Comparing novel virtual reality and nursing standard care on burn wound care pain in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This study compared the effectiveness of age-appropriate, high technology, interactive virtual reality (VR) distraction with standard care (SC) provided by the nurse on adolescents' acute procedural pain intensity perception during burn wound care treatment in the ambulatory clinic setting.

Design: This randomized controlled trial included 43 adolescents ages 10-21 from the ambulatory burn clinic of a large children's hospital.

Methods: Blinded study participants were randomly assigned to either VR or SC (non-significantly different, current mean burn surface area, 1.

Role of AMPK-SREBP Signaling in Regulating Fatty Acid Binding-4 (FABP4) Expression following Ethanol Metabolism.

Fatty acid binding protein-4 () is not normally expressed in the liver but is induced in alcohol-dependent liver disease (ALD)). This study sought to identify mechanisms whereby ethanol (EtOH) metabolism alters triglyceride accumulation and production. Human hepatoma cells which were stably transfected to express alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) or cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) were exposed to EtOH in the absence/presence of inhibitors of ADH (4-methylpyrazole) or CYP2E1 (chlormethiazole).

Piezoelectric harvesting of mechanical energy for redox chemistry.

Much work has been done in the utilization of mechanical force to enable chemical processes. However, this process is limited to thermal- and deformation-driven reactions. In fact, the transfer of energy in mechanical reactors can be quite inefficient, with energy lost to heat and mechanical deformation.

Ectodysplasin-A mRNA in exosomes released from activated hepatic stellate cells stimulates macrophage response.

Introduction: The interaction between activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) and macrophages is central to liver fibrosis development. The cargo contained within aHSC exosomes (aHSC-EXOs) and how aHSC-EXOs affect macrophage function is poorly understood.

Methods: RNA from aHSC-EXOs was separated into small (<200-basepairs) and large (≥200-basepairs) RNA species, transfected into macrophages, and macrophage IL-6 and TNFα mRNA expression and protein secretion measured.

Cytochrome P450 2E1-dependent hepatic ethanol metabolism induces fatty acid-binding protein 4 and steatosis.

Background: Hepatic steatosis is an early pathology of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Fatty acid-binding protein-4 (FABP4, a FABP not normally produced in the liver) is secreted by hepatocytes in ALD and stimulates hepatoma proliferation and migration. This study sought to investigate the mechanism[s] by which hepatic ethanol metabolism regulates FABP4 and steatosis.

HeberNasvac, a Therapeutic Vaccine for Chronic Hepatitis B, Stimulates Local and Systemic Markers of Innate Immunity: Potential Use in SARS-CoV-2 Postexposure Prophylaxis.

Introduction: More than 180 million people have been infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and more than 4 million coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients have died in 1.5 years of the pandemic. A novel therapeutic vaccine (NASVAC) has shown to be safe and to have immunomodulating and antiviral properties against chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Hepatic stellate cell-derived exosomes modulate macrophage inflammatory response.

Background: Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) differentiation/activation is central to liver fibrosis and is innately linked to the immune response to liver injury. Exosomes (EXOs) are important means of communication between cell populations. This study sought to characterize EXO release from HSCs and the effect of HSC-EXOs on macrophage cytokine release/function.

The Impact of a Dedicated Nurse on the Prevention of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in the NICU.

Background: The neonatal population is at increased risk for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) related to prematurity, critical illness, and compromised immune function. METHODS: To address a 30 percent CLABSI rate increase, a quality improvement (QI) project in a Level IV NICU was developed and implemented by the NICU CLABSI team in 2018. The project trialed a dedicated CLABSI prevention-registered nurse (DCP-RN) role with select responsibilities aimed at rate reduction.

Focusing on Families and Visitors Reduces Healthcare Associated Respiratory Viral Infections in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Unlabelled: Healthcare-associated respiratory viral infections (HARVIs) result in significant harm to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Healthcare workers and visitors can serve as transmission vectors to patients. We hypothesized that improved family and visitor hand hygiene (FVHH) and visitor screening would reduce HARVIs by at least 25%.

Interleukin-23 is constitutively expressed in the human annulus in vivo and in vitro, and is up-regulated in vitro by TNF-α.

Interleukin-23 (IL-23, IL-23p19) is a proinflammatory cytokine in the IL-12-related family. Although inflammatory cells in herniated discs have been shown to contain IL-23, little is known about the presence and role of IL-23 in human disc cells. We analyzed disc specimens for IL-23 localization using immunohistochemistry in control, herniated and non-herniated discs from which annulus fibrosus (annulus) cells were isolated and cultured to identify IL-23 gene expression and production.

Impact of perioperative pain management on cancer recurrence: an ASRA/ESRA special article.

Cancer causes considerable suffering and 80% of advanced cancer patients experience moderate to severe pain. Surgical tumor excision remains a cornerstone of primary cancer treatment, but is also recognized as one of the greatest risk factors for metastatic spread. The perioperative period, characterized by the surgical stress response, pharmacologic-induced angiogenesis, and immunomodulation results in a physiologic environment that supports tumor spread and distant reimplantation.

Dataset on the kinetics of the inhibition of PTP1B by the flavonoids and pheophytin A from .

The data presented in this article are related to the research article under the title "in vitro anti-diabetic activity of flavonoids and pheophytins from Sw. on PTP1B, DPPIV, alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes" (Semaan et al., 2017) [3].

Seroprevalence of HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 and correlates of exposure in unvaccinated women aged 16-64 years in Puerto Rico.

Background: To understand risk factors for HPV exposure in Puerto Rican women, we evaluated HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 serology in women aged living in the San Juan metropolitan area.

Methods: As part of a cross-sectional study, a population-based sample of 524 HPV unvaccinated Hispanic women ages 16-64 years completed face-to-face and computer assisted interviews and provided blood and self-collected anal and cervical specimens. Serology used multiplex virus-like particle based-IgG ELISA and HPV DNA was detected with L1-consensus PCR.

In vitro anti-diabetic effect of flavonoids and pheophytins from Allophylus cominia Sw. on the glucose uptake assays by HepG2, L6, 3T3-L1 and fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Background And Purpose: Based on ethno-botanical information collected from diabetic patients in Cuba and firstly reported inhibition of PTP1B and DPPIV enzymes activities, Allophylus cominia (A. cominia) was identified as possible source of new drugs that could be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2-DM).

Experimental Approach: in this study, the activity of the characterised extracts from A.

In vitro modulation of the cytochrome P450 and ABCB1/P-glycoprotein activities of the aqueous extract of Allophylus cominia (L) Sw. leaves.

Background: The aqueous extract of the Allophylus cominia (L) Sw (Sapindaceae) leaves has shown anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties. In the Caribbean region, it is typically used for the treatment of type-2 diabetes.

Methods: Considering the herb-drug interaction, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of the A.

Prevalence, genotyping, and correlates of anogenital HPV infection in a population-based sample of women in Puerto Rico.

Background: Oncogenic HPV infection is associated to anogenital cancer. We estimate the prevalence and correlates of anogenital HPV infection among a population-based sample of women aged 16-64 years living in the metropolitan area of Puerto Rico.

Methods: 564 women completed face-to-face and computer assisted interviews and self-collected anal and cervical specimens.

Assessment of in vitro inhibitory activity of hydrogen peroxide on the growth of Malassezia pachydermatis and to compare its efficacy with commercial ear cleaners.

Otitis caused by Malassezia pachydermatis is generally a common and recurrent disease in canine clinical pathology. The increased incidence of fungal resistant to antifungal in both humans and pets is a cause for concern and is associated with the indiscriminate use of antifungals. Finding the most effective disinfectants and antifungals has become essential.

Mucin 1, a signal transduction membrane-bound mucin, is present in human disc tissue and is downregulated in vitro by exposure to IL-1ß or TNF-α.

Background: Back pain and disc degeneration have a growing socioeconomic healthcare impact. Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein whose extracellular and intracellular domains participate in cellular signaling. Little is currently known about the presence or role of MUC1 in human disc degeneration.

Constitutive expression of IL-22 in the human intervertebral disc and its reduction by exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro.

The importance of cytokines in disc degeneration is well recognized. Little is known about IL-22 expression in the human intervertebral disc. We investigated IL-22 immuno-localization in disc tissue, and molecular expression and production of IL-22 by annulus cells cultured in three-dimensional (3D) culture.

In vitro anti-diabetic activity of flavonoids and pheophytins from Allophylus cominia Sw . on PTP1B, DPPIV, alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes.

Background: Ethno-botanical information from diabetic patients in Cuba led to the identification of Allophylus cominia as a possible source of new drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2-DM).

Experimental: Chemical characterization of the extracts from A. cominia was carried out using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods.

Proinflammatory Cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α Influence Human Annulus Cell Signaling Cues for Neurite Growth: In Vitro Coculture Studies.

Study Design: Institutional review board-approved research using human annulus cells cocultured with F11 nerve cells.

Objective: To perform functional, kinetic assays of neurite dynamics and media neurotrophin measurements to test whether proinflammatory cytokines influence annulus cells' signaling cues for neurite growth/repulsion.

Summary Of Background Data: Nerves grow in response to signaling molecules called neurotrophins, which disc cells produce (e.

Mortality Disparities among HIV+ Men and Women in Puerto Rico: Data from the HIV/AIDS Surveillance System 2003-2014.

Objective: Describe the trend of the indirect standardized death rate of HIV for different modes of HIV transmission from 2003 to 2014 in Puerto Rico. Estimate the magnitude of the association between mode of HIV transmission and mortality at different time periods in Puerto Rico.

Methods: ISDRs by sex and mode of transmission were computed using data from the PR National HIV/AIDS Surveillance System (2003-2014).

The chemokine, CXCL16, and its receptor, CXCR6, are constitutively expressed in human annulus fibrosus and expression of CXCL16 is up-regulated by exposure to IL-1ß in vitro.

Chemokines are an important group of soluble molecules with specialized functions in inflammation. The roles of many specialized chemokines and their receptors remain poorly understood in the human intervertebral disc. We investigated CXCL16 and its receptor, CXCR6, to determine their immunolocalization in disc tissue and their presence following exposure of cultured human annulus fibrosus cells to proinflammatory cytokines.

Factors Associated with HPV Vaccine Awareness in a Population-Based Sample of Hispanic Women in Puerto Rico.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with HPV awareness among women aged 16 to 64 years, among underserved minority Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico.

Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional sample of 566 women, ages 16 to 64 years, living in the San Juan metropolitan area were surveyed regarding sexual behavior, HPV knowledge, and HPV vaccine uptake. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression.