EuCd_{2}As_{2}: A Magnetic Semiconductor.

EuCd_{2}As_{2} is now widely accepted as a topological semimetal in which a Weyl phase is induced by an external magnetic field. We challenge this view through firm experimental evidence using a combination of electronic transport, optical spectroscopy, and excited-state photoemission spectroscopy. We show that the EuCd_{2}As_{2} is in fact a semiconductor with a gap of 0.77 eV. We show that the externally applied magnetic field has a profound impact on the electronic band structure of this system. This is manifested by a huge decrease of the observed band gap, as large as 125 meV at 2 T, and, consequently, by a giant redshift of the interband absorption edge. However, the semiconductor nature of the material remains preserved. EuCd_{2}As_{2} is therefore a magnetic semiconductor rather than a Dirac or Weyl semimetal, as suggested by ab initio computations carried out within the local spin-density approximation.

A varying-coefficient model for gap times between recurrent events.

Recurrent events often arise in follow-up studies where a subject may experience multiple occurrences of the same type of event. Most regression models for recurrent events consider the time scale measured from the study origin and assume constant effects of covariates. In many applications, however, gap times between recurrent events are of natural interest and moreover the effects may actually vary over time. In this article, we propose a marginal varying-coefficient model for gap times between recurrent events that allows for the intra-individual correlation between events. Estimation and inference procedures are developed for the varying coefficients. Consistency and weak convergence of the proposed estimator are established. Monte Carlo simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed method works well with practical sample sizes. The proposed method is illustrated with an analysis of bladder tumor clinical data.

Dynamic regression with recurrent events.

Recurrent events often arise in follow-up studies where a subject may experience multiple occurrences of the same event. Most regression models with recurrent events tacitly assume constant effects of covariates over time, which may not be realistic in practice. To address time-varying effects, we develop a dynamic regression model to target the mean frequency of recurrent events. We propose an estimation procedure which fully exploits observed data. Consistency and weak convergence of the proposed estimator are established. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed method works well, and two real data analyses are presented for illustration.

Effectiveness of technology-enhanced learning in Endodontic education: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) in the field of Endodontics to improve educational outcomes compared to traditional learning methods. Randomized controlled studies published in English were identified from two electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) up to May 2018. Two authors independently performed study selection, data extraction and assessed the risk of bias (ROB). Any teaching method using TEL was considered as the intervention, and this was compared to traditional methods. The outcome measuring the effectiveness of learning activities was evaluated by Kirkpatrick's four-level training evaluation model. The four levels of training outcomes are as follows: Reaction, Learning, Behaviour and Results. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the standardized mean difference (SMD) by the random effects model. In total, 13 studies were included in the systematic review. Only three studies were assessed as 'low' ROB. A meta-analysis could not be performed in the domains of Reaction and Behaviour. No significant difference was observed in knowledge gain (Learning domain) between TEL and traditional methods (SMD, 0.14 (95% CI -0.10 to 0.39) I2  = 62.7%). Similarly, no difference was observed in performance (Behaviour domain). A variable response was found in attitude (Reaction domain). From the available evidence, it can be concluded that TEL is equally as effective as traditional learning methods.

Anaphylaxis to galacto-oligosaccharides--an evaluation in an atopic population in Singapore.

Anaphylaxis to galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a prebiotic, has been described in atopic patients following its supplementation in commercial milk formula in South-East Asia. The epidemiology of this usual allergy to a carbohydrate is unknown. This study evaluated the prevalence of allergy to two formulations of commercial GOS, Vivinal™ GOS (vGOS) and Oligomate™ , in an atopic cohort. Atopic subjects (n = 487) from two specialist allergy clinics were surveyed via structured questionnaire and underwent skin prick tests to GOS. Subjects with positive skin prick tests to GOS (n = 30, 6.2%) underwent basophil activation tests, and a subset (n = 13) underwent oral challenge tests to both formulations of GOS. Six subjects had positive challenges to vGOS; and none to Oligomate. By extrapolating the BAT and oral challenge results, the prevalence of allergy to vGOS is estimated at up to 3.5% (95% CI 2.2-5.5%) of our atopic population. Our findings show that GOS allergy may be common amongst atopics in Singapore.

Late diagnosis of intestinal malrotation treated with gastrojejunal bypass : a case report.

We report the case of a male African patient who presented at day 8 of life with recurrent episodes of proximal small intestine occlusion, which was treated conservatively, because of misdiagnosis. Physical and cognitive development was normal throughout with, however, some episodes of stagnation. At the age of 15 years the recurrence of symptoms, not responding to the current conservative treatment, resulted in severe weight loss with BMI at 11 kg/m(2). The œsogastroduodenal barium study disclosed an extrinsic duodenal compression compatible with a congenital duodenal band. Because of the major concerns related to the patient and to the medical environment, jejunostomy for feeding was first performed to improve his weight. A year later the intestinal malrotation was cured by gastrojejunal bypass. The postoperative clinical course was favorable. The patient resumed a normal life and schooling. His BMI is currently 21.5 kg/m(2).

Inelastic neutron scattering study of a nonmagnetic collapsed tetragonal phase in nonsuperconducting CaFe2As2: evidence of the impact of spin fluctuations on superconductivity in the iron-arsenide compounds.

The relationship between antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations and superconductivity has become a central topic of research in studies of superconductivity in the iron pnictides. We present unambiguous evidence of the absence of magnetic fluctuations in the nonsuperconducting collapsed tetragonal phase of CaFe2As2 via inelastic neutron scattering time-of-flight data, which is consistent with the view that spin fluctuations are a necessary ingredient for unconventional superconductivity in the iron pnictides. We demonstrate that the collapsed tetragonal phase of CaFe2As2 is nonmagnetic, and discuss this result in light of recent reports of high-temperature superconductivity in the collapsed tetragonal phase of closely related compounds.

Reliability of acute illness dihydrorhodamine-123 testing for chronic granulomatous disease.

BACKGROUND: Dihydrorhodamine (DHR) flow cytometric analysis is used to evaluate granulocyte oxidative bursts and is the test of choice for the diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). We present the clinical and DHR test profiles of five subjects assessed during and after acute illness. METHODS: This was a retrospective report of the findings of five out of a total of one hundred and seventeen patients, whose blood was sent to the laboratory for dihydrorhodamine-123 flow cytometry testing between January 2005 and December 2010. Using whole blood technique and stimulation using phorbol myristate acetate, the results of DHR were expressed as stimulation index and coefficient of variation of histograms of stimulated cells and compared with healthy controls. DHR tests were repeated when the patients had recovered and were clinically well. RESULTS: These five patients showed abnormal DHR test results during their acute illness, with a stimulation index (SI) lower (p = 0.009) and coefficient of variation (CV) higher (p = 0.009) than controls. The DHR profiles repeated when patients had recovered showed normalization of tests with no significant difference for SI (p = 0.602) and CV (p = 0.917) compared to controls. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests showed a significant improvement in SI (p = 0.043) and CV (p = 0.043) upon recovery. On follow up, all five patients were well, with no further severe or atypical infections. CONCLUSIONS: DHR may be transiently abnormal during acute illness, and may therefore not be reliable when assessed during an acute illness. If these subjects had CGD, it would be of a hypomorphic variant that has not previously been described.

Intracellular lipid accumulation inhibitory effect of Weissella koreensis OK1-6 isolated from Kimchi on differentiating adipocyte.

AIMS: To investigate the intracellular lipid accumulation inhibitory effect of spent culture medium extract and the cytoplasmic fraction of Weissella koreensis OK1-6 cells isolated from kimchi in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: Differentiating 3T3-L1 cells were treated with either cytoplasmic fraction of W. koreensis OK1-6 cells or its spent media for 4 days. Both the spent culture medium extract and cytoplasmic fraction of W. koreensis OK1-6 cells significantly decreased the triglyceride concentration and intracellular lipid accumulation in the treated groups compared with the control group. The mRNA expression levels of C/EBP-α, one of the major transcriptional factors involved in adipocyte differentiation, were significantly less expressed in 3T3-L1 cells treated with the spent medium and cytoplasmic fraction. The expressions of aP2, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and SREBP1 genes were also decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that W. koreensis OK1-6 could play a crucial role in preventing intracellular lipid accumulation by down-regulating the expression of adipocyte-specific genes C/EBPα, aP2, SREBP1 and FAS. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results may contribute to nutraceutical and food industries in developing probiotic-based therapies for the treatment and prevention of obesity.

Immunoinflammatory processes: Overlapping mechanisms between obesity and eating disorders?

Obesity and eating disorders are conditions that involve eating behaviors and are sometimes comorbid. Current evidence supports alterations in immunoinflammatory processes in both obesity and eating disorders. A plausible hypothesis is that immunoinflammatory processes may be involved in the pathophysiology of obesity and eating disorders. The aim of this review is to highlight the link between obesity and eating disorders, with a particular focus on immunoinflammatory processes. First, the relation between obesity and eating disorders will be presented, followed by a brief review of the literature on their association with immunoinflammatory processes. Second, developmental factors will be discussed to clarify the link between obesity, eating disorders, and immunoinflammatory processes. Genetic and epigenetic risk factors as well as the potential roles of stress pathways and early life development will be presented. Finally, implications of these findings for future research are discussed. This review highlighted biological and developmental aspects that overlap between obesity and EDs, emphasizing the need for biopsychosocial research approaches to advance current knowledge and practice in these fields.

Testing for Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Adults Aged ≥18 in the United States, 2013-2017.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 2.4 million people in the United States are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of our study was to describe demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, liver disease-related risk factors, and modifiable health behaviors associated with self-reported testing for HCV infection among adults. METHODS: Using data on adult respondents aged ≥18 from the 2013-2017 National Health Interview Survey, we summarized descriptive data on sociodemographic characteristics and liver disease-related risk factors and stratified data by educational attainment. We used weighted logistic regression to examine predictors of HCV testing. RESULTS: During the study period, 11.7% (95% CI, 11.5%-12.0%) of adults reported ever being tested for HCV infection. Testing was higher in 2017 than in 2013 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.18-1.36). Adults with ≥some college were significantly more likely to report being tested (aOR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.52-1.69) than adults with ≤high school education. Among adults with ≤high school education (but not adults with ≥some college), those who did not have health insurance were less likely than those with private health insurance (aOR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.89) to get tested, and non-US-born adults were less likely than US-born adults to get tested (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of self-reported HCV testing increased from 2013 to 2017, but testing rates remained low. Demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and liver disease-related risk factors may affect HCV testing rates among adults. HCV testing must increase to achieve hepatitis C elimination targets.

A high-resolution anorectal manometry parameter based on integrated pressurized volume: A study based on 204 male patients with constipation and 26 controls.

BACKGROUND: Conventional anorectal manometric parameters based on linear waves cannot properly predict balloon expulsion (BE) time. We aimed to determine the correlation between integrated pressurized volume (IPV) parameters during simulated evacuation (SE) and BE time in healthy individuals and constipated patients and to assess the correlation between each parameter and symptoms. METHODS: A total of 230 male participants (including 26 healthy volunteers and 204 chronically constipated patients) underwent high-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) and BE tests. The IPV was calculated by multiplying the amplitude, distance, and time from the HRAM profile. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis and partial least square regression (PLSR) were performed. KEY RESULTS: ROC analysis indicated that the IPV ratio between the upper 1 cm and lower 4 cm of the anal canal was more effective for predicting BE time (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67-0.80, P < .01) than the conventional anorectal parameters, including defecation index and rectoanal gradient (AUC: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.52-0.67, P = .01). PLSR analysis of a linear combination of IPV parameters yielded an AUC of 0.79. Moreover, the IPV ratio showed a greater clinical correlation with patient symptoms than conventional parameters. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: The IPV parameters and the combination of IPV parameters via PLSR were more significantly correlated with BE time than the conventional parameters. Thus, this study presents a useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of pathophysiologic abnormalities in dyssynergic defecation using IPV and BE time.

Cyclin G1 overcomes radiation-induced G2 arrest and increases cell death through transcriptional activation of cyclin B1.

Although cyclin G1 has been implicated in certain p53-related biological phenomena, other aspects of its function remain unclear. Here we report hitherto unknown mechanism by which cyclin G1 increases radiation sensitivity by regulating the level of cyclin B1. Overexpression of cyclin G1 was observable in lung carcinoma tissues. Irradiation of human lung cells with cyclin G1 overexpression resulted in increased cell death and gamma-H2AX foci suggesting that cyclin G1 rendered the cells more susceptible to DNA damage. Enhanced radiosensitivity by cyclin G1 was correlated with increased cyclin B1, CDC2/cyclin B1 complex, and MPM2. Cell cycle synchronization clearly showed coexpression of cyclin G1 and cyclin B1 in G2/M phase. Depletion of cyclin G1 by interference RNA revealed that cyclin G1 regulated transcription of cyclin B1 in a p53-independent manner, and confirmed that the increased mitotic cells and cell death by cyclin G1 were dependent upon cyclin B1. Therefore, our data suggest that cyclin G1 enhanced radiation sensitivity by overriding radiation-induced G2 arrest through transcriptional upregulation of cyclin B1.

Novel roles of specific isoforms of protein kinase C in activation of the c-fos serum response element.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a multigene family of enzymes consisting of at least 11 isoforms. It has been implicated in the induction of c-fos and other immediate response genes by various mitogens. The serum response element (SRE) in the c-fos promoter is necessary and sufficient for induction of transcription of c-fos by serum, growth factors, and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). It forms a complex with the ternary complex factor (TCF) and with a dimer of the serum response factor (SRF). TCF is the target of several signal transduction pathways and SRF is the target of the rhoA pathway. In this study we generated dominant-negative and constitutively active mutants of PKC-alpha, PKC-delta, PKC-epsilon, and PKC-zeta to determine the roles of individual isoforms of PKC in activation of the SRE. Transient-transfection assays with NIH 3T3 cells, using an SRE-driven luciferase reporter plasmid, indicated that PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon, but not PKC-delta or PKC-zeta, mediate SRE activation. TPA-induced activation of the SRE was partially inhibited by dominant negative c-Raf, ERK1, or ERK2, and constitutively active mutants of PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon activated the transactivation domain of Elk-1. TPA-induced activation of the SRE was also partially inhibited by a dominant-negative MEKK1. Furthermore, TPA treatment of serum-starved NIH 3T3 cells led to phosphorylation of SEK1, and constitutively active mutants of PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon activated the transactivation domain of c-Jun, a major substrate of JNK. Constitutively active mutants of PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon could also induce a mutant c-fos promoter which lacks the TCF binding site, and they also induce transactivation activity of the SRF. Furthermore, rhoA-mediated SRE activation was blocked by dominant negative mutants of PKC-alpha or PKC-epsilon. Taken together, these findings indicate that PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon can enhance the activities of at least three signaling pathways that converge on the SRE: c-Raf-MEK1-ERK-TCF, MEKK1-SEK1-JNK-TCF, and rhoA-SRF. Thus, specific isoforms of PKC may play a role in integrating networks of signal transduction pathways that control gene expression.

Different protein kinase C isoforms determine growth factor specificity in neuronal cells.

Although mitogenic and differentiating factors often activate a number of common signaling pathways, the mechanisms leading to their distinct cellular outcomes have not been elucidated. In a previous report, we demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (ERK) activation by the neurogenic agents fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and nerve growth factor is dependent on protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta), whereas MAP kinase activation in response to the mitogen epidermal growth factor (EGF) is independent of PKCdelta in rat hippocampal (H19-7) and pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. We now show that EGF activates MAP kinase through a PKCzeta-dependent pathway involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and PDK1 in H19-7 cells. PKCzeta, like PKCdelta, acts upstream of MEK, and PKCzeta can potentiate Raf-1 activation by EGF. Inhibition of PKCzeta also blocks EGF-induced DNA synthesis as monitored by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation in H19-7 cells. Finally, in embryonic rat brain hippocampal cell cultures, inhibitors of PKCzeta or PKCdelta suppress MAP kinase activation by EGF or FGF, respectively, indicating that these factors activate distinct signaling pathways in primary as well as immortalized neural cells. Taken together, these results implicate different PKC isoforms as determinants of growth factor signaling specificity within the same cell. Furthermore, these data provide a mechanism whereby different growth factors can differentially activate a common signaling intermediate and thereby generate biological diversity.

Thyroid function status and plasma lipids among cardiology patients in Georgia.

UNLABELLED: Thyroid dysfunction as an important cardiovascular risk factor, is not well characterized among cardiology patients of Georgia. Further, a consensus has not been reached about the relationships between thyroid function markers and plasma lipids. We investigated these risk factors among 250 cardiology patients admitted to the Emergency Cardiology Center. A cross sectional study was conducted using in-person interviews, medical records, physical exams and laboratory studies. Thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine 3, free thyroxine 4 and plasma lipids were measured using standardized assays. Overall, thyroid dysfunction was detected among 28.6% of the study population (19.5% males and 39.6% females). Overt hypo- and hyperthyroidism were present among 12.4% and 6.0% of patients, while, subclinical hypo- and hyperthyroidism were present among 2.8% and 6.4% of patients respectively. Both clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism were associated with elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations (p-values for trend <0.005). Further, TC and LDL-C were highly correlated with thyroid function markers (all p-values <0.000). Triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were not associated with thyroid function status. Hyperthyroidism was not associated with plasma lipid variation. IN CONCLUSION: thyroid dysfunction was prevalent among cardiology patients in Georgia. Hypothyroidism was associated with elevated TC and LDL-C concentrations. Future studies that examine the clinical relevance of observed differences in lipid profiles among this population are needed.

