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Background: Psilocybin is being investigated as a treatment for a myriad of disorders, including treatment-resistant depression. The main focus has been on positive effects, with little attention paid to negative outcomes, especially in clinical settings. Quantitative methodology limits further exploration of such events and can also miss improvements not captured on rating scales., Aims: To highlight potential adverse events of psilocybin and underline limits of quantitative methodology, calling for process evaluations alongside clinical trials., Case Presentation: This is a case of a participant in a phase 2b clinical trial of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression who presented with increased suicidal ideation and a prolonged period of severely restricted eating following administration, leading to a period of destabilisation and a need for support. Despite the difficulties encountered and the participant's limited improvement on rating scales, she found the experience to have been helpful and led her to make changes to her life which she found beneficial. She described her experience in a written account to the authors., Method: The case was summarised and the written account was thematically analysed and synthesised into a logic model., Conclusions: Psilocybin could lead to temporary worsening of suicidal ideation and instigate prolonged adverse events that outlast its acute effects. Paradoxically, it could simultaneously lead to an improvement in functional outcomes which is not clear on depression rating scales. This calls for a qualitative exploration of serious adverse events and participant accounts to deepen our understanding of the psilocybin experience and its different outcomes.

Objective: Groups which are marginalised, disadvantaged or otherwise vulnerable have lower uptake of vaccinations. This differential has been amplified in COVID-19 vaccination compared to (e.g.) influenza vaccination. This overview assessed the effectiveness of interventions to increase vaccination in underserved, minority or vulnerable groups., Methods: In November 2022 we searched four databases for systematic reviews that included RCTs evaluating any intervention to increase vaccination in underserved, minority or vulnerable groups; our primary outcome was vaccination. We used rapid review methods to screen, extract data and assess risk of bias in identified reviews. We undertook narrative synthesis using an approach modified from SWiM guidance. We categorised interventions as being high, medium or low intensity, and as targeting vaccine demand, access, or providers., Results: We included 23 systematic reviews, including studies in high and low or middle income countries, focused on children, adolescents and adults. Groups were vulnerable based on socioeconomic status, minority ethnicity, migrant/refugee status, age, location or LGBTQ identity. Pregnancy/maternity sometimes intersected with vulnerabilities. Evidence supported interventions including: home visits to communicate/educate and to vaccinate, and facilitator visits to practices (high intensity); telephone calls to communicate/educate, remind/book appointments (medium intensity); letters, postcards or text messages to communicate/educate, remind/book appointments and reminder/recall interventions for practices (low intensity). Many studies used multiple interventions or components., Conclusion: There was considerable evidence supporting the effectiveness of communication in person, by phone or in writing to increase vaccination. Both high and low intensity interventions targeting providers showed effectiveness. Limited evidence assessed additional clinics or targeted services for increasing access; only home visits had higher confidence evidence showing effectiveness. There was no evidence for interventions for some communities, such as religious minorities which may intersect with gaps in evidence for additional services. None of the evidence related to COVID-19 vaccination where inequalities of outcome are exacerbated., Prospero Registration: CRD42021293355., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) play an essential role in linking communities to facility-based healthcare. However, CHW programmes have often been hampered by low levels of staff motivation, and new tools aimed at improving staff motivation and work environment are needed. One such intervention is the "Learning from Excellence" (LfE) programme. We aimed to assess feasibility, outputs, and impact of a co-designed LfE programme on CHW motivation, in Neno District., Methods: We conducted a convergent mixed-method evaluation of the LfE programme. Co-design of the programme and forms took place between October 2019 and January 2020. LfE forms submitted between September and November 2020 were analysed using descriptive statistics and memos summarising answers to the open-ended question. To investigate experiences with LfE we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, CHWs, and site supervisors, which were analysed thematically. A pre-post intervention questionnaire was developed to assess the impact of the co-designed LfE intervention on CHW motivation and perceived supervision. Outcomes were triangulated into a logic model., Results: In total 555 LfE forms were submitted, with 34.4% of CHWs in Neno District submitting at least one LfE report. Four themes were identified in the interviews: LfE implementation processes, experience, consequences, and recommendations. A total of 50 CHWs participated in the questionnaire in January 2020 and 46 of them completed the questionnaire in December 2020. No statistically significant differences were identified between pre-and post-LfE measurements for both motivation (Site F: p = 0.86; Site G: p = 0.31) and perceived supervision (Site F: p = 0.95; Site G: p = 0.45). A logic model, explaining how the LfE programme could impact CHWs was developed., Conclusions: Many CHWs participated in the LfE intervention between September 2020 and November 2020. LfE was welcomed by CHWs and stakeholders as it allowed them to appreciate excellent work in absence of other opportunities to do so. However, no statistically significant differences in CHW motivation and perceived supervision were identified. While the intervention was feasible in Neno District, we identified several barriers and facilitators for implementation. We developed a logic model to explain contextual factors, and mechanisms that could lead to LfE outcomes for CHWs in Neno District. The developed logic model can be used by those designing and implementing interventions like LfE for health workers., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The VenUS 6 parallel-group randomised controlled trial (RCT) will compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of compression wraps, two-layer compression bandage and evidence-based compression therapy, comprising of two-layers of hosiery or four-layer bandages, for healing time of venous leg ulcers. We will conduct an embedded process evaluation to evaluate the implementation of the trial and the various compression therapies and to gain a more in-depth understanding of trial participant and nursing staff views and experiences of these therapies., Methods: This process evaluation will be a mixed-method study, embedded into a wider RCT. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured individual in-depth interviews with trial participants and staff members. Quantitative data will be collected using patient questionnaires and case report forms that are part of the main trial data collection process. Interview transcripts will be analysed using the Framework Analysis and interview data will be integrated with quantitative RCT data using the RE-AIM framework and the Pillar Integration Process., Discussion: We describe the protocol for a process evaluation, designed to assess the implementation of the various venous leg ulcer compression therapies as evaluated in VenUS6, and the experiences of trial participants and nursing staff using these. This protocol provides one example of how an embedded mixed-method process evaluation can be conducted., Trial Registration: ISRCTN 67321719 ( https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN67321719 ). Prospectively registered on 14 September 2020. Recruitment Infographic SWAT-MRC Hub for Trials Methodology Research SWAT repository #116. Registered on 13 April 2020. Retention Thank You Card SWAT-MRC Hub for Trials Methodology Research SWAT repository #119. Registered on 13 April 2020. Retention Newsletter SWAT-MRC Hub for Trials Methodology Research SWAT repository #28. Registered on 01 July 2007. Retention Pen SWAT-MRC Hub for Trials Methodology Research SWAT repository #92. Registered on 01 April 2019., Protocol Version: V1.5, 26 May 2022., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Undernutrition is a growing public health challenge affecting growth and development during adolescence in many low- and middle-income countries. This scoping review maps the evidence on adolescent undernutrition (stunting, thinness and micronutrient deficiencies) in South Asia and highlights gaps in knowledge. Using Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual, the search included electronic bibliographic databases (Medline (OVID), Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Scopus) as well as various grey literature sources published up to March 2019. In total, 131 publications met the inclusion criteria of this review. All the included evidence used quantitative data and 115 publications used a cross-sectional design. Nearly 70% ( n = 86) of the included publications were conducted in India. Prevalence of undernutrition was reported based on different growth references and cut-offs. Evidence is divided into publications that included an intervention component ( n = 12) and publications that did not include an intervention component ( n = 116), and presented in a narrative synthesis. This scoping review provides a wide range of publications on adolescent undernutrition in South Asia and identifies future research priorities in the field.

Objectives: We aimed to create a library of logic models for interventions to reduce diagnostic error. This library can be used by those developing, implementing, or evaluating an intervention to improve patient care, to understand what needs to happen, and in what order, if the intervention is to be effective., Methods: To create the library, we modified an existing method for generating logic models. The following five ordered activities to include in each model were defined: preintervention; implementation of the intervention; postimplementation, but before the immediate outcome can occur; the immediate outcome (usually behavior change); and postimmediate outcome, but before a reduction in diagnostic errors can occur. We also included reasons for lack of progress through the model. Relevant information was extracted about existing evaluations of interventions to reduce diagnostic error, identified by updating a previous systematic review., Results: Data were synthesized to create logic models for four types of intervention, addressing five causes of diagnostic error in seven stages in the diagnostic pathway. In total, 46 interventions from 43 studies were included and 24 different logic models were generated., Conclusions: We used a novel approach to create a freely available library of logic models. The models highlight the importance of attending to what needs to occur before and after intervention delivery if the intervention is to be effective. Our work provides a useful starting point for intervention developers, helps evaluators identify intermediate outcomes, and provides a method to enable others to generate libraries for interventions targeting other errors., Competing Interests: The authors disclose no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Interventions using positive psychology (PP), which build on positive qualities of healthcare personnel and institutions, could potentially enhance organisational performance in healthcare. The aim of this systematic review was to identify if PP interventions have an impact on organisational performance of healthcare personnel, and if so, how this impact can be achieved. We developed a logic model to explain the impact of PP interventions on organisational performance., Methods: We searched Web of Science, Medline, Psychinfo, Embase, Scopus and CINAHL (from inception until March 2019) and references of included articles to identify studies that evaluated the impact of a PP intervention for health personnel. Study quality was assessed using the SQUIRE checklist for quality improvement studies. Data were extracted about study details, setting, participants, intervention, method of evaluation and results. Outcomes, mechanisms and contexts were coded in nVivo. Data synthesis was guided by Lewis' theory of the impact of PP interventions on organisational performance and Kneale et al.'s method for logic model development. Collected data were integrated into a logic model explaining initial inputs, processes, and intermediate outcomes of PP interventions that lead to improved organisational performance in healthcare settings., Results: We retrieved 4638 articles and identified five through references of included articles of which 29 studies (31 articles) met our inclusion criteria. Most articles were of low quality (n = 19) and outcome measures varied widely. We identified 54 different outcomes of PP interventions, including 'improved well-being' and 'improved interaction and support'. Forty-nine mechanisms were identified including 'recognising and reframing negative interpretations'. Twenty four contextual factors were identified of which seven acted as barriers. 'Managerial support' was a facilitator mentioned in eight studies. All identified outcomes, mechanisms and contextual factors were integrated into a logic model explaining how interventions using PP can impact organisational performance in healthcare., Conclusion: Few identified outcomes were statistically significant, however, trends in both quantitative and qualitative outcomes show that PP interventions can increase well-being and interaction and support and thus improve organisational performance in healthcare. The developed logic model can be used in the implementation and evaluation of interventions using PP for health personnel.

Background: Micronutrient deficiency, including iron, vitamin A, B-12 and folic acid, can cause anemia and harm adolescent health. Accurate dietary assessment methods is crucial to detect micronutrient deficiencies, but existing methods, have limitations, necessitating a review to identify the accurate methods for assessing micronutrient intake in adolescents. Objectives: To determine the accuracy of dietary assessment methods as suitable option for measuring micronutrient intake in adolescents. Methods: This study utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) flowchart approach. Article were identified from ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar. Articles were included if participants aged 10-19 years, published between 2014-2024, written in English/Indonesian, original research articles and studies related to validation of dietary assessment methods for micronutrient intake. The keywords were "micronutrient intake" OR "dietary intake" AND "dietary assessment" OR "validity" AND "adolescent". Discussions: 1157 articles were identified, 7 met the eligibility criteria, including 50 to 1081 adolescent. The Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) method was valid for sodium, niacin, folate, thiamine, calcium, phosphorus and reproducible for vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, β-carotene. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) method was valid for riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium, serum iron biomarkers, and reproducible for retinol, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, calcium. The 24-hour Dietary Recall (24hDR) method showed acceptable validity for serum iron biomarkers. Conclusions: The SQ-FFQ, completed by adolescents with instruction of nutritionist, using a shorter food list and time intervals, has higher relative validity and reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of adaptable and resilient public health systems capable of rapid response to emerging health crises. This paper synthesizes the lessons learned from the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and explores strategies to enhance vaccine uptake in the post-pandemic era. Key challenges identified include logistical, economic, sociocultural, and policy dimensions that impact vaccination efforts, particularly in low-resource settings. The analysis highlights the need for resilient supply chains, effective communication, community engagement, and equitable access to healthcare resources. The rapid development and deployment of mRNA vaccines exemplify the potential of innovative vaccine technologies, though public trust and acceptance remain crucial. Strategies such as partnerships with local leaders, tailored messaging, and integration of digital tools are essential for combating vaccine hesitancy. By applying these insights, future vaccination campaigns can be more efficient, equitable, and resilient, ultimately improving public health outcomes globally. This paper aims to inform policy and practice, ensuring that public health strategies are evidence based and context specific, thus better preparing for future health challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This survey of parents of children ages 2–18 (n = 240) investigated children's frequency of access to public library materials prior to (T1), during (T2), and predicted after (T3) the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequency of access to public library materials was compared by demographic and other factors. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant difference T1-T2 and T2-T3. Significant interactions were found for school environment and frequency of access over time, with online and hybrid students showing a significant decrease in access from T1 to T2 and an expected significant increase from T2 to T3. Results suggest that children's reading behaviors were impacted, thus academic performance may have been impeded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful diagnostic tool that holds incredible potential for clinicians to track a wide variety of biological processes using specialized radiotracers. Currently, however, a single radiotracer accounts for over 95% of procedures, largely due to the cost of radiotracer synthesis. Microfluidic platforms provide a solution to this problem by enabling a dose-on-demand pipeline in which a single benchtop platform would synthesize a wide array of radiotracers. In this review, we will explore the field of microfluidic production of radiotracers from early research to current development. Furthermore, the benefits and drawbacks of different microfluidic reactor designs will be analyzed. Lastly, we will discuss the various engineering considerations that must be addressed to create a fully developed, commercially effective platform that can usher the field from research and development to commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's indigenous groups remain vulnerable to malnutrition, despite economic progress, reflecting the reliance on traditional agriculture and the problems of poverty and inadequate education and sanitation. This mixed-methods study analyzed the incidence, causes and determinants of chronic malnutrition, measured through stunting, thinness and underweight among adolescent indigenous girls in Telangana. Using 2017 data on 695 girls aged 11–18 years from 2542 households, the analysis showed that 13% had normal nutritional status, while 87% were stunted, underweight or thin. Early adolescents (11–14 years) had higher underweight prevalence (24.4%), while late adolescents (15–18 years) showed greater stunting (30%). Regressions identified key influencing factors. Higher education levels of heads of households and the girls themselves alongside household toilet access significantly improved nutritional status and reduced stunting and underweight. The sociocultural emphasis on starchy staple-based diets and early marriage also impacted outcomes. Tackling this crisis requires mainstreaming nutrition across development agendas via comprehensive policies, education, communication and community participation. Further research can guide context-specific solutions. But, evidence-based investments in indigenous education, livelihoods, sanitation and women's empowerment are the first steps. Nutrition-sensitive development is indispensable for indigenous groups to fully participate in and benefit from India's progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital books are now part of the educational landscape, and school librarians are likely the adults in a school who have had the most experience with them. The COVID-19 pandemic removed many of the barriers that prevented widespread adoption of digital books, from 1:1 devices to technical support, but school librarians remain ambivalent about the role that digital books can play in their collections. This study sought to examine school librarians' perceptions of digital books and determine whether these have changed since a similar study was conducted in 2019. Results indicate that the roles digital books