Dual optical biosensors for imaging microRNA-1 during myogenesis

Dual optical microRNA (miRNA) imaging systems, bioluminescent reporter gene (a signal-off mechanism)- or fluorescent molecular beacon (MB) (a signal-on mechanism)-based miRNA imaging system, have individually allowed us to sense miRNA biogenesis in a noninvasive and iterative manner. Both of these imaging systems have shortcomings with respect to image quality. Therefore, we designed a dual optical imaging systems by simultaneous imaging of a miRNA-1 reporter gene (CMV/Gluc/3xPT_miR-1) and miRNA-1 MB in a single cell to overcome these limitations and used it to visualize miRNA-1, a highly expressed miRNA in cardiac and skeletal muscle. During myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells, the bioluminescence intensity from CMV/Gluc/3xPT_miR-1 revealed a miRNA-1-dependent gradual decrease and the fluorescence intensity from miR-1 MB demonstrated a miRNA-1-dependent gradual increase both in vitro and in vivo. The dual miRNA-1 imaging systems, which provides the complementary imaging information about miRNA biogenesis, could be useful to sense miRNA expression during various biologic processes.     

Discarded cigarette butts attract females and kill the progeny of Aedes albopictus

Discarded cigarette butts (DCB) waste occurs worldwide, pollutes landscapes, is unsightly, and results in added debris removal costs. There is, therefore, a great deal of current interest in making use of DCBs in beneficial ways. Despite evidence that DCBs are harmful to water fleas (Daphnia magna), which breed in aquatic environments as do mosquito larvae, their impact on dengue vectors is unknown. We examined whether Aedes albopictus alters its ovipositional responses, larval eclosion, and development in response to presence of DCBs in its habitats. We found oviposition activity in DCB-treated water similar to that of control water and that ovipositional activity in DCB solutions steadily increased over time as those solutions aged to 10 days. Larval eclosion was initially suppressed on day 1 in DCB solution, but increased thereafter to levels similar to control larval eclosion rates. The DCB-water solutions produced significantly higher mortality in both 1st and 2nd instars over control larvae for several days after initial exposure. Mortality rates decreased sharply 3 to 5 days postexposure as DCBs continued to decompose. We found increased survival rates during late development, but daily input of fresh DCBs prevented most young larvae from completing development. Taken together, these observations suggest that decomposing did not deter gravid Ae. albopictus females from ovipositing in treated containers and that DCB solutions had larvicidal effects on early instars. Our results are discussed in the context of DCB use to control container-breeding Ae. albopictus, a competent dengue vector in Asia and other parts of the world.     

Evaluation of a community pharmacy-based medication therapy management programme: A study protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial with an embedded qualitative study

ObjectivesThe main objectives are: to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a community-pharmacy based medication therapy management programme; to explore patients’ experiences and views towards medication therapy management service delivered by community pharmacists.Research design and methodsA mixed-methods research design consisting of a pilot randomized controlled trial embedded with qualitative study will be used in this study. The study consists of two phases: a 6-month follow-up pilot randomized control trial (quantitative approach) to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a community pharmacy-based medication therapy management programme. The primary outcome is HbA1C and secondary outcomes include: clinical and health services utilization and process measures, medication adherence, diabetes distress as well as satisfaction with care. Phase two consists of an embedded qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore patients’ experiences and views with the medication therapy management programme. Study data collection will be collected between April 2021 and December 2021.Ethics considerationThe study has been approved by institutional review boards from Princess Nourah bent Abdulrahman University (Approval # 20–0240), King Fahad Medical City (Approval # 20-388E) and Birmingham University (Approval # ERN_20-0768).     

The influence of COVID-19 related psychological and demographic variables on the effectiveness of e-learning among health care students in the southern region of Saudi Arabia

BackgroundE-learning is a modern and flexible mode of education and is being used as an alternative to conventional mode of education during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However evidence suggests that effectiveness of e-learning is influenced by many prevailing factors.MethodsA cross sectional study aimed to evaluate health care students’ perception towards implementation of e-learning was conducted for a period of 4 months, from April 2020 to July 2020. Research instrument consisted of a self-designed, qualitative questionnaire with three domains was validated using field pretest method and administered among health care students of King Khalid University using social media platforms. Chi square test was used to estimate the effect of e-learning on various domains whereas linear regression analysis was used to find the association between subjects’ characteristics to overall domain scores. P value < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsAmong 254 respondents 59.8% were males and 96.5% respondents were staying with their families.10.2% reported medically imposed quarantine for one or more family members. 59.8% reported that the online classes were commenced too early. 63.4% of the respondents reported that they had no previous experience. Poor network connectivity (32.3%) and unawareness about online platforms (29.9%), poor audio/video qualities (26.3%) were found as major barriers. Psychological stress, discipline of study, living status and quarantine history had a remarkable impact on the effectiveness of online education.ConclusionHealth care students are still cynical and are yet to embrace e-learning fully. Psychological distress, technical issues in association with accessibility, inexperience and unpreparedness were found to be main barriers that limited student acceptance of e-learning.     

