TMB-8 (8-(N,N-diethylamino) octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate) inhibits the ATP-sensitive K+ channel.

Whole-cell current clamp, single-channel recordings and 86Rb+ flux techniques have been used to show that 8-(N,N-diethyl-amino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) inhibits ATP-sensitive K+ channels in HIT-T15 beta-cells. TMB-8 inhibition is observed when KATP channels are activated by ATP depletion or by the K+ channel opener, diazoxide.     

Advanced systemic sclerosis complicated by pulmonary hypertension and complete atrioventricular block: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology characterized by fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs, in which the heart is frequently (40-70% of patients) and severely involved. Pulmonary hypertension affects 10-15% of patients with SSc and is one of the most important complications adversely influencing their survival. CASE REPORT: The case report presents a 59-year-old male patient with advanced systemic sclerosis whose initial examination revealed pulmonary hypertension, rhythm and atrioventricular conduction disturbances, and elevated level of NT-proBNP. After six months the patient deteriorated; an increase in NT-proBNP level and progression of pulmonary hypertension were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The described case is followed by a discussion of cardiovascular involvement in systemic sclerosis and emphasizes that heart involvement in SSc may have very serious clinical implications.     

Locally secreted histamine may regulate the development of ovarian follicles by apoptosis

Inflammation Research -     

rIFN-γ-mediated growth suppression of platinum-sensitive and -resistant ovarian tumor cell lines not dependent upon arginase inhibition

The purpose of translational research is to test, in humans, novel therapeutic strategies developed through experimentation. Translational research should be regarded as a two-way road: Bench to Bedside and Bedside to Bench. However, Bedside to Bench efforts have regrettably been limited because the scientific aspects are poorly understood by full time clinicians and the difficulty of dealing with humans poorly appreciated by basic scientists. Translational research would be most useful to the scientific community at large if journals would foster specific interest for the publication of ex vivo human observation. The review process for such work should be assigned to clinical scientists competent not only in the intricacies of molecular or cell biology but also intimate with the reality of Internal Review Boards, ethics committees, Governmental Regulatory Agencies and most importantly the humane aspects of dealing with sick individuals and their families. This approach may focus both basic and clinical scientists and those struggling to fill the gap between them on the effective treatment of diseases affecting women, men and children making translational research more than an interesting concept.     

Factors affecting attitude towards breastfeeding in public: a cross-sectional web-based study on Polish women

Journal of Public Health - Breastfeeding is believed to be beneficial to both mother and child. Although the percentage of Polish mothers who start breastfeeding after childbirth is relatively...     

The impact of location and patency of the arteriovenous fistula on quality of life of kidney transplant recipients

BackgroundArteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) may remain patent after kidney transplantation (KTx), contributing to maladaptive cardiac remodeling. The flow in AVFs is associated with the diameter of its vessels and thus with the AVF location. The main objective of this study is to assess the influence of AVF location and its patency on the self-reported quality of life (QOL) of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with past history of hemodialysis.MethodsTo gain clinical data, during a scheduled visit, 353 KTRs were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire. From this group, 284 respondents were found eligible for analysis. The outcome was defined as prevalence of symptoms and health status, measured with the Left Ventricular Dysfunction-36 (LVD-36) Questionnaire in symptomatic patients.ResultsThe hemodialysis patients (n = 243) were divided into two groups according to AVF location, i.e., DAVF – distally located AVF – (n = 174) and PAVF – proximally located AVF – (n = 69). The proportion of patients with heart failure (HF) was higher in PAVF group (24% vs. 12%, p = 0.0482). In the multivariable regression, PAVF, serum creatinine levels, and the presence of HF or coronary artery disease (CAD) remained independent predictors of lower functional capacity. Among patients with heart disease, the presence of active AVF was independently associated with worse functional outcome (higher LVD-36 scores).ConclusionsThe influence of persistent PAVF in KTRs seems to be unfavorable, especially when coexisting with CAD or HF. Abbreviations: AVF arteriovenous fistula; BMI body mass index; CAD coronary artery disease; D-AVF distally-located arteriovenous fistula; EC exercise capacity; HD hemodialysis; HF heart failure; KTx kidney transplantation; KTR kidney transplant recipient; LVD-36 Left Ventricle Disfunction – 36; LVEF left ventricle ejection fraction; LVH left ventricle hypertrophy; NYHA New York Heart Association; P-AVF proximally located arteriovenous fistula; PD peritoneal dialysis; PRO patient-reported outcomes; QOL quality of life.     

