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Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate health care provider awareness and perceptions of the 2 types of advanced practice pharmacists (APPhs) in New Mexico: pharmacist clinicians (PhCs) and community pharmacists with independent prescriptive authority (iRPhs).Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey was administered to health care providers in New Mexico to describe awareness and perceptions of APPhs and benefits and barriers to collaborative practice with APPhs.Results: A total of 5905 providers received the emailed survey, and 634 (11%) completed the survey, with 68% of the respondents indicating that they were not aware of the 2 types of APPhs in New Mexico. The top benefits of working with a PhC identified by the respondents were access to medication knowledge, enhanced clinical outcomes, and increased access to patient care. The barriers to employing a PhC at their practice included cost, difficulty in billing for services, and limited reimbursement. Importantly, 80% of the respondents felt that PhCs should be recognized as providers for insurance reimbursement. Awareness of iRPhs varied by prescriptive authority service, ranging from 34% for tuberculin skin testing to 84% for adult vaccinations. Overall, 80%-92% indicated that iRPhs should be reimbursed, depending on the prescriptive authority service.Conclusion: Provider awareness of APPhs in New Mexico was low; however, the willingness to refer patients to APPhs for clinical services was high. Cost, difficulty in billing for services, and reimbursement for PhC services were the primary identified barriers to adding a PhC into practice. Most of the respondents indicated that both types of APPhs should be granted provider status and reimbursed by third-party payers for their services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer-related hypercalcemia (CRH) is a critical paraneoplastic disorder in advanced cancer patients. In clinical practice, patients with CRH have a poor prognosis. The medical records of 3198 oral cancer patients with CRH diagnosed at Taichung Veterans General Hospital from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2015 were reviewed. The criteria for patient enrolment were a diagnosis of hypercalcemia or the use of antihypercalcemia medication. Patients who met any of the following criteria were excluded: use of total parenteral nutrition, incomplete serum calcium data, and unknown date of death. The total incidence of CRH was 6.95‰ per year. A total of 91 patients were enrolled; their median survival time was 28 days. The patients were divided into two groups by survival time, with a cut-off point of 30 days. Reduced serum albumin, leucocytosis, and clodronate use had a statistically significant effect on survival in the univariate analysis (all P < 0.05). Forty-five patients (49.5%) had recurrence of CRH, of whom nine died within 30 days. These nine patients had a shorter interval to the first episode of CRH recurrence (median 13 days) than those who survived ≥30 days (median 28 days) ( P < 0.001). It was observed that a short interval to the first episode of CRH recurrence is a poor prognostic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to quantify Salmonella counts on retail raw poultry meat in Vietnam and to phenotypically characterize (serovars and antibiotic resistance) the isolates. A total of 300 chicken carcasses were collected from two cities and two provinces in Vietnam. Salmonella counts on the samples were determined according to the most-probable-number (MPN) method of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS). A total of 457 isolates were serotyped and tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Overall, 48.7% of chicken samples were Salmonella positive with a count of 2.0 log MPN per carcass. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in log MPN per carcass by the study variables (market type, storage condition, and chicken production system). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in Salmonella-positive prevalence by chicken production system. Among the 22 Salmonella serovars identified, Albany was the most frequent (34.1%), followed by Agona (15.5%) and Dabou (8.8%). Resistance to at least one antibiotic was common (i.e., 73.3%), with high resistance to tetracycline (59.1%) and ampicillin (41.6%). Resistance to three antibiotics was the most frequently found multidrug resistance profile (17.7%, n = 81); the profile that was resistant to the highest number of drugs was resistant to nine antibiotics (0.7%, n = 3). Only Salmonella Albany posed phenotypic resistance to ceftriaxone (a drug of choice to treat severe cases of salmonellosis). The data revealed that, whereas Salmonella prevalence on raw poultry was high (48.7%), counts were low, which suggests that the exposure risk to Salmonella is low. However, improper storage of raw chicken meat and cross-contamination may increase Salmonella cell counts and pose a greater risk for infection. These data may be helpful in developing risk assessment models and preventing the transmission of foodborne Salmonella from poultry to humans in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] During 2006–2010 in Vietnam, influenza viruses co-circulated most years and often peaked multiple times each year. [•] 22% of patients with ILI enrolled in the National Influenza Surveillance System (NISS) in Vietnam were influenza positive. [•] 9.3% of ILI patients in NISS in Vietnam were reported as subsequently hospitalized, of which 19% were influenza positive. [•] NISS suggests influenza is an important cause of ILI and reported subsequent hospitalization among outpatients in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Crinum latifolium L. (CL) leaf extracts have been traditionally used in Vietnam and are now used all over the world for the treatment of prostate cancer. However, the precise cellular mechanisms of the action of CL extracts remain unclear. Aim of the study: To examine the effects of CL samples on the anti-tumour activity of peritoneal murine macrophages. Materials and methods: The properties of three extracts (aqueous, flavonoid, alkaloid), one fraction (alkaloid), and one pure compound (6-hydroxycrinamidine) obtained from CL, were studied (i) for redox capacities (DPPH and bleaching beta-carotene assays), (ii) on murine peritoneal macrophages (MTT assay) and on lymphoma EL4-luc2 cells (luciferine assay) for cytotoxicity, (iii) on macrophage polarization (production of ROS and gene expression by PCR), and (iv) on the tumoricidal functions of murine peritoneal macrophages (lymphoma cytotoxicity by co-culture with syngeneic macrophages). Results: The total flavonoid extract with a high antioxidant activity (IC50=107.36mg/L, DPPH assay) showed an inhibitory action on cancer cells. Alkaloid extracts inhibited the proliferation of lymphoma cells either by directly acting on tumour cells or by activating of the tumoricidal functions of syngeneic macrophages. The aqueous extract induced mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) indicating differentiation of macrophages into pro-inflammatory M1 polarized macrophages. The total flavonoid, alkaloid extracts and an alkaloid fraction induced the expression of the formyl peptide receptor (FPR) on the surface of the polarized macrophages that could lead to the activation of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype. Aqueous and flavonoid extracts enhanced NADPH quinine oxido-reductase 1 (NQO1) mRNA expression in polarized macrophages which could play an important role in cancer chemoprevention. All the samples studied were non-toxic to normal living cells and the pure alkaloid tested, 6-hydroxycrinamidine, was not active in any of the models investigated. Conclusions: Our results indicate that CL extracts and alkaloid fraction (but not pure 6-hydroxycrinamidine) inhibit the proliferation of lymphoma cells in multiple pathways. Our results are in accordance with traditional usage and encourage further studies and in vivo assays. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cultures of the sulfate reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio desulfuricans were grown under anoxic conditions to study the effect of added sulfide, selenite and mercuric ions. A chemical trap consisting in a CuSO4 solution was used to control the poisoning effect induced by the bacterial production of hydrogen sulfide via the precipitation of CuS. Following the addition of Hg2+, the formation of methylmercury (MeHg) was correlated to bacterial proliferation with most of MeHg found in the culture medium. A large fraction (50–80%) of added Hg2+ to a culture ended up in a solid phase (Hg0 and likely HgS) limiting its bioavailability to cells with elemental Hg representing ~40% of the solid. Following the addition of selenite, a small fraction was converted into Se(0) inside the cells and, even though the conversion to this selenium species increased with the increase of added selenite, it never reached more than 49% of the added amount. The formation of volatile dimethylselenide is suggested as another detoxification mechanism. In cultures containing both added selenite and mercuric ions, elemental forms of the two compounds were still produced and the increase of selenium in the residual fraction of the culture suggests the formation of mercuric selenite limiting the bioavailability of both elements to cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella on chicken carcasses collected from six regions in Vietnam. A total of 1,000 whole, dressed chicken carcasses were collected from five cities and seven provinces across the six regions in Vietnam. Of these, 900 samples were collected from wet markets and 100 from supermarkets. All samples were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella according to a method recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. The overall Salmonella prevalence was 45.9%. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in Salmonella prevalence by (i) location (Ha Noi city, 51.1%; Hai Phong city, 45.6%; Da Nang and Can Tho cities, 45.5%; Bac Ninh province and Ho Chi Minh city, 44.7%; Dong Nai province, 44.6%; Ha Tinh province, 44.4%; Phu Tho province, 43.8%; Lao Cai province, 43.5%; Kien Giang province, 41.9%; and Lam Dong province, 40.9%), (ii) market type (wet market, 46.2%; supermarket samples, 43.0%), and (iii) storage temperature at retail (ambient storage, 46.4%; chilled storage, 45.1%). Hence, Salmonella presence on poultry meat in Vietnam was not associated with a specific city or province, market type, or storage temperature at retail. Strategies to reduce Salmonella levels on raw poultry in Vietnam should be undertaken to improve the safe of poultry products and reduce the incidence of human salmonellosis from poultry consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Patients with limited cutaneous SSc reported 94 symptoms across 22 domains. • Major domains were: Skin, MSK, heart, lung, GI, fatigue, sleep, RP, pain and DUs. • Heart and lung were concerns for lcSSc patients through their impact on survival. Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) is the largest subgroup of people with SSc, but little is known about symptom experience from the patients' perspective. This study aimed to comprehensively identify domains and symptoms reported as bothersome by patients with lcSSc and to analyze themes and sub-themes capturing symptom experience in this population. Focus groups of patients with lcSSc were conducted using a structured guide. Patients were recruited based on an a priori purposive framework to include men and women with SSc. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, anonymized, and analyzed using the RADaR technique (rigorous and accelerated data reduction) combined with iterative, deductive and inductive approaches. Four 2-hour Focus groups comprising participants with lcSSc were conducted (N = 26). Ninety-four symptoms were identified with 22 domains. Symptoms from the following domains were mentioned in all Focus groups: skin, musculoskeletal (MSK), cardiac, pulmonary, gastro-intestinal (GI) manifestations, fatigue, sleep, Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), pain, and digital ulcers. The three most cited domains in a pre-meeting survey were GI, RP and MSK. Seven themes defining symptom experience were identified: difficulty attributing symptoms to this complex systemic disease, influence of symptom temporality, impairment of emotional well-being, limitations in functioning (including several sub-themes of functioning), survival, symptoms management and uncertainty. This study comprehensively identified domains and symptoms considered bothersome from the perspective of patients with lcSSc and summarized patient experience of lcSSc-related symptoms. This study is the first step in the design of a future combined response index dedicated to lcSSc that could foster specific research on this subpopulation of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts on medical topics which include predictors of invasion in patients with core-needle biopsy-diagnosed ductal carcinoma in situ, multicentric breast cancer, and role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in ductal carcinoma-in-situ treated by mastectomy.

One result of the discovery of homogeneous metallocene stereospecific catalysts is the ability to prepare polypropylene in a stereoblock form in which the isotactic stretches give crystallites acting as temporary crosslinks in an elastomeric network structure. The fact that these elastomers are thermoplastic and thus reprocessible increases the importance of establishing their structure–property relationships. In this report, the dependence of their physical properties on isotactic pentad content, molecular weight, and possible strain-induced crystallization are described. Thermal evaluations and mechanical tests of these materials under oscillatory strain, continuous extension and near-equilibrium uniaxial and biaxial elongation showed that they were multiphase, tough elastomeric materials. Their moduli and tensile strengths increased with increase in % isotactic pentad content and with increase in molecular weight. Equilibrium stress–strain measurements showed the occurrence of strain-induced crystallization in uniaxial, but not in biaxial, deformations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses research on cancer axillary recurrence in breast cancer patients following negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). It references the study "Axillary Recurrence After Negative Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Frequency & Factors Influencing Recurrence on the Long Term," by I. Sanli and colleagues which appeared in a 2009 issue of "Breast Journal." Under the study, three such patients exhibited isolated axillary recurrences. Results indicate that patients with sentinel node-negative disease tend to have low risk of axillary recurrence.

Background: Dengue fever has become a worldwide public health concern, threatening an estimated 40% of the world's population. However, most resource and focus are still put on malaria in Africa. Dengue statuses are poorly recognized in many African countries. Methods & Materials: This serological survey demonstrated dengue virus (DENV) transmission with serum samples collected from 78 pregnant women in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (DRSTP) during 2003 to 2004. Results: Immunofluorescence assay was performed and found 31 samples (39.74%) were positive for DENV antibodies. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that 53 samples (67.95%) were positive for dengue E IgG, and 38 samples (48.72%) were positive forNS1IgG.Aprevalence of 35.9%wastherefore determined for dengue IgG considering samples positive by all three tests. Cross-reactions with other flaviviruses were examined by indirect ELISA against Japanese encephalitis virus,WestNile virus, and yellow fever virus. Only one sample exhibited stronger absorbance against Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus. Moreover, one sample was positive for dengue IgM. These results agreed with the previous researches in neighboring countries and suggested DENV circulation. Conclusion: The study contributes to raise public awareness of dengue and support future control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with end-stage renal disease may present with pericardiopleural effusion secondary to volume overload and overhydration. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of renal transplantation in these pediatric patients.From 1981 to 2001, six of 20 patients (30%) under 18 years old who received renal transplants showed pericardiopleural effusion after serial pretransplant imaging studies. These patients also displayed associated diseases, such as congestive heart failure (n = 3), ascites (n = 2), and splenomegaly (n = 2). The recipients included five boys and one girl of mean age of 12.7 years (range, 8 to 17 years), all of whom had undergone hemodialysis before transplantation. The waiting time for grafts ranged from 1.3 to 6 years (mean = 2.6 years). Episodes of acute pulmonary edema had been observed in three patients pretransplant.One recipient died with a functioning graft due to heart failure with acute pulmonary edema at 4 months after transplantation. Acute rejection episodes were observed in three, and chronic rejection in two children. The median follow-up was 11 years (range = 6 to 16 years) in the other five recipients, all of whom presently survive with functioning grafts. The posttransplant mean serum creatinine levels at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 1.54 ± 0.44, 1.74 ± 0.56, and 1.92 ± 0.56 mg/dL, respectively.Renal transplantation in children displaying pericardiopleural effusion was associated with a high success rate. However, these patients must be followed closely with regular cardiopulmonary evaluation since their condition may deteriorate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses research on the role of lymph node assessment (LNA) in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). It references a study by M. R. Porembka and colleagues published in the 2008 issue of the "Annals of Surgical Oncology." The researchers conducted a case-control study to identify variables associated with LNA in DCIS patients and the use of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) compared with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Findings revealed no persistent and excessive utilization of ALND for LNA in women with DCIS.

A 99mTc labeled tropane derivative, [99mTc] TRODAT-1 (2β-((N,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl) ethylene diamino)methyl), 3β-(4-chlorophenyl) tropane), is a potential dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging agent for the central nervous system. To better understand the binding localization of [99mTc] TRODAT-1 both in the brain and the body, whole-body macroautoradiography (WBAR) was used in this study. The effect of DAT competing drugs, such as levadopa (l-DOPA), N-methyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4fluorophenyl)tropane (CFT, WIN 35,428) and methylphenidate, on the biodistribution of [99mTc] TRODAT-1 were also included in this study. Doses of 150MBq [99mTc] TRODAT-1 were injected into normal male ICR mice through the caudal veins. For comparison, mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), l-DOPA, methylphenidate and CFT, respectively, were also investigated under the similar protocols. One and a half hours after [99mTc] TRODAT-1 injection, the mice were sacrificed. Whole-body autoradiography was performed immediately after sacrifice. Both frontal and sagittal sections showed that the liver and mucosa of stomach had the highest uptake of [99mTc] TRODAT-1. Other binding sites included the periphery of the spinal cord and the epithelium of the intestine. In the brain, autoradiographic imaging obtained from frontal sections showed symmetrical uptakes of [99mTc] TRODAT-1 in bilateral striata. Remaining binding sites include olfactory bulbs, thyroid gland, and salivary gland. The autoradiographic imaging obtained from sagittal sections showed a similar biodistribution. Mice treated with MPTP or l-DOPA showed no significant difference in the uptake of [99mTc] TRODAT-1 in bilateral striata, as compared to those of the control. In CFT or methylphenidate-treated mice, DAT binding sites were almost completely inhibited. These data showed that [99mTc] TRODAT-1 has potential clinical use for neurological investigation, such as Parkinson's and similar diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • VSP and its distribution best reflect the impact of driving features on vehicle fuel consumption. • The VSP bin within [0, 1) interval consumes the largest fuel of 3.6 L per 100 km. • The average fuel consumption of 3.01 L per 100 km for motorcycles in Hanoi was determined. • The creeping mode was determined to be the most fuel-wasting mode, up to 7.9 L per 100 km. • The highest fuel consumption rate of Hanoi's motorcycles 159.9 mg/s at acceleration mode was found. This study aims to identify the impact of real-world driving characteristics on the actual fuel consumption (FC) of motorcycles (MC) so that drivers can have better driving behavior to save fuel and reduce air emissions. A data logger installed directly on MC was utilized to gather real-world operation data of MC which includes instantaneous speed and fuel consumption rate (FR inst), second by second. The collected data were preprocessed, then fed to extract typical driving characteristic parameters that strongly impact the fuel consumption of MC. Among the extracted parameters, vehicle-specific power (VSP) and its distribution best reflect the impact of real-world driving characteristics on the FC rate of MC (R2 = 0.88). The VSP bin in the range [0, 1] has the highest FC, 3.6 L/100 km, while the actual FC corresponding to the full VSP distribution of MC in Hanoi is 3.01 L/100 km only. Among the running modes of MC, creeping mode is the most fuel-wasting one, up to 7.9 L/100 km. In steady running mode, FR inst in the high-speed range is higher than that in the low-speed range. Overall, the larger the average speed and cruising time proportion plus the smaller the proportions of stopping and creeping time, the lower the emissions and the better the fuel economy. Thus, smooth driving technique could save fuel and reduce air pollutant emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute exercise can positively impact cognition. The present study examined the effect of acute high-intensity aerobic exercise on prefrontal-dependent cognitive performance and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Fifty-eight young adults were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups: (a) an acute bout of high-intensity exercise (n = 29) or (b) a non-exercise control (n = 29). Participants in the exercise group improved performance on inhibitory control in Stroop interference and on cognitive flexibility in Trail Making Test (TMT) Part-B compared with participants in the control group and increased BDNF immediately after exercise. There was a significant relationship between BDNF and TMT Part-B on the pre-post change following exercise. These findings provide support for the association between improved prefrontal-dependent cognitive performance and increased BDNF in response to acute exercise. We conclude that the changes in BDNF concentration may be partially responsible for prefrontal-dependent cognitive functioning following an acute bout of exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of the Culex vishnui subgroup, Cx. fuscocephala and Cx. gelidus , which are known Japanese encephalitis (JE) vectors, are distributed in rice agroecosystems in Asian countries. Hence, although ecological studies of rice agroecosystems in northern Vietnam are necessary, very few integrated studies of breeding habitats of mosquitoes, including JE vectors, have been conducted. We carried out a field study and investigated the mosquito fauna in six rice production areas in northern Vietnam during the rainy and dry seasons of 2009. Mosquitoes and potential mosquito predators were collected from aquatic habitats by using larval dippers. We collected 1780 Culex individuals (including 254 Cx. tritaeniorhynchus ; 113 Cx. vishnui , 58 Cx. vishnui complex, consisting of Cx. vishnui and Cx. pseudovishnui ; 12 Cx. gelidus ; 1 Cx. bitaeniorhynchus ; and 1 Cx. fuscocephala ), 148 Anopheles individuals (including 5 An. vagus ), 1 Mansonia annulifera , and 1 Mimomyia chamberlaini during the rainy season. During the dry season, we collected 176 Culex individuals (including 33 Cx. vishnui , 24 Cx. tritaeniorhynchus , 8 Cx. vishnui complex, and 1 Cx. gelidus ) and 186 Anopheles individuals (including 9 An. tessellatus , 2 An. kochi , and 2 An. barbumbrosus ). We found mosquitoes in all aquatic habitats, namely, rice fields, ditches, ponds, wetlands, irrigation canals, and rice nurseries, and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. vishnui complex were found in all the above six areas. Heteroptera such as Micronecta , Veliidae, and Pleidae were abundant and widely distributed in both the seasons. The abundance of mosquito larvae was higher in the rice fields, ditches, and ponds during the rainy season than during the dry season. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus , Cx. vishnui complex, Cx. fuscocephala , and Cx. gelidus were abundant in rice agroecosystems (rice fields, ditches, ponds, and wetlands) in northern Vietnam, and their abundance was high during the rainy season. These findings deepen our understanding of mosquito ecology and strengthen mosquito control strategies to be applied in rice ecosystems Vietnam in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents experimentally a photocatalytic heterogeneous structure of high-density ZnO nanowire (NW) arrays grown on large Ag microplates. First, the dense single-crystalline ZnO NW fabricated using an economical hydrothermal method possess a great reactive surface area because of their high surface-to-volume ratio. In addition, the large Ag microplates synthesized using a simple and competitive growth method serve as an electron reservoir. The heterojunction between ZnO NW and Ag microplates forms a Schottky contact to separate the electrons from the photogenerated excitons in ZnO NW, prolonging the lifetime of excitons and enhancing their photocatalytic capability. The photodegradation experiment employs the methylene blue aqueous solution to reveal a kinetic rate constant of up to 6.60×10−3 min−1 at a low concentration of the ZnO/Ag heterogeneous structure on the ppm scale, and indicates an outstanding figure of merit of 1.02×10−2 compared with previously reported ZnO/Ag heterogeneous structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Two randomised, placebo-controlled trials—BENCHMRK-1 and BENCHMRK-2—investigated the efficacy and safety of raltegravir, an HIV-1 integrase strand-transfer inhibitor. We report final results of BENCHMRK-1 and BENCHMRK-2 combined at 3 years (the end of the double-blind phase) and 5 years (the end of the study). Methods: Integrase-inhibitor-naive patients with HIV resistant to three classes of drug and who were failing antiretroviral therapy were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to raltegravir 400 mg twice daily or placebo, both with optimised background treatment. Patients and investigators were masked to treatment allocation until week 156, after which all patients were offered open-label raltegravir until week 240. The primary endpoint was previously assessed at 16 weeks. We assessed long-term efficacy with endpoints of the proportion of patients with an HIV viral load of less than 50 copies per mL and less than 400 copies per mL, and mean change in CD4 cell count, at weeks 156 and 240. Findings: 1012 patients were screened for inclusion. 462 were treated with raltegravir and 237 with placebo. At week 156, 51% in the raltegravir group versus 22% in the placebo group (non-completer classed as failure) had viral loads of less than 50 copies per mL, and 54% versus 23% had viral loads of less than 400 copies per mL. Mean CD4 cell count increase (analysed by an observed failure approach) was 164 cells per μL versus 63 cells per μL. After week 156, 251 patients (54%) from the raltegravir group and 47 (20%) from the placebo group entered the open-label raltergravir phase; 221 (47%) versus 44 (19%) completed the entire study. At week 240, viral load was less than 50 copies per mL in 193 (42%) of all patients initially assigned to raltegravir and less than 400 copies per mL in 210 (45%); mean CD4 cell count increased by 183 cells per μL. Virological failure occurred in 166 raltegravir recipients (36%) during the double-blind phase and in 17 of all patients (6%) during the open-label phase. The most common drug-related adverse events at 5 years in both groups were nausea, headache, and diarrhoea, and occurred in similar proportions in each group. Laboratory test results were similar in both treatment groups and showed little change after year 2. Interpretation: Raltegravir has a favourable long-term efficacy and safety profile in integrase-inhibitor-naive patients with triple-class resistant HIV in whom antiretroviral therapy is failing. Raltegravir is an alternative for treatment-experienced patients, particularly those with few treatment options. Funding: Merck Sharp & Dohme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although only 10% of islet transplant recipients maintain insulin independence, 80% of them are C-peptide positive at 5 years. To better understand the fate of transplanted islets, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique has been used to detect superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)–labeled transplanted islets. Recently, we successfully used a novel MRI contrast agent, chitosan-coated SPIO (CSPIO) nanoparticles, to monitor mouse islet isografts for 18 weeks after transplantation. In