Bowel preparation protocol for hospitalized patients ages 50 years or older:A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND The incidence and mortality rate of colorectal cancer progressively increase with age and become particularly prominent after the age of 50 years.Therefore,the population that is≥50 years in age requires long-term and regular colonoscopies.Uncomfortable bowel preparation is the main reason preventing patients from undergoing regular colonoscopies.The standard bowel preparation regimen of 4-L polyethylene glycol(PEG)is effective but poorly tolerated.AIM To investigate an effective and comfortable bowel preparation regimen for hospitalized patients≥50 years in age.METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to group 1(2-L PEG+30-mL lactulose+a lowresidue diet)or group 2(4-L PEG).Adequate bowel preparation was defined as a Boston bowel preparation scale(BBPS)score of≥6,with a score of≥2 for each segment.Non-inferiority was prespecified with a margin of 10%.Additionally,the degree of comfort was assessed based on the comfort questionnaire.RESULTS The proportion of patients with a BBPS score of≥6 in group 1 was not significantly different from that in group 2,as demonstrated by intention-to-treat(91.2%vs 91.0%,P=0.953)and per-protocol(91.8%vs 91.0%,P=0.802)analyses.Furthermore,in patients≥75 years in age,the proportion of BBPS scores of≥6 in group 1 was not significantly different from that in group 2(90.9%vs 97.0%,P=0.716).Group 1 had higher comfort scores(8.85±1.162 vs 7.59±1.735,P<0.001),longer sleep duration(6.86±1.204 h vs 5.80±1.730 h,P<0.001),and fewer awakenings(1.42±1.183 vs 2.04±1.835,P=0.026)than group 2.CONCLUSION For hospitalized patients≥50 years in age,the bowel preparation regimen comprising 2-L PEG+30-mL lactulose+a low-residue diet produced a cleanse that was as effective as the 4-L PEG regimen and even provided better comfort.

Impact of Drought Stress during Germination on Antioxidant Capacities and Antioxidant Enzymes Activities of Madura Local Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) Seeds

The effect of various polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations to induced drought stress on the antioxidant capacities and antioxidant enzyme activities was investigated on Madura local maize during germination. Seed samples were treated under 5%, 10%, and 15% of PEG for 6 days. The changes in the antioxidant capacities such as 2,2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and hydroxyl radical scavenging;antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and gene expression were observed during seeds germination. The result showed the antioxidants capacities and enzyme activities exhibited a significantly higher level in drought-treated. The most effective level of drought stress to elevate the capabilities and enzyme activity of antioxidant as well as it gene expression was observed at 15% PEG, whereas ABTS scavenging activity was increased 20% over the control, hydroxyl scavenging activity up to 14%, CAT and APX activity increased 4 - 5 times over the control. Along with the presence of antioxidant mechanisms, including the capacities and activities of different types of ABTS+, hydroxyl, CAT, and APX might play important roles during the germination phase and be able to manage reactive oxygen species to the normal level under stress condition.

Lubricatio mechanism of a strong tribofilm by imidazolium ionic liquid

Friction modifiers(FMs)are surface-active additives added to base fluids to reduce friction between rubbing surfaces.Their effectiveness depends on their interactions with rubbing surfaces and may be mitigated by the choice of the base fluid.In this work,the performance of an imidazolium ionic liquid(ImIL)additive in polyethylene-glycol(PEG)and 1,4-butanediol for lubricating steel/steel and diamond-like-carbon/diamond-like carbon(DLC-DLC)contacts were investigated.ImIL-containing PEG reduces friction more effectively in steel-steel than DLC-DLC contacts.In contrast,adding ImIL in 1,4-butanediol results in an increase in friction in steel-steel contacts.Results from the Raman spectroscopy,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),and focused ion beam-transmission electron microscopy(FIB-TEM)reveal that a surface film is formed on steel during rubbing in ImIL-containing PEG.This film consists of two layers.The top layer is composed of amorphous carbon and are easily removed during rubbing.The bottom layer,which contains iron oxide and nitride compound,adheres strongly on the steel surface.This film maintains its effectiveness in a steel-steel contact even after ImIL additives are depleted.Such film is not observed in 1,4-butanediol where the adsorption of ImIL is hindered,as suggested by the quartz crystal microbalance(QCM)measurements.No benefit is observed when the base fluid on its own is sufficiently lubricious,as in the case of DLC surfaces.This work provides fundamental insights on how compatibilities among base fluid,FM,and rubbing surface affect the performance of IL as surface active additives.It reveals the structure of an ionic liquid(IL)surface film,which is effective and durable.The knowledge is useful for guiding future IL additive development.