Dietary fiber intake, especially viscous soluble fiber, has been established as a means to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors. Whether this is true for blood pressure remains controversial. A ...systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to investigate the effects of viscous soluble fiber supplementation on blood pressure and quantify the effect of individual fibers.
MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched. We included RCTs of ≥4-weeks in duration assessing viscous fiber supplementation from five types: β-glucan from oats and barley, guar gum, konjac, pectin and psyllium, on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Study data were pooled using the generic inverse variance method with random effects models and expressed as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Twenty-two (N = 1430) and twenty-one RCTs (N = 1343) were included in the final analysis for SBP and DBP, respectively. Viscous fiber reduced SBP (MD = −1.59 mmHg 95% CI: −2.72,−0.46) and DBP (MD = −0.39 mmHg 95% CI: −0.76,−0.01) at a median dose of 8.7 g/day (1.45–30 g/day) over a median follow-up of 7-weeks. Substantial heterogeneity in SBP (I2 = 72%, P < 0.01) and DBP (I2 = 67%, P < 0.01) analysis occurred. Within the five fiber types, SBP reductions were observed only for supplementation using psyllium fiber (MD = −2.39 mmHg 95% CI: −4.62,−0.17).
Viscous soluble fiber has an overall lowering effect on SBP and DBP. Inclusion of viscous fiber to habitual diets may have additional value in reducing CVD risk via improvement in blood pressure.
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier-NCT02670967.
•Viscous soluble fiber consumption was found to reduce overall SBP and DBP in all populations.•Within individual fiber types, psyllium fiber was found to reduce overall SBP.•Greater reductions in SBP and DBP were found in hypertensive subjects.
The combination of radiation and immunotherapy is currently an exciting avenue of pre-clinical and clinical investigation. The synergy between these two treatment modalities has the potential to ...expand the role of radiation from a purely local therapy, to a role in advanced and metastatic disease. Tumor regression outside of the irradiated field, known as the abscopal effect, is a recognized phenomenon mediated by lymphocytes and enhanced by checkpoint blockade. In this review, we summarize the known mechanistic data behind the immunostimulatory effects of radiation and how this is enhanced by immunotherapy. We also provide pre-clinical data supporting specific radiation timing and optimal dose/fractionation for induction of a robust anti-tumor immune response with or without checkpoint blockade. Importantly, these data are placed in a larger context of understanding T-cell exhaustion and the impact of immunotherapy on this phenotype. We also include relevant pre-clinical studies done in non-tumor systems. We discuss the published clinical trials and briefly summarize salient case reports evaluating the abscopal effect. Much of the data discussed here remains at the preliminary stage, and a number of interesting avenues of research remain under investigation.
Background Following single‐twin death, the perinatal mortality and morbidity for the surviving co‐twin is increased but difficult to quantify. We present data on prognosis from a systematic review.
...Objectives We aimed to determine the incidence of a) co‐twin death, b) neurological abnormality and c) preterm delivery for the surviving co‐twin following single‐twin death after 14 weeks of gestation.
Search strategy Literature was identified by searching two bibliographical databases and specialist journals between 1990 and 2005.
Selection criteria The selected studies of ≥5 cases reported on perinatal death and/or neurodevelopmental delay of the surviving co‐twin.
Data collection and analysis Studies were assessed for quality and data extracted to allow computation of rates. The data were inspected for heterogeneity using a Forrest plot and examined statistically using the chi‐square test. Data from individual studies were pooled within subgroups defined by prognosis.
Main results The search strategy yielded 632 potentially relevant citations. Full manuscripts were retrieved for 54 citations and 28 studies were finally included in the review. Following the death of one twin, the risk of monochorionic and dichorionic co‐twin demise was 12% (95% CI 7–11) and 4% (95% CI 2–7), respectively. The risk of neurological abnormality in the surviving monochorionic and dichorionic co‐twin was 18% (95% CI 11–26) and 1% (95% CI 0–7), respectively. The risk of preterm delivery was 68% (95% CI 56–78) and 57% (95% CI 34–77), respectively. Where there was comparative data within studies, the odds of monochorionic co‐twin intrauterine death was six times that of dichorionic twins (OR 6.04 95% CI 1.84–19.87). Neurological abnormality was also higher in monochorionic compared with dichorionic pregnancies (OR 4.07 95% CI 1.32–12.51).
