Paradoxical proliferative potential of iron (II) sulphate on cancer cells after the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay

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Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

Characteristics of Adults in the Hepatitis B Research Network in North America Reflect Their Country of Origin and Hepatitis B Virus Genotype

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide; populations that migrate to the US and Canada might be disproportionately affected. The Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN) is a cooperative network of investigators from the United States and Canada, created to facilitate clinical, therapeutic, and translational research in adults and children with hepatitis B. We describe the structure of the network and baseline characteristics of adults with hepatitis B enrolled in the network

Marketing of "Do-It-Yourself" tour package for Destinations Holidays Pte Ltd

Singapore has been experiencing stable growth in its economy in the past years . On the average, each family"s disposable income has increased. With this increment, the demand for travel has grown significantly. Due to the ease in entry into the travel industry, many travel agencies are being set up in Singapore to tap into this "Travel Boom". For the past few years, the travel industry has been a fast growing and competitive industry in Singapore. Travel agents are constantly coming up with innovative tour packages, promotions and discounts to compete for a share of the market. Destinations Holidays Pte Ltd is one travel agency who has chosen to focus their tours on a specific market segment to position themselves as distinct from competitors. One such product in its introductory stage are DIY tours. Based on literature reviewed on the new age of travelling and responses to the survey, there is a huge potential for this form of travel. The General Manager of Destinations Holidays has agreed to share his opinions and has allowed a case study to be performed on his company. In return, a marketing strategy specific to DIY tours will be proposed. This strategy is supposed to chart the path for Destinations Holidays to take in the face of emerging competition and product development in DIY tours.BUSINES

Impact of information technology on the performance of HR consultants.

This research considers the impact of technology on the salesperson’s activities. This study integrates a broad literature research with quantitative research to uncover the relationship between the usage of technology and the alignment of time of salespeople within the HR services industry

Low-temperature synthesis of TiO2 nanocrystals for high performance electrochemical supercapacitors

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocrystals in intermediate phase of amorphous and anatase has been successfully synthesized through a simple, low temperature peroxo sol gel approach. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the TiO2 nanocrystals obtained have an average diameter of 8–133 nm. The effects of calcination temperature on the morphology and phase transformation were studied by annealing the samples at 200–800 °C. TiO2 nanocrystals annealed at 200 °C with diameter of 12 nm exhibited the highest specific capacitance of 146 F g−1 at current density of 0.2 A g−1 in 1 M KOH as the electrolyte. The high specific capacitance is attributed to the intermediate phase of amorphous and anatase structure which enhanced the redox active sites of the TiO2 nanocrystals. Using the TiO2 nanocrystals annealed at 200 °C and activated carbon as the anode and cathode electrodes, respectively, an asymmetrical supercapacitor was successfully prepared. The asymmetric supercapacitor demonstrated outstanding electrochemical performance with wide potential window of 1.45 V, high energy density (35.38 Wh kg−1) and power density (408.23 W kg−1) and excellent stability 80.4% capacitance retention after 3000 cycles, suggesting that it is an auspicious electrode material for supercapacitors