Retroperitoneal liposarcoma in a nonagenarian

Retroperitoneal liposarcomas are rare tumors arising from the soft tissue of the retroperitoneum and are of mesenchymal cell origin. They can reach a large size prior to causing symptoms and generally have a poor prognosis. We present the case of a 93-year-old lady presenting with a large retroperitoneal liposarcoma at the site of a previous colonic anastomosis for the adenocarcinoma treatment. It caused minimal symptoms initially, but surgical resection was undertaken when the tumor was found to be growing significantly in size. However, due to the tumor’s location and its invasion into surrounding structures, the resection was not feasible and subsequently abandoned. A retroperitoneal liposarcoma arising from the site of a previous colonic resection has not been previously described. A review of the diagnosis and current management of these lesions is also given

The Life and Death of Dense Molecular Clumps in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We report the results of a high spatial (parsec) resolution HCO+ (J = 1-0) and HCN (J = 1-0) emission survey toward the giant molecular clouds of the star formation regions N105, N113, N159, and N44 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The HCO+ and HCN observations at 89.2 and 88.6 GHz, respectively, were conducted in the compact configuration of the Australia Telescope Compact Array. The emission is imaged into individual clumps with masses between 10^2 and 10^4 solar masses and radii of <1 pc to ~2 pc. Many of the clumps are coincident with indicators of current massive star formation, indicating that many of the clumps are associated with deeply-embedded forming stars and star clusters. We find that massive YSO-bearing clumps tend to be larger (>1 pc), more massive (M > 10^3 solar masses), and have higher surface densities (~1 g cm^-2), while clumps without signs of star formation are smaller (<1 pc), less massive (M < 10^3 solar masses), and have lower surface densities (~0.1 g cm^-2). The dearth of massive (M >10^3 solar masses) clumps not bearing massive YSOs suggests the onset of star formation occurs rapidly once the clump has attained physical properties favorable to massive star formation. Using a large sample of LMC massive YSO mid-IR spectra, we estimate that ~2/3 of the massive YSOs for which there are Spitzer mid-IR spectra are no longer located in molecular clumps; we estimate that these young stars/clusters have destroyed their natal clumps on a time scale of at least 3 x 10^{5}$ yrs.Comment: Accepted to ApJ 3-19-201

Vacuum drying soil samples is a low-temperature alternative to conventional oven drying when determining soil water repellence

Here we investigated a low-temperature (20˚C) soil drying technique to generate soil water contents equivalent to those achieved by conventional oven drying (105˚C). The effect of drying temperature, plus aeration status (oxic or anoxic), on SWR was also investigated

The Star Formation Law in a Multifractal ISM

The surface density of the star formation rate in different galaxies, as well as in different parts of a single galaxy, scales nonlinearly with the surface density of the total gas. This observationally established relation is known as the Kennicutt-Schmidt star formation law. The slope of the star formation law has been shown to change with the density of the gas against which the star formation rate is plotted. This dependence implies a nonlinear scaling between the dense gas and the total gas surface densities within galaxies. Here, we explore a possible interpretation of this scaling as a property of the geometry of the interstellar medium (ISM), and we find that it arises naturally if the topology of the ISM is multifractal. Under the additional assumption that, at very high densities, the star formation timescale is roughly constant, the star formation law itself can also be recovered as a consequence of the multifractal geometry of the ISM. The slope of the scaling depends on the width of the global probability density function (PDF), and is between 1.5 and 1.6 for wide PDFs relevant to high-mass systems, while it is higher for narrower PDFs appropriate for lower-mass dwarf galaxies, in agreement with observations.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, submitted to MNRA

Inhibitory effects of Melicope ptelefolia extract on compound action potentials in frog sciatic nerves and its possible mechanism of action

Melicope ptelefolia is a medicinal plant from the Rutaceae, also known as ‘tenggek burung’ in Malaysia. Traditionally, natives ingest M. ptelefolia to treat a wide range of illnesses. This study aimed to investigate the effects of M. ptelefolia aqueous extract (MPAE) on compound action potentials (CAPs) in frog sciatic nerves and its mechanism involving the opioid receptors. The effects of MPAE on CAPs in frog sciatic nerves were examined using the AD Instrument Nerve Chamber. The frog sciatic nerves were dissected from the lumbar plexus to the knee of the frog and placed in Ringer’s solution. Three treatment groups with different dosages (1, 3 and 10 mg/mL) of MPAE, including negative (vehicle) and positive control group (3 mg/mL of morphine) were tested on the frog sciatic nerves by placing them in a nerve organ chamber. Following this, the involvement of opioid receptors in the effects of MPAE on CAPs was investigated by using naloxone hydrochloride as a non-selective opioid receptor antagonist. Our results showed that the peak amplitudes of CAPs were significantly (p<0.001) reduced when treated with MPAE (3 and 10 mg/mL) in frog sciatic nerves. The MPAE-induced CAPs inhibition was reversed when pre-treated with naloxone, suggesting the involvement of the opioidergic system. These results indicated the modulatory action of MPAE on nerve conduction, which may provide important leads in the development of new therapeutic drugs through the involvement of opioid receptors

Oral health of community dwelling elders in Hong Kong

Introduction: The world’s population is ageing and the elders are vulnerable to oral health problems. This project aimed to observe the oral health status of community dwelling elders in Hong Kong, investigate the oral health impact on their quality of life and nutritional status, and provide oral health education and preventive service. Methods: Community dwelling elders (65 or above) were recruited from five community centers. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was completed to collect information on their socio-demographic background and oral health perception/practice. Their oral health related quality of life (OHQoL) and nutritional status were measured by using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), respectively. Their tooth and periodontal status, oral hygiene and soft tissues were examined. Individualized advice, oral health education and scaling were provided. Results: A total of 195 elders participated. Despite their sound knowledge on dental caries, their awareness of the causes and risk factors of periodontal diseases was low. Several misconceptions of oral health were common and their expectation towards oral health was low. Although 81% brush their teeth at least twice a day, over 75% did not perform interdental cleaning mainly due to unawareness of the necessity (32%) and lack of skills (42%). Their dental visits were treatment-driven and mainly for pain-relieving and emergency care. Only 19% were regular dental attendees. The mean (SD) DMFT was 8.9 (7.8). Over 60% had periodontal pockets; 6% were edentulous and 38% had fewer than 20 teeth. The mean (SD) total GOHAI score was 56.4 (8.0); 60% reported negative impact of oral health on their quality of life. The mean (SD) MNA score was 25.2 (2.9); 30% had malnutrition or were at risk. Multivariate analysis showed that tooth loss and untreated decayed teeth (DT) were significant determinants of poor OHQoL; older age, higher education level, and poorer OHQoL were significantly associated with higher risk of malnutrition (all p<0.05). Conclusions: Oral health problems are common among community dwelling elders in Hong Kong. Their oral health awareness and practice are yet to be improved. Tooth loss and unmet treatment need for dental caries significantly compromise elders’ quality of life, which in turn increases their risk for malnutrition. Outreach oral health education and service are well received by the community.published_or_final_versio

Distinct chromatin structures at the monoamine oxidase-A promoter correlate with allele-specific expression in SH-SY5Y cells

© 2018 The Authors. Genes, Brain and Behavior published by International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA) metabolises monoamines and is implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. A polymorphic repetitive DNA domain, termed the uVNTR (upstream variable number tandem repeat), located at the promoter of the MAOA gene is a risk factor for many of these disorders. MAOA is on the X chromosome suggesting gender could play a role in regulation. We analysed MAOA regulation in the human female cell line, SH-SY5Y, which is polymorphic for the uVNTR. This heterozygosity allowed us to correlate allele-specific gene expression with allele-specific transcription factor binding and epigenetic marks for MAOA. Gene regulation was analysed under basal conditions and in response to the mood stabiliser sodium valproate. Both alleles were transcriptionally active under basal growth conditions; however, the alleles showed distinct transcription factor binding and epigenetic marks at their respective promoters. Exposure of the cells to sodium valproate resulted in differential allelic expression which correlated with allele-specific changes in distinct transcription factor binding and epigenetic marks at the region encompassing the uVNTR. Biochemically our model for MAOA promoter function has implications for gender differences in gene × environment responses in which the uVNTR has been implicated as a genetic risk

Boesenbergia rotunda ethanolic extract inhibits compound action potentials via opioid receptors

Boesenbergia rotunda, traditionally used to relieve stomach, abdomen, joint, muscle, and rheumatic pain was also reported for its antinociceptive effect on a mouse model. However, the possible pain relief effect of Boesenbergia rotunda ethanolic extract (BREE) via the inhibition to the neural pain pathway remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of BREE on compound action potentials (CAPs) and the possible involvement of the opioid receptors. The changes in the CAPs amplitudes of the frog’s sciatic nerves were evaluated following the exposure to three different dosages of BREE (1, 3 and 10 mg/ml and morphine (3 mg/ml). In another set of experiment, the nerves were pretreated with a non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (0.1 mg/ml), before exposing the nerve to BREE (1 mg/ml) to investigate the involvement of opioid receptors in the CAPs inhibitory mechanism. The outcome showed a reduction in the CAPs amplitudes when treated with BREE (1, 3 and 10 mg/ml) whereby the effect was reversible. The CAPs inhibition by BREE was absent when the opioid receptors were blocked. Taken together, these findings suggest that BREE-induced CAPs amplitude reduction involves the activation of opioid receptors

Pathways to Youth Behavior: The Role of Genetic, Neural, and Behavioral Markers

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142554/1/jora12341_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142554/2/jora12341.pd