Beta-blockers and epithelial ovarian cancer survival: A Norwegian population-based cohort study.

Cancer diagnosis and therapy cause stress to the body. Preclinical studies have shown that stress hormones can stimulate tumor progression and metastasis by interacting with β-adrenergic receptors, and that β-blockers can inhibit those processes. We assessed if β-blocker use was associated with survival in a nationwide cohort of women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Effect of thymoquinone on acetic acid-induced visceral nociception in rats: role of central cannabinoid and α-adrenergic receptors.

Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main biologically active substance of (black seeds). It has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative and anti-nociceptive properties. This study was aimed to explore the effect of TQ on acetic acid-induced visceral nociception.

Low-Dose Aspirin and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer: Evidence From a Nationwide Registry-Based Cohort in Norway.

Introduction: To examine the association between low-dose aspirin use and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: In this nationwide cohort study, we identified individuals aged 50 years or older residing for 6 months or more in Norway in 2004-2018 and obtained data from national registers on drug prescriptions, cancer occurrence, and sociodemographic factors. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the association between low-dose aspirin use and CRC risk.

A Comparative Analysis of Staining Effects on Translucency in Two Transparent Retainers Exposed to Various Cleansers.

Due to their aesthetic appeal and translucent properties, clear thermoplastic retainers have become increasingly popular. However, ensuring their proper maintenance and cleaning is a significant challenge. It is essential to prevent any negative impact of cleaning solutions on the translucency and color consistency of retainers.

Low-dose aspirin and risk of breast cancer: a Norwegian population-based cohort study of one million women.

Several studies evaluated the association between aspirin use and risk of breast cancer (BC), with inconsistent results. We identified women aged ≥ 50 years residing in Norway between 2004 and 2018, and linked data from nationwide registries; including the Cancer Registry of Norway, the Norwegian Prescription Database, and national health surveys. We used Cox regression models to estimate the association between low-dose aspirin use and BC risk, overall and by BC characteristics, women's age and body mass index (BMI), adjusting for sociodemographic factors and use of other medications.

Association between use of low-dose aspirin and detection of colorectal polyps and cancer in a screening setting.

Background: The possible protective effect of aspirin on risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is still highly debated.

Methods: We used data from Bowel Cancer Screening in Norway, a trial randomizing individuals from general population, aged 50-74 years, to flexible sigmoidoscopy or faecal immunochemical test (FIT), to study the association between aspirin use and detection of CRC and two CRC precursors: adenomas and advanced serrated lesions (ASL). Prescriptions of low-dose aspirin were obtained from Norwegian prescription database.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based biomechanical simulation of cartilage: A systematic review.

MRI-based mathematical and computational modeling studies can contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms governing cartilage's mechanical performance and cartilage disease. In addition, distinct modeling of cartilage is needed to optimize artificial cartilage production. These studies have opened up the prospect of further deepening our understanding of cartilage function.

Application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Liver Biomechanics: A Systematic Review.

MRI-based biomechanical studies can provide a deep understanding of the mechanisms governing liver function, its mechanical performance but also liver diseases. In addition, comprehensive modeling of the liver can help improve liver disease treatment. Furthermore, such studies demonstrate the beginning of an engineering-level approach to how the liver disease affects material properties and liver function.

Effects of intraperitoneal and intracerebroventricular injection of cinnamaldehyde and yohimbine on blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations in ketamine-xylazine induced acute hyperglycemia.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of peripheral [intraperitoneal (IP)] and central [intracerebroventricular (ICV)] administration of cinnamaldehyde on concentrations of blood glucose and serum insulin in the acute hyperglycemia induced by ketamine/xylazine. Yohimbine (a α-adrenoceptor antagonist) was used alone and in combination with cinnamaldehyde to explore the α-adrenergic receptor contribution. A total of 48 rats were divided into eight groups with six rats in each for IP administration of normal saline, vehicle, cinnamaldehyde (25.

Informant-based screening tools for dementia: an overview of systematic reviews.

Background: Informant-based questionnaires may have utility for cognitive impairment or dementia screening. Reviews describing the accuracy of respective questionnaires are available, but their focus on individual questionnaires precludes comparisons across tools. We conducted an overview of systematic reviews to assess the comparative accuracy of informant questionnaires and identify areas where evidence is lacking.

Incidental Finding of a Large Right Atrial Thrombus in a Patient With Cerebral Lymphoma.

Right atrial (RA) masses are rare, challenging to diagnose, and potentially life-threatening with high mortality if untreated. We present a patient presenting with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the brain that was incidentally found to have a large RA mass. For a better definition of the RA mass, extensive workup using multimodality imaging including chest computed tomography, transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and left heart catheterization was warranted.

Post-Weld Heat Treatment of API 5L X70 High Strength Low Alloy Steel Welds.

