Comparison of puncture methods in patients with hemodialysis: A randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft is essential to long-term survival and quality of life in patients receiving hemodialysis. To date, no research has examined the clinical impacts of different puncture methods. This study compared the rope ladder and area puncture techniques in terms of vascular patency, pain, and quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis.

METHODS

A prospective longitudinal study was performed with 6-month follow-up. A total of 98 participants recruited from a hemodialysis center in Taiwan were randomly assigned to receive the rope ladder technique (experimental group) or the area puncture technique (control group). Vascular patency was assessed by examining access flow and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty rate. Pain and quality of life were measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument (KDQOL-36™), respectively. All outcome variables were measured repeatedly and analyzed using a generalized estimating equation.

RESULTS

Overall, quality of life was significantly better for the experimental group than for the control group (β = 47.23, p < 0.001). The percutaneous transluminal angioplasty rate was lower for the experimental group than for the control group (12.0% vs. 18.8%). However, no significant differences were found in access flow and pain level between the two groups over time.

CONCLUSION

Hemodialysis patients who received the rope ladder puncture technique had a lower percutaneous angioplasty rate and better quality of life than patients who received the area puncture technique, suggesting that the rope ladder technique could be implemented as a routine cannulation method in hemodialysis clinics.

P5644Hypoglycemic episodes increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest in patients with type 2 diabetes - a nationwide cohort study

Background

Hypoglycemic episode (HE) increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality. The impact of HE on the risk of sudden death remains unclear. We hypothesized that HE increases the risks of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and that anti-diabetic agents (ADAs) causing hypoglycemia also increase the risks of VA and SCA.

Methods

Patients aged ≥20 years with newly diagnosed diabetes were identified from the Taiwan National Insurance Database. HE was defined as the presentation of hypoglycemic coma or specified/unspecified hypoglycemia. For control group, we included diabetic patients without HE, and they were frequency-matched to the HE group at a 4:1 ratio. The primary outcome was the occurrence of any event of VA (including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation) and SCA during the defined follow-up periods. Multivariate Cox hazards regression model was used to evaluate the hazard ratio (HR) for VA or SCA.

Results

A total of 54,303 diabetic patients were screened with 1,037 of them in the HE group, and 4,148 in the control group. During a mean follow-up period of 3.3±2.5 years, 29 VA/SCA events had occurred. Compared to the control group, the HE group had a higher incidence of VA/SCA (adjusted HR: 2.42, p=0.04). Diabetic patients medicated with insulin for glycemic control increased the risk of VA/SCA compared to those without insulin (adjusted HR: 3.05, p=0.01).

Kaplan-Meier survival curves

Conclusions

HEs in patients with diabetes increased the risks of VA and SCA compared to those without. Their use of insulin also independently increased the risk of VA/SCA.

P2564Levosimendan shortens action potential duration, decreases alternans threshold and prevents ventricular arrhythmia during therapeutic hypothermia in isolated rabbit hearts

Background

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) increases the susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias (VA) by prolonging action potential duration (APD) and facilitating arrhythmogenic spatially discordant alternans (SDA). The calcium sensitizer levosimendan has been reported to shorten APD by enhancing ATP-sensitive K current. We hypothesize that levosimendan might shorten the already prolonged APD during TH, decreasing SDA threshold, and prevent the occurrence of VA.

Methods

Langendorff-perfused isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 15-min TH (30°C) followed by 30-min treatment with levosimendan (0.5 μM, n=9) or vehicle (n=8). Using an optical mapping system, epicardial APD was evaluated by S1 pacing. SDA threshold was defined as the longest pacing cycle length (PCL) that induced SDA phenomenon. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) inducibility was evaluated by burst pacing for 30 s using the shortest PCL that achieved 1:1 ventricular capture.

Results

Levosimendan shortened the ventricular APD (at PCL 300 ms, from 229±9 ms to 211±18 ms, p=0.02) and decrease the SDA threshold (from 327±88 ms to 311±68 ms, p=0.001) during TH. The VF inducibility was decreased by levosimendan from 39±30% at 30°C to 14±12% after levosimendan infusion. In control hearts, the APD (p=0.75), SDA threshold (p=ns) and VF inducibility (p=0.12) were not changed by vehicle during TH.

Conclusions

Levosimendan protects the hearts against VA during TH by shortening APD and decreasing SDA threshold. Enhancing ATP-sensitive K current with levosimendan might be a novel approach to prevent VA during TH.

Trajectories of caregiver burden and related factors in family caregivers of patients with lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to (1) identify the changes of 5 domains of family caregiver (FC) burden, overall burden, and its subtrajectories when caring for newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer patients during the first 6 months following cancer diagnosis; and (2) identify the FC-related and patient-related factors most associated with the overall FC burden and each of its subtrajectories.

METHODS

A total of 150 newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer patient-FC dyads were recruited from a Taiwanese medical center. The overall FC burden was evaluated 4 times: before treatment, and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. The potential subtrajectory of the caregiver burden was investigated by latent class growth analysis. The FC-related and patient-related factors having the greatest effect on the overall FC burden and its subtrajectories over time were identified by generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

The highest level of burden domain was "Impact on daily schedule" over time. Generally, most of the FC reported a moderate level of overall burden over the investigation period. Three subtrajectories of the overall FC burden over time (% caregivers) were identified: high burden (34.7%), moderate burden (56.0%), and low burden (9.3%), respectively. The self-efficacy of FC was the strongest factor related to the changes of the FC's burden and burden in each subtrajectory.

CONCLUSION

The results support the existing and different types of subtrajectories of the FC's burden. Health care professionals should provide care based on those differences. Further research to test interventions which integrate those important factors related to FC's burden, particularly FC's self-efficacy, is strongly suggested.

Perspectives of Decision-Making for Corneal Donation: A Qualitative Research Among Cancer Patients

This study investigates the subjective experiences of terminal cancer patients who expedite their corneal donation decisions. The percentage of cancer patients who donate their corneas postmortem is low in Taiwan. The reasons are complex and needs further exploration. A qualitative design using content analysis was used. A semistructured interview approach was adopted to interview cancer patients recruited from a cancer ward in northern Taiwan. The study findings show that the factors contributing to an aversive preference of cancer patients included the necessity to consider the emotions of family members, traditional perceptions, religious reasons, disease, and no reason at all. Most cancer patients maintain a negative stance toward corneal donation. The results obtained in the present study can be used as a reference for future in-service education and promotional efforts regarding corneal donation. Discussing cornea donation needs to become a routine end-of-life care discussion.

Psychological distress and coping strategies among women with incurable lung cancer: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

Limited research has focused on women with lung cancer (LC) although they are recognized as the most vulnerable to psychological distress. This study explored in-depth the psychological distress experienced by women with incurable LC and analyzed the coping strategies with which they manage that distress.

METHODS

A qualitative methodology with in-depth interviews was employed for 34 women with advanced or recurrent LC. An inductive data-driven thematic analysis was applied to analyze transcripts.

RESULTS

Psychological distress was an iterative process for the women. Four themes were identified: shock regarding the diagnosis, distress regarding cancer treatment and its side effects, the facing of a recurrent or progressive disease, and persistent struggle with the life-limiting disease. Various coping strategies applied by the women to manage psychological distress were grouped into four themes: relying upon social support, focusing on positive thoughts, avoidance-based strategies, and religious faith and acceptance.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with incurable LC experienced substantial iterative psychological distress throughout the illness, regardless of length of illness at time of interview. They applied multiple forms of coping. The findings enrich the limited existing literature on this understudied population and provide direction for the future development of interventions to improve their psychological well-being.

Designing a stronger interface through graded structures in amorphous/nanocrystalline ZrCu/Cu multilayered films

Many multilayered nano-structures appear to fail due to brittle matter along the interfaces. In order to toughen them, in this study, the microstructure and interface strength of multilayered thin films consisting of amorphous ZrCu and nanocrystalline Cu (with sharp or graded interfaces) are examined and analyzed. The interface possesses a gradient nature in terms of composition, nanocrystalline phase size and volume fraction. The bending results extracted from the nano-scaled cantilever bending samples demonstrate that multilayered films with graded interfaces would have a much higher interface bending strength/strain/modulus, and an overall improvement upgrade of more than 50%. The simple graded interface design of multilayered thin films with improved mechanical properties can offer much more promising performance in structural and functional applications for MEMS or optical coating.

Programmable and on-demand drug release using electrical stimulation

Recent advancement in microfabrication has enabled the implementation of implantable drug delivery devices with precise drug administration and fast release rates at specific locations. This article presents a membrane-based drug delivery device, which can be electrically stimulated to release drugs on demand with a fast release rate. Hydrogels with ionic model drugs are sealed in a cylindrical reservoir with a separation membrane. Electrokinetic forces are then utilized to drive ionic drug molecules from the hydrogels into surrounding bulk solutions. The drug release profiles of a model drug show that release rates from the device can be electrically controlled by adjusting the stimulated voltage. When a square voltage wave is applied, the device can be quickly switched between on and off to achieve pulsatile release. The drug dose released is then determined by the duration and amplitude of the applied voltages. In addition, successive on/off cycles can be programmed in the voltage waveforms to generate consistent and repeatable drug release pulses for on-demand drug delivery.

Vertical habitat shift of viviparous and oviparous deep-sea cusk eels revealed by otolith microstructure and stable-isotope composition

Otolith stable-oxygen-isotope composition and microstructure were analysed in order to investigate the vertical habitat shift of deep-sea cusk eels (Ophidiiformes). Otolith δ¹⁸ O profiles suggested that both viviparous blind cusk eels and oviparous cusk eels experienced a pelagic larval stage and then settled to the deep-sea floor over a vertical distance that ranged among individuals from 200 to >1000 m. This result shows that the larvae of viviparous Barathronus maculatus undertake an ontogenetic vertical migration after a period of larval drift that may facilitate their wide distribution on the sea floor.

Exploring the significance of sex hormone-binding globulin examination in the treament of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

OBJECTIVES

To explore whether sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and free androgen index (FAI) can be seen as therapeutic effect indexes of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The body mass index (BMI), basal sexual hormones, SHBG, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and fasting insulin (FINS) were collected from 579 women with PCOS, were divided into two groups according to BMI: obese group (n = 145) and non-obese group (n = 434), according to homeostasis model assessment of insulin status (HOMA-IR). Patients were then divided into four groups: A: non-obese without insulin resistance (n = 174), B: non-obese with insulin resistance (n = 260), C: obese without insulin resistance (n = 34), D: obese with insulin resistance (n = 111). A and B groups received Diane-35 alone, C and D groups received Diane-35 plus metformin for three months. Then clomiphene citrate and HMAG were used to induce ovulation then compared ovulation rate and pregnancy outcome.

RESULTS

FAI decreased significantly and SHBG increased significantly in all groups. In A group FINS and HOMA-IR increased significantly (p < 0.05), but in B and D groups FINS and HOMA-IR decreased significantly (p < 0.05). After treatment the ovulation rate in non-obese group was higher than obese group (p < 0.01). Compared with non-ovulation patients, SHBG increased significantly and FAI decreased significantly in the patient with ovulation. Regarding the pregnancy outcome, FAI decreased significantly in delivery patients than spontaneous abortion patients. Furthermore, SHBG increased significantly.

CONCLUSION

It was important to check SHBG and FAI during the treatment of PCOS patient. They could be used to assess whether the treatment was effective and as a guidance of clinical medication.

Quality of life and related factors in patients with newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer: a longitudinal study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To examine the changes in quality of life (QOL), symptoms, self-efficacy for coping with cancer, and factors related to those changes in patients with newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer.

DESIGN

Longitudinal and correlational.

SETTING

Oncology inpatient wards and outpatient departments of a medical center in northern Taiwan.

SAMPLE

101 patients newly diagnosed with stage IIIB or IV lung cancer.

METHODS

Questionnaires were used to assess patients' QOL, symptoms, and self-efficacy before treatment and at one and three months following treatment. Factors related to the changes in global QOL and five functional dimensions were analyzed using six generalized estimating equation models.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

QOL, symptoms, and self-efficacy for coping with cancer.

FINDINGS

Patients reported moderate levels of global QOL, symptom severity, and self-efficacy for coping with cancer. They also reported high physical and cognitive functions, but relatively low role and social functions. Factors were significantly related to the most functional dimensions, including self-efficacy, fatigue, pain, sleep difficulties, and demographic- and disease-related factors. Self-efficacy was the most robust factor for predicting QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with advanced lung cancer experience a compromised global QOL and relatively low social and role functioning during the first three months following cancer diagnosis. Levels of self-efficacy and symptoms significantly affected changes in QOL and functioning.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Applying a systematic assessment of changes in QOL and developing comprehensive interventions with self-efficacy training and symptom management are strongly recommended for clinical care to improve the QOL of patients with advanced lung cancer.

Osteoporosis and the risk of symptomatic nephrolithiasis: a population-based 5-year follow-up study in Taiwan

This study estimates the risk of symptomatic nephrolithiasis within 5 years of newly diagnosed osteoporosis in a Taiwan population. This cohort study consisted of patients with a diagnosis of osteoporosis between Jan. 2003 and Dec. 2005 (N = 1634). Four age- and gender- matched patients for every patient in the study cohort were selected using random sampling as the comparison cohort (N = 6536). All patients were tracked for 5 years from the date of cohort entry to identify whether they developed symptomatic nephrolithiasis. Cox proportional hazard regressions were performed to evaluate the 5-year nephrolithiasis-free survival rates. During the 5-year follow-up period, 60 osteoporosis patients (3.7%) and 165 non- osteoporosis patients (2.5%) developed symptomatic nephrolithiasis. The adjusted HR of symptomatic nephrolithiasis was 1.38 times greater risk for patients with osteoporosis than for the comparison cohort (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.86; P < .05). Osteoporosis is very likely to be an independent risk factor for subsequent diagnosis of symptomatic nephrolithiasis.

[Clinical care of lung cancer patients with body image changes after targeted therapy]

Lung cancer has a relatively short survival prognosis and advanced disease progression. Therefore, targeted therapy has become one of the most frequent treatments of this disease. Targeted therapy has several features that effectively extend the survival period; is easy to apply and use; and has fewer side effects than chemotherapy. Therefore, this therapy approach has become the preferred choice of patients with advanced lung cancer. However, current targeted therapies like Iressa and Tarceva produce side effects such as skin dryness and acneiform eruption that may bother patients. These side effects may further cause patient concern over negative changes in their body image, and these concerns may influence their work and social lives. Additionally, some patients treated with targeted therapy worry about their chances of survival if they reduce or stop the medication to avoid the side effects. Consequently, patients may struggle with both physical and psychological impacts, and may have problems sustaining a good quality of life. This article focuses on delivering relevant information to patients receiving targeted therapy who suffer from dermatological toxicity and damage to their body image. We demonstrate an assessment tool and information to help patients cope with physical and psychosocial issues through daily skin care routines, mental / psychological supports, and cognitive behavior therapy. These measures may help patients rebuild a positive self-concept. We plan to develop further associated training to provide professionals / care providers with the appropriate knowledge and skills to care for cancer patients in a resource-limited environment so that they may improve the quality of nursing care for patients with body image changes.

