An Exogenous Ketone Ester Slows Tumor Progression in Murine Breast and Renal Cancer Models.

Background/objectives: Ketone esters (KEs) exhibit promise as anti-cancer agents but their impact on spontaneous metastases remains poorly understood. Although consumption of a ketogenic diet (KD) that is low in carbohydrates and high in fats can lead to KE production in vivo, the restrictive composition of KDs may diminish adherence in cancer patients.

Methods: We investigated the effects of an exogenous ketone ester-supplemented (eKET), carbohydrate-replete diet on tumor growth, metastasis, and underlying mechanisms in orthotopic models of metastatic breast (4T1-Luc) and renal (Renca-Luc) carcinomas.

Regulatory T cells modulate monocyte functions in immunocompetent antiretroviral therapy naive HIV-1 infected people.

We previously demonstrated that the overall number of regulatory T (Treg) cells decrease proportionately with helper CD4 T cells and their frequencies increase in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infected individuals. The question now is whether the discrepancies in Treg cell numbers and frequencies are synonymous to an impairment of their functions. To address this, we purified Treg cells and assessed their ability to modulate autologous monocytes functions.

Specific antibody responses to Qβ-displayed Plasmodium falciparum-derived UB05 and MSP3 proteins in mother-neonate couples.

Malaria blood-stage parasite is a critical pathogenic stage responsible for serious adverse outcomes in pregnant women and their neonates. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody responses specific to various asexual blood-stage antigens were well reported in non-pregnant individuals. However, little is still known during placental malaria.

Mixed Nuts May Promote Satiety While Maintaining Stable Blood Glucose and Insulin in Healthy, Obese, and Overweight Adults in a Two-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.

Multiple studies have examined the impacts of various nuts on appetitive and metabolic effects; however, fewer studies have addressed the impacts of mixed nuts. The objective was to examine the acute effects of consumption of an isocaloric (253 kcal) snack of mixed nuts or pretzels on appetite hormones, glucose and insulin responses, and subjective appetite ratings in overweight and obese adults. In a two-arm randomized controlled trial, overweight and obese adults consumed either mixed nuts ( = 27) or pretzels ( = 27) with 16 men and 11 women per group.

The Effect of Patient Weight and Provider Training and Experience on Dosing of Rocuronium.

Introduction. Maintenance dosing of neuromuscular blocking agents is complex and varies with patient, procedure, and clinical situation. With this in mind, we sought to identify factors impacting the maintenance dosing of neuromuscular blockers as a step toward identifying best practice with respect to minimizing residual neuromuscular blockade.

Characterization and expression of monoclonal antibody-defined molecules on resting and activated bovine αβ, γδ T and NK cells.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for leukocyte differentiation molecules (LDMs) were developed during the past few decades to expand reagents for research in ruminants, pigs, and horses. The specificity of some of the mAb-defined molecules was determined through participation in international workshops. Other molecules identified with mAbs during this time, and more recently with mAbs developed after the workshops, have remained partially characterized.

Facial fracture management in northwest Nigeria.

Background: Facial fracture is gradually become a public health problem in our community due to the attendant morbidity and mortality. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the pattern of facial fracture in Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to provide information regarding gender, age, etiology, and diagnosis of patients with maxillofacial fractures.

A qualitative study of underutilization of the AIDS drug assistance program.

In our previous work, we demonstrated underutilization of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) at an HIV clinic in Alabama. In order to understand barriers and facilitators to utilization of ADAP, we conducted focus groups of ADAP enrollees. Focus groups were stratified by sex, race, and historical medication possession ratio as a measure of program utilization.

Underutilization of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program: associated factors and policy implications.

Background: The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides antiretroviral medications to low-income individuals with HIV infection.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of ADAP utilization, measured using medication possession ratio (MPR), was conducted during the 2008 calendar year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham 1917 HIV Clinic. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression evaluated factors associated with ADAP utilization.

Financial reporting practices: a comprehensive evaluation.

A distinguishing characteristic of high performance organizations is a strong internal control structure-controls that ensure patient care, compliance with regulations, internal efficiencies, and financial reporting. It is controls on financial reporting that are receiving a great deal of attention under a new law, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Public companies are now required by law to document controls over financial reporting, in order to fully address exposures and the effectiveness of current controls.

Web-based targeted nutrition counselling and social support for patients at increased cardiovascular risk in general practice: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Using the Internet may prove useful in providing nutrition counselling and social support for patients with chronic diseases.

Objective: We evaluated the impact of Web-based nutrition counselling and social support on social support measures, anthropometry, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol in patients at increased cardiovascular risk.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial among patients with increased cardiovascular risk in Canadian family practices.

Lack of association between activity or fitness and loss of control of hypertension.

Background: Many treated hypertensive patients have inadequate control of their blood pressure. Physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are important in the development and treatment of hypertension. Less is known about their relationships with hypertension control in the context of long-term management.

Markers of loss of control of hypertension.

Objective: To identify markers for loss of control of hypertension.

Design: Questionnaire administered to patients who had been monitored for 18 months and had had their blood pressure (BP) measured many times.

Setting: Fifty family practices in southeastern Ontario.

Your organization should consider a cash-balance pension plan.

In recent years, a growing number of healthcare organizations have dropped the traditional defined-benefit pension plan and adopted cash-balance pension plans. A cash-balance pension plan generally allows employers to pay less in overall pension benefits and administration costs. A cash-balance pension plan pays benefits according to a predetermined formula based on an average of the employee's annual salary over his or her length of service.