the present study, we tested whether CSPIO could be applied to monitor islet allografts, which are supposedly rejected without immune interventions. Male C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice were used as donors and recipients of islet transplantation, respectively. After overnight incubation with or without CSPIO (10 μg/mL), 300 C57BL/6 islets were transplanted under the left kidney capsule of each Balb/c mouse. Starting from day 10 after transplantation, 3.0-Tesla MRI of the recipients was performed weekly. Four mice were followed for ≥38 days. At 38 and 45 days, 1 islet graft was removed for insulin and Prussian blue staining, respectively. From days 10 to 45 after transplantation, CSPIO-labeled islet grafts were visualized on MRI scans as sustained distinct hypointense spots homogeneously located at the upper pole of left kidney, the site of transplantation. At days 38 and 45, the histology of CSPIO-labeled islet grafts revealed insulin and iron staining colocalized in the same areas. Our results in a mouse allotransplantation model indicated that CSPIO-labeled islets survived as long as 45 days with positive MRI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although only 10% of islet recipients maintain insulin independence, 80% of them are C-peptide positive at 5 years after transplantation. To better understand the fate of transplanted islets, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique has been used to detect Feridex-labeled islet grafts in rodents. In this study, we used a novel MRI contrast agent, chitosan-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide (CSPIO) nanoparticles, to monitor mouse islet grafts. Male inbred C57BL/6 mice were used as donors and recipients of islet transplantation. The islet cytotoxicity was evaluated by fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide staining for RAW cells incubated with CSPIO. After being incubated overnight with and without CSPIO (10 mg/mL), 300 islets were transplanted under the left kidney capsule of each mouse. After transplantation, 3.0-Tesla MRI of the recipients was performed biweekly until 19 weeks. At the end of study, the islet graft was removed for insulin and Prussian blue staining. The cell death rates in RAW cells did not increase with increasing CSPIO concentrations or incubation time. The grafts of CSPIO-labeled islets were visualized on MRI scans as distinct hypointense spots homogeneously located at the upper pole of left kidney. Their MRI signal was 30%–50% that of control islets and was maintained throughout the follow-up period. At 18 weeks, the histology of CSPIO-labeled islet graft revealed the insulin- and iron-stained areas to be almost identical. Our results indicate that isolated mouse islets labeled with CSPIO nanoparticles can be effectively and safely imaged by using MRI as long as 18 weeks after transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In 2006, national influenza surveillance was implemented in Vietnam. Epidemiologic and demographic data and a throat swab for influenza testing were collected from a subset of outpatients with influenza-like illness (ILI). During January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007, of 184,521 ILI cases identified at surveillance sites, 11,082 were tested and 2112 (19%) were positive for influenza by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Influenza viruses were detected year-round, and similar peaks in influenza activity were observed in all surveillance regions, coinciding with cooler and rainy periods. Studies are needed to ascertain the disease burden and impact of influenza in Vietnam. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Central composite design (CCD) was adopted to statistically model algal biomass and lutein production by the Chlorolla sorokiniana TH01 strain on four variables of light intensity, sodium acetate, N/P ratio and CO 2 in the mixotrophic mode. Results revealed that the biomass and lutein response surface models had high correlation coefficients (i.e., 98.8% and 98.2%) with the actual data. Moreover, data obtained from confirmatory experiments showed that the biomass and lutein content can be respectively reached maximum of 26.97 g/L and 8.47 mg/g under different optimal conditions. However, practical production could simultaneously achieve high levels of biomass of 26.21 g/L and lutein of 5.01 mg/g under the optimal light intensity of 75 µmol/(m2·s), sodium acetate of 10 g/L, N/P of 35 and CO 2 of 2%. The C. sorokiniana TH01 strain was superior to other strains in both biomass and lutein production, demonstrating highly promising for commercial production of lutein. [Display omitted] • Biomass and lutein production by a mixotrophic C. sorokiniana TH01 were evaluated. • Biomass and lutein models on light, sodium acetate, N/P and CO 2 were analyzed. • R2 of biomass and lutein response surface models were 98.8% and 98.2%, respectively. • Biomass and lutein achieved optimal levels of 26.21 g/L and 5.01 mg/g, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]