Investigation of the Roles of Plasma Species Generated by Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge.

As an emerging sterilization technology, cold atmospheric plasma offers a dry, non-thermal, rapid process that is minimally damaging to a majority of substrates. However, the mechanisms by which plasma interacts with living cells are poorly understood and the plasma generation apparatuses are complex and resource-intensive. In this study, the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and charged particles (ions) produced by surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma on prokaryotic (Listeria monocytogenes (Gram-positive)) and eukaryotic (human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)) cellular function were evaluated.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV/ AIDS patients in the context of early treatment initiation in Vietnam.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the antiretroviral therapy (ART) compliance among patients with HIV/AIDS and its associated factors in the context of universal ART initiation in Vietnam.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five ART clinics located in three provinces, such as Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, and Lao Cai, from July to September 2017. Overall, adherence to ART in the last month was measured using a 100-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Long-term prognostic value of the FibroTest in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, compared to chronic hepatitis C, B, and alcoholic liver disease.

Background: Although the FibroTest has been validated as a biomarker to determine the stage of fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with results similar to those in chronic hepatitis C (CHC), B (CHB), and alcoholic liver disease (ALD), it has not yet been confirmed for the prediction of liver-related death.

Aim: To validate the 10-year prognostic value of FibroTest in NAFLD for the prediction of liver-related death.

Method: Patients in the prospective FibroFrance cohort who underwent a FibroTest between 1997 and 2012 were pre-included.

Documenting your career as an educator electronically.

Academic radiologists on the clinician-educator track are required to provide a teaching portfolio as well as a curriculum vitae (CV) for academic promotion. The specific components of a teaching portfolio vary slightly depending on the institution. Traditionally academicians have collected the necessary documentation in paper format, often stuffing them in a binder or a desk drawer.

A Survey of Automatic Facial Micro-Expression Analysis: Databases, Methods, and Challenges.

Over the last few years, automatic facial micro-expression analysis has garnered increasing attention from experts across different disciplines because of its potential applications in various fields such as clinical diagnosis, forensic investigation and security systems. Advances in computer algorithms and video acquisition technology have rendered machine analysis of facial micro-expressions possible today, in contrast to decades ago when it was primarily the domain of psychiatrists where analysis was largely manual. Indeed, although the study of facial micro-expressions is a well-established field in psychology, it is still relatively new from the computational perspective with many interesting problems.

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Global Research Trend in Child Maltreatment.

Child maltreatment remains a major health threat globally that requires the understanding of socioeconomic and cultural contexts to craft effective interventions. However, little is known about research agendas globally and the development of knowledge-producing networks in this field of study. This study aims to explore the bibliometric overview on child maltreatment publications to understand their growth from 1916 to 2018.

Phenotypic Screening for Inhibitors of a Mutant Thrombopoietin Receptor.

An inhibitor for the thrombopoietin receptor (TpoR) would be more specific for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) due to constitutively active mutant TpoR compared to the current treatment approach of inhibiting Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). We describe a cell-based high-throughput phenotypic screening approach to identify inhibitors for constitutively active mutant TpoR. A stepwise elimination process is used to differentiate generally cytotoxic compounds from compounds that specifically inhibit growth of cells expressing wild-type TpoR and/or mutant TpoR.

Engineering fast dissolving sodium acetate mediated crystalline solid dispersion of docetaxel.

It is hypothesized that a novel crystalline solid dispersion (CSD) of docetaxel (C-DXT) can be engineered by dispersing native docetaxel (DXT, a BCS class II drug) in sodium acetate crystal (SA). DXT is dissolved in glacial acetic/SA solution and freeze-dried. The resulting C-DXT is characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray analysis (PXRD), LC-MS/MS, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and dynamic light scattering (DLS).

A pair of nonspecific phospholipases C, NPC2 and NPC6, are involved in gametophyte development and glycerolipid metabolism in Arabidopsis.

Phospholipases play crucial roles in plant membrane lipid homeostasis. Nonspecific phospholipase C (NPCs) establish a unique class of phospholipases found only in plants and certain bacteria. Here, we show that two previously uncharacterized NPC isoforms, NPC2 and NPC6, are required for male and female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis.

Intracellular Chemistry: Integrating Molecular Inorganic Catalysts with Living Systems.

This concept article focuses on the rapid growth of intracellular chemistry dedicated to the integration of small-molecule metal catalysts with living cells and organisms. Although biological systems contain a plethora of biomolecules that can deactivate inorganic species, researchers have shown that small-molecule metal catalysts could be engineered to operate in heterogeneous aqueous environments. Synthetic intracellular reactions have recently been reported for olefin hydrogenation, hydrolysis/oxidative cleavage, azide-alkyne cycloaddition, allylcarbamate cleavage, C-C bond cross coupling, and transfer hydrogenation.

A lithium-oxygen battery with a long cycle life in an air-like atmosphere.

Lithium-air batteries are considered to be a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries for transportation applications, owing to their high theoretical specific energy. So far, however, such systems have been largely restricted to pure oxygen environments (lithium-oxygen batteries) and have a limited cycle life owing to side reactions involving the cathode, anode and electrolyte. In the presence of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapour, these side reactions can become even more complex.

