Second trimester inflammatory and metabolic markers in women delivering preterm with and without preeclampsia.

ObjectiveInflammatory and metabolic pathways are implicated in preterm birth and preeclampsia. However, studies rarely compare second trimester inflammatory and metabolic markers between women who deliver preterm with and without preeclampsia.Study designA sample of 129 women (43 with preeclampsia) with preterm delivery was obtained from an existing population-based birth cohort. Banked second trimester serum samples were assayed for 267 inflammatory and metabolic markers. Backwards-stepwise logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios.ResultsHigher 5-α-pregnan-3β,20α-diol disulfate, and lower 1-linoleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine and octadecanedioate, predicted increased odds of preeclampsia.ConclusionsAmong women with preterm births, those who developed preeclampsia differed with respect metabolic markers. These findings point to potential etiologic underpinnings for preeclampsia as a precursor to preterm birth

Failure of spot welds under in-plane static loading

Under in-plane loading conditions, two independent modes contribute to the failure of a spot weld: the in-plane shear mode and the in-plane rotational mode. In this work, the failures of both modes under large static load are examined individually. To study the combined failure of these two modes, two special test coupons are designed. The first coupon contains one spot weld. The second coupon contains five spot welds. Tests conducted in this work show that a very simple force-based failure criterion can be used to predict the failure of a spot weld under large in-plane combined static loads. Current multiaxial failure theory cannot explain this combined failure. This force-based spot weld failure criterion fits current automotive industry needs for body shell finite element application very well.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43935/1/11340_2006_Article_BF02323111.pd

Antiproliferative effect of Tualang honey on oral squamous cell carcinoma and osteosarcoma cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The treatment of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and human osteosarcoma (HOS) includes surgery and/or radiotherapy which often lead to reduced quality of life. This study was aimed to study the antiproliferative activity of local honey (Tualang) on OSCC and HOS cell lines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Several concentrations of Tualang honey (1% - 20%) were applied on OSCC and HOS cell lines for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Morphological characteristics were observed under light and fluorescent microscope. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay and the optical density for absorbance values in each experiment was measured at 570 nm by an ELISA reader. Detection of cellular apoptosis was done using the Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Morphological appearance showed apoptotic cellular changes like becoming rounded, reduction in cell number, blebbed membrane and apoptotic nuclear changes like nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation and fragmented nucleus on OSCC and HOS cell lines. Cell viability assay showed a time and dose-dependent inhibitory effect of honey on both cell lines. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC_<b>50</b>) for OSCC and HOS cell lines was found to be 4% and 3.5% respectively. The maximum inhibition of cell growth of ≥80% was obtained at 15% for both cell lines. Early apoptosis was evident by flow cytometry where percentage of early apoptotic cells increased in dose and time dependent manner.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Tualang honey showed antiproliferative effect on OSCC and HOS cell lines by inducing early apoptosis.</p

Outcomes of bimanual microincision cataract surgery and 2.2-mm coaxial phacoemulsification

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety outcomes of bimanual microincision cataract surgery (B-MICS) versus 2.2-mm coaxial phacoemulsification (C-MICS). Patients and methods This prospective, interventional, randomized, comparative clinical study was carried out on 60 cataractous eyes. Thirty patients were managed surgically by C-MICS through a 2.2 mm mean incision and 30 patients were managed surgically by B-MICS through a 1.2–1.4 mm trapezoidal incision. The main outcomes measures were postoperative best-corrected distant visual acuity, postoperative spherical equivalent, higher-order aberrations, corneal thickness, corneal endothelial cell loss (ECL), and complications during and after surgery. Both groups were compared for all variables preoperatively. Results The visual rehabilitation in group B was faster than that in group A (nonsignificant). There were nonstatistically significant differences, in the best-corrected visual acuity, between both groups throughout the postoperative period. The mean ECL was statistically significantly higher in group A (221.2±44.1) compared with group B (167.5±67.9) (P<0.001). The mean central corneal thickness change was significantly greater in group A than group B (P=0.01). The surgically induced astigmatism was statistically significantly improved in B-MICS (group B) than C-MICS (group A) (P=0.001). For the other corneal aberrations, there were nonsignificant differences between the two groups. No differences were found in the complications during surgeries between the two groups of cataract surgery. Conclusion The two techniques are reliable, functional, effective, and yield good visual outcomes and low complication rates. B-MICS with the smallest incision induces less astigmatism (surgically induced astigmatism), less ECL, fewer central corneal thickness changes, and enables earlier visual rehabilitation

Receptor-defined subtypes of breast cancer in indigenous populations in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in Africa. Receptor-defined subtypes are a major determinant of treatment options and disease outcomes but there is considerable uncertainty regarding the frequency of poor prognosis estrogen receptor (ER) negative subtypes in Africa. We systematically reviewed publications reporting on the frequency of breast cancer receptor-defined subtypes in indigenous populations in Africa. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Medline, Embase, and Global Health were searched for studies published between 1st January 1980 and 15th April 2014. Reported proportions of ER positive (ER+), progesterone receptor positive (PR+), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) disease were extracted and 95% CI calculated. Random effects meta-analyses were used to pool estimates. Fifty-four studies from North Africa (n=12,284 women with breast cancer) and 26 from sub-Saharan Africa (n=4,737) were eligible. There was marked between-study heterogeneity in the ER+ estimates in both regions (I2>90%), with the majority reporting proportions between 0.40 and 0.80 in North Africa and between 0.20 and 0.70 in sub-Saharan Africa. Similarly, large between-study heterogeneity was observed for PR+ and HER2+ estimates (I2>80%, in all instances). Meta-regression analyses showed that the proportion of ER+ disease was 10% (4%-17%) lower for studies based on archived tumor blocks rather than prospectively collected specimens, and 9% (2%-17%) lower for those with ≥ 40% versus those with <40% grade 3 tumors. For prospectively collected samples, the pooled proportions for ER+ and triple negative tumors were 0.59 (0.56-0.62) and 0.21 (0.17-0.25), respectively, regardless of region. Limitations of the study include the lack of standardized procedures across the various studies; the low methodological quality of many studies in terms of the representativeness of their case series and the quality of the procedures for collection, fixation, and receptor testing; and the possibility that women with breast cancer may have contributed to more than one study. CONCLUSIONS: The published data from the more appropriate prospectively measured specimens are consistent with the majority of breast cancers in Africa being ER+. As no single subtype dominates in the continent availability of receptor testing should be a priority, especially for young women with early stage disease where appropriate receptor-specific treatment modalities offer the greatest potential for reducing years of life lost. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary