To grasp the state of CNS suppression objectively, the bispectral

To grasp the state of CNS suppression objectively, the bispectral index (BIS) value was used. The stimulus pattern size and distance for VEP recording were constant, 50.3 arc-min and 50 cm, respectively. P-VEPs and BIS values were recorded under sevoflurane in oxygen inhalational anesthesia at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 2.75 sevoflurane MAC. For analysis of P-VEP, the P100 implicit time and N75-P100 amplitude were estimated. P-VEPs were

detected at 0.5 to 1.5 MAC in all dogs, and disappeared GSK1120212 at 2.0 MAC in four dogs and at 2.5 and 2.75 MAC in one dog each. The BIS value decreased with increasing sevoflurane MAC, and burst suppression began to appear from 1.5 MAC. There was no significant change in P100 implicit time and N75-P100 amplitude with any concentration of sevoflurane. At concentrations around 1.5 MAC, which are used routinely to immobilize dogs, sevoflurane showed no effect on P-VEP.”
“Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects an estimated 170 million individuals worldwide, and the current standard of care, a combination of pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin, is efficacious in achieving sustained viral response in similar to 50% of treated

patients. Novel therapies under investigation include the use of nucleoside analog inhibitors of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. NM283, a 3′-valyl ester prodrug of 2′-C-methylcytidine, has demonstrated antiviral efficacy in HCV-infected patients (N. Afdhal et al., J. Hepatol. 46[Suppl. 1]:S5, 2007; N. Afdhal et al., J. Hepatol. 44[Suppl. 2]:S19, 2006). One approach to increase the antiviral efficacy GM6001 of 2′-C-methylcytidine Elafibranor is to increase the concentration of the active inhibitory species, the 5′-triphosphate, in infected hepatocytes. HepDirect prodrug technology can increase intracellular concentrations of a nucleoside triphosphate in hepatocytes by introducing the nucleoside monophosphate into the cell, bypassing

the initial kinase step that is often rate limiting. Screening for 2′-C-methylcytidine triphosphate levels in rat liver after oral dosing identified 1-[3,5-difluorophenyl]-1,3-propandiol as an efficient prodrug modification. To determine antiviral efficacy in vivo, the prodrug was administered separately via oral and intravenous dosing to two HCV-infected chimpanzees. Circulating viral loads declined by similar to 1.4 log(10) IU/ml and by >3.6 log(10) IU/ml after oral and intravenous dosing, respectively. The viral loads rebounded after the end of dosing to predose levels. The results indicate that a robust antiviral response can be achieved upon administration of the prodrug.”
“Inadequate apoptosis contributes to synovial hyperplasia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent study shows that low expression of Puma might be partially responsible for the decreased apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS).

The effects of pH value, sorption time, elution time,

the

The effects of pH value, sorption time, elution time,

the volume and concentration of eluent were investigated. Equilibrium isotherms were studied, and four models were applied to analyze the equilibrium adsorption data. The results revealed that the adsorption process obeyed the Langmuir model. The maximum monolayer capacity and the Langmuir constant are 210 mg g(-1) and 0.273 L mg(-1), respectively. The new MOF-based nanocomposite is shown to be an efficient and selective sorbent for Hg(II). Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection is 20 pg mL(-1) of Hg(II), and the relative standard deviation is < 7.2 % (for n = 3). The sorbent was successfully applied to the rapid extraction of G418 Hg(II) ions from fish, sediment, and water samples.”
“Background: Behavioral decision making literature suggests that decision makers are guided less by final outcome than by immediate gain-loss. However, studies of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) under dynamic and uncertain conditions reveal very different conclusions about the role of final outcome. Another

research group designed a similar yet simpler game, the Soochow Gambling Task (SGT), which demonstrated that, in dynamic decision making, the effect of gain-loss frequency is more powerful than that of final outcome. Further study is needed to determine the precise effect of final outcome on decision makers. This experiment developed two modified SGTs to explore the effect of final outcome under the same gain-loss frequency context.\n\nMethods: this website Each version of the SGT was performed by twenty-four undergraduate Compound C Soochow University students. A large-value (+/- $200, +/- $550 and +/- $1050) and a small-value (+/- $100, +/- $150 and +/- $650) contrast of SGT were conducted to investigate the final outcome effect. The computerized SGT was launched to record and analyze the choices of the participants.\n\nResults: The results of both SGT versions consistently showed that the preferred decks A and B to decks C and D. Analysis

