Source localization based on steered frequency-wavenumber analysis for sparse array.

When using a sparse array, locating the target signal of a high-frequency component is difficult. Although forecasting the direction in a sparse situation is challenging, the frequency-wavenumber (f-k) spectrum can simultaneously determine the direction and frequency of the analyzed signal. The striation of the f-k spectrum shifts along the wavenumber axis in a sparse situation, which reduces the spatial resolution required to determine the target's direction using the f-k spectrum. In this study, f-k spectra of a high-frequency signal were used for near-field source localization. Snapping shrimp sounds (5-24 kHz) from SAVEX15 (a shallow-water acoustic variability experiment conducted in May 2015) were used as the data source, and a simulation was used to evaluate the proposed method. Beam steering was performed before creating the f-k spectrum to improve spatial resolution. We found that the spatial resolution was improved, and the location of the sound source could be determined when a signal with beam steering was utilized. The shrimp sound from SAVEX15, a near-field broadband signal, was used to determine the shrimp's location (range, 38 m; depth, 100 m) and the tilt of the vertical line array. These results suggest that the proposed analysis helps to accurately estimate the location of sound source.

Trivialities in metabolomics: Artifacts in extraction and analysis.

The aim of this review is to show the risks of artifact formation in metabolomics analyses. Metabolomics has developed in a major tool in system biology approaches to unravel the metabolic networks that are the basis of life. Presently TLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, MS-MS and nuclear magnetic resonance are applied to analyze the metabolome of all kind of biomaterials. These analytical methods require robust preanalytical protocols to extract the small molecules from the biomatrix. The quality of the metabolomics analyses depends on protocols for collecting and processing of the biomaterial, including the methods for drying, grinding and extraction. Also the final preparation of the samples for instrumental analysis is crucial for highly reproducible analyses. The risks of artifact formation in these steps are reviewed from the point of view of the commonly used solvents. Examples of various artifacts formed through chemical reactions between solvents or contaminations with functional groups in the analytes are discussed. These reactions involve, for example, the formation of esters, trans-esterifications, hemiacetal and acetal formation, N-oxidations, and the formation of carbinolamines. It concerns chemical reactions with hydroxyl-, aldehyde-, keto-, carboxyl-, ester-, and amine functional groups. In the analytical steps, artifacts in LC may come from the stationary phase or reactions of the eluent with analytes. Differences between the solvent of the injected sample and the LC-mobile phase may cause distortions of the retention of analytes. In all analytical methods, poorly soluble compounds will be in all samples at saturation level, thus hiding a potential marker function. Finally a full identification of compounds remains a major hurdle in metabolomics, it requires a full set of spectral data, including methods for confirming the absolute stereochemistry. The putative identifications found in supplemental data of many studies, unfortunately, often become "truly" identified compounds in papers citing these results. Proper validation of the protocols for preanalytical and analytical procedures is essential for reproducible analyses in metabolomics.

Genome activation in equine in vitro-produced embryos.

Embryonic genome activation is a critical event in embryo development, in which the transcriptional program of the embryo is initiated. The timing and regulation of this process are species-specific. In vitro embryo production is becoming an important clinical and research tool in the horse; however, very little is known about genome activation in this species. The objective of this work was to identify the timing of genome activation, and the transcriptional networks involved, in in vitro-produced horse embryos. RNA-Seq was performed on oocytes and embryos at eight stages of development (MII, zygote, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell, morula, blastocyst; n = 6 per stage, 2 from each of 3 mares). Transcription of seven genes was initiated at the 2-cell stage. The first substantial increase in gene expression occurred at the 4-cell stage (minor activation), followed by massive gene upregulation and downregulation at the 8-cell stage (major activation). An increase in intronic nucleotides, indicative of transcription initiation, was also observed at the 4-cell stage. Co-expression network analyses identified groups of genes that appeared to be regulated by common mechanisms. Investigation of hub genes and binding motifs enriched in the promoters of co-expressed genes implicated several transcription factors. This work represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first genomic evaluation of embryonic genome activation in horse embryos.

Allele-specific expression analysis reveals conserved and unique features of preimplantation development in equine ICSI embryos†.

