High energy electron beams characterization using CaSO4:Dy+PTFE phosphors for clinical therapy applications.

In the present work high energy electron beam dosimetry from linear accelerator (LINACs) for clinical applications using dysprosium doped calcium sulfate embedded in polytetrafluorethylene (CaSO4:Dy+PTFE) was studied. The irradiations were carried out using high electron beams (6 to 18 MeV) from a linear accelerator (LINAC) Varian, CLINAC 2300C/D, for clinical practice purpose. The electron irradiations were obtained using the water solid in order to guarantee electronic equilibrium conditions (EEC).

Hydrolysis of whey protein isolate using subcritical water.

Hydrolyzed whey protein isolate (WPI) is used in the food industry for protein enrichment and modification of functional properties. The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of subcritical water hydrolysis (SWH) on WPI and to determine the temperature and reaction time effects on the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and the production of peptides and free amino acids (AAs). Effects of temperature (150 to 320 °C) and time (0 to 20 min) were initially studied with a central composite rotatable design followed by a completely randomized factorial design with temperature (250 and 300 °C) and time (0 to 50 min) as factors.

Iron, copper, and zinc transport: inhibition of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and human copper transporter 1 (hCTR1) by shRNA.

Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) fulfill various essential biological functions and are vital for all living organisms. They play important roles in oxygen transport, cell growth and differentiation, neurotransmitter synthesis, myelination, and synaptic transmission. Because of their role in many critical functions, they are commonly used in food fortification and supplementation strategies globally.

Recruiting Practice-based Research Network (PBRN) physicians to be research participants: lessons learned from the North Texas (NorTex) needs assessment study.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine strategies for recruiting physician subjects in a practice-based research network continuing education research study, using different recruitment methods at four systems, or health plan arrangements.

Methods: The North Texas Primary Care Practice-based Research Network Needs Assessment Study consisted of a survey and five self-directed medical record abstractions. Physicians were recruited to be research subjects from four systems, using different recruitment strategies.

The influence of research compensation options on Practice-based Research Network (PBRN) physician participation: a North Texas (NorTex) PBRN study.

Objective: To study the effect of two compensation approaches, continuing medical education (CME) credits (5 hours) or monetary ($150), on the participation rate of a physician needs assessment study.

Methods: Physicians representing family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric, and geriatrics specialties, and practicing in ambulatory primary care clinics affiliated with the North Texas Primary Care (NorTex) PBRN clinics, were recruited to complete a survey relevant to their subspecialty and to conduct a self-audit/abstraction of five medical records. Physicians were recruited from four health care systems, and the recruiting methods varied by system.

[Burden of disease in Latin America].

Objective: To describe the burden of disease studies made in the region, identify the main priorities in health from the indicator Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).

Material And Methods: By the use of DALYs identify the burden of disease in the countries in the network.

Results: DALYs emphasize the emergency of mental disorders, diabetes mellitus in women and the disorders associated with alcohol consumption and injuries in men.

High fetal plasma adenosine concentration: a role for the fetus in preeclampsia?

Objective: Clinical observations suggest a role for the fetus in the maternal manifestations of preeclampsia, but the possible signaling mechanisms remain unclear. This study compares the fetal plasma concentrations of adenosine from normal pregnancies with those from preeclampsia.

Study Design: This secondary data analysis included normal pregnancies (n = 27) and patients with preeclampsia (n = 39).

Lactic acidosis and colon cancer: oncologic emergency?

We report the case of a 44-year-old woman who presented shortly after the diagnosis of metastatic colon cancer with profound lactic acidosis in the absence of tissue hypoperfusion or hypoxemia. Her acid-base disturbance was unresponsive to medical management but resolved after initiation of systemic chemotherapy. In addition to malignancy associated lactic acidosis, this case illustrates several other issues, including factors involved in choosing the initial chemotherapy regimen and sequencing subsequent therapies, and the role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in following response to treatment.

Typology of chronic pain among overweight Mexican Americans.

Having a better understanding of the intersection between chronic pain and obesity in the Mexican American community can be valuable for pain management specialists in determining treatment, service, and prevention strategies. The objectives of this study were (1) to describe the type and severity of chronic pain among overweight/obese Hispanic adults aged 40 years and older, and (2) to determine the association between chronic pain indices and key demographic variables, including excessive weight. Hispanic adults (N=101) were interviewed using validated questionnaires and measured for BMI and waist circumference.

Paratracheal placement of orotracheal tube: a complication when aborting percutaneous tracheotomy.

Percutaneous dilatational tracheotomies (PT) are commonly performed in the ICU. The procedure carries the risk of complications, among them severe events as loss of airway or pneumothorax. In this case report we describe complications related to a PT procedure in the ICU.

Survival and complications after interventional bronchoscopy in malignant central airway obstruction: a single-center experience.

Background: Patients with malignant airway obstruction may need endobronchial intervention to relieve the associated symptoms. We report our experience of interventional bronchoscopy with regard to complications and survival.

Methods: A total of 257 patients (167 men, 90 women, median age 67 y) were treated with 360 endobronchial procedures at our department in the period from 1998 to 2009.

Optimizing the administration of fixed-dose rate gemcitabine plus capecitabine using an alternating-week schedule: a dose finding and early efficacy study in advanced pancreatic and biliary carcinomas.

Objectives: This multisite study sought to optimize the dosing, schedule, and administration of fixed-dose rate (FDR) gemcitabine plus capecitabine for advanced pancreatic and biliary tract cancers using an alternating-week dose schedule of both agents.

Methods: Patients with previously untreated advanced pancreatic and biliary tract cancers with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1 were eligible. For the dose-finding portion, a standard 3+3 dose-escalation schema was used, with the gemcitabine dose kept at 1000 mg/m(2) administered by FDR (10 mg/m(2)/min) on day 1 of each 14-day cycle, and capecitabine given on days 1 to 7 at doses ranging from 800 to 1500 mg/m(2) twice daily.

Polymalic acid-based nanobiopolymer provides efficient systemic breast cancer treatment by inhibiting both HER2/neu receptor synthesis and activity.

Biodegradable nanopolymers are believed to offer great potential in cancer therapy. Here, we report the characterization of a novel, targeted, nanobiopolymeric conjugate based on biodegradable, nontoxic, and nonimmunogenic PMLA [poly(β-l-malic acid)]. The PMLA nanoplatform was synthesized for repetitive systemic treatments of HER2/neu-positive human breast tumors in a xenogeneic mouse model.

Transepithelial heme-iron transport: effect of heme oxygenase overexpression.

Background: Heme iron is found in the diet mainly in the form of hemoglobin and myoglobin. It is known that heme iron (heme-Fe) and inorganic iron are absorbed differently. Intracellularly, heme oxygenase-1 (HO1) participates in the cleavage of the heme ring producing biliverdin, CO and ferrous iron.

The transcription factor SlAREB1 confers drought, salt stress tolerance and regulates biotic and abiotic stress-related genes in tomato.

Members of the abscisic acid-responsive element binding protein (AREB)/abscisic acid-responsive element binding factor (ABF) subfamily of basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors have been implicated in abscisic acid (ABA) and abiotic stress responses in plants. Here we describe two members identified in cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), named SlAREB1 and SlAREB2. Expression of SlAREB1 and SlAREB2 is induced by drought and salinity in both leaves and root tissues, although that of SlAREB1 was more affected.

Searching for specific responses to copper exposure: an in vitro copper challenge in peripheral mononuclear cells.

Acute and chronic cellular responses to changes in copper availability are not clear when these changes are mild to moderate, as what often occur in human daily life. The aims of the study were to develop an in vitro copper challenge in peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNCs) obtained from healthy individuals with different preconditioning copper treatments, and measure copper and iron content, and MT2A and TfR mRNA abundance after the copper challenge. (1) Screening using clinical and biochemical indicators defined healthy participants, who received 8 mg Cu/day (copper sulfate) or placebo for 2 months.

Automated detection of myocardial ischaemia by epicardial miniature ultrasound transducers--a novel tool for patient monitoring during cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Early detection of myocardial ischaemia in cardiac surgery is important. We have developed an ultrasonic system for continuous myocardial monitoring by use of miniature transducers. The aim of this study was to investigate the system's ability to detect ischaemia in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and whether automated signal analysis could detect ischaemia.

Self-reported racial discrimination, response to unfair treatment, and coronary calcification in asymptomatic adults--the North Texas Healthy Heart study.

Background: Accruing evidence supports the hypothesis that psychosocial factors are related to cardiovascular disease. However, a limited number of studies have investigated the pathophysiologic pathways through which these associations occur. The purpose of this study was to assess whether experiences of self-reported racial discrimination and reactions to unfair treatment were associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC), an indicator of subclinical coronary heart disease (CHD).

Characteristics of ectopic parathyroid glands in 145 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) arising from ectopic parathyroid glands, to analyze the clinical, biochemical, and anatomic characteristics of such cases, and to compare these characteristics with those found in PHPT associated with orthotopic parathyroid glands.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of cases of PHPT evaluated and treated at a referral center. Differences between patients with orthotopic and ectopic parathyroid glands were analyzed statistically.

[Ultrasound measurements of intra-abdominal adiposity and factors associated with cardiovascular risk in obese children].

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors are commonly present in obese children.

Aim: To evaluate the association among radiological measurements of intra-abdominal adipose tissue, and cardiovascular risk factors, in prepuberal obese children.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 30 obese (body mass index > p95) children aged 6 to 12 years (15 males).

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors increase Herceptin transport and treatment efficacy in mouse metastatic brain tumor models.

Background: Chemotherapeutic drugs and newly developed therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are adequately delivered to most solid and systemic tumors. However, drug delivery into primary brain tumors and metastases is impeded by the blood-brain tumor barrier (BTB), significantly limiting drug use in brain cancer treatment.

Methodology/principal Findings: We examined the effect of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in nude mice on drug delivery to intracranially implanted human lung and breast tumors as the most common primary tumors forming brain metastases, and studied underlying mechanisms of drug transport.