High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) steels are the materials of choice in pipeline construction with the API X70 grade as the steel for the majority of pipeline networks constructed during the late 20th and early this century. This paper reports on the influence of Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) on the reduction of residual stresses, resulting changes in the microstructure, and mechanical properties of a multi-pass, X70 HSLA steel, weld joints made by a combined Modified Short Arc Welding (MSAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes. Neutron diffraction results highlighted high magnitude of tensile residual stresses, in excess of yield strength of both parent and weld metal, in the as-welded specimen (~650 MPa), which were decreased substantially as a result of applying PWHT (~144 MPa).

Informant-based screening tools for diagnosis of dementia, an overview of systematic reviews of test accuracy studies protocol.

Background: Robust diagnosis of dementia requires an understanding of the accuracy of the available diagnostic tests. Informant questionnaires are frequently used to assess for dementia in clinical practice. Recent systematic reviews have sought to establish the diagnostic test accuracy of various dementia informant screening tools.

Experimental design in formulation optimization of vitamin K oxide-loaded nanoliposomes for skin delivery.

Due to the vitamin K sensitizing potential, the oxidized-isoform of vitamin K (vitamin K oxide, VKO), has been recently used for treating laser-induced purpura and hyperpigmentation in cosmetics. The objective of this study was to formulate VKO in nanoliposomes by using Box-Behnken experimental design to obtain an optimized formula with higher efficiency. The ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol (PC/CHO ratio), VKO concentration and sonication time in low, medium, and high levels were independent variables, while the percent of VKO entrapment efficiency (EE%) and vesicle size were selected as dependent variables.

Predictors of 90-Day Readmission and in-Hospital Mortality in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: An Analysis of 28,079 Index Admissions.

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is diagnosed in 1% to 2% of patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndromes. Readmission patterns after TC have been less studied. Thus, we sought to perform a study to evaluate the etiologies, trends, and predictors of 90-day readmission in TC.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for enhanced lidocaine skin delivery.

Lidocaine's (Lido) low water solubility and negligible tissue uptake limit its bioavailability when applied to the skin. Nanoparticulate systems would help address these issues; therefore, lidocaine inclusion complexes with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared and the effect of MCM41 surface functionalization with positively charged amino-propyl groups on the molecule properties studied. It is expected that positively charged nanoparticles can improve lidocaine permeation into the skin.

Nanodiamond applications in skin preparations.

The biocompatibility and nontoxicity of nanodiamonds (NDs) in combination with their excellent physical performance have rendered them attractive candidates for biomedical applications. NDs have great potential in drug nanoformulations because of their small size compared with other carbon nanomaterials. They are nontoxic with excellent adsorption properties and can be formulated into skin care products.

RNA Loading on Nano-Structured Hyperbranched β-Cyclodextrin.

Background: β-Cyclodextrin functionalized hyper-branched polyglycerol (HBCD: β-CD-g-PG), a biocompatible polymer, has recently been proposed for delivery of poorly water soluble compounds.

Methods: The present study examines the interaction of HBCD with RNA, utilizing a constant concentration of RNA and different HBCD/RNA ratios of 1/16 to 1/1, at physiological condition in an aqueous solution. Circular Dichroism (CD), UV-visible, FTIR spectroscopic methods, zeta potential and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were used to analyze the particle formation, particle charge, particle size, aggregation, RNA conformation, binding constant and mode, and the effect of polymer complexation on RNA stability.

Fullerene nanoparticle in dermatological and cosmetic applications.

Nanoparticles are equipped with exceptional properties which make them well suitable for diverse and novel applications. Fullerene is one of the nanomaterials that has valuable applications in the field of biomedicine. It possesses exceptional antioxidant capacity which has made it a promising core ingredient in many dermatological and skin care products.

New Generation of Fluconazole: A Review on Existing Researches and Technologies.

Background: The frontline drug fluconazole (FLZ) has been used for treating skin fungal infections for over 35 years. FLZ has relatively large molecular size and hydrophobicity which improves its bioavailability via intravenous or oral routes but makes its use in a topical application problematic. In recent years, nano-based strategies have been examined to eliminate FLZ adverse effects and increase the drug efficiency.

Nano-Sized Technologies for Miconazole Skin Delivery.

Various nano-based strategies for increasing the efficiency of topical drugs have offered the potential advantage of miconazole skin delivery. Miconazole nitrate is an antifungal drug with a drawback of poor skin-penetration in the treatment of deep seated fungal skin infections. Drug entrapment in nanoparticles such as ethosome, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nano structured lipid carriers (NLCs) can facilitate localized drug delivery and remove the skin barriers for an efficient drug delivery.

Defining the possibilities: is short duration treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 with sofosbuvir-containing regimens likely to be as effective as current regimens?

Unlabelled: This review summarizes published data on sofosbuvir-based regimens for patients infected with HCV GT1 with a focus on evaluating the optimal and possible durations of treatment.

Methods: PubMed and conference abstract books published between 2011-2015 were searched.

Results: HCV treatment has decreased from 24 week regimens to studies done as short as 4 weeks.