A rapid method for the generation of uniform acellular bone explants: a technical note

Background  

Bone graft studies lack standardized controls. We aim to present a quick and reliable method for the intra-operative generation of acellular bone explants.     

Dietary quercetin glycosides: antioxidant activity and induction of the anticarcinogenic phase II marker enzyme quinone reductase in Hepalclc7 cells

It has recently been shown by Hollman et al. (Am. J. Clin. Nutr.,62, 1276–1282) that flavonoid glycosides are preferentiallyabsorbed from dietary onions compared to the flavonoid aglycone.In the light of this, we have compared the bioactivities ofthe two most abundant flavonoid glycosides that we have purifiedfrom onions (quercetin-3,4'-diglucoside and quercetin-4'-glucoside)to the quercetin aglycone, and also to the more commonly studiedcommercially-available flavonoid glycosides, rutin (quercetin-3-rutinoside)and isoquercitrin (quercetin-3-glucoside). Quercetin aglyconewas the most effective inducer of the anticarcinogenic phaseII marker enzyme, quinone reductase (QR), in mouse Hepalclc7cells. Of the glycosides, only quercetin-4'-glucoside was ableto induce QR activity in this assay. Inhibition of NADPH/iron-and ascorbate/iron-induced lipid peroxidation of human livermicrosomes, and the Trolox C-equivalent antioxidant capacity(TEAC), were also measured. The 4'-glycosylation dramaticallydecreased activity in the ‘antioxidant’ assays,whereas 3-substitutions produced much smaller changes. Theseresults show that the preferentially-absorbed quercetin glycosidesin onions have markedly different biological properties comparedwith the aglycone.     

Efficacy and safety of oral ridogrel in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: two multicentre, randomized, double-blind studies

BACKGROUND: Ridogrel at low doses inhibits thromboxane synthase. Oral ridogrel, from 5 mg once daily to 150 mg twice daily, improves the endoscopic appearance of colonic mucosa and clinical manifestations in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. AIM: One US trial and one international trial were conducted to determine the effect of ridogrel on mild to severe active ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Two 12-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group trials were conducted. A US trial compared 0.5 mg, 2.5 mg and 5 mg of ridogrel once daily with placebo. An international trial compared 0.5 mg of ridogrel once daily with 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg of ridogrel once daily and 800 mg of mesalazine (known as mesalamine in the USA) three times daily. The primary efficacy outcome measure was the rate of complete remission. RESULTS: In the US trial, complete remission was achieved in 20.8% of patients in the 0.5 mg ridogrel group, 17.9% in the 2.5 mg ridogrel group, 20.6% in the 5.0 mg ridogrel group and 13.6% in the placebo group. In the international trial, 14.4% of patients in the 0.5 mg ridogrel group, 19.6% in the 2.5 mg ridogrel group, 19.4% in the 5.0 mg ridogrel group and 16.4% in the mesalazine group experienced complete remission. In the international trial, rates of complete remission at the end-point were greater in the 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg ridogrel groups than in the 0.5 mg ridogrel group, but the differences were not statistically significant. In the US trial, rates of complete remission at the end-point were greater in the 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg ridogrel groups than in the placebo group, but the differences were not statistically significant. Approximately 30% of the patients in each group discontinued treatment before the 12-week end-point owing to a lack of therapeutic response. All doses of ridogrel were well tolerated and comparable with placebo or mesalazine in terms of safety. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences in the primary efficacy outcome measure were found between either the 2.5 mg or the 5.0 mg dose of ridogrel and placebo in the US trial and between either the 2.5 mg or the 5.0 mg dose of ridogrel and the 0.5 mg dose of ridogrel, a surrogate dose for placebo, in the international trial. There was no clear indication in either trial of an effective dose of ridogrel in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.     

Fear of crime and health in residential tower blocks. A case study in Liverpool, UK

BACKGROUND: Though it is often assumed that fear of crime erodes mental health, research evidence is limited. Our study seeks to assess the relationship between these attributes in residents of the city of Liverpool. METHOD: Evidence is drawn from a sample survey of 407 adults living in 21 tower blocks. A number of social and psychosocial attributes linked with feelings of safety are compared with self-reported health status using logistic and multiple regression techniques. Possible reciprocal relationships were investigated using two-stage least squares. RESULTS: Fear of crime in this sample is generally much lower in the home than in Britain as a whole and much higher out on the neighbouring streets at night, but there are sub-group variations. We find significant associations between fear of crime and health status. Feelings of safety when out alone after dark is the most consistent predictor of health status. Those feeling safe score significantly higher on all five dimensions of the SF-36 measure which cover mental and social well-being. Mental health is the strongest correlate and is probably a consequence rather than cause of feelings of safety. CONCLUSION: The evidence suggests elderly residents believe tower blocks provide safe accommodation. However, feelings of safety in these 'fortresses' do not generally extend to walking in neighbouring streets. Fear of crime erodes quality of life and is associated with poorer health.     

Adult learning,objectivity and other self-evident untruths

Editorial Introduction

Adult Learning, Objectivity and other Self-Evident Untruths