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pubmed_340_2590
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Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been popular as an environmentally friendly sample pretreatment technique to extract a very wide range of analytes. This is partly owing to the development of SPME coatings. One of the key factors affecting the extraction performances, such as the sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility, is the properties of the coatings on SPME fibers. This paper classifies the materials used as SPME coatings and introduces some common preparation techniques of SPME coating in detail, such as sol-gel technique, electrochemical polymerization technique, particle direct pasting technique, restricted access matrix SPME technique, and molecularly imprinted SPME technique.
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10.1093/chromsci/44.6.324
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pubmed_468_9575
|
Recent genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified two intergenic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs11833579 and rs12425791) on chromosome 12p13 and within 11 kb of the NINJ2 gene that were significantly associated with stroke in Caucasians. However, the validity of the association has remained controversial. We performed genetic association analyses in three independent cohorts, including total of 3042 cases and 2973 controls. No significant association between these two SNPs and ischemic stroke was detected by meta-analysis after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors under the additive model. Our data does not support that the common variants on 12p13 are major contributors of ischemic stroke in the Chinese Han population.
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10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.02.005
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pubmed_61_16810
|
A bond path linking two saturated fluorine atoms is found to be ubiquitous in crowded difluorinated aromatic compounds. The bond path is shown to persist for a range of internuclear distances (2.3-2.8 A) and a range of relative orientations of the two C-F internuclear axes. The F. . .F bonding is shown to exhibit all the hallmarks of a closed-shell weak interaction. The presence of such a bond path can impart as much as 14 kcal/mol of local stabilization to the molecule in which it exists, a stabilization that can be offset or even overwhelmed by destabilization of other regions in the molecule. Several other weak closed-shell interactions were also found and characterized including F. . .C, F. . .O, and C. . .C interactions, hydrogen bonding, dihydrogen bonding, and hydrogen-hydrogen bonding. This study represents another example of the usefulness and richness of the bond path concept and of the theory of atoms in molecules in general.
|
10.1021/jp045044z
|
pubmed_1142_9008
|
BACKGROUND
The burden of erectile dysfunction (ED) among the developed countries is found to be quite high. However, there is a paucity of data among developing countries to know its actual burden and factors associated with it.
METHODS
The current study is cross-sectional and was conducted in Family Medicine clinics of Liaquat National Hospital during May 2017-January 2018. A total of 450 males participated in this study with the age range of 24-77 years. More than half of the participants were graduates or above.
RESULTS
On multivariable analysis, age (aOR = 5.47, 95% CI: 2.74-10.89), alcohol use (aOR = 5.23, 95% CI: 1.45-18.84), diabetes (aOR = 6.61, 95% CI: 3.27-13.36), and current smoking (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.35-4.31) were significantly associated with ED. ED risk was significantly lower in those who either attended secondary school (aOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.88) or were at least graduates (aOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.17-0.96) than illiterate when model was adjusted for other covariates.
CONCLUSION
Erectile dysfunction in a Pakistani male population highlights the need for routine screening at the primary care level. There is a possibility that the actual burden is underreported due to cultural stigmatization; hence, further research is warranted to validate the findings.
|
10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1871_20
|
pubmed_95_16263
|
We evaluated ultrasound propagation through the calcaneus using the Achilles Lunar unit in patients with postmenopausal or glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and a combination of these two parameters called stiffness were determined. Reproducibility was 0.23%, 2.6%, and 2.6% for these three parameters, respectively. Bone mineral density measured at the spine and femoral neck by absorptiometry was significantly correlated with all three ultrasound parameters in the women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (n = 47) and in the controls (n = 42). In the patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (n = 35), only speed of sound was significantly correlated with the bone mineral density measurements. Mean values in the subjects with postmenopausal osteoporosis and in their age-matched controls were 1473 +/- 27.2 m/sec versus 1500.6 +/- 29.6 m/sec for speed of sound, 95.3 +/- 9.6 dB/Mhz versus 105.7 +/- 10.1 dB/Mhz for broadband ultrasound attenuation, and 56.1 +/- 13.2 versus 70.9 +/- 14.1 for stiffness, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.01). Z scores were -0.91, -1.1, -0.93, -0.97, and -1.05 for bone mineral density at the spine, bone mineral density at the femoral neck, speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness, respectively. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the ultrasound parameters at the calcaneus and the absorptiometry measurements at the spine and femoral neck. Mean values in glucocorticoid-treated patients and age-matched controls were 1480 +/- 26.9 m/sec versus 1505.1 +/- 30.3 m/sec for speed of sound, 99.2/-11.4 dB/Mhz versus 105.9 +/- -10.2 dB/Mhz for broadband ultrasound attenuation, and 60.7 +/- 14 versus 72.1/14.5 for stiffness, again indicating a significant difference (P < or = 0.01). Z scores were -0.55, -0.65, -0.8, -0.67, and -0.78 for bone mineral density at the spine, bone mineral density at the femoral neck, speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness, respectively. Our data suggest that ultrasound parameters measured at the calcaneus are useful for evaluating postmenopausal and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
|
pubmed_95_16263
|
pubmed_969_1068
|
Fluorescence image analysis using the calcium indicator fluo-3 was used to examine changes in [Ca2+]i induced by glutamate in mixed glia populations cultured from neonatal rat brains. [Ca2+]i responses were correlated with glia type by performing immunohistochemistry using markers specific for type 1 and type 2 astrocytes on the same cells used in the imaging experiments. Glutamate (30-500 microM) induced two markedly different [Ca2+]i responses in the two astrocyte types: the response in type 1 astrocytes consisted of an initial fast transient followed by varying degrees of oscillations, whereas the predominant response in type 2 astrocytes was a slow rise in [Ca2+]i to a more or less sustained and nonoscillatory level. In some type 2 astrocytes, an initial spikelike transient similar to that in type 1 astrocytes was observed; the overall size of the spike, however, was smaller than in type 1 astrocytes. Two agonists for the ionotropic glutamate receptor, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) and kainate, elicited a 6-cyano-7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX)-sensitive, external Ca(2+)-dependent, sustained [Ca2+]i rise in type 2 but not type 1 astrocytes. The initial spike in type 2 astrocytes was less dependent on external Ca2+ and not blocked by CNQX. [Na+]i as measured by the Na(+)-fluorescence dye SBFI, was elevated by kainate in both astrocyte types, though the increase was larger in type 2 astrocytes. This increase was reduced by CNQX, suggesting this [Ca2+]i increase was mediated, at least in part, by ionotropic glutamate receptors. The results are discussed in terms of the relative distribution of two classes of glutamate receptors on these two astrocyte types: one, the ionotropic class, is linked directly to an ion channel, and the other, the metabotropic class, induces internal mobilization of Ca2+ via inositol phospholipid hydrolysis.
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pubmed_969_1068
|
pubmed_175_17352
|
The perceived prevalence of renal artery aneurysms is increasing, probably because of the widespread use of cross-sectional imaging. The majority of these aneurysms are found incidentally and are asymptomatic. There are no clear guidelines for when to repair these aneurysms, although most practitioners recommend intervention around the 2- to 3-cm size cutoff. These can be managed endovascularly or with open surgery; however, aneurysms at the hilum may require a complex repair to avoid nephrectomy. We present a case of a hilar renal artery aneurysm managed with laparoscopic nephrectomy with ex vivo aneurysm resection and repair followed by autotransplantation.
|
10.1016/j.jvscit.2019.11.009
|
pubmed_1098_24954
|
The sharing economy is still transforming the hospitality industry at an exponential speed. The idea of acquiring goods and services through a collaborative approach is becoming a significant part of the world's overall economy. Many use platforms and social media channels to make purchase decisions while communicating with others. This study, therefore, investigates the socialization factors and values of the sharing economy as driving forces of the rapid growth of the hospitality businesses related to sharing economy. The study also assesses their influence on satisfaction and continuance behavior and explores the role of reciprocity and perceived risk by applying the value-based adoption theory. Using mixed methods, the present research identifies the crucial attributes and validates the proposed theoretical framework. Our findings provide valuable insights for hospitality businesses participating in the sharing economy.
|
10.1057/s41599-022-01379-y
|
pubmed_184_8377
|
Injection of viable BCG into the subarachnoid space of immunized and non-immunized dogs produced a 10-fold increase in the populations of pial free cells. In immunized animals injected three days previously with BCG, stereoscopic SEM revealed that many pial cells had rounded up and were protruding into the subarachnoid space. With continued rounding these cells took on amoeboid characteristics, with shapes that suggested a capacity for cell movement. Internally, these pial cells possessed an increased volume of perinuclear cytoplasm and organelles. Reactive pial cells could be distinguished from macrophages of presumed hematogenous origin on the basis of their surface morphology. These findings suggested that pial cells had the ability to alter their normal structural and behavioral characteristics and to become macrophage-like under these conditions of secondary challenge by BCG.
|
10.1002/aja.1001560203
|
pubmed_978_17410
|
Study of the histopathologic pattern of 28 cases of superficial granulomatous pyoderma demonstrated an ulcerative, verrucous pyoderma of the superficial dermis. Focal abscesses in the subepidermis or dermis were juxtaposed with granuloma formation and plasma cell inflammation. Hemorrhage and granulation tissue were present. The clinical lesions are indolent, and this feature is confirmed by chronic inflammatory elements, including sinus tract formation and focal fibrosis. Superficial granulomatous pyoderma must be added to the histologic differential diagnosis of the vegetative and ulcerative granulomas: blastomycosis, tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, and bromoderma.
|
10.1111/j.1346-8138.1989.tb01234.x
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pubmed_959_3604
|
At least 100 cannabis species are compounds known as cannabinoids, a molecule with a 21-carbon terpenophenolic skeleton. Cannabinoids produce more than 100 naturally occurring chemicals, the most abundant of which are Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), terpenes, and flavonoids. THC and CBD bind with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), which are present in the brain and many organs. Metabolism of cannabis is determined by the route of consumption. When inhaled, THC and its metabolites enter the bloodstream rapidly via the lungs; they achieve peak levels within 6 to 10 minutes and reach the brain and various organs. The bioavailability of inhaled THC is 10% to 35%. After THC is absorbed, it travels to the liver where most of it is eliminated or metabolized to 11-OH-THC or 11-COOH-THC. The remaining THC and its metabolites enter the circulation. The bioavailability of ingested THC is only 4% to 12%. THC is highly lipid soluble and is therefore rapidly taken up by fat tissue. The plasma half-life of THC is 1 to 3 days in occasional users and 5 to 13 days in chronic users. The bioavailability of CBD via inhalation is 11% to 45%, whereas that of oral CBD is 6%. CBD has high lipophilicity and therefore is rapidly distributed in the brain, adipose tissue, and other organs. CBD is hydroxylated to 7-OH-CBD and 7-COOH-CBD by cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 in the liver and is excreted mainly in feces and less in urine. The plasma half-life of CBD is 18 to 32 hours.
|
10.7812/TPP/19.200
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pubmed_908_25057
|
BACKGROUND
The caveolin 1 (CAV1) gene has been associated with metabolic traits in animal models and human cohorts. Recently, a prevalent variant in CAV1 has been found to be related to metabolic syndrome in Hispanics living in North America. Since Hispanics represent an admixed population at high risk for cardiovascular diseases, in this study a Latin American population with a similar genetic background was assessed.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze a genetic association between CAV1 and metabolic traits in an admixed Latin American population.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out with adults from the Colombian Caribbean Coast, selected in urban clusters and work places through a stratified sampling to include diverse ages and socioeconomic groups. Blood pressure and waist circumference were registered. Serum concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured from an 8-hr fasting whole-blood sample. Two previously analyzed CAV1 single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped (rs926198 and rs11773845). A logistic regression model was applied to estimate the associations. An admixture adjustment was performed through a Bayesian model.
RESULTS
A total of 605 subjects were included. rs11773845 was associated with hypertriglyceridemia [odds ratio (OR) = 1.33, p = 0.001] and the metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.53, p = 0.02). When admixture adjustment was performed these genetic associations preserved their statistical significance. There were no significant associations between rs926198 and metabolic traits.
CONCLUSIONS
The CAV1 variation rs11773845 was found to be consistently associated with high serum triglycerides and the metabolic syndrome. This is the first report of a relationship between CAV1 variants and serum triglycerides in Latin America.
|
10.1089/met.2018.0004
|
pubmed_911_7352
|
The aim of this study is to evaluate the individual differences in radiosensitivity of lineage-committed myeloid hematopoietic progenitors, colony-forming cells (CFC), detected in steady-state human peripheral blood (PB). Mononuclear cells were prepared from the buffy-coat of 30 individuals PB, and were assayed for CFC by semi-solid culture supplemented with cytokines. X irradiation was performed in the range of 0.5-4 Gy at a dose rate of about 80 cGy/min. The mean number of hematopoietic progenitor cells is 5866 alpha 3408 in 1 ml of buffy-coat, suggesting that the erythroid progenitor cells are the major population. The total CFC radiosensitivity parameter D(0) and n value are 1.18 alpha 0.24 and 1.89 alpha 0.98, respectively. Using a linear regression analysis, a statistically significant correlation is observed between the D(0) value and the surviving fraction at 4 Gy (r = 0.611 p < 0.001). Furthermore, we evaluate the relationship between individual radiosensitivity and the level of antioxidants, plasma uric acid, plasma bilirubin, and intracellular glutathione. No statistically significant correlations are observed, however, between the D(0) parameter and the level of antioxidants, plasma uric acid, plasma bilirubin, and intracellular glutathione. The present study demonstrates that there are large individual differences in the radiosensitivity of hematopoietic progenitor cells as detected in steady-state human PB. These differences demonstrate almost no correlation with plasma or intracellular antioxidants. The prediction of individual differences in radiosensitivity of CFC can only be measured by 4 Gy irradiation.
