A Comparison of the Effect of Intermittent and Continuous Infusion of Meropenem on the Prevalence of Nausea in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease, leading to changes of membrane secretions causing obstruction of smaller airways. CF patients often develop pulmonary infections and require antibiotic treatment. Meropenem is a broad spectrum beta lactam that acts by lysing microbes through interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis. Although a safe and effective treatment, data on pediatric patients is limited

Global warming: is weight loss a solution?

The current climate change has been most likely caused by the increased greenhouse gas emissions. We have looked at the major greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), and estimated the reduction in the CO2 emissions that would occur with the theoretical global weight loss. The calculations were based on our previous weight loss study, investigating the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on body weight, body composition and resting metabolic rate of obese volunteers with type 2 diabetes. At 6 months we observed decreases in weight, fat mass, fat free mass and CO2 production. We estimated that a 10 kg weight loss of all obese and overweight people would result in a decrease of 49.560 Mt of CO2 per year, which would equal to 0.2 % of the CO2 emitted globally in 2007. This reduction could help meet the CO2 emission reduction targets and unquestionably would be of a great benefit to the global health

Evaluation of the Anticancer Activity of Bioactive Fraction G Extracted from \u3cem\u3ePavetta crassipes\u3c/em\u3e in Malignant Brain Tumor Cell Lines

Objective: Natural products have served as sources of lead compounds that are commonly used in the treatment of human diseases including cancer. Pavetta crassipes has been widely demonstrated to have ethnopharmacological potential in the management of malaria, gastrointestinal conditions, central nervous system behavioral disorders, hypertension, and cancer. The goal of our study was to evaluate the biological and molecular effects of Fraction G, obtained from the plant Pavetta crassipes, on glioblastoma invasive growth and survival. Methodology: The antiproliferative effects of Fraction G, obtained from Pavetta crassipes, was evaluated using the trypan blue exclusion, (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol- 2yl)-2, 5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide; MTT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Flow cytometry and Western blotting analyses were carried out to examine the effects of Fraction G on cell cycle check-points and its effects on epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated signaling of AKT and MAPK pathways. Results: In this paper, we report that the Fraction G obtained from the plant Pavetta crassipes induced a reduction in glioma cell viability and proliferation as well as induced an increase in apoptosis as evidenced by cleaved PARP, increased caspase 3/7 activity, and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 check point. Furthermore, we report that Fraction G inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and MAPK following EGF treatment. Conclusion: Taken together, our results demonstrate that Fraction G has potent inhibitory effects on pathways involved in glioblastoma proliferation and survival

Longevity of daily oral Vitamin D3 supplementation:Differences in 25OHD and 24,25(OH)2D observed 2 years after cessation of a 1-year randomized controlled trial (VICtORy RECALL)

Purpose To determine the longevity of vitamin D status following cessation of vitamin D3 supplementation, 2 and 3 years after a 1 year randomised double blind placebo controlled trial: (Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Risk (VICtORY)); and to investigate possible predictive factors. Method Of the 305 Caucasian non-smoking postmenopausal women randomised to ViCtORY (2009-2010), participants who had not taken vitamin D supplements since the trial ended were invited to attend follow up visits. Total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25OH2D) were measured by dual tandem mass spectrometry of serum samples following removal of protein and de-lipidation; the original RCT samples were re-analysed simultaneously. Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) was measured by monoclonal immunoassay. Results In March 2012 and March 2013, 159 women (mean (SD) age 67.6 (2.1) years) re-attended, distributed between the original treatment groups: daily vitamin D3 400IU; 1000IU; and placebo. One month after the RCT ended (March 2010) the proportion of women in placebo, 400IU, and 1000IU vitamin D3 groups, respectively, with 25OHD0.001, n=46,44,54); 42%, 33%, 12% (2y, p=0.002,n=50,48,57) and 45%, 27%, 29% (3y, p=0.138, n=47,45,51,). VDBP was a predictor of circulating 25OHD longevity (beta for VDBP in µg/ml:0.736; 95% CI 0.216-1.255,p=0.006) but not 24,25OH2D

Emerging Clinical Concept: Therapeutic Targeting and Translational Studies of Urokinase in Brain Tumor Invasion

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the possible interaction between the activation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and urokinase in promoting brain tumor invasion. Method: High grade gliomas are aggressive and common brain tumor in adults. Brain tumors account for 2-5% of adult cancer deaths.One of the major pathophysiological features of malignant astrocytomas is their ability to diffusely infiltrate the surrounding brain tissues. Using molecular biology techniques, such as western blot, in vitro invasion assay and mouse in vivo xenograft model, experiments were conducted in triplicate and subjected to statistical analysis using the Student’s t-test and ANOVA with p\u3c0.05. Results: Our data showed that EGF treatment of glioblastoma cell lines time-dependently up-regulates the expression and activity of urokinase (uPA). The increase in uPA protein by EGF was abrogated by the MEK and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and siRNA targeting c-Src. Treatment with EGF increased in vitro glioma cell invasion. The increased cell invasion was attenuated by siRNA and shRNA directed against uPA. In addition, uPA knockdown cells decreased in vitro astrocytic tumor invasion and formed small non- invading tumors in mice. Implications: In summary, we conclude that molecular targeting of urokinase could serve as a therapeutic paradigm in brain tumor invasive growth. We hoped to develop small molecules that target UPA and have the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and so serve as a therapeutic molecule for brain tumor treatment

Emerging Clinical Concept: Therapeutic Targeting and Translational Studies of Urokinase in Brain Tumor Invasion

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the possible interaction between the activation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and urokinase in promoting brain tumor invasion. Method: High grade gliomas are aggressive and common brain tumor in adults. Brain tumors account for 2-5% of adult cancer deaths.One of the major pathophysiological features of malignant astrocytomas is their ability to diffusely infiltrate the surrounding brain tissues. Using molecular biology techniques, such as western blot, in vitro invasion assay and mouse in vivo xenograft model, experiments were conducted in triplicate and subjected to statistical analysis using the Student’s t-test and ANOVA with p\u3c0.05. Results: Our data showed that EGF treatment of glioblastoma cell lines time-dependently up-regulates the expression and activity of urokinase (uPA). The increase in uPA protein by EGF was abrogated by the MEK and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and siRNA targeting c-Src. Treatment with EGF increased in vitro glioma cell invasion. The increased cell invasion was attenuated by siRNA and shRNA directed against uPA. In addition, uPA knockdown cells decreased in vitro astrocytic tumor invasion and formed small non- invading tumors in mice. Implications: In summary, we conclude that molecular targeting of urokinase could serve as a therapeutic paradigm in brain tumor invasive growth. We hoped to develop small molecules that target UPA and have the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and so serve as a therapeutic molecule for brain tumor treatment

Longitudinal study of weight, energy intake, and physical activity change across two decades in older Scottish women

Funding This work was supported by the Foods Standards Agency and the UK Department of Health (grant number N05086) and the Scottish Funding Council. We are grateful for funding from the Scottish Government's Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Food, Land and People Programme.Peer reviewedPostprintPostprintPostprintPostprintPostprin