Poor sleep quality, depression and social support are determinants of serum phosphate level among hemodialysis patients in Malaysia

Despite optimal control of serum phosphate level being imperative to avoid undesirable health outcomes, hyperphosphataemia is a highly prevalent mineral abnormality among the dialysis population. This study aimed to determine factors associated with hyperphosphatemia among hemodialysis patients in Malaysia. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to ascertain the possible factors that influence serum phosphate levels. A total of 217 hemodialysis patients were recruited. Hyperphosphatemia was prevalent. Only approximately 25% of the patients were aware that optimal control of hyperphosphatemia requires the combined effort of phosphate binder medication therapy, dietary restriction, and dialysis prescription. The presence of diabetes mellitus may affect serum phosphate levels, complicating dietary phosphorus management. Patients who were less depressive portrayed higher serum phosphate levels, implying intentional non-compliance. Better compliance on phosphate binder, longer sleep duration, and higher social support was associated with a lower level of serum phosphate. Despite sleep disturbance being one of the most prevalent and intense symptom burdens identified by hemodialysis patients, relatively few studies have addressed this issue. It is time to formulate sleep therapeutic interventions besides the encouragement of strong social support, hoping which many clinical outcomes including hyperphosphatemia can be better controlled among hemodialysis patients

Towards a global partnership model in interprofessional education for cross-sector problem-solving

Objectives A partnership model in interprofessional education (IPE) is important in promoting a sense of global citizenship while preparing students for cross-sector problem-solving. However, the literature remains scant in providing useful guidance for the development of an IPE programme co-implemented by external partners. In this pioneering study, we describe the processes of forging global partnerships in co-implementing IPE and evaluate the programme in light of the preliminary data available. Methods This study is generally quantitative. We collected data from a total of 747 health and social care students from four higher education institutions. We utilized a descriptive narrative format and a quantitative design to present our experiences of running IPE with external partners and performed independent t-tests and analysis of variance to examine pretest and posttest mean differences in students’ data. Results We identified factors in establishing a cross-institutional IPE programme. These factors include complementarity of expertise, mutual benefits, internet connectivity, interactivity of design, and time difference. We found significant pretest–posttest differences in students’ readiness for interprofessional learning (teamwork and collaboration, positive professional identity, roles, and responsibilities). We also found a significant decrease in students’ social interaction anxiety after the IPE simulation. Conclusions The narrative of our experiences described in this manuscript could be considered by higher education institutions seeking to forge meaningful external partnerships in their effort to establish interprofessional global health education

Interaction of HP1 and Brg1/Brm with the Globular Domain of Histone H3 Is Required for HP1-Mediated Repression

The heterochromatin-enriched HP1 proteins play a critical role in regulation of transcription. These proteins contain two related domains known as the chromo- and the chromoshadow-domain. The chromo-domain binds histone H3 tails methylated on lysine 9. However, in vivo and in vitro experiments have shown that the affinity of HP1 proteins to native methylated chromatin is relatively poor and that the opening of chromatin occurring during DNA replication facilitates their binding to nucleosomes. These observations prompted us to investigate whether HP1 proteins have additional histone binding activities, envisioning also affinity for regions potentially occluded by the nucleosome structure. We find that the chromoshadow-domain interacts with histone H3 in a region located partially inside the nucleosomal barrel at the entry/exit point of the nucleosome. Interestingly, this region is also contacted by the catalytic subunits of the human SWI/SNF complex. In vitro, efficient SWI/SNF remodeling requires this contact and is inhibited in the presence of HP1 proteins. The antagonism between SWI/SNF and HP1 proteins is also observed in vivo on a series of interferon-regulated genes. Finally, we show that SWI/SNF activity favors loading of HP1 proteins to chromatin both in vivo and in vitro. Altogether, our data suggest that HP1 chromoshadow-domains can benefit from the opening of nucleosomal structures to bind chromatin and that HP1 proteins use this property to detect and arrest unwanted chromatin remodeling

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium of cooper and zinc on sponge gourd fibre

The kinetics and equilibrium of Cu and Zn adsorption by sponge gourd fibre were investigated according to batch method. The final concentration of Cu and Zn in solution was determined using atomic adsorption spectrophotometer. The experimental results showed that the adsorption of both metals was rapid during the first 10 minutes and thereafter slowed down until equilibrium was attained after 60 minutes. The adsorption can be well described ( R²~1.0000) by pseudo-second order kinetic model. The adsorbed amount of Cu and Zn increased while the percentage decreased with increase in initial metal concentration. The adsorption conforms (R2 >0.96) to both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacity, qmax, of sponge gourd fibre for Cu and Zn was 5000.0 μgg⁻¹ and 2000.0 ggg⁻¹, respectively. At fixed initial concentration, percentage removal of the metals showed an increasing trend with increase in adsorbent dosage

Poor Sleep Quality, Depression and Social Support Are Determinants of Serum Phosphate Level among Hemodialysis Patients in Malaysia

Despite optimal control of serum phosphate level being imperative to avoid undesirable health outcomes, hyperphosphataemia is a highly prevalent mineral abnormality among the dialysis population. This study aimed to determine factors associated with hyperphosphatemia among hemodialysis patients in Malaysia. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to ascertain the possible factors that influence serum phosphate levels. A total of 217 hemodialysis patients were recruited. Hyperphosphatemia was prevalent. Only approximately 25% of the patients were aware that optimal control of hyperphosphatemia requires the combined effort of phosphate binder medication therapy, dietary restriction, and dialysis prescription. The presence of diabetes mellitus may affect serum phosphate levels, complicating dietary phosphorus management. Patients who were less depressive portrayed higher serum phosphate levels, implying intentional non-compliance. Better compliance on phosphate binder, longer sleep duration, and higher social support was associated with a lower level of serum phosphate. Despite sleep disturbance being one of the most prevalent and intense symptom burdens identified by hemodialysis patients, relatively few studies have addressed this issue. It is time to formulate sleep therapeutic interventions besides the encouragement of strong social support, hoping which many clinical outcomes including hyperphosphatemia can be better controlled among hemodialysis patients

Foreign language as a novel stimulus in influencing consumer attitudes.

