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pubmed_377_11576 | In the present study, we determined the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of Apis cerana, the Asiatic cavity-nesting honeybee. We present here an analysis of features of its gene content and genome organization in comparison with Apis mellifera to assess the variation within the genus Apis and among main groups of Hymenoptera. The size of the entire mt genome of A. cerana is 15,895 bp, containing 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and one control region. These genes are transcribed from both strands and have a nucleotide composition high in A and T. The contents of A+T of the complete genomes are 83.96% for A. cerana. The AT bias had a significant effect on both the codon usage pattern and amino acid composition of proteins. There are a total of 3672 codons in all 13 protein-coding genes, excluding termination codons. The most frequently used amino acid is Leu (15.52%), followed by Ile (12.85%), Phe (10.10%), Ser (9.15%) and Met (8.96%). Intergenic regions in the mt genome of A. cerana are 705 bp in total. The order and orientation of the gene arrangement pattern is identical to that of A. mellifera, except for the position of the tRNA-Ser(AGN) gene. Phylogenetic analyses using concatenated amino acid sequences of 13 protein-coding genes, with three different computational algorithms (NJ, MP and ML), all revealed two distinct groups with high statistical support, indicating that A. cerana and A. mellifera are two separate species, consistent with results of previous morphological and molecular studies. The complete mtDNA sequence of A. cerana provides additional genetic markers for studying population genetics, systematics and phylogeographics of honeybees. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0023008 |
pubmed_743_15083 | We report a peculiar case of acute non-traumatic coma due to neuromuscular hypoventilation syndrome caused by a non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI). A 21-year-old patient presented to the emergency room complaining of sudden onset weakness in his lower limbs and shortness of breath. While in the ER, he briefly became comatose and labs revealed an acute respiratory acidosis. Detailed neurologic examination ultimately revealed upper motor neuron signs and quadriplegia. He was ultimately diagnosed with a non-traumatic spinal cord injury, in particular, a cervical transverse myelitis which had caused acute diaphragmatic weakness. Although a very rare cause of coma, emergency medicine physicians need to be aware of transverse myelitis, a disorder that may result in rapidly progressive neurologic decline and is treated with immunomodulation. | 10.1186/s12245-021-00390-5 |
pubmed_759_5828 | Lipiarmycin inhibited the activity of deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase in vitro. We showed that inhibition was due to interference by lipiarmycin with the activity of sigma-containing molecules of RNA polymerase. Transcription by core enzyme was relatively resistant to the drug, but addition of sigma led to highly drug-sensitive RNA synthesis. We isolated lipiarmycin-resistant mutants of Bacillus subtilis and characterized them genetically and biochemically. Drug-resistant mutants contained an altered RNA polymerase that was resistant to the drug in vitro. By separation and mixed reconstitution of core and sigma fractions of mutant and wild-type RNA polymerase, we showed that lipiarmycin resistance in one mutant strain was a property of the core fraction. Genetic mapping experiments indicated that at least two lpm mutants are located between loci determining rifampin resistance and streptolydigin resistance. | 10.1128/jb.132.1.73-79.1977 |
pubmed_608_13560 | Purpose
This study investigated the relationship between non-orthographic language abilities and reading in order to examine assumptions of the primary systems hypothesis and further our understanding of language processing poststroke.
Method
Performance on non-orthographic semantic, phonologic, and syntactic tasks, as well as oral reading and reading comprehension tasks, was assessed in 43 individuals with aphasia. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between these measures. In addition, analyses of variance examined differences within and between reading groups (within normal limits, phonological, deep, or global alexia).
Results
Results showed that non-orthographic language abilities were significantly related to reading abilities. Semantics was most predictive of regular and irregular word reading, whereas phonology was most predictive of pseudohomophone and nonword reading. Written word and paragraph comprehension were primarily supported by semantics, whereas written sentence comprehension was related to semantic, phonologic, and syntactic performance. Finally, severity of alexia was found to reflect severity of semantic and phonologic impairment.
Conclusions
Findings support the primary systems view of language by showing that non-orthographic language abilities and reading abilities are closely linked. This preliminary work requires replication and extension; however, current results highlight the importance of routine, integrated assessment and treatment of spoken and written language in aphasia.
Supplemental Material
https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7403963. | 10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-18-0058 |
pubmed_1127_7673 | This study extends research on sibling conflict strategies and outcomes by examining unique and interactive associations with age, relative birth order, sibling relationship quality, and caregivers' interventions into conflict. Each of 62 sibling dyads (older sibling mean age = 8.39 years; younger sibling mean age = 6.06 years) discussed 1 recurring conflict alone (dyadic negotiation) and a 2nd conflict with their primary parental caregiver (triadic negotiation). Negotiations were coded for children's conflict strategies, outcomes, and caregiver interventions; each family member provided ratings of sibling relationship quality. Results revealed that age was associated with siblings' constructive strategies, particularly in the dyadic negotiation. With age controlled, younger siblings referred more frequently to their own perspective. Caregivers' future orientation in the triadic negotiation was associated with children's future orientation in the dyadic negotiation; however, this association was most evident when sibling relationship quality was high. Similarly, caregivers' past orientation was positively associated with dyadic compromise, especially when relationship quality was high. Results reveal the value of simultaneously considering associations among parental, affective, and developmental correlates of sibling conflict strategies. | 10.1037/a0014980 |
pubmed_0_5174 | We propose an inanimate system composed of camphor boats in an annular water channel in order to understand the collective motions. The boats move on the water surface spontaneously and interact with one another through the concentration of the camphor molecules on the water. We observed several modes of collective motion, e.g., behaviors analogous to traffic flow or an ant trail. Our system provides a convenient experimental setup for the investigation of a variety of collective motions. | 10.1103/PhysRevE.81.056210 |
pubmed_297_14850 | Direct-write laser greyscale lithography has been used to facilitate a single step patterning technique for multi-layer lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films. A 2.55 μm thick photoresist was patterned with a direct-write laser. The intensity of the laser was varied to create both tiered and sloped structures that are subsequently transferred into multi-layer PZT(52/48) stacks using a single Ar ion mill etch. Traditional processing requires a separate photolithography step and an ion mill etch for each layer of the substrate, which can be costly and time consuming. The novel process allows access to buried electrode layers in the multi-layer stack in a single photolithography step. The greyscale process was demonstrated on three 150 mm diameter Si substrates configured with a 0.5 μm thick SiO2 elastic layer, a base electrode of Pt/TiO2, and a stack of four PZT(52/48) thin films of either 0.25 μm thickness per layer or 0.50 μm thickness per layer, and using either Pt or IrO2 electrodes above and below each layer. Stacked capacitor structures were patterned and results will be reported on the ferroelectric and electromechanical properties using various wiring configurations and compared to comparable single layer PZT configurations. | 10.1109/TUFFC.2018.2814349 |
pubmed_1054_7042 | Injection of a sublethal dose of botulinum toxin (type D) into the cutaneous pectoris muscle of the frog caused paralysis for about three months, but in contrast to previous studies in the mammal, did not appear to cause axonal sprouting from motor nerve terminals. In frogs in which the cutaneous pectoris had been denervated by crushing its nerve, reinnervation occurred within 2--3 weeks and axonal sprouts beyond the original end-plates were often observed. When the hypoglossal nerve was implanted into the cutaneus pectoris, crushing the original nerve caused profuse axonal growth from the implanted nerve towards the denervated end-plates within one week, whereas injection of botulinum toxin had little effect. Stimulation of the implanted nerve caused contraction of those cutaneus pectoris muscles whose original nerves had been crushed, but no response to stimulation of the implanted nerve was seen in those muscles in which botulinum toxin had been injected. The failure of botulinum toxin to induce nerve sprouting and acceptance of foreign innervation in the frog may be due to the fact that activity may play a less important role in the neural control of the physiological properties of muscle in this species than in the mammal. | 10.1113/expphysiol.1981.sp002593 |
pubmed_753_8782 | Metastatic spread is generally responsible for the mortality of colorectal cancer patients. There are no adequate treatments for advanced colorectal cancer, and novel therapeutic modalities are urgently required. To this end, valid metastatic models, which accurately mimic the disease process, are needed. When deciding upon a metastasis model, the goals of the investigation will dictate the complexity of the model chosen. If biological mechanisms are being investigated, only a small number of experimental animals may be required, and a more complex, surgically intensive model may be used. If a therapeutic agent is being evaluated, owing to group sizes required to generate statistically significant effects, a less complex, less surgically intensive model may be preferable. The latter, however, may encompass only a particular phase of metastasis rather than reflecting all aspects of the metastatic cascade. | 10.1385/1-59259-137-X:195 |
pubmed_181_5807 | Interface design between current collector and electroactive materials plays a key role in the electrochemical process for lithium-ion batteries. Here, a thin graphene film has been successfully synthesized on the surface of Cu current collector by a large-scale low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) process. The modified Cu foil was used as a current collector to support spinel Li4Ti5O12 anode directly. Electrochemical test results demonstrated that graphene coating Cu foil could effectively improve overall Li storage performance of Li4Ti5O12 anode. Especially under high current rate (e.g., 10 C), the Li4Ti5O12 electrode using modified current collector maintained a favorable capacity, which is 32% higher than that electrode using bare current collector. In addition, cycling performance has been improved using the new type current collector. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the reduced internal resistance and improved charge transfer kinetics of graphene film by increasing electron collection and decreasing lithium ion interfacial diffusion. Furthermore, the graphene film adhered on the Cu foil surface could act as an effective protective film to avoid oxidization, which can effectively improve chemical stability of Cu current collector. | 10.1021/acsami.6b10038 |
pubmed_98_20267 | China-ASEAN are the two huge markets in trade world, they can bring out greater dynamism from within their economies and contribute to regional economic development. This study explores the present situation on the trade between the Central region of China and ASEAN through empirical assessment and try to find the potential effects and trade flows between them. Firstly, we analysis the trade integration index, HM index, explicit comparative advantage index, and trade complementarity index. Finally, we use the gravity model of international trade and data on 2006-2018. The bilateral trade relations between the central region and ASEAN are getting closer, but the central region has not yet become the major trade area of ASEAN countries in the Chinese market. The bilateral economic development level plays a positive role in promoting the export trade between the Central region and ASEAN, while the bilateral distance plays a negative role in difficulty. The empirical results show that trade potential between the Central region and Indonesia and the Philippines is huge, and there is still opportunity for the development of the trade potential with Thailand. The trade prospective with Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam is limited, and new approaches need to be developed to achieve further trade cooperation. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0261270 |
pubmed_70_23337 | In 2005, 224 patients received adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer in a single institution according to daily practices. Regimens consisted of epirubicin-based chemotherapy (FEC100, four or six cycles), or three cycles of FEC100 followed by three cycles of docetaxel. An absolute blood count was carried out every 3 weeks, 1-3 days before planned chemotherapy cycle. Overall, 1238 cycles were delivered. An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1.5 x 10(9) l(-1) before planned chemotherapy was found in 171 cycles. Of these, 130 cycles (76%) were delivered as planned regardless of whether ANC levels recovered, and 41 (24%) were delayed. None of these patients developed a febrile neutropaenia. Haematopoietic support (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)) was required in 12 cycles. We found that the majority of patients with an ANC <1.5 x 10(9) l(-1) before planned chemotherapy received planned doses, without complications and need for G-CSF. | 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604094 |
pubmed_266_10955 | Rationale: Gestational cigarette smoke (CS) impairs lung angiogenesis and alveolarization, promoting transgenerational development of asthma and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a proangiogenic, pro-alveolarization, and anti-asthmatic gasotransmitter is synthesized by cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase (3MST). Objective: Determine if gestational CS exposure affected the expression of H2S synthesizing enzymes in the mouse lung and human placenta. Methods: Mice were exposed throughout gestational period to secondhand CS (SS) at approximating the dose of CS received by a pregnant woman sitting in a smoking bar for 3 h/days during pregnancy. Lungs from 7-days old control and SS-exposed pups and human placenta from mothers who were either non-smokers or smokers during pregnancy were analyzed for expression of the enzymes. Measurements: Mouse lungs and human placentas were examined for the expression of CSE, CBS, and 3MST by immunohistochemical staining, qRT-PCR and/or Western blot (WB) analyses. Results: Compared to controls, mouse lung exposed gestationally to SS had significantly lower levels of CSE, CBS, and 3MST. Moreover, the SS-induced suppression of CSE and CBS in F1 lungs was transmitted to the F2 generation without significant change in the magnitude of the suppression. These changes were associated with impaired epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-a process required for normal lung angiogenesis and alveolarization. Additionally, the placentas from mothers who smoked during pregnancy, expressed significantly lower levels of CSE, CBS, and 3MST, and the effects were partially moderated by quitting smoking during the first trimester. Conclusions: Lung H2S synthesizing enzymes are downregulated by gestational CS and the effects are transmitted to F2 progeny. Smoking during pregnancy decreases H2S synthesizing enzymes is human placentas, which may correlate with the increased risk of asthma/BPD in children. | 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01628 |
pubmed_564_20932 | The sequences of the coat protein genes of four seedling yellows (SY) and four non-SY (NSY) of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates, which were collected in Israel over a period of 30 years, were analyzed. Pairwise comparisons showed extensive similarities in the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of six isolates designated the VT group. This group consists of three NSY isolates that cause a very mild CTV reaction on the sensitive combination of sweet orange (SwO) grafted on sour orange (SO), and three SY isolates that cause severe SY and SwO/SO reactions. MT, a CTV isolate that is consistently nontransmitted by Aphis gossypii, was found to be different in two amino acids (Val 103 and Glu 113) from each of the A. gossypii transmissible CTV isolates. Sequencing of the cDNA clones obtained from ST, a variably transmitted CTV isolate, showed extensive sequence variation among the tested clones. The sequence information indicates that the current CTV epidemics in Israel are caused by at least two CTV subspecies (VT and HT) displaying extensive differences in their coat protein genes. | 10.1007/BF01702587 |
pubmed_1075_8314 | Ergosterol is the predominant sterol of fungi and green algae. Although the biosynthetic pathway for sterol synthesis in fungi is well established and is known to use C24-methylation-C24 (28)-reduction (Δ(24(28))-olefin pathway) steps, little is known about the sterol pathway in green algae. Previous work has raised the possibility that these algae might use a novel pathway because the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was shown to possess a mevalonate-independent methylerythritol 4-phosphate not present in fungi. Here, we report that C. reinhardtii synthesizes the protosterol cycloartenol and converts it to ergosterol (C24β-methyl) and 7-dehydroporiferasterol (C24β-ethyl) through a highly conserved sterol C24- methylation-C25-reduction (Δ(25(27))-olefin) pathway that is distinct from the well-described acetate-mevalonate pathway to fungal lanosterol and its conversion to ergosterol by the Δ(24(28))-olefin pathway. We isolated and characterized 23 sterols by a combination of GC-MS and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis from a set of mutant, wild-type, and 25-thialanosterol-treated cells. The structure and stereochemistry of the final C24-alkyl sterol side chains possessed different combinations of 24β-methyl/ethyl groups and Δ(22(23))E and Δ(25(27))-double bond constructions. When incubated with [methyl-(2)H(3)]methionine, cells incorporated three (into ergosterol) or five (into 7-dehydroporiferasterol) deuterium atoms into the newly biosynthesized 24β-alkyl sterols, consistent only with a Δ(25(27))-olefin pathway. Thus, our findings demonstrate that two separate isoprenoid-24-alkyl sterol pathways evolved in fungi and green algae, both of which converge to yield a common membrane insert ergosterol. | 10.1194/jlr.M027482 |
pubmed_1072_21729 | OBJECTIVE Although cigarette smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for cerebral aneurysm development and rupture, there are limited data evaluating the impact of smoking on outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Additionally, two recent studies suggested that nicotine replacement therapy was associated with improved neurological outcomes among smokers who had sustained an SAH compared with smokers who did not receive nicotine. METHODS Patients who underwent endovascular or microsurgical repair of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS, 2009-2011) and stratified by cigarette smoking. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed in-hospital mortality, complications, tracheostomy or gastrostomy placement, and discharge to institutional care (a nursing or an extended care facility). Additionally, the composite NIS-SAH outcome measure (based on mortality, tracheostomy or gastrostomy, and discharge disposition) was evaluated, which has been shown to have excellent agreement with a modified Rankin Scale score greater than 3. Covariates included in regression constructs were patient age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance status, socioeconomic status, comorbidities (including hypertension, drug and alcohol abuse), the NIS-SAH severity scale (previously validated against the Hunt and Hess grade), treatment modality used for aneurysm repair, and hospital characteristics. A sensitivity analysis was performed matching smokers to nonsmokers on age, sex, number of comorbidities, and NIS-SAH severity scale score. RESULTS Among the 5784 admissions evaluated, 37.1% (n = 2148) had a diagnosis of tobacco use, of which 31.1% (n = 1800) were current and 6.0% (n = 348) prior tobacco users. Smokers were significantly younger (mean age 51.4 vs 56.2 years) and had more comorbidities compared with nonsmokers (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in mortality, total complications, or neurological complications by smoking status. However, compared with nonsmokers, smokers had significantly decreased adjusted odds of tracheostomy or gastrostomy placement (11.9% vs 22.7%, odds ratio [OR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.78, p < 0.001), discharge to institutional care (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.89, p = 0.002), and a poor outcome (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.55-0.77, p < 0.001). Similar statistical associations were noted in the matched-pairs sensitivity analysis and in a subgroup of poor-grade patients (the upper quartile of the NIS-SAH severity scale). CONCLUSIONS In this nationwide study, smokers experienced SAH at a younger age and had a greater number of comorbidities compared with nonsmokers, highlighting the negative ramifications of cigarette smoking among patients with cerebral aneurysms. However, smoking was also associated with paradoxical superior outcomes on some measures, and future research to confirm and further understand the basis of this relationship is needed. | pubmed_1072_21729 |
pubmed_615_3205 | Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a safe innovative tool for investigating obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease and other small bowel pathologies. The capsule is usually excreted with faeces within 24-48 h. Retention of capsule rarely occurs, and it usually depends on the indication of VCE. The longest reported case of capsule retention in the literature is 2.5 years. Surgical approach is considered effective to retrieve the retained capsule. We present a case of asymptomatic retention of capsule for four and half years in a 49-year-old man who underwent VCE to explore the cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. It was successfully retrieved endoscopically. We will also briefly review the literature regarding the causes, different presentations and management of capsule retention. | 10.4253/wjge.v5.i7.352 |
pubmed_754_3106 | The repair activity of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) was used to prepare nonadecanucleotide hybridization probes which were complementary either to the normal human beta-globin (beta A) or to the sickle cell human beta-globin (beta s) gene. Template-directed polymerization of highly radiolabeled alpha[32P]deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) onto nonamer and decamer primers produced probes with specific activities ranging from 1.0 X 10(10) to 2.0 X 10(10) dpm/micrograms. The extremely high specific activities of these probes made it possible to detect the beta A and beta S single-copy gene sequences in as little as 1 microgram of total human genomic DNA as well as to discriminate between the homozygous and heterozygous states. | 10.1089/dna.1.1984.3.7 |
pubmed_270_15987 | PURPOSE
To pilot-test and evaluate an innovative program providing information technology (IT) access to people with disabilities transitioning out of nursing homes into the community using a participatory approach.
METHODS
Pre- and post-training data was collected on the 61 program participants to reflect three broad areas related to the IT training experience: performance; self-efficacy; importance, satisfaction and control. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants and five members of the program staff to explore environmental barriers to IT access for this group and the efficacy of the program in addressing these barriers. Data analyses followed a mixed methods approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative techniques.
RESULTS
Participants showed substantive changes in different spheres of IT use after completion of training. Post-training changes were significant particularly in areas related to self-efficacy, importance and satisfaction pertaining to use of IT. Qualitative findings substantiated the quantitative results and also revealed the numerous barriers to IT access that persons with disabilities continue to face within their communities.
CONCLUSION
Results indicate the feasibility, effectiveness and value of IT access to people with disabilities particularly those transitioning from institutional life to community living. Further action research aimed at increasing IT access for this group within local communities and neighborhoods is needed to address this issue at a broader societal level. | 10.1080/09638280600551633 |
pubmed_629_1231 | By applying a seed-mediated growth method that had been reported for the chemical synthesis of Ag nanorods and nanowires in aqueous solution, we successfully attached Ag nanosphere and nanorod particles to indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces. In this method, it is characteristic that the attachment can be performed without using bridging reagents, such as 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, but rather through a two-step immersion into the seed solution first and then into the growth solution containing AgNO(3), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and ascorbic acid. It was found that the formed nanostructures were very sensitive to the amount of ascorbic acid in the growth solution. Whereas Ag nanoparticles grew on the ITO surface with a moderate dispersion when the concentration of ascorbic acid in the growth solution was 0.64 mM, the formation of nanorods and nanowires was observed when the ascorbic acid concentration was increased to 0.86 mM. The attachment of Ag nanoparticles onto the ITO surfaces was strong enough for further use, e.g., as a working electrode. From electrochemical measurements, it was confirmed that the outer spheres of the Ag nanoparticles involved in the redox reaction show the typical oxidation and reduction waves of Ag. In addition, the redox behavior of [Fe(CN)(6)](3-)/[Fe(CN)(6)](4-) was improved on the Ag-nanoparticle-attached ITO (AgNP/ITO) electrode, reflecting the low electron-transfer resistivity, which is a remarkable advantage of the present fabrication without using bridging reagents. This result indicated that the Ag nanoparticles promote the electron-transfer reactions by being present on the conducting ITO surface. The AgNP/ITO electrode was examined for the reduction of the methyl viologen dication in order to discuss some features of the present fabrication. | 10.1021/jp046652h |
pubmed_173_877 | A rapid, sensitive, selective and robust quantitative densitometric high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method was developed and validated for separation and quantification of syringic acid (SYA) and kaempferol (KML) in the hydrolyzed extracts of Bergenia ciliata and Bergenia stracheyi. The separation was performed on silica gel 60F254 high-performance thin-layer chromatography plates using toluene : ethyl acetate : formic acid (5 : 4: 1, v/v/v) as the mobile phase. The quantification of SYA and KML was carried out using a densitometric reflection/absorption mode at 290 nm. A dense spot of SYA and KML appeared on the developed plate at a retention factor value of 0.61 ± 0.02 and 0.70 ± 0.01. A precise and accurate quantification was performed using linear regression analysis by plotting the peak area vs concentration 100-600 ng/band (correlation coefficient: r = 0.997, regression coefficient: R(2) = 0.996) for SYA and 100-600 ng/band (correlation coefficient: r = 0.995, regression coefficient: R(2) = 0.991) for KML. The developed method was validated in terms of accuracy, recovery and inter- and intraday study as per International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of SYA and KML were determined, respectively, as 91.63, 142.26 and 277.67, 431.09 ng. The statistical data analysis showed that the method is reproducible and selective for the estimation of SYA and KML in extracts of B. ciliata and B. stracheyi. | 10.1093/chromsci/bmv154 |
pubmed_325_23210 | PURPOSE
To compare the temperatures of the ocular surface, eyelid, and periorbital skin in normal eyes with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) eyes, evaporative dry eyes (EDE), and aqueous deficient dry eyes (ADDE).
METHODS
10 eyes were analyzed in each age-matched group (normal, SS, EDE, and ADDE). A noninvasive infrared thermal camera captured two-dimensional images in three regions of interest (ROI) in each of three areas: the ocular surface, the upper eyelid, and the periorbital skin within a controlled environmental chamber. Mean temperatures in each ROI were calculated from the videos. Ocular surface time-segmented cooling rates were calculated over a 5-s blink interval.
RESULTS
Relative to normal eyes, dry eyes had lower initial central OSTs (SS -0.71°C, EDE -0.55°C, ADDE -0.95°C, KW P<.0001) and lower central upper lid temperatures (SS -0.24°C, ADDE -0.51°C, and EDE -0.54°C, KW P<.0001). ADDE eyes had the lowest initial central OST (P<.0001), while EDE eyes had the lowest central lid temperature and lower periorbital temperatures (P<.0001). Over the 5-s interblink interval, the greatest rate of temperature loss occurred following eyelid opening, but varied by group (normals -0.52, SS -0.73, EDE -0.63, and ADDE -0.75°C/s). The ADDE group also had the most substantial heat loss over the 5-s interblink interval (-0.97°C).
CONCLUSIONS
Differences in OST may be related to thermal differences in lids and periorbita along with an altered tear film. Thermography of the ocular surface, lids, and surrounding tissues may help to differentiate between different etiologies of dry eye. | pubmed_325_23210 |
pubmed_704_10185 | BACKGROUND
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease of the colonic mucosa. Herb-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) treatment has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of UC. However, there is still a lack of high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness and safety of HPM on patients with UC. This study will aim to systematically explore the efficacy of HPM for the treatment of UC.
METHODS
We will search the electronic databases of Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, China national knowledge infrastructure database (CNKI), Wan fang database, Chongqing VIP information, and SinoMed from their inception to June 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of HPM for the treatment of UC will be included. RevMan 5.3 software (The Nordic Cochrane Center, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) will be applied for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
CONCLUSION
The conclusion of our systematic review will provide more appropriate evidence-based decisions to assist clinicians during the decision-making process when dealing with UC. | 10.1097/MD.0000000000021319 |
pubmed_470_21022 | Some investigators assert that emergence of schizophrenia spectrum disorders in mid- to late life (LOSD, i.e., onset after age 45) reflects neurodegenerative processes. The authors examined 1- and 2-year changes among 37 outpatients with LOSDs on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, compared with 69 patients having earlier-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders (EOSD), 67 having Alzheimer's disease (AD) with psychosis, 72 having AD with baseline MMSE scores >/=24, and 56 normal comparison subjects (NCs). Cognitive changes among LOSD patients were similar to those in EOSD patients and NCs, whereas the AD groups had greater declines. Results support viewing LOSDs as static encephalopathies. | 10.1176/jnp.15.1.45 |
pubmed_567_19290 | Headache is one of the most common symptoms observed in clinical practice. It has a considerable economic impact and overburdens emergency rooms. In Brazil, most emergency rooms have no tryptans. The present study analyses the treatment provided by the Emergency Room of the University Hospital of Ribeirão Preto. In 1996, 1254 patients were treated for headache and 64 of them required hospitalization. Of the non-hospitalized (NH) patients, 77% had primary headache, as opposed to 29.7% of hospitalized patients. Of the patients with migraine, 83.6% improved with intravenous dipyrone, 66.7% improved with intramuscular diclofenac and 81.8% improved with intravenous chlorpromazine. The percentages of patients with tension-type headache who improved with the same drugs were 77.8%, 80% and 100%, respectively. Among NH patients, 16.3% improved without any medication. We conclude that the drugs used have similar efficacy profiles and costs and can be used at basic health unities. The major drawback is parenteral administration. | 10.1590/s0004-282x1999000500013 |
pubmed_639_8091 | BACKGROUND
The evidence supporting the use of antiresorptive and anabolic agents for fracture prevention in elderly patients is still inconclusive. Whether it is too late to alter the course of the disease in this age-group has remained uncertain.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of antiresorptive and anabolic agents in elderly patients.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and post hoc analyses of RCTs reporting efficacy outcomes or adverse events of antiresorptive and anabolic agents in elderly patients. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed with the Cochran Q χ2 test and I2 statistic. All results were expressed as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
The meta-analysis included 1 RCT and 11 post hoc analyses of data from 10 double-blind placebo-controlled RCTs. Antiresorptive therapy significantly reduced the pooled incidence of vertebral fractures (RR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.35-0.53; and p < 0.001). It was also associated with lower risk of nonvertebral and hip fractures (RR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.74-0.96; and p = 0.009 and RR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.58-0.97; and p = 0.028, respectively). For any adverse events, no difference was observed between antiresorptive agents and placebo groups (RR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.00-1.02; and p = 0.23).
CONCLUSIONS
Both antiresorptive and anabolic agents represented potentially important osteoporosis treatments, showing significant effects on reducing vertebral, nonvertebral, or hip fracture risk, and were well-tolerated by elderly patients. Even in the elderly, maybe it is not too late to alter the course of the disease. | 10.1159/000514449 |
pubmed_904_16658 | One of the most common protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP2) mutations in Noonan syndrome is the N308D mutation, and it increases the activity of the protein. However, the molecular basis of the activation of N308D mutation on SHP2 conformations is poorly understood. Here, molecular dynamic simulations were performed on SHP2 and SHP2-N308D to explore the effect of N308D mutation on SHP2 cause gain of function activity, respectively. The principal component analysis, dynamic cross-correlation map, secondary structure analysis, residue interaction networks, and solvent accessible surface area analysis suggested that the N308D mutation distorted the residues interactions network between the allosteric site (residue Gly244-Gly246) and C-SH2 domain, including the hydrogen bond formation and the binding energy. Meanwhile, the activity of catalytic site (residue Gly503-Val505) located in the Q-loop in mutant increased due to this region's high fluctuations. Therefore, the substrate had more chances to access to the catalytic activity site of the precision time protocol domain of SHP2-N308D, which was easy to be exposed. In addition, we had speculated that the Lys244 located in the allosteric site was the key residue which lead to the protein conformation changes. Consequently, overall calculations presented in this study ultimately provide a useful understanding of the increased activity of SHP2 caused by the N308D mutation. | 10.1002/jcb.27883 |
pubmed_266_18908 | By binding to actin filaments, non-muscle myosin II (NMII) generates actomyosin networks that hold unique contractile properties. Their dynamic nature is essential for neuronal biology including the establishment of polarity, growth cone formation and motility, axon growth during development (and axon regeneration in the adult), radial and longitudinal axonal tension, and synapse formation and function. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on the spatial distribution and function of the actomyosin cytoskeleton in different axonal compartments. We highlight some of the apparent contradictions and open questions in the field, including the role of NMII in the regulation of axon growth and regeneration, the possibility that NMII structural arrangement along the axon shaft may control both radial and longitudinal contractility, and the mechanism and functional purpose underlying NMII enrichment in the axon initial segment. With the advances in live cell imaging and super resolution microscopy, it is expected that in the near future the spatial distribution of NMII in the axon, and the mechanisms by which it participates in axonal biology will be further untangled. | 10.3390/cells9091961 |
pubmed_3_5501 | In order to develop simple technique of combination of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and transesophageal pacing, to create algorithm and protocol of transesophageal stress-echocardiography, and to study possible complications and methods of their elimination we examined 39 subjects (mean age 50 +/- 7.2 years) with suspected ischemic heart disease (IHD), 22 patients with arterial hypertension, 11 patients with episodes of ischemic changes on 24 hour ECG. In 11 patients with high blood pressure (BP) and 2 patients with frequent ventricular extrasystoles veloergometry was contraindicated, and in 3 patients veloergometry was not informative due to complete left bundle branch block. We suggested a device for simultaneous transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and transesophageal pacing which consisted of transesophageal multiplane ultrasound cardiological transducer and electrode for transesophageal pacing. During test pacing frequency was increased stepwise from 120 140 and to 160 beats per min until appearance of ischemia or achievement of submaximal heart rate (HR). During intubation of esophagus HR and systolic BP increased from 80.2 +/- 11.5 to 102 +/- 12.5 b/min and from 130 +/- 23.6 to 149.1 +/- 17.5 mm Hg, respectively. Magnitude of double product rose from 104.4 +/- 29.4 to 149.4 +/- 32.3. This served as additive stress factor, facilitating more precise diagnosis of IHD. As a result various derangements of regional myocardial contractility were revealed in 14 patients (36%). These derangements were accompanied with ischemic ECG changes in 72% and with mitral regurgitation - in 43% of cases. The test was stopped prematurely in 1 patient because of paroxysm of reciprocal atrioventricular tachycardia. Simplicity of the proposed device, lack of complications allow to recommend it for clinical application. Anatomical proximity of esophagus and the heart, average 20 mm Hg elevation of BP, rising cumulative myocardial oxygen requirements augment reliability of the method in diagnostics of IHD. | pubmed_3_5501 |
pubmed_19_19152 | Radiotherapy, frequently used for treatment of solid tumors, carries two main obstacles including acquired radioresistance in cancer cells during radiotherapy and normal tissue injury. Phenylpropanoids, which are naturally occurring phytochemicals found in plants, have been identified as potential radiotherapeutic agents due to their anti-cancer activity and relatively safe levels of cytotoxicity. Various studies have proposed that these compounds could not only sensitize cancer cells to radiation resulting in inhibition of growth and cell death but also protect normal cells against radiation-induced damage. This review is intended to provide an overview of recent investigations on the usage of phenylpropanoids in combination with radiotherapy in cancer treatment. | 10.3858/emm.2011.43.6.034 |
pubmed_334_4430 | SGS742 has been reported to increase spatial memory in rodents. However, effects of SGS742 have not been systematically assessed in different strains so far and indeed strains show different cognitive abilities per se. The aim of the study was therefore to examine the effect of SGS742 in three different inbred (C57BL/6J, DBA/2, BALB/c) strains and three outbred strains (CD1, CF1, OF1). Mice were administered intra-peritonial (3-aminopropyl)n-butylphosphinic acid (SGS742; GABA (B)-receptor antagonist) and tested in the Morris water maze (MWM). Open field, elevated plus maze, neurological observational battery and rota rod were carried out to support interpretation of data. SGS742 enhanced performance in the MWM in an inbred strain, C57BL/6J and in the outbred strain OF1 in terms of learning and memory formation at the consolidation level. A series of side effects as e.g. reduced motor coordination and proprioception were noticed that, however, may not have been influencing results observed in the cognition task. In conclusion, SGS742 enhanced cognitive performance in two mouse strains and we learned that testing compounds for effects on spatial memory should be carried out in several strains or even different species in order to claim cognitive enhancement. | 10.1016/j.bbr.2007.03.025 |
pubmed_467_3002 | OBJECTIVES
Autologous peripheral blood stem cell (auto-PBSC) transplantation is an effective therapeutic for the osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) but without prognosis estimation. This study mainly aimed to (1) determine whether auto-PBSC transplantation is a promising option, (2) assess the risk of hip-preservation failure, (3) achieve a predictive model of femoral head survival after the intervention, and (4) eventually identify clinical indications for auto-PBSC transplantation in future.
METHODS
After reviewing the in-patient database of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University from June 2012 to June 2014, 37 eligible patients with Association Research Circulation Osseous stage I or II ONFH who were receiving intra-arterial infusion of auto-PBSCs were recruited. A case form was designed to retrieve relevant data. Hip-preservation failure was defined as the endpoint. All participants were stratified by the categorical risk of collapse, which was statistically tested through log-rank analysis. All significant factors were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression model, and a predictive nomogram plot was generated.
RESULTS
In total, 47 hips were followed up for 53.96 ± 21.09 months; the median survival time was 60.18 months. Among the predictors, body mass index (BMI; P = 0.0015) and Harris hip score (HHS; P < 0.0001) independently affected femoral head survival. Patients with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 exhibited a 2.58 times higher risk of hip-preservation failure [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32-5.45] than those with BMI < 24 kg/m2, whereas those with HHS ≥ 70 exhibited a 0.19 times lower risk (95% CI, 0.09-0.38) than those with HHS < 70. Hazard ratios associated with age (P = 0.042), BMI (P = 0.012), HHS (P = 0.022), and necrotic volume (P = 0.000) were 1.038 (95% CI, 1.001-1.075), 1.379 (95% CI, 1.072-1.773), 0.961 (95% CI, 0.928-0.994), and 1.258 (95% CI, 1.120-1.412), respectively. A nomogram plot (score test P = 0.000; C-index = 0.8863) was available for the orthopedic doctor to predict hip survival probability.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that intra-arterial infusion of auto-PBSCs prolongs femoral head survival. Age, BMI, HHS, and necrotic volume can influence the efficacy of this intervention. This study was approved by ethics committee of the trial center, number 2019-KL-075-01. | 10.1186/s13287-020-01595-w |
pubmed_602_186 | PURPOSE
To determine the feasibility and safety of angioplasty or angioplasty and stenting of extra- and intracranial vertebral artery (VA) stenosis.
METHODS
In 16 consecutive patients (9 men, 7 women; mean age 61 years, range 49-74 years) 16 stenotic VAs were treated with angioplasty or angioplasty and stenting. Eleven stenoses were localized in V1 segment, 1 stenosis in V2 segment and 4 stenoses in V4 segment of VA. Fourteen VA stenoses were symptomatic, 2 asymptomatic. The etiology of the stenoses was atherosclerotic in all cases.
RESULTS
Angioplasty was performed in 8 of 11 V1 and 2 of 4 V4 segments of the VA. In 3 of 11 V1 segments and 2 of 4 V4 segments of the VA we combined angioplasty with stenting. The procedures were successfully performed in 14 of 16 VAs (87%). Complications were asymptomatic vessel dissection resulting in vessel occlusion in 1 of 11 V1 segments and asymptomatic vessel dissection in 2 of 4 V4 segments of the VA. One patient died in the 24-hr period after the procedure because of subarachnoid hemorrhage as a complication following vessel perforation of the treated V4 segment.
CONCLUSION
Angioplasty or angioplasty and stenting of extracranial VA stenoses can be performed with a high technical success rate and a low complication rate. In intracranial VA stenosis the procedure is technically feasible but complications can be life-threatening. The durability and procedural complication rates of primary stenting without using predilation in extra- and intracranial VA stenosis should be defined in the future. | 10.1007/s00270-003-0028-7 |
pubmed_1042_19130 | BACKGROUND
Lysine is one of the essential amino acids and in cereal based diets it is known to be the most limiting and therefore determines the quality of dietary protein in such diets. This study investigated the effect of lysine supplementation on blood pressure of hypertensive adults in selected peri-urban community in Accra, Ghana.
METHODS
The study was a randomized double-blind controlled study made up of adults men and women assigned to a lysine supplemented group and a placebo-supplemented (control) group. The subjects aged between 18 - 45 years and totaling 180.
RESULTS
Total of 50 (28%) of the participating were hypertensive defined as Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg. The mean SBP of lysine-supplemented group significantly dropped from 146.11 ± 11.92 to 128.95 ± 10.44 mmHg (p = 0.02). That of women also dropped from 144.12 ± 10.41 to 132.28 ± 10.69 mmHg, (p = 0.06 while the control group had there SBP remained fairly constant after 112 days of intervention with changes in men from 145.79 ± 12.56 to 142.79 ± 11.07 mmHg (p = 0.32) and women in the control had very little drop from 145.15 ± 14.79 to 145.00 ± 17.93 mmHg (p = 0.96).
CONCLUSION
Lysine supplementation resulted in normalization/reduction of blood pressure of hypertensive subjects who have suboptimal lysine intake. | 10.1186/s40795-017-0187-6 |
pubmed_133_18657 | BACKGROUND
Healing of a cervical esophagogastrostomy is frequently impaired, resulting in a higher incidence of leakage and stricture formation, as compared to an intrathoracic anastomosis. Lack of mesothelial factors is hypothesized to contribute to this impaired anastomotic healing. The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether a free peritoneal patch around a cervical esophagogastrostomy can improve anastomotic healing.
METHODS
In 23 consecutive patients a free peritoneal patch was fixed around a cervical esophagogastrostomy. Results were compared to those of a historical control group of 41 patients. Clinical and/or radiographic leakage and stenosis requiring endoscopic dilatation were used as endpoints.
RESULTS
Three patients died in the early postoperative period (in-hospital mortality 3/64 = 5%). Leakage rate was 13% (3/23) in the group with a patch and 15% (6/41) in the control group (p = 0.90). At 6-month follow-up, the incidence of stenosis was significantly higher (65%) in the group with a patch, compared to 31% in the control group (p = 0.02).
CONCLUSION
A peritoneal patch does not affect the leakage rate but increases the incidence of postoperative stenosis of a cervical esophagogastrostomy. Therefore, its clinical application is contraindicated. | 10.1159/000018751 |
pubmed_786_11008 | Bronchiolitis is a common, acute, contagious lower respiratory tract illness of infants and young children. The majority of cases are secondary to respiratory syncytial virus. There are a number of risk factors for severe disease, including children less than six weeks of age and patients with atopy and/or asthma. The management requires vigilant monitoring and high-quality supportive care, including impressive use of fluids and nutritional support. Further research on anti-virals is essential to prevent respiratory syncytial virus induced bronchiolitis. Fortunately, the prognosis for the majority of normal infants who develop bronchiolitis is good. | 10.1385/CRIAI:25:3:249 |
pubmed_155_7710 | Increases in medical resources, and access to care, do not lead to comparable decreases in either morbidity or mortality in modern nations. The number of years of schooling, rather than level of income, emerges as the surest correlate of good health, although progress in medical science and changes in productivity remain powerful influences. Family, religion, and especially government, are examined as institutions serving competing goals of security, freedom, and equality. | pubmed_155_7710 |
pubmed_1107_12666 | We have studied two mutants carrying large deletions induced in the white gene of Drosophila by the antitumoral drug cisplatin. The breakpoints of the deletions were located by southern analysis and the sequences of the deletion junctions were determined. Two base-pair repeats are associated with the ends of these deletions; one of the repeats is preserved in the new junction after the deletion. DNA sequences such as A-T rich, alternating purine/pyrimidine tracts, polypurine-polypyrimidine tracts and topoisomerase I and II cleavage sites are found near the junctions. These results suggest that illegitimate recombinational processes are involved in the generation of cisplatin-induced large deletions. | 10.1016/0027-5107(96)00059-0 |
pubmed_275_16092 | BACKGROUND
Cancer survivors are more vulnerable to future cancers than individuals without cancer. As such, it is important to understand whether survivors are engaging in cancer screenings.
METHODS
The screening practices reported in response to the 2000 Health Interview Survey of 2151 individuals with cancer were examined and compared to those of 30,195 individuals without cancer.
RESULTS
The proportion of cancer survivors obtaining screenings ranged from 21% to 77%. Compared to individuals without cancer, women with cancer were more likely to have had a mammogram (odds ratio [OR]=1.8, 95% CI=1.5-2.1), a clinical breast exam (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.9-2.5), and/or a Papanicolaou test (OR=1.3, 95% CI=1.1-1.5) in the recommended timeframe. Similarly, men with cancer were more likely than men without cancer to have had a prostate-specific antigen test performed (OR=2.5, 95% CI=2.0-3.0). All cancer survivors were more likely than individuals without a cancer diagnosis to have had a total body skin exam (OR=4.0, 95% CI=3.5-4.6), a fecal occult blood test (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.2-1.6), and/or a colorectal exam (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.9-2.5). Similar results were obtained when individuals diagnosed with the cancer for which the screen was designed to detect were excluded.
CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate that cancer survivors have higher screening rates than individuals without a cancer diagnosis. Despite this, the proportion of survivors obtaining screenings varies considerably by the type of screen. An understanding of the impact of cancer screening in cancer survivors, as well as the reasons for and against obtaining cancer screenings, is necessary. | 10.1016/j.amepre.2005.01.005 |
pubmed_442_10619 | Nearly 10 million women in the U.S. are caregivers for an elder with dementia, which often produces overwhelming stress and adversely affects their health. Resourcefulness training (RT) may promote the caregiver's optimal health and continue in their caregiving role. This pilot trial of 138 women dementia caregivers examined the effectiveness of RT on perceived stress, depressive cognitions, and negative emotions over time. Caregivers were first randomized to RT or no RT and then further randomized into random versus choice conditions followed by assignment to the journal or recorder methods, thus creating eight groups. We examined differences on perceived stress, depressive cognitions, and negative emotions between groups: 1) RT versus no-RT, 2) choice versus random condition; and 3) journaling versus recording. Significant time by group interactions were found on stress (F=4.36, p<.05), depressive cognitions (F=10.93, p<.001), and negative emotions (F=20.48, p<.001) in the RT versus no RT group. No differences were found between the random versus choice conditions or the journaling versus recording methods for practicing the RT skills. The results provide evidence for the effectiveness of RT for decreasing stress, depressive cognitions, and negative emotions in women caregivers of elders with dementia. The findings also suggest the need for further examination of the effects of allowing caregivers to choose a method for practicing RT in larger samples if caregivers of elders with dementia. | pubmed_442_10619 |
pubmed_715_19481 | Little empirical research has examined guidelines for neuropsychological assessment of people with severe physical and sensory disabilities. This study focused on people with expressive disabilities--people unable to speak, write, draw, or manipulate test materials. Measures were selected and adapted to be suitable for the assessment of cognitive functioning for such people. Responses were selected from multiple choice answers or were spelled out on an alphabet board. Individuals with expressive disabilities in addition to traumatic brain injuiry (TBI) were compared to individuals with TBI alone and a normative group. The measures were generally found to be reliable and valid assessment instruments. Individuals with expressive disabilities were able to manage the task requirements of the adapted tests. The results provided support for the adaptations trialed. | 10.1080/1385404049052408 |
pubmed_939_25748 | BACKGROUND
Analysis of upper extremity weight bearing ability is important for athletes as some function largely in a closed chain capacity (e.g., wrestling, football, gymnastics); also, all require closed chain upper extremity function during strength and conditioning. Additionally, in a rehabilitation setting, closed chain upper extremity functional testing is often used as a return to play criterion. Lower extremity sway measures (biomechanical and clinical) have been published widely and have established reliability and validity; however, the reliability of upper extremity sway biomechanical measures has not been investigated to date.
HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine the repeatability of a variety of force plate measurements during an upper extremity task in an athletic population. It was hypothesized that variables measuring upper extremity sway in a closed kinetic chain position would have excellent reliability.
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional.
METHODS
All data were collected using a force plate system with commercially available software. Four hundred and ninety healthy Division I athletes were tested for both their dominant and non-dominant upper extremity at one of two testing sessions. Subjects were instructed to stay as still as possible while maintaining a full plank position with one upper extremity on the force plate and the contralateral upper extremity behind their back. Two, 20-second trials were performed for each extremity. Variables measured included average sway velocity (ASV), sway velocity in medial-lateral (SVML) and anterior-posterior (SVAP) directions, sway velocity at 1st and 2nd time intervals for AP (VAP1 and 2) and ML (VML1 and 2) directions, and sway frequency in the AP direction for 1st and 2nd time intervals (FreAP1 and 2). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(2,1)) and their 95% confident intervals were calculated for all force plate variables for 980 limbs.
RESULTS
No difference was seen between left and right extremities for any measure (p > 0.05). ICC's ranged from 0.61-0.90 for all variables, indicating moderate to excellent reliability for all variables.
CONCLUSION
Upper extremity sway biomechanical variables using a force plate system have moderate to excellent reliability. These results are important prior to validation and clinical utilization of these measures including baseline testing, return to play guidelines, and injury prevention parameters.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
3. | 10.26603/ijspt20200698 |
pubmed_551_8384 | BACKGROUND
Breaking Free from OCD is a cognitive behavioural self-help book for young people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The book is written for 11-16 year olds as a first step intervention for reducing mild to moderate symptoms of OCD.
AIMS
This report describes a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the book as a self-help intervention.
METHOD
Using a case-series design, eight 11-16 year olds with OCD were monitored for symptom stability 3 weeks prior to receiving Breaking Free from OCD for use over an 8-week period. Weekly telephone calls were received to complete the CY-BOCS for symptom severity and to monitor adherence to the intervention. The CHOCI and SDQ were sent to participants and their parents pre-, mid- and post-intervention.
RESULTS
There was a significant reduction in CY-BOCS symptom severity over the course of the intervention; however, there were no statistically significant changes on the self-report measures. The intervention was well received by the majority of young people who took part.
CONCLUSIONS
Breaking Free from OCD may help young people with OCD and is an acceptable low intensity intervention. This evaluation is the first step in developing low intensity approaches for child OCD. | 10.1017/S1352465812000562 |
pubmed_861_15185 | Bee pollen is an attractive resource in the field of alternative remedies and thanks to the content of carbohydrates, crude fibers, proteins and lipids must be considered as a supplementary food of high potential rate. In characterization of bee pollen with the aim to define its value in human nutrition, the amino acids profile is one of the most important attributes. In the present study, the determination of amino acids composition of different monofloral bee pollen samples was obtained by an approach combining microwave acidic hydrolysis (60 min at 150 °C instead of 22 h at 120 °C in conventional oven) followed by derivatization using 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate (FMOC-Cl) and separation of amino acids derivatives using a Phenomenex Kinetex core-shell 5 μm C18 (150 x 4.6 mm i.d.) column under a ternary gradient elution. Separation of 19 amino acids was achieved in about 40 min and fluorimetric detection (λexc = 265 nm λem = 315 nm) allowed selective and sensitive quantitation with LOQ values ranging within 0.14-3.00 μg/mL. Interestingly, the present approach allowed determination of some amino acids e.g., tryptophan and trans-4-hydroxyproline that are often lost by other methods of analysis. Significant differences in the composition of the considered samples were found confirming the impact of botanical origin of the product on its nutritional value. Principal Component Analysis was applied to treat the obtained data, highlighting the importance for discrimination, of detecting low abundance amino acids. The proposed method can be used as an advantageous alternative to the existing ones for characterization of bee pollen as an important source of dietary proteins. | 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.05.031 |
pubmed_128_20191 | Methods for ambient sampling and ionization enable chemical information to be obtained with minimal sample preparation. Also, imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) enables the spatial distribution of multiple components to be determined by a single measurement. Here, we report an improved method of tapping-mode scanning probe electrospray ionization (t-SPESI) for ambient sampling and ionization in which probe oscillation is stabilized by using a piezo actuator. We demonstrate negative-mode IMS of a mouse coronal brain section and show that, compared with desorption electrospray ionization, t-SPESI provides unique features in the mass spectra: signal enhancement of fatty acid and lipids, and formation of multivalent ions tentatively assigned to gangliosides. These results would indicate the capability for the generation of multiple types of ions with t-SPESI. | 10.1039/c3an02340k |
pubmed_248_1835 | BACKGROUND
Saphenous vein graft (SVG) intervention is associated with a significant incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) related to distal vessel embolization. The FilterWire distal embolic protection device has recently been approved as an adjunct to SVG intervention. We report here our initial experience in a single center in 30 consecutive patients using this device in SVG stenting.
HYPOTHESIS
This study examined the outcomes and complications associated with these devices, as well as whether proficiency with the devices increased with greater experience and whether there were measurable outcome differences between devices.
METHODS
We retrospectively identified all patients in whom a FilterWire device was placed at our hospital between June 2001 and June 2004.
RESULTS
The device was successfully deployed in 29 of 30 patients, and all patients were stented successfully. Overall MACE rate was 6.6%, consistent with reports in larger multicenter clinical trials. Transient decreases in flow were noted while the device was in place in six patients, but improved in five patients with device removal.
CONCLUSIONS
This early experience in a single center using FilterWire embolic protection indicates that excellent clinical results can be obtained by the adoption of filter protection for SVG intervention, without evidence for a detrimental learning curve. | 10.1002/clc.4960281204 |
pubmed_89_3931 | Background: Schizophrenia has a broad range of interrelated symptoms and impairment in functioning. The objective of the study was to explore the interplay between positive symptoms, negative symptoms, neurocognition, social cognition and functional outcome in patients with schizophrenia using network analysis. Methods: Participants were 64 clinically stable patients with schizophrenia. Psychopathologic, neurocognition, social cognition, and functional outcome were measured using the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III, Faces test, Reading the Mind in the Eyes test, and Personal Social Performance scale. Results: The network analysis suggested that functional outcome was the most central in the network followed by avolition and asociality. Functioning was directly connected to avolition, asociality, blunted affect, neurocognition and emotion recognition. The positive symptoms were the most remote and therefore the least important node. Conclusion: The high centrality of functioning suggests the need for improving of everyday life skills for patients with schizophrenia. Moreover, treatment of specific negative symptoms, neurocognition and emotion recognition could also enhance functional outcome. | 10.12688/f1000research.74385.1 |
pubmed_117_8266 | Salon gatherings featuring conversations about current themes in a profession are evolving with time and practice to meet the needs of modern nurses and their clinical partners. Nursing clinical educators at a Midwestern pediatric hospital system offered a nursing salon experience as a new component of education days to provide an opportunity for clinical staff to engage in content and conversations about practice in a setting away from direct patient care. The objective of the nursing salons was to engage in professional reflection. Staff members of a professional development center and a department of quality and safety collaborated to provide this experience for over 500 nurses, clinical support associates, and leaders, to enhance clinical education days. | 10.1891/CRNR-D-20-00065 |
pubmed_54_6547 | BACKGROUND
Spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) are a group of disorders characterized by degeneration of the anterior horn cells in the spinal cord and motor nuclei in the lower brainstem. It is transmitted by autosomal recessive inheritance and most of these conditions are linked to SMN gene. Even if the clinical picture is mainly dominated by the diffuse muscular atrophy, some patients can also show atypical clinical features such as myoclonic epilepsy ("SMA plus"), which may be related to other genes. In particular, the association of SMA and progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME) has been previously described.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present a case of two brothers with late onset SMA associated with a unique form of non progressive myoclonic epilepsy without cognitive impairment or ataxia. They had identical clinical and electrophysiological features.
CONCLUSIONS
The association of SMA with myoclonic epilepsy may constitute a separate and genetically independent syndrome with unique clinical and electrophysiological findings. Collection of similar cases with genetic studies is needed to define the phenotype clearly and to identify new genes and molecular pathogenetic mechanisms involved in this condition. | 10.1186/1755-7682-7-42 |
pubmed_278_15112 | BACKGROUND
Prostate cancer (PCa) is characterized by its tendency to be multifocal. However, few studies have investigated the endogenous factors that explain the multifocal disease. The primary objective of the current study is to test whether inherited PCa risk is associated with multifocal tumors in PCa patients.
METHODS
Subjects in this study were PCa patients of European ancestry undergoing active surveillance at Johns Hopkins Hospital (N = 805) and NorthShore University HealthSystem (N = 432). The inherited risk was measured by genetic risk score (GRS), an odds ratio-weighted and population-standardized polygenic risk score based on known risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms. PCa multifocality was indirectly measured by the number and laterality of positive tumor cores from a 12-core systematic biopsy.
RESULTS
In the combined cohort, 35.7% and 66.3% of patients had ≥2 tumor cores at the initial diagnostic biopsy and on at least one subsequent surveillance biopsy, respectively. For tumor laterality, 7.8% and 47.8% of patients had bilateral tumor cores at diagnostic and surveillance biopsies, respectively. We found, for the first time, that patients with higher numbers of positive cores at diagnostic and surveillance biopsies, respectively, had significantly higher mean GRS values; p = .01 and p = 5.94E-04. Additionally, patients with bilateral tumors at diagnostic and surveillance biopsies, respectively, had significantly higher mean GRS values than those with unilateral tumors; p = .04 and p = .01. In contrast, no association was found between GRS and maximum core length of tumor or tumor grade at diagnostic/surveillance biopsies (all p > .05). Finally, we observed a modest trend that patients with higher GRS quartiles had a higher risk for tumor upgrading on surveillance biopsies. The trend, however, was not statistically significant (p > .05).
