Transport of dust across the Solar System: Constraints on the spatial origin of individual micrometeorites from cosmic-ray exposure.

The origin of micrometeorites (MMs) from asteroids and comets is well-established, but the relative contribution from these two classes remains poorly resolved. Likewise, determining the precise origin of individual MMs is an open challenge. Here, cosmic-ray exposure ages are used to resolve the spatial origins of 12 MMs collected from urban areas and Antarctica. Their 26Al and 10Be concentration, produced during cosmic-ray irradiation in space, were measured by accelerator mass spectrometry. These data are compared to results from a model simulating the transport and irradiation of the MM precursors in space. This model, for the first time, considers a variety of orbits, precursor particle sizes, compositions and densities and incorporates non-isotropic solar and galactic cosmic-ray flux profiles, depth-dependent production rates, as well as spherical evaporation during atmospheric entry. While the origin for six MMs remains ambiguous, two MMs show a preferential tendency towards an origin in the Inner Solar System (Near Earth Objects to the Asteroid Belt) and four towards an origin in the Outer Solar System (Jupiter Family Comets to the Kuiper Belt). These findings challenge the notion that dust originating from the Outer Solar System is unlikely to survive long-term transport and delivery to the terrestrial planets. This article is part of the theme issue 'Dust in the Solar System and beyond'.

The immediate effect of COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a distressing psychiatric disorder. Traumas may trigger or aggravate OCD symptoms. COVID-19 pandemic has coursed a global crisis and has been associated with onset of psychiatric disorders in adults. Little is known about children/adolescents with OCD. The present study aimed to examine how children/adolescents with OCD react towards COVID-19 crisis. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to two separate groups of children/adolescents. One group was a clinical group newly diagnosed at a specialized OCD clinic. All the children/adolescents had a current close contact to a therapist or doctor. The other group was a survey group identified through the Danish OCD Association. Most of these children/adolescents were diagnosed years ago, and their primary treatment was completed. For the clinical group, data from patient files was available. RESULTS: In both groups, but most pronounced in the survey group, participants experienced a worsening of their OCD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The aggravation of OCD correlated with the worsening of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and the extent of avoidance behavior. For both groups, OCD aggressive symptoms predicted a significant worsening. Poor baseline insight showed a trend to predict a symptom worsening. The worsening was most pronounced in children with early age of onset and a family history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies examining the effect of COVID-19 in children/adolescents with OCD. The effect was examined in two separate populations strengthening the findings. The study points towards an influence of the OCD phenotype, baseline insight suggesting a continued vulnerability, and a family history of psychiatric disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (1-16-02-147-20) registered 1st of April 2020. Oral and written information was given to parents and patients and written consent from patients over 15 years and parents were received.

Structure and clinical correlates of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a large sample of children and adolescents: a factor analytic study across five nations.

The underlying structure of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) remains to be confirmed in child and adolescent populations. In this paper we report the first factor analytic study of individual OCD items from Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). OCD symptoms were assessed using the CY-BOCS symptom checklist in a sample of 854 patients with OCD (7-18 years of age) recruited from clinics in five countries. Pooled data were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to identify the optimal factor structure. Various models were tested for age and gender subgroups. Also, the invariance of the solution across age and gender was tested and associations with demographic and clinical factors were explored. A three-factor model provided the best-fit solution. It consisted of the following factors: (1) harm/sexual, (2) symmetry/hoarding, (3) contamination/cleaning. The factor structure was invariant for age and gender across subgroups. Factor one was significantly correlated with anxiety, and factor two with depression and anxiety. Factor three was negatively correlated with tic disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Females had higher scores on factor two than males. The OCD symptom structure in children and adolescents is consistent across age and gender and similar to results from recent child and adolescents although hoarding may not be a separate factor. Our three-factor structure is almost identical to that seen in early studies on adults. Common mental disorders had specific patterns of associations with the different factors.

