Determination of Lipids in Fish Meal

Lipids were extracted from a series of twelve menhaden meals by six methods, and results were compared. The chloroformmethanol extraction method developed by Smith, et al., extracts approximately the same amount of lipids as the official AOAC method, 22.037. The Torry-TNO method with chloroform-methanol extraction, and acid and alkaline hydrolysis methods extract lesser amounts of lipids, but all methods extract more than the ethyl ether method, 22.032. The Smith-Ambrose-Knobl method, rather than AOAC method 22.037, is recommended for extraction of total lipids from fish meal because of its simplicity and efficiency.

Febrile neutropenia and its associated hospitalization in breast cancer patients on docetaxel-containing regimen: A retrospective cohort study on duration of prophylactic GCSF administration

PURPOSE

To compare febrile neutropenia (FN) incidence and hospitalization among breast cancer patients on docetaxel with no granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (GCSF) primary prophylaxis (PP), 4/5-day PP, or 7-day PP.

METHODS

We identified 3916 breast cancer patients using docetaxel-cyclophosphamide (TC), doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide then docetaxel (AC-T), fluorouracil-epirubicin-cyclophosphamide then docetaxel (FEC-T), docetaxel-carboplatin-trastuzumab (TJH), or docetaxel-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide (TAC) from a hospital pharmacy dispensing database in Hong Kong between 2014 and 2016. Patients were offered GCSF within 5 days since administering docetaxel. Outcomes included FN incidence, time to first hospitalization, hospitalization rate, and duration.

RESULTS

In TC regimen, FN incidence (with odds ratio, OR) of patients with no PP, 4/5-day PP, and 7-day PP was 21.69%, 7.95% (OR 0.31, p < 0.001), and 5.33% (OR 0.20, p < 0.001), respectively. In TJH regimen, FN incidence of patients with no PP, 4/5-day PP, and 7-day PP was 38.26%, 8.33% (OR 0.15, p < 0.001), and 8.57% (OR 0.15, p < 0.001), respectively. FN incidence of patients on AC-T regimen with no PP and 4/5-day PP was 20.93% and 6.84%, respectively (OR 0.28, p = 0.005); with FEC-T regimen, the incidence was 9.91% and 4.77%, respectively (OR 0.46, p = 0.035). Only 3.27% FN cases were not hospitalized. Mean (±standard deviation, SD) time to first hospitalization was 8.21 ± 2.44 days. Mean (±SD) duration of hospitalization for patients with no PP, 4/5-day PP, and 7-day PP was 4.66 ± 2.60, 4.37 ± 2.85, and 5.12 ± 2.97 days, respectively.

CONCLUSION

GCSF prophylaxis in breast cancer patients on docetaxel could reduce FN incidence and hospitalization. 4/5-day PP demonstrated similar efficacy to 7-day PP with superior saving benefits on healthcare expenditure.

Respite Service to Family Caregivers by the Senior Companion Program: An Urban-Rural Comparison

The Senior Companion Program (SCP), a federally sponsored progrant, aims to enlist older volunteers to provide in-home services to the homebound elderly. A survey of 48 sample SCP projects providing family caregiver services reveals a distinctly different trajectory of urban and rural project development. In both environments, the longer a project has been in existence, the greater the number of volunteers in service. However, the number of clients served increases for urban projects, but not for rural projects. Relatedly, the unmet need for family care giver services, the number of referrals unserved by the project, is considerably greater in rural areas. These results suggest that because offactors unique to rural areas, the expansion of clientele may be more restricted in ruml settings compared to that in urban settings, thereby implying that rural-urban differences should be reflected in project planning and implementation.

Comparing EMG amplitude patterns of responses during dynamic exercise: polynomial vs log-transformed regression

The purposes of this study were to determine if (a) the log-transformed model can be applied to dynamic exercise and (b) the slope and y-intercept terms can provide additional information above and beyond the polynomial regression analyses. Eleven physically active individuals performed incremental cycle ergometry on a single occasion. Electromyographic electrodes were placed on the three superficial quadriceps muscles to record muscle activation during the exercise test. The patterns of responses for electromyographic amplitude vs power output were analyzed with polynomial and log-transformed regression models. The results of the polynomial regression for the composite data indicated that the best-fit model for the vastus lateralis muscle was linear (R(2) = 0.648, P < 0.0001), whereas the best-fit model for the rectus femoris (R(2) = 0.346, P = 0.013) and vastus medialis (R(2) = 0.764,P = 0.020) muscles was quadratic. One-way repeated measures analyses indicated no significant differences(P > 0.05) across the three superficial quadriceps muscles for the slope and y-intercept terms. These findings suggest that the log-transformed model may be a more versatile statistical approach to examining neuromuscular responses during dynamic exercise.

Self-assembly behaviors of thermal- and pH- sensitive magnetic nanocarriers for stimuli-triggered release

In the present work, we prepare thermo- and pH-sensitive polymer-based nanoparticles incorporating with magnetic iron oxide as the remote-controlled, stimuli-response nanocarriers. Well-defined, dual functional tri-block copolymer poly[(acrylic acid)-block-(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-(acrylic acid)], was synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization with S,S'-bis(α,α'-dimethyl-α″-acetic acid)trithiocarbonate (CMP) as a chain transfer agent (CTA). With the aid of using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, the surface-modified iron oxides, Fe3O4-NH2, was then attached on the surface of self-assembled tri-block copolymer micelles via 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinamide (EDC/NHS) crosslinking method in order to furnish not only the magnetic resources for remote control but also the structure maintenance for spherical morphology of our nanocarriers. The nanocarrier was characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis) spectral analysis. Rhodamine 6G (R6G), as the modeling drugs, was encapsulated into the magnetic nanocarriers by a simple swelling method for fluorescence-labeling and controlled release monitoring. Biocompatibility of the nanocarriers was studied via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, which revealed that neither the pristine nanocarrier nor the R6G-loaded nanocarriers were cytotoxic to the normal fibroblast cells (L-929 cells). The in vitro stimuli-triggered release measurement showed that the intelligent nanocarriers were highly sensitive to the change of pH value and temperature rising by the high-frequency magnetic field (HFMF) treatment, which provided the significant potential to apply this technology to biomedical therapy by stimuli-responsive controlled release.

Dental diagnostic X-ray exposure and risk of benign and malignant brain tumors

BACKGROUND

This study evaluates the risk of benign brain tumors (BBTs) and malignant brain tumors (MBTs) associated with dental diagnostic X-ray, using a large population-based case-control study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 4123 BBT cases and 16 492 controls without BBT (study 1) and 197 MBT cases and 788 controls without MBT (study 2) from Taiwan National Health Insurance claim data. The risks of both types of tumor were estimated in association with the frequency of received dental diagnostic X-ray.

RESULTS

The mean ages were ~44.2 years in study 1 and 40.6 years in study 2. Multivariable unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of BBT increases as the frequency of received dental diagnostic X-ray increases. The BBT odds ratio increased from 1.33 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-1.44] for those with annual mean X-ray examination of less than one to 1.65 (95% CI 1.37-1.98) for those with three or more X-ray examinations, after controlling for comorbidities. No significant association was found between MBTs and dental diagnostic X-ray exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to dental diagnostic X-rays in oral and maxillofacial care increases the risk of BBTs, but not MBTs.

A new risk classification rule for curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Prognostic factors for curve progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have been reported previously. There is only one existing rule that classifies AIS patients into two groups by a curvature of 25°.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to develop a more refined risk classification rule for AIS.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

We examined 2,308 untreated AIS patients, aged 10 years and older, who had a Risser sign of 2 and lesser and a curvature less than 30° at presentation.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcome was taken as the time to progression to 30°.

METHODS

Patients' clinical parameters were analyzed by Classification and Regression Tree analysis.

RESULTS

The new classification rule identified four risk groups of curve progression. Patients with a curvature of 26° and more and less than 18° constituted the highest and lowest risk groups, respectively. The two intermediate groups were identified by the age (11.3 years), menarcheal status, and body height (154 cm).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk classification rule only uses information at the first presentation and can aid physicians in deriving an efficient management.

Split-liver transplantation in 2 adults: significance of caudate lobe outflow reconstruction in left lobe recipient: case report

Split-liver transplantation is a well-known procedure for increasing the donor pool. The procedure is commonly used in 1 adult and 1 child, but is less commonly performed in 2 adults because of technical difficulty and poor outcome in left-lobe recipients. Preservation of caudate lobe function is important in recipients with borderline graft-recipient weight ratio to achieve better results. Herein, we report a case in which caudate lobe outflow was reconstructed in a left lobe with a caudate lobe graft in split-liver transplantation in 2 adults.

MODULATION OF MDR-1 GENE BY MIF AND GSTpi WITH DRUG RESISTANCE GENERATION IN HORMONE INDEPENDENT PROSTATE CANCER

The expression of MIF and GSTpi were upregulated in prostate cancer cells with mulitdrug resistant phenotype. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between these genes and multidrug resistance (mdr-1) gene in acquired multidrug resistance of prostate cancer. The expression of MIF, GSTpi and gp-170 in multidrug resistant (MDR) subline or native cells were determined using flow cytometry and western blotting. The mRNA level of various genes was analyzed with RT-PCR method. The chemosensitivity of tumor cells and stable transfectants to paclitaxel was measured using MTT (tetrazolium bromide) assay. The protein levels of MIF, GSTpi and gp-170 increased in MDR sublines of prostate cancer when compared with their parental cells. The MIF and GSTpi stable transfectants expressed higher MIF and GSTpi protein levels than their parental cells in western blotting analysis, respectively. The expression of mdr-1 gene and the production of pg-170 were also increased in either MIF or GSTpi stable transfectants when compared with vector control by using RT-PCR and flow cytometric analysis. The MTT results demonstrated that the increased chemoresistance was correlated with the increased production of gp-170 protein in either MIF or GSTpi transfectants. The upregulation of MIF and GSTpi during the development of acquired drug resistance of hormone independent prostate cancer may simultaneously and partially modulate the activation of gp-170.

Morphological features of PU/PMMA hybrid latex prepared by Miniemulsion Polymerization

PU/PMMA hybrid particles are synthesized by using the method of twostep miniemulsion polymerization. In the first step, PU prepolymer is synthesized by isophorone diisocyanates (IPDI) and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a solvent. Then the oil phase, including the NCOterminated prepolymer, MMA, hexadecane (HD), a chain extender as 1,4- butanediol (BD) or bisphenol A (BisA), a cross-linking agent trimethylol propane (TMP), and a catalyst dibutyltin dilaurate (SnDBL) is dispersed in the water phase containing SDS. Then the mixtures form miniemulsion by ultrasonication. Two kinds of initiators, BPO and KPS, are applied for the polymerization of MMA. The influences of chain extenders, initiators and PU/MMA weight ratios on the morphology of PU/PMMA latex particles are investigated. Conversion of MMA is measured and discussed. Particle sizes are analyzed by dynamic lighting scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cross section morphology of the hybrid particles is also characterized by TEM. For BD/BPO and BD/KPS systems, when increasing the load of PU component, PU-rich phase is moved to the outside of hybrid particles. A core-shell structure can be observed. However, for BisA/KPS system, while using hydrophobic bisphenol A as chain extender of PU, the boundary of PMMA and PU phases is not clear. A more homogeneous structure of hybrid particles is obtained.

Preparation and properties of poly(acrylic acid) oligomer stabilized superparamagnetic ferrofluid

Ferrofluids, which are stable dispersions of magnetic particles, behave as liquids that have strong magnetic properties. Nanoparticles of magnetite with a mean diameter of 10-15 nm, which are in the range of superparamagnetism, are usually prepared by the traditional method of co-precipitation from ferrous and ferric electrolyte solution. When diluted, the ferrofluid dispersions are not stable if anionic or cationic surfactants are used as the stabilizer. This work presents an efficient way to prepare a stable aqueous nanomagnetite dispersion. A stable ferrofluid containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles was synthesized via co-precipitation in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) oligomer. The mechanism, microstructure, and properties of the ferrofluid were investigated. The results indicate that the PAA oligomers promoted the nucleation and inhibited the growth of the magnetic iron oxide, and the average diameter of each individual Fe3O4 particle was smaller than 10 nm. In addition, the PAA oligomers provided both electrostatic and steric repulsion against particle aggregation, and the stability of dispersions could be controlled by adjusting the pH value of solution. A small amount of Fe2O3 was found in the nanoparticles but the superparamagnetic behavior of the nanoparticles was not affected.

Preparation of thermoresponsive core–shell copolymer latex with potential use in drug targeting

A core-shell copolymer latex with thermal-responsive properties was prepared and its potential application as a vehicle for drug targeting was investigated in this work, where the crosslinked copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and chitosan was prepared as the core and the copolymer of methacrylic acid (MAA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was prepared as the shell. By using soapless dispersion polymerization, the poly(NIPAAm-chitosan) crosslinked copolymer latex was synthesized first. Then the monomers of MAA and MMA were added to continue the reaction to obtain the core-shell copolymer latex. The weight ratio of MAA/MMA and the concentration of shell monomers (MAA and MMA) in the feed of the reaction mixture had been changed to investigate their effects on the particle size, reaction rate, zeta-potential, specific surface area, and surface functional groups of the latex particles. The swelling and thermoresponsive behavior of the film made from these core-shell latices were also studied under different pH values of buffer solution. The model drug (caffeine) could be merged inside the copolymer particles and protected from releasing through the transport process effectively. And the thermoresponsive property of these copolymer particles significantly enhances the ligand (protein) conjugation that shows the potential of the latex being applied on the targeting drug carrier.

δ-Aminolaevulinic acid mediated photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy on Pseudomonas aeruginosa planktonic and biofilm cultures

To demonstrate photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) against planktonic and biofilm cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using photoporphyrin IX which could be endogenously synthesized by administrating delta-aminolaevulinic acid (delta-ALA), and a light emitted diode (LED) array to photoactivate the photosensitizer. P. aeruginosa suspended cells or biofilms, grown on a rotating disk reactor, were treated by different concentrations of delta-ALA in the dark for 1 h, followed by LED irradiation for various time. Regrowth experiments were conducted by placed PACT-treated disks back to a sterile reactor. Viable cells were determined by serial dilution and plate counts. Both P. aeruginosa planktonic and biofilm cells were inhibited by PACT with light doses or photosensitizer concentrations increasing. Treatments of planktonic cells with 10 mM delta-ALA and incident dose 240 J cm(-2) or 7.5 mM ALA and incident dose 360 J cm(-2) led to completely photoinactivation. No viable biofilm cells were found after treatment of 20 mM delta-ALA and incident dose 240 J cm(-2). However, regrowth was observed once PACT-treated biofilms were put back to a sterile reactor. Regrowth could be prevented only if biofilm samples were treated PACT twice. delta-ALA-mediated PACT on P. aeruginosa planktonic and biofilm cells was effective, though the detailed mechanism still required further investigation.

Devising an integrated methodology for analyzing energy use and CO2 emissions from Taiwan's petrochemical industries

Input-output modeling and multiplier analysis are used to assess Taiwan's five petrochemical industries, based upon their economic contribution and potential impacts on energy consumption and CO2 emission. In addition, a consolidated index system was developed for evaluating energy and economic efficiencies as well as targets for CO2 reduction. Results indicate that petrochemical materials (PM) make a major contribution to economic development, with lesser contributions from plastic materials (PL) and artificial fibres (AF). PM has the highest energy multiplier while PL has the largest induced potential for energy consumption. Plastic and rubber products (PP, RP) are relatively insignificant energy consumers. AF has the highest CO2 multiplier, and its induced potential for CO2 emission is the most significant. The consolidated index shows that the upstream petrochemical industries perform rather poorly in an integrated view of economic, energy, and CO2 emission, and should be seen as the primary targets for CO2 reduction. Investment of the petrochemical industries in Taiwan should be adjusted to improve energy efficiency, economic bases, and lower CO2 emissions.

Mitochondrial theory of aging matures--roles of mtDNA mutation and oxidative stress in human aging

Mitochondrial theory of aging, a variant of free radical theory of aging, proposes that accumulation of damage to mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leads to aging of humans and animals. It has been supported by the observation that mitochondrial function declines and mtDNA mutation increases in tissue cells in an age-dependent manner. Age-related impairment in the respiratory enzymes not only decreases ATP synthesis but also enhances production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through increased electron leakage in the respiratory chain. Human mtDNA, which is not protected by histones and yet is exposed to high levels of ROS and free radicals in the matrix of mitochondria, is susceptible to oxidative damage and mutation in tissue cells. In the past decade, more than one hundred mtDNA mutations have been found in patients with mitochondrial disease, and some of them also occur in aging human tissues. The incidence and abundance of these mutant mtDNAs are increased with age, particularly in tissues with great demand for energy. On the other hand, recent studies have revealed that the ability of the human cell to cope with oxidative stress is compromised in aging. Comparative analysis of gene expression by microarray technology has shown that a number of genes related to oxidative stress response are altered in aging animals. We discovered that the transcripts of early growth response protein-1, growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible proteins and glutathione S-transferase genes are increased in response to oxidative stress in human skin fibroblasts. Moreover, the activities of Cu,Zn-SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase decrease with age, whereas Mn-SOD activity increases with age up to 65 years and slightly declines thereafter in skin fibroblasts. Such an imbalance in the function of antioxidant enzymes may result in excess production of damaging ROS in the cell. This notion is supported by the observation that intracellular levels of H2O2 and oxidative damage to DNA and lipids are significantly increased with age of the fibroblast donor. Furthermore, the mitochondrial pool of reduced glutathione declines and DNA damage is enhanced in aging tissues. Taken together, these observations and our previous findings that mtDNA mutations and oxidative damage are increased in aging human tissues suggest that mitochondrial theory of aging is mature.

Increases of mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial genome in association with enhanced oxidative stress in human cells harboring 4,977 BP-deleted mitochondrial DNA

In order to investigate the effect of aging- and disease-associated deletion of mtDNA on cellular functions, we used cytoplasm fusion to construct a series of the cybrids harboring varying proportions of mtDNA with 4,977 bp deletion from skin fibroblasts of a patient with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia. The cybrids were grown in the Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum, 100 microg/ml pyruvate and 50 microg/ml uridine. The population doubling time was longer for the cybrids containing higher proportions of 4,977 bp-deleted mtDNA. In addition, we found that the respiratory function was decreased with the increase of mtDNA with 4,977 bp deletion in the cybrids. Since impairment of the respiratory system of mitochondria increases the electron leak of the respiratory chain, we further determined the oxidative stress in these cybrids. The results showed that the specific contents of 8-hydroxy 2'-deoxyguanosine and lipid peroxides of the cybrids harboring > 65% of the 4,977 bp-deleted mtDNA were significantly increased as compared with those of the cybrids containing undetectable mutant mtDNA. On the other hand, we found that the mitochondrial mass and the relative content of the mitochondrial genome in the cybrids harboring 4,977 bp-deleted mtDNA were higher than those of the cybrids containing only wild type mtDNA. The relative content of mtDNA was increased 17% and 30%, respectively, in the cybrids harboring 17% and 56% of mtDNA with 4,977 bp deletion. Moreover, both mitochondrial mass and mtDNA content were concurrently increased by treatment of the cybrids with 180 microM of hydrogen peroxide. Taken these findings together, we conclude that increase of mitochondrial mass and mtDNA are the molecular events associated with enhanced oxidative stress in human cells with impaired respiratory function caused by mtDNA deletion.

Mediators and oxygen radicals in hyperpnea-induced airway constriction of guinea pigs

Leukotrienes (LTs), tachykinins (TKs), and oxygen radicals have been suggested to be important modulating factors for the hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB) of guinea pigs. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that LTs and oxygen radicals modulate HIB by triggering TK release. Eighty-five Hartley guinea pigs were divided into four groups: control, dimethylthiourea (DMTU), FPL 55712, and A63162. DMTU is the scavenger for hydroxyl radical. FPL 55712 is an antagonist of LT receptor, whereas A63162 is an inhibitor of lipoxygenase. Each group was further divided into three subgroups: baseline, hyperpnea, and recovery. Each animal was anesthetized, cannulated, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated. We measured dynamic respiratory compliance (Crs), maximal expiratory flow at 50% total lung capacity (V(max(50))), and forced expiratory volume in 0.1 s (FEV(0.1)) during the baseline and recovery periods. Hyperpnea caused significant decreases in Crs, V(max(50)), and FEV(0. 1), indicating HIB in the control group. Pretreatment with DMTU, FPL 5712, or A63162 attenuated HIB. Plasma substance P (SP) levels increased progressively during the experiment in all groups. However, both FPL 55712 and A63162, but not DMTU, significantly decreased SP levels. Similarly, lung malondialdehyde (MDA) contents increased progressively during the experiment in the control group. Neither FPL 55712 nor A63162 significantly affected the increase. On the contrary, DMTU significantly attenuated the increase in MDA during the recovery period. These results suggest that inhibition of LTs leads to suppression at SP levels and HIB, whereas DMTU attenuates HIB by means of other mechanisms.

DNA vaccination using the fragment C of botulinum neurotoxin type A provided protective immunity in mice

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is one of the most toxic substances known to produce severe neuromuscular paralysis. The currently used vaccine is prepared mainly from biohazardous toxins. Thus, we studied an alternative method and demonstrated that DNA immunization provided sufficient protection against botulism in a murine model. A plasmid of pBoNT/A-Hc, which encodes the fragment C gene of type A botulinum neurotoxin, was constructed and fused with an Igkappa leader sequence under the control of a human cytomegalovirus promoter. After 10 cycles of DNA inoculation with this plasmid, mice survived lethal doses of type A botulinum neurotoxin challenges. Immunized mice also elicited cross-protection to the challenges of type E botulinum neurotoxin. This is the first study demonstrating the potential use of DNA vaccination for botulinum neurotoxins.