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pubmed_302_20397
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OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether women with a low number of retrieved oocytes at the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempt have an increased risk of early menopause.
DESIGN
Nested case-control study.
SETTING
Twelve IVF clinics in the Netherlands.
PATIENT(S)
Women participating in a nationwide Dutch cohort study (OMEGA) of ovarian stimulation for IVF and subsequent gynecologic diseases (n = 26,428). Each patient who experienced natural menopause at or before 46 years (n = 38) was individually matched to five controls (n = 190) who had not yet entered menopause at the age the patient became postmenopausal.
INTERVENTION(S)
None.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Relative risk of reaching natural menopause at an early age (</=46 years), according to the number of retrieved oocytes at the first IVF attempt.
RESULT(S)
Women with a poor response (zero to three oocytes) had a relative risk of 11.6 (95% confidence interval: 3.9-34.7) of having an early menopause as compared with women who have a normal response (> three oocytes). Women who were stimulated with gonadotropins during IVF treatment but did not undergo an IVF puncture because of an anticipated poor response (canceled IVF cycle) had a relative risk of 8.3 (95% confidence interval: 2.9-23.9).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that women with a low number of retrieved oocytes at the first IVF treatment are more likely to become postmenopausal at an early age than women with a higher number of retrieved oocytes. Our study is the first longitudinal study to provide strong evidence for the quantitative aspect of the ovarian concept of reproductive aging.
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10.1016/s0015-0282(02)02972-2
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pubmed_400_11580
|
Overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the MDR1 gene product, confers multidrug resistance (MDR) to cancer cells. Clinically, MDR is one of the major causes for chemotherapeutic treatment failure in cancer patients. To explore a new approach to circumventing MDR, we adopted RNA interference to target MDR1 gene expression. RNA interference is a conserved biological response to double-stranded RNA, which results in sequence-specific gene silencing [G. J. Hannon, Nature (Lond.), 418: 244-251, 2002]. We report that introduction of an MDR1-targeted small interfering RNA duplex into drug-resistant cancer cells markedly inhibited the expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp, as determined by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot. Inhibition of P-gp expression by small interfering RNA enhanced the intracellular accumulation of and selectively restored sensitivity to drugs transported by P-gp. These studies indicate that RNA interference can modulate MDR in preclinical models.
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pubmed_400_11580
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pubmed_730_14697
|
Gelatin binds to fibronectin with a high affinity although the fibronectin-binding components have not been located. Fibronectin plays an important role in tumor cell metastasis and gelatin may have a profound effect on the metastatic process. In this study, fractionated acid-washed gelatin was cleaved with trypsin and resultant peptides fractionated by fibronectin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. After further purification using size exclusion HPLC and then reverse-phase HPLC, two unique peptides were obtained and sequenced. The binding affinities of these two peptides to fibronectin were evaluated by an ELISA method developed during this study and compared with the gelatin. Both possessed significantly higher binding affinities to fibronectin than gelatin alone.
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10.1016/s0939-6411(98)00010-1
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pubmed_432_2898
|
We determine the ligand current into a single spherical cell which carries a large number of receptors on its surface. Initially, this cell is placed into a medium which contains ligands at uniform concentration. The time-dependent ligand distribution is calculated, from which the time-dependent ligand current into the cell is derived. If the ligand concentration is kept constant at distances comparable to the radius of the cell the stationary state sets in at times comparable to the T1 necessary for ligands to travel a distance of the order of the radius of the cell. If the ligand concentration is kept constant at infinity the stationary state sets in at a time which is about 1000T1 for typical values of the parameters.
|
10.1016/0301-4622(87)80070-4
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pubmed_893_8133
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Adults presenting with recurrent infections require an approach that allows exclusion of underlying immunodeficiency. While secondary causes of immunodeficiency are the most common, primary immunodeficiency disease (PID) may present for the first time in adults. Failure to consider this diagnosis in adults and children leads to a major diagnostic delay. Recurrent localised infections generally suggest an underlying anatomical rather than an immune defect. PIDs that are most commonly encountered include common variable immunodeficiency, immunoglobulin (Ig) A deficiency, and IgG subclass deficiency. I suggest a diagnostic approach with relevant immune tests, depending on the clinical picture. The essential role of vaccination with polysaccharide and protein antigens to evaluate B-cell functional capacity, is highlighted. Principles of management are provided, including indications for immunoglobulin replacement therapy.
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10.7196/samj.8948
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pubmed_615_13980
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The aims of this study were (a) to evaluate the degradation of acetamiprid with the use of Fenton reaction, (b) to investigate the effect of different concentrations of H2O2 and Fe(2+), initial pH and various iron salts, on the degradation of acetamiprid and (c) to apply response surface methodology for the evaluation of degradation kinetics. The kinetic study revealed a two-stage process, described by pseudo- first and second order kinetics. Different H2O2:Fe(2+) molar ratios were examined for their effect on acetamiprid degradation kinetics. The ratio of 3 mg L(-1) Fe(2+): 40 mg L(-1) H2O2 was found to completely remove acetamiprid at less than 10 min. Degradation rate was faster at lower pH, with the optimal value at pH 2.9, while Mohr salt appeared to degrade acetamiprid faster. A central composite design was selected in order to observe the effects of Fe(2+) and H2O2 initial concentration on acetamiprid degradation kinetics. A quadratic model fitted the experimental data, with satisfactory regression and fit. The most significant effect on the degradation of acetamiprid, was induced by ferrous iron concentration followed by H2O2. Optimization, aiming to minimize the applied ferrous concentration and the process time, proposed a ratio of 7.76 mg L(-1) Fe(II): 19.78 mg L(-1) H2O2. DOC is reduced much more slowly and requires more than 6h of processing for 50% degradation. The use to zero valent iron, demonstrated fast kinetic rates with acetamiprid degradation occurring in 10 min and effective DOC removal.
|
pubmed_615_13980
|
pubmed_327_3698
|
Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), a molecule derived from beta-NADP, has been shown to trigger Ca2+ release from intracellular stores of invertebrate eggs and mammalian cell microsomes. NAADP-induced Ca2+ release occurs through a mechanism distinct from that of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate- or cyclic ADP-ribose-elicited Ca2+ release. This study investigated whether NAADP can be synthesized in rat kidney. Extracts from glomeruli, mesangial cells, and papilla have high NAADP synthetic capacities. Conversely, synthesis of NAADP in kidney cortex was almost undetectable. Furthermore, 9-cis-retinoic acid significantly up-regulated NAADP synthesis in mesangial cells. Authenticity of NAADP biosynthesis in glomeruli was affirmed by HPLC analysis. NAADP stimulated Ca2+ release from mesangial cell microsomes through a pathway distinct from that of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate or cyclic ADP-ribose. NAADP-triggered Ca2+ release may play an important role in regulation of renal function.
|
10.1681/ASN.V12154
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pubmed_1017_21799
|
INTRODUCTION
Esophageal variceal bleeding is a severe complication of portal hypertension with significant morbidity and mortality. Although traditional screening and grading of esophageal varices has been performed by endogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), wireless video capsule endoscopy provides a minimally invasive alternative that may improve screening and surveillance compliance.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review and structured meta-analysis of all eligible studies to evaluate the efficacy of wireless capsule endoscopy for screening and diagnosis of esophageal varices among patients with portal hypertension.
METHODS
Searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases were performed through December 2015. Bivariate and hierarchical models were used to compute the pooled sensitivity and specificity, and to plot the summary receiver operating characteristics curve with summary point and corresponding 95% confidence region. Bias of included studies was assessed using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies-2.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies from 2005 to 2015 were included in this meta-analysis (n=1328). The diagnostic accuracy of wireless capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of esophageal varices was 90% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88-0.93]. The diagnostic pooled sensitivity and specificity were 83% (95% CI, 0.76-0.89) and 85% (95% CI, 0.75-0.91), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of wireless capsule endoscopy for the grading of medium to large varices was 92% (95% CI, 0.90-0.94). The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 72% (95% CI, 0.54-0.85) and 91% (95% CI, 0.86-0.94), respectively, for the grading of medium to large varices. The use of capsule demonstrated only mild adverse events. A sensitivity analysis limited to only high quality studies revealed similar results.
DISCUSSION
Wireless esophageal capsule endoscopy is well tolerated and safe in patients with liver cirrhosis and suspicion of portal hypertension. The sensitivity of capsule endoscopy is not currently sufficient to replace EGD as a first exploration in these patients, but given its high accuracy, it may have a role in cases of refusal or contraindication to EGD.
|
10.1097/MCG.0000000000000589
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pubmed_586_5356
|
A new method for the classification of the injuries of the ankle is recommended by the author. The main types according to his classifixation are the following: pronation-flexion, pronation-extension, supination-extension, supination-flexion and supination-extension types. His classification is compared with Lauge-Hansen's and Weber's classification. Critical analysis of these two last classifications is given. The aim of the author's classification is to render help to the doctors for their every-days' curative work. The characteristic symptoms of the pronation and supination, resp., injuries are described. Attention is drawn to "Weber's lace"--this denomination is proposed by the author, since the first description is due to Weber. On the basis of the author's examinations described in his candidate's dissertation "syndesmolysis trigonum"--pathognostic for syndesmolysis--is dealt with. The "reclined" roentgenograms are dealt with. The so-called pronation reclined roentgenogram visualize the rupture of the deltoid ligament and the syndesmolysis in the same time. The sagittal reclined roentgenogram is dealth with separately, by means of which the "table-drawer" symptom may be produced.
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pubmed_586_5356
|
pubmed_492_3449
|
Paphia undulata was used to prepare low-molecular-mass peptides by enzyme autolysis. The optimum condition for autolysis was studied to reach a maximum yield of peptides. Results showed that the yield of low-molecular-mass peptides was 4.33% and 78.57% of the total protein can be recovered under the optimized condition: pH = 6.5, temperature = 45 °C, reaction time = 4 h, ratio of starting material and water = 1:3 and the enzyme dosage was 1374.0 U/g.
|
10.1080/10826068.2010.490157
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pubmed_152_15057
|
Neuroblastoma is a malignant childhood tumor of migrating neuroectodermal cells derived from the neural crest and destined for the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic nervous system. The biological behavior of neuroblastomas is extremely variable and in some respects unique. Neuroblastomas tend to regress spontaneously in a portion of infants or to differentiate into a benign ganglioneuroma in some older patients. Unfortunately, in the majority of patients neuroblastoma is metastatic at the time of diagnosis, and it usually undergoes rapid progression with a fatal outcome. The mechanisms leading to this diverse clinical behavior of neuroblastomas are largely unclear. From the analysis of tumors at the cytogenetic and molecular level non-random genetic changes have been identified, including ploidy changes, amplification of the oncogene MYCN, deletions of chromosome 1p, gains of chromosome arm 17q, and deletions of 11q as well as of other genomic regions that allow tumors to be classified into subsets with distinct biological features and clinical behavior. MYCN status is widely accepted for therapy stratification. Additional genetic parameters are currently under investigation to refine risk assessment, but so far the molecular monitoring tools for prediction of therapy response and disease outcome are still incomplete. This should lead to more risk-adapted therapies according to the clinical-genetic parameters by which individual tumors are characterized. This review aims at discussing the role of genomic changes in neuroblastomas of diverse biological and clinical types.
|
10.1016/s0304-3835(02)00199-4
|
pubmed_44_9280
|
OBJECTIVES
We evaluated the effect of depression on risk, on the basis of standardized assessment, for developing activities of daily living (ADL) disability.
METHODS
Depression-related risk on 2-year ADL disability is estimated from 6871 participants in a population-based national sample aged 54-65 years and free of baseline ADL disability. We evaluated the effects of factors amenable to clinical and public health intervention that may explain the relationship between depression and incident disability.
RESULTS
The odds of ADL disability were 4.3 times greater for depressed adults than their non-depressed peers (95% confidence interval=3.1, 6.0). Among depressed adults, 18.7% of African Americans, 8.0% of Whites, and 7.8% of His-panics developed disability within 2 years. The attributable population fraction because of depression is 17.3% (95% confidence interval=11%, 24%). Concurrent health factors moderated depression-associated risk.
CONCLUSIONS
Elevated risk of ADL disability onset because of depression, in a cohort whose medical costs will imminently be covered via Medicare, is attenuated by factors amenable to public health intervention. Prevention and/or public health/policy programs that lead to more accessible and effective mental health and medical care could reduce the development of ADL disability among depressed adults.
|
10.2105/AJPH.2004.050948
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pubmed_333_2485
|
In acute pain, TENS, ice packs, and a calm, reassuring attitude and voice are useful in reducing pain. Narcotic requirements can be reduced, and chronic pain may be prevented. Complications such as paralytic ileus and atelactasis can also be reduced. These techniques can be used in the emergency ward, the recovery room, and the doctor's office.
