sse

Assessing Animal Models of Bacterial Pneumonia Used in Investigational New Drug Applications for the Treatment of Bacterial Pneumonia [Experimental Therapeutics]

Animal models of bacterial infection have been widely used to explore the in vivo activity of antibacterial drugs. These data are often submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to support human use in an investigational new drug application (IND). To better understand the range and scientific use of animal models in regulatory submissions, a database was created surveying recent pneumonia models submitted as part of IND application packages. The IND studies were compared to animal models of bacterial pneumonia published in the scientific literature over the same period of time. In this review, we analyze the key experimental design elements, such as animal species, immune status, pathogens selected, and route of administration, and study endpoints.




sse

Distinct Mechanisms of Dissemination of NDM-1 Metallo-{beta}-Lactamase in Acinetobacter Species in Argentina [Epidemiology and Surveillance]

A 4-year surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. isolates in Argentina identified 40 strains carrying blaNDM-1. Genome sequencing revealed that most were Acinetobacter baumannii, whereas seven represented other Acinetobacter spp. The A. baumannii genomes were closely related, suggesting recent spread. blaNDM-1 was located in the chromosome of A. baumannii strains and on a plasmid in non-A. baumannii strains. A resistance gene island carrying blaPER-7 and other resistance determinants was found on a plasmid in some A. baumannii strains.




sse

Engagement of T Cell-Expressed PD-L1 Weakens Antitumor Immunity [Immunology]

T cell–expressed PD-L1 exerts tolerogenic effects on tumor immunity in pancreatic cancer.




sse

[Molecular Pathology] The Formation of Coronary Vessels in Cardiac Development and Disease

Understanding how coronary blood vessels form and regenerate during development and progression of cardiac diseases will shed light on the development of new treatment options targeting coronary artery diseases. Recent studies with the state-of-the-art technologies have identified novel origins of, as well as new, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of coronary vessels in the postnatal heart, including collateral artery formation, endocardial-to-endothelial differentiation and mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition. These new mechanisms of coronary vessel formation and regeneration open up new possibilities targeting neovascularization for promoting cardiac repair and regeneration. Here, we highlight some recent studies on cellular mechanisms of coronary vessel formation, and discuss the potential impact and significance of the findings on basic research and clinical application for treating ischemic heart disease.




sse

Red and Processed Meat, Poultry, Fish, and Egg Intakes and Cause-Specific and All-Cause Mortality among Men with Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer in a U.S. Cohort

Background:

Research on the relationship of meat, fish, and egg consumption and mortality among prostate cancer survivors is limited.

Methods:

In the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort, men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer between baseline in 1992/1993 and 2015 were followed for mortality until 2016. Analyses of pre- and postdiagnosis intakes of red and processed meat, poultry, fish, and eggs included 9,286 and 4,882 survivors, respectively. Multivariable-adjusted RRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:

A total of 4,682 and 2,768 deaths occurred during follow-up in pre- and postdiagnosis analyses, respectively. Both pre- and postdiagnosis intakes of total red and processed meat were positively associated with all-cause mortality (quartile 4 vs. 1: RR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03–1.25; Ptrend = 0.02; RR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.07–1.39; Ptrend = 0.03, respectively), and both pre- and postdiagnosis poultry intakes were inversely associated with all-cause mortality (quartile 4 vs. 1 RR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82–0.98; Ptrend = 0.04; RR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75–0.95; Ptrend = 0.01, respectively). No associations were seen for prostate cancer–specific mortality, except that higher postdiagnosis unprocessed red meat intake was associated with lower risk.

Conclusions:

Higher red and processed meat, and lower poultry, intakes either before or after prostate cancer diagnosis were associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality.

Impact:

Our findings provide additional evidence that prostate cancer survivors should follow the nutrition guidelines limiting red and processed meat consumption to improve overall survival. Additional research on the relationship of specific meat types and mortality is needed.




sse

Assessing Cancer Treatment Information Using Medicare and Hospital Discharge Data among Women with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in a Los Angeles County Case-Control Study

Background:

We assessed the ability to supplement existing epidemiologic/etiologic studies with data on treatment and clinical outcomes by linking to publicly available cancer registry and administrative databases.

