Emerging applications of nanotechnology for diagnosis and therapy of disease: a review

Nanotechnology is of increasing interest in the fields of medicine and physiology over recent years. Its application could considerably improve disease detection and therapy, and although the potential is considerable, there are still many challenges, which need to be addressed before it is accepted in routine clinical use. This review focuses on emerging applications that nanotechnology could enhance or provide new approaches in diagnoses and therapy. The main focus of recent research centres on targeted therapies and enhancing imaging; however, the introduction of nanomaterial into the human body must be controlled, as there are many issues with possible toxicity and long-term effects. Despite these issues, the potential for nanotechnology to provide new methods of combating cancer and other disease conditions is considerable. There are still key challenges for researchers in this field, including the means of delivery and targetting in the body to provide effective treatment for specific disease conditions. Nanoparticles are difficult to measure due to the size and physical properties; hence there is still a great need to improve physiological measurements method in the field to ascertain how effective their use is in the human subject. This review is a brief snapshot into the fast changing research field of measurement and physiological links to nanoparticle use and its potential in the future

A qualitative exploration of the experiences of disclosing non-monogamy

Non-monogamy refers to a set of relationship identities and structures that go against societal norms and expectations of “typical” relationships (i.e., monogamous heteronormative dyadic relationships). As such, non-monogamous individuals often conceal this identity and then need to engage in continuous decision-making processes regarding when and how to disclose, due in part to the structural barriers, stigma, and discrimination faced by this population. This study sought to explore the experiences of the disclosure of consensual (or ethical) non-monogamy and the factors impacting on the decision to disclose across a range of environments. Data on lived experiences were explored by conducting qualitative semi-structured interviews with 32 non-monogamous adults living in Australia. Based on grounded theory, four key themes were identified during the analysis of the data: (1) decisions around how and when to disclosure are complex, (2) responses to disclosure are typically negative, (3) structural barriers typically prevent disclosure, and (4) unless specifically trained, healthcare providers are typically uninformed about non-monogamy. These findings are discussed in relation to providing a base model of disclosure for future research to build upon and to enhance understanding of systemic and healthcare-related issues faced by this population. This research adds to the current understanding of factors impacting disclosure, with possible clinical implications and suggestions for future research discussed

Azithromycin Use in Upper Respiratory Infection

Antibiotic resistance is a problem that is growing worldwide. Misuse and overprescribing of antibiotics leads to a rise in pathogens that are resistant to the conventional drugs prescribed, causing increases in morbidity and mortality rates. Antibiotic resistance occurs when microbes still survive despite the presence of an antibiotic. The remaining microbes grow in strength and multiply until there is a population that are now resistant to treatment. One such treatment is azithromycin, an antibiotic often prescribed for upper respiratory tract infections (URI). A URI is any infection of the respiratory tract from the nasal cavities to the larynx that can have symptoms ranging from acute to severe and life-threatening. Although URIs are caused by either a viral or bacterial pathogens, antibiotics are not effective for viral infections. The current treatment guidelines for URIs do not recommend an initial antibiotic prescription, but encourage delayed antibiotic prescribing techniques in which the practitioner waits 48 to 72 hours before prescribing an antibiotic. However, these guidelines are not consistently followed. To determine the rate of azithromycin prescribing, this study will collect data from three different Federally Qualified Health Centers. These rates will then be compared with the number of articles available in the PubMed database on the topic of antibiotic resistance, to determine whether the current literature available on antibiotic prescribing has an effect in decreasing the misuse of antibiotics. Results from this study will be used to enhance clinical performance. Our data can add to already existing campaigns within pharmacy, as well as promote pharmacists’ responsibilities in patient care involvement and counseling for antibiotics. If there is no correlation found between antibiotic prescribing and education campaigns, this may be grounds for additional research to determine an alternate education methods to promote antibiotic stewardship

Roles of GDF9 and BMP15 in equine follicular development: in vivo content and in vitro effects of IGF1 and cortisol on granulosa cells

