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Simple Summary: Recognized as a promising target for anti-cancer treatment, PGF has the potential to overcome resistance to existing angiogenesis inhibitors. In this study, we aimed to identify target indications for PGF across various cancer types using bioinformatics analysis. We analyzed PGF gene function, molecular pathways, protein interactions, gene expression, mutations, survival prognosis, and tumor immune infiltration associated with PGF. The identified target diseases for PGF inhibitors included adrenocortical carcinoma, kidney cancers, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, stomach adenocarcinoma, and uveal melanoma. These findings highlight the potential of targeting PGF as a therapeutic strategy in these specific cancer types. The expression of the placental growth factor (PGF) in cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment can contribute to the induction of angiogenesis, supporting cancer cell metabolism by ensuring an adequate blood supply. Angiogenesis is a key component of cancer metabolism as it facilitates the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to rapidly growing tumor cells. PGF is recognized as a novel target for anti-cancer treatment due to its ability to overcome resistance to existing angiogenesis inhibitors and its impact on the tumor microenvironment. We aimed to integrate bioinformatics evidence using various data sources and analytic tools for target-indication identification of the PGF target and prioritize the indication across various cancer types as an initial step of drug development. The data analysis included PGF gene function, molecular pathway, protein interaction, gene expression and mutation across cancer type, survival prognosis and tumor immune infiltration association with PGF. The overall evaluation was conducted given the totality of evidence, to target the PGF gene to treat the cancer where the PGF level was highly expressed in a certain tumor type with poor survival prognosis as well as possibly associated with poor tumor infiltration level. PGF showed a significant impact on overall survival in several cancers through univariate or multivariate survival analysis. The cancers considered as target diseases for PGF inhibitors, due to their potential effects on PGF, are adrenocortical carcinoma, kidney cancers, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, stomach adenocarcinoma, and uveal melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the upper thigh level as a landmark to measure muscle area for sarcopenia assessment on computed tomography (CT). Methods: In the 116 healthy subjects who performed CT scans covering from mid-abdomen to feet, the skeletal muscle area in the upper thigh level at the inferior tip of ischial tuberosity (SMAUT), the mid-thigh level (SMAMT), and L3 inferior endplate level (SMAL3) were measured by two independent readers. Pearson correlation coefficients between SMAUT, SMAMT, and SMAL3 were calculated. Inter-reader agreement between the two readers were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots with 95% limit of agreement (LOA). Results: In readers 1 and 2, very high positive correlations were observed between SMAUT and SMAMT (r = 0.91 and 0.92, respectively) and between SMAUT and SMAL3 (r = 0.90 and 0.91, respectively), while high positive correlation were observed between SMAMT and SMAL3 (r = 0.87 and 0.87, respectively). Based on ICC values, the inter-reader agreement was the best in the SMAUT (0.999), followed by the SMAL3 (0.990) and SMAMT (0.956). The 95% LOAs in the Bland-Altman plots indicated that the inter-reader agreement of the SMAUT (− 0.462 to 1.513) was the best, followed by the SMAL3 (− 9.949 to 7.636) and SMAMT (− 12.105 to 14.605). Conclusion: Muscle area measurement at the upper thigh level correlates well with those with the mid-thigh and L3 inferior endpoint level and shows the highest inter-reader agreement. Thus, the upper thigh level might be an excellent landmark enabling SMAUT as a reliable and robust biomarker for muscle area measurement for sarcopenia assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Republic of Azerbaijan suffers from low agricultural productivity caused by soil salinization and erosion, and limited and insufficient soil data are available for economic and political reasons. In this study, soil salinity and heavy metal levels were assessed. Environmental risk assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential risk posed by soils to human health. Soil guideline values were proposed to monitor soil pollution in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Water extraction and spatial variability analysis were conducted to understand soil salinization and heavy metal pollution. Among the 20 studied elements, the elements Ca, Cl, and S and the heavy metals Cr, Ni, and Pb were classified as problematic on the basis of the geoaccumulation index, and As was also identified as posing a possible risk on the basis of the potential ecological risk index. Based on the developed soil guideline values for agricultural soil, the As, Cr, and Ni in the soil samples exceeded their respective guidelines by 31.3, 41.8, and 61.6%, respectively. Water extraction results confirmed that 99% of the leached ions were cationic salts, and the most problematic ion was Na, followed by Ca, Cl, and S. The extractability values of Cr and Ni were significantly lower than those of other heavy metals, which implies that their actual leaching potential may be overestimated. The linear regression and spatial variability analysis confirmed that leachable salts have accumulated in lowland areas due to the capillary rise of water and evaporation, but the distribution of heavy metals confirmed that As, Cr, and Ni were abundant in agricultural soils. Our results clearly showed that heavy metal soil contamination