RC Group Research Articles

Maternal chromium restriction modulates miRNA profiles related to lipid metabolism disorder in mice offspring.

Increasing evidence shows that maternal nutrition status has a vital effect on offspring susceptibility to obesity. MicroRNAs are related to lipid metabolism processes. This study aimed to evaluate whether maternal chromium restriction could affect miRNA expression involved in lipid metabolism in offspring. Weaning C57BL/6J mice born from mothers fed with normal control diet or chromium-restricted diet were fed for 13 weeks. The adipose miRNA expression profile was analyzed by miRNA array analysis. At 16 weeks old, pups from dams fed with chromium-restricted diet exhibit higher body weight, fat weight, and serum TC, TG levels. Six miRNAs were identified as upregulated in the RC group compared with the CC group, whereas eight miRNAs were lower than the threshold level set in the RC group. In the validated target genes of these differentially expressed miRNA, the MAPK signaling pathway serves an important role in the influence of early life chromium-restricted diet on lipid metabolism through miRNA. Long-term programming on various specific miRNA and MAPK signaling pathway may be involved in maternal chromium restriction in the adipose of female offspring. Impact statement For the first time, our study demonstrates important miRNA differences in the effect of maternal chromium restriction in offspring. These miRNAs may serve as "bridges" between the mother and the offspring by affecting the MAPK pathway.

Attachment representations and socio-emotional difficulties in alternative care: A comparison between residential, foster and family based children in Chile

Attachment has been assessed in children living in alternative care (AC) settings, such as Residential Homes (RC) and Foster Care (FC). However, no study has been conducted to compare attachment styles in residential, foster and parental care conducted as usual in the same country at the same point in time. There is also a lack of studies conducted in less developed countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare outcomes for children living in three different types of care in Chile. Three groups of children (N=77), living in (RC), (FC) and with biological parents (PC) were compared. Attachment styles, Indiscriminate Friendliness (IF) and socio-emotional/behavioral difficulties were assessed.Higher rates of secure attachment were observed in the RC group (36.1%) when compared to studies in RC in other countries (mean 18%). However, children in both types of AC were significantly more likely to have insecure and/or disorganized attachment styles than PC children. Higher rates of socio-emotional and behavioral problems were observed in RC (55.6%) and FC (50%) compared to PC (10%). Within type of AC, no significant differences were found, for attachment styles or for socio-emotional/behavioral difficulties, the only difference were the levels of IF, with children in RC having higher levels. As a conclusion, impact of placement in AC can vary between different countries, other factors, rather than only type of AC could better explain differences in attachment security for children. Implications for research and practices are discussed.

Comparison between Epidural Ropivacaine versus Ropivacaine with Clonidine in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Randomized Study.

Context:Regional anesthesia has emerged as one of the preferred and convenient modes for intra- and post-operative management owing to its advantage of not interfering with the metabolic functions, better tolerability, and decrease in reflex activity. In recent years, ropivacaine has increasingly replaced bupivacaine as a preferred local anesthetic because of its similar analgesic properties, lesser motor blockade, and decreased propensity of cardiotoxicity. Neuraxial adjuvant such as clonidine used in epidural anesthesia offers advantage by augmenting the local anesthetic effect and reducing the anesthetic and analgesic requirement.Aims and Objectives:Comparison of onset, duration of sensory and motor block, and any adverse effects between 0.5% ropivacaine with normal saline versus 0.5% ropivacaine with clonidine (75 μg/kg).Materials and Methods:This prospective randomized study was carried out in 50 patients (25 in each group) of American Society of Anesthesiologist Grade 1 and 2 scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy under epidural block. Group-1 (ropivacaine-clonidine [RC]): Epidural ropivacaine 20 ml (0.5%) with 0.75 μg/kg clonidine. Group-2 (ropivacaine [R]): Epidural ropivacaine 20 ml (0.5%) with normal saline. Onset, duration of sensory-motor block, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate were recorded.Statistical Analysis:The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15.0. Chi-square test, ANOVA, Student's t-test, and paired t-test were used.Results:Groups were comparable with regard to demographic data and hemodynamic stability. Onset of sensory and motor blockade was faster in RC group as compared to R group. Duration of postoperative analgesia was significantly prolonged in RC group. No potential side effect was seen in either group.Conclusion:On account of faster onset, hemodynamic stability, and prolonged postoperative analgesia, ropivacaine with clonidine is a better option than ropivacaine alone.

