Pharmacogenetic characterization of naturally occurring germline NT5C1A variants to chemotherapeutic nucleoside analogs.

Background: Mutations or alterations in expression of the 5' nucleotidase gene family can lead to altered responses to treatment with nucleoside analogs. While investigating leukemia susceptibility genes, we discovered a very rare p.L254P NT5C1A missense variant in the substrate recognition motif. Given the paucity of cellular drug response data from the NT5C1A germline variation, we characterized p.L254P and eight rare variants of NT5C1A from genomic databases. Materials and methods: Through lentiviral infection, we created HEK293 cell lines that stably overexpress wild-type NT5C1A, p.L254P, or eight NT5C1A variants reported in the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Exome Variant Server (one truncating and seven missense). IC50 values were determined by cytotoxicity assays after exposure to chemotherapeutic nucleoside analogs (cladribine, gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil). In addition, we used structure-based homology modeling to generate a three-dimensional model for the C-terminal region of NT5C1A. Results: The p.R180X (truncating), p.A214T, and p.L254P missense changes were the only variants that significantly impaired protein function across all nucleotide analogs tested (>5-fold difference vs. wild-type; P

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Extremely Rare Childhood Tumor, Renal Clear Cell Sarcoma: A Case Report

2016-02-24T02-20-24Z
Source: Journal of Contemporary Medicine
Tamer Sekmenli, İlhan Çiftci, Yavuz Koksal.
Clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is a rare tumor and comprises 3% of primary pediatric malignant renal tumors. It is known as an aggressive tumor that metastases to the bones with a poor prognosis. Clinically and radiologically, it can mimic Wilms' tumor. We present a CCSK case in the left abdominal area in a 12 year old patient.


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Access to Support System and Learners Response about Dairy Farming Distance Education Programme

2016-02-24T00-33-15Z
Source: International Journal of Livestock Research
Senthilkumar Thayalan.
It is evident from the study, that an overwhelming majority of the respondents had indicated that the minimum required support services for the learners were provided by the distance education course providers and the institution. Also the respondents might have been satisfied due to easier access, friendly faculties who had interacted, simple and understandable course content in vernacular language and flexibility of the course, which would strengthen the learning outcomes, leading to increase in the farm production, revenue and livelihood status.


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Anaesthesia and global health initiatives for children in a low-resource environment.

Purpose of review: As the United Nations moves from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals, we find ourselves with the opportunity to influence the priority of global health initiatives. Previously, the global health community has failed to recognise the importance of access to safe, affordable surgery and developing the necessary specialities that support it as most of the funding focus had been on primary healthcare and infectious diseases. Recent findings: Now the WHO is publishing guidelines to safe surgery and the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery has been launched. However, this is only the start; anaesthesia remains a forgotten speciality within the world of public and global health and there are still challenges in escalating surgery in low and middle-income countries to an acceptable level that is affordable and timely. Summary: Although there is increased world interest in safe surgery and anaesthesia this has not yet been translated into a mandate that will compel countries to invest in improving levels of infrastructure, accessibility, manpower, and safety. A general anaesthetic remains a dangerous event in a child's life in resource-limited countries. Copyright (C) 2016 YEAR Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Patients prone for postoperative delirium: preoperative assessment, perioperative prophylaxis, postoperative treatment.

Purpose of review: The aim of this study was to review current literature on identification of patients at risk for postoperative delirium (POD) and to summarize recent findings on prophylaxis and treatment. Recent findings: Age and preoperative cognitive impairment are among the most important risk factors of POD. POD is the result of a complex interplay of predisposing and precipitating factors. Thus, both prophylaxis and treatment require multicomponent intervention programs. No single medication to prevent or treat POD is available. Avoiding too deep anesthesia, avoiding additional psychoactive substances including benzodiazepines and intravenous opioids, and effective pain management as well as early mobilization are essential. Summary: An increase of the proportion of elderly patients undergoing surgery will lead to a higher incidence of POD. Preoperative assessment should facilitate identification of patients at high risk. Perioperative management should include monitoring depth of anesthesia, preference for nonopioid pain therapy, early regular delirium monitoring starting in the recovery room, avoiding ICU-sedation, early mobilization and exercise, and cognitive training. Copyright (C) 2016 YEAR Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Calibration with MCNP of NaI detector for the determination of natural radioactivity levels in the field

Publication date: May 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volumes 155–156
Author(s): Giorgia Cinelli, Laura Tositti, Domiziano Mostacci, Jonathan Baré
In view of assessing natural radioactivity with on-site quantitative gamma spectrometry, efficiency calibration of NaI(Tl) detectors is investigated. A calibration based on Monte Carlo simulation of detector response is proposed, to render reliable quantitative analysis practicable in field campaigns. The method is developed with reference to contact geometry, in which measurements are taken placing the NaI(Tl) probe directly against the solid source to be analyzed. The Monte Carlo code used for the simulations was MCNP. Experimental verification of the calibration goodness is obtained by comparison with appropriate standards, as reported. On-site measurements yield a quick quantitative assessment of natural radioactivity levels present (⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th). On-site gamma spectrometry can prove particularly useful insofar as it provides information on materials from which samples cannot be taken.



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15 habits paramedics can’t shake

There are habits EMTs and paramedics pick that are hard to shake even when off the clock or after retirement. Check out our favorites, and don't miss this other list of habits EMTs can't shake. Don't see a habit you have? Add it in the comments!

1. "I leave enough space at a red light to be able to pull out and around if needed." — Josh Sharpe

2. "Pulling the shopping cart behind me like I'm at the front of the stretcher." — Tim O'Connor 

3. "When someone else is driving and making a turn I always yell 'clear right!'" — Lisa Bogowith Schaeffer 

4. "I always consider coughing a foreign body obstruction and prepare to do the Heimlich." — Tamatha Arendall

5. "Where's the closest hospital and how long of a response time am I looking at if something was to happen right now?" — Rene Rogers 

6. "I catch myself watching people when I'm in a crowded room; always looking for signs of someone in distress." — Scott Lisman 

7. "I always back into a parking space so I'm in response mode." — Phil Murphy

8. "When meeting a new person I start taking a sample history as part of getting to know them." — Alex Lisa Brown 

9. "I use my wife as a backer, and honk twice when backing." — Justin Martinets

10. "Passing large open fields thinking 'good place for an LZ'" — Sherry Lynn 

11. "If I get a 'maple syrup' odor out of context, I look for the diabetic. When I hear a harsh cough in a restaurant all conversation stops until I locate them and await evidence of a clear airway. The guy nodding off in church or at the movies better show rise and fall or chest expansion or I'm tapping on his shoulder." — Guido Jannetti 

12. "Driving private car with friends and shout 'bump ahead.'" — Timothy Lynn O'Ceallaigh 

13. "Still can't make myself use the 'Q' word. After many years on a truck I have removed it from my vocabulary." — Eddie Battros 

14. "Always checking to see if 'my scene is safe.'" — Angela N Grace

15. "When I go to my doctor for a routine physical, I start with '47 y/o male patient presenting with...'" — Bill Butler

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