Thematic Qualitative Content Analysis of Cishet Allies' Activism: Perceptions of Igniting Events and Barriers to Activism

Though notable progress has been made in protections for LGBTQ people in the United States, they are still disproportionately victims of discrimination and harassment. Activism efforts on behalf of LGBTQ communities by heterosexual, cisgender people-known as cishet allies-are critical to maintaining and gaining civil rights. Social justice praxis encourages people with privileged identities, such as heterosexuals, to act on behalf of and in coalition with LGBTQ communities. The current study conducted a thematic qualitative content analysis of open-ended self-report data about activist behaviors and beliefs of 249 self-identified cishet allies. Results describe: types of activism, events that sparked activism, motivators for activism, and barriers to activism. Findings show that educating self and others are key activist behaviors while social media usage may mitigate barriers, such as perceived lack of social support and time. Findings are discussed in context of sample limitations and future research directions are outlined.

Disclosure to friends or family and consequences after interpersonal violence: intersections of sexual identity and race

Objective: This study's purpose was to examine whether disclosures to friends or family post-victimization was associated with emotional and academic consequences (e.g. feeling detached from others, getting worse grades) among students grouped by sexual identity and race intersections. Participants and Methods: We analyzed data from an online survey that was distributed to students (n = 6,331) at a university in the Southeast. Results: Path analyses indicated disclosure to friends and family partially mediated the relationship between victimization and consequences, such that an increase in the number of disclosures was associated with an increase in the number of consequences. These paths were significant among White sexual minority victims, sexual minority victims of color, White heterosexual students, and heterosexual students of color. Conclusions: These findings indicate that disclosure to informal sources is associated with amplified consequences, which may be ameliorated by training friends and family to respond to disclosures in a supportive manner.

Noise-induced hearing loss - An examination of the methods of assessment in a cross-sectional study of 87 industrial workers

OBJECTIVES

The surveillance of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) differs from the medico-legal criteria used to assess NIHL. Our study compares the two systems and proposes a novel method of simplifying the medico-legal criteria and applying it to ascertain noise-induced hearing loss.

DESIGN

The anonymised audiograms of a group of 87 industrial workers from a single site were analysed with both methods.

RESULTS

The comparison showed approximately one-third of the workers assessed in this study had their noise-induced hearing loss underestimated by the HSE criteria. The majority of these individuals were over 40 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

The HSE criteria for noise-induced hearing loss need review and re-alignment with the medico-legal criteria to address the discrepancy between the two systems.

Use of a population pharmacokinetic approach for the clinical development of a fixed-dose subcutaneous formulation of trastuzumab

A new subcutaneous (s.c.) trastuzumab formulation provides savings in terms of time and is preferred by patients and health care professionals relative to standard intravenous (i.v.) administration due to simpler and more rapid administration (2-5 minutes). Selection of the s.c. dose was based on a pharmacokinetic bridging approach that aimed to achieve noninferior trastuzumab serum trough concentrations (Ctrough) vs. reference i.v. administration. Using population modeling and simulation, we showed that a fixed 600-mg trastuzumab s.c. dose, administered thrice-weekly (Q3W) without a loading dose, would provide Ctrough (predose Cycle 8) and area under the time-concentration curve (AUC0-21 days, Cycle 7) at least as high as Q3W i.v. administration. The model was retrospectively validated using observed pharmacokinetic data from an independent phase III study of (neo)adjuvant trastuzumab (HannaH). These results provide a strong pharmacokinetic rationale for the trastuzumab s.c. 600-mg fixed dose, supported by the noninferior efficacy of this regimen vs. reference i.v. administration.CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e87; doi:10.1038/psp.2013.63; advance online publication 2 January 2014.

