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The pandemic COVID-19 caused by severe acutely respiratory coronavirus 2 has been a serious challenge for the health system around the world. In this study, 58 patients (30 males and 28 females) have coronavirus 2 diagnosed by RT PCR. Also, a normal control group of 46 persons was included. The routine following tests were performed CBC, CRP, serum urea, creatinine, random blood sugar, Hemoglobin A1c to both patients, and normal control group. In this research, 10.3% had thrombocytopenia mostly mild type. Neutrophilia is found in 12% of patients, maybe due to secondary bacterial infection. The mechanism of lymphopenia can be direct infection or cytokines mediated noticed in 19% of patients, Eosinophils and monocytes count is significantly lower than the normal control group. Neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio is significantly higher than the normal group. In patients group, 29.3% noticed to have diabetes mellitus. Moreover, CRP was significantly higher in the patient group. Routine hematological and biochemical parameters could be useful tool discriminate between mild type and sever COVID19 that may need intensive care unit. In order to manage human and medical resources suitably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2) or Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been involved in cases of moderate to severe respiratory system diseases. The World Health Organization “WHO” has reported that infections with COVID-19 are a global pandemic. Aim of our study was designed to study the relationship of some biochemical parameters with COVID-19 infection in Mosul City, Iraq. A cross-sectional study in a cohort of 240 (116 males and 124 females) individuals with positively COVID-19 and 112 healthy controls, which paid a visit Al-Salam Teaching hospital in Mosul city, Iraq from the date of 15th January to 15th March 2021. Their ages were ranging from 12- 61 years. All patients have already been diagnosed with COVID-19 and they have symptoms and signs. Whole blood samples were taken from each of the patients and healthy controls to analyze for; serum ferritin, GOT, GPT, LDH and D-dimer. Our study revealed that the majority of the COVID-19 patients showed increased levels of serum ferritin, LDH and D-dimer, while having a reverse effect with serum GOT and GPT that showed normal value in patients with COVID-19 compared to healthy controls. Infection with COVID-19 may be increase the levels of serum ferritin, LHD and D-dimer, and monitoring of these biochemical parameters is necessary especially in patients with severe illness of COVID-19 disease to help in the improvement of disease outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the mechanism of neuroprotection rendered via pharmacological postconditioning in cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion‐induced injury in mice. Methods: Pharmacological postconditioning is strategy which either involves hindering deleterious pathway or inducing modest stress level which triggers intracellular defence pathway to sustain more vigorous insult leading to conditioning. Hence, in current research we explored the potentiality of CGS21680 (0.5 mg/kg; i.p), an adenosine A2A receptor agonist and PTEN inhibitor, SF1670 (3 mg/kg; i.p.) to trigger postconditioning after inducing cerebral global ischaemia (17 min) and reperfusion (24 h)‐induced injury via occlusion of both carotid arteries. Mice were also given treatment with LY294002 (1.5 mg/kg; i.p.), a PI3K inhibitor and adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, Istradefylline (2 mg/kg; i.p.), to establish the precise mechanism of postconditioning. Various biochemical and behavioural parameters were assessed to examine the effect of pharmacological postconditioning. Key Findings: Pharmacological postconditioning induced with CGS21680 and SF1670 attenuated the infarction along with improved behavioural and biochemical parameters in comparison with ischaemia–reperfusion control group. The outcome of postconditioning with CGS21680 and SF1670 was significantly reversed by LY294002 and Istradefylline, respectively. Conclusions: The neuroprotective effects of CGS21680 and SF1670 postconditioning on cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion injury may be due to PI3K/Akt pathway activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing consumer demand for produces without chemical residues has focused efforts on the assessment of innovative natural antimicrobials. In this context, chitosan, derived from abundantly available chitin sources such as crab, shrimp and insects, has been reported to possess an excellent film-forming ability and inherent antimicrobial properties suitable for development of edible antimicrobial films. Thus, the present study was established to study the effect of chitosan coating on extending postharvest quality of fresh tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. 'Diamentino') maintained at two different storage temperatures (5 °C with 90% relative humidity and 21 °C with 65% relative humidity). Coating the tomatoes with chitosan solutions reduced the weight loss, with greater effect at 1% than 0.5 or 2% concentrations. Chitosan-coated tomatoes were firmer, higher in titratable acidity, and exhibited less biochemical changes than the control fruit at the end of storage. The loss in visual quality was significantly reduced by coating the fruits with chitosan solutions of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% as compared to the control. Among the applied concentrations, chitosan at 1% can be recommended as it was pioneering for most of the parameters analyzed during cold storage at both 5 °C for 20 d and at 21 °C for 10 d. Due to its lower cost and convenience to human health, chitosan may be one of the attractive and effective biopolymers for achieving adequate conservation of fresh tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the release of nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, magnesium, and lead from prosthodontic base metal alloys into proteincontaining biologic solutions. Materials and Methods: Dissolution experiments were conducted in either 3% Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium or 3% bovine serum albumin solutions for 7 weeks. Results: The protein-containing dissolution solutions and dissolution time did not have a significant effect on release of elements from the alloys (Kruskal-Wallis, P> .05). Conclusions: The amount of the released elements was well below the dietary intake levels of these elements. This study is important given the widespread use of the base metal alloys and the continuing public concerns/questions regarding the health benefits/risks associated with these materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles was done using leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica. The flavonoids and terpenoids present in the extract act as both reducing and capping agent. Microbes ( Escherichia coli and Gram-positive bacteria) were isolated from borewell water using selective media. The silver nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria and E. coli. However the silver nanoparticles were more effective against E. coli as compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Various techniques were used to characterize synthesized silver nanoparticles such as DLS and UV-visible spectrophotometer. The absorbance peak was in the range of 420-450 nm, that varied depending upon the variation in the concentration of neem extract. This is a very rapid and cost-effective method for generation of silver nanoparticle at room temperature, however, its exact dose in water purification has to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar puckering of nucleosides impacts nucleic acid structures; hence their biological function. Similarly, nucleoside-based therapeutics may adopt different conformations affecting their binding affinity, DNA incorporation, and excision rates. As a result, significant efforts have been made to develop nucleoside analogues adopting specific conformations to improve bioactivity and pharmacokinetic profiles of the corresponding nucleosidecontaining drugs. Understanding and ultimately predicting these conformational preferences would significantly help in the design of more effective structures. We report herein a computational study based on