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pubmed_359_18561 | We compared cerebral blood flow (CBF) parameters obtained by dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DSC-MRI) with those obtained by flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) in brain regions with different perfusion levels in rats with permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. MCA occlusion was performed in 19 rats. T2-weighted MRI, FAIR and DSC-MRI were performed within 48 h after occlusion. CBF parameters were analyzed in regions of interest with either prolonged or less prolonged mean transit time (MTT). Ratios of ipsi- vs contralateral CBF values were calculated and tested for correlation and differences between FAIR and DSC-MRI. FAIR-aCBF ratios correlated significantly with DSC-rCBF ratios. The mean FAIR-aCBF ratio was significantly lower than mean DSC-rCBF ratio in the area with prolonged MTT. In the area with less prolonged MTT, the mean FAIR-aCBF ratio and mean DSC-rCBF values did not differ significantly. We conclude that FAIR correlates with DSC-MRI if perfusion is preserved. FAIR provides lower CBF values than DSC-MRI if perfusion is reduced and MTT is prolonged. This probable underestimation of perfusion may be caused by transit delays. Care should be taken when quantifying CBF with FAIR and when comparing the results of FAIR- and DSC-MRI in areas with hypoperfusion. | 10.1002/nbm.971 |
pubmed_1141_4013 | Since the discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989, many cutaneous disorders have been observed in patients suffering from chronic HCV infection. The relationship between HCV infection and cryoglobulinemia or porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is now clearly established, but the link between HCV and other dermatoses is still controversial. This review of the main dermatologic disorders, directly or indirectly related to HCV infection, lead to conclude that HCV markers have to be investigated systematically in case of cryoglobulinemia, PCT or pruritus. In other dermatologic disorders, HCV serology will be necessary only in case of risk factors for HCV infection, or presence of abnormal liver function tests. | pubmed_1141_4013 |
pubmed_774_20738 | Special standards for Somatic Cell Counting (SCC) were developed at the Central Milk Testing Laboratory in Guelph for Ontario laboratories performing the tests. One laboratory used a Coulter milk counter for composite herd samples, two laboratories used five Fossomatic counters for cow samples, while the fourth used a Coulter counter for research purposes. Standards were prepared at low, medium and high count levels from fresh herd milks containing somatic cells near levels of 100,000, 500,000 and 1,000,000/ml. As the lifespan of the suspensions of somatic cells was three months, they were prepared in sufficient quantities to test daily for 3 months, and to be used throughout the day for calibration maintenance. The actual counts in the standards were established by direct microscopic somatic cell count (DMSCC) performed in two laboratories simultaneously with exchange of slides. Counts were re-confirmed every week by the same DMSCC procedures. The standards are suitable for initial calibration, daily calibration maintenance, daily instrument performance appraisal and trouble-shooting. In daily use each laboratory tests each standard five times each morning on each instrument. The same vials are used throughout the day, every 0.5 h for appraisal of continuous calibration and instrument function. The mean and standard deviations of standards are determined and compiled for each day. | 10.4315/0362-028X-47.3.227 |
pubmed_642_1937 | Background and Purpose- Poststroke fatigue affects a large proportion of stroke survivors and is associated with a poor quality of life. In a recent trial, modafinil was shown to be an effective agent in reducing poststroke fatigue; however, not all patients reported a significant decrease in fatigue with therapy. We sought to investigate clinical and radiological predictors of fatigue reduction with modafinil therapy in a stroke survivor cohort. Methods- Twenty-six participants with severe fatigue (multidimensional fatigue inventory-20 ≥60) underwent magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and during the last week of a 6-week treatment period of 200 mg modafinil taken daily. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution structural imaging data were obtained, and functional connectivity and regional brain volumes within the fronto-striato-thalamic network were obtained. Linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of modafinil-induced fatigue reduction. Results- Multiple regression analysis showed that baseline multidimensional fatigue inventory-20 score (β=0.576, P=0.006) and functional connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the caudate nucleus (β=-0.424, P=0.008) were significant predictors of modafinil-associated decreases in poststroke fatigue (adjusted r2=0.52, area under the receiver operator characteristic curve=0.939). Conclusions- Fronto-striato-thalamic functional connectivity predicted modafinil response for poststroke fatigue. Fatigue in other neurological disease has been attributed to altered function of the fronto-striato-thalamic network and may indicate that poststroke fatigue has a similar mechanism to other neurological injury related fatigue. Self-reported fatigue in patients with normal fronto-striato-thalamic functional connectivity may have a different mechanism and require alternate therapeutic approaches. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: ACTRN12615000350527. | 10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023813 |
pubmed_888_10272 | One of the many problems of academic medicine is its detachment from actual health problems of the population. Family medicine has a potential of bridging this gap. The paper describes the positive experience from introducing family medicine as a new academic discipline to the medical school in Slovenia. Its introduction was of benefit to family medicine, which has received recognition and has experienced a rapid academic growth. Medical academic establishment has benefited by being exposed to new ideas in research and education. The key to success was the fact that the academic world accepted a newcomer to its midst and that the newcomer managed to integrate its principles into the rules of the academic environment. The next step in this process is to apply some of the positive experiences of the family medicine department to the curriculum reform of the entire faculty. | pubmed_888_10272 |
pubmed_600_4284 | "Do you have any children?" It is a question often posed by the expectant mother as the midwife tends to their needs. For some, this enquiry may lead to an empathetic exchange and relationship building, while other midwives may shudder when they hear this question. Sadly, professional codes and boundaries do not always assist in the guidance of this exchange. Using Gibbs' reflective cycle (1998) as a framework, this article initially explores my motivations for the selection of responses I have used as a bereaved mother and midwife. Evaluation and analysis of these different approaches has given me an insight into how successfully they preserve the rapport I try to nurture with my clients but also how they might affect me. The reflective process has enabled me to understand how best to tackle the enquiry in future to safeguard my own feelings and that of the client, coming to the conclusion that honesty and truth-telling is probably the best practice. | pubmed_600_4284 |
pubmed_984_16336 | Chronic cardiopulmonary disease typically induces and maintains (over)activation of several phylogenetically old adaptational and defensive mechanisms. Activation was usually needed for a limited period during acute danger or injury. In chronic disease conditions, however, those mechanisms are kept activated for longer periods. Eventually, irreversible damage is done and this contributes to impaired function and worse prognosis in a variety of chronic disease. Landmark trials in chronic heart failure have provided robust evidence for prognostic benefit for neurohormonal antagonists. Retrospective and epidemiological data for their beneficial effect in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease begin to accumulate and new fields (e.g. cancer and stroke) could be pending in the future. | 10.1007/s00508-009-1194-7 |
pubmed_456_5385 | Patients' perceptions of the causes and consequences of heart failure (HF) symptoms may impact effective self-management. The purpose of this study was to describe and explore patients' perceptions of HF symptom status and the causes and consequences on their daily lives in patients with HF. Descriptive and qualitative data were obtained from 20 patients using a semistructured interview guide. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Participants reported 15 symptoms (median = 4). Five themes were (a) multiple causes and multiple symptoms; (b) knowing some causes, but still unclear; (c) not being able to live life as previously did; (d) facing emotional distress due to HF symptoms; and (e) development of new priorities and lifestyles. The findings demonstrate that all participants perceived considerable difficulties living with HF symptoms. More comprehensive interventions need to be delivered to patients to manage multiple causes and symptoms effectively. | 10.1177/0193945918823786 |
pubmed_166_5551 | Congenital heart disease is associated with abnormal ventricular shape that can affect wall mechanics and may be predictive of long-term adverse outcomes. Atlas-based parametric shape analysis was used to analyze ventricular geometries of eight adolescent or adult single-ventricle CHD patients with tricuspid atresia and Fontans. These patients were compared with an "atlas" of non-congenital asymptomatic volunteers, resulting in a set of z-scores which quantify deviations from the control population distribution on a patient-by-patient basis. We examined the potential of these scores to: (1) quantify abnormalities of ventricular geometry in single ventricle physiologies relative to the normal population; (2) comprehensively quantify wall motion in CHD patients; and (3) identify possible relationships between ventricular shape and wall motion that may reflect underlying functional defects or remodeling in CHD patients. CHD ventricular geometries at end-diastole and end-systole were individually compared with statistical shape properties of an asymptomatic population from the Cardiac Atlas Project. Shape analysis-derived model properties, and myocardial wall motions between end-diastole and end-systole, were compared with physician observations of clinical functional parameters. Relationships between altered shape and altered function were evaluated via correlations between atlas-based shape and wall motion scores. Atlas-based shape analysis identified a diverse set of specific quantifiable abnormalities in ventricular geometry or myocardial wall motion in all subjects. Moreover, this initial cohort displayed significant relationships between specific shape abnormalities such as increased ventricular sphericity and functional defects in myocardial deformation, such as decreased long-axis wall motion. These findings suggest that atlas-based ventricular shape analysis may be a useful new tool in the management of patients with CHD who are at risk of impaired ventricular wall mechanics and chamber remodeling. | 10.1016/j.ppedcard.2016.07.010 |
pubmed_441_775 | The measurement of the transmural gastric potential difference (PD) is a suitable method to quantify irritations of the human gastric mucosa caused by drugs. Purpose of this investigation was to check the gastric tolerance of Bronchoretard, a new developed "divided-dose" drug formulation of theophylline as retarded pellets in capsules in comparison to pure theophylline solution. After having checked the suitability of the procedure in respect of the obtained results, a study on 7 healthy male volunteers was considered to be justifiable, as the development of retarded theophylline preparations, which cause lower irritations in the stomach by slower release of pure theophylline, has a high therapeutic value. With the gastric PD model, developed at our institute following variables were calculated: the area under the baseline (AUB), the "Reizindex" (RI), the mean instability time (MIT) of the membrane and the maximum potential difference (Pdmax). The volunteers wee admitted to the ward of our institute 36 h before the first application. On 2 different days 350 mg theophylline, dissolved in 50 ml physiological saline as well as 1 capsule Bronchoretard containing 350 mg theophylline, were administered Cross over according to a randomisation plan and the deviation of the PD was measured as a function of time. The study led to the following results: after administration of Bronchoretard the AUB is statistically significant smaller than after administration of theophylline solution (P less than 0.05). After administration of Bronchoretard the RI is statistically significant smaller than after administration of theophylline solution (p less than 0.05). After administration of Bronchoretard the mean instability time is statistically significant smaller than after administration of theophylline solution (p less than 0.05). After administration of Bronchoretard Pdmax is smaller in trend than theophylline solution (p greater than 0.05). The oral administration of Bronchoretard leads to considerably lower irritation than the instillation of the same dose of theophylline in solution. | pubmed_441_775 |
pubmed_669_25154 | Voriconazole is a widely used antifungal agent in immunocompromised patients, but its utility is limited by its variable exposure and narrow therapeutic index. Population pharmacokinetic (PK) models have been used to characterize voriconazole PK and derive individualized dosing regimens. However, determinants of temporal within-patient variability of voriconazole PK were not well established. We aimed to characterize temporal variability of voriconazole PK within individuals and identify predictive clinical factors. This study was conducted as a part of a single-institution, phase I study of intravenous voriconazole in children undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (NCT02227797). We analyzed voriconazole PK study data collected at week 1 and again at week 2 after the start of voriconazole therapy in 59 pediatric patients undergoing HCT (age <21 years). Population PK analysis using nonlinear mixed effect modeling was performed to analyze temporal within-individual variability of voriconazole PK by incorporating a between-occasion variability term in the model. A 2-compartment linear elimination model incorporating body weight and cytochrome P450 2C19 phenotype described the data. The ratio of individual voriconazole clearance between weeks 1 and 2 ranged from 0.11 to 3.3 (-9.1 to +3.3-fold change). Incorporation of covariate effects by serum C-reactive protein and albumin levels decreased between-occasion variability of clearance as compared to the model without them (coefficient of variation, 41.2% and 59.5%, respectively) and improved the model fit (P < .05). As significant covariates on voriconazole PK, C-reactive protein and albumin concentrations may potentially serve as useful biomarkers as part of therapeutic drug monitoring. | 10.1002/jcph.2024 |
pubmed_18_6235 | BACKGROUND
Dietary fiber reduces the intestinal absorption of nutrients and the blood concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides.
