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The MZL cohort is planned to include 78 patients, who will receive IV odronextamab monotherapy until disease progression or other protocol-defined reason for treatment discontinuation. In the Phase 1 ELM-1 study, odronextamab monotherapy showed antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in a range of I R i / I R i B-NHL subtypes, including MZL ( I n i = 6; ORR 67%) (Bannerji et al. B Introduction: b MZL is a heterogeneous disease comprising 3 subtypes, extra-nodal MZL of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, nodal MZL, and splenic MZL. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study was to validate the Dutch translation of the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score in a population of Dutch rectal cancer patients. Method: Patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer received the LARS score questionnaire, a single quality of life (QoL) category question and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ‐C30 questionnaire. A subgroup of patients received the LARS score twice to assess the test–retest reliability. Results: A total of 165 patients were included in the analysis, identified in six Dutch centres. The response rate was 62.0%. The percentage of patients who reported ‘major LARS’ was 59.4%. There was a high proportion of patients with a perfect or moderate fit between the QoL category question and the LARS score, showing a good convergent validity. The LARS score was able to discriminate between patients with or without neoadjuvant radiotherapy (P = 0.003), between total and partial mesorectal excision (P = 0.008) and between age groups (P = 0.039). There was a statistically significant association between a higher LARS score and an impaired function on the global QoL subscale and the physical, role, emotional and social functioning subscales of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 questionnaire. The test–retest reliability of the LARS score was good, with an interclass correlation coefficient of 0.79. Conclusion: The good psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the LARS score are comparable overall to the earlier validations in other countries. Therefore, the Dutch translation can be considered to be a valid tool for assessing LARS in Dutch rectal cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients undergoing haemodialysis is prevalent and aggressive. The treatment of chronic hepatitis C has been revolutionised by the advent of direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). However, the safety, efficacy, and tolerance of DAAs in the treatment of acute HCV infection in patients with end‐stage renal disease who are on haemodialysis are unknown. Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir in this specific, difficult‐to‐treat population. Methods: We conducted a prospective and observational study of end‐stage renal disease patients who were undergoing haemodialysis and were acutely infected with HCV. Patients received a half dose of sofosbuvir (200 mg) and a full dose of daclatasvir (60 mg) daily. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with sustained virological responses (SVRs); the other primary outcomes were safety and tolerability. Results: Thirty‐three patients were enrolled in the study. The median HCV RNA viral load at baseline was 6.8 log10IU/mL. Twenty‐four patients were infected with HCV genotype 2a, seven patients with 1b, and two patients with 2a+1b. All patients achieved a SVR at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. The treatment was well tolerated, and there were no drug‐related serious adverse events. Conclusion: A half dose of sofosbuvir (200 mg once daily) plus a full dose of daclatasvir (60 mg once daily) were suitable for the treatment of acute HCV‐infected patients who were undergoing end‐stage renal disease and were on haemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) is a leading cause of liver-related mortality in people living with HIV, where co-infection with hepatotropic viruses accelerates the course of chronic liver disease. Aim To evaluate whether the albumin-bilirubin ( ALBI) grade, a more accurate marker of liver dysfunction in HCC, might identify patients with progressive liver dysfunction in the context of HIV/hepatitis co-infection. Methods Using uni- and multi-variable analyses, we studied the albumin-bilirubin grade as a predictor of overall survival ( OS) in a large, multi-center cohort of patients with HIV-associated HCC recruited from 44 centres in 9 countries within the Liver Cancer in HIV study group. Patients who underwent liver transplantation were excluded. Results A total of 387 patients, predominantly HCV co-infected (78%) with balanced representation of all Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer ( BCLC) stages (A = 33%, B = 18%, C = 37%, D = 12%) were recruited. At HCC diagnosis, 84% had been on anti-retrovirals for a median duration of 8.8 years. The albumin-bilirubin grade identified significant differences in median survival of 97 months for grade 1 (95% CI 13-180 months), 17 months for grade 2 (95% CI 11-22 months) and 6 months for grade 3 (95% CI 4-9 months, P < .001). A more advanced