Thermodynamic origins of monovalent facilitated RNA folding.

Cations have long been associated with formation of native RNA structure and are commonly thought to stabilize the formation of tertiary contacts by favorably interacting with the electrostatic potential of the RNA, giving rise to an "ion atmosphere". A significant amount of information regarding the thermodynamics of structural transitions in the presence of an ion atmosphere has accumulated and suggests stabilization is dominated by entropic terms. This work provides an analysis of how RNA-cation interactions affect the entropy and enthalpy associated with an RNA tertiary transition.

Criteria to determine readiness for hospital discharge following colorectal surgery: an international consensus using the Delphi technique.

Background: Standardized discharge criteria are considered valuable to reduce the risk of premature discharge and avoid unnecessary hospital stays. The most appropriate criteria to indicate readiness for discharge after colorectal surgery are unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study is to achieve an international consensus on hospital discharge criteria for patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Entropic origin of Mg2+-facilitated RNA folding.

Mg(2+) is essential for the proper folding and function of RNA, though the effect of Mg(2+) concentration on the free energy, enthalpy, and entropy landscapes of RNA folding is unknown. This work exploits temperature-controlled single-molecule FRET methods to address the thermodynamics of RNA folding pathways by probing the intramolecular docking/undocking kinetics of the ubiquitous GAAA tetraloop-receptor tertiary interaction as a function of [Mg(2+)]. These measurements yield the barrier and standard state enthalpies, entropies, and free energies for an RNA tertiary transition, in particular, revealing the thermodynamic origin of [Mg(2+)]-facilitated folding.

Phase II trial of temozolomide in patients with relapsed sensitive or refractory small cell lung cancer, with assessment of methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase as a potential biomarker.

Purpose: This phase II study was conducted to assess the efficacy of temozolomide in patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Experimental Design: Patients with disease progression after one or two prior chemotherapy regimens received temozolomide at 75 mg/m(2)/d for 21 days of a 28-day cycle. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate [ORR; complete response (CR) plus partial response (PR)], which was evaluated separately in sensitive and refractory cohorts.

Intermittent hypoxic episodes in preterm infants: do they matter?

Intermittent hypoxic episodes are typically a consequence of immature respiratory control and remain a troublesome challenge for the neonatologist. Furthermore, their frequency and magnitude are underestimated by clinically employed pulse oximeter settings. In extremely low birth weight infants the incidence of intermittent hypoxia progressively increases over the first 4 weeks of postnatal life, with a subsequent plateau followed by a slow decline beginning at weeks 6-8.

Sexual behaviour reported by a sample of Italian MSM before and after HIV diagnosis.

In 2006 we conducted a cross-sectional study involving hospital clinical centres in five Italian cities to compare the sexual behaviour of HIV-positive MSM (men who have sex with men) before and after the diagnosis of HIV infection. Each centre was asked to enrol 30 HIV-positive persons aged ≥ 18 years. The questionnaire was administered to 143 MSM on average 9 years after HIV diagnosis.

A multicenter randomized controlled fellow eye trial of pulse-dosed difluprednate 0.05% versus prednisolone acetate 1% in cataract surgery.

Purpose: To compare the effects of 2 corticosteroids on corneal thickness and visual acuity after cataract surgery.

Design: Multicenter, randomized, contralateral-eye, double-masked trial.

Methods: Fifty-two patients (104 eyes) underwent bilateral phacoemulsification.

Pemphigus vulgaris: bilateral plica semilunaris involvement.

Purpose: To present a case of pemphigus vulgaris, involving the conjunctiva, specifically the plica semilunaris, in both eyes of a 33-year-old woman.

Methods: Ocular evaluation showed bilateral plica semilunaris vegetations extending for 3 mm linearly. Sequential excisional biopsies of both affected plica were performed and sent for pathological examination and immunofluorescent staining.

Hospital discharge criteria following colorectal surgery: a systematic review.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify and synthesize the hospital discharge criteria that have been used in the colorectal surgery literature.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using eight bibliographic databases. Searches were limited to English language journal articles published between January 1996 and October 2009.

Surgical approach does not affect perioperative respiratory morbidity in living donor nephrectomy: comparison between anterior subcostal incision and flank incision.

Background: Living donor nephrectomy has been a routine surgical procedure that significantly increased the number of organs for patients with end-stage renal disease. Upper abdominal surgeries, especially when performed with an open approach, usually lead to a postoperative reduction in lung volumes and pulmonary compliance, which may predispose to the development of atelectasis and pulmonary mucus retention, important risk factors for postoperative pulmonary infections.

Aim: This study sought to compare lung function impairment, pain, and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications among live nephrectomy donors undergoing either an open donor nephrectomy through an anterior subcostal incision (SC) or a flank incision (FL).

