Theoretical Study of Vinyl-Sulfonate Monomers and Their Effect as the Dopants of Polyaniline Dimers.

Establishing the structure-property relationships of monomers and polymers via theoretical chemistry is vital for designing new polymer structures with a specific application. Developing bifunctional monomers with selective polymerizable sites is one of the strategies employed to obtain complex polymeric systems. In this work, a theoretical study on anilinium 2-acrylamide-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonate (ani-AMPS) and anilinium 4-styrenesulfonate (ani-SS) monomers and their respective doped polyaniline dimer (PAni-d AMPS or PAni-d SS) was performed. The study focused on understanding the susceptibility of the vinyl group to a radical attack and the conformation changes resulting from the coordinated covalent bond between sulfonate and aniliniun. Applying Density Functional Theory with the B3LYP functional and a basis set of 6 - 31 + G(d,p), the structures of the ani-AMPS, ani-SS, PAni-d AMPS, and PAni-d SS were optimized, and the different chemical descriptors were determined. The simulation showed that the reactivity of the vinyl group in the ani-AMPS is slightly higher. The sulfonate group undergoes a conformational change when bonding with PAni-d AMPS or PAni-d SS compared to its respective bifunctional monomer. Additionally, the electronegativity of PAni-d depends on the dopant's structure. Thus, the bonded spacer between the vinyl and sulfonate groups (dopant) plays a notable role in the final characteristics of ani-AMPS, ani-SS, PAni-d AMPS, and PAni-d SS.

Impact of various iodine concentrations of iohexol and iodixanol contrast media on image reconstruction techniques in a vascular-specific contrast media phantom: quantitative and qualitative image quality assessment.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to investigate the impact of iodine quantification on image reconstruction when employing a vascular-specific contrast media phantom with varying iodine concentrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 30-cm phantom simulating arterial and venous blood vessel diameters was manufactured. Small (9 mm) and medium (12 mm) cylinders contained iodine concentrations from 10 to 100% while large (21 mm) cylinders were in quartiles from 25 to 100% diluted in blood equivalent medium. Each phantom was filled with either iohexol 350 mgI/mL (Group A) or iodixanol 320 mgI/mL (Group B) and then scanned separately. For each group, tube potential (80-140 kVp) and current (50-400 mAs) were changed and all image series were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid-based iterative reconstruction (HBIR) and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR). Mean opacification was measured in all groups. All data were compared employing an independent t test and Pearson's correlation. Visual grading characteristic (VGC) and Cohens' kappa analyses were performed. RESULTS: At 80 kVp, mean opacification using HBIR was significantly higher in Group B (2165 ± 1108 HU) than in Group A (2040 ± 1036 HU) (p < 0.009). At 140 kVp, MBIR and HBIR were greater in Group A (1704 ± 1033 HU and 1685 ± 1023 HU) versus Group B (1567 ± 1036 HU and 1567 ± 1034 HU) (p < 0.022). CNR using FBP, HBIR and MBIR was higher in Group B (46 ± 42 HU, 70 ± 163 HU and 83 ± 74 HU, respectively) than in Group A (43 ± 39 HU, 174 ± 130 HU and 80 ± 65 HU, respectively) (p < 0.0001-0.035). Qualitative image analysis demonstrated no difference in Cohen's kappa analysis. VGC was higher in Group A at all image reconstruction groups. CONCLUSION: Iohexol outperforms iodixanol in observer performance when assessing image reconstruction techniques and iodine concentrations in a vascular-specific contrast media phantom.

Letermovir breakthroughs during the French Named Patient Programme: interest of monitoring blood concentration in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse mechanisms of letermovir breakthrough during compassionate primary and secondary prophylaxis. METHODS: Mechanisms of letermovir breakthrough during compassionate primary and secondary prophylaxis were analysed in four patients from the French Named Patient Programme by the French National Reference Centre for Herpesviruses. RESULTS: Of three absolute resistance cases, two were associated with treatment interruption or low letermovir concentrations in blood. A fourth case of breakthrough was not associated with resistance. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) genotyping confirmed rapid emergence of resistant mutants, within 3 months of treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of letermovir concentration and genotyping should be recommended for patient follow-up during letermovir therapy.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Glycolipids and a Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Isolated from the Marine Dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi.

