Search

This review examines the stress hormone cortisol which plays an important role in regulating and supporting different bodily functions. Disruption in cortisol production has an impact on health and this review looks at a wide range of papers where cortisol has been indicated as a factor in numerous chronic conditions—especially those which are classed as "noncommunicable diseases" (NCDs). Timely detection, screening, and treatment for NCDs are vital to address the growing problem of NCDs worldwide—this would have health and socioeconomic benefits. Interestingly, many of the papers highlight the pro‐inflammatory consequences of cortisol dysregulation and its deleterious effects on the body. This is particularly relevant given the recent findings concerning COVID‐19 where pro‐inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in severe inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for heart failure (HF); nevertheless, many HF patients remain undiagnosed. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England updated their HF guidelines in 2018, replacing the use of fasting plasma glucose with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), in suspected HF investigation. This audit aimed to assess this update's uptake at a general practice partnership in Colchester, England. Materials and Methods: The audit cycle consisted of a two-round electronic record search, for approximately 29,000 patients registered at the partnership. From November 1, 2017 to November 1, 2018 for the first round and from November 1, 2018 to March 6, 2019 for the second round, patients who had their NT pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels measured for the initial investigation of suspected HF were included in the study. Interventions put in place after the first round included an oral presentation and an illustrated guide for the general practitioners (GPs). Results: One hundred and ten patients, 19 in cycle 1 and 91 in cycle 2, were identified and included in the analysis. At the first round, only 31.6% of the patients had their HbA1c level measured, while 36.8% had no diabetic investigation done. At the second round, the percentage of patients who had their HbA1c level assessed increased to 59.3%. A decrease from 36.8% of patients without diabetic status assessment to 20% was observed. Conclusions: Lack of awareness among GPs regarding this guideline update was identified and simple interventions achieved an increase in the guideline's uptake. Regular and complete audit cycles can help GPs adhere to up-to-date guidelines. Primary care can help other organizations such as pathology laboratories keep up to date with guidelines, while primary care technology can be amended in-house to help adherence to new guidelines. We recommend the National UK Heart Failure Audit considers auditing the use of HbA1c testing in inpatients investigated for new HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the same period, investment by agencies such as NASA has improved dramatically the performance of optical mirror coatings, dispersive gratings, solid state detectors and polarimetric crystals in both the near and far ultraviolet. This article belongs to the Topical Collection: UV Spectropolarimetry for Stellar, Interstellar, and Exoplanetary Astrophysics with Polstar. The science drivers demand a combination of polarimetric accuracy of 0.1% in both ultraviolet bands, high spectral resolution spectroscopy in the far ultraviolet, and low resolution spectroscopy combined with high throughput in the near ultraviolet. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Independent second-checking of medication is part of everyday practice across many parts of the NHS. A robust, independent second check is built into medication administration protocols to reduce the risk of drug errors affecting patients. Aim: This work aims to determine the barriers and facilitators regarding a robust independent second check of medication before administration to patients within adult critical care. Method: Nurses in adult critical care were invited to participate in focus groups. They were asked to discuss factors that they felt enabled or prevented a robust second check of medication. Thematic analysis was undertaken by three critical care pharmacists Findings: The major themes identified as barriers to an independent second check were: geography of the critical care unit; IT; routine; complex process; and personnel. Conclusion: There are complex barriers to undertaking a robust second check and addressing some of these could improve patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), currently the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), is an aggressive B cell neoplasm that typically presents in older adults as a rapidly enlarging mass. The enlarging mass typically represents a lymph node, although extranodal disease can occur in a significant percentage (40%) of cases. The most common extranodal sites of involvement include the gastrointestinal tract and skin; primary bladder lymphoma represents only 0.2% of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We report a case of diffuse large B cell lymphoma occurring in the bladder of an 83-year-old gentleman with an initial presentation of hematuria. This neoplasm displayed large, atypical cells with vesicular chromatin and prominent nucleoli that involved the bladder mucosa with invasion into muscularis propria, prostate, and urethra. Positive staining for p63 initially raised suspicion for poorly differentiated urothelial carcinoma; however, lack of staining for pancytokeratin and positive staining for LCA, CD20, CD79a, and PAX-5 confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Though it does not occur in all cases, p63 can be positive in a significant percentage of cases of DLBCL; therefore, a diagnosis of lymphoma remains an important entity on the differential diagnosis of aggressive and particularly poorly differentiated neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Some studies have suggested that tubulocystic carcinoma may be related to papillary renal cell carcinoma. We sought to compare and contrast the molecular and immunohistochemical profiles of tubulocystic carcinoma with those of papillary renal cell carcinoma. Methods and results Twelve cases of pure tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma were subjected to fluorescence in-situ hybridization assessment of chromosomal number for chromosomes 7 and 17, and for TFE3 translocation. Immunohistochemical labelling for AMACR, p63, cytokeratin 7, PAX8, cytokeratin 20 and carbonic anhydrase IX was assessed in all tumours. No tumour showed gains of chromosomes 7 or 17, or TFE3 translocation by fluorescence in-situ hybridization. Immunohistochemistry revealed all tumours to be non-reactive with antibodies against p63 and cytokeratin 20. Conversely, the antibody against AMACR gave a positive reaction in the neoplastic cells of all tumours. Four tumours showed focal labelling with antibody against carbonic anhydrase IX, and five tumours showed focally positive reactions with antibody against cytokeratin 7. Recurrence and metastatic disease were not found for the patients with available follow-up information. Conclusions Pure tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma is an indolent tumour with a good prognosis. Our data support the distinction of this neoplasm as a separate entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 6 April 2016, it will be compulsory for all dogs in England to be microchipped and their owners registered to a national database. In this article, Carol Jones gives an overview of canine microchipping, including current and proposed legislation, implantation and scanning techniques, and common problems encountered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the book "In the Name of Justice: Striving for the Rule of Law in China," by He Weifang.

