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pubmed_909_22846
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The prognosis for ischemic stroke due to acute basilar artery occlusion is very poor: Early recanalization remains the main factor that can improve outcomes. The baseline extent of brain stem ischemic damage can also influence outcomes. We evaluated the validity of an easy-to-use DWI score to predict clinical outcome in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion treated by mechanical thrombectomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analyzed the baseline clinical and DWI parameters of 31 patients with acute basilar artery occlusion, treated within 24 hours of symptom onset by using a Solitaire FR device. The DWI score of the brain stem was assessed with a 12-point semiquantitative score that separately considered each side of the medulla, pons, and midbrain. Clinical outcome was assessed at 180 days by using the mRS. According to receiver operating characteristic analyses, the cutoff score determined the optimal positive predictive value for outcome. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient assessed the correlation between the DWI brain stem score and baseline characteristics.
RESULTS
Successful recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 3-2b) was achieved in 23 patients (74%). A favorable outcome (mRS ≤ 2) was observed in 11 patients (35%). An optimal DWI brain stem score of <3 predicted a favorable outcome. The probability of a very poor outcome (mRS ≥ 5) if the DWI brain stem score was ≥5 reached 80% (positive predictive value) and 100% if this score was ≥6. Interobserver reliability of the DWI brain stem score was excellent, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99). The DWI brain stem score was significantly associated with baseline tetraplegia (P = .001) and coma (P = .005).
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with acute basilar artery occlusion treated by mechanical thrombectomy, the baseline DWI brain lesion score seems to predict clinical outcome.
|
10.3174/ajnr.A3870
|
pubmed_304_20291
|
Early detection of premalignant and malignant glandular lesions of the uterine cervix and their distinction from benign mimics is crucial but sometimes difficult. In this study, we investigated utility of expression of p16, CEA, Ki67, p53 and ER/PR in evaluating the benign, premalignant, and malignant glandular lesions of the uterine cervix. A total of 35 cervical cone or LEEP cases were collected including 14 adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 7 endocervical glandular dysplasia (EGD), and 14 benign mimics (BM). A histological score for each case according to the criteria proposed by Silverberg group was assigned independently by 4 pathologists. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were immunostained with p16, CEA, p53, Ki67, and ER/PR. Immunoreactivity was scored based on intensity (0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = marked) and percentage of cells staining (0 = <1%,1 = 2-10%, 2 = 11-40%, 3 = >40%). A comparison of histological scores and immunoscores in 3 diagnostic categories was analysed. The histological scores assigned independently by 4 pathologists were all equal or above 6 for AIS, between 3 and 5 for EGD, and equal or below 3 for BM. There was increased expression of p16 and CEA in EGD compared with BM (P < 0.05), with further increase in expression of these markers in AIS compared with EGD (P < 0.05). Ki67 expression was significantly increased in AIS compared to EGD (P < 0.05) as well as compared to BM (P < 0.05). Ki67 expression was only slightly increased in EGD as compared to BM. There was a loss of ER/PR in cervical AIS, but not in EGD. Our results indicate that the Silverberg scoring system is a useful tool in differential diagnosis of cervical glandular lesions for increased diagnostic accuracy and interobserver agreement. Most cervical glandular lesions can be differentiated by using a combination of histological scores with a panel of immunomarkers.
|
10.1097/01.pgp.0000225851.97739.9f
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pubmed_950_22672
|
Plants are not just passive living beings that exist in nature. They are complex and highly adaptable species that react sensitively to environmental forces/stimuli with movement, morphological changes and through the communication via volatile molecules. In a way, plants mimic some traits of animal and human behaviour; they compete for limited resources by gaining more area for more sunlight and spread their roots underground. Furthermore, in order to survive and thrive, they evolve and 'learn' to control various environmental stress factors in order to increase the yield of flowering, fertilization and germination processes. The concept of associating complex behaviour, such as intelligence, with plants is still a highly debatable topic among researchers worldwide. Recent studies have shown that plants are able to discriminate between positive and negative experiences and 'learn' from them. Some botanists have interpreted these behavioural data as a form of primitive cognitive processes. Others have evaluated these responses as biological automatisms of plants determined by adaptation to the environment and absence of intelligence. This review aims to explore adaptive behavioural aspects of various plant species distributed in different ecosystems by emphasizing their biological complexity and survival instincts.
|
10.1111/plb.13149
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pubmed_575_21684
|
BACKGROUND
Hyperlipidemia is linked to poor tendon-to-bone healing and progression of fatty infiltration after rotator cuff repair. Statins effectively treat hyperlipidemia, but it is unknown if they have any potential detrimental effects following rotator cuff repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of statins on rotator cuff healing and fatty infiltration following repair.
METHODS
A total of 77 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were recruited prospectively, 38 patients who were prescribed a statin for hyperlipidemia (statin group) and 39 patients who were not taking a statin (control group). Patients who did not have both preoperative and 1-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were excluded from the study. Patient-reported outcome measures, namely the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index, Constant-Murley score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, were collected preoperatively and at 1 year. Fatty infiltration was assessed on MRI according to the Goutallier grade preoperatively and at 12 months; rotator cuff healing was assessed at 12 months according to the Sugaya classification. Following propensity score weighting to adjust for baseline imbalances, 12-month outcomes were compared between the 2 groups.
RESULTS
At 12 months, all patient-reported outcome measures had improved significantly compared with baseline (WORC score, 85.9 vs. 32.5, P < .001; ASES score, 87.3 vs. 37.5, P < .001; Constant-Murley score, 77 vs. 31, P < .001; and DASH score, 13.6 vs. 61.4, P < .001). There was no significant difference in postoperative scores in the statin group vs. the control group (WORC score, 84.9 vs. 89.6, P = .94; ASES score, 87.5 vs. 86.6, P = .40; Constant-Murley score, 77 vs. 81, P = .90; and DASH score, 14.4 vs. 11.4, P = .14), and for 3 of these scores, the 95% confidence intervals excluded a clinically meaningful difference. Similarly, rotator cuff healing at 12 months and Goutallier fatty infiltration grades were comparable between the 2 groups. Retears were seen in 6 patients (15.8%) in the statin group and 8 (20.5%) in the control group. Progression of fatty infiltration was seen in 4 patients (10.5%) in the statin and 4 (10.3%) in the control group. Statin use did not demonstrate a significant association with either retear risk (P = .41) or progression of fatty atrophy (P = .69).
CONCLUSION
Patient-reported outcomes, rotator cuff retear rate, and fatty infiltration on MRI at 12 months after rotator cuff repair in patients with hyperlipidemia treated with statins are similar to those in a control group.
|
10.1016/j.jse.2021.05.014
|
pubmed_214_17325
|
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of the RAS-MAPK pathway inhibitor trametinib on medically refractory chylous effusions in 3 hospitalized patients with Noonan syndrome.
STUDY DESIGN
Pharmacologic MEK1/2 inhibition has been used to treat conditions associated with Noonan syndrome, given that activation of RAS-MAPK pathway variants leads to downstream MEK activation. We describe our experience with 3 patients with Noonan syndrome (owing to variants in 3 distinct genes) and refractory chylous effusions treated successfully with MEK inhibition. A monitoring protocol was established to standardize medication dosing and monitoring of outcome measures.
RESULTS
Subjects demonstrated improvement in lymphatic leak with additional findings of improved growth and normalization of cardiac and hematologic measurements. Trametinib was administered safely, with only moderate skin irritation in 1 subject.
CONCLUSIONS
Improvements in a variety of quantifiable measurements highlight the potential utility of MEK1/2 inhibition in patients with Noonan syndrome and life-threatening lymphatic disease. Larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm efficacy and assess long-term safety.
|
10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.05.030
|
pubmed_57_548
|
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of some commonly used herbal medicine in Iran to introduce a new source for management of Alzheimer's disease. A total of 18 aqueous-methanolic extract (1:1; v/v) from the following plants: Brassica alba, Brassica nigra, Camellia sinensis, Cinchona officinalis, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus x aurantium, Ferula assafoetida, Humulus lupulus, Juglans regia, Juniperus sabina, Myristica fragrans, Pelargonium graveolens, Pistacia vera, Punica granatum, Rheum officinale, Rosa damascena, Salix alba, and Zizyphus vulgaris were prepared and screened for their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity using in vitro Ellman spectrophotometric method.
RESULTS
According to the obtained results, the order of inhibitory activity (IC50 values, μg /ml) of extracts from highest to the lowest was: C. sinensis (5.96), C. aurantifolia (19.57), Z. vulgaris (24.37), B. nigra (84.30) and R. damascena (93.1).
CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated and confirmed the traditional use of these herbs for management of central nervous system disorders. C. sinensis showed the highest activity in inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. However, further investigations on identification of active components in the extracts are needed.
|
10.1186/2008-2231-22-17
|
pubmed_33_23394
|
CONTEXT
Testosterone (T) levels decline with increasing age. Controversy exists over the threshold for classifying T as low vs. normal in older men. The relevance of assessing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (E2) remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the associations of T, DHT, and E2 in men aged 70 yr or older and established reference ranges for these in healthy older men.
PARTICIPANTS
Community-dwelling men aged 70-89 yr residing in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, participated in the study.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Plasma T, DHT, and E2 were assayed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in early morning samples from 3690 men.
RESULTS
Increasing age, higher body mass index and waist to hip ratio, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and higher LH were independently associated with lower levels of T and DHT. Increasing age, diabetes, and higher LH were associated with lower E2. In a reference group of 394 men aged 76.1 ± 3.2 yr reporting excellent or very good health with no history of smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, or dementia, the 2.5th percentile for T was 6.4 nmol/liter (184 ng/dl); DHT, 0.49 nmol/liter; and E2, 28 pmol/liter. Applying these cutoffs to all 3690 men, those with low T or DHT had an increased odds ratio for frailty, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Men with both low T and DHT had a higher odds ratio for these outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
The 2.5th percentile in a reference group of healthy older men provides age-appropriate thresholds for defining low T, DHT, and E2. Additional studies are needed to test their potential applicability and clinical utility in older men.
|
10.1210/jc.2012-2265
|
pubmed_752_16259
|
The arrayan berry (Luma apiculata) is a native fruit from South America that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. To elucidate and characterize the developmental process and the potential health benefits of this edible fruit, quality and physiological parameters, along with antioxidant capacity, were evaluated during four clearly defined developmental stages of the fruit in two seasons. Fruit firmness slowly decreases during fruit development, whereas the solid soluble content/titratable acidity ratio (SSC/TA) increases significantly in the final stages of development. The measurement of low respiration rates and low ethylene production during growth and ripening suggested that the arrayan berry should be classified as a non-climacteric fruit. Arrayan berries show a significant increase in their antioxidant capacity from small green to black ripe fruit. FRAP and TEAC assays showed high correlations with total polyphenolic content (TPC) during ripening and high antioxidant capacity at all fruit stages, showing greater values in ripe fruit (FRAP: 24 ± 2 and 28 ± 3 μM FeSO4/gFW; TEAC: 18 ± 2 and 20 ± 1 Eq. Trolox/gFW for each season, respectively) than those observed in the blueberry (FRAP: 10 ± 2 and 19 ± 3 μM FeSO4/gFW; TEAC: 10 ± 2 and 17 ± 3). In addition, bioactive assays using ripe fruit extracts show presence of flavonol and anthocyanins, a high ORAC value (62,500 ± 7000 μmol/gDW) and a concentration-dependent vascular protection under high glucose conditions. The results obtained show that these endemic berry fruits have a promising potential as functional food.