A Longitudinal Study on the Quality of Life of Patients with Hip Osteoarthritis Undergoing Continuing Conservative Treatment

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the longitudinal time course of quality of life (QOL) in patients under conservative care and patients who received total hip arthroplasty (THA) by comparing their QOL scores along with the rehabilitation and life style parameters. Methods: Sixty-three female patients (age 58.7±7.1 years) of hip osteoarthritis under continuous conservative treatment were surveyed 4 times in two years by SF-36v2 (a modified version of rating scale SF-36) and an additional questionnaire developed by us. Results: Six patients that received THA during period of survey were designated as the THA group. Among the remaining 57 patients, 37 patients answered all four subsequent questionnaires were designated as non-THA group. The non-THA group was further divided into the rehabilitation continuing group in the hospital (RC group; n=8) and the discontinuing group (non-RC group; n=29) from the results of the questionnaire. The scores of physical functioning at the time of the first survey were significantly lower in the THA group compared to the non-THA group (p

¹H-NMR-based metabonomics on chemical component groups with toxicity alleviation effect to Realgar in Niuhuang Jiedu tablet

To study the chemical component groups with toxicity alleviation effect to Realgar in Niuhuang Jiedu tablet based on ¹H-NMR metabonomics. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups： control group, R group (treated with Realgar), RRSPG group (treated with Realgar, the root and rhizoma of Rheum palmatum, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, the root of Platycodon grandiflorum and the root and rhizoma of Glycyrrhiza uralensis) and RC group (treated with total anthraquinones from the root and rhizoma of R. palmatum, total flavonoids from the root of S. baicalensis, total saponins from the root of P. grandiflorum, total flavonoids and saponins from the root and rhizoma of G. uralensis). Based on ¹H-NMR spectra of urine and serum from rats, PLS-DA was performed to identify different metabolic profiles.The metabolic profiles of R group were different from that of control group, while the metabolic profiles of RC group were almost similar to control group.Total anthraquinones from the root and rhizoma of R. palmatum, total flavonoids from the root of S. baicalensis, total saponins from the root of P. grandiflorum, total flavonoids and saponins from the root and rhizoma of G. uralensis regulated energy, choline and amino acid metabolism and gut flora disorder affected by realgar's toxicity.

Effet anti-obésogène du vinaigre de cidre de pomme chez le rat soumis à un régime hyperlipidique

Aim of the studyThe search of new anti-obesogenic treatments based on medicinal plants without or with minimal side effects is a challenge. In this context, the present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-obesogenic effect of apple cider vinegar (ACV) in Wistar rats subjected to a high fat diet. Materials and methodsEighteen male Wistar rats (140±5g) were divided into 3 three equal groups. A witness group submitted to standard laboratory diet and two groups subjected to a high fat diet (cafeteria diet); one receives a daily gavage of apple cider vinegar (7mL/kg/d) for 30 days. Throughout the experiment monitoring the nutritional assessment, anthropometric and biochemical parameters is achieved. ResultsIn the RCV vs RC group, we observed a highly significant decrease (P<0.001) in body weight and food intake. On the other hand, the VCP decreases very significantly different anthropometric parameters: BMI (P<0.01), chest circumference and abdominal circumference (P<0.001), decreases serum glucose levels (26.83%) and improves the serum lipid profile by reducing plasma levels of total cholesterol (34.29%), TG (51.06%), LDL-c (59.15%), VLDL (50%) and the total lipid (45.15%), and increasing HDL-c (39.39%), thus offering protection against oatherogenic risk (61.62%). ConclusionThis preliminary study indicates that the metabolic disorders caused by high fat diet (cafeteria) are thwarted by taking apple cider vinegar which proves to have a satiating effect, antihyperlipidemic and hypoglycemic effects, and seems prevent the atherogenic risk.

Error rate of automated choroidal segmentation using swept-source optical coherence tomography.