Anxiety, depression and related factors in family caregivers of newly diagnosed lung cancer patients before first treatment

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to (i) explore the prevalence and levels (severity) of anxiety and depression in family caregivers (FCs) of patients newly diagnosed with advanced lung cancer (stage IIIb or IV) before first treatment, and (ii) identify the factors related to FCs' anxiety and depression.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, 106 patient-FC dyads were recruited from a medical center in northern Taiwan. FCs' anxiety and depression were measured using the self-report Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and FCs' ability to manage patients' symptoms was assessed using the Self-Efficacy in Symptom Management Scale. FCs' risks for anxiety and depression were separately identified using two multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

This study found two major results. First, before patients' first treatment, 50.9% and 32.1% of FCs were at risk for anxiety and depression, respectively. FCs' overall mean anxiety and depression scores were 7.7 (SD = 4.7) and 6.1 (SD = 4.5), respectively. Second, both FCs' anxiety and depression were significantly related to four factors: caring for another sick family member, younger age, having pain problems, and lower self-efficacy in managing symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Family caregivers of patients newly diagnosed with advanced lung cancer had anxiety and depression before the patients' first treatment. We strongly suggest developing and testing interventions to reduce FCs' psychological distress and enhance their quality of life, thus ensuring better quality of patient care.

Overexpressed hPTTG1 promotes breast cancer cell invasion and metastasis by regulating GEF-H1/RhoA signalling

Human pituitary tumour-transforming gene 1 (hPTTG1) is an oncogenic transcription factor that is overexpressed in many tumour types, especially tumours with metastatic abilities. However, how hPTTG1 overexpression drives metastasis is not yet clear. As a transcription factor, hPTTG1 may promote metastasis by activating target genes that are involved in the metastatic process. Here, we showed that Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor-H1 (GEF-H1) was transcriptionally activated by hPTTG1, thereby promoting breast cancer metastasis. Luciferase reporter analyses and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed that hPTTG1 directly bound and activated the GEF-H1 gene promoter. In this study, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of hPTTG1 in highly metastatic breast tumour cells decreased GEF-H1 expression and RhoA activation, thereby reducing cell motility and invasion, and interfering with cytoskeletal remodelling in vitro, and impairing the tumour metastasis in vivo. The restoration of GEF-H1 expression in hPTTG1-knockdown cells rescued the hPTTG1-knockdown effects on cytoskeletal changes in vitro and tumour metastasis in vivo. Conversely, ectopic expression of hPTTG1 in non-metastatic breast tumour cells induced cytoskeletal rearrangements, and allowed these cells to metastasise in a mouse model by orthotopic implantation. In human tumour samples, hPTTG1 expression was also correlated to GEF-H1 expression in aggressive breast carcinoma. Altogether, these findings definitively establish a role for hPTTG1 in activating the GEF-H1/RhoA pathway as a newly identified mechanism in breast cancer metastasis.

Symptoms, psychological distress, and supportive care needs in lung cancer patients

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the level of symptoms, psychological distress, and supportive care needs and factors related to five unmet need domains in lung cancer patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 152 lung cancer patients at a medical center in Taiwan assessed their symptoms, psychological distress, and unmet supportive needs in five major care domains. Logistic regression was applied to examine the related factors of unmet supportive care needs.

RESULTS

In general, patients had mild-to-moderate levels of symptoms and high prevalence of psychological distress. Regardless of their treatment status, they reported high levels of supportive care needs. The top three need domains were: (1) health system and information, (2) psychological, and (3) patient care and support. Levels of symptoms, anxiety, and depression were the most significant factors in unmet supportive care needs.

CONCLUSION

The effect of symptoms and psychological distress on unmet supportive care needs is substantial. Therefore, a systematic assessment of patients' distress and care needs is important for clinical lung cancer care. Further intervention consisting of symptom management, continuing counseling, and preparation for transition from active treatment to the follow-up stages are essential in improving quality of care.

Resistance to Fusarium head blight and seedling blight in wheat is associated with activation of a cytochrome p450 gene

ABSTRACT One plant genotype displays a resistance phenotype at one development stage but a susceptible reaction to the same pathogen at another stage, which is referred to here as resistance inversion. In wheat, Fusarium head blight (FHB)-resistant cv. Sumai3 showed a Fusarium seedling blight (FSB)-susceptible reaction whereas FHB-susceptible cv. Annong8455 exhibited FSB resistance when challenged with a Fusarium asiaticum strain that produces deoxynivalenol (DON). The resistance to FHB and FSB in wheat was closely associated with expression of a plant cytochrome P450 gene in response to FHB pathogens and mycotoxins. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that expression of nine defense-related genes in spikes and seedlings was induced by the fungal infection, in which a massive accumulation of a plant cytochrome P450 gene, CYP709C1, was clearly associated with the resistance reaction in both seedling and spike. The FHB-resistant Sumai3 accumulated 7-fold more P450 transcripts than did the FHB-susceptible Annong8455, while 84-fold more P450 transcripts were accumulated in the FSB-resistant Annong8455 than the FSB-susceptible Sumai3. A Fusarium strain with a disrupted Tri5 gene, which is not able to produce the first enzyme essential for trichothecene mycotoxin biosynthesis, also induced more P450 transcripts in FHB- and FSB-resistant cultivars. The fungal activation of the P450 gene was more profound in the FSB-resistant reaction than the FHB-resistant reaction relative to their susceptible counterparts. DON triggered a differential expression of the P450 gene with comparable patterns in spikes and seedlings in a resistance-dependent manner. These results may provide a basis for dissecting mechanisms underlying FHB and FSB resistance reactions in wheat and revealing functions of the cytochrome P450 in plant detoxification and defense.

Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Screening Chinese version (MPI-sC): psychometric testing in terminal cancer patients in Taiwan

INTRODUCTION

Cancer pain is identified as a multidimensional experience, but relatively few brief instruments are available for assessing the complex pain-related experiences of terminal cancer patients in Taiwan. The purposes of this study were to (1) translate and examine the feasibility and psychometric characteristics of the eight-item Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Screening Chinese (MPI-sC) when used with patients having terminal cancer and (2) apply the MPI-sC to examine multidimensional pain-related experiences of terminal cancer patients in Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MPI-sC was tested in 106 terminal cancer inpatients at a hospice setting in Taipei.

RESULTS

The results showed that the MPI-sC has satisfactory face and content validity, feasibility, acceptable internal consistency reliability (overall Cronbach's alpha of 0.75), and overall support of theoretical assumptions. However, instead of the four-factor structure of the original instrument, we found a three-factor structure (with pain intensity and pain interference merged into one factor) that explained 76.73% of the variance. Close to half the patients (48.1%) had considerable levels of pain interference, and a majority (72.6%) reported not having control in life based on the cut-point of MPI-sC categorization.

CONCLUSION

Our results support the brief MPI-sC as a feasible and valid tool for assessing and representing multidimensional pain experiences in terminal cancer patients. The MPI-sC could help clinicians and researchers assess the complex multidimensional pain experiences of terminal cancer patients, including Chinese-speaking cancer populations.

Effect of transpiration on Pb uptake by lettuce and on water soluble low molecular weight organic acids in rhizosphere

The effect of transpiration (high and low) on Pb uptake by leaf lettuce and on water soluble low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) in rhizosphere has been studied. After two weeks of growth the plants were cultured in greenhouse for more four weeks and two days. Pb(NO(3))(2) solutions of different concentrations (100, 200, and 300 mg l(-1) of Pb) were then added to the quartz sand pots of different plants and studies were initiated. Blank experiments (without treating the quartz sand pots with Pb(NO(3))(2) solutions) were also run in parallel. No significant differences in the growth of the plants with the concentrations of added Pb(NO(3))(2) solutions were observed by both low and high transpirations at the end of the 0, 3rd, and 10th days of studies. The total evaporation of the volatiles during 10 days did not depend on the concentration of Pb(2+) but with high transpiration the rate of evaporation was significantly higher than with low transpiration. Uptake of Pb by shoots and roots of the plants was found to be proportional to the concentration of various Pb(NO(3))(2) solutions added and more accumulation was observed in roots than in shoots at the end of 3rd and 10th days. High transpiration created more Pb uptake than low transpiration did. One volatile acid, propionic acid and nine non-volatile acids, lactic, glycolic, oxalic, succinic, fumaric, oxalacetic, D-tartaric, trans-aconitic, and citric acids in rhizosphere quartz sands were identified and quantified by gas chromatography (GC) analysis. D-Tartaric and citric acids were major among the non-volatile acids. The amount of LMWOAs in rhizosphere quartz sands increased with the higher amount of Pb uptake and also with the duration of studies. The total quantities of the LMWOAs in the rhizosphere quartz sands were significantly higher under high transpiration with 300 mg l(-1) Pb solution addition at the end of 10th day. The present study shows prominent correlation between transpiration and uptake of heavy metal and interesting correlation between Pb contaminated level and quantity of water soluble LMWOAs in rhizosphere quartz sands. The latter thus deserves of further studies.

Inhibitory effect of CDA-II, a urinary preparation, on aflatoxin B(1)-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in primary cultured rat hepatocytes

The effects of CDA-II (cell differentiation agent II; a urinary preparation) on both aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1))-induced cell injury and DNA damage were investigated using cultured rat hepatocytes. CDA-II was able to suppress both the lipid peroxidation and lactate dehydrogenase leakage induced by AFB(1). Glutathione (GSH) depletion by AFB(1) was replenished by CDA-II treatment. Under these experimental conditions, CDA-II enhanced the activity of GSH peroxidase, but not GSH S-transferase. By evaluation of unscheduled DNA synthesis, CDA-II reduced AFB(1)-induced DNA damage in hepatocyte cultures. These findings suggest that CDA-II can inhibit cytotoxicity of AFB(1) through enhancing the activity of GSH peroxidase and preventing GSH depletion.

Testing the functional status model in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease usually experience gradual functional status degradation, especially dyspnoea, which may affect their daily activities and, eventually, quality of life. A full understanding of both their physiological and psychological functional status is therefore beneficial for effective treatment and helping patients regain or maintain control of their lives.

METHOD

Based on a non-experimental research design, 138 patients to test a hypothesized model of functional status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, using structural equation modelling, were recruited from a medical center. Data were collected using questionnaires, 6-minute walking distance measurement, and pulmonary function test results recorded in patients' medical records. The proposed functional status model incorporated the exogenous variables disease severity and dyspnoea, and the endogenous variables age, exercise tolerance, fatigue, depression, anxiety, health perception and functional performance. Structural equation modelling with the lisrel software was used to establish a functional status model with those exogenous and endogenous variables.

