One session of partial-body cryotherapy (-110 °C) improves muscle damage recovery.

PubMed

Ferreira-Junior, J B; Bottaro, M; Vieira, A; Siqueira, A F; Vieira, C A; Durigan, J L Q; Cadore, E L; Coelho, L G M; Simões, H G; Bemben, M G

2015-10-01

To evaluate the effects of a single session of partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) on muscle recovery, 26 young men performed a muscle-damaging protocol that consisted of five sets of 20 drop jumps with 2-min rest intervals between sets. After the exercise, the PBC group (n = 13) was exposed to 3 min of PBC at -110 °C, and the control group (n = 13) was exposed to 3 min at 21 °C. Anterior thigh muscle thickness, isometric peak torque, and muscle soreness of knee extensors were measured pre, post, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h following exercise. Peak torque did not return to baseline in control group (P < 0.05), whereas the PBC group recovered peak torques 96 h post exercise (P > 0.05). Peak torque was also higher after PBC at 72 and 96 h compared with control group (P < 0.05). Muscle thickness increased after 24 h in the control group (P < 0.05) and was significantly higher compared with the PBC group at 24 and 96 h (P < 0.05). Muscle soreness returned to baseline for the PBC group at 72 h compared with 96 h for controls. These results indicate that PBC after strenuous exercise may enhance recovery from muscle damage. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Mechanism by which BMI influences leisure-time physical activity behavior.

PubMed

Godin, Gaston; Bélanger-Gravel, Ariane; Nolin, Bertrand

2008-06-01

The objective of this prospective study was to clarify the mechanism by which BMI influences leisure-time physical activity. This was achieved in accordance with the assumptions underlying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), considered as one of the most useful theories to predict behavior adoption. At baseline, a sample of 1,530 respondents completed a short questionnaire to measure intention and perceived behavioral control (PBC), the two proximal determinants of behavior of TPB. Past behavior, sociodemographic variables, and weight and height were also assessed. The dependent variable, leisure-time physical activity was assessed 3 months later. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that BMI is a direct predictor of future leisure-time physical activity, not mediated by the variables of TPB. Additional hierarchical analyses indicated that BMI was not a moderator of the intention-behavior and PBC-behavior relationships. The results of this study suggest that high BMI is a significant negative determinant of leisure-time physical activity. This observation reinforces the importance of preventing weight gain as a health promotion strategy for avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.

Consistent condom use among Thai heterosexual adult males in Bangkok, Thailand.

PubMed

Janepanish, Poolsuk; Dancy, Barbara L; Park, Chang

2011-04-01

Thai heterosexual males between 20 and 39 years old are at increased risk for HIV infection. Consistent condom use is effective against HIV transmission, but little is known about determinants of consistent condom use for these males. The purpose of this study is to explore determinants of consistent condom use for this population. The determinants of interest are age, educational level, marital status, income, and concepts from the theory of planned behavior: attitude toward condom use, subjective norm about consistent condom use, perceived behavioral control (PBC) of consistent condom use, and intention to use condoms consistently. We used a cross-sectional descriptive research design with a convenience sample of 400 heterosexual Thai males between 20 and 39 years. Our sample had a mean age of 28.71 years (SD = 6.33). During the last three months, 39.5% reported using condoms consistently, 23% reported using condoms inconsistently, and 37.5% reported never using condoms. The results from the regression analyses revealed that marital status, income, subjective norm about consistent condom use, PBC of consistent condom use, and intention to use condoms consistently were determinants of consistent condom use. Also the effect of subjective norm about consistent condom use and PBC of consistent condom use on consistent condom use was mediated by intention to use condoms consistently. These results suggest that interventions to increase consistent condom use should focus on enhancing intention to use condoms consistently by promoting subjective norm about consistent condom use and PBC of consistent condom use.

Gut microbial profile is altered in primary biliary cholangitis and partially restored after UDCA therapy.

PubMed

Tang, Ruqi; Wei, Yiran; Li, Yanmei; Chen, Weihua; Chen, Haoyan; Wang, Qixia; Yang, Fan; Miao, Qi; Xiao, Xiao; Zhang, Haiyan; Lian, Min; Jiang, Xiang; Zhang, Jun; Cao, Qin; Fan, Zhuping; Wu, Maoying; Qiu, Dekai; Fang, Jing-Yuan; Ansari, Aftab; Gershwin, M Eric; Ma, Xiong

2018-03-01

A close relationship between gut microbiota and some chronic liver disorders has recently been described. Herein, we systematically performed a comparative analysis of the gut microbiome in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and healthy controls. We first conducted a cross-sectional study of 60 ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment-naïve patients with PBC and 80 matched healthy controls. Second, an independent cohort composed of 19 treatment-naïve patients and 34 controls was used to validate the results. Finally, a prospective study was performed in a subgroup of 37 patients with PBC who underwent analysis before and after 6 months of UDCA treatment. Faecal samples were collected, and microbiomes were analysed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. A significant reduction of within-individual microbial diversity was noted in PBC (p=0.03). A signature defined by decreased abundance of four genera and increased abundance of eight genera strongly correlated with PBC (area under curve=0.86, 0.84 in exploration and validation data, respectively). Notably, the abundance of six PBC-associated genera was reversed after 6 months of UDCA treatment. In particular, Faecalibacterium , enriched in controls, was further decreased in gp210-positive than gp210-negative patients (p=0.002). Of interest was the finding that the increased capacity for the inferred pathway, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells in PBC, highly correlated with the abundance of bacteria belonging to Enterobacteriaceae . This study presents a comprehensive landscape of gut microbiota in PBC. Dysbiosis was found in the gut microbiome in PBC and partially relieved by UDCA. Our study suggests that gut microbiota is a potential therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker for PBC. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Distinctiveness and Influence of Subjective Norms, Personal Descriptive and Injunctive Norms, and Societal Descriptive and Injunctive Norms on Behavioral Intent: A Case of Two Behaviors Critical to Organ Donation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Hee Sun; Smith, Sandi W.

2007-01-01

The effects of the attitudinal, normative, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) components of the theory of planned behavior and personal- and societal-level descriptive and injunctive norms were investigated with regard to their impact on the intent to enroll on a state organ-donor registry and the intent to engage in family discussion about…

Systemic and local expression levels of TNF-like ligand 1A and its decoy receptor 3 are increased in primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Aiba, Yoshihiro; Harada, Kenichi; Komori, Atsumasa; Ito, Masahiro; Shimoda, Shinji; Nakamura, Hitomi; Nagaoka, Shinya; Abiru, Seigo; Migita, Kiyoshi; Ishibashi, Hiromi; Nakanuma, Yasuni; Nishida, Nao; Kawashima, Minae; Tokunaga, Katsushi; Yatsuhashi, Hiroshi; Nakamura, Minoru

2014-05-01

Through a genome-wide association study of a Japanese population, we recently identified TNFSF15, a gene encoding TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A), as a susceptibility gene for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We investigated the clinical significance of TL1A and one of its receptors, decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), in PBC. We analysed the systemic and local expression of TL1A and DcR3 in 110 PBC patients and 46 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. Serum TL1A levels were significantly increased in PBC patients at both early and late stages as compared with healthy controls, and its levels were significantly decreased in early-stage PBC patients after ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment. TL1A was immunohistochemically localized to biliary epithelial cells, Kupffer cells, blood vessels and infiltrating mononuclear cells in the PBC liver. In addition, TL1A messenger RNA expression was increased in the PBC liver as compared with the non-diseased liver. Serum DcR3 levels were also significantly increased in PBC patients, and were significantly decreased after UDCA treatment in early-stage PBC patients. These results indicate that TL1A and DcR3 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PBC. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Moderating Effects of Sexual Orientation and Gender Characteristic on Condom Use Intentions Among Boys' Senior High School Students in Taiwan: An Exploration Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior.

PubMed

Cheng, Chien-Mu; Huang, Jiun-Hau

2017-10-27

This study examined condom use intentions among adolescent boys in relation to the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB): attitude toward the behavior (ATB), subjective norm (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC). The potential moderating effects of sexual orientation and gender characteristic (masculine/feminine) were also explored. Anonymous survey data were collected from 929 students enrolled in a boys' senior high school in Taiwan (response rate: 89.9%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses found higher condom use intentions linked to more positive ATB (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 8.09) and supportive SN (AOR = 2.73), as well as high PBC under facilitating conditions (AOR = 2.04). Notably, nonheterosexual boys perceiving supportive SN (AOR = 0.23) or high support for condom use from teachers and health educators (AOR = 0.10 and 0.26, respectively) had lower condom use intentions than their heterosexual peers. By contrast, relatively feminine boys perceiving supportive SN (AOR = 2.06) or high support from close friends (AOR = 2.18) had higher condom use intentions than their masculine counterparts. In conclusion, ATB and SN were strongly linked to condom use intentions; PBC was significant only under facilitating conditions. Sexual orientation and gender characteristic had important moderating effects. These empirical findings could inform tailored health education programs to increase condom use intentions in the male student population.

Identification of new autoantigens for primary biliary cirrhosis using human proteome microarrays.

PubMed

Hu, Chao-Jun; Song, Guang; Huang, Wei; Liu, Guo-Zhen; Deng, Chui-Wen; Zeng, Hai-Pan; Wang, Li; Zhang, Feng-Chun; Zhang, Xuan; Jeong, Jun Seop; Blackshaw, Seth; Jiang, Li-Zhi; Zhu, Heng; Wu, Lin; Li, Yong-Zhe

2012-09-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease of unknown etiology and is considered to be an autoimmune disease. Autoantibodies are important tools for accurate diagnosis of PBC. Here, we employed serum profiling analysis using a human proteome microarray composed of about 17,000 full-length unique proteins and identified 23 proteins that correlated with PBC. To validate these results, we fabricated a PBC-focused microarray with 21 of these newly identified candidates and nine additional known PBC antigens. By screening the PBC microarrays with additional cohorts of 191 PBC patients and 321 controls (43 autoimmune hepatitis, 55 hepatitis B virus, 31 hepatitis C virus, 48 rheumatoid arthritis, 45 systematic lupus erythematosus, 49 systemic sclerosis, and 50 healthy), six proteins were confirmed as novel PBC autoantigens with high sensitivities and specificities, including hexokinase-1 (isoforms I and II), Kelch-like protein 7, Kelch-like protein 12, zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 2, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2C, subunit 1. To facilitate clinical diagnosis, we developed ELISA for Kelch-like protein 12 and zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 2 and tested large cohorts (297 PBC and 637 control sera) to confirm the sensitivities and specificities observed in the microarray-based assays. In conclusion, our research showed that a strategy using high content protein microarray combined with a smaller but more focused protein microarray can effectively identify and validate novel PBC-specific autoantigens and has the capacity to be translated to clinical diagnosis by means of an ELISA-based method.

Security-Enhanced Push Button Configuration for Home Smart Control.

PubMed

Han, Junghee; Park, Taejoon

2017-06-08

With the emergence of smart and converged home services, the need for the secure and easy interplay of various devices has been increased. Push Button Configuration (PBC) is one of the technologies proposed for easy set-up of a secure session between IT and consumer devices. Although the Wi-Fi Direct specification explicitly states that all devices must support the PBC method, its applicability is very limited. This is because the security vulnerability of PBC can be maliciously exploited so that attackers can make illegitimate sessions with consumer devices. To address this problem, this paper proposes a novel Security-enhanced PBC (SePBC) scheme with which we can uncover suspicious or malicious devices. The proposed mechanism has several unique features. First, we develop a secure handshake distance measurement protocol by preventing an adversary sitting outside the region from maliciously manipulating its distance to be fake. Second, it is compatible with the original Wi-Fi PBC without introducing a brand-new methodology. Finally, SePBC uses lightweight operations without CPU-intensive cryptography computation and employs inexpensive H/W. Moreover, it needs to incur little overhead when there is no attack. This paper also designs and implements the proposed SePBC in the real world. Our experimental results and analysis show that the proposed SePBC scheme effectively defeats attacks on PBC while minimizing the modification of the original PBC equipment.

Security-Enhanced Push Button Configuration for Home Smart Control †

PubMed Central

Han, Junghee; Park, Taejoon

2017-01-01

With the emergence of smart and converged home services, the need for the secure and easy interplay of various devices has been increased. Push Button Configuration (PBC) is one of the technologies proposed for easy set-up of a secure session between IT and consumer devices. Although the Wi-Fi Direct specification explicitly states that all devices must support the PBC method, its applicability is very limited. This is because the security vulnerability of PBC can be maliciously exploited so that attackers can make illegitimate sessions with consumer devices. To address this problem, this paper proposes a novel Security-enhanced PBC (SePBC) scheme with which we can uncover suspicious or malicious devices. The proposed mechanism has several unique features. First, we develop a secure handshake distance measurement protocol by preventing an adversary sitting outside the region from maliciously manipulating its distance to be fake. Second, it is compatible with the original Wi-Fi PBC without introducing a brand-new methodology. Finally, SePBC uses lightweight operations without CPU-intensive cryptography computation and employs inexpensive H/W. Moreover, it needs to incur little overhead when there is no attack. This paper also designs and implements the proposed SePBC in the real world. Our experimental results and analysis show that the proposed SePBC scheme effectively defeats attacks on PBC while minimizing the modification of the original PBC equipment. PMID:28594370

A multilevel modeling approach to examining the implementation-effectiveness relationship of a behavior change intervention for health care professional trainees.

PubMed

Tomasone, Jennifer R; Sweet, Shane N; McReynolds, Stuart; Martin Ginis, Kathleen A

2017-09-01

Changing Minds, Changing Lives, a seminar-mediated behavior change intervention, aims to enhance health care professionals' (HCPs') social cognitions for discussing leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with patients with physical disabilities. This study examines which seminar implementation variables (presenter characteristics, delivery components) predict effectiveness using multilevel modeling. HCP trainees (n = 564) attended 24 seminars and completed Theory of Planned Behavior-based measures for discussing LTPA at pre-, post-, 1-month post-, and 6-months post-seminar. Implementation variables were extracted from presenter-completed questionnaires/checklists. Seminars presented by a HCP predicted positive changes in all cognitions pre-post but negative changes in attitudes and perceived behavioral control (PBC) over follow-up (ps < .05). The number of seminars the presenter had delivered predicted negative changes in attitudes and PBC during follow-up (ps < .001). Inclusion of audiovisual components predicted positive changes in attitudes pre-post (p < .001). Presenter characteristics may be "key ingredients" to educational interventions for HCPs; however, future studies should examine additional implementation variables.

Reduced Coffee Consumption Among Individuals with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis but Not Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Lammert, Craig; Juran, Brian D.; Schlicht, Erik; Xie, Xiao; Atkinson, Elizabeth J.; de Andrade, Mariza; Lazaridis, Konstantinos N.

2014-01-01

Background & Aims Coffee consumption has been associated with decreased risk of liver disease and related outcomes. However, coffee drinking has not been investigated among patients with cholestatic autoimmune liver diseases, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We investigated the relationship between coffee consumption and risk of PBC and PSC in a large North American cohort. Methods Lifetime coffee drinking habits were determined from responses to questionnaires from 606 patients with PBC, 480 with PSC, and 564 healthy volunteers (controls). Patients (those with PBC or PSC) were compared to controls utilizing the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and c2 method for discrete variables. Logistic regression was used to analyze the estimate the effects of different coffee parameters (time, frequency, and type of coffee consumption) after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and education level. Results Patients with PBC and controls did not differ in coffee parameters. However, 24% of patients with PSC had never drank coffee compared to 16% of controls (P<.05), and only 67% were current drinkers compared with 77% of controls (P<.05). Patients with PSC also consumed fewer lifetime cups per month (45 vs 47 for controls, P<.05) and spent a smaller percentage of their lifetime of coffee drinking coffee (46.6% vs 66.7% for controls, P<.05). These differences remained significant in a multivariate model. Among PSC patients with concurrent ulcerative colitis, coffee protected against proctocolectomy (hazard ratio=0.34, P<.001). Conclusions Coffee consumption is lower among patients with PSC, but not PBC, compared to controls. PMID:24440215

Disease susceptibility genes shared by primary biliary cirrhosis and Crohn's disease in the Japanese population.

PubMed

Aiba, Yoshihiro; Yamazaki, Keiko; Nishida, Nao; Kawashima, Minae; Hitomi, Yuki; Nakamura, Hitomi; Komori, Atsumasa; Fuyuno, Yuta; Takahashi, Atsushi; Kawaguchi, Takaaki; Takazoe, Masakazu; Suzuki, Yasuo; Motoya, Satoshi; Matsui, Toshiyuki; Esaki, Motohiro; Matsumoto, Takayuki; Kubo, Michiaki; Tokunaga, Katsushi; Nakamura, Minoru

2015-09-01

We previously identified TNFSF15 as the most significant susceptibility gene at non-HLA loci for both primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and Crohn's diseases (CD) in the Japanese population. The aim of this study is to identify further disease susceptibility genes shared by PBC and CD. We selected 15 and 33 genetic variants that were significantly associated with PBC and CD, respectively, based on previously reported genome-wide association studies of the Japanese population. Next, an association study was independently performed for these genetic variants in CD (1312 CD patients and 3331 healthy controls) and PBC (1279 PBC patients and 1015 healthy controls) cohorts. Two CD susceptibility genes, ICOSLG rs2838519 and IL12B rs6556412, were also nominally associated with susceptibility to PBC (P=3.85 × 10(-2) and P=8.40 × 10(-3), respectively). Three PBC susceptibility genes, CXCR5 rs6421571, STAT4 rs7574865 and NFKB1 rs230534, were nominally associated with susceptibility to CD (P=2.82 × 10(-2), P=3.88 × 10(-2) and P=2.04 × 10(-2), respectively). The effect of ICOSLG and CXCR5 variants were concordant but the effect of STAT4, NFKB1 and IL12B variants were discordant for PBC and CD. TNFSF15 and ICOSLG-CXCR5 might constitute a shared pathogenic pathway in the development of PBC and CD in the Japanese population, whereas IL12B-STAT4-NFKB1 might constitute an opposite pathogenic pathway, reflecting the different balance between Th1 and Th17 in the two diseases.

Intestinal absorption of the bile acid analogue 75Se-homocholic acid-taurine is increased in primary biliary cirrhosis, and reverts to normal during ursodeoxycholic acid administration.

PubMed

Lanzini, A; De Tavonatti, M G; Panarotto, B; Scalia, S; Mora, A; Benini, F; Baisini, O; Lanzarotto, F

2003-09-01

Whether ileal absorption of bile acid is up or downregulated in chronic cholestasis is still debated, and most evidence has come from animal studies. To compare ileal bile acid absorption in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and in healthy control subjects, and to assess the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). We studied 14 PBC patients before and during (n=11) UDCA administration, 14 healthy control subjects, and 14 Crohn's disease patients (as disease controls). We used cholescintigraphy to measure retention in the enterohepatic circulation over five successive days of the bile acid analogue (75)Se-homocholic acid-taurine ((75)SeHCAT) as an index of ileal bile acid absorption. Results were expressed as (75)SeHCAT fractional turnover rate (FTR) and t(1/2)12. (75)SeHCAT FTR was 0.19 (0.11)/day, 0.34 (0.11)/day (p<0.001), and 0.83 (0.32)/day in PBC patients, healthy controls (p<0.0001), and Crohn's patients (p<0.001), respectively, which increased to 0.36 (0.16)/day in PBC patients during UDCA treatment (p<0.005). (75)SeHCAT t(1/2)12 was 4.8 (2.1) days in PBC patients, 2.2 (0.5) days (p<0.001) in healthy controls, and 1.0 (0.5) days (p<0.001) in Crohn's disease patients. (75)SeHCAT t(1/2)12 decreased to 2.2 (0.93) days (p< 0.001) in PBC patients during UDCA treatment. Our results support the concept that ileal bile acid absorption is upregulated in PBC patients, and that this effect may contribute towards damaging the cholestatic liver. This upregulation of bile acid absorption is abolished by UDCA.

Psychological predictors of cultural diversity support at work.

PubMed

Hiemstra, Annemarie M F; Derous, Eva; Born, Marise Ph

2017-07-01

As diversity management activities become more prominent worldwide it is important to understand psychological reactions to them to ensure success, but empirical evidence is lacking. This study investigated employees' and managers' intentions and behavior to promote cultural diversity at work in a variety of organizations in the Netherlands, using Ajzen's theory of planned behavior. Predictors of intentions to promote cultural diversity at work (N = 670) and actual behavior after 6 months were assessed among managers and employees using self-reports in a 2-wave survey design. Participants' average age at Time 1 was 38.26 years (SD = 11.86), 56% was female, and there were 78.1% Dutch ethnic majority and 21.9% ethnic minority participants. Attitude to cultural diversity promotion at work and perceived behavioral control (PBC) related positively to both individuals' intentions to promote cultural diversity at work, which in turn predicted behavior. The strongest driver, however, was attitude. Managers' reported PBC and behavior were higher compared to employees. This study supported the applicability of the theory of planned behavior to predict intentions and behavior to promote cultural diversity at work. With an increasingly diverse workforce, this study aimed to advance our understanding of drivers of individual reactions and behavior to support cultural diversity at work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role of Transformative Leadership, ICT-Infrastructure and Learning Climate in Teachers' Use of Digital Learning Materials during Their Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vermeulen, Marjan; Kreijns, Karel; van Buuren, Hans; Van Acker, Frederik

2017-01-01

This study investigated whether school organizational variables (ie, transformative leadership (TL), ICT-infrastructure (technical and social) and organizational learning climate were related to teachers' dispositional variables (ie, attitude, perceived norm and perceived behavior control [PBC]). The direct and indirect influences of the…

Correlates of physical activity in a population-based sample of kidney cancer survivors: an application of the theory of planned behavior

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Over half of kidney cancer survivors (KCS) are completely inactive and only a quarter are meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines. This highlights the need to identify and understand the determinants of PA in this understudied population. The purpose of this study is to determine the social cognitive correlates of PA intention and behavior in KCS using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods All 1,985 KCS diagnosed between 1996 and 2010 in Alberta, Canada were mailed a self-report survey that consisted of the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire and standard TPB items for intention, planning, perceived behavioral control (PBC), affective and instrumental attitudes, and descriptive and injunctive norms. Standard demographic and medical variables were also collected. Results Completed surveys were received from 703 of 1,654 (43%) eligible KCS. The TPB was tested using structural equation modelling and demonstrated an adequate-to-good fit to the data [χ² = 256.88, p < .001; TLI = 0.97; CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.06, 90% CI = 0.05-0.06]. There were significant pathways to PA from PBC (ß = 0.18, p = 0.02), planning (ß = 0.22, p < 0.01), and intention (ß = 0.31, p < 0.01); and to planning from intention (ß = 0.81, p < 0.01). In addition, there were significant model pathways to intention from instrumental attitude (ß = 0.28, p = 0.03), descriptive norm (ß = 0.09, p = 0.01), and PBC (ß = 0.52, p < 0.01). Overall, the TPB accounted for 69%, 63%, and 42% of the variance in intention, planning and PA, respectively. Conclusion The TPB appears to be a useful model for explaining PA in KCS. All TPB constructs except injunctive norm and affective attitude were useful for explaining intention with PBC emerging as the largest correlate. Developing PA interventions based on the TPB may be effective in promoting PA in KCS and may lead to important improvements in health. PMID:22866956

Identifying Psychosocial Variables That Predict Safer Sex Intentions in Adolescents and Young Adults

PubMed Central

Brüll, Phil; Ruiter, Robert A. C.; Wiers, Reinout W.; Kok, Gerjo

2016-01-01

Young people are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The triad of deliberate and effective safer sex behavior encompasses condom use, combined with additional information about a partner’s sexual health, and the kind of sex acts usually performed. To identify psychosocial predictors of young people’s intentions to have safer sex, as related to this triad, we conducted an online study with 211 sexually active participants aged between 18 and 24 years. Predictors [i.e., perceived behavioral control (PBC), subjective norms, and intention] taken from Fishbein and Ajzen’s Reasoned Action Approach (RAA), were combined with more distal variables (e.g., behavioral inhibition, sensation seeking, parental monitoring, and knowledge about STIs). Beyond the highly predictive power of RAA variables, additional variance was explained by the number of instances of unprotected sexual intercourse (SI) during the last 12 months and reasons for using barrier protection during first SI. In particular, past condom non-use behavior moderated PBC related to intended condom use. Further, various distal variables showed significant univariate associations with intentions related to the three behaviors of interest. It may, therefore, be helpful to include measures of past behavior as well as certain additional distal variables in future safer sex programs designed to promote health-sustaining sexual behavior. PMID:27148520

Nailfold capillaroscopy in primary biliary cirrhosis: a useful tool for the early diagnosis of scleroderma.

PubMed

Tovoli, Francesco; Granito, Alessandro; Giampaolo, Luca; Frisoni, Magda; Volta, Umberto; Fusconi, Marco; Masi, Chiara; Lenzi, Marco

2014-03-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc). In the last years many efforts have been dedicated to the research of widely accepted criteria for the early diagnosis of SSc. Since studies on the prevalence of early SSc in PBC patients are lacking, our aim was to investigate its hitherto unknown prevalence in a large cohort of PBC patients. We studied 80 PBC patients and 72 patients with other chronic liver diseases. Diagnostic workup included research into signs of connective tissue disease, determination of autoantibody profile, and examination of capillary abnormalities through nailfold videocapillaroscopy. Ten PBC patients (12.5%) satisfied diagnostic criteria for early SSc and 5 (6.3%) had definite SSc. None of the patients in the control group were diagnosed either with early or definite SSc. No differences were observed in terms of aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and liver function tests between PBC patients with and without associated SSc. Early SSc is significantly frequent in PBC patients. The detection of early SSc in PBC patients may lead to a prompt treatment of its complications, preventing inabilities and preserving the chance of liver transplantation.

Examination of pharmacists' intention to report serious adverse drug events (ADEs) to the FDA using the theory of planned behavior.

PubMed

Gavaza, Paul; Brown, Carolyn M; Lawson, Kenneth A; Rascati, Karen L; Wilson, James P; Steinhardt, Mary

2011-12-01

Adverse drug event (ADE) reporting by pharmacists is an indispensable part of the drug safety system. U.S. pharmacists may submit reports of serious ADEs that they encounter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through MedWatch. However, underreporting of serious ADEs is a common problem. Little is known about pharmacists' decision making with respect to ADE reporting. This study explored the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model in predicting Texas pharmacists' intention to report serious ADEs to the FDA. Data were collected from practicing Texas pharmacists using a mail questionnaire. A total of 1500 surveys were mailed, and 377 usable responses were obtained for a response rate of 26.4%. A majority (70.2%) of the 377 respondents were white/Caucasian, and 52.9% were male. Overall, pharmacists intended to report serious ADEs (mean=15.87±4.22; possible range: 3-21), had a positive attitude toward reporting (mean=4.62±4.92; possible range: -15 to +15), perceived that important others wanted them to report (subjective norm [SN] score=5.65±2.99; possible range: -9 to +9), and believed that they had control over their reporting behavior (perceived behavioral control [PBC] score=3.54±2.69; possible/actual range: -6 to +6). Attitude (β=0.221, P<.001) and SN (β=0.438, P<.001) significantly predicted intent; however, PBC (β=0.028, P>.05) did not. Attitude, SN, and PBC together accounted for 34.0% of the variance in intention to report serious ADEs (P<.001). The addition of past reporting behavior (P=.021) and perceived moral obligation (P<.001) significantly increased the variance in intention explained by the TPB model. Pharmacists showed a strong positive intent to report serious ADEs to the FDA. Strategies to increase pharmacists' intentions to report serious ADEs should focus on helping them see the value of reporting and altering their perception of social pressure toward reporting. The TPB may have utility in predicting ADE-reporting behavior. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Intestinal absorption of the bile acid analogue 75Se-homocholic acid-taurine is increased in primary biliary cirrhosis, and reverts to normal during ursodeoxycholic acid administration

PubMed Central

Lanzini, A; De Tavonatti, M G; Panarotto, B; Scalia, S; Mora, A; Benini, F; Baisini, O; Lanzarotto, F

2003-01-01

Background: Whether ileal absorption of bile acid is up or downregulated in chronic cholestasis is still debated, and most evidence has come from animal studies. Aims: To compare ileal bile acid absorption in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and in healthy control subjects, and to assess the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Patients: We studied 14 PBC patients before and during (n=11) UDCA administration, 14 healthy control subjects, and 14 Crohn’s disease patients (as disease controls). Methods: We used cholescintigraphy to measure retention in the enterohepatic circulation over five successive days of the bile acid analogue 75Se-homocholic acid-taurine (75SeHCAT) as an index of ileal bile acid absorption. Results were expressed as 75SeHCAT fractional turnover rate (FTR) and t½12. Results: 75SeHCAT FTR was 0.19 (0.11)/day, 0.34 (0.11)/day (p<0.001), and 0.83 (0.32)/day in PBC patients, healthy controls (p<0.0001), and Crohn’s patients (p<0.001), respectively, which increased to 0.36 (0.16)/day in PBC patients during UDCA treatment (p<0.005). 75SeHCAT t½12 was 4.8 (2.1) days in PBC patients, 2.2 (0.5) days (p<0.001) in healthy controls, and 1.0 (0.5) days (p<0.001) in Crohn’s disease patients. 75SeHCAT t½12 decreased to 2.2 (0.93) days (p< 0.001) in PBC patients during UDCA treatment. Conclusions: Our results support the concept that ileal bile acid absorption is upregulated in PBC patients, and that this effect may contribute towards damaging the cholestatic liver. This upregulation of bile acid absorption is abolished by UDCA. PMID:12912872

RITPBC: B-cell depleting therapy (rituximab) as a treatment for fatigue in primary biliary cirrhosis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

PubMed Central

Jopson, Laura; Newton, Julia L; Palmer, Jeremy; Floudas, Achilleas; Isaacs, John; Qian, Jessica; Wilkinson, Jennifer; Trenell, Mike; Blamire, Andrew; Howel, Denise; Jones, David E

2015-01-01

Introduction Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease with approximately 50% of patients experiencing fatigue. This can be a particularly debilitating symptom, affecting quality of life and resulting in social isolation. Fatigue is highlighted by patients as a priority for research and patient support groups were involved in designing this trial. This is the first randomised controlled trial to investigate a treatment for fatigue in PBC. The trial protocol is innovative as it utilises novel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) techniques as an outcome measure. The protocol will be valuable to research groups planning clinical trials targeting fatigue in PBC and also transferrable to other conditions associated with fatigue. Methods and analysis RITPBC is a Medical Research Council (MRC) and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme (EME)-funded project. It is a phase II, single-centre, randomised controlled, double-blinded trial comparing rituximab with placebo in fatigued PBC patients. 78 patients with PBC and moderate to severe fatigue will be randomised to receive two infusions of rituximab or placebo. The study aims to assess whether rituximab improves fatigue in patients with PBC, the safety, and tolerability of rituximab in PBC and the sustainability of any beneficial actions. The primary outcome will be an improvement in fatigue domain score of the PBC-40, a disease-specific quality of life measure, evaluated at 12-week assessment. Secondary outcome measures include novel MRS techniques assessing muscle bioenergetic function, physical activity, anaerobic threshold and symptom, and quality of life measures. The trial started recruiting in October 2012 and recruitment is ongoing. Ethics and dissemination The trial has ethical approval from the NRES Committee North East, has Clinical Trial Authorisation from MHRA and local R&D approval. Trial results will be communicated to participants, presented at national and international meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number ISRCTN03978701. PMID:26297361

Hox Proteins Display a Common and Ancestral Ability to Diversify Their Interaction Mode with the PBC Class Cofactors

PubMed Central

Hudry, Bruno; Remacle, Sophie; Delfini, Marie-Claire; Rezsohazy, René; Graba, Yacine; Merabet, Samir

2012-01-01

Hox transcription factors control a number of developmental processes with the help of the PBC class proteins. In vitro analyses have established that the formation of Hox/PBC complexes relies on a short conserved Hox protein motif called the hexapeptide (HX). This paradigm is at the basis of the vast majority of experimental approaches dedicated to the study of Hox protein function. Here we questioned the unique and general use of the HX for PBC recruitment by using the Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) assay. This method allows analyzing Hox-PBC interactions in vivo and at a genome-wide scale. We found that the HX is dispensable for PBC recruitment in the majority of investigated Drosophila and mouse Hox proteins. We showed that HX-independent interaction modes are uncovered by the presence of Meis class cofactors, a property which was also observed with Hox proteins of the cnidarian sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Finally, we revealed that paralog-specific motifs convey major PBC-recruiting functions in Drosophila Hox proteins. Altogether, our results highlight that flexibility in Hox-PBC interactions is an ancestral and evolutionary conserved character, which has strong implications for the understanding of Hox protein functions during normal development and pathologic processes. PMID:22745600

Personality Makes a Difference: Attachment Orientation Moderates Theory of Planned Behavior Prediction of Cardiac Medication Adherence.

PubMed

Peleg, Shira; Vilchinsky, Noa; Fisher, William A; Khaskia, Abed; Mosseri, Morris

2017-12-01

To achieve a comprehensive understanding of patients' adherence to medication following acute coronary syndrome (ACS), we assessed the possible moderating role played by attachment orientation on the effects of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC), as derived from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991), on intention and reported adherence. A prospective longitudinal design was employed. During hospitalization, ACS male patients (N = 106) completed a set of self-report questionnaires including sociodemographic variables, attachment orientation, and measures of TPB constructs. Six months post-discharge, 90 participants completed a questionnaire measuring adherence to medication. Attachment orientations moderated some of the predictions of the TPB model. PBC predicted intention and reported adherence, but these associations were found to be significant only among individuals with lower, as opposed to higher, attachment anxiety. The association between attitudes and intention was stronger among individuals with higher, as opposed to lower, attachment anxiety. Only among individuals with higher attachment avoidance, subjective norms were negatively associated with intention to take medication. Cognitive variables appear to explain both adherence intention and behavior, but differently, depending on individuals' attachment orientations. Integrating personality and cognitive models may prove effective in understanding patients' health behaviors. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effectiveness of a Web-Based Health Education Program to Promote Oral Hygiene Care Among Stroke Survivors: Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Ab Malik, Normaliza; Mohamad Yatim, Sa'ari; Lam, Otto Lok Tao; Jin, Lijian; McGrath, Colman Patrick Joseph

2017-03-31

Oral hygiene care is of key importance among stroke patients to prevent complications that may compromise rehabilitation or potentially give rise to life-threatening infections such as aspiration pneumonia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based continuing professional development (CPD) program on "general intention" of the health carers to perform daily mouth cleaning for stroke patients using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A double-blind cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted among 547 stroke care providers across 10 hospitals in Malaysia. The centers were block randomized to receive either (1) test intervention (a Web-based CPD program on providing oral hygiene care to stroke patients using TPB) or (2) control intervention (a Web-based CPD program not specific to oral hygiene). Domains of TPB: "attitude," "subjective norm" (SN), "perceived behavior control" (PBC), "general intention" (GI), and "knowledge" related to providing oral hygiene care were assessed preintervention and at 1 month and 6 months postintervention. The overall response rate was 68.2% (373/547). At 1 month, between the test and control groups, there was a significant difference in changes in scores of attitude (P=.004) and subjective norm (P=.01), but not in other TPB domains (GI, P=.11; PBC, P=.51; or knowledge, P=.08). At 6 months, there were significant differences in changes in scores of GI (P=.003), attitude (P=.009), SN (P<.001) and knowledge (P=.001) between the test and control groups. Regression analyses identified that the key factors associated with a change in GI at 6 months were changes in SN (beta=.36, P<.001) and changes in PBC (beta=.23, P<.001). The Web-based CPD program based on TPB increased general intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and knowledge to provide oral hygiene care among stroke carers for their patients. Changing subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are key factors associated with changes in general intention to provide oral hygiene care. National Medical Research Register, Malaysia NMRR-13-1540-18833 (IIR); https://www.nmrr.gov.my/ fwbLoginPage.jsp. ©Normaliza Ab Malik, Sa'ari Mohamad Yatim, Otto Lok Tao Lam, Lijian Jin, Colman Patrick Joseph McGrath. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 31.03.2017.

Understanding the acceptance factors of an Hospital Information System: evidence from a French University Hospital.

PubMed

Ologeanu-Taddei, R; Morquin, D; Domingo, H; Bourret, R

2015-01-01

The goal of this study was to examine the perceived usefulness, the perceived ease of use and the perceived behavioral control of a Hospital Information System (HIS) for the care staff. We administrated a questionnaire composed of open-end and closed questions, based on the main concepts of Technology Acceptance Model. As results, the perceived usefulness, ease of use and behavioral control (self-efficacy and organizational support) are correlated with medical occupations. As an example, we found that a half of the medical secretaries consider the HIS is ease of use, at the opposite to the anesthesiologists, surgeons and physicians. Medical secretaries reported also the highest rate of PBC and a high rate of PU. Pharmacists reported the highest rate of PU but a low rate of PBC, which is similar to the rate of the surgeons and physicians. Content analysis of open questions highlights factors influencing these constructs: ergonomics, errors in the documenting process, insufficient compatibility with the medical department or the occupational group. Consequently, we suggest that the gap between the perceptions of the different occupational groups may be explained by the use of different modules and by interdependency of the care stare staff.

Inoculation with a psychrotrophic-thermophilic complex microbial agent accelerates onset and promotes maturity of dairy manure-rice straw composting under cold climate conditions.

PubMed

Gou, Changlong; Wang, Yuqiong; Zhang, Xiqing; Lou, Yujie; Gao, Yunhang

2017-11-01

The objective was to determine the effects of psychrotrophic-thermophilic complex microbial agent (PTCMA) comprised of a psychrotrophic bacterium consortium (PBC) and a thermophilic cellulolytic fungi consortium (TCFC), on composting in a cold climate. Mixtures of dairy manure and rice straw were inoculated with PTCMA, PBC, TCFC and sterile water (control) and composted at an initial ambient temperatures of -2 to 5°C. In compost piles inoculated with PBC or PTCMA, temperatures reached the thermophilic phase (>55°C) faster (8-11d) than piles inoculated with TCFC or control. Furthermore, compost inoculated with TCFC or PTCMA had greater decreases in total organic carbon and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, as well as significant increases in total nitrogen, degradation of cellulose and lignin and germination index than PBC inoculation or Control compost. Consequently, inoculation with both (i.e. PTCMA) accelerated the onset and promoted maturity of composting under cold-climate conditions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Perceived difficulty in the theory of planned behaviour: perceived behavioural control or affective attitude?

PubMed

Kraft, Pål; Rise, Jostein; Sutton, Stephen; Røysamb, Espen

2005-09-01

A study was conducted to explore (a) the dimensional structure of perceived behavioural control (PBC), (b) the conceptual basis of perceived difficulty items, and (c) how PBC components and instrumental and affective attitudes, respectively, relate to intention and behaviour. The material stemmed from a two-wave study of Norwegian graduate students (N = 227 for the prediction of intention and N = 110 for the prediction of behaviour). Data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple regression by the application of structural equation modelling (SEM). CFA suggested that PBC could be conceived of as consisting of three separate but interrelated factors (perceived control, perceived confidence and perceived difficulty), or as two separate but interrelated factors representing self-efficacy (measured by perceived difficulty and perceived confidence or by just perceived confidence) and perceived control. However, the perceived difficulty items also overlapped substantially with affective attitude. Perceived confidence was a strong predictor of exercise intention but not of recycling intention. Perceived control, however, was a strong predictor of recycling intention but not exercise intention. Affective attitudes but not instrumental attitudes were identified as substantial predictors of intentions. The findings suggest that at least under some circumstances it may be inadequate to measure PBC by means of perceived difficulty. One possible consequence may be that the role of PBC as a predictor of intention is somewhat overestimated, whereas the role of (affective) attitude may be similarly underestimated.

Catalytic domain of PDC-E2 contains epitopes recognized by antimitochondrial antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Braun, Sandra; Berg, Christoph; Buck, Sandra; Gregor, Michael; Klein, Reinhild

2010-02-28

To search for further immunodominant peptides of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2-component (PDC-E2) recognized by antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Sera from 95 patients with PBC were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against 33 synthetic overlapping peptides (25 amino acids; aa) covering the entire length of the E2-subunit of PDC-E2. Furthermore, the inner lipoyl peptide 167-184 was used in an unlipoylated and a lipoylated form as well as coupled to ovalbumin. Sera from 11 AMA negative/ANA positive PBC patients, 63 patients with other liver disorders and 22 healthy blood donors served as controls. Of the 95 PBC-sera, 74% reacted with the peptide 475-499 and 58% with the peptide 407-431 located within the catalytic domain of PDC-E2. Patients with other disorders or healthy controls were positive in only up to 18%. Antibodies to the unlipoylated and lipoylated peptide 167-184 within the inner lipoyl domain were found in only 5% and 11% of the PBC sera, respectively; using ovalbumin-coupled peptides, the incidence increased up to 57% (unlipoylated form). Peptides within the catalytic site of PDC-E2 rather than the previously reported lipoyl binding peptide 167-184 may represent major immunodominant epitopes recognized by AMA in PBC.

RITPBC: B-cell depleting therapy (rituximab) as a treatment for fatigue in primary biliary cirrhosis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Jopson, Laura; Newton, Julia L; Palmer, Jeremy; Floudas, Achilleas; Isaacs, John; Qian, Jessica; Wilkinson, Jennifer; Trenell, Mike; Blamire, Andrew; Howel, Denise; Jones, David E

2015-08-20

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease with approximately 50% of patients experiencing fatigue. This can be a particularly debilitating symptom, affecting quality of life and resulting in social isolation. Fatigue is highlighted by patients as a priority for research and patient support groups were involved in designing this trial. This is the first randomised controlled trial to investigate a treatment for fatigue in PBC. The trial protocol is innovative as it utilises novel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) techniques as an outcome measure. The protocol will be valuable to research groups planning clinical trials targeting fatigue in PBC and also transferrable to other conditions associated with fatigue. RITPBC is a Medical Research Council (MRC) and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme (EME)-funded project. It is a phase II, single-centre, randomised controlled, double-blinded trial comparing rituximab with placebo in fatigued PBC patients. 78 patients with PBC and moderate to severe fatigue will be randomised to receive two infusions of rituximab or placebo. The study aims to assess whether rituximab improves fatigue in patients with PBC, the safety, and tolerability of rituximab in PBC and the sustainability of any beneficial actions. The primary outcome will be an improvement in fatigue domain score of the PBC-40, a disease-specific quality of life measure, evaluated at 12-week assessment. Secondary outcome measures include novel MRS techniques assessing muscle bioenergetic function, physical activity, anaerobic threshold and symptom, and quality of life measures. The trial started recruiting in October 2012 and recruitment is ongoing. The trial has ethical approval from the NRES Committee North East, has Clinical Trial Authorisation from MHRA and local R&D approval. Trial results will be communicated to participants, presented at national and international meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals. ISRCTN03978701. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Acute Effects of Partial-Body Cryotherapy on Isometric Strength: Maximum Handgrip Strength Evaluation.

PubMed

De Nardi, Massimo; Pizzigalli, Luisa; Benis, Roberto; Caffaro, Federica; Micheletti Cremasco, Margherita

2017-12-01

De Nardi, M, Pizzigalli, L, Benis, R, Caffaro, F, and Cremasco, MM. Acute effects of partial-body cryotherapy on isometric strength: maximum handgrip strength evaluation. J Strength Cond Res 31(12): 3497-3502, 2017-The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a single partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) session on the maximum handgrip strength (JAMAR Hydraulic Hand dynamometer). Two hundred healthy adults were randomized into a PBC group and a control group (50 men and 50 women in each group). After the initial handgrip strength test (T0), the experimental group performed a 150-second session of PBC (temperature range between -130 and -160° C), whereas the control group stayed in a thermo neutral room (22.0 ± 0.5° C). Immediately after, both groups performed another handgrip strength test (T1). Data underlined that both groups showed an increase in handgrip strength values, especially the experimental group (Control: T0 = 39.48 kg, T1 = 40.01 kg; PBC: T0 = 39.61 kg, T1 = 41.34 kg). The analysis also reported a statistical effect related to gender (F = 491.99, P ≤ 0.05), with women showing lower handgrip strength values compared with men (women = 30.43 kg, men = 52.27 kg). Findings provide the first evidence that a single session of PBC leads to the improvement of muscle strength in healthy people. The results of the study imply that PBC could be performed also before a training session or a sport competition, to increase hand isometric strength.

Education Based on Theory of Planned Behavior over Sexual Function of Women with Breast Cancer in Iran.

PubMed

Jalambadani, Zeinab; Garmaroudi, Gholamreza; Tavousi, Mahmood

2018-01-01

Sexual function in patients with breast cancer, especially in younger patients, is an important issue from clinical and psychosocial perspectives. Theory of planned behavior (TPB) is one of the important theories that explain the main process of adopting healthy behaviors. This study investigated the effect of education based on TPB on sexual function of women with breast cancer in Mashhad, Iran. In this quasi-experimental study, 120 women (60 women in education group, 60 women in control group) visiting Razavi Hospital of Mashhad city were studied, selected by using the random method in 2016. The data collection tool was a questionnaire which was completed during the interview. The validity and reliability of this questionnaire were determined through the face and content validity and through Cronbach's alpha and test-retest, respectively. Data were analyzed using statistical SPSS 22 software. Using linear regression analysis, it was determined that attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) predict 0.85 overall of the total variance of sexual function intention, which among these variables, the effect of the subjective norm was more than the other ones ( P < 0.05). After educational intervention, the average rates of knowledge, attitude, PBC, and intention of sexual function in sex education group were significantly increased ( P < 0.05); these changes were not meaningful in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in subjective norm between the two groups after intervention. The results of this research suggest that TPB can be used in sex education interventions and have relevant results.

Quality Control of High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy: Treatment Delivery Analysis Using Statistical Process Control

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Able, Charles M., E-mail: cable@wfubmc.edu; Bright, Megan; Frizzell, Bart

Purpose: Statistical process control (SPC) is a quality control method used to ensure that a process is well controlled and operates with little variation. This study determined whether SPC was a viable technique for evaluating the proper operation of a high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment delivery system. Methods and Materials: A surrogate prostate patient was developed using Vyse ordnance gelatin. A total of 10 metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) were placed from prostate base to apex. Computed tomography guidance was used to accurately position the first detector in each train at the base. The plan consisted of 12 needles withmore » 129 dwell positions delivering a prescribed peripheral dose of 200 cGy. Sixteen accurate treatment trials were delivered as planned. Subsequently, a number of treatments were delivered with errors introduced, including wrong patient, wrong source calibration, wrong connection sequence, single needle displaced inferiorly 5 mm, and entire implant displaced 2 mm and 4 mm inferiorly. Two process behavior charts (PBC), an individual and a moving range chart, were developed for each dosimeter location. Results: There were 4 false positives resulting from 160 measurements from 16 accurately delivered treatments. For the inaccurately delivered treatments, the PBC indicated that measurements made at the periphery and apex (regions of high-dose gradient) were much more sensitive to treatment delivery errors. All errors introduced were correctly identified by either the individual or the moving range PBC in the apex region. Measurements at the urethra and base were less sensitive to errors. Conclusions: SPC is a viable method for assessing the quality of HDR treatment delivery. Further development is necessary to determine the most effective dose sampling, to ensure reproducible evaluation of treatment delivery accuracy.« less

Modifiable risk factors of ecstasy use: risk perception, current dependence, perceived control, and depression

PubMed Central

Leung, Kit Sang; Ben Abdallah, Arbi; Cottler, Linda B.

2009-01-01

Risk perception, perceived behavioral control of obtaining ecstasy (PBC-obtaining), current ecstasy dependence, and recent depression have been associated with past ecstasy use, however, their utility in predicting ecstasy use has not been demonstrated. This study aimed to determine whether these four modifiable risk factors could predict ecstasy use after controlling for socio-demographic covariates and recent polydrug use. Data from 601 ecstasy users in the National Institute on Drug Abuse funded TriCity Study of Club Drug Use, Abuse and Dependence were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Participants were interviewed twice within a 2-week period using standardized instruments. Thirteen percent (n=80) of the participants reported using ecstasy between the two interviews. Low risk perception, high PBC-obtaining (an estimated ecstasy procurement time < 24 hours), and current ecstasy dependence were statistically associated with ecstasy use between the two interviews. Recent depression was not a significant predictor. Despite not being a target predictor, recent polydrug use was also statistically associated with ecstasy use. The present findings may inform the development of interventions targeting ecstasy users. PMID:19880258

A possible involvement of p62/sequestosome-1 in the process of biliary epithelial autophagy and senescence in primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Sasaki, Motoko; Miyakoshi, Masami; Sato, Yasunori; Nakanuma, Yasuni

2012-03-01

Given autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), we examined an involvement of p62 sequestosome-1 (p62), a specific cargo for autophagy, in the process of autophagy and cellular senescence in PBC. We examined immunohistochemically the expression of p62 in livers taken from patients with PBC (n = 46) and control livers (n = 78) and its colocalization with microtubule-associated proteins-light chain 3β (LC3), lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) and senescent markers (p16(INK) (4a) and p21(WAF) (1/Cip1) ). We examined the expression of p62 and LC3 in cultured biliary epithelial cells (BECs) treated with various stress. The effect of p62 knockdown with siRNA on stress-induced autophagy and cellular senescence was also assessed. The expression of p62 was specifically seen in cytoplasmic aggregates in BECs in the inflamed and damaged small bile ducts (SBDs) in PBC, when compared with non-inflamed ones in PBC and in control livers (P < 0.01). The co-expression of p62 with LC3, LAMP-1 and senescent markers was seen in the inflamed SBDs in PBC, but the intracytoplasmic localization was different. The expression of p62 and LC3 was significantly upregulated in BECs treated with various stress (P < 0.01) and pretreatment with bafilomycin A1 enhanced the accumulation of p62-positive aggregates in BECs with serum deprivation. The knockdown of p62 decreased stress-induced autophagy and cellular senescence. The aggregation of p62 is specifically increased in the damage bile ducts in PBC and may reflect dysfunctional autophagy, followed by cellular senescence in the pathogenesis of bile duct lesions in PBC. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Evidence for the association between IgG-antimitochondrial antibody and biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid treatment in primary biliary cholangitis.

PubMed

Tang, Libo; Zhong, Ruihua; He, Xuanqiu; Wang, Weibin; Liu, Jinhong; Zhu, Youfu; Li, Yongyin; Hou, Jinlin

2017-03-01

Antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) is considered the serological hallmark of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), while data regarding the profile of AMA during ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment are scarce. Here, we assessed the influence of UDCA treatment on titers of AMA and factors relevant to its production. Serum IgA-AMA, IgM-AMA, IgG-AMA, B cell-activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF), and the frequency of circulating plasmablasts were detected in PBC patients, including those who received UDCA therapy for 24 weeks, healthy controls, chronic hepatitis B patients, and autoimmune hepatitis patients. Consecutive liver sections from controls and PBC patients were stained by immunohistochemistry for detection of intrahepatic CD38 + , IgA + , IgM + , and IgG + cells. Significant decrease in titers of IgG-AMA was found only confined to PBC patients with biochemical response to UDCA treatment (P = 0.005), and similar pattern was also observed at week 24 in quantifying circulating plasmablasts (P = 0.025) and serum BAFF (P = 0.013). Notably, positive correlation between serum BAFF levels and titers of IgG-AMA, and the frequency of circulating plasmablasts were observed in PBC patients (r = 0.464, P = 0.034 and r = 0.700, P < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, in situ staining revealed significant accumulation of CD38 + and IgG + cells within the portal tracts of PBC liver. Decreased titers of serum IgG-AMA are associated with biochemical response to UDCA treatment, implicating the potentiality of this hallmark in therapeutic response evaluation and the beneficial effect of UDCA on humoral immunity in PBC patients. © 2016 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

[Seropositivity for Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis].

PubMed

Montaño-Loza, A; Vázquez-Ballesteros, E; Meza-Junco, J; Villalobos-Zapata, I; Olivera-Martínez, M

2006-03-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by inflammatory injury and bile duct destruction. Recent studies suggest that Chlamydia pneumoniae could be associated with the development of PBC. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of C. pneumoniae in a cohort of patients with PBC. The presence of IgG antibodies against C. pneumoniae was investigated in 46 patients with PBC and in 105 subjects without cirrhosis. Twenty-one patients (46%) with PBC had antibodies against C. pneumoniae compared with 74 subjects (71%) in the control group (OR = 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3-1.2; p = NS). Subanalysis of the PBC group showed that patients with C. pneumoniae antibodies had a higher frequency of advanced Child-Pugh stages (24% A, 52% B and 24% C vs 64% A, 32% B and 4% C; p = 0.01), a higher score on the Mayo Clinic Prognostic Index (7.8 +/- 2.1 vs 5.6 +/- 1.2; p = 0.004), a higher frequency of ascites (29% vs 4%; OR = 9.6; 95% CI, 1-87; p = 0.02), higher total bilirubin levels (4.5 +/- 2.5 mg/dl vs 2.4 +/- 4.3 mg/dl, p = 0.001) and lower serum albumin levels (2.6 +/- 0.9 g/dl vs 3.3 +/- 0.6 g/dl, p = 0.02). No association was found between C. pneumoniae infection and PBC in this study. An association was found between the severity of PBC and C. pneumoniae, which may suggest a deleterious effect of C. pneumoniae infection or a predisposition in advanced stages of PBC to acquire infection with this microorganism.

Wipe-rinse technique for quantitating microbial contamination on large surfaces.

PubMed Central

Kirschner, L E; Puleo, J R

1979-01-01

The evaluation of an improved wipe-rinse technique for the bioassay of large areas was undertaken due to inherent inadequacies in the cotton swab-rinse technique to which assay of spacecraft is currently restricted. Four types of contamination control cloths were initially tested. A polyester-bonded cloth (PBC) was selected for further evaluation because of its superior efficiency and handling characteristics. Results from comparative tests with PBC and cotton swabs on simulated spacecraft surfaces indicated a significantly higher recovery efficiency for the PBC than for the cotton (90.4 versus 75.2%). Of the sampling areas sites studied, PBC was found to be most effective on surface areas not exceeding 0.74 m2 (8.0 feet 2). PMID:394682

Wipe-rinse technique for quantitating microbial contamination on large surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kirschner, L. E.; Puleo, J. R.

1979-01-01

The evaluation of an improved wipe-rinse technique for the bioassay of large areas was undertaken due to inherent inadequacies in the cotton swab-rinse technique to which assay of spacecraft is currently restricted. Four types of contamination control cloths were initially tested. A polyester-bonded cloth (PBC) was selected for further evaluation because of its superior efficiency and handling characteristics. Results from comparative tests with PBC and cotton swabs on simulated spacecraft surfaces indicated a significantly higher recovery efficiency for the PBC than for the cotton (90.4 versus 75.2%). Of the sampling area sites studied, PBC was found to be most effective on surface areas not exceeding 0.74 sq m (8.0 sq ft).

Moms and Media: Exploring the Effects of Online Communication on Infant Feeding Practices.

PubMed

McKeever, Robert; McKeever, Brooke W

2017-09-01

Using a survey of mothers with young children (N = 455), this study applies Fishbein and Ajzen's reasoned action approach (RAA) to examine the relationship between online communication and infant feeding practices. Contrary to expectations, attitudes, perceived normative pressure, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) did not fully mediate the relationship between time spent online and behavioral intentions. Our findings indicate a significant, direct, negative association between time spent online and breastfeeding intentions In this article, theoretical and practical implications for health communication are discussed.

Association of primary biliary cirrhosis with the allele HLA-DPB1*0301 in a German population.

PubMed

Mella, J G; Roschmann, E; Maier, K P; Volk, B A

1995-02-01

The major histocompatibility complex class II alleles at the HLA-DPB1 locus were investigated in 32 German Caucasoid patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and compared with those from 47 normal control patients using molecular genotyping techniques. The second exon of the HLA-DPB1 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridized with 25 sequence-specific oligonucleotides (SSOs) to assign the HLA-DPB1 alleles on the basis of known sequence variations, according to the protocols of the Eleventh International Histocompatibility Workshop. A strong association of PBC was found with the allele HLA-DPB1*0301. The allele HLA DPB1*0301 was present in 50% (16 of 32) of the patients with PBC compared with 13% (6 of 47) of normal controls (P corrected < .015), whereas the other HLA-DPB1 alleles showed no significant differences in both groups. The relative risk (RR) estimate for the allele HLA-DPB1*0301 was 6.8 (95% confidence limits: 2.27 to 20.57). In summary, this study clearly demonstrates an association of PBC with the HLA-DPB1*0301 allele in German Caucasoids and may add new data to the immunogenetic background of PBC, suggesting a contribution of the HLA-DPB1 gene to the genetic susceptibility of the disease.

Purchasing habits of senior farmers' market shoppers: utilizing the theory of planned behavior.

PubMed

Middleton, Crystal; Smith, Sylvia

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to understand fresh fruit and vegetable purchasing habits among senior farmers' market shoppers using the theory of planned behavior. A survey instrument was developed to collect information on seniors' fruit and vegetable purchasing habits. A convenience sample of seniors shopping at farmers' markets was employed. A total of 184 surveys were collected. Respondents were divided into two groups based on response to a question of whether they received Senior Farmers' Market Nutritional Program (SFMNP) checks: 35 were on the SFMNP and 149 were not. Results indicated attitudes, subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) were all significantly correlated with intentions at the p < 0.01 level. Attitude had the strongest association with intentions (0.730), followed by PBC (0.666) and SN (0.587). Regression analysis was significant and explained 66% of the variance (F = 86.151, p < 0.001, adjusted R square = 0.656). Results indicated attitude to be the strongest predictor of seniors' intentions to purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets. Senior programs may find this information useful when promoting fresh fruits and vegetables for senior citizens. These findings may also benefit farmers' markets while promoting fresh fruits and vegetables.

Do motivation-related cognitions explain the relationship between perceptions of urban form and neighborhood walking?

PubMed

McCormack, Gavin R; Friedenreich, Christine M; Giles-Corti, Billie; Doyle-Baker, Patricia K; Shiell, Alan

2013-09-01

The built and social environments may contribute to physical activity motivations and behavior. We examined the extent to which the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) mediated the association between neighborhood walkability and walking. Two random cross-sectional samples (n = 4422 adults) completed telephone interviews capturing walking-related TPB variables (perceived behavioral control (PBC), attitudes, subjective norm, intention). Of those, 2006 completed a self-administered questionnaire capturing walkability, social support (friends, family, dog ownership), and neighborhood-based transportation (NTW) and recreational walking (NRW). The likelihood of undertaking 1) any vs. none and 2) sufficient vs. insufficient levels (≥150 vs. <150 minutes/week) of NTW and NWR, in relation to walkability, social support, and TPB was estimated. Any and sufficient NTW were associated with access to services, connectivity, residential density, not owning a dog (any NTW only), and friend and family support. Any and sufficient NRW were associated with neighborhood aesthetics (any NRW only), dog ownership, and friend and family support. PBC partially mediated the association between access to services and NTW (any and sufficient), while experiential attitudes partially mediated the association between neighborhood aesthetics and any NRW. Interventions that increase positive perceptions of the built environment may motivate adults to undertake more walking.

Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on bile acid profiles and intestinal detoxification machinery in primary biliary cirrhosis and health.

PubMed

Dilger, Karin; Hohenester, Simon; Winkler-Budenhofer, Ursula; Bastiaansen, Barbara A J; Schaap, Frank G; Rust, Christian; Beuers, Ulrich

2012-07-01

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) exerts anticholestatic, antifibrotic and antiproliferative effects in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) via mechanisms not yet fully understood. Its adequate biliary enrichment is considered mandatory for therapeutic efficacy. However, precise determination of biliary enrichment of UDCA is not possible in clinical practice. Therefore, we investigated (i) the relationship between biliary enrichment and plasma pharmacokinetics of UDCA, (ii) the effect of UDCA on plasma and biliary bile acid composition and conjugation patterns, and (iii) on the intestinal detoxification machinery in patients with PBC and healthy controls. In 11 PBC patients and 11 matched healthy subjects, cystic bile and duodenal tissue were collected before and after 3 weeks of administration of UDCA (15 mg/kg/day). Extensive pharmacokinetic profiling of bile acids was performed. The effect of UDCA on the intestinal detoxification machinery was studied by quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The relative fraction of UDCA and its conjugates in plasma at trough level[x] correlated with their biliary enrichment[y] (r=0.73, p=0.0001, y=3.65+0.49x). Taurine conjugates of the major hydrophobic bile acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, were more prominent in bile of PBC patients than in that of healthy controls. Biliary bile acid conjugation patterns normalized after treatment with UDCA. UDCA induced duodenal expression of key export pumps, BCRP and P-glycoprotein. Biliary and trough plasma enrichment of UDCA are closely correlated in PBC and health. Taurine conjugation may represent an adaptive mechanism in PBC against chenodeoxycholic acid-mediated bile duct damage. UDCA may stabilize small intestinal detoxification by upregulation of efflux pumps. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Investigating the sorption behavior of cadmium from aqueous solution by potassium permanganate-modified biochar: quantify mechanism and evaluate the modification method.

PubMed

Fan, Zixi; Zhang, Qian; Li, Meng; Niu, Dongyuan; Sang, Wenjiao; Verpoort, Francis

2018-03-01

In this work, a KMnO 4 -modified-biochar-based composite material with manganese oxide produced at 600 °C was fabricated to investigate the sorption mechanism of Cd(II) and to comprehensively evaluate the effect of the modification on biochar properties. Cd(II) adsorption mechanisms were mainly controlled by interaction with minerals, complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups, and cation-π interaction. The sorption capacity was significantly reduced after a deash treatment of biochar, almost shrunk by 3 and 3.5 times for pristine biochar (PBC) and modified biochar (MBC). For deashed PBC, oxygen-containing functional groups were the main contributor toward Cd(II) adsorption while interaction with minerals was significantly compromised and became negligible. The sorption capacity was also apparently decreased after the deash treatment of MBC; however, for deashed MBC, interaction with minerals still was the main contributor to the sorption ability, which could be attributed to the mechanism of interaction of Cd(II) with loaded MnO x on biochar. Cation-π interaction in MBC was notably enhanced compared to PBC due to the oxidation of KMnO 4 on biomass. Also, sorption performance by oxygen-containing functional groups was also enhanced. Hence, the modification by KMnO 4 has a significant effect on the Cd(II) sorption performance of biochar.

Using the theory of planned behavior to explain the drinking motivations of social, high-risk, and extreme drinkers on game day.

PubMed

Glassman, Tavis; Braun, Robert E; Dodd, Virginia; Miller, Jeffrey M; Miller, E Maureen

2010-04-01

This study assessed the extent to which the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) correctly predicted college student's motivation to consume alcohol on game day based on alcohol consumption rates. Three cohorts of 1,000 participants each (N = 3,000) were randomly selected and invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey the Monday following one of three designated college home football games. Path analyses were conducted to determine which of the TPB constructs were most effective in predicting Behavioral Intention and alcohol consumption among social, high-risk, and extreme drinkers. Social drinkers, high-risk, and those drinkers who engage in Extreme Ritualistic Alcohol Consumption (ERAC) were defined as males who consumed 1-4, 5-9, or 10 or more drinks on game day (1-3, 4-8, or nine or more drinks for females), respectively. Attitude Towards the Behavior and Subjective Norm constructs predicted participant's intentions to consume alcohol and corresponding behavior among all three classifications of drinkers; whereas the Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) construct inconsistently predicted intention and alcohol consumption. Based on Behavioral Intention, the proportion of variance the TPB model explained decreased as participants alcohol consumption increased. It appears that the TPB constructs Attitude Toward the Behavior and Subjective Norm can effectively be utilized when designing universal prevention interventions targeting game day alcohol consumption among college students. However, the applicability of the PBC construct remains in question. While select constructs in the TPB appear to have predictive ability, the usefulness of the complete theoretical framework is limited when trying to predict high-risk drinking and ERAC. These findings suggest that other behavioral theories should be considered when addressing the needs of high-risk and extreme drinkers.

Beam control of high-power broad-area photonic crystal lasers using ladderlike groove structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tao; Wang, Lijie; Shu, Shili; Tian, Sicong; Lu, Zefeng; Hou, Guanyu; Lu, Huanyu; Tong, Cunzhu; Wang, Lijun

2017-06-01

The high-power broad-area (BA) photonic bandgap crystal (PBC) diode laser is promising as a high-brightness laser source, however, it suffers from poor lateral beam quality owing to the intrinsic drawback of BA lasers. In this paper, a ladderlike groove structure (LLGS) was proposed to improve both the lateral beam quality and emission power of BA PBC lasers. An approximately 15.4% improvement in output power and 25.2% decrease in the lateral beam parameter product (BPP) were realized and the underlying mechanism was discussed. On the basis of the one-dimensional PBC epitaxial structure, a stable vertical far field was demonstrated.

Parasympathetic Activity and Blood Catecholamine Responses Following a Single Partial-Body Cryostimulation and a Whole-Body Cryostimulation

PubMed Central

Hausswirth, Christophe; Schaal, Karine; Le Meur, Yann; Bieuzen, François; Filliard, Jean-Robert; Volondat, Marielle; Louis, Julien

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a single whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) and a partial-body cryostimulation (PBC) (i.e., not exposing the head to cold) on indices of parasympathetic activity and blood catecholamines. Two groups of 15 participants were assigned either to a 3-min WBC or PBC session, while 10 participants constituted a control group (CON) not receiving any cryostimulation. Changes in thermal, physiological and subjective variables were recorded before and during the 20-min after each cryostimulation. According to a qualitative statistical analysis, an almost certain decrease in skin temperature was reported for all body regions immediately after the WBC (mean decrease±90% CL, -13.7±0.7°C) and PBC (-8.3±0.3°C), which persisted up to 20-min after the session. The tympanic temperature almost certainly decreased only after the WBC session (-0.32±0.04°C). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were very likely increased after the WBC session, whereas these changes were trivial in the other groups. In addition, heart rate almost certainly decreased after PBC (-10.9%) and WBC (-15.2%) sessions, in a likely greater proportion for WBC compared to PBC. Resting vagal-related heart rate variability indices (the root-mean square difference of successive normal R-R intervals, RMSSD, and high frequency band, HF) were very likely increased after PBC (RMSSD: +54.4%, HF: +138%) and WBC (RMSSD: +85.2%, HF: +632%) sessions without any marked difference between groups. Plasma norepinephrine concentrations were likely to very likely increased after PBC (+57.4%) and WBC (+76.2%), respectively. Finally, cold and comfort sensations were almost certainly altered after WBC and PBC, sensation of discomfort being likely more pronounced after WBC than PBC. Both acute cryostimulation techniques effectively stimulated the autonomic nervous system (ANS), with a predominance of parasympathetic tone activation. The results of this study also suggest that a whole-body cold exposure induced a larger stimulation of the ANS compared to partial-body cold exposure. PMID:23991134

Evaluation of classical and novel autoantibodies for the diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cholangitis-Autoimmune Hepatitis Overlap Syndrome (PBC-AIH OS).

PubMed

Nguyen, Henry H; Shaheen, Abdel Aziz; Baeza, Natalia; Lytvyak, Ellina; Urbanski, Stefan J; Mason, Andrew L; Norman, Gary L; Fritzler, Marvin J; Swain, Mark G

2018-01-01

Up to 20% of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) patients are estimated to have features that overlap with Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH). Patients with PBC-AIH overlap syndrome (PBC-AIH OS) have been reported to exhibit suboptimal responses to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy, and are more likely to progress to cirrhosis. Anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) and anti-p53 have been previously suggested to be potential autoantibodies for identifying patients with PBC-AIH OS. In our well defined PBC patient cohorts, a comprehensive assessment of various classical and novel autoantibodies was evaluated for their utility in identifying PBC-AIH OS patients. PBC-AIH OS was classified according to the Paris criteria and PBC as per the European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines. Biobanked serum samples from 197 patients at the University of Calgary Liver Unit and the University of Alberta were analyzed for classical and novel autoantibodies. Anti-dsDNA was measured by the Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence (CLIFT) assay (1:20 dilution) and chemiluminescence (CIA: QUANTA Flash®, Inova Diagnostics, San Diego). Anti-p53, anti-Ro52/TRIM21, anti-YB 1, anti-GW182, anti-Ge-1, and anti-Ago 2 were measured by either an addressable laser bead immunoassay (ALBIA) or line immunoassay (LIA). Autoantibodies against MIT3, gp210, sp100, LKM1, SLA, and the novel autoantibodies Hexokinase-1 (HK-1), and Kelch like protein 12 (KLHL-12) were measured using QUANTA Lite® ELISA assays. We applied non-parametric methods to compare the biomarkers frequencies between study groups. We used multivariate adjusted models and AUROC to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the different autoantibodies alone or in combination with serum biochemistry. 16 out of 197 PBC patients (8.1%) were classified as PBC-AIH OS. Compared to PBC patients, PBC-AIH OS patients were similar in age (median: 59 vs. 63, P = 0.21) and female predominance (94% vs. 89%, P = 1.00). Anti-dsDNA-by CLIFT (37.5% in PBC-AIH OS vs 9.9% in PBC alone, P <0.01) was the only autoantibody associated with PBC-AIH OS; a finding consistent with previous reports. Significant elevation in serum ALT (62 IU/L in PBC-AIH OS vs 37 IU/L in PBC alone, P < 0.01), and serum IgG (17.6 g/L in OS vs 12.1 g/L in PBC alone, P <0.01) were observed in patients with PBC-AIH OS receiving medical/immunosuppressive therapy. In a multivariate model, positive anti-dsDNA by CLIFT, ALT and IgG were significant predictors of PBC-AIH OS with an area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) value of 0.84. Consistent with previous findings, the presence of anti-dsDNA by CLIFT is associated with PBC-AIH OS. Contrary to previous reports, anti-p53 was not associated with PBC-AIH OS. Our comprehensive evaluation of various classical and novel autoantibody biomarkers including Ro52/TRIM21, anti-p53, anti-KLHL-12 and anti-HK-1 were not significantly associated with PBC-AIH OS. Our findings highlight the ongoing need for the research and development of new autoantibody biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis of PBC-AIH OS.

Effectiveness of Platinum-Based Treatment for Triple Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer: a Meta-Analysis

PubMed

Kaya, Vildan; Yildirim, Mustafa; Yazici, Gozde; Gunduz, Seyda; Bozcuk, Hakan; Paydas, Semra

2018-05-26

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a sub-group of breast cancers with a particularly poor prognosis. The results of studies investigating the role of platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) in metastatic TNBC (mTNBC) have been conflicting. In this meta-analysis, our aim was to assess the effectiveness of PBCs for mTNBCs. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register Databases, and EBSCOhost databases were accessed. The English language was used as the search language and only human studies were included. The Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and the Jadad scoring system were used to evaluate the quality of the included randomized controlled studies. Results: Seven studies and 1,571 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS), evaluated on the basis of six studies, showed the use of PBC regimes to be related to OS in mTNBCs (HR 0.620; 95% CI 0.513-0.749; p:<0.001). Four studies containing HR and abstract statistics used for HR calculation were included in the meta-analysis for progression-free survival (PFS). The pooled HR again indicated a significant relation (HR, 0.628; 95% CI, 0.501-0.786; p:<0.001). Conclusions: In this meta-analysis, we confirmed that PBC regimes provide OS and PFS advantages compared to non-PBC regimes. The use of PBC regimes could be a good choice in mTNBC patients for better quality of life and survival. Creative Commons Attribution License

[Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior: Which factors influence on doing physical exercise?].

PubMed

Neipp, Mari Carmen; Quiles, María José; León, Eva; Tirado, Sonia; Rodríguez-Marín, Jesús

2015-05-01

The purpose of this study was analyzed the influence of attitude, subjective norm, and Perceived behavioral control (PBC) on intention of doing physical exercise in a group of people. Cross-sectional and observational study. Questionnaire was applied to general population in the province of Alicante 679 people who practiced physical exercise in the province of Alicante. It was applied a questionnaire measuring the components of the Theory of Plan Behavior model (TPB). Results showed that variables of the model (TPB) had good fit to the data. Moreover, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control had a significant impact on intention and the three variables explained 61% of its variance. Findings supported the important role of TPB in the context of physical exercise. Perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of intention to practice physical exercise. A possible intervention might lead to implement programs focused in increasing control perception of people to engage in physical exercise. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Predicting intentions to donate blood among nondonors in Australia: an extended theory of planned behavior.

PubMed

Robinson, Natalie G; Masser, Barbara M; White, Katherine M; Hyde, Melissa K; Terry, Deborah J

2008-12-01

With an increasing demand for blood and blood products in Australia, there is a continual need to recruit blood donors. As such, it is important to investigate the factors that impact on nondonors' decision-making processes with regard to donating blood for the first time. Previous research has established the efficacy of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in predicting blood donor intentions. The current research aimed to test a TPB model augmented with constructs implicated in previous blood donor research; specifically descriptive norm, moral norm, anticipated regret, and donation anxiety. Participants completed measures assessing the standard TPB variables of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) as well as descriptive norm, moral norm, donation anxiety, and anticipated regret. Path analysis examined the utility of the augmented TPB model to predict 195 non-blood donors' intentions to donate blood. A final revised model provided a very good fit to the data and included attitude, PBC, moral norm, descriptive norm, anticipated regret, and donation anxiety as direct predictors of intention, with these factors accounting for 70 percent of the variance in intentions to donate blood. A revised TPB model provided a more efficacious predictor of nondonors' intentions to donate than the standard TPB model and highlights the role that norm-based factors and affective-laden constructs play in predicting non-blood donors' intentions to donate.

Convergent and Discriminant Validity of the Autism Spectrum Disorder-Problem Behavior for Children (ASD-PBC) against the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mahan, Sara; Matson, Johnny L.

2011-01-01

Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrate challenging behaviors. Since challenging behaviors are obstacles for social development and learning, it is important to determine if and what challenging behaviors are exhibited. Although there are some measures that asses for challenging behaviors, the majority were not specifically…

Rituximab is Ineffective for Treatment of Fatigue in Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A phase-2 Randomised Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Khanna, Amardeep; Jopson, Laura; Howel, Denise; Bryant, Andrew; Blamire, Andrew; Newton, Julia L; Jones, David E

2018-05-23

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease. Half of patients experience debilitating fatigue which is currently untreatable. Previous studies have shown muscle bioenergetic abnormalities in PBC, including increased muscle acidosis with exercise linked to the anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) diagnostic of the disease, and reduced anaerobic threshold. In this study we addressed the hypothesis that fatigue in PBC is driven by muscle bioenergetic abnormality related to AMA, and that AMA reduction with B-cell depletion therapy will improve fatigue. In our single-centred Phase II randomised controlled trial (RCT) 57 participants aged ≥18 years with PBC and moderate or severe fatigue were randomized to receive 2 doses of either rituximab (1000mg) or saline (placebo). The primary outcome measure was fatigue severity assessed using the PBC-40 fatigue domain at 3 months. Secondary outcomes measures included patient-reported outcomes, immunological and bioenergetics disease parameters. Experimental outcomes included biochemical markers of disease severity. Improvement in fatigue score at 3 months was seen in both arms, with no significant difference (adjusted mean difference -0.9 95%CI -4.6 to 3.1). Little difference was observed in other patient reported outcomes or physical activity. Significant anaerobic threshold improvement was seen in the Rituximab group only but this was not associated with fatigue improvement. No treatment-emergent SAEs were seen. Rituximab was safe over the 12 month study period but showed no evidence of effectiveness for the treatment of fatigue in PBC. Anaerobic threshold improvement was seen; potentially linking AMA with muscle bioenergetics dysfunction, however, this was not related to improvement in fatigue. Rituximab had some evidence of a beneficial effect on alkaline phosphatase levels in this largely UDCA-responding, early disease stage cohort. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. © 2018 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Testing the relationship between personality characteristics, contextual factors and entrepreneurial intentions in a developing country.

PubMed

Karimi, Saeid; Biemans, Harm J A; Naderi Mahdei, Karim; Lans, Thomas; Chizari, Mohammad; Mulder, Martin

2017-06-01

Drawing upon the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), we developed and tested a conceptual model which integrates both internal personality factors and external contextual factors to determine their associations with motivational factors and entrepreneurial intentions (EIs). We then investigated if the model of EI applies in a developing country, namely Iran. We also set out to identify the most relevant factors for EI within this developing country context. Do distal predictors of EI including personality factors (i.e. need for achievement, risk taking and locus of control) and contextual factors (i.e. perceived barriers and support) significantly relate to EI via proximal predictors including motivational factors (i.e. attitudes towards entrepreneurship and perceived behavioural control [PBC])? Data were collected on 331 students from 7 public universities. The findings support the TPB for EI in Iran. All three motivational factors related to EI, but PBC showed the strongest association, which is different than in developed country contexts. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed. All three personality characteristics indirectly related to EI via the proximal attitudes towards entrepreneurship and PBC. Perceived contextual support and barriers indirectly related to EI via proximal PBC while perceived barriers also directly related to EI. © 2015 International Union of Psychological Science.

What Influences Chinese Adolescents’ Choice Intention between Playing Online Games and Learning? Application of Theory of Planned Behavior with Subjective Norm Manipulated as Peer Support and Parental Monitoring

PubMed Central

Wang, Jia; Liu, Ru-De; Ding, Yi; Liu, Ying; Xu, Le; Zhen, Rui

2017-01-01

This study investigated how and why Chinese adolescents choose between playing online games and doing homework, using the model of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in which the subjective norm was manipulated as two sub-elements (peer support and parental monitoring). A total of 530 students from an elementary school and a middle school in China were asked to complete the measures assessing two predictors of TPB: attitude and perceived behavioral control (PBC). Next, they completed a survey about their choice intention between playing an online game and doing homework in three different situations, wherein a conflict between playing online games and doing homework was introduced and subjective norm was manipulated as peers supporting and parents objecting to playing online games. The results showed that adolescents’ attitude and PBC, as well as the perception of obtaining or not obtaining support from their peers and caregivers (manipulated subjective norm), significantly influenced their choice intention in online gaming situations. These findings contribute to the understanding of the factors affecting adolescents’ online gaming, which has been a concern of both caregivers and educators. With regard to the theoretical implications, this study extended previous work by providing evidence that TPB can be applied to analyze choice intention. Moreover, this study illuminated the effects of the separating factors of subjective norm on choice intention between playing online games and studying. PMID:28458649

What Influences Chinese Adolescents' Choice Intention between Playing Online Games and Learning? Application of Theory of Planned Behavior with Subjective Norm Manipulated as Peer Support and Parental Monitoring.

PubMed

Wang, Jia; Liu, Ru-De; Ding, Yi; Liu, Ying; Xu, Le; Zhen, Rui

2017-01-01

This study investigated how and why Chinese adolescents choose between playing online games and doing homework, using the model of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in which the subjective norm was manipulated as two sub-elements (peer support and parental monitoring). A total of 530 students from an elementary school and a middle school in China were asked to complete the measures assessing two predictors of TPB: attitude and perceived behavioral control (PBC). Next, they completed a survey about their choice intention between playing an online game and doing homework in three different situations, wherein a conflict between playing online games and doing homework was introduced and subjective norm was manipulated as peers supporting and parents objecting to playing online games. The results showed that adolescents' attitude and PBC, as well as the perception of obtaining or not obtaining support from their peers and caregivers (manipulated subjective norm), significantly influenced their choice intention in online gaming situations. These findings contribute to the understanding of the factors affecting adolescents' online gaming, which has been a concern of both caregivers and educators. With regard to the theoretical implications, this study extended previous work by providing evidence that TPB can be applied to analyze choice intention. Moreover, this study illuminated the effects of the separating factors of subjective norm on choice intention between playing online games and studying.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis Associated with Skin Disorders: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli, Benedetta; Guillod, Caroline; Marsteller, Igor; Blum, Roland; Mazzucchelli, Luca; Mondino, Chiara; Invernizzi, Pietro; Gershwin, M Eric; Mainetti, Carlo

2017-08-01

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune cholestatic liver disease. It is often associated with extrahepatic autoimmune diseases. Skin disorders are sporadically reported in association with PBC. We report an unusual case of PBC associated with acquired reactive perforating dermatosis (ARPD) and present a review of the literature on skin disorders associated with PBC. Our patient presented to the dermatology department with generalized pruritus associated with nodular perforating skin lesions on the trunk, and cholestatic liver disease of unknown origin. After having established both diagnosis of ARPD and PBC, she was managed in an interdisciplinary manner, and both her skin and liver conditions improved gradually. Only one similar case is reported in the literature, in that case, the liver disease was not treated. By reviewing the literature, we found that lichen planus, vitiligo, and psoriasis are the most frequent skin disorders associated with PBC. However, there is only limited data about specific skin disorders associated with PBC. This case report of a patient with PBC associated with ARPD underlines the importance of interdisciplinary management of patients with rare liver diseases combined with rare skin disorders. The present review of the literature shows that probably, immune-mediated skin conditions are not more frequent in PBC patients than in the general population. However, the available data are scant; there is a need for high-quality data on skin conditions associated with PBC.

Increased numbers of circulating ICOS⁺ follicular helper T and CD38⁺ plasma cells in patients with newly diagnosed primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Wang, Li; Sun, Xiguang; Qiu, Jinpeng; Cai, Yanjun; Ma, Liang; Zhao, Pingwei; Jiang, Yanfang

2015-02-01

Aberrant activation of follicular helper T (TFH) and B cells is associated with the development of autoimmune diseases. However, little is known about the potential role of these cells in the development of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This study aimed at characterizing the numbers of different subsets of circulating Tfh and B cells as well as evaluating their potential association with the levels of immunoglobulins and autoantibodies in newly diagnosed PBC patients. The numbers of circulating CD27(+), CD38(+), CD86(+) and CD95(+) B cells as well as inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS)(+) and programmed death-1 (PD-1)(+), IL-21(+) TFH cells were examined in 58 patients with newly diagnosed PBC and 30 matched healthy controls (HCs). The numbers of circulating CD38(+)CD19(+), CD86(+)CD19(+), and CD95(+)CD19(+) B cells; CD3(+)CD4(+)CXCR5(+)ICOS(+) and CD3(+)CD4(+)CXCR5(+)PD-1(+) Tfh cells; and the levels of serum IL-21 in the PBC patients were significantly greater, but the numbers of CD27(+)CD19(+) B cells were significantly less than those in the HCs (p < 0.05). The numbers of CD3(+)CD4(+)CXCR5(+)ICOS(+) Tfh cells were positively correlated with the numbers of CD38(+)CD19(+) and CD86(+)CD38(+)CD19(+) B cells and the levels of serum anti-mitochondrial antibodies against M2 antigen (AMA-M2), AMA and immunolgubin M (IgM) in the PBC patients. The levels of serum IL-21 were positively correlated with the levels of serum AMA-M2, AMA, IgG and IgM, but negatively with the numbers of CD27(+)CD19(+) B cells in the PBC patients. Increased numbers of circulating ICOS(+) and IL-21(+) Tfh and CD38(+) plasma cells may be exhibited by patients with recent diagnoses of PBC.

Prolonged Follow-Up of Patients in the U.S. Multicenter Trial of Ursodeoxycholic Acid for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Combes, Burton; Luketic, Velimir A.; Peters, Marion G.; Zetterman, Rowen K.; Garcia-Tsao, Guadalupe; Munoz, Santiago J.; Lin, Danyu; Flye, Nancy; Carithers, Robert L.

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVE Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have not demonstrated improvement in survival during the placebo-controlled phases of these trials. Analyses purporting to demonstrate a survival advantage of UDCA are largely dependent on data obtained after the placebo phases were terminated, and placebo-treated patients were offered open-label UDCA. After completion of our 2-yr placebo-controlled trial of UDCA in which we observed no survival benefit for UDCA, we provided the patients with open-label UDCA to see if delay in providing UDCA for 2 yr had any effect on subsequent liver transplantation or death without liver transplantation. METHODS In our previously reported 2-yr placebo-controlled trial, 151 patients with PBC were randomized to receive either UDCA (n = 77) or placebo (n = 74). The number of patients who progressed to liver transplantation or death without transplantation were similar in both the groups, 12 (16%) in the UDCA-treated and 11 (15%) in placebo-treated patients. All the patients were then offered open-label UDCA, with 61 original UDCA and 56 original placebo-treated patients now taking UDCA in an extended open-label phase of the trial. RESULTS No significant differences were observed in the number of patients who underwent liver transplantation or died without liver transplantation in the open-label phase of the trial. Moreover, no difference in the time to these endpoints was seen over the period of observation of as long as 6 yr from the time of initial randomization. CONCLUSIONS Results of open-label extensions of previous conducted placebo-controlled trials of UDCA in PBC leave uncertain whether UDCA impacts significantly on liver transplantation and death without liver transplantation in patients with PBC. PMID:15046215

Predicting adolescent breakfast consumption in the UK and Australia using an extended theory of planned behaviour.

PubMed

Mullan, Barbara; Wong, Cara; Kothe, Emily

2013-03-01

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) with the addition of risk awareness could predict breakfast consumption in a sample of adolescents from the UK and Australia. It was hypothesised that the TPB variables of attitudes, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control (PBC) would significantly predict intentions, and that inclusion of risk perception would increase the proportion of variance explained. Secondly it was hypothesised that intention and PBC would predict behaviour. Participants were recruited from secondary schools in Australia and the UK. A total of 613 participants completed the study (448 females, 165 males; mean=14years ±1.1). The TPB predicted 42.2% of the variance in intentions to eat breakfast. All variables significantly predicted intention with PBC as the strongest component. The addition of risk made a small but significant contribution to the prediction of intention. Together intention and PBC predicted 57.8% of the variance in breakfast consumption. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The C. elegans SoxC protein SEM-2 opposes differentiation factors to promote a proliferative blast cell fate in the postembryonic mesoderm

PubMed Central

Tian, Chenxi; Shi, Herong; Colledge, Clark; Stern, Michael; Waterston, Robert; Liu, Jun

2011-01-01

The proper development of multicellular organisms requires precise regulation and coordination of cell fate specification, cell proliferation and differentiation. Abnormal regulation and coordination of these processes could lead to disease, including cancer. We have examined the function of the sole C. elegans SoxC protein, SEM-2, in the M lineage, which produces the postembryonic mesoderm. We found that SEM-2/SoxC is both necessary and sufficient to promote a proliferating blast cell fate, the sex myoblast fate, over a differentiated striated bodywall muscle fate. A number of factors control the specific expression of sem-2 in the sex myoblast precursors and their descendants. This includes direct control of sem-2 expression by a Hox-PBC complex. The crucial nature of the HOX/PBC factors in directly enhancing expression of this proliferative factor in the C. elegans M lineage suggests a possible more general link between Hox-PBC factors and SoxC proteins in regulating cell proliferation. PMID:21307099

Primary biliary cirrhosis associated with Graves' disease in a male patient.

PubMed

Suzuki, Yuji; Ishida, Kazuyuki; Takahashi, Hiroshi; Koeda, Norihiko; Kakisaka, Keisuke; Miyamoto, Yasuhiro; Suzuki, Akiko; Takikawa, Yasuhiro

2016-04-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), which predominantly affects women, has been associated with various autoimmune diseases. Although hypothyroidism accompanying PBC is well documented, the concomitance of PBC and hyperthyroidism is rare. Herein, we report the case of a 62-year-old man who was diagnosed with PBC several years after the development of Graves' disease. This is the first case of a male patient developing PBC with Graves' disease. Both serum alanine aminotransferase levels and serum thyroid hormone levels were normalized after the administration of thiamazole for Graves' disease. However, the cholestatic liver enzyme abnormalities continued, indicating that the PBC was actualized by the administration of thiamazole. After starting ursodeoxycholic acid treatment, cholestatic liver enzyme abnormalities improved. Taken together, when a cholestatic pattern of liver enzymes is observed during follow-up for Graves' disease, an association between Graves' disease and PBC should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

A poly (lactide-co-glycolide) film loaded with abundant bone morphogenetic protein-2: A substrate promoting osteoblast attachment, proliferation and differentiation in bone tissue engineering.

PubMed

Qu, Xiangyang; Cao, Yujiang; Chen, Cong; Die, Xiaohong; Kang, Quan

2014-12-10

We explored a novel biodegradable poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) film loaded with over 80 wt% bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2), which was regarded as a substrate promoting osteoblast attachment, proliferation and differentiation for application of bone tissue engineering. Using phospholipid as a surfactant, BMP-2 was modified as a complex (PBC) for dispersing in PLGA/dichloromethane solution. The PLGA film loaded with BMP-2 and phospholipid complex (PBC-PF) showed rough and draped morphology with high entrapment efficiency exceeding 80% and good hydrophilicity respectively. The in-vitro release study of BMP-2 showed that about 50% BMP-2 was slowly and continuously released from PBC-PF within 5 weeks and had a short initial burst release only in the last 1.5 days, which was better than serious burst release of PLGA film loaded with pure BMP-2 without phospholipid (BMP-PF) controlling. By comparison with other PLGA films and tissue culture plates, it was confirmed that PBC-PF significantly promoted the attachment, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts with higher entrapment efficiency and better sustained release. These advantages illustrated that PBC-PF could be a potential substrate providing long-term requisite growth factors for osteoblasts, which might be applied in bone tissue engineering. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company.

A poly(lactide-co-glycolide) film loaded with abundant bone morphogenetic protein-2: A substrate-promoting osteoblast attachment, proliferation, and differentiation in bone tissue engineering.

PubMed

Qu, Xiangyang; Cao, Yujiang; Chen, Cong; Die, Xiaohong; Kang, Quan

2015-08-01

We explored a novel biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) film loaded with over 80 wt % bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, which was regarded as a substrate-promoting osteoblast attachment, proliferation, and differentiation for application of bone tissue engineering. Using phospholipid as a surfactant, BMP-2 was modified as a complex (PBC) for dispersing in PLGA/dichloromethane solution. The PLGA film loaded with BMP-2 and phospholipid complex (PBC-PF) showed rough and draped morphology with high entrapment efficiency exceeding 80% and good hydrophilicity, respectively. The in vitro release study of BMP-2 showed that about 50% BMP-2 was slowly and continuously released from PBC-PF within 5 weeks and had a short initial burst release only in the last 1.5 days, which was better than serious burst release of PLGA film loaded with pure BMP-2 without phospholipid (BMP-PF) as control. By comparison with other PLGA films and tissue culture plates, it was confirmed that PBC-PF significantly promoted the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of osteoblasts with higher entrapment efficiency and better sustained release. These advantages illustrated that PBC-PF could be a potential substrate providing long-term requisite growth factors for osteoblasts, which might be applied in bone tissue engineering. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Interaction effects in the theory of planned behaviour: Predicting fruit and vegetable consumption in three prospective cohorts.

PubMed

Kothe, Emily J; Mullan, Barbara A

2015-09-01

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) has been criticized for not including interactions between major constructs thought to underlie behaviour. This study investigated the application of the TPB to the prediction of fruit and vegetable consumption across three prospective cohorts. The primary aim of the study was to investigate whether interactions between major constructs in the theory would increase the ability of the model to predict intention to consume fruit and vegetables (i.e., attitude × perceived behavioural control [PBC], subjective norm × PBC, subjective norm × attitude) and self-reported fruit and vegetable intake (i.e., PBC × intention). Secondary data analysis from three cohorts: One predictive study (cohort 1) and two intervention studies (cohorts 2 and 3). Participants completed a TPB measure at baseline and a measure of fruit and vegetable intake at 1 week (cohort 1; n = 90) or 1 month (cohorts 2 and 3; n = 296). Attitude moderated the impact of PBC on intention. PBC moderated the impact of intention on behaviour at 1 week but not 1 month. The variance accounted for by the interactions was small. However, the presence of interactions between constructs within the TPB demonstrates a need to consider interactions between variables within the TPB in both theoretical and applied research using the model. © 2014 The British Psychological Society.

Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of primary biliary cholangitis

PubMed Central

Huang, Ying-Qiu

2016-01-01

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), formerly referred to as primary biliary cirrhosis, is an infrequent progressive intrahepatic cholestatic autoimmune illness that can evolve into hepatic fibrosis, hepatic cirrhosis, hepatic failure, and, in some cases, hepatocellular carcinoma. The disease itself is characterized by T-lymphocyte-mediated chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis and elevated serum levels of extremely specific anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMAs). In this article, we will not only review epidemiology, risk factors, natural history, predictive scores, radiologic approaches (e.g., acoustic radiation force impulse imaging, vibration controlled transient elastography, and magnetic resonance elastography), clinical features, serological characteristics covering biochemical markers, immunoglobulins, infections markers, biomarkers, predictive fibrosis marker, specific antibodies (including AMAs such as AMA-M2), anti-nuclear autoantibodies [such as anti-multiple nuclear dot autoantibodies (anti-sp100, PML, NDP52, anti-sp140), anti-rim-like/membranous anti-nuclear autoantibodies (anti-gp210, anti-p62), anti-centromere autoantibodies, and some of the novel autoantibodies], histopathological characteristics of PBC, diagnostic advances, and anti-diastole of PBC. Furthermore, this review emphasizes the recent advances in research of PBC in terms of therapies, including ursodeoxycholic acid, budesonide, methotrexate, obeticholic acid, cyclosporine A, fibrates such as bezafibrate and fenofibrate, rituximab, mesenchymal stem cells transplant, and hepatic transplant. Currently, hepatic transplant remains the only optimal choice with acknowledged treatment efficiency for end-stage PBC patients. PMID:27957241

Assessing wild bees in perennial bioenergy landscapes: effects of bioenergy crop composition, landscape configuration, and bioenergy crop area

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Graham, John B.; Nassauer, Joan I.; Currie, William S.

Wild bee populations are currently under threat, which has led to recent efforts to increase pollinator habitat in North America. Simultaneously, U.S. federal energy policies are beginning to encourage perennial bioenergy cropping (PBC) systems, which have the potential to support native bees. Our objective was to explore the potentially interactive effects of crop composition, total PBC area, and PBC patches in different landscape configurations. Using a spatially-explicit modeling approach, the Lonsdorf model, we simulated the impacts of three perennial bioenergy crops (PBC: willow, switchgrass, and prairie), three scenarios with different total PBC area (11.7%, 23.5% and 28.8% of agricultural landmore » converted to PBC) and two types of landscape configurations (PBC in clustered landscape patterns that represent realistic future configurations or in dispersed neutral landscape models) on a nest abundance index in an Illinois landscape. Our modeling results suggest that crop composition and PBC area are particularly important for bee nest abundance, whereas landscape configuration is associated with bee nest abundance at the local scale but less so at the regional scale. Moreover, strategies to enhance wild bee habitat should therefore emphasize the crop composition and amount of PBC.« less

Assessing wild bees in perennial bioenergy landscapes: effects of bioenergy crop composition, landscape configuration, and bioenergy crop area

DOE PAGES

Graham, John B.; Nassauer, Joan I.; Currie, William S.; ...

2017-03-25

Wild bee populations are currently under threat, which has led to recent efforts to increase pollinator habitat in North America. Simultaneously, U.S. federal energy policies are beginning to encourage perennial bioenergy cropping (PBC) systems, which have the potential to support native bees. Our objective was to explore the potentially interactive effects of crop composition, total PBC area, and PBC patches in different landscape configurations. Using a spatially-explicit modeling approach, the Lonsdorf model, we simulated the impacts of three perennial bioenergy crops (PBC: willow, switchgrass, and prairie), three scenarios with different total PBC area (11.7%, 23.5% and 28.8% of agricultural landmore » converted to PBC) and two types of landscape configurations (PBC in clustered landscape patterns that represent realistic future configurations or in dispersed neutral landscape models) on a nest abundance index in an Illinois landscape. Our modeling results suggest that crop composition and PBC area are particularly important for bee nest abundance, whereas landscape configuration is associated with bee nest abundance at the local scale but less so at the regional scale. Moreover, strategies to enhance wild bee habitat should therefore emphasize the crop composition and amount of PBC.« less

Eosinophilia in primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Yamazaki, K; Nakadate, I; Suzuki, K; Sato, S; Masuda, T

1996-03-01

Recent studies have shown the occurrence of eosinophilia in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). To examine whether eosinophilia is indeed a distinctive feature of PBC, we performed extensive leukocyte differential analysis using a highly sophisticated hematology instrument. We also investigated the relationship between eosinophil dynamics and clinical features of PBC including the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment. A flow cytometry-based blood cell analyzer (Technicon H6000) was used to examine peripheral blood eosinophil counts in 38 patients with PBC and 131 patients with various liver deseases. We also performed eosinophil quantitation in 19 PBC patients before and after administration of UDCA for 4 wk. Patients with PBC had significantly higher relative and absolute eosinophil counts when compared with other liver diseases (5.7 +/- 0.5% [p < 0.0001, mean +/- SEM] and 312 +/- 26 cells/microliter [p < 0.01], respectively). Twenty-one of 38 PBC patients (55%) exhibited relative eosinophilia. In patients with PBC, the eosinophil count was: 1) significantly higher in those with early histological stages (stage I-II, 6.5 +/- 0.5% vs stage III-IV, 4.4 +/- 0.7%,p < 0.05), 2) positively correlated with basophil count (p < 0.01), serum IgA levels (p < 0.05), and the degree of eosinophil infiltration in the portal tract (p < 0.01), and 3) markedly reduced by UDCA treatment (before: 5.9 +/- 0.7%, 307 +/- 37 cells/microliter; after: 2.8 +/- 0.03% [p < 0.001], 162 +/- 26 cells/microliter ¿p < 0.001]). Eosinophilia is a common and distinctive feature of patients with PBC. UDCA ameliorates eosinophilia as well as liver function tests in PBC patients. Eosinophilia may be useful as one of the initial clues in the diagnosis of PBC, especially in its early stage.

[Prognostic implications of extra-hepatic clinical manifestations, autoimmunity and microscopic nail capillaroscopy in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis].

PubMed

Marí-Alfonso, Begoña; Amengual-Guedan, María José; Vergara-Gómez, Mercè; Simeón-Aznar, Carmen Pilar; Fonollosa-Plà, Vicente; Jove-Buxeda, Esther; Oliva-Morera, Juan; Tolosa-Vilella, Carles

2016-01-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is associated to any systemic autoimmune disease (SAD), in particular systemic sclerosis (SSc). To investigate the prevalence of SAD in a cohort of patients with PBC, specifically the prevalence of SSc and its clinical subtypes, and determining the clinical and biological profile of patients with associated PBC and SSc. Observational study of 62 patients with PBC following a protocol that included an anamnesis and physical examination to detect the presence of SAD as well as a nailfold capillaroscopy and an immunological study with specific SSc autoantibodies. A comparative analysis was conducted between patients with isolated PBC and patients with PBC and an associated SAD. SAD was associated to PBC in 22 patients (35,4%), and SSc was the most frequent illness, identified in 13 cases (21%). Five patients (8%) without previous diagnosis of SAD fulfilled pre-scleroderma criteria, according to LeRoy and Medsger criteria. The presence of anticentromere antibodies (54,5% vs. 5%, P<.001) was the unique immunological determination identified more frequently in patients with PBC-SAD. The SSc suggestive capillary pattern was visualized in 11 patients (20,4%), mainly the slow pattern. No factors associated with greater morbi-mortality were identified in the PBC-SAD group. It does exist a subgroup of patients with PBC and clinical-biological features suggestive of an SAD, which advise a protocolized study to detect early the association to an SAD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

The role of self-identity in predicting fruit and vegetable intake.

PubMed

Carfora, V; Caso, D; Conner, M

2016-11-01

This research investigated whether the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with the addition of self-identity could predict fruit and vegetable intake when controlling for past behavior. Previous research had demonstrated the efficacy of TPB to predict intention and behavior in relation to food choice and the additional power of self-identity, but had failed assess the effects of self-identity while controlling for past behavior. At baseline (N = 210) TPB components and past behavior in relation to fruit and vegetable consumption plus self-identity as a healthy eater were measured by questionnaire in a sample of university students. At time 1, 4 weeks later, self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption was measured. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) indicated attitude, PBC and self-identity to be significant predictors of intention (subjective norm and past behavior were not significant). Intention, self-identity and past behavior were direct predictors of behavior. The current findings support the independent effect of self-identity as a healthy eater on both intentions and future behaviour when controlling for TPB variables and also past behavior. The discussion considers the importance of self-identity in changing intentions and behavior for behaviors such as fruit and vegetable consumption. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reduced nitrification and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in acidic soil amended with biochar.

PubMed

Wang, Zhenyu; Zong, Haiying; Zheng, Hao; Liu, Guocheng; Chen, Lei; Xing, Baoshan

2015-11-01

Adding biochar into soils has potential to manipulate soil nitrification process due to its impacts on nitrogen (N) cycling, however, the exact mechanisms underlying the alteration of nitrification process in soils are still not clear. Nitrification in an acidic orchard soil amended with peanut shell biochar (PBC) produced at 400 °C was investigated. Nitrification was weakened by PBC addition due to the decreased NH4(+)-N content and reduced ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) abundance in PBC-amended soils. Adding phenolic compounds (PHCs) free biochar (PBC-P) increased the AOB abundance and the DGGE band number, indicating that PHCs remaining in the PBC likely reduced AOB abundance and diversity. However, PBC addition stimulated rape growth and increased N bioavailability. Overall, adding PBC could suppress the nitrification process and improve N bioavailability in the agricultural soils, and thus possibly mitigate the environmental negative impacts and improving N use efficiency in the acidic soils added with N fertilizer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Head Exposure to Cold during Whole-Body Cryostimulation: Influence on Thermal Response and Autonomic Modulation.

PubMed

Louis, Julien; Schaal, Karine; Bieuzen, François; Le Meur, Yann; Filliard, Jean-Robert; Volondat, Marielle; Brisswalter, Jeanick; Hausswirth, Christophe

2015-01-01

Recent research on whole-body cryotherapy has hypothesized a major responsibility of head cooling in the physiological changes classically reported after a cryostimulation session. The aim of this experiment was to verify this hypothesis by studying the influence of exposing the head to cold during whole-body cryostimulation sessions, on the thermal response and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Over five consecutive days, two groups of 10 participants performed one whole-body cryostimulation session daily, in one of two different systems; one exposing the whole-body to cold (whole-body cryostimulation, WBC), and the other exposing the whole-body except the head (partial-body cryostimulation, PBC).10 participants constituted a control group (CON) not receiving any cryostimulation. In order to isolate the head-cooling effect on recorded variables, it was ensured that the WBC and PBC systems induced the same decrease in skin temperature for all body regions (mean decrease over the 5 exposures: -8.6°C ± 1.3°C and -8.3 ± 0.7°C for WBC and PBC, respectively), which persisted up to 20-min after the sessions (P20). The WBC sessions caused an almost certain decrease in tympanic temperature from Pre to P20 (-0.28 ± 0.11°C), while it only decreased at P20 (-0.14 ± 0.05°C) after PBC sessions. Heart rate almost certainly decreased after PBC (-8.6%) and WBC (-12.3%) sessions. Resting vagal-related heart rate variability indices (the root-mean square difference of successive normal R-R intervals, RMSSD, and high frequency band, HF) were very likely to almost certainly increased after PBC (RMSSD:+49.1%, HF: +123.3%) and WBC (RMSSD: +38.8%, HF:+70.3%). Plasma norepinephrine concentration was likely increased in similar proportions after PBC and WBC, but only after the first session. Both cryostimulation techniques stimulated the ANS with a predominance of parasympathetic tone activation from the first to the fifth session and in slightly greater proportion with WBC than PBC. The main result of this study indicates that the head exposure to cold during whole-body cryostimulation may not be the main factor responsible for the effects of cryostimulation on the ANS.

Head Exposure to Cold during Whole-Body Cryostimulation: Influence on Thermal Response and Autonomic Modulation

PubMed Central

Louis, Julien; Schaal, Karine; Bieuzen, François; Le Meur, Yann; Filliard, Jean-Robert; Volondat, Marielle; Brisswalter, Jeanick; Hausswirth, Christophe

2015-01-01

Recent research on whole-body cryotherapy has hypothesized a major responsibility of head cooling in the physiological changes classically reported after a cryostimulation session. The aim of this experiment was to verify this hypothesis by studying the influence of exposing the head to cold during whole-body cryostimulation sessions, on the thermal response and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Over five consecutive days, two groups of 10 participants performed one whole-body cryostimulation session daily, in one of two different systems; one exposing the whole-body to cold (whole-body cryostimulation, WBC), and the other exposing the whole-body except the head (partial-body cryostimulation, PBC).10 participants constituted a control group (CON) not receiving any cryostimulation. In order to isolate the head-cooling effect on recorded variables, it was ensured that the WBC and PBC systems induced the same decrease in skin temperature for all body regions (mean decrease over the 5 exposures: -8.6°C±1.3°C and -8.3±0.7°C for WBC and PBC, respectively), which persisted up to 20-min after the sessions (P20). The WBC sessions caused an almost certain decrease in tympanic temperature from Pre to P20 (-0.28 ±0.11°C), while it only decreased at P20 (-0.14±0.05°C) after PBC sessions. Heart rate almost certainly decreased after PBC (-8.6%) and WBC (-12.3%) sessions. Resting vagal-related heart rate variability indices (the root-mean square difference of successive normal R-R intervals, RMSSD, and high frequency band, HF) were very likely to almost certainly increased after PBC (RMSSD:+49.1%, HF: +123.3%) and WBC (RMSSD: +38.8%, HF:+70.3%). Plasma norepinephrine concentration was likely increased in similar proportions after PBC and WBC, but only after the first session. Both cryostimulation techniques stimulated the ANS with a predominance of parasympathetic tone activation from the first to the fifth session and in slightly greater proportion with WBC than PBC. The main result of this study indicates that the head exposure to cold during whole-body cryostimulation may not be the main factor responsible for the effects of cryostimulation on the ANS. PMID:25915642

Progression of Challenging Behaviors in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders as Measured by the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Problem Behaviors for Children (ASD-PBC)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matson, Johnny L.; Mahan, Sara; Hess, Julie A.; Fodstad, Jill C.; Neal, Daniene

2010-01-01

This study examined the effect of age on challenging behaviors among 167 children, ages 3-14 years, with Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, or Asperger's syndrome. Results of a MANOVA indicated that there were no significant differences between young children, children, and young adolescents on any of the…

Effect of deferred or no treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with early primary biliary cholangitis.

PubMed

Tanaka, Atsushi; Hirohara, Junko; Nakano, Toshiaki; Yagi, Minami; Namisaki, Tadashi; Yoshiji, Hitoshi; Nakanuma, Yasuni; Takikawa, Hajime

2018-02-06

As primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a heterogeneous disease, we hypothesized that there is a population of patients with early PBC who do not require prompt treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In this study, we analyzed data from a large-scale PBC cohort in Japan, and retrospectively investigated whether outcomes of early PBC patients were affected with prompt or deferred/no UDCA treatment. We defined early PBC as asymptomatic, serum alkaline phosphatase <1.67-fold the upper limit of normal, normal bilirubin, and histological stages I-II at presentation. We compared the outcomes of early PBC patients between the treatment regimens; prompt treatment group (UDCA was initiated within 1 year after diagnosis) and deferred/no treatment group (UDCA initiated >1 year after diagnosis or never initiated). Furthermore, we examined the outcomes of early PBC patients alternatively defined only with symptomatology and biochemistry. We identified 562 early PBC patients (prompt: n = 509; deferred/no treatment: n = 53). Incidence rates (per 1000 patient-years) for liver-related mortality or liver transplantation and decompensating events were 0.5 and 5.4, respectively, in the prompt treatment group, and 0 and 8.7, respectively, in the deferred/no treatment group. Multivariate analyses showed that age and bilirubin were significantly associated with developing decompensating events, whereas the prompt and deferred/no treatments were not. We obtained similar results in early PBC patients defined without histological examination. We showed that deferred/no treatment for early PBC patients did not affect the outcomes. This study provides a rationale for a future prospective, randomized study. © 2018 The Japan Society of Hepatology.

The impact of depression and antidepressant usage on primary biliary cholangitis clinical outcomes

PubMed Central

Kaplan, Gilaad G.; Almishri, Wagdi; Vallerand, Isabelle; Frolkis, Alexandra D.; Patten, Scott; Swain, Mark G.

2018-01-01

Background Depression is prevalent in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients. Our aims were to examine the effects of depression and antidepressants on hepatic outcomes of PBC patients. Methods We used the UK Health Improvement Network database to identify PBC patients between 1974 and 2007. Our primary outcome was one of three clinical events: decompensated cirrhosis, liver transplantation and death. We assessed depression and each class of antidepressant medication in adjusted multivariate Cox proportional hazards models to identify independent predictors of outcomes. In a sensitivity analysis, the study population was restricted to PBC patients using ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Results We identified 1,177 PBC patients during our study period. In our cohort, 86 patients (7.3%) had a depression diagnosis prior to PBC diagnosis, while 79 patients (6.7%) had a depression diagnosis after PBC diagnosis. Ten-year incidence of mortality, decompensated cirrhosis, and liver transplantation were 13.4%, 6.6%, and 2.0%, respectively. In our adjusted models, depression status was not a predictor of poor outcomes. After studying all classes of antidepressants, using the atypical antidepressant mirtazapine after PBC diagnosis was significantly protective (Adjusted HR 0.23: 95% CI 0.07–0.72) against poor liver outcomes (decompensation, liver transplant, mortality), which remained statistically significant in patients using UCDA (HR 0.21: 95% CI 0.05–0.83). Conclusions In our study, depression was not associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, using the antidepressant mirtazapine was associated with decreased mortality, decompensated cirrhosis and liver transplantation in PBC patients. These findings support further assessment of mirtazapine as a potential treatment for PBC patients. PMID:29617396

International genome-wide meta-analysis identifies new primary biliary cirrhosis risk loci and targetable pathogenic pathways.

PubMed

Cordell, Heather J; Han, Younghun; Mells, George F; Li, Yafang; Hirschfield, Gideon M; Greene, Casey S; Xie, Gang; Juran, Brian D; Zhu, Dakai; Qian, David C; Floyd, James A B; Morley, Katherine I; Prati, Daniele; Lleo, Ana; Cusi, Daniele; Gershwin, M Eric; Anderson, Carl A; Lazaridis, Konstantinos N; Invernizzi, Pietro; Seldin, Michael F; Sandford, Richard N; Amos, Christopher I; Siminovitch, Katherine A

2015-09-22

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a classical autoimmune liver disease for which effective immunomodulatory therapy is lacking. Here we perform meta-analyses of discovery data sets from genome-wide association studies of European subjects (n=2,764 cases and 10,475 controls) followed by validation genotyping in an independent cohort (n=3,716 cases and 4,261 controls). We discover and validate six previously unknown risk loci for PBC (Pcombined<5 × 10(-8)) and used pathway analysis to identify JAK-STAT/IL12/IL27 signalling and cytokine-cytokine pathways, for which relevant therapies exist.

Recurrent Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Peritransplant Factors and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Treatment Post-Liver Transplant

PubMed Central

Guy, Jennifer E.; Qian, Peiqing; Lowell, Jeffrey A.; Peters, Marion G.

2014-01-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) recurs after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in up to one-third of patients. These patients are typically asymptomatic, can be identified by abnormal liver biochemistries, and have evidence of histologic recurrence on liver biopsy. The effect of treatment on recurrence has not been determined. This pilot study evaluates the factors associated with recurrent PBC and describes our experience using ursodeoxycholic acid treatment in this patient population. Forty-eight patients with PBC were followed for at least 1 yr post-OLT, and 27 patients (56%) developed abnormal serum alkaline phosphatase. Seventeen patients (35%) had evidence of recurrent PBC by liver biopsy. Patients with recurrent PBC had a trend toward longer warm ischemia times and more episodes of acute cellular rejection in the first year posttransplant, but this was not significant in multivariate analysis. Donor or recipient age, donor and recipient cytomegalovirus status, and dose of immunosuppression did not correlate with recurrence of PBC. Those patients diagnosed with recurrent PBC were placed on ursodeoxycholic acid, 15 mg/kg daily, with improvement in serum alkaline phosphatase in the majority. In conclusion, recurrent PBC is not infrequent post-OLT, and ursodeoxycholic acid can be used with some benefit post-OLT. Treatment effects on long-term survival are not known. PMID:16184542

PDC-E3BP is not a dominant T-cell autoantigen in primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

McHugh, Anna; Robe, Amanda J; Palmer, Jeremy M; Jones, David E J

2006-05-01

Autoantibody responses reactive with the E2 and E3BP components of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), which characterise primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) crossreact, precluding the identification, from serological studies, of the antigen to which the principal breakdown of tolerance occurs. Although autoreactive T-cell responses to PDC-E2 have been well characterised it is, at present, unclear whether T-cell tolerance breakdown also occurs to PDC-E3BP. The aims of this study were to characterise autoreactive T-cell responses to PDC-E3BP in PBC and potential factors regulating their expression. Peripheral blood T-cell proliferative responses to purified recombinant human PDC-E2 and PDC-E3BP at a range of concentrations were characterised in PBC patients and control subjects. T-cell proliferative responses to both E2 and E3BP were absent from control subjects (median peak stimulation index (SI) to PDC-E2 1.2 [range 0.3-1.9], 0/10 positive (SI>2.32), median peak SI to PDC-E3BP 1.1 [0.7-2.1

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Murata, Ken-ya; Ishiguchi, Hiroshi; Ando, Ryuki; Miwa, Hideto; Kondo, Tomoyoshi

2013-12-01

We report a patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Except for minimal biochemical abnormalities, clinical symptoms of PBC were not observed, and we diagnosed our patient with asymptomatic PBC from the results of a liver biopsy. Although the patient noticed little muscle weakness, an electrophysiological study demonstrated slow conduction velocities and prolonged distal latencies, with definite conduction blocks in the median, ulnar, and tibial nerves. The disturbed sensory pattern was asymmetrical, and sensory nerve action potentials were not evoked. From these observations, we diagnosed this patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Neuropathy associated with PBC is very rare. We must differentiate demyelinating neuropathy with PBC in patients with asymmetrical sensory dominant neuropathy with high immunoglobulin M titers, and investigate for the presence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies to rule out a complication of asymptomatic PBC. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of peanut shell and wheat straw biochar on the availability of Cd and Pb in a soil-rice (Oryza sativa L.) system.

PubMed

Xu, Chao; Chen, Hao-Xiang; Xiang, Qian; Zhu, Han-Hua; Wang, Shuai; Zhu, Qi-Hong; Huang, Dao-You; Zhang, Yang-Zhu

2018-01-01

Soil amendments, such as biochar, have been used to enhance the immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soil. A pot experiment was conducted to immobilize the available cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soil using peanut shell biochar (PBC) and wheat straw biochar (WBC), and to observe the accumulation of these heavy metals in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The application of PBC and WBC led to significantly higher pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in paddy soil, while the content of MgCl 2 -extractable Cd and Pb was lower than that of untreated soil. MgCl 2 -extractable Cd and Pb showed significant negative correlations with pH, SOC, and CEC (p < 0.01). The application of 5% biochar to contaminated paddy soil led to reductions of 40.4-45.7 and 68.6-79.0%, respectively, in the content of MgCl 2 -extractable Cd and Pb. PBC more effectively immobilized Cd and Pb than WBC. Sequential chemical extractions revealed that biochar induced the transformation of the acid-soluble fraction of Cd to oxidizable and residual fractions, and the acid-soluble fraction of Pb to reducible and residual fractions. PBC and WBC clearly inhibited the uptake and accumulation of Cd and Pb in rice plants. Specially, when compared to the corresponding concentrations in rice grown in control soils, 5% PBC addition lowered Cd and Pb concentrations in grains by 22.9 and 12.2%, respectively, while WBC addition lowered them by 29.1 and 15.0%, respectively. Compared to Pb content, Cd content was reduced to a greater extent in grain by PBC and WBC. These results suggest that biochar application is effective for immobilizing Cd and Pb in contaminated paddy soil, and reduces their bioavailability in rice. Biochar could be used as a soil amendment for the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thiyagarajan, Rajesh; Vikraman, S; Karrthick, KP

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of dose calculation algorithm on the dose distribution of biologically optimized Volumatric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) plans for Esophgeal cancer. Methods: Eighteen retrospectively treated patients with carcinoma esophagus were studied. VMAT plans were optimized using biological objectives in Monaco (5.0) TPS for 6MV photon beam (Elekta Infinity). These plans were calculated for final dose using Monte Carlo (MC), Collapsed Cone Convolution (CCC) & Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) algorithms from Monaco and Oncentra Masterplan TPS. A dose grid of 2mm was used for all algorithms and 1% per plan uncertainty maintained for MC calculation. MC basedmore » calculations were considered as the reference for CCC & PBC. Dose volume histogram (DVH) indices (D95, D98, D50 etc) of Target (PTV) and critical structures were compared to study the impact of all three algorithms. Results: Beam models were consistent with measured data. The mean difference observed in reference with MC calculation for D98, D95, D50 & D2 of PTV were 0.37%, −0.21%, 1.51% & 1.18% respectively for CCC and 3.28%, 2.75%, 3.61% & 3.08% for PBC. Heart D25 mean difference was 4.94% & 11.21% for CCC and PBC respectively. Lung Dmean mean difference was 1.5% (CCC) and 4.1% (PBC). Spinal cord D2 mean difference was 2.35% (CCC) and 3.98% (PBC). Similar differences were observed for liver and kidneys. The overall mean difference found for target and critical structures was 0.71±1.52%, 2.71±3.10% for CCC and 3.18±1.55%, 6.61±5.1% for PBC respectively. Conclusion: We observed a significant overestimate of dose distribution by CCC and PBC as compared to MC. The dose prediction of CCC is closer (<3%) to MC than that of PBC. This can be attributed to poor performance of CCC and PBC in inhomogeneous regions around esophagus. CCC can be considered as an alternate in the absence of MC algorithm.« less

Plastic Biofilm Carrier after Corn Cobs Reduces Nitrate Loading in Laboratory Denitrifying Bioreactors.

PubMed

Feyereisen, Gary W; Christianson, Laura E; Moorman, Thomas B; Venterea, Rodney T; Coulter, Jeffrey A

2017-07-01

Nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate-N) removal rates can be increased substantially in denitrifying bioreactors with a corn ( L.) cob bed medium compared with woodchips; however, additional organic carbon (C) is released into the effluent. This laboratory column experiment was conducted to test the performance of a postbed chamber of inert plastic biofilm carrier (PBC) after corn cobs (CC) to extend the area of biofilm colonization, enhance nitrate-N removal, lower total organic C losses, and reduce nitrous oxide (NO) production at warm (15.5°C) and cold (1.5°C) temperatures. Treatments were CC only and CC plus PBC in series (CC-PBC). Across the two temperatures, nitrate-N load removal was 21% greater with CC-PBC than CC, with 54 and 44% of total nitrate N load, respectively. However, total organic C concentrations and loads were not significantly different between treatments. Colonization of the PBC by denitrifiers occurred, although gene abundance at the outlet (PBC) was less than at the inlet (CC). The PBC chamber increased nitrate-N removal rate and reduced cumulative NO production at 15.5°C, but not at 1.5°C. Across temperatures and treatments, NO production was 0.9% of nitrate-N removed. Including an additional chamber filled with PBC downstream from the CC bioreactor provided benefits in terms nitrate-N removal but did not achieve C removal. The presence of excess C, as well as available nitrate, in the PBC chamber suggests another unidentified limiting factor for nitrate removal. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Scientific publications on primary biliary cirrhosis from 2000 through 2010: an 11-year survey of the literature.

PubMed

Qin, Baodong; Liang, Yan; Yang, Zaixing; Zhong, Renqian

2012-01-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease characterized by intrahepatic bile-duct destruction, cholestasis, and fibrosis. It can lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. PBC also shows some regional differences with respect to incidence and prevalence that are becoming more pronounced each year. Recently, researchers have paid more attention to PBC. To evaluate the development of PBC research during the past 11 years, we determined the quantity and quality of articles on this subject. We also compared the contributions of scientists from the US, UK, Japan, Italy, Germany, and China. The English-language papers covering PBC published in journals from 2000 through 2010 were retrieved from the PubMed database. We recorded the number of papers published each year, analyzed the publication type, and calculated the accumulated, average impact factors (IFs) and citations from every country. The quantity and quality of articles on PBC were compared by country. We also contrasted the level of PBC research in China and other countries. The total number of articles did not significantly increase during the past 11 years. The number of articles from the US exceeded those from any other country; the publications from the US also had the highest IFs and the most citations. Four other countries showed complex trends with respect to the quantity and quality of articles about PBC. The researchers from the US have contributed the most to the development of PBC research. They currently represent the highest level of research. Some high-level studies, such as RCTs, meta-analyses, and in-depth basic studies should be launched. The gap between China and the advanced level is still enormous. Chinese investigators still have a long way to go.

Thyroid Dysfunction in Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A Comparative Study at Two European Centers.

PubMed

Floreani, Annarosa; Mangini, Chiara; Reig, Anna; Franceschet, Irene; Cazzagon, Nora; Perini, Lisa; Caballería, Llorenç; Cocchio, Silvia; Baldo, Vincenzo; Parés, Albert

2017-01-01

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is often associated with other autoimmune diseases, but little is known about the influence of thyroid disease (TD) on the natural history of PBC. Our aim is to analyze the association between PBC and TD, and the latter's impact on the natural history of PBC at two European centers. The study involved 921 PBC patients enrolled between 1975 and 2015 in Padova (376 patients) and Barcelona (545 patients), with a mean follow-up of 126.9±91.7 months. Data were recorded on patients' histological stage at diagnosis, biochemical data, associated extrahepatic autoimmune conditions, and clinical events, including hepatic decompensation. A total of 150 patients (16.3%) had TD, including 94 patients (10.2%) with Hashimoto's thyroiditis; 15 (1.6%) with Graves' disease; 22 (2.4%) with multinodular goiter; 7 (0.8%) with thyroid cancer; and 12 (1.3%) with other thyroid conditions. The prevalence of different types of TD was similar in Padova and Barcelona, except for Graves' disease and thyroid cancer, which were more frequent in the Padova cohort (15.7 vs. 5.0%, and 8.6 vs. 1.3%, respectively, P<0.05). Overall, there were no differences between PBC patients with and without TD in terms of their histological stage at diagnosis, hepatic decompensation events, occurrence of HCC, or liver transplantation rate. The presence of associated TD was not associated with lower survival for PBC patients in either cohort. TDs, and autoimmune TD like Hashimoto's thyroiditis in particular, are often associated with PBC, but the presence of TD does not influence the rate of hepatic complications or the natural history of PBC.

Performance-Based Contracting Within a State Substance Abuse Treatment System: A Preliminary Exploration of Differences in Client Access and Client Outcomes

PubMed Central

Brucker, Debra L.; Stewart, Maureen

2013-01-01

To explore whether the implementation of performance-based contracting (PBC) within the State of Maine’s substance abuse treatment system resulted in improved performance, one descriptive and two empirical analyses were conducted. The first analysis examined utilization and payment structure. The second study was designed to examine whether timeliness of access to outpatient (OP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) substance abuse assessments and treatment, measures that only became available after the implementation of PBC, differed between PBC and non-PBC agencies in the year following implementation of PBC. Using treatment admission records from the state treatment data system (N=9,128), logistic regression models run using generalized equation estimation techniques found no significant difference between PBC agencies and other agencies on timeliness of access to assessments or treatment, for both OP and IOP services. The third analysis, conducted using discharge data from the years prior to and after the implementation of performance-based contracting (N=6,740) for those agencies that became a part of the performance-based contracting system, was designed to assess differences in level of participation, retention, and completion of treatment. Regression models suggest that performance on OP client engagement and retention measures was significantly poorer the year after the implementation of PBC, but that temporal rather than a PBC effects were more significant. No differences were found between years for IOP level of participation or completion of treatment measures. PMID:21249461

Determinants of fast food consumption among Iranian high school students based on planned behavior theory.

PubMed

Sharifirad, Gholamreza; Yarmohammadi, Parastoo; Azadbakht, Leila; Morowatisharifabad, Mohammad Ali; Hassanzadeh, Akbar

2013-01-01

This study was conducted to identify some factors (beliefs and norms) which are related to fast food consumption among high school students in Isfahan, Iran. We used the framework of the theory planned behavior (TPB) to predict this behavior. Cross-sectional data were available from high school students (n = 521) who were recruited by cluster randomized sampling. All of the students completed a questionnaire assessing variables of standard TPB model including attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control (PBC), and the additional variables past behavior, actual behavior control (ABC). The TPB variables explained 25.7% of the variance in intentions with positive attitude as the strongest (β = 0.31, P < 0.001) and subjective norms as the weakest (β = 0.29, P < 0.001) determinant. Concurrently, intentions accounted for 6% of the variance for fast food consumption. Past behavior and ABC accounted for an additional amount of 20.4% of the variance in fast food consumption. Overall, the present study suggests that the TPB model is useful in predicting related beliefs and norms to the fast food consumption among adolescents. Subjective norms in TPB model and past behavior in TPB model with additional variables (past behavior and actual behavior control) were the most powerful predictors of fast food consumption. Therefore, TPB model may be a useful framework for planning intervention programs to reduce fast food consumption by students.

MLH1 Region Polymorphisms Show a Significant Association with CpG Island Shore Methylation in a Large Cohort of Healthy Individuals

PubMed Central

Savio, Andrea J.; Lemire, Mathieu; Mrkonjic, Miralem; Gallinger, Steven; Zanke, Brent W.; Hudson, Thomas J.; Bapat, Bharati

2012-01-01

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common form of genetic variation. We previously demonstrated that SNPs (rs1800734, rs749072, and rs13098279) in the MLH1 gene region are associated with MLH1 promoter island methylation, loss of MLH1 protein expression, and microsatellite instability (MSI) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Recent studies have identified less CpG-dense “shore” regions flanking many CpG islands. These shores often exhibit distinct methylation profiles between different tissues and matched normal versus tumor cells of patients. To date, most epigenetic studies have focused on somatic methylation events occurring within solid tumors; less is known of the contributions of peripheral blood cell (PBC) methylation to processes such as aging and tumorigenesis. To address whether MLH1 methylation in PBCs is correlated with tumorigenesis we utilized the Illumina 450 K microarrays to measure methylation in PBC DNA of 846 healthy controls and 252 CRC patients from Ontario, Canada. Analysis of a region of chromosome 3p21 spanning the MLH1 locus in healthy controls revealed that a CpG island shore 1 kb upstream of the MLH1 gene exhibits different methylation profiles when stratified by SNP genotypes (rs1800734, rs749072, and rs13098279). Individuals with wild-type genotypes incur significantly higher PBC shore methylation than heterozygous or homozygous variant carriers (p<1.1×10−6; ANOVA). This trend is also seen in CRC cases (p<0.096; ANOVA). Shore methylation also decreases significantly with increasing age in cases and controls. This is the first study of its kind to integrate PBC methylation at a CpG island shore with SNP genotype status in CRC cases and controls. These results indicate that CpG island shore methylation in PBCs may be influenced by genotype as well as the normal aging process. PMID:23240038

Evaluating the ParticipACTION "Think Again" Campaign.

PubMed

Gainforth, Heather L; Jarvis, Jocelyn W; Berry, Tanya R; Chulak-Bozzer, Tala; Deshpande, Sameer; Faulkner, Guy; Rhodes, Ryan E; Spence, John C; Tremblay, Mark S; Latimer-Cheung, Amy E

2016-08-01

Introduction ParticipACTION's 2011 "Think Again" campaign aimed to draw parents', and specifically mothers', attention to the amount of physical activity (PA) their children do relative to the national guidelines (physical activity guidelines [PAG]). Purpose To evaluate ParticipACTION's "Think Again" campaign in the context of the hierarchy of effects model. Methods Data were drawn from "Think Again" campaign evaluations conducted among two cohorts of parents with children ages 5 to 11 years (3 months postcampaign launch [T1], n = 702; 15 months postlaunch [T2], n = 670). Results At T2, campaign awareness was weakly associated with parents agreeing that their children were not active enough (p = .01, d = .18). Parents who were aware of the campaign showed greater knowledge of PAG (ps < .01, ϕs > .14), had higher outcome expectations about their children engaging in PA (p < .01, d = .16), had stronger intentions to help their child meet the guidelines (p < .01, d = .18), and engaged in more parental support behaviors (p < .001, d = .31) as compared with parents who were not aware. At T1, parents aware of the campaign had greater perceived behavioral control (PBC) to influence their child's PA participation (p < .01, d = .22), whereas parents not aware of the campaign had greater PBC to find practical ways to help their child be active (p < .01, d = .26). Parental awareness of the campaign was not associated with children meeting the PAG at either time point (ps > .05). Conclusions The campaign appeared marginally effective for increasing parental knowledge of PAG and for creating realistic awareness of children's PA levels. Additional intervention strategies are needed to produce larger effects and to change parental behavior. © 2015 Society for Public Health Education.

Toward precision medicine in primary biliary cholangitis.

PubMed

Carbone, Marco; Ronca, Vincenzo; Bruno, Savino; Invernizzi, Pietro; Mells, George F

2016-08-01

Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic, cholestatic liver disease characterized by a heterogeneous presentation, symptomatology, disease progression and response to therapy. In contrast, clinical management and treatment of PBC is homogeneous with a 'one size fits all' approach. The evolving research landscape, with the emergence of the -omics field and the availability of large patient cohorts are creating a unique opportunity of translational epidemiology. Furthermore, several novel disease and symptom-modifying agents for PBC are currently in development. The time is therefore ripe for precision medicine in PBC. In this manuscript we describe the concept of precision medicine; review current approaches to risk-stratification in PBC, and speculate how precision medicine in PBC might develop in the near future. Copyright © 2016 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Why performance-based contracting failed in Uganda--an "open-box" evaluation of a complex health system intervention.

PubMed

Ssengooba, Freddie; McPake, Barbara; Palmer, Natasha

2012-07-01

Performance-based contracting (PBC) is a tool that links rewards to attainment of measurable performance targets. Significant problems remain in the methods used to evaluate this tool. The primary focus of evaluations on the effects of PBC (black-box) and less attention to how these effects arise (open-box) generates suboptimal policy learning. A black-box impact evaluation of PBC pilot by the Development Research Group of the World Bank (DRG) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) concluded that PBC was ineffective. This paper reports a theory-based case study intended to clarify how and why PBC failed to achieve its objectives. To explain the observed PBC implementation and responses of participants, this case study employed two related theories i.e. complex adaptive system and expectancy theory respectively. A prospective study trailed the implementation of PBC (2003-2006) while collecting experiences of participants at district and hospital levels. Significant problems were encountered in the implementation of PBC that reflected its inadequate design. As problems were encountered, hasty adaptations resulted in a de facto intervention distinct from the one implied at the design stage. For example, inadequate time was allowed for the selection of service targets by the health centres yet they got 'locked-in' to these poor choices. The learning curve and workload among performance auditors weakened the validity of audit results. Above all, financial shortfalls led to delays, short-cuts and uncertainty about the size and payment of bonuses. The lesson for those intending to implement similar interventions is that PBC should not be attempted 'on the cheap'. It requires a plan to boost local institutional and technical capacities of implementers. It also requires careful consideration of the responses of multiple actors - both insiders and outsiders to the intended change process. Given the costs and complexity of PBC implementation, strengthening conventional approaches that are better attuned to low income contexts (financing resource inputs and systems management) remains a viable policy option towards improving health service delivery. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrophile-modified lipoic derivatives of PDC-E2 elicits anti-mitochondrial antibody reactivity.

PubMed

Naiyanetr, Phornnop; Butler, Jeffrey D; Meng, Liping; Pfeiff, Janice; Kenny, Thomas P; Guggenheim, Kathryn G; Reiger, Roman; Lam, Kit; Kurth, Mark J; Ansari, Aftab A; Coppel, Ross L; López-Hoyos, Marcos; Gershwin, M Eric; Leung, Patrick S C

2011-11-01

Our laboratory has hypothesized that xenobiotic modification of the native lipoyl moiety of the major mitochondrial autoantigen, the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), may lead to loss of self-tolerance in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This thesis is based on the finding of readily detectable levels of immunoreactivity of PBC sera against extensive panels of protein microarrays containing mimics of the inner lipoyl domain of PDC-E2 and subsequent quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs). Importantly, we have demonstrated that murine immunization with one such mimic, 2-octynoic acid coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA), induces anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) and cholangitis. Based upon these data, we have focused on covalent modifications of the lipoic acid disulfide ring and subsequent analysis of such xenobiotics coupled to a 15mer of PDC-E2 for immunoreactivity against a broad panel of sera from patients with PBC and controls. Our results demonstrate that AMA-positive PBC sera demonstrate marked reactivity against 6,8-bis(acetylthio)octanoic acid, implying that chemical modification of the lipoyl ring, i.e. disruption of the S-S disulfide, renders lipoic acid to its reduced form that will promote xenobiotic modification. This observation is particularly significant in light of the function of the lipoyl moiety in electron transport of which the catalytic disulfide constantly opens and closes and, thus, raises the intriguing thesis that common electrophilic agents, i.e. acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may lead to xenobiotic modification in genetically susceptible individuals that results in the generation of AMAs and ultimately clinical PBC. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Clinical and histopathological features of myositis associated with anti-mitochondrial antibodies].

PubMed

Shimizu, Jun

2013-01-01

Anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) are known to be characteristic markers of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The association of PBC with myositis has been reported mainly as case reports, and comprehensive studies of the clinical and histopathological features of patients with myositis and AMAs or PBC have not been conducted thus far. We retrospectively reviewed 212 patients with inflammatory myopathies in our laboratory and found 24 patients with AMA-positive myositis (11%) (seven patients with PBC and 17 patients without PBC). The analysis of clinical and histopathological features revealed that myositis associated with AMAs frequently include patients with a clinically chronic disease course, muscle atrophy, cardiopulmonary involvement and granulomatous inflammation, regardless of the presence or absence of PBC. We also reviewed and analyzed the clinical features of previously reported patients. The analysis of 75 patients, which have been described in previous case reports including the ones of meeting abstracts, also showed the similar results about clinical features of myositis associated with AMAs and supported our findings. Our study suggests that myositis associated with AMAs form a characteristic subgroup.

A case of severe osteomalacia caused by Tubulointerstitial nephritis with Fanconi syndrome in asymptomotic primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Shintaro; Maruyama, Tatsuya; Wakino, Shu; Tokuyama, Hirobumi; Hashiguchi, Akinori; Tada, Shinichiro; Homma, Koichiro; Monkawa, Toshiaki; Thomas, James; Miyashita, Kazutoshi; Kurihara, Isao; Yoshida, Tadashi; Konishi, Konosuke; Hayashi, Koichi; Hayashi, Matsuhiko; Itoh, Hiroshi

2015-11-11

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an immune-mediated chronic cholestatic liver disease, characterized by increased concentrations of serum IgM and the presence of circulating anti-mitochondrial antibodies. Although bone diseases such as osteoporosis or osteodystrophy are commonly associated with PBC, osteomalacia which is caused by abnormal vitamin D metabolism, mineralization defects, and phosphate deficiency has not been recognized as a complication of PBC. We report the case of a 49-year-old Japanese woman who complained of multiple fractures. Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia was diagnosed from a low serum phosphorus level, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 level, high levels of bone specific alkaline phosphatase and the findings of bone scintigraphy, although a bone biopsy was not performed. Twenty four hour urine demonstrated a low renal fractional tubular reabsorption of phosphate, increased fractional excretion of uric acid and generalized aminoaciduria. An intravenous bicarbonate loading test suggested the presence of proximal renal tubular acidosis (RTA). These biochemical data indicated Fanconi syndrome with proximal RTA. A kidney biopsy demonstrated the features of tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN). The patient was also suspected as having primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) because of high levels of alkaline phosphatase, IgM and the presence of anti-mitochondrial M2 antibody, though biochemical liver function was normal. Sequential liver biopsy was compatible with PBC and the diagnosis of PBC was definite. After administration of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3, neutral potassium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate for osteomalacia and subsequent predonizolone for TIN, symptoms of fractures were relieved and renal function including Fanconi syndrome was ameliorated. In this case, asymptomatic PBC was shown to induce TIN with Fanconi syndrome with dysregulation of electrolytes and vitamin D metabolism, which in turn led to osteomalacia with multiple fractures. Osteomalacia has not been recognized as a result of the renal involvement of PBC. PBC and its rare complication of TIN with Fanconi syndrome should be considered in adult patients with unexplained osteomalacia even in the absence of liver dysfunction.

Differential epitope mapping of antibodies to PDC-E2 in patients with hematologic malignancies after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Bellucci, Roberto; Oertelt, Sabine; Gallagher, Meagan; Li, Sigui; Zorn, Emmanuel; Weller, Edie; Porcheray, Fabrice; Alyea, Edwin P; Soiffer, Robert J; Munshi, Nikhil C; Gershwin, M Eric; Ritz, Jerome

2007-03-01

A unique characteristic of the autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is the presence of high-titer and extremely specific autoantibodies to the E2 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2). Autoantibodies to PDC-E2 antigen have only been detected in patients with disease or in those who subsequently develop PBC. One exception has been a subgroup of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and received donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) after transplantation. These patients developed high-titer antibodies to a variety of myeloma-associated antigens, including PDC-E2, coincident with rejection of myeloma cells in vivo. To examine the specificity of autoantibodies to PDC in these patients, we screened sera from patients with MM, chronic leukemias, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), PBC, and healthy donors. Three of 11 patients with MM (27%) and 2 of 6 patients with chronic leukemias (33%) developed anti-PDC-E2 antibodies in association with DLI response; 2 of 12 (17%) patients in the MGUS pretreatment control population also had detectable anti-PDC responses. Interestingly, the epitope specificity of these PDC-E2 autoantibodies was distinctive, suggesting that the mechanisms leading to loss of tolerance in the transplantation patients are distinct from PBC.

Determinants of Fast Food Consumption among Iranian High School Students Based on Planned Behavior Theory

PubMed Central

Sharifirad, Gholamreza; Yarmohammadi, Parastoo; Azadbakht, Leila; Morowatisharifabad, Mohammad Ali; Hassanzadeh, Akbar

2013-01-01

Objective. This study was conducted to identify some factors (beliefs and norms) which are related to fast food consumption among high school students in Isfahan, Iran. We used the framework of the theory planned behavior (TPB) to predict this behavior. Subjects & Methods. Cross-sectional data were available from high school students (n = 521) who were recruited by cluster randomized sampling. All of the students completed a questionnaire assessing variables of standard TPB model including attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control (PBC), and the additional variables past behavior, actual behavior control (ABC). Results. The TPB variables explained 25.7% of the variance in intentions with positive attitude as the strongest (β = 0.31, P < 0.001) and subjective norms as the weakest (β = 0.29, P < 0.001) determinant. Concurrently, intentions accounted for 6% of the variance for fast food consumption. Past behavior and ABC accounted for an additional amount of 20.4% of the variance in fast food consumption. Conclusion. Overall, the present study suggests that the TPB model is useful in predicting related beliefs and norms to the fast food consumption among adolescents. Subjective norms in TPB model and past behavior in TPB model with additional variables (past behavior and actual behavior control) were the most powerful predictors of fast food consumption. Therefore, TPB model may be a useful framework for planning intervention programs to reduce fast food consumption by students. PMID:23936635

Autoimmune liver diseases in the Asia-Pacific region: Proceedings of APASL symposium on AIH and PBC 2016.

PubMed

Tanaka, Atsushi; Ma, Xiong; Yokosuka, Osamu; Weltman, Martin; You, Hong; Amarapurkar, Deepak N; Kim, Yoon Jun; Abbas, Zaigham; Payawal, Diana A; Chang, Ming-Ling; Efe, Cumali; Ozaslan, Ersan; Abe, Masanori; Mitchell-Thain, Robert; Zeniya, Mikio; Han, Kwang Hyub; Vierling, John M; Takikawa, Hajime

2016-11-01

During the 25th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL 2016) in Tokyo, we organized and moderated an inaugural satellite symposium on the autoimmune liver diseases, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Following the keynote lecture by John M. Vierling (USA), speakers from the Asia-Pacific region provided an up-to-date perspective on the epidemiology, clinical practice and research in AIH and PBC in the Asia-Pacific region. Although epidemiology and clinical features of AIH seem to be similar in East Asia compared to those in western countries, the majority of patients with AIH are detected at an advanced stage and have higher mortality rates in South Asia, indicating an unmet need for earlier diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate immunosuppressive treatment. PBC is more commonly seen in Australia and East Asia. As of 2016, clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for PBC have been published in Japan and China. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is recommended as a first-line therapy by both CPG. Nevertheless, one of the unmet therapeutic needs in PBC is the treatment of patients refractory to or intolerant of UDCA. It is of interest that the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in PBC patients was low in Taiwan and mainland China where the prevalence of CHB is very high. In this review, we overview this exciting and epoch-making symposium.

Predictors of Playing Augmented Reality Mobile Games While Walking Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior: Web-Based Survey.

PubMed

Koh, Hyeseung Elizabeth; Oh, Jeeyun; Mackert, Michael

2017-12-11

There has been a sharp increase in the number of pedestrians injured while using a mobile phone, but little research has been conducted to explain how and why people use mobile devices while walking. Therefore, we conducted a survey study to explicate the motivations of mobile phone use while walking. The purpose of this study was to identify the critical predictors of behavioral intention to play a popular mobile game, Pokemon Go, while walking, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). In addition to the three components of TPB, automaticity, immersion, and enjoyment were added to the model. This study is a theory-based investigation that explores the underlying mechanisms of mobile phone use while walking focusing on a mobile game behavior. Participants were recruited from a university (study 1; N=262) and Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) (study 2; N=197) in the United States. Participants completed a Web-based questionnaire, which included measures of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), automaticity, immersion, and enjoyment. Participants also answered questions regarding demographic items. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine hypotheses. The model we tested explained about 41% (study 1) and 63% (study 2) of people's intention to play Pokemon Go while walking. The following 3 TPB variables were significant predictors of intention to play Pokemon Go while walking in study 1 and study 2: attitude (P<.001), subjective norms (P<.001), and PBC (P=.007 in study 1; P<.001 in study 2). Automaticity tendency (P<.001), immersion (P=.02), and enjoyment (P=.04) were significant predictors in study 1, whereas enjoyment was the only significant predictor in study 2 (P=.01). Findings from this study demonstrated the utility of TPB in predicting a new behavioral domain-mobile use while walking. To sum up, younger users who are habitual, impulsive, and less immersed players are more likely to intend to play a mobile game while walking. ©Hyeseung Elizabeth Koh, Jeeyun Oh, Michael Mackert. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 11.12.2017.

Predictors of Playing Augmented Reality Mobile Games While Walking Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior: Web-Based Survey

PubMed Central

Oh, Jeeyun; Mackert, Michael

2017-01-01

Background There has been a sharp increase in the number of pedestrians injured while using a mobile phone, but little research has been conducted to explain how and why people use mobile devices while walking. Therefore, we conducted a survey study to explicate the motivations of mobile phone use while walking Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the critical predictors of behavioral intention to play a popular mobile game, Pokemon Go, while walking, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). In addition to the three components of TPB, automaticity, immersion, and enjoyment were added to the model. This study is a theory-based investigation that explores the underlying mechanisms of mobile phone use while walking focusing on a mobile game behavior. Methods Participants were recruited from a university (study 1; N=262) and Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) (study 2; N=197) in the United States. Participants completed a Web-based questionnaire, which included measures of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), automaticity, immersion, and enjoyment. Participants also answered questions regarding demographic items. Results Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine hypotheses. The model we tested explained about 41% (study 1) and 63% (study 2) of people’s intention to play Pokemon Go while walking. The following 3 TPB variables were significant predictors of intention to play Pokemon Go while walking in study 1 and study 2: attitude (P<.001), subjective norms (P<.001), and PBC (P=.007 in study 1; P<.001 in study 2). Automaticity tendency (P<.001), immersion (P=.02), and enjoyment (P=.04) were significant predictors in study 1, whereas enjoyment was the only significant predictor in study 2 (P=.01). Conclusions Findings from this study demonstrated the utility of TPB in predicting a new behavioral domain—mobile use while walking. To sum up, younger users who are habitual, impulsive, and less immersed players are more likely to intend to play a mobile game while walking. PMID:29229586

Long-term clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of obeticholic acid for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis.

PubMed

Samur, Sumeyye; Klebanoff, Matthew; Banken, Reiner; Pratt, Daniel S; Chapman, Rick; Ollendorf, Daniel A; Loos, Anne M; Corey, Kathleen; Hur, Chin; Chhatwal, Jagpreet

2017-03-01

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune liver disease that mainly affects middle-aged women. Obeticholic acid (OCA), which was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for PBC treatment, has demonstrated positive effects on biochemical markers of liver function. Our objective was to evaluate the long-term clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of OCA as a second-line treatment for PBC in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in adults with an inadequate response to UDCA. We developed a mathematical model to simulate the lifetime course of PBC patients treated with OCA+UDCA versus UDCA alone. Efficacy data were derived from the phase 3 PBC OCA International Study of Efficacy trial, and the natural history of PBC was informed by published clinical studies. Model outcomes were validated using the PBC Global Study. We found that in comparison with UDCA, OCA+UDCA could decrease the 15-year cumulative incidences of decompensated cirrhosis from 12.2% to 4.5%, hepatocellular carcinoma from 9.1% to 4.0%, liver transplants from 4.5% to 1.2%, and liver-related deaths from 16.2% to 5.7% and increase 15-year transplant-free survival from 61.1% to 72.9%. The lifetime cost of PBC treatment would increase from $63,000 to $902,000 (1,330% increment). The discounted quality-adjusted life years with UDCA and OCA+UDCA were 10.74 and 11.78, respectively, and the corresponding costs were $142,300 and $633,900, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $473,400/quality-adjusted life year gained. The results were most sensitive to the cost of OCA. OCA is a promising new therapy to substantially improve the long-term outcomes of PBC patients, but at its current annual price of $69,350, it is not cost-effective using a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/quality-adjusted life year; pricing below $18,450/year is needed to make OCA cost-effective. (Hepatology 2017;65:920-928). © 2016 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Role of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor subtypes in acute benzodiazepine physical dependence-like effects: evidence from squirrel monkeys responding under a schedule of food presentation

PubMed Central

Fischer, Bradford D.; Teixeira, Laura P.; van Linn, Michael L.; Namjoshi, Ojas A.; Cook, James M.; Rowlett, James K.

2013-01-01

Rationale Assays of schedule-controlled responding can be used to characterize the pharmacology of benzodiazepines and other GABAA receptor modulators, and are sensitive to changes in drug effects that are related to physical dependence. Objective The present study used this approach to investigate the role of GABAA receptor subtypes in mediating dependence-like effects following benzodiazepine administration. Methods Squirrel monkeys (n=6) were trained on a fixed-ratio schedule of food reinforcement. Initially, the response rate-decreasing effects of chlordiazepoxide (0.1–10 mg/kg; nonselective GABAA receptor agonist), zolpidem (0.032–1.0 mg/kg; α1 subunit-containing GABAA subtype-preferring agonist) and HZ-166 (0.1–10 mg/kg; functionally selective α2 and α3 subunit-containing GABAA receptor agonist) were assessed. Next, acute dependence-like effects following single injections of chlordiazepoxide, zolpidem and HZ-166 were assessed with flumazenil (0.1–3.2 mg/kg; nonselective GABAA receptor antagonist). Finally, acute dependence-like effects following zolpidem administration were assessed with βCCt and 3-PBC (0.1–3.2 mg/kg and 0.32–10 mg/kg, respectively; α1 subunit-containing GABAA receptor antagonists). Results Chlordiazepoxide, zolpidem and HZ-166 produced dose- and time-dependent decreases in response rates, whereas flumazenil, βCCt and 3-PBC were ineffective. After the drug effects waned, flumazenil produced dose-dependent decreases in response rates following administration of 10 mg/kg chlordiazepoxide and 1.0 mg/kg zolpidem, but not following any dose of HZ-166. Further, both βCCt and 3-PBC produced dose-dependent decreases in response rates when administered after 1.0 mg/kg zolpidem. Conclusions These data raise the possibility that α1 subunit-containing GABAA receptors play a major role in physical dependence-related behaviors following a single injection of a benzodiazepine. PMID:23354533

Role of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor subtypes in acute benzodiazepine physical dependence-like effects: evidence from squirrel monkeys responding under a schedule of food presentation.

PubMed

Fischer, Bradford D; Teixeira, Laura P; van Linn, Michael L; Namjoshi, Ojas A; Cook, James M; Rowlett, James K

2013-05-01

Assays of schedule-controlled responding can be used to characterize the pharmacology of benzodiazepines and other GABAA receptor modulators, and are sensitive to changes in drug effects that are related to physical dependence. The present study used this approach to investigate the role of GABAA receptor subtypes in mediating dependence-like effects following benzodiazepine administration. Squirrel monkeys (n = 6) were trained on a fixed-ratio schedule of food reinforcement. Initially, the response rate-decreasing effects of chlordiazepoxide (0.1-10 mg/kg; nonselective GABAA receptor agonist), zolpidem (0.032-1.0 mg/kg; α1 subunit-containing GABAA subtype-preferring agonist), and HZ-166 (0.1-10 mg/kg; functionally selective α2 and α3 subunit-containing GABAA receptor agonist) were assessed. Next, acute dependence-like effects following single injections of chlordiazepoxide, zolpidem, and HZ-166 were assessed with flumazenil (0.1-3.2 mg/kg; nonselective GABAA receptor antagonist). Finally, acute dependence-like effects following zolpidem administration were assessed with βCCt and 3-PBC (0.1-3.2 mg/kg and 0.32-10 mg/kg, respectively; α1 subunit-containing GABAA receptor antagonists). Chlordiazepoxide, zolpidem, and HZ-166 produced dose- and time-dependent decreases in response rates, whereas flumazenil, βCCT, and 3-PBC were ineffective. After the drug effects waned, flumazenil produced dose-dependent decreases in response rates following administration of 10 mg/kg chlordiazepoxide and 1.0 mg/kg zolpidem, but not following any dose of HZ-166. Further, both βCCT and 3-PBC produced dose-dependent decreases in response rates when administered after 1.0 mg/kg zolpidem. These data raise the possibility that α1 subunit-containing GABAA receptors play a major role in physical dependence-related behaviors following a single injection of a benzodiazepine.

An extended version of the theory of planned behaviour: the role of self-efficacy and past behaviour in predicting the physical activity of Chinese adolescents.

PubMed

Wang, Lijuan; Zhang, Ying

2016-01-01

This study aimed to use an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB), which incorporated additional self-efficacy and past behaviour, to predict the intention to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and the MVPA level of Chinese adolescents. Questionnaires that focused on MVPA, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control (PBC), self-efficacy and past behaviour related to the MVPA engagement were administered to a sample of 488 young people. Multiple regression analyses provided moderate support for TPB. Three TPB constructs predicted 28.7% of the variance in intentions to engage in MVPA, and that PBC, but not intention, explained 3.4% of the variance in MVPA. Self-efficacy significantly affected intention and behaviour over and above the influence of TPB. Past behaviour had a small but significant improvement in the prediction of intention, but no improvement in the prediction of MVPA. Based on the results, interventions should target adolescent self-efficacy and PBC in physical activity participation.

Linking human beta retrovirus infection with primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Mason, A L; Zhang, G

2010-01-01

Several environmental agents have been linked with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) that include bacteria, xenobiotics and viruses. A human beta retrovirus (HBRV) related to mouse mammary tumor virus has been cloned and characterized from patients with PBC. This agent can be detected in the majority of patients' perihepatic lymph nodes by immunochemistry and RT-PCR. The HBRV has recently been isolated in culture and integration sites have been identified in the genome of patients to provide convincing evidence of beta retrovirus infection in patients. Three lines of evidence support a role for the virus in PBC. First, the beta retrovirus is linked with aberrant expression of mitochondrial protein(s) on the biliary epithelium cell (BEC) surface, a disease specific phenotype. Second, the related agent, mouse mammary tumor virus has been linked with autoimmune biliary disease in the NOD.c3c4 mouse model for PBC. In this mouse model, the virus is localized to diseased biliary epithelium that also display aberrant expression of the mitochondrial autoantigens. In translational studies, both patients with PBC and NOD.c3c4 mice demonstrate significant improvement in biliary disease with combination antiviral therapy. An overview of the biological relevance of the beta retrovirus infection in PBC will be discussed in this review. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Impact of Microbes on the Pathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)

PubMed Central

Mattner, Jochen

2016-01-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) represent the major clinical entities of chronic cholestatic liver diseases. Both disorders are characterized by portal inflammation and slowly progress to obliterative fibrosis and eventually liver cirrhosis. Although immune-pathogenic mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of PBC and PSC, neither disorder is considered to be a classical autoimmune disease, as PSC and PBC patients do not respond to immune-suppressants. Furthermore, the decreased bile flow resulting from the immune-mediated tissue assault and the subsequent accumulation of toxic bile products in PBC and PSC not only perpetuates biliary epithelial damage, but also alters the composition of the intestinal and biliary microbiota and its mutual interactions with the host. Consistent with the close association of PSC and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the polyclonal hyper IgM response in PBC and (auto-)antibodies which cross-react to microbial antigens in both diseases, an expansion of individual microbes leads to shifts in the composition of the intestinal or biliary microbiota and a subsequent altered integrity of epithelial layers, promoting microbial translocation. These changes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both devastating disorders. Thus, we will discuss here these recent findings in the context of novel and alternative therapeutic options. PMID:27834858

Thrombotic Role of Blood and Endothelial Cells in Uremia through Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Microparticle Release

PubMed Central

Gao, Chunyan; Xie, Rui; Yu, Chengyuan; Ma, Ruishuang; Dong, Weijun; Meng, Huan; Zhang, Yan; Si, Yu; Zhang, Zhuo; Novakovic, Valerie; Zhang, Yong; Kou, Junjie; Bi, Yayan; Li, Baoxin; Xie, Rujuan; Gilbert, Gary E.; Zhou, Jin; Shi, Jialan

2015-01-01

The mechanisms contributing to an increased risk of thrombosis in uremia are complex and require clarification. There is scant morphological evidence of membrane-dependent binding of factor Xa (FXa) and factor Va (FVa) on endothelial cells (EC) in vitro. Our objectives were to confirm that exposed phosphatidylserine (PS) on microparticle (MP), EC, and peripheral blood cell (PBC) has a prothrombotic role in uremic patients and to provide visible and morphological evidence of PS-dependent prothrombinase assembly in vitro. We found that uremic patients had more circulating MP (derived from PBC and EC) than controls. Additionally, patients had more exposed PS on their MPs and PBCs, especially in the hemodialysis group. In vitro, EC exposed more PS in uremic toxins or serum. Moreover, reconstitution experiments showed that at the early stages, PS exposure was partially reversible. Using confocal microscopy, we observed that PS-rich membranes of EC and MP provided binding sites for FVa and FXa. Further, exposure of PS in uremia resulted in increased generation of FXa, thrombin, and fibrin and significantly shortened coagulation time. Lactadherin, a protein that blocks PS, reduced 80% of procoagulant activity on PBC, EC, and MP. Our results suggest that PBC and EC in uremic milieu are easily injured or activated, which exposes PS and causes a release of MP, providing abundant procoagulant membrane surfaces and thus facilitating thrombus formation. Blocking PS binding sites could become a new therapeutic target for preventing thrombosis. PMID:26580207

Cytologic assessment of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 status in metastatic breast carcinoma.

PubMed

Pareja, Fresia; Murray, Melissa P; Jean, Ryan Des; Konno, Fumiko; Friedlander, Maria; Lin, Oscar; Edelweiss, Marcia

2017-01-01

Discordance in the receptor status between primary breast carcinomas (PBC) and corresponding metastasis is well documented. Interrogation of the receptor status of metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) in cytology material is common practice; however, its utility has not been thoroughly validated. We studied patients with MBC, and evaluated the concordance rates of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) between PBC surgical specimens and corresponding MBC cell blocks (CBs). We correlated the findings with clinicopathologic variables and with the fixation methods used. We searched for patients with MBC diagnosed on cytology from 2007 to 2009 and selected those with ER, PR and HER2 tested in both the PBC surgical specimens and the MBC CBs. We included CBs fixed in formalin and methanol based solution (CytoLyt®). All slides were reevaluated by cytopathologists. Clinical information was retrieved from the medical records. We studied 65 patients with PBC and MBC paired specimens. The concordance rates between PBC and MBC were 78.5%, 58.5% and 96.9%, for ER, PR and HER2, respectively. When discordant, PR status switched from positive (PBC) to negative (MBC) in most cases (23/27). The PR concordance rate was 45.2% for CBs fixed in formalin and 70.6% for those fixed with CytoLyt® (p=0.047). The ER, PR and HER2 concordance rates between the PBC and MBC CBs are similar to those reported in paired surgical specimens. PR status was the most prevalent discordance and was not accompanied by a switch in ER.

Is patient-reported outcome improved by nalfurafine hydrochloride in patients with primary biliary cholangitis and refractory pruritus? A post-marketing, single-arm, prospective study.

PubMed

Yagi, Minami; Tanaka, Atsushi; Namisaki, Tadashi; Takahashi, Atsushi; Abe, Masanori; Honda, Akira; Matsuzaki, Yasushi; Ohira, Hiromasa; Yoshiji, Hitoshi; Takikawa, Hajime

2018-04-16

Patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) frequently suffer from pruritus, which can severely impair their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Nalfurafine hydrochloride, a selective κ-opioid receptor agonist, was recently approved in Japan for refractory pruritus in patients with chronic liver diseases, but it still remains unclear whether this treatment improves the patient-reported outcome (PRO) in PBC patients with refractory pruritus. Herein, we conducted a multicenter, post-marketing, single-arm prospective study to investigate the efficacy of nalfurafine in terms of PRO, and the associations of the efficacy with any clinical characteristics. After screening for pruritus in 496 patients with PBC using PBC-40 and the visual analog scale (VAS), we identified 141 patients with moderate to severe pruritus; these were invited to participate in the study. The participants received 2.5 μg nalfurafine once daily for 12 weeks, and pruritus and HRQOL were assessed in week 12 of this treatment. Generic HRQOL, short form 36, blood chemistries, and serum autotaxin levels were also measured at baseline and at week 12. Forty-four patients participated in this study. The mean PBC-40 itch domain scores and VAS declined during the study period, from 8.56 to 7.63 (P = 0.041) and from 42.9 to 29.3 (P = 0.001) at baseline and at week 12, respectively, indicating a significant effect of nalfurafine. The other domains of PBC-40 and all domains of SF-36 were not significantly altered by this treatment. We failed to find any association between the change in VAS and PBC-40 itch scores and any clinical variable. Serum autotaxin levels were significantly increased during the study period. This study demonstrated that nalfurafine improved pruritus in patients with PBC, independent of their clinical characteristics, but had a limited effect on the PRO.

The immunogenetics of primary biliary cirrhosis: A comprehensive review.

PubMed

Webb, G J; Siminovitch, K A; Hirschfield, G M

2015-11-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), a classic autoimmune liver disease, is characterised by a progressive T cell predominant lymphocytic cholangitis, and a serologic pattern of reactivity in the form of specific anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA). CD4+ T cells are particularly implicated by PBC's cytokine signature, the presence of CD4+ T cells specific to mitochondrial auto-antigens, the expression of MHC II on injured biliary epithelial cells, and PBC's coincidence with other similar T cell mediated autoimmune conditions. CD4+ T cells are also central to current animal models of PBC, and their transfer typically also transfers disease. The importance of genetic risk to developing PBC is evidenced by a much higher concordance rate in monozygotic than dizygotic twins, increased AMA rates in asymptomatic relatives, and disproportionate rates of disease in siblings of PBC patients, PBC family members and certain genetically defined populations. Recently, high-throughput genetic studies have greatly expanded our understanding of the gene variants underpinning risk for PBC development, so linking genetics and immunology. Here we summarize genetic association data that has emerged from large scale genome-wide association studies and discuss the evidence for the potential functional significance of the individual genes and pathways identified; we particularly highlight associations in the IL-12-STAT4-Th1 pathway. HLA associations and epigenetic effects are specifically considered and individual variants are linked to clinical phenotypes where data exist. We also consider why there is a gap between calculated genetic risk and clinical data: so-called missing heritability, and how immunogenetic observations are being translated to novel therapies. Ultimately whilst genetic risk factors will only account for a proportion of disease risk, ongoing efforts to refine associations and understand biologic links to disease pathways are hoped to drive more rational therapy for patients. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of liver fibrosis with different etiologies using a fully quantitative fibrosis assessment tool.

PubMed

Wu, Q; Zhao, X; You, H

2017-05-18

This study aimed to test the diagnostic performance of a fully quantitative fibrosis assessment tool for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A total of 117 patients with liver fibrosis were included in this study, including 50 patients with CHB, 49 patients with PBC and 18 patients with NASH. All patients underwent liver biopsy (LB). Fibrosis stages were assessed by two experienced pathologists. Histopathological images of LB slices were processed by second harmonic generation (SHG)/two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy without staining, a system called qFibrosis (quantitative fibrosis) system. Altogether 101 quantitative features of the SHG/TPEF images were acquired. The parameters of aggregated collagen in portal, septal and fibrillar areas increased significantly with stages of liver fibrosis in PBC and CHB (P<0.05), but the same was not found for parameters of distributed collagen (P>0.05). There was a significant correlation between parameters of aggregated collagen in portal, septal and fibrillar areas and stages of liver fibrosis from CHB and PBC (P<0.05), but no correlation was found between the distributed collagen parameters and the stages of liver fibrosis from those patients (P>0.05). There was no significant correlation between NASH parameters and stages of fibrosis (P>0.05). For CHB and PBC patients, the highest correlation was between septal parameters and fibrosis stages, the second highest was between portal parameters and fibrosis stages and the lowest correlation was between fibrillar parameters and fibrosis stages. The correlation between the septal parameters of the PBC and stages is significantly higher than the parameters of the other two areas (P<0.05). The qFibrosis candidate parameters based on CHB were also applicable for quantitative analysis of liver fibrosis in PBC patients. Different parameters should be selected for liver fibrosis assessment in different stages of PBC compared with CHB.

Characteristics of liver fibrosis with different etiologies using a fully quantitative fibrosis assessment tool

PubMed Central

Wu, Q.; Zhao, X.; You, H.

2017-01-01

This study aimed to test the diagnostic performance of a fully quantitative fibrosis assessment tool for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A total of 117 patients with liver fibrosis were included in this study, including 50 patients with CHB, 49 patients with PBC and 18 patients with NASH. All patients underwent liver biopsy (LB). Fibrosis stages were assessed by two experienced pathologists. Histopathological images of LB slices were processed by second harmonic generation (SHG)/two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy without staining, a system called qFibrosis (quantitative fibrosis) system. Altogether 101 quantitative features of the SHG/TPEF images were acquired. The parameters of aggregated collagen in portal, septal and fibrillar areas increased significantly with stages of liver fibrosis in PBC and CHB (P<0.05), but the same was not found for parameters of distributed collagen (P>0.05). There was a significant correlation between parameters of aggregated collagen in portal, septal and fibrillar areas and stages of liver fibrosis from CHB and PBC (P<0.05), but no correlation was found between the distributed collagen parameters and the stages of liver fibrosis from those patients (P>0.05). There was no significant correlation between NASH parameters and stages of fibrosis (P>0.05). For CHB and PBC patients, the highest correlation was between septal parameters and fibrosis stages, the second highest was between portal parameters and fibrosis stages and the lowest correlation was between fibrillar parameters and fibrosis stages. The correlation between the septal parameters of the PBC and stages is significantly higher than the parameters of the other two areas (P<0.05). The qFibrosis candidate parameters based on CHB were also applicable for quantitative analysis of liver fibrosis in PBC patients. Different parameters should be selected for liver fibrosis assessment in different stages of PBC compared with CHB. PMID:28538834

Advantage of 3D volumetric dosemeter in delivery quality assurance of dynamic arc therapy: comparison of pencil beam and Monte Carlo calculations

PubMed Central

Shin, H-J; Song, J H; Jung, J-Y; Kwak, Y-K; Kay, C S; Kang, Y-N; Choi, B O; Jang, H S

2013-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of pencil beam calculation (PBC) and Monte Carlo calculation (MCC) for dynamic arc therapy (DAT) in a cylindrically shaped homogenous phantom, by comparing the two plans with an ion chamber, a film and a three-dimensional (3D) volumetric dosemeter. Methods: For this study, an in-house phantom was constructed, and the PBC and MCC plans for DAT were performed using iPlan® RT (BrainLAB®, Heimstetten, Germany). The A16 micro ion chamber (Standard Imaging, Middleton, WI), Gafchromic® EBT2 film (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) and ArcCHECK™ (Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, FL) were used for measurements. For comparison with each plan, two-dimensional (2D) and 3D gamma analyses were performed using 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm criteria. Results: The difference between the PBC and MCC plans using 2D and 3D gamma analyses was found to be 7.85% and 28.8%, respectively. The ion chamber and 2D dose distribution measurements did not exhibit this difference revealed by the comparison between the PBC and MCC plans. However, the 3D assessment showed a significant difference between the PBC and MCC (62.7% for PBC vs 93.4% for MCC, p = 0.034). Conclusion: Evaluation using a 3D volumetric dosemeter can be clinically useful for delivery quality assurance (QA), and the MCC should be used to achieve the most reliable dose calculation for DAT. Advances in knowledge: (1) The DAT plan calculated using the PBC has a limitation in the calculation methods, and a 3D volumetric dosemeter was found to be an adequate tool for delivery QA of DAT. (2) The MCC was superior to PBC in terms of the accuracy in dose calculation for DAT even in the homogenous condition. PMID:24234583

Entrepreneurship education revisited: perceived entrepreneurial role models increase perceived behavioural control.

PubMed

Fellnhofer, Katharina

2017-01-01

Relying on Bandura's (1986) social learning theory, Ajzen's (1988) theory of planned behaviour (TPB), and Dyer's (1994) model of entrepreneurial careers, this study aims to highlight the potential of entrepreneurial role models to entrepreneurship education. The results suggest that entrepreneurial courses would greatly benefit from real-life experiences, either positive or negative. The results of regression analysis based on 426 individuals, primarily from Austria, Finland, and Greece, show that role models increase learners' entrepreneurial perceived behaviour control (PBC) by increasing their self-efficacy. This study can inform the research and business communities and governments about the importance of integrating entrepreneurs into education to stimulate entrepreneurial PBC. This study is the first of its kind using its approach, and its results warrant more in-depth studies of storytelling by entrepreneurial role models in the context of multimedia entrepreneurship education.

Odontoid process inclination in normal adults and in an adult population with Chiari malformation Type I.

PubMed

Besachio, David A; Khaleel, Ziyad; Shah, Lubdha M

2015-12-01

Posterior odontoid process inclination has been demonstrated as a factor associated with Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) in the pediatric population; however, no studies to date have examined this measurement in the adult CM-I population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate craniocervical junction (CCJ) measurements in adult CM-I versus a control group. The odontoid retroflexion, odontoid retroversion, odontoid height, posterior basion to C-2 line measured to the dural margin (pB-C2 line), posterior basion to C-2 line measured to the dorsal odontoid cortical margin (pB-C2* line), and clivus-canal angle measurements were retrospectively analyzed in adult patients with CM-I using MRI. These measurements were compared with normative values established from CT scans of the cervical spine in adults without CM-I. A statistically significant difference was found between 55 adults with CM-I and 150 sex-matched controls (125 used for analysis) in the mean clivus-canal angle and the mean pB-C2 line. These data suggest that there are sex-specific differences with respect to measurements at the CCJ between men and women, with women showing a more posteriorly inclined odontoid process. There were also differences between the CM-I and control groups: a more acute clivus-canal angle was associated with CM-I in the adult population. These CCJ findings could have an influence on presurgical planning.

Random phage mimotopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies against the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-E2 (PDC-E2).

PubMed Central

Cha, S; Leung, P S; Van de Water, J; Tsuneyama, K; Joplin, R E; Ansari, A A; Nakanuma, Y; Schatz, P J; Cwirla, S; Fabris, L E; Neuberger, J M; Gershwin, M E; Coppel, R L

1996-01-01

Dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, the E2 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), is the autoantigen most commonly recognized by autoantibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We identified a peptide mimotope(s) of PDC-E2 by screening a phage-epitope library expressing random dodecapeptides in the pIII coat protein of fd phage using C355.1, a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognizes a conformation-dependent epitope in the inner lipoyl domain of PDC-E2 and uniquely stains the apical region of bile duct epithelium (BDE) only in patients with PBC. Eight different sequences were identified in 36 phage clones. WMSYPDRTLRTS was present in 29 clones; WESYPFRVGTSL, APKTYVSVSGMV, LTYVSLQGRQGH, LDYVPLKHRHRH, AALWGVKVRHVS, KVLNRIMAGVRH and GNVALVSSRVNA were singly represented. Three common amino acid motifs (W-SYP, TYVS, and VRH) were shared among all peptide sequences. Competitive inhibition of the immunohistochemical staining of PBC BDE was performed by incubating the peptides WMSYPDRTLRTS, WESYPDRTLRTS, APKTYVSVSGMV, and AALWGVKVRHVS with either C355.1 or a second PDC-E2-specific mAb, C150.1. Both mAbs were originally generated to PDC-E2 but map to distinct regions of PDC-E2. Two of the peptides, although selected by reaction with C355.1, strongly inhibited the staining of BDE by C150.1, whereas the peptide APKTYVSVSGMV consistently inhibited the staining of C355.1 on biliary duct epithelium more strongly than the typical mitochondrial staining of hepatocytes. Rabbit sera raised against the peptide WMSYPDRTLRTS stained BDE of livers and isolated bile duct epithelial cells of PBC patients more intensively than controls. The rabbit sera stained all size ducts in normals, but only small/medium-sized ductules in PBC livers. These studies provide evidence that the antigen present in BDE is a molecular mimic of PDC-E2, and not PDC-E2 itself. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 PMID:8855289

Case-control study on prednisolone combined with ursodeoxycholic acid and azathioprine in pure primary biliary cirrhosis with high levels of immunoglobulin G and transaminases: efficacy and safety analysis.