fill in school library collections remain marginal, with most schools reporting book budget allocations of 20 percent or less for digital books. Personally, school librarians enjoy digital books, and they recognize the advantages and limitations that digital books possess and the effect they have on their student readers. School librarians in New Hampshire continue to struggle with promoting digital books and defining the purposes they play in their library collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If a woman begins life as a malnourished child, with frequent illness and poor nutrition in childhood, she arrives in adulthood in a suboptimal state to take on pregnancy and lactation. As the conditions that lead to malnutrition continue to affect her and her offspring, they are further disadvantaged by a vicious intergenerational cycle of poverty and malnutrition. This study relies exclusively on secondary sources of information. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the nutritional status of mothers and their children under 5 years of age in India. The study was selected through a literature search following a standard protocol. The search included electronic databases (Research Gate, BMC Paediatrics, BMC Public Health, IJCM and IJCR etc.). A total of 84 research papers from the years 2003-2023 were searched. Only English-language literature was included in the study. Of the 84 research papers, a total of 13 research papers were included in the current literature review. In this review, the impact of maternal nutritional status on children in India is largely examined using cross-sectional studies. Thus, it is necessary to use other study designs in this context to obtain more information. Some maternal factors such as maternal age, BMI, education, occupation, maternal anaemia, nutritional knowledge etc. are considered to assess the nutritional status of the children. In addition to these factors, the number of children, previous birth interval, women's ability, income, type of family nutritional factors, etc. should also be considered to assess the nutritional status of the child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around 30% of the urban population of Southern Asia lives in a slum setting where basic necessities such as sanitation, education, employment, infrastructure are lacking, and people are more exposed to health problems. Children living in slums are at high risk of malnutrition. However, there is limited knowledge on adolescents living in slums. We explored awareness and meanings of malnutrition (under and over-nutrition) as well as examining malnutrition risk factors among adolescents living in a slum. A qualitative approach was undertaken using photodiaries and semi-structured interviews with 14 adolescents (13–16 years old) living in a slum in Karachi (Pakistan). An inductive strategy was used moving from open-ended data to patterns using reflexive thematic analysis. We identified widespread malnutrition awareness amongst these adolescents. Food consistently underpinned participants' narratives and photodiaries, which was reflected in how they made sense of malnutrition: undernutrition was understood as lack of food, while overnutrition as excess of food. This study identified malnutrition drivers: sanitation, exercise, families, peers, wellbeing, gender, nutritional knowledge, media, and most importantly, food. People's responsibility to eat healthily was highlighted by the participants, implying that people are to be blamed for their poor lifestyle choices. Following this responsibility discourse, most participants contemplated merely individually focused health interventions in order to overcome the problem of malnutrition in their area. It is necessary to study slum food environments better to implement effective nutrition programs and interventions to reduce malnutrition in slum settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excellent features of non‐invasive molecular imaging, its progressive technology (real‐time, whole‐body imaging and quantification), and global impact by a growing infrastructure for positron emission tomography (PET) scanners are encouraging prospects to investigate new concepts, which could transform clinical care of complex infectious diseases. Researchers are aiming towards the extension beyond the routinely available radiopharmaceuticals and are looking for more effective tools that interact directly with causative pathogens. We reviewed and critically evaluated (challenges or pitfalls) antibiotic‐derived PET radiopharmaceutical development efforts aimed at infection imaging. We considered both radiotracer development for infection imaging and radio‐antibiotic PET imaging supplementing other tools for pharmacologic drug characterization; overall, a total of 20 original PET radiotracers derived from eleven approved antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Antiqua et Archeologica is the property of Studia Antiqua et Archeologica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Planning for a sustainable future involves understanding the past and present problems associated with urban centers. Rapid urbanization has caused significant adverse impacts on the environment and natural resources. In cities, one such impact is the unsettling urban growth, resulting in the urban heat island (UHI) effect, which causes considerable positive feedback in the climate system. It can be assessed by investigating the relationships between urban Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) changes and changes in land surface temperature. This study links the urban transformations in Bangalore, India, between 2001 and 2021, with the city's changing