A new potentiometric sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer for analysis of a veterinary drug imidocarb dipropionate

A new potentiometric sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was fabricated for the recognition and determination of imidocarb dipropionate. The MIP was synthesized using imidocarb as the template material, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross linking agent. The sensor showed a high selectivity and a sensitive response to the template molecule in aqueous solution. The MIP-electrode exhibited a near-Nernstian response in a wide concentration range 10-5 - 10-2 M with a lower detection limit of 2×10-6 M. The potentiometric conditions were carefully studied and all measuring parameters were optimized including pH, buffer type, plasticizer type, response time and stability. The applicability of the sensor was tested through potentiometric determination of imidocarb dipropionate in pure drug as well as in pharmaceutical formulation. The proposed method was statistically compared with a reported one showing no significant difference regarding accuracy and precision, which assured a good reliable novel sensor for imidocarb estimation

Effect of ultrasound on subserosal and intramural fibroids in vitro: A quasi-experimental study of physical therapy

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ultrasound (US) on extra subserosal and intramural uterine fibroids in vitro. A quasi-experimental, randomized, pre-post intervention study of physical therapy was conducted. Thirty women, who underwent myomectomy for subserosal or intramural fibroids with any leiomyomas' volumes in the operating room of Bab El-Sharia Hospital, participated in the study. Thirty uterine fibroids whose were collected from participants were randomly divided into three groups (I, II and III), and exposed to ultrasound therapy for 15, 30, and 45 minutes respectively. Leiomyomas volumes were measured using the fluid displacement method before and after the application of US. The samples were kept in saline solution immediately after their excision from operating room to be transferred to physical therapy department in same hospital to apply ultrasound therapy. Results of all study groups (I, II, and III) showed a statistically significant decrease in the volume of subserosal and intramural leiomyoma post US application (p>0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the size of the subserosal and intramural leiomyoma between study groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, the ultrasound therapy is effective in shrinking the volume of subserosal and intramural leiomyomas without effect of long duration ultrasound therapy.

Inhibitory effect of genistein on the invasive potential of human cervical cancer cells via modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitiors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression

Background: One of the most challenging stumbling blocks for the treatment of cancer is the ability of cancer cells to break the natural barriers and spread from its site of origin to non-adjacent regional and distant sites, accounting for high cancer mortality rates. Gamut experimental and epidemiological data advocate the use of pharmacological or nutritional interventions to inhibit or delay various stage(s) of cancer such as invasion and metastasis. Genistein, a promising chemopreventive agent, has gained considerable attention for its powerful anti-carcinogenic, anti-angiogenic and chemosensitizing activities. Methods: In this study, the cytotoxic potential of genistein on HeLa cells by cell viability assay and the mode of cell death induced by genistein were determined by nuclear morphological examination, DNA laddering assay and cell cycle analysis. Moreover, to establish its inhibitory effect on migration of HeLa cells, scratch wound assay was performed and these results were correlated with the expression of genes involved in invasion and migration (MMP-9 and TIMP-1) by RT-PCR. Results: The exposure of HeLa cells to genistein resulted in significant dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition, which was found to be mediated by apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. In addition, it induced migration-inhibition in a time-dependent manner by modulating the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. Conclusion: Our results signify that genistein may be an effective anti-neoplastic agent to prevent cancer cell growth and invasion and metastasis. Therefore therapeutic strategies utilizing genistein could be developed to substantially reduce cancer morbidity and mortality. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd

Inhibition of cancer cell invasion and metastasis by genistein

Genistein is a small, biologically active flavonoid that is found in high amounts in soy. This important compound possesses a wide variety of biological activities, but it is best known for its ability to inhibit cancer progression. In particular, genistein has emerged as an important inhibitor of cancer metastasis. Consumption of genistein in the diet has been linked to decreased rates of metastatic cancer in a number of population-based studies. Extensive investigations have been performed to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying genistein’s antimetastatic activity, with results indicating that this small molecule has significant inhibitory activity at nearly every step of the metastatic cascade. Reports have demonstrated that, at high concentrations, genistein can inhibit several proteins involved with primary tumor growth and apoptosis, including the cyclin class of cell cycle regulators and the Akt family of proteins. At lower concentrations that are similar to those achieved through dietary consumption, genistein can inhibit the prometastatic processes of cancer cell detachment, migration, and invasion through a variety of mechanisms, including the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway. Several in vitro findings have been corroborated in both in vivo animal studies and in early-phase human clinical trials, demonstrating that genistein can both inhibit human cancer metastasis and also modulate markers of metastatic potential in humans, respectively. Herein, we discuss the variety of mechanisms by which genistein regulates individual steps of the metastatic cascade and highlight the potential of this natural product as a promising therapeutic inhibitor of metastasis