Embryonic genome activation and dosage compensation are major genetic events in early development. Combined analysis of single embryo RNA-seq data and parental genome sequencing was used to evaluate parental contributions to early development and investigate X-chromosome dynamics. In addition, we evaluated dimorphism in gene expression between male and female embryos. Evaluation of parent-specific gene expression revealed a minor increase in paternal expression at the 4-cell stage that increased at the 8-cell stage. We also detected eight genes with allelic expression bias that may have an important role in early development, notably NANOGNB. The main actor in X-chromosome inactivation, XIST, was significantly upregulated at the 8-cell, morula, and blastocyst stages in female embryos, with high expression at the latter. Sexual dimorphism in gene expression was identified at all stages, with strong representation of the X-chromosome in females from the 16-cell to the blastocyst stage. Female embryos showed biparental X-chromosome expression at all stages after the 4-cell stage, demonstrating the absence of imprinted X-inactivation at the embryo level. The analysis of gene dosage showed incomplete dosage compensation (0.5 < X:A < 1) in MII oocytes and embryos up to the 4-cell stage, an increase of the X:A ratio at the 16-cell and morula stages after genome activation, and a decrease of the X:A ratio at the blastocyst stage, which might be associated with the beginning of X-chromosome inactivation. This study represents the first critical analysis of parent- and sex-specific gene expression in early equine embryos produced in vitro.

Effects of Inflammatory Disease on Clinical Progression and Treatment of Ischiogluteal Bursitis: A Retrospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: The symptoms of Ischiogluteal Bursitis (IGB) are often nonspecific and atypical, and its diagnosis is more challenging. Moreover, it is difficult to predict cases of chronic progression or poor treatment response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the clinical course of IGB patients and identify factors that are predictive of failure of conservative treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study consisted of IGB patients diagnosed between 2010 March and 2016 December who had been followed-up for at least one year. Structured questionnaires and medical records were reviewed to analyse demographic characteristics, lifestyle patterns, blood tests, and imaging studies. We categorized the cases into two groups based on the response to conservative treatment and the need for surgical intervention. RESULTS: The most common initial chief symptoms were buttock pains in 24 patients (37.5%). Physical examinations showed the tenderness of ischial tuberosity area in 59 (92.2%) patients, but no specific findings were confirmed in 5 patients (7.8%). 51 patients (79.7%) responded well to the conservative management, 11 patients (17.2%) needed injection, and 2 patients (3.1%) had surgical treatment performed due to continuous recurrence. There was no difference in demographic and blood lab data between the two groups. However, the incidence of inflammatory diseases (response group: 10.3% vs non-response group: 66.7%, p=0.004) was significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of IGB can be missed due to variations in clinical symptoms, and cautions should be exercised in patients with inflammatory diseases as conservative treatment is less effective in them, leading to chronic progression of IGB.

A Tabletop Persistent-Mode, Liquid Helium-Free 1.5-T MgB2 "Finger" MRI Magnet: Construction and Operation of a Prototype Magnet.

This paper presents results of construction and operation of a persistent-mode, liquid-helium-free, small-scale prototype magnet for the development of a tabletop 1.5-T "finger" MRI system for osteoporosis screening. The prototype magnet, composed of 2 MgB2 coils, one superconducting joint, and a persistent-current switch (PCS) built from a portion of one coil, was wound with a one continuous ~80-m long unreacted and monofilament MgB2 wire and then reacted. The test magnet was charged successfully and generated the estimated target field of 1.75 T at 5 K with the proposed PCS operation. During initial persistent-mode, the field was slightly decayed due to the index dissipation of the joint; thereafter it sustained the persistent field of 1.7 T for 35 h. The test results validated the joint resistance of < 1.2 × 10-11 as well as the proposed approach involving the PCS coil circuit model.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions Associated With Low-Osmolar Iodinated Contrast Media: A Longitudinal Study Based on a Real-Time Monitoring System.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the incidence of immediate hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) caused by different types of low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM) and cumulative exposure to LOCM. METHODS: This cohort study included all consecutive patients who underwent LOCM-enhanced computed tomography from 2012 through 2014. We assessed 5 LOCM (iobitridol, iohexol, iomeprol, iopamidol, and iopromide). All patients were monitored for adverse events, and new symptoms and signs were recorded in real time using the Contrast Safety Monitoring and Management System (CoSM2oS). RESULTS: The overall incidence of immediate HSR to LOCM was 0.97% (2004 events resulting from 205 726 exposures). Incidence differed significantly depending on whether the patient had a previous history of HSR to LOCM (0.80% in patients with no history and 16.99% in patients with a positive history of HSR to LOCM, P=.001). The incidence of HSR to individual LOCM ranged from 0.72% (iohexol) to 1.34% (iomeprol), although there were no significant differences across the 5 LOCM. A longitudinal analysis demonstrated that the incidence of HSR increased gradually with more frequent previous exposure to LOCM (HR=2.006 [95%CI, 1.517-2.653], P<.001). However, this cumulative increase in risk was observed in patients who had experienced HSR to LOCM, but not in those who had not. CONCLUSION: The incidence of HSR did not differ significantly across the 5 LOCM assessed in the study. Repeated exposure to LOCM did not increase the risk of HSR among patients who had never experienced HSR to LOCM.

Police Officers' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Brain Death and Organ Donation in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Administrative processing by the police may affect the process involved in organ donation in the event of an accidental brain injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of police toward brain-dead donors and organ donation. METHODS: This was a descriptive research study using a 41-item questionnaire. As of July 19, 2017, 11 police stations in Seoul had collected questionnaires completed by 115 police officers. Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.4) software. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the scores on knowledge about brain death/donation according to religion (P = .022). Attitude was significantly positively correlated with the knowledge about brain-death organ donation (P = .029). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to understand and cooperate with the police when processing brain death organs from accidents. Education about organ donation can enhance the information and knowledge of the police and can also help to establish a positive attitude about organ donation.

Processing diets containing corn distillers' dried grains with solubles in growing broiler chickens: effects on performance, pellet quality, ileal amino acids digestibility, and intestinal microbiota.

The present study investigated the effects of feed form and distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestine microbiota in broilers. A total of 720 broilers (Ross 308; average BW 541 ± 6 g) was randomly allotted to 6 treatments on the basis of BW. There were 6 replicates in each treatment with 20 birds per replicate. Birds were fed 3 different feed forms (mash, simple pellet, and expanded pellet) and DDGS (0 or 20% of diet) in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Simple pellet (SP) and expanded pellet (EP) fed birds showed an increase in BW gain (P < 0.05). The interaction between feed processing and DDGS level was observed on pellet hardness (P < 0.01). The lowest (P < 0.01) pellet durability index (PDI) and hardness were observed in the diet with DDGS. Values for PDI and hardness were higher for EP compared with SP (P < 0.01). Simple pellet decreased ileal digestibility of CP compared to mash feed. The inclusion of DDGS decreased the digestibility of CP, and tended to decrease digestibility of DM (P = 0.056) and gross energy (P = 0.069). Expanded pellet feeding decreased (P < 0.05) the ileal digestibility of isoleucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, cysteine, and glutamine compared with mash diet. Processed feed increased (P < 0.01) pH in the gizzard and duodenum; however, processing decreased pH in ileum. The addition of DDGS to the diet reduced pH in the duodenum. The population of Lactobacillus spp. was lower in the duodenum of birds fed the EP diet compared to the mash diet. Processed feed increased the colonization of Clostridium spp. in the gizzard. These results indicated that SP and EP in broiler diet had a potential to improve BW gain, but EP compromised amino acid digestibility. In addition, DDGS supplementation (20%) decreased pellet quality and CP digestibility in broiler chickens; however, the growth performance and feed intake were not affected.

Expression profiles of host immune response-related genes against HEV genotype 3 and genotype 1 infections in rhesus macaques.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype (gt) 3 infection is food-borne causing sporadic infections in older individuals and gt1 infection is waterborne, often causing epidemics affecting primarily young adults. Although HEV infection causes self-limited disease, gt3 induces chronic infection in immunocompromised individuals. Hepatic host gene expression against gt3 infection remains unknown. Host gene expression profiles for HEV gt1 (n = 3) and gt3 (n = 7) infections were analysed in the livers of experimentally infected rhesus macaques. HEV RNA was detected from 2 to 24 days after inoculation (DAI) in stool and serum, elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was detected from 7 to 31 DAI, and anti-HEV antibody became detectable between 12 and 42 DAI. All 10 animals cleared the infection between 34 and 68 DAI. We found that 24%, 48% and 41% of hepatic immune response genes against gt3 infection were upregulated during the early, peak and decline phases of HEV RNA replication. For gt1 infection, 25% of hepatic immune response-related genes were downregulated during early viremia, but 6%, 34% and 37% of genes were upregulated at the early, peak and during decline of HEV RNA replication, respectively. Our study demonstrated distinct differences in the expression profiles of host immune response-related genes of HEV gt3 and gt1 infections in experimentally infected rhesus macaques.

Comparative evaluation of MCP gene in worldwide strains of Megalocytivirus (Iridoviridae family) for early diagnostic marker.

