OBJECTIVE

To implement and assess the effectiveness of the Strathclyde Computerized Randomized Interactive Prescription Tutor (SCRIPT) in teaching a competency-based undergraduate pharmacy course.

METHODS

Data on students' access to SCRIPT, collected by quantitative electronic data capture, were analyzed to determine student usage patterns and correlations between usage and grades in class assessments. Data on students' perceptions were collected by electronic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Teaching staff members also were interviewed.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-three students accessed SCRIPT a median of 23 times each. Students accessed SCRIPT predominantly at times outside normal teaching hours and tended to access the tool more often in the 48 hours preceding class assessments. Feedback from students indicated overall satisfaction with the tool to compliment the timetabled teaching sessions but highlighted that more specific feedback on the examples was required. All staff comments were positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Students and teaching staff members valued SCRIPT as a tool to compliment teaching of the competency-based pharmacy practice classes in the MPharm degree. Future developments of SCRIPT will include expanded feedback for students, the capability to link the release of each SCRIPT exercise with the date the content is taught in class, and additional tools to facilitate "just in time" teaching.

Groups of nymphs and adults of Hyalomma rufipes and larvae, nymphs and adults of Amblyomma variegatum were infected by intracoelomic inoculation with Congo virus at concentrations of 10(3.5)LD50 (Group A), 10(1.5)LD50 (Group B) and 10(0.5)LD50 (Group C). The infection rates for the different groups were: Groups A, 92-100% for all stages of ticks, except for adult H. rufipes which had 87%; Group B, 56.8, 68.1 and 50.7% for larvae, nymphs and adults of A. variegatum, respectively, and 96.3 and 84.4% for nymphs and adults of H. rufipes, respectively; Group C, 0% for larvae, nymphs and adults of A. variegatum and 8 and 1.7%, respectively, for nymphs and adult adult of H. rufipes. The 1-5% infection threshold was 10(0.5)LD50 for nymphs of H. rufipes and a dose greater than this for all the other stages of the two species of ticks. The 50% infection threshold was 10(1.5)LD50 for larvae and adults of A. variegatum, but less than 10(1.5)LD50 for nymphs of A. variegatum and nymphs and adults of H. rufipes. Peak virus titres obtained for H. rufipes were 10(6.0) for Group A and B nymphs and 10(3.0) for Group A and B adults, and 10(1.0) each for Group C nymphs and adults. For A. variegatum, the peak titres for Groups A, B and C were, respectively, 10(1.0), 10(0.8), and 0 for nymphs and 10(1.5), 10(0.6) and 0 for adults. Sera from 100% (24/24) of rabbits used to feed adult H. rufipes and from 65% (31/48) used to feed nymphs and adult A. variegatum were positive for compliment fixation antibody to Congo virus at a titre of 1:8 from Days 15-35 postattachment of ticks. Viremia in rabbit was detected in 12.5% (3/25) of rabbits used to feed adult H. rufipes.

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic vaginal discharge is a common gynecological condition managed syndromically in most developing countries. In Zimbabwe, women presenting with symptomatic vaginal discharge are treated with empirical regimens that commonly cover both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections, typically including a combination of an intramuscular injection of kanamycin, and oral doxycycline and metronidazole regimens. This study was conducted to determine the current etiology of symptomatic vaginal discharge and assess adequacy of current syndromic management guidelines.

