Variations in cone beam CT numbers as a function of patient size: in vivo demonstration in bladder cancer patients

We determined Hounsfield numbers, using cone beam CT (CBCT), in the bladder of 27 muscle invasive bladder cancer patients treated with online adaptive radiotherapy using a Varian linear accelerator. The CBCT number of urine was found to increase by 130 from the thinnest to the largest patient (249 mm to 346 mm average diameter) demonstrating the effect of patient size on Hounsfield number in CBCT in vivo.     

Respiratory viruses in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections, Mazandaran Province, Iran

We conducted this study to determine the contribution of respiratory viruses in 202 hospitalized children (1 mo-5 yr) with clinical evidence of acute lower respiratory tract illness (ALRI). Nasopharyngeal specimens were assayed for viruses detection by indirect immunoflourescent method. Viral agents were identified from 109 (54%) cases (9 cases had dual infection). The most commonly detected virus was parainfluenza virus 3 in 32 (15.8%) cases followed by respiratory syncytial virus 26 (12.9%) parainfluenza 1 and parainfluenza 2 each 13 (6.4%) influenza A 16 (7.4%), influenza B; 7(3.5%), and adenovirus 12 (5.9%). There were no demographic, clinical, radiologic or laboratory parameters except for recurrent wheeze (OR: 4.47; (95% CI: 1.98-10.73) and fever (OR: 3.27; (95% CI: 1.73-6.20), which could differentiate between patients with or without viral etiology.     

Chronic in vivo morphine administration facilitates primed-bursts-induced long-term potentiation of Schaffer collateral–CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices in vitro

In this study, the effects of chronic morphine administration (20–30 days) on long-term potentiation (LTP) were investigated at the Schaffer collateral–CA1 pyramidal cell synapses of the rat hippocampal slices. Orthodromic population spike (OPS) amplitude and delay (peak latency) were measured as indices of increase in synaptic efficacy. The amounts of LTP of OPS delay and LTP of OPS amplitude were higher in slices from dependent rats. Perfusion of slices from control and dependent rats with morphine containing ACSF and delivering tetanic stimulation, showed that short-term presence of morphine could not mimic the LTP enhancing effects of chronic morphine administration, however, attenuated the amount of LTP of OPS amplitude in slices of dependent rats. This study supports the hypothesis that the susceptibility of CA1 synapses to plastic changes increases by chronic, not acute exposure to morphine and suggests that a withdrawal phenomenon might be an underlying mechanism for the observed augmented LTP of OPS amplitude in slices of dependent rats.     

Downregulation of Talin‐1 is associated with the increased expression of miR‐182‐5p and miR‐9‐5p in coronary artery disease

BackgroundEvidence indicates that the dysregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components can lead to cardiovascular diseases. The Talin‐1 (TLN1) gene is a major component of the ECM, and it mediates integrin adhesion to the ECM. In this study, we aimed to determine microRNAs (miRs) that regulate the expression of TLN1 and determine expression alterations in TLN1 and its targeting miRs in coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsData sets of CAD and normal samples of blood exosomes were downloaded, and TLN1 was chosen as one of the genes with differential expressions in an in silico analysis. Next, miR‐182‐5p and miR‐9‐5p, which have a binding site on 3´‐UTR of TLN1, were selected using bioinformatics tools. Then, the miR target site was cloned in the psiCHECK‐2 vector, and direct interaction between the miR target site and the TLN1 3′‐UTR putative target site was investigated by luciferase assay. The expression of miR‐182‐5p, miR‐9‐5p, and TLN1 in the serum samples of CAD and non‐CAD individuals was assessed via a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsOur data revealed that miR‐182‐5p directly regulated the expression of TLN1. Moreover, miR‐182‐5p and miR‐9‐5p were significantly upregulated in the CAD group. Hence, both bioinformatics and experimental analyses determined the downregulated expression of TLN1 in the CAD samples.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrated that miR‐182‐5p and miR‐9‐5p could play significant roles in TLN1 regulation and participate in CAD development by targeting TLN1. These findings introduce novel biomarkers with a potential role in CAD pathogenesis.     

Evaluation of binding properties of Plantago psyllium seed mucilage

Mucilage extracted from Plantago psyllium seeds was evaluated for inertness and safety parameters. The suitability of psyllium mucilage for a pharmaceutical binder was assessed in paracetamol tablets. Properties of the granules prepared using different concentrations of psyllium mucilage was compared with PVP and tragacanth. Psyllium mucilage at 5 % (m/m) was found to be comparable with 3 % (m/m) of PVP. Investigated paracetamol tablets indicated that psyllium mucilage can retard the drug release.     

Neglected role of hookah and opium in gastric carcinogenesis: A cohort study on risk factors and attributable fractions

A recent study showed an association between hookah/opium use and gastric cancer but no study has investigated the relationship with gastric precancerous lesions. We examined the association between hookah/opium and gastric precancerous lesions and subsequent gastric cancer. In a population‐based cohort study, 928 randomly selected, healthy, Helicobacter pylori‐infected subjects in Ardabil Province, Iran, were followed for 10 years. The association between baseline precancerous lesions and lifestyle risk factors (including hookah/opium) was analyzed using logistic regression and presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We also calculated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the associations of lifestyle risk factors and endoscopic and histological parameters with incident gastric cancers using Cox regression models. Additionally, the proportion of cancers attributable to modifiable risk factors was calculated. During 9,096 person‐years of follow‐up, 36 new cases of gastric cancer were observed (incidence rate: 3.96/1,000 persons‐years). Opium consumption was strongly associated with baseline antral (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.2–9.1) and body intestinal metaplasia (OR: 7.3; 95% CI: 2.5–21.5). Opium (HR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.4–7.7), hookah (HR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.7–7.1) and cigarette use (HR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.4–7.5), as well as high salt intake, family history of gastric cancer, gastric ulcer and histological atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia of body were associated with higher risk of gastric cancer. The fraction of cancers attributable jointly to high salt, low fruit intake, smoking (including hookah) and opium was 93% (95% CI: 83–98). Hookah and opium use are risk factors for gastric cancer as well as for precancerous lesions. Hookah, opium, cigarette and high salt intake are important modifiable risk factors in this high‐incidence gastric cancer area.     

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) versus minimum biofilm eliminating concentration (MBEC) in evaluation of antibiotic sensitivity of gram-negative bacilli causing peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biofilm eliminating concentration (MBEC) results were compared to determine changes in the pattern of antibiotic sensitivity of gram-negative bacilli from the planktonic to the biofilm phase of growth. METHODOLOGY: The MIC and MBEC assays were conducted on stored isolates obtained from patients presenting with peritoneal dialysis-related gram-negative peritonitis with Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas. RESULTS: The antibiotic sensitivities of planktonic organisms tested by the MIC assays were significantly higher than the antibiotic sensitivities of the same organisms in their biofilm state, as tested by the MBEC assays. CONCLUSIONS: In their biofilm state, gram-negative bacteria are much less susceptible to antibiotics compared to their antibiotic susceptibility in the planktonic state.