Members of the Iridoviridae family have been considered as aetiological agents of iridovirus diseases, causing fish mortalities and economic losses all over the world. Virus identification based on candidate gene sequencing is faster, more accurate and more reliable than other traditional phenotype methodologies. Iridoviridae viruses are covered by a protein shell (capsid) encoded by the important candidate gene, major capsid protein (MCP). In this study, we investigated the potential of the MCP gene for use in the diagnosis and identification of infections caused Megalocytivirus of the Iridoviridae family. We selected data of 66 Iridoviridae family isolates (53 strains of Megalocytivirus, eight strains of iridoviruses and five strains of Ranavirus) infecting various species of fish distributed all over the world. A total of 53 strains of Megalocytivirus were used for designing the complete primer sets for identifying the most hypervariable region of the MCP gene. Further, our in silico analysis of 102 sequences of related and unrelated viruses reconfirms that primer sets could identify strains more specifically and offers a useful and fast alternative for routine clinical laboratory testing. Our findings suggest that phenotype observation along with diagnosis using universal primer sets can help detect infection or carriers at an early stage.

Effects of fumonisin B1 and mycotoxin binders on growth performance, tibia characteristics, gut physiology, and stress indicators in broiler chickens raised in different stocking densities.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of stocking density, fumonisin B1 (FB), and mycotoxin binder (TB) on growth performance, bone quality, physiological stress indicators, and gut health in broiler chickens. Day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks (n = 1,440/experiment) were randomly allocated to 72 floor pens in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, using 3 stocking densities (12.5 birds/m2 [HSD], 10 birds/m2 [MSD], or 7.5 birds/m2 [LSD]), 2 levels of purified FB (0 or 10 ppm), and 2 levels of TB (0 or 0.2%). Each treatment had 6 replicates (n = 6/treatment) and experiments lasted 34 days. All data were analyzed using 3-way ANOVA with stocking density level, FB, and TB as main factors. Body weight gain and feed intake were lower (P < 0.05) in broilers kept at HSD and MSD compared to LSD-housed counterparts. Birds fed an FB-contaminated diet exhibited a higher feed-to-gain ratio compared with those fed an FB-free diet (P < 0.05). None of the treatments affected intestinal morphology or ileal secretory immunoglobulin A levels. Stocking density affected tibia breaking strength (P < 0.05), which was lower in chickens housed at HSD compared with LSD-housed chickens. The heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio) was elevated (P < 0.05) in HSD and MSD groups compared with the LSD group. Serum nitric oxide (NO) levels were elevated (P < 0.05) in chickens fed the FB-contaminated diet compared with the control diet-fed counterparts. Significant interaction (P < 0.05) between FB and TB on serum NO levels was noted. In summary, increasing stocking density lowered growth performance and bone quality, but increased the H/L ratio. Dietary TB did not affect FB-induced increases in the feed-to-gain ratio. No interaction was observed between stocking density and FB for the measured variables.

Trends in device utilization ratios in intensive care units over 10-year period in South Korea: device utilization ratio as a new aspect of surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Device-associated infection (DAI) is an important issue related to patient safety. It is important to reduce unnecessary device utilization in order to decrease DAI rates. AIM: To investigate the time trend of device utilization ratios (DURs) of voluntarily participating hospitals, collected over a 10-year period through the Korean National Healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance System (KONIS). METHODS: DURs from 2006 to 2015 in 190 intensive care units (ICUs) participating in KONIS were included in this study. DURs were calculated as the ratio of device-days to patient-days. The pooled incidences of DAIs and DURs were calculated for each year of participation, and the year-wise trends were analysed. FINDINGS: Year-wise ventilator utilization ratio (V-DUR) increased significantly from 0.40 to 0.41 (F = 6.27, P < 0.01), urinary catheter utilization ratio (U-DUR) increased non-significantly from 0.83 to 0.84 (F = 1.66, P = 0.10), and C-line utilization ratio (CL-DUR) decreased non-significantly from 0.55 to 0.51 (F = 1.62, P = 0.11). In the subgroup analysis, 'medical ICU' (F = 2.79, P < 0.01) and 'hospital with >900 beds' (F = 3.07, P < 0.01) were associated with the significant increase in V-DUR. CONCLUSION: In Korea, V-DUR showed a significant, year-wise increasing trend. The trends for U-DUR and CL-DUR showed no significant decrease. Efforts are required to ensure the reduction of DURs.

[Surgical treatment of aortic valve stenosis]. / Chirurgische Therapie der Aortenklappenstenose.

