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pubmed_160_15060
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MgtC is important for the survival of several bacterial pathogens in macrophages and for growth under magnesium limitation. Among eukaryotes, a gene homologous to mgtC was found only in the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Our data show that the A. fumigatus MgtC (AfuMgtC) protein does not have the same function as the bacterial MgtC proteins.
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10.1128/AEM.00243-11
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pubmed_664_7321
|
OBJECTIVE
To compare 3 kinds of topical hemostatic agents in terms of adhesive strength, control of hemorrhage, and postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions in an experimental partial nephrectomy (PN) model.
METHODS
A total of 27 Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. PN was performed in 6 rats (control group) with the conventional technique, in which the lower pole of the kidney was excised and sutured after hilar control. In 5 rats, oxidized cellulose was placed over the excised part of the kidney following conventional technique. In 6 rats, the hemostatic plant extract was used without hilar control. In 5 rats, the hemostatic agent chitosan was used without hilar control. As a sham group, 5 rats underwent a laparotomy and handling of the renal pedicle without the removal of renal pole. On the tenth day after the operation, the degree of adhesions to the operated kidney were evaluated. Histopathological evaluation was also performed by a blinded pathologist.
RESULTS
Mean warm ischemia times for control and oxidized cellulose groups were 4.85 ± 0.75 and 4.28 ± 1.28 minutes, respectively (P = .662). Wound healing was excellent in all groups except in 1 rat in the chitosan group. Chitosan was associated with significantly higher intestinal and peritoneal adhesion scores, although histopathologically comparable scores were revealed.
CONCLUSION
In our rat model, chitosan and the hemostatic plant extract were as effective as conventional suturing in achieving hemostasis even without hilar control. Warm ischemia was eliminated and PN time was significantly decreased. The use of oxidized cellulose was not associated with higher scores of adhesion, suppuration, or hematoma.
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10.1016/j.urology.2011.05.057
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pubmed_112_16293
|
This paper reports lifetime and 6-month prevalence rates of alcohol abuse and dependence in West Germany. Assessment instruments are a modified German version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), a fully standardized interview for the assessment of selected DSM-III diagnoses and the Munich Alcoholism Test (MALT). According to the DIS/DSM-III criteria, 13.0% of the adult general population (aged 25-64 years) were found to fulfill the lifetime criteria for alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, or both; however, only 1.3% of all men and 0.9% of the women interviewed received a current DSM-III diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. There was good consensus between current DSM-III diagnoses with current clinical ICD-diagnoses, but poor concordance with lifetime diagnoses. Symptoms of alcoholism, onset and severity, comorbidity with other DIS/DSM-III disorders as well as some selected risk factors are reported. The results are primarily compared with the results of the US-Epidemiological Catchment Area Program (ECA).
|
10.1007/BF02195976
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pubmed_132_18006
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Hazara virus (HAZV) is closely related to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). HAZV has not been reported to cause human disease; work with infectious material can be carried out at containment level (CL)-2. By contrast, CCHFV causes a haemorrhagic fever in humans and requires CL-4 facilities. A disease model of HAZV infection in mice deficient in the type I interferon receptor is reported in this study. Dose-response effects were seen with higher doses, resulting in a shorter time to death and earlier detection of viral loads in organs. The lowest dose of 10 p.f.u. was still lethal in over 50 % of the mice. Histopathological findings were identified in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes, with changes similar to a recent mouse model of CCHFV infection. The findings demonstrate that inoculation of mice with HAZV may act as a useful surrogate model for the testing of antiviral agents against CCHFV.
|
10.1099/vir.0.038455-0
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pubmed_922_5572
|
PURPOSE
Since 2010, medical schools across the United States have engaged in a new cycle of curricular revision and renewal for their undergraduate medical curricula. But what structures, features, and trends have emerged in U.S. medical schools as a result of deliberate curricular redesign efforts? An analysis of the ways that medical schools have approached the reorganization of their curricula to prepare their students for the growing complexity of medical practice is presented.
METHOD
This study drew a total pool of 40 U.S. MD-granting programs, of which 25 met the inclusion criteria for the study. The authors used a qualitative coding approach to materials from the undergraduate medical education (UME) program websites to identify 4 dimensions of strategies that these programs used to renew their curricula.
RESULTS
The analysis of the curricular maps and website content of the UME programs provided evidence for a continuum approach to the description of innovation strategies: 96% of schools employed a cohort-based linear pathway, 80% of schools used thematic basic science blocks, 47% placed their Step 1 exams outside of the second year, and 68% moved their clerkships to the second year.
CONCLUSIONS
The Continuum of Innovation strategies will enable programs to renew their curricula in ways that promote deliberate curricular changes that are consistent with emerging needs in the field. This study and future research may be useful for UME programs with limited resources by providing consensus practices that enable them to plan curricular changes in ways that best serve their institutions.
|
10.1097/ACM.0000000000002909
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pubmed_168_7683
|
The caption for the photograph on page 1405 in Leslie Roberts' article "Federal report on acid rain draws criticism" (News & Comment, 18 Sept., p. 1404) incorrectly implies that acid rain has damaged spruce trees on Whiteface Mountain. The cause of the spruce decline is not yet known, although air pollution is generally believed to have contributed.
|
10.1126/science.238.4823.11-c
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pubmed_205_2245
|
The authors report use of a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure, unilateral endonasal hemisphenoidotomy, for removal of lesions contained in the sella. The entire procedure was performed through a single nostril with the use of an endoscope. A unilateral endonasal hemisphenoidotomy (1.5 cm x 1.5 cm) was performed and was sufficient to expose the sellar floor for successful removal of adenomas confined to the sella in three patients. Neither outfracturing the midline septum nor exposure of the opposite sphenoid ostium was necessary for adequate visualization, tumor exposure, or instrument maneuverability. There was, however, a learning curve required in order to become facile and efficient with the equipment. All lesions were completely resected. When compared to a bilateral endoscopic endonasal sphenoidotomy as practiced by us, the operative time was reduced and the length of stay was 1-2 days. There was less operative trauma, patients appeared to experience less pain immediately postoperatively, and their satisfaction was very high. In conclusion, for resection of this group of intrasellar tumors, the hemisphenoidotomy procedure proved to be less invasive and traumatic, more simple, and faster than the standard bilateral endoscopic sphenoidotomy.
|
10.1055/s-2000-12259
|
pubmed_979_9711
|
The present study investigated the ontogenic expression of a prolactin-like substance (oPRL-ir) in rat hypothalamus from embryonic day (E) 17 to postnatal day (P) 29. By immunocytochemistry, the oPRL-ir peptide was only detected from P3. As in adults, labeled neurons were found exclusively in the lateral hypothalamic area. By in situ hybridization, with a cocktail of oligonucleotides complementary to the PRL mRNA, no labeling was observed in the hypothalamus, although dense labeling was obtained over the pituitary. With reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, a 408 bp band, presumably corresponding to an oPRL mRNA, was detected from PO in the LHA, but also in other brain regions. These results suggest that the oPRL-ir neurons do not contain oPRL. The nature of the oPRL-ir peptide is still unknown, but its late onset of expression may be related to its putative involvement in feeding behavior.
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10.1016/s0143-4179(98)90055-5
|
pubmed_1080_9542
|
A survey of the prevalence of lipemic disorders and some risk factors associated with them (obesity, hypertension and alcoholism), in a representative sample of the population of 20 years of age and over in a locality typical of the peripheral zone of the Greater S. Paulo Region, Brazil, both in terms of the poverty of the population and with regard to the lack of public sources such as sewage, transport and housing, is undertaken. The following results were obtained: a) the prevalence of one risk factor was about 55%, and of two or more associated risk factors was of approximately 9% in the age group from 20 to 39. There was found to be a prevalence of about 51% and 57%, respectively of two or more associated risk factors for the age groups from 40 to 59 and 60 years of age and over; b) the prevalence of lipemic disorders proper was of about 49%, 58% and 57% respectively, for the age groups of 20 to 39, 40 to 59 and 60 years of age and over. In these cases the most prevalent risk factors among men were alcoholism and hypertension, either isolatedly or associated with obesity, and among women the most prevalent was obesity, alone or associated with hypertension; c) the most prevalent lipemic disorder was due to HDL-cholesterol, mainly among the younger people. The prevalence lower-than-normal HDL-cholesterol, was of about 28% and of "other lipemic disorders" was of 22% in the age group between 20 and 39 years of age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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10.1590/s0034-89101989000300009
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pubmed_924_23199
|
OBJECTIVE
In patients with suspected urinary tract infection (UTI), antibiotic treatment is usually started empirically, before urine culture results are available. Unfortunately, antibiotic resistance has become an increasingly pressing clinical issue in many countries. The objective of this study was to assess the changing susceptibility of urinary pathogens to commonly used antimicrobials in a six-year period to evaluate the options for empirical antibiotic therapy in children with community acquired UTI.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A retrospective analysis of data from all pediatric urine samples processed at Fatih University Medical School microbiology laboratory was undertaken for a period of six years (January 2000-December 2006).
RESULTS
A total of 767 urinary pathogens were isolated from 767 episodes of UTI in 698 patients. The most common causative agent was Escherichia coli (E. coli) followed by Klebsiella spp. and others. In 2000 almost 60% of the E. coli isolates were susceptible to ampicillin (AMP), more than 40% to Co-trimoxazole (SXT), more than 80% to gentamicin (GN), more than 90% to cefuroxime (CXM) and amikacin (AN), and more than 60% to piperacillin (PIP). By 2006 more than 70% were resistant to AMP and more than 50% were resistant to PIP. In 2000 CIP (2.7% resistant isolates) and CXM (3.4% resistant isolates) were the most active agents against Klebsiella spp.; and none of the isolates was found to be resistant to imipenem (IMP). In 2006 GN (2.7% resistant isolates), CIP (3.5% resistant isolates), CXM (2.7% resistant isolates), and AN (8.9% resistant isolates) were the most active agents against these species and still no resistance to IMP was found. For E. Coli the increase in resistance to AMP, CTX, IMP, and PIP was statistically significant (P < 0.05). For Klebsiella spp. the increase in resistance to AMP and CXM was statistically significant (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Empirical antibiotic selection should be based on knowledge of the local prevalence of bacterial organisms and antibiotic sensitivities, because resistance patterns may vary in different regions.
|
10.1007/s11255-008-9445-5
|
pubmed_61_18841
|
In order to realize the current situation and existing problems of integrative medicine of Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM) in China, a survey with questionnaires was conducted, its contents including the viewpoint of patients, who received ICWM therapy, on ICWM and on doctors of ICWM; the condition of ICWM researches; the present development of ICWM hospital and the existing problem in these hospital, etc. by inquiry on medical workers showed that most of them considered the best approach for medical research is the modern medical or the modern scientific studying method, and more than 71.2% patients prefered ICWM therapy the treatment most willing to receive.
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pubmed_61_18841
|
pubmed_917_14222
|
5 patients with allergic contact dermatitis caused by various paints were demonstrated to be sensitive to a cyclohexanone resin (C-R) present in the paints. Sensitization studies in guinea pigs with C-R and cyclohexanone showed one batch of C-R to be a sensitizer.
|
10.1111/j.1600-0536.1988.tb05489.x
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pubmed_918_11519
|
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene plays a key role in angiogenesis and tumor growth. The relationship between VEGF gene polymorphisms and bladder cancer (BCa) risk was studied extensively in recent years. However, the currently available results are controversial. To ascertain whether VEGF polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to BCa, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Relevant studies were collected systemically from PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science databases and the Cochrane Library. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated using random or fixed effects models by Stata statistical software. This systematic review protocol was registered at International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) under number CRD42018099279.
RESULTS
A total of eight articles including twenty case-control studies with 3206 BCa cases and 3645 controls were enrolled for this meta-analysis. By pooling all eligible studies, we found that rs3025039, rs833052 and rs25648 polymorphisms were significantly associated with BCa risk. However, in subgroup analyses by stage, we identified a decreased association between the rs699947 A-allele and Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) under allele contrast, homozygous and recessive genetic models (A vs C: OR = 0.76; AA vs CC: OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.27-0.90, I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.021; AA vs CA + CC: OR = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.38-0.96, I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.034). As to ethnicity subgroup analysis, rs699947 and rs3025039 polymorphisms were thought as a risk factor for BCa risk in Asian population, while a decreased association was revealed between rs699947 (C > A) A-allele and BCa risk in African population under dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous and allele contrast genetic models. While for other polymorphisms, null results were found.
CONCLUSION
Our meta-analysis suggested that rs3025039 (C > T), rs833052 (C > A) and rs25648 (C > T) polymorphisms of VEGF gene increased susceptibility to BCa risk. And our study also demonstrated homozygous TT genotype in rs3025039, homozygous AA genotype in rs833052 and homozygous TT genotype in rs25648 were significantly relevant to elevated BCa risk. In the meanwhile, it is worth noting that rs699947 (C > A) A-allele should be thought as a protective factor for MIBC.
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10.1016/j.gene.2019.02.070
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pubmed_92_21034
|
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the technical and patient characteristics associated with the development of mesh perforation and exposure in patients after midurethral sling surgeries.
METHODS
After a retrospective review of referred patients, the risk of mesh perforation of the urinary tract over exposure in the vagina was analyzed with multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for the possible predictors of age, body mass index, smoking status at the time of mesh placement, presence of diabetes, type of sling placed, type of surgeon and trocar injury at the time of mesh placement.
