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Background: Pneumonia accounts for over half a million older adult emergency department (ED) visits annually, but ED pneumonia diagnosis is inaccurate. Geriatric‐specific pneumonia diagnostic criteria exist for other settings; no prospective data exist to determine if application in the older adult ED population is feasible. The objective was to prospectively evaluate the utility of four current diagnostic criteria (Loeb; Modified McGeer; Infectious Disease Society of America/American Thoracic Society; American College of Emergency Physicians) in older adult ED patients. Methods: This was a prospective, observational cohort study of older adult ED patients ≥65 years of age in two U.S. EDs with suspected pneumonia defined as having chest radiography ordered and treating physician suspicion. The standard we used for defining the presence, absence, or inability to determine a diagnosis of pneumonia diagnosis was expert physician chart adjudication. We report the summary statistics for demographic characteristics and symptoms/exam findings and sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios with 95% confidence intervals of the existing diagnostic criteria. Pre‐specified cutoff values of a positive LR >10 and a negative LR <0.3 were considered clinically significant. Results: Of 135 patients enrolled, 27 had pneumonia by adjudicator review. Typical patient‐reported pneumonia symptoms, such as fever (18.5%) and new/worse cough (51.9%), were not consistently present in pneumonia. The IDSA/ATS and ACEP criteria had positive LR >10 and negative LR <0.3; however, all confidence intervals included pre‐specified cutoffs. Conclusions: Older adults presented to the ED with low frequency of typical pneumonia symptoms. Although existing diagnostic definitions had promising test characteristics, they may not perform well enough for clinical application without refinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which described the prevalence of acute decline in ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected pneumonia. Topics discussed include demographic characteristics of older ED patients with suspected pneumonia, and limitations of the study, and the need of emergency physicians to evaluate for acute decline during their treatment and disposition decisions.

In recent years anatomical pathology has been revolutionised by the incorporation of molecular findings into routine diagnostic practice, and in some diseases the presence of specific molecular alterations are now essential for diagnosis. Spatial transcriptomics describes a group of technologies that provide up to transcriptome‐wide expression profiling while preserving the spatial origin of the data, with many of these technologies able to provide these data using a single tissue section. Spatial transcriptomics allows expression profiling of highly specific areas within a tissue section potentially to subcellular resolution, and allows correlation of expression data with morphology, tissue type and location relative to other structures. While largely still research laboratory‐based, several spatial transcriptomics methods have now achieved compatibility with formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue (FFPE), allowing their use in diagnostic tissue samples, and with further development potentially leading to their incorporation in routine anatomical pathology practice. This mini review provides an overview of spatial transcriptomics methods, with an emphasis on platforms compatible with FFPE tissue, approaches to assess the data and potential applications in anatomical pathology practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High‐quality research studies in older adults are needed. Unfortunately, the accuracy of chart review data in older adult patients has been called into question by previous studies. Little is known on this topic in patients with suspected pneumonia, a disease with 500,000 annual older adult U.S. emergency department (ED) visits that presents a diagnostic challenge to ED physicians. The study objective was to compare direct interview and chart abstraction as data sources. Methods: We present a preplanned secondary analysis of a prospective, observational cohort of ED patients ≥65 years of age with suspected pneumonia in two Midwest EDs. We describe the agreement between chart review and a criterion standard of prospective direct patient survey (symptoms) or direct physician survey (examination findings). Data were collected by chart review and from the patient and treating physician by survey. Results: The larger study enrolled 135 older adults; 134 with complete symptom data and 129 with complete examination data were included in this analysis. Pneumonia symptoms (confusion, malaise, rapid breathing, any cough, new/worse cough, any sputum production, change to sputum) had agreement between patient/legally authorized representative survey and chart review ranging from 47.8% (malaise) to 80.6% (confusion). All examination findings (rales, rhonchi, wheeze) had percent agreement between physician survey and chart review of ≥80%. However, all kappas except wheezing were less than 0.60, indicating weak agreement. Conclusions: Both patient symptoms and examination findings demonstrated discrepancies between chart review and direct survey with larger discrepancies in symptoms reported. Researchers should consider these potential discrepancies during study design and data interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further imaging with FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/CT demonstrated no evidence of an extra-pancreatic primary or metastatic disease (Fig. CT imaging demonstrated a 52 mm cystic lesion with mural nodules located in the tail of the pancreas (Fig. A 73-year-old male was referred to the Surgical Clinic after discovery of a large pancreatic tail lesion on computed tomography (CT), performed for investigation of unintentional weight loss. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: Intussusception in adults is rare and requires surgery in most cases. While abdominal laparoscopic surgery (LS) is becoming more popular, there are few reports on the outcomes of adult intussusception treated with LS. This study compared the feasibility of LS vs open surgery (OS) for adult intussusception. Method: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of adult patients with intussusception from three tertiary hospitals between 2000 and 2016. The patients were divided into LS and OS groups, and their surgical outcomes were compared. Results: Surgery was indicated in 71 patients with intussusception (41 LS and 30 OS). The median age of the patients was 49.0 and 51.5 years in the LS and OS groups, respectively (P = 0.930). Overall, nine (12.7%) patients had a negative laparotomy or laparoscopy with spontaneous reduction of the intussusception. Conversion to OS from LS was necessary in one patient (2.4%). The operative time and intra‐operative and postoperative complication rates were not significantly different. However, there were more serious complications such as bowel perforation and major vessel injury in the LS group. The patients in the LS group had a shorter time to first food intake and hospital stay vs patients in the OS group (4.0 vs 6.0 days, P < 0.001, and 7.0 vs 10.5 days, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: LS may be feasible for adult intussusception; there may be more severe intra‐operative complications than in OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schinus terebinthifolia is a dioecious tree native to South America that has become an invasive weed in Florida, southern California, southern Arizona, Texas and Hawaii and has been naturalised in over 20 countries. Biological control is considered a viable long‐term control option for S. terebinthifolia because release from natural enemies appears to be at least partly responsible for its success in Florida. We examined leaf phenology of S. terebinthifolia over a period of 15 months at five sites in central and southern Florida to provide information that may help in predicting the impacts of potential biocontrol agents for this weed. We documented leaf lifespan, the seasonality of leaf development and abscission and the survivorship of leaves that emerged during either spring, summer or autumn. Average leaf lifespan was >4.5 months at all sites, and leaf phenology followed the seasons closely. Although S. terebinthifolia possesses leaves throughout the year, leaf production was greatest from April to September, and most leaves were abscised in February and March. Spring‐ and summer‐emerging leaves were also longer‐lived than leaves produced during autumn. These results suggest that leaves of S. terebinthifolia would be most vulnerable to herbivory during the spring and summer months when newly growing leaf tissue is most plentiful. Biocontrol agents capable of damaging these tissues during spring/summer might be an effective means of controlling this invasive weed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current model for breast cancer progression proposes independent 'low grade (LG)‐like' and 'high grade (HG)‐like' pathways but lacks a known precursor to HG cancer. We applied low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing to atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) with and without carcinoma to shed light on breast cancer progression. Fourteen out of twenty isolated ADH cases harboured at least one copy number alteration (CNA), but had fewer aberrations than LG or HG ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). ADH carried more HG‐like CNA than LG DCIS (e.g. 8q gain). Correspondingly, 64% (7/11) of ADH cases with synchronous HG carcinoma were clonally related, similar to LG carcinoma (67%, 6/9). This study represents a significant shift in our understanding of breast cancer progression, with ADH as a common precursor lesion to the independent 'low grade‐like' and 'high grade‐like' pathways. These data suggest that ADH can be a precursor of HG breast cancer and that LG and HG carcinomas can evolve from a similar ancestor lesion. We propose that although LG DCIS may be committed to a LG molecular pathway, ADH may remain multipotent, progressing to either LG or HG carcinoma. This multipotent nature suggests that some ADH cases could be more clinically significant than LG DCIS, requiring biomarkers for personalising management. Copyright © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) is a key metric for diagnosing esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO). However, its normal value might be different according to the