Structure-intestinal transport and structure-metabolism correlations of some potential cancerostatic pyrimidine nucleosides in isolated rat jejunum

Summary Both transport and biotransformation processes for a series of pyrimidine nucleobases, ribonucleosides, 2-deoxyribonucleosides, and acetyl and 5-substituted derivatives of the cancerostatic agent araC were studied in the isolated everted rat jejunum with a continuous perfusion technique. Metabolic alterations during penetration were assessed by HPLC. 5-Halogeno and 5-deoxy derivatives of cytosine nucleosides exhibited higher transport rates and higher stability towards the deamination reaction than did unsubstituted derivatives. Octanol-buffer partition coefficients were estimated for the study compounds, and fragmental constants for the sugar moieties of nucleosides were assessed. With the present study compounds there was no correlation between lipophilicity and transport rate, as previously reported, but there was a correlation between lipophilicity and metabolic alteration of araC derivatives (r=0.99, n=5).     

High dose gammaglobulin therapy in adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) clinical effects

Summary This study of the effect of high-dose intravenous gammaglobulins with one or two courses of therapy in 18 adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura showed a platelet rise in thirteen patients. The highest response rates were seen in splenectomized adults. In chronic patients the response was transient only. If therapy was effective, increased values of platelet-associated IgG were reduced, while shortened platelet survival times were prolonged. There was no influence of high-dose gammaglobulins on platelet function. Different 7S-preparations such as -propiolactone modified Ig, pH 4 treated Ig and reduced and alkylated Ig have comparable effects.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Mu 277/9-4)     

Stability-indicating determination of adrenaline in injections containing procaine

Adrenaline was determined in injections containing procaine in a 1000-fold excess by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using UV detection at 205 nm and aqueous sulphuric acid (100 μmol/l) as eluent. The relative standard deviation was 2.1%, and the method was selective in the presence of adrenaline degradation products. Changes of the capacity factor with pH and ionic strength of the eluent were studied, and a simple model is suggested to explain the retention data.     

Active and sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved quality of life in female patients with fibromyalgia

Quality of Life Research - Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome with a strong impact on quality of life (QoL). Treatment of this condition remains a challenge, due to the scarce evidence...     

A structural characterization of shortcut features for prediction

European Journal of Epidemiology - With the rising use of machine learning for healthcare applications, practitioners are increasingly confronted with the limitations of prediction models that are...     

Predictors of health-related quality of life in Parkinson’s disease: the impact of overlap between health-related quality of life and clinical measures

Quality of Life Research - This study aimed to determine predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Parkinson's disease (PD) and to explore their predictive value before and after...     

Preoperative management of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: Role of endoscopy and Helicobacter eradication

BackgroundObesity is a pandemic disease associated to severe health problems. Management is usually multimodal, but many patients eventually need surgery to reduce weight. Many guidelines recommend endoscopy prior to surgery. This study reviews a series of patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy to see whether endoscopy performance and histopathological findings influence surgery outcome.Material and methodsRetrospective series of patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy as bariatric procedure at a single institution. We have reviewed the demographic data, the associated pathologies, endoscopic findings prior to surgery, histopathological findings in the surgical resection specimen and postoperative complication rate.Results259 patients fulfilled criteria for the study. Over 70% were women and the mean age was 46.9 (SD 9.8). Preoperative endoscopy was performed in 28.9% of the patients and biopsy only in 19.3%. Helicobacter pylori was detected in 28% of the patients undergoing endoscopy (either in the biopsy or the urease test) and eradicated before surgery in all the patients. Helicobacter pylori was present in 9.7% of the surgical resection specimens and its presence was significantly associated with the development of postoperative complications, mostly staple line leaks (p = 0.01).ConclusionOur study confirms that Helicobacter infection is significantly associated with postoperative complications after sleeve gastrectomy. It is therefore important to detect its presence and eradicate it before surgery.     

L-Glutamine Supplementation Enhances Strength and Power of Knee Muscles and Improves Glycemia Control and Plasma Redox Balance in Exercising Elderly Women

We investigated the effects of oral L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation, associated or not with physical exercises, in control of glycemia, oxidative stress, and strength/power of knee muscles in elderly women. Physically active (n = 21) and sedentary (n = 23) elderly women aged 60 to 80 years were enrolled in the study. Plasma levels of D-fructosamine, insulin, reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, iron, uric acid, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) (lipoperoxidation product), as well as knee extensor/flexor muscle torque peak and average power (isokinetic test), were assessed pre- and post-supplementation with Gln or placebo (30 days). Higher plasma D-fructosamine, insulin, and iron levels, and lower strength/power of knee muscles were found pre-supplementation in the NPE group than in the PE group. Post-supplementation, Gln subgroups showed higher levels of GSH, GSSG, and torque peak, besides lower D-fructosamine than pre-supplementation values. Higher muscle average power and plasma uric acid levels were reported in the PE + Gln group, whereas lower insulin levels were found in the NPE + Gln than pre-supplementation values. TBARs levels were diminished post-supplementation in all groups. Gln supplementation, mainly when associated with physical exercises, improves strength and power of knee muscles and glycemia control, besides boosting plasma antioxidant capacity of elderly women.     

Disrespect and Abuse in Obstetric Care in Mexico: An Observational Study of Deliveries in Four Hospitals

Maternal and Child Health Journal - To identify and describe the frequency and characteristics of disrespect and abuse practices towards women during facility-based delivery in four hospitals in...     

“Putting Meat on the Bones”: Understanding the Implementation of a Community-Based Early Intervention and Prevention Programme—Contextual,Person, and Programme Influences

Prevention Science - The adoption and effective delivery of evidence-based interventions within “real-world” community-based, primary health care service settings are of crucial...