PubMed

Fang, Yu-Qing; Lv, Dong-Xia; Jia, Wei; Li, Jun; Deng, Yong-Qiong; Wang, Yan; Yu, Min; Wang, Gui-Qiang

2014-10-01

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to address the use of glucocorticoids in the comparatively special population of pure primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients who have high levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and transaminases but do not have PBC-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is now assumed to be the standard therapy for PBC patients. However, patients treated with UDCA still have a risk of progression to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. The most recent European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines of 2009 declared that further studies on glucocorticoid therapy in this disease should be a priority. Therefore, we designed this 3-year longitudinal retrospective study, which might provide deep insight into the treatment for PBC.The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of prednisolone, UDCA, and azathioprine was superior to UDCA alone in these PBC patients.Sixty patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty-one patients underwent UDCA monotherapy, and 29 patients were treated with prednisolone, UDCA, and azathioprine. We analyzed their biochemistries, immune parameters, liver synthetic function, and noninvasive assessments of liver fibrosis, as well as treatment efficacy and adverse effects at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months.Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels and the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and S-index improved dramatically in both groups, whereas IgG levels only decreased in the combination group (all P < 0.05). Albumin (ALB) levels decreased in the UDCA group but increased with the combination treatment at 36 months. Significant differences between the 2 groups were observed at 36 months in ALP (P = 0.005), IgG (P = 0.002), ALB (P = 0.002), APRI (P = 0.015), and S-index (P = 0.020). Prednisolone combined with UDCA and azathioprine showed a higher efficacy based on our new criteria.The combination of prednisolone, UDCA, and azathioprine is superior to UDCA alone for the treatment of pure PBC patients with high levels of IgG and transaminases. Side effects were minimal or absent.

Geoepidemiology, Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for PBC.

PubMed

Zhang, Haiyan; Carbone, Marco; Lleo, Ana; Invernizzi, Pietro

2015-01-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is the most paradigmatic autoimmune liver disease with still several controversial issues in epidemiology, diagnosis, causation, and therapy. Although we are witnessing an enormous increase in the quantum of our basic knowledge of the disease with an initial translation in clinical practice, there are still a number of key open questions in PBC. Among them are the following questions: Why are there vast geographical variations in disease frequency? What are the reasons for female preponderance? Why do only small-size bile ducts get affected: What is the real role of genetics and epigenetics in its development? In particular, the prevalence of PBC is known to vary both on an international and a regional level, suggesting the existence of substantive geographical differences in terms of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. New theories on potential environmental triggers, such as chemical xenobiotics, which lead to the breaking of self-tolerance within a unique immunological milieu of the liver, have been suggested. On the other hand, new and solid data on the genetic architecture of PBC are now obtained from recent high-throughput studies, together with data on sex chromosomes defects, and epigenetic abnormalities, thus strongly suggesting a role of genetic and epigenetic factors in the triggering and perpetuation of the autoimmune aggression in PBC. Based on these evidences, a number of novel drugs directed against specific immune-related molecules are currently under development. In this paper, we review a comprehensive collection of current epidemiological reports from various world regions. We also discuss here the most recent data regarding candidate genetic and environmental risk factors for PBC. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The UK-PBC risk scores: Derivation and validation of a scoring system for long-term prediction of end-stage liver disease in primary biliary cholangitis.

PubMed

Carbone, Marco; Sharp, Stephen J; Flack, Steve; Paximadas, Dimitrios; Spiess, Kelly; Adgey, Carolyn; Griffiths, Laura; Lim, Reyna; Trembling, Paul; Williamson, Kate; Wareham, Nick J; Aldersley, Mark; Bathgate, Andrew; Burroughs, Andrew K; Heneghan, Michael A; Neuberger, James M; Thorburn, Douglas; Hirschfield, Gideon M; Cordell, Heather J; Alexander, Graeme J; Jones, David E J; Sandford, Richard N; Mells, George F

2016-03-01

The biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)--so-called "treatment response"--strongly predicts long-term outcome in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Several long-term prognostic models based solely on the treatment response have been developed that are widely used to risk stratify PBC patients and guide their management. However, they do not take other prognostic variables into account, such as the stage of the liver disease. We sought to improve existing long-term prognostic models of PBC using data from the UK-PBC Research Cohort. We performed Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis of diverse explanatory variables in a derivation cohort of 1,916 UDCA-treated participants. We used nonautomatic backward selection to derive the best-fitting Cox model, from which we derived a multivariable fractional polynomial model. We combined linear predictors and baseline survivor functions in equations to score the risk of a liver transplant or liver-related death occurring within 5, 10, or 15 years. We validated these risk scores in an independent cohort of 1,249 UDCA-treated participants. The best-fitting model consisted of the baseline albumin and platelet count, as well as the bilirubin, transaminases, and alkaline phosphatase, after 12 months of UDCA. In the validation cohort, the 5-, 10-, and 15-year risk scores were highly accurate (areas under the curve: >0.90). The prognosis of PBC patients can be accurately evaluated using the UK-PBC risk scores. They may be used to identify high-risk patients for closer monitoring and second-line therapies, as well as low-risk patients who could potentially be followed up in primary care. © 2015 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Reactive p-block cations stabilized by weakly coordinating anions

PubMed Central

Engesser, Tobias A.; Lichtenthaler, Martin R.; Schleep, Mario

2016-01-01

The chemistry of the p-block elements is a huge playground for fundamental and applied work. With their bonding from electron deficient to hypercoordinate and formally hypervalent, the p-block elements represent an area to find terra incognita. Often, the formation of cations that contain p-block elements as central ingredient is desired, for example to make a compound more Lewis acidic for an application or simply to prove an idea. This review has collected the reactive p-block cations (rPBC) with a comprehensive focus on those that have been published since the year 2000, but including the milestones and key citations of earlier work. We include an overview on the weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) used to stabilize the rPBC and give an overview to WCA selection, ionization strategies for rPBC-formation and finally list the rPBC ordered in their respective group from 13 to 18. However, typical, often more organic ion classes that constitute for example ionic liquids (imidazolium, ammonium, etc.) were omitted, as were those that do not fulfill the – naturally subjective – “reactive”-criterion of the rPBC. As a rule, we only included rPBC with crystal structure and only rarely refer to important cations published without crystal structure. This collection is intended for those who are simply interested what has been done or what is possible, as well as those who seek advice on preparative issues, up to people having a certain application in mind, where the knowledge on the existence of a rPBC that might play a role as an intermediate or active center may be useful. PMID:26612538

Cytologic assessment of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 status in metastatic breast carcinoma

PubMed Central

Pareja, Fresia; Murray, Melissa P; Jean, Ryan Des; Konno, Fumiko; Friedlander, Maria; Lin, Oscar; Edelweiss, Marcia

2016-01-01

BACKGROUND Discordance in the receptor status between primary breast carcinomas (PBC) and corresponding metastasis is well documented. Interrogation of the receptor status of metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) in cytology material is common practice; however, its utility has not been thoroughly validated. We studied patients with MBC, and evaluated the concordance rates of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) between PBC surgical specimens and corresponding MBC cell blocks (CBs). We correlated the findings with clinicopathologic variables and with the fixation methods used. METHODS We searched for patients with MBC diagnosed on cytology from 2007 to 2009 and selected those with ER, PR and HER2 tested in both the PBC surgical specimens and the MBC CBs. We included CBs fixed in formalin and methanol based solution (CytoLyt®). All slides were reevaluated by cytopathologists. Clinical information was retrieved from the medical records. RESULTS We studied 65 patients with PBC and MBC paired specimens. The concordance rates between PBC and MBC were 78.5%, 58.5% and 96.9%, for ER, PR and HER2, respectively. When discordant, PR status switched from positive (PBC) to negative (MBC) in most cases (23/27). The PR concordance rate was 45.2% for CBs fixed in formalin and 70.6% for those fixed with CytoLyt® (p=0.047). CONCLUSION The ER, PR and HER2 concordance rates between the PBC and MBC CBs are similar to those reported in paired surgical specimens. PR status was the most prevalent discordance and was not accompanied by a switch in ER. PMID:28529880

Quantitative fibrosis parameters highly predict esophageal-gastro varices in primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Wu, Q-M; Zhao, X-Y; You, H

2016-01-01

Esophageal-gastro Varices (EGV) may develop in any histological stages of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We aim to establish and validate quantitative fibrosis (qFibrosis) parameters in portal, septal and fibrillar areas as ideal predictors of EGV in PBC patients. PBC patients with liver biopsy, esophagogastroscopy and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG)/Two-photon Excited Fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy images were retrospectively enrolled in this study. qFibrosis parameters in portal, septal and fibrillar areas were acquired by computer-assisted SHG/TPEF imaging system. Independent predictor was identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. PBC patients with liver biopsy, esophagogastroscopy and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG)/Two-photon Excited Fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy images were retrospectively enrolled in this study. qFibrosis parameters in portal, septal and fibrillar areas were acquired by computer-assisted SHG/TPEF imaging system. Independent predictor was identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Among the forty-nine PBC patients with qFibrosis images, twenty-nine PBC patients with both esophagogastroscopy data and qFibrosis data were selected out for EGV prognosis analysis and 44.8% (13/29) of them had EGV. The qFibrosis parameters of collagen percentage and number of crosslink in fibrillar area, short/long/thin strings number and length/width of the strings in septa area were associated with EGV (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the collagen percentage in fibrillar area ≥ 3.6% was an independent factor to predict EGV (odds ratio 6.9; 95% confidence interval 1.6-27.4). The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC), diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 0.9, 100% and 75% respectively. Collagen percentage in Collagen percentage in the fibrillar area as an independent predictor can highly predict EGV in PBC patients.

A real-world observational cohort of patients with primary biliary cholangitis: TARGET-primary biliary cholangitis study design and rationale.

PubMed

Levy, Cynthia; Bowlus, Christopher L; Carey, Elizabeth; Crawford, Julie M; Deane, Karen; Mayo, Marlyn J; Kim, W Ray; Fried, Michael W

2018-05-01

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare chronic cholestatic liver disease that may progress to biliary cirrhosis if left untreated. The first-line therapy for PBC is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Unfortunately, 1 of 3 patients does not respond to UDCA. These patients are at risk for developing clinical events, including cirrhosis, complications of portal hypertension, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplant, or death. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved obeticholic acid to be used in certain patients with PBC. Off-label therapies are also used, and several other therapies are currently under evaluation. Real-world effectiveness of newly approved and off-label therapies remains unknown. TARGET-PBC is a 5-year, longitudinal, observational study of patients with PBC that will evaluate the effectiveness of clinical practice interventions and provide practical information unobtainable in registration trials. Enrollment will take place at both academic and community sites. In addition to consenting to medical records review, participants will be asked to provide an annual blood sample and complete patient reported outcome surveys at predetermined intervals. Any available liver biopsies will be digitally preserved. Conclusion: Key study outcomes will be the evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of PBC interventions and the assessment of disease progression under real-world conditions. ( Hepatology Communications 2018;2:484-491).

The clinical expression of primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Heathcote, J

1997-02-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is likely an autoimmune disease that destroys the interlobular bile ducts. Although the term PBC implies cirrhosis, this is not always present. The condition may be entirely silent clinically, save for the hallmark mitochondrial antibodies in serum. The clinical spectrum of PBC ranges from asymptomatic anicteric cholestasis with or without extrahepatic manifestations to severe cholestasis with decompensated cirrhosis. It is uncertain whether or not the course of this disease is universally fatal. Currently, no specific features have been identified which predict progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic disease, although once hyperbilirubinemia is present, a rising level indicates a poor prognosis. The liver-specific complications include pruritus, abdominal pain, xantholasma, and portal hypertension. The latter is often an early feature, as the portal hypertension is presinusoidal in nature and, when present, does not always reflect the presence of cirrhosis. There are many extrahepatic features of PBC, the most common being metabolic, chiefly hypothyroidism and metabolic bone disease. Other common associations are rheumatologic, renal, pulmonary, neuromuscular, and dermatologic. The non-specific yet distressing symptom of fatigue affects up to two-thirds of PBC subjects, but its etiology remains obscure.

Is osteoporosis a peculiar association with primary biliary cirrhosis?

PubMed Central

Floreani, Annarosa; Mega, Andrea; Camozzi, Valentina; Baldo, Vincenzo; Plebani, Mario; Burra, Patrizia; Luisetto, Giovanni

2005-01-01

AIM: (1) To compare the prevalence of osteoporosis (t-score ≤ -2.5 SD) between stage IV PBC patients, and two groups of age- and sex-matched controls: one with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis, and the other one consisting of a group of healthy subjects from the general population; (2) to identify the main risk factors for the development of bone loss. METHODS: Thirty-five stage IV PBC patients (mean age 52.5 ± 10 years), 49 females with HCV-related cirrhosis (mean age 52.9 ± 5.8 years) and 33 healthy females (mean age 51.8 ± 2.22 years) were enrolled in the study. Bone metabolism was evaluated by measuring serum calcium corrected for serum albumin (Ca corr.), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH vit D), parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed at the lumbar spine by dual-photon X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Osteoporosis was present in 5/35 PBC patients (14.2%) and in 7/49 HCV-related cirrhotic patients (14.3%), without any statistical difference between the two groups. Among healthy control subjects, none had osteoporosis. No difference was found between the three groups in serum parameters of bone metabolism. Univariate analysis showed that menopausal state and low BMI were significantly correlated with osteoporosis. Multivariate regression analysis showed that menopausal status, BMI < 23, and old age were independent variables significantly correlated with osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: PBC in itself has no negative influence on BMD. End-stage liver disease patients carry a disease-specific risk for osteoporosis, but have an effective risk of bone loss in relation to individual potential risk for each patient. A practical message should be taken into account, that is, every effort should be made to prevent osteoporosis when a patient has simple osteopenia, or if it is a woman in or near menopausal age. PMID:16149144

Entrepreneurship education revisited: perceived entrepreneurial role models increase perceived behavioural control

PubMed Central

Fellnhofer, Katharina

2017-01-01

Relying on Bandura’s (1986) social learning theory, Ajzen’s (1988) theory of planned behaviour (TPB), and Dyer’s (1994) model of entrepreneurial careers, this study aims to highlight the potential of entrepreneurial role models to entrepreneurship education. The results suggest that entrepreneurial courses would greatly benefit from real-life experiences, either positive or negative. The results of regression analysis based on 426 individuals, primarily from Austria, Finland, and Greece, show that role models increase learners’ entrepreneurial perceived behaviour control (PBC) by increasing their self-efficacy. This study can inform the research and business communities and governments about the importance of integrating entrepreneurs into education to stimulate entrepreneurial PBC. This study is the first of its kind using its approach, and its results warrant more in-depth studies of storytelling by entrepreneurial role models in the context of multimedia entrepreneurship education. PMID:29104604

Consumer purchase intention towards environmentally friendly vehicles: an empirical investigation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

PubMed

Afroz, Rafia; Masud, Muhammad Mehedi; Akhtar, Rulia; Islam, Md Ashraful; Duasa, Jarita Bt

2015-10-01

This paper examines whether attitudes towards electric vehicles (ATEVs), subjective norms (SNs) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) have significant associations with consumer purchase intention (PI) and the purchase behaviour of environmentally friendly vehicles (EFVs). The results from the survey questionnaires are analysed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings of this paper indicate that ATEV, SN and PBC significantly influence PI. This finding also indicates that environmental consequence and individual preferences do not influence the PI of the respondents. We found that Malaysian car owners are largely unaware of the greenhouse effects on the environment or attach to it little importance, which is reflected in their PI towards EFVs. The outcomes of this study could help policymakers design programmes to influence attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and purchase behaviour to prevent further air pollution and reduce CO2 emissions from the transportation sector.

A clinical study of lung cancer dose calculation accuracy with Monte Carlo simulation.

PubMed

Zhao, Yanqun; Qi, Guohai; Yin, Gang; Wang, Xianliang; Wang, Pei; Li, Jian; Xiao, Mingyong; Li, Jie; Kang, Shengwei; Liao, Xiongfei

2014-12-16

The accuracy of dose calculation is crucial to the quality of treatment planning and, consequently, to the dose delivered to patients undergoing radiation therapy. Current general calculation algorithms such as Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) and Collapsed Cone Convolution (CCC) have shortcomings in regard to severe inhomogeneities, particularly in those regions where charged particle equilibrium does not hold. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the PBC and CCC algorithms in lung cancer radiotherapy using Monte Carlo (MC) technology. Four treatment plans were designed using Oncentra Masterplan TPS for each patient. Two intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans were developed using the PBC and CCC algorithms, and two three-dimensional conformal therapy (3DCRT) plans were developed using the PBC and CCC algorithms. The DICOM-RT files of the treatment plans were exported to the Monte Carlo system to recalculate. The dose distributions of GTV, PTV and ipsilateral lung calculated by the TPS and MC were compared. For 3DCRT and IMRT plans, the mean dose differences for GTV between the CCC and MC increased with decreasing of the GTV volume. For IMRT, the mean dose differences were found to be higher than that of 3DCRT. The CCC algorithm overestimated the GTV mean dose by approximately 3% for IMRT. For 3DCRT plans, when the volume of the GTV was greater than 100 cm(3), the mean doses calculated by CCC and MC almost have no difference. PBC shows large deviations from the MC algorithm. For the dose to the ipsilateral lung, the CCC algorithm overestimated the dose to the entire lung, and the PBC algorithm overestimated V20 but underestimated V5; the difference in V10 was not statistically significant. PBC substantially overestimates the dose to the tumour, but the CCC is similar to the MC simulation. It is recommended that the treatment plans for lung cancer be developed using an advanced dose calculation algorithm other than PBC. MC can accurately calculate the dose distribution in lung cancer and can provide a notably effective tool for benchmarking the performance of other dose calculation algorithms within patients.

Low-dose atorvastatin improves dyslipidemia and vascular function in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis after one year of treatment.

PubMed

Stojakovic, Tatjana; Claudel, Thierry; Putz-Bankuti, Csilla; Fauler, Günter; Scharnagl, Hubert; Wagner, Martin; Sourij, Harald; Stauber, Rudolf E; Winkler, Karl; März, Winfried; Wascher, Thomas C; Trauner, Michael

2010-03-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is frequently associated with hypercholesterolemia and with an increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Statins lower serum cholesterol levels and may thus improve the cardiovascular risk in PBC patients. The aim of our study was to prospectively examine the efficacy of low-dose atorvastatin on cholestasis as well as cardiovascular risk markers such as dyslipidemia and vascular function in patients with PBC. Nineteen patients with early-stage (biopsy proven and AMA positive) PBC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) above 130mg/dL were included in this single-center study and treated with atorvastatin 10mg per day for one year. Concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL triglycerides, oxLDL, IgG and sVCAM-1 decreased significantly after 48 weeks of atorvastatin treatment. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery as an indicator of vascular function significantly increased, while carotid artery intima-media thickness and vascular wall stiffness did not progress under treatment. No statistical differences in liver enzymes were observed except a transient increase of alkaline phosphatase. Treatment with low-dose atorvastatin is safe in early-stage PBC, effectively reduces total cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL triglycerides, oxLDL and sVCAM-1 and improves vascular function as reflected by FMD, without affecting cholestasis progression. Therefore, statin therapy should be considered in PBC patients with additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Increased cholestatic enzymes in two patients with long-term history of ulcerative colitis: consider primary biliary cholangitis not always primary sclerosing cholangitis.

PubMed

Polychronopoulou, Erietta; Lygoura, Vasiliki; Gatselis, Nikolaos K; Dalekos, George N

2017-09-25

Several hepatobiliary disorders have been reported in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) being the most specific. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), previously known as primary biliary cirrhosis, rarely occurs in UC. We present two PBC cases of 67 and 71 years who suffered from long-standing UC. Both patients were asymptomatic but they had increased cholestatic enzymes and high titres of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA)-the laboratory hallmark of PBC. After careful exclusion of other causes of cholestasis by MRI/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), virological and microbiological investigations, a diagnosis of PBC associated with UC was established. The patients started ursodeoxycholic acid (13 mg/kg/day) with complete response. During follow-up, both patients remained asymptomatic with normal blood biochemistry. Although PSC is the most common hepatobiliary manifestation among patients with UC, physicians must keep also PBC in mind in those with unexplained cholestasis and repeatedly normal MRCP. In these cases, a reliable AMA testing can help for an accurate diagnosis. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

PBC triggers in water reservoirs, coal mining areas and waste disposal sites: from Newcastle to New York.

PubMed

Smyk, Daniel; Mytilinaiou, Maria G; Rigopoulou, Eirini I; Bogdanos, Dimitrios P

2010-01-01

Various environmental factors have been proposed as triggers of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), a progressive autoimmune cholestatic liver disease which is characterised by the destruction of the small intrahepatic bile ducts. Support for their pathogenic role in PBC is provided by epidemiological studies reporting familial clustering and clusters of the disease within a given geographical area. The seminal study by Triger reporting that the great majority of PBC cases in the English city of Sheffield drank water from a specific water reservoir, has been followed by studies reporting disease 'hot spots' within a restricted geographic region of the former coal mining area of Newcastle. The New York study reporting an increased risk and significant clustering of PBC cases near toxic federal waste disposal sites has added strength to the notion that environmental factors, possibly in the form of infectious agents or toxic/chemical environmental factors in areas of contaminated land, water or polluted air may play a key role in the development of the disease. This review discusses the findings of reports investigating environmental factors which may contribute to the cause of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Early life stress is a risk factor for excessive alcohol drinking and impulsivity in adults and is mediated via a CRF/GABA(A) mechanism.

PubMed

Gondré-Lewis, Marjorie C; Warnock, Kaitlin T; Wang, Hong; June, Harry L; Bell, Kimberly A; Rabe, Holger; Tiruveedhula, Veera Venkata Naga Phani Babu; Cook, James; Lüddens, Hartmut; Aurelian, Laure; June, Harry L

2016-01-01

Childhood stress and trauma are associated with substance use disorders in adulthood, but the neurological changes that confer increased vulnerability are largely unknown. In this study, maternal separation (MS) stress, restricted to the pre-weaning period, was used as a model to study mechanisms of protracted effects of childhood stress/traumatic experiences on binge drinking and impulsivity. Using an operant self-administration model of binge drinking and a delay discounting assay to measure impulsive-like behavior, we report that early life stress due to MS facilitated acquisition of binge drinking and impulsivity during adulthood in rats. Previous studies have shown heightened levels of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) after MS, and here, we add that MS increased expression levels of GABA(A) α2 subunit in central stress circuits. To investigate the precise role of these circuits in regulating impulsivity and binge drinking, the CRF1 receptor antagonist antalarmin and the novel GABA(A) α2 subunit ligand 3-PBC were infused into the central amygdala (CeA) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Antalarmin and 3-PBC at each site markedly reduced impulsivity and produced profound reductions on binge-motivated alcohol drinking, without altering responding for sucrose. Furthermore, whole-cell patch-clamp studies showed that low concentrations of 3-PBC directly reversed the effect of relatively high concentrations of ethanol on α2β3γ2 GABA(A) receptors, by a benzodiazepine site-independent mechanism. Together, our data provide strong evidence that maternal separation, i.e. early life stress, is a risk factor for binge drinking, and is linked to impulsivity, another key risk factor for excessive alcohol drinking. We further show that pharmacological manipulation of CRF and GABA receptor signaling is effective to reverse binge drinking and impulsive-like behavior in MS rats. These results provide novel insights into the role of the brain stress systems in the development of impulsivity and excessive alcohol consumption.

Assessment of liver function in primary biliary cirrhosis using Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MRI.

PubMed

Nilsson, Henrik; Blomqvist, Lennart; Douglas, Lena; Nordell, Anders; Jonas, Eduard

2010-10-01

Gd-EOB-DTPA (gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) is a gadolinium-based hepatocyte-specific contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study was to determine whether the hepatic uptake and excretion of Gd-EOB-DTPA differ between patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and healthy controls, and whether differences could be quantified. Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MRI was performed in 20 healthy volunteers and 12 patients with PBC. The uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA was assessed using traditional semi-quantitative parameters (C(max) , T(max) and T(1/2) ), as well as model-free parameters derived after deconvolutional analysis (hepatic extraction fraction [HEF], input-relative blood flow [irBF] and mean transit time [MTT]). In each individual, all parameters were calculated for each liver segment and the median of the segmental values was used to define a global liver median (GLM). Although the PBC patients had relatively mild disease according to their Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD), Child-Pugh and Mayo risk scores, they had significantly lower HEF and shorter MTT values compared with the healthy controls. These differences significantly increased with increasing MELD and Child-Pugh scores. Dynamic hepatocyte-specific contrast-enhanced MRI (DHCE-MRI) has a potential role as an imaging-based liver function test. The high spatial resolution of MRI enables hepatic function to be assessed on segmental and sub-segmental levels. © 2010 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.

Early primary biliary cholangitis is characterised by brain abnormalities on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Grover, V P B; Southern, L; Dyson, J K; Kim, J U; Crossey, M M E; Wylezinska-Arridge, M; Patel, N; Fitzpatrick, J A; Bak-Bol, A; Waldman, A D; Alexander, G J; Mells, G F; Chapman, R W; Jones, D E J; Taylor-Robinson, S D

2016-11-01

Brain change can occur in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), potentially as a result of cholestatic and/or inflammatory processes. This change is linked to systemic symptoms of fatigue and cognitive impairment. To identify whether brain change occurs early in PBC. If the change develops early and is progressive, it may explain the difficulty in treating these symptoms. Early disease brain change was explored in 13 patients with newly diagnosed biopsy-proven precirrhotic PBC using magnetisation transfer, diffusion-weighted imaging and 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results were compared to 17 healthy volunteers. Cerebral magnetisation transfer ratios were reduced in early PBC, compared to healthy volunteers, in the thalamus, putamen and head of caudate with no greater reduction in patients with greater symptom severity. Mean apparent diffusion coefficients were increased in the thalamus only. No 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy abnormalities were seen. Serum manganese levels were elevated in all PBC patients, but no relationship was seen with imaging or symptom parameters. There were no correlations between neuroimaging data, laboratory data, symptom severity scores or age. This is the first study to be performed in this precirrhotic patient population, and we have highlighted that neuroimaging changes are present at a much earlier stage than previously demonstrated. The neuroimaging abnormalities suggest that the brain changes seen in PBC occur early in the pathological process, even before significant liver damage has occurred. If such changes are linked to symptom pathogenesis, this could have important implications for the timing of second-line-therapy use. © 2016 The Authors. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Research on Factors Influencing Individual's Behavior of Energy Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Yanfeng

With the rapid rise of distributed generation, Internet of Things, and mobile Internet, both U.S. and European smart home manufacturers have developed energy management solutions for individual usage. These applications help people manage their energy consumption more efficiently. Domestic manufacturers have also launched similar products. This paper focuses on the factors influencing Energy Management Behaviour (EMB) at the individual level. By reviewing academic literature, conducting surveys in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the author builds an integrated behavioural energy management model of the Chinese energy consumers. This paper takes the vague term of EMB and redefines it as a function of two separate behavioural concepts: Energy Management Intention (EMI), and the traditional Energy Saving Intention (ESI). Secondly, the author conducts statistical analyses on these two behavioural concepts. EMI is the main driver behind an individual's EMB. EMI is affected by Behavioural Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC). Among these three key factors, PBC exerts the strongest influence. This implies that the promotion of the energy management concept is mainly driven by good application user experience (UX). The traditional ESI also demonstrates positive influence on EMB, but its impact is weaker than the impacts arising under EMI's three factors. In other words, the government and manufacturers may not be able to change an individual's energy management behaviour if they rely solely on their traditional promotion strategies. In addition, the study finds that the government may achieve better promotional results by launching subsidies to the manufacturers of these kinds of applications and smart appliances.

Saddle-node bifurcation to jammed state for quasi-one-dimensional counter-chemotactic flow.

PubMed

Fujii, Masashi; Awazu, Akinori; Nishimori, Hiraku

2010-07-01

The transition of a counter-chemotactic particle flow from a free-flow state to a jammed state in a quasi-one-dimensional path is investigated. One of the characteristic features of such a flow is that the constituent particles spontaneously form a cluster that blocks the path, called a path-blocking cluster (PBC), and causes a jammed state when the particle density is greater than a threshold value. Near the threshold value, the PBC occasionally collapses on itself to recover the free flow. In other words, the time evolution of the size of the PBC governs the flux of a counter-chemotactic flow. In this Rapid Communication, on the basis of numerical results of a stochastic cellular automata (SCA) model, we introduce a Langevin equation model for the size evolution of the PBC that reproduces the qualitative characteristics of the SCA model. The results suggest that the emergence of the jammed state in a quasi-one-dimensional counterflow is caused by a saddle-node bifurcation.

Myositis with antimitochondrial antibodies diagnosed by rectus abdominis muscle biopsy.

PubMed

Uenaka, Takeshi; Kowa, Hisatomo; Sekiguchi, Kenji; Nagata, Kakuya; Ohtsuka, Yoshihisa; Kanda, Fumio; Toda, Tatsushi

2013-05-01

Antimitochondrial antibodies are autoantibodies detected in 90% of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients. Some PBC cases are complicated by myositis, which is difficult to confirm due to minimal histological evidence of inflammation in limb muscles. Our aim was to determine the extent of inflammatory changes in a truncal muscle biopsy specimen from a PBC patient. A 48-year-old woman with a 5-year history of atrial fibrillation and chronic heart failure was evaluated for elevated serum creatine kinase level. Antimitochondrial M2 antibodies were detected, and PBC was diagnosed. A biceps brachii biopsy specimen showed mild, non-specific myogenic changes; a second biopsy was performed on the rectus abdominis muscle, which showed typical inflammatory changes. Myositis with antimitochondrial M2 antibodies was confirmed. In myositis patients with antimitochondrial M2 antibodies, muscles of the extremities are involved to a lesser extent. Radiological and histological examination focusing on truncal muscles, including a biopsy, is important. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Primary biliary cirrhosis-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome. Contribution of two new cases].

PubMed

Fernández Fernández, F J; de la Fuente Aguado, J; Pérez Fernández, S; Sopeña Pérez-Argüelles, B; Nodar Germiñas, A; Butrón Vila, M

2005-03-01

The autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)-primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) overlap syndrome is characterized for clinical, biochemical, immunological, and histological features overlapping those of AIH and PBC, whose pathogenesis and more appropriate treatment are unknown at present. We describe two new patients of this entity, which made debut with cholestasic acute hepatitis accompanied of hypergammaglobulinemia. In the first patient was demonstrated the presence of AMA, ASMA, and anti-LKM1 autoantibodies; and ANA in the second one. The histological findings showed changes suggestive of AIH and PBC. After the start of immunosuppressive treatment, associated to ursodeoxycholic acid in one patient, a successful outcome was observed.

Effects of coating materials on nanoindentation hardness of enamel and adjacent areas.

PubMed

Alsayed, Ehab Z; Hariri, Ilnaz; Nakashima, Syozi; Shimada, Yasushi; Bakhsh, Turki A; Tagami, Junji; Sadr, Alireza

2016-06-01

Materials that can be applied as thin coatings and actively release fluoride or other bioavailable ions for reinforcing dental hard tissue deserve further investigation. In this study we assessed the potential of resin coating materials in protection of underlying and adjacent enamel against demineralization challenge using nanoindentation. Enamel was coated using Giomer (PRG Barrier Coat, PBC), resin-modified glass-ionomer (Clinpro XT Varnish, CXT), two-step self-etch adhesive (Clearfil SE Protect, SEP) or no coating (control). After 5000 thermal cycles and one-week demineralization challenge, Martens hardness of enamel beneath the coating, uncoated area and intermediate areas was measured using a Berkovich tip under 2mN load up to 200μm depth. Integrated hardness and 10-μm surface zone hardness were compared among groups. Nanoindentation and scanning electron microscopy suggested that all materials effectively prevented demineralization in coated area. Uncoated areas presented different hardness trends; PBC showed a remarkable peak at the surface zone before reaching as low as the control, while CXT showed relatively high hardness values at all depths. Ion-release from coating materials affects different layers of enamel. Coatings with fluoride-releasing glass fillers contributed to reinforcement of adjacent enamel. Surface prereacted glass filler-containing PBC superficially protected neighboring enamel against demineralization, while resin-modified glass-ionomer with calcium (CXT) improved in-depth protection. Cross-sectional hardness mapping of enamel on a wide range of locations revealed minute differences in its structure. Copyright © 2016 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of online health information to manage children's health care: a prospective study investigating parental decisions.

PubMed

Walsh, Anne M; Hamilton, Kyra; White, Katherine M; Hyde, Melissa K

2015-04-02

The use of the internet to access information is rapidly increasing; however, the quality of health information provided on various online sites is questionable. We aimed to examine the underlying factors that guide parents' decisions to use online information to manage their child's health care, a behaviour which has not yet been explored systematically. Parents (N = 391) completed a questionnaire assessing the standard theory of planned behaviour (TPB) measures of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control (PBC), and intention as well as the underlying TPB belief-based items (i.e., behavioural, normative, and control beliefs) in addition to a measure of perceived risk and demographic variables. Two months later, consenting parents completed a follow-up telephone questionnaire which assessed the decisions they had made regarding their use of online information to manage their child's health care during the previous 2 months. We found support for the TPB constructs of attitude, subjective norm, and PBC as well as the additional construct of perceived risk in predicting parents' intentions to use online information to manage their child's health care, with further support found for intentions, but not PBC, in predicting parents' behaviour. The results of the TPB belief-based analyses also revealed important information about the critical beliefs that guide parents' decisions to engage in this child health management behaviour. This theory-based investigation to understand parents' motivations and online information-seeking behaviour is key to developing recommendations and policies to guide more appropriate help-seeking actions among parents.

Statins in primary biliary cirrhosis: are they safe?

PubMed

Abu Rajab, Murad; Kaplan, Marshall M

2010-07-01

Although cholesterol levels are elevated in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), most PBC patients are not at increased risk of dying from atherosclerotic heart disease. There is, however, a subgroup, approximately 10%, who have additional disorders of lipid metabolism. They might benefit from a cholesterol-lowering agent. However, there is concern about using statins in patients with pre-existing liver disease. We therefore reviewed our experience with statins in a large cohort of PBC patients who were seen at Tufts Medical Center during the past decade. From January 1, 1996, until June 30, 2006, 603 patients with PBC were seen by one of us (M.M.K.). Fifty-eight were on statins and five were on ezetimibe. The mean duration of usage was 41 months (range 3-125 months). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured at 3-month intervals. Statins were well tolerated. No patient complained of muscle pain or weakness. There was no increase in ALT levels. ALT levels were slightly elevated at the time that statins were begun (41.7 +/- 25.1 U/l), and were normal at the last time these patients were seen (39.0 +/- 21.0 U/l) (P

CD4 T-cell autoreactivity to the mitochondrial autoantigen PDC-E2 in AMA-negative primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Shimoda, Shinji; Miyakawa, Hiroshi; Nakamura, Minoru; Ishibashi, Hiromi; Kikuchi, Kentaro; Kita, Hiroto; Niiro, Hiroaki; Arinobu, Youjirou; Ono, Nobuyuki; Mackay, Ian R; Gershwin, M Eric; Akashi, Koichi

2008-09-01

Approximately 5% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) lack characteristic anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA). Yet clinically AMA+ and AMA- patients are similar. Using both AMA+ and AMA- patients, we quantitated the frequency of autoreactive T cells that respond to the major CD4 T-cell epitope, PDC-E2 163-176, using limiting dilution assays and quantitation of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IL-4. Further, based on data that both PBC patients and healthy subjects have CD4+ T cells that recognize PDC-E2 163-176 but with differing costimulation requirements, assays were performed using two different antigen-presenting cell (APC) systems: either autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or HLA DR53 transfected mouse fibroblast cell lines (L-DR53). When costimulation-incompetent L-DR53 were used as APCs, the PDC-E2 CD4 T-cell frequency and capacity for IFN-gamma production were equivalent in both AMA+ and AMA- patients but the frequencies of such cells were significantly lower in normals, with IL-10 production similar in all three groups. Thus, in PBC there is 'universal' autoreactive CD4+ T-cell immune responsiveness to the critical autoantigen, PDC-E2. These observations emphasize that the mitochondrial autoreactivity in PBC is a multi-lineage response and hence, AMA-negative PBC may be an anachronism that refers only to sera autoantibodies.

What Comes after Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Primary Biliary Cholangitis?

PubMed

Wong, Lin Lee; Hegade, Vinod S; Jones, David E J

2017-01-01

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune liver disease characterized by chronic cholestasis. Treatment with the accepted primary therapy ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been shown to be associated with delayed disease progression probably through reduced impact of cholestatic injury on the target biliary epithelial cells. Patients with inadequate response to UDCA (which can be identified through validated biochemical criteria) are at increased risk of disease progression, need for liver transplantation, and death. Obeticholic acid (OCA) is a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist which has been evaluated as a second-line therapy in PBC and has been recently licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency for use in patients showing an inadequate response to UDCA or who are unable to tolerate it. Although evidence for biochemical improvement by OCA is compelling, there is, as yet, no evidence that OCA improves hard clinical outcomes or quality of life. In addition, OCA may not be suitable for PBC patients with pruritus as it can worsen the symptom. Other novel agents currently in clinical development may have better side-effect profile. Fibrates have the potential but currently lack high quality evidence to support their routine clinical use in PBC. Symptom management of PBC is challenging and ASBT inhibitors and rituximab are being evaluated for pruritus and fatigue, respectively. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

First-Principle Construction of U(1) Symmetric Matrix Product States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rakov, Mykhailo V.

2018-07-01

The algorithm to calculate the sets of symmetry sectors for virtual indices of U(1) symmetric matrix product states (MPS) is described. The principal differences between open (OBC) and periodic (PBC) boundary conditions are stressed, and the extension of PBC MPS algorithm to projected entangled pair states is outlined.

Electrically detected magnetic resonance of carbon dangling bonds at the Si-face 4H-SiC/SiO2 interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gruber, G.; Cottom, J.; Meszaros, R.; Koch, M.; Pobegen, G.; Aichinger, T.; Peters, D.; Hadley, P.

2018-04-01

SiC based metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) have gained a significant importance in power electronics applications. However, electrically active defects at the SiC/SiO2 interface degrade the ideal behavior of the devices. The relevant microscopic defects can be identified by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) or electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR). This helps to decide which changes to the fabrication process will likely lead to further increases of device performance and reliability. EDMR measurements have shown very similar dominant hyperfine (HF) spectra in differently processed MOSFETs although some discrepancies were observed in the measured g-factors. Here, the HF spectra measured of different SiC MOSFETs are compared, and it is argued that the same dominant defect is present in all devices. A comparison of the data with simulated spectra of the C dangling bond (PbC) center and the silicon vacancy (VSi) demonstrates that the PbC center is a more suitable candidate to explain the observed HF spectra.

Body Consciousness, Illness-Related Impairment, and Patient Adherence in Hemodialysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Christensen, Alan J.; And Others

1996-01-01

Examined the joint effects of private body consciousness (PBC) and degree of illness-related physical impairment on treatment regimen adherence in a sample of 52 hemodialysis patients. Predicted the effect of PBC on adherence would vary as a function of patients' level of illness-related physical impairment. Results are discussed in terms of…

High-power laser diodes with high polarization purity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenkrantz, Etai; Yanson, Dan; Peleg, Ophir; Blonder, Moshe; Rappaport, Noam; Klumel, Genady

2017-02-01

Fiber-coupled laser diode modules employ power scaling of single emitters for fiber laser pumping. To this end, techniques such as geometrical, spectral and polarization beam combining (PBC) are used. For PBC, linear polarization with high degree of purity is important, as any non-perfectly polarized light leads to losses and heating. Furthermore, PBC is typically performed in a collimated portion of the beams, which also cancels the angular dependence of the PBC element, e.g., beam-splitter. However, we discovered that single emitters have variable degrees of polarization, which depends both on the operating current and far-field divergence. We present data to show angle-resolved polarization measurements that correlate with the ignition of high-order modes in the slow-axis emission of the emitter. We demonstrate that the ultimate laser brightness includes not only the standard parameters such as power, emitting area and beam divergence, but also the degree of polarization (DoP), which is a strong function of the latter. Improved slow-axis divergence, therefore, contributes not only to high brightness but also high beam combining efficiency through polarization.

Molecular mechanisms of ursodeoxycholic acid toxicity & side effects: ursodeoxycholic acid freezes regeneration & induces hibernation mode.

PubMed

Kotb, Magd A

2012-01-01

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a steroid bile acid approved for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). UDCA is reported to have "hepato-protective properties". Yet, UDCA has "unanticipated" toxicity, pronounced by more than double number of deaths, and eligibility for liver transplantation compared to the control group in 28 mg/kg/day in primary sclerosing cholangitis, necessitating trial halt in North America. UDCA is associated with increase in hepatocellular carcinoma in PBC especially when it fails to achieve biochemical response (10 and 15 years incidence of 9% and 20% respectively). "Unanticipated" UDCA toxicity includes hepatitis, pruritus, cholangitis, ascites, vanishing bile duct syndrome, liver cell failure, death, severe watery diarrhea, pneumonia, dysuria, immune-suppression, mutagenic effects and withdrawal syndrome upon sudden halt. UDCA inhibits DNA repair, co-enzyme A, cyclic AMP, p53, phagocytosis, and inhibits induction of nitric oxide synthatase. It is genotoxic, exerts aneugenic activity, and arrests apoptosis even after cellular phosphatidylserine externalization. UDCA toxicity is related to its interference with drug detoxification, being hydrophilic and anti-apoptotic, has a long half-life, has transcriptional mutational abilities, down-regulates cellular functions, has a very narrow difference between the recommended (13 mg/kg/day) and toxic dose (28 mg/kg/day), and it typically transforms into lithocholic acid that induces DNA strand breakage, it is uniquely co-mutagenic, and promotes cell transformation. UDCA beyond PBC is unjustified.

The Theory of Planned Behaviour and dietary patterns: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

McDermott, M S; Oliver, M; Simnadis, T; Beck, E J; Coltman, T; Iverson, D; Caputi, P; Sharma, R

2015-12-01

Promoting adherence to healthy dietary patterns is a critical public health issue. Models of behaviour, such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) allow programme designers to identify antecedents of dietary patterns and design effective interventions. The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between TPB variables and dietary patterns. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate average correlations. Meta-regression was used to test the impact of moderator variables. In total, 22 reports met the inclusion criteria. Attitudes had the strongest association with intention (r+=0.61) followed by perceived behavioural control (PBC, r+=0.46) and subjective norm (r+=0.35). The association between intention and behaviour was r+=0.47, and between PBC and behaviour r+=0.32. Moderator analyses revealed that younger participants had stronger PBC-behaviour associations than older participants had, and studies recording participants' perceptions of behaviour reported significantly higher intention-behaviour associations than did those using less subjective measures. TPB variables were found to have medium to large associations with both intention and behaviour that were robust to the influence of key moderators. Recommendations for future research include further examination of the moderation of TPB variables by age and gender and the use of more valid measures of eating behaviour. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Molecular Mechanisms of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Toxicity & Side Effects: Ursodeoxycholic Acid Freezes Regeneration & Induces Hibernation Mode

PubMed Central

Kotb, Magd A.

2012-01-01

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a steroid bile acid approved for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). UDCA is reported to have “hepato-protective properties”. Yet, UDCA has “unanticipated” toxicity, pronounced by more than double number of deaths, and eligibility for liver transplantation compared to the control group in 28 mg/kg/day in primary sclerosing cholangitis, necessitating trial halt in North America. UDCA is associated with increase in hepatocellular carcinoma in PBC especially when it fails to achieve biochemical response (10 and 15 years incidence of 9% and 20% respectively). “Unanticipated” UDCA toxicity includes hepatitis, pruritus, cholangitis, ascites, vanishing bile duct syndrome, liver cell failure, death, severe watery diarrhea, pneumonia, dysuria, immune-suppression, mutagenic effects and withdrawal syndrome upon sudden halt. UDCA inhibits DNA repair, co-enzyme A, cyclic AMP, p53, phagocytosis, and inhibits induction of nitric oxide synthatase. It is genotoxic, exerts aneugenic activity, and arrests apoptosis even after cellular phosphatidylserine externalization. UDCA toxicity is related to its interference with drug detoxification, being hydrophilic and anti-apoptotic, has a long half-life, has transcriptional mutational abilities, down-regulates cellular functions, has a very narrow difference between the recommended (13 mg/kg/day) and toxic dose (28 mg/kg/day), and it typically transforms into lithocholic acid that induces DNA strand breakage, it is uniquely co-mutagenic, and promotes cell transformation. UDCA beyond PBC is unjustified. PMID:22942741

Five-year risk of interval-invasive second breast cancer.

PubMed

Lee, Janie M; Buist, Diana S M; Houssami, Nehmat; Dowling, Emily C; Halpern, Elkan F; Gazelle, G Scott; Lehman, Constance D; Henderson, Louise M; Hubbard, Rebecca A

2015-07-01

Earlier detection of second breast cancers after primary breast cancer (PBC) treatment improves survival, yet mammography is less accurate in women with prior breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine women presenting clinically with second breast cancers after negative surveillance mammography (interval cancers), and to estimate the five-year risk of interval-invasive second cancers for women with varying risk profiles. We evaluated a prospective cohort of 15 114 women with 47 717 surveillance mammograms diagnosed with stage 0-II unilateral PBC from 1996 through 2008 at facilities in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. We used discrete time survival models to estimate the association between odds of an interval-invasive second breast cancer and candidate predictors, including demographic, PBC, and imaging characteristics. All statistical tests were two-sided. The cumulative incidence of second breast cancers after five years was 54.4 per 1000 women, with 325 surveillance-detected and 138 interval-invasive second breast cancers. The five-year risk of interval-invasive second cancer for women with referent category characteristics was 0.60%. For women with the most and least favorable profiles, the five-year risk ranged from 0.07% to 6.11%. Multivariable modeling identified grade II PBC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15 to 3.31), treatment with lumpectomy without radiation (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.91 to 5.62), interval PBC presentation (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.28 to 3.16), and heterogeneously dense breasts on mammography (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.01 to 2.36) as independent predictors of interval-invasive second breast cancers. PBC diagnosis and treatment characteristics contribute to variation in subsequent-interval second breast cancer risk. Consideration of these factors may be useful in developing tailored post-treatment imaging surveillance plans. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Five-Year Risk of Interval-Invasive Second Breast Cancer

PubMed Central

Buist, Diana S. M.; Houssami, Nehmat; Dowling, Emily C.; Halpern, Elkan F.; Gazelle, G. Scott; Lehman, Constance D.; Henderson, Louise M.; Hubbard, Rebecca A.

2015-01-01

Background: Earlier detection of second breast cancers after primary breast cancer (PBC) treatment improves survival, yet mammography is less accurate in women with prior breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine women presenting clinically with second breast cancers after negative surveillance mammography (interval cancers), and to estimate the five-year risk of interval-invasive second cancers for women with varying risk profiles. Methods: We evaluated a prospective cohort of 15 114 women with 47 717 surveillance mammograms diagnosed with stage 0-II unilateral PBC from 1996 through 2008 at facilities in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. We used discrete time survival models to estimate the association between odds of an interval-invasive second breast cancer and candidate predictors, including demographic, PBC, and imaging characteristics. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: The cumulative incidence of second breast cancers after five years was 54.4 per 1000 women, with 325 surveillance-detected and 138 interval-invasive second breast cancers. The five-year risk of interval-invasive second cancer for women with referent category characteristics was 0.60%. For women with the most and least favorable profiles, the five-year risk ranged from 0.07% to 6.11%. Multivariable modeling identified grade II PBC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15 to 3.31), treatment with lumpectomy without radiation (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.91 to 5.62), interval PBC presentation (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.28 to 3.16), and heterogeneously dense breasts on mammography (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.01 to 2.36) as independent predictors of interval-invasive second breast cancers. Conclusions: PBC diagnosis and treatment characteristics contribute to variation in subsequent-interval second breast cancer risk. Consideration of these factors may be useful in developing tailored post-treatment imaging surveillance plans. PMID:25904721

Epidemiology and Natural History of Primary Biliary Cholangitis in the Chinese: A Territory-Based Study in Hong Kong between 2000 and 2015.

PubMed

Cheung, Ka-Shing; Seto, Wai-Kay; Fung, James; Lai, Ching-Lung; Yuen, Man-Fung

2017-08-31

Studies on the epidemiology of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in the Chinese population are lacking. We aimed to determine the epidemiology of PBC in Hong Kong (HK) with a population of 7.3 million. We retrieved data from the electronic database of the HK Hospital Authority, the only public healthcare provider in Hong Kong. PBC cases between 2000 and 2015 were identified by International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 code. We estimated the age-/sex-adjusted incidence rate and prevalence of PBC, and analyzed the adverse outcomes (hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplantation, and death). One thousand and sixteen PBC patients aged ≥20 years were identified (female-to-male ratio 4:1; median age 60.6 years, interquartile range (IQR) 51.8-72.6 years; median follow-up 5.6 years, IQR 1.6-8.7 years). The average age/sex-adjusted annual incidence rate and prevalence were 8.4 per million person-years and 56.4 per million, respectively. Between 2000 and 2015, the age/sex-adjusted annual incidence rate increased from 6.7 to 8.1 per million person-years (Poisson P=0.002), while age/sex-adjusted prevalence increased from 31.1 to 82.3 per million (Poisson P<0.001). Fifty patients developed HCC, and 49 underwent liver transplantation. Case fatality risk decreased from 10.8 to 6.4% (Poisson P=0.003). The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 81.5 and 78.3%, whereas the transplant-free survival rates were 78.0% and 74.3%, respectively. Increasing age, cirrhosis and being treatment-naïve were associated with lower transplant-free survival. There is a considerable increase in the incidence and prevalence of PBC in the Chinese population over the past 16 years, with significant morbidity and mortality.

Predicting alcohol consumption and binge drinking in company employees: an application of planned behaviour and self-determination theories.

PubMed

Hagger, Martin S; Lonsdale, Adam J; Hein, Vello; Koka, Andre; Lintunen, Taru; Pasi, Heidi; Lindwall, Magnus; Rudolfsson, Lisa; Chatzisarantis, Nikos L D

2012-05-01

This study tested an integrated model of the psychosocial determinants of alcohol-related behaviour among company employees from four nations. A motivational sequence was proposed in which motivational orientations from self-determination theory influenced intentions to consume alcohol within guideline limits and alcohol-related behaviour via the mediation of the theory of planned behaviour variables of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control (PBC). A three-wave prospective design using self-reported psychological and behavioural measures. Company employees (N= 486, males = 225, females = 261; M age = 30.41, SD= 8.31) from four nations (Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and UK) completed measures of autonomous and controlled motivation from self-determination theory, attitudes, subjective norms, PBC, intentions from the theory of planned behaviour, and self-reported measures of past alcohol consumption and binge-drinking occasions at the first time point (time 1). Follow-up psychological and behavioural measures were taken one month later (time 2) and follow-up behavioural measures taken a further 2 months later (time 3). Path analyses supported the motivational sequence with identified regulation (time 1), predicting intentions (time 1), and alcohol units consumed (time 2). The effects were indirect via the mediation of attitudes and PBC (time 1). A similar pattern of effects was found for the effect of time 2 psychological variables on time 3 units of alcohol consumed. There was little support for the effects of the psychological variables on binge-drinking behaviour. Findings provide new information on the psychosocial determinants of alcohol behaviour in company employees and the processes involved. Results may provide impetus for the development of interventions to reduce alcohol consumption. ©2011 The British Psychological Society.

Abnormality of autophagic function and cathepsin expression in the liver from patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

PubMed

Fukuo, Yuka; Yamashina, Shunhei; Sonoue, Hiroshi; Arakawa, Atsushi; Nakadera, Eisuke; Aoyama, Tomonori; Uchiyama, Akira; Kon, Kazuyoshi; Ikejima, Kenichi; Watanabe, Sumio

2014-09-01

Recent evidences indicate that hepatic steatosis suppresses autophagic proteolysis. The present study evaluated the correlation between autophagic function and cathepsin expression in the liver from patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Liver biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with chronic liver diseases (chronic hepatitis C [CHC; n = 20], chronic hepatitis B [CHB; n = 16], primary biliary cirrhosis [PBC; n = 23], NAFLD [n = 22] and control [n = 14]). The number of autophagic vesicles in hepatocytes was counted by using transmission electron microscopy. Expression of cathepsin B, D, L and p62 in the liver section was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. The histological severity of NAFLD is assessed by NAFLD activity score (NAS). The number of autophagic vesicles in hepatocytes was significantly increased in both CHC and NAFLD groups, but not CHB and PBC, more than control. Although hepatocytes with aggregation of p62 were observed in less than 15% of CHC, p62 aggregation was detected in approximately 65% of NAFLD. Cathepsin B, D and L expression was significantly suppressed in the liver from NAFLD patients. Suppression of cathepsin B, D and L expression was not observed in CHB, CHC and PBC. In NAFLD patients, p62 aggregation was correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase value and inflammatory activity by NAS. These results indicate that a decrease in hepatic cathepsin expression in NAFLD is associated with autophagic dysfunction. Hepatic inflammation correlates with autophagic dysfunction in NAFLD. These findings indicate that the suppression of autophagic proteolysis by hepatic steatosis is involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. © 2013 The Japan Society of Hepatology.

Bacterial-cellulose-derived carbon nanofiber@MnO₂ and nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber electrode materials: an asymmetric supercapacitor with high energy and power density.

PubMed

Chen, Li-Feng; Huang, Zhi-Hong; Liang, Hai-Wei; Guan, Qing-Fang; Yu, Shu-Hong

2013-09-14

A new kind of high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor is designed with pyrolyzed bacterial cellulose (p-BC)-coated MnO₂ as a positive electrode material and nitrogen-doped p-BC as a negative electrode material via an easy, efficient, large-scale, and green fabrication approach. The optimal asymmetric device possesses an excellent supercapacitive behavior with quite high energy and power density. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Obeticholic Acid

PubMed Central

Smith, Susan M.; Pegram, Angela H.

2017-01-01

Objective: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of obeticholic acid (OCA) and determine its clinical role relative to other agents in the treatment of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Data Sources: A PubMed search (1946 to November 2016) was conducted using the terms INT-747, obeticholic acid, OCA, farnesoid X receptor agonists, FXR agonists, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary biliary cholangitis. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Phase II and III studies evaluating the use of OCA in PBC patients were included in this review. Data Synthesis: OCA, a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, is indicated for adult patients with PBC in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or as monotherapy if unable to tolerate UDCA. Two clinical trials were identified evaluating OCA for the treatment of PBC. Study end points utilized biochemical markers (alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and bilirubin). A phase II study (n = 165) to determine efficacy and safety of OCA at 3 different doses (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg) demonstrated statistically significant reductions in ALP (P < .0001 for all OCA groups versus placebo) after 12 weeks. A phase III trial (n = 217) assessed lower OCA doses (5 mg and 10 mg) with a longer study duration (12 months). Statistically significant differences (P < .001) between the 5 to 10 mg group (46%) and the 10 mg group (47%) compared to the placebo group (10%) were found. The primary adverse effect reported in both trials was pruritus. Conclusions: OCA is the first FXR agonist approved for the treatment of PBC. Ongoing research to evaluate clinical outcomes with OCA is currently underway.

Demonstration of PDC-E1 subunits as major antigens in the complement-fixing fraction M4 and re-evaluation of PDC-E1-specific antibodies in PBC patients.

PubMed

Berg, Christoph P; Stein, Gerburg M; Klein, Reinhild; Pascu, Maria; Berg, Thomas; Kammer, Winfried; Priemer, Martin; Nordheim, Alfred; Schulze-Osthoff, Klaus; Gregor, Michael; Wesselborg, Sebastian; Berg, Peter A

2006-09-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterized by the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA). Autoantibodies specific for the mitochondrial M4 antigen can be detected by a complement fixation test (CFT) but not by immunoblotting. The aim of this study was to elucidate the identity of the M4 antigen. M4 proteins were purified by affinity chromatography using IgG fractions of PBC marker sera being CFT positive (n=5) or negative (n=5) and identified by Western blotting, silver staining and sequence analysis. Further, a cohort of 57 PBC patients was tested for the reactivity to M4 and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). Two AMA patterns of the marker sera were visualized: CFT-positive sera were defined as PDC-E2(+)/E1(+) and the CFT-negative sera as PDC-E2(+)/E1(-). The major proteins in the M4 fraction could be related to the PDC-E1 subunits. A clear-cut association between anti-M4 reactivity in the CFT and the reactivity to both PDC subunits could also be documented in the cohort of 57 PBC patients showing anti-PDC-E1alpha and E1beta antibodies at a frequency of 74% and 67%. CFT reactivity against M4 antigens could be preferentially identified as a reaction against PDC-E1. As PDC-E1 subunits as compared with PDC-E2 lack lipoyl-binding sites, they probably have to be considered as an independent and important target.

Cost and health consequences of treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis with ursodeoxycholic acid.

PubMed

Boberg, K M; Wisløff, T; Kjøllesdal, K S; Støvring, H; Kristiansen, I S

2013-10-01

Long-term use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the recommended therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The lifetime effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of UDCA in PBC have, however, not been assessed. To estimate the health outcomes and lifetime costs of a Norwegian cohort of PBC patients on UDCA. Norwegian PBC patients (n = 182) (90% females; mean age 56.3 ± 8.9 years; Mayo risk score 4.38) who were included in a 5-year open-label study of UDCA therapy were subsequently followed up for up to 11.5 years. The lifetime survival was estimated using a Weibull survival model. The survival benefit from UDCA was based on a randomised clinical trial from Canada, comparing the effect of non-UDCA and UDCA. Survival and costs of standard care vs. standard care plus UDCA were simulated in a Markov model with death and liver transplantation as major events, invoking transition of a patient's state in the model. The gain in life expectancy for a PBC patient on UDCA compared with standard care was 2.24 years (1.19 years discounted). The lifetime treatment costs were EUR 151,403 and EUR 157,741 (EUR 102,912 and EUR 115,031 discounted) for patients with and without UDCA respectively. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated an 82% probability that UDCA entails both greater life expectancy and lower costs than standard care. The results of this study indicate that UDCA therapy is a dominant strategy as it confers reduced morbidity and mortality, as well as cost savings, compared with standard therapy. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Quantitative and functional analysis of PDC-E2–specific autoreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes in primary biliary cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Kita, Hiroto; Matsumura, Shuji; He, Xiao-Song; Ansari, Aftab A.; Lian, Zhe-Xiong; Van de Water, Judy; Coppel, Ross L.; Kaplan, Marshall M.; Gershwin, M. Eric

2002-01-01

While the pathologic mechanisms responsible for organ-specific tissue damage in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) remain an enigma, it has been suggested that the pathology is mediated by autoreactive T cells infiltrating the intrahepatic bile ducts. Previously, we have documented that there is 100-fold enrichment in the frequency of CD4+ autoreactive T cells in the liver that are specific for peptides encoded by the E2 components of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes (PDC-E2). We have also recently characterized the first MHC class I–restricted epitope for PDC-E2, namely amino acid 159–167, a region very similar to the epitope recognized by MHC class II–restricted CD4+ cells and by autoantibodies. The effector functions of these PDC-E2159-167–specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are not well understood. We have taken advantage of tetramer technology and report herein that there is tenfold increase in the frequency of PDC-E2159-167–specific CTLs in the liver as compared with the blood in PBC. In addition, the precursor frequency of the CTLs in blood was significantly higher in early-stage PBC. Of interest was the fact that, upon stimulation with the peptide, the response of PDC-E2159-167 tetramer-positive cells is heterogeneous with respect to IFN-γ synthesis. These data, we believe for the first time, document the enrichment of autoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the PBC liver, suggesting that CD8+ T cells play a significant role in the immunopathogenesis of PBC. PMID:11994412

Synthesis, chemical characterization, and economical feasibility of poly-phenolic-branched-chain fatty acids: Synthesis of poly-phenolic-branched-chain fatty acids

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

New poly-phenolic branched-chain fatty acid (poly-PBC-FA) products were synthesized from a combination of soybean fatty acids and phenolic materials through a highly efficient zeolite catalyzed arylation method. These poly-PBC-FAs are liquid at room temperature and do not have the unpleasant odor li...

Clinical implications of antimitochondrial antibody seropositivity in autoimmune hepatitis: a multicentre study.

PubMed

Muratori, Paolo; Efe, Cumali; Muratori, Luigi; Ozaslan, Ersan; Schiano, Thomas; Yoshida, Eric M; Heurgué-Berlot, Alexandra; Lalanne, Claudine; Lenzi, Marco; Wahlin, Staffan

2017-07-01

Antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) positivity is the serological marker of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), but can also be sporadically detected in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Little is known about the clinical significance of AMA in AIH. We recruited 47 AMA-positive AIH cases from several centres and compared them with 264 well-characterized Italian AIH patients. Cases with any features of PBC were excluded. In univariate analysis, AMA-positive AIH patients were older (46 vs. 36, P=0.002) and more responsive to immunosuppression (74 vs. 59%, P=0.05), but no differences were observed between the two groups after logistic regression using AMA as a dependent variable. None of the AMA-positive AIH patients showed signs of evolving PBC features after a median follow-up of up 47 months. AMA was detected in combination with all serological AIH markers except antiliver kidney microsome type 1 and antiliver cytosol type 1. AMA was the only marker of autoimmunity in eight cases. We found no differences between AIH with and without AMA. The groups had similar clinical, biochemical and histological features. AMA-positive AIH patients did not evolve towards PBC. In some cases, AMA was the only autoantibody.

Childrearing practices and developmental expectations for Mexican-American mothers and the developmental status of their infants.

PubMed

Kolobe, Thubi H A

2004-05-01

The impact of parent education programs on early intervention programs is not thought to be uniform among children from majority and minority populations. This study examined the relationship between maternal childrearing practices and behaviors and the developmental status of Mexican-American infants. Participants were 62 Mexican-American mother-infant pairs. The infants' mean adjusted age was 12 months (SD=1.7, range=9-14). A third of the children were diagnosed with developmental delays and referred for early intervention by physicians or therapists when the children received their medical follow-up. The group was stratified according to socioeconomic status and acculturation using the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. This scale uses cutoff points to classify individuals into 3 levels of acculturation. Information on childrearing practices and behaviors was gathered using the Parent Behavior Checklist (PBC), the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory, and the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale (NCATS). Infants' developmental status was assessed by use of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID II). The Pearson product moment correlation, partial correlations, Fisher z transformation, and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between childrearing practices and parenting behaviors, demographic factors, and infants' developmental status. Maternal nurturing behaviors, parent-child interaction, and quality of the home environment were positively correlated with the infants' cognitive development. Maternal years of education modified the observed relationship between PBC and BSID II scores but not the observed relationship between HOME Inventory and NCATS scores. The childrearing practices, maternal socioeconomic status (SES) and age, and infants' gestational age at birth (GA) explained 45% of the variance in infants' cognitive scores. The infants' GA, maternal SES and age, and NCATS scores accounted for 32% of the motor scores on the BSID II. The findings partially support a link between aspects of the mothers' childrearing behaviors and their infants' cognitive developmental status. For motor developmental status, the association appeared stronger with the infants' characteristics than with maternal childrearing practices and behaviors tested in this study.

Identification of HLA-A2–restricted CD8+ Cytotoxic T Cell Responses in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Kita, Hiroto; Lian, Zhe-Xiong; Van de Water, Judy; He, Xiao-Song; Matsumura, Shuji; Kaplan, Marshall; Luketic, Velimir; Coppel, Ross L.; Ansari, Aftab A.; Gershwin, M. Eric

2002-01-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterized by an intense biliary inflammatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response. Very limited information on autoantigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses is available compared with autoreactive CD4+ T cell responses. Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PBC, we identified an HLA-A2–restricted CTL epitope of the E2 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDC-E2), the immunodominant mitochondrial autoantigen. This peptide, amino acids 159–167 of PDC-E2, induces specific MHC class I–restricted CD8+ CTL lines from 10/12 HLA-A2+ PBC patients, but not controls, after in vitro stimulation with antigen-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs). PDC-E2–specific CTLs could also be generated by pulsing DCs with full-length recombinant PDC-E2 protein. Furthermore, using soluble PDC-E2 complexed with either PDC-E2–specific human monoclonal antibody or affinity-purified autoantibodies against PDC-E2, the generation of PDC-E2–specific CTLs, occurred at 100-fold and 10-fold less concentration, respectively, compared with soluble antigen alone. Collectively, these data demonstrate that autoantibody, helper, and CTL epitopes all contain a shared peptide sequence. The finding that autoantigen–immune complexes can not only cross-present but also that presentation of the autoantigen is of a higher relative efficiency, for the first time defines a unique role for autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of an autoimmune disease. PMID:11781370

Clinical implications in the use of the PBC algorithm versus the AAA by comparison of different NTCP models/parameters

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Purpose Retrospective analysis of 3D clinical treatment plans to investigate qualitative, possible, clinical consequences of the use of PBC versus AAA. Methods The 3D dose distributions of 80 treatment plans at four different tumour sites, produced using PBC algorithm, were recalculated using AAA and the same number of monitor units provided by PBC and clinically delivered to each patient; the consequences of the difference on the dose-effect relations for normal tissue injury were studied by comparing different NTCP model/parameters extracted from a review of published studies. In this study the AAA dose calculation is considered as benchmark data. The paired Student t-test was used for statistical comparison of all results obtained from the use of the two algorithms. Results In the prostate plans, the AAA predicted lower NTCP value (NTCPAAA) for the risk of late rectal bleeding for each of the seven combinations of NTCP parameters, the maximum mean decrease was 2.2%. In the head-and-neck treatments, each combination of parameters used for the risk of xerostemia from irradiation of the parotid glands involved lower NTCPAAA, that varied from 12.8% (sd=3.0%) to 57.5% (sd=4.0%), while when the PBC algorithm was used the NTCPPBC’s ranging was from 15.2% (sd=2.7%) to 63.8% (sd=3.8%), according the combination of parameters used; the differences were statistically significant. Also NTCPAAA regarding the risk of radiation pneumonitis in the lung treatments was found to be lower than NTCPPBC for each of the eight sets of NTCP parameters; the maximum mean decrease was 4.5%. A mean increase of 4.3% was found when the NTCPAAA was calculated by the parameters evaluated from dose distribution calculated by a convolution-superposition (CS) algorithm. A markedly different pattern was observed for the risk relating to the development of pneumonitis following breast treatments: the AAA predicted higher NTCP value. The mean NTCPAAA varied from 0.2% (sd = 0.1%) to 2.1% (sd = 0.3%), while the mean NTCPPBC varied from 0.1% (sd = 0.0%) to 1.8% (sd = 0.2%) depending on the chosen parameters set. Conclusions When the original PBC treatment plans were recalculated using AAA with the same number of monitor units provided by PBC, the NTCPAAA was lower than the NTCPPBC, except for the breast treatments. The NTCP is strongly affected by the wide-ranging values of radiobiological parameters. PMID:23826854

Clinical implications in the use of the PBC algorithm versus the AAA by comparison of different NTCP models/parameters.

PubMed

Bufacchi, Antonella; Nardiello, Barbara; Capparella, Roberto; Begnozzi, Luisa

2013-07-04

Retrospective analysis of 3D clinical treatment plans to investigate qualitative, possible, clinical consequences of the use of PBC versus AAA. The 3D dose distributions of 80 treatment plans at four different tumour sites, produced using PBC algorithm, were recalculated using AAA and the same number of monitor units provided by PBC and clinically delivered to each patient; the consequences of the difference on the dose-effect relations for normal tissue injury were studied by comparing different NTCP model/parameters extracted from a review of published studies. In this study the AAA dose calculation is considered as benchmark data. The paired Student t-test was used for statistical comparison of all results obtained from the use of the two algorithms. In the prostate plans, the AAA predicted lower NTCP value (NTCPAAA) for the risk of late rectal bleeding for each of the seven combinations of NTCP parameters, the maximum mean decrease was 2.2%. In the head-and-neck treatments, each combination of parameters used for the risk of xerostemia from irradiation of the parotid glands involved lower NTCPAAA, that varied from 12.8% (sd=3.0%) to 57.5% (sd=4.0%), while when the PBC algorithm was used the NTCPPBC's ranging was from 15.2% (sd=2.7%) to 63.8% (sd=3.8%), according the combination of parameters used; the differences were statistically significant. Also NTCPAAA regarding the risk of radiation pneumonitis in the lung treatments was found to be lower than NTCPPBC for each of the eight sets of NTCP parameters; the maximum mean decrease was 4.5%. A mean increase of 4.3% was found when the NTCPAAA was calculated by the parameters evaluated from dose distribution calculated by a convolution-superposition (CS) algorithm. A markedly different pattern was observed for the risk relating to the development of pneumonitis following breast treatments: the AAA predicted higher NTCP value. The mean NTCPAAA varied from 0.2% (sd = 0.1%) to 2.1% (sd = 0.3%), while the mean NTCPPBC varied from 0.1% (sd = 0.0%) to 1.8% (sd = 0.2%) depending on the chosen parameters set. When the original PBC treatment plans were recalculated using AAA with the same number of monitor units provided by PBC, the NTCPAAA was lower than the NTCPPBC, except for the breast treatments. The NTCP is strongly affected by the wide-ranging values of radiobiological parameters.

Marine Ecological Risk Assessment Pilot Study for Allen Harbor, Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

evidence of major contamination in sediments or tissues except for relatively high levels of polychlorinated biphenols (PBC), butyltins compounds ( TBT ...biphenols (PBC), butyltin compounds ( TBT ), and fecal coliforms observed in Allen Harbor. Effects were detected in mussel physiology, sea urchin fertilization...Dichiorodiphenyl- dichioroethene HBC - Hexachlorobenzene TBT -Thbutyltin METALS Cu - Copper Zn -Zinc Cr - Chromium Pb -Lead Ni - Nickel As - Arsenic

Comparative evaluation of paired blood culture (aerobic/aerobic) and single blood culture, along with clinical importance in catheter versus peripheral line at a tertiary care hospital.

PubMed

Tarai, B; Das, P; Kumar, D; Budhiraja, S

2012-01-01

Paired blood culture (PBC) is uncommon practice in hospitals in India, leading to delayed and inadequate diagnosis. Also contamination remains a critical determinant in hampering the definitive diagnosis. To establish the need of PBC over single blood culture (SBC) along with the degree of contamination, this comparative retrospective study was initiated. We processed 2553 PBC and 4350 SBC in BacT/ALERT 3D (bioMerieux) between October 2010 and June 2011. The positive cultures were identified in VITEK 2 Compact (bioMerieux). True positivity and contaminants were also analyzed in 486 samples received from catheter and peripheral line. Out of 2553 PBC samples, positivity was seen in 350 (13.70%). In 4350 SBC samples, positivity was seen in 200 samples (4.59%). In PBC true pathogens were 267 (10.45%) and contaminants were 83 (3.25%), whereas in SBC 153 (3.51%) were true positives and contaminants were 47 (1.08%). Most of the blood cultures (99.27 %) grew within 72 h and 95.8% were isolated within 48 h. In 486 PBCs received from catheter/periphery (one each), catheter positivity was found in 85 (true positives were 48, false positives 37). In peripheral samples true positives were 50 and false positives were 8. Significantly higher positive rates were seen in PBCs compared with SBCs. Automated blood culture and identification methods significantly reduced the time required for processing of samples and also facilitated yield of diverse/rare organisms. Blood culture from catheter line had higher false positives than peripheral blood culture. Thus every positive result from a catheter must be correlated with clinical findings and requires further confirmation.

Molecular diagnostic testing for primary biliary cholangitis.

PubMed

Gatselis, Nikolaos K; Dalekos, George N

2016-09-01

A reliable liver autoimmune serology for the diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is of particular importance. Recognition of patients at early stages and prompt treatment initiation may alter the outcome, slow progression, delays liver failure, and improves survival. In this review, we summarize and discuss the published data obtained from literature searches from PubMed and The National Library of Medicine (USA) and our own experience on the current and potential molecular based approaches to the diagnosis of PBC. Expert commentary: Standardization of liver diagnostic serology and clinical governance are two major points as antimitochondrial antibodies are the diagnostic hallmark of the disease and PBC-specific antinuclear antibodies could assist in the diagnosis and estimation of prognosis. New biomarkers such as novel autoantibodies, genetic polymorphisms, metabolomic profiling, micro-RNA and epigenetics may assist to the understanding, diagnosis and management of the disease.

Efficient crop type mapping based on remote sensing in the Central Valley, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Liheng

Most agricultural systems in California's Central Valley are purposely flexible and intentionally designed to meet the demands of dynamic markets. Agricultural land use is also impacted by climate change and urban development. As a result, crops change annually and semiannually, which makes estimating agricultural water use difficult, especially given the existing method by which agricultural land use is identified and mapped. A minor portion of agricultural land is surveyed annually for land-use type, and every 5 to 8 years the entire valley is completely evaluated. So far no effort has been made to effectively and efficiently identify specific crop types on an annual basis in this area. The potential of satellite imagery to map agricultural land cover and estimate water usage in the Central Valley is explored. Efforts are made to minimize the cost and reduce the time of production during the mapping process. The land use change analysis shows that a remote sensing based mapping method is the only means to map the frequent change of major crop types. The traditional maximum likelihood classification approach is first utilized to map crop types to test the classification capacity of existing algorithms. High accuracy is achieved with sufficient ground truth data for training, and crop maps of moderate quality can be timely produced to facilitate a near-real-time water use estimate. However, the large set of ground truth data required by this method results in high costs in data collection. It is difficult to reduce the cost because a trained classification algorithm is not transferable between different years or different regions. A phenology based classification (PBC) approach is developed which extracts phenological metrics from annual vegetation index profiles and identifies crop types based on these metrics using decision trees. According to the comparison with traditional maximum likelihood classification, this phenology-based approach shows great advantages when the size of the training set is limited by ground truth availability. Once developed, the classifier is able to be applied to different years and a vast area with only a few adjustments according to local agricultural and annual weather conditions. 250 m MODIS imagery is utilized as the main input to the PBC algorithm and displays promising capacity in crop identification in several counties in the Central Valley. A time series of Landsat TM/ETM+ images at a 30 m resolution is necessary in the crop mapping of counties with smaller land parcels, although the processing time is longer. Spectral characteristics are also employed to identify crops in PBC. Spectral signatures are associated with phenological stages instead of imaging dates, which highly increases the stability of the classifier performance and overcomes the problem of over-fitting. Moderate accuracies are achieved by PBC, with confusions mostly within the same crop categories. Based on a quantitative analysis, misclassification in PBC has very trivial impacts on the accuracy of agricultural water use estimate. The cost of the entire PBC procedure is controlled to a very low level, which will enable its usage in routine annual crop mapping in the Central Valley.

How well do the theory of reasoned action and theory of planned behaviour predict intentions and attendance at screening programmes? A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Cooke, Richard; French, David P

2008-01-01

Meta-analysis was used to quantify how well the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behaviour have predicted intentions to attend screening programmes and actual attendance behaviour. Systematic literature searches identified 33 studies that were included in the review. Across the studies as a whole, attitudes had a large-sized relationship with intention, while subjective norms and perceived behavioural control (PBC) possessed medium-sized relationships with intention. Intention had a medium-sized relationship with attendance, whereas the PBC-attendance relationship was small sized. Due to heterogeneity in results between studies, moderator analyses were conducted. The moderator variables were (a) type of screening test, (b) location of recruitment, (c) screening cost and (d) invitation to screen. All moderators affected theory of planned behaviour relationships. Suggestions for future research emerging from these results include targeting attitudes to promote intention to screen, a greater use of implementation intentions in screening information and examining the credibility of different screening providers.

How well does the theory of planned behaviour predict alcohol consumption? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Cooke, Richard; Dahdah, Mary; Norman, Paul; French, David P

2016-06-01

This study aimed to quantify correlations between theory of planned behaviour (TPB) variables and (i) intentions to consume alcohol and (ii) alcohol consumption. Systematic literature searches identified 40 eligible studies that were meta-analysed. Three moderator analyses were conducted: pattern of consumption, gender of participants and age of participants. Across studies, intentions had the strongest relationship with attitudes (r+ = .62), followed by subjective norms (r+ = .47) and perceived behavioural control (PBC; r+ = .31). Self-efficacy (SE) had a stronger relationship with intentions (r+ = .48) compared with perceived control (PC; r+ = -.10). Intention had the strongest relationship with alcohol consumption (r+ = .54), followed by SE (r+ = .41). In contrast, PBC and PC had negative relationships with alcohol consumption (r+ = -.05 and -.13, respectively). All moderators affected TPB relationships. Patterns of consumption with clear definitions had stronger TPB relations, females reported stronger attitude-intention relations than males, and adults reported stronger attitude-intention and SE-intention relations than adolescents. Recommendations for future research include targeting attitudes and intentions in interventions to reduce alcohol consumption, using clear definitions of alcohol consumption in TPB items to improve prediction and assessing SE when investigating risk behaviours.

How well does the theory of planned behaviour predict alcohol consumption? A systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Cooke, Richard; Dahdah, Mary; Norman, Paul; French, David P.

2016-01-01

This study aimed to quantify correlations between theory of planned behaviour (TPB) variables and (i) intentions to consume alcohol and (ii) alcohol consumption. Systematic literature searches identified 40 eligible studies that were meta-analysed. Three moderator analyses were conducted: pattern of consumption, gender of participants and age of participants. Across studies, intentions had the strongest relationship with attitudes (r + = .62), followed by subjective norms (r + = .47) and perceived behavioural control (PBC; r + = .31). Self-efficacy (SE) had a stronger relationship with intentions (r + = .48) compared with perceived control (PC; r + = −.10). Intention had the strongest relationship with alcohol consumption (r + = .54), followed by SE (r + = .41). In contrast, PBC and PC had negative relationships with alcohol consumption (r + = −.05 and −.13, respectively). All moderators affected TPB relationships. Patterns of consumption with clear definitions had stronger TPB relations, females reported stronger attitude–intention relations than males, and adults reported stronger attitude–intention and SE–intention relations than adolescents. Recommendations for future research include targeting attitudes and intentions in interventions to reduce alcohol consumption, using clear definitions of alcohol consumption in TPB items to improve prediction and assessing SE when investigating risk behaviours. PMID:25089611

Brief report: understanding intention to be physically active and physical activity behaviour in adolescents from a low socio-economic status background: an application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

PubMed

Duncan, Michael J; Rivis, Amanda; Jordan, Caroline

2012-06-01

The aim of this brief report is to report on the utility of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) for predicting the physical activity intentions and behaviour of British adolescents from lower-than-average socio-economic backgrounds. A prospective questionnaire design was employed with 197, 13-14 year olds (76 males, 121 females). At time 1 participant completed standard measures of TPB variables. One week later (Time 2), participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) as a measure of physical activity behaviour. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that attitude and perceived behavioural control jointly accounted for 25% of the variance in intention (p = 0.0001). Perceived behavioural control emerged as the only significant predictor of physical activity behaviour and explained 3.7% of the variance (p = 0.001). Therefore, attitude and PBC successfully predicts intention towards physical activity and PBC predicts physical activity behaviour in British adolescents from lower-than-average socio-economic backgrounds. Copyright © 2011 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The theory of planned behaviour and discrete food choices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

McDermott, Máirtín S; Oliver, Madalyn; Svenson, Alexander; Simnadis, Thomas; Beck, Eleanor J; Coltman, Tim; Iverson, Don; Caputi, Peter; Sharma, Rajeev

2015-12-30

The combination of economic and social costs associated with non-communicable diseases provide a compelling argument for developing strategies that can influence modifiable risk factors, such as discrete food choices. Models of behaviour, such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) provide conceptual order that allows program designers and policy makers to identify the substantive elements that drive behaviour and design effective interventions. The primary aim of the current review was to examine the association between TPB variables and discrete food choice behaviours. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies. Calculation of the pooled mean effect size (r(+)) was conducted using inverse-variance weighted, random effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the Q- and I(2)-statistics. Meta-regression was used to test the impact of moderator variables: type of food choice behaviour; participants' age and gender. A total of 42 journal articles and four unpublished dissertations met the inclusion criteria. TPB variables were found to have medium to large associations with both intention and behaviour. Attitudes had the strongest association with intention (r(+)  = 0.54) followed by perceived behavioural control (PBC, r(+)  = 0.42) and subjective norm (SN, r(+)  = 0.37). The association between intention and behaviour was r(+)  = 0.45 and between PBC and behaviour was r(+)  = 0.27. Moderator analyses revealed the complex nature of dietary behaviour and the factors that underpin individual food choices. Significantly higher PBC-behaviour associations were found for choosing health compromising compared to health promoting foods. Significantly higher intention-behaviour and PBC-behaviour associations were found for choosing health promoting foods compared to avoiding health compromising foods. Participant characteristics were also found to moderate associations within the model. Higher intention-behaviour associations were found for older, compared to younger age groups. The variability in the association of the TPB with different food choice behaviours uncovered by the moderator analyses strongly suggest that researchers should carefully consider the nature of the behaviour being exhibited prior to selecting a theory.

Primary care in an era of hospital bed reduction: what can we infer from QOF and PBC?

PubMed

Checkland, Kath; Harrison, Stephen

2010-12-01

The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) has been efficiently and effectively incorporated into practice routines. One possible negative effect of this has been a move towards a more biomedical form of practice.There has been patchy but real engagement with practice-based commissioning (PBC), with significant moves in some areas towards GPs acting collectively to improve services across the health economy, including engaging in performance management of each others' practice.Together, responses to QOF and PBC suggest that GPs may be willing and able to act both individually and collectively to try to mitigate the negative impacts of future spending reductions. General practice will be under a great deal of pressure in the next few years. Understanding the impact of past policy changes is essential if we are to ensure that the core values of general practice are maintained.

A Systems Model for Ursodeoxycholic Acid Metabolism in Healthy and Patients With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Dobbins, RL; O'Connor‐Semmes, RL; Young, MA

2016-01-01

A systems model was developed to describe the metabolism and disposition of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its conjugates in healthy subjects based on pharmacokinetic (PK) data from published studies in order to study the distribution of oral UDCA and potential interactions influencing therapeutic effects upon interruption of its enterohepatic recirculation. The base model was empirically adapted to patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) based on current understanding of disease pathophysiology and clinical measurements. Simulations were performed for patients with PBC under two competing hypotheses: one for inhibition of ileal absorption of both UDCA and conjugates and the other only of conjugates. The simulations predicted distinctly different bile acid distribution patterns in plasma and bile. The UDCA model adapted to patients with PBC provides a platform to investigate a complex therapeutic drug interaction among UDCA, UDCA conjugates, and inhibition of ileal bile acid transport in this rare disease population. PMID:27537780

Specific Diurnal EMG Activity Pattern Observed in Occlusal Collapse Patients: Relationship between Diurnal Bruxism and Tooth Loss Progression

PubMed Central

Kawakami, Shigehisa; Kumazaki, Yohei; Manda, Yosuke; Oki, Kazuhiro; Minagi, Shogo

2014-01-01

Aim The role of parafunctional masticatory muscle activity in tooth loss has not been fully clarified. This study aimed to reveal the characteristic activity of masseter muscles in bite collapse patients while awake and asleep. Materials and Methods Six progressive bite collapse patients (PBC group), six age- and gender-matched control subjects (MC group), and six young control subjects (YC group) were enrolled. Electromyograms (EMG) of the masseter muscles were continuously recorded with an ambulatory EMG recorder while patients were awake and asleep. Diurnal and nocturnal parafunctional EMG activity was classified as phasic, tonic, or mixed using an EMG threshold of 20% maximal voluntary clenching. Results Highly extended diurnal phasic activity was observed only in the PBC group. The three groups had significantly different mean diurnal phasic episodes per hour, with 13.29±7.18 per hour in the PBC group, 0.95±0.97 per hour in the MC group, and 0.87±0.98 per hour in the YC group (p<0.01). ROC curve analysis suggested that the number of diurnal phasic episodes might be used to predict bite collapsing tooth loss. Conclusion Extensive bite loss might be related to diurnal masticatory muscle parafunction but not to parafunction during sleep. Clinical Relevance: Scientific rationale for study Although mandibular parafunction has been implicated in stomatognathic system breakdown, a causal relationship has not been established because scientific modalities to evaluate parafunctional activity have been lacking. Principal findings This study used a newly developed EMG recording system that evaluates masseter muscle activity throughout the day. Our results challenge the stereotypical idea of nocturnal bruxism as a strong destructive force. We found that diurnal phasic masticatory muscle activity was most characteristic in patients with progressive bite collapse. Practical implications The incidence of diurnal phasic contractions could be used for the prognostic evaluation of stomatognathic system stability. PMID:25010348

A decline of LAMP- 2 predicts ursodeoxycholic acid response in primary biliary cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Wang, Lu; Guo, Guan-ya; Wang, Jing-bo; Zhou, Xin-min; Yang, Qiong; Han, Zhe-yi; Li, Qiang; Zhang, Jing-wen; Cai, Yun; Ren, Xiao-li; Zhou, Xia; Chen, Rui-rui; Shi, Yong-quan; Han, Ying; Fan, Dai-ming

2015-01-01

Biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is variable. We have previously reported that augmented expression of lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2) was correlated with the severity of PBC. This study aimed to determine whether serum LAMP-2 could serve as a predictor of biochemical response to UDCA. The efficiency of serum LAMP-2 to predict biochemical response was assessed after 1 year of UDCA treatment in PBC patients by a retrospective analysis. We found that the basal serum LAMP-2 level was increased in PBC, especially in patients with stage III-IV (p = 0.010) or TBIL > 1 mg/dL (p = 0.014). Baseline serum LAMP-2 was higher in non-responders than that in responders, but the difference was statistically insignificant. However, after UDCA treatment, serum LAMP-2 level decreased prominently in the first 3 months, which was more obvious in responders. Further studies showed that the 35% decline of LAMP-2 after treatment for 3 months could be stated as an indicator of UDCA response with the sensitivity of 62.9% and specificity of 75.0% by Paris criteria. Meanwhile the specificity and sensitivity were identified as 63.5% and 64.1% by Barcelona criteria. Together, a decline in LAMP-2 might help to predict the response to UDCA. PMID:25894308

TiO2 supported on reed straw biochar as an adsorptive and photocatalytic composite for the efficient degradation of sulfamethoxazole in aqueous matrices.

