Predictive Relationships Between Students' Evaluation Ratings and Course Satisfaction.

Objective. To assess the reliability and validity of course evaluation data. Methods. A correlation study was conducted using archival data from pharmacy student course evaluations. Bivariate relationships between eight course-rating items and overall rating item and the extent to which course type, level, and grade point average moderated these relationships were analyzed. Results. Significant bivariate relationships were found between the eight course evaluation rating variables and the overall course rating variable. Pharmacy practice course type significantly moderated the relationship between all predictor and criterion variables. Conclusion. Pharmacy school administrators should consider individual course evaluation item ratings when making decisions regarding course offerings or faculty promotion and tenure.

ULTRAPRO® Hernia System: Toward an Ideal Solution? The Bonheiden Experience with a Partially Absorbable and Macroporous Bilayer Device.

In 1998, Gilbert introduced the Prolene Hernia System (PHS), a bilayer polypropylene mesh device composed of an onlay patch, a connector, and an underlay patch. The overall concept of its design was to include the best features of all currently available techniques while eliminating their undesirable features. This device is now available in a lightweight version, the Ultrapro® Hernia System (UHS; Johnson & Johnson, Somerville, NJ). We present the Bonheiden experience. From 2006 until 2009, we used 890 UHS devices in 712 patients. All patients were requested to join a prospective analysis with follow-up at one week and one month. Follow-ups at one and two years were organized using a telephone questionnaire. We were able to monitor 668 UHS implants in 526 patients. Bilateral primary hernias were repaired simultaneously in 142 patients and 6 hernias were a recurrence of a previous nonmesh repair. There were 472 men and 54 women in our cohort, with an average age of 57.5 years and average BMI of 24.79. No recurrences have occurred to date. Superficial wound infection presented in 3 patients. They were treated with antibiotics and no mesh needed to be removed. Seromas are much more common after this bilayer technique and are not considered a true complication. Whereas ecchymosis is very common, large hematomas were seen in 5 patients. One patient presented with a DVT of the iliac vein. She was treated with anticoagulation for three months, stockings, and early mobilization. The Ultrapro Hernia System is a good alternative to other preperitoneal hernia repairs, feasible in a day hospital under locoregional or general anesthesia. It has a very low recurrence rate but carries a more extensive dissection. We think the price paid for this extensive dissection is more than acceptable and is comparable to the Lichtenstein experience.

Comparison of Recurrence Rates in Obese and Non-Obese Patients Undergoing Ventral Hernia Repair with Lighter-Weight, Partially Absorbable Mesh.

Lighter-weight, large pore meshes with absorbable layers are designed for intra-abdominal placement in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. This retrospective review of 86 patients who underwent ventral hernia repair with PROCEED™ Surgical Mesh (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ) represents an evaluation of a cohort of patients implanted with this mesh. All patients implanted with PROCEED Mesh for ventral hernia repair between October 2006 and December 2007 were contacted and asked to participate in an evaluation of their hernia repair. Patients were evaluated for pain, recurrence of their hernia and other potential complications. Eight patients underwent open repair; all others were performed laparoscopically. One patient continued to have pain at 1 year. Twelve developed seromas early on and 5 required drainage by a single puncture each. None persisted. There were 4 recurrences with none in patients with a Body Mass Index 3 32. One case of abdominal wall cellulitis responded to antibiotics. There were no wound infections, mesh infections, bowel obstructions or enteric fistulas. This study demonstrates the utility of a lighter-weight, large pore, partially absorbable mesh for intraperitoneal use in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair and indicates this mesh is strong enough for use in obese patients.

Folate status, genomic DNA hypomethylation, and risk of colorectal adenoma and cancer: a case control study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Low folate intake may increase risk for colorectal cancer by inducing DNA hypomethylation. This study reports the influence of folate status, DNA methylation, and polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C-->T and 1298A-->C), methionine synthase (MS 2756A-->G), and cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS 844ins68) on risk for developing colorectal neoplasia. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with adenoma, 28 patients with cancer, and 76 controls were recruited for a case control study. Recruitment consent rate was 98%. Blood samples were obtained for determination of blood folates, vitamin B(12), homocysteine, DNA methylation, and genotypes. Tissue biopsy samples were obtained at colonoscopy for determination of DNA methylation in colonic mucosa. Folate status was assessed by constructing a score from estimates of dietary intake and serum and erythrocyte folate. RESULTS: Cancer patients had 26% lower folate status (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6% to 44%, P = 0.01) and 21% lower serum vitamin B(12) concentration (95% CI: -38% to 1%, P = 0.06) compared with controls. [(3)H] methyl incorporation into colonic DNA was 26% higher in patients with adenoma (95% CI: 8% to 56%, P = 0.009) and 30% higher in patients with cancer (95% CI: -3% to 48%, P = 0.08) compared with controls. High folate status was associated with decreased risk for cancer (P = 0.01 for trend). Colonic and leukocyte DNA hypomethylation were associated with increased risk for adenoma (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01 for trend, respectively) and a nonsignificantly increased risk for cancer (P = 0.09 and P = 0.08 for trend, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Low folate status and DNA hypomethylation are associated with colorectal neoplasia.

Real-time detection of genetically modified soya using Lightcycler and ABI 7700 platforms with TaqMan, Scorpion, and SYBR Green I chemistries.

A comparative cross platform evaluation of real-time polymerase chain reaction detection of DNA sequences present in Roundup Ready soya was undertaken using the ABI 7700 and Roche Lightcycler detection systems in combination with 3 different detection chemistries: TaqMan, Scorpion primers, and SYBR Green I fluorescent dye. Various copy numbers of a plasmid containing the soya lectin sequence were used to determine the sensitivity and reproducibility of the different technology combinations and to examine both inter and intra machine variability. To examine the relative accuracy of each technology, the genetically modified soya content of baked products containing known amounts of Roundup Ready soya was determined by detection of lectin and the EPSPS transgene. It was determined that the combination of TaqMan detection chemistry and the ABI 7700 platform represented the best method for quantitative detection of genetically modified organisms in terms of both precision and accuracy.

Detection of genetically modified crops and their derivatives: critical steps in sample preparation and extraction.

The detection of genetically modified crops in foodstuff relies on detection of transgenic DNA or protein material in the sample matrix. Purified DNA or proteins are used as analytical material for polymerase chain reaction technologies and immunodiagnostics. Successful sample preparation is critical to the validity of subsequent analysis. For routine analysis, a good sample preparation technique should be simple, safe, and inexpensive while reproducibly generating DNA/protein of sufficient quality and yield. The suitability of isolated DNA or protein as an analyte for a detection or characterization technique depends on amount or concentration, purity, and integrity, each of which may be influenced by sample matrix and the extraction technique, and, in turn, may impact the validity of analytical techniques. The key sample preparation steps of homogenization, pretreatment, extraction, and purification are discussed as well as typical analytical methods. Consideration is given to application of these steps for particular sample matrixes to maximize yield, reduce inhibition effects, and minimize contamination. The choice of the most appropriate and valid methods for sample preparation from particular foods is discussed with respect to DNA analysis. Attention is also given to ease of use, cost, and generic applicability of the procedures.

Genotype at a promoter polymorphism of the interleukin-6 gene is associated with baseline levels of plasma C-reactive protein.

OBJECTIVE: Baseline concentrations of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with coronary heart disease. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) regulates CRP gene expression; a promoter polymorphism (-174G/C) of the IL-6 gene has been shown to influence IL-6 transcription but the relationship between genotype at this polymorphism and circulating levels of inflammatory markers remains unclear. We hypothesised that plasma CRP would be a heritable phenotype that would be influenced by genotype at this polymorphism. METHODS: We measured baseline plasma CRP and determined genotypes at the -174G/C polymorphism of the IL-6 gene in 588 members of 98 nuclear families. The heritability of plasma CRP and the association of plasma CRP with genotype were determined using variance components methods. RESULTS: Baseline CRP levels were highly heritable (h(2)=0.39, P<0.0000001). Presence of the -174C allele was associated with higher baseline CRP levels, both in the whole population (P=0.01), and in the founders only (n=128, P=0.001). Family-based analyses confirmed the association (P=0.02) suggesting that it arises from chromosomal proximity or identity of the typed polymorphism with a genetic variant influencing baseline CRP levels. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline plasma CRP is a significantly heritable cardiovascular risk factor. Levels are associated with genotype at the -174G/C polymorphism of the IL-6 gene.