Goal-directed actions transiently depend on dorsal hippocampus.

The role of the hippocampus in goal-directed action is currently unclear; studies investigating this issue have produced contradictory results. Here we reconcile these contradictions by demonstrating that, in rats, goal-directed action relies on the dorsal hippocampus, but only transiently, immediately after initial acquisition. Furthermore, we found that goal-directed action also depends transiently on physical context, suggesting a psychological basis for the hippocampal regulation of goal-directed action control

Wound bed preparation: A novel approach using HydroTherapy

Wounds that fail to heal quickly are often encountered by community nursing staff. An important step in assisting these chronic or stalled wounds progress through healing is debridement to remove devitalised tissue, including slough and eschar, that can prevent the wound from healing. A unique wound treatment called HydroTherapy aims to provide an optimal healing environment. The first step of HydroTherapy involves HydroClean plus™, this dressing enables removal of devitalised tissue through autolytic debridement and absorption of wound fluid. Irrigation and cleansing provided by Ringer’s solution from the dressing further removes any necrotic tissue or eschar. Once effective wound bed preparation has been achieved a second dressing, HydroTac™, provides an ongoing hydrated wound environment that enables re-epithelialisation to occur in an unrestricted fashion. This paper presents 3 case studies of slow healing wounds treated with HydroClean plus™ which demonstrates effective wound debridement

DLX1 acts as a crucial target of FOXM1 to promote ovarian cancer aggressiveness by enhancing TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling

Recent evidence from a comprehensive genome analysis and functional studies have revealed that FOXM1 is a crucial metastatic regulator that drives cancer progression. However, the regulatory mechanism by which FOXM1 exerts its metastatic functions in cancer cells remains obscure. Here, we report that DLX1 acts as a FOXM1 downstream target, exerting pro-metastatic function in ovarian cancers. Both FOXM1 isoforms (FOXM1B or FOXM1C) could transcriptionally upregulate DLX1 through two conserved binding sites, located at +61 to +69bp downstream (TFBS1) and -675 to -667bp upstream (TFBS2) of the DLX1 promoter, respectively. This regulation was further accentuated by the significant correlation between the nuclear expression of FOXM1 and DLX1 in high-grade serous ovarian cancers. Functionally, the ectopic expression of DLX1 promoted ovarian cancer cell growth, cell migration/invasion and intraperitoneal dissemination of ovarian cancer in mice, whereas small interfering RNA-mediated DLX1 knockdown in FOXM1-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells abrogated these oncogenic capacities. In contrast, depletion of FOXM1 by shRNAi only partially attenuated tumor growth and exerted almost no effect on cell migration/invasion and the intraperitoneal dissemination of DLX1-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, the mechanistic studies showed that DLX1 positively modulates TGF- signaling by upregulating PAI-1 and JUNB through direct interaction with SMAD4 in the nucleus upon TGF-1 induction. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that DLX1 plays a pivotal role in FOXM1 signaling to promote cancer aggressiveness through intensifying TGF-/SMAD4 signaling in high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells.published_or_final_versio

Influence of Maternal Infection and Pregnancy Complications on Cord Blood Telomere Length

BACKGROUND: Exposure to suboptimal intrauterine environment might induce structural and functional changes that can affect neonatal health. Telomere length as an important indicator of cellular health has been associated with increased risk for disease development. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to examine the independent and combined effects of maternal, obstetric, and foetal factors on cord blood telomere length (TL). METHODS: Pregnant women at the gestational age of 20th to 24th week who attended the antenatal clinic of a major local hospital in Hong Kong were recruited. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire on demographics, health-related quality of life, and history of risk behaviors. Medical history including pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes was obtained from electronic medical records of both mother and neonate. Umbilical cord blood was collected at delivery for TL determination. RESULTS: A total of 753 pregnant women (average age: 32:18 ± 4:51 years) were recruited. The prevalence of maternal infection, anaemia, and hypertension during pregnancy was 30.8%, 30.0%, and 6.0%, respectively. The adjusted regression model displayed that maternal infection was negatively associated with cord blood TL (β = −0:18, p = 0:026). This association became even stronger in the presence of antenatal anaemia, hypertension, delivery complications, or neonatal jaundice (β = −0:25 to −0.45). Conclusions. This study consolidates evidence on the impact of adverse intrauterine environment at the cellular level. Maternal infection was significantly associated with shorter cord blood TL in a unique manner such that its presence may critically determine the susceptibility of telomere to other factors

Comparison of non-laser and laser transvenous lead extraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) is performed using non-laser and laser techniques with overall high efficacy and safety. Variation in outcomes between the two approaches does exist with limited comparative evidence in the literature. AIM: We sought to compare non-laser and laser TLE in a meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov and CENTRAL databases for TLE studies published between 1991-2021. From the included 68 studies, safety and efficacy data was carefully evaluated and extracted. Aggregated cases of outcomes were used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and pooled rates were synthesised from eligible studies, to compare non-laser and laser techniques. Subgroup comparison of rotational tool and laser extraction was also performed. RESULTS: Non-laser in comparison to laser had lower procedural mortality (pooled rate 0% vs 0.1%, p < 0.01), major complications (pooled rate 0.7% vs 1.7%, p < 0.01) and superior vena cava (SVC) injury (pooled rate 0% vs 0.5%, p < 0.001), with higher complete success (pooled rate 96.5% vs 93.8%, p < 0.01). Non-laser comparatively to laser was more likely to achieve clinical (OR 2.16 [1.77-2.63], p < 0.01) and complete (OR 1.87 [1.69-2.08], p < 0.01) success, with a lower procedural mortality risk (OR 1.6 [1.02-2.5], p < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, rotational tool compared to laser achieved greater complete success (pooled rate 97.4% vs 95%, p < 0.01) with lower SVC injury (pooled rate 0% vs 0.7%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Non-laser TLE is associated with a better safety and efficacy profile when compared to laser methods. There is a greater risk of SVC injury associated with laser sheath extraction

Optical map guided genome assembly

Background The long reads produced by third generation sequencing technologies have significantly boosted the results of genome assembly but still, genome-wide assemblies solely based on read data cannot be produced. Thus, for example, optical mapping data has been used to further improve genome assemblies but it has mostly been applied in a post-processing stage after contig assembly. Results We proposeOpticalKermitwhich directly integrates genome wide optical maps into contig assembly. We show how genome wide optical maps can be used to localize reads on the genome and then we adapt the Kermit method, which originally incorporated genetic linkage maps to the miniasm assembler, to use this information in contig assembly. Our experimental results show that incorporating genome wide optical maps to the contig assembly of miniasm increases NGA50 while the number of misassemblies decreases or stays the same. Furthermore, when compared to the Canu assembler,OpticalKermitproduces an assembly with almost three times higher NGA50 with a lower number of misassemblies on realA. thalianareads. Conclusions OpticalKermitsuccessfully incorporates optical mapping data directly to contig assembly of eukaryotic genomes. Our results show that this is a promising approach to improve the contiguity of genome assemblies.Peer reviewe

MRI of the lung (1/3):methods

Proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently emerged as a clinical tool to image the lungs. This paper outlines the current technical aspects of MRI pulse sequences, radiofrequency (RF) coils and MRI system requirements needed for imaging the pulmonary parenchyma and vasculature. Lung MRI techniques are presented as a “technical toolkit”, from which MR protocols will be composed in the subsequent papers for comprehensive imaging of lung disease and function (parts 2 and 3). This paper is pitched at MR scientists, technicians and radiologists who are interested in understanding and establishing lung MRI methods. Images from a 1.5 T scanner are used for illustration of the sequences and methods that are highlighted. Main Messages • Outline of the hardware and pulse sequence requirements for proton lung MRI • Overview of pulse sequences for lung parenchyma, vascular and functional imaging with protons • Demonstration of the pulse-sequence building blocks for clinical lung MRI protocol

An endoscopic modification of the simultaneous ‘above and below’ approach to large pituitary adenomas

Surgical resections of large-to-giant pituitary adenomas (PA) are technically challenging procedures. Tumors with a fibrous consistency or ‘hour-glass’ configurations are particularly difficult to remove completely and safely through the transsphenoidal route alone. Although the transcranial approach can facilitate the removal of a large suprasellar mass, it may be associated with significant bleeding within the intradural space. A simultaneous microscopic transcranial and transsphenoidal approach has been described as an alternative surgical strategy. We have further modified this ‘above and below’ approach by adopting endoscopic techniques for the transsphenoidal part of the procedure. This modified approach has the advantages of requiring only one operating microscope, and permitting freer maneuvers and easier orientation for both surgical teams. We present two patients successfully treated with this approach. Complete tumor removal was achieved and both patients achieved satisfactory functional recovery

The effects of theaflavin-enriched black tea extract on muscle soreness, oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine responses to acute anaerobic interval training: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Muscle soreness and decreased performance often follow a bout of high-intensity exercise. By reducing these effects, an athlete can train more frequently and increase long-term performance. The purpose of this study is to examine whether a high-potency, black tea extract (BTE) alters the delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), oxidative stress, inflammation, and cortisol (CORT) responses to high-intensity anaerobic exercise.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>College-age males (N = 18) with 1+ yrs of weight training experience completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Subjects consumed the BTE (1,760 mg BTE·d^-1) or placebo (PLA) for 9 days. Each subject completed two testing sessions (T1 & T2), which occurred on day 7 of the intervention. T1 & T2 consisted of a 30 s Wingate Test plus eight 10 s intervals. Blood samples were obtained before, 0, 30 & 60 min following the interval sessions and were used to analyze the total to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH:GSSG), 8-isoprostane (8-iso), CORT, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) secretion. DOMS was recorded at 24 & 48 h post-test using a visual analog scale while BTE or PLA continued to be administered. Significance was set at <it>P < 0.05</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to PLA, BTE produced significantly higher average peak power (<it>P = 0.013</it>) and higher average mean power (<it>P = 0.067</it>) across nine WAnT intervals. BTE produced significantly lower DOMS compared to PLA at 24 h post test (<it>P < 0.001</it>) and 48 h post test (<it>P < 0.001</it>). Compared to PLA, BTE had a slightly higher GSH:GSSG ratio at baseline which became significantly higher at 30 and 60 min post test (<it>P < 0.002</it>). AUC analysis revealed BTE to elicit significantly lower GSSG secretion (<it>P = 0.009</it>), significantly higher GSH:GSSG ratio (<it>P = 0.001</it>), and lower CORT secretion (<it>P = 0.078</it>) than PLA. AUC analysis did not reveal a significant difference in total IL-6 response (<it>P = 0.145</it>) between conditions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Consumption of theaflavin-enriched black tea extract led to improved recovery and a reduction in oxidative stress and DOMS responses to acute anaerobic intervals. An improved rate of recovery can benefit all individuals engaging in high intensity, anaerobic exercise as it facilitates increased frequency of exercise.</p