Genetic counseling workforce diversity, inclusion, and capacity in Australia and New Zealand.

Purpose: To understand diversity, inclusion, and capacity of genetic counselors (GCs) in Australasia (Australia and New Zealand).

Methods: Individuals with or working toward a GC qualification in Australasia were invited to complete an online survey, between November 2022 and March 2023. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, 1-sample proportion -tests, 2-sample -tests, and χ tests.

A Comparative Study of Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block and Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia Following Total Abdominal Hysterectomy.

Background:  Total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) results in remarkable postoperative pain. Truncal nerve blocks like the quadratus lumborum (QL) block and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block are described to combat this pain. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of the QL block with the TAP block in terms of numeric rating scale (NRS) scores as the primary outcome for postoperative pain in TAH.

Consequences of recombination for the evolution of the mating type locus in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Recombination suppression in sex chromosomes and mating type loci can lead to degeneration as a result of reduced selection efficacy and Muller's ratchet effects. However, genetic exchange in the form of noncrossover gene conversions may still take place within crossover-suppressed regions. Recent work has found evidence that gene conversion may explain the low degrees of allelic differentiation in the dimorphic mating-type locus (MT) of the isogamous alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Noninvasive assessment of gene transfer and expression by in vivo functional and morphologic imaging in a rabbit tumor model.

Purpose: To evaluate the importance of morphology in quantifying expression after in vivo gene transfer and to compare gene expression after intra-arterial (IA) and intra-tumoral (IT) delivery of adenovirus expressing a SSTR2-based reporter gene in a large animal tumor model.

Materials And Methods: Tumor directed IA or IT delivery of adenovirus containing a human somatostatin receptor type 2A (Ad-CMV-HA-SSTR2A) gene chimera or control adenovirus (Ad-CMV-GFP) was performed in VX2 tumors growing in both rabbit thighs. Three days later, ¹¹¹In-octreotide was administered intravenously after CT imaging using a clinical scanner.

Visualizing the prostate gland by MR imaging in young and old mice.

Purpose: Prostate imaging requires optimization in young and old mouse models. We tested which MR sequences and field strengths best depict the prostate gland in young and old mice; and, whether prostate MR signal, size, and architecture change with age.

Technique: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate of young (2 months) and old (18 months) male nude mice (n = 6) was performed at 4.

Involvement of microRNA181a in differentiation and cell cycle arrest induced by a plant-derived antioxidant carnosic acid and vitamin D analog doxercalciferol in human leukemia cells.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) has been shown to influence differentiation, cell proliferation and cell death in cultured leukemia cells. However, its clinical use is limited by its hypercalcemic effects. An analog of 1,25D, doxercalciferol (1-D2), has anti-tumor activity, with markedly reduced calcemic effects, which makes it a potential agent for clinical treatment of AML.

Effect of niacin therapy on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Niacin or nicotinic acid (vitamin B3) raises the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) by about 30% to 35%. In patients with prior coronary disease, 7 trials have been published on clinical cardiovascular disease outcomes and the results, not surprisingly, are inconsistent. Hence, we performed this meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of niacin on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Screening guidelines for coronary heart disease in diabetes: current recommendations.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are so intertwined with one another that the presence of one prompts a search for the other. Diabetes has been considered to be equivalent to coronary heart disease (CHD), and conversely many patients with known CHD have concomitant diabetes or its pre-states. This review has been compiled based on the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association, the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III), the European Society of Cardiology, and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

Clinical Evaluation of an Indigenous Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent in De NovoCoronary Artery Stenosis.

BACKGROUND, Drug-eluting stents have enabled considerable reduction in restenosis in patients subjected to angioplasty. However, in view of high cost of drug-eluting stents, efforts to develop medicated stents at reduced cost using alternative polymers in Indian setting are imperative. Hence a multi-center study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the indigenously developed paclitaxel-eluting RELEASE-T stent.

Cardiovascular risk with subclinical hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism: pathophysiology and management.

Previous studies have suggested that subclinical thyroid dysfunction, as manifested by abnormalities in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, are associated with detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system. Subclinical hypothyroidism is characterized by abnormal lipid metabolism, cardiac dysfunction, diastolic hypertension conferring an elevated risk of atherosclerosis, and ischemic heart disease. Similarly, patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism have nearly 3 times the likelihood of atrial fibrillation over a 10-year follow-up interval, raising the question of whether patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism should be treated to prevent atrial fibrillation.

Enoxaparin-induced skin necrosis: a fatal outcome.

Enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin used to treat and prevent deep venous thrombosis, has been evaluated in several clinical trials. Thrombosis induced by enoxaparin with no evidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is seldom described. We report a rare case in which an 89-year-old African-American female developed large, multiple, painful lesions induced by enoxaparin administration.

Impact of subclinical thyroid disorders on coronary heart disease, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that sub-clinical thyroid states may have detrimental effects on the coronary heart disease (CHD). Whether subclinical thyroid dysfunction is a risk factor for the above is controversial.

Methods: A systemic search of the literature using Pubmed, Medline and Ovid online tool was performed to identify relevant studies.

Utility of esmolol in thyroid crisis.

Thyroid storm is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening manifestation of hyperthyroidism. Mortality can be 30-60% in hospitalized patients unless appropriately treated by combined therapy. We report a case of a 25-year-old African American woman with past medical history of Graves disease and moderately persistent asthma who presented to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of thyrotoxic crisis.

Anthraquinones of Cassia marginata seeds.

From the defatted seeds of Cassia marginata fam (Caesalpinaceae) two new anthraquinone glycosides have been isolated and characterised as physcion-8-O-alpha-L-xylopyranoside and emodin-8-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside.