Preparations of PAN-based adsorbers for separation of cesium and cobalt from radioactive wastes.

Ion-exchange adsorbers are widely used for radioisotope separation, as well as for the removal of hazardous fission products from aqueous waste prior to discharge to the environment. Inorganic exchangers are of particular interest because of their resistance to radiolytic damage and selectivity for specific fission products. Composite inorganic-organic adsorbers represent a group of inorganic ion exchangers modified by using binding organic material, polyacrylonitrile, for preparation of larger size particles with higher granular strength. At the same time, kinetics of ion exchange and sorption capacity of such composite adsorbers are not influenced by the binding polymer. The contents of active component in composite adsorber were varied over a very broad range of 5-95% of the dry weight of the composite adsorber, and tested for separation and concentration of various stimulated wastes. Three different inorganic sorbents, granular hexacyanoferrate-based ion exchanger, were developed for the removal of Cs and Co ions from waste solutions containing different complexing agents as detergents. Radiation and thermal stability studies show that these adsorbents can be used for medium-active waste treatment.     

Inhaled corticosteroid use in HIV‐positive individuals taking protease inhibitors: a review of pharmacokinetics,case reports and clinical management

As a consequence of inhibition of the hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 isozyme, treatment with HIV protease inhibitors can result in significant drug?drug interactions. One noteworthy interaction is between protease inhibitors and inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids. This interaction can result in adrenal insufficiency and iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome (with symptoms such as rapid weight gain, obesity, facial hirsutism and swelling), as well as hypertension, osteoporosis and decreased CD4 cell count. In this paper, we review and unite pharmacokinetic data, case reports and current research regarding this drug?drug interaction in order to suggest options for the clinical management of HIV‐positive patients requiring treatment with protease inhibitors and inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids.     

Investigating effects of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron on sex hormones in female rats undergoing chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide is an antineoplastic medicine that causes disorder in functions of the body systems. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron on improving the complications of cyclophosphamide on sex hormones. Fifty-six adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups; control, sham (received distilled water, solvent extract, and drug), experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 (received cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg/bw) + hydroalcoholic extract of saffron (2, 1, and 0.5 g/kg/bw), experimental group 4 (saffron 2 g/kg/bw), and experimental group 5 (cyclophosphamide 5 mg/kg/bw). Cyclophosphamide was given intraperitoneally, and extract by gavage was prescribed for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, after blood and preparation of serum, ELISA method was used for measuring the estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH hormones. Data and LSD test were analyzed with SPSS software (version 18). Results show that the concurrent use of low-dose cyclophosphamide and saffron extract can reduce toxic effect of cyclophosphamide on pituitary-gonadal axis and cause estrogen to be produced.     

Soluble HLA class I molecules in malignant pleural and peritoneal effusions and its possible role on NK and LAK cytotoxicity

PURPOSE: To examine the amount of sHLA-I in malignant pleural and peritoneal effusions and its possible role in natural immune defense. METHODS: Three groups of patients (75 patients with malignancy, 21 with infection, and 27 with other diseases) were studied for sHLA-I value using an ELISA method. Cytolytic activity of freshly isolated pleural and peritoneal effusion-associated lymphoid (EAL) cells from 14 of cases with malignancy were examined and compared to that of ten non-cancerous patients. EAL cells were co-cultured with the autologous cell-free effusions immediately after collection and 3 days after incubation with IL-2. RESULTS: The mean value of sHLA-I in effusions was 1.01+/-1.36 micro g/ml, 0.97+/-1.20 micro g/ml, and 0.49+/-0.45 micro g/ml, respectively. Despite higher mean sHLA-I levels in malignant and infected patients, no significant difference between these groups was observed ( P >0.05). Generally, the amount of sHLA-I in peritoneal effusions was higher than that for pleural effusions, but the difference was not significant. There were also no statistical differences in the sHLA-I levels between sub-groups of patients with malignancy. EAL cells' killing activity in malignant and infected effusions was 68.15+/-11.73 and 78.28+/-14.41, respectively ( P=0.08). No correlation between sHLA-I level and NK activity of EAL cells from the patients was found. Almost all malignant cases after exposure to cell-free effusions displayed an increase in NK activity (from 68.66+/-11.13 to 74.2+/-12.39, P=0.042) and a decrease in LAK activity (74.5+/-18.30 vs 67.72+/-16.46, P=0.040). Whereas, the same experiment performed for non-malignant effusions showed a decrease in both NK activity and LAK activity. Changes in NK and LAK activity were not correlated with the amount of sHLA-I in the effusions. CONCLUSION: The presence of sHLA-I, particularly in malignant effusions, suggests a role for these molecules in tumor immunity in the peritoneal or plural environment; however, at least with these group of patients, sHLA-I appears not to be a unique determining factor on EAL cells' killing activity.     

IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®) can produce antibody-induced therapy failure in a patient pretreated with abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®)

IncobotulinumtoxinA has not produced a single case of antibody-induced therapy failure after 8 years of worldwide usage. We are reporting a patient with progressive hereditary juvenile onset generalised dystonia who was pretreated with abobotulinumtoxinA for 15 years, before she received incobotulinumtoxinA. To the fifth and sixth applications, she responded with complete therapy failure. Mouse hemidiaphragm assay testing revealed a maximal botulinum toxin antibody titre. Improved specific biological activity and lack of complexing proteins seem to reduce the antigenicity of incobotulinumtoxinA. However, this first ever report indicates that it does not eliminate it entirely.     

Botulinum toxin in myotonia congenita: it does not help against rigidity and pain

Botulinum toxin (BT) is a potent local muscle relaxant with analgetic properties. Myotonia congenita (MC) is a genetic disorder producing muscle rigidity and pain. BT injected into the trapezius produced mild paresis, but no effect on rigidity and pain. There were no signs of systemic effects. Lack of BT efficacy on MC rigidity confirms its origin from muscle membrane dysfunction rather than from inappropriate neuromuscular activation. Lack of BT efficacy on pain could be caused by lack of anti-rigidity effect. It could also be due to separate non-muscular pain mechanisms unresponsive to BT.     

Using Online Social Media for Recruitment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Participants: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background

There are many challenges in recruiting and engaging participants when conducting research, especially with HIV-positive individuals. Some of these challenges include geographical barriers, insufficient time and financial resources, and perceived HIV-related stigma.

Objective

This paper describes the methodology of a recruitment approach that capitalized on existing online social media venues and other Internet resources in an attempt to overcome some of these barriers to research recruitment and retention.

Methods

From May through August 2013, a campaign approach using a combination of online social media, non-financial incentives, and Web-based survey software was implemented to advertise, recruit, and retain participants, and collect data for a survey study with a limited budget.

Results

Approximately US $5,000 was spent with a research staff designated at 20% of full-time effort, yielding 2034 survey clicks, 1404 of which met the inclusion criteria and initiated the survey, for an average cost of US $3.56 per survey initiation. A total of 1221 individuals completed the survey, yielding 86.97% retention.

Conclusions

These data indicate that online recruitment is a feasible and efficient tool that can be further enhanced by sophisticated online data collection software and the addition of non-financial incentives.