hybrid QM/MM umbrella sampling simulations that allow the accurate prediction of the sugar conformational preferences of chemically modified nucleosides in solution. Moreover, we pair these simulations with natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis to gain key insights into the role of substituents in the conformational preferences of these nucleosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Tendons play a critical role in the transmission of forces between muscles and bones, and chronic tendon injuries and diseases are among the leading causes of musculoskeletal disability. Little is known about sex-based differences in tendon structure and function. Our objective was to evaluate the mechanical properties, biochemical composition, transcriptome, and cellular activity of plantarflexor tendons from 4 month old male and female C57BL/6 mice using in vitro biomechanics, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, genome-wide expression profiling, and cell culture techniques. While the Achilles tendons of male mice were approximately 6% larger than female mice ( p < 0.05), the cell density of female mice was around 19% greater than males ( p < 0.05). No significant differences in mechanical properties ( p > 0.05) of plantaris tendons were observed. Mass spectrometry proteomics analysis revealed no significant difference between sexes in the abundance of major extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen types I ( p = 0.30) and III ( p = 0.68), but female mice had approximately twofold elevations ( p < 0.05) in less abundant ECM proteins such as fibronectin, periostin, and tenascin C. The transcriptome of male and female tendons differed by only 1%. In vitro, neither the sex of the serum that fibroblasts were cultured in, nor the sex of the ECM in which they were embedded, had profound effects on the expression of collagen and cell proliferation genes. Our results indicate that while male mice expectedly had larger tendons, male and female tendons have very similar mechanical properties and biochemical composition, with small increases in some ECM proteins and proteoglycans evident in female tendons. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2117-2126, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Patients with acromegaly demonstrate impaired quality of life (QoL), but data on long-term QoL changes in treated acromegaly are limited. This study evaluates and identifies factors that influence QoL in patients with long-term biochemical remission. Design The study consists of a cross-sectional arm comparing QoL between patients with treated and controlled acromegaly and healthy controls; and a longitudinal arm assessing QoL changes in patients with biochemically stable disease during 5.7±0.6 years of follow-up. Patients A total of 58 patients and 116 matched controls were recruited for the cross-sectional arm; 28 patients completed the longitudinal arm. Measurements Three generic questionnaires (Psychological General Well-Being Schedule [ PGWBS], 36-item Short-Form [ SF-36], EuroQoL [ EQ-5D]) and the disease-specific acromegaly QoL questionnaire (AcroQoL) were applied. Results Quality of life assessment was performed 11.6±8.2 years following diagnosis and treatment of acromegaly. Patients with treated acromegaly had lower QoL scores compared with controls in all questionnaires with the exception of the PGWBS 'Anxiety' subscale. The AcroQoL 'Appearance' subscale and the 'Physical Function' subscales of the remaining questionnaires were the most underscored domains. No difference in the total and subscale scores of all questionnaires was observed between baseline and follow-up, with the exception of the SF-36 'Physical Function,' where a decline was found (58.5±24.7% vs 43.1±31.1%; P=.002). However, after adjusting for covariates, no significant change in any of the QoL scores was seen. Duration of IGF-1/ GH control was positively correlated with QoL scores in most questionnaires at baseline, whereas use of GH lowering therapy at the time of QoL assessment was a negative predictive factor of QoL. Conclusion Patients with biochemically controlled acromegaly demonstrate impaired QoL, which persists despite long-term disease control. This primarily consists of impaired physical function and secondly of impaired psycho-social well-being. Duration of biochemical disease control and current use of GH lowering therapy was the predominant factors determining patients' QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2013 the Joint British Diabetes Societies published an update to their 2010 guideline on the management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In 2014 a national survey was conducted to assess the management of DKA across the UK using the JBDS or local guidelines. Hospitals were invited to submit data on 5 people presenting with DKA. These data were published in 2016. However, whether those national results were applicable to individual hospitals remains unknown.Aim: To assess the management of people presenting with DKA at a single hospital and compare the results with the national dataset.Methods: Using the identical data collection tool as used in the national survey we collected information on 40 subjects (a total of 52 admissions) admitted with DKA between April 2014 and July 2015.Results: The data collected locally were very similar to those found in the national dataset. The management of DKA was best during the first few hours after admission, then biochemical and physical monitoring frequency decreased. The number of people who developed hypokalaemia and hypoglycaemia were very similar to the national data. Rates of biochemical improvement were slightly better locally.Conclusions: The data from the national DKA survey, even though based on a maximum of 5 people per hospital from across the UK are applicable at a hospital level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In patients, rapid identification of bacterial species may help to guide treatment at early stages. New protocols for the identification directly from positive blood culture flasks significantly helped in the presented case report.Case Presentation: Two patients (a father and son) presented with diarrhea, malaise, and fever of 3 to 4 days duration. Blood cultures from both patients cultured short Gram-positive rods. MALDI-TOF based rapid identification protocol direct from positive blood culture identified Listeria monocytogenes as the cause of sepsis and could be confirmed with conventional methods. Listeria monocytogenes was identified 24 h later by conventional biochemical identification methods (VITEK 2). Antibiotic treatment was adjusted early in response to the MALDI-TOF based identification of bacteremia. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis confirmed the suspected relatedness of the father's and son's isolates.Conclusions: MALDI-TOF based may provide a rapid identification of bacterial species directly from positive blood culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of commercially prepared heparin as an anticoagulant and antithrombotic agent in medicine are better understood than is the physiological role of heparin in its native form, where it is uniquely found in the secretory granules of mast cells. In the present study we have isolated and characterised the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) released from degranulating rat peritoneal mast cells. Analysis of the GAGs by NMR spectroscopy showed the presence of both heparin and the galactosaminoglycan dermatan sulphate; heparinase digestion profiles and measurements of anticoagulant activity were consistent with this finding. The rat peritoneal mast cell GAGs significantly inhibited accumulation of leukocytes in the rat peritoneal cavity in response to IL-1β (p < 0.05, n = 6/group), and inhibited adhesion and diapedesis of leukocytes in the inflamed rat cremasteric microcirculation in response to LPS (p < 0.001, n = 4/group). FTIR spectra of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were altered by treatment of the cells with heparin degrading enzymes, and restored by the addition of exogenous heparin. In conclusion, we have shown that rat peritoneal mast cells contain a mixture of GAGs that possess anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are important sources of potentially therapeutic biochemical drugs. Crocus sativus L. has been used to treat various diseases in China, the Republic of Korea and Japan. The present study investigated the protective effect of C. sativus L. extract in Drosophila melanogaster intestinal immunity. Wild-type flies were fed standard cornmeal-yeast medium and used as controls, and flies supplemented with 1% C. sativus L. aqueous extract in standard medium were used as the experimental group. Following the ingestion of the various toxic compounds, the survival rate of the flies was determined. Cell viability and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using 7-amino-actinomycin D and dihydroethidium staining, respectively. The present study demonstrated that aqueous extracts of C. sativus L. may significantly increase the lifespan and survival rate of adult flies. Additionally, C. sativus L. may decrease epithelial cell death and ROS levels, resulting in improved intestinal morphology. These findings indicated that C. sativus L. had a protective effect against intestinal injury and may extend the lifespan of Drosophila. Therefore, the findings of the present study may improve the understanding of clinical researchers on the complex effects of C. sativus L. in intestinal disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of protein aggregation-associated degenerative diseases is long and growing, while the portfolio of disease-modifying strategies is very small. In this review and perspective, we assess what has worked to slow the progression of an aggregation-associated degenerative disease, covering the underlying mechanism of pharmacologic action and what we have learned about the etiology of the transthyretin amyloid diseases and likely amyloidoses in general. Next, we introduce emerging therapies that should apply more generally to protein misfolding and/or aggregation diseases, approaches that rely on adapting the protein homeostasis or proteostasis network for disease amelioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation and oxidative stress are two faces of one coin in end stage renal disease patients (ESRD) on maintenance hemodialysis. Their interconnection induces anemia complicated with erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness. The biochemical bases behind the resistance to erythropoietin therapy with frequent hemoglobinemia, oxidative stress and iron status have not been fully understood. Here two equal groups (40 patients each) of responders and non-responders to recombinant human erythropoietin therapy (higher than 300 IU/kg/wk of epoetin) were investigated. Hematological and biochemical analyses of collected blood and serum samples were performed along with serum electrophoretic protein footprinting. The leukocytic DNA fragmentation was used to evaluate the degree of oxidative insult. The good responders showed lower erythrocyte malondialdehyde (E-MDA) level and less DNA fragmentation of circulating leukocytes than poor responders with elevated hemoglobin, albumin, A/G ratio, total iron, and ferritin levels. Contrariwise, lower erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (E-SOD) and catalase activities in EPO poor responder group were noticed. Neither other serum constituents nor electrophoretic protein pattern showed any difference between the two groups. There were higher levels of inflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in EPO poor responder than good responder. The negative correlations between Hb and both IL6 and CRP levels in the present data remotely indicate a positive correlation between inflammatory markers and severity of anemia. A direct correlation between Hb and antioxidant enzymes (E-SOD and catalase) was noticed, while inverse correlation with E-MDA was recorded. The study proved that oral supplementation of vitamin C to ESRD patients might mitigate the previously elevated serum MDA level in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is increasing in the world. The rate, efficacy and safety of ART are very different among countries. There is an increase in the use of intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), single fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Objective: The objective of this study was to compare pregnancy rate in fresh ET and FET. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study 1014 ICSI-ET cycles (426 fresh ET and 588 FET) from 753 women undergoing ICSI treatment referred to Fatemezahra Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center in Babol, Iran from 2008 to 2013 were reviewed. Results: There were no significant differences between biochemical pregnancy rate (23% versus 18.8%, OR 1.301; 95% CI .95-1.774), gestational sac (95.6% versus 100% in FET, OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.54-0.67), and fetal heart activity (87.2% versus 93.6% OR .46; 95% CI .16-1.32) in fresh ET and FET cycles, respectively. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all measures. Conclusion: Although, the result showed no significantly difference between the fresh ET and the FET cycles, however the embryos are able to be stored for subsequent ART. Therefore, we recommend FET cycles as an option alongside the fresh ET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic kinase assays and docking simulation studies have shown that the natural product wrightiadione displays inhibitory activity toward TrkA and PLK3. In this study, the template of wrightiadione served as a starting point for Trk inhibitor development campaigns. Molecular simulation provided structural insights for the design of derivatives that were efficiently generated by our recently developed 3-step tandem synthetic approach, resulting in the discovery of compound 2h with biochemical potency at the single-digit micromolar level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Migraine is an incompletely understood, debilitating disorder that lacks a universally effective treatment. Magnesium participates in a variety of biochemical processes related to migraine pathophysiology, and a deficiency could contribute to migraine development. Methods: A review of the literature from 1990 to the present on magnesium and migraine was conducted. Review: The authors identified 16 studies aimed at magnesium status assessment in migraine, and four intervention trials assessing the efficacy of oral magnesium supplementation, independent of other therapies, in the prevention of migraine. Conclusion: The strength of evidence supporting oral magnesium supplementation is limited at this time. With such limited evidence, a more advantageous alternative to magnesium supplementation, in patients willing to make lifestyle changes, may be to focus on increasing dietary magnesium intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify whether biochemical pregnancy (BP) and spontaneous abortion (SA) cases have the same clinical characteristics in assisted reproductive therapy (ART), and to assess its predictive value for the subsequent cycles. Methods: Retrospectively reviewed 12,174 cycles in the first in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle from January 2009 to December 2012 of Peking University Third Hospital Reproductive Medical Center. Besides those patients who reached ongoing pregnancy stage, 7,598 cases were divided into three groups: group 1, lack of pregnancy ( n = 6,651); group 2, BP ( n = 520); and group 3, SA ( n = 427). We compared the basic status of patients of the three groups, including ages, body mass index, basic hormone levels, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols, amount of gonadotropin use, and endometrium thickness. The reproductive outcome of the next embryo transfer cycles of the three groups was analyzed. Results: 520 patients ended as BP, and 427 patients ended as SA. The age, primary infertility proportion, body mass index, basic FSH level and basic E2 level were similar among groups. Endometrial thickness, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocol, Gn dosage, average oocyte retrieval and ET numbers were also similar. Multivariate analysis showed that only the age ( P = 0.037, OR 1.060, 95 % CI 1.001-1.120) and endometrium thickness on hCG administration day ( P = 0.029, OR 1.136, 95 % CI 1.013-1.275) may result in the differences between BP and SA groups. In the subsequent ET cycles, the total BP rate was 4.37 %, clinical pregnancy rate was 37.28 %, and miscarriage rate was 8.18 %. The clinical pregnancy rates were similar among groups. However, BP