MELD or Sodium MELD: A Comparison of the Ability of Two Scoring Systems to Predict Outcomes After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement.

The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and sodium MELD (MELD-Na) scoring systems to predict outcomes after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. Two hundred and nineteen consecutive patients who underwent TIPS placement were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcomes were death within 30 days and 90 days after TIPS placement (30- and 90-day mortality, respectively), and secondary outcomes included death within 365 days after TIPS placement (365-day mortality), length of hospital stay, and readmission to the hospital within 30 days of TIPS placement.

Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol kinase-III alpha induces or facilitates lysosome exocytosis from microglia.

Besides degradation, lysosomes can also carry molecules for secretion out of the cell, such as ATP and cytokines, during unconventional secretion. Phosphatidylinositols and their metabolizing enzymes play important roles in the sorting and trafficking of lysosomal materials through the trans-Golgi network. The present study reveals a new function of phosphatidylinositol kinase-III alpha in the 'kiss-and-run' fusion of lysosomes at the plasma membrane to release ATP from microglia.

Prevalence and Incidence of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in Korea: Population Based Study.

Background: Although neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is known to be a rare disease, its prevalence and incidence have not yet been studied in Korea. We performed a population-based study to examine the prevalence and incidence of NMOSD in Korea using data from the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) claims database.

Methods: Data from 2013 to 2017 were obtained, with a washout period set as 2013 and 2014.

Impact of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure and reduced, mid-range or preserved ejection fraction.

Objective: To determine the prognostic value of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure (HF) and preserved, mid-range or reduced ejection fraction (EF).

Methods: Patients hospitalised for acute HF were enrolled in the Korean Acute Heart Failure registry, a prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study, between March 2011 and February 2014. HF types were defined as reduced EF (HFrEF, LVEF <40%), mid-range EF (HFmrEF, LVEF 40%-49%) or preserved EF (HFpEF, LVEF ≥50%).

Molecular and structural imaging in surgically induced murine osteoarthritis.

Preclinical imaging in osteoarthritis is a rapidly growing area with three principal objectives: to provide rapid, sensitive tools to monitor the course of experimental OA longitudinally; to describe the temporal relationship between tissue-specific pathologies over the course of disease; and to use molecular probes to measure disease activity in vivo. Research in this area can be broadly divided into those techniques that monitor structural changes in tissues (microCT, microMRI, ultrasound) and those that detect molecular disease activity (positron emission tomography (PET), optical and optoacoustic imaging). The former techniques have largely evolved from experience in human joint imaging and have been refined for small animal use.

The Effects of a Teacher-Implemented Video-Enhanced Activity Schedule Intervention on the Mathematical Skills and Collateral Behaviors of Students with Autism.

This study used a multiple probe design to evaluate the effects of a teacher-implemented video-schedule intervention on the mathematical skills and untargeted challenging behaviors of five elementary-school students with autism. Results indicated that the intervention was effective in improving participants' academic performance, and a decrease in the level of challenging behaviors and stereotypy was observed for participants following the introduction of intervention. Additionally, academic gains generalized across academic problems and to a small group setting, suggesting that this technology-based intervention is an efficient use of instructional time.

[RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE STATE OF PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOLCHILDREN FOR THE LAST 60 YEARS ACCORDING TO DATA ALMATY CITY].

The physical development of children is one of the main criteria for the health status of the child population, reflecting the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors. Dynamic study of schoolchildren's physical development allows one to determine the characteristics of the formations of their morphofunctional parameters and then influence the health of the whole population. The study of the orientation of time shifts in physical development has an important predictive preventive component and is the basis for updating regional standards every 5-10 years.

Fragment Pose Prediction Using Non-equilibrium Candidate Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Part of early stage drug discovery involves determining how molecules may bind to the target protein. Through understanding where and how molecules bind, chemists can begin to build ideas on how to design improvements to increase binding affinities. In this retrospective study, we compare how computational approaches like docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and a non-equilibrium candidate Monte Carlo (NCMC)-based method (NCMC + MD) perform in predicting binding modes for a set of 12 fragment-like molecules, which bind to soluble epoxide hydrolase.

Differences of Spinal Curvature, Thoracic Mobility, and Respiratory Strength Between Chronic Neck Pain Patients and People Without Cervical Pain.

Objective: To investigate the differences of spinal curvature, thoracic sagittal mobility, and respiratory strength between patients with chronic neck pain (CNP) and people without cervical pain, and to determine the correlation between respiratory strength and thoracic mobility in CNP patients.

Methods: A total of 78 participants were finally included in this study, of whom 30 had no cervical pain and 48 had CNP. The Neck Disability Index (NDI), cervical lordotic curvature, thoracic kyphotic curvature, thoracic sagittal range of motion (ROM), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured and analyzed.

Influence of Glass Silica Waste Nano Powder on the Mechanical and Microstructure Properties of Alkali-Activated Mortars.

The recycling of millions of tons of glass bottle waste produced each year is far from optimal. In the present work, ground blast furnace slag (GBFS) was substituted in fly ash-based alkali-activated mortars (AAMs) for the purpose of preparing glass bottle waste nano-powder (BGWNP). The AAMs mixed with BGWNP were subsequently subjected to assessment in terms of their energy consumption, economic viability, and mechanical and chemical qualities.

Healthcare utilization among children and young people with life-limiting conditions: Exploring palliative care needs using National Health Insurance claims data.