RESULTS
A total of 77 women were identified, 27 with mesh perforation and 50 with mesh exposure. The patients' average body mass index was 29.2, and 13% were diabetic. Nine (33%) patients in the perforation group and two (4%) patients in the exposure group had evidence of trocar injury to the bladder or urethra at the time of mesh placement (P < 0.001). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, trocar injury (odds ratio 25.90, 95% confidence interval 2.84-236.58, P = 0.004) and diabetes (odds ratio 9.90, 95% confidence interval 1.1.25-78.64, P = 0.03) were associated with an increased risk of mesh perforation. Increased body mass index (odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.77-0.99, P = 0.05) was associated with a decreased risk of mesh perforation. Finally, postoperative hematomas and blood transfusions occurred more commonly in the mesh perforation group (15% vs 0%, P = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Trocar injury, diabetes and bleeding complications at the time of surgery are associated with higher risk of mesh perforation in patients undergoing midurethral sling placement.
|
10.1111/iju.12544
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pubmed_407_10492
|
The influence of age or breeding experience on reproductive success in vertebrates is well known but physiological mechanisms came into focus just recently. Assessing hormone levels could allow insights into these mechanisms and reproductive strategies in long-lived species. Prolactin and corticosterone are two hormones involved in breeding decisions: high prolactin values are necessary for expressing breeding behavior whereas corticosterone is related to activity or stress. We analyzed baseline prolactin and corticosterone under field conditions in common terns (Sterna hirundo) between 2006 and 2010. We took 760 blood samples of 346 known birds 9-14 days after their clutch completion, obtained via blood-sucking bugs (Dipetalogaster maximus), a non-invasive method with negligible stress for the birds. Many individuals were sampled repeatedly during the study period allowing investigation of hormone change on individual level. Prolactin levels increased during the early breeding career, which was confirmed on individual level, whereas corticosterone levels increased mostly in experienced birds, more pronounced in males. Low hormone levels during the first years of breeding could indicate a reduced ability of the endocrine system to secret hormones or it might express a down-regulation to limit parental expenditure. Higher corticosterone values of males could be related to increased foraging activity. Amongst the oldest birds, prolactin seemed to increase in males but not in females. This possible consequence of female senescence might be compensated by high values of male mates. Body mass showed only a weak positive correlation with prolactin level and no correlation with corticosterone concentration.
|
10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.06.022
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pubmed_532_20635
|
BACKGROUND
Acute dysfunction of mechanical aortic valve prostheses is a life-threatening adverse event. Pannus overgrowth, which is fibroelastic hyperplasia originating from the periannular area, is one cause of dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the annual incidence of readmittance resulting from acute obstruction caused by pannus during 30 years of observation in patients with Medtronic-Hall aortic valve prostheses and to analyze the risk factors associated with pannus development.
METHODS
From 1982 to 2004, 1,187 patients in our department underwent aortic valve replacement with Medtronic-Hall mechanical monoleaflet valve prostheses. As of December 31, 2012, 27 of these patients (2.3%) had presented with acute valve dysfunction caused by pannus obstruction.
RESULTS
The annual incidence of pannus was 0.7 per 1,000. The median time from the primary operation to prosthetic dysfunction was 11.1 years (range, 1.2 to 26.8 years). Of the 20 patients who underwent reoperation, 2 died. Seven patients died before reoperation. Women had a higher risk for the development of obstructing pannus, and patients with pannus obstruction were younger. Valve size was not an independent risk factor.
CONCLUSIONS
Women and younger patients are at higher risk for pannus development. When acute dysfunction by pannus is suspected in a mechanical aortic valve, an immediate echocardiogram and an emergency aortic valve replacement should be carried out because of the potential of a fatal outcome.
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pubmed_532_20635
|
pubmed_314_19448
|
We propose a method for increased-speed all-optical XOR operation using semiconductor optical amplifiers. We demonstrate XOR and XNOR operations at 86.4 Gb/s using a pair of photonic-integrated semiconductor optical amplifier Mach-Zehnder interferometers.
|
10.1364/OE.17.019062
|
pubmed_1091_2247
|
Relational Models Theory or RMT proposes that there are four universal ways in which socio-economic relations can be organized. According to the RMT, each of its four relational models (Communal Sharing, Authority Ranking, Equality Matching, and Market Pricing) is associated with a distinct cognitive representation, with a cumulative pattern in which each relational model is a superset of the next lower model. This report for the first time uses a combination of cognitive and the social neuroscience to put this model to the test. RMT proposes that members of every culture use all four relational models, just in different proportions. It should therefore be possible to study their neural correlates in a mono-cultural sample. In this study, thirty-nine European-American students were imaged in a 3T Siemens Trio with a 24-channel head coil while rating the extent to which each relational model organized relationships with each of thirty-two acquaintances/friend/relatives in a boxcar design. FreeSurfer Functional Analysis Stream (FS-FAST) analyses revealed distinct patterns of activation for each of the relational models. The activations did not follow a cumulative hierarchical pattern, suggestive that this aspect of the RMT model should be revised.
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10.1080/17470919.2018.1459313
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pubmed_1026_4887
|
BACKGROUND
Many people with schizophrenia do not achieve satisfactory improvements in their mental state, particularly the symptom of hearing voices (hallucinations), with medical treatment.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the effects of Avatar Therapy for people with schizophrenia or related disorders.
SEARCH METHODS
In December 2016, November 2018 and April 2019, the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Study-Based Register of Trials (including registries of clinical trials) was searched, review authors checked references of all identified relevant reports to identify more studies and contacted authors of trials for additional information.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All randomised clinical trials focusing on Avatar Therapy for people with schizophrenia or related disorders.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We extracted data independently. For binary outcomes, we calculated risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), on an intention-to-treat basis. For continuous data, we estimated the mean difference (MD) between groups and 95% CIs. We employed a fixed-effect model for analyses. We assessed risk of bias for included studies and created 'Summary of findings' tables using GRADE. Our main outcomes of interest were clinically important change in; mental state, insight, global state, quality of life and functioning as well as adverse effects and leaving the study early.
MAIN RESULTS
We found 14 potentially relevant references for three studies (participants = 195) comparing Avatar Therapy with two other interventions; treatment as usual or supportive counselling. Both Avatar Therapy and supportive counselling were given in addition (add-on) to the participants' normal care. All of the studies had high risk of bias across one or more domains for methodology and, for other risks of bias, authors from one of the studies were involved in the development of the avatar systems on trial and in another trial, authors had patents on the avatar system pending. 1. Avatar Therapy compared with treatment as usual When Avatar Therapy was compared with treatment as usual average endpoint Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale - Positive (PANSS-P) scores were not different between treatment groups (MD -1.93, 95% CI -5.10 to 1.24; studies = 1, participants = 19; very low-certainty evidence). A measure of insight (Revised Beliefs about Voices Questionnaire; BAVQ-R) showed an effect in favour of Avatar Therapy (MD -5.97, 95% CI -10.98 to -0.96; studies = 1, participants = 19; very low-certainty evidence). No one was rehospitalised in either group in the short term (risk difference (RD) 0.00, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.20; studies = 1, participants = 19; low-certainty evidence). Numbers leaving the study early from each group were not clearly different - although more did leave from the Avatar Therapy group (6/14 versus 0/12; RR 11.27, 95% CI 0.70 to 181.41; studies = 1, participants = 26; low-certainty evidence). There was no clear difference in anxiety between treatment groups (RR 5.54, 95% CI 0.34 to 89.80; studies = 1, participants = 19; low-certainty evidence). For quality of life, average Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (QLESQ-SF) scores favoured Avatar Therapy (MD 9.99, 95% CI 3.89 to 16.09; studies = 1, participants = 19; very low-certainty evidence). No study reported data for functioning. 2. Avatar Therapy compared with supportive counselling When Avatar Therapy was compared with supportive counselling (all short-term), general mental state (Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS)) scores favoured the Avatar Therapy group (MD -4.74, 95% CI -8.01 to -1.47; studies = 1, participants = 124; low-certainty evidence). For insight (BAVQ-R), there was a small effect in favour of Avatar Therapy (MD -8.39, 95% CI -14.31 to -2.47; studies = 1, participants = 124; low-certainty evidence). Around 20% of each group left the study early (risk ratio (RR) 1.06, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.89; studies = 1, participants = 150; moderate-certainty evidence). Analysis of quality of life scores (Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA)) showed no clear difference between groups (MD 2.69, 95% CI -1.48 to 6.86; studies = 1, participants = 120; low-certainty evidence). No data were available for rehospitalisation rates, adverse events or functioning.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Our analyses of available data shows few, if any, consistent effects of Avatar Therapy for people living with schizophrenia who experience auditory hallucinations. Where there are effects, or suggestions of effects, we are uncertain because of their risk of bias and their unclear clinical meaning. The theory behind Avatar Therapy is compelling but the practice needs testing in large, long, well-designed, well-reported randomised trials undertaken with help from - but not under the direction of - Avatar Therapy pioneers.
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10.1002/14651858.CD011898.pub2
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pubmed_633_23092
|
Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have demonstrated an association between various functions of reminiscence and well-being in later adulthood. This study investigates to what extent the links between reminiscence (self-positive and self-negative functions) and psychological well-being (depressive symptoms, anxiety level and life satisfaction) are mediated by assimilative and accommodative coping. This mediational model was tested using structural equation modelling. The results support the hypothesis that coping completely mediates the links between reminiscence and psychological well-being. Specifically, self-positive reminiscences are related to improved psychological well-being via assimilative and accommodative coping, while, in contrast, self-negative reminiscences are associated to reduced psychological well-being through their negative relationships with both coping modes. These findings suggest that reminiscence contributes to psychological well-being in part because it promotes assimilative and accommodative coping, which are protective mechanisms through which the self-system constructs continuity and meaning over the life course.
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10.1080/13607861003713307
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pubmed_426_11293
|
Patients with diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, and adrenal suppression from exogenous steroid therapy frequently undergo surgery. An understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders enables the medical consultant to have valuable input into the preoperative evaluation and perioperative management of these patients. This article serves as a practical guide in following such patients through surgery, thereby decreasing overall morbidity and mortality.
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10.1016/s0025-7125(16)30854-9
|
pubmed_1027_6729
|
We evaluate the ability of a microcomputer program (Automatch) to link patient records in our hospital's database (N = 253,836) with mortality files from California (N = 1,312,779) and the U.S. Social Security Administration (N = 13,341,581). We linked 96.5% of 3,448 in-hospital deaths, 99.3% for patients with social security numbers. None of 14,073 patients known to be alive (because they were subsequently admitted) was linked with California deaths, and only 6 (0.1%) of 6,444 were falsely identified as dead in the United States file. For patients with unknown vital status but items in the database likely to be associated with high 3-year mortality rates, we identified death records of 88% of 494 patients with cancer metastatic to the liver, 84% of 164 patients with pancreatic cancer, and 91% of 126 patients with CD4 counts of less than 50. Hospital data can be accurately linked with state and national vital statistics using commercial record linkage software.
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10.1136/jamia.1997.0040233
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pubmed_703_6925
|
OBJECTIVE
To assess and compare the predictive effects of hypertension before puberty and during puberty on adult hypertension.
METHODS
A total of 412 adults from the "Beijing children and adolescents blood pressure (BP) study" cohort were followed up in a clinical examination in 2005. Systolic and diastolic BP, height, and weight in childhood were measured at a baseline survey in 1987. The participants were divided into pre-puberty and puberty sub-cohorts according to their pubertal development stage at baseline. Information on adult BP, anthropometric indices and life style were collected through questionnaire and physical examination. BP changes and the predictive effect on adult hypertension were compared between the two sub-cohorts. Correlation of BP levels between 1987 and 2005 was examined through linear regression models.
RESULTS
From childhood to adulthood, the regression coefficients of systolic BP were similar in the two sub-cohorts (both β=0.34, P<0.001), while the coefficient of diastolic BP was larger in the pubertal cohort (β=0.31, P<0.001) compared with the pre-pubertal cohort (β=0.12, P=0.017). Fifty percent of children with pubertal hypertension became hypertensive adults, while pre-pubertal hypertension resulted in 34.3%. After adjustment for sex, age, family history of hypertension, obesity in childhood, and adulthood, pubertal hypertension predicted a higher risk of adult hypertension than pre-pubertal hypertension, with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 10.00 (3.03-33.07) and 2.71 (0.83-8.85), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that hypertension during puberty is likely to result in adult hypertension.
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10.3967/0895-3988.2011.05.002
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pubmed_509_11794
|
BACKGROUND
Introgression of Sahel livestock genes southwards in West Africa may be favoured by human activity and the increase of the duration of the dry seasons since the 1970's. The aim of this study is to assess the gene flow patterns in Burkina Faso goat and to ascertain the most likely factors influencing geographic patterns of genetic variation in the Burkina Faso goat population.
RESULTS
A total of 520 goat were sampled in 23 different locations of Burkina Faso and genotyped for a set of 19 microsatellites. Data deposited in the Dryad repository: http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.41h46j37. Although overall differentiation is poor (FST = 0.067 ± 0.003), the goat population of Burkina Faso is far from being homogeneous. Barrier analysis pointed out the existence of: a) genetic discontinuities in the Central and Southeast Burkina Faso; and b) genetic differences within the goat sampled in the Sahel or the Sudan areas of Burkina Faso. Principal component analysis and admixture proportion scores were computed for each population sampled and used to construct interpolation maps. Furthermore, Population Graph analysis revealed that the Sahel and the Sudan environmental areas of Burkina Faso were connected through a significant number of extended edges, which would be consistent with the hypothesis of long-distance dispersal. Genetic variation of Burkina Faso goat followed a geographic-related pattern. This pattern of variation is likely to be related to the presence of vectors of African animal trypanosomosis. Partial Mantel test identified the present Northern limit of trypanosome vectors as the most significant landscape boundary influencing the genetic variability of Burkina Faso goat (p = 0.008). The contribution of Sahel goat genes to the goat populations in the Northern and Eastern parts of the Sudan-Sahel area of Burkina Faso was substantial. The presence of perennial streams explains the existence of trypanosome vectors. The South half of the Nakambé river (Southern Ouagadougou) and the Mouhoun river loop determined, respectively, the Eastern and Northern limits for the expansion of Sahelian goat genes. Furthermore, results from partial Mantel test suggest that the introgression of Sahelian goat genes into Djallonké goat using human-influenced genetic corridors has a limited influence when compared to the biological boundary defined by the northern limits for the distribution of the tsetse fly. However, the genetic differences found between the goat sampled in Bobo Dioulasso and the other populations located in the Sudan area of Burkina Faso may be explained by the broad goat trade favoured by the main road of the country.