Author’s conclusions More prospective research is required to inform decision making on this subject, especially with data that allow stratification based upon chorionicity.
In this research work, we aim to study the effect of the incorporation of vegetable fiber reinforcement on the thermo-mechanical and dynamic properties of a composite formed by a polymeric matrix ...reinforced with cellulosic fibers with the various Washingtonia fiber (WF) loadings (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% by wt%) as reinforced material in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Biocomposites to evaluate the optimum fiber loading of biocomposites. In addition, several characterization techniques (i.e., thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermal mechanical analysis (TMA)) were used to better understand the characteristics of the new composites prepared. With these techniques, we managed to verify the rigidity and thermal stability of the composites so elaborated, as well as the success of the polymer and the structural homogeneity of the obtained biocomposites. Hence, the biocomposite with the best ratio (HDPE/20WF) showed a loss modulus (E″) of 224 MPa, a storage modulus (E') of 2079 MPa, and a damping factor (Tanδ) of 0.270 to the glass transition (Tg) of 145 °C. In addition, thermomechanical analysis (TMA) of the biocomposite samples exhibited marginally higher Ts compared to the HDPE matrix. The best results were recorded with biocomposites with 20% WF, which showed better thermal properties. This composite material can be used as insulation in construction materials (buildings, false ceilings, walls, etc.).
Background
Adnexal torsion (AT), a serious gynaecological emergency, often presents with non‐specific symptoms leading to delayed diagnosis.
Objective
To compare the test accuracy of ultrasound, ...computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose AT.
Search strategy
We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane CENTRAL until December 2019.
Selection criteria
Studies reporting on the accuracy of any imaging modality (Index Test) in female patients (paediatric and adult) suspected of AT compared with surgical diagnosis and/or standard clinical/radiological follow‐up period until resolution of symptoms (Reference Standard).
Data collection and analysis
We assessed study quality using QUADAS‐2. We conducted test accuracy meta‐analysis using a univariate model or a hierarchical model.
Main results
We screened 3836 citations, included 18 studies (1654 women, 665 cases), and included 15 in the meta‐analyses. Ultrasound pooled sensitivity (n = 12, 1187 women) was 0.79 (95% CI 0.63–0.92) and specificity was 0.76 (95% CI 0.54–0.93), with negative and positive likelihood ratios of 0.29 (95% CI 0.13–0.66) and 4.35 (95% CI 2.03–9.32), respectively. Using Doppler with ultrasound (n = 7, 845 women) yielded similar sensitivity (0.80, 95% CI 0.67–0.93) and specificity (0.88, 95% CI 0.72–1.00). For MRI (n = 3, 99 women), the pooled sensitivity was 0.81 (95% CI 0.63–0.91) and specificity was 0.91 (95% CI 0.80–0.96). A meta‐analysis for CT was not possible with two case‐control studies and one cohort study (n = 3, 232 women). Its sensitivity range was 0.74–0.95 and specificity was 0.80–0.90.
Conclusions
Ultrasound has good performance as a first‐line diagnostic test for suspected AT. Magnetic resonance imaging could offer improved specificity to investigate complex ovarian morphology, but more evidence is needed.
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To investigate adnexal torsion, ultrasound is a good first‐line diagnostic test with a pooled sensitivity of 0.79 and specificity of 0.76.
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To investigate adnexal torsion, ultrasound is a good first‐line diagnostic test with a pooled sensitivity of 0.79 and specificity of 0.76.