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pubmed_333_2485
|
pubmed_387_11062
|
The present studies were undertaken to characterize the expression of calcium binding protein (CaBP or calbindin-D9k) in uterine tissues. Using immunohistochemical techniques, calbindin-D9k was localized to the uterine (luminal) epithelium of pregnant rats, but not present in the uterine epithelium of nonpregnant rats. Calbindin was found also in the uterine smooth muscle and endometrial stromal cells of pregnant animals. These latter localizations were reproduced in uteri of 21-day-old nonpregnant rats by administration of tamoxifen or physiological doses of estrogens. Estrogen and tamoxifen produced half-maximal increases of uterine calbindin at daily doses of 0.1 and 10 micrograms, respectively, and maximal responses at 0.3 and 40 micrograms/day. Testosterone and progesterone, at doses which increased the growth of the uterus, did not induce calbindin-D, and both hormones blocked estradiol's effect on uterine calbindin-D appearance. The epithelial localization of calbindin in pregnant uteri was not reproduced in nonpregnant animals by either estradiol (3 micrograms/day) or progesterone (1 mg/day). The localization of calbindin in uterine epithelium during pregnancy appears to be dependent upon an as yet unknown factor. In view of the large surface area of the luminal epithelium in pregnant animals, and the pregnancy-related expression of calbindin in these cells, we propose that uterine epithelium plays an important role in transport of calcium during pregnancy.
|
10.1210/endo-122-6-2371
|
pubmed_675_4576
|
4-O-Podophyllotoxin sulfamate derivatives were prepared using the natural lignan podophyllotoxin. The prepared compounds were afforded by reacting O-sulfonyl chloride podophyllotoxin with ammonia or aminoaryl/heteroaryl motif. Biological evaluation was performed in human breast cancer (MCF7), ovarian cancer (A2780), colon adenocarcinoma (HT29), and normal lung fibroblast (MRC5) cell lines. Compound 3 exhibited potent inhibitory activity and good selectivity margin. Compounds 2, 3, and 7 exerted apoptotic effect in MCF7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxicity of the verified compounds was inferior to that of podophyllotoxin.
|
10.1155/2021/6672807
|
pubmed_1012_14138
|
BACKGROUND
In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, we have analyzed the pattern of fixation in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related maculopathy, who have been treated with photodynamic therapy (Verteporfin).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The patients in this study were participating in the TAP trial at a study center (Lübeck). The TAP study inclusion criteria have been applied and photodynamic therapy was carried out by the TAP study standard protocol. For microperimetric analysis we used the Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope 101 (Rodenstock). Fixation was classified into foveal and excentric fixation. In addition we quantified the area of fixation (mm2). All patients had a follow-up of 2 years.
RESULTS
Out of 33 patients in the Verteporfin group, 29 showed central fixation at baseline and only 11 out of 33 had foveal fixation after 24 months. The area of fixation in this group was measured at baseline at 0.44 mm2, at 1.76 mm2 after 6 months and at 2.4 mm2 after 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively. In the placebo group 11 out of 13 patients had foveal fixation at baseline and after 24 months 2 out of 13 demonstrated central fixation. The area of fixation increased from 0.76 mm2 at baseline up to 2.4 mm2 after 6 months, to 4.9 mm2 after 12 months, to 7.1 mm2 after 18 months and finally after 24 months up to 9.61 mm2.
CONCLUSIONS
Photodynamic therapy with Verteporfin does not prevent loss of central fixation in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related maculopathy, however PDT has a significant stabilizing effect on the development of the area of fixation.
|
10.1007/s00347-001-0593-6
|
pubmed_154_2453
|
Currently available treatments for psoriatic arthritis are either not completely effective or toxic in some patients. As tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is involved in both the joint and skin involvement in psoriatic arthritis, blockade of TNF-alpha seems a reliable way to treat patients with this disease. We report two patients with progressive recalcitrant psoriatic arthritis treated with low-dose methotrexate (7.5 mg, once per week) in combination with intravenous chimeric monoclonal anti-TNF-alpha antibody (infliximab, 3 mg/kg body weight). Both showed a dramatic and rapid response in the reduction of pain, followed by improvement of laboratory and clinical signs of joint inflammation. Skin disease also responds after a short delay. The observation shows that infliximab is effective and well tolerated in patients with recalcitrant progressive psoriatic arthritis. Different kinetics of symptom release during treatment suggest a variable role for TNF-alpha in disease pathways of pain, joint inflammation and skin involvement.
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10.1046/j.1468-3083.2002.00391.x
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pubmed_769_15314
|
BACKGROUND
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has a severe impact on all aspects of patient care. Among the numerous biomarkers of potential validity for diagnostic and clinical management of COVID-19 are biomarkers at the interface of iron metabolism and inflammation.
METHODS
The follow-up study included 54 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 with a moderate and severe/critical form of the disease. Iron deficiency specific biomarkers such as iron, ferritin, transferrin receptor, hepcidin, and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as well as relevant markers of inflammation were evaluated twice: in the first five days when the patient was admitted to the hospital and during five to 15 days; and their validity to diagnose iron deficiency was further assessed. The regression and Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analyses were performed to evaluate the prognosis and determine the probability for predicting the severity of the disease in the first five days of COVID-19.
RESULTS
Based on hemoglobin values, anemia was observed in 21 of 54 patients. Of all iron deficiency anemia-related markers, only ZnPP was significantly elevated (P<0.001) in the anemic group. When patients were grouped according to the severity of disease, slight differences in hemoglobin or other anemia-related parameters could be observed. However, the levels of ZnPP were significantly increased in the severely ill group of patients. The ratio of ZnPP to lymphocyte count (ZnPP/L) had a discrimination power stronger than the neutrophil to lymphocyte count ratio (N/L) to determine disease severity. Additionally, only two markers were independently associated with the severity of COVID-19 in logistic regression analysis; D-dimer (OR (5.606)(95% CI 1.019-30.867)) and ZnPP/L ratio (OR (74.313) (95% CI 1.081-5108.103)).
CONCLUSIONS
For the first time ZnPP in COVID-19 patients were reported in this study. Among all iron-related markers tested, ZnPP was the only one that was associated with anemia as based on hemoglobin. The increase in ZnPP might indicate that the underlying cause of anemia in COVID-19 patients is not only due to the inflammation but also of nutritional origin. Additionally, the ZnPP/L ratio might be a valid prognostic marker for the severity of COVID-19.
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10.1371/journal.pone.0262487
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pubmed_197_15626
|
β-Lithiooxyphosphonium ylides, generated in situ from aldehydes and Wittig reagents, react readily with halomethyl esters to form trisubstituted Z-allylic esters. The methodology was applied to a total synthesis of the geranylgeraniol-derived diterpene (6S,7R,Z)-7-hydroxy-2-((E)-6-hydroxy-4-methylhex-4-enylidene)-6,10-dimethylundec-9-enyl acetate (12).
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10.1021/ol101843q
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pubmed_279_14402
|
A female infant with McKusick-Kaufman syndrome associated with esophageal atresia and distal tracheoesophageal fistula is presented. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report in the literature of this association.
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10.1002/ajmg.1320490320
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pubmed_776_3416
|
From the present review it appears that insulin-dependent diabetes is a common finding in chronic pancreatitis, and impaired secretion of insulin from beta-cells of the pancreatic islets is essential for the development of this form of secondary diabetes. Judged from a positive correlation between insulin secretory capacity and stimulated pancreatic enzyme output, beta-cell function may decrease in parallel with exocrine pancreatic function. However, in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis beta-cell function was preserved to a greater extent and glucoregulation was better than in comparable Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. Immunological phenomena and associations with certain HLA-alleles characterizing Type 1 diabetes mellitus were not found in insulin-dependent diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis. This may contribute to the slower destruction of the beta-cells in chronic pancreatitis than encountered in Type 1 diabetes. The small number of chronic pancreatitis patients who developed totally absence of endogenous insulin production still have some alpha-cell function during i.v. arginine and meal stimulation. However, insulin-induced hypoglycemia and insulin withdrawal did not stimulate glucagon secretion in the secondary diabetic patients in contrast to comparable Type 1 diabetics. Nevertheless, blood glucose counterregulation is intact in the secondary diabetics due to preserved catecholamine secretion. Furthermore, ketonemia develops during dissipation of insulin, in spite of absence of increased glucagon secretion, emphasizing the role of insulin dissipation for the development of ketoacidosis in this form of diabetes. The suggested increased susceptibility to severe hypoglycemia and less tendency to development of ketonemia may further be influenced by altered insulin sensitivity, nutritional factors and concomitant hepatic failure in diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic polypeptide secretion was absent in chronic pancreatitis without endogenous insulin production. Pancreatic polypeptide secreting cells thus seem to be at least as vulnerable as the beta-cells to the destructive processes characterizing chronic pancreatitis, whereas glucagon secreting alpha-cells preserve secretory capacity to a greater extent than PP-cells and beta-cells. No data, however, favour the view that absent pancreatic polypeptide secretion has any major effect on the glucoregulation in diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Increased plasma concentration of somatostatin was found in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis. The source of somatostatin in the patients is unknown, but somatostatin may contribute to a reduction in overall blood glucose level in patients without endogenous insulin secretion due to inhibition of glucagon secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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pubmed_776_3416
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pubmed_686_5179
|
In order to determine its effects on locomotor-related striatal electrophysiology in aged rats, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was infused (vehicle or 30mug) into the right striatum of 24-25-month-old Fischer 344 (F344) rats. Multi-wire electrode arrays were then chronically implanted in striatum bilaterally. Thirty days later, striatal electrophysiological activity was recorded during freely moving conditions. Individual neurons were classified as locomotor-excited if they exhibited significant increases in firing rates during locomotor bouts versus periods of nonmovement. GDNF produced a significant increase in overall firing rates in locomotor-excited striatal neurons. This effect was observed in both the infused and the contralateral striatum. GDNF also attenuated the bursting activity of nonlocomotor-related striatal neurons, an effect that was also present bilaterally. These results suggest that GDNF's antiparkinsonism effects are associated with increased excitability of motor-related striatal neurons and diminished activity of neurons that do not exhibit explicit motor-related changes in activity. Such studies may aid in understanding the mechanism of potential therapies for movement disorders seen in aging and Parkinson's disease.
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10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2005.10.015
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pubmed_399_19025
|
Rats were housed at 4 degrees C for periods of up to 26 days. As little as 2 h of cold exposure caused an increase in the binding of [3H]GDP to mitochondria from brown adipose tissue. Incubation of mitochondria in vitro with 10 mM Mg2+ caused a marked increase in the subsequent binding of GDP to mitochondria from rats housed at 28 degrees C and a smaller increase in that from rats exposed to 4 degrees C for 2 h. Chronic exposure to cold led to an even greater increase in the amount of GDP bound to mitochondria incubated with Mg2+. The time course for the increase in the concentration of uncoupling protein was compared with that for GDP binding to mitochondria with and without Mg2+ treatment. The concentration of uncoupling protein appears to be correlated with the GDP-binding values for mitochondria treated with Mg2+ (r = 0.70) but not with the GDP binding to untreated mitochondria (r = 0.36). Therefore, the binding of GDP to untreated mitochondria may represent thermogenic activity at the time of death, whereas that after treatment with Mg2+ may more closely reflect total thermogenic capacity of the mitochondrion.
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10.1139/o89-017
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pubmed_161_17346
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Ocular manifestations of sarcoidosis in children are the second most common occurrence after hilar adenopathy and pulmonary abnormalities. We present the case history of a 14-year-old black boy who presented with redness of the left eye, blurred vision, and decreased visual acuity. He was subsequently diagnosed as having sarcoidosis. All patients with uveitis or ocular findings suggestive of sarcoidosis should have a through medical examination and a chest x-ray. Those suspected of or proven to have sarcoidosis should have a complete ophthalmological examination. Sarcoidosis in children appears to be more frequent than previously estimated.
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10.1177/000992288302201201
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pubmed_36_3687
|
A 64-year-old man presented with a 2-day history of acute onset painless left ptosis. He had no other symptoms; importantly pupils were equal and reactive and eye movements were full. There was no palpable mass or swelling. He was systemically well with no headache, other focal neurological signs, or symptoms of fatigue. CT imaging showed swelling of the levator palpebrae superioris suggestive of myositis. After showing no improvement over 5 days the patient started oral prednisolone 30 mg reducing over 12 weeks. The ptosis resolved quickly and the patient remains symptom free at 6 months follow-up. Acute ptosis may indicate serious pathology. Differential diagnoses include a posterior communicating artery aneurysm causing a partial or complete third nerve palsy, Horner's syndrome, and myasthenia gravis. A careful history and examination must be taken. Orbital myositis typically involves the extraocular muscles causing pain and diplopia. Isolated levator myositis is rare.
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pubmed_36_3687
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pubmed_740_12378
|
Carotid Intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque are well established markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and are widely used for identifying subclinical atherosclerotic disease. We performed association analyses using Metabochip array to identify genetic variants that influence variation in CIMT and plaque, measured using B-mode ultrasonography, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Data on genetic associations of common variants associated with both CIMT and plaque in RA subjects involving Mexican Americans (MA) and European Americans (EA) populations are presented in this article. Strong associations were observed after adjusting for covariate effects including baseline clinical characteristics and statin use. Susceptibility loci and genes and/or nearest genes associated with CIMT in MAs and EAs with RA are presented. In addition, common susceptibility loci influencing CIMT and plaque in both MAs and EAs have been presented. Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) plots showing complementary evidence for the observed CIMT and plaque association signals are also shown in this article. For further interpretation and details, please see the research article titled "A Genetic Association Study of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) and Plaque in Mexican Americans and European Americans with Rheumatoid Arthritis" which is being published in Atherosclerosis (Arya et al., 2018) [1].(Arya et al., in press) Thus, common variants in several genes exhibited significant associations with CIMT and plaque in both MAs and EAs as presented in this article. These findings may help understand the genetic architecture of subclinical atherosclerosis in RA populations.
