No data exist for vitamin A group and vitamin D2/D3 content in branded intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs). Our goal is to evaluate and quantify their concentrations in different ILEs to assess whether they are clinically relevant. Analyses were carried out in triplicates on six ILEs: 1) 30% soybean oil-based, 2) 20% olive-soybean oil based, 3) 10 + 10% soybean - MCT coconut oil based, 4) 20% soybean-olive-MCT-fish oil based, 5) 20% soybean-MCT-fish oil based and 6) 10% pure fish oil based, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEscherichia coli O157: H7 (EHEC) is a major foodborne pathogen largely transmitted to humans through the consumption of undercooked ground beef. This study investigated the efficacy of two food-grade, plant-derived antimicrobials, namely rutin (RT), and resveratrol (RV) with or without chitosan (CH) in enhancing EHEC inactivation in undercooked hamburger patties. Further, the effect of aforementioned treatments on beef color and lipid oxidation was analyzed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 24-amino acid leader peptide of a new human recombinant manganese superoxide dismutase can enter cells and carry molecules. Here, we demonstrated that six of the 24 amino acids penetrate cells through a particular gate represented by a specific amino acid sequence of the oestrogen receptor (ER). We analysed the internalization of the synthetic hexapeptide and the cytotoxic activity of the hexapeptide conjugated to cisplatin on a cell line panel.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Cicatricial entropion is typically an acquired condition that can affect the upper and lower eyelids. The purpose of this prospective study is to examine the effect of shared buccal mucosal grafts for simultaneous repair of severe upper and lower eyelid cicatricial entropion on eyelid position.
Methods: Patients at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center Aston Ophthalmology clinic were identified who were diagnosed with cicatricial entropion.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common preventable and treatable disease, characterized by persistent airflow limitation not fully reversible. However, a number of patients with COPD respond to bronchodilator agents. Some studies have shown polymorphisms in the b2-adrenergic (ADRb2) and muscarinic M2 and M3 receptors (CHRM) that may participate in the modulation of the receptor responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTemperature and density asymmetry diagnosis is critical to advance inertial confinement fusion (ICF) science. A multi-monochromatic x-ray imager (MMI) is an attractive diagnostic for this purpose. The MMI records the spectral signature from an ICF implosion core with time resolution, 2-D space resolution, and spectral resolution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince the observation of the first brown dwarf in 1995, numerous studies have led to a better understanding of the structures of these objects. Here we present a method for studying material resistivity in warm dense plasmas in the laboratory, which we relate to the microphysics of brown dwarfs through viscosity and electron collisions. Here we use X-ray polarimetry to determine the resistivity of a sulphur-doped plastic target heated to Brown Dwarf conditions by an ultra-intense laser.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The association between abacavir use and increased risk of myocardial infarction has been heavily debated, but cohort studies and randomized trials have provided conflicting results. Aim of our study is to compare the effect of abacavir and tenofovir on the inflammation and endothelial activation markers.
Methods: We performed an observational study of HIV-infected naïve patients starting tenofovir/emtricitabine (group A) or abacavir/lamivudine (group B) plus efavirenz.
Here we report that the PI3K/Akt1/IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathway regulates generation and stem cell-like properties of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) tumor initiating cells (TICs). Mutant Akt1, mutant PIK3CA or PTEN loss enhances formation of lung cancer spheroids (LCS), self-renewal, expression of stemness markers and tumorigenic potential of human immortalized bronchial cells (BEAS-2B) whereas Akt inhibition suppresses these activities in established (NCI-H460) and primary NSCLC cells. Matched microarray analysis of Akt1-interfered cells and LCSs identified IL-6 as a critical target of Akt signalling in NSCLC TICs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe evaluated the analytical performance of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay to detect carbapenemase activity in a group of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae by meropenem hydrolysis. This one-hour method showed a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 100%, representing a rapid and reliable option compared to conventional phenotypic assays.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To investigate the prevalence of anti-carbamylated protein antibodies (anti-CarP) in the healthy first-degree relatives (HFDRs) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods: We enrolled 141 HFDRs of 63 patients with RA diagnosed accordingly to the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria. Fifty-six normal healthy subjects (NHS), sex- and age-matched, served as controls.
In non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, the activation of alternative pathways contributes to the limited efficacy of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) gefitinib and erlotinib. The present study examines a panel of EGFR wild-type, K-Ras mutated, NSCLC lines, which were all intrinsically resistant to EGFR-TKIs, and demonstrates that the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat can improve the therapeutic efficacy of gefitinib or erlotinib, inducing strong synergistic antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects that are paralleled by reactive oxygen species accumulation and by increased DNA damage. By knockdown experiments, we suggested that the up-regulation of voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 1 (VDAC1), the major mitochondrial porin of the outer mitochondrial membrane, which was induced by vorinostat and further increased by the combination, could be functionally involved in oxidative stress-dependent apoptosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The antiretroviral regimens including tenofovir and a ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (r/PI) have been associated with a reduced bone mineral density (BMD), increased bone turnover markers and renal tubular dysfunction.
Methods: An observational, prospective study was performed including HIV-1-infected, virologically suppressed patients treated with tenofovir/emtricitabine plus an r/PI for at least 12 months who switched to raltegravir plus nevirapine. The primary end point was changes after 48 weeks in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), prevalence of tubular dysfunction, BMD and concentration of two serum markers of bone turnover: collagen type-1 cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP).
Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg
August 2016
Purpose: To describe the technique of J-shaped manipulation of the metallic stent for instrument-free intubation of the nasolacrimal outflow tract after dacryocystorhinostomy.
Methods: The internal diameter of the J-shaped curve placed in the intubation stents was measured and the technique of intubation of the nasolacrimal outflow tract and out the external naris is described. In addition, the anatomic relationships of the nasolacrimal system are illustrated and videographed in relation to the described procedure.
Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg
September 2017
A 56-year-old female presented with eyelid necrosis secondary to systemic levamisole-induced vasculitis. Skin biopsy revealed necrotic epidermis with small-vessel thrombosis, fibrinoid reaction, and neutrophilic infiltration of vessel walls in the dermis with +pANCA. She was treated with plasmapheresis and steroids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOphthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg
March 2017
Purpose: Müller's muscle conjunctiva resection is a well-established means of correcting blepharoptosis. The primary objective of this prospective study was to determine if modifying Müller's muscle conjunctiva resection by sparing the conjunctiva would accomplish successful repair while allowing patients to retain their conjunctiva. The potential advantages of preserving conjunctiva are significant and include: conservation of an anatomically normal tissue, retention of goblet cells, reduction of suture-related complications such as corneal irritation or abrasion as the conjunctiva covers the suture during postoperative healing, and preservation of conjunctiva for potential future surgical procedures critical to ocular health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe hantavirus membrane fusion process is mediated by the Gc envelope glycoprotein from within endosomes. However, little is known about the specific mechanism that triggers Gc fusion activation, and its pre- and post-fusion conformations. We established cell-free in vitro systems to characterize hantavirus fusion activation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrganoboron-mediated regioselective glycosylations were employed as key steps in the total synthesis of a branched pentasaccharide from a saponin natural product. The ability to use organoboron activation to differentiate OH groups in an unprotected glycosyl acceptor, followed by substrate-controlled reactions of the obtained disaccharide, enabled a streamlining of the synthesis relative to a protective group-based approach. This study revealed a matching/mismatching effect of the relative configuration of donor and acceptor on the efficiency of a regioselective glycosylation reaction, a problem that was solved through the development of a novel boronic acid-amine copromoter system for glycosyl acceptor activation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo propose a guideline for ptosis clamp positioning to minimize the risk of globe injury during posterior ptosis surgery. Measurements of 20 consecutive patients, 40 eyelids, undergoing bilateral posterior ptosis repair surgery were taken; as a surrogate for needle tip position, measurement of the distance from the clamp base to the ocular surface was taken using a caliper with the clamp held at 90-degrees to the ocular surface and again at 45-degrees to the ocular surface. These measurements were compared to geometric predictions of the distance from the clamp base to the ocular surface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPatients with metastatic melanoma bearing V600 mutations in BRAF oncogene clinically benefit from the treatment with BRAF inhibitors alone or in combination with MEK inhibitors. However, a limitation to such treatment is the occurrence of resistance. Tackling the adaptive changes helping cells survive from drug treatment may offer new therapeutic opportunities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAs in other mammals, sex sorting of pig sperm is based on quantitative flow cytometry. A major disadvantage of the technique is the relatively low efficiency to produce enough sorted sperm for artificial insemination. However, several approaches are on the way to make sexed pig sperm available for commercial application.
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