrent syncope. The syncopal events were more common in the early morning and were precipitated by the presence of a distended bladder, urinary urgency, assuming a standing position after either being supine or sitting, or associated with travel motion. Extensive neurology and cardiology evaluations were negative, and the events were considered consistent with micturition syncope. Both patients responded favorably to conservative voiding behavior modification measures throughout the remainder of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Micturition syncope during pregnancy may not be a rare occurrence. This potentially dangerous condition is amenable to voiding behavior modification measures.展开更多
The SH-SY5Y,neuroblastoma cell line,is a common in vitro model used to study physiological neuronal function and the neuronal response to different stimuli,including exposure to toxic chemicals.These cells can be diff...The SH-SY5Y,neuroblastoma cell line,is a common in vitro model used to study physiological neuronal function and the neuronal response to different stimuli,including exposure to toxic chemicals.These cells can be differentiated to neuron-like cells by administration of various reagents,including retinoic acid or phorbol12-myristate-13-acetate.Despite their common use,there is an incomplete understanding of the molecular changes that occur during differentiation.Therefore,there is a critical need to fully understand the molecular changes that occur during differentiation to properly study neurotoxicity in response to various environmental exposures.Previous studies have investigated the proteome and transcriptome during differentiation;however,the regulation of the cellular lipidome in this process is unexplored.In this work,we conducted liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry(LC−MS)-based untargeted lipidomics in undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells,induced by retinoic acid.We show that there are global differences between the cellular lipidomes of undifferentiated and differentiated cells.Out of thousands of features detected in positive and negative electrospray ionization modes,44 species were identified that showed significant differences(p-value≤0.05,fold change≥2)in differentiated cells.Identification of these features combined with targeted lipidomics highlighted the accumulation of phospholipids,sterols,and sphingolipids during differentiation while triacylglycerols were depleted.These results provide important insights into lipid-related changes that occur during cellular differentiation of SH-5YSY cells and emphasize the need for the detailed characterization of biochemical differences that occur during differentiation while using this in vitro model for assessing ecological impacts of environmental pollutants.展开更多
The growing interest in the material flow(MF)theory has invoked much interesting research in recent years.Although the MF theory is relatively new,a review of the related literature from a historical perspective shows...The growing interest in the material flow(MF)theory has invoked much interesting research in recent years.Although the MF theory is relatively new,a review of the related literature from a historical perspective shows that MF theory represents a new stage of the evolutionary development of interrelated subjects such as Physical Distribution(PD),Logistics,and Supply Chain Management(SCM).The purpose of this paper is to provide a summative review of the evolution of the subjects of PD,Logistics,and SCM,and their new development,MF theory.The paper aims at tracing how concepts and findings in PD,Logistics,SCM,and MF have been developed and have evolved.The study shows that PD evolved to Logistics in middle of the 1980s;starting from the late 1990s,Logistics has evolved to SCM;and today PD,Logistics,and SCM can be considered to be under the umbrella provided by a new theory called MF theory.This paper points out that MF theory is a necessity to deal with the overwhelming complexity of material flow systems in the global economy of the twenty-first century.展开更多
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)is responsible for numerous infectious processes.Gastrointestinal tract involvement is rather rare and only a handful of cases of MRSA colitis have been reported in Nor...Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)is responsible for numerous infectious processes.Gastrointestinal tract involvement is rather rare and only a handful of cases of MRSA colitis have been reported in North America.We present a case of MRSA colitis in an adult without apparent risk factors.Abdominal computed tomography(CT)showed thickening of the sigmoid colon,indicative of colitis,and empiric therapy with ciprofloxacin and metronidazole was started.Initial work-up for infection-including blood and stool cultures,and stool Clostridium difficile toxin assay-was negative.The patient’s clinical status improved but his diarrhea did not abate.Repetition of stool culture demonstrated luxuriant growth of MRSA sensitive to vancomycin.Oral vancomycin was administered and the patient’s symptoms promptly ceased.展开更多
