Novel Colorimetric and Light Scatter Methods to Identify and Manage Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis at the Point-of-Care.

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis (PDRP) is a common cause of transfer to hemodialysis, patient morbidity, and is a risk factor for mortality. Associated patient anxiety can deter selection of PD for renal replacement therapy. Diagnosis relies on hospital laboratory tests; however, this might be achieved earlier if such information was available at the point-of-care (POC), thereby significantly improving outcomes.

Nodal positivity in patients with clinically and radiologically node-negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: multicentre collaborative study.

Background: The necessity of performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with clinically and radiologically node-negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been questioned. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of nodal positivity in these patients and to identify clinicopathological features associated with lymph node metastasis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (ypN+).

Methods: A retrospective multicentre study was performed.

A multi-taxon analysis of European Red Lists reveals major threats to biodiversity.

Biodiversity loss is a major global challenge and minimizing extinction rates is the goal of several multilateral environmental agreements. Policy decisions require comprehensive, spatially explicit information on species' distributions and threats. We present an analysis of the conservation status of 14,669 European terrestrial, freshwater and marine species (ca.

The Antimicrobial Activity of Mononuclear Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing the dppz Ligand.

The cis-α isomer of [Ru(bb )(dppz)] (dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine; bb =bis[4(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)]-1,7-alkane) has been synthesised. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and the minimum bactericidal concentrations of [Ru(bb )(dppz)] and its parent complex [Ru(phen) (dppz)] (phen=1,10-phenanthroline) were determined against a range of bacteria. The results showed that both ruthenium complexes exhibited good activity against Gram-positive bacteria, but [Ru(bb )(dppz)] showed at least eightfold better activity against the Gram-negative bacteria than [Ru(phen) (dppz)] .

Evolutionary algorithms and synthetic biology for directed evolution: commentary on "on the mapping of genotype to phenotype in evolutionary algorithms" by Peter A. Whigham, Grant Dick, and James Maclaurin.

I rehearse two issues around the commentary of Whigham and colleagues. (1) There really are many more reasons than those given as to why natural evolution cannot reasonably find or select the 'optimal' individual. (2) A series of experimental molecular biology programmes, known generically as directed evolution, can use operators and selection schemes that natural evolution cannot.

Versatile Molecular Silver Ink Platform for Printed Flexible Electronics.

A silver molecular ink platform formulated for screen, inkjet, and aerosol jet printing is presented. A simple formulation comprising silver neodecanoate, ethyl cellulose, and solvent provides improved performance versus that of established inks, yet with improved economics. Thin, screen-printed traces with exceptional electrical (<10 mΩ/□/mil or 12 μΩ·cm) and mechanical properties are achieved following thermal or photonic sintering, the latter having never been demonstrated for silver-salt-based inks.

Overexpression of the microRNA miR-433 promotes resistance to paclitaxel through the induction of cellular senescence in ovarian cancer cells.

Annually, ovarian cancer (OC) affects 240,000 women worldwide and is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. High-grade serous OC (HGSOC) is the most common and aggressive OC subtype, characterized by widespread genome changes and chromosomal instability and is consequently poorly responsive to chemotherapy treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the microRNA miR-433 in the cellular response of OC cells to paclitaxel treatment.

Breast cancer detection among Irish BRCA1 & BRCA2 mutation carriers: a population-based study.

Background: High-risk breast cancer screening for BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with clinical breast exam, mammography and MRI has reported sensitivity of 100 %, but BRCA1/2 mutation carriers still present with interval cancers.

Aims: We investigated the presentation and screening patterns of an Irish cohort of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with breast cancer were identified in this retrospective cohort study.

An open-label, multicentre, randomized, crossover study comparing sildenafil citrate and tadalafil for treating erectile dysfunction in men naïve to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor therapy.

Objectives: To compare treatment preference, efficacy, and tolerability of sildenafil citrate (sildenafil) and tadalafil for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) in men naïve to phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor therapy.

Patients And Methods: This was an open-label, crossover study of sildenafil and tadalafil (taken as needed). After a 4-week baseline assessment, 367 men with ED (mean age 54 years) were randomized to receive sildenafil for 12 weeks followed by tadalafil for 12 weeks or vice versa (8-week dose optimization and 4-week assessment phases).

Major upper gastrointestinal surgery is associated with an antigen-dependent proinflammatory T cell response.

Background: T cells play a central role in the immune response to injury. Oesophageal and pancreatic resections are associated with significant risk of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis. This study involved a detailed analysis of T cell function in a consecutive cohort of patients undergoing such surgery.

Serum antigen(s) drive the proinflammatory T cell response in acute pancreatitis.

Background: Immune cells and cytokines are central to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ failure associated with acute pancreatitis. The specific role of T cells in this response is unclear, and this study focused on evaluating T cell activation and its regulation in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples of 14 patients with acute pancreatitis were obtained within 24 h of the onset of pain, within 48 h and at 1 week.

Endovascular approach to abdominal aortic aneurysms limits the postoperative systemic immune response.

Objectives: endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (E-AAA) has in recent years developed as an alternative to the conventional open repair (C-AAA). Adverse outcomes following the open approach may relate to immune cell activation and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and organ failure but the benefits in this respect of the endovascular approach are unclear. This study evaluated this question and focused on T-cell activation and function.

Hydrodynamic deposition: a novel method of cell immobilization.

A novel method of cell immobilization is described. The cell support consists of ceramic microspheres of approximately 50-75 microns diameter. The spheres are hollow, having a wall thickness of 10-15 microns and one entrance (ca.