Liposomal Bupivacaine Versus Bupivacaine/Epinephrine Intercostal Nerve Block as Part of an Enhanced Recovery After Thoracic Surgery (ERATS) Care Pathway for Robotic Thoracic Surgery

ObjectivesTo examine how postoperative pain control after robotic thoracoscopic surgery varies with liposomal bupivacaine (LipoB) versus 0.5% bupivacaine/1:200,000 epinephrine (Bupi/Epi) intercostal nerve blocks within the context of an enhanced recovery after thoracic surgery (ERATS) protocol.DesignA retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing robotic thoracoscopic procedures between September 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019 was conducted.SettingUniversity of Miami, single-institutional.ParticipantsPatients.InterventionsTwo hundred fifty-two patients had either LipoB intercostal nerve blocks (n = 129) or Bupi/Epi intercostal nerve blocks (n = 123) when undergoing robotic thoracic surgery.Measurements and Main ResultsComparative analysis of patient-reported pain levels, in-hospital and post-discharge opioid requirements, 90-day operative complications, length of hospital stay, and hospital costs was performed. Data were stratified to either anatomic lung resection or pulmonary wedge resection/mediastinal-pleural procedures. Bupi/Epi patients reported significantly more acute postoperative pain than LipoB patients, which correlated with higher in-hospital and post-discharge opioid requirements. There were no differences in postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, or hospital costs between the two groups.ConclusionsAs part of an ERATS protocol, infiltration of intercostal spaces and surgical wounds with LipoB for robotic thoracoscopic procedures afforded better postoperative subjective pain control and decreased opioid requirements without an increase in hospital costs as compared with use of Bupi/Epi.     

Salivary Content Might be Associated With Skeletal Status in Postmenopausal Women: SilesiaOsteoActive Study Results

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate whether salivary mineral content may be associated with bone status in women after menopause. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 125 postmenopausal women aged 64.3 ± 6.9 yr, derived from the epidemiological SilesiaOsteoActive Study. All participants underwent hip and spine bone densitometry using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, dental examination, and saliva content analysis. Data for salivary pH, copper, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc concentrations were evaluated. Results: Mean femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) was 0.739 ± 0.118 g/cm², total hip BMD 0.891 ± 0.14 g/cm², and spine BMD 0.868 ± 0.14 g/cm². Salivary pH was significantly lower in women with spinal osteoporosis defined as T-score below ?2.5, compared to individuals with normal BMD (pH: 6.65 ± 0.67 vs 6.96 ± 0.58, p < 0.05). There was a significant though weak inverse correlation between Ca concentration in saliva and femoral neck BMD (r = ?0.23, p < 0.05). Conclusions: High salivary calcium content and low salivary pH may be indicative of low hip and decreased spine BMD, respectively. These associations may reflect demineralization process (calcium redistribution) influencing bone, and a negative effect of acidity on mineral tissues, although causal pathway remains not clear.     

Social Perception of Non-Binary Individuals

People can express their identity in different ways, one of which is through language. Non-binary individuals often speak in a gender-neutral way and use specific language forms. Language use not only reveals their identity but also can shape how others perceive them. The present study’s purpose was to analyze how non-binary people are perceived through the language they use. The research was conducted in Polish, a language that is especially challenging for non-binary individuals because it has many gender markers. To avoid using gendered forms, they often use a specific form of passive voice. In an experiment, participants (N?=?130, 102 women, 28 men) read a gendered (feminine or masculine) text and a gender-neutral text with passive voice. Most gave a masculine name to the person in the neutral text, but addressed them in a gender-neutral way when asked to react to them in presented scenarios. The gender-neutral text was evaluated as being less comprehensible than the gendered texts, and the non-binary person was rated less competent and colder than a man or a woman and was less socially accepted. Furthermore, the negative evaluation of non-binary people seemed to be attributable to unfamiliarity with gender-neutral language and its lower comprehensibility. More research is needed to understand these perceptions better and to be able to prevent their potential negative consequences.