A new monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), a known monogalactosylmonoacylglycerol (MGMG) and a known polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl ester (PUFAME) were isolated from the marine dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi. The planar structure of the glycolipids was elucidated using mass spectroscopy (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses and comparisons to the known glycolipid to confirm its structure. The MGDG was characterized as 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-1-O-3,6,9,12,15-octadecapentaenoyl-2-O-tetradecanoylglycerol 1. The MGMG and PUFAME were characterized as (2S)-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-1-O-3,6,9,12,15-octadecapentaenoylglycerol 2 and Methyl (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-3,6,9,12,15-pentaenoate 3, respectively. The isolation of the PUFAME strongly supports the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) fragment of these glycolipids. The relative configuration of the sugar was deduced by comparisons of 3JHH values and proton chemical shifts with those of known glycolipids. All isolated compounds MGDG, MGMG and PUFAME 1-3 were evaluated for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity. All compounds modulated macrophage responses, with compound 3 exhibiting the greatest anti-inflammatory activity.

Comparison Between Power Off-Ice Test and Performance On-Ice Anaerobic Testing.

Boucher, VG, Parent, AA, Miron, FSJ, Leone, M, and Comtois, AS. Comparison between power off-ice test and performance on-ice anaerobic testing. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3498-3505, 2020-The importance of specific testing has been shown in ice hockey performance, and the understanding and connection between them may lead to adapting training and follow-up in elite athletes. The aim of this study was to compare 2 off-ice power tests with performances on ice with National Hockey League (NHL) players. The vertical jump and broad jump tests were used for the off-ice evaluations, whereas a modified SAS-40 and a repeated-sprint skate (RSSm) test were used on-ice as performance variables. Thirty-one players (3 goalkeepers, 10 defense players, and 18 forward players) from the NHL performed before preseason training camp. Four evaluation sessions were performed with 48-hour time intervals between them. The results show that the 2 jump types were correlated (r = 0.45 p < 0.01), and there was a significant correlation between the vertical jump and the best SAS-40 time trial for defense players, but not for forward players (r = 0.76 p = 0.02; r = 0.21 p = 0.16, respectively). By contrast, there was a significant correlation between broad jump and best SAS-40 time trial for forward players but not for defensive players (r = 0.75 p < 0.01; r = 0.19 p = 0.28, respectively). In conclusion, results show that specific player ability needs to be taken into consideration when choosing off-ice tests.

Gentiopicroside isolated from Gentiana scabra Bge. inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and reduces body weight in diet-induced obese mice.

Gentiopicroside is a major active component of the Gentiana scabra Bge., which is commonly used as herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammation in Asia. Gentiopicroside significantly down-regulated expression of key adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c) and dose-dependently inhibited the lipid uptake-related gene (LPL), fatty acid transport-related gene (FABP4) and triglyceride (TG) synthesis-related gene (DGAT2), as well as fatty acid synthesis-related genes (FAS, SCD1), which resulted in reduced intracellular lipid droplet accumulation and TG content in 3T3-L1 cells. Gentiopicroside also down-regulated expression of inflammatory cytokine genes (NFκB1, TNFα, IL6) compared with vehicle. Oral administration of gentiopicroside (50 mg/kg) in mice fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks resulted in reduced body weight and visceral fat mass compared with the control group. Overall, the results of this study showed that gentiopicroside had positive anti-obesity effects by regulating the expression of adipogenesis/lipogenesis-related genes and inflammatory genes in 3T3-L1, and that it effectively reduced body weight and visceral fat mass in vivo.

Osteoma-like melorheostosis: a rare type of skeletal dysplasia depicted on FDG PET/CT.

