Management of Acute Non-Infectious Anterior Uveitis in Adults - Practice Patterns Among Uveitis Specialists in North America.

Purpose: This study aims to understand the practice patterns among ophthalmologists in North America who manage patients with acute, non-infectious anterior uveitis.

Methods: An eight-question survey was designed to elucidate the practice patterns of ophthalmologists across various geographic locations and practice settings regarding the management of anterior uveitis. This survey was distributed via the American Uveitis Society and Young Uveitis Specialists email listserv to ophthalmologists who self-identify as uveitis specialists and have a patient population that is at least 30% uveitis.

Lessons from Canada's notice of compliance with conditions policy for the life-cycle regulation of drugs.

Innovative health technologies are not well regulated under current pathways, leading regulators to adopt contextual, life-cycle regulatory models, which authorize drugs based on earlier clinical evidence subject to the conduct of post-market trials that confirm clinical benefit and safety. In this paper, we evaluate all drugs authorized in Canada under the Notice of Compliance with conditions (NOC/c) policy from 1998 to 2021 to analyze its function, identify challenges and areas for improvement, and make recommendations to inform Health Canada's regulatory reforms. We analyzed a sample of 148 drugs authorized between 1998 and 2021, including characteristics about the pre- and post-market clinical trials, finding that most NOC/c authorizations are based on one, single-arm clinical trial using a surrogate endpoint.

Propofol-Induced Severe Necrotizing Pancreatitis.

Propofol is a widely used sedative for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. Drug-induced pancreatitis is a relatively rare disease possibly because of poor recognition. Propofol-induced pancreatitis is an extremely rare phenomenon.

IL-23- and Imiquimod-Induced Models of Experimental Psoriasis in Mice.

Genome-wide association studies have found that polymorphisms in genes for IL-23 and its receptor are important in psoriasis, and blocking IL-23 is an effective therapy in the disease. The use of Aldara , a cream that contains the TLR7 and TLR8 agonist imiquimod (IMQ), was found to exacerbate psoriasis in some patients with pre-existing disease. Intradermal injections of IL-23 and topical application of Aldara/IMQ induce skin inflammation in mice with features similar to psoriasis-including epidermal hyperplasia and accumulation of inflammatory cells in epidermis and dermis-which is mediated by IL-17A, IL-22, and other factors implicated in the human disease.

Monocyte-derived inflammatory Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells mediate psoriasis-like inflammation.

Dendritic cells (DCs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis but the roles for specific DC subsets are not well defined. Here we show that DCs are required for psoriasis-like changes in mouse skin induced by the local injection of IL-23. However, Flt3L-dependent DCs and resident Langerhans cells are dispensable for the inflammation.

Analysis of Lung Flute-collected Sputum for Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

Molecular analysis of sputum can help diagnose lung cancer. We have demonstrated that Lung Flute can be used to collect sputum from individuals who cannot spontaneously expectorate sputum. The objective of this study is to further evaluate the performance of the Lung Flute by comparing the characteristics of parallel samples collected with and without the Lung Flute and the usefulness for diagnosis of lung cancer.

Sputum microRNA biomarkers for identifying lung cancer in indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodules.

Purpose: The early detection of lung cancer in heavy smokers by low-dose CT (LDCT) can reduce the mortality. However, LDCT screening increases the number of indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) in asymptomatic individuals, leading to overdiagnosis. Making a definitive preoperative diagnosis of malignant SPNs has been a clinical challenge.

Diagnosis of lung cancer in individuals with solitary pulmonary nodules by plasma microRNA biomarkers.

Background: Making a definitive preoperative diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) found by CT has been a clinical challenge. We previously demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) could be used as biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis. Here we investigate whether plasma microRNAs are useful in identifying lung cancer among individuals with CT-detected SPNs.

Hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction chromatography for estimating changes in cell surface charge of Escherichia coli cells treated with pulsed electric fields.

Pulsed electric field (PEF) treatments, a nonthermal process, have been reported to injure and inactivate bacteria in liquid foods. However, the effect of this treatment on bacterial cell surface charge and hydrophobicity has not been investigated. Apple juice (pH 3.

Early detection of lung adenocarcinoma in sputum by a panel of microRNA markers.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Early detection is the key to improve the survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients. We have previously shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) were stably present in sputum and could be applied to diagnosis of lung cancer.

Plasma microRNAs as potential biomarkers for non-small-cell lung cancer.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Developing minimally invasive techniques that can diagnose NSCLC, particularly at an early stage, may improve its outcome. Using microarray platforms, we previously identified 12 microRNAs (miRNAs) the aberrant expressions of which in primary lung tumors are associated with early-stage NSCLC.

A panel of sputum-based genomic marker for early detection of lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death. Early detection of NSCLC will improve its outcome. We previously identified genetic signatures whose genomic copy number aberrations were associated with early stage NSCLC.

Incorporation of preservatives in polylactic acid films for inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7 and extending microbiological shelf life of strawberry puree.

Antimicrobial films of polylactic acid polymer incorporated with nisin, EDTA, sodium benzoate (SB), potassium sorbate (PS), and their combinations were developed, and their antimicrobial effects on the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and natural background microflora (total aerobic bacteria, molds, and yeasts) in strawberry puree at 10 and 22 degrees C were determined. Direct addition of SB+PS to strawberry puree was also used as a comparison with SB+PS film treatment. The combination treatment reduced the cell populations of E.

Antibrowning and antimicrobial properties of sodium acid sulfate in apple slices.

