Abstract

Based on an extensive literature survey containing more than 12,000 paired measurements of
dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and absorption of chromophoric dissolved organic
matter (CDOM) distributed over four continents and seven oceans, we described the global
distribution and transformation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) along the aquatic continuum across
rivers and lakes to oceans. A strong log-linear relationship (R2=0.92) between DOC concentration and
CDOM absorption at 350nm was observed at a global scale, but was found to be ecosystem-
dependent at local and regional scales. Our results reveal that as DOM is transported towards the
oceans, the robustness of the observed relation decreases rapidly (R 2 from 0.94 to 0.44) indicating a
gradual decoupling between DOC and CDOM. This likely reflects the decreased connectivity between
the landscape and DOM along the aquatic continuum. To support this hypothesis, we used the DOC-
specific UV absorbance (SUVA) to characterize the reactivity of the DOM pool which decreased from
4.9 to 1.7m2 × gC-1 along the aquatic continuum. Across the continuum, a piecewise linear regression
showed that the observed decrease of SUVA occurred more rapidly in freshwater ecosystems
compared to marine water ecosystems, suggesting that the different degradation processes act
preferentially on CDOM rather than carbon content. The observed change in the DOM characteristics
along the aquatic continuum also suggests that the terrestrial DOM pool is gradually becoming less
reactive, which has profound consequences on cycling of organic carbon in aquatic ecosystems.

(Massicotte et al., 2017) Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Hormonal therapies and single-agent sequential chemotherapeutic regimens are the standards of
care for HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, treating patients with hormone-refractory
and triple negative (TN) MBC remains challenging. We report the results of combined ixabepilone and
carboplatin in a single-arm phase II trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

In the present prospective analysis of hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2- and TN MBC cohorts,
patients could have received 0 to 2 chemotherapy regimens for MBC before enrollment. All patients
received ixabepilone 20 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the curve, 2.5) on days 1 and 8 every 21
days. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). The secondary objectives
included progression-free survival (PFS), clinical benefit rate (CBR), overall survival (OS), and toxicity.

RESULTS:

We enrolled 54 HR+ and 49 TN patients (median, 1 previous chemotherapy regimen for metastatic
disease; most in addition to adjuvant chemotherapy). The ORR was 34% and 30.4% for the HR + and
TN patients, respectively, with a corresponding CBR of 56.6% and 41.3%. The ORRs were similar in
taxane-pretreated patients (ORR, 31.4% and 28.6% for HR+ and TN patients, respectively). The
median OS was 17.9 months for HR+ patients and 12.5 months for TN patients. The median PFS was
similar for both groups at 7.6 months. Grade 3/4 nonhematologic toxicities included neuropathy (9%)
and fatigue (8%). Nine patients developed grade 3/4 neuropathy, 7 of whom had received previous
taxane treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Ixabepilone plus carboplatin is active even in later-line HR+ and TN disease. Toxicities were
manageable without cumulative myelosuppression. This combination is a reasonable option for those
patients with MBC who require combination chemotherapy.

(Osborne et al., 2017) Abstract

In countries where highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 is endemic and controlled
by vaccination, post-vaccination serological monitoring is essential to differentiate vaccinated poultry
from those that are infected. The objectives of this study were to validate two experimental ELISAs
that detect antibodies raised against the M2e protein of avian influenza virus that can be used for
DIVA purposes. Results from the sM2e and tM2e ELISAs were compared with other conventional
tests for the detection of H5N1influenza virus (virus isolation and RT-PCR) using samples collected
from 16 commercial flocks in Indonesia. These comprised vaccinated layers aged between 18 and 68
weeks old that were sampled at ten-weekly intervals. A small number of sera were positive in sM2e
and tM2e ELISA, 14 (0.6%) and 17 (0.7%) respectively, with low OD 420 (0.1-0.3), but only 4 sera were
positive in both tests. At the flock level, the incidence of M2e positive sera was low (4%), well below
previously established minimum of 40% for an HPAIV H5N1-infected flock. Conventional M and H5
gene RT-PCRs indicated that none of 16 flocks were infected at any time during the study. No virus
was isolated from any of the 480 pooled swab samples, except from one, for which the combined data
analysis suggest to be the result of a laboratory cross-contamination. Clinical disease, mortalities or
reduction in production performance, indicative of field H5N1 challenge, were not observed either in
any of the flocks. Birds from two surveyed flocks, challenged in the laboratory with an Indonesian
HPAIV H5N1 developed M2e antibodies in 50% and 55% of surviving birds with OD 420 in the range of
0.35-1.47 in tM2e ELISA, confirming the validity of the criteria established for use of M2e ELISA for
DIVA purposes. Overall these results showed that the tM2e ELISA could be a useful monitoring tool
to ascertain freedom from H5N1 infections in vaccinated commercial poultry.