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10.1016/j.dib.2018.02.006
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pubmed_141_1820
|
Two uptake systems for taurine transport in a rat hypothalamic crude synaptosomal preparation were identified. The true transport constants were, for the high-affinity uptake system, Km = 240 microM and V (maximum velocity) = 400 nmol/g protein/min, and for the low-affinity uptake system, Km = 5290 microM and V = 1640 nmol/g protein/min. The initial velocity of high-affinity taurine uptake by the crude synaptosomal preparation was studied as a function of sodium and taurine concentration. Hill plots were constructed from these data. The requirement of high-affinity taurine uptake on a sodium gradient was examined by utilizing monensin, and the metabolic poisons, 2,4-dinitrophenol and ouabain. The major findings are as follows: 1) One sodium ion is co-transported with each taurine molecule; 2) the high-affinity uptake process is driven by the sodium concentration gradient across the membrane; 3) sodium increases the maximal velocity rather than the affinity of the high-affinity taurine carrier for the taurine molecule; 4) one taurine molecule is transported per carrier for both the high- and low-affinity taurine uptake systems; and 5) high-affinity taurine uptake is an energy-dependent process.
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10.1007/BF00970526
|
pubmed_249_3778
|
The bioequivalence of two lansoprazole 30-mg capsules was determined in healthy human, adult volunteers after a single dose in a randomized cross-over study. The study was conducted at Pharmaconsult, Flemington Pharmaceutical Corp., New Jersey, USA. Reference (Lanzor, Laboratoires Houde, Paris, France) and test (Lanfast, Julphar, UAE) were administered to volunteers with 240 ml water after overnight fasting. Blood samples were collected at specified time intervals, plasma was separated and analyzed for lansoprazole using a validated HPLC method. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC(0-t), AUC(0-~), C(max), T(max), T(1/2) and elimination rate constant were determined from plasma concentration-time profile of both formulations and found to be in good agreement with previously reported values. The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters were compared statistically to evaluate bioequivalence between the two brands, using the statistical modules recommended by the Food and Drug Administration. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) did not show any significant difference between the two formulations and 90% confidence intervals fell within the acceptable range (80-120%) for bioequivalence. Based on these statistical inferences it was concluded that the two formulations exhibited comparable pharmacokinetic profiles and that Julphar's Lanfast is bioequivalent to Lanzor of Lab. Houde.
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10.1016/s0939-6411(00)00152-1
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pubmed_319_17440
|
Nanoparticles of Co10Cu90 alloy have been prepared by sonochemical wet method. According to transmission electron microscopy, bimetallic particles with typical diameter of 50-100 nm consisting of nanocrystallites with average diameter of 15-20 nm were obtained. The samples were annealed at 300 degrees C and 450 degrees C. Zero field cooled and field cooled temperature dependences of magnetization in the temperature range of 5-400 K at 50 Oe, as well as magnetization hysteresis loops at 15, 100 and 305 K were measured by vibrating sample magnetometry. Presence of antiferromagnetic phase, most probably of the oxide Co3O4, was observed in as-prepared sample. The lowest coercivity was found for the CoCu sample annealed at-300 degrees C, whereas for as prepared sample and the one annealed at 450 degrees C it was significantly higher. The samples were additionally probed by continuous wave ferromagnetic resonance at room, temperature using a standard X-band electron spin resonance spectrometer. A good correspondence between evolution of the coercivity and the microwave resonance fields with annealing temperature was observed.
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10.1166/jnn.2012.6540
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pubmed_333_11707
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Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the formation of a dentine smear in ten premolars ground with a water-cooled diamond in an air turbine. In another ten teeth the pulp reaction in full crown preparation with the same armamentarium was investigated by histological techniques. The findings revealed the formation of a dentine smear which was easily removed by light polishing with wet pumice, leaving plugs of debris in the tubule apertures. The clinical significance of these findings needs further investigation. No bacteria were demonstrated on the prepared surfaces either in the scanning electron micrographs or histologically when stained with Brown & Brenn stain. Severe, acute pulp reactions were observed subjacent to the dentinal tubules cut in full crown preparation. This technique should therefore be limited to superficial use only.
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10.1111/j.1365-2842.1977.tb00989.x
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pubmed_849_4398
|
BACKGROUND
Collective analysis of the increasingly emerging gene expression datasets are required. The recently proposed binarisation of consensus partition matrices (Bi-CoPaM) method can combine clustering results from multiple datasets to identify the subsets of genes which are consistently co-expressed in all of the provided datasets in a tuneable manner. However, results validation and parameter setting are issues that complicate the design of such methods. Moreover, although it is a common practice to test methods by application to synthetic datasets, the mathematical models used to synthesise such datasets are usually based on approximations which may not always be sufficiently representative of real datasets.
RESULTS
Here, we propose an unsupervised method for the unification of clustering results from multiple datasets using external specifications (UNCLES). This method has the ability to identify the subsets of genes consistently co-expressed in a subset of datasets while being poorly co-expressed in another subset of datasets, and to identify the subsets of genes consistently co-expressed in all given datasets. We also propose the M-N scatter plots validation technique and adopt it to set the parameters of UNCLES, such as the number of clusters, automatically. Additionally, we propose an approach for the synthesis of gene expression datasets using real data profiles in a way which combines the ground-truth-knowledge of synthetic data and the realistic expression values of real data, and therefore overcomes the problem of faithfulness of synthetic expression data modelling. By application to those datasets, we validate UNCLES while comparing it with other conventional clustering methods, and of particular relevance, biclustering methods. We further validate UNCLES by application to a set of 14 real genome-wide yeast datasets as it produces focused clusters that conform well to known biological facts. Furthermore, in-silico-based hypotheses regarding the function of a few previously unknown genes in those focused clusters are drawn.
CONCLUSIONS
The UNCLES method, the M-N scatter plots technique, and the expression data synthesis approach will have wide application for the comprehensive analysis of genomic and other sources of multiple complex biological datasets. Moreover, the derived in-silico-based biological hypotheses represent subjects for future functional studies.
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10.1186/s12859-015-0614-0
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pubmed_763_10066
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There is a delayed increase in arterial stiffness after eccentric exercise that is possibly mediated by the concurrent delayed increase in circulating oxidative stress. Taurine has anti-oxidant action, and taurine supplementation may be able to attenuate the increase in oxidative stress after exercise. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether taurine supplementation attenuates the delayed increase in arterial stiffness after eccentric exercise. In the present double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial, we divided 29 young, healthy men into 2 groups. Subjects received either 2.0 g of placebo (n = 14) or taurine (n = 15) 3 times per day for 14 days prior to the exercise, on the day of exercise, and the following 3 days. The exercise consisted of 2 sets of 20 maximal-effort eccentric repetitions with the nondominant arm only. On the morning of exercise and for 4 days thereafter, we measured serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) as indices of oxidative stress and arterial stiffness, respectively. On the third and fourth days after exercise, both MDA and cfPWV significantly increased in the placebo group. However, these elevations were significantly attenuated in the taurine group. The increase in MDA was associated with an increase in cfPWV from before exercise to 4 days after exercise (r = 0.597, p < 0.05) in the placebo group, but not in the taurine group. Our results suggest that delayed increase in arterial stiffness after eccentric exercise was probably affected by the exercise-induced oxidative stress and was attenuated by the taurine supplementation.
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10.1139/apnm-2015-0560
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pubmed_987_17216
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This paper is dedicated to the study of an AOTF whose selectivity and side lobes are controlled thanks to acoustic square pulses with different and relatively low acoustic power. The behavior of the transmission function of a quasi-collinear acousto-optical tunable filter in TeO2 is analyzed. The filter is used with acoustic pulses above 12 µs to manipulate the selectivity and with an electric power up to 600 mW to control the side lobes of the filtered spectrum. Using acoustic pulses requires working under a regime of a long optical pulse. The temporal response of the filter was considered to find the best parameters to perform the experiments. The selectivity was controlled from 1.3 nm to 2.5 nm with the use of acoustic pulses. The manipulation of the acoustic power applied to the filter improved the performance of the side lobe levels in regards to the main one from -9dB to -12dB.
|
10.1364/AO.449028
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pubmed_239_23292
|
Floral traits and the relative contribution of autonomous selfing to total seed set varies geographically and is often driven by the availability and abundance of suitable pollinators and/or the presence of co-flowering relatives. In the latter case, competition for pollinator services and costs of hybridization can select for floral traits that reduce interspecific gene flow and contribute to prezygotic isolation, potentially leading to geographic variation in floral divergence between allopatric and sympatric populations. In this study, we investigated variation in floral traits and its implications on the capacity of autonomous selfing in both allopatric and sympatric populations of two closely related Centaurium species(Gentianaceae) across two distinct geographic regions(UK and mainland Europe). Although the magnitude and direction of floral differentiation varied between regions, sympatric populations were always significantly more divergent in floral traits and the capacity to self autonomously than allopatric populations. These results indicate that mating systems can vary substantially within a species and that the joint occurrence of plant species can have a major impact on floral morphology and capacity of autonomous selfing, most likely as a way to reduce the probability of interspecific interference.
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10.1038/srep46410
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pubmed_737_25180
|
OBJECTIVES
Atomoxetine is commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with a broad range of cognitive abilities. We examined the association between level of cognitive functioning as determined by IQ and clinical response during treatment with atomoxetine.
METHODS
The records of all the children and adolescents treated with atomoxetine at a university clinic in Catania, Italy, over a 3-year period were examined. A total of 55 clinically referred children and adolescents (aged 5-15 years, 53 males) with ADHD were treated with atomoxetine (10-110 mg/day; mean: 1.28 mg/kg/day) for a period ranging from 2 to 168 weeks (mean: 57.3 ± SD 39.4, median: 56). The IQ was assessed as part of the diagnostic evaluation prior to starting treatment. During treatment, clinical outcome was rated on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) and CGI-Severity (CGI-S) scales.
RESULTS
The IQ ranged from 43 to 117 (mean: 80.6 ± SD 18.6, median: 84). The IQ and final CGI-I scores were negatively correlated (r = -0.68; p < 0.01). Children and adolescents with an IQ <85 were less likely to be responders (defined as a final CGI-I score of 1 or 2) than children and adolescents with an IQ ≥85 (20.71% vs 76.9%; p < 0.001). None of the patients discontinued atomoxetine due to adverse effects, while treatment was discontinued in 20 subjects due to a lack of efficacy or ambivalence of parents about pharmacological treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Atomoxetine appears to be less effective in children and adolescents with an IQ <85 than in children and adolescents in the average range of cognitive functioning. This difference is not accounted for by differences in the severity of ADHD symptoms, co-morbidity or reduced tolerability to the medication. These findings suggest that, in order to be fully informative, clinical trials of medications for ADHD should also include children and adolescents functioning in the borderline and cognitive disability range.
|
10.2165/11590450-000000000-00000
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pubmed_630_8109
|
The paper discusses the properties of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5) and Bifidobacterium animals subsp. lactis (BB-12) that are active ingredients of linex forte, as well as the results of their experimental and clinical studies in gastroenterology. It states dosing recommendations for the drug to treat gastrointestinal tract diseases in adults and children.
|
10.17116/terarkh20158712138-144
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pubmed_251_19939
|
The relationship of nosocomial transmission of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) by fiberoptic gastroscopy was investigated. Hp was cultured from the materials obtained from the suction/biopsy channel (4/12 times) and biopsy forceps (3/10 times). The positive rate of Hp was increased with times undertaking endoscopy in the past in elder patients with chronic gastritis. The rate from Hp negative transforming into positive also increased with the times of receiving endoscopic follow-up in the past in patients with Hp negative chronic gastritis. The average age of Hp positive patients were older in those patients under follow-up studies than that in randomly age-matched normal or chronic gastritis controls. The results suggested that the contamination of gastroscopic equipment played a potential role as vehicle causing nosocomial infection of Hp. The risks of Hp transmission correlated with times of undertaking endoscopy, especially in the elderly.
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pubmed_251_19939
|
pubmed_332_10620
|
ABCG5 and ABCG8 form a complex (G5G8) that opposes the absorption of plant sterols but is also expressed in liver where it promotes the excretion of cholesterol into bile. Hepatic G5G8 is transcriptionally regulated by a number of factors implicated in the development of insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, we hypothesized that G5G8 may influence the development of diet-induced obesity phenotypes independently of its role in opposing phytosterol absorption. G5G8 knock-out (KO) mice and their wild type (WT) littermates were challenged with a plant sterol-free low fat or high fat (HF) diet. Weight gain and the rise in fasting glucose were accelerated in G5G8 KO mice following HF feeding. HF-fed G5G8 KO mice had increased liver weight, hepatic lipids, and plasma alanine aminotransferase compared with WT controls. Consistent with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, macrophage infiltration, the number of TUNEL-positive cells, and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines were also increased in G5G8 KO mice. Hepatic lipid accumulation was associated with increased peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ, CD36, and fatty acid uptake. Phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eiF2α) and expression of activating transcription factor 4 and tribbles 3 were elevated in HF-fed G5G8 KO mice, a pathway that links the unfolded protein response to the development of insulin resistance through inhibition of protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of Akt and insulin receptor was reduced, whereas serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 was elevated.