CONCLUSIONS
The current analysis clearly suggests that genetic variation in Burkina Faso goat: a) follows a North to South clinal; and b) is affected by the distribution of the tsetse fly that imposes a limit to the Sahelian goat expansion due to their trypanosusceptibility. Here we show how extensive surveys on livestock populations can be useful to indirectly assess the consequences of climate change and human action in developing countries.
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10.1186/1471-2156-13-35
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pubmed_442_14074
|
INTRODUCTION
Blood is the gold standard body fluid for diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) but saliva offers an alternative to serum as a biological fluid for diagnostic purposes because it contains serum constituents.
AIM
The study was conducted to estimate and compare serum and salivary glucose, amylase, proteins, calcium and phosphorus levels in DM and healthy subjects and to evaluate whether saliva can be used as a diagnostic fluid in DM patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study consisted of 120 subjects from OPD of Surendera Dental College, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, India. The study groups were divided into Group I-60 DM patients (Type I & II) and Group II-60 healthy subjects. The saliva and serum samples were collected from each subject and levels of different biochemical parameters were estimated.
RESULTS
Mean serum level of glucose (211.50 ± 43.82), amylase (79.86 ± 16.23), total proteins (6.65 ± 0.84), calcium (7.17 ± 0.91) and phosphorus (3.68±0.65) as observed in Group I while in Group II, glucose (88.81±11.29), amylase (77.67±14.88), total proteins (6.35±0.76), calcium (7.52±0.97) and phosphorus (3.96 ± 0.91) were noted. Mean salivary level of glucose (14.10±6.99), amylase (1671.42±569.86), total proteins (1.33±1.11), calcium (10.06±2.76) and phosphorus (13.75±4.45) as observed in Group I while in Group II, glucose (5.87± 2.42), amylase (1397.59 ±415.97), total proteins (1.36±0.81), calcium (7.73±2.78) and phosphorus (8.39 ± 1.95) were noted. On comparing values in saliva and serum, among two groups, an insignificant difference (p>0.005) was found between few of them.
CONCLUSION
Values regarding blood and salivary biochemical parameters were distinctly different between two groups suggesting salivary parameters can be used as a diagnostic alternative to blood parameters for diabetes mellitus.
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10.7860/JCDR/2016/19135.7995
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pubmed_785_6756
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The eukaryotic cytoskeleton evolved from prokaryotic cytomotive filaments. Prokaryotic filament systems show bewildering structural and dynamic complexity and, in many aspects, prefigure the self-organizing properties of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton. Here, the dynamic properties of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cytoskeleton are compared, and how these relate to function and evolution of organellar networks is discussed. The evolution of new aspects of filament dynamics in eukaryotes, including severing and branching, and the advent of molecular motors converted the eukaryotic cytoskeleton into a self-organizing "active gel," the dynamics of which can only be described with computational models. Advances in modeling and comparative genomics hold promise of a better understanding of the evolution of the self-organizing cytoskeleton in early eukaryotes, and its role in the evolution of novel eukaryotic functions, such as amoeboid motility, mitosis, and ciliary swimming.
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pubmed_785_6756
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pubmed_15_10918
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In neurons exposed to glutamate, Ca²⁺ influx triggers intracellular Zn²⁺ release via an as yet unclear mechanism. As glutamate induces a Ca²⁺-dependent cytosolic acidification, the present work tested the relationships among intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺](i)), intracellular pH (pH(i) ), and [Zn²⁺](i). Cultured hippocampal neurons were exposed to glutamate and glycine (Glu/Gly), while [Zn²⁺](i), [Ca²⁺](i) and pH(i) were monitored using FluoZin-3, Fura2-FF, and 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, respectively. Glu/Gly applications decreased pH(i) to 6.1 and induced intracellular Zn²⁺ release in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner, as expected. The pH(i) drop reduced the affinity of FluoZin-3 and Fura-2-FF for Zn²⁺. The rate of Glu/Gly-induced [Zn²⁺](i) increase was not correlated with the rate of [Ca²⁺](i) increase. Instead, the extent of [Zn²⁺](i) elevations corresponded well to the rate of pH(i) drop. Namely, [Zn²⁺](i) increased more in more highly acidified neurons. Inhibiting the mechanisms responsible for the Ca²⁺-dependent pH(i) drop (plasmalemmal Ca²⁺ pump and mitochondria) counteracted the Glu/Gly-induced intracellular Zn²⁺ release. Alkaline pH (8.5) suppressed Glu/Gly-induced intracellular Zn²⁺ release whereas acidic pH (6.0) enhanced it. A pH(i) drop to 6.0 (without any Ca²⁺ influx or glutamate receptor activation) led to intracellular Zn²⁺ release; the released Zn²⁺ (free Zn²⁺ plus Zn²⁺) bound to Fura-2FF and FluoZin-3) reached 1 μM.
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10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07695.x
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pubmed_605_7834
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The role of electron-nuclear entanglement on the validity of the Born-Oppenheimer (BO) approximation is investigated. Although nonadiabatic couplings generally lead to entanglement and to a failure of the BO approximation, surprisingly the degree of electron-nuclear entanglement is found to be uncorrelated with the degree of validity of the BO approximation. This is because while the degree of entanglement of BO states is determined by their deviation from the corresponding states in the crude BO approximation, the accuracy of the BO approximation is dictated, instead, by the deviation of the BO states from the exact electron-nuclear states. In fact, in the context of a minimal avoided crossing model, extreme cases are identified where an adequate BO state is seen to be maximally entangled, and where the BO approximation fails but the associated BO state remains approximately unentangled. Further, the BO states are found to not preserve the entanglement properties of the exact electron-nuclear eigenstates, and to be completely unentangled only in the limit in which the BO approximation becomes exact.
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10.1021/acs.jctc.6b00959
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pubmed_83_3025
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The main innovation of this article is the determination of the impact of curvature of a shape cut out in a brittle material using an abrasive water jet (AWJ) process as an important factor of the machined surfaces. The curvature of a shape, resulting from the size of the radius of the cutting head trajectory, is one of the key requirements necessary for ensuring the required surface quality of materials shaped by the abrasive water jet process, but very few studies have been carried out in this regard. An important goal of the experimental studies carried out here and presented in this work was to determine its influence on the quality of the inner and outer surfaces of the cutting kerf. This goal was accomplished by cutting the shape of a spiral in soda-lime glass. For such a shape, the effect of radius of the trajectory of the cutting head on selected parameters of the surface texture of the inner surface of the cutting kerf (IS) and the outer surface of the cutting kerf (OS) was studied. The obtained results of the experimental studies confirmed that the effect of the curvature of the cut shape is important from the point of view of the efficiency of the glass-based brittle material-cutting process using AWJ. Analyses of the surface textures of the areas located in the upper part of the inner and outer surfaces separated by the use of AWJ machining showed that the OS surfaces are characterized by worse technological quality compared with IS surfaces. Differences in the total height of surface irregularities (given by St amplitude parameter), determined on the basis of the obtained results of the measurements of both surfaces of the cutting kerf, were as follows: ΔStr = 50 = 0.6 μm; ΔStr = 35 = 1 μm; ΔStr = 15 = 1.3 μm. The analysis of values measured in areas located in the more sensitive zone of influence of the AWJ outflow proved that the total height of irregularities (St) of the OS was higher. Differences in the total heights of irregularities for inner and outer surfaces of the cutting kerf were as follows: ΔStr = 50 = 2.1 μm; ΔStr = 35 = 3 μm; ΔStr = 15 = 14.1 μm, respectively. The maximum difference in the total heights of irregularities (St), existing between the surfaces considered in a special case (radius 15 mm), was almost 20%, which should be a sufficient condition for planning cutting operations, so as to ensure the workpiece is shaped mainly by internal surfaces.
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10.3390/ma13194277
|
pubmed_482_2639
|
OBJECTIVE
Since the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a public health emergency, medical societies around the world published COVID-19 recommendations to physicians to ensure patient care and physician safety. During this pandemic, ophthalmologists around the world adapted their clinical and surgical practice following such guidelines. This original research examines all publicly available COVID-19 recommendations from twelve major ophthalmology societies around the world.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Twelve ophthalmology societies recognised by the International Council of Ophthalmology were included in this study. One society per each WHO region was included: the society selected was the one who had the highest number of national COVID-19 confirmed cases on 11 May 2020. In addition to these countries, the major ophthalmology society in each G7 country was included.
RESULTS
Ten out of 12 major international ophthalmology societies from countries covering all six WHO regions have given recommendations regarding urgent patient care, social distancing, telemedicine and personal protective equipment when caring for ophthalmic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. While all guidelines emphasise the importance of postponing non-urgent care and taking necessary safety measures, specific recommendations differ between countries.
CONCLUSIONS
As there is no clear consensus on ophthalmology guidelines across countries, this paper highlights the differences in international ophthalmic care recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge of the differences in ophthalmic management plans will allow ophthalmologists and all eye care providers to consider the variety of international approaches and apply best practices following evidence-based recommendations during pandemics.
|
10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000525
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pubmed_713_10132
|
BACKGROUND
Ultrasonography (US) is a feasible and accessible method for the measurement of skeletal muscle mass. This technique presents acceptable intra-rater reliability; however, there are a few reports on its inter-rater reliability. Additionally, relative reliability should equally be inspected to determine the presence of systematic errors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities and absolute reliability of rectus femoris muscle thickness as measured using US.
METHODS
The participants included in our study comprised 12 healthy young men (26.5 ± 3.9 years. Rectus femoris muscle thickness was measured from the right side of the thigh using US by two trained physical therapists. Inter- and intra-rater reliabilities were determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (1, 1) and ICC (2, 1) methods, respectively. Absolute reliability was evaluated using Bland - Altman analysis. Additionally, we calculated the minimal detectable change at the 95% level of confidence (MDC95).
RESULT
According to the results of the Bland - Altman analysis, no fixed or proportional errors were present. The ICC (1, 1) was 0.95, and the ICC (2, 1) was 0.70. The MDC95 values of rectus femoris thickness for the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were 2.0 mm and 4.3 mm, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In our study, intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were measured at "excellent" and "moderate" levels in the healthy individuals based on a previously defined scale. Moreover, we determined the measurement error for quantifying rectus femoris thickness. Therefore, the measurement of rectus femoris thickness using US could be considered applicable in clinical research.
|
10.1186/s13089-021-00224-8
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pubmed_688_17350
|
This study was performed to evaluate the nephron site(s) responsible for the blunted phosphaturic effect of parathyroid hormone during respiratory alkalosis. In normocapnic thyroparathyroidectomized rats, parathyroid hormone administration markedly increased the fractional excretion of phosphate (FEp) from 2.1 +/- 0.5 to 36.6 +/- 5.0%. However, in the respiratory alkalotic rats, parathyroid hormone administration did not significantly increase the FEp (1.4 +/- 0.9 to 5.9 +/- 2.2%). This blunted phosphaturic response to parathyroid hormone was not due to a blunted inhibition of phosphate reabsorption by the superficial proximal tubule, since parathyroid hormone administration significantly increased the fractional delivery of phosphate (FDp) at the superficial late proximal tubule in both normal (25.3 +/- 3.0 to 36.2 +/- 3.8%, delta 10.9 +/- 3.2%) and respiratory alkalotic rats (12.2 +/- 3.1 to 30.3 +/- 4.9%, delta 18.0 +/- 4.7%). Parathyroid hormone administration significantly increased the FDp at the superficial early distal tubule from 9.3 +/- 3.9 to 38.7 +/- 7.4% (delta 29.4 +/- 5.1%) in normal rats and from 4.5 +/- 1.7 to 12.9 +/- 3.4% (delta 8.5 +/- 3.2%) in the respiratory alkalotic rats. We conclude that the blunted phosphaturic response to parathyroid hormone in respiratory alkalotic rats is not due to a blunted inhibition of phosphate reabsorption by the proximal convoluted tubule but is primarily due to enhanced reabsorption by the pars recta segment of the proximal tubule.
|
10.1152/ajprenal.1985.249.6.F919
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pubmed_854_14337
|
We studied the microwave reflectivity of a structured, near perfectly conducting substrate that was designed to verify the existence of a theoretically proposed new class of surface mode. Measurements of the mode's dispersion curve show that it correctly approaches the predicted asymptotic frequency; the curve also agrees well with that derived from a computer simulation. Modeling of the field distribution on resonance provides evidence of strong localization of the electric field at the interface and substantial power flow along the interface, thus verifying the surface plasmon-like nature of the mode.
|
10.1126/science.1109043
|
pubmed_345_14149
|
It has now been over twenty years since a novel herpesviral genome was identified in Kaposi's sarcoma biopsies. Since then, the cumulative research effort by molecular biologists, virologists, clinicians, and epidemiologists alike has led to the extensive characterization of this tumor virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)), and its associated diseases. Here we review the current knowledge of KSHV biology and pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on new and exciting advances in the field of epigenetics. We also discuss the development and practicality of various cell culture and animal model systems to study KSHV replication and pathogenesis.
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10.1007/s12250-015-3595-2
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pubmed_317_18144
|
PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization with ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge (ESG) for the treatment of arterioportal shunts (APSs) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 61 patients with unresectable HCC was included in this study, conducted from June 2008 to November 2011. These patients, who were treated with APSs, had received transarterial therapy. They underwent transarterial embolization of the shunt with ESG followed by transarterial chemoembolization if available. Changes in APSs, tumor response (per modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), postembolization events, patient survival, and prognostic factors were analyzed.
RESULTS
The median follow-up period was 13 months (range, 3-34 mo). The immediate APS improvement rate was 97% (59 of 61), and the APS improvement rate at first-time follow-up was 54% (33 of 61). Tumor response at 2 months after first embolization was as follows: complete response in two patients (3.3%), partial response in 24 patients (39.3%), stable disease in 24 patients (39.3%), and progressive disease in 11 patients (18.1%). Survival rates were 79% at 6 months, 50% at 1 year, and 12% at 2 years; the median survival time was 382 days. Maximal tumor size and APS improvement at first-time follow-up were demonstrated to be independent prognostic factors (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS
Transarterial embolization with ESG may be safe and effective for the treatment of APSs in patients with unresectable HCC. Small maximal tumor size (< 5 cm) and an improvement in APSs favored overall survival.
