Bimetallic nickel/manganese phosphate-carbon nanofiber electrocatalyst for the oxidation of formaldehyde in alkaline medium.

The development of earth-abundant transition metal-based catalysts, supported by a conductive carbonaceous matrix, has received great attention in the field of conversion of formaldehyde derivatives into toxic-free species. Herein, we report a comprehensive investigation of bimetallic electrocatalyst activity towards the electrooxidation of formaldehyde. The bimetallic phosphate catalyst is prepared by co-precipitation of Ni and Mn phosphate precursors using a simple reflux approach. Then the bimetallic catalyst is produced by mixing the Ni/Mn with carbon fibres (CNFs). The structural properties and crystallinity of the catalyst were investigated by using several techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Brunauer Emmett-Teller theory. The system performance was studied under potentiostatic conditions. Some theoretical thermodynamic and kinetic models were applied to assess the system performance. Accordingly, key electrochemical parameters, including surface coverage (Γ) of active species, charge transfer rate (k s), diffusion coefficient of the formaldehyde (D), and catalytic rate constant (k cat) were calculated at Γ = 1.690 × 10-4 mmol cm-2, k s = 1.0800 s-1, D = 1.185 × 10-3 cm2 s-1 and k cat = 1.08 × 105 cm3 mol-1 s-1. These findings demonstrate the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of formaldehyde electrooxidation on nickel/manganese phosphate- CNFs in alkaline medium.

The photoprotective properties of α-tocopherol phosphate against long-wave UVA1 (385 nm) radiation in keratinocytes in vitro.

UVA1 radiation (340-400 nm), especially longwave UVA1 (> 370 nm), is often ignored when assessing sun protection due to its low sunburning potential, but it generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and is poorly attenuated by sunscreens. This study aimed to investigate if α-tocopherol phosphate, (α-TP) a promising new antioxidant, could protect against long-wave UVA1 induced cell death and scavenge UVA1 induced ROS in a skin cell model. HaCaT keratinocyte cell viability (24 h) was assessed with Alamar Blue and Neutral Red assays. The metabolism of α-TP into α-T, assessed using mass spectrometry, and the compound's radical scavenging efficacy, assessed by the dichlorodihydrofluorescein (H2DCFDA) ROS detection assay, was monitored in HaCaTs. The mechanism of α-TP ROS scavenging was determined using non-cell based DPPH and ORAC assays. In HaCaT keratinocytes, irradiated with 226 J/cm2 UVA1 in low-serum (2%, starved) cell culture medium, pretreatment with 80 µM α-TP significantly enhanced cell survival (88%, Alamar Blue) compared to control, whereas α-T pre-treatment had no effect survival (70%, Alamar Blue). Pre-treatment of cells with 100 µM α-TP or 100 µM α-T before 57 J/cm2 UVA1 also significantly reduced ROS generation over 2 h (24.1% and 23.9% respectively) compared to the control and resulted in α-TP bioconversion into α-T. As α-TP displayed weak antioxidant activity in the cell-free assays thus its photoprotection was assigned to its bioconversion to α-T by cellular phosphatases. Through this mechanism α-TP prevented long-wave UVA1 induced cell death and scavenged UVA1 induced ROS in skin cells when added to the starved cell culture medium before UVA1 exposure by bioconversion into α-T.

Trends in Breast Cancer Survival by Race-Ethnicity in Florida, 1990-2015.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate trends in survival, by race-ethnicity, for women diagnosed with breast cancer in Florida over a 26-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in Florida between 1990 and 2015. Data were obtained from the Florida Cancer Data System. Women in the study were categorized according to race (white/black) and Hispanic ethnicity (yes/no). Cumulative incidence estimates of 5- and 10-year breast cancer-related death with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained by race-ethnicity, according to diagnosis year. Subdistribution hazard models were used to obtain subdistribution HRs (sHR) for the relative rate of breast cancer death accounting for competing causes. RESULTS: Breast cancer mortality decreased for all racial-ethnic groups, and racial-ethnic minorities had greater absolute and relative improvement for nearly all metrics compared with non-Hispanic white (NHW) women. However, for the most recent time period (2010-2015), black women still experienced significant survival disparities with non-Hispanic black (NHB) women, having twice the rate of 5-year [sHR = 2.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.91-2.19] and 10-year (sHR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.89-2.16) breast cancer-related death. Adjustment for covariates substantially reduced the excess rate of breast cancer-related death for black women. CONCLUSIONS: Despite efforts to improve disparities in breast cancer outcomes for underserved women in Florida, black women continue to experience significant survival disparities. IMPACT: These results highlight the need for targeted approaches to eliminate disparities in breast cancer survival for black women.

Characteristics Associated With Nonreceipt of Surveillance Testing and the Relationship With Survival in Stage II and III Colon Cancer.

We investigated characteristics of patients with colon cancer that predicted nonreceipt of posttreatment surveillance testing and the subsequent associations between surveillance status and survival outcomes. This was a retrospective cohort study of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database combined with Medicare claims. Patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2009 with disease stages II and III and who were between 66 and 84 years of age were eligible. A minimum of 3 years' follow-up was required, and patients were categorized as having received any surveillance testing (any testing) versus none (no testing). Poisson regression was used to obtain risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals for the relative likelihood of No Testing. Cox models were used to obtain subdistribution hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for 5- and 10-year cancer-specific and noncancer deaths. There were 16,009 colon cancer cases analyzed. Patient characteristics that predicted No Testing included older age, Black race, stage III disease, and chemotherapy. Patients in the No Testing group had an increased rate of 10-year cancer death that was greater for patients with stage III disease (subdistribution hazard ratio = 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.48, 2.17) than those with stage II disease (subdistribution hazard ratio = 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.19, 1.66). Greater efforts are needed to ensure all patients receive the highest quality medical care after diagnosis of colon cancer.

Phenotypic characterization of KCTD3-related developmental epileptic encephalopathy.

The association between KCTD3 gene and neurogenetic disorders has only been published recently. In this report, we describe the clinical phenotype associated with 2 pathogenic variants in KCTD3 gene. Seven individuals (including one set of monozygotic twin) from 4 consanguineous families presented with developmental epileptic encephalopathy, global developmental delay, central hypotonia, progressive peripheral hypertonia, and variable dysmorphic facial features. Posterior fossa abnormalities (ranging from Dandy-Walker malformation to isolated hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis) were consistently observed in addition to other variable neuroradiological abnormalities such as hydrocephalus and abnormal brain myelination. One patient also had a multicystic kidney. Whole exome sequencing revealed 2 probably pathogenic homozygous variants in KCTD3 gene that fully segregated with the disease. KCTD3 gene belongs to a family of accessory subunits that regulate the biophysical properties of ion channels, and is highly expressed in the kidney and brain. In this largest series to date on KCTD3-mutated patients, we show that biallelic loss of function mutations in KCTD3 lead to a consistent phenotype of developmental epileptic encephalopathy and abnormal cerebellum on brain imaging.

Endometriosis: a possible cause of right shoulder pain.

Although endometriosis is a common condition it can present with a wide range of symptoms. We report a case of chronic right hypochondrial and shoulder pain which proved to be due to endometriosis.

Breast Cancer Perceptions, Knowledge and Behavioral Practices among Women Living in a Rural Community.

We performed this study to assess women's perceptions, knowledge and behavioral practices for breast cancer prevention in a rural setting. A 61-item questionnaire was developed based on Health Belief Model constructs and completed by 185 women age 35 and older. Results showed significant differences in several areas including perceived susceptibility and severity. Overall knowledge was poor. In logistic regression perceived barriers and yearly clinical breast examination appeared to be significant predictors for regular screening behavior (OR=0.02, CI=0.03-0.09 and OR=0.23, CI=0.05-0.99, respectively). Behavioral interventions targeting barriers for rural women need to be designed to include consideration of specific barriers and clear information on the need for regular screening.

Study of the demographic criteria and management of adolescents referred with abnormal cervical smears.

This observational study was conducted on the adolescents referred to a colposcopy clinic in a UK general hospital over a period of 10 years (1996 - 2005). It included 155 newly referred adolescents (age < or = 20 years) with abnormal smear results. The aim of the study was to define the demographic risk factors associated with the development of abnormal cervical smears and identify the incidence of high-grade cervical lesions in this age group. All the risk factors associated with development of HPV infection were found among this group, particularly early age of sexual contact and number of sexual partners. A total of 52.9% of the cases had a smear showing moderate or severe dyskaryosis. The incidence increased to 66.7% among those who had their first sexual contact before the age of 16. Colposcopy and histology confirmed the presence of CIN II and CIN III in 40.6% of cases. The study showed that patients can develop high-grade cervical lesions in their early teens. Delaying the age of onset of cervical screening to 25, as it is currently recommended in UK, will delay the detection and treatment of these cases. A new approach is required to deal with this problem.

Abnormal cervical smears in adolescents: a ten-year comparative study of demographic criteria and management.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of the demographic criteria and management of adolescents and other age groups referred to a colposcopy clinic with abnormal smears. METHODS: Retrospective study of newly referred cases to a colposcopy clinic in a UK district general hospital between 1996 and 2005. RESULTS: Most of the sociodemographic and sexual factors associated with HPV infection and cervical cancer were more obvious among adolescents than older women. There was a comparable incidence of high-grade cervical lesions in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: A policy is needed to deal with adolescents who are exposed to all the risk factors associated with the development of HPV infection and high-grade cervical lesions. This has become an important issue for discussion recently in the UK after raising the age of onset of cervical screening to 25.

Recurrent angiomyofibroblastoma of the vagina: a case report.

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a rare tumour of the superficial soft tissue of the pelvis and perineum. It is considered to be a slowly growing benign tumour. In the literature no evidence of recurrence has been reported up to eight years following local excision. We report a recurrent case of this tumour with no evidence of malignant transformation.

Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy: a successful outcome.

Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy is rare condition. We are reporting a case where the ectopic component was treated successfully laparoscopically and the intrauterine pregnancy continued to term uneventfully.

Factors associated with adherence to recommendations for screening mammography among American Indian women in Colorado.

OBJECTIVE: To compare adherence to screening mammography recommendations of American Indian and non-Hispanic White women in the Denver, Colorado, area. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: This study retrospectively examined adherence patterns in 229 American Indian and 60,197 non-Hispanic White women > or = 40 years and older, with at least one screening mammogram in the Colorado Mammography Project (CMAP), from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2003. The CMAP was a prospective study of women receiving mammograms at participating clinics around Denver. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Using logistic mixed models, we defined two dependent variables as annual and biennial adherence from the intervals between screening mammograms for each woman. RESULTS: Biennial adherence was substantially higher than annual adherence for both American Indian and non-Hispanic White women in our analyses. American Indian women were less likely than non-Hispanic White women to adhere to biennial recommendations in multivariate models controlling for age, family history of breast cancer, and economic status (zip code): odds ratio (OR) .4 and 95% confidence interval (CI) .2-.6. The association between American Indian race/ethnicity and annual adherence was similar, although not as strong (OR .5, 95% CI .3-.8). CONCLUSIONS: American Indian women in the CMAP cohort were less likely than non-Hispanic White women to adhere to recommendations for screening mammography, both annually and biennially. Additional research is needed to explore the effect of biennial screening and other barriers among American Indian women.

A Theory-Based Model for Predicting Adherence to Guidelines for Screening Mammography among Women Age 40 and Older.

OBJECTIVE: To examine theory-based selected factors associated with adherence to mammography screening guidelines in a surveillance database. METHODS: Data from Colorado Mammography Project (CMAP) from 1994-1998 was extracted and analyzed by using SAS statistical software. Based on the Health Belief Model and Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization a prediction model was developed to examine the mammography utilization patterns and factors influencing the adherence to screening guidelines. RESULTS: Out of 27,778 women, 41.4% were adherent with mammography screening guidelines. According to the model tested in this study, race/ethnicity (Black vs White, OR=0.76, 95% CI=0.64-0.91); educational attainment (high school vs < high school, OR= 1.10, 95% CI= 1.04-1.18), college graduate vs < high school (OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.25-1.42); insurance status, (any coverage vs no coverage (OR=1.62, 95% CI=1.25-2.12); and community economic status as defined by median income by zip code of residence ($15,000-$24,999 vs <$15,000, OR=0.84, 95% CI=0.76-0.94; >$55,000 vs <$15,000, OR 1.14, 95% CI=1.03-1.26) were statistically significant predictors of adherence to guidelines. Interaction between age and family history of breast cancer was statically significant. Younger females with a family history of breast cancer were less likely to be adherent than their counterparts without a family history (OR=0.93, 95% CI=0.90-0.96). Inclusion or exclusion of women aged 70 years and older did not change the outcome of the analysis. CONCLUSION: The prediction model variables such as race/ethnicity, age and family history of breast cancer, educational level and community economic status, are associated with adherence status. Family history of breast cancer needs to be examined very carefully in future studies as it may play negative role in adherence to screening mammography.

