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ObjectiveAs a high-efficiency demanding department in a hospital, the outpatient pharmacy has a great need for quality improvement to provide superior medical service for patients. Little is known about the application of 5S management in a hospital pharmacy department. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of 5S management on pharmaceutical service quality and staff capacity in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy.MethodsWe carried out a 5S project in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy at a local hospital that involved processes including waste elimination, workplace standardisation, and optimisation of workflow and staff quality, and then evaluated the effects of the project.ResultsThe equipment and items in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy were sorted. All the drugs were categorised and put in order. The redesigned workspace and standardised workflow during the project improved the accuracy and efficiency of drug dispensing. The satisfaction rate of patients regarding the pharmaceutical service quality in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy was elevated, as well as the satisfaction rate of pharmacists about their work experiences. The optimisation of objective conditions also stimulated a positive working attitude and professional ability promotion of pharmacists in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy.ConclusionsIn this study, the 5S management method has proven useful for quality and efficiency improvement in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy, and could be generalised to other departments in a hospital, which provides further evidence of the advantages of the Lean tool in healthcare system management.

The PHLDA3gene encodes a small 127 amino acid protein with a pleckstrin homology (PH)-only domain. The expression and significance of PHLDA3 in lung cancer remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of PHLDA3 in tumor proliferation and invasion in lung adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting analyses were used to assess PHLDA3 expression in lung cancer tissues, and its correlation with clinicopathological factors in lung cancer. Plasmids encoding PHLDA3 and small interfering RNA against PHLDA3were used to regulate the expression of PHLDA3 in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, the effects of PHLDA3 on lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion were investigated using the MTS, colony formation, Matrigel invasion, and wound healing assays. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis and inhibitors of both the Wnt signaling pathway and GSK3β were used to explore the regulatory mechanisms underlying the role of PHLDA3 in lung cancer cells. PHLDA3 was found to be overexpressed in lung cancer tissues, and its expression was correlated with poor outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma patients. PHLDA3 expression promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of lung cancer cells. Overexpression of PHLDA3 activated the Wnt signaling pathway and facilitated epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Inhibition of Wnt signaling pathway activity, using XAV-939, reversed the effects of PHLDA3 overexpression in lung cancer cells; moreover, PHLDA3 could bind to GSK3β. Inhibition of GSK3β activity, using CHIR-99021, restored the proliferative and invasive abilities of PHLDA3 knockdown cells. Our findings demonstrate that PHLDA3 is highly expressed in lung adenocarcinomas and is correlated with poor outcomes. Furthermore, it promotes the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells by activating the Wnt signaling pathway.

Aberrantly activated Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is critical for driving the initiation and progression of multiple types of cancers, including medulloblastoma (MB) and basal cellular carcinoma (BCC). The majority of current Hh antagonist function by targeting the transmembrane domain of the oncoprotein Smoothened (Smo), a G-protein-coupled receptor-like receptor of Hh pathway. However, the primary and acquired resistance to current Smo inhibitors raise a critical need to develop next-generation of Smo inhibitors to improve their clinical efficacy. In this study, we identify that FDA approved drug ABT-199 significantly and selectively inhibits the Hh pathway. Mechanistically, ABT-199 acts as a competitive inhibitor of oxysterol by potentially targeting the cysteine rich domain (CRD) of Smo, rather as a BH3 mimetic. ABT-199 obviously inhibits the growth of Hh-driven tumors and possesses capacity of combating the primary and acquired resistance to Smo inhibitors caused by Smomutations. Our data reposition ABT-199 as a Smo inhibitor for treating Hh-driven tumors, especially for those bearing Smomutations and resistant to current Smo inhibitors. Meanwhile, our findings strengthen the argument that the CRD of Smo is a promising target for developing novel Smo inhibitors with capacity of combating the resistance to Smo inhibitors.

