Determination of Nicotine Content and Delivery in Disposable Electronic Cigarettes Available in the United States by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (E-Cigs) are popular alternatives to conventional tobacco cigarettes. Disposable E-Cigs are single-use devices that emit aerosols from a nicotine-containing solution (e-liquid) by activating a heating coil during puffing. However, due to lack of regulations and standards, it is unclear how product claims are aligning with actual content and performance.

Comparative studies of binding potential of Prunus armeniaca and Prunus domestica gums in tablets formulations.

The current study was undertaken to compare the binding potential of Prunus armeniaca L. and Prunus domestica L. gums in tablets' formulations.

Experimental reduction of intromittent organ length reduces male reproductive success in a bug.

It is now clear in many species that male and female genital evolution has been shaped by sexual selection. However, it has historically been difficult to confirm correlations between morphology and fitness, as genital traits are complex and manipulation tends to impair function significantly. In this study, we investigate the functional morphology of the elongate male intromittent organ (or processus) of the seed bug Lygaeus simulans, in two ways.

Circadian clock-coupled lung cellular and molecular functions in chronic airway diseases.

Airway diseases are associated with abnormal circadian rhythms of lung function, reflected in daily changes of airway caliber, airway resistance, respiratory symptoms, and abnormal immune-inflammatory responses. Circadian rhythms are generated at the cellular level by an autoregulatory feedback loop of interlocked transcription factors collectively referred to as clock genes. The molecular clock is altered by cigarette smoke, LPS, and bacterial and viral infections in mouse and human lungs and in patients with chronic airway diseases.

The role of magnetic assisted capsule endoscopy (MACE) to aid visualisation in the upper GI tract.

Examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract by a standard endoscope is often thought as a daunting experience to many who have undertaken or are about to undergo the procedure. The overall perceived size of the gastroscope, unpleasantness of stimulation of the gag reflex and the need often for sedation is discouraging to many. A method to visualise the upper gastrointestinal mucosa which negates the need for sedation, the associated expensive decontamination costs and the possibility of having a community based examination would be particularly welcoming to this endoscopy field.

Influenza A virus-dependent remodeling of pulmonary clock function in a mouse model of COPD.

Daily oscillations of pulmonary function depend on the rhythmic activity of the circadian timing system. Environmental tobacco/cigarette smoke (CS) disrupts circadian clock leading to enhanced inflammatory responses. Infection with influenza A virus (IAV) increases hospitalization rates and death in susceptible individuals, including patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Disruption of Sirtuin 1-Mediated Control of Circadian Molecular Clock and Inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth most common cause of death, and it is characterized by abnormal inflammation and lung function decline. Although the circadian molecular clock regulates inflammatory responses, there is no information available regarding the impact of COPD on lung molecular clock function and its regulation by sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). We hypothesize that the molecular clock in the lungs is disrupted, leading to increased inflammatory responses in smokers and patients with COPD and its regulation by SIRT1.

Extensive vascular occlusions as initial presentations of systemic lupus erythematosis. A case report and review of literature.

Widespread arterial and venous thrombosis is a very rare initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case with extensive vascular occlusion as the initial manifestation of SLE. Although these cases have high morbidity and mortality, yet our patient recovered with minimal complications.

Optimizing the performance of magnetic-assisted capsule endoscopy of the upper GI tract using multiplanar CT modelling.

Background And Aims: This study used computed tomography modelling of the abdomen to determine the optimal placements of a magnetic capsule endoscope in the stomach that allows complete mucosal visualization and determined the optimal placement of the handheld magnet to aid pyloric traversing.

Materials And Methods: Using multiplanar reformatting, 100 abdominal computed tomography scans were analysed to assess gastric luminal visualization by a capsule endoscope from five fixed stations throughout the stomach. From each station, we assessed the ability of a capsule endoscope to visualize six gastric landmarks.

BOB CAT: A Large-Scale Review and Delphi Consensus for Management of Barrett's Esophagus With No Dysplasia, Indefinite for, or Low-Grade Dysplasia.

Objectives: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a common premalignant lesion for which surveillance is recommended. This strategy is limited by considerable variations in clinical practice. We conducted an international, multidisciplinary, systematic search and evidence-based review of BE and provided consensus recommendations for clinical use in patients with nondysplastic, indefinite, and low-grade dysplasia (LGD).

Impaired mitophagy leads to cigarette smoke stress-induced cellular senescence: implications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cigarette smoke (CS)-induced cellular senescence is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The molecular mechanism by which CS induces cellular senescence is unknown. Here, we show that CS stress (exposure of primary lung cells to CS extract 0.

Therapeutic upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy in Paediatric Gastroenterology.

Since the first report of use of endoscopy in children in the 1970s, there has seen an exponential growth in published experience and innovation in the field. In this review article we focus on modern age therapeutic endoscopy practice, explaining use of traditional as well as new and innovative techniques, for diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the paediatric upper gastrointestinal tract.

Recurrent ischaemic stroke unveils polycythaemia vera.

Polycythaemia vera is a recognised cause of ischaemic stroke. If not treated, this condition may result in recurrent strokes. This is a case of a 61-year-old Caucasian man presenting with the inability to ambulate for 3 days.

Effect of different calcium phosphate scaffold ratios on odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells.

Calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffolds have been widely and successfully used with osteoblast cells for bone tissue regeneration. However, it is necessary to investigate the effects of these scaffolds on odontoblast cells' proliferation and differentiation for dentin tissue regeneration. In this study, three different hydroxyapatite (HA) to beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ratios of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds, BCP20, BCP50, and BCP80, with a mean pore size of 300μm and 65% porosity were prepared from phosphoric acid (H2PO4) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) sintered at 1000°C for 2h.

Vapors produced by electronic cigarettes and e-juices with flavorings induce toxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response in lung epithelial cells and in mouse lung.

Oxidative stress and inflammatory response are the key events in the pathogenesis of chronic airway diseases. The consumption of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) with a variety of e-liquids/e-juices is alarmingly increasing without the unrealized potential harmful health effects. We hypothesized that electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)/e-cigs pose health concerns due to oxidative toxicity and inflammatory response in lung cells exposed to their aerosols.

Magnetically steerable gastric capsule endoscopy is equivalent to flexible endoscopy in the detection of markers in an excised porcine stomach model: results of a randomized trial.

Background And Study Aims: Capsule endoscopy is well tolerated but control of its movement is needed in order to visualize the whole gastric surface. Technological developments have produced an external magnet to allow manipulation of the capsule within the gastric cavity. The aim of this study was to compare magnetically steerable gastric capsule endoscopy (MSGCE) with flexible endoscopy for the detection of beads in a porcine stomach.

Glycerophosphodiesterase GDE4 as a novel lysophospholipase D: a possible involvement in bioactive N-acylethanolamine biosynthesis.

Bioactive N-acylethanolamines include anti-inflammatory palmitoylethanolamide, anorexic oleoylethanolamide, and an endocannabinoid arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide). In animal tissues, these molecules are biosynthesized from N-acylethanolamine phospholipids directly by phospholipase D-type enzyme or through multi-step routes via N-acylethanolamine lysophospholipids. We previously found that mouse brain has a lysophospholipase D (lysoPLD) activity hydrolyzing N-acylethanolamine lysophospholipids to N-acylethanolamines and that this activity could be partially attributed to glycerophosphodiesterase (GDE) 1.

Sexing in guinea fowls (Numida meleagris).

Despite the potentials and contributions of guinea fowls to economic and social life in Ghana, accurate sex identification in these birds is still a major problem. Three hundred and sixty guinea fowls (180 birds per sex) were used in determining a more accurate and farmer friendly sexing technique. The sexing methods explored were vent, biometric, and molecular techniques.

Environmental health hazards of e-cigarettes and their components: Oxidants and copper in e-cigarette aerosols.

To narrow the gap in our understanding of potential oxidative properties associated with Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) i.e. e-cigarettes, we employed semi-quantitative methods to detect oxidant reactivity in disposable components of ENDS/e-cigarettes (batteries and cartomizers) using a fluorescein indicator.

Complexity of naturally produced polybrominated diphenyl ethers revealed via mass spectrometry.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent and bioaccumulative anthropogenic and natural chemicals that are broadly distributed in the marine environment. PBDEs are potentially toxic due to inhibition of various mammalian signaling pathways and enzymatic reactions. PBDE isoforms vary in toxicity in accordance with structural differences, primarily in the number and pattern of hydroxyl moieties afforded upon a conserved core structure.

Relationship between physical activity and heart failure risk in women.

Background: Physical activity is a modifiable health-related behavior shown to be associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. There is some evidence that this could also be the case for heart failure. We investigated whether total physical activity, as well as different domains of physical activity, was associated with heart failure risk.

Anticoagulation activity of salivary gland extract of oriental blackfly Simulium indicum.

Objective: To study the morphology of the salivary gland of the female blackfly of the species Simulium indicum (S. indicum) along with protein profile and anticoagulant activity of the salivary gland extract.

Methods: Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to analyze the protein profile of the salivary gland extract (SGE) and anticoagulant activities against thrombin, and the extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathways were found in S.

Remote preconditioning and major clinical complications following adult cardiovascular surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: A number of 'proof-of-concept' trials suggest that remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) reduces surrogate markers of end-organ injury in patients undergoing major cardiovascular surgery. To date, few studies have involved hard clinical outcomes as primary end-points.

Methods: Randomised clinical trials of RIPC in major adult cardiovascular surgery were identified by a systematic review of electronic abstract databases, conference proceedings and article reference lists.

Groundwater quality assessment in the urban-west region of Zanzibar Island.

This paper highlights the levels of anions (nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, bromide, chloride, and fluoride) and cations (potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium) in selected springs and groundwater sources in the urban-west region of Zanzibar Island. The levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were also studied. Thirty water samples were collected in December 2012 from various types of water sources, which included closed hand-dug wells (CHDW), open hand-dug wells (OHDW), springwater (SW), public bore wells (PBW), and bore wells owned by private individuals (BWP), and analyzed after filtration and sometimes dilution.

Relationship between age at natural menopause and risk of heart failure.

Objective: We investigated whether younger age at natural menopause confers a risk of heart failure. We also examined a possible modifying effect of tobacco smoking.

Methods: This study used the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort; 22,256 postmenopausal women with information on age at natural menopause were followed from 1997 through 2011.