PubMed

Zhang, Hanyu; Wang, Zhaowei; Li, Ruining; Guo, Jialei; Li, Yan; Zhu, Junmin; Xie, Xiaoyun

2017-10-01

Heterogeneous photocatalysis namely titanium dioxide supported on reed straw biochar (acid pre-treated) (TiO 2 /pBC) was synthesized by sol-gel method. The morphology, surface area and structure of TiO 2 /pBC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Low calcination condition maintained the structure of biochar completely and prevented the agglomeration of TiO 2 particles. Due to the combination of adsorption and photocatalysis, TiO 2 /pBC performed higher removal efficiency of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) than pure TiO 2 powder under UV light irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of SMX was also studied with the water collected from the Yellow River. Three high concentration inorganic anions (Cl - , NO 3 - , SO 4 2- ) of the river exerted certain degree of detrimental effects on the contaminant degradation. TiO 2 /pBC showed stable photocatalytic activity after five sequential PCD cycles. The biochar was able to promote further PCD on TiO 2 by adsorbing SMX and intermediates thereby prolonging the separation lifetime of electrons (e - ) and valence band hole (h + ). The transformation intermediates of SMX were identified and three possible degradation reactions of hydroxylation, opening of isoxazole ring and cleavage of SN bond might occur during the PCD of SMX. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dual Roles of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the Natural History of Murine Autoimmune Cholangitis: IL-30 and Implications for Precision Medicine

PubMed Central

Syu, Bi-Jhen; Loh, Chia-En; Hsueh, Yu-Hsin; Gershwin, M. Eric; Chuang, Ya-Hui

2016-01-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive autoimmune liver disease with a long natural history. The pathogenesis of PBC is thought to be orchestrated by Th1 and/or Th17. In this study, we investigated the role of CD4+ helper T subsets and their cytokines on PBC using our previous established murine model of 2-OA-OVA immunization. We prepared adeno-associated virus (AAV)-IFN-γ and AAV-IL-4 and studied their individual influences on the natural history of autoimmune cholangitis in this model. Administration of IFN-γ significantly promotes recruitment and lymphocyte activation in the earliest phases of autoimmune cholangitis but subsequently leads to downregulation of chronic inflammation through induction of the immunosuppressive molecule IL-30. In contrast, the administration of IL-4 does not alter the initiation of autoimmune cholangitis, but does contribute to the exacerbation of chronic liver inflammation and fibrosis. Thus Th1 cells and IFN-γ are the dominant contributors in the initiation phase of this model but clearly may have different effects as the disease progress. In conclusion, better understanding of the mechanisms by which helper T cells function in the natural history of cholangitis is essential and illustrates that precision medicine may be needed for patients with PBC at various stages of their disease process. PMID:27721424

A single mutation in the PBC loop of VP2 is involved in the in vitro replication of infectious bursal disease virus.

PubMed

Qi, Xiaole; Gao, Xiang; Lu, Zhen; Zhang, Lizhou; Wang, Yongqiang; Gao, Li; Gao, Yulong; Li, Kai; Gao, Honglei; Liu, Changjun; Cui, Hongyu; Zhang, Yanping; Wang, Xiaomei

2016-07-01

To test whether amino acid mutations in the PBC and PHI loops of VP2 are involved in the replication and virulence of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), a pair of viruses, namely the moderately virulent IBDV (rGx-F9VP2) and the attenuated strain (rGt), were used. Residue mutations A222P (PBC) and S330R (PHI), selected by sequence comparison, were introduced individually into rGx-F9VP2 by using a reverse genetics system. In addition, the reverse mutation of either P222A or R330S was introduced into rGt. The four modified viruses were then rescued and evaluated in vitro (CEF cells) and in vivo (SPF chickens). Results showed that A222P elevated the replication efficiency of rGx-F9VP2 while P222A reduced that of rGt in CEF cells. A mutation at residue 330 did not alter IBDV replication. In addition, animal experiments showed that a single mutation at either residue 222 or 330 did not significantly influence the virulence of IBDV. In conclusion, residue 222 in PBC of VP2 is involved in the replication efficiency of IBDV in vitro but does not affect its virulence in vivo, further facilitating our understanding of the gene-function of IBDV.

Probabilistic risk assessment of the effect of acidified seawater on development stages of sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis).

PubMed

Chen, Wei-Yu; Lin, Hsing-Chieh

2018-05-01

Growing evidence indicates that ocean acidification has a significant impact on calcifying marine organisms. However, there is a lack of exposure risk assessments for aquatic organisms under future environmentally relevant ocean acidification scenarios. The objective of this study was to investigate the probabilistic effects of acidified seawater on the life-stage response dynamics of fertilization, larvae growth, and larvae mortality of the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). We incorporated the regulation of primary body cavity (PBC) pH in response to seawater pH into the assessment by constructing an explicit model to assess effective life-stage response dynamics to seawater or PBC pH levels. The likelihood of exposure to ocean acidification was also evaluated by addressing the uncertainties of the risk characterization. For unsuccessful fertilization, the estimated 50% effect level of seawater acidification (EC50 SW ) was 0.55 ± 0.014 (mean ± SE) pH units. This life stage was more sensitive than growth inhibition and mortality, for which the EC50 values were 1.13 and 1.03 pH units, respectively. The estimated 50% effect levels of PBC pH (EC50 PBC ) were 0.99 ± 0.05 and 0.88 ± 0.006 pH units for growth inhibition and mortality, respectively. We also predicted the probability distributions for seawater and PBC pH levels in 2100. The level of unsuccessful fertilization had 50 and 90% probability risks of 5.07-24.51 (95% CI) and 0-6.95%, respectively. We conclude that this probabilistic risk analysis model is parsimonious enough to quantify the multiple vulnerabilities of the green sea urchin while addressing the systemic effects of ocean acidification. This study found a high potential risk of acidification affecting the fertilization of the green sea urchin, whereas there was no evidence for adverse effects on growth and mortality resulting from exposure to the predicted acidified environment.

Biochemical criteria at 1 year are not robust indicators of response to ursodeoxycholic acid in early primary biliary cirrhosis: results from a 29-year cohort study

PubMed Central

Papastergiou, V; Tsochatzis, E A; Rodriquez-Peralvarez, M; Thalassinos, E; Pieri, G; Manousou, P; Germani, G; Rigamonti, C; Arvaniti, V; Karatapanis, S; Burroughs, A K

2013-01-01

Background In primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), biochemical criteria at 1 year are considered surrogates of response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). However, due to the slow natural history of PBC, evaluation at 1 year may be suboptimal to assess the therapeutic response, particularly in early disease. Aim To determine whether evaluation of biochemical criteria at 1 year is a reliable surrogate of UDCA response in early PBC. Methods We analysed the prospectively collected data of 215 patients (untreated = 129; UDCA-treated = 86) with early PBC (normal baseline bilirubin/albumin) and a median follow-up of 8 years (range: 1–29.1). The 1-year attainment rates of the Barcelona, Paris-I, Paris-II and Toronto definitions, and their predictive relevance for a poor outcome (death, transplantation, complications of cirrhosis), were assessed either as a result of UDCA or no treatment. Independent associations with attaining each UDCA response definition were identified by multivariate analysis. Results Untreated patients displayed 1-year biochemical features compatible with ‘treatment response’ at rates (Barcelona: 36.4%, Paris-I: 66.7%, Toronto: 59.7%, Paris-II: 40.3%) similar to those obtained under UDCA. Depending on the definition, baseline ALP≤3xULN (OR: 4.80–35.90), AST≤2xULN (OR: 5.63–9.34) and early histological stage (OR: 3.67–3.87) were the stronger predictors for attaining the criteria. UDCA treatment was associated with attaining Barcelona (OR = 2.16) and Paris-II (OR = 2.84), but not Paris-I, and not Toronto definition when excluding late histological cases. Paris-I criteria were significantly predictive of long-term outcomes (HR = 2.83) in untreated patients. Conclusions In early PBC, biochemical criteria at 1 year reflect severity of the disease rather than the therapeutic response to UDCA. PMID:24117847

Contribution of Central μ-Receptors to Switching Pulmonary C-Fibers-Mediated Rapid Shallow Breathing into An Apnea by Fentanyl in Anesthetized Rats

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhenxiong; Zhang, Cancan; Zhuang, Jianguo; Xu, Fadi

2012-01-01

Our previous study has shown that activating peripheral μ-receptors is necessary for switching the bronchopulmonary C-fibers (PCFs)-mediated rapid shallow breathing (RSB) into an apnea by systemic administration of fentanyl. The brainstem nuclei, such as the medial nucleus tractus solitarius (mNTS) and the Pre-Botzinger Complex (PBC), are required for completing the PCF-mediated respiratory reflexes. Moreover, these areas contain abundant μ-receptors and their activation prolongs expiratory duration (TE). Thus, we asked if central μ-receptors, especially those in the mNTS and PBC, are involved in fully expressing this RSB-apnea switch by fentanyl. In anesthetized rats, the cardiorespiratory responses to right atrial injection of phenylbiguanide (PBG, 3–6 μg/kg) were repeated after: 1) fentanyl (iv), a μ-receptor agonist, alone (8 μg/kg, iv); 2) fentanyl following microinjection of naloxone methiodide (NXM, an opioid receptor antagonist) into the cisterna magna (10 μg/4 μl); 3) the bilateral mNTS (10 mM, 20 nl); or 4) PBC (10 mM, 20 nl). Our results showed that PBG shortened TE by 37 ± 6 % (RSB, from 0.41 ± 0.05 to 0.26 ± 0.03 s, P < 0.01), but it markedly prolonged TE by 5.8-fold (an apnea, from 0.50 ± 0.04 s to 2.9 ± 0.57 s, P < 0.01) after fentanyl (iv). Pretreatment with NXM injected into the cisterna magna or the PBC, but not the mNTS, prevented the fentanyl-induced switch. This study, along with our previous results mentioned above, suggests that although peripheral μ-receptors are essential for triggering the fentanyl-induced switch, central μ-receptors, especially those in the PBC, are required to fully exhibit such switch. PMID:22759907

A Schema of Denial: The Influence of Rape Myth Acceptance on Beliefs, Attitudes, and Processing of Affirmative Consent Campaign Messages.

PubMed

Silver, Nathan; Hovick, Shelly R

2018-05-29

This study aims to examine the influence of rape myth acceptance (RMA) and the perceived salience of sexual violence on the cognitive processing of an affirmative consent campaign active on the campus where research was conducted. As part of a midcourse evaluation of the Consent is Sexy (CIS) campaign (N = 285), a subsample of participants who reported prior exposure to campaign posters (N = 182) was asked to review four campaign posters and indicate the extent to which they processed the message in the posters systematically. Robust gender differences in perceived salience of sexual violence, supportive attitudes, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) toward establishing consent were mediated by RMA. Moreover, robust gender differences in the systematic processing of the campaign were mediated by RMA and perceived salience in serial. Implications of the influence of rape myths and perceived salience on the cognitive processing of affirmed consent campaigns are discussed with respect to both campaign message design and implementation.

Activation of necroptosis in human and experimental cholestasis.

PubMed

Afonso, Marta B; Rodrigues, Pedro M; Simão, André L; Ofengeim, Dimitry; Carvalho, Tânia; Amaral, Joana D; Gaspar, Maria M; Cortez-Pinto, Helena; Castro, Rui E; Yuan, Junying; Rodrigues, Cecília M P

2016-09-29

Cholestasis encompasses liver injury and inflammation. Necroptosis, a necrotic cell death pathway regulated by receptor-interacting protein (RIP) 3, may mediate cell death and inflammation in the liver. We aimed to investigate the role of necroptosis in mediating deleterious processes associated with cholestatic liver disease. Hallmarks of necroptosis were evaluated in liver biopsies of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients and in wild-type and RIP3-deficient (RIP3 -/- ) mice subjected to common bile duct ligation (BDL). The functional link between RIP3, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and antioxidant response was investigated in vivo after BDL and in vitro. We demonstrate increased RIP3 expression and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) phosphorylation in liver samples of human PBC patients, coincident with thioflavin T labeling, suggesting activation of necroptosis. BDL resulted in evident hallmarks of necroptosis, concomitant with progressive bile duct hyperplasia, multifocal necrosis, fibrosis and inflammation. MLKL phosphorylation was increased and insoluble aggregates of RIP3, MLKL and RIP1 formed in BLD liver tissue samples. Furthermore, RIP3 deficiency blocked BDL-induced necroinflammation at 3 and 14 days post-BDL. Serum hepatic enzymes, fibrogenic liver gene expression and oxidative stress decreased in RIP3 -/- mice at 3 days after BDL. However, at 14 days, cholestasis aggravated and fibrosis was not halted. RIP3 deficiency further associated with increased hepatic expression of HO-1 and accumulation of iron in BDL mice. The functional link between HO-1 activity and bile acid toxicity was established in RIP3-deficient primary hepatocytes. Necroptosis is triggered in PBC patients and mediates hepatic necroinflammation in BDL-induced acute cholestasis. Targeting necroptosis may represent a therapeutic strategy for acute cholestasis, although complementary approaches may be required to control progression of chronic cholestatic liver disease.

With a little help from my goals: integrating intergoal facilitation with the theory of planned behaviour to predict physical activity.

PubMed

Presseau, Justin; Sniehotta, Falko F; Francis, Jill J; Gebhardt, Winifred A

2010-11-01

Integration of a multiple goal theory approach into the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to investigate how the perceived facilitating and conflicting relationships in multiple goal pursuit predict performance of a health-related behaviour. Prospective design with 8-week follow-up. At baseline, perceived intergoal facilitation and intergoal conflict were measured using personal projects analysis supplemented with standard TPB measures for physical activity (PA). Self-reported PA was measured at follow-up 8 weeks later. N=137 participants completed measures at both time points (55.4% response rate at follow-up). Hierarchical regression showed that perceived intergoal facilitation, but not intergoal conflict, directly predicted PA beyond intention and perceived behavioural control (PBC), accounting for more than 4% of additional variance in PA. Intergoal facilitation had an indirect effect on intention through attitude and PBC, and intention partially mediated the effect of intergoal facilitation on behaviour. The perceived facilitating effect of pursuing other personal goals predicts the performance of a health-related behaviour over and above single behaviour-focused social cognitions.

Demographic, clinical, lifestyle-related, and social-cognitive correlates of physical activity in head and neck cancer survivors.

PubMed

Buffart, Laurien M; de Bree, Remco; Altena, Martine; van der Werff, Sophie; Drossaert, Constance H C; Speksnijder, Caroline M; van den Brekel, Michiel W; Jager-Wittenaar, Harriët; Aaronson, Neil K; Stuiver, Martijn M

2018-05-01

The purpose of the study is to identify demographic, clinical, lifestyle-related, and social-cognitive correlates of physical activity (PA) intention and behavior in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Data from two cross-sectional studies on correlates of PA in HNC survivors were pooled. Both studies used self-reports to assess PA and social-cognitive correlates. Potential correlates were collected via self-report or medical records. Univariable and multivariable multilevel linear mixed-effects models were built to identify correlates of PA intention and PA behavior (Z scores). Structural equation model analyses were conducted to study the full TPB model in one analysis, taking into account relevant covariates. In total, 416 HNC survivors were surveyed. Their mean (SD) age was 66.6 (9.4) years; 64% were men, and 78% were diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. The structural equation model showed that PA intention was significantly higher in HNC survivors with a history of exercising, who had a more positive attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Patients with higher PA intention, higher PBC, a lower age, and without unintentional weight loss or comorbidities had higher PA behavior. The model explained 22.9% of the variance in PA intention and 16.1% of the variance in PA behavior. Despite significant pathways of the TPB model, the large proportion variance in PA intention and behavior remaining unexplained suggests the need for better PA behavior (change) models to guide the development of PA promotion programs, particularly for the elderly. Such programs should be tailored to comorbidities and nutritional status.

High-throughput T-cell receptor sequencing across chronic liver diseases reveals distinct disease-associated repertoires.

PubMed

Liaskou, Evaggelia; Klemsdal Henriksen, Eva Kristine; Holm, Kristian; Kaveh, Fatemeh; Hamm, David; Fear, Janine; Viken, Marte K; Hov, Johannes Roksund; Melum, Espen; Robins, Harlan; Olweus, Johanna; Karlsen, Tom H; Hirschfield, Gideon M

2016-05-01

Hepatic T-cell infiltrates and a strong genetic human leukocyte antigen association represent characteristic features of various immune-mediated liver diseases. Conceptually the presence of disease-associated antigens is predicted to be reflected in T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires. Here, we aimed to determine if disease-associated TCRs could be identified in the nonviral chronic liver diseases primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We performed high-throughput sequencing of the TCRβ chain complementarity-determining region 3 of liver-infiltrating T cells from PSC (n = 20), PBC (n = 10), and ALD (n = 10) patients, alongside genomic human leukocyte antigen typing. The frequency of TCRβ nucleotide sequences was significantly higher in PSC samples (2.53 ± 0.80, mean ± standard error of the mean) compared to PBC samples (1.13 ± 0.17, P < 0.0001) and ALD samples (0.62 ± 0.10, P < 0.0001). An average clonotype overlap of 0.85% was detected among PSC samples, significantly higher compared to the average overlap of 0.77% seen within the PBC (P = 0.024) and ALD groups (0.40%, P < 0.0001). From eight to 42 clonotypes were uniquely detected in each of the three disease groups (≥30% of the respective patient samples). Multiple, unique sequences using different variable family genes encoded the same amino acid clonotypes, providing additional support for antigen-driven selection. In PSC and PBC, disease-associated clonotypes were detected among patients with human leukocyte antigen susceptibility alleles. We demonstrate liver-infiltrating disease-associated clonotypes in all three diseases evaluated, and evidence for antigen-driven clonal expansions. Our findings indicate that differential TCR signatures, as determined by high-throughput sequencing, may represent an imprint of distinctive antigenic repertoires present in the different chronic liver diseases; this thereby opens up the prospect of studying disease-relevant T cells in order to better understand and treat liver disease. © 2015 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Developing new extension of GafChromic RTQA2 film to patient quality assurance field using a plan-based calibration method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Jiayuan; Zhang, Zhen; Wang, Jiazhou; Xie, Jiang; Chen, Junchao; Hu, Weigang

2015-10-01

GafChromic RTQA2 film is a type of radiochromic film designed for light field and radiation field alignment. The aim of this study is to extend the application of RTQA2 film to the measurement of patient specific quality assurance (QA) fields as a 2D relative dosimeter. Pre-irradiated and post-irradiated RTQA2 films were scanned in reflection mode using a flatbed scanner. A plan-based calibration (PBC) method utilized the mapping information of the calculated dose image and film grayscale image to create a dose versus pixel value calibration model. This model was used to calibrate the film grayscale image to the film relative dose image. The dose agreement between calculated and film dose images were analyzed by gamma analysis. To evaluate the feasibility of this method, eight clinically approved RapidArc cases (one abdomen cancer and seven head-and-neck cancer patients) were tested using this method. Moreover, three MLC gap errors and two MLC transmission errors were introduced to eight Rapidarc cases respectively to test the robustness of this method. The PBC method could overcome the film lot and post-exposure time variations of RTQA2 film to get a good 2D relative dose calibration result. The mean gamma passing rate of eight patients was 97.90%  ±  1.7%, which showed good dose consistency between calculated and film dose images. In the error test, the PBC method could over-calibrate the film, which means some dose error in the film would be falsely corrected to keep the dose in film consistent with the dose in the calculated dose image. This would then lead to a false negative result in the gamma analysis. In these cases, the derivative curve of the dose calibration curve would be non-monotonic which would expose the dose abnormality. By using the PBC method, we extended the application of more economical RTQA2 film to patient specific QA. The robustness of the PBC method has been improved by analyzing the monotonicity of the derivative of the calibration curve.

Efficacies of biochar and biochar-based amendment on vegetable yield and nitrogen utilization in four consecutive planting seasons.

PubMed

Wang, Hefang; Zheng, Hao; Jiang, Zhixiang; Dai, Yanhui; Liu, Guocheng; Chen, Lei; Luo, Xianxiang; Liu, Minhui; Wang, Zhenyu

2017-09-01

Biochar has been suggested as a potential tailored technology for mediating soil conditions and improving crop yields. However, the efficacies of biochar and biochar-based amendments (e.g., composted biochar) in agricultural soils under a rotation system remain uncertain. In this study, an arable soil was subjected to peanut shell biochar (PBC) and biochar-based amendment (PAD) combined with or without nitrogen (N) fertilizer to evaluate their effects on vegetable yield, N bioavailability, and their relative contribution to vegetable biomass in four consecutive planting seasons. PBC alone or in co-application with N fertilizer had little effect on vegetable yield, while PAD co-application with N fertilizer decreased vegetable biomass because of the inhibition of root morphology by excessive nutrient supply. PBC and PAD applications increased rhizosphere soil pH due to OH - and HCO 3 - release and NO 3 - -N uptake. Although the addition of PAD increased soil N contents due to its high contents in PAD, it had little effects on N utilization efficiency (NUE) in the four seasons. The relative contribution of PBC, PAD, and their interaction with N fertilizer to biomass yield was maintained at a low level. Our results indicated that a biochar-based amendment (e.g., PAD) was a potential alternative to N fertilizer, but the ratio of biochar to additives should be managed carefully to generate optimal benefits. Notably, the efficacy of PAD on plant growth was closely associated with plant species, and further related research on different plants is encouraged. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Modulation transfer function assessment in parallel beam and fan beam collimators with square and cylindrical holes.

PubMed

Khorshidi, Abdollah; Ashoor, Mansour

2014-05-01

This study investigates modulation transfer function (MTF) in parallel beam (PB) and fan beam (FB) collimators using the Monte Carlo method with full width at half maximum (FWHM), square and circular-shaped holes, and scatter and penetration (S + P) components. A regulation similar to the lead-to-air ratio was used for both collimators to estimate output data. The hole pattern was designed to compare FB by PB parameters. The radioactive source in air and in a water phantom placed in front of the collimators was simulated using MCNP5 code. The test results indicated that the square holes in PB (PBs) had better FWHM than did the cylindrical (PBc) holes. In contrast, the cylindrical holes in the FB (FBc) had better FWHM than the square holes. In general, the resolution of FBc was better than that of the PBc in air and scatter mediums. The S + P decreased for all collimators as the distance from the source to the collimator surface (z) increased. The FBc had a lower S + P than FBs, but PBc had a higher S + P than PBs. Of the FB and PB collimators with the identical hole shapes, PBs had a smaller S + P than FBs, and FBc had a smaller S + P than PBc. The MTF value for the FB was greater than for the PB and had increased spatial frequency; the FBc had higher MTF than the FBs and PB collimators. Estimating the FB using PB parameters and diverse hole shapes may be useful in collimator design to improve the resolution and efficiency of SPECT images.

Effects of pyrolysis temperature on soybean stover- and peanut shell-derived biochar properties and TCE adsorption in water.

PubMed

Ahmad, Mahtab; Lee, Sang Soo; Dou, Xiaomin; Mohan, Dinesh; Sung, Jwa-Kyung; Yang, Jae E; Ok, Yong Sik

2012-08-01

Conversion of crop residues into biochars (BCs) via pyrolysis is beneficial to environment compared to their direct combustion in agricultural field. Biochars developed from soybean stover at 300 and 700 °C (S-BC300 and S-BC700, respectively) and peanut shells at 300 and 700 °C (P-BC300 and P-BC700, respectively) were used for the removal of trichloroethylene (TCE) from water. Batch adsorption experiments showed that the TCE adsorption was strongly dependent on the BCs properties. Linear relationships were obtained between sorption parameters (K(M) and S(M)) and molar elemental ratios as well as surface area of the BCs. The high adsorption capacity of BCs produced at 700 °C was attributed to their high aromaticity and low polarity. The efficacy of S-BC700 and P-BC700 for removing TCE from water was comparable to that of activated carbon (AC). Pyrolysis temperature influencing the BC properties was a critical factor to assess the removal efficiency of TCE from water. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of selected dose calculation algorithms in radiotherapy treatment planning for tissues with inhomogeneities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woon, Y. L.; Heng, S. P.; Wong, J. H. D.; Ung, N. M.

2016-03-01

Inhomogeneity correction is recommended for accurate dose calculation in radiotherapy treatment planning since human body are highly inhomogeneous with the presence of bones and air cavities. However, each dose calculation algorithm has its own limitations. This study is to assess the accuracy of five algorithms that are currently implemented for treatment planning, including pencil beam convolution (PBC), superposition (SP), anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA), Monte Carlo (MC) and Acuros XB (AXB). The calculated dose was compared with the measured dose using radiochromic film (Gafchromic EBT2) in inhomogeneous phantoms. In addition, the dosimetric impact of different algorithms on intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) was studied for head and neck region. MC had the best agreement with the measured percentage depth dose (PDD) within the inhomogeneous region. This was followed by AXB, AAA, SP and PBC. For IMRT planning, MC algorithm is recommended for treatment planning in preference to PBC and SP. The MC and AXB algorithms were found to have better accuracy in terms of inhomogeneity correction and should be used for tumour volume within the proximity of inhomogeneous structures.

Exploring patterns of unwanted behaviours in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome.

PubMed

Pignatti, Riccardo; Mori, Ileana; Bertella, Laura; Grugni, Graziano; Giardino, Daniela; Molinari, Enrico

2013-11-01

Obsessive-compulsive (O-C) traits, and excessive food intake are well known behavioural manifestations among individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Other unwanted behaviours are also frequently observed, but they need a more specific investigation, especially in the adult population. The behaviour of 31 PWS adults was investigated via the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist (Y-BOCS-SC), and the Prader-Willi Behavioural Checklist (PBC). The PBC is a quick screening questionnaire prompted specifically for the investigation on adults with PWS. Statistical clustering revealed two patterns of unwanted behaviours from the PBC. Behaviours belonging to the first cluster (e.g., Excessive food intake, Skin picking) appear to be linked to the usual phenotypic manifestation of PWS. By contrast, many other behaviours (e.g., some O-C symptoms and aggressive actions) could show a relationship also to individual psychopathologies. Both internal (Anxiety and Depression) and external (Hostility) difficulties in managing impulses should account for individually distinct behaviours in adults with PWS. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A Systems Model for Ursodeoxycholic Acid Metabolism in Healthy and Patients With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.

PubMed

Zuo, P; Dobbins, R L; O'Connor-Semmes, R L; Young, M A

2016-08-01

A systems model was developed to describe the metabolism and disposition of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its conjugates in healthy subjects based on pharmacokinetic (PK) data from published studies in order to study the distribution of oral UDCA and potential interactions influencing therapeutic effects upon interruption of its enterohepatic recirculation. The base model was empirically adapted to patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) based on current understanding of disease pathophysiology and clinical measurements. Simulations were performed for patients with PBC under two competing hypotheses: one for inhibition of ileal absorption of both UDCA and conjugates and the other only of conjugates. The simulations predicted distinctly different bile acid distribution patterns in plasma and bile. The UDCA model adapted to patients with PBC provides a platform to investigate a complex therapeutic drug interaction among UDCA, UDCA conjugates, and inhibition of ileal bile acid transport in this rare disease population. © 2016 The Authors CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Yearlong semi-continuous operation of thermophilic two-stage anaerobic digesters amended with biochar for enhanced biomethane production

DOE PAGES

Shen, Yanwen; Forrester, Sara; Koval, Jason; ...

2017-05-29

This study aimed to scale up an integrated waste-to-energy system for producing pipelinequality biomethane from shake flasks experiments to two-stage digester systems with semicontinuous operation. The yearlong operation was successfully conducted to compare the performance of thermophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge amended with corn stover biochar (CSBC) and pine biochar (PBC) to the control under various conditions. Both CSBC and PBC promoted the substrate utilization, methane productivity, and process stability of AD, while CSBC showed superior potential. CSBC enhanced methane content in biogas (CH 4%) and methane production rate (P CHmore » $$_4$$) by up to 25% and 37% respectively in comparison to the control, with maximum CH 4% of 95% and CH 4 yield of 0.34 L/g volatile solid (VS)-added being achieved at steady state. The biochar supplementation also led to a substantial increase of the macro- and micro-nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe) by up to 33 times in the digestate, increasing its fertilizer value. Finally, microbial community structure and dynamics were also investigated and compared, and in particular, CSBC promoted the abundance of Clostridia and Methanosarcina. Collectively, this study proves that pyro-biochar as an effective additive material enhances AD performance with continuous operation and that CSBC shows greater potential.« less

Yearlong semi-continuous operation of thermophilic two-stage anaerobic digesters amended with biochar for enhanced biomethane production

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shen, Yanwen; Forrester, Sara; Koval, Jason

This study aimed to scale up an integrated waste-to-energy system for producing pipelinequality biomethane from shake flasks experiments to two-stage digester systems with semicontinuous operation. The yearlong operation was successfully conducted to compare the performance of thermophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge amended with corn stover biochar (CSBC) and pine biochar (PBC) to the control under various conditions. Both CSBC and PBC promoted the substrate utilization, methane productivity, and process stability of AD, while CSBC showed superior potential. CSBC enhanced methane content in biogas (CH 4%) and methane production rate (P CHmore » $$_4$$) by up to 25% and 37% respectively in comparison to the control, with maximum CH 4% of 95% and CH 4 yield of 0.34 L/g volatile solid (VS)-added being achieved at steady state. The biochar supplementation also led to a substantial increase of the macro- and micro-nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe) by up to 33 times in the digestate, increasing its fertilizer value. Finally, microbial community structure and dynamics were also investigated and compared, and in particular, CSBC promoted the abundance of Clostridia and Methanosarcina. Collectively, this study proves that pyro-biochar as an effective additive material enhances AD performance with continuous operation and that CSBC shows greater potential.« less

Clinical significance of monitoring ESR1 mutations in circulating cell-free DNA in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer patients.

PubMed

Takeshita, Takashi; Yamamoto, Yutaka; Yamamoto-Ibusuki, Mutsuko; Inao, Toko; Sueta, Aiko; Fujiwara, Saori; Omoto, Yoko; Iwase, Hirotaka

2016-05-31

The measurement of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) may transform the management of breast cancer patients. We aimed to investigate the clinical significance of sequential measurements of ESR1 mutations in primary breast cancer (PBC) and metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. ESR1 mutations ratio in the PBC groups was used as the minimum cutoff for determining increases in cfDNA ESR1 mutation ratio. An increase in cfDNA ESR1 mutations was found in 13 samples of cfDNA from 12 (28.6%) out of 42 MBC patients. A total of 10 (83.3%) out of 12 MBC patients with increase cfDNA ESR1 mutations showed a poor response to treatment. In survival analysis, increase cfDNA ESR1 mutations may predict a shorter duration of post-endocrine-therapy effectiveness (P = 0.0033). A total of 119 patients (253 plasma samples) with breast carcinoma were enrolled in this study. Cases were selected if archival plasma samples were available from PBC before and after treatment and from MBC gathered more than twice at the time of progression. cfDNA was isolated from the 77 PBC patients (154 plasma samples) and from the 42 MBC patients (99 plasma samples). To investigate any changes in each cfDNA ESR1 mutation before and after treatment, we analyzed the difference with cfDNA ESR1 mutations ratio in the first blood sample using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). We demonstrate that ddPCR monitoring of the recurrent ESR1 mutation in cfDNA of MBC patients is a feasible and useful method of providing relevant predictive information.

Clinical significance of monitoring ESR1 mutations in circulating cell-free DNA in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer patients

PubMed Central

Takeshita, Takashi; Yamamoto, Yutaka; Yamamoto-Ibusuki, Mutsuko; Inao, Toko; Sueta, Aiko; Fujiwara, Saori; Omoto, Yoko; Iwase, Hirotaka

2016-01-01

Background The measurement of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) may transform the management of breast cancer patients. We aimed to investigate the clinical significance of sequential measurements of ESR1 mutations in primary breast cancer (PBC) and metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Results ESR1 mutations ratio in the PBC groups was used as the minimum cutoff for determining increases in cfDNA ESR1 mutation ratio. An increase in cfDNA ESR1 mutations was found in 13 samples of cfDNA from 12 (28.6%) out of 42 MBC patients. A total of 10 (83.3%) out of 12 MBC patients with increase cfDNA ESR1 mutations showed a poor response to treatment. In survival analysis, increase cfDNA ESR1 mutations may predict a shorter duration of post-endocrine-therapy effectiveness (P = 0.0033). Methods A total of 119 patients (253 plasma samples) with breast carcinoma were enrolled in this study. Cases were selected if archival plasma samples were available from PBC before and after treatment and from MBC gathered more than twice at the time of progression. cfDNA was isolated from the 77 PBC patients (154 plasma samples) and from the 42 MBC patients (99 plasma samples). To investigate any changes in each cfDNA ESR1 mutation before and after treatment, we analyzed the difference with cfDNA ESR1 mutations ratio in the first blood sample using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). Conclusions We demonstrate that ddPCR monitoring of the recurrent ESR1 mutation in cfDNA of MBC patients is a feasible and useful method of providing relevant predictive information. PMID:27102299

Differential detection of nuclear envelope autoantibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis using routine and alternative methods

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Detection of autoantibodies giving nuclear rim pattern by immunofluorescence (anti-nuclear envelope antibodies - ANEA) in sera from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a useful tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. Differences in the prevalence of ANEA in PBC sera so far reported have been attributed to the methodology used for the detection as well as to ethnic/geographical variations. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence of ANEA in sera of Greek patients with PBC by using methods widely used by clinical laboratories and a combination of techniques and materials. Methods We screened 103 sera by immunoblotting on nuclear envelopes and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) using cells and purified nuclei. Reactivities against specific autoantigens were assessed using purified proteins, ELISA, immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Results We found higher prevalence of ANEA when sera were assayed by IIF on purified nuclei or cultured cells (50%) compared to Hep2 commercially available slides (15%). Anti-gp210 antibodies were identified in 22.3% and 33% of sera using ELISA for the C-terminal of gp210 or both ELISA and immunoprecipitation, respectively. Immunoblotting on nuclear envelopes revealed that immunoreactivity for the 210 kDa zone is related to anti-gp210 antibodies (p < 0.0001). Moreover, we found that sera had antibodies for lamins A (6.8%), B (1%) and C (1%) and LBR (8.7%), whereas none at all had detectable anti-p62 antibodies. Conclusions The prevalence of ANEA or anti-gp210 antibodies is under-estimated in PBC sera which are analyzed by conventional commercially available IIF or ELISA, respectively. Therefore, new substrates for IIF and ELISA should be included by clinical laboratories in the analysis of ANEA in autoimmune sera. PMID:20205958

Meeting Report: Threats to Human Health and Environmental Sustainability in the Pacific Basin

PubMed Central

Arnold, Robert G.; Carpenter, David O.; Kirk, Donald; Koh, David; Armour, Margaret-Ann; Cebrian, Mariano; Cifuentes, Luis; Khwaja, Mahmood; Ling, Bo; Makalinao, Irma; Paz-y-Miño, César; Peralta, Genandrialine; Prasad, Rajendra; Singh, Kirpal; Sly, Peter; Tohyama, Chiharu; Woodward, Alistair; Zheng, Baoshan; Maiden, Todd

2007-01-01

The coastal zone of the Pacific Rim is home for about one-third of the world’s population. Disproportionate growth of Far Eastern economies has produced a disproportionate share of related environmental difficulties. As the region searches for acceptable compromises between growth and environmental quality, its influence on global environmental health is certain to increase. Consequences of global environmental change such as habitat alteration, storms, and sealevel rise will be particularly acute among Pacific Rim nations. Adverse health effects from arsenic exposure in Pacific Rim nations have been used to justify drinking water standards in the United States and elsewhere. As global manufacturing in the Pacific Rim increases, the centroid of global air quality and waste management issues will shift further toward Far Eastern nations. The Eleventh International Conference of the Pacific Basin Consortium (PBC) was held in September 2005 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The purpose of the conference was to bring together individuals to discuss regional challenges to sustainable growth. The historic emphasis of the conference on hazardous wastes in relation to human health makes the PBC an ideal forum for discussing technical aspects of sustainable economic growth in the Pacific region. That role is reflected in the 2005 PBC conference themes, which included management of arsenic in potable waters, air quality, climate change, pesticides, mercury, and electronics industry waste—each with emphasis on relationships to human health. Arsenic management exemplifies the manner in which the PBC can focus interdisciplinary discussion in a single technical area. The conference program provided talks on arsenic toxicology, treatment technologies, management of arsenic-bearing residuals from water treatment, and the probable societal costs and benefits of arsenic management. PMID:18087598

Report and analysis of a scarlet fever outbreak among adults through food-borne transmission in China.

PubMed

Yang, Shi-Gui; Dong, Hong-Jun; Li, Fu-Rong; Xie, Shu-Yun; Cao, Hong-Cui; Xia, Shi-Chang; Yu, Zhao; Li, Lan-Juan

2007-11-01

Scarlet fever is caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GAS). The clinical syndrome has receded in recent years, but occasionally explosive outbreaks do occur likely due to the emergence of GAS with virulence factors peculiar to this syndrome. Following the notification of an unexpectedly large number of scarlet fever cases amongst adults associated with a school in Ningbo, China, in June 2006, the epidemiological and clinical features of the outbreak were investigated. Logistic regression was conducted to investigate the risk factors of the outbreak and its transmission route. Forty five individuals suffered scarlet fever with an attack rate of 4.98% (45/904). There was a single peak in the epidemic curve, with the majority of the cases occurring during the first two days of the outbreak. The median age of cases was 35.5 years (range 17-65). Most patients had fever (43/45), sore throat (40/45), scarlatinoid rash (39/45) and strawberry-like tongue (30/45). In laboratory detection, 45 cases' throat swabs samples were collected and GAS were isolated from 8 throat swabs samples. All of the cases, except for 2, had eaten the Plain Boiled Chicken (PBC) for lunch on June 6th, and teaching staff and students who had not eaten the PBC were not affected by the epidemic. Logistic regression analysis indicated that PBC was a key risk factor (OR=21.0, P<0.05). The chef of the school refectory was responsible for washing, braising, cutting, and distributing the PBC, and was identified as the likely source. We describe an outbreak of scarlet fever caused by GAS-contaminated food.

Potential strategies to improve uptake of exercise interventions in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

PubMed

Frith, James; Day, Christopher P; Robinson, Lisa; Elliott, Chris; Jones, David E J; Newton, Julia L

2010-01-01

The management of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) concerns lifestyle modification and exercise; however, adherence is poor. Factors such as lack of confidence to exercise, poor understanding of the benefits of exercise, and a fear of falling all influence engagement in physical activity. To increase exercise in NAFLD it is important to understand the barriers to performing it. Three chronic liver disease cohorts were identified from the Newcastle Liver Database: NAFLD (n=230), alcoholic liver disease (ALD, n=110) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC, n=97). Assessment tools were completed by all subjects: Outcome Expectation for Exercise Scale (OEES, understanding the benefits of exercise, lower scores indicate greater understanding), Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale (SEES, confidence to exercise), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I, higher scores indicate greater fear of falling). Activity was analysed from a functional perspective using the PROMIS-HAQ. Understanding the benefits of exercise was similar across each group [median OEES scores: NAFLD 2.38 (range 0.0-5.0), ALD 2.25 (0.0-5.0), PBC 2.28 (1.0-5.0), p=0.6]. In NAFLD confidence to exercise was significantly lower [median SEES score 0.0 (0.0-10.0), PBC 4.5 (0.0-10.0), p<0.001]. Fear of falling was similar in NAFLD and PBC, and greatest in ALD [22 (0-64), 22 (3-64), 30 (0-64), p=0.044]. In NAFLD, fear of falling was independently associated with increasing difficulty performing activity. NAFLD patients understand the benefits of exercise but lack confidence to perform it. Fear of falling was independently associated with more difficulty performing activity. Fear of falling and confidence are modifiable and potential targets to improve uptake and adherence for exercise intervention.

Meeting report: threats to human health and environmental sustainability in the pacific basin.

PubMed

Arnold, Robert G; Carpenter, David O; Kirk, Donald; Koh, David; Armour, Margaret-Ann; Cebrian, Mariano; Cifuentes, Luis; Khwaja, Mahmood; Ling, Bo; Makalinao, Irma; Paz-Y-Miño, César; Peralta, Genandrialine; Prasad, Rajendra; Singh, Kirpal; Sly, Peter; Tohyama, Chiharu; Woodward, Alistair; Zheng, Baoshan; Maiden, Todd

2007-12-01

The coastal zone of the Pacific Rim is home for about one-third of the world's population. Disproportionate growth of Far Eastern economies has produced a disproportionate share of related environmental difficulties. As the region searches for acceptable compromises between growth and environmental quality, its influence on global environmental health is certain to increase. Consequences of global environmental change such as habitat alteration, storms, and sea level rise will be particularly acute among Pacific Rim nations. Adverse health effects from arsenic exposure in Pacific Rim nations have been used to justify drinking water standards in the United States and elsewhere. As global manufacturing in the Pacific Rim increases, the centroid of global air quality and waste management issues will shift further toward Far Eastern nations. The Eleventh International Conference of the Pacific Basin Consortium (PBC) was held in September 2005 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The purpose of the conference was to bring together individuals to discuss regional challenges to sustainable growth. The historic emphasis of the conference on hazardous wastes in relation to human health makes the PBC an ideal forum for discussing technical aspects of sustainable economic growth in the Pacific region. That role is reflected in the 2005 PBC conference themes, which included management of arsenic in potable waters, air quality, climate change, pesticides, mercury, and electronics industry waste-each with emphasis on relationships to human health. Arsenic management exemplifies the manner in which the PBC can focus interdisciplinary discussion in a single technical area. The conference program provided talks on arsenic toxicology, treatment technologies, management of arsenic-bearing residuals from water treatment, and the probable societal costs and benefits of arsenic management.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Iwai, P; Lins, L Nadler

Purpose: There is a lack of studies with significant cohort data about patients using pacemaker (PM), implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device undergoing radiotherapy. There is no literature comparing the cumulative doses delivered to those cardiac implanted electronic devices (CIED) calculated by different algorithms neither studies comparing doses with heterogeneity correction or not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the algorithms Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC), Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB (AXB) as well as heterogeneity correction on risk categorization of patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 19 3DCRT ormore » IMRT plans of 17 patients was conducted, calculating the dose delivered to CIED using three different calculation algorithms. Doses were evaluated with and without heterogeneity correction for comparison. Risk categorization of the patients was based on their CIED dependency and cumulative dose in the devices. Results: Total estimated doses at CIED calculated by AAA or AXB were higher than those calculated by PBC in 56% of the cases. In average, the doses at CIED calculated by AAA and AXB were higher than those calculated by PBC (29% and 4% higher, respectively). The maximum difference of doses calculated by each algorithm was about 1 Gy, either using heterogeneity correction or not. Values of maximum dose calculated with heterogeneity correction showed that dose at CIED was at least equal or higher in 84% of the cases with PBC, 77% with AAA and 67% with AXB than dose obtained with no heterogeneity correction. Conclusion: The dose calculation algorithm and heterogeneity correction did not change the risk categorization. Since higher estimated doses delivered to CIED do not compromise treatment precautions to be taken, it’s recommend that the most sophisticated algorithm available should be used to predict dose at the CIED using heterogeneity correction.« less

Comparing solutions to the expectancy-value muddle in the theory of planned behaviour.

PubMed

O' Sullivan, B; McGee, H; Keegan, O

2008-11-01

The authors of the Theories of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Planned Behaviour (TPB) recommended a method for statistically analysing the relationship between the indirect belief-based measures and the direct measures of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control (PBC). However, there is a growing awareness that this yields statistically uninterpretable results. This study's objective was to compare two solutions to what has been called the 'expectancy-value muddle'. These solutions were (i) optimal scoring of modal beliefs and (ii) individual beliefs without multiplicative composites. Cross-sectional data were collected by telephone interview. Participants were 110 first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), who were offered CRC screening in the study hospital (83% response rate). Participants were asked to rate the TPB constructs in relation to attending for CRC screening. There was no significant difference in the correlation between behavioural beliefs and attitude for rescaled modal and individual beliefs. This was also the case for control beliefs and PBC. By contrast, there was a large correlation between rescaled modal normative beliefs and subjective norm, whereas individual normative beliefs did not correlate with subjective norm. Using individual beliefs without multiplicative composites allows for a fairly unproblematic interpretation of the relationship between the indirect and direct TPB constructs (French & Hankins, 2003). Therefore, it is recommended that future studies consider using individual measures of behavioural and control beliefs without multiplicative composites and examine a different way of measuring individual normative beliefs without multiplicative composites to that used in this study.

Gill and lung ventilation responses to steady-state aquatic hypoxia and hyperoxia in the bullfrog tadpole.

PubMed

West, N H; Burggren, W W

1982-02-01

Gill ventilation frequency (fG), the pressure amplitude (PBC) and stroke volume (VS) of buccal ventilation cycles, the frequency of air breaths (fL), water flow over the gills (VW), gill oxygen uptake (MGO2), oxygen utilization (U), and heart frequency (fH) have been measured in unanaesthetized, air breathing Rana catesbeiana tadpoles (stage XVI-XIX). The animals were unrestrained except for ECG leads or cannulae, and were able to surface voluntarily for air breathing. They were subjected to aquatic normoxia, hyperoxia and three levels of aquatic hypoxia, and their respiratory responses recorded in the steady state. The experiments were performed at 20 +/- 0.5 degrees C. In hyperoxia there was an absence of air breathing, and fG, PBC and VW fell from the normoxic values, while U increased, resulting in no significant change in MGO2. Animals in normoxia showed a very low fL which increased in progressively more hypoxic states. VW increased from the normoxic value in mild hypoxia (PO2 = 96 +/- 2 mm Hg), but fell, associated with a reduction in PBC, in moderate (PO2 = 41 +/- 1 mm Hg) and severe (PO2 = 21 +/- 3 mm Hg) hypoxia in the presence of lung ventilation. Gill MGO2 was not significantly different from the normoxic value in mild hypoxia but fell in moderate hypoxia, while in severe hypoxia oxygen was lost to the ventilating water from the blood perfusing the gills. There was no significant change in fH from the normoxic value in either hypoxia or hyperoxia. These data indicate, that in the bimodally breathing bullfrog tadpole, aquatic PO2 exerts a strong control over both gill and lung ventilation. Furthermore, there is an interaction between gill and lung ventilation such that the onset of a high frequency of lung ventilation in moderate and severe hypoxia promotes a suppression of gill ventilation cycles.

Biochar provides a safe and value-added solution for hyperaccumulating plant disposal: A case study of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. (Phytolaccaceae).

PubMed

Wang, Shengsen; Gao, Bin; Li, Yuncong; Ok, Yong Sik; Shen, Chaofeng; Xue, Shengguo

2017-07-01

In this work, an innovative approach using biochar technology for hyperaccumulator disposal was developed and evaluated. The heavy metal enriched P. acinosa biomass (PBM) was pyrolyzed to produce biochar (PBC). Both PBM and PBC were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystal phases, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface topography, and analyzed for elemental composition and mobility. The results revealed that whewellite, a dominant crystal form in biomass, was decomposed to calcite after pyrolysis. Elemental analysis indicated that 91-99% total non-volatile elements in the biomass were retained in the biochar. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) results revealed that 94.6% and 0.15% of total Mn was extracted for biomass and biochar, respectively. This suggests that mobility and bioavailability of Mn in biochar was much lower relative to pristine biomass. Batch sorption experiment showed that excellent removal of aqueous silver, lead, cadmium, and copper ions can be achieved with PBC. Findings from this work indicated that biochar technology can provide a value-added solution for hyperaccumulator disposal. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Passage-Based Bibliographic Coupling: An Inter-Article Similarity Measure for Biomedical Articles

PubMed Central

Liu, Rey-Long

2015-01-01

Biomedical literature is an essential source of biomedical evidence. To translate the evidence for biomedicine study, researchers often need to carefully read multiple articles about specific biomedical issues. These articles thus need to be highly related to each other. They should share similar core contents, including research goals, methods, and findings. However, given an article r, it is challenging for search engines to retrieve highly related articles for r. In this paper, we present a technique PBC (Passage-based Bibliographic Coupling) that estimates inter-article similarity by seamlessly integrating bibliographic coupling with the information collected from context passages around important out-link citations (references) in each article. Empirical evaluation shows that PBC can significantly improve the retrieval of those articles that biomedical experts believe to be highly related to specific articles about gene-disease associations. PBC can thus be used to improve search engines in retrieving the highly related articles for any given article r, even when r is cited by very few (or even no) articles. The contribution is essential for those researchers and text mining systems that aim at cross-validating the evidence about specific gene-disease associations. PMID:26440794

Passage-Based Bibliographic Coupling: An Inter-Article Similarity Measure for Biomedical Articles.

PubMed

Liu, Rey-Long

2015-01-01

Biomedical literature is an essential source of biomedical evidence. To translate the evidence for biomedicine study, researchers often need to carefully read multiple articles about specific biomedical issues. These articles thus need to be highly related to each other. They should share similar core contents, including research goals, methods, and findings. However, given an article r, it is challenging for search engines to retrieve highly related articles for r. In this paper, we present a technique PBC (Passage-based Bibliographic Coupling) that estimates inter-article similarity by seamlessly integrating bibliographic coupling with the information collected from context passages around important out-link citations (references) in each article. Empirical evaluation shows that PBC can significantly improve the retrieval of those articles that biomedical experts believe to be highly related to specific articles about gene-disease associations. PBC can thus be used to improve search engines in retrieving the highly related articles for any given article r, even when r is cited by very few (or even no) articles. The contribution is essential for those researchers and text mining systems that aim at cross-validating the evidence about specific gene-disease associations.

Cirrhosis and autoimmune liver disease: Current understanding

PubMed Central

Liberal, Rodrigo; Grant, Charlotte R

2016-01-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) constitute the classic autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs). While AIH target the hepatocytes, in PBC and PSC the targets of the autoimmune attack are the biliary epithelial cells. Persistent liver injury, associated with chronic AILD, leads to un-resolving inflammation, cell proliferation and the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins by hepatic stellate cells and portal myofibroblasts. Liver cirrhosis, and the resultant loss of normal liver function, inevitably ensues. Patients with cirrhosis have higher risks or morbidity and mortality, and that in the decompensated phase, complications of portal hypertension and/or liver dysfunction lead to rapid deterioration. Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of cirrhosis is, therefore of upmost importance. Liver biopsy is currently the gold standard technique, but highly promising non-invasive methodology is under development. Liver transplantation (LT) is an effective therapeutic option for the management of end-stage liver disease secondary to AIH, PBC and PSC. LT is indicated for AILD patients who have progressed to end-stage chronic liver disease or developed intractable symptoms or hepatic malignancy; in addition, LT may also be indicated for patients presenting with acute liver disease due to AIH who do not respond to steroids. PMID:27729952

Nanopore Long-Read Guided Complete Genome Assembly of Hydrogenophaga intermedia, and Genomic Insights into 4-Aminobenzenesulfonate, p-Aminobenzoic Acid and Hydrogen Metabolism in the Genus Hydrogenophaga.

PubMed

Gan, Han M; Lee, Yin P; Austin, Christopher M

2017-01-01

We improved upon the previously reported draft genome of Hydrogenophaga intermedia strain PBC, a 4-aminobenzenesulfonate-degrading bacterium, by supplementing the assembly with Nanopore long reads which enabled the reconstruction of the genome as a single contig. From the complete genome, major genes responsible for the catabolism of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate in strain PBC are clustered in two distinct genomic regions. Although the catabolic genes for 4-sulfocatechol, the deaminated product of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate, are only found in H. intermedia , the sad operon responsible for the first deamination step of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate is conserved in various Hydrogenophaga strains. The absence of pabB gene in the complete genome of H. intermedia PBC is consistent with its p -aminobenzoic acid (pABA) auxotrophy but surprisingly comparative genomics analysis of 14 Hydrogenophaga genomes indicate that pABA auxotrophy is not an uncommon feature among members of this genus. Of even more interest, several Hydrogenophaga strains do not possess the genomic potential for hydrogen oxidation, calling for a revision to the taxonomic description of Hydrogenophaga as "hydrogen eating bacteria."

The TALE face of Hox proteins in animal evolution.

PubMed

Merabet, Samir; Galliot, Brigitte

2015-01-01

Hox genes are major regulators of embryonic development. One of their most conserved functions is to coordinate the formation of specific body structures along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis in Bilateria. This architectural role was at the basis of several morphological innovations across bilaterian evolution. In this review, we traced the origin of the Hox patterning system by considering the partnership with PBC and Meis proteins. PBC and Meis belong to the TALE-class of homeodomain-containing transcription factors and act as generic cofactors of Hox proteins for AP axis patterning in Bilateria. Recent data indicate that Hox proteins acquired the ability to interact with their TALE partners in the last common ancestor of Bilateria and Cnidaria. These interactions relied initially on a short peptide motif called hexapeptide (HX), which is present in Hox and non-Hox protein families. Remarkably, Hox proteins can also recruit the TALE cofactors by using specific PBC Interaction Motifs (SPIMs). We describe how a functional Hox/TALE patterning system emerged in eumetazoans through the acquisition of SPIMs. We anticipate that interaction flexibility could be found in other patterning systems, being at the heart of the astonishing morphological diversity observed in the animal kingdom.

The TALE face of Hox proteins in animal evolution

PubMed Central

Merabet, Samir; Galliot, Brigitte

2015-01-01

Hox genes are major regulators of embryonic development. One of their most conserved functions is to coordinate the formation of specific body structures along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis in Bilateria. This architectural role was at the basis of several morphological innovations across bilaterian evolution. In this review, we traced the origin of the Hox patterning system by considering the partnership with PBC and Meis proteins. PBC and Meis belong to the TALE-class of homeodomain-containing transcription factors and act as generic cofactors of Hox proteins for AP axis patterning in Bilateria. Recent data indicate that Hox proteins acquired the ability to interact with their TALE partners in the last common ancestor of Bilateria and Cnidaria. These interactions relied initially on a short peptide motif called hexapeptide (HX), which is present in Hox and non-Hox protein families. Remarkably, Hox proteins can also recruit the TALE cofactors by using specific PBC Interaction Motifs (SPIMs). We describe how a functional Hox/TALE patterning system emerged in eumetazoans through the acquisition of SPIMs. We anticipate that interaction flexibility could be found in other patterning systems, being at the heart of the astonishing morphological diversity observed in the animal kingdom. PMID:26347770

Adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solution by UV-mutant Bacillus subtilis loaded on biochars derived from different stock materials.

PubMed

Wang, Ting; Sun, Hongwen; Ren, Xinhao; Li, Bing; Mao, Hongjun

2018-02-01

Two kinds of biochars, one derived from corn straw (CBC) and one from pig manure (PBC), were used as the carriers of a bacterium (B38) to adsorb heavy metals in solution. CBC exhibited high affinity to Hg(II), while PBC showed large adsorption capacity of Pb(II). After loading with B38, the sorption capacity of the co-sorbents were enhanced for Pb(II), but weakened for Hg(II). In a binary system, the overall adsorption capacity to Hg-Pb (CBC+B38, 136.7mg/g; PBC+B38, 181.3mg/g) on co-sorbents was equal to the sum of the single-component values for Hg(II) and Pb(II). Electrostatic interactions and precipitation are the major mechanisms in the adsorption of Hg(II). In contrast, cation-π interactions and precipitation were involved in the sorption process of Pb(II). Moreover, the sorption sites of Hg(II) and Pb(II) partially overlapped on the biochar surface, but were different on co-sorbents. Hence, the co-sorbents have an advantage over the biochar alone in the removal of heavy metal mixtures. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Examining consumer behavior toward genetically modified (GM) food in Britain.

PubMed

Spence, Alexa; Townsend, Ellen

2006-06-01

This study examined behavior toward genetically modified (GM) food in a British community-based sample. We used an equivalent gain task in which participants actually received the options they chose to encourage truthful responding. In conjunction with this, theory of planned behavior (TPB) components were evaluated so as to examine the relative importance of behavioral influences in this domain. Here, the TPB was extended to include additional components to measure self-identity, moral norms, and emotional involvement. Results indicated that the monetary amounts participants accepted in preference to GM food were significantly lower than those accepted in preference to non-GM food. However, the vast majority of participants were indifferent between GM and non-GM food options. All TPB components significantly predicted behavioral intentions to try GM food, with attitudes toward GM being the strongest predictor. Self-identity and emotional involvement were also found to be significant predictors of behavioral intentions but moral norms were not. In addition, behavioral intentions significantly predicted behavior; however, PBC did not. An additional measure of participants' propensity to respond in a socially desirable manner indicated that our results were not influenced by self-presentation issues, giving confidence to our findings. Overall, it appears that the majority of participants (74.5%) would purchase GM food at some price.

Does the Theory of Planned Behaviour Explain Condom Use Behaviour Among Men Who have Sex with Men? A Meta-analytic Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Andrew, Benjamin J; Mullan, Barbara A; de Wit, John B F; Monds, Lauren A; Todd, Jemma; Kothe, Emily J

2016-12-01

The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore whether the constructs in the theory of planned behaviour (TPB; i.e., attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, intention) explain condom use behaviour among men who have sex with men (MSM). Electronic databases were searched for studies that measured TPB variables and MSM condom use. Correlations were meta-analysed using a random effects model and path analyses. Moderation analyses were conducted for the time frame of the behavioural measure used (retrospective versus prospective). Attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control accounted for 24.0 % of the variance in condom use intention and were all significant correlates. Intention and PBC accounted for 12.4 % of the variance in condom use behaviour. However, after taking intention into account, PBC was no longer significantly associated with condom use. The strength of construct relationships did not differ between retrospective and prospective behavioural assessments. The medium to large effect sizes of the relationships between the constructs in the TPB, which are consistent with previous meta-analyses with different behaviours or target groups, suggest that the TPB is also a useful model for explaining condom use behaviour among MSM. However, the research in this area is rather small, and greater clarity over moderating factors can only be achieved when the literature expands.

Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment of vanishing bile duct syndromes

PubMed Central

Pusl, Thomas; Beuers, Ulrich

2006-01-01

Vanishing bile duct syndromes (VBDS) are characterized by progressive loss of small intrahepatic ducts caused by a variety of different diseases leading to chronic cholestasis, cirrhosis, and premature death from liver failure. The majority of adult patients with VBDS suffer from primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a hydrophilic dihydroxy bile acid, is the only drug currently approved for the treatment of patients with PBC, and anticholestatic effects have been reported for several other cholestatic syndromes. Several potential mechanisms of action of UDCA have been proposed including stimulation of hepatobiliary secretion, inhibition of apoptosis and protection of cholangiocytes against toxic effects of hydrophobic bile acids. PMID:16773706

Linking matrices in systems with periodic boundary conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panagiotou, Eleni; Millett, Kenneth C.

2018-06-01

We study the linking matrix, a measure of entanglement for a collection of closed or open chains in 3-space based on the Gauss linking number. Periodic boundary conditions (PBC) are often used in the simulation of physical systems of filaments. To measure entanglement of closed or open chains in systems employing PBC we use the periodic linking matrix, based on the periodic linking number, defined in Panagiotou (2015 J. Comput. Phys. 300 533–73). We study the properties of the periodic linking matrix as a function of cell size. We provide analytical results concerning the eigenvalues of the periodic linking matrix and show that some of them are invariant of cell-size.

High polarization purity operation of 99% in 9xx-nm broad stripe laser diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morohashi, Rintaro; Yamagata, Yuji; Kaifuchi, Yoshikazu; Tada, Katsuhisa; Nogawa, Ryozaburo; Yamada, Yumi; Yamaguchi, Masayuki

2018-02-01

Polarization characteristics of self-aligned stripe (SAS) laser diodes (LDs) and Ridge-LDs are investigated to realize highly efficient polarization beam combined (PBC) LD modules. Vertical layers of both lasers are designed identically. Near field patterns (NFP) of TM polarization for the Ridge-LD showed peaks at the side edges, as expected by the strain simulation. On the other hand, SAS-LD showed a relatively flat and weak profile. Polarization purity (ITE/ (ITE+ITM)) of SAS-LDs exceeds 99%, while those of the Ridge-LDs are as low as 96%. It is confirmed that our SAS-LDs are suitable sources for PBC with low power loss.

Pig farmers' perceptions, attitudes, influences and management of information in the decision-making process for disease control.

PubMed

Alarcon, Pablo; Wieland, Barbara; Mateus, Ana L P; Dewberry, Chris

2014-10-01

The objectives of this study were (1) to explore the factors involved in the decision-making process used by pig farmers for disease control and (2) to investigate pig farmers' attitudes and perceptions about different information sources relating to disease control. In 2011 a qualitative study involving 20 face-to-face interviews with English pig farmers was conducted. The questionnaire was composed of three parts. The first part required farmers to identify two diseases they had experienced and which were difficult to recognize and/or control. They were asked to report how the disease problem was recognized, how the need for control was decided, and what affected the choice of control approach. For the latter, a structure related to the Theory of Planned Behaviour was used. Their verbal responses were classified as associated with: (1) attitude and beliefs, (2) subjective norms, or (3) perceived behavioural control (PBC). In the second part, five key sources of information for disease control (Defra, BPEX, research from academia, internet and veterinarians) and the factors related to barriers to knowledge were investigated. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. A qualitative analysis of the text of the interview transcripts was carried out using templates. Drivers for disease control were 'pig mortality', 'feeling of entering in an economically critical situation', 'animal welfare' and 'feeling of despair'. Veterinarians were perceived by several participating farmers as the most trusted information source on disease control. However, in particular non-sustainable situations, other producers, and especially experiences from abroad, seemed to considerably influence the farmers' decision-making. 'Lack of knowledge', 'farm structure and management barriers' and 'economic constrains' were identified in relation to PBC. Several negative themes, such as 'lack of communication', 'not knowing where to look', and 'information bias' were associated with research from academia. This study identified a range of factors influencing the decision-making process for disease control by pig farmers. In addition, it highlighted the lack of awareness and difficult access of producers to current scientific research outputs. The factors identified should be considered when developing communication strategies to disseminate research findings and advice for disease control. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. Testing an intervention based on the theory of planned behaviour.

PubMed

Kothe, E J; Mullan, B A; Butow, P

2012-06-01

This study evaluated the efficacy of a theory of planned behaviour (TPB) based intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. The extent to which fruit and vegetable consumption and change in intake could be explained by the TPB was also examined. Participants were randomly assigned to two levels of intervention frequency matched for intervention content (low frequency n=92, high frequency n=102). Participants received TPB-based email messages designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, messages targeted attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control (PBC). Baseline and post-intervention measures of TPB variables and behaviour were collected. Across the entire study cohort, fruit and vegetable consumption increased by 0.83 servings/day between baseline and follow-up. Intention, attitude, subjective norm and PBC also increased (p<.05). The TPB successfully modelled fruit and vegetable consumption at both time points but not behaviour change. The increase of fruit and vegetable consumption is a promising preliminary finding for those primarily interested in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. However, those interested in theory development may have concerns about the use of this model to explain behaviour change in this context. More high quality experimental tests of the theory are needed to confirm this result. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Social cognitions about food choice in children aged five to eight years: Feasibility and predictive validity of an age appropriate measurement.

PubMed

Fernandes-Machado, Sandra; Gellert, Paul; Goncalves, Sonia; Sniehotta, Falko F; Araujo-Soares, Vera

2016-10-01

There are currently no instruments available to measure social cognitions towards food choice in children. This study aimed to test the feasibility and predictive validity of a novel measurement tool to assess food-related social cognitions. Sixty-eight children, five to eight years old, were asked to sort cards with photographs of four fruit and four sweet/savoury snacks as a mean to measure attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control (PBC), and intention. Subsequently, food choice (dependent variable) was assessed using a laboratory food choice task in which children could gain access to sweet and savoury or fruit items, or a combination. All participants completed the tasks successfully, demonstrating feasibility of the procedure. The order in which the cards were sorted for each construct differed sufficiently and correlations between constructs were in line with previous studies. Measures of PBC, intention, attitude, and subjective norm from the mother, but not from teachers or friends, correlated significantly with subsequent food choice. It is possible to measure food-related social cognitions in children aged five to eight and these measures were predictive of observed behaviour. The new instrument can contribute to our understanding of psychological determinants of food choice in young children. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Testing an integrated behavioural and biomedical model of disability in N-of-1 studies with chronic pain.

PubMed

Quinn, Francis; Johnston, Marie; Johnston, Derek W

2013-01-01

Previous research has supported an integrated biomedical and behavioural model explaining activity limitations. However, further tests of this model are required at the within-person level, because while it proposes that the constructs are related within individuals, it has primarily been tested between individuals in large group studies. We aimed to test the integrated model at the within-person level. Six correlational N-of-1 studies in participants with arthritis, chronic pain and walking limitations were carried out. Daily measures of theoretical constructs were collected using a hand-held computer (PDA), the activity was assessed by self-report and accelerometer and the data were analysed using time-series analysis. The biomedical model was not supported as pain impairment did not predict activity, so the integrated model was supported partially. Impairment predicted intention to move around, while perceived behavioural control (PBC) and intention predicted activity. PBC did not predict activity limitation in the expected direction. The integrated model of disability was partially supported within individuals, especially the behavioural elements. However, results suggest that different elements of the model may drive activity (limitations) for different individuals. The integrated model provides a useful framework for understanding disability and suggests interventions, and the utility of N-of-1 methodology for testing theory is illustrated.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: New gamma-ray blazar candidates in the 3PBC (Maselli+, 2013)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maselli, A.; Massaro, F.; Cusumano, G.; D'Abrusco, R.; La Parola, V.; Paggi, A.; Segreto, A.; Smith, H. A.; Tosti, G.

2013-06-01

We searched for γ-ray blazar candidates among the 382 unidentified hard X-ray sources of the third Palermo BAT Catalog (3PBC) obtained from the analysis of 66 months of Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) survey data and listing 1586 sources. We adopted a recently developed association method based on the peculiar infrared colors that characterize the γ-ray blazars included in the second catalog of active galactic nuclei detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope. We used this method exploiting the data of the all-sky survey performed by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) to establish correspondences between unidentified 3PBC sources and WISE γ-ray blazar candidates located within the BAT positional uncertainty region at a 99% confidence level. We obtained a preliminary list of candidates for which we analyzed all the available data in the Swift archive to complement the information in the literature and in the radio, infrared, and optical catalogs with the information on their optical-UV and soft X-ray emission. Requiring the presence of radio and soft X-ray counterparts consistent with the infrared positions of the selected WISE sources, as well as a blazar-like radio morphology, we finally obtained a list of 24 γ-ray blazar candidates. (2 data files).

Autoimmune liver disease 2007.

PubMed

Muratori, Paolo; Granito, Alessandro; Pappas, Georgios; Muratori, Luigi; Lenzi, Marco; Bianchi, Francesco B

2008-01-01

Autoimmune liver disease (ALD) includes a spectrum of diseases which comprises both cholestatic and hepatitic forms: autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and the so called "overlap" syndromes where hepatitic and cholestatic damage coexists. All these diseases are characterized by an extremely high heterogeneity of presentation, varying from asymptomatic, acute (as in a subset of AIH) or chronic (with aspecific symptoms such as fatigue and myalgia in AIH or fatigue and pruritus in PBC and PSC). The detection and characterization of non organ specific autoantibodies plays a major role in the diagnostic approach of autoimmune liver disease; anti nuclear reactivities (ANA) and anti smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) mark type 1 AIH, liver kidney microsomal antibody type 1 (LKM1) and liver cytosol type 1 (LC1) are the serological markers of type 2 AIH; antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) are associated with PBC, while no specific marker is found in PSC, since anticytoplasmic neutrophil antibodies with perinuclear pattern (atypical p-ANCA or p-ANNA) are also detected in a substantial proportion of type 1 AIH cases. Treatment options rely on immunosoppressive therapy (steroids and azathioprine) in AIH and on ursodeoxycholic acid in cholestatic conditions; in all these diseases liver transplantation remains the only therapeutical approach for the end stage of liver disease.

Resistance of Pseudomonas to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds. I. Growth in Benzalkonium Chloride Solution

PubMed Central

Adair, Frank W.; Geftic, Sam G.; Gelzer, Justus

1969-01-01

Resistant cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a waterborne Pseudomonas sp. (strain Z-R) were able to multiply in nitrogen-free minimal salts solution containing various concentrations of commercially prepared, ammonium acetate-buffered benzalkonium chloride (CBC), a potent antimicrobial agent. As the CBC concentration increased, growth increased until a point was reached at which the extent of growth leveled off or was completely depressed. Minimal salts solutions of pure benzalkonium chloride (PBC) containing no ammonium acetate did not support bacterial growth. When ammonium acetate was added to PBC solutions in the same concentrations found in CBC solutions, growth patterns developed that were comparable to those found with CBC. Likewise, (NH4)2SO4 added to PBC solutions supported growth of both organisms. P. aeruginosa was initially resistant to CBC levels of 0.02% and it was adapted to tolerate levels as high as 0.36%. Strain Z-R was naturally resistant to 0.4% CBC. Since ammonium acetate, carried over by the CBC used in drug formulations and disinfectant solutions, has the potential to support the growth of resistant bacteria and thus make possible the risk of serious infection, it is suggested that regulations allowing the presence of ammonium acetate in CBC solution be reconsidered. PMID:4984761

In vivo verification of radiation dose delivered to healthy tissue during radiotherapy for breast cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lonski, P.; Taylor, M. L.; Hackworth, W.; Phipps, A.; Franich, R. D.; Kron, T.

2014-03-01

Different treatment planning system (TPS) algorithms calculate radiation dose in different ways. This work compares measurements made in vivo to the dose calculated at out-of-field locations using three different commercially available algorithms in the Eclipse treatment planning system. LiF: Mg, Cu, P thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips were placed with 1 cm build-up at six locations on the contralateral side of 5 patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. TLD readings were compared to calculations of Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC), Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB (XB). AAA predicted zero dose at points beyond 16 cm from the field edge. In the same region PBC returned an unrealistically constant result independent of distance and XB showed good agreement to measured data although consistently underestimated by ~0.1 % of the prescription dose. At points closer to the field edge XB was the superior algorithm, exhibiting agreement with TLD results to within 15 % of measured dose. Both AAA and PBC showed mixed agreement, with overall discrepancies considerably greater than XB. While XB is certainly the preferable algorithm, it should be noted that TPS algorithms in general are not designed to calculate dose at peripheral locations and calculation results in such regions should be treated with caution.

Usefulness of oxidative stress biomarkers evaluated in the snout scraping, serum and Peripheral Blood Cells of Crocodylus moreletii from Southeast Campeche for assessment of the toxic impact of PAHs, metals and total phenols.

PubMed

Dzul-Caamal, Ricardo; Hernández-López, Abigail; Gonzalez-Jáuregui, Mauricio; Padilla, Sergio E; Girón-Pérez, Manuel Ivan; Vega-López, Armando

2016-10-01

In this study, we assessed the effects of inorganic and organic pollutants [As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, PAHs (11 compounds) and total phenols] from a panel of biomarkers [O2, H2O2, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl proteins (RCO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total cytochrome P450 activities] evaluated in the Snout Scraping (SS), Serum (S) and Peripheral Blood Cells (PBC) of the Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) inhabiting the reference locality (Lake Mocu) and polluted locality (Champoton River) using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). In male crocodiles from the reference site, only H2O2 in PBC was related to levels of fluoranthene on the Keel of Caudal Scales (KCS), but, in females, no association was detected. In contrast, a sex-linked response was detected in specimens from the polluted locality. Levels of benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, pyrene, phenanthrene, acenaphthene, Zn, Cu, and Pb in KCS of the female crocodil were related to the oxidative stress biomarkers on PBC, incluing the total CYP450 activity and levels of O2, H2O2 in serum. However, in male crocodiles, the oxidative stress in SS and in the serum (TBARS, RCO, CAT, GPx), and SOD in PBC was related to As, Pb, Cu, Fe, and benzo[a]pyrene water concentrations and to the burdens of As, Fe, Mn, indeno[1,2,3cd]pyrene in KCS. These results confirm the usefulness of minimal or non-invasive methods of evaluating the oxidative stress response for the environmental monitoring program on the wild Morelet's crocodile that is subject to special protection in Mexican guidelines. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Seasonal Variations of Atmospheric Black Carbon Concentrations and Implications for Nutrient Inputs and Organic Carbon Partitioning in the Marine Coastal Ecosystem of Halong Bay, North Vietnam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mari, X.; Thuoc, C. V.; Guinot, B. P.; Brune, J.; Lefebvre, J. P.; Raimbault, P.; Niggemann, J.; Dittmar, T.

2016-02-01

Black Carbon (BC) is an aerosol emitted during biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion. On a global scale, BC deposits on the ocean at a rate of 12-45 Tg per year, with higher fluxes in the northern hemisphere and in inter-tropical regions, following the occurrence of hotspots of atmospheric BC concentration. In the present study conducted in a coastal site located in a regional hotspot of atmospheric BC concentration, North Vietnam, we monitored the seasonal variations of atmospheric and marine BC during an annual cycle. Atmospheric BC followed a seasonal pattern characterized by high concentrations during the dry season, i.e. from October to April, and low concentrations during the wet season, i.e. from May to September. This trend is linked to a change in wind regime, with air masses originating from the North during the dry season and from the South during the wet season. On average, the contribution of BC to the particulate and the dissolved organic carbon pools was 43% and 3%, respectively. The concentration of particulate BC (PBC) was on average 50 times higher in the surface microlayer (SML) than in the water column. In the water column, the concentration of PBC was higher during the dry season than the wet season, which is consistent with variations of atmospheric BC concentrations. On the contrary, the concentration of dissolved BC (DBC) was lower during the dry season than the wet season. This seasonal pattern suggests that PBC concentration in coastal marine systems depends upon atmospheric BC concentration, while increased DBC concentration is linked to rainy conditions. The deposition of BC during the dry season was concomitant with a strong enrichment of organic phosphorus in the SML. During the annual cycle, the POC:DOC ratio was positively correlated with the concentration of PBC, suggesting adsorption of DOC onto BC particles and formation of POC via stimulation of aggregation processes.

Statistic and dosimetric criteria to assess the shift of the prescribed dose for lung radiotherapy plans when integrating point kernel models in medical physics: are we ready?

PubMed

Chaikh, Abdulhamid; Balosso, Jacques

2016-12-01

To apply the statistical bootstrap analysis and dosimetric criteria's to assess the change of prescribed dose (PD) for lung cancer to maintain the same clinical results when using new generations of dose calculation algorithms. Nine lung cancer cases were studied. For each patient, three treatment plans were generated using exactly the same beams arrangements. In plan 1, the dose was calculated using pencil beam convolution (PBC) algorithm turning on heterogeneity correction with modified batho (PBC-MB). In plan 2, the dose was calculated using anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) and the same PD, as plan 1. In plan 3, the dose was calculated using AAA with monitor units (MUs) obtained from PBC-MB, as input. The dosimetric criteria's include MUs, delivered dose at isocentre (Diso) and calculated dose to 95% of the target volume (D95). The bootstrap method was used to assess the significance of the dose differences and to accurately estimate the 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Wilcoxon and Spearman's rank tests were used to calculate P values and the correlation coefficient (ρ). Statistically significant for dose difference was found using point kernel model. A good correlation was observed between both algorithms types, with ρ>0.9. Using AAA instead of PBC-MB, an adjustment of the PD in the isocentre is suggested. For a given set of patients, we assessed the need to readjust the PD for lung cancer using dosimetric indices and bootstrap statistical method. Thus, if the goal is to keep on with the same clinical results, the PD for lung tumors has to be adjusted with AAA. According to our simulation we suggest to readjust the PD by 5% and an optimization for beam arrangements to better protect the organs at risks (OARs).

Serum Wisteria floribunda Agglutinin-Positive Mac-2-Binding Protein Level Predicts Liver Fibrosis and Prognosis in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.

PubMed

Umemura, Takeji; Joshita, Satoru; Sekiguchi, Tomohiro; Usami, Yoko; Shibata, Soichiro; Kimura, Takefumi; Komatsu, Michiharu; Matsumoto, Akihiro; Ota, Masao; Tanaka, Eiji

2015-06-01

Noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are needed for predicting disease progression. As the Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA(+)-M2BP) was recently established as a liver fibrosis glycobiomarker in chronic hepatitis C, we assessed its efficacy in evaluating liver fibrosis stage and disease progression in PBC. A total of 137 patients with PBC who underwent liver biopsy and serological tests for WFA(+)-M2BP were enrolled. All patients were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. Clinical data were compared with those for other noninvasive markers (aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio, FIB-4 index, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, Forn's index, and Mayo score) for estimating liver fibrosis using receiver operating characteristic analysis. The association between WFA(+)-M2BP and clinical outcome (liver decompensation, liver transplantation, or death) was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model with stepwise method. WFA(+)-M2BP was independently associated with liver fibrosis stage as determined by liver biopsy. The cutoff values of WFA(+)-M2BP for fibrosis stages ≥F1, ≥F2, ≥F3, and F4 were 0.7, 1.0, 1.4, and 2.0, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for significant fibrosis, severe fibrosis, and cirrhosis were 0.979, 0.933, and 0.965, respectively. WFA(+)-M2BP was significantly superior to the other indices for the determination of significant and severe fibrosis stages. Furthermore, the WFA(+)-M2BP level at enrollment was strongly and independently associated with clinical outcome (hazard ratio 18.59, P=0.021). Baseline measurements of WFA(+)-M2BP represent a simple and reliable noninvasive surrogate marker of liver fibrosis and prognosis in patients with PBC.

Quantitative HER2 and p95HER2 levels in primary breast cancers and matched brain metastases.

PubMed

Duchnowska, Renata; Sperinde, Jeff; Chenna, Ahmed; Huang, Weidong; Weidler, Jodi M; Winslow, John; Haddad, Mojgan; Paquet, Agnes; Lie, Yolanda; Trojanowski, Tomasz; Mandat, Tomasz; Kowalczyk, Anna; Czartoryska-Arłukowicz, Bogumiła; Radecka, Barbara; Jarosz, Bożena; Staszkiewicz, Rafal; Kalinka-Warzocha, Ewa; Chudzik, Małgorzata; Biernat, Wojciech; Jassem, Jacek

2015-09-01

Patients with advanced breast cancer positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are at high risk for brain metastasis (BM). The prevalence and significance of expression of HER2 and its truncated form p95HER2 (p95) in BM is unknown. Seventy-five pairs of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from matched primary breast cancers (PBCs) and BM were assayed for quantitative p95 and HER2-total (H2T) protein expression using the p95 VeraTag and HERmark assays, respectively. There was a net increase in p95 and H2T expression in BM relative to the matched PBC (median 1.5-fold, P = .0007 and 2.1-fold, P < .0001, respectively). Cases with H2T-positive tumors were more likely to have the largest (≥5-fold) increase in p95 (odds ratio = 6.3, P = .018). P95 positivity in PBC correlated with progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.2, P = .013), trended with shorter time to BM (HR = 1.8, P = .070), and correlated with overall survival (HR = 2.1, P = .042). P95 positivity in BM correlated with time to BM (HR = 2.0, P = .016) but did not correlate with overall survival from the time of BM diagnosis (HR = 1.2, P = .61). This is the first study of quantitative p95 and HER2 expression in matched PBC and BM. BM of breast cancer shows significant increases in expression of both biomarkers compared with matched PBC. These data provide a rationale for future correlative studies on p95 and HER2 levels in BM. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

The effect of storage temperature and duration on the microbial quality of bulk tank milk.

PubMed

O'Connell, A; Ruegg, P L; Jordan, K; O'Brien, B; Gleeson, D

2016-05-01

The dairy industry in Ireland is currently undergoing a period of expansion and, as a result, it is anticipated that milk may be stored in bulk tanks on-farm for periods greater than 48 h. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of storage temperature and duration on microbial quality of bulk tank milk when fresh milk is added to the bulk tank twice daily. Bulk tank milk stored at 3 temperatures was sampled at 24-h intervals during storage periods of 0 to 96 h. Bulk tank milk samples were analyzed for total bacterial count (TBC), psychrotrophic bacterial count (PBC), laboratory pasteurization count (LPC), psychrotrophic-thermoduric bacterial count (PBC-LPC), proteolytic bacterial count, lipolytic bacterial count, presumptive Bacillus cereus, sulfite-reducing Clostridia (SRC), and SCC. The bulk tank milk temperature was set at each of 3 temperatures (2°C, 4°C, and 6°C) in each of 3 tanks on 2 occasions during two 6-wk periods. Period 1 was undertaken in August and September, when all cows were in mid lactation, and period 2 was undertaken in October and November, when all cows were in late lactation. None of the bulk tank bacterial counts except the proteolytic count were affected by lactation period. The proteolytic bacterial count was greater in period 2 than in period 1. The TBC and PBC of milk stored at 6°C increased as storage duration increased. The TBC did not increase with increasing storage duration when milk was stored at 2°C or 4°C but the PBC of milk stored at 4°C increased significantly between 0 and 96 h. The numbers of proteolytic and lipolytic bacteria, LPC, or PBC-LPC in bulk tank milk were not affected by temperature or duration of storage. Presumptive B. cereus were detected in 10% of all bulk tank milk samples taken over the two 6-wk periods, with similar proportions observed in both. In bulk tank milk samples, a greater incidence of SRC was observed in period 2 (20%) compared with period 1 (3%). Milk produced on-farm with minimal bacterial contamination can be successfully stored at 2°C and 4°C for up to 96h with little effect on its microbial quality. Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Substance use and risk behaviors of out-of-treatment cocaine base paste and cocaine hydrochloride users].

PubMed

Santis B, Rodrigo; Hidalgo C, Carmen Gloria; Hayden C, Viviana; Anselmo M, Enzo; Rodríguez T, Jorge; Cartajena de la M, Fernando; Dreyse D, Jorge; Torres B, Rafael

2007-01-01

In Chile, cocaine base paste (CBP) is the illegal substance that produces the highest rate of addiction. Nonetheless, a marginal number of users receive treatment each year. To compare the consumption patterns and risk behavior of CBP and cocaine hydrochloride (CH) users who do not attend rehabilitation services. In a prospective research design, through a study methodology called Privileged Access Interview of hidden populations, 28 surveyors recruited 231 CBP users (group 1) and 236 CH users (group 2). The Risk Behavior Questionnaire was applied in four communities of Metropolitan Santiago, that have the highest prevalence of PBC and CH use. CBP users showed higher schools drop-out and unemployment rates. Subjects of both groups were predominantly polysubstance and polyaddicted users. The severity of addiction to CBP of group 1 was significantly higher than the severity of addiction to CH of group 2 (5.5 versus 5.1: p<0.001). CBP users showed significantly higher rates of sexual risk behaviors, antisocial behavior, self infliction of injuries, suicide attempt and child neglect. A higher vulnerability was shown for users of CBP than those of CH. Attention is drawn to the need for developing community interventions in order to alter substance abuse and the risk behavior of these vulnerable groups.

