Characterisation of influenza A viruses with mutations in segment 5 packaging signals

Influenza A virus vRNA segments contain specific packaging signals at their termini that overlap the coding regions. To further characterise segment 5 packaging signals, we introduced synonymous mutations into the terminal coding regions of the vRNA and characterised the replicative fitness of the resulting viruses. Most mutations tested were well-tolerated, but a virus with alterations to NP codons 464-466, near the 5′-end of the vRNA, produced small plaques and replicated to around one-tenth of the level of wild type virus. The mutant virus supported normal levels of NP and segment 5 vRNA synthesis but packaged reduced levels of both segment 5 and segment 3 into virus particles. This suggests an interaction between segments 3 and 5 during influenza A virus assembly.     

Evaluation of weekly paclitaxel plus carboplatin followed by anthracycline chemotherapy on the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with triple-negative breast cancer

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel in combination with weekly carboplatin area under curve 2 followed by anthracycline chemotherapy.

Insight, quality of life, and functional capacity in middle-aged and older adults with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: The quality of life (QOL) for individuals with schizophrenia is determined by a number of factors, not limited to symptomatology. The current study examined lack of insight as one such factor that may influence subjective QOL or functional capacity. It was hypothesized that insight would significantly interact with symptom severity to influence subjective QOL. Insight was not expected to influence the relation between symptom severity and functional capacity. METHODS: Participants were middle-aged and older outpatients who met diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and subsyndromal depression. Insight, psychopathology, and subjective QOL were assessed via semi-structured interviews and functional capacity was assessed via performance-based measures. RESULTS: Insight interacts with negative symptom severity to predict subjective QOL. Severity of negative symptoms and insight contribute directly to functional capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with intact insight may be better able to manage their symptoms, resulting in improved QOL. Treatment implications for improving the QOL of middle age and older adults with schizophrenia are discussed.     

Pancreas transplantation after bariatric surgery

Obese transplant candidates are at increased risk for perioperative and postoperative complications. In many transplant programs, morbid obesity is considered to be an exclusion criterion for transplantation. The only potential option that would grant these patients access to transplant is weight loss. Non-operative weight loss strategies such as behavioral modifications, exercise, diet, or medication have only very limited success in achieving long-term weight loss. In contrast, bariatric surgery was shown to achieve not only more excessive weight loss, but more importantly, this weight loss can be sustained for longer periods of time. Therefore, bariatric surgery presents an attractive option for weight loss for morbidly obese transplant candidates. We report our experience with four patients who underwent bariatric surgery prior to successful pancreas transplantation. Even though gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band present as equivalent alternatives for weight reduction, we believe that in the population of morbidly obese diabetic patients who are possible candidates for pancreas transplantation, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement is the more suitable procedure.     

Reproducibility of Ventilatory Parameters,Dynamic Hyperinflation,and Performance in the Glittre-ADL Test in COPD Patients

Background: This study aimed to investigate the reproducibility of the ventilatory parameters and dynamic hyperinflation (DH) induced by the Glittre ADL-test (TGlittre) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods: Twenty-three patients with COPD underwent anthropometry, spirometry, TGlittre (TGlittre1 and TGlittre2) and pre- and post-test slow vital capacity. During the tests the ventilatory response was evaluated. Results: Regarding the TGlittre reproducibility, 87% of patients had a better performance in TGlittre2, and reduced on average 0.34 minute ± 0.62 (p = 0.01) from TGlittre1 time to TGlittre2, showing a learning effect of 6.34%. The difference average between tests was correlated with the time spent in TGlittre1 (r = ?0.52; p < 0.05). The TGlittre time was statistically reproducible (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97; p < 0.001). Final ventilation parameters and their variations presented low-to-high reproducibility, except respiratory rate. The DH was similar (p > 0.05) in both tests, with low reproducibility in percentage, while in liters it was not reproducible. Conclusions: The TGlittre time and ventilatory parameters are reproducible, while DH is variable in COPD patients. A 6?7% learning effect was shown, and it is recommended to perform two tests.