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10.1269/jrr.07079
|
pubmed_1121_7529
|
BACKGROUND
Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF, 100 kHz - 300 GHz) emitted by wireless communication technologies is pervasive and ubiquitous. Concern has been raised about possible adverse effects to human health. In 2011 the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified RF-EMF as possibly carcinogenic to humans, highlighting that the evidence is weak and far from conclusive. Updated systematic reviews of the scientific literature on this topic are lacking, especially for mechanistic studies.
OBJECTIVES
To develop a protocol for a systematic review of experimental studies investigating genotoxic effects induced by RF-EMF in in vitro cellular models. Genotoxicity is one of the key-biological indicators of carcinogenicity, and the most common characteristics of established carcinogens. The predefined procedures for conducting the systematic review are outlined below.
METHODS
We will follow the guidelines developed by the National Toxicology Program-Office of Health Assessment and Translation (NTP-OHAT), adapted to the evaluation of in vitro studies.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We will include experimental in vitro studies addressing the relationship between controlled exposures to RF-EMF and genotoxicity in mammalian cells only. Eligibility for inclusion will be further restricted to peer reviewed articles reporting findings from primary studies.
INFORMATION SOURCES
We will search the scientific literature databases NCBI PubMed, Web of Science, and EMF-Portal. No filter on publication date will be applied. Only studies published in English will be considered. The reference lists of the included papers and available reviews will be screened for unidentified relevant papers. References will be managed through Endnote X9 software.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS
Data from included papers will be extracted according to predefined forms. Heterogeneity within the available evidence will determine the type of evidence synthesis that is appropriate. Findings will be summarized in tables, graphical displays and in a narrative synthesis of the available evidences. A meta-analysis will be carried out if subgroups of studies homogeneous in terms of exposure characteristics, endpoint, and cell types will be identified.
RISK OF BIAS
The internal validity of included studies will be assessed using the NTP-OHAT Risk of Bias Rating Tool for animal studies, adapted to in vitro studies. This stage of the process will be managed through the Health Assessment Workspace Collaborative (HAWC).
EVIDENCE APPRAISAL
To rate confidence in the body of evidence, we will use the OHAT GRADE-based approach for animal studies.
FRAMEWORK AND FUNDING
This protocol concerns one of the evidence streams considered in a larger systematic review of the scientific literature on the potential carcinogenicity of RF-EMF, performed by scientists from several Italian public research agencies. The project is supported by the Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL) in the framework of the CRA with the Istituto Superiore di Sanità "BRiC 2018/06 - Scientific evidence on the carcinogenicity of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields".
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10.1016/j.envint.2021.106386
|
pubmed_379_6315
|
To investigate the functional roles of individual HLA-DR residues in T cell recognition, transfectants expressing wild-type or mutant DR(alpha,beta 1*0401) molecules with single amino acid substitutions at 14 polymorphic positions of the DR beta 1*0401 chain or 19 positions of the DR alpha chain were used as antigen-presenting cells for five T cell clones specific for the influenza hemagglutinin peptide, HA307-19. Of the six polymorphic positions in the DR beta floor that were examined, mutations at only two positions eliminated T cell recognition: positions 13 (four clones) and 28 (one clone). In contrast, individual mutations at DR beta positions 70, 71, 78, and 86 on the alpha helix eliminated recognition by each of the clones, and mutations at positions 74 and 67 eliminated recognition by four and two clones, respectively. Most of the DR alpha mutations had minimal or no effect on most of the clones, although one clone was very sensitive to changes in the DR alpha chain, with loss of recognition in response to 10 mutants. Mutants that abrogated recognition by all of the clones were assessed for peptide binding, and only the beta 86 mutation drastically decreased peptide binding. Single amino acid substitutions at polymorphic positions in the central part of the DR beta alpha helix disrupted T cell recognition much more frequently than substitutions in the floor, suggesting that DR beta residues on the alpha helix make relatively greater contributions than those in the floor to the ability of the DR(alpha,beta 1*0401) molecule to present HA307-19. The data indicate that DR beta residues 13, 70, 71, 74, and 78, which are located in pocket 4 of the peptide binding site in the crystal structure of the DR1 molecule, exert a major and disproportionate influence on the outcome of T cell recognition, compared with other polymorphic residues.
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10.1084/jem.181.3.915
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pubmed_43_4585
|
For minimizing volatilization and leaching of pesticides, and enhancing their residence time on crop surfaces, we synthesized and characterized a novel intelligent pesticide delivery system. Therein, imidacloprid (IMI) was adsorbed by polydopamine modified kaolin (PK) with high adsorption property through hydrogen bonds. Ca-alginate was used as a structural matrix of the system and a protective shell to hinder the pesticide burst release from PK, and endowed the system with unique pH-sensitive property for IMI release. The amino silicone oil (ASO) coating could bind with the waxy layer of crop leaves by the theory of "similarity-intermiscibility", which increased the adhesion of composite on crop leaves. Moreover, by the excellent light-sensitive property of detonation nanodiamond (DND) and temperature-responsive performance of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm), the release of IMI from the functional system could be adjusted by sunlight. Besides, the composite displayed high control efficacy. This novel composite can promote the targeting ability and utilization efficiency of pesticides, thus having a huge potential application prospect in agriculture.
|
10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.112004
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pubmed_63_3955
|
Proteins incorporated into phospholipid Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films are a good model system for biomembranes and enzyme immobilization studies. The specific fluidity of biomembranes, an important requisite for enzymatic activity, is naturally controlled by varying phospholipid compositions. In a model system, instead, LB film fluidity may be varied by covering the top layer with different substances able to interact simultaneously with the phospholipid and the protein to be immobilized. In this study, we immobilized a carbohydrate rich Neurospora crassa alkaline phosphatase (NCAP) in monolayers of the sodium salt of dihexadecylphosphoric acid (DHP), a synthetic phospholipid that provides very condensed Langmuir films. The binding of NCAP to DHP Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films was mediated by the anionic polysaccharide iota-carrageenan (iota-car). Combining results from surface isotherms and the quartz crystal microbalance technique, we concluded that the polysaccharide was essential to promote the interaction between DHP and NCAP and also to increase the fluidity of the film. An estimate of DHP:iota-car ratio within the film also revealed that the polysaccharide binds to DHP LB film in an extended conformation. Furthermore, the investigation of the polysaccharide conformation at molecular level, using sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy (SFG), indicated a preferential conformation of the carrageenan molecules with the sulfate groups oriented toward the phospholipid monolayer, and both the hydroxyl and ether groups interacting preferentially with the protein. These results demonstrate how interfacial electric fields can reorient and induce conformational changes in macromolecules, which may significantly affect intermolecular interactions at interfaces. This detailed knowledge of the interaction mechanism between the enzyme and the LB film is relevant to design strategies for enzyme immobilization when orientation and fluidity properties of the film provided by the matrix are important to improve enzymatic activity.
|
10.1021/jp900841p
|
pubmed_589_12043
|
Identification of rhythmic gene expression from metabolic cycles to circadian rhythms is crucial for understanding the gene regulatory networks and functions of these biological processes. Recently, two algorithms, JTK_CYCLE and ARSER, have been developed to estimate periodicity of rhythmic gene expression. JTK_CYCLE performs well for long or less noisy time series, while ARSER performs well for detecting a single rhythmic category. However, observing gene expression at high temporal resolution is not always feasible, and many scientists are interested in exploring both ultradian and circadian rhythmic categories simultaneously. In this paper, a new algorithm, named autoregressive Bayesian spectral regression (ABSR), is proposed. It estimates the period of time-course experimental data and classifies gene expression profiles into multiple rhythmic categories simultaneously. Through the simulation studies, it is shown that ABSR substantially improves the accuracy of periodicity estimation and clustering of rhythmic categories as compared to JTK_CYCLE and ARSER for the data with low temporal resolution. Moreover, ABSR is insensitive to rhythmic patterns. This new scheme is applied to existing time-course mouse liver data to estimate period of rhythms and classify the genes into ultradian, circadian, and arrhythmic categories. It is observed that 49.2% of the circadian profiles detected by JTK_CYCLE with 1-hour resolution are also detected by ABSR with only 4-hour resolution.
|
10.1155/2016/3017475
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pubmed_202_6582
|
Because mechanisms for the renal regulation of folate excretion are poorly understood, a cell culture system representative of the human proximal tubule (HPT) was used for studies of renal folate transport. After confluent cultures of HPT cells were incubated with 3H-labeled folic acid (PteGlu), binding to the apical membrane was determined by an acid removal procedure, and transport was subsequently measured in solubilized cells. Although PteGlu binding was almost all specific (suppressed by excess unlabeled PteGlu), HPT cells transported PteGlu by specific and nonspecific processes. Specific PteGlu binding and transport were both saturable processes, reaching maxima of 0.5 and 0.1 pmol/mg protein, respectively, with half-maximal constants of 12 and 50 nM, respectively. The PteGlu analogues methotrexate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-CH3-H4PteGlu) inhibited both the binding and transport of PteGlu, with 5-CH3-H4PteGlu being more potent (lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration). In contrast, 5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid significantly reduced PteGlu transport at concentrations (100-250 nM) that had no effect on binding. These data suggest that the HPT cells will serve as a good model for studies of renal folate reabsorption. Initial characterization of the transport of folate by HPT cells suggests two distinct processes, binding to a high-affinity membrane folate-binding protein followed by a structurally specific transfer into the cell.
|
10.1152/ajprenal.1992.263.5.F841
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pubmed_19_4924
|
The paper describes an application of a statistical analysis for estimating long-term trends in pollutant concentrations of selected pollutants in the Danube river. The results show the changes of concentrations of NH(4)(+)-N, NO(3)(-)-N, PO(4)(3-)-P, total P, BOD(5) and COD(Cr) in a ten year period with the aim to find how the concentrations vary in the whole stretch of this river. The study was based on the data collected in the frame of Transnational Monitoring Network of the ICPDR. To obtain plausible results we have chosen statistical methods, such as tests based on the Spearman correlation coefficient and median regression, which are not sensitive to departures from normality as high skewness or outliers.
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10.1039/c0em00376j
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pubmed_898_11767
|
Halide perovskites have been employed as photocatalysts for CO2 photoreduction due to their excellent optical properties and unique electronic structure. However, their photocatalytic performance is relatively poor. Herein, we demonstrate a new strategy with Mn-doped CsPb(Br/Cl)3 mixed-halide perovskites as catalysts to enhance the efficiency of CO2 photoreduction. By tuning the content of Mn, a series of CsPb(Br/Cl)3:Mn perovskites are obtained and show high efficiency in CO2 conversion to CO and CH4. For the optimum catalyst sample, especially, the yields of CO and CH4 reach 1917 μmol g-1 and 82 μmol g-1 which are 14.2 and 1.4 times higher than those of CsPbBr3. This work provides new insights into improving the reactivity of perovskites in CO2 photoreduction.
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10.1088/1361-6528/ab72be
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pubmed_936_4619
|
BACKGROUND
Current guidelines recommend against neurodiagnostic testing for the evaluation of simple febrile seizures.
OBJECTIVES
(1) Assess overall and institutional rates of neurodiagnostic testing and (2) establish achievable benchmarks of care (ABCs) for children evaluated for simple febrile seizures at children's hospitals.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Cross-sectional study of children 6 months to 5 years evaluated in the emergency department (ED) 2016-2019 with simple febrile seizures at 38 children's hospitals in Pediatric Health Information System database. We excluded children with epilepsy, complex febrile seizures, complex chronic conditions, and intensive care.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Proportions of children who received neuroimaging, electroencephalogram (EEG), or lumbar puncture (LP) and rates of hospitalization for study cohort and individual hospitals. Hospital-specific outcomes were adjusted for patient demographics and severity of illness. We utilized hospital-specific values for each measure to calculate ABCs.
RESULTS
We identified 51,015 encounters. Among the study cohort 821 (1.6%) children had neuroimaging, 554 (1.1%) EEG, 314 (0.6%) LP, and 2023 (4.0%) were hospitalized. Neurodiagnostic testing rates varied across hospitals: neuroimaging 0.4%-6.7%, EEG 0%-8.2%, LP 0%-12.7% in patients <1-year old and 0%-3.1% in patients ≥1 year. Hospitalization rate ranged from 0%-14.5%. Measured outcomes were higher among hospitalized versus ED-only patients: neuroimaging 15.3% versus 1.0%, EEG% 24.7 versus 0.1% (p < .001). Calculated ABCs were 0.6% for neuroimaging, 0.1% EEG, 0% LP, and 1.0% hospitalization.
CONCLUSIONS
Rates of neurodiagnostic testing and hospitalization for simple febrile seizures were low but varied across hospitals. Calculated ABCs were 0%-1% for all measures, demonstrating that adherence to current guidelines is attainable.
|
10.1002/jhm.12833
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pubmed_235_20268
|
A novel process configuration was designed to increase biofilm growth in tertiary moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) by providing additional substrate from primary treated wastewater in a sidestream reactor under different redox conditions in order to improve micropollutant removal in MBBRs with low substrate availability. This novel recirculating MBBR was operated on pilot scale for 13 months, and a systematic increase was seen in the biomass concentration and the micropollutant degradation rates, compared to a tertiary MBBR without additional substrate. The degradation rates per unit carrier surface area increased in the order of ten times, and for certain micropollutants, such as atenolol, metoprolol, trimethoprim and roxithromycin, the degradation rates increased 20-60 times. Aerobic conditions were critical for maintaining high micropollutant degradation rates. With innovative MBBR configurations it may be possible to improve the biological degradation of organic micropollutants in wastewater. It is suggested that degradation rates be normalized to the carrier surface area, in favor of the biomass concentration, as this reflects the diffusion limitations of oxygen, and will facilitate the comparison of different biofilm systems.
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10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125535
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pubmed_78_21151
|
The following Article analyzes the United States Supreme Court's examination of abortion rights in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services. The Article then proposes model statutes restricting abortion in light of the Webster decision. The Cumberland Law Review invites and encourages commentary on both sides of the issue.
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pubmed_78_21151
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pubmed_361_16269
|
The distribution of OKM 5-positive dendritic cells in the epidermis was investigated in 75 cases of inflammatory dermatoses and in 14 cases of normal human skin by immunohistochemical and morphometric methods. Furthermore 6 cases of normal human skin, 14 cases of nevocellular nevi, 26 cases of malignant melanoma, 7 cases of contact dermatitis and 6 cases of mycosis fungoides have been examined with special emphasis on the expression of OKM 5 antigen on keratinocytes. OKM 5-positive dendritic cells were present in normal human epidermis at a density of 46 +/- 3.4 cells/mm2 section area. However, there was a significant increase in cutaneous drug eruptions (166 +/- 17.2 cells/mm2; U-test: p less than or equal to 0.05). Concerning OKM 5-positive keratinocytes, a mean percentage of 10.2% +/- 5.0% OKM 5-positive keratinocytes was found in nevocellular nevi, compared to 0.5% +/- 0.5% in the adjacent skin. The corresponding values for malignant melanomas were 52.5% +/- 3.4% (lesional epidermis) and 7.1% +/- 2.2% (adjacent epidermis). There were significant differences of both lesional and adjacent epidermis between nevi and melanomas (U-test: p less than or equal to 0.05). Our cases of contact dermatitis revealed a mean percentage of 19.3% +/- 6.7% OKM 5-positive keratinocytes, whereas in mycosis fungoides the corresponding value represents 42.7% +/- 6.2%. The differences between the percentage of OKM 5-positive keratinocytes in normal epidermis and contact dermatitis as well as mycosis fungoides were significant (U-test).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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10.1111/j.1600-0560.1989.tb00012.x
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pubmed_847_4582
|
BACKGROUND
Tryptophan is the precursor to the mood regulating neurotransmitter serotonin. Its brain bioavailability from food can be dependent on the dietary source. Egg protein hydrolysate (EPH), a dietary supplement rich in tryptophan, has previously shown to acutely impact cognition, mood and stress benefits at 2 g dose. No data exist on the acute effects of lower doses in a food matrix.
METHODS
This exploratory study tested the acute effects of low-doses EPH (0.5, 1 g) in a food matrix on cognition, mood and stress. The study employed a double-blinded randomized controlled parallel design in 45 participants with three arms. The effects of the interventions were measured after a multi-task cognitive stressor on blood biomarkers, self-reported mood states, performances of attention, autonomic parameters and, emotional reactivity responses from electroencephalographic recording.
RESULTS
As compared to the reference, the 1 g EPH dose increased tryptophan bioavailability from baseline, and, both doses improved heart rate variability parameters related to parasympathetic activation while showing differences in the late neural response to negative versus neutral emotions. Post-hoc analyses indicated a gender difference in the baseline tryptophan bioavailability and further examination suggested the change in mood rating depends on the interaction between gender and change from baseline of tryptophan bioavailability.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, this study suggests that low levels of tryptophan rich EPH in a food matrix positively impact mood or stress in acute settings and adds to the body of evidence linking tryptophan and dietary sources thereof with these benefits. Confirmatory randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.Trial registration number: CER-VD N°2019-00218.
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10.1080/1028415X.2022.2047435
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pubmed_43_2037
|
OBJECTIVE
To compare the clinical and radiographic results of the supercapsular percutaneously assisted total hip (SuperPATH) approach and the conventional approach in hip arthroplasty.
DESIGN
Based on a prepublished protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42020177717), we searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for relevant literatures up to January 30, 2021. The methodological qualities were assessed using the guidelines provided by the Cochrane Collaboration for Systematic Reviews. Randomized- or fixed-effect models were used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) or odds ratio (OR), respectively, for continuous and dichotomous variables.
RESULTS
6 articles were included in the study, and 526 patients were selected, which included 233 cases in the SuperPATH groups and 279 cases in the conventional groups, and 4 cases performed two surgeries in succession. The SuperPATH group demonstrated shorter incision length (WMD = -7.87, 95% CI (-10.05, -5.69), P < 0.00001), decreased blood transfusion rate (OR = 0.48, 95% CI (0.25, 0.89), P = 0.02), decreased visual analogue scale (VAS) (WMD = -0.40, 95% CI (-0.72, -0.08), P = 0.02), and higher Harris hip score (HHS) (WMD = 1.98, 95% CI (0.18, 3.77), P = 0.03) than the conventional group. However, there was no difference in VAS (P = 0.14) and HHS (P = 0.86) between the two groups 3 months later, nor in the acetabular abduction angle (P = 0.32) in either group.
CONCLUSIONS
SuperPATH, as a minimally invasive approach with its reduced tissue damage, quick postoperative recovery, and early rehabilitation, demonstrates the short-term advantages of hip arthroplasty. As the evidences in favor of the SuperPATH technique were limited in a small number of studies and short duration of follow-up, more research is required to further analyze its long-term effect.
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10.1155/2021/5056291
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pubmed_445_930
|
Detailed in vivo endocrine studies of a virilizing adrenal-like tumor of the ovary are reported. A nonspecific steroidogenic baseline profile was observed in the face of clearcut histological adrenal-like features. Dynamic testing disclosed incomplete dexamethasone-related steroidogenic suppression suggestive of partial tumoral autonomy. At the same time, the observation of sizable dexamethasone-related steroidogenic decrements, unaccounted for by normal adrenal contribution, may be interpreted to suggest a direct, pharmacological, inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on tumoral and/or ovarian stromal steroidogenesis. These observations confirm the limited role of baseline steroid profiling and dynamic testing in the preoperative localization of androgen-secreting tumors. Reversible dysfunction of hypothalamic gonadotropic feedback mechanisms was suggested by combined single dose LRH-clomiphene testing. Complete resolution followed tumor removal.
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10.1210/jcem-48-2-241
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pubmed_655_11215
|
The clinician engages his penal, private and administrative responsibilities whenever he performs a medical act. Common law applies for private practice, as is the case of most pneumologists. Actually, there is little common law jurisprudence directly concerning pneumological situations. We present here the current trends and recent decisions made by judges faced with cases engaging physician's responsibilities.
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pubmed_655_11215
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pubmed_226_17288
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Cochlear implants have been used to restore hearing to more than half a million people around the world. The restored hearing allows most recipients to understand spoken speech without relying on visual cues. While speech comprehension in quiet is generally high for recipients, many complain about the sound of music. The present study examines consonance and dissonance perception in nine cochlear implant users and eight people with no known hearing loss. Participants completed web-based assessments to characterize low-level psychophysical sensitivities to modulation and pitch, as well as higher-level measures of musical pleasantness and speech comprehension in background noise. The underlying hypothesis is that sensitivity to modulation and pitch, in addition to higher levels of musical sophistication, relate to higher-level measures of music and speech perception. This hypothesis tested true with strong correlations observed between measures of modulation and pitch with measures of consonance ratings and speech recognition. Additionally, the cochlear implant users who were the most sensitive to modulations and pitch, and who had higher musical sophistication scores, had similar pleasantness ratings as those with no known hearing loss. The implication is that better coding and focused rehabilitation for modulation and pitch sensitivity will broadly improve perception of music and speech for cochlear implant users.
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10.3390/brainsci12010033
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pubmed_700_8360
|
1. Relationships between intracellular amino acid concentrations and uptake rates and their utilization in synthesis of cell-specific peptides in neurons R3-R14 in the Aplysia parietovisceral ganglion are explored. 2. The uptake rates and intracellular concentrations of most amino acids are positively correlated and inversely related to their degree of incorporation into the peptides. 3. The bulk cellular pool of arginine is probably utilized in the synthesis of R3-R14 peptides, but much of the glycine taken up appears not to be readily available for protein synthesis. 4. There are rapidly and slowly turning over pools of the peptides, and portions of the peptides stay in the cell bodies for days.
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10.1016/0305-0491(89)90327-1
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pubmed_440_23937
|
Importance
Catastrophizing is a maladaptive thought process that involves irrational fear and worry about anticipated or actual symptoms. Although clinically relevant, the role of catastrophizing in patients with chronic dizziness or imbalance has not yet been explored to our knowledge.
Objectives
To validate a measure of dizziness catastrophizing and to assess its association with dizziness-related disability compared with other negative affect constructs (eg, anxiety and depression).
Design, Setting, and Participants
For this retrospective medical record review, the Dizziness Catastrophizing Scale (DCS), a dizziness-specific catastrophizing assessment tool, was adapted from the previously validated Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Psychometric evaluation of the DCS was performed. In addition, the associations of dizziness catastrophizing and positive and negative affectivity with dizziness-related disability were assessed using structural equation modeling and regression analyses. Data were collected using a retrospective medical record review from April 27, 2010, to June 25, 2014. The dates of analysis were June 3 to August 15, 2017. The setting was the Multidisciplinary Neurotology Clinic at the Toronto General Hospital (Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Participants were 457 adult outpatients with dizziness or imbalance who were referred to the clinic.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Psychometric properties of the DCS and its association with dizziness-related disability, as measured with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory.
Results
Among 457 patients (mean [SD] age, 53.4 [15.4] years; 154 [33.7%] male), the DCS demonstrated good convergent (r = 0.78, P < .001) and discriminant validity (r = -0.40, P < .001) with the negative and positive affectivity, respectively; internal consistency (α = .95); and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.92; P < .001 at the 95% CI). An exploratory dimension reduction analysis revealed a single latent component of the DCS. The results of the structural equation modeling and regression analyses revealed that dizziness catastrophizing, although associated with negative affectivity (eg, symptoms of anxiety and depression), was independently associated with dizziness-related disability (standardized β = 0.378; P < .001). Furthermore, a strong association was found between catastrophizing and dizziness-related disability across different dizziness-related diagnoses (r ≥ 0.6; P < .001).
Conclusions and Relevance
In this study, the DCS was a valid and reliable measure for evaluating catastrophic thinking in patients with dizziness, which was independently associated with dizziness-related disability. Future studies should investigate the influence of alleviating symptoms of catastrophizing on functional outcomes in patients with dizziness or imbalance, the results of which will help guide novel approaches to the clinical care of patients with chronic dizziness.
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10.1001/jamaoto.2018.1863
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pubmed_191_9569
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Species of Penicillium and Trichoderma were found to dominate the rhizosphere of established tea bushes in a detailed study conducted from various tea growing locations in India. Penicillium erythromellis, P. janthinellum, P. raistrickii, Trichoderma pseudokoningii and T. koningii were found to be closely associated with tea roots. While seasonal fluctuation was observed in the case of Penicillium spp., the population of Trichoderma spp. showed less variation during the year. Both species were sensitive to low temperatures. In general, fungi associated with the tea rhizosphere were found to prefer a mesophillic temperature range (15 degrees C to 35 degrees C). The dominant species of Penicillium and Trichoderma also exhibited tolerance to lower temperatures, i.e., 5 to 10 degrees C on agar plates. Most fungi were able to grow in a wide range of pH (4 to 12). Lowering of soil pH in the rhizosphere of tea bushes was positively correlated with the age of the bush and may have affected the development of a specific microbial community in the rhizosphere. The populations of Penicillium and Trichoderma species were inversely correlated with the populations of two most dominant rhizosphere bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and B. mycoides. Both Bacillus species have been shown to have antagonistic activity against these two fungi under in vitro conditions. The present study demonstrates the existence of a similar antagonism under in situ conditions in the rhizosphere of established tea bushes.
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10.1078/0944-5013-00123
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pubmed_1044_6594
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This study investigated the role of nocturnal melatonin secretion in the cognitive performance of diurnal animals. An initial experiment measured the cognitive performance in Indian house crows treated for 11 days with 12 h light at 1.426 W/m2 (∼150 lux) coupled with 12 h of 0.058 W/m2 (∼6-lux) dim light at night (dLAN) or with absolute darkness (0 lux dark night, LD). dLAN treatment significantly decreased midnight melatonin levels and negatively impacted cognitive performance. Subsequently, the role of exogenous melatonin (50 μg; administered intraperitoneally half an hour before the night began) was assessed on the regulation of cognitive performance in two separate experimental cohorts of crows kept under dLAN; LD controls received vehicle. Exogenous melatonin restored its mid-night levels under dLAN at par with those under LD controls, and improved the cognitive performance, as measured in the innovative problem-solving, and spatial and pattern learning-memory efficiency tests in dLAN-treated crows. There were concurrent molecular changes in the cognition-associated brain areas, namely the hippocampus, nidopallium caudolaterale and midbrain. In particular, the expression levels of genes involved in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity (bdnf, dcx, egr1, creb), and dopamine synthesis and signalling (th, drd1, drd2, darpp32, taar1) were restored to LD control levels in crows treated with illuminated nights and received melatonin. These results demonstrate that the maintenance of nocturnal melatonin levels is crucial for an optimal higher-order brain function in diurnal animals in the face of an environmental threat, such as light pollution.
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10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119618
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pubmed_219_5928
|
Aquaculture facilities are a potential source of antibiotics to the aquatic ecosystems. The presence of these compounds in the environment may have deleterious effects on non-target aquatic organisms such as microalgae, which are often used as biological indicators of pollution. Therefore, the toxicity induced by chloramphenicol (CHL), florphenicol (FLO) and oxytetracycline (OTC), three antibiotics widely used in aquaculture, on the marine microalga Tetraselmis suecica was evaluated. Growth inhibition and physiological and biochemical parameters were analysed. All three antibiotics inhibited growth of T. suecica with 96 h IC50 values of 11.16, 9.03 and 17.25 mg L(-1) for CHL, FLO and OTC, respectively. After 24 h of exposure no effects on growth were observed and cell viability was also unaffected, whereas a decrease in esterase activity, related with cell vitality, was observed at the higher concentrations assayed. Photosynthesis related parameters such as chlorophyll a cellular content and autofluorescence were also altered after 24 h of antibiotics addition. It can be concluded that T. suecica was sensitive to the three antibiotics tested.