METHODS

We enrolled 200 women with symptomatic vaginal discharge presenting at 6 STI clinics in Zimbabwe. Microscopy was used to detect bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection. Nucleic acid amplifications tests were used to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium. In addition, serologic testing was performed to detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

RESULTS

Of the 200 women, 146 (73%) had an etiology detected, including bacterial vaginosis (24.7%); N. gonorrhoeae (24.0%); yeast infection (20.7%); T. vaginalis (19.0%); C. trachomatis (14.0%) and M. genitalium (7.0%). Among women with STIs (N = 90), 62 (68.9%) had a single infection, 18 (20.0%) had a dual infection, and 10 (11.1%) had 3 infections.Of 158 women who consented to HIV testing, 64 (40.5%) were HIV infected.The syndromic management regimen covered 115 (57.5%) of the women in the sample who had gonorrhea, chlamydia, M. genitalium, or bacterial vaginosis, whereas 85 (42.5%) of women were treated without such diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Among women presenting with symptomatic vaginal discharge, bacterial vaginosis was the most common etiology, and gonorrhea was the most frequently detected STI. The current syndromic management algorithm is suboptimal for coverage of women presenting with symptomatic vaginal discharge; addition of point of care testing could compliment the effectiveness of the syndromic approach.

Skeletal muscle is composed of a heterogeneous mixture of several fibre types, each with specific physiological properties. In equine muscle, identification of these individual fibres (fibre typing) is important for both exercise physiology and pathological studies. Traditionally, fibre typing has been achieved by adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) histochemistry or by immunoperoxidase labelling with antibodies directed at myosin heavy chain isoforms. ATPase histochemistry can be temperamental and lacks specificity, and both techniques require staining of serial cryosections to reveal the entire fibre type compliment of a single sample, which is time consuming and prone to inaccuracy. Here we describe an immunofluorescence labelling technique that enables rapid, accurate and specific identification of the 3 mature equine muscle fibre types in a single cryosection.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the human fetal brain has been a clinical tool for many years and provides valuable additional information to compliment more common ultrasound studies. Advances in both MRI acquisition and post processing over the last 10 years have enabled full 3D imaging and the accurate combination of data acquired in different head positions to create improved geometric integrity, tissue contrast, and resolution. This research is now motivating the development of new quantitative MRI-based techniques for clinical imaging that can more accurately characterize brain development and detect abnormalities. In this article, we will review some of the key areas that are driving changes in our understanding of fetal brain growth using quantitative measures derived from in utero MRI and the possible directions for its increased use in improving the evaluation of pregnancies and the accurate characterization of abnormal brain growth.

Absorbable internal fixation is gaining acceptance among foot and ankle surgeons. While absorbable pins made of poly-L-lactic acid, polyglycolic acid, or poly-p-dioxanone are generally effective as applied in the foot, their strength loss profiles and degradation characteristics may not be optimally matched to the healing process. This study investigated a novel absorbable oriented copolymer pin, with unique absorption characteristics, made of 82% poly-L-lactic acid and 18% polyglycolic acid, to determine its suitability for use in fixation in the foot. The pins were incubated in a 37 degrees C buffer bath that simulated in vivo conditions and were mechanically tested in four-point bend and shear at time intervals up to 12 weeks. In vitro strength loss profiles demonstrated peak strength retention (flexural and shear) for about 8 weeks, with 50% of properties remaining by 12 weeks. The initial Young's modulus of the pins was approximately 7 GPa. The mathematical relationship between pin strength and pin diameter was discussed, providing the surgeon with helpful criteria for making an implant selection. The degradation time course of these pins appears to compliment the known healing dynamics of bone, making them a suitable choice for use in foot surgery.

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disease affecting the gut with limited treatment success for its sufferers. This suggests the need for better understanding of the different subtypes of the disease as well as nutritional interventions to compliment current treatments. In this study we assess the ability of a hydrophilic feijoa fraction (F3) to modulate autophagy a process known to regulate inflammation, via TLR2 using IBD cell lines.

METHODS

Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) deleted for ATG5, and two intestinal epithelial cells HCT15 and HCT116, were used to test the anti-inflammatory effect of F3 after stimulating the cells with a TLR2 specific ligand PAM3CSK4.

RESULTS

F3 was able to reduce TLR2 specific inflammation and stimulate autophagy in MEFs and HCT15 cells but not in HCT116 cells. The anti-inflammatory effect was reduced in the MEF cells deleted for ATG5. In addition, the activation of autophagy by F3 was enhanced by PAM3CSK4.

CONCLUSIONS

F3 of feijoa can interact with cells via a TLR2 specific mechanism and reduce Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation in part due to stimulation of autophagy. These results suggest that there is potential benefit in using feijoa extracts as part of dietary interventions to manage IBD in patients.

Using semi-structured interviews, we explored African American maternal caregivers' and their adolescent girls' (N=25 dyads) perceptions about the adolescent's body using Grounded Theory. Caregivers and adolescent girls (Mage=13.42) were asked what the adolescent girls liked most/least about their bodies and how peers and media may affect adolescent girls' perceptions. While some adolescent girls reported overall body satisfaction, others described features they would like to change. Belief in God, body acceptance, and appreciation for average/moderate features helped the adolescent girls maintain their positive body image. The body-related messages that adolescent girls received from caregivers and peers included compliments, pressure to lose weight, teasing, and advice. Adolescent girls also reported being either influenced by or skeptical of the images presented in the media. Programs that promote caregiver-adolescent communication about body perceptions and that build on the adolescent girls' media skepticism may prove useful for their health-related attitudes and behaviors.

The zebrafish gastrointestinal (GI) tract displays an anatomy and cellular architecture that is similar to the human GI tract, with concentric layers of inner epithelia, connective tissue, circular muscle and outer longitudinal muscle layers. Propulsion of luminal content results from the integrated activity of smooth muscle cells, enteric neurons and the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Zebrafish larvae are transparent and propagating contractions in the entire GI tract are easily visualized. A new moderate-throughput zebrafish-based GI transit assay is described in this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. This assay utilizes intact zebrafish larvae which contain essential regulatory elements (ICC and enteric neurons). Forward genetic analysis, which identifies genes underlying specific phenotypes, is possible using the zebrafish system. The zebrafish model system compliments existing models for studies of GI motility and will contribute to the understanding of the regulation of GI motility, and to identification of novel drug targets.

Background: Unknown origin pneumonia has been furiously spreading since the late of December 2019, subsequently spread to approximately all provinces and areas in China and many countries, which was announced as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by World Health Organization (WHO). The studies on 2019 Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) conducted from various fields around the world. Herein, the objective of the present study is to summarize the etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, image findings, traceability analysis, and drug development of COVID-19.

Methods: The following electronic databases were searched: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and Wanfang Data. Other relevant literature will be manually searched as a compliment. We have reviewed etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, image findings, and medication from case reports and retrospective clinical studies relating to COVID-19 published since the outbreak.

Results: The coronavirus is closely related to bat coronavirus and pangolin coronavirus. Besides, the infection pathway is confirmed to be the respiratory and digestive systems. The virus indicates person-to-person transmission and some patients present asymptomatic. The elderly have a higher mortality rate. Rapid and sensitive nucleic acid testing is usually used as a basis for diagnosis. Currently, there is no specific vaccine and antiviral drug. Intervention actions such as travel bans and quarantine adopted have effectively reduced the spread of the epidemic.

Conclusion: This systemic review will provide high-quality evidence to summarize etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, image findings, traceability analysis, drug development in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND

The binary system of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) has never been investigated with reference to the carcinogenesis-related biomarkers. Hence, Ki67, CD105, and α-SMA immune-expressions were studied in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) to assess their relationship with the binary OED grading system of World Health Organization.

METHODS

The study was carried out on paraffin-embedded tissues of 30 normal oral mucosa (NOM) and 140 OPMD cases. OPMD cases were classified into two groups "no/questionable/hyperkeratosis/mild"=low-risk epithelial dysplasia (LRED) and "moderate or severe"=high-risk epithelial dysplasia (HRED). The immunohistochemistry was carried out to evaluate the expression of Ki67, CD 105, and α-SMA antigen.

