The effect of pre-operative cardiorespiratory fitness on functional and subjective outcomes following total hip and knee arthroplasty: a single centre, observational study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pre-operative cardiorespiratory fitness (peak VO2) on physical and subjective recovery from total hip or knee arthroplasty. A secondary aim was to assess the relationship between daily step count or estimated peak VO2 via the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) questionnaire, on post-operative recovery.

Methods: In this secondary analysis of a prior randomised controlled trial, 51 patients (69 [8] y; 25 female; peak VO2: 20.

The prevalence of aortic stenosis in Māori undergoing clinically indicated echocardiography compared to New Zealand Europeans.

Aim: There are limited data on the prevalence of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) in Māori and known inequities in outcomes after aortic valve intervention. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CAVD in Māori.

Methods: Data from initial clinically indicated echocardiograms performed between 2010 to 2018 in patients aged ≥18 years were linked to nationally collected outcome data.

Perfluorooctanoic acid induces transgenerational modifications in reproduction, metabolism, locomotor activity, and sleep behavior in Drosophila melanogaster and deleterious effects in human cancer cells.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been widely documented to affect various aspects of health, including development, metabolism and neuronal function in a variety of organisms. Despite numerous reports detailing these effects, a comprehensive mechanistic model remains elusive, especially with regard to the long-term effects of PFOA, as it bioaccumulates in food chains with a long half-life. In this study, we evaluated the impact of PFOA on several critical physiological states of Drosophila melanogaster.

Evaluation of Primary Oral Vancomycin Prophylaxis Against Infection During Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background: Evaluations of oral vancomycin prophylaxis (OVP) against have been reported in stem cell transplant populations with short follow-up periods. The longest known duration of standardized follow-up post-OVP is 90 days within an allogeneic stem cell transplant population. In 2017, we implemented OVP 125 mg twice daily in autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) recipients beginning the day of admission and continued until the day of discharge.

Off-target effects of statins: molecular mechanisms, side effects and the emerging role of kinases.

Statins are one of the most important classes of drugs. In this analytical review, we elucidate the intricate molecular mechanisms and toxicological rationale regarding both the on- (targeting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase [HMGCR]) and off-target effects of statins. Statins interact with a number of membrane kinases, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (HER2) and MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET), as well as cytosolic kinases, such as SRC proto-oncogene, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (Src) and show inhibitory activity at nanomolar concentrations.

Central Nervous System Prophylaxis Utilization in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Within a Large Community Health System.

Purpose: The impact of central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is contentious. The CNS International Prognostic Index (IPI) calculator offers prognostic guidance in identifying those patients who may be at highest risk of disease progression or relapse to the CNS. However, it is unclear whether this tool has guided clinician decision-making in a real-world setting.

Fluvastatin-induced myofibrillar damage is associated with elevated ROS, and impaired fatty acid oxidation, and is preceded by mitochondrial morphological changes.

Previously, we showed that fluvastatin treatment induces myofibrillar damage and mitochondrial phenotypes in the skeletal muscles of Drosophila. However, the sequential occurrence of mitochondrial phenotypes and myofibril damage remains elusive. To address this, we treated flies with fluvastatin for two and five days and examined their thorax flight muscles using confocal microscopy.

as a Rapid Screening Model to Evaluate the Hypoglycemic Effects of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 (DPP4) Inhibitors: High Evolutionary Conservation of DPP4.

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors, commonly known as gliptins, have been an integral part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for several years. Despite their remarkable efficacy in lowering glucose levels and their compatibility with other hypoglycemic drugs, recent studies have revealed adverse effects, prompting the search for improved drugs within this category, which has required the use of animal models to verify the hypoglycemic effects of these compounds. Currently, in many countries the use of mammals is being significantly restricted, as well as cost prohibitive, and alternative in vivo approaches have been encouraged.

Paired risk scores to predict ischaemic and bleeding risk twenty-eight days to one year after an acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: The recommended duration of dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) varies from 1 month to 1 year depending on the balance of risks of ischaemia and major bleeding. We designed paired ischaemic and major bleeding risk scores to inform this decision.