Endometriosis of the appendix: Report of three cases

Endometriosis of the appendix is an entity of extragonadal endometriosis. It commonly affects women in the childbearing age with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Women can present with symptoms mimicking acute appendicitis or chronic pelvic pain. The surgical management varies from simple appendectomy to right hemicolectomy depending on the clinical findings. We report 3 cases of endometriosis of the appendix presenting with appendiceal intussusception. The surgical literature is reviewed and current surgical management is discussed.     

Determining the Association Between Preoperative Computed Tomography Findings and Postoperative Outcomes After Cytoreductive Surgery and Perioperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

Background

This study evaluates the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scoring of the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) and examines its association with surgical morbidity and outcomes in pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Methods

Forty-seven patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei had preoperative evaluation of CT scans and were treated with cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Their radiological PCI and intraoperative PCI were scored for determination of accuracy and for correlation with morbidity and outcomes.

Results

Accuracy in detecting peritoneal lesions regardless of size ranged from 51% to 85% in the abdominopelvic regions and 21% to 25% in the small intestinal regions. The sensitivity of CT detection of peritoneal implants ranged from 67% to 84% in the abdominopelvic regions and from 56% to 57% in the small intestinal regions. The specificity of CT detection of peritoneal lesions was 100% in all regions. Preoperative CT identification of larger peritoneal lesions in the right upper quadrant (P = 0.016), epigastrium (P = 0.003), left upper quadrant (P = 0.019), proximal jejunum (P = 0.022), distal jejunum (P = 0.022), and proximal ileum (P = 0.022) predicted development of severe complications. Similarly, larger peritoneal lesions in the right upper quadrant (P = 0.039), epigastrium (P = 0.024), right flank (P = 0.005), and right lower quadrant (P = 0.034) were negatively associated with disease-free survival, and the right upper quadrant (P = 0.037) was negatively associated with overall survival.

Conclusions

Preoperative CT scan depicting extensive upper abdominal and small bowel disease predicts the presence of severe complications after cytoreduction. Extensive disease in the right upper quadrant seems to be associated with a poorer survival outcome.     

Hyperbaric spinal for elective Cesarean section--ropivacaine vs bupivacaine

PURPOSE: To compare hyperbaric spinal ropivacaine to hyperbaric spinal bupivacaine for elective cesarean delivery in a prospective, randomized, double blinded study. METHODS: With the University Ethics Committee approval, 66 parturients for elective cesarean deliveries received either 15 mg of hyperbaric ropivacaine (N = 33) or 11.25 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine (N - 33) with 0.1 mg of preservative-free morphine and 0.01 mg fentanyl. The sensory and motor blockades were assessed at 3, 6, and 9 min after injection. The APGAR scores, umbilical cord gases, intra-operative side effects and the total duration of motor and sensory blockade, were recorded. RESULTS: The two groups had similar demographics, and similar times for sensory block to T6 and Bromage score 3 motor blockade. The median levels of sensory blockade were T3 and T2 for the ropivacaine and bupivacaine groups respectively. Duration of sensory block was shorter in the ropivacaine group (174 +/- 24 min vs 217 +/- 46 min; P < 0.001). Duration of motor block was shorter in the ropivacaine group (85 +/- 26 vs 159 +/- 56 min; P < 0.001). The obstetricians rated intra-operative anesthesia as excellent in both groups. None of neonates had Apgar scores less than 7. There was no difference in cord gases between the two groups. Side effects did not differ between the two groups. The ropivacaine patients expressed significantly higher satisfaction levels (P < 0.016). DISCUSSION: 15 mg of hyperbaric ropivacaine with 0.1 mg morphine and 0.01 mg fentanyl provided excellent anesthesia for cesarean delivery. The advantages of hyperbaric ropivacaine consist of faster regression of the block and higher patient satisfaction.