index
stringlengths 10
17
| text
stringlengths 101
18k
| doi
stringlengths 2
72
|
|---|---|---|
pubmed_242_14860 | This study evaluated the repair bond strength of a nanohybrid resin composite to a novel CAD/CAM hybrid ceramic based on four intraoral ceramic repair systems. Vita Enamic (VE) CAD/CAM hybrid ceramic was used in this study. Specimens were divided into five test groups according to the repair method performed on the ceramic surface: Gr C (No treatment; control); Gr CZ (Cimara Zircon); Gr PR (Porcelain Repair); Gr CR (Clearfil Repair); and Gr CS (CoJet system). Nanohybrid resin composite (GrandioSO) was packed onto treated ceramic surfaces for adhesion testing using microtensile bond strength test. Debonded specimens were examined with a stereomicroscope and SEM to determine the fracture mode. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test. PR and CZ repair systems significantly enhanced the bond strength of nanohybrid resin composite to VE CAD/CAM hybrid ceramic when compared with the other tested repair systems. | 10.4012/dmj.2014-159 |
pubmed_203_11106 | OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate patient and tumor characteristics in 102 patients with unknown primary tumors (UPT) prospectively treated with a combination of carboplatin, doxorubicin, and etoposide, to identify clinical variables predictive of response and survival.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The association between clinical characteristics and outcome was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis: chi(2) test and logistic regression analysis were used to study variables predictive of response, and survival analysis, comparison of survival curves and Cox multiple regression analysis to study variables predictive of survival.
RESULTS
We obtained 26.5% objective responses (95% confidence interval: 18.2-36.1%) and a median survival of 9 months (95% confidence interval: 7-11 months). Several variables were associated with response to treatment and survival at univariate analysis. At multivariate analysis the number of tumor sites, bone/visceral involvement and epithelial tumor markers were significantly predictive of response; presence of pain, serum alkaline phosphatase, carboplatin AUC and response to treatment were significantly associated with survival.
CONCLUSIONS
The identification of variables that can predict prognosis and response to treatment in patients with UPT may be useful to offer aggressive treatment to sensitive subsets of patients and provide therapeutic alternatives to those with a low probability of benefiting from standard treatment. In our patients the use of carboplatin AUC higher than 6 and response to treatment were the most important factors associated with prognosis, together with presence of pain and serum alkaline phosphatase. However, larger series and identification of new disease markers are necessary to better define predictive and prognostic variables in UPT patients. | 10.1159/000087837 |
pubmed_960_14160 | AIMS
To evaluate short-term patient compliance with 5 conservative temporomandibular disorder (TMD) treatments (jaw relaxation, jaw stretching, heat application, cold application, and occlusal splint use) and the association of compliance with changes in pain intensity, pain-related activity interference, and jaw use limitations.
METHODS
Eighty-one TMD patients were given 1 to 5 treatment recommendations as part of usual care in a TMD specialty clinic. Compliance with each recommendation and pain, pain-related activity interference, and jaw use limitation measures were calculated from electronic interviews conducted 3 times daily for 2 weeks.
RESULTS
Median compliance with individual treatment modalities ranged from 7.7% for heat application to 92.7% for jaw relaxation; median overall compliance was 54.8%. Participants with higher initial pain intensity and jaw use limitations were significantly more compliant with their recommended treatment regimen (P < .05). The authors controlled for age, gender, education, and initial jaw use limitations. Overall compliance was associated significantly and positively with 2-week jaw use limitations (P = .03). A trend toward a statistically significant positive association was found between compliance and 2-week pain intensity (P = .09).
CONCLUSION
Compliance varied widely across patients and therapies. Patients with higher initial pain and jaw use limitation levels were more compliant with treatment recommendations. Although compliance was associated with slight increases in pain and jaw use limitations in this preliminary study, further research is needed to evaluate the longer-term effects of compliance with recommended therapies. | pubmed_960_14160 |
pubmed_976_21897 | OBJECTIVE
To analyse the factors that affect patients´ wait at a health centre before they enter the doctor´s consulting room (CD).
DESIGN
Prospective full evaluative cycle of quality.
SETTING
A teaching health centre in the Cartagena Health Area (Murcia).
PARTICIPANTS
All those patients seen by the doctor during the weeks of the study (1st stage: 3823; 2nd stage: 4247).
MAIN MEASUREMENTS
The dimensions evaluated were accessibility and patient satisfaction, through four criteria. Data were collected from the register of scheduled appointments and by telephone questionnaire. The intervention measures were: a) to create empty spaces without any appointments in the day´s diary in order to avoid delays; b) to create spaces at the end of the day for emergency patients, and c) to avoid interruptions during the consultation.
RESULTS
1st stage: on 48.3% of days there were patients with a delay greater than 20 minutes on entering the CD, with a mean waiting-time of 21.3 minutes per patient. 63.1% of the consulting rooms had over 5% «unavoidable» appointments per day, of which 61.3% were «emergencies». 72.6% of the consulting rooms had 5 or more interruptions per day. 46.7% of patients thought that the time they waited before going into the consulting room was «a lot or enough». 2nd stage: after putting the improvement criteria into practice, the number of consultations with waiting time over 20 minutes dropped (37.1%) (P<.05). The number of unavoidable consultations over 5% of the total fell by 35.7% (P=.001), as did the number of consultations with over 5 interruptions per day (by 58.6%) (P=.001). Fewer patients were dissatisfied with the time they had to wait before going into the CD (40.8%) (P<.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients' waiting time at the clinic dropped. The number of «unavoidable» appointments and interruptions was reduced. Patients´ satisfaction improved with the time they had to wait at the clinic improved. The corrective measures introduced are the right ones for correcting the situation. | 10.1016/s0212-6567(03)70702-1 |
pubmed_113_38 | Financial toxicity is a side effect of cancer that results from the perceived financial distress an individual may experience in the course of the disease. The purpose of this paper is to analyse underlying factors related to subjective financial distress in high-income countries with universal healthcare coverage. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify qualitative and quantitative studies of cancer patient-reported subjective financial distress by performing a search in the databases of PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL up to December 2020. A qualitative synthesis was performed linking the time-dependent occurrence of risk factors to derived categories of risk factors. Out of 4321 identified records, 30 quantitative and 16 qualitative studies were eligible. Classification of risk factors resulted in eight categories with a total of 34 subcategories. Subjective financial distress is primarily determined by pre-diagnosis sociodemographic- factors as well as financial and work factors that might change during the course of the disease. The design of healthcare and social security systems shapes the country-specific degree of subjective financial distress. Further research should focus on evolving multidisciplinary intervention schemes and multidimensional instruments for subjective financial distress to account for identified risk factors in universal healthcare systems more precisely. | 10.3390/cancers13195015 |
pubmed_888_1113 | BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to characterize normal epithelium, precancerous lesions and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with the use of nuclear morphometry. The relationship between the morphometric parameters of the cell nuclei and the pathological lesions was analyzed. In addition, a morphometric comparison was performed among normal epithelium, precancerous lesions, and cancer of the larynx.
MATERIAL/METHODS
Our research involved 12 patients after total laryngectomy. All the postoperative histological specimens consisted of laryngeal SCC, precancerous lesions (dysplasia), keratosis with mild dysplasia, and normal epithelium. The cell nuclei of the SCC, dysplasia, keratosis, and the basal and superficial layers of the normal epithelium were measured. The nuclear parameters included area, equivalent diameter, length, breadth, perimeter, mean and integrated grey levels, convex area and convex perimeter, roundness, aspect ratio and fullness ratio. For each case, 500 nuclei were studied using a Polyvar Reicher microscope connected to a Quantimet 500 computer system.
RESULTS
The relationship between karyometrical parameters and pathological lesions was found to be statistically significant. We observed the largest nuclei in keratosis lesions and the smallest in basal layers of normal epithelium. In some cases there were no significant differences between dysplasia nuclei and the superficial layers of normal epithelium.
CONCLUSIONS
Karyometrical parameters correlate with morphometrical lesions in the larynx and may be useful in the prediction of laryngeal neoplasm. | pubmed_888_1113 |
pubmed_943_20428 | In songbirds, the size of brain nuclei that control song learning and production change seasonally. These changes are mainly controlled by seasonal changes in plasma testosterone (T) concentration. One hypothesis to explain why it may be adaptive for these areas to regress in the fall is that this would decrease the metabolic demand of maintaining a large song system when singing is reduced or absent. We used a marker for cellular metabolism to examine birds with regressed song nuclei and compared them to birds whose song nuclei were induced to grow by administration of exogenous T. Photorefractory male Gambel's white-crowned sparrows were captured during their autumnal migration and kept in outdoor aviaries on a natural photoperiod. We implanted birds with Silastic capsules containing T or with empty implants. Three weeks later the birds were sacrificed. We assayed the brains for cytochrome oxidase (CO) activity and measured the volume of four song nuclei: HVc, RA, 1MAN, and area X. All four nuclei increased in volume in response to T treatment. T treatment increased the metabolic capacity of area X, HVc, and RA relative to surrounding tissue but had no effect on the metabolic capacity of 1MAN. These results support the hypothesis that song nuclei are more metabolically active under the influence of T than they are when plasma T levels are low. | 10.1002/neu.1055 |
pubmed_672_12383 | Emergency distal splenorenal shunt was prospectively carried out on 14 patients presenting with active bleeding from esophagogastric varices which was not controllable by medical treatment. Patients were composed of nine males and five females. Age ranged from 34 to 76 years with an average of 56.2. Underlying liver disease were cirrhosis of the liver in seven, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in five, primary biliary cirrhosis in one, and chronic hepatitis in one instance. Preoperatively, the Child's classification was A in one, B in five, and C in eight patient. Two patients underwent the original Warren shunt but the remaining 12 were treated by modified distal splenorenal shunts using Gore-Tex interposition. Three patients with Child's class C disease died within one month (operative mortality 21.4%). An oldest woman transiently had hepatic encephalopathy but recurrent variceal bleeding was not observed in any of the patients. Distal splenorenal shunt is a safe and reliable means in the treatment of medically intractable variceal hemorrhage. | pubmed_672_12383 |
pubmed_662_9549 | Methionine at the concentrations 10, 15 and 20 times higher than in complete Fischer's medium produced a transient impairment or a transient block in the growth of L 5178 Y cells in culture without influencing their viability. Autoradiographic data revealed that methionine-induced inhibition of DNA synthesis was followed by a partial synchronization of cells in the phase of DNA synthesis. Methionine at a high concentration (1.5 mg/ml) enhanced the cell-killing action of methotrexate under conditions of delayed drug addition and did not diminish it when added with the drug simultaneously. | pubmed_662_9549 |
pubmed_434_24386 | Metastasis is characterized by the ability of cancer cells to invade into adjacent tissue, intravasate into blood or lymphatic vessels, and extravasate into a distant tissue. Metastatic disease is primarily responsible for the low 5-year survival rate of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and therefore, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate NSCLC metastasis is clearly warranted. The serine/threonine kinase and tumor suppressor LKB1 is mutated in 30% of NSCLC tumors, and recent evidence points to a prominent role in NSCLC metastasis. This review summarizes LKB1-dependent invasion pathways where compromised LKB1 function could promote NSCLC metastasis. | 10.1097/JTO.0b013e3181fbc28a |
pubmed_1138_19264 | 1. Reflex bronchial changes have been demonstrated after nasal stimulation in both man and experimental animals. The existence of a pulmonary-nasal reflex is less established. We have examined whether induced narrowing of the intrathoracic airways leads to increases in nasal airflow resistance (Rnaw) in patients with asthma. 2. We have used a non-invasive forced oscillation method to measure total respiratory resistance (Rrs) at 8 Hz during tidal breathing sequentially via the nose (Rrs, na) and via the mouth (Rrs, mo) and derived Rnaw by subtracting Rrs, mo from Rrs, na. We examined whether changes in Rnaw occurred when increases in Rrs, mo were induced by inhaling histamine aerosol via the mouth with the nose occluded in 11 patients with stable, mild asthma (six males, age 28.1 +/- 2.1 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s 97 +/- 6% of predicted, means +/- SEM). Six of the patients had a history of rhinitis. The patients were first challenged with doubling concentrations of histamine via a dosimeter to establish the dose which reduced the forced expiratory volume in 1 s by > or = 20%. Two hours later when the forced expiratory volume in 1 s had returned to baseline, they were challenged with saline and again 2 h later with the concentration of histamine that had earlier caused a > or = 20% fall in the forced expiratory volume is 1 s. 3. Between 0.5 and 10 min after histamine inhalation, a sustained increase in Rrs, mo was achieved with mean increases averaging 68-77% above baseline over this period (P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | 10.1042/cs0860055 |
