Evaluation of a Multidisciplinary Integrated Treatment Approach Versus Standard Model of Care for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDS): A Matched Cohort Study.

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are linked to a variety of potential causes, and treatments include reassurance, life-style (including diet), psychological, or pharmacologic interventions.

Aims: To assess whether a multidisciplinary integrated treatment approach delivered in a dedicated integrated care clinic (ICC) was superior to the standard model of care in relation to the gastrointestinal symptom burden.

Methods: A matched cohort of 52 consecutive patients with severe manifestation of FGID were matched with 104 control patients based upon diagnosis, gender, age, and symptom severity.

Diagnostic accuracy of the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for cases of feline mycobacteriosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for diagnosing infections with members of the Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis-complex (MTBC) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in domestic cats, and to generate defined feline-specific cut-off values using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to improve test performance. Records of 594 cats that had been tested by IGRA were explored to identify individuals that had a culture and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed case of mycobacterial disease, and those that had a final diagnosis of non-mycobacterial disease.

Serial Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) Testing to Monitor Treatment Responses in Cases of Feline Mycobacteriosis.

The interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) is used to diagnose cases of feline mycobacteriosis, but the use of serial testing to monitor treatment responses has not been evaluated in this species. From a population of cats that underwent IGRA testing for diagnostic investigation, individuals were identified with a pre- and end-of-treatment IGRA that passed control thresholds. The number of cats which reverted to negative at the end-of-treatment IGRA, changes in paired antigen-specific optical density (OD) values and differences in the pre-treatment antigen-specific OD values for those which underwent reversion were compared.

Sustainable Syntheses of (-)-Jerantinines A & E and Structural Characterisation of the Jerantinine-Tubulin Complex at the Colchicine Binding Site.

The jerantinine family of Aspidosperma indole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana corymbosa are potent microtubule-targeting agents with broad spectrum anticancer activity. The natural supply of these precious metabolites has been significantly disrupted due to the inclusion of T. corymbosa on the endangered list of threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Evaluation of buccal swabs for pharmacogenetics.

Objective: A simple, non-invasive sample collection method is key for the integration of pharmacogenetics into clinical practice. The aim of this study was to gain samples for pharmacogenetic testing and evaluate the variation between dry-flocked and sponge-tipped buccal swabs in yield and quality of DNA isolated.

Results: Thirty-one participants collected samples using dry-flocked swabs and sponge-tipped swabs.

Oral Vaccination of Free-Living Badgers (Meles meles) with Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) Vaccine Confers Protection against Tuberculosis.

A field trial was conducted to investigate the impact of oral vaccination of free-living badgers against natural-transmitted Mycobacterium bovis infection. For a period of three years badgers were captured over seven sweeps in three zones and assigned for oral vaccination with a lipid-encapsulated BCG vaccine (Liporale-BCG) or with placebo. Badgers enrolled in Zone A were administered placebo while all badgers enrolled in Zone C were vaccinated with BCG.

Introducing pharmacogenetic testing with clinical decision support into primary care: a feasibility study.

Background: Inappropriate prescribing increases patient illness and death owing to adverse drug events. The inclusion of genetic information into primary care medication practices is one solution. Our aim was to assess the ability to obtain and genotype saliva samples and to determine the levels of use of a decision support tool that creates medication options adjusted for patient characteristics, drug-drug interactions and pharmacogenetics.

Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons approach to piperlongumine analogues with potent anti-cancer activity.

Natural products with anti-cancer activity play a vital role in lead and target discovery. We report here the synthesis and biological evaluation of the plant-derived alkaloid, piperlongumine and analogues. Using a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons coupling approach, a selection of piperlongumine-like compounds were prepared in good overall yield from a novel phosphonoacetamide reagent.

Biomimetic Approaches Towards The Synthesis of Complex Dimeric Natural Products.

We present a selection of elegant and diverse biomimetic syntheses of complex natural product dimers. The dimerisation pathways discussed encompass the most prevalent strategies, including: Diels-Alder, Aldol, Mannich, conjugate addition, oxidative, radical and photochemical approaches; each underpinned through rational biosynthetic speculation.

Merkel cell carcinoma in East Yorkshire: A case series and literature review of current management.

Introduction: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine tumour of the skin. The incidence is rising and it is associated with sun exposure and immunosuppression. Our aim was to perform a 10-year retrospective review of MCC treated in East Yorkshire and to examine disease progression, surgical and adjuvant management, and outcomes.

Soft tissue sarcoma - A review of presentation, management and outcomes in 110 patients.

Unlabelled: Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare group of mesenchymal tumours the treatment of which poses oncological and reconstructive challenges. Limb-salvage surgery aims to balance adequate excision margins for disease control and preservation of important structures to retain function. Reported here is the review of the Hull Plastic surgery sarcoma service over a twelve year period.

Leishmania donovani eukaryotic initiation factor 5A: molecular characterization, localization and homology modelling studies.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is a small acidic protein highly conserved from archaea to mammals. eIF5A is the only protein which undergoes a unique lysine residue modification to hypusine. Hypusinylation is important for the function of eIF5A which is reported to be essential for cell viability.

Risk factors for complications following breast reduction: results from a randomized control trial.

Reduction mammoplasty has been shown to benefit physical, physiological, and psycho-social health. However, there are some recognized complications. It would be beneficial if one could identify and modify the factors which increase the rate of complications.

Microvesicle-mediated release of soluble LH/hCG receptor (LHCGR) from transfected cells and placenta explants.

Placental hCG and pitutary LH transduce signals in target tissues through a common receptor (LHCGR). We demonstrate that recombinant LHCGR proteins which include the hormone-binding domain are secreted from transfected cells and that natural LHCGR is also secreted from human placental explants. LHCGR recombinant proteins representing varying lengths of the N-terminal extracellular domain were expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells in suspension culture.

Sex differences in smoking cessation outcomes of a tailored program for individuals with substance use disorders and mental illness.

Tobacco use is highly prevalent among individuals with a history of substance use disorders (SUD) and/or mental illness (MI). Despite evidence of differences in smoking cessation (SC) outcomes between women and men, few studies have formally evaluated sex differences among SUD and/or MI populations. For 258 participants (62% male, mean age=48.

Application of NMR-based metabolomics to the investigation of salt stress in maize (Zea mays).

Introduction: High salinity, caused by either natural (e.g. climatic changes) or anthropic factors (e.

Sorafenib enhances the in vitro anti-endothelial effects of low dose (metronomic) chemotherapy.

Angiogenesis inhibitors may enhance the effects of low dose (metronomic) chemotherapy. However, there is a wide range of novel angiogenesis inhibitors which must be tested in combinations with oral chemotherapy agents to assess the anti-endothelial and anti-cancer effects. This preliminary testing is most suited to high throughput in vitro models, rather than clinical trials.

The 'Butter Test' to guide effective tissue cleansing after high-pressure injection injury.

A case of high-pressure fingertip injury with an unknown paint primer injectate, and the use of a simple test to determine whether it is water- or solvent-based in order to guide subsequent optimal debridement, is presented. The favourable outcome achieved was felt to have resulted, in part, from the effective single debridement thus achieved.

Histologic and elemental microanalytical study of anorganic bovine bone substitution following sinus floor augmentation in humans.

Background: Histologic data regarding the use of anorganic bovine bone (ABB) in humans are scarce. This study was a histologic evaluation and an examination of the elemental composition of ABB particles and adjacent bone in humans.

Methods: Ten biopsies were retrieved 20 months after maxillary sinus augmentation in five patients.