Methotrexate hepatotoxicity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND Increases in aminotransferases (transaminitis) are potential major adverse reactions seen with long-term use of methotrexate (MTX). The aim of this study, therefore was to evaluate the incidence of MTX induced hepatotoxicity and its risk factors among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS This retrospective study described 286 patients with RA who received ≥ 7.5 mg MTX weekly in an academic rheumatology clinic over a 15 year period. The results of serial liver function tests, concurrent MTX dose, cumulative dose and use of hepatotoxic drugs were collected and statistically analyzed according to a consecutive elevation in aminotransferases which occurred over at least a two week interval. RESULTS During the study period, 286 patients (84.4% female) with mean age of 46.6±12.7 years (18-84 years) were enrolled. Transaminitis occurred among 23.7% of patients (incidence: 6.9 per 100 person-years) during 40.5±34.6 month's exposure to MTX (989.6 person-years). The time difference between onset of therapy and occurrence of transaminitis was 22.1±22.0 months. The only significant factor related to the occurrence of transaminitis was the duration of MTX therapy. The average duration of treatment among patients with transaminitis (59.6±42.3 months) was greater than those with no transaminitis (p<0.001). The cumulative dose of MTX was significantly related to the occurrence of transaminitis (p<0.001). CONCLUSION MTX hepatotoxicity is a common complication of long-term treatment with MTX. It is associated with mild liver enzyme elevation and related to the duration of therapy

Multimodal Magnetic Resonance and Near-Infrared-Fluorescent Imaging of Intraperitoneal Ovarian Cancer Using a Dual-Mode-Dual-Gadolinium Liposomal Contrast Agent.

The degree of tumor removal at surgery is a major factor in predicting outcome for ovarian cancer. A single multimodality agent that can be used with magnetic resonance (MR) for staging and pre-surgical planning, and with optical imaging to aid surgical removal of tumors, would present a new paradigm for ovarian cancer. We assessed whether a dual-mode, dual-Gadolinium (DM-Dual-Gd-ICG) contrast agent can be used to visualize ovarian tumors in the peritoneal cavity by multimodal MR and near infra-red imaging (NIR). Intraperitoneal ovarian tumors (Hey-A8 or OVCAR3) in mice enhanced on MR two days after intravenous DM-Dual Gd-ICG injection compared to controls (SNR, CNR, p < 0.05, n = 6). As seen on open abdomen and excised tumors views and confirmed by optical radiant efficiency measurement, Hey-A8 or OVCAR3 tumors from animals injected with DM-Dual Gd-ICG had increased fluorescence (p < 0.05, n = 6). This suggests clinical potential to localize ovarian tumors by MR for staging and surgical planning, and, by NIR at surgery for resection

Experimental realization of the Yang-Baxter Equation via NMR interferometry

The Yang-Baxter equation is an important tool in theoretical physics, with many applications in different domains that span from condensed matter to string theory. Recently, the interest on the equation has increased due to its connection to quantum information processing. It has been shown that the Yang-Baxter equation is closely related to quantum entanglement and quantum computation. Therefore, owing to the broad relevance of this equation, besides theoretical studies, it also became significant to pursue its experimental implementation. Here, we show an experimental realization of the Yang-Baxter equation and verify its validity through a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) interferometric setup. Our experiment was performed on a liquid state Iodotrifluoroethylene sample which contains molecules with three qubits. We use Controlled-transfer gates that allow us to build a pseudo-pure state from which we are able to apply a quantum information protocol that implements the Yang-Baxter equation.Comment: 10 pages and 6 figure

Non-Invasive Photoacoustic Imaging of In Vivo Mice with Erythrocyte Derived Optical Nanoparticles to Detect CAD/MI.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) causes mortality and morbidity worldwide. We used near-infrared erythrocyte-derived transducers (NETs), a contrast agent, in combination with a photoacoustic imaging system to identify the locations of atherosclerotic lesions and occlusion due to myocardial-infarction (MI). NETs (≈90 nm diameter) were fabricated from hemoglobin-depleted mice erythrocyte-ghosts and doped with Indocyanine Green (ICG). Ten weeks old male C57BL/6 mice (n = 9) underwent left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation to mimic vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and their rupture leading to MI. 150 µL of NETs (20 µM ICG,) was IV injected via tail vein 1-hour prior to photoacoustic (PA) and fluorescence in vivo imaging by exciting NETs at 800 nm and 650 nm, respectively. These results were verified with histochemical analysis. We observed ≈256-fold higher PA signal from the accumulated NETs in the coronary artery above the ligation. Fluorescence signals were detected in LAD coronary, thymus, and liver. Similar signals were observed when the chest was cut open. Atherosclerotic lesions exhibited inflammatory cells. Liver demonstrated normal portal tract, with no parenchymal necrosis, inflammation, fibrosis, or other pathologic changes, suggesting biocompatibility of NETs. Non-invasively detecting atherosclerotic plaques and stenosis using NETs may lay a groundwork for future clinical detection and improving CAD risk assessment