Methods:

Medical records were retrieved and abstracted for cases enrolled in a Los Angeles County case–control study of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Cases were linked to the Los Angeles County cancer registry (CSP), the California state hospitalization discharge database (OSHPD), and the SEER-Medicare database. We assessed sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of cancer treatment in linked databases, compared with medical record abstraction.

Results:

We successfully retrieved medical records for 918 of 1,004 participating NHL cases and abstracted treatment for 698. We linked 59% of cases (96% of cases >65 years old) to SEER-Medicare and 96% to OSHPD. Chemotherapy was the most common treatment and best captured, with the highest sensitivity in SEER-Medicare (80%) and CSP (74%); combining all three data sources together increased sensitivity (92%), at reduced specificity (56%). Sensitivity for radiotherapy was moderate: 77% with aggregated data. Sensitivity of BMT was low in the CSP (42%), but high for the administrative databases, especially OSHPD (98%). Sensitivity for surgery reached 83% when considering all three datasets in aggregate, but PPV was 60%. In general, sensitivity and PPV for chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma were low.

Conclusions:

Chemotherapy was accurately captured by all data sources. Hospitalization data yielded the highest performance values for BMTs. Performance measures for radiotherapy and surgery were moderate.

Impact:

Various administrative databases can supplement epidemiologic studies, depending on treatment type and NHL subtype of interest.




sse

Retraction: Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Suppresses Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells by Activating mTOR Signaling




sse

Assessment of Apparent Internal Carotid Tandem Occlusion on High-Resolution Vessel Wall Imaging: Comparison with Digital Subtraction Angiography [EXTRACRANIAL VASCULAR]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Not all tandem occlusions diagnosed on traditional vascular imaging modalities, such as MRA, represent actual complete ICA occlusion. This study aimed to explore the utility of high-resolution vessel wall imaging in identifying true ICA tandem occlusions and screening patients for their suitability for endovascular recanalization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients with no signal in the ICA on MRA were retrospectively reviewed. Two neuroradiologists independently reviewed their high-resolution vessel wall images to assess whether there were true tandem occlusions and categorized all cases into intracranial ICA occlusion, extracranial ICA occlusion, tandem occlusion, or near-occlusion. DSA classified patient images into the same 4 categories, which were used as the comparison with high-resolution vessel wall imaging. The suitability for recanalization of occluded vessels was evaluated on high-resolution vessel wall imaging compared with DSA.

RESULTS:

Forty-five patients with no ICA signal on MRA who had available high-resolution vessel wall imaging and DSA images were included. Among the 34 patients (34/45, 75.6%) with tandem occlusions on DSA, 18 cases also showed tandem occlusions on high-resolution vessel wall imaging. The remaining 16 patients, intracranial ICA, extracranial ICA occlusions and near-occlusions were found in 2, 6, and 8 patients, respectively, on the basis of high-resolution vessel wall imaging. A total of 20 cases (20/45, 44.4%) were considered suitable for recanalization on the basis of both DSA and high-resolution vessel wall imaging. Among the 25 patients deemed unsuitable for recanalization by DSA, 11 were deemed suitable for recanalization by high-resolution vessel wall imaging.

CONCLUSIONS:

High-resolution vessel wall imaging could allow identification of true ICA tandem occlusion in patients with an absence of signal on MRA. Findings on high-resolution vessel wall imaging can be used to screen more suitable candidates for recanalization therapy.




sse

Glasgow Coma Scale on Presentation Predicts Outcome in Endovascular Treatment for Acute Posterior Large-Vessel Occlusion [INTERVENTIONAL]

SUMMARY:

Use of mechanical thrombectomy for stroke has increased since the publication of trials describing outcome improvement when used in the anterior circulation. These results, however, cannot be directly translated to the posterior circulation. While a high NIHSS score has demonstrated an association with poor outcomes in posterior stroke, the NIHSS is weighted toward hemispheric disease, and complex scores potentially delay definitive imaging diagnosis. We performed a retrospective analysis to ascertain whether any rapidly obtainable demographic or clinical and imaging data have a correlation with patient outcome postthrombectomy. Seventy-three cases were audited between September 2010 and October 2017. Presenting with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of >13 meant that the odds of reaching the primary end point of functional independence (defined as a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) were 5.70 times greater; similarly, presenting with a posterior circulation ASPECTS of >9 resulted in the odds of reaching the primary end point being 4.03 times greater. Older age correlated to a lower odds of independence (0.97, p = .04).




sse

MRI Vessel Wall Imaging after Intra-Arterial Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke [INTERVENTIONAL]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Vessel wall imaging is increasingly performed in the diagnostic work-up of patients with ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to compare vessel wall enhancement after intra-arterial thrombosuction with that in patients not treated with thrombosuction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

From 2009 to 2017, forty-nine patients with an ischemic stroke underwent 7T MR imaging within 3 months after symptom onset as part of a prospective intracranial vessel wall imaging study. Fourteen of these patients underwent intra-arterial treatment using thrombosuction (intra-arterial treatment group). In the intra-arterial treatment group, vessel walls were evaluated for major vessel wall changes. All patients underwent pre- and postcontrast vessel wall imaging to assess enhancing foci of the vessel wall using coregistered subtraction images. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to test for differences.

RESULTS:

In the intra-arterial treatment group, 11 of 14 patients (79%) showed vessel wall enhancement compared with 17 of 35 patients without intra-arterial treatment (49%). In the intra-arterial treatment group, more enhancing foci were detected on the ipsilateral side (n = 18.5) compared with the contralateral side (n = 3, P = .005). Enhancement was more often concentric on the ipsilateral side (n = 8) compared with contralateral side (n = 0, P = .01). No differences were found in the group without intra-arterial treatment between the number and configuration of ipsilateral and contralateral enhancing foci.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with intra-arterial treatment by means of thrombosuction showed more (concentric) enhancing foci of the vessel wall ipsilateral compared with contralateral to the treated artery than the patients without intra-arterial treatment, suggesting reactive changes of the vessel wall. This finding should be taken into account when assessing vessel wall MR images in patients with stroke.




sse

CT Angiography in Evaluating Large-Vessel Occlusion in Acute Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke: Factors Associated with Diagnostic Error in Clinical Practice [INTERVENTIONAL]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

It is currently not completely clear how well radiologists perform in evaluating large-vessel occlusion on CTA in acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential factors associated with diagnostic error.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Five hundred twenty consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (49.4% men; mean age, 72 years) who underwent CTA to evaluate large-vessel occlusion of the proximal anterior circulation were included. CTA scans were retrospectively reviewed by a consensus panel of 2 neuroradiologists. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between several variables and missed large-vessel occlusion at the initial CTA interpretation.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of large-vessel occlusion was 16% (84/520 patients); 20% (17/84) of large-vessel occlusions were missed at the initial CTA evaluation. In multivariate analysis, non-neuroradiologists were more likely to miss large-vessel occlusion compared with neuroradiologists (OR = 5.62; 95% CI, 1.06–29.85; P = .04), and occlusions of the M2 segment were more likely to be missed compared with occlusions of the distal internal carotid artery and/or M1 segment (OR = 5.69; 95% CI, 1.44–22.57; P = .01). There were no calcified emboli in initially correctly identified large-vessel occlusions. However, calcified emboli were present in 4 of 17 (24%) initially missed or misinterpreted large-vessel occlusions.

CONCLUSIONS:

Several factors may have an association with missing a large-vessel occlusion on CTA, including the CTA interpreter (non-neuroradiologists versus neuroradiologists), large-vessel occlusion location (M2 segment versus the distal internal carotid artery and/or M1 segment), and large-vessel occlusion caused by calcified emboli. Awareness of these factors may improve the accuracy in interpreting CTA and eventually improve stroke outcome.




sse

Strict penalties needed to prevent fraudulent real estate businesses

Real estate insiders and experts said it is essential to develop strict penalties to combat those operating fraudulent property businesses to protect the legitimate rights of consumers and legitimate enterprises.




sse

Tips for Renting out Office Space for Small Businesses

Renting an office space should be one of your top priorities at the onset of starting your business. However, it takes more than simply looking up available lots around town and choosing one at random. Here are some tips on the right way to rent out small business space.




sse

Why Interior Design Is Essential When Listing Your Home

The decision to list your home for resale is a big one. No doubt it came about after much thought, weighing pros and cons, and series of long discussions. However, once you decide to put your home on the market, get ready for the next big discussion: interior design.




sse

Advice for Businesses and Individuals participating in 2015 Property Market

With many years of experience in field of real estate, Mr. Le Xuan Truong- CEO of Batdongsan.com.vn has shared very useful advice for those who intend to take part in this market in 2015.




sse

World Thalassemia Day: बच्चों के लिए खतरनाक बीमारी है थैलेसीमिया, जानें इसके लक्षण, कारण और उपाय

थैलेसीमिया मुख्यत: एक जेनेटिक यानी अनुवांशिक बीमारी है जो माता-पिता से उनके बच्चों में होती है। इस बीमारी में बच्चों में खून की कमी होने लगती है, जो कि सेहत के लिए बहुत हानिकारक होता है।




sse

Weddings postponed by COVID stress couples and local businesses

Getting married is one of life’s most memorable — and emotional — milestones in life. But with tight restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19 pandemic, couples throughout Windsor and Essex County who had scheduled their weddings for this spring or summer have had little choice but to postpone their big day. “Weddings are an extremely […]




sse

World’s most essential open-source code to be stored in Arctic vault

Inside a mountain in the Arctic, Microsoft is building a backup of open-source software that it says will keep the code safe for 1000 years




sse

Lyft, Like Uber, Will Also Now Require Drivers and Passengers Wear Face Coverings

Up until now mask-wearing had only been an unenforced suggestion by the company.




sse

State Pension top up: Can you top up missed National Insurance contributions?



STATE PENSIONS are calculated by National Insurance contributions - but can you top up any missed years?




sse

The 3 Advantages of Assembled Cables

Ready-to-connect readycables® save you time on cable assembly and are guaranteed to last 36 months




sse

Next-Gen AR Glasses Will Require New Chip Designs

A Facebook executive challenges the Arm processor community to create tech building blocks for augmented reality glasses




sse

Video Friday: Kuka's Robutt Is a Robot Designed to Assess New Car Seats

Your weekly selection of awesome robot videos




sse

Trump CTO Addresses AI, Facial Recognition, Immigration, Tech Infrastructure, and More

Michael Kratsios, the fourth U.S. Chief Technology Officer, explains administration policies at the Fall Conference of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence



  • robotics
  • robotics/artificial-intelligence

sse

Laura Linney Shading Lesser Actresses Won Late Night This Week

Not every actor is Linney-caliber.



  • this week in late night
  • vulture section lede
  • the late late show with james corden
  • tv
  • comedy

sse

Super chasing riskier assets

Record low bond yields are pushing superannuation funds and insurers into alternative investments.




sse

RPGCast – Episode 382: “Alex Fuller Lacrosse”

Take a break from PAX East 2016 for some gentle RPG sound waves. Anna Marie confesses her obsession with rebuilding the moon. Alex confesses his...





sse

Light touch: eight spring dresses to lift your spirits

Whether it’s printed and high-necked or floral and ruffled, brighten your lockdown by dressing up to stay in

Continue reading...




sse

Position statement addresses difficult issue: allocating scare resources in COVID-19 era

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on societies worldwide, given the pandemic's rapid, often deadly spread. In health care, the pandemic has raised the pressing question of how society should allocate scarce resources during a crisis.




sse

Giving millionaires the boot: why Cahiers du Cinéma editors quit en masse

Staff of the magazine that kicked off the French New Wave say its new elite owners pose a threat to editorial independence

The mass resignation of the staff of Cahiers du Cinéma, the film journal that launched the French New Wave, has reignited debate in France about the possibility of critical independence in a society whose major stakeholders frequently operate in several spheres.

On Thursday, the 15 staff writers and editors announced their resignation, saying they believed its new owners posed a threat to the magazine’s cherished independence.

Continue reading...




sse

5 Essential Little Richard Songs to Remember The Rock Legend Who Passed Away

The singer who played a key role in early rock music's popularity died Saturday at 87 years old.




sse

NASA Releases Reprocessed Photos of Jupiter’s Moon Europa

The newly-remastered images show the icy surface of Europa, the sixth of Jupiter’s moons and the fourth largest, in enhanced color. All three high-resolution images were captured along the same longitude of Europa as NASA’s Galileo spacecraft flew by on September 26, 1998, in the eighth of the spacecraft’s 11 targeted flybys of the icy [...]




sse

Coronavirus inflicts huge U.S. job losses as pandemic breaches White House walls

The U.S. government reported more catastrophic economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis on Friday as the pandemic pierced the very walls of the White House and California gave the green light for its factories to restart after a seven-week lockdown.




sse

J-K witnesses decline in infant mortality rate




sse

'He always p*ssed himself with fear' - Melo & Balotelli hit back at 'disrespectful' Chiellini comments

The Juventus defender took aim at the pair in his upcoming autobiography but is now finding himself on the receiving end





sse

Revisiting AC Odyssey? Find Every Tomb and Ainigmata With This Map

This interactive map for Assassin's Creed Odyssey will help you find everything you need, like ainigmata ostraka and tombs.




sse

Tripoli airport shelling hits fuel tanks, passenger plane-ministry

Shelling of Tripoli's Mitiga airport early on Saturday, part of an intensified barrage of artillery fire on the capital in recent days, hit fuel tanks and damaged passenger planes, the Transport Ministry said in a statement.




sse

Jordan Nobbs Column: England Have Impressed So Far But Must Be Wary of Tough Japan Challenge

Arsenal and England midfielder Jordan Nobbs will be a columnist for 90min & BBC Sport pundit at the Women's World Cup in France this summer, as Phil Neville's Lionesses' look to secure a maiden World Cup triumph. Two wins from our first two games is obviously what we were all hoping for. The first game of a World Cup, or any other major tournament, is never going to be one where you're playing at your absolute best. But the 2-1 win over was Scotland was great given the pre-match hype, the..





sse

Was it essential for the Senate to return to Washington?

Behind the scenes: Some ask "Why are we here?" after the Senate accomplished little in its first week back as coronavirus cases continue to rise in DC.




sse

Supreme Court tosses out convictions in Bridgegate case

Two officials tied to then-Gov. Chris Christie had been sentenced to prison for their roles in creating massive traffic jams on the N.J.-N.Y. crossing.




sse

Norway looks at metals in seafood; assesses local meat producers

An analysis by Norwegian scientists has found a low level of heavy metals in processed fish products in the country. Commercially available items were collected from 2015 to 2018 and analyzed as composite samples for mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic were low and human exposure to these metals would... Continue Reading




sse

Missouri House panel dismisses sexual harassment complaint

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri House panel has dismissed a sexual harassment complaint against a state lawmaker after an investigation that spanned several months.

Minutes of the Missouri House Ethics Committee obtained by The Associated Press through an open-records request show the complaint was dismissed last week ...




sse

Home Capital sees profits dip as loan losses from economic downturn loom

Provisions for credit losses were $30.2 million, an increase of 397.9 per cent from a year earlier




sse

‘It’s all a mess’: Pandemic driving businesses to bankruptcy brink, and complicating restructuring efforts

'You can’t have a going out of business sale when you can’t get your business open'




sse

Businesses must promote diversity – not just because it's good for the bottom line | Tim Ryan

Too many of America’s workplaces are not representative of our communities. In a divided country, we have a duty to advance diversity and inclusion

We’re living in a country of growing division and tension, and it’s having an impact at work. But it’s often the case that when we walk into the office – where we spend the majority of our time – we don’t address these issues.

And yet there’s so much to talk about – from growing societal inequality and America’s racial divide to single-digit minority representation in corporate America. (Just 1% of the nation’s Fortune 500 CEOs are black, only 4% are women, and even fewer are openly gay).

Continue reading...




sse

Keystone XL: police discussed stopping anti-pipeline activists 'by any means'

Revealed: records show law enforcement has called demonstrators possible ‘domestic terrorism’ threats

US law enforcement officials preparing for fresh Keystone XL pipeline protests have privately discussed tactics to stop activists “by any means” and have labeled demonstrators potential “domestic terrorism” threats, records reveal.

Internal government documents seen by the Guardian show that police and local authorities in Montana and the surrounding region have been preparing a coordinated response in the event of a new wave of protests opposing the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, which would carry crude oil from Canada to Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Continue reading...




sse

How does the brain link events to form a memory? Study reveals unexpected mental processes

The brain has a powerful ability to remember and connect events separated in time. And now, in a new study in mice, scientists have shed light on how the brain can form such enduring links.




sse

Google unifies messenger teams, plans “more coherent vision”

One person is now in charge of Google’s six messaging apps.