Background: Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is an evolutionarily conserved MAP kinaserelated kinase involved in the pathogenesis of several human cancers. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and role of NLK in lung cancers, and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: We examined the expression of NLK in lung cancer tissues through western blot analysis. We enhanced or knocked down NLK expression by gene transfection or RNA interference, respectively, in lung cancer cells, and examined expression alterations of key proteins in the Wnt signaling pathway and in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We also examined the roles of NLK in the proliferation and invasiveness of lung cancer cells by cell proliferation, colony formation, and Matrigel invasion assays. Results: NLK expression was found to be significantly higher in lung cancer tissue samples than in corresponding healthy lung tissue samples. Overexpression of NLK correlated with poor prognosis of patients with lung cancer. Overexpression of NLK upregulated β-catenin, TCF4, and Wnt target genes such as cyclin D1, c-Myc, and MMP7. N-cadherin and TWIST, the key proteins in EMT, were upregulated, while E-cadherin expression was reduced. Additionally, proliferation, colony formation, and invasion turned out to be enhanced in NLK-overexpressing cells. After NLK knockdown in lung cancer cells, we obtained the opposite results. Conclusion: NLK is overexpressed in lung cancers and indicates poor prognosis. Overexpression of NLK activates the Wnt signaling pathway and EMT and promotes the proliferation and invasiveness of lung cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC), classified as a lethal form of cancer, substantially threatens human well-being. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) reflect subsets for cancerous cells having basic stem-cell type properties, being significantly involved in the development of chemoresistance and tumor relapsing. The aberrant TRIM27expression in various types of cancer indicates its potential involvement in cancer growth and progression. The current understanding of the TRIM27involvement in CRC remains limited. In current study indicated that TRIM27can potentially promote CSC-type phenotype of Cisplatin (DDP)-resistant CRC cells. YTHDF1recruitment onto m6A-amended TRIM27was crucial for facilitating the TRIM27translating process in DDP-resistant CRC cells. The present research proposes that TRIM27exhibits an oncogenic role by enhancing the CSC-type properties in DDP-resistant CRC viathe m6A-modified pathway. The potential therapy for combating the relapse of CRC may include TRIM27and YTHDF1, as they have been found to have significant roles in promoting CSC-type phenotypic characteristics.

The classical Montgomery ladder algorithm (MPL) is an effective way to improve the operational efficiency of elliptic curve cryptography. First, an improved MPL is proposed by loop unrolling, and then the Montgomery elliptic curve encryption and decryption process is realized using data parallel and task parallel. The experimental results show that the ratio of acceleration parallel processing efficiency can reach 70%, and the method can effectively improve the speed of elliptic curve encryption algorithm.

The probabilistic fuzzy set (PFS) is designed for handling the uncertainties with both stochastic and fuzzy features. In this paper, the fundamental analyses are conducted to study influences of random variations to the fuzzy membership degree and its convergence. The analysis clearly discloses that fuzzy membership degree will show Gaussian features. The work presented will improve the potential application of probabilistic fuzzy sets.

In railway transport, stochastic resonance (SR) and some phenomena may happen when multi-machine traction system is hauling a sequence of carriages. These phenomena may vary with the coupling coefficients among these traction machines. To work together fluently and produce the maximum output, energy changes and maximum output of this system can be worked out with the power spectrum of the coupling system. Genetic algorithm can be used to search for the best coupling matrix so as different traction machines can work fluently and efficiently as a whole.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is commonly used to treat migraine. We assessed the efficacy of acupuncture at migraine-specific acupuncture points compared with other acupuncture points and sham acupuncture. METHODS: We performed a multicentre, single-blind randomized controlled trial. In total, 480 patients with migraine were randomly assigned to one of four groups (Shaoyang-specific acupuncture, Shaoyang-nonspecific acupuncture, Yangming-specific acupuncture or sham acupuncture [control]). All groups received 20 treatments, which included electrical stimulation, over a period of four weeks. The primary outcome was the number of days with a migraine experienced during weeks 5–8 after randomization. Our secondary outcomes included the frequency of migraine attack, migraine intensity and migraine-specific quality of life. RESULTS: Compared with patients in the control group, patients in the acupuncture groups reported fewer days with a migraine during weeks 5–8, however the differences between treatments were not significant (p > 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the number of days with a migraine during weeks 13–16 in all acupuncture groups compared with control (Shaoyang-specific acupuncture v. control: difference –1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI) –1.77 to –0.5], p = 0.003; Shaoyang-nonspecific acupuncture v. control: difference –1.22 [95% CI –1.92 to –0.52], p < 0.001; Yangming-specific acupuncture v. control: difference –0.91 [95% CI –1.61 to –0.21], p = 0.011). We found that there was a significant, but not clinically relevant, benefit for almost all secondary outcomes in the three acupuncture groups compared with the control group. We found no relevant differences between the three acupuncture groups. INTERPRETATION: Acupuncture tested appeared to have a clinically minor effect on migraine prophylaxis compared with sham acupuncture. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00599586