The consumerization of information technology(IT)has created a growing population of mobile knowledge workers that requires organizations to implement appropriate strategies of mobile knowledge management to support t...The consumerization of information technology(IT)has created a growing population of mobile knowledge workers that requires organizations to implement appropriate strategies of mobile knowledge management to support their businessrelated activities.This research presents and investigates an analytical model of mobile knowledge management by capturing the mutual effects of a central knowledge base and individual mobile devices for a mobile platform.Weinvestigate the best technology level of the mobile platform for both the homogeneous and heterogeneous settings and explore how they change with several critical factors including the central knowledge base,environmental mobility and knowledge volatility.Our model-based framework and analytical results provide valuable insights for practitioners to effectively design mobile platforms and manage mobile knowledge assets.展开更多
Background and aim:Testing for Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection is recommended for work-up of unexplained iron deficiency anemia(IDA),although the evidence supporting this recommendation is scant.The aim of this study...Background and aim:Testing for Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection is recommended for work-up of unexplained iron deficiency anemia(IDA),although the evidence supporting this recommendation is scant.The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Hp infection and unexplained iron deficiency(ID)or IDA in the older adult population without significant upper gastrointestinal source of blood loss.Methods:Retrospective single-center cohort study;523 out of 1253 consecutive patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with no significant upper and/or lower gastrointestinal source for blood loss or risk factors for IDA.Comparisons were made between the Hp-positive and Hp-negative groups using Fisher exact test,chi-square test and Student’s t-test.Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant risk factors associated with ID and IDA.Results:One hundred and three subjects(19.7%)had Hp infection and 420(80.3%)were negative for Hp.Sixty-eight(22.1%)out of 307 subjects with available serum iron profile had unexplained ID and 28(5.4%)out of 510 subjects with available hemoglobin profile had unexplained IDA.No association was found between ID/IDA and Hp infection in univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.Conclusion:We found no association between unexplained ID or IDA and Hp infection in older adult population without peptic ulcer disease or significant upper gastrointestinal source of blood loss.展开更多
Background:Controversy exists over whether or not single-needle liver biopsies are sufficient to compare histological parameters in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Aims:To identify sampling variability...Background:Controversy exists over whether or not single-needle liver biopsies are sufficient to compare histological parameters in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Aims:To identify sampling variability,we biopsied four liver specimens per patient,based on biopsy size(needle vs wedge)and location(left vs right lobe),immediately prior to bariatric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.Methods:Ten prospectively enrolled,morbidly obese patients underwent 40 laparoscopy-guided biopsies;two needle and two wedge from each of 16 left and 16 right liver lobes.The Kappa coefficient for concordance compared histological parameters from left and right lobe needle-and wedge biopsies.Wedge biopsies were considered our‘Gold Standard’.Results:Each patient had two wedge-and two needle liver biopsies.Kappa concordance between all needle and wedge biopsies from right and left lobes showed variability.Wedge-and needle liver biopsies from contralateral lobes had higher concordance with each other,compared to ipsilateral needle/wedge biopsy pairs.Contralateral wedge pairs had higher concordance than contralateral needle/needle pairs.There were no biopsy complications.Conclusions:Wedge biopsy pairs had the best Kappa concordance but contralateral needle/needle biopsy pairs had good Kappa concordance.There were no complications from the 40 needle-and wedge liver biopsies,confirming the safety of laporoscopic multi-biopsy in both liver lobes.展开更多
China has a long history of forensic psychiatry,which can be traced even back to Zhou dynasty(11th century B.C.).However,modern forensic psychiatry has not been set up in China until the 1970s.After the interruption o...China has a long history of forensic psychiatry,which can be traced even back to Zhou dynasty(11th century B.C.).However,modern forensic psychiatry has not been set up in China until the 1970s.After the interruption of Cultural Revolution of 1966‑1976,there was a period of rapid development.In the past five years,a series of judicial identification system reforms have been taking place.In 2010,China had 225 forensic psychiatry agencies,2,090 forensic psychiatry experts and 40,822 cases.The experts are organized within the separate agencies of psychiatric hospitals,universities,the Institute of Forensic Sciences of the Ministry of Justice and other forensic agencies.Apart from criminal forensic psychiatry,the experts are often asked to evaluate civil competency for the clients involved in civil litigation.Chinese forensic psychiatry has developed rapidly during the past 30 years,and formed the characteristics of its own under the special legal system.However,there is still much work for Chinese forensic psychiatrists to do for the future.展开更多
Hajj is among the world＇s largest mass gatherings, drawing between 2 and 3.5 million Muslims from 183 nations annually to perform pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Infectious disease outbreaks can be imported both i...Hajj is among the world＇s largest mass gatherings, drawing between 2 and 3.5 million Muslims from 183 nations annually to perform pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Infectious disease outbreaks can be imported both into the Hajj population and exported internationally by returning pilgrims. The domestic Saudi population can also be at risk of outbreaks traveling amid this mass migration. With yellow fever reported for the first time in China following the infection of expatriate Chinese workers in Angola and a full blown outbreak underway in wider West Africa, the prospect of yellow fever outbreaks in Asia threatens to impact Saudi Arabia, both during and beyond the Hajj season. With global focus trained on Zika, the rising threat of yellow fever cannot be overlooked. Strategies to mitigate risk to Saudi Arabia and the global population are thereby suggested.展开更多
A brief theory and simulation overview for the purpose of design is presented with examples applies to modeling the physical properties,behavior,and phenomena of nanomaterial.This review paper constructs perspectives ...A brief theory and simulation overview for the purpose of design is presented with examples applies to modeling the physical properties,behavior,and phenomena of nanomaterial.This review paper constructs perspectives that consider coupling traditional domains of simulation by novel pathways to produce accurate representations of nanomaterial properties,behavior and phenomena.It is all about size scaling and how different approaches are able to simulate,integrate or simply pass the baton to the next level of complexity.In macroscopic world,the atomic or molecular information alone may not be directly useful.Nor is the bulk information useful in the microscopic world without intimate knowledge of molecular makeup.Therefore,when designing Nanomaterials,knowledge of properties spanning the complete range of size is the prerequisite of a recommended self-consistent approach.In fact,regarding applications in both industry and academia,the simulation first approach often can lead to great savings in time.This review paper focuses mostly on optical and electronic properties but a section is added that provides a segue into mechanical properties for future consideration.展开更多
文摘Animal models have been extensively used in cancer pathology studies and drug discovery.These models,however,fail to reflect the complex human tumor microenvironment and do not allow for high-throughput drug screening in more human-like physiological conditions.Three-dimensional(3D)cancer models present an alternative to automated high-throughput cancer drug discovery and oncology.In this review,we highlight recent technology innovations in building 3D tumor models that simulate the complex human tumor microenvironment and responses of patients to treatment.We discussed various biofabrication technologies,including 3D bioprinting techniques developed for characterizing tumor progression,metastasis,and response to treatment.
基金SUNY New Paltz’s SURE program for financial supportsupport of the University Transportation Research Center,Region 2(Grant#49997-53-25,titled:Empirical Aspects of Autonomous Cars)
文摘Public opinion and consumer preferences are among the various constraints on the rollout of automated cars, as they will affect the decision-making of both automotive industry actors and public-sector regulators. This study contributes to the growing body of the literature regarding this issue, through a moderate-scale survey （n = 370） that incorporated both prioritization/attitudinal questions （regarding public opinion） and a stated-prefer- ence module （to identify consumer preferences）. The sur- vey protocol includes a stated-preference approach to investigate consumers＇ preferences for the possibility of very high rates of speed in automated cars on long-distance journeys. We found separately identifiable effects for average travel speeds （manifested as journey duration） and maximum travel speed in the stated-preference scenarios. In the ＇prioritization＇ component of the survey, respondents ranked having the ＇highest possible level of safety＇ as the single most important benefit that they would like auto- mated cars to deliver, ahead of benefits such as being able to performing activities while traveling or having traffic congestion reduced. This result has consequences for the car-following distances that are programmed into the control algorithms of automated cars. Documenting this finding is important, as decisions must be made in the near future by driving-algorithm designers, public-sector regu- lators, and ultimately the judiciary regarding the guidelines for acceptable automated driving-behavior instructions.
