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Journal of Smooth Muscle Research =... 2020Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a common symptom in the older people, and may cause fatal complications such as aspiration pneumonia. However, there is no established... (Review)
Review
Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a common symptom in the older people, and may cause fatal complications such as aspiration pneumonia. However, there is no established treatment for OD. The relationship between the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and substance P released by activated TRPV1 was recently demonstrated. Further, there are several reports showing that capsaicin, a specific agonist of TRPV1, can improve OD. Currently, the evaluation of swallowing is mainly performed by videofluoroscopic examination. However, there are no reports on the clinical application of ultrasonography using tissue Doppler imaging. In this review, we describe the pathophysiology and treatments for OD, introduce our novel US method to evaluate cervical esophageal motility, and then outline our clinical study examining the effects of capsaicin, a specific TRPV1 agonist, in older patients with OD.
Topics: Capsaicin; Deglutition Disorders; Gastrointestinal Motility; Humans; Substance P; TRPV Cation Channels; Ultrasonography, Doppler
PubMed: 32581185
DOI: 10.1540/jsmr.56.46 -
Journal of Chemical Information and... May 2022Synthesis route planning is in the core of chemical intelligence that will power the autonomous chemistry platforms. In this task, we rely on algorithms to generate...
Synthesis route planning is in the core of chemical intelligence that will power the autonomous chemistry platforms. In this task, we rely on algorithms to generate possible synthesis routes with the help of retro- and forward-synthetic approaches. Generated synthesis routes can be merged into a synthesis graph which represents theoretical pathways to the target molecule. However, it is often required to modify a synthesis graph due to typical constraints. These constraints might include "undesirable substances", e.g., an intermediate that the chemist does not favor or substances that might be toxic. Consequently, we need to prune the synthesis graph by the elimination of such undesirable substances. Synthesis graphs can be represented as directed (not necessarily acyclic) bipartite graphs, and the pruning of such graphs in the light of a set of undesirable substances has been an open question. In this study, we present the Synthesis Graph Pruning (SGP) algorithm that addresses this question. The input to the SGP algorithm is a synthesis graph and a set of undesirable substances. Furthermore, information for substances is provided as metadata regarding their availability from the inventory. The SGP algorithm operates with a simple local rule set, in order to determine which nodes and edges need to be eliminated from the synthesis graph. In this study, we present the SGP algorithm in detail and provide several case studies that demonstrate the operation of the SGP algorithm. We believe that the SGP algorithm will be an essential component of computer aided synthesis planning.
Topics: Algorithms
PubMed: 35438992
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01202 -
Maternal and Child Health Journal Dec 2023Many cisgender women affected by homelessness and substance use desire pregnancy and parenthood. Provider discomfort with patient-centered counseling about reproductive...
Improving Reproductive Health Communication Between Providers and Women Affected by Homelessness and Substance Use in San Francisco: Results from a Community-Informed Workshop.
OBJECTIVES
Many cisgender women affected by homelessness and substance use desire pregnancy and parenthood. Provider discomfort with patient-centered counseling about reproductive choices and supporting reproductive decisions of these women poses barriers to reproductive healthcare access.
METHODS
We used participatory research methods to develop a half-day workshop for San Francisco-based medical and social service providers to improve reproductive counseling of women experiencing homelessness and/or who use substances. Guided by a stakeholder group comprising cisgender women with lived experience and providers, goals of the workshop included increasing provider empathy, advancing patient-centered reproductive health communication, and eliminating extraneous questions in care settings that perpetuate stigma. We used pre/post surveys to evaluate acceptability and effects of the workshop on participants' attitudes and confidence in providing reproductive health counseling. We repeated surveys one month post-event to investigate lasting effects.
RESULTS
Forty-two San Francisco-based medical and social service providers participated in the workshop. Compared to pre-test, post-test scores indicated reduced biases about: childbearing among unhoused women (p < 0.01), parenting intentions of pregnant women using substances (p = 0.03), and women not using contraception while using substances (p < 0.01). Participants also expressed increased confidence in how and when to discuss reproductive aspirations (p < 0.01) with clients. At one month, 90% of respondents reported the workshop was somewhat or very beneficial to their work, and 65% reported increased awareness of personal biases when working with this patient population.
CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE
A half-day workshop increased provider empathy and improved provider confidence in reproductive health counseling of women affected by homelessness and substance use.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Health Communication; Reproductive Health; San Francisco; Ill-Housed Persons; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 37204587
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03671-y -
Polimery W Medycynie 2016The aim of this work was to compare different chemical substances used in the treatment of ganglions located in the hand and wrist region. Their basic properties and... (Review)
Review
The aim of this work was to compare different chemical substances used in the treatment of ganglions located in the hand and wrist region. Their basic properties and mechanisms of action have been described. Moreover, the risks associated with the use of particular substances have been highlighted and potential complications connected with their administration have been discussed. On the basis of the available literature, the results of ganglion aspiration treatment followed by an injection of a chemical substance into the cyst cavity have been assessed. In the authors' opinion, due to the existing risk of complications associated with this treatment, as well as the relatively high rate of ganglion recurrence, this procedure should only be performed by qualified medical personnel. The authors recommend observation in cases of asymptomatic ganglions of the hand and wrist, and operative treatment in cases in which pain, restriction of limb mobility and weakening of handgrip strength are observed.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Ganglion Cysts; Hand; Humans; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Pregnanes; Recurrence; Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate; Treatment Outcome; Wrist
PubMed: 28397424
DOI: 10.17219/pim/64803 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2022Nationwide, public libraries are experiencing an increase in "on-premise" opioid overdoses and other issues (e.g., suicide attempts) affecting unstably housed library...
Nationwide, public libraries are experiencing an increase in "on-premise" opioid overdoses and other issues (e.g., suicide attempts) affecting unstably housed library users. The public library presents a unique opportunity to access an otherwise hidden population. In partnership with the San Diego Central Library, researchers led focus groups, in-depth interviews, and surveys with 63 library patrons experiencing homelessness or housing instability ( = 49) and library staff ( = 14) (January-June 2019). Using a consensus organizing framework and mixed methods approach, the researchers conducted in-depth interviews exploring the library's strengths and opportunities for patrons experiencing homelessness, the barriers to meeting their aspirations, and whether having a social worker at the library or other policy changes in government or the library could help. Specifically, participants answered inquiries about the opportunities for the library to address substance use and human trafficking. In brief surveys, library patrons and staff provided views on the patrons' educational needs, library staff's training needs, and changes needed in government or library policies. Results revealed the desire of the library patrons (69%) and staff (93%) to have a library social worker who could link patrons to housing services, substance use harm reduction or treatment, and address food-insecure youth/families and human trafficking/sexual exploitation. Participants also valued peer advocates with lived homelessness experiences. Over 70% of the unstably housed patrons said they would like library patrons to participate in peer leadership training. Other significant themes were the need for crisis prevention and intervention, connecting patrons to resources and each other, and creating consistent assistance. Libraries urgently need more on-premise support to address patrons' pressing housing, health, and mental health needs.
Topics: Adolescent; Ill-Housed Persons; Housing; Humans; Social Problems; Social Workers; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 35886311
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148449 -
Experimental Physiology Jun 2016What is the topic of this review? This review discusses the effects of repeated exposure of tissue to ischaemic preconditioning on cardiovascular function, the attendant... (Review)
Review
What is the topic of this review? This review discusses the effects of repeated exposure of tissue to ischaemic preconditioning on cardiovascular function, the attendant adaptations and their potential clinical relevance. What advances does it highlight? We discuss the effects of episodic exposure to ischaemic preconditioning to prevent and/or attenuate ischaemic injury and summarize evidence pertaining to improvements in cardiovascular function and structure. Discussion is provided regarding the potential mechanisms that contribute to both local and systemic adaptation. Findings suggest that clinical benefits result from both the prevention of ischaemic events and the attenuation of their consequences. Ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) refers to the phenomenon whereby short periods of cyclical tissue ischaemia confer subsequent protection against ischaemia-induced injury. As a consequence, IPC can ameliorate the myocardial damage following infarction and can reduce infarct size. The ability of IPC to confer remote protection makes IPC a potentially feasible cardioprotective strategy. In this review, we discuss the concept that repeated exposure of tissue to IPC may increase the 'dose' of protection and subsequently lead to enhanced protection against ischaemia-induced myocardial injury. This may be relevant for clinical populations, who demonstrate attenuated efficacy of IPC to prevent or attenuate ischaemic injury (and therefore myocardial infarct size). Furthermore, episodic IPC facilitates repeated exposure to local (e.g. shear stress) and systemic stimuli (e.g. hormones, cytokines, blood-borne substances), which may induce improvement in vascular function and health. Such adaptation may contribute to prevention of cardio- and cerebrovascular events. The clinical benefits of repeated IPC may, therefore, result from both the prevention of ischaemic events and the attenuation of their consequences. We provide an overview of the literature pertaining to the impact of repeated IPC on cardiovascular function, related to both local and remote adaptation, as well as potential clinical implications.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Heart; Humans; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial; Myocardial Infarction; Myocardium
PubMed: 26970535
DOI: 10.1113/EP085566 -
Stem Cell Research Oct 2019Adipose-derived Stem Cells (ASCs) present great potential for reconstructive procedures. Currently, isolation by enzyme digestion and culturing using xenogenic...
