Nanoformulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor with Target Receptor-Triggered-Release in the Central Nervous System.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is identified as a potent neuroprotective and neuroregenerative agent for many neurological diseases. Regrettably, its delivery to the brain is hampered by poor serum stability and rapid brain clearance. Here, a novel nanoformulation is reported composed of a bio-compatible polymer, poly(ethylene glycol)--poly(L-glutamic acid) (PEG-PLE), that hosts the BDNF molecule in a nanoscale complex, termed here Nano-BDNF.

Automated Slide Scanning and Segmentation in Fluorescently-labeled Tissues Using a Widefield High-content Analysis System.

Automated slide scanning and segmentation of fluorescently-labeled tissues is the most efficient way to analyze whole slides or large tissue sections. Unfortunately, many researchers spend large amounts of time and resources developing and optimizing workflows that are only relevant to their own experiments. In this article, we describe a protocol that can be used by those with access to a widefield high-content analysis system (WHCAS) to image any slide-mounted tissue, with options for customization within pre-built modules found in the associated software.

Delayed school start time is associated with better sleep, daytime functioning, and life satisfaction in residential high-school students.

The effects of a delayed school start time by one hour were examined at a boarding school in Hong Kong. Two cohorts of high school students (N = 228; 61.8% female) were recruited respectively before and after a school start time changed from 7:30am to 8:30am.

Cerebral venous thrombosis: state of the art diagnosis and management.

Purpose: This review article aims to discuss the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and neuroimaging of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Different approaches for diagnosis of CVT, including CT/CTV, MRI/MRV, and US will be discussed and the reader will become acquainted with imaging findings as well as limitations of each modality. Lastly, this exhibit will review the standard of care for CVT treatment and emerging endovascular options.

Effects of low-alkalinity binders on stabilization/solidification of geogenic As-containing soils: Spectroscopic investigation and leaching tests.

The low-alkalinity stabilization/solidification (S/S) treatment of the soil containing high concentrations of geogenic As by physical encapsulation is considered as a proper management before land development; however, the choice of an effective binder and the leaching potential of As remain uncertain. In this study, the influence of S/S binders (cement blended with fuel ash (FA), furnace bottom ash (FBA), or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)) on the speciation and leaching characteristics of geogenic As was studied. The results of X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed the reduced amount of calcium silicate hydrate phase and the decrease in oxidation state of As(V)-O on the surface of Fe(III) oxides/hydroxides in the low-alkalinity S/S treated soils.

Green remediation of contaminated sediment by stabilization/solidification with industrial by-products and CO utilization.

Navigational dredging is an excavation of marine/freshwater sediment to maintain channels of sufficient depth for shipping safety. Due to historical inputs of anthropogenic contaminants, sediments are often contaminated by metals/metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other contaminants. Its disposal can present significant environmental and financial burdens.

Fluoro-substituted cyanine for reliable labelling of amyloid-β oligomers and neuroprotection against amyloid-β induced toxicity.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent but still incurable neurodegenerative form of dementia. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for delaying the onset and progression of the disease. We herein report a novel fluoro-substituted cyanine, F-SLOH, which exhibits good Aβ oligomer selectivity with a high binding affinity, attributed to the synergistic effect of strong π-π stacking and intermolecular CH···O and CH···F interactions.

Investigation of thyroid nodules: A practical algorithm and review of guidelines.

Background: High resolution ultrasound has led to early detection of subclinical tumors and drastic increase in incidence of thyroid malignancy. To achieve a balance in appropriate investigation without perpetuating an overdiagnosis phenomenon, a concise set of evidence-based recommendations to stratify risk is required.

Methods: We sought to assemble an evidence-based diagnostic algorithm and accompanying pictorial review for workup of thyroid nodules that summarizes the most recent guidelines.

Three-dimensional spatial variability of arsenic-containing soil from geogenic source in Hong Kong: Implications on sampling strategies.