manufacturer of high‐resolution manometry (HRM). This study aimed to investigate optimal value of IRP for diagnosing EGJOO in Sandhill HRM and to find clinicomanometric variables to segregate clinically relevant EGJOO. Methods: We analyzed 262 consecutive subjects who underwent HRM between June 2011 and December 2016 showing elevated median IRP (> 15 mm Hg) but did not satisfy criteria for achalasia. Clinically relevant subjects were defined as follows: (i) subsequent HRM met achalasia criteria during follow‐up (early achalasia); (ii) Eckardt score was decreased at least two points without exceeding a score of 3 after pneumatic dilatation (variant achalasia); and (iii) significant passage disturbance on esophagogram without structural abnormality (possible achalasia). Key Results: Seven subjects were clinically relevant, including two subjects with early achalasia, four subjects with variant achalasia, and one subject with possible achalasia. All clinically relevant subjects had IRP 20 mm Hg or above. Among subjects (n = 122) with IRP 20 mm Hg or more, clinically relevant group (n = 7) had significantly higher rate of dysphagia (100% vs 24.3%, P < .001) and compartmentalized pressurization (85.7% vs 21.7%, P = .001) compared to clinically non‐relevant group (n = 115). Conclusions & Inferences: Our results suggest that IRP of 20 mm Hg or higher could segregate clinically relevant subjects showing EGJOO in Sandhill HRM. Additionally, if subjects have both dysphagia and compartmentalized pressurization, careful follow‐up is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutation of the key tumour suppressor p53 defines a transition in the progression towards aggressive and metastatic breast cancer ( BC) with the poorest outcome. Specifically, the p53 mutation frequency exceeds 50% in triple-negative BC. Key regulators of mutant p53 that facilitate its oncogenic functions are potential therapeutic targets. We report here that the MDM4 protein is frequently abundant in the context of mutant p53 in basal-like BC samples. Importantly, we show that MDM4 plays a critical role in the proliferation of these BC cells. We demonstrate that conditional knockdown ( KD) of MDM4 provokes growth inhibition across a range of BC subtypes with mutant p53, including luminal, Her2+ and triple-negative BCs. In vivo, MDM4 was shown to be crucial for the establishment and progression of tumours. This growth inhibition was mediated, at least in part, by the cell cycle inhibitor p27. Depletion of p27 together with MDM4 KD led to recovery of the proliferative capacity of cells that were growth-inhibited by MDM4 KD alone. Consistently, we identified low levels of p27 expression in basal-like tumours corresponding to high levels of MDM4 and p53. This predicts a signature for a subset of tumours that may be amenable to therapies targeted towards MDM4 and mutant p53. The therapeutic potential of MDM4 as a target in BC with mutant p53 was shown in vitro by use of a small-molecule inhibitor. Overall, our study supports MDM4 as a novel therapeutic target for BC expressing mutant p53. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for ~20-25% of breast cancers. While DCIS is not lifethreatening, it may progress to invasive carcinoma over time, and treatment intended to prevent invasive progression may itself cause significant morbidity. Accurate risk assessment is therefore necessary to avoid over- or undertreatment of an individual patient. In this review we will outline the evidence for current management of DCIS, discuss approaches to DCIS risk assessment and challenges facing identification of novel DCIS biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared novel size-selective separators, namely the textile fabrics of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and sulfonated polyphenylene sulfide (S-PPS), and the nonwoven fabrics of polypropylene80 (PP 80) and PP 100, with commonly used ion exchange separators (Nafion 117 and cation exchange membane-7000; CMI-7000) in terms of power generation, oxygen diffusion, and biofilm formation in a single chamber microbial fuel cell. Size-selective separators exhibited more power generation than ion selective separators. MFC operation with size-selective separators generated power output ranging 0.407 to 0.591 V (1000Ω), whereas with Nafion it was 0.272 V. In polarization analysis, S-PPS resulted in the highest power density of 190 mW/m2, whereas it was 24 mW/m2 with Nafion-117. Size selective separators showed similar or higher proton conductivity than Nafion 117. Oxygen mass transfer coefficients of size-selective separators (KO = 3.7 ∼ 7.5 × 10-5) were lower or similar to Nafion (KO = 7.5 × 10-5). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that all separators (PP80, S-PPS, and Nafion) contained proteins or carbon chain compounds after 300-day operation, and however, Nafion 117 seems to be more susceptible to biofouling than the other separators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) associated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use has been raised in cirrhotic patients with ascites. However, this is based on case-control studies, often with a small series. Aim To determine whether PPI use increases the risk of SBP using a large cohort. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 1965 cirrhotic patients with ascites diagnosed between January 2005 and December 2009. The SBP incidence rate was compared between the PPI and non-PPI groups before and after propensity score matching to reduce the effect of selection bias and potential confounders. Multivariate analysis was conducted to confirm the association of PPI use with SBP. Results After excluding 411 patients, 1554 were analysed. Among them, 512 patients (32.9%) were included in the PPI group. The annual SBP incidence rate was higher in the PPI group than in the non-PPI group (10.6% and 5.8%, P = 0.002) before matching. Indications for PPI use and dose of PPI were similar between patients with and without SBP. In the propensity score matched cohort (402 pairs), the SBP incidence rate was also higher in the PPI group than in the non-PPI group (10.8% vs. 6.0%, P = 0.038). Multivariate analysis revealed that PPI use (Hazard ratio 1.396; 95% confidence interval, 1.057-1.843; P = 0.019) was the independent risk factor for SBP. Conclusions Proton pump inhibitor use significantly increases the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Proton pump inhibitor use should be undertaken with greater caution and appropriately in patients with cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant nutrition (bottom-up effects) impacts a plant's ability to withstand herbivory (top-down effects) and influences phytophagous insect fecundity. These factors confound efficacy predictions for biological control purposes. We investigated the importance of these forces with regard to invasibility of Eichhornia crassipes. We also examined whether one could have predicted whether the weevil species Neochetina eichhorniae or Neochetina bruchi would have been the better biocontrol agent., Three experiments compared E. crassipes performance when subjected to herbivory by these weevils across a range of fertilizer levels. A low initial plant density experiment examined growth and flowering while allowing density to increase. A high plant density experiment evaluated reduction in biomass and surface coverage. A third experiment evaluated plant growth unconstrained by space., Herbivory effects varied between treatments; interactions varied between experiments. Herbivory reduced plant density and biomass, except in low fertilizer conditions, and consistently reduced flowering. N. bruchi alone or both weevil species together reduced growth more than N. eichhorniae alone, elucidating N. bruchi as the better agent. However, N. eichhorniae better reduced biomass and plant density under initial conditions of complete plant coverage, suggesting it as the superior choice., Synthesis and applications. Bottom-up and top-down forces acting in concert affect invasibility of plant species. Plasticity to resource availability enables invaders to persist in conditions that are unfavourable to herbivores (enemy-free space). Consequently, biological control efficacy is nuanced and context specific, so predictability requires assessment of multiple parameters across a range of conditions. Overly simplistic evaluations risk rejection of effective agents capable of mediating non-native plant invasions. These results also argue that biological control practitioners should disregard the concept that a single best agent can be identified to control an invasive plant that exploits a broad range of habitats and environmental conditions. Aquaphyte invasions often coincide with watershed nutrification so unless weed control is carried out concurrently with measures that reduce nutrient inputs, removal of infestations will merely reduce competition thereby accelerating regrowth or facilitating replacement by other undesirable species (the 'invasive treadmill'). The suppressive effects of biological control are valuable and complimentary, even when replacement by other, presumably less problematic, species may occur. These subtler effects should be considered with protocols developed for integrated control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Little has been known about the contractile characteristics of diabetic stomach. We investigated spontaneous contractions and responses to acetylcholine in the gastric muscle in diabetic patients and non-diabetic control subjects according to the region of stomach. Methods Gastric specimens were obtained from 26 diabetics and 55 controls who underwent gastrectomy at Samsung Medical Center between February 2008 and November 2011. Isometric force measurements were performed using circular muscle strips from the different regions of stomach under basal condition and in response to acetylcholine. Key Results Basal tone of control was higher in the proximal stomach than in the distal (0.63 g vs 0.46 g, p = 0.027). However, in diabetics, basal tone was not significantly different between the proximal and distal stomach (0.75 g vs 0.62 g, p = 0.32). The distal stomach of diabetics had higher basal tone and lower frequency than that of control (0.62 g vs 0.46 g, p = 0.049 and 4.0/min vs 4.9/min, p = 0.049, respectively). After exposure to acetylcholine, dose-dependent increases of basal tone, peak, and area under the curve ( AUC) were noticed in both proximal and distal stomach of the two groups. In the proximal stomach, however, the dose-dependent increase of basal tone and AUC was less prominent in diabetics than in control. Conclusions & Inferences On the contrary to control, the proximal to distal tonic gradient was not observed in diabetic stomach. Diabetic stomach also had lower frequency of spontaneous contraction in the distal stomach and less acetylcholine-induced positive inotropic effect in the proximal stomach than control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusobacterium nucleatum plays a pivotal role in dental plaque biofilm formation and is known to be involved in chronic inflammatory systemic disease. However, limited knowledge of F. nucleatum genes expressed in vivo interferes with our understanding of pathogenesis. In this study, we identified F. nucleatum genes induced in vivo using in-vivo-induced antigen technology (IVIAT). Among 30,000 recombinant clones screened, 87 reacted reproducibly with pooled sera from 10 patients with periodontitis. The clones encoded for 32 different proteins, of which 28 could be assigned to their functions, which were categorized in translation, transcription, transport, energy metabolism, cell envelope, cellular process, fatty acid and phospholipid metabolism, transposition, cofactor biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, and DNA replication. Putative virulence factors detected were ABC transporter, butyrate-acetoacetate CoA-transferase, hemin receptor, hemolysin, hemolysin-related protein, LysR family transcriptional regulator, serine protease, and transposase. Analysis of immune responses to the in-vivo-induced ( ivi) antigens in five patients demonstrated that most were reactive to these proteins, confirming results with pooled sera. IVIAT-identified F. nucleatum genes in this study may accelerate the elucidation of F. nucleatum-mediated molecular pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high‐power single‐pole double‐throw transmit/receive (T/R) switch in a silicon‐on‐insulation (SOI) CMOS process is presented. The T/R switch is based on the series–shunt configuration, and the high performance is achieved by utilising SOI characteristics such as floating body transistors and SOI trench (TQ trench). To improve power handling capability, ten thick gate oxide transistors are stacked in transmitter (TX) shunt and receiver (RX) series paths with the source and drain of transistors biased. The measured insertion losses of TX and RX modes are <0.5 and <0.9 dB, respectively. The measured isolations of TX and RX modes are >30 and >23 dB up to 12 GHz. The measured input 1 dB compression point is 34 dBm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purple rice bran contains high amounts of natural antioxidants that consist of water- and lipid-soluble compounds. Hexane-insoluble and hexane-soluble fractions were separated from 100% methanolic extract from purple rice bran (RBE-HI and RBE-HS, respectively). Total anthocyanin, tannin, flavonoid, and phenolics contents were determined in those fractions, and their antioxidant capacities were evaluated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capability, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and iron chelating capability (ICC). RBE-HI and RBE-HS were also added to restructured patties made from minced channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) belly flap meat. Lipid oxidation, color, and/or textural properties were determined for raw and cooked patties during a 12-d storage at 4 °C. All antioxidant indices, except for ICC, of RBE-HI were significantly higher than those of RBE-HS due probably to its higher anthocyanin content ( P < 0.05). RBE-HS showed higher ICC ( P < 0.05). However, both fractions showed similar antioxidant activity in raw and cooked patties during storage, resulting from the complexity of antioxidant action in food systems. Textural properties (hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and springiness) in cooked patties with RBE-HS and RBE-HI were well maintained during storage, but changed significantly in the control ( P < 0.05). Only RBE-HS limited microbial growth in raw patties during storage ( P < 0.05), but its inhibitory effect was marginal because of low-dose and physical interactions with the matrix. L* (lightness) and a* (redness) of raw and cooked patties decreased significantly by both fractions, whereas b* (yellowness) was significantly decreased by RBE-HI and increased by RBE-HS ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that purple rice bran extract is applicable to meat products as a natural preservative, but color change in the products may limit its application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous studies, using cDNA microarray and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, showed that acetylcholinesterase T subunit (AChET) gene was more abundantly expressed in the hypothalamus of the responder rats that were sensitive to electroacupuncture (EA) in the tail flick latency (TFL) test than in that of the non-responder rats that were insensitive to EA. In this study, we hypothesized that the expression of the AChET gene in the hypothalamus modulates EA analgesia in rats. To explore the hypothesis, we constructed an AChET-encoding adenovirus and a control virus expressing only green fluorescence protein, either of which was then injected into the hypothalamus of Sprague-Dawley rats. The hypothalamic activity of acetylcholinesterase was significantly higher in rats that were injected