Tumor vasculature address book: identification of stage-specific tumor vessel zip codes by phage display

Using in vivo phage display technology with murine tumorigenesis models, two reports have identified peptide motifs that selectively home to distinct molecular vascular targets in a tumor type- and stage-specific manner (Hoffman et al., 2003 and Joyce et al., 2003 [this issue of Cancer Cell]). By probing the surface-protein repertoire of these unique vascular beds, a pioneering draft of a molecular roadmap to decipher the heterogeneity of the vascular system in the context of carcinogenic progression has been plotted. Analysis of these phage peptides that differentially home to dysplastic or invasive tumor vasculature will lay the foundation for identifying unique functional tumor vascular-specific motifs that could potentially be applied to targeted therapeutic and imaging modalities.     

Cooperation of fuzzy segmentation operators for correction aliasing phenomenon in 3D color Doppler imaging

The study described in this paper concerns natural object modeling in the context of uncertain, imprecise and inconsistent representation. We propose a fuzzy system which offers a global modeling of object properties such as color, shape, velocity, etc. This modeling makes a transition from a low level reasoning (pixel level), which implies a local precise but uncertain representation, to a high level reasoning (region level), inducing a certain assignment. So, we use fuzzy structured partitions characterizing these properties. At this level. each property will have its own global modeling. Then, these different models are merged for decision making. Our approach was tested with several applications. In particular, we show here its performance in the area of blood flow analysis from 3D color Doppler images in order to quantify and study the development of this flow. We present methods that detect and correct aliasing phenomenon, i.e. inconsistent information. At first, the flow space is partitioned into fuzzy sectors where each sector is defined by a center, an angle and a direction. In parallel, the velocity information carried by the pixels is classified into fuzzy classes. Then, by combining these two partitions, we obtain the velocity distribution into sectors. Moreover, for each found path (from the first sector to the last one), we locate and correct inconsistent velocities by applying global rules. After extracting some meaningful sector features, the fuzzy modeling, applied to the aliasing correction, makes it possible to simplify and synthesize the blood flow direction.     

Contrast Enhanced Duplex Ultrasound Imaging of the Mesenteric Arteries

Duplex ultrasound of the visceral arteries is a technically challenging procedure. We examined the clinical usefulness of perflutren intravenous ultrasound contrast to improve the diagnostic accuracy of such studies. Seventeen patients were prospectively studied. A color duplex imaging study of the visceral vasculature was performed with and without the contrast agent. Vessels were imaged and peak systolic velocity and Doppler waveforms of the aorta, celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, and the inferior mesenteric artery were examined. These results were independently compared to those of contrast angiography. From this analysis we concluded contrast-enhanced duplex imaging of the mesenteric arteries is safe but not routinely required when performed by an experienced sonographer. Ultrasound contrast may be helpful in difficult patients when the vessels are not initially successfully visualized.     

Day-to-day discrepancy in Bravo pH monitoring is related to the degree of deterioration of the lower esophageal sphincter and severity of reflux disease

Background

The Bravo capsule allows monitoring of esophageal acid exposure over a two-day period. Experience has shown that 24?C32% of patients will have abnormal esophageal acid exposure detected on only one of the 2?days monitored. This variation has been explained by the effect of endoscopy and sedation. The aim of this study was to assess the day-to-day discrepancy following transnasal placement of the Bravo capsule without endoscopy or sedation and to determine factors related to this variability.

Methods

Bravo pH monitoring was performed by transnasal placement of the capsule in 310 patients. Patients were divided into groups based on the composite pH score: both days normal, both days abnormal and only one of the 2?days abnormal. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) characteristics were compared between groups.

Results

Of the 310 patients evaluated, 60 (19%) showed a discrepancy between the 2?days. A total of 127 patients had a normal pH score on both days and 123 had an abnormal pH score on both days. Of the 60 patients with a discrepancy, 27 were abnormal the first day and 33 (55%) were abnormal the second day. Patients with abnormal esophageal acid exposure on both days had higher degrees of esophageal acid exposure and were more likely to have a defective LES compared to those with an abnormal score on only one day (35 vs. 83%, p?=?0.027).

Conclusion

Patients with a discrepancy between days of Bravo pH monitoring have lower esophageal acid exposure. Variability between the 2?days represents early deterioration of the gastroesophageal barrier and indicates less advanced reflux disease.     

Cognitive determinants of cervical cancer screening behavior among housewife women in Iran: An application of Health Belief Model

Our aim in this cross-sectional study was to assess the cognitive determinants of Cervical Cancer Screening Behavior (CCSB) among housewife women in Islamabad County, Iran. Through multistage random sampling we recruited and interviewed 280 housewife women. The women who perceived more benefits of performing the Pap test (OR = 1.11), and perceived fewer barriers (OR = 0.915), and higher self-efficacy to perform the test (OR = 1.12) were more likely to have a CCSB in the previous three years. Our findings are informative for the development of targeted interventions to foster CCSB among housewife women.     

