Dose-Response Relationships Between Radiation Exposure, Bone Marrow Function as Measured by F-Fluorothymidine Positron Emission Tomography, and Lymphocyte Counts During Chemoradiation for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: F-fluorothymidine (FLT) positron emission tomography (PET) enables sensitive imaging of bone marrow (BM) proliferation. Sequential FLT-PET/computed tomography scans before and during chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for non-small cell lung cancer were repurposed to investigate the dose-response effects of radiation on BM proliferation.

Methods And Materials: Twenty-six non-small cell lung cancer patients underwent platinum-based CRT to 60 Gy in 30 fractions with FLT-PET/computed tomography scans at baseline, week 2 (20 Gy), and week 4 (40 Gy).

Digital biomarkers for non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: the state of the art.

Digital biomarkers that remotely monitor symptoms have the potential to revolutionize outcome assessments in future disease-modifying trials in Parkinson's disease (PD), by allowing objective and recurrent measurement of symptoms and signs collected in the participant's own living environment. This biomarker field is developing rapidly for assessing the motor features of PD, but the non-motor domain lags behind. Here, we systematically review and assess digital biomarkers under development for measuring non-motor symptoms of PD.

Determinants of coping styles of people with Parkinson's Disease.

Little is known about how people with Parkinson's disease (PD) cope with stressful life events. We examined the determinants of specific coping strategies and whether specific choices have any impact on quality of life (QoL). We recruited patients with PD who had been seen at a neurology outpatient clinic at least once during the past year as part of the PRIME-NL cohort study.

Maximum longevity and juvenile mortality in zoo-housed mangabeys.

Little is known about the biology of grey-cheeked and black crested mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena and Lophocebus aterrimus, respectively). As these primates face threats in the wild, well-monitored zoo-housed populations with up to date registries are becoming increasingly valuable to acquire species knowledge and to support conservation efforts. We used international studbooks to extract demographic and genetic information on 519 mangabeys to investigate how life history and parent-related variables influence maximum longevity and juvenile mortality.

Genome Sequences of Bacteriophages cd2, cd3, and cd4, which Specifically Target Carnobacterium divergens.

Carnobacteria have been implicated in food spoilage, but also in protection against pathogenic bacteria. We report the isolation and complete genome sequences of three bacteriophages (phages cd2, cd3, and cd4) that specifically target Carnobacterium divergens. The genome sizes are approximately 57 kbp and have limited homology to known enterococcal and streptococcal phages.

On the fly: Adapting quickly to emergency remote instruction in a family literacy programme.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to extraordinary changes in family literacy instruction, forcing face-to-face programmes to shift rapidly (or "on the fly") to online, remote instruction. This study is one of the few on online teaching and learning in family literacy and, to the knowledge of the authors, the first on emergency remote instruction in a family literacy programme during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article examines how the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy at The Pennsylvania State University in the United States has responded to the pandemic by converting its face-to-face family literacy classes into emergency remote instruction using online platforms.

Examining Associations between Self-Rated Health and Proficiency in Literacy and Numeracy among Immigrants and U.S.-Born Adults: Evidence from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC).

This paper uses data from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) to analyze the relationship between self-reported health (SRH) and literacy and numeracy proficiency for immigrants compared to U.S.-born respondents and for Hispanic versus Asian immigrants.

Characterization of 2-[[4-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino]-4-(4-pyridinyl)-5-thiazolemethanol (JNJ-1930942), a novel positive allosteric modulator of the {alpha}7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

The α(7) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Activation of α(7) nAChRs improved sensory gating and cognitive function in animal models and in early clinical trials. Here we describe the novel highly selective α(7) nAChR positive allosteric modulator, 2-[[4-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino]-4-(4-pyridinyl)-5-thiazolemethanol (JNJ-1930942).

Role of epigenetics in liver-specific gene transcription, hepatocyte differentiation and stem cell reprogrammation.

Controlling both growth and differentiation of stem cells and their differentiated somatic progeny is a challenge in numerous fields, from preclinical drug development to clinical therapy. Recently, new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms have unveiled key regulatory roles of epigenetic marks driving cellular pluripotency, differentiation and self-renewal/proliferation. Indeed, the transcription of genes, governing cell-fate decisions during development and maintenance of a cell's differentiated status in adult life, critically depends on the chromatin accessibility of transcription factors to genomic regulatory and coding regions.

Computer programs to facilitate the estimation of time-dependent drug effects on ion channels.

The programs I-VOC and I-ROC have been designed to facilitate the analysis of drug effects on currents through ion channels in the cell membrane, measured by means of voltage-clamp. They are written in Igor Pro (WaveMetrics) and read exported files or raw data files generated by the Pulse (HEKA Electronic) or pClamp (Axon Instruments) programs. With I-VOC, the sweeps of current through voltage-operated ion channels can be quantified within six time ranges, and current run-down can be corrected for after the currents are fitted during the control period.

Site of action of lubeluzole on voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels in isolated dorsal root ganglion cells of the rat: influence of pH.

