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Prominent among the models for protocells is the spherical biosurfactant shell, freely suspended in aqueous media. This model explains initial, but not subsequent events in the development process towards structured protocells. Taking into consideration the involvement of naturally occurring surfaces, which were abundant on the early Earth, feasible and productive pathways for the development of primitive cells are reported. Surfaces intrinsically possess energy, easily utilized by the interfacing amphiphiles, such as lipids, to attain self-organization and spontaneous transformations. This work shows that the physical interaction of phospholipid pools with 20 Hadean Earth analogue materials as well as a Martian meteorite composed of fused regolith representing the ancient crust of Mars consistently lead to the shape transformation and autonomous formation of surfactant compartment assemblies. Dense, colony-like protocell populations grow from these lipid deposits, predominantly at the grain boundaries or cleavages of the investigated natural surfaces, and remain there for several days. The model protocells in this study are able to autonomously develop, transform and pseudo-divide, and encapsulate RNA as well as DNA. Moreover, they can accommodate non-enzymatic, DNA strand displacement reactions. These findings suggest a feasible route towards the transformation from non-living to living entities, and provide fresh support for the 'Lipid World' hypothesis.

Weather and the susceptibility of children to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection is still a debated question and currently a hot topic, particularly in view of important decisions regarding opening schools. Therefore, we performed this prospective analysis of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in children with known household exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2 and compared their IgG status with the other adults exposed to the index case in the same household. A total of 30 families with a documented COVID‐19 index case were included. A total of 44 out of 80 household contacts (55%) of index patients had anti SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibodies. In particular, 16/27 (59,3%) adult partners had IgG antibodies compared with 28/53 (52,3%) of pediatric contacts (p > .05). Among the pediatric population, children ≥5 years of age had a similar probability of having SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibodies (21/39, 53.8%) compared to those less than 5 years old (7/14, 50%) (p > .05). Adult partners and children also had a similar probability of having SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibodies. Interestingly, 10/28 (35.7%) of children and 5/27 (18.5%) of adults with SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibodies were previously diagnosed as COVID‐19 cases. Our study shows evidence of a high rate of IgG antibodies in children exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2. This report has public health implications, highlighting the need to establish appropriate guidelines for school openings and other social activities related to childhood.

The notion that closely related species resemble each other in ecological niche space (i.e., phylogenetic dependence) has been a long‐standing, contentious paradigm in evolutionary biology, the incidence of which is important for predicting the ecosystem‐level effects of species loss. Despite being examined across a multitude of terrestrial taxa, many aspects of niche conservatism have yet to be explored in marine species, especially for characteristics related to resource use and trophic behavior (Eltonian niche characteristics, ENCs). We combined ENCs derived from stable isotope ratios at assemblage‐ and species‐levels with phylogenetic comparative methods, to test the hypotheses that benthic marine fishes (1) exhibit similar assemblage‐wide ENCs regardless of geographic location and (2) display phylogenetically dependent ENCs at the species level. We used a 12‐species sub‐set of the monophyletic group Rajidae sampled from three independent assemblages (Central California, Gulf of Alaska, and Northwest Atlantic), which span two ocean basins. Assemblage‐level ENCs implied low trophic diversity and high evenness, suggesting that Rajidae assemblages may exhibit a well‐defined trophic role, a trend consistent regardless of geographic location. At the species level, we found evidence for phylogenetic dependence of ENCs relating to trophic diversity (i.e., isotopic niche width; SEAc). Whether individuals can be considered functional equivalents across assemblages is hard to ascertain because we did not detect a significant phylogenetic signal for ENCs relating to trophic function (e.g., trophic position). Thus, additional, complimentary approaches are required to further examine the phylogenetic dependence of species functionality. Our approach illustrates the potential of stable isotope‐derived niche characteristics to provide insight on macroecological processes occurring across evolutionary time, which could help predict how assemblages may respond to the effects of species loss.