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10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.07.011
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pubmed_330_5034
|
BACKGROUND
Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), a polymer of tens or hundreds of phosphate residues linked by ATP-like bonds, is found in all organisms and performs a wide variety of functions. PolyP is synthesized in bacterial cells by the actions of polyphosphate kinases (PPK1 and PPK2) and degraded by exopolyphosphatase (PPX). Bacterial cells with polyP deficiencies due to knocking out the ppk1 gene are affected in many structural and important cellular functions such as motility, quorum sensing, biofilm formation and virulence among others. The cause of this pleiotropy is not entirely understood.
RESULTS
The overexpression of exopolyphosphatase in bacteria mimicked some pleitropic defects found in ppk1 mutants. By using this approach we found new structural and functional defects in the polyP-accumulating bacteria Pseudomonas sp. B4, which are most likely due to differences in the polyP-removal strategy. Colony morphology phenotype, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure changes and cellular division malfunction were observed. Finally, we used comparative proteomics in order to elucidate the cellular adjustments that occurred during polyP deficiency in this bacterium and found some clues that helped to understand the structural and functional defects observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained suggest that during polyP deficiency energy metabolism and particularly nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) formation were affected and that bacterial cells overcame this problem by increasing the flux of energy-generating metabolic pathways such as tricarboxilic acid (TCA) cycle, beta-oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation and by reducing energy-consuming ones such as active transporters and amino acid biosynthesis. Furthermore, our results suggest that a general stress response also took place in the cell during polyP deficiency.
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10.1186/1471-2180-10-7
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pubmed_405_1556
|
In the title compound, [Cu(C6F5COO)2(C4H4N2)]n, (I), the asymmetric unit contains one Cu(II) cation, two anionic pentafluorobenzoate ligands and one pyrazine ligand. Each Cu(II) centre is five-coordinated by three O atoms from three independent pentafluorobenzoate anions, as well as by two N atoms from two pyrazine ligands, giving rise to an approximately square-pyramidal coordination geometry. Adjacent Cu(II) cations are bridged by a pyrazine ligand and two pentafluorobenzoate anions to give a two-dimensional layer. The layers are stacked to generate a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture via strong intermolecular C-H···F-C interactions, as indicated by the F···H distance of 2.38 Å.
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10.1107/S2053229614021536
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pubmed_109_2919
|
In a case of bilateral five-finger Dupuytren contracture, one hand was treated by open excision of the contracutred fascia and shortened skin with application of skin graft. The opposite hand was treated by the "open-palm" technique for comparison. There was no observable difference in the ranges of motion at the end of the two months following surgery. The open-palm technique continues to be simple alternative for the advanced cases requiring extensive excision of the palmar fascia leaving wide gaps in the palmar skin.
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10.1001/archsurg.1976.01360210087018
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pubmed_922_10628
|
Effective management of brain and spine tumors relies on a multidisciplinary approach encompassing surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy. In the era of personalized oncology, the latter is complemented by various molecularly targeting agents. Precise identification of cellular targets for these drugs requires comprehensive profiling of the cancer genome coupled with an efficient analytic pipeline, leading to an informed decision on drug selection, prognosis, and confirmation of the original pathological diagnosis. Acquisition of optimal tumor tissue for such analysis is paramount and often presents logistical challenges in neurosurgery. Here, we describe the experience and results of the Personalized OncoGenomics (POG) program with a focus on tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). Patients with recurrent CNS tumors were consented and enrolled into the POG program prior to accrual of tumor and matched blood followed by whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing and processing through the POG bioinformatic pipeline. Sixteen patients were enrolled into POG. In each case, POG analyses identified genomic drivers including novel oncogenic fusions, aberrant pathways, and putative therapeutic targets. POG has highlighted that personalized oncology is truly a multidisciplinary field, one in which neurosurgeons must play a vital role if these programs are to succeed and benefit our patients.
|
10.1101/mcs.a004143
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pubmed_884_6343
|
The professional communications of a pharmacist providing comprehensive services were studied to determine the accuracy of the information provided, its usefulness to patient care and the level of expertise needed to respond appropriately. Data were collected by a diary technique for a four-month period. Patient charts were reviewed to collect clinical data needed to evaluate the appropriateness of the pharmacist's responses and to ascertain evidence that the information provided was implemented. The analysis classified the communications as either "clinical" or "pharmaceutical" in content. Practitioner panels of pharmacists and a physician assessed the communications for accuracy, relevance to the patient episode and level of pharmacy expertise necessary to communicate. Most communications with physicians were "pharmaceutical" in content. The most frequent information asked concerned dose or dosage schedule. Approximately one-third of the "pharmaceutical" communications could have been handled adequately by a technician. Only one communication should have required an extensive literature search for the pharmacist to respond. Less than half of the pharmacist's communications were pertinent to the patient episode and of clinical importance. Information from half of the communications was implemented in patient care within 48 hours. There did not appear to be any relationship between accuracy of response and implementation of information. It is not known whether the deficiencies identified apply to a large number of pharmacists. Hence, the bearing of the study on the cost-benefit of clinical pharmacy services is not clear.
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pubmed_884_6343
|
pubmed_3_8332
|
I address the influence of the direct coupling of the average lattice strains to the active ions on the pulse shape and the far-field beam spreading of a Q-switched laser. Calculations are made for the Cr(3+): sapphire system. The dynamic behavior of laser divergence as the pulse develops is studied without and with an internal aperture. The results can be used to search for similar effects in lasers involving other ions, such as Ti(3+) and Cr(4+).
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10.1364/ao.36.007809
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pubmed_32_2743
|
Bronchogenic cysts are not commonly the cause of severe symptoms, and often present only as an abnormality on chest roentgenogram. We report an unusual patient with a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst associated with rapid hemodynamic deterioration secondary to compression of vital structures.
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10.1378/chest.106.2.610
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pubmed_347_1989
|
The use of supplements during chemotherapy is controversial, partly due to the potential effect of antioxidants on reduced efficacy of chemotherapy-related cytotoxicity. We examined supplement use among breast cancer patients registered to a clinical trial (SWOG 0221) before diagnosis and during treatment. Patients (n = 1,467) completed questionnaires regarding multivitamin and supplement use at trial registration (baseline) to capture use before diagnosis. Of these patients, 1,249 completed a 6-month followup questionnaire to capture use during treatment. We examined the use of vitamins C, D, E, B6, B12, folic acid, and calcium at these timepoints, as well as physician recommendations regarding supplement use. The use of vitamins C, E, folic acid, and calcium decreased during treatment, while the use of vitamin B6 increased. Five hundred seventy four patients (51 %) received no physician recommendations regarding supplement use. Among the remaining 49, 10 % were advised not to take multivitamins and/or supplements, 7 % were advised to use only multivitamins, and 32 % received recommendations to use multivitamins and/or supplements. Among patients who took vitamin C before diagnosis, those who were advised not to take supplements were >5 times more likely not to use of vitamin C during treatment than those not advised to stop use (OR = 5.27, 95 % CI 1.13-24.6). Previous non-users who were advised to take a multivitamin were nearly 5 times more likely to use multivitamins during treatment compared to those who received no recommendation (OR = 4.66, 95 % CI 2.10-10.3). In this clinical trial for high-risk breast cancer, supplement use generally decreased during treatment. Upon followup from the clinical trial, findings regarding supplement use and survival outcomes will better inform physician recommendations for patients on adjuvant chemotherapy.
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10.1007/s10549-012-2400-2
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pubmed_927_17692
|
One hundred and seven cases of lung cancer were first diagnosed among indigenous Greenlanders during the 25 years from 1955 to 1979. Compared with the Danish population, relative risk of lung cancer among male Greenlanders increased from 0.4 in 1955-1959 to 1.1 in 1975-1979. Relative risk among women increased from 0.7 to 2.1. The age-adjusted rate for women during the period 1975-1979 is one of the highest on record. This increase in lung-cancer risk followed a sharp rise in the use of cigarettes in the general population. An association with cigarette consumption was also suggested by tumor histology and location. A synergistic role of other risk hazards is possible. Local factors arising from previous tuberculosis involvement may have favored lung cancer development in men. More than 2/3 of the cases of lung cancer diagnosed between 1955 and 1974 were brought to medical attention because of clinical symptoms although most of the population was screened annually or biannually for tuberculosis. Intervention through screening had little impact on the overall very low survival rate.
|
10.1007/BF00406248
|
pubmed_1121_9287
|
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predisposes to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) particularly in mechanically ventilated adults with severe pneumonia. The extremely high prevalence of DVT in the COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been established between 25 and 84% based on studies including systematic duplex ultrasound of the lower limbs when prophylactic anticoagulation was systematically administrated. DVT prevalence has been shown to be markedly higher than in mechanically ventilated influenza patients (6-8%). Unusually high inflammatory and prothrombotic phenotype represents a striking feature of COVID-19 patients, as reflected by markedly elevated reactive protein C, fibrinogen, interleukin 6, von Willebrand factor, and factor VIII. Moreover, in critically ill patients, venous stasis has been associated with the prothrombotic phenotype attributed to COVID-19, which increases the risk of thrombosis. Venous stasis results among others from immobilization under muscular paralysis, mechanical ventilation with high positive end-expiratory pressure, and pulmonary microvascular network injuries or occlusions. Venous return to the heart is subsequently decreased with increase in central and peripheral venous pressures, marked proximal and distal veins dilation, and drops in venous blood flow velocities, leading to a spontaneous contrast "sludge pattern" in veins considered as prothrombotic. Together with endothelial lesions and hypercoagulability status, venous stasis completes the Virchow triad and considerably increases the prevalence of DVT and PE in critically ill COVID-19 patients, therefore raising questions regarding the optimal doses for thromboprophylaxis during ICU stay.
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10.3389/fphys.2020.608788
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pubmed_697_6378
|
RATIONALE
Maintenance of a surface immune barrier is important for homeostasis in organs with mucosal surfaces that interface with the external environment; however, the role of the mucosal immune system in chronic lung diseases is incompletely understood.
OBJECTIVES
We examined the relationship between secretory IgA (SIgA) on the mucosal surface of small airways and parameters of inflammation and airway wall remodeling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
METHODS
We studied 1,104 small airways (<2 mm in diameter) from 50 former smokers with COPD and 39 control subjects. Small airways were identified on serial tissue sections and examined for epithelial morphology, SIgA, bacterial DNA, nuclear factor-κB activation, neutrophil and macrophage infiltration, and airway wall thickness.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Morphometric evaluation of small airways revealed increased mean airway wall thickness and inflammatory cell counts in lungs from patients with COPD compared with control subjects, whereas SIgA level on the mucosal surface was decreased. However, when small airways were classified as SIgA intact or SIgA deficient, we found that pathologic changes were localized almost exclusively to SIgA-deficient airways, regardless of study group. SIgA-deficient airways were characterized by (1) abnormal epithelial morphology, (2) invasion of bacteria across the apical epithelial barrier, (3) nuclear factor-κB activation, (4) accumulation of macrophages and neutrophils, and (5) fibrotic remodeling of the airway wall.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the concept that localized, acquired SIgA deficiency in individual small airways of patients with COPD allows colonizing bacteria to cross the epithelial barrier and drive persistent inflammation and airway wall remodeling, even after smoking cessation.
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10.1164/rccm.201604-0759OC
|
pubmed_202_9197
|
A case of fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is reported for which antibody and cellular immune characteristics were determined. The patient, a Thai woman, had serum islet cell antibodies (ICA) that were detected by both immunoperoxidase staining and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum anti-human insulin antibodies were negative by a displacement ELISA. Lymphoproliferation assay against pancreatic antigen prepared from a blood group O cadaveric donor was positive. Increased CD8+ lymphocytes were observed using direct immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. CD4+ T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and NK cells were within normal levels. These findings provide evidence for autoimmunity to pancreatic antigens in a patient with fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes.
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10.1016/0168-8227(92)90050-2
|
pubmed_749_12432
|
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs which play an important regulatory role in various biological processes. Previous studies have reported that miRNAs are involved in fruit development in model plants. However, the miRNAs related to fruit development and quality in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) remains unknown. In this study, small RNA populations from different fruit ripening stages and different varieties were compared using next-generation sequencing technology. Totally, 59 known miRNAs and 310 novel miRNAs were identified from four libraries using miRDeep2 software. For these novel miRNAs, 656 targets were predicted and 402 of them were annotated. GO analysis and KEGG pathways suggested that some of the predicted miRNAs targeted genes involved in starch sucrose metabolism and amino sugar as well as nucleotide sugar metabolism. Quantitative RT-PCR validated the contrasting expression patterns between several miRNAs and their target genes. These results will provide an important foundation for future studies on the regulation of miRNAs involved in fruit development and quality.
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10.1016/j.gene.2017.01.020
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pubmed_1015_1868
|
The incidence of hospitalization for acute spinal cord injury in the United States from 1970 to 1977 has been calculated using a detailed subsetting of the National Hospital Discharge Survey (HDS). The overall eight-year incidence was 40.1 (SE = 3.8) per million population in the United States. Patients admitted for spinal cord injury were more than twice as likely to be male (male to female ratio = 2.4:1 and spinal cord injury was particularly common in males ages 20-24 (118.3/10(6)) and 25-34 (98.7/10(6). Blacks also appeared to be at twice the risk than whites. Case fatality during hospitalization was 11.2% overall, was 36% more common in males and increased markedly with advanced age with 35.9% of males greater than or equal to 65 years old dying during hospitalization. The HDS data are in general agreement with previous regional studies of incidence and appear to provide a reasonably valid and cost-effective method for monitoring the national incidence of hospitalized spinal cord injury.
|
10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113140
|
pubmed_149_20739
|
Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy and second leading cause of death in women worldwide, with hormone receptor-positive luminal breast cancers being the most widespread subtype. While these tumors are generally amenable to endocrine therapy, cellular heterogeneity and acquired ability of tumor cells to undergo cell state switching makes these populations difficult to be fully targeted and eradicated through conventional methods. We have leveraged a quality-by-design (QbD) approach that integrates biological responses with predictive mathematical modeling to identify key combinations of commercially available drugs to induce estrogen receptor expression for therapeutic targeting. This technology utilizes a high level of automation through a custom-built platform to reduce bias as well as design-of-experiments methodology to minimize the experimental iterations required. Utilizing this approach, we identified a combination of clinical compounds, each at concentrations well below their efficacious dose, able to induce the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) in hormone-positive breast cancer cells. Induction of ESR1 in luminal cells leads to chemosensitization. These findings provide proof of concept for the utility of the QbD strategy and identify a unique drug cocktail able to sensitize breast cancer cells to tamoxifen.
