2,10-Bis(3-bromo­phen­yl)-3,7,11,15-tetra­oxa-8,16-diaza­tricyclo­[12.2.1.16,9]octa­deca-1(16),6(18),8,14(17)-tetra­ene

The title compound, C24H20Br2N2O4, is an 18-membered tricycle including two isoxazole rings. The asymmetric unit contains one half of the formula unit; a centre of inversion is located at the centroid of the compound. The dihedral angle between adjacent isoxazole and benzene rings is 84.0 (2)°. The compound displays intra- and inter­molecular π–π stacking inter­actions between the isoxazole rings, the shortest centroid–centroid distances being 3.837 (3) and 3.634 (3) Å, respectively. The mol­ecules are stacked in columns along the a axis with short Br⋯Br contacts [3.508 (1) Å]

Developing the Korean Educational Needs Assessment Tool (Korean ENAT) in rheumatoid arthritis: Cross-cultural validation using Rasch analysis

Background/aims: This study was performed to undertake cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool (ENAT) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for use in Korea.Methods: The study involved two main phases: cross-cultural adaptation of the ENAT from English into Korean, and validation of the Korean ENAT. The first phase followed the established process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures, and in the second phase, the Korean ENAT data were analyzed using the Rasch measurement model. Fit to the model was determined using the observed data infit and outfit statistics. Additional tests of validity included unidimensionality and internal consistency.Results: Adequate conceptual equivalence was achieved following the adaptation process. A total of 123 patients completed the Korean ENAT. The mean age was 46.7 ± 12.3 years and the majority of patients (81.3%) were female. Thirty-five of the 39 items gave good fit to the model. The four items deviating from the model had infit and outfit > 1.50. The item separation index (5.26) and item reliability index (0.97) provided evidence for good reliability of items. All seven domains of the Korean ENAT fit the Rasch model. The internal consistency of the Korean ENAT was high, and unidimensionality was confirmed (person separation index, 3.41; reliability index, 0.92; item separation index, 16.82; reliability index, 1.00).Conclusions: Using the standard procedure for cross-cultural adaptation, the ENAT has been adapted into Korean, and Rasch analysis has confirmed the construct validity, reliability, and unidimensionality of the Korean ENAT

(E)-2-{2-tert-Butyl-6-[2-(4-hy­droxy­phen­yl)ethen­yl]-1-propyl-1,4-dihydro­pyridin-4-yl­idene}indane-1,3-dione

The title compound, C29H29NO3, the nearly planar nine-membered indanedione ring [maximum deviation = 0.027 (2) Å] is located approximately parallel to its carrier pyridine ring [maximum deviation = 0.021 (2) Å] with a dihedral angle of 1.8 (1)° between the planes. However, because of steric hindrance, the benzene ring [maximum deviation = 0.006 (2) Å] is not parallel to the pyridine ring [dihedral angle = 37.29 (8)°]. The mol­ecules display numerous inter­molecular π–π inter­actions between the five- and six-membered rings, the shortest centroid–centroid distance being 3.796 (2) Å. There are inter- and intra­molecular O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

Comparison of Static Lower Extremity Alignment in Female Ballet Dancers and Non-ballet Dancer

PURPOSE This study aimed to: 1) compare the differences in static lower-extremity alignment (SLEA) between female ballet dancers (BD) and non-ballet dancers (NBD); 2) investigate the differences among gesture leg (GL) and supporting leg (SL) in BD and dominant leg (DL) in NBD; and 3) compare limb asymmetry between groups. METHODS Twenty-nine female BD and 20 NBD were recruited for this study. The quadriceps, tibiofemoral, rearfoot, and genu-recurvatum angles, tibial torsion and varum, and navicular drop height were measured. An independent t-test was conducted to compare SLEA and limb asymmetry between groups. One-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post-hoc tests were performed to determine the differences among the GL, SL and DL. RESULTS BD showed lower quadriceps and rearfoot angles, less tibial varum and navicular drop, and greater tibiofemoral angle (p<.005) than NBD. BD showed less quadriceps angle asymmetry but greater tibial torsion asymmetry (p<.01) than NBD. GL and SL in BD showed differences in quadriceps, tibiofemoral, rearfoot angle, tibial torsion and navicular drop compared to NBD. CONCLUSIONS Repetitive dance movements can transfer varying forces to the GL and SL, potentially contributing to SLEA asymmetry. An intervention strategy that can reduce SLEA asymmetry in BD is needed, as is the identification of elements of ballet training that contribute to maintaining a normal SLEA

Electric field control of nonvolatile four-state magnetization at room temperature

We find the realization of large converse magnetoelectric (ME) effects at room temperature in a multiferroic hexaferrite Ba$_{0.52}$Sr$_{2.48}$Co$_{2}$Fe$_{24}$O$_{41}$ single crystal, in which rapid change of electric polarization in low magnetic fields (about 5 mT) is coined to a large ME susceptibility of 3200 ps/m. The modulation of magnetization then reaches up to 0.62 $\mu$$_{B}$/f.u. in an electric field of 1.14 MV/m. We find further that four ME states induced by different ME poling exhibit unique, nonvolatile magnetization versus electric field curves, which can be approximately described by an effective free energy with a distinct set of ME coefficients

The HIF-1/glial TIM-3 axis controls inflammation-associated brain damage under hypoxia.