Surgical aortic valve replacement still represents the gold standard in patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. In addition to conventional aortic valve replacement by mechanical or biological prostheses via a median sternotomy, novel approaches including minimally invasive strategies and new devices, such as so-called rapid deployment prostheses, are becoming increasingly more established. Autologous replacement strategies including the Ross and the Ozaki procedures have evolved into reliable options at selected centers of excellence. These novel treatment approaches in aortic valve surgery result in excellent short and long-term outcomes with a reduction of procedure-related complications. Taken together, these modern surgical replacement strategies enable a personalized surgical treatment in patients with aortic valve stenosis, which are tailored to the individual patient.

Diffusion tensor imaging of normal-appearing white matter in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The occult changes in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) were investigated and compared amongst patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls (HCs) by applying tract-based spatial statistics to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging was performed with a 3-T scanner in 93 patients with NMOSD, 53 patients with MS and 43 HCs. Voxel-wise statistical analyses of the DTI data were performed using tract-based spatial statistics. RESULTS: Compared to HCs, patients with NMOSD had significantly lower mean global fractional anisotropy, higher mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity, and no significant differences in axial diffusivity in their NAWM. Patients with MS demonstrated significantly lower mean global fractional anisotropy and higher mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity in the NAWM than did patients with NMOSD and HCs. Compared to patients with NMOSD, patients with MS had NAWM damage that was more extensive, particularly in the inferior cerebellar peduncle, external capsule, cingulum, superior fronto-occipital fasciculus and uncinate fasciculus. CONCLUSIONS: Using DTI, widespread occult damage was demonstrated in the NAWM of patients with NMOSD. However, the NAWM was less affected in patients with NMOSD than it was in patients with MS; specifically, the axonal injuries and diffusion abnormalities in the association fibers were more severe in patients with MS than they were in patients with NMOSD.

A comparative study of efficiency droop and internal electric field for InGaN blue lighting-emitting diodes on silicon and sapphire substrates.

We investigated the efficiency droop and polarization-induced internal electric field of InGaN blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) grown on silicon(111) and c-plane sapphire substrates. The efficiency droop of the LED sample grown on silicon substrates was considerably lower than that of the identically fabricated LED sample grown on sapphire substrates. Consequently, the LED on silicon showed higher efficiency at a sufficiently high injection current despite the lower peak efficiency caused by the poorer crystal quality. The reduced efficiency droop for the LED on silicon was attributed to its lower internal electric field, which was confirmed by reverse-bias electro-reflectance measurements and numerical simulations. The internal electric field of the multiple quantum wells (MQWs) on silicon was found to be reduced by more than 40% compared to that of the MQWs on sapphire, which resulted in a more homogenous carrier distribution in InGaN MQWs, lower Auger recombination rates, and consequently reduced efficiency droop for the LEDs grown on the silicon substrates. Owing to its greatly reduced efficiency droop, the InGaN blue LED on silicon substrates is expected to be a good cost effective solution for future lighting technology.

Gluconacetobacter sp. gel_SEA623-2, bacterial cellulose producing bacterium isolated from citrus fruit juice.

Cellulose producing bacterial strain was isolated from citrus fruit juice fungus. The isolated strain was identified as Gluconacetobacter sp. gel_SEA623-2 based on several morphological characteristics, biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA conducted. Culture conditions for bacterial cellulose production by SEA623-2 were screened in static trays. Conditions were extensively optimized by varying the kind of fruit juice, pH, sugar concentration, and temperature for maximum cellulose production. SEA623-2 has a high productive capacity in citrus processing medium, but not in other fruits. The optimal combination of the media constituents for bacterial cellulose production is as follows: 10% citrus juice, 10% sucrose, 1% acetic acid, and 1% ethanol at 30 °C, pH 3.5. Bacterial cellulose produced by SEA623-2 has soft physical properties, high tensile strength, and high water retention value. The cellulose produced by the selected bacteria is suitable as a cosmetic and medical material.

