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Efficacy of ciprofloxacin/celecoxib combination in zebrafish models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Comparison of phenotypic characteristics and prognosis between black and white patients in a tertiary ALS clinic. Refining eligibility criteria for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical trials. [Extracted from the article]

Background and purpose: Liver fibrosis, a common yet often subclinical manifestation of chronic liver disease, may have an unrecognized role in cognitive impairment. We evaluated the association between a validated liver fibrosis index and cognitive measures among older adults. Methods: We examined the association between liver fibrosis and cognitive performance among participants aged 60 years and older in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Liver fibrosis was measured with the validated Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) liver fibrosis score. The outcomes were performance on four standardized cognitive tests of immediate and delayed verbal learning, verbal fluency, and attention/concentration. We used linear regression to evaluate the association between FIB‐4 score and performance on cognitive tests while adjusting for potential confounders. In sensitivity analyses, we examined this association in participants without known liver disease. Results: Among 3217 adult participants, the mean age was 69 years, and 54% were women. Standard liver chemistries were largely in the normal range. However, 5.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0–6.0] had liver fibrosis based on a validated cut‐off. In adjusted linear regression models, higher liver fibrosis scores were associated with worse immediate recall (β −0.39; 95% CI −0.58, −0.21), language fluency (β −0.46; 95% CI −0.72, −0.21), and attention/concentration (β −1.34; 95% CI −2.25, −0.43), but not delayed recall (β −0.10; 95% CI −0.20, 0.01). Results were similar when limiting the study population to participants without known clinical liver disease. Conclusion: Liver fibrosis, including subclinical liver fibrosis, may be an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the transition between germanium segregation and trapping during high-pressure oxidation of Ge[subx]Si[sub1-x]/Si. Analysis of the atomic fraction x of germanium; Effect of oxidation on the germanium distribution; Significance of the oxidation of Ge[subx]Si[sub1-x] alloys.

Describes the growth of silicon germanide alloys on gallium arsenide substrates. Information on the growth of silicon germanide layers; Morphologies of silicon germanide layers; Analysis of the relaxed lattice constant of a silicon germanide layer.

Presents a study that investigated the in situ doping by arsenic ion implantation of silicon grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Details of the experiment; Results and discussion.

Presents a study that demonstrated the direct growth of gallium arsenide by molecular beam epitaxy on nominally-oriented silicon with a buried implanted oxide. Experimental procedure; Results; Discussion.

Examines the dependence of substrate temperature and oxygen partial pressure on the crystalline quality of the SrTiO[sub3] (STO) films on silicon (Si) with epitaxial TiN template. Significance of the epitaxial growth of STO on metallic TiN; Advantages of epitaxial TiN; Analysis of the surface morphology and film uniformity; Critical parameters for epitaxy of STO on TiN/Si.

Summary: Background: Although studies suggest decreased incident hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after direct‐acting antivirals (DAA), data are conflicting regarding HCC recurrence and aggressiveness in patients who have a history of HCC with complete response. Aim: Characterize HCC recurrence patterns after DAA therapy. Methods: Two reviewers searched MEDLINE and SCOPUS from January 2015 to December 2017 and identified studies evaluating HCC recurrence patterns following DAA therapy. A pooled estimate was calculated using the DerSimonian and Laird method for a random effects model. The study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results: Among 24 studies (n = 1820 patients), the proportion of patients with HCC recurrence following DAA therapy ranged from 0% to 59% (pooled estimate 24.4%; 95% CI: 18.4%‐30.4%). Among 11 full text manuscripts, pooled HCC recurrence was 21.9% (95% CI: 16.2%‐28.3%). Factors associated with recurrence included history of prior HCC recurrence and a shorter interval between HCC complete response and DAA initiation. Nine studies comparing DAA‐treated and interferon‐treated or untreated patients found similar recurrence among DAA‐treated patients. Most (77.8%) patients with HCC recurrence were detected at an early tumour stage, of whom 64.7% received curative treatment. Study limitations included heterogeneous cohorts, potential misclassification of HCC absence prior to DAA, ascertainment bias for recurrence, and short durations of follow‐up. Conclusions: Current data suggest acceptable HCC recurrence rates after DAA therapy, particularly if DAA therapy is delayed at least 6 months after HCC complete response. However, data characterising HCC recurrence after DAA therapy are of limited quality, highlighting the need for high quality prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GaN films were implanted with 150 keV Ar[sup +] at temperatures up to 1100 °C to a dose of 3×10[sup 15] cm[sup -2]. Concentration profiles of Ar were measured by secondary ion mass spectroscopy and depth distributions of ion-induced damage were estimated from Rutherford backscattering/channeling spectra. No redistribution of Ar atoms was detected up to 700 °C. At 1000 °C a deep penetrating diffusion tail and a shift of the Ar peak to the surface were observed. At temperatures higher than 800 °C shift of the damage peak to the surface was also observed. We attributed the shift of the Ar peak and the damage peaks to evaporation of thin layer of GaN during high-temperature implantation and estimated its temperature dependence. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Abdominal ultrasound fails to detect over one-fourth of hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) at an early stage in patients with cirrhosis. Identifying patients in whom ultrasound is of inadequate quality can inform interventions to improve surveillance effectiveness. Aim To evaluate and identify predictors of ultrasound quality in patients with cirrhosis. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study among patients who underwent ultrasound examination for a cirrhosis-related indication between April 2015 and October 2015. Three fellowship-trained abdominal radiologists collectively reviewed all ultrasound exams and categorised exam quality as definitely adequate, likely adequate, likely inadequate and definitely inadequate to exclude liver lesions. We performed multivariable logistic regression to determine characteristics associated with inadequate ultrasound quality. Results Among 941 patients, 191 (20.3%) ultrasounds were inadequate for excluding HCC- 134 definitely inadequate and 57 likely inadequate. In multivariable analysis, inadequate quality was associated with male gender ( OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.14-2.48), body mass index category ( OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.45-1.93), Child-Pugh B or C cirrhosis ( OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.32-2.81), alcohol-related cirrhosis ( OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.33-3.37), NASH cirrhosis ( OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.71-4.80), and in-patient status ( OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.01-2.37). Ultrasounds were inadequate in over one-third of patients with Child-Pugh C cirrhosis, BMI >35, or NASH cirrhosis. Conclusions One in five ultrasounds in patients with cirrhosis are inadequate for exclusion of HCC, which can contribute to surveillance failure. Alternative surveillance modalities are needed in subgroups prone to inadequate ultrasounds including obese patients, those with Child Pugh B or C cirrhosis, and those with alcohol- or NASH-related cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Over 300,000 ventral hernia repairs (VHRs) are performed each year in the US. We sought to assess the economic burden related to ventral hernia recurrences with a focused comparison of those with the initial open versus laparoscopic surgery.Methods: The Premier Alliance database from 2009 to 2014 was utilized to obtain patient demographics and comorbid indices, including the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Total hospital cost and resource expenses during index laparoscopic and open VHRs and subsequent recurrent repairs were also obtained. The sample was separated into laparoscopic and open repair groups from the initial operation. Adjusted and propensity score matched cost outcome data were then compared amongst groups.Results: One thousand and seventy-seven patients were used for the analysis with a recurrence rate of 3.78 %. For the combined sample, costs were significantly higher during recurrent hernia repair hospitalization ($21,726 versus $19,484, p < 0.0001). However, for index laparoscopic repairs, both the adjusted total hospital cost and department level costs were similar during the index and the recurrent visit. The costs and resource utilization did not go up due to recurrence, even though these patients had greater severity during the recurrent visit (CCI score 0.92 versus 1.06; p = 0.0092). Using a matched sample, the total hospital recurrence cost was higher for the initial open group compared to laparoscopic group ($14,520 versus $12,649; p = 0.0454).Conclusions: Based on our analysis, need for recurrent VHR adds substantially to total hospital costs and resource utilization. Following initial laparoscopic repair, however, the total cost of recurrent repair is not significantly increased, as it is following initial open repair. When comparing the initial laparoscopic repair versus open, the cost of recurrence was higher for the prior open repair group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Src has a critical role in tumor cell migration and invasion. Increased Src activity has been shown to correlate with disease progression and poor prognosis, suggesting Src could serve as a therapeutic target for kinase inhibition. Saracatinib (AZD0530) is a novel selective oral Src kinase inhibitor. Methods Metastatic colorectal cancer patients who had received one prior treatment and had measurable disease were enrolled in this phase 2 study. Saracatinib was administered at 175 mg by mouth daily for 28 day cycles until dose-limiting toxicity or progression as determined by staging every 2 cycles. The primary endpoint was improvement in 4 month progression-free survival. Design of Thall, Simon, and Estey was used to monitor proportion of patients that were progression free at 4 months. The trial was opened with plan to enroll maximum of 35 patients, with futility assessment every 10 patients. Results A total of 10 patients were enrolled between January and November 2007. Further enrollment was stopped due to futility. Median progression-free survival was 7.9 weeks, with all 10 patients showing disease progression following radiographic imaging. Median overall survival was 13.5 months. All patients were deceased by time of analysis. Observed adverse events were notable for a higher than expected number of patients with grade 3 hypophosphatemia ( n = 5). Conclusion Saracatinib is a novel oral Src kinase inhibitor that was well tolerated but failed to meet its primary endpoint of improvement in 4 month progression-free survival as a single agent in previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Rationale: Medical professionals' attitude towards homosexuals affects health care offered to such patients with a different sexual orientation. There is absence of literature that explores the attitudes of Indian medical students or physicians towards homosexuality. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate Indian medical students and interns' knowledge about homosexuality and attitude towards homosexuals. Materials and Methods: After IEC approval and written informed consent, a cross-sectional study was conducted on a purposive sample of undergraduate medical students and interns studying in one Indian medical college. The response rate was 80.5%. Only completely and validly filled responses (N = 244) were analyzed. The participants filled the Sex Education and Knowledge about Homosexuality Questionnaire (SEKHQ) and the Attitudes towards Homosexuals Questionnaire (AHQ). SEKHQ consisted of 32 statements with response chosen from 'true', 'false', or 'don't know'. AHQ consisted of 20 statements scorable on a 5-point Likert scale. Multiple linear regression was used to find the predictors of knowledge and attitude. Results: Medical students and interns had inadequate knowledge about homosexuality, although they endorsed a neutral stance insofar as their attitude towards homosexuals is concerned. Females had more positive attitudes towards homosexuals. Knowledge emerged as the most significant predictor of attitude; those having higher knowledge had more positive attitudes. Conclusion: Enhancing knowledge of medical students by incorporation of homosexuality related health issues in the curriculum could help reduce prejudice towards the sexual minority and thus impact their future clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid, precise, accurate ad specific UV spectrophotometric method using simultaneous equation method developed for simultaneous determination of lornoxicam (LOR) and eperisone (EPE) in synthetic mixture. Signals were measured at 275nm for lornoxicam and 312nm for eperisone respectively. Both the drugs are validated for a conc. range for 8-12 μg/ml. the method shows good reproducibility and recovery with % relative standard deviation less than 2%. Several methods were reported for determination of lornoxicam and eperisone. The present study illustrates the development of a simple, precise, reproducible and economical UV method for simultaneous of LOR and EPE in synthetic mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, specific, accurate and precise reversed phase High Performance Liquid Chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Eperisone Hydrochloride and Diclofenac sodium, using a Enable C18 (250 × 4.6 mm i.d.) column and mobile phase composed of 0.05M K2HPO4 : ACN (55:45) pH 3.0 adjusted with o- phosphoric acid and at flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The retention times of Eperisone Hydrochloride and Diclofenac sodium were found to be 6.163 min and 3.507 min, respectively. Linearity was established for Eperisone Hydrochloride(EPE) and Diclofenac sodium(DICLO) in the range of 15-45 μg/ml and 10-30 μg/ml, respectively. The percentage recoveries of Eperisone Hydrochloride and Diclofenac sodium were found to be in the range of 99.329±0.093 % and 99.306 ± 0.292 %, respectively. The correlation coefficients for both components were found to be 0.998. The developed methods were validated according to ICH guidelines and values of accuracy, precision and other statistical analysis were found to be in good accordance with the prescribed values. This method can be successfully employed for simultaneous quantitative analysis of Eperisone Hydrochloride and Diclofenac sodium in combined dosage form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, economic, selective, precise, and stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for analysis of Levosulpiride and Pantoprazole sodium was developed and validated according to ICH guidelines. The quantification of the drug was carried out using Hypercil BDS C18 250mm×4.6mm×5μm or its equivalent in isocratic mode, with mobile phase comprising of Water: Acetonitrile: Triethylamine (60: 40: 0.25 v/v/v) the flow rate was 1ml/min and the detection was carried at 225 nm. The retention time for Levosulpiride and Pantoprazole sodium was found to be 3.597 and 5.147min respectively. The percentage assay for Levosulpiride and Pantoprazole sodium was found to be 99.56% and 98.44% respectively. The method was also applied for the determination of Levosulpiride and Pantoprazole sodium in the presence of their degradation products formed under variety of stress conditions. Proposed method was validated for precision, accuracy, linearity range, specificity and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Stability indicating RP-HPLC was developed and validated for determination of Cefuroxime Sodium (CEF) and Potassium Clavulanate (PCA). The RP-HPLC has shown adequate separation for Cefuroxime Sodium and Potassium Clavulanate from its degradation products. The separation was achieved on Hypersil BDS C18 column (250x4.6 mm i.d., 5 particle size) using