Amphibians and Reptiles of Luzon Island, Philippines: the Herpetofauna of Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, Nueva Ecija Province, Caraballo Mountain Range

We present detailed species accounts for fifty-nine (59) species of amphibians and reptiles (17 frogs, 14 skinks, 3 agamids, 6 gekkonid lizards, 2 varanids, and 17 snakes) from Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, which lies within the Caraballo Mountain Range, whose biota is poorly-known. This was also the first extensive survey of herpetofauna within the watershed. Together with data from previous literature reviews, our records bring the total number of species of amphibians and reptiles for the Caraballo Mountain Range to 66. Forty-two (42) species from the area were Philippine endemics, with 25 species recorded only from Luzon faunal region. Seven species of herpetofauna are associated with unresolved taxonomic issues (new species and species complexes needing taxonomic partitioning, e.g. splitting of species groups). Two species recorded from the area were rarely represented in museum collections. Major distributional and elevational range extensions were recorded for several species. Comparison with Luzon’s other mountain ranges showed that the Caraballo Mountain Range is similar, in terms of species composition, to the northern Sierra Madre and Cordillera Mountain Ranges. The result of this survey showed the Caraballo Mountain Range and its mountains as a possible new center of herpetofaunal diversity and endemicity within Luzon. The importance of the Caraballo Mountain Range as an important biogeographic link merits further study

Acute systemic inflammatory response after cardiac surgery in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus using clinical and inflammatory markers

Background: Immediate post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) immune responses and organ injuries in immune-compromised patients remain poorly documented.Method: Sixty-one consecutive patients (30 HIV seropositive and 31 seronegative), undergoing elective cardiac valve(s) replacement were enrolled, from a single center hospital, after informed consent was obtained. C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were used as biomarkers of acute inflammatory response.Results: The mean age was similar between the HIV seropositive and negative group. Pre-operatively, CRP (p=0.388) and ESR (p=0.817) were comparable. The CPB events and durations were significantly different between the two groups: duration (p=0.021), clamp aortic duration (p=0.026), bloodtransfusion (p=0.013), total urine output (p=0.035) and peak lactate (p=0.040). Post-operatively, there was significant increased biomarkers level in both groups, albeit not between the groups with a significant negative correlation between the mean change in CRP levels and mechanical ventilation (r=0.548, p=0.002) in the seropositive group (r=0.025, p=0.893). The correlation between pre-operative and post-operative difference in CRP and ICU stay was not significant in both groups. A significant drop (p=<0.001) in CD4 cells was documented post-operatively in the HIV seropositive group.Conclusion: HIV positive patients’ post-operative reactions to cardiac surgery supported by CPB are similar to those of HIV seronegative patients.Keywords: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), inflammatio

A phase 1 clinical trial of vorinostat in combination with decitabine in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108599/1/bjh13016.pd

The influence of drug interactions on the international Normalized Ratio (INR) in hospitalized patients on warfarin therapy

Interakcije lijekova predstavljaju značajno područje istraživanja u suvremenoj medicini. Varfarin kao temeljni lijek pri liječenju i prevenciji duboke venske tromboze, plućne embolije i drugih bolesti, zbog svoje specifične građe, biotransformacije, metabolizma, individualnog doziranja i opasnosti od krvarenja predstavlja trajni izazov. U svrhu pokušaja evaluacije utjecaja interakcija lijekova na međunarodni normalizirani omjer (INR) kao temeljni parametar praćenja terapije varfarinom, tijekom ovog istraživanja je korišten računalni program za probir interakcija Lexi-Interact. U radu je provedena analiza 339 bolesnika kojima je tijekom hospitalizacije započeta terapija varfarinom, te su temeljem programa podijeljeni u ispitnu skupinu (223 bolesnika) sa mogućim klinički značajnim interakcijama s varfarinom i kontrolnu skupinu (116 bolesnika) bez njih. Bolesnici su u prosjeku istodobno dobivali 5,28 lijekova (od 1-13 lijekova po bolesniku). Analizom rezultata vidljivo je da je 65,8% bolesnika bilo izloženo klinički značajnim interakcijama (1-6 interakcija po bolesniku). Statistički značajna razlika između navedene dvije skupine zabilježena je samo u broju lijekova, izuzev varfarina, kojima su bolesnici bili liječeni. Interakcije nisu statistički značajno utjecale na vrijednosti INR-a sedmog dana terapije, kao ni na visinu doze varfarina istog dana. Značajan utjecaj interakcija nije zabilježen pri podjeli bolesnika na podskupine s ciljnim INR između 2 i 3, te one iznad i ispod tih vrijednosti, kao niti na učestalost zabilježenih nuspojava. Zaključno, ovim istraživanjem nije dokazan utjecaj interakcija varfarina s drugim lijekovima na međunarodni normalizirani omjer, te individualno titriranje i praćenje ostaje temelj njegova uvođenja u terapiju.Drug interactions represent an important area of research in modern medicine. Warfarin, as the basic drug for treatment and prevention of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and other diseases, due to its specific composition, biotransformation, metabolism, individual dosing and the risk of bleeding represents a permanent challenge. In the attempt to evaluate the influence of drug interactions on the International Normalized Ratio (INR), the computer program for screening drug interactions called Lexi- Interact was used during this research as the basic parameter for monitoring warfarin therapy. In this paper, the analysis of 339 patients whose warfarin therapy began during hospitalization was conducted. Based on the program, they were divided into the group with (223 patients), and the group without (116 patients) possible clinically significant interactions. On the average, the patients were concurrently taking 5.28 drugs (1-13 drugs per patient). The analysis of results shows that 65.8% of patients were exposed to clinically significant interactions (1-6 interactions per patient). Statistically significant difference between the two groups was recorded only in the number of drugs, apart from warfarin, the patients were treated with. The interactions did not have a statistically significant impact on the INR values on the day 7 of therapy or on the dose of warfarin on the same day. A significant influence of interactions was not recorded in the division of patients into subgroups with target INR between 2 and 3, and those above and under those values; or on the frequency of recorded side-effects. In conclusion, this research did not prove the influence of warfarin interactions with other drugs on the International Normalized Ratio, and therefore individual titration and monitoring remains the basis of its introduction into therapy