Melorheostosis, also known as Leri's disease, is a rare benign form of mesodermal mixed sclerosing bone dysplasia. We report the unusual case of a 14-year-old boy with melorheostosis in the lower extremity that went undiagnosed due to concurrent Ewing sarcoma in the opposite limb, confounding the findings for metastatic disease. The diagnosis was made on FDG PET/CT when the patient presented for post Ewing sarcoma treatment follow-up. The different types of melorheostosis as well as the challenge of diagnosing this rare entity are discussed in this report.

Classic Powerlifting Performance: A Systematic Review.

Ferland, PM and Comtois, AS. Classic powerlifting performance: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-The purpose of this study was to review all scientific publications related to able-body drug-tested classic powerlifting performance since January 1, 2012, and to regroup them into a brief narrative review. Three electronic databases were systematically searched in August 2018 using the wildcard: powerlift*. A manual search was performed from the reference list of all retained articles. The search and selection strategy permitted to gather a total of 16 scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Results show that practitioners should prioritize a low-bar squat and a wide grip bench press because they generally contribute to moving greater loads, bring more attention to preventing injuries, since a fair amount of powerlifters seem to train injured and prioritize a hypertrophy-power-strength model when prescribing 3 times a week daily undulating periodization on nonconsecutive days for squat and bench. Practitioners could also introduce respiratory muscle training, use daily 1 repetition maximum training combined with down sets on experienced athletes and use a rate of perceived exertion scale based on repetitions in reserve combined with an individual velocity profile when prescribing intensity. Before competition, powerlifters seem to taper in this order: the deadlift, the squat, and lastly the bench press. The Slingshot does help to move more weight because it helps to generate more inertia, but it also deactivates the triceps. Finally, the present work was limited by the present literature but could serve as a reference in the field of powerlifting. Further research should include more details about the circumstances under which they were conducted.

Repeated Linear and Quadrangular Sprint as a Function of Anaerobic Power.

Almansba, R, Boucher, VG, Parent, AA, and Comtois, AS. Repeated linear and quadrangular sprint as a function of anaerobic power. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2177-2184, 2019-This investigation aims to study in U17 soccer players the relationships among performance indices of linear or quadrangular (square shape) repeated-sprint bouts (RSBs) and leg muscular power measured with the Wingate test and the squat jump. Seventeen athletes were recruited. Participants were 16 ± 0.35 years old and had a body mass of 66.5 ± 8.69 kg and a height of 175 ± 0.05 cm. All participants performed linear or quadrangular RSBs, the Wingate test, and a vertical jump test. The mean fast linear sprint time was strongly correlated (p < 0.01) with the force and power measured with the vertical jump test (r = -0.68 and -0.75, respectively), whereas the mean linear RSB was weakly correlated with the peak power and fatigue index measured by the Wingate test (r = -0.54 and -0.56, respectively). There was a correlation between quadrangular RSBs performance indices and both Wingate and vertical jump parameters. In addition, there were no correlations (p > 0.05) between indices of the linear RSBs (decrement index, average, and fastest times) and quadrangular RSBs. Moreover, physiological and perceptual responses were significantly higher (p < 0.01) with quadrangular RSBs compared with linear RSBs. These results indicate that the Wingate test and the vertical jump test can be used as a substitute for repeated-sprint performance time. Finally, however, the repeated sprints with or without direction changes are 2 different motor abilities that should be trained independently of one another.

An augmented patient-specific approach to administration of contrast agent for CT renal angiography.