Lipid stability and meat colour of beef from pasture- and grain-fed cattle with or without vitamin E supplement

Meat from pasture-fed cattle can have high contents of α-tocopherol and other anti-oxidants originating from naturally occurring compounds present in grasses. However, meat from pasture-fed cattle may have an increased demand for endogenous anti-oxidants because of its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which in turn, may affect its colour and lipid stability. In the work described, we evaluated the effects of pasture-feeding alone and with vitamin E supplementation and compared the findings with those obtained for grain-fed cattle (predominantly sorghum) with and without supplementation. Within each nutritional background, vitamin E supplementation did not alter meat colour or colour stability of fresh or 47-day aged muscle during 7-day aerobic storage. However, both control and supplemented grain-fed product had better meat colour (more redness) compared with meat from grass-fed cattle. These differences in redness between pasture- and grain-fed fresh beef were not apparent after ageing. The treatments did not affect the lipid stability of fresh meat during aerobic storage; however, supplementation reduced (P<0.01) lipid oxidation in grain-fed aged beef compared with pasture-fed aged beef, despite both having similar α-tocopherol contents. Pasture-fed beef had more linolenic acid, less linoleic acid and, overall, was more polyunsaturated than grain-fed beef (P<0.05). In summary, vitamin E supplementation of pasture-fed cattle did not alter muscle tocopherol contents but pasture-fed beef (both control and supplemented) was more susceptible to lipid oxidation following ageing than vitamin E supplemented grain-fed beef.

DORSALLY DISPLACED FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL RADIUS — A STUDY OF PREFERRED TREATMENT OPTIONS AMONG UK TRAUMA AND ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS

Distal radius fractures are common, and surgeons have in their armament a variety of ways of treating them. In this study, 50 orthopaedic surgeons in the UK were shown five clinical scenarios and radiographs from patients with various fracture patterns of the distal radius, and were asked for their preferred management. There was a wide variation in the preferred treatment for each scenario presented. Across all of the cases, 52% of surgeons preferred to use a volar locking-plate compared with 21% who chose fixation with Kirschner wires. There was very little consensus among surgeons with regard to the optimal method of fixation for patients sustaining dorsally displaced fractures of the distal radius. This disagreement is not surprising as there is currently no high level evidence to guide surgeons as to the best management option for this common and potentially debilitating injury.

A review of 1241 trauma cases: a study of efficiency in trauma theatres

BACKGROUND

Our trauma department has recently moved to a newly built University hospital. Its geographic situation and the fact that all surgical sub-specialties are represented make it a very busy level 1 trauma centre. Our aim was to assess our activity and efficiency in trauma looking at 1241 consecutive trauma operations over a period of 6 months. Furthermore we evaluate the impact of the move to the new hospital on our activity.

METHOD

A total of 1241 consecutive trauma operations were reviewed, looking at transit times of patients to theatre, the duration of induction of anaesthesia, time to prepare and drape the patients and duration of surgery. Daily starting and finishing times were also analysed. We looked at operations done from April 2006 to July 2006 in our old site and compared the timings to the first 2 months in the new University hospital. In addition, we looked at the most recent 2 months in our new hospital.

RESULTS

The mean number of cases done daily and the distribution of time in trauma theatre were not significantly different in the 2 hospitals. A mean of 4.9 trauma operations are done per day with a mean of 18.6% of trauma lists starting on time. Furthermore, only around 55% of total theatre time is spent operating. The efficiency of trauma theatre utilisation is far from optimal but seems to correspond with the findings in the general literature.

CONCLUSION

Activity and theatre utilisation in trauma should be monitored regularly in order to assess the time distribution of surgical cases. This monitoring enables the department to highlight causes of inefficiencies and has been shown to improve the activity in trauma theatres.

Passive diffusion of polymeric surfactants across lipid bilayers

Self-assembling polymeric surfactant, mmePEG(750)P(CL-co-TMC) [monomethylether poly(ethylene glycol)(750)-poly(caprolactone-co-trimethylene carbonate)], increases drug solubility and crosses an enterocyte monolayer both in vitro and in vivo. The aims of the present work were to investigate whether mmePEG(750)P(CL-co-TMC) polymers can diffuse passively through lipid bilayer using parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) and affect membrane properties using liposomes as model. The mmePEG(750)P(CL-co-TMC) polymer was able to cross by passive diffusion an enterocyte-mimicking membrane in PAMPA at concentration which did not perturb membrane integrity. A weak rigidification associated with a low increase in permeability of liposomal lipid bilayers was observed. These data suggest that polymeric surfactants can cross the lipid membrane by passive diffusion and interact with lipid bilayers.