Constraining the duration of magmatic activity on the Moon is essential to understand how the lunar mantle evolved chemically through time. Determining age and initial isotopic compositions of mafic lunar meteorites is a critical step in defining the periods of magmatic activity that occurred during the history of the Moon and to constrain the chemical characteristics of mantle components involved in the sources of the magmas. We have used the in situ Pb-Pb SIMS technique to investigate eight lunar gabbros and basalts, including six meteorites from the Northwest Africa (NWA) 773 clan (NWA 2727, NWA 2700, NWA 3333, NWA 2977, NWA 773, and NWA 3170), NWA 4734, and Dhofar 287A. These samples have been selected as there is no clear agreement on their age and they are all from the dominant low titanium chemical group. We have obtained ages of 2981 +/- 12 Ma for NWA 4734 and 3208 +/- 22 Ma for Dhofar 287. For the NWA 773 clan, four samples (the fine-grained basalt NWA 2727 and the three gabbros NWA 773, NWA 2977, NWA 3170) out of six yielded isochron-calculated ages that are identical within uncertainties and yielding an average age of 3086 +/- 5 Ma. The age obtained for the fine-grained basalt NWA 2700 is not precise enough for comparison with the other samples. The gabbroic sample NWA 3333 yielded an age of 3038 +/- 20 Ma suggesting that two distinct magmatic events may be recorded in the meteorites of the NWA 773 clan. The present study aims to identify and assess all potential issues that are associated with different ways to date lunar rocks using U-Pb-based methods. To achieve this, we have compared the new ages with the previously published data set. The entire age data set from lunar mafic meteorites was also screened to identify data showing analytical issues and evidence of resetting and terrestrial contamination. The data set combining the ages of mafic lunar meteorites and Apollo rocks suggests pulses of magmatic activity with two distinct phases between 3950 and 3575 Ma and between 3375 and 3075 Ma with the two phases separated by a gap of approximately 200 Ma. The evolution of the Pb initial ratios of the low-Ti mare basalts between approximately 3400 and 3100 Ma suggests that these rocks were progressively contaminated by a KREEP-like component.

BACKGROUND The introduction of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) affects the risk of malignancy (ROM) mostly in the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) categories. In this multi-institutional, retrospective study, the authors investigated variations in the impact of an NIFTP diagnosis on the associated ROM for each TBSRTC category with an emphasis on the influence of pathologist and institutional diagnostic thresholds on the ROM. METHODS Baseline data on cytology and histology diagnostic categories were collected over a 3-year period at 3 academic center hospitals (institutions A, B, and C). Histology slides for all cases diagnosed as follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) were re-reviewed at each institution, and those that qualifying as NIFTP were separated from other PTCs. RESULTS The collective case cohort from the 3 institutions included 15,973 thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) specimens and 5090 thyroid surgical resection specimens. Significant differences in baseline cytology and histology data were noted among the 3 institutions. The number of cases classified as NIFTP compared with FVPTC was highly variable (institution A, 14%; institution B, 39%; and institution C, 12%). For 3250 resected thyroid nodules with a previous FNAC diagnosis, the average decrease in ROM after the exclusion of NIFTP for all TBSRTC categories was as follows: institution A, 9.8%; institution B, 3.9%; and institution C, 1.3%. CONCLUSIONS The institutional frequency of NIFTP histopathology diagnosis and cytology baseline data will impact the ROM associated with specific FNAC diagnoses, especially among the indeterminate TBSRTC categories. The range of ROM for each TBSRTC diagnostic category is reflective of the inherent diagnostic thresholds and interobserver and interinstitutional variability in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:20-6. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

The large collection of howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites allows us to study the initial magmatic differentiation of a planetesimal. We report Pb-Pb ages of the unequilibrated North West Africa (NWA) 4215 and Dhofar 700 diogenite meteorites and their mass-independent 26Mg isotope compositions (26Mg*) to better understand the timing of differentiation and crystallization of their source reservoir(s). NWA 4215 defines a Pb-Pb age of 4484.5 ± 7.9 Myr and has a 26Mg* excess of +2.3 ± 1.6 ppm whereas Dhofar 700 has a Pb-Pb age of 4546.4 ± 4.7 Myr and a 26Mg* excess of +25.5 ± 1.9 ppm. We interpret the young age of NWA 4215 as a thermal overprint, but the age of Dhofar 700 is interpreted to represent a primary crystallization age. Combining our new data with published Mg isotope and trace element data suggests that approximately half of the diogenites for which such data are available crystallized within the first 1–2 Myr of our solar system, consistent with a short-lived, early-formed magma ocean undergoing convective cooling. The other half of the diogenites, including both NWA 4215 and Dhofar 700, are best explained by their crystallization in slowly cooled isolated magma chambers lasting over at least ~20 Myr.

