How Canines Can Assist Our Patients with Diabetes: Diabetes Alert Dogs: What Are Their Capabilities?

Background: The canine olfactory system is used for tasks that greatly aid society, such as detecting explosives, finding lost persons, and detecting many diseases and abnormal blood sugar levels early. However, the reliability of detection of glycemic fluctuations is questionable.

Methods: We reviewed the literature on the capability of canines in detecting significant variations in blood sugar.

Nanotubes of a Different Kind: Stoichiometry and Geometry of the Orange II/γ-Cyclodextrin Complex in Water.

Orange II (O-II), a water-soluble ionic azo dye, aggregates and eventually forms needle-like crystals at concentrations greater than 0.15 M. However, when equimolar amounts of γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) are added to solutions containing O-II at 0.

Podiatric conditions observed in Special Olympics athletes: Contrasting data from a USA versus an international population.

Objectives: Persons with intellectual disabilities frequently have podiatric conditions. Findings from the 2018 United States Summer games (USA) venues are compared to those from athletes screened at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: Data from Fit Feet screenings from 2445 United Arab Emirates (UAE) participants were compared to 1244 US participants.

Rock-Climbing Shoes: A Survey of Attitudes and Practices.

Background: There is a paucity of literature regarding rock climbing footwear. Rock climbers anecdotally voice numerous complaints regarding their current footwear. In an effort to improve existing rock-climbing footwear, implementation of a survey tool assessing the attitudes and practices of rock climbers was undertaken.

Levonorgestrel release rates measured through analysis of two-rod contraceptive explants.

Objective: The objective was to characterize and compare in vivo rates of levonorgestrel (LNG) release from Sino-implant (II) and Jadelle® contraceptive implants.

Study Design: We sampled 48 Sino-implant (II) and 49 Jadelle® explant sets for residual LNG content from participants treated for up to 51 months in a randomized contraceptive efficacy trial in the Dominican Republic (DR). Additional Sino-implant (II) explants were obtained from 8 women who became pregnant in the DR trial and 10 who contributed 3 to 5 years of use in a cohort study in China.

Ramadan-Associated Circadian Census Variation In A Busy Middle Eastern Emergency Department.

Background: An important goal for the Emergency Department operations is planning for changes in patient volume and assuring staffing accordingly. We hypothesized that understanding the Emergency Department census changes during the month-long Ramadan holiday each year could facilitate operations planning for Emergency Department's serving a largely Muslim population.

Methods: This was an observational study conducted at an academic centre, over 83 weeks of analysis that included two Ramadan months (those occurring during 2016 and 2017).

Hiking with Diabetes.

Background: Exercise is highly beneficial for persons with diabetes. Similar to many other patients, those with diabetes may be reluctant to exercise given a lack of motivation and proper instruction regarding an exercise prescription. In general, medical providers are poorly equipped to develop an exercise prescription and furnish motivation.

Exercise and Diabetes: A Narrative Review.

Persons with diabetes might experience significant benefits through regular exercise. Not unlike the general population, those with diabetes could also lack motivation to participate in an exercise program. Often, those treating persons with diabetes lack training and/or interest in exercise prescription and are therefore unable to provide the needed information and encouragement.

Multidisciplinary intervention to improve albuterol inhaler utilization among patients with asthma.

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the impact of a multidisciplinary intervention designed to improve appropriate albuterol inhaler utilization among patients with asthma.

Methods: This was a pre-post retrospective analysis. The study intervention included written information sent directly to patients, educated prescribers, and enhanced pharmacist training on appropriate albuterol inhaler utilization.

In vivo release of levonorgestrel from Sino-implant (II) — an innovative comparison of explant data.

Objectives: Measuring the amount of progestin remaining in contraceptive implants used for different lengths of time provides useful information on in vivo release kinetics including change over time. We compared estimated in vivo levonorgestrel (LNG) release rates derived from Sino-implant (II) explants with similar data from removed Jadelle.

Study Design: We measured LNG remaining in 44 sets of Sino-implant (II) used for up to 7 years and removed in four Chinese clinics.

The podiatrist as a member of the sports medicine team.

This article reviews the history of sports medicine highlighting the "jogging boom" of the 1970s and the advocacy of Dr George Sheehan, which boosted the position of podiatry in sports medicine. Significant events in mainstream sports medicine that promoted the rise of podiatric medicine are discussed. Reasons as to why podiatric medicine should be a member of the sports medicine team are outlined, and lastly, examples that highlight podiatric medicine as participants alongside other specialties in the evaluation and care of athletes are given.

Prevalence of podiatric conditions seen in Special Olympics athletes: a comparison of USA data to an international population.

Background: Persons with intellectual disabilities frequently have podiatric conditions. Limited information exists on their prevalence in international cohorts of Special Olympics (SO) athletes. Findings from multiple United States (US) venues are compared to those from athletes screened at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece (ATHENS).

Programmatic assessment of a university-based implant training program using patient-reported outcomes.

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) established an implant training program that provides training in the use of a single implant system, evidence-based diagnostic and treatment protocols (standardized work practices), and a total quality management system (Implant Quality Assurance Program). The aim of this study was to assess the programmatic effectiveness of the UKCD implant training program by reporting the success and survival of implants placed, using patient-reported outcomes and comparing them to previously established benchmarks. A total of 415 patients (963 implants) were interviewed, approximately 50 percent of all qualified patients.

