Preferences of Mexican anesthesiologists for vecuronium, rocuronium, or other neuromuscular blocking agents: a survey

Background  

Several neuromuscular blocking (NMB) agents are available for clinical use in anesthesia. The present study was performed in order to identify preferences and behaviors of anesthesiologists for using vecuronium, rocuronium or other NMB agents in their clinical practice.     

The association between leptin,interleukin-6, and hip radiographic osteoarthritis in older people: a cross-sectional study

Introduction  

The associations between leptin, interleukin (IL)-6, and hip radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) have not been reported, and their roles in obesity-related hip OA are unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the associations between leptin, IL-6, and hip radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) in older adults.     

Assessment of single-dose benzodiazepines on insulin secretion,insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness in healthy volunteers: a double-blind,placebo-controlled,randomized cross-over trial [ISRCTN08745124]

Background  

The present study aimed at investigating in healthy volunteers the effects of diazepam and clonazepam on beta-cell function, insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness based on the frequently sampled intravenous (0.5 gkg^-1) glucose tolerance test with minimal-model analysis.     

Localized 1H-NMR spectroscopy in patients with fibromyalgia: a controlled study of changes in cerebral glutamate/glutamine, inositol, choline, and N-acetylaspartate

Introduction  

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether single-voxel (SV) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) detected differences between fibromyalgia (FM) patients and healthy controls. We also searched for correlations between neuroimaging abnormalities and neuropsychological variables.     

Effect of a single acupuncture treatment on surgical wound healing in dogs: a randomized,single blinded,controlled pilot study

Background  

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture on wound healing after soft tissue or orthopaedic surgery in dogs.     

The relationship between disease activity, sleep, psychiatric distress and pain sensitivity in rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study

Introduction  

Despite recent advances in anti-inflammatory therapy, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients continue to rate pain as a priority. The etiology of RA pain is likely multifactorial, including both inflammatory and non-inflammatory components. In this study, we examine the association between disease activity, sleep, psychiatric distress and pain sensitivity in RA.     

Colorectal carcinoma: nucleosomes,carcinoembryonic antigen and ca 19-9 as apoptotic markers; a comparative study

Background  

Colorectal carcinoma is a common and often fatal disease in which methods of early detection and monitoring are essential. The present study was conducted for measuring serum levels of nucleosomes, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9 in patients newly diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma and confirmed by clinicopathological study.     

A glycosylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor produced in a novel protein production system (AVI-014) in healthy subjects: a first-in human, single dose, controlled study

Background  

AVI-014 is an egg white-derived, recombinant, human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). This healthy volunteer study is the first human investigation of AVI-014.     

Isolation, identification and expression analysis of salt-induced genes in Suaeda maritima, a natural halophyte, using PCR-based suppression subtractive hybridization

Background  

Despite wealth of information generated on salt tolerance mechanism, its basics still remain elusive. Thus, there is a need of continued effort to understand the salt tolerance mechanism using suitable biotechnological techniques and test plants (species) to enable development of salt tolerant cultivars of interest. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to generate information on salt stress responsive genes in a natural halophyte, Suaeda maritima, using PCR-based suppression subtractive hybridization (PCR-SSH) technique.     

Hypogelsolinemia,a disorder of the extracellular actin scavenger system,in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background  

Extracellular gelsolin (GSN) and GC-globulin/Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) appear to play an important role in clearing the actin from extracellular fluids and in modulating cellular responses to anionic bioactive lipids. In this study we hypothesized that cellular actin release and/or increase in bioactive lipids associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) development will translate into alteration of the actin scavenger system protein concentrations in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS.     

Pharmacokinetics of phenoxodiol, a novel isoflavone, following intravenous administration to patients with advanced cancer

Background  

Phenoxodiol is a novel isoflavone currently being studied in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. This study reports the pharmacokinetics of phenoxodiol in patients with cancer.     

HCCR-1, a novel oncogene,encodes a mitochondrial outer membrane protein and suppresses the UVC-induced apoptosis

Background  

The Human cervical cancer oncogene (HCCR-1) has been isolated as a human oncoprotein, and has shown strong tumorigenic features. Its potential role in tumorigenesis may result from a negative regulation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene.     

Influence of atorvastatin on coronary calcifications and myocardial perfusion defects in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a prospective,randomized, double-masked,placebo-controlled study

Introduction  

Mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is influenced by an increased occurrence of severe cardiovascular complications. Statins have been proven to protect a wide spectrum of SLE patients from these complications. This study was conducted to determine the possible efficacy of atorvastatin in SLE patients as assessed by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT)-based coronary calcium scoring and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the myocardium.     

Comparative performance of contact plates,electrostatic wipes,swabs and a novel sampling device for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus on environmental surfaces

Aims

To evaluate the performance of four sampling methods [contact plates, electrostatic wipes (wipe), swabs and a novel roller sampler] for recovery of Staphylococcus aureus from a stainless steel surface.

Methods and Results

Stainless steel test plates were inoculated with Staph. aureus, dried for 24 h and sampled using each of the four methods. Samples were either incubated directly (roller, contact plate) or processed using elution and membrane filtration (swab, wipe). Performance was assessed by calculating the apparent sampling efficiency (ASE), analytical sensitivity (Sn) and percentage of replications with positive growth. The wipe demonstrated the best performance across all inoculating concentrations (ASE_48 h = 18%; Sn_48 h = 7 CFU per 100 cm²). The swab performed well when corrected for area actually sampled (ASE_48 h = 24%; Sn_48 h = 76 CFU per 100 cm²). Of the contact‐based methods, the newly developed roller sampler outperformed the contact plate (roller: ASE_48 h = 10%; Sn_48 h = 17 CFU per 100 cm²; contact plate: ASE_48 h = 0·04%; Sn_48 h = 1412 CFU per 100 cm²); both contact samplers performed better at higher inoculating concentrations (6E3 CFU per 100 cm² for the roller and 6E6 CFU per 100 cm² for the contact plate). Overall, the electrostatic wipe produced the highest number of replications resulting in positive growth (74%_24 h, 91%_48 h).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that selection of the sampling method must be carefully considered, given that different methods have varying performance.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This is the first study assessing static wipes for sampling and one that uses a more real‐world‐relevant 24‐h drying time. The results help with infection control, and environmental health professionals choose better sampling methodologies.     

Anti‐Helicobacter pylori therapy in localized gastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A prospective,nationwide, multicenter study in Japan

Background

Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy was approved in Japan for the first‐line, standard treatment of H. pylori‐positive gastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Although several retrospective studies or small‐scale single‐center studies have been reported, a prospective, large‐scale, nationwide, multicenter study has not been reported from Japan.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a prospective, nationwide, multicenter study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of rabeprazole‐based triple H. pylori eradication therapy for patients with localized gastric MALT lymphoma in practice‐based clinical trial. A total of 108 H. pylori‐positive patients with stage I/II₁ gastric MALT lymphoma underwent H. pylori eradication therapy. The primary endpoints were complete remission (CR) rate and the rate of transfer to secondary treatment. The secondary endpoints were CR maintenance duration and overall survival (OS).

Results

CR of lymphoma was achieved in 84 of 97 patients (86.6%), during the period 2.0‐44.7 months (median, 5.3 months) after starting H. pylori eradication treatment. CR was maintained in 77 of 81 patients (95.1%) for 0.4‐53.2 months (median, 33.1 months). Secondary treatments (radiotherapy, rituximab, or gastrectomy) for gastric MALT lymphoma were needed in 10 of the 97 patients (10.31%). During follow‐up, OS rate was 96.9% (94/97) and the causes of 3 deaths were not related to lymphoma.

Conclusions

Rabeprazole‐based H. pylori eradication therapy demonstrated a high CR rate, long CR maintenance, and a good OS for patients with localized gastric MALT lymphoma in this prospective, practice‐based, multicenter study.     

Patient-rated suitability of a novel electronic device for self-injection of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in relapsing multiple sclerosis: an international,single-arm,multicentre, Phase IIIb study

Background  

Multiple sclerosis (MS) currently requires long-term treatment with disease-modifying drugs, administered parenterally up to once daily. The need for regular self-injection can be a barrier to treatment for many patients. Autoinjectors can help patients overcome problems or concerns with self-injection and could, therefore, improve treatment adherence. This study was performed to assess the suitability of a new electronic device for the subcutaneous (sc) administration of interferon (IFN) beta-1a, 44 mcg three times weekly, for relapsing MS.     

Prediction of GTP interacting residues,dipeptides and tripeptides in a protein from its evolutionary information

Background  

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins play an important role in regulation of G-protein. Thus prediction of GTP interacting residues in a protein is one of the major challenges in the field of the computational biology. In this study, an attempt has been made to develop a computational method for predicting GTP interacting residues in a protein with high accuracy (Acc), precision (Prec) and recall (Rc).     

Partial characterization of an exopolysaccharide secreted by a marine bacterium,Vibrio neocaledonicus sp. nov., from New Caledonia

Aims

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are industrially valuable molecules with numerous useful properties. This study describes the techniques used for the identification of a novel Vibrio bacterium and preliminary characterization of its EPS.

Methods and Results

Bioprospection in marine intertidal areas of New Caledonia followed by screening for EPS producing brought to selection of the isolate NC470. Phylogenetic analysis (biochemical tests, gene sequencing and DNA–DNA relatedness) permitted to identify NC470 as a new member of the Vibrio genus. The EPS was produced in batch fermentation, purified using the ultrafiltration process and analysed by colorimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and HPLC‐size exclusion chromatography. This EPS exhibits a high N‐acetyl‐hexosamines and uronic acid content with a low amount of neutral sugar. The molecular mass was 672 × 10³ Da. These data are relevant for possible technological exploitation.

Conclusions

We propose the name Vibrio neocaledonicus sp. nov for this isolate NC470, producing an EPS with an unusual sugar composition. Comparison with other known polymers permitted to select applications for this polymer.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This study contributes to evaluate the marine biodiversity of New Caledonia. It also highlights the biotechnological potential of New Caledonia marine bacteria.     

Autoantibodies to BRAF,a new family of autoantibodies associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction  

BRAF (v raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homologue B1) is a serine-threonine kinase involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway, known to be implicated in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.     

Mechanomyography versus Electromyography,in monitoring the muscular fatigue

Background  

The use of the mechanomyogram (MMG) which detects muscular vibrations generated by fused individual fiber twitches has been refined. The study addresses a comparison of the MMG and surface electromyogram (SEMG) in monitoring muscle fatigue.