In Vivo Induction of Leukemia-Specific Adaptive and Innate Immune Cells by Treatment of AML-Diseased Rats and Therapy-Refractory AML Patients with Blast Modulating Response Modifiers.

There is a high medical need to develop new strategies for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) refractory to conventional therapy. In vitro, the combinations of the blast-modulatory response modifiers GM-CSF + Prostaglandin E1, (summarized as Kit M) have been shown to convert myeloid leukemic blasts into antigen-presenting dendritic cells of leukemic origin (DC) that were able to (re-)activate the innate and adaptive immune system, direct it specifically against leukemic blasts, and induce memory cells. This study aimed to investigate the immune modulatory capacity and antileukemic efficacy of Kit M in vivo.

Enhancement of sensitivity for moxifloxacin spectrofluorimetric analysis through photoinduced electron transfer inhibition. Green assessment with application to pharmaceutical eye drops.

A green, simple, rapid, selective, and highly sensitive fluorimetric protocol has been established for quantitative analysis of the antibacterial drug moxifloxacin in its pure form and pharmaceutical dosage form. Owing to photoinduced electron transfer, moxifloxacin exhibits low native fluorescence in neutral media. Based on that, the developed fluorimetric protocol depends on inhibiting the photoinduced electron transfer effect of the nitrogen atom presented on the pyrrolidine ring in moxifloxacin by suitable adjusting of pH of the medium surrounding it, leading to its protonation.

Early-stage idiopathic Parkinson's disease is associated with reduced circular RNA expression.

Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) precedes diagnosis by years. Early neurodegeneration may be reflected in RNA levels and measurable as a biomarker. Here, we present the largest quantification of whole blood linear and circular RNAs (circRNA) in early-stage idiopathic PD, using RNA sequencing data from two cohorts (PPMI = 259 PD, 161 Controls; ICICLE-PD = 48 PD, 48 Controls).

Effect of effleurage massage therapy on sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain, and anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis: A quasi-experimental study.

Background: Fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and anxiety are prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and frequent complaints in MS patients, which reduce their quality of life. Many studies have shown that massage therapy improves MS patients' symptoms. However, the effect of effleurage massage on sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain, and anxiety in patients with MS is not studied in Egypt.

Genomic Strategies in Mitochondrial Diagnostics.

Pathogenic variants in both mitochondrial and nuclear genes contribute to the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of mitochondrial diseases. There are now pathogenic variants in over 300 nuclear genes linked to human mitochondrial diseases. Nonetheless, diagnosing mitochondrial disease with a genetic outcome remains challenging.

Two type I topoisomerases maintain DNA topology in human mitochondria.

Genetic processes require the activity of multiple topoisomerases, essential enzymes that remove topological tension and intermolecular linkages in DNA. We have investigated the subcellular localisation and activity of the six human topoisomerases with a view to understanding the topological maintenance of human mitochondrial DNA. Our results indicate that mitochondria contain two topoisomerases, TOP1MT and TOP3A.

Generation of Leukaemia-Derived Dendritic Cells (DC) to Improve Anti-Leukaemic Activity in AML: Selection of the Most Efficient Response Modifier Combinations.

Dendritic cells (DC) and leukaemia derived DC (DC) are potent stimulators of anti-leukaemic activity in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and can be generated from mononuclear cells in vitro following standard DC/DC-generating protocols. With respect to future clinical applications though, DC/DC-generating protocols specifically designed for application in a whole-blood-(WB)-environment must be established. Therefore, we developed ten new DC/DC-generating protocols (kits; Kit-A/-C/-D/-E/-F/-G/-H/-I/-K/-M) for the generation of DC/DC from leukaemic WB, containing calcium-ionophore, granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating-factor (GM-CSF), tumour-necrosis-factor-alpha, prostaglandin-E (PGE), prostaglandin-E (PGE) and/or picibanil (OK-432).

Immunomodulatory kits generating leukaemia derived dendritic cells do not induce blast proliferation ex vivo: IPO-38 as a novel marker to quantify proliferating blasts in acute myeloid leukaemia.

(Leukaemia derived) dendritic cells (DC, DC) are potent stimulators of anti-leukaemic activity in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and can be generated with immunomodulatory kits containing granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating-factor (GM-CSF), prostaglandin-E (PGE), prostaglandin-E (PGE) and/or picibanil (OK-321). Potential adverse effects initiated through kits, especially the proliferation of blasts, must be ruled out to ensure treatment safety. We quantified proliferating blasts with the proliferation markers CD71 and Ki-67 and the novel proliferation marker IPO-38 before and after kit treatment ex vivo.

Newborn Screening by Genomic Sequencing: Opportunities and Challenges.

Newborn screening for treatable disorders is one of the great public health success stories of the twentieth century worldwide. This commentary examines the potential use of a new technology, next generation sequencing, in newborn screening through the lens of the Wilson and Jungner criteria. Each of the ten criteria are examined to show how they might be applied by programmes using genomic sequencing as a screening tool.

Developing a National Newborn Genomes Program: An Approach Driven by Ethics, Engagement and Co-design.

The transformative potential of whole genome sequencing (WGS) as a diagnostic tool in healthcare has been demonstrated by initiatives including the 100,000 Genomes Project and is now offered to certain patients in the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Building on these foundations, the utility of WGS in the newborn period can now be explored. Genomics England is working in partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement and other healthcare, patient and public interest groups to design a research program embedded in the NHS to explore the potential challenges and implications of offering WGS in all newborns.

Interactions between nuclear and mitochondrial SNPs and Parkinson's disease risk.

Interactions between the products of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes are critical for the function of most eukaryotic cells. Recently the introduction of mitochondrial replacement therapy has raised the question of incompatibilities between mitochondrial and nuclear variants, and their potential influence on the genetic makeup of human populations. Such interactions could also contribute to the variability of the penetrance of pathogenic DNA variants.

Identification of the transcription factor MAZ as a regulator of erythropoiesis.

Erythropoiesis requires a combination of ubiquitous and tissue-specific transcription factors (TFs). Here, through DNA affinity purification followed by mass spectrometry, we have identified the widely expressed protein MAZ (Myc-associated zinc finger) as a TF that binds to the promoter of the erythroid-specific human α-globin gene. Genome-wide mapping in primary human erythroid cells revealed that MAZ also occupies active promoters as well as GATA1-bound enhancer elements of key erythroid genes.

Investigating the interaction of terbinafine with xanthenes dye for its feasible determination applying the resonance Rayleigh scattering technique.

Terbinafine hydrochloride is a potent antifungal drug indicated for oral and topical treatment of mycoses. A resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) method was developed for the determination of terbinafine hydrochloride through a feasible complexation reaction with erythrosine B. In a weakly acidic medium (acetate buffer, pH 5.

Professionalism: The Wrong Tool to Solve the Right Problem?

Medical schools and other higher education institutions across the United States are grappling with how to respond to racism on and off campus. Institutions and their faculty, administrators, and staff have examined their policies and practices, missions, curricula, and the representation of racial and ethnic minority groups among faculty, staff, and students. In addition, student-led groups, such as White Coats for Black Lives, have emerged to critically evaluate medical school curricula and advocate for change.

The effect of cryotherapy application before versus after subcutaneous anticoagulant injection on pain intensity and hematoma formation: A quasi-experimental design.

Objective: To investigate the effect of cryotherapy application before versus after subcutaneous anticoagulant injection (SCAI) on pain intensity and hematoma formation.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was utilized. A convenient sample of 105 adult patients, who were admitted to one of the biggest teaching hospitals in Cairo and receiving SCAI, were recruited over a period of six months.

Role of Interferon (IFN)α in "Cocktails" for the Generation of (Leukemia-derived) Dendritic Cells (DCleu) From Blasts in Blood From Patients (pts) With Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and the Induction of Antileukemic Reactions.

Strategies to stabilize remissions by specific elimination of residual acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts are needed. Leukemia-derived dendritic cell (DCleu/DC) generated from myeloid blasts improve antileukemic T-cell reactivity and install T-cell memory. Interferon (IFN)α-DC methods produce DCleu from chronic myeloid leukemia-patients (pts') blood.

Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in newly diagnosed prostate cancer: diagnostic sensitivity and interobserver agreement.

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity and interobserver agreement of Gallium 68-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT) imaging for diagnosis and staging of patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PC).

Materials And Methods: One hundred and seventy-three men (mean age, 68 ± 7.7 years; range 46-84 years) with newly diagnosed, untreated PC were enrolled in this prospective study between January 2017 and August 2018.

Preventing relapse to smoking with transcranial magnetic stimulation: Feasibility and potential efficacy.

Many smokers attempt to quit every year, but 90% relapse within 12 months. Converging evidence suggests relapse is associated with insufficient activation of the prefrontal cortex. Delay discounting rate reflects relative activity in brain regions associated with relapse.

Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Interprofessional Education in Nutrition as an Essential Component of Medical Education.

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) should play a significant role in educating medical students, residents, fellows, and physicians in practice. The more physicians learn about the effectiveness of nutrition for the prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases, the more likely they are to consult with RDNs and refer patients for medical nutrition therapy. The more interprofessional education that occurs between medical students, other health professional students, and RDNs, the more likely all health care professionals will understand and value the role of the RDN in improving the quality of care provided to patients.

Treatment of Hyponatremia in Patients with Acute Neurological Injury.

Background: Little data exist regarding the practice of sodium management in acute neurologically injured patients. This study describes the practice variations, thresholds for treatment, and effectiveness of treatment in this population.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, observational study identified 400 ICU patients, from 17 centers, admitted for ≥48 h with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), traumatic brain injury (TBI), intraparenchymal hemorrhage, or intracranial tumors between January 1, 2011 and July 31, 2012.

Proceedings of the inaugural International Summit for Medical Nutrition Education and Research.

Medical Nutrition Education (MNE) has been identified as an area with potential public health impact. Despite countries having distinctive education systems, barriers and facilitators to effective MNE are consistent across borders, demanding a common platform to initiate global programmes. A shared approach to supporting greater MNE is ideal to support countries to work together.

Response to a patient activation intervention among Spanish-speaking patients at a community health center in New York City.

Patient activation describes an individual's readiness to participate in their health care. Lower levels of activation that may contribute to poor health outcomes have been documented in Latino patients. We administered a brief activating intervention directed at Spanish-speakers that sought to improve and encourage question-asking during a medical visit.

Residency and specialties training in nutrition: a call for action.

Despite evidence that nutrition interventions reduce morbidity and mortality, malnutrition, including obesity, remains highly prevalent in hospitals and plays a major role in nearly every major chronic disease that afflicts patients. Physicians recognize that they lack the education and training in medical nutrition needed to counsel their patients and to ensure continuity of nutrition care in collaboration with other health care professionals. Nutrition education and training in specialty and subspecialty areas are inadequate, physician nutrition specialists are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, and nutrition care coverage by third payers remains woefully limited.

Seizure prophylaxis in neurocritical care: a review of evidence-based support.

Seizures are a well-described complication of acute brain injury and neurosurgery. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are frequently utilized for seizure prophylaxis in neurocritical care patients. In this review, the Neurocritical Care Society Pharmacy Section describes the evidence associated with the use of AEDs for seizure prophylaxis in patients with intracerebral tumors, traumatic brain injury, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, craniotomy, ischemic stroke, and intracerebral hemorrhage.