Paediatric palliative care (PPC) is regarded as standard care for children and young people (CYP) with life-limiting conditions (LLCs). There is a lack of knowledge about the rate of CYP with LLCs, hampering the development of PPC. This retrospective study aimed to examine population-based statistics of South Korean CYP with LLCs and the pattern of healthcare use and costs in their last year of life, analysing the National Health Insurance Service claims database for the period 2013-2015.

Sampling Conformational Changes of Bound Ligands Using Nonequilibrium Candidate Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics.

Flexible ligands often have multiple binding modes or bound conformations that differ by rotation of a portion of the molecule around internal rotatable bonds. Knowledge of these binding modes is important for understanding the interactions stabilizing the ligand in the binding pocket, and other studies indicate it is important for calculating accurate binding affinities. In this work, we use a hybrid molecular dynamics (MD)/nonequilibrium candidate Monte Carlo (NCMC) method to sample the different binding modes of several flexible ligands and also to estimate the population distribution of the modes.

An optimized chemical-genetic method for cell-specific metabolic labeling of RNA.

Tissues and organs are composed of diverse cell types, which poses a major challenge for cell-type-specific profiling of gene expression. Current metabolic labeling methods rely on exogenous pyrimidine analogs that are only incorporated into RNA in cells expressing an exogenous enzyme. This approach assumes that off-target cells cannot incorporate these analogs.

Cdc6 as a novel target in cancer: Oncogenic potential, senescence and subcellular localisation.

Cdc6 is a key replication licencing factor with a pivotal role in regulating the process of DNA replication, rendering it an important investigatory focus in tumourigenesis. Indeed, Cdc6 overexpression has been found to be a feature in certain tumours and has been associated as an early event in malignancies. With a focus on pancreatic cancer, there are evidence of its convergence in downstream pathways implicated in major genetic alterations found in pancreatic cancer, primarily KRAS.

Using quality improvement strategies to strengthen regional systems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health in the Northern Territory.

Problem: In the Katherine region, Northern Territory, barriers to eye care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people include unclear eye care referral processes, challenges coordinating patient eye care between various providers, complex socioeconomic determinants and a lengthy outpatient ophthalmology waiting list.

Design: Mixed methods participatory approach using a regional needs analysis, clinical file audit and stakeholder survey, to develop, implement and monitor quality improvement strategies.

Setting: Collaboration with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and regional eye care stakeholders in the Katherine region.

Extensive intrathecal T cell renewal following hematopoietic transplantation for multiple sclerosis.

A recent study of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) showed efficacy in preventing disease worsening. However, the immunologic basis for efficacy remains poorly defined. Multiple sclerosis pathology is known to be driven by inflammatory T cells that infiltrate the CNS.

Simultaneous determination of illegal drug substances in dietary supplements for gout and osteoporosis using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The aim of this study was to simultaneously determine the presence of unauthorized drug substances in health foods and herbal products used in the treatment of conditions such as gout and anti-osteoporosis. Therefore, we developed and optimised a rapid and accurate method to simultaneously measure 20 anti-gout and anti-osteoporosis drug substances using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system equipped with a photodiode array (PDA) detector. The method was validated to fully meet internationally accepted standards.

Impact on 30-d readmissions for cirrhotic patients with ascites after an educational intervention: A pilot study.

Background: A low proportion of patients admitted to hospital with cirrhosis receive quality care with timely paracentesis an important target for improvement. We hypothesized that a medical educational intervention, delivered to medical residents caring for patients with cirrhosis, would improve quality of care.

Aim: To determine if an educational intervention can improve quality of care in cirrhotic patients admitted to hospital with ascites.

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Arylomycin-Based Gram-Negative Antibiotic GDC-5338.

We report herein an efficient, stereocontrolled, and chromatography-free synthesis of the novel broad spectrum antibiotic . The route features the construction of a functionalized tripeptide backbone, a high-yielding macrocyclization via a Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura reaction, and the late-stage elaboration of key amide bonds with minimal stereochemical erosion. Through extensive reaction development and analytical understanding, these key advancements allowed the preparation of in 17 steps, 15% overall yield, >99 A % HPLC, and >99:1 dr.

Delayed intraorbital infection after craniofacial bone surgery.

Intraorbital infection shows a low incidence, but it might cause blindness or even death. This case is unusual in that its origin from a craniofacial bone fracture prior to infection of the maxillary sinus. A 33-year-old female patient was referred for right cheek swelling.

Performance of Fly Ash Geopolymer Concrete Incorporating Bamboo Ash at Elevated Temperature.

This paper presents the experimental results on the behavior of fly ash geopolymer concrete incorporating bamboo ash on the desired temperature (200 °C to 800 °C). Different amounts of bamboo ash were investigated and fly ash geopolymer concrete was considered as the control sample. The geopolymer was synthesized with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solutions.

Heart Rate Measures From Wrist-Worn Activity Trackers in a Laboratory and Free-Living Setting: Validation Study.

Background: Wrist-worn activity trackers are popular, and an increasing number of these devices are equipped with heart rate (HR) measurement capabilities. However, the validity of HR data obtained from such trackers has not been thoroughly assessed outside the laboratory setting.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the validity of HR measures of a high-cost consumer-based tracker (Polar A370) and a low-cost tracker (Tempo HR) in the laboratory and free-living settings.