(Wibowo et al., 2017) Abstract

BACKGROUND:

An aqueous extract (AE) of vinegar made from Nypa fruticans Wurmb. can improve postprandial
glucose levels in normoglycaemic rats. The aim of this study was to evaluate its antihyperglycaemic
activity further using in vivo and in vitro approaches.

METHODS:

AE was administered to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats twice daily at three doses (1000,
500, and 250 mg/kg b.w.) for 12 days p.o. Several biochemical analyses and a histological study of
the pancreas and liver were performed, accompanied by a cell culture assay.

RESULTS:

As compared to diabetic control (DC), AE at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.w. caused significant
reduction (p < 0.05) of blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels, with positive
improvement of serum insulin levels. Interestingly, immunohistochemical staining of the pancreas
suggested no β-cell regeneration, despite significant increase in insulin production. AE-treated
groups, however, showed overall restoration of the hepatic histoarchitecture of STZ-induced liver
damage, suggesting a possible hepatoprotective effect. The pancreatic effect of AE was further
studied through RIN-5F cell culture, which revealed a positive stimulatory effect on insulin release at a
basal glucose concentration (1.1 mM).

CONCLUSION:

Nypa fruticans Wurmb. vinegar's aqueous extract exerts its antihyperglycaemic activity, at least in
part, through insulin stimulatory and hepatoprotective effects.

(Yusoff et al., 2017) Abstract

To evaluate the shared genetic etiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary heart disease (CHD),
we conducted a genome-wide, multi-ancestry study of genetic variation for both diseases in up to
265,678 subjects for T2D and 260,365 subjects for CHD. We identify 16 previously unreported loci for
T2D and 1 locus for CHD, including a new T2D association at a missense variant in HLA-DRB5 (odds
ratio (OR) = 1.29). We show that genetically mediated increase in T2D risk also confers higher CHD
risk. Joint T2D-CHD analysis identified eight variants-two of which are coding-where T2D and CHD
associations appear to colocalize, including a new joint T2D-CHD association at the CCDC92 locus
that also replicated for T2D. The variants associated with both outcomes implicate new pathways as
well as targets of existing drugs, including icosapent ethyl and adipocyte fatty-acid-binding protein.

(Zhao et al., 2017) Abstract

A truncated form of human glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), GIP(3-30)NH2, was

recently identified as an antagonist of the human GIP receptor. This study examined the ability of
GIP(3-30)NH2 to antagonize the physiological actions of GIP in glucose metabolism, subcutaneous
abdominal adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF), and lipid metabolism in humans. Eight lean subjects
were studied by measuring arteriovenous concentrations of metabolites and ATBF on three different
occasions during hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps with concomitant infusions of GIP, GIP(3-
30)NH2, or both GIP and GIP(3-30)NH2 During infusion of GIP(3-30)NH2 alone and in combination
with GIP, insulin levels and the total glucose amount infused to maintain the clamp were lower than
during GIP alone. In addition, ATBF remained constant during the antagonist and increased only
slightly in combination with GIP, whereas it increased fivefold during GIP alone. Adipose tissue
triacylglyceride (TAG) and glucose uptake decreased, and the free fatty acid/glycerol ratio increased
during the antagonist alone and in combination with GIP. The changes in glucose infusion rates and
plasma insulin levels demonstrate an inhibitory effect of the antagonist on the incretin effect of GIP. In
addition, the antagonist inhibited GIP-induced increase in ATBF and decreased the adipose tissue
TAG uptake, indicating that GIP also plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism.

(Asmar et al., 2017) Abstract

Calmodulin (CaM) is an important signaling molecule that regulates a vast array of cellular functions
by activating second messengers involved in cell function and plasticity. Low voltage-activated
calcium channels of the Cav3 family have the important role of mediating low threshold calcium influx,
but were not believed to interact with CaM. We find a constitutive association between CaM and the
Cav3.1 channel at rest that is lost through an activity-dependent and Cav3.1 calcium-dependent CaM
dissociation. Moreover, Cav3 calcium influx is sufficient to activate αCaMKII in the cytoplasm in a
manner that depends on an intact Cav3.1 C-terminus needed to support the CaM interaction. Our
findings thus establish that T-type channel calcium influx invokes a novel dynamic interaction between
CaM and Cav3.1 channels to trigger a signaling cascade that leads to αCaMKII activation.

(Asmara et al., 2017) Abstract

The objective is to assess the influence of sociodemographic, professional and clinical variables on
the choice of treatment of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). An exhaustive and trans-
sectional study was conducted over a period of eight years, from 1st January 2006 to 31 December
2013 in the Department of Occupational Medicine at University Hospital of Mahdia, Tunisia. The study
population was represented by patients with work-related carpal tunnel syndrome. Data collection was
based on a questionnaire sheet, describing social, occupational and medical characteristics of
patients. The study population was characterized by a large female dominance, representing 95.3%
with an average age of 42±7.8 years. Patients medically treated represented 38.7% and 61.3% had
had surgical treatment. After binary logistic regression, surgical indication of CTS was significantly
correlated to diabetes (p=0.017), other musculoskeletal disorders (p=0.02), functional signs of CTS
(acrocyanosis p=0.05; muscle weakness p=0.015; radiating pain p=0.01; painful discomfort of the
hand, the forearm or arm p=0.027) and to the atrophy of thenar muscles (p=0.018). According to this
study, the choice of therapy for occupational CTS depends only on clinical data. More detailed studies
will be needed to refine these results.

(Aouatef et al., 2017) Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The leishmaniasis is a group of diseases caused by intracellular haemoflagellate protozoan parasites

of the genus Leishmania. Leishmaniasis has diverse clinical manifestations; cutaneous leishmaniasis
(CL) is the most common form of leishmaniasis which is responsible for 60% of disability-adjusted life
years. CL is endemic in Yemen. In Shara'b there is no reference study available to identify the
prevalence of endemic diseases and no investigation has been conducted for diagnosing the
diseases.

METHODS:

This study was conducted in villages for CL which collected randomly. The study aimed at
investigating the epidemiological factors of CL in Shara'b by using questioner. Symptoms of lesions in
patients suffering from CL, confirmed by laboratory tests, gave a new evidence of biochemical
diagnosis in 525 villagers aged between 1 and 60 years old. Venous bloods were collected from 99
patients as well as from 51 control after an overnight fast.

RESULTS:

The percentage prevalence of CL was found 18.8%. The prevalence rate of infection among males
(19.3%) was higher than females (18.40%). Younger age group (1-15) had a higher prevalence rate
(20.3%) than the other age groups. Furthermore, the population with no formal education had the
higher rate of infection (61% of the total). A significant increase of serum malondialdehyde (P < 0.001)
in CL patients was obtained. The highest level of MDA may be due to over production of ROS and
RNS results in oxidative stress and the acceleration of lipid peroxidation in CL patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

There were high prevalence rates of CL in Shara'b. The patient who had CL has been found with
many changes in some biochemical levels. This study provides a clear indication on the role of MDA
as an early biochemical marker of peroxidation damage occurring during CL. Increased uric acid, and
catalase activity was provided of free radical.

(Asmaa et al., 2017) Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

In this study, we investigated the influence of electronic health records (EHR) and electronic
vaccination schedule applications on the vaccination status of patients who were admitted to our
Center for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD).

METHODS:

The vaccination status against influenza and pneumococcus infection was determined in 93 patients
who were admitted to the hematology outpatient clinic, Baskent University Adana Hospital from April
2004 to March 2009. The vaccination status was then re-evaluated following establishment of EHR
and electronic vaccination schedules in 2012.

RESULTS:

Of the 93 patients with SCD 21.5% (n = 20) were vaccinated against pneumococcus and 21.5% (n =
20) were regularly vaccinated against influenza. When the vaccination rates of 59 of 93 patients who
presented for their regular control examinations were analyzed following establishment of EHR and
vaccination schedules in 2012, these rates were 49.2% (n = 29) and 50.8% (n = 30) for influenza and
pneumococcus, respectively, after EHR; there were 23.7% (n = 14) and 20.3% (n = 12), respectively,
before EHR. A statistically significant difference was found between the vaccination rates before and
after EHR (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Although viral and bacterial infections are life-threatening health problems in patients with SCD, the
vaccination rates were low in high-risk patients. However, these rates increased after application of
electronic vaccination schedules.

(Korur et al., 2017)

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Parasitological and biochemical studies on cutaneous leishmaniasis in Shara'b District, Taiz,
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