Synthesis and thermal properties of strontium and calcium peroxides

A practical synthesis and a discussion of some chemical properties of pure strontium peroxide and calcium peroxide are presented. The general synthesis of these peroxides involves precipitation of their octahydrates by addition of H2O2 to aqueous ammoniacal Sr(NO3)2 or CaCl2. The octahydrates are converted to the anhydrous peroxides by various dehydration techniques. A new x-ray diffraction powder pattern for CaO2 x 8H2O is given from which lattice parameters a=6.212830 and c=11.0090 were calculated on the basis of the tetragonal crystal system

MEPicides: Potent antimalarial prodrugs targeting isoprenoid biosynthesis

AbstractThe emergence of Plasmodium falciparum resistant to frontline therapeutics has prompted efforts to identify and validate agents with novel mechanisms of action. MEPicides represent a new class of antimalarials that inhibit enzymes of the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis, including the clinically validated target, deoxyxylulose phosphate reductoisomerase (Dxr). Here we describe RCB-185, a lipophilic prodrug with nanomolar activity against asexual parasites. Growth of P. falciparum treated with RCB-185 was rescued by isoprenoid precursor supplementation, and treatment substantially reduced metabolite levels downstream of the Dxr enzyme. In addition, parasites that produced higher levels of the Dxr substrate were resistant to RCB-185. Notably, environmental isolates resistant to current therapies remained sensitive to RCB-185, the compound effectively treated sexually-committed parasites, and was both safe and efficacious in malaria-infected mice. Collectively, our data demonstrate that RCB-185 potently and selectively inhibits Dxr in P. falciparum, and represents a promising lead compound for further drug development.</jats:p

The incidence of deep vein thrombosis detected by routine surveillance ultrasound in neurosurgery patients receiving dual modality prophylaxis.

The optimal method of thromboprophylaxis and the value of screening ultrasonography for detection of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in neurosurgery patients remains unclear. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of DVT in neurosurgical patients who, by hospital protocol, receive surveillance ultrasonography of the lower extremities twice weekly, in addition to prophylaxis with unfractionated heparin and external pneumatic compression sleeves. A retrospective review of 7,298 ultrasound studies carried out on 2,593 patients over 4 years at a university neurosurgical hospital was conducted. There was a 7.4% incidence of proximal lower extremity DVT and a 9.7% total incidence including distal DVT. A greater number of distal DVTs were detected with the implementation of whole-leg ultrasonography in the last 2 years of observation. Chart review of 237 patients diagnosed with DVT demonstrated an admitting diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage in nearly half of the patients. The median hospital length of stay for DVT patients was 18 days. Institutional control data demonstrated non-ruptured aneurysm and cerebrovascular anomalies to be the leading reason for admission, followed closely by subarachnoid hemorrhage. The hospital protocol of biweekly screening ultrasound and dual modality prophylaxis for neurosurgery patients resulted in a proximal DVT incidence consistent with that demonstrated by previous studies of standardized dual modality prophylaxis, and higher than that demonstrated in previous studies that employed ultrasound screening protocols

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)

Many women undergo cesarean delivery without problems, however some experience significant pain after cesarean section. Pain is associated with negative short-term and long-term effects on the mother. Prior to women undergoing surgery, can we predict who is at risk for developing significant postoperative pain and potentially prevent or minimize its negative consequences? These are the fundamental questions that a team from the University of Washington, Stanford University, the Catholic University in Brussels, Belgium, Santa Joana Women's Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, and Rambam Medical Center in Israel is currently evaluating in an international research collaboration. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide optimal pain relief during and after cesarean section by offering individualized anesthetic care to women who appear to be more 'susceptible' to pain after surgery

Antiribosomal-P autoantibodies from psychiatric lupus target a novel neuronal surface protein causing calcium influx and apoptosis

The interesting observation was made 20 years ago that psychotic manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are associated with the production of antiribosomal-P protein (anti-P) autoantibodies. Since then, the pathogenic role of anti-P antibodies has attracted considerable attention, giving rise to long-term controversies as evidence has either contradicted or confirmed their clinical association with lupus psychosis. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism supporting an anti-P–mediated neuronal dysfunction is still lacking. We show that anti-P antibodies recognize a new integral membrane protein of the neuronal cell surface. In the brain, this neuronal surface P antigen (NSPA) is preferentially distributed in areas involved in memory, cognition, and emotion. When added to brain cellular cultures, anti-P antibodies caused a rapid and sustained increase in calcium influx in neurons, resulting in apoptotic cell death. In contrast, astrocytes, which do not express NSPA, were not affected. Injection of anti-P antibodies into the brain of living rats also triggered neuronal death by apoptosis. These results demonstrate a neuropathogenic potential of anti-P antibodies and contribute a mechanistic basis for psychiatric lupus. They also provide a molecular target for future exploration of this and other psychiatric diseases

Driving next-generation autophagy researchers towards translation (DRIVE), an international PhD training program on autophagy

The European autophagy consortium Driving next-generation autophagy researchers towards translation (DRIVE) held its kick-off meeting in Groningen on the 14(th) and 15(th) of June 2018. This Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Training Network was approved under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program and is funded for 4 years. Within DRIVE, 14 European research teams from academia and industry will train 15 PhD students through applied, cross-disciplinary and collaborative macroautophagy/autophagy research. The goal of DRIVE is to stimulate applied approaches in autophagy research and provide training towards translation, while advancing our knowledge on autophagy in specific physiological and pathological states. The strong focus on translation will prepare the PhD students to be at the forefront to exploit autophagy for the development of therapies directly benefitting patients. Thereby, DRIVE will contribute to filling the educational gap that currently exists between academia and industry, and will prepare its PhD students for alternative and highly flexible professional paths.Non peer reviewe

A.S.P.E.N. Parenteral Nutrition Safety Consensus Recommendations

Parenteral nutrition (PN) serves as an important therapeutic modality that is used in adults, children, and infants for a variety of indications. The appropriate use of this complex therapy aims to maximize clinical benefit while minimizing the potential risks for adverse events. Complications can occur as a result of the therapy and as the result of the PN process. These consensus recommendations are based on practices that are generally accepted to minimize errors with PN therapy, categorized in the areas of PN prescribing, order review and verification, compounding, and administration. These recommendations should be used in conjunction with other A.S.P.E.N. publications, and researchers should consider studying the questions brought forth in this document

PenQuest Volume 3, Number 1

The Table of Contents for this Volume: Untitled by R. Bruce Warner Seeing the Unseen by Sharon Gresham Untitled by Helen Hagadorn Untitled by Steve Balunan Happy Holidays by Donna Kaluzniak River-walking, Night-talking by William Slaughter Ribbon of Light by Judith Mizrahi Love in Parentheses by Sharon Gresham Untitled by Steve Balunan Protohistory by Patricia Kraft Untitled by Bruce Abbey Untitled by Rick Wagner Thanatopsis by Pat Kraft Untitled by Sue Hightower Untitled by Rick Wagner Conversations of a Woman by Sharon Gresham Thur, Fri, Sat, at Mr. B\u27s by Patricia Kraft Untitled by Rick Wagner Untitled by Cindy Carlisle Untitled by Win Lyons Untitled by Cindy Carlisle Untitled by Modesta Matthews Untitled by James Tutten A Light at Mill Pond Crossing by Joe Palmer Untitled by Rick Wagner Two People by Kathleen Gay Untitled by Rick Wagner American Dream (Russian Version) by William Slaughter Untitled by Judith Mizrahi Untitled by Linda Willco