BACKGROUND
Adipose-derived Stem Cells (ASCs) present great potential for reconstructive procedures. Currently, isolation by enzyme digestion and culturing using xenogenic substances remain the gold standard, impairing clinical use.
METHODS
Abdominal lipo-aspirate and blood samples were obtained from healthy patients. A novel mechanical isolation method for ASCs was compared to (the standard) collagenase digestion. ASCs are examined by flowcytometry and multilineage differentiation assays. Cell cultures were performed without xenogenic or toxic substances, using autologous plasma extracted from peripheral blood. After eGFP-transfection, an in vivo differentiation assay was performed.
RESULTS
Mechanical isolation is more successful in isolating CD34/CD31/CD45/CD13/CD73/CD146 ASCs from lipo-aspirate than isolation via collagenase digestion (p <0 .05). ASCs display multilineage differentiation potential in vitro. Autologous plasma is a valid additive for ASCs culturing. eGFP-ASCs, retrieved after 3 months in vivo, differentiated in adipocytes and endothelial cells.
CONCLUSION
A practical method for human ASC isolation and culturing from abdominal lipo-aspirate, without the addition of xenogenic substances, is described. The mechanical protocol is more successful than the current gold standard protocol of enzyme digestion. These results are important in the translation of laboratory-based cell cultures to clinical reconstructive and aesthetic applications.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Animals; Antigens, CD34; Cell Differentiation; Cell Separation; Cells, Cultured; Culture Media; Female; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Mice; Mice, Nude
PubMed: 31421383
DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2019.101532 -
World Journal of Gastrointestinal... Feb 2016New endoscopic techniques for hemostasis in nonvariceal bleeding were introduced and known methods further improved. Hemospray and Endoclot are two new compounds for... (Review)
Review
New endoscopic techniques for hemostasis in nonvariceal bleeding were introduced and known methods further improved. Hemospray and Endoclot are two new compounds for topical treatment of bleeding. Initial studies in this area have shown a good hemostatic effect, especially in active large scale oozing bleeding, e.g., tumor bleedings. For further evaluation larger prospective studies comparing the substanced with other methods of endoscopic hemostasis are needed. For localized active arterial bleeding primary injection therapy in the area of bleeding as well as in the four adjacent quadrants offers a good method to reduce bleeding activity. The injection is technically easy to learn and practicable. After bleeding activity is reduced the bleeding source can be localized more clearly for clip application. Today many different through-the-scope (TTS) clips are available. The ability to close and reopen a clip can aid towards good positioning at the bleeding site. Even more important is the rotatability of a clip before application. Often multiple TTS clips are required for secure closure of a bleeding vessel. One model has the ability to use three clips in series without changing the applicator. Severe arterial bleeding from vessels larger than 2 mm is often unmanageable with these conventional methods. Here is the over-the-scope-clip system another newly available method. It is similar to the ligation of esophageal varices and involves aspiration of tissue into a transparent cap before closure of the clip. Thus a greater vascular occlusion pressure can be achieved and larger vessels can be treated endoscopically. Patients with severe arterial bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract have a very high rate of recurrence after initial endoscopic treatment. These patients should always be managed in an interdisciplinary team of interventional radiologist and surgeons.
PubMed: 26962402
DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v8.i4.205 -
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment Jan 2023This narrative describes my experience with substance use disorder. It includes a trip through the criminal legal system, recovery, higher education, and a career in...
This narrative describes my experience with substance use disorder. It includes a trip through the criminal legal system, recovery, higher education, and a career in research. I convey key points from a history of using substances and committing crimes and how these created barriers to collegiate and professional aspirations, despite long-term recovery. The substance use services research field has come to value lived experience such as mine, lowering barriers for people with substance use and criminal histories. I hope that my work, built upon this experience, not only helps improve services, but also clears the way for more people in recovery to pursue a career in research.
Topics: Humans; Prisons; Substance-Related Disorders; Criminals; Crime
PubMed: 36327616
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108922