Four similar truck travel-demand (TTD) models were developed for Wisconsin using 1993 Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) origin–destination (O-D) data and a limited number of truck classification count data. First, statewide zonal-level trip tables were developed using the CFS database. Then gravity models for four trip types were calibrated to match the trip-length frequency distributions of the CFS O-D trip tables. Finally, zonal trip productions and attractions were adjusted using an iterative procedure to match assigned traffic volumes with truck classification count data for 40 selected links. The four alternative TTD models differed only in the method used to assign external trips to the external stations. All of the models provided reasonable levels of goodness-of-fit to the 40 selected calibration links, as well as 104 additional count locations across the state. The primary limitation of the four models was that they substantially underestimated the truck trips that crossed the state boundary. The CFS data focused on longer-distance transport of major commodities; therefore, the local truck trips that used the external stations were underrepresented in the model. Simple regression models for estimating trip productions and attractions were developed using zonal population and employment as the independent variables. These improved models were possible because the CFS data made available more detailed initial estimates of trip productions and attractions.

A project was designed to enhance the ability of inspectors at fixed safety and weight stations (scales) to identify "out-of-service" (OOS) commercial vehicles and drivers by using advanced video-based license plate scanners linked to database software on a personal computer, the MOOSE system. In Wisconsin the results of safety inspections at the scales are stored in real time on a central computer database. This includes commercial vehicles and drivers placed OOS because of major safety violations. The primary goals were to increase the effectiveness of OOS enforcement efforts, establish a bistate enforcement program, and identify future applications. The technology was tested on a corridor involving three scales in Wisconsin and one in Minnesota on westbound I-90/I-94. The MOOSE system did identify a large number of OOS vehicles and drivers, but upon reinspection, almost no current OOS violations were found. The MOOSE system was successfully implemented at the Minnesota scale, but, as in Wisconsin, very few current OOS violations were identified. Because the Minnesota scale operates 24 hr/day, drivers coming from Wisconsin who are still OOS will probably use bypass routes. The greatest potential benefit from the MOOSE system is likely to be from linking the license plates to a new system that provides safety rating scores. Inspectors could then select vehicles for inspection that have a higher probability of being OOS or having other safety violations.

A recent study conducted by Kaohsiung Medical University examined racial and ethnic disparities in the treatment and survival rates of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study analyzed data from 6,069 patients from the United States and Asia and found that Black patients were more likely to have advanced stages of HCC compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Treatment rates with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) were suboptimal across all groups. However, the study also found that racial and ethnic disparities resolved with HCV cure, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and improved access to HCV treatment for all patients. [Extracted from the article]

Five new flavonoids, cryptoconones A-E(1-5), along with six known compounds (6-11), were isolated from the stems of Cryptocarya concinna. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation, and the absolute configurations were determined via circular dichroismspectra and X-ray crystal analysis. The cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of these compounds were also evaluated. Compounds 9 and 10 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against HCT116, HT-29, SW480, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 6.25 to 9.35 µM. Compounds 8 and 11 exhibited antimicrobial activity against Fusarium moniliforme and Botrytis cinerea, respectively, with the same minimum inhibitory concentration of 5 µg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2024 JAN 27 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Current study results on hepatitis C virus have been published. According to [...]