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pubmed_149_20739
|
pubmed_800_12401
|
After suffering payment cuts resulting from the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Colorado-Fayette Medical Center (CFMC), a not-for-profit, rural integrated delivery system in Texas, wanted to reduce costs by gaining systemwide Internet access for its internal information system at a reasonable price. An application service provider affiliated with the Texas Hospital Association, helped CFMC achieve its goals for the project by performing a needs assessment, installing a wide-area network (WAN) with Internet access, and training staff. The new WAN enabled CFMC to improve its Web presence, allow radiologic image viewing at all sites, negotiate more favorable prices from vendors, implement electronic communication for staff members, and take advantage of on-line education opportunities. CFMC has found that the monthly fee paid to THN is offset by savings on long-distance calls, Internet service provider fees, and marketing and advertising costs.
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pubmed_800_12401
|
pubmed_878_21187
|
BACKGROUND
The aetiology of isolated clefts of the lip and/or palate remains obscure. Unaffected family members are treated as if their genetic risks are equivalent and low. Given the number of genes associated with both clefting and dental anomalies, the hypothesis that such anomalies contribute to the cleft phenotype should be explored.
AIM
To describe the dental characteristics of parents of children with non-syndromic cleft lip ± palate.
DESIGN
Unaffected parents of Australian children with a cleft of the lip ± palate underwent dental examination including radiographs, photographs, and impressions. Dental anomalies were identified.
RESULTS
Data were available on 101 parents (49 males, 52 females). Fifty-one participants had at least one dental anomaly. Twelve (11.8%) individuals had congenital absence of teeth, with seven missing multiple teeth. The tooth most commonly missing was the upper right lateral incisor. Five subjects (4.9%) had microdontia (upper lateral incisor most commonly affected). Four subjects (4.0%) had supernumerary teeth. Enamel defects were present in 27 (26.7%) cases with the incisors (46.8%) followed by premolars (24.2%) most affected.
CONCLUSIONS
This study supports previous work suggesting that 'unaffected' parents of children with clefts of the lip ± palate may present with dental anomalies.
|
10.1111/ipd.12072
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pubmed_1090_8707
|
The study of 65 cancer patients has demonstrated the advantages and disadvantages of tramal as an agent used for the relief of acute and chronic pain syndrome. In 18 patients tramal was used in postoperative analgesia, in 17 patients it was used for the treatment of chronic pain syndrome. It has been shown that in the postoperative period tramal has no noticeable advantages over promedol. However, tramal had definite advantages over other opiate agonists when used for the treatment of chronic pain syndrome in incurable cancer patients. Thus, the data obtained show that tramal, a synthetic analgesic of a new generation, has no dangerous side effects, is effective in a convenient, non-invasive drug form, interacts well with non-narcotic and supplementary agents and causes no clinical signs of drug tolerance or addiction in prolonged application.
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pubmed_1090_8707
|
pubmed_550_8811
|
Previous work has implicated the Myc-binding transcription factor Miz1 in the control of keratinocyte proliferation and in the cellular response to TGFbeta. Miz1 is expressed in basal keratinocytes of the interfollicular epidermis and in hair follicles. Here we have conditionally knocked out the POZ/BTB transactivation domain of Miz1 in keratinocytes using a keratin 14 (K14)-Cre mouse deleter strain. K14Cre(+)/Miz1(lox/lox) mice have rough fur as a result of altered hair follicle orientation, irregular hair pigmentation and disturbed hair fiber structure. A regional thickening of the epidermis at the hair funnel orifice was accompanied by suprabasal proliferation, indicating a delayed exit of keratinocytes from the cell cycle. In addition, the catagen of the hair cycle was delayed in K14Cre(+)/Miz1(lox/lox) mice and intrafollicular keratinocyte proliferation was increased. In aged K14Cre(+)/Miz1(lox/lox) animals, the number of hair follicles remained unchanged but the number of visible hairs, especially of zigzag hairs, was reduced and a pigmentary incontinence into the dermis developed. Our data show that Miz1 is involved in controlling proliferation and differentiation in hair follicles and in hair fiber morphogenesis.
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10.1242/jcs.007104
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pubmed_180_1970
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Enamel matrix derivative (EMD), a porcine extract harvested from developing porcine teeth, has been shown to promote formation of new cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Despite its widespread use, an incredibly large variability among in vitro studies has been observed. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of EMD on cells at different maturation stages of osteoblast differentiation by testing 6 cell types to determine if cell phenotype plays a role in cell behaviour following treatment with EMD. Six cell types including MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts, rat calvarial osteoblasts, human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, ROS cells, MG63 cells and human alveolar osteoblasts were cultured in the presence or absence of EMD and proliferation rates were quantified by an MTS assay. Gene expression of collagen1(COL1), alkaline phosphate(ALP) and osteocalcin(OC) were investigated by real-time PCR. While EMD significantly increased cell proliferation of all cell types, its effect on osteoblast differentiation was more variable. EMD significantly up-regulated gene expression of COL1, ALP and OC in cells early in their differentiation process when compared to osteoblasts at later stages of maturation. Furthermore, the effect of cell passaging of primary human PDL cells (passage 2 to 15) was tested in response to treatment with EMD. EMD significantly increased cell proliferation and differentiation of cells at passages 2-5 however had completely lost their ability to respond to EMD by passages 10+. The results from the present study suggest that cell stimulation with EMD has a more pronounced effect on cells earlier in their differentiation process and may partially explain why treatment with EMD primarily favors regeneration of periodontal defects (where the periodontal ligament contains a higher number of undifferentiated progenitor cells) over regeneration of pure alveolar bone defects containing no periodontal ligament and a more limited number of osteoprogenitor cells.
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10.1371/journal.pone.0071008
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pubmed_1012_14432
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Pediatric lead (Pb) intoxication remains a major medical challenge in some developing countries where Pb is used in glazing industries. Pb exposure is reported to induce neurophysiological and neurocognitive impairment in children. However, the threshold and level of Pb intoxication necessary to induce neuropathology have not been established. Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) have been used widely as a sensitive biomarker for Pb-induced neurotoxicity. In this field study, BAER neural conduction time was used as a biomarker for central nervous system impairment in Andean children living in areas of high Pb contamination from Pb-glazing cottage industries. The mean Pb level in blood (PbB) for 112 Pb-exposed children was 49.25 microg/dL (SD, 270 microg/dL range, 4.4-119.1 microg/dL). Although BAERs in some children showed prolongations in neural conduction times, regression analyses revealed no significant correlation between PbB levels and BAER interpeak conduction times for 112 replicate recordings (I-III, r = 0.008, P = 0.93; II-V, r = 0.13, P = 0.16; I-V, r = 0.09, P = 0.35; and I-VI, r = 0.14, P = 0.27). A subgroup of 69 children in the study area with PbB levels in the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) medical intervention-emergency classifications (CDC IV and V; mean, 67.0 microg/dL, SD, 15.8 microg/dL; range, 45.1-119.1 microg/dL) showed no significant correlation between PbB and BAER interpeak interval and no significant differences in BAER than a normal subgroup (t test, P > 0.05). The results demonstrate some evidence of abnormal possibly Pb-induced neural conduction delays in some individual children but a remarkable overall neurobiological functioning in severe, chronic pediatric Pb intoxication without measurable impairment of brainstem auditory nuclei and tracts, as evidenced by neurophysiological conduction times. The findings also demonstrate the variability in the threshold level and duration of Pb exposure necessary to induce brainstem neuropathology.
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10.1097/00043764-200209000-00008
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pubmed_952_2578
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Because tuberculosis is currently being treated in many instances by the nonpulmonary physician, an evaluation of the skill with which he performs in this capacity was made. A group of 130 patients who had been treated by such physicians was analyzed, using generally accepted criteria for appropriate therapy. Seventy-three of the group were found to have been treated inappropriately. The use of isoniazid in those likely to be resistant to that drug, the use of a single drug in bacteriologically positive disease, and inadequate or excessive drug dosages were among the more common errors. Two thirds of the physicians caring for these patients were internal medicine specialists, half of them board certified. Increased education efforts in regard to this disease at all levels of training must be made.
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10.7326/0003-4819-86-6-799
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pubmed_211_11527
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The peptides neurotensin (NT) and neuromedin N exert effects on neurons by means of a high-affinity NT receptor (NTRH) belonging to the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors. In the present study, we used in situ hybridization histochemistry with sensitive riboprobe methodology to investigate the distribution of NTRH mRNA in the forebrain of adult rats. Labeled cells were abundant in the hypothalamus, epithalamus, ventral thalamus, septum, amygdala, and pallidum, including many regions where NTRH mRNA had not been detected previously. In the hypothalamus, novel sites of NTRH mRNA expression included the arcuate, periventricular, paraventricular, supraoptic, medial preoptic, anterior, ventromedial, and posterior nuclei, as well as the lateral hypothalamic area. In the thalamus, novel sites of expression included the anterodorsal nucleus, lateral habenula, and zona incerta, where labeling was much more extensive than previously reported. Novel telencephalic sites of expression included most bed nuclei of the stria terminalis, most divisions of the amygdala, the main olfactory bulb, the endopiriform nucleus, the claustrum, many parts of retrohippocampal allocortex, and limited parts of most isocortical areas. Novel sites of expression were also observed in the midbrain and pons. Taking into account expected differences in the subcellular locations of receptor mRNA and protein, the regional distribution of NTRH mRNA agrees well with that of NTRH determined previously. Our results identify many novel sites of NTRH mRNA expression in adult brain and provide a basis for investigating involvement of NT and related peptides in regulating the activity of these diverse cells, whose phenotypes remain largely undetermined.
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pubmed_211_11527
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pubmed_40_15417
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The catalogues of protein kinases, the essential effectors of cellular signaling, have been charted in Metazoan genomes for a decade now. Yet, surprisingly, using bioinformatics tools, we predicted protein kinase structure for proteins coded by five related human genes and their Metazoan homologues, the FAM69 family. Analysis of three-dimensional structure models and conservation of the classic catalytic motifs of protein kinases present in four out of five human FAM69 proteins suggests they might have retained catalytic phosphotransferase activity. An EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding domain in FAM69A and FAM69B proteins, inserted within the structure of the kinase domain, suggests they may function as Ca(2+)-dependent kinases. The FAM69 genes, FAM69A, FAM69B, FAM69C, C3ORF58 (DIA1) and CXORF36 (DIA1R), are by large uncharacterised molecularly, yet linked to several neurological disorders in genetics studies. The C3ORF58 gene is found deleted in autism, and resides in the Golgi. Unusually high cysteine content and presence of signal peptides in some of the family members suggest that FAM69 proteins may be involved in phosphorylation of proteins in the secretory pathway and/or of extracellular proteins.
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10.1371/journal.pone.0066427
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pubmed_316_17882
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It has been 5 years since the National Research Council (NRC) Committee on Diet, Nutrition and Cancer published "Interim Dietary Guidelines" for the nutritional prevention of cancer. The term "interim" implies that these recommendations should be regarded as temporary, pending more definitive findings from additional scientific research. This article reviews findings relevant to the connections between diet and cancer that have emerged from nutritional epidemiology subsequent to the 1982 the NRC report. Some recent research has supported the earlier work which served as a basis for the interim recommendations, some has not, and additional hypotheses have emerged. There continues to be evidence, although it is inconsistent, that dietary fat may be an important factor in colon cancer, and that something related to fruits and vegetables, perhaps carotene, may lower the risk of lung cancer. However, the hypothesized relationships between dietary fat and breast cancer and between dietary fiber and colon cancer have been less consistently supported by new findings. Meanwhile, a new hypothesis has emerged relating alcohol intake to breast cancer risk, although many important questions remain regarding the age at which alcohol use may affect risk, and the dose above which risk is increased. The last 5 years seem to have been characterized by only slow progress in our understanding of the relationship between diet and cancer. It is clear that in 1988 we are still very much in the interim. Critical methodologic assessments of the reasons for the discrepancies in findings among the various studies, and meta analytic approaches may be helpful in increasing our understanding of the set of epidemiologic research conducted to date. More important, however, are the many types of studies now underway, including more rigorously designed observational studies and chemo-preventive and dietary-preventive trials. These studies will likely provide more definitive future answers to the questions we still face in the interim.
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10.1002/1097-0142(19881015)62:1+<1713::aid-cncr2820621309>3.0.co;2-w
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pubmed_652_4361
|
A new synthetic route to 3-(heteroaryl) tetrahydropyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridines has been developed that uses the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of a triflate 6 with (hetero)aryl boronic acids or esters. Using Pd(OAc)2 and XPhos or an XPhos precatalyst, a diverse range of substituents at the C3 position of the tetrahydropyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine skeleton were prepared. The use of pivaloyloxymethyl and benzyl protection also offers the potential to differentially functionalize the pyrazole and tetrahydropyridine nitrogens.
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10.1021/jo5012015
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pubmed_226_12460
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Information security occupies an important position in the era of big data. Attempts to improve the security performance tend to impart them with more additional encryption strategies. Herein, inspired by the wettability feature of Stenocara beetle elytra and signal model of traffic light, a novel array of perovskite nanocrystals (PNs)-integrated PhC microsphere for information security is presented. The photoluminescent PNs are encapsulated in angle-independent PhC microspheres to impart them with binary optical signals as coding information. Through the multimask superposition approach, PNs-integrated PhC microspheres with different codes are placed into fluorosilane-treated PDMS substrate to form different arrays. These arrays could converge moisture on PhC microspheres in wet environment, which avoids the ions loss of the PNs and effectively prevented mutual contamination. In addition, the fluorescence of the PNs inside PhC microspheres could reversibly quench or recover in response to the environmental moisture. Based on these features, it is demonstrated that the PNs-integrated PhC microsphere arrays could realize various information encryption modes, which indicate their excellent values in information security fields.