Implementation and analysis of a pilot in-hospital newborn screening program for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the United States.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze a targeted screening program for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (G6PDdef) and clinical outcomes of G6PD-deficient vs G6PD normal newborns.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review for 1578 male newborns was performed. The study group was those screened for G6PDdef.

Utilization of positive-pressure devices for breathing exercises in the hospital setting: a regional survey in São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: The use of breathing exercises with positive-pressure devices during hospitalization aims to prevent the development of nosocomial pulmonary complications or to facilitate recovery from pulmonary conditions already present. Although this type of intervention has potential benefits and theoretical advantages over more conventional respiratory physiotherapy techniques, the literature on the effects of breathing exercises with positive-pressure is controversial and inconsistent.

Objective: To evaluate the extension of the use of breathing exercises with positive-pressure devices by physiotherapists in São Paulo, Brazil.

A higher incidence of intermittent hypoxemic episodes is associated with severe retinopathy of prematurity.

Objective: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a vasoproliferative disorder of the retina in preterm infants, is associated with multiple factors, including oxygenation level. We explored whether the common intermittent hypoxemic events in preterm infants are associated with the development of ROP.

Study Design: Oxygen desaturation events were quantified in 79 preterm infants (gestational age, 24 to 27-6/7 weeks) during the first 8 weeks of life.

Characterization of cardiorespiratory events following gastroesophageal reflux in preterm infants.

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize cardiorespiratory events in preterm infants after both acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) as detected by pH and multiple intraluminal impedance (MII).

Study Design: Twelve hour overnight studies were performed in 71 preterm infants (gestational age 29.4±3.

Changes in at-risk behavior for HIV infection among HIV-positive persons in Italy.

Many HIV-positive persons reportedly continue to engage in at-risk behavior. We compared the sexual and drug-using practices of HIV-positive persons before and after the diagnosis of HIV infection to determine whether their behavior had changed. To this end, in 2006, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving clinical centers in five Italian cities.

A review on the treatment of relapsed/metastatic head and neck cancer.

The efficacy of traditional chemotherapy in inducing objective responses and prolonging survival in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer has been disappointing. More recent drugs have not proven superior to the classic regimen of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies, either as single agents or associated to chemotherapy, have been shown to be active and little toxic.

Biomolecular markers in cancer of the tongue.

The incidence of tongue cancer is increasing worldwide, and its aggressiveness remains high regardless of treatment. Genetic changes and the expression of abnormal proteins have been frequently reported in the case of head and neck cancers, but the little information that has been published concerning tongue tumours is often contradictory. This review will concentrate on the immunohistochemical expression of biomolecular markers and their relationships with clinical behaviour and prognosis.

Technical limitations in detection of gastroesophageal reflux in neonates.

Objective: Characterize the incidence and possible etiologies of acid reflux events detected by pH and not identified by multiple intraluminal impedance (MII) monitoring.

Materials And Methods: Acid reflux events detected by pH but not identified by MII (pH-only) were documented in 80 preterm and 39 term infants. Reasons for failure of MII to detect these events were classified as failure to meet MII scoring criteria, presence of an air bolus, technical artifact, and no change in impedance.

A phase II study of carboplatin and paclitaxel for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the activity and safety of a regimen containing carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients affected by recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. Eligible patients were treated with a 3-week combination of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin area under the concentration time curve 5 mg/ml/min for a maximum of four cycles. A total of 27 patients entered the study.

Enthalpy-driven RNA folding: single-molecule thermodynamics of tetraloop-receptor tertiary interaction.

RNA folding thermodynamics are crucial for structure prediction, which requires characterization of both enthalpic and entropic contributions of tertiary motifs to conformational stability. We explore the temperature dependence of RNA folding due to the ubiquitous GAAA tetraloop-receptor docking interaction, exploiting immobilized and freely diffusing single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) methods. The equilibrium constant for intramolecular docking is obtained as a function of temperature (T = 21-47 degrees C), from which a van't Hoff analysis yields the enthalpy (DeltaH degrees) and entropy (DeltaS degrees) of docking.

Influence of pleural drainage on postoperative pain, vital capacity and six-minute walk test after pulmonary resection.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of pleural drainage on the distance covered on the six-minute walk test, pain intensity and vital capacity in patients submitted to pulmonary resection.

Methods: Thirteen consecutive patients from the Thoracic Surgery Infirmary of Hospital São Paulo, Brazil, submitted to closed pleural drainage (0.5-in multiperforated chest tube) in the postoperative period following pulmonary resection (lobectomy, segmentectomy and pulmonary nodule resection) were evaluated.