CONCLUSIONS
The associations of GRS with two measurements of PCa multifocality (core numbers and laterality) provide novel and consistent evidence for the link between inherited PCa risk and multifocal tumors. | 10.1002/pros.24140 |
pubmed_914_7515 | In this study, a comparison was made between a plastic scintillator (BC400), a Faraday Cup (FC) and an ionization chamber (IC) used for routine proton dosimetry. Thin scintillators can be applied to proton dosimetry and consequently to proton therapy as relative dosimeters because of their water-equivalent nature, high energy-light conversion efficiency, low dimensions and good proportionality to the absorbed dose at low stopping powers. To employ such scintillators as relative dosimeters in proton therapy, the corrective factors must be applied to correct the quenching luminescence at the Bragg peak. A fine linear proportionality between the luminescence light yield Y and the proton flux in a thin (0.5 mm) scintillator for the 20 and 30 MeV proton beams were observed. The experimental peak/plateau ratios of Bragg Curve for 2, 1 and 0.5 mm scintillators with an accuracy of 0.5% were obtained to be 1.87, 1.91 and 2.30, respectively. With combination of the Markus chamber and the CR-39 detector, the peak/plateau ratio was improved to 3.26. The obtained data of the luminescence yield as a function of the specific energy loss is in agreement with the Craun-Birk's theory. Results show that the FC and Markus ionization chamber are in agreement within 4%, while the FC gives a lower dose evaluation. For a defined beam, the data for the fluence measurements are reproducible within a good accuracy. | 10.1269/jrr.09121 |
pubmed_527_12271 | This is a case of one patient who was treated with a bortezomib-based desensitization regimen to treat sensitization obtained though a previous transplant lost to chronic rejection. This regimen successfully convert a positive crossmatch to negative, prevented both hyperacute and acute rejections out to 3-months post transplant, and was without any noticeable side effects. This account demonstrates that desensitization by bortezomib combined with plasmapheresis and low-dose IVIG is a possible way to transplant a highly sensitized patient. | pubmed_527_12271 |
pubmed_660_14110 | During the implementation of Montreal Protocol, emission inventories of halocarbons in different sectors at regional scale are fundamental to the formulation of relevant management strategy and inspection of the implementation efficiency. This study investigated the emission profile of halocarbons used in the mobile vehicle air conditioning system, the leading sector of refrigeration industry in terms of the refrigerant bank, market and emission, in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, using a bottom-up approach developed by 2006 IPCC Good Practice Guidance. The results showed that emissions of CFC-12 peaked at 53 tons ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) in 1992 and then gradually diminished, whereas HFC-134a presented an increasing emission trend since 1990s and the emissions of HFC-134a reached 65,000 tons CO2-equivelant (CO2-eq) by the end of 2011. Uncertainty analysis revealed relatively high levels of uncertainties for special-purpose vehicles and government vehicles. Moreover, greenhouse gas (GHG) abatements under different scenarios indicated that potential emission reduction of HFC-134a ranged from 4.1 to 8.4 × 10(5)tons CO2-eq. The findings in this study advance our knowledge of halocarbon emissions from mobile vehicle air conditioning system in Hong Kong. | pubmed_660_14110 |
pubmed_171_11326 | The relations between parental alcoholism, alcohol expectancies, and adult drinking behaviors were examined among 76 offspring of alcoholics and 68 offspring of nonalcoholics. The primary goals of the present study were to examine whether maternal and/or paternal alcoholism are related to adult alcohol expectancies and to explore whether the relationship between parental alcoholism and adult drinking behaviors is moderated by alcohol expectancies. Gender differences also were assessed. Findings indicated that alcohol expectancies were not significantly influenced by parental alcoholism. Significant moderating effects for global-positive expectancies and sexual enhancement expectancies also were not obtained. In contrast, social assertiveness expectancies were found to consistently moderate the relationship between paternal alcoholism and drinking behaviors. These results indicated that offspring of alcoholic fathers with high expectations for increased social assertiveness were most "at risk" for problematic drinking, especially males. | 10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.02.020 |
pubmed_486_9203 | Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is the most important intermediate phase in the nucleation/crystallization process of CaCO3, and thus the proper interpretation of how ACC transforms into final crystals at the molecular level is crucial to understand various biomineralization phenomena. Herein, we successfully monitored the moisture-induced crystallization process of ACC via in situ FTIR spectroscopy, which is very sensitive to the specific changes of the different vibrational modes of carbonates and water molecules. In combination with the tools of perturbation correlation moving window and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy, it is found that the driving force of ACC crystallization is the fracture of hydrogen bonds formed by H2OCO32-. The bending vibrations of carbonate are more sensitive to moisture permeation than the stretching modes, and the whole crystallization process can be divided into three sequential stages, i.e., the hydrated ACC first loses its structural water and converts to the dehydrated ACC, which then gradually transforms into vaterite, followed by the final growth of vaterite crystals. Anhydrous ACC microdomains are found to be already existing in the as-prepared ACCs. | 10.1039/c9cp04440j |
pubmed_343_4875 | AML and MDS are most common myeloid neoplasms that affect mainly older patients. Overexpression of certain proto-oncogenes plays an indispensable role in tumorigenesis and overexpression can be a consequence of gene rearrangement, amplification and/or mutation. Rearrangement and amplification of KMT2A located at chromosome band 11q23 is a well-characterized genetic driver in a subset of AML/MDS cases and is associated with a poor prognosis. The presence of homogeneously staining regions (hsr) also has been correlated with amplification of specific proto-oncogenes. In this study, we correlated hsr(11)(q23) with KMT2A in a large cohort of AML/MDS (n = 54) patients. We identified 37 patients with hsr(11)(q23) in the setting of AML (n = 27) and MDS (n = 10). All patients showed a complex karyotype including 12 cases with monosomy 17. KMT2A FISH analysis was available for 35 patients which showed KMT2A amplification in all patients. Among control cases with hsr involving chromosomes other than 11q [non-11q hsr, n = 17], FISH analysis for KMT2A was available in 10 cases and none of these cases showed KMT2A amplification (p = 0.0001, Fisher's exact test, two-tailed). Mutational analysis was performed in 32 patients with hsr(11)(q23). The most common mutated gene was TP53 (n = 29), followed by DNMT3A (n = 4), NF1 (n = 4), and TET2 (n = 3). Thirty (83%) patients died over a median follow-up of 7.6 months (range, 0.4-33.4). In summary, hsr(11)(q23) in AML/MDS cases is associated with a complex karyotype, monosomy 17, KMT2A amplification, and TP53 mutation. | 10.1016/j.cancergen.2019.07.001 |
pubmed_899_24003 | Autophagy controls and executes the turnover of abnormally aggregated proteins. MAP1S interacts with the autophagy marker LC3 and positively regulates autophagy flux. HDAC4 associates with the aggregation-prone mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT) that causes Huntington's disease, and colocalizes with it in cytosolic inclusions. It was suggested HDAC4 interacts with MAP1S in a yeast two-hybrid screening. Here, we found that MAP1S interacts with HDAC4 via a HDAC4-binding domain (HBD). HDAC4 destabilizes MAP1S, suppresses autophagy flux and promotes the accumulation of mHTT aggregates. This occurs by an increase in the deacetylation of the acetylated MAP1S. Either suppression of HDAC4 with siRNA or overexpression of the MAP1S HBD leads to stabilization of MAP1S, activation of autophagy flux and clearance of mHTT aggregates. Therefore, specific interruption of the HDAC4-MAP1S interaction with short peptides or small molecules to enhance autophagy flux may relieve the toxicity of mHTT associated with Huntington's disease and improve symptoms of HD patients. | 10.18632/aging.100818 |
pubmed_1065_4204 | During 1997-1999 607 sera were obtained from subjects immunized with vaccine FSME-Immun. The presence of antibodies was assessed using EIA TBEV-Ig TEST-Line tests, Clinical Diagnostics, Immunozym FSME of Immuno Co. and the virus neutralizing test. Between the results of tests sufficient correlation was not found to allow valid evaluation of the presence of postvaccination antibodies by several methods. When using the Immunozyme FSME test it was found that on the day of administration of the 4th dose of vaccine 15 subjects of 94 had an antibody titre equal to or < 126 VIEU/ml, on the day of administration of the 5th dose this was the case in 5 of 13 immunized subjects. After administration of the 3rd, 4th and 5th dose adequate, i.e. at least three-year immunity, was acquired, depending on age, by 64.1-97.9% of the immunized subjects. As antibody titres higher than 600 VIEU/ml in different age groups were recorded only in 20.0-61.7% of the subjects, the authors do not consider it desirable in subjects immunized with the Austrian vaccine to prolong the time interval between vaccinations beyond three years. | pubmed_1065_4204 |
pubmed_554_2092 | Preparation and antioxidant activities of polysaccharide from cuaurbit were investigated. The crude polysaccharide was extracted by the hot water method. It indicated that the CaCl2 method excelled NaCl method in deproteinization. The cuaurbit polysaccharide was linked by the β-glycosidic and α-glycosidic bonds. It consisted of glucose, glucuronic acid, galactose, arabinose, xylose, and rhamnose. Moreover, the antioxidant test showed that cuaurbit polysaccharide had good antioxidant activity and would be a new natural antioxidant with good effect and high safety. | 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.05.213 |
pubmed_145_4712 | In this study we have correlated the presence/absence of rare red blood cells with HbH inclusions with the alpha-globin genotype in a group of Sardinian alpha-thalassemia carriers, whose genotype have been defined by alpha-globin gene mapping. We found that the majority of the carriers investigated, including those with the deletion of a single or two alpha-globin genes and those with non-deletion lesions, have rare blood cells with inclusions, with no significant difference in the frequency of positive finding related to the alpha-globin genotype. | 10.1159/000206353 |
pubmed_669_25660 | BACKGROUND
The optimal treatment for acute non-A-non-B aortic dissection remains controversial. Triple-branched stent graft (TBSG) implantation has been used to treat acute type A aortic dissection. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TBSG as a treatment for acute non-A-non-B aortic dissection.
METHODS
Fifty patients with non-A-non-B dissection received TBSG implantation in our center between January 2014 and December 2019. Early mortality, morbidity, and dissected aorta remodeling during follow-up were calculated.
RESULTS
There were no deaths in-hospital or within 30 days. Postoperative complications included pneumonia (n = 12), acute kidney injury (n = 6; preoperative renal malperfusion, n = 4), transient cerebral injury (n = 6; preoperative cerebral malperfusion, n = 4), pleural effusion (n = 4), and pericardial effusion (n = 2). During follow-up, 1 patient experienced a stroke, and 2 patients required secondary interventional therapy for residual dissection below the level of the TBSG. All implanted TBSGs had good positioning, and all sidearm stent graft grafts were fully patent. No retrograde aortic dissection or type I endoleak was detected.