To investigate the error rate of automated choroidal segmentation and the effect of frame averaging on error rate. A horizontal B scan at the fovea was performed in patients having various retinochoroidal disorders using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) with frame-averaging technique. Scanned images were classified into four morphological groups: normal from fellow eyes (NF ), normal from pathologic eyes (NP ), retinal abnormality (R) and retinochoroidal abnormality (RC) group. Choroidal segmentation was automatically performed using built-in software of a swept-source OCT device, and the error rate of choroidal segmentation was analysed. Qualified images for all four averaging types with different number of averaged frames were acquired in 89 eyes of 77 patients. Images of 12, 20, 24 and 33 eyes were classified as NF , NP , R and RC group, respectively. The choroidal segmentation error was detected in 1-2 images (8.3-16.7%) in the NF group, 3-6 images (15.0-30.0%) in the NP group, 4-8 images (16.7-33.3%) in the R group and 17-19 images (51.5-57.6%) in the RC group. The error rate was significantly higher in RC group than other groups (p<0.05). Increasing the number of frames for averaging showed no significant effect on the error rate in all groups (p>0.05). Automated choroidal segmentation showed a high error rate in images with choroidal abnormalities, and the averaging effect could not reduce the error rate significantly. Thus, further technological improvement is needed to increase the accuracy of the automated choroidal segmentation.

Comparison of clonidine and fentanyl as adjuvant to ropivacaine in spinal anesthesia in lower abdominal surgeries.

Background:Ropivacaine, a newer local anesthetic, is gaining increased acceptance due to its improved safety profile over bupivacaine and lignocaine. Analgesic adjuvants have proved to be valuable in improving the quality of anesthesia and duration of analgesia.Aim:To compare the efficacy of clonidine and fentanyl as adjuvants to ropivacaine in spinal anesthesia in lower abdominal surgeries.Materials and Methods:A randomized, double-blind control study was carried out in 100 patients who were randomly divided into two groups. Ropivacaine-clonidine group (RC) received 30 μg of clonidine with 18.75 mg of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine, Ropivacaine-fentanyl group (RF) received 25 μg of fentanyl with 18.75 mg of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine intrathecally. The onset and duration of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic parameters, quality of surgical analgesia, total analgesia time, sedation score, and side effects were statistically analyzed using SPSS statistical package, paired and unpaired t-tests and Chi-square test.Results:The duration of sensory block in RC (240.00 ± 20.99), RF (196.80 ± 18.34), and motor block in RC (192.20 ± 17.36), RF (139.20 ± 17.93) outlasted the duration of surgery. In clonidine group, there was significant prolongation of sensory block, motor block and the total analgesia time. Hypotension and bradycardia occurred more commonly in RC group, whereas pruritus was more in RF group.Conclusion:Ropivacaine when combined with either clonidine or fentanyl provided an adequate subarachnoid block for lower abdominal surgeries. As an adjuvant, clonidine has advantage over fentanyl as it increased the duration of the subarachnoid block and the postoperative analgesia.

The Therapeutic Effect of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Radiation-Induced Bladder Injury.

This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) against radiation-induced bladder injury (RIBI). Female rats were divided into 4 groups: (a) controls, consisting of nontreated rats; (b) radiation-treated rats; (c) radiation-treated rats receiving AdMSCs; and (d) radiation-treated rats receiving AdMSCs conditioned medium. AdMSCs or AdMSCs conditioned medium was injected into the muscular layer of bladder 24 h after radiation. Twelve weeks after radiation, urinary bladder tissue was collected for histological assessment and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after metabolic cage investigation. At the 1 w, 4 w, and 8 w time points following cells injection, 3 randomly selected rats in RC group and AdMSCs group were sacrificed to track injected AdMSCs. Metabolic cage investigation revealed that AdMSCs showed protective effect for radiation-induced bladder dysfunction. The histological and ELISA results indicated that the fibrosis and inflammation within the bladder were ameliorated by AdMSCs. AdMSCs conditioned medium showed similar effects in preventing radiation-induced bladder dysfunction. In addition, histological data indicated a time-dependent decrease in the number of AdMSCs in the bladder following injection. AdMSCs prevented radiation induced bladder dysfunction and histological changes. Paracrine effect might be involved in the protective effects of AdMSCs for RIBI.

