Exploring dual identification among Muslim-American emerging adults: a mixed methods study

This mixed methods study explored dual identification among Muslim-American emerging adults of immigrant origin. A closer look was taken at the relationship between American and Muslim identifications and how this relationship was influenced by experiences of discrimination, acculturative and religious practices, and whether it varied by gender. Data were gathered from 97 Muslim Americans (ages 18-25) who completed a survey and produced identity maps, a pictorial representation of hyphenated identities. The findings showed that young people found a way of allowing their Muslim and American identities to co-exist, and only a small minority of the participants seemed to experience identity conflict. While religiosity was the only predictor of Muslim identification, young peoples' identification with mainstream United States culture was predicted by discrimination-related stress and acculturative practices. Gender moderated the relationship between Muslim and American identities in both survey measures and identity maps.     

Influence of N-methyl D-aspartate receptor mechanism on WIN55,212-2-induced amnesia in rat dorsal hippocampus

In this study, we investigated the effects of both N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) and MK-801 on WIN55,212-2(WIN)-induced amnesia in rats. Step-through inhibitory avoidance of memory was used to examine the retrieval of memory, 24 h after training. All drugs were injected bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus (intra-CA1) of rats. Pretraining and posttraining or pretesting administration of the nonselective CB1/CB2 receptor agonist, WIN (0.5 μg/rat), decreased the step-through latency. However, amnesia induced by pretraining or posttraining injections of WIN was reversed by a pretest administration of WIN (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat). Pretest microinjections of different doses of NMDA (0.1, 0.5, and 1 μg/rat) elicited no response, but NMDA (0.5 and 1 μg/rat) did induce full recovery from amnesia induced by WIN (0.5 μg/rat). The posttraining and pretest injection of a higher dose of the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK801 (MK; 4 μg/rat), caused an impairment in the memory retrieval. However, amnesia induced by posttraining injections of MK (4 μg/rat) was reversed by a pretest administration of MK (4 μg/rat). In addition, pretest administration of different doses of the antagonist (2 and 4 μg/rat) induced full recovery of WIN-induced amnesia, but did not influence memory recovery in the subjects, which had received posttraining (0.5 μg/rat) and pretest WIN (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat). Pretesting coadministration of ineffective doses of WIN (0.1 μg/rat) with NMDA (0.1 μg/rat), but not with MK (1 μg/rat), restored WIN-induced (0.5 μg/rat) amnesia. It can be concluded that the NMDA receptor mechanism located in the dorsal hippocampus may be involved in WIN-induced amnesia.     

Surgical anatomy,radiological features,and molecular biology of the lumbar intervertebral discs

The intervertebral disc (IVD) is a joint unique in structure and functions. Lying between adjacent vertebrae, it provides both the primary support and the elasticity required for the spine to move stably. Various aspects of the IVD have long been studied by researchers seeking a better understanding of its dynamics, aging, and subsequent disorders. In this article, we review the surgical anatomy, imaging modalities, and molecular biology of the lumbar IVD. Clin. Anat. 30:251–266, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Correlation of Toll‐Like Receptor 4, Interleukin‐18, Transaminases,and Uric Acid in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis and Healthy Adults

Background: Because of the potential association between periodontal disease and inflammation, the purpose of the present study is to examine the level of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4), interleukin‐18 (IL‐18), and uric acid as markers of the inflammatory host response in the plasma and saliva of healthy individuals and patients with periodontitis. In addition, routine biochemical parameters such as fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were measured. The authors also wanted to check whether patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) exhibit different modulations in salivary and/or plasma concentrations of these parameters compared with clinically healthy individuals. Methods: Saliva and plasma samples were collected from 40 patients with CP and 20 healthy individuals. TLR‐4 and IL‐18 measurements were done using commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. Total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol; triglycerides; fasting glucose; AST; and ALT levels were analyzed on a biochemistry analysis system using specific kits. Non‐parametric tests were used for certain parameters in the statistical analyses because the data did not follow Gaussian distribution. Results: Significant differences were observed in plasma and salivary TLR‐4 and IL‐18 levels, along with clinical measurements such as plaque index and probing depth, in patients with CP (P <0.001). The plasma level of TLR‐4 was found to be increased from 0.99 to 3.28 ng/mL in patients with CP. Salivary TLR‐4 levels also showed a slightly higher increase in the diseased state (12.44 to 29.97 ng/mL). A significant increase of ≈46% was recorded in the plasma IL‐18 level. However, salivary IL‐18 levels rose up to >5‐fold in the patients with CP compared with healthy individuals. The level of plasma uric acid was found to be highly significantly increased compared with control individuals. HDL cholesterol and triglyceride also showed significant differences (P <0.02 and P <0.03, respectively). Plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and insulin levels did not show any significant difference. There was only a slight increase in plasma AST and ALT levels between diseased and healthy states (22.55 versus 25.50 IU/L and 12.35 versus 15.95 IU/L, respectively). However, salivary AST and ALT levels showed a ≈6‐fold rise in the patients with CP compared with the healthy individuals. Cross‐correlation analysis in the periodontitis disease group showed a significant association of plasma AST, salivary AST, and salivary ALT with uric acid level. Conclusions: Based on this study, the authors believe that TLR‐4, IL‐18, and uric acid could have a role in the inflammatory pathology of periodontitis. These parameters are suggested to be useful in the prognosis and diagnosis of CP. However, the mechanistic association of these parameters with inflammatory pathology of patients with periodontitis needs to be further elucidated in a higher number of samples.     

Perspectives towards antiviral drug discovery against Ebola virus

Ebola virus disease (EVD), caused by Ebola viruses, resulted in more than 11 500 deaths according to a recent 2018 WHO report. With mortality rates up to 90%, it is nowadays one of the most deadly infectious diseases. However, no Food and Drug Administration-approved Ebola drugs or vaccines are available yet with the mainstay of therapy being supportive care. The high fatality rate and absence of effective treatment or vaccination make Ebola virus a category-A biothreat pathogen. Fortunately, a series of investigational countermeasures have been developed to control and prevent this global threat. This review summarizes the recent therapeutic advances and ongoing research progress from research and development to clinical trials in the development of small-molecule antiviral drugs, small-interference RNA molecules, phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers, full-length monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines. Moreover, difficulties are highlighted in the search for effective countermeasures against EVD with additional focus on the interplay between available in silico prediction methods and their evidenced potential in antiviral drug discovery.     

Urogenital function in robotic vs laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery: a comparative study

Purpose

Urological and sexual dysfunction are recognised risks of rectal cancer surgery; however, there is limited evidence regarding urogenital function comparing robotic to laparoscopic techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the urogenital functional outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic and robotic rectal cancer surgery.

Methods

Urological and sexual functions were assessed using gender-specific validated standardised questionnaires. Questionnaires were sent a minimum of 6 months after surgery, and patients were asked to report their urogenital function pre- and post-operatively, allowing changes in urogenital function to be identified. Questionnaires were sent to 158 patients (89 laparoscopy, 69 robotic) of whom 126 (80 %) responded. Seventy-eight (49 male, 29 female) of the responders underwent laparoscopic and 48 (35 male, 13 female) robotic surgery.

Results

Male patients in the robotic group deteriorated less across all components of sexual function and in five components of urological function. Composite male urological and sexual function score changes from baseline were better in the robotic cohort (p < 0.001). In females, there was no difference between the two groups in any of the components of urological or sexual function. However, composite female urological function score change from baseline was better in the robotic group (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Robotic rectal cancer surgery might offer better post-operative urological and sexual outcomes compared to laparoscopic surgery in male patients and better urological outcomes in females. Larger scale, prospective randomised control studies including urodynamic assessment of urogenital function are required to validate these results.