Characterization of physico-chemical properties and pharmaceutical performance of sucrose co-freeze–dried solid nanoparticulate powders of the anti-HIV agent loviride prepared by media milling

In order to improve the dissolution and absorption properties of loviride, a poorly soluble antiviral agent, sucrose co-freeze-dried nanopowders were prepared, characterized and evaluated. Tween 80/poloxamer 188-stabilized nanosuspensions were produced on a laboratory scale using media milling. The milling process was monitored by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and resulted in particles with a mean size of 264+/-14nm and a distribution width of 59+/-6nm after 4h of milling. Co-freeze-drying of the nanosuspensions with sucrose had an inhibiting effect on nanoparticle agglomeration and yielded solid "nanopowders" that were resuspendable and homogeneous with respect to loviride content. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) confirmed the presence of small loviride crystallites and indicated that sucrose and poloxamer 188 were crystalline. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed melting peaks of poloxamer 188, sucrose and loviride. Time-resolved XRPD indicated that sucrose crystallization was complete within 24h of storage. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested the formation of sheet-like matrix structures. The dissolution rate of loviride from the nanopowders was excellent. A Caco-2 experiment on the nanopowder showed a significantly higher cumulative amount transported after 120min (1.59+/-0.02microg) compared to the physical mixture (0.93+/-0.01microg) and the untreated loviride (0.74+/-0.03mcirog).

Active metabolite from Tamiflu solution is bioequivalent to that from capsule delivery in healthy volunteers: a cross-over, randomised, open-label study

The bioavailability of oseltamivir phosphate and oseltamivir carboxylate were assessed in healthy volunteers when delivered as a solution of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) compared with the commercial capsule formulation. The 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the ratios of the two treatments (capsule versus solution) were within the reference region [0.80-1.25] for area under the curve (AUC(0-infinity): [0.94-0.99]) and maximum observed plasma concentrations (C(max): [0.93-1.08]). Thus, the two formulations were bioequivalent for oseltamivir carboxylate. For pandemic stockpiling of Tamiflu, governments can therefore choose between the capsule formulation alone, the API alone, or quantities of both.

Intestinal uptake and biodistribution of novel polymeric micelles after oral administration

To determine the fate of polymeric micelles after oral administration, we investigated the possible transport of polymeric micelles across Caco-2 monolayers and their biodistribution in rats after per os administration of [14C]-labelled mmePEG750P(CL-co-TMC) micelles containing risperidone (BCS Class II drug). mmePEG750P(CL-co-TMC) was able to cross Caco-2 monolayer via a saturable transport mechanism. The oral bioavailability of the polymer was 40%. Polymeric micelles based on mmePEG750P(CL-co-TMC) showed very low clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and a renal excretion. A sustained release of risperidone was observed.

Evaluation of different calorimetric methods to determine the glass transition temperature and molecular mobility below T(g) for amorphous drugs

The purpose of the present study was to compare different calorimetric methods used to determine the glass transition temperature (T(g)) and to evaluate the relaxation behaviour and hence the stability of amorphous drugs below their T(g). Data showed that the values of the activation energy for the transition of a glass to its super-cooled liquid state qualitatively correlate with the values of the mean molecular relaxation time constant of ketoconazole, itraconazole and miconazole, three structurally related drugs. Estimation of the molecular mobility by activation energy calculation indicated that loperamide was more stable than its two building blocks T263 and R731. It was further shown that the most commonly used approach to determine T(g) (T(g (1/2 c(p))) leads to erroneous values when enthalpy recovery is significant. In this case, an alternative method based on enthalpic considerations leads to results in accordance to basic thermodynamics. Estimation of molecular mobility based on activation energy calculations is therefore considered to be a valuable alternative for the method based on measurement of the extent of relaxation. When enthalpy relaxation is important, the use of T(g 1/2c(p)) leads to an overestimation of the T(g).

(E)-2(R)-[1(S)-(Hydroxycarbamoyl)-4-phenyl-3-butenyl]-2'-isobutyl-2'-(methanesulfonyl)-4-methylvalerohydrazide (Ro 32-7315), a selective and orally active inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha convertase

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a cytokine secreted by inflammatory cells, has been implicated in several inflammatory disease states. (E)-2(R)-[1(S)-(Hydroxycarbamoyl)-4-phenyl-3-butenyl]-2'-isobutyl-2'-(methanesulfonyl)-4-methylvalerohydrazide (Ro 32-7315), is a potent, orally active inhibitor of the TNF-alpha convertase (TACE), an enzyme responsible for proteolytic cleavage of the membrane bound precursor, pro-TNF-alpha. Ro 32-7315 inhibited a recombinant form of TACE (IC(50) = 5.2 nM) with selectivity over related matrix metalloproteinases. In a cellular assay system, THP-1 cell line, and in human and rat whole blood, Ro 32-7315 significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha release with IC(50) values of 350 +/- 14 nM (n = 5), 2.4 +/- 0.5 microM (n = 5), and 110 +/- 18 nM (n = 5), respectively. Oral administration of Ro 32-7315 to Wistar rats caused a dose-dependent inhibition of LPS-induced release of systemic TNF-alpha with an ED(50) of 25 mg/kg. Treatment (days 0-14) of Allen and Hamburys hooded rats with Ro 32-7315 (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, i.p., twice daily) significantly reduced adjuvant-induced secondary paw swelling (42, 71, 83, and 93%, respectively) as compared with the vehicle group. In the Ro 32-7315-treated group, the reduced paw swelling was associated with improved lesion score and joint mobility. Furthermore, in a placebo-controlled, single-dose study, Ro 32-7315 given orally (450 mg) significantly suppressed ex vivo, LPS-induced TNF-alpha release in the whole-blood samples taken from healthy male and female volunteers (mean inhibition of 42% over a 4-h duration, n = 6). These data collectively support the potential use of such a compound for the oral treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Ro 32-3555, an orally active collagenase selective inhibitor, prevents structural damage in the STR/ORT mouse model of osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of a selective inhibitor of collagenases in an animal model of osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Ro 32-3555, an orally active collagenase selective inhibitor, was administered to STR/ORT mice. Microfocal x-ray-generated images of the hind limbs were visually scored for joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation, and calcification of tendons. Histologic sections of the knees were scored for cartilage changes including loss of surface matrix, fibrillation, and eburnation.

RESULTS

Significant inhibition of joint space narrowing and osteophyte formation was achieved in groups of animals treated with 10-50 mg/kg(-1) of Ro 32-3555. These effects were confirmed histologically in the same groups of animals: histologic analysis revealed that Ro 32-3555 protected cartilage from degradative changes.

CONCLUSION

Ro 32-3555, a collagenase selective inhibitor, inhibits both the cartilage and bone changes in this mouse model of OA, and thus shows great potential as a treatment of OA in humans.

Trimethylaminuria associated with seizures and behavioural disturbance: a case report

A 16-year-old left-handed male is presented with a history of seizures associated with a fish-like odour and behavioural disturbances thought to be related to trimethylaminuria. His seizures were complex-partial (cursive) seizures and started at the age of 18 months. They occurred in the context of discrete episodes several times per year. The episodes would start with a fish-like odour, followed by seizures occurring in clusters and behavioural disturbance consisting of agitation, mixed affective symptoms, auditory hallucinations and delusions. A urinary assay of trimethylamine (TMA) was elevated, confirming the diagnosis of trimethylaminuria in this patient. He was treated with a choline-restricted diet with resolution of his symptoms. The occurrence of seizures and psychiatric disturbance in this patient was thought secondary to his trimethylaminuria due to the temporal relationship of his seizures and psychiatric disturbance with the odour and his response to treatment. The possible relationship of trimethylaminuria to seizures and to psychiatric disturbance are discussed and a review of the literature presented.

