Activity

  • Sanders Munch posted an update 18 hours, 40 minutes ago

    In the simulations, the equations were solved employing the finite element method with a user subroutine implemented in ABAQUS (2017) and by applying a direct formulation. The methodology presented can model the cell dynamics occurring in bone remodelling in accordance with the asynchronous nature of this process, yet allowing to differentiate zones with higher density, the main trabecular groups are obtained for the proximal femur. Finally, the model is tested in pathological cases, such as osteoporosis and osteopetrosis, yielding results similar to the pathology behavior. Furthermore, the discrete modelling technique is shown to be of use in this particular application.

    Infants listed for heart transplant are at high risk for waitlist mortality. While waitlist mortality for children has decreased in the current era of increased ventricular assist device use, outcomes for small infants supported by ventricular assist device remain suboptimal. We evaluated morbidity and survival in critically ill infants listed for heart transplant and managed without ventricular assist device support.

    Critically ill infants (requiring ≥1 inotrope and mechanical ventilation or ≥2 inotropes without mechanical ventilation) listed between 2008 and 2019 were included. During the study period, infants were managed primarily medically. Mechanical circulatory support, specifically extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, was utilized as “rescue therapy” for decompensating patients.

    Thirty-two infants were listed 1A, 66% with congenital heart disease. SB 204990 ic50 Median age and weight at listing were 2.2months and 4.4kg, with 69% weighing <5kg. At listing, 97% were mechanically ventilated, 41% on ≥2 inotropes, and 25% under neuromuscular blockade. Five patients were supported by ECMO after listing. A favorable outcome (transplant or recovery) was observed in 84%. One-year posttransplant survival was 92%. Infection was the most common waitlist complication occurring in 75%. Stroke was rare, occurring in one patient who was supported on ECMO. Renal function improved from listing to transplant, death, or recovery (eGFR 70 vs 87 ml/min/1.73m

    , p=.001).

    A strategy incorporating a high threshold for mechanical circulatory support and acceptance of prolonged mechanical ventilation and neuromuscular blockade can achieve good survival and morbidity outcomes for critically ill infants listed for heart transplant.

    A strategy incorporating a high threshold for mechanical circulatory support and acceptance of prolonged mechanical ventilation and neuromuscular blockade can achieve good survival and morbidity outcomes for critically ill infants listed for heart transplant.

    Heart development relies on tight spatiotemporal control of cardiac gene expression. Genes involved in this intricate process have been identified using animals and pluripotent stem cell-based models of cardio(myo)genesis. Recently, the repertoire of cardiomyocyte differentiation models has been expanded with iAM-1, a monoclonal line of conditionally immortalized neonatal rat atrial myocytes (NRAMs), which allows toggling between proliferative and differentiated (ie, excitable and contractile) phenotypes in a synchronized and homogenous manner.

    In this study, the unique properties of conditionally immortalized NRAMs (iAMs) were exploited to identify and characterize (lowly expressed) genes with an as-of-yet uncharacterized role in cardiomyocyte differentiation.

    Transcriptome analysis of iAM-1 cells at different stages during one cycle of differentiation and subsequent dedifferentiation identified ≈13 000 transcripts, of which the dynamic changes in expression upon cardiomyogenic differentiation mostly o using Sbk2 as bait identified possible interaction partners with diverse cellular functions (translation, intracellular trafficking, cytoskeletal organization, chromatin modification, sarcomere formation).

    iAM-1 cells are a relevant and suitable model to identify (lowly expressed) genes with a hitherto unidentified role in cardiomyocyte differentiation as exemplified by Sbk2 a regulator of atrial sarcomerogenesis.

    iAM-1 cells are a relevant and suitable model to identify (lowly expressed) genes with a hitherto unidentified role in cardiomyocyte differentiation as exemplified by Sbk2 a regulator of atrial sarcomerogenesis.Levodopa is the standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease, but its use is marred by the emergence of dyskinesia, for which treatment options remain limited. Here, we review the glutamatergic modulators that were assessed for their antidyskinetic potential in clinical trials, including N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, agonists at the glycine-binding site on NMDA receptors, metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) 4 agonists, mGlu5 antagonists, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid antagonists and glutamate release inhibitors. Several agents that were investigated are not selective for their targets, raising uncertainty about the extent to which glutamatergic modulation contributed to their effects. Except for amantadine, the use of glutamatergic modulators for the treatment of dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease remains largely investigational, with promising results obtained with mGlu5 negative allosteric modulation.

    Sex differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP) emerge during adolescence but the role of puberty is not well understood. We examined sex-specific changes in SBP preceding and following puberty and examined the impact of puberty timing on SBP trajectories in females and males.

    Trajectories of SBP before and after puberty and by timing of puberty in females and males in a contemporary birth cohort study were analyzed. Repeated measures of height from age 5 to 20 years were used to identify puberty timing (age at peak height velocity). SBP was measured on ten occasions from 3 to 24 years (N participants, 4062; repeated SBP measures, 29 172). Analyses were performed using linear spline multilevel models based on time before and after puberty and were adjusted for parental factors and early childhood factors.

    Mean age at peak height velocity was 11.7 years (SD, 0.8) for females and 13.6 years (SD, 0.9) for males. Males had faster rates of increase in SBP before puberty leading to 10.19 mm Hg (95% CI, 6.80-13.57) higher mean SBP at puberty which remained similar at 24 years (mean difference, 11.43 mm Hg [95% CI, 7.22-15.63]). Puberty timing was associated with small transient differences in SBP trajectories postpuberty in both sexes and small differences at 24 years in females only.

    A large proportion of the higher SBP observed in males compared with females in early adulthood is accrued before puberty. Interventions targeting puberty timing are unlikely to influence SBP in early adulthood.

    A large proportion of the higher SBP observed in males compared with females in early adulthood is accrued before puberty. Interventions targeting puberty timing are unlikely to influence SBP in early adulthood.

    Angiolipoma is uncommon lesion in the breast and has clinical importance due to the potential of confusion with malignant breast lesions. To date, there is no defined diagnosis and treatment algorithm for breast angiolipomas. We aim to contribute to the literature for the diagnosis and treatment of angiolipomas with this case report and literature review.

    A 29-year-old male patient presented with a newly emerged palpable mass in the right breast. Physical examination revealed a palpable mass in the lower inner quadrant of the right breast without any presence of skin changes, nipple discharge or palpable axillary lymph nodes. The lesion was found to be 3 cm in diameter and showed minimal vascularization on Doppler Ultrasound examination. Surgical excision of the lesion was performed and the lesion was diagnosed as angiolipoma.

    Angiolipomas of the breast in male are rare pathological entities and must always be considered during differential diagnosis, as it can be confused clinically, radiologically and pathologically with other lesions, especially with malignant lesions KEY WORDS Angiolipoma, Breast, Male breast lesions.

    Angiolipomas of the breast in male are rare pathological entities and must always be considered during differential diagnosis, as it can be confused clinically, radiologically and pathologically with other lesions, especially with malignant lesions KEY WORDS Angiolipoma, Breast, Male breast lesions.Microparticles loaded with rice bran oil were produced by spray drying. Rice flour (RF) and rice protein (RP), considered as co-products of the cereal production chain, were tested as stabilizers in the encapsulation process to improve emulsion stability and the properties of the particles. Rice bran oil presented 1.75% ɣ-oryzanol, a powerful antioxidant with health benefits. AG/RP treatment (10% of rice protein) no phase separation after 24 h, higher zeta potential (-29.09 mV ± 0.67), encapsulation efficiency (73.90% ± 0.22), real density (1.27 g/cm-3), and smaller particle size (8.27 μm ± 0.13). Microparticles containing co-products were the most appropriate to slow down the autooxidation (at 60°C for 8 weeks), especially associated with the use of rice flour. The co-products improve the emulsion characteristics, particle properties and stability of the encapsulated oil. This study presented the technological effects of the use of rice chain co-products, which is in line with the current scenario of sustainability.

    Due to increasing age and an increasing prevalence rate of neurocognitive disorders such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia, independent living may become challenging. The use of socially assistive robots (SARs) is one solution that can enable older adults with cognitive impairment to remain independent. However, at present, there is a lack of knowledge about the attitudes of older adults with MCI and their caregivers towards SARs.

    This study relies on a constructivist grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain a deeper insight into attitudes of two different stakeholder groups; older adults with MCI and their (in)formal caregivers.

    Forty individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with older adults with MCI (N = 30) and (in)formal caregivers (N = 10). Data revealed different perspectives on SARs in healthcare for the involved stakeholders. Two main topics could be derived (1) perspectives on robot assistance, discussing different viewpoints on the spite the fact that the benefits of SARs are often recognized, many older participants currently seem not ready yet to commit to the use of a SAR.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study explores the attitudes towards a SAR, developed to stimulate and support older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) on a physical, cognitive and social level.The results give a deeper insight into different factors contributing to a (non-) successful implementation of SARs in the home environment of older adults with MCI.Aims To determine the antiemetic efficacy of a 6-day aprepitant schedule in patients receiving multiple-day cisplatin. Patients & methods Patients diagnosed with lung cancer and who were chemotherapy-naive were screened. The patients willing to use aprepitant were randomly divided into two groups prolonged use of aprepitant (PA; 6-day aprepitant) and standard use of aprepitant (SA; 3-day aprepitant); the patients who rejected aprepitant were recruited into the control group (group C). Primary end points included the safety and the number of days without chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Results There was no statistical difference in adverse events among the three groups. The average days without chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting of group PA (18.28 ± 3.35) was significantly longer than in groups SA and C. Furthermore, better life function scores were achieved in group PA according to the Functional Living Index – Emesis questionnaire. Conclusion In this study 6-day aprepitant was safe and more effective than standard 3-day aprepitant in controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting due to 3-day cisplatin regimens.