Neonatal Bowel Disorders: Practical Imaging Algorithm for Trainees and General Radiologists.

Objective: Neonatal bowel disorders require prompt and accurate diagnosis to avoid potential morbidity and mortality. Symptoms such as feeding intolerance, emesis, or failure to pass meconium may prompt a radiologic evaluation.

Conclusion: We discuss the most common neonatal bowel disorders and present a practical imaging algorithm for trainees and general radiologists.

Image-guided Removal of Interproximal Lesions with a CO Laser.

Recent studies have shown that near-IR (NIR) imaging methods such as NIR reflectance can be used to image lesions on proximal surfaces, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used to measure the depth of those lesions below the tooth surface. These imaging modalities can be used to acquire high contrast images of demineralized tooth surfaces, and 2-D and 3-D images can be extracted from this data. At NIR wavelengths longer than 1200-nm, there is no interference from stains and the contrast is only due to the increased light scattering of the demineralization.

Global Evidence on the Association between Cigarette Graphic Warning Labels and Cigarette Smoking Prevalence and Consumption.

: In 2011, the courts ruled in favor of tobacco companies in preventing the implementation of graphic warning labels (GWLs) in the US, stating that FDA had not established the effectiveness of GWLs in reducing smoking. : Data came from various sources: the WHO MPOWER package (GWLs, MPOWER policy measures, cigarette prices), Euromonitor International (smoking prevalence, cigarette consumption), and the World Bank database (countries' demographic characteristics). The datasets were aggregated and linked using country and year identifiers.

Platelet procoagulant phenotype is modulated by a p38-MK2 axis that regulates RTN4/Nogo proximal to the endoplasmic reticulum: utility of pathway analysis.

Upon encountering physiological cues associated with damaged or inflamed endothelium, blood platelets set forth intracellular responses to ultimately support hemostatic plug formation and vascular repair. To gain insights into the molecular events underlying platelet function, we used a combination of interactome, pathway analysis, and other systems biology tools to analyze associations among proteins functionally modified by reversible phosphorylation upon platelet activation. While an interaction analysis mapped out a relative organization of intracellular mediators in platelet signaling, pathway analysis revealed directional signaling relations around protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) associated with platelet cytoskeletal dynamics, inflammatory responses, and hemostatic function.

The Pediatric Patella: Normal Development, Anatomical Variants and Malformations, Stability, Imaging, and Injury Patterns.

We discuss the pediatric patella, with an emphasis on diagnostic imaging. Topics include normal patellar development, anatomical variants and their physiologic significance, genetic syndromes that alter the appearance of the patella, physiology of patellar tracking and stability, patellofemoral instability, and injury patterns and classification. Recognition of appropriate development on imaging prevents diagnostic error and unnecessary evaluation.

Skeletal Dysplasias: Radiologic Approach with Common and Notable Entities.

Skeletal dysplasia is a heterogeneous group of abnormalities affecting growth and development of bone and cartilage characterized by disproportionate shortening of the limbs and/or spine. A systematic radiographic approach combined with pertinent clinical details can help guide specific genetic testing and treatment. We provide a discussion and examples of a few common and notable skeletal dysplasias to help familiarize general, pediatric, and musculoskeletal radiologists who do not commonly encounter children with these entities in their daily practices.

Handheld ultrasound to avert maternal and neonatal deaths in 2 regions of the Philippines: an iBuntis® intervention study.

Background: The major causes of maternal and neonatal mortality in the Philippines are hemorrhages and obstructed labor due to placental implantation abnormalities (PIAs), twin pregnancies and fetal malpresentations. All of which are all easily detected by ultrasound. However, women in rural areas and low-income groups do not have access to ultrasound during their prenatal care.

Serum apolipoprotein A1 and haptoglobin, in patients with suspected drug-induced liver injury (DILI) as biomarkers of recovery.

Background: There is a clear need for better biomarkers of drug-induced-liver-injury (DILI).

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the possible prognostic value of ActiTest and FibroTest proteins apoliprotein-A1, haptoglobin and alpha-2-macroglobulin, in patients with DILI.

Methods: We analyzed cases and controls included in the IMI-SAFE-T-DILI European project, from which serum samples had been stored in a dedicated biobank.

Manipulation of Origin of Life Molecules: Recognizing Single-Molecule Conformations in β-Carotene and Chlorophyll-a/β-Carotene Clusters.

Carotenoids and chlorophyll are essential parts of plant leaves and are involved in photosynthesis, a vital biological process responsible for the origin of life on Earth. Here, we investigate how β-carotene and chlorophyll-a form mixed molecular phases on a Au(111) surface using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and molecular manipulation at the single-molecule level supported by density functional theory calculations. By isolating individual molecules from nanoscale molecular clusters with a scanning tunneling microscope tip, we are able to identify five β-carotene conformations including a structure exhibiting a three-dimensional conformation.

Pilot study of novel lab methodology and testing of platelet function in adolescent women with heavy menstrual bleeding.

BackgroundApproximately 40% of adolescent women experience heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), and 10-62% of them have an underlying bleeding disorder (BD). Diagnosing a BD remains challenging because of limitations of available clinical platelet function assays. The aim of this study was to characterize platelet function in a population of adolescent women with HMB using small-volume whole-blood assays.