Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice? An Assessment of Social Media Mentions of Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin spice may only be a mix of a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves, but it has become an enduring staple of the transition to autumn for both consumers and brands. Cumulatively, pumpkin spice has a unique cultural space enhanced by the emergence of specific demographics, supported by sensory aspects of the trend, driven by nostalgia, and fostered by the illusion of scarcity from its time-bound availability. With that in mind, evaluating pumpkin spice’s space in terms of activities in social media is an important area of investigation for researchers and consumer brands. To that end, this analysis explores current social media and internet search activity related to the term “pumpkin spice.” Results suggested that discourse about pumpkin spice matches the sensory and seasonal dimensions of the term. Results also indicated positive sentiment toward pumpkin spice and trend growth

Future of Management of Multiple Sclerosis in the Middle East: A Consensus View from Specialists in Ten Countries

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is now considered to be medium-to-high in the Middle East and is rising, particularly among women. While the characteristics of the disease and the response of patients to disease-modifying therapies are generally comparable between the Middle East and other areas, significant barriers to achieving optimal care for MS exist in these developing nations. A group of physicians involved in the management of MS in ten Middle Eastern countries met to consider the future of MS care in the region, using a structured process to reach a consensus. Six key priorities were identified: early diagnosis and management of MS, the provision of multidisciplinary MS centres, patient engagement and better communication with stakeholders, regulatory body education and reimbursement, a commitment to research, and more therapy options with better benefit-to-risk ratios. The experts distilled these priorities into a single vision statement: “Optimization of patient-centred multidisciplinary strategies to improve the quality of life of people with MS.” These core principles will contribute to the development of a broader consensus on the future of care for MS in the Middle East

Impacts of center and clinical factors in antihypertensive medication use after kidney transplantation

Hypertension guidelines recommend calcium channel blockers (CCBs), thiazide diuretics, and angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARBs) as first‐line agents to treat hypertension. Hypertension is common among kidney transplant (KTx) recipients, but data are limited regarding patterns of antihypertensive medication (AHM) use in this population. We examined a novel database that links national registry data for adult KTx recipients (age > 18 years) with AHM fill records from a pharmaceutical claims warehouse (2007‐2016) to describe use and correlates of AHM use during months 7‐12 post‐transplant. For patients filling AHMs, individual agents used included: dihydropyridine (DHP) CCBs, 55.6%; beta‐blockers (BBs), 52.8%; diuretics, 30.0%; ACEi/ARBs, 21.1%; non‐DHP CCBs, 3.0%; and others, 20.1%. Both BB and ACEi/ARB use were significantly lower in the time period following the 2014 Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC‐8) guidelines (2014‐2016), compared with an earlier period (2007‐2013). The median odds ratios generated from case‐factor adjusted models supported variation in use of ACEi/ARBs (1.51) and BBs (1.55) across transplant centers. Contrary to hypertension guidelines for the general population, KTx recipients are prescribed relatively more BBs and fewer ACEi/ARBs. The clinical impact of this AHM prescribing pattern warrants further study.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154651/1/ctr13803.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154651/2/ctr13803_am.pd

A Model for Solving the Optimal Water Allocation Problem in River Basins with Network Flow Programming When Introducing Non-Linearities

