-
1.
A Review of Zinc-L-Carnosine and Its Positive Effects on Oral Mucositis, Taste Disorders, and Gastrointestinal Disorders.
Hewlings, S, Kalman, D
Nutrients. 2020;(3)
Abstract
Zinc-L-carnosine (ZnC), also called polaprezinc known as PepZin GI™, is a chelated compound that contains L-carnosine and zinc. It is a relatively new molecule and has been associated with multiple health benefits. There are several studies that support ZnC's benefits in restoring the gastric lining, healing other parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, improving taste disorders, improving GI disorders, and enhancing skin and liver. Oral mucositis is a common complication of cytotoxic radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. It occurs in almost every person with head and neck cancer who receive radiotherapy. It is often overlooked because it is not considered life threatening. However, mucositis often leads to a decreased quality of life and cessation of treatment, ultimately decreasing positive outcomes. Therefore, solutions to address it should be considered. The primary mechanisms of action are thought to be localized and related to ZnC's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to discuss the research related to ZnC and to explore its benefits, especially in the management of conditions related to damaged epithelial cells, such as oral mucositis. Evidence supports the safety and efficacy of ZnC for the maintenance, prevention, and treatment of the mucosal lining and other epithelial tissues. The research supports its use for gastric ulcers (approved in Japan) and conditions of the upper GI and suggests other applications, particularly for oral mucositis.
-
2.
Contrast circulation in adult fontan patients using MR Time Resolved Angiography: Application for CT pulmonary angiography.
Duerden, L, Abdullah, H, Lyen, S, Manghat, N, Hamilton, M
Journal of cardiovascular computed tomography. 2020;(4):330-334
Abstract
BACKGROUND When patients with Fontan circulation require a computed tomographic pulmonary angiogram (CTPA), there are significant challenges in achieving adequate contrast opacification due to the altered anatomical connections. This study used Time Resolved Angiography with Interleaved Stochastic Trajectories (TWIST) Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) to examine contrast circulation in a cohort of patients with Fontan circulation who were having routine MRI follow up to inform the contrast timing of any subsequent CT. METHODS This is a single centre, cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study. The time to peak (TTP) signal intensity from the MRA was recorded using regions of interest on the aorta, pulmonary arteries, cavae and Fontan conduit. Patients were grouped by ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain, indexed stroke volume and cardiac index to examine if these cardiac performance parameters affected the mean TTP. Statistical analysis was performed to find the mean TTP for each of the vessels, which was consequently compared between the different cardiac performance parameters. RESULTS 35 patients were included in the study. Mean TTP contrast enhancement was 31s in the thoracic aorta, 46s in the right pulmonary artery, 41s in the left pulmonary artery and 55s in the Fontan conduit. Cardiac performance shows no statistically significant relationship to the peak contrast enhancement whether measured by ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain, stroke volume index or cardiac index. CONCLUSION The mean optimal timing for a single-phase examination of the Fontan circulation, following an upper limb injection, was 55 s following start of contrast injection irrespective of cardiac performance. In TWIST MRA, the IV bolus is 4-5 s duration. A longer bolus is required for CTA, around 20s, suggesting an additional delay will be required. We propose that an optimal single phase CTPA to be protocolled at 70 s following the start of contrast injection, assuming adequate iodinated contrast dose.
-
3.
Pre-dialysis serum creatinine as an independent predictor of responsiveness to zinc supplementation among patients on hemodialysis.
Okamoto, T, Hatakeyama, S, Togashi, K, Hamaya, T, Tanaka, Y, Imanishi, K, Takashima, T, Saitoh, F, Suzuki, T, Ohyama, C
Clinical and experimental nephrology. 2020;(10):955-962
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate whether pre-dialysis level of serum creatinine (SCre) could indicate the responsiveness to zinc supplementation of patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the results of our previous randomized study of 91 patients who had been on MHD and received zinc supplementation with either zinc acetate hydrate (ZAH; zinc, 50 mg/day) or polaprezinc (PPZ; zinc, 34 mg/day). A late response to zinc supplementation was defined as a serum zinc level of < 80 μg/dL three months after the study began. Patients were divided into two groups: late response (serum zinc level < 80 μg/dL) and early response (serum zinc level ≥ 80 μg/dL). Factors independently associated with a late response to zinc supplementation were determined using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) multivariate logistic analysis. RESULTS Of 91 patients, 86 continued to receive zinc supplementation after three months. The mean pre-dialysis SCre level was 10.0 mg/dL. The number of patients with a late response and response to zinc supplementation was 32 and 54, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between the pre-dialysis SCre and the Δserum zinc change for 3 months. (r = - 0.284, P = 0.008). IPTW multivariate analysis showed that a pre-dialysis SCre level ≥ 10.0 mg/dL (odds ratio, 3.71; 95% confidence interval; 1.24-11.1, P = 0.022) was an independent factor associated with a late response to zinc supplementation. CONCLUSIONS Pre-dialysis SCre level was independently associated with responsiveness to zinc supplementation after three months in patients on MHD.
-
4.
A Randomized Trial Comparing the Bowel Cleansing Efficacy of Sodium Picosulfate/Magnesium Citrate and Polyethylene Glycol/Bisacodyl (The Bowklean Study).
Hung, SY, Chen, HC, Chen, WT
Scientific reports. 2020;(1):5604
Abstract
Bowel cleansing is essential for a successful colonoscopy, but the ideal clearing agent and the volume have yet to be determined. A small-volume cleanser is important for patient compliance. This study aimed to compare the bowel cleansing efficacy, safety, tolerability, and acceptability of a 300-mL small-volume sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate (PSMC) preparation-Bowklean with one 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG)/bisacodyl-Klean-Prep/Dulcolax preparation under identical dietary recommendations. This multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, pre-specified noninferiority study enrolled 631 outpatients scheduled to undergo colonoscopy (Bowklean = 316 and Klean-Prep/Dulcolax = 315). After bowel preparation, an independent evaluator blinded to the subject's treatment allocation rated the quality of the colon cleansing. Efficacy was evaluated using the Aronchick Scale and Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OPBS). Safety was assessed by monitoring adverse events. Tolerability and acceptability were measured via a patient questionnaire. Bowklean was non-interior to Klean-Prep/Dulcolax in overall colon cleansing but was associated with significantly better preparation quality. Notably, Bowklean was associated with significantly greater tolerability and acceptability of bowel preparations than Klean-Prep/Dulcolax. Safety profiles did not differ significantly between the groups. Our data indicate that Bowklean is a more effective and better-tolerated bowel cleansing preparation before colonoscopy than Klean-Prep/Dulcolax. Bowklean may therefore increase positive attitudes toward colonoscopies and participation rates.
-
5.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Glyphosate Detection in Water by an Europium Luminescent Complex and Effective Adsorption by HKUST-1 and IRMOF-3.
Galaço, ARBS, Jesus, LT, Freire, RO, de Oliveira, M, Serra, OA
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2020;(36):9664-9672
Abstract
Designing an effective and simple detection method to quantify glyphosate (GLY) herbicide is desirable. Current chromatography-mass spectrometry and electrochemical methods can be used for this purpose, but these methods are difficult to be made portable and need high-cost equipment. Here, we evaluate a luminescent β-diketonate-Eu-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid complex for GLY quantification in aqueous media on the basis of the luminescent quenching process. This complex successfully measured GLY at concentrations ranging from 5 × 10-7 to 10-5 mol L-1. Theoretical methods (LUMPAC) are also performed to identify the complex most probable structure in solution. We also demonstrate that the metal-organic frameworks HKUST-1 and IRMOF-3, easily synthesized, effectively adsorb GLY in water in about 30 min of contact.
-
6.
Efficacy of quadruple regimen with polaprezinc for gastric Helicobacter pylori infection eradication: protocol for a single-centre, single-blind, non-inferiority, randomised clinical trial.
Wu, D, Sun, Z, Li, T, Tan, Q, Sun, Y, Chen, T, Liu, Y, Li, J, Jiang, H, Yuan, Z, et al
BMJ open. 2020;(11):e037182
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most well-known risk factor for gastric cancer. At present, H. pylori shows varying levels of resistance to different treatments, leading to a lower rate of H. pylori eradication. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of polaprezinc-containing quadruple therapy (PQT) for the eradication of H. pylori infection and, thus, to provide more evidence to inform the clinical treatment of H. pylori infection in China. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a single-centre, single-blind, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial, enrolling 158 patients with H. pylori infection. Patients are randomised (1:1) to the two groups for a 14-day therapy. Treatment group: PQT (esomeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg, polaprezinc 75 mg) two times per day; control group: bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (esomeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg, bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg) two times per day. The primary outcome is the rate of H. pylori eradication. Secondary outcomes are the incidence of adverse events and the gastrointestinal microbiota distribution. The 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) next-generation sequencing (NGS) is used to evaluate the effect of two different therapies on the distribution of the gastrointestinal microbiota. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Sichuan Cancer Center & Hospital (No. SCCHEC-02-2019-015). Any amendment to the research protocol will be submitted for ethical approval. All participants must provide informed consent. On completion, the results of the study will be published in the appropriate peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ChiCTR1900025800; preresults.
-
7.
The odyssey of cobaloximes for catalytic H2 production and their recent revival with enzyme-inspired design.
Dolui, D, Khandelwal, S, Majumder, P, Dutta, A
Chemical communications (Cambridge, England). 2020;(59):8166-8181
Abstract
Cobaloxime complexes gained attention for their intrinsic ability of catalytic H2 production despite their initial emergence as a vitamin B12 model. The simple, robust, and synthetically manoeuvrable cobaloxime core represents a model catalyst molecule for the investigation of optimal conditions for both photo- and electrocatalytic H2 production catalytic assemblies. Cobaloxime is one of the rare catalysts that finds equal applications in the analysis of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic conditions. However, the poor aqueous solubility and long-term instability of cobaloximes have severely impeded their growth. Lately, interest in the cobaloxime-based catalysts has been resuscitated with the rational use of extended enzymatic features. This unique enzyme-inspired catalyst design strategy has instigated the formation of a new genre of cobaloxime molecules that exhibit enhanced photo- and electrocatalytic H2 evolution with improved aqueous and air stability.