Soil contamination by trace elements such as arsenic (As) can pose considerable threats to human health, and need to be carefully identified through site investigation before the soil remediation and development works. However, due to the high costs of soil sampling and testing, decisions on risk management or mitigation strategies are often based on limited data at the site, with substantial uncertainty in the spatial distributions of potentially toxic elements. This study incorporates the restricted maximum likelihood method with three-dimensional spatial autocovariance structure, to investigate the spatial variability features of As-containing soils of geogenic origin.

Translation and validation study of the Chinese version Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale-Short Version (Icon-FES).

Background: The 30-item Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale (Icon-FES) is the first instrument developed to assess older people's concern about falling using pictures. The short version of Icon-FES (10-item Icon-FES) was translated and adapted to a local Chinese version, and its psychometric properties was evaluated in Chinese older people.

Methods: A forward-backward translation procedure was used, followed by an expert panel review to finalize the 10-item Chinese Icon-FES.

Placebo-controlled crossover assessment of mecasermin for the treatment of Rett syndrome.

Objective: To measure the efficacy of mecasermin (recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1, rhIGF-1), for treating symptoms of Rett syndrome (RTT) in a pediatric population using a double-blind crossover study design.

Methods: Thirty girls with classic RTT in postregression stage were randomly assigned to placebo or rhIGF-1 in treatment period 1 and crossed over to the opposite assignment for period 2 (both 20 weeks), separated by a 28-week washout period. The primary endpoints were as follows: Anxiety Depression and Mood Scale (ADAMS) Social Avoidance subscale, Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (RSBQ) Fear/Anxiety subscale, Parent Target Symptom Visual Analog Scale (PTSVAS) top three concerns, Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Parent Global Impression (PGI), and the Kerr severity scale.

Benefits and limitations of implementing Chronic Care Model (CCM) in primary care programs: A systematic review.

Background: Chronic Care Model (CCM) has been developed to improve patients' health care by restructuring health systems in a multidimensional manner. This systematic review aims to summarize and analyse programs specifically designed and conducted for the fulfilment of multiple CCM components. We have focused on programs targeting diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Change in re-use value of incinerated sewage sludge ash due to chemical extraction of phosphorus.

The potential of six different extractants to recover phosphorus (P) from incinerated sewage sludge ash (ISSA) was evaluated. Secondary effects such as the co-dissolution of Zn and Cu were also considered. The residual ISSA from each study was assessed in particular detail, focusing on the leachability of remaining Zn and Cu, major element composition, crystalline phases and overall degree of crystallinity and particle size distribution.

Production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from starch-rich food waste catalyzed by sulfonated biochar.

Sulfonated biochar derived from forestry wood waste was employed for the catalytic conversion of starch-rich food waste (e.g., bread) into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).

Protein Mimetic and Anticancer Properties of Monocyte-Targeting Peptide Amphiphile Micelles.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) stimulates the migration of monocytes to inflammatory sites, leading to the progression of many diseases. Recently, we described a monocyte-targeting peptide amphiphile micelle (MCP-1 PAM) incorporated with the chemokine receptor CCR2 binding motif of MCP-1, which has a high affinity for monocytes in atherosclerotic plaques. We further report here the biomimetic components of MCP-1 PAMs and the influence of the nanoparticle upon binding to monocytes.

Analytical models for time-domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy for multi-layer and heterogeneous turbid media.

A novel approach for time-domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy (TD-DCS) has been recently proposed, which has the unique advantage by simultaneous measurements of optical and dynamical properties in a scattering medium. In this study, analytical models for calculating the time-resolved electric-field autocorrelation function is presented for a multi-layer turbid sample, as well as a semi-infinite medium embedded with a small dynamic heterogeneity. To verify the analytical models, we used Monte Carlo simulations, which demonstrated that the theoretical prediction for the time-resolved autocorrelation function was highly consistent with the Monte Carlo simulation, validating the proposed analytical models.

Synthesis of Monocyte-targeting Peptide Amphiphile Micelles for Imaging of Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, which claims 17.3 million lives annually. Atherosclerosis is also the leading cause of sudden death and myocardial infarction, instigated by unstable plaques that rupture and occlude the blood vessel without warning.

Effect of High-Intensity Treadmill Exercise on Motor Symptoms in Patients With De Novo Parkinson Disease: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Parkinson disease is a progressive neurologic disorder. Limited evidence suggests endurance exercise modifies disease severity, particularly high-intensity exercise.

Objectives: To examine the feasibility and safety of high-intensity treadmill exercise in patients with de novo Parkinson disease who are not taking medication and whether the effect on motor symptoms warrants a phase 3 trial.

Do Psychosocial Factors Have Any Impact on Outcomes After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation?

Psychosocial factors have been show to impact survival and outcomes in a number of different diseases, including heart failure and patients receiving heart transplantation. With the increasing utilization of these devices, it is important to identify risk factors that could impact post-left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outcomes. This study was a single center, retrospective analysis of 238 patients who underwent implantation of a LVAD between July 27, 2004, and July 21, 2016, at The University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Phosphorus recovery and leaching of trace elements from incinerated sewage sludge ash (ISSA).

Chemical extraction of phosphorus (P) from incinerated sewage sludge ash (ISSA) is adversely influenced by co-dissolution of metals and metalloids. This study investigated P recovery and leaching of Zn, Cu, Pb, As and Ni from ISSA using inorganic acids (sulphuric acid and nitric acid), organic acids (oxalic acid and citric acid), and chelating agents (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate (EDTMP)). The aim of this study was to optimize a leaching process to recover P-leachate with high purity for P fertilizer production.

A dual-channel endoscope for quantitative imaging, monitoring, and triggering of doxorubicin release from liposomes in living mice.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is approved for use in liposomal form for the treatment of ovarian cancer. We previously developed a long-circulating Dox formulation in liposomes containing small amounts of porphyrin-phospholipid, which enables on-demand drug release with near-infrared irradiation. In this study, we present and evaluate a dual-modal, dual-channel light endoscope that allows quantitative reflectance and fluorescence imaging for monitoring of local Dox concentrations in target areas.

Prominin-2 Prevents the Formation of Caveolae in Normal and Ovarian Hyperstimulated Pregnancy.

During early pregnancy, uterine epithelial cells (UECs) become less adherent to the underlying basal lamina and are subsequently removed so the blastocyst can invade the underlying stroma. This process involves the removal of focal adhesions from the basal plasma membrane of UECs. These focal adhesions are thought to be internalized by caveolae, which significantly increase in abundance at the time of blastocyst implantation.

Outcome of neoadjuvant chemoradiation in MRI staged locally advanced rectal cancer: Retrospective analysis of 123 Chinese patients.

Background: For advanced rectal cancer with involved or threatened mesorectal fascia (MRF), current standard is pre-operative long course chemoradiotherapy (PLCRT) with either capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). However, few Chinese data on its clinical outcome are available, especially for those with pelvic MRI staging.

Methods: Between Jan-2009 and Oct-2014, 123 consecutive patients with biopsy proven adenocarcinoma of rectum, all with pelvic MRI staging, selected for PLCRT after multi-disciplinary team discussion were recruited.

Depression and anxiety in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation.

Background: Depression and anxiety are associated with a worse prognosis in heart failure patients. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of depression and anxiety in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) candidates and assess their effect on post-LVAD outcomes.

Methods: Based on the pre-LVAD psychological assessment, the total cohort of 246 patients were divided into 4 groups: 1) no depression or anxiety (NDep&Anx group, n = 138); 2) isolated depression (Dep group, n = 42); 3) isolated anxiety (Anx group, n = 32), and 4) combined depression and anxiety (Dep&Anx group, n = 34).

Multi-modulation for self-assemblies of amphiphilic rigid-soft compounds through alteration of solution polarity and temperature.

A new class of small molecule-based amphiphilic carbazole-containing compounds has been designed and synthesized. Detailed analysis of the temperature- and solvent-dependent UV-vis absorption spectra has provided insights into the cooperative self-assembly mechanism of the carbazole-containing compounds. Interestingly, the prepared amphiphilic rigid-soft compounds were also found to display a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior in aqueous solution, which is relatively less explored in small molecule-based materials, leading to promising candidates for the design of a new class of thermo-responsive materials.