[EN] The allocation of water resources between different users is a traditional problem in many river basins. The objective is to obtain the optimal resource distribution and the associated circulating flows through the system. Network flow programming is a common technique for solving this problem. This optimisation procedure has been used many times for developing applications for concrete water systems, as well as for developing complete decision support systems. As long as many aspects of a river basin are not purely linear, the study of non-linearities will also be of great importance in water resources systems optimisation. This paper presents a generalised model for solving the optimal allocation of water resources in schemes where the objectives are minimising the demand deficits, complying with the required flows in the river and storing water in reservoirs. Evaporation from reservoirs and returns from demands are considered, and an iterative methodology is followed to solve these two non-network constraints. The model was applied to the Duero River basin (Spain). Three different network flow algorithms (Out-of-Kilter, RELAX-IVand NETFLO) were used to solve the allocation problem. Certain convergence issues were detected during the iterative process. There is a need to relate the data from the studied systems with the convergence criterion to be able to find the convergence criterion which yields the best results possible without requiring a long calculation time.We thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia, CICYT) for funding the projects INTEGRAME (contract CGL2009-11798) and SCARCE (program Consolider-Ingenio 2010, project CSD2009-00065). We also thank the European Commission (Directorate-General for Research & Innovation) for funding the project DROUGHT-R&SPI (program FP7-ENV-2011, project 282769). And last, but not least, to the Fundacion Instituto Euromediterraneo del Agua with the project "Estudio de Adaptaciones varias del modelo de optimizacion de gestiones de recursos hidricos Optiges".Haro Monteagudo, D.; Paredes Arquiola, J.; Solera Solera, A.; Andreu Álvarez, J. (2012). A Model for Solving the Optimal Water Allocation Problem in River Basins with Network Flow Programming When Introducing Non-Linearities. Water Resources Management. 26(14):4059-4071. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-012-0129-7S405940712614Ahuja R, Magnanti T, Orlin J (1993) Network flows: theory, algorithms and applications. Prentice Hall, New YorkAndreu J, Capilla J, Sanchís E (1996) AQUATOOL, a generalized decision-support system for water resources planning and operational management. 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J Water Resour Plan Manag 124:69–78Harou JJ, Medellín-Azuara J, Zhu T et al (2010) Economic consequences of optimized water management for a prolonged, severe drought in California. Water Resour Res 46:W05522Hsu N, Cheng K (2002) Network Flow Optimization Model for Basin-Scale Water Supply Planning. J Water Resour Plan Manag 128:102–112Ilich N (1993) Improvement of the return flow allocation in the Water Resources Management Model of Alberta Environment. Can J Civ Eng 20:613–621Ilich N (2009) Limitations of network flow algorithms in river basin modeling. J Water Resour Plan Manag 135:48–55Kennington JL, Helgason RV (1980) Algorithms for network programming. John Wiley and Sons, New YorkKhaliquzzaman, Chander S (1997) Network flow programming model for multireservoir sizing. J Water Resour Plan Manag 123:15–21Kuczera G (1989) Fast Multireservoir Mulltiperiod Linear Programming Models. Water Resour Res 25:169–176Kuczera G (1993) Network linear programming codes for water-supply headworks modeling. J Water Resour Plan Manag 119:412–417Labadie J (2004) Optimal operation of multireservoir systems: state-of-the-art review. J Water Resour Plan Manag 130:93–111Labadie J (2006) MODSIM: river basin management decision support system. In: Singh W, Frevert D (eds) Watershed models. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 569–592Labadie J, Baldo M, Larson R (2000) MODSIM: decision support system for river basin management. Documentation and user manual. Dept. Of Civil Engineering, CSU, Fort CollinsManca A, Sechi G, Zuddas P (2010) Water supply network optimisation using equal flow algorithms. Water Resour Manag 24:3665–3678MMA (2000) Libro blanco del agua en España. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Secretaría general Técnica, Centro de PublicacionesMMA (2008) Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero. Memoria 2008. http://www.chduero.es/Inicio/Publicaciones/tabid/159/Default.aspx . Last accessed 25 June 2012Perera B, James B, Kularathna M (2005) computer software tool REALM for sustainable water allocation and management. J Environ Manag 77:291–300Rani D, Moreira M (2010) Simulation-optimization modeling: a survey and potential application in reservoir systems operation. Water Resour Manag 24:1107–1138Reca J, Roldán J, Alcaide M, López R, Camacho E (2001a) Optimisation model for water allocation in deficit irrigation systems I. Description of the model. Agric Water Manag 48:103–116Reca J, Roldán J, Alcaide M, López R, Camacho E (2001b) Optimisation model for water allocation in deficit irrigation systems II. Application to the Bembézar irrigation system. Agric Water Manag 48:117–132Sechi G, Zuddas P (2008) Multiperiod hypergraph models for water systems optimization. Water Resour Manag 22:307–320Sun H, Yeh W, Hsu N, Louie P (1995) Generalized network algorithm for water-supply-system optimization. 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Hsp90 middle domain phosphorylation initiates a complex conformational program to recruit the ATPase-stimulating cochaperone Aha1

