Fabrication of Double-Walled Polymeric Microspheres for Improved Bone Healing and Regeneration.

The purpose of this study was to fabricate double-walled microspheres loaded with specific drugs to improve bone healing properties. The proposed microsphere design consists of hydroxyapatite-loaded poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) as the core layer and cobalt (II) chloride-loaded poly(DL-lactic–co-glycolic) (PLGA) as the shell layer. Cobalt (II) chloride and hydroxyapatite were the chosen drugs because they have previously shown to aid chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, respectively. The morphology, layer identification, and elemental composition of the prepared microspheres were evaluated using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), 3D laser microscope, and selective dissolution techniques. With the help of these characterization methods, the shell and core layers identified as PLGA and PLLA, respectively, and the surface appeared porous/smooth for small particles and porous/rough for larger particles (\u3e400um). Lastly the presence of hydroxyapatite and cobalt(II) chloride were identified throughout both the shell and core layers

Eat Well and Stay Active to Keep Bones Safe

Medical and dietetic students often co-author a column for the Daily Reflector under Dr. Kolasa's byline. The students research the topic a reader or patient has asked. Dr. Kolasa reviews their draft for technical accuracy, patient friendly language, people first language. She fact checks the study or other evidence-based reference the student provides. If a physician review is appropriate, Dr. Kolasa requests a colleague from ECU physicians to review the article. The final draft is submitted to the Reflector with the editor having the final say. The headline is written by the Reflector headline writer. The food and nutrition column has run weekly since 1987. Starting in 2020, in addition to the Daily Reflector, the article is published in daily and weekly papers owned by the Adams Publishing Group East (https://adamspg.com)This is a weekly Q and A newspaper column under the byline of Dr. Kathy Kolasa. Today's column is about bone loss and ways to lessen bone loss via exercise and diet choices.non

Interaction cross sections needed for simulation of secondary electron emission spectra from thin metal foils after fast proton impact

Monte Carlo simulations of secondary electron emission from thin metal foils after fast proton impact require reliable interaction cross sections with the target under consideration. Total and energy differential inelastic cross sections have been derived for aluminum, copper, and gold thin-metal foils within the plane-wave first Born approximation (PWFBA) that factorizes the double cross section into the generalized oscillator strength and kinematic factors. The generalized oscillator strength or Bethe surface of the medium is obtained by using a semi-empirical optical oscillator strength distribution published in the literature and an extension algorithm based on the delta-oscillator model. Energy differential, total, and stopping cross sections are then obtained by simple integrations. Comparisons with other calculations and experimental values from the literature show that our model offers a good agreement in the energy range considered. As a final step, the cross sections and a transport model for copper have been implemented into the Monte Carlo track structure code PARTRAC where simulations of secondary electron emission spectra from copper foil  have been performed.  M.S

Impact of Hurricane Matthew on Diabetes Self-management and Outcomes

Individuals with diabetes require extensive self-management. Little is known about how a hurricane impacts diabetes self-management or outcomes and how it perpetuates health disparities in Robeson County, NC, a county where there is a high proportion of minority racial groups. Mixed methods were used to assess the impact of hurricanes on diabetes outcomes. Mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) from the Southeastern Regional Medical Center from 6 months before and after Hurricane Matthew (HM) were compared using Student t-tests. Individuals with diabetes ≥ age 18 in Robeson County were recruited for focus groups and administered questionnaires to understand the perceived impact of the hurricane on diabetes self- management. Healthcare providers were recruited for parallel key informant interviews. 3,057 and 2,941 individuals had HbA1c measures available before and after HM, respectively. A demographic breakdown of 34.3% White, 21.7% Black or African American, and 21.4% American Indian or Alaska Native was observed in the sample representing 6 months after HM. No significant differences were found between mean HbA1c values before and after HM (before HM: mean HbA1c 8.34 ± 1.87%; after HM: mean HbA1c 8.31 ± 1.93 %; p=0.366). The period prevalence (PP) of DKA was higher in the 6 months after HM than before (before HM: 39 cases out of 4,025 visits, PP=0.010; after HM: 87 cases out of 3,779 visits, PP=0.023; p<0.0001). Significant themes from preliminary qualitative results highlight a lack of access to a balanced diet and diabetes medications that occurs during hurricanes in Robeson County, NC, especially for those of low socioeconomic position (SEP). Individuals with diabetes were more likely to experience DKA after Hurricane Matthew than before. Future interventions may improve outcomes via increased access to healthful foods and diabetes medications, particularly for those of low SEP.Bachelor of Science in Public Healt