albumin-bilirubin grade correlated with lower CD4 counts (464/373/288 cells/mm3 for grades 1/2/3) and higher HIV viraemia (3.337/8.701/61.845 copies/mL for grades 1/2/3, P < .001). Conclusions In this large, multi-center retrospective study, the albumin-bilirubin grade highlights the interplay between liver reserve and immune dysfunction as prognostic determinants in HIV-associated HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The Pouch Dysfunction Score (PDS) is a five-item instrument that evaluates bowel function and quality of life following restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. The PDS includes items that have a significantly negative impact on quality of life from the patient's point of view. The study aimed to establish how pouch dysfunction is perceived by clinicians in relation to patients experience. Method Fifty-eight leading clinicians in the field of inflammatory bowel disease were invited to complete two PDS-based exercises. In part 1, they received a list of the 12 bowel symptoms from which the PDS had been developed and were asked to identify and rank (in order of severity) the five they thought had the most significantly negative impact on quality of life. In part 2, they were given the list of symptoms perceived by patients to be most troublesome and were then required to enter a score that they thought was appropriate for each item according to the impact on quality of life. Results Forty-three clinicians responded, and each correctly identified one to three items selected by patients and included in the PDS. Severity of urgency was selected by 29 (67%) clinicians, and four (9%) rated it to be the most important. Incomplete emptying after defaecation was selected by 10 (23%). Frequency of defaecation and the use of anti-diarrhoeal medication were selected by 14 (33%) and three (7%) clinicians, respectively. Twenty-six (60%) did not include incomplete emptying and 25 (58%) did not include uncontrolled loss of stool in their selection. Conclusion This study demonstrates that clinicians do not have a great understanding of the symptoms of pouch dysfunction that really matter to the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the utility of the video laryngoscopy technique prior to the conduction of thyroid surgery for improving nerve monitoring in patients. Topics discussed include the history of thyroid and parathyroid surgeries, the usage of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring devices and devices like the Neurosign 100 nerve monitor and the Glidescope video laryngoscope. A detailed discussion on RLN monitoring devices is also presented.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of substituting 1 kg of a standard lactation diet with 1 kg of a sugar-rich (15.75 DE MJ/kg) or fat-rich (23.85 DE MJ/kg) diet during late lactation on blood glucose and insulin changes in primiparous sows. During a 4-week lactation period, 21 primiparous sows were fed to appetite with a standard lactation diet (14.10 DE MJ/kg). At 9 days before weaning, sows were assigned to a control (C, n = 7), fat (F, n = 6) or sugar (S, n = 8) treatment. During the treatment period (from 8 days before weaning until weaning), 1 kg of the lactation diet was substituted with 1 kg of a sugar-rich or fat-rich diet for S and F sows. At 3 days before weaning, serial blood samples were collected for a total of 228 min around feeding to establish pre- and postprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Preprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05); however, mean plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were higher for S compared to F (p < 0.05) and intermediate for the C sows. Postprandial plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin were higher for the S sows than for C and F sows (p < 0.05). Sow body weight loss during late lactation did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). The results from our study suggest that a sugar-enriched diet during the last week of lactation elevates circulating glucose and insulin concentrations and may potentially improve post-weaning fertility in primiparous sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Search services are the main interface through which people discover information on the Internet. A fundamental challenge in testing search services is the lack of oracles. The sheer volume of data on the Internet prohibits testers from verifying the results. Furthermore, it is difficult to objectively assess the ranking quality because different assessors can have very different opinions on the relevance of a Web page to a query. This paper presents a novel method for automatically testing search services without the need of a human oracle. The experimental findings reveal that some commonly used search engines, including Google, Yahoo!, and Live Search, are not as reliable as what most users would expect. For example, they may fail to find pages that exist in their own repositories, or rank pages in a way that is logically inconsistent. Suggestions are made for search service providers to improve their service quality. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wang C-C, Chen T-Y, Wu H-Y, Liu T-Y, Jan T-R. Areca nut extracts suppress the differentiation and functionality of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 198-203. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Areca quid chewing, a major risk factor contributing to the occurrence of oral cancer and precancer, has been reported to be associated with the severity and high prevalence of periodontal diseases in areca quid chewers. As dendritic cells are critically involved in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity in oral mucosa, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of areca nut extracts (ANE) on the differentiation and reactivity of dendritic cells derived from monocytes. Material and Methods: Human peripheral blood monocytes were cultured in the presence of granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 for 7 d to generate dendritic cells. To examine the effect of ANE on the generation of dendritic cells, the monocytes were exposed to ANE throughout the 7 d culture period. In addition, the effect of ANE on the maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was examined. Results: Monocytes cultured in granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 exhibited a typical phenotype of dendritic cells, as evidenced by the heightened expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, CD11c and the co-stimulatory molecules CD40, CD80 and CD86. Exposure of the monocytes to ANE did not influence the expression of HLA-DR and CD11c, but markedly attenuated the proportion of CD40-positive cells and the mean fluorescence intensity of CD86. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules in LPS-activated dendritic cells was not affected, whereas the mRNA expression of interleukin-12 induced by LPS was markedly suppressed by ANE treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggest that ANE exposure interfered with the differentiation of dendritic cells from monocytes. Moreover, the functionality of mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells was attenuated in the presence of ANE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantification of HBeAg levels has been found to be useful in monitoring and predicting the outcomes of interferon and lamivudine treatment in HBeAg-positive patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether quantification of HBeAg at baseline and on treatment could predict which patients would achieve HBeAg seroconversion after 96 weeks of entecavir therapy. Sixty-five HBeAg-positive naïve chronic hepatitis B patients who were treated with entecavir at a dose of 0.5 mg once daily for 96 weeks were evaluated. Serum HBV DNA levels were assessed at baseline, week 24, 48 and 96; serum HBeAg levels were assessed at baseline, week 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96. Serum HBeAg levels were associated with a higher likelihood of HBeAg seroconversion to entecavir at weeks 96 than serum HBV DNA levels both at baseline and on treatment (at baseline: OR = 9.932, P = 0.003 vs OR = 5.045, P = 0.036; on treatment: OR = 112.5, P < 0.0001 vs OR = 47.782, P < 0.0001). A maintained reduction in HBeAg > 65% of pretreatment HBeAg values after 24 weeks of entecavir therapy is the strongest predictor for HBeAg seroconversion at week 96 (OR = 70.578, P < 0.0001). Quantification of HBeAg at the start and early during therapy showed a higher predictive value than that of HBV DNA for HBeAg seroconversion by entecavir. A significant decrease in serum HBeAg levels at week 24 may be a useful on-treatment measurement in the early phase for predicting HBeAg seroconversion and identifying patients who will most likely benefit from finite entecavir treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to determine the predictive value of the spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) outcome score (which we described previously) in haemodialysis (HD) patients who develop spontaneous ICH. The validation cohort consisted of all HD patients with spontaneous ICH presenting to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan during 2005–2007. The data were collected from one hospital and prospectively analysed, and the predictive model was tested using an external validation dataset. The prognostic factors were confirmed by chi-squared testing. We calculated the 30-day mortality in different groups of the validation cohort divided according to outcome score and tested the predictive value of the outcome score. The overall mortality rate was 52.6% in 38 HD patients. The originally identified prognostic factors were Glasgow Coma Scale score, age ≥70 years, systolic blood pressure <130 or ≥200 mmHg, ICH volume ≥30 mL, presence of intraventricular haemorrhage and serum glucose ≥8.8 mmol/L. All but one (serum glucose ≥8.8 mmol/L ( P= 0.07)) were subsequently found to be associated with 30-day mortality. In patients scoring 6 and 7, mortality was 100%, but in patients scoring 0, it was only 11.1%. The 30-day mortality in the validation cohort increased steadily with score and had good predictive value (correlation coefficient = 0.986, P < 0.001). Similar results in two different cohorts indicate that the ICH outcome score is a reliable outcome measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous study has demonstrated that tilapia able to exhibit hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia is a good model for the evaluation of beneficial effects of nutraceuticals. In this study, tilapia were used to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of a hot water extract (FC-HW) of freshwater clam ( Corbicula fluminea). FC-HW prolonged the lag phase of Cu2+-induced human and tilapia LDL oxidation. The prolongation of the lag phase was concentration-dependent in human ( r2= 0.94) and tilapia LDL ( r2= 0.98). The antioxidative potential of FC-HW was 0.33% (on a weight basis) of Trolox, a positive control. Male tilapia ( n= 24) were randomly divided into 2 groups and separately fed for 60 d with an isocaloric also isoprotein diet containing 2% (w/w) FC-HW or a control diet. Body length and body mass were significantly higher in fish fed FC-HW than those of the control group ( P < 0.05). Total triacylglycerol, cholesterol, and LDL-C in plasma of the FC-HW group were significantly lower (–89.9%, –61.8%, and –54.5%, respectively), while plasma total antioxidant capacity of the FC-HW group was higher and the lag phase in Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation was longer than those of the control group ( P < 0.05). FC-HW demonstrated hypolipidemia and hypocholesterolemia effects and inhibited human LDL oxidation in vitro and tilapia LDL both in vitro and ex vivo, indicative that FC-HW can be a potential nutraceutical to reduce the risk factors of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although resin-based composites are widely used in dental restoration, these materials shrink during polymerisation. Polymerisation shrinkage results in distortion of the restoration and bonded tooth and also generates internal stress at the resin–tooth interface. Digital image correlation (DIC) is used to determine the in-plane displacement field by matching different zones of two characterised pictures. The objective of this study was to examine the applicability of DIC in measuring the deformation of the composite restoration and the surrounding tooth. A preliminary experiment examined the shrinkage of composites in a simulated cavity using the DIC method. The measured shrinkage pattern was consistent with a corresponding finite element model. Subsequently the deformation of composite restorations on human molars was examined using this validated DIC method. The greatest deformation was found on the free occlusal surfaces, and the least on the gingival wall. The increased deformation on the post-cured images indicated that the shrinkage continued even after termination of light activation. DIC method facilitates a full-field measurement of shrinkage profile. These experimental results did not only demonstrate the spatial and temporal relationship of displacement in a dental restoration, but also provide validation of computational models to examine the polymerisation consequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral mechanisms may be involved in opioid actions on the urinary bladder. This double-blind study investigated whether opioid inhibition of bladder function is reversed by methylnaltrexone, a peripheral opioid antagonist. Thirteen healthy male volunteers received an intravenous (i.v.) infusion of remifentanil, 0.15 mcg/kg/min, then a single i.v. dose of study medication (methylnaltrexone 0.3 mg/kg, naloxone 0.01 mg/kg, or saline). Urodynamics were measured with indwelling bladder and rectal catheters, and pupil size was assessed with infrared pupillometry. Remifentanil decreased detrusor pressure in 21/25 sessions and caused complete urinary retention in 18/25. Voiding was possible in 7/7, 5/12, and 0/6 sessions after naloxone, methylnaltrexone, and saline, respectively (P=0.0013). Remifentanil caused marked miosis that was reversed by naloxone, but not methylnaltrexone or placebo (P<0.0001). The pupil data confirm that methylnaltrexone did not reverse central opioid effects. Reversal of urinary retention by methylnaltrexone indicates that peripheral mechanisms may play a role in opioid-induced bladder dysfunction.Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2007) 82, 48–53. doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100164; published online 28 March 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of pyriproxyfen (Knack), a juvenile analog, at three concentrations (10, 50 and100 mg [AI]/l), on survival and development of all immature stages of Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister), were determined in the laboratory. Pyriproxyfen significantly reduced the survival rates when eggs, first and third instars were treated, but not when the second instars and pupae were treated. When eggs were treated, the two higher concentrations reduced the eggs viability by 33.3–50%, and only 0.0–6.7% developed to adults. The lowest concentration of pyriproxyfen (10 mg [AI]/l) caused high mortality on third instars, not on other stages, indicating the third instar was the most vulnerable stage. Pyriproxyfen had significant effects on development for all immature C. rufilabris that successfully developed to adults with variations among the developmental stages and concentrations. The overall developmental