with the AChET virus than in rats that were injected with the control virus. The basal pain threshold measured by a TFL test was not changed by microinjection of AChET or control virus into the hypothalamus when EA treatment was not conducted. However, the analgesic effect of EA was significantly enhanced from 7 days after microinjection of the AChET virus into the hypothalamus but not after injection of the control virus. Furthermore, expression of the AChET in the hypothalamus did not affect body core temperature, body weight, motor function or learning and memory ability. Taken together, these results suggest that adenoviral expression of the AChET gene in the hypothalamus potentiates EA analgesia in rats without apparent side-effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fractions of meat homogenates were analyzed to find the factors that determine the susceptibility of raw chicken breast and beef loin to lipid oxidation. The fractions used in this study were meat homogenate, precipitate, and supernatant of homogenate after centrifugation, and high and low molecular weight fractions from the supernatant. Chicken breast showed greater oxidative stability than beef loin during 10-d storage ( P < 0.05). All fractions from chicken breast showed lower amounts of free ionic iron and myoglobin and higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) than those from beef loin during storage. The TAC level of chicken breast maintained during storage. This suggested that the oxidative stability of chicken breast was ascribed to high, stable total antioxidant capacity with low level of catalysts for lipid oxidation. The water-soluble high molecular weight fraction, which contained myoglobin, was responsible for the high lipoxygenase-like activity and lipid oxidation potential (LOP) in beef loin. TAC in all fractions from beef loin decreased during storage. This suggested that high myoglobin content in beef loin caused the imbalance between pro- and antioxidant factors leading to the high susceptibility of beef loin to lipid oxidation. Myoglobin served a major source of catalysts, ferrylmyoglobin, hematin, and/or free ionic iron, for lipid oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The susceptibility of meats from different animal species (chicken breast [CB] and thigh [CT], pork [PL], and beef [BL]) to lipid oxidation was studied. The amounts of TBARS in raw PL, CB, and CT did not change during a 7-d storage period. TBARS values of raw BL, however, significantly increased during 7-d storage because of high heme iron content, high lipoxygenase-like activities, and low 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities. Ferric ion reducing capacities (FRC) were detected in all raw meats, but their characteristics were different: storage-unstable in CB and CT and storage-stable in PL and BL. Ferric ion reducing capacities in raw CB and CT was higher than those of PL and BL, and could be related to their high oxidative stability. The TBARS values of cooked meat increased significantly with storage. The rates of TBARS increase in cooked CT and BL were significantly higher than those of cooked CB and PL after a 7-d storage. Nonheme iron content in cooked BL was higher than other meats and increased significantly after 7 d. Cooked BL had a higher amount of heat-stable FRC, which acted as a prooxidant in the presence of high free ionic irons, than other meats. Therefore, high heat-stable FRC and increased nonheme iron content in cooked BL were responsible for its high susceptibility to lipid oxidation. Despite relatively low nonheme iron and heat-stable FRC levels, cooked CT showed similar levels of TBARS to cooked BL after a 7-d storage because of its high PUFA content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at developing value-added low sodium chloride (NaCl), phosphate-free restructured patties using minced channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) belly flap meat. The effect of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and nonmeat proteins (isolated soy protein, ISP, and whey protein concentrate, WPC; 1.7%, respectively) alone and in combination were evaluated to improve cooking yield and textural properties in patties with reduced NaCl and no phosphate. The concentration effect of MTGase (0.05% to 0.7%) was also studied. The addition of MTGase increased textural properties such as binding strength, hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and springiness, but decreased cooking yield of the patties ( P < 0.05). Isolated soy protein increased cooking yield ( P < 0.05), but did not affect textural properties. Inclusion of WPC did not increase cooking yield or impact textural properties of patties. The combination of MTGase and ISP significantly increased both the cooking yield and textural properties of patties. As the concentration of MTGase increased at constant ISP, the textural properties of cooked patties significantly increased, but cooking yield decreased ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that the combination of 0.05% to 0.1% of MTGase with 1.7% ISP is optimal for development of a low NaCl, phosphate-free patty using minced catfish belly flap meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: We have previously reported different susceptibilities of periodontopathic and nonperiodontopathic bacteria to antimicrobial peptides and phagocytosis by neutrophils. Differences between the two groups of bacteria may exist also in their ability to induce immune responses from the host. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of various oral bacteria on innate immune responses by gingival epithelial cells. Material and Methods: HOK-16B cells were cocultured with live or lysed nonperiodontopathic ( n = 3) and periodontopathic ( n = 5) bacterial species. The levels of human beta defensin-1, -2 and -3, and of the cathelicidin, LL-37, were examined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the accumulated interleukin-8 and interleukin-1α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Nonperiodontopathic bacteria up-regulated some antimicrobial peptides without affecting the levels of cytokines. In the periodontopathic group, the orange-complex bacteria induced antimicrobial peptides and interleukin-8 efficiently, but the red-complex bacteria often demonstrated suppressive effects. In contrast to live bacteria, bacterial lysates had no suppressive effects. In addition, some bacterial lysates demonstrated a reduced ability to induce antimicrobial peptides compared with live bacteria. Conclusion: The nonperiodontopathic, the orange-complex, and the red-complex bacteria had different effects on the innate immune responses from gingival epithelial cells, which may affect the outcome of their host–microbial interaction in gingival sulcus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intravenous magnesium reduces the QTc interval of patients receiving ibutilide. Whether oral magnesium can reduce the QTc interval associated with oral sotalol and dofetilide is not known. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of oral magnesium on the QTc interval and whether an inherent intracellular magnesium deficiency exists among patients with arrhythmias.Methods: Participants receiving sotalol or dofetilide for atrial or ventricular arrhythmias were randomized to receive magnesium l-lactate (504 mg elemental magnesium daily, Niche Pharmaceuticals, Roanoke, TX) or placebo for 48 hours. A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained at baseline, 3 hours, and 51 hours after dosing to correspond to the Tmax after oral ingestion. The QTc interval was measured from the ECGs and compared between groups. Intracellular magnesium concentrations were determined by energy-dispersive x-ray analysis at baseline and 51 hours after dosing (Intracellular Diagnostics, Inc., Foster City, CA).Results: The QTc interval reductions from baseline were greater in the magnesium group than placebo at 3 and 51 hours (P = 0.015 and P < 0.001, respectively). Sixty-three percent of patients (regardless of experimental group) had baseline intracellular magnesium concentrations below the normal reference range of 33.9-41.9 mEq/IU, with an average level of 32.6 +/- 2.2 mEq/IU.Conclusions: Oral magnesium l-lactate raises intracellular magnesium concentrations and lowers the QTc interval of patients receiving sotalol or dofetilide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of epinephrine, norepinephrine, or placebo on the ventricular fibrillation cycle length (VFCL) and the variability of VFCL (cvVFCL) measurements in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients with or without beta-blockers.Methods: Forty-three patients scheduled for their 6-week post-ICD placement noninvasive electrophysiologic study were included in the study at the Arrhythmia Procedure Laboratory at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation was approved by the Hartford Hospital Institutional Review Board.Results: After 2 seconds of continuous VF, 7 consecutive VFCLs were measured from the ICD device recording printout using a 0.5 mm scale ruler under magnification at baseline and after the infusion of catecholamines (epinephrine or norepinephrine at 2 mcg/min) or matching placebo at steady state. The average VFCL and the cvVFCL were determined for each study phase. Subgroup analysis based on chronic beta-blocker use was performed. No between-group differences were noted for epinephrine, norepinephrine, or placebo group for baseline (P=0.538) or postinfusion VFCL (P=0.749) or for baseline (P=0.561) or postinfusion cvVFCL (P=0.623) Regardless of catecholamine group randomization, longer pre- and postinfusion VFCL were noted in those receiving beta-blockers (P=0.157, P=0.019) but no differences in cvVFCL were noted (P=0.216, P=0.474) versus those without beta-blockers, respectively.Conclusion: Moderately dosed epinephrine or norepinephrine does not affect either VFCL or the variability of VFCL after short duration of ventricular fibrillation. Chronic cardioselective beta-blockade prolongs VFCL without any impact on coefficient of variation of VFCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The efficacy and tolerability of paroxetine in the treatment of depressive disorders is well known, however, its efficacy and safety for the treatment of depression in patients with cancer has been poorly studied. Therefore this study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of paroxetine in the treatment of depressed patients with haematological malignancy (HM). Method Fifty-two patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) based on DSM-IV criteria along with comorbid HM were