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10.1074/jbc.M112.360081
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pubmed_878_2352
|
The occurrence of 2n pollen-producing plants was investigated in 187 plant introductions (PIs) of 38 wild species of tuber-bearing Solanum. These 2x, 4x, and 6x species are from Mexico, and Central and South America. The determination of 2n pollen-producing plants was conducted using acetocarmine glycerol. Plants with more than 1% large-size pollen were regarded as 2n pollen-producing plants. 2n pollen-producing plants were identified in the following species: 10 out of 12 Mexican 2x species, seven of nine South American 2x species, seven of seven Mexican and Central American 4x species, five of five South American 4x species, and five of five Mexican 6x species. The frequency of 2n pollen-producing plants varied among species at the same ploidy level, but the range of frequency, generally between 2 and 10% among species, was similar over different ploidy levels. The general occurrence of 2n pollen in both 2x and polyploid species, which are evolutionarily related, is evidence that the mode of polyploidization in tuber-bearing Solanums is sexual polyploidization. Furthermore, the frequencies of 2n pollen-producing plants in autogamous disomic polyploid species were not markably different from those of their related diploid species. It is thought that the frequent occurrence of 2n gametes with autogamy tends to disturb the fertility and consequently reduce fitness of polyploids. Thus, we propose that the breeding behavior of polyploids and the occurrence of 2n gametes may be genetically balanced in order to conserve high fitness in polyploid species in tuberbearing Solanum.
|
10.1007/BF00226800
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pubmed_891_12360
|
The long-read Nanopore sequencing has been recently applied for assembly of complex genomes and analysis of linear genome organization. The most critical factor for successful long-read sequencing is extraction of high molecular weight (HMW) DNA of sufficient purity and quantity. The challenges associated with input DNA quality are further amplified when working with extremely small insects with hard exoskeletons. Here, we optimized the isolation of HMW DNA from the model beetle Tribolium and tested for use in Nanopore sequencing. We succeeded in overcoming all the difficulties in HMW handling and library preparation that were encountered when using published protocols and commercial kits. Isolation of nuclei and subsequent purification of DNA on an anion-exchange chromatography column resulted in genomic HMW DNA that was efficiently relaxed, of optimal quality and in sufficient quantity for Nanopore MinION sequencing. DNA shearing increased average N50 read values up to 26 kb and allowed us to use a single flow cell in multiple library loads for a total output of more than 13 Gb. Although our focus was on T. castaneum and closely related species, we expect that this protocol, with appropriate modifications, could be extended to other insects, particularly beetles.
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10.3390/genes12081114
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pubmed_9_19170
|
The purpose of this study was to develop a submaximal test, on the Concept II rowing ergometer, to estimate the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) of male rowers and non-rowers. Eleven rowers and 14 non-rowers completed a submaximal and a maximal rowing test. The submaximal test consisted of exercising for 6 min at five different incremental speeds with at least 6 min recovery between each speed. Speed, heart rate and oxygen uptake were monitored during the last minute of each increment. In the maximal test, the subjects were asked to row for 6 min at a speed calculated to elicit 105 degrees, of their predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax). The HRmax was predicted from 220 beats min-1-age. Actual HRmax was recorded and the highest value of oxygen uptake measured was regarded as the subject's VO2 max. An analysis of covariance revealed that the data collected for rowers and non-rowers had to be considered separately. The greatest differences were seen for the submaximal speed-VO2 relationship, which showed that the rowers were more efficient on the ergometer than the non-rowers. Measured HRmax was found to average 9 beats min-1 below the predicted HRmax. The measured VO2 max values for the whole group averaged 4.16 +/- 0.64 1 min-1 (mean +/- S.D.). A nomogram was developed to predict VO2 max. At an exercise intensity of 80-90% HRmax, the average estimated VO2 max, using predicted HRmax calculated from 220 beats min-1-age, was 4.34 +/- 0.7 1 min-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
|
10.1080/02640419308729989
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pubmed_150_7279
|
STUDY DESIGN
Review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
Surgery and cement augmentation procedures are effective palliative treatment of symptomatic spinal metastases. Our objective is to systematically review the literature to describe the survival, prognostic factors, and clinical outcomes of surgery and cement augmentation procedures for breast cancer metastases to the spine.
METHODS
We performed a literature review using PubMed to identify articles that reported outcomes and/or prognostic factors of the breast cancer patient population with spinal metastases treated with any surgical technique since 1990.
RESULTS
The median postoperative survival for metastatic breast cancer was 21.7 months (8.2 to 36 months), the mean rate of any pain improvement was 92.9% (76 to 100%), the mean rate of neurologic improvement was 63.8% (53 to 100%), the mean rate of neurologic decline was 4.1% (0 to 8%), and the local tumor control rate was 92.6% (89 to 100%). Kyphoplasty studies reported a high rate of pain control in selected patients. Negative prognostic variables included hormonal (estrogen and progesterone) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor refractory tumor status, high degree of axillary lymph node involvement, and short disease-free interval (DFI). All other clinical or prognostic parameters were of low or insufficient strength.
CONCLUSION
With respect to clinical outcomes, surgery consistently yielded neurologic improvements in patients presenting with a deficit with a minimal risk of worsening; however, negative prognostic factors associated with shorter survival following surgery include estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor negativity, HER2 negativity, and a short DFI.
|
10.1055/s-0035-1564807
|
pubmed_1004_22284
|
This work aims to develop and compare two types of conductive, polymer-based coatings via a dip coating process. The first type of coatings was made by dispersing and incorporating carbon black (CB) nanoparticles in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) solution followed by dip coating. The CB content and dipping parameters were varied to explore their effects on the particle dispersion, coating thickness, and conductivity of the coatings. The dispersion of the CB particles in the polymer matrix was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the coating thickness and conductivity were measured with a surface profilometer and a four-point probe electrometer, respectively. The good dispersion of carbon nanoparticles in the PMMA matrix was observed in the coatings. The conductivity of the PMMA-CB composite coatings was found to be mainly affected by CB content, particle dispersion as well as coating thickness. On the other hand, polyaniline (PANI) was used to make conductive coatings by dip coating and doping, and the advantages and limitations of the PANI coatings were compared with the PMMA-CB coatings.
|
10.1166/jnn.2008.574
|
pubmed_279_9956
|
To investigate a possible relation between the nuclear DNA content and lymph node metastasis of submucosal early gastric cancer, DNA content was analyzed for 46 patients with lymph node metastasis and 67 patients without nodal metastasis. DNA aneuploidy was found in 20 (43.5%) of 46 patients with lymph node metastasis and in 31 (46.3%) of 67 patients without it. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of aneuploidy between the 2 groups. Among the cases with DNA diploidy, the mean value of S phase fraction was 6.82% in patients with lymph node metastasis and 5.65% in those without metastasis. The mean value of S phase fraction was significantly higher in patients with nodal involvement (p < 0.05). Furthermore, among the cases with DNA aneuploidy, the mean value of G2/M phase fraction was 11.03% in patients with lymph node metastasis and 7.54% in patients without metastasis. The mean value of G2/M phase fraction was significantly higher in patients with nodal involvement (p < 0.05). These findings suggest the significant value of the S and G2/M phase fraction for the prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with submucosal early gastric cancer.
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pubmed_279_9956
|
pubmed_688_4043
|
This report describes three female patients who were treated for diffuse vascular lesions of the breast. The lesion was congenital in one patient. Two were adults (40 and 59 years old). Each presented with a mass within the breast. Microscopically, the tumors were composed of vascular channels growing diffusely in breast parenchyma. The vessels were lined by flat, inconspicuous endothelium with sparse supporting mural tissue virtually devoid of smooth muscle. The lesions consisted of hemangiomatous (erythrocyte-containing) and lymphangiomatous (seemingly empty) channels with lymphoid aggregates. This combination of a mixed pattern of vessels and diffuse growth is similar to that seen in lesions that have been called angiomatosis in other anatomic sites. Because the microscopic distinction between very orderly angiosarcomas and angiomatosis may be difficult, complete excision of the tumor is necessary. For bulky lesions, this may require mastectomy. In one patient congenital angiomatosis has persisted and recurred twice in the mammary region over 39 years. The other two patients remain well 3 years after local excision and 2 years and 4 months after mastectomy, respectively. Angiomatosis of the breast has not exhibited clinically malignant behavior since no metastases have been observed.
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10.1097/00000478-198509000-00004
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pubmed_490_286
|
INTRODUCTION
The fetal left modified Myocardial Performance Index (Mod-myocardial performance index (MPI)) is a measure of systolic versus diastolic time intervals obtained from a single cardiac cycle with ultrasound. It is a measure of global ventricular function and has been investigated for potential utility in fetal conditions associated with cardiac dysfunction.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study is to compare values from a precisely replicated fetal left Mod-MPI technique to published reference ranges.
METHODS
Three hundred and sixty-five nulliparae prospectively underwent fetal left Mod-MPI measurement at 27+0-29+0 and 35+0-37+0 weeks' gestation. Measurements from pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, or a small-for-gestational-age (<10th centile) infant were excluded. Mod-MPI values were compared with three published references created using similar measurement techniques.
RESULTS
Compared with one selected reference, at 29+0 and 35+0-37+0 weeks' gestation, 90-100% of our values fell within the 5th-95th percentile range as expected. Thus, this reference range was validated for our population in late pregnancy. However, the expected level of concordance was not seen at 27+0-28+6 weeks'. The other two references to which we compared our Mod-MPI values demonstrated poor concordance, especially at 27+0-29+0 weeks'. Pearson interobserver correlation was also improved at 35+0-37+0 weeks' at 0.434, compared with 0.083 at 27+0-29+0 weeks' gestation.
CONCLUSIONS
Concordance and interobserver variability between our cohort and similar populations were both improved at 35+0-37+0 weeks' compared with 27+0-29+0 weeks' gestation. Overall, variable Mod-MPI reproducibility across gestations limits clinical application, especially earlier in pregnancy. Manual Mod-MPI measurement should be considered most reliable in late pregnancy until automated MPI measurement is possible.
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10.1080/14767058.2017.1391777
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pubmed_524_5594
|
When a distractor appears close to the target location, saccades are less accurate. However, the presence of a further distractor, remote from those stimuli, increases the saccade response latency and improves accuracy. Explanations for this are either that the second, remote distractor impacts directly on target selection processes or that the remote distractor merely impairs the ability to initiate a saccade and changes the time at which unaffected target selection processes are accessed. In order to tease these two explanations apart, here we examine the relationship between latency and accuracy of saccades to a target and close distractor pair while a remote distractor appears at variable distance. Accuracy improvements are found to follow a similar pattern, regardless of the presence of the remote distractor, which suggests that the effect of the remote distractor is not the result of a direct impact on the target selection process. Our findings support the proposal that a remote distractor impairs the ability to initiate a saccade, meaning the competition between target and close distractor is accessed at a later time, thus resulting in more accurate saccades.
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10.1167/jov.21.3.17
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pubmed_826_25050
|
Most current dental students were born in the 1980s and 1990s and are defined as Generation Y (Gen Y). The authors developed a customized educational experience that brought together some characteristics of Gen Y and the objective of this educational experience was to develop the critical thinking skills of Gen Y students. The objective of the current study is to evaluate outcomes from pre-session and post-session tests. Additionally, we wanted to integrate aspects of team-based learning, self-directed learning and peer-to-peer teaching as a means of reducing the need for intense faculty supervision but maintain positive educational outcomes. Single bitewing x-ray was displayed and informal class discussion was facilitated by a Senior Tutor. A list of questions and concepts that needed to be understood more clearly was made. Student groups self allocated research tasks to members. After conducting research, students presented to class and faculty facilitated discussions aiming to foster critical thinking and identify what information needed to be more thoroughly understood. Pre-session and post-session tests were conducted and compared. Students who scored below 85% in their pre-session test improved their score in the post-session test by a mean of 9.5 points (p = 0.02). Those who scored above 95% in their pre-session test scored less in the post-session test (mean reduction of 6.31 points, p = 0.001). Findings from this study demonstrate that the weakest students in the class (those who scored below 85% correct in the pre-session test) benefitted most from this unique educational experience.
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10.7717/peerj.682
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pubmed_270_14772
|
Graduated elastic compression stockings (GECS) are commonly used in the primary prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT); however, their role in preventing recurrent DVT and also post-thrombotic syndrome is less well established. The aim of this review was to investigate the effect of GECS after DVT. A literature search was performed by two independent searchers in order to identify randomised controlled trials on the effect of GECS in preventing recurrent DVT and post-thrombotic syndrome. Four randomised trials, including 537 patients, were identified. Two of the studies demonstrated that below-knee GECS significantly reduced post-thrombotic syndrome during follow-up, while a smaller study showed equivocal results. GECS reduced the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome from 54% to 25.2% [relative risk (RR) 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36-0.61] with the number needed to treat (NNT) being 4 (95% CI 2.7-5.0). The rate of recurrent asymptomatic DVT was also significantly reduced by GECS (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.64; NNT 5); the reduction in symptomatic DVT was not significant (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.50-1.26; NNT 34). In conclusion, there is level Ia evidence to suggest that GECS can significantly reduce the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) after DVT, and therefore these should be routinely prescribed. The evidence for recurrent DVT is less conclusive. Further research is needed towards standardising PTS diagnostic criteria and evaluating more effective preventive measures after DVT.
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pubmed_270_14772
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pubmed_845_13868
|
Minimally processed ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables are increasingly consumed for their health benefits. However, they also pose a risk of being ingested with food-borne pathogens. The present study investigated the ability of RTE spinach and rocket to support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes as previous studies provided contradicting evidence. Findings were compared to growth on iceberg lettuce that has repeatedly been shown to support growth. Products were inoculated with a three-strain mix of L. monocytogenes at 10 and 100 cfu g-1 and stored in modified atmosphere (4 kPa O2, 8 kPa CO2) at 8 °C over 7-9 days. Spinach demonstrated the highest growth potential rate of 2 to 3 log10 cfu g-1 over a 9-day period with only marginal deterioration in its visual appearance. Growth potential on rocket was around 2 log10 cfu g-1 over 9 days with considerable deterioration in visual appearance. Growth potential of iceberg lettuce was similar to that of rocket over a 7-day period. Growth curves fitted closely to a linear growth model, indicating none to limited restrictions of growth over the duration of storage. The high growth potentials of L. monocytogenes on spinach alongside the limited visual deterioration highlight the potential risks of consuming this raw RTE food product when contaminated.