Resources are available to address local food insecurity

Medical and dietetic students often co-author a column for the Daily Reflector under Dr. Kolasa's byline. The students research the topic a reader or patient has asked. Dr. Kolasa reviews their draft for technical accuracy, patient friendly language, people first language. She fact checks the study or other evidence-based reference the student provides. If a physician review is appropriate, Dr. Kolasa requests a colleague from ECU physicians to review the article. The final draft is submitted to the Reflector with the editor having the final say. The headline is written by the Reflector headline writer. The food and nutrition column has run weekly since 1987. Starting in 2020, in addition to the Daily Reflector, the article is published in daily and weekly papers owned by the Adams Publishing Group East (https://adamspg.com)This is a weekly Q and A newspaper column under the byline of Dr. Kathy Kolasa. Today's column is regarding food insecurity and access to resources in Pitt County, NC. Locations of food, names of programs, and more are described in this issue.non

“História Infindável de Dor, de Sangue e de Amor”: Gênero e Memória em A Casa dos Espíritos, de Isabel Allende

O presente artigo propõe uma análise do romance A Casa dos Espíritos (1982), de Isabel Allende. O objetivo é investigar sua ficção, relacionada com a história e a memória, enquanto resistência à sociedade patriarcal chilena, demonstrando-se como a obra discute aspectos representacionais e simbólicos acerca de uma cultura feminina. A princípio, avalia-se a violência construída nas concepções de gênero mimetizadas no discurso ficcional durante o período de 1904 a 1973, o que problematiza as hierarquias nas relações em diversos contextos da vida social no Chile. Em seguida, considera-se a fortuna crítica sobre a narrativa ─ com ênfase no estudo acerca do tempo e linguagem na psique feminina ─ para análise de uma escrita marcada pelo realismo maravilhoso, modo ficcional elaborado para conceber a perspectiva sócio-histórica das mulheres no texto. E para complementar a leitura, observa-se o tratamento da memória como fundamento do romance e contributo para transformações sociais.

Gestión de abastecimiento y la comercialización de carne de cerdo de la empresa Cortes Industriales y Especiales S.A.C en Lima, 2021

La presente investigación se estableció de acuerdo con el objetivo general, determinar la relación que existe dentro de la gestión de abastecimiento y la comercialización de carne de cerdo de la empresa Cortes Industriales y Especiales S.A.C en Lima, 2021. El diseño de la investigación es no experimental, de enfoque cuantitativo, tipo aplicada y alcance correlacional, además la población fue conformada por 33 colaboradores y la muestra fue censal. Como instrumento empleamos un cuestionario de 24 preguntas, la técnica aplicada fue la encuesta. La validez del instrumento fue a través del juicio de expertos y para validar la confiabilidad, obteniendo como resultado un coeficiente del Alfa de Cronbach de 0,884 para la variable gestión de abastecimiento y 0,871 para la variable comercialización, lo cual demuestra que el instrumento presenta una consistencia buena. Los resultados demostraron que el 42.42% de los encuestados consideran que la gestión de la gestión de abastecimiento es regular, también, el 57.58% sostuvo que la comercialización es regular Asimismo, se alcanza un coeficiente Rho de Spearman entre ambas variables de estudio de 0,594 indica una correlación positiva considerable, con una relación significativa de 0.000<0.05; en esa misma línea se concluye que existe relación significativa entre la gestión de abastecimiento y la comercialización en la empresa Cortes Industriales y Especiales S.A.C en Lima, 2021

