Dose- and time-dependent gene expression alterations in prostate and colon cancer cells after in vitro exposure to carbon ion and X-irradiation

Hadrontherapy is an advanced form of radiotherapy that uses beams of charged particles (such as protons and carbon ions). Compared with conventional radiotherapy, the main advantages of carbon ion therapy are the precise absorbed dose localization, along with an increased relative biological effectiveness (RBE). This high ballistic accuracy of particle beams deposits the maximal dose to the tumor, while damage to the surrounding healthy tissue is limited. Currently, hadrontherapy is being used for the treatment of specific types of cancer. Previous in vitro studies have shown that, under certain circumstances, exposure to charged particles may inhibit cell motility and migration. In the present study, we investigated the expression of four motility-related genes in prostate (PC3) and colon (Caco-2) cancer cell lines after exposure to different radiation types. Cells were irradiated with various absorbed doses (0, 0.5 and 2 Gy) of accelerated ¹³C-ions at the GANIL facility (Caen, France) or with X-rays. Clonogenic assays were performed to determine the RBE. RT-qPCR analysis showed dose- and time-dependent changes in the expression of CCDC88A, FN1, MYH9 and ROCK1 in both cell lines. However, whereas in PC3 cells the response to carbon ion irradiation was enhanced compared with X-irradiation, the effect was the opposite in Caco-2 cells, indicating cell-type–specific responses to the different radiation types.     

Job satisfaction of people with intellectual disabilities: the role of basic psychological need fulfillment and workplace participation

Purpose: Knowledge on what contributes to job satisfaction of people with intellectual disabilities is limited. Using self-determination theory, we investigated whether fulfillment of basic psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, relatedness, competence) affected job satisfaction, and explored associations between workplace participation, need fulfillment and job satisfaction.

Method: A total of 117 persons with intellectual disabilities, recruited from a Dutch care organization, were interviewed on need fulfillment at work and job satisfaction. Data on workplace participation was obtained from staff. Questionnaires were based on well-established instruments.

Results: Basic psychological need fulfillment predicted higher levels of job satisfaction. Level of workplace participation was not associated with need fulfillment or job satisfaction.

Conclusions: Allowing workers with intellectual disabilities to act with a sense of volition, feel effective, able to meet challenges, and connected to others is essential and contributes to job satisfaction. It is needed to pay attention to this, both in selection and design of workplaces and in support style.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Knowledge on factors that contribute to job satisfaction is necessary to improve employment situations and employment success of people with intellectual disabilities.

• In order to achieve job satisfaction, it is essential that workplaces allow for fulfillment of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence of people with intellectual disabilities.

• People with intellectual disabilities are able to report on their needs and satisfaction, and it is important that their own perspective is taken into account in decisions regarding their employment situation.

     

Probiotics for preventing and treating infant regurgitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Infant regurgitation is common during infancy and can cause substantial parental distress. Regurgitation can lead to parental perception that their infant is in pain. Parents often present in general practitioner surgeries, community baby clinics and accident and emergency departments which can lead to financial burden on parents and the health care system. Probiotics are increasingly reported to have therapeutic effects for preventing and treating infant regurgitation. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotic supplementation for the prevention and treatment of infant regurgitation. Literature searches were conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included. A meta-analysis was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration methodology where possible. Six RCTs examined the prevention or treatment with probiotics on infant regurgitation. A meta-analysis of three studies showed a statistically significant reduction in regurgitation episodes for the probiotic group compared to the placebo group (mean difference [MD]: ?1.79 episodes/day: 95% confidence interval [CI]: ?3.30 to ?0.27, N = 560), but there was high heterogeneity (96%). Meta-analysis of two studies found a statistically significant increased number of stools per day in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group at 1 month of age (MD: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.73, N = 488), with moderate heterogeneity (69%). Meta-analysis of two studies showed no statistical difference in body weight between the two groups (MD: ?91.88 g, 95% CI: 258.40–74.63: I² = 23%, N = 112) with minimal heterogeneity 23%. Probiotic therapy appears promising for infant regurgitation with some evidence of benefit, but most studies are small and there was relatively high heterogeneity. The use of probiotics could potentially be a noninvasive, safe, cost effective, and preventative positive health strategy for both women and their babies. Further robust, well controlled RCTs examining the effect of probiotics for infant regurgitation are warranted.     

Mitral valve repair for dilated cardiomyopathy: predictive role of right ventricular dysfunction.

AIMS: To evaluate the impact of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on early and mid-term outcome of patients with ischaemic or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) undergoing mitral valve annuloplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS: From January 1997 to December 2005, 111 patients with DCM (89 ischaemic, 22 non-ischaemic) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Mean age was 67 +/- 10 years. Average pre-operative NYHA class was 3.0 +/- 0.6. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tricuspid annular pleak systolic velocity (TAPSV), and RV fractional area change were considered as an index of RV function. A strong relationship between TAPSE and TAPSV were found (r = 0.76). Thirty-day mortality was 10.8%. Five-year survival and possibility to be alive in NYHA classes I-II were 66.5 +/- 5.0 and 59.5 +/- 5.0%. TAPSE, TAPSV, and MV coaptation depth (MVCD) were found to be risk factors for worse early and mid-term outcome; functional class impaired mid-term outcome. ROC analysis identified TAPSE < or = 12 mm, TAPSV < or = 10 cm/s, and MVCD>10 mm as predictive cut-offs. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative assessment of some echocardiographic parameters (TAPSE, TAPSV) is very easy, low cost, and provides accurate information on RV function. A good pre-operative clinical compensation has to be necessarily reached before the operation. MVCD should be evaluated to decide surgical strategy (repair or replace).     

Female genital schistosomiasis as an evidence of a neglected cause for reproductive ill-health: a retrospective histopathological study from Tanzania

Background  

Schistosomiasis affects the reproductive health of women. Described sequelae are ectopic pregnancy, infertility, abortion, and cervical lesions and symptoms mimicking cervical cancer and STIs. There are indications that cervical schistosomiasis lesions could become co-factors for viral infection such as HIV and HPV.     

Comparison of Fentanyl Versus Meperidine for Analgesia in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

This study compared the safety and efficacy of fentanyl and meperidine for analgesia in pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy. In a double-blind, randomized trial, 24 patients (11 males) received either fentanyl (1 microg/kg) or meperidine (1 mg/kg). These analgesics were administered in unmarked syringes by an investigator who did not participate in the procedure or in the evaluation of the patient's sedation. There were 17 Caucasians and 7 African-Americans whose mean age was 10.4 +/- 4.4 years. Thirteen patients received meperidine and 11 received fentanyl. Midazolam was given to all patients as needed to provide sufficient sedation for the procedure. Study subjects underwent EGD (n = 17) or colonoscopy (n = 7). There were no differences as assessed by patient, endoscopist, or assistant for tolerance, discomfort, procedure ease, recovery time, complications, heart rate, blood pressure, or oxygen saturation. We conclude that meperidine and fentanyl are equally effective in providing analgesia for pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy.