A study was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus from August to December in 2005 and repeated between March and July, 2006 to evaluate the response of ...maize (Zea mays) to liquid organic fertilizer. The study was conducted using a split plot fitted into randomized complete block design. Liquid organic fertilizer was diluted at the rate of 60 ml of the product to 15 litres of water and applied to maize foliage, topsoil, foliage and topsoil at the rates of 5l/ha, 10l/ha, 151/ha, l8l/ha, 201/ha and 251/ha. The result obtained indicated a positive influence of liquid organic fertilizer on time of tasselling, time of silking and grain yield of maize. Liquid organic fertilizer significantly reduced the times of tasselling and silking, and increased grain yield of maize. Based on this study, it is recommended that 151/ha of liquid organic fertilizer which produced 5.6tha' in 2005 and 6.1tha' of dry grain yield 2006 be applied on the topsoil of maize plant with a view to maximally exploit the great economic potentials of the crop.
Mediastinal fibrosis is an uncommon disease involving the esophagus, respiratory tract, and great vessels. We report a man who presented with dyspnea on exertion. Computed tomography of the chest ...demonstrated granulomatous disease with dense calcifications leading to severe stenosis of the main pulmonary artery (PA) and narrowing of the superior vena cava. The results of tuberculosis (TB) interferon-γ release assay and TB-polymerase chain reaction were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient received 2 weeks of treatment for latent TB before undergoing resection of fibrotic tissue and replacement of the main and branch PAs using a homograft.
Inhibitor formation is a major complication of haemophilia treatment. In a prevalent case–control study, we evaluated blood product exposure, genotype and HLA type on haemophilia A inhibitor ...formation. Product exposure was extracted from medical records. Genotype was determined on stored DNA samples by detection of virtually all mutations‐SSCP (DOVAM‐S) and subcycling PCR. HLA typing was performed by PCR amplification and exonuclease‐released fluorescence. Cases experienced higher intensity factor, 455 vs. 200 U per exposure, P < 0.005, more frequent central nervous system (CNS) bleeding, seven of 20 (35.0%) vs. one of 57 (1.7%), P = 0.001 and more commonly from inhibitor families, seven of 20 (35.0%) vs. zero of 57 (0%), P < 0.001, and African‐American, 12 of 63 (19.0%) vs. six of 117 (5.1%), P = 0.015. Among the latter, CNS bleeding was more commonly the initial bleed, 60% vs. 0%, P < 0.001, and survival was shorter, 14 vs. 38 yr, P = 0.025. Inhibitor formation was uncommon in those with missense mutations, two of 65 (3.1%) vs. 31 of 119 (26.0%), P = 0.008, and unrelated to factor VIII immunogenic epitope, P = 0.388, or HLA type, P > 0.100. Genotype was not associated with race. Time to immune tolerance was shorter for titres <120 vs. ≥120 BU/mL, six vs. 16 months, P < 0.01, but unaffected by tolerizing dose regimen, P > 0.50. Inhibitor formation is associated with high intensity product exposure, CNS bleeding, African‐American race and low frequency of missense mutations. The ideal time to initiate prophylaxis to reduce CNS bleeding and inhibitor formation will require prospective studies.
This study sought to evaluate the clinical relevance of potential clopidogrel drug-drug interactions.
Some studies have demonstrated that statins and calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) may attenuate the ...pharmacodynamic effects of clopidogrel.
The TRITON-TIMI 38 (Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With Prasugrel-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 38) enrolled 13,608 patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and randomized them to clopidogrel or prasugrel. Use of a statin or CCB was left to the discretion of the treating physician. A multivariable Cox model with propensity score was employed to evaluate the association between statin or CCB use and clinical outcomes.
Of the 6,795 subjects assigned to clopidogrel, 4,794 (70.6%) were on a CYP3A4-metabolized statin, and 966 (14.2%) were on a CCB at randomization. The risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke was similar regardless of baseline use of statins (adjusted hazard ratio HR: 1.02, 95% confidence interval CI: 0.85 to 1.22) or CCBs (adjusted HR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.43) in clopidogrel-treated patients. Further, the combined use of a CCB and atorvastatin 80 mg daily (adjusted HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.84), or a CCB, statin, and proton pump inhibitor (adjusted HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.54) were not associated with an increased risk of CV death, MI, or stroke. The use of statins or CCBs did not modify the relative efficacy of prasugrel versus clopidogrel for the primary endpoint (p for interaction = 0.43, 0.55, respectively).
In patients with ACS undergoing PCI, the use of statins or CCBs was not associated with an increased risk of CV events in clopidogrel-treated patients. Consistent results were observed when the drugs were administered alone, together, or in combination with proton pump inhibitors.
Objectives This study sought to evaluate the clinical relevance of potential clopidogrel drug–drug interactions. Background Some studies have demonstrated that statins and calcium-channel blockers ...(CCBs) may attenuate the pharmacodynamic effects of clopidogrel. Methods The TRITON–TIMI 38 (Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With Prasugrel–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 38) enrolled 13,608 patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and randomized them to clopidogrel or prasugrel. Use of a statin or CCB was left to the discretion of the treating physician. A multivariable Cox model with propensity score was employed to evaluate the association between statin or CCB use and clinical outcomes. Results Of the 6,795 subjects assigned to clopidogrel, 4,794 (70.6%) were on a CYP3A4-metabolized statin, and 966 (14.2%) were on a CCB at randomization. The risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke was similar regardless of baseline use of statins (adjusted hazard ratio HR: 1.02, 95% confidence interval CI: 0.85 to 1.22) or CCBs (adjusted HR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.43) in clopidogrel-treated patients. Further, the combined use of a CCB and atorvastatin 80 mg daily (adjusted HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.84), or a CCB, statin, and proton pump inhibitor (adjusted HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.54) were not associated with an increased risk of CV death, MI, or stroke. The use of statins or CCBs did not modify the relative efficacy of prasugrel versus clopidogrel for the primary endpoint (p for interaction = 0.43, 0.55, respectively). Conclusions In patients with ACS undergoing PCI, the use of statins or CCBs was not associated with an increased risk of CV events in clopidogrel-treated patients. Consistent results were observed when the drugs were administered alone, together, or in combination with proton pump inhibitors.
A workshop entitled "Building a funded research program in cancer health disparities" was held at the 38th Annual American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) Meeting. Organized by the Junior ...Members Interest Group, the session addressed topics relevant to career development for cancer disparities investigators. Such considerations include the development of research programs on a backdrop of existing multi- and transdisciplinary teams, recognizing opportunities for advancing their research, given the growth of consortia-related research, and development of effective community-based partnerships. Key strategies for developing a sustainable career in cancer health disparities in the current environment include the need to effectively engage with communities, appreciate the value of team science and develop cross-discipline collaborations, and navigate the use and utility of consortia for disparities research. Academic considerations related to earning tenure and promotion that may be faced by the junior investigator in cancer health disparities were also discussed. This report may serve to both educate and provide lessons for early-stage investigators who wish to tackle complex scientific questions while developing their careers in cancer health disparities.
The (HER2/Neu) ErbB2 oncogene is commonly overexpressed in human breast cancer and is sufficient for mammary tumorigenesis in transgenic mice. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity is increased in both ...human and murine breast tumors. The immune response to mammary tumorigenesis may regulate tumor progression. The role of endogenous mammary epithelial cell NF-κB had not previously been determined in immune-competent animals. Furthermore, the role of the NF-κB components, p50 and p65, in tumor growth was not known. Herein, the expression of a stabilized form of the NF-κB-inhibiting IκBα protein (IκBαSR) in breast tumor cell lines that express oncogenic ErbB2 inhibited DNA synthesis and growth in both two- and three-dimensional cultures. Either NF-κB inhibition or selective silencing of p50 or p65 led to a loss of contact-independent tumor growth in vitro . IκBαSR reversed the features of the oncogene-induced phenotype under three-dimensional growth conditions. The NF-κB blockade inhibited ErbB2-induced mammary tumor growth in both immune-competent and immune-deficient mice. These findings were associated with both reduced tumor microvascular density and a reduction in the amount of vascular endothelial growth factor. The expression of IκBαSR in breast cancer tumors inhibited angiogenesis. Thus, mammary epithelial cell NF-κB activity enhances ErbB2-mediated mammary tumorigenesis in vivo by promoting both growth and survival signaling via the promotion of tumor vasculogenesis.