of learning curves also indicated that, throughout the game, final outcome had a minimal effect on the choices of decision makers.\n\nConclusion: Experimental results indicated that, in both the frequent-gain context and the frequent-loss context, final outcome has little effect on decision makers. Most decision makers are guided by gain-loss frequency but not by final outcome.”
“Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a rare form of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction accounting for approximately 1% of patients with congenital heart disease. It consists of an anomalous muscle bundle that divides the right ventricle usually between the sinus (inlet) and the infundibulum (outlet). This division creates a proximal chamber with high pressure and a distal chamber with low pressure.

(C) 2013 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved (Am J Cardiol 2013;11

(C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2013;111:312-318)”
“Phosphagen kinases (PKs) play a major role in the regulation of energy metabolism in animals. Creatine kinase (CK) is the sole https://www.selleckchem.com/products/ABT-263.html PK in vertebrates, whereas several PKs are present in invertebrates. Here, we report the enzymatic properties and gene structure of PK in the trematode Schistosoma japonicum (Sj). SjPK has a unique contiguous dimeric structure comprising domain 1 (D1) and domain 2 (D2). The three states of the recombinant SjPK (D1, D2, and D1D2) show a specific activity for the

substrate taurocyamine. The comparison of the two domains of SjPK revealed that D1 had a high turnover rate.(K-cat = 52.91) and D2 exhibited a high affinity for taurocyamine (K-m(Tauro) = 0.53 +/- 0.06). The full-length

protein exhibited higher affinity for taurocyamine (K-m(Tauro) = 0.47 +/- 0.03) than the truncated domains (D1 = 1.30 +/- 0.10, D2 = 0.53 +/- GW786034 0.06). D1D2 also exhibited higher catalytic efficiency (K-cat/K-m(Tauro) = 82.98) than D1 (40.70) and D2 (29.04). These results demonstrated that both domains of SjTKD1D2 interacted efficiently and remained functional. The three-dimensional structure of SjPKD1 was constructed by the homology modeling based on the transition state analog complex state of Limulus AK. This protein model of SjPKD1 suggests that the overall structure is almost conserve between SjPKD1 and Limulus AK except for the flexible loops, that is, particularly guanidino-specificity (GS) region, which is associated with the recognition of the corresponding guanidino substrate.

The constructed NJ tree and the comparison of exon/intron organization suggest that SjTK has evolved from an arginine kinase (AK) gene. SjTK has potential as a novel antihelminthic drug target as it is absent in mammals and its strong activity may imply a significant role for this protein in the energy metabolism of the parasite. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Faults in Earth’s crust LY3023414 in vivo accommodate slow relative motion between tectonic plates through either similarly slow slip or fast, seismic-wave-producing rupture events perceived as earthquakes(1-3). These types of behaviour are often assumed to be separated in space and to occur on two different types of fault segment: one with stable, rate-strengthening friction and the other with rate-weakening friction that leads to stick-slip(2-5). The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake with moment magnitude M-w = 9.0 challenged such assumptions by accumulating its largest seismic slip in the area that had been assumed to be creeping(6-10). Here we propose a model in which stable, rate-strengthening behaviour at low slip rates(11,12) is combined with coseismic weakening due to rapid shear heating of pore fluids(13-16), allowing unstable slip to occur in segments that can creep between events. The model parameters are based on laboratory measurements on samples from the fault of the M-w 7.

Blood transfusions were noted and the incidence of symptomatic DV

Blood transfusions were noted and the incidence of symptomatic DVT/PE was determined. Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the TXA and FS + TXA groups compared HKI-272 cell line to the control and FS groups on day 1, 4, and 9 post-operatively. Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the control group were similar to those in the FS group and hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the TXA group were similar to those in the FS + TXA group. TEG parameters (R, K, alpha, MA, and CI) remained within normal ranges. Mean CI was less than + 3 in all four groups,

suggesting that hypercoagulation was not promoted. One patient in the FS group received an allogeneic transfusion. Incidence of symptomatic DVT/PE was not noted. Intravenous TXA significantly reduced perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing a TKA but FS did not. Administration of FS in addition to TXA was not superior to TXA alone. FS and/or TXA did not increase the risk of hypercoagulation click here according to TEG parameters. Intravenous administration of 1 g of TXA pre-operatively and administration of 1 g before tourniquet release is an effective and safe method of reducing blood loss in TKA.”
“Resonance

