A global view of hepatitis C: Physician knowledge, opinions, and perceived barriers to care

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. While recent advances in antiviral therapy have led to significant improvements in treatment response rates, only a minority of infected patients is treated. Multiple barriers may impede the delivery of HCV therapy

Case report R831X mutation of the androgen receptor gene in an adolescent with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and bilateral testicular hamartomata

ABSTRACT An 18-year old, phenotypically female individual was examined for primary amenorrhea. Three months before her referral, the patient underwent surgery and a pelvic mass was removed. The physical examination revealed normal female external genitalia, normal breast development, sparse pubic hair and absence of axillary hair. The gynecological examination revealed a short blind vagina pouch and absence of cervix and uterus. Serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels were very high. Karyotype was that of a normal male (46,XY). The transabdominal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed absence of uterus and fallopian tubes and revealed testis-like gonads located at the internal opening of the inguinal canal bilaterally. Bilateral gonadectomy was subsequently performed. The pathology report was that of hamartomatous testes and associated paratesticular leiomyoma. The clinical, laboratory, imaging, genetic and histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. DNA analysis revealed a R831X mutation in exon 7 of the androgen receptor gene. A Sertoli-cell dynamic test showed elevated basal serum inhibin-B and anti-Müllerian hormone levels without further rise following FSH stimulation. The patient was started on hormone replacement therapy with conjugated estrogens. Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome must be considered in any case of primary amenorrhea. Gonadectomy must be planned to eliminate the risk of gonadal malignancy

Synthesis and Processing of Melt Spun Materials from Esterified Lignin with Lactic Acid

In this study, the carbon fiber manufacturing process is investigated, using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and esterified lignin either with lactic acid (LA) or with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as precursors. More specifically, lignin was modified using either LA or PLA in order to increase its chemical affinity with HDPE. The modified compounds were continuously melt spun to fibrous materials by blending with HDPE in order to fabricate a carbon fiber precursor. The obtained products were characterized with respect to their morphology, as well as their structure and chemical composition. Moreover, an assessment of both physical and structural transformations after modification of lignin with LA and PLA was performed in order to evaluate the spinning ability of the composite fibers, as well as the thermal processing to carbon fibers. This bottom–up approach seems to be able to provide a viable route considering large scale production in order to transform lignin in value-added product. Tensile tests revealed that the chemical lignin modification allowed an enhancement in its spinning ability due to its compatibility improvement with the commercial low-cost and thermoplastic HDPE polymer. Finally, stabilization and carbonization thermal processing was performed in order to obtain carbon fibers

Radio-contrast agent-induced hyperthyroidism: case report and review of the literature

SUMMARY A 66 year-old woman with a history of a euthyroid multinodular goiter underwent a head and neck computed tomography (CT) scan (total iodine load of 35 g) in order to evaluate the extent of retrosternal expansion. Less than 24 h after the iodine-based contrast media (ICM) administration, she presented with symptoms and laboratory findings typical of thyrotoxicosis. She was treated successfully with antithyroid medications. This is the shortest time reported in the literature and it is of clinical importance, as it may have an impact to the recommendations given by the attending physician. Given the fact that a large number of ICM examinations are performed in everyday practice, physicians should be aware of this possible thyroid-specific effect. Prophylactic drugs could be considered in high-risk populations, such as administration of perchlorate and a thionamide class drug to elderly patients with suppressed TSH and/or palpable goiter, started the day before and continued for two weeks after ICM administration

Effect of Lignin and CNTs on the properties of melt-spun polymeric fibers

The quality of high density polyethylene (HDPE) - lignin spun fibers depends on the spinning method and the chemical modification of the raw material. On the other hand, nylon-type polymers are widely known for their simple experimental synthesis and use. The goal of this study was the fabrication of composites containing lignin, nylon and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based fibers with enhanced mechanical properties. Therefore, a nylon-type polymer was synthesized, using diethylenetriamine and sebacoyl chloride, and was conjugated with lignin as well as MWCNTs with the aim of determining the materials' compatibility, differences in chemical behavior as well as their ability to be melt spun and be further processed. The materials were compounded with HDPE and melt spun, producing fibers that were characterized in respect of their morphology, structural, chemical and elemental composition. Finally, the HDPE fibers were used for the production of one dimensional composites inside dumb bell type sacrificial templates with an epoxy resin solution. The composites, which contained fibers enriched with oxidized lignin and MWCNTs, presented higher elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength than the rest of the composites. This is a novel attempt, presenting an innovation concerning durable fibers with low cost materials and procedures

Increased Functional Foods’ Consumption and Mediterranean Diet Adherence May Have a Protective Effect in the Appearance of Gastrointestinal Diseases: A Case–Control Study

Background: Epidemiological studies have suggested a possible correlation between nutritional factors and gastrointestinal diseases. Methods: A case–control study was designed in order to investigate if functional foods consumption and Mediterranean diet adherence have a positive effect in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. In total, 142 patients (cases) and 147 gender-matched healthy people (controls) participated in the study. Functional food consumption was screened by using a Food Frequency Questionnaire based on the NHANES study, while Mediterranean diet adoption was evaluated by a 14-item Med Diet Assessment tool based on the PREDIMED study. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS-22. Results: In the previous 2–3 years, the controls had more frequently consumed some categories (probiotics, prebiotics-enriched, and low-fat foods) and some kinds of functional foods (mountain tea, berries, pomegranate, oats, mastics, turmeric, soybeans, and raisins) compared to the cases (p < 0.05). Healthy people were more adherent to the Mediterranean diet than patients (p < 0.05). A multifactor analysis showed that the augmented score of the Mediterranean diet and the augmented consumption of categories and kinds of functional foods were protective factors in the appearance of gastrointestinal diseases. Conclusions: More studies should be conducted in order to further investigate the possible association between specific food components and gastrointestinal diseases’ pathophysiology

Effect of Lignin and CNTs on the properties of melt-spun polymeric fibers

The quality of high density polyethylene (HDPE) - lignin spun fibers depends on the spinning method and the chemical modification of the raw material. On the other hand, nylon-type polymers are widely known for their simple experimental synthesis and use. The goal of this study was the fabrication of composites containing lignin, nylon and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based fibers with enhanced mechanical properties. Therefore, a nylon-type polymer was synthesized, using diethylenetriamine and sebacoyl chloride, and was conjugated with lignin as well as MWCNTs with the aim of determining the materials' compatibility, differences in chemical behavior as well as their ability to be melt spun and be further processed. The materials were compounded with HDPE and melt spun, producing fibers that were characterized in respect of their morphology, structural, chemical and elemental composition. Finally, the HDPE fibers were used for the production of one dimensional composites inside dumb bell type sacrificial templates with an epoxy resin solution. The composites, which contained fibers enriched with oxidized lignin and MWCNTs, presented higher elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength than the rest of the composites. This is a novel attempt, presenting an innovation concerning durable fibers with low cost materials and procedures