RESULTS

According to the binary grading system of WHO, 69 (49.28%) cases were LRED, while 71 (50.71%) case showed HRED. There was significant increase in Ki67 labeling index (LI) from NOM to LRED to HRED (P=.000). Similarly, mean vascular density (MVD) also increased significantly from NOM to LRED to HRED (P=.000). The α-SMA expression was significantly higher in HERD compared to LRED and NOM (P=.000). A positive correlation was noted among Ki67 LI, MVD, and α-SMA expressions in NOM, LRED, and HRED (P=.000).

CONCLUSIONS

The expressions of ki67, CD105, and α-SMA markers compliment binary grading system of OED in OPMDS, thus justifying its use in clinical practice.

The programmed removal of individual isolated cells from a tissue during development, in the adult steady state, and in pathological abnormalities, is an important regulated process that counter-balances the cells produced due to cell division, and compliments differentiation in the overall tissue homeostatic mechanisms. In stratified epithelium, apoptosis can sometimes be difficult to identify and end-labelling techniques such as TUNEL are difficult to optimise and validate. In the columnar epithelium of the small intestine, apoptosis is easy to recognise by virtue of the morphological changes seen in dying cells in routine paraffin sections. The dying cells fragment and the apoptotic fragments can be reliably counted. Because of the precise cell positional relationship between hierarchical status in the lineage and cell position in the tissue, the cell death can be related to the hierarchical status of the dying cells. In the normal steady state in healthy epithelium a small proportion of stem cells are constantly dying. This p53-independent apoptosis is interpreted as part of the homeostatic regulation of stem cell numbers. After exposure to low levels of genotoxic agents, such as radiation, some stem cells in this tissue are very susceptible to apoptosis induction in a p53-dependent fashion. This has been interpreted to be a genome protective mechanism that accounts at least in part for the unexpected low incidence of cancer in this rapidly proliferating, large mass of tissue within the gastrointestinal tract.

Computer-based neuropsychological (NP) evaluation is an effective clinical tool used to assess cognitive function which complements the clinical diagnosis of a concussion. However, some researchers and clinicians argue its lack of ecological validity places limitations on externalizing results to a sensory rich athletic environment. Virtual reality-based NP assessment offers clinical advantages using an immersive environment and evaluating domains not typically assessed by traditional NP assessments. The sensitivity and specificity of detecting lingering cognitive abnormalities was examined on components of a virtual reality-based NP assessment battery to cohort affiliation (concussed vs. controls).

Data were retrospectively gathered on 128 controls (no concussion) and 24 concussed college-age athletes on measures of spatial navigation, whole body reaction, attention, and balance in a virtual environment. Concussed athletes were tested within 10 days (M = 8.33, SD = 1.06) of concussion and were clinically asymptomatic at the time of testing.

A priori alpha level was set at 0.05 for all tests. Spatial navigation (sensitivity 95.8%/specificity 91.4%, d = 1.89), whole body reaction time (sensitivity 95.2%/specificity 89.1%, d = 1.50) and combined virtual reality modules (sensitivity 95.8%,/specificity 96.1%, d = 3.59) produced high sensitivity/specificity values when determining performance-based variability between groups.

Use of a virtual reality-based NP platform can detect lingering cognitive abnormalities resulting from concussion in clinically asymptomatic participants. Virtual reality NP platforms may compliment the traditional concussion assessment battery by providing novel information. (PsycINFO Database Record

UNASSIGNED

Ninety-seven percent of yam (Dioscorea spp.) production takes place in low income food deficit countries (LIFDCs) and the crop provides 200 calories a day to approximately 300 million people. Therefore, yams are vital for food security. Yams have high-yield potential and high market value potential yet current breeding of yam is hindered by a lack of genomic information and genetic resources. New tools are needed to modernise breeding strategies and unlock the potential of yam to improve livelihood in LIFDCs.

UNASSIGNED

Metabolomic screening has been undertaken on a diverse panel of Dioscorea accessions to assess the utility of the approach for advancing breeding strategies in this understudied crop.

