Imaging functional stress test for stable chest pain symptoms in patients at low pretest probability of coronary artery disease: Current practice and long-term outcome.

Background: Stress testing in patients with low pretest probability (PTP) of coronary artery disease (CAD) has become an increasing practice, potentially leading to underestimation of its true clinical value. Our aim was to describe the current use of most employed imaging functional tests and their prognostic value.

Methods And Results: We selected patients with low PTP of CAD (CAD consortium clinical score < 15%) who underwent exercise or dipyridamole stress echocardiography or single photon emission computed tomography for suspected angina.

Naloxone Counteracts the Promoting Tumor Growth Effects Induced by Morphine in an Animal Model of Triple-negative Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: Our group has previously demonstrated, in in vitro and in vivo studies on triple-negative breast cancer, that morphine promoted breast cancer progression whereas naloxone was able to reduce it. In this subsequent investigation, we aimed to assess the combinatorial effects of these two drugs in an animal model of triple negative breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: In order to evaluate the in vivo effects of the combination of morphine and naloxone in human breast cancer, a mouse model of human triple-negative breast cancer was generated by injecting the MDA-MB-231 cells subcutaneously in nude mice.

Dissecting the roles of thymoquinone on the prevention and the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: an overview on the current state of knowledge.

Thymoquinone (TQ) is the principal active monomer isolated from the seed of the medicinal plant . This compound has antitumor effects against various types of cancer including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mainly due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Several pre-clinical studies showed that TQ, through the modulation of different molecular pathways, is able to induce anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in HCC, without signs of toxicity.

Origins of Catalyst Inhibition in the Manganese-Catalysed Oxidation of Lignin Model Compounds with H O.

The upgrading of complex bio-renewable feedstock, such as lignocellulose, through depolymerisation benefits from the selective reactions at key functional groups. Applying homogeneous catalysts developed for selective organic oxidative transformations to complex feedstock such as lignin is challenged by the presence of interfering components. The selection of appropriate model compounds is essential in applying new catalytic systems and identifying such interferences.

L-DOPA-quinone Mediated Recovery from GIRK Channel Firing Inhibition in Dopaminergic Neurons.

The oxidative degeneration of dopamine-releasing (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) has attracted much interest in preclinical research, due to its involvement in Parkinson's disease manifestations. Evidence exists on the participation of quinone derivatives in mitochondrial dysfunction, alpha synuclein protein aggregation, and protein degradation. With the aim to investigate the role of L-DOPA-quinone in DAergic neuron functions, we synthesized L-DOPA-quinone by use of 2-iodoxybenzoic acid and measured its activity in recovery from dopamine-mediated firing inhibition of SNc neurons.

Barbed suspension pharyngoplasty for treatment of lateral pharyngeal wall and palatal collapse in patients affected by OSAHS.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy of a new modified pharyngoplasty technique with barbed sutures: barbed suspension pharyngoplasty (BSP).

Methods: We enrolled patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), having the main site of obstruction at the palatal and lateral pharyngeal walls, who refused or failed to tolerate CPAP therapy and underwent non-resective pharyngoplasty with barbed sutures between January 2014 and October 2017. Two surgical techniques with barbed sutures were used: barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) and BSP; the main characteristics of the latter are a double passage of the needle, each side, through the soft palate.

Remodeling classification system considering left ventricular volume in patients with aortic valve stenosis: Association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Background: To assess prevalence and clinical implications of left ventricular (LV) remodeling considering: LV volume, mass and relative wall thickness at the time of aortic valve stenosis diagnosis.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed 343 patients (age 79.2 ± 9.

Dual Oncogenic/Anti-Oncogenic Role of PATZ1 in FRTL5 Rat Thyroid Cells Transformed by the Oncogene.

PATZ1 is a transcriptional factor downregulated in thyroid cancer whose re-expression in thyroid cancer cells leads to a partial reversion of the malignant phenotype, including the capacity to proliferate, migrate, and undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. We have recently shown that is specifically downregulated downstream of the Ras oncogenic signaling through miR-29b, and that restoration of in Ha-Ras transformed FRTL5 rat thyroid cells is able to inhibit their capacities to proliferate and migrate in vitro. Here, we analyzed the impact of expression on the in vivo tumorigenesis of these cells.

Ticks and Rickettsia on anteaters from Southeast and Central-West Brazil.

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and the collared anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla) are widespread in Brazil and found in all Brazilian biomes. These hosts frequently use domestic animal environments such as pastures, where tick and related microorganism interchange may occur between hosts. Reports of tick infestations of these animals are scattered and refer to small samples and/or are geographically restricted.

Long-Term Implications of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation.

Background: Scientific guidelines consider atrial fibrillation (AF) complicating degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) a debated indication for surgery.

Objectives: This study analyzed the prognostic/therapeutic implications of AF at DMR diagnosis and long-term.

Methods: Patients were enrolled in the MIDA (Mitral Regurgitation International Database) registry, which reported the consecutive, multicenter, international experience with DMR due to flail leaflets echocardiographically diagnosed.

A Visible-Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Host-Guest Pair with Nanomolar Affinity in Water.

The discovery of stimuli-responsive high affinity host-guest pairs with potential applications under biologically relevant conditions is a challenging goal. This work reports a high-affinity 1:1 complex formed between cucurbit[8]uril and a water-soluble photochromic diarylethene derivative. It was found that, by confining the open isomer within the cavity of the receptor, a redshift in the absorption spectrum and an enhancement of the photocyclization quantum yield from Φ=0.

Species richness and seasonal dynamics of ticks with notes on rickettsial infection in a Natural Park of the Cerrado biome in Brazil.

This study evaluated the species richness and seasonal dynamics of ticks and rickettsial agents infecting ticks in the largest natural Reserve of the Cerrado biome of Brazil, the Grande Sertão Veredas National Park. During 2012-2014, a total of 9531 host-seeking ticks were collected by dry ice traps and dragging, whereas 1563 ticks were collected from small mammals, and 1186 ticks from domestic animals. Overall, the following 12 tick species were identified: Amblyomma auricularium, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parvum, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma tigrinum, Amblyomma triste, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, and Ornithodoros mimon.

Correction: Biodegradable nanoparticles bearing amine groups as a strategy to alter surface features, biological identity and accumulation in a lung metastasis model.

Correction for 'Biodegradable nanoparticles bearing amine groups as a strategy to alter surface features, biological identity and accumulation in a lung metastasis model' by Diletta Esposito et al., J. Mater.

Novel features in the structure of P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) in the post-hydrolytic state as determined at 7.9 Å resolution.

Background: P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) is an ATP-binding cassette transporter that plays an important role in the clearance of drugs and xenobiotics and is associated with multi-drug resistance in cancer. Although several P-glycoprotein structures are available, these are either at low resolution, or represent mutated and/or quiescent states of the protein.

Results: In the post-hydrolytic state the structure of the wild-type protein has been resolved at about 8 Å resolution.

The efficacy of interprofessional simulation in improving collaborative attitude between nursing students and residents in medicine. A study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Effective collaboration among health professionals is an essential component to ensure quality of care. Many adverse events experienced by patients are attributed to misunderstanding or poor communication among members of the interprofessional team. Interprofessional simulation is a learning strategy used to improve collaboration and facilitate communication between medical and nursing students.

New classification of geometric patterns considering left ventricular volume in patients with chronic aortic valve regurgitation: Prevalence and association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) remodeling due to aortic regurgitation (AR) often leads to maladaptive responses. We assessed the prevalence and clinical implications of LV remodeling considering LV volume, mass, and relative wall thickness at the time of AR diagnosis.

Methods And Results: Between 2008 and 2017, 370 consecutive patients (mean age 67.

Clonal evolution analysis of paired anaplastic and well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas reveals shared common ancestor.

Foci of papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma are frequently noted in thyroidectomy specimens of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). However, whether ATCs evolve from these co-existing well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (WDTCs) has not been well-understood. To investigate the progression of ATC in patients with co-existing WDTCs, five ATC tumors with co-existing WDTCs and matching normal tissues were whole-exome sequenced.

Bone involvement and mineral metabolism in Williams' syndrome.

Context: The previous studies suggested a possible increased risk of hypercalcaemia and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in Williams' syndrome (WS). However, an extensive study regarding bone metabolism has never been performed.

Objective: To investigate bone health in young adults with WS.

Optimal Intraoperative Assessment of Gastric Margins.

Objectives: Intraoperative pathology consultation (IOC) to assess margins is frequently requested during surgery of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction.

Methods: We studied 110 consecutive patients undergoing gastrectomy with IOC margin assessment.

Results: Gastric margins at IOC utilized the most blocks but were least often positive.