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pubmed_752_16259
|
pubmed_932_14758
|
Snake bite is a common cause of preventable death in rural India which is often due to neurological complications and coagulopathy. We report on three patients who presented with bites and later developed acute coronary syndrome during the course of their stay in hospital. Such patients have to be managed conservatively because of their coexistent coagulopathy.
|
10.1258/td.2012.120032
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pubmed_219_9352
|
Both Rathke's cleft cyst and craniopharyngioma are considered to arise from the remnants of Rathke's diverticulum despite the quite different histological characteristics. These two lesions may consist of a disease spectrum extending from Rathke's cleft cyst to craniopharyngioma. However, in spite of increasing evidence of these intermediate histologies, very few cases of the actual transformation from Rathke's cleft cyst to craniopharyngioma have been reported in the same patient. A 47-year-old man suffered from recurrent visual dysfunction. Aspiration and partial cystectomy was performed to a suprasellar massive cystic lesion. The histological diagnosis was Rathke's cleft cyst with a small component of squamous metaplasia. Seven months later, the cyst was re-expanded. The cyst wall was irregularly thickened. Re-operation was performed, and the thickened anterior wall was widely removed. Postoperative histological examination showed multiplication of stratified squamous epithelia forming a papillary arrangement. Ki-67 staining showed positive cells randomly distributed not only in the basal layer but also in various epithelial layers, with a labeling index of more than 20 %. The histological diagnosis was squamous papillary type of craniopharyngioma with high potential of proliferation. Subsequent immunohistochemical examinations showed positive reaction to cytokeratin 8 only in the initial epithelium and negative in the latter epithelium. The present case was thought as an actual evidence of the proposed link between Rathke's cleft cyst and craniopharyngioma. Cytokeratin 8 could be the important examination to differentiate Rathke's cleft cyst from craniopharyngioma.
|
10.1007/s12022-014-9328-5
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pubmed_880_12253
|
In Nigeria, the country with the second largest number of HIV-1-infected people globally, antiretroviral therapy rollout is now widespread with an increasing number of individuals and communities benefitting. However, the drug resistance profile of patients initiating or failing on antiretroviral therapy is not well characterized. Here we studied the molecular variability of the protease and reverse transcriptase region of isolates from therapy-naive pregnant women in North-Central Nigeria (one of the geopolitical zones with the highest prevalence of HIV in Nigeria) to identify baseline mutations with potential drug resistance implications. We observed the predominance of CRF02_AG and subtype G in the North-Central Nigerian epidemic and the presence of both primary and secondary drug resistance mutations. Contrary to observation from other geopolitical zones, a decreased frequency of reverse transcriptase mutations/polymorphisms was observed, thus suggesting regional differences in level of transmitted drug resistance that require more study.
|
10.1089/AID.2011.0115
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pubmed_109_8388
|
Changes in the phage protein patterns obtained by gel electrophoresis of extracts from phage S13 and phiX174 infection of rifampin-resistant hosts suggest that the beta subunit of ribonucleic acid polymerase of Escherichia coli has a function in the recognition of promoter or terminator sites or both. The altered protein patterns also provide information on the location of some ribonucleic acid polymerase recognition signals in S13 deoxyribonucleic acid. There is a promoter site before gene A, which lies either in gene H or between H and A. There is evidence for a promotor between genes C and D or in gene C. There is either a terminator or a promoter somewhere between the end of gene D and the beginning of gene F.
|
10.1128/jb.128.1.264-270.1976
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pubmed_920_23015
|
Scheduling sensor nodes has an important role in real monitoring applications using sensor networks, lowering the power consumption and maximizing the network lifetime, while maintaining the satisfaction to application requirements. Nevertheless, this problem is usually very complex and not easily resolved by analytical methods. In a different manner, genetic algorithms (GAs) are heuristic search strategies that help to find the exact or approximate global optimal solution efficiently with a stochastic approach. Genetic algorithms are advantageous for their robustness to discrete and noisy objective functions, as they are only evaluated at independent points without requirements of continuity or differentiability. However, as explained in this paper, a time-based sensor network schedule cannot be represented by a chromosome with fixed length that is required in traditional genetic algorithms. Therefore, an extended genetic algorithm is introduced with variable-length chromosome (VLC) along with mutation and crossover operations in order to address this problem. Simulation results show that, with help of carefully defined fitness functions, the proposed scheme is able to evolve the individuals in the population effectively and consistently from generation to generation towards optimal ones, and the obtained network schedules are better optimized in comparison with the result of algorithms employing a fixed-length chromosome.
|
10.3390/s21123990
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pubmed_864_5336
|
Subwavelength gratings coated with metal-dielectric-metal layers and embedded in a dielectric exhibit distinctive color properties in reflectance. The reflected color of incident unpolarized white light can be tuned by the modulation depth of the grating. It is shown that reflective colored images may be reproduced by this type of gratings having a laterally adapted modulation depth. Its lightness, as well as the angle tolerance of the image coloring, is even suitable for human observers in ambient light. The gratings with variable depth are manufactured by electron-beam lithography and by a subsequent direct laser writing process. These types of reflective images may be replicated by a simple nano-imprint process on plastic foil. This method is predestined for industrial mass production.
|
10.1364/OL.38.001398
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pubmed_441_125
|
Since January 1970 to August 1981 2298 urinary cytological examinations on 1228 patients were done in the urological clinic and policlinic of the university of Munich. With this material we have examined the value of this method in urologic practice. Increasing numbers in urinary cytology point out the confidence that is placed in this technique. Primary tumors of the urinary tract can be recognized cytologically with high reliability. The diagnosis is more difficult during the first 6 months postoperatively or during chemotherapy.
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pubmed_441_125
|
pubmed_1140_5085
|
Police officers commonly encounter violent individuals in their line of duty, with the use of physical restraint sometimes being necessary. A major criticism of previous studies of the effect of restraint on cardiac and pulmonary function has been that they have only recruited young healthy adults. This study aims to assess the cardiopulmonary effects of restraint positioning in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Eight patients with stable COPD were recruited. Subjects were randomly allocated to the following five positions: Wrist restraint behind the body whilst seated; wrist restraint in front of the body whilst seated; lying prone with wrists restrained behind back; lying prone with arms free; lying supine with wrists restrained in front. The outcomes measures studied were pulmonary function at 10 min. There was no significant difference in FEV1 or FVC between groups, (one way ANOVA p=0.94 and 0.99, respectively). The difference in FEV1 between the seated position and seated position with wrists restrained behind the back were also compared (p=0.8) as was the effect of wrist restraint in the prone position compared to no restraint prone (p=0.69). However, three subjects could not tolerate the prone position due to a clinical deterioration in symptoms. The response to the prone position with or without wrist restraint appears highly individual, with some individuals tolerating the prone position with no measurable clinical effects and others suffering a clinical deterioration in symptoms. The reasons for this individual variation remain unclear.
|
10.1016/j.jcfm.2004.10.013
|
pubmed_147_9854
|
This review outlines the pearls and pitfalls of calcitonin-gene related protein (CGRP) immunohistochemistry of the brain.
PEARLS
In 1985, CGRP was first described in cerebral arteries using immunohistochemistry. Since then, cerebral CGRP (and, using novel antibodies, its receptor components) has been widely scrutinized. Here, we describe the distribution of cerebral CGRP and pay special attention to the surprising reliability of results over time.
PITFALLS
Pitfalls might include a fixation procedure, antibody clone and dilution, and interpretation of results. Standardization of staining protocols and true quantitative methods are lacking. The use of computerized image analysis has led us to believe that our examination is objective. However, in the steps of performing such an analysis, we make subjective choices. By pointing out these pitfalls, we aim to further improve immunohistochemical quality.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Having a clear picture of the tissue/cell morphology is a necessity. A primary morphological evaluation with, for example, hematoxylin-eosin, helps to ensure that small changes are not missed and that background and artifactual changes, which may include vacuoles, pigments, and dark neurons, are not over-interpreted as compound-related changes. The antigen-antibody reaction appears simple and clear in theory, but many steps might go wrong. Remember that methods including the antigen-antibody complex rely on handling/fixation of tissues or cells, antibody shipping/storing issues, antibody titration, temperature/duration of antibody incubation, visualization of the antibody and interpretation of the results. Optimize staining protocols to the material you are using.
|
10.1177/0333102412472072
|
pubmed_359_9045
|
PURPOSE
To confirm the neuromuscular integrity of the rotator cuff and to investigate the effect of different contraction patterns on shoulder function, we sonographically analyzed dynamic contraction patterns of this muscle group.
METHODS
Fifty supra- and 50 infraspinatus muscle contraction patterns of patients with different shoulder pathologies examined with a 7.5-MHz transducer were recorded and saved as video files. Both data sets were analyzed by 3 independent observers who then assigned a grade to each contraction pattern: normal, slightly disturbed, severely disturbed, or no contraction. Intra- and inter-observer variations were calculated. In 43 patients with isolated supraspinatus tears, the clinical relation to shoulder function as measured with the Constant score was evaluated.
RESULTS
In the 100 cases tested, the intraclass correlations for the 3 observers were 0.82, 0.88, and 0.88. The inter-observer reliability was 0.74. No pair of first and second readings for either the supraspinatus or infraspinatus muscle differed by more than 1 grade. In patients with a supraspinatus tear, the contraction type of the supraspinatus correlated significantly with the Constant score (p=0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
When dynamic ultrasonography is used to assess the contraction patterns of the supra- and infraspinatus muscles, good intra- and inter-observer reliability is attained. Because a better contraction type correlates significantly with better shoulder function, this new diagnostic criterion may improve decision-making in the treatment of shoulder diseases.
|
10.1002/jcu.20124
|
pubmed_959_17086
|
The antiretroviral (ARV) cocktailrevolved the treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Drug combinations have been also tested to treat other infectious diseases, including the recentcoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. To simplify administration fixed-dose combinationshave been introduced, however, oral anti-HIV therapy still struggles with low oral bioavailability of many ARVs.This work investigated the co-encapsulation of two clinically relevant ARV combinations,tipranavir (TPV):efavirenz (EFV) anddarunavir (DRV):efavirenz (EFV):ritonavir (RTV),within the core of β-casein (bCN) micelles. Encapsulation efficiency in both systems was ~100%. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering of the ARV-loaded colloidaldispersions indicatefull preservation of the spherical morphology, and x-ray diffraction confirm that the encapsulated drugs are amorphous. To prolong the physicochemical stabilitythe formulations were freeze-driedwithout cryo/lyoprotectant, and successfully redispersed, with minor changes in morphology.Then, theARV-loaded micelles were encapsulated within microparticles of Eudragit® L100, which prevented enzymatic degradation and minimized drug release under gastric-like pH conditionsin vitro. At intestinal pH, the coating polymer dissolved and released the nanocarriers and content. Overall, our results confirm the promise of this flexible and modular technology platform for oral delivery of fixed dose combinations.
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10.1016/j.jcis.2020.12.021
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pubmed_503_1165
|
Familial correlation analysis involving two traits may give a better insight into the etiology of multifactorial syndromes than familial analysis focused on single traits. Significant cross-trait correlations between biological relatives but not between spouses suggest that the two traits share common transmissible factors whereas correlations between spouses additionally suggest the influence of shared lifestyle factors. We apply the Estimating Equations (EE) technique to the estimation of intra-trait and cross-trait familial correlations on two quantitative traits. Unlike maximum likelihood methods, the EE method does not require one to specify the joint distribution of the traits. Estimation of correlations and of their variance involves an iterative three-stage algorithm which converges rapidly. The generalized Wald test can be used to test any specific hypothesis of familial resemblance. This method has great flexibility for handling covariates and incomplete family data. A simulation study indicated that the EE technique performed well in large samples (100 families), both in terms of type I error and coverage probability . However, in small samples (50 families), an increase of the type I error and a decrease of the coverage probability was observed. As an illustration, we applied this technique to a family study of metabolic factors involved in the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (body mass index, insulin, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and diastolic blood pressure). The study was carried out in a sample of 216 healthy nuclear families with > or =2 offspring. The results suggested the existence of a common transmissible (genetic or cultural) factor influencing both body mass index and insulin, whereas the weak clustering of triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol would be more compatible with the influence of shared lifestyle factors.
|
10.1002/(SICI)1098-2272(1999)16:1<69::AID-GEPI6>3.0.CO;2-H
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pubmed_919_1373
|
A tool for assessing the suitability of candidates for home dialysis (Jo-Pre-training Assessment Tool version 2.1 - JPAT) was developed, pilot-tested at one hospital and field-tested at two major teaching hospitals in Sydney. JPAT acts as a screening instrument to distinguish suitable candidates for the home dialysis programme, identifying patients with the greatest chance of learning to manage the programme. This study included an interview/test of home dialysis patients based on the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). JPAT version 2.1 is in the form of an interview questionnaire consisting of 38 assessment items in six domains: physical stability, nutritional status, communication ability, ability to maintain self-care, psychological suitability and social support. Overall, results suggest that JPAT version 2.1 is sufficiently reliable to be used as a tool for assessing patients who suffer from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and to identify patients most likely to succeed in a home dialysis programme.
|
10.1111/j.1755-6686.2005.tb00384.x
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pubmed_156_17765
|
The psychiatric nurse can play a vital role on a palliative care team. Psychiatric nurses can work with patients to sort out the intense and conflicting feelings that affect patients and their families facing terminal illness and death. Patients can be guided through "life reviews," or nurses can craft interventions to reduce patient anxiety, assist with pain management, or promote physical and psychological comfort.
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pubmed_156_17765
|
pubmed_548_4683
|
BACKGROUND
Livedoid vasculopathy is an orphan skin disease characterized by recurrent thrombosis of the cutaneous microcirculation. It manifests itself almost exclusively in the ankles, the back of the feet, and the distal part of the lower legs. Because of the vascular occlusion, patients suffer from intense local ischemic pain. Incidence of livedoid vasculopathy is estimated to be around 1:100,000. There are currently no approved treatments for livedoid vasculopathy, making off-label therapy the only option. In Europe, thromboprophylactic treatment with low-molecular-weight heparins has become widely accepted.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this trial is the statistical verification of the therapeutic effects of the anticoagulant rivaroxaban in patients suffering from livedoid vasculopathy.
METHODS
We performed a therapeutic phase IIa trial designed as a prospective, one-armed, multicenter, interventional series of cases with a calculated sample size of 20 patients. The primary outcome is the assessment of local pain on the visual analog scale (VAS) as an intraindividual difference of 2 values between baseline and 12 weeks.
RESULTS
Enrollment started in December 2012 and was still open at the date of submission. The study is expected to finish in November 2014.
CONCLUSIONS
Livedoid vasculopathy is associated with increased thrombophilia in the cutaneous microcirculation and the continuous use of anticoagulants helps improve the symptoms. The causes of cutaneous infarctions are heterogenous, but ultimately follow the known mechanisms of the coagulation cascade. Rivaroxaban affects the coagulation cascade and inhibits the factor Xa-dependent conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, thereby considerably reducing the risk of thrombosis.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Trial Registration EudraCT Number: 2012-000108-13-DE; https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=eudract_number:2012-000108-13 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6UCktWVCA); German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00004652; https://drks-neu.uniklinik-freiburg.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00004652 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6UCIAKyCS).
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10.2196/resprot.3640
|
pubmed_537_20803
|
A sample of 301 amphetamine users were interviewed about their experiences of psychological symptoms prior to, and subsequent to, their initiation of amphetamine use. Psychological morbidity was common, with 44% scoring greater than a conservative cut-off of 8 on the General Health Questionnaire. The most commonly reported symptoms subsequent to the onset of amphetamine use were depression (79%), anxiety (76%), paranoia (52%), hallucinations (46%) and violent behaviour (44%). All these symptoms increased in prevalence after the onset of amphetamine use. Route and frequency of amphetamine administration were significant independent predictors of overall psychological morbidity, while route of administration was related to the experience of hallucinations, violent behaviour and paranoia. The avoidance of injection as a route of administration and the use of amphetamines less than weekly are recommended as steps that users can take to reduce the psychological sequelae of amphetamine use.
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10.1046/j.1360-0443.1996.9118110.x
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pubmed_1092_5230
|
Current estimates indicate that 4% to 8% of children in the United States are diagnosed with food allergy, and more than 40% of US children with food allergy experience severe allergic reactions. Families trying to avoid foods that may trigger an allergic reaction and ensure adequate treatment of allergic reactions that do occur face numerous challenges. The rise in the number of children diagnosed with food allergies underscores the importance of food allergy-related interventions to address elevated psychosocial concerns, such as parenting stress, anxiety, and worries about bullying. This review provides an overview of common psychosocial concerns among children with food allergy and their families across the developmental spectrum, and offers guidance to medical providers regarding the identification and treatment of food allergy-related psychosocial challenges.
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pubmed_1092_5230
|
pubmed_1011_5792
|
The ability of various thyroid subcellular fractions to bind [125I]iodo TSH and to absorb long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) and thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) activities was examined. Membranes purified from thyroid homogenates or isolated thyroid cells absorbed LATS/TSI activities and specifically bound [125I]iodo TSH. Purified thyroglobulin, nuclei, mitochondria and ribosomes did not bind [125I]iodo TSH nor did they absorb LATS/TSI activities. Cell sap obtained by gentle lysis of isolated thyroid cells failed to absorb LATS/TSI activities and to bind labeled hormone. However, freeze-thawing of the cells fragmented the membranes, releasing [125I]iodo TSH binding as well as LATS/TSI absorbing activities into the soluble (cell sap) fraction. The results suggest that the LATS/TSI antigen is of cell surface origin, includes the TSH receptor or larger membrane fragments containing the receptor, and that its release into the soluble fraction is due to the fragmentation of the thyroid membrane during homogenization and preparative procedures.
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10.1210/endo-101-1-59
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pubmed_1112_18252
|
BACKGROUND
We investigated the psychometric properties of a short questionnaire for combined assessment of different perceived stress management skills in the general population and tested whether scores relate to physiological stress reactivity.
METHODS
For psychometric evaluation, we determined the factor structure of the questionnaire and investigated its measurement invariance in the participant groups and over time in three different independent samples representing the general population (total N=332). Reliability was tested by estimating test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and item reliabilities. We examined convergent and criterion validity using selected criterion variables. For endocrine validation, 35 healthy non-smoking and medication-free men in a laboratory study and 35 male and female employees in a workplace study underwent an acute standardized psychosocial stress task. We assessed stress management skills and measured salivary cortisol before and several times up to 60 min (workplace study) and 120 min (laboratory study) after stress. Potential confounders were controlled.
RESULTS
The factor structure of the questionnaire consists of five scales reflecting acceptably distinct stress management skills such as cognitive strategies, use of social support, relaxation strategies, anger regulation, and perception of bodily tension. This factor structure was stable across participant groups and over time. Internal consistencies, item reliabilities, and test-retest reliabilities met established statistical requirements. Convergent and criterion validity were also established. In both endocrine validation studies, higher stress management skills were independently associated with lower cortisol stress reactivity (p's<.029).
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the questionnaire has good psychometric properties and that it relates to subjective psychological and objective physiological stress indicators. Therefore, the instrument seems a suitable measure for differential assessment of stress management skills in the general population.
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pubmed_1112_18252
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pubmed_137_20296
|
Background/Aims
Behavioral factors, such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, increase the risk of gastric cancer (GC), but their effects on survival are not clear. We examined associations between prediagnostic smoking and alcohol drinking behavior and GC death by long-term follow-up.
Methods
The participants were 508 GC patients enrolled at Chungnam University Hospital and Hanyang University Guri Hospital from 2001 to 2006. Information on clinicopathologic and behavioral risk factors was collected, and patient survival was prospectively followed until 2016 by medical chart review and telephone survey.
Results
During above 10 years follow-up period, overall death was 46.2% (n=226) and GC deaths was 38.2% (n=187) among the 489 GC patients included in the analysis. No significant association was found between smoking habits and overall or GC survival. However, after stratification by histological type, the hazard ratio (HR) of GC death for current smokers tended to be higher for the diffuse type (HR 1.61, 95% CI 0.57-4.59 for current vs. never) rather than for the intestinal type (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.28-2.19 for current vs. never). Light alcohol consumption was found to be associated with a significantly lower risk of GC death (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.36-0.75 for <20 g/day for women or <40 g/day for men vs. never and past), and the effects of alcohol drinking habits had similar effects on GC death for the intestinal and diffuse types.
Conclusions
These results suggest smoking and alcohol drinking behaviors before a diagnosis of GC are weakly associated with GC survival. Nevertheless, the effect of smoking behavior on prognosis appears to depend on the histological type of GC.
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10.4166/kjg.2019.73.3.141
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pubmed_152_15612
|
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the diagnosis of intrahepatic stones.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Of the 318 patients who underwent MRCP examinations at our institution during an 18-month period, we identified 49 patients who subsequently underwent surgery or cholangioscopic stone removal with proof of intrahepatic stones. Thirty-four of these patients also underwent ERCP; they made up our study population. All images were interpreted for the presence of bile duct stones: MRCP images were interpreted independently by two reviewers, and ERCP studies were interpreted by one reviewer who was unaware of the MRCP findings.
RESULTS
The sensitivity and specificity of MRCP for detecting intrahepatic stones were 97% and 93%, respectively, whereas those of ERCP were 59% and 97%, respectively. MRCP showed a significantly higher sensitivity than ERCP in the diagnosis of intrahepatic stones (p < 0.001). We found no significant difference between MRCP and ERCP in sensitivity or specificity for detecting calculi in the common duct or gallbladder.
CONCLUSION
MRCP is a more effective diagnostic method than ERCP for the evaluation of intrahepatic stones.
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10.2214/ajr.179.2.1790429
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pubmed_324_23606
|
BACKGROUND
Constitutional DICER1 mutations were recently reported to cause familial pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB).
AIM
To investigate the contribution and phenotypic spectrum of constitutional and somatic DICER1 mutations to cancer.
METHODS AND RESULTS
The authors sequenced DICER1 in constitutional DNA from 823 unrelated patients with a variety of tumours and in 781 cancer cell lines. Constitutional DICER1 mutations were identified in 19 families including 11/14 with PPB, 2/3 with cystic nephroma, 4/7 with ovarian Sertoli-Leydig-type tumours, 1/243 with Wilms tumour (this patient also had a Sertoli-Leydig tumour), 1/1 with intraocular medulloepithelioma (this patient also had PPB), 1/86 with medulloblastoma/infratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumour, and 1/172 with germ cell tumour. The inheritance was investigated in 17 families. DICER1 mutations were identified in 25 relatives: 17 were unaffected, one mother had ovarian Sertoli-Leydig tumour, one half-sibling had cystic nephroma, and six relatives had non-toxic thyroid cysts/goitre. Analysis of eight tumours from DICER1 mutation-positive patients showed universal retention of the wild-type allele. DICER1 truncating mutations were identified in 4/781 cancer cell lines; all were in microsatellite unstable lines and therefore unlikely to be driver mutations.
CONCLUSION
Constitutional DICER1 haploinsufficiency predisposes to a broad range of tumours, making a substantial contribution to PPB, cystic nephroma and ovarian Sertoli-Leydig tumours, but a smaller contribution to other tumours. Most mutation carriers are unaffected, indicating that tumour risk is modest. The authors define the clinical contexts in which DICER1 mutation testing should be considered, the associated tumour risks, and the implications for at-risk individuals. They have termed this condition 'DICER1 syndrome'. ACCESSION NUMBERS: The cDNA Genbank accession number for the DICER1 sequence reported in this paper is NM_030621.2.
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10.1136/jmg.2010.083790
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pubmed_447_14082
|
There is ample evidence attesting to differences in drug response and disposition among certain ethnic groups. The existing body of knowledge concerning pharmacological issues in the Hispanic and Native American ethnic groups, however, is both meager and confusing. In this article, the authors first attempt to briefly characterize these increasingly important ethnic groups, citing recent population figures and epidemiological findings. This is followed by a review of several existing retrospective studies concerning the pharmacological treatment of patients belonging to these groups. Recent findings in the area of pharmacogenetics are critically appraised and other factors influencing drug responsiveness are also examined. The clinical significance of this research for the optimal treatment of patients in cross-cultural settings is highlighted. The need for further research that would both fortify and clarify the available information with respect to these issues and the Hispanic and Native American populations is obvious.
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pubmed_447_14082
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pubmed_661_6812
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An intensive psychomedical study of a small number of children suffering from the nephrotic syndrome is reported. Significant organic and psychological sequelae exist in the nephrotic child. The patient's family also appears to need specialist psychological attention. The urgent need for well-organised liaison psychiatric services in non-psychiatric medical departments is emphasised.
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pubmed_661_6812
|
pubmed_301_2334
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The linear relation ln k' = Bn + ln A between the retention factor k' in liquid adsorption chromatography (LAC) and the number of repeat units n within a homologous series of oligomers is called Martin's rule. This empirical relation was supported by the retention behavior of the homologous series of different classes of oligomers but had no theoretical justification. In this paper, it is demonstrated that Martin's rule is a consequence of the general theory of liquid chromatography and the molecular sense of coefficients B and A is clarified: B is the Gibbs energy of the repeat unit of the long polymer chain adsorbed at the wall surface, and A is a combination different parameters which characterize the column and the adsorption correlation length H. The theory predicts the deviations from the linear dependence under conditions of weak adsorption between repeat units and stationary phase when H is close to radius of gyration Rg. Experimental data for retention volumes and selectivity of poly(ethylene glycol)s are given for normal and reversed-phase LAC on different columns in acetone-water and methanol-water as mobile phases. These data show excellent agreement between the theory and experiments. It is shown that Martin's rule holds under special conditions, which are theoretically defined by the relation H > Rg/1.5.
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10.1016/s0021-9673(03)01207-x
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pubmed_146_1725
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When light is incident on a mirror, it induces a current density on its surface. This surface current density emits radiation, which is the observed reflected field. We consider a monochromatic incident field with an arbitrary spatial dependence, and we derive an integral equation for the Fourier-transformed surface current density. This equation contains the incident electric field at the surface as an inhomogeneous term. The incident field, emitted by a source current density in front of the mirror, is then represented by an angular spectrum, and this leads to a solution of the integral equation. From this result we derive a relation between the surface current density and the current density of the source. It is shown with examples that this approach provides a simple method for obtaining the surface current density. It is also shown that with the solution of the integral equation, an image source can be constructed for any current source, and as illustration we construct the images of electric and magnetic dipoles and the mirror image of an electric quadrupole. By applying the general solution for the surface current density, we derive an expression for the reflected field as an integral over the source current distribution, and this may serve as an alternative to the method of images.
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10.1364/josaa.25.000930
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pubmed_633_23806
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Using structural equation modeling, it can be shown that long weekly working hours and work on weekends, nights, and in shifts have detrimental effects on psychovegetative health. Employees' reported subjective work-life balance also decreases with increasing number of hours worked/week, days worked on weekends, or at nights, and with working shifts. A decrease in work-life balance in turn increases the risk of psychovegetative impairments (PVIs). Thus, long and unusual working hours increase the risk of psychovegetative health impairments both directly and indirectly, moderated by the subjective work-life balance. In fact, the indirect effects of working time on PVIs via the work-life balance seem to be stronger than the direct effects. Results of a cross-validation study of four independent and representative samples from Germany and the European Union (N > 50,000) indicate high structural stability of these results and thus an increased validity and range for generalization.
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10.3109/07420528.2010.490099
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pubmed_195_7134
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been successfully used to support patients with cardiac arrest failing to respond to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Preimplant factors being indicative for success are unknown up to now. The study describes single center experience with special focus on differences between survivors and nonsurvivors. Between 2002 and 2009, 103 patients were supported within the scope of CPR by means of ECMO. Besides primary diagnosis, duration, and outcome, pH, lactate, mean arterial pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, catecholamine dosage, and oxygenation ratio before ECMO, after 2 h, 1 day, and at explantation were analyzed. One hundred three patients (51.2 ± 16 years, 35 women, 68 men) were analyzed. Primary cardiac failure led to CPR in 54%. Duration of support was 4.8 ± 0.6 days. Twenty-nine (28.1%) patients survived to hospital discharge. On ECMO support, pH, lactate, and mean arterial pressure improved significantly. Catecholamine dosage was significantly reduced after ECMO implantation. Demographic data and primary diagnosis revealed no significant influence on outcome. pH, lactate, creatinine, and bilirubin differed significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors in the course of ECMO support. ECMO support during CPR reliably improves the circulatory and respiratory situation. Considering observed survival critical patient selection is mandatory. Although there are several significant differences between surviving patients and patients with fatal outcome, patient selection turns out to be difficult as clinically relevant factors show only limited predictive value. Future research should focus on better defining a population that may be best of all suited for the use of ECMO support in CPR.