Patients with autoimmune hepatitis who have antimitochondrial antibodies need long-term follow-up to detect late development of primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Dinani, Amreen M; Fischer, Sandra E; Mosko, Jeff; Guindi, Maha; Hirschfield, Gideon M

2012-06-01

Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) who have antibodies against mitochondrial proteins (AMA positive) are believed to have an autoimmune syndrome that should be managed as AIH. Of patients with AMA-positive AIH, we report on 3 individuals to demonstrate how autoimmune liver disease can progress over time. Specific features of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) overlapped in time in these patients. Our observations indicate the importance of careful follow up of patients with AMA-positive AIH; health care professionals that treat such patients should therefore be aware of longitudinal clinical changes that might indicate development of PBC in this setting. Copyright © 2012 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Medical treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

PubMed

Holtmeier, J; Leuschner, U

2001-01-01

Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been in common use since 1985. In PBC, treatment with UDCA improves laboratory data, liver histology, enables a longer transplantation-free interval and prolongs disease survival. Because UDCA is unable to cure the disease newer drugs or combination therapies are still needed. Studies with UDCA and immunosuppressants such as prednisone, budesonide and azathioprine have shown that in selected patients combination therapy may be superior to UDCA monotherapy. PSC is treated successfully with UDCA and endoscopic dilatation of the bile duct strictures. Treatment of extrahepatic manifestations of cholestatic liver disease such as pruritus, fatigue, osteoporosis and steatorrhea can be problematic and time-consuming. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

‘Changing Minds’: determining the effectiveness and key ingredients of an educational intervention to enhance healthcare professionals’ intentions to prescribe physical activity to patients with physical disabilities

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are vital conduits of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) information; however, few discuss LTPA with their patients with disabilities. ‘Changing Minds, Changing Lives’ (CMCL) is a nationwide, theory- and evidence-based seminar aimed at increasing LTPA-discussion among HCPs by enhancing their attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control (PBC), and intentions. The purposes of the current study were to: examine the effectiveness and short- and long-term maintenance of a CMCL seminar on HCPs’ social cognitions to discuss LTPA; and explore key implementation variables that predict changes in HCPs’ social cognitions. Methods Prior-to, as well as immediately, one, and six months following a CMCL seminar, 97 HCPs (Mage ± SD = 36.23 ± 10.42; 69.0% female; 97.9% Caucasian; 38.1% rehabilitation therapists; years in profession = 11.56 ± 9.94) from five Canadian provinces completed questionnaires that assessed the Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs with regard to discussing LTPA with their patients with a physical disability. Key presenter characteristics and intervention delivery components were extracted from presenter demographic questionnaires and seminar checklists, respectively. Separate repeated-measures ANOVAs and post-hoc t-tests evaluated changes in HCPs’ social cognitions. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to predict intentions and to understand which implementation variables may help explain significant changes in social cognitions. Results Significant increases in HCPs’ social cognitions for discussing LTPA were reported from pre- to post-seminar (ps <0.002); however, increases were not maintained at follow-up. PBC emerged as the strongest predictor of participants’ post-CMCL intentions (β = 0.45, p <0.001). Although several implementation characteristics were related to changes in perceptions, the number of seminars the presenter delivered was the only significant negative predictor of post-seminar PBC (β = -0.18, p <0.05). Conclusions Future iterations of the CMCL intervention should include additional strategies to sustain improvements in HCPs’ social cognitions over time. Future CMCL evaluations should measure additional implementation variables so that the key ingredients for ‘Changing Minds’ can continue to be investigated. PMID:24581329

Rapid identification of QTLs underlying resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus in pepper (Capsicum frutescens).

PubMed

Guo, Guangjun; Wang, Shubin; Liu, Jinbing; Pan, Baogui; Diao, Weiping; Ge, Wei; Gao, Changzhou; Snyder, John C

2017-01-01

Next-generation sequencing enabled a fast discovery of QTLs controlling CMV resistant in pepper. The gene CA02g19570 as a possible candidate gene of qCmr2.1 was identified for resistance to CMV in pepper. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the most important viruses infecting pepper, but the genetic basis of CMV resistance in pepper is elusive. In this study, we identified a candidate gene for CMV resistance QTL, qCmr2.1 through SLAF-seq. Segregation analysis in F 2 , BC 1 and F 2:3 populations derived from a cross between two inbred lines 'PBC688' (CMV-resistant) and 'G29' (CMV-susceptible) suggested quantitative inheritance of resistance to CMV in pepper. Genome-wide comparison of SNP profiles between the CMV-resistant and CMV-susceptible bulks constructed from an F 2 population identified two QTLs, designated as qCmr2.1 on chromosome 2 and qCmr11.1 on chromosome 11 for resistance to CMV in PBC688, which were confirmed by InDel marker-based classical QTL mapping in the F 2 population. As a major QTL, joint SLAF-seq and traditional QTL analysis delimited qCmr2.1 to a 330 kb genomic region. Two pepper genes, CA02g19570 and CA02g19600, were identified in this region, which are homologous with the genes LOC104113703, LOC104248995, LOC102603934 and LOC101248357, which were predicted to encode N-like protein associated with TMV-resistant in Solanum crops. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed higher expression levels of CA02g19570 in CMV resistance genotypes. The CA02g19600 did not exhibit obvious regularity in expression patterns. Higher relative expression levels of CA02g19570 in PBC688 and F 1 were compared with those in G29 during days after inoculation. These results provide support for CA02g19570 as a possible candidate gene of qCmr2.1 for resistance to CMV in pepper.

[Autoimmune hepatitis: Immunological diagnosis].

PubMed

Brahim, Imane; Brahim, Ikram; Hazime, Raja; Admou, Brahim

2017-11-01

Autoimmune hepatopathies (AIHT) including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune cholangitis (AIC), represent an impressive entities in clinical practice. Their pathogenesis is not perfectly elucidated. Several factors are involved in the initiation of hepatic autoimmune and inflammatory phenomena such as genetic predisposition, molecular mimicry and/or abnormalities of T-regulatory lymphocytes. AIHT have a wide spectrum of presentation, ranging from asymptomatic forms to severe acute liver failure. The diagnosis of AIHT is based on the presence of hyperglobulinemia, cytolysis, cholestasis, typical even specific circulating auto-antibodies, distinctive of AIH or PBC, and histological abnormalities as well as necrosis and inflammation. Anti-F actin, anti-LKM1, anti-LC1 antibodies permit to distinguish between AIH type 1 and AIH type 2. Anti-SLA/LP antibodies are rather associated to more severe hepatitis, and particularly useful for the diagnosis of seronegative AIH for other the antibodies. Due to the relevant diagnostic value of anti-M2, anti-Sp100, and anti-gp210 antibodies, the diagnosis of PBC is more affordable than that of PSC and AIC. Based on clinical data, the immunological diagnosis of AIHT takes advantage of the various specialized laboratory techniques including immunofluorescence, immunodot or blot, and the Elisa systems, provided of a closer collaboration between the biologist and the physician. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

[The most common rheumatic diseases in patients with autoimmune liver disease in the Hospital Arzobispo Loayza from 2008-2013, Lima, Peru].

PubMed

Paredes Millán, Mileydy; Chirinos Montes, Nataly Juliana; Martinez Apaza, Anthony; Lozano, Adelina

2014-01-01

To identify the most common autoimmune rheumatic diseases in patients with autoimmune liver disease in the Hospital Arzobispo Loayza (HAL) from 2008 -2013. This is a transversal and descriptive study, we analyzed 125 medical records, only 86 patients fulfill the diagnostic criteria for autoimmune liver disease, of whom 46 had diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis(AIH), 39 primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) and just 1 primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). In our study group we looked for the clinical and laboratory characteristics most common and the frequency of cases in the HAL. Of the 46 patients with AIH, 16 (34.78%) were diagnosed with autoimmune rheumatic disease concurrence. Of these, 7 (15.22%) patients had Sjogren ́s Disease (SD), 6 (13.04%) had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 3 (6.52%) had rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We found 39 patients with PBC, 18 (46.15%) had other associated extrahepatic autoimmune disease, of whom 12 (30.77%) had SD, 3 (7.69%) SLE and 3 (7.69%) RA. One patient had the diagnosis of PSC, a sixty year old woman that had no concurrence with rheumatic disease. In our study was found that SD is the most common rheumatic disease in patients with AIH and PBC, followed by SLE and RA, with autoimmune liver disease with rheumatic symptoms and vice versa.

Explaining the effects of an intervention designed to promote evidence-based diabetes care: a theory-based process evaluation of a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial

PubMed Central

Francis, Jillian J; Eccles, Martin P; Johnston, Marie; Whitty, Paula; Grimshaw, Jeremy M; Kaner, Eileen FS; Smith, Liz; Walker, Anne

2008-01-01

Background The results of randomised controlled trials can be usefully illuminated by studies of the processes by which they achieve their effects. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) offers a framework for conducting such studies. This study used TPB to explore the observed effects in a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial of a structured recall and prompting intervention to increase evidence-based diabetes care that was conducted in three Primary Care Trusts in England. Methods All general practitioners and nurses in practices involved in the trial were sent a postal questionnaire at the end of the intervention period, based on the TPB (predictor variables: attitude; subjective norm; perceived behavioural control, or PBC). It focussed on three clinical behaviours recommended in diabetes care: measuring blood pressure; inspecting feet; and prescribing statins. Multivariate analyses of variance and multiple regression analyses were used to explore changes in cognitions and thereby better understand trial effects. Results Fifty-nine general medical practitioners and 53 practice nurses (intervention: n = 55, 41.98% of trial participants; control: n = 57, 38.26% of trial participants) completed the questionnaire. There were no differences between groups in mean scores for attitudes, subjective norms, PBC or intentions. Control group clinicians had 'normatively-driven' intentions (i.e., related to subjective norm scores), whereas intervention group clinicians had 'attitudinally-driven' intentions (i.e., related to attitude scores) for foot inspection and statin prescription. After controlling for effects of the three predictor variables, this group difference was significant for foot inspection behaviour (trial group × attitude interaction, beta = 0.72, p < 0.05; trial group × subjective norm interaction, beta = -0.65, p < 0.05). Conclusion Attitudinally-driven intentions are proposed to be more consistently translated into action than normatively-driven intentions. This proposition was supported by the findings, thus offering an interpretation of the trial effects. This analytic approach demonstrates the potential of the TPB to explain trial effects in terms of different relationships between variables rather than differences in mean scores. This study illustrates the use of theory-based process evaluation to uncover processes underlying change in implementation trials. PMID:19019242

Predicting adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV in Tanzania: A test of an extended theory of planned behaviour model.

PubMed

Banas, Kasia; Lyimo, Ramsey A; Hospers, Harm J; van der Ven, Andre; de Bruin, Marijn

2017-10-01

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for HIV is widely available in sub-Saharan Africa. Adherence is crucial to successful treatment. This study aimed to apply an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model to predict objectively measured adherence to cART in Tanzania. Prospective observational study (n = 158) where patients completed questionnaires on demographics (Month 0), socio-cognitive variables including intentions (Month 1), and action planning and self-regulatory processes hypothesised to mediate the intention-behaviour relationship (Month 3), to predict adherence (Month 5). Taking adherence was measured objectively using the Medication Events Monitoring System (MEMS) caps. Model tests were conducted using regression and bootstrap mediation analyses. Perceived behavioural control (PBC) was positively (β = .767, p < .001, R 2  = 57.5%) associated with adherence intentions. Intentions only exercised an indirect effect on adherence (B = 1.29 [0.297-3.15]) through self-regulatory processes (B = 1.10 [0.131-2.87]). Self-regulatory processes (β = .234, p = .010, R 2  = 14.7%) predicted better adherence. This observational study using an objective behavioural measure, identified PBC as the main driver of adherence intentions. The effect of intentions on adherence was only indirect through self-regulatory processes, which were the main predictor of objectively assessed adherence.

Predicting sun-protective intentions and behaviours using the theory of planned behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Starfelt Sutton, Louise C; White, Katherine M

2016-11-01

To synthesise theory of planned behaviour (TPB) relationships, using meta-analysis, and test the predictive utility of the model for sun protection behaviour. Thirty-eight samples were identified via database/manual searches and academic society posts based on the criteria: measuring sun-protective intentions and/or prospective behaviour; using the TPB/theory of reasoned action as a basis of measurement; and providing bivariate correlations for at least one relevant TPB association. Sun-protective intentions and behaviours. The sample-weighted average effects were moderate-to-strong with attitudes showing the strongest association with intention (r+ = 0.494), followed by perceived behavioural control (PBC; r+ = 0.451), and subjective norm (r+ = 0.419). Intentions showed a stronger association with prospective behaviour (r+ = 0.486) compared to PBC (r+ = 0.314). A total of 39% of variance in intentions and 25% of variance in behaviour were explained. Publication bias was not evident. Moderator analyses showed that TPB associations were stronger when measures specified the Target, Action, Context and Time; in non-student samples; and when follow-up exceeded two weeks. Despite recent criticism, this review shows that the TPB explains a large amount of variance in sun protection and that TPB associations are robust across different populations.

Understanding cAMP-dependent allostery by NMR spectroscopy: comparative analysis of the EPAC1 cAMP-binding domain in its apo and cAMP-bound states.

PubMed

Mazhab-Jafari, Mohammad T; Das, Rahul; Fotheringham, Steven A; SilDas, Soumita; Chowdhury, Somenath; Melacini, Giuseppe

2007-11-21

cAMP (adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) is a ubiquitous second messenger that activates a multitude of essential cellular responses. Two key receptors for cAMP in eukaryotes are protein kinase A (PKA) and the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC), which is a recently discovered guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the small GTPases Rap1 and Rap2. Previous attempts to investigate the mechanism of allosteric activation of eukaryotic cAMP-binding domains (CBDs) at atomic or residue resolution have been hampered by the instability of the apo form, which requires the use of mixed apo/holo systems, that have provided only a partial picture of the CBD apo state and of the allosteric networks controlled by cAMP. Here, we show that, unlike other eukaryotic CBDs, both apo and cAMP-bound states of the EPAC1 CBD are stable under our experimental conditions, providing a unique opportunity to define at an unprecedented level of detail the allosteric interactions linking two critical functional sites of this CBD. These are the phosphate binding cassette (PBC), where cAMP binds, and the N-terminal helical bundle (NTHB), which is the site of the inhibitory interactions between the regulatory and catalytic regions of EPAC. Specifically, the combined analysis of the cAMP-dependent changes in chemical shifts, 2 degrees structure probabilities, hydrogen/hydrogen exchange (H/H) and hydrogen/deuterium exchange (H/D) protection factors reveals that the long-range communication between the PBC and the NTHB is implemented by two distinct intramolecular cAMP-signaling pathways, respectively, mediated by the beta2-beta3 loop and the alpha6 helix. Docking of cAMP into the PBC perturbs the NTHB inner core packing and the helical probabilities of selected NTHB residues. The proposed model is consistent with the allosteric role previously hypothesized for L273 and F300 based on site-directed mutagenesis; however, our data show that such a contact is part of a significantly more extended allosteric network that, unlike PKA, involves a tight coupling between the alpha- and beta-subdomains of the EPAC CBD. The proposed mechanism of allosteric activation will serve as a basis to understand agonism and antagonism in the EPAC system and provides also a general paradigm for how small ligands control protein-protein interfaces.

Surgery residency curriculum examination scores predict future American Board of Surgery in-training examination performance.

PubMed

Webb, Travis P; Paul, Jasmeet; Treat, Robert; Codner, Panna; Anderson, Rebecca; Redlich, Philip

2014-01-01

A protected block curriculum (PBC) with postcurriculum examinations for all surgical residents has been provided to assure coverage of core curricular topics. Biannual assessment of resident competency will soon be required by the Next Accreditation System. To identify opportunities for early medical knowledge assessment and interventions, we examined whether performance in postcurriculum multiple-choice examinations (PCEs) is predictive of performance in the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) and clinical service competency assessments. Retrospective single-institutional education research study. Academic general surgery residency program. A total of 49 surgical residents. Data for PGY1 and PGY2 residents participating in the 2008 to 2012 PBC are included. Each resident completed 6 PCEs during each year. The results of 6 examinations were correlated to percentage-correct ABSITE scores and clinical assessments based on the 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies. Individual ABSITE performance was compared between PGY1 and PGY2. Statistical analysis included multivariate linear regression and bivariate Pearson correlations. A total of 49 residents completed the PGY1 PBC and 36 completed the PGY2 curriculum. Linear regression analysis of percentage-correct ABSITE and PCE scores demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between the PGY1 PCE 1 score and the subsequent PGY1 ABSITE score (p = 0.037, β = 0.299). Similarly, the PGY2 PCE 1 score predicted performance in the PGY2 ABSITE (p = 0.015, β = 0.383). The ABSITE scores correlated between PGY1 and PGY2 with statistical significance, r = 0.675, p = 0.001. Performance on the 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies correlated between PGY1 and PGY2, r = 0.729, p = 0.001, but did not correlate with PCE scores during either years. Within a mature PBC, early performance in a PGY1 and PGY2 PCE is predictive of performance in the respective ABSITE. This information can be used for formative assessment and early remediation of residents who are predicted to be at risk for poor performance in the ABSITE. Copyright © 2014 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. All rights reserved.

X Chromosome Dose and Sex Bias in Autoimmune Diseases: Increased 47,XXX in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Sjögren’s Syndrome

PubMed Central

Liu, Ke; Kurien, Biji T.; Zimmerman, Sarah L.; Kaufman, Kenneth M.; Taft, Diana H.; Kottyan, Leah C.; Lazaro, Sara; Weaver, Carrie A.; Ice, John A.; Adler, Adam J.; Chodosh, James; Radfar, Lida; Rasmussen, Astrid; Stone, Donald U.; Lewis, David M.; Li, Shibo; Koelsch, Kristi A.; Igoe, Ann; Talsania, Mitali; Kumar, Jay; Maier-Moore, Jacen S.; Harris, Valerie M.; Gopalakrishnan, Rajaram; Jonsson, Roland; Lessard, James A.; Lu, Xianglan; Gottenberg, Jacques-Eric; Anaya, Juan-Manuel; Cunninghame-Graham, Deborah S.; Huang, Andrew J. W.; Brennan, Michael T.; Hughes, Pamela; Illei, Gabor G.; Miceli-Richard, Corinne; Keystone, Edward C.; Bykerk, Vivian P.; Hirschfield, Gideon; Xie, Gang; Ng, Wan-Fai; Nordmark, Gunnel; Eriksson, Per; Omdal, Roald; Rhodus, Nelson L.; Rischmueller, Maureen; Rohrer, Michael; Segal, Barbara M.; Vyse, Timothy J.; Wahren-Herlenius, Marie; Witte, Torsten; Pons-Estel, Bernardo; Alarcon-Riquelme, Marta E.; Guthridge, Joel M.; James, Judith A.; Lessard, Christopher J.; Kelly, Jennifer A.; Thompson, Susan D.; Gaffney, Patrick M.; Montgomery, Courtney G.; Edberg, Jeffrey C; Kimberly, Robert P; Alarcón, Graciela S.; Langefeld, Carl L.; Gilkeson, Gary S.; Kamen, Diane L.; Tsao, Betty P.; McCune, W. Joseph; Salmon, Jane E.; Merrill, Joan T.; Weisman, Michael H; Wallace, Daniel J; Utset, Tammy O; Bottinger, Erwin P.; Amos, Christopher I.; Siminovitch, Katherine A.; Mariette, Xavier; Sivils, Kathy L.

2016-01-01

Objective More than 80% of autoimmune disease is female dominant, but the mechanism for this female bias is poorly understood. We suspected an X chromosome dose effect and hypothesized that trisomy X (47,XXX , 1 in ~1,000 live female births) would be increased in female predominant diseases (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], primary Sjögren’s syndrome [SS], primary biliary cirrhosis [PBC] and rheumatoid arthritis [RA]) compared to diseases without female predominance (sarcoidosis) and controls. Methods We identified 47,XXX subjects using aggregate data from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays and confirmed, when possible, by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). Results We found 47,XXX in seven of 2,826 SLE and three of 1,033 SS female patients, but only in two of the 7,074 female controls (p=0.003, OR=8.78, 95% CI: 1.67-86.79 and p=0.02, OR=10.29, 95% CI: 1.18-123.47; respectively). One 47,XXX subject was present for ~404 SLE women and ~344 SS women. 47,XXX was present in excess among SLE and SS subjects. Conclusion The estimated prevalence of SLE and SS in women with 47,XXX was respectively ~2.5 and ~2.9 times higher than in 46,XX women and ~25 and ~41 times higher than in 46,XY men. No statistically significant increase of 47,XXX was observed in other female-biased diseases (PBC or RA), supporting the idea of multiple pathways to sex bias in autoimmunity. PMID:26713507

Obeticholic Acid

MedlinePlus

... PBC; a type of liver disease that destroys bile ducts, which allows bile to stay in the liver and cause damage) ... agonists. It works by decreasing the production of bile in the liver and increasing the removal of ...

[Fatal toxic leukoencephalopathy associated with consumption of pasta base of cocaine: Report of three cases].

PubMed

Cartier R, Luis; González L, Daniela; Harán D, Jorge

2015-11-01

The prevalence of drug-associated toxic encephalopathy is unknown, but it is an uncommon condition. Toxic leukoencephalopathy was described associated with heroin consumption, it has been less commonly described with the use of cocaine and there are no reports of its association with consumption pasta base of cocaine (PBC). We report two females aged 31 years and a male aged 19 years, consumers of PBC who developed a fatal toxic leukoencephalopathy. They initiated their disease with severe and persistent headache, sequential focal neurologic deficits and a progressive impairment of consciousness that culminated with their death. Laboratory parameters such as blood count, cerebrospinal fluid analyses or infectious biological indices were normal. MRI showed multifocal lesions in brain white matter of both hemispheres confirming the leukoencephalopathy. There was no response to the use of methylprednisolone.

Tidal Boundary Conditions in SEAWAT

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mulligan, Ann E.; Langevin, Christian; Post, Vincent E.A.

2011-01-01

SEAWAT, a U.S. Geological Survey groundwater flow and transport code, is increasingly used to model the effects of tidal motion on coastal aquifers. Different options are available to simulate tidal boundaries but no guidelines exist nor have comparisons been made to identify the most effective approach. We test seven methods to simulate a sloping beach and a tidal flat. The ocean is represented in one of the three ways: directly using a high hydraulic conductivity (high-K) zone and indirect simulation via specified head boundaries using either the General Head Boundary (GHB) or the new Periodic Boundary Condition (PBC) package. All beach models simulate similar water fluxes across the upland boundary and across the sediment-water interface although the ratio of intertidal to subtidal flow is different at low tide. Simulating a seepage face results in larger intertidal fluxes and influences near-shore heads and salinity. Major differences in flow occur in the tidal flat simulations. Because SEAWAT does not simulate unsaturated flow the water table only rises via flow through the saturated zone. This results in delayed propagation of the rising tidal signal inland. Inundation of the tidal flat is delayed as is flow into the aquifer across the flat. This is severe in the high-K and PBC models but mild in the GHB models. Results indicate that any of the tidal boundary options are fine if the ocean-aquifer interface is steep. However, as the slope of that interface decreases, the high-K and PBC approaches perform poorly and the GHB boundary is preferable.

Interferon-free treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C and autoimmune liver disease: higher SVR rates with special precautions for deterioration of autoimmune hepatitis.

PubMed

Kanda, Tatsuo; Yasui, Shin; Nakamura, Masato; Nakamoto, Shingo; Takahashi, Koji; Wu, Shuang; Sasaki, Reina; Haga, Yuki; Ogasawara, Sadahisa; Saito, Tomoko; Kobayashi, Kazufumi; Kiyono, Soichiro; Ooka, Yoshihiko; Suzuki, Eiichiro; Chiba, Tetsuhiro; Maruyama, Hitoshi; Imazeki, Fumio; Moriyama, Mitsuhiko; Kato, Naoya

2018-02-20

Interferon-free treatment can achieve higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates, even in patients in whom hepatitis C virus (HCV) could not be eradicated in the interferon treatment era. Immune restoration in the liver is occasionally associated with HCV infection. We examined the safety and effects of interferon-free regimens on HCV patients with autoimmune liver diseases. All 7 HCV patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) completed treatment and achieved SVR. Three patients took prednisolone (PSL) at baseline, and 3 did not take PSL during interferon-free treatment. In one HCV patient with AIH and cirrhosis, PSL were not administered at baseline, but she needed to take 40 mg/day PSL at week 8 for liver dysfunction. She also complained back pain and was diagnosed with vasospastic angina by coronary angiography at week 11. However, she completed interferon-free treatment. All 5 HCV patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) completed treatment and achieved SVR. Three of these HCV patients with PBC were treated with UDCA during interferon-free treatment. Interferon-free regimens could result in higher SVR rates in HCV patients with autoimmune liver diseases. As interferon-free treatment for HCV may have an effect on hepatic immunity and activity of the autoimmune liver diseases, careful attention should be paid to unexpected adverse events in their treatments. Total 12 patients with HCV and autoimmune liver diseases [7 AIH and PBC], who were treated with interferon-free regimens, were retrospectively analyzed.

'We can't get anything done because...': making sense of 'barriers' to Practice-based Commissioning.

PubMed

Checkland, Kath; Coleman, Anna; Harrison, Stephen; Hiroeh, Urara

2009-01-01

To investigate the issues raised by participants as 'barriers' to the development of Practice-based Commissioning (PBC) in 'early adopter' sites in England. Detailed case studies of five PBC consortia in three Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). Data collection included interviews with a wide range of respondents (46 in total), including general practitioners, PCT employees, Local Authority employees and patient representatives, observation of many different types of meetings (68 in total), and analysis of documents tabled at meetings and circulated at other times. It has been claimed that progress in developing PBC has been slow. Our respondents articulated a number of factors that they felt were holding them back, which could have been identified as 'barriers' preventing change. The issues raised were consistent across our sites (lack of time, resources and personnel, and difficult relationships with the PCT), but observation suggested that these issues arose out of very different organizational 'sensemaking', and as a result the apparent 'barriers' had different meanings in different organizational contexts. Weick's concept of 'organizational sensemaking' provides a useful framework within which to explore the problems encountered when implementing policy. Observational methods are a powerful tool in understanding sensemaking. The variations in sensemaking that we observed suggest that the use of 'barrier' metaphors in descriptions of implementation problems risks homogenizing the portrayal of situations that differ greatly in reality. This implies that top-down or centrally driven solutions to such situations will often be inappropriate.

The effect of ethinylestradiol-containing contraceptives on the serum concentration of olanzapine and N-desmethyl olanzapine.

PubMed

Haslemo, Tore; Refsum, Helge; Molden, Espen

2011-04-01

To investigate the potential interaction between olanzapine, a CYP1A2 substrate, and ethinylestradiol-containing contraceptives (ECC). The study was carried out at a routine therapeutic drug monitoring service. To identify patients who were co-administered ECC or other contraceptives, a questionnaire was sent to the physician who ordered serum monitoring of olanzapine for women aged 18-40 years during an 18 month period. The physicians were asked to provide information about contraceptive use and smoking habits. When questionnaires were returned by the physicians, the respective serum concentration data were included in the analysis. Patients were stratified into users of ECC, progestogen-based contraceptives (PBC) or no contraceptives. Dose-adjusted serum concentrations of olanzapine and the metabolite N-desmethyl olanzapine were compared between the subgroups. A total of 149 patients were included in the study (10 ECC users and 10 PBC users). In users of ECC, we found no differences in serum concentrations of olanzapine, but significantly lower concentrations of the CYP1A2-mediated metabolite N-desmethyl olanzapine compared with users of PBC (P = 0.019) and non-contraceptive users (P = 0.012). The present study confirms that ECC exhibit CYP1A2-inhibitory properties in terms of significantly lower exposure of N-desmethyl olanzapine. However, the inhibition does not provide clinically relevant changes in serum concentrations of olanzapine. © 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.

Correlation between MRI evidence of degenerative condylar surface changes, induction of articular disc displacement and pathological joint sounds in the temporomandibular joint.

PubMed

Honda, Kosuke; Natsumi, Yoshiko; Urade, Masahiro

2008-12-01

The relationship of bony changes in the condylar surfaces in articular disc displacement without reduction in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was investigated using diagnostic imaging. The study also evaluated whether the bony changes in the condylar surfaces limit disc and condyle motion, and produce pathological joint sounds. Thirty-seven joints in 28 patients diagnosed with degenerative bony changes in the condylar surfaces radiographically and anterior disc displacement without reduction using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were studied. The bony changes were assessed by radiographic examination and classified into two types: pathological bone changes (PBCs) including erosion, osteophyte formation and deformity, and adaptive bone changes (ABCs) including flattening and concavity. MRI was performed on the TMJ to examine the configuration and position of the discs. Joint sounds in the TMJ were determined using electrovibratograghy with a joint vibration analysis. The articular disc motion to the condyle in the PBC group was smaller than in the ABC group irrespective of the configuration of the disc, even though there were no significant differences between the two types of bony changes in the disc position during jaw closing. The joint vibration analysis of the TMJ showed that joint sounds with a higher frequency were observed in the PBC group than in the ABC group. High energy levels needed to produce the higher frequencies (over 300 Hz) were observed only in the PBC group.

Primary cutaneous amyloidosis associated with autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis overlap syndrome and Sjögren syndrome

PubMed Central

Yan, Xin; Jin, Jinglan

2018-01-01

Abstract Rationale: Primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) is a localized skin disorder characterized by the abnormal deposition of amyloid in the extracellular matrix of the dermis. The association between PCA and other diseases, although rare, has been documented for various autoimmune diseases. PCA associated with autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis (AIH-PBC) overlap syndrome and Sjögren syndrome (SS) has not been previously reported in the literature. Patient concerns: A 50-year-old woman presented with progressive abnormal liver enzyme levels and was referred to our department. Diagnoses: Due to the patient's symptoms, laboratory test results, radiographic findings, and pathologic results, she was diagnosed with PCA associated with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome and SS. Interventions: She was subsequently treated with a combination of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), prednisone, and azathioprine. Outcomes: While this treatment can achieve therapeutic success, it cannot prevent complications from cirrhosis. This patient remains alive but experienced an emergent gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Lessons: While we acknowledge that this is a single case, these findings extend our knowledge of immunological diseases associated with PCA and suggest a common, immune-mediated pathogenic pathway between PCA, AIH-PBC overlap syndrome, and SS. After 12 years of follow up, clinical manifestations have developed, and these autoimmune diseases have progressed. The combination of UDCA, prednisone, and azathioprine can achieve therapeutic success but cannot prevent disease progression. Routine follow up for this patient is necessary to document disease progression. PMID:29465536

Case analysis of temporal bone lesions with facial paralysis as main manifestation and literature review.

PubMed

Chen, Wen-Jing; Ye, Jing-Ying; Li, Xin; Xu, Jia; Yi, Hai-Jin

2017-08-23

This study aims to discuss clinical characteristics, image manifestation and treatment methods of temporal bone lesions with facial paralysis as the main manifestation for deepening the understanding of such type of lesions and reducing erroneous and missed diagnosis. The clinical data of 16 patients with temporal bone lesions and facial paralysis as main manifestation, who were diagnosed and treated from 2009 to 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. Among these patients, six patients had congenital petrous bone cholesteatoma (PBC), nine patients had facial nerve schwannoma, and one patient had facial nerve hemangioma. All the patients had an experience of long-term erroneous diagnosis. The lesions were completely excised by surgery. PBC and primary facial nerve tumors were pathologically confirmed. Facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis was performed on two patients. HB grade VI was recovered to HB grade V in one patient. The anastomosis failed due to severe facial nerve fibrosis in one patient. Hence, HB remained at grade VI. Postoperative recovery was good for all patients. No lesion recurrence was observed after 1-6 years of follow-up. For the patients with progressive or complete facial paralysis, imaging examination should be perfected in a timely manner. Furthermore, PBC, primary facial nerve tumors and other temporal bone space-occupying lesions should be eliminated. Lesions should be timely detected and proper intervention should be conducted, in order to reduce operation difficulty and complications, and increase the opportunity of facial nerve function reconstruction.

Mesodermal expression of the C. elegans HMX homolog mls-2 requires the PBC homolog CEH-20

PubMed Central

Jiang, Yuan; Shi, Herong; Amin, Nirav M.; Sultan, Ibrahim; Liu, Jun

2008-01-01

Metazoan development proceeds primarily through the regulated expression of genes encoding transcription factors and components of cell signaling pathways. One way to decipher the complex developmental programs is to assemble the underlying gene regulatory networks by dissecting the cis-regulatory modules that direct temporal-spatial expression of developmental genes and identify corresponding trans-regulatory factors. Here, we focus on the regulation of a HMX homoebox gene called mls-2, which functions at the intersection of a network that regulates cleavage orientation, cell proliferation and fate specification in the C. elegans postembryonic mesoderm. In addition to its transient expression in the postembryonic mesodermal lineage, the M lineage, mls-2 expression is detected in a subset of embryonic cells, in three pairs of head neurons and transiently in the somatic gonad. Through mutational analysis of the mls-2 promoter, we identified two elements (E1 and E2) involved in regulating the temporal-spatial expression of mls-2. In particular, we showed that one of the elements (E1) required for mls-2 expression in the M lineage contains two critical putative PBC-Hox binding sites that are evolutionarily conserved in C. briggsae and C. remanei. Furthermore, the C. elegans PBC homolog CEH-20 is required for mls-2 expression in the M lineage. Our data suggests that mls-2 might be a direct target of CEH-20 in the M lineage and that the regulation of CEH-20 on mls-2 is likely Hox-independent. PMID:18316179

Improving Immunization Rates Through Community-Based Participatory Research: Community Health Improvement for Milwaukee's Children Program.

PubMed

Willis, Earnestine; Sabnis, Svapna; Hamilton, Chelsea; Xiong, Fue; Coleman, Keli; Dellinger, Matt; Watts, Michelle; Cox, Richard; Harrell, Janice; Smith, Dorothy; Nugent, Melodee; Simpson, Pippa

2016-01-01

Nationally, immunization coverage for the DTaP/3HPV/1MMR/3HepB/3Hib/1VZV antigen series in children ages 19-35 months are near or above the Healthy People 2020 target (80%). However, children in lower socioeconomic families experience lower coverage rates. Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, Community Health Improvement for Milwaukee Children (CHIMC) intervened to reduce disparities in childhood immunizations. The CHIMC adopted a self-assessment to examine the effectiveness of adhering to CBPR principles. Using behavior change models, CHIMC implemented education, social marketing campaign, and theory of planned behavior interventions. Community residents and organizational representatives vetted all processes, messages, and data collection tools. Adherence to the principles of CBPR was consistently positive over the 8-year period. CHIMC enrolled 565 parents/caregivers with 1,533 children into educational and planned behavior change (PBC) interventions, and enrolled another 406 surveyed for the social marketing campaign. Retention rate was high (80%) with participants being predominately Black females (90%) and the unemployed (64%); children's median age was 6.2 years. Increased knowledge about immunizations was consistently observed among parents/caregivers. Social marketing data revealed high recognition (85%) of the community-developed message ("Take Control: Protect Your Child with Immunizations"). Barriers and facilitators to immunize children revealed protective factors positively correlated with up-to-date (UTD) status (p<0.007). Ultimately, children between the ages of 19 and 35 months whose parents/caregivers completed education sessions and benefitted from a community-wide social marketing message increased their immunization status from 45% baseline to 82% over 4 years. Using multilayered interventions, CHIMC contributed to the elimination of immunization disparities in children. A culturally tailored CBPR approach is effective to eliminate immunization disparities.

Development, test-retest reliability and validity of the Pharmacy Value-Added Services Questionnaire (PVASQ).

PubMed

Tan, Christine L; Hassali, Mohamed A; Saleem, Fahad; Shafie, Asrul A; Aljadhey, Hisham; Gan, Vincent B

2015-01-01

(i) To develop the Pharmacy Value-Added Services Questionnaire (PVASQ) using emerging themes generated from interviews. (ii) To establish reliability and validity of questionnaire instrument. Using an extended Theory of Planned Behavior as the theoretical model, face-to-face interviews generated salient beliefs of pharmacy value-added services. The PVASQ was constructed initially in English incorporating important themes and later translated into the Malay language with forward and backward translation. Intention (INT) to adopt pharmacy value-added services is predicted by attitudes (ATT), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), knowledge and expectations. Using a 7-point Likert-type scale and a dichotomous scale, test-retest reliability (N=25) was assessed by administrating the questionnaire instrument twice at an interval of one week apart. Internal consistency was measured by Cronbach's alpha and construct validity between two administrations was assessed using the kappa statistic and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Confirmatory Factor Analysis, CFA (N=410) was conducted to assess construct validity of the PVASQ. The kappa coefficients indicate a moderate to almost perfect strength of agreement between test and retest. The ICC for all scales tested for intra-rater (test-retest) reliability was good. The overall Cronbach' s alpha (N=25) is 0.912 and 0.908 for the two time points. The result of CFA (N=410) showed most items loaded strongly and correctly into corresponding factors. Only one item was eliminated. This study is the first to develop and establish the reliability and validity of the Pharmacy Value-Added Services Questionnaire instrument using the Theory of Planned Behavior as the theoretical model. The translated Malay language version of PVASQ is reliable and valid to predict Malaysian patients' intention to adopt pharmacy value-added services to collect partial medicine supply.

Older adults: are they ready to adopt health-related ICT?

PubMed

Heart, Tsipi; Kalderon, Efrat

2013-11-01

The proportion of older adults in the population is steadily increasing, causing healthcare costs to rise dramatically. This situation calls for the implementation of health-related information and communication technologies (ICT) to assist in providing more cost-effective healthcare to the elderly. In order for such a measure to succeed, older adults must be prepared to adopt these technologies. Prior research shows, however, that this population lags behind in ICT adoption, although some believe that this is a temporary phenomenon that will soon change. To assess use by older adults of technology in general and ICT in particular, in order to evaluate their readiness to adopt health-related ICT. We employed the questionnaire used by Selwyn et al. in 2000 in the UK, as well as a survey instrument used by Morris and Venkatesh, to examine the validity of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in the context of computer use by older employees. 123 respondents answered the questions via face-to-face interviews, 63 from the US and 60 from Israel. SPSS 17.0 was used for the data analysis. The results show that although there has been some increase in adoption of modern technologies, including ICT, most of the barriers found by Selwyn et al. are still valid. ICT use was determined by accessibility of computers and support and by age, marital status, education, and health. Health, however, was found to moderate the effect of age, healthier older people being far more likely to use computers than their unhealthy coevals. The TPB was only partially supported, since only perceived behavioral control (PBC) emerged as significantly affecting intention to use a computer, while age, contrary to the findings of Morris and Venkatesh, interacted differently for Americans and Israelis. The main reason for non-use was 'no interest' or 'no need', similar to findings from data collected in 2000. Adoption of technology by older adults is still limited, though it has increased as compared with results of the previous study. Modern technologies have been adopted (albeit selectively) by older users, who were presumably strongly motivated by perceived usefulness. Particularly worrying are the effects of health, PBC, and the fact that many older adults do not share the perception that ICT can significantly improve their quality of life. We therefore maintain that older adults are not yet ready to adopt health-related ICT. Health-related ICT for the elderly should be kept simple and demonstrate substantial benefits, and special attention should be paid to training and support and to specific personal and cultural characteristics. These are mandatory conditions for adoption by potential unhealthy and older consumers. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Weight Fluctuation and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study.

PubMed

Komaroff, Marina

2016-01-01

The aim of this study is to investigate if weight fluctuation is an independent risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer (PBC) among women who gained weight in adult years. NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study (NHEFS) database was used in the study. Women that were cancers-free at enrollment and diagnosed for the first time with breast cancer at age 50 or greater were considered cases. Controls were chosen from the subset of cancers-free women and matched to cases by years of follow-up and status of body mass index (BMI) at 25 years of age. Weight fluctuation was measured by the root-mean-square-error (RMSE) from a simple linear regression model for each woman with their body mass index (BMI) regressed on age (started at 25 years) while women with the positive slope from this regression were defined as weight gainers. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression models. A total of 158 women were included into the study. The conditional logistic regression adjusted for weight gain demonstrated positive association between weight fluctuation in adult years and postmenopausal breast cancers (odds ratio/OR = 1.67; 95% confidence interval/CI: 1.06-2.66). The data suggested that long-term weight fluctuation was significant risk factor for PBC among women who gained weight in adult years. This finding underscores the importance of maintaining lost weight and avoiding weight fluctuation.

Weight Fluctuation and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study

PubMed Central

Komaroff, Marina

2016-01-01

Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate if weight fluctuation is an independent risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer (PBC) among women who gained weight in adult years. Methods. NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study (NHEFS) database was used in the study. Women that were cancers-free at enrollment and diagnosed for the first time with breast cancer at age 50 or greater were considered cases. Controls were chosen from the subset of cancers-free women and matched to cases by years of follow-up and status of body mass index (BMI) at 25 years of age. Weight fluctuation was measured by the root-mean-square-error (RMSE) from a simple linear regression model for each woman with their body mass index (BMI) regressed on age (started at 25 years) while women with the positive slope from this regression were defined as weight gainers. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression models. Results. A total of 158 women were included into the study. The conditional logistic regression adjusted for weight gain demonstrated positive association between weight fluctuation in adult years and postmenopausal breast cancers (odds ratio/OR = 1.67; 95% confidence interval/CI: 1.06–2.66). Conclusions. The data suggested that long-term weight fluctuation was significant risk factor for PBC among women who gained weight in adult years. This finding underscores the importance of maintaining lost weight and avoiding weight fluctuation. PMID:26953120

Physical activity prescription among Mexican physicians: a structural equation analysis of the theory of planned behaviour.

PubMed

Galaviz, K I; Jauregui-Ulloa, E; Fabrigar, L R; Latimer-Cheung, A; Lopez y Taylor, J; Lévesque, L

2015-03-01

To describe the physical activity (PA) prescribing behaviour of Mexican primary care physicians and determine if the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) explains this behaviour. 633 physicians (56% male, mean age 38 years) from 305 primary care clinics in Jalisco, Mexico self-reported PA prescription behaviour, PA involvement, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control (PBC) and intention related to PA prescription behaviour. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed. 48% of physicians reported they always ask patients about their PA, 33% provide verbal prescriptions, 6% provide written prescriptions, 8% refer patients to PA resources and 4% assess patient fitness. SEM analysis showed that the fit of the TPB model was satisfactory (RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.05). The model explained 79% of the variance on intention (r(2) = 0.79, p < 0.05), and 14% of the variance on prescription behaviour (r(2) = 0.14, p < 0.05). Subjective norm (β = 0.73, p < 0.05) and attitude (β = 0.16, p < 0.05) explained behavioural intention, while PBC (β = 0.38, p < 0.05) and physician PA (β = 0.15, p < 0.05) explained prescription behaviour. The TPB provided useful insight into physician prescription behaviour, although not all the theory tenets were supported. More research testing the TPB and other theories is needed to better understand psychosocial predictors of this behaviour. Strategies aimed at improving physicians' perceived ability to prescribe PA and their own PA involvement seem worthwhile. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Autoimmune hepatitis in a teenage boy: 'overlap' or 'outlier' syndrome--dilemma for internists.

PubMed

Talukdar, Arunansu; Khanra, Dibbendhu; Mukherjee, Kabita; Saha, Manjari

2013-02-08

An 18-year-old boy presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and jaundice. Investigations revealed coarse hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and advanced oesophageal varices. Blood reports showed marked rise of alkaline phosphatase and more than twofold rise of transaminases and IgG. Liver histology was suggestive of piecemeal necrosis, interphase hepatitis and bile duct proliferation. Antinuclear antibody was positive in high titre along with positive antismooth muscle antibody and antimitochondrial antibody. The patient was positive for human leukocyte antigen DR3 type. Although an 'overlap' syndrome exists between autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), a cholestatic variant of AIH, a rare 'outlier' syndrome could not be excluded in our case. Moreover, 'the chicken or the egg', AIH or PBC, the dilemma for the internists continued. The patient was put on steroid and ursodeoxycholic acid with unsatisfactory response. The existing international criteria for diagnosis of AIH are not generous enough to accommodate its variant forms.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial comparing the efficacy and safety of TUDCA and UDCA in Chinese patients with primary biliary cholangitis

PubMed Central

Ma, Hong; Zeng, Minde; Han, Ying; Yan, Huiping; Tang, Hong; Sheng, Jifang; Hu, Heping; Cheng, Liufang; Xie, Qing; Zhu, Youfu; Chen, Guofeng; Gao, Zhiliang; Xie, Wen; Wang, Jiyao; Wu, Shanming; Wang, Guiqiang; Miao, Xiaohui; Fu, Xiaoqing; Duan, Liping; Xu, Jie; Wei, Lai; Shi, Guangfeng; Chen, Chengwei; Chen, Minhu; Ning, Qin; Yao, Chen; Jia, Jidong

2016-01-01

Abstract Aim: Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a taurine conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) with higher hydrophility. To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of TUDCA for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), we performed this study on Chinese patients. Methods: 199 PBC patients were randomly assigned to either 250 mg TUDCA plus UDCA placebo or 250 mg UDCA plus TUDCA placebo, 3 times per day for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was defined as percentage of patients achieving serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reduction of more than 25% from baseline. Results: At week 24, 75.97% of patients in the TUDCA group and 80.88% of patients in the UDCA group achieved a serum ALP reduction of more than 25% from baseline (P = 0.453). The percentage of patients with serum ALP levels declined more than 40% following 24 weeks of treatment was 55.81% in the TUDCA group and 52.94% in the UDCA group (P = 0.699). Both groups showed similar improvement in serum levels of ALP, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin (P > 0.05). The proportion of patients with pruritus/scratch increased from 1.43% to 10.00% in UDCA group, while there's no change in TUDCA group (P = 0.023). Both drugs were well tolerated, with comparable adverse event rates between the 2 groups. Conclusions: TUDCA is safe and as efficacious as UDCA for the treatment of PBC, and may be better to relieve symptoms than UDCA. PMID:27893675

Interferon-free treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C and autoimmune liver disease: higher SVR rates with special precautions for deterioration of autoimmune hepatitis

PubMed Central

Kanda, Tatsuo; Yasui, Shin; Nakamura, Masato; Nakamoto, Shingo; Takahashi, Koji; Wu, Shuang; Sasaki, Reina; Haga, Yuki; Ogasawara, Sadahisa; Saito, Tomoko; Kobayashi, Kazufumi; Kiyono, Soichiro; Ooka, Yoshihiko; Suzuki, Eiichiro; Chiba, Tetsuhiro; Maruyama, Hitoshi; Imazeki, Fumio; Moriyama, Mitsuhiko; Kato, Naoya

2018-01-01

Background Interferon-free treatment can achieve higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates, even in patients in whom hepatitis C virus (HCV) could not be eradicated in the interferon treatment era. Immune restoration in the liver is occasionally associated with HCV infection. We examined the safety and effects of interferon-free regimens on HCV patients with autoimmune liver diseases. Results All 7 HCV patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) completed treatment and achieved SVR. Three patients took prednisolone (PSL) at baseline, and 3 did not take PSL during interferon-free treatment. In one HCV patient with AIH and cirrhosis, PSL were not administered at baseline, but she needed to take 40 mg/day PSL at week 8 for liver dysfunction. She also complained back pain and was diagnosed with vasospastic angina by coronary angiography at week 11. However, she completed interferon-free treatment. All 5 HCV patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) completed treatment and achieved SVR. Three of these HCV patients with PBC were treated with UDCA during interferon-free treatment. Conclusions Interferon-free regimens could result in higher SVR rates in HCV patients with autoimmune liver diseases. As interferon-free treatment for HCV may have an effect on hepatic immunity and activity of the autoimmune liver diseases, careful attention should be paid to unexpected adverse events in their treatments. Methods Total 12 patients with HCV and autoimmune liver diseases [7 AIH and PBC], who were treated with interferon-free regimens, were retrospectively analyzed. PMID:29545925

Results of Percutaneous Balloon Compression in Trigeminal Pain Syndromes.

PubMed

Grewal, Sanjeet S; Kerezoudis, Panagiotis; Garcia, Oscar; Quinones-Hinojosa, Alfredo; Reimer, Ronald; Wharen, Robert E

2018-06-01

To investigate initial pain relief and subsequent recurrence after percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) and describe its association with the nature of trigeminal pain, previous procedures, or other clinical factors. A total of 222 patients with medically refractory trigeminal pain treated with PBC at Mayo Clinic Florida between 1998 and 2017 were enrolled into this study. Patients were divided into those with typical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and those with atypical trigeminal pain. The postprocedural rate of pain recurrence and associations between patient characteristics and recurrence were studied. One hundred fifty-two patients had TN and 70 patients had atypical pain. At the last follow-up, 158 patients had excellent pain relief, 37 had good pain relief, 11 had fair pain relief, and 16 had poor pain relief. The median duration of follow-up was 31.1 months. Patients with atypical pain were less likely to have an excellent result compared with patients with typical pain (61.4% vs. 82.9%; P < 0.001). Recurrence was observed in 103 patients (46.4%) and was associated with previous procedures (hazard ratio, 1.658; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-2.49; P = 0.017). Other clinical factors were not significant. Our study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of PBC, with 88% of patients pain-free at last follow-up. Patients with atypical pain have worse outcomes, and patients with previous procedures have a higher risk of recurrence. Repeat surgery does not decrease efficacy. We recommend conservative parameter selection at the initial procedure. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Superficial dose evaluation of four dose calculation algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Ying; Yang, Xiaoyu; Yang, Zhen; Qiu, Xiaoping; Lv, Zhiping; Lei, Mingjun; Liu, Gui; Zhang, Zijian; Hu, Yongmei

2017-08-01

Accurate superficial dose calculation is of major importance because of the skin toxicity in radiotherapy, especially within the initial 2 mm depth being considered more clinically relevant. The aim of this study is to evaluate superficial dose calculation accuracy of four commonly used algorithms in commercially available treatment planning systems (TPS) by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and film measurements. The superficial dose in a simple geometrical phantom with size of 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm was calculated by PBC (Pencil Beam Convolution), AAA (Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm), AXB (Acuros XB) in Eclipse system and CCC (Collapsed Cone Convolution) in Raystation system under the conditions of source to surface distance (SSD) of 100 cm and field size (FS) of 10×10 cm2. EGSnrc (BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc) program was performed to simulate the central axis dose distribution of Varian Trilogy accelerator, combined with measurements of superficial dose distribution by an extrapolation method of multilayer radiochromic films, to estimate the dose calculation accuracy of four algorithms in the superficial region which was recommended in detail by the ICRU (International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurement) and the ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection). In superficial region, good agreement was achieved between MC simulation and film extrapolation method, with the mean differences less than 1%, 2% and 5% for 0°, 30° and 60°, respectively. The relative skin dose errors were 0.84%, 1.88% and 3.90%; the mean dose discrepancies (0°, 30° and 60°) between each of four algorithms and MC simulation were (2.41±1.55%, 3.11±2.40%, and 1.53±1.05%), (3.09±3.00%, 3.10±3.01%, and 3.77±3.59%), (3.16±1.50%, 8.70±2.84%, and 18.20±4.10%) and (14.45±4.66%, 10.74±4.54%, and 3.34±3.26%) for AXB, CCC, AAA and PBC respectively. Monte Carlo simulation verified the feasibility of the superficial dose measurements by multilayer Gafchromic films. And the rank of superficial dose calculation accuracy of four algorithms was AXB>CCC>AAA>PBC. Care should be taken when using the AAA and PBC algorithms in the superficial dose calculation.

Understanding the underlying motives and intention among Indian blood donors towards voluntary blood donation: A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Saha, S; Chandra, B

2018-05-01

The present study aims to fill the gap in the literature by conducting a comprehensive research on Indian donor's intention towards voluntary blood donation in India. The study attempts to conceptualize and validate an integrative framework incorporating voluntary function inventory (VFI) in the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model with the purpose tomeasure the voluntary blood donation intention. Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been used to rigorously test the hypothesized interrelationships among the underlying motives influencing voluntary blood donation intention. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of respondents selected conveniently from selct locations in India. Total 450 completed questionnaires were received out of 1000 distributed. The study develops a final conceptual framework that determines the drivers of blood donor's intention towards voluntary donation. The components of theory of planned behavior (TPB) model which include 'attitude', 'subjective norms' (SN), and 'perceived behavioral control' (PBC) along with modified volunteer functions namely 'value', 'social', 'career' and 'enhancement' were found significantly explaining the donation intention in the model. The model achieves robustness with respect to predicting Indian donor's intention towards the voluntary donation of blood. The proposed model in this study advances the theory and research on thevolunteering motives towards blood donation. The study would provide a comprehensiveunderstanding of donors' intention to the practitioners, policy makers and Non-Government Organization (NGO), helping them to frame a calibrated strategydirected towards facilitating healthy blood donation practices. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Primary Sjögrens syndrome is associated with impaired autonomic response to orthostasis and sympathetic failure

PubMed Central

Ng, W.-F.; Stangroom, A.J.; Davidson, A.; Wilton, K.; Mitchell, S.; Newton, J.L.

2012-01-01

Background: Symptoms in keeping with autonomic dysfunction are commonly described by primary Sjögrens syndrome patients (pSS); whether objective abnormalities of autonomic function occur is unclear. This study set out to explore dynamic cardiovascular autonomic responses in pSS and their relationship with symptoms and quality of life. Methods: Twenty-one people from the UK pSS registry, 21 community controls and 21 patients with the autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) (matched case-wise for age and sex) attended for assessment of autonomic responses to orthostasis and Valsalva manoeuvre (VM). pSS patients also completed EULAR Sjögrens Syndrome patient-reported index (ESSPRI), EULAR Sjögren’s syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI), fatigue impact scale and EURO-QOL 5-dimension (EQ-5D). Results: Compared with controls, pSS patients had significantly lower baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) (114 ± 13 vs. 127 ± 20; P = 0.02), which dropped to a significantly lower value (98 ± 22 vs. 119 ± 24, P = 0.009). When area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for when the SBP was below baseline this was significantly greater in pSS compared to both control groups (pSS vs. control vs. PBC: 153 ± 236 vs. 92 ± 85 vs. 1.2 ± 0.3, P = 0.005). Peak phase IV SBP during the VM was significantly lower in pSS (P = 0.007) indicating early sympathetic failure. Increased heart rate associated with fatigue (P = 0.02; r2 = 0.2) and EQ-5D. A shift in sympathetic-vagal balance associated with overall symptom burden (ESSPRI) (P = 0.04, r2 = 0.3) and EULAR sicca score (P = 0.016; r2 = 0.3), the latter also correlated with baroreceptor effectiveness (P = 0.03; r2 = 0.2) and diastolic blood pressure variability (P = 0.003; r2 = 0.4). Conclusion: pSS patients have impaired blood pressure response to standing. Dysautonomia correlates with PSS-associated symptoms and quality of life. PMID:22976617

Locomotive Crash Energy Management Coupling Tests

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2018-04-18

This paper describes the results of the CEM equipped locomotive coupling tests. In this set of tests, a moving CEM locomotive was coupled to a standing cab car. The primary objective was to demonstrate the robustness of the PBC design and determine t...

Major clinical events, signs and severity assessment scores related to actual survival in patients who died from primary biliary cirrhosis. A long-term historical cohort study.

PubMed

van Dam, G M; Gips, C H; Reisman, Y; Maas, K W; Purmer, I M; Huizenga, J R; Verbaan, B W

1999-01-01

One of the prognostic methods for survival in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is the Mayo model, with a time-scale limited to 7 years. The aim of our study was to assess how major clinical events, signs, several severity assessment methods and Mayo survival probabilities fit in with actual patient survival, by using yearly observations until 0.5 years before patient death from PBC. Data of 32 patients dying from PBC were collected prior to death at -0.5, -1, -2 etc. years (median: -5 years, range: -16 to -0.5 years). Major events registered were: first occurrence of ascites, upper gastrointestinal bleeding or manifest hepatic encephalopathy and signs, first observation of spider naevi or purpura. Severity assessment methods applied (all with scores and classes) were: Mayo (M), Child-Campbell (C), Pugh-Child (P), Pugh-Child-PBC (PP), 'Child-Pugh' (CP), and Ascites Nutritional State-Child (ANS). Fifty percent survival estimates were calculated from Mayo scores. Severity assessment method variables were: ascites (C, P, PP, CP, ANS), encephalopathy (C, P, PP, CP), nutritional state (C, ANS), edema (M), age (M), serum albumin (M, C, P, PP, CP), bilirubin (C, M, P, PP, CP), and prothrombin time (M, P, PP, CP). In 27 out of 32 patients a major event occurred, always between -6 and -0.5 years (median: -1 year) and, never between -16 and -7 years (p < 0.0001). A sign was first observed in 30/32 between -14 and -0.5 years (median: -2 years). Compared to the total population, a sign, and even more so, an event indicated a shorter survival (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0002, respectively). The median 50% estimated survival (predicted by the Mayo model) fitted the actual survival from -6 to -0.5 years (r = -0.7, p < 0.0001), but not from -16 to -7 years (r = -0.1, p = 0.4). All -6 to -0.5-year severity scores correlated (p < 0.0001) both with actual survival (M, C, P, PP, and CP r = 0.7; ANS r = 0.5) and with estimated M 50% survival (C, P, PP, CP r = -0.9; ANS r = -0.6; M score: -0.99), but none with actual survival from -16 to -7 years, except for M, slightly (r = -0.3, p = 0.04). A nomogram for mean C, CP, M and ANS scores related to actual survival was constructed for the -6 to -0.5-year period. The C and CP classes A, B, and C did not appear to distinguish sufficiently into actual survival, whereas the M classes did. The occurrence of a major event appeared to exclude survival over 6 years. In these final 6 years, Child-Campbell, Mayo and Pugh scores correlated equally well with actual survival and better than Ascites/Nutritional State score. In our PBC patients, Campbell was an excellent alternative for Pugh; for Pugh, the original Child-Turcotte variable limits were fully sufficient.

Are organ donation communication decisions reasoned or reactive? A test of the utility of an augmented theory of planned behaviour with the prototype/willingness model.

PubMed

Hyde, Melissa K; White, Katherine M

2010-05-01

To explore whether people's organ donation consent decisions occur via a reasoned and/or social reaction pathway. We examined prospectively students' and community members' decisions to register consent on a donor register and discuss organ donation wishes with family. Participants completed items assessing theory of planned behaviour (TPB; attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control (PBC)), prototype/willingness model (PWM; donor prototype favourability/similarity, past behaviour), and proposed additional influences (moral norm, self-identity, recipient prototypes) for registering (N=339) and discussing (N=315) intentions/willingness. Participants self-reported their registering (N=177) and discussing (N=166) behaviour 1 month later. The utility of the (1) TPB, (2) PWM, (3) augmented TPB with PWM, and (4) augmented TPB with PWM and extensions was tested using structural equation modelling for registering and discussing intentions/willingness, and logistic regression for behaviour. While the TPB proved a more parsimonious model, fit indices suggested that the other proposed models offered viable options, explaining greater variance in communication intentions/willingness. The TPB, augmented TPB with PWM, and extended augmented TPB with PWM best explained registering and discussing decisions. The proposed and revised PWM also proved an adequate fit for discussing decisions. Respondents with stronger intentions (and PBC for registering) had a higher likelihood of registering and discussing. People's decisions to communicate donation wishes may be better explained via a reasoned pathway (especially for registering); however, discussing involves more reactive elements. The role of moral norm, self-identity, and prototypes as influences predicting communication decisions were highlighted also.

Is extra-glandular organ damage in primary Sjögren's syndrome related to the presence of systemic auto-antibodies and/or hypergammaglobulinemia? A long-term cohort study with 110 patients from the Netherlands.

PubMed

Ter Borg, Evert-Jan; Kelder, Johannes Cornelis

2017-07-01

To test the hypothesis that systemic auto-antibodies or hypergammaglobulinemia are related to the prevalence of extra-glandular tissue organ damage (EGOD) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). A real practice-based investigation of a relatively large (n = 110) Dutch cohort of primary SS patients systematically followed up in a large non-academic hospital. After a follow up of mean 8.2 years a significant correlation was found between disease duration and the prevalence of EGOD. We did not observe a relationship between the total number or type of systemic auto-antibodies or hypergammaglobulinemia and the total number of EGOD. However, there was a correlation between the prevalence of polyneuropathy (PNP) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) as well as anti-Ro/SS-A positivity and there was an inverse relationship between the presence of anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). All PBC cases were anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B negative but ANA positive. There was a trend for a higher occurrence of pleuro-pulmonary disease in the ANA negative cases. Although we did not find a relationship between the total number or type of systemic auto-antibodies and the total number of EGOD, there were correlations between specific systemic auto-antibodies and specific types of EGOD. The presence of ANA and anti-Ro/SS-A was associated with the occurrence of PNP, as well as was the absence of anti-Ro/SS-A with PBC. © 2017 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Biochemical Response to Ursodeoxycholic Acid Predicts Survival in a North American Cohort of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Patients

PubMed Central

Lammert, Craig; Juran, Brian D.; Schlicht, Erik; Chan, Landon L.; Atkinson, Elizabeth J.; de Andrade, Mariza; Lazaridis, Konstantinos N.

2014-01-01

Background Biochemical response to Ursodeoxycholic Acid among patients with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis remains variable and there is no agreement of an ideal model. Novel assessment of response coupled to histologic progression was recently defined by the Toronto criteria. We retrospectively assessed transplant-free survival and clinical outcomes associated with Ursodeoxycholic Acid response to evaluate the Toronto criteria using a large North American cohort of PBC patients. Methods 398 PBC patients from the Mayo Clinic PBC Genetic Epidemiology (MCPGE) Registry were assessed for Ursodeoxycholic Acid treatment and biochemical response per the Toronto criteria. Responders were defined by reduction in alkaline phosphatase to less than or equal to 1.67 times the upper normal limit by 2 years of treatment, whereas non-responders had alkaline phosphatase values greater than 1.67 times the upper normal limit. Probability of survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results 302 (76%) patients were responders and 96 (24%) were non-responders. Significantly more non-responders developed adverse events related to chronic liver disease compared to responders (Hazard Ratio (HR): 2.77, P = 0.001). Biochemical responders and early-stage disease at treatment start was associated with improved overall transplant-free survival compared to non-responders (HR: 1.9) and patients with late stage disease (HR: 2.7) after age and sex adjustment. Conclusions The Toronto criteria are capable of identifying Ursodeoxycholic Acid-treated Primary Biliary Cirrhosis patients at risk of poor transplant-free survival and adverse clinical outcomes. Our data reveal that despite advanced disease at diagnosis, biochemical response per the Toronto criteria associates with improved overall transplant-free survival. PMID:24317935

Combined ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and fenofibrate in primary biliary cholangitis patients with incomplete UDCA response may improve outcomes.

PubMed

Cheung, A C; Lapointe-Shaw, L; Kowgier, M; Meza-Cardona, J; Hirschfield, G M; Janssen, H L A; Feld, J J

2016-01-01

Fibrates appear to improve biochemistry in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), but it is unclear which factors predict response and whether treatment improves transplant-free survival. To evaluate biochemical profiles, liver-related outcomes and adverse events following fenofibrate therapy in PBC patients with incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). A retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary centre. Cox regression was used to compare outcomes between patients treated with fibrates and UDCA (FF) or UDCA alone, adjusted for a propensity score to account for treatment selection bias. A total of 120 patients were included (FF group n = 46, UDCA group n = 74, median fenofibrate treatment 11 months); 41% vs. 7% met the Toronto criteria for biochemical response [alkaline phosphatase ≤1.67 times the upper limit of normal] in the FF and UDCA groups, respectively (P = 0.0001). Fenofibrate was also associated with improved decompensation-free and transplant-free survival [hazard ratio (HR) 0.09, 95% CI 0.03-0.32, P = 0.0002]. However, only fenofibrate use, not biochemical response, was independently associated with improved outcomes on multivariable analysis (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.17-0.93, P = 0.03). Twenty-two percent discontinued fenofibrate due to adverse events (most common: abdominal pain and myalgias). In cirrhotic patients, bilirubin increased more rapidly in the FF group (P = 0.005). Fenofibrate therapy is associated with significant improvement in alkaline phosphatase, decompensation-free and transplant-free survival in PBC patients with incomplete UDCA response. However, fenofibrate should be used cautiously in cirrhosis, with close monitoring for clinical/biochemical decompensation. Additional studies are required to assess the validity of alkaline phosphatase as an appropriate response criteria for fibrate therapy. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The relationship between liver histology and noninvasive markers in primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Olmez, Sehmus; Sayar, Suleyman; Avcioglu, Ufuk; Tenlik, İlyas; Ozaslan, Ersan; Koseoglu, Hasan T; Altiparmak, Emin

2016-07-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a disease that affects liver with various severity and progression rates. It is important to diagnose advanced stage of the disease to lower liver-related morbidity and mortality. Since liver biopsy is an invasive method, liver biopsy tends to be replaced by noninvasive methods. In this study, we aim to show the role of aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index on the basis of the four factors (FIB-4) scores, laboratory values, and their effectiveness in predicting advanced disease. PBC patients diagnosed pathologically at Numune Education and Research Hospital were included in the study between the years 1995 and 2013. Patients were grouped according to their fibrosis level: group 1 (early stage) included 18 patients with F1 and F2 fibrosis and group 2 (advanced stage) included 22 patients with F3 and F4 fibrosis. APRI and FIB-4 scores, routine laboratory values, and their proportions were compared. The effectiveness of parameters showing advanced stage was further compared. There were statistically significant differences in APRI, FIB-4 scores, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels between the groups with early and advanced stages of disease. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to determine APRI, FIB-4 and AST levels. The most effective parameters for diagnosing an advanced stage were APRI, AST levels, and FIB-4 scores, respectively. In conclusion, APRI and FIB-4 scores can be calculated simply and easily by routine laboratory tests at low cost and also these scores may be a predictor of advanced stage of the disease in PBC. These tests may be reproducible and may be used to monitor disease progression.

Role of the parabrachial complex in the cardiorespiratory response evoked from hypothalamic defense area stimulation in the anesthetized rat.

PubMed

Díaz-Casares, Amelia; López-González, Manuel Víctor; Peinado-Aragonés, Carlos Antonio; Lara, José Pablo; González-Barón, Salvador; Dawid-Milner, Marc Stefan

2009-07-07

To analyze the role of parabrachial complex (PBc) in the modulation of cardiorespiratory response evoked from the hypothalamic defense area (HDA), cardiorespiratory changes were analyzed in spontaneously breathing anesthetised rats in response to electrical stimulation of the HDA (1 ms pulses, 30-50 microA, 100 Hz for 5 s) before and after the microinjection of muscimol (50 nl, 0.25 nmol, 5 s) within the PBc. HDA stimulation evoked an inspiratory facilitatory response, consisting of an increase in respiratory rate (p<0.001) due to a decrease in expiratory time (p<0.01). The respiratory response was accompanied by a pressor (p<0.001) and a tachycardic (p<0.001) response. Muscimol microinjection within the lateral parabrachial region (lPB) abolished the respiratory response to HDA stimulation (p<0.01) and decreased the pressor response (p<0.05). Muscimol within the medial parabrachial region and Kölliker-Fuse (mPB-KF) decreased the magnitude of the pressor (p<0.01) and tachycardic (p<0.05) responses to HDA stimulation. The respiratory response persisted unchanged. Finally, extracellular recording of putative neurons from these regions were obtained during HDA stimulation to confirm functional interaction between HDA and parabrachial regions. 105 pontine cells were recorded during HDA stimulation, 57 from the lPB and 48 from the mPB-KF. In mPB-KF 34/48 (71%) and in lPB 38/57 (67%) cells were influenced from HDA. The results indicate that neurons from different regions of the PBc have an important function in mediating the cardiorespiratory response evoked from the HDA. The possible mechanisms involved in these interactions are discussed.

Biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid predicts survival in a North American cohort of primary biliary cirrhosis patients.

PubMed

Lammert, Craig; Juran, Brian D; Schlicht, Erik; Chan, Landon L; Atkinson, Elizabeth J; de Andrade, Mariza; Lazaridis, Konstantinos N

2014-10-01

Biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid among patients with primary biliary cirrhosis remains variable, and there is no agreement of an ideal model. Novel assessment of response coupled to histologic progression was recently defined by the Toronto criteria. We retrospectively assessed transplant-free survival and clinical outcomes associated with ursodeoxycholic acid response to evaluate the Toronto criteria using a large North American cohort of PBC patients. Three hundred and ninety-eight PBC patients from the Mayo Clinic PBC Genetic Epidemiology Registry were assessed for ursodeoxycholic acid treatment and biochemical response per the Toronto criteria. Responders were defined by reduction in alkaline phosphatase to less than or equal to 1.67 times the upper normal limit by 2 years of treatment, whereas non-responders had alkaline phosphatase values greater than 1.67 times the upper normal limit. Probability of survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Three hundred and two (76 %) patients were responders and 96 (24 %) were non-responders. Significantly more non-responders developed adverse events related to chronic liver disease compared to responders (hazard ratio (HR) 2.77, P = 0.001). Biochemical responders and early-stage disease at treatment start was associated with improved overall transplant-free survival compared to non-responders (HR 1.9) and patients with late-stage disease (HR 2.7) after age and sex adjustment. The Toronto criteria are capable of identifying ursodeoxycholic acid-treated primary biliary cirrhosis patients at risk of poor transplant-free survival and adverse clinical outcomes. Our data reveal that despite advanced disease at diagnosis, biochemical response per the Toronto criteria associates with improved overall transplant-free survival.

In vitro evaluation of a mammary gland specific expression vector encoding recombinant human lysozyme for development of transgenic dairy goat embryos.

PubMed

Gui, Tao; Zhang, Meiling; Chen, Jianwen; Zhang, Yuanliang; Zhou, Naru; Zhang, Yu; Tao, Jia; Sui, Liucai; Li, Yunsheng; Liu, Ya; Zhang, Xiaorong; Zhang, Yunhai

2012-08-01

A vector expressing human lysozyme (pBC1-hLYZ-GFP-Neo) was evaluated for gene and protein expression following liposome-mediated transformation of C-127 mouse mammary cancer cells. Cultures of G418-resistant clones were harvested 24-72 h after induction with prolactin, insulin and hydrocortisone. Target gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot and recombinant human lysozyme (rhLYZ) bacteriostatic activity was also evaluated. The hLYZ gene was correctly transcribed and translated in C-127 cells and hLYZ inhibited gram-positive bacterial growth, indicating the potential of this expression vector for development of a mammary gland bioreactor in goats. Guanzhong dairy goat skin fibroblasts transfected with pBC1-hLYZ-GFP-Neo were used to construct a goat embryo transgenically expressing rhLYZ by somatic nuclear transplantation with a blastocyst rate of 9.0 ± 2.8 %. These data establish the basis for cultivation of mastitis-resistant hLYZ transgenic goats.

Molecular dynamics simulation of UO2 nanocrystals melting under isolated and periodic boundary conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyarchenkov, A. S.; Potashnikov, S. I.; Nekrasov, K. A.; Kupryazhkin, A. Ya.

2012-08-01

Melting of uranium dioxide (UO2) nanocrystals has been studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Ten recent and widely used sets of pair potentials were assessed in the rigid ion approximation. Both isolated (in vacuum) and periodic boundary conditions (PBC) were explored. Using barostat under PBC the pressure dependences of melting point were obtained. These curves intersected zero near -20 GPa, saturated near 25 GPa and increased nonlinearly in between. Using simulation of surface under isolated boundary conditions (IBC) recommended melting temperature and density jump were successfully reproduced. However, the heat of fusion is still underestimated. These melting characteristics were calculated for nanocrystals of cubic shape in the range of 768-49 152 particles (volume range of 10-1000 nm3). The obtained reciprocal size dependences decreased nonlinearly. Linear and parabolic extrapolations to macroscopic values are considered. The parabolic one is found to be better suited for analysis of the data on temperature and heat of melting.

Risk stratified usage of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for primary total knee arthroplasty: short term infection outcomes with a standardized cement protocol.

PubMed

Qadir, Rabah; Sidhu, Sanbir; Ochsner, J Lockwood; Meyer, Mark S; Chimento, George F

2014-08-01

Efficacy of antibiotic cement (ALBC) in primary knee arthroplasty (pTKA) has been debated. The study's purpose was to examine efficacy of ALBC versus plain cement (PBC) in preventing infection in high-risk patients undergoing pTKA. 3292 consecutive pTKAs were divided into three cohorts: (1) patients receiving only PBC, (2) patients receiving only ALBC, and (3) only high-risk patients receiving ALBC. Cohorts' infections were compared. The 30-day infection rates for cohorts 1, 2, 3 were 0.29%, 0.20%, and 0.13% respectively. 6-month rates were 0.39%, 0.54% and 0.38%. 1-year rates were 0.78%, 0.61%, and 0.64%. Differences in infection rates at all time intervals were not statistically significant. The study supports that even judicious risk-stratified usage of ALBC may not confer added benefit in decreasing infection at one year. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sn-Mesoporphyrin interdiction of severe hyperbilirubinemia in Jehovah's Witness newborns as an alternative to exchange transfusion.

PubMed

Kappas, A; Drummond, G S; Munson, D P; Marshall, J R

2001-12-01

The religious convictions of parents who are Jehovah's Witness adherents lead them to reject the use of exchange transfusions as therapy for severe hyperbilirubinemia in newborns in whom intensive phototherapy has failed to control this problem. Consequently, physicians caring for such infants may be obliged to initiate legal action to compel use of the procedure when severe hyperbilirubinemia not sufficiently responsive to phototherapy warrants an exchange transfusion. Our goal was to determine if we could use the potent inhibitor of bilirubin production, Sn-Mesoporphyrin (SnMP), to resolve the troubling medical-legal issues in such situations in 2 infants with hemolytic disease of the newborn who required exchange transfusions for severe hyperbilirubinemia but whose Jehovah's Witness parents rejected the procedure. SnMP was administered in a single dose, as in previous studies, at the time when exchange transfusion would have been initiated and plasma bilirubin levels were monitored at close intervals thereafter. SnMP is a potent inhibitor of heme oxygenase, the rate-limiting enzyme in catabolism of heme to bilirubin. We found in earlier studies that in single doses of 6 micromol/kg birth weight, SnMP is extremely effective in moderating the course of hyperbilirubinemia and in eliminating the need for supplemental phototherapy in jaundiced newborns. In the 2 cases described, a single dose of SnMP (6 micromol/kg birth weight) was administered intramuscularly to severely jaundiced infants with immune hemolysis at a time when clinical circumstances dictated the need for exchange transfusion. CASE 1: This patient was a preterm male infant (gestational age: 35 5/7 weeks; birth weight: 2790 g) whose plasma bilirubin concentration (PBC) at 1 hour after birth was 5.0 mg/dL. Despite intensive phototherapy with 3 banks of lights and 1 biliblanket, the PBC increased steadily with no diminution in the rate of increase for 75 hours. In view of the problems of immune hemolysis, and prematurity, and the inability of phototherapy to stop progression of hyperbilirubinemia, a decision to carry out an exchange transfusion was made; the decision was, however, rejected by the Jehovah's Witness parents. Pending legal action to compel use of the procedure, a request to this (Rockefeller) laboratory for SnMP was made; its use was approved by the Food and Drug Administration; and the inhibitor was delivered to the physician-in-charge (D.P.M.) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The single dose of SnMP was administered to the infant at 75 hours after birth; the course of hyperbilirubinemia before and after the use of the inhibitor is shown in Fig 1. [figure: see text]. CASE 2: This female term infant (gestational age: 38-39 weeks; birth weight: 4140 g) with immune hemolysis was delivered by cesarean section and because of problems related to meconium aspiration required helicopter transfer to the Special Care Nursery in Abilene, Texas, where 10 hours after birth the first PBC was determined to be 18.0 mg/dL. Double-bank phototherapy plus a biliblanket was initiated; a third bank of lights was later ordered. The PBC fluctuated in the ensuing 2 days between 13.8 to 25.8 mg/dL during which suggestive clinical signs of possible bilirubin encephalopathy became manifest. In view of the clinical circumstances and the continued severe hyperbilirubinemia, permission for a double-exchange transfusion was requested. The parents, who were Jehovah's Witness adherents, refused the procedure. While preparing legal action to compel use of the exchange, a request was made to this (Rockefeller) laboratory for use of SnMP to attempt control of hyperbilirubinemia. With FDA approval, the SnMP was delivered to the attending neonatologist (J. R. M.) in Abilene and administered in a single dose (6 micromol/kg birth weight) at 56 hours after birth when the PBC was 19.5 mg/dL. The course of bilirubinemia before and after SnMP use is shown in Fig 2. [figure: see text]. The use of SnMP to moderate or prevent the development of severe hyperbilirubinemia in newborns (preterm, near-term, term with high PBCs [15-18 mg/dL], ABO-incompatibility; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) has been extensively studied in carefully conducted clinical trials the results of which have been reported earlier. This inhibitor of bilirubin production has demonstrated marked efficacy in moderating the course of hyperbilirubinemia in all diagnostic groups of unconjugated neonatal jaundice. The 2 cases described in this report confirmed the efficacy of SnMP in terminating progression of hyperbilirubinemia in infants in whom phototherapy had failed to sufficiently control the problem and whose parents, for religious reasons, would not permit exchange transfusions. Interdiction of severe hyperbilirubinemia by inhibiting the production of bilirubin with SnMP can be an effective alternative to the use of exchange transfusion in the management of severe newborn jaundice that has not responded sufficiently to light treatment to ease concern about the development of bilirubin encephalopathy.

Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Efficacy and Safety of UDCA-Based Therapies in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Zhu, Gui-Qi; Shi, Ke-Qing; Huang, Sha; Huang, Gui-Qian; Lin, Yi-Qian; Zhou, Zhi-Rui; Braddock, Martin; Chen, Yong-Ping; Zheng, Ming-Hua

2015-01-01

Abstract Major ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-based therapies for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) include UDCA only, or combined with either methotrexate (MTX), corticosteroids (COT), colchicine (COC), or bezafibrate (BEF). As the optimum treatment regimen is unclear and warrants exploration, we aimed to compare these therapies in terms of patient mortality or liver transplantation (MOLT) and adverse events (AE). PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched for randomized controlled trials up to August 31, 2014. We estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) for MOLT and odds ratios (ORs) for AE. A sensitivity analysis based on the dose of UDCA was also executed. Thirty-one eligible articles were included. Compared with COT plus UDCA, UDCA (HR 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09–1.39), BEF plus UDCA (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.02–4.83), COC plus UDCA (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.07–2.25), MTX plus UDCA (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.05–1.63), or OBS (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.11–2.01) all provided an increased risk of MOLT. With respect to drug AE profile, although not differing appreciably, BEF plus UDCA was associated with more AEs compared with UDCA (OR 3.16, 95% CI 0.59–20.67), COT plus UDCA (OR 2.27, 95% CI 0.15–33.36), COC plus UDCA (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.09–12.16), MTX plus UDCA (OR 2.03, 95% CI 0.23–17.82), or OBS (OR 3.00, 95% CI 0.53–20.75). The results of sensitivity analyses were highly consistent with previous analyses. COT plus UDCA was the optimal UDCA-based regimen for both MOLT and AEs. BEF plus UDCA was most likely to cause AEs, whereas monotherapy with UDCA and coadministriation of COT plus UDCA appeared to be associated with the fewest AEs for PBC treatment. PMID:25789951

Hygienic food handling behaviours. An application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

PubMed

Mullan, Barbara A; Wong, Cara L

2009-06-01

It is estimated that 5.4 million Australians get sick annually from eating contaminated food and that up to 20% of this illness results from food handling behaviour. A study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) including past behaviour in predicting safe food handling intention and behaviour. One hundred and nine participants completed questionnaires regarding their attitudes, perceived behavioural control (PBC), subjective norm, intentions and past behaviour. Behaviour was measured 4 weeks later. The TPB predicted a high proportion of variance in both intentions and behaviour, and past behaviour/habit was found to be the strongest predictor of behaviour. The results of the present study suggest interventions aimed at increasing safe food handling intentions should focus on the impact of normative influences and perceptions of control over their food handling environment; whereas interventions to change actual behaviour should attempt to increase hygienic food handling as a habitual behaviour.

Improving Immunization Rates Through Community-Based Participatory Research: Community Health Improvement for Milwaukee’s Children Program

PubMed Central

Willis, Earnestine; Sabnis, Svapna; Hamilton, Chelsea; Xiong, Fue; Coleman, Keli; Dellinger, Matt; Watts, Michelle; Cox, Richard; Harrell, Janice; Smith, Dorothy; Nugent, Melodee; Simpson, Pippa

2016-01-01

Background Nationally, immunization coverage for the DTaP/3HPV/1MMR/3HepB/3Hib/1VZV antigen series in children ages 19–35 months are near or above the Healthy People 2020 target (80%). However, children in lower socioeconomic families experience lower coverage rates. Objective Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, Community Health Improvement for Milwaukee Children (CHIMC) intervened to reduce disparities in childhood immunizations. Methods The CHIMC adopted a self-assessment to examine the effectiveness of adhering to CBPR principles. Using behavior change models, CHIMC implemented education, social marketing campaign, and theory of planned behavior interventions. Community residents and organizational representatives vetted all processes, messages, and data collection tools. Results Adherence to the principles of CBPR was consistently positive over the 8-year period. CHIMC enrolled 565 parents/caregivers with 1,533 children into educational and planned behavior change (PBC) interventions, and enrolled another 406 surveyed for the social marketing campaign. Retention rate was high (80%) with participants being predominately Black females (90%) and the unemployed (64%); children’s median age was 6.2 years. Increased knowledge about immunizations was consistently observed among parents/caregivers. Social marketing data revealed high recognition (85%) of the community-developed message (“Take Control: Protect Your Child with Immunizations”). Barriers and facilitators to immunize children revealed protective factors positively correlated with up-to-date (UTD) status (p < 0.007). Ultimately, children between the ages of 19 and 35 months whose parents/caregivers completed education sessions and benefitted from a community-wide social marketing message increased their immunization status from 45% baseline to 82% over 4 years. Conclusions Using multilayered interventions, CHIMC contributed to the elimination of immunization disparities in children. A culturally tailored CBPR approach is effective to eliminate immunization disparities. PMID:27018351

Development, test-retest reliability and validity of the Pharmacy Value-Added Services Questionnaire (PVASQ)

PubMed Central

Tan, Christine L.; Hassali, Mohamed A.; Saleem, Fahad; Shafie, Asrul A.; Aljadhey, Hisham; Gan, Vincent B.

2015-01-01

Objective: (i) To develop the Pharmacy Value-Added Services Questionnaire (PVASQ) using emerging themes generated from interviews. (ii) To establish reliability and validity of questionnaire instrument. Methods: Using an extended Theory of Planned Behavior as the theoretical model, face-to-face interviews generated salient beliefs of pharmacy value-added services. The PVASQ was constructed initially in English incorporating important themes and later translated into the Malay language with forward and backward translation. Intention (INT) to adopt pharmacy value-added services is predicted by attitudes (ATT), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), knowledge and expectations. Using a 7-point Likert-type scale and a dichotomous scale, test-retest reliability (N=25) was assessed by administrating the questionnaire instrument twice at an interval of one week apart. Internal consistency was measured by Cronbach’s alpha and construct validity between two administrations was assessed using the kappa statistic and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Confirmatory Factor Analysis, CFA (N=410) was conducted to assess construct validity of the PVASQ. Results: The kappa coefficients indicate a moderate to almost perfect strength of agreement between test and retest. The ICC for all scales tested for intra-rater (test-retest) reliability was good. The overall Cronbach’ s alpha (N=25) is 0.912 and 0.908 for the two time points. The result of CFA (N=410) showed most items loaded strongly and correctly into corresponding factors. Only one item was eliminated. Conclusions: This study is the first to develop and establish the reliability and validity of the Pharmacy Value-Added Services Questionnaire instrument using the Theory of Planned Behavior as the theoretical model. The translated Malay language version of PVASQ is reliable and valid to predict Malaysian patients’ intention to adopt pharmacy value-added services to collect partial medicine supply. PMID:26445622

Microcomputed tomographic and histologic analysis of anorganic bone matrix coupled with cell-binding peptide suspended in sodium hyaluronate carrier after sinus augmentation: a clinical study.

PubMed

Emam, Hany; Beheiri, Galal; Elsalanty, Mohammed; Sharawy, Mohamed

2011-01-01

Anorganic bovine hydroxyapatite matrix (ABM), when coupled with synthetic cell-binding peptide (P15), mimics the cell-binding region of type 1 collagen and is commercially available suspended in a sodium hyaluronate carrier. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to test the efficacy of ABM/P-15 Putty (DENTSPLY Friadent CeraMed) as a sole graft material for sinus augmentation in patients with severely resorbed posterior maxillae. Sinus augmentation was performed in 10 patients using ABM/P-15 Putty and two provisional dental implants (3.0 mm in diameter). The graft and implants were placed simultaneously with the aid of a surgical stent. After 8 or 16 weeks, the implants were removed using a 4.25-mm trephine bur; this was followed by immediate placement of wider-diameter (5.5-mm) implants. All 20 implants were scanned by microcomputed tomography to determine bone mineral density (BMD), percent bone volume (PBV), and percent bone contact (PBC). There was a significant increase in the BMD of bone around the implants at 8 weeks and 16 weeks compared to native residual (control) bone. There was no significant difference in PBV or PBC between 8 weeks and 16 weeks. The average increase in bone height at 16 weeks was 9.63 ± 1 mm. Microcomputed tomographic images and histologic sections showed dense graft particles surrounded by vital trabecular bone. BMD increases as early as 8 weeks and does not show an additional increase after 16 weeks. PepGen P-15 Putty was found to be a promising osteoconductive graft for sinus augmentation, supporting immediate placement of implants.

Overexpression of microRNA-21 is associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines in dominant-negative TGF-β receptor type II mouse.

