Prednisone-induced worsening of neuromuscular function in myasthenia gravis

In patients with myasthenia gravis who received single doses of prednisone orally (40 to 100 mg), we found acute inhibition of neuromuscular function as manifest by increased decremental responses to repetitive nerve stimulation, reduced twitch tension, and lowered maximum voluntary contraction strength. The time course of these changes correlated with plasma methylprednisolone levels, implying direct drug effects on neuromuscular function.     

Body-image dissatisfaction is strongly associated with chronic dysphoria

Background

Individual depressive symptoms may contribute to the risk of chronic depression. This study aimed to explore which symptoms predict chronic dysphoria, a hallmark of depression.

Methods

1057 participants from the population-based Young Finns study were examined for four times during a 16-year period. Those with a modified Beck’s Depression Inventory score in the upper third at all four screenings were considered to have chronic dysphoria (n=135). Participants with only one high depression score formed the reference group of transient dysphoria (n=179). Individual items of the Inventory were analyzed in terms of their association with dysphoria status and chronicity, controlling for potential confounding factors, such as personality assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory.

Results

Body-image dissatisfaction was strongly associated with chronically elevated dysphoria (Bonferroni-corrected p=0.006). The degree of body-image dissatisfaction was associated with the probability for chronic dysphoria in a dose–response manner, with the estimated probability ranging from 0.01 to 0.60 as a function of item response. The association remained after adjustments for a wide range of personality characteristics.

Limitations

The study relied on self-reports of mood and personality, and lacked information on external opinion on participants appearances. The requirement of full time-series data may have resulted in attrition-related bias.

Conclusions

Body-image dissatisfaction was a strong predictor of chronic depression characterized by dysphoria. This finding suggests that dysfunctional attitude towards oneself might represent a potentially important target for cognitive therapies and preventive interventions.     

Metal phthalocyanine organic thin-film transistors: changes in electrical performance and stability in response to temperature and environment

Metal phthalocyanines (MPcs) are a widely studied class of materials that are frequently used in organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The stability of these devices and the materials used in their fabrication is important to realize their widespread adoption. Seven P-type MPcs: zinc (ZnPc), magnesium (MgPc), aluminum (AlClPc), iron (FePc), cobalt (CoPc), and titanium (TiOPc) were investigated as the semiconductors in OTFTs under varying temperatures (25 °C to 150 °C) and environmental conditions (air and vacuum, P < 0.1 Pa). Devices using the divalent MPcs (except MgPc) showed significant shifts in threshold voltage and field-effect mobility with rising temperature in both air and vacuum. AlClPc and TiOPc, on the other hand, had more stable electrical properties, making them useful for applications requiring consistent performance. Distinct variations in film morphology as determined by atomic force microscopy may explain the different thermal response between the two groups of MPcs, while thermal gravimetric analysis in air and nitrogen (N₂) provides additional insight into their susceptibility to oxidation at elevated temperature. To demonstrate proof-of-concept thermal sensing under realistic operating conditions, current changes were monitored in response to temperature stimuli using two more sensitive divalent MPcs. This comparative study of the effect of central atom inclusion in MPcs, the resulting material stability and thin-film characteristics will facilitate design of future sensors and other OTFT applications.

A series of metal phthalocyanine based organic thin film transistors were evaluated and their responses to changes in temperature and environmental was determined: the choice of central atom makes a difference.     

The impact of islet mass,number of transplants,and time between transplants on graft function in a national islet transplant program

The UK islet allotransplant program is nationally funded to deliver one or two transplants over 12 months to individuals with type 1 diabetes and recurrent severe hypoglycemia. Analyses were undertaken 10 years after program inception to evaluate associations between transplanted mass; single versus two transplants; time between two transplants and graft survival (stimulated C-peptide >50 pmol/L) and function. In total, 84 islet transplant recipients were studied. Uninterrupted graft survival over 12 months was attained in 23 (68%) single and 47 (94%) (p = .002) two transplant recipients (separated by [median (IQR)] 6 (3–8) months). 64% recipients of one or two transplants with uninterrupted function at 12 months sustained graft function at 6 years. Total transplanted mass was associated with Mixed Meal Tolerance Test stimulated C-peptide at 12 months (p < .01). Despite 1.9-fold greater transplanted mass in recipients of two versus one islet infusion (12 218 [9291–15 417] vs. 6442 [5156–7639] IEQ/kg; p < .0001), stimulated C-peptide was not significantly higher. Shorter time between transplants was associated with greater insulin dose reduction at 12 months (beta ?0.35; p = .02). Graft survival over the first 12 months was greater in recipients of two versus one islet transplant in the UK program, although function at 1 and 6 years was comparable. Minimizing the interval between 2 islet infusions may maximize cumulative impact on graft function.     

Applications of biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles – A review

We present a comprehensive review of the applications of biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles (NPs). The biosynthesis of metallic NPs is the subject of a number of recent reviews, which focus on the various “bottom-up” biofabrication methods and characterization of the final products. Numerous applications exploit the advantages of biosynthesis over chemical or physical NP syntheses, including lower capital and operating expenses, reduced environmental impacts, and superior biocompatibility and stability of the NP products. The key applications reviewed here include biomedical applications, especially antimicrobial applications, but also imaging applications, catalytic applications such as reduction of environmental contaminants, and electrochemical applications including sensing. The discussion of each application is augmented with a critical review of the potential for continued development.     

Cardiac Stress Reactivity and Recovery of Novelty Seekers

Background  

Novelty seeking temperament has been associated with higher coronary heart disease risk factors, but the mechanism behind the association is open. Cardiac stress response is a potential candidate.     

Rheological properties of three component creams containing sorbitan monoesters as surfactants

The objectives of the present study were (1) to evaluate the effect of formulation ingredients on the release rate of Ubiquinone from its adsorbing solid compact; and (2) to prepare and evaluate an optimized self-nanoemulsified tablet formulation. A three factor, three-level Box–Behnken design was used for the optimization procedure, with the amounts of copolyvidone (X₁), maltodextrin (X₂) and microcrystalline cellulose (X₃) as the independent variables. The response variable was cumulative percent of Ubiquinone emulsified in 45 min with constraints on weight, flowability index, tensile strength, friability and disintegration time of the dry powdered emulsion and the resultant compact. Based on the experimental design, different Ubiquinone release rates and profiles were obtained. Mathematical equations and response surface plots were used to relate the dependent and independent variables. The regression equation generated for the cumulative percent emulsified in 45 min was Y₆=64.10−12.32X₁−4.36X₂−25.53X₃+6.99X₁X₂+3.97X₁X₃+9.70X₂X₃−8.98X₁²−16.22X₂²+17.10X₃². The optimization model predicted an 85.4% release with X₁, X₂ and X₃ levels of 66.6, 560.1 and 100, respectively. A new formulation was prepared according to these levels. The observed responses were in close agreement with the predicted values of the optimized formulation.     

Immunohistochemical profile of cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast: a study of 23 cases

Cystosarcoma phyllodes (CP) of the breast is a rare biphasic tumor composed of benign epithelium and a spindle cell stroma. Biologic behavior of CP cannot be predicted with certainty on the basis of morphologic criteria only. We studied immunohistochemical expression of basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF), urokinase, Ki67, p53 protein, and microvessel density in stromal and epithelial components of 14 low-grade CP (LCP) and 9 high-grade CP (HCP). bFGF was more often positive in LCP than in HCP. The stroma was positive for bFGF in 86% of LCP and 67% of HCP, and the epithelium was positive in 64% of LCP and 14% of HCP. Urokinase was positive in stromal cells of 86% of LCP and 93% of HCP. The epithelial positivity for urokinase in both groups resembled closely that of the stroma. p53 protein was more often positive in stromal cells of HCP (67%) than in LCP (50%). Ki67 was positive in the stroma of 43% of LCP and 89% of HCP and in the epithelium of 14% of LCP and 33% of HCP. There was no significant difference in microvessel density (MVD) in low- and high-grade lesions. Our study demonstrates that stromal Ki67 and p53 immunohistochemical positivity are more often associated with high-grade tumors. The positive immunostaining for bFGF, urokinase, Ki67, and p53 in stroma and epithelium of the majority of CP supports the existence of epithelial-stromal interactions and recognizes epithelium as an integral part of this tumor.