Besides other pharmacological effects, the neuroprotective compound lubeluzole blocks low-voltage-activated (iLVA) and high-voltage-activated (iHVA) calcium channel currents. We investigated the site of action of lubeluzole on Ca(2+) channels in isolated dorsal root ganglion cells of the rat, using whole-cell voltage clamp. Experiments with extracellular application of 3 microM lubeluzole (pK(a) = 7.

How serious are common childhood fears?

Objective: The present study examined the clinical status of common childhood fears.

Method: Fears of the 290 children aged 8 to 13 years were assessed and then their severity was explored by means of a structured diagnostic interview measuring anxiety disorders according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Results: Childhood fears reflect significant anxiety disorders in a substantial minority (i.

Influence of lubeluzole on voltage-sensitive Ca++ channels in isolated rat neurons.

Lubeluzole is neuroprotective in a photochemical stroke model, whereas the (R)-enantiomer of the same molecule is not [De Ryck M, Keersmaekers R, Duytschaever H, Claes C, Clincke G, Janssen M and Van Reet G (1996) J Pharmacol Exp Ther 279:748-758]. We investigated the effects of lubeluzole and the (R)-enantiomer on voltage-sensitive Ca++ channels of isolated rat dorsal root ganglion cells, using whole-cell voltage-clamp, with Ba++ as the charge carrier. Both compounds blocked the low-voltage-activated Ba++ current (iLVA or T current) with an IC50 value of 1.

The influence of hyperthyroidism on pharmacologically induced contractions of isolated resistance arteries.

We investigated the effect of hyperthyroidism on the responses of small mesenteric resistance arteries to several contractile and dilator agents. Hyperthyroidism was established by feeding rats for 28 days with 5 mg/kg L-thyroxine-containing rat chow. This treatment produced a stable hyperthyroid state, as indicated by the increased serum T4 levels (236 +/- 7 vs.

Chemotherapy as treatment of choice in extrapulmonary undifferentiated small cell carcinomas.

Extrapulmonary undifferentiated small cell carcinomas, especially those arising in the upper aerodigestive tract, form a group of neoplasms with a clinical behavior which resembles small cell carcinoma of the lung. In 11 patients treated by combination chemotherapy an objective response rate of 82% was achieved for a median duration of 8+ months. Median survival for all patients was 12 months.

Evidence for a role of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in cortical spreading depression in the rat.

The neurotransmitter glutamate activates the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), quisqualate and kainate receptors. It has been proposed, but also disputed, that local release of glutamate would play a pivotal role in cortical spreading depression (SD). We tested this hypothesis by investigating the influence of NMDA antagonists on SD, using the non-competitive NMDA antagonists ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP) and MK-801 and the competitive NMDA antagonist DL-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoate (2-APH), injected intraperitoneally in rats anesthetized with alfentanil.

Field-potential assay of antiepileptic drugs in the hippocampal slice.

The effects of nine clinically active antiepileptic drugs and the NMDA antagonist 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (2-APH) were examined in three models in the in vitro hippocampal slice. In the "low Mg2+" model, removal of Mg2+ from the perfusion fluid increased excitatory neurotransmission and led to epileptogenic field potentials. In the "low Ca2+" model, decrease of Ca2+ and increase of Mg2+ and K+ in the perfusion fluid induced spontaneous "bursts" in the absence of synaptic transmission.

Selective inhibition of synaptic versus non-synaptic epileptogenesis by NMDA antagonists in the in vitro hippocampus.

Three NMDA antagonists (2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (APH), MK-801, and ketamine) were tested for their ability to antagonize epileptogenic responses in a synaptic and a non-synaptic model of epileptogenesis in the CA1 region of the hippocampal slice. IC50 values for antagonism of the second population spike in the 'low Mg2+' synaptic model were MK-801 1.5 x 10(-7) M, APH 7.

Anticonvulsant action of the nucleoside transport inhibitor, soluflazine, on synaptic and non-synaptic epileptogenesis in the guinea-pig hippocampus.

The effects of the nucleoside transport inhibitor, soluflazine, were examined on synaptic and non-synaptic epileptogenesis, and on paired-pulse facilitation and inhibition in the CA1 region of the guinea-pig hippocampal slice. In the model of synaptic epileptogenesis, excitation was enhanced by omitting Mg2+ from the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF). This procedure induced a second epileptogenic population spike (PS) after orthodromic stimulation, which was inhibited by soluflazine (IC50 value 1.

The nucleoside-transport inhibitor soluflazine (R 64 719) increases the effects of adenosine in the guinea-pig hippocampal slice and is antagonized by adenosine deaminase.

Field EPSP slope and population spike (PS) amplitude were measured in the CA1 pyramidal cell region after double-pulse stimulation of the striatum radiatum in hippocampal slices of guinea-pig. Iontophoresis of adenosine reduced the EPSP slope to 77.9 +/- 5.

Potassium translocation and spreading depression induced by electrical stimulation of the brain.

Cathodal current pulses with durations from 20 ms to 80 s were applied to the surface of rat parietal neocortex, and the strength-duration properties of the threshold stimulus for initiation of spreading depression was determined. In one series, extradural stimulation was used. In a second series, a liquid electrode was used, the dura was opened, and K+-sensitive microelectrodes were used to determine the time course of extracellular K+ concentration during and after each stimulus pulse.