average land surface temperatures. LULC classification was performed on Landsat satellite images for the years 2001, 2011, and 2021, using the support vector machine (SVM) classification algorithm. LULC change analysis revealed an increase in the built-up area coinciding with a decreasing trend of water bodies, vegetation, and the area under the others (wasteland/open land/barren land) category. The results show that built-up increased from 462.49 km2 to 867.73 km2, vegetation decreased from 799.4 km2 to 485.72 km2, and waterbody declined from 34.28 km2 to 24.69 km2 in 20 years. The impact of urbanization was evident in Bangalore's land temperature changes between 2001 and 2021, showing the average temperature increased by 0.34 °C per year between the highest UHI events, contrary to 0.14 °C per year in non-urbanized areas. It is hoped that the results of this study can help the urban planners of Bangalore city identify critical areas where improvement in urban dwelling could be planned sustainably according to the global smart cities concept, an offshoot concept of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Fish soup is a traditional Chinese food usually offered as a healthy supplement to elders, pregnant women and persons who just had surgery. Silver perch (Santé premium silver perch essence, SPSPE) extract contains various quality proteins, collagen, minerals, trace elements, and branch chain amino acids (BCAA) that could help individuals recover from exhaustion and control body weight. However, there are very limited studies exploring the effects of fish extracts on exercise performance and fatigue, and relevant physiological mechanisms. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic SPSPE administration on exhaustive exercise performance. Method: Male Wistar rats weighing around 250 g were divided into 4 groups: Control, 1X SPSPE (6.2 ml/kg), 2X SPSPE (12.4 ml/kg) and 5X SPSPE (31.0 ml/kg). Rats were administrated SPSPE by oral gavage feeding every day for 33 days. Their body weight were measured every week. Before and after the exhaustive swimming test, the blood was collected for circulating lactate, glucose, ammonia, hormones, and myoglobin analysis. Rats were sacrificed after performing an exhaustive swimming exercise test. The liver tissues were collected for glycogen content and H&E staining. Results: After the administration of 1X and 5X SPSPE, swimming fatigue was significantly delayed (p = 0.024). There was no difference in the hormone plasma level between the control and SPSPE groups. The induction of plasma corticosterone and TBARS by exhaustive swimming exercise could be decreased by SPSPE administration. The increased plasma myoglobin concentration from exhaustive swimming exercise was weakened by SPSPE supplementation. The higher glycogen sparing contained in liver tissue was observed in SPSPE-treated groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: SPSPE could efficiently delay swimming fatigue through sparing of liver glycogen and attenuation of plasma TBARS, myoglobin induction by exhaustive exercise. Our findings provide a scientific-based fundamental information and better understanding for developing a fish extract-based anti-fatigue supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using proprietary data collected prior to the establishment of the public Universal Prekindergarten program in New York City, this study finds statistically significant differences in test-taking rates for the city's Gifted & Talented (G & T) program between two matched samples of students—those who attended a public prekindergarten (pre-K) program and those who did not—for each of four cohorts from 2008 to 2011, favoring the public pre-K group. Results also demonstrate that access to information about the G & T program is a plausible mechanism underlying the higher test-taking rates among the public pre-K group, especially for underrepresented groups. With the establishment of the Universal Prekindergarten in New York City in 2015, our results highlight the importance of instituting new policies for promoting the dissemination of information regarding the G & T admissions process within the public school sector. If targeted to address diversity in G & T, such policies could help reduce inequality in gifted education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exercise compression garments have increased in popularity among athletes at all levels during the last 10 years. However, the scientific grounds for this are unclear. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of wearing exercise compression stockings (CS) on the anterior compartment pressure, oxygenation of the tibialis anterior muscle, and early blood biomarkers change for muscle damage during a 10-km treadmill run in healthy subjects. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects completed two identical treadmill runs, with or without CS. The subjects were randomized regarding the order in which the sessions were performed. Intramuscular pressure (IMP) and muscle oxygenation in the one leg were continuously measured before, during, and after running sessions. Blood samples were collected just before and directly after these sessions and analyzed for myoglobin and creatine kinase concentrations. Results: The use of CS during running resulted in significantly higher IMP (by 22 ± 3.1 mmHg on average) and lower tissue oxygenation index (by 11 ± 1.8%) compared to running without CS (p < 0.001). In addition, the Δ change in median serum myoglobin concentration measured before and after running was significantly higher when CS were used: 58 (9‒210) µg/L as compared to 38 (0‒196) µg/L with no CS (p = 0.04). No difference in