Complex conformational dynamics are essential for function of the dimeric molecular cha- perone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), including transient, ATP-biased N-domain dimer- ization that is necessary to attain ATPase competence. The intrinsic, but weak, ATP hydrolyzing activity of human Hsp90 is markedly enhanced by the co-chaperone Aha1. However, the cellular concentration of Aha1 is substoichiometric relative to Hsp90. Here we report that initial recruitment of this cochaperone to Hsp90 is markedly enhanced by phosphorylation of a highly conserved tyrosine (Y313 in Hsp90α) in the Hsp90 middle domain. Importantly, phosphomimetic mutation of Y313 promotes formation of a transient complex in which both N- and C-domains of Aha1 bind to distinct surfaces of the middle domains of opposing Hsp90 protomers prior to ATP-directed N-domain dimerization. Thus, Y313 represents a phosphorylation-sensitive conformational switch, engaged early after client loading, that affects both local and long-range conformational dynamics to facilitate initial recruitment of Aha1 to Hsp90

Natalizumab, Fingolimod and Dimethyl Fumarate Use and Pregnancy-Related Relapse and Disability in Women With Multiple Sclerosis

To investigate pregnancy-related disease activity in a contemporary multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort

Restrained Th17 response and myeloid cell infiltration into the central nervous system by human decidua-derived mesenchymal stem cells during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a widespread inflammatory demyelinating disease. Several immunomodulatory therapies are available, including interferon-β, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab, fingolimod, and mitoxantrone. Although useful to delay disease progression, they do not provide a definitive cure and are associated with some undesirable side-effects. Accordingly, the search for new therapeutic methods constitutes an active investigation field. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to modify the disease course is currently the subject of intense interest. Decidua-derived MSCs (DMSCs) are a cell population obtained from human placental extraembryonic membranes able to differentiate into the three germ layers. This study explores the therapeutic potential of DMSCs. Methods: We used the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model to evaluate the effect of DMSCs on clinical signs of the disease and on the presence of inflammatory infiltrates in the central nervous system. We also compared the inflammatory profile of spleen T cells from DMSC-treated mice with that of EAE control animals, and the influence of DMSCs on the in vitro definition of the Th17 phenotype. Furthermore, we analyzed the effects on the presence of some critical cell types in central nervous system infiltrates. Results: Preventive intraperitoneal injection of DMSCs resulted in a significant delay of external signs of EAE. In addition, treatment of animals already presenting with moderate symptoms resulted in mild EAE with reduced disease scores. Besides decreased inflammatory infiltration, diminished percentages of CD4+IL17+, CD11b+Ly6G+ and CD11b+Ly6C+ cells were found in infiltrates of treated animals. Early immune response was mitigated, with spleen cells of DMSC-treated mice displaying low proliferative response to antigen, decreased production of interleukin (IL)-17, and increased production of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Moreover, lower RORγT and higher GATA-3 expression levels were detected in DMSC-treated mice. DMSCs also showed a detrimental influence on the in vitro definition of the Th17 phenotype. Conclusions: DMSCs modulated the clinical course of EAE, modified the frequency and cell composition of the central nervous system infiltrates during the disease, and mediated an impairment of Th17 phenotype establishment in favor of the Th2 subtype. These results suggest that DMSCs might provide a new cell-based therapy for the control of multiple sclerosis.This work was sponsored by grants from Acción Estratégica en Salud (PI13/00297 and PI11/00581), the Neurosciences and Aging Foundation, the Francisco Soria Melguizo Foundation, Octopharma, and Parkinson Madrid (PI2012/0032).S

Venous hemodynamics in neurological disorders: an analytical review with hydrodynamic analysis.

Venous abnormalities contribute to the pathophysiology of several neurological conditions. This paper reviews the literature regarding venous abnormalities in multiple sclerosis (MS), leukoaraiosis, and normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). The review is supplemented with hydrodynamic analysis to assess the effects on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and cerebral blood flow (CBF) of venous hypertension in general, and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in particular.CCSVI-like venous anomalies seem unlikely to account for reduced CBF in patients with MS, thus other mechanisms must be at work, which increase the hydraulic resistance of the cerebral vascular bed in MS. Similarly, hydrodynamic changes appear to be responsible for reduced CBF in leukoaraiosis. The hydrodynamic properties of the periventricular veins make these vessels particularly vulnerable to ischemia and plaque formation.Venous hypertension in the dural sinuses can alter intracranial compliance. Consequently, venous hypertension may change the CSF dynamics, affecting the intracranial windkessel mechanism. MS and NPH appear to share some similar characteristics, with both conditions exhibiting increased CSF pulsatility in the aqueduct of Sylvius.CCSVI appears to be a real phenomenon associated with MS, which causes venous hypertension in the dural sinuses. However, the role of CCSVI in the pathophysiology of MS remains unclear