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10.3390/foods9091211
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pubmed_482_21892
|
Azole resistant fungal infections remain a health problem for the immune compromised. Current therapies are limited due to rises in new resistance mechanisms. Therefore, it is important to identify new drug targets for drug discovery and novel therapeutics. Arv1 (are1 are2 required for viability 1) function is highly conserved between multiple pathogenic fungal species. Candida albicans (C. albicans) cells lacking CaArv1 are azole hypersusceptible and lack virulence. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) Scarv1 cells are also azole hypersusceptible, a phenotype reversed by expression of CaArv1, indicating conservation in the molecular mechanism for azole susceptibility. To define the relationship between Arv1 function and azole susceptibility, we undertook a structure/function analysis of ScArv1. We identified several conserved amino acids within the ScArv1 homology domain (ScAhd) required for maintaining normal azole susceptibility. Erg11 lanosterol 14-α-demethylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in sterol biosynthesis and is the direct target of azole antifungals, so we used our ScArv1 mutants in order to explore the relationship between ScArv1 and ScErg11. Specific ScArv1 mutants ectopically expressed from a low copy plasmid were unable to restore normal azole susceptibility to Scarv1 cells and had reduced Erg11 protein levels. Erg11 protein stability depended on its ability to form a heterodimeric complex with Arv1. Complex formation was required for maintaining normal azole susceptibility. Scarv1 cells expressing orthologous CaArv1 mutants also had reduced CaErg11 levels, were unable to form a CaArv1-CaErg11 complex, and were azole hypersusceptible. Scarv1 cells expressing CaArv1 mutants unable to interact with CaErg11 could not sustain proper levels of the azole resistant CaErg11Y132F F145L protein. Caarv1/Caarv1 cells expressing CaArv1 mutants unable to interact with CaErg11 were found to lack virulence using a disseminated candidiasis mouse model. Expressing CaErg11Y132F F145L did not reverse the lack of virulence. We hypothesize that the role of Arv1 in Erg11-dependent azole resistance is to stabilize Erg11 protein level. Arv1 inhibition may represent an avenue for treating azole resistance.
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10.1371/journal.pone.0235746
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pubmed_530_21980
|
Cladophialophora bantiana is a dematiaceous mold with a predilection for causing central nervous system infection, particularly in normal hosts. A case involving a 79-year-old immunocompetent woman who presented with left-sided weakness and a ring-enhancing brain lesion is reported. She underwent surgical excision, which revealed a brain abscess due to C bantiana. The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B for several weeks, then switched to voriconazole and flucytosine, but eventually succumbed to the infection. Therapy is not standardized for this rare mycosis, and mortality remains high, even in immunocompetent patients. Additional studies to understand the pathogenesis of this infection and to improve outcomes are needed.
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10.1155/2011/642517
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pubmed_391_4791
|
In 32PO4-labeled adipocytes, isoproterenol (ISO) or physiologically relevant concentrations of insulin rapidly increased phosphorylation of a particulate 135-kDa protein which has been identified as a cGMP-inhibited "low Km" cAMP phosphodiesterase (CGI-PDE) by several criteria, including selective immunoprecipitation with anti-CGI-PDE IgG (Degerman, E., Smith, C.J., Tornqvist, H., Vasta, V., Belfrage, P., and Manganiello, V.C. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 533-537). The time courses and concentration dependences for phosphorylation of CGI-PDE by ISO and insulin correlated with CGI-PDE activation in the presence of these agents; effects of ISO were somewhat more rapid than those of insulin. Adenosine deaminase, which metabolizes the adenylate cyclase inhibitor adenosine, also rapidly induced phosphorylation and activation of CGI-PDE. Phenylisopropyladenosine (an adenosine deaminase-resistant adenosine analog) prevented or reversed both adenosine deaminase-stimulated phosphorylation and activation of CGI-PDE (IC50 approximately 0.2 nM). Incubation of adipocytes with 0.1 nM insulin in the presence of ISO rapidly produced 30-200% greater activation and phosphorylation of CGI-PDE than the expected added effects of insulin and ISO individually; both effects preceded the insulin-induced decreases in protein kinase A activity and inhibition of lipolysis. These and other results indicate that CGI-PDE can be phosphorylated at distinct sites and activated by cAMP-dependent and insulin-dependent serine kinase(s), that the activation state of CGI-PDE reflects its relative phosphorylation state, and that synergistic phosphorylation/activation of CGI-PDE may be important in the antilipolytic action of insulin.
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pubmed_391_4791
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pubmed_394_8337
|
A method for the genetic modification of dendritic cells (DC) was previously established based on the in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells to DC (ES-DC). The unavailability of human ES cells genetically identical to the patients will be a problem in the future clinical application of this technology. This study attempted to establish a strategy to overcome this issue. The TAP1 or beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m) gene was disrupted in 129 (H-2(b))-derived ES cells and then expression vectors for the H-2K(d) or beta(2)m-linked form of K(d) (beta2m-K(d)) were introduced, thus resulting in two types of genetically engineered ES-DC, TAP1(-/-)/K(d) ES-DC and beta(2)m(-/-)/beta(2)m-K(d) ES-DC. As intended, both of the transfectant ES-DC expressed K(d) but not the intrinsic H-2(b) haplotype-derived MHC class I. Beta(2)m(-/-)/beta(2)m-K(d) and TAP1(-/-)/K(d) ES-DC were not recognized by pre-activated H-2(b)-reactive CTL and did not prime H-2(b) reactive CTL in vitro or in vivo. Beta(2)m(-/-)/beta(2)m-K(d) ES-DC and TAP1(-/-)/K(d) ES-DC had a survival advantage in comparison to beta(2)m(+/-)/beta(2)m-K(d) ES-DC and TAP1(+/+)/K(d) ES-DC, when transferred into BALB/c mice. K(d)-restricted RSV-M2-derived peptide-loaded ES-DC could prime the epitope-specific CTL upon injection into the BALB/c mice, irrespective of the cell surface expression of intrinsic H-2(b) haplotype-encoded MHC class I. Beta(2)m(-/-)/beta(2)m-K(d) ES-DC were significantly more efficient in eliciting immunity against RSV M2 protein-expressing tumor cells than beta(2)m(+/-)/beta(2)m-K(d) ES-DC. The modification of the beta(2)m or TAP gene may therefore be an effective strategy to resolve the problem of HLA class I allele mismatch between human ES or induced pluripotent stem cells and the recipients to be treated.
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10.4049/jimmunol.181.9.6635
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pubmed_589_4269
|
INTRODUCTION
One Health (OH) can be considered a complex emerging policy to resolve health issues at the animal-human and environmental interface. It is expected to drive system changes in terms of new formal and informal institutional and organisational arrangements. This study, using Rift Valley fever (RVF) as a zoonotic problem requiring an OH approach, sought to understand the institutionalisation process at national and subnational levels in an early adopting country, Kenya.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Social network analysis methodologies were used. Stakeholder roles and relational data were collected at national and subnational levels in 2012. Key informants from stakeholder organisations were interviewed, guided by a checklist. Public sector animal and public health organisations were interviewed first to identify other stakeholders with whom they had financial, information sharing and joint cooperation relationships. Visualisation of the OH social network and relationships were shown in sociograms and mathematical (degree and centrality) characteristics of the network summarised.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Thirty-two and 20 stakeholders relevant to OH were identified at national and subnational levels, respectively. Their roles spanned wildlife, livestock, and public health sectors as well as weather prediction. About 50% of national-level stakeholders had made significant progress on OH institutionalisation to an extent that formal coordination structures (zoonoses disease unit and a technical working group) had been created. However, the process had not trickled down to subnational levels although cross-sectoral and sectoral collaborations were identified. The overall binary social network density for the stakeholders showed that 35 and 21% of the possible ties between the RVF and OH stakeholders existed at national and subnational levels, respectively, while public health actors' collaborations were identified at community/grassroots level. We recommend extending the OH network to include the other 50% stakeholders and fostering of the process at subnational-level building on available cross-sectoral platforms.
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10.3402/iee.v6.31191
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pubmed_516_15929
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[reaction: see text] A facile approach for the conversion of a spirostan saponin into its furostan counterpart, as illustrated by the transformation of dioscin to methyl protodioscin (and its 26-thio-analogue), has been developed.
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10.1021/ol060594w
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pubmed_18_18526
|
Biologically distinct populations of neoplastic stem cells have been identified in a variety of human cancers, in which they are associated with the initial steps of tumorigenesis. The intrinsic properties of self-renewal, clonogenicity and multipotency, along with a longer half-life within the body, may render normal adult stem cells more prone to accumulate genetic mutations leading to neoplastic transformation, as predicted by the cancer stem cell hypothesis. Tumor formation is also associated with the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells and may be induced as a consequence of complete dedifferentiation of mature cells, as recently reported for induced pluripotent stem cells. The tumor-initiating cell phenotype may result from genetic alterations affecting the expression of critical genes regulating typical stem cell processes such as self-renewal and pluripotency, in addition to genes determining stem cell senescence or longevity. Detailed genome-wide analysis of cancer stem cells and respective normal counterparts will help elucidate the cellular and molecular nature of tumors, providing fundamental information about the initial steps toward malignant transformation. Devising ways of detecting such genetic and epigenetic alterations and cell populations displaying them would allow medical interventions at the early phases of cancer development, thereby improving the chances of favorable clinical outcomes.
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10.1586/erm.09.40
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pubmed_164_7585
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An HPLC method for the assay of the heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, PU-H71 (NSC 750424), has been developed and validated. The stress testing of PU-H71 was carried out in accordance with ICH guidelines Q1A (R2) under aqueous, acidic, alkaline, oxidative, thermolytic and photolytic conditions. The separation of PU-H71 from its impurities and degradation products was achieved within 50min on a Mac-Mod ACE 3 C18 column (150mm×4.6mm i.d., 3μm) with a gradient mobile phase comprising 20-95% acetonitrile in water, with 0.1% trifluroacetic acid in both phases. LC-quadrupole TOF/MS was used to obtain accurate mass data on various components as well as on their fragments for characterization of impurities and degradation products. The proposed HPLC assay method was validated for specificity, linearity (concentration range 0.1-0.3mg/mL, r≥0.9998), accuracy (recovery 99.7-101.1%), precision (intra-lab RSD≤1.39%, inter-lab RSD≤0.91%), sensitivity (LOD 0.08μg/mL), and ruggedness. The developed method was suitable for the assay and stability monitoring of PU-H71 drug substance.
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pubmed_164_7585
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pubmed_789_12832
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Regional analgesia has become the most common method of pain relief used during labor in the United States. Epidural and spinal analgesia are two types of regional analgesia. With epidural analgesia, an indwelling catheter is directed into the epidural space, and the patient receives a continuous infusion or multiple injections of local anesthetic. Spinal injections are usually single injections into the intrathecal space. A combination of epidural and spinal analgesia, known as a walking epidural, also is available. This technique combines the rapid pain relief from the spinal regional block with the constant and consistent effects from the epidural block. It allows sufficient motor function for patients to ambulate. Complications with regional analgesia are uncommon, but may include postdural puncture headache. Rare serious complications include neurologic injury, epidural hematoma, or deep epidural infection. Regional analgesia increases the risk of instrument-assisted vaginal delivery, and family physicians should understand the contraindications and risks of complications. Continuous labor support (e.g., doula), systemic opioid analgesia, pudendal blocks, water immersion, sterile water injections into the lumbosacral spine, self-taught hypnosis, and acupuncture are other options for pain management during labor.
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pubmed_789_12832
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pubmed_624_13335
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Challenging human lymphocytes with soluble cytoplasmic Candida albicans protein antigen (CP) and cell-wall-derived C. albicans mannan (CM) induced DNA synthesis and antibody secretion measured as plaque-forming cells (PFC) in an indirect haemolytic assay. Enriched T and B lymphocytes responded poorly to CP and CM. However, when adherent cells were added, T and B cells responded well to CM, but not to CP. Peripheral blood lymphocytes responded more strongly to CP than to CM, with peak stimulation on day 7. Bone marrow cells displayed similar DNA synthetic responses as blood lymphocytes, but peak stimulation occurred on days 4 and 5 for CP and CM, respectively. Cells from the various parenchymal organs, including adenoid, tonsil, and spleen, showed peak DNA synthesis ranging from days 3 to 5 with a tendency for CM to produce an earlier response than CP. In contrast to that observed in blood and bone marrow cells, CM induced a higher DNA synthesis in cells from parenchymal organs than CP, which gave low stimulations. PFC, like DNA synthesis, in blood and bone marrow cells responded best to CP, whereas spleen cells showed the highest response to CM. In blood and bone marrow cells, only IgG PFC were induced, but in spleen cells IgA and IgM PFC were also stimulated by CM. Fetal liver cells responded poorly to these two Candida preparations. CM but not CP stimulated DNA synthesis in umbilical cord blood lymphocytes and IgG, IgA, and IgM in spleen cells, suggesting that CM is a polyclonal activator and that CP acts as an antigen.