energy transfer (RET) from anthrylvinyl-labeled phosphatidylcholine (AV-PC) or cardiolipin (AV-CL) to cytochrome c (cyt c) heme moiety was employed to assess the molecular-level details of protein interactions with lipid bilayers composed of PC with 2.5 (CL2.5), 5 (CL5), 10 (CLIO), or 20 (CL20) mol % CL under conditions of varying ionic strength and lipid/protein molar ratio. Monte Carlo analysis of multiple data sets revealed a subtle interplay between 1), exchange of the neutral and acidic lipid in the protein-lipid interaction zone; 2), CL transition into the extended conformation; and 3), formation of the hexagonal phase. The switch between these states was found

to be controlled by CL content and salt concentration. At ionic strengths >= 40 mM, lipid bilayers with CL fraction not exceeding 5 mol % exhibited the tendency to transform from lamellar to hexagonal phase upon cyt c adsorption, whereas at higher contents of CL, transition into the extended conformation https://www.selleckchem.com/Proteasome.html seems to become thermodynamically favorable. At lower ionic strengths, deviations from homogeneous lipid distributions were observed only for model membranes containing 2.5 mol % CL, suggesting the existence of a certain surface potential critical for assembly of lipid lateral domains in protein-lipid systems that may subsequently undergo morphological transformations depending on ambient conditions. These characteristics of cyt c-CL interaction are of great interest, not only from the viewpoint of regulating cyt c electron transfer and apoptotic propensities, but also to elucidate the general mechanisms by which membrane functional activities can be modulated by protein-lipid interactions.

Summary: MR-DWI and endoscopy data were prospectively collected t

Summary: MR-DWI and endoscopy data were prospectively collected throughout IFX treatment. Altogether, 86 lesions from 13 patients given IFX as induction (weeks 0, 2 and 6) and maintenance (5 mg/kg every 8 weeks beginning at week 14) therapy were analyzed with MR-DWI for 0.5-1.5 years from the starting point. Mucosal findings were confirmed by endoscopy at 1 and 3 years (gold standard). Of the 86 lesions, 65 were graded ’0′ and 21 were graded ’1′ based on their hyperintensity (HI; or lack thereof) on MR-DWI. Two selleck chemical years after the first evaluation, 7 of 15 false-negative lesions had turned positive

based on colonoscopy findings, and 60 of 62 true-negative lesions had not. Thus, 0.03% of those predicted to remain in remission had relapsed (negative predictive value 0.9677, p < 0.0001). MR-DWI-HI at 1 year coincided with the presence of endoscopic inflammation, with sensitivity of 66.67%, specificity of 80.52%, and an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.7359 (0.5479-0.9240, p = 0.0211). The AUC value

of MR-DWI-HI at 3 years was 0.8402 (0.7460-0.9343, p = 0.001) with sensitivity of 94.12% and specificity of 73.91%. Key Message: A definition of the response on the basis of MR-DWI-HI might be helpful for optimizing treatment for patients with CD under treatment with IFX. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“The posterolateral corner (PLC) is more likely to be injured in combination with the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) or the anterior cruciate ligament than in BMS-777607 isolation. This leads to instability of the knee and loss of function. We hypothesised that combined PCL and PLC reconstruction would restore sufficient stability to allow improvement

in patient symptoms and function.\n\n19 patients who underwent arthroscopic-assisted single-bundle PCL and PLC reconstruction by a single surgeon were analysed retrospectively. The PLC reconstruction was a modified Larson reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligament and the popliteofibular ligament.\n\nThe IKDC and Tegner scores were used to assess outcome. Dial test and varus laxity were used to assess improvements in clinical laxity. Posterior laxity was tested using the KT-1000.\n\nThe mean follow-up was 38 months (+/-(2x standard deviations), buy β-Nicotinamide +/- 12.3). There were no postoperative complications. All patients had less than 5 mm posterior step-off. 17 of 19 patients had negative dial and varus stress tests. Measured range of motion was reduced by a mean of 10A degrees, but patients did not report any daily activities restrictions. Tegner scores improved from a median pre-operative value of 2 (range 1-4) to 6 (4-9) at final follow-up. The mean postoperative IKDC score was 86 (+/- 11).\n\nSubjectively, the knee stability achieved allowed daily activities.

The model is validated using experimental data Extensive simulat

The model is validated using experimental data. Extensive simulations are performed to study the complicated interactions between multi-physics transport processes and chemical/electrochemical reactions. The results elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of direct H2S

fueled SOFCs. It is found that suitably increasing the H2O content in the supplied H2S fuel can improve SOFC electrochemical performance; high operating temperature may facilitate the reforming of H2S and improve the electrochemical check details performance. The sulfur poisoning effect may be mitigated by increasing the H2O content in the fuel, increasing the operating temperature, decreasing the flow rate, and/or making the cell work at low voltage (or high current) conditions.”
“In mammalian cell culture, single-use bioreactors are widely used. Different hardware designs are available, ranging from stirred tank reactors to wave JNJ-26481585 price mixed and cubical shaken systems. Unlike in stainless steel systems, where standards exist, in single-use bioreactors aeration devices are often predefined by the supplier. While ring sparger systems are the gold standard in stainless steel bioreactors, not all single-use bioreactors are available with ring spargers. In this study, a comprehensive characterization of two stirred tank single-use bioreactor systems (XDR (TM) from

Xcellerex and S.U.B. from Thermo Scientific Hyclone) was performed under GMP conditions with 200/250 L and 1000 L bioreactors. Engineering facts like mass transfer rates for oxygen k(L)a(o2) and carbon dioxide k(L)aCO(2) as well as mixing number were evaluated. To achieve improved similarity Belnacasan cost in key engineering parameters and in consequence cell culture performance, the submerse aeration device of the S.U.B. (to date only open tube and frit) was remodeled resulting in a drilled hole sparger design. Results of the characterization showed that k(L)a(o2) in the S.U.B. was enhanced from 8.5 h(-1) to 11.5 h(-1) at the maximum, and the k(L)aCO(2) was very similar between both bioreactor types. Knowledge of the characterization data as well as improved

oxygen transfer rate in the S.U.B. allows for an interchangeable usage of the two different single-use bioreactors.”
“Context: Children with calcium-deficiency rickets have high 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D values.\n\nObjective: The objective of the study was to determine whether vitamin D increased calcium absorption.\n\nDesign: This was an experimental study.\n\nSetting: The study was conducted at a teaching hospital.\n\nParticipants: Participants included 17 children with nutritional rickets.\n\nIntervention: The participants were randomized to 1.25 mg oral vitamin D-3 (n = 8) or vitamin D-2 (n = 9).\n\nMain Outcome Measure: Fractional calcium absorption 3 da after vitamin D administration was measured.\n\nResults: Mean baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were 20 ng/ml (range 5-31 ng/ml).

The choriocapillaris was imaged with better resolution of microva

The choriocapillaris was imaged with better resolution of microvascular detail using PV-OCT. Areas of geographic atrophy and choroidal neovascularization imaged by FA were depicted by PV-OCT. Regions of capillary nonperfusion from diabetic retinopathy Dinaciclib were shown by both

imaging techniques; there was not complete correspondence between microaneurysms shown on FA and PV-OCT images. Conclusions: Phase-variance OCT yields high-resolution imaging of the retinal and choroidal microvasculature that compares favorably with FA. (C) 2014 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.”
“Methylene blue (M), as a dye in sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM), has been introduced as an alternative to lymphazurin (L) after the recent shortage of L. M has been evaluated in breast cancer in multiple studies with favorable results. Our study compares L with M in the SLNM of gastrointestinal (GI) tumors.\n\nBetween Jan 2005 and Aug 2008, 122 consecutive patients with GI tumors were enrolled. All patients (pts) underwent SLNM with either L or M by subserosal injection of 2-5 mL of

dye. Efficacy and rates of adverse reactions were compared between the two dyes. Patients were prospectively monitored for adverse reactions including anaphylaxis, development of blue hives, and tissue necrosis.\n\nOf 122 pts, 60 (49.2%) underwent SLNM using L and 62 (50.8%) underwent SLNM using M. Colon cancer (CrCa) was the most common site in both groups. The success rate of L and M in SLNM was 96.6% and 96.7%, respectively, see more with similar numbers of total number of lymph nodes per pt, SLNs per pt (< 3), nodal Vorinostat ic50 positivity, skip metastasis,