文摘Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is a sensitive and rapid technique for determining traces of inorganic cations in water samples. CZE with indirect UV-diode array detection (CZE-DAD) was utilized to identify several inorganic cations in natural, potable, and wastewater samples. A pH 4.35 background electrolyte system was employed and consisted of 15 mM imidazole, 8 mM malonic acid, 2 mM 18-crown-6 ether as complexing agents, 10% v/v methanol as an organic modifier with indirect absorbance reference at 214 nm. The CZE method involved electromigration injection at 5 kV for 5 s, a separation voltage of 20 kV at 25℃, and a detection wavelength of 280 nm. Six main cations (ammonium , potassium K+, calcium Ca2+, sodium Na+, magnesium Mg2+, and lead Pb2+) were tested, and all but lead, were detected in the water samples at concentrations between 0.03 and 755 ppm with a detection limit ranging between 0.023 and 0.084 ppm. The successful evaluation of the proposed methodology allowed us to reliably detect and separate six metal ions in different water samples without any pretreatment. All water samples were collected from Northern New York towns and the Raquette River water system, the third longest river in New York State and the largest watershed of the central and western Adirondacks.
文摘The authors investigate the impact of the recent financial crisis on dividend payout policies in the United States. The results are as follows. The authors find that： （l） Firms must have good financial profiles to support a policy of increasing dividend payouts during a financial crisis; （2） Overall firms increasing dividend payouts are also engaged in stock repurchases; （3） Firms choosing to increase cash dividend payouts seem to have low opportunity costs, that is, they do not have as many exercisable stock options that they may need in the face of possible future redemptions; and （4） During a financial crisis, the aforementioned trade-off between exercisable stock options and increased dividend payouts would peak, as the stock price slides to where it could be expected to V-bound and then became moderate when stock price recovered. The abovementioned findings are consistent with the ＂silver- lining＂ hypothesis which the authors proffer to suggest that the storm of economic bad times often creates circumstances that influence dividend payout strategies for firms traded on exchanges in the United States, and different dividend payout strategies may be strategically elected to reveal to the market participants a silver-lining in the cloud of bad times.
文摘Purpose: Post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) for resected cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) with perineural invasion (PNI) is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a survey to review treatment recommendations among Radiation Oncologists (ROs) in the management of CSCC with PNI. Materials & Methods: In March 2011, we contacted all ROs and trainees in the US through email addresses listed in the 2009 ASTRO directory. Our web-based survey presented clinical vignettes involving Mohs micrographically resected CSCC with microscopic PNI (mPNI) or clinical PNI (cPNI). For each vignette, ROs were asked to indicate if PORT was appropriate and to further specify the dose and volume to treat. Results: Three hundred fifty two responses were completed and analyzed. The majority of ROs (72%) had over 10 years of post residency experience. 64% of the sampled ROs had a special interest in treating head and neck cancers, and 64% treated 4 or more cases per year. Approximately 95% recommended PORT for cPNI whereas 59% recommended PORT for mPNI. Post residency experience (10+ yrs vs. <10 yrs) was associated with a greater propensity to recommend PORT for mPNI (48% vs. 30%, p = 0.005) and for mPNI of deep subcutaneous non-named nerve involvement (80% vs. 60%, p = 0.001). ROs treating 8 or more cases per year (vs. <7) were more likely to recommend PORT for mPNI in immunocompromised patients (74% vs. 57%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates significant variability among ROs in the management of CSCC with mPNI. For cases of cPNI, an overwhelming majority recommended PORT. In cases of mPNI, there was no consensus for recommending PORT, although experienced practitioners had a lower threshold for offering treatment. These results indicate the need for prospective clinical studies to clarify the role of PORT in CSCC patients with mPNI.