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pubmed_317_18144
|
pubmed_192_17161
|
BACKGROUND
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex, centralized pain condition that is often difficult to diagnose and treat. FM is considered to have a genetic background due to its familial aggregation and due to findings from multiple candidate-gene studies implicating catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmitter systems in chronic pain. However, a multi-factorial analysis of both genetic and environmental risk factors is lacking. A better characterization of the interplay of risk factors may assist in understanding the pathophysiology of FM, its clinical course, and assist in early diagnosis and treatment of the disorder.
METHODS
This retrospective study included 60,367 total participants from 237 clinics across the USA. Of those, 2713 had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, as indicated by ICD code. Logistic regression was used to test for associations of diagnosed FM in study subjects with COMT SNPs and COMT haplotypes, which were previously found to be linked with pain sensitivity, as well as demographics such as age, sex, and ethnicity. The minor allele frequencies of COMT SNPs in the FM population were compared with 1000 Genomes data using a χ2 test to determine significant deviations from the estimated population allelic frequencies.
RESULTS
FM diagnosis was strongly associated with sex, age, and ethnicity. Females, those between 49 and 63 years, and non-Caucasians were at higher risk of FM. Females had 1.72 increased odds of FM (p = 1.17 × 10- 30). African-Americans were 1.52 times more likely to have a diagnosis of FM compared to Caucasians (p = 3.11 × 10- 12). Hispanics were less likely to have a diagnosis of FM compared to Caucasians (p = 3.95 × 10- 7). After adjusting for sex and ethnicity, those in the low age group and mid age group had 1.29 (p = 1.02 × 10- 5) and 1.60 (p = 1.93 × 10- 18) increased odds of FM, respectively, compared to the high age group, where age was categorized by tertile (low (< 49), mid (49-63), and high (> 63)). The COMT haplotypes associated with pain sensitivity were not associated with FM, but African-Americans were 11.3 times more likely to have a high pain sensitivity COMT diplotype, regardless of FM diagnosis. However, the minor alleles of COMT SNPs rs4680, rs4818, rs4633 and rs6269 were overrepresented in the FM population overall, and varied when compared with ethnically-similar populations from 1000 Genomes.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the largest study, to date, that examines demographic and genetic associations of FM in a diverse population. While pain sensitivity-associated COMT haplotypes were not found to be directly associated with FM diagnosis, the minor alleles that make up the COMT haplotypes were overrepresented in the FM population, suggesting a role of COMT in FM. Future studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of COMT variation in widespread pain conditions, such as FM. Clinically, this information can be used to provide insight into the pathways underlying FM and to identify those at greater risk of developing FM.
|
10.1186/s41927-018-0045-4
|
pubmed_364_7147
|
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate dentists', dental hygienists' and dental assistants' competence in mentoring students and to identify distinct mentor profiles.
METHODS
The study employed a cross-sectional design. Data were collected using the Mentors' Competence Instrument (MCI), which includes 45 items structured under seven mentoring competence sub-dimensions. The data were collected during autumn 2017 from dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants working in the Finnish primary healthcare (n = 1097) using a paper survey, whilst dentists (n = 26) who have completed mentoring education in one university completed an electronic questionnaire. Cases with more than 5% missing data (n = 164) were listwise deleted, whilst the remaining data (n = 933) underwent analysis. K-mean clustering was used to identify significantly different mentor profiles, whilst comparisons of mentoring competence between the identified profiles were performed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests.
RESULTS
Three distinct mentor profiles (A, B and C) that differed in the level of mentoring competence were identified. The participants in profile A encompassed mostly dental assistants, profile B included mostly dental assistants and dentists, and profile C mainly comprised dentists and dental assistants. Profiles A, B and C differed significantly in terms of education, job title, role of mentor and participation in mentoring education. The largest difference in competence was observed between participants of profiles A and C. Each profile differed significantly from the other two across all seven competence areas. Most of the participants had not previously received any mentoring education.
CONCLUSION
There is room for improvement in the competence of dentistry student mentors, especially regarding knowledge of effective mentoring practices, goal-oriented mentoring, mentor characteristics and motivation for mentoring. Every mentor that works with oral healthcare students should receive mentoring training.
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10.1111/eje.12615
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pubmed_50_7993
|
Appropriate cell division and differentiation ensure normal anther development in angiosperms. BARELY ANY MERISTEM 1/2 (BAM1/2) and RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN KINASE2 (RPK2), two groups of leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinases, are required for early anther cell specification. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying these two RLK-mediated signaling pathways. Here, we show that CLAVATA3 INSENSITIVE RECEPTOR KINASEs (CIKs), a group of novel coreceptor protein kinase-controlling stem cell homeostasis, play essential roles in BAM1/2- and RPK2-regulated early anther development in Arabidopsis thaliana The archesporial cells of cik1/2/3 triple and cik1/2/3/4 quadruple mutant anthers perform anticlinal division instead of periclinal division. Defective cell division and specification of the primary and inner secondary parietal cells occur in these mutant anthers. The disordered divisions and specifications of anther wall cells finally result in excess microsporocytes and a lack of one to three parietal cell layers in mutant anthers, resembling rpk2 or bam1/2 mutant anthers. Genetic and biochemical analyses indicate that CIKs function as coreceptors of BAM1/2 and RPK2 to regulate archesporial cell division and determine the specification of anther parietal cells.
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10.1105/tpc.17.00586
|
pubmed_520_17585
|
There has been increased interest and attention to the need for equity, diversity, and inclusion, in the field of applied behavior analysis in recent years. Several publications have focused on these topics and educational curricula and professional development opportunities have been developed. One aspect that has received less attention is how companies providing behavior analytic services can help to promote and sustain a diverse workforce. The purpose of this article is to provide examples and recommendations for how these overarching goals can be addressed. The examples and recommendations are described in the context of a small company that has made important strides in addressing this topic through its mission to serve members of marginalized communities.
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10.1007/s40617-022-00747-z
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pubmed_98_13202
|
We describe a gold-catalyzed cyclization of 1-(2'-azidoaryl)propargylsulfonamides for the synthesis of 3-sulfonamidoquinolines, featuring a rare and highly selective 1,2-N migration. The key α-imino gold carbene intermediate is generated through an intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the azide group to the Au-activated triple bonds in a 6-endo-dig manner.
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10.1021/acs.joc.1c02450
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pubmed_726_21467
|
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of breast lesions is usually confirmed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or histological biopsy. Although there is increasing literature regarding the advantages and limitations of both modalities, there is no literature regarding the accuracy of these modalities for diagnosing breast lesions in high-risk patients, who usually have lesions detected by screening. The objective of the current study was to evaluate diagnostic performance indices of FNAC in breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) mutation carriers.
METHODS
BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers who underwent FNAC were selected from the database of the Rotterdam Family Cancer Clinic. FNAC accuracy parameters were calculated by taking the outcome of a subsequent histological diagnosis or clinical follow-up as reference standard.
RESULTS
In total, 320 FNACs were obtained, and FNAC examination was followed by histological examination in 150 patients. The rate of insufficient material was 25.6%. Sensitivity was 92.3%, specificity 96.3%. The false-positive rate was 3.7%, the false-negative rate was 7.7%, and accuracy was 94.7%. A substantial proportion of patients (35%) with malignant FNAC results underwent histological biopsy upfront surgical resection. Small lesion size (≤ 1 cm) and nonpalpability of the breast lesion were associated with decreased FNAC accuracy. In 113 patients who had a benign FNAC outcome without histological follow-up, no malignancies were detected during clinical or radiologic surveillance (median follow-up 84 months).
CONCLUSIONS
There is a role for FNAC in diagnosing breast lesions of BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers, ie, to confirm a radiological (probably) benign lesion. However, despite the high overall sensitivity of FNAC, the authors recommend histological biopsy as the preferred diagnostic method for high-risk patients who have small or nonpalpable lesions.
|
10.1002/cncy.21308
|
pubmed_442_5610
|
Candidiasis caused by primarily Candida albicans poses serious threat due to dry pipeline and ineffective antifungal strategy against resistance. In this study we propose to target genes involved in efflux mediated Multi drug resistance. The main objective of this study was to understand the regulatory interactions responsible for activating a major MFS transporter gene of Candida albicans. Another aim was to identify the docking effect of certain antifungal compounds upon the transcription factor effectively controlling FLU1. The in silico study carried out here aims at control of gene expression at initial levels. This approach helps to understand regulatory control of FLU1 based on which a predictive map was generated. This data focused on factors with major control that could be suitable target for antifungal agents. The docking results confirm the agreeable effect on the target transcription factor. Broadly this sort of study would account for understanding and targeting any significant gene which in turn would help in adjusting therapeutics accordingly. Further in silico ADMET analysis reported positive values that are indicative of a good antifungal compound with respect to pharmacokinetics. These tests are essential in assessment of good drug candidates because they not only help in refining better drug candidates but weeding out the unsuitable ones too.
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pubmed_442_5610
|
pubmed_278_3471
|
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a multifactorial condition often leading to heart failure in many clinical cases. Due to the high number of DCMincidence reported as familial, a gene level network based study was conducted utilizing high throughput next generation sequencing data. We exploited the exome and transcriptome sequencing data in NCBI-SRA database to construct a high confidence scale-free regulatory network consisting of lncRNA, miRNA, mRNA and Transcription Factors (TFs). Analysis of RNA-Seq data revealed 477 differentially expressed coding transcripts and 77 lncRNAs. 268 miRNAs regulated either lncRNAs or mRNAs. Out of the 477 coding transcripts that are deregulated, 82 were TFs. We identified three major hub nodeslncRNA (XIST), miRNA (hsa-miR-195-5p) and mRNA (NOVA1) from the network. We also found putative disease associations of DCM with diabetes and DCM with hypoventillation syndrome. Five highly connected modules were also identified from the network. The hubs showed significant connectivity with the modules.Through this study we were able to gain insights into the underlying lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA-TF network. From a high throughput dataset we have isolated a handful of probable targets that may be utilized for studying the mechanisms of DCM development and progression to heart failure.
|
10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2021.107500
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pubmed_487_11496
|
Pure tone intensity discrimination thresholds can be elevated by the introduction of remote maskers with roved level. This effect is on the order of 10 dB [10 log(DeltaII)] in some conditions and can be demonstrated under conditions of little or no energetic masking. The current study examined the effect of practice and observer strategy on this phenomenon. Experiment 1 included observers who had no formal experience with intensity discrimination and provided training over 6 h on a single masked intensity discrimination task to assess learning effects. Thresholds fell with practice for most observers, with significant improvements in six out of eight cases. Despite these improvements significant masking remained in all cases. The second experiment assessed trial-by-trial effects of roved masker level. Conditional probability of a "signal-present" response as a function of the rove value assigned to each of the two masker tones indicates fundamental differences among observers' processing strategies, even after 6 h of practice. The variability in error patterns across practiced listeners suggests that observers approach the task differently, though this variability does not appear to be related to sensitivity.
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10.1121/1.2816569
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pubmed_101_8818
|
OBJECTIVES
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite, could affect numerous warm-blooded animals, such as humans. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are essential Ca2+ signaling mediators and participate in parasite host cell egress, outer membrane motility, invasion, and cell division.
RESULTS
Several bioinformatics online servers were employed to analyze and predict the important properties of CDPK4 protein. The findings revealed that CDPK4 peptide has 1158 amino acid residues with average molecular weight (MW) of 126.331 KDa. The aliphatic index and GRAVY for this protein were estimated at 66.82 and - 0.650, respectively. The findings revealed that the CDPK4 protein comprised 30.14% and 34.97% alpha-helix, 59.84% and 53.54% random coils, and 10.02% and 11.49% extended strand with SOPMA and GOR4 tools, respectively. Ramachandran plot output showed 87.87%, 8.40%, and 3.73% of amino acid residues in the favored, allowed, and outlier regions, respectively. Also, several potential B and T-cell epitopes were predicted for CDPK4 protein through different bioinformatics tools. Also, antigenicity and allergenicity evaluation demonstrated that this protein has immunogenic and non-allergenic nature. This paper presents a basis for further studies, thereby provides a fundamental basis for the development of an effective vaccine against T. gondii infection.
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10.1186/s13104-021-05467-1
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pubmed_967_1678
|
Conventional, SPF, and germ-free Wistar rats of both sexes served as laboratory animals. The 2-month-old animals were alcoholized over a period of 1 year using 5%-20% ethanol. The femurs were then osteotomized and treated surgically. Every 2 weeks the course of healing was controlled radiologically. The findings on the process of healing are presented in this work.
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10.1007/BF00387336
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pubmed_620_979
|
The influence of halothane-oxygen mixtures on three different transcutaneous oxygen electrodes was investigated. The influence of hypotension caused by halothane and halothane-nitroprusside on transcutaneous oxygen tension measurement (tcPO2) in halothane-anaesthetized patients was examined as well. The electrodes differed with respect to polarization voltages (630 mV or 500 mV) and electrolyte composition (silver chloride or silver bromide). A change dependent on halothane concentration was demonstrated in the electrode readings, both with a polarization voltage of 630 mV and with silver bromide as electrolyte. Using an electrode with 500 mV in polarization voltage and silver chloride as electrolyte, no changes were observed in the readings. During induced hypotension, the tcPO2 values fell in proportion to the mean arterial blood pressure. In patients with a mean arterial blood pressure over 11kPa a tcPO2/PaO2 ratio of 0.6 was found. It is concluded that tcPO2 monitoring during halothane anaesthesia can be influenced in at least two ways, apart from changes in PaO2: (1) by oxygen electrode error due to the halothane; and (2) by changes in skin blood flow. In comparison to the changes in tcPO2 due to the haemodynamic effects of halothane anaesthesia, the changes due to halothane error are small.
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pubmed_620_979
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pubmed_1050_24119
|
BACKGROUND
The IFCT-1603 trial evaluated atezolizumab in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), prospectively collected at treatment initiation, was associated with the prognosis of SCLC, and whether it identified patients who benefited from atezolizumab.
METHODS
68 patients were included in this study: 46 patients were treated with atezolizumab and 22 with conventional chemotherapy. Circulating DNA was extracted from plasma and NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) looked for mutations in the TP53, RB1, NOTCH1, NOTCH2, and NOTCH3 genes. ctDNA was detectable when at least one somatic mutation was identified, and its relative abundance was quantified by the variant allele fraction (VAF) of the most represented mutation.
RESULTS
We found that 49/68 patients (70.6%) had detectable baseline ctDNA. The most frequently identified mutations were TP53 (32/49; 65.3%) and RB1 (25/49; 51.0%). Patients with detectable ctDNA had a significantly lower disease control rate at week 6 compared with patients with no detectable ctDNA, regardless of the nature of the treatment. Detection of ctDNA was associated with a poor OS prognosis. The detection of ctDNA at a relative abundance greater than the median value was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Interestingly, the benefit in overall survival (OS) associated with low ctDNA was more pronounced in patients treated with atezolizumab than in patients receiving chemotherapy. Among patients whose relative ctDNA abundance was below the median, those treated with atezolizumab tended to have higher OS than those in the chemotherapy arm.
CONCLUSION
ctDNA is strongly associated with the prognosis of SCLC patients treated with second-line immunotherapy. Its analysis seems justified for future SCLC clinical trials.
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10.3390/jcm9123861
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pubmed_131_7625
|
Intramuscular administration of cerulein caused an abrupt rise in plasma pancreatic polypeptide (PP) in normal subjects. Pretreatment by atropine tended to lower the basal plasma PP level and significantly blunted the cerulein-induced PP secretion. It appears, therefore, that PP secretion induced by cerulein is under vagal control. In addition, in normal subjects, a gallbladder series first revealed a well-filled gallbladder of normal size and shape, which then contracted most strongly after a cerulein injection at a time corresponding exactly with the peak plasma PP levels produced by the cerulein. Since exogenous PP is known to cause a relaxation of the gallbladder, it is possible that endogenous PP plays an important role in gallbladder motility.
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pubmed_131_7625
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pubmed_424_17461
|
The temporal bone appears to be affected by metastatic tumors in rather characteristic clinical presentations. More effective cancer treatments have interrupted the course of the disease, allowing more time for metastatic spread. This has increased the importance of prompt diagnosis in a group of diseases that may mimic external auditory canal or middle ear infections. In this paper, we review the distinctive patterns of involvement and presentation of metastatic tumors of the temporal bone, with emphasis on measures that should be taken to ensure early diagnosis.
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10.1080/00016480410018052
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pubmed_869_19425
|
INTRODUCTION
We report two cases of patients with prostate cancer who underwent haematological complications from the disease.
CLINICAL CASES
Diffuse intravascular coagulopathy (with thrombopenia) was observed in two patients (55 and 59 years-old) diagnosed with prostate cancer. In one patient who had normal prostate at clinical examination, thrombopenia with incomplete diffuse intravascular coagulopathy and biological inflammatory led to diagnosis. It was initially controlled by hormonal therapy and secondary by chemotherapy. In the other patient diffuse intravascular coagulopathy followed introduction of hormonal therapy and lead to the patient's death.
DISCUSSION
Patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma may have life-threatening coagulation complications due to their disease. Diffuse intravascular coagulopathy is the most frequent coagulation complication. Other coagulopathies associated with prostate cancer are thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura, thrombosis, Trousseau's syndrome and acquired factor VIII inhibitor development. Usually these haematological manifestations complicate the course of the disease and appear to have a bad prognosis. But thrombopenia or haematologic features may lead to the diagnosis of medullary metastatic prostatic cancer, even if the prostate appears normal at the initial clinical examination.
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10.1016/j.revmed.2006.12.007
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pubmed_333_8108
|
Noradrenergic nerves in dystrophic hamsters did not differ, in fluorescence morphology, from those in control hamsters. The responses to noradrenergic nerve stimulation and the sensitivity to noradrenaline of right atria and hepatic portal veins were similar in control and dystrophic animals. The contractility of left atria and their maximal responses to noradrenaline or noradrenergic nerve stimulation at 4 Hz were depressed relative to control. This reduction in inotropic responsiveness may be due to disturbances of excitation-contraction coupling.
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pubmed_333_8108
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pubmed_1057_10231
|
This paper provides a methodological protocol for measuring diameter and other properties of mineral sand grains using an image analysis technique. The aeolian sand influx (ASI) from coastal bogs has been used to reconstruct changes in the past storminess. However, concentrations of sand grains in peat deposits, from which the ASI is calculated, tend to be low, and sieving and laser diffractometry cannot be applied. Manual counting of sands under microscope is time-consuming and less efficient because of possible human errors. This paper describes a protocol for an image analysis method used in our recent paper (Vandel et al. 2019) that overcomes those issues in sand grain measurements. After preliminary sample preparations, including loss-on-ignition and chemical pretreatments, this study uses ImageJ - a semi-automated image processing program - to analyze images captured under microscope. With proper sample size selection, pre-treatment, image capturing and image analysis settings in ImageJ described in this paper, the approach proved to be:•objective and efficient for analysing grain-size distribution even with low concentrations of sands in samples,•increasing reliability of the measurement and providing reproducible results by avoiding manual measuring processes, and•non-destructive and enabling further analyses on mineral composition and other properties of sand grains.
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10.1016/j.mex.2020.100981
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pubmed_20_10815
|
Cephalopods have evolved complex sensory systems and an active lifestyle to compete with fish for similar resources in the marine environment. Their highly active lifestyle and their extensive protein metabolism has led to substantial acid-base regulatory abilities enabling these organisms to cope with CO2 induced acid-base disturbances. In convergence to teleost, cephalopods possess an ontogeny-dependent shift in ion-regulatory epithelia with epidermal ionocytes being the major site of embryonic acid-base regulation and ammonia excretion, while gill epithelia take these functions in adults. Although the basic morphology and excretory function of gill epithelia in cephalopods were outlined almost half a century ago, modern immunohistological and molecular techniques are bringing new insights to the mechanistic basis of acid-base regulation and excretion of nitrogenous waste products (e.g. NH3/NH4 (+)) across ion regulatory epithelia of cephalopods. Using cephalopods as an invertebrate model, recent findings reveal partly conserved mechanisms but also novel aspects of acid-base regulation and nitrogen excretion in these exclusively marine animals. Comparative studies using a range of marine invertebrates will create a novel and exciting research direction addressing the evolution of pH regulatory and excretory systems.
|
10.1080/21688370.2015.1064196
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pubmed_268_14978
|
This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of bacteria and Mycoplasmas in semen of infertile African men and to compare abnormal semen parameters with the presence of these organisms. Routine semen analysis were performed on 100 patients, and semen and first-voided urine samples were cultured. Mycoplasma hominis was cultured in 28% of seminal fluid and Ureaplasma urealyticum in 42%. These organisms were both present in 22% of cultures. Bacteriological cultures were positive in 6 urine and 21 seminal specimens. The frequency of tail abnormalities in the Mycoplasma positive group was greater as compared to normal values. From these it would appear that culture for Ureaplasma should probably be performed routinely at the Andrology Clinic.
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10.1111/j.1439-0272.1990.tb01950.x
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pubmed_308_5332
|
Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) is a well known and relevant immunogenic protein that is the basis for both anthrax vaccines and diagnostic methods. Properly folded antigenic PA is necessary for these applications. In this study a high level of PA was obtained in recombinant Escherichia coli. The protein was initially accumulated in inclusion bodies, which facilitated its efficient purification by simple washing steps; however, it could not be recognized by specific antibodies. Refolding conditions were subsequently analyzed in a high-throughput manner that enabled nearly a hundred different conditions to be tested simultaneously. The recovery of the ability of PA to be recognized by antibodies was screened by dot blot using a coefficient that provided a measure of properly refolded protein levels with a high degree of discrimination. The best refolding conditions resulted in a tenfold increase in the intensity of the dot blot compared to the control. The only refolding additive that consistently yielded good results was L-arginine. The statistical analysis identified both cooperative and negative interactions between the different refolding additives. The high-throughput approach described in this study that enabled overproduction, purification and refolding of PA in a simple and straightforward manner, can be potentially useful for the rapid screening of adequate refolding conditions for other overexpressed antigenic proteins.
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pubmed_308_5332
|
pubmed_69_22756
|
The mosquito fauna in many areas of western Uganda has never been studied and is currently unknown. One area, Bwamba County, has been previously studied and documented but the species lists have not been updated for >40 yr. This paucity of data makes it difficult to determine which arthropod-borne viruses pose a risk to human or animal populations. Using CO2 baited-light traps, from 2008 through 2010, 67,731 mosquitoes were captured at five locations in western Uganda including Mweya, Sempaya, Maramagambo, Bwindi (BINP), and Kibale (KNP). Overall, 88 mosquito species, 7 subspecies, and 7 species groups in 10 genera were collected. The largest number of species was collected at Sempaya (65 species), followed by Maramagambo (45), Mweya (34), BINP (33), and KNP (22). However, species diversity was highest in BINP (Simpson's Diversity Index 1-D = 0.85), followed by KNP (0.80), Maramagambo (0.79), Sempaya (0.67), and Mweya (0.56). Only six species Aedes (Aedimorphus) cumminsii (Theobald), Aedes (Neomelaniconion) circumluteolus (Theobald), Culex (Culex) antennatus (Becker), Culex (Culex) decens group, Culex (Lutzia) tigripes De Grandpre and De Charmoy, and Culex (Oculeomyia) annulioris (Theobald), were collected from all five sites suggesting large differences in species composition among sites. Four species (Aedes (Stegomyia) metallicus (Edwards), Anopheles (Cellia) rivulorum Leeson, Uranotaenia (Uranotaenia) chorleyi (Edwards), and Uranotaenia (Uranotaenia) pallidocephala (Theobald) and one subspecies (Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti formosus (Walker)) were collected in Bwamba County for the first time. This study represents the first description of the mosquito species composition of Mweya, Maramagambo, BINP, and KNP. A number of morphological variations were noted regarding the postspiracular scales, hind tibia, and sternites that make Culex (Culex) neavei (Theobald) challenging to identify. At least 50 species collected in this study have previously been implicated in the transmission of arboviruses of public health importance suggesting a high potential for maintenance and transmission of a wide variety of arboviruses in western Uganda.
|
10.1603/me12111
|
pubmed_980_14817
|
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the levels of kinesiophobia, physical activity, depression, disability, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
DESIGN
A cross-sectional study.
SETTING
A tertiary health care center.
SUBJECTS
Ninety-six patients with knee osteoarthritis.
METHODS
Pain intensity was evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale, kinesiophobia by the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Brief Fear of Movement Scale, depression by the Beck Depression Inventory, disability by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, physical activity level by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form, and quality of life by the Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire.
RESULTS
Of the patients, 85.7% had high-level kinesiophobia, 70.6% had depression, and 64.4% had low, 27.8% moderate, and 7.8% high physical activity levels. Age, activity-related pain score of the Visual Analog Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Brief Fear of Movement Scale scores, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and Beck Depression Inventory scores were higher in the group with high-level kinesiophobia, whereas the mental, physical, and total scores obtained from the Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire were higher in the group with low-level kinesiophobia (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
As the treatment of pain alone in patients with knee osteoarthritis is not sufficient to reduce fear of movement, we suggest that approaches to increase awareness of fear of movement and physical activity and cognitive behavioral therapy related to fear of movement should be included in the treatment program.
|
10.1093/pm/pnaa180
|
pubmed_433_19897
|
People are often looking for that quick fix when it comes to their health. With dietary supplements so readily available on the market, the public assume that they have been through rigorous testing. Dietary supplements are not tested as much as consumers believe. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not initiate the same type of testing and analysis for supplements as it does for food, drink and medication. Given that people are now choosing supplemental meal replacements and the like, as opposed to whole foods, regulations drastically need to be stepped up in an effort to emphasise public safety. An authoritative body needs to stop manufacturers from taking advantage of an already vulnerable marketplace. I suggest a new form of regulation that takes the pressure away from the FDA and into the hands of someone who wholly focuses on the supplement market. Dietary supplements have revolutionised the "health" world; however, the only way that the market can keep growing is through enacting more stringent rules and regulations--at the same time allowing consumers to maintain their autonomy and freedom when purchasing.
|
pubmed_433_19897
|
pubmed_123_14941
|
N-3554S, an optically active S-isomer of alpha-dihydrodecaprenyl phosphate, reduced the tumorigenicity of cultured B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells probably by affecting protein N-glycosylation. Accordingly, membrane glycoprotein samples were prepared from the melanoma cells cultured with or without N-3554S, and amounts and structures of N-linked sugar chains were determined. Analyses of the N-linked oligosaccharides released by hydrazinolysis from these samples and reduced with NaB3H4 revealed that the N-3554S-treated cells contain 1.5-1.8 times as much oligosaccharides as the control cells, and the relative amounts of high-mannose-type and bi-, tri- and tetra-antennary complex-type sugar chains are almost the same between two samples. Western blot analysis, however, showed that binding of L-PHA, which binds to oligosaccharides with the GlcNAc beta 1-->6(GlcNAc beta 1-->2)Man structure, is significantly reduced in 90 K, 96 K, 140 K, 155 K and 180 K glycoproteins in N-3554S-treated cells. Immunoblot analysis showed that the 140 K glycoprotein could be a fibronectin receptor. It was also shown that N-3554S treatment enhances the adhesiveness of the cells to fibronectin. These results indicate that N-3554S affects N-glycosylation of membrane glycoproteins and alters the cell surface properties of B16-F10 cells.
|
10.1016/0167-4889(95)00087-9
|
pubmed_303_1089
|
A study of the accuracy of the tpH electrode was performed in 10 cats. Hypoxia and acidosis were produced by ventilatory means and bicarbonate infusions were used to elevate the pH . Tissue pH correlated well with arterial (r = 0.9) within the physiological rates of change of pH. Prolonged tissue acidosis lead to eventual death. The correct and stable mechanical fixation of the pH electrode is a critical factor in assuring accurate results. The ROCHE tpH electrode accurately reflects arterial pH, and a correlation coefficient of at least 0.85 should be attainable in the human fetus.