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10.1111/j.1365-3083.1989.tb02452.x
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pubmed_613_5438
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Tissue transglutaminase (tTGase) catalyzes both deamidation and transamidation of peptides and proteins by using a peptidyl glutamine as primary substrate. A precise consensus sequence for the enzyme is unknown and the ratio between deamidated and transamidated (or cross-linked) reaction products is highly substrate-dependent. Due to its overlapping body distribution with tTGase and ease of manipulation with tandem mass spectrometry, we used the neuropeptide substance P as a model to investigate the associated enzymatic kinetics and reaction products. Online liquid-chromatography Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron-resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) combined with electron-capture dissociation (ECD) was employed to study the tTGase-induced modifications of substance P. A particular strength of ECD for peptide-enzyme reaction product monitoring is its ability to distinguish isomeric amino acids, for example, Glu and iso-Glu, by signature product ions. Our studies show that the primary reaction observed is deamidation, with the two consecutive glutamine residues converted sequentially into glutamate: first Gln(5) , and subsequently Gln(6) . We then applied ECD FT-ICR MS to identify the transamidation site on an enzymatically cross-linked peptide, which turned out to correspond to Gln(5) . Three populations of substance-P dimers were detected that differed by the number of deamidated Gln residues. The higher reactivity of Gln(5) over Gln(6) was further confirmed by cross-linking SP with monodansylcadaverine (MDC). Overall, our approach described herein is of a general importance for mapping both enzymatically induced post-translational protein modifications and cross-linking. Finally, in vitro Ca-signaling assays revealed that the main tTGase reaction product, the singly deamidated SP (RPKPEQFFGLM-NH(2) ), has increased agonist potency towards its natural receptor, thus confirming the biologically relevant role of deamidation.
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10.1002/chem.201002483
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pubmed_196_22652
|
The aim of this study was to compare the physiological responses between a vibration induced cycling step protocol (Vib) and normal cycling (without vibration, no-Vib). Eighteen moderate trained males (age 24.1 ± 4.3 years; weight 76.5 ± 10.5 kg; height 178.0 ± 6.4 cm) have participated in this study. They randomly performed two gradual maximal exercise tests on two separate days using a new bike that automatically induces vibration cycling and the Corival cycle ergometer. The choice of two different bikes was made because of the impossibility to recreate the same power output without altering the cycling cadence on the vibration Bike. Both protocols were matched for power output and cycling cadence incrementations. Oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR), blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during each stage were continuously recorded. No statistical differences were founded for all variables when comparing the Vib to no-Vib trials, except a higher ventilation during the vibration trial at submaximal levels. The results of this study do not confirm those of previous studies stated that Vib increased metabolic demands during cycling exercise. Added vibration stimulus to an incremental cycling protocol does not affect physiological parameters.
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10.3389/fphys.2019.01083
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pubmed_61_646
|
G banding karyotype analysis of peripheral lymphocytes in 217 patients with azoospermia or severe oligospermia were performed and the Y-chromosome AZFc region from 7 cases with Y chromosome abnormality was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of 187 cases with azoospermia, 77 patients or 41.18% had chromosome abnormalities, including number and structural aberrations, heteromorphic chromosomes (Y chromosome heteromorphisms and pericentric inversion of chromosome 9) and 46, XX sex reversal. Two novel abnormal karyotypes were found: 46, XY, t(6; 14)(p21; p13) and 46, XY, t(8; 12)(p21; q24). Out of 30 patients with severe oligospermia, 4 had chromosome abnormalities, including structural aberration and 46, XX sex reversal. Therefore, aberration of the sex chromosome causes the most serious spermatogenic failure and certain breakpoints in the autosomes may also affect spermatogenesis. The deletion of AZFc also affects spermatogenesis.
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pubmed_61_646
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pubmed_913_9474
|
An unusual case of orbital foreign body is presented. The foreign body had penetrated through a small wound of the upper lid and was asymtomatic for two years. Proptosis due to hyperostosis of the orbital roof was a presenting symptom of the foreign body.
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pubmed_913_9474
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pubmed_215_6462
|
This experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of typhoid vaccine newly produced by purifying Vi antigen of Salmonella typhi. With Karber method, LD50 of challenging organism (S. typhi ty2) was determined as 6.31 CFU/mouse, and then the organism was used for the study. With Probits method, ED50 of the vaccine was determined as 0.016 microg / 0.5 ml / mouse. The ELISA titer (0.5097+/-0.0606) was 4 times in the group treated with high dose (0.25 microg/0.5ml) as in control (0.1113+/-0.0110). Six major protein bands of 66, 55, 35, 33, 18, and 9 kd were detected in Western blot analysis with serum of a vaccine treated mouse, whereas only one weak band of about 35 kd was detected with serum of a control mouse. We concluded that typhoid vaccine produced by purifying Vi antigen of S. typhi very effectively prevent S. typhi infection in mice.
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pubmed_215_6462
|
pubmed_187_5928
|
Reports of disease clustering are becoming ever more common, and there is increasing pressure on public health agencies to respond rapidly and appropriately to these reports. We investigated a cluster of five cases of MS occurring in a small multidisciplinary hospital department. Data were collected by a variety of methods, including measurement and description of the workplace, completion of survey instruments by department staff, and construction of case histories of persons with MS. The results indicated that the department comprised a high-risk population and that only one case of MS could have any possible etiologic significance. Investigators should consider a number of factors when evaluating disease clusters, including the accuracy of diagnosis, the induction period and cause of the disease, and possible biases in the population at risk. Additionally, boundaries should not encircle the cases that led to identification of the cluster and should reflect environmental significance.
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pubmed_187_5928
|
pubmed_267_8215
|
The authors have explored the early modifications of systolic time intervals in 90 patients hospitalized as emergency cases for acute myocardial infarction. From analysis and interpretation of the collected data they conclude that such modifications have considerable prognostic value. All patients fitting the specifications of NYHA classes I and II, but at the same time showing a shortening of the isometric contraction time to less than 39 +/- 1.4 ms turned out to constitute a high-risk group for the development of major mechanical and electrical complications in the next 2 weeks.
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10.1159/000173496
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pubmed_197_6110
|
For many machine learning algorithms such as k-nearest neighbor ( k-NN) classifiers and k-means clustering, often their success heavily depends on the metric used to calculate distances between different data points. An effective solution for defining such a metric is to learn it from a set of labeled training samples. In this work, we propose a fast and scalable algorithm to learn a Mahalanobis distance metric. The Mahalanobis metric can be viewed as the Euclidean distance metric on the input data that have been linearly transformed. By employing the principle of margin maximization to achieve better generalization performances, this algorithm formulates the metric learning as a convex optimization problem and a positive semidefinite (p.s.d.) matrix is the unknown variable. Based on an important theorem that a p.s.d. trace-one matrix can always be represented as a convex combination of multiple rank-one matrices, our algorithm accommodates any differentiable loss function and solves the resulting optimization problem using a specialized gradient descent procedure. During the course of optimization, the proposed algorithm maintains the positive semidefiniteness of the matrix variable that is essential for a Mahalanobis metric. Compared with conventional methods like standard interior-point algorithms or the special solver used in large margin nearest neighbor , our algorithm is much more efficient and has a better performance in scalability. Experiments on benchmark data sets suggest that, compared with state-of-the-art metric learning algorithms, our algorithm can achieve a comparable classification accuracy with reduced computational complexity.
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10.1109/TNN.2010.2052630
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pubmed_821_5800
|
PURPOSE
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs lower the incidence of and mortality from colon cancer. In this paper, we present the effect of indomethacin on growth inhibition and alterations in the expression of several genes involved in cell cycle and apoptosis in CaCo-2 colon adenocarcinoma cells.
METHODS
We used the MTT test to evaluate the effect of indomethacin on the proliferation rate of colon cancer and normal fibroblast cells in vitro. The expression of c-myc oncoprotein and p53 and p27 suppressor proteins was examined using the immunocytochemical method.
RESULTS
We have shown that indomethacin reduces the proliferation rate of CaCo-2 colon cancer cells (up to 60% at the concentration of 4 x 10(-4) M), alters their morphology, and induces cell death by apoptosis. The most pronounced inhibitory effect was observed at the concentration of 6 x 10(-4) M where the growth was completely suppressed. However, the growth of normal fibroblasts (Hef 522) was much less inhibited (about 30% of inhibition at the concentration of 6 x 10(-4) M). Indomethacin reduces the proliferation rate and induces apoptosis in CaCo-2 colon cancer cells through enhanced expression of c-myc, p53, and p27 proteins.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report about p27-increased expression in colon carcinoma cells induced by indomethacin treatment. Increased expression of p27 represents a new mechanism of apoptosis in cells treated with NSAIDs (indomethacin). This effect probably contributes to the anti-proliferative effect on colon cancer cells in vitro.
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10.1007/s004320000196
|
pubmed_719_21178
|
To realize fast detection of trace hazardous chemicals, a SERS substrate with the structure of a blackberry-like silver/graphene oxide nanoparticle cluster (Ag/GO NPC) has been designed and prepared through a quick capillarity-assistant self-assembly technology in this paper. Benefitting from the abundant "hot spots" and active oxygen sites brought by this Ag/GO NPC, the substrate shows good Raman performance for malachite green (MG), a common abusive germicide in aquaculture, with lowest limit of detection below 0.1 µg/L (3.48 × 10-10 mol/L). Detailed analyses are taken on both the formation process and enhancement mechanism of this SERS substrate, and the finite-difference time-domain simulations are utilized as well to prove our hypotheses. Further constructing this structure on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, a translucent flexible SERS substrate can be obtained, realizing a fast in situ detection of trace MG in the fishpond subsequently. In consideration of the facile preparation process, good SERS enhancement and affordable materials (PET, Cu, Ag and GO, etc.), this substrate presents high cost performance and a promising application prospect.
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10.1364/OE.27.009879
|
pubmed_97_8762
|
It was hypothesized that it is the concentration of PGE in the plasma which actually reaches the ductus arteriosus which determines ductal response to PGE administration. Therefore, site specific PGE levels were studied in two infants with ductus dependent congenital heart lesions who were receiving PGE1 infusions. PGE levels were found to vary in a fashion related to the infusion site and the specific cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics of each patient. One of our patients, for instance, had a double outlet right ventricle with high pulmonary vascular resistance and right to left ductal shunting. This infant was given an intraarterial infusion of PGE. The plasma concentrations of PGE in the ductal blood of the infant were negligible. Assuming that ductal site specific PGE levels are critical in mediating the therapeutic response, hemodynamics and infusion site are factors that should be considered when initiating a PGE infusion, or in evaluating a therapeutic failure of PGE.
|
10.1007/BF02238406
|
pubmed_770_14186
|
New polymeric solid-phase matrices for cell affinity chromatography were prepared and their advantageous characteristics compared with conventional matrices were highlighted. These new matrices are derivatives of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) containing a slight quantity of amino compounds as a co-monomer. They were applied to immunoaffinity selection between IgG+ and IgG- lymphocytes of the rat mesenteric lymph node. Simple physical adsorption was sufficient for anti-rat IgG antibodies to be immobilized on these matrices, allowing us to omit the laborious procedure of covalent-linking of antibodies on a matrix. As these matrices themselves showed extremely low non-specific adsorption of lymphocytes, a very dilute solution of antibody (0.02-0.08 mg/ml) was enough for column conditioning. This separation method gave IgG- lymphocytes of more than 90% purity and almost 95% yield within as short a time as 7 min. Further, IgG+ lymphocytes were obtained in good yield (80-90% of loaded number) by recovering the adsorbing cell fraction from the column by gentle pipetting of the matrix.
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10.1016/0142-9612(88)90087-7
|
pubmed_1022_13729
|
Intracranial hemangiopericytomas are uncommon but highly vascular dural-based tumors which commonly derive arterial blood supply from both intracranial and extracranial circulations. Microsurgical resection of these lesions may result in excessive blood loss without the aid of pre-operative embolization. We describe a case of a large tentorial hemangiopericytoma for which initial resection was aborted due to excessive blood loss. After failed endovascular access, we performed a direct transcranial puncture of the hemangiopericytoma through the craniotomy defect and successfully embolized the tumor with Onyx. Post-embolization gross total resection was achieved with a limited amount of operative blood loss. Direct puncture embolization provides several advantages over traditional endovascular embolization including decreased procedural duration, circumventing challenging arterial anatomy, and a lower risk of stroke in the presence of extracranial-to-intracranial anastamoses. While direct puncture embolization has been described for tumors of the neck and skull base, this is the first reported case of an intracranial hemangiopericytoma successfully devascularized by direct transcranial puncture Onyx embolization.
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10.1177/159101991301900410
|
pubmed_702_539
|
We demonstrate how a combination of polarisation-division multiplexing (PDM) and wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) applied to graded index 50 mum multimode fibres (MMF) at 1.55 mum can be used to greatly increase the available optical bandwidth. A proof of principle experiment demonstrated error-free data transmission over 3km of MMF, using two 100GHz-spaced wavelengths, each carrying two 2.5Gb/s orthogonal PDM multiplexed channels, resulting in a 10Gb/s data rate. Polarisation and wavelength demultiplexing were simultaneously achieved by use of a grating based monochromator. We also practically implemented this transmission scheme in an all-fibre experiment, replacing the monochromator by a more convenient polarisation-insensitive, 200GHz ITU grid spacing 62.5 mum MMF pigtailed WDM demultiplexer. Using two polarizations each on four wavelengths (2P x 4lambda), we repeatedly achieved error-free data transmission for both circularly and linearly polarisation-wavelength-division-multiplexed channels over a MMF span of 300m, featuring a 20Gb/s data rate. Overall, we have demonstrated a major increase in the MMF bandwidth-distance product up to 30GHz-km.