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10.1111/j.1525-1594.2012.01544.x
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pubmed_489_22492
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Since 2008, training for emergency physicians (EPs) in the Netherlands has been based on a national 3-year curriculum. However, it has become increasingly evident that it needs to expand beyond its initial foundations. The training period does not comply with European regulations of a minimum of 5 years. Adjusting to this European standard is a logical step. Experience with the 3-year Dutch training scheme has led to the general conclusion that this training period is too short. Recommendations for essential changes and the basis for their development are presented.
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10.1186/1865-1380-6-19
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pubmed_908_14155
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BACKGROUND
No previous studies exist examining two inhaled epoprosternol formulations (Flolan compared with Veletri) in a homogenous cardiothoracic surgery patient population.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the impact of inhaled Flolan and inhaled Veletri on the effectiveness, safety, or cost in cardiothoracic surgery patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a retrospective, noninferiority study comparing inhaled Flolan and inhaled Veletri in cardiothoracic surgery patients. Participants included were ≥18 years old, admitted to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, and received inhaled Flolan or inhaled Veletri therapy for ≥1 hour.
RESULTS
A total of 244 patients were included in the primary outcome analysis (122 patients per group). The primary outcome, change in the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio 1 hour after administration of inhaled Flolan or inhaled Veletri, did not cross the lower limit of the noninferiority margin (95% CI = -14.8 to 65.4). Significant differences in secondary outcomes included duration of mechanical ventilation (4.4 vs 2.6 days; P < 0.01), number of tracheostomies (24 vs 9; P = 0.01), number of patients initiated on dialysis (25 vs 12; P = 0.02), and cost per median duration of therapy ($257 vs $183; P = 0.02) in the inhaled Flolan and inhaled Veletri groups, with the average duration of therapy being 1.6 and 1.3 days, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Inhaled Veletri was demonstrated to be non-inferior to inhaled Flolan when comparing change in PaO2/FiO2 ratio 1 hour post -therapy initiation,and inhaled Veletri was an acceptable alternative to inhaled Flolan in a cardiothoracic surgery patient population.
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10.1177/1060028018776432
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pubmed_458_10870
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Since the short-term, acute scarring process induced by a biomaterial may condition the evolution of the repair process, the present investigation evaluates the behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polypropylene (PL) biomaterials in the initial stages of repair. Three PTFE biomaterials (Mycro Mesh, Dual Mesh and Soft Tissue Patch) and one PL biomaterial (Marlex) were employed to repair defects created in the abdominal wall of New Zealand rabbits. Animals were sacrificed at 3 or 7 days. Specimens were obtained for light and scanning electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical analysis using the RAM-11 monoclonal antibody for rabbit macrophages. The PL implants showed substantial adhesion formation with viscera. Lower adhesion formation was detected in the PTFE implants. The evolution of the acute phase of the repair process was similar for each PTFE biomaterial. At 3 days post implant, an incipient neoperitoneum was detected which was fully established after 7 days. The behavior of the PL implant was similar, although a greater amount of reticular granulation was detected. The neoformed peritoneum was irregular. Few RAM-11-labeled macrophages were detected in all cases. The acute phase of the tissue repair process induced by the implant of PTFE and PL biomaterials generally proceeds along similar lines to a normal repair process. However, the use of microporous, laminar materials seems to favor the early establishment of a well-defined neoperitoneal layer.
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10.1023/a:1008981517743
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pubmed_984_8003
|
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic Heller myotomy was first undertaken in the early 1990s, and appreciable numbers of patients with 10-year follow-up periods are now available. This study was undertaken to determine long-term outcomes after laparoscopic Heller myotomy used to treat achalasia.
METHODS
Of 337 patients who have undergone laparoscopic Heller myotomy since 1992, 47 who underwent myotomy more than 10 years ago have been followed through a prospectively maintained registry. Among many symptoms, patients scored dysphagia, chest pain, vomiting, regurgitation, choking, and heartburn before and after myotomy using a Likert scale with choices ranging from 0 (never/not bothersome) to 10 (always/very bothersome). Symptom scores before and after myotomy were compared using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. Data are reported as median (mean ± standard deviation).
RESULTS
The median length of the hospital stay was 2 days (mean, 3 ± 8.6 days; range, 1-60 days). Notable complications were infrequent after myotomy. There were no perioperative deaths. One patient required a redo myotomy after 5 years due to recurrence of symptoms. At this writing, 33 patients (70%) are still alive. The causes of death after discharge were unrelated to myotomy. The frequency and severity scores for dysphagia, chest pain, vomiting, regurgitation, choking, and heartburn all decreased significantly after laparoscopic Heller myotomy (p < 0.0001 for all).
CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic Heller myotomy can be undertaken with few complications. This procedure significantly decreases the frequency and severity of achalasia symptoms without promoting heartburn. The symptoms of achalasia are durably ameliorated by laparoscopic Heller myotomy during long-term follow-up evaluation, thereby promoting application of this procedure.
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10.1007/s00464-009-0508-1
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pubmed_752_6361
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The schedules that Americans live by are not consistent with healthy sleep patterns. In addition, poor access to educational and treatment aids for sleep leaves people engaging in behavior that is harmful to sleep and forgoing treatment for sleep disorders. This has created a sleep crisis that is a public health issue with broad implications for cognitive outcomes, mental health, physical health, work performance, and safety. New public policies should be formulated to address these issues. We draw from the scientific literature to recommend the following: establishing national standards for middle and high school start times that are later in the day, stronger regulation of work hours and schedules, eliminating daylight saving time, educating the public regarding the impact of electronic media on sleep, and improving access to ambulatory in-home diagnostic testing for sleep disorders.
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10.1177/1745691615598509
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pubmed_190_916
|
While therapeutic drugs are routinely self-administered by patients, there is little precedent for self-vaccination. Convenient self-vaccination may expand vaccination coverage and reduce administration costs. Microneedle patches are in development for many vaccines, but no reports exist on usability or acceptability. We hypothesized that naïve patients could apply patches and that self-administered patches would improve stated intent to receive an influenza vaccine. We conducted a randomized, repeated measures study with 91 venue-recruited adults. To simulate vaccination, subjects received placebo microneedle patches given three times by self-administration and once by the investigator, as well as an intramuscular injection of saline. Seventy participants inserted patches with thumb pressure alone and the remainder used snap-based devices that closed shut at a certain force. Usability was assessed by skin staining and acceptability was measured with an adaptive-choice analysis. The best usability was seen with the snap device, with users inserting a median value of 93-96% of microneedles over three repetitions. When a self-administered microneedle patch was offered, intent to vaccinate increased from 44% to 65% (CI: 55-74%). The majority of those intending vaccination would prefer to self-vaccinate: 64% (CI: 51-75%). There were no serious adverse events associated with use of microneedle patches. The findings from this initial study indicate that microneedle patches for self-vaccination against influenza are usable and may lead to improved vaccination coverage.
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pubmed_190_916
|
pubmed_812_1281
|
HIV integrates into the host cell genome where it persists for the life of the cell. One approach to reducing viral burden is to selectively eliminate cells containing integrated provirus early following infection. We have used the HIV LTR promoter to selectively express transgenes in human cells positive for the HIV transactivator protein Tat. Transient transfection of Jurkat cells, or Jurkat cells stably expressing Tat (Jurkat-Tat), with a LTR construct containing luciferase reporter gene resulted in a 37-fold increase in gene expression when Tat was present. We have demonstrated that when pro-apoptotic Bax was used as the transgene, cytotoxicity was seen only in the Jurkat-Tat cells. Annexin-V staining indicated that Bax induced cell death by apoptosis. In mixed populations of Jurkat and Jurkat-Tat cells, the LTR-Bax construct was selectively cytotoxic to the Tat-positive cells. These results suggest that Bax under the control of the HIV LTR can be used to destroy cells harbouring HIV without affecting uninfected cells.
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10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.10.195
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pubmed_12_2430
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The objective of the present research was to identify a procedure whereby chicken acrosin could be purified. Acrosin, as evidenced by amidase activity, was extracted with urea most efficiently at a concentration of 6 M. Extraction efficiency was enhanced by spermatozoal lysis prior to admixture with 6 M urea. Lysis was induced by passage of spermatozoal suspensions through a French pressure cell. Acrosin was purified by using gel filtration, chromatofocusing, and affinity chromatography. Based on amidase activity, a 19-fold purification was obtained with a 28% recovery. Native electrophoresis resolved two major protein bands with proteolytic activity. The methods described afford the procurement of milligram amounts of chicken acrosin.
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10.3382/ps.0690812
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pubmed_155_912
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One hundred eighteen patients with metastatic carcinoid tumor were randomized to treatment with streptozotocin combined with cyclophosphamide or with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Commonly experienced side effects were nausea, vomiting, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and nephrotoxicity. Objective response rates among eligible and evaluable patients treated with the 5-FU combination was 14 of 42 (33%) and with the cyclophosphamide combination, 12 of 47 (26%). Among those patients with carcinoids primary to the small bowel the respective response rates were 44% and 37%. The overall response rates for patients with carcinoids of pulmonary or unknown origin were only 12% and 17%. There was no significant difference in patient survival between the two treatment arms. Among 11 patients who received crossover therapy with 5-FU alone there were two responders. There were no responders among eight patients treated with cyclophosphamide alone. Urinary 5HIAA excretion proved to be a useful biologic marker in these patients that correlated well with the observed measurements of tumor bulk. Median survival times from the diagnosis of unresectable malignant disease related to sites of origin of carcinoid tumor were the following: small bowel, 28.4 months; pancreas, 24.0 months; lung, 15.1 months; and unknown origin, 9.0 months. Metastatic carcinoid tumor is a malignant disease susceptible to chemotherapeutic approaches and continued investigation of the therapy of these neoplasms should be strongly encouraged.
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pubmed_155_912
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pubmed_292_12094
|
Increased serum eosinophil levels have been associated with multiple disorders of immune deficiency or immune dysregulation. Although primary immunodeficiency diseases are rare, it is important to consider these in the differential diagnosis of patients with eosinophilia. In this review, the clinical features, laboratory findings, diagnosis, and genetic basis of disease of several disorders of immune deficiency or dysregulation are discussed. The article includes autosomal dominant hyper IgE syndrome, DOCK8 deficiency, phosphoglucomutase 3 deficiency, ADA-SCID, Omenn syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome, Comel-Netherton syndrome, and severe dermatitis, multiple allergies, and metabolic wasting syndrome.
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pubmed_292_12094
|
pubmed_511_19298
|
We have analytically investigated three-dimensional (3D) Airy-Cartesian (AiC) and Airy-helical-Cartesian (AiHC) wave packets by solving the (3+1)-dimensional free space Schrödinger equation. The complex amplitude of the AiC and AiHC wave packets is described by the product of the Hermite polynomials, the Gaussian functions, and the Airy functions. We find that the AiC and AiHC wave packets will gradually spread along the propagation distances, but attenuate along the time domain. The distributions of the radiation force depend on the distribution factor. In addition, the chirp factor has the effect of the energy concentration of the wave packets. The different 3D spatiotemporal profiles, the photoelasticity, and vortex rings can be obtained by choosing different values of the mode number, the distribution factor, the chirp factor, the initial velocity, and the propagation distances.
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10.1364/JOSAA.35.000536
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pubmed_552_14733
|
Cyclic vomiting is a psychosomatic syndrome, but it is also a diagnosis of exclusion. Before such a diagnosis can be made, an organic basis for the episodes of vomiting must be ruled out. We describe a case of episodic vomiting in a school-aged girl. Endoscopic examination eventually confirmed a diagnosis of intermittent duodenal intussusception due to an enteric duplication. Removal of the duplication abolished the episodes of vomiting. The differential diagnosis of episodic vomiting is discussed, and the literature on intussusception is reviewed. Endoscopy should be considered in a child with a history of episodic vomiting.
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10.1097/00005176-199004000-00023
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pubmed_442_2116
|
Mapping the conformational landscape of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and in particular how this landscape is modulated by the membrane environment, is required to gain a clear picture of how signaling proceeds. To this end, we have developed an original strategy based on solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance combined with an efficient isotope labeling scheme. This strategy was applied to a typical GPCR, the leukotriene B4 receptor BLT2, reconstituted in a lipid bilayer. Because of this, we are able to provide direct evidence that BLT2 explores a complex landscape that includes four different conformational states for the unliganded receptor. The relative distribution of the different states is modulated by ligands and the sterol content of the membrane, in parallel with the changes in the ability of the receptor to activate its cognate G protein. This demonstrates a conformational coupling between the agonist and the membrane environment that is likely to be fundamental for GPCR signaling.