RESULTS

The results indicated a good fit between the proposed functional status model and the data collected [chi(2) = 8.84, P = 0.64, chi(2)/d.f. = 0.80, Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) = 0.98, adjusted GFI (AGFI) = 0.95, root mean square residual (RMR) = 0.04, Critical N (CN) = 384.26]. Coefficients for paths in the functional status model all demonstrated statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

The functional status model was shown to consist of functional performance, functional capacity and other concepts, including disease severity, dyspnoea, age, exercise tolerance, fatigue, depression, anxiety and health perception. These results can be used to develop a suitable functional status model for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and could act as a reference for formulating future strategies and intervention procedures for further development of functional status.

GST fusion proteins cause false positives during selection of viral movement protein specific single chain antibodies

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins are used frequently for investigating protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. The present study demonstrates that the use of GST fusion proteins caused false positives during selection of phage-displayed single-chain antibody fragments (scFvs) specific for three domains of the movement protein (NS(M)) of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). To identify and exclude the false positives when using GST as a fusion partner linked to the antigen of interest, indirect phage enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was compared with capture phage ELISA. Of 210 enriched phage clones, indirect phage ELISA identified 106 clones specific for binding to GST-domain fusions but not to GST. In contrast, using capture phage ELISA, all 106 selected clones were identified as false positives, reacting with the GST fusion proteins and GST. This was confirmed by characterization of soluble scFv antibodies. The data indicate that GST fusion proteins seem unsuitable for screening of phage-displayed antibody fragments and it is essential to use capture phage ELISA, instead of the indirect phage ELISA used commonly to exclude false positives in characterization of selected clones with GST fusion proteins.

Dexamethasone reduces nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

We have evaluated the antiemetic effect of i.v. dexamethasone compared with saline in the prevention of nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We studied 90 patients requiring general anaesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The dexamethasone group (n = 45) received dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. and the saline group received saline 2 ml i.v. at induction of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. We found that 10% of patients in the dexamethasone group compared with 34% in the saline group reported vomiting (P < 0.05). Of note, the total incidence of nausea and vomiting was 23% in the dexamethasone group and 63% in the saline group (P < 0.001). We conclude that dexamethasone 8 mg significantly decreased the incidence of nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Molecular farming of recombinant antibodies in plants

'Molecular farming' is the production of recombinant proteins in plants. It is intended to harness the power of agriculture to cultivate and harvest transgenic plants producing recombinant therapeutics. Molecular farming has the potential to provide virtually unlimited quantities of recombinant antibodies for use as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in both health care and the life sciences. Importantly, recombinant antibody expression can be used to modify the inherent properties of plants, for example by using expressed antipathogen antibodies to increase disease resistance. Plant transformation is technically straightforward for model plant species and some cereals, and the functional expression of recombinant proteins can be rapidly analyzed using transient expression systems in intact or virally infected plants. Protein production can then be increased using plant suspension cell production in fermenters, or by the propagation of stably transformed plant lines in the field. Transgenic plants can be exploited to produce organs rich in a recombinant protein for its long-term storage. This demonstrates the promise of using transgenic plants as bioreactors for the 'molecular farming' of recombinant therapeutics, blood substitutes and diagnostics, such as recombinant antibodies.

The prophylactic effect of dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting in women undergoing thyroidectomy: a comparison of droperidol with saline

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in women undergoing thyroidectomy. Droperidol and saline served as controls. One hundred twenty women (n = 40 in each of three groups) undergoing thyroidectomy under general anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Immediately before the induction of anesthesia, Group 1 received IV dexamethasone 10 mg, whereas Groups 2 and 3 received IV droperidol 1.25 mg and saline, respectively. We found that both dexamethasone and droperidol significantly decreased the total incidence of PONV compared with saline, with an incidence of 32%, 35%, and 76%, respectively (P<0.01; Group 1 versus Group 3, Group 2 versus Group 3). Patients who received droperidol, however, reported a higher intensity of sore throat and a more frequent incidence of restlessness than those who received dexamethasone. We conclude that, although both dexamethasone and droperidol are effective as prophylactic antiemetics in women undergoing thyroidectomy, droperidol produces more side effects.

IMPLICATIONS

We compared the prophylactic administration of dexamethasone to prevent nausea and vomiting with droperidol and saline in women undergoing thyroidectomy. Both dexamethasone and droperidol significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting, but droperidol produced more side effects, which suggests that dexamethasone is a useful treatment in these patients.

Affinity-purification of a TMV-specific recombinant full-size antibody from a transgenic tobacco suspension culture

A TMV-specific full-size murine IgG-2b/K antibody (mAb24) was expressed in a Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petite Havana SR1 suspension culture (P9s), which was derived from a stably transformed transgenic plant (P9). The integration of an N-terminal murine leader peptide directed the assembled immunoglobulin for secretion. However, in suspension culture, the full-size recombinant antibody, rAb24, was retained by the plant cell wall and was not present in the culture medium. rAb24 expression reached a basal level of 15 microg per gram wet cell weight, corresponding to 0.3% of the total soluble plant cell protein. The level of rAb24 could be increased three-fold by amino acid supplementation of the culture medium. For purification of the recombinant antibody from batch-cultured tobacco suspension cells, the primary plant cell wall was partially digested by enzymatic treatment. This resulted in a total release of recombinant full-size rAb24 into the extraction buffer. A three-step procedure was used to purify the immunoglobulins, starting with cross-flow filtration (step 1) followed by protein A affinity chromatography (step 2) and gel filtration as a final purification step (step 3). This procedure gave a recovery of more than 80% of the expressed rAb24 from plant cell extracts. SDS-PAGE, IEF and immunoblot analyses demonstrated a high degree of homogeneity for the affinity-purified rAb24. An ELISA procedure demonstrated that the specificity and affinity of the protein A affinity purified antibody was indistinguishable from its murine counterpart, indicating the potential of plant cell suspension cultures as bio-reactors for the production of recombinant antibodies.