PURPOSE: This hybrid retrospective and prospective study performed on 200 consecutive patients undergoing renal CTA, investigates the opacification of renal vasculature, radiation dose, and reader confidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 patients were assigned retrospectively to protocol A and the other 100 were allocated prospectively to protocol B. Both protocols implemented a contrast material and saline flow rate of 4.5 mL/sec. Protocol A utilized a 100 mL of low-osmolar nonionic IV contrast material (Ioversol 350 mg I/mL) while protocol B employed a patient-tailored contrast media formula using iso-osmolar non-ionic (Iodixanol 320 mg I/mL). RESULTS: Arterial opacification in the abdominal aorta and in the bilateral main proximal renal arteries demonstrated no statistical significance (p>0.05). Only the main distal renal artery of the left kidney in protocol B was statistically significant (p<0.046). In the venous circulation, the IVC demonstrated a significant reduction in opacification in protocol B (59.39 HU ± 19.39) compared to A (87.74 HU ± 34.06) (p<0.001). Mean CNR for protocol A (22.68 HU ± 13.72) was significantly higher than that of protocol B (14.75 HU ± 5.76 p<0.0001). Effective dose was significantly reduced in protocol B (2.46 ± 0.74 mSv) compared to A (3.07 ± 0.68 mSv) (p<0.001). Mean contrast media volume was reduced in protocol B (44.56 ± 14.32 mL) with lower iodine concentration. ROC analysis demonstrated significantly higher area under the ROC curve for protocol B (p<0.0001), with inter-reader agreement increasing from moderate to excellent in renal arterial visualization. CONCLUSION: Employing a patient-tailored contrast media injection protocol shows a significant refinement in the visualization of renal vasculature and reader confidence during renal CTA.

Augmented Quadruple-Phase Contrast Media Administration and Triphasic Scan Protocol Increases Image Quality at Reduced Radiation Dose During Computed Tomography Urography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this article was to investigate the opacification of the renal vasculature and the urogenital system during computed tomography urography by using a quadruple-phase contrast media in a triphasic scan protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients with possible urinary tract abnormalities were equally divided between 2 protocols. Protocol A used the conventional single bolus and quadruple-phase scan protocol (pre, arterial, venous, and delayed), retrospectively. Protocol B included a quadruple-phase contrast media injection with a triphasic scan protocol (pre, arterial and combined venous, and delayed), prospectively. Each protocol used 100 mL contrast and saline at a flow rate of 4.5 mL. Attenuation profiles and contrast-to-noise ratio of the renal arteries, veins, and urogenital tract were measured. Effective radiation dose calculation, data analysis by independent sample t test, receiver operating characteristic, and visual grading characteristic analyses were performed. RESULTS: In arterial circulation, only the inferior interlobular arteries in both protocols showed a statistical significance (P < 0.05). Venously, the inferior vena cava, proximal and distal renal veins demonstrated a significant opacification reduction in protocol B than in protocol A (P < 0.001). Protocol B showed a significantly higher mean contrast-to-noise ratio than protocol A (protocol B: 22.68 ± 13.72; protocol A: 14.75 ± 5.76; P < 0.001). Radiation dose was significantly reduced in protocol B (7.38 ± 2.22 mSv) than in protocol A (12.28 ± 2.72 mSv) (P < 0.001). Visual grading characteristic (P < 0.027) and receiver operating characteristic (P < 0.0001) analyses demonstrated a significant preference for protocol B. CONCLUSIONS: In computed tomography urography, augmented quadruple-phase contrast media and triphasic scan protocol usage increases the image quality at a reduced radiation dose.

Antartin, a Cytotoxic Zizaane-Type Sesquiterpenoid from a Streptomyces sp. Isolated from an Antarctic Marine Sediment.

Antartin (1), a new zizaane-type sesquiterpene, was isolated from Streptomyces sp. SCO736. The chemical structure of 1 was assigned from the interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR in addition to mass spectrometric data. The relative stereochemistry of 1 was determined by analysis of NOE data, while the absolute stereochemistry was decided based on a comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Antartin (1) showed cytotoxicity against A549, H1299, and U87 cancer cell lines by causing cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase.

Athletic Profile of Alpine Ski Racers: A Systematic Review.

