A comparison between two powder compaction parameters of plasticity: The effective medium A parameter and the Heckel 1/K parameter

The purpose of the research was to introduce a procedure to derive a powder compression parameter (EM A) representing particle yield stress using an effective medium equation and to compare the EM A parameter with the Heckel compression parameter (1/K).     

Transition metal- and catalyst-free one-pot green method for the synthesis of N-sulfonyl amidines via direct reaction of sulfonyl azides with amines

In this report, a green synthesis of N-sulfonyl amidines via the direct reaction of tertiary or secondary amines with sulfonyl azides is described. Transition metal- and catalyst-free conditions were used for the synthesis of biologically important N-sulfonyl amidines. Further studies showed that the reaction proceeded via in situ aerobic oxidation of amines under reflux conditions.

A green synthesis of N-sulfonyl amidines via the direct reaction of tertiary or secondary amines with sulfonyl azides.     

Basophil activation through ASGM1 stimulation triggers PAF release and anaphylaxis‐like shock in mice

Basophils have been shown to contribute to anaphylaxis through either an IgE–FcεRI‐dependent pathway or an IgG–FcγR pathway. However, it remains largely unclear whether basophils can be activated to promote anaphylaxis via a non‐FcR pathway as well. The glycolipid receptor ASGM1 (Asialoganglioside gangliotetraosylceramide), which has an exposed GalNAcβ1–4Gal moiety and serves as a receptor for pathogen associated molecular patterns such as flagellin, was recently found to be expressed on basophils. Here, we demonstrate that stimulation of basophils with anti‐ASGM1 antibodies promotes platelet‐activating factor (PAF) secretion in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we found that ASGM1 stimulation triggers basophil‐ and PAF‐dependent anaphylactic shock in pertussis toxin (PTX)‐pretreated mice. Thus, ASGM1 has a crucial role in basophil activation and basophil‐mediated anaphylaxis‐like shock in mice, especially when the vascular permeability is increased by PTX treatment. Our findings describe a novel anaphylaxis‐associated pathway that is antigen‐, antibody‐, and FcR‐independent.     

Bedouin Women’s Gender Preferences When Choosing Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Patients’ preferences in choosing obstetricians/gynecologists are widely investigated, but studies among traditional populations are lacking. Bedouins comprise a traditional Arab Muslim society in the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia), The Levant (Syria, Jordan and Israel) and North Africa (Egypt). Most of the Bedouins in Israel populate several villages, mostly in the southern part of the country. This cross-sectional study compared 200 Bedouin and 200 Jewish women who responded to an anonymous questionnaire. Queried on gender alone, more Bedouin responders preferred female obstetricians/gynecologists (59.5 vs. 33% Jewish responders, p value <0.0001). Bedouin women preferred a female obstetrician/gynecologist for intimate procedures [feeling more comfortable (66.3%) and believing that females were more gentle (50%)]. However, they and the Jewish participants ranked ability, experience and knowledge as the top 3 qualities of an obstetrician/gynecologist, putting reputation in 4th place and gender in 5th place. Bedouin women strongly preferred female obstetricians/gynecologists, although professional skills were an important factor in their choice of caregiver. The ideal obstetrician/gynecologist for Bedouin women would be a skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced female.     

Detection of oqxA and oqxB efflux pump genes among nosocomial coliform bacilli: An observational cross-sectional study

Objectives: To identify and test the antibiotic susceptibility of nosocomial coliform bacilli and investigate the presence of oqxA and oqxB genes among the multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes. Methods: One hundred and twenty different healthcare-associated infection samples were collected. Coliform bacilli were isolated, identified by conventional methods, and then antibiotic susceptibility tests were done using the VITEK2 system and disk diffusion methods. OqxAB operon was identified using a conventional PCR-based technique. oqxA and oqxB genes were compared between MDR Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia) phenotypes and MDR Escherichia coli (E. coli) phenotypes. Besides, oqxAB operons were compared between phenotypes of K. pneumonia and E. coli isolates. Results: Seventy coliform bacilli were isolated with the predominance of K. pneumonia and E. coli. Besides, 82.1％ of K. pneumonia strains and 53.3％ of E. coli isolates were MDR phenotypes. Significant more oqxB genes alone were found in MDR E. coli than that in MDR K. pneumoniae phenotypes (χ2=10.160, P=0.003). OqxAB operon was significantly more in MDR phenotypes of E. coli than that in the susceptible phenotypes (P<0.001). There was significantly less of this operon in susceptible E. coli isolates than that in susceptible K. pneumoniae isolates (P<0.001). OqxAB positive isolates that were also resistant to fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol, most probably suggested functional pumps. Conclusions: MDR coliform bacilli are strongly implicated in healthcare-associated infection. Attention should be paid to the presence of oqxAB pump, as an important mechanism in the development of resistance against many antimicrobials because it contributes to co-resistance with other categories; therefore, this pump could be a good target for efflux pump inhibitors.     

Immediate breast reconstruction for stage III breast cancer using transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap

Background: The management of stage III breast cancer is challenging; it often includes multimodal treatment with systemic therapy and/or radiation therapy and surgery. Immediate breast reconstruction has not traditionally been performed in these patients. We review the results of immediate transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap in 21 patients treated for stage III breast cancer. Methods: Data have been collected retrospectively on 21 patients diagnosed with stage III breast cancer between 1987 and 1994. All patients had mastectomy and immediate TRAM reconstruction. Thirteen patients received primary systemic therapy, 10 patients received postoperative consolidation radiotherapy to the operative site, and 3 patients received preoperative radiation. Results: Mean follow-up for the group was 26 months. Two patients died with disseminated disease: neither of them developed local disease recurrence in the operative site; 82% of the patients followed for at least two years are free of disease. Sixty-two percent of the patients received preoperative chemotherapy, the remaining patients received postoperative multiagent chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Two of the patients received autologous bone marrow transplants after their adjuvant therapy. Ten patients had postoperative radiotherapy for consolidation; three patients received preoperative radiation. Conclusions: Immediate TRAM reconstruction for stage III breast cancer is not associated with a delay in adjuvant therapy or an increased risk of local relapse. It facilitates wide resection of involved skin without skin grafting. Radiation therapy can be delivered to the reconstructed breast when indicated without difficulty. Breast reconstruction facilitates surgical resection of stage III breast cancer with primary closure and should be considered if the patient desires immediate breast reconstruction.Results of this study were presented at the 48th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Boston, Massachusetts, March 23–26, 1995.