Differential metabolism of alprazolam by liver and brain cytochrome (P4503A) to pharmacologically active metabolite

Cytochrome P450 (P450) is a superfamily of enzymes which mediates metabolism of xenobiotics including drugs. Alprazolam, an anti-anxiety agent, is metabolized in rat and human liver by P4503A1 and P4503A4 respectively, to 4-hydroxy alprazolam (4-OHALP, pharmacologically less active) and α-hydroxy alprazolam (α-OHALP, pharmacologically more active). We examined P450 mediated metabolism of alprazolam by rat and human brain microsomes and observed that the relative amount of α-OHALP formed in brain was higher than liver. This biotransformation was mediated by a P450 isoform belonging to P4503A subfamily, which is constitutively expressed in neuronal cells in rat and human brain. The formation of larger amounts of α-OHALP in neurons points to local modulation of pharmacological activity in brain, at the site of action of the anti-anxiety drug. Since hydroxy metabolites of alprazolam are hydrophilic and not easily cleared through blood-CSF barrier, α-OHALP would potentially have a longer half-life in brain

The marks that humans’ leave are too often scars

Caesarean scar ectopics are the newest member of this obstetric emergency. Although rare, are associated with torrential haemorrhage. Gravida 3 para 2 with previous two caesarean sections with spotting per vaginum. Ultrasound showed a pregnancy embedded in the scar of previous caesarean section. MRI confirmed it. Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was 15000 which dropped to 5000 after. An innovative approach was taken to laparoscopically evacuate the pregnancy. The products of conception were removed and the incision sutured so as to achieve haemostasis. Beta HCG was 15000 which dropped to 5000. Patient was haemodynamically stable and discharged on day 3. An innovative approach with skilled surgical technique not only decreased the morbidity but also avoided an unnecessary hysterectomy

Nutrition Education Resources in North Carolina–Based Head Start Preschool Programs: Administrator and Teacher Perceptions of Availability and Use

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide new insight into common barriers to the availability and use of nutrition education (NE) resources in Head Start preschool programs based on administrator and teacher perceptions. Methods: In-depth, semistructured phone interviews (n = 63) were conducted with administrators (n = 31) and teachers (n = 32) from North Carolina–based Head Start programs. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed qualitatively using content analysis to identify common themes. Results: Five emergent themes were identified within the areas of NE resource availability and use and barriers to NE resource availability and use. Participants expressed desire for greater organization of existing NE material resources, increased community support, and professional development opportunities for teachers specific to NE. Funding and time constraints were reported as affecting NE resources. Conclusions and Implications: Creative strategies for addressing NE resource availability and use and barriers (e.g., NE integration with educational standards) in Head Start are needed

Comparison of Parent and Child Ratings of Fruit and Vegetable Liking to Assess Parent Accuracy as Proxy Reporters

This study examined the accuracy of parent-report child fruit/ vegetable (FV) liking. Child/parent dyads (n = 24) were recruited from six Head Start preschools in North Carolina. Liking for 10 FVs was assessed using a validated pictorial tool for children; a similar scale was used for parents. Negative relationships were observed between parent/child for one fruit (grapes) and one vegetable (broccoli). Positive relationships were observed among oranges, grapes, and overall fruit rankings. Parents tended to rank children’s liking of fruits higher than their children, while children ranked liking vegetables higher. Findings suggest parents may not be accurate respondents for preschool children’s FV liking

Comparison of Parent and Child Ratings of Fruit and Vegetable Liking to Assess Parent Accuracy as Proxy Reporters

This study examined the accuracy of parent-report child fruit/ vegetable (FV) liking. Child/parent dyads (n = 24) were recruited from six Head Start preschools in North Carolina. Liking for 10 FVs was assessed using a validated pictorial tool for children; a similar scale was used for parents. Negative relationships were observed between parent/child for one fruit (grapes) and one vegetable (broccoli). Positive relationships were observed among oranges, grapes, and overall fruit rankings. Parents tended to rank children’s liking of fruits higher than their children, while children ranked liking vegetables higher. Findings suggest parents may not be accurate respondents for preschool children’s FV liking

Thermo-mechanical damage accumulation during power cycling of lead-free surface mount solder joints

This is a conference paper [© IEEE]. It is also available from: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/servlet/opac?punumber=4658784. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from the IEEE.It is well known that in surface mount technology (SMT), thermal strains in electronic assemblies are induced in the solder joints by the mismatch between the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of the components, substrate and solder, both during their processing and in service. Therefore, thermo-mechanical damage is likely to occur in the solder and the principle reliability hazard in SMT assemblies is the resulting fatigue cracking of the solder fillet, caused by cyclic thermal stresses. These stresses may be caused by both cyclic variations in power dissipation within equipment and by external environmental temperature changes. Most work reported to date has focused on the effects of environmental temperature changes, although for many types of equipment power cycling may result in significant stresses. The present paper describes the experimental determination of the actual temperature distribution in a chip resistor assembly when it is powered. The paper also discusses the significance of such experimentally determined non-uniform temperature distributions in electronic assemblies to fatigue damage accumulation due to both power cycling and to cyclic variations in the ambient temperature whilst the chip resistor is powered. This fatigue damage accumulation study is carried out using finite element analysis

Eating Smart and Moving More for Head Start: A Pilot Study

Our study examined the relationship between improved personal health behaviors of Head Start teachers’ and the promotion of positive health behaviors in their classroom. Thirty-three Head Start teachers across 7 centers received six 30-minute nutrition education lessons. Dietary intake, physical activity, and self-efficacy for promoting positive health behaviors in the classroom were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Significant improvements were observed for dietary intake and physical activity. Self-efficacy for promoting health behaviors in the classroom did not significantly improve. Additional education is needed to improve health promotion practices. Lessons learned contributed to program refinement. Implications for Extension are discussed

Nutrient content and uptake by galangal (Kaempferia galanga L.) as influenced by agronomic practices as intercrop in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) garden

Field experiments conducted at Kasaragod, India, to study the influence of agronomic practices on galangal (Kaempferia galanga) grown as intercrop in coconut (Cocos nucifera) garden revealed that nutrient content did not differ significantly due to different types of planting material or plant population levels. Farm yard manure alone, vermicompost alone and farm yard manure and major nutrient combinations had higher nutrient contents. Nutrient uptake with mother rhizome treatment was significantly higher compared to finger rhizome. Population level of 5,00,000 plants per ha removed more nutrients. Farm yard manure alone, vermicompost application alone and farm yard manure and major nutrient combinations removed higher nutrients. Fresh rhizome yield was significanlty higher with mother rhizome and 5,00,000 population leveL Farm yard manure in combination with major nutrients recorded significantly higher fresh rhizome yield. &nbsp