One-year outcome of manualised behavior therapy of chronic tic disorders in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Chronic tic disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders that can be treated with Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). Intermediate and long-term effects have been examined after individual treatment with HRT, whereas evaluation of long-term outcome after an initial treatment with ERP, or a combination of HRT and ERP is lacking. The present study examines the long-term effect after a combined treatment with HRT and ERP delivered in an individual or a group setting METHODS: Fifty-nine children and adolescents diagnosed with a chronic tic disorder were randomised to manualised treatment combining HRT and ERP as individual or group training. Forty-seven were re-examined 1 year after acute outcome. Outcome measures included Total Tic Severity score (TTS) measured by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) and Beliefs About Tics Scale (BATS) RESULTS: In a mixed model, it was shown that the initial improvement with both individual and group treatment was maintained throughout the follow-up period. There were no significant differences between the two methods of treatment delivery. Of all participants completing the 12 months evaluation, 74.4% were considered responders. There was a significant positive association between the reduction of TTS and the reduction in BATS. In a latent class post-treatment trajectory analysis, two classes were identified, where high baseline severity increased the likelihood of being in the lesser responder class. Similar, but only as a trend, having ADHD, planning difficulties or hypersensitivity increased the risk of a lesser response. CONCLUSIONS: The present study compares the efficacy in individualised and group treatment of providing manualised therapy for child and adolescent tic disorders using two behavioural methods (combined HRT and ERP) both of which have been shown to have acute benefits but only one of which has been validated for longer term effectiveness. In the present study, both individualised and group treatments showed benefit throughout a 1-year follow-up period with several potential confounds affecting outcomes, while the relative benefits of either HRT and ERP were not addressed. Trial registration NCT04594044, 1-10-72-216-15, registered 19th October 2020, retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/template/Home.vm?uid=U0005BW2&ts=9&sid=S000ABEY&cx=-wlx7vb The study is approved by the National Ethical Committee (1-10-72-216-15) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (1-16-02-490-15), registered 12 October 2015.

The influence of a novel edge enhancement software on image quality of DR hand images of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a newly developed Advanced Edge Enhancement software (AEE) (Canon Europe, Amsterdam, NL) on image quality (IQ) of Digital Radiography (DR) hand images focusing on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty posterior-anterior hand images with or suspected for RA were collected. For each of the 50 images, six copies were made with each their AEE algorithm settings. A total of 330 images (30 images iterated) were evaluated using relative Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) by three observers and combined into a VGA Score (VGAS). Second, 50 images of a technical Contrast Detail Radiography Phantom (CDRAD) was produced with three different AEE software settings, each at level 1,5 and without the AEE software yielding 350 CDRAD images. All images was analysed by the CDRAD Analyser and included for an objective analysis of the AEE software. RESULTS: The VGA study showed a significant difference in image quality between a standard image and images with AEE software applied. The average VGA score of the AEE software was better than the standard images (interval between 0.2 and 0.9). The AEE algorithms at level 5 scored significantly lower for noise but significantly higher for spatial resolution, sharpness and contrast in the VGA. The CDRAD images showed that all AEE algorithms had a statistically significant improvement for level 1 and deterioration for level 5 compared to the standard image. CONCLUSION: Overall the AEE algorithm: small structure level 1 showed an improvement of all IQ criteria in the VGA and a better technical IQ. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The AEE software ought to be considered as a useful addition to the current software, possibly enabling visualisation of structures currently visible.

Predictors of therapeutic treatment outcome in adolescent chronic tic disorders.