Ferland, PM and Comtois, AS. Athletic profile of alpine ski racers: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 32(12): 3591-3600, 2018-The purpose of this study was to review all anthropometric and physical test results performed on alpine ski racers that were published in the scientific literature to build an athletic profile specific to the skier's sex and level. Four electronic databases were systematically searched using the following key words: alpine, skiing, and physiology. The manual search was performed through the reference list of all suitable publications, the author's personal collection, and the proceedings of the International Congresses on Science and Skiing. The search and selection strategy permitted to gather data from 28 peer-reviewed publications that were collected on a total of 1,107 skiers coming from 11 different countries. Results of this study present the athletic profile and also review the different testing protocols. Findings show that men generally present higher test results than women and that higher-level ski racers generally present higher test results than lower-level ski racers. The present review should serve as guidelines for professionals working with alpine ski racers because most of the factors presented in the athletic profile have previously been shown to be related with performance. Further research should include more details on the testing protocols used, be directed toward female athletes, and present results from groups of athletes of the same sex and clearly identified as established at a certain level. These measures could help support further theoretical investigations.

Genetic PTX3 deficiency and aspergillosis in stem-cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The soluble pattern-recognition receptor known as long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) has a nonredundant role in antifungal immunity. The contribution of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PTX3 to the development of invasive aspergillosis is unknown. METHODS: We screened an initial cohort of 268 patients undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) and their donors for PTX3 SNPs modifying the risk of invasive aspergillosis. The analysis was also performed in a multicenter study involving 107 patients with invasive aspergillosis and 223 matched controls. The functional consequences of PTX3 SNPs were investigated in vitro and in lung specimens from transplant recipients. RESULTS: Receipt of a transplant from a donor with a homozygous haplotype (h2/h2) in PTX3 was associated with an increased risk of infection, in both the discovery study (cumulative incidence, 37% vs. 15%; adjusted hazard ratio, 3.08; P=0.003) and the confirmation study (adjusted odds ratio, 2.78; P=0.03), as well as with defective expression of PTX3. Functionally, PTX3 deficiency in h2/h2 neutrophils, presumably due to messenger RNA instability, led to impaired phagocytosis and clearance of the fungus. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic deficiency of PTX3 affects the antifungal capacity of neutrophils and may contribute to the risk of invasive aspergillosis in patients treated with HSCT. (Funded by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and others.).

Comparison of bioenergetics of walking during a multistage incremental shuttle walk test and a 6-min walk test in active older adults.

The goal of the present research was to compare the bioenergetics variability of walking, during the 6-min walk test (6-MWT) and a multistage incremental shuttle walk test (MISWT) in an active older population. Twenty-two healthy physically active older adults with a group mean age of 70.4 ± 5.8 years completed the 6-MWT and the MISWT. Heart rate (HR), walking speed and walking [Formula: see text]O2 were measured throughout each test with a portable metabolic cart. Strong correlations were found for the [Formula: see text]O2 peak and the walking speed (r = 0.91 and r = 0.89 respectively for 6-MWT and MISWT). Differences in [Formula: see text]O2 peak values were analysed with a paired Student's t test. Repeated measures ANOVA were conducted to detect differences between tests. The Bland and Altman plot indicates that the average difference between both tests was 2.5 ml kg-1 min-1. MISWT [Formula: see text]O2 peak means were significantly greater than the 6-MWT [Formula: see text]O2 peak mean values (21.6 ± 5.3 vs. 18.9 ± 4.5 ml kg-1 min-1) which indicate bioenergetics differences between the two walking tests. Thus, the MISWT and 6-MWT elicited different walking [Formula: see text]O2 peak and HR suggesting that the MISWT field test challenge the participants to a higher level of cardiovascular and respiratory stress. The walking [Formula: see text]O2 peak recorded for the MISWT was significantly greater than the 6-MWT. Consequently, both tests seem to measure different facets of the aerobic capacity. MISWT seems to be a better indicator of maximal aerobic power whereas the 6-MWT provides more relevant information regarding aerobic endurance in aging population.

