Abnormal expression of hepatoma specific gamma-glutamyl transferase and alteration of gamma-glutamyl transferase gene methylation status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Abnormal expression of hepatoma specific gamma-glutamyl transferase and alteration of gamma-glutamyl transferase gene methylation status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma@Jiang DR @Huang ZW @Lu JX @Tao QY @Yu JZ @Meng XY     

Microtubular inclusions in normal skin of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Biopsy specimens of clinically normal skin of 9 consecutive patients with SLE were examined ultrastructurally to determine the presence and frequency of microtubular inclusions. Ten blood vessels were examined in each specimen; every specimen contained at least two positive blood vessels, and some contained 80 to 100% positive vessels. No correlation was found between the frequency of the inclusions and either the disease duration or antinuclear factor titer. The inclusions tended to be more frequent in patients with more acute disease. The absence of inclusions in normal skin may mitigate a diagnosis of SLE.     

Positioning the six‐month review in the recovery process post‐stroke: The ideology of personal responsibility

Stroke is the UK's fourth highest cause of death and an estimated 300,000 people in England are living with related disability. This paper explores the six‐month review (6MR), a policy initiative that aimed to ameliorate unmet need. A multiple case study approach underpinned by critical realism was used to elicit the views of patients, carers, providers and commissioners across three sites using interviews, observations and documentation. Forty‐six patients (age range 28–91 years), 30 carers and 28 professionals were interviewed between December 2015 and October 2016. Twenty‐nine reviews were observed. Data was analysed thematically across sites. 6MRs carried out by stroke nurse specialists (SNSs) were found to be more medically orientated than those completed by a Stroke Association (SA) co‐ordinator who focused on social issues. Reviewers regarded reviews primarily as an opportunity to address unmet need and signpost to further services. Patients responded in three different ways: proactive and engaged, reflected an active orientation to recovery and self‐management; proactive and self‐managing on their own terms, encompassed patients who were striving for independence but took their own approach sometimes at odds with that of clinicians; and passive orientation, whereby patients did not engage in rehabilitation or self‐management. Patients identified different priorities to those of reviewers, particularly those with other long‐term conditions and this appeared to contribute to the dissatisfaction that some expressed. In conclusion, there was little evidence that the 6MR played a key role in recovery. Locally defined outcomes for the 6MR reflecting national policy were not substantiated by the findings. Our findings suggest that the 6MR should review therapy goals and facilitate patient‐led goals. Reviewers should be allowed the freedom to individualise the process rather than adhering to a rigid framework dictated by national policy and local protocols.     

End-stage periventricular leukomalacia: MR evaluation

A prospective study was performed to assess the capabilities of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in evaluation of end-stage periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in six children, aged 31-54 months, in whom PVL had been documented by neurologic ultrasonography during the neonatal period. Eight children of similar age (four premature infants and four full-term infants) with normal neurologic development served as controls. A characteristic triad of PVL abnormalities was seen on MR images: (a) abnormally increased periventricular white-matter signal intensity on the first and second echo images of a T2-weighted sequence (repetition time = 2,000-2,400 msec, echo times = 20 or 30 and 80 msec), most commonly observed in the trigone regions of the lateral ventricles bilaterally; (b) marked loss of periventricular white matter in these regions of abnormal signal intensity, predominantly in the periatrial regions; and (c) compensatory focal ventricular enlargement adjacent to regions of abnormal signal intensity. In patients with the classic periatrial distribution of PVL lesions, general correlation between the degree of neurologic impairment and the severity of MR abnormalities was demonstrated. MR imaging was useful in detecting subtle forms of PVL in cases in which neurologic damage was subclinical.     

Weight-related teasing,emotional eating,and weight control behaviors in Hispanic and African American girls

PurposeTo assess the association among parent and peer weight-related teasing, emotional eating, and weight control behaviors in minority girls.Methods141 Hispanic and African American preadolescent girls (mean age = 11.1 years, SD = 1.5 years) participated. Most of the participants were of Hispanic origin, had a bicultural orientation, and were obese. Participants completed surveys assessing weight-related teasing, emotional eating, weight control behaviors, demographic, and acculturation characteristics. Body weight and height were also assessed. Hierarchical regression analyses were run to determine the associations among study variables.ResultsFifty-nine percent of participants reported being weight-related teased by peers and 42% participants reported weight-related teasing by parents. Weight-related teasing by parent was associated with emotional eating and binge eating, whereas peer weight-related teasing was only associated with emotional eating.ConclusionsFindings demonstrated the differential association of weight-related teasing from peers and parents to emotional and binge eating in minority girls.     

Procoagulant activity of reversibly acylated human factor Xa

The plasma clotting factors used to treat hemophiliacs who have developed inhibitory antibodies have a shared history of limited clinical safety and utility. To improve on existing bypass factors, we have developed a reversibly acylated form of human plasma factor Xa capable of providing a time-dependent release of procoagulant activity. Factor Xa was treated with p-amidinophenyl p'-anisate to generate anisoyl Xa. The chemical modification of the protein involves acylation of the active site serine residue of factor Xa. Anisoyl Xa deacylated in a time, pH, and temperature-dependent manner. Active factor Xa generated on deacylation of anisoyl Xa exhibited amidolytic and prothrombinase complex activities in in vitro assays, the level being comparable to those of untreated factor Xa. When Anisoyl Xa was infused into rabbits, active factor Xa was generated on deacylation of the acylated enzyme, which shortened the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in a dose-dependent manner. The duration of effect on rabbit APTT could be directly correlated to the level of human plasma factor Xa. Because anisoyl Xa bypasses the "tenase" complex that is compromised in hemophilia A and B and is unaffected by inhibitory antibodies, it has the potential to be used as an effective bypass therapy.