|
10.1007/BF02116725
|
pubmed_640_936
|
Collagen preparations from bovine tissues were analysed for their carbohydrate content. Crude preparations of tropocollagen and polymeric collagen were found to be contaminated with considerable amounts of mannose, fucose and hexosamine, sugars known to be present in the mucoprotein of the interfibrillar material with which collagen is associated in vivo. A pure preparation of tropocollagen obtained by ethanol precipitation procedures contained only galactose and glucose in the approximate ratio of 7:3 residues/3000 amino acid residues. Purification of crude polymeric collagen by EDTA extraction or by crude bacterial amylase extraction considerably decreased the mucoprotein contamination, particularly in the enzymic treatment, which yielded a preparation containing predominantly galactose and glucose in the ratio of 4:2 residues/3000 amino acid residues. The results confirm previous work that demonstrated the purity of these collagen preparations as inferred by amino acid analysis. The results also indicate the suitability of the pure tropocollagen and the amylase-extracted polymeric collagen for studies on the role of the carbohydrate residues in intramolecular and intermolecular cross-linking in collagen.
|
10.1042/bj1080587
|
pubmed_849_2309
|
We report the case of a young patient with a transient transitory spinal accessory injury after foramen magnum decompression for Chiari malformation. The pathophysiology and the possible mechanisms of injury are highlighted and discussed. Some tips to avoid this potentially severe iatrogenic complication are provided.
|
10.3109/02688697.2015.1054346
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pubmed_156_20136
|
Earlier work by our group and others has pointed to a role for movement during sleep in sleep-panic attacks. Specifically, our group has reported that panic disorder patients, as a group, appear to move more during sleep than age-matched controls, whereas the subgroup of panic disorder who "panic" during sleep move less on the nights they experience sleep-panic attacks than they do on nights without sleep-panic attacks. We studied the movement of sleep-panic patients in a more detailed fashion with more than one sleep movement index. Fourteen patients with sleep-panic attacks were compared with 14 waking panic patients, 13 social phobic patients, and 14 normal controls. Subjects from the other groups were age matched to the sleep-panic group. Their comparison study night corresponded to the night number of the sleep-panic attack. Sleep-panic patients did move less on panic nights than did the normal controls on the corresponding sleep-panic night according to two separate sleep movement indices. Although not statistically significant, sleep-panic patients also moved less on their panic night than did either of the other anxious groups on corresponding nights. Rechtshaffen and Kales' Movement Time (MT) measure appears to overestimate actual min of movement during sleep in all subjects. The movement noted in sleep-panic patients may have some role in the pathophysiology of sleep-panic attacks. A possible mechanism is explained.
|
10.1002/da.10152
|
pubmed_510_4896
|
Patients undergoing 204 endoscopic laryngeal operations were studied prospectively to determine the incidence of complications. Twelve patients were considered to be at high risk of postoperative airway obstruction. Two of these patients had an elective tracheostomy. One required temporary reintubation in the recovery room. No case of respiratory obstruction occurred in a patient not considered to be in the high risk group. Mucosal haemorrhage or oedema was seen on postoperative indirect laryngoscopy in 31 per cent of patients. The commonest abnormality found was mucosal haemorrhage in the oropharynx.
|
10.1017/s0022215100115981
|
pubmed_564_269
|
The relationships between the particle size of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and various lipid parameters, including apolipoprotein (apo) E concentration and apo E phenotype, were analyzed in plasma samples obtained from 196 apparently healthy 35-year-old males. The LDL particle size was determined by gradient gel electrophoresis. Using stepwise multiple regression analysis it was found that LDL particle size correlated negatively to the plasma concentrations of triglyceride (r = -0.497, P < 0.001), apo E (r = -0.415, P < 0.001), apo B (r = 0.395, P < 0.001) and cholesterol (r = -0.235, P < 0.001) and correlated positively to the plasma concentrations of apo A-I (r = 0.297, P < 0.001) and apo A-II (r = 0.145, P < 0.05). However, the LDL particle size did not differ significantly among the different apo E phenotypes. Indeed, when entered as a variable in the multiple regression analysis, the apo E phenotype was not correlated to the LDL particle size. It is concluded that the LDL particle size is related to the plasma concentrations of triglyceride, apo E, apo B, apo A-I, apo A-II and cholesterol and is not affected by the apo E phenotype in healthy 35-year-old males.
|
10.1016/0021-9150(93)90156-o
|
pubmed_946_8113
|
Successful reproduction requires a complex series of interdependent physiological, cellular and molecular events. In the female many of these interdependent events are vulnerable to interruption by xenobiotic compounds. The physiological steps in the female reproductive cycle are reviewed. Selected xenobiotics which interrupt this cycle are presented and their mechanisms and site of adverse effects are discussed. Finally, a more detailed discussion of chemically induced ovarian failure in the human and an experimental animal model system is presented.
|
10.1289/ehp.834843
|
pubmed_40_3377
|
Oil and natural gas are highly valuable natural resources, but many countries with large untapped reserves suffer from poor economic and social-welfare performance. This conundrum is known as the resource curse. The resource curse is a result of poor governance and wealth distribution structures that allow the elite to monopolize resources for self-gain. When rival social groups compete for natural resources, civil unrest soon follows. While conceptually easy to follow, there have been few formal attempts to study this phenomenon. Thus, we develop a mathematical model that captures the basic elements and dynamics of this dilemma. We show that when resources are monopolized by the elite, increased exportation leads to decreased domestic production. This is due to under-provision of the resource-embedded energy and industrial infrastructure. Decreased domestic production then lowers the marginal return on productive activities, and insurgency emerges. The resultant conflict further displaces human, built, and natural capital. It forces the economy into a vicious downward spiral. Our numerical results highlight the importance of governance reform and productivity growth in reducing oil-and-gas-related conflicts, and thus identify potential points of intervention to break the downward spiral.
|
10.1371/journal.pone.0066706
|
pubmed_829_5376
|
OBJECTIVES
We examined the mechanisms by which living in a disadvantaged minority community influences smoking and illegal cigarette sale and purchasing behaviors after a large cigarette tax increase.
METHODS
Data were collected from 14 focus groups (n=104) that were conducted during the spring of 2003 among Blacks aged 18 years and older living in New York City.
RESULTS
A large tax increase led to what focus group participants described as a pervasive illegal cigarette market in a low-income minority community. Perceived pro-smoking community norms, a stressful social and economic environment, and the availability of illegal cigarettes worked together to reinforce smoking and undermine cessation.
CONCLUSIONS
Although interest in quitting was high, bootleggers created an environment in which reduced-price cigarettes were easier to access than cessation services. This activity continues to undermine the public health goals of the tax increase.
|
10.2105/AJPH.2005.079921
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pubmed_630_17917
|
For real-time and high-resolution 3-D ultrasound imaging, the design of sparse distribution and weights of elements of a large-scale wideband 2-D array is needed to reduce hardware cost and achieve better directivity. However, due to the high time consumption of computing the wideband beam pattern, the design methods that need massive iterations have rarely been applied to design large-scale wideband 2-D arrays by directly computing the wideband beam pattern. In this paper, a fast method is proposed to realize the computation of a wideband beam pattern of arbitrary 2-D arrays in the far field in order to design large-scale wideband 2-D arrays. The proposed fast method exploits two important techniques: 1) nonuniform fast Fourier transform (FFT) and 2) short inverse FFT. Compared with the commonly used ultrasound simulator Field II, two orders of magnitude improvement in computation speed is achieved with comparable accuracy. The proposed fast method enables massive iterations of direct wideband beam pattern computation of arbitrary large-scale 2-D arrays. A design example in this paper demonstrates that the proposed fast method can help achieve better performance in designing large-scale wideband 2-D arrays.
|
10.1109/TUFFC.2016.2546384
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pubmed_402_5744
|
Expression of cytokines in malignant cells represents a novel approach for therapeutic treatment of tumors. Previously, we demonstrated the immunostimulatory effectiveness of interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha) gene transfer in experimental fibrosarcoma tumors. Here, we report the antitumor and immunotherapeutic effects of short-term expression of IL-1alpha by malignant T lymphoma cells. Activation in culture of T lymphoma cells with lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages induces the expression of IL-1alpha. The short-term expression of IL-1alpha persists in the malignant T cells for a few days (approximately 3-6 days) after termination of the in vitro activation procedure and, thus, has the potential to stimulate antitumor immune responses in vivo. As an experimental tumor model, we used the RO1 invasive T lymphoma cell line. Upon i.v. inoculation, these cells invade the vertebral column and compress the spinal cord, resulting in hind leg paralysis and death of the mice. Activated RO1 cells, induced to express IL-1alpha in a short-term manner, manifested reduced tumorigenicity: approximately 75% of the mice injected with activated RO1 cells remained tumor free. IL-1 was shown to be essential for the eradication of activated T lymphoma cells because injection of activated RO1 cells together with IL-1-specific inhibitors, i.e., the IL-1 receptor antagonist or the M 20 IL-1 inhibitor, reversed reduced tumorigenicity patterns and led to progressive tumor growth and death of the mice. Furthermore, activated RO1 cells could serve as a treatment by intervening in the growth of violent RO1 cells after tumor take. Thus, when activated RO1 cells were injected 6 or 9 days after the inoculation of violent cells, mortality was significantly reduced. IL-1alpha, in its unique membrane-associated form, in addition to its cytosolic and secreted forms, may represent a focused adjuvant for potentiating antitumor immune responses at low levels of expression, below those that are toxic to the host. Further assessment of the immunotherapeutic potential of short-term expression of IL-1alpha in activated tumor cells may allow its improved application in the treatment of malignancies.
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pubmed_402_5744
|
pubmed_847_21684
|
The COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on pre and post-natal care, and, more generally, on the female population. Health services have been characterized by significant changes that have involved a review and reorganization of care pathways and clinical practices. The midwife continued to play a key role for the health of women and children, for the continuity of care and for a health-oriented approach throughout their life. The experience of the Pre and Post Natal Care of the Autonomous Province of Trento ensured the continuity of care during the pandemic thanks to the activation of a well-established Hospital-Territory network. The dedicated Case Manager Midwife allowed continuity and appropriateness of care during all phases of the birth pathway. The possibility of having the first interview electronically led to a continuous annual increase in the first interviews. In addition, for all women in the third trimester of pregnancy, the antenatal classes are organized remotely, using simple IT supports, in videoconferencing mode, maintaining homogeneous contents and objectives throughout the territory. The involvement of fathers from the early stages of pregnancy has shown the value of co-parenting even during the pandemic. This organizational model rooted in the territory and in the network of connection between the Territory and the Hospital proved to be a resource to withstand the impact of the emergency and guaranteed appropriate and timely assistance to women, fathers and the family.
|
10.7429/pi.2021.744235
|
pubmed_742_1600
|
A gene encoding the α'-subunit of β-conglycinin was ligated to the 19S and 35S promoters of Cauliflower Mosaic Virus and introduced into petunia plants on a disarmed Ti-plasmid using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Transformed cells were regenerated into whole plants and ummunoreactive polypeptides and hybridizable, polyadenylated mRNA were detected in transformed tissues. Expression from the 35S promoter was 10 to 50 times greater than expression from the 19S promoter. The level of immunodetectable polypeptides was greater in seeds than in leaves or callus tissue. In addition, the pattern of α'-polypeptide breakdown products was distinctive in seeds and leaves. We conclude that in seeds the higher levels of the α'-polypeptide reflect enhanced stability of this protein.
|
10.1007/BF00014906
|
pubmed_203_6126
|
The collection of scattering data at high pressure and temperature is now relatively straightforward thanks to developments at high-brightness synchrotron radiation facilities. Reliable data from powders, that are suitable for structure determination and Rietveld refinement, are routinely collected up to about 30 GPa in either a large-volume high-pressure apparatus or diamond anvil cell. In those cases where the total elastic scattering is of interest, as it is in the case of nano-crystalline and glassy materials, technical developments, including the use of focused high-energy X-rays (>80 keV), are advantageous. Recently completed experiments on nano-crystalline materials at the 1-ID beamline at the Advanced Photon Source suggest that quantitative data, suitable for pair distribution function analysis, can be obtained.
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10.1107/S0909049505022612
|
pubmed_163_19000
|
A novel, simple and rapid colorimetric aptasensor for multiple mycotoxins (ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)) detection was developed using unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). In the work, the high affinities of OTA and AFB1 aptamers were employed as the recognition elements for the colorimetric determination of OTA and AFB1. In the absence of mycotoxins, the sulfhydryl-modified aptamers were directly adsorbed to the AuNP surface through Au-S bonds, further prohibiting the aggregation induced by a high concentration of salt, and the solutions remain red. In the presence of mycotoxins, the corresponding aptamer-target complexes were formed and the corresponding aptamers were detached from the surface of AuNPs, leading to the aggregation of AuNPs under the optimal salt solution and a color change. By spectroscopic quantitative analysis and visual analysis, the LODs of OTA and AFB1 were down to 0.005 ng mL-1 and 0.07 ng mL-1, respectively. Furthermore, the colorimetric aptasensor showed a high specificity in the presence of other interfering mycotoxins and metal ions. Finally, the developed aptasensor was applicable to detect OTA and AFB1 in rice samples with satisfactory performance. Our strategy has great potential for the rapid and sensitive detection of OTA and AFB1 for on-site analysis.