Methods: New Zealand (NZ) patients with ACS investigated with coronary angiography are recorded in the All NZ ACS Quality Improvement registry and linked to national health datasets.

How do DEI initiatives impact STEMM, and why do we still need them?

The number of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) have grown over the last few years. We asked several Black scientists what impact they have and why STEMM still needs them. They answer these questions and describe how DEI initiatives should evolve.

Evidence for Prepulse Inhibition of Visually Evoked Motor Response in .

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a widely investigated behavior to study the mechanisms of disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar mania. PPI has been observed across various vertebrate and invertebrate species; however, it has not yet been reported in adult . In this study, we describe the first detection of PPI of visually evoked locomotor arousal in flies.

Effects of Transient Administration of the NMDA Receptor Antagonist MK-801 in Activity, Sleep, and Negative Geotaxis.

MK-801, also called dizocilpine, is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist widely used in animal research to model schizophrenia-like phenotypes. Although its effects in rodents are well characterised, little is known about the outcomes of this drug in other organisms. In this study, we characterise the effects of MK-801 on the locomotion, sleep, and negative geotaxis of the fruit fly .

A simple high-throughput method for automated detection of Drosophila melanogaster light-dependent behaviours.

Background: Like most living organisms, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster exhibits strong and diverse behavioural reactions to light. Drosophila is a diurnal animal that displays both short- and long-term responses to light, important for, instance, in avoidance and light wavelength preference, regulation of eclosion, courtship, and activity, and provides an important model organism for understanding the regulation of circadian rhythms both at molecular and circuit levels. However, the assessment and comparison of light-based behaviours is still a challenge, mainly due to the lack of a standardised platform to measure behaviour and different protocols created across studies.

Statins Induce Locomotion and Muscular Phenotypes in That Are Reminiscent of Human Myopathy: Evidence for the Role of the Chloride Channel Inhibition in the Muscular Phenotypes.

The underlying mechanisms for statin-induced myopathy (SIM) are still equivocal. In this study, we employ to dissect possible underlying mechanisms for SIM. We observe that chronic fluvastatin treatment causes reduced general locomotion activity and climbing ability.

The regulatory role of AP-2β in monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems: insights on its signalling pathway, linked disorders and theragnostic potential.

Monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems play a central role in neuronal function and behaviour. Dysregulation of these systems gives rise to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders with high prevalence and societal burden, collectively termed monoamine neurotransmitter disorders (MNDs). Despite extensive research, the transcriptional regulation of monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems is not fully explored.

Enhanced Toxicity of Bisphenols Together with UV Filters in Water: Identification of Synergy and Antagonism in Three-Component Mixtures.

Contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) localize in the biome in variable combinations of complex mixtures that are often environmentally persistent, bioaccumulate and biomagnify, prompting a need for extensive monitoring. Many cosmetics include UV filters that are listed as CECs, such as benzophenone derivatives (oxybenzone, OXYB), cinnamates (2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate, EMC) and camphor derivatives (4-methylbenzylidene-camphor, 4MBC). Furthermore, in numerous water sources, these UV filters have been detected together with Bisphenols (BPs), which are commonly used in plastics and can be physiologically detrimental.

Role of the Synergistic Interactions of Environmental Pollutants in the Development of Cancer.

There is a growing awareness that the large number of environmental pollutants we are exposed to on a daily basis are causing major health problems. Compared to traditional studies that focus on individual pollutants, there are relatively few studies on how pollutants mixtures interact. Several studies have reported a relationship between environmental pollutants and the development of cancer, even when pollutant levels are below toxicity reference values.

The Statin Target Hmgcr Regulates Energy Metabolism and Food Intake through Central Mechanisms.

The statin drug target, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), is strongly linked to body mass index (BMI), yet how HMGCR influences BMI is not understood. In mammals, studies of peripheral HMGCR have not clearly identified a role in BMI maintenance and, despite considerable central nervous system expression, a function for central HMGCR has not been determined. Similar to mammals, Hmgcr is highly expressed in the brain.