Wiping DNA Methylation: Wip1 Regulates Genomic Fluidity on Cancer

Wip1 phosphatase plays an important role in cancer by inactivating p53 and INK4a/ARF pathways. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Filipponi and colleagues further connect the oncogenic role of Wip1 with heterochromatin dynamics, transposable element expression, and a mutation-prone environment that may enhance heterogeneity and ultimately contribute to tumor evolution

The relationship between zinc intake and growth in children aged 1-8 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It is estimated that zinc deficiency affects 17% of the world's population, and because of periods of rapid growth children are at an increased risk of deficiency, which may lead to stunting. This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assess zinc intake and growth in children aged 1–8 years. This review is part of a larger systematic review by the European Micronutrient Recommendations Aligned Network of Excellence that aims to harmonise the approach to setting micronutrient requirements for optimal health in European populations (www.eurreca.org). SUBJECT/METHODS: Searches were performed of literature published up to and including December 2013 using MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases. Included studies were RCTs in apparently healthy child populations aged from 1 to 8 years that supplied zinc supplements either as capsules or as part of a fortified meal. Pooled meta-analyses were performed when appropriate. RESULTS: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. We found no significant effect of zinc supplementation of between 2 weeks and 12 months duration on weight gain, height for age, weight for age, length for age, weight for height (WHZ) or WHZ scores in children aged 1–8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the children in the included studies were already stunted and may have been suffering from multiple micronutrient deficiencies, and therefore zinc supplementation alone may have only a limited effect on growth

Characterization of size-sorted particulated matter collected on solid substrates by laser-ionization mass spectrometry and laser-induced breakdown spectrometry

Resumen de trabajos realizados mediante excitación láser de material particulado y su posterior análisis mediante espectroscopía óptica de emisión o ionización.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Workplace bullying and interpersonal conflicts: the moderation effect of supervisor’s power

Workplace bullying is considered the final stage of a prolonged conflict where there is a power imbalance between the affected parties and where emotional and relational problems exist. Thus, this study aims to explore the role of perceptions of supervisor’s power bases on the relationship of conflict and bullying at work. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted (N = 211). Results support a moderated-mediation model in which relationship conflict mediates the association between task conflict and workplace bullying, suggesting a conflict escalation process in bullying situations. In addition, establishing personal power bases seems to reduce the intensity of the link between task conflict and relationship conflict and, in turn, workplace bullying, whereas establishing positional power bases was not related to this association. Practical implications for bullying prevention are discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Switching from natalizumab to fingolimod: an observational study

Background – Multiple sclerosis patients who discontinue using natalizumab are at risk of a rebound in disease activity. However, the optimal alternative therapy is not currently known. Aims of the study – We report on clinical and MRI data and patient safety in a group of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients who tested seropositive for the JC virus and who have switched from natalizumab to fingolimod because of concerns regarding PML risks. Methods – The test for JC virus antibodies was performed in 18 relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients who were being treated with natalizumab for more than 1 year. Eight seropositive patients switched to fingolimod while the seronegative patients continued with natalizumab. Results – After switching to fingolimod, five of eight patients (63%) experienced clinical relapses, and MRI activity was detected in six of eight patients (75%). Neither clinical relapses nor MRI activity was observed in the patients who continued with natalizumab. No serious adverse effects were detected. Conclusions – Natalizumab is an effective treatment for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, but its discontinuation continues to be a complex problem. All of the therapies tried thus far, including fingolimod, have been unable to control the reactivation of the disease. Further studies addressing alternative therapies after natalizumab discontinuation are necessary

Regularization of image reconstruction in ultrasound computed tomography

We propose two regularizations techniques for a bent-ray (BR) tracing algorithm to reconstruct the speed of sound maps of breast tissues in an Ultrasound Computed Tomography (USCT) system. When high frequencies are employed, the use of BR is a good approximation to describe the propagation of the front of the pressure wave. The quantitative accuracy of the images reconstructed with the BR algorithm was evaluated without any kind of regularization, and with two regularization methods. The regularizations were based on some available a priori information, namely the known higher and lower values of the speed of sound expected in the breast tissues, and the maps of the internal structures obtained from the standard reflection ultrasound (US) imaging. The use of the proposed regularizations in the implemented algorithm improves the convergence and quality of the resulting images, although further improvements are still possible. These methods will help obtaining quantitative US images in a reasonable amount of time, expanding the possibilities and applications of this technique

Feedup, feedback, and feedforward in curve mid-air 3D gestures

Issuing a mid-air gesture in a three-dimensional space intrinsically suffers for the lack of explicit direct representation of the gesture with which guidance and feedback can be offered. To address this challenge, we decompose the feedback problem into three components: feedup to constantly represent the goal of the gestural task, feedback to respond to what the end user already did related to the initial goal, and feedforward to modify the representation towards the ultimate goal before terminating the gesture production. We exemplify these three components with case studies representing three levels of complexity of Curve Mid-Air 3D Gestures produced in three environments

Laparoscopic management of a cavitated noncommunicating rudimentary uterine horn of a unicornuate uterus: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>A unicornuate uterus with a rudimentary horn is the most uncommon uterine anomaly of the female genital tract. It has an estimated frequency of one in 100,000 among the fertile female population. This anomaly results from the abnormal maturation of one Müllerian duct with the normal development of the contralateral one.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report here the case of a 14-year-old Caucasian girl who came to our hospital with intense dysmenorrhea. Imaging techniques revealed a unicornuate uterus with a rudimentary horn and a large hematosalpinx. We performed a laparoscopic removal of this uterine anomaly without any complication in the postoperative period.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In our case report, we demonstrate that laparoscopy is the best approach for the treatment of IIb Müllerian abnormalities. Laparoscopy resulted in anatomical and reproductive results equivalent to those offered by a laparotomic approach, but with the additional advantages of minimally invasive surgery, such as better cosmetic results and postoperative period, which are essential for very young patients.</p