Anti-Pigmentary Effect of (-)-4-Hydroxysattabacin from the Marine-Derived Bacterium Bacillus sp.

Bioactivity-guided isolation of a crude extract from a culture broth of Bacillus sp. has led to the isolation of (-)-4-hydroxysattabacin (1). The inhibitory effect of (-)-4-hydroxysattabacin (1) was investigated on melanogenesis in the murine melanoma cell line, B16F10, and human melanoma cell line, MNT-1, as well as a pigmented 3D-human skin model. (-)-4-Hydroxysattabacin treatment decreased melanin contents in a dose-dependent manner in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 cells. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) demonstrated that treatment with (-)-4-hydroxysattabacin down-regulated several melanogenic genes, including tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) while their enzymatic activities were unaffected. The anti-melanogenic effects of (-)-4-hydroxysattabacin were further demonstrated in a pigmented 3D human epidermal skin model, MelanodermTM, and manifested as whitening and regression of melanocyte activation in the tissue.

Nocarimidazoles A and B from a Marine-Derived Actinomycete of the Genus Nocardiopsis.

Chemical investigation of a marine-derived actinomycete isolated from marine sediments collected off the coast of southern California and identified as a Nocardiopsis sp. (strain CNQ115) led to the isolation of two new 4-aminoimidazole alkaloids, nocarimidazoles A (1) and B (2). The chemical structures of nocarimidazoles A and B were assigned by interpretation of NMR spectroscopic data and through methylation to yield monomethyl and dimethyl derivatives. Nocarimidazoles A and B possess a 4-aminoimidazole ring combined with a conjugated carbonyl side chain, which is rarely found in microbial secondary metabolites.

Interest of human papillomavirus DNA quantification and genotyping in paired cervical and urine samples to detect cervical lesions.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Conventional human papillomavirus (HPV) testing requires cervical sampling. However, vaginal and urine self-sampling methods are more acceptable for patients and result in increased participation when they are available in screening programs. In this context, we have developed a non-invasive screening method via the detection of HPV DNA in urine samples. PURPOSE: To compare HPV viral loads and genotypes in paired cervical and urine samples, and to assess correlation between virological and cytological results in women seeking gynecological consultation. METHODS: Paired urine and cervical specimens were collected and analyzed from 230 of 245 women participating in the previously described prospective PapU study. HPV DNA detection and quantification were performed using a real-time PCR method with short fragment PCR primers. Genotyping was carried out using the INNO-LiPA HPV genotyping assay. RESULTS: The prevalence of HPV in the 230 paired urine and cervical smear samples was 42 and 49 %, respectively. Overall agreement for HPV positivity and negativity between the paired samples was 90 % (κ = 0.80). High HPV viral load in both cervical and urine samples was associated with cytological abnormalities. HPV-positive women were mostly infected with HR-HPV types. The agreement between high- and low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) detection in both samples was 97 % (κ = 0.95 for HR-HPV and κ = 0.97 for LR-HPV). CONCLUSIONS: High concordance rates for HPV-DNA quantification and high/low-risk HPV genotyping in paired urine/cervical samples suggest that urinary HPV DNA testing could be useful for cervical lesion screening.

Clinical aspects of cytomegalovirus antiviral resistance in solid organ transplant recipients.

Despite advances in the prophylaxis and acute treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV), it remains an important pathogen affecting the short- and long-term clinical outcome of solid organ transplant. The emergence of CMV resistance in a patient reduces the clinical efficacy of antiviral therapy, complicates therapeutic and clinical management decisions, and in some cases results in loss of the allograft and/or death of the patient. There is increasing use of antiviral prophylaxis after transplant with little expansion in the range of antiviral agents effective in treatment of CMV. Further understanding is needed of the risk factors for development of CMV antiviral resistance and of therapeutic strategies for treating patients infected with resistant viruses. We review the current status of CMV resistance in solid organ transplant recipients, and provide diagnostic and therapeutic suggestions for the clinician in managing antiviral resistance.