and high salinity levels are major problems that should be considered when assessing food safety and health hazards in the Mugan Plain of Azerbaijan. Therefore, future studies should be performed for additional environmental risk assessment, detailed hazard identification, and health risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantification of abdominal muscle mass by cross-sectional imaging has been increasingly used to diagnose sarcopenia; however, the technical method for quantification has not been standardized yet. We aimed to determine an optimal method to measure the abdominal muscle area. Methods: Among 50 consecutive subjects who underwent abdominal CT and MRI for possible liver donation, total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and total psoas muscle area (TPA) at the L3 inferior endplate level were measured by two blinded readers. Inter-scan agreement between CT and MRI and inter-reader agreement between the two readers were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and within-subject coefficient of variation (WSCV). To evaluate the effect of measurement level, one reader measured TAMA and TPA at six levels from the L2 to L4 vertebral bodies. Results: TAMA was a more reliable biomarker than TPA in terms of inter-scan agreement (ICC: 0.928 vs. 0.788 for reader 1 and 0.853 vs. 0.821 for reader 2, respectively; WSCV: 8.3% vs. 23.4% for reader 1 and 10.4% vs. 22.3% for reader 2, respectively) and inter-reader agreement (ICC: 0.986 vs. 0.886 for CT and 0.865 vs. 0.669 for MRI, respectively; WSCV: 8.2% vs. 16.0% for CT and 11.6% vs. 29.7% for MRI, respectively). In terms of the measurement level, TAMA did not differ from the L2inf to L4inf levels, whereas TPA increased with a decrease in measurement level. Conclusions: TAMA is a better biomarker than TPA in terms of inter-scan and inter-reader agreement and robustness to the measurement level. CT was a more reliable imaging modality than MRI. Our results support the use of TAMA measured by CT as a standard biomarker for abdominal muscle area measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate predictive values of sarcopenia and visceral obesity measured from preoperative CT/MRIs for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with periampullary malignancies.Methods: From the prospectively constructed surgical registry, we included adult patients treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy. Based on CT/MRIs, body morphometric analysis was performed to evaluate the visceral obesity and sarcopenia, based on the areas of visceral fat and skeletal muscle measured at the L3 vertebrae level. We retrieved various perioperative factors from registry. As outcomes of postoperative complications, we evaluated POPF and major complications based on the Clavien-Dindo classification. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.Results: From a total of 284 patients (163 males, 121 females) who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, POPF, major complications, and 60-day mortality occurred in 52 (18.3%), 34 (12.0%), and 6 (2.1%), respectively. Sarcopenia and visceral obesity were noted in 123 (75.5%) and 66 (40.5%) of men and 68 (56.2%) and 53 (43.8%) of women, respectively. Combination of sarcopenia and obesity (sarcopenic obesity) was noted in 31.9% (52/163) of men and in 26.4% (32/121) of women. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, sarcopenic obesity was the only independent predictor for POPF (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.43-4.93), and the vascular resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy was the only independent predictor for severe complications (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.61-8.70).Conclusion: Sarcopenic obesity might be highly predictive for POPF. Body morphometric analysis in preoperative CT/MRI combined with assessment of perioperative clinical features may help to identify high-risk patients and determine perioperative management strategies.Key Points: • Sarcopenic obesity might be predictive for postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy. • The vascular resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy might be predictive of major complications. • Body morphometric analysis might be helpful for identifying high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares older adult learning in Korean and Japanese sample populations, paying special attention to learning after age 70. Surveys with nearly identical questionnaires were conducted in the Bundang Senior Welfare Center in Korea (N = 549, mean age 73.6 years) and at Osaka Prefecture Senior College in Japan (N = 1,491, 787, mean age = 67.4, 69.5 years). The main results are as follows: (a) in terms of learning needs, selected ratios of topics of “life review” and “communication with other seniors” increased as respondents increased in age from their 60s to 70s in both countries; (b) attitudes toward learning and social activities changed from “Novelty” to “Continuity” to “Disengagement” as respondents increased in age in both countries; and (c) the threshold age to old age was identified at around 75 years, not 70 years, particularly in Korean data. These results suggest that old age is a diverse period, and that creating ways to facilitate learning after age 70 is an urgent issue in the field of educational gerontology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of post-operative CT gastrography for volumetry of the remnant stomach in gastric cancer patients treated with distal gastrectomy. Methods: CT gastrography was performed with oral administration of effervescent granules in 35 gastric cancer patients who underwent distal gastrectomy. Two readers independently rated the degree of gastric distension on a four-point scale, one (near-total collapse) to four (well distended) and measured the volume of remnant stomach using either 