Bacteriophage cocktail and multi-strain probiotics in the feed for weanling pigs: effects on intestine morphology and targeted intestinal coliforms and Clostridium.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of bacteriophage cocktail, probiotics and a combination of these two supplements on performance and gut health of weanling pigs. In Experiment 1, 150 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to three treatments on the basis of BW. The dietary treatments included a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg bacteriophage cocktail. Pigs fed 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg bacteriophage product had greater (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter from day 22 to 35, ileal Lactobacillus spp., villus height (duodenum and jejunum), and fewer coliforms (ileum) and Clostridium spp. (ileum). In Experiment 2, 200 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to four treatments. Dietary treatments included basal diet, basal diet supplemented with 3.0 g/kg fermented probiotic product (P), 1.0 g/kg bacteriophage cocktail (B) and combination of 1.0 g/kg bacteriophage cocktail and 3.0 g/kg fermented probiotic product. Pigs fed bacteriophage cocktail diets had greater (P<0.05) overall ADG, gain to feed ratio (G : F), fecal score from day 8 to day 21, and pigs fed bacteriophage cocktail diets had fewer coliforms (ileum) Clostridium spp. (ileum and cecum). Probiotics significantly increased G : F, colonization of Lactobacillus spp. in ileum. At day 35, bacteriophage treatment group showed greater (P<0.05) villus height of the duodenum, but a deeper crypt in duodenum. The present results indicate that the bacteriophage cocktail had a potential to enhance the performance and gut health of weanling pigs, however their combination with probiotics did not show an interaction.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Alcohol Intake and Serum Antibodies to Oral Microorganisms.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between alcohol intake and groups of periodontal antibody titers among individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes and diabetes. This was a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III) 1988-1994 data, among individuals 40 y and older with information on alcohol intake and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody data against 19 oral microorganisms. Participants were excluded if they did not have teeth, reported that they were taking insulin, or having gestational diabetes. The sample size for this analysis was 3,219. Periodontal antibodies were grouped into four clusters using cluster analysis: Orange-Red, Red-Green, Yellow- Orange, and Orange-Blue. Cluster scores were computed for each individual by summing z-scores of standardized log-transformed IgG titers of antibodies against periodontal microorganisms making up each respective cluster. Each cluster score was modeled as an outcome. Alcohol consumption was assessed in g/day using self-reported number of days of drinking in the past 12 mo and the average number of drinks consumed per day on days when they drank. Overall, alcohol intake was positively associated with periodontal antibodies of the Orange-Red cluster (P. melaninogenica, P. intermedia, P. nigrescens, and P. gingivalis), and inversely associated with the Yellow-Orange cluster (S. intermedius, S. oralis, S. mutans, F. nucleatum, P. micra, C. ochracea) after multivariable adjustment. The association between alcohol intake and the Orange-Red cluster was strongest among individuals with diabetes; this relation was seen among individuals with and without periodontal damage. The Orange-Red cluster was positively associated with periodontal damage among individuals with diabetes. Alcohol intake was not associated with any antibody cluster among individuals with NGT or prediabetes. The effect of alcohol intake on periodontal disease may be greater among individuals with diabetes but this finding needs to be confirmed in prospective studies. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used by clinicians when treating patients with periodontal disease and diabetes.

Limited Dorsal Myeloschisis and Congenital Dermal Sinus: Comparison of Clinical and MR Imaging Features.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: While limited dorsal myeloschisis is a distinctive form of spinal dysraphism, it may be confused with congenital dermal sinus. The aim of this study was to describe clinical and MR imaging findings of limited dorsal myeloschisis that can distinguish it from congenital dermal sinus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and MR imaging findings of 12 patients with limited dorsal myeloschisis and 10 patients with congenital dermal sinus. Skin abnormalities, neurologic deficits, and infectious complication were evaluated on the basis of clinical information. We evaluated the following MR imaging features: visibility of the tract along the intrathecal course, attachment site of the tract, level of the conus medullaris, shape of the spinal cord, and presence of intradural lesions such as dermoid/epidermoid tumors. RESULTS: A crater covered with pale epithelium was the most common skin lesion in limited dorsal myeloschisis (10/12, 83%). Infectious complications were common in congenital dermal sinus (6/10, 60%), whereas none were found in limited dorsal myeloschisis (P = .003). The following MR imaging findings were significantly different between the 2 groups (P < .05): 1) higher visibility of the intrathecal tract in limited dorsal myeloschisis (10/12, 83%) versus in congenital dermal sinus (1/10, 10%), 2) the tract attached to the cord in limited dorsal myeloschisis (12/12, 100%) versus various tract attachments in congenital dermal sinus, 3) dorsal tenting of the cord in limited dorsal myeloschisis (10/12, 83%) versus in congenital dermal sinus (1/10, 10%), and 4) the presence of dermoid/epidermoid tumors in congenital dermal sinus (6/10, 60%) versus none in limited dorsal myeloschisis. CONCLUSIONS: Limited dorsal myeloschisis has distinct MR imaging features: a visible intrathecal tract with dorsal tenting of the cord at the tract-cord union. Limited dorsal myeloschisis was not associated with infection and dermoid/epidermoid tumors.