BACKGROUND: Chronic tic disorders may have a major impact on a child's function. A significant effect has been shown for combined habit reversal training (HRT) and exposure response prevention (ERP) treatment delivered in an individual and group setting. AIMS: The present study examines predictors and moderators of treatment outcome after an acute therapeutic intervention. METHOD: Fifty-nine children and adolescents were randomised to manualised treatment combining HRT and ERP as individual or group training. Age, gender, baseline tic severity, Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale (PUTS) scores, Beliefs about Tic Scale (BATS) scores, hypersensitivity and comorbid psychiatric symptoms were analysed as predictors of outcome. The same characteristics were examined as moderators for individual versus group treatment. Outcome measures included the change in total tic severity (TTS) score and functional impairment score (as measured by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS)). RESULTS: Internalising symptoms predicted a lesser decrease in functional impairment. The occurrence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms predicted a larger decrease in TTS. Baseline hypersensitivity and high scores on depressive symptoms favoured individual treatment. High baseline PUTS scores favoured group therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study examining factors predicting and moderating perceived functional impairment following a therapeutic intervention. The study adds to the knowledge on predictors and moderators of TTS. Furthermore, this is the first study examining the effect of the BATS score. The study points towards factors that may influence treatment outcome and that require consideration when choosing supplemental treatment. This applies to comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms, and to the child's belief about their tics and premonitory urge. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.

Nicotine modulates neurogenesis in the central canal during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Nicotine has been shown to attenuate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) through inhibiting inflammation in microglial populations during the disease course. In this study, we investigated whether nicotine modified the regenerative process in EAE by examining nestin-expressing neural stem cells (NSCs) in the spinal cord, which is the primary area of demyelination and inflammation in EAE. Our results show that the endogenous neurogenic responses in the spinal cord after EAE are limited and delayed: while nestin expression is increased, the proliferation of ependymal cells is inhibited compared to healthy animals. Nicotine application significantly reduced nestin expression and partially allowed for the proliferation of ependymal cells. We found that reduction of ependymal cell proliferation correlated with inflammation in the same area, which was relieved by the administration of nicotine. Further, increased numbers of oligodendrocytes (OLs) were observed after nicotine treatment. These findings give a new insight into the mechanism of how nicotine functions to attenuate EAE.

Purification and characterization of leukotriene A4 hydrolase from human epidermis.

The leukotriene A4 hydrolase is a central enzyme in leukotriene B4 formation. Unlike 5-lipoxygenase, leukotriene A4 hydrolase activity is present in normal human epidermis, where it is likely to be involved in transcellular leukotriene formation. In this study the leukotriene A4 hydrolase was purified from human epidermis and human cultured keratinocytes and compared with leukotriene A4 hydrolase from human neutrophils. To purify leukotriene A4 hydrolase from human epidermis a new non-specific affinity chromatography column, with the leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitor bestatin coupled to AH-Sepharose, was introduced. The epidermal leukotriene A4 hydrolase was purified to apparent homogeneity and the molecular weight was determined to be approximately 70,000 Da by SDS-PAGE. The pI was 5.1-5.4 for the epidermal as well as the keratinocyte and neutrophil leukotriene A4 hydrolase, as determined by chromatofocusing. Only minor differences in the amino acid composition were seen between the three enzyme sources. The optimal pH for the hydrolase activity was 7.5-8.5 for the epidermal and neutrophil leukotriene A4 hydrolases. Finally, it was also shown that the epidermal leukotriene A4 hydrolase undergoes suicide inactivation when transforming leukotriene A4 into leukotriene B4. It was concluded that there is a close resemblance between the epidermal leukotriene A4 hydrolase and the hydrolase found in other cell types. Therefore, the human epidermis may be a good model for the in vivo study of transcellular leukotriene formation.

Semisynthetic chemical modification of the antifungal lipopeptide echinocandin B (ECB): structure-activity studies of the lipophilic and geometric parameters of polyarylated acyl analogs of ECB.

Echinocandin B (ECB) is a lipopeptide composed of a complex cyclic peptide acylated at the N-terminus by linoleic acid. Enzymatic deacylation of ECB provided the peptide "nucleus" as a biologically inactive substrate from which novel ECB analogs were generated by chemical reacylation at the N-terminus. Varying the acyl group revealed that the structure and physical properties of the side chain, particularly its geometry and lipophilicity, played a pivotal role in determining the antifungal potency properties of the analog. Using CLOGP values to describe and compare the lipophilicities of the side chain fragments, it was shown that values of > 3.5 were required for expression of antifungal activity. Secondly, a linearly rigid geometry of the side chain was the most effective shape in enhancing the antifungal potency. Using these parameters as a guide, a variety of novel ECB analogs were synthesized which included arylacyl groups that incorporated biphenyl, terphenyl, tetraphenyl, and arylethynyl groups. Generally the glucan synthase inhibition by these analogs correlated well with in vitro and in vivo activities and was likewise influenced by the structure of the side chain. These structural variations resulted in enhancement of antifungal activity in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Some of these analogs, including LY303366 (14a), were effective by the oral route of administration.

Potent, selective tetrahydro-beta-carboline antagonists of the serotonin 2B (5HT2B) contractile receptor in the rat stomach fundus.

A series of potent, selective 5HT2B receptor antagonists has been identified based upon yohimbine, with SAR studies resulting in a 1000-fold increase in 5HT2B receptor affinity relative to the starting structure (-log KBS > 10.0 have been obtained). These high-affinity tetrahydro-beta-carboline antagonists are able to discriminate among the 5HT2 family of serotonin receptors, with members of the series showing selectivities of more than 100-fold versus both the 5HT2A and 5HT2C receptors based upon radioligand binding and functional assays. As the first compounds reported with such selectivity and enhanced receptor affinity, these tetrahydro-beta-carboline antagonists are useful tools for elucidating the role of serotonin acting at the 5HT2B receptor in normal and disease physiology.

Airway epithelial cell responses to ozone injury.

The airway epithelial cells is an important target in ozone injury. Once activated, the airway epithelium responds in three phases. The initial, or immediate phase, involves activation of constitutive cells, often through direct covalent interactions including the formation of secondary ozonolysis products--hydroxyhydroperoxides, aldehydes, and hydrogen peroxide. Recently, we found hydroxyhydroperoxides to be potent agonists of bioactive eicosanoid formation by human airway epithelial cells in culture. Other probable immediate events include activation and inactivation of enzymes present on the epithelial surface (e.g., neutral endopeptidase). During the next 2 to 24 hr, or early phase, epithelial cells respond by synthesis and release of chemotactic factors, including chemokines--macrophage inflammatory protein-2, RANTES, and interleukin-8. Infiltrating leukocytes during this period also release elastase, an important agonist of epithelial cell mucus secretion and additional chemokine formation. The third (late) phase of ozone injury is characterized by eosinophil or monocyte infiltration. Cytokine expression leads to alteration of structural protein synthesis, with increases in fibronectin evident by in situ hybridization. Synthesis of epithelial antiproteases, e.g., secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, may also increase locally 24 to 48 hr after elastase concentrations become excessive. Thus, the epithelium is not merely a passive barrier to ozone injury but has a dynamic role in directing the migration, activating, and then counteracting inflammatory cells. Through these complex interactions, epithelial cells can be viewed as the initiators (alpha) and the receptors (omega) of ozone-induced airway disease.

N(1)-substituted ergolines and tryptamines show species differences for the agonist-labeled 5-HT2 receptor.

Previous studies indicated that selected ergolines and tryptamines showed species differences for affinity to the antagonist-labeled 5-HT2 receptor. The present study examined these same compounds for affinity at the agonist-labeled 5-HT2 receptor in rat and squirrel monkey cortical homogenates using [125I]DOI ([125I]1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane). As seen with the antagonist-labeled 5-HT2 receptor, N(1) alkyl substitution of either the ergolines or tryptamines resulted in a slight increase or no effect on their affinity for the agonist-labeled rat 5-HT2 receptor. In contrast, these same N(1) substitutions resulted in significant decreases in affinity for the agonist-labeled monkey 5-HT2 receptor. It was also noted that N(1)-unsubstituted ergolines and tryptamines (such as ergonovine, LY86057, LY193525 and 5-methoxytryptamine) tended to have higher affinity for the monkey versus the rat agonist-labeled receptor. However, the N(1) alkyl-substituted ergolines and tryptamines (such as mesulergine, LY53857, amesergide, N(1)-isopropyltryptamine and N(1)-isopropyl-5-methoxytryptamine) showed significantly lower affinity for the monkey versus the rat 5-HT2 receptor. These data suggest that, at least in relation to the N(1) position, ergolines and tryptamines bind in a similar orientation. These results are also discussed in terms of what amino acid differences between species may account for this structure-activity relationship.

