AIM:To evaluate the prevalence and predictive factors of osteoporosis in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma after gastrectomy. METHODS:The study included 133 patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma but who did not undergo prior diagnostic work-up for osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and vertebral deformity was assessed by plain X-rays. We evaluated the effects of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), anemia, back pain, vertebral deformity, tumor staging, reconstruction type, and past medical history to determine predictive factors of osteoporosis in these patients. RESULTS:The prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine was 38.3% (male, 28.9%; female, 54.0%), and 15.0% in the femoral neck (male, 10.8%; female, 22.0%). The vertebral deformity rate was 46.6% (male, 43.4%; female, 52.0%). Age, BMI and hemoglobin correlated with BMD (P < 0.01). In males, anemia and age > 64 years were independent predictive factors of osteoporosis in multivariate analysis. In females, back pain was an independent factor for osteoporosis. CONCLUSION:The results of this study revealed that prevalence of osteoporosis and vertebral bone deformity rate were high in gastric cancer patients, regardless of post-gastrectomy duration and operation type. Early diagnosis and a proper management plan must be established in these patients.

We present the use of swept wavelength interferometry for distributed fiber-optic, temperature measurements of up to 850 0 C over a 1m fiber segment in commercially available, single mode, gold coated fiber. The interrogation technique is based on measuring the spectral shift of the intrinsic Rayleigh backscatter signal along the optical fiber and converting the spectral shift to temperature.

Discovery of histone lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) indicates that even histone methylation is reversible. Structural analysis shows that LSD1 is a flavin-dependent amine oxidase, which is able to catalyze the specific removal of methyl groups from mono- and dimethylated Lys4 and Lys9 of histone H3. Functional studies demonstrate that LSD1 regulates activation and inhibition of gene transcription in the nucleus, which is known as the innermost gene switch of cells. LSD1 plays important roles in embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Here, we review recent insights into the structure and chemical mechanism of LSD1, and its regulatory roles in development and cancer.

Purpose: The study investigated the level of preparedness of secondary school Principals to adopt the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) in Keiyo North Sub-County, Elgeiyo-Marakwet County in Kenya. Methodology: It was an explanatory research based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the public choice theory. A target population of 30 secondary schools Principals and 30 HODs in charge of ICT in Keiyo North Sub-County schools consisting of Boarding and Day secondary schools was used. This formed a population of 60. The schools were classified as National, Extra-County, County and Sub-County secondary schools. This ensured that all the sub-groups were proportionately represented. Quantitative data was collected using close-ended questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A model was developed through regression analysis. Findings: Results indicate that the sub-variable of Principal’s level of preparedness (acceptance, training and skills, and ICT infrastructure) had a statistically significant positive effect on adoption of NEMIS in secondary schools. The finding of this study is useful to the Ministry of Education (MOE) in planning purposes. The constructs of Principal’s level of preparedness (acceptance, training and skills and ICT infrastructure) positively and significantly correlated with adoption of NEMIS and as these constructs are enhanced, adoption of NEMIS receives a positive boost. Unique Contribution to Theory Practice and Policy: The study points out that use of technology is a function of acceptance by the user and is in line with the postulates of UTAUT theory that drove this study. It is therefore recommended that managers in the education circles should pay greater attention to the postulates of UTAUT theory for effective implantation of ICT driven programs like NEMIS. The study further points out that for any government policy to succeed, those in authority should allocate resources for public interest to support such policy rather than follow their own self-interest as pointed out by the public choice theory.

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