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10.1039/d1ay01809d
|
pubmed_703_20585
|
Alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) has several attractive features as a pretreatment in the lignocellulosic biomass-to-ethanol pipeline. Here, the feasibility of scaling-up the AHP process and integrating it with enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation was studied. Corn stover (1 kg) was subjected to AHP pretreatment, hydrolyzed enzymatically, and the resulting sugars fermented to ethanol. The AHP pretreatment was performed at 0.125 g H(2) O(2) /g biomass, 22°C, and atmospheric pressure for 48 h with periodic pH readjustment. The enzymatic hydrolysis was performed in the same reactor following pH neutralization of the biomass slurry and without washing. After 48 h, glucose and xylose yields were 75% and 71% of the theoretical maximum. Sterility was maintained during pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis without the use of antibiotics. During fermentation using a glucose- and xylose-utilizing strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, all of the Glc and 67% of the Xyl were consumed in 120 h. The final ethanol titer was 13.7 g/L. Treatment of the enzymatic hydrolysate with activated carbon prior to fermentation had little effect on Glc fermentation but markedly improved utilization of Xyl, presumably due to the removal of soluble aromatic inhibitors. The results indicate that AHP is readily scalable and can be integrated with enzyme hydrolysis and fermentation. Compared to other leading pretreatments for lignocellulosic biomass, AHP has potential advantages with regard to capital costs, process simplicity, feedstock handling, and compatibility with enzymatic deconstruction and fermentation. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:922-931. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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10.1002/bit.24385
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pubmed_691_6426
|
Two adolescent brothers exhibiting nocturnal enuresis since birth participated in this multiple case study examining the successful application of a modified alarm and pad procedure with a deaf youth and the generalization of effects to an initially untreated, non-hearing impaired sibling. A description of the treatment program and the explicit statement of an avoidance contingency prior to intervention resulted in a rapid and marked increase in percentage of dry nights in both cases, with further increases observed following implementation of an alarm and pad plus accident correction procedure in conjunction with self-monitoring. Treatment gains were maintained at a 10-month follow-up.
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10.1016/0005-7916(84)90036-3
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pubmed_362_14164
|
Here we present ICARUS, a web server to enable users without experience in R to undertake single cell RNA-seq analysis. The focal point of ICARUS is its intuitive tutorial-style user interface, designed to guide logical navigation through the multitude of pre-processing, analysis and visualization steps. ICARUS is easily accessible through a dedicated web server (https://launch.icarus-scrnaseq.cloud.edu.au/) and avoids installation of software on the user's computer. Notable features include the facility to apply quality control thresholds and adjust dimensionality reduction and cell clustering parameters. Data is visualized through 2D/3D UMAP and t-SNE plots and may be curated to remove potential confounders such as cell cycle heterogeneity. ICARUS offers flexible differential expression analysis with user-defined cell groups and gene set enrichment analysis to identify likely affected biological pathways. Eleven organisms including human, dog, mouse, rat, zebrafish, fruit fly, nematode, yeast, cattle, chicken and pig are currently supported. Visualization of multimodal data including those generated by CITE-seq and the 10X Genomics Multiome kit is included. ICARUS incorporates a function to save the current state of analysis avoiding computationally intensive steps during repeat analysis. The complete analysis of a typical single cell RNA-seq dataset by inexperienced users may be achieved in 1-2 h.
|
10.1093/nar/gkac322
|
pubmed_556_8336
|
The discrete elements method (DEM) has been widely used in the past decade to study a wide variety of granular systems. The use of numerical simulations constitutes an interesting alternative to the experiment as they can shed new light on a phenomenon as they can overcome experimental obstacles. A lot of granular phenomena can be studied in 2D or with a limited number of grains but the peculiar phenomenon of axial segregation (or banding) is 3-dimensional by nature and requires a large number of grains. Only very recently has it been made possible to simulate 3D systems on a large scale. This highlight reviews recent work on this topic and attempts to show what knowledge is gained from DEM numerical simulations. The perspectives on the future benefit of this method as well as the challenges it faces are discussed.
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10.1039/b717129c
|
pubmed_977_8601
|
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are regulated contaminants usually investigated in sediments. Conventional approaches often use GC-MS to analyse them with a preliminary extraction step which can be solvent- and time-consuming. Here two extraction methodologies were optimized using experimental designs, and compared: microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and thermal desorption (TD); the latter was rarely used for sediments analyses. Several factors that may influence extraction recoveries were studied including matrix parameters (mass, organic matter (OM) content) and processing parameters. A definitive screening design DSD was performed to screen the 6 most influencing factors and model the extraction recoveries using TD. Whatever the OM content, a minimum sediment mass (5 mg) was better for an optimal extraction, with a minimum temperature rate (15 °C min-1), a maximum final temperature (350 °C) associated with a minimum hold time (5 min), and a maximum vent flow (150 mL min-1) between the TD unit and the cryogenic trap. Thereafter matrix effects were evaluated using standard addition, and quality assurance and control were implemented for comparing MAE and TD. TD-GC-MS/MS sensitivity was higher than MAE-GC-MS with detection limits in the range 5-1160 pg and 20-125 pg for PAHs and PCBs, respectively. When considering the appropriate strategy for quantification, TD was also reliable for sediments analysis. Although MAE was less sensitive to matrix effects, TD could significantly improve the analytical process, due to direct coupling with GC-MS/MS and complete automation. Moreover, TD offered possible higher spatial resolution than MAE, particularly for sediment cores analysis, due to the 1000-times lower sample size. At last, TD-GC-MS/MS appeared as a greener analytical procedure.
|
10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123735
|
pubmed_965_1551
|
Kugel hernia repair is classically carried out through the posterior approach; in this study we investigated the effectiveness and invasiveness of a Modified Kugel (Bard-Davol Inc., RI, USA) hernia repair procedure carried out through an anterior approach. A prospective series covering a 2-year period, including 122 patients (142 hernias) were carried out using the anterior approach. Patient comfort, complications and recurrence were evaluated. A total of 142 inguinal hernias were repaired, median age was 67 years, the mean operation time was 51 +/- 23 min and the average incision was 4.5 cm. There was one case recurrence 5 months after repair. Other complications were few and not severe, only slight groin discomfort was observed in two patients during follow up. This Modified Kugel hernia through anterior approach is effective, mini-invasive and easy to learn with fewer complications.
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10.1111/j.1445-2197.2008.04688.x
|
pubmed_787_1146
|
Detecting objects hidden beneath forest canopies is a difficult task for optical remote sensing systems. Rather than relying upon the existence of gaps between leaves, as other researchers have done, our ultimate goal is to use light scattered by leaves to image through dense foliage. Herein we describe the development of a Monte Carlo model for simulating the scattering of light as it propagates through the leaves of an extended tree canopy. We measured several parameters, including the gap fraction and maximum leaf-area density, of a nearby sugar maple tree grove and applied them to our model. We report the results of our simulation in both the ground and the receiver planes for an assumed illumination angle of 80 degrees. To validate our model, we then illuminated the sugar maple tree grove at 80 degrees and collected data both on the canopy floor and at our monostatic receiver aperture. Experimental results were found to correlate well with our simulated expectations.
|
10.1364/AO.48.006159
|
pubmed_591_9219
|
BACKGROUND
Immunoglobulin against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) is a potential demyelinating disease-associated autoantibody. Whether clinical features of MOG antibody-associated demyelinating diseases change with age remains unclear.
OBJECT
To investigate the different clinical features between pediatric-onset and adult-onset MOG-IgG-seropositive patients in a relatively large cohort.
METHODS
A total of 816 consecutive patients with suspected demyelinating disease were prospectively enrolled from three tertiary academic centers in South China from February 2016 to December 2016. Sixteen pediatric-onset cases (≤14 years old) and 34 adult-onset cases (>14 years old) seropositive for MOG-IgG were identified. Differences in clinical features between the two groups were investigated.
RESULTS
There was a significant difference in the cumulative incidence of first relapse among the two groups (P = .008). Cerebral symptoms were significantly higher in pediatric-onset patients than in adult-onset patients, either at disease onset (pediatric-onset group, 10/16(62.5%); adult-onset group, 8/34(23.53%); P = .007) or throughout the course of disease (pediatric-onset group, 11/16(68.8%); adult-onset group, 10/34(29.4%); P = .009). Optic nerve symptoms were more common in adult-onset groups, but no significant difference was found between the two groups. A significantly higher rate of pediatric-onset patients (9/16, 56.3%) met the acute disseminated encephalomyelitis criteria compared with adult-onset patients (2/34, 5.9%) (P = .0003), and isolated optic neuritis was mainly diagnosed in adult-onset patients (pediatric-onset group, 2/16(12.5%); adult-onset group, 14/34(41.2%); P = .043). The MOG-IgG titer showed a significant positive correlation with total protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid, but only in adult-onset patients (r = 0.95; P = .0004). On magnetic resonance imaging, extensive white matter lesions were observed in both groups, and the number was much higher in pediatric-onset (7/15, 46.7%) than in adult-onset patients (4/29, 13.8%) (P = .043). At the last follow-up, more pediatric-onset patients (10/16, 62.5%) experienced complete recovery (EDSS 0.0 at last follow up) compared with adult-onset patients (9/34, 26.5%) (P = .014).
CONCLUSIONS
Distinctive features are present between pediatric-onset and adult-onset patients with MOG-IgG. Further studies are required to determine the different underlying pathogenesis of MOG antibody at different ages.
|
10.1016/j.jneuroim.2018.05.014
|
pubmed_444_2269
|
OBJECTIVES
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of cancers arising from neuroendocrine cells. The aim was to evaluate objective response rate (ORR) as a predictor of overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic NETs (mNETs) treated with radioembolization (RE).
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials and observational studies of RE treatment of mNETs were identified by systematic literature review (SLR). Pooled ORR and OS estimates were calculated and a weighted generalized linear model (GLM) of ORR as a predictor of OS was derived, stratified by ORR assessment criteria and RE type (Yttrium-90 resin or glass microspheres).
RESULTS
The SLR identified 32 observational studies. Mean ORR was 41% (95% confidence interval 38-45%). The Yttrium-90 resin and glass microsphere GLMs accounted for 59% and 57% of OS deviance, respectively. ORR was a significant predictor of OS in the resin microspheres model (p < 0.001), but not the glass microspheres model (p = 0.11).
CONCLUSIONS
A weighted GLM showed a significant relationship between ORR and OS in patients with mNETs treated with Yttrium-90 resin microspheres. ORR could therefore potentially be an OS surrogate in future trials of Yttrium-90 resin microspheres. Further research is needed to confirm the relationship between ORR and OS and the difference between resin and glass microspheres.
|
10.1080/14737140.2020.1814748
|
pubmed_224_10088
|
Peroperative and postoperative blood loss was studied in 20 patients. Both peroperative and postoperative blood loss was found to correlate together (p less than 0.05) and with the weight of resected tissue (p less than 0.05). The characteristics of the postoperative blood loss demonstrated a strong negative correlation with time, and calculation of the t50 showed that a 50% reduction in postoperative blood loss occurred within 16 h.
|
10.1007/BF00272706
|
pubmed_46_2604
|
The role of central N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the pathogenesis of central pain was examined in nine patients with central dysesthesia pain after spinal cord injury. The central pain syndrome included spontaneous continuous and intermittent pain as well as evoked pain. Pain was evoked by non-noxious stimulation of the skin (allodynia) and by repeated pricking of the skin (wind-up-like pain). The severity of continuous and evoked pain was examined before and after the intravenous infusion of either the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine (6 micrograms/kg/min after a bolus dose of 60 micrograms/kg), the mu-opioid receptor agonist alfentanil (0.6 microgram/kg/min after after a bolus dose of 7 micrograms/kg), or placebo (0.9% NaCl). A randomized, double-blind, crossover study design was used. It was found that both continuous and evoked pain were markedly reduced by the blockade of NMDA receptors by ketamine as well as by the activation of mu-opioid receptors by alfentanil. Neither ketamine nor alfentanil significantly changed thresholds for the sensation of heat pain. The reduction of pain was not associated with severe side effects; the most severe side effect of ketamine was bothersome dizziness in one patient, and only modest side effects were caused by alfentanil. The present data provide clinical evidence that the development of central dysesthesia pain after traumatic spinal cord injury is dependent on the activation of central NMDA receptors. The results further indicate that mu-opioid receptors are involved in the control of this type of pain.
|
10.1227/00006123-199512000-00007
|
pubmed_111_11270
|
A retrograde study was performed in 105 patients operated upon between 1950 and 1972 for a cerebellar astrocytoma. Complete histories were available for 89 patients. Forty-five patients died within the first 3 months after operation. Of the 32 patients who were still alive, 14 patients had been operated upon 20-30 years previously and 18 patients 10-19 years previously. Twelve patients died over 3 months after the operation; in 6 cases, recurrence of tumour was the cause of death. Of the 7 patients who were irradiated post-operatively, 5 died. In 26 patients the tumor had infiltrated the brain-stem and only 7 patients survived the operation. However, 2 patients are still alive after 25 and 10 years, respectively. The findings indicate that patients operated upon for a localized cerebellar astrocytoms can be considered cured and irradiation and chemotherapy are not warranted. When the tumour has infiltrated the brain-stem, a survival period of more than 20 years is possible after partial resection.
|
10.1007/BF00313887
|
pubmed_81_24101
|
We describe a novel biphasic regulation of Il2 transcription in naive CD4(+) T cells. Few ( approximately 5%) CD4(+) T cells transcribe Il2 within 6 h of anti-TCR-beta plus anti-CD28 stimulation (early phase). Most naive CD4(+) T cells do not initiate Il2 transcription until after an additional approximately 12 h of T cell stimulation (late phase). In comparison, essentially all previously activated (Pre-Ac) CD4(+) T cells that transcribe Il2 do so with an early-phase response. Late-phase Il2 expression mostly requires c-Rel, CD28, and TNFR signaling. In contrast, early-phase transcription is only partly c-Rel and CD28 dependent and TNFR independent. There was also increased stable DNA accessibility at the Il2 locus and elevated c-Rel expression in resting Pre-Ac CD4(+) cells. Upon T cell activation, a faster and greater increase in DNA accessibility as well as c-Rel nuclear expression were observed in Pre-Ac CD4(+) cells relative to naive CD4(+) T cells. In addition, both acetylated histone H3 and total H3 decreased at the Il2 locus upon rechallenge of Pre-Ac CD4(+) T cells, whereas increased acetylated histone H3 with no change in total H3 was observed following activation of naive CD4(+) T cells. We propose a model in which nucleosome disassembly facilitates rapid initiation of Il2 transcription in CD4(+) T cells, and suggest that a threshold level of c-Rel must be reached for Il2 promoter activity in both naive and Pre-Ac CD4(+) T cells. This is provided, at least partially, by TNFR signaling during priming, but not during recall.
|
10.4049/jimmunol.181.2.1272
|
pubmed_1103_8265
|
CONTEXT
Exercise testing of patients with ST-T abnormalities on the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) is problematic because in the presence of pre-existing ST-T abnormalities, the exercise test is less specific for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The prognostic capability of the Duke treadmill score in patients with ST-T abnormalities vs those with normal findings on resting ECG has, to our knowledge, not been evaluated.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prognostic accuracy of the Duke treadmill score in patients with nonspecific ST-T abnormalities vs those with normal results on resting ECG.