Cleavage-stage embryo micromanipulation in the clinical setting

Embryo micromanipulation was developed after introduction of microinjection to overcome infertility. Embryo micromanipulation may be performed at any embryo stage from pronuclear to blastocyst. The technique started out as basic and turned out to be increasingly more complex. Embryo micromanipulation at the cleavage-stage includes a wide range of techniques, from opening the zona pellucida in order to improve the chance of implantation, to removing detrimental components from the embryo to enhance embryo development or blastomeres for preimplantation genetic diagnosis and embryo splitting. Evaluating the impact(s) of different micromanipulation techniques on epigenetics of the embryo and considering quality control during these techniques are important issues in this regard. This review aims to discuss the micromanipulation of cleavage-stage embryos in clinical assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Abbreviations: ART: assisted reproductive technology; ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection; IVF: in vitro fertilization; PGD: preimplantation genetic diagnosis; PZD: partial zona dissection; ZP: zona pellucida; SUZI: subzonal insemination; PVS: perivitelline space; AH: assisted hatching; LAH: laserassisted hatching; ZT: zona thinning; UV: ultraviolet; IR: infrared; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; FISH: fluorescent in situ hybridization; NGS: next generation sequencing; QC: quality control; QA: quality assurance     

Prevention of recognition memory loss and moderation of mitochondrial dynamic tendency toward fusion by flavone derivatives in Aβ-injected rats: a comparison between two flavonoids with different polarity

Growing evidence sheds light on the use of flavonoids as the promising alternatives for the treatment of chronic conditions, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Accordingly, in the present study, we aimed at evaluating the effects of oral intake of two structurally different flavonoids 5-hydroxy-6,7,4?-trimethoxyflavone (flavone 1) and 5,7,4?-trihydroxyflavone (flavone 2) on recognition memory, hippocampal protein level of immediate early gene cFos and mitochondrial dynamic markers in Amyloid β (Aβ)-injected rats. Recognition aspect of memory and level of proteins were measured using novel object recognition test and Western blot, respectively. Our data indicated that even though flavone 1 was more effective than flavone 2 to prevent memory impairment, feeding with both flavones alleviated memory in Aβ-injected rats. Furthermore, in flavones-administered rats, mitochondrial dynamic balancing returned to the control level by the decline in Dynamin-related protein-1 protein level, a known marker for mitochondrial fission, and elevation in protein level of mitochondrial fusion factors Mitofusins 1 and 2. In parallel with behavior results, flavone 1 was more effectual on mitochondrial dynamic moderating. The more neuroprotective effects of flavone 1 could be attributed to its methylated structure leading to crossing of the blood-brain barrier with ease and metabolic stability and bioactivity.     

Burnout among nurses working in the primary health care centers in Saudi Arabia,a multicenter study

Background: Burnout is a common psychosocial phenomenon among nursing. It has been attributed to prolonged exposure to stress in the work place. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of burnout among nurses in the primary health care centers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 nurses by using a self-administered questionnaire. Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was used to measure burnout. Results: Most participants were females (73.0%) and aged ≤35 years (52.0%). About 39% had high emotional exhaustion, 38% had high depersonalization and 85.5% had low personal accomplishment. About 89% (178) scored high at least on one subscale of burnout. Burnout was associated with age, educational level and sources of stress in the workplace. Conclusion: Level of burnout among nurses was high and was associated mainly with stressors in the workplace. Improving work environment and management of stress in the workplace should be a priority to minimize burnout among nurses.     

A placebo-controlled study of tropisetron added to risperidone for the treatment of negative symptoms in chronic and stable schizophrenia

Rational

A growing body of evidence illustrates that 5-HT3 receptor antagonist drugs may be of benefit in the treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of tropisetron add-on to risperidone on negative symptoms in patients with chronic stable schizophrenia.

Methods

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled 8-week trial, 40 patients with chronic schizophrenia who were stabilized on risperidone were randomized into tropisetron or placebo add-on groups. Psychotic symptoms were measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) every 2 weeks. Furthermore, extrapyramidal and depressive symptoms as well as side effects were assessed. The primary outcome measure was the difference in change from baseline of negative subscale scores between the two groups at week 8.

Results

Tropisetron resulted in greater improvement of the total PANSS scores [F(1.860,70.699)?=?37.366, p?<?0.001] as well as negative scores [F(2.439,92.675)?=?16.623, p?<?0.001] and general psychopathology [F(1.767,67.158)?=?4.602, p?=?0.017], but not positive subscale scores [F(1.348, 51.218)?=?0.048, p?=?0.893] compared to placebo. In a multiple regression analysis controlling for positive, extrapyramidal, and depressive symptoms, treatment group (standardized β?=??0.640) significantly predicted changes in primary negative symptoms. The side effect profile did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusion

Tropisetron add-on to risperidone improves the primary negative symptoms of patients with chronic stable schizophrenia.