The effective use of novelty to elicit changes in consumer attitudes has not been studied widely by academics. In this paper, we seek to investigate this relationship with the use of foreign language on product packaging as the novel stimulus. A non-established brand and an unfamiliar foreign language (Greek) were chosen as the basis of research with respondents comprising of Singapore undergraduates. The affect and purchase intention components of attitude were measured and results revealed that foreign language did not lead to a change in consumer attitude. A focus group was conducted to discover factors that would lead to consumers attitude change towards products with product packaging in a foreign language. This paper provides insight to manufacturers on the benefits of importing their non-translated products directly into Singapore market.BUSINES

Preclinical anticancer activity of Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) Blume and its potential mechanism: A systematic review

Objective: To assess the potential of Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) Blume (T. flagelliforme, Bian Yan Li Tou Jian), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, as an anticancer agent in a systematic review of preclinical research. Methods: Seven databases, namely, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, LILACS, EBSCO Medline, and Mendeley were thoroughly searched from their inception up until September 8, 2023. Peer-reviewed English language studies that conducted in vitro and in vivo investigations of T. flagelliforme extracts, fractions, or isolated compounds were included. Clinical trials and non-original peer-reviewed reports were excluded. The effectiveness of T. flagelliforme on various cancer cells, tumor sizes, and mechanisms was qualitatively assessed. The quality of evidence was assessed using the ToxRTool by three independent raters, and their consistency was verified. Results: The search included 27 studies: 22 in vitro, four in vivo, and one involving both. T. flagelliforme extracts were shown to be effective against leukemic, breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. Most studies had “Reliable with Restrictions” scores. T. flagelliforme induced apoptosis by halting the cell cycle, activating caspase-3/-9, cleaving PARP, fragmenting DNA, reducing survivin, decreasing ROS, suppressing COX-2 and HSP70, and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. When combined with interferon, T. flagelliforme exerts antiangiogenic effects. Conclusion: Although T. flagelliforme shows promising activity against cancer, its efficacy as a standalone anticancer treatment remains uncertain. It appears to be better suited as complementary or combined therapy. The lack of conclusive evidence could be attributed to suboptimal study design, incomplete reporting, and inadequate inclusion of proper positive controls and statistical analyses across multiple articles

Effects of Music on Patients Undergoing a C-clamp Procedure After Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Aim: This paper reports a study to determine the effect of music on physiological parameters and level of pain in patients undergoing application of a C-clamp after percutaneous coronary interventions. Background: Most percutaneous coronary interventions are performed through the femoral artery. In order to stop bleeding and achieve homeostasis, a C-clamp is used after percutaneous coronary interventions. However, the experience is painful for patients and they inevitably suffer discomfort. Pain may lead to stress responses and may affect the physical and mental health of patients. One potential beneficial practice is having the patient listen to relaxing music, which might have the effect of reducing situational discomfort and pain. Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted during the period September 2004 to March 2005. Forty-three people (20 experimental and 23 control) were recruited from the intensive care units of two acute care hospitals in Hong Kong. Physiological and psychological variables were collected at baseline and at 15, 30 and 45 minutes. Results: In the music group, there were statistically significant reductions (P = 0.001) in heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation than the control participants at 45 minutes. In the music group, statistically significant reductions (P = 0.001) in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were found at the four time points, but not in the control group. No statistically significant differences were found at baseline comparison of the two groups, but statistically significant differences in pain scores were found at 45 minutes for participants in the music group compared with the control group (P = 0.003). Participants in the control group showed statistically significant increases in pain at 45 minutes compared with baseline (P \u3c 0.001). Conclusions: The benefits of preventing physiological reactions to pain were demonstrated. Music is a simple, safe and effective method of reducing potentially harmful physiological and psychological responses arising from pain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved

The nucleosome assembly protein TSPYL2 regulates the expression of NMDA receptor subunits GluN2A and GluN2B

TSPYL2 is an X-linked gene encoding a nucleosome assembly protein. TSPYL2 interacts with calmodulin-associated serine/threonine kinase, which is implicated in X-linked mental retardation. As nucleosome assembly and chromatin remodeling are important in transcriptional regulation and neuronal function, we addressed the importance of TSPYL2 through analyzing Tspyl2 loss-of-function mice. We detected down-regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits 2A and 2B (GluN2A and GluN2B) in the mutant hippocampus. Evidence from luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation supported that TSPYL2 regulated the expression of Grin2a and Grin2b, the genes encoding GluN2A and GluN2B. We also detected an interaction between TSPYL2 and CBP, indicating that TSPYL2 may activate gene expression through binding CBP. In terms of functional outcome, Tspyl2 loss-of-function impaired long-term potentiation at hippocampal Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. Moreover, mutant mice showed a deficit in fear learning and memory. We conclude that TSPYL2 contributes to cognitive variability through regulating the expression of Grin2a and Grin2b