Hyaluronic acid-lipid binding.

BACKGROUND: Phospholipid (PL)-hyaluronic acid (HA) interactions are relevant to aging-associated vitreous humor liquefaction, therapies for dry eye disease, skin-care products and synovial joint lubrication. Phosphatidyl choline-HA interactions have been well characterized. However, other major lipids found in tears, vitreous humor and synovial joints have not. The purpose of this study was to bridge this gap of knowledge. METHODS: HA (1600 kDa) at 5 mg/mL, was mixed with various lipids ranging in concentration from 0.1 to 10 mg/mL in D2O. HA-PL binding was measured from the decrease in HA proton resonance intensity with binding using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. RESULTS: Cholesterol weakly bound to HA, followed by monoglyceride and palmitoyl palmitate < phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidic acid and sphingomyelin. The maximum amount of PL bound was 14 ± 1 µmoles inferring a 1 to 1 molar ratio of bound PL to HA dimer. Monoglyceride and palmitoyl palmitate required two to three times more lipid to achieve 100% bound HA compared to PL. CONCLUSIONS: Physiological levels of HA, phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin would result in only 4% of the hydrophobic hydrogens of HA to be bound. HA-PL binding interactions could be important for therapeutic use of HA in eye drops in future studies to treat dry eye and to trap PL entering the VH to keep them from forming light scattering micelles. HA-lipid binding may also be relevant to the therapeutic effects of topical skin-care products. Both head group and hydrocarbon chain moieties influence HA-lipid interactions.

Dogs in the Workplace: A Review of the Benefits and Potential Challenges.

Pet dogs, therapy dogs, and service dogs can be seen in workplaces with increasing frequency. Although dogs may provide many benefits to employees and employers, their presence may introduce additional hazards and concerns to the work environment. Therefore, decisions to accept dogs in the workplace may include many considerations including the health, safety, and well-being of employees, legal and cultural sensitivities, and animal welfare. The present paper serves to introduce the issue of dogs in the workplace and outline the potential benefits and challenges to their presence. The legal accommodations afforded to certain types of dogs in workplace settings are discussed, and the research findings pertaining to the potential benefits of dogs on human health and well-being are summarized. The paper concludes with considerations for human resource management personnel in the areas of diversity, employee relations, ethics and corporate responsibility, organizational and employee development, safety and security, and legal considerations, as well as suggested topics for future research.

Rivaroxaban Use for Thrombosis Prophylaxis Is Associated With Early Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection is a disastrous complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The use of certain agents to prevent deep vein thrombosis after arthroplasty has been linked to an increased risk of adverse effects including wound drainage and infection. Adverse effects of one alternative, rivaroxaban, was studied in a single community hospital. METHODS: International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification 9 codes were used to identify primary THAs and TKAs in an administrative database at one large-volume community hospital performed in 2012. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the study group received rivaroxaban, whereas the control group received another form of chemical thromboprophylaxis for at least 2 weeks postoperative. Demographics, risk factors, and illness severity scores were collected for each group. The primary measured outcome was the incidence of deep surgical site infection (SSI) within 30 days postoperative. RESULTS: A total of 639 TKA or THA patients were included, with 159 patients who received rivaroxaban and 480 who received another form of chemical thromboprophylaxis. There were no significant differences between groups regarding demographics, risk factors, or illness severity scores. Incidence of early deep SSI in the rivaroxaban group was higher than in the control group (2.5% vs 0.2%; P < .015). CONCLUSION: The use of rivaroxaban for thromboprophylaxis led to a significantly increased incidence of deep SSI in a continuous series of patients undergoing primary THA and TKA in a single institution.

Problem gambling in the workplace, characteristics of employees seeking help.

Few rigorous research studies exist to define the impact problem gambling may have on the workforce and the workplace. This study is an initial attempt to address this void by exploring the vocational patterns and demographics of callers with self report gambling problems to a state helpline. It utilizes Chi-squared Automatic Interaction (CHAID) Technique analysis to assess 1072 working age callers with gambling related problems. The goal of this exploratory investigation is to determine if the issue of problem gambling in the workplace warrants further research and, potentially, design of interventions. Discussion centers on the use of the information for development of employer based prevention and intervention efforts.