PubMed

Ando, Yugo; Yang, Guo-Xiang; Kenny, Thomas P; Kawata, Kazuhito; Zhang, Weici; Huang, Wenting; Leung, Patrick S C; Lian, Zhe-Xiong; Okazaki, Kazuichi; Ansari, Aftab A; He, Xiao-Song; Invernizzi, Pietro; Ridgway, William M; Lu, Qianjin; Gershwin, M Eric

2013-03-01

Dominant-negative TGF-β receptor II (dnTGF-βRII) mice spontaneously develop an autoimmune cholangitis resembling human primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Interestingly, the dominant-negative TGF-β receptor is expressed by both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and leads to greatly reduced (but not absent) TGF-β signaling resulting in T cell intrinsic cell mediated autoimmunity. However, the mechanisms of the T cell dysregulation remain unclear. Recently it has been shown that TGF-β signaling is intimately involved with miRNA biogenesis and control. Herein we show that lack of T cell TGF-β signaling leads to down regulation of T cell miRNAs but up-regulation of the key inflammatory miRNA 21. Furthermore, the expression of miR-21 from hepatic effector CD8(+) T cells is significantly higher than in the same subsets isolated from spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of the dnTGF-βRII mice. Previous studies indicate that miR-21 increases the synthesis of IFN-γ and IL-17A by T cells and suppresses apoptosis via programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4). Data presented herein demonstrate that transfecting w.t. B6 T cell subsets with miR-21 resulted in up-regulation of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ, thus partly replicating the dnTGF-βRII T cell phenotype. In conclusion, these data suggest miR-21 plays a critical role in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in dnTGF-βRII mice, which could be a contributing factor for the development of the organ-specific autoimmune cholangitis and colitis in this murine model of human PBC. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Extending the trans-contextual model in physical education and leisure-time contexts: examining the role of basic psychological need satisfaction.

PubMed

Barkoukis, Vassilis; Hagger, Martin S; Lambropoulos, George; Tsorbatzoudis, Haralambos

2010-12-01

The trans-contextual model (TCM) is an integrated model of motivation that aims to explain the processes by which agentic support for autonomous motivation in physical education promotes autonomous motivation and physical activity in a leisure-time context. It is proposed that perceived support for autonomous motivation in physical education is related to autonomous motivation in physical education and leisure-time contexts. Furthermore, relations between autonomous motivation and the immediate antecedents of intentions to engage in physical activity behaviour and actual behaviour are hypothesized. The purpose of the present study was to incorporate the constructs of basic psychological need satisfaction in the TCM to provide a more comprehensive explanation of motivation and demonstrate the robustness of the findings of previous tests of the model that have not incorporated these constructs. Students (N=274) from Greek secondary schools. Participants completed self-report measures of perceived autonomy support, autonomous motivation, and basic psychological need satisfaction in physical education. Follow-up measures of these variables were taken in a leisure-time context along with measures of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control (PBC), and intentions from the theory of planned behaviour 1 week later. Self-reported physical activity behaviour was measured 4 weeks later. Results supported TCM hypotheses. Basic psychological need satisfaction variables uniquely predicted autonomous motivation in physical education and leisure time as well as the antecedents of intention, namely, attitudes, and PBC. The basic psychological need satisfaction variables also mediated the effects of perceived autonomy support on autonomous motivation in physical education. Findings support the TCM and provide further information of the mechanisms in the model and integrated theories of motivation in physical education and leisure time.

Comparison of the Psychological Impacts of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Cutaneous Diseases: Vitiligo and Atopic Dermatitis

PubMed Central

Noh, Seongmin; Kim, Miri; Park, Chang Ook; Hann, Seung-Kyung

2013-01-01

Background Vitiligo and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common dermatological disorders which may cause significant psychological and social distress leading to impaired quality of life (QoL) in patients. Objective We evaluated the degree of psychological stress and impairment of QoL in vitiligo patients as compared with AD patients and normal controls (NCs). Methods A total of 60 patients from each group and 60 NCs were enrolled. Five questionnaires on depression (Beck depression inventory, BDI), state anxiety (SA) and trait anxiety (TA), interaction anxiousness (IAS), private body consciousness (PBC) and dermatologic QoL were used. Results The vitiligo patients had a significantly higher level of TA (p<0.01), PBC (p<0.001) and impaired QoL (p<0.001) than NCs, but not BDI, SA and IAS. The AD patients had significantly higher scores for all five questionnaire items compared with NCs. In the comparison between the AD and vitiligo groups, all of the indexes except body consciousness were higher in AD patients than in vitiligo patients: BDI (p<0.01), SA (p<0.05), TA (p<0.001), IAS (p<0.01) and impaired QoL (p<0.001). Exposure of vitiligo lesions was not a significant variable in the analysis of the contribution of clinical variables of vitiligo on psychological stress and QoL. Conclusion Vitiligo, which is not accompanied by any symptoms, involves less psychological impact than AD, which is accompanied by itching. Compared to NCs, however, the elevated general anxiety and body consciousness in patients with vitiligo suggests that they may be more concerned with the aggravation of hypopigmented patches than difficulties in social interactions. PMID:24371393

A Failed Marriage between Standardization and Incentivism: Divergent Perspectives on Performance-Based Compensation in Shanghai

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

La Londe, Priya G.

2017-01-01

The Chinese province of Shanghai has gained international recognition as a high performing education system with strong teaching and learning outcomes. One accountability mechanism in Shanghai's education reform strategy is statewide performance-based compensation (PBC), also known as performance- or merit pay. Providing a first time account of…

The unfinished business of primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Selmi, Carlo; Zuin, Massimo; Gershwin, M Eric

2008-09-01

In nearly every multifactorial human disease, there are three periods that characterize our understanding and definition. First, there is a period in which there is rapid accumulation of descriptive data. Second, there is a longer and slower period as information is obtained that redefines and expands basic and clinical knowledge that lacks the final and important area of understanding aetiology and therapeutic intervention. Third, which is much less common for most diseases, is the vigorous definition of pathobiology and treatment. These phases are well illustrated by our current understanding of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The term PBC was first used nearly 60 years ago and for the first 40 or so years, the primary research efforts were directed at clinical definitions and pathology. Subsequently, with the advent of molecular biology, there began a rigorous dissection of the immune response and, in particular, a better understanding of anti-mitochondrial antibodies. These efforts have greatly helped in our understanding of not only the effector mechanisms of disease, but also the uniqueness of the primary target tissue, biliary epithelium. However, this research has still not led to successful translation for specific therapy.

Experimental and Monte Carlo evaluation of Eclipse treatment planning system for effects on dose distribution of the hip prostheses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Çatlı, Serap, E-mail: serapcatli@hotmail.com; Tanır, Güneş

2013-10-01

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of titanium, titanium alloy, and stainless steel hip prostheses on dose distribution based on the Monte Carlo simulation method, as well as the accuracy of the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) at 6 and 18 MV photon energies. In the present study the pencil beam convolution (PBC) method implemented in the Eclipse TPS was compared to the Monte Carlo method and ionization chamber measurements. The present findings show that if high-Z material is used in prosthesis, large dose changes can occur due to scattering. The variance in dose observed in the presentmore » study was dependent on material type, density, and atomic number, as well as photon energy; as photon energy increased back scattering decreased. The dose perturbation effect of hip prostheses was significant and could not be predicted accurately by the PBC method for hip prostheses. The findings show that for accurate dose calculation the Monte Carlo-based TPS should be used in patients with hip prostheses.« less

Combined horizontal and vertical integration of care: a goal of practice-based commissioning.

PubMed

Thomas, Paul; Meads, Geoffrey; Moustafa, Ahmet; Nazareth, Irwin; Stange, Kurt C; Donnelly Hess, Gertrude

2008-01-01

Practice-based commissioning (PBC) in the UK is intended to improve both the vertical and horizontal integration of health care, in order to avoid escalating costs and enhance population health. Vertical integration involves patient pathways to treat named medical conditions that transcend organisational boundaries and connect community-based generalists with largely hospital-sited specialists, whereas horizontal integration involves peer-based and cross-sectoral collaboration to improve overall health. Effective mechanisms are now needed to permit ongoing dialogue between the vertical and horizontal dimensions to ensure that medical and nonmedical care are both used to their best advantage. This paper proposes three different models for combining vertical and horizontal integration - each is a hybrid of internationally recognised ideal types of primary care organisation. Leaders of PBC should consider a range of models and apply them in ways that are relevant to the local context. General practitioners, policy makers and others whose job it is to facilitate horizontal and vertical integration must learn to lead such combined approaches to integration if the UK is to avoid the mistakes of the USA in over-medicalising health issues.

Determination of serum albumin, analytical challenges: a French multicenter study.

PubMed

Rossary, Adrien; Blondé-Cynober, Françoise; Bastard, Jean-Philippe; Beauvieux, Marie-Christine; Beyne, Pascale; Drai, Jocelyne; Lombard, Christine; Anglard, Ingrid; Aussel, Christian; Claeyssens, Sophie; Vasson, Marie-Paule

2017-06-01

Among the biological markers of morbidity and mortality, albumin holds a key place in the range of criteria used by the High Authority for Health (HAS) for the assessment of malnutrition and the coding of information system medicalization program (PMSI). If the principle of quantification methods have not changed in recent years, the dispersion of external evaluations of the quality (EEQ) data shows that the standardization using the certified reference material (CRM) 470 is not optimal. The aim of this multicenter study involving 7 sites, conducted by a working group of the French Society of Clinical Biology (SFBC), was to assess whether the albuminemia values depend on the analytical system used. The albumin from plasma (n=30) and serum (n=8) pools was quantified by 5 different methods [bromocresol green (VBC) and bromocresol purple (PBC) colorimetry, immunoturbidimetry (IT), immunonephelometry (IN) and capillary electrophoresis (CE)] using 12 analyzers. Bland and Altman's test evaluated the difference between the results obtained by the different methods. For example, a difference as high as 13 g/L was observed for the same sample between the methods (p <0.001) in the concentration range of 30 to 35 g/L. The VBC overestimates albumin across the range of values tested compared to PBC (p <0.05). PBC method gives similar results to IN for values lower than 40 g/L. For IT methods, one of the technical/analyzer tandem underestimates the albumin values inducing a difference of performance between the immunoprecipitation methods (IT vs IN, p <0.05). Although, the albumin results are related to the technical/analyzer tandem used. This variability is usually not taken into account by the clinician. Thus, clinicians and biologists have to be aware and have to check, depending on the method used, the albumin thresholds identified as risk factors for complications related to malnutrition and PMSI coding.

SU-E-T-50: A Multi-Institutional Study of Independent Dose Verification Software Program for Lung SBRT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kawai, D; Takahashi, R; Kamima, T

2015-06-15

Purpose: The accuracy of dose distribution depends on treatment planning system especially in heterogeneity-region. The tolerance level (TL) of the secondary check using the independent dose verification may be variable in lung SBRT plans. We conducted a multi-institutional study to evaluate the tolerance level of lung SBRT plans shown in the AAPM TG114. Methods: Five institutes in Japan participated in this study. All of the institutes used a same independent dose verification software program (Simple MU Analysis: SMU, Triangle Product, Ishikawa, JP), which is Clarkson-based and CT images were used to compute radiological path length. Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA), Pencilmore » Beam Convolution with modified Batho-method (PBC-B) and Adaptive Convolve (AC) were used for lung SBRT planning. A measurement using an ion-chamber was performed in a heterogeneous phantom to compare doses from the three different algorithms and the SMU to the measured dose. In addition to it, a retrospective analysis using clinical lung SBRT plans (547 beams from 77 patients) was conducted to evaluate the confidence limit (CL, Average±2SD) in dose between the three algorithms and the SMU. Results: Compared to the measurement, the AAA showed the larger systematic dose error of 2.9±3.2% than PBC-B and AC. The Clarkson-based SMU showed larger error of 5.8±3.8%. The CLs for clinical plans were 7.7±6.0 % (AAA), 5.3±3.3 % (AC), 5.7±3.4 % (PBC -B), respectively. Conclusion: The TLs from the CLs were evaluated. A Clarkson-based system shows a large systematic variation because of inhomogeneous correction. The AAA showed a significant variation. Thus, we must consider the difference of inhomogeneous correction as well as the dependence of dose calculation engine.« less

PERCUTANEOUS BALLOON COMPRESSION OF GASSERIAN GANGLION FOR THE TREATMENT OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA: AN EXPERIENCE FROM INDIA.

PubMed

Agarwal, Anurag; Dhama, Vipin; Manik, Yogesh K; Upadhyaya, M K; Singh, C S; Rastogi, V

2015-02-01

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterized by unilateral, lancinating, paroxysmal pain in the dermatomal distribution area of trigeminal nerve. Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) of Gasserian ganglion is an effective, comparatively cheaper and simple therapeutic modality for treatment of TN. Compression secondary to PBC selectively injures the large myelinated A-alfa (afferent) fibers that mediate light touch and does not affect A-delta and C-fibres, which carry pain sensation. Balloon compression reduces the sensory neuronal input, thus turning off the trigger to the neuropathic trigeminal pain. In this current case series, we are sharing our experience with PBC of Gasserian Ganglion for the treatment of idiopathic TN in our patients at an academic university-based medical institution in India. During the period of August 2012 to October 2013, a total of twelve PBCs of Gasserian Ganglion were performed in eleven patients suffering from idiopathic TN. There were nine female patients and two male patients with the age range of 35-70 years (median age: 54 years). In all patients cannulation of foramen ovale was done successfully in the first attempt. In eight out of eleven (72.7%) patients ideal 'Pear-shaped' balloon visualization could be achieved. In the remaining three patients (27.3%), inflated balloon was 'Bullet-shaped'. In one patient final placement of Fogarty balloon was not satisfactory and it ruptured during inflation. This case was deferred for one week when it was completed successfully with 'Pear-shaped' balloon inflation. During the follow up period of 1-13 months, there have been no recurrences of TN. Eight out of eleven patients (72.7%) are completely off medicines (carbamazepine and baclofen) and other two patients are stable on very low doses of carbamazepine. All patients have reported marked improvement in quality of life. This case series shows that percutaneous balloon compression is a useful minimally invasive intervention for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Development and Validation of a Scoring System to Predict Outcomes of Patients With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Receiving Ursodeoxycholic Acid Therapy.

PubMed

Lammers, Willem J; Hirschfield, Gideon M; Corpechot, Christophe; Nevens, Frederik; Lindor, Keith D; Janssen, Harry L A; Floreani, Annarosa; Ponsioen, Cyriel Y; Mayo, Marlyn J; Invernizzi, Pietro; Battezzati, Pier M; Parés, Albert; Burroughs, Andrew K; Mason, Andrew L; Kowdley, Kris V; Kumagi, Teru; Harms, Maren H; Trivedi, Palak J; Poupon, Raoul; Cheung, Angela; Lleo, Ana; Caballeria, Llorenç; Hansen, Bettina E; van Buuren, Henk R

2015-12-01

Approaches to risk stratification for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are limited, single-center based, and often dichotomous. We aimed to develop and validate a better model for determining prognoses of patients with PBC. We performed an international, multicenter meta-analysis of 4119 patients with PBC treated with ursodeoxycholic acid at liver centers in 8 European and North American countries. Patients were randomly assigned to derivation (n = 2488 [60%]) and validation cohorts (n = 1631 [40%]). A risk score (GLOBE score) to predict transplantation-free survival was developed and validated with univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses using clinical and biochemical variables obtained after 1 year of ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. Risk score outcomes were compared with the survival of age-, sex-, and calendar time-matched members of the general population. The prognostic ability of the GLOBE score was evaluated alongside those of the Barcelona, Paris-1, Rotterdam, Toronto, and Paris-2 criteria. Age (hazard ratio = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.06; P < .0001); levels of bilirubin (hazard ratio = 2.56; 95% CI: 2.22-2.95; P < .0001), albumin (hazard ratio = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.05-0.24; P < .0001), and alkaline phosphatase (hazard ratio = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.18-1.67; P = .0002); and platelet count (hazard ratio/10 units decrease = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96-0.99; P < .0001) were all independently associated with death or liver transplantation (C-statistic derivation, 0.81; 95% CI: 0.79-0.83, and validation cohort, 0.82; 95% CI: 0.79-0.84). Patients with risk scores >0.30 had significantly shorter times of transplant-free survival than matched healthy individuals (P < .0001). The GLOBE score identified patients who would survive for 5 years and 10 years (responders) with positive predictive values of 98% and 88%, respectively. Up to 22% and 21% of events and nonevents, respectively, 10 years after initiation of treatment were correctly reclassified in comparison with earlier proposed criteria. In subgroups of patients aged <45, 45-52, 52-58, 58-66, and ≥66 years, age-specific GLOBE-score thresholds beyond which survival significantly deviated from matched healthy individuals were -0.52, 0.01, 0.60, 1.01 and 1.69, respectively. Transplant-free survival could still be accurately calculated by the GLOBE score with laboratory values collected at 2-5 years after treatment. We developed and validated scoring system (the GLOBE score) to predict transplant-free survival of ursodeoxycholic acid-treated patients with PBC. This score might be used to select strategies for treatment and care. Copyright © 2015 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identifying Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds and Aldehydes in a High Performance Building

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ortiz, Anna C.; Russell, Marion; Lee, Wen-Yee

The developers of the Paharpur Business Center (PBC) and Software Technology Incubator Park in New Delhi, India offer an environmentally sustainable building with a strong emphasis on energy conservation, waste minimization and superior indoor air quality (IAQ). To achieve the IAQ goal, the building utilizes a series of air cleaning technologies for treating the air entering the building. These technologies include an initial water wash followed by ultraviolet light treatment and biolfiltration using a greenhouse located on the roof and numerous plants distributed throughout the building. Even with the extensive treatment of makeup air and room air in the PBC,more » a recent study found that the concentrations of common volatile organic compounds and aldehydes appear to rise incrementally as the air passes through the building from the supply to the exhaust. This finding highlights the need to consider the minimization of chemical sources in buildings in combination with the use of advanced air cleaning technologies when seeking to achieve superior IAQ. The goal of this project was to identify potential source materials for indoor chemicals in the PBC. Samples of building materials, including wood paneling (polished and unpolished), drywall, and plastic from a hydroponic drum that was part of the air cleaning system, were collected from the building for testing. All materials were collected from the PBC building and shipped to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) for testing. The materials were pre-conditioned for two different time periods before measuring material and chemical specific emission factors for a range of VOCs and Aldehydes. Of the six materials tested, we found that the highest emitter of formaldehyde was new plywood paneling. Although polish and paint contribute to some VOC emissions, the main influence of the polish was in altering the capacity of the surface to accumulate formaldehyde. Neither the new nor aged polish contributed significantly to formaldehyde emissions. The VOC emission stream (excluding formaldehyde) was composed of up to 18 different chemicals and the total VOC emissions ranged in magnitude from 7 mu g/m2/h (old wood with old polish) to>500 mu g/m2/h (painted drywall). The formaldehyde emissions from drywall and old wood with either new or old polish were ~;;15 mu g/m2/h while the new wood material emitted>100 mu g/m2/h. However, when the projected surface area of each material in the building was considered, the new wood, old wood and painted drywall material all contributed substantially to the indoor formaldehyde loading while the coatings contributed primarily to the VOCs.« less

Primary biliary cirrhosis degree assessment by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and hepatic fibrosis indicators.

PubMed

Zhang, Hai-Chun; Hu, Rong-Fei; Zhu, Ting; Tong, Ling; Zhang, Qiu-Qin

2016-06-14

To evaluate the assessment of primary biliary cirrhosis degree by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) and hepatic fibrosis indicators. One hundred and twenty patients who developed liver cirrhosis secondary to primary biliary cirrhosis were selected as the observation group, with the degree of patient liver cirrhosis graded by Child-Pugh (CP) score. Sixty healthy individuals were selected as the control group. The four indicators of hepatic fibrosis were detected in all research objects, including hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type III collagen (PC III), and type IV collagen (IV-C). The liver parenchyma hardness value (LS) was then measured by ARFI technique. LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis (HA, LN, PC III, and IV-C) were observed in different grade CP scores. The diagnostic value of LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis in determining liver cirrhosis degree with PBC, whether used alone or in combination, were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis within the three classes (A, B, and C) of CP scores in the observation group were higher than in the control group, with C class > B class > A class; the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Although AUC values of LS within the three classes of CP scores were higher than in the four indicators of liver fibrosis, sensitivity and specificity were unstable. The ROC curves of LS combined with the four indicators of liver fibrosis revealed that: AUC and sensitivity in all indicators combined in the A class of CP score were higher than in LS alone, albeit with slightly decreased specificity; AUC and specificity in all indicators combined in the B class of CP score were higher than in LS alone, with unchanged sensitivity; AUC values (0.967), sensitivity (97.4%), and specificity (90%) of all indicators combined in the C class of CP score were higher than in LS alone (0.936, 92.1%, 83.3%). The diagnostic value of PBC cirrhosis degree in liver cirrhosis degree assessment by ARFI combined with the four indicators of serum liver fibrosis is of satisfactory effectiveness and has important clinical application value.

Bio-based phenolic-branched-chain fatty acid isomers synthesized from vegetable oils and natural monophenols using modified h+-ferrierite zeolite

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A new group of phenolic branched-chain fatty acids (n-PBC-FA), hybrid molecules of natural monophenols (i.e., thymol, carvacrol and creosote) and mixed fatty acid (i.e., derived from soybean and safflower oils), were efficiently produced through a process known as arylation. The reaction involves a...

Variable broad lines and outflow in the weak blazar PBC J2333.9-2343

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernández-García, L.; Vietri, G.; Panessa, F.; Piconcelli, E.; Chavushyan, V.; Jiménez-Andrade, E. F.; Bassani, L.; Bazzano, A.; Cazzoli, S.; Malizia, A.; Masetti, N.; Monaco, L.; Pović, M.; Saviane, I.; Ubertini, P.

2018-05-01

PBC J2333.9-2343 is a peculiar active nucleus with two giant radio lobes and a weak blazar-like nucleus at their center. In the present work we show new optical, UV, and X-ray data taken from the San Pedro Mártir telescope, the New Technology Telescope, NTT/EFOSC2, and the Swift/XRT satellite. The source is highly variable at all frequencies, in particular the strongest variations are found in the broad Hα component with a flux increase of 61±4 per cent between 2009 and 2016, following the X-ray flux increase of 62±6 per cent between 2010 and 2016. We also detected a broad Hβ component in 2016, making the optical classification change from type 1.9 to type 1.8 in one year. We have also detected a broad component of the [OIII]λ5007 line, which is blue-shifted and of high velocity, suggesting an origin from a highly disturbed medium, possibly an outflow. The line flux variability and broad widths are indicative of a jet that is, at least in part, responsible for the ionization of the BLR and NLR.

Improving the surface properties of municipal solid waste-derived pyrolysis biochar by chemical and thermal activation: Optimization of process parameters and environmental application.

PubMed

Genuino, Divine Angela D; de Luna, Mark Daniel G; Capareda, Sergio C

2018-02-01

Biochar produced from the slow pyrolysis of municipal solid waste was activated with KOH and thermal treatments to enhance its surface and adsorptive properties. The effects of KOH concentration, activation temperature and time on the specific surface area (SSA) of the activated biochar were evaluated and optimized using central composite design (CCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM). Results showed that the activation of biochar enhanced its SSA from 402.8 ± 12.5 to 662.4 ± 28.6 m 2  g -1 . The adsorptive capacities of the pristine biochar (PBC) and activated biochar (ABC) were compared using methylene blue (MB) dye as model compound. For MB concentrations up to 25 mg L -1 , more than 99% dye removal was achieved with ABC, while only a maximum of 51% was obtained with PBC. Results of the isotherm study showed that the Langmuir model best described MB adsorption on ABC with adsorption capacity of 37.0-41.2 mg g -1 . Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Using routinely gathered data to evaluate locally led service improvements.

PubMed

Stoddart, Gilly; Gale, Robert; Peat, Chantelle; McInnes, Sarah

2011-07-01

Background Between 2009 and 2010 NHS Ealing tested the feasibility of a) combining data from more than one data-domain at the same time to quantify patient movement across the primary care/acute hospital boundary, and b) establishing online analyses so they can be constantly updated with near real-time data to compare different subsets of patients. The reports allowed us to see: changes in hospital admissions before and after referral to community matrons of patients with complex conditions from one practice-based commissioning (PBC) groupchanges in hospital bed-days of all patients from one practice or PBC group during a complex intervention designed to assist inter-disciplinary collaboration. Results The teams leading the projects found that the reports gave them confidence in the projects and helped to influence local policy. Discussion GP consortia need to evaluate complex service improvements in order to contain costs and improve quality. They will find such reports helpful to give ongoing feedback and this may help to keep people engaged. Present plans for data warehousing in London do not have this ability - they do not combine data from across the whole health economy, and are focused either on claims validation or risk stratification.

Piroxicam-β-Cyclodextrin: A GI Safer Piroxicam

PubMed Central

Scarpignato, C

2013-01-01

Although NSAIDs are very effective drugs, their use is associated with a broad spectrum of adverse reactions in the liver, kidney, cardiovascular (CV) system, skin and gut. Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects are the most common and constitute a wide clinical spectrum ranging from dyspepsia, heartburn and abdominal discomfort to more serious events such as peptic ulcer with life-threatening complications of bleeding and perforation. The appreciation that CV risk is also increased further complicates the choices of physicians prescribing anti-inflammatory therapy. Despite prevention strategies should be implemented in patients at risk, gastroprotection is often underused and adherence to treatment is generally poor. A more appealing approach would be therefore to develop drugs that are devoid of or have reduced GI toxicity. Gastro-duodenal mucosa possesses many defensive mechanisms and NSAIDs have a deleterious effect on most of them. This results in a mucosa less able to cope with even a reduced acid load. NSAIDs cause gastro-duodenal damage, by two main mechanisms: a physiochemical disruption of the gastric mucosal barrier and systemic inhibition of gastric mucosal protection, through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX, PG endoperoxide G/H synthase) activity of the GI mucosa. However, against a background of COX inhibition by anti-inflammatory doses of NSAIDs, their physicochemical properties, in particular their acidity, underlie the topical effect leading to short-term damage. It has been shown that esterification of acidic NSAIDs suppresses their gastrotoxicity without adversely affecting anti-inflammatory activity. Another way to develop NSAIDs with better GI tolerability is to complex these molecules with cyclodextrins (CDs), giving rise to so-called “inclusion complexes” that can have physical, chemical and biological properties very different from either those of the drug or the cyclodextrin. Complexation of NSAIDs with β-cyclodextrin potentially leads to a more rapid onset of action after oral administration and improved GI tolerability because of minimization of the drug gastric effects. One such drug, piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin (PBC), has been used in Europe for 25 years. Preclinical and clinical pharmacology of PBC do show that the β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex of piroxicam is better tolerated from the upper GI tract than free piroxicam, while retaining all the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the parent compound. In addition, the drug is endowed with a quick absorption rate, which translates into a faster onset of analgesic activity, an effect confirmed in several clinical studies. An analysis of the available trials show that PBC has a GI safety profile, which is better than that displayed by uncomplexed piroxicam. Being an inclusion complex of piroxicam, whose CV safety has been pointed out by several observational studies, PBC should be viewed as a CV safe anti-inflmmatory compound and a GI safer alternative to piroxicam. As a consequence, it should be considered as a useful addition to our therapeutic armamentarium. PMID:23394552

An Affymetrix Microarray Design for Microbial Genotyping

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

sanguinis SK36 232 Streptococcus sanguinis HPT sanguinis 5 Streptococcus suis 05ZYH33 138 Streptococcus suis 98 HAH33 65 Streptococcus thermophilus...Rickettsia species, plasmids pBC16 and pLS1. Sequences representing bacterial toxins and antimicrobial resistance (e.g. antibiotic markers) were also...Also included were regions that were constant within a species but differed between species, virulence genes, and antibiotic resistance genes. 2.3

Impact of Wet Deposition of Black Carbon on Particle Dynamics in Surface Waters of Halong Bay, North Vietnam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mari, X.; Guinot, B. P.; Thuoc, C. V.; Brune, J.; Lefebvre, J. P.; Raimbault, P.; Niggemann, J.; Dittmar, T.

2016-02-01

Black Carbon (BC) is an aerosol emitted during biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion. The atmospheric lifetime of Black Carbon (BC) ranges from a few days in rainy climates up to one month in dry regions, and on a global scale wet deposition of atmospheric BC accounts for about 80% of the BC input to the ocean. The rain-mediated input of BC to the ocean was studied in a coastal site located in a regional hotspot of atmospheric BC concentration, North Vietnam. We monitored changes in atmospheric and marine BC during a 24-h cycle impacted by a short and heavy rainfall event. During the rainfall event, atmospheric BC concentration decreased by a factor of 8 (i.e. from 5230 to 660 µg BC m-3). This cleaning of the air column was immediately followed by a significant increase (by a factor of 2 to 4) of particulate BC (PBC) and POC concentrations in the surface microlayer (SML) and at 1.5 m depth. In the SML, this event was also followed by a significant increase of DOC and dissolved BC (DBC) concentrations. Interestingly, the concentration of DOC decreased by >10% after the rainfall at 1.5 m depth, suggesting an adsorption of DOC onto sinking PBC. Concomitantly with the increase in particulate BC, nutrient concentrations increased by a factor of 2 in the SML, while no change was observed in the underlying water column. After the rainfall, the particle size spectra, measured along the water column with a LISST (Laser In-Situ Scattering and Transmissometry probe), changed in that the concentration of small particles (<5 µm) decreased and the concentration of large particles (>100 µm) increased. This alteration of the particle size spectra was restricted to a thin layer of about 20 cm thickness, probably corresponding to a BC-enriched layer adsorbing DOC and small particles, and stimulating aggregation during sinking from the surface to deeper water layers. The concentrations of POC, DOC, PBC, DBC and nutrients reached pre-rainfall levels 4 hours after the event.

Influence of different dose calculation algorithms on the estimate of NTCP for lung complications.

PubMed

Hedin, Emma; Bäck, Anna

2013-09-06

Due to limitations and uncertainties in dose calculation algorithms, different algorithms can predict different dose distributions and dose-volume histograms for the same treatment. This can be a problem when estimating the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for patient-specific dose distributions. Published NTCP model parameters are often derived for a different dose calculation algorithm than the one used to calculate the actual dose distribution. The use of algorithm-specific NTCP model parameters can prevent errors caused by differences in dose calculation algorithms. The objective of this work was to determine how to change the NTCP model parameters for lung complications derived for a simple correction-based pencil beam dose calculation algorithm, in order to make them valid for three other common dose calculation algorithms. NTCP was calculated with the relative seriality (RS) and Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) models. The four dose calculation algorithms used were the pencil beam (PB) and collapsed cone (CC) algorithms employed by Oncentra, and the pencil beam convolution (PBC) and anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) employed by Eclipse. Original model parameters for lung complications were taken from four published studies on different grades of pneumonitis, and new algorithm-specific NTCP model parameters were determined. The difference between original and new model parameters was presented in relation to the reported model parameter uncertainties. Three different types of treatments were considered in the study: tangential and locoregional breast cancer treatment and lung cancer treatment. Changing the algorithm without the derivation of new model parameters caused changes in the NTCP value of up to 10 percentage points for the cases studied. Furthermore, the error introduced could be of the same magnitude as the confidence intervals of the calculated NTCP values. The new NTCP model parameters were tabulated as the algorithm was varied from PB to PBC, AAA, or CC. Moving from the PB to the PBC algorithm did not require new model parameters; however, moving from PB to AAA or CC did require a change in the NTCP model parameters, with CC requiring the largest change. It was shown that the new model parameters for a given algorithm are different for the different treatment types.

Physiotherapy movement based classification approaches to low back pain: comparison of subgroups through review and developer/expert survey.

PubMed

Karayannis, Nicholas V; Jull, Gwendolen A; Hodges, Paul W

2012-02-20

Several classification schemes, each with its own philosophy and categorizing method, subgroup low back pain (LBP) patients with the intent to guide treatment. Physiotherapy derived schemes usually have a movement impairment focus, but the extent to which other biological, psychological, and social factors of pain are encompassed requires exploration. Furthermore, within the prevailing 'biological' domain, the overlap of subgrouping strategies within the orthopaedic examination remains unexplored. The aim of this study was "to review and clarify through developer/expert survey, the theoretical basis and content of physical movement classification schemes, determine their relative reliability and similarities/differences, and to consider the extent of incorporation of the bio-psycho-social framework within the schemes". A database search for relevant articles related to LBP and subgrouping or classification was conducted. Five dominant movement-based schemes were identified: Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT), Treatment Based Classification (TBC), Pathoanatomic Based Classification (PBC), Movement System Impairment Classification (MSI), and O'Sullivan Classification System (OCS) schemes. Data were extracted and a survey sent to the classification scheme developers/experts to clarify operational criteria, reliability, decision-making, and converging/diverging elements between schemes. Survey results were integrated into the review and approval obtained for accuracy. Considerable diversity exists between schemes in how movement informs subgrouping and in the consideration of broader neurosensory, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural dimensions of LBP. Despite differences in assessment philosophy, a common element lies in their objective to identify a movement pattern related to a pain reduction strategy. Two dominant movement paradigms emerge: (i) loading strategies (MDT, TBC, PBC) aimed at eliciting a phenomenon of centralisation of symptoms; and (ii) modified movement strategies (MSI, OCS) targeted towards documenting the movement impairments associated with the pain state. Schemes vary on: the extent to which loading strategies are pursued; the assessment of movement dysfunction; and advocated treatment approaches. A biomechanical assessment predominates in the majority of schemes (MDT, PBC, MSI), certain psychosocial aspects (fear-avoidance) are considered in the TBC scheme, certain neurophysiologic (central versus peripherally mediated pain states) and psychosocial (cognitive and behavioural) aspects are considered in the OCS scheme.

Leveraging Social Networking Sites for an Autoimmune Hepatitis Genetic Repository: Pilot Study to Evaluate Feasibility.

PubMed

Comerford, Megan; Fogel, Rachel; Bailey, James Robert; Chilukuri, Prianka; Chalasani, Naga; Lammert, Craig Steven

2018-01-18

Conventional approaches to participant recruitment are often inadequate in rare disease investigation. Social networking sites such as Facebook may provide a vehicle to circumvent common research limitations and pitfalls. We report our preliminary experience with Facebook-based methodology for participant recruitment and participation into an ongoing study of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The goal of our research was to conduct a pilot study to assess whether a Facebook-based methodology is capable of recruiting geographically widespread participants into AIH patient-oriented research and obtaining quality phenotypic data. We established a Facebook community, the Autoimmune Hepatitis Research Network (AHRN), in 2014 to provide a secure and reputable distillation of current literature and AIH research opportunities. Quarterly advertisements for our ongoing observational AIH study were posted on the AHRN over 2 years. Interested and self-reported AIH participants were subsequently enrolled after review of study materials and completion of an informed consent by our study coordinator. Participants returned completed study materials, including epidemiologic questionnaires and genetic material, to our facility via mail. Outside medical records were obtained and reviewed by a study physician. We successfully obtained all study materials from 29 participants with self-reported AIH within 2 years from 20 different states. Liver biopsy results were available for 90% (26/29) of participants, of which 81% (21/29) had findings consistent with AIH, 15% (4/29) were suggestive of AIH with features of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and 4% (1/29) had PBC alone. A total of 83% (24/29) had at least 2 of 3 proposed criteria: positive autoimmune markers, consistent histologic findings of AIH on liver biopsy, and reported treatment with immunosuppressant medications. Self-reported and physician records were discrepant for immunosuppressant medications or for AIH/PBC diagnoses in 4 patients. Facebook can be an effective ancillary tool for facilitating patient-oriented research in rare diseases. A social media-based approach transcends established limitations in rare disease research and can further develop research communities. ©Megan Comerford, Rachel Fogel, James Robert Bailey, Prianka Chilukuri, Naga Chalasani, Craig Steven Lammert. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 18.01.2018.

Leveraging Social Networking Sites for an Autoimmune Hepatitis Genetic Repository: Pilot Study to Evaluate Feasibility

PubMed Central

Bailey, James Robert; Chilukuri, Prianka; Chalasani, Naga

2018-01-01

Background Conventional approaches to participant recruitment are often inadequate in rare disease investigation. Social networking sites such as Facebook may provide a vehicle to circumvent common research limitations and pitfalls. We report our preliminary experience with Facebook-based methodology for participant recruitment and participation into an ongoing study of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Objective The goal of our research was to conduct a pilot study to assess whether a Facebook-based methodology is capable of recruiting geographically widespread participants into AIH patient-oriented research and obtaining quality phenotypic data. Methods We established a Facebook community, the Autoimmune Hepatitis Research Network (AHRN), in 2014 to provide a secure and reputable distillation of current literature and AIH research opportunities. Quarterly advertisements for our ongoing observational AIH study were posted on the AHRN over 2 years. Interested and self-reported AIH participants were subsequently enrolled after review of study materials and completion of an informed consent by our study coordinator. Participants returned completed study materials, including epidemiologic questionnaires and genetic material, to our facility via mail. Outside medical records were obtained and reviewed by a study physician. Results We successfully obtained all study materials from 29 participants with self-reported AIH within 2 years from 20 different states. Liver biopsy results were available for 90% (26/29) of participants, of which 81% (21/29) had findings consistent with AIH, 15% (4/29) were suggestive of AIH with features of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and 4% (1/29) had PBC alone. A total of 83% (24/29) had at least 2 of 3 proposed criteria: positive autoimmune markers, consistent histologic findings of AIH on liver biopsy, and reported treatment with immunosuppressant medications. Self-reported and physician records were discrepant for immunosuppressant medications or for AIH/PBC diagnoses in 4 patients. Conclusions Facebook can be an effective ancillary tool for facilitating patient-oriented research in rare diseases. A social media-based approach transcends established limitations in rare disease research and can further develop research communities. PMID:29348111

The Association between Gravidity and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

PubMed Central

PARIKH-PATEL, ARTI; GOLD, ELLEN; UTTS, JESSICA; GERSHWIN, M. ERIC

2011-01-01

PURPOSE Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune disease with female predominance that leads to liver failure. The goal of this study was to identify reproductive risk factors associated with this disease. METHODS We compared 182 cases of PBC with 225 age- and sex-matched friend controls to examine the role of reproductive factors. The survey instrument was developed using standardized questions obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III. RESULTS A total of 126/182 cases (69%) and 141/225 (62.6%) friend controls responded to the survey. More cases than controls reported ever having genitourinary infection [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01, 4.42] among those without a personal or family history of autoimmune disease. The most notable finding was that cases reported significantly more pregnancies than controls (p = 0.008). The adjusted OR for each additional pregnancy among those without a personal or family history of autoimmune disease was 1.40 (95% CI 1.14, 1.7). More controls (24.4%) than cases (16.0%) were nulliparous. Cases reported having five or more children (16.0%) with double the frequency of controls (8.2%). CONCLUSIONS The association reported herein, between primary biliary cirrhosis and gravidity, is particularly significant because of the overwhelming female predominance. PMID:11988415

Postnatal development of Na+-K+-2Cl− co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) and K+-Cl−co-transporter 2 (KCC2) immunoreactivity in multiple brain stem respiratory nuclei of the rat

PubMed Central

Liu, Qiuli; Wong-Riley, Margaret T.T.

2012-01-01

Previously, we reported that in rats, GABAA and glycine receptor immunoreactivity increased markedly in multiple brain stem respiratory nuclei around postnatal days (P) 12–13, a critical period when abrupt neurochemical, metabolic, ventilatory, and electrophysiological changes occur in the respiratory network and when the system is under greater inhibition than excitation. Since Na+-K+-2Cl− co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) and K+-Cl− co-transporter 2 (KCC2) play pivotal roles in determining the responses of GABAA and glycine receptors, we hypothesized that NKCC1 and KCC2 undergo significant changes during the critical period. An in-depth immunohistochemical and single neuron optical densitometric study of neurons in seven respiratory-related nuclei (the pre-Bötzinger complex [PBC], nucleus ambiguus [Amb], hypoglossal nucleus [XII], ventrolateral subnucleus of solitary tract nucleus [NTSVL], retrotrapezoid nucleus/parafacial respiratory group [RTN/pFRG], dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve [DMNX], and inferior olivary nucleus [IO]) and a non-respiratory cuneate nucleus (CN, an internal control) was undertaken in P0–21 rats. Our data revealed that: (1) NKCC1 immunoreactivity exhibited a developmental decrease from P0 to P21 in all eight nuclei examined, being relatively high during the first 1½ postnatal weeks and decreased thereafter. The decrease was abrupt and statistically significant at P12 in the PBC, Amb, and XII; (2) KCC2 immunoreactivity in these eight nuclei showed a developmental increase from P0 to P21; and (3) the significant reduction in NKCC1 and the greater dominance of KCC2 around P12 in multiple respiratory nuclei of the brain stem may form the basis of an enhanced inhibition in the respiratory network during the critical period before the system stabilizes to a more mature state. PMID:22441038

Examination of psychosocial predictors of Chinese hospital pharmacists' intention to provide clinical pharmacy services using the theory of planned behaviour: a cross-sectional questionnaire study

PubMed Central

He, Yuan; Yang, Fan; Mu, Dongqin; Xing, Yuan; Li, Xin

2016-01-01

Objectives Main study aim was as follows: (1) to explore the usefulness of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model in predicting Chinese hospital pharmacists' intention to provide clinical pharmacy services (CPSs), including auxiliary CPSs and core CPSs; (2) to identify the main factors affecting the Chinese hospital pharmacists' intention to provide core CPSs based on TPB quantitatively. Design Cross-sectional questionnaire study. Setting The study was conducted in 22 general hospitals in seven cities located in the eastern and western part of China. Participants 416 hospital pharmacists (292 (70.2%) female) entered and completed the study. Primary and secondary outcome measures Quantitative responses with hospital pharmacists' intention, attitude, subjective norms (SNs) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) over provision of CPSs and their past behaviour (PB)-related CPSs. Results The structural equation model analysis found that attitude (p=0.0079, β=0.12), SN (p=0.038, β=0.10) and the pharmacists' intention to provide auxiliary CPSs (p=0.0001, β=0.63) significantly predicted of their intention to provide core CPSs, accounting for 54.0% of its variance. Attitude (p=0.0001, β=0.35), PBC (p=0.0182, β=0.12) and PB (p=0.0009, β=0.15) are significant predictors of pharmacists' intention, accounting for 21% of the variance in pharmacists' intention to provide auxiliary CPSs. Conclusions The TPB with the addition of PB is a useful framework for predicting pharmacists' intention to provide CPSs in Chinese hospital care context. Strategies to improve hospital pharmacists' intention to provide CPSs should focus on helping the individuals related medical care see the value of CPSs, altering their perception of social pressure towards core CPSs and the removal of obstacles that impede the translation of intentions into behaviour. PMID:27707835

Predicting healthy eating intention and adherence to dietary recommendations during pregnancy in Australia using the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

PubMed

Malek, Lenka; Umberger, Wendy J; Makrides, Maria; ShaoJia, Zhou

2017-09-01

This study aims to aid in the development of more effective healthy eating intervention strategies for pregnant women by understanding the relationship between healthy eating intention and actual eating behaviour. Specifically, the study explored whether Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) constructs [attitude, subjective-norm, perceived-behavioural-control (PBC)] and additional psychosocial variables (perceived stress, health value and self-identity as a healthy eater) are useful in explaining variance in women's 1) intentions to consume a healthy diet during pregnancy and 2) food consumption behaviour (e.g. adherence to food group recommendations) during pregnancy. A cross-sectional sample of 455 Australian pregnant women completed a TPB questionnaire as part of a larger comprehensive web-based nutrition questionnaire. Women's perceived stress, health value and self-identity as a healthy eater were also measured. Dietary intake was assessed using six-items based on the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models were estimated (significance level <0.05), which explained 70% of the variance in healthy eating intention scores and 12% of the variance in adherence to food group recommendations. TPB constructs explained 66% of the total variance in healthy eating intention. Significant predictors of stronger healthy eating intention were greater PBC and subjective norm, followed by positive attitude and stronger self-identity as a healthy eater. Conversely, TPB constructs collectively explained only 3.4% of total variance in adherence to food group recommendations. These findings reveal that the TPB framework explains considerable variance in healthy eating intention during pregnancy, but explains little variance in actual food consumption behaviour. Further research is required to understand this weak relationship between healthy eating intention and behaviour during pregnancy. Alternative behavioural frameworks, particularly those that account for the automatic nature of most dietary choices, should also be considered. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Examination of psychosocial predictors of Chinese hospital pharmacists' intention to provide clinical pharmacy services using the theory of planned behaviour: a cross-sectional questionnaire study.

PubMed

He, Yuan; Yang, Fan; Mu, Dongqin; Xing, Yuan; Li, Xin

2016-10-05

Main study aim was as follows: (1) to explore the usefulness of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model in predicting Chinese hospital pharmacists' intention to provide clinical pharmacy services (CPSs), including auxiliary CPSs and core CPSs; (2) to identify the main factors affecting the Chinese hospital pharmacists' intention to provide core CPSs based on TPB quantitatively. Cross-sectional questionnaire study. The study was conducted in 22 general hospitals in seven cities located in the eastern and western part of China. 416 hospital pharmacists (292 (70.2%) female) entered and completed the study. Quantitative responses with hospital pharmacists' intention, attitude, subjective norms (SNs) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) over provision of CPSs and their past behaviour (PB)-related CPSs. The structural equation model analysis found that attitude (p=0.0079, β=0.12), SN (p=0.038, β=0.10) and the pharmacists' intention to provide auxiliary CPSs (p=0.0001, β=0.63) significantly predicted of their intention to provide core CPSs, accounting for 54.0% of its variance. Attitude (p=0.0001, β=0.35), PBC (p=0.0182, β=0.12) and PB (p=0.0009, β=0.15) are significant predictors of pharmacists' intention, accounting for 21% of the variance in pharmacists' intention to provide auxiliary CPSs. The TPB with the addition of PB is a useful framework for predicting pharmacists' intention to provide CPSs in Chinese hospital care context. Strategies to improve hospital pharmacists' intention to provide CPSs should focus on helping the individuals related medical care see the value of CPSs, altering their perception of social pressure towards core CPSs and the removal of obstacles that impede the translation of intentions into behaviour. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Biliary Bile Acids in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Effect of Ursodeoxycholic Acid

PubMed Central

Combes, Burton; Carithers, Robert L.; Maddrey, Willis C.; Munoz, Santiago; Garcia-Tsao, Guadalupe; Bonner, Gregory F.; Boyer, James L.; Luketic, Velimir A.; Shiffman, Mitchell L.; Peters, Marion G.; White, Heather; Zetterman, Rowen K.; Risser, Richard; Rossi, Stephen S.; Hofmann, Alan F.

2014-01-01

Bile acid composition in fasting duodenal bile was assessed at entry and at 2 years in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (10–12 mg/kg/d) taken as a single bedtime dose. Specimens were analyzed by a high-pressure liquid chromatography method that had been validated against gas chromatography. Percent composition in bile (mean ± SD) for 98 patients at entry for cholic (CA), chenodeoxycholic (CDCA), deoxycholic (DCA), lithocholic (LCA), and ursodeoxycholic (UDCA) acids, respectively, were 57.4 ± 18.6, 31.5 ± 15.5, 8.0 ± 9.3, 0.3 ± 1.0, and 0.6 ± 0.9. Values for CA were increased, whereas those for CDCA, DCA, LCA, and UDCA were decreased when compared with values in normal persons. Bile acid composition of the major bile acids did not change after 2 years on placebo medication. By contrast, in patients receiving UDCA for 2 years, bile became enriched with UDCA on average to 40.1%, and significant decreases were noted for CA (to 32.2%) and CDCA (to 19.5%). No change in percent composition was observed for DCA and LCA. Percent composition at entry and changes in composition after 2 years on UDCA were similar in patients with varying severity of PBC. In patients whose bile was not enriched in UDCA (entry and placebo-treated specimens), CA, CDCA, DCA, and the small amount of UDCA found in some of these specimens were conjugated to a greater extent with glycine (52%–64%) than with taurine (36%–48%). Treatment with UDCA caused the proportion of all endogenous bile acids conjugated with glycine to increase to 69% to 78%, while the proportion conjugated with taurine (22%–31%) fell (P < .05). Administered UDCA was also conjugated predominantly with glycine (87%). PMID:10347103

Posterior odontoid process angulation in pediatric Chiari I malformation: an MRI morphometric external validation study.

PubMed

Ladner, Travis R; Dewan, Michael C; Day, Matthew A; Shannon, Chevis N; Tomycz, Luke; Tulipan, Noel; Wellons, John C

2015-08-01

OBJECT Osseous anomalies of the craniocervical junction are hypothesized to precipitate the hindbrain herniation observed in Chiari I malformation (CM-I). Previous work by Tubbs et al. showed that posterior angulation of the odontoid process is more prevalent in children with CM-I than in healthy controls. The present study is an external validation of that report. The goals of our study were 3-fold: 1) to externally validate the results of Tubbs et al. in a different patient population; 2) to compare how morphometric parameters vary with age, sex, and symptomatology; and 3) to develop a correlative model for tonsillar ectopia in CM-I based on these measurements. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective review of 119 patients who underwent posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University; 78 of these patients had imaging available for review. Demographic and clinical variables were collected. A neuroradiologist retrospectively evaluated preoperative MRI examinations in these 78 patients and recorded the following measurements: McRae line length; obex displacement length; odontoid process parameters (height, angle of retroflexion, and angle of retroversion); perpendicular distance to the basion-C2 line (pB-C2 line); length of cerebellar tonsillar ectopia; caudal extent of the cerebellar tonsils; and presence, location, and size of syringomyelia. Odontoid retroflexion grade was classified as Grade 0, > 90°; Grade I,85°-89°; Grade II, 80°-84°; and Grade III, < 80°. Age groups were defined as 0-6 years, 7-12 years, and 13-17 years at the time of surgery. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses, Kruskal-Wallis 1-way ANOVA, and Fisher's exact test were performed to assess the relationship between age, sex, and symptomatology with these craniometric variables. RESULTS The prevalence of posterior odontoid angulation was 81%, which is almost identical to that in the previous report (84%). With increasing age, the odontoid height (p < 0.001) and pB-C2 length (p < 0.001) increased, while the odontoid process became more posteriorly inclined (p = 0.010). The pB-C2 line was significantly longer in girls (p = 0.006). These measurements did not significantly correlate with symptomatology. Length of tonsillar ectopia in pediatric CM-I correlated with an enlarged foramen magnum (p = 0.023), increasing obex displacement (p = 0.020), and increasing odontoid retroflexion (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Anomalous bony development of the craniocervical junction is a consistent feature of CM-I in children. The authors found that the population at their center was characterized by posterior angulation of the odontoid process in 81% of cases, similar to findings by Tubbs et al. (84%). The odontoid process appeared to lengthen and become more posteriorly inclined with age. Increased tonsillar ectopia was associated with more posterior odontoid angulation, a widened foramen magnum, and an inferiorly displaced obex.

An Undergraduate Design Experience in Digital Logic Design Course of Special Purpose Arithmetic Logic Unit Using Multisim, Ultiboard and Print Circuit Board

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Haija, Qasem Abu; Al-Amri, Hasan; Al-Nashri, Mohamed; Al-Muhaisen, Sultan

2013-01-01

Project-Based Curriculum (PBC) is considered one of the most powerful methods in the engineering education where each course or courses-cluster is assigned a design project which considers a series of inter-related concepts that have been shown theoretically for the students. Using this approach, the student will gain the required knowledge in an…

Primary biliary cirrhosis: From bench to bedside

PubMed Central

Kouroumalis, Elias; Notas, George

2015-01-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic non-suppurative destructive intrahepatic cholangitis leading to cirrhosis after a protractive non cirrhotic stage. The etiology and pathogenesis are largely unknown and autoimmne mechanisms have been implicated to explain the pathological lesions. Many epitopes and autoantigens have been reported as crucial in the pathophysiology of the disease and T and B cells abnormalities have been described, the exact pathways leading to the destruction of small intrahepatic ductules are mostly speculative. In this review we examined the various epidemiologal and geoepidemiological data as well as the complex pathogenetic aspects of this disease, focusing on recent in vivo and in vitro studies in this field. Initiation and progression of PBC is believed to be a multifactorial process with strong infuences from the patient’s genetic background and by various environmental factors. The role of innate and adaptive immunity, including cytokines, chemokines, macrophages and the involvement of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species are outlined in detailed. The current pathogenetic aspects are presented and a novel pathogenetic theory unifying the accumulated clinical information with in vitro and in vivo data is formulated. A review of clinical manifestations and immunological and pathological diagnosis was presented. Treatment modalities, including the multiple mechanisms of action of ursodeoxycholate were finally discussed. PMID:26261733

Searching for New γ-Ray Blazar Candidates in the Third Palermo BAT Hard X-Ray Catalog with WISE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maselli, A.; Massaro, F.; Cusumano, G.; D'Abrusco, R.; La Parola, V.; Paggi, A.; Segreto, A.; Smith, Howard A.; Tosti, G.

2013-06-01

We searched for γ-ray blazar candidates among the 382 unidentified hard X-ray sources of the third Palermo BAT Catalog (3PBC) obtained from the analysis of 66 months of Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) survey data and listing 1586 sources. We adopted a recently developed association method based on the peculiar infrared colors that characterize the γ-ray blazars included in the second catalog of active galactic nuclei detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope. We used this method exploiting the data of the all-sky survey performed by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) to establish correspondences between unidentified 3PBC sources and WISE γ-ray blazar candidates located within the BAT positional uncertainty region at a 99% confidence level. We obtained a preliminary list of candidates for which we analyzed all the available data in the Swift archive to complement the information in the literature and in the radio, infrared, and optical catalogs with the information on their optical-UV and soft X-ray emission. Requiring the presence of radio and soft X-ray counterparts consistent with the infrared positions of the selected WISE sources, as well as a blazar-like radio morphology, we finally obtained a list of 24 γ-ray blazar candidates.

Tight bounds for the Pearle-Braunstein-Caves chained inequality without the fair-coincidence assumption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jogenfors, Jonathan; Larsson, Jan-Åke

2017-08-01

In any Bell test, loopholes can cause issues in the interpretation of the results, since an apparent violation of the inequality may not correspond to a violation of local realism. An important example is the coincidence-time loophole that arises when detector settings might influence the time when detection will occur. This effect can be observed in many experiments where measurement outcomes are to be compared between remote stations because the interpretation of an ostensible Bell violation strongly depends on the method used to decide coincidence. The coincidence-time loophole has previously been studied for the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt and Clauser-Horne inequalities, but recent experiments have shown the need for a generalization. Here, we study the generalized "chained" inequality by Pearle, Braunstein, and Caves (PBC) with N ≥2 settings per observer. This inequality has applications in, for instance, quantum key distribution where it has been used to reestablish security. In this paper we give the minimum coincidence probability for the PBC inequality for all N ≥2 and show that this bound is tight for a violation free of the fair-coincidence assumption. Thus, if an experiment has a coincidence probability exceeding the critical value derived here, the coincidence-time loophole is eliminated.

Primary biliary cirrhosis-specific antimitochondrial antibodies in neonatal haemochromatosis.

PubMed

Smyk, Daniel S; Mytilinaiou, Maria G; Grammatikopoulos, Tassos; Knisely, A S; Mieli-Vergani, Giorgina; Bogdanos, Dimitrios P; Vergani, Diego

2013-01-01

Neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) is characterised by severe liver injury and extrahepatic siderosis sparing the reticuloendothelial system. Its aetiology is obscure, although it has been proposed as an alloimmune disease, resulting from immunological reaction to self-antigens (alloantigens) which the body recognizes as foreign. We studied an infant with NH and his mother whose sera contained antimitochondrial antibody (AMA), the hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). To investigate the origin of AMA in the infant, we studied isotype distributions in serum from the mother and infant. Serum samples were obtained at diagnosis of NH, after liver transplantation (LT; age 1 month), and over the ensuing 17 months. At NH diagnosis, infant and maternal serum contained AMA of the IgG isotype, predominantly of the G3 and G1 subclasses. AMA strongly reacted against the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 subunit (PDC-E2), the major PBC-specific AMA autoantigen. Anti-PDC-E2 responses in both infant and mother declined over time, being present 2 months after LT (mother and child) and absent 10 months later (mother) and 17 months later (child). The association of maternally transferred IgG1 and IgG3 subclass AMA with the appearance of liver damage in an infant with NH may suggest a causal link between antibody and liver damage.

Experimental Determination of Lead Interactions with Citrate and EDTA in NaCl and MgCl2 Solutions to High Ionic Strength and Its Applications.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiong, Yongliang; Kirkes, Leslie Dawn; Westfall, Terry

For this study, the interactions of lead with citrate and ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) are investigated based on solubility measurements as a function of ionic strength at room temperature (22.5 ± 0.5°C) in NaCl and M gCl 2 solutions. The formation constants (log β 1 0 ) for Pb[C 3H 5O(COO) 3]– (abbreviated as PbCitrate –) and Pb[(CH 2COO) 2N(CH2) 2N(CH 2COO) 2)] 2– (abbreviated as PbEDTA 2–) Pb 2+ + [C 3H 5O(COO) 3] 3– = Pb[C 3H 5O(COO) 3] – (1) Pb 2+ + (CH 2COO) 2N(CH 2) 2N(CH 2COO) 2) 4- = Pb[(CH 2COO) 2N(CH 2) 2N(CH 2COO) 2)]more » 2– (2) are evaluated as 7.28 ± 0.18 (2σ) and 20.00 ± 0.20 (2σ), respectively, with a set of Pitzer parameters describing the specific interactions in NaCl and M gCl 2 media. Based on these parameters, the interactions of lead with citrate and EDTA in various low temperature environments can be accurately modelled.« less

Primary biliary cirrhosis degree assessment by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and hepatic fibrosis indicators

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hai-Chun; Hu, Rong-Fei; Zhu, Ting; Tong, Ling; Zhang, Qiu-Qin

2016-01-01

AIM: To evaluate the assessment of primary biliary cirrhosis degree by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) and hepatic fibrosis indicators. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients who developed liver cirrhosis secondary to primary biliary cirrhosis were selected as the observation group, with the degree of patient liver cirrhosis graded by Child-Pugh (CP) score. Sixty healthy individuals were selected as the control group. The four indicators of hepatic fibrosis were detected in all research objects, including hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type III collagen (PC III), and type IV collagen (IV-C). The liver parenchyma hardness value (LS) was then measured by ARFI technique. LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis (HA, LN, PC III, and IV-C) were observed in different grade CP scores. The diagnostic value of LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis in determining liver cirrhosis degree with PBC, whether used alone or in combination, were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis within the three classes (A, B, and C) of CP scores in the observation group were higher than in the control group, with C class > B class > A class; the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Although AUC values of LS within the three classes of CP scores were higher than in the four indicators of liver fibrosis, sensitivity and specificity were unstable. The ROC curves of LS combined with the four indicators of liver fibrosis revealed that: AUC and sensitivity in all indicators combined in the A class of CP score were higher than in LS alone, albeit with slightly decreased specificity; AUC and specificity in all indicators combined in the B class of CP score were higher than in LS alone, with unchanged sensitivity; AUC values (0.967), sensitivity (97.4%), and specificity (90%) of all indicators combined in the C class of CP score were higher than in LS alone (0.936, 92.1%, 83.3%). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of PBC cirrhosis degree in liver cirrhosis degree assessment by ARFI combined with the four indicators of serum liver fibrosis is of satisfactory effectiveness and has important clinical application value. PMID:27298571

Information Operations: A Research Aid Includes Coverage of: Information Warfare, Information Assurance, and Infrastructure Protection.

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-09-01

Policy Implications Stephen D. Biddle, IDA Papaer P-3123 Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA), Strategy Forces and Research Division 1801 N...IDA INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES Information Operations: A Research Aid Includes Coverage of: Information Warfare, Information Assurance...Gray, Principal Investigator [pBC Q^^E^ nsSSPECTBD 8’ 19980303 031 This work was conducted under IDA’S central research program. The publication of

Clinical significance of plasma cell-free DNA mutations in PIK3CA, AKT1, and ESR1 gene according to treatment lines in ER-positive breast cancer.

PubMed

Takeshita, Takashi; Yamamoto, Yutaka; Yamamoto-Ibusuki, Mutsuko; Tomiguchi, Mai; Sueta, Aiko; Murakami, Keiichi; Iwase, Hirotaka

2018-02-26

The somatic activation of PI3K/AKT pathway mutations, PIK3CA and AKT1, and ESR1 mutations in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been studied as a non-invasive procedure to quickly assess and monitor disease progression or therapeutic effect in breast cancer (BC) patients, but the clinical significance of these mutations in late treatment lines (TLs) remains unclear. The subjects of this study were a total of 251 plasma samples from 128 estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC patients. Of these plasma samples, 133 were from 73 primary BC (PBC) patients, and 118 plasma samples were from 68 metastatic BC (MBC) patients. We developed droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays to verify the clinical significance of PIK3CA, AKT1, and ESR1 mutations in these patients. cfDNA PIK3CA mutations were observed in 15.1% of the PBC patients, while a cfDNA AKT1 mutation was observed in 1.4% of patients, and cfDNA ESR1 mutations were observed in 2.7% of patients. Patients with detectable cfDNA PIK3CA mutations were not associated with clinical outcomes. According to the TL, the prevalence of the PIK3CA and ESR1 mutations in cfDNA were lower in early TLs compared with late TLs. In the early TL group, patients with cfDNA PIK3CA mutations had a shorter time to treatment failure (TTF) than patients without mutations (P = 0.035). However, there was no statistically significant difference between patients with or without cfDNA ESR1 mutations. However, in the late TL group, patients with cfDNA ESR1 mutations had a shorter TTF than patients without mutations (P = 0.048). However, there was no statistically significant difference between patients with or without cfDNA PIK3CA mutations. Since the prevalence of cfDNA AKT1 mutation is low in both PBC and MBC patients, the impact of AKT1 mutations on the prognosis remains unclear. We have demonstrated the difference in the clinical significance of the hotspot PIK3CA, AKT1, and ESR1 mutations in cfDNA for each TL in ER+ BC patients.

Influence of different dose calculation algorithms on the estimate of NTCP for lung complications

PubMed Central

Bäck, Anna

2013-01-01

Due to limitations and uncertainties in dose calculation algorithms, different algorithms can predict different dose distributions and dose‐volume histograms for the same treatment. This can be a problem when estimating the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for patient‐specific dose distributions. Published NTCP model parameters are often derived for a different dose calculation algorithm than the one used to calculate the actual dose distribution. The use of algorithm‐specific NTCP model parameters can prevent errors caused by differences in dose calculation algorithms. The objective of this work was to determine how to change the NTCP model parameters for lung complications derived for a simple correction‐based pencil beam dose calculation algorithm, in order to make them valid for three other common dose calculation algorithms. NTCP was calculated with the relative seriality (RS) and Lyman‐Kutcher‐Burman (LKB) models. The four dose calculation algorithms used were the pencil beam (PB) and collapsed cone (CC) algorithms employed by Oncentra, and the pencil beam convolution (PBC) and anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) employed by Eclipse. Original model parameters for lung complications were taken from four published studies on different grades of pneumonitis, and new algorithm‐specific NTCP model parameters were determined. The difference between original and new model parameters was presented in relation to the reported model parameter uncertainties. Three different types of treatments were considered in the study: tangential and locoregional breast cancer treatment and lung cancer treatment. Changing the algorithm without the derivation of new model parameters caused changes in the NTCP value of up to 10 percentage points for the cases studied. Furthermore, the error introduced could be of the same magnitude as the confidence intervals of the calculated NTCP values. The new NTCP model parameters were tabulated as the algorithm was varied from PB to PBC, AAA, or CC. Moving from the PB to the PBC algorithm did not require new model parameters; however, moving from PB to AAA or CC did require a change in the NTCP model parameters, with CC requiring the largest change. It was shown that the new model parameters for a given algorithm are different for the different treatment types. PACS numbers: 87.53.‐j, 87.53.Kn, 87.55.‐x, 87.55.dh, 87.55.kd PMID:24036865

Prioritizing CD4 Count Monitoring in Response to ART in Resource-Constrained Settings: A Retrospective Application of Prediction-Based Classification

PubMed Central

Liu, Yan; Li, Xiaohong; Johnson, Margaret; Smith, Collette; Kamarulzaman, Adeeba bte; Montaner, Julio; Mounzer, Karam; Saag, Michael; Cahn, Pedro; Cesar, Carina; Krolewiecki, Alejandro; Sanne, Ian; Montaner, Luis J.

2012-01-01

Background Global programs of anti-HIV treatment depend on sustained laboratory capacity to assess treatment initiation thresholds and treatment response over time. Currently, there is no valid alternative to CD4 count testing for monitoring immunologic responses to treatment, but laboratory cost and capacity limit access to CD4 testing in resource-constrained settings. Thus, methods to prioritize patients for CD4 count testing could improve treatment monitoring by optimizing resource allocation. Methods and Findings Using a prospective cohort of HIV-infected patients (n = 1,956) monitored upon antiretroviral therapy initiation in seven clinical sites with distinct geographical and socio-economic settings, we retrospectively apply a novel prediction-based classification (PBC) modeling method. The model uses repeatedly measured biomarkers (white blood cell count and lymphocyte percent) to predict CD4+ T cell outcome through first-stage modeling and subsequent classification based on clinically relevant thresholds (CD4+ T cell count of 200 or 350 cells/µl). The algorithm correctly classified 90% (cross-validation estimate = 91.5%, standard deviation [SD] = 4.5%) of CD4 count measurements <200 cells/µl in the first year of follow-up; if laboratory testing is applied only to patients predicted to be below the 200-cells/µl threshold, we estimate a potential savings of 54.3% (SD = 4.2%) in CD4 testing capacity. A capacity savings of 34% (SD = 3.9%) is predicted using a CD4 threshold of 350 cells/µl. Similar results were obtained over the 3 y of follow-up available (n = 619). Limitations include a need for future economic healthcare outcome analysis, a need for assessment of extensibility beyond the 3-y observation time, and the need to assign a false positive threshold. Conclusions Our results support the use of PBC modeling as a triage point at the laboratory, lessening the need for laboratory-based CD4+ T cell count testing; implementation of this tool could help optimize the use of laboratory resources, directing CD4 testing towards higher-risk patients. However, further prospective studies and economic analyses are needed to demonstrate that the PBC model can be effectively applied in clinical settings. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary PMID:22529752

Parabrachial complex glutamate receptors modulate the cardiorespiratory response evoked from hypothalamic defense area.

PubMed

Díaz-Casares, A; López-González, M V; Peinado-Aragonés, C A; González-Barón, S; Dawid-Milner, M S

2012-08-16

To characterize the possible role of glutamate in the interaction between Hypothalamic Defense Area (HDA) and Parabrachial complex (PBc) nuclei, cardiorespiratory changes were analyzed in response to electrical stimulation of the HDA (1 ms pulses, 30-50 μA given at 100 Hz for 5s) before and after the microinjection of the nonspecific glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid (50 nl, 5 nmol), NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (50 nl, 50 nmol), non-NMDA receptor antagonist CNQX (50 nl, 50 nmol) or metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist MCPG (50 nl, 5 nmol) within the PBc. HDA stimulation evoked an inspiratory facilitatory response, consisting of an increase in respiratory rate (p<0.001) due to a decrease in expiratory time (p<0.01). The respiratory response was accompanied by a pressor (p<0.001) and a tachycardic response (p<0.001). Kynurenic acid within the lateral parabrachial region (lPB) abolished the tachycardia (p<0.001) and decreased the magnitude of blood pressure response (p<0.001) to HDA stimulation. Similarly, the magnitude of the tachycardia and the pressor response was decreased after the microinjection of MK-801 (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively) and CNQX (p<0.05 in both cases) into the lPB. Kynurenic acid microinjection in this region produced an inhibition of the tachypnea (p<0.001) to HDA stimulation but the respiratory response persisted unchanged after MK-801 or CNQX microinjection into the lPB. Kynurenic acid within the medial parabrachial region (mPB) abolished the tachycardia (p<0.01) and decreased the magnitude of the pressor response (p<0.001) to HDA stimulation. MK-801 and CNQX microinjection in this region decreased the magnitude of the tachycardia (p<0.05, in both cases) and pressor response (p<0.05, in both cases). The respiratory response evoked by HDA stimulation was not changed after the microinjection of kynurenic acid, MK-801 or CNQX within the mPB. No changes were observed in the cardiorespiratory response evoked to HDA stimulation after MCPG microinjection within lPB and mPB. These results indicate that glutamate PBc receptors are involved in the cardiorespiratory response evoked from the HDA. The possible mechanisms involved in these interactions are discussed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Towards a sustainable paradigm of waste-to-energy process: Enhanced anaerobic digestion of sludge with woody biochar

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shen, Yanwen; Linville, Jessica L.; Ignacio-de Leon, Patricia Anne A.

This study presents an integrated waste-to-energy process, using two waste streams, sludge generated from the municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and biochar generated from the biomass gasification systems, to produce fungible biomethane and nutrient-rich digestate with fertilizer value. Two woody biochar, namely pinewood (PBC) and white oak biochar (WOBC) were used as additives during anaerobic digestion (AD) of WWTP sludge to enhance methane production at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures. The PBC and WOBC have porous structure, large surface area and desirable chemical properties to be used as AD amendment material to sequester CO2 from biogas in the digester. The biochar-amendedmore » digesters achieved average methane content in biogas of up to 92.3% and 79.0%, corresponding to CO2 sequestration by up to 66.2% and 32.4% during mesophilic and thermophilic AD, respectively. Biochar addition enhanced process stability by increasing the alkalinity, but inhibitory effects were observed at high dosage. It also alleviated free ammonia inhibition by up to 10.5%. The biochar-amended digesters generated digestate rich in macro- and micronutrients including K (up to 300 m/L), Ca (up to 750 mg/L), Mg (up to 1800 mg/L) and Fe (up to 390 mg/L), making biochar-amended digestate a potential alternative used as agricultural lime fertilizer.« less

SEARCHING FOR NEW {gamma}-RAY BLAZAR CANDIDATES IN THE THIRD PALERMO BAT HARD X-RAY CATALOG WITH WISE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maselli, A.; Cusumano, G.; La Parola, V.

We searched for {gamma}-ray blazar candidates among the 382 unidentified hard X-ray sources of the third Palermo BAT Catalog (3PBC) obtained from the analysis of 66 months of Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) survey data and listing 1586 sources. We adopted a recently developed association method based on the peculiar infrared colors that characterize the {gamma}-ray blazars included in the second catalog of active galactic nuclei detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope. We used this method exploiting the data of the all-sky survey performed by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) to establish correspondences between unidentified 3PBC sources andmore » WISE {gamma}-ray blazar candidates located within the BAT positional uncertainty region at a 99% confidence level. We obtained a preliminary list of candidates for which we analyzed all the available data in the Swift archive to complement the information in the literature and in the radio, infrared, and optical catalogs with the information on their optical-UV and soft X-ray emission. Requiring the presence of radio and soft X-ray counterparts consistent with the infrared positions of the selected WISE sources, as well as a blazar-like radio morphology, we finally obtained a list of 24 {gamma}-ray blazar candidates.« less

Phenylboronate chromatography selectively separates glycoproteins through the manipulation of electrostatic, charge transfer, and cis-diol interactions.

PubMed

Carvalho, Rimenys J; Woo, James; Aires-Barros, M Raquel; Cramer, Steven M; Azevedo, Ana M

2014-10-01

Phenylboronate chromatography (PBC) has been applied for several years, however details regarding the mechanisms of interactions between the ligand and biomolecules are still scarce. The goal of this work is to investigate the various chemical interactions between proteins and their ligands, using a protein library containing both glycosylated and nonglycosylated proteins. Differences in the adsorption of these proteins over a pH range from 4 to 9 were related to two main properties: charge and presence of glycans. Acidic or neutral proteins were strongly adsorbed below pH 8 although the uncharged trigonal form of phenylboronate (PB) is less susceptible to forming electrostatic and cis-diol interactions with proteins. The glycosylated proteins were only adsorbed above pH 8 when the electrostatic repulsion between the boronate anion and the protein surface was mitigated (at 200 mM NaCl). All basic proteins were highly adsorbed above pH 8 with PB also acting as a cation-exchanger with binding occurring through electrostatic interactions. Batch adsorption performed at acidic conditions in the presence of Lewis base showed that charge-transfer interactions are critical for protein retention. This study demonstrates the multimodal interaction of PBC, which can be a selective tool for separation of different classes of proteins. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Enhanced Sampling of Molecular Dynamics Simulations of a Polyalanine Octapeptide: Effects of the Periodic Boundary Conditions on Peptide Conformation.

PubMed

Kasahara, Kota; Sakuraba, Shun; Fukuda, Ikuo

2018-03-08

We investigate the problem of artifacts caused by the periodic boundary conditions (PBC) used in molecular simulation studies. Despite the long history of simulations with PBCs, the existence of measurable artifacts originating from PBCs applied to inherently nonperiodic physical systems remains controversial. Specifically, these artifacts appear as differences between simulations of the same system but with different simulation-cell sizes. Earlier studies have implied that, even in the simple case of a small model peptide in water, sampling inefficiency is a major obstacle to understanding these artifacts. In this study, we have resolved the sampling issue using the replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) enhanced-sampling method to explore PBC artifacts. Explicitly solvated zwitterionic polyalanine octapeptides with three different cubic-cells, having dimensions of L = 30, 40, and 50 Å, were investigated to elucidate the differences with 64 replica × 500 ns REMD simulations using the AMBER parm99SB force field. The differences among them were not large overall, and the results for the L = 30 and 40 Å simulations in the conformational free energy landscape were found to be very similar at room temperature. However, a small but statistically significant difference was seen for L = 50 Å. We observed that extended conformations were slightly overstabilized in the smaller systems. The origin of these artifacts is discussed by comparison to an electrostatic calculation method without PBCs.

Predicting Australian adults' sun-safe behaviour: examining the role of personal and social norms.

PubMed

White, Katherine M; Starfelt, Louise C; Young, Ross McD; Hawkes, Anna L; Leske, Stuart; Hamilton, Kyra

2015-05-01

To address the scarcity of comprehensive, theory-based research in the Australian context, this study, using a theory of planned behaviour (TPB) framework, investigated the role of personal and social norms to identify the key predictors of adult Australians' sun-safe intentions and behaviour. The study used a prospective design with two waves of data collection, 1 week apart. Participants were 816 adults (48.2% men) aged between 18 and 88 years recruited from urban, regional, and rural areas of Australia. At baseline, participants completed a questionnaire assessing the standard TPB predictors (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control [PBC]), past behaviour, behavioural intention, and additional measures of group norm for the referent groups of friends and family, image norm, personal norm, personal choice/responsibility, and Australian identity. Seventy-one per cent of the participants (n = 577) reported on their sun-safe behaviour in the subsequent week. Via path modelling, past behaviour, attitude, group norm (friends), personal norm, and personal choice/responsibility emerged as independent predictors of intentions which, in turn, predicted sun-safe behaviour prospectively. Past behaviour, but not PBC, had direct effects on sun-safe behaviour. The model explained 61.6% and 43.9% of the variance in intention and behaviour, respectively. This study provides support for the use of a comprehensive theoretical decision-making model to explain Australian adults' sun-safe intentions and behaviours and identifies viable targets for health-promoting messages in this high-risk context. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Identifying determinants of sun-safe behaviour is vital in high-risk cancer areas like Australia. For young Australians, friendship group norm is a key influence of intentions and behaviour. Little is known about drivers of sun safety, especially norms, among Australian adults in general. What does this study add? This study drew on qualitative data and reconceptualized norms for Australians' sun-safe decisions. Friendship group norm and personal norm, not family group norm, influence sun-safe intentions. Perceived responsibility and choice to be sun safe also impact on people's intentions. © 2014 The British Psychological Society.

Use of the Theory of Planned Behaviour to assess factors influencing the identification of students at clinical high-risk for psychosis in 16+ Education.

PubMed

Russo, Debra A; Stochl, Jan; Painter, Michelle; Shelley, Gillian F; Jones, Peter B; Perez, Jesus

2015-09-23

The longer psychotic disorders are untreated the worse their prognosis. Increasing the awareness of early psychosis by professionals who come into regular contact with young people is one strategy that could reduce treatment delay. As teachers engage with students on a daily basis, their role could be exploited to increase awareness of the early signs of psychosis. This study employed the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to identify and measure factors that influence identification of students at high-risk (HR) of developing psychosis in 16+ educational institutions. An elicitation phase revealed beliefs underlying teachers' motivations to detect HR students and informed the construction of a preliminary 114-item questionnaire incorporating all constructs outlined in the TPB. To define the determinants of teachers' intention to identify HR students, 75 teachers from secondary and further education institutions in 12 counties surrounding Cambridgeshire completed the questionnaire. A psychometric model of item response theory was used to identify redundant items and produce a reduced questionnaire that would be acceptable to teachers. The final instrument comprised 73 items and showed acceptable reliability (α  = 0.69-0.81) for all direct measures. Teacher's confidence and control over identification of HR students was low. Although identification of HR students was considered worthwhile, teachers believed that their peers, students and particularly their managers might not approve. Path analysis revealed that direct measures of attitude and PBC significantly predicted intention, but subjective norm did not. PBC was the strongest predictor of intention. Collectively, the direct measures explained 37 % of the variance of intention to identify HR for psychosis. This research demonstrated how the TPB can be used to identify and measure factors that influence identification of students at HR of developing psychosis in 16+ educational institutions and confirmed the feasibility, reliability and acceptability of a TPB-based questionnaire for teachers. Consideration of the key determinants of identification in schools will facilitate the design of successful educational intervention strategies with the potential to reduce treatment delays for HR students.

The interaction between anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies in a wide spectrum of auto-immune diseases: another angle of the autoimmune mosaic.

PubMed

Agmon-Levin, Nancy; Dagan, Amir; Peri, Yogev; Anaya, Juan-Manuel; Selmi, Carlo; Tincani, Angela; Bizzaro, Nicola; Stojanovich, Ljudmila; Damoiseaux, Jan; Cohen Tervaert, Jan Willem; Mosca, Marta; Cervera, Ricard; Shoenfeld, Yehuda

2017-01-01

The presence of anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies has been linked with autoimmunity in general and with several autoimmune diseases (AID) in particular. In the current study we evaluated these antibodies in a wide spectrum of AID as well as the links between them and anti-infectious antibodies. We examined 2082 sera from patients with 16 different AID compared to 524 sera from geographically-matched healthy controls, for the presence and titres of anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB. All samples were also tested for a variety of anti-infectious agents' antibodies using the BioPlex 2200-immunoassay (Bio-Rad, USA). Anti-Ro/SSA was more prevalent, with significantly higher titre in 5 autoimmune diseases namely Sjögren's syndrome (SS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) both primary and APS linked to SLE, systemic sclerosis (SSc) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Anti-La/SSB was more prevalent with higher titers in SS, SLE, APS linked to SLE and PBC. Prevalence, but not titers, of both antibodies were higher also in polymyositis (PM). Additionally, we found a correlation between anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and antibodies of the IgM and IgG subtypes directed at cytomegalovirus as well as IgG-antibodies directed at Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and toxoplasma (p<0.001). Anti-La/SSB antibodies correlated with the presence of IgG antibodies against EBV early antigen (p<0.001). In a large cohort of patients with autoimmune diseases we found an association between anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies and 6 autoimmune diseases, amongst which primary APS and PM. Additionally, we observed linkages between these autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies directed at Epstein-Barr virus, toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus. Our findings support the concept of interplay between infectious agents and autoimmunity, such as the plausibility of an infectious agent that trigger the immune system to produce specific antibodies which will later result in a unique group of AID.

Genetic and Physiological Studies of Bacillus anthracis Related to Development of an Improved Vaccine

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-07-01

nontransformable Bacillus species such as B. anthracis. Our results suggest that plasmid pLS20 of Bacillus subtilis ( natto ), which promotes transfer of the...mobilizing pBC16, pLS20 mediates transfer of the B. subtills ( natto ) plasmid pLS19 and the Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pUB110. To facilitate direct...and (v) transformation of B. cereus and B. anthracis with plasmid DNA. The 55-kb plasmid, pLS20, of Bacillus subtilis ( natto ) 3335 promotes tr msfer

Piezoelectric and Electrostrictive Materials for Transducer Applications. Volume 3.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

the preparation and characterization of these required compositions. High-purity lead acetate, titanium isopropoxide , and zirconium n-propoxide were...method was similar to the procedure used in Reference 4 to prepare PbTiO 3. High-purity lead acetate [Pb(C2 H3 0 2 )2 -3H-2Oj, titanium isopropoxide [Ti(OC...dielectric constant as shown in Figure 14(A). P.𔃿 8 IV. CONCLUSION High-purity lead acetate, titanium isopropoxide and zirconium n-propoxide were used as

Predicting pharmacists' adjustment of medication regimens in Ramadan using the Theory of Planned Behavior.

PubMed

Amin, Mohamed E K; Chewning, Betty

2015-01-01

During Ramadan, many Muslim patients may choose to abstain from food, drink and oral medications from dawn to sunset. This study explored the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model in predicting community pharmacists' Medication Regimen Adjustment (MRA) behavior for patients during Ramadan. A sample of pharmacists was drawn from a recent list of community pharmacies in the Alexandria governorate. A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was completed by community pharmacists to determine their attitudes and behaviors regarding adjustment of medication regimens around Ramadan. Multiple linear regression was used to predict MRA as a function of the TPB constructs and four other factors - "pharmacist initiation of the conversation on MRA," "number of hours worked," "age," and "religion" of pharmacist. Two hundred seventy-seven (92.9%) of the 298 approached pharmacists participated. While 94.2% reported performing one or more kinds of MRA around Ramadan for at least one patient, the majority of these were for a small percentage of patients. The most common MRA was changing the frequency of taking the medication followed by the dose of the medication, the dosage form of the medication and the medication itself. Statistically significant predictors of MRA in the final model included patient social pressure (PSP) (β = 0.274, P < 0.001), pharmacist perceived behavioral capability (PBC) (β = 0.217, P < 0.001), pharmacist perceived patient benefit (PPB) (β = 0.207, P = 0.001), initiating communication (β = 0.167, P = 0.001) and the number of working hours (β = 0.145, P = 0.005). The TPB appears to have utility in predicting pharmacists' MRA behavior. Pharmacists may be open to a larger MRA role than they are currently performing. There is a need to prepare pharmacists who are frequently requested to adjust patients' medication regimens to make sure they provide a safe transition for fasting patients into and out of Ramadan. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Combinatorial compatibility as habit-controlling factor in lysozyme crystallization I. Monomeric and tetrameric F faces derived graph-theoretically

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strom, C. S.; Bennema, P.

1997-03-01

A series of two articles discusses possible morphological evidence for oligomerization of growth units in the crystallization of tetragonal lysozyme, based on a rigorous graph-theoretic derivation of the F faces. In the first study (Part I), the growth layers are derived as valid networks satisfying the conditions of F slices in the context of the PBC theory using the graph-theoretic method implemented in program FFACE [C.S. Strom, Z. Krist. 172 (1985) 11]. The analysis is performed in monomeric and alternative tetrameric and octameric formulations of the unit cell, assuming tetramer formation according to the strongest bonds. F (flat) slices with thickness Rdhkl ( {1}/{2} < R ≤ 1 ) are predicted theoretically in the forms 1 1 0, 0 1 1, 1 1 1. The relevant energies are established in the broken bond model. The relation between possible oligomeric specifications of the unit cell and combinatorially feasible F slice compositions in these orientations is explored.

Density functional theory investigation of opto-electronic properties of thieno[3,4-b]thiophene and benzodithiophene polymer and derivatives and their applications in solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khoshkholgh, Mehri Javan; Marsusi, Farah; Abolhassani, Mohammad Reza

2015-02-01

PTBs polymers with thieno[3,4-b]thiophene [TT] and benzodithiophene [BDT] units have particular properties, which demonstrate it as one of the best group of donor materials in organic solar cells. In the present work, density functional theory (DFT) is applied to investigate the optimized structure, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), band gap and dihedral angle of PTB7 at B3LYP/6-31G(d). Two different approaches are applied to carry out these investigations: Oligomer extrapolation technique and periodic boundary condition (PBC) method. The results obtained from PBC-DFT method are in fair agreement with experiments. Based on these reliable outcomes; the investigations continued to perform some derivatives of PTB7. In this study, sulfur is substituted by nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, phosphor or selenium atoms in pristine PTB7. Due to the shift of HOMO and LUMO levels, smaller band gaps are predicted to appear in some derivatives in comparison with PTB7. Maximum theoretical efficiencies, η, of the mentioned derivatives as well as local difference of dipole moments between the ground and excited states (Δμge) are computed. The results indicate that substitution of sulfur by nitrogen or oxygen in BDT unit, and silicon or phosphor in TT unit of pristine PTB7 leads to a higher η as well as Δμge.

Scalable Evaluation of Polarization Energy and Associated Forces in Polarizable Molecular Dynamics: II.Towards Massively Parallel Computations using Smooth Particle Mesh Ewald.