CONCLUSIONS
TBSG implantation for acute non-A-non-B aortic dissection had a low incidence of mortality and morbidity, featuring good remodeling of the dissected aortic wall during follow-up. The early outcomes of this technique were satisfactory. | 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.11.059 |
pubmed_750_24790 | Background: Two classes of amine oxidases are found in mammals: those with a flavin adenine dinucleotide as a cofactor, such as monoamine oxidases (MAO) and lysine-specific demethylases (LSD), and those with copper as a cofactor, including copper-containing amine oxidases (AOC) and lysyl oxidases (LOX). All are expressed in adipose tissue, including a semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase/vascular adhesion protein-1 (SSAO/VAP-1) strongly present on the adipocyte surface. Methods: Previously, irreversible MAO inhibitors have been reported to limit food intake and/or fat extension in rodents; however, their use for the treatment of depressed patients has not revealed a clear anti-obesity action. Semicarbazide and other molecules inhibiting SSAO/VAP-1 also reduce adiposity in obese rodents. Results: Recently, a LOX inhibitor and a subtype-selective MAO inhibitor have been shown to limit fattening in high-fat diet-fed rats. Phenelzine, which inhibits MAO and AOC, limits adipogenesis in cultured preadipocytes and impairs lipogenesis in mature adipocytes. When tested in rats or mice, phenelzine reduces food intake and/or fat accumulation without cardiac adverse effects. Novel amine oxidase inhibitors have been recently characterized in a quest for promising anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer approaches; however, their capacity to mitigate obesity has not been studied so far. Conclusions: The present review of the diverse effects of amine oxidase inhibitors impairing adipocyte differentiation or limiting excessive fat accumulation indicates that further studies are needed to reveal their potential anti-obesity properties. | 10.3390/medicines6010009 |
pubmed_560_23535 | Tumor invasion is paradigmatic of the complex interactions connecting a carcinoma with its environment, and a reflex of the cellular and molecular heterogeneity that defines the initiation of dissemination and metastasis. The hostile situation generated by a growing carcinoma and a reactive stroma is at the basis of the promotion of carcinoma invasion and metastasis, with oxidative stress emerging as a main player in the acquisition of an aggressive tumor phenotype. In this review, we present this complex scenario with a focus on the contribution of the reactive environment and the oxidative stress to the cellular and molecular events associated with carcinoma invasion and metastasis. We also discuss the potential of oxidative stress as a source of biomarkers of advance disease, and as supplier of a therapeutic armamentarium against the initial steps of metastatic dissemination. | 10.2174/156652412800792570 |
pubmed_896_8711 | Lipid-like pseudo-double-chained catanionic surfactants have emerged as the attractive materials to prepare potential vesicular carriers in drug and gene delivery applications. In particular, the semi-spontaneous process has been developed to fabricate ethosome-like catanionic vesicles for the transdermal drug delivery. In this work, Arbutin (a water-soluble drug) encapsulation efficiency of ethosome-like catanionic vesicles fabricated from decyltrimethylammonium-tetradecylsulfate (DeTMA-TS, CH3(CH2)9 N(CH3)3-CH3(CH2)13SO4) and decyltrimethylammonium-dodecylsulfate (DeTMA-DS, CH3(CH2)9N(CH3)3-CH3(CH2)11SO4) with various amounts of ethanol and cholesterol in tris buffer solution was experimentally determined. A simple unilamellar vesicle (ULV) model, resulting in the theoretical encapsulation efficiency within ±10% error for most vesicle compositions, was also developed. Such agreement indirectly confirmed the formation of unilamellar vesicles by the preparation method. Stable ethosome-like catanionic vesicles by using catanionic surfactants with the aid of suitable amounts of ethanol and cholesterol, which led to polydispersity index (PDI) values of vesicle size distribution less than 0.3, were successfully prepared and their hydrophilic drug encapsulation efficiencies can be accurately predicted. Furthermore, the linear correlations of the trap volume ratio with both vesicle size and concentration of the extra added CHOL also provide important guidelines for controlling the drug loading of ethosome-like catanionic vesicles. The accomplishments reached for the novel vesicles are useful for developing their transdermal drug delivery applications. | 10.5650/jos.ess21072 |
pubmed_1084_1994 | Colleges and universities across the US have prioritized minority enrollments in their recruitment strategies, but theories offer to possible outcomes of increasing diversity on campus-increased racial harmony or increased racial tension. This study examines the impact of racial diversity on the reported number of hate crimes that occur on campus. Findings suggest that those schools that are most successful in recruiting the hardest to recruit minorities (Black and Latino students) report fewer hate crimes on campus. Implications for campus climate and racial dynamics on campus, as well as future research, are discussed. | 10.1177/0886260511423249 |
pubmed_697_24223 | Nowadays, the pollution of water has become worse in many parts of the world, which causes a severe shortage of clean water and attracts widespread attention worldwide. Bioinspired from nature, i.e. spider silk, cactus, Namib desert beetle, Nepenthes alata, special wettability surfaces have attracted great interest from fundamental research to water-harvesting applications. Here, recently published literature about creatures possessing water-harvesting ability are reviewed, with a focus on the corresponding water-harvesting mechanisms of creatures in dry or arid regions, consisting of the theory of wetting and transporting. Then a detailed account of the innovative fabrication technologies and bionic water-harvesting materials with special wetting are summarized, i.e. bio-inspired artificial spider silk, bio-inspired artificial cactus-like structures, and bio-inspired artificial Namib desert beetle-like surfaces. Special attentions are paid to the discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the technologies, as well as factors that affect the amount of water-harvesting. Finally, conclusions, future outlooks and the current challenges for future development of the water-harvesting technology are presented and discussed. | 10.1002/smll.201602992 |
pubmed_996_7157 | We propose a new method of quantitative measurement of cell surface blood group antigen (BGA) in superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary tract by using flow cytometry. Flow cytometric analysis was performed on 22 cases of superficial urinary tract TCC registered at the department of Urology, Okayama University Hospital during April, 1992-Feb. 1993. Fresh samples were divided into two specimens. One specimen was fixed in 20% formalin and was subjected to immunohistochemical staining of BGA using avidine-biotine complex (ABC) method. The other specimen was dissociated into single cell with mincing. The single cell was further divided into two specimens. One specimen was incubated on ice with anti-ABH mouse monoclonal antibody (DAKO)as a primary antibody. The other specimen was incubated on ice with mouse IgM as a negative control. These two specimens were reacted with FITC-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse IgM and propidium iodide (PI). Next, these cells were subjected to the flow cytometry using FACStar (Becton & Dickinson). By gating on the bivariate display of FSC vs. FL2 (PI), all nucleated cells were obtained separately and the positive rate was measured. The positive rate of FCM was successfully correlated with the degree of immunohistochemical stain. Compared with immunohistochemical staining thus far, this new technique provides a way to standardize the quantitative measurement of BGA expressions. | 10.5980/jpnjurol1989.85.401 |
pubmed_65_13371 | Root canal treatment was performed in a mandibular right second premolar with a periapical lesion and apical resorption. The root canal was prepared with K-files using the step-back technique and 3% NaOCl as an irrigant; during obturation gross overfilling of gutta-percha occurred. The tooth was permanently restored with a post and core along with a crown. Although healing of the periapical lesion occurred and the patient reported that he was symptom-free, the tooth was extracted after 4 years because of a subgingival root fracture. Following extraction the tooth was examined with SEM. The examination revealed the presence of newly formed calcified tissue at resorption sites on the root apex. This newly formed tissue extended from the surface of the root around the apex to the extruded gutta-percha cone to which it was well adapted, forming a bridge between the cone and the root. | 10.1046/j.1365-2591.1999.00209.x |
pubmed_1103_5542 | The present study examines the circumstances of 19 homicides involving 10 males and 9 females 60 years of age or older, which were submitted to the Bonn Institute of Forensic Medicine for autopsy. The incidence of these homicides sharply decreased by age. The causes of death were blunt force injuries alone or in combination in 8 cases and strangulation in 5 cases, thus reflecting the importance of the direct physical assault. Defense wounds were found in only 6 cases. The deceased unexceptionally suffered from diseases of the cardiovascular or respiratory system. Robbery or family/partner conflicts accounted for the vast majority of motives. Both, the most common location for homicide being in the victim's own residence and the high proportion of neighbours, acquaintances and relatives among the assailants underline that violence in the close social context endanger the elderly more than conventional violent street crimes. In the victims of homicide the elderly were represented in a smaller proportion than their percentage in the population at large. Over the 8 years of the present study there was no increasing tendency in the homicide rate in the elderly population. | pubmed_1103_5542 |
pubmed_254_16309 | The bacterial cell envelope, in particular the cell wall, is considered the main controlling factor in the biosorption of aqueous uranium(vi) by microorganisms. However, the specific roles of the cell wall, associated biomolecules, and other components of the cell envelope are not well defined. Here we report findings on the biosorption of uranium by isolated cell envelope components and associated biomolecules, with P. putida 33015 and B. subtilis 168 investigated as representative strains for the differences in Gram-negative and Gram-positive cell envelope architecture, respectively. The cell wall and cell surface membrane were isolated from intact cells and characterised by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy; revealing variations in the abundance of functional moieties and biomolecules associated with components of the cell envelope. Uranium biosorption was investigated as a function of cell envelope component and pH, comparing with intact cells. The isolated cell wall from both strains exhibited the greatest uranium biosorption capacity. Deprotonation of favourable functional groups on the biomass as the pH increased from 3 to 5.5 increased their uranium biosorption capacity by approximately 3 fold. The results from ATR-FT-IR indicated that uranium(vi) biosorption was mediated by phosphate and carboxyl groups associated with proteins and phosphorylated biopolymers of the cell envelope. This includes outer membrane phospholipids and LPS of Gram-negative bacteria and teichoic acids, surface proteins and peptidoglycan from Gram-positive bacteria. As a result, the biosorption process of uranium(vi) to microorganisms is controlled by surface interactions, resulting in higher accumulation of uranium in the cell envelope. This demonstrates the importance of bacterial cell wall as the key mediator of uranium biosorption with microorganisms. | 10.1039/d0cp04067c |
pubmed_719_14881 | In Mexico, Fusarium mexicanum has been reported causing mango malformation disease and big-leaf mahogany malformation disease. Our objective was to determine the genetic diversity of F. mexicanum isolates obtained from malformed big-leaf mahogany and mango trees, using an internal simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis. A total of 61 isolates of F. mexicanum, 32 from mango and 29 from big-leaf mahogany, were initially genotyped using fourteen ISSR primers. Data from five primers that produced the highest number of polymorphic bands were selected for further analysis. The primers generated 49 polymorphic bands (85.96%) from a total of 57 fragments ranging in size from 250 to 2800 bp, with an average of 11.4 bands per primer. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the variation within populations, isolates grouped by host and geographic origin, was significant (43%), followed by the variation between the big-leaf mahogany versus mango isolates (34%), while among populations the variation was the lowest (22%). The genetic fingerprints suggested that genetic variability of F. mexicanum populations are structured by the host of origin rather than the geographic region. | 10.1007/s11033-019-04832-5 |
pubmed_754_3456 | The sequelae of chronic osteomyelitis include not only the common clinical and radiographic signs and symptoms unique to it, but also the frequent residual deformity or amputation secondary to surgical intervention. Exacerbations and relapses are common and may occur as a result of trauma or a decrease in the resistance of the patient. Treatment of this condition over the years has been controversial. Some authors (1, 2) advocate treatment with high oral doses of antibiotics over a period of time up to 6 months. Although good results have been obtained with this regimen, other factors must be taken into account before initiation of such therapy such as severity and location of infection, drug allergy, renal and hepatic function, and attainable antibiotic blood levels. However, because of thrombosis of nutrient, marrow, and periosteal blood vessels, along with fibrosis of surrounding soft tissue, there is no guarantee that adequate serum antibiotic levels provide for the minimal inhibitory concentration of the drug in the infected bone. Antibiotic therapy without surgical intervention to improve blood supply cannot cure the disease and may result in an acquired resistance by the organism (3). The most widely accepted treatment today is surgical curetment, sequestrectomy, or resection of the infected osseous tissue with extensive debridement of all sinus tracts and devitalized tissues. Adding to the morbidity of this disease is the excessive scarring produced by inadequate and improper wound closure after surgical intervention. The following is a description of several methods utilized for contaminated wound closure. | pubmed_754_3456 |
pubmed_597_8165 | CONTEXT
Secondary erythrocytosis due to androgens is most commonly seen in the context of T replacement therapy in men. Leydig cell ovarian tumors are a rare cause of virilization, erythrocytosis, and thromboembolism.
PATIENT CASE
We describe the case of a 55-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with a 3-year history of frontal balding and virilization and a 5-year history of obstructive sleep apnea. She had not experienced significant alteration in libido or mood. Menstruation had ceased at age 46. She had a history of recurrent pulmonary embolism and unexplained secondary erythrocytosis. Past hematological investigations had not revealed any evidence of malignancy or thrombophilia, and the JAK2 mutation was negative. The serum erythropoietin was mildly elevated at 20.3 mIU/mL (normal range, 3.6-16.6 mIU/mL). The serum T was initially reported (by immunoassays) as >1600 ng/dL (>55 nmol/L). Similarly, serum androstenedione (>1000 ng/dL; >35 nmol/L), estradiol (169 pg/mL; 621 pmol/L), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (348 μg/dL; 9.4 μmol/L) were all elevated for a postmenopausal woman. Repeat analysis of the serum T by mass spectrometry showed an extremely elevated level of 4270 ng/dL (148 nmol/L). Computed tomography scan revealed a 5.0-cm right ovarian tumor. After surgical removal of an ovarian Leydig cell tumor, her virilization, erythrocytosis, and sleep apnea resolved.
CONCLUSION
Hyperandrogenism in women should be considered as a rare but important cause of erythrocytosis, recurrent thromboembolism, and sleep apnea. The diagnosis of hyperandrogenism requires a careful history and physical examination because in postmenopausal women, menstrual disturbance does not occur and cosmetic measures may mask overt clinical features. | 10.1210/jc.2013-3108 |
pubmed_905_1001 | Unrelated cord blood transplantation has become a reliable alternative therapy for children and adults owing to that one or two antigen/allele mismatches between a patient and the cord blood donor are acceptable without occurrence of graft-versus-host disease. To investigate the relationship between the number and types of mismatches and relapse, we compared the number of mismatched and non-mismatched donor-recipient pairs, number of mismatched alleles, and number of mismatched antigens at each of the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) -A, -B, and -DR loci, respectively. The result indicates that the number of mismatched antigens at the HLA-A locus was significantly associated with occurrence of relapse (X2P-value=0.0243; RR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.04-2.13). Additionally, the number of mismatched donor-recipient pairs and the number of mismatched alleles at the HLA-DR locus was negatively associated with risks of relapse (X2P-value=0.0028; RR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.31-0.89). In this study, we found that the mismatch at the HLA-A locus is associated with increased risk of relapse; while the mismatch at the HLA-DR locus is innocuous. Hence, we suggest that the well-matched HLA-A alleles were most critical for matching HLA alleles between umbilical-cord blood transplantation donors and recipients. In other words, cord blood transplantation requires less stringent HLA matching, if there are two 5/6 or 4/6 HLA matched donors, it's better to choose HLA-A matched donor at least. | 10.1016/j.cca.2016.09.021 |
pubmed_86_20498 | The method of continuous catheter drainage for pericardial tamponade as used in 108 patients is described. The efficacy of this procedure in relieving tamponade resulting from a variety of diseases is demonstrated. Blood clot in the pericardium probably constitutes a contraindication to catheter drainage. | 10.1055/s-2007-1020377 |
pubmed_1071_23281 | Colonoscopy is currently a widespread procedure used in screening for colorectal cancer. Iatrogenic colonic perforation during colonoscopy is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. "Triple pneumo" (a combination of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumoperitoneum) following colonoscopy is a rare but a serious condition requiring immediate diagnosis and emergent intervention. In majority of these cases a colonic perforation is the initial injury that is followed by pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum through the potential anatomical connection with retroperitoneal and mediastinal spaces. In this rare case report we are presenting a case of "triple pneumo" with no evidence of colonic perforation. This patient developed a simultaneous pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, and a tension pneumothorax requiring immediate tube thoracostomy. This case may raise the awareness on the likelihood of these serious complications after colonoscopy. | 10.1155/2013/583287 |
pubmed_804_14020 | Dianionic nido-[C2B10]2- species are key intermediates in the polyhedral expansion from 12- to 13-vertex carboranes and metallacarboranes, and the isomer adopted by these nido intermediates dictates the isomeric form of the 13-vertex product. Upon reduction and metallation of para-carborane up to five MC2B10 metallacarboranes can be produced (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2007, 46, 6706), the structures of which imply the intermediacy of 1,7-, 3,7-, 4,7-, 7,9- and 7,10-isomers of the nido-[C2B10]2- species. In this paper we use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to characterise the reduction of closo-C2B10H12 carboranes and the subsequent isomerisations of the nido-[C2B10H12]2- dianions. Upon reduction para-carborane initially opens to [1,7-nido-C2B10H12]2- (abbreviated to 1,7) and [4,7-nido-C2B10H12]2- (4,7) and isomerisation pathways connecting 1,7 to 7,9, 4,7 to 7,10 and 1,7 to 3,7 have been characterised. For ortho- and meta-carborane the experimental reduction produces 7,9 in both cases and computed pathways for both processes are also defined; with ortho-carborane rearrangement occurs via7,8, whereas with meta-carborane 7,9 is formed directly. The 7,9 isomer is the global minimum nido-structure. The characterisation of these isomerisation processes uncovers intermediates that adopt new structural motifs that we term basket and inverted nido. Basket intermediates feature a two-vertex basket handle bridging the remaining 10 vertices; inverted nido intermediates are related to known nido species, in that they have 5- and 6-membered belts, but where the latter, rather than the former, is capped, leaving a 5-membered open face. These new intermediates exhibit similar stability to the nido species, which is attributed to their relation to the 13-vertex docosahedron through the removal of 5-connected vertices. Isomerisation pathways starting from nido geometries are most often initiated by destabilisation of the cluster through a DSD process causing the 3-connected C7 vertex to move into a 4-connected site and a neighbouring B vertex to become 3-connected. The ensuing rearrangement of the cluster involves processes such as the pivoting of a 4-vertex diamond about its long diagonal, the pivoting of two 3-vertex triangles about a shared vertex and DSD processes. These processes are all ultimately driven by the preference for carbon to occupy low-connected vertices on the open 6-membered face of the resulting nido species. | 10.1039/c5sc00726g |
pubmed_31_19794 | OBJECTIVE
Helicobacter pylori infection is common among Asians. However, evidence in the recent years has demonstrated a decrease in the prevalence of H. pylori infection among children and adults worldwide. Our aim was to update its prevalence in symptomatic children in our locality in the recent 12 years and compared to the results of our previous review published in 2005.