Abstract: Gellan gum is an increasingly popular and a naturally occurring hydrocolloid. It is widely used in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries as a stabilizer, emulsifier, thickener, and gelling agent. The gel is also used as a model material to study microwave heating dynamics of biological materials in the food processing industry. In this study, baseline data on dielectric properties of 1% gellan gel containing 0.17% and 0.3% CaCl2 were collected at frequencies between 0.2 and 20GHz and temperatures between 10 and 100°C. These data are compared with those of distilled water containing similar ionic concentrations. Models describing the behavior of the dielectric constant, loss factor, loss tangent and the penetration depth for 0.2–3.2GHz were developed. These models can be effectively used in microwave food processing applications of gellan gel, which will save considerable time and effort often used in empirically determining the dielectric spectra. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Synopsis: The starting point for this article is to address the seemingly straightforward question: what are the differences, if any, between sexual harassment and workplace bullying? After summarising the development of interest in workplace bullying, the article explores how boundaries have been drawn between the two. It is argued that gender is an important feature of both but that the methods used to research bullying make the processes supporting gendered bullying difficult to uncover. Drawing on debates about how sexual harassment might be reconceptualised away from the current focus on sexualised harassment, it is argued that there are potential areas of commonality between gendered bullying and sexual harassment. It is argued that these should be explored by feminists before sexual harassment is categorised at organisational level as merely another workplace indignity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The eicosanoid 5-oxo-6E,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE) has recently been identified as the ligand for the oxoeicosanoid (OXE) receptor. In vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that 5-oxo-ETE has a role in the asthmatic inflammatory response and it has been shown to stimulate eosinophil migration to the airways. New data suggest that eosinophils have an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, being required for mucus accumulation, airway hyperresponsiveness and remodelling of the airways. However, there are several mediators that can stimulate the recruitment of eosinophils to the airways and the development of antagonists against the OXE receptor is required to evaluate the potential of the OXE receptor as a new therapeutic approach for asthma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Few data are currently reported on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patient outcomes, which makes evaluating comparative outcomes in HPN difficult. This study describes outcomes of consecutive HPN patients collected retrospectively over a 5-y period by one HPN support provider. Methods: Retrospective data from the HPN support provider was aggregated yearly from 1997 to 2001. Length of therapy, demographics, diagnosis, rehospitalizations, catheter infection rate, catheter occlusion rate, and mechanical complication rate data were reported. Results: The mean age of HPN patients ranged from 42 y to 45 y. The average length of HPN therapy was 100 d. There were more female than male HPN patients. Nutritional deficiency and malabsorption were the most common International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for HPN use and reflects a focus on nutritional diagnosis rather than on disease state as the criterion for HPN use. Catheter infection rates ranged from 0.44 to 0.84 per 1000 catheter days, a lower than anticipated number. Mean catheter occlusion rates were lower than 7% and mean mechanical complication rates were approximately 5%. Known termination of therapy was secondary to completion of therapy (50% to 56%) or death (17.3% to 22%). Conclusions: Overall, time on HPN therapy in the United States has increased. Nutritional diagnoses are currently used to justify HPN. Catheter infection and occlusion rates, in general, are low. Termination of therapy and death are the most common reasons for HPN discontinuation. Standardization of HPN data collection is necessary to obtain a historical snapshot of the efficacy and safety of patients treated outside the hospital with nutritional support. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: the establishment of a hip protector service has allowed us to study eligibility, acceptability and compliance with use, reasons for non-use, and the effect of dementia, confusion, incontinence and risk of falling. Methods: all residents in all residential homes in Poole were assessed at baseline. All eligible residents were offered I week's trial of protectors and those who wished to continue were given a set of protectors. Compliance was assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months. Percentages shown for compliance exclude those who died, were transferred, had lost data or in whom follow-up was not yet completed. Results: over 18 months, 873 residents from 47 homes were identified (mean age 88 years, female:male 4.5:1). Of these, 745 were considered eligible to wear protectors (86%) and 535 agreed to wear them after 1 week (72%). Compliance over 12 months was 78%. Most wearers wore protectors every day. At 3 months, 83% of demented compared to 73% of not demented residents (P = 0.023), 86% of always confused, 77% of sometimes confused and 72% of never confused (P < 0.009) and 82% of incontinent compared to 73% of continent residents (P = 0.024) were