A new chemical demethylation pathway for methylmercury under physiologically and environmentally relevant conditions is reported. The pathway involves the reaction between methylmercury and a ...selenoamino acid (l-selenocysteine, l-selenoglutathione, d,l-selenopenicillamine, or l-selenomethionine) via the formation of bis(methylmercuric)selenide and dimethylmercury as intermediates. The final degradation product is HgSe(s).
We have studied endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels and ET-1 ligand and receptor tissue expression in scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) and undertaken a pilot open label safety study of bosentan, a non-selective ...ET-1 receptor antagonist, in SRC Bosentan in Renal Disease-1 (BIRD-1).
Serum levels of ET-1 were measured in healthy controls (n = 20) or systemic sclerosis (SSc) (n = 80) with or without SRC, including cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Renal biopsies (n = 27) from patients with SRC were stained for endothelin ligand and receptors. Six cases of SRC received 6 months bosentan. Outcome measures were compared with SRC cases managed at our centre from 2000 to 2004 (n = 49).
Serum ET-1 was elevated in SRC but less than in PAH. ET-1 and both endothelin A and endothelin B receptor expression was increased in SRC biopsies in glomeruli, interstitium and hallmark vascular lesions of SRC. In the BIRD-1 cohort, serum ET-1 was elevated in all cases at SRC (median healthy controls 0.50 pg/ml; SRC 1.48 pg/ml; P < 0.0005), and increased further with bosentan therapy (1.46 vs. 3.05 pg/ml; t-test P < 0.05). Bosentan was well tolerated with no significant drug-related serious adverse events and long-term outcomes were favourable compared with historic cases. Three patients developed rebound hypertension on withdrawal of bosentan and one appeared to further benefit from maintenance therapy.
Upregulation of ET-1 ligand axis suggests that ET-1 receptor blockade is logical and treatment with bosentan appears to be safe in SRC. Future studies to assess therapeutic benefit and compare selective or non-selective receptor antagonists are justified.
The current research work aims to provide knowledge about the diversity of spiders' fauna and their occurrence throughout the year from District Charsadda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Research data ...were collected from March-2015 to January-2017 from seven different localities of Charsadda District by using the camera, bottle, plastic bags, paraffin films, field book and 70% of ethylene alcohol and 20% of glycerine were used as chemicals. By using special identification keys, spiders were differentiated into families, genera and species. During the study time, a total of 2734 specimens of spiders were collected belonging from 35 genera, 15 families and 44 species were identified. Salticidae was the dominant family according to genera studied plus spiders samples numbers collected with 10 genera and 616 species specimens count. The high occurrence of spiders was studied during July. The result of the current study also shows a reduction of spider's species in December due to lowering the temperature. The current study shows that Salticidae were the dominant family as capered to other species. The occurrence of spiders species greatly depends on changing the weather condition. The present study also shows great fluctuation in spider's occurrence with changing of hot climate to colder during the study duration. Moreover, the wet season plays a great role in spiders' population increase and growth.
Chiral nematic mesoporous phenol‐formaldehyde resins, which were prepared using cellulose nanocrystals as a template, can be used as a substrate to produce latent photonic images. These resins ...undergo swelling, which changes their reflected color. By writing on the films with chemical inks, the density of methylol groups in the resin changes, subsequently affecting their degree of swelling and, consequently, their color. Writing on the films gives latent images that are revealed only upon swelling of the films. Using inkjet printing, it is possible to make higher resolution photonic patterns both as text and images that can be visualized by swelling and erased by drying. This novel approach to printing photonic patterns in resin films may be applied to anti‐counterfeit tags, signage, and decorative applications.
Printing photonic patterns made easy: Using chemical “inks”, latent photonic patterns were written onto chiral nematic mesoporous‐resin films. The patterns are invisible in the dry films, but emerge upon swelling. Inkjet printing of the resin films afforded high‐resolution photonic patterns that can be revealed upon swelling and erased by drying, making them suitable for anti‐counterfeiting applications.
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