Individual and combined soy isoflavones exert differential effects on metastatic cancer progression

To investigate the effects soy isoflavones in established cancers, the role of genistein, daidzein, and combined soy isoflavones was studied on progression of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice created from green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged-MDA-MB-435 cells. Following tumor establishment, mice were gavaged with vehicle or genistein or daidzein at 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) or a combination of genistein (10 mg/kg BW), daidzein (9 mg/kg BW), and glycitein (1 mg/kg BW) three times per week. Tumor progression was quantified by whole body fluorescence image analysis followed by microscopic image analysis of excised organs for metastases. Results show that daidzein increased while genistein decreased mammary tumor growth by 38 and 33% respectively, compared to vehicle. Daidzein increased lung and heart metastases while genistein decreased bone and liver metastases. Combined soy isoflavones did not affect primary tumor growth but increased metastasis to all organs tested, which include lung, liver, heart, kidney, and bones. Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3-K) pathway real time PCR array analysis and western blotting of excised tumors demonstrate that genistein significantly downregulated 10/84 genes, including the Rho GTPases RHOA, RAC1, and CDC42 and their effector PAK1. Daidzein significantly upregulated 9/84 genes that regulate proliferation and protein synthesis including EIF4G1, eIF4E, and survivin protein levels. Combined soy treatment significantly increased gene and protein levels of EIF4E and decreased TIRAP gene expression. Differential regulation of Rho GTPases, initiation factors, and survivin may account for the disparate responses of breast cancers to genistein and daidzein diets. This study indicates that consumption of soy foods may increase metastasis

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Optionality in Cairene Arabic wh-questions between the Minimalist program and Optimality theory

optionalityThe aim of this study is to explore the optionality phenomenon found in Cairene Arabic (CA) matrix and embedded wh-questions, where a wh-phrase can be found either in-situ or in Spec-CP. This is explored within two competing theories, the Minimalist program (MP) and Optimality theory (OT). MP (Chomsky 1995) and OT (Prince & Smolensky 1994, 2002, 2004) provide different explanations for this phenomenon. In MP, the Optionality phenomenon in CA can be described in a purely syntactic way. The wh-feature of C can be checked by the wh-phrase either in the Spec-CP position or the in-situ position. In contrast, the OT analysis incorporates the discourse-related constraint ALIGN- FOCUS (WH) to tip the scale in favor of the optimal form. MP does not rely on other fields of linguistics such as discourse, which falls under the individual discretion of the speaker and not on standard rules. Hence, OT best describes this phenomenon.published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe

Fatigue reliability of AASHTO girders

The dissertation deals with the problem of fatigue changes in AASHTO concrete girders and their effect on girders reliability. Assessing the reliability of girders as bridges\u27 main structural component is carried out in this study. The girders are designed based on the current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications 2010. The four types with the greatest maximum spans of the six Types of AASHTO Girders are considered. The girders are analyzed and designed according to latest code, Strength Limit State and Serviceability Limit States. Traffic load is the only dominate source of fatigue on small and medium span bridges. Since this study is concerned with the fatigue reliability, the live load applied in design is the fatigue live load defined by the code. Reliability analysis of the Girders is developed twice. First one developed reliability index at design using Monte Carlo simulation based on strength analysis of the composite section of AASHTO Girder with deck. Second analysis covers fatigue reliability analysis of the same designed girders considering measured fatigue live load effect that causes fatigue after 75 years. The fatigue analysis considered the cyclic nature of traffic loads, traffic growth, time-dependent losses due to creep, shrinkage, and relaxation, fatigue damage of materials, transformation of section and composite action between girder and deck. The statistical parameters of fatigue strength for bridge concrete components after 75 years are developed considering cumulative damage models using a complex model software program. Statistical parameters for resistance and load effects are developed based on strain compatibility theory and stress levels after all losses due to applied loads. Fatigue reliability Indices are obtained using Monte Carlo simulation. Combinations of different spans, concrete grades (girder and deck), and different prestressed steel ratios, reinforcing steel in deck, different dimensions, and section properties are considered. Resistance parameters are calculated based on three categories: statistical parameters of material, fabrications, and professional factor