“Is More Better?”:Impact of Multiple Photos on Perception of Persona Profiles

In this research, we investigate if and how more photos than a single headshot can heighten the level of information provided by persona profiles. We conduct eye-tracking experiments and qualitative interviews with variations in the photos: a single headshot, a headshot and images of the persona in different contexts, and a headshot with pictures of different people representing key persona attributes. The results show that more contextual photos significantly improve the information end users derive from a persona profile; however, showing images of different people creates confusion and lowers the informativeness. Moreover, we discover that choice of pictures results in various interpretations of the persona that are biased by the end users' experiences and preconceptions. The results imply that persona creators should consider the design power of photos when creating persona profiles

Histochemistry and anatomy of phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) nodosities on young roots of grapevine (Vitis spp).

Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae FITCH) induce galls (nodosities) on young grapevine roots. Histological and histochemical methods were applied to study the gall's morphology and enzyme activities (peroxidases, leucine aminopeptidases and acidic phosphatases). Susceptible V. vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon was compared to the resistant rootstock 5 BB (V. berlandieri x V. riparia) using aseptic dual culture conditions. The gall induction phase was analyzed before visible signs of potential resistance responses were detected. Elevated metabolic activity has been found in nodosities compared to uninfected roots. Starch granule incorporation was detected in young galls and was highest at the feeding site. As galls mature, the starch density decreased at the feeding site and increased towards the periphery of the gall. Peroxidase, acidic phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase activities were highest at the incision. No differences in enzyme activities could be detected between the two cultivars tested.

A genetic polymorphism in the CYP1B1 gene in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: an Iranian Mashhad cohort study recruited over 10 years

Background: Esophageal-cancer is the seventh most common-cause of cancer-related-deaths in men. Cytochrome-P450-family-1-subfamily-B-polypeptide-1 (CYP1B1) plays a role in the metabolism of xenobiotics, and is associated with several cancers. Here we investigated the association between a genetic-variant, CYP1B1-rs1056836, with the clinical-characteristics of patients with esophagus-squamous-cell-carcinoma (ESCC). Method: 117-patients with ESCC and 208 healthy-subjects were recruited. DNA was extracted and genotyped. Kaplan-Meier curves were utilized to assess overall and progression-free survival. The relationship between clinicopathological-data, disease-prognosis, and survival, were evaluated with the genotypes. Results: the genotypic frequency for GG, GC, and CC were 58.6%, 29.8%, 11.5% respectively in the healthy subjects and 51.8%, 36.14% and 12% in the ESCC group. An association between the GG genotype and stage of ESCC was found. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a relationship between the CYP1B1-rs1056836 genetic polymorphism and clinical features of ESCC, supporting further studies in larger-populations in different-ethnic groups, taking into account potentially important environmental-factors

Dynamic Pricing:An Efficient Solution for True Demand Response Enabling

A dynamic pricing scheme, also known as real-time pricing (RTP), can be more efficient and technically beneficial than the other price-based schemes (such as flat-rate or time-of-use pricing) for enabling demand response (DR) actions. Over the past few years, the advantages of RTP-based schemes have been extensively discussed for DR purposes in electricity markets; however, they have not been proven mathematically according to a valid economics-based model. Instead, most of the related literature has only relied on observations and experiences in the markets of other commodities. Thus, to provide a reliable reference point based on mathematical models, this paper utilizes well-known economic theories and mathematical formulations to prove the impact of RTP on true enabling of DR actions in electricity markets. Based on the theory of saving under uncertainty, it is shown that the use of dynamic pricing can lead to increased willingness of consumers to participate in DR programs which in turn improve the operation of liberalized electricity markets

Modelling different penetration rates of automated eco-driving electric vehicles in an urban area

Eco-driving strategies have proven to be effective in providing energy savings for the vehicle that is utilising them. This paper explores the underinvestigated impact of eco-driving vehicles on other network participants adhering to conventional driving styles. An eco-driving strategy designed for an electric vehicle that trades off energy savings with naturalistic driving without relying on vehicle-to-infrastructure or vehicle-to-vehicle communication is extended using Gaussian Process Regression for real-time predictive speed optimization. It enables the assessment of its network effects in two scenarios: 1) a platoon and 2) an urban network simulation with mixed-mode traffic and varying demand levels. Initial validation involves an eco-driving vehicle responding to a platoon leader, influencing following vehicles governed by the Intelligent Driver Model (IDM). Further analysis introduces eco-vehicles into an IDM-governed network under different traffic conditions. Energy savings of up to 21% were achieved in cars following a vehicle that prioritises energy savings and, of up to 13% if they followed a vehicle that attempts to balance energy savings and conventional driving style. In the urban scenario, positive effects on other users are observed in high density traffic even if only a small number of eco-vehicles are present in the network. The largest energy savings achieved in conventional vehicles were 5.1% and were obtained for highdensity traffic and a network consisting of 25% of eco-vehicles