The role of explicit instruction in cross-script cognate recognition: The case of Ukrainian-speaking EAP learners

This study aims to determine to what extent the following 90-minute classroom interventions facilitate the acquisition of Ukrainian-English cognates: (i) explicit instruction (EI) and elaborative processing (Craik, 2002; Hulstijn, 2003) and (ii) reading texts containing a sizeable number of cognates (RC). Two intact classes of an English-for-Academic-Purposes (EAP) course at a Ukrainian university underwent EI and RC treatments respectively, while a third served as a Control group. A comparison of pre-test and two post-tests ratings of the EI group, evaluated via an adapted version of the Vocabulary Knowledge Scale (Paribakht & Wesche, 1997), a discontinuous scale charting shifts in knowledge quality, revealed significant gains in the meanings of cognates and their use in sentences. The RC group did not outperform the Control group; instead, both the RC and Control groups displayed gains in cognate meaning but without concomitant improvement in using cognates in sentences. These findings are interpreted in light of: (i) phonological and script differences (Cyrillic versus Latin) that potentially camouflage inter-lexical connections; (ii) views positing the automaticity of cognate recognition; (iii) the value of repeated encounters with orthographic forms of cognates in the L2 script, even if decontextualized; (iv) favourable test effects in lexical acquisition; and (v) pedagogical practices in Ukrainian universities.

Effect of cooling rate and equilibration time on pre-freeze and post-thaw survival of buck sperm

Survival of buck sperm is affected due to duration and temperature of stages of refrigerated or frozen storage. This study investigated interactive effect of cooling rates (moderate; MC and rapid cooling; RC); and equilibration times (0, 2, 4 and 8h) on survival before freezing at 4°C and post-thaw quality of buck sperm. Semen was collected (three Beetal bucks; replicates=6), pooled and diluted with Tris-citrate extender. Pooled semen samples were subjected to either RC (−2.2°C/min) or MC (−0.3°C/min) from 37°C to 4°C in separate aliquots and further equilibrated at 4°C for 8h. Semen was frozen using standard procedure after completion of each equilibration period i.e. 0, 2, 4 and 8h. Semen was evaluated for motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and normal apical ridge (NAR) before freezing and after thawing. The survival time (time for survival above threshold limit i.e. 60%) at 4°C, of motility and PMI was observed 5 and 6h respectively in RC group while >8h in MC group. Rate of decline (slope) in motility and viability was higher (P<0.05) in RC overtime during equilibration at 4°C while PMI and NAR declined at equal rate in both cooling groups. Post-thaw motility and NAR were higher (P<0.05) in MC when equilibrated for 2–8h while viability and PMI of RC was observed equal to MC group. In conclusion, survival of buck sperm is higher when cooled with moderate rate. However, RC can maintain post-thaw sperm viability and PMI equal to MC when equilibrated for 2–8h. The methods should be explored to maintain motility and NAR during rapid cooling of buck sperm.

A comparative study between ropivacaine 30 ml (0.75%) and ropivacaine 30 ml (0.75%) with clonidine 150 μg as an adjuvant in brachial plexus block through supraclavicular approach

Background: Ropivacaine is a novel alternative to bupivacaine with the less cardiovascular system and central nervous system toxicity. Clonidine, an alpha 2 agonist, may have benefited patients when it is injected at peripheral nerve sites with local anesthetic ropivacaine. Clonidine is second only to epinephrine as a useful adjuvant for brachial plexus blockade. Objective: A clinical study was carried out to compare the anesthetic effects of ropivacaine alone and clonidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine in brachial plexus block for upper limb surgeries. Materials and Methods: A comparative, double-blind, prospective, randomized, clinical study was carried out on 60 patients of either sex of American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status I and II, with age group 25-65 years undergoing various orthopedic surgeries of upper limb under supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Patients were randomly allocated to either of the two groups of 30 each. Group-R: Injection ropivacaine 30 ml (0.75%) with 1 ml normal saline. Group-ropivacaine clonidine (RC): Iinjection ropivacaine 30 ml (0.75%) with injection clonidine 1 ml (150 μg). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, onset and duration of motor and sensory blockade were observed during preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative period. At the end of the study, the data were analyzed using Chi-square test for qualitative data and Student t-test. P < 0.05 was considered significant and P < 0.01 was considered as highly significant. Results: Demographic and hemodynamic data were comparable. Onset of sensory and motor block was significantly earlier in Group-R. Duration of analgesia and motor blockade was prolonged in the RC group. Both groups were observed for the side-effects, which were not significant. Conclusions: Addition of clonidine 150 μm to ropivacaine 0.75% 30 ml delays the onset of sensory and motor blockade while prolongs the postoperative motor blockade and analgesia significantly without producing any clinical significant side-effects in brachial plexus block through supraclavicular approach.