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10.1021/jacs.6b04432
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pubmed_271_19092
|
We describe an open-source freeware programme for high throughput analysis of nanoSIMS (nanometre-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry) data. The programme implements basic data processing and analytical functions, including display and drift-corrected accumulation of scanned planes, interactive and semi-automated definition of regions of interest (ROIs), and export of the ROIs' elemental and isotopic composition in graphical and text-based formats. Additionally, the programme offers new functions that were custom-designed to address the needs of environmental microbiologists. Specifically, it allows manual and automated classification of ROIs based on the information that is derived either from the nanoSIMS dataset itself (e.g. from labelling achieved by halogen in situ hybridization) or is provided externally (e.g. as a fluorescence in situ hybridization image). Moreover, by implementing post-processing routines coupled to built-in statistical tools, the programme allows rapid synthesis and comparative analysis of results from many different datasets. After validation of the programme, we illustrate how these new processing and analytical functions increase flexibility, efficiency and depth of the nanoSIMS data analysis. Through its custom-made and open-source design, the programme provides an efficient, reliable and easily expandable tool that can help a growing community of environmental microbiologists and researchers from other disciplines process and analyse their nanoSIMS data.
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10.1111/j.1462-2920.2011.02681.x
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pubmed_999_19314
|
The heart's geometry and its metabolic activity vary over the cardiac cycle. The effect of these fluctuations on phosphorus (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data quality and metabolite ratios was investigated. 12 healthy volunteers were measured using a 7 T MR scanner and a cardiac 31P-1H loop coil. 31P chemical shift imaging data were acquired untriggered and at four different times during the cardiac cycle using acoustic triggering. Signals of adenosine-triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi) and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and their fit quality as Cramér-Rao lower bounds (CRLB) were quantified including corrections for contamination by 31P signals from blood, flip angle, saturation and total acquisition time. The myocardial filling factor was estimated from cine short axis views. The corrected signals of PCr and [Formula: see text]-ATP were higher during end-systole and lower during diastasis than in untriggered acquisitions ([Formula: see text]). Signal intensities of untriggered scans were between those with triggering to end-systole and diastasis. Fit quality of PCr and [Formula: see text]-ATP peaks was best during end-systole when blood contamination of ATP and Pi signals was lowest. While metabolite ratios and pH remained stable over the cardiac cycle, signal amplitudes correlated strongly with myocardial voxel filling. Triggering of cardiac 31P MRS acquisitions improves signal amplitudes and fit quality if the trigger delay is set to end-systole. We conclude that triggering to end-systole is superior to triggering to diastasis.
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10.1038/s41598-021-87063-8
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pubmed_725_10994
|
The spring-loaded clip and tubal ring techniques of laparoscopic female sterilization were compared for ease of performance, safety and effectiveness at the Asociación Demográfica Salvadoreña in San Salvador, where they were randomly assigned to a total of 299 patients. Rates of technical/equipment difficulties and procedural difficulties during laparoscopy were similar for both techniques. Procedure-related surgical complications occurred in three ring patients as a result of tubal transection. Pain during the procedure was more severe for tubal ring patients. Results suggest that both techniques can be safely and effectively used for laparoscopic sterilization.
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10.1002/j.1879-3479.1980.tb00259.x
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pubmed_340_7432
|
BACKGROUND
Leukotriene (LT) E(4) and 8-isoprostane concentrations are elevated in exhaled breath condensate in children with asthma. The effects of leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) on exhaled leukotriene and prostanoids in children with asthma are unknown.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To study the effect of montelukast, a LTRA, on exhaled LTE(4), 8-isoprostane, and prostaglandin E(2) in children with asthma and atopic children; (2) to measure exhaled nitric oxide.
METHODS
An open-label study with oral montelukast (5 mg once daily for 4 weeks) was undertaken in 17 atopic children with asthma and 16 atopic children without asthma.
RESULTS
Pretreatment exhaled LTE(4) (P < .0001) and 8-isoprostane (P < .0001) values were higher in atopic children with asthma than in atopic children without asthma. In atopic children with asthma, montelukast reduced exhaled LTE(4) by 33% (P < .001), and this reduction was correlated with pretreatment LTE(4) values (r = -0.90; P = .0001). Posttreatment exhaled LTE(4) levels in children with asthma were higher than pretreatment LTE(4) values in atopic children without asthma (P < .004). Montelukast had no effect on exhaled LTE(4) in atopic children without asthma (P = .74), or on exhaled 8-isoprostane (atopic children with asthma, P = .94; atopic children without asthma, P = .55) and PGE(2) (atopic children with asthma, P = .56; atopic children without asthma, P = .93) in both groups. In atopic children with asthma, exhaled nitric oxide concentrations were reduced by 27% (P < .05) after montelukast.
CONCLUSION
Leukotriene receptor antagonists decrease exhaled LTE(4) in atopic children with asthma. This reduction is dependent on baseline exhaled LTE(4) values.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Measurement of exhaled LTE(4) might help identify children with asthma most likely to benefit from LTRAs.
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10.1016/j.jaci.2006.04.010
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pubmed_355_7015
|
The management of a postoperative bronchopleural fistula remains a major challenge for the thoracic surgeon. We present a series of three patients who underwent closure of the fistulas with the distal flap of the divided latissimus dorsi muscle (the reverse latissimus dorsi muscle flap) and a limited thoracoplasty. The primary resections, which were performed through a standard posterolateral thoracotomy, were right lower lobectomy in two patients and right middle and lower bilobectomy in the other. The initial myoplasty produced prompt fistula closure in 2 patients and failed in the other patient because of a large empyema space. The reverse latissimus dorsi muscle flap could be used for the management of bronchopleural fistula in selected patients who underwent lower lobectomy or middle and lower bilobectomy.
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pubmed_355_7015
|
pubmed_855_4417
|
The acoustic startle response (ASR) in rats is mediated by an oligosynaptic pathway from the cochlea via the brainstem to spinal and cranial motoneurons. The present study tested whether the superior olivary complex (SOC) plays a role in the mediation of the ASR. The SOC receives auditory information from the ventral cochlear nuclei and projects to the caudal pontine reticular nucleus (PnC), the sensorimotor interface of the ASR. Axon-sparing excitotoxic lesions of the SOC strongly reduced the ASR amplitude and slightly prolonged ASR onset and peak latencies. The integrity of PnC which is adjacent to the SOC was confirmed by testing the tactile startle response which was not affected by SOC lesions. We suggest that the SOC is necessary for a full expression of the ASR and discuss possible auditory input structures involved in the mediation of the ASR.
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10.1016/s0166-4328(99)00146-1
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pubmed_227_2914
|
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Variceal bleeding refractory to medical treatment with beta-blockers and endoscopic therapy can be managed by variceal decompression with either surgical shunts or transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunts (TIPS). This prospective randomized trial tested the hypothesis that patients receiving distal splenorenal shunts (DSRS) would have significantly lower rebleeding and encephalopathy rates than TIPS in management of refractory variceal bleeding.
METHODS
A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial at 5 centers was conducted. One hundred forty patients with Child-Pugh class A and B cirrhosis and refractory variceal bleeding were randomized to DSRS or TIPS. Protocol and event follow-up for 2-8 years (mean, 46 +/- 26 months) for primary end points of variceal bleeding and encephalopathy and secondary end points of death, ascites, thrombosis and stenosis, liver function, need for transplant, quality of life, and cost were evaluated.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in rebleeding (DSRS, 5.5%; TIPS, 10.5%; P = .29) or first encephalopathy event (DSRS, 50%; TIPS, 50%). Survival at 2 and 5 years (DSRS, 81% and 62%; TIPS, 88% and 61%, respectively) were not significantly different (P = .87). Thrombosis, stenosis, and reintervention rates (DSRS, 11%; TIPS, 82%) were significantly (P < .001) higher in the TIPS group. Ascites, need for transplant, quality of life, and costs were not significantly different.
CONCLUSIONS
DSRS and TIPS are similarly efficacious in the control of refractory variceal bleeding in Child-Pugh class A and B patients. Reintervention is significantly greater for TIPS compared with DSRS. Because both procedures have equivalent outcomes, the choice is dependent on available expertise and ability to monitor the shunt and reintervene when needed.
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10.1053/j.gastro.2006.02.008
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pubmed_587_20455
|
STUDY DESIGN
Patients with low back pain were asked to recall the pain and impaired functioning that they reported 5-10 years previously as part of the National Low Back Pain prospective follow-up study. In 1998, patients completed an additional follow-up.
OBJECTIVES
To compare outcomes using patient-recalled data and prospectively collected data from patients with low back pain and to identify simple, symptom-specific questions that yield reliable responses over an extended period of time.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
Outcome assessment based on patient recall may be influenced by a patient's age, gender, reporting tendency, and current health status. The impact of data collected retrospectively on outcome analyses in spinal patients has not been addressed.
METHODS
Patients enrolled in the National Low Back Pain study from 1986 to 1991 completed a self-administered questionnaire at their initial visit. A sample was interviewed by telephone in 1996 and asked to recall pain characteristics and impaired functioning reported at initial examination. A 10-year follow-up (1998) on current health status was conducted by mail. The 1998 follow-up response was separately compared with recalled and initial responses, such that two patient outcome status values were calculated for each question. Agreement was evaluated using Cohen's kappa.
RESULTS
The follow-up evaluation was completed by 144 patients, with a mean interval of 9.4 years. The overall simple kappa was 0.37, indicating "fair" agreement between outcomes based on initial and recalled accounts of pain. Questions on location of pain had kappa values of 0.12-0.58, radicular symptoms 0.28-0.48, and severity of pain 0.11-0.30.
CONCLUSIONS
"Fair" to "moderate" agreement was found between outcomes determined by recalled versus initial reports. Accuracy was greatest for queries on frequency, location of pain, and activities affecting pain. Discrepancies were noted for queries on severity of pain, with error bias toward less pain when using the recalled data. Careful selection of questions may yield more accurate outcome measures.
|
10.1097/00007632-200205010-00020
|
pubmed_978_17186
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The plasma membrane proteins of Dictyostelium discoideum were characterized with respect to their partitioning into the Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton fraction of the cell during concanavalin A-induced capping. Two fractions of plasma membrane-associated concanavalin A were identified; one that immediately associated with the cytoskeleton fraction via cell surface glycoproteins, and one that partitioned with the cytoskeleton only after extensive cell surface glycoprotein cross-linking. Three major classes of polypeptides were found in the plasma membrane that differed with respect to their partitioning properties into the cytoskeleton fraction. The temporal order of association of the polypeptides with the cytoskeleton during concanavalin A-induced capping corresponded to the strength of their association with the cytoskeleton fraction as determined by pH and ionic strength elution from unligated cytoskeletons.
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10.1242/jcs.92.1.85
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pubmed_749_16012
|
Endothelial dysfunction (ED), an established response to cardiovascular risk factors, is characterized by increased levels of soluble molecules secreted by endothelial cells (EC). Evidence suggest that ED is an independent predictor of cardiac events and that it is associated with a deficiency in production or bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and/or an imbalance in the relative contribution of endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors. ED can be reversed by treating cardiovascular risk factors, hence, beyond ambiguity, ED contributes to initiation and progression of atherosclerotic disease. Majority of cardiovascular risk factors act by a common pathway, oxidative stress (OS), characterized by an imbalance in bioavailability of NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Enhanced ROS, through several mechanisms, alters competence of EC that leads to ED, reducing its potential to maintain homeostasis and resulting in development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Influential mechanisms that have been implicated in the development of ED include (i) presence of elevated levels of NOS inhibitor, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) due to augmented enzyme activity of protein arginine methyl transferase-1 (PRMT1); (ii) decrease in NO generation by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling, or by reaction of NO with free radicals and (iii) impaired post translational modification of protein (PTM) such as eNOS, caveolin-1 (cav1) and sirtuin-1 (SIRT1). However, the inter-related mechanisms that concur to developing ED is yet to be understood. The events that possibly overlay include OS-induced sequestration of SIRT1 to caveolae facilitating cav1-SIRT1 association; potential increase in lysine acetylation of enzymes such as eNOS and PRMT1 leading to enhanced ADMA formation; imbalance in acetylation-methylation ratio (AMR); diminished NO generation and ED. Here we review current literature from research showing interdependent association between cav1-PRMT1-SIRT1 to the outcomes of experimental and clinical research aiming to preserve endothelial function with gene- or pharmaco-therapy.
|
10.1016/j.phrs.2017.01.022
|
pubmed_976_2504
|
We report a case of aberrant expression of the T cell antigen CD8 in a patient with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL). A 62-year-old Caucasian female with several enlarged lymph nodes and suspected to have B-CLL was referred to our laboratory for routine immunophenotyping. Peripheral blood cell count showed moderate leucocytosis without other abnormalities. The dual-colour flow cytometric analysis showed a typical B-CLL phenotype (CD45+, CD19+, kappa+, lambda-, CD20+, CD23+, IgM+, HLA-DR+, CD5/CD19+, CD3-). In addition, aberrant expression of the T cell marker CD8 was found, present on approximately 64% of the leukemic cells. This is a rare even, the significance and nature of this aberration has not yet been fully determined. In this case, our patient had a rapid response to treatment with a remarkable reduction in the number of leukemic cells only two weeks after beginning treatment.
|
10.1080/1042819021000054689
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pubmed_698_3685
|
In the early embryonic cell cycle, Cdc2-cyclin B functions like an autonomous oscillator, whose robust biochemical rhythm continues even when DNA replication or mitosis is blocked. At the core of the oscillator is a negative feedback loop; cyclins accumulate and produce active mitotic Cdc2-cyclin B; Cdc2 activates the anaphase-promoting complex (APC); the APC then promotes cyclin degradation and resets Cdc2 to its inactive, interphase state. Cdc2 regulation also involves positive feedback, with active Cdc2-cyclin B stimulating its activator Cdc25 (refs 5-7) and inactivating its inhibitors Wee1 and Myt1 (refs 8-11). Under the correct circumstances, these positive feedback loops could function as a bistable trigger for mitosis, and oscillators with bistable triggers may be particularly relevant to biological applications such as cell cycle regulation. Therefore, we examined whether Cdc2 activation is bistable. We confirm that the response of Cdc2 to non-degradable cyclin B is temporally abrupt and switch-like, as would be expected if Cdc2 activation were bistable. We also show that Cdc2 activation exhibits hysteresis, a property of bistable systems with particular relevance to biochemical oscillators. These findings help establish the basic systems-level logic of the mitotic oscillator.
