Investigating the influence of perinatal fluoxetine exposure on murine gut microbial communities during pregnancy and lactation.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) therapy is common among perinatal populations for the treatment of mood disorders. Medications can affect diversity and composition of the gut microbiome, which plays a key role in modulating health. While previous studies have examined the effects of antidepressant exposure on the maternal gut microbiome, whether SSRI exposure affects the offspring gut microbiome is unknown.

In utero, lactational, or peripartal fluoxetine administration has differential implications on the murine maternal skeleton.

The peripartal period is marked by alterations in calcium metabolism to accommodate for embryonic skeletal mineralization and support bone development of offspring in early life, and serotonin plays a critical role in modulating peripartal bone remodeling. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used as first-line treatment for psychiatric illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period and considered safe for maternal use during this time frame. In order to evaluate the effect of peripartal alterations of the serotonergic system on maternal skeletal physiology, we treated dams with the SSRI fluoxetine during gestation only, lactation only, or during the entire peripartal period.

Hypofractionated radiotherapy recommendations for localized prostate cancer in Brasil.

Objective: Several prospective randomized trials have shown that hypofractionation has the same efficacy and safety as the conventional fractionation in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. There are many benefits of hypofractionation, including a more convenient schedule for the patients and better use of resources, which is especially important in low- and middle-income countries like Brasil. Based on these data, the Brazilian Society of Radiotherapy (Sociedade Brasileira de Radioterapia) organized this consensus to guide and support the use of hypofractionated radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer in Brasil.

Non-Hermitian CT-Symmetric Spectral Protection of Nonlinear Defect Modes.

We investigate, using a microwave platform consisting of a non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger array of coupled dielectric resonators, the interplay of a lossy nonlinearity and CT symmetry in the formation of defect modes. The measurements agree with the theory which predicts that, up to moderate pumping, the defect mode is an eigenstate of the CT-symmetric operator and retains its frequency at the center of the gap. At higher pumping values, the system undergoes a self-induced explicit CT-symmetry violation which removes the spectral topological protection and alters the shape of the defect mode.

Evaluation of acute skin toxicity during radiotherapy for breast cancer in elderly patients.

Background: For women with early stage breast cancer, the hypofractionation is the standard of care, whereas for women in other situations the standard dose is still recommended. Although the hypofractionation studies included elderly patients (>70 years), many studies excluded this population. The goals of this study are to demonstrate our results in terms of acute skin toxicity in elderly patients, and to show that they can receive the same treatment as young patients.

GUIDELINE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BILE DUCT CANCERS BY THE BRAZILIAN GASTROINTESTINAL TUMOR GROUP.

The Brazilian Gastrointestinal Tumor Group developed guidelines for the surgical and clinical management of patients with billiary cancers. The multidisciplinary panel was composed of experts in the field of radiology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiotherapy, endoscopy and pathology. The panel utilized the most recent literature to develop a series of evidence-based recommendations on different treatment and diagnostic strategies for cholangiocarcinomas and gallbladder cancers.

Measuring relief of dysphagia in locally advanced esophageal carcinoma patients submitted to high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Background And Purpose: Esophageal neoplasm has a poor prognosis, and palliative care remains an important goal of treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) to improve dysphagia in 115 patients treated at our institution.

Methods And Materials: Patients previously submitted to external beam radiotherapy that at least, 1 month after, presented with residual disease and persistent dysphagia, were given HDRB as palliative treatment.

Measuring acceptance of milk and milk substitutes among younger and older children.

Appropriate nutrient-dense foods and beverages are crucial for children for proper growth and development and to develop healthful lifelong habits. This study investigated children's (ages 8 to 16 y old) perception of sensory intensity, attribute liking and overall liking of unflavored and chocolate lactose-free cow's milk and soy beverages. Products were not identified as to whether they were soy or milk.

Testing consumer perception of nutrient content claims using conjoint analysis.

Objective: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposes to establish standardized and mandatory criteria upon which front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labelling must be based. The present study aimed to estimate the relative contribution of declared amounts of different nutrients to the perception of the overall 'healthfulness' of foods by the consumer.

Design: Protein, fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron were nutrients to encourage.

Radiation therapy for feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma using a hypofractionated protocol.

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of a hypofractionated radiation protocol for feline facial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Twenty-five histologically confirmed SCCs in 15 cats were treated with four fractions of 7.6-10Gy each, with 1 week intervals.

Retinoblastoma--comparative analysis of external radiotherapy techniques, including an IMRT technique.

Purpose: To compare the numerous external radiotherapy (RT) techniques for the treatment of retinoblastoma, as well as an intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) technique. The latter was elaborated to evaluate the potential dose reduction in the surrounding tissue, as well as the potential avoidance of subdosage in the ora serrata retinae.

Methods And Materials: A 2-year-old patient with unilateral retinoblastoma underwent CT.

Oral toxicity of the cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin in mice: long-term exposure to low doses.

The hepatotoxin cylindrospermopsin, a sulfated-guanidinium alkaloid with substituted dioxypyrimidine (uracil) moiety, was isolated from several cyanobacteria species. The acute toxicity of cylindrospermopsin was well established based on intraperitoneal and oral exposure; however, only a few long-term subacute exposure studies were performed to permit a reliable guideline value for cylindrospermopsin in drinking water. In the study reported herein, female and male mice were exposed to cylindrospermopsin in their drinking water.

The cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin inhibits pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis and alters cholesterol distribution in mice.

The hepatotoxin Cylindrospermopsin, a sulfated-guanidinium alkaloid with substituted dioxypyrimidine (uracil) moiety, was isolated from several cyanobacteria species. Our previous studies on the toxicity of cylindrospermopsin and its derivatives suggested that the uracil moiety is crucial for the toxicity and that such toxicity could partly stem from competitive binding of the toxin to a catalytic site(s) involved in the synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides (i.e.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of geriatricians regarding patients with dementia who are potentially dangerous automobile drivers: a national survey.

Objectives: To determine geriatrician knowledge regarding how to prevent a patient with dementia who is a potentially dangerous driver from driving and to determine their willingness to recommend license revocation against the wishes of both the patient and the patient's family. Included is a comparison of responses from geriatricians in California, where related legislation has existed for a decade, with responses from geriatricians from all other US states combined.

Design: Survey sample.

HCFA's Medicare mortality statistics for a New Jersey hospital.

We assessed the severity of illness in 40 Medicare patients with an acute myocardial infarction to determine whether HCFA's observed-to-predicted mortality ratio was related to quality of care or severity of illness. The authors present a study from a New Jersey hospital.

Advance directives for the elderly: a survey.

In 1991, the New Jersey Legislature passed the New Jersey Advance Directives for Health Care Act. We surveyed the elderly about their knowledge and interest in advance directives, their preferences regarding end-of-life care, and whether their physicians discuss these matters.

Solitary pulmonary nodule in secondary syphilis.

A case of secondary syphilis with a solitary right upper-lobe nodule is presented. Patient presented without any pulmonary complaints or findings. This mass disappeared with residual scar after a full course of penicillin therapy.

A new technique for the isolation and purification of the basal lamina from insect tissues.

A new technique for the isolation and purification of basal lamina from insect tissues using cell dissociation at pH 2 is described. Tissue incubation in these solutions results in the spontaneous detachment of cells from the basal lamina which can be collected free of any significant contamination by cellular components. Short lengths of plasma membrane which remain attached to the basal lamina can be removed by subsequent sonication or detergent treatment.