Glomerular filtration rate decline in T2DM following diagnosis. The Verona newly diagnosed diabetes study-12

Aims: Nephropathy is a complication of type 2 diabetes, with increased albuminuria and reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as biomarkers. Rates of progression to end-stage-renal disease are variable among patients. In this study we have examined the GFR decline in newly diagnosed T2DM. Methods: A cohort of 410 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM and with at least four serum creatinine during the follow-up period were recruited. A linear model was used to calculate the decline in eGFR. A multivariable logistic model was used to identify independent predictors of rapid eGFR decline. Results: Average follow-up was 12.4 years. The eGFR change was −0.80 ± 2.23 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year. Patients were arbitrarily stratified into rapid decliners (≤-3.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year), moderate decliners (-2.9/-1 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year) and slow/no decliners (&gt;-1.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year). Subjects in the 3 categories were 11.4%, 27.3%, and 61.3%, respectively. Albuminuria was the stronger predictor of rapid eGFR decline. Conclusions: A rapid decline in eGFR occurs in approximately 1 out of 10 newly diagnosed subjects. This rapid decline can be predicted by widely accessible clinical features, such as albuminuria. Identification of rapid decliners may help to reduce progression toward advanced stages of nephropathy

Chronic complications in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: prevalence and related metabolic and clinical features: the Verona Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Study (VNDS) 9

INTRODUCTION: We explored the presence of chronic complications in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes referred to the Verona Diabetes Clinic. Metabolic (insulin secretion and sensitivity) and clinical features associated with complications were also investigated.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The comprehensive assessment of microvascular and macrovascular complications included detailed medical history, resting ECG, ultrasonography of carotid and lower limb arteries, quantitative neurological evaluation, cardiovascular autonomic tests, ophthalmoscopy, kidney function tests. Insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function were assessed by state-of-the-art techniques (insulin clamp and mathematical modeling of glucose/C-peptide curves during oral glucose tolerance test).RESULTS: We examined 806 patients (median age years, two-thirds males), of whom prior clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) was revealed in 11.2% and preclinical CVD in 7.7%. Somatic neuropathy was found in 21.2% and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in 18.6%. Retinopathy was observed in 4.9% (background 4.2%, proliferative 0.7%). Chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt;60mL/min/1.73 m2) was found in 8.8% and excessive albuminuria in 13.2% (microalbuminuria 11.9%, macroalbuminuria 1.3%).Isolated microvascular disease occurred in 30.8%, isolated macrovascular disease in 9.3%, a combination of both in 9.1%, any complication in 49.2% and no complications in 50.8%.Gender, age, body mass index, smoking, hemoglobin A1c and/or hypertension were independently associated with one or more complications. Insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction were associated with macrovascular but not microvascular disease.CONCLUSIONS: Despite a generally earlier diagnosis for an increased awareness of the disease, as many as ~50% of patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes had clinical or preclinical manifestations of microvascular and/or macrovascular disease. Insulin resistance might play an independent role in macrovascular disease.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01526720

Electron Emission from Foils and Biological Materials after Proton Impact

Electron emission spectra from thin metal foils with thin layers of water frozen on them (amorphous solid water) after fast proton impact have been measured and have been simulated in liquid water using the event-by-event track structure code PARTRAC. The electron transport model of PARTRAC has been extended to simulate electron transport down to 1 eV by including low-energy phonon, vibrational and electronic excitations as measured by Michaud et al. (Radiat. Res. 159, 3–22, 2003) for amorphous ice. Simulated liquid water yields follow in general the amorphous solid water measurements at higher energies, but overestimate them significantly at energies below 50 eV. Originally published Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Vol. 77, No. 10-12, Oct-Dec 200