PubMed

Lagardère, Louis; Lipparini, Filippo; Polack, Étienne; Stamm, Benjamin; Cancès, Éric; Schnieders, Michael; Ren, Pengyu; Maday, Yvon; Piquemal, Jean-Philip

2014-02-28

In this paper, we present a scalable and efficient implementation of point dipole-based polarizable force fields for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with periodic boundary conditions (PBC). The Smooth Particle-Mesh Ewald technique is combined with two optimal iterative strategies, namely, a preconditioned conjugate gradient solver and a Jacobi solver in conjunction with the Direct Inversion in the Iterative Subspace for convergence acceleration, to solve the polarization equations. We show that both solvers exhibit very good parallel performances and overall very competitive timings in an energy-force computation needed to perform a MD step. Various tests on large systems are provided in the context of the polarizable AMOEBA force field as implemented in the newly developed Tinker-HP package which is the first implementation for a polarizable model making large scale experiments for massively parallel PBC point dipole models possible. We show that using a large number of cores offers a significant acceleration of the overall process involving the iterative methods within the context of spme and a noticeable improvement of the memory management giving access to very large systems (hundreds of thousands of atoms) as the algorithm naturally distributes the data on different cores. Coupled with advanced MD techniques, gains ranging from 2 to 3 orders of magnitude in time are now possible compared to non-optimized, sequential implementations giving new directions for polarizable molecular dynamics in periodic boundary conditions using massively parallel implementations.

Scalable Evaluation of Polarization Energy and Associated Forces in Polarizable Molecular Dynamics: II.Towards Massively Parallel Computations using Smooth Particle Mesh Ewald

PubMed Central

Lagardère, Louis; Lipparini, Filippo; Polack, Étienne; Stamm, Benjamin; Cancès, Éric; Schnieders, Michael; Ren, Pengyu; Maday, Yvon; Piquemal, Jean-Philip

2015-01-01

In this paper, we present a scalable and efficient implementation of point dipole-based polarizable force fields for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with periodic boundary conditions (PBC). The Smooth Particle-Mesh Ewald technique is combined with two optimal iterative strategies, namely, a preconditioned conjugate gradient solver and a Jacobi solver in conjunction with the Direct Inversion in the Iterative Subspace for convergence acceleration, to solve the polarization equations. We show that both solvers exhibit very good parallel performances and overall very competitive timings in an energy-force computation needed to perform a MD step. Various tests on large systems are provided in the context of the polarizable AMOEBA force field as implemented in the newly developed Tinker-HP package which is the first implementation for a polarizable model making large scale experiments for massively parallel PBC point dipole models possible. We show that using a large number of cores offers a significant acceleration of the overall process involving the iterative methods within the context of spme and a noticeable improvement of the memory management giving access to very large systems (hundreds of thousands of atoms) as the algorithm naturally distributes the data on different cores. Coupled with advanced MD techniques, gains ranging from 2 to 3 orders of magnitude in time are now possible compared to non-optimized, sequential implementations giving new directions for polarizable molecular dynamics in periodic boundary conditions using massively parallel implementations. PMID:26512230

Density functional theory investigation of opto-electronic properties of thieno[3,4-b]thiophene and benzodithiophene polymer and derivatives and their applications in solar cell.

PubMed

Khoshkholgh, Mehri Javan; Marsusi, Farah; Abolhassani, Mohammad Reza

2015-02-05

PTBs polymers with thieno[3,4-b]thiophene [TT] and benzodithiophene [BDT] units have particular properties, which demonstrate it as one of the best group of donor materials in organic solar cells. In the present work, density functional theory (DFT) is applied to investigate the optimized structure, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), band gap and dihedral angle of PTB7 at B3LYP/6-31G(d). Two different approaches are applied to carry out these investigations: Oligomer extrapolation technique and periodic boundary condition (PBC) method. The results obtained from PBC-DFT method are in fair agreement with experiments. Based on these reliable outcomes; the investigations continued to perform some derivatives of PTB7. In this study, sulfur is substituted by nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, phosphor or selenium atoms in pristine PTB7. Due to the shift of HOMO and LUMO levels, smaller band gaps are predicted to appear in some derivatives in comparison with PTB7. Maximum theoretical efficiencies, η, of the mentioned derivatives as well as local difference of dipole moments between the ground and excited states (Δμge) are computed. The results indicate that substitution of sulfur by nitrogen or oxygen in BDT unit, and silicon or phosphor in TT unit of pristine PTB7 leads to a higher η as well as Δμge. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Angiogenesis and proliferation of bile duct enhances ischemic tolerance in rats with cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhiqiang; Li, Zhennan; Zou, Chen; Zhang, Jingjing; Zhu, Yi; Miao, Yi

2015-01-01

Background/aims: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), an autoimmune disease of the liver, is marked by slow progressive destruction of bile ducts. These patients with PBC often undergo orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Ischemic bile duct lesion (IBDL) is a major source of morbidity and even mortality after OLT. Cirrhosis of the liver has a higher tolerance to ischemia than a normal liver, but the mechanism remains unknown. Angiogenesis and proliferation of bile duct often responses in bile duct ischemia, which may enhance ischemic tolerance in patients with cirrhosis. Methodology: To test the hypothesis, a rat model with cirrhosis was established. Biochemical indexes of ischemic severity were measured including total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL). Immunohistochemical assay was performed for Ki67 (a biomarker for the proliferation of bile duct) and CD34 (a biomarker of angiogenesis). Results: The levels were lower for TBIL and DBIL in the bile duct from rat model with cirrhosis than that from a normal rat after ischemic surgery (P < 0.05). The levels were higher for Ki67 and CD34 from a rat model with cirrhosis than that from a normal rat after ischemic surgery (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that a liver with cirrhosis has a better ischemic tolerance than a normal liver. Angiogenesis and proliferation of bile duct enhances ischemic tolerance in rats with cirrhosis. More research on the pathogenesis of IBDLs is needed for developing more specific preventive or therapeutic strategies. PMID:26550120

Modelling intentions to provide smoking cessation support among mental health professionals in the Netherlands.

PubMed

Blankers, Matthijs; Buisman, Renate; Hopman, Petra; van Gool, Ronald; van Laar, Margriet

2016-01-01

Tobacco use prevalence is elevated among people with mental illnesses, leading to elevated rates of premature smoking-related mortality. Opportunities to encourage smoking cessation among them are currently underused by mental health professionals. In this paper, we aim to explore mechanisms to invigorate professionals' intentions to help patients stop smoking. Data stem from a recent staff survey on the provision of smoking cessation support to patients with mental illnesses in the Netherlands. Items and underlying constructs were based on the theory of planned behaviour and literature on habitual behaviour. Data were weighted and only data from staff members with regular patient contact (n = 506) were included. Descriptive statistics of the survey items are presented and in a second step using structural equation modelling (SEM), we regressed the latent variables attitudes, subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioural control (PBC), past cessation support behaviour (PB) and current smoking behaviour on intentions to provide support. In optimisation steps, models comprising a subset of this initial model were evaluated. A sample of 506 mental health workers who had direct contact with patients completed the survey. The majority of them were females (70.0 %), respondents had an average age of 42.5 years (SD = 12.0). Seventy-five percent had at least a BSc educational background. Of the respondents, 76 % indicated that patients should be encouraged more to quit smoking. Respondents were supportive to train their direct colleagues to provide cessation support more often (71 %) and also supported the involvement of mental health care facilities in providing cessation support to patients (69 %). The majority of the respondents feels capable to provide cessation support (66 %). Two thirds of the respondents wants to provide support, however only a minority (35 %) intends to actually do so during the coming year. Next, using SEM an acceptable fit was found of the constructs derived from the theory of planned behaviour and literature on habitual behaviour to the weighted data (χ (2) (322) = 1188, p < .001; RMSEA = 0.067; CFI = 0.983), after removal of insignificant latent variables (SN and current smoking) and inclusion of covariates. Attitudes, PBC and PB of staff are the strongest identified correlates of intention toward providing cessation support to patients. SN and staff smoking behaviour were found to be weaker, non-significant correlates. To nudge staff towards providing cessation support to people with mental illnesses one should aim at influencing attitudes and perceived behavioural control.

Genetic and Physiological Studies of Bacillus anthracis Related to Development of an Improved Vaccine

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-07-01

demonstrated that plasmid pLS20 of B. subtilis ( natto ) is capa le of promoting the transfer of pBC16 from B. subtilis to a variety of Bacillus s ecies...anthracis. Hofetver, results of recent experiments demonstrate that pL320, a 34-megadalton plasmid of B. subtilis ( natto ), is capable of promoting the...plasmid in Bacillus subtilis ( natto ).20 IV. Determination of the size of pX02 by restriction analysis-....... 24 V. Transfer of pXO1 by the B

CENTERA: A Centralized Trust-Based Efficient Routing Protocol with Authentication for Wireless Sensor Networks †

PubMed Central

Tajeddine, Ayman; Kayssi, Ayman; Chehab, Ali; Elhajj, Imad; Itani, Wassim

2015-01-01

In this paper, we present CENTERA, a CENtralized Trust-based Efficient Routing protocol with an appropriate authentication scheme for wireless sensor networks (WSN). CENTERA utilizes the more powerful base station (BS) to gather minimal neighbor trust information from nodes and calculate the best routes after isolating different types of “bad” nodes. By periodically accumulating these simple local observations and approximating the nodes' battery lives, the BS draws a global view of the network, calculates three quality metrics—maliciousness, cooperation, and compatibility—and evaluates the Data Trust and Forwarding Trust values of each node. Based on these metrics, the BS isolates “bad”, “misbehaving” or malicious nodes for a certain period, and put some nodes on probation. CENTERA increases the node's bad/probation level with repeated “bad” behavior, and decreases it otherwise. Then it uses a very efficient method to distribute the routing information to “good” nodes. Based on its target environment, and if required, CENTERA uses an authentication scheme suitable for severely constrained nodes, ranging from the symmetric RC5 for safe environments under close administration, to pairing-based cryptography (PBC) for hostile environments with a strong attacker model. We simulate CENTERA using TOSSIM and verify its correctness and show some energy calculations. PMID:25648712

CENTERA: a centralized trust-based efficient routing protocol with authentication for wireless sensor networks.

PubMed

Tajeddine, Ayman; Kayssi, Ayman; Chehab, Ali; Elhajj, Imad; Itani, Wassim

2015-02-02

In this paper, we present CENTERA, a CENtralized Trust-based Efficient Routing protocol with an appropriate authentication scheme for wireless sensor networks (WSN). CENTERA utilizes the more powerful base station (BS) to gather minimal neighbor trust information from nodes and calculate the best routes after isolating different types of "bad" nodes. By periodically accumulating these simple local observations and approximating the nodes' battery lives, the BS draws a global view of the network, calculates three quality metrics-maliciousness, cooperation, and compatibility-and evaluates the Data Trust and Forwarding Trust values of each node. Based on these metrics, the BS isolates "bad", "misbehaving" or malicious nodes for a certain period, and put some nodes on probation. CENTERA increases the node's bad/probation level with repeated "bad" behavior, and decreases it otherwise. Then it uses a very efficient method to distribute the routing information to "good" nodes. Based on its target environment, and if required, CENTERA uses an authentication scheme suitable for severely constrained nodes, ranging from the symmetric RC5 for safe environments under close administration, to pairing-based cryptography (PBC) for hostile environments with a strong attacker model. We simulate CENTERA using TOSSIM and verify its correctness and show some energy calculations.

Management and Prevention of Breast Cancer After Radiation to the Chest for Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adulthood Malignancy.

PubMed

Koo, Eva; Henderson, Michael A; Dwyer, Mary; Skandarajah, Anita R

2015-12-01

Women treated with chest irradiation for childhood, adolescent, and young adulthood (CAYA) malignancies, in particular Hodgkin's lymphoma, have an increased risk of developing second cancers of the breast (SCB). However, there are few uniform guidelines regarding surveillance and prevention for this high-risk group. A systematic search using PUBMED and OVID MEDLINE was performed. Publications listed under the terms "breast neoplasm", "neoplasm, radiation-induced", "therapeutic radiation-induced breast cancer", "screening", "surveillance", "prevention", and "prophylaxis" between January 1992 and January 2015 were assessed. A total of 138 publications were reviewed. Factors associated with increased SCB risk include young age at irradiation, prolong duration since irradiation (peak relative risk 13.87 at 15-19 years postradiation), and increased radiation dose and field. Early menopause reduces SCB risk. Annual screening mammography and breast MRI is recommended from age 25 or 8 years posttreatment for women treated with ≥20 Gy chest radiation before age 30 years. Compared with sporadic primary breast cancers (PBC), SCB more often are bilateral (6-34 %), managed with mastectomy (56-100 %), hormone receptor-negative (27-49 %), and high-grade (35 %). Women with SCB have a similar breast cancer event-free survival and breast cancer-specific survival compared to women with PBC. However, their overall survival is worse due to comorbid conditions. There is paucity of information regarding secondary prevention of SCB. Survivors of CAYA malignancy are at risk of many late effects, including iatrogenic breast cancer from chest irradiation. They are best managed in a multidisciplinary late-effects setting where tailored risk management can be provided.

Bone mineral density before and after OLT: long-term follow-up and predictive factors.

PubMed

Guichelaar, Maureen M J; Kendall, Rebecca; Malinchoc, Michael; Hay, J Eileen

2006-09-01

Fracturing after liver transplantation (OLT) occurs due to the combination of preexisting low bone mineral density (BMD) and early posttransplant bone loss, the risk factors for which are poorly defined. The prevalence and predictive factors for hepatic osteopenia and osteoporosis, posttransplant bone loss, and subsequent bone gain were studied by the long-term posttransplant follow-up of 360 consecutive adult patients with end-stage primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Only 20% of patients with advanced PBC or PSC have normal bone mass. Risk factors for low spinal BMD are low body mass index, older age, postmenopausal status, muscle wasting, high alkaline phosphatase and low serum albumin. A high rate of spinal bone loss occurred in the first 4 posttransplant months (annual rate of 16%) especially in those with younger age, PSC, higher pretransplant bone density, no inflammatory bowel disease, shorter duration of liver disease, current smoking, and ongoing cholestasis at 4 months. Factors favoring spinal bone gain from 4 to 24 months after transplantation were lower baseline and/or 4-month bone density, premenopausal status, lower cumulative glucocorticoids, no ongoing cholestasis, and higher levels of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Bone mass therefore improves most in patients with lowest pretransplant BMD who undergo successful transplantation with normal hepatic function and improved gonadal and nutritional status. Patients transplanted most recently have improved bone mass before OLT, and although bone loss still occurs early after OLT, these patients also have a greater recovery in BMD over the years following OLT.

Validation of a recombinant human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (hBPI) expression vector using murine mammary gland tumor cells and the early development of hBPI transgenic goat embryos.

PubMed

Gui, Tao; Liu, Xing; Tao, Jia; Chen, Jianwen; Li, Yunsheng; Zhang, Meiling; Wu, Ronghua; Zhang, Yuanliang; Peng, Kaisong; Liu, Ya; Zhang, Xiaorong; Zhang, Yunhai

2013-12-01

Human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (hBPI) is the only antibacterial peptide which acts against both gram-negative bacteria and neutralizes endotoxins in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils; therefore, hBPI is of great value in clinical applications. In the study, we constructed a hBPI expression vector (pBC1-Loxp-Neo-Loxp-hBPI) containing the full-length hBPI coding sequence which could be specifically expressed in the mammary gland. To validate the function of the vector, in vitro cultured C127 (mouse mammary Carcinoma Cells) were transfected with the vector, and the transgenic cell clones were selected to express hBPI by hormone induction. The mRNA and protein expression of hBPI showed that the constructed vector was effective and suitable for future application in producing mammary gland bioreactor. Then, female and male goat fibroblasts were transfected with the vector, and two male and two female transgenic clonal cell lines were obtained. Using the transgenic cell lines as nuclear donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer, the reconstructed goat embryos produced from all four clones could develop to blastocysts in vitro. In conclusion, we constructed and validated an efficient mammary gland-specific hBPI expression vector, pBC1-Loxp-Neo-Loxp-hBPI, and transgenic hBPI goat embryos were successfully produced, laying foundations for future production of recombinant hBPI in goat mammary gland. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Centromere Binding and Evolution of Chromosomal Partition Systems in the Burkholderiales

PubMed Central

Passot, Fanny M.; Calderon, Virginie; Fichant, Gwennaele; Lane, David

2012-01-01

How split genomes arise and evolve in bacteria is poorly understood. Since each replicon of such genomes encodes a specific partition (Par) system, the evolution of Par systems could shed light on their evolution. The cystic fibrosis pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia has three chromosomes (c1, c2, and c3) and one plasmid (pBC), whose compatibility depends on strictly specific interactions of the centromere sequences (parS) with their cognate binding proteins (ParB). However, the Par systems of B. cenocepacia c2, c3, and pBC share many features, suggesting that they arose within an extended family. Database searching revealed seven subfamilies of Par systems like those of B. cenocepacia. All are from plasmids and secondary chromosomes of the Burkholderiales, which reinforces the proposal of an extended family. The subfamily of the Par system of B. cenocepacia c3 includes plasmid variants with parS sequences divergent from that of c3. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), we found that ParB-c3 binds specifically to centromeres of these variants, despite high DNA sequence divergence. We suggest that the Par system of B. cenocepacia c3 has preserved the features of an ancestral system. In contrast, these features have diverged variably in the plasmid descendants. One such descendant is found both in Ralstonia pickettii 12D, on a free plasmid, and in Ralstonia pickettii 12J, on a plasmid integrated into the main chromosome. These observations suggest that we are witnessing a plasmid-chromosome interaction from which a third chromosome will emerge in a two-chromosome species. PMID:22522899

Centromere binding and evolution of chromosomal partition systems in the Burkholderiales.

PubMed

Passot, Fanny M; Calderon, Virginie; Fichant, Gwennaele; Lane, David; Pasta, Franck

2012-07-01

How split genomes arise and evolve in bacteria is poorly understood. Since each replicon of such genomes encodes a specific partition (Par) system, the evolution of Par systems could shed light on their evolution. The cystic fibrosis pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia has three chromosomes (c1, c2, and c3) and one plasmid (pBC), whose compatibility depends on strictly specific interactions of the centromere sequences (parS) with their cognate binding proteins (ParB). However, the Par systems of B. cenocepacia c2, c3, and pBC share many features, suggesting that they arose within an extended family. Database searching revealed seven subfamilies of Par systems like those of B. cenocepacia. All are from plasmids and secondary chromosomes of the Burkholderiales, which reinforces the proposal of an extended family. The subfamily of the Par system of B. cenocepacia c3 includes plasmid variants with parS sequences divergent from that of c3. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), we found that ParB-c3 binds specifically to centromeres of these variants, despite high DNA sequence divergence. We suggest that the Par system of B. cenocepacia c3 has preserved the features of an ancestral system. In contrast, these features have diverged variably in the plasmid descendants. One such descendant is found both in Ralstonia pickettii 12D, on a free plasmid, and in Ralstonia pickettii 12J, on a plasmid integrated into the main chromosome. These observations suggest that we are witnessing a plasmid-chromosome interaction from which a third chromosome will emerge in a two-chromosome species.

Frequency and predictive factors for overlap syndrome between autoimmune hepatitis and primary cholestatic liver disease.

PubMed

Gheorghe, Liana; Iacob, Speranta; Gheorghe, Cristian; Iacob, Razvan; Simionov, Iulia; Vadan, Roxana; Becheanu, Gabriel; Parvulescu, Iuliana; Toader, Cristina

2004-06-01

To evaluate the frequency of cholestatic pattern in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and to identify predictive factors associated with the development of the overlap syndrome. Eighty-two consecutive patients diagnosed with AIH at the referral centre between January 1998 and June 2002 were included in the study. The new scoring system modified by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group was used to classify patients as definite/probable. Overlap syndrome was considered when the patient had clinical, serological and histological characteristics of two conditions: AIH and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) or AIH and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). From the 82 AIH patients (76 female and six male), 84.1% presented definite AIH (> 15 points) and 15.9% probable AIH (10 - 15 points). The frequency of the overlap syndrome was 20%: 13% with PBC and 7% with PSC. In the univariate analysis the overlap syndrome was associated with male gender (P = 0.01), age < 35 years (P < 0.0001), histopathological aspect of cholestasis (P < 0.0001), suboptimal response to treatment (P < 0.0001) and probable AIH (P < 0.0001). Age < 35 years, probable AIH and the absence of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) have been identified as independent indicators of the overlap diagnosis by the logistic regression analysis. Patients with overlap syndrome between AIH and primary cholestatic liver disease are frequently diagnosed in clinical practice, representing 20% of AIH cases in our study. The independent predictive factors associated with the diagnosis of overlap syndrome are young age, ANA(-) profile, and probable diagnosis according with the scoring system for AIH.

Operations Guide for Civilian Manpower Costing. Part 2. Detailed Instructions.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-01-01

Q4Goete) Encl 3 Figure 2.1.5 (Cont.). PBC Mem ~o B4-55 (Repricing PDIPs) 2-35 ~.V COVER SHEET OFFICE SYMBOL DACA-OMP DATE 10 Feb 84 CON-AROL NUMBER...45d be ~ib4 5.. pmeew". o pmwoe (Cmem em o e* mem of 5-mi) PBS-FORDIMS FY 86-90 P0it, COB, OOC Live File See attached instruct.ions to update PBS...8217*. USMSSA DACA- OHP .. O&S AMT: Mr. Frank n.80 PBS- FORLD IS _________________________________ CSR 11-18 Production for FY 1985 OSD Budget___

Autoimmune liver serology: current diagnostic and clinical challenges.

PubMed

Bogdanos, Dimitrios-P; Invernizzi, Pietro; Mackay, Ian-R; Vergani, Diego

2008-06-07

Liver-related autoantibodies are crucial for the correct diagnosis and classification of autoimmune liver diseases (AiLD), namely autoimmune hepatitis types 1 and 2 (AIH-1 and 2), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and the sclerosing cholangitis variants in adults and children. AIH-1 is specified by anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and smooth muscle antibody (SMA). AIH-2 is specified by antibody to liver kidney microsomal antigen type-1 (anti-LKM1) and anti-liver cytosol type 1 (anti-LC1). SMA, ANA and anti-LKM antibodies can be present in de-novo AIH following liver transplantation. PBC is specified by antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) reacting with enzymes of the 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenase complexes (chiefly pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 subunit) and disease-specific ANA mainly reacting with nuclear pore gp210 and nuclear body sp100. Sclerosing cholangitis presents as at least two variants, first the classical primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) mostly affecting adult men wherein the only (and non-specific) reactivity is an atypical perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA), also termed perinuclear anti-neutrophil nuclear antibodies (p-ANNA) and second the childhood disease called autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC) with serological features resembling those of type 1 AIH. Liver diagnostic serology is a fast-expanding area of investigation as new purified and recombinant autoantigens, and automated technologies such as ELISAs and bead assays, become available to complement (or even compete with) traditional immunofluorescence procedures. We survey for the first time global trends in quality assurance impacting as it does on (1) manufacturers/purveyors of kits and reagents, (2) diagnostic service laboratories that fulfill clinicians' requirements, and (3) the end-user, the physician providing patient care, who must properly interpret test results in the overall clinical context.

Autoimmune liver serology: Current diagnostic and clinical challenges

PubMed Central

Bogdanos, Dimitrios P; Invernizzi, Pietro; Mackay, Ian R; Vergani, Diego

2008-01-01

Liver-related autoantibodies are crucial for the correct diagnosis and classification of autoimmune liver diseases (AiLD), namely autoimmune hepatitis types 1 and 2 (AIH-1 and 2), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and the sclerosing cholangitis variants in adults and children. AIH-1 is specified by anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and smooth muscle antibody (SMA). AIH-2 is specified by antibody to liver kidney microsomal antigen type-1 (anti-LKM1) and anti-liver cytosol type 1 (anti-LC1). SMA, ANA and anti-LKM antibodies can be present in de-novo AIH following liver transplantation. PBC is specified by antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) reacting with enzymes of the 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenase complexes (chiefly pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 subunit) and disease-specific ANA mainly reacting with nuclear pore gp210 and nuclear body sp100. Sclerosing cholangitis presents as at least two variants, first the classical primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) mostly affecting adult men wherein the only (and non-specific) reactivity is an atypical perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA), also termed perinuclear anti-neutrophil nuclear antibodies (p-ANNA) and second the childhood disease called autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC) with serological features resembling those of type 1 AIH. Liver diagnostic serology is a fast-expanding area of investigation as new purified and recombinant autoantigens, and automated technologies such as ELISAs and bead assays, become available to complement (or even compete with) traditional immunofluorescence procedures. We survey for the first time global trends in quality assurance impacting as it does on (1) manufacturers/purveyors of kits and reagents, (2) diagnostic service laboratories that fulfill clinicians’ requirements, and (3) the end-user, the physician providing patient care, who must properly interpret test results in the overall clinical context. PMID:18528935

Multiscale Modeling of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for Integrated Computational Materials Engineering Process

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gao, Jiaying; Liang, Biao; Zhang, Weizhao

In this work, a multiscale modeling framework for CFRP is introduced to study hierarchical structure of CFRP. Four distinct scales are defined: nanoscale, microscale, mesoscale, and macroscale. Information at lower scales can be passed to higher scale, which is beneficial for studying effect of constituents on macroscale part’s mechanical property. This bottom-up modeling approach enables better understanding of CFRP from finest details. Current study focuses on microscale and mesoscale. Representative volume element is used at microscale and mesoscale to model material’s properties. At microscale, unidirection CFRP (UD) RVE is used to study properties of UD. The UD RVE can bemore » modeled with different volumetric fraction to encounter non-uniform fiber distribution in CFRP part. Such consideration is important in modeling uncertainties at microscale level. Currently, we identified volumetric fraction as the only uncertainty parameters in UD RVE. To measure effective material properties of UD RVE, periodic boundary conditions (PBC) are applied to UD RVE to ensure convergence of obtained properties. Properties of UD is directly used at mesoscale woven RVE modeling, where each yarn is assumed to have same properties as UD. Within woven RVE, there can be many potential uncertainties parameters to consider for a physical modeling of CFRP. Currently, we will consider fiber misalignment within yarn and angle between wrap and weft yarns. PBC is applied to woven RVE to calculate its effective material properties. The effect of uncertainties are investigated quantitatively by Gaussian process. Preliminary results of UD and Woven study are analyzed for efficacy of the RVE modeling. This work is considered as the foundation for future multiscale modeling framework development for ICME project.« less

Evaluation of six TPS algorithms in computing entrance and exit doses.

PubMed

Tan, Yun I; Metwaly, Mohamed; Glegg, Martin; Baggarley, Shaun; Elliott, Alex

2014-05-08

Entrance and exit doses are commonly measured in in vivo dosimetry for comparison with expected values, usually generated by the treatment planning system (TPS), to verify accuracy of treatment delivery. This report aims to evaluate the accuracy of six TPS algorithms in computing entrance and exit doses for a 6 MV beam. The algorithms tested were: pencil beam convolution (Eclipse PBC), analytical anisotropic algorithm (Eclipse AAA), AcurosXB (Eclipse AXB), FFT convolution (XiO Convolution), multigrid superposition (XiO Superposition), and Monte Carlo photon (Monaco MC). Measurements with ionization chamber (IC) and diode detector in water phantoms were used as a reference. Comparisons were done in terms of central axis point dose, 1D relative profiles, and 2D absolute gamma analysis. Entrance doses computed by all TPS algorithms agreed to within 2% of the measured values. Exit doses computed by XiO Convolution, XiO Superposition, Eclipse AXB, and Monaco MC agreed with the IC measured doses to within 2%-3%. Meanwhile, Eclipse PBC and Eclipse AAA computed exit doses were higher than the IC measured doses by up to 5.3% and 4.8%, respectively. Both algorithms assume that full backscatter exists even at the exit level, leading to an overestimation of exit doses. Despite good agreements at the central axis for Eclipse AXB and Monaco MC, 1D relative comparisons showed profiles mismatched at depths beyond 11.5 cm. Overall, the 2D absolute gamma (3%/3 mm) pass rates were better for Monaco MC, while Eclipse AXB failed mostly at the outer 20% of the field area. The findings of this study serve as a useful baseline for the implementation of entrance and exit in vivo dosimetry in clinical departments utilizing any of these six common TPS algorithms for reference comparison.

Assessment of Pharmacokinetic Interactions Between Obeticholic Acid and Caffeine, Midazolam, Warfarin, Dextromethorphan, Omeprazole, Rosuvastatin, and Digoxin in Phase 1 Studies in Healthy Subjects.

PubMed

Edwards, Jeffrey E; Eliot, Lise; Parkinson, Andrew; Karan, Sharon; MacConell, Leigh

2017-09-01

Obeticholic acid (OCA), a potent and selective farnesoid X receptor agonist, is indicated for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). We investigated the potential drug-drug interaction effect of OCA on metabolic CYP450 enzymes and drug transporters. Five phase 1 single-center, open-label, fixed-sequence, inpatient studies were conducted in healthy adult subjects to evaluate the effect of oral daily doses of 10 or 25 mg OCA on single-dose plasma pharmacokinetics of specific probe substrates for enzymes CYP1A2 (caffeine, R-warfarin), CYP3A (midazolam, R-warfarin), CYP2C9 (S-warfarin), CYP2D6 (dextromethorphan), CYP2C19 (omeprazole), and drug transporters, BCRP/OATP1B1/OATP1B3 (rosuvastatin), and P-gp (digoxin). OCA showed no substantial suppression/inhibition of S-warfarin, digoxin, and dextromethorphan and weak interactions with caffeine, omeprazole, rosuvastatin, and midazolam. The maximal pharmacodynamic responses (E max ) to warfarin-based INR, PT, and aPTT were reduced by 11%, 11%, and 1%, respectively, for the 10-mg dose group and by 7%, 7% and 0%, respectively, for the 25-mg dose group. Overall, drugs dosed in combination with OCA were well tolerated, and most adverse events were mild in severity. No clinically important trends were noted in laboratory evaluations, vital signs, or 12-lead ECGs. In these studies, OCA showed weak to no suppression/inhibition of metabolic enzymes and drug transporters at the highest recommended therapeutic dose in patients with PBC. On the basis on these analyses, monitoring and maintenance of target INR range are required during coadministration of OCA with drugs that are metabolized by CYP1A2 (R-warfarin). Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Out-of-field in vivo dosimetry using TLD in SABR for primary kidney cancer involving mixed photon fields.

PubMed

Lonski, P; Keehan, S; Siva, S; Pham, D; Franich, R D; Taylor, M L; Kron, T

2017-05-01

To assess out-of-field dose using three different variants of LiF thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD) for ten patients who underwent stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and compare with treatment planning system (TPS) dose calculations. Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) measurements were conducted at 20, 30, 40 and 50cm from isocentre on ten patients undergoing SABR for primary RCC. Three types of high-sensitivity LiF:Mg,Cu,P TLD material with different 6 Li/ 7 Li isotope ratios were used. Patient plans were calculated using Eclipse Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) for clinical evaluation and recalculated using Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) algorithm for comparison. Both AAA and PBC showed diminished accuracy for photon doses at increasing distance out-of-field. At 50cm, measured photon dose was 0.3cGy normalised to a 10Gy prescription on average with only small variation across all patients. This is likely due to the leakage component of the out-of-field dose. The 6 Li-enriched TLD materials showed increased signal attributable to additional neutron contribution. LiF:Mg,Cu,P TLD containing 6 Li is sensitive enough to measure out-of-field dose 50cm from isocentre however will over-estimate the photon component of out-of-field dose in high energy treatments due to the presence of thermal neutrons. 7 Li enriched materials which are insensitive to neutrons are therefore required for accurate photon dosimetry. Neutron signal has been shown here to increase with MUs and is higher for patients treated using certain non coplanar beam arrangements. Further work is required to convert this additional neutron signal to dose. Copyright © 2017 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An AANAT/ASMT transgenic animal model constructed with CRISPR/Cas9 system serving as the mammary gland bioreactor to produce melatonin-enriched milk in sheep.

PubMed

Ma, Teng; Tao, Jingli; Yang, Minghui; He, Changjiu; Tian, Xiuzhi; Zhang, Xiaosheng; Zhang, Jinlong; Deng, Shoulong; Feng, Jianzhong; Zhang, Zhenzhen; Wang, Jing; Ji, Pengyun; Song, Yukun; He, Pingli; Han, Hongbing; Fu, Juncai; Lian, Zhengxing; Liu, Guoshi

2017-08-01

Melatonin as a potent antioxidant exhibits important nutritional and medicinal values. To produce melatonin-enriched milk will benefit the consumers. In this study, a sheep bioreactor which generates melatonin-enriched milk has been successfully developed by the technology that combined CRISPR/Cas9 system and microinjection. The AANAT and ASMT were cloned from pineal gland of Dorper sheep (Ovis aries). The in vitro studies found that AANAT and ASMT were successfully transferred to the mammary epithelial cell lines and significantly increased melatonin production in the culture medium compared to the nontransgenic cell lines. In addition, the Cas9 mRNA, sgRNA, and the linearized vectors pBC1-AANAT and pBC1-ASMT were co-injected into the cytoplasm of pronuclear embryos which were implanted into ewes by oviducts transferring. Thirty-four transgenic sheep were generated with the transgenic positive rate being roughly 35% which were identified by Southern blot and sequencing. Seven carried transgenic AANAT, two carried ASMT, and 25 carried both of AANAT and ASMT genes. RT-PCR and Western blot demonstrated that the lambs expressed these genes in their mammary epithelial cells and these animals produced melatonin-enriched milk. This is the first report to show a functional AANAT and ASMT transgenic animal model which produce significantly high levels of melatonin milk compared to their wild-type counterparts. The advanced technologies used in the study laid a foundation for generating large transgenic livestock, for example, the cows, which can produce high level of melatonin milk. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Natural killer cells regulate T cell immune responses in primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Shimoda, Shinji; Hisamoto, Satomi; Harada, Kenichi; Iwasaka, Sho; Chong, Yong; Nakamura, Minoru; Bekki, Yuki; Yoshizumi, Tomoharu; Shirabe, Ken; Ikegami, Toru; Maehara, Yoshihiko; He, Xiao-Song; Gershwin, M Eric; Akashi, Koichi

2015-12-01

The hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is the presence of autoreactive T- and B-cell responses that target biliary epithelial cells (BECs). Biliary cell cytotoxicity is dependent upon initiation of innate immune responses followed by chronic adaptive, as well as bystander, mechanisms. Critical to these mechanisms are interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and BECs. We have taken advantage of the ability to isolate relatively pure viable preparations of liver-derived NK cells, BECs, and endothelial cells, and studied interactions between NK cells and BECs and focused on the mechanisms that activate autoreactive T cells, their dependence on interferon (IFN)-γ, and expression of BEC major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules. Here we show that at a high NK/BEC ratio, NK cells are cytotoxic for autologous BECs, but are not dependent on autoantigen, yet still activate autoreactive CD4(+) T cells in the presence of antigen presenting cells. In contrast, at a low NK/BEC ratio, BECs are not lysed, but IFN-γ production is induced, which facilitates expression of MHC class I and II molecules on BEC and protects them from lysis upon subsequent exposure to autoreactive NK cells. Furthermore, IFN-γ secreted from NK cells after exposure to autologous BECs is essential for this protective function and enables autoreactive CD4(+) T cells to become cytopathic. NK cell-mediated innate immune responses are likely critical at the initial stage of PBC, but also facilitate and maintain the chronic cytopathic effect of autoantigen-specific T cells, essential for progression of disease. © 2015 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

The Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Liver Disease.

PubMed

Arndtz, Katherine; Hirschfield, Gideon M

Autoimmune liver disease (AILD) encompasses 3 main distinct clinical diseases: autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis (formally known as cirrhosis, PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). These conditions are an important, yet under-appreciated cause of patient morbidity and mortality with ongoing unmet needs for further research and clinical advances. There is observational evidence for genetic predisposition, with all 3 conditions being more common in first degree relatives. AILD is associated with the presence of auto-antibodies and higher risks of other non-hepatic auto-immune conditions. Genetic risk association studies have identified HLA and non-HLA risk loci for the development of disease, with some HLA loci providing prognostic information. This re-enforces the concept that genetic predisposition to autoimmunity is important, likely in the context of environmental exposures. Such environmental triggers are unclear but relevant risks include smoking, drug and xenobiotic exposure as well as the complexities of the microbiome. There is evidence for a loss of immune tolerance to self-antigens playing a part in the development of these conditions. In particular the IL-2 and IL-12 regulatory pathways have been implicated in pre-disposing to an unopposed inflammatory response within the liver. Main immunological themes revolve around loss of immune tolerance leading to T-cell mediated injury, imbalance in the regulation of immune cells and defective immune response to foreign antigens. For PBC and PSC, there is then the added complexity of the consequences of cholestasis on hepato-biliary injury, immune regulation and liver fibrosis. Whilst specific disease causes and triggers are still lacking, AILD arises on the background of collective genetic and environmental risk, leading to chronic and abnormal hepato-biliary immune responses. Effective and more rational therapy will ultimately be developed when the multiple pathways to liver injury are better understood. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Optical Studies of 15 Hard X-Ray Selected Cataclysmic Binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halpern, Jules P.; Thorstensen, John R.; Cho, Patricia; Collver, Gabriel; Motsoaledi, Mokhine; Breytenbach, Hannes; Buckley, David A. H.; Woudt, Patrick A.

2018-06-01

We conducted time-resolved optical spectroscopy and/or time-series photometry of 15 cataclysmic binaries that were discovered in hard X-ray surveys by the Swift Burst Alert Telescope and the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory, with the goal of measuring their orbital periods and searching for spin periods. Four of the objects in this study are new optical identifications: Swift J0535.2+2830, Swift J2006.4+3645, IGR J21095+4322, and Swift J2116.5+5336. Coherent pulsations are detected from three objects for the first time, Swift J0535.2+2830 (1523 s), 2PBC J1911.4+1412 (747 s), and 1SWXRT J230642.7+550817 (464 s), indicating that they are intermediate polars (IPs). We find two new eclipsing systems in time-series photometry: 2PBC J0658.0‑1746, a polar with a period of 2.38 hr, and Swift J2116.5+5336, a disk system that has an eclipse period of 6.56 hr. Exact or approximate spectroscopic orbital periods are found for six additional targets. Of note is the long 4.637-day orbit for Swift J0623.9‑0939, which is revealed by the radial velocities of the photospheric absorption lines of the secondary star. We also discover a 12.76 hr orbital period for RX J2015.6+3711, which confirms that the previously detected 2.00 hr X-ray period from this star is the spin period of an IP, as inferred by Coti Zelati et al. These results support the conclusion that hard X-ray selection favors magnetic CVs, with IPs outnumbering polars.

Performance of dose calculation algorithms from three generations in lung SBRT: comparison with full Monte Carlo‐based dose distributions

PubMed Central

Kapanen, Mika K.; Hyödynmaa, Simo J.; Wigren, Tuija K.; Pitkänen, Maunu A.

2014-01-01

The accuracy of dose calculation is a key challenge in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of the lung. We have benchmarked three photon beam dose calculation algorithms — pencil beam convolution (PBC), anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA), and Acuros XB (AXB) — implemented in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS), Varian Eclipse. Dose distributions from full Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were regarded as a reference. In the first stage, for four patients with central lung tumors, treatment plans using 3D conformal radiotherapy (CRT) technique applying 6 MV photon beams were made using the AXB algorithm, with planning criteria according to the Nordic SBRT study group. The plans were recalculated (with same number of monitor units (MUs) and identical field settings) using BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc MC codes. The MC‐calculated dose distributions were compared to corresponding AXB‐calculated dose distributions to assess the accuracy of the AXB algorithm, to which then other TPS algorithms were compared. In the second stage, treatment plans were made for ten patients with 3D CRT technique using both the PBC algorithm and the AAA. The plans were recalculated (with same number of MUs and identical field settings) with the AXB algorithm, then compared to original plans. Throughout the study, the comparisons were made as a function of the size of the planning target volume (PTV), using various dose‐volume histogram (DVH) and other parameters to quantitatively assess the plan quality. In the first stage also, 3D gamma analyses with threshold criteria 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm were applied. The AXB‐calculated dose distributions showed relatively high level of agreement in the light of 3D gamma analysis and DVH comparison against the full MC simulation, especially with large PTVs, but, with smaller PTVs, larger discrepancies were found. Gamma agreement index (GAI) values between 95.5% and 99.6% for all the plans with the threshold criteria 3%/3 mm were achieved, but 2%/2 mm threshold criteria showed larger discrepancies. The TPS algorithm comparison results showed large dose discrepancies in the PTV mean dose (D50%), nearly 60%, for the PBC algorithm, and differences of nearly 20% for the AAA, occurring also in the small PTV size range. This work suggests the application of independent plan verification, when the AAA or the AXB algorithm are utilized in lung SBRT having PTVs smaller than 20‐25 cc. The calculated data from this study can be used in converting the SBRT protocols based on type ‘a’ and/or type ‘b’ algorithms for the most recent generation type ‘c’ algorithms, such as the AXB algorithm. PACS numbers: 87.55.‐x, 87.55.D‐, 87.55.K‐, 87.55.kd, 87.55.Qr PMID:24710454

Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

PubMed

Menozzi, Davide; Sogari, Giovanni; Mora, Cristina

2015-09-10

Although fruit and vegetable consumption is highly recommended for a healthy and balanced daily diet, several European countries do not meet these recommendations. In Italy, only 45% of young people are consuming at least one portion of vegetables per day. Therefore, this paper aims to understand the main determinants of vegetables consumption among young adults to suggest possible intervention strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a samples of Italian students (n = 751), using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as a conceptual framework. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to test the TPB predictors for vegetable consumption, and the role of background factors (socio-demographic and personal characteristics) in improving the TPB model's explaining power. Overall, 81% and 68%, respectively, of intentions and behaviour variance is explained by the TPB model. Socio-demographic and personal characteristics were found to influence intentions and behaviour indirectly by their effects on the theory's more proximal determinants. Interventions should be targeted to improve perceived behavioural control (PBC), attitudes and subjective norms that significantly affect intentions. Tailored interventions for male students, enrolled in courses other than food science, and doing less physical activity may have a larger effect on behavioural change.

A Pilot Study of the Effectiveness of Indoor Plants for Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air in a Seven-Story Office Building

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Apte, Michael G.; Apte, Joshua S.

2010-04-27

The Paharpur Business Centre and Software Technology Incubator Park (PBC) is a 7 story, 50,400 ft{sup 2} office building located near Nehru Place in New Delhi India. The occupancy of the building at full normal operations is about 500 people. The building management philosophy embodies innovation in energy efficiency while providing full service and a comfortable, safe, healthy environment to the occupants. Provision of excellent Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is an expressed goal of the facility, and the management has gone to great lengths to achieve it. This is particularly challenging in New Delhi, where ambient urban pollution levels rankmore » among the worst on the planet. The approach to provide good IAQ in the building includes a range of technical elements: air washing and filtration of ventilation intake air from rooftop air handler, the use of an enclosed rooftop greenhouse with a high density of potted plants as a bio-filtration system, dedicated secondary HVAC/air handling units on each floor with re-circulating high efficiency filtration and UVC treatment of the heat exchanger coils, additional potted plants for bio-filtration on each floor, and a final exhaust via the restrooms located at each floor. The conditioned building exhaust air is passed through an energy recovery wheel and chemisorbent cartridge, transferring some heat to the incoming air to increase the HVAC energy efficiency. The management uses 'green' cleaning products exclusively in the building. Flooring is a combination of stone, tile and 'zero VOC' carpeting. Wood trim and finish appears to be primarily of solid sawn materials, with very little evidence of composite wood products. Furniture is likewise in large proportion constructed from solid wood materials. The overall impression is that of a very clean and well-kept facility. Surfaces are polished to a high sheen, probably with wax products. There was an odor of urinal cake in the restrooms. Smoking is not allowed in the building. The plants used in the rooftop greenhouse and on the floors were made up of a number of species selected for the following functions: daytime metabolic carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) absorption, nighttime metabolic CO{sub 2} absorption, and volatile organic compound (VOC) and inorganic gas absorption/removal for air cleaning. The building contains a reported 910 indoor plants. Daytime metabolic species reported by the PBC include Areca Palm, Oxycardium, Rubber Plant, and Ficus alii totaling 188 plants (21%). The single nighttime metabolic species is the Sansevieria with a total of 28 plants (3%). The 'air cleaning' plant species reported by the PBC include the Money Plant, Aglaonema, Dracaena Warneckii, Bamboo Palm, and Raphis Palm with a total of 694 plants (76%). The plants in the greenhouse (Areca Palm, Rubber Plant, Ficus alii, Bamboo Palm, and Raphis Palm) numbering 161 (18%) of those in the building are grown hydroponically, with the room air blown by fan across the plant root zones. The plants on the building floors are grown in pots and are located on floors 1-6. We conducted a one-day monitoring session in the PBC on January 1, 2010. The date of the study was based on availability of the measurement equipment that the researchers had shipped from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in the U.S.A. The study date was not optimal because a large proportion of the regular building occupants were not present being New Year's Day. An estimated 40 people were present in the building all day during January 1. This being said, the building systems were in normal operations, including the air handlers and other HVAC components. The study was focused primarily on measurements in the Greenhouse and 3rd and 5th floor environments as well as rooftop outdoors. Measurements included a set of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes, with a more limited set of observations of indoor and outdoor particulate and carbon dioxide concentrations. Continuous measurements of Temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) were made selected indoor and outdoor locations.« less

Skin exposure: Assessing the hazard in the workplace

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cummins, Kevin

1994-01-01

An outline of the Occupational Safety and Health Agency's concerns of skin exposure to hazardous chemicals is presented, followed by the corresponding slide narrations. Specifically, dermatitis and skin absorption as compared to lung absorption are addressed. Lung versus skin exposure is examined for glycol ethers and acrylamide. Examples of skin exposure include PBC's in transformers, toluene and xylene from autobody work, polynuclear aromatics (PNA's) among Coke oven workers, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and occupational chemical exposures in an academic medical center. Permeation through gloves in the semiconductor industry is addressed as evidence for the need to assess the effectiveness of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). This leads to the revisions of the PPE standard and the Safety and Health Program standard.

The Oxford scanning proton microprobe: A medical diagnostic application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watt, F.; Grime, G. W.; Takacs, J.; Vaux, D. J. T.

1984-04-01

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a disease characterised by progressive destruction of small intrahepatic bile ducts, cholestasis, and high levels of copper within the liver. The Oxford 1 μm scanning proton microprobe (SPM) has been used to construct elemental maps of a 7 μm section of diseased liver at several different magnifications. The results of these investigations have shown that the copper is distributed in small deposits ( < 5 μm) at specific locations in the liver. Further there appears to be a 1:1 atomic correlation between copper and sulphur, indicating the presence of an inorganic salt or a protein with approximately equal numbers of copper and sulphur atoms.

Study on formation of step bunching on 6H-SiC (0001) surface by kinetic Monte Carlo method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yuan; Chen, Xuejiang; Su, Juan

2016-05-01

The formation and evolution of step bunching during step-flow growth of 6H-SiC (0001) surfaces were studied by three-dimensional kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method and compared with the analytic model based on the theory of Burton-Cabera-Frank (BCF). In the KMC model the crystal lattice was represented by a structured mesh which fixed the position of atoms and interatomic bonding. The events considered in the model were adatoms adsorption and diffusion on the terrace, and adatoms attachment, detachment and interlayer transport at the step edges. In addition, effects of Ehrlich-Schwoebel (ES) barriers at downward step edges and incorporation barriers at upwards step edges were also considered. In order to obtain more elaborate information for the behavior of atoms in the crystal surface, silicon and carbon atoms were treated as the minimal diffusing species. KMC simulation results showed that multiple-height steps were formed on the vicinal surface oriented toward [ 1 1 bar 00 ] or [ 11 2 bar 0 ] directions. And then the formation mechanism of the step bunching was analyzed. Finally, to further analyze the formation processes of step bunching, a one-dimensional BCF analytic model with ES and incorporation barriers was used, and then it was solved numerically. In the BCF model, the periodic boundary conditions (PBC) were applied, and the parameters were corresponded to those used in the KMC model. The evolution character of step bunching was consistent with the results obtained by KMC simulation.

Evaluation of six TPS algorithms in computing entrance and exit doses

PubMed Central

Metwaly, Mohamed; Glegg, Martin; Baggarley, Shaun P.; Elliott, Alex

2014-01-01

Entrance and exit doses are commonly measured in in vivo dosimetry for comparison with expected values, usually generated by the treatment planning system (TPS), to verify accuracy of treatment delivery. This report aims to evaluate the accuracy of six TPS algorithms in computing entrance and exit doses for a 6 MV beam. The algorithms tested were: pencil beam convolution (Eclipse PBC), analytical anisotropic algorithm (Eclipse AAA), AcurosXB (Eclipse AXB), FFT convolution (XiO Convolution), multigrid superposition (XiO Superposition), and Monte Carlo photon (Monaco MC). Measurements with ionization chamber (IC) and diode detector in water phantoms were used as a reference. Comparisons were done in terms of central axis point dose, 1D relative profiles, and 2D absolute gamma analysis. Entrance doses computed by all TPS algorithms agreed to within 2% of the measured values. Exit doses computed by XiO Convolution, XiO Superposition, Eclipse AXB, and Monaco MC agreed with the IC measured doses to within 2%‐3%. Meanwhile, Eclipse PBC and Eclipse AAA computed exit doses were higher than the IC measured doses by up to 5.3% and 4.8%, respectively. Both algorithms assume that full backscatter exists even at the exit level, leading to an overestimation of exit doses. Despite good agreements at the central axis for Eclipse AXB and Monaco MC, 1D relative comparisons showed profiles mismatched at depths beyond 11.5 cm. Overall, the 2D absolute gamma (3%/3 mm) pass rates were better for Monaco MC, while Eclipse AXB failed mostly at the outer 20% of the field area. The findings of this study serve as a useful baseline for the implementation of entrance and exit in vivo dosimetry in clinical departments utilizing any of these six common TPS algorithms for reference comparison. PACS numbers: 87.55.‐x, 87.55.D‐, 87.55.N‐, 87.53.Bn PMID:24892349

Robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for biopsy Gleason 8 to 10: prediction of favorable pathologic outcome with preoperative parameters.

PubMed

Shikanov, Sergey A; Thong, Alan; Gofrit, Ofer N; Zagaja, Gregory P; Steinberg, Gary D; Shalhav, Arieh L; Zorn, Kevin C

2008-07-01

We sought to evaluate the pathologic results and postoperative outcomes for men undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP) for biopsy Gleason score (GS) 8 to 10 disease. Stratification of these patients according to preoperative variables was also performed in an attempt to predict organ-confined cancer. A prospective RLRP database identified all patients with preoperative biopsy GS 8 to 10. Variables, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA), percent positive biopsy cores (%PBC), maximal percentage of cancer in biopsy core (%MCB), clinical stage, pathologic stage, pathologic GS, surgical margins status, lymph node status, time to biochemical recurrence, and recurrence rate, were evaluated. Preoperative variables were treated as continuous and categorical using PSA, %PBC and %MCB cutoffs of 10 ng/mL, 50%, and 30%, respectively. Between February 2003 and September 2007, a total of 1225 RLRPs were performed at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Seventy-two (5.9%) patients had preoperative biopsy GS 8 to 10. Two patients received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy and were excluded. Among 70 patients evaluated, 33 (47%) had organconfined (pT(2)N0) disease. Forty (60.6%) patients had pathologic downgrading to GS

DJ-1 deficiency attenuates expansion of liver progenitor cells through modulating the inflammatory and fibrogenic niches

PubMed Central

Chen, L; Luo, M; Sun, X; Qin, J; Yu, C; Wen, Y; Zhang, Q; Gu, J; Xia, Q; Kong, X

2016-01-01

Our previous study suggested that DJ-1 has a critical role in initiating an inflammatory response, but its role in the liver progenitor cell (LPC) expansion, a process highly dependent on the inflammatory niche, remains elusive. The objective of this study is to determine the role of DJ-1 in LPC expansion. The correlation of DJ-1 expression with LPC markers was examined in the liver of patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) infection, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), respectively. The role of DJ-1 in LPC expansion and the formation of LPC-associated fibrosis and inflammation was examined in a 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet-induced liver injury murine model. We also determined the ability of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in recruiting macrophages in DJ-1 knockout (KO) mice. The expression levels of DJ-1 were upregulated in the liver of HBV, HCV, PBC and PSC patients and DDC-fed mice. Additionally, DJ-1 expression was positively correlated with LPC proliferation in patients with liver injury and mice with DDC exposure. DJ-1 has no direct effect on LPC proliferation. Reduced activation of HSCs and collagen deposition were observed in DJ-1 KO mice. Furthermore, infiltrated CD11b+Gr-1low macrophages and pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α) were attenuated in DJ-1 KO mice. Mechanistically, we found that HSCs isolated from DJ-1 KO mice had decreased secretion of macrophage-mobilizing chemokines, such as CCL2 and CX3CL1, resulting in impaired macrophage infiltration. DJ-1 positively correlates with LPC expansion during liver injury. DJ-1 deficiency negatively regulates LPC proliferation by impairing the formation of LPC-associated fibrosis and inflammatory niches. PMID:27277679

U-Pb Dating of Calcite by LA-ICPMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hacker, B. R.; Kylander-Clark, A. R.; Holder, R. M.; Nuriel, P.

2016-12-01

An emerging frontier area in geochronology is U-Pb dating of carbonate minerals by laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). The spate of papers over the last few years applying LA-ICPMS to carbonate dating stems from the capability of LA-ICPMS to deal with the variable, and often low, U/Pb ratios of carbonate. LA-ICPMS is an excellent tool for efficiently screening out samples with low U/Pb ratios and provides the ability to measure many spots with different U/Pb ratios and obtain dates free of assumptions about the composition of common Pb. Because this technique is in its infancy, important questions remain. What percentage of carbonate samples have high enough U/Pbc ratios that they can be dated? What percentage of samples yield isochronous datasets? What are the limits on precision and accuracy of carbonate U/Pb dates? What is the best analytical method in the absence of isotopically homogeneous reference materials? Through the generosity of our colleagues we have acquired 8 reference materials ranging in age from 3 to 250 Ma. We have analyzed 125 unknowns from a variety of locations using a 193 nm ns laser with an 80-100 μm spot and a Nu Plasma HR-ES. We measure 207Pb/206Pb using NIST 614 glass and then calculate a 206Pb/238U correction factor based on the measured vs. known ages of the reference materials. Sixty of these samples ( 50%) have high enough U/Pb ratios that they can be dated. There is great heterogeneity among the sample suites: some have no datable samples, whereas one suite of 68 samples yielded 53 datable rocks. Of the samples with high U/Pbc ratios, a majority yielded isochronous U-Pb data, indicating that the U-Pb system closed at a given time and was not subsequently disturbed.

Autoimmune conditions are associated with perioperative thrombotic complications in liver transplant recipients: A UNOS database analysis.

PubMed

Bezinover, Dmitri; Iskandarani, Khaled; Chinchilli, Vernon; McQuillan, Patrick; Saner, Fuat; Kadry, Zakiyah; Riley, Thomas R; Janicki, Piotr K

2016-05-21

End stage liver disease (ESLD) is associated with significant thrombotic complications. In this study, we attempted to determine if patients with ESLD, due to oncologic or autoimmune diseases, are susceptible to thrombosis to a greater extent than patients with ESLD due to other causes. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the UNOS database to determine the incidence of thrombotic complications in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients with autoimmune and oncologic conditions. Between 2000 and 2012, 65,646 OLTs were performed. We found 4,247 cases of preoperative portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and 1,233 cases of postoperative vascular thrombosis (VT) leading to graft failure. Statistical evaluation demonstrated that patients with either hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or autoimmune hepatitis (AIC) had a higher incidence of PVT (p = 0.05 and 0.03 respectively). Patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and AIC had a higher incidence of postoperative VT associated with graft failure (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.05 respectively). Patients with preoperative PVT had a higher incidence of postoperative VT (p < 0.0001). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that patients with AIC, and BMI ≥40, having had a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and those with diabetes mellitus were more likely to have preoperative PVT: odds ratio (OR)(1.36, 1.19, 1.78, 1.22 respectively). Patients with PSC, PBC, AIC, BMI ≤18, or with a preoperative PVT were more likely to have a postoperative VT: OR (1.93, 2.09, 1.64, 1.60, and 2.01, respectively). Despite the limited number of variables available in the UNOS database potentially related to thrombotic complications, this analysis demonstrates a clear association between autoimmune causes of ESLD and perioperative thrombotic complications. Perioperative management of patients at risk should include strategies to reduce the potential for these complications.

Self-identity and the theory of planned behaviour: between- and within-participants analyses.

PubMed

Hagger, Martin S; Chatzisarantis, Nikos L D

2006-12-01

Two studies addressed the hypothesis that a minority of people are more oriented towards their self-identity when forming intentions to act than the traditional antecedents of intentional action; attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control (PBC). In Study 1, participants (N=241) completed measures of an augmented version of theory of planned behaviour (TPB) that included self-identity for 30 behaviours. Using within-participants multiple regression analyses, the sample was classified into self-identity-oriented (SI-oriented) and TPB-oriented groups. Between-participants multiple regression analyses revealed that self-identity was a significantly stronger predictor of intentions and accounted for significantly more incremental variance in intentions in the SI-oriented sample compared with the TPB-oriented sample across the 30 behaviours. In Study 2, participants (N=250) completed the same TPB and self-identity measures used in Study 1 as well as measures of generalized self-concept and social physique anxiety for dieting behaviour. Results indicated that self-identity was significantly associated with the generalized self-related measures, and self-concept and social physique anxiety moderated the self-identity-intention relationship. This investigation provides some preliminary evidence to support the effect of individual differences in self-identity on the formation of intentions to act.

Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

PubMed Central

Menozzi, Davide; Sogari, Giovanni; Mora, Cristina

2015-01-01

Although fruit and vegetable consumption is highly recommended for a healthy and balanced daily diet, several European countries do not meet these recommendations. In Italy, only 45% of young people are consuming at least one portion of vegetables per day. Therefore, this paper aims to understand the main determinants of vegetables consumption among young adults to suggest possible intervention strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a samples of Italian students (n = 751), using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as a conceptual framework. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to test the TPB predictors for vegetable consumption, and the role of background factors (socio-demographic and personal characteristics) in improving the TPB model’s explaining power. Overall, 81% and 68%, respectively, of intentions and behaviour variance is explained by the TPB model. Socio-demographic and personal characteristics were found to influence intentions and behaviour indirectly by their effects on the theory’s more proximal determinants. Interventions should be targeted to improve perceived behavioural control (PBC), attitudes and subjective norms that significantly affect intentions. Tailored interventions for male students, enrolled in courses other than food science, and doing less physical activity may have a larger effect on behavioural change. PMID:26378570

Immune responses to the oral administration of recombinant Bacillus subtilis expressing multi-epitopes of foot-and-mouth disease virus and a cholera toxin B subunit.

PubMed

Hu, Bo; Li, Chang; Lu, Huijun; Zhu, Zhanbo; Du, Shouwen; Ye, Ming; Tan, Lei; Ren, Dayong; Han, Jiali; Kan, Shifu; Wang, Jing; Jin, Ningyi

2011-01-01

Bacillus subtilis has been engineered successfully to express heterologous antigens for use as a vaccine vehicle that can elicit mucosal and systemic immunity response. In this study, a recombinant B. subtilis expressing the B subunit of cholera toxin (CT-B) and an epitope box constituted with antigen sites from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) type Asia 1 was constructed and named 1A751/CTB-TEpiAs. Its capability to induce mucosal, humoral, and cellular responses in mice and guinea pigs was evaluated after oral administration with vegetative cells of 1A751/CTB-TEpiAs. In addition, its capability to protect guinea pigs against homologous virus challenge was examined. All animals were given booster vaccination at day 21 after initial inoculation and guinea pigs were challenged 3 weeks after booster vaccination. The control groups were inoculated with a commercial vaccine or administered orally with 1A751/pBC38C or an oral buffer. All animals vaccinated with 1A751/CTB-TEpiAs developed specific anti-FMDV IgA in lung and gut lavage fluid, serum ELISA antibody, neutralizing antibody as well as T lymphocyte proliferation, and IFN-γ secretory responses. Three of the five guinea pigs vaccinated with 1A751/CTB-TEpiAs were protected completely from the viral challenge. The results demonstrate the potential viability of a B. subtilis-based recombinant vaccine for the control and prevention of FMDV infections. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SU-E-T-280: Reconstructed Rectal Wall Dose Map-Based Verification of Rectal Dose Sparing Effect According to Rectum Definition Methods and Dose Perturbation by Air Cavity in Endo-Rectal Balloon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Park, J; Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Park, H

Purpose: Dosimetric effect and discrepancy according to the rectum definition methods and dose perturbation by air cavity in an endo-rectal balloon (ERB) were verified using rectal-wall (Rwall) dose maps considering systematic errors in dose optimization and calculation accuracy in intensity-modulated radiation treatment (IMRT) for prostate cancer patients. Methods: When the inflated ERB having average diameter of 4.5 cm and air volume of 100 cc is used for patient, Rwall doses were predicted by pencil-beam convolution (PBC), anisotropic analytic algorithm (AAA), and AcurosXB (AXB) with material assignment function. The errors of dose optimization and calculation by separating air cavity from themore » whole rectum (Rwhole) were verified with measured rectal doses. The Rwall doses affected by the dose perturbation of air cavity were evaluated using a featured rectal phantom allowing insert of rolled-up gafchromic films and glass rod detectors placed along the rectum perimeter. Inner and outer Rwall doses were verified with reconstructed predicted rectal wall dose maps. Dose errors and extent at dose levels were evaluated with estimated rectal toxicity. Results: While AXB showed insignificant difference of target dose coverage, Rwall doses underestimated by up to 20% in dose optimization for the Rwhole than Rwall at all dose range except for the maximum dose. As dose optimization for Rwall was applied, the Rwall doses presented dose error less than 3% between dose calculation algorithm except for overestimation of maximum rectal dose up to 5% in PBC. Dose optimization for Rwhole caused dose difference of Rwall especially at intermediate doses. Conclusion: Dose optimization for Rwall could be suggested for more accurate prediction of rectal wall dose prediction and dose perturbation effect by air cavity in IMRT for prostate cancer. This research was supported by the Leading Foreign Research Institute Recruitment Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) (Grant No. 200900420)« less

Development and validation of a primary sclerosing cholangitis-specific patient-reported outcomes instrument: The PSC PRO.

PubMed

Younossi, Zobair M; Afendy, Arian; Stepanova, Maria; Racila, Andrei; Nader, Fatema; Gomel, Rachel; Safer, Ricky; Lenderking, William R; Skalicky, Anne; Kleinman, Leah; Myers, Robert P; Subramanian, G Mani; McHutchison, John G; Levy, Cynthia; Bowlus, Christopher L; Kowdley, Kris; Muir, Andrew J

2017-11-20

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic liver disease associated with inflammation and biliary fibrosis that leads to cholangitis, cirrhosis, and impaired quality of life. Our objective was to develop and validate a PSC-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument. We developed a 42-item PSC PRO instrument that contains two modules (Symptoms and Impact of Symptoms) and conducted an external validation. Reliability and validity were evaluated using clinical data and a battery of other validated instruments. Test-retest reliability was assessed in a subgroup of patients who repeated the PSC PRO after the first administration. One hundred two PSC subjects (44 ± 13 years; 32% male, 74% employed, 39% with cirrhosis, 14% with a history of decompensated cirrhosis, 38% history of depression, and 68% with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]) completed PSC PRO and other PRO instruments (Short Form 36 V2 [SF-36], Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire [CLDQ], Primary Biliary Cholangitis - 40 [PBC-40], and five dimensions [5-D Itch]). PSC PRO demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alphas, 0.84-0.94) and discriminant validity (41 of 42 items had the highest correlations with their own domains). There were good correlations between PSC PRO domains and relevant domains of SF-36, CLDQ, and PBC-40 (R = 0.69-0.90; all P < 0.0001), but lower (R = 0.31-0.60; P < 0.001) with 5-D Itch. Construct validity showed that PSC PRO can differentiate patients according to the presence and severity of cirrhosis and history of depression (P < 0.05), but not by IBD (P > 0.05). Test-retest reliability was assessed in 53 subjects who repeated PSC PRO within a median (interquartile range) of 37 (27-47) days. There was excellent reliability for most domains with intraclass correlations (0.71-0.88; all P < 0.001). PSC PRO is a self-administered disease-specific instrument developed according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. This preliminary validation study suggests good psychometric properties. Further validation of the instrument in a larger and more diverse sample of PSC patients is needed. (Hepatology 2017). © 2017 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Validation of a new whole-body cryotherapy chamber based on forced convection.

PubMed

Bouzigon, Romain; Arfaoui, Ahlem; Grappe, Frédéric; Ravier, Gilles; Jarlot, Benoit; Dugue, Benoit

2017-04-01

Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) and partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) are two methods of cold exposure (from -110 to -195°C according to the manufacturers). However, temperature measurement in the cold chamber during a PBC exposure revealed temperatures ranging from -25 to -50°C next to the skin of the subjects (using isolating layer placed between the sensor and the skin). This discrepancy is due to the human body heat transfer. Moreover, on the surface of the body, an air layer called the boundary layer is created during the exposure and limits heat transfer from the body to the cabin air. Incorporating forced convection in a chamber with a participant inside could reduce this boundary layer. The aim of this study was to explore the use of a new WBC technology based on forced convection (frontal unilateral wind) through the measurement of skin temperature. Fifteen individuals performed a 3-min WBC exposure at -40°C with an average wind speed of 2.3ms -1 . The subjects wore a headband, a surgical mask, underwear, gloves and slippers. The skin temperature of the participants was measured with a thermal camera just before exposure, just after exposure and at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20min after exposure. Mean skin temperature significantly dropped by 11°C just after exposure (p<0.001) and then significantly increased during the 20-min post exposure period (p<0.001). No critically low skin temperature was observed at the end of the cold exposure. This decrease was greater than the mean decreases in all the cryosauna devices with reported exposures between -140°C and -160°C and those in two other WBC devices with reported exposures between -60°C and -110°C. The use of this new technology provides the ability to reach decreases in skin temperature similar to other technologies. The new chamber is suitable and relevant for use as a WBC device. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The choice of statistical methods for comparisons of dosimetric data in radiotherapy.

PubMed

Chaikh, Abdulhamid; Giraud, Jean-Yves; Perrin, Emmanuel; Bresciani, Jean-Pierre; Balosso, Jacques

2014-09-18

Novel irradiation techniques are continuously introduced in radiotherapy to optimize the accuracy, the security and the clinical outcome of treatments. These changes could raise the question of discontinuity in dosimetric presentation and the subsequent need for practice adjustments in case of significant modifications. This study proposes a comprehensive approach to compare different techniques and tests whether their respective dose calculation algorithms give rise to statistically significant differences in the treatment doses for the patient. Statistical investigation principles are presented in the framework of a clinical example based on 62 fields of radiotherapy for lung cancer. The delivered doses in monitor units were calculated using three different dose calculation methods: the reference method accounts the dose without tissues density corrections using Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) algorithm, whereas new methods calculate the dose with tissues density correction for 1D and 3D using Modified Batho (MB) method and Equivalent Tissue air ratio (ETAR) method, respectively. The normality of the data and the homogeneity of variance between groups were tested using Shapiro-Wilks and Levene test, respectively, then non-parametric statistical tests were performed. Specifically, the dose means estimated by the different calculation methods were compared using Friedman's test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. In addition, the correlation between the doses calculated by the three methods was assessed using Spearman's rank and Kendall's rank tests. The Friedman's test showed a significant effect on the calculation method for the delivered dose of lung cancer patients (p <0.001). The density correction methods yielded to lower doses as compared to PBC by on average (-5 ± 4.4 SD) for MB and (-4.7 ± 5 SD) for ETAR. Post-hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank test of paired comparisons indicated that the delivered dose was significantly reduced using density-corrected methods as compared to the reference method. Spearman's and Kendall's rank tests indicated a positive correlation between the doses calculated with the different methods. This paper illustrates and justifies the use of statistical tests and graphical representations for dosimetric comparisons in radiotherapy. The statistical analysis shows the significance of dose differences resulting from two or more techniques in radiotherapy.

Ustekinumab for patients with primary biliary cholangitis who have an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid: A proof-of-concept study.

PubMed

Hirschfield, Gideon M; Gershwin, M Eric; Strauss, Richard; Mayo, Marlyn J; Levy, Cynthia; Zou, Bin; Johanns, Jewel; Nnane, Ivo P; Dasgupta, Bidisha; Li, Katherine; Selmi, Carlo; Marschall, Hanns-Ulrich; Jones, David; Lindor, Keith

2016-07-01

The interleukin (IL)-12 signaling cascade has been associated with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). This multicenter, open-label, proof-of-concept study evaluated the anti-IL12/23 monoclonal antibody, ustekinumab (90 mg subcutaneous at weeks 0 and 4, then every 8 weeks through week 20), in adults with PBC and an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy (i.e., alkaline phosphatase [ALP] >1.67× upper limit of normal [ULN] after ≥6 months). ALP response was defined as a >40% decrease from baseline and ALP remission as ALP normalization (if baseline ALP 1.67×-2.8× ULN) or <1.67× ULN (if baseline ALP >2.8× ULN). Changes in Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) scores and serum bile acids were also assessed. At baseline, patients had median disease duration of 3.2 years, median ELF score of 9.8, and highly elevated total bile acid concentration (median, 43.3 μmol/L); 13 of 20 (65%) patients had baseline ALP >3× ULN. Although steady-state serum ustekinumab concentrations were reached by week 12, no patient achieved ALP response or remission. Median percent ALP reduction from baseline to week 28 was 12.1%. ELF score decreased slightly from baseline to week 28 (median reduction: 0.173), and total serum bile acid concentrations decreased from baseline to week 28 (median reduction: 8.8 μmol/L). No serious infections or discontinuations resulting from adverse events were reported through week 28. One patient had a serious upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage considered unrelated to test agent by the investigator. Open-label ustekinumab therapy, though associated with a modest decrease in ALP after 28 weeks of therapy, did not otherwise appreciably change ALP and overt proof-of-concept was not established as per prespecified primary endpoint of proposed efficacy. No new ustekinumab safety signals were observed. (Hepatology 2016;64:189-199). © 2015 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Reducing consumption of confectionery foods: A post-hoc segmentation analysis using a social cognition approach.

PubMed

Naughton, Paul; McCarthy, Mary; McCarthy, Sinéad

2017-10-01

Considering confectionary consumption behaviour this cross-sectional study used social cognition variables to identify distinct segments in terms of their motivation and efforts to decrease their consumption of such foods with the aim of informing targeted social marketing campaigns. Using Latent Class analysis on a sample of 500 adults four segments were identified: unmotivated, triers, successful actors, and thrivers. The unmotivated and triers segments reported low levels of perceived need and perceived behavioural control (PBC) in addition to high levels of habit and hedonic hunger with regards their consumption of confectionery foods. Being a younger adult was associated with higher odds of being in the unmotivated and triers segments and being female was associated with higher odds of being in the triers and successful actors segments. The findings indicate that in the absence of strong commitment to eating low amounts of confectionery foods (i.e. perceived need) people will continue to overconsume free sugars regardless of motivation to change. It is therefore necessary to identify relevant messages or 'triggers' related to sugar consumption that resonate with young adults in particular. For those motivated to change, counteracting unhealthy eating habits and the effects of hedonic hunger may necessitate changes to food environments in order to make the healthy choice more appealing and accessible. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of acid and metal solutions on seedling foliage of two western conifers. Forest Service research note

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jacobs, J.; Weaver, T.; Cole, D.M.

1994-11-01

A greenhouse study tested the effects of three acids and five metals on foliage of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugs menziesii) seedlings. The seedlings were treated with a single immersion of foliage into solutions of three acids (HCL, H2S04, and HN3) and five metal chlorides (ZnC12, CdC12, HgC12, CuC12, and PbC12) each at five different concentration levels. Injury to the foliage was recorded after 5 weeks by counting needles that were chlorotic (yellow) or dead. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) effects were observed for both acids and metals. The effects of metals were far greater thanmore » the effects of acids for both species.« less

Transformation of Pb(II) from Cerrusite to Chloropyromorphite in the Presence of Hydroxyapatite under Varying Conditions of pH

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ryan, J.A.; Zhang, P.

1998-10-14

Cerrusite (PbC03) is soluble under acidic conditions and considered to be a highly bioavailable soil Pb species. In this study, synthetic cerrusite and hydroxyapatite [Ca5(P04)30H] were reacted under constant and dynamic pH conditions with various P/Pb molar ratios in an attempt to evaluate the effect of reaction kinetics on the formation of chloropyromorphite (Pb5(P04)3Cl) and solubilization of Pb. Under constant pH conditions, dissolution rates of both cerrusite and apatite were rapid when pH was low. Complete conversion of Pb from cerrusite to chloropyromorphite occurred within 60 tin at pH 4 and below when the amount of phosphate in the addedmore » apatite was stoichoimetrically equal to that needed to transform all added Pb into chloropyromorphite. The concentration of soluble Pb depended upon the volubility of chloropyromorphite. The dissolution rates of apatite and cerrusite decreased with increasing pH, and the transformation was incomplete at pH 5 and above in the 60 rnin reaction period. The soluble Pb level, therefore, was determined by the volubility of cerrusite. In the dynamic pH system which simulated the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) system, a complete transformation of Pb from cerrusite to chloropyromorphite was achieved due to the complete dissolution of apatite and cerrusite at the initial low pHs. Chloropyromorphite was the exclusive reaction product in both constant and dynamic pH systems as indicated by XRD analysis. The differences in transformation rate and the control of Pb volubility between the reactions occurring in constant and dynamic pH systems indicate the significance of kinetics in controlling the bioavailability of Pb and the potential for the reaction to occur during ingestion.« less

[Comparative study of aromatic ring meta-cleavage enzymes in Pseudomonas strains with plasmid and chromosomal genetic control of the catabolism of biphenyl and m-toluate].

PubMed

Selifonov, S A; Starozoĭtov, I I

1990-12-01

It was shown that two different enzymes of aromatic ring oxidative meta-cleavage (2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-1,2-dioxygenase), DBO and catechol-2,3-dioxygenase, C230) function in Pseudomonas strains with a plasmid and chromosomal genetic control of biphenyl and toluate catabolism. A comparative analysis of DBO's and C230's expressed by the pBS241 biphenyl degradative plasmid in P. putida BS893, pBS311 in P. putida U83, chromosomal genes in P. putida BF and C230 from P. putida PaW160 (pWWO) was carried out. It was found that the DBO's of all strains under study are highly specialized enzymes in respect of 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl cleavage and are also able to cleave 3-methyl-catechol and catechol (but not 4-methylcatechol) at low rates. In contrast with DBO's, in Pseudomonas strains the substrate specificities of all C230's are variable. The C230's expressed by the D-plasmids pBS241 and pBC311 have a moderate affinity for catechol, 3-methyl- and 4-methylcatechol, but are unable to cleave 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl. The C230 which is encoded by the chromosomal structure gene from P. putida BF is very similar to C230 which codes for the TOL-plasmid pWWO. These plasmid differ from C230's expressed by biphenyl D-plasmids due to their capability to cleave 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl in addition to catechol cleavage. All DBO's and C230's under study possess a number of properties that are typical for the enzymes having an oxidative meta-cleaving effect. The different roles of these enzymes in biphenyl and toluate catabolism in Pseudomonas strains are discussed.

The recombinant Lactococcus lactis oral vaccine induces protection against C. difficile spore challenge in a mouse model.

PubMed

Guo, Shanguang; Yan, Weiwei; McDonough, Sean P; Lin, Nengfeng; Wu, Katherine J; He, Hongxuan; Xiang, Hua; Yang, Maosheng; Moreira, Maira Aparecida S; Chang, Yung-Fu

2015-03-24

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) causes nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis in the developed world. Two potent cytotoxins, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB) are the virulence factors of this disease and can be a good vaccine candidate against CDI. In the present study, we genetically engineered Lactococcus lactis to express the nontoxic, recombinant fragments derived from TcdA and TcdB C-terminal receptor binding domains (Tcd-AC and Tcd-BC) as an oral vaccine candidate. The immunogenicity of the genetically engineered L. lactis oral vaccine delivery system (animal groups LAC and LBC or the combination of both, LACBC) was compared with the recombinant TcdA and TcdB C-terminal receptor binding domain proteins (animal groups PAC and PBC or the combination of both, PACBC), which were expressed and purified from E. coli. After the C. difficile challenge, the control groups received PBS or engineered L. lactis with empty vector, showed severe diarrhea symptoms and died within 2-3 days. However, both the oral vaccine and recombinant protein vaccine groups had significantly lower mortalities, body weight decreases and histopathologic lesions than the control sham-vaccine groups (p<0.05) except group LBC which only had a 31% survival rate after the challenge. The data of post infection survival showed that an average of 86% of animals survived in groups PAC and PACBC, 75% of animals survived in group LACBC, and 65% of animals survived in group LAC. All of the vaccinated animals produced higher titers of both IgG and IgA than the control groups (p<0.05), and the antibodies were able to neutralize the cytopathic effect of toxins in vitro. The results of this study indicate that there is a potential to use L. lactis as a delivery system to develop a cost effective oral vaccine against CDI. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differential resistances to anthracnose in Capsicum baccatum as responding to two Colletotrichum pathotypes and inoculation methods.

PubMed

Mahasuk, Pitchayapa; Chinthaisong, Jittima; Mongkolporn, Orarat

2013-09-01

Chili anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is one of the major diseases to chili production in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. Breeding for durable anthracnose resistance requires a good understanding of the resistance mechanisms to different pathotypes and inoculation methods. This study aimed to investigate the inheritances of differential resistances as responding to two different Colletotrichum pathotypes, PCa2 and PCa3 and as by two different inoculation methods, microinjection (MI) and high pressure spray (HP). Detached ripe fruit of Capsicum baccatum 'PBC80' derived F2 and BC1s populations was assessed for anthracnose resistance. Two dominant genes were identified responsible for the differential resistance to anthracnose. One was responsible for the resistance to PCa2 and PCa3 by MI and the other was responsible for the resistance to PCa3 by HP. The two genes were linked with 16.7 cM distance.

Differential resistances to anthracnose in Capsicum baccatum as responding to two Colletotrichum pathotypes and inoculation methods

PubMed Central

Mahasuk, Pitchayapa; Chinthaisong, Jittima; Mongkolporn, Orarat

2013-01-01

Chili anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is one of the major diseases to chili production in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. Breeding for durable anthracnose resistance requires a good understanding of the resistance mechanisms to different pathotypes and inoculation methods. This study aimed to investigate the inheritances of differential resistances as responding to two different Colletotrichum pathotypes, PCa2 and PCa3 and as by two different inoculation methods, microinjection (MI) and high pressure spray (HP). Detached ripe fruit of Capsicum baccatum ‘PBC80’ derived F2 and BC1s populations was assessed for anthracnose resistance. Two dominant genes were identified responsible for the differential resistance to anthracnose. One was responsible for the resistance to PCa2 and PCa3 by MI and the other was responsible for the resistance to PCa3 by HP. The two genes were linked with 16.7 cM distance. PMID:24273429

Structure investigation of fluorinated aluminophosphate ULM-3 Al templated by 3-methylaminopropylamine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zabukovec Logar, Natasa; Mali, Gregor; Rajic, Nevenka; Jevtic, Sanja; Rangus, Mojca; Golobic, Amalija; Kaucic, Venceslav

2010-05-01

A single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of an open-framework aluminophosphate ULM-3 Al prepared by 3-methylaminopropylamine (MAPA) as structure-directing agent revealed an orthorhombic Pcab symmetry ( a=9.9949(4) Å, b=15.8229(7) Å, c=18.1963(5) Å, R=0.0648, Z=8, unit cell formula [Al 24P 24O 96F 16·C 32H 112N 16]), which differs from the Pbc2 1 symmetry of the structural analogue prepared in the presence of 1,4-diaminobutane. The 27Al, 31P, 19F, 13C and 1H NMR investigations, which were performed to study in detail MAPA arrangement inside the framework as well as the interactions of MAPA with the aluminophosphate host, confirmed the crystal symmetry and the proposed hydrogen bonding scheme between the template and the framework.

Unraveling sorption of lead in aqueous solutions by chemically modified biochar derived from coconut fiber: A microscopic and spectroscopic investigation.

PubMed

Wu, Weidong; Li, Jianhong; Lan, Tian; Müller, Karin; Niazi, Nabeel Khan; Chen, Xin; Xu, Song; Zheng, Lirong; Chu, Yingchao; Li, Jianwu; Yuan, Guodong; Wang, Hailong

2017-01-15

In this study, we examined the efficacy of nine different types of coconut-fiber derived biochars (CFBs), prepared at different temperatures and chemically modified with ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid, to remove lead (Pb 2+ ) from aqueous solutions. Langmuir-q m values of the biochars pyrolyzed at 300°C and modified with ammonia and nitric acid increased from 49.5 to 105.5 and 85.2mgg -1 , respectively, compared to control (unmodified), whereas hydrogen peroxide treatment had no effect. The maximum amount of Pb adsorbed on biochars was in the order of CFB-700>MCFB-300-NH 3 ·H 2 O>CFB-500>MCFB-300-HNO 3 >CFB-300. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy results revealed that Pb-montmorillonite, Pb(C 2 H 3 O 2 ) 2 , PbSO 4 , Pb-Al 2 O 3 and Pb 3 (PO 4 ) 2 were the five most important Pb species observed in Pb-loaded biochars, and as such, favoring Pb immobilization in aqueous solutions. Overall, the sorption capacity of CFBs pyrolyzed at 300°C substantially increased for Pb 2+ with ammonia and nitric acid modification. However, these chemical modifications did not improve the sorption of Pb on CFBs pyrolyzed at temperatures ≥500°C, thereby highlighting a temperature dependent response of chemically modified biochars to Pb sorption in this study. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Limitation of optical properties through porous silicon photonic crystals influenced by porosity and lattice dynamic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amedome Min-Dianey, Kossi Aniya; Zhang, Hao-Chun; M'Bouana, Noé Landry Privace; Kougblenou, Komi; Xia, Xinlin

2018-01-01

Finite differential time domain (FDTD) tools were applied to simulate the optical properties characteristics' through square and triangular lattices of porous silicon (pSi) photonic crystals (PhCs); which consisted of periodical patterns of circular air holes built into the pSi material. This was used to investigate the influence of porosity and lattice dynamic on the reflection, transmission and absorption characteristics through unit cell pSi PhC in the visible wavelength domain (400 nm - 700 nm). The numerical simulation was achieved using FDTD Lumerical solutions with periodic boundary conditions (PBC) and perfectly matched layers (PML) as the appropriate boundary conditions. The results revealed that the limitation of optical properties is dependent on porosity and the lattice dynamic in pSi PhC. This was presented by the trend; the higher the reflection the higher the porosity and a decrease in porosity led to an increase in absorption in both lattice considerations. It was discovered that attaining optimum properties for triangular lattice will entail considering porosities less than 50% and hole radius r to the lattice constant a ratio (r / a) above 0.3 for the absorption characteristic and below 0.3 for the transmission characteristic. Triangular lattice can be adapted to improve the optical pattern through the PhC. In addition, the optimisation of these properties through pSi PhCs was achieved by controlling porosity and the ratio r / a .

Does Practice Make Perfect? Role of Training and Feedback in Improving Scientists' Presentation Skills

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tankersley, R. A.; Bourexis, P.; Kaser, J. S.

2011-12-01

Within the research and academic communities there is a growing interest in improving the communication skills of scientists, especially their ability to communicate the substance and importance of their research to general audiences. To address this need, we developed an intensive, two-day workshop [Presentation Boot Camp (PBC)] that focuses on presenting scientific concepts and research findings more effectively to both scientific/technical audiences and the general public. Through a series of interactive sessions, participants receive training in planning and preparing presentations that communicate messages more clearly and effectively and that have a lasting impact on the audience. Topics include: knowing and identifying the needs of the audience, highlighting big ideas and take-home messages, designing effective visuals, decoding complex concepts with diagrams, and displaying data in meaningful ways. PBC attendees also receive training in the use and application of the Presentation Skills Protocol (PSP) and associated rubric for evaluating the effectiveness of scientific presentations. The PSP was originally developed as part of a NSF Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education Program (GK-12) to assess and track the impact of the GK-12 experience on the communication skills of Graduate Teaching Fellows. The PSP focuses on eleven presentation skill sets, including organization, accuracy, relevance, message, language, equity, delivery, technology, use of time, questions, and presence. The associated rubric operationally defines each of the skill sets at three categorical levels of competence: (1) proficient, (2) developing, and (3) needs attention. The PSP may be used to (1) provide scientists with regular and consistent feedback on the quality and effectiveness of their classroom and research presentations and (2) design professional development activities and training programs that target specific presentation skills. However, our evaluation results indicate that use of the PSP alone does not guarantee communication growth or competence. To achieve significant gains in presentation skills, a three pronged approach is required: (1) formal training in best-practices and techniques for preparing and delivering presentations (e.g., Presentation Boot Camp), (2) frequent opportunities to practice and hone presentation skills (e.g., presentations at professional meetings, informal science centers, and K-12 classrooms), and (3) regular, individualized and structured feedback (e.g., Presentations Skill Protocol).

