All Articles

Regulation of Expression of Reactive Oxygen Intermediates During Plasmodium Infection to Reduce Immunopathology Provides a Possible Antioxidant Adjuvant to Enhance Anti-Malarial Drug Therapy

Abstract:

Malaria is a mosquito-transmitted infectious disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. In the absence of prompt and appropriate treatment contraction of primary infection by a human being often represents a medical emergency since it may progress rapidly to life-threatening complications. Exposure to parasites activates the immune system resulting in, among other effects, the release of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). This has the potential to induce oxidative damage, thereby causing cellular destruction, and hence to have a severe effect on vital organs of the body. Overexpression of ROI leads to immunosuppression and is a causal factor in the development of malaria-related disease symptoms. However, the body possesses various defence mechanisms, notably including the production of antioxidants, which are capable of reducing the cellular effects of ROI. Antioxidants are either sourced exogenously from the diet or synthesize...

In Vitro Activity of Iclaprim Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nonsusceptible to Daptomycin, Linezolid or Vancomycin

Abstract:

Iclaprim is a novel bacterial dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and hospital acquired bacterial pneumonia caused by Gram-positve bacteria. Daptomycin, linezolid and vancomycin are commonly used antibiotic for these indications. With increase selective pressure to these generic antibiotics, outbreaks of bacterial resistance to these antibiotics have been reported. This in vitro study evaluated the activity of iclaprim against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates, which were also not susceptible to daptomycin, linezolid or vancomycin. Iclaprim had an MIC ≤1 µg/ml to the majority of MRSA isolates that were nonsusceptible to daptomycin (5 of 7 ^71.4%), linezolid (26 of 26 ^100%), or vancomycin (19 of 28 ^66.7%). In time-kill curves analyses, iclaprim demonstrated ≥3 log10 reduction in CFU/mL at 4-8 hours f...

A Model for Identifying Actionable Findings on Computed Tomography in Crohn’s Disease Patients in the Emergency Department

Abstract:

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently visit the emergency department (ED). The use of cputed tomography (CT) scans in this population has drastically increased in recent years and may confer an increased risk of malignancy. Records were obtained for IBD patients aged 18 or older who visited our institutional ED with a gastrointestinal chief complaint and who had a CT scan ordered by an ED physician. A predictive model for identifying a clinically actionable finding (CAF) on CT scan was created using logistic regression carried out on a predetermined set of variables. Data were available on 156 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients contributing 350 visits and 63 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients contributing 114 total visits. CAF was identified at 108/350 (30.9%) of visits in CD patients and 33/114 (29.0%) of visits in UC patients. History of CAF (OR 11.6, CI 4.54-29.6) and a platelet count above 400,000/mL (OR 3.42, CI 1.56-7.50) were the strongest p...

The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of two tea polysaccharides

Abstract:

In the present study, we investigated the chemical compositions, in vitro antioxidant and in vivo hepatoprotective activities of two tea polysaccharides (TPS), which were extracted from two different tea cultivars, Yingshuang (Camellia Senesis, T01) and Yunnan Dayezhong (Camellia Senesis, T09). Compared with T09-TPS, T01-TPS had lower contents of neutral sugar, protein, uronic acid and polyphenol. However, T01-TPS showed stronger scavenging abilities for transient free radicals of hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion radicals and lipid peroxidation inhibition effect, but weaker scavenging ability for stable free radical of DPPH. For hepatoprotective activity in vivo, the results demonstrated that both T01-TPS and T09-TPS could significantly prevent the increase of serum alanine aminotransferase and, aspartate aminotransferase levels, decrease the liver index, reduce the formation of malonydialdehyde and enhance the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione ...

Turnover of Registered Nurses in Israeli Hospitals: A Secondary Analysis from a National Survey

Abstract:

To assess the extent and directions of internal hospital turnover of registered nurses and to examine the associated factors and stressors.

A Review of the Histologic, Genetic and Molecular Characteristics of Meningioma Pathogenesis and Progression

Abstract:

Meningiomas are the most common intracranial tumor in humans. The heterogeneity of these tumors lends difficulty to the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular changes that occur in meningioma pathogenesis, progression, and recurrence. Current de facto classification schemes are based on histologic evaluation of tumor specimens and do not consider molecular markers or other newer modalities. In this paper, we review the major genetic, epigenetic, and molecular changes that have been associated with the oncogenesis and progression of meningiomas. We pay special attention to those changes associated with recurrence and higher grade tumors. Finally, we comment on the challenges and potential for future therapies of these tumors.

First Lumbar Treatment of Chronic Mixed Low Back Pain with High Dose Capsaicin 8% Patch

Abstract:

Capsaicin 8% patch reduces peripheral neuropathic pain. Based on the concept of neuropathic pain (NeP) in mixed low back pain (LBP) it is hypothesized, that an exclusively lumbar capsaicin 8% patch is an effective treatment of mixed LBP. The aim is a proof of this concept and to identify predictors of responsiveness.

The Evolution of Fetal Surgery

Abstract:

Fetal surgery is the newest surgical specialty with a compelling history. The development of fetal surgery began in primates and lambs and, in its most basic form, was first performed in humans in 1965. Since its introduction, the field has expanded and changed dramatically. Several of these changes have involved the ethical aspect of fetal surgery. This field conflicts with the Hippocratic oath mantra of “first do no harm” as one of the patients, the mother, receives no benefit from these procedures. The ethical dilemma resulted in stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria for fetal operations. Initially, fetal surgery was only indicated for life-threatening conditions of the fetus but is now offered in some disease processes to improve quality of life for the child. As the field has matured, it has grown to encompass numerous different types of fetal interventions. Similar to other areas of surgery, the trend has been to migrate from more invasive to less i...

Novel N-Pyrrolylcarboxylic Acid Derivative as a Potential New Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Drug

Abstract:

The objective of our study was to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as possible organ toxicity of 2-3-3-methyl-pentanoic acid (compound 3d), a newly synthesized pyrrolic derivative, structurally similar to Celecoxib. Antinociception was assessed using animal pain models with thermal and chemical stimuli (paw withdrawal, tail-flick and formalin test). Anti-inflammatory activity was measured using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Blood samples were collected from the animals to study possible organ toxicity. All experiments were performed on male Wistar rats. The results in our study show that in experimental conditions 2-3-3-methyl-pentanoic acid has analgesic action against thermal and chemical stimuli. This effect is registered after both single and multiple administration of the compound. In the carrageenan model after single a...

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Study of 74 Cases in Northeast Brazil

Abstract:

To identify the clinical epidemiological characteristics of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) monitored at the Lucidio Portella Children’s Hospital (HILP) in northeastern Brazil and to ascertain the frequency and forms of presentation, the most affected joints, the most common joint involvement for each form, the frequencies of positive rheumatoid factor (RF+) and positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA+) in the various forms of presentation, and the most common complications.