Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

Does TAME induced contraction involve an endothelium dependent nitric oxide-cyclic GMP mediated pathway?

406-408Two enzyme inhibitors namely L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor and methylene blue, a guanylate cyclise inhibitor, were used to elucidate whether N-α-tosyl L-arginine methyl ester (TAME)-induced contract ions in toad intestinal rings in vitro are mediated through a nitric oxide (NO)- cyclic GMP (c-GMP) pathway. Moreover, a NO precursor, L-arginine was also used to investigate its effect on TAME-induced contractions. Our findings provide evidence that TAME-induced contractions have both an endothelium-dependent and an endothelium-independent component. Based on our findings we now propose that TAME induced contraction involves an endothelium-dependent component mediated through NO and c-GMP

Occupational overuse syndrome among keyboard users in Mauritius

Ergonomics is a very important factor that cannot be over looked in the information technology working environment. This study was undertaken to assess reporting of occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) among keyboard users in Mauritius. A questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 362 computer users. Two hundred completed questionnaires were returned and data analyzed. The main findings from the present work showed symptoms such as eye problems and lower back, neck and shoulder pain were common among computer users. Severity of pain increased with number of hours of computer use at work. Reporting of OOS was higher among females. In conclusion, it is proposed that computer users need to be provided with an ergonomically conducive environment as well as to be educated and trained with respect to OOS. Implementation of such program(s) will go a long way towards preventing appearance of OOS symptoms among the young population currently engaged in the IT sector in Mauritius

Effect of vitamin C on endothelial dysfunction during N-α-tosyl <i>L</i>-arginine <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN; mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-IN">methyl ester [TAME]-esterase induced contractions in rat aorta <i>in vitro</i></span>

617-619<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">Contractions induced by TAME-esterase on rat aorta strips mounted in vitro were significantly inhibited in presence of Vitamin C. The work lends support to the role of ascorbic acid in preventing endothelial dysfunction through release of nitric oxide. It is suggested that conclusions TAME-esterase could be an important biological marker associated with onset of vascular diseases such as hypertension.</span

<span style="font-size: 20.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">Effect of genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on TAME-esterase induced contractions <span style="font-size:21.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">in<b> </b><span style="font-size:20.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">rat aorta <i>in vitro</i> </span></span></span>

1191-1194<span style="font-size: 14.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.5pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";="" color:black"="">Effects of genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on TAME-esterase induced contractions were studied on rat aorta strips in vitro. Data showed that TAME-esterase induced contractions were concentration dependent and these contractions were significantly inhibited when rat aorta strips were pre-incubated with genistein. The present findings provide evidence for the possible contribution of tyrosine kinases during TAME-esterase induced contractions in aorta. </span

[TAME]-esterase — A new cardiovascular risk factor in smokers

610-612A mathematical model has been proposed to study the effect of [TAME] esterase on blood clotting time. Using this model, clotting time was found to decrease by 30% with increasing plasma [TAME] esterase activity in a group of smokers. It is hypothesized that [TAME] esterase through its effect on Hageman factor could affect clotting time. However mechanism of clotting by [TAME] esterase remains to be elucidated. It is concluded that [TAME] esterase is involved in the cascade of reactions leading to blood coagulation and increased [TAME] esterase activity could be an additional risk factor for possible cerebro-vascular accidents in smokers

<span style="font-size: 21.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">Experimental evidence for a non-renin mediated pathway during TAME-esterase induced contractions in rat aorta <i><span style="font-size:21.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">in vitro</span></i> </span>

929-932<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";="" color:black"="">Possible pharmacological effects of N-α-tosyl L-arginine methyl ester [TAME] were studied on rat aorta strips <span style="font-size: 15.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.5pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";="" color:black"="">in vitro. <span style="font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";color:black"="">Results showed that [TAME]-esterase was an endothelium dependent component that involved a nitric oxide cyclic-GMP mediated pathway. Furthermore, during activation of Kinin-Kallikrein system, TAME-esterase induced contractions involve degradation of kinins by kininases. </span

Biological Insights and NMR Metabolic Profiling of Different Extracts of Spermacoce verticillata (L.) G. Mey

Spermacoce verticillata (L.) G. Mey. is commonly used in the folk medicine by various cultures to manage common diseases. Herein, the chemical and biological profiles of S. verticillata were studied in order to provide a comprehensive characterization of bioactive compounds and also to highlight the therapeutic properties. The in vitro antioxidant activity using free-radical scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, ferrous-ion chelating and reducing power assays, and the inhibitory activity against key enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase of S. verticillata extracts (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water) were investigated. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content were observed in the methanolic and aqueous extracts. Exhaustive 2DNMR investigation has revealed the presence of rutin, ursolic and oleanoic acids. The methanolic extract, followed by aqueous extract have showed remarkable free radical quenching and reducing ability, while the dichloromethane extract was the best source of metal chelators. The tested extracts showed notable inhibitory activity against cholinesterases (AChE: 1.63–4.99 mg GALAE/g extract and BChE: 12.40–15.48 mg GALAE/g extract) and tyrosinase (60.85–159.64 mg KAE/g extract). No inhibitory activity was displayed by ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts against BChE and tyrosinase, respectively. All the tested extracts showed modest α-amylase inhibitory activity, while only the ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts were potent against α-glycosidase. This study further validates the use of S. verticillata in the traditional medicine, while advocating for further investigation for phytomedicine development

Evaluation of implementation of a healthy food and drink supply strategy throughout the whole school environment in Queensland state schools, Australia

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This paper reports on the evaluation of the Smart Choices healthy food and drink supply strategy for Queensland schools (Smart Choices) implementation across the whole school environment in state government primary and secondary schools in Queensland, Australia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Three concurrent surveys using different methods for each group of stakeholders that targeted all 1275 school Principals, all 1258 Parent and Citizens’ Associations (P&amp;Cs) and a random sample of 526 tuckshop convenors throughout Queensland. Nine hundred and seventy-three Principals, 598 P&amp;Cs and 513 tuckshop convenors participated with response rates of 78%, 48% and 98%, respectively. RESULTS: Nearly all Principals (97%), P&amp;Cs (99%) and tuckshop convenors (97%) reported that their school tuckshop had implemented Smart Choices. The majority of Principals and P&amp;Cs reported implementation, respectively, in: school breakfast programs (98 and 92%); vending machine stock (94 and 83%); vending machine advertising (85 and 84%); school events (87 and 88%); school sporting events (81 and 80%); sponsorship and advertising (93 and 84%); fundraising events (80 and 84%); and sporting clubs (73 and 75%). Implementation in curriculum activities, classroom rewards and class parties was reported, respectively, by 97%, 86% and 75% of Principals. Respondents also reported very high levels of understanding of Smart Choices and engagement of the school community. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that food supply interventions to promote nutrition across all domains of the school environment can be implemented successfully