pubmed_1061_8290 | In the last decade, avian gene preservation research has focused on the use of the early precursors of the reproductive cells, the primordial germ cells (PGCs). This is because avian PGCs have a unique migration route through the vascular system which offers easy accessibility. Furthermore, culturing of the cells in vitro, freezing/thawing, reintegration into a recipient embryo and the development of the germ cells can be carried out in well-defined laboratory circumstances. The efficient recovery of the donor genotype and the frequency of germline transmission from the surrogate host animals are still areas which need further development. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate an infertile interspecific hybrid (recipient) as an appropriate host for primordial germ cells from native poultry breeds. Guinea fowl × chicken hybrids were produced, the crossing was repeated inversely. The phenotype, the hatching time, the hatching rate, the sex ratio, the presence of own germ cells, the fertility and the phenotype of viable hybrids and the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities of dead hybrid embryos were described. 6.65% viable offspring was obtained with crossing of Guinea fowl females with domestic fowl males. Crossing of domestic fowl hens with Guinea fowl male resulted in lower fertility, 0.14% viable offspring. Based on the investigations, the observed offspring from the successful crossing were sterile male hybrids, thus an extreme form of Haldane's rule was manifested. The sterile hybrid male embryos were tested by injecting fluorescently labeled chicken PGCs. The integration rate of labeled PGCs was measured in 7.5-day, 14.5-day and 18.5-day old embryonic gonads. 50%, 5.3% and 2.4% of the injected hybrid embryos survived and 40%, 5.3% and 2.4% of the examined gonads contained fluorescent labeled donor PGCs. Therefore, these sterile hybrid males may be suitable recipients for male PGCs and possibly for female PGCs although with lower efficiency. This research work shows that the sterility of hybrids can be used in gene conservation to be a universal host for PGCs of different avian species. | 10.1038/s41598-019-50763-3 |
pubmed_298_15116 | Although hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been extensively used to treat patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC), a standard protocol has not yet been established. The aim of this preliminary clinical study was to confirm in vitro the efficacy of mitomycin C combined with 5-fluorouracil (MMC-5FU) under hyperthermic conditions in CRC and investigate the pharmacokinetics and feasibility of HIPEC with MMC-5FU for patients at high risk of PM from CRC. To simulate HIPEC in vitro, we used the collagen gel droplet-embedded culture drug sensitivity test with the HCT166 colorectal cell line to assess the antitumor efficacy of MMC and 5FU as single-agent and combination treatments following incubation with HCT116 cells for 30 min at either 37 or 42°C. In addition, five patients at high risk of PM from CRC underwent surgical tumor resection followed by HIPEC with MMC-5FU. Our results demonstrated that the combined administration of MMC-5FU suppressed tumor cell proliferation more efficiently compared to either agent used alone. In addition, hyperthermia at 42°C significantly enhanced drug sensitivity. During the clinical application of HIPEC with MMC-5FU, no grade 4 hematological toxicities or surgical adverse events were recorded. In addition, there was no evidence of peritoneal recurrence during a median observational period of 38 months. Of note, two patients with positive intraoperative peritoneal cytology at the first surgery developed no peritoneal recurrence and exhibited negative peritoneal cytology at the second surgery. In conclusion, HIPEC using MMC-5FU was shown to be a feasible therapeutic option, with an acceptable toxicity profile, for patients at high risk of PM from CRC. Therefore, HIPEC with MMC-5FU may be a promising novel therapeutic option for such patients, which merits further verification of its safety and efficacy in large-scale clinical trials. | 10.3892/mco.2014.244 |
pubmed_572_3268 | The present article is the abbreviated English translation of the Japanese guidelines for male lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia updated as of the end of 2016. The target patients are men aged >50 years complaining of lower urinary tract symptoms, with or without benign prostatic hyperplasia, and the target readers are non-urological general physicians and urologists. Mandatory assessment for general physicians is medical history, physical examination, urinalysis and measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen. Additional mandatory assessment for urologists is symptoms and quality of life assessment by questionnaires, uroflowmetry, residual urine measurement, and prostate ultrasonography. Nocturia requires special attention, as it can result from nocturnal polyuria and/or sleep disturbance rather than lower urinary tract disorders. Functional lower urinary tract disorders with or without benign prostatic hyperplasia are primarily managed by conservative therapy and medications, such as α1 -blockers and phosphodiesterase-type 5 inhibitors. Use of other medications or combination pharmacotherapy is to be reserved for urologists. 5α-Reductase inhibitors and anticholinergics or β3 agonists are indicated for men with enlarged prostates and overactive bladder symptoms, respectively. Surgical intervention for bladder outlet obstruction is considered for persistent symptoms or benign prostatic hyperplasia-related comorbidities. Surgical modalities should be optimized by the patient's characteristics, performance of equipment and the surgeon's experience. | 10.1111/iju.13401 |
pubmed_447_11023 | Digital subtraction radiography is proposed as a potential diagnostic tool for implant research and patient monitoring. Examples of the application of this technique are given observing peri-implant density changes during the early healing phase and during ligature-induced peri-implantitis in an animal model. Additional cases document the loss of peri-implant bone density associated with an infection and increase in density caused by remodeling after functional loading of an implant with a single crown. Digital subtraction radiography might be one of the most sensitive noninvasive methods for assessing subtle density changes in peri-implant tissues, providing additional diagnostic information on implant tissue integration and maintenance. | pubmed_447_11023 |
pubmed_1044_8748 | The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of pelleted starter diets differing in starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content when fed differing levels of milk replacer (MR) on nutrient digestibility, whole gastrointestinal tract fermentation, pH, and inflammatory markers in dairy calves around weaning. Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (n = 12 per treatment) in a 2 × 2 factorial design based on daily MR allowance and amount of starch in pelleted starter (SPS): 0.691 kg of MR per day [dry matter (DM) basis] with starter containing low or high starch (12.0% and 35.6% starch on DM basis, respectively), and 1.382 kg of MR per day (DM) with starter containing low or high starch. All calves were housed in individual pens with straw bedding until wk 5 when bedding was covered. Calves were fed MR twice daily (0700 and 1700 h) containing 24.5% crude protein (DM) and 19.8% fat (DM), and had access to pelleted starter (increased by 50 g/d if there were no refusals before weaning and then 200 g/d during and after weaning) and water starting on d 1. Calves arrived between 1 and 3 d of age and were enrolled into an 8-wk study, with calves undergoing step-down weaning during wk 7. Starting on d 35, an indwelling pH logger was inserted orally to monitor rumen pH until calves were dissected at the end of the study in wk 8. Higher SPS calves showed an increase in rumen pH magnitude (1.46 ± 0.07) compared with low SPS calves (1.16 ± 0.07), a decrease in rumen pH in wk 8 (high SPS: 5.37 ± 0.12; low SPS: 5.57 ± 0.12), and a decrease in haptoglobin in wk 8 (high SPS: 0.24 ± 0.06 g/L; low SPS: 0.49 ± 0.06 g/L). The majority of differences came from increased starter intake in general, which suggests that with completely pelleted starters the differences in starch and NDF do not elicit drastic changes in fermentation, subsequent end products, and any resulting inflammation in calves around weaning. | 10.3168/jds.2022-21982 |
pubmed_647_3595 | OBJECTIVES
Several factors may influence the results of bacteriological studies in chronic rhinosinusitis. We investigated the potential role of nasal cavity disinfection in the bacteriology of the bulla ethmoidalis in patients suffering from chronic sinusitis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Bacteriology of the bulla ethmoidalis was studied in 176 consecutive adult patients presenting a chronic sinusitis refractory to standard medical treatment who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Two different techniques were used: (A) a technique with nasal vestibule and facial disinfection with chlorhexedin (N = 89 patients and 165 samples) vs. (B) a technique with facial, nasal vestibule and nasal cavity disinfection with a povidone-iodine solution followed by a cleansing of the nasal cavity (N = 87 patients and 166 samples).
RESULTS
Culture rate was 89.6% (183 bacterial isolates) for technique (A) vs 76.5% (164 bacterial isolates) for technique (B) (p < 0.001). Major bacteria encountered in the (A) group and in the (B) group were respectively: Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus: 77 vs 40 isolates (p < 0.001); Coagulase positive Staphylococcus: 44 vs 30 isolates (p = 0.061); Streptococcus pneumoniae: 4 vs 5 isolates; Others: Streptococcus sp.: 12 vs 16 isolates; Haemophilus influenzae: 8 vs 6 isolates; Enterobacteriacea: 33 vs 53 isolates (p = 0.013) and others Gram Negative Bacilli: 3 vs 7 isolates.
CONCLUSIONS
The standard (A) technique to study the bacteriology of the bulla ethmoidalis in patients with chronic sinusitis yielded a higher percentage of positive culture and of bacterial isolates than a more advanced (B) technique. This is mainly due to the higher percentage of contaminant bacteria such as Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus recovered with the standard technique. Enterobacteriacea and others Gram Negative Bacilli were more often encountered into the bulla ethmoidalis with the technique where disinfection of the nasal cavity was performed. | pubmed_647_3595 |
pubmed_539_5662 | RATIONALE
Orphanin FQ (OFQ; also known as nociceptin), the endogenous ligand of the opioid receptor-like receptor, injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) decreases basal motor activity and basal extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (Nuc Acc) in rats.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to determine if OFQ similarly attenuates cocaine-induced motor stimulation and to determine if this effect is dependent on attenuation of the increase in extracellular DA.
METHODS
After a 1-h adaptation period, rats were injected with either artificial cerebrospinal fluid or OFQ (3-30 nmol, i.c.v.) 5 min prior to cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or apomorphine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) administration and the total distance traveled was measured for a further 1 h. In a separate experiment, changes in extracellular DA were monitored by microdialysis following cocaine and OFQ treatment in anesthetized rats.
RESULTS
OFQ dose-dependently attenuated both basal and cocaine-induced motor stimulation. OFQ (30 nmol, i.c.v.) also attenuated both the basal and the cocaine-induced increase in extracellular DA in the Nuc Acc. OFQ, at the highest dose, also decreased the motor stimulation induced by apomorphine.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the modulatory effect of OFQ on locomotor activity is not solely due to its inhibitory action on extracellular DA in the Nuc Acc. | 10.1007/s002130000609 |
pubmed_690_3792 | We have recently discovered unusual sugar chains [xylose-glucose and (xylose)2-glucose] linked to a serine residue in the first epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains of human and bovine coagulation factors VII, IX, and protein Z. The sequence surrounding this serine residue has a common -Cys-X-Ser-X-Pro-Cys- structure. Since one (residues 533-538) of the three EGF-like domains found in human thrombospondin contains the conserved sequence, we examined the presence of such O-linked sugar chains in bovine thrombospondin (bTSP) and its 210-kDa fragment. Component sugar analysis after pyridylamination (PA) of the acid hydrolysates of the S-aminoethylated proteins revealed that the proteins contain glucose (Glc) and xylose (Xyl). The oligosaccharide moieties released from intact bTSP by hydrazinolysis followed by pyridylamination were separated into two PA-oligosaccharides by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Component sugar analysis of these PA-oligosaccharides indicated that they consist of Glc and Xyl in molar ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 (or 1:3). The reducing ends of both PA-sugar chains were found to be PA-Glc, as judged from the retention time of the HPLC peak of their hydrolysates. The presence of these PA-sugar chains in bTSP was confirmed by HPLC mapping with two different columns, using standard PA-di- or PA-trisaccharide derived from coagulation factors. From these results, we concluded that bTSP contains O-linked sugar chains consisting of Glc and Xyl in one of its three EGF-like domains. | 10.1093/oxfordjournals.jbchem.a123780 |
pubmed_807_16795 | Schizophrenia is a multifactorial complex disease with a large impact on society. Many hypotheses have been proposed over the years to explain its causes, and genomics and functional genomic approaches may shed light on the reason behind these controversies and discrepancies. We give an overview of several approaches that have been used to identify the genetic causes and molecular phenotypes of the disease. We focus on a recent microarray analysis by Torkamani and colleagues on the evolution of regulatory networks in normal and schizophrenic brains. Combining the conclusion of that study with the prevalent hypotheses of schizophrenia, we suggest that the schizophrenic brain might resemble a juvenile brain. | 10.1186/gm153 |
pubmed_564_12180 | OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that cocaine acutely increases contractile activity in isolated rat myometrium and that this effect is solely caused by potentiation of adrenergic pathways.
STUDY DESIGN
Isometric contractions were measured in myometrium isolated from virgin and day-18 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats. Frequency, duration, amplitude, and integrated area were compared before and after the addition of cocaine (10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/L) by means of analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple-range test. The effects of alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists (prazosin 10(-6) mol/L and yohimbine 10(-6) mol/L) and beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist (DL-propranolol 2 x 10(-6) mol/L) were assessed.
RESULTS
Contraction duration, expressed relative to control, increased acutely after cocaine (10(-5) mol/L) administration in pregnant (1.70 +/- 0.20) and nonpregnant (1.36 +/- 0.24) myometrium (mean +/- SE, p < 0.05), as did integrated area (pregnant 3.47 +/- 0.97, nonpregnant 2.48 +/- 0.66) (mean +/- SE, p < 0.05). These effects were not completely inhibited by adrenergic blockade.
CONCLUSION
Cocaine acutely increases the duration and integrated area of spontaneous contractions in isolated rat myometrium by mechanisms not completely explained by inhibition of catecholamine reuptake and potentiation of adrenergic pathways. | 10.1016/0002-9378(93)90425-i |
pubmed_528_17706 | We study the statistics of the relative separation between two fluid particles in a spatially smooth and temporally random flow. The Lagrangian strain is modeled by a telegraph noise, which is a stationary random Markov process that can only take two values with known transition probabilities. The simplicity of the model enables us to write closed equations for the interparticle distance in the presence of a finite-correlated noise. In one dimension, we are able to find analytically the long-time growth rates of the distance moments and the senior Lyapunov exponent, which consistently turns out to be negative. We also find the exact expression for the Cramér function and show that it satisfies the fluctuation relation (for the probability of positive and negative entropy production) despite the time irreversibility of the strain statistics. For the two-dimensional incompressible isotropic case, we obtain the Lyapunov exponent (positive) and the asymptotic growth rates of the moments in two opposite limits of fast and slow strain. The quasideterministic limit (of slow strain) turns out to be singular, while a perfect agreement is found with the already-known delta-correlated case. | 10.1103/PhysRevE.76.026312 |
pubmed_419_23273 | This study evaluated the role of the C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR) in estimating the probability of occurring contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after carotid artery angiography (CAAG). Patients (n = 410) who had CAAG for carotid artery stenosis (CAS) were included in this study. A spike in serum creatinine was used to define CIN within 72 h of the procedure (>.5 mg/dL or >25% above baseline). CAR was calculated by dividing the CRP by the albumin level. Patients with CIN had higher numbers of white blood cells (P = .002), numbers of neutrophils (P = .007), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios (P = .026), high-sensitivity CRP levels (P < .001), and CAR levels (P < .001) than those without CIN. They were also older (P < .001) and more likely to have diabetes mellitus (P = .006) and hypertension (P = .016). According to receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the CAR value has a 75% sensitivity and a 68% specificity for identifying CIN at a cutoff of 1.8. Also, NLR and CRP predicted CIN with 71% sensitivity and 67% specificity, 71% sensitivity and 66% specificity at the best cutoff values of 1.96 and 7.91, respectively. According the present study, in patients with CAS, the development of CIN after CAAG is independently correlated with CAR at admission. | 10.1177/00033197221135950 |
pubmed_580_5340 | Conversion of one terminally differentiated cell type into another (or transdifferentiation) usually requires the forced expression of key transcription factors. We examined the plasticity of human insulin-producing β-cells in a model of islet cell aggregate formation. Here, we show that primary human β-cells can undergo a conversion into glucagon-producing α-cells without introduction of any genetic modification. The process occurs within days as revealed by lentivirus-mediated β-cell lineage tracing. Converted cells are indistinguishable from native α-cells based on ultrastructural morphology and maintain their α-cell phenotype after transplantation in vivo. Transition of β-cells into α-cells occurs after β-cell degranulation and is characterized by the presence of β-cell-specific transcription factors Pdx1 and Nkx6.1 in glucagon(+) cells. Finally, we show that lentivirus-mediated knockdown of Arx, a determinant of the α-cell lineage, inhibits the conversion. Our findings reveal an unknown plasticity of human adult endocrine cells that can be modulated. This endocrine cell plasticity could have implications for islet development, (patho)physiology, and regeneration. | 10.2337/db12-1001 |
pubmed_605_16589 | Changes in facial bones may represent a manifestation of systemic disease. Dentists play an important role in the early detection of these manifestations of complex systemic diseases. A case of unusual maxillary mixed (osteoblastic and osteolytic) lesions as an initial manifestation of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is presented. A 12-year-old male patient was referred to the Department of Oral Medicine complaining of severe swelling in the right buccal region. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) showed enhanced FDG uptake in the right maxillary sinus. In addition, PET maximum intensity projection image showed diffused FDG uptake in the entire bone marrow. Bone marrow aspiration was performed on the lumbar vertebra, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated AML. The patient was diagnosed with AML (M5a) and treated with chemotherapy by the pediatric department. Six months later, the patient achieved complete remission. After chemotherapy, the disappearance of the osteoblastic and osteolytic lesion and 18F-FDG accumulation were confirmed by PET/CT. Dentists should be familiar with oral manifestations of leukemia because early detection of oral lesions would increase the life span of the patients and reduce the severity of complications. | 10.3290/j.qi.a37383 |
pubmed_0_10338 | Microbiological populations in natural and engineered systems may experience multiple exposures to chemical stressors, which may affect system functions. The impact of such exposures on the metabolism of a population of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied using respirometry. Two serial exposures to low concentrations of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), or N-ethyl maleimide (NEM) did not affect metabolism beyond that expected for a single exposure. However, at higher concentrations, three exposures to DNP led to a combination of metabolic stress and resilience in the population. At a low DNP concentration of 400 mg/L, multiple exposures led to increased stress but indicated no development of resilience. At a high DNP concentration of 1,200 mg/L, no biological activity was observed, indicating that the population did not survive the exposure. At intermediate concentrations of 800 and 900 mg/L DNP, stress was observed, but it was found to decrease after multiple exposures. This, combined with the observation that the size of the population decreased, indicated that resilience in the population had developed because of elimination of the weaker organisms in the population. In contrast, the lack of resilience at the lower DNP concentration was attributed to the survival of the strong as well as weak members, lowering the resilience of the population as a whole. The development of resilience within a window of stressor concentrations is an important finding with implications for predicting the performance of biotreatment processes and biosensor technologies and for interpreting ecotoxicity risk assessments. | 10.1002/etc.280 |
pubmed_636_4937 | The motility of bacteria is an important factor in their infectivity. In this study, the motility of Leptospira, a member of the spirochete family that causes a zoonotic disease known as leptospirosis, was analyzed in different viscous or osmotic conditions. Motility assays revealed that both pathogenic and saprophytic strains increase their swimming speeds with increasing viscosity. However, only pathogenic Leptospira interrogans maintained vigorous motility near physiological osmotic conditions. This suggests that active motility in physiological conditions is advantageous when Leptospira enters hosts and when it migrates toward target tissues. | 10.1111/1348-0421.12018 |
pubmed_545_15021 | This work is strategically premeditated to study the potential of a herbal medicinal product as a natural bioactive ingredient to generate nanocellulose-based antibacterial architectures. In situ fibrillation of purified cellulose was done in cinnamon extract (ciE) to obtain microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). To this MFC suspension, carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (cCNCs) were homogeneously mixed and the viscous gel thus obtained was freeze-dried to obtain lightweight and flexible composite aerogel architectures impregnated with ciE, namely, ciMFC/cCNCs. At an optimal concentration of 0.3 wt % cCNCs (i.e., for ciMFC/cCNCs_0.3), an improvement of around 106% in compressive strength and 175% increment in modulus were achieved as compared to pristine MFC architecture. The efficient loading and interaction of ciE components, specifically cinnamaldehyde, with MFC and cCNCs resulted in developing competent antibacterial surfaces with dense and uniform microstructures. Excellent and long-term antimicrobial activity of the optimized architectures (ciMFC/cCNCs_0.3) was confirmed through various antibacterial assays like the zone inhibition method, bacterial growth observation at OD600, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, here 1 mg/mL), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC, here 3-5 mg/mL), and Live/Dead BacLight viability tests. The changes in the bacterial morphology with a disrupted membrane were further confirmed through various imaging techniques like confocal laser scanning microscopy, FESEM, AFM, and 3D digital microscopy. The dry composite architecture showed the persuasive capability of suppressing the growth of airborne bacteria, which in combination with antibacterial efficiency in the wet state is considered as an imperative aspect for a material to act as the novel biomaterial. Furthermore, these architectures demonstrated excellent antibacterial performance under real "in use" contamination prone conditions. Hence, this work provides avenues for the application of crude natural extracts in developing novel forms of advanced functional biomaterials that can be used for assorted biological/healthcare applications such as wound care and antimicrobial filtering units. | 10.1021/acsami.0c20258 |
pubmed_740_15999 | To the best of our knowledge, pattern of burn injury was not reported yet at our region, our hospital considered the only tertiary referral center with the only burn unit at the region since 2001 till date, a retrospective analysis of our computerized filing system recorded 527 burn patients between 2001-2016, mean age was 26 years; 1.27:1 was the male to female ratio, 79 patients were found to have major burns, 46% of admissions were below 20 years' age, 92% was at domestic site of affection and 65% due to flame burn followed by scald burn in about 23%. The limbs were the most affected body site, majority of patients were below 15% TBSA and partial thickness, 77 patients found to have inhalational injury. Our mean hospital stay was 16 days and mortality was 8.2%. Mortality was associated with high TBSA affection, depth and flame type. This study shows the pattern of burn at north of Jordan, preventive measures by education and observation will reduce the incidence of burn and its sequel, non-flammable cook plates and stoves will probably help in decrease burn morbidity and mortality. | pubmed_740_15999 |
pubmed_1047_2634 | Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) encodes at least two regulatory proteins, Rex and Tax. Tax, the transactivating protein, stimulates the long terminal repeat to promote viral transcription and may be involved in tumorigenesis. Rex is involved in the transition from early expression of regulatory proteins to later expression of viral structural proteins. We have targeted ribozymes against the mRNA encoding Rex and Tax. The ribozymes consist of the hammer-head catalytic motif flanked by antisense sequences that hybridize with the complementary rex/tax mRNA. To evaluate cleavage in a cell-free system, we transcribed portions of rex/tax mRNA and incubated them with synthetic RNA ribozymes. A ribozyme was identified that cleaves > 80% of the target RNA. Synthetic DNA encoding this ribozyme was cloned into the expression vector pRc/RSV and transfected into BLV-infected bat lung cells. Intracellular cleavage of rex/tax mRNA was confirmed by reverse transcriptase PCR. In cells expressing the ribozyme, viral expression was markedly inhibited. Expression of the BLV core protein p24 was inhibited by 61%, and reverse transcriptase activity in supernatant was inhibited by 92%. Ribozyme inhibition of BLV expression suggests that cattle expressing these sequences may be able to control BLV replication. | 10.1073/pnas.90.23.10932 |
pubmed_652_17526 | BACKGROUND
Water exposure is an influential factor in some common dermatoses. It has also been shown that water has an effect on barrier function and biophysical properties of skin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water immersion on biophysical properties of normal skin.
PARTICIPANTS & METHODS
Twenty healthy volunteers participated in this study. The volar aspect of volunteer's forearm was immersed in tap water for 30 min a day for five consecutive days. Biophysical skin parameters including TEWL, skin pH, capacitance, erythema and sebum content were measured using specific probes before and after the exposure and compared with unexposed other forearm as control.
RESULTS
TEWL and pH of the exposed forearm increased significantly after 5 days of consecutive daily exposure to water.
CONCLUSION
Water exposure increases the TEWL and pH of normal skin. Future studies evaluating the durability of the increased TEWL through monitoring the time course of events following skin immersion in water and susceptibility of skin to chemical irritants are required. | 10.1111/srt.12167 |
pubmed_667_5844 | Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the genital tract and it represents 10% of all cancers diagnosed in women. A protocol for screening and early diagnosis of this tumor has been designed by the authors. All asymptomatic women with risk factors undergo transvaginal sonography. The value of endometrial thickness suggests the need for endometrial sampling. On the contrary, such a procedure is always combined with transvaginal sonography in case of women with atypical genital bleeding. The aim of the protocol is to verify the efficacy of transvaginal sonography and endometrial sampling as combined procedures for screening and early diagnosis of endometrial cancer. | pubmed_667_5844 |
pubmed_1041_4861 | BACKGROUND
Ambient particulate matter (PM) derived from coal-fired power plants may have important cardiovascular effects, but existing toxicological studies are inadequate for understanding these effects. The Toxicological Evaluation of Realistic Emissions of Source Aerosols (TERESA) study aims to evaluate the toxicity of primary and secondary PM derived from coal-fired power plants. As a part of this effort, we evaluated in susceptible animals the effect of stack emissions on cardiac electrophysiology and respiratory function under exposure conditions intended to simulate an aged plume with unneutralized acidity and secondary organic aerosols (POS exposure scenario).
METHODS
Rats with acute myocardial infarction were exposed to either stack emissions (n = 15) or filtered air (n = 14) for 5 h at a single power plant. Respiration and electrocardiograms were continuously monitored via telemetry and heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), premature ventricular beat (PVB) frequency, electrocardiographic intervals, and respiratory intervals and volumes were evaluated. Similar experiments at another power plant were attempted but were unsuccessful.
RESULTS
POS exposure (fine particle mass = 219.1 µg/m(3); total sulfate = 172.5 µg/m(3); acidic sulfate = 132.5 µg/m(3); organic carbon = 50.9 µg/m(3)) was associated with increased PVB frequency and decreased respiratory expiratory time and end-inspiratory pause, but not with changes in heart rate, HRV, or electrocardiographic intervals. RESULTS from a second power plant were uninterpretable.
CONCLUSIONS
Short-term exposure to primary and unneutralized secondary PM formed from aged emissions from a coal-fired power plant, as simulated by the POS scenario, may be associated with increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in susceptible animals. | 10.3109/08958378.2010.554461 |
pubmed_702_24424 | Although anoxic preconditioning (APC) in the myocardium has been investigated for many years, its physiological mechanism is still not completely understood. Increasing evidence indicates that transiently increased resistance to ischemic damage following APC is dependent on de novo proteins synthesis. However, the key effector pathway(s) associated with APC still remains unclear. The proto-oncogene Pim kinase belongs to a serine/threoine protein kinase family, consists of Pim-1, Pim-2 and Pim-3 and has been implicated in stimulating cell growth and inhibiting cell apoptosis. Therefore we assumed that Pim-3 expression might be aberrantly induced in cardiomyocytes that were subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) injury and that Pim-3 might also contribute to cardio-protection after APC. To address this hypothesis, we cloned a Pim-3 expression vector, transfected it into rat cardiomyocytes, and examined Pim-3 expression in rat cardiomyocytes that were subjected to A/R injury. Moreover, we studied the role of three major MAPK pathways, e.g. p38 MAPK, JNK, and ERK1/2, in order to evaluate the molecular mechanism underlying Pim-3 up-regulation and A/R induced cardiomyocyte injury. Our experiments showed that APC induced an up-regulation of Pim-3 and the transfection of Pim-3 gene into the cardiomyocytes attenuated A/R injury. The inhibition of p38 MAPK by SB203580 abolished both the Pim-3 up-regulation and the cardio-protection provided by APC. Overall, these results suggest that APC could act to protect the heart from A/R injury with cooperation from the proto-oncogene Pim-3; in addition, it up-regulates Pim-3 expression through a p38 MAPK signaling pathway. | 10.1016/j.biocel.2009.05.021 |
pubmed_793_14813 | The pharmacokinetics of bemantan 2-(N-benzylamino)adamantane was studied in rat experiments by gas liquid chromatography after the drug was administered in a single dose per os or intraperitoneally. It has been shown that the drug per os is rapidly absorbed by the blood and enters the viscera, readily penetrates the blood-brain barrier. Intraperitoneal administration of the drug in the form of a starch suspension delays the attainment of the maximum drug blood level. With both routes of administration the drug rapidly disappears from the blood and organs. Small amounts of the unchanged drug are excreted in bound and free forms with urine. Rapid disappearance of the drug from the blood and organs is likely to be accounted for by its intensive metabolism, but the formation of conjugated metabolites and their binding to tissue structures. | pubmed_793_14813 |
pubmed_541_16118 | Phytoene synthase catalyzes the dimerization of two molecules of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to phytoene and has been shown to be rate limiting for the synthesis of carotenoids. To elucidate if the capacity to produce phytoene is limiting also in the seed of Arabidopsis (Wassilewskija), a gene coding for an endogenous phytoene synthase was cloned and coupled to a seed-specific promoter, and the effects of the overexpression were examined. The resulting transgenic plants produced darker seeds, and extracts from the seed of five overexpressing plants had a 43-fold average increase of beta-carotene and a total average amount of beta-carotene of approximately 260 microg g-1 fresh weight. Lutein, violaxanthin, and chlorophyll were significantly increased, whereas the levels of zeaxanthin only increased by a factor 1.1. In addition, substantial levels of lycopene and alpha-carotene were produced in the seeds, whereas only trace amounts were found in the control plants. Seeds from the transgenic plants exhibited delayed germination, and the degree of delay was positively correlated with the increased levels of carotenoids. The abscisic acid levels followed the increase of the carotenoids, and plants having the highest carotenoid levels also had the highest abscisic acid content. Addition of gibberellic acid to the growth medium only partly restored germination of the transgenic seeds. | 10.1104/pp.102.017053 |
pubmed_756_10708 | Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are derived from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. Angiotensin II (Ang II) can cause endothelial dysfunction by promoting intracellular ROS generation. Safflor yellow B (SYB) effectively inhibits ROS generation by upregulating Bcl-2 expression. In this study, we examined the effects of SYB on Ang II-induced injury to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and elucidated the roles of NADPH oxidase and Bcl-2. We treated cultured HUVECs with Ang II, SYB, and Bcl-2 siRNA, and determined NADPH oxidase activity and ROS levels. Furthermore, cellular and mitochondrial physiological states were evaluated, and the expression levels of target proteins were analyzed. Ang II significantly enhanced intracellular ROS levels, caused mitochondrial membrane dysfunction, and decreased cell viability, leading to apoptosis. This was associated with increased expression of AT1R and p22(phox), increased NADPH oxidase activity, and an increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, leading to decreases in antioxidant enzyme activities, which were further strengthened after blocking Bcl-2. Compared to Ang II treatment alone, co-treatment with SYB significantly reversed HUVEC injury. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SYB could significantly protect endothelial cells from Ang II-induced cell damage, and that it does so by upregulating Bcl-2 expression and inhibiting ROS generation. | pubmed_756_10708 |
pubmed_632_16263 | Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (FLCOD) is a rare, extensive bone metabolism disorder, which occurs only in the jaw bone. It is usually asymptomatic for a long time and discovered incidentally during a radiological examination. The characteristics of FLCOD in the initial stages are similar to those of periapical granuloma or jaw cyst, which may lead to misdiagnosis. After the lesion is mature, the imaging findings show that radiopaque with a thin radiolucent peripheral halo, which is crucial for the diagnosis of FLCOD, but other jaw lesions have similar imaging findings. Due to the poor blood supply of the lesion, the alveolar bone of root apices of vital teeth is slow to heal after trauma, increasing the chance of infection, which can lead to the osteomyelitis of the jaws and emerge sequestrum. This paper reviews the aspects of pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment. | 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1002-0098.2018.04.013 |
pubmed_1095_6463 | Calmodulin (CaM), a ubiquitous calcium-binding protein, regulates diverse cellular functions by modulating the activity of a variety of proteins. However, little is known about how CaM directly regulates transcription. Screening of an Arabidopsis cDNA expression library using horseradish peroxidase-conjugated calmodulin as a probe identified a calmodulin-binding NAC protein (CBNAC). Using gel overlay assays, a Ca2+-dependent CaM-binding domain was identified in the C terminus of this protein. Specific binding of CaM to CaM-binding domain was corroborated by site-directed mutagenesis and a split-ubiquitin assay. Using a PCR-mediated random binding site selection method, we identified a DNA-binding sequence (CBNACBS) for CBNAC, which consisted of a GCTT core sequence flanked on both sides by other frequently repeating sequences (TTGCTTANNNNNNAAG). CBNAC was able to bind to CBNACBS, which resulted in the repression of transcription in Arabidopsis protoplasts. Interestingly, the transcriptional repression mediated by CBNAC was enhanced by CaM. These results suggest that CBNAC may be a CaM-regulated transcriptional repressor in Arabidopsis. | 10.1074/jbc.M705217200 |
pubmed_573_20372 | AIM
Since 2005, we have used self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) as primary treatment for all patients with left-sided obstructing colorectal cancer without evidence of perforation. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of this treatment.
METHOD
This was a prospective study of consecutive patients with left-sided obstructing colorectal cancer without perforation or peritonitis treated between January 2005 and June 2009. SEMS placement was attempted in all cases. Emergency surgery was reserved for patients in whom a stent placement failed. After successful decompression, surgery was offered to patients with potentially curable disease.
RESULTS
Seventy-seven patients were included, with successful SEMS placement in 60/77 (78%) patients, 25 as a bridge to surgery and 35 for palliation. Immediate complications occurred in two (3%) cases. There was no mortality. Of 35 patients in whom SEMS was for palliation, 32 (91%) avoided surgery altogether. A stoma was fashioned in 5 (8.3%) of the 60 patients who were successfully stented, and in 12 (71%) of the 17 patients in whom stenting failed (P = 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
A SEMS-based management protocol for patients with large bowel obstruction due to colorectal cancer is safe and effective. | 10.1111/codi.12206 |
pubmed_226_10077 | BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives and livelihoods, and people already experiencing mental ill health may have been especially vulnerable.
AIMS
Quantify mental health inequalities in disruptions to healthcare, economic activity and housing.
METHOD
We examined data from 59 482 participants in 12 UK longitudinal studies with data collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within each study, we estimated the association between psychological distress assessed pre-pandemic and disruptions since the start of the pandemic to healthcare (medication access, procedures or appointments), economic activity (employment, income or working hours) and housing (change of address or household composition). Estimates were pooled across studies.
RESULTS
Across the analysed data-sets, 28% to 77% of participants experienced at least one disruption, with 2.3-33.2% experiencing disruptions in two or more domains. We found 1 s.d. higher pre-pandemic psychological distress was associated with (a) increased odds of any healthcare disruptions (odds ratio (OR) 1.30, 95% CI 1.20-1.40), with fully adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.24 (95% CI 1.09-1.41) for disruption to procedures to 1.33 (95% CI 1.20-1.49) for disruptions to prescriptions or medication access; (b) loss of employment (odds ratio 1.13, 95% CI 1.06-1.21) and income (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06 -1.19), and reductions in working hours/furlough (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI 1.00-1.09) and (c) increased likelihood of experiencing a disruption in at least two domains (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.18-1.32) or in one domain (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07-1.16), relative to no disruption. There were no associations with housing disruptions (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.97-1.03).
CONCLUSIONS
People experiencing psychological distress pre-pandemic were more likely to experience healthcare and economic disruptions, and clusters of disruptions across multiple domains during the pandemic. Failing to address these disruptions risks further widening mental health inequalities. | 10.1192/bjp.2021.132 |
pubmed_110_10999 | The development of a liaison psychiatry service to the Austin Hospital Spinal Injuries Unit highlighted the need for a psychosocial approach to patients rehabilitation. Increasingly we recognised that psychological factors influenced the course of the patient's acute illness and rehabilitation; this led to the formation of a psychosocial group under the leadership of the liaison psychiatrist. Membership of this group includes the liaison psychiatrist, psychiatry registrar, clinical psychologist, social workers, visiting nurse, chaplains and the rehabilitation registrar. The psychosocial approach advocates the consideration of psychosocial management in all aspects of patient care. In this paper we describe the structure and function of the psychosocial team in the management of patients in the Spinal Injuries Unit at the Austin Hospital. | 10.1038/sc.1988.65 |
pubmed_834_1617 | Mutations within the Steel and Dominant Spotting loci of mice have led to the recent identification of a growth factor/receptor system required for the normal development of germ cells, pigment cells and hematopoietic cells. Interactions between the products of these genes, Steel factor and c-Kit respectively, have now been demonstrated to influence various developmental processes, including survival, proliferation, and/or differentiation of cells in a tissue specific manner. In addition, our current understanding of the molecular basis of various Steel and Dominant Spotting alleles coupled with the emerging information on the expression pattern of steel factor and c-kit transcripts during development, is now beginning to explain the pleiotropic affects of these mutations. | 10.1002/bies.950150202 |
pubmed_91_9377 | A double-blind study of Phanurane and placebo was conducted on 61 patients with mild essential hypertension. Each patient received 2 gelules daily (2 X 50 mg of canrenone) during a 2 month period. Statistical analysis has shown that patients on Phanurane experienced a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with patients on placebo. Clinical tolerance of canrenone was excellent. Uric acid and triglyceride levels remained normal. | pubmed_91_9377 |
pubmed_776_3297 | We cultured primary human mammary epithelial cells from five reduction mammoplasties and five breast carcinomas and attempted to improve culture conditions and define cell populations grown. Normal cells cultured on Matrigel basement membrane-like substance formed multicellular three-dimensional structures reminiscent of tissue ducts and alveoli, while malignant cells remained as single cells crawling through Matrigel much as malignant cells separate and invade basement membrane in vivo. This re-creation of normal and malignant breast cell morphology may facilitate studies of breast cancer cell biology and determination of malignant cell authenticity in culture. Growth of cells in a reduced oxygen concentration of 12% improved cell proliferation over room air (21%); however, cells could not proliferate in a completely physiological oxygen concentration of 6%, perhaps because of the medium used. We developed an improved medium for malignant cell growth, which lengthened their life span in culture, and a completely defined medium which supported cell proliferation for six passages. Methods to determine the epithelial nature of mammary epithelial cells are illustrated and discussed. The authenticity of malignant cells in culture was suggested by their proliferation without certain growth factors required for normal cell growth or with transforming growth factor-beta, which arrests normal cell proliferation, and by their contact independence. | pubmed_776_3297 |
pubmed_171_16089 | Related coactivators p300 and CBP affect the transcriptional activities of many transcription factors (TF), producing multiple downstream effects. Here we show that immediate early response TF, Egr1, acts upstream of p300/CBP to induce or to repress transcription, depending on the stimulus. Cells induced with serum to increase endogenous Egr1 increase the transcription of p300/CBP only when Egr1 binding sites in the promoter are not mutated, causing the expression of downstream targets of Egr1 which leads to survival and growth. Induction of p300/CBP by Egr1 results in acetylation and stabilization of Egr1 and transactivation of survival genes but repression of Egr1 and p300/CBP in negative feedback loops. In contrast, induction of Egr1 by UV-C irradiation leads to repression of p300/CBP transcription: Egr1 is preferentially phosphorylated, leading to regulation of target genes that cause cell death. This complex balance of opposing effects appears to finely modulate important cellular life and death responses. | 10.1016/j.molcel.2004.06.030 |
pubmed_643_9377 | Biological processes are dynamically regulated by signaling networks composed of protein kinases and phosphatases. Calcineurin, or PP3, is a conserved phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-specific protein phosphatase and member of the PPP family of phosphatases. Calcineurin is unique, however, in its activation by Ca2+ and calmodulin. This ubiquitously expressed phosphatase controls Ca2+-dependent processes in all human tissues, but is best known for driving the adaptive immune response by dephosphorylating the nuclear factor of the activated T-cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors. Therefore, calcineurin inhibitors, FK506 (tacrolimus), and cyclosporin A serve as immunosuppressants. We describe some of the adverse effects associated with calcineurin inhibitors that result from inhibition of calcineurin in nonimmune tissues, illustrating the many functions of this enzyme that have yet to be elucidated. In fact, calcineurin has essential roles beyond the immune system, from yeast to humans, but since its discovery more than 30 years ago, only a small number of direct calcineurin substrates have been shown (∼75 proteins). This is because of limitations in current methods for identification of phosphatase substrates. Here we discuss recent insights into mechanisms of calcineurin activation and substrate recognition that have been critical in the development of novel approaches for identifying its targets systematically. Rather than comprehensively reviewing known functions of calcineurin, we highlight new approaches to substrate identification for this critical regulator that may reveal molecular mechanisms underlying toxicities caused by calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression. | 10.1101/cshperspect.a035436 |
pubmed_367_18016 | The objective of this study was to compare tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking ultrasound to assess the relative motion of flexor tendon and surrounding subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT). Twenty normal human wrists were imaged with an ultrasound scanner. The two ultrasound methods measured the excursion and maximum velocity of the tendon and SSCT while subjects gripped three different sized acrylic tubes and these were correlated with tendon excursions estimated from finger joint angle changes. The maximum velocity ratio (=SSCT/tendon velocity) and the shear index (=[(Tendon excursion-SSCT excursion)/Tendon excursion]x100%) were calculated. The intraclass correlation coefficient was higher for joint angle/speckle tracking tendon excursion (0.642) than for joint angle/tissue Doppler excursion (0.377). The speckle tracking method could also discriminate differences in maximum velocity ratio and shear index for different tube sizes. We conclude that speckle tracking may be useful in assessing the relative motion of tendon and SSCT. | 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2009.07.004 |
pubmed_1010_9844 | PURPOSE
To describe a technique intended to transfer of the intermaxillary and occlusal relationships in a fully digital environment from a complete denture to an implant-supported 3D-printed hybrid prosthesis (an acrylic resin complete fixed dental prosthesis supported by implants).
METHODS
In edentulous cases, the physiological mandibular position should be determined before the immediate loading procedures. In some cases, the use of interim removable prostheses for a few weeks could be useful to test the new occlusion in centric relation and to verify the prosthetic project. When the correct intermaxillary relationships are achieved, it is difficult to transfer them from the provisional to the final prostheses, as impressions or scans of edentulous arches do not have reference points for intermaxillary records. This paper presents a complex case and the technique used to transfer information from a complete denture to an implant-supported prosthesis with a digital workflow. A prosthetic stent has been used to scan the edentulous mandibular arch and to record the intermaxillary relation.