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10.1364/opex.12.002280
|
pubmed_573_14951
|
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Obesity is an important risk factor for developing breast cancer and is one of few risk factors that women can modify to prevent cancer. (-)-Gossypol-enriched cottonseed oil [(-)-GPCSO] contains 65% (-)-gossypol and 35% (+)-gossypol. Previous studies have demonstrated that both (-)-gossypol and (-)-GPCSO have potent anticancer activity against multiple types of cancer, including breast cancer. In addition, (-)-GPCSO reduced body weight gain and food intake in young female rats. However, the role of (-)-GPCSO on adipogenesis in human breast pre-adipocytes remains unclear.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Primary human breast pre-adipocytes were induced to differentiate in adipogenic medium in the presence of (-)-GPCSO. The proliferation of pre-adipocytes was determined with a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2-H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Lipid accumulation and glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity were measured during adipocyte differentiation. mRNA expression of cyclin-D1, B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and leptin was analyzed by real-time PCR.
RESULTS
(-)-GPCSO inhibited proliferation of pre-adipocytes and down-regulated the expression of cyclin-D1 and BCL-2. (-)-GPCSO also significantly decreased adipogenesis, as determined by inhibition of GPDH activity, triglyceride content (TG), and down-regulation of the expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα and leptin.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that (-)-GPCSO has the potential as a food supplement to inhibit adipogenesis, and therefore, reduce obesity.
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pubmed_573_14951
|
pubmed_768_3445
|
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of neurologic data, survey radiographic results, or both for localization of the site of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation in dogs.
SAMPLE
338 dogs with surgically confirmed intervertebral disk herniation from disk spaces T10-11 to L6-7.
PROCEDURES
Medical records and archived survey radiographs were reviewed for each case. Data were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression models. Three models were fit to develop subsets of the data consisting of survey radiographic data, neurologic examination data, and a combination of survey radiographic and neurologic examination data. The resulting models were validated by evaluating predictive performance against a validation subset of the data.
RESULTS
Models incorporating survey radiographic data and a combination of survey radiographic and neurologic data had similar predictive ability and performed better than the model based solely on neurologic data but resulted in substantial errors in predictions.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
A combination of neurologic examination data as recorded in the medical records and radiographic data did not enhance predictive performance of multivariable logistic regression models over models limited to radiographic data. Neurologic and radiographic findings should not be used to completely exclude areas in an abnormal spinal cord region from further evaluation with advanced imaging.
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10.2460/ajvr.75.3.251
|
pubmed_137_12736
|
Recent research has shown enhanced brain activity in responses to pain expression of same-race than other-race faces. However, due to the stimuli used in electctrophysiological (EEG) research (i.e., photos of static pain expressions) and low temporal resolutions of neural activity reported in functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, it remains unclear how dynamic neural responses to subtle variations of pain expressions are shaped by perceived race in the first few hundreds of milliseconds after face onset. We tested the hypothesis of greater sensitivity to subtle variations of pain expressions of same-race than other-race faces by integrating psychophysical and EEG responses to increasing amount of pixels of pain expressions applied to neutral faces. Experiment 1 found that adults required fewer painful pixels to perceive pain expression of same-race than other-race faces. Experiment 2 showed that the amplitude of a positivity activity at 140-190 ms over the frontal/central electrodes (P2) increased faster in response to the increasing amount of painful pixels of same-race than other-race faces. These results provide evidence for enhanced sensitivity of both subjective feelings and neural responses pertaining to subtle variations of pain expressions of same-race than other-race faces.
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10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.04.008
|
pubmed_612_18329
|
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate whether adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) can improve the treatment outcome of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who underwent extensive lymph node dissection (ELND).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This retrospective study included patients with gastric cancer pathological stages IIA-IIIC at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital between 2008 and 2015. Patients (a) aged >80 years, (b) with distant metastasis at diagnosis, (c) with coexisting malignancies, (d) who did not complete the prescribed RT course, and (e) who died 1 month after surgery were excluded. Among 420 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer, 98 were included.
RESULTS
The median follow-up was 24.5 months. Of 39 patients who underwent adjuvant RT, 38 also received adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). Of 59 patients who did not receive adjuvant RT, only 34 received adjuvant CT. ELND was performed in 67.3% of the patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 40%. In the univariate analyses, adjuvant CT regimen, 5-fluorouracil + leucovorin, was associated with worst outcome, while TS-1 was associated with better survival outcome (P = 0.018). The number of involved lymph nodes was strongly related to the OS and disease-free survival (DFS) (P < 0.001). We tried using different numbers of involved lymph nodes as a cutoff point and found that adjuvant RT significantly improved both OS and DFS in patients whose involved lymph nodes were ≥4 (OS, P = 0.017; DFS, P = 0.015). In multivariate analyses, better DFS was associated with negative surgical margin (P = 0.04), earlier disease stage (P = 0.001), adjuvant radiotherapy (P = 0.045), and adjuvant CT regimen TS-1 (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Adjuvant RT could improve DFS of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer with or without ELND. When the number of involved lymph nodes is ≥4, adjuvant RT is strongly suggested.
|
10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_230_20
|
pubmed_304_14225
|
We have performed double-label immunofluorescence microscopy studies to evaluate the extent of co-localization of prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) and thromboxane synthase (TXS) with cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 in normal aortic endothelium. In dogs, COX-2 expression was found to be restricted to small foci of endothelial cells while COX-1, PGIS and TXS were widely distributed throughout the endothelium. Quantification of the total cross-sectioned aortic endothelium revealed a 6- to 7-fold greater expression of COX-1 relative to COX-2 (55 vs. 8%) and greater co-distribution of PGIS with COX-1 compared to COX-2 (19 vs. 3%). These results are in contrast to the extensive co-localization of PGIS and COX-2 in bronchiolar epithelium. In rat and human aortas, immunofluorescence studies also showed significant COX-1 and PGIS co-localization in the endothelium. Only minor focal COX-2 expression was detected in rat endothelium, similar to the dog, while COX-2 was not detected in human specimens. Inhibition studies in rats showed that selective COX-1 inhibition caused a marked reduction of 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) and TXB(2) aortic tissue levels, while COX-2 inhibition had no significant effect, providing further evidence for a functionally larger contribution of COX-1 to the synthesis of prostacyclin and thromboxane in aortic tissue. The data suggest a major role for COX-1 in the production of both prostacyclin and thromboxane in normal aortic tissue. The extensive co-localization of PGIS and COX-2 in the lung also indicates significant tissue differences in the co-expression patterns of these two enzymes.
|
10.1016/j.bbalip.2006.09.015
|
pubmed_164_8971
|
Several properties of the compound 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole(A1-pyrroline), which has been reported as a component of the male-produced Mediterranean fruit fly pheromone, have been determined by [(1)H]- and [(13)C]nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The stability of Δ(1)-pyrroline in several solvents and at moderately elevated temperatures has been investigated, and it has been established that it exists as both a monomer and trimer in solution. Although equilibrium studies indicate that the trimer is thermodynamically more stable than the monomer in solution, only the monomer was found in the vapor phase based on infrared analysis.
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10.1007/BF00993232
|
pubmed_319_19475
|
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) of various causes leads to a poor prognosis. Pulmonary vasoreactivity testing during right heart catheterization (RHC) has prognostic and therapeutic consequences.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the acute hemodynamic response to short-term oxygen supplementation (SHOT) in adult PH patients and its impact on prognosis.
METHODS
After a stable baseline period, 104 patients with PH [pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; n = 56), chronic thromboembolic (PH; n = 22) or respiratory diseases (PH; n = 26)], who were mainly therapy-naïve (86.5%) (mean pO2 64.5 ± 1.2 mm Hg), received a standardized SHOT during RHC and hemodynamic response was assessed for its prognostic potential.
RESULTS
SHOT significantly reduced heart rate (HR: 78.9 ± 1.5 to 74 ± 1.5 beats/min), cardiac output (4 ± 0.1 to 3.8 ± 0.1 l/min), pulmonary arterial pressure (46.4 ± 1.3 to 42.3 ± 1.3 mm Hg) and pulmonary vascular resistance (10.1 ± 0.5 to 9.6 ± 0.5 Wood units; all p < 0.001) compared to baseline. The magnitude of this effect varied between the different PH groups. During a median follow-up of 25.1 months (range: 0.2-73.3 months), HR <72 beats/min in response to SHOT was associated with a better prognosis in patients with PH due to chronic thromboembolism to the lung and PH from chronic lung disease.
CONCLUSIONS
SHOT leads to characteristic hemodynamic responses across different forms of PH. The preserved capability to acutely respond to SHOT with HR reduction is of prognostic significance in patients with non PAH PH.
|
10.1159/000340009
|
pubmed_516_21976
|
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin conditions dendritic cells to support homeostatic proliferation of central memory T cells. In this issue of Immunity, Wang et al. (2006) show that these dendritic cells are critical in maintaining T helper 2 central memory cells and impart them with expression of unique proallergic molecules.
|
10.1016/j.immuni.2006.06.004
|
pubmed_721_10640
|
Epidemiological aspects of disability have been studied in a random sample of schizophrenics living in three Moscow districts. It has been found that 39.4% of schizophrenic patients (44.2% of the patients in the productive age) are disabled due to the underlying disease. The past 20 years have seen a trend toward a decrease in the disability rate; the difference between the number of the disabled reported 20 years ago and today is 5.5%, being fully accounted for by paroxysmal forms of schizophrenia. It has been ascertained that the decision as to the patient's disability following medical examination of his or her working ability depends not only on the severity of the patient's clinical status, but also on the patient's sex. Thus, if patients with an equally grave disease are considered, women are more frequently given the status of disability which is explained by the fact that their involvement in household chores is much greater than that of males.
|
pubmed_721_10640
|
pubmed_851_13547
|
The receiver function (RF) technique is a well-established method to investigate the crustal and upper mantle structures based on three-component seismograms of teleseismic events. In the present study, we propose a modified automatic procedure to determine the back azimuth and polarization angles of a teleseismic event based on the RF technique. The method is tested for the recording of 3 permanent and 3 temporary broadband seismic stations located in the vicinity of Poland. Additionally, the analysis of Rayleigh wave polarization is conducted to show that the new procedure is not sensitive to incorrect seismometer orientation. The synthetic modelling of RF by a modified ray-tracing method for 2.5D models beneath each seismic station down to a depth of 60 km is performed to show the effectiveness of the proposed method in the calculation of RF for a complex structure with dipping layers.
|
10.1007/s10950-017-9640-x
|
pubmed_1121_25976
|
The essential oil from the annual plant Lepidium virginicum L. was chemically characterized in three consecutive years (2018-2020). The essential oils were evaluated in vitro and in situ on the causal agent of anthracnose in tamarillo fruits (Solanum betaceum). The main volatile constituents were phenylacetonitrile (>60 %), linalool (>10 %), limonene (>7 %) and α-terpineol (>5 %). The essential oil (MIC, 19-30 μg mL-1 ), phenylacetonitrile (MIC, 45 μg mL-1 ) and α-terpineol (MIC, 73 μg mL-1 ) caused a significant inhibition in the conidial viability from a wild strain of Colletotrichum acutatum, which was isolated and identified as a causal agent of anthracnose. The inoculation of conidia from C. acutatum in non-symptomatic tamarillo fruits, followed by the in situ treatment with different concentrations of the essential oil (>30 μg mL-1 ), phenylacetonitrile and α-terpineol, significantly (p<0.01) avoided the degradation of anthocyanins (delphinidin 3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside and pelargonidin 3-O-rutinoside) and carotenoids (β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene) as well as retarded yellowing and necrosis triggered by anthracnose at least for 10 days. Our results suggest the potential use of the essential oil from L. virginicum as a natural component to preserve the nutraceutical content of tamarillo fruits against C. acutatum infection.
|
10.1002/cbdv.202000941
|
pubmed_269_18010
|
Early and reliable markers of acute kidney injury (AKI) are essential. One such candidate marker of tissue damage is extracellular DNA (ecDNA). The aim of our present study is to describe the unknown dynamics of ecDNA in an animal model of AKI. Glycerol-induced nephropathy was used to model AKI in adult male Wistar rats (n = 93). Blood and urine samples were collected 1, 3, and 24 h after model induction. Total ecDNA and its sub-cellular origin was assessed. In the plasma, total ecDNA and nuclear ecDNA were significantly increased in the AKI group already after 1 h (160% and 270%, respectively, p = 0.02 and p = 0.04). Both nuclear and mitochondrial ecDNA were higher after 3 h (180% and 170%, respectively, p = 0.002 and p = 0.005). Urinary ecDNA concentrations in the AKI group were significantly increased only 24 h after model induction (130% for total ecDNA, p = 0.009; 210% for nuclear ecDNA, p = 0.02; and 200% for mitochondrial ecDNA, p = 0.0009). Our results indicate that plasma ecDNA has the potential to serve as an early and sensitive, albeit non-specific marker of AKI. Further studies should elucidate the source of ecDNA and the dynamics of ecDNA in other animal models of AKI and patients with AKI.
|
10.3390/ijms23063402
|
pubmed_515_18675
|
A chain of four Tm-doped fibers amplified a single-frequency, 2040 nm diode laser to 608 W with M(2)=1.05+/-0.03, limited by available pump power. Stimulated Brillouin scattering limits were investigated by splicing different lengths of passive fiber to the output of the final amplifier stage. Integrated rms phase noise above 1 kHz was less than lambda/30, suggesting the possibility of further scaling via coherent beam combining. To our knowledge, this is the highest power obtained from any single-frequency, single-mode fiber laser.