duration from eggs to adults when eggs, first, and third instars were treated were 2.6–4.2, 2.4–4.1 respectively, and 6.0–7.1 d longer than those in water control, respectively. However, the overall developmental durations from eggs to adults were 0.5–1.2 d shorter than in water control when the second instars were treated with pyriproxyfen. The compatibility of pyriproxyfen with natural enemies in integrated pest management programs is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species identification of puffer species using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with Coomassie blue and Coomassie blue/silver double staining was performed. A comparison was also made among extracts of sarcoplasmic, myofibrillar, SDS-soluble, and urea-soluble proteins. Protein bands of lower molecular weight showed the species-specific characteristics. Double staining better discriminated the protein banding patterns of different puffer species than Coomassie blue staining. Species identification of all tested puffers could be achieved by judging from the SDS-PAGE patterns of the 4 protein extracts stained with both stains along with protein band densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers test case selection for programs whose specifications are expressed by Boolean algebra. The approach is to select test cases based on Boolean specifications. Three test case selection strategies are proposed that aim at the detection of the literal insertion fault and the literal reference fault. Although the MAX-B strategy proposed by Weyuker et al. guarantees detection of these types of faults, the proposed strategies are more effective in the sense that the derived test cases form a subset of those selected by the MAX-B strategy. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT- A randomized controlled trial of propranolol was conducted in 36 adult cirrhotic patients after active esophageal variceal hemorrhage had been controlled. Seventy-eight percent of the 18 patients on propranolol and 72% of the patients on a placebo were of Pugh's class A. Of the patients treated with propranolol, 94%, 87%, 68% and 57% were free from rebleeding 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after entry, respectively. The corresponding figures in control patients were 81%, 59%, 30% and 15%, respectively. The percentages of patients free from rebleeding were significantly higher in the propranolol group than in the control group ( P < 0.05). No significant adverse effect was observed during the study, except for a patient who developed hepatic decompensation 14 months after propranolol therapy. It was concluded that propranolol was a safe and effective drug for the prevention of variceal rebleeding in patients with good liver functional reserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quasi-3D technique of photoelastic stress analysis was used to evaluate the stresses of mandibular posterior cantilevers for distal terminal abutments at various levels of periodontal support. The stress concentration index was selected to compare each model. The periodontal support of terminal abutment and the length of pontic must be considered, when a cantilever fixed partial denture is anticipated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variable properties of photoelastic models and the difficulty of fabrication of the model limit experimental designs. The 'material fringe value' is introduced into the definition of the 'stress concentration index' by multiplying the fringe orders. Three levels of periodontal support in three photo- elastic models (nine cases) were corn-pared quantitatively by determining the stress concentration induced in periodontium by point loading vertically on a span of the fixed partial denture of four units length. The results indicate that comparison among photoelastic models is possible and useful. The stress concentration effects produced by the second molar were more prominent and determinant than that by the first premolar in the periodontium of the abutments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: A new insoluble N-halamine polymeric disinfectant material has been tested in a water filter application to determine (1) its tendencies to leach undesirable decomposition products, (2) its range of potential applicability, and (3) its regenerability. In flowing water tests, poly-1,3-dichloro-5-methyl-5-(4'-vinylphenyl)hydantoin (Poly-I) leached only small amounts of total organic carbon, free and total chlorine, anions, and volatile organics such as trihalomethanes. Furthermore, Poly-I provided bactericidal efficacy over the pH range 4.5 to 9.5 and at temperatures as high as 37°C. Poly-I is deactivated by reducing agents such as sodium thiosulfate and by ethanol; following deactivation, it can be regenerated by exposure to flowing aqueous free chlorine. Poly-I appears suitable for use as a biocidal filter for small potable and recreational waters, for it is effective over a wide pH and temperature range and is readily regenerable. It would not be useful, however, for disinfection of large bodies of water such as in city treatment plants because of its cost and the large amount of the material that would