Background: In horses, the mechanisms behind ovarian follicle growth and oocyte maturation remain largely unknown. In other species, oocyte-secreted factors growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) have been related to the acquisition of developmental competence and to interaction with granulosa cells for the regulation of follicle development. This study assessed the expression and localization of GDF9 in the equine ovary, and its possible relationship with granulosa cell function. Results: Using custom-made antibodies, GDF9 protein was localized in oocytes from the primary follicle stage onwards. Together with BMP15, its intrafollicular concentration was higher in small antral follicles compared to larger ones (P < 0.05). Negative correlations were observed between intrafollicular BMP15 concentration and estradiol sulfate (E2S) (r = -0.36, P = 0.048), as well as between BMP15 and E2S/P4 ratio (r = -0.37, P = 0.046). In vivo, equine granulosa cells showed increasing mRNA expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis (STAR and HSD3B2) and cell proliferation (KI67) with increasing follicle size, while expression of GDF9 and of apoptosis-related genes (BCL2 and CASP3) were not affected by follicle size. Simultaneous stimulation of granulosa cells in vitro with IGF1 and cortisol significantly increased HSD3B2 and CYP19A1 transcriptional levels, as well as E2 concentration in culture media, while IGF1-induced P4 secretion was suppressed in the presence of cortisol. Blocking the stimulatory effect of IGF1 on E2, E2S and P4 by H89 was associated with increased GDF9 mRNA levels and reduced STAR, PCNA, KI67 and BCL2 mRNA expression. Significant negative correlations of GDF9 with STAR and PCNA mRNA, respectively, were seen in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: Together, our results show GDF9 localization and expression in the equine ovary and a temporal relationship with steroidogenesis and cell proliferation within the surrounding granulosa cells. Moreover, results of the in vitro study suggest a supporting role of cortisol during follicle maturation. Our study sheds light on possible mechanisms for the regulation of ovarian function in horses using GDF9

Countering the monogamy-superiority myth : A meta-analysis of the differences in relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction as a function of relationship orientation

Relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction are key predictors of wellbeing and can substantially contribute to quality of life. Assumptions are often made that relationship and sexual satisfaction are heightened for those in monogamous relationship configurations. This meta-analytic review challenges such assumptions by comparing the degree of relationship and sexual satisfaction of monogamous and non-monogamous individuals. A literature search using PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PsycEXTRA, CINAHL, LGBT+ Source, and SOCIndex, and an additional call for unpublished data, identified 35 suitable studies (N = 24,489). Meta-analytic results show null effects overall, suggesting that both relationships (k = 29; g = -0.05, 95% CIs [−0.20, 0.10], p = .496) and sex (k = 17; g = 0.06, 95% CIs [−0.07, 0.18], p = .393) are equally satisfactory for monogamous and non-monogamous individuals. Sub-group analyses revealed that these overall effects did not vary according to sampling characteristics (e.g. LGBTQ+ vs. heterosexual samples), non-monogamy agreement types (e.g. open vs. polyamorous vs. monogamish), or relationship satisfaction dimension (e.g. trust vs. commitment vs. intimacy). There was no evidence of publication bias. Methodological challenges and directions for future research are discussed

Loss of RNase J leads to multi-drug tolerance and accumulation of highly structured mRNA fragments in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Despite the existence of well-characterized, canonical mutations that confer high-level drug resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), there is evidence that drug resistance mechanisms are more complex than simple acquisition of such mutations. Recent studies have shown that Mtb can acquire non-canonical resistance-associated mutations that confer survival advantages in the presence of certain drugs, likely acting as stepping-stones for acquisition of high-level resistance. Rv2752c/rnj, encoding RNase J, is disproportionately mutated in drug-resistant clinical Mtb isolates. Here we show that deletion of rnj confers increased tolerance to lethal concentrations of several drugs. RNAseq revealed that RNase J affects expression of a subset of genes enriched for PE/PPE genes and stable RNAs and is key for proper 23S rRNA maturation. Gene expression differences implicated two sRNAs and ppe50-ppe51 as important contributors to the drug tolerance phenotype. In addition, we found that in the absence of RNase J, many short RNA fragments accumulate because they are degraded at slower rates. We show that the accumulated transcript fragments are targets of RNase J and are characterized by strong secondary structure and high G+C content, indicating that RNase J has a rate-limiting role in degradation of highly structured RNAs. Taken together, our results demonstrate that RNase J indirectly affects drug tolerance, as well as reveal the endogenous roles of RNase J in mycobacterial RNA metabolism.Fil: Martini, María Carla. Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Hicks, Nathan D.. Harvard University. Harvard School of Public Health; Estados UnidosFil: Xiao, Junpei. Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Estados UnidosFil: Alonso, Maria Natalia. Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Barbier, Thibault. Harvard University. Harvard School of Public Health; Estados UnidosFil: Sixsmith, Jaimie. Harvard University. Harvard School of Public Health; Estados UnidosFil: Fortune, Sarah M.. Harvard University. Harvard School of Public Health; Estados UnidosFil: Shell, Scarlet S.. Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Estados Unido

Reconstruction of primary vertices at the ATLAS experiment in Run 1 proton–proton collisions at the LHC

This paper presents the method and performance of primary vertex reconstruction in proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment during Run 1 of the LHC. The studies presented focus on data taken during 2012 at a centre-of-mass energy of √s=8 TeV. The performance has been measured as a function of the number of interactions per bunch crossing over a wide range, from one to seventy. The measurement of the position and size of the luminous region and its use as a constraint to improve the primary vertex resolution are discussed. A longitudinal vertex position resolution of about 30μm is achieved for events with high multiplicity of reconstructed tracks. The transverse position resolution is better than 20μm and is dominated by the precision on the size of the luminous region. An analytical model is proposed to describe the primary vertex reconstruction efficiency as a function of the number of interactions per bunch crossing and of the longitudinal size of the luminous region. Agreement between the data and the predictions of this model is better than 3% up to seventy interactions per bunch crossing

Measurements of the pp → ZZ production cross section and the Z → 4ℓ branching fraction, and constraints on anomalous triple gauge couplings at √s = 13 TeV

Four-lepton production in proton-proton collisions, pp -> (Z/gamma*)(Z/gamma*) -> 4l, where l = e or mu, is studied at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1). The ZZ production cross section, sigma(pp -> ZZ) = 17.2 +/- 0.5 (stat) +/- 0.7 (syst) +/- 0.4 (theo) +/- 0.4 (lumi) pb, measured using events with two opposite-sign, same-flavor lepton pairs produced in the mass region 60 4l) = 4.83(-0.22)(+0.23) (stat)(-0.29)(+0.32) (syst) +/- 0.08 (theo) +/- 0.12(lumi) x 10(-6) for events with a four-lepton invariant mass in the range 80 4GeV for all opposite-sign, same-flavor lepton pairs. The results agree with standard model predictions. The invariant mass distribution of the four-lepton system is used to set limits on anomalous ZZZ and ZZ. couplings at 95% confidence level: -0.0012 < f(4)(Z) < 0.0010, -0.0010 < f(5)(Z) < 0.0013, -0.0012 < f(4)(gamma) < 0.0013, -0.0012 < f(5)(gamma) < 0.0013

Computer-based technology and student engagement: a critical review of the literature

Computer-based technology has infiltrated many aspects of life and industry, yet there is little understanding of how it can be used to promote student engagement, a concept receiving strong attention in higher education due to its association with a number of positive academic outcomes. The purpose of this article is to present a critical review of the literature from the past 5 years related to how web-conferencing software, blogs, wikis, social networking sites (Facebook and Twitter), and digital games influence student engagement. We prefaced the findings with a substantive overview of student engagement definitions and indicators, which revealed three types of engagement (behavioral, emotional, and cognitive) that informed how we classified articles. Our findings suggest that digital games provide the most far-reaching influence across different types of student engagement, followed by web-conferencing and Facebook. Findings regarding wikis, blogs, and Twitter are less conclusive and significantly limited in number of studies conducted within the past 5 years. Overall, the findings provide preliminary support that computer-based technology influences student engagement, however, additional research is needed to confirm and build on these findings. We conclude the article by providing a list of recommendations for practice, with the intent of increasing understanding of how computer-based technology may be purposefully implemented to achieve the greatest gains in student engagement. © 2017, The Author(s)

Dose-dependent Cranial Irradiation Associations with Brain Structures and Neuropsychological Outcomes in Children with Posterior Fossa Brain Tumors

Background: Posterior fossa irradiation with or without whole brain irradiation results in high doses of radiation to the thalamus, hippocampus, and putamen, structures critical to cognitive functioning. As a result, children with brain tumors treated with cranial irradiation (CRT) may experience significant cognitive late effects. We sought to determine the effect of radiation to those structures on neuropsychological outcome. Methods: Forty-seven children with a history of posterior fossa tumor (17 treated with surgery; 11 with surgery and chemotherapy; and 19 with surgery, chemotherapy, and CRT) underwent neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessment at a mean of 4.8 years after treatment, along with 17 healthy sibling controls. The putamen, thalamus, and hippocampus were segmented on each participant\u27s magnetic resonance imaging for diffusion indices and volumes, and in the radiation treatment group, radiation dose to each structure was calculated. Results: Performance on visuoconstruction and spatial learning and memory was lower in patient groups than controls. Volume of the thalamus, when controlling for age, was smaller in the patient group treated with CRT than other groups. Higher radiation doses to the putamen correlated with higher fractional anisotropy in that structure. Higher radiation dose to the hippocampus correlated with lower spatial learning, and higher dose to thalami and putamina to lower verbal and nonverbal reasoning. Conclusions: All children with posterior fossa tumors, regardless of treatment modality, had cognitive deficits compared to their sibling controls. Posterior fossa irradiation may affect thalamic volume and aspects of verbal and nonverbal cognitive functioning