UNASSIGNED

Polar and lipophilic extracts from tubers of accessions from the global yam breeding program have been comprehensively profiled via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

UNASSIGNED

A visual pathway representation of the measured yam tuber metabolome has been delivered as a resource for biochemical evaluation of yam germplasm. Over 200 compounds were routinely measured in tubers, providing a major advance for the chemo-typing of this crop. Core biochemical redundancy concealed trends that were only elucidated following detailed mining of global metabolomics data. Combined analysis on leaf and tuber material identified a subset of metabolites which allow accurate species classification and highlighted the potential of predicting tuber composition from leaf profiles. Metabolic variation was accession-specific and often localised to compound classes, which will aid trait-targeting for metabolite markers.

UNASSIGNED

Metabolomics provides a standalone platform with potential to deliver near-future crop gains for yam. The approach compliments the genetic advancements currently underway and integration with other '-omics' studies will deliver a significant advancement to yam breeding strategies.

The manifestation of substitution and dimension induced modifications in the magnetic origin and photocatalytic properties of Dy substituted bismuth ferrite (BDFOx) particulate and fiber nanostructures are reported herein. A gradual transformation from rhombohedral to orthorhombic structure is observed in BFO with the increasing concentration of Dy. Substitution induced size reduction in particulate and fiber nanostructures is evident from the scanning and transmission electron micrographs. Energy band structures of both particulate and fiber nanostructures are considerably influenced by the Dy substitution, which is ascribed to the formation of new energy states underneath the conduction band of host BFO. Field dependent and temperature dependent magnetic studies reveal that the origin of magnetism in pure BFO systems is due to the antiferromagnetic-core/ferromagnetic-shell like structure. On the other hand, it gets completely switched into 'canted' spin structures due to the substitution induced suppression of cycloidal spins in BFO, which is found to be the origin of magnetism in BDFOx particulate and fiber nanostructures. The visible light driven photocatalytic activity of BDFOx nanostructures is found to be enhanced with increasing concentration of Dy. Substitution induced band gap modification, semiconductor band bending phenomenon mediated charge transfer and reduced recombination resistances are attributed to the observed photocatalytic enhancements in these nanostructures.

Behavioral headache treatments have garnered solid empirical support in recent years, but there is substantial opportunity to strengthen the next generation of studies with improved methods and consistency across studies. Recently, Guidelines for Trials of Behavioral Treatments for Recurrent Headache were published to facilitate the production of high-quality research. The present article compliments the guidelines with a discussion of methodologic and research design considerations. Since there is no research design that is applicable in every situation, selecting an appropriate research design is fundamental to producing meaningful results. Investigators in behavioral headache and other areas of research consider the developmental phase of the research, the principle objectives of the project, and the sources of error or alternative interpretations in selecting a design. Phases of clinical trials typically include pilot studies, efficacy studies, and effectiveness studies. These trials may be categorized as primarily pragmatic or explanatory. The most appropriate research designs for these different phases and different objectives vary on such characteristics as sample size and assignment to condition, types of control conditions, periods or frequency of measurement, and the dimensions along which comparisons are made. A research design also must fit within constraints on available resources. There are a large number of potential research designs that can be used and considering these characteristics allows selection of appropriate research designs.

BACKGROUND

Research shows that medical education is characterized by unequal conditions for women and men, but there is a lack of qualitative studies investigating the social processes that enable and maintain gender inequalities that include both male and female students. In this focus group study, we therefore explored male as well as female medical students' experiences of the gender climate - i.e., how beliefs, values, and norms about gender were communicated - during clinical training and how the students dealt with these experiences.

METHODS

Focus group interviews were conducted with 24 medical students (nine men) at Umeå University, Sweden. The interviews were structured around personal experiences in clinical training where the participants perceived that gender had mattered. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The students described gender-stereotyped expectations, discriminatory treatment, compliments, comments, and demeaning jargon. Female students gave more personal and varied examples than the men. The students' ways of handling their experiences were marked by efforts to fit in, for example, by adapting their appearance and partaking in the prevailing jargon. They felt dependent on supervisors and staff, and due to fear of repercussions they kept silent and avoided unpleasant situations and people rather than challenging humiliating jargon or supervisors who were behaving badly.