and accuracy. The only adverse reaction in the L group was oxygen desaturation > 5% in 5% (3/60) of pts, compared with none in the M group. Cost per vial of L was $210 vs $7 for M.\n\nThe success rate, nodal positivity, average SLNs per patient, and overall accuracy were similar between L and M. Absence of anaphylaxis and lower cost make M more desirable than L in SLNM of GI tumors.”
“Aim: To investigate mononucleotide markers: BAT-25, BAT-26, NR-21, NR-22 and NR-24 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and the status of HSP110T(17), KRAS, BRAF and the MLH1 promoter mutations in microsatellite unstable CRC. Methods: Genetic assessments were performed on samples obtained following resection of CRC in 200 patients. Results: Allelic variations of HSP110T(17) were found in all 18 patients with microsatellite instabilities (MSIs) in at least three markers (high-frequency MSI). By contrast, mutations of HSP110T(17) were absent in all 20 patients with no MSI frequency. Eight out of 182 patients with low (instability in one marker) or no frequency MSI had allelic shifts due to polymorphisms of BAT-25 (1.5%), NR-21 (1.75%) and NR-24 (1.5%). BRAF mutations were associated with >5 bp shortening of HSP110T(17).

Gene transfer of Smad7 or inhibition of type I receptors with dor

Gene transfer of Smad7 or inhibition of type I receptors with dorsomorphin may represent strategies for blocking the activity induced by ALK2(R206H) in FOP.”
“An Integrated Vacuum Carbonate Absorption Process (IVCAP) currently under development could significantly reduce the energy consumed when capturing CO2 from the flue gases of coal-fired power plants. The biocatalyst carbonic anhydrase (CA) has been found to effectively promote the absorption of CO2 into

the potassium carbonate solution that would be used in the IVCAP. Two CA enzymes were immobilized onto three selected support materials having different pore structures. The thermal stability of the immobilized CA enzymes was significantly greater than their free counterparts. For example, the immobilized enzymes retained Belnacasan ic50 at least 60% of their initial activities after 90 days at 50 degrees C compared to about 30% for their free counterparts under the same conditions. The immobilized CA also had significantly improved resistance to concentrations

of sulfate (0.4 M), nitrate (0.05 M) and chloride (0.3 M) typically found in flue gas scrubbing liquids than their free counterparts. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Administration of an artificial peptide (pConsensus) based on anti-DNA IgG sequences that contain major histocompatibility complex class I and class II T-cell determinants, induces immune tolerance in NZB/NZW F1 female (BWF1) mice. To understand the molecular basis BI-D1870 in vivo of CD8(+) Ti-mediated suppression, we previously performed microarray analysis to identify genes that were differentially expressed following tolerance induction with pCons. CD8(+) T cells from mice tolerized with pCons showed more than two-fold increase in Ifi202b see more mRNA, an interferon inducible gene, versus

cells from untolerized mice. Ifi202b expression increased through weeks 1-4 after tolerization and then decreased, reapproaching baseline levels at 6 weeks. In vitro polyclonal activation of tolerized CD8(+) T cells significantly increased Ifi202b mRNA expression. Importantly, silencing of Ifi202b abrogated the suppressive capacity of CD8(+) Ti cells. This was associated with decreased expression of Foxp3, and decreased gene and protein expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)beta and interleukin-2 (IL-2), but not of interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-10, or IL-17. Silencing of another IFN-induced gene upregulated in tolerized CD8(+) T cells, IFNAR1, had no effect on the ability of CD8(+) T cells to suppress autoantibody production. Our findings indicate a potential role for Ifi202b in the suppressive capacity of peptide-induced regulatory CD8(+) Ti cells through effects on the expression of Foxp3 and the synthesis of TGF beta. Genes and Immunity (2011) 12, 360-369; doi:10.1038/gene.2011.

