Do Optic Disc Drusen Cause Unilateral Nyctalopia?

This is a case report of a patient with unilateral nyctalopia in whom ipsilateral optic disc drusen were the only finding despite extensive investigation.

Bone marrow cytogenetics workup: Application of lean management system to determine if additional cell workup is helpful and necessary to analysis.

Introduction: High workload volumes in a Cytogenetics laboratory can lead to long result turn-around times (TAT). This study aimed to improve laboratory efficiency by adopting Lean Management System initiatives to increase productivity through the elimination of wastes. This study examined if the prerequisite 20-cell analysis was sufficient for a conclusive result or if additional cell workup was necessary to ascertain the presence of a previous chromosome abnormality among cases on follow-up, or when a single abnormal cell was encountered during the analysis to determine the presence of a clone.

Heat-shock protein 60 translocates to the surface of apoptotic cells and differentiated megakaryocytes and stimulates phagocytosis.

Heat-shock protein 60 (Hsp60) is a highly conserved stress protein which has chaperone functions in prokaryotes and mammalian cells. Hsp60 is associated with the mitochondria and the plasma membrane through phosphorylation by protein kinase A, and is incorporated into lipid membranes as a protein-folding chaperone. Its diverse intracellular chaperone functions include the secretion of proteins where it maintains the conformation of precursors and facilitates their translocation through the plasma membrane.

Angiopoietin-like 4 interacts with integrins beta1 and beta5 to modulate keratinocyte migration.

Adipose tissue secretes adipocytokines for energy homeostasis, but recent evidence indicates that some adipocytokines also have a profound local impact on wound healing. Upon skin injury, keratinocytes use various signaling molecules to promote reepithelialization for efficient wound closure. In this study, we identify a novel function of adipocytokine angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) in keratinocytes during wound healing through the control of both integrin-mediated signaling and internalization.

Reducing the effect of cyanobacteria in the microfiltration of secondary effluent.

Cyanobacterial blooms in the lagoons of sewage treatment plants can severely impact the performance of membrane plants treating the effluent. This paper investigates the impact of Microcystis aeruginosa in a secondary effluent on the microfiltration filterability and cleaning of the membrane. Alum coagulation and dissolved air flotation (DAF) were investigated to remove the algae and so enhance the volume of effluent processed, and their influence on reversible and irreversible fouling.

Residual cervical lymphadenopathy after definitive treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: fine needle aspiration cytology, computed tomography and histopathological findings.

Background: Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may have residual cervical lymphadenopathy after definitive treatment of the primary tumour and regional cervical nodal disease. Whether such lymphadenopathy truly represents persistent disease is unclear. There are few published studies addressing this clinical problem.

Angiopoietin-like 4 interacts with matrix proteins to modulate wound healing.

A dynamic cell-matrix interaction is crucial for a rapid cellular response to changes in the environment. Appropriate cell behavior in response to the changing wound environment is required for efficient wound closure. However, the way in which wound keratinocytes modify the wound environment to coordinate with such cellular responses remains less studied.

An abnormal nonhyperdiploid karyotype is a significant adverse prognostic factor for multiple myeloma in the bortezomib era.

Multiple myeloma is clinically heterogeneous and risk stratification is vital for prognostication and informing treatment decisions. As bortezomib is able to overcome several high-risk features of myeloma, the validity of conventional risk-stratification and prognostication systems needs to be reevaluated. We study the survival data of 261 previously untreated myeloma patients managed at our institution, where bortezomib became available from 2004 for the treatment of relapse disease.

Sphaerodes quadrangularis biotrophic mycoparasitism on Fusarium avenaceum.

Sphaerodes quadrangularis Garcia, Stchigel & Guarro was shown to be a facultative contact biotrophic mycoparasite of Fusarium avenaceum (Fr.) Sacc. (teleomorph: Gibberella avenacea Cooke) that established an intimate relationship with its host by producing hook-shaped and clamp-like attachment structures that appeared to derive nutrients and other essential factors from living host cells.

Prasugrel versus clopidogrel in Asian patients with acute coronary syndromes: design and rationale of a multi-dose, pharmacodynamic, phase 3 clinical trial.

Background: Prasugrel is a third generation thienopyridine that is more potent, rapid in onset, and consistent in inhibition of platelets than clopidogrel. However, early prasugrel dose-ranging studies and the subsequent phase 3 TRITON-TIMI 38 trial were conducted primarily in Caucasian populations.

Objectives: The current clinical study is designed to confirm superior inhibition of platelet aggregation with prasugrel versus clopidogrel in the treatment of Asian subjects with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Rates of fetal alcohol exposure among newborns in a high-risk obstetric unit.

Meconium fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are sensitive and specific biomarkers for prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in pregnancy. We recently reported a 2.5% rate of FAEE positive meconium in a general population sample of infants born in the region of Grey-Bruce, Ontario.

Dasatinib in imatinib-resistant or imatinib-intolerant chronic myeloid leukemia in blast phase after 2 years of follow-up in a phase 3 study: efficacy and tolerability of 140 milligrams once daily and 70 milligrams twice daily.

Background: In a phase 3 study, the authors assessed the effects of dasatinib at doses of 140 mg once daily and 70 mg twice daily in patients who had either chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in advanced phases or Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia and were resistant or intolerant to imatinib. In the current report, the results for patients with CML in blast phase after 2 years of follow-up are reported.

Methods: Patients were stratified according to whether they had CML in myeloid blast phase (MBP-CML) or in lymphoid blast phase (LBP-CML) and were randomized (1:1) within each stratum to receive either oral dasatinib 140 mg once daily or 70 mg twice daily.

Functional roles of aggregation-promoting-like factor in stress tolerance and adherence of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM.