|
10.1038/ncb954
|
pubmed_44_3762
|
Five mutations in the ENAM gene have been found to cause hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), with phenotypes ranging from localized enamel pitting in carriers to severe hypoplastic AI. To determine the generality of ENAM mutations in hypoplastic AI, we sequenced the ENAM gene in ten Turkish families segregating autosomal hypoplastic AI. In two families, ENAM mutations were found. A novel nonsense mutation (g.12663C>A; p.S246X) was identified in one family segregating local hypoplastic AI as a dominant trait. Affected individuals in a second family segregating autosomal-recessive AI were compound heterozygotes for a novel insertion mutation (g.12946_12947insAGTCAGTACCAGTACTGTGTC) and a previously described insertion (g.13185_13186insAG) mutation. Heterozygous carriers of either insertion had a localized enamel-pitting phenotype. These findings substantiate that enamel phenotypes of ENAM mutations may be dose-dependent, with generalized hypoplastic AI segregating as a recessive trait and localized enamel pitting segregating as a dominant trait.
|
10.1177/154405910508401113
|
pubmed_623_19484
|
PURPOSE
Esoteric jargon and technical language are potential barriers to the teaching of science and medicine. Effective teaching strategies which address these barriers are desirable. Here, we created and evaluated the effectiveness of stand-alone 'equivalence-based instruction' (EBI) learning resources wherein the teaching of a small number of direct relationships between stimuli (e.g., anatomical regions, their function, and pathology) results in the learning of higher numbers of untaught relationships.
METHODS
We used a pre and post test design to assess students' learning of the relations. Resources were evaluated by students for perceived usefulness and confidence in the topic. Three versions of the resources were designed, to explore learning parameters such as the number of stimulus classes and the number of relationships within these classes.
RESULTS
We show that use of EBI resulted in demonstrable learning of material that had not been directly taught. The resources were well received by students, even when the quantity of material to be learned was high. There was a strong desire for more EBI-based teaching. The findings are discussed in the context of an ongoing debate surrounding 'rote' vs. 'deep' learning, and the need to balance this debate with considerations of cognitive load and esoteric jargon routinely encountered during the study of medicine.
CONCLUSION
These standalone EBI resources were an effective, efficient and well-received method for teaching neuroanatomy to medical students. The approach may be of benefit to other subjects with abundant technical jargon, science and other areas of medicine.
|
10.3352/jeehp.2016.13.32
|
pubmed_442_16485
|
This review comprehensively summarizes the existing knowledge regarding the chemical implications of anthocyanin glycosyl acylation, the effects of acylation on the stability of acylated anthocyanins and the corresponding mechanisms. Anthocyanin glycosyl acylation commonly refers to the phenomenon in which the hydroxyl groups of anthocyanin glycosyls are esterified by aliphatic or aromatic acids, which is synthetically represented by the acylation sites as well as the types and numbers of acyl groups. Generally, glycosyl acylation increases the in vitro and in vivo chemical stability of acylated anthocyanins, and the mechanisms primarily involve physicochemical, stereochemical, photochemical, biochemical or environmental aspects under specific conditions. Additionally, the acylation sites as well as the types and numbers of acyl groups influence the stability of acylated anthocyanins to different degrees. This review could provide insight into the optimization of the stability of anthocyanins as well as the application of suitable anthocyanins in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
|
10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.07.073
|
pubmed_126_19690
|
Effect of bruchid infestation on selected antinutritional factors, saponin, phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor activities, of three (mung bean, chickpea and pigeon pea) legumes stored for six months was studied. The three antinutritional factors, saponin, phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), increased with increased storage period. Saponin, phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor activity values were significantly lower in control samples compared to stored infested samples. The difference between the contents of antinutritional factors were significant (p < 0.05) during different storage periods.
|
10.1007/BF02436078
|
pubmed_348_2358
|
Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) has recently been the focus of research, with special attention to its clinical and medicolegal aspects. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an important embolic source of PTE. We review the epidemiology, autopsy findings, pathophysiology, and clinical issues related to PTE and DVT in Japan based on our autopsy cases at the Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office.
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10.1016/j.legalmed.2007.09.003
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pubmed_676_10867
|
We examined cytosolic concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in canine airway smooth muscle using fura 2 fluorimetry (global changes in [Ca2+]i), membrane currents (subsarcolemmal [Ca2+]i), and contractions (deep cytosolic [Ca2+]i). Acetylcholine (10(-4) M) elicited fluorimetric, electrophysiological, and mechanical responses. Caffeine (5 mM), ryanodine (0.1-30 microM), and 4-chloro-3-ethylphenol (0.1-0.3 mM), all of which trigger Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release, evoked Ca2+ transients and membrane currents but not contractions. The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-pump inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid (CPA; 10 microM) evoked Ca2+ transients and contractions but not membrane currents. Caffeine occluded the response to CPA, whereas CPA occluded the response to acetylcholine. Finally, KCl contractions were augmented by CPA, ryanodine, or saturation of the SR and reduced when SR filling state was decreased before exposure to KCl. We conclude that 1) the SR forms a superficial buffer barrier dividing the cytosol into functionally distinct compartments in which [Ca2+]i is regulated independently; 2) Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release is preferentially directed toward the sarcolemma; and 3) there is no evidence for multiple, pharmacologically distinct Ca2+ pools.
|
10.1152/ajplung.1999.276.5.L744
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pubmed_48_11916
|
The WRKY family of transcription factors orchestrate the reprogrammed expression of the complex network of defense genes at various biotic and abiotic stresses. Within the last 96 million years, three rounds of Musa polyploidization events had occurred from selective pressure causing duplication of MusaWRKYs with new activities. Here, we identified a total of 153 WRKY transcription factors available from the DH Pahang genome. Based on their phylogenetic relationship, the MusaWRKYs available with complete gene sequence were classified into the seven common WRKY sub-groups. Synteny analyses data revealed paralogous relationships, with 17 MusaWRKY gene pairs originating from the duplication events that had occurred within the Musa lineage. We also found 15 other MusaWRKY gene pairs originating from much older duplication events that had occurred along Arecales and Poales lineage of commelinids. Based on the synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution rates, the fate of duplicated MusaWRKY genes was predicted to have undergone sub-functionalization in which the duplicated gene copies retain a subset of the ancestral gene function. Also, to understand the regulatory roles of MusaWRKY during a biotic stress, Illumina sequencing was performed on resistant and susceptible cultivars during the infection of root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus coffeae. The differential WRKY gene expression analysis in nematode resistant and susceptible cultivars during challenged and unchallenged conditions had distinguished: 1) MusaWRKYs participating in general banana defense mechanism against P.coffeae common to both susceptible and resistant cultivars, 2) MusaWRKYs that may aid in the pathogen survival as suppressors of plant triggered immunity, 3) MusaWRKYs that may aid in the host defense as activators of plant triggered immunity and 4) cultivar specific MusaWRKY regulation. Mainly, MusaWRKY52, -69 and -92 are found to be P.coffeae specific and can act as activators or repressors in a defense pathway. Overall, this preliminary study in Musa provides the basis for understanding the evolution and regulatory mechanism of MusaWRKY during nematode stress.
|
10.1371/journal.pone.0162013
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pubmed_449_6810
|
In the present study, we have tested the cortical arousal (Flicker's Test) and mnesic function (Buschke Test) before and after a short-term Lysine-Vasopressin (LVP) treatment in normal senescent male (Age: 64,3 +/- 3,4). We have not been able to evidence any objective nor subjective improvement in the LVP versus placebo treated group. We do not know the origins of the discrepancies between the different clinical studies published so far concerning the influence of exogenous vasopressin on memory in man.
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pubmed_449_6810
|
pubmed_835_5460
|
This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of various mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf extracts (MLEs), including mulberry ethanol extract (MEE), aqueous extract (MAE) and a combination extract (MCE) against D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury in rats. It aimed to explore the possible molecular mechanism of the liver-protecting function of mulberry leaves and provide a reference for choosing the appropriate extraction method. The results showed that the three extracts contained different amounts of phenolic compounds, 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and polysaccharides. MLEs markedly improved the pathological status of rat liver tissue, decreased the levels of AST, ALT, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MDA, while increased the levels of GSH, SOD and CAT in the D-GalN/LPS-treated rats at the same time. MEE, with the highest amount of total phenolics, exhibited the highest antioxidant activity corresponding to the protein expression level of Nrf2 and HO-1. MCE significantly suppressed the expression of apoptosis-related dot-like protein (ASC) and Caspase-1 and inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2, thereby showing high anti-inflammatory activity. These results indicated that the active components from mulberry leaves protected rats against acute liver injury, attributed to a reduction in both oxidative stress and inflammatory response. The protective effect may be implicated in regulating the Nrf2, NLRP3 and MAPK signaling pathways.
|
10.1039/d2fo00282e
|
pubmed_581_11726
|
BACKGROUND
Many organisms are able to survive in extreme environments by entering a state of dormancy. In dormancy, vital activities are reduced until environmental conditions are compatible with active life. Annual killifishes show a special developmental pattern characterized by a phase of dispersion-reaggregation of the blastomeres that separates epiboly from organogenesis, and the capability to enter dormancy in diapause. High tolerance to environmental stress confers annual killifish embryos the condition of extremophiles. At present, the questions of our research group are focused on the understanding of the mechanisms involved in diapause regulation through an interdisciplinary approach. As a first step, it is necessary to characterize diapauses at morphological and physiological levels and to evaluate induction cues under laboratory conditions. In this context, we characterized diapause I in two Austrolebias species.
RESULTS
Our experimental approach to induce diapause I was successful and revealed the co-existence of two diapause I phenotypes named A and B instead of one. These phenotypes showed a tendency for lower total extractable RNA content compared with active developmental stages (80-100% epiboly and early reaggregate).
CONCLUSIONS
These phenotypes are alternative diapause I stages and may have ecological relevance because both were found in embryos in natural ponds. Developmental Dynamics 246:848-857, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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10.1002/dvdy.24580
|
pubmed_789_16894
|
We present a computational framework for multiscale modeling and simulation of blood flow in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. Using this framework, only CT and non-invasive clinical measurements are required without the need to assume pressure and/or flow waveforms in the coronaries and we can capture global circulatory dynamics. We demonstrate this methodology in a case study of a patient with multiple CABGs. A patient-specific model of the blood vessels is constructed from CT image data to include the aorta, aortic branch vessels (brachiocephalic artery and carotids), the coronary arteries and multiple bypass grafts. The rest of the circulatory system is modeled using a lumped parameter network (LPN) 0 dimensional (0D) system comprised of resistances, capacitors (compliance), inductors (inertance), elastance and diodes (valves) that are tuned to match patient-specific clinical data. A finite element solver is used to compute blood flow and pressure in the 3D (3 dimensional) model, and this solver is implicitly coupled to the 0D LPN code at all inlets and outlets. By systematically parameterizing the graft geometry, we evaluate the influence of graft shape on the local hemodynamics, and global circulatory dynamics. Virtual manipulation of graft geometry is automated using Bezier splines and control points along the pathlines. Using this framework, we quantify wall shear stress, wall shear stress gradients and oscillatory shear index for different surgical geometries. We also compare pressures, flow rates and ventricular pressure-volume loops pre- and post-bypass graft surgery. We observe that PV loops do not change significantly after CABG but that both coronary perfusion and local hemodynamic parameters near the anastomosis region change substantially. Implications for future patient-specific optimization of CABG are discussed.
|
10.1007/s10439-012-0579-3
|
pubmed_770_13475
|
On the eye a contact lens is bathed in tear fluid, which increases its resistance to oxygen flux. For rigid gas-permeable lenses, this effect should be small during open-eye wear because a large amount of oxygen is provided by air-saturated tears that are pumped under the lens. However, under closed-eye conditions this study suggests substantial decrease in overall lens system oxygen transmissibility when lens transmissibility itself is greater than 20 x 10(-9) cm ml O2/s ml mm Hg and when the average thickness of the tear layer is greater than about 20 micron.
|
10.1097/00006324-198805000-00016
|
pubmed_702_10229
|
Previous work with small-animal laboratory models of tuberculosis has shown that vaccination strategies based on heterologous prime-boost protocols using Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) to prime and modified vaccinia virus Ankara strain (MVA85A) or recombinant attenuated adenoviruses (Ad85A) expressing the mycobacterial antigen Ag85A to boost may increase the protective efficacy of BCG. Here we report the first efficacy data on using these vaccines in cattle, a natural target species of tuberculous infection. Protection was determined by measuring development of disease as an end point after M. bovis challenge. Either Ad85A or MVA85A boosting resulted in protection superior to that given by BCG alone: boosting BCG with MVA85A or Ad85A induced significant reduction in pathology in four/eight parameters assessed, while BCG vaccination alone did so in only one parameter studied. Protection was particularly evident in the lungs of vaccinated animals (median lung scores for naïve and BCG-, BCG/MVA85A-, and BCG/Ad85A-vaccinated animals were 10.5, 5, 2.5, and 0, respectively). The bacterial loads in lymph node tissues were also reduced after viral boosting of BCG-vaccinated calves compared to those in BCG-only-vaccinated animals. Analysis of vaccine-induced immunity identified memory responses measured by cultured enzyme-linked immunospot assay as well as in vitro interleukin-17 production as predictors of vaccination success, as both responses, measured before challenge, correlated positively with the degree of protection. Therefore, this study provides evidence of improved protection against tuberculosis by viral booster vaccination in a natural target species and has prioritized potential correlates of vaccine efficacy for further evaluation. These findings also have implications for human tuberculosis vaccine development.