Clinical observation of the therapeutic effects of pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with concurrent chemoradiotherapy-induced grade IV neutropenia.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and side-effects of preventive treatment with pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) on concurrent chemoradiotherapy-induced grade IV neutropenia and to provide a rational basis for its clinical application. A total of 114 patients with concurrent chemoradiotherapy-induced grade IV neutropenia were enrolled. A randomized approach was used to divide the patients into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group included three subgroups, namely a P-50 group, P-100 group and P + R group. The P-50 group had 42 cases, which were given a single 50-μg/kg subcutaneous injection of PEG-rhG-CSF. The P-100 group had 30 cases, which received a single 100-μg/kg subcutaneous injection of PEG-rhG-CSF. The P + R group comprised 22 cases, which were given a single 50-μg/kg subcutaneous injection of PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF 5 μg/kg/day; when the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was ≥2.0×109/l, the administration of rhG-CSF was stopped. The control group (RC group) comprised 20 patients, who received rhG-CSF 5 μg/kg/day by subcutaneous injection until the ANC was ≥2.0×109/l. Changes in the neutrophil proliferation rate and ANC values over time, the neutropenic symptom remission time and incidence of adverse drug reactions were analyzed statistically in each group of patients. In the experimental group, the neutrophil proliferation rate and ANC values were significantly higher than those in the control group; the clinical effects began 12–24 h after treatment in the experimental group, and indicated that the treatment improved neutropenia in ~48 h after treatment. There was no significant difference in the neutrophil proliferation rate and ANC values between the P-50 and P+R groups. In the experimental group, the remission time of neutropenia-induced fever and muscle pain after administration was significantly shorter than that in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The adverse drug reaction rates showed no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. PEG-rhG-CSF had good efficacy and safety in the treatment of concurrent chemotherapy-induced grade IV neutropenia. For the treatment of concurrent chemotherapy-induced grade IV neutropenia, a single subcutaneous injection of 50 μg/kg PEG-rhG-CSF is the recommended dose. The effects begin at 12–24 h; if the ANC values are not significantly improved during this time, no supplementary administration of rhG-CSF is necessary.

Randomized, controlled trial of resistance training in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy: results on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life

Exercise has been reported to decrease cancer-related fatigue and to increase quality of life (QoL) in various breast cancer (BC) populations. However, studies investigating exercise during radiotherapy or resistance training are scarce. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial (BEST study) to assess the efficacy of 12-week resistance training on fatigue beyond possible psychosocial effects of a group-based intervention. One hundred sixty patients with BC stage 0-III were randomly assigned to a 12-week progressive resistance training (2 times/week) or a 12-week relaxation control (RC, 2 times/week). Both interventions were group-based. The primary end point fatigue was assessed with a 20-item multidimensional questionnaire, QoL with EORTC questionnaires. Statistical analyses were based on analysis of covariance models for the individual changes from baseline to week 13. Adherence to the intervention program as well as the completion rate (97%) for the primary outcome variable fatigue was high. In intention-to-treat analyses for the N = 155 patients, significant between-group mean differences (MD) favoring the exercise group (EX) were observed for general fatigue (P = 0.044), especially for the subscale physical fatigue [MD = -0.8; 95% confidence interval -1.5 to -0.2, P = 0.013], but not for affective (P = 0.91) or cognitive fatigue (P = 0.65). For QoL, significantly larger improvements regarding the role function (P = 0.035) and pain (P = 0.040) were noted among exercisers compared with RCs. Future perspective improved significantly stronger in the RC group compared with the EX group (P = 0.047). The 12-week resistance training program was a safe, feasible and efficacious strategy to improve cancer-related fatigue and components of QoL in BC patients during adjuvant radiotherapy. As exercise was compared with another group-based intervention, results indicate that resistance training effects on fatigue and QoL go beyond psychosocial benefits, and that the clinically relevant overall benefit of resistance exercise compared with usual care can be assumed to be higher. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01468766.

Contrasting group analysis of Brazilian students with dyslexia and good readers using the computerized reading and writing assessment battery "BALE".

The analysis of cognitive processes underpinning reading and writing skills may help to distinguish different reading ability profiles. The present study used a Brazilian reading and writing battery to compare performance of students with dyslexia with two individually matched control groups: one contrasting on reading competence but not age and the other group contrasting on age but not reading competence. Participants were 28 individuals with dyslexia (19 boys) with a mean age of 9.82 (SD ± 1.44) drawn from public and private schools. These were matched to: (1) an age control group (AC) of 26 good readers with a mean age of 9.77 (SD ± 1.44) matched by age, sex, years of schooling, and type of school; (2) reading control group (RC) of 28 younger controls with a mean age of 7.82 (SD ± 1.06) matched by sex, type of school, and reading level. All groups were tested on four tasks from the Brazilian Reading and Writing Assessment battery (“BALE”): Written Sentence Comprehension Test (WSCT); Spoken Sentence Comprehension Test (OSCT); Picture-Print Writing Test (PPWT 1.1-Writing); and the Reading Competence Test (RCT). These tasks evaluate reading and listening comprehension for sentences, spelling, and reading isolated words and pseudowords (non-words). The dyslexia group scored lower and took longer to complete tasks than the AC group. Compared with the RC group, there were no differences in total scores on reading or oral comprehension tasks. However, dyslexics presented slower reading speeds, longer completion times, and lower scores on spelling tasks, even compared with younger controls. Analysis of types of errors on word and pseudoword reading items showed students with dyslexia scoring lower for pseudoword reading than the other two groups. These findings suggest that the dyslexics overall scores were similar to those of younger readers. However, specific phonological and visual decoding deficits showed that the two groups differ in terms of underpinning reading strategies.

Fewer re-admissions and bed days following an intensive transitional post-discharge aftercare programme for a mixed diagnostic group of patients

Background: The organization of aftercare is important for a successful outcome; still the optimal organization has not been fully explored. An intensive transitional post-discharge aftercare (TA) programme, for a mixed group of non-psychotic patients, was recently developed. Patients with non-psychotic diagnoses are often discharged with low well-being while still symptomatic, placing high demands on aftercare. Aims: To evaluate retrospectively the short and long-term mental healthcare service use during and after the TA programme compared with the service use of a retrospective comparison group (RC), receiving less intensive outpatient aftercare. Methods: Number of re-admissions, bed days and emergency visits after 10 weeks, 6 months and 1 year was retrospectively collected from electronic patient registers. Descriptive statistics, independent samples T-tests and repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the groups. Results: The majority of patients in both groups suffered from affective disorders, followed by personality disorders and a small number of other psychiatric diagnoses. Service use in the TA group was lower than in the RC group with fewer bed days after 10 weeks (P = 0.01) and after 6 months (P = 0.003), and fewer re-admissions after 6–12 months (P = 0.04). Emergency contacts did not differ significantly between the two groups at any point. Conclusions: The present study indicates beneficial effects of intensive TA, for a mixed group of non-psychotic patients. The lower service use in the TA programme group is in line with day treatment programme research for patients with affective disorders.