METHODS
A retrospective review was carried out between 2005 and 2017. All children who presented with dyspepsia or gastrointestinal bleeding and underwent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy with antral biopsy taken were included. Patient demographics, endoscopic, or histological diagnosis and the H. pylori status were recorded.
MAIN RESULTS
A total of 602 patients were included. There was a statistically significant decreasing trend of H. pylori infection rate between 2005 and 2017 (p = 0.003). The overall infection rate from this study was 12.8%, compared to 25.6% from our previous review. Overall failure of eradication with first-line antibiotic therapy has increased to 29.3% from 10% in our previous review.
CONCLUSION
There was a decrease in the prevalence of H. pylori infection among symptomatic children for the recent 12 years, comparing to our previous data from 2005. We hypothesize that the reduction in prevalence of H. pylori infection among adults and the decrease in the practice of sharing chopsticks during meals have led to a decrease in transmission of the bacteria among family members in Hong Kong. However, the failure of eradication with first line treatment was higher, possibly due to the increase in antibiotics usage and resistance.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
III. | 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2018.10.079 |
pubmed_844_13482 | Several strategies have been employed by medicinal chemists in the design of potent and selective leukotriene receptor antagonists-leukotriene structural analogs, FPL 55712 analogs, and random screening of corporate compound banks. Lead compounds were optimized, often through the exchange of ideas with groups working on other chemical series of leukotriene antagonists. Pranlukast can likely be traced to a lead compound identified by random screening that was initially modified by incorporating structural components present in FPL 55712. Montelukast originated from an early quinoline lead, which was modified with leukotriene structural elements. Zafirlukast is based on a lead compound that incorporated structural components from both FPL 55712 and the leukotrienes. Therefore, each medicinal chemistry strategy that was originally employed has successfully identified clinically effective leukotriene receptor antagonists. Bernstein PR. Chemistry and structure-activity relationships of leukotriene receptor antagonists. | pubmed_844_13482 |
pubmed_450_19559 | Lipids extracted from microalgae have been considered as a potential source for the production of biodiesel. Enhancement of lipid has the limitations of low biomass productivity. So, the main objective of the present study was to deduce suitable conditions for the improvement of biomass production followed by enhancement of lipid content. After optimization, a strategy for two stage cultivation was utilized where high lipid content was obtained with a high biomass concentration. Optimization of biomass production of Chlorella minutissima MCC 5 was carried out under different intensities of light, temperatures, concentrations of nitrate and phosphate using Taguchi model. A suitable synergy of the four parameters yielded maximum biomass (1.93 g L(-1)) in airlift reactor. Temperature was found to be relatively effective than other parameters for higher biomass production. Activation energy for the cell growth was determined (47.95 kJ mol(-1)). Among the various (photo, thermal, nitrate and phosphate) stress conditions studied, nitrate limitation (1 mM) was found to be suitable for the enhancement of lipid resulting highest yield (48.26% w/w). Two stage cultivation of the microalgae yielded a maximum lipid content of 46% w/w with a biomass concentration of 2.2 g L(-1). Additionally, FAME analysis exhibited significant increase of oleic acid in the biodiesel. So, C. minutissima MCC 5 cultivated under nitrate stress could be a possible feedstock for biodiesel production. | pubmed_450_19559 |
pubmed_872_16324 | The effect of the Cl- channel blockers niflumic acid (NFA), 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB), 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), and anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (A-9-C), on Ca2+ signalling in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells was examined. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was monitored with either fura-2 or fluo-4, and caffeine was used to activate the ryanodine receptor, thereby releasing Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). NFA and NPPB significantly increased basal [Ca2+]i and attenuated the caffeine-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. These Cl- channel blockers also increased the half-time (t1/2) to peak for the caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i transient, and slowed the removal of Ca2+ from the cytosol following application of caffeine. Since DIDS and A-9-C were found to adversely affect fura-2 fluorescence, fluo-4 was used to monitor intracellular Ca2+ in studies involving these Cl- channel blockers. Both DIDS and A-9-C increased basal fluo-4 fluorescence, indicating an increase in intracellular Ca2+, and while DIDS had no significant effect on the t1/2 to peak for the caffeine-induced Ca2+ transient, it was significantly increased by A-9-C. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, NFA significantly increased basal [Ca2+]i, suggesting that the release of Ca2+ from an intracellular store was responsible for the observed effect. Depleting the SR with the combination of caffeine and cyclopiazonic acid prevented the increase in basal [Ca2+]i induced by NFA. Additionally, incubating the cells with ryanodine also prevented the increase in basal [Ca2+]i induced by NFA. These data show that Cl- channel blockers have marked effects on Ca2+ signalling in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, examination of the NFA-induced increase in [Ca2+]i indicates that it is likely due to Ca2+ release from an intracellular store, most probably the SR. | 10.1038/sj.bjp.0705571 |
pubmed_644_20150 | Amphetamine abuse increase risk of hemorrhagic stroke and may result in cerebral vasospasm. In this report we present 31 years old male with intracerebral hemorrhage subsequent to amphetamine intake. Diffuse cerebral vasospasm was found by angiography. Transcranial color coded Doppler sonography was applied for vasospasm monitoring and pharmacological treatment after surgical removal of the intracerebral hemorrhage. Basing on this case we can conclude that cerebral vasospasm should be suspected in patient with amphetamine abuse and hemorrhagic stroke. | pubmed_644_20150 |
pubmed_732_13216 | INTRODUCTION
Consensus guidelines recommend sepsis screening for adults with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), but the epidemiology of SIRS among adult emergency department (ED) patients is poorly understood. Recent emphasis on cost-effective, outcomes-based healthcare prompts the evaluation of the performance of large-scale efforts such as sepsis screening. We studied a nationally representative sample to clarify the epidemiology of SIRS in the ED and subsequent category of illness.
METHODS
This was a retrospective analysis of ED visits by adults from 2007 to 2010 in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS). We estimated the incidence of SIRS using initial ED vital signs and a Bayesian construct to estimate white blood cell count based on test ordering. We report estimates with Bayesian modified credible intervals (mCIs).
RESULTS
We used 103,701 raw patient encounters in NHAMCS to estimate 372,844,465 ED visits over the 4-year period. The moderate estimate of SIRS in the ED was 17.8% (95% mCI: 9.7 to 26%). This yields a national moderate estimate of approximately 16.6 million adult ED visits with SIRS per year. Adults with and without SIRS had similar demographic characteristics, but those with SIRS were more likely to be categorized as emergent in triage (17.7% versus 9.9%, p<0.001), stay longer in the ED (210 minutes versus 153 minutes, p<0.0001), and were more likely to be admitted (31.5% versus 12.5%, p<0.0001). Infection accounted for only 26% of SIRS patients. Traumatic causes of SIRS comprised 10% of presentations; other traditional categories of SIRS were rare.
CONCLUSION
SIRS is very common in the ED. Infectious etiologies make up only a quarter of adult SIRS cases. SIRS may be more useful if modified by clinician judgment when used as a screening test in the rapid identification and assessment of patients with the potential for sepsis. [West J Emerg Med. 2014;15(3):329-336.]. | 10.5811/westjem.2013.9.18064 |
pubmed_422_12956 | PROBLEM
Despite evidence indicating a role for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in gastrointestinal and reproductive physiology, the concentration and distribution of HGF in human breast milk (BM) and reproductive tract fluids remain unknown.
METHOD OF STUDY
Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the HGF concentrations were determined in human oviductal fluid (hOF), follicular fluid (FF), amniotic fluid (AF), seminal plasma (SP), and colostrum/milk samples, and expression of HGF mRNA by milk cells and AF cells were examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
RESULTS
HGF is present at nearly 70-fold normal serum (0.85+/-0.15 ng/mL) concentration in FF (n = 3; x = 57+/-16 ng/mL) and AF (n = 17; x = 57+/-26 ng/mL), and is also present in hOF (n = 3; x = 4.8+/-2.3 ng/mL) and CVL (n = 8; x = 0.7+/-1.1 ng/mL) varying throughout the menstrual cycle. HGF is found at 3-times serum concentration in BM (n = 24; x = 2.3+/-1.3 ng/mL) with no significant difference between premature and full term or stage of lactation (colostrum, transitional, mature milk). HGF mRNA was detected in BM cells but not in AF cells.
CONCLUSIONS
HGF is present in sufficient amounts to profoundly affect gastrointestinal maturation in the fetus via swallowed AF and neonate via BM, and helps to explain the increased rate of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants of premature rupture of membrane (PROM)-complicated pregnancies, and the decreased rate in breast fed neonates. HGF in FF may be necessary for the development and maturation of the oocyte. HGF in hOF, SP, and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) is likely to enhances epithelial cell integrity and the mucosal barrier. Thus, HGF is widely available in the reproductive tract with functions that remain to be fully elucidated. | 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1999.tb00111.x |
pubmed_755_14964 | Topical application of capsaicin to the gastric mucosa results in marked hyperemia as a consequence of the release of vasoactive neuropeptides from sensory afferent neurons. Because many of these neuropeptides have the capacity to induce mast cell degranulation, we investigated the possible contribution of mast cells to capsaicin-induced hyperemia. Application of capsaicin to the gastric mucosa of normal rats resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in blood flow. In rats in which mastocytosis was induced by prior infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, the hyperemic responses to capsaicin were significantly greater than in control rats. This augmented hyperemic response could be significantly attenuated by pretreatment with a histamine H1-receptor antagonist (pyrilamine) or with a mast cell stabilizer (doxantrazole). Depletion of mucosal mast cells through treatment with dexamethasone also significantly reduced the hyperemic response to capsaicin. Hyperemic response to capsaicin in normal rats and in rats with mucosal mastocytosis could be completely abolished by pretreatment with ruthenium red or prior ablation of the sensory afferent neurons with capsaicin. These results suggest that in rats with gastric mastocytosis, sensory neuron-dependent activation of mast cells contributes to the hyperemic response to topical capsaicin. These findings are therefore consistent with the hypothesis that there is communication between nerves and mast cells in the gastric mucosa, at least in rats previously infected with N. brasiliensis. | 10.1152/ajpgi.1992.263.2.G209 |
pubmed_232_85 | The objective of this study was to verify if the follow-up management routine of traumatized primary teeth set up by Federal University of Santa Catarina, which performs clinical and radiographic assessments (15 and 45 days; 4, 8 and 12 months) after the oral trauma, enabled an early diagnosis of sequelae which would indicate the need for endodontic intervention, as well as the influence a type of trauma and the child's age could have in the severity of the sequelae. In this study 52 sets of records were used of patients being seen in the last 6 months, with a total of 70 teeth that were receiving follow-up treatment. Patients returned for regular visits set up by the management routine, where clinical and radiographic examinations were performed to check for sequelae, which justified endodontic intervention. Mobility (51.2%) and crown discoloration (25.6%) were the most common sequelae found in the patient's first appointment. In the follow-up visits, replacement root resorption (22.5%) was the second most common sequela found, suggesting endodontic intervention. No significant association was found between severe sequelae, types of trauma and a child's age (chi(2) = 0.3, P = 0.8613). During the intervals of the follow-up visits, it was noticed that between 46 days and 8 months a higher number of sequelae were diagnosed (P < 0.05). The diagnosis of sequelae such inflammatory and replacement root resorption, which can lead to an early loss of a primary tooth, are frequent and that the interval between the follow-up visits has to be changed, suggesting the setting up of management routine 2. The study also concluded that the type of trauma and the child's age are not fundamental factors in the diagnosis of severe sequelae. | 10.1111/j.1600-9657.2004.00260.x |
pubmed_224_6556 | Thrombocytopenia is frequently encountered in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) and systemic erythromatosus (SLE) and to a lesser extent in association with other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pernicious anaemia (PA) and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). This report attempts to document the incidence of thrombocytopenia in these disorders, other than that overtly due to malignant infiltration or marrow suppression by drugs and to demonstrate, that in a significant proportion antibody mediated immune destruction of platelets can be confirmed by positive platelet antibody tests. Platelet associated IgG (PAIgG) was measured in all patients by a quantitative enzyme linked assay. Platelet antibodies were found in 11 of 24 (46%) thrombocytopenic patients with LPD, 10 of 16 (62%) patients with SLE and thrombocytopenia, and in all patients with RA and PA who had low platelet counts at the time of study. In addition, elevated PAIgG levels were found in the following non-thrombocytopenic patients: 9 of 43 (21%) patients with LPD, 2 of 12 (17%) with SLE, 2 of 12 (17%) with AIHA, 2 of 39 (5%) with PA and 5 of 61 (8%) patients with RA. The nature and the role of raised PAIgG levels in diseases other than autoimmune thrombocytopenia is controversial. Our reasons for interpreting these as true platelet autoantibodies in this selected group of disorders and the clinical implications of our results are discussed. | 10.1111/j.1365-2257.1983.tb00491.x |
pubmed_776_19689 | Cyclic stretch has been demonstrated to induce proliferative and secretory activities by cultured arterial endothelial and smooth muscle cells, cellular processes that contribute to the development of intimal hyperplasia. A model of an end-to-side anastomosis was developed to examine the hypothesis that regions of the artery at such anastomoses are subjected to focally increased cyclic stretch, which may stimulate the development of intimal hyperplasia. Polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were anastomosed end to side to latex rubber tubes that have elastic properties similar to those of the human femoral artery. Pulse waves with physiologic pressure, rate, and contour were applied, and systolic and diastolic diameters were measured in two planes at longitudinal intervals. Circumferential strain imposed on the latex "artery" was calculated at each interval. Strain imposed perpendicular to the suture line was also measured. Circumferential strain was consistently maximal at a distinct region of the "artery" along the proximal third of the anastomosis (6.0 +/- 1.1% vs. 3.3 +/- 0.5% at other regions of the "artery"). The maximal strain across the suture line was found at precisely the same region (3.9 +/- 0.3% vs. 2.0 +/- 0.4%). The anastomotic region of the recipient artery in a distal end-to-side anastomosis is subjected to cyclic circumferential strains two times greater than those experienced by the remainder of the artery. This corresponds to a common location of intimal hyperplasia. Such strains may be a stimulus for intimal hyperplasia. | 10.1007/BF02042654 |
pubmed_581_9824 | This study reveals that Duchenne (genuine) and non-Duchenne (non-genuine, polite) smiles are implicitly associated with psychological proximity and distance, respectively. These findings link two extensive research streams from human communication and psychology. Interestingly, extant construal-level theory research suggests the link may work as smiles signaling either a benign situation or politeness, resulting in conflicting predictions for the association between smile type and psychological distance. The current study uses implicit association tests to reveal theoretically and empirically consistent non-Duchenne-smile-distance and Duchenne-smile-proximity associations for all four types of psychological distance: temporal, spatial, social, and hypothetical. Practically, the results suggest several useful applications of non-Duchenne smiles in human communication contexts. | 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01374 |
pubmed_597_20542 | Magnetic field-responsive iron oxide-loaded hollow mesoporous silica nanocapsules that exhibit high drug loading capacity were synthesized using polymer nanospheres as sacrificial templates. Due to their magnetic field induced heating and remotely triggered drug release capabilities, these hybrid nanomaterials provide an excellent platform for the combination of hyperthermia and chemotherapy. | 10.1039/c3cc46658b |
pubmed_891_9302 | OBJECTIVES
Osteoblasts play an important role in the process of osteogenesis and prevention of osteonecrosis. Dexamethasone, a type of glucocorticoids (GCs), induce apoptosis of osteoblasts and lead to the occurrence of non-traumatic osteonecrosis. This study aimed to explore the effects of different doses and duration of Dexamethasone on osteoblast apoptosis of rats in vitro.