be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective Diphenhydramine ( DPH) is a first-generation antihistamine, which is useful in treating allergic reaction, and is usually considered innocuous. We describe a retired nurse with history of depression, who began to develop drug-seeking behaviour after her first receiving of an intramuscular ( IM) DPH injection due to urticaria. Case summary The 49-year-old patient had developed IM DPH dependence within 4 months. She needed to receive psychiatric inpatient treatment because of depressive mood, serious myonecrosis over injected sites, and prolongation of QT interval. What is new and conclusion This is the first reported case of DPH dependence through the IM route. Second-generation antihistamines might be better choices for patients with psychiatric illness by reason of their lower effects on central nervous system and lower risk of abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates the Trachway® intubating stylet from Biotronic Instrument Enterprise Ltd.

Purpose The Otago Varicose Veins Condition-Specific Questionnaire (OCSQ) is a validated quality of life (QOL) tool for use in the pre-treatment setting. This follow-on study investigates how the OCSQ reflects changes in QOL following treatment, and how these changes relate to clinical and vascular laboratory outcomes. Methodology Patients with varicose veins undergoing pre-treatment assessment at the Otago Vascular Laboratory were recruited. The OCSQ was administered at the time of assessment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. A follow-up laboratory assessment was performed at 12 months. Pre and post-treatment QOL at each time point were compared. The relationships between QOL, patient demographics and laboratory measures were examined. Results Of the 218 patients, the average pre-treatment QOL score was 26.3% ± 17.3 (a higher score indicates a poorer QOL), and following treatment the scores improved at all time points (p < 0.05). The effect sizes were moderate to large, and the greatest QOL was seen at 3 months (11.3% ± 12.5). There was an association between longer prior disease duration and poorer QOL at 3 months (r = 0.31, p < 0.01), and between older age and poorer QOL at 12 months (r = 0.31, p < 0.01). Patients having treatment for recurrent disease showed lower levels of QOL than those with primary disease. Apart from the Venous Clinical Severity Score, no laboratory measure correlated with QOL. Conclusions The OCSQ is a useful tool in evaluating QOL following treatment for varicose veins. Changes in QOL are not well reflected in laboratory measures. Age, prior disease duration, and recurrent disease seem to limit the improvement in QOL following treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: Histamine and other biogenic amines were evaluated in canned anchovies recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition, bacteria were isolated from the products and identified to species. The recalled products were divided into 2 groups of high and low histamine, depending on the histamine contents as determined by the AOAC method. The high histamine group had the histamine contents >200 ppm, and 24 of the 30 cans analyzed belonged to this group. The most prevalent biogenic amine in this group was histamine followed by cadaverine. On the other hand, the low histamine group of 6 cans contained approximately 50 ppm histamine. The most prevalent biogenic amine found in this group of samples was cadaverine at levels >200 ppm. Other biogenic amines, such as putrescine, serotonin, and spermidine, were also detected in all the products, although at varied levels. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts, if present in all of the recalled products, were below the detection limit of 102 colony-forming units (CFU)/g. Bacteria were recovered only after enrichment of the test samples. They were mostly halophilic bacteria. Bacillus spp. were most frequently identified, followed by Staphylococcus spp. However, these isolates produced negligible amounts of histamine in culture broth, indicating that they are not the contributors to histamine accumulation in the canned anchovies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative changes of hemostatic molecular markers were studied in patients with nephrotic syndrome. The plasma levels of fibrinopeptide A (FPA), thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), products of thrombin activation, and fragment F1 + 2 (F1 + 2), a product of prothrombin activation, were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 21 patients with nephrotic syndrome and in 16 normal controls. The mean value of FPA was 17.5 +/- 7.5 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) in nephrotic patients and 4.5 +/- 0.3 ng/ml in normal controls (P < 0.02); F1 + 2 concentration was 1.4 +/- 0.3 ng/ml in nephrotic patients and 0.5 +/- 0.1 ng/ml in normal controls (P < 0.001); TAT level was 1.0 +/- 0.3 microgram/l in nephrotic patients and 0.2 +/- 0.1 microgram/l in normal controls (P < 0.05). These data indicated intravascular hemostasis activation. Based on these results, we propose that low antithrombin III level in nephrotic patients may be due to both urinary loss and intravascular consumption.