Design: Retrospective medical record audit Quantitative stud

\n\nDesign: Retrospective medical record audit. Quantitative study.\n\nSetting: Rural community-based primary health service, South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.\n\nParticipants: Two hundred and seventy-two de-identified medical records randomly selected from the type 2 diabetes outpatient database.\n\nMain outcome measures: Demographic, biochemical, anthropometric,

pharmacological, co-morbidity and lifestyle data during the first five years post-diabetes diagnosis were retrospectively collected. Univariate analysis was performed to identify variables associated with poor diabetes control (HbA1c >= 7%).\n\nResults: Independent predictors of poor glycaemic control in this rural cohort were elevated fasting glucose at Copanlisib research buy diagnosis (odds ratio (OR) 1.97, 95% confidence interval

(CI) 1.31-2.97, P < 0.001), weight gain during the initial 2.5 years of diabetes (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11-1.59, P < 0.01), excessive body weight at diagnosis (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.12, P < 0.001) and younger age at diagnosis (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88-1.00, P < 0.05). These variables combined explained 48% of the variation in HbA1c. Gender, body mass Cytoskeletal Signaling inhibitor index, waist circumference and lifestyle factors at diagnosis were not significant predictors of diabetes control.\n\nConclusions: Young-middle-aged adults (<= 58 years) with elevated fasting glucose (>= 9.0 mmol L(-1)) and excessive body weight (>= 93.1 kg) at type 2 diabetes diagnosis and those unable to lose weight early in the course of the disease are more likely to experience a rapid deterioration in glucose control. Rural clinicians should target these individuals for aggressive diabetes management from the time of diagnosis.”
“Plants

are notoriously variable in gender, ranging in sex allocation from purely male through hermaphrodite to purely female. This variation can have both a genetic and an adaptive plastic component. In gynodioecious species, where females co-occur with hermaphrodites, hermaphrodites tend to shift their allocation towards greater maleness when growing under low-resource conditions, either as a result of hermaphrodites selleck shifting away from an expensive female function, or because of enhanced siring advantages in the presence of females. Similarly, in the androdioecious plant Mercurialis annua, where hermaphrodites co-exist with males, hermaphrodites also tend to enhance their relative male allocation under low-resource conditions. Here, we ask whether this response differs between hermaphrodites that have been evolving in the presence of males, in a situation analogous to that supposed for gynodioecious populations, vs. those that have been evolving in their absence. We grew hermaphrodites of M.

This case demonstrates that APVD tends not to be associated with

This case demonstrates that APVD tends not to be associated with any other anatomic abnormalities Rabusertib order in the lung and should not be a contraindication for VATS lobectomy.”
“Purpose: To explore the structure and content of pre-planned consultations as part of the care and treatment of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Methods: The

study was based on 50 transcripts of audio-recorded pre-planned consultations between seven patients and 36 healthcare professionals from the time of diagnosis, pre-operative consultation, discharge consultation and pathology report in a colorectal unit. Results: The spread of consultation time between professions was considerable. Total mean consultation GDC-0973 purchase time for patients during the care process (7 consultations/patient) was 111 mm (range 83-191). The mean consultation time for surgeons was 18 min (7-40), anaesthesiologists 12 min (5-18) and nurses 14 min (5-49). Patients took up 40% of the word space, healthcare professionals used 59% and significant others 1%. Word space changed in such a way that the patient became more active towards the final

consultation. Neither during the diagnosis consultation nor during the pre-operative consultation did the patients meet the operating surgeon. Six major subjects emerged: general health, diagnosis, surgical procedure, WH-4-023 mw pre-operative preparations, recovery and treatment and follow-up. Conclusions: There is a need for clearer structure in the consultations. Most consultations lacked a clear introduction to the subject of the conversation. The study makes it possible to develop methods and structure for supporting conversations in which the patient is given space to help with the difficult issues present after undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

The study also contributes to providing knowledge of how to organise surgical consultations in order to optimise person-centeredness, teamwork and clinical efficiency. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Aims: Gender-related differences in the pharmacological effects of addictive drug are an emerging issue. This review examines gender differences in both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of alcohol and cocaine intake since they cause complex pharmacological interactions, not least the formation of the active metabolite cocaethylene. Methods: The MEDLINE database was searched from 1990 to 2014 in order to find articles related to gender differences in alcohol, cocaine and cocaethylene pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Results: Besides the well known gender differences in alcohol pharmacokinetics, women appear more susceptible to alcohol-mediated brain damage and seem to suffer more than men the acute effects of alcohol on hepatic and gonadal hormones.