Interleukin-17A antagonist attenuates radiation-induced lung injuries in mice

ABSTRACTObjective: To investigate the effect of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) antibodies on radiation-induced lung injuries in mice. Methods: The thorax of 135 mice were divided into Sham (n = 30), radiation control (RC, n = 35), treatment (n = 35, IL-17A-neutralizing antibody, 4 μg/mouse, IV, 4 days per month for 4 months) and placebo group (n = 35) before a single dose irradiation (15 Gy) to the thorax. Inflammation and collagen contents in the lung tissues were examined, and the concentration of IL-17A, TGF-β1, and IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. In another 50 animals, 180-day survival rate following the irradiation and treatment was calculated by Kaplan–Meier method. Results: Sixteen weeks after the irradiation and treatment, there was significant inflammatory cell infiltration and interstitial collagen depositions in the radiation control and placebo groups, whereas these changes were relatively mild in the treatment group. The percentage of grade II and III alveolitis in the treatment group (16%, P < .05) was lower than in the RC (72%) or placebo group (64%). The mean Aschcroft fibrosis scores were 2.8 (treatment group), 5.2 (RC), and 4.8 (placebo group), respectively. The scores of treatment group was lower than that of RC (P < .001) or placebo group (P < .001). The IL-17A, TGF-β, and IL-6 concentrations in the treatment group were lower than in the RC and placebo group (P < .01) following the irradiation. The 180-day mortality rate in the treatment group was lower than in the RC group 16.7% versus 75.0%, P < .05). Conclusion: IL-17A antibody treatment alleviates radiation-induced pneumonitis and subsequent fibrosis, and improvise postirradiation survival.

Induction Chrono-Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Phase 2 Prospective Randomized Study: Definitive Management of Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose/Objective(s)To evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of induction chrono-chemotherapy in compare with conventional chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Materials/MethodsSubjects with pathologically confirmed NPC who had no evidence of metastasis were divided randomly into two groups: patients in chrono-chemotherapy group (CC group) and in routine-chemotherapy group (RC group). Treatment response was evaluated with chi-square test and survival was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank test. The SPSS 11.5 was used for statistical analysis. Acute/late toxicities were graded based on the common terminology criteria for the adverse events (CTC AE) version 3.0.ResultsTotally, 60 patients in this study, 30 in each group. After treatment, the complete and partial response rate was 96.7% in the CC group versus 73.3% in the RC group (P<0.05). By the end of follow-up, 5 patients (16.7%) in the CC group experienced local regional recurrence versus 12 patients (40.0%) in the RC group (P = 0.045) and 16 patients (53.3%) versus 14 patients (46.7%) experienced distant metastasis (P = 0.606), respectively. The overall survival rates at 1, 3, 6 years were 96.7%,73.3%,60.0% in CC group versus 96.7%, 66.7%, 50.0% in the RC group (P = 0.346), respectively. During induction chemotherapy, the incidence of leukocytopenia (43.3% vs 80%, P = 0.003), Thrombocytopenia (26.7% vs 56.7%, P = 0.018), nausea/vomiting (40% vs 66.7%, P = 0.038) were all significantly lower in the CC group compared with RC group. The radiation-induced complications were similar in the two groups.ConclusionsCompared with conventional chemotherapy, induction chrono-chemotherapy seems reduce chemotherapy-related toxicities and improved local regional control in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with combined chemoradiation therapy. Purpose/Objective(s)To evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of induction chrono-chemotherapy in compare with conventional chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. To evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of induction chrono-chemotherapy in compare with conventional chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials/MethodsSubjects with pathologically confirmed NPC who had no evidence of metastasis were divided randomly into two groups: patients in chrono-chemotherapy group (CC group) and in routine-chemotherapy group (RC group). Treatment response was evaluated with chi-square test and survival was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank test. The SPSS 11.5 was used for statistical analysis. Acute/late toxicities were graded based on the common terminology criteria for the adverse events (CTC AE) version 3.0. Subjects with pathologically confirmed NPC who had no evidence of metastasis were divided randomly into two groups: patients in chrono-chemotherapy group (CC group) and in routine-chemotherapy group (RC group). Treatment response was evaluated with chi-square test and survival was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank test. The SPSS 11.5 was used for statistical analysis. Acute/late toxicities were graded based on the common terminology criteria for the adverse events (CTC AE) version 3.0. ResultsTotally, 60 patients in this study, 30 in each group. After treatment, the complete and partial response rate was 96.7% in the CC group versus 73.3% in the RC group (P<0.05). By the end of follow-up, 5 patients (16.7%) in the CC group experienced local regional recurrence versus 12 patients (40.0%) in the RC group (P = 0.045) and 16 patients (53.3%) versus 14 patients (46.7%) experienced distant metastasis (P = 0.606), respectively. The overall survival rates at 1, 3, 6 years were 96.7%,73.3%,60.0% in CC group versus 96.7%, 66.7%, 50.0% in the RC group (P = 0.346), respectively. During induction chemotherapy, the incidence of leukocytopenia (43.3% vs 80%, P = 0.003), Thrombocytopenia (26.7% vs 56.7%, P = 0.018), nausea/vomiting (40% vs 66.7%, P = 0.038) were all significantly lower in the CC group compared with RC group. The radiation-induced complications were similar in the two groups. Totally, 60 patients in this study, 30 in each group. After treatment, the complete and partial response rate was 96.7% in the CC group versus 73.3% in the RC group (P<0.05). By the end of follow-up, 5 patients (16.7%) in the CC group experienced local regional recurrence versus 12 patients (40.0%) in the RC group (P = 0.045) and 16 patients (53.3%) versus 14 patients (46.7%) experienced distant metastasis (P = 0.606), respectively. The overall survival rates at 1, 3, 6 years were 96.7%,73.3%,60.0% in CC group versus 96.7%, 66.7%, 50.0% in the RC group (P = 0.346), respectively. During induction chemotherapy, the incidence of leukocytopenia (43.3% vs 80%, P = 0.003), Thrombocytopenia (26.7% vs 56.7%, P = 0.018), nausea/vomiting (40% vs 66.7%, P = 0.038) were all significantly lower in the CC group compared with RC group. The radiation-induced complications were similar in the two groups. ConclusionsCompared with conventional chemotherapy, induction chrono-chemotherapy seems reduce chemotherapy-related toxicities and improved local regional control in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with combined chemoradiation therapy. Compared with conventional chemotherapy, induction chrono-chemotherapy seems reduce chemotherapy-related toxicities and improved local regional control in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with combined chemoradiation therapy.