Aggregation-promoting factors (Apf) are secreted proteins that have been associated with a diverse number of functional roles in lactobacilli, including self-aggregation, the bridging of conjugal pairs, coaggregation with other commensal or pathogenic bacteria, and maintenance of cell shape. In silico genome analysis of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM identified LBA0493 as a 696-bp apf gene that encodes a putative 21-kDa Apf protein. Transcriptional studies of NCFM during growth in milk showed apf to be one of the most highly upregulated genes in the genome.

An innovative brilliant blue FCF method for fluorescent staining of fungi and bacteria.

Most natural and synthetic dyes currently used for microbial fluorescent staining are toxic or carcinogenic and are harmful to animals, humans and the environment. A food dye for microbial staining, brilliant blue FCF, was used as an alternative to lactofuchsin and lactophenol blue. Brilliant blue FCF shows pronounced microbial cell fluorescence staining of an array of pathogenic/toxigenic (Fusarium granunearum 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol chemotypes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7) and beneficial fungi and bacteria (Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis).

A note on heat shock protein 70 expression in goats subjected to road transportation under hot, humid tropical conditions.

The influence of two different stocking densities (0.20 m2/animal and 0.40 m2/animal) in transit under the hot, humid tropical conditions on heat shock protein (hsp) 70 induction was investigated in 60 Boer does.

Chronic myeloid leukemia in the Asia-Pacific region: current practice, challenges and opportunities in the targeted therapy era.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) management varies across Asia due to disparities in affluence and healthcare provision. We surveyed CML management practice at 33 hospitals in 14 countries/regions to identify treatment challenges and opportunities for harmonization. Patients were generally treated according to international guidelines; however, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and molecular monitoring are inaccessible to many patients not covered by national insurance or eligible for subsidized treatment.

Runx3 is required for the differentiation of lung epithelial cells and suppression of lung cancer.

Human lung adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent form of lung cancer, is characterized by many molecular abnormalities. K-ras mutations are associated with the initiation of lung adenocarcinomas, but K-ras-independent mechanisms may also initiate lung tumors. Here, we find that the runt-related transcription factor Runx3 is essential for normal murine lung development and is a tumor suppressor that prevents lung adenocarcinoma.

Recurrent vitreous occlusion of glaucoma drainage device tube in a patient with glaucoma in aphakia: a case report.

Patients with spontaneous lens dislocation and glaucoma can be challenging to manage. We present a forty-six year old Caucasian lady who was referred with bilateral high intraocular pressure, and was subsequently diagnosed with glaucoma in association with lens dislocation and Marfan syndrome. Baerveldt glaucoma drainage device tubes were inserted in both eyes due to poor response to medical therapy.

The effect of a controlled manipulation of maternal dietary fat intake on medium and long chain fatty acids in human breast milk in Saskatoon, Canada.

Background: Few studies in recent years have demonstrated the effect of maternal diet on fatty acid composition of human milk.

Methods: Fourteen free-living lactating women participated in a cross-over dietary intervention study, consuming a low fat diet (17.6% of energy as fat, 14.

Effects of feeding fermented fish on egg cholesterol content in hens.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding fermented fish (FF) to layers on laying performance, and polyunsaturated fatty acid and cholesterol levels in eggs and plasma. A total of 96, 13-week-old Babcock B380 pullets were used in this study. They were randomly assigned to four numerically equal groups with eight replicates per treatment, three birds per replicate.

Attainment of at least a very good partial response after induction treatment is an important surrogate of longer survival for multiple myeloma.

The importance of achieving a very good partial response or better (≥VGPR) after induction treatment of myeloma has traditionally only been discussed in the context of high-dose therapy with auto-SCT (HDT/auto-SCT). Of late, the advent of novel agents for induction treatment has resulted in improved CR and VGPR rates, which are comparable with those observed with HDT/auto-SCT. We show that in an unselected group of 179 myeloma patients with diverse baseline characteristics, and treated with different modern induction regimens within a single institution, the attainment of ≥VGPR with or without HDT/auto-ASCT represents a major surrogate marker of better clinical outcomes.

Src kinase phosphorylates RUNX3 at tyrosine residues and localizes the protein in the cytoplasm.

RUNX3 is a transcription factor that functions as a tumor suppressor. In some cancers, RUNX3 expression is down-regulated, usually due to promoter hypermethylation. Recently, it was found that RUNX3 can also be inactivated by the mislocalization of the protein in the cytoplasm.

Assessment of alcohol percentage test for fungal surface hydrophobicity measurement.

Aim: To determine whether assessing the penetration of solutions with different concentrations of ethanol (alcohol percentage test: APT) on fungal surfaces is effective in characterization of hydrophobicity on fungal surfaces.

Methods And Results: APT and contact angle (CA) measurements were conducted on nine hydrophobic and two hydrophilic fungal strains from the phyla of Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Zygomycota. There was a strong positive correlation (R(2) = 0.

Three-year experience of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in a hospital without on-site cardiac surgery.

Introduction: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery capability, despite receiving only a class IIb recommendation in the ACC/AHA practice guidelines, can be performed effectively and safely. We reviewed the fi rst 3 years of our experience.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective single centre review of all patients receiving primary PCI for STEMI between 2003 and 2005.

Alcohol content in declared non-to low alcoholic beverages: implications to pregnancy.

Background: Alcohol consumption in pregnancy may result in serious adverse fetal outcome. Non- or low alcoholic wines and beers may be a risk-reduction strategy to help alcohol-dependent individuals to prevent or limit ethanol consumption. The objective of this study was to quantify ethanol concentrations in Canadian beverages claiming to contain no or low alcohol content.