Factors influencing adherence to guidelines for screening mammography among women aged 40 years and older.

OBJECTIVE: To explore patterns of adherence to guidelines for screening mammography among participants in the Colorado Mammography Project (CMAP) surveillance database. METHODS: An algorithm was developed to assess factors associated with adherence to mammography screening guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 27,778 women ranging from 40-90 years of age included in the analysis, 41.4% were adherent with mammography screening guidelines. According to the model tested in this study, race/ethnicity (Black vs White, OR=0.76, 95% CI=0.64-0.91); educational attainment (high school vs 55,000 dollars vs <15,000 dollars, OR 1.14, 95% CI=1.03-1.26) were statistically significant predictors of adherence to guidelines. A significant interaction between age and family history of breast cancer (BC) was also found. Younger females with a family history of BC were less likely to be adherent than their counterparts without a family history (OR=0.93, 95% CI=0.90-0.96). In general, elderly women were more likely to be adherent compared with the youngest group in this cohort (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.11-1.33). Inclusion or exclusion of women aged 70 years and older did not change the outcome of the analysis. CONCLUSION: Adherence with screening mammography guidelines was found to be associated with women's personal characteristics including race/ethnicity, age, and family history of BC. In addition, socioeconomic status, as measured by educational level and community economic status, are important predictors of adherence. Efforts to increase adherence may need to be specific to race/ethnic group and age, but the effect of age is mediated by family history of BC and vice versa.

Fundamental frequency stability in functional dysphonia.

Functional dysphonia is a term applied to voice disorders for which there is an absence of apparent structural change in the larynx. The aim of this work was to investigate how functional dysphonia may differ acoustically from other types of dysphonia. Fundamental frequency profiles for steady vowels were generated using a software program called GLIMPES (Glottal Imaging by Processing External Signals). The fundamental frequency variations were found to be unimodal in normal individuals. In contrast, the variations for dysphonic patients were sometimes bi-modal or multi-modal due to the presence of subharmonics or low-frequency modulations. The appearance of these patterns was generally related to the severity of the dysphonia rather than to its etiology.

Ultrastructural features of vocal fold nodules and polyps.

Earlier investigation did not show any clear distinctive pathological features that differentiate vocal polyps from vocal nodules. The light microscopic distinctive features between the two lesions point in the direction of a more pronounced epithelial reaction and a more fibrous stromal change in vocal nodules. In the present study, 19 vocal polyps and 11 vocal nodules were subjected to ultrastructural examination aiming at finding distinctive features that may be pathognomic for each of these clinically distinct entities. The study was carried out by EM Philips 400 T. The results demonstrate that nodules showed epithelial changes in the form of gaping of the intercellular junctions and absence of the basal lamina in parts. These changes are less apparent in polyps, whereas the stromal changes are more pronounced and varied. The significance of these results and their interpretation are discussed.

The essential oil of Apium graveolens var. secalinum and its cercaricidal activity.

The composition of the essential oil of the fresh aerial parts of Apium graveolens var. secalinum at its flowering stage, obtained from three different locations in Egypt, was investigated. The identification of the components of this oil was carried out by means of analytical GC and GC-MS. The main components in the oil are: alpha- and beta-pinene, myrcene, limonene, cis-beta-ocimene, gamma-terpinene, cis-allo-ocimene, trans-farnesene, humulene, apiol, beta-selinene, senkyunolide and neocnidilide. Data concerning the relative concentrations of the main components of the different celery oil samples are given. The cercaricidal effect of the essential oil has been examined on cercariae, being one of the stages in the life cycles of Schistosoma mansoni, which causes schistosomiasis. The essential oil showed in addition to a cercaricidal effect also a chemotactic effect.