Suspected malignant hyperthermia during isoflurane anesthesia--a case report

We present a patient with thyroid cancer, who developed respiratory acidosis, tachycardia and hyperthermia during isoflurane anesthesia. Malignant hyperthermia was suspected on the basis of clinical manifestation and laboratory finding. With early diagnosis and treatment the patient survived the episode.

Mapping of the RNA-binding domain of the cucumber mosaic virus movement protein

A series of in-frame deletion mutants was used to identify a domain within the 3a protein of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) that is required for RNA-binding activity. Deletions in the 3a gene were generated by PCR and restriction digestion, and the resulting mutated 3a sequences were cloned either in pT7-7 or in pGEX-5X3 expression vectors. The mutated 3a proteins or fusions with glutathione S-transferase (GST) were expressed in E. coli, purified, and their nucleic acid-binding activities analysed by photochemical UV cross-linking assays using digoxigenin-UTP-labelled RNA probes. Comparative analyses of seven mutated 3a proteins obtained from inclusion bodies and eight GST fusion proteins revealed that there is an RNA-binding domain located between amino acids 174 and 233. This RNA-binding domain is able to bind single-stranded RNA out of the context of the complete 3a movement protein and is highly conserved within both subgroups of CMV.

Slow release from a coated sphere with slight deformations of coating film and drug matrix

This paper, a continuation of our previous work, is a presentation of the effects of slight deformations of both the coating film and the drug matrix on the concentration distributions and the slow release characteristics of a coated drug particle. The coated particle shape, in practice, is not perfectly spherical. With restriction of the deformation shape functions considered, it is noted that if the deformation is slight or if only the average release rate is of interest, the effects of shape deformation are secondary. Otherwise, the shape deformation can have a significant effect on the concentration profiles and/or the release rate from different parts of the particle surface. The deformations of both coating film and the drug matrix could introduce a greater deviation from the spherical case than those considering only coating film or drug matrix shape deformation.

Slow release from a coated sphere with a slightly deformed coating

Effects of a slight deformation of the coating film on the concentration distribution and the slow release characteristics of a coated drug particle is theoretically investigated in this work. A perturbation technique is employed for transformation of the deformed spherical problem into a series of concentric spherical problems with the degree of deformation considered as the perturbation parameter. In addition, the governing equations are solved analytically by further restricting the deformation shape function. Results in this study indicate that if the deformation is slight or only the average release rate is of interest, the effects of coating shape deformation are secondary. However, if the deformation is not so small and if the drug diffusivity in the film is low, the shape deformation could have a significant effect on the concentration profiles and/or the release rate from different parts of the particle surface.

The human growth hormone locus: nucleotide sequence, biology, and evolution

The human chromosomal growth hormone locus contained on cloned DNA and spanning approximately 66,500 bp was sequenced in its entirety to provide a framework for the analysis of its biology and evolution. This locus evolved by a series of duplications and contains in its present form five genes which display a remarkably high degree of sequence identity (approximately 95%) in all their domains. The DNA sequence of the locus reveals the presence of 48 middle repetitive sequence elements of the Alu type and one member of the KpnI family, all located in the intergenic regions. The expression of each gene was examined by screening pituitary and placental cDNA libraries by using gene-specific oligonucleotides. According to this analysis, the hGH-N gene is transcribed exclusively in the pituitary, whereas the other four genes (hCS-L, hCS-A, hGH-V, hCS-B) are expressed only in placental tissue, at levels characteristic for each gene. Particular DNA sequences found upstream of the individual promoter regions might account for the observed tissue specificity and different transcriptional activity of the genes. The hCS-L gene carries a G to A transition in a sequence used by the other four genes as an intronic 5' splice donor site. This mutation results in a different splicing pattern and, hence, in a novel sequence of the hCS-L gene mRNA and the deduced polypeptide.

Cloning of rat "prion-related protein" cDNA

Rat prion-related protein (PrP) cDNA has been cloned and sequenced. Comparison of this cDNA with those from human, hamster, and mouse indicates extremely high conservation (about 95%). The deduced partial rat PrP possesses: (a) a highly conserved region composed of repetitive sequences in what is presumably an extracellular domain, (b) a hydrophobic transmembrane domain, (c) a highly charged region which should stop membrane transfer, (d) a substantial cytoplasmic domain (which contains all of the nonconservative substitutions and a high proportion of conservative substitutions), and (e) a hydrophobic C-terminus. Dot and Northern blot analyses suggest a limited expression of PrP in rat tissues and indicate that PrP expression is decreased in the brain during the acute phase response systemically. Our results lend support to the notion that PrP is a highly conserved, normal cellular membrane protein of essential (although unknown) biologic function, which may be deposited in fibrillar amyloid form as a result of abnormal processing.