a mobile phase composition of Acetonitrile: Phosphate buffer Ph4.5 (75: 25) with a flow rate of 1ml/min. Injection volume 20μl and wavelength of detection was kept at 275 nm the retention time of Cefuroxime sodium and Potassium Clavulanate were 3.06 and 7.63min respectively. Linearity was observed over concentration range of 10-40 μg/ ml for Cefuroxime Sodium and 6-20 μg/ml for Potassium Clavulanate. The mean recovery was found to be 100.08±0.68% and 99.95±0.67% for Cefuroxime Sodium and Potassium Clavulanate respectively The limit of detection was 0.34μg/ml and the limit of quantification was 0.112μg/ml for Cefuroxime Sodium and the limit of detection was 0.097μg/ml and the limit of quantification was 0.292μg/ml for Potassium Clavulanate. Cefuroxime Sodium and Potassium Clavulanate does not undergo any degradation so it can be said that Cefuroxime sodium and Potassium Clavulanate is stable to forced degradation conditions. This Method is simple, versatile, and reliable hence it can be used as stability indicating analytical Method for determination of Cefuroxime Sodium and Potassium Clavulanate in bulk and Marketed formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and objectives: A number of transmucosal fentanyl formulations have been developed for the management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP). Sublingual delivery of fentanyl, formulated as fentanyl sublingual spray, offers the potential for more rapid and greater absorption of fentanyl and associated onset of analgesic effect compared with other formulations. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of fentanyl sublingual spray for the treatment of BTCP. Research design and methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial conducted in opioid-tolerant patients with BTCP. An open-label titration period was followed by a double-blind treatment period during which patients received fentanyl sublingual spray (100-1600 mcg) or placebo. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00538850. Main outcome measures: The primary efficacy measure was summed pain intensity difference at 30 minutes (SPID(30)). Secondary efficacy measures included total pain relief at 30 minutes (TOTPAR(30)) and patient global evaluation of study medication at 30 minutes. Efficacy measures were also assessed at various time points from 5-60 minutes postdose. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. Results: A total of 130 patients were treated during the titration period, of whom 98 (75.4%) entered the double-blind period. Relative to placebo, fentanyl sublingual spray significantly improved mean SPID scores from 5 minutes (p = 0.0219) through 60 minutes (p < 0.0001), including the primary endpoint at 30 minutes (p < 0.0001). Fentanyl sublingual spray produced significantly greater pain relief (expressed in terms of TOTPAR) from 5 through 60 minutes (p < 0.0001), and significantly greater global evaluation of treatment effectiveness (p < 0.0001), compared with placebo. During double-blind treatment, the most frequently reported adverse events were nausea (7.1%), hyperhidrosis (5.1%), and peripheral edema (5.1%). Serious adverse events occurred in seven patients (5.4%) during titration and six (6.1%) during double-blind treatment; none were considered related to treatment. Conclusions: These findings indicate that treatment with fentanyl sublingual spray results in effective relief of BTCP, with a rapid onset of action, and is well tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Properties of composite materials are directly affected by the spatial arrangement of reinforcement and matrix. In this research, partially hydrolysed cellulose microcrystals were used to fabricate polycaprolactone microcomposites. The spatial distribution of cellulose microcrystals was characterized by a newly developed technique of X-ray ultra microscopy and microtomography. The phase and absorption contrast imaging of X-ray ultra microscopy revealed two-dimensional and three-dimensional information on CMC distribution in polymer matrices. The highest contrast and flux (signal-to-noise ratio) were obtained using vanadium foil targets with the accelerating voltage of 30 keV and beam current of >200 nA. The spatial distribution of cellulose microcrystals was correlated to the mechanical properties of the microcomposites. It was observed that heterogeneous distribution and clustering of cellulose microcrystals resulted in degradation of tensile strength and elastic modulus of composites. The utilization of X-ray ultra microscopy can open up new opportunities for composite researchers to explore the internal structure of microcomposites. X-ray ultra microscopy sample preparation is relatively simple in comparison to transmission electron microscopy and the spatial information is gathered at much larger scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: We report on the rates of patient acceptance and their perceptions of routine emergency department (ED) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in a high-prevalence area. METHODS: We analyzed the race/ethnicity of patients who either accepted or declined a routine HIV test that was offered to all patients in the ED of a large academic center. We also distributed a patient perception survey about ED HIV testing. RESULTS: During the study period, an HIV screening test was offered to 9,826 patients. Of these, 5,232 patients (53%) accepted the test. The acceptance rate of HIV testing was highest among African American patients (55%), followed by 52% for white, 50% for Hispanic, and 42% for Asian patients. A total of 1,519 completed surveys were returned for analysis. The most common reasons for declining a test were that patients did not perceive themselves to be at risk for HIV (49%) or they had recently been tested for HIV (18%). Overall, 84% of patients stated they would recommend to a friend to get an HIV test in the ED. When analyzed by ethnicity, 89% of African American patients stated they would recommend to a friend to get an HIV test if the friend went to the ED, but only 74% of white patients would do so. CONCLUSIONS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2006 recommendations on HIV screening are well accepted by the target populations. Further work at explaining the risk of HIV infection to ED patients should be undertaken and may boost the acceptance rate of ED HIV screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed vitamin D nutritional status in unselected consecutive patients seeking advice on osteoporosis. The prevalence of vitamin D depletion ranged from 15–72% depending upon the cut-off levels used for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and the prevalence did not change over the 5 years of the study. Vitamin D depletion is a significant public health problem and has been studied in different populations using different cut-off levels, but the optimal level is yet to be established. In a cross-sectional study of 2924 patients seen for osteoporosis advice we determined the prevalence of vitamin D depletion, as assessed by 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), using three different cut-off levels stratified by gender, race and the year of the study over 5 years. Mean age was 68.3 ± 10.0 years; 90% women and 88% white. Mean 25-OHD level was 24.6 ± 10 ng/ml and mean PTH was 48.4 ± 32 pg/ml. The prevalence of vitamin D depletion was 15% with a cut-off level of <15 ng/ml, and rose to 32% and 72% with cut-off levels <20 ng/ml and <30 ng/ml, respectively. The prevalence was higher in men and blacks and remained constant over 5 years, regardless of the cut-off level. The expected inverse relationship between 25-OHD and PTH was observed irrespective of gender or ethnicity. The prevalence of vitamin D depletion in patients seeking advice for osteoporosis is high and did not change over the 5 years of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the predominant pro-angiogenic cytokine in human malignancy, and its expression correlates with disease recurrence and poor outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Recently, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) has been observed on tumours of epithelial origin, including those arising in the colon, but the molecular mechanisms governing potential VEGF-driven biologic functioning in these tumours are not well characterised. In this report, we investigated the role of Src family kinases (SFKs) in VEGF-mediated signalling in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cell lines. Vascular endothelial growth factor specifically activated SFKs in HT29 and KM12L4 CRC cell lines. Further, VEGF stimulation resulted in enhanced cellular migration, which was effectively blocked by pharmacologic inhibition of VEGFR-1 or Src kinase. Correspondingly, migration studies using siRNA clones with reduced Src expression confirmed the requirement for Src in VEGF-induced migration in these cells. Furthermore, VEGF treatment enhanced VEGFR-1/SFK complex formation and increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, p130 cas and paxillin. Finally, we demonstrate that VEGF-induced migration is not due, at least in part, to VEGF acting as a mitogen. These results suggest that VEGFR-1 promotes migration of tumour cells through a Src-dependent pathway linked to activation of focal adhesion components that regulate this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of damages produced by implantation of Te, Er, Hg, and Pb ions into undoped (100) GaSb single crystals and their recovery by Rutherford backscattering (RBS)/channeling were investigated. The implantations with dosages in the range of 10 to 10 ions/cm were carried out at liquid nitrogen temperature, at energies corresponding to a projected range of 447Å in GaSb. Near surface damage equivalent to that of an amorphous layer was observed even at lower doses. The samples were annealed at 600°C for different durations, with the Te implanted sample of the lowest dosage exhibiting the best recovery (Χ = 11%) compared to others. This value of Χ nearly corresponds to that of the virgin crystal. Examination of the surface morphology as a function of mass, dosage, and annealing duration revealed that it was strongly influenced by the dosage of the implanted ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous tungsten-filament, reinforced silver-matrix composites were prepared by electroplating, cold pressing, and hot pressing techniques followed by sintering, in the range of 2 to 33 vol pet filaments. Orientation of the filaments with respect to the tensile axis was varied between 0 (parallel) and 90 deg. The properties determined were the ultimate tensile strength, 0.1 pct yield strength, proportional limit, elongation, and elastic modulus. The results indicate that the strength essentially followed the rule of mixtures. A misalignment exceeding 10 to 15 deg drastically reduces strength. A small misalignment of less than 10 deg not only does not lower the strength but greatly improves the ductility. Five different fracture paths were identified as a function of fiber orientation. Both ductile and brittle fracture were observed in the tungsten filaments. Many of the features of deformation and fracture were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]