-
8.
BRAzil magnesium (BRAMAG) trial: a double-masked randomized clinical trial of oral magnesium supplementation in pregnancy.
de Araújo, CAL, Ray, JG, Figueiroa, JN, Alves, JG
BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2020;(1):234
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is conflicting evidence about the role of oral magnesium supplementation in the prevention of preterm birth and related adverse outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare magnesium citrate with placebo in the prevention of adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes among women at higher risk. METHODS This multicenter, double-masked, placebo-controlled randomized superiority clinical trial compared oral magnesium citrate 300 mg to matched placebo, from 12 to 20 weeks' gestation until delivery. This trial was completed in three centers in northeastern Brazil. Eligible women were those with a singleton pregnancy and ≥ 1 risk factor, such as prior preterm birth or preeclampsia, or current chronic hypertension or pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus, age > 35 years or elevated body mass index. The primary perinatal composite outcome comprised preterm birth < 37 weeks' gestation, stillbirth > 20 weeks, neonatal death or NICU admission < 28 days after birth, or small for gestational age birthweight < 3rd percentile. The co-primary maternal composite outcome comprised preeclampsia or eclampsia < 37 weeks, severe gestational hypertension < 37 weeks, placental abruption, or maternal stroke or death during pregnancy or ≤ 7 days after delivery. RESULTS Analyses comprised 407 women who received magnesium citrate and 422 who received placebo. The perinatal composite outcome occurred among 75 (18.4%) in the magnesium arm and 76 (18.0%) in the placebo group - an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.10 (95% CI 0.72-1.68). The maternal composite outcome occurred among 49 (12.0%) women in the magnesium arm and 41 women (9.7%) in the placebo group - an aOR of 1.29 (95% CI 0.83-2.00). CONCLUSIONS Oral magnesium citrate supplementation did not appear to reduce adverse perinatal or maternal outcomes in high-risk singleton pregnancies. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02032186, registered January 9, 2014.
-
9.
Prostate Cancer Nodal Staging: Using Deep Learning to Predict 68Ga-PSMA-Positivity from CT Imaging Alone.
Hartenstein, A, Lübbe, F, Baur, ADJ, Rudolph, MM, Furth, C, Brenner, W, Amthauer, H, Hamm, B, Makowski, M, Penzkofer, T
Scientific reports. 2020;(1):3398
Abstract
Lymphatic spread determines treatment decisions in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT can be performed, although cost remains high and availability is limited. Therefore, computed tomography (CT) continues to be the most used modality for PCa staging. We assessed if convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can be trained to determine 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT-lymph node status from CT alone. In 549 patients with 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging, 2616 lymph nodes were segmented. Using PET as a reference standard, three CNNs were trained. Training sets balanced for infiltration status, lymph node location and additionally, masked images, were used for training. CNNs were evaluated using a separate test set and performance was compared to radiologists' assessments and random forest classifiers. Heatmaps maps were used to identify the performance determining image regions. The CNNs performed with an Area-Under-the-Curve of 0.95 (status balanced) and 0.86 (location balanced, masked), compared to an AUC of 0.81 of experienced radiologists. Interestingly, CNNs used anatomical surroundings to increase their performance, "learning" the infiltration probabilities of anatomical locations. In conclusion, CNNs have the potential to build a well performing CT-based biomarker for lymph node metastases in PCa, with different types of class balancing strongly affecting CNN performance.
-
10.
Probing the structures, electronic and bonding properties of multidecker lanthanides: Neutral and anionic Lnn(COT)m (Ln = Ce, Nd, Eu, Ho and Yb; n, m = 1, 2) complexes.
Shao, P, Ding, LP, Luo, DB, Lu, C
Journal of molecular graphics & modelling. 2019;:226-234
Abstract
The ground state structures of neutral and anionic Lnn(COT)m (Ln = Ce, Nd, Eu, Ho and Yb; n, m = 1, 2) complexes have been identified by density functional theory. Ln(COT)1,20/- and Ln2(COT)20/- complexes are found to possess sandwich ground state structures in which Ln atoms and COT molecules are alternately stacked except for Nd2COT20/-. Our calculated AEA and VDE values show good agreement with the available experimental values, which validates that our obtained ground state structures are credible. Based on the frontier molecular orbitals, we find that the bond formation between the 4f electrons of Ln atoms and the π clouds of COT molecules is weak. Then, the bond strength within these complexes is further analyzed based on the topological analysis of electron density at bond critical point. By analyzing Hirshfeld charge, we find Lnn(COT)m0/- are charge-transfer complexes with weak bonding feature.