CONCLUSIONS

Everyday communication of gender beliefs combined with students' adaptation to stereotyped expectations and discrimination came across as fundamental features through which unequal conditions for male and female students are reproduced and maintained in the clinic. Because they are in a dependent position, it is often difficult for students to challenge problematic gender attitudes. The main responsibility for improvements, therefore, lies with medical school leadership who need to provide students and supervisors with knowledge about gendered processes, discrimination, and sexism and to organize reflection groups about the gender climate in order to improve students' opportunities to discuss their experiences, and hopefully find ways to protest and actively demand change.

In 2007, the United States Food and Drug Administration released guidance recommending testing of glycerin used in regulated consumer products, such as cough syrup preparations, toothpaste, and other pharmaceutical and food products, for the toxic compounds ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. Regulatory laboratories routinely test glycerin, and products containing glycerin or related compounds for these toxic glycols, using an official gas chromatographic method, to ensure the safety of these products. The current work describes a companion technique to compliment this GC-FID method utilizing Orbitrap mass spectrometry with direct analysis in real time ionization to rapidly screen these samples qualitatively, with results in as little as five seconds, with no sample preparation required. This allows the more time and resource intensive method to be reserved for those rare cases when these compounds are detected, potentially greatly improving laboratory efficiency. The technique was evaluated for qualitative sensitivity and repeatability, and compared against the GC-FID method. The method appears to perform well against these metrics.

Background: Outcomes of therapy targeting molecular driver alterations detected in advanced non-small-cell lung (NSCLC) using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have not been widely reported in patients who are targeted therapy-naive.

Patients and methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective review of patients with unresectable stage IIIB to IV NSCLC who received matched therapy after a targetable driver alteration was identified using a commercial ctDNA assay through usual clinical care. Eligible patients must not have received targeted therapy prior to ctDNA testing (prior chemotherapy or immunotherapy was permitted). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the median duration of targeted therapy. Patients still on targeted therapy were censored at last follow-up.

Results: Seventy-six patients met inclusion criteria. The median age of diagnosis of NSCLC was 64.5 years (range, 31-87 years), 67% were female, 74% were never-smokers, and 97% had adenocarcinoma histology. Twenty-one (28%) patients received systemic treatment prior to targeted therapy, including chemotherapy (n = 17), immunotherapy (n = 5), and/or a biologic (n = 4). Thirty-three (43%) patients remain on targeted therapy at the time of data analysis. The median time on targeted therapy was similar to what has been reported for tissue-detected oncogenic driver mutations in the targeted therapy-naive setting.

Conclusions: Patients with ctDNA-detected drivers had durable time on targeted therapy. These treatment outcomes data compliment previous studies that have shown enhanced targetable biomarker discovery rates and high tissue concordance of ctDNA testing when incorporated at initial diagnosis of NSCLC. Identification of NSCLC driver mutations using well-validated ctDNA assays can be used for clinical decision-making and targeted therapy assignment.

Keywords: Genotype directed therapy; Liquid biopsy; Lung cancer; Oncogene.