DESIGN
Inception cohort study with 7 years of follow-up.
SETTING
Nuclear cardiology laboratory of a US referral center.
PATIENTS
All symptomatic patients who underwent exercise thallium testing between 1989 and 1991,939 of whom had nonspecific ST-T abnormalities and 1466 of whom had normal findings on resting ECG. Exclusion criteria included congenital, valvular, or cardiomyopathic heart disease; prior coronary artery revascularization; resting ECG with secondary ST-T abnormalities; or missing data.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Rates of overall mortality and cardiac death for subjects classified by Duke treadmill score risk group.
RESULTS
For the end point cardiac death, 7-year survival in the study population in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups was 97%, 92%, and 76%, respectively (P<.001). Compared with the control group, the study group had lower 7-year survival (94% vs 98%; P<.001), fewer low-risk patients (426 [45%] vs 811 [55%]; P<.001) with worse 7-year survival (97% vs 99%; P= .008), and more high-risk patients (49 [5%] vs 34 [2%];P<.001) with a nonsignificant trend toward worse 7-year survival (76% vs 93%; P= .36).
CONCLUSIONS
The Duke treadmill score can effectively risk-stratify patients with ST-T abnormalities on the resting ECG. In classified risk categories, patients with ST-T abnormalities have a worse prognosis than those with normal results on resting ECG.
|
10.1001/jama.282.11.1047
|
pubmed_355_432
|
2-(3-Amino-3-carboxypropyl)-isoxazolin-5-one (ACI), a neurotoxic amino acid from Lathyrus odoratus, was confirmed to be derived enzymatically from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) and isoxazolin-5-one. Some properties of an enzyme in the biosynthesis of ACI are described.
|
10.1248/bpb.16.732
|
pubmed_152_17946
|
Administration of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been found to be of therapeutic benefit in various mouse disease models and has potential clinical usefulness. However, the ability to track the distribution of exogenously administered, recombinant forms of these proteins has been restricted by cross-reactivity with endogenous TGF-beta and related TGF-beta isoforms. We describe novel FLAG- and hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged versions of mature TGF-beta1 that retain full biological activity as demonstrated by their ability to inhibit the growth of Mv1Lu epithelial cells, and to induce phosphorylation of the TGF-beta signaling intermediate, smad 2. Intracellular FLAG- and HA-TGF-beta1 can be detected in transfected cells by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. We also describe sandwich ELISAs designed to specifically detect epitope-tagged TGF-beta and demonstrate the utility of these tagged ligands as probes for TGF-beta receptor expression by flow cytometry. The design of these fully functional epitope-tagged TGF-beta proteins should facilitate studies such as the evaluation of in vivo peptide pharmacodynamics and trafficking of TGF-beta ligand-receptor complexes.
|
10.1016/s0022-1759(02)00090-x
|
pubmed_752_10408
|
Respiratory complications are common causes of morbidity and the need of repeated X-ray examinations after cardiac surgery. Ultrasound of the chest, including the lung parenchyma, has been recently introduced as a new tool to detect many pulmonary abnormalities. Despite this, the use of lung ultrasound (LUS) in adult and congenital cardiac surgery remains limited. In particular, lung ultrasound has been mainly used in the evaluation of pleural effusion (PLE), but no consensus exists on methods to quantify the volume of the effusion. Usefulness of LUS for the assessment of diaphragmatic motion in children has also been highlighted, but no clear recommendation exists regarding its routine use. Accuracy of LUS in detecting pulmonary congestion after adult cardiac surgery has been demonstrated, whereas studies in children are still scarce, and data on pneumothorax and lung consolidations are limited in the paediatric population. There are methodological and practicality issues regarding diagnostic protocols (i.e. image views and their sequential order) and instrumentation (transducers and their setting) used in different studies. It also remains unclear which practitioner-the cardiologist, intensivist, pulmonologist or the radiologist, should perform the examination. Cost analysis pertaining to extensive clinical application of lung ultrasound in cardiac surgery has never been performed. Guidelines and recommendations are warranted for a systematic and extensive use of this technique in cardiac surgery at different ages, as it could serve as a useful, versatile tool that could potentially decrease time, radiation exposure and costs.
|
10.1093/icvts/ivv315
|
pubmed_791_25289
|
Cytogenetic abnormalities are a recognized factor in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM). While chromosomal translocations involving the IGH gene have been investigated and reported, the implications of deletions or amplifications in the IGH gene have been less frequently examined. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 260 patients with MM from Northern Israel. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of separated CD-138 positive cells was done on bone marrow samples collected between 2016 and 2018. We used IGH break apart probes to identify IGH abnormalities and performed statistical analysis of clinical and prognostic features, comparing the different cytogenetic groups. Deletions in the variable region of the IGH (IGHv) were found in 17.3 % (n = 45) of patients and correlated with significantly worse progression free survival (PFS) after two years of follow up (p = 0.008), as well as with a worse response to 1st line treatment (p = 0.037). The median PFS was 7.1 and 17.7 months in patients with and without IGHv deletion, respectively. PFS differences remained significant (p = 0.017) in subgroup analysis of patients with high-risk cytogenetics (n = 108, 19 with IGHv deletion). Overall survival was not significantly different in the two groups. Constant region (IGHc) amplifications, were less frequently found (6.15 %, n = 16), yet significantly correlated with worse PFS after two years of follow up (p = 0.023). This difference remained valid in the high-risk subgroup (p = 0.001). In Conclusion, we identified that deletion of the IGH variable region and amplification in the IGH constant region, are both associated with poor prognosis and inferior outcome in MM.
|
10.1016/j.leukres.2020.106476
|
pubmed_332_8502
|
Bisphenol A is predominantly used as an intermediate in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Traces of bisphenol A released into the environment can reach into the wastewater and soil via application of sewage sludge from wastewater treatment systems that receive water containing bisphenol A, or from leachate from uncontrolled landfills. In this study we have made an effort to review the work on the presence of bisphenol A and other related endocrine disrupting compounds in the environment and their impact on the life of living organisms including human beings. Bisphenol A has several implications on the health of human beings as well it can also affect the growth of plants and animals. Number of physicochemical methods such as adsorption, membrane based filtration, ozonation, fenton, electrochemical and photochemical degradation has been used for the removal of bisphenol A. However, these methods have some inherent limitations and therefore cannot be used for large scale treatment of such pollutants. The alternative procedures have attracted the attention of environmental scientists. Biological methods are looking quite promising and these procedures are helpful in the complete degradation of bisphenol A and related compounds. Several bacterial, fungal, and algal strains and mixed cultures have successfully been employed for the degradation of bisphenol A. Recently, enzymatic methods have attracted the attention of the environmentalists for the treatment of bisphenol A and other endocrine disrupting compounds. Numerous types of oxidoreductases; laccases, tyrosinases, manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, polyphenol oxidases, horseradish peroxidase and bitter gourd peroxidase have exhibited their potential for the remediation of such types of compounds. The cytochrome P 450 monooxygenases and hemoglobin have also participated in the degradation of bisphenol A and other related endocrine disrupting compounds. Various redox mediators, surfactants and additives have also enhanced enzymatic oxidation of bisphenol A and other related endocrine disrupting compounds.
|
10.3109/07388551.2012.694409
|
pubmed_784_2670
|
High dimensional fitness landscapes are robustly dominated by saddle points, not isolated peaks. We present an argument to this effect that is reminiscent of May's complexity stability analysis and trace out the significance for the dynamics of speciation, the connection between the neutral and punctuated aspects of evolution and evolution on moving landscapes. The paper is written in honor of M.V. Volkenstein (October 23rd, 1912-February 18th, 1992), who devoted his last papers to uniting dynamics with evolutionary thinking.
|
10.1016/0303-2647(92)90067-9
|
pubmed_63_10896
|
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are rare tumor cells that have the potential to proliferate, self-renew and induce tumorigenesis. Over the past few years, CSCs have been isolated from several different tumors and when implanted into immune-deficient mice, generate tumors that are identical to the parental tumors. In this review, we summarize the current literature on CSCs, which suggests that since these cells have the ability to drive tumor formation, specifically targeting them may lead to more effective therapies against tumors.
|
10.3892/ijo_00000278
|
pubmed_122_6524
|
INTRODUCTION
Historically, contra-indications for immediate salvage of an infected penile prosthesis have included purulence on the device, purulent infections in diabetic patients, and severe diabetes. These clinical principles are from the 1990s to early 2000s and based on limited retrospective series or expert opinion. Since the publication of these contra-indications there have been improvements in device design, surgical technique, corporal washout protocols, and perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis that allow us to re-evaluate whether we can broaden the criteria for immediate salvage of an infected penile prosthesis.
AIM
To report whether patients with severe diabetes can safely have a purulent inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) immediately salvaged.
METHODS
We considered a "severe diabetic" as a patient whose disease has progressed past diet control and oral medications and, therefore, has insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus (IDDM II). We retrospectively reviewed 6 consecutive patients with IDDM II and a purulent IPP who had been immediately salvaged from July 2011 to November 2017. In addition to immediate exchange, each received catheter-directed anti-microbial intracorporal irrigation and device culture. All patients were discharged home the next day with oral antibiotics.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Outcomes included repeat penile prosthesis infection or any other complication following immediate salvage.
RESULTS
All 6 patients have healed well and remained infection free at their 6- to 8-week post-operative follow-up appointment. 15-39 months after salvage, no patients have had a repeat infection or any other complication. 5 patients received a malleable replacement device and 1 patient was electively converted to an IPP 7 months after his salvage procedure. 1 patient received an IPP during salvage per patient preference. All patients are currently pleased with either their malleable penile prosthesis or IPP.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Immediate salvage attenuates the morbidity associated with an infected penile prosthesis such as irreversible penile shortening and corporal fibrosis. Our findings suggest that more patients than originally thought may be a candidate for immediate salvage.
STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating outcomes after immediate salvage of a purulent IPP in patients with advanced diabetes. Limitations of the study include the small sample size and retrospective nature.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that those with IDDM II who have a purulent penile prosthesis may be candidates for safe and effective immediate salvage. Peters CE, Carlos EC, Lentz AC. Purulent Inflatable Penile Prostheses Can Be Safely Immediately Salvaged in Insulin-Dependent Diabetics. J Sex Med 2018;15:1673-1677.
|
10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.10.002
|
pubmed_769_15483
|
Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have reduced ability to mount adequate antibody response after two doses of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. French health authorities have allowed a third booster dose (D3) for KTRs, but their response is heterogeneous and tools able to discriminate the responders are lacking. Anti-RBD IgG titers (chemiluminescence immunoassay), spike-specific cellular responses (IFN-γ-releasing assay, IGRA), and in vitro serum neutralization of the virus (the best available correlate of protection), were evaluated 7-14 days after the second dose (D2) of BNT162b2 vaccine in 93 KTRs. Among the 73 KTRs, whose serum did not neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in vitro after D2, 14 (19%) acquired this capacity after D3, and were considered as "responders." Exploratory univariate analysis identified short time from transplantation and high maintenance immunosuppression as detrimental factors for the response to D3. In addition, any of the presence of anti-RBD IgGs and/or positive IGRA after D2 was predictive of response to D3. By contrast, none of the KTRs with both a negative serology and IGRA responded to D3. In summary, routinely available bioassays performed after D2 allow identifying KTRs that will respond to a booster D3. These results pave the way for the personalization of vaccination strategy in KTRs.
|
10.1111/ajt.16990
|
pubmed_965_19448
|
We study the problem of classifying an autistic group from controls using structural image data alone, a task that requires a clinical interview with a psychologist. Because of the highly convoluted brain surface topology, feature extraction poses the first obstacle. A clinically relevant measure called the cortical thickness has shown promise but yields a rather challenging learning problem--where the dimensionality of the distribution is extremely large and the training set is small. By observing that each point on the brain cortical surface may be treated as a "hypothesis", we propose a new algorithm for LPBoosting (with truncated neighborhoods) for this problem. In addition to learning a high quality classifier, our model incorporates topological priors into the classification framework directly - that two neighboring points on the cortical surface (hypothesis pairs) must have similar discriminative qualities. As a result, we obtain not just a label {+1, -1} for test items, but also an indication of the "discriminative regions" on the cortical surface. We discuss the formulation and present interesting experimental results.
|
10.1007/978-3-540-85988-8_119
|
pubmed_189_17671
|
BACKGROUND
As big data and artificial intelligence (AI) in spine care, and medicine as a whole, continue to be at the forefront of research, careful consideration to the quality and techniques utilized is necessary. Predictive modeling, data science, and deep analytics have taken center stage. Within that space, AI and machine learning (ML) approaches toward the use of spine imaging have gathered considerable attention in the past decade. Although several benefits of such applications exist, limitations are also present and need to be considered.
PURPOSE
The following narrative review presents the current status of AI, in particular, ML, with special regard to imaging studies, in the field of spinal research.
METHODS
A multi-database assessment of the literature was conducted up to September 1, 2021, that addressed AI as it related to imaging of the spine. Articles written in English were selected and critically assessed.
RESULTS
Overall, the review discussed the limitations, data quality and applications of ML models in the context of spine imaging. In particular, we addressed the data quality and ML algorithms in spine imaging research by describing preliminary results from a widely accessible imaging algorithm that is currently available for spine specialists to reference for information on severity of spine disease and degeneration which ultimately may alter clinical decision-making. In addition, awareness of the current, under-recognized regulation surrounding the execution of ML for spine imaging was raised.
CONCLUSIONS
Recommendations were provided for conducting high-quality, standardized AI applications for spine imaging.
|
10.1007/s00586-021-07108-4
|
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