Clonidine as an adjuvant for ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper extremity surgeries under tourniquet: A clinical study.

Background and Aims:Clonidine has been used as an adjuvant to local anesthetic to extend the duration of block. The present study was aimed to compare the onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade of 0.75% ropivacaine alone or in combination with clonidine during ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper extremity surgeries under tourniquet.Materials and Methods:Sixty four adult American Society of Anesthesiologist grade 1 and 2 patients, scheduled for upper extremity surgeries were randomized to receive either 19.8 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine with 0.2 mL of normal saline (Group R) or 0.2 mL (30 μg) of clonidine (Group RC) in supraclavicular block. Onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade was compared. The hemodynamic variability, sedation, respiratory adequacy and any other adverse effects were also recorded.Result:Ultrasound helped to visualize the nerves, needle and spread of local anesthetic at the brachial plexus block site. There was no statistically significant difference in the onset of sensory and motor blockade between the groups. Surgical anesthesia was achieved at the mean time of 20 min in all patients. Prolonged post-operative analgesia (mean duration 956 min) was observed in RC group as compared with R group (736 min). No complication of technique or adverse effect of ropivacaine and clonidine was reported.Conclusion:Clonidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine for ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus enhanced duration of post-operative analgesia. There was no incidence of vessel puncture or pneumothorax.

Comparison of Growth Performance of ‘Common Catfish Ameiurus melas, Rafinesque1820’, Reared in Pond and in Recirculating Aquaculture System

A trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and survival of common catfish, Ameiurus melas. A total of 54,420 catfish juveniles (5.1 ± 1.2 g; 6 ± 1 cm) were reared in two groups: PN group, represented by 3-1,000 m2 ponds; RC group composed by 3-2 m3 indoor tanks working in closed recirculated system. In these two groups, catfish were reared at two different densities (PN=15 fish m3; RC=1,570 fish m3) for 181 days. The main water physico-chemical parameters were monitored and the main blood metabolites and growth performances were evaluated. Catfish exhibited a final mean body weight similar in the two groups (PN=142.7 ± 30 g; RC=151.5 ± 34 g). The survival rate was high for both PN (86.6%) and RC (99%). A very high stocking density was reached in the RC system (235.5 kgm3). The presence of multi-trays in the RC tanks may be helped the specimens to reduce aggressiviness and territorial competition as demonstrated by blood metabolites which did not affect by rearing conditions. This trial showed that common catfish can be successfully cultured in indoor systems without negatively affecting productive performances (growth and survival) and the natural resources.