wearing hip protectors. There was a positive linear trend between the risk of falling and compliance (P = 0.048). Conclusions: the results suggest that there is a 48% chance of a resident wearing the protectors after 1 year. The higher compliance among those with dementia, confusion, incontinence and at high risk of falling supports the concept that hip protectors are worn by those at greatest risk of fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Follicle center lymphoma (FCL) accounts for approximately 40% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). The genetic-environmental interactions involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are unknown. In our previous study a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (397C) in the regulatory untranslated first intron region of the BCL-6 gene was found in four of the eight FCL patients but in none of the 10 healthy controls. To further evaluate the potential association between the 397C allele of the BCL-6 gene and FCL, we performed a case-control study. Genomic DNA was isolated from 85 FCL patients, from 98 control cases without a previous history of malignancy, treated at Stanford University Medical Center for non-malignant disorders and from 90 samples from the DNA Polymorphism Discovery Resource. The 397G and the 397C polymorphic alleles were identified by a PCR-RFLP method. To evaluate the possible effect of this polymorphism on gene expression, BCL-6 mRNA levels in nine FCL tumors with the 397G-G genotype and in nine FCL tumors with the 397G-C genotype were measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The 397C polymorphic allele was found in 32 FCL cases (37.6%), in 20 controls (20.4%) and in 17 (18.9%) samples from the DNA Polymorphism Discovery Resource. The prevalence of the 397G-C and 397C-C genotypes was significantly higher in FCL cases than in control group (p = 0.01). No difference in BCL-6 gene expression was observed between FCL cases with 397G-G and 397G-C genotypes. The present study demonstrates a possible association between the 397C allele of the BCL-6 proto-oncogene and FCL. The similar levels of BCL-6 mRNA expression in 397G-G and in 397G-C FCL cases suggests that any possible oncogenic effect of the polymorphic allele would not simply be related to a direct effect on BCL-6 gene expression and suggests the existence of other FCL susceptibility genes that are in linkage disequilibrium with the 397C allele of the BCL-6 gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with the federal statutes on the protection of natural resources from injury and destruction in the United States. Statutory framework; Measure of damages in the statutes; Approaches and methods for scaling compensatory restoration; State statutory provisions for natural resource damage assessments.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate participants' feedback related to their experience in the Interprofessional Education Exchange (iPEX) program, a training initiative for faculty development in interprofessional oncology palliative care education. Participants voluntarily submitted a written reflection using a guide. The research team used qualitative content template analysis techniques to determine codes and categories based on the reflections and selected representative quotations (meaning units) from the data. Fifty-three reflections (100%) submitted by those completing the training were included in the analysis. The most appreciated aspects of the training were the opportunity for exchange of ideas and programs and the time allowed during the workshop for each team to work on developing their unique plan for interprofessional education (IPE) in oncology palliative care at their home institution. The iPEX program proved to be feasible, well-accepted, and valued by participants who reported personal, professional, and team growth and expressed appreciation for program support, content, and the exchange of ideas in a face-to-face setting. The results demonstrate that a faculty development program built on recommendations in the literature contributed to successful efforts to plan and initiate IPE in oncology palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use a nested-logit model of recreational fishing to examine how varying the range of fishing activities included in the choice set affects welfare measures. The basic analytical results are quite intuitive: welfare calculations with a site-choice travel cost model that omits relevant substitute activities will tend to understate gains and to overstate losses for a fixed sample and a fixed set of model parameters. The magnitude of bias in any particular case will be directly related to the degree of substitution between the omitted activities and the activities included in the model. In our empirical application, we examine changes in the quality of trout and salmon fishing on the Great Lakes and on anadromous runs. For most of the scenarios examined, we find that models that only include Great Lakes and anadromous fishing activities, to the exclusion of inland fishing activities, yield welfare results that are relatively similar to those of models that include the full range of activities, provided care is taken to extrapolate the results to a common population. The results are due to the relatively low predicted rates of substitution between inland and Great Lakes fishing activities. We derive implications for benefits transfer procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses clinical pathways, a clear, concise, standardized method for ordering and monitoring home nutrition support. Properties that a clinical pathway should have; Results of a study which was conducted to determine the usefulness of the home nutrition support clinical pathway.

