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The design, synthesis and biological testing of highly stable, nontoxic perfluoropolyether (PFPE) nanoemulsions for dual [super 19]F MRI-fluorescence detection are described. Fluorescence detection has enabled fluorescent microscopy and FACS analysis and the intracellular fluorescence signal is directly proportional to the [super 19]F NMR signal, which can be used for calibrating cell loading in vitro.

Dear Editor, Nonsegmental generalized vitiligo (NSGV) is the most common and progressive clinical form of vitiligo[1] and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is the preferred and most effective treatment modality in active NSGV (aNSGV).[2] The effect of NB-UVB treatment on microRNA (miRNA) expression and its association with clinical outcome in aNSGV is unknown. miRNA are noncoding oligonucleotides that are known to regulate various biological processes and are implicated in a variety of diseases.[3] Limited studies are available regarding the role of miRNA in vitiligo pathogenesis, but the precise mechanism of action is unknown.[4] This study aimed to investigate the expression of miRNA (peripheral blood, serum, lesional and nonlesional skin) and pigmentation-associated genes (lesional vs. nonlesional) in untreated aNSGV and NB-UVB-treated aNSGV (tNSGV). GLO:F03/01jul20:bjd18890-fig-0001.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of (a) active nonsegmental generalized vitiligo (aNSGV) (n = 26) and healthy controls (n = 20); (b) aNSGV(n = 26) and narrowband ultraviolet-B-treated aNSGV (tNSGV) (n = 21); (c) lesional and nonlesional skin in aNSGV (n = 26) and tNSGV (n = 21); and (d) miRNA expression levels of skin pigmentation-associated genes in lesional and nonlesional skin in aNSGV (n = 8), tNSGV (n = 8) and healthy controls (n = 6). The present study indicated that NB-UVB-induced repigmentation may occur by modulation of miRNA expression and enhanced expression of pigmentation-associated genes at a molecular level in aNSGV. [Extracted from the article]

Approximate entropy (ApEn) and sample entropy (SampEn) are the promising techniques for extracting complex characteristics of cardiovascular variability. Ectopic beats, originating from other than the normal site, are the artefacts contributing a serious limitation to heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. The approaches like deletion and interpolation are currently in use to eliminate the bias produced by ectopic beats. In this study, normal R–R interval time series of 10 healthy and 10 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients were analysed by inserting artificial ectopic beats. Then the effects of ectopic beats editing by deletion, degree-zero and degree-one interpolation on ApEn and SampEn have been assessed. Ectopic beats addition (even 2%) led to reduced complexity, resulting in decreased ApEn and SampEn of both healthy and AMI patient data. This reduction has been found to be dependent on level of ectopic beats. Editing of ectopic beats by interpolation degree-one method is found to be superior to other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BACKGROUND: Faculty development lays the foundation for the quality enhancement in medical education. However, programs are not always based on the needs of the participants, and there is dearth of information on methods to derive faculty's needs. The Medical Education Unit at the University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, carried out an innovative method to identify and prioritize faculty needs in order to plan future activities. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed, pilot-tested and administered to all faculty members (N=200). The respondents rated the perceived importance (high, moderate, low) and their performance (good, average, poor) on twelve competencies described in the literature. The ratings of perceived importance - high/moderate, and self-rated performance- average/poor, were summed up to determine priority rankings for continuing education. The respondents' rating of various continuing education activities, their willingness to participate and commit time, and their suggestions for strengthening faculty development were also analyzed. RESULTS: All the twelve competencies were perceived as 'highly important' by the subjects. They felt most confident in teaching in large and small groups, attitudes and ethical values, and decision making skills. The competencies prioritized as 'gaps' were knowing how to develop learning resources, plan curriculum, evaluate courses and conduct research. The prioritized activities were specialized courses, orientation workshops for the new faculty, and training in educational research skills. This implied a multi-phased approach to faculty development. A majority (62.4%) were willing to devote 2.2 hours per week to faculty development. Respondents suggested initiatives that should be undertaken by the Medical Education Unit and the broader institution. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a participatory approach to needs assessment by identifying the gaps between 'perceived importance' and 'self-rated performance', as criteria for determining priorities. Findings also demonstrated the need for adopting a comprehensive approach to faculty development in which both departmental and organizational initiatives are required. Our findings are applicable to the Gulf Region context and our methodology can be applied anywhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autonomic dysfunction is common in children with Rett syndrome. They usually manifest with agitation, persistent screaming, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux, aerophagia, hyperventilation, and breath-holding episodes. Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction may result in fatal a arrhythmia. Many of these events are mistaken for seizures and treated with antiepileptics.Methods: The present study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in north India for more than a six month period. MeCP2 mutation positive, 24 cases with Rett syndrome and 24 age-matched healthy girls were evaluated for cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (heart rate variability, head-up tilt test, and cold pressor test).Results: The mean age was 9.06 years (±3.4) and 9.75 years (±3.13) for patients and control subjects, respectively. The heart rate variability contributed independently by parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system was significantly reduced in cases compared with control subjects (P = 0.033 and P = 0.001, respectively). There was significant sympathovagal imbalance with sympathetic overactivity in cases compared with control subjects (P = 0.001). The mean longest QTc interval was significantly prolonged in cases compared with control subjects (P = 0.001). Cold pressor test and head-up tilt test could be done in 16 Rett syndrome patients (because of poor cooperation) and in all 24 control subjects. The change in blood pressure during cold pressor test and head-up tilt test was not significantly different in cases and control subjects.Conclusions: Children with Rett syndrome exhibited significant cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in the form of sympathetic overactivity, parasympathetic underactivity, and sympathovagal imbalance. These findings have potentially important therapeutic- and outcome-related implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cushing''s syndrome is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It''s also associated with other cardiac risk factors like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity. Cardiovascular autonomic function impairment could predict cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Twenty five patients with Cushing''s syndrome without diabetes and twenty five age matched healthy controls underwent a battery of cardiovascular autonomic function tests including deep breath test, Valsalva test, hand grip test, cold pressor test and response to standing from lying position. The rise in diastolic blood pressure on hand grip test and diastolic BP response to cold pressor test in Cushing''s patients were significantly less compared to healthy controls (9.83±3.90 vs 20.64±9.55, p <0.001 and 10.09±4.07 vs 15.33±6.26, p <0.01 respectively). The E:I ratio on deep breathing test was also less in the patients in comparison to controls (1.36±0.21 vs 1.53±0.19, p <0.01). Seven patients underwent the same battery of tests 6months after a curative surgery showing a trend towards normalization with significant improvement in expiratory to inspiratory ratio and sinus arrhythmia delta heart rate. To conclude, this study showed that chronic endogenous hypercortisolism in Cushing''s is associated with an impaired sympathetic cardiovascular autonomic functioning. After a curative surgery, some of the parameters tend to improve. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]