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10.1002/advs.202105278
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pubmed_1114_19394
|
OBJECTIVE
To compare websites of agencies that broker the services of women who provide human eggs for in vitro fertilization versus clinics that recruit egg providers.
STUDY DESIGN
We examined 207 websites, of which 128 were egg provider agency 40%) or clinic (60%) websites that recruited providers online. We compared them regarding several variables related to adherence to American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines.
RESULTS
According to their respective websites, agencies were more likely than clinics to mention ASRM guidelines, be located in the West/Pacific, indicate compensation, offer a fee range, set their minimum > $5,000, specify preferable traits, cap provider age at 31, require an education minimum, allow both parties to meet, discuss short-term risks, and not acknowledge a possible cancer risk. Only 25.5% of agencies and 19.5% of clinics mention psychological/emotional risks, and 11.8% and 5.2%, respectively, mention risk to future fertility.
CONCLUSION
This research, the first to systematically compare several key aspects of egg provider agencies versus clinics, suggests it significant differences in adherence to guidelines, raising several concerns and suggesting needs for consideration of improved monitoring and regulation by ASRM or others.
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pubmed_1114_19394
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pubmed_968_12777
|
Home testing is an emerging innovation that can enable nations and health care systems to safely and efficiently test large numbers of patients to manage COVID-19 and other viral outbreaks. In this position paper, we explore the process of moving home testing across the translational continuum from labs to households, and ultimately into practice and communities for optimal public health impact. We focus on the four translational science drivers to accelerate the implementation of systems-wide home testing programmes 1) collaboration and team science, 2) technology, 3) multilevel interventions, and 4) knowledge integration. We use the Socio Ecological Model (SEM) as a framework to illustrate our vision for the ideal future state of a comprehensive system of stakeholders utilising tech-enabled home testing for COVID-19 and other virus outbreaks, and we suggest SEM as a tool to address key translational readiness and response questions.
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10.1080/20476965.2021.1952905
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pubmed_427_1986
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This report describes a phenomenon that may be a significant source of error in the data acquired from hemolytic plaque assays of lymphocyte cultures. The data show that background antibody in the normal-serum supplement of the culture medium does not actually support initiation of a vigorous primary-type plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to sheep erythrocytes (SE). Instead, the background antibody causes the development of numerous spurious lymphoid-cell-independent plaques (LCIP). In general agreement with the literature, primary-type rabbit spleen cell responses in vitro were low in culture media supplemented with fetal bovine serum, a serum which does not contain background antibodies to SE.
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10.3181/00379727-150-39095
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pubmed_65_20607
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Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a constitutional disease characterized by a specific maturation defect in cells of erythroid lineage. We have assembled a registry of 229 DBA patients, which includes 151 patients from France, 70 from Germany, and eight from other countries. Presence of malformations was significantly and independently associated with familial history of DBA, short stature at presentation (before any steroid therapy), and absence of hypotrophy at birth. Two hundred twenty-two patients were available for long-term follow-up analysis (median, 111.5 mo). Of these individuals, 62.6% initially responded to steroid therapy. Initial steroid responsiveness was found significantly and independently associated with older age at presentation, familial history of DBA, and a normal platelet count at the time of diagnosis. Severe evolution of the disease (transfusion dependence or death) was significantly and independently associated with a younger age at presentation and with a history of premature birth. In contrast, patients with a familial history of the disease experienced a better outcome. Outcome analysis revealed the benefit of reassessing steroid responsiveness during the course of the disease for initially nonresponsive patients. Bone marrow transplantation was successful in 11/13 cases; HLA typing of probands and siblings should be performed early if patients are transfusion dependent, and cord blood should be preserved. Incidence of DBA (assessed for France over a 13-y period) is 7.3 cases per million live births without effect of seasonality on incidence of the disease or on malformative status. Similarly, no parental imprinting effect or anticipation phenomenon could be documented in families with dominant inheritance.
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10.1203/00006450-199911000-00011
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pubmed_644_17063
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Oral cavity cancer continues to be a major health issue in the state of Missouri, largely due to the high rate of tobacco use. Pretreatment evaluation and planning should be done by a multidisciplinary team. Surgical resection is the primary method of treatment. Adjuvant therapy is frequently needed to control intermediate and advanced disease. There are significant functional effects of surgery; reconstructive efforts are focused on restoring the patient to as normal a condition as possible. Acoordinated approach by an experienced team can achieve good local control and minimize morbidity.
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pubmed_644_17063
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pubmed_341_18985
|
The impact of clinical varicoceles on semen parameters and male infertility has long been established. In the era of assisted reproduction, clinical discussion has questioned the role of varicocelectomy, offering the potential to bypass, rather than treat, varicocele-associated male infertility. However, current literature supports improved semen parameters and reproductive outcomes following repair. This article presents the stepwise operative approaches to microsurgical varicocelectomy and discusses the recent publications on outcomes.
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10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.01.002
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pubmed_573_16381
|
TIhe flocculating activity ofa bioflocculant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC-10145 using kaolin clay was assayed. The influence of carbon, nitrogen sources, pH and culture temperature on bioflocculant production was investigated. The effects of cationic compounds, bioflocculant dosage, pH and temperature on flocculating activity were also determined. Of the cations tested, Ca2+, K+, Na+, Zn2+, Mg2+ and Cu2+ improved flocculating activity whereas Fe3+ and Al3+ caused its inhibition. The highest flocculating activity was observed at pH 7.0.The bioflocculant had a good flocculating activity of 80.50% for kaolin suspension with a dosage of only 1%. The bioflocculant was heat-stable and its activity was only decreased to 60.16% after heating at 100 degrees C for 60 min. Chemical analyses of the purified bioflocculant indicated that it was a sugar-protein derivative, composed of protein (27%, w/w) and carbohydrate (89%,w/w) including neutral sugar, uronic acid and amino sugar as the principal constituents in the relative weight proportions of 30.6%, 2.35% and 0.78%, respectively. The elemental analysis of the bioflocculant revealed the mass proportion of C, H and N was 19.06, 3.88 and 4.32 (%), correspondingly. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed that the exopolymers consisted of carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino and sugar derivative groups. The heavy metal adsorption by the bioflocculant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be influenced by the initial metal concentration, bioflocculant concentration and pH of the biosorption solution. This study demonstrates that microbial bioflocculant has potential to be used as an alternative bioremedial tool for industrial effluents and wastewater treatments which are co-contaminated with heavy metals.
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pubmed_573_16381
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pubmed_628_2581
|
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, convened a workshop entitled The Next Step: Protocol Development for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Pediatric Rheumatic Disease, June 2000, co-chaired by Drs. Karyl Barron and Carol Wallace. The goal of the workshop was to focus on the scientific rationale for stem cell transplantation therapy in the pediatric diseases, unique aspects of this therapy in the pediatric rheumatic diseases, transplantation issues and options, regulatory issues, and development of a DNA repository for these diseases.
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pubmed_628_2581
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pubmed_256_20240
|
To delineate how gene rearrangement influences the expressed human gamma delta T cell repertoire, we generated T cell receptor gamma (TCR gamma) V domain-specific cDNA libraries from the peripheral lymphocytes of eight donors and sequenced a total of 232 TCR gamma gene transcripts. The libraries consisted of both in-frame and out-of-frame rearranged TCR gamma genes. The in-frame TCR gamma gene transcripts were used to determine the diversity of functional T cells, whereas the out-of-frame transcripts, primarily derived from alpha beta T cells, were used to assess the frequencies of TCR V gamma-J gamma rearrangements in progenitor T lymphocytes. The results showed that both sets of transcripts exhibited strikingly restricted V gamma-J gamma combinations. Only 11 of 40 potential V gamma-J gamma rearrangements were common ( > or = 3% of total). The pattern of gene usage in the functional and nonfunctional transcripts was similar and did not differ markedly among donors. The only exception was the predominance of V gamma 9-JP in potentially functional transcripts from seven of eight individuals. These results show that V gamma-J gamma rearrangement is nonrandom and suggest that the diversity of TCR gamma genes in the functional gamma delta T cell repertoire partly depends upon preferentially rearranged V gamma-J gamma gene combinations. However, the expansion of V gamma 9/V gamma 2 T cells in adult peripheral blood can only be explained by antigenic selection of relatively rare V gamma 9-JP recombinants.
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10.1172/JCI116167
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pubmed_67_10277
|
While some scholars regard workplace gossip as norm-violating behavior that costs gossipers status, others suggest that gossip clarifies organizational norms and thereby increases gossiper status. Integrating gossip literature with norm research, we develop a model to distinguish positive gossip from negative gossip and theorize their independent and joint effects on gossiper workplace status via peers' perceptions of norm violation and norm clarification-two concurrent but countervailing mechanisms. We hypothesize that positive gossip relates positively to norm clarification perceptions but negatively to norm-violation perceptions, whereas negative gossip relates positively to both norm clarification and norm-violation perceptions. Interactively, positive gossip weakens the norm-violation effects of negative gossip on gossiper status, and each type of gossip replaces the norm clarification effects of the other type of gossip on gossiper status. These hypotheses were largely supported in a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment with 345 full-time employees (Study 1), a three-wave field survey with data from 192 full-time employees (Study 2), and a round-robin field survey with data from 287 focal employees and 1,075 of their team members embedded in 87 teams (Study 3). Three additional studies reported in the supplementary materials revealed contingencies of the hypotheses: The hypotheses received support with a different experimental manipulation (Study 4), and the hypothesized norm-violation effect of negative gossip was not contingent on gossip content (target's self-serving vs. nonself-serving behavior, Study 5) but gossip intention such that the effect became nonsignificant when gossip intention was group-serving (cf. self-serving, Study 6). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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10.1037/apl0001056
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pubmed_849_11589
|
This essay argues that the Chinese Mental Health Act of 2013 is overly individualistic and fails to give proper moral weight to the role of Chinese families in directing the process of decision-making for hospitalizing and treating the mentally ill patients. We present three types of reactions within the medical community to the Act, each illustrated with a case and discussion. In the first two types of cases, we argue that these reactions are problematic either because they comply with the law but undermine the patient's interests by refusing the family's request to have the patient hospitalized, or violate the law by hospitalizing patients in response to the real concerns of their families. In the third type of situation, psychiatrists inappropriately encourage families to produce evidence of the patient's behavior that is harmful to self or others in order legally to commit the patient. Each of these problems, we conclude, should be tackled by supplementing Article 30 of the Act with the stipulation that a psychiatrist may authorize the involuntary hospitalization of a patient, who is not at risk of causing physical harm to self or others, with the consent of all major family members. Drawing on the deeply culturally embedded moral traditions of Confucian medical familism, this proposal would facilitate the proper treatment of a significant number of Chinese mentally ill patients under the care of their families.
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10.1093/jmp/jhv014
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pubmed_144_4809
|
Chalcogenide opal and inverse opal photonic crystals were successfully fabricated by low-cost and low-temperature solution-based process, which is well developed in polymer films processing. Highly ordered silica colloidal crystal films were successfully infilled with nano-colloidal solution of the high refractive index As(30)S(70) chalcogenide glass by using spin-coating method. The silica/As-S opal film was etched in HF acid to dissolve the silica opal template and fabricate the inverse opal As-S photonic crystal. Both, the infilled silica/As-S opal film (Δn ~ 0.84 near λ=770 nm) and the inverse opal As-S photonic structure (Δn ~ 1.26 near λ=660 nm) had significantly enhanced reflectivity values and wider photonic bandgaps in comparison with the silica opal film template (Δn ~ 0.434 near λ=600 nm). The key aspects of opal film preparation by spin-coating of nano-colloidal chalcogenide glass solution are discussed. The solution fabricated "inorganic polymer" opal and the inverse opal structures exceed photonic properties of silica or any organic polymer opal film. The fabricated photonic structures are proposed for designing novel flexible colloidal crystal laser devices, photonic waveguides and chemical sensors.
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10.1016/j.jcis.2010.10.011
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pubmed_462_16748
|
Two hundred milligrams of valproic acid (VPA) was administered orally to seven healthy adults at 9:00 and 21:00 h for 5 consecutive days, including the morning dose on day 6. On the sixth day, blood samples were drawn at 0, 0.17, 0.33, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 3, and 6 h after the morning dose. Binding of VPA to serum protein was evaluated by ultrafiltration, and total and unbound VPA concentrations were determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Binding parameters of VPA to serum protein were calculated for each subject by the Scatchard analysis. The binding parameters obtained from seven subjects showed that the mean association constant (K) was 2.72 x 10(4) L/mol while the total number of binding sites (nPt) was 789 mumol/L. There were marked interindividual variations and the coefficient of variation was 42% for K and 28% for nPt. These results show that endogenous free fatty acids (FFAs) significantly reduce the binding affinity of VPA to serum albumin (p less than 0.05). In addition, they suggest the possibility that the primary binding sites for VPA can be strongly reduced by FFAs. Therefore, we consider that interindividual differences in binding parameters may be clinically important.
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10.1097/00007691-199202000-00009
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pubmed_9_16017
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The turns joining segments of secondary structure have been proposed to be key elements in dictating the folded structures of native proteins. An alternative view assumes that turns play a passive role and are merely default structures that occur as a consequence of interactions between antiparallel segments of secondary structure, with chain reversal being dictated by the context surrounding the turn and not by the sequence of the turn itself. The solvent-exposure of turns and their tolerance to evolutionary variance suggests that they may have little or no effect on the formation of native structures. Previous investigations have focused on various types of beta-turns that connect antiparallel beta-strands with comparatively little reported on the structural role of interhelical turns. Here we probe the structural importance of such a turn in an antiparallel 4-helix bundle by randomly substituting an interhelical tripeptide in cytochrome b-562 with many different amino-acid sequences. Thirty-one of the resulting substituted proteins were characterized and all of them were shown to fold into stable, native-like structures. These results suggest that this interhelical turn does not does not play a dominant role in determining the folded structure of this antiparallel 4-helix bundle.
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10.1038/364355a0
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pubmed_134_14353
|
OBJECTIVE
Eszopiclone is a new, single-isomer, non-benzodiazepine, cyclopyrrolone agent under investigation for the treatment of insomnia. The present study was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of eszopiclone in adults with chronic primary insomnia.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Patients (n = 308) were randomized to receive placebo or eszopiclone (2 mg or 3 mg) for 44 consecutive nights, followed by 2 nights of single-blind placebo. Efficacy was evaluated with polysomnography (Nights 1, 15 and 29) and patient-reports (Nights 1, 15, 29 and 43/44). Next-day residual effects were evaluated using the Digit-Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).
RESULTS
Eszopiclone 3 mg had significantly less time to sleep onset (p < or = 0.0001), more total sleep time and sleep efficiency (p < or = 0.0001), better sleep maintenance (p < or = 0.01), and enhanced quality and depth of sleep (p < 0.05) across the double-blind period compared with placebo. Eszopiclone 2 mg had significantly less time to sleep onset (p < or = 0.001), more total sleep time (p < or = 0.01) and sleep efficiency (p < or = 0.001), and enhanced quality and depth of sleep (p < 0.05) compared with placebo, but did not significantly improve sleep maintenance. There was no evidence of tolerance or rebound insomnia after therapy discontinuation. Median DSST scores showed no decrement in psychomotor performance relative to baseline and did not differ from placebo in either eszopiclone group. Treatment was well tolerated; the most common adverse event related to eszopiclone was unpleasant taste.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients treated with nightly eszopiclone 3 mg had better polysomnographic (through Night 29) and patient-reported measures (through Night 44) of sleep over the 6-week trial. There was no evidence of tolerance or rebound insomnia and no detrimental effects on next-day psychomotor performance using the DSST.
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10.1185/174234304x15174
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pubmed_443_16981
|
The history of receptor autoradiography, its development and applications, testify to the utility of this histochemical technique for localizing radiolabeled hormones and drugs at cellular and subcellular sites of action in intact tissues. Localization of diffusible compounds has been a challenge that was met through the introduction of the "thaw-mount" and "dry-mount" autoradiographic techniques thirty years ago. With this cellular receptor autoradiography, used alone or combined with other histochemical techniques, sites of specific binding and deposition in vivo and in vitro have been characterized. Numerous discoveries, some reviewed in this article, provided information that led to new concepts and opened new areas of research. As an example, in recent years more than fifty target tissues for vitamin D have been specified, challenging the conventional view about the main biological role of vitamin D. The functions of most of these vitamin D target tissues are unrelated to the regulation of systemic calcium homeostasis, but pertain to the (seasonal) regulation of endo- and exocrine secretion, cell proliferation, reproduction, neural, immune and cardiovascular responses, and adaptation to stress. Receptor autoradiography with cellular resolution has become an indispensable tool in drug research and development, since information can be obtained that is difficult or impossible to gain otherwise.
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10.1590/s0100-879x1998000200003
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pubmed_262_11245
|
We theoretically study a 1D elastic photonic crystal containing air voids as an opto-pneumatic medium. This medium is sensitive to weak deviations of the external pressure and, owing to its elasticity, can vary its geometry depending on the external conditions. We show that the reflectivity can be drastically changed at a chosen working frequency near the photonic band-gap edge or the reflection window. The resonance properties of such pneumatic photonic crystals made of glass, silicon, and mica with directly excited eigenmodes in the infrared region of frequencies are analyzed. The ways to determine small changes in the pressure on the micro- and nanobar scale are discussed.
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10.1364/OE.18.003071
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pubmed_100_5718
|
This experiment was designed to yield precise measures of the statistical properties of perceived sound images. Results are reported for listeners' judgments of intracranial sound image lateral positions in response to binaural tone burst stimuli (250 Hz, 50 ms) with varying interaural phase differences, conditional on the absence or presence of a (left or right) reference monaural tone burst (also 250 Hz, 50 ms) ending 500 ms prior to the test signal. The monaural-reference shifted the position distributions toward the opposite side of the head. The position distribution variance and skewness depended on the mean of the position distribution, not on the interaural phase difference of the stimulus. The standard deviation increased as the mean moved laterally from midline. Near the midline the position distributions were skewed ipsilaterally. Near either ear they were skewed toward the midline. The results suggest that the most important noise limiting performance originates central to brainstem coincidence detector networks.
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10.1121/1.3596477
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pubmed_834_18513
|
Rat 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase shares sequence homology with the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases. Site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modifications were used to examine the roles of cysteine residues and other residues conserved in this family of enzymes. It was found that a highly conserved tyrosine residue, Y162 in 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase, does not function catalytically as it may in other short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases. Of the six cysteine residues present in 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase, only cysteine 215 was found to be critical to catalysis. C215A and C215D mutant enzymes were catalytically inactive but produced CD spectra identical to wild-type enzyme. C215S mutant enzyme displayed a lowered Vmax than wild-type enzyme, but Km values were similar to those of wild-type enzyme. The C215S mutant enzyme was inactivated by treatment with phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride but was not inactivated by treatment with iodoacetate, whereas the wild-type enzyme was inactivated by treatment with iodoacetate but not inactivated by treatment with phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride. The present data suggest that 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase differs in mechanism from other short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases studied to date and that cysteine 215 has a critical function in catalysis, possibly as a general base catalyst.
|
10.1021/bi00013a012
|
pubmed_722_17848
|
PURPOSE
Many clinical preventive care services are recommended for adolescents. Little is known about whether most adolescents have a sufficient number of preventive care services visits over time to receive those services. We wanted to measure how frequently adolescents who are insured either through private insurance or government programs have preventive vs nonpreventive care visits.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis based on claims data from a large health plan in Minnesota with about 700,000 members. All study patients were aged 11 to 18 years between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2007. Our outcome measure was rates of preventive and nonpreventive care visits.
RESULTS
One-third of adolescents with 4 or more years of continuous enrollment had no preventive care visits from age 13 through 17 years, and another 40% had only a single such visit. Nonpreventive care visits were more frequent in all age-groups, averaging about 1 per year at age 11 years, climbing to about 1.5 per year at age 17 years. Differences in rates between government insurance and commercial insurance were small. In older adolescence, girls had more preventive care visits and more nonpreventive care visits than did boys.
CONCLUSIONS
Most adolescents come in infrequently for preventive care visits but more often for nonpreventive care visits. We recommend using the same approach in adolescence for preventive care that is being used in adults: the no-missed-opportunities paradigm. All visits by adolescents should be viewed as an opportunity to provide preventive care services, and systems should be set up to make that possible, even in busy practices with short encounters with a clinician.
|
10.1370/afm.1188
|
pubmed_313_8352
|
INTRODUCTION
Research suggests aerosol from electronic vapor products (EVPs) has fewer harmful constituents than conventional cigarette smoke. Even so, EVPs and other nicotine-containing products are not safe to use during pregnancy. We examined perceptions among US adults regarding harm in using EVPs rather than smoking cigarettes during pregnancy.
METHODS
Data came from the 2015 Styles Survey, an Internet panel survey of a sample of US adults aged 18 years or older (N = 4,127). Perceived harm was assessed by asking respondents whether using EVPs was less, equally, or more harmful for pregnant women than smoking cigarettes. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate perceived harm overall and by sociodemographic characteristics and tobacco-use status. Perceived harm was assessed among all adults, women of reproductive age (18-44 years, n = 820), and women of nonreproductive age (≥45 years, n = 1,398).
RESULTS
Among all adults, 11.1% believed using EVPs during pregnancy was less harmful than smoking conventional cigarettes, 51.0% believed it was equally harmful, 11.6% believed it was more harmful, and 26.2% did not know. Prevalence of perception of less harm, by demographic category, was greatest among adults aged 18 to 24 years, men, non-Hispanic whites, adults with less than a high school diploma, current EVP users, and current cigarette smokers (P < .05). Prevalence of perception of less harm was greater among women of reproductive age (9.6%) than among those of nonreproductive age (7.9%) (P < .05).
CONCLUSION
US adults have varying levels of perceptions about the harms of EVP use versus cigarette smoking during pregnancy. Efforts are warranted to prevent nicotine exposure during pregnancy and to educate adults on the dangers of using any form of tobacco during pregnancy, including EVPs.
|
10.5888/pcd13.160349
|
pubmed_697_22330
|
BACKGROUND
Characterization of the risk factors for rupture of very small intracranial aneurysm (VSIA, ≤3 mm) is clinically valuable, since VSIAs are implicated in subarachnoid hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to identify morphological and hemodynamic parameters that independently characterize the rupture status of VSIAs.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive VSIAs between September 2010 and February 2014 in our institute. A series of morphologic and hemodynamic parameters were evaluated using computational fluid dynamics, based on patient-specific three-dimensional geometrical models.
RESULTS
We identified 186 patients with 206 VSIAs (73 ruptured, 133 unruptured). Univariable logistic regression analysis showed that bifurcation type, parent artery diameter, size ratio, time-averaged wall shear stress (WSS), maximum WSS, minimum WSS, and low shear area (LSA) were related to rupture status. Bifurcation type and larger LSA were independently associated with rupture status in multivariable logistic regression (p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Bifurcation type and larger LSA were independently associated with VSIA rupture status. Further studies are needed prospectively on patient-derived geometries prior to rupturing based on large multi-population data to confirm the present findings.
|
10.3389/fneur.2016.00169
|
pubmed_525_7672
|
BACKGROUND
Assessment of renal function in patients with renal transplants is of great importance. Various studies have reported cystatin C as an easily and rapidly assessable marker that can be used for accurate information on renal function impairment. To date, no study is available to define the role of cystatin C in patients with renal transplants.
METHODS
Thirty steady-state patients (50% male/50% female) with status post-kidney transplantation were studied. To assess renal function, cystatin C, creatinine clearance, serum creatinine, beta2-microglobulin (beta2M), and [125I]iothalamate clearance were determined. Correlations and non-parametric ROC curves for accuracy, using a cut-off glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 60 ml/min, were obtained for the different markers allowing for calculations of positive predictive values (PPV), positive likelihood ratios (PLR), specificity and sensitivity, respectively. Further, to evaluate the usefulness of these markers for monitoring, intraindividual coefficients of variation (CVs) for cystatin C and creatinine measurements were compared in 85 renal transplant patients. Measurements consisted of at least six pairs of results, which were obtained at different time points during routine follow-up.
RESULTS
Cystatin C correlated best with GFR (r=0.83), whereas serum creatinine (r=0.67), creatinine clearance (r=0.57) and beta2M (r=0.58) all had lower correlation coefficients. The diagnostic accuracy of cystatin C was significantly better than serum creatinine (P=0.025), but did not differ significantly from creatinine clearance (P=0.76) and beta2M (P=0.43). At a cut-off of 1.64 mg/l, cystatin C has a PPV of 93%, PLR of 6.4, specificity 89% and sensitivity 70%, respectively. For beta2M, PPV 83%, PLR 1.7, specificity 67% and sensitivity 75% was seen at a cut-off of 3.57 mg/l. Accordingly, at a cut-off of 125 micromol/l for serum creatinine, a PPV 76%, PLR 1.4, specificity 44% and sensitivity 80% was revealed. Finally, at a cut-off of 66 ml/min/1.73 m2 for creatinine clearance, the following characteristics were found: PPV 94%, PLR 7.7, specificity 89% and sensitivity 85%. The intraindividual variation of creatinine was significantly lower than that of cystatin C (P<0.001). With increasing concentrations, their ratios of CV tended towards a value of 1, demonstrating identical variability at low GFR.
CONCLUSION
Together, our data show that in patients with renal transplants, cystatin C, in terms of PPV and PLR, has a similar diagnostic value as creatinine clearance. However, it is superior to serum determinations of creatinine and beta2M. The intraindividual variation of cystatin C is greater than that of creatinine. This might be due to the better ability of cystatin C to reflect temporary changes especially in mildly impaired GFR, most critical for early detection of rejection and other function impairment. Thus, cystatin C allows for rapid and accurate assessment of renal function (GFR) in renal transplants and is clearly superior to the commonly used serum creatinine.
|
10.1093/ndt/14.8.1991
|
pubmed_432_13432
|
The detection of the spontaneous LH surge in 12 infertile women being monitored for transfer of frozen-thawed or donor embryos was studied using plasma radioimmunoassay (RIA), urinary RIA and a dip-stick enzyme immunoassay. Ten of the 12 women had plasma LH surges and in all but one woman the dip-stick assay detected the LH surge to within 12 h of the plasma RIA. The urinary RIA detected the LH surge in only six of the 10 women. In two of these cases the surge was detected 24 h and 36 h later than by plasma RIA. The dip-stick assay has many advantages and could be usefully integrated as a mode of monitoring ovulation in infertility therapy.
|
pubmed_432_13432
|
pubmed_536_21729
|
OBJECTIVES
To determine the career history of low back pain (LBP) in current elite female cricket fast bowlers and then compare measures of lumbar spine and hip range of motion (ROM) and trunk extensor endurance between those bowlers with and without a history of LBP. Measures for the female bowlers were also compared to a small sample of male fast bowlers.
PARTICIPANTS
Twenty-six elite female fast bowlers and eight male fast bowlers of similar age and bowling experience.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The career history of LBP was determined by a self-administered questionnaire and by accessing medical records. Range of motion measures for the lumbar spine and hips were obtained using inclinometry or goniometry. Trunk extensor endurance was assessed using a modified Sorensen test.
RESULTS
Fourteen female fast bowlers had a history of LBP. There was a significant difference in lumbar lateral flexion ROM to the bowling arm side between those female fast bowlers with and without a history of LBP (p < or = 0.05). The female fast bowlers had significantly more bilateral hip extension ROM (p < or = 0.05) compared to the male fast bowlers.