|
10.1364/ol.34.001204
|
pubmed_650_3501
|
Patients receiving antibiotics during bladder drainage have a lower incidence of urinary-tract infections compared with similar patients not on antibiotics. However, antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with a urinary catheter is opposed because of the fear of inducing resistant bacterial strains. We have done a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of prophylactic ciprofloxacin in selected groups of surgical patients who had postoperative bladder drainage scheduled to last for 3 to 14 days. Patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n = 61), 250 mg ciprofloxacin per day (n = 59), or 500 mg ciprofloxacin twice daily (n = 64) from postoperative day 2 until catheter removal. 75% of placebo patients were bacteriuric at catheter removal compared with 16% of ciprofloxacin-treated patients (relative risk [RR] [95% CI] 4.7 [3.0-7.4]). The prevalence of pyuria among placebo patients increased from 11% to 42% while the catheter was in place; by contrast, the rate of pyuria was 11% or less in patients receiving ciprofloxacin (RR 4.0 [2.1-7.3]). 20% of placebo patients had symptomatic urinary-tract infections, including 3 with septicaemia, compared with 5% of the ciprofloxacin groups (RR 4.0 [1.6-10.2]). Bacteria isolated from urines of placebo patients at catheter removal were mostly species of enterobacteriaceae (37%), staphylococci (26%), and Enterococcus faecalis (20%), whereas species isolated from urines of ciprofloxacin patients were virtually all gram-positive. Ciprofloxacin-resistant mutants of normally sensitive gram-negative bacteria were not observed. Ciprofloxacin prophylaxis is effective and safe in the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infection and related morbidity in selected groups of patients requiring 3 to 14 days of bladder drainage.
|
10.1016/0140-6736(92)91529-h
|
pubmed_140_18958
|
BACKGROUND
In children aged <5 years in whom severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) episodes predominantly occur, there are currently no appropriate standardised instruments to estimate quality of life years (QALY) loss.
OBJECTIVES
We estimated the age-specific QALY loss due to RSV by developing a regression model which predicts the QALY loss without the use of standardised instruments.
METHODS
We conducted a surveillance study which targeted confirmed RSV episodes in children aged <5 years (confirmed cases) and their household members who experienced symptoms of RSV during the same time (suspected cases). All participants were asked to complete questions regarding their health during the infection, with the suspected cases additionally providing health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) loss estimates by completing EQ-5D-3L-Y or EQ-5D-3L instruments. We used the responses from the suspected cases to calibrate a regression model which estimates the HR-QoL and QALY loss due to infection.
FINDINGS
For confirmed RSV cases in children under 5 years of age who sought health care, our model predicted a QALY loss per RSV episode of 3.823 × 10-3 (95% CI 0.492-12.766 × 10-3 ), compared with 3.024 × 10-3 (95% CI 0.329-10.098 × 10-3 ) for under fives who did not seek health care. Quality of life years loss per episode was less for older children and adults, estimated as 1.950 × 10-3 (0.185-9.578 × 10-3 ) and 1.543 × 10-3 (0.136-6.406 × 10-3 ) for those who seek or do not seek health care, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Evaluations of potential RSV vaccination programmes should consider their impact across the whole population, not just young child children.
|
10.1111/irv.12686
|
pubmed_43_24043
|
FENIB (familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies) is a human monogenic disease caused by point mutations in the SERPINI1 gene, characterized by the intracellular deposition of polymers of neuroserpin (NS), which leads to proteotoxicity and cell death. Despite the different cell and animal models developed thus far, the exact mechanism of cell toxicity elicited by NS polymers remains unclear. Here, we report that human wild-type NS and the polymerogenic variant G392E NS form protein aggregates mainly localized within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) when expressed in the yeast S. cerevisiae. The expression of NS in yeast delayed the exit from the lag phase, suggesting that NS inclusions cause cellular stress. The cells also showed a higher resistance following mild oxidative stress treatments when compared to control cells. Furthermore, the expression of NS in a pro-apoptotic mutant strain-induced cell death during aging. Overall, these data recapitulate phenotypes observed in mammalian cells, thereby validating S. cerevisiae as a model for FENIB.
|
10.3390/microorganisms9071498
|
pubmed_492_5179
|
OBJECTIVE
To explore the antivirus function in vitro of earthworm coelomic fluid (ECF) by researching its effect on inhibiting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
METHODS
By the method of Hep-2 cell culture and using ribavirin as a positive control, the anti-RSV effect of ECF was investigated by observing cytopathic effect (CPE) with MTT colorimetric assay.
RESULTS
In Hep-2 cells, the CC50 of ECF and ribavirin were 3.11 mg/ml and 1.35 mg/ml separately. In the experiment of ECF directly killing RSV, the IC50 of ECF was 184.1 microg/ml, SI was 16.87; In the experiment of ECF preventing RSV invasion, no antiviral function of ECF within the experimental concentration range was observed; In the experiment of ECF inhibiting RSV replication, the IC50 of ECF was 1555. 8 microg/ml, SI was 1.99.
CONCLUSION
ECF couldn't prevent virus from invading into host cell, but showed direct killing-virus function and inhibition of the virus replication.
|
pubmed_492_5179
|
pubmed_794_22811
|
In their article, Yland et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2022;191(8):1485-1495) bring renewed attention to the oft-cited heuristic "nondifferential misclassification biases results towards the null." They make a compelling case, as others have before, that this heuristic is misguided. Herein, I briefly discuss the history of this heuristic, discuss why I believe it became and stayed popular, and note the very limited circumstances for which it may be appropriate.
|
10.1093/aje/kwac091
|
pubmed_260_11090
|
OBJECTIVES
Pancreas divisum (PD) occurs in approximately 10% of individuals. Although a minority of patients with PD develop acute pancreatitis (AP), PD is found in up to 25% of patients with unexplained AP. Mild mutations or variants of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, including the IVS8-5T variant, are associated with idiopathic pancreatitis, but their relationship with PD is unknown. We hypothesized for such association.
METHODS
Case of 2 patients with PD, recurrent AP, and CFTR-related disease are reported.
RESULTS
Both patients had similar clinical patterns (young female adults, nonsevere onsets of AP, mild upper airway manifestations, no major clinical criteria for cystic fibrosis). They had 2 mutations or variants of the CFTR gene (including the IVS8-5T-12TG allele) and mild abnormalities of the CFTR function (increased sweat chloride concentrations in one patient, normal basal but low responses to low-chloride and/or isoproterenol solutions on nasal potential difference).
CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest that impaired epithelial ion transport due to mild CFTR genotype (namely, IVS8-5T-TG12) might be involved as a triggering factor in acute onsets of pancreatitis in PD, possibly through abnormal pancreatic fluid secretion. Further studies on CFTR mutations and abnormal nasal airway ion transport in patients with PD, either with or without recurrent AP, should be conducted.
|
10.1097/MPA.0b013e318054771f
|
pubmed_463_23054
|
Greater knowledge of cortical brain regions in reward processing may set the stage for using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a treatment in patients with avolition, apathy or other drive-related symptoms. This study examined the effects of single pulse (sp) TMS to two reward circuit targets on drive in healthy subjects. Fifteen healthy subjects performed the monetary incentive delay task (MID) while receiving fMRI-guided spTMS to either inferior parietal lobe (IPL) or supplemental motor area (SMA). The study demonstrated decreasing reaction times (RT) for increasing reward. It also showed significant differences in RT modulation for TMS pulses to the IPL versus the SMA. TMS pulses during the delay period produced significantly more RT slowing when targeting the IPL than those to the SMA. This RT slowing carried over into subsequent trials without TMS stimulation, with significantly slower RTs in sessions that had targeted the IPL compared to those targeting SMA. The results of this study suggest that both SMA and IPL are involved in reward processing, with opposite effects on RT in response to TMS stimulation. TMS to these target cortical regions may be useful in modulating reward circuit deficits in psychiatric populations.
|
pubmed_463_23054
|
pubmed_165_19182
|
Administrative databases are increasingly being used to measure resource use in economic evaluations. Traditionally, it is assumed that any measurement error within the resource data source is stochastic and uncorrelated with group assignment. If the error is correlated with characteristics of the service delivery system and/or correlated by group, the estimated differences in consumption between groups may be reflecting errors in measurement rather than treatment effects. This paper is concerned with the effect of nonsampling measurement error on the internal and external validity of cost estimates based on data drawn from administrative record systems. Two service delivery characteristics, ownership form and financial incentives, are likely to influence systemically an agency's data collection effort. Using data from three community mental health centres located in three different states, evidence of systematic differences in data quality was found; private agencies with reimbursement property rights had higher quality data than public agencies without property rights. Simple tests for detecting variation in service use and costs data and cost-effective solutions for managing these problems are proposed.
|
10.1002/(SICI)1099-1050(199611)5:6<501::AID-HEC232>3.0.CO;2-V
|
pubmed_94_14808
|
Both Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworms are common soil-transmitted helminths in remote Australian communities. In addition to infecting humans, S. stercoralis and some species of hookworms infect canids and therefore present both environmental and zoonotic sources of transmission to humans. Currently, there is limited information available on the prevalence of hookworms and S. stercoralis infections in dogs living in communities across the Northern Territory in Australia. In this study, 274 dog faecal samples and 11 faecal samples of unknown origin were collected from the environment and directly from animals across 27 remote communities in Northern and Central Australia. Samples were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for the presence of S. stercoralis and four hookworm species: Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma braziliense and Uncinaria stenocephala. The prevalence of S. stercoralis in dogs was found to be 21.9% (60/274). A. caninum was the only hookworm detected in the dog samples, with a prevalence of 31.4% (86/274). This study provides an insight into the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworms in dogs and informs future intervention and prevention strategies aimed at controlling these parasites in both dogs and humans. A "One Health" approach is crucial for the prevention of these diseases in Australia.
|
10.3390/pathogens9050398
|
pubmed_1073_12609
|
OBJECTIVE
To establish a reliable model for drug screening and therapy by culturing rat femoral head and inducing cartilage degeneration quickly in vitro.
METHODS
The femoral heads from the same SD rats of two-month old were divided into control group and experimental group respectively. They were cultured with DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum or DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum plus 50 ng/ml IL-1β for three days. Femoral heads were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, decalcified, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin and cut into slices. Specimens were stained with Toluidine blue and Safranine O-Fast Green FCF. The protein expression levels of type II collagen, MMP13, Sox9 and ADAMTS5 were analyzed by immunofluorescence.
RESULTS
Both the Toluidine blue and Safranine O staining were pale in the margin of femoral heads which were stimulated with IL-1β for three days compared to that in control group. The Fast Green FCF staining was positive at the edge of the femoral head in experimental group, which indicated that cartilage became degenerated. The expression levels of both type H collagen and Sox9 were decreased significantly while the expression levels of MMP13 and ADAMTS5 were increased in experimental group.
CONCLUSION
The model of cartilage degeneration is established by culturing and inducing the degeneration of the femoral heads quickly in vitro.
|
pubmed_1073_12609
|
pubmed_489_9411
|
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of different M II stage oocytes zona pellucida birefringence on pregnancy outcome.
METHODS
A total of 46 couples with infertile which induced by single cause received in-vitro fertilization treatment were analyzed retrospectively, and randomly divided into the high zona birefringence (HZB)/HZB group, HZB/low zona birefringence (LZB) group and LZB/LZB group according to different oocytes zona pellucida birefringence. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome was analyzed and compared.
RESULTS
The proportion of HZB oocytes, implantation rate and the pregnancy rate were decreased in three groups (HZB/HZB group>HZB/LZB group>LZB/LZB group) (P<0.05). But there was no significantly different between the number of oocytes and fertilization rate of these groups (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that factors affect M II stage oocytes zona pellucida birefringence were age, basal FSH level and the LH level on the day of HCG injection. Age and FSH levels were negatively correlated with the single oocyte zona pellucida birefringence; While the LH level on the day of hCG injection was positively correlated with the single oocyte zona pellucida birefringence.
CONCLUSIONS
The primary influence factors on M II stage oocytes zona pellucida are age, basal FSH level and the LH level on the day of hCG injection. The birefringence value of zona pellucida can affect the pregnancy outcome.
|
pubmed_489_9411
|
pubmed_34_3341
|
Histamine is a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator within the central nervous system that affects the regulation of food intake and obesity. This review focuses on the roles of neuronal histamine and its receptors in regulating food intake and obesity.
|
10.2174/138955707781387885
|
pubmed_95_7565
|
A strain of Acinetobacter radioresistens was able to utilize phenol as the only carbon and energy source, after an acclimatization period of 3 days in which increasing phenol concentrations from 50 to 200 mg/l were supplied. At 30 degrees C, the complete phenol utilization in batch degradation tests occurred in 2.5-3 h at pH 7 and 8, but it increased strongly at pH 6 (over 40 h). No microbial growth was detected at 40 degrees C, while at 20 degrees C (pH 7-8) the time necessary for complete phenol degradation was about twofold longer than that at 30 degrees C (pH 7-8) revealing a good capability of the strain as a seed-micro-organism for enhancing phenol degradation. The bacterial growth in acclimatized cultures, evaluated with the viable cell count, always displayed a trend consistent with the use of phenol as a substrate with an eventual lag phase and then an exponential phase, while in the non-acclimatized cultures an initial stage of cellular death was observed.
|
pubmed_95_7565
|
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