Ro 32-3555, an orally active collagenase inhibitor, prevents cartilage breakdown in vitro and in vivo

1. Ro 32-3555 (3(R)-(cyclopentylmethyl)-2(R)-[(3,4,4-trimethyl-2,5-dioxo-1- imidazolidinyl)methyl]-4-oxo-4-piperidinobutyrohydroxamic acid) is a potent, competitive inhibitor of human collagenases 1, 2 and 3 (Ki values of 3.0, 4.4 and 3.4 nM, respectively). The compound is a selective inhibitor of collagenases over the related human matrix metalloproteinases stromelysin 1, and gelatinases A and B (Ki values of 527, 154 and 59 nM, respectively). 2. Ro 32-3555 inhibited interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha)-induced cartilage collagen degradation in vitro in bovine nasal cartilage explants (IC50 = 60 nM). 3. Ro 32-3555 was well absorbed in rats when administered orally. Systemic exposure was dose related, with an oral bioavailability of 26% at a dose of 25 mg kg-1. 4. Ro 32-3555 prevented granuloma-induced degradation of bovine nasal cartilage cylinders implanted subcutaneously into rats (ED50 = 10 mg kg-1, twice daily, p.o.). 5. Ro 32-3555 dosed once daily for 14 days at 50 mg kg-1, p.o., inhibited degradation of articular cartilage in a rat monoarthritis model induced by an intra-articular injection of Propionibacterium acnes. 6. Ro 32-3555 is a potential therapy for the treatment of the chronic destruction of articulating cartilage in both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

A permanently charged tamoxifen derivative displays anticancer activity and improved tissue selectivity in rodents

A quaternized form of tamoxifen (TAM), tamoxifen methiodide (TMI), was shown to demonstrate very low brain uptake compared to TAM and, unexpectedly, was considerably less estrogenic than TAM in the uterus. The agonist activity of TMI in the bone was similar to that of TAM. TMI manifested significant dose-dependent tumoricidal activity with a rapid onset of action against MCF-7 human breast cancer implants in nude mice and a mean reduction in tumor size of 60% over six weeks.

The inhibitory effects of Ro 31-6930 and BRL 38227 on cholinergically-mediated bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig

This study compares the effects of two K(+0-channel openers, Ro 31-6930 and BRL 38227, on cholinergically-evoked contraction of guinea-pig airways to examine whether either compound acts through prejunctional inhibition of the release of acetylcholine. In the isolated trachea, Ro 31-6930 and BRL 38227 evoked concentration-dependent inhibition of tone generated by electrical field stimulation with pD2 values of 7.03 (6.77-7.29) and 6.26 (5.91-6.61) respectively and of that elicited by acetylcholine with pD2 values of 7.38 (6.52-8.24) and 6.65 (6.16-7.13). Neither compound was more potent against responses to electrical field stimulation than against acetylcholine. In the anaesthetised guinea-pig, Ro 31-6930 inhibited the bronchoconstriction evoked by bilateral vagus nerve stimulation and intravenous acetylcholine with ID50 values of 12.9 +/- 3.9 and 3.6 +/- 1.3 micrograms/kg i.v. respectively. The corresponding values for BRL 38227 were 356 +/- 157 and 37.9 +/- 13.4 micrograms/kg i.v. respectively. Thus, in vivo, both compounds were more potent against acetylcholine than against vagal stimulation. These results provide indirect evidence that K(+)-channel openers do not inhibit the release of acetylcholine from parasympathetic nerves in guinea-pig airway smooth muscle.

Egg weight responses of laying hens fed different concentrations of vegetable oil and linoleic acid

The relationships between dietary fat content and dietary fatty acid composition and egg weight were investigated in two strains of laying hens. Six diets were fed in which the levels of readily absorbable fatty acids, including linoleic acid, were increased by the addition of up to 32.6 g kg-1 safflower oil. Two additional diets containing olive oil provided intermediate or high levels of readily absorbable fatty acids and a low level of linoleic acid. The diets were fed from 30 to 46 weeks of age (phase 1) and again from 54 to 70 weeks of age (phase 2) after an intermediate buffer period in which a diet low in both fat and linoleic acid was fed. The diets had no significant effect on feed intake, liveweight or egg mass output, although small differences in egg number occurred. Egg weight responded to increasing levels of safflower oil in the diet but not to similar levels of olive oil. These differences cannot be attributed to dietary energy or to the intake of nutrients other than those associated with the inclusion of vegetable oil. It is concluded that the linoleic acid component of safflower oil is responsible for the observed effects on egg weight. As judged by regression analyses the egg weight response was significant in only one strain, being linear in phase 1 and curvilinear in phase 2.