group still had the highest BP rate ( P < 0.05, 7.97 vs. 4.01 % and 5.28 %), BP and SA group had higher miscarriage rate ( P < 0.05, 11.76 % and 14.75 vs. 7.41 %). Conclusion: BP and SA in first IVF cycles had negative predictive value for subsequent ART outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction • Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a form of light therapy that triggers biochemical changes within cells. Photons are absorbed by cellular photoreceptors, triggering chemical alterations and potential biochemical benefits to the human body. LLLT has been used in pain management for years and is also known as cold laser therapy, which uses low-frequency continuous laser of typically 600 to 1000 nm wavelength for pain reduction and healing stimulation. Many studies have demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects provided by photobiomodulation in both experimental and clinical trials. Objective • The purpose of this research article was to present a summary of the possible pain management benefits of LLLT. Results • In cold laser therapy, coherent light of wavelength 600 to 1000 nm is applied to an area of concern with hope for photo-stimulating the tissues in a way that promotes and accelerates healing. This is evidenced by the similarity in absorption spectra between oxidized cytochrome c oxidase and action spectra from biological responses to light. LLLT, using the properties of coherent light, has been seen to produce pain relief and fibroblastic regeneration in clinical trials and laboratory experiments. LLLT has also been seen to significantly reduce pain in the acute setting; it is proposed that LLLT is able to reduce pain by lowering the level of biochemical markers and oxidative stress, and the formation of edema and hemorrhage. Many studies have demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects provided by photobiomodulation in both experimental and clinical trials. Conclusion • Based on current research, the utilization of LLLT for pain management and osteoarthritic conditions may be a complementary strategy used in clinical practice to provide symptom management for patients suffering from osteoarthritis and chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the contribution of Indian biochemist Yellapragada SubbaRow to the medical sector with the introduction of methotrexate and other drugs for dermatologists. He is claimed to have successfully devised a method to isolate and synthesize folic acid (vitamin B9) on industrial scale. SubbaRow reportedly started a new project to safeguard the soldiers by including "parasiticides" in his research work after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.

Scorpions belonging to the Buthidae family have traditionally drawn much of the biochemist’s attention due to the strong toxicity of their venoms. Scorpions not toxic to mammals, however, also have complex venoms. They have been shown to be an important source of bioactive peptides, some of them identified as potential drug candidates for the treatment of several emerging diseases and conditions. It is therefore important to characterize the large diversity of components found in the non-Buthidae venoms. As a contribution to this goal, this manuscript reports the construction and characterization of cDNA libraries from four scorpion species belonging to the Vaejovis genus of the Vaejovidae family: Vaejovis mexicanus, V. intrepidus, V. subcristatus and V. punctatus. Some sequences coding for channel-acting toxins were found, as expected, but the main transcribed genes in the glands actively producing venom were those coding for non disulfide-bridged peptides. The ESTs coding for putative channel-acting toxins, corresponded to sodium channel β toxins, to members of the potassium channel-acting α or κ families, and to calcium channel-acting toxins of the calcin family. Transcripts for scorpine-like peptides of two different lengths were found, with some of the species coding for the two kinds. One sequence coding for La1-like peptides, of yet unknown function, was found for each species. Finally, the most abundant transcripts corresponded to peptides belonging to the long chain multifunctional NDBP-2 family and to the short antimicrobials of the NDBP-4 family. This apparent venom composition is in correspondence with the data obtained to date for other non-Buthidae species. Our study constitutes the first approach to the characterization of the venom gland transcriptome for scorpion species belonging to the Vaejovidae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of thalidomide (Thd) on H1N1-induced acute lung injury in mice. BALB/C mice were infected intranasally with influenza A virus (H1N1) and then treated with Thd at a dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg/day for 7 days. Weight loss and survival of mice were monitored for 14 days after virus challenge, and the serum and lung tissues were collected at 4 days for histological and biochemical analysis. The results showed that Thd significantly improved the survival rate, reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and cytokine ( e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) and chemokine ( e.g., RANTES, IP-10) levels, and inhibited activated p-NFκB p65 in infected mice. These findings suggested that Thd may attenuate H1N1-induced pulmonary injury and thus may find use in the treatment of viral diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are characteristic of injury or disease in cartilage tissue. Various imaging modalities and biochemical techniques have been used to assess the changes in cartilage tissue but lack adequate sensitivity, or in the case of biochemical techniques, result in destruction of the sample. Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy has shown promise for the study of cartilage composition. In the current study NIR spectroscopy was used to identify the contributions of individual components of cartilage in the NIR spectra by assessment of the major cartilage components, collagen and chondroitin sulfate, in pure component mixtures. The NIR spectra were obtained using homogenous pellets made by dilution with potassium bromide. A partial least squares (PLS) model was calculated to predict composition in bovine cartilage samples. Characteristic absorbance peaks between 4000 and 5000 cm −1 could be attributed to components of cartilage, i.e. collagen and chondroitin sulfate. Prediction of the amount of collagen and chondroitin sulfate in tissues was possible within 8% (w/dw) of values obtained by gold standard biochemical assessment. These results support the use of NIR spectroscopy for in vitro and in vivo applications to assess matrix composition of cartilage tissues, especially when tissue destruction should be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality and effectiveness of a therapeutic method. Assessing the satisfaction of patients undergoing homeopathic therapy is essential in the early steps of educating the community, if suitable outcomes are to be achieved. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008 on 125 patients from the city of Isfahan. Patients aged above 15 years who had referred to the homeopathic practitioners and received homeopathic drugs for at least three times were randomly selected and included in the study. Patient satisfaction was assessed in three main areas (general health, physician performance, and symptoms relief) using a valid questionnaire. The results were compared with those of a similar study conducted in 2004 on 240 patients. Results: Mean score of satisfaction with homeopathic treatment was 77.48 ± 6.36 out of 100. In 2004, it was 77.4 ± 8.13. Median age was 36.41 ± 11.25 years. Median time of therapy was 16.80 ± 17.94 months. The highest level of satisfaction was related to relief of symptoms. Satisfaction of physician performance and improvement of general health came next. The degree of satisfaction with therapy was not significant between the different groups with regard to their sex and different levels of education, but there was significant difference in the duration of treatment. The four symptoms that showed better improvement in 2008 were headache, gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, fatigue, and insomnia. Conclusions: After using homeopathy for several years, patients' satisfaction was found to be still high. Shifting the area of