The blind men and the AML elephant:can we feel the progress?

The pharmacological therapy of non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has remained unchanged for over 40 years with an anthracycline–cytarabine combination forming the backbone of induction treatments. Nevertheless, the survival of younger patients has increased due to improved management of the toxicity of therapies including stem cell transplantation. Older patients and those with infirmity that precludes treatment-intensification have, however, not benefited from improvements in supportive care and continue to experience poor outcomes. An increased understanding of the genomic heterogeneity of AML raises the possibility of treatment-stratification to improve prognosis. Thus, efforts to identify agents with non-conventional anti-leukemic effects have paralleled those aiming to optimize leukemia cell-kill with conventional chemotherapy, resulting in a number of randomized controlled trials (RCT). In the last 18 months, RCTs investigating the effects of vosaroxin, azacitidine and gemtuzumab ozogamycin and daunorubicin dose have been reported with some studies indicating a statistically significant survival benefit with the investigational agent compared with standard therapy and potentially, a new era in AML therapeutics. Given the increasing costs of cancer care, a review of these studies, with particular attention to the magnitude of clinical benefit with the newer agents would be useful, especially for physicians treating patients in single-payer health systems

Endoskopsko liječenje pseudociste gušterače

Pancreatic pseudocyst, the most common cystic lesion of the pancreas, may occur as a consequence of acute or chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic trauma, or obstruction of the pancreatic duct. Symptomatic, complicated, or enlarging pseudocysts require therapy that can be endoscopic (transmural and transpapillary drainage), percutaneous, or surgical. We present a patient with pancreatic pseudocyst treated by blinded endoscopic transgastric puncture and stenting after an unsuccessful attempt at endoscopic transpapillary drainage, suggesting that this simple approach is safe and effective in a selected group of patients.Pseudocista gušterače kao najčešće cistično oštećenje gušterače može nastati kao posljedica akutnog ili kroničnog pankreatitisa, traume gušterače ili opstrukcije gušteračnog kanala. Simptomatične, komplicirane ili pseudociste koje se povećavaju zahtijevaju liječenje koje može biti endoskopsko (transmuralna i transpapilarna drenaža), perkutano ili kirurško. Prikazuje se bolesnica s pseudocistom gušterače liječenom endoskopskom transgastričnom punkcijom naslijepo i postavljanjem stenta nakon neuspjelog pokušaja endoskopske transpapilarne drenaže. Ukazuje se na to da je ovaj jednostavan pristup siguran i učinkovit u odabranoj skupini bolesnika

Acute systemic inflammatory response after cardiac surgery in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus using clinical and inflammatory markers.

Background: Immediate post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) immune responses and organ injuries in immune-compromised patients remain poorly documented. Method: Sixty-one consecutive patients (30 HIV seropositive and 31 seronegative), undergoing elective cardiac valve(s) replacement were enrolled, from a single center hospital, after informed consent was obtained. C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were used as biomarkers of acute inflammatory response. Results: The mean age was similar between the HIV seropositive and negative group. Pre-operatively, CRP (p=0.388) and ESR (p=0.817) were comparable. The CPB events and durations were significantly different between the two groups: duration (p=0.021), clamp aortic duration (p=0.026), bloodtransfusion (p=0.013), total urine output (p=0.035) and peak lactate (p=0.040). Post-operatively, there was significant increased biomarkers level in both groups, albeit not between the groups with a significant negative correlation between the mean change in CRP levels and mechanical ventilation (r=0.548, p=0.002) in the seropositive group (r=0.025, p=0.893). The correlation between pre-operative and post-operative difference in CRP and ICU stay was not significant in both groups. A significant drop (p=<0.001) in CD4 cells was documented post-operatively in the HIV seropositive group. Conclusion: HIV positive patients\u2019 post-operative reactions to cardiac surgery supported by CPB are similar to those of HIV seronegative patients

Određivanje područja odgovarajućih gustoća kod primjene kompenzacije crne za izabrani profil

In standard graphic reproduction subtractive system of process inks coverage is observed. For achieving wider reproduction range, as well as higher density, additional black printer is added into printing system. Today graphic arts ISO specification routes defined overall coverage, meaning also black compensation principles. Although, the theoretical substitution of chromatic part of process inks with black can be very high, practical results can render certain misalignments in neutral as well as other tertiary colours, not achieving predicted values. That maintains the demand of additional customization of reproduction for certain images to preserve reproduction quality. A test target proof and soft proof are considered for proposed profiles, including adequate equivalent densities or lightness.U standardnoj grafičkoj reprodukciji promatra se subtraktivni sustav procesnog miješanja boja i pokrivenost bojama. Kako bi se postignuo veći raspon reprodukcije tonova kao i veće zacrnjenje, dodatni crni izvadak se ugrađuje u reprodukcijski sustav. Današnje ISO specofikacije za grafičku reprodukciju preporučaju određenu ukupnu pokrivenost, uključujući principe kompenzacije crne boje. Iako zamjena kromatskog dijela procesnih boja sa crnom može biti vrlo velika, praktični rezultati mogu voditi određenom odstupanju kod neutralnih kao i tercijarnih boja. To upućuje na potrebu dodatne prilagodbe za određene slike kako bi se osigurala kvaliteta reprodukcije. Testna karta je reproducirana kao ekranska i otisnuta za izabrani profil, gdje su postignute odgovarajuće ujednačene gustoće

TAT-dextran-mediated mitochondrial transfer enhances recovery from models of reperfusion injury in cultured cardiomyocytes

Acute myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death among single organ diseases. Despite successful reperfusion therapy, ischaemia reperfusion injury (IRI) can induce oxidative stress (OS), cardiomyocyte apoptosis, autophagy and release of inflammatory cytokines, resulting in increased infarct size. In IRI, mitochondrial dysfunction is a key factor, which involves the production of reactive oxygen species, activation of inflammatory signalling cascades or innate immune responses, and apoptosis. Therefore, intercellular mitochondrial transfer could be considered as a promising treatment strategy for ischaemic heart disease. However, low transfer efficiency is a challenge in clinical settings. We previously reported uptake of isolated exogenous mitochondria into cultured cells through co-incubation, mediated by macropinocytosis. Here, we report the use of transactivator of transcription dextran complexes (TAT-dextran) to enhance cellular uptake of exogenous mitochondria and improve the protective effect of mitochondrial replenishment in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) against OS. TAT-dextran-modified mitochondria (TAT-Mito) showed a significantly higher level of cellular uptake. Mitochondrial transfer into NRCMs resulted in anti-apoptotic capability and prevented the suppression of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria after OS. Furthermore, TAT-Mito significantly reduced the apoptotic rates of cardiomyocytes after OS, compared to simple mitochondrial transfer. These results indicate the potential of mitochondrial replenishment therapy in OS-induced myocardial IRI

Selectivity of a thiosemicarbazonatocopper(II) complex towards duplex RNA. Relevant noncovalent interactions both in solid state and solution

Thiosemicarbazones and their metal derivatives have long been screened as antitumor agents, and their interactions with DNA have been analysed. Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterization of compounds containing [CuL]+ entities (HL = pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) and adenine, cytosine or 9-methylguanine, and some of their corresponding nucleotides. For the first time, crystal structures of adenine- and 9-methylguanine-containing thiosemicarbazone complexes are reported. To the best of our knowledge, the first study on the affinity thiosemicarbazone–RNA is also provided here. Experimental and computational studies have shown that [CuL(OH2)]+ entities at low concentration intercalate into dsRNA poly(rA)·poly(rU) through strong hydrogen bonds involving uracil residues and π–π stacking interactions. In fact, noncovalent interactions are present both in the solid state and in solution. This behaviour diverges from that observed with DNA duplexes and creates an optimistic outlook in achieving selective binding to RNA for subsequent possible medical applications.Obra Social “la Caixa” (OSLC-2012-007), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and FEDER funds (CTQ2013-48937-C2-1-P, CTQ2015-70371- REDT, MAT2012-34740 and CTQ2014-58812-C2-2-R), Junta de Castilla y León (BU237U13), the Basque Government (IT-779- 13), Gerencia Regional de Salud, Consejería de Sanidad, Junta de Castilla y León (GRS 1023/A/14 and GR172)