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10.1128/IAI.00287-09
|
pubmed_386_17445
|
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of short-term glucocorticoid therapy on nasal polyposis.
METHODOLOGY
A total of 60 patients with sinonasal polyposis were given oral glucocorticoid therapy (1 mg/kg) for 20 days. Patient symptoms were evaluated with the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 20 (SNOT-20). Computerized tomography (CT) images of the paranasal sinus were acquired before and after treatment and were evaluated with the Kennedy scoring system.
RESULTS
Evaluation of paranasal CTs showed complete disease resolution in 15 patients and partial disease resolution in 25 patients. Patients with complete and partial resolutions,based on CT images, exhibited significant decreases in disease stages. Statistical analysis revealed a significant change in the SNOT-20 results (P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences among the evaluations based on the paranasal sinus CTs, the SNOT-20, and the SNOT-20 combined with a subjective selection of the five most disturbing symptoms (SNOT-20(+5)) (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The results showed a strong correlation between radiological changes and improvements in quality of life, assessed with the SNOT-20 or the SNOT-20(+5).
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pubmed_386_17445
|
pubmed_265_363
|
Genomic sequences of the self-incompatibility genes, the S-RNase genes, from two rosaceous species, Japanese pear and apple, were characterized. Genomic Southern blot and sequencing of a 4.5-kb genomic clone showed that the S4-RNase gene of Japanese pear is surrounded by repetitive sequences as in the case of the S-RNase genes of solanaceous species. The flanking regions of the S2- and Sf-RNase genes of apple were also cloned and sequenced. The 5' flanking regions of the three alleles bore no similarity with those of the solanaceous S-RNase genes, although the position and sequence of the putative TATA box were conserved. The putative promoter regions of the Japanese pear S4- and apple Sf-RNase genes shared a stretch of about 200bp with 80% sequence identity. However, this sequence was not present in the S2-RNase gene of apple, and thus it may reflect a close relationship between the S4- and Sf-RNase genes rather than a cis-element important in regulating gene expression. Despite the uniform pattern of expression of the rosaceous S-RNase genes, sequence motifs conserved in the 5' flanking regions of the three alleles were not found, implying that the cis-element controlling pistil specific gene expression also locates at the intragenic region or upstream of the analyzed promoter region.
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10.1016/s0378-1119(98)00105-x
|
pubmed_339_13767
|
BACKGROUND
Tonometer tips are used by optometrists to measure intraocular pressures. The recommended procedure of soaking in bleach solution kills bacteria and certain viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus, herpes simplex virus-1 and herpes simplex virus-2, adenovirus 8, and hepatitis B, from the tip. Conversely, recommendations made in literature to sterilize equipment that may have come in contact with virus-contaminated tissue from patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have a somewhat tougher requirement.
METHODS
Autoclaving for 1 hour at a temperature of at least 120 degrees C (15 psi), or a 1-hour exposure to 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (a 10-fold dilution of household bleach) should provide excellent disinfection. One-hour exposure to 1 N Sodium hydroxide has also been mentioned in the literature.
RESULTS
Studies have shown that corneas of guinea pigs with Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease (C-J disease) are infectious. Infected corneas have been shown to cause transmission via corneal transplants, and via experimental placement of infected guinea pig's cornea into the anterior chamber of uninfected guinea pigs. Many researchers have strongly suggested that C-J disease can be iatrogenically transmitted via applanation tonometer tips. An epidemiologic case-controlled study found statistically significant odds ratio for intraocular pressure testing in the medical history of patients with C-J disease.
CONCLUSION
Even though there have not been any proven studies confirming iatrogenic transmission through tonometer tips, optometrists should be cautious if a patient has C-J disease, or manifests symptoms of C-J disease and use alternatives to Goldmann applanation tonometry.
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pubmed_339_13767
|
pubmed_1127_1385
|
Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) has been a social and a surgical problem for centuries and remains a challenge to surgeons. Though advances have been made in the understanding of the etiology, diagnostic procedures and management of these fistulae, controversies still exist over the ideal approach and time to repair. This review was undertaken to look into the recent literature with regard to the timing and surgical approach to VVF repair. The literature search was done using the Medline database with keywords: vesicovaginal fistula, laparoscopy and robotic repair filtered for the last 5 years.
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10.4103/0970-1591.32073
|
pubmed_677_3863
|
The movement disturbances and brain imaging findings in Asperger's disorder (AD) suggest a dopaminergic deficit in movement regulation. Movement disorders of different etiologies have been quantified and specified with actometry. We compared 10 AD patients with 10 healthy controls, measuring their rest-activities by actometry. The lower limb motor activity was significantly higher in the AD group. They also displayed a rhythmic, periodic movement pattern similar to akathisia. These findings suggest a hypothesis of idiopathic akathisia and a special sensitivity to adverse effects of neuroleptic drugs.
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10.1016/j.psychres.2002.06.001
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pubmed_232_10498
|
Patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) who drink heavily are likely to suffer more severe liver injury, promoting disease progression to cirrhosis and increasing their risk for liver cancer. Some research, although not conclusive, suggests that even moderate drinking may spur liver damage in HCV-infected patients. Research areas that have the greatest potential for developing more effective treatment options include HCV virology, immunology, animal models, and the mechanisms of liver injury.
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pubmed_232_10498
|
pubmed_51_21862
|
This is a case report of furosemide use in a woman with acute renal transplant rejection and history of anaphylaxis to sulfonamide and a review of the literature.
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10.1027/0838-1925.12.1.26
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pubmed_961_698
|
Rubratoxin B can be produced in a semisynthetic medium by Penicillium rubrum under varying environmental and nutritional conditions. Maximum production (552.0 mg/500 ml) was obtained with P. rubrum NRRL A-11785 grown in stationary cultures of Mosseray's simplified Raulin solution supplemented with 2.5% malt extract broth at ambient temperature. Zinc is required at levels of at least 0.4 mg per liter. In the absence of iron sulfate, there was a 50-fold reduction in rubratoxin B production but not in growth. No toxin was produced by this isolate in 5- or 7-liter fermentors.
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10.1128/am.20.3.469-473.1970
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pubmed_321_10039
|
Polysaccharide TLH-3 extracted from Tricholoma lobayense possessed unique antioxidant and anti-aging activities, whereas its immunomodulatory properties remain unexplored. Herein in order to explore TLH-3 biological activities, the immunomodulatory effects on RAW264.7 macrophages and its molecular mechanisms were investigated. It was showed that TLH-3 could significantly enhance the phagocytic activity, releasing toxic molecules NO (nitricoxide), secretion of the cytokine TNF-?(tumor necrosis factor-?, IL-6 (interleukin-6). Further, TNF-?and IL-6 were blocked by the inhibitor of TLR4 (Toll-like receptor4), suggesting TLR4 was a receptor of TLH-3, and immunomodulatory activity of TLH-3 was mediated by TLR4. Moreover, immunofluorescence indicated that TLH-3 lead to the nuclear translocation of NF-?B (nuclear factor-?B) subunit p65. Western blotting demonstrated that NF-?B levels in nucleuses increased and cytoplasmic I?B-?(inhibitor of NF-?B) degraded after TLH-3 treatment, suggesting that TLH-3 probably stimulated macrophage by activating the IκB-α-NF-κB pathway via TLR-4. This study demonstrated that TLH-3 could be potentially used as immunomodulatory agent for healthcare and disease control.
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10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.10.165
|
pubmed_550_19520
|
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the application of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRU) in typing Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Shandong.
METHOD
826 strains of M. tuberculosis from laboratories of 12 county tuberculosis dispensaries in Shandong were cultured and typed by MIRU genotyping in the KICID laboratory.
RESULTS
The 826 strains were typed to 201 distinct MIRU patterns, and 123 isolates were unique, 703 strains were grouped into 1 of 78 different MIRU clusters, and the MIRU genotype of the largest cluster was 223325173533. Among the clustered strains, 18 patients had an epidemiological history of contact. The Hunter-Gaston discriminatory index was 0.90. The allelic diversity of the sample was calculated for each other of the MIRU loci, and showed that MIRU26 had 10 alleles and was highly discriminative, while other five MIRU loci (MIRU31, 10, 39, 40, 4) were moderately discriminative. The reproducibility of the MIRU method was 100%. It took about RMB yen50 to genotype one strain.
CONCLUSIONS
MIRU genotyping is a reproducible, fast, simple, and relatively cheap method. But because the isolates of 223325173533 genotype are predominant (30.89% of the isolates) in Shandong Province, it needs a second method IS6110 RFLP or by adding other more discriminative variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci to improve the discriminative power.
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pubmed_550_19520
|
pubmed_724_11439
|
DNA segregation or partition is an essential process that ensures stable genome transmission. In prokaryotes, partition is best understood for plasmids, which serve as tractable model systems to study the mechanistic underpinnings of DNA segregation at a detailed atomic level owing to their simplicity. Specifically, plasmid partition requires only three elements: a centromere-like DNA site and two proteins: a motor protein, generally an ATPase, and a centromere-binding protein. In the first step of the partition process, multiple centromere-binding proteins bind co-operatively to the centromere, which typically consists of several tandem repeats, to form a higher-order nucleoprotein complex called the partition complex. The partition complex recruits the ATPase to form the segrosome and somehow activates the ATPase for DNA separation. Two major families of plasmid par systems have been delineated based on whether they utilize ATPase proteins with deviant Walker-type motifs or actin-like folds. In contrast, the centromere-binding proteins show little sequence homology even within a given family. Recent structural studies, however, have revealed that these centromere-binding proteins appear to belong to one of two major structural groups: those that employ helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motifs or those with ribbon-helix-helix DNA-binding domains. The first structure of a higher-order partition complex was recently revealed by the structure of pSK41 centromere-binding protein, ParR, bound to its centromere site. This structure showed that multiple ParR ribbon-helix-helix motifs bind symmetrically to the tandem centromere repeats to form a large superhelical structure with dimensions suitable for capture of the filaments formed by the actinlike ATPases. Surprisingly, recent data indicate that the deviant Walker ATPase proteins also form polymer-like structures, suggesting that, although the par families harbour what initially appeared to be structurally and functionally divergent proteins, they actually utilize similar mechanisms of DNA segregation. Thus, in the present review, the known Par protein and Par-protein complex structures are discussed with regard to their functions in DNA segregation in an attempt to begin to define, at a detailed atomic level, the molecular mechanisms involved in plasmid segregation.
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10.1042/BJ20080359
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pubmed_69_4135
|
The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and microbial efficacy of a 7-day or a 14-day course of doxycycline for the treatment of Mycoplasma felis-infected cats with clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) assessed using clinical scoring criteria. Cats were randomly allocated to either the Doxy-7 group (N=20; 7-day course of oral doxycyline liquid followed by 7-days placebo); or the Doxy-14 group (N=20; 14-day course of oral doxycycline). There were no significant differences in Mycoplasma load between groups at Day 1 or Day 7 (P>0.05), but at Day 14 mean Mycoplasma load was lower in the Doxy-14 group (P=0.01). Mycoplasma load reduced over Days 1-7 in each group (P<0.01), but only the Doxy-14 group had a significantly reduced Mycoplasma load at Day 14 compared to Day 1 (P<0.01). On Day 14, 11 (55%) cats in the Doxy-7 group and 5 (25%) cats in the Doxy-14 group had positive PCR results for M. felis. There was a statistically significant reduction within each group across the Day 1-7 period for ocular discharge, nasal discharge, demeanor, and food intake scores (P<0.01 for each score category). Nasal discharge scores and sneezing scores were statistically lower in the Doxy-14 group than in the Doxy-7 group on individual days during the Day 8-14 period (P<0.05). We conclude that in M. felis-infected cats with clinical signs of URTD, a 14-day course of oral doxycycline produced superior microbial but not clinical results compared to a 7-day course of treatment.
