Intertransverse process block (ITPB) at the retro-superior costotransverse ligament (retro-SCTL) space: Evaluation of local anesthetic spread using MRI and sensory blockade in healthy volunteers.

Background: This study evaluated the spread of a local anesthetic, using MRI and sensory blockade, after an intertransverse process block (ITPB) at the medial aspect of the retro-superior costotransverse ligament (retro-SCTL) space - the medial retro-SCTL space block.

Methods: Ten healthy volunteers received a single-injection ultrasound-guided medial retro-SCTL space block at the T4-T5 level using a mixture of 10 ml 0.5 % bupivacaine with 0.

Exposure of Proso millet starch to superheated steam: Effect on physicochemical, techno-functional, rheological behavior, digestibility, and related mechanism.

In the present study, proso millet starch (PMS) was treated with SHS (120-160 °C for 1-5 min) to investigate the molecular interactions and techno-functional, rheological, and digestible properties. Exposure to SHS induced the degradation of helical structure, and longer chains, reducing amylose, blue value, optical density, and relative crystallinity. Meanwhile, SHS treatment might have introduced hydro‑carbonyl groups, eventually increasing water absorption capacity, swelling power, and transparency.

Targeting the menopause transition with metformin improves breast cancer outcomes, but discontinuation has deleterious effects on metabolic health: Findings from a preclinical model of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Background: Women with obesity and/or type-II-diabetes have an increased breast cancer risk, increased metastasis, and poorer prognosis, especially after menopause. In a rat model of high-fat-diet and menopause-induced weight gain, we previously reported that treatment with the anti-diabetic drug metformin for 8-weeks after ovariectomy (OVX; modeling menopause) reduced growth of existing mammary tumors and inhibited new tumor formation. This identified the menopause transition as a potential window-of-opportunity for interventions to decrease obesity-associated breast cancer incidence and disease progression.

Unlocking the Mycobacteroides abscessus pan-genome using computational tools: insights into evolutionary dynamics and lifestyle.

Mycobacteroides abscessus is a non-tuberculous mycobacteria implicated in causing lung infections. It is difficult to control owing to resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants. This work was aimed at comprehending: the pan-genome architecture, evolutionary dynamics, and functionalities of pan-genome components linked to COGs and KEGG.

Cellulose nanocrystal-annealed hydrogel system for local chemo-metabolic therapy of melanoma.

A cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-annealed hydrogel (CAH) structure, including doxorubicin (DOX) and 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG), was developed for local chemo-metabolic therapy (LCMT) of melanoma. DOX has been used as a chemotherapeutic agent because of its intercalation into DNA and generation of free radicals. 2DG has been used as a glycolytic inhibitor in multiple metabolic therapies in combination with DOX.