Influence of cement layer thickness on the adhesive bond strength of polyalkenoate cements.

The fracture toughness and yield stress values of model zinc polycarboxylate and glass polyalkenoate cements have been used to calculate plastic zone sizes. The size of the plastic zone at the crack tip in these materials has been used to predict whether cement layer thickness is likely to influence the adhesive bond strength. In the model zinc polycarboxylate cement studied, the plastic zone size was comparable to the cement layer thickness and had a pronounced influence on the shear bond strengths obtained. In contrast, the plastic zone sizes obtained for the glass polyalkenoate cements were much smaller and the shear bond strengths were found to be much less dependent on cement layer thickness.     

Anthelmintic activities of chloroform and methanol extracts of Buchholzia coriacea Engler seed

The anthelmintic potentials of the chloroform and methanol extracts of Buchholzia coriacea Engler seed were investigated. In folklore medicine, B. coriacea (Capparidaceae) is believed to be useful in the treatment of various kinds of ailments and diseases. At doses of 10 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, the extracts were tested against Eudrilus eugeniae (earthworm) and Bunostomum phlebotomum (cattle hookworm). The extracts exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic effects on the earthworms and hookworms. The methanol extract at 50 mg/kg was the most active extract against the helminths, and the activity of the methanol extract was not significantly different from that of piperazine hydrate (reference drug, 10 mg/kg) against the earthworms.     

A quick survey of an HBCU's first year nursing students' perception of the HIV/AIDS phenomenon.

There are always some assumptions that are made about the knowledge of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) phenomenon among graduating high school seniors. To ascertain their knowledge, a categorical survey questionnaire was designed featuring yes and no answers, a Likert scale, and qualitative response questions to the problem of HIV/AIDS prevention behavior. It was administered to first semester nursing college students at an historically black college and university (HBCU) in northeastern United States. These freshman students were enrolled in the course University Seminar. The class consisted of 68 students (64 females and 4 males). The students in this class anonymously completed the questionnaire about their perceptions and knowledge of the HIV/AIDS phenomenon. Findings from the study indicated that the majority of the students knew that HIV/AIDS could make an individual sick enough to die. The students stated, however, that they were willing to submit to the sexual demands of their partners, even when they refused to wear condoms. Of the 64 female students who responded to the questionnaire, 38 stated that using a condom might diminish their feeling during the sexual experience and they thought that it was very important that that did not happen. Therefore, this situation might affect a student's decision as to whether or not to insist on using a condom. In conclusion, it is recommended that intensive HIV/AIDS education be incorporated into the curriculum and the questionnaire be repeated in these students' junior and senior years to ascertain whether or not there was a change in their attitudes.     

Inhibition of heregulin mediated MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth by the ErbB3 binding protein EBP1

The ErbB2/3 heterodimer plays a critical role in breast cancer genesis and progression. EBP1, an ErbB3 binding protein, inhibits breast cancer growth but its effects on ErbB3 ligand mediated signal transduction or ErbB receptors is not known. We report here that ectopic expression of EBP1 in MCF-7 and AU565 breast cancer cell lines inhibited HRG-induced proliferation. ErbB2 protein levels were substantially decreased in EBP1 transfectants, while ErbB3 levels were unchanged. HRG-induced AKT activation was attenuated in EBP1 stable transfectants and transfection of a constitutively activated AKT partially restored the growth response to HRG. Down-regulation of EBP1 expression in MCF-7 cells by shRNA resulted in increased cell growth in response to HRG and increased cyclin D1 and ErbB2 expression. These results suggest that EBP1, by down-regulating ErbB signal transduction, attentuates HRG-mediated growth of breast cancer cells.     

A Single-Blind,Parallel Design RCT to Assess the Effectiveness of SMS Reminders in Improving ART Adherence Among Adolescents Living with HIV (STARTA Trial)

PurposeThe study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of interactive and tailored short message reminders on antiretroviral therapy adherence among adolescents (15–19 years) living with HIV in southwest Nigeria.MethodsThe study was a single-blind, parallel-design (ratio 1:1), and multicenter RCT of 209 medication-non-adherent adolescents living with HIV at HIV clinics in two states in southwest Nigeria. The research assessed ART adherence using the visual analog scale, viral suppression, pill count, and ACTG scores; the feasibility of the intervention by the SMS delivery and response (overall and individual) rates; and acceptability using self-report, willingness to continue receiving the intervention, and desire for its scale-up.ResultsA total of 17,690 text messages were sent while 10,119 (57.2%) got delivered to the participants. Out of 9,216 responses that were received from the study participants, 8,781 (95.3%) indicated acceptability of the intervention.The end-of-study log₁₀ of viral load values between control and intervention groups had a mean difference of 0.66 (95% CI 0.26–1.06) and p-value of .001. Also, the unadjusted odds ratio of undetected viral load (≤20 copies/ml) was 1.356 (1.039–1.771) with a p-value of .002. However, the intervention had no effect on subjective measures of antiretroviral therapy adherence.ConclusionsThe use of interactive and tailored short message reminders to enhance antiretroviral therapy adherence among adolescents has good potential. It seems feasible, highly acceptable, and possibly leads to improved viral load count. It is likely that the associated antiretroviral therapy adherence enhances viral suppression and, therefore, improves outcomes in adolescent HIV.     

Effects of diabetes self-management programs on time-to-hospitalization among patients with type 2 diabetes: A survival analysis model

Objective

This study compared time-to-hospitalization among subjects enrolled in different diabetes self-management programs (DSMP). We sought to determine whether the interventions delayed the occurrence of any acute event necessitating hospitalization.

Methods

Electronic medical records (EMR) were obtained for 376 adults enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) self-management programs. All study participants had uncontrolled diabetes and were randomized into either: personal digital assistant (PDA), Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), combined PDA and CDSMP (COM), or usual care (UC) groups. Subjects were followed for a maximum of two years. Time-to-hospitalization was measured as the interval between study enrollment and the occurrence of a diabetes-related hospitalization.

Results

Subjects enrolled in the CDSMP-only arm had significantly prolonged time-to-hospitalization (Hazard ratio: 0.10; p = 0.002) when compared to subjects in the control arm. Subjects in the PDA-only and combined PDA and CDSMP arms showed no improvements in comparison to the control arm.

Conclusion

CDSMP can be effective in delaying time-to-hospitalization among patients with T2DM.

Practice implications

Reducing unnecessary healthcare utilization, particularly inpatient hospitalization is a key strategy to improving the quality of health care and lowering associated health care costs. The CDSMP offers the potential to reduce time-to-hospitalization among T2DM patients.