文摘Current colorectal cancer (CRC) treatments exhibit unwanted cytotoxicity against healthy proliferating cells. Hence, these therapeutics demand higher specificity upon drug delivery, a task that may be facilitated by the discovery of anticancer agents bearing critical mechanisms of action. Baicalein is a flavonoid with promising anticancer activity, among other pharmacological benefits, and has therefore been of high clinical interest. We tested baicalein in vitro for its effect on several CRC hallmarks, including the suppression of metastasis (the spread of cancer cells from their initial site), the ability to induce apoptosis (cell death), and the inhibition of proliferation (the growth of cells). The suppression of the metastasis of CRC cells was recorded via two studies: the cell migration assay and the in silico docking of baicalein with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Results from the cell migration assay showed that baicalein inhibited metastasis by up to 25.76% (p 0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. We then reinforced these results by docking baicalein with TLR4 (binding affinity: -8.4 kcal/mol) and docking baicalein with MMP-9 (binding affinity: -7.9 kcal/mol), classifying strong binding affinities as those less than -6.0 kcal/mol. The induction of cell death was measured using a caspase activity assay. Again, a docking study was done to reinforce the findings from the primary in vitro experiment, though this time between baicalein and caspase-3 (binding affinity: -7.1 kcal/mol). Despite mixed observations in concentration dependence, caspase activity, relative to control, reached a maximal increase of 88.6% (p 0.01), and results from the MTT assay demonstrated a survival rate, relative to control, of as low as 59.64%. Considerations for future studies include the testing of baicalein in vivo and on more aberrative CRC cell lines.
基金Supported by A Grant from the National Eye Institute of theNational Institutes of Health EY022091-01 to Chaqour B
文摘Ischemic retinopathies are clinically well-defined chronic microvascular complications characterized by gradually progressive alterations in the retinal microvasculature and a compensatory aberrant neovascularization of the eye. The subsequent metabolic deficiencies result in structural and functional alterations in the retina which is highly susceptible to injurious stimuli such as diabe-tes, trauma, hyperoxia, inflammation, aging and dys-plipidemia. Emerging evidence indicates that an effec-tive therapy may require targeting multiple components of the angiogenic pathway. Conceptually, mircoRNA(miRNA)-based therapy provides the rationale basis for an effective antiangiogenic treatment. miRNAs are an evolutionarily conserved family of short RNAs, each regulating the expression of multiple protein-coding genes. The activity of specific miRNAs is important for vascular cell signaling and blood vessel formation and function. Recently, important progress has been made in mapping the miRNA-gene target network andmiRNA-mediated gene expression control. Here wehighlight the latest findings on angiogenic and antian-giogenic miRNAs and their targets as well as potentiaimplications in ocular neovascular diseases. Emphasis isplaced on how specific vascular-enriched miRNAs regu-late cell responses to various cues by targeting severafactors, receptors and/or signaling molecules in orderto maintain either vascular function or dysfunction. Fur-ther improvement of our knowledge in not only miRNAspecificity, turnover, and transport but also how miRNAsequences and functions can be altered will enhancethe therapeutic utility of such molecules.
文摘BACKGROUND: Micturition syncope is a relatively uncommon cause of sudden and temporary loss of consciousness. Most prevalent in older males, this condition is extremely rare in women. CASES: Two pregnant women presented with recurrent syncope. The syncopal events were more common in the early morning and were precipitated by the presence of a distended bladder, urinary urgency, assuming a standing position after either being supine or sitting, or associated with travel motion. Extensive neurology and cardiology evaluations were negative, and the events were considered consistent with micturition syncope. Both patients responded favorably to conservative voiding behavior modification measures throughout the remainder of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Micturition syncope during pregnancy may not be a rare occurrence. This potentially dangerous condition is amenable to voiding behavior modification measures.