Crystal structures of RIalpha subunit of cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase complexed with (Rp)-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate and (Sp)-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate, the phosphothioate analogues of cAMP.

PubMed

Wu, Jian; Jones, John M; Nguyen-Huu, Xuong; Ten Eyck, Lynn F; Taylor, Susan S

2004-06-01

Cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) is an ancient signaling molecule, and in vertebrates, a primary target for cAMP is cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). (R(p))-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate ((R(p))-cAMPS) and its analogues are the only known competitive inhibitors and antagonists for cAMP activation of PKA, while (S(p))-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate ((S(p))-cAMPS) functions as an agonist. The crystal structures of a Delta(1-91) deletion mutant of the RIalpha regulatory subunit of PKA bound to (R(p))-cAMPS and (S(p))-cAMPS were determined at 2.4 and 2.3 A resolution, respectively. While the structures are similar to each other and to the crystal structure of RIalpha bound to cAMP, differences in the dynamical properties of the protein when (R(p))-cAMPS is bound are apparent. The structures highlight the critical importance of the exocyclic oxygen's interaction with the invariant arginine in the phosphate binding cassette (PBC) and the importance of this interaction for the dynamical properties of the interactions that radiate out from the PBC. The conformations of the phosphate binding cassettes containing two invariant arginine residues (Arg209 on domain A, and Arg333 on domain B) are somewhat different due to the sulfur interacting with this arginine. Furthermore, the B-site ligand together with the entire domain B show significant differences in their overall dynamic properties in the crystal structure of Delta(1-91) RIalpha complexed with (R(p))-cAMPS phosphothioate analogue ((R(p))-RIalpha) compared to the cAMP- and (S(p))-cAMPS-bound type I and II regulatory subunits, based on the temperature factors. In all structures, two structural solvent molecules exist within the A-site ligand binding pocket; both mediate water-bridged interactions between the ligand and the protein. No structured waters are in the B-site pocket. Owing to the higher resolution data, the N-terminal segment (109-117) of the RIalpha subunit can also be traced. This strand forms an intermolecular antiparallel beta-sheet with the same strand in an adjacent molecule and implies that the RIalpha subunit can form a weak homodimer even in the absence of its dimerization domain.

Behavioral Control and Reward Sensitivity in Adolescents' Risk Taking Behavior: A Longitudinal TRAILS Study.

PubMed

Peeters, Margot; Oldehinkel, Tineke; Vollebergh, Wilma

2017-01-01

Neurodevelopmental theories of risk behavior hypothesize that low behavioral control in combination with high reward sensitivity explains adolescents' risk behavior. However, empirical studies examining this hypothesis while including actual risk taking behavior in adolescence are lacking. In this study we tested whether the imbalance between behavioral control and reward sensitivity underlies risk taking behavior in adolescence, using a nationally representative longitudinal sample of 715 adolescents, of which 66% revealed an increased risk for mental health problems. To assess behavioral control at age 11 we used both self-report (effortful control) as well as behavioral measures of cognitive control (i.e., working memory and response inhibition). Reward sensitivity was assessed with the Bangor Gambling Task. The main finding of this study was that effortful control at age 11 was the best predictor of risk taking behavior (alcohol and cannabis use) at age 16, particularly among adolescents who were more reward sensitive. Risk taking behavior in adolescents might be explained by relatively weak behavioral control functioning combined with high sensitivity for reward.

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Improves Bilirubin but Not Albumin in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Further Evidence for Nonefficacy

PubMed Central

Tsochatzis, Emmanuel A.; Feudjo, Maurille; Rigamonti, Cristina; Vlachogiannakos, Jiannis; Carpenter, James R.; Burroughs, Andrew K.

2013-01-01

Background/Aim. In randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), although serum bilirubin is frequently reduced, its effect on disease progression and mortality is unclear. As serum albumin is an established independent prognostic marker, one might expect less deterioration of serum albumin values in a UDCA-treated group. We therefore modelled the typical evolution of serum bilirubin and albumin levels over time in UDCA-untreated patients and compared it with the observed levels in UDCA RCTs. Methods. Multilevel modelling was used to relate the evolution of serum albumin to serum bilirubin and time since patient referral. For each considered RCT, the derived model was used to predict the relationship between final mean serum albumin and bilirubin concentration, adjusted for mean serum albumin at referral and followup duration. Results. Five RCTs were eligible in terms of available data, of which two had long followup. In all trials, serum albumin did not significantly differ between UDCA- and placebo-treated patients, despite the UDCA effect on serum bilirubin. Therefore, there is no evidence over time for changes or maintenance of albumin levels for UDCA-treated patients above the levels predicted for placebo-treated patients. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that UDCA does not alter serum albumin in a way that is consistent with its effect on serum bilirubin. Therefore, reductions in serum bilirubin of UDCA-treated PBC do not parallel another validated and independent prognostic marker, further questioning the validity of serum bilirubin reduction with UDCA as a surrogate therapeutic marker. PMID:23984317

Growth morphology of epsomite (MgSO 4·7H 2O)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubbo, Marco; Aquilano, Dino; Franchini-Angela, Marinella; Sgualdino, Giulio

1985-06-01

A first approach to the study of the growth properties of epsomite (MgSO 4·7H 2O) is presented. Particular attention is payed to the growth forms and to epitaxy relations between epsomite and some known habit modifiers. The starting point of the study is the Hartman and Perdok PBC analysis. It proves to be essential for knowing the actual surface profiles. Successively the theoretical growth morphology is given taking into account: the broken-bond model of Wolff and Broder, the energies associated to the hydrogen bonds only, and finally the attachment energies calculated on the basis of the Coulomb potential. Furthermore an analysis of 2D coincidence lattices leads us to the conclusion that a 2D epitaxy of both Na 2B 4O 7·lOH 2O and/or Na 2SO 4·lOH 2O on {111} and/or ? forms of epsomite explains the effect of borax and Glauber's salt as habit modifiers.

Structural morphology of YBa 2Cu 3O 7- x

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, B. N.; Hartman, P.; Woensdregt, C. F.; Schmid, H.

1990-03-01

The structural morphology of YBa 2Cu 3O 7- x (YBCO) has been investigated by application of the periodic bond chain (PBC) theory. For x=1, the F forms were found to be {001}, {011}, {013}, {112} and {114}. Attachment energies have been calculated in broken bond model and in an electrostatic point charge model. For x=1 the theoretical growth habit is tabular to platy {001} with {011} as side faces. For x=0 {010} also becomes an F form. The habit is isometric with large {001} and {011} and small {010} faces. The outermost layer of {001} contains half of the Cu + ( x=1) or Cu 3+ and O 2- ( x=0) ions in an ordered arrangement based on a c(2x2) quadratic lattice. For the outermost layer of (010) ( x=0) an ordering scheme of the copper and oxygen ions is proposed. The occurrence of {010} rather than {011} on grown crystals has to be ascribed to external factors.

Optical limiting properties of 3,5-dipyrenylvinyleneBODIPY dyes at 532 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubheka, Gugu; Sanusi, Kayode; Mack, John; Nyokong, Tebello

2018-02-01

The optical limiting (OL) properties of 3,5-dipyrenylvinyleneBODIPY dyes that contain both electron withdrawing and donating moieties have been investigated by using the z-scan technique at 532 nm in the nanosecond pulse range. The extension of the π-conjugation at the 3,5-positions with pyrenylvinylene groups results in a ca. 200 nm red shift of the main BODIPY spectral band to ca. 700 nm, so there is relatively weak absorbance at 532 nm under ambient light conditions. Reverse saturable absorbance (RSA) profiles are observed in response to incident pulsed laser light that is consistent with a two photon absorption-assisted excited state absorption (ESA) mechanism in CH2Cl2 solution and when the dyes are embedded in poly(bisphenol carbonate A) (PBC) polymer thin films. This demonstrates that 3,5-divinyleneBODIPY dyes are potentially suitable for use in OL applications, since limiting threshold fluence (Ilim) values of below 0.95 J cm-2 are observed when thin films are prepared.

Hypoglycemic effects of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) autolysates.

PubMed

Sarmadi, Bahareh; Aminuddin, Farhana; Hamid, Muhajir; Saari, Nazamid; Abdul-Hamid, Azizah; Ismail, Amin

2012-09-15

Fat, alkaloid and polyphenol contents of two clones of cocoa (UIT1 and PBC 140) were removed and the remaining powder was autolyzed at pH 3.5 and 5.2. Based on the results, autolysates of UIT produced at pH 3.5 exhibited the highest ability to inhibit α-amylase activity. However, no α-glucosidase inhibition activity was observed under the conditions specified. Autolysates produced under pH 3.5 caused the highest amount of insulin secretion. In streptozotocin-diabetic rats, all cocoa autolysates significantly decreased blood glucose at 4h. To assure that the results from the assays were not due to the polyphenols of cocoa autolysates qualitative and quantitative tests were applied. According to their results cocoa autolysates were found to be free from polyphenols. Analysis of amino acid composition revealed that cocoa autolysates were abundant in hydrophobic amino acids. It can be suggested that besides other compounds of cocoa, its peptides and amino acids could contribute to its health benefits. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Clinicopathologic features of drug-induced vanishing bile duct syndrome].

PubMed

Ye, L H; Wang, C K; Zhang, H C; Liu, Z Q; Zheng, H W

2017-04-20

Vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) manifests as progressive destruction and disappearance of the intrahepatic bile duct caused by various factors and cholestasis. VBDS associated with drug-induced liver injury (D-VBDS) is an important etiology of VBDS, and immune disorder or immune imbalance may be the main pathogenesis. According to its clinical symptoms, serological markers, and course of the disease, D-VBDS is classified into major form and minor form, and its clinical features are based on various pathomorphological findings. Its prognosis is associated various factors including regeneration of bile duct cells, number of bile duct injuries, level and range of bile duct injury, bile duct proliferation, and compensatory shunt of bile duct branches. This disease has various clinical outcomes; most patients have good prognosis after drug withdrawal, and some patients may experience cholestatic cirrhosis, liver failure, and even death. Due to the clinical manifestation and biochemical changes are similar to the primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), it need to identify by clinical physician.

TIMo/sub 2/ /SUP IV/ P/sub 3/O/sub 12/: a molybdenophosphate with a tunnel structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leclaire, A.; Monier, J.C.; Raveau, B.

1985-10-01

A molybdenophosphate, TIMo/sub 2/ /SUP IV/ P/sub 3/O/sub 12/, with an original tunnel structure, has been isolated. Its structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction on a single crystal. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with a = 8.836(1), b = 9.255(1), c = 12.288(1) A, possible space groups Pbcm and Pbc2/sub 1/ with /ZETA/ = 4. The structure was solved and refined in the centrosymmetric space group Pbcm. The host lattice ''Mo/sub 3/P/sub 3/O/sub 12/'' is built up from corner-sharing octahedra and tetrahedra and forms tunnels running along the b axis and cages where the TI+ ions are located.more » The relationships of this framework wit that of the phosphate tungsten bronze CsP/sub 8/W/sub 8/O/sub 40/ and that of the hexagonal tungsten bronze are discussed.« less

Generation of shrimp waste-based dispersant for oil spill response.

PubMed

Zhang, Kedong; Zhang, Baiyu; Song, Xing; Liu, Bo; Jing, Liang; Chen, Bing

2018-04-01

In this study, shrimp waste was enzymatically hydrolyzed to generate a green dispersant and the product was tested for crude oil dispersion in seawater. The hydrolysis process was first optimized based on the dispersant effectiveness (DE) of the product. The functional properties of the product were identified including stability, critical micelle concentration, and emulsification activity. Water was confirmed as a good solvent for dispersant generation when compared with three chemical solvents. The effects of salinity, mixing energy, and temperature on the dispersion of the Alaska North Slope (ANS) crude oil were examined. Microtox acute toxicity test was also conducted to evaluate the toxicity of the produced dispersant. In addition, DE of the product on three different types of crude oil, including ANS crude oil, Prudhoe Bay crude oil (PBC), and Arabian Light crude oil (ALC) was compared with that of the Corexit 9500, respectively. The research output could lead to a promising green solution to the oil spill problem and might result in many other environmental applications.

Behavioral control in at-risk toddlers: the influence of the family check-up.

PubMed

Shelleby, Elizabeth C; Shaw, Daniel S; Cheong, Jeewon; Chang, Hyein; Gardner, Frances; Dishion, Thomas J; Wilson, Melvin N

2012-01-01

This study examines the role of one component of emotion regulation, behavioral control, in the growth of children's early behavior problems by examining whether increases in parental positive behavior support brought about by a family-centered intervention were associated with greater child behavioral control, and whether greater behavioral control at age 3 mediated the association between improvements in aspects of positive behavior support from ages 2 to 3 and decreases in growth of behavior problems from ages 2 to 4. The sample included 713 at-risk children (50% female) and their primary caregivers (50% European American, 28% African American, 13% biracial, 9% other) who were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Children had a mean age of 29.91 months at the initial assessment. Data were collected through home visits at child ages 2 to 4, which involved questionnaires for primary caregivers and structured and unstructured play activities for children with primary and alternative caregivers and siblings. Results indicated that the intervention improved parental positive behavior support and reduced growth of child behavior problems. One dimension of positive behavior support, proactive parenting, was modestly associated with behavioral control at age 3, which in turn was significantly associated with growth in behavior problems from ages 2 to 4, with greater behavioral control related to lower levels of growth in behavior problems. Results provide support for the notion that proactive parenting is an important factor in the development of children's behavioral control and that behavioral control plays an important role in the growth of behavior problems.

Instruments assessing attitudes toward or capability regarding self-management of osteoarthritis: a systematic review of measurement properties.

PubMed

Eyles, J P; Hunter, D J; Meneses, S R F; Collins, N J; Dobson, F; Lucas, B R; Mills, K

2017-08-01

To make a recommendation on the "best" instrument to assess attitudes toward and/or capabilities regarding self-management of osteoarthritis (OA) based on available measurement property evidence. Electronic searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsychINFO (inception to 27 December 2016). Two reviewers independently rated measurement properties using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) 4-point scale. Best evidence synthesis was determined by considering COSMIN ratings for measurement property results and the level of evidence available for each measurement property of each instrument. Eight studies out of 5653 publications met the inclusion criteria, with eight instruments identified for evaluation: Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC), Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC), Patient Activation Measure (PAM), Educational Needs Assessment (ENAT), Stages of Change Questionnaire in Osteoarthritis (SCQOA), Effective Consumer Scale (EC-17) and Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions five item (PEPPI-5) and ten item scales. Measurement properties assessed for these instruments included internal consistency (k = 8), structural validity (k = 8), test-retest reliability (k = 2), measurement error (k = 1), hypothesis testing (k = 3) and cross-cultural validity (k = 3). No information was available for content validity, responsiveness or minimal important change (MIC)/minimal important difference (MID). The Dutch PEPPI-5 demonstrated the best measurement property evidence; strong evidence for internal consistency and structural validity but limited evidence for reliability and construct validity. Although PEPPI-5 was identified as having the best measurement properties, overall there is a poor level of evidence currently available concerning measurement properties of instruments to assess attitudes toward and/or capabilities regarding osteoarthritis self-management. Further well-designed studies investigating measurement properties of existing instruments are required. Copyright © 2017 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. All rights reserved.

γ-H2AX responds to DNA damage induced by long-term exposure to combined low-dose-rate neutron and γ-ray radiation.

PubMed

Zhang, Junlin; He, Ying; Shen, Xianrong; Jiang, Dingwen; Wang, Qingrong; Liu, Qiong; Fang, Wen

2016-01-01

Risk estimates for low-dose radiation (LDR) remain controversial. The possible involvement of DNA repair-related genes in long-term low-dose-rate neutron-gamma radiation exposure is poorly understood. In this study, 60 rats were divided into control groups and irradiated groups, which were exposed to low-dose-rate n-γ combined radiation (LDCR) for 15, 30, or 60 days. The effects of different cumulative radiation doses on peripheral blood cell (PBC), subsets of T cells of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and DNA damage repair were investigated. Real-time PCR and immunoblot analyses were used to detect expression of DNA DSB-repair-related genes involved in the NHEJ pathway, such as Ku70 and Ku80, in PBL. The mRNA level of H2AX and the expression level of γ-H2AX were detected by real-time PCR, immunoblot, and flow cytometry. White blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT) of all ionizing radiation (IR) groups decreased significantly, while no difference was seen between the 30 day and 60 day exposure groups. The numbers of CD3(+), CD4(+) T cells and CD4(+)/CD8(+) in the PBL of IR groups were lower than in the control group. In the 30 day and 60 day exposure groups, CD8(+) T cells decreased significantly. Real-time PCR and immunoblot results showed no significant difference in the mRNA and protein expression of Ku70 and Ku80 between the control groups and IR groups. However, the mRNA of H2AX increased significantly, and there was a positive correlation with dose. There was no difference in the protein expression of γ-H2AX between 30 day and 60 day groups, which may help to explain the damage to PBL. In conclusion, PBL damage increased with cumulative dose, suggesting that γ-H2AX, but neither Ku70 nor Ku80, plays an important role in PBL impairment induced by LDCR. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Relationship between Smoking and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors among Korean Adolescents: The Tenth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey, 2014.

PubMed

Sim, Won Yong; Cho, Young Gyu; Kang, Jae Heon; Park, Hyun Ah; Kim, Kyoung Woo; Hur, Yang Im; Shin, Koh Eun; Byeon, Gyeong Ran

2017-01-01

Adolescent smoking is positively related to weight control attempts, especially by unhealthy methods. The co-occurrence of smoking and unhealthy weight control behaviors may cause serious health problems in adolescents. This study examined the relationship of smoking with unhealthy weight control behaviors among Korean adolescents. This cross-sectional study involved 31,090 students of grades 7 to 12, who had tried to reduce or maintain their weight during the 30 days prior to The Tenth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, 2014. Data on height, weight, weight control methods, smoking, alcohol intake, living with one's family, and perceived economic status were obtained through self-report questionnaires. 'Unhealthy weight control behaviors' were subcategorized into 'extreme weight control behaviors' and 'less extreme weight control behaviors.' The smoking rates were 13.3%±0.4% in boys and 3.8%±0.2% in girls. Current smokers were more likely to engage in extreme weight control behaviors (odds ratio [OR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 2.00 in boys, and OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.59 to 2.65 in girls) and less extreme weight control behaviors (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.40 in boys, and OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.76 in girls) compared to non-smokers among both boys and girls. Current smoking is independently related to a high likelihood of engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors among Korean adolescents. This relationship is stronger for girls than for boys. Extreme weight control behaviors have a stronger relationship with current smoking than less extreme weight control behaviors.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel gene family in rice, identification, characterization and experimental analysis of expression response to plant hormones, biotic and abiotic stresses.

PubMed

Nawaz, Zarqa; Kakar, Kaleem Ullah; Saand, Mumtaz A; Shu, Qing-Yao

2014-10-04

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) are Ca2+-permeable cation transport channels, which are present in both animal and plant systems. They have been implicated in the uptake of both essential and toxic cations, Ca2+ signaling, pathogen defense, and thermotolerance in plants. To date there has not been a genome-wide overview of the CNGC gene family in any economically important crop, including rice (Oryza sativa L.). There is an urgent need for a thorough genome-wide analysis and experimental verification of this gene family in rice. In this study, a total of 16 full length rice CNGC genes distributed on chromosomes 1-6, 9 and 12, were identified by employing comprehensive bioinformatics analyses. Based on phylogeny, the family of OsCNGCs was classified into four major groups (I-IV) and two sub-groups (IV-A and IV- B). Likewise, the CNGCs from all plant lineages clustered into four groups (I-IV), where group II was conserved in all land plants. Gene duplication analysis revealed that both chromosomal segmentation (OsCNGC1 and 2, 10 and 11, 15 and 16) and tandem duplications (OsCNGC1 and 2) significantly contributed to the expansion of this gene family. Motif composition and protein sequence analysis revealed that the CNGC specific domain "cyclic nucleotide-binding domain (CNBD)" comprises a "phosphate binding cassette" (PBC) and a "hinge" region that is highly conserved among the OsCNGCs. In addition, OsCNGC proteins also contain various other functional motifs and post-translational modification sites. We successively built a stringent motif: (LI-X(2)-[GS]-X-[FV]-X-G-[1]-ELL-X-W-X(12,22)-SA-X(2)-T-X(7)-[EQ]-AF-X-L) that recognizes the rice CNGCs specifically. Prediction of cis-acting regulatory elements in 5' upstream sequences and expression analyses through quantitative qPCR demonstrated that OsCNGC genes were highly responsive to multiple stimuli including hormonal (abscisic acid, indoleacetic acid, kinetin and ethylene), biotic (Pseudomonas fuscovaginae and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) and abiotic (cold) stress. There are 16 CNGC genes in rice, which were probably expanded through chromosomal segmentation and tandem duplications and comprise a PBC and a "hinge" region in the CNBD domain, featured by a stringent motif. The various cis-acting regulatory elements in the upstream sequences may be responsible for responding to multiple stimuli, including hormonal, biotic and abiotic stresses.

Gender orientation and alcohol-related weight control behavior among male and female college students.

PubMed

Peralta, Robert L; Barr, Peter B

2017-01-01

We examine weight control behavior used to (a) compensate for caloric content of heavy alcohol use; and (b) enhance the psychoactive effects of alcohol among college students. We evaluate the role of gender orientation and sex. Participants completed an online survey (N = 651; 59.9% women; 40.1% men). Weight control behavior was assessed via the Compensatory-Eating-and-Behaviors-in Response-to-Alcohol-Consumption-Scale. Control variables included sex, race/ethnicity, age, and depressive symptoms. Gender orientation was measured by the Bem Sex Role Inventory. The prevalence and probability of alcohol-related weight control behavior using ordinal logistic regression are reported. Men and women do not significantly differ in compensatory-weight-control-behavior. However, regression models suggest that recent binge drinking, other substance use, and masculine orientation are positively associated with alcohol-related weight control behavior. Sex was not a robust predictor of weight control behavior. Masculine orientation should be considered a possible risk factor for these behaviors and considered when designing prevention and intervention strategies.

Human behavior and malaria.

PubMed

Hongvivatana, T

1986-09-01

Human behavior in malaria is often narrowly referred to behavior of the target populations in transmission and control of malaria. In this presentation it was discussed that such view is too narrow. A broader framework incorporating illness behavior and human behavior in malaria control bureaucracies is needed for the success of national malaria control programme. Literature under the three broad categories of human behavior in malaria is reviewed to justify future directions in human behavior research and their significance for successful malaria control.

Parenting Control in Contexts of Political Violence: Testing Bi-directional Relations between Violence Exposure and Control in Post-Accord Belfast

PubMed Central

Merrilees, Christine E.; Cummings, E. Mark; Goeke-Morey, Marcie C.; Schermerhorn, Alice C.; Shirlow, Peter; Cairns, Ed

2012-01-01

SYNOPSIS Objective The goal of the present study is to examine bi-directional relations between youth exposure to sectarian and nonsectarian antisocial behavior and mothers’ efforts to control youth’s exposure to community violence in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Design Mother-child dyads (N=773) were interviewed in their homes twice over 2 years regarding youth’s exposure to sectarian (SAB) and nonsectarian (NAB) community antisocial behavior and mothers’ use of control strategies, including behavioral and psychological control. Results Youth’s exposure to NAB was related to increases in mothers’ use of both behavioral and psychological control strategies over time, controlling for earlier levels of these constructs. Reflecting bi-directional relations, mothers’ behavioral control strategies were associated with youth’s reduced exposure to both NAB and SAB over time, whereas psychological control was not related to reduced exposure. Conclusion Only nonsectarian community violence was associated longitudinally with mothers’ increased use of control strategies, and only behavioral control strategies were effective in reducing youth’s exposure to community antisocial behavior, including both sectarian and nonsectarian antisocial behavior. PMID:22523479

Autonomous and controlled motivational regulations for multiple health-related behaviors: between- and within-participants analyses

PubMed Central

Hagger, M.S.; Hardcastle, S.J.; Chater, A.; Mallett, C.; Pal, S.; Chatzisarantis, N.L.D.

2014-01-01

Self-determination theory has been applied to the prediction of a number of health-related behaviors with self-determined or autonomous forms of motivation generally more effective in predicting health behavior than non-self-determined or controlled forms. Research has been confined to examining the motivational predictors in single health behaviors rather than comparing effects across multiple behaviors. The present study addressed this gap in the literature by testing the relative contribution of autonomous and controlling motivation to the prediction of a large number of health-related behaviors, and examining individual differences in self-determined motivation as a moderator of the effects of autonomous and controlling motivation on health behavior. Participants were undergraduate students (N = 140) who completed measures of autonomous and controlled motivational regulations and behavioral intention for 20 health-related behaviors at an initial occasion with follow-up behavioral measures taken four weeks later. Path analysis was used to test a process model for each behavior in which motivational regulations predicted behavior mediated by intentions. Some minor idiosyncratic findings aside, between-participants analyses revealed significant effects for autonomous motivational regulations on intentions and behavior across the 20 behaviors. Effects for controlled motivation on intentions and behavior were relatively modest by comparison. Intentions mediated the effect of autonomous motivation on behavior. Within-participants analyses were used to segregate the sample into individuals who based their intentions on autonomous motivation (autonomy-oriented) and controlled motivation (control-oriented). Replicating the between-participants path analyses for the process model in the autonomy- and control-oriented samples did not alter the relative effects of the motivational orientations on intention and behavior. Results provide evidence for consistent effects of autonomous motivation on intentions and behavior across multiple health-related behaviors with little evidence of moderation by individual differences. Findings have implications for the generalizability of proposed effects in self-determination theory and intentions as a mediator of distal motivational factors on health-related behavior. PMID:25750803

Associations of body weight perception and weight control behaviors with problematic internet use among Korean adolescents.

PubMed

Park, Subin; Lee, Yeeun

2017-05-01

We examined the association of body mass index (BMI), body weight perception, and weight control behaviors with problematic Internet use in a nationwide sample of Korean adolescents. Cross-sectional data from the 2010 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey collected from 37,041 boys and 33,655 girls in middle- and high- schools (grades 7-12) were analyzed. Participants were classified into groups based on BMI (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese), body weight perception (underweight, normal weight, and overweight), and weight control behavior (no weight control behavior, appropriate weight control behavior, inappropriate weight control behavior). The risk of problematic Internet use was assessed with the Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form. Both boys and girls with inappropriate weight control behavior were more likely to have problematic Internet use. Underweight, overweight, and obese boys and girls were more likely to have problematic Internet use. For both boys and girls, subjective perception of underweight and overweight were positively associated with problematic Internet use. Given the negative effect of inappropriate weight control behavior, special attention needs to be given to adolescents' inappropriate weight control behavior, and an educational intervention for adolescents to control their weight in healthy ways is needed. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Representing Sex in the Brain, One Module at a Time

PubMed Central

Yang, Cindy F.; Shah, Nirao M.

2014-01-01

Summary Sexually dimorphic behaviors, qualitative or quantitative differences in behaviors between the sexes, result from the activity of a sexually differentiated nervous system. Sensory cues and sex hormones control the entire repertoire of sexually dimorphic behaviors, including those commonly thought to be charged with emotion such as courtship and aggression. Recent studies show that these over-arching control mechanisms regulate distinct genes and neurons that in turn specify the display of such behaviors in a modular manner. How such modular control is transformed into cohesive internal states that correspond to sexually dimorphic behavior is poorly understood. We summarize current understanding of the neural circuit control of sexually dimorphic behaviors from several perspectives, including how neural circuits in general, and sexually dimorphic neurons in particular, can generate sex differences in behavior, and how molecular mechanisms and evolutionary constraints shape these behaviors. We propose that emergent themes such as the modular genetic and neural control of dimorphic behavior are broadly applicable to the neural control of other behaviors. PMID:24742456

Action control of exercise behavior: evaluation of social cognition, cross-behavioral regulation, and automaticity.

PubMed

Rhodes, Ryan E; Fiala, Bonnie; Nasuti, Gabriella

2012-01-01

Intention is considered the proximal determinant of behavior in many popular theories applied to understanding physical activity, yet intention-behavior discordance is high. Thus, an understanding of constructs that facilitate or inhibit the successful translation of intentions into behavior is both timely and important. The action control approach of dividing the intention-behavior relationship into quadrants of successful/unsuccessful intenders has shown utility in the past by demonstrating the magnitude of intention-behavior discordance and allowing for an outcome variable to test predictors. The purpose of this article was to evaluate automaticity and cross-behavioral regulation as predictors of exercise action control, in conjunction with other more standard social cognitive predictors of perceived behavioral control and affective and instrumental attitudes. Participants were a random sample of 263 college students who completed predictor measures at time one, followed by exercise behavior two weeks later. Participants were classified into three intention-behavior profiles: (1) nonintenders (14.1%; n = 31), (2) unsuccessful intenders (35.5%; n = 78), and (3) successful intenders (48.6%; n = 107). Affective attitude, perceived behavioral control, automaticity, and cross-behavioral regulation were predictors of action control. The results demonstrate that automaticity and cross-behavioral regulation, constructs not typically used in intention-based theories, predict intention-behavior discordance.

The Relationship between Smoking and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors among Korean Adolescents: The Tenth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey, 2014

PubMed Central

Sim, Won Yong; Kang, Jae Heon; Park, Hyun Ah; Kim, Kyoung Woo; Hur, Yang Im; Shin, Koh Eun; Byeon, Gyeong Ran

2017-01-01

Background Adolescent smoking is positively related to weight control attempts, especially by unhealthy methods. The co-occurrence of smoking and unhealthy weight control behaviors may cause serious health problems in adolescents. This study examined the relationship of smoking with unhealthy weight control behaviors among Korean adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 31,090 students of grades 7 to 12, who had tried to reduce or maintain their weight during the 30 days prior to The Tenth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, 2014. Data on height, weight, weight control methods, smoking, alcohol intake, living with one's family, and perceived economic status were obtained through self-report questionnaires. ‘Unhealthy weight control behaviors’ were subcategorized into ‘extreme weight control behaviors’ and ‘less extreme weight control behaviors.’ Results The smoking rates were 13.3%±0.4% in boys and 3.8%±0.2% in girls. Current smokers were more likely to engage in extreme weight control behaviors (odds ratio [OR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 2.00 in boys, and OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.59 to 2.65 in girls) and less extreme weight control behaviors (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.40 in boys, and OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.76 in girls) compared to non-smokers among both boys and girls. Conclusion Current smoking is independently related to a high likelihood of engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors among Korean adolescents. This relationship is stronger for girls than for boys. Extreme weight control behaviors have a stronger relationship with current smoking than less extreme weight control behaviors. PMID:28197330

Self-reported impulsivity, but not behavioral approach or inhibition, mediates the relationship between stress and self-control

PubMed Central

Hamilton, Kristen R.; Sinha, Rajita; Potenza, Marc N.

2014-01-01

Stress has been associated with poor self-control. Individual differences in impulsivity and other behavioral tendencies may influence the relationship of stress with self-control, although this possibility has not been examined to date. The present research investigated whether cumulative stress is associated with poor self-control, and whether this relationship is mediated by impulsivity, behavioral approach, and behavioral inhibition in men and women. A community sample of 566 adults (319 women and 247 men) was assessed on the Cumulative Adversity Interview, Brief Self-control Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, and Behavioral Activation System and Behavioral Inhibition System Scale (BIS/BAS). Data were analyzed using regression and bootstrapping techniques. In the total sample, the effects of cumulative stress on self-control were mediated by impulsivity. Neither behavioral inhibition nor behavioral approach mediated the association between cumulative stress and self-control in the total sample. Results were similar when men and women were considered separately, with impulsivity, but not behavioral inhibition or approach, mediating the association between cumulative stress and self-control. Impulsive individuals might benefit preferentially from interventions focusing on stress management and strategies for improving self-control. PMID:24508183

Self-reported impulsivity, but not behavioral approach or inhibition, mediates the relationship between stress and self-control.

PubMed

Hamilton, Kristen R; Sinha, Rajita; Potenza, Marc N

2014-11-01

Stress has been associated with poor self-control. Individual differences in impulsivity and other behavioral tendencies may influence the relationship of stress with self-control, although this possibility has not been examined to date. The present research investigated whether cumulative stress is associated with poor self-control, and whether this relationship is mediated by impulsivity, behavioral approach, and behavioral inhibition in men and women. A community sample of 566 adults (319 women and 247 men) was assessed on the Cumulative Adversity Interview, Brief Self-control Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, and Behavioral Activation System and Behavioral Inhibition System Scale (BIS/BAS). Data were analyzed using regression and bootstrapping techniques. In the total sample, the effects of cumulative stress on self-control were mediated by impulsivity. Neither behavioral inhibition nor behavioral approach mediated the association between cumulative stress and self-control in the total sample. Results were similar when men and women were considered separately, with impulsivity, but not behavioral inhibition or approach, mediating the association between cumulative stress and self-control. Impulsive individuals might benefit preferentially from interventions focusing on stress management and strategies for improving self-control. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Links between motor control and classroom behaviors: Moderation by low birth weight

PubMed Central

Razza, Rachel A.; Martin, Anne; Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne

2016-01-01

It is unclear from past research on effortful control whether one of its components, motor control, independently contributes to adaptive classroom behaviors. The goal of this study was to identify associations between early motor control, measured by the walk-a-line task at age 3, and teacher-reported learning-related behaviors (approaches to learning and attention problems) and behavior problems in kindergarten classrooms. Models tested whether children who were vulnerable to poorer learning behaviors and more behavior problems due to having been born low birth weight benefited more, less, or the same as other children from better motor control. Data were drawn from the national Fragile Families and Child-Wellbeing Study (n = 751). Regression models indicated that motor control was significantly associated with better approaches to learning and fewer behavior problems. Children who were low birth weight benefitted more than normal birth weight children from better motor control with respect to their approaches to learning, but equally with respect to behavior problems. Additionally, for low but not normal birth weight children, better motor control predicted fewer attention problems. These findings suggest that motor control follows a compensatory model of development for low birth weight children and classroom behaviors. PMID:27594776

International note: Maternal warmth, behavioral control, and psychological control: Relations to adjustment of Ghanaian early adolescents.

PubMed

Salaam, Braima; Mounts, Nina S

2016-06-01

This investigation addressed the relation between maternal warmth, behavioral control, psychological control, and psychological adjustment in a sample of 119 Ghanaian adolescents (42% boys) living in an urban area (mean age = 14.19). Adolescents in the sample reported clinically elevated levels of depression and anxiety. Significant associations were found between warmth, behavioral control, and psychological control and adolescents' anxiety, physical aggression, relational aggression, positive friendship quality, and conflict with friends. Warmth moderated the effect of behavioral control on anxiety, physical aggression, and relational aggression such that higher levels of warmth in combination with higher levels of behavioral control were related to more positive adjustment. Higher levels of warmth in conjunction with higher psychological control were related to higher levels of anxiety. Boys who reported lower levels of warmth in combination with higher behavioral control reported higher levels of physical aggression. For boys reporting higher levels of warmth, higher behavioral control was associated with lower physical aggression. Copyright © 2016 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chinese Preschool Children’s Socioemotional Development: The Effects of Maternal and Paternal Psychological Control

PubMed Central

Xing, Shufen; Gao, Xin; Song, Xinxin; Archer, Marc; Zhao, Demao; Zhang, Mengting; Ding, Bilei; Liu, Xia

2017-01-01

The present study examined the relative prediction and joint effects of maternal and paternal psychological control on children’s socioemotional development. A total of 325 preschool children between the ages of 34 and 57 months (M = 4 years 2 months) and their parents participated in the study. Fathers and mothers, respectively, reported their levels of psychological control and mothers evaluated the socioemotional development of children using two indicators (i.e., behavioral problems and prosocial behaviors). The results indicated that the relative predictive effects of maternal and paternal psychological control on children’s socioemotional development differed. Specifically, maternal psychological control was a significant predictor of children’s behavioral problems and prosocial behaviors, whereas the levels of paternal psychological control were unrelated to children’s socioemotional development. With regard to the combined effects of maternal and paternal psychological control, the results of ANOVAs and simple slope analysis both indicated that children would be at risk of behavioral problems as long as they had one highly psychologically controlling parent. High levels of paternal psychological control were associated with increased behavioral problems of children only when maternal psychological control was low. However, the association between maternal psychological control and children’s behavioral behaviors was significant, despite paternal psychological control. PMID:29093691

Do Children with Better Inhibitory Control Donate More? Differentiating between Early and Middle Childhood and Cool and Hot Inhibitory Control.

PubMed

Hao, Jian

2017-01-01

Inhibitory control may play an important part in prosocial behavior, such as donating behavior. However, it is not clear at what developmental stage inhibitory control becomes associated with donating behavior and which aspects of inhibitory control are related to donating behavior during development in early to middle childhood. The present study aimed to clarify these issues with two experiments. In Experiment 1, 103 3- to 5-year-old preschoolers completed cool (Stroop-like) and hot (delay of gratification) inhibitory control tasks and a donating task. The results indicated that there were no relationships between cool or hot inhibitory control and donating behavior in the whole group and each age group of the preschoolers. In Experiment 2, 140 elementary school children in Grades 2, 4, and 6 completed cool (Stroop-like) and hot (delay of gratification) inhibitory control tasks and a donating task. The results showed that inhibitory control was positively associated with donating behavior in the whole group. Cool and hot inhibitory control respectively predicted donating behavior in the second and sixth graders. Therefore, the present study reveals that donating behavior increasingly relies on specific inhibitory control, i.e., hot inhibitory control as children grow in middle childhood.

Usual and Unusual Care: Existing Practice Control Groups In Randomized Controlled Trials of Behavioral Interventions

PubMed Central

Freedland, Kenneth E.; Mohr, David C.; Davidson, Karina W.; Schwartz, Joseph E.

2011-01-01

Objective To examine the use of existing practice control groups in randomized controlled trials of behavioral interventions, and the role of extrinsic healthcare services in the design and conduct of behavioral trials. Method Selective qualitative review. Results Extrinsic healthcare services, also known as nonstudy care, have important but under-recognized effects on the design and conduct of behavioral trials. Usual care, treatment as usual, standard of care, and other existing practice control groups pose a variety of methodological and ethical challenges, but they play a vital role in behavioral intervention research. Conclusion This review highlights the need for a scientific consensus statement on control groups in behavioral trials. PMID:21536837

Usual and unusual care: existing practice control groups in randomized controlled trials of behavioral interventions.

PubMed

Freedland, Kenneth E; Mohr, David C; Davidson, Karina W; Schwartz, Joseph E

2011-05-01

To evaluate the use of existing practice control groups in randomized controlled trials of behavioral interventions and the role of extrinsic health care services in the design and conduct of behavioral trials. Selective qualitative review. Extrinsic health care services, also known as nonstudy care, have important but under-recognized effects on the design and conduct of behavioral trials. Usual care, treatment-as-usual, standard of care, and other existing practice control groups pose a variety of methodological and ethical challenges, but they play a vital role in behavioral intervention research. This review highlights the need for a scientific consensus statement on control groups in behavioral trials.

Sexual behavior that is "out of control": a theoretical conceptual approach.

PubMed

Bancroft, John

2008-12-01

At this stage of our knowledge, it seems reasonable to assume that out-of-control sexual behavior results from a variety of etiological mechanisms associated with different behavioral patterns that share Goodman's two key features of addictive behavior: (1) a recurrent failure to control the sexual behavior; and (2) continuation of the behavior despite harmful consequences. Any overriding definition relevant to clinical management seems premature until we better understand the various patterns and their likely determinants. The concepts of "compulsivity" and "addiction" may have explanatory value in some cases, but are not helpful when used as general terms for this class of behavior problem. Stein and colleagues suggested that, in these circumstances, we use the term "hypersexuality." In my opinion, out-of-control sexual behavior or "impulse control disorders" as proposed by Barth and Kinder are more appropriate nonspecific terms because they focus on the issue of control rather than on high levels of sexuality. A number of clinically relevant and researchable hypotheses need to be addressed in further research, which hopefully will lead to more etiologically or therapeutically relevant subcategories of out-of-control sexual behavior.

Maternal and Paternal Psychological Control as Moderators of the Link between Peer Attitudes and Adolescents' Risky Sexual Behavior.

PubMed

Oudekerk, Barbara A; Allen, Joseph P; Hafen, Christopher A; Hessel, Elenda T; Szwedo, David E; Spilker, Ann

2014-05-01

Maternal and paternal psychological control, peer attitudes, and the interaction of psychological control and peer attitudes at age 13 were examined as predictors of risky sexual behavior before age 16 in a community sample of 181 youth followed from age 13 to 16. Maternal psychological control moderated the link between peer attitudes and sexual behavior. Peer acceptance of early sex predicted greater risky sexual behaviors, but only for teens whose mothers engaged in high levels of psychological control. Paternal psychological control demonstrated the same moderating effect for girls; for boys, however, high levels of paternal control predicted risky sex regardless of peer attitudes. Results are consistent with the theory that peer influences do not replace parental influences with regard to adolescent sexual behavior; rather, parental practices continue to serve an important role either directly forecasting sexual behavior or moderating the link between peer attitudes and sexual behavior.

Maternal and Paternal Psychological Control as Moderators of the Link between Peer Attitudes and Adolescents’ Risky Sexual Behavior

PubMed Central

Oudekerk, Barbara A.; Allen, Joseph P.; Hafen, Christopher A.; Hessel, Elenda T.; Szwedo, David E.; Spilker, Ann

2013-01-01

Maternal and paternal psychological control, peer attitudes, and the interaction of psychological control and peer attitudes at age 13 were examined as predictors of risky sexual behavior before age 16 in a community sample of 181 youth followed from age 13 to 16. Maternal psychological control moderated the link between peer attitudes and sexual behavior. Peer acceptance of early sex predicted greater risky sexual behaviors, but only for teens whose mothers engaged in high levels of psychological control. Paternal psychological control demonstrated the same moderating effect for girls; for boys, however, high levels of paternal control predicted risky sex regardless of peer attitudes. Results are consistent with the theory that peer influences do not replace parental influences with regard to adolescent sexual behavior; rather, parental practices continue to serve an important role either directly forecasting sexual behavior or moderating the link between peer attitudes and sexual behavior. PMID:25328265

The Impact of Pubertal Timing and Parental Control on Adolescent Problem Behaviors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arim, Rubab G.; Shapka, Jennifer D.

2008-01-01

This study examined the relationship among pubertal timing, parental control, and problem behaviors. There were 267 participants, whose ages ranged from 9 to 16 years. Both maternal and paternal psychological control predicted problem behaviors over and above the effects of behavioral control. For boys, early maturation and high levels of paternal…

Cognitive control predicts use of model-based reinforcement learning.

PubMed

Otto, A Ross; Skatova, Anya; Madlon-Kay, Seth; Daw, Nathaniel D

2015-02-01

Accounts of decision-making and its neural substrates have long posited the operation of separate, competing valuation systems in the control of choice behavior. Recent theoretical and experimental work suggest that this classic distinction between behaviorally and neurally dissociable systems for habitual and goal-directed (or more generally, automatic and controlled) choice may arise from two computational strategies for reinforcement learning (RL), called model-free and model-based RL, but the cognitive or computational processes by which one system may dominate over the other in the control of behavior is a matter of ongoing investigation. To elucidate this question, we leverage the theoretical framework of cognitive control, demonstrating that individual differences in utilization of goal-related contextual information--in the service of overcoming habitual, stimulus-driven responses--in established cognitive control paradigms predict model-based behavior in a separate, sequential choice task. The behavioral correspondence between cognitive control and model-based RL compellingly suggests that a common set of processes may underpin the two behaviors. In particular, computational mechanisms originally proposed to underlie controlled behavior may be applicable to understanding the interactions between model-based and model-free choice behavior.

Controlling Behaviors in Middle School Youth's Dating Relationships: Reactions and Help-Seeking Behaviors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elias-Lambert, Nada; Black, Beverly M.; Chigbu, Kingsley U.

2014-01-01

This exploratory study examined middle school students' (N = 380) help-seeking behaviors and other reactions to controlling behaviors in their dating relationships. Over three-fourths of the participants perpetrated and were victimized by controlling behaviors in their dating relationships. Youth used emotional/verbal and dominance/isolation forms…

Behavioral Control in At-Risk Toddlers: The Influence of the Family Check-Up

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shelleby, Elizabeth C.; Shaw, Daniel S.; Cheong, JeeWon; Chang, Hyein; Gardner, Frances; Dishion, Thomas J.; Wilson, Melvin N.

2012-01-01

This study examines the role of one component of emotion regulation, behavioral control, in the growth of children's early behavior problems by examining whether increases in parental positive behavior support brought about by a family-centered intervention were associated with greater child behavioral control, and whether greater behavioral…

Test-specific control conditions for functional analyses.

PubMed

Fahmie, Tara A; Iwata, Brian A; Querim, Angie C; Harper, Jill M

2013-01-01

Most functional analyses of problem behavior include a common condition (play or noncontingent reinforcement) as a control for both positive and negative reinforcement. However, test-specific conditions that control for each potential source of reinforcement may be beneficial occasionally. We compared responding during alone, ignore, play, and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) control conditions for individuals whose problem behavior was maintained by positive or negative reinforcement. Results showed that all of the conditions were effective controls for problem behavior maintained by positive reinforcement; however, the DRO condition was consistently ineffective as a control for problem behavior maintained by negative reinforcement. Implications for the design of functional analyses and future research are discussed. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Behavior and emotional disturbance in Prader-Willi syndrome.

PubMed

Einfeld, S L; Smith, A; Durvasula, S; Florio, T; Tonge, B J

1999-01-15

To determine if persons with the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have increased psychopathology when compared with matched controls, and whether there is a specific behavior phenotype in PWS, the behavior of 46 persons with PWS was compared with that of control individuals derived from a community sample (N = 454) of persons with mental retardation (MR). Behaviors were studied using the Developmental Behaviour Checklist, an instrument of established validity in the evaluation of behavioral disturbance in individuals with MR. PWS subjects were found to be more behaviorally disturbed than controls overall, and especially in antisocial behavior. In addition, some individual behaviors were more common in PWS subjects than controls. When these behaviors are considered together with findings from other studies using acceptably rigorous methods, a consensus behavior phenotype for PWS can be formulated. This will provide a valid foundation for studies of the mechanism of genetic pathogenesis of behavior in PWS.

Alcohol self-control behaviors of adolescents.

PubMed

Glassman, Tavis; Werch, Chudley Chad; Jobli, Edessa

2007-03-01

The aims of the present study were to: (1) factor analyze a 13-item adolescent alcohol self-control behavior scale, (2) examine associations between frequency of self-control behavior use and alcohol consumption, and (3) to determine which self-control behaviors best predict alcohol use and consequences. A confidential standardized survey was used to collect data on participant's 30-day frequency, quantity, and heavy use of alcohol; alcohol-related consequences; and alcohol self-control behaviors. A principal component factor analysis produced the following three components: Healthy Alternatives (alpha=.81), Self-regulation (alpha=.72), and Assertive Communication (alpha=.73). MANOVAs indicated strong associations between frequency of use of the three types of self-control behaviors and alcohol consumption (p values< or =.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that Self-regulation behaviors were the best predictor for all alcohol use measures and consequences (p values< or =.001). Self-control behaviors differ in their ability to predict alcohol use and consequences. Self-regulation strategies emerged as the most consistent predictor of alcohol use patterns and consequences among adolescents, followed by Healthy Alternatives.

Turtle Manual.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schneider, Marlene; Robin, Arthur

This manual describes the Turtle Technique which was developed to help children with behavior problems control their own disruptive behavior. The technique differs from other behavior modification techniques in that it is based upon self-control rather than external control of disruptive behavior. The Turtle Technique first teaches the child how…

Parental behavioral and psychological control and problematic internet use among Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of self-control.

PubMed

Li, Xian; Li, Dongping; Newman, Joan

2013-06-01

Previous research has reported contradictory effects of parental control on adolescents' problematic Internet use (PIU). To reconcile the discrepant findings, the current study examined the differential effects of parental behavioral control (solicitation and restriction) and psychological control (guilt induction, love withdrawal, and authority assertion) on adolescents' PIU. The mediating effect of self-control on the relationships between parental control and PIU was also examined. A total of 694 Chinese adolescents (M=13.67 years) completed questionnaire measures of parental behavioral control, psychological control, self-control, and PIU. After adjusting for age, gender, and family financial status, it was found that parental restriction (a form of behavioral control) was negatively associated with PIU, whereas love withdrawal (a form of psychological control) was positively associated with PIU. Increased self-control was associated with decreased PIU, and changes in self-control at least partially mediated the differential effects of parental behavioral and psychological control on PIU. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Self-Control Behavior of Drinking Drivers beyond the Context of a Behavioral Self-Control Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Werch, Chudley E.

This paper reports on the post hoc analysis of specific types of self-control behaviors being employed by drinking drivers who were exposed to a behavioral self-control training program. The underlying assumption of this study is that the success of health promotion and intervention programs most probably depends on the development of greater…

Cognitive Control Predicts Use of Model-Based Reinforcement-Learning

PubMed Central

Otto, A. Ross; Skatova, Anya; Madlon-Kay, Seth; Daw, Nathaniel D.

2015-01-01

Accounts of decision-making and its neural substrates have long posited the operation of separate, competing valuation systems in the control of choice behavior. Recent theoretical and experimental work suggest that this classic distinction between behaviorally and neurally dissociable systems for habitual and goal-directed (or more generally, automatic and controlled) choice may arise from two computational strategies for reinforcement learning (RL), called model-free and model-based RL, but the cognitive or computational processes by which one system may dominate over the other in the control of behavior is a matter of ongoing investigation. To elucidate this question, we leverage the theoretical framework of cognitive control, demonstrating that individual differences in utilization of goal-related contextual information—in the service of overcoming habitual, stimulus-driven responses—in established cognitive control paradigms predict model-based behavior in a separate, sequential choice task. The behavioral correspondence between cognitive control and model-based RL compellingly suggests that a common set of processes may underpin the two behaviors. In particular, computational mechanisms originally proposed to underlie controlled behavior may be applicable to understanding the interactions between model-based and model-free choice behavior. PMID:25170791

Orthorhombic YBaCo{sub 4}O{sub 8.4} crystals as a result of saturation of hexagonal YBaCo{sub 4}O{sub 7} crystals with oxygen

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Podberezskaya, N. V., E-mail: podberez@niic.nsc.ru; Bolotina, N. B., E-mail: nb-bolotina@mail.ru; Komarov, V. Yu., E-mail: komarov-v-y@niic.nsc.ru

Hexagonal YBaCo{sub 4}O{sub 7} crystals (sp. gr. P6{sub 3}mc, a{sub h} = 6.3058(4) Å, c{sub h} = 10.2442(7) Å, Z = 2) are saturated with oxygen to the YBaCo{sub 4}O{sub 8.4} composition and studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The saturation is completed by a structural first-order phase transition to orthorhombic crystals (sp. gr. Pbc2{sub 1}, a{sub o} = 31.8419(2) Å, b{sub o} = 10.9239(5) Å, c{sub o} = 10.0960(5) Å, Z = 20). The connection of two lattices is expressed in terms of the action of matrix (500/120/001) on the hexagonal basis. Five structural fragments of the same typemore » but with different degrees of order alternate along the long axis of the oxygen-saturated orthorhombic structure. The XRD data on single crystals differ from the results obtained by other researchers on ceramic samples; possible causes of these differences are discussed.« less

X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and mechanical studies on potential organic NLO materials of metaNitroaniline and N-3-Nitrophenyl Acetamide single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senthil, S.; Madhavan, J.

2015-02-01

In the present paper, attempts were made to grow good quality metaNitroaniline (mNA) and N-3-Nitrophenyl (3-NAA) single crystals. The lattice parameter values from the Powder X-ray diffraction pattern confirms that mNA belongs to orthorhombic crystal system with the unit cell parameter values of a = 6.501 Å, b = 19.330 Å and c = 5.082 Å with space group Pbc21. Similarly the powder XRD data indicates that 3-NAA crystal retained its monoclinic structure with lattice parameter values a = 9.762 Å, b =13.287 Å, c =13.226 Å, and β = 102.99°. Investigation has been carried out to assign the vibrational frequencies of the grown crystals by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy technique. The SHG efficiency of mNA and 3NAA was determined by Kurtz and Perry powder technique. The Optical absorption study confirms the suitability of the crystals for device applications. The mechanical properties of the grown crystals have been studied using Vickers microhardness tester.

Retraction Statement: "Overexpression of miR-708 and its targets in the childhood common precursor B-cell ALL" by Xue Li, MMed, Dong Li, PhD, Yong Zhuang, MMed, Qing Shi, BSc, Wei Wei, MMed, and Xiuli Ju, MD, PhD.

PubMed

2017-05-01

The above article, published online 23 August 2013 in Pediatric Blood and Cancer, Volume 60, Issue 12, December 2013, Pages 2060-2067, has been retracted by agreement among the authors, the journal's Editor-in-Chief, Peter E. Newburger, M.D., and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The decision to retract was agreed upon following notification that the paper substantially duplicates a prior study already published in Chinese https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23611221. The authors were not aware that publication in another language would constitute a duplicate publication and, upon being informed of this fact, have agreed to withdraw the paper from Pediatric Blood and Cancer. Reference Li X, Li D, Zhuang Y, Shi Q, Wei W and Ju X. Overexpression of miR-708 and its targets in the childhood common precursor B-cell ALL. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2013; 60: 2060-2067. doi:10.1002/pbc.24583. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A glimpse into the genetic basis of symbiosis between Hydrogenophaga and their helper strains in the biodegradation of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate

PubMed Central

Kim, Kangsan; Gan, Han Ming

2017-01-01

We report the whole genome sequences of Hydrogenophaga intermedia S1 and Agrobacterium radiobacter S2, the first reported bacterial co-culture capable of degrading 4-aminobenzenesulfonate (4-ABS), a recalcitrant industrial waste product. To gain insights into the genetic basis for the syntrophic interaction between this symbiotic pair and also another recently reported Hydrogenophaga associated co-culture, Hydrogenophaga sp. PBC and Ralstonia sp. PBA, we performed detailed genetic analysis of these four strains focusing on the metabolic pathways associated with biotin, para-aminobenzoic acid (pABA), and protocatechuate metabolism. Both assembled Hydrogenophaga draft genomes are missing a majority of the genetic components associated in the biosynthetic pathway of pABA and biotin. Interestingly, a fused pABA synthase was found in R. sp PBA but not in A. radiobacter S2. Furthermore, using whole genome data, the taxonomic classification of R. sp. PBA and A. radiobacter S2 (both previously inferred from 16S rRNA gene) was re-investigated, providing new evidence to propose for their re-classification at the genus and species level, respectively PMID:28775791

Impact of radiation attenuation by a carbon fiber couch on patient dose verification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Chun-Yen; Chou, Wen-Tsae; Liao, Yi-Jen; Lee, Jeng-Hung; Liang, Ji-An; Hsu, Shih-Ming

2017-02-01

The aim of this study was to understand the difference between the measured and calculated irradiation attenuations obtained using two algorithms and to identify the influence of couch attenuation on patient dose verification. We performed eight tests of couch attenuation with two photon energies, two longitudinal couch positions, and two rail positions. The couch attenuation was determined using a radiation treatment planning system. The measured and calculated attenuations were compared. We also performed 12 verifications of head-and-neck and rectum cases by using a Delta phantom. The dose deviation (DD), distance to agreement (DTA), and gamma index of pencil-beam convolution (PBC) verifications were nearly the same. The agreement was least consistent for the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) without the couch for the head-and-neck case, in which the DD, DTA, and gamma index were 74.4%, 99.3%, and 89%, respectively; for the rectum case, the corresponding values were 56.2%, 95.1%, and 92.4%. We suggest that dose verification should be performed using the following three metrics simultaneously: DD, DTA, and the gamma index.

Anthrax Toxin-Expressing Bacillus cereus Isolated from an Anthrax-Like Eschar.

PubMed

Marston, Chung K; Ibrahim, Hisham; Lee, Philip; Churchwell, George; Gumke, Megan; Stanek, Danielle; Gee, Jay E; Boyer, Anne E; Gallegos-Candela, Maribel; Barr, John R; Li, Han; Boulay, Darbi; Cronin, Li; Quinn, Conrad P; Hoffmaster, Alex R

2016-01-01

Bacillus cereus isolates have been described harboring Bacillus anthracis toxin genes, most notably B. cereus G9241, and capable of causing severe and fatal pneumonias. This report describes the characterization of a B. cereus isolate, BcFL2013, associated with a naturally occurring cutaneous lesion resembling an anthrax eschar. Similar to G9241, BcFL2013 is positive for the B. anthracis pXO1 toxin genes, has a multi-locus sequence type of 78, and a pagA sequence type of 9. Whole genome sequencing confirms the similarity to G9241. In addition to the chromosome having an average nucleotide identity of 99.98% when compared to G9241, BcFL2013 harbors three plasmids with varying homology to the G9241 plasmids (pBCXO1, pBC210 and pBFH_1). This is also the first report to include serologic testing of patient specimens associated with this type of B. cereus infection which resulted in the detection of anthrax lethal factor toxemia, a quantifiable serum antibody response to protective antigen (PA), and lethal toxin neutralization activity.

Study of collective flows of protons and π^{{-}}_{} -mesons in p+C, Ta and He+Li, C collisions at momenta of 4.2, 4.5 and 10 AGeV/c

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chkhaidze, L.; Chlachidze, G.; Djobava, T.; Galoyan, A.; Kharkhelauri, L.; Togoo, R.; Uzhinsky, V.

2016-11-01

Collective flows of protons and π- -mesons are studied at the momenta of 4.2, 4.5 and 10AGeV/ c for p+C, Ta and He+Li, C interactions. The data were obtained from the streamer chamber (SKM-200-GIBS) and from the Propane Bubble Chamber (PBC-500) systems utilized at JINR. A method of Danielewicz and Odyniec has been employed in determining a directed transverse flow of particles. The values of the transverse flow parameter and the strength of the anisotropic emission were defined for each interacting nuclear pair. It is found that the directed flows of protons and pions decrease with increasing the energy and the mass numbers of colliding nucleus pairs. The π^{{-}}_{} -meson and proton flows exhibit opposite directions in all studied interactions, and the flows of protons are directed in the reaction plane. The Ultra-relativistic Quantum Molecular Dynamical Model (UrQMD) coupled with the Statistical Multi-fragmentation Model (SMM), satisfactorily describes the obtained experimental results.

A Case-Control Study on the Behavior Status of Rural Left-Behind Children in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhi-xin, Yang; Yu-qi, Zheng

2012-01-01

The present study is aiming to exploring the behavior status of rural left-behind children in China. In a case-control study, we used Rutter Children's Behavior Questionnaire for teacher to measure behavior status of children in left-behind group and control group. Furthermore, we also compared behavior status of children in different age groups…

Perceived Parental Behavioral Control and Psychological Control in Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong: A Replication

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shek, Daniel T. L.

2007-01-01

Perceived paternal and maternal behavioral control (including dimensions of parental knowledge, expectation, monitoring, discipline and demandingness) and psychological control in 2,748 Chinese Secondary 2 students were examined. Results showed that two stable dimensions (paternal and maternal behavioral control) were extracted from the parental…

Remote guidance of untrained turtles by controlling voluntary instinct behavior.

PubMed

Lee, Serin; Kim, Cheol-Hu; Kim, Dae-Gun; Kim, Han-Guen; Lee, Phill-Seung; Myung, Hyun

2013-01-01

Recently, several studies have been carried out on the direct control of behavior in insects and other lower animals in order to apply these behaviors to the performance of specialized tasks in an attempt to find more efficient means of carrying out these tasks than artificial intelligence agents. While most of the current methods cause involuntary behavior in animals by electronically stimulating the corresponding brain area or muscle, we show that, in turtles, it is also possible to control certain types of behavior, such as movement trajectory, by evoking an appropriate voluntary instinctive behavior. We have found that causing a particular behavior, such as obstacle avoidance, by providing a specific visual stimulus results in effective control of the turtle's movement. We propose that this principle may be adapted and expanded into a general framework to control any animal behavior as an alternative to robotic probes.

Remote Guidance of Untrained Turtles by Controlling Voluntary Instinct Behavior

PubMed Central

Kim, Dae-Gun; Kim, Han-Guen; Lee, Phill-Seung; Myung, Hyun

2013-01-01

Recently, several studies have been carried out on the direct control of behavior in insects and other lower animals in order to apply these behaviors to the performance of specialized tasks in an attempt to find more efficient means of carrying out these tasks than artificial intelligence agents. While most of the current methods cause involuntary behavior in animals by electronically stimulating the corresponding brain area or muscle, we show that, in turtles, it is also possible to control certain types of behavior, such as movement trajectory, by evoking an appropriate voluntary instinctive behavior. We have found that causing a particular behavior, such as obstacle avoidance, by providing a specific visual stimulus results in effective control of the turtle's movement. We propose that this principle may be adapted and expanded into a general framework to control any animal behavior as an alternative to robotic probes. PMID:23613939

Using self-reported and objective measures of self-control to predict exercise and academic behaviors among first-year university students.

PubMed

Stork, Matthew J; Graham, Jeffrey D; Bray, Steven R; Martin Ginis, Kathleen A

2017-07-01

Thirty students (mean age = 18 ± 0.5 years) completed self-report (Self-Control Scale) and objective (isometric handgrip squeeze performance) measures of self-control, provided their exercise and academic (study/schoolwork) plans for the next month, and then logged these behaviors over the subsequent 4-week period. Trait self-control predicted exercise and academic behavior. Handgrip squeeze performance predicted academic behavior and adherence to academic plans. Further, regression analysis revealed that trait self-control and handgrip performance explained significant variance in academic behavior. These findings provide a new understanding of how different self-control measures can be used to predict first-year students' participation in, and adherence to, exercise and academic behaviors concurrently.

A Bayesian Formulation of Behavioral Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huys, Quentin J. M.; Dayan, Peter

2009-01-01

Helplessness, a belief that the world is not subject to behavioral control, has long been central to our understanding of depression, and has influenced cognitive theories, animal models and behavioral treatments. However, despite its importance, there is no fully accepted definition of helplessness or behavioral control in psychology or…

Fuzzy Behavior-Based Navigation for Planetary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tunstel, Edward; Danny, Harrison; Lippincott, Tanya; Jamshidi, Mo

1997-01-01

Adaptive behavioral capabilities are necessary for robust rover navigation in unstructured and partially-mapped environments. A control approach is described which exploits the approximate reasoning capability of fuzzy logic to produce adaptive motion behavior. In particular, a behavior-based architecture for hierarchical fuzzy control of microrovers is presented. Its structure is described, as well as mechanisms of control decision-making which give rise to adaptive behavior. Control decisions for local navigation result from a consensus of recommendations offered only by behaviors that are applicable to current situations. Simulation predicts the navigation performance on a microrover in simplified Mars-analog terrain.

Behavior Treatment of Deviant Sex-Role Behaviors in a Male Child.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rekers, George A.; And Others

This study demonstrated reinforcement control over pronounced feminine behaviors in a male child who had been psychologically evaluated as manifesting "childhood cross-gender identity." Reinforcement control over cross-gender behavior was demonstrated by identifying some behavioral treatment conditions under which feminine behaviors could be…

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Identify Predictors of Oral Hygiene: A Collection of Unique Behaviors.

PubMed

Brein, Daniel J; Fleenor, Thomas J; Kim, Soo-Woo; Krupat, Edward

2016-03-01

This study aims to identify predictors of performed oral hygiene behaviors (OHBs) based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), oral health knowledge, and demographic factors. Using a questionnaire, 381 participants in three general dental offices and one hospital dental department in York, Pennsylvania, were surveyed regarding performed OHB, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, oral health knowledge, income, age, and sex. Three unique elements of OHB were identified for analysis: brushing, interdental cleaning, and tongue cleaning. Regression analysis revealed that attitude was the strongest predictor of brushing behavior, followed by oral health knowledge, perceived behavior control, subjective norms, and income. Perceived behavior control was the strongest predictor of interdental cleaning, followed by increased age and attitude. Female sex was the strongest predictor of tongue cleaning, followed by subjective norms, decreased age, and perceived behavior control. Respectively, these three groups of predictive variables explained 22.5% of brushing behavior, 22.7% of interdental cleaning behavior, and 9.5% of tongue cleaning behavior. The present findings highlight the utility of viewing OHB as a set of unique behaviors with unique predictive variables and provide additional support for use of TPB in predicting OHB. Periodontal practitioners should consider the strong associations of attitude and perceived behavioral control with brushing and interdental cleaning behaviors when designing interventional efforts to improve patient home care.

Psychological Control Associated with Youth Adjustment and Risky Behavior in African American Single Mother Families

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kincaid, Carlye; Jones, Deborah J.; Cuellar, Jessica; Gonzalez, Michelle

2011-01-01

A distinction between parental behavioral control and psychological control has been elucidated in the literature, yet far less is known about the role of psychological control in youth adjustment broadly or risky behavior in particular. We examined the interrelationship of maternal psychological control, youth psychosocial adjustment, and youth…

Parental Education and Aggressive Behavior in Children: A Moderated-Mediation Model for Inhibitory Control and Gender

PubMed Central

Cabello, Rosario; Gutiérrez-Cobo, María J.; Fernández-Berrocal, Pablo

2017-01-01

Aggressive behaviors are highly prevalent in children. Given their negative consequences, it is necessary to look for protective factors that prevent or reduce their progress in early development before they become highly unshakable. With a sample of 147 children, the present study aimed to assess the relation between parental education and inhibitory control in the aggressive behavior of children aged from 7 to 10 years. The participants completed a go/no-go task to assess inhibitory control, whilst their parents reported their education level, and their teachers rated the aggressive behavior of the children through the Teacher Rating Scale (TRS) of the Behavior Assessment System for Children 2 (BASC-2). The results showed that both parental education and inhibitory control determined aggressive behavior in children. In addition, inhibitory control partially mediated the associations between parental education and aggressive behavior after accounting for age. However, a moderated mediation model revealed that lower parental education was associated with higher levels of aggressive behavior, which, in girls occurred independently of inhibitory control. In contrast, inhibitory control mediated this relation in boys. These results suggest the importance of parental education and inhibitory control in the aggressive behavior of children, supporting the idea that both constructs are relevant for understanding these conduct problems in schools, particularly in boys. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, along with possible future lines of investigation. PMID:28740476

Parental Education and Aggressive Behavior in Children: A Moderated-Mediation Model for Inhibitory Control and Gender.

PubMed

Cabello, Rosario; Gutiérrez-Cobo, María J; Fernández-Berrocal, Pablo

2017-01-01

Aggressive behaviors are highly prevalent in children. Given their negative consequences, it is necessary to look for protective factors that prevent or reduce their progress in early development before they become highly unshakable. With a sample of 147 children, the present study aimed to assess the relation between parental education and inhibitory control in the aggressive behavior of children aged from 7 to 10 years. The participants completed a go/no-go task to assess inhibitory control, whilst their parents reported their education level, and their teachers rated the aggressive behavior of the children through the Teacher Rating Scale (TRS) of the Behavior Assessment System for Children 2 (BASC-2). The results showed that both parental education and inhibitory control determined aggressive behavior in children. In addition, inhibitory control partially mediated the associations between parental education and aggressive behavior after accounting for age. However, a moderated mediation model revealed that lower parental education was associated with higher levels of aggressive behavior, which, in girls occurred independently of inhibitory control. In contrast, inhibitory control mediated this relation in boys. These results suggest the importance of parental education and inhibitory control in the aggressive behavior of children, supporting the idea that both constructs are relevant for understanding these conduct problems in schools, particularly in boys. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, along with possible future lines of investigation.

A comparison of Theory of Planned Behavior beliefs and healthy eating between couples without children and first-time parents.

PubMed

Bassett-Gunter, Rebecca L; Levy-Milne, Ryna; Naylor, Patti Jean; Symons Downs, Danielle; Benoit, Cecilia; Warburton, Darren E R; Blanchard, Chris M; Rhodes, Ryan E

2015-01-01

To examine the relationship between Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) beliefs and eating behavior, explore which beliefs have the greatest association with eating behavior, and explore differences between adults without children and first-time parents. Longitudinal evaluation via questionnaires and food records at baseline and 6 and 12 months. Couples without children (n = 72) and first-time parents (n = 100). fruit and vegetable consumption and fat consumption. TPB beliefs. Pearson correlations between TPB beliefs and eating behavior; exploratory data reduction via linear regression. Control beliefs were associated with eating behavior (r = .26-.46; P < .05). After controlling for past behavior, control beliefs were associated with eating behavior for first-time parents only. Control beliefs regarding preparation and time had the strongest associations with fruit and vegetable consumption for mothers (β = .26; P < .05) and fathers (β = .38; P < .01). The absence of a ceiling effect for control beliefs suggests room for improvement via intervention. Interventions guided by TPB should target control beliefs to enhance healthy eating among new parents. Strategies (eg, individual, environmental, policy) to enhance control beliefs regarding healthy eating despite limited time and opportunity for preparation may be particularly valuable. Copyright © 2015 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

ArControl: An Arduino-Based Comprehensive Behavioral Platform with Real-Time Performance.

PubMed

Chen, Xinfeng; Li, Haohong

2017-01-01

Studying animal behavior in the lab requires reliable delivering stimulations and monitoring responses. We constructed a comprehensive behavioral platform (ArControl: Arduino Control Platform) that was an affordable, easy-to-use, high-performance solution combined software and hardware components. The hardware component was consisted of an Arduino UNO board and a simple drive circuit. As for software, the ArControl provided a stand-alone and intuitive GUI (graphical user interface) application that did not require users to master scripts. The experiment data were automatically recorded with the built in DAQ (data acquisition) function. The ArControl also allowed the behavioral schedule to be entirely stored in and operated on the Arduino chip. This made the ArControl a genuine, real-time system with high temporal resolution (<1 ms). We tested the ArControl, based on strict performance measurements and two mice behavioral experiments. The results showed that the ArControl was an adaptive and reliable system suitable for behavioral research.

ArControl: An Arduino-Based Comprehensive Behavioral Platform with Real-Time Performance

PubMed Central

Chen, Xinfeng; Li, Haohong

2017-01-01

Studying animal behavior in the lab requires reliable delivering stimulations and monitoring responses. We constructed a comprehensive behavioral platform (ArControl: Arduino Control Platform) that was an affordable, easy-to-use, high-performance solution combined software and hardware components. The hardware component was consisted of an Arduino UNO board and a simple drive circuit. As for software, the ArControl provided a stand-alone and intuitive GUI (graphical user interface) application that did not require users to master scripts. The experiment data were automatically recorded with the built in DAQ (data acquisition) function. The ArControl also allowed the behavioral schedule to be entirely stored in and operated on the Arduino chip. This made the ArControl a genuine, real-time system with high temporal resolution (<1 ms). We tested the ArControl, based on strict performance measurements and two mice behavioral experiments. The results showed that the ArControl was an adaptive and reliable system suitable for behavioral research. PMID:29321735

[Effects of a Customized Birth Control Program for Married Immigrant Postpartum Mothers].

PubMed

Kim, So Young; Choi, So Young

2016-12-01

This study was conducted to develop a customized birth control program and identify its effects on attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control, intention, and behavior of contraception among immigrant postpartum mothers. In this experimental study, Vietnamese, Filipino or Cambodian married immigrant postpartum mothers were recruited. They were assigned to the experiment group (n=21) or control group (n=21). The customized birth control program was provided to the experimental group for 4 weeks. The experimental group showed a significant increase in the score of attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control, intention, and behavior of contraception. Findings in this study indicate that the customized postpartum birth control program, a systematic and integrative intervention program composed of customized health education, counseling and telephone monitoring, is able to provide effective planning for postpartum health promotion and birth control behavior practice in married immigrant women.

Assessing God Locus of Control as a Factor in College Students' Alcohol Use and Sexual Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, Erin W.

2014-01-01

Objectives: This study explored God locus of control beliefs (ie, God's control over behavior) regarding their influence on alcohol use and sexual behavior as an alternative religiosity measure to religious behaviors, which does not capture perceived influence of religiosity. Additionally, demographic differences in religious beliefs were…

Temperature-resolved study of three [M(M'O4)4(TBPO)4] complexes (MM' = URe, ThRe, ThTc).

PubMed

Helliwell, Madeleine; Collison, David; John, Gordon H; May, Iain; Sarsfield, Mark J; Sharrad, Clint A; Sutton, Andrew D

2006-02-01

The crystal structures of the title complexes were measured at several temperatures between room temperature and 100 K. Each sample shows reversible crystal-to-crystal phase transitions as the temperature is varied. The behaviour of [U(ReO4)4(TBPO)4] (I) and [Th(ReO4)4(TBPO)4] (II) (TBPO = tri-n-butylphosphine oxide) is very similar; at room temperature, crystals of (I) and (II) are isostructural, with space group I42m, and reducing the temperature to 100 K causes a lowering of the space-group symmetry to C-centred cells, space groups Cc for (I) and Cmc2(1) for (II). The variation of lattice symmetry of [Th(TcO4)4(TBPO)4] (III) was found to be somewhat different, with the body-centred cubic space group, I43m, occurring at 293 K, a reduction of symmetry at 230 K to the C-centred orthorhombic space group, Cmc2(1), and a further transition to the primitive orthorhombic space group, Pbc2(1), below 215 K. Elucidation of the correct space-group symmetry and the subsequent refinement was complicated in some cases by the twinning by pseudo-merohedry that arises from the lowering of the space-group symmetry, occurring as the temperature is reduced. All three of the crystal structures determined at room temperature have high atomic displacement parameters, particularly of the (n)Bu groups, and (III) shows disorder of some of the O atoms. The structures in the space group Cmc2(1), show some disorder of nBu groups, but are otherwise reasonably well ordered; the structures of (I) in Cc and (III) in Pbc2(1) are ordered, even to the ends of the alkyl chains. Inter-comparison of the structures measured below 293 K, using the program OFIT from the SHELXTL package, showed that generally, they are remarkably alike, with weighted r.m.s. deviations of the M, M' and P atoms of less than 0.1 A, as are the 293 K structures of (I) and (II) with their low-temperature counterparts. However, the structure of (III) measured in the space group Cmc2(1) is significantly different from both the structure of (III) at 293 K and that found below 215 K, with weighted r.m.s. deviations of the Th, Tc and P atoms of 0.40 and 0.37 A, respectively. An extensive network of weak intra- and intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen bonds found between the atoms of the nBu and [M'O4] groups probably influences the packing and the overall geometry of the molecules.

Both trust and self-control are necessary to prevent intrusive behaviors: evidence from a longitudinal study of married couples.

PubMed

Buyukcan-Tetik, Asuman; Finkenauer, Catrin; Kuppens, Sofie; Vohs, Kathleen D

2013-08-01

Many people engage in intrusive behaviors in close relationships. Existing research links intrusive behaviors to a lack of trust and an imbalance between self- and partner-interest. The authors tested the novel hypothesis that people need self-control to regulate intrusive behaviors. Self-control enables people to forgo their self-interests (reassurance or closeness) for the sake of their partner or the relationship. Specifically, we predicted that people need both trust and self-control to refrain from intrusive behavior. One-hundred-eighty-nine couples participated in a prospective longitudinal study with three waves. Consistent with predictions, multilevel analyses revealed an interaction between trust and self-control on intrusive behaviors cross-sectionally as well as longitudinally (albeit marginally). These results provide support for our hypothesis that neither trust in the partner nor self-control is sufficient to forestall intrusive behaviors, but rather both are necessary to refrain from intruding into one's partner's privacy. © 2013 American Psychological Association

Using the integrative model of behavioral prediction to identify promising message strategies to promote healthy sleep behavior among college students.

PubMed

Robbins, Rebecca; Niederdeppe, Jeff

2015-01-01

This research used the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction (IMBP) to examine cognitive predictors of intentions to engage in healthy sleep behavior among a population of college students. In doing so, we identify promising message strategies to increase healthy sleep behavior during college. In Phase 1, members of a small sample of undergraduates (n = 31) were asked to describe their beliefs about expected outcomes, norms, and perceived behavioral control associated with sleep on an open-ended questionnaire. We analyzed these qualitative responses to create a closed-ended survey about sleep-related attitudes, perceived norms, control beliefs, behavioral intentions, and behavior. In Phase 2, a larger sample of undergraduate students (n = 365) completed the survey. Attitudes and perceived behavioral control were the strongest predictors of both intentions to engage in sleep behavior and self-reported sleep behavior. Control beliefs associated with time management and stress also had substantial room to change, suggesting their potential as message strategies to better promote healthy sleep behavior in college. We conclude with a broader discussion of the study's implications for message design and intervention.

Intelligent Systems Approach for Automated Identification of Individual Control Behavior of a Human Operator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zaychik, Kirill B.; Cardullo, Frank M.

2012-01-01

Results have been obtained using conventional techniques to model the generic human operator?s control behavior, however little research has been done to identify an individual based on control behavior. The hypothesis investigated is that different operators exhibit different control behavior when performing a given control task. Two enhancements to existing human operator models, which allow personalization of the modeled control behavior, are presented. One enhancement accounts for the testing control signals, which are introduced by an operator for more accurate control of the system and/or to adjust the control strategy. This uses the Artificial Neural Network which can be fine-tuned to model the testing control. Another enhancement takes the form of an equiripple filter which conditions the control system power spectrum. A novel automated parameter identification technique was developed to facilitate the identification process of the parameters of the selected models. This utilizes a Genetic Algorithm based optimization engine called the Bit-Climbing Algorithm. Enhancements were validated using experimental data obtained from three different sources: the Manual Control Laboratory software experiments, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle simulation, and NASA Langley Research Center Visual Motion Simulator studies. This manuscript also addresses applying human operator models to evaluate the effectiveness of motion feedback when simulating actual pilot control behavior in a flight simulator.

Effortful Control Moderates Bidirectional Effects Between Children’s Externalizing Behavior and their Mothers’ Depressive Symptoms

PubMed Central

Choe, Daniel Ewon; Olson, Sheryl L.; Sameroff, Arnold J.

2013-01-01

This study examined bidirectional associations between mothers’ depressive symptoms and children’s externalizing behavior and whether they were moderated by preschool-age effortful control and gender. Mothers and teachers reported on 224 primarily White, middle-class children at ages 3, 5, and 10. Effortful control was assessed via behavioral battery and mother ratings. Structural equation modeling indicated that maternal depressive symptoms at child age 3 predicted more externalizing behavior at age 10 among children with low effortful control and among boys. Externalizing behavior at age 3 predicted fewer depressive symptoms at the age 10 assessments among mothers of children with high effortful control. Boys with suboptimal self-regulation exposed to high levels of maternal depressive symptoms were at greatest risk for school-age behavioral problems. PMID:23668713

Screening for impulse control symptoms in patients with de novo Parkinson disease: a case-control study.

PubMed

Weintraub, Daniel; Papay, Kimberly; Siderowf, Andrew

2013-01-08

To determine the frequency and correlates of impulse control and related behavior symptoms in patients with de novo, untreated Parkinson disease (PD) and healthy controls (HCs). The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative is an international, multisite, case-control clinical study conducted at 21 academic movement disorders centers. Participants were recently diagnosed, untreated PD patients (n = 168) and HCs (n = 143). The outcome measures were presence of current impulse control and related behavior symptoms based on recommended cutoff points for the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease (QUIP)-Short Form. There were 311 participants with complete QUIP data. Frequencies of impulse control and related behavior symptoms for patients with PD vs HCs were as follows: gambling (1.2% vs. 0.7%), buying (3.0% vs. 2.1%), sexual behavior (4.2% vs. 3.5%), eating (7.1% vs. 10.5%), punding (4.8% vs. 2.1%), hobbyism (5.4% vs. 11.9%), walkabout (0.6% vs. 0.7%), and any impulse control or related behavior (18.5% vs. 20.3%). In multivariable models, a diagnosis of PD was not associated with symptoms of any impulse control or related behavior (p ≥ 0.10 in all cases). PD itself does not seem to confer an increased risk for development of impulse control or related behavior symptoms, which further reinforces the reported association between PD medications and impulse control disorders in PD. Given that approximately 20% of patients with newly diagnosed PD report some impulse control or related behavior symptoms, long-term follow-up is needed to determine whether such patients are at increased risk for impulse control disorder development once PD medications are initiated.

Facilitator control as automatic behavior: A verbal behavior analysis

PubMed Central

Hall, Genae A.

1993-01-01

Several studies of facilitated communication have demonstrated that the facilitators were controlling and directing the typing, although they appeared to be unaware of doing so. Such results shift the focus of analysis to the facilitator's behavior and raise questions regarding the controlling variables for that behavior. This paper analyzes facilitator behavior as an instance of automatic verbal behavior, from the perspective of Skinner's (1957) book Verbal Behavior. Verbal behavior is automatic when the speaker or writer is not stimulated by the behavior at the time of emission, the behavior is not edited, the products of behavior differ from what the person would produce normally, and the behavior is attributed to an outside source. All of these characteristics appear to be present in facilitator behavior. Other variables seem to account for the thematic content of the typed messages. These variables also are discussed. PMID:22477083

An experimental study of human pilot's scanning behavior

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Washizu, K.; Tanaka, K.; Osawa, T.

1982-01-01

The scanning behavior and the control behavior of the pilot who manually controls the two-variable system, which is the most basic one of multi-variable systems are investigated. Two control tasks which simulate the actual airplane attitude and airspeed control were set up. In order to simulate the change of the situation where the pilot is placed, such as changes of flight phase, mission and others, the subject was requested to vary the weightings, as his control strategy, upon each task. Changes of human control dynamics and his canning properties caused by the modification of the situation were investigated. By making use of the experimental results, the optimal model of the control behavior and the scanning behavior of the pilot in the two-variable system is proposed from the standpoint of making the performance index minimal.

[Correlation between self-management behaviors and blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in community].

PubMed

Yu, Pingping; Xiao, Xiangcheng; Wang, Linyun; Wang, Lei

2013-04-01

To investigate the self-management behaviors of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in a community and to explore the relationship between self-management behaviors and the glycemic control. A total of 211 type 2 DM patients in a community were selected by stratified random sampling. Patients were grouped according to the scores of self-management behaviors. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h postprandial plasma glucose (2hPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level were tested. The differences between groups and relationship between self-management behaviors and glycemic control were analyzed. Self-management behaviors of most patients were not effective, and 2hPG and HbA1C were affected by different levels of the self-management behaviors (P<0.05). The self-management behaviors were negatively related to FPG (r=-0.277, P=0.015), 2hPG (r=-0.453, P=0.001), and HbA1C (r=-0.435, P=0.001). Glycemic control of the patients whose course of disease was over 5 years was significantly different due to different self-management behaviors. FPG level of the patients was positively related to alimentary control. The 2hPG level of the patients was positively related to alimentary control, medication persistence, and blood glucose self-monitoring. The HbA1C level of the patients was positively related to alimentary control and medication persistence. The times the patients received DM education, the way to use insulin, and the disease course of the patients were important factors to affect self-management behaviors of type 2 DM in the community. Self-management behaviors of type 2 DM patients in the community are not effective. Satisfactory self-management behaviors, specially the control of 2hPG and HbA1C are beneficial to glycemic control. We can improve the self-management behaviors in type 2 DM patients by paying attention to the disease course, the treatment method, and the contents and effect of DM education.

Screening for impulse control symptoms in patients with de novo Parkinson disease

PubMed Central

Papay, Kimberly; Siderowf, Andrew

2013-01-01

Objective: To determine the frequency and correlates of impulse control and related behavior symptoms in patients with de novo, untreated Parkinson disease (PD) and healthy controls (HCs). Methods: The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative is an international, multisite, case-control clinical study conducted at 21 academic movement disorders centers. Participants were recently diagnosed, untreated PD patients (n = 168) and HCs (n = 143). The outcome measures were presence of current impulse control and related behavior symptoms based on recommended cutoff points for the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease (QUIP)-Short Form. Results: There were 311 participants with complete QUIP data. Frequencies of impulse control and related behavior symptoms for patients with PD vs HCs were as follows: gambling (1.2% vs 0.7%), buying (3.0% vs 2.1%), sexual behavior (4.2% vs 3.5%), eating (7.1% vs 10.5%), punding (4.8% vs 2.1%), hobbyism (5.4% vs 11.9%), walkabout (0.6% vs 0.7%), and any impulse control or related behavior (18.5% vs 20.3%). In multivariable models, a diagnosis of PD was not associated with symptoms of any impulse control or related behavior (p ≥ 0.10 in all cases). Conclusions: PD itself does not seem to confer an increased risk for development of impulse control or related behavior symptoms, which further reinforces the reported association between PD medications and impulse control disorders in PD. Given that approximately 20% of patients with newly diagnosed PD report some impulse control or related behavior symptoms, long-term follow-up is needed to determine whether such patients are at increased risk for impulse control disorder development once PD medications are initiated. PMID:23296128