CONCLUSIONS
This information should be useful for practitioners involved in the conditioning and rehabilitation of cricketers. Future prospective studies should investigate potential predictors of LBP in female fast bowlers.
|
10.1016/j.ptsp.2008.02.002
|
pubmed_35_4301
|
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) induces prominent shifts in the rates of transcription of host cellular genes of relevance for the outcome of the viral infection. The quantitative analysis of transcription may be obscured by virus-induced alterations in the levels of RNA encoded by cellular housekeeping genes that are used commonly for normalisation of real time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). In the present study, we analysed beta-actin, GAPDH and 18S rRNA for their usefulness in normalisation of RT-qPCR analysis of the transcription of the HSV-1 gamma gB-1 gene and FUT5, a cellular gene induced by viral infection. The transcription of these genes was monitored in a TaqMan-based real time RT-PCR system over a 24h interval of virus infection of human embryonic lung fibroblasts. The levels of gB-1 and FUT5 RNA were normalised via difference in the threshold cycle (deltaC(t)) values relative to each and one of the housekeeping genes or calculated in relation to the number of infected cells without any further normalisation. The levels of RNA encoded by beta-actin or GAPDH were found to vary by several orders of magnitude during HSV-1 infection, introducing large errors in the estimation of the gB-1 and FUT5 RNA levels. In contrast, the variation of C(t) values for 18S rRNA was less than one cycle during 24h period of HSV-1 infection. The FUT5 and gB-1 RNA figures obtained by DeltaC(t) normalisation relative 18S rRNA were identical to those calculated in relation to the number of infected cells. These data recommend 18S rRNA for normalisation in HSV-1-infected human cells but discourage the use of beta-actin and GAPDH RNA for this purpose. By applying these procedures, it was shown that the transcription of FUT5 was increased by 50-fold 5-24h after HSV-1 infection and 200-fold by the inhibition of viral DNA replication in HSV-infected cells.
|
10.1016/j.jviromet.2004.01.019
|
pubmed_363_8493
|
In vitro evolution methods were used to obtain DNA enzymes that cleave either a 2',5'-phosphodiester following a D-ribonucleotide or a 3',5'-phosphodiester following an L-ribonucleotide. Both enzymes can operate in an intermolecular reaction format with multiple turnover. The DNA enzyme that cleaves a 2',5'-phosphodiester exhibits a k(cat) of approximately 0.01 min(-1) and catalytic efficiency, k(cat)/K(m), of approximately 10(8) M(-1) min(-1). The enzyme that cleaves an L-ribonucleotide is about 10-fold slower and has a catalytic efficiency of approximately 4 x 10(5) M(-1) min(-1). Both enzymes require a divalent metal cation for their activity and have optimal catalytic rate at pH 7-8 and 35-50 degrees C. In a comparison of each enzyme's activity with either its corresponding substrate that contains an unnatural ribonucleotide or a substrate that instead contains a standard ribonucleotide, the 2',5'-phosphodiester-cleaving DNA enzyme exhibited a regioselectivity of 6000-fold, while the L-ribonucleotide-cleaving DNA enzyme exhibited an enantioselectivity of 40-fold. These molecules demonstrate how in vitro evolution can be used to obtain regio- and enantioselective catalysts that exhibit specificities for nonnatural analogues of biological compounds.
|
10.1021/ja027467p
|
pubmed_722_677
|
BACKGROUND
Phytobezoars are a rare cause of acute small bowel obstruction. The aim of this work was to identify the diagnostic difficulties and treatment of this rare entity.
METHODS
Data of 14 patients operated between January 1999-January 2009 with small bowel phytobezoar were retrospectively studied. The patients (n=432) were treated in our clinic for small bowel obstructions. Of these, 14 (3.2%) phytobezoar-induced small bowel obstructions were included in this series. Median patient age was 57.25 years; nine (64%) of the patients were male, and five (36%) were female.
RESULTS
The predisposing factor was previous gastric surgery in 12 (87.5%) patients and previous abdominal surgery and total absence of the teeth in two (14.3%) patients. A completely obstructing terminal ileal phytobezoar was found in nine (64%) patients and jejunal phytobezoar in five (36%) patients during exploration. There was no mortality.
CONCLUSION
Phytobezoar-induced small bowel obstruction remains an uncommon diagnosis that poses a diagnostic and management challenge. It should be suspected in patients with an increased risk of bezoar formation, such as in the presence of previous gastric surgery, poor dentition or a history suggestive of increased fiber intake.
|
pubmed_722_677
|
pubmed_343_151
|
Septins are a family of GTP-binding proteins that assemble into non-polar filaments which can be recruited to negatively charged membranes and serve as a scaffold to recruit cytosolic proteins and cytoskeletal elements such as microtubules and actin so that they can perform their important biological functions. Human septins consist of four groups, each with 13 members, and filaments formation usually involve members from each group in specific positions. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that drive the binding of septins to membranes and its importance to their biological functions. Here we have built a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network around human septins and highlighted the connections with 170 partners. Functional enrichment by inference of the network of septins and their partners revealed their participation in functions consistent with some of the roles described for septins, including cell cycle, cell division and cell shape, but we also identified septin partners in these functions that had not previously been described. Interestingly, we identified important and multiple connections between septins and mRNA processing and their export from the nucleus. Analysis of the enrichment of gene ontology cellular components highlighted some important interactions between molecules involved in the spliceosome with septin 2 and septin 7 in particular. RNA splicing regulates gene expression, and through it, cell fate, development and physiology. Mutations in components of the in the splicing machinery is linked to several diseases including cancer, thus taken together, the different analyses presented here open new perspectives to elucidate the pathobiological role of septins.
|
10.1016/j.jbior.2019.100635
|
pubmed_868_12165
|
There are now robust data supporting the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm. This includes human and animal data focusing on nutrition or environmental chemicals during development. However, the term DOHaD has not been generally accepted as the official term to be used when one is concerned with understanding the pathophysiological basis for how environmental influences acting during early development influence the risk of later noncommunicable diseases. Similarly, there is no global research or public health program built around the DOHaD paradigm that encompasses all aspects of environment. To better inform the global health efforts aimed at addressing the growing epidemic of chronic noncommunicable diseases of environmental origin, we propose a two-pronged approach: first, to make it clear that the current concept of DOHaD comprehensively includes a range of environmental factors and their relevance to disease occurrence not just throughout the life span but potentially across several generations; and second, to initiate the discussion of how adoption of DOHaD can promote a more realistic, accurate, and integrative approach to understanding environmental disruption of developmental programming and better inform clinical and policy interventions.
|
10.1210/EN.2015-1394
|
pubmed_581_485
|
The purpose of this study was to develop a robust, fast and markerless mobile augmented reality method for registration, geovisualization and interaction in uncontrolled outdoor environments. We propose a lightweight deep-learning-based object detection approach for mobile or embedded devices; the vision-based detection results of this approach are combined with spatial relationships by means of the host device's built-in Global Positioning System receiver, Inertial Measurement Unit and magnetometer. Virtual objects generated based on geospatial information are precisely registered in the real world, and an interaction method based on touch gestures is implemented. The entire method is independent of the network to ensure robustness to poor signal conditions. A prototype system was developed and tested on the Wuhan University campus to evaluate the method and validate its results. The findings demonstrate that our method achieves a high detection accuracy, stable geovisualization results and interaction.
|
10.3390/s17091951
|
pubmed_18_20397
|
We recently demonstrated efficient antitumor immunity against murine tumors using dendritic cells (DCs) activated by recombinant Sendai viruses (rSeVs), and proposed a new concept, "immunostimulatory virotherapy," for cancer immunotherapy. However, there has been little information on the efficacy of this method in preventing metastatic diseases. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of vaccinating DCs activated by fusion gene-deleted nontransmissible rSeV (rSeV/dF) using a murine model of lung metastasis. Bolus and i.v. administration of DCs harboring rSeV/dF-expressing GFP without pulsation of tumor Ag (DC-rSeV/dF-GFP) 2 days before tumor inoculation showed efficient prevention against lung metastasis of c1300 neuroblastoma, but not of RM-9 prostatic cancer. We found that the timing of DC therapy was critical for the inhibition of pulmonary metastasis of RM-9, and that the optimal effect of DCs was seen 28 days before tumor inoculation. Interestingly, the antimetastatic effect was sustained for over 3 mo, even when administered DCs were already cleared from the lung and organs related to the immune system. Although NK cell activity had already declined to baseline at the time of tumor inoculation, Ab-mediated depletion studies revealed that CD4+ cells as well as the presence of, but not the activation of, NK cells were crucial to the prevention of lung metastasis. These results are the first demonstration of efficient inhibition of lung metastasis via bolus administration of virally activated DCs that was sustained and NK/CD4+ cell-dependent, and may suggest a potentially new mechanism of DC-based immunotherapy for advanced malignancies.
|
10.4049/jimmunol.0803845
|
pubmed_839_12602
|
The [NiFe] hydrogenase from the sulphate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F is reversibly inhibited in the presence of molecular oxygen. A key intermediate in the reactivation process, Ni-SI(r), provides the link between fully oxidized (Ni-A, Ni-B) and active (Ni-SI(a), Ni-C and Ni-R) forms of hydrogenase. In this work Ni-SI(r) was found to be light-sensitive (T <or= 110 K), similar to the active Ni-C and the CO-inhibited states. Transition to the final photoproduct state (Ni-SL) was shown to involve an additional transient light-induced state (Ni-SI(1961)). Rapid scan kinetic infrared measurements provided activation energies for the transition from Ni-SL to Ni-SI(r) in protonated as well as in deuterated samples. The inhibitor CO was found not to react with the active site of the Ni-SL state. The wavelength dependence of the Ni-SI(r) photoconversion was examined in the range between 410 and 680 nm. Light-induced effects were associated with a nickel-centred electronic transition, possibly involving a change in the spin state of nickel (Ni(2+)). In addition, at T <or= 40 K the CN(-) stretching vibrations of Ni-SL were found to be dependent on the colour of the monochromatic light used to irradiate the species, suggesting a change in the interaction of the hydrogen-bonding network of the surrounding amino acids. A possible mechanism for the photochemical process, involving displacement of the oxygen-based ligand, is discussed.
|
10.1007/s00775-009-0566-9
|
pubmed_754_10186
|
Prediction of FRC using a respiratory P-V curve (2 1 syringe method) has been tested in eight patients with normal lungs and in 12 ARDS patients. FRC was measured using nitrogen dilution technique with a closed circuit. Correlation between measured and predicted FRC was excellent, especially when the expiratory limb of the P-V curve was used (r = 0.92, in patients with pulmonary edema, and r = 0,97 when patients were evaluated after a few weeks). PEEP induced increase in FRC was larger between 10 and 20 cmH2O than between 0 and 10 cmH2O. As expected, Qs/Qt decrease was correlated with the FRC augmentation.
|
10.1016/s0750-7658(84)80054-4
|
pubmed_481_17377
|
Guillain-Barré-Strohl syndrome (GBS) is an acute peripheral neuropathy causing reversible myelin damage. alpha 6 beta 4 is a laminin receptor of Schwann cells and myelin. Along with myelin breakdown, alpha 6 beta 4 immunoreactivity might be detected in patients' sera and provide a marker for monitoring GBS course. MAbs to beta 4 and alpha 6 were used in an ELISA test to detect protein in GBS serum samples as in normal individuals. In 66% GBS patients, alpha 6 beta 4 immunoreactivity was detected while controls were negative. The level of beta 4 was followed in different patients and found to fluctuate, always being positive in at least one sample. Treatment lowered immunoreactivity in two beta 4-positive GBS sera. Then, circulating alpha 6 beta 4 fragments represent a novel marker of extensive peripheral myelin damage and may be used to validate clinical diagnosis of GBS, evaluate its course and activity.
|
10.1016/s0165-5728(97)00143-4
|
pubmed_652_2295
|
Anxiety disorders are increasingly acknowledged as a global health issue however an accurate picture of prevalence across populations is lacking. Empirical data are incomplete and inconsistent so alternate means of estimating prevalence are required to inform estimates for the new Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. We used a Bayesian meta-regression approach which included empirical epidemiological data, expert prior information, study covariates and population characteristics. Reported are global and regional point prevalence for anxiety disorders in 2010. Point prevalence of anxiety disorders differed by up to three-fold across world regions, ranging between 2.1% (1.8-2.5%) in East Asia and 6.1% (5.1-7.4%) in North Africa/Middle East. Anxiety was more common in Latin America; high income regions; and regions with a history of recent conflict. There was considerable uncertainty around estimates, particularly for regions where no data were available. Future research is required to examine whether variations in regional distributions of anxiety disorders are substantive differences or an artefact of cultural or methodological differences. This is a particular imperative where anxiety is consistently reported to be less common, and where it appears to be elevated, but uncertainty prevents the reporting of conclusive estimates.
|
10.1002/mpr.1444
|
pubmed_202_5570
|
Two yeast casein kinase type-1 species of 45 kDa and 27 kDa (CK1) were purified to apparent homogeneity and used for investigation of their immunological affinity. Antisera against the two kinases were isolated; the antibody against the 45 kDa kinase did not react with the 27 kDa enzyme. The 27 kDa casein kinase was recognized only by its own antibody. The obtained data strongly suggest that the low molecular mass CK-1 is not a proteolytic product of the 45 kDa kinase species.
|
pubmed_202_5570
|
pubmed_1072_13855
|
Although thoroughly criticized, null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) is the statistical method of choice in biological, biomedical and social sciences to investigate if an effect is likely. In this short tutorial, I first summarize the concepts behind the method while pointing to common interpretation errors. I then present the related concepts of confidence intervals, and discuss what should be reported in which context. The goal is to clarify concepts, present statistical issues that researchers face using the NHST framework and propose reporting practices.
|
10.12688/f1000research.6963.1
|
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