Spinal synaptic plasticity is believed to drive central sensitization that underlies the persistent nature of neuropathic pain. Our recent data showed that synaptic plasticity in the dorsal horn is cell type specific: intense afferent stimulation produced long-term potentiation (LTP) in excitatory spinothalamic tract neurons (STTn), whereas it produced long-term depression (LTD) in inhibitory GABAergic interneurons (GABAn). In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were shown to be involved in LTP in STTn (STTn-LTP) and in LTD in GABAn (GABAn-LTD). This study examined the roles of 2 biologically important ROS--superoxide [·O2] and hydroxyl radicals [·OH]--in neuropathic mechanical hyperalgesia and cell type-specific spinal synaptic plasticity. The [·O2] donor induced stronger mechanical hyperalgesia than the [·OH] donor in naive mice. The [·O2] scavenger showed greater antihyperalgesic effect than [·OH] scavengers in the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) mouse model of neuropathic pain. In addition, the [·O2] donor induced both STTn-LTP and GABAn-LTD, but the [·OH] donor induced only GABAn-LTD. On the other hand, the [·O2] scavenger inhibited STTn-LTP and GABAn-LTD induction in naive mice and alleviated SNL-induced potentiation in STTn and depression in GABAn. The [·OH] scavenger, however, inhibited depression in GABAn but did not interfere with potentiation in STTn. These results indicate that mechanical hyperalgesia in SNL mice is the result of the combination of STTn-LTP and GABAn-LTD. Behavioral outcomes compliment electrophysiological results which suggest that [·O2] mediates both STTn-LTP and GABAn-LTD, whereas [·OH] is involved primarily in GABAn-LTD.

In Ghana anti-malaria herbal medicines or products are used to compliment commercial drugs in treatment and prevention of Plasmodium falciparum infections. In this study, four common aqueous based anti-malaria herbal products (coded HEB, KFE, MDM and NIB) which are used by Ghanaian population from pharmacy/herbal stores in the Madina area, Accra were blindly and randomly sampled for cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and Lead (Pb) analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry technique. Arsenic concentrations were 1.087 μg/mL (108.7%), 1.027 μg/mL (102.7%), 0.330 μg/mL (33.0%) and 0.274 μg/mL (27.4%) in MDM, KFE, NIB and HEB respectively. Arsenic concentration determined in MDM and KFE were above the maximum permissible limit of 1.0 ppm determined by WHO/FAO. Cadmium concentration in each of the four products as well as lead concentration in KFE, NIB and HEB were below the detection limit of <0.002 mg/mL (Cd) and <0.005 mg/mL (Pb) respectively. The maximum permissible limits for Pb and Cd determined by WHO/FAO are 10.0 ppm and 0.3 ppm respectively. Thus, random assessment on the safety of some ready-to-use aqueous based anti-malaria herbal products on the market is necessary to prevent public health hazards associated with consuming these plant extracts. Although lead and cadmium concentration in the anti-malaria herbal products were below the maximum permissible limits, their cumulative effect on the health of an individual which consume recommended volume of not less than 1000 mL for effective malaria parasite clearance cannot be ignored.

The objective of this paper is to describe the development and preliminary testing of new scales to assess hunger-coping behaviors in a very low-income population. Very low-income adults (≥ 19 years), caregivers to at least one child (n = 306) completed a survey in a community setting (e.g., libraries). The survey included novel items assessing hunger-coping behaviors (e.g., trade-offs to purchase food, strategies to stretch and obtain food), food insecurity status, and physiological hunger. Internal consistency of hunger-coping scales, one-way ANOVAs, post-hoc analyses, Spearman's correlations among variables. Respondents were 75% female, 51% African American, 34% White, and 15% Hispanic, and 73% earned <$20,000/year. Four scales emerged: hunger-coping trade-offs, financial coping strategies, rationing coping strategies, and physiological adult hunger symptoms. All scales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (α/KR-20 = 0.70-0.90). Predictive, construct, and content validity were demonstrated by correlations between hunger-coping scales and food insecurity (FI), measured with the USDA 6-item HFSSM (rs = 0.42-0.68, ps < 0.001). Higher levels of hunger-coping trade-offs (F(2,297) = 42.54, p < 0.001), financial coping strategies (F(2,287) = 70.77, p < 0.001), and rationing coping strategies (F(2,284) = 69.19, p < 0.001), corresponded with increasing levels of FI. These preliminary results support use of newly developed hunger-coping scales in a very low-income population and can compliment traditional food security measures to inform hunger prevention policy and programming.