Notes

HIF-1α modulates sex-specific Th17/Treg responses in the course of hepatic amoebiasis.
This study aimed to examine the association between sleep quality and physical performance among a group of UK community-dwelling older adults, according to sex.

Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Physical performance was assessed using a short physical performance battery (SPPB), a timed up-and-go, and a hand-grip strength test.

Of 591 eligible study members, 401 completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In regression analyses, men who reported poor sleep quality were significantly more likely to have a poor SPPB score, even after adjustment for confounding factors (OR=2.54, 95% CI 1.10-5.89, P= .03). The direction of the relationship was reversed among women, where those who reported poor sleep were less likely to have a low SPPB score (OR=0.36, 95% CI 0.15-0.85, P=.02). Poor sleep quality was associated with poorer hand-grip strength among women (regression coefficient=-0.34 z score, 95% CI -0.64, -0.04, P = .03), but this relationship was not observed among men (regression coefficient=0.28 z score, 95% CI -0.01, 0.57, P=.06).

We found evidence of an association between poor sleep quality and poorer physical performance in older adults, though there appear to be important sex differences.
We found evidence of an association between poor sleep quality and poorer physical performance in older adults, though there appear to be important sex differences.KAT2A is a histone acetyltransferase recently identified as a vulnerability in at least some forms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Its loss or inhibition prompts leukemia stem cells out of self-renewal and into differentiation with ultimate exhaustion of the leukemia pool. We have recently linked the Kat2a requirement in AML to control of transcriptional noise, reflecting an evolutionary-conserved role of Kat2a in promoting burst-like promoter activity and stabilizing gene expression. We suggest that through this role, Kat2a contributes to preservation of cell identity. KAT2A exerts its acetyltransferase activity in the context of two macromolecular complexes, Spt-Ada-Gcn5-Acetyltransferase (SAGA) and Ada-Two-A-Containing (ATAC), but the specific contribution of each complex to stabilization of gene expression is currently unknown. By reviewing specific gene targets and requirements of the two complexes in cancer and development, we suggest that SAGA regulates lineage-specific programs, and ATAC maintains biosynthetic activity through control of ribosomal protein and translation-associated genes, on which cells may be differentially dependent. While our data suggest that KAT2A-mediated regulation of transcriptional noise in AML may be exerted through ATAC, we discuss potential caveats and probe general vs. complex-specific contributions of KAT2A to transcriptional stability, with implications for control and perturbation of cell identity.Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code accelerated by AutomateD VAriaNce reducTion Generator (ADVANTG) code was used to simulate neutron and prompt gamma particles emitted from TRIGA research reactor during operation. Firstly, the method was validated by measuring dose rates around open beam port number 5 was unplugged. Neutron and gamma dose rates inside the reactor hall in the vicinity of the beam port were calculated and compared to the measurements. Due to the satisfactory agreement, the method was later used to design external shielding for the same beam port when it was upgraded - special mechanism was installed that allows irradiation of larger samples. Computational analysis of the proposed shielding configuration provided acceptable dose rate levels inside the reactor hall. Selleckchem Benserazide When the shield was constructed, calculated dose rates were confirmed by the actual measurements. No modifications were needed.
To investigate whether initial blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the emergency department (ED) are associated with mortality in elderly patients with genitourinary tract infections.

A total of 541 patients with genitourinary tract infections in 5 EDs between November 2016 and February 2017 were included and retrospectively reviewed. We assessed age, sex, comorbidities, vital signs, and initial laboratory results, including BUN, NLR and the SOFA criteria. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality.

The nonsurvivor group included 32 (5.9%) elderly patients, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP), NLR and BUN were significantly higher in this group than in the survivor group (p<0.001, p=0.003, p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, MAP <70mmHg, NLR ≥23.8 and BUN >28mg/dl were shown to be independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality (OR 3.62, OR 2.51, OR 2.76 p=0.002, p=0.033, p=0.038, respectively). Additionally, NLR ≥23.8 and BUN >28 were shown to be independent risk factors for mortality in admitted elderly with complicated UTI (p=0.030, p=0.035). When BUN and NLR were combined with MAP, the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) value was 0.807 (0.771-0.839) for the prediction of mortality, the sensitivity was 87.5% (95% CI 71.0-96.5), and the specificity was 61.3% (95% CI 56.9-65.5%).

The initial BUN and NLR values with the MAP were good predictors associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality among elderly genitourinary tract infections visiting the ED.
The initial BUN and NLR values with the MAP were good predictors associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality among elderly genitourinary tract infections visiting the ED.
Device-based measurement of lumbar spinal stiffness has the potential to identify patients with low back pain who are more likely to improve with spinal manipulative therapy. This study evaluates how voluntary contraction of spine muscles may impact stiffness measures.

To determine how the contraction of different spinal muscles may influence spinal stiffness at all lumbar levels.

Experimental study.

A mechanical device was used to measure spinal stiffness (N/mm) from L1 to L5 in 12 asymptomatic participants, while muscle activity from four pairs of thoracolumbar muscles was recorded. A baseline measurement was collected with the participants holding their breath at normal exhalation. Participants stiffness was then measured while performing (1) an isometric hip extension, (2) an isometric shoulder flexion, and (3) a deep held inhalation. Mixed-model ANOVAs were used to evaluate the effects of the perturbations on spinal stiffness at each lumbar level. Friedman's test was then computed to evaluate the differences in muscle activity between the perturbations.
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