RESULTS
The delivery of the hybrid implant-supported prostheses was carried out with no problems and minimal occlusal adjustments. The patient was extremely satisfied with the treatment and the situation remained stable at the 1-year follow up.
CONCLUSIONS
The approach described in the present article predictably maintains prosthetic information and allows the delivery of a final implant-supported restoration with the same occlusal relationship as the one tested with the provisional diagnostic dentures. | 10.3390/ijerph16245160 |
pubmed_218_15136 | HIV-1 protease (PR) mediates the proteolytic processing of virus particles during or after virus budding. PR activation is thought to be triggered by appropriate Gag-Pol/Gag-Pol interaction; factors affecting this interaction either enhance or reduce PR-mediated cleavage efficiency, resulting in markedly reduced virion production or the release of inadequately processed virions. We previously showed that a Gag-Pol deletion mutation involving the reverse transcriptase tryptophan (Trp) repeat motif markedly impairs PR-mediated virus maturation and that an alanine substitution at W401 (W401A) or at both W401 and W402 (W401A/W402A) partially or almost completely negates the enhancement effect of efavirenz (a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) on PR-mediated virus processing efficiency. These data suggest that the Trp repeat motif may contribute to the PR activation process. Here we demonstrate that due to enhanced Gag cleavage efficiency, W402 alanine or leucine substitution significantly reduces virus production. However, W402 replacement with phenylalanine does not significantly affect virus particle assembly or processing, but it does markedly impair viral infectivity in a single-cycle infection assay. Our results demonstrate that a single amino acid substitution at HIV-1 RT can radically affect virus assembly by enhancing Gag cleavage efficiency, suggesting that in addition to contributing to RT biological function during the early stages of virus replication, the HIV-1 RT tryptophan repeat motif in a Gag-Pol context may play an important role in suppressing the premature activation of PR during late-stage virus replication. | 10.1128/JVI.01532-09 |
pubmed_105_10611 | Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a signalling molecule for pain and inflammation. NGF is increased in synovial fluid from osteoarthritic humans and animals, compared to healthy controls. Monoclonal antibody therapy directed against NGF has been approved to treat pain in osteoarthritic dogs but despite many years of trialling, therapy has not been approved for human use. One reason for this is that adverse reactions with rapidly progressing osteoarthritis has occurred in some individuals. More detailed knowledge of NGF expression in joints is needed. In this study, capillary-based Simple Western was used to analyse NGF in cultured equine chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were collected post mortem from three macroscopically healthy intercarpal joints and three intercarpal joints with mild osteoarthritic changes. The chondrocytes were expanded to passage one and seeded in chondrogenic medium to maintain the phenotype. On day four, cells were either stimulated with LPS or kept untreated in medium. All cells were harvested on day five. Wes analysis of lysates did not show mature NGF but two proforms, 40 and 45 kDa, were identified. Results were confirmed with western blot. The same proforms were expressed in chondrocytes from healthy and osteoarthritic joints. Acute inflammation induced by LPS stimulation did not change the forms of expressed NGF. Capillary Simple Western offers a sensitive and sample-sparing alternative to traditional western blot. However, confirmation of peaks is imperative in order to avoid misinterpretation of findings. In addition, in this case the method did not offer the possibility of quantification advertised by the manufacturers. | 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.08.015 |
pubmed_842_10859 | The eSMT rat is a new spontaneous model of type 2 diabetes that develops a progressive diabetic syndrome with a stronger incidence in males than in females. We decide to investigate the progression of the pancreatic histopathological changes during the lifespan of the eSMT rat, especially those associated with islet cell populations. Besides that, some plasmatic parameters were evaluated in order to correlate them with the morphological findings. Male eSMT and Sprague-Dawley control rats were used. The results showed a dramatic decrease of the volume density (VD) of endocrine tissue in the eSMT rats without evidence of insulitis. Islets became fragmented structures with strong presence of interstitial fibrosis. Consequently, plasma insulin levels showed a significant decrease, while plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were increased. Normal rats showed no significant changes in the VD of endocrine tissue, except for the older animals, where the VD of β-cell population was increased. Early derangements observed in islets, together with the progressive decrease of endocrine tissue and the metabolic disorders described, would be responsible for an irreversible pathologic condition which avoids the animal survival beyond about 18 months of age. However, there is still a need to investigate the causes of endocrine tissue decrease and its possible association with an inflammatory process that it could be associated with the development and progression of fibrosis. | 10.1016/j.tice.2011.12.002 |
pubmed_12_712 | The microclimate of 205 rooms of single storey houses in four new rural residential districts in coastal and inland Shandong was monitored and studied the blood circulation of the finger, skin temperature, sweating function and other physiological indexes among 2,401 peasants. We interrogated their personal sensation to cold and warmth. The count was done by the application of thermal equilibrium index (TEI), predicted 4-hour Sweat Rate (P4SR) and the uncomfortable index. The standard room temperature is recommended as follows. In rural area in winter the appropriate room temperature is 14-16 degrees C, the comfortable room temperature is 16-20 degrees C, the lowest room temperature must not be below 14 degrees C. In summer the appropriate room temperature is 25-28 degrees C, the comfortable room temperature is 26-27 degrees C, the highest temperature must not be above 28 degrees C. | pubmed_12_712 |
pubmed_354_16448 | OBJECTIVES
Cochlear implantation is an increasingly used technique for auditory rehabilitation of pediatric and adult population. Safe implantation is achieved in most cases; however, intraoperative complications and misplacement of the electrode are observed in some. The aim of this presentation was to review the characteristics of patients with extra-cochlear electrode insertion, postoperative diagnostic methods, and considerations in revision surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In total, 423 cases of cochlear implantation performed in our clinic between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and those of extra-cochlear implantation were evaluated.
RESULTS
Extra-cochlear insertion was found in 3 patients. The electrode was placed into the internal acoustic canal in the first case, superior semicircular canal in the second case, and internal carotid artery canal in the third case. Cochlear insertion was achieved in all cases with re-implantation, and no complication was observed.
CONCLUSION
This case series highlights that rare, but potentially serious, consequences of misplacement of the electrode in cochlear implantation can be successfully avoided and treated via a multidisciplinary approach. | 10.5152/iao.2019.6492 |
pubmed_649_3628 | Cardiac output was measured 120 times in 27 critically ill patients using the thermodilution and transthoracic electrical impedance methods. Both the minimum and mean values for the distance between the inner electrodes, and a variety of values for the resistivity of blood (rho) were substituted in the Kubicek's empiric formula for calculating cardiac output by transthoracic electrical impedance. Using the mean distance between the inner electrodes and a rho-value of 150 ohm X cm gave the best agreement between the methods (mean difference 0.17 +/- 2.4 L/min). Ventilation alone or with positive end-expiratory pressure did not significantly affect the bias of the estimate, but both affected its precision when compared with measurements in spontaneously breathing patients (SD of mean difference 2.4 and 3.2 L/min, respectively, vs. 1.5 L/min). The pulmonary artery wedge pressure was significantly higher in patients with an abnormal diastolic impedance waveform (zero-wave), but there was no relationship between wedge pressure and base impedance per unit length between the measuring electrodes. | 10.1097/00003246-198612000-00009 |
pubmed_317_4335 | Salicylic acid (SA) is an important hormone involved in many diverse plant processes, including floral induction, stomatal closure, seed germination, adventitious root initiation, and thermogenesis. It also plays critical functions during responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. The role(s) of SA in signaling disease resistance is by far the best studied process, although it is still only partially understood. To obtain insights into how SA carries out its varied functions, particularly in activating disease resistance, two new high throughput screens were developed to identify novel SA-binding proteins (SABPs). The first utilized crosslinking of the photo-reactive SA analog 4-AzidoSA (4AzSA) to proteins in an Arabidopsis leaf extract, followed by immuno-selection with anti-SA antibodies and then mass spectroscopy-based identification. The second utilized photo-affinity crosslinking of 4AzSA to proteins on a protein microarray (PMA) followed by detection with anti-SA antibodies. To determine whether the candidate SABPs (cSABPs) obtained from these screens were true SABPs, recombinantly-produced proteins were generated and tested for SA-inhibitable crosslinking to 4AzSA, which was monitored by immuno-blot analysis, SA-inhibitable binding of the SA derivative 3-aminoethylSA (3AESA), which was detected by a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, or SA-inhibitable binding of [(3)H]SA, which was detected by size exclusion chromatography. Based on our criteria that true SABPs must exhibit SA-binding activity in at least two of these assays, nine new SABPs are identified here; nine others were previously reported. Approximately 80 cSABPs await further assessment. In addition, the conflicting reports on whether NPR1 is an SABP were addressed by showing that it bound SA in all three of the above assays. | 10.3389/fpls.2014.00777 |
pubmed_166_420 | Previous studies have reported on the glucose and lipid-lowering effects of ferulic acid (FA) but its anti-obesity potential has not yet been firmly established. This study investigated the possible anti-obesitogenic effects of FA in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 15 weeks. To assess the antiobesity potential of FA, 32 male Swiss mice, weighing 20-25 g (n=6-8 per group) were fed a normal diet (ND) or HFD, treated orally or not with either FA (10 mg/kg) or sibutramine (10 mg/kg) for 15 weeks and at the end of this period, the body weights of animals, visceral fat accumulation, plasma levels of glucose and insulin hormone, amylase and lipase activities, the satiety hormones ghrelin and leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCH-1) were analyzed. Results revealed that FA could effectively suppress the HFD-associated increase in visceral fat accumulation, adipocyte size and body weight gain, similar to sibutramine, the positive control. FA also significantly (P<0.05) decreased the HFD-induced elevations in serum lipid profiles, amylase and lipase activities, and the levels of blood glucose and insulin hormone. The markedly elevated leptin and decreased ghrelin levels seen in HFD-fed control mice were significantly (P<0.05) reversed by FA treatment, almost reaching the values seen in ND-fed mice. Furthermore, FA demonstrated significant (P<0.05) inhibition of serum levels of inflammatory mediators TNF-α, and MCH-1. These results suggest that FA could be beneficial in lowering the risk of HFD-induced obesity via modulation of enzymatic, hormonal and inflammatory responses. | 10.1590/1414-431X20165630 |
pubmed_214_20134 | Photomechanical effect in semiconductors refers to a phenomenon that plastic deformation is influenced by light-induced electron-hole (e-h) excitation. To date, increasing amounts of theoretical and experimental studies have been performed to illustrate the physical origin of this phenomenon. In contrast, there has been little discussion about this effect in superhard materials. Here, we adopted constrained density functional theory simulations to assess how e-h excitation influences two boron-based superhard materials: boron carbide (B4C) and boron subphosphide (B12P2). We found that the ideal shear strengths of both systems decrease under e-h excited states. Under e-h excitation, the redistribution of electrons and holes contributes to the decreased strength, weakening the bonds initially broken under the shear deformation. The simulation results provide a fundamental explanation for the softening effects of superhard materials under e-h excitation. This study also provides a basis to tune the mechanical properties of superhard materials via light irradiation. | 10.1021/acsami.2c05528 |
pubmed_354_17597 | Based on Akt1 and Jak1 key roles in apoptosis and proliferation of many cancers, the aim of this study was to find a new gene therapy strategy by silencing of these main anti-apoptotic genes for HNSCC treatment. Cancerous HN5 and normal HUVEC cell lines were treated with Akt1 and Jak1 siRNAs alone or with each other combined with/without cisplatin. The MTS, flow cytometry, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, real-time PCR and ELISA methods were utilized in this study. The highest percentage of apoptosis was observed in the treatment of Jak1 siRNA/cisplatin group in cancerous HN5 cells (96.5%) where this treatment showed 12.84% apoptosis in normal HUVEC cell line. Cell viability reduced significantly to 64.57% after treatment with Akt1 siRNA in HN5 treated group. Knocking down Akt1 and Jak1 genes using siRNAs could increase levels of apoptosis and reduce proliferation rate in HNSCC indicating the powerful effects of these genes siRNAs with or without chemotherapeutic agents in HNSCC treatment. In conclusion, the combination of siRNA-mediated gene-silencing strategy can be considered as a valuable and safe approach for sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents thus proposed further studies regarding this issue to approve some siRNA based therapeutics for using in clinic. | 10.1016/j.gene.2019.143997 |
pubmed_330_21367 | Ngaingan virus (NGAV) was isolated from a pool of biting midges that were collected in the tropics of northern Australia. Reported here is the full-length sequence of the NGAV genome, which, at over 15.7 kb, is the largest in any rhabdovirus described to date and contains 13 genes, the highest number of genes observed in any (-) ssRNA virus. Seven of these putative genes show no significant homology to known proteins. Like viruses in the genus Ephemerovirus, NGAV possesses a second glycoprotein gene (G(NS)). Phylogenetic analyses, however, place NGAV within the yet to be classified "Hart Park" group containing Wongabel and Flanders viruses, which do not contain a second glycoprotein gene. Screening of various animal sera from northern Australia has indicated that NGAV is currently circulating in macropods (wallabies, wallaroos and kangaroos), highlighting the need for further studies to determine its potential to cause disease in these species. | 10.1016/j.virol.2009.12.013 |
pubmed_661_4249 | The possibility that relative kidney uptake of technetium-99m aprotinin (TcA) might be indicative of separate renal function was investigated in 89 patients who underwent both effective renal plasma flow (ERPFs) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determination. A reference group consisted of 27 healthy volunteers, studied only with TcA. The correlation with ERPFs (r = .73) was similar to that previously reported and confirmed. The correlation with GFR (r = .68) was better if a subgroup of renal units with TcA uptake lower than 16% (lower normal limit) was considered. Most likely, glomerular filtration is a limiting factor of the tubular uptake of TcA, and when GFR is reduced, both parameters decrease in the same manner, while if GFR is normal the two parameters are relatively independent. The correlation between TcA and GFR in 32 children was very similar to that found in adults. TcA uptake test seems to be a useful indicator of separate renal function, providing morphological information at, the same time. | 10.3109/08860228509088206 |
pubmed_99_3758 | We describe a patient with microcystic adnexal carcinoma, a recently recognized cutaneous neoplasm. The patient, a middle-aged woman, had an induration of the left side of her upper lip. At the time of initial resection, the neoplasm also involved the left side of the nose. An extensive recurrence, 27 months later, involved the left turbinates and left orbit. Microscopically the tumor consisted of nests, strands, and cysts composed of mildly to moderately atypical squamous cells that lacked connections with the epidermis. The cysts contained dense, laminated keratin. The tumor was distributed throughout the dermis and infiltrated subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, perichondrium, periosteum, vascular adventitia, and perineural spaces. A few fields contained nests of clear cells, but ductular differentiation, prominent in some microcystic adnexal carcinomas, was not found. There was a distinctive, dense, sclerotic stroma. The foregoing clinical and pathologic findings are characteristic of microcystic adnexal carcinoma. Our observations and available information from the literature suggest the existence of an important family of locally aggressive carcinomas of the face characterized by squamous nests and cysts, variable ductular differentiation, and perineural growth. Such tumors must be clearly differentiated from the more common forms of epidermal and adnexal neoplasia. | 10.1016/s0190-9622(84)80445-4 |
pubmed_690_21560 | We studied the effects of chewing nicotine gum on tic frequency and severity in 10 patients with Tourette's disorder (TD) on haloperidol, versus 9 untreated TD patients; placebo gum was administered to 5 of these untreated patients. Videotapes of patients during a 2-hr period of 30 min baseline, 30 min gum chewing, and two 30-min postgum-chewing periods were utilized. For those TD patients on haloperidol, significant reductions occurred in tic frequency and severity during the gum-chewing and the two postgum-chewing periods. Nicotine gum alone caused a decrease in tic frequency only during gum-chewing and one postgum-chewing period, while placebo gum showed no effect. In this study, nicotine markedly potentiated haloperidol effects in treating TD, and showed lesser effects on TD when used alone. | 10.1016/0006-3223(92)90315-q |
pubmed_1108_3609 | OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the effects of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, diabetes) and noise exposure (occupational, recreational, firearm) on frequency-specific audiometric thresholds among US adults while assessing synergistic interactions between these exposures.
DESIGN
National cross-sectional survey.
SETTING/PARTICIPANTS
United States adults aged 20 to 69 years who participated in the 1999 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 3,527).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Air-conduction thresholds at 0.5 to 8 kHz (dB) in the poorer-hearing ear. Multivariate models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational level.
RESULTS
: Exposure to firearm noise was significantly associated with high-frequency (4-8 kHz) hearing loss (HL), whereas smoking and diabetes were associated with significantly increased hearing thresholds across the frequency range (0.5-8 kHz). A significant interaction was observed between exposure to firearm noise and heavy smoking such that firearm noise was associated with a mean 8-dB hearing loss in heavy smokers compared with a mean 2-dB hearing loss in nonsmokers at 8 kHz. We also observed significant interactions between firearm noise exposure and diabetes.
CONCLUSION
Noise exposure was associated with high-frequency HL, whereas cardiovascular risk generated by smoking and diabetes was associated with both high- and low-frequency HL. The frequency-specific effects of these exposures may offer insight into mechanisms of cochlear damage. We demonstrated an interaction between cardiovascular risk and noise exposures, possibly as a result of cochlear vulnerability due to microvascular insufficiency. Such significant interactions provide proof of principle that certain preexisting medical conditions can potentiate the effect of noise exposure on hearing. Data-based stratification of risk should guide our counseling of patients regarding HL. | 10.1097/MAO.0b013e318192483c |
pubmed_134_23253 | The effects of elevated temperature, carbon dioxide, and water stress on the isoflavone content of seed from a dwarf soybean line [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] were determined, using controlled environment chambers. Increasing the temperature from 18 degrees C during seed development to 23 degrees C decreased total isoflavone content by about 65%. A further 5 degrees C increase to 28 degrees C decreased the total isoflavone content by about 90%. Combining treatments at elevated temperature with elevated CO(2) (700 ppm) and water stress to determine the possible consequences of global climate change on soybean seed isoflavone content indicated that elevated CO(2) at elevated temperatures could partially reverse the effects of temperature on soybean seed isoflavone content. The addition of drought stress to plants grown at 23 degrees C and elevated CO(2) returned the total isoflavone levels to the control values obtained at 18 degrees C and 400 ppm CO(2). The promotive effects of drought and elevated CO(2) at 23 degrees C on the 6' '-O-malonygenistin and genistin levels were additive. The individual isoflavones often had different responses to the various growth conditions during seed maturation, modifying the proportions of the principal isoflavones. Therefore, subtle changes in certain environmental factors may change the isoflavone content of commercially grown soybean, altering the nutritional values of soy products. | 10.1021/jf0355351 |
pubmed_675_25981 | BACKGROUND
Excessive use of the internet among adolescents often led to later bedtimes and poor sleep quality. This study assessed the relationship between internet addiction and sleep quality among adolescents in a peri-urban setting in Nepal.
METHOD
This cross-sectional study employed a questionnaire survey among 390 adolescent students recruited from two schools in Kirtipur Municipality in Nepal. The Internet Addiction Test and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess internet addiction and poor sleep quality respectively. The association between internet addiction and sleep quality was analysed by logistic regression.
RESULTS
One-fifth (21.5%) of the participants were identified with borderline internet addiction and 13.3% with possible internet addiction. Poor sleep quality was found among 31% of the participants. Internet addiction was significantly associated with poor sleep quality (OR = 1.85, p = 0.022 for borderline, and OR = 3.98, p = <0.001 for possible internet addiction compared to no internet addiction).
CONCLUSION
Adolescents with internet addiction were more vulnerable to suffer from poor sleep quality. It is recommended that municipalities and schools should aware the adolescent students on the adverse effects of excessive internet use including poor sleep quality. The findings have implications for adolescents, parents, school authorities and researchers. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0246940 |
pubmed_932_6829 | The cooperative catalysis by palladium and triphenylborane effects the intramolecular oxycyanation of alkenes through the cleavage of O-CN bonds and the subsequent insertion of double bonds. The use of 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (Xantphos) as a ligand for palladium is essential for allowing the transformation to proceed with high chemo- and regioselectivity. Variously substituted dihydrobenzofurans with both a tetra-substituted carbon and cyano functionality are accessed by the newly developed methodology. | 10.1021/ja301375c |
pubmed_239_23449 | This study examines the implications of a history of personal violence on health and health behaviors. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data involving adults (n = 214) from a semirural area in southern Louisiana between October 2008 and December 2010 was conducted to ascertain the association between a personal history of violence victimization and indicators of sexual health behaviors and outcomes: communication with sexual partners about HIV status, consistent condom use, and sexually transmitted infection (STI). While violence victimization is widely accepted as a risk factor for high-risk sex behavior, the mechanisms underlying violence victimization's influence on sexual health outcomes remain unclear. Bivariate analyses demonstrated a significant positive association between experience of physical abuse and lifetime history of STI. Surprisingly, respondents reporting lifetime physical violence were more than two times more likely to ask sexual partners about HIV status [odds ratio (OR) for physical attack = 2.23, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.00-4.97; OR for physical injury = 4.60, 95% CI = 1.79-11.85]. Consistent condom use was not significantly associated with violence exposure in adjusted models. There was no evidence that communication with sexual partners mediated the relationship between experiences of violence and condom use. The link between personal history of violence and condom use may be mediated through alternative pathways beyond communication. | 10.1089/apc.2016.0265 |
pubmed_23_10603 | OBJECTIVE
Corticosteroid use is associated with rapid bone loss, but the effect of low dose corticosteroids (CS) remains controversial and the extent to which increased fracture risk relates to quantitative effects, as reflected by change in bone mineral density (BMD), or to qualitative effects due to altered microarchitecture is unclear. Moreover the contribution of the underlying disease, for which CS are used, confounds the assessment of CS effects on bone. Our aim was to examine these effects of CS on bone.
METHODS
We measured BMD, quantitative ultrasound (US), and clinical and radiological disease indices in 76 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with or without low dose CS. Disease effects were quantitated using the Health Assessment Questionnaire and radiological scores.
RESULTS
BMD and US measures were significantly reduced in RA patients compared to age matched controls. Low dose CS use was associated with a further small but nonsignificant reduction in BMD, and US measures did not further discriminate CS effects on bone. Radiological score was an independent predictor of US measures, suggesting that in RA, calcaneal bone may reflect both systemic and local disease effects.
CONCLUSION
US did not appear to discriminate effects of low dose CS on bone better than BMD. However, underlying RA disease effects on bone are detectable by US. Quantitative US should be investigated for its utility in assessing disease activity or progress in RA. | pubmed_23_10603 |
pubmed_977_7633 | OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of marijuana legalization and the subsequent onset of retail sales on injury and fatal traffic crash rates in the United States during the period 2009-2019.
METHOD
State-by-state quarterly crash rates per mile of travel were modeled as a function of time, unemployment rate, maximum posted speed limit, seat belt use rate, alcohol use rate, percent of miles driven on rural roads, and indicators of legalized recreational marijuana use and sales.
RESULTS
Legalization of the recreational use of marijuana was associated with a 6.5% increase in injury crash rates and a 2.3% increase in fatal crash rates, but the subsequent onset of retail marijuana sales did not elicit additional substantial changes. Thus, the combined effect of legalization and retail sales was a 5.8% increase in injury crash rates and a 4.1% increase in fatal crash rates. Across states, the effects on injury crash rates ranged from a 7% decrease to an 18% increase. The effects on fatal crash rates ranged from a 10% decrease to a 4% increase.
CONCLUSIONS
The estimated increases in injury and fatal crash rates after recreational marijuana legalization are consistent with earlier studies, but the effects varied across states. Because this is an early look at the time trends, researchers and policymakers need to continue monitoring the data. | pubmed_977_7633 |
pubmed_999_2991 | The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an unprecedented public health crisis worldwide. Its intense politicization constantly made headlines, especially regarding the use of face masks as a safety precaution. However, the extent to which public opinion is polarized on wearing masks has remained anecdotal and the verbal representation of this polarization has not been explored. This study examined the types, themes, temporal trends, and exchange patterns of hashtags about mask wearing posted from March 1 to August 1, 2020 by Twitter users based in the United States. On the one hand, we found a stark rhetorical polarization in terms of semantic antagonism between pro- and anti-mask hashtags, exponential frequency increases of both types of hashtags during the period under study, in parallel to growing COVID-19 case counts, state mask mandates, and media coverage. On the other hand, the results showed an asymmetric participatory polarization in terms of a predominance of pro-mask hashtags along with an "echo chamber" effect in the dominant pro-mask group, which ignored the subversive rhetoric of the anti-mask minority. Notwithstanding the limitations of the research, this study provides a nuanced account of the digital polarization of public opinion on mask wearing. It draws attention to political polarization both as a rhetorical phenomenon and as a participatory process. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0250817 |
pubmed_1129_4881 | BACKGROUND
There is a need for providing sensory feedback for myoelectric prosthesis users. Providing tactile feedback can improve object manipulation abilities, enhance the perceptual embodiment of myoelectric prostheses and help reduce phantom limb pain. Many amputees have referred sensation from their missing hand on their residual limbs (phantom maps). This skin area can serve as a target for providing amputees with non-invasive tactile sensory feedback. One of the challenges of providing sensory feedback on the phantom map is to define the accurate boundary of each phantom digit because the phantom map distribution varies from person to person.
METHODS
In this paper, automatic phantom map detection methods based on four decomposition support vector machine algorithms and three sampling methods are proposed, complemented by fuzzy logic and active learning strategies. The algorithms and methods are tested on two databases: the first one includes 400 generated phantom maps, whereby the phantom map generation algorithm was based on our observation of the phantom maps to ensure smooth phantom digit edges, variety, and representativeness. The second database includes five reported phantom map images and transformations thereof. The accuracy and training/ classification time of each algorithm using a dense stimulation array (with 100 [Formula: see text] 100 actuators) and two coarse stimulation arrays (with 3 [Formula: see text] 5 and 4 [Formula: see text] 6 actuators) are presented and compared.
RESULTS
Both generated and reported phantom map images share the same trends. Majority-pooling sampling effectively increases the training size, albeit introducing some noise, and thus produces the smallest error rates among the three proposed sampling methods. For different decomposition architectures, one-vs-one reduces unclassified regions and in general has higher classification accuracy than the other architectures. By introducing fuzzy logic to bias the penalty parameter, the influence of pooling-induced noise is reduced. Moreover, active learning with different strategies was also tested and shown to improve the accuracy by introducing more representative training samples. Overall, dense arrays employing one-vs-one fuzzy support vector machines with majority-pooling sampling have the smallest average absolute error rate (8.78% for generated phantom maps and 11.5% for reported and transformed phantom map images). The detection accuracy of coarse arrays was found to be significantly lower than for dense array.
CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate the effectiveness of support vector machines using a dense array in detecting refined phantom map shapes, whereas coarse arrays are unsuitable for this task. We therefore propose a two-step approach, using first a non-wearable dense array to detect an accurate phantom map shape, then to apply a wearable coarse stimulation array customized according to the detection results. The proposed methodology can be used as a tool for helping haptic feedback designers and for tracking the evolvement of phantom maps. | 10.1186/s12938-018-0502-8 |
pubmed_353_12236 | Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) into inactive 5' monophosphates, and exist as 11 families. Inhibitors of PDEs allow the elevation of cAMP and cGMP, which leads to a variety of cellular effects including airway smooth muscle relaxation and inhibition of cellular inflammation or of immune responses. PDE4 inhibitors specifically prevent the hydrolysis of cAMP. We have validated the manually developed reporter gene assay in a high-throughput screening format that allows for fast and cost-effective identification of potential inhibitors of PDE4 isozymes. The assay is sensitive and robust, with a Z' value of >0.5. The assay is also amenable to 384-well format. | 10.1002/biot.200800102 |
pubmed_245_8311 | Sea turtles are globally endangered and face daily anthropogenic threats, including pollution. However, there is a lack of ecotoxicological information on sea turtles, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. This study aims to determine pollutant levels of foraging green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in South China, including Hong Kong, Guangdong and Taiwan, as a basis for their conservation. Scute, liver and muscle tissues of stranded green turtles were analysed for levels of 17 trace elements and methylmercury (MeHg) (n = 86 for scute and n = 14 for liver) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (n = 11 for muscle and n = 13 for liver). Ten-fold higher levels of Pb, Ba, V and Tl and 40-fold greater Cd levels were measured in green turtle livers in South China relative to other studies conducted over 10 years ago. Measured PBDE levels were also 27-fold and 50-fold greater than those reported in Australia and Japan. These results warrant further investigation of potential toxicological risks to green turtles in South China and their source rookeries in Malaysia, Micronesia, Indonesia, Marshall Islands, Japan and Taiwan. Research should target monitoring pollutant levels in sea turtles within the West Pacific/Southeast Asia regional management unit spanning East Asia to Southeast Asia to fill in knowledge gaps, in particular in areas such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines where less or no data is available and where foraging grounds of sea turtles have been identified. | 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.100 |
pubmed_1115_18 | Aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a very rare congenital anomaly. Noncompaction of the left ventricle or "spongy myocardium" is another rare congenital cardiomyopathy. We report probably the first case in which these two rare anomalies causing pump failure coexisted in a 4-year-old make and the tunnel was successfully treated nonsurgically. Transcatheter closure of ALVT with the Amplatzer duct occluder is feasible and safe in a case of noncompaction of the LV with reduced LV function. | 10.1007/s00246-003-0548-6 |
pubmed_55_5523 | The purpose of this study was to determine the changes that occur in tendinous tissue properties during the early phase of tetanic summation in the in vivo human tibialis anterior muscle (TA). The torque response and tendinous tissue elongation following single stimuli, two-pulse trains, and three-pulse trains were recorded in the TA during isometric contractions. The elongation, compliance, and lengthening velocity of tendinous tissue were determined by real-time ultrasonography. The contribution of the response to the second stimulation (C2) was obtained by subtracting the response to the single stimulation (C1) from the response of doublet. The third contribution (C3) was obtained by subtracting the response to the doublet from that of the triplet. C2 (7.8+/-0.5 Nm) and C3 (7.3+/-0.6 Nm) had torque responses significantly higher than C1 (3.6+/-0.7 Nm). In contrast, the elongations of tendinous tissue for C2 (2.8+/-0.4mm) and C3 (1.7+/-0.2mm) were significantly lower than for C1 (4.9+/-0.3mm), indicating that the summation pattern of tendinous tissue elongation is different from the summation pattern of torque response. In addition, this showed considerable difference both between C1 (0.12+/-0.01 mm/N; 83+/-4.6mm/s) and C2 (0.03+/-0.005 mm/N; 50+/-6.3mm/s) and between C1 and C3 (0.02+/-0.002 mm/N; 39+/-6.4mm/s) in the compliance and lengthening velocity of tendinous tissue. These results suggest that changes in tendinous tissue properties between first and second contraction are related to different summation patterns of force and tendinous tissue elongation during early phase of tetanic summation. | 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.11.015 |
pubmed_834_3585 | We hypothesized that vasopressin concentrations during exercise attenuate the increase in collateral-dependent blood flow leading to left ventricular dysfunction in Ameroid-occluded miniswine. An Ameroid occluder was placed around the proximal left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) of 19 miniswine. Ten weeks later V1 receptor blockade with the use of [d(CH2)5Tyr-(Me)]arginine vasopressin (10-12 micrograms/kg iv) increased resting transmural flow (radioactive microspheres) in the LCX region, indicating the presence of V1 receptors. Neither injection of lysine vasopressin (125 pmol/kg) after V1 receptor blockade nor injection of two specific V2 receptor agonists caused changes in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, or left anterior descending coronary arterial flow velocity, indicating that V2 receptors mediate no appreciable vasodilation in the swine coronary circulation. Next the ratio of collateral to noncollateral flow and regional systolic wall thickening (sonomicrometer dimension gauges) were measured at rest and after 20 min of prolonged, intense treadmill exercise (85-90% of heart rate reserve) in the presence and absence of V1 receptor antagonism. This degree of exertion increased plasma lysine vasopressin from 6.2 +/- 1.0 at rest to 21.0 +/- 7.0 pg/ml (P < 0.05) during the unblocked run. However, the decrease in transmural blood flow ratio (collateral to noncollateral flow) from rest was similar during exercise before and after V1 receptor blockade (0.78 +/- 0.07 and 0.80 +/- 0.05, respectively; P < 0.05 vs. rest). Likewise, percent systolic wall thickening in the collateral-dependent region decreased from rest to exercise in the absence and presence of V1 receptor antagonism (35.9 +/- 4.5 and 39.5 +/- 3.8%, respectively; P < 0.05 vs. rest).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | 10.1152/ajpheart.1993.264.5.H1644 |
pubmed_336_23702 | Insulin delivery via injection and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) via insulin pump were compared in a cross-sectional study (n = 669) and retrospective longitudinal study (n = 1904) of young children (<6 yr) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) participating in the T1D Exchange clinic registry. Use of CSII correlated with longer T1D duration (p < 0.001), higher parental education (p < 0.001), and annual household income (p < 0.006) but not with race/ethnicity. Wide variation in pump use was observed among T1D Exchange centers even after adjusting for these factors, suggesting that prescriber preference is a substantial determinant of CSII use. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was lower in pump vs. injection users (7.9 vs. 8.5%, adjusted p < 0.001) in the cross-sectional study. In the longitudinal study, HbA1c decreased after initiation of CSII by 0.2%, on average (p < 0.001). Frequency of a severe hypoglycemia (SH) event did not differ in pump vs. injection users (p = 0.2). Frequency of ≥1 parent-reported diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) event in the prior year was greater in pump users than injection users (10 vs. 8%, p = 0.04). No differences between pump and injection users were observed for clinic-reported DKA events. Children below 6 yr have many unique metabolic characteristics, feeding behaviors, and care needs compared with older children and adolescents. These data support the use of insulin pumps in this youngest age group, and suggest that metabolic control may be improved without increasing the frequency of SH, but care should be taken as to the possibly increased risk of DKA. | 10.1111/pedi.12121 |
pubmed_499_10271 | Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) in the treatment of diabetic foot with below-the-knee(BTK) lesions. Methods: The clinical data of 11 patients with diabetic foot with BTK lesions who underwent ELA at Department of Vascular Surgery,Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University and Department of Vascular and Wound Treatment Center,Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University from September 2019 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 10 males and 1 female,aged 70.5 years(range:41 to 83 years).There were 20 lesions in 12 limbs,including 19 chronic total occlusion.All of the limbs were classified as Rutherford class 5 and suffered ulceration.The surgical efficacy,complications and ankle brachial index(ABI) after operation were record. Results: All patients underwent the operation successfully,the technical success rate was 12/12.No distal embolization,flow-limiting dissection,perforation or bailout stenting was occurred.The follow-up period was 8.2 months(range:3 to 13 months).The ABI increased from 0.58(range:0.24 to 1.57) before operation to 0.88(range:0.68 to 1.05) after operation.At 3 months after the operation,1 limb (1/12) underwent endovascular operation again due to restenosis,ulcers were healed in 5 limbs(5/12),and no amputation (limb/toe),death or loss of follow-up patients.Six months after the operation,2 patients were lost to follow-up and 2 died,ulcers were healed in 6 limbs(6/8),1 limb (1/8) underwent toe amputation due to prolonged healing of ulcers of toe. Conclusion: ELA is feasible and effective in the treatment of DF with BTK lesions,providing a new option of debulking atherectomy in such a group of patients. | 10.3760/cma.j.cn112139-20211116-00534 |
pubmed_494_17057 | UNLABELLED
Familism is considered to be a cultural value shared by different Hispanic groups. The familism scale (FS) was developed by Sabogal, Marín, Otero-Sabogal, Marín, and Perez-Stable (1987, Hispanic familism and acculturation: What changes and what doesn't? Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, vol. 9, pp. 397-412) as a self-report measure of this construct, and three dimensions were obtained through exploratory factor analysis: familial obligations, perceived support from the family, and family as referents.
OBJECTIVES AND METHOD
The purpose of the present study was to assess the underlying factor structure of the FS using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in a sample of 135 Spanish caregivers.
RESULTS
The original model did not fit the data well, and five items with factor loadings below 0.40 were trimmed. The fit indexes for the remaining items suggest a good fit of this model and an acceptable internal consistency index.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that the modified factor model for the FS has acceptable psychometric properties in a sample of dementia caregivers. | 10.1080/13607860802224227 |
pubmed_465_1196 | A commercially available latex agglutination reagent, Directigen (Hynson, Westcott & Dunning, Div. Becton Dickinson & Co., Baltimore, Md.), in which a murine monoclonal antibody to group B streptococcal (GBS) antigen is the active component, was evaluated by using body fluid specimens from 94 sick infants. Antigen was detected in one or more admission specimens from 18 of 19 (94.7%) infants with symptomatic GBS infection. In 15 patients with GBS meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and 10-fold-concentrated urine specimens were positive in 87, 50, and 100%, respectively. GBS antigen was detected in 50% of unconcentrated urines, but in no sera from infants with nonmeningitic GBS sepsis. Among specimens from 27 infants with invasive infection due to organisms other than GBS and from 48 culture-negative sick infants, false-positive latex agglutination reactions occurred in only 4 (9.5%) urine specimens and in no cerebrospinal fluid or serum specimens. The 94.7% sensitivity and specificity of the Directigen GBS test indicate that it is a useful reagent for the rapid diagnosis of invasive GBS infection in young infants. | 10.1128/jcm.20.5.852-854.1984 |
pubmed_667_8939 | A gene for prokaryotic pyruvate carboxylase (PC) was cloned from Bacillus stearothermophilus. It has an open reading frame of 3441 base pairs which can code for a protein of 128,353 Da. Not only the molecular size and domain organization but also the deduced amino acid sequence of B. stearothermophilus PC are similar to those of eukaryotic PCs. | 10.1016/s0378-1119(97)00027-9 |
pubmed_271_1247 | Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the trachea is a rare tumor. Common complaints are dyspnea and cough that could mimic a partially refractory asthma in some cases. We report a 16-year-old female with an anaplastic large cell lymphoma (null cell type) in which tracheal involvement was presented with life-threatening airway obstruction and subcutaneous emphysema. After debulking the tumor by endobronchial curettage, the patient was treated with chemotherapy followed by local radiotherapy. She had no evidence of local or distant recurrence after 25 months. Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the trachea is a rare life-threatening disease. Nevertheless, this condition has a good prognosis if diagnosed immediately and treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. | 10.5144/1658-3876.2011.188 |
pubmed_27_23788 | Development of a highly refined human factor IX (hFIX) expression vector system is critical for establishing a durable hemophilia B gene therapy. Here we report construction of a series of retroviral vectors and identification of an optimal basic structure and components for expressing hFIX in skeletal muscle cells. These vectors, which are derived from Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) with its enhancer sequence in the 3' long terminal repeat (LTR) deleted, contained internal hFIX expression units inserted in forward configuration without or with a viral vector intron sequence (pdL or pdLIn vector frame, respectively) or in inverted configuration without a viral vector intron sequence (pdLi frame). Internal expression units contained a hFIX cDNA or hFIX minigene (hIXm1 or hIXm2) derived from the hFIX cDNA by insertion of a shortened first intron sequence of the hFIX gene. Regardless of the promoter and vector frame used, both hIXm1 and hIXm2 gave 10- to 14-fold higher hFIX expression compared to those with hFIX cDNA. Internal hFIX transcriptional control units of these vectors were composed of various promoters linked with or without the muscle creatine kinase enhancer (Me) sequence. Promoters tested included those of alpha-actin (alpha A775), beta-actin (beta A280), cytochrome oxidase (CO1250 and CO650), myogenin (Mg1031 and Mg353), and Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). beta A200, which was derived from beta A280 by eliminating potential polyadenylation sites, was also tested. As extensively examined with the myogenin promoter, presence of one or multiple copies of Me in the vectors elevated the expression activity in myotubes by 4.5- to 19-fold over those without Me, but not significantly in myoblasts. Similar enhancements in expression activity with Me were also observed with other promoters, except those of RSV and CO. The latter two showed only modest enhancements in the presence of Me. As assayed with myotubes in culture, the general order of hFIX expression activity of various promoters with four copies of Me in the three different vector frames was beta A280 approximately beta A200 > Mg353 > Mg1031 approximately RSV approximately CO650 approximately alpha A775 > CO1250. One exception was that CO650 showed significantly less activity in pdLi-type vectors than in the pdLIn vectors. Based on the systematic analyses of various structural components, a group of pdLi vectors consisting of beta A200, two to four copies of Me, and hIXm2 was identified to have the optimal basic vector structure to be used in retrovirus for hFIX expression in differentiated skeletal muscle cells. The present studies provide the critical first step for establishing a highly refined hemophilia B gene therapy based on skeletal muscle-targeted hFIX gene transfer. | 10.1089/hum.1996.7.14-1743 |
pubmed_247_287 | Two anti-Salmonella serogroup E-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are described. Neither antibody reacted with any of the 58 strains of serogroups A-D Salmonella tested by enzyme immunoassays nor did they react with any of the 21 other species of enterobacteria, 15 species of other Gram-negative bacteria, and 6 species of Gram-positive bacteria. In contrast, all 14 strains of serogroups E1 and E4 Salmonella reacted with both antibodies. Ascitic fluids of these two antibodies agglutinated all 42 strains of serogroups E1 and E4 Salmonella tested by slide agglutination method but did not agglutinate any of the 107 strains of other serogroups of Salmonella. Lysogenic conversion of serogroup E1 Salmonella strains by phages epsilon 15 and epsilon 34 resulted in loss of reactivities of these strains with the MAbs. | 10.1016/0732-8893(90)90076-8 |
pubmed_854_21948 | OBJECTIVES
Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) has emerged as an important complication of CF. To better understand who is at risk of developing CFRD, to gain insight into the impact of CFRD on pulmonary and nutritional status, and to assess the association of CFRD with various practice patterns and comorbid conditions, we characterized the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis (ESCF) patient population.
STUDY DESIGN
Analyses were performed on the 8247 adolescents and adults who were evaluated at one of 204 participating sites during 1998. CFRD was defined as the use of insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent at any time during the year.
RESULTS
Previously reported risk factors for CFRD including age, gender (female), and pancreatic insufficiency were confirmed in this study. Patients with CFRD had more severe pulmonary disease, more frequent pulmonary exacerbations, and poorer nutritional status as compared with those without diabetes. CFRD also was associated with liver disease.
CONCLUSIONS
CFRD is a common complication in adolescents and adults that is associated with more severe disease. | 10.1016/j.jpeds.2004.12.039 |
pubmed_14_12558 | Tourette syndrome (TS) is characterised by stereotyped involuntary movements, called tics. Some evidence suggests that structural and functional abnormalities of the basal ganglia may explain these motor symptoms. In this study, the probabilistic classification learning (PCL) test was used to evaluate basal ganglia functions in 10 children with less severe tics (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) scores<30) and in 10 children with more severe symptoms (YGTSS score>30). In the PCL task, participants are asked to decide whether different combinations of four geometric forms (cues) predict rainy or sunny weather. Each cue is probabilistically related to a weather outcome, and feedback is provided after each decision. After completion of the probabilistic stimulus-response learning procedure, subjects received a transfer test to assess explicit knowledge about the cues. The children with TS exhibited impaired learning in the PCL task in comparison with the 20 healthy control subjects. This impairment was more pronounced in the TS patients with severe symptoms, and there was a significant negative relationship between the final classification performance and the YGTSS scores. The patients showed normal learning in the transfer test. These results suggest that the neostriatal habit learning system, which may play a central role in the acquisition of probabilistic associations, is dysfunctional in TS, especially in the case of more severe motor symptoms. The classification performance and the severity of tics were independent of the explicit knowledge obtained during the test. | 10.1016/s0028-3932(01)00210-x |
pubmed_214_12486 | Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) represents an emerging infection that is spreading around the world. Among susceptible patients, pregnant women are more likely to develop serious complications and negative obstetric outcomes. Vertical transmission constitutes a debating issue which has not been completely understood. This review aims at describing the currently available evidence on SARS-CoV2 vertical transmission. We carried out a computerized literature search in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, selecting the most relevant studies on vertical transmission from the outbreak onset until February 2022. The analysis of the available literature identifies the presence of SARS-CoV2 genome in different biological specimens, confirming the hypothesis that a transplacental infection can occur. In spite of the high number of infected people around the world, mother-to-child infections have been infrequently reported but it can be observed under certain biologic conditions. A deep knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV2 vertical transmission is of paramount importance for planning an adequate management for the affected mothers and newborns. | 10.3389/fphys.2022.875806 |
pubmed_856_15240 | Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in patients with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum has been rarely reported. Data are lacking on the impact and management of systemic ventricular outflow tract obstruction that developed following the Fontan procedure. We report a case of an 8-year-old male who developed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction 6 months after the Fontan procedure. | 10.1017/S1047951121001888 |
pubmed_1010_9413 | Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea improves daytime sleepiness, but does it improve other outcomes? | pubmed_1010_9413 |
pubmed_949_917 | The 86-kilodalton immediate-early (IE) 2 protein (IE2-p86) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a multifunctional regulator of HCMV gene expression which appears to be essential for triggering the lytic replicative cycle. IE2-p86 functions as a promiscuous transactivator of both viral and cellular gene expression and can repress transcription from its own promoter. In this study we demonstrate that a viral early protein, termed pUL84, which is able to interact with IE2-p86 both in vivo and in vitro, modulates IE2-p86 in a specific manner. First, pUL84 acts as a transdominant inhibitor of IE2-p86-mediated transactivation of both homologous and heterologous promoters. Second, negative autoregulation by IE2-p86 is augmented in the presence of pUL84. Using two in vivo assays, we obtained evidence that expression of pUL84 during the IE phase of the viral replicative cycle leads to an inhibition of viral early gene expression which prevents replication of HCMV and results in a persistent infection of UL84-positive cell lines. Transdominant inhibition of a viral IE function by a protein expressed during the later phases of replication appears to be a novel principle used by herpesviruses which could account for the slow replication of HCMV and may be useful in the development of new antiviral strategies. | 10.1128/JVI.71.9.7048-7060.1997 |
pubmed_1073_5287 | Photosynthetic pigments are bioactive compounds of great importance for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. They are not only responsible for capturing solar energy to carry out photosynthesis, but also play a role in photoprotective processes and display antioxidant activity, all of which contribute to effective biomass and oxygen production. Diatoms are organisms of a distinct pigment composition, substantially different from that present in plants. Apart from light-harvesting pigments such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll c, and fucoxanthin, there is a group of photoprotective carotenoids which includes β-carotene and the xanthophylls, diatoxanthin, diadinoxanthin, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and zeaxanthin, which are engaged in the xanthophyll cycle. Additionally, some intermediate products of biosynthetic pathways have been identified in diatoms as well as unusual pigments, e.g., marennine. Marine algae have become widely recognized as a source of unique bioactive compounds for potential industrial, pharmaceutical, and medical applications. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on diatom photosynthetic pigments complemented by some new insights regarding their physico-chemical properties, biological role, and biosynthetic pathways, as well as the regulation of pigment level in the cell, methods of purification, and significance in industries. | 10.3390/md13095847 |
pubmed_77_1788 | When rat hepatocyte monolayers were preincubated for 4 h in Hanks' salt solutions at pH 7.0, 7.4 and 8.0, and the Na+-dependent uptake of 2-(methylamino) isobutyric acid (MeAIB) was measured at the same pH values, a stimulation of transport in the order pH 7.0 less than pH 7.4 less than pH 8.0 was observed. Estimations of the intracellular pH from the distribution of DMO revealed a decrease in the internal pH during the preincubation period. The MeAIB transport velocities appear to parallel with the proton gradients across the cell membrane rather than with external (or internal) pH. Analyses of the lactate/pyruvate concentrations in the media indicated that the fall in the intracellular pH is presumably due to an enhanced glycolysis. Suppressive concentrations of system A-reactive amino acids did not prevent the decrease in the internal pH nor did they alter the metabolic data. | 10.3109/13813458209070556 |
pubmed_1115_4266 | Depth profiling has been performed by using X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) in combination with Ar-ion sputtering, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES). The data obtained by XPS have been subjected to factor analysis in order to determine the compositional layering of the copper oxides. This leads to two or three relevant components within the oxide layers consisting of Cu(2)O or CuO dependent on the sample preparation. GDOES measurements show sputtering profiles which are seriously influenced by a varying sputter rate. To ensure the results obtained so far, RBS measurements of the oxide layers have been carried out in order to discover artefacts of the other methods used and to demonstrate the excellent suitability of RBS for quantitative analysis of these layers. Chemical analysis consisting of (1) carrier-gas fusion analysis (CGFA) and (2) selective dissolution of Cu(2)O/CuO allows the determination of the total amount of oxygen and copper, respectively, and can serve as a cornerstone of quantitative analysis. | 10.1007/s0021653530456 |
pubmed_92_9989 | INTRODUCTION
To evaluate the impact of surgical experience on ureteroscopic stone-free rates (SFR) and complication rates (CR) for the treatment of urinary calculi of the upper urinary tract.
METHODS
We evaluated retrospectively, patients (n=300) having undergone ureteroscopy (URS) for single urinary calculi treated by residents (n=12) at our department over a 6-year period. These patients were matched according to age, gender, body-mass index, and stone side/size/site with patients (n=300) treated by consultants (n=5) of our department during the same period. Patient data, primary SFR, and CR were compared.
RESULTS
The mean±standard deviation (range) stone size was 6.39±3.26 (2-20) mm. The primary SFR after one URS procedure was 95.2% and did not differ between residents and consultants (95% vs 95.3%, p=0.489). The SFR were 95.9% and 98.5% for ureteral stones (p=0.125) and 93.2% and 89.3% for kidney stones (p=0.298) in the resident and consultant group, respectively. The SFR differed significantly between ureteral and kidney stones (97.2% vs 91.3%, p≤0.001). Perioperative complications occurred in a total of 63 patients (10.5%): Clavien 1: 3.8%, Clavien 2: 2%, Clavien 3a: 1.8%, and Clavien 3b: 2.8%, respectively. There were no differences in the total CR between residents (12%) and consultants (9%) (p=0.2116). However, the ureteral perforation rate was significantly higher in residents compared with consultants (4.3% vs 1.3%, p≤0.027).
CONCLUSIONS
URS is a safe and efficacious procedure for the treatment of single urinary calculi. Resident status does not compromise the SFR after ureteroscopic treatment of single urinary calculi. However, the incidence of ureteral perforation was associated with surgeon's experience. | 10.1089/end.2014.0301 |
pubmed_462_4593 | A comparative study was carried out on the psychological situation of students in East and West Germany after the political changes of 1989. Results concerning the direction of the locus of control are reported. East german students show a higher internal and external locus of control. This, as internal attributions are concerned, unexpected constellation is discussed under aspects of the specific political situation, correlations with signs of adjustment disorders and possible inherent menace to the psychological equilibrium of the east german students. | pubmed_462_4593 |
pubmed_411_8060 | Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) with strong fluorescence were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method using natural biomass waste. Two efficient fluorescent probes were constructed for selective and sensitive detection of oxytetracycline (OTC). The synthesized N-CQDs were characterized by UV-visible absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), which proved that the synthesized N-CQDs surface were functionalized and had stable fluorescence performance. The basis of N-CQDs detection of OTC was discussed, and various reaction conditions were studied. Under optimized conditions, orange peel carbon quantum dots (ON-CQDs) and watermelon peel carbon quantum dots (WN-CQDs) have a good linear relationship with OTC concentrations in the range of 2-100 µmol L-1 and 0.25-100 µmol L-1, respectively. ON-CQDs and WN-CQDs were both successfully applied in detecting the OTC in pretreated tap water, lake water, and soil, with the recovery rate at 91.724-103.206%, and the relative standard deviation was less than 5.35%. The results showed that the proposed N-CQDs proved to be green and simple, greatly reducing the detection time for OTC in the determination environment. | 10.3390/nano10081561 |
pubmed_403_21475 | Biosensing is a rising analytical field for detection of biological indicators using transducing systems. Smart materials can response to external stimuli, and translate the stimuli from biological domains into signals that are readable and quantifiable. Smart materials, such as nanomaterials, photonic crystals and hydrogels have been widely used for biosensing purpose. In this review, we illustrate the incorporation of smart materials in biosensing systems, including the design of responsive materials, their responsive mechanism of biosensing, and their applications in detection of four types of common biomolecules (including glucose, nucleic acids, proteins, and enzymes). In the end, we also illustrate the current challenges and prospective of using smart materials in biosensing research fields. | 10.1016/j.smaim.2020.07.001 |
pubmed_226_16900 | Irreparable DNA damage following ionizing radiation (IR) triggers prolonged DNA damage response and induces premature senescence. Cellular senescence is a permanent state of cell-cycle arrest characterized by chromatin restructuring, altered nuclear morphology and acquisition of secretory phenotype, which contributes to senescence-related inflammation. However, the mechanistic connections for radiation-induced DNA damage that trigger these senescence-associated hallmarks are poorly understood. In our in vitro model of radiation-induced senescence, mass spectrometry-based proteomics was combined with high-resolution imaging techniques to investigate the interrelations between altered chromatin compaction, nuclear envelope destabilization and nucleo-cytoplasmic chromatin blebbing. Our findings confirm the general pathophysiology of the senescence-response, with disruption of nuclear lamin organization leading to extensive chromatin restructuring and destabilization of the nuclear membrane with release of chromatin fragments into the cytosol, thereby activating cGAS-STING-dependent interferon signaling. By serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) whole-cell datasets were acquired to investigate the morphological organization of senescent fibroblasts. High-resolution 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the complex nuclear shape allows us to precisely visualize the segregation of nuclear blebs from the main nucleus and their fusion with lysosomes. By multi-view 3D electron microscopy, we identified nanotubular channels formed in lamin-perturbed nuclei of senescent fibroblasts; the potential role of these nucleo-cytoplasmic nanotubes for expulsion of damaged chromatin has to be examined. | 10.3390/cells11020273 |
pubmed_11_22086 | Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) deficiency predisposes to severe invasive bacterial infections in infancy and early childhood, often with a fatal course caused by a defect in Toll-like receptor and interleukin-1 receptor signaling. Despite severe invasive infections, acute phase responses are often diminished. We report the successful treatment of a child with multiple liver abscesses, diaphragm perforation and pleural empyema, accompanied by strong acute phase responses as a unique presentation of IRAK-4 deficiency. | 10.1097/INF.0000000000000277 |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.