satisfaction from general health to relief of symptoms could be related to physicians' experiments for remedy selection. Scientific centers should do more surveys about the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment. Integration of homeopathy with medicine may bring in more success at less cost. It seems rational to support homeopathy as an effective practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prior study demonstrated increased overall response rates on a fixed interval (FI) schedule of reward in female offspring that had been subjected to maternal lead (Pb) exposure, prenatal stress (PS) and offspring stress challenge relative to control, prenatal stress alone, lead alone and lead + prenatal stress alone ( Virgolini et al., 2008 ). Response rates on FI schedules have been shown to directly relate to measures of self-control (impulsivity) in children and in infants ( Darcheville et al., 1992, 1993 ). The current study sought to determine whether enhanced effects of Pb ± PS would therefore be seen in a more direct measure of impulsive choice behavior, i.e., a delay discounting paradigm. Offspring of dams exposed to 0 or 50 ppm Pb acetate from 2 to 3 months prior to breeding through lactation, with or without immobilization restraint stress (PS) on gestational days 16 and 17, were trained on a delay discounting paradigm that offered a choice between a large reward (three 45 mg food pellets) after a long delay or a small reward (one 45 mg food pellet) after a short delay, with the long delay value increased from 0 s to 30 s across sessions. Alterations in extinction of this performance, and its subsequent re-acquisition after reinforcement delivery was reinstated were also examined. Brains of littermates of behaviorally-trained offspring were utilized to examine corresponding changes in monoamines and in levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the serotonin transporter (SERT) and the N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor (NMDAR) 2A in brain regions associated with impulsive choice behavior. Results showed that Pb ± PS-induced changes in delay discounting occurred almost exclusively in males. In addition to increasing percent long delay responding at the indifference point (i.e., reduced impulsive choice behavior), Pb ± PS slowed acquisition of delayed discounting performance, and increased numbers of both failures to and latencies to initiate trials. Overall, the profile of these alterations were more consistent with impaired learning/behavioral flexibility and/or with enhanced sensitivity to the downshift in reward opportunities imposed by the transition from delay discounting training conditions to delay discounting choice response contingencies. Consistent with these behavioral changes, Pb ± PS treated males also showed reductions in brain serotonin function in all mesocorticolimbic regions, broad monoamine changes in nucleus accumbens, and reductions in both BDNF and NMDAR 2A levels and increases in SERT in frontal cortex, i.e., in regions and neurotransmitter systems known to mediate learning/behavioral flexibility, and which were of greater impact in males. The current findings do not fully support a generality of the enhancement of Pb effects by PS, as previously seen with FI performance in females ( Virgolini et al., 2008 ), and suggest a dissociation of the behaviors controlled by FI and delay discounting paradigms, at least in response to Pb ± PS in rats. Collectively, however, the findings remain consistent with sex-dependent differences in the impacts of both Pb and PS and with the need to understand both the role of contingencies of reinforcement and underlying neurobiological effects in these sex differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patients with postoperative cognitive dysfunction have poor outcomes. Neuroinflammation may be the underlying pathophysiology for this dysfunction. We determined whether proinflammatory cytokines affect the trafficking of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors to the plasma membrane, a fundamental biochemical process for learning and memory. Methods Four-month-old male Fischer 344 rats were subjected to right carotid exposure under isoflurane anesthesia. Some rats received intravenous lidocaine infusion during anesthesia. Rats were tested two weeks later by Barnes maze. The hippocampus was harvested six hours after the surgery for western blotting of interleukin (IL)-1β or IL-6. Hippocampal slices were prepared from control rats or rats subjected to surgery two weeks previously. They were incubated with tetraethylammonium, an agent that can induce long term potentiation, for determining the trafficking of GluR1, an α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunit. Results Surgery or anesthesia increased the time to identify the target box during the Barnes maze test training sessions and one day after the training sessions. Surgery also prolonged the time to identify the target box eight days after the training sessions. Surgery increased IL-1β and IL-6 in the hippocampus. The tetraethylammonium-induced GluR1 phosphorylation and trafficking were abolished in the hippocampal slices of rats after surgery. These surgical effects were partly inhibited by lidocaine. The incubation of control hippocampal slices with IL-1β and IL-6 abolished tetraethylammonium-induced GluR1 trafficking and phosphorylation. Lidocaine minimally affected the effects of IL-1β on GluR1 trafficking. Conclusions Our results suggest that surgery increases proinflammatory cytokines that then inhibit GluR1 trafficking, leading to learning and memory impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The aim of this study was to identify prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics parameters predictive of [18F]fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FC PET/CT) features worsening in a cohort of patients with biochemical failure after prostate cancer treatment. Material and methods. This longitudinal cohort study comprised 103 consecutive patients. All patients underwent two 18FC PET/CT scans: one at baseline (PET1) and one after 6 months (PET2). Total PSA (tPSA), PSA velocity (vPSA), PSA doubling time (PSAdt), absolute variation in PSA values between PET2 and PET1 (ΔPSA), and percentage variation in PSA between the two PSA measurements (PSA%) were measured in each patient. Progression of disease on 18FC PET/CT findings was compared with the PSA kinetics parameters. The major outcome measure was disease progression at PET2. Results. 18FC PET/CT progression between PET1 and PET2 was reported in 64 patients (62.1%), while in 39 cases it remained unvaried. The following PSA kinetic parameters correlated with worsened 18FC PET/CT findings: ΔPSA >5 ng/ml [odds ratio (OR = 6.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-39.6; p = 0.04], vPSA >6 ng/ml/month (OR = 5.2, 95% CI 0.9-29.8; p = 0.05) and PSAdt <6 months (OR = 5.2, 95% CI 0.4-5.4; p = 0.03). From receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, the combination with the three PSA kinetics parameters for predicting worsened 18FC PET/CT findings resulted in a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI 77-92%) and specificity of 77% (95% CI 65-85%). Conclusion. PSA kinetics is strictly related to 18FC PET/CT findings. In patients with biochemical relapse, ΔPSA >5 ng/ml, PSAdt <6 months and vPSA >6 ng/ml/month are highly predictive of 18FC PET/CT features worsening, independently from the treatment received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with weight gain by psychiatric inpatients in short-term treatment. Methods A total of 378 medical records were reviewed, and sociodemographic, clinical, and baseline biochemical data from 221 psychiatric inpatients were analyzed. Results Evaluation of baseline characteristics indicated that the following were significant predictors of weight gain: Axis I diagnosis, treatment with second-generation antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, length of stay, admission body weight, low-density lipoprotein value, triglyceride level, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the independent predictors of weight gain were length of stay and taking both a second-generation antipsychotic and a mood stabilizer. The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio was an influencing factor inversely associated with weight gain ( P = 0.063). Discussion