Effects of peroxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids on mitochondrial function and structure: pathogenetic implications for Reye's syndrome

Linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is a constituent of margosa oil which has been implicated as a cause of Reye's syndrome (RS) in infants. Increased concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids have been found in sera from patients with RS. Isolated rat liver mitochondria exposed to the peroxidized (but not unperoxidized) methyl esters of linoleic (C18:2) or linolenic (C18:3) acids showed decreases in state 3 and uncoupled respiratory rates and in respiratory control and ADP/O ratios. In addition, they caused mitochondrial swelling as demonstrated spectrophotometrically. Between the two, the peroxidized methyl ester of linolenic acid was more toxic and was capable of inducing high amplitude swelling ultrastructurally similar to that seen in the hepatocytes of RS victims. The ability of rat liver mitochondria to oxidize glutamate was inversely related to the peroxide concentration in the medium. This accords with the reports of reduced glutamic dehydrogenase activities in the livers of both patients with Reye's syndrome and rats treated with margosa oil.

Chronic weight loss in lean and obese rats with a brain-enhanced chemical delivery system for estradiol

Studies were undertaken to determine the effects on body weight and food intake of a chemical delivery system which preferentially delivers estradiol (E2) to the brain and there serves as a source for the sustained release of the steroid. We injected intravenously various doses of this estradiol-chemical delivery system (E2-CDS), E2-valerate (E2-VAL) or the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) vehicle to young lean male rats and monitored body weight and 24 hr food intake for 39 days postinjection. E2-VAL caused a transient reduction in food intake and body weight gain. By contrast, a single injection of E2-CDS caused a chronic, dose-dependent reduction in the rate of body weight gain. In these lean rats, the duration of reduced body weight gain was not correlated with the observed transient reduction in food intake. In aged, obese male rats, E2-CDS caused a marked and chronic dose-dependent reduction in body weight. In contrast to lean rats, E2-CDS caused a long-term reduction in food intake in obese rats. To evaluate the importance of the E2-CDS-induced reduction in food intake in the observed persistent weight loss in obese rats, E2-CDS was administered to a group of obese rats and a second group which received the DMSO vehicle was pair-fed an equivalent amount of food daily. The resulting weight loss in both groups was equivalent. These results show that the enhanced delivery of E2 to the brain with the E2-CDS causes sustained reduction in the rate of body weight gain in lean rats and persistent weight loss in obese animals.

Fanconi syndrome in a patient with a variant of isovaleric acidemia

Fanconi syndrome with proximal renal tubular acidosis is caused by a variety of anatomic, functional and metabolic disorders. We report a patient with a variant of isovaleric acidosis who developed proximal tubular acidosis. This patient was able to acidify the urine during metabolic acidosis, developed a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, and needed 24 mEq/kg/day of bicarbonate to maintain normal serum bicarbonate. She had a FE Bicarbonate of 12 +/- 4% during bicarbonate infusion. Isovaleric acidosis may be another toxic cause of proximal RTA.

Method for measuring the duration of inhibition of angiotensin I-converting enzyme in vivo

The spontaneously hypertensive rat, either pithed or anesthetized with urethane, responds to intravenous injections of angiotensin I (A1) and angiotensin II (AII) with pressor responses. These responses vary with time, but the ratio of the responses to AI and AII is constant throughout 4.5 hr. This criterion was used to determine the degree and the duration of effect of captopril. At low (30 micro g/kg iv) and high (3mg/kg iv) doses, it selectively reduces the pressor response to AI, so reducing the AI/AII ratio. The rate of recovery is initially rapid followed by a prolonged slower phase. The degree (maximum 65%) and the duration of inhibition are directly related to the dose of the inhibitor.