3D or 2D volumetry. The inter-volumetry agreements between the 2D and 3D methods and the interobserver agreements between readers 1 and 2 were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots. Results: The mean score of gastric distension was 3.4 ± 0.6 points and 3.4 ± 0.7 points from readers 1 and 2, respectively. We regarded CT images scored with 3-4 points as a technical success for reliable CT volumetry, which achieved a rate of 91.4% (32/35). For the inter-volumetry agreements between 3D and 2D volumetry, the ICCs were 0.9778 and 0.9814 from readers 1 and 2, respectively. The interobserver agreement between readers 1 and 2 was also excellent, with ICCs of 0.9961 and 0.9876 for 2D and 3D volumetry, respectively. On Bland-Altman plots, the means of differences between any pairs of volumetry measurements ranged from −31.1 to 3.2 cm, which may be an acceptable range of measurement variability. Conclusions: Post-operative CT gastrography is feasible in patients treated with distal gastrectomy. Both 2D and 3D volumetry methods are comparable in measuring the remnant stomach volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here show that an effective blocking layer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) can be formed by spin coating a commercial TiO paste onto a conducting glass substrate. The spin-coated TiO layer was made more compact than the main absorption layer by TiCl treatment. DSSCs employing a compact layer exhibited an average current density and an efficiency of 19.09 mA/cm and 9.10%, respectively, while 16.91 mA/cm and 8.33% were obtained from unblocked reference cells. The enhanced DSSC performance is attributed to the increased electron lifetime. Intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy and open-circuit voltage decay analysis showed that a TiCl-treated compact layer substantially suppresses the charge recombination at the TiO/substrate interface, thereby increasing the electron lifetime. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show here that a highly effective diffraction grating can be embedded into a nanoparticulate TiO2 film via imprinting combined with TiCl4 treatment. A thin TiO2 film spin-coated on a glass substrate was patterned by imprinting and this patterned layer was TiCl4-treated with a higher concentration than for a thicker over-coated TiO2 film. Due to the refractive index difference between the two layers, the incident light could be strongly diffracted. Different types of gratings have been incorporated into the films. A line grating with a 2 μm period and 1.2 μm thickness generated diffracted beams up to 3rd-order, with total diffraction efficiencies over 90% at 633 nm. This method has potential applications in TiO2-based photovoltaic and photocatalytic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show here that a highly effective diffraction grating can be embedded into a nanoparticulate TiO2 film via imprinting combined with TiCl4 treatment. A thin TiO2 film spin-coated on a glass substrate was patterned by imprinting and this patterned layer was TiCl4-treated with a higher concentration than for a thicker over-coated TiO2 film. Due to the refractive index difference between the two layers, the incident light could be strongly diffracted. Different types of gratings have been incorporated into the films. A line grating with a 2 μm period and 1.2 μm thickness generated diffracted beams up to 3rd-order, with total diffraction efficiencies over 90% at 633 nm. This method has potential applications in TiO2-based photovoltaic and photocatalytic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) are new class of anti-cancer drugs targeting pre-existing tumor vasculature which lead to tumor ischemia and necrosis. An innovative tubulin polymerization inhibitor, CKD-516, was recently developed as a VDA. We attempted to evaluate its tubulin destabilizing effect using immunofluorescence staining on human endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to ascertain its antivascular effect in a rabbit VX2 tumor model using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI by measuring the changes in kinetic parameters such as K-trans and IAUGC. Immunofluorescence staining using anti-tubulin and anti-actin antibodies on HUVECs showed that CKD-516 selectively disrupted tubulin component of the endothelial cytoskeleton. Serial DCE-MRI showed a significant decrease in K-trans and IAUGC parameters from baseline at 4 h (39.9 % in K-trans; −45.0 % in IAUGC) and at 24 h (−32.2 % in K-trans; −36.5 % in IAUGC), and a significant recovery at 48 h (22.9 % in K-trans; 34.8 % in IAUGC) following administration of CKD-516 at a 0.7-mg/kg dose. When the tumors were stratified according to the initial K-trans value of 0.1, tumors with a high K-trans > 0.1 which was indicative of having well-developed pre-existing vessels, showed greater reduction in K-trans and IAUGC values. On histologic examination, the degree of necrosis of treated tumors was significantly greater than that of untreated tumors. In summary, CKD-516 is an effective VDA which results in rapid vascular shutdown by targeting the tubulin component of tumor vessels and thus leads to necrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The social development model (SDM) provides an explanatory framework for the progression of antisocial behaviour in children and adolescents. Although previous research has assessed the predictive validity of the model, alternative associations based on the SDM's constituent theories have not been examined. Method Using structural equation modelling, a series of direct paths was examined for mediation by SDM constructs. Data for the study consisted of teacher-, parent- and self-report of 1016 fourth- and fifth-grade students from the Raising Healthy Children project, a longitudinal etiological study with an embedded preventive intervention. Results Four of the