There are few available compounds that can both control browning and enhance microbial safety of fresh-cut fruits. In the present study, the antibrowning ability of sodium acid sulfate (SAS) on "Granny Smith" apple slices was first investigated in terms of optimum concentration and treatment time. In a separate experiment, the apple slices were treated with water or 3% of SAS, calcium ascorbate, citric acid, or acidified calcium sulfate for 5 min.

Selection of surrogate bacteria in place of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium for pulsed electric field treatment of orange juice.

Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology has been used for the inactivation of microorganisms and to prevent flavor loss in liquid foods and beverages in place of thermal pasteurization. When used to pasteurize orange juice, PEF may prevent loss of volatile sensory attributes. Enterohemorrhagic E.

CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL) 9 and CXCL10 are antagonistic costimulation molecules during the priming of alloreactive T cell effectors.

Donor Ag-reactive CD4 and CD8 T cell production of IFN-gamma is a principal effector mechanism promoting tissue injury during allograft rejection. The CXCR3-binding chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 recruit donor-reactive T cells to the allograft, but their role during the priming of donor-reactive T cells to effector function is unknown. Using a murine model of MHC-mismatched cardiac transplantation, we investigated the influence of CXCL9 and CXCL10 during donor-reactive T cell priming.

Efficacy of supercritical carbon dioxide for nonthermal inactivation of Escherichia coli K12 in apple cider.

This study evaluated the efficacy of a supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO(2)) system with a gas-liquid porous metal contactor for eliminating Escherichia coli K12 in apple cider. Pasteurized, preservative-free apple cider was inoculated with E. coli K12 and processed using the SCCO(2) system at CO(2) concentrations of 0-10% (wt.

Growth parameters of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and aerobic mesophilic bacteria of apple cider amended with nisin-EDTA.

The effect of nisin (0 or 300 IU/mL), ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA, 20 mM), and nisin (300 IU)-EDTA (20 mM) on growth parameters, including lag period (LP) and generation time, of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. in the presence or absence of aerobic mesophilic bacteria of apple cider during storage at 5 degrees C for up to 16 days or 23 degrees C for 16 h was investigated. The growth data were analyzed and fitted to the modified Gompertz model.

Inactivation of Lactobacillus plantarum in apple cider, using radio frequency electric fields.

Radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) nonthermal processing effectively inactivates gram-negative bacteria in juices, but has yet to be shown effective at reducing gram-positive bacteria. Apple cider containing Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 49445, a gram-positive bacterium, was RFEF processed under the following conditions: field strength of 0.15 to 15 kV/cm, temperature of 45 to 55 degrees C, frequency of 5 to 65 kHz, treatment time of 170 micros, and holding time of 5 to 50 s.

Radiation sensitization and postirradiation proliferation of Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat deli meat in the presence of pectin-nisin films.

In this study, the ability of pectin-nisin films in combination with ionizing radiation to eliminate Listeria monocytogenes and inhibit its postirradiation proliferation was evaluated. Pectin films containing 0.025% nisin were made by extrusion.

Impact of thermal and nonthermal processing technologies on unfermented apple cider aroma volatiles.

Aroma composition and microbial quality of identical lots of apple cider treated by pulsed electric field (PEF), ultraviolet irradiation (UV), or thermal pasteurization stored at 4 degrees C were compared at 0 and 4 weeks. Conditions were optimized to achieve identical 5 log reductions in Escherichia coli K12 for each treatment. PEF and thermal pasteurization maintained acceptable microbial quality for 4 weeks, but UV samples fermented after 2 weeks.

hERG (KCNH2 or Kv11.1) K+ channels: screening for cardiac arrhythmia risk.

Testing new compounds for pro-arrhythmic potential has focused in recent years on avoiding activity at the hERG K+ channel, as hERG block is a common feature of many pro-arrhythmic compounds associated with Torsades de Pointes in humans. Blockers of hERG are well known to prolong cardiac action potentials and lead to long QT syndrome, and activators, although rarer, can lead to short QT syndrome. The most reliable assays of hERG utilize stable cell lines, and include ligand binding, Rb+ flux and electrophysiology (both automated and manual).

Membrane damage and viability loss of Escherichia coli K-12 and Salmonella enteritidis in liquid egg by thermal death time disk treatment.

Bacterial injury, including leakage of intracellular substance and viability loss, of Escherichia coli K-12 (ATCC 23716) and Salmonella Enteritidis (ATCC 13076) inoculated in liquid egg white and liquid whole egg was determined by thermal death time disk. E. coli K-12 and Salmonella Enteritidis were inoculated in liquid egg white and liquid whole egg to a final count of 7.

Biochromoendoscopy: molecular imaging with capsule endoscopy for detection of adenomas of the GI tract.

Background: Current capsule endoscopy (CE) provides minimally invasive technology for GI imaging but has limited ability to discriminate different types of polyps. Near infrared fluorescent (NIRF) probes activated by biomarkers upregulated in adenomas (eg, cathepsin B) are potentially powerful tools to distinguish premalignant or malignant lesions from benign or inflammatory lesions.

Objectives: To examine whether CE can be integrated with NIRF probes to detect adenomas and whether cathepsin B-activated NIRF probes are activated by benign or inflammatory lesions.

Membrane damage and viability loss of Escherichia coli K-12 in apple juice treated with radio frequency electric field.

The need for a nonthermal intervention technology that can achieve microbial safety without altering nutritional quality of liquid foods led to the development of a radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) process. In order to understand the mechanism of inactivation of bacteria by RFEF, apple juice purchased from a wholesale distributor was inoculated with Escherichia coli K-12 at 7.8 log CFU/ml and then treated with RFEF.