BACKGROUND Secondary malignancies of salivary glands (SMSGs) are among the most common malignant neoplasms to involve the salivary glands. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of SMSG can present diagnostic challenges. The current report presents the largest such FNAB series to date. METHODS A search of the pathology database from 6 academic institutions identified 184 FNAB cases of nonlymphomatous SMSG. RESULTS Of the 184 cases, 171 were of the parotid glands, and 13 were of the submandibular glands; 130 patients were men, and 54 were women, and the mean patient age at diagnosis was 68 years. Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from all sites (n = 87) and melanoma (n = 67) constituted the majority of SMSGs. Less frequent SMSGs were comprised of metastatic carcinomas from distant organs (n = 16), including sites in the breast, lung, kidney, thyroid, pancreatobiliary, prostate, and bladder. Other uncommon SMSGs, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (n = 3), sarcoma (n = 4), other metastatic skin-derived carcinomas (n = 6), and metastatic chordoma (n = 1), also were observed. Ancillary tests were performed on 37 FNAB specimens (20.1%) to aid the evaluation. One hundred forty-seven specimens (79.9%) had a definitive diagnosis with accurate tumor subtyping, 21 (11.4%) had a definitive malignant diagnosis but without specifying subtype, 9 (4.9%) had an indeterminate diagnosis, and 7 (3.8%) had a false-negative diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS SMSGs originate predominately from the head and neck and are more common in older men. Overall, the FNAB diagnosis of SMSG is accurate, but diagnostic challenges can be encountered, especially in SCC types of SMSG. Ancillary studies are needed for the definitive diagnosis of challenging cases. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:91-103. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

BACKGROUND Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) represents a challenge for the diagnosis and management of thyroid carcinoma. Some authors have proposed histological criteria that are able to distinguish NIFTPs from invasive follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (I-FVPTC). Hence, NIFTPs may have repercussions in the diagnostic categories on fine-needle aspiration. In the current study, the authors evaluated the criteria for NIFTPs on liquid-based cytology samples. METHODS The authors recorded all 61 liquid-based cytology samples proved to be histological FVPTC between January 2013 and March 2016 and analyzed the architectural, cytoplasmic, and nuclear parameters. They compared them with a cohort of 40 PTC cases and 20 follicular adenoma cases. RESULTS The authors reported 37 NIFTP cases and 24 I-FVPTC cases at histology. The cytological diagnoses of follicular nodules in the NIFTP cases were twice those found in the I-FVPTC cases (54.1% vs 29.2%). The number of positive for malignancy cases among the NIFTPs were approximately half those of I-FVPTC cases. When compared with I-FVPTCs, 70% of the NIFTP cases demonstrated a nuclear size .05). A predominant microfollicular pattern was recognized in both NIFTPs and I-FVPTCs (97.3% vs 100%). CONCLUSIONS The majority of NIFTPs appear to be devoid of nuclear pseudoinclusions and papillary structures, thereby allowing the inclusion in the follicular nodule cases. Nuclear size and microfollicular clusters may suggest the discrimination between NIFTPs and I-FVPCs. Cancer Cytopathol 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

We report a case of rapidly evolving neurological disease in a patient with neuropathological lesions of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), chronic subcortical vascular encephalopathy and meningothelial meningioma. The coexistence of severe multiple pathologies in a single patient strengthens the need to perform accurate clinical differential diagnoses in rapidly progressive dementias.

Objective BRAFV600E represents the most common diagnostic marker in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). A few papers have demonstrated the correlation between BRAFV600E and specific morphological findings on PTCs in the adult population. This is the first reported series investigating cytological morphological parameters in paediatric thyroid carcinoma. Methods One hundred and nineteen paediatric samples (56 male and 63 female patients), diagnosed in the period between April 2013 and July 2015, were enrolled in the study. Fifteen patients with inadequate results were excluded. Cytological cases were processed with liquid-based cytology (LBC). BRAFV600E and immunocytochemistry for the VE1 antibody were performed on LBC. Results The diagnostic series included 10 mutated and 94 wild-type (WT) cases. Twenty two percent surgical samples showed 96% cytohistological concordance. The morphological analysis revealed plump cells (abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and PTC nuclei) in all 10 mutated cases with only four cases showing a focal (less than 20% of the cells) plump component. None of the WT showed plump cells. A sickle nuclear shape was seen only in the mutated cases. VE1 yielded 100% positivity on mutated cases with three cytohistological discrepancies. Conclusions The BRAFV600E mutation is also seen in paediatric cytology and the morphological features showed a high accuracy as both predictive mutational parameters and a helpful aid in management mainly of the aggressive BRAFV600E mutated carcinomas.

BACKGROUND The current study compared ThinPrep urinary cytology and conventional cytospin urinary cytology in the diagnosis of bladder cancer, applying the Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology. METHODS Between January 2010 and December 2011, a total of 3659 urine samples were processed using conventional cytospin methods. Between January 2012 and December 2013, a total of 4186 urine cytological cases were analyzed using ThinPrep methods. In 131 cases (65 processed by conventional cytospin and 66 processed by ThinPrep), a subsequent biopsy was performed. The authors reclassified these cases according to the Paris System and an analysis between the 2 methods with regard to bladder biopsies was performed. RESULTS No significant differences were observed in terms of sensitivity and specificity between the 2 methods in cases with positive cytology for high-grade carcinoma. According to the Paris System, cases of atypical urothelial cells (AUC) and atypical urothelial cells suspicious for high-grade carcinoma (AUC-H) that were processed using cytospin did not correlate with urothelial carcinoma or with negative biopsies; conversely, the AUC cases processed using ThinPrep appeared to correlate with negative histological biopsies or low-grade urothelial carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study demonstrated that according to the Paris System, there were no significant differences in sensitivity or specificity for the diagnosis of high-grade urothelial carcinoma or AUC-H between the 2 methods. Cases of AUC should be easy to recognize using Thin Prep rather than cytospin and only AUCs diagnosed with ThinPrep were found to be statistically linked to negative cases for carcinoma or with low-grade urothelial carcinoma. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:519–23. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

BACKGROUND Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has proven its value as an essential step in the diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. Although the majority of salivary gland lesions, especially those that are common and benign, can be diagnosed with ease on FNAC, limited cellularity and morphologic lesion heterogeneity can pose diagnostic challenges and lead to false-positive and false-negative diagnoses. This study presents the institutional experience of FNAC of salivary gland lesions from 2 academic centers. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1729 salivary gland FNAC specimens that were diagnosed over an 8-year period from January 2008 to March 2015. All samples were processed either with liquid-based cytology alone or in combination with air-dried, Diff-Quik–stained or alcohol-fixed, Papanicolaou-stained smears. RESULTS Surgical excision was performed in 709 of 1749 FNACs (41%) that were diagnosed as nondiagnostic/inadequate (n = 29), benign (n = 111), neoplasm (n = 453), atypical (n = 15), suspicious for malignancy (n = 28), and malignant (n = 73). The overall concordance between cytologic and histologic diagnoses was 92.2%, with 91.8% concordance in the benign category and 89.5% concordance in cases diagnosed as suspicious for malignancy and malignant. The most frequent benign and malignant lesions were pleomorphic adenoma and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. There were 46 false-negative and 13 false-positive results, leading to an overall specificity of 97.6% and diagnostic accuracy of 91.3%. CONCLUSIONS FNAC is a reliable diagnostic modality for the diagnosis and management of salivary gland lesions based on its high specificity and diagnostic accuracy. Cancer Cytopathol 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

We describe a patient with progressive disorder of speech, without language impairment (opercular syndrome). Morphometric analysis confirmed asymmetric volume reduction of the precentral areas (>left). Diffusion imaging showed significant white matter changes in the left frontal lobe, with specific involvement of the left corticobulbar tract and connections between supplementary/pre-supplementary motor areas and the frontal operculum (frontal aslant tract). We suggest that the organization of expressive language includes a 'low level' motor system principally distributed in the left hemisphere that shows specific susceptibility to neurodegeneration, distinct from neural systems subtending praxic, and cognitive aspects of language.

Objective In fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), the category of benign thyroid lesions (BTL), which constitutes 65–70% of all thyroid FNAC, and can be correctly diagnosed by morphology alone, is an important entity. A diagnosis of BTL denotes a lesion managed with follow-up unless found in conjunction with compressive symptoms. Although this diagnosis can be quite simple, there are cases in which the scant cellular or colloid component may pose diagnostic issues. Herein, we describe the experiences of evaluating BTL at two large academic institutions. We evaluated the clinical importance of a correct diagnosis of BTL to define the exact inherent risk of a false-negative result (FNR). Methods From January 2008 through to June 2013, 506 (3.6%) out of 15 850 patients with BTL underwent surgery. All nodules were sampled under sonographic guidance (US) and processed either with liquid-based cytology (LBC), Diff-Quik® smears or alcohol-Papanicolaou staining methods. Results The histological follow-up of 506 BTL series included 493 benign and 13 malignant lesions. The latter group included four follicular carcinomas (FC), two classic variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), one macrofollicular PTC and six follicular variants of PTC (FVPC). The malignancy rate for the BTL category was 2.5%. Conclusions When diagnosed by expert cytopathologists, BTL represents a robust diagnosis and might reduce the number of FNR. Additional diagnostic experience and a large case series could enable cytopathologists to recognise all the morphological entities of BTL. An important additional aid is the extensive sampling of the lesions to reduce issues related to a low cellularity.

BACKGROUND Mutational analysis is reshaping the practice of fine-needle aspiration cytology for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. The v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) valine (V) to glutamic acid (E) substitution at codon 600 (BRAFV600E) is the most effective diagnostic/prognostic marker and is used mainly for papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Although BRAFV600E represents 95% of all BRAF mutations, uncommon BRAF mutations have been identified in thyroid carcinomas. For the current study, the authors evaluated morphologic (plump pink cells and sickle-shaped nuclei) anti-BRAFV600E antibody (VE1) immunocytochemical and molecular findings of BRAF mutations in PTCs and in the follicular variant of PTC (FVPC). METHODS Between January 2013 and June 2014, there were 150 cytologic samples with surgical follow-up at the authors' institution. BRAF mutations, which were identified using liquid-based cytology, were classified into wild-type BRAF, BRAFV600E, and uncommon BRAF mutations. All clinicopathologic correlations between BRAF and FVPCs were analyzed. RESULTS Forty-four of 150 samples were identified as benign histologic lesions, and the authors focused on the 106 cytologic samples from patients who had malignant outcomes (60 PTCs and 46 FVPCs). The series included 16 follicular neoplasms, 36 samples diagnosed as suspicious of malignancy, and 54 samples diagnosed as positive for malignancy. The BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 17.4% of FVPCs and in 66.6% of PTCs, whereas uncommon BRAF mutations were detected only in FVPCs. Plump pink cells and VE1 expression were not identified in samples that had uncommon BRAF mutations. VE1 immunocytochemistry yielded positive results in all 36 samples that had the BRAFV600E mutation. CONCLUSIONS Uncommon BRAF mutations were observed only in FVPCs and were linked to less aggressive behavior. Negative/weak VE1 expression was observed in both wild-type and uncommon BRAF mutations. The current investigation did not reveal any plump cells or morphologic BRAF findings in samples that had uncommon BRAF mutations. In the authors' experience, BRAF mutations detected by DNA methods were more accurate in identifying FVPCs. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2015;123:593–602. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of serous membrane effusions may fulfil a challenging role in the diagnostic analysis of both primary and metastatic disease. From this perspective, liquid-based cytology (LBC) represents a feasible and reliable method for empowering the performance of ancillary techniques (ie, immunocytochemistry and molecular testing) with high diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: In total, 3171 LBC pleural and pericardic effusions were appraised between January 2000 and December 2013. They were classified as negative for malignancy (NM), suspicious for malignancy (SM), or positive for malignancy (PM). RESULTS: The cytologic diagnoses included 2721 NM effusions (2505 pleural and 216 pericardic), 104 SM effusions (93 pleural and 11 pericardic), and 346 PM effusions (321 pleural and 25 pericardic). The malignant pleural series included 76 unknown malignancies (36 SM and 40 PM effusions), 174 metastatic lesions (85 SM and 89 PM effusions), 14 lymphomas (3 SM and 11 PM effusions), 16 mesotheliomas (5 SM and 11 SM effusions), and 3 myelomas (all SM effusions). The malignant pericardic category included 20 unknown malignancies (5 SM and 15 PM effusions), 15 metastatic lesions (1 SM and 14 PM effusions), and 1 lymphoma (1 PM effusion). There were 411 conclusive immunocytochemical analyses and 47 molecular analyses, and the authors documented 88% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 98% diagnostic accuracy, 98% negative predictive value, and 100% positive predictive value for FNAC. CONCLUSIONS: FNAC represents a primary diagnostic tool for effusions and a reliable approach with which to determine the correct follow-up. Furthermore, LBC is useful for ancillary techniques, such as immunocytochemistry and molecular analysis, with feasible diagnostic and predictive utility. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2015;000:000-000. V C 2015 American Cancer Society.