Length of hospitalization and polypharmacy strongly predicted weight gain among psychiatric inpatients receiving short-term treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The essential oils were obtained from Vitex agnus castus L. by hydrodistillation. [•] The essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC/MS systems, simultenously. [•] The cytotoxic activities against breast, lung and glio cancer cells were evaluated. [•] The fruit essential oil was found to more effective on breast cancer cell line. [•] The biochemical mechanisms of the oils were determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous and poorly understood group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Here we combined whole-exome sequencing of 12 tumor-normal DNA pairs, RNA sequencing analysis and targeted deep sequencing to identify new genetic alterations in PTCL transformation. These analyses identified highly recurrent epigenetic factor mutations in TET2, DNMT3A and IDH2 as well as a new highly prevalent RHOA mutation encoding a p.Gly17Val alteration present in 22 of 35 (67%) angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) samples and in 8 of 44 (18%) PTCL, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) samples. Mechanistically, the RHOA Gly17Val protein interferes with RHOA signaling in biochemical and cellular assays, an effect potentially mediated by the sequestration of activated guanine-exchange factor (GEF) proteins. In addition, we describe new and recurrent, albeit less frequent, genetic defects including mutations in FYN, ATM, B2M and CD58 implicating SRC signaling, impaired DNA damage response and escape from immune surveillance mechanisms in the pathogenesis of PTCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based devices provide an alternative technology for simple, low-cost, portable, and disposable or recyclable diagnostic tools for many applications, including clinical diagnosis, food quality control, and environmental monitoring. The present review focuses on new paper-based tests for point-of-care (POC) infectious disease testing. This review provides a brief presentation of the fabrication techniques and the main sample preparation procedures. Recent immunological and molecular testing formats based on new paper-based solutions which go beyond conventional lateral flow formats are also added. Emphasis is placed on how paper systems could be used for detecting whole and viable bacteria associated to infectious diseases. Paper has recently become attractive, since it is a ubiquitous and extremely cheap material. It is easy to store, easy to use, and is compatible with many (bio)chemical and (bio)medical applications. Paper absorbs and transports liquids by capillary force without additional mechanical assistance. Hence, paper-based analytical devices are promising and possibly game-changing, even if they still suffer from limitations, including accuracy and sensitivity. It is anticipated that, in the near future, with advances in fabrication procedures and associated analytical techniques, there will be a continuous flow of innovative paper-based diagnostics kits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochemical systems involving a high number of components with intricate interactions often lead to complex models containing a large number of parameters. Although a large model could describe in detail the mechanisms that underlie the system, its very large size may hinder us in understanding the key elements of the system. Also in terms of parameter identification, large models are often problematic. Therefore, a reduced model may be preferred to represent the system. Yet, in order to efficaciously replace the large model, the reduced model should have the same ability as the large model to produce reliable predictions for a broad set of testable experimental conditions. We present a novel method to extract an “optimal” reduced model from a large model to represent biochemical systems by combining a reduction method and a model discrimination method. The former assures that the reduced model contains only those components that are important to produce the dynamics observed in given experiments, whereas the latter ensures that the reduced model gives a good prediction for any feasible experimental conditions that are relevant to answer questions at hand. These two techniques are applied iteratively. The method reveals the biological core of a model mathematically, indicating the processes that are likely to be responsible for certain behavior. We demonstrate the algorithm on two realistic model examples. We show that in both cases the core is substantially smaller than the full model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] DSCR1 and FMRP are involved in local protein synthesis at dendritic spines. [•] DSCR1 biochemically and genetically interacts with FMRP. [•] DSCR1 and FMRP modulate dendritic spine morphogenesis. [•] DS and FXS share common biological pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the potential role of fresh Carica papaya (C. papaya) leaf extract on haematological and biochemical parameters and toxicological changes in a murine model. Methods: In total 36 mice were used for the trial. Fresh C. papaya leaf extract [0.2 mL (2 g)/mouse] was given only to the test group (18 mice). General behavior, clinical signs and feeding patterns were recorded. Blood and tissue samples were collected at intervals. Haematological parameters including platelet, red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), serum biochemistry including serum creatinine, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) were determined. Organs for possible histopathological changes were examined. Results: Neither group exhibited alteration of behavior or reduction in food and water intake. Similarly, no significant changes in SGOT, SGPT and serum creatinine levels were detected in the test group. Histopathological organ changes were not observed in either group of mice except in three liver samples of the test group which had a mild focal necrosis. The platelet count (11.33±0.35)×105/μL (P=0.000 04) and the RBC count (7.97±0.61)×106/μL (P=0.000 03) were significantly increased in the test group compared to that of the controls. However, WBC count and PCV (%) values were not changed significantly in the test group. The platelet count in the test group started to increase significantly from Day 3 (3.4±0.18×105/μL), reaching almost a fourfold higher at Day 21 (11.3×105/μL), while it was 3.8×105/μL and 5.5×105/μL at Day 3 and Day 21 respectively in the control. Likewise, the RBC count in the test group increased from 6×106/μL to 9×106/μL at Day 21 while it remained near constant in the control group (6×106/μL). Conclusions: Fresh C. papaya leaf extract significantly increased the platelet and RBC counts in the test group as compared to controls. Therefore, it is very important to identify those chemicals of C. papaya leaves as it can be recommended to be used as a medication to boost thrombopoiesis and erythropoiesis in humans and in animals in which these cell lineages have been compromised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To understand the fitness cost of novobiocin- and rifampicin-resistance in an attenuated Aeromonas hydrophiila vaccine strain AL09-71 N+R compared to its virulent parent strain AL09-71, colony size, cell size, cell proliferation rate, chemotactic response, and the ability to invade catfish gill cells of the two strains were compared. Our results revealed that: (1) the cell size and the colony size of AL09-71 N+R was significantly (P <0.05) smaller than that of AL09-71; (2) the proliferation rate of AL09-71 N+R was significantly (P <0.05) slower than that of AL09-71; (3) AL09-71 N+R had a significantly (P <0.05) lower chemotactic response to catfish mucus than that of AL09-71; 4) the ability of AL09-71 N+R to invade catfish gill cells was significantly (P <0.05) lower than that of AL09-71. To understand whether target site mutation might play a role in antibiotic resistance, novobiocin's target site DNA gyrase subunit B gyrB and rifampicin's target site RNA polymerase subunit B rpoB were sequenced from the two strains. Our results revealed the following five mutations: (1) two missense mutations (CGC to ATC resulting in arginine/R to serine/S; TAC to TGC resulting in tyrosine/Y to cysteine/C) between AL09-71 gyrB and AL09-71 N+R gyrB; (2) three missense mutations (GAC to AAC resulting in aspartic acid/D to asparagine/N; CTG to CCG resulting in leucine/L to proline/P; CTG to CCG resulting in leucine/L to proline/P) between AL09-71 rpoB and AL09-71 N+R rpoB. To determine whether any unique DNA sequences were present in AL09-71 but absent in AL09-71 N+R, PCR-select bacterial genome subtractive hybridization was performed. Of 96 clones selected from the subtractive genomic DNA library, 32 sequences were found. None of the 32 sequences was confirmed to be present in AL09-71 but absent in AL09-71 N+R. At the transcription level, 29 of the 32 genes were found to be expressed greater than 10-fold in AL09-71 N+R compared to that in AL09-71. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives (i) To identify and quantify an interfacial biochemical bond and the bonding strength of osseointegrated implants with bioactive titanium oxide chemistry, ATiOxB (A, metal cations; TiOx, titanium oxides/hydroxides; B, non-metal anions) and (ii) to provide quantitative evidence for the biochemical bond theory of osseointegration proposed by Sul et al. for description and explanation of why and how the implants with ATiOxB surface oxide chemistry may exhibit a significantly stronger bone response, in spite of the fact that the roughness values approached zero, or were equivalent to or significantly lower than those of the control implants. Materials and methods We applied a newly developed biochemical bond measurement ( BBM) method to model implant surfaces that were 'perfectly' smooth nanotopography near-zero roughness as the constant parameter, and used the bioactive surface chemistry of titanium oxide, ATiOxB chemistry as a variable parameter in rabbit tibiae for 10 weeks. In this manner, we determined an interfacial biochemical bond and quantified its bonding strength. Results The increase in biochemical bond strengths of the test implant relative to the control implant was determined to be 0.018 (±0.008) MPa (0.031 vs 0.021 MPa, n = 10) for tensile strength and 8.9 (±6.1) Ncm (33.0 vs 24.1 Ncm, n = 10) for removal torque. Tensile and removal torque show strong correlation in the Pearson test ( r = 0.901, P ≤ 0.001). In addition, histomorphometric measurements including bone-to-metal-contact ( BMC, P = 0.007), bone area and newly formed bone showed significant increases in the mean values for ATiOxB chemistry ( P = 0.007, n = 10). Biochemical bond theory states that the surface oxide chemistry, ATiOxB must have more electrical and chemical molecular polarity that fractionally charges the surfaces denoted as δ+ and δ− and leads to electrostatic and electrodynamic interactions with the bone healing cascade, eventually leading to the formation of biochemical bonding at the bone/implant interface. Conclusions The present study has provided quantitative evidence for biochemical bond theory of osseointegration of implants with bioactive surface oxide chemistry, ATiOxB. The theory of biochemical bonds may provide a scientific rationale pertinent to recent emerging trends and technologies for surface chemistry modifications of implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Our aim was to conduct a Phase I clinical trial to determine the feasibility of intraoperative detection of tumor margins in HER2 positive breast carcinoma using a hand-held γ-probe following administration of 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab Fab fragments. Accurate delineation of tumor margins is important for preventing local recurrence. Methods: Six patients with HER2-positive in situ or invasive ductal carcinoma were administered 74MBq (0.5mg) of 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab Fab fragments and counts in the tumor, surgical cavity wall and en face margins were measured intraoperatively at 72h post-injection using the Navigator or C-Trak γ-probes. Margins were evaluated histologically. Quantitative whole body planar imaging was performed to estimate radiation absorbed doses using OLINDA/EXM software. SPECT imaging of the thorax was performed to evaluate tumor uptake. The pharmacokinetics of elimination from the blood and plasma were determined over 72h. Results: There were no acute adverse reactions from 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab Fab fragments and no changes in hematological or biochemical indices were found over a 3month period. 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab Fab fragments exhibited a biphasic elimination from the blood and plasma with t1/2α=11.9h and 7.5h, respectively, and t1/2β=26.6 and 20.7h, respectively. The radiopharmaceutical accumulated in the liver, spleen and kidneys. SPECT imaging did not reveal tumor in any patient. The mean effective dose was 0.146mSv/MBq (10.8mSv for 74MBq). Counts in excised tumors were low but were higher than in margins. Margins in two patients harboured tumor but this was not correlated with counts obtained using the γ-probes. Surgical cavity counts were high and likely due to detection of γ-photons outside the surgical field. Conclusion: We conclude that it was not feasible, at least at the administered amount of radioactivity used in this study, to reliably detect the margins of disease in patients with in situ or invasive ductal carcinoma intraoperatively using a hand-held γ-probe and 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab Fab fragments due to low uptake in the tumor and involved margins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Both lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) in the family Fabaceae are two important cool-season food legumes, often experiencing water stress conditions during growth and maturity. Objective: The present study was undertaken to ascertain the response of these two crops under different water stress regimes. Materials and Methods: Different morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters were studied in a pot experiment under controlled environmental conditions. Along with control (proper irrigation, 0 stress), three sets of plants were subjected to mild (6 d), moderate (13 d) and severe (20 d) water stress by withholding irrigation at the appropriate time. Results: Compared with control, plant growth traits and seed yield components reduced significantly in both crops with increasing period of water stress, resulting in lowering of dry mass with more severe effect on lentil compared with grass pea. Foliar Relative Water Content (RWC) (%), K+/Na+ ratio, chlorophyll (chl) a, chl a/b ratio, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate declined considerably in both crops under water stress. Leaf-free proline level increased significantly in both crops, but it decreased markedly in nodules of lentil and remained unchanged in grass pea. Nodulation was also affected due to water stress. The impairment in growth traits and physio-biochemical parameters under water stress was manifested in reduction of drought tolerance efficiency of both crops. Conclusion: Impact of water stress was more severe on lentil compared with grass pea, and modulation of growth traits signified necessity of a detailed strategy in breeding of food legumes under water stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Highlights: [•] We analyze the properties of several polymerase η mutants. [•] We find several amino acid residues critical for fidelity. [•] Three identified SNP's have no detectable affect on polymerase function. [•] Lesion bypass efficiency and fidelity are not closely linked. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Salusins expressed in a variety of tissues exert a hypotensive effect owing to their vasodilator action. They are found in serum and tissues in two different forms: salusin-α and salusin-β. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important public health problem characterized by diabetes, obesity, abnormal blood lipid levels and high blood pressure. We investigated how salusins in the circulation and in kidney tissues change in relation to MetS. Experiments were conducted on 5-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats assigned to either a control group or a MetS group. Controls were fed standard rat food and water ad libitum, while the MetS group was fed standard food with 10% fructose solution added to their drinking water for three months. After three months, all animals were sacrificed after a one night fast. Blood and tissues were collected and stored appropriately. Biochemical parameters were analyzed using the Konelab 60 auto-analyzer. Salusin-α and salusin-β levels in the blood and kidneys were studied using the ELISA method. The salusin expression in the renal tissue was shown by immunohistochemical staining. Compared to the control group, the MetS group showed elevated uric acid and other lipid parameters for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels were decreased; however, salusin levels/mg kidney tissue were elevated. Immunohistochemical analysis of salusins in kidney tissue revealed their presence in the epithelium cells of the glomeruli, and proximal and distal tubule cells. The expression of both peptides in renal tissues was greater in the MetS group than in the control group. We believe that salusins are critical mediators in the etiopathology of MetS. Altered salusin levels are thought to regulate hypertension, which is a component of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: We aimed to investigate metabolic parameters in children with adenoid hypertrophy (AH) only or adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) and compare them with healthy controls. Methods: Forty-four prepubertal children aged 6–12 years who were obstructive symptoms and 16 healthy children were recruited in this study. All children underwent a complete otolaryngologic examination and sleep screening. The patients were divided into three groups according to obstruction type: normal, AH (adenoid grade III or IV, tonsil grade 1 or 2), and ATH (adenoid grade III or IV, tonsil grade 3 or 4). All participants underwent hematologic and biochemical tests including fasting blood glucose, insulin, and plasma lipids. Results: (1) The children with AH and ATH had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), when compared to normal children. (2) The level of HDL-C was negatively correlated with the sum of adenoid and tonsillar size scores and the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) (r =−0.477, p <0.001 vs. r =−0.548, p <0.001, respectively). There was a modest association between HDL-C and minimal SpO2 (r =0.332, p =0.009). (3) Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified the AHI, triglycerides, and fasting insulin as independent predictors for HDL-C. Conclusions: Patients with adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy had low HDL-C. HDL-C levels are inversely related to the sum of adenoid and tonsillar size scores and AHI in SDB children. HDL-C may be a sensitive indicator of serum lipids changes in SDB children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Anticarcinogenic activity of ribavirin combination therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related compensated cirrhosis is still unclear. Methods: In study 1, in 157 consecutive patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis, treatment efficacy with interferon plus ribavirin therapy was evaluated for 48 weeks of HCV genotype 1b (HCV-1b) or 24 weeks of HCV-2a/2b. In study 2, in 185 consecutive patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis, who showed no sustained virological response following the first course of interferon monotherapy, hepatocarcinogenesis rates were evaluated according to the additional treatment, and they were classified into three groups: no treatment, interferon monotherapy, and ribavirin combination therapy. Results: In study 1, in HCV-1b, rates of sustained virological response and sustained biochemical response were 21 and 56%, respectively. In HCV-2a/2b, rates of sustained virological response and sustained biochemical response were 70 and 78%, respectively. In HCV-1b, sustained biochemical response rates were significantly higher than those of sustained virological response. In study 2, the hepatocarcinogenesis rates in ribavirin combination therapy were significantly lower than those in interferon monotherapy and no treatment, respectively. Conclusion: Ribavirin combination therapy for HCV-related compensated cirrhosis reduces the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis in comparison with interferon monotherapy, and higher rates of sustained biochemical response might be associated with lower hepatocarcinogenesis rates. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To review the impact of high–dose radiotherapy (RT) in the postprostatectomy salvage setting on long-term biochemical control and distant metastases–free survival, and to identify clinical and pathologic predictors of outcomes. Methods and Materials: During 1988–2007, 285 consecutive patients were treated with salvage RT (SRT) after radical prostatectomy. All patients were treated with either three-dimensional conformal RT or intensity-modulated RT. Two hundred seventy patients (95%) were treated to a dose ≥66 Gy, of whom 205 (72%) received doses ≥70 Gy. Eighty-seven patients (31%) received androgen-deprivation therapy as a component of their salvage treatment. All clinical and pathologic records were reviewed to identify treatment risk factors and response. Results: The median follow-up time after SRT was 60 months. Seven-year actuarial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) relapse-free survival and distant metastases–free survival were 37% and 77%, respectively. Independent predictors of biochemical recurrence were vascular invasion (p < 0.01), negative surgical margins (p < 0.01), presalvage PSA level >0.4 ng/mL (p < 0.01), androgen-deprivation therapy (p = 0.03), Gleason score ≥7 (p = 0.02), and seminal vesicle involvement (p = 0.05). Salvage RT dose ≥70 Gy was not associated with improvement in biochemical control. A doubling time <3 months was the only independent predictor of metastatic disease (p < 0.01). There was a trend suggesting benefit of SRT dose ≥70 Gy in preventing clinical local failure in patients with radiographically visible local disease at time of SRT (7 years: 90% vs. 79.1%, p = 0.07). Conclusion: Salvage RT provides effective long-term biochemical control and freedom from metastasis in selected patients presenting with detectable PSA after prostatectomy. Androgen-deprivation therapy was associated with improvement in biochemical progression-free survival. Clinical local failures were rare but occurred most commonly in patients with greater burden of disease at time of SRT as reflected by either radiographic imaging or a greater PSA level. Salvage radiation doses ≥70 Gy may ultimately be most beneficial in these patients, but this needs to be further studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Salvage radiotherapy (SRT) after radical prostatectomy can potentially eradicate residual microscopic disease. Defining the optimal patient and treatment factors is essential and is particularly relevant within the context of adjuvant vs early vs delayed postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Methods and Materials: A systematic review of all published SRT studies was performed to identify the pathologic, clinical, and treatment factors associated with relapse-free survival (RFS) after SRT. A total of 41 studies encompassing 5597 patients satisfied the study entry criteria. Radiobiologic interpretation of biochemical tumor control was used to provide the framework for the observed relationships. Results: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level before SRT (P<.0001) and RT dose (P=.0052) had a significant and independent association with RFS. There was an average 2.6% loss of RFS for each incremental 0.1 ng/mL PSA at the time of SRT (95% CI, ∼2.2-3.1). With a PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL or less before SRT, the RFS approached 64%. The dose for salvage RT in the range of 60-70 Gy seemed to be on the steep part of the sigmoidal dose–response curve, with a dose of 70 Gy achieving 54% RFS compared with only 34% for 60 Gy. There was a 2% improvement in RFS for each additional Gy (95% CI, ∼0.9-3.2). The observed dose–response was less robust on sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: This study provides Level 2a evidence for initiating SRT at the lowest possible PSA. Dose escalation is also suggested by the data. Progressively better tumor control rates with SRT after radical prostatectomy are achieved with a lower PSA at initiation and with a higher RT dose. Early salvage RT may be an equivalent strategy to adjuvant RT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]