Synthesis,Characterization, and Modeling of Aligned ZnO Nanowire-Enhanced Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Composites

This paper presents the synthesis, characterization, and multiscale modeling of hybrid composites with enhanced interfacial properties consisting of aligned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires and continuous carbon fibers. The atomic layer deposition method was employed to uniformly synthesize nanoscale ZnO seeds on carbon fibers. Vertically aligned ZnO nanowires were grown from the deposited nanoscale seeds using the low-temperature hydrothermal method. Morphology and chemical compositions of ZnO nanowires were characterized to evaluate the quality of synthesized ZnO nanowires in hybrid fiber-reinforced composites. Single fiber fragmentation tests reveal that the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) in epoxy composites improved by 286%. Additionally, a multiscale modeling framework was developed to investigate the IFSS of hybrid composites with radially aligned ZnO nanowires. The cohesive zone model (CZM) was implemented to model the interface between fiber and matrix. The damage behavior of fiber was simulated using the ABAQUS user subroutine to define a material’s mechanical behavior (UMAT). Both experimental and analytical results indicate that the hierarchical carbon fibers enhanced by aligned ZnO nanowires are effective in improving the key mechanical properties of hybrid fiber-reinforced composites.     

Oxidative stress parameters and keap 1 variants in T2DM: Association with T2DM,diabetic neuropathy,diabetic retinopathy,and obesity

IntroductionChronic hyperglycemia activates the inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress mechanisms with consequent damage to nerve tissue and retina. The Keap1‐Nrf2 pathway acts as one of the most important antioxidant pathways of the organism. Variants of Keap1 could affect susceptibility to diabetes and its complications.MethodsIn a case‐control study, 400 individuals included type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients without complication, with neuropathy, with retinopathy, and healthy individuals were investigated. The levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured using chemical methods. Using the PCR‐RFLP method, the Keap1 (rs11085735) variants were identified.ResultsNeuropathic patients had significantly lower levels of GSH, GPx, and TAC and higher levels of total oxidative status (TOS), MDA, and oxidative stress index (OSI) compared to T2DM patients without complication and controls. Lower levels of GSH and GPx and a higher level of MDA were observed in patients with retinopathy compared with controls. Obesity was associated with significantly lower GPx activity and higher TOS. A significantly higher Keap1 AA genotype was found in patients with neuropathy than T2DM without complication and controls. The presence of Keap1 AA genotype correlated with lower GPx activity compared to CC genotype.ConclusionsOur study suggests the role of reduced antioxidant system and Keap1 variants in the pathogenesis of T2DM and its complications of neuropathy and retinopathy and also obesity in enhanced oxidative stress. Monitoring oxidative stress parameters in diabetic patients, especially those with complication and their treatment with antioxidants is suggested.     

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma as a rare secondary malignancy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A case report

Secondary malignancies are a significant cause of non‐relapse mortality in patients who undergo allogeneic HCT. However, secondary liver cancer is rare, and ICC following HCT has never been reported in the literature. Secondary solid cancers typically have a long latency period, and cholangiocarcinoma is classically a malignancy occurring in older individuals. Here, we report the first case of secondary ICC, which presented just 3 years after HCT in a young adult with a history of childhood ALL. A 26‐year‐old male with history of precursor B‐cell ALL presented with asymptomatic elevated liver function tests 3 years after HCT. Laboratories were indicative of biliary obstruction. ERCP showed focal biliary stricturing of the common and left hepatic ducts. MRCP revealed left intrahepatic duct dilatation, suggestive of intrahepatic obstructing mass. Additional workup lead to a clinical diagnosis of ICC. The patient underwent left hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection and portal lymphadenectomy. Surgical pathology was consistent with moderately differentiated cholangiocarcinoma. Our case illustrates a rare SMN following HCT for ALL. It is the first case report of ICC occurring as a secondary cancer in this patient population. Although cholangiocarcinoma is characteristically diagnosed in the older population, it must remain on the differential for biliary obstruction in post‐HCT patients.     

Piloting a food photo sorting activity in Samoa to assess maternal beliefs and their role in child diet

Eating habits begin forming early in life when parental beliefs and behaviours often play a major role in shaping dietary intake. We aimed to assess maternal beliefs about the cost, social status, and nutritional value of foods in Samoa—a setting with an alarming burden of childhood obesity—and to determine how those beliefs may be related to child dietary intake. Samoan mothers (n = 44) sorted photographs of 26 foods commonly consumed in children in Samoa by cost, social status, and nutritional value (healthfulness). Responses were then assessed for their association with child dietary intake (reported using a food frequency questionnaire) using Pearson correlations. Mothers indicated that traditional Samoan foods were healthier, of higher social status, and lower cost compared with non‐traditional/imported food items. Compared with nutritional experts and a market survey of food prices, mothers demonstrated strong nutritional (r = .87, 95% CI [0.68, 0.95], p < .001) and consumer (r = .84, 95% CI [0.68, 0.93], p < .001) knowledge. The perceived cost of food was more strongly associated (r = ?.37, 95% CI [?0.66, 0.02], p = .06) with child dietary intake than either healthfulness or social status, with decreasing consumption reported with increasing food cost. Our findings contradicted the notion that the high social status of imported foods may be contributing to increased intake and rising prevalence of childhood obesity in this developing country setting. Despite their nutritional knowledge, Samoan mothers may need additional support in applying their knowledge/beliefs to provide a healthy child diet, including support for access to reasonably priced healthy foods.     

An Iranian herbal-marine medicine, MS14, ameliorates experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which mainly affects young adults. To overcome wide spectrum troublesome symptoms of multiple sclerosis which affects the quality of life both in patients and their families, new drugs and remedies have been examined and offered. The preclinical beneficial effects of different medicines have mostly been examined in an animal model of multiple sclerosis called experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this study we have tested a traditionally used natural (herbal-marine) product called MS(14) in EAE mice. EAE mice were fed with MS(14) containing diet (30%) on the immunization day and monitored for 20 days. The results show that while clinical scores and therefore severity of the disease was progressive in normal-fed EAE mice, the disease was slowed down in MS(14)-fed EAE mice. Moreover, while there were moderate to severe neuropathological changes in normal fed mice, milder changes were seen in MS(14) fed mice.     

Antidiabetic effect of Phlomis anisodonta: effects on hepatic cells lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in experimental diabetes.

The present study investigated the effects of aerial parts of Phlomis anisodonta methanolic extract (PAE) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats by measuring fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, change in body weight, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and liver antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of six animals. Treatment of diabetic rats with oral administration of PAE at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg kg(-1) for 10 days resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, and an increase in serum insulin levels in comparison with diabetic control group. PAE also protected rats from STZ-induced loss in body weight. Hepatic FRAP increased and LPO in diabetic rats decreased after treatment by PAE at doses of 200 and 400 mg kg(-1). PAE-treated diabetic rats at three doses indicated a significant increase in hepatic SOD, CAT, and GPx activities. These results suggest that PAE is beneficial in the control of diabetes by reduction of blood glucose and increasing insulin levels and combating oxidative stress by activation of hepatic antioxidant enzymes.     

Concordance-based adherence support service delivery: consumer perspectives

Objectives: To explore consumers’ attitudes towards, and expectations of, adherence support services in primary health care, specifically in community pharmacy; and to explore consumers’ attitudes towards the concept of concordance. Setting: An exploratory qualitative study conducted in Metropolitan Sydney, Australia. Method: Three focus group discussions with consumers on chronic therapy (n = 22) and two focus groups with consumer representatives (n = 15) were conducted in 2002. Consumer representatives were peer educators volunteering in an association which promotes quality use of medicines among elderly patients. All discussions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and thematically content analysed. Main outcome measures: Consumers’ experiences with adherence support services delivered by general practitioners and pharmacists, their expectations towards general practitioners’ and pharmacists’ role in adherence support; and attitudes towards concordance in consultations. Results: Participants expected an increased provision of medicine information and a reduction in the number of medications taken as the main strategies to promote adherence. They believed that once understandable information had been delivered, it was their responsibility to take their medications as prescribed. Yet participants frequently complained about the information received, especially from doctors. Only a subgroup of participants expected pharmacists to be involved in adherence support services. These participants generally relied on pharmacists for medicine information and were satisfied with the communication process when interacting with the pharmacists. All participants were positive about concordance, because they valued two-way communication and increased consideration of their needs and beliefs by healthcare professionals. However, they were hesitant about being involved in a shared treatment decision-making process. Many participants focused on concordance with doctors and identified barriers to the establishment of concordance: time pressures, financial constraints, the gap of competence and power between patients and doctors. Conclusions: Pharmacists should consider consumers’ needs for information and establishing concordance, as well as their expectations of the pharmacy profession, in delivering concordance based adherence support services. Given participants’ high demand for medicine information, an opportunity might exist for pharmacists to influence consumers’ expectations by offering information which is tailored towards their needs.     

Comparison of off-pump versus conventional coronary revascularization

Between May 1999 and August 2001, 231 patients underwent off-pump coronary bypass, of whom 171 required revascularization of the anterior vessels of the heart. They were compared with a group matched for age, sex, and risk factors undergoing revascularization of the same group of vessels under cardiopulmonary bypass. Mortality was comparable in both groups but the incidence of cerebrovascular accident, respiratory insufficiency, and renal failure was less in the off-pump group. Postoperative drainage and blood transfusion requirements were significantly less in the off-pump group. Intensive care and hospital stay were shorter in the off-pump patients. A considerable number of patients are potential candidates for off-pump coronary bypass, the only contraindication being technical limitations. Follow-up at 6 to 24 months indicates that off-pump coronary bypass can be performed safely with a decrease in morbidity and more rapid return to normal lifestyle.