BACKGROUND The BRAFV600E mutation is the most common diagnostic/prognostic marker in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Its evaluation is typically performed with DNA-based techniques; nonetheless, a few articles have recently proposed the morphological prediction of BRAFV600E in histological PTCs. We investigated this morphological parameter in our cytological series. METHODS We re-analyzed all 72 cytohistological samples diagnosed as positive for malignancy (favoring PTC) on fine-needle aspiration cytology from January 2012 to December 2013. We included 22 male patients and 50 female patients. The cytological cases were processed with liquid-based cytology. We performed molecular analysis and immunocytochemistry for the VE1 BRAFV600E antibody. RESULTS We reported 47 mutated cases and 25 wild-type (WT) cases with 100% cytohistological concordance. The cytological evaluations revealed plump cells (abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and PTC nuclei) in all 47 mutated cases, with only 6 having a focal plump cell component (≤20% cells). Furthermore, 5 of the 25 WT cases showed focal plump cells. A distinctive sickle nuclear shape was found only in the mutated cases. VE1 yielded 100% positivity for all 24 mutated cases that were tested, including 3 cases with focal plump cells. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that the BRAFV600E mutation might be predicted in cytological samples on the basis of some specific morphological features. Although the detection of plump cells (mainly focal) was also observed in WT cases, the detection of sickle-shaped nuclei provided the highest specificity and sensitivity as a predictive mutational parameter. These morphological features might be a valid tool for selecting cases for molecular analysis. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:883–891. © 2014 American Cancer Society.

Premature infants depend on intravenous fat emulsions to supply essential fatty acids and calories. The dose of soybean-based intravenous fat emulsions (S-IFE) has been associated with parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated liver disease. This study's purpose was to determine if low-dose S-IFE is a safe and effective preventive strategy for cholestasis in preterm neonates.This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial in infants with a gestational age (GA) ≤29 weeks. Patients48 hours of life were randomized to receive a low (1 g/kg/d) or control dose (approximately 3 g/kg/d) of S-IFE. The primary outcome was cholestasis, defined as a direct bilirubin ≥15% of the total bilirubin at 28 days of life (DOL) or full enteral feeds, whichever was later, after 14 days of PN. Secondary outcomes included growth, length of hospital stay, death, and major neonatal morbidities.In total, 136 neonates (67 and 69 in the low and control groups, respectively) were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were similar for the 2 groups. When the low group was compared with the control group, there was no difference in the primary outcome (69% vs 63%; 95% confidence interval, -0.1 to 0.22; P = .45). While the low group received less S-IFE and total calories over time compared with the control group (P.001 and P = .03, respectively), weight, length, and head circumference at 28 DOL, discharge, and over time were not different (P.2 for all).Compared with the control dose, low-dose S-IFE was not associated with a reduction in cholestasis or growth.

AimTo test the hypothesis that vitamin C concentrations in plasma, polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leucocytes (PMNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are lower in periodontitis patients compared with healthy controls.MethodsTwenty-one untreated periodontal patients and 21 healthy controls matched for age, gender, race and smoking habits were selected. Dietary vitamin C intake was assessed by a self-administered dietary record. Fasting blood samples were obtained and analysed for vitamin C concentrations in plasma, PMNs and PBMCs by means of high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).ResultsPlasma vitamin C was lower in periodontitis patients compared with controls (8.3 and 11.3 mg/l, respectively, p = 0.03). Only in the control group a positive correlation was present between vitamin C intake and plasma values. No differences could be assessed between patients and controls regarding vitamin C dietary intake and levels in PMNs and PBMCs. In the patient group, pocket depth appeared to be negatively associated with the vitamin C concentration in PMNs.ConclusionAlthough the relationship between low plasma vitamin C levels and periodontitis is clear, the disease cannot be explained by insufficient vitamin C storage capacity of leucocytes; the question remains through which mechanism low plasma vitamin C levels are related to periodontitis.

We report on mineralogy, petrography, and whole-rock 26 Al- 26 Mg systematics of eight amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs) from the oxidized CV chondrite Allende. The AOAs consist of forsteritic olivine, opaque nodules, and variable amounts of Ca,Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) of different types, and show evidence for alteration to varying degrees. Melilite and anorthite are replaced by nepheline, sodalite, and grossular; spinel is enriched in FeO; opaque nodules are replaced by Fe,Ni-sulfides, ferroan olivine and Ca,Fe-rich pyroxenes; forsteritic olivine is enriched in FeO and often overgrown by ferroan olivine. The AOAs are surrounded by fine-grained, matrix-like rims composed mainly of ferroan olivine and by a discontinuous layer of Ca,Fe-rich silicates. These observations indicate that AOAs experienced in situ elemental open-system iron-alkali- halogen metasomatic alteration during which Fe, Na, Cl, and Si were introduced, whereas Ca was removed from AOAs and used to form the Ca,Fe-rich silicate rims around AOAs. The whole-rock 26 Al- 26 Mg systematics of the Allende AOAs plot above the isochron of the whole-rock Allende CAIs with a slope of (5.23 ± 0.13) · 10 )5 reported by Jacobsen et al. (2008). In contrast, whole-rock 26 Al- 26 Mg isotope systematics of CAIs and AOAs from the reduced CV chondrite Efremovka define a single isochron with a slope of (5.25± 0.01) · 10 )5 (Larsen et al. 2011). We infer that the excesses in 26 Mg* present in Allende AOAs are due to their late-stage open-system metasomatic alteration. Thus, the 26 Al- 26 Mg isotope systematics of Allende CAIs and AOAs are disturbed by parent body alteration processes, and may not be suitable for high-precision chronology of the early solar system events and processes.

We developed and characterized inks based on dispersions of N-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) in pol- yethylenimine (PEI)/ethanol solutions with chemicophysi- cal properties suitable for the ink-jet printing process. In detail, we prepared suspensions by varying the concentra- tion of the polymeric dispersant to investigate the effect of the dispersant on the time stability and printability of the ink. Moreover, we printed the N-doped TiO2/PEI-based inks on different substrates and studied as the substrate temperature and the printing parameters influenced the printed product quality. Furthermore, the optical proper- ties and the morphology of the printed films were also investigated. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 3630-3636, 2011

In this work, a simple approach to prepare luminescent poly(3-hexylthiophene)–CdS nanocomposites to be employed in organic light emitting devices (OLED) devices is reported. The nucleation and growth of CdS nanoparticles were obtained by the thermolysis of a single Cd and S precursor dispersed in the polymer at three different temperatures of annealing: 240, 265, and 300°C. In this way, it was possible to compare the properties of nanocomposites containing nanoparticles with different sizes. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed the formation of CdS nanoparticles and gave information about the size, distribution, and morphology of the nanoparticles; monodispersive and very small nanoparticles with diameters below 2.5 nm were obtained at 240°C. The application of such nanocomposites as emitting layers in OLED devices is discussed. Enhanced electrooptical properties were observed for the device containing the nanocomposite annealed at 240°C with respect to the pure polymer based device. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011