Inhibitory and stimulatory G proteins of adenylate cyclase: cDNA and amino acid sequences of the alpha chains

The G protein family of signal transducers includes five heterotrimers, which are most clearly distinguished by their different alpha chains. The family includes Gs and Gi, the stimulatory and inhibitory GTP-binding regulators of adenylate cyclase; Go, a protein of unknown function abundant in brain; and transducin 1 and transducin 2, proteins involved in retinal phototransduction. Using a bovine alpha t1 cDNA as a hybridization probe, we have isolated mouse cDNAs that encode alpha chains of two G proteins. One encodes a polypeptide of 377 amino acids (Mr 43,856), identified as alpha s because it specifically fails to hybridize with any transcript in an alpha s-deficient S49 mouse lymphoma mutant, cyc-; the other encodes a polypeptide of 355 amino acids (Mr 40,482), presumed to be alpha i. These alpha chains and those of the retinal transducins exhibit impressive sequence homology. Of the four, alpha t1 and alpha t2 are most alike (81% identical amino acid residues), whereas the presumptive alpha i is more similar than alpha s to alpha t1 (63% vs. 38% identical residues). Sequence homologies with p21ras and elongation factor Tu identify regions of the alpha chains that form the site for GTP binding and hydrolysis. Further comparison of the alpha-chain sequences suggests additional regions that may contribute to interactions with beta gamma subunits and the receptor and effector components of different signal transduction systems.

Human prion protein cDNA: molecular cloning, chromosomal mapping, and biological implications

A human complementary DNA whose protein product is considered to be the major component of scrapie-associated fibrils in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, kuru, and Gerstmann-Straussler syndrome has been identified and characterized. The extensive homology of this gene sequence to the hamster PrP 27- to 30-kilodalton prion protein complementary DNA clone, and its existence as a single copy in the human genome, leads to the conclusion that this is the human prion gene. This human prion gene has been mapped to human chromosome 20, negating a direct link between the prion protein and Down's syndrome or the amyloid of Alzheimer's disease.

Cytoplasmic RNA complementary to pre-albumin intron V

We have detected an RNA species, containing sequences complementary to pre-albumin intron V in poly(A)+ RNA from rat liver cytoplasm (but not in nuclear RNA). Its relative abundance roughly parallels that of mature albumin mRNA, when comparing control with acute phase preparations.

In vitro release of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein RNA sequences shows fidelity with the acute phase response in vivo

The acute phase reaction of rat liver to subcutaneous turpentine challenge results in a 20- to 100-fold increase in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha AGP) mRNA. We utilized this response to establish conditions appropriate for study of RNA transport in vitro using hybridization with 32P-labeled exon and intron alpha AGP sequences. Contamination of nuclear preparations by membrane-absorbed cytoplasmic RNA was eliminated by detergent-rinsing. The in vitro incubation conditions that most reflected the in vivo state required RNase inhibitor (purified from placenta), polyvinylpyrrolidone to prevent nuclear swelling, and addition of ATP. Under these circumstances, alpha AGP sequences were transported only from turpentine-stimulated preparations, were found only in poly(A)+ RNA, and were the same size as authentic cytoplasmic mRNA. Omission of polyvinylpyrrolidone resulted in release of some alpha AGP sequences in smaller, more heterogeneous poly(A)- RNA, and leakage of some alpha AGP sequences was observed from control preparations. Omission of ATP resulted in restriction of mature alpha AGP mRNA to the nucleus. In contrast to alpha AGP mRNA, transport of albumin mRNA was decreased 3-4X in turpentine-treated preparations. The largest alpha AGP intron was not found in RNA transported from treated nuclei in complete medium. The intron-containing fragments remained in the nucleus, largely in poly(A)- RNA of a size consistent with free intron. Some hybridization of intron sequences was observed with cytoplasmic and nuclear membrane-associated poly(A)+ RNA preparations which may represent 3'-processing catabolites; leakage of these sequences was considerably greater in the absence of PVP. On the basis of densitometric estimates, a 5-fold increase in the amount of alpha AGP exon sequences was observed in nuclear RNA, comparing treated with control animals, but transport of alpha AGP exon sequences was detectable only from treated nuclei, indicating at least a 50-fold increase in abundance of alpha AGP sequences. This suggests that a selective gating mechanism may be operative at the level of post-transcriptional nucleocytoplasmic transport during induction of alpha AGP in the acute phase response.

Tyrosine kinase receptor with extensive homology to EGF receptor shares chromosomal location with neu oncogene

A novel potential cell surface receptor of the tyrosine kinase gene family has been identified and characterized by molecular cloning. Its primary sequence is very similar to that of the human epidermal growth factor receptor and the v-erbB oncogene product; the chromosomal location of the gene for this protein is coincident with the neu oncogene, which suggests that the two genes may be identical.

Structure of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene

The complete nucleotide sequence of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene has been determined from an isolated lambda recombinant bacteriophage. Southern blot analysis and DNA sequencing indicate that there is only one gene per genome; it contains six exons and is located within a 3,200-base-pair fragment starting from a TATA box and extending to the polyadenylation signal AATAAA. Transcription starts 37 base pairs upstream from the beginning of the translation codon ATG. The TATA box (TATAAA) lies 26 base pairs upstream from this site. The gene contains several potential glucocorticoid receptor-binding sites, both inside and outside the structural gene.