Reports on the comparison of the measurements of resting energy expenditures in preadolescent children with cystic fibrosis. 31 preadolescent boys and girls as objects; Energy expenditure measurements; Statistical analysis; Applications.

Describes the cloning and sequencing of the overlapping genes encoding phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus. Polymerase chain reaction primers based on highly conserved regions of different PGK sequences; Glycolysis; Amino acid sequence; Termination codon of the PGK gene.

Serum retinol-binding protein (RBP) is believed to be responsible for the transport of retinol from its storage site in the liver to vitamin A requiring target cells such as keratinocytes. We have used primary mouse keratinocytes as a model system to compare the uptake and metabolism of [3H] retinol delivered to them either free in solution or bound to RBP. RBP was purified from rat serum, loaded with [3H]retinol, and the [3H]retinol-RBP complex purified by affinity chromatography on human transthyretin-Sepharose. Keratinocytes incubated with either free [3H]retinol or [3H]retinal-RBP complex accumulated [3H]retinol in a time and temperature dependent manner, However, cells incubated with free [3H]retinol acquired 15- to 20-fold more ligand than if the retinol was delivered via RBP. The uptake of free [3H]retinol or [3H]retinol from RBP was not inhibited by excess unlabeled free retinol. The uptake of [3H]retinol from RBP was inhibited by high concentrations of holo-RBP, with half maximal inhibition occurring at 3μM holo-RBP. However, no specific binding of 125I-labeled RBP to monolayers of keratinocytes or membranes prepared from them was found indicating the absence of a high affinity RBP receptor on keratinocytes. Surprisingly, 50% of the [3H]retinol delivered to the keratinocytes during a 30-min uptake period was released from them within 30-min irrespective of whether or not it was initially delivered to them as free [3H]retinol or bound to RBP. The remaining 50% was lost at a much slower rate, but only 20% remained 24-h after delivery. Studies on retinol metabolism demonstrated that 7%12% of the total cell-associated [3H]retinol delivered during a 90-min uptake period was esterified (mostly as retinyl palmitate) whether or not it was given free in solution or bound to RBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study relative to engraftment of donor T-cells as a determinant of disease remission for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It tells that the study included an analysis of the conditions of 21 CLL patients who were subjected to treatment methods such as allogeneic transplant. Moreover, it concludes that T-cell engraftment 30 days after allogeneic conditioning is a reliable determinant of molecular remission of CLL one year after transplant.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of creating a hands-on book club in Virginia.

High quality gold spots and lines have been deposited from gaseous dimethyl (2, 4-pentanedionato) gold (III) using a focused argon ion laser. Growth rates of 1 μm/s at power densities of 4×105 W/cm2 were obtained. Resistivity, threshold writing power densities, and deposition rates were measured and their relationship to the physical and chemical properties of the gaseous complex are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to construal level theory, consumers tend to think about their future abstractly, making it unclear and inexact. Here, a new approach is developed to help people enhance their future‐oriented outcomes by priming them to think about their future concretely. Two experiments show that priming a concrete mindset about the future leads to enhanced future‐oriented outcomes. Specifically, the studies show that participants discounted current funds in favor of future gains less when they were primed with a concrete mindset. Opportunity cost consideration is shown to be the mechanism driving this effect. Though research suggests that most consumers do not consider opportunity costs unless they are explicitly presented to them, priming a concrete mindset increases consideration of opportunity costs so that consumers can make better current decisions that will enhance their future‐oriented outcomes. This research helps to better understand why thinking concretely about the future is beneficial to future‐oriented outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the studies on the impact of domestic violence in the workplace drawing on recently completed research. Topics include domestic abuse which continues for employees to disclose experiences, resulting in disciplinary sanctions against many victims, as poor performance, attendance and other workplace problems are misinterpreted. Article also reports evidence of partnership working between managers and union representatives experiencing both for individuals and organizations.

This article offers information on the Art Bag Project at the Rockbridge Regional Library. The project is aimed at instigating creativity at the library. Canvas book bags were used for the project. The different styles of artwork and materials used for the project are described. The artworks were sold and the library generated total sales of $1,088.

The rise of the modern state is often associated with the demise of particularistic ties and authoritarian patriarchy. Classically, particularism gives way to universalism, patronage, hierarchy, and deference to the 'equalities' of contract. But history is not a one-way street nor is patriarchy all of one kind. Society's legal arrangements, structure, custom, power, affect, and sex swing back and forth between values of distance, deference, and patronage and those stressing greater egalitarianism in personal and political relations. Though they vary in type, patriarchy and particularism as cultural systems do not disappear but ebb, flow, and are revived, their oscillation driven by particular economic goals and political insecurities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Natural capital and ecosystem services informing decisions: From promise to practice," by A. D. Guerry and colleagues in the 2015 issue.