A new immune-competent animal model of mucosally derived squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an immune-competent animal model for mucosally derived squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). STUDY DESIGN: Fifteen Fischer 344 rats were inoculated with 1, 2, 5, 10, or 20 x 10(6) FAT7 cells in their flanks. The animals were observed for tumor growth and metastasis. RESULTS: All animals developed tumors that grew exponentially. Pulmonary metastases developed in all animals and 13% developed lymph node metastases. CONCLUSION: The FAT7 flank tumor in Fischer 344 rats is a new animal model that closely resembles the behavior of human mucosal head and neck cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: The existence of an immune-competent, mucosally derived, and reliable animal model of SCCA that somewhat resembles human head and neck SCCA gives the opportunity to perform immune-modulating experiments on head and neck cancer in these animals. EBM rating: B-3.     

Thermal Plasma Synthesis of Different Alloys and Intermetallics from Ball Milled Al-Mo and Al-Ni Powder Systems

Lightweight alloys have great importance for car manufacturers that aim to produce safer, lighter, and more environmentally friendly vehicles. As a result, it is essential to develop new lightweight alloys, with superior properties to conventional ones, respecting the demands of the market. Al and its alloys are good candidates for reducing the overall weight of vehicles. The objective of this research was to understand the possibility to synthesize different Al alloys and intermetallics by implementing the plasma system and using two different Al-Ni and Al-Mo powder systems. This was done by separately injecting non-reacted raw Al-Ni and Al-Mo composite powder systems into the plasma reactor. In the first step, the milling parameters were optimized to generate Al-Ni and Al-Mo composite powders, with sizes over about 30 µm, having, respectively, a homogeneous mixture of elemental Al and Ni, and Al and Mo in their particles. Each of the composite powders was then injected separately into the plasma system to provide conditions for the reaction of their elements together. The obtained Al-Ni and Al-Mo powders were then studied using different methods such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Regardless of the initially used powder system, the obtained powders were consisting of large spherical particles surrounded by a cloud of fine porous particles. Different phases such as Al, AlNi₃, Al₃Ni₂, and AlNi were detected in the particles of the Al-Ni powder system and Al, Mo, AlMo₃, MoO₃, and MoO₂ in the Al-Mo powder system.     

Strategies That Facilitate Extraction-Free SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented global demand for in vitro diagnostic reagents. Supply shortages and hoarding have impacted testing capacity which has led to inefficient COVID-19 case identification and transmission control, predominantly in developing countries. Traditionally, RNA extraction is a prerequisite for conducting SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT); however, simplified methods of sample processing have been successful at bypassing typical nucleic acid extraction steps, enabling extraction-free SARS-CoV-2 NAAT workflows. These methods involve chemical and physical approaches that are inexpensive and easily accessible alternatives to overcome extraction kit supply shortages, while offering acceptable test performance. Here we provide an overview of three main sample preparation strategies that have been shown to facilitate extraction-free SARS-CoV-2 NAATs.     

Superior calcium bioavailability of effervescent potassium calcium citrate over tablet formulation of calcium citrate after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BackgroundCalcium supplementation is commonly recommended for patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to avert bone loss. To test the hypothesis that effervescent (liquid) potassium-calcium-citrate (PCC) might be more bioavailable than a tablet formulation of calcium citrate (Citracal Petite), the present study compared a single dose response of the 2 compounds. The present study was conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas.MethodsA total of 15 patients who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were included in a 2-phase, crossover, randomized study comparing the single-dose bioavailability of PCC versus Citracal Petite. After following a restricted diet for 1 week, the participants ingested either a single dose of 400 mg elemental calcium as PCC or Citracal Petite. Sequential serum and urine samples were collected for a 6-hour period after the dose and analyzed for calcium, parathyroid hormone, and acid-base parameters.ResultsCompared with citracal petite, PCC significantly increased the serum calcium concentrations at 2, 3, and 4 hours after the oral load. The peak to baseline variation and increment in serum calcium (area under the curve) were significantly greater after PCC (P = .015 and P = .002, respectively). Concurrently, the baseline to nadir variation and decrement in serum parathyroid hormone (area over the curve) were significantly greater after PCC (P = .004 and P = .005, respectively). Moreover, compared with Citracal Petite, PCC caused a significantly greater increment in urinary citrate (P < .0001) and potassium (P = .0004) and a significantly lower increase in urinary ammonium (P = .045).ConclusionIn patients who have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, PCC was superior to Citracal Petite in conferring bioavailable calcium and suppressing parathyroid hormone secretion. PCC also provided an alkali load.     

Endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein versus high ligation: long-term results

Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) for greater saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency is a relatively new method of treatment only recently made available in Iran. This is the first long-term randomized trial comparing EVLT with high ligation of saphenous vein (HLS) in the Iranian population. Sixty-five patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided into homogenous treatment groups of EVLT (n?=?30) or HLS (n?=?35). Clinical severity, etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology (CEAP) classification and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Severity Scores (AVSS) were used to determine disease severity and symptoms before and after the procedure in both groups. Outcome was measured by the rate of recurrence as shown in Doppler ultrasonography evaluation. Follow-up was conducted 1 week and 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after the intervention. The occlusion rate of GSV was similar in both groups (93.6 % for EVLT, 88.3 for HLS) at 18 months of follow-up. The median CEAP score showed a dramatic decrease in both groups after 1 week which was sustained for the rest of the study. The Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Severity score was significantly lower in the EVLT group at 12 and 18 months of follow-up. There was no significant difference in patient satisfaction in both groups. Our findings show that EVLT may offer a better long-term relief of symptoms. This, alongside its better cosmetic outcome, and less invasive anesthesia requirements may make it the favorable choice for treatment of GSV insufficiency.