Search

Context. Population studies have shown a trend in decreasing vitamin C status and increasing prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with diabetes and non-diabetic people. Dietary vitamin C consumption is linked to improvement in bone mineral density (BMD) in epidemiological studies. VCAM-1 and adiponectin are known to activate osteoclasts, which increase bone loss. Aim: This study examined whether there is any association between the circulating level of vitamin C and BMD and whether the beneficial effect of vitamin C on BMD was linked to a simultaneous decrease in circulating levels of adiponectin and VCAM-1 in subjects with diabetes. Methods: Patients with diabetes (T2D, n = 74) and age-matched non-diabetic controls (n = 26) were enrolled in this study. Fasting blood levels of glycemia, adiponectin, VCAM-1, inflammation biomarkers, and vitamin C were determined in both groups. The BMD of the lumbar spine (L1–L4), left femur, and right femur was determined using a DXA scan in subjects with diabetes. Results: Patients with diabetes had lower levels of vitamin C and higher levels of VCAM-1 and inflammatory cytokines. There was a significant positive association between vitamin C blood levels and lumbar spine BMD as well as a significant negative association between total adiponectin and VCAM-1 levels with that of vitamin C and lumbar BMD in patients with diabetes. Total adiponectin and VCAM-1 also showed a negative association with BMD of both the right and left femurs. The inter-relationship among the circulating levels of vitamin C and VCAM-1 and BMD was strong and is a novel finding. Conclusions: This study reports a positive association of circulating vitamin C levels and the BMD and that the beneficial effects of vitamin C on BMD could be linked to a simultaneous lowering in circulating VCAM-1 and total adiponectin levels. Thus, dietary vitamin C consumption has potential to lower inflammation and the risk of osteoporosis in subjects with diabetes.

Herein we describe an outer cannula sleeve-sheath with a coaxially inserted exchangeable drainage catheter (SCDC) for effective evacuation of recurrent symptomatic fluid collections in the thorax and abdomen on patients in lieu of, or failed, current evacuation catheters and methods. The design is an alternative to existing commercially available devices and adds distinct enhancements with the possibility of intrathoracic or intrabdominal trans outer sleeve-sheath diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. This device aims at requiring a single invasive procedure (thoracentesis and paracentesis) while offering catheter exchange and repositioning if malfunction or malposition occurs during the patient's lifetime. The SCDC outer sheath in the subcutaneous tissues of the thorax or abdomen has built-in two antibacterial cuffs to prevent infection. At the same time, the exchangeable coaxially inserted drainage catheter is deployed over a guidewire within the thoracic or abdominal cavities. The drainage catheter has a fluid dynamic proven efficient design to facilitate drainage and can recanalize its lumen if occluded by fibrin or tissue.

C-glycosylation reactions of glycosyl picolinates with allyltrimethylsilane or silyl enol ethers were developed. Picolinate as a chelation-assisted leaving group could be activated by Cu(OTf)(2) and avoided the use of harsh Lewis acids. The glycosylations were operated under mild neutral conditions and gave the corresponding C-glycosides in up to 95% yield with moderate to excellent stereoselectivities.

Although catheters are commonplace in hospital settings, there is scarce literature discussing the internal and external retention mechanisms used to aid in catheter fixation. Additionally, exact definitions and detailed information on internal and external retention mechanisms are almost non-existent in the literature. This article serves three primary purposes. The first purpose is to define internal and external catheter retention mechanisms, describe how they work, and provide examples of each that are routinely used in healthcare settings. The second goal of this paper is to provide a literature review comparing various aspects of the different types of internal and external catheter retention mechanisms discussed in the paper, including performance variance and the advantages and disadvantages of each. The third aim of this article is to provide a brief overview of catheter dislodgment, including the rates at which this occurs, the problems that can arise, and the best treatment option when this does occur.

A general method has been developed for the formation of glycosyl chlorides and bromides from picolinic esters under mild and neutral conditions. Benchtop stable picolinic esters are activated by a copper (II) halide species to afford the corresponding products in high yields with a traceless leaving group. Rare β glycosyl chlorides are accessible via this route through neighboring group participation. Additionally, glycosyl chlorides with labile protecting groups previously not easily accessible can be prepared.

A contemporary underground coal mine in eastern Kentucky was assessed in order to determine potential off-site and on-site environmental impacts associated with the mining system in the given environmental setting. A 4 section, continuous room and pillor mine plan was developed for an appropriate site in eastern Kentucky. Potential environmental impacts were identified, and mitigation costs determined. The major potential environmental impacts were determined to be: acid water drainage from the mine and refuse site, uneven subsidence of the surface as a result of mining activity, and alteration of ground water aquifers in the subsidence zone. In the specific case examined, the costs of environmental impact mitigation to levels prescribed by regulations would not exceed $1/ton of coal mined, and post mining land values would not be affected.

An ultrasonic interferometric technique of measuring blood flow with an extravascular probe is presented and analyzed. The difference in phase between pulses of ultrasonic energy transmitted simultaneously from a pair of barium titanate crystals diagonally through the vessel and received by the same pair of crystals is employed as the basic measurement of blood flow velocity. It is shown that the sensitivity is influenced mainly by variability in the internal diameter of the vessel and the zero-flow baseline voltage position is influenced principally by variations in the level of energy reflected from the vessel surfaces. Baseline stability is enhanced by the use of an asymmetrical probe which minimizes the variable reflection components. This measurement technique is currently being employed in long term telemetry implants in which flow measurements have been satisfactorily performed for periods in excess of three months duration.