基金the support from the National Science Foundation(CBET-2112201)。
文摘The SH-SY5Y,neuroblastoma cell line,is a common in vitro model used to study physiological neuronal function and the neuronal response to different stimuli,including exposure to toxic chemicals.These cells can be differentiated to neuron-like cells by administration of various reagents,including retinoic acid or phorbol12-myristate-13-acetate.Despite their common use,there is an incomplete understanding of the molecular changes that occur during differentiation.Therefore,there is a critical need to fully understand the molecular changes that occur during differentiation to properly study neurotoxicity in response to various environmental exposures.Previous studies have investigated the proteome and transcriptome during differentiation;however,the regulation of the cellular lipidome in this process is unexplored.In this work,we conducted liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry(LC−MS)-based untargeted lipidomics in undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells,induced by retinoic acid.We show that there are global differences between the cellular lipidomes of undifferentiated and differentiated cells.Out of thousands of features detected in positive and negative electrospray ionization modes,44 species were identified that showed significant differences(p-value≤0.05,fold change≥2)in differentiated cells.Identification of these features combined with targeted lipidomics highlighted the accumulation of phospholipids,sterols,and sphingolipids during differentiation while triacylglycerols were depleted.These results provide important insights into lipid-related changes that occur during cellular differentiation of SH-5YSY cells and emphasize the need for the detailed characterization of biochemical differences that occur during differentiation while using this in vitro model for assessing ecological impacts of environmental pollutants.
基金This study was supported by the Major Research Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant number 71132008]Planning Fund Program for Social Science in China,Ministry of Education of China[grant number 10YJA630059]+1 种基金National Key Technology Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China[grant number 2013BAH11F00]the Program of the Institute for Industrial Security in China[grant number B13L00050].
文摘The growing interest in the material flow(MF)theory has invoked much interesting research in recent years.Although the MF theory is relatively new,a review of the related literature from a historical perspective shows that MF theory represents a new stage of the evolutionary development of interrelated subjects such as Physical Distribution(PD),Logistics,and Supply Chain Management(SCM).The purpose of this paper is to provide a summative review of the evolution of the subjects of PD,Logistics,and SCM,and their new development,MF theory.The paper aims at tracing how concepts and findings in PD,Logistics,SCM,and MF have been developed and have evolved.The study shows that PD evolved to Logistics in middle of the 1980s;starting from the late 1990s,Logistics has evolved to SCM;and today PD,Logistics,and SCM can be considered to be under the umbrella provided by a new theory called MF theory.This paper points out that MF theory is a necessity to deal with the overwhelming complexity of material flow systems in the global economy of the twenty-first century.
文摘Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)is responsible for numerous infectious processes.Gastrointestinal tract involvement is rather rare and only a handful of cases of MRSA colitis have been reported in North America.We present a case of MRSA colitis in an adult without apparent risk factors.Abdominal computed tomography(CT)showed thickening of the sigmoid colon,indicative of colitis,and empiric therapy with ciprofloxacin and metronidazole was started.Initial work-up for infection-including blood and stool cultures,and stool Clostridium difficile toxin assay-was negative.The patient’s clinical status improved but his diarrhea did not abate.Repetition of stool culture demonstrated luxuriant growth of MRSA sensitive to vancomycin.Oral vancomycin was administered and the patient’s symptoms promptly ceased.
文摘The consumerization of information technology(IT)has created a growing population of mobile knowledge workers that requires organizations to implement appropriate strategies of mobile knowledge management to support their businessrelated activities.This research presents and investigates an analytical model of mobile knowledge management by capturing the mutual effects of a central knowledge base and individual mobile devices for a mobile platform.Weinvestigate the best technology level of the mobile platform for both the homogeneous and heterogeneous settings and explore how they change with several critical factors including the central knowledge base,environmental mobility and knowledge volatility.Our model-based framework and analytical results provide valuable insights for practitioners to effectively design mobile platforms and manage mobile knowledge assets.
文摘Background and aim:Testing for Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection is recommended for work-up of unexplained iron deficiency anemia(IDA),although the evidence supporting this recommendation is scant.The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Hp infection and unexplained iron deficiency(ID)or IDA in the older adult population without significant upper gastrointestinal source of blood loss.Methods:Retrospective single-center cohort study;523 out of 1253 consecutive patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with no significant upper and/or lower gastrointestinal source for blood loss or risk factors for IDA.Comparisons were made between the Hp-positive and Hp-negative groups using Fisher exact test,chi-square test and Student’s t-test.Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant risk factors associated with ID and IDA.Results:One hundred and three subjects(19.7%)had Hp infection and 420(80.3%)were negative for Hp.Sixty-eight(22.1%)out of 307 subjects with available serum iron profile had unexplained ID and 28(5.4%)out of 510 subjects with available hemoglobin profile had unexplained IDA.No association was found between ID/IDA and Hp infection in univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.Conclusion:We found no association between unexplained ID or IDA and Hp infection in older adult population without peptic ulcer disease or significant upper gastrointestinal source of blood loss.
文摘Background:Controversy exists over whether or not single-needle liver biopsies are sufficient to compare histological parameters in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Aims:To identify sampling variability,we biopsied four liver specimens per patient,based on biopsy size(needle vs wedge)and location(left vs right lobe),immediately prior to bariatric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.Methods:Ten prospectively enrolled,morbidly obese patients underwent 40 laparoscopy-guided biopsies;two needle and two wedge from each of 16 left and 16 right liver lobes.The Kappa coefficient for concordance compared histological parameters from left and right lobe needle-and wedge biopsies.Wedge biopsies were considered our‘Gold Standard’.Results:Each patient had two wedge-and two needle liver biopsies.Kappa concordance between all needle and wedge biopsies from right and left lobes showed variability.Wedge-and needle liver biopsies from contralateral lobes had higher concordance with each other,compared to ipsilateral needle/wedge biopsy pairs.Contralateral wedge pairs had higher concordance than contralateral needle/needle pairs.There were no biopsy complications.Conclusions:Wedge biopsy pairs had the best Kappa concordance but contralateral needle/needle biopsy pairs had good Kappa concordance.There were no complications from the 40 needle-and wedge liver biopsies,confirming the safety of laporoscopic multi-biopsy in both liver lobes.
文摘China has a long history of forensic psychiatry,which can be traced even back to Zhou dynasty(11th century B.C.).However,modern forensic psychiatry has not been set up in China until the 1970s.After the interruption of Cultural Revolution of 1966‑1976,there was a period of rapid development.In the past five years,a series of judicial identification system reforms have been taking place.In 2010,China had 225 forensic psychiatry agencies,2,090 forensic psychiatry experts and 40,822 cases.The experts are organized within the separate agencies of psychiatric hospitals,universities,the Institute of Forensic Sciences of the Ministry of Justice and other forensic agencies.Apart from criminal forensic psychiatry,the experts are often asked to evaluate civil competency for the clients involved in civil litigation.Chinese forensic psychiatry has developed rapidly during the past 30 years,and formed the characteristics of its own under the special legal system.However,there is still much work for Chinese forensic psychiatrists to do for the future.
文摘Hajj is among the world＇s largest mass gatherings, drawing between 2 and 3.5 million Muslims from 183 nations annually to perform pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Infectious disease outbreaks can be imported both into the Hajj population and exported internationally by returning pilgrims. The domestic Saudi population can also be at risk of outbreaks traveling amid this mass migration. With yellow fever reported for the first time in China following the infection of expatriate Chinese workers in Angola and a full blown outbreak underway in wider West Africa, the prospect of yellow fever outbreaks in Asia threatens to impact Saudi Arabia, both during and beyond the Hajj season. With global focus trained on Zika, the rising threat of yellow fever cannot be overlooked. Strategies to mitigate risk to Saudi Arabia and the global population are thereby suggested.
文摘A brief theory and simulation overview for the purpose of design is presented with examples applies to modeling the physical properties,behavior,and phenomena of nanomaterial.This review paper constructs perspectives that consider coupling traditional domains of simulation by novel pathways to produce accurate representations of nanomaterial properties,behavior and phenomena.It is all about size scaling and how different approaches are able to simulate,integrate or simply pass the baton to the next level of complexity.In macroscopic world,the atomic or molecular information alone may not be directly useful.Nor is the bulk information useful in the microscopic world without intimate knowledge of molecular makeup.Therefore,when designing Nanomaterials,knowledge of properties spanning the complete range of size is the prerequisite of a recommended self-consistent approach.In fact,regarding applications in both industry and academia,the simulation first approach often can lead to great savings in time.This review paper focuses mostly on optical and electronic properties but a section is added that provides a segue into mechanical properties for future consideration.