allotted to an 8 week trial with a flexible-dose regime of paroxetine in combination with their chemotherapy or supportive pharmacotherapy. The treatment response was assessed at baseline, week 2, week 4 and week 8 with the 17-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D17), the Montgomery Åsberg depression rating scale (MADRS) and the clinical global impression-severity (CGI-S). Side effects were collected with reported adverse events and laboratory tests throughout the study period. Results 44.2% of 52 patients completed the 8 week trial. Scores on the HAM-D17, MADRS and CGI-s (last observation carried forward, LOCF) at baseline were significantly reduced with a mean reduction of 30.5%, 32.8% and 39.1%, respectively, after 8 weeks treatment with paroxetine. Conclusion In this preliminary study, paroxetine was found to be effective and moderately tolerated in the treatment of depressed patients with HM, and the present study calls for a controlled study in this field to extend and form a framework on the psychopharmacological data in this field. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the influence of orlistat on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (the blood glucose-lowering effect) of glyburide, an open-label, placebo-controlled, randomized, two-way crossover study was done in 12 healthy male volunteers. Each subject received single 5-mg oral doses of glyburide (Micronase; The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, MI) on the fifth day of treatment with placebo (treatment A) and 80-mg orlistat (treatment B) three times a day for 4 1/3 days; the two treatments were separated by a five-day washout period. Serial blood samples were collected before and at appropriate intervals after each glyburide dose to determine plasma concentrations and blood glucose levels. Values of Cmax and AUC of glyburide showed an equality of the two treatments by the analysis of variance. There was an apparent correlation between blood glucose level and the logarithm of plasma glyburide concentration; this relationship appeared to not be altered when glyburide was administered with orlistat. In conclusion, orlistat administered at doses of 80-mg three times daily does not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics and blood glucose-lowering effect of a single 5-mg oral dose of glyburide in healthy volunteers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the authors of the article "Ductal carcinoma in situ—update on risk assessment and management" in the 2016 issue is presented.

The article discusses the video on intra-operative fluorescence imaging for identifying in mesenteric tissue, collateral vessels around inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) and pancreas, and left colic artery from inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) in robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Topics discussed include incorporation of Firefly™ technique from robotic surgical system manufacturer Intuitive Surgical Inc., and technique allows precise dissection of lymph node along IMA.

The antimicrobial activity of origanum oil (OG) was determined against Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7. The efficacy of catfish gelatin coating containing selected concentrations of OG (0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%, v/v) was also investigated in catfish flesh irradiated, inoculated with both bacteria, and stored at selected temperatures. The antimicrobial activity of catfish gelatin coating was determined by cell counts during storage at 4 and 10 °C for 12 d. The color properties of catfish flesh coated with catfish gelatin containing OG were also measured. In the media, the inhibitory effects of OG against S. Typhimurium were greater than the inhibition effects against E. coli O157:H7, exhibiting complete inhibition against S. Typhimurium at the concentration greater than 0.5% (v/v). The incorporation of OG into catfish gelatin coating also inhibited both S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 in catfish flesh stored at 4 °C. The reduction of S. Typhimurium counts by gelatin coating containing 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2% (v/v) OG were 0.58, 0.73, 1.16, and 1.76 log CFU/g, respectively, exhibiting the greatest effect at 2% (v/v) OG ( P < 0.05). During storage at 10 °C, the reduction of S. Typhimurium counts by catfish gelatin coatings with 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2 % (v/v) OG were 0.67, 0.91, 1.32, and 2.05 log CFU/g, respectively. The incorporation of OG into catfish gelatin coating exhibited greater antimicrobial activity against S. Typhimurium than against E. coli O157:H7 at both temperatures. The lightness and yellowness of catfish flesh was not altered; however, the redness of catfish gelatin was decreased by catfish gelatin coating containing OG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the effects of electron beam irradiation and antimicrobials. These technologies were tested to identify their impacts on the volatiles, color and texture of ready-to-eat turkey breast roll. It has been found out that the addition of potassium benzoate in breast rolls can lead to the production of high amount of benzene after irradiation which suggested that benzoate salt is not a good antimicrobial to be used in irradiation.