METHODS
Proliferation and apoptosis of osteoblasts after Dexamethasone treatment were detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and FITC-Annexin V/PI staining. The expressions of caspase-3 and -9 in osteoblasts after Dexamethasone treatment were analyzed using western blotting and qRT-PCR. Dexamethasone remarkably inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of osteoblasts in a dose-and duration-dependent manner.
RESULTS
As the intervention time extended, the expression of caspase-3 mRNA and caspase-9 mRNA in different Dexamethasone groups gradually increased in a duration-dependent manner. With the same time of intervention (12h, 24h, 48h), the expression of caspase-3 and -9 mRNA gradually increased in a dose-dependent manner. After treated with 5 * 10-8M, 5 * 10-7M, 5 * 10-6M and 5 * 10-5M Dexamethasone for 24 hours, the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and -9 protein increased in a dose-dependent manner.
CONCLUSION
Dexamethasone can induce osteoblast apoptosis in a duration- and dose-dependent manner. | pubmed_891_9302 |
pubmed_1042_10984 | In contrast to mesophiles, in which levels of trehalose and phosphatidic acids (PA) increased only under heat shock (HS), in thermophiles trehalose and PA were predominant under optimal growth conditions. To study the role of trehalose protection in the adaptation of thermophiles to various stressors, the composition of osmolytes and membrane lipids in the thermophilic fungus Rhizomucor miehei was studied under cold (CS), osmotic (OS) and oxidative (OxS) shocks. CS resulted in no accumulation of glycerol in the mycelium, while the amount of trehalose decreased. The main lipid changes were the increase in the PA proportion with simultaneous decrease of sterols (St), the increase of the unsaturation degree of polar lipids and the decrease of the ergosterol proportion in total St. OS did not cause changes in the lipid composition, but led to the decrease of ergosterol proportion too. Despite the low ability of Mucorales to produce polyols, increase in the level of arabitol and glycerol was observed under OS. OxS led to the decrease of trehalose level and had no effect on the lipid composition. Thus, our results show the similarity (OS) and the difference (CS and OxS) between adaptation mechanisms of thermophiles and mesophiles. | 10.1007/s00792-020-01163-3 |
pubmed_543_16278 | The health of children in poor countries is determined by their nutritional status and by the economic conditions of their families and societies. Socioeconomic differences are correlated with the infant mortality rate (IMR). The decline of the IMR in the industrialized countries mainly occurred before 1960. Programs for Primary Health Care cannot cope with the deterioration of economic problems due to the disadvantaged position of the poor countries in the world market. The typical clinical pattern of diseases in childhood in the tropics is essentially determined by the nutritional status (e.g. measles). The advantages of breastfeeding also relate to the immune response after immunization. The HIV-epidemic requires social assistance for the future of the AIDS-orphans in the first line. Additional assistance is needed for the procurement of medication, otherwise HIV-infected patients are in competition with non-HIV-infected patients. | 10.1007/BF01614430 |
pubmed_476_3733 | BACKGROUND
Vancomycin pharmacokinetics are altered in the critically ill and are further distorted by renal replacement therapy. Limited literature is available evaluating vancomycin dosing in continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD).
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this analysis was to identify factors that affect vancomycin trough concentration in patients on CVVHD and to determine an appropriate dosing strategy.
METHODS
This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of adult inpatients admitted to the Cleveland Clinic from May 2016-December 2017. Patients in the intensive care unit who received ≥ 2 doses of vancomycin during CVVHD were included. Patients with interruptions of CVVHD inappropriately timed troughs, a change in dialysate rate, and those who received different vancomycin dosages were excluded. Multivariable linear regression including age, sex, weight, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, albumin, 24-hour urine output (UOP), dialysate rate, filter type, and vancomycin dose was run to determine predictors of vancomycin concentration.
RESULTS
A total of 160 patients were included. The median vancomycin dose was 12.6 mg/kg with a trough of 24.6 mcg/mL. Weight, 24-hour UOP, vancomycin dose (mg/kg), and dialysate rate (mL/kg/h) were all determined to be independent predictors of vancomycin trough level. Patients who received <10 mg/kg doses of vancomycin (N=18) achieved a median trough of 21.5 mcg/mL, with 83% being therapuetic. In patients who received >10 mg/kg (N=142), the median trough was 25.5 mcg/mL, with 47% being therapeutic.
CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE
Vancomycin dose, dialysate rate, UOP, and weight are independently associated with vancomycin trough concentration. In CVVHD patients, vancomycin dosed at 10 mg/kg every 24 hours may be an appropriate recommendation. | 10.1177/10600280211073370 |
pubmed_827_7820 | One goal of this study was to determine the combination of hydration and temperature in the northern cricket frog Acris crepitans that allowed maximum jump distance in the laboratory. Second, environmental variables in the field were measured to determine the best predictor(s) of mean body temperature and hydration and to determine whether frogs maintain levels of temperature and hydration yielding maximum jump distance. Laboratory data revealed that hydration and the hydration-temperature interaction significantly affected jump performance. Frogs at 95% and 85% hydration jumped significantly better than frogs at 75% hydration, but frogs at 95% hydration at 15 degrees C jumped significantly poorer than those at 95% hydration at 30 degrees C. Animals at 85% hydration at 30 degrees C and 85% hydration at 15 degrees C jumped just as well as those at 95% hydration at 30 degrees C. Mean body temperature of 55 frogs in the field was 28.0 degrees C, and hydration was 97.4%. Sky condition (sunny, cloudy, or partly cloudy) was the best predictor of frog hydration, and air temperature was the best predictor of frog body temperature. Cricket frogs in the field maintain a hydration and temperature near those found to yield maximum jump distances in laboratory trials. This may be a behavioral adaptation to allow maximum jump distance during predator avoidance. | 10.1086/378912 |
pubmed_1069_1978 | The glycoprotein gene of Ebola virus contains a translational stop codon in the middle, thus preventing synthesis of full-length glycoprotein. Twenty percent of the mRNA isolated from Ebola virus-infected cells was shown to be edited, containing one additional nontemplate A in a stretch of seven consecutive A residues. Only the edited mRNA species encoded full-length glycoprotein, whereas the exact copies of the viral template coded for a smaller secreted glycoprotein. Expression of the glycoprotein by an in vitro transcription/translation system, by the vaccinia virus/T7 polymerase system, and by recombinant vaccinia virus revealed that full-length glycoprotein was synthesized not only when the edited glycoprotein gene (8A's) was used as a template for T7 and vaccinia virus polymerases, but also when the nonedited (genomic) glycoprotein gene was used. Analysis of mRNA produced by T7 and vaccinia virus polymerase from the 7A's construct revealed that 1-5% contained alterations at the same site that was also edited by the Ebola virus polymerase. Our data indicate that the editing site in the Ebola virus glycoprotein gene is recognized not only by Ebola virus polymerase but also by DNA-dependent RNA polymerases of different origin. | 10.1006/viro.1995.0052 |
pubmed_133_2820 | There is limited data on the prevalence of onchocerciasis in young children in Nigeria, partly because treatment with the effective drug Ivermectin has been contra-indicated in children less than 5. As the risk of complications of onchocerciasis is related to duration and intensity of infection, it would be beneficial to know the prevalence in young children for design of control programmes. A study was therefore undertaken to determine the prevalence of onchocerciasis in 642 children 0-4 years old in a rain forest endemic community in South East Nigeria. The overall onchocerciasis prevalence (positive skin snips) for children 0-4 years old in three Local Government Areas in Enugu State, Eastern Nigeria was 15.7% with no significant difference in infection rates between male and female children. There was no detectable infection in children less than 1 year old. Characteristic onchocercal rash was identified in 11.1% of the children and presence of typical onchocercal subcutaneous palpable nodules in 4.6%. Total prevalence for adults in the same population was found to be 26.9%. This indicates that in onchocerciasis endemic communities, everybody may be at risk of infection irrespective of age. | 10.1016/s0001-706x(99)00023-6 |
pubmed_110_931 | Experiments were conducted in 11 chronically catheterized pregnant sheep to determine the distribution of blood flow within the fetus during prolonged (48 hours) hypoxemia secondary to the restriction of uterine blood flow. Uterine blood flow was mechanically restricted with a polytetrafluoroethylene vascular clamp placed around the maternal common internal iliac artery such that mean (+/- SEM) fetal arterial oxygen tension decreased from 23.4 +/- 1.9 to 17.3 +/- 0.8 mm Hg at 1 hour of hypoxemia and remained low for 48 hours. There was an initial increase in fetal arterial carbon dioxide pressure from 48.5 +/- 0.9 mm Hg during the control period to 56.2 +/- 2.3 mm Hg at 1 hour; this parameter subsequently returned to control values, whereas base excess showed a transient decrease. Fetal cerebral, myocardial, and adrenal blood flows were significantly increased at 1, 24, and 48 hours of hypoxemia. In contrast, there was no change in nuchal muscle or renal blood flows with hypoxemia of this magnitude. Cotyledonary blood flow increased transiently by 38% at 1 hour of hypoxemia, but was not changed from control at 24 and 48 hours. These experiments demonstrate that the sheep fetus is able to maintain the normal protective circulatory adjustments seen with acute hypoxemia for up to 48 hours in the absence of progressive metabolic acidemia. | 10.1016/0002-9378(88)90567-4 |
pubmed_777_1711 | Capnocytophaga cynodegmi is a zoonotic, gram-negative, capnophilic bacterium that is usually seen in people with infections associated with dog or cat bites. The first reported case of C. cynodegmi infection in a dog is described here. | 10.1128/JCM.00173-08 |
pubmed_655_12450 | Most early-onset familial Alzheimer disease (AD) cases are caused by mutations in the highly related genes presenilin 1 (PS1) and presenilin 2 (PS2). Presenilin mutations produce increases in beta-amyloid (Abeta) formation and apoptosis in many experimental systems. A cDNA (ALG-3) encoding the last 103 amino acids of PS2 has been identified as a potent inhibitor of apoptosis. Using this PS2 domain in the yeast two-hybrid system, we have identified a neuronal protein that binds calcium and presenilin, which we call calsenilin. Calsenilin interacts with both PS1 and PS2 in cultured cells, and can regulate the levels of a proteolytic product of PS2. Thus, calsenilin may mediate the effects of wild-type and mutant presenilins on apoptosis and on Abeta formation. Further characterization of calsenilin may lead to an understanding of the normal role of the presenilins and of the role of the presenilins in Alzheimer disease. | 10.1038/2673 |
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