An unusual cause of food-induced anaphylaxis in mothers.

BACKGROUND: Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are prebiotics added to commercial milk formula of infants and mothers. In recent years, cases of allergy related to GOS in atopic children have been reported in the South East Asian region. CASE PRESENTATIONS: We describe a series of pregnant (n = 4) and lactating mothers (n = 2) who developed anaphylactic reactions after consumption of maternal milk formula containing GOS. All six subjects had pre-existing atopy and a positive skin prick test to GOS and 5/5 of the subjects who were tested had positive basophil activation tests to GOS. All of the mothers and their babies had normal neonatal outcomes after the reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The supplementation of GOS into milk and beverages in the Asian region should take into account the rare chance of allergenicity of GOS in the atopic population.

Do motorcyclists have erectile dysfunction? A preliminary study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between motorcycling and erectile dysfunction (ED). We investigated the relationship between motorcycling and erectile function using the 5-items version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF5) in 234 motorcyclists (response rate 75%) and 752 healthy controls (response rate 66%). In all, 161 (69%) of 234 motorcyclists were diagnosed as ED based on IIEF5. The prevalence of ED in the motorcycle group increased by age as: 58, 63, 76 and 93%, for motorcyclists in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 years, respectively. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of ED between the motorcycle group and the control group in all age groups. On stepwise logistic regression analysis, motorcycling was the strongest risk factor for ED. Although the severity of ED in motorcyclists was not so severe, motorcycling may be one of risk factors for ED.

Torque rheological parameters to predict pellet quality in extrusion-spheronization.

This study explored the feasibility of predicting the quality of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization using torque rheological characterization. Rheological properties of eleven MCC grades as well as their binary mixtures with lactose (3:7) at various water contents were determined using a mixer torque rheometer (MTR). Derived torque parameters were: maximum torque and cumulative energy of mixing (CEM). CEM values of MCC powders (CEM((MCC))) could be attributed to their physical properties such as crystallinity, V(low P) and V(total) (volumes of mercury intruded in their pores at low pressure and the total intrusion volume), bulk and tapped densities. For both MCC powders and their binary mixtures, strong correlation was observed between their torque parameters and the properties of their pellets formed with 30 and 35% (w/w) water. Since this relationship was valid over a broad water content range, rheological assessment for pre-formulation purposes need not be performed at optimized water contents. These results demonstrated the usefulness of torque rheometry as an effective means of comparing and evaluating MCC grades especially when substitution of equivalent grades is encountered. In so doing, the tedious and expensive pre-production (pre-formulation and optimization) work can be considerably reduced.

Overexpression of p27Kip1 inhibits the growth of both normal and transformed human mammary epithelial cells.

We previously reported increased expression of p27Kip1 in a series of human breast cancer cell lines, as compared to cell lines established from normal mammary epithelial cells. These data were surprising because this protein exerts a growth-inhibitory function in normal cells, and p27Kip1 has been proposed as a candidate tumor suppressor gene. A possible explanation for the paradoxical increase in p27Kip1 in the breast cancer cell lines is that they had become refractory to the inhibitory effects of this protein. To address this question, here, we transfected the MCF7 breast cancer cell line and the MCF10F nontumorigenic mammary epithelial cell line with a vector containing the p27Kip1 cDNA to obtain derivatives that express increased levels of p27Kip1. The increased expression of p27Kip1 in both of these cell lines was associated with lengthening of the G1 phase, an increase in the doubling time, a decreased saturation density, and a decreased plating efficiency. In the MCF7 cells, anchorage-independent growth and in vivo tumorigenicity were also suppressed. These effects were associated with decreased cyclin E-associated in vitro kinase activity in both cell lines. The increased expression of p27Kip1 was associated with a decreased level of expression of cyclin D1 in the MCF10F cells but an increased level of the cyclin D1 protein in the MCF7 cell line. Both derivatives expressed slightly increased levels of the cyclin E protein. Thus, breast cancer cells are still responsive to p27Kip1-mediated inhibition of cell growth despite the high basal level of this protein. These results suggest that therapeutic strategies that further increase the level of expression of p27Kip1 or mimic its activity might be useful in cancer therapy.