The role of partners in selecting a residency.

To study the influence of medical students' partners (that is, those to whom they are married or engaged, or with whom they are living as "significant others") on students' selections of their residency programs, the authors surveyed fourth-year medical students and their partners at 20 medical schools in 1986. Forty-six percent of 770 eligible couples responded to the questionnaire; data from 314 couples were used in this study. Sixty-five percent of the medical students were men. Eighty-five percent of the partners were employed outside the home. The partner was the most influential person in the students' choice of a residency. Twenty-six percent (81) of the couples mutually made the decision and over 50% (186) tried to satisfy equally both partners' needs. However, the women medical students had less influence over the decision and were more apt to sacrifice their needs for their partners' (p less than .05). The women students were also significantly less satisfied with their role in the decision-making process (p less than .05). Attention to these issues by both medical students and residency programs could help couples deal with the stresses involved in choosing a residency location.

Prospective study of intraocular pressure 2 1/2 years after intracapsular cataract extraction and implantation of a semiflexible anterior chamber lens.

Fifty-one patients available for a 2 1/2 year follow-up after intracapsular cataract extraction and implantation of the semiflexible McGhan/3M, style 70 anterior chamber lens were evaluated for intraocular pressure (IOP). No significant change in the IOP could be demonstrated despite progression of iris-like tissue adhesions between the iris and lens haptics at or close to the trabecular meshwork. Four eyes (7.8%) had IOPs greater than or equal to 22 mm Hg without medication, and four other eyes used timolol eyedrops with subsequent IOPs less than or equal to 18 mm Hg. Eight eyes (15.7%) demonstrated an IOP increase greater than or equal to 25% over baseline pressures.

Enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in human skin is found selectively in a fraction of CD68-positive dermal cells: increase in enkephalin-positive cells in lesional psoriasis.

Opioid peptides are synthesized in neurons, endocrine cells, monocytes/macrophages and B and T lymphocytes. They interact with opioid receptors located on immune cells and nociceptive nerve terminals. Because opioid peptides might be of importance in inflammatory skin diseases, for example psoriasis, sections of skin from psoriatic patients were immunohistochemically stained with antisera against methionine and leucine enkephalin, CD68 (KP1, PG-M1), calprotectin (M747), M130 (Ber-MAC3), CD1a and CD3. Enkephalin-like activity was detected selectively in dermal CD68-positive macrophages/monocytes. The activity showed no association with the activation markers M747 and Ber-MAC3. There was a statistically significant increase in enkephalin-positive cells in involved psoriatic skin compared with uninvolved and normal skin. These results were confirmed by radioimmunoassay which showed elevated levels in extracts from involved psoriatic skin compared with uninvolved skin (81%) and normal skin (204%). Furthermore, preproenkephalin mRNA of an expected size was detected in involved psoriatic skin. If the increased levels of enkephalins present in monocytes/macrophages in psoriatic skin lesions reach the threshold for biological activity, they may play a role in the regulation of the inflammatory processes seen in this skin disease.

Fermentability of an enzymatically modified solubilised potato polysaccharide (SPP).