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pubmed_69_4135
|
pubmed_396_11401
|
The aim of this study was to delineate the influence of the emotional content of stimuli to be remembered on the recognition performance of normal subjects by means of the event-related potential (ERP) technique. When words are presented repeatedly, brain responses to repeated and recognized items are characterized by a more positive waveform, referred to as "old/new effect". Words judged for their emotional connotation ("negative", "positive" and "neutral") were presented successively on a video monitor to subjects, who had the task to indicate whether a given word occurred for the first ("new") or second ("old") time within the list by pressing one of two buttons. For each word category, the ERPs of the old words were more positive compared to those of the new items from about 250 ms after stimulus. The old/new effect was significantly enhanced for the negative and positive items compared to the neutral stimuli between 450 and 650 ms after stimulus pointing to a significant influence of the emotional content of words on verbal memory processes. This paradigm appears to be feasible to investigate interactions of emotion and cognition in psychiatric patients.
|
10.1159/000054874
|
pubmed_251_1957
|
Previous studies have reported erythrocyte macrocytosis in adults and children with Down syndrome (DS), the significance of which remains unclear. We compared hematological parameters of 50 DS children aged 2 to 15 years, divided into three age groups, with those of 68 aged-matched healthy children. Patients with DS had a significantly increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and hemoglobin in all groups when compared with the controls. Erythrocyte creatine content, hexokinase (Hk) activity, erythrocyte and serum folates, vitamin B12, haptoglobin, serum iron, and ferritin were tested. All of these parameters were not significantly different from those of the control group. We conclude that macrocytosis may not be an expression of reduced red cell survival but rather of an altered folate remethylation pathway, secondary to enhanced cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) activity, the gene for which is present on chromosome 21.
|
10.3109/08880019609030827
|
pubmed_234_5673
|
A method is presented for simultaneous correction of linear geometric distortions and interscan patient motion in echoplanar imaging (EPI). The technique does not require the acquisition of specialized scans other than high-resolution magnetic resonance images. The method is based on a generalized surface-based coregistration algorithm, which accounts for a complete 3-dimensional affine transformation, i.e., rotations, translations, scaling, and shearing, between two volumetric image data sets. Any minimally distorted high-resolution scan may serve as a reference data set, to which the EPI data set is matched. The algorithmic accuracy was assessed using simulated data sets with known affine distortions. The deviation of the parameters determined by the coregistration program from the true values typically was 1% or less. Precise alignment of functional and anatomic information will be important for many future clinical applications.
|
10.1002/(sici)1522-2594(199907)42:1<201::aid-mrm27>3.0.co;2-y
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pubmed_190_13283
|
BACKGROUND
Median survival for recurrent/metastatic (unknown poly/oligometastatic status) head and neck cancer patients (HNSCC) is ten months with best systemic treatment. Metastatic ablation shows promising results in selected patients with several tumor types. We aimed to assess the role of surgery and stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) with respect to survival in HNSCC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Published data on metastatic HNSCC treated ablatively were analyzed.
RESULTS
Five-year survival rates after pulmonary/liver metastasectomy exceed 20% in selected patients. Two-year survival after lung SABRT of metastasectomy yields 35%. Interesting data on survival and tolerance are reported in other metastatic sites.
CONCLUSION
Surgery yields the best level of evidence. However, non-invasive SABR is efficient and well-tolerated in lung/liver, bone and other metastatic locations. Systemic treatment may be given sequentially with ablative treatments, or omitted in well-identified situations. Proper patient selection for local ablative treatment and optimal therapeutic sequence should be assessed in randomized trials.
|
pubmed_190_13283
|
pubmed_52_2954
|
Using 62 probe-level datasets obtained with a custom-designed Caulobacter crescentus microarray chip, we identify transcriptional start sites of 769 genes, 53 of which are transcribed from multiple start sites. Transcriptional start sites are identified by analyzing probe signal cross-correlation matrices created from probe pairs tiled every 5 bp upstream of the genes. Signals from probes binding the same message are correlated. The contribution of each promoter for genes transcribed from multiple promoters is identified. Knowing the transcription start site enables targeted searching for regulatory-protein binding motifs in the promoter regions of genes with similar expression patterns. We identified 27 motifs, 17 of which share no similarity to the characterized motifs of other C. crescentus transcriptional regulators. Using these motifs, we predict coregulated genes. We verified novel promoter motifs that regulate stress-response genes, including those responding to uranium challenge, a stress-response sigma factor and a stress-response noncoding RNA.
|
10.1038/nbt1294
|
pubmed_528_19330
|
OBJECTIVE
The complex genetics of osteoarthritis (OA) are still poorly defined. To circumvent the problems of genetic and environmental diversity hampering the analysis in humans, we investigated quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with murine OA in the STR/ort strain which spontaneously develops osteoarthritic changes of the knee joints, overweight and elevated serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels.
METHODS
Two hundred and seventy six male F2 intercross (STR/ortxC57BL/6) animals were genotyped using 96 microsatellite markers and phenotyped by analyzing weight, serum COMP levels and osteoarthritic changes of the knee joints. Quantitative trait analyses were performed using the R/qtl software.
RESULTS
Elevated weight, serum COMP levels and osteoarthritic changes of the knee joints in the F2 generation compared to C57BL/6 parental animals confirm Mendelian inheritance. Quantitative trait analyses revealed three weight-, one serum COMP- and one OA-locus.
CONCLUSIONS
The weight-QTL coincide with previously described genes and QTL involved in fatty acid metabolism and offer a plausible explanation for the observed phenotype in STR/ort mice. The exact match of the COMP-QTL and the COMP gene itself suggests a regulatory polymorphism to account for elevated serum levels in STR/ort mice and questions the robustness of serum COMP as a prognostic marker in human knee OA. The newly identified QTL associated with degenerative changes of the knee joints support the concept of OA resulting from a defective chondrocyte metabolism and/or altered apoptosis rate. However, we also discuss the unlikelihood of one QTL being responsible for OA in STR/ort mice and the inherent limitations of microsatellite analyses for complex genetic diseases.
|
10.1016/j.joca.2007.09.004
|
pubmed_598_11357
|
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to examine the effect of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with suspected nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Three hundred thirty-two patients (236 males and 96 females) with suspected NASH from the Amol cohort study were included in this study. MetS was diagnosed based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria and HRQOL was measured using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaire (with 8 subscales and 2 summary components). A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the independent effect of MetS on HRQOL.
RESULTS
The mean age of the study population was 42 ± 13 years (range 18-82). The prevalence of MetS was 43.4% (n = 144) and the mean scores on the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary were 72.4 ± 20.86 and 42.7 ± 12.42, respectively. The multivariable linear regression model showed that MetS was negatively associated with 4 subscales of HRQOL that included: role limitations due to physical problems (RP) (B = -14.05, p = 0.004), bodily pain (BP) (B = -7.37, p = 0.02), vitality (VT) (B = -7.72, p = 0.022), and role limitations due to emotional problems (RE) (B = -12.67, p = 0.005) after adjustment for other variables. Also, MetS had a borderline association with the general health and mental health subscales and the PCS (p < 0.1).
CONCLUSION
In this study, there was a strong association between MetS and 4 subscales (RP, BP, VT, and RE) of HRQOL in patients with suspected NASH; this could be considered as a part of health policy to improve general health.
|
10.1159/000487397
|
pubmed_745_1810
|
Thirty-four patients with a probable clinical diagnosis of dysmyelopoietic syndrome (DMPS) were studied to assess the in vitro growth pattern of their hemopoietic progenitors, i.e. burst-forming unit erythroid (BFU-E) and colony-forming unit myeloid (CFU-C) progenitor cells. Twenty-one patients had DMPS confirmed by final diagnosis and were classified according to the French-American-British (FAB) recommendations. Our results indicate that the normal colony growth of hemopoietic progenitors in vitro excludes DMPS and other preleukemic conditions. In addition, within the DMPS group a low number of CFU-C (11 colonies or fewer) was a highly significant indicator for the development of acute leukemia. Analysis of the limited number of cytogenetic results in the DMPS patients did not reach statistical significance in relation to the development of acute leukemia.
|
10.1159/000205829
|
pubmed_381_20748
|
Research on the effect of L-arginine supplementation on exercise performance is still inconsistent and its influence on single-bout swimming performance has not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess if one-week L-arginine supplementation would enhance 200-m freestyle swimming performance in trained/developmental (regularly training ∼3 times per week with a purpose to compete) male swimmers. In a randomized, cross-over, double-blind design, 8 trained/developmental male swimmers (age 25 ± 5 years; mean ± SD) completed 200-m freestyle swimming time-trial on 3 separate occasions: a control trial; and after 2 separate 7-d supplementation periods, with a daily dose of either 8 g/d of L-arginine or placebo trials. Blood lactate concentration was measured immediately post time-trial swimming. Completion time of the 200-m freestyle swimming time-trial did not differ significantly (F = 4.55; P = 0.060; ŋp2 = 0.394) between control (149.40 ± 9.88 s), L-arginine (146.02 ± 10.34 s) and placebo trials (147.58 ± 10.86 s). There was no statistically significant difference in post time-trial swimming blood lactate concentration between trials (control: 11.2 ± 2.7; L-arginine: 13.1 ± 1.8; Placebo: 12.2 ± 2.7, F = 3.52; P = 0.058; ŋp2 = 0.335). One-week of supplementation with 8 g/d of L-arginine, had no ergogenic effect on middle-distance (200-m), freestyle swimming performance in trained/developmental male swimmers.
|
10.1080/19390211.2022.2119321
|
pubmed_750_10734
|
The congress of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research is one of the main worldwide forums for the dissemination of research and knowledge on healthcare economics. Brazil is the largest country in Latin America, with a per-capita gross domestic product of $15 200 in 2017 and healthcare expenditure of the order of $1 318 per inhabitant. Brazilian specialists participated actively in the society's latest congress, which took place in Boston, Massachusetts, from May 20 to 24, 2017. They met to discuss the main topics dealt with at the congress and their applicability to Brazilian realities. The topics chosen were precision medicine, new challenges for economic modeling within oncology and immuno-oncology, data to aid in managerial decision making (ie, data from real-world studies), and, lastly, strategies for accessing high-cost medications in Brazil. This opinion article sought to report the main conclusions and consensus reached by this group of specialists on the occasion of this discussion.
|
10.1016/j.vhri.2018.10.004
|
pubmed_805_19541
|
In tempered countries, higher sudden infant death rates are observed during winters, which is in favor of an infectious factor in the etiology. According to the geographic regions, the rates of SIDS are showing a downward gradient from the north of France to the south. In an attempt to assess the infectious hypothesis, we carried out a research about space-time clusters of Sudden infant deaths. The Knox's méthode was used with data of the medical causes of death registered in France from 1981-82 to 1985-86, by areas. Clusters were found in several regions, but they are moving from one year to another. The interpretation of these findings remains difficult because of the large number of tests.
|
pubmed_805_19541
|
pubmed_425_18446
|
Data on marine and brackish-water fishes recorded in the area of the Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano in the southwest Gulf of Mexico were extracted from online aggregators of georeferenced location records, the recent ichthyological literature reviewed, and collections and observations made to provide a more complete faunal inventory for that park. Those actions added 95 species to a comprehensive inventory published in 2013, and brought the total to 472 species, an increase of 22%. Seventy-four percent of the additions came from online aggregators of georeferenced species records, which clearly demonstrates the value of reviewing and incorporating such data into species inventories. However, different aggregators recorded different sets of species, and some of their data were linked to outdated taxonomy or included identification errors. Hence individual records from multiple aggregators need to be obtained and reviewed for such issues when using such data to compile and revise faunal inventories. Existing lists also need to be carefully reviewed to ensure that errors are not perpetuated during updates.
|
10.3897/zookeys.882.38449
|
pubmed_64_3690
|
Repurposing PARP-1 inhibitors (PARPi) for non-oncological applications offers an attractive therapeutic strategy for pathological conditions characterized by PARP-1 hyperactivity. In the context of Parkinson's disease (PD), PARP-1 hyperactivity has been linked to neuronal death and disease progression. From a therapy perspective, the evaluation of PARPi as neuroprotective agents may offer a new therapeutic alternative for neurodegenerative disorders. An ideal PARPi needs to inhibit PARP-1 hyperactivity while also limiting downstream DNA damage and cellular toxicity-an effect that is attractive in cancer but far from ideal in neurological disease applications. Consequently, in this study, we set out to evaluate the neuroprotective properties of a previously reported low-toxicity PARPi (10e) using in vitro neuronal models of PD. 10e is a structural analogue of FDA-approved PARPi olaparib, with high PARP-1 affinity and selectivity. Our studies revealed that 10e protects neuronal cells from oxidative stress and DNA damage. In addition, 10e exhibits neuroprotective properties against α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils (αSyn PFF) mediated effects, including reduction in the levels of phosphorylated αSyn and protection against abnormal changes in NAD+ levels. Our in vitro studies with 10e provide support for repurposing high-affinity and low-toxicity PARPi for neurological applications and lay the groundwork for long-term therapeutic studies in animal models of PD.
|
10.1007/s12035-021-02371-4
|
pubmed_343_3723
|
Pinus species are amongst the most commonly used medicinal plants in Indian Northwestern Himalayas. Nearly all parts of the plant especially needles are believed to possess medicinal and clinical values in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurvedic, Unani or Homeopathic. They are used to heal numerous diseases, including afflictions of the skin, eyes, throats and ears. Various parts of the plant including needles are rich in biologically active compounds, such as thunbergol, 3-carene, cembrene, α-pinene, quercetin, xanthone, etc. The scientific data available for the biological potential of this plant and its constituents have been found to be scanty and also does not satisfy the basis of their age-old folklore and local uses. This review focuses on a detailed analysis of ethnopharmacognosical studies on the needles of different Pinus species growing naturally in northwestern region of Indian Himalayas including investigations and findings that have come up with a concrete view of the abilities of plant components for example phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and other constituents to treat oxidative, inflammatory and microbial responses. Careful evaluation of the data presented may be helpful for the researchers to discover and evaluate the specific chemical entities responsible for the traditional medicinal uses of P. roxburghii, P.wallichiana, P. merkusii, P.kesiya and P.thunbergii.
|
10.2174/1389201020666190819153600
|
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