post-running early serum creatine kinase concentration was observed between using CS and not using CS. Conclusion: Wearing exercise CS during and following a 10-km treadmill run elevated IMP and reduced muscle tissue oxygenation in the anterior compartment of healthy runners. Furthermore, the use of exercise CS did not prevent early exercise-induced muscle damage, as measured by serum biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work provides a comprehensive set of positron impact scattering cross sections for group 14 tetrahydrides, namely, SiH4, GeH4, SnH4, and PbH4. The well‐established spherical complex optical potential and complex scattering potential‐ionization contribution methods are modified to incorporate positron scattering in the present work to calculate various cross sections. The positronium formation channel is adequately included through an improved inelastic threshold. The energy range chosen for the direct ionization cross section is from the respective ionization potential (I) of the molecule to 5 keV. Likewise, positronium formation and total ionization cross sections are reported from the positronium formation threshold to 300 eV and 5 keV, respectively, and the total cross section is computed for an extensive energy range of 1 eV to 5 keV. The positron impact total cross section for stannane molecule is computed for the first time. A characteristic valley is observed in the total cross sections with minima close to the positronium formation threshold. Further increase of cross section signifies the opening of inelastic channels especially positronium formation. In general, a reasonable agreement is found between the present results and other comparisons, wherever available. Furthermore, this is the first report of the inelastic cross sections (direct ionization, positronium formation, and total ionization) for the present set of targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Onkologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Speeding the analysis of reaction aliquots, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractions and final products continue to be an area of great interest in the study of radiopharmaceuticals. Translating recently developed rapid HPLC and ultra high-performance liquid chromatography analysis approaches to radio-HPLC can sometimes be fraught with peril, owing to specific peculiarities of online radiochemical chromatographic detection (notably, a proportionally large system volume for the radio-HPLC detector). In this study, we investigate an alternate approach for rapid radio-HPLC analysis where a 150-cm C18 monolithic column is used with a 15-min run time. To ascertain this method's ability to distinguish between radiolabeled compounds with acceptable (≥97%) and unacceptable purity, the results were compared with results from a conventional HPLC 45-min method using a 25-cm C18 column, where a large radiodetector cell volume is of lower impact. Overall, for the 54 radiolabeled compounds assayed by the two methods, there were similar measured radiochemical purities, but cases were also found where there were significantly large differences between the results (>1%). A calculated confidence of ~85% was found for the 15-min monolithic method's ability to accurately reproduce the corresponding result from the 25-cm column method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics with efficacy against a wide range of pathogenic microbes associated with respiratory and meningeal infections. The potential toxicity of this class of chemical agents is a source of major concern and is becoming a global issue. The aim of this study was to develop a method for the brain distribution and the pharmacokinetic profile of gatifloxacin in healthy Sprague-Dawley rats, via Multicenter matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) and quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We developed a sensitive LC-MS/MS method to quantify gatifloxacin in plasma, lung, and brain homogenates. A pharmacokinetic profile was observed where there is a double peak pattern; a sharp initial increase in the concentration soon after dosing followed by a steady decline until another increase in concentration after a longer period post dosing in all three biological samples was observed. The imaging results showed the drug gradually entering the brain via the blood brain barrier and into the cortical regions from 15 to 240 min post dose. As time elapses, the drug leaves the brain following the same path as it followed on its entry and finally concentrates at the cortex. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study focusing on the use of ultrasound for enhanced drug delivery to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Topics discussed include the need for efficient drug delivery methods for treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies, such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis; the increased absorption of therapeutics inulin, hydrocortisone, and mesalamine due to ultrasound; and the delivery of macromolecule and insulin in pigs.

A positron emission tomography (PET) tracer composed of 18F-labeled maltohexaose (MH18F) can image bacteria in vivo with a sensitivity and specificity that are orders of magnitude higher than those of fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG). MH18F can detect early-stage infections composed of as few as 105 E. coli colony-forming units (CFUs), and can identify drug resistance in bacteria in vivo. MH18F has the potential to improve the diagnosis of bacterial infections given its unique combination of high specificity and sensitivity for bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]