OBJECTIVE: To study processing and fermentability in the human gastro-intestinal tract of a newly isolated, enzymatically modified, soluble, and highly concentrated (> 80% dietary fibres) solubilised potato fibre (SPP). SETTING: Gastroenterological laboratory. DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Seven healthy volunteers ingested in random order on seven different days: 20 g SPP; bread made of 180 g wheat flour served with 20 g raw SPP; bread baked of 180 g wheat flour and 20 g SPP; bread made from 180 g what flour; 20 g lactulose; 20 g oat bran; and 20 g wheat bran. The hydrogen breath test was used to evaluate oro-coecal transit time (OCTT) and fermentation. RESULTS: Fermentation of SPP yielded a measurable increase in end-expiratory H2. The total incremental increase in end expiratory H2 due to SPP was unaffected of whether SPP was served alone, as the raw flour served with bread, or baked into bread. The OCTT for raw SPP was significantly delayed compared to lactulose (P = 0.01). The OCTT for SPP baked into bread was significantly delayed compared to raw SPP (P = 0.01), indicating that SPP may be used as a marker of oro-coecal transit time for as well the fluid phase as the solid phase of a meal. CONCLUSIONS: SPP is a fermentable, highly concentrated soluble fibre source. Baking SPP did not interfere with the fermentable properties. Thus, SPP may be interesting as a fibre-supplement in fibre-poor diets. The change in oro-coecal transit time for SPP, depending on the composition of the total meal, makes SPP interesting as a marker in studies of gastrointestinal transit.

Circadian variation of serum thyrotropin in endogenous depression.

The circadian variation of serum thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone; TSH) was studied in nine patients with endogenous depression before and after recovery. Depressed state did not appear to influence the pattern of TSH. When 2 mg of dexamethasone was administered, serum TSH was significantly reduced for 18 hours, whereafter the effect leveled off. The TSH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was evaluated 25 hours after the administration of dexamethasone and the response was found to be unchanged.

Efficiency of enzymatic and other alternative clarification and fining treatments on turbidity and haze in cherry juice.

Several alternative strategies were examined for improving conventional juice fining procedures for cherry juice clarification and fining in laboratory-scale experiments: Centrifugation of freshly pressed juice from 1000g to 35,000g induced decreased turbidity according to a steep, negative power function. Individual and interactive effects on turbidity and haze formation in precentrifuged and uncentrifuged cherry juice of treatments with pectinase, acid protease, bromelain, gallic acid, and gelatin-silica sol were investigated in a factorial experimental design with 32 different parameter combinations. Gelatin-silica sol consistently had the best effect on juice clarity. Centrifugation of cherry juice (10,000g for 15 min) prior to clarification treatment significantly improved juice clarity and diminished the rate of haze formation during cold storage of juice. Both treatment of precentrifuged cherry juice with Novozym 89L protease and co-addition of pectinase and gallic acid improved cherry juice clarity and diminished haze levels. None of the alternative treatments produced the unwieldy colloids notorious to gelatin-silica sol treatment. The data suggest that several alternative clarification strategies deserve further consideration in large-scale cherry juice processing. Precentrifugation of juice before clarification and fining is immediately recommended.

Effect of ascorbic acid on iron release from the emulsifier interface and on the oxidative flavor deterioration in fish oil enriched mayonnaise.

This research examines the effect of ascorbic acid (0-800 ppm) on the sensory perception of mayonnaises containing 16% fish oil and on the levels of iron and copper in the aqueous phase. Ascorbic acid increased the formation of fishy off-flavors in fresh mayonnaise. Simultaneously, the iron concentration increased from below the detection limit (1.8 microM) to 34 microM in the aqueous phase of mayonnaises. Model mayonnaises with various concentrations of egg yolk (1-7% w/w) and ascorbic acid (0-8000 ppm) were prepared. Iron concentrations in the aqueous phase increased with increasing ascorbic acid levels, whereas iron concentrations in the assumed interfacial layer decreased. It is proposed that ascorbic acid is able to complex and reduce Fe(3+) to Fe(2+) from phosvitin in the egg yolk, whereby iron is released from the interface. The ascorbic acid-iron complex subsequently reacts with lipid hydroperoxides, resulting in increased lipid oxidation and in the immediate formation of rancid and fishy off-flavors.