Novel neutralizing hedgehog antibody MEDI-5304 exhibits antitumor activity by inhibiting paracrine hedgehog signaling.

The hedgehog pathway has been implicated in the tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis of numerous human cancers. We generated the first fully human hedgehog antibody MEDI-5304 and characterized its antitumor activity and preclinical toxicology. MEDI-5304 bound sonic hedgehog (SHH) and Indian hedgehog (IHH) with low picomolar affinity and neutralized SHH and IHH activity in cellular mGLI1 reporter assays.

Potent reversible inhibition of myeloperoxidase by aromatic hydroxamates.

The neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) promotes oxidative stress in numerous inflammatory pathologies by producing hypohalous acids. Its inadvertent activity is a prime target for pharmacological control. Previously, salicylhydroxamic acid was reported to be a weak reversible inhibitor of MPO.

Development and validation of a 'universal' HPLC method for pyrethroid quantification in long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets for malaria control and prevention.

Objectives: To outline the development and validation of a universal method for quantifying deltamethrin, permethrin and alpha-cypermethrin levels in a variety of long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets.

Methods: Using the HPLC conditions found in the CIPAC method for deltamethrin quantification, the method is based on a simple extraction technique for sample preparation (heating in isooctane at approximately 100 °C for 15 min). The method was validated for linearity, specificity, accuracy, precision, insecticide stability to extraction conditions and required extraction time for insecticide removal.

MEDI0639: a novel therapeutic antibody targeting Dll4 modulates endothelial cell function and angiogenesis in vivo.

The Notch signaling pathway has been implicated in cell fate determination and differentiation in many tissues. Accumulating evidence points toward a pivotal role in blood vessel formation, and the importance of the Delta-like ligand (Dll) 4-Notch1 ligand-receptor interaction has been shown in both physiological and tumor angiogenesis. Disruption of this interaction leads to a reduction in tumor growth as a result of an increase in nonfunctional vasculature leading to poor perfusion of the tumor.

Foot-to-shoe mismatch and rates of referral in Special Olympics athletes.

Background: Improperly fitted shoes are frequently seen in athletes participating in Special Olympics competitions. This foot-to-shoe mismatch may result in deformities as well as discomfort and reduced performance or injuries in competitions. A primary purpose for providing medical screenings is to identify conditions unknown and to promptly refer to an appropriate provider for evaluation and care.

Barefoot running claims and controversies: a review of the literature.

Background: Barefoot running is slowly gaining a dedicated following. Proponents of barefoot running claim many benefits, such as improved performance and reduced injuries, whereas detractors warn of the imminent risks involved.

Methods: Multiple publications were reviewed using key words.

Prevalence of podiatric conditions seen in Special Olympics athletes: Structural, biomechanical and dermatological findings.

Background: Podiatric conditions are frequently seen in persons with intellectual disabilities. Unfortunately, many are not detected or addressed. This study attempts to determine the prevalence of a variety of selected podiatric conditions in Special Olympics athletes and compare the findings to studies of a similarly matched general population.

Reduced community access to a key contraceptive: public health consequence from false suspicion of HIV-contaminated injectables.

Background: This study was conducted to investigate a report of positive test results with DMPA on an HIV rapid test. Suspecting HIV contamination, the Zambian Ministry of Health initiated a product withdrawal pending full evaluation.

Study Design: DMPA was evaluated for compliance to product specifications.

Nanopatch-targeted skin vaccination against West Nile Virus and Chikungunya virus in mice.

The 'Nanopatch' (NP) comprises arrays of densely packed projections with a defined geometry and distribution designed to physically target vaccines directly to thousands of epidermal and dermal antigen presenting cells (APCs). These miniaturized arrays are two orders of magnitude smaller than standard needles-which deliver most vaccines-and are also much smaller than current microneedle arrays. The NP is dry-coated with antigen, adjuvant, and/or DNA payloads.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles protect gastrointestinal epithelium from radiation-induced damage by reduction of reactive oxygen species and upregulation of superoxide dismutase 2.

Unlabelled: The ability of rare earth cerium oxide (CeO(2)) nanoparticles to confer radioprotection against gastrointestinal epithelium was examined. The pretreatment of normal human colon cells (CRL 1541) with varying concentrations of CeO(2) nanoparticles 24 hours before single-dose radiation exposure conferred protection from radiation-induced cell death by reducing the amount of reactive oxygen species produced and increasing the expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), in a dose-dependent manner. In subsequent experiments athymic nude mice were pretreated with intraperitoneal injections of CeO(2) nanoparticles before a single dose of radiation to the abdominal area.

Dry-coated microprojection array patches for targeted delivery of immunotherapeutics to the skin.

Dry-coated microprojections (MPs) deliver vaccine to abundant immunogenic cells within the skin to induce immune responses. Success in this targeted vaccine delivery relies on overcoming the challenges of dry-coating the vaccine onto the very small ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Characterization of germanium linear kinoform lenses at Diamond Light Source.

The unprecedented brilliance achieved by third-generation synchrotron sources and the availability of improved optics have opened up new opportunities for the study of materials at the micrometre and nanometre scale. Focusing the synchrotron radiation to smaller and smaller beams is having a huge impact on a wide research area at synchrotrons. The key to the exploitation of the improved sources is the development of novel optics that deliver narrow beams without loss of brilliance and coherence.