Inflammation is closely related to the extent of damage following cerebral ischaemia, and the targeting of this inflammation has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we present that hypoxia-induced glial T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein (TIM)-3 can function as a modulator that links inflammation and subsequent brain damage after ischaemia. We find that TIM-3 is highly expressed in hypoxic brain regions of a mouse cerebral hypoxia-ischaemia (H/I) model. TIM-3 is distinctively upregulated in activated microglia and astrocytes, brain resident immune cells, in a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1-dependent manner. Notably, blockade of TIM-3 markedly reduces infarct size, neuronal cell death, oedema formation and neutrophil infiltration in H/I mice. Hypoxia-triggered neutrophil migration and infarction are also decreased in HIF-1α-deficient mice. Moreover, functional neurological deficits after H/I are significantly improved in both anti-TIM-3-treated mice and myeloid-specific HIF-1α-deficient mice. Further understanding of these insights could serve as the basis for broadening the therapeutic scope against hypoxia-associated brain diseases

Esophageal Thermal Injury by Hot Adlay Tea

Reversible thermal injury to the esophagus as the result of drinking hot liquids has been reported to generate alternating white and red linear mucosal bands, somewhat reminiscent of a candy cane. This phenomenon is associated with chest pain, dysphagia, odynophagia, and epigastric pain

Lapatinib, a Dual EGFR and HER2 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Downregulates Thymidylate Synthase by Inhibiting the Nuclear Translocation of EGFR and HER2

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) has been shown to exert a synergistic antitumor effect when combined with fluoropyrimidine. This synergy may be attributable to the downregulation of thymidylate synthase (TS), which is frequently overexpressed in fluoropyrimidine-resistant cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the downregulation of TS has yet to be clearly elucidated.In this study, we demonstrate that lapatinib, a dual TKI of EGFR and HER2 downregulates TS via inhibition of the nuclear translocation of EGFR and HER2. From our cDNA microarray experiments, we determined that a variety of nucleotide synthesis-related genes, including TS, were downregulated with lapatinib, and this was apparent in HER2-amplified cells. Targeted and pharmacologic inhibition assays confirmed that the dual inhibition of EGFR and HER2 is required for the more effective reduction of TS as compared to what was observed with gefitinib or trasutuzumab alone. Additionally, we determined that co-transfected EGFR and HER2 activate the TS gene promoter more profoundly than do either EGFR or HER2 alone. The translocation of EGFR and HER2 into the nucleus and the subsequent activation of the TS promoter were inhibited by lapatinib.These results demonstrate that lapatinib inhibits the nuclear translocation of EGFR and HER2 and downregulates TS, thus sensitizing cancer cells to fluoropyrimidine

Flexor Tenorrhaphy Using Absorbable Suture Materials

BackgroundNonabsorbable sutures are favorable for repairing flexor tendons. However, absorbable sutures have performed favorably in an animal model.MethodsTwo-strand sutures using the interlocking modified Kessler method with polydioxanone absorbable sutures 4-0 were used to repair completely ruptured flexor tendons in 55 fingers from 41 consecutive patients. The medical records of average 42 follow up weeks were analyzed retrospectively. The data analyzed using the chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact test was used for postoperative complications. The results were compared with those of other studies.ResultsAmong the index, middle, ring, and little fingers were injured in 9, 17, 16, and 13 fingers, respectively. The injury levels varied from zone 1 to 5. Of the 55 digits in our study, there were 26 (47%) isolated flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) injuries and 29 (53%) combined FDP and with flexor digitorum superficialis injuries. Pulley repair was also conducted. Concomitant injuries of blood vessels and nerves were found in 17 patients (23 fingers); nerve injuries occurred in 5 patients (10 fingers). Two patients had ruptures (3.6%), and one patient had two adhesions (3.6%). Using the original Strickland criteria, all the patients were assessed to be excellent or good. Also, fibrosis and long-term foreign body tissue reactions such as stitch granuloma were less likely occurred in our study. Compared to the Cullen's report that used nonabsorbable sutures, there was no significant difference in the rupture or adhesion rates.ConclusionsTherefore, this study suggests that appropriate absorbable core sutures can be used safely for flexor tendon repairs