seven paths examined were partially or totally mediated by SDM constructs. Specifically, the relationship between prosocial bonding and adolescent antisocial behaviour, as hypothesized by social control theory, was fully mediated by prosocial beliefs. As hypothesized by social learning theory, students' socioemotional and cognitive skills significantly predicted antisocial behaviour, independent of partial mediation through rewards, bonding and beliefs. As hypothesized by differential association theory, involvement with both prosocial and antisocial persons was directly associated with respective prosocial and antisocial beliefs, independent of partial mediation through rewards and bonding. Conclusions These findings suggest additional associations that are not currently specified in the SDM and underscore the importance of re-examining hypotheses from constituent theories when integrating developmental models of antisocial behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) care for chronically, critically ill patients with high utilization of central lines and high risk for morbidity from central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Our 38-bed LTACH noted a substantial increase in the incidence of CLABSIs (as defined by the National Healthcare Safety Network) between fiscal year (FY) 2016 and FY 2018 (Figure 1). Detailed case review identified a large number of CLABSIs which were clinically consistent with blood culture contaminants from central lines. Feedback from bedside staff also suggested gaps between practice and evidence-based measures for central line care. Methods A three-pronged CLABSI prevention project was implemented in July 2018 consisting of (1) staff education regarding daily chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing for all patients, combined with an electronic audit report to identify patients without active CHG orders; (2) change in practice to the use of venipuncture alone for blood culture collection, combined with an electronic audit report to identify blood cultures collected from central lines; and (3) a recurring 6-part educational series for nurses focused on central line care. The pre-intervention period was defined as the 12-month period between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018 (FY 2018). The primary outcome was the fiscal year CLABSI rate. A secondary outcome was the proportion of blood cultures drawn from central lines. Results After 9 months of the intervention, one CLABSI had been reported for FY 2019 year-to-date at a rate of 0.4 per 1,000 CL-days, representing an 86% decrease from the FY 2018 rate of 2.8 per 1,000 CL-days. The 12-month rolling CLABSI rate decreased to 1.6 per 1,000 CL-days (Figure 2). The proportion of blood cultures collected from central lines decreased from 10.5% (69/658) to 4.5% (15/334), representing a 57% reduction. The proportion of patients ordered and receiving CHG bathing in the intervention period was >95%. Conclusion A multidisciplinary effort focused on CHG bathing, central line care, and blood culture collection led to a substantial reduction in CLABSIs in our LTACH. The use of electronic audit reports was particularly useful in achieving high adherence to practice changes. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To examine the presence of symptom clusters and synergistic effects of symptom clusters on quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Background: Rheumatoid arthritis patients frequently experience multiple concurrent symptoms of pain, fatigue, and depression. Design A nonexperimental, cross‐sectional correlation design. Methods: The study participants were 179 rheumatoid arthritis patients. Data were collected between August and December 2016. A hypothetical model was developed based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms Model: physiological antecedents included disease activity and obesity; symptoms of pain, fatigue, and depression were hypothesized as being clustered, and quality of life was taken as the outcome variable. Results: Disease activity had significant direct effects on pain, fatigue, and depression and indirect effects on fatigue and depression, whereas obesity had a significant direct effect on fatigue alone. Three symptom clusters, namely, pain fatigue, fatigue depression, and pain‐fatigue depression were identified and found to have significant synergistic effects on quality of life. Conclusions: Our findings support the importance of managing clusters of symptoms simultaneously, that is, collective symptom management. Inter‐cluster dynamics between symptoms should be considered when nurses develop symptom management strategies or self‐management programs to improve the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients. SUMMARY STATEMENTS: What is known about this topic? A symptom cluster is a stable group of different symptoms that co‐occur in association with a specific disease.Rheumatoid arthritis patients frequently experience multiple concurrent symptoms of pain, fatigue, and depression. What this paper adds? The most common and distressing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms of pain, fatigue, and depression were found to co‐occur and to be interrelated, which are the two major criteria of symptom clusters.Three symptom clusters, namely, pain fatigue, fatigue depression, and pain‐fatigue depression, were identified and found to have significant synergistic effects on quality of life. The implications of this paper: Our findings support the importance of managing clusters of symptoms simultaneously, that is, collective symptom management.The complicated intercluster dynamics demonstrated between symptoms in the present study should be considered when nurses develop effective symptom management strategies or self‐management intervention programs to improve the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]