AIM
We wished to test the hypothesis that high-viscosity (HV) and low-viscosity preparations of barley and oat beta-glucan modify the expression of selected genes of lipid-binding proteins in the intestinal mucosa and reduce the intestinal in vitro uptake of lipids.
METHODS
Five different beta-glucan extracts were separately added to test solutions at concentrations of 0.1-0.5% (wt/wt), and the in vitro intestinal uptake of lipids into the intestine of rats was assessed. An intestinal cell line was used to determine the effect of beta-glucan extracts on the expression of intestinal genes involved in lipid metabolism and fatty acid transport.
RESULTS
All extracts reduced the uptake of 18:2 when the effective resistance of the unstirred water layer was high. When the unstirred layer resistance was low, the HV oat beta-glucan extract reduced jejunal 18:2 uptake, while most extracts reduced ileal 18:2 uptake. Ileal 18:0 uptake was reduced by the HV barley extract, while both jejunal and ileal cholesterol uptakes were reduced by the medium-purity HV barley extract. The inhibitory effect of HV barley beta-glucan on 18:0 and 18:2 uptake was more pronounced at higher fatty acid concentrations. The expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and cholesterol metabolism was down-regulated with the HV beta-glucan extracts. beta-Glucan extracts also reduced intestinal fatty-acid-binding protein and fatty acid transport protein 4 mRNA.
CONCLUSIONS
The reduced intestinal fatty acid uptake observed with beta-glucan is associated with inhibition of genes regulating intestinal uptake and synthesis of lipids. The inhibitory effect of beta-glucan on intestinal lipid uptake raises the possibility of their selective use to reduce their intestinal absorption. | 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2009.04.003 |
pubmed_151_1162 | The dorsal hypothalamic area regulates increases in body temperature in response to stress, but precise mechanisms are unclear. A new study suggests that glutamatergic neurons in this brain area regulate this action and, surprisingly, may also be involved in blushing. | 10.1016/j.cub.2018.06.047 |
pubmed_328_196 | With depression being the psychiatric disorder incurring the largest societal costs in developed countries, there is a need to gather evidence on the role of nutrition in depression, to help develop recommendations and guide future psychiatric health care. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the link between diet quality, measured using a range of predefined indices, and depressive outcomes. Medline, Embase and PsychInfo were searched up to 31st May 2018 for studies that examined adherence to a healthy diet in relation to depressive symptoms or clinical depression. Where possible, estimates were pooled using random effect meta-analysis with stratification by observational study design and dietary score. A total of 20 longitudinal and 21 cross-sectional studies were included. These studies utilized an array of dietary measures, including: different measures of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and Alternative HEI (AHEI), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and the Dietary Inflammatory Index. The most compelling evidence was found for the Mediterranean diet and incident depression, with a combined relative risk estimate of highest vs. lowest adherence category from four longitudinal studies of 0.67 (95% CI 0.55-0.82). A lower Dietary Inflammatory Index was also associated with lower depression incidence in four longitudinal studies (relative risk 0.76; 95% CI: 0.63-0.92). There were fewer longitudinal studies using other indices, but they and cross-sectional evidence also suggest an inverse association between healthy diet and depression (e.g., relative risk 0.65; 95% CI 0.50-0.84 for HEI/AHEI). To conclude, adhering to a healthy diet, in particular a traditional Mediterranean diet, or avoiding a pro-inflammatory diet appears to confer some protection against depression in observational studies. This provides a reasonable evidence base to assess the role of dietary interventions to prevent depression. This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under the number CRD42017080579. | 10.1038/s41380-018-0237-8 |
pubmed_421_7995 | INTRODUCTION
Plant acoustic frequency technology (PAFT) is the effect or treatment of a plant with a specific frequency sound wave.
OBJECTIVE
The sound waves with different frequencies and a sound pressure level 77 dB were emitted on the saffron corms in a controlled environment using aeroponic cultivation and the contents of crocin, picrocrocin and safranal in their produced stigmas were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. For this purpose, the corms were divided into two groups. In group 1, sound waves with the frequencies of 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz were emitted on saffron corms in different stages of sprouting, flowering and the whole stage of sprouting and flowering. In group 2, sonication was performed on the corms during the flowering stage at 4, 8, 12 and 16 kHz frequencies.
RESULTS
The changes in the contents of crocin, picrocrocin and safranal were not significantly compared to the control at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz frequencies in the stages of sprouting and flowering of corms. While the higher frequencies (4, 8, 12 and 16 kHz) in flowering stage were affected significantly, the crocin and picrocrocin content increased 8.5% and 30%, applying the frequency of 12 and 8 kHz, respectively. Also, the effect of sound exposure time per day with the frequency of 16 kHz at 15, 30 and 60 min were investigated.
CONCLUSION
The findings showed that the corms could be affected by sounding in the different stages of growth of the corm and also in the content of secondary metabolites. | 10.1002/pca.3047 |
pubmed_739_6315 | PROBLEM
The role of human decidua associated protein (hDP) 200, identified as a monoclonal rheumatoid factor, has not been determined yet. This study examines if this protein, being an immunoglobulin, participates in the inflammatory processes involving the uterus.
METHOD
Uterine fluid samples were obtained prospectively from two groups of women: the study group, containing 26 women with laparoscopically verified pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and the control group, containing 34 regularly cycling, fertile women, referred to the Family Planning Clinic. Uterine fluid sampling was performed once in each patient, and the concentration of uterine fluid hDP 200 was determined by double site ELISA, by using the monoclonal antibody DEC 21.
RESULTS
A statistically significant decrease in uterine fluid hDP 200 concentration was observed in women with pelvic inflammatory disease as compared to regularly cyclin fertile women (P < 0.00004). The hDP 200 levels in women with PID ranged from 10 to 1,000 mU/ml, with no difference in hDP 200 concentration among intra-uterine device (IUD) users as compared to non-users.
CONCLUSION
This study supports the concept that hDP 200, identified as monoclonal rheumatoid factor existing locally in the uterus, is not an acute phase reactant but is probably involved in the reproduction process. | 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1997.tb00213.x |
pubmed_896_9255 | Introduction: The significant therapeutic potential of the advanced therapies (ATs) has predetermined the increased interests in their development mainly in the context of rare diseases most of which are genetically determined. However, there are still many challenges in front of the health insurance funds related to the cost-effectiveness and budget impact issues of these therapies. Our aim was to review and analyze the potential of low- and middle-income countries for health technology assessment (HTA) of advanced therapies focusing on Bulgaria, Romania and Poland as reference countries. A literature review of the existing good practices related to HTA of advanced therapies across the world and comparison with the national reality were performed. A list of challenges and issues from the point of view of the payer institution of all analyzed countries was performed. Pilot recommendations on how to overcome the barriers were created based on the existing practices and the potential of the national system. Discussion: 15 out of 80 articles identified in PubMed were found as applicable to the study scope as most of them were published in the period 2019-2021. Undoubtedly, the main challenges correspond to the high treatment costs, the uncertainty in clinical effectiveness, and poor HTA methodological approaches applicable for ATs worldwide. The issues identified for low and middle-income countries are similar having as well the lack of enough qualified health economists for the purposes of assessment and appraisal of HTA dossiers of the advanced therapies, lack of adequate existing separate financial programs for those therapies, and not preparedness of the health system and the society as a whole for such therapies. Conclusions: Despite the difficulties and challenges, the advanced therapies can be defined as a futuristic therapy for which great discoveries are yet to come. Therefore, each country should consider the implementation of reliable and nationally oriented programs for HTA and adequate financial coverage of these therapies. | 10.3389/fpubh.2021.729847 |
pubmed_18_21369 | Worldwide incidence of malignant melanoma has been constantly increasing during the last years. Surgical excision is effective when primary tumours are thin. At later disease stages patients often succumb, due to failure of metastasis control. Therefore, great efforts have been made to develop improved strategies to treat metastatic melanoma patients. In the search for novel treatments during the last two decades, immunotherapy has occupied a prominent place. Numerous early phase immunotherapy clinical trials, generally involving small numbers of patients each time, have been reported: significant tumour-specific immune responses could often be measured in patients upon treatments. However, clinical responses remain at a dismal low rate. In some anecdotal cases, objective clinical benefit was more frequently observed among immune responders than immune non-responders. This clearly calls for a better understanding of protective immunity against tumours as well as the cross talk taking place between tumours and the immune system. Here we discuss advances and limitations of specific immunotherapy against human melanoma in the light of the literature from the last 5 yr. | 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2009.00634.x |
pubmed_319_23651 | Transmissible gastroenteritis virus strain AYU was isolated in Shanghai. The complete genome has a length of 28,582 bp and contains seven open reading frames. Sequence analysis suggested that Shanghai strain AYU and U.S. strain Purdue P115 are derived from a common ancestor, as they have 99.6% similarity at the nucleotide level. | 10.1128/JVI.01839-12 |
pubmed_752_4657 | The tp53 gene is found to be mutated in 50% of all the cancers. The p53 protein, a product of tp53 gene, is a multi-domain protein. It consists of a core DNA binding domain (DBD) which is responsible for its binding and transcription of downstream target genes. The mutations in p53 protein are responsible for creating cancerous conditions and are found to be occurring at a high frequency in the DBD region of p53. Some of these mutations are also known to be temperature sensitive (ts) in nature. They are known to exhibit partial or strong binding with DNA in the temperature range (298-306 K). Whereas, at 310 K and above they show complete loss in binding. We have analyzed the changes in binding and conformational behavior at 300 K and 310 K for three of the ts-mutants viz., V143A, R249S and R175H. QM-MM simulations have been performed on the wild type and the above mentioned ts-mutants for 30 ns each. The optimal estimate of free energy of binding for a particular number of interface hydrogen bonds was calculated using the maximum likelihood method as described by Chodera et. al (2007). This parameter has been observed to be able to mimic the binding affinity of the p53 ts-mutants at 300 K and 310 K. Thus the correlation between MM-GBSA free energy of binding and hydrogen bonds formed by the interface residues between p53 and DNA has revealed the temperature dependent nature of these mutants. The role of main chain dihedrals was obtained by performing dihedral principal component analysis (PCA). This analysis, suggests that the conformational variations in the main chain dihedrals (ϕ and ψ) of the p53 ts-mutants may have caused reduction in the overall stability of the protein. The solvent exposure of the side chains of the interface residues were found to hamper the binding of the p53 to the DNA. Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA) also proved to be a crucial property in distinguishing the conformers obtained at 300 K and 310 K for the three ts-mutants from the wild type at 300 K. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0143065 |
pubmed_905_21333 | This study evaluated the nutrient property and safety of the rice residue protein isolates (RRPI) product (extracted by different alkali concentrations) by exploring the protein functional, structural properties and lysinoalanine (LAL) formation. The results showed that with the rising of alkali concentration from 0.03M to 0.15M, the solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties of RRPI increased at first and then descended. When the alkali concentration was greater than 0.03M, the RRPI surface hydrophobicity decreased and the content of thiol and disulfide bond, Lys and Cys significantly reduced. By the analysis of HPLC, the content of LAL rose up from 276.08 to 15,198.07mg/kg and decreased to 1340.98mg/kg crude protein when the alkali concentration increased from 0.03 to 0.09M and until to 0.15M. These results indicated that RRPI alkaline extraction concentration above 0.03M may cause severe nutrient or safety problems of protein. | 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.09.064 |
pubmed_194_12342 | The authors describe the parent-therapist program, an innovative alternative to residential treatment for emotionally disturbed children. In the program, which is based on the extended family model, couples not only provide a residential milieu for a child placed with them, but also are trained to be therapists who can deal with specific emotional and behavioral problems. The parent-therapists work together in three treatment teams, each consisting of five couples. Education and supervision are ongoing. A total of 27 children have been treated in the program since it got under way in May 1972. Clinical impressions indicate that the children have made substantial gains in developing social and interpersonal skills and in their academic acievement. | 10.1176/ps.27.6.407 |
pubmed_1055_24231 | The purpose of this study is to compare the rate of vaginal cuff dehiscence between two different methods of closure in patients undergoing robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy and explore variables related to postoperative breakdown. This was a prospective, randomized controlled study with two arms. The control group (Arm 1) underwent single-layer continuous closure while the study group (Arm 2) had three additional imbricating figure-of-X sutures placed in addition to the standard protocol. Of the 263 patients who completed the study, 4 patients (1.49 %) experienced dehiscence of the vaginal cuff. Three of the four patients with dehiscence received the standard single vaginal cuff closure (Arm 1) and the one remaining case of dehiscence underwent the protocol with additional sutures (Arm 2). All patients who experienced dehiscence were current smokers. Our study suggests that there may be benefit in adding additional sutures to the standard single-layer vaginal cuff closure procedure. Physicians should evaluate smoking status before deciding on a vaginal cuff closure method. | 10.1007/s11701-016-0604-x |
pubmed_406_7752 | Assignment of human genes coding for alpha-fucosidase (alphaFUC) and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) to chromosome 1 has been confirmed and a location in the p21 leads to pter region demonstrated using man-mouse somatic cell hybrids. The regional location of alphaFUC and GDH was established in cell hybrids using human cells possessing 1/2 translocation chromosomes [46,XX,t(1;2)(p21;q37)]. Hybrids which retained the 2q+ chromosome carrying the 1p21 leads to 1pter region concordantly expressed alphaFUC, GDH, and the short-arm markers ENO1, AK2, and PGM1. Hybrids which retained the 1p21 leads to 1qter region only expressed human PEPC and FH. Data obtained from hybrids in which spontaneous breaks in chromosome 1 had occurred indicate that the gene order in 1p21 leads to 1pter is (ENO1,GDH)-alphaFUC-AK2-PGM1. | 10.1007/BF01542845 |
pubmed_950_22381 | Language-related change-detection processes are often investigated using syllables that are very simple in terms of phonological structure. However, phonological complexity is known to be challenging for young typically developing children and pathological populations. We investigated brain correlates of phonological processing and their age-related changes with a passive change-detection protocol including stimuli of varying phonological complexity, which allowed comparing responses to simple and complex phonological deviancies. Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and Late Discriminative Negativity (LDN) responses were recorded in both school-age children (n = 22) and adults (n = 24). MMN was similar for simple and complex phonological deviancy in both groups, whereas LDN appeared to be modulated by phonological complexity, albeit with different patterns according to age. In response to complex phonological change, children displayed a larger LDN response with a typical fronto-central scalp distribution, while adults showed an additional right-posterior activity but no larger amplitude than for simple change. Thus, LDN appears to be a good electrophysiological index of phonological complexity processing. This study validated the use of the LDN through this protocol for the investigation of phonological complexity processing throughout the development. | 10.1111/psyp.13621 |
pubmed_27_8555 | Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency results in deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone and overproduction of androgens. The 21-hydroxylase locus has a complicated structure, with a highly homologous pseudogene (CYP21P) and an active gene (CYP21) in tandem repeats, a high degree of interindividual variation in gene copy numbers, and exchange of sequences between CYP21P and CYP21. Nine mutations, representing sequences that are normally present in the pseudogene, account for about 95% of all affected CYP21 alleles. Accurate and rapid diagnostic evaluation of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency can be performed by typing directly for disease-causing mutations using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A strong correlation exists between genotype and phenotype; mutational analysis can be used to predict disease severity in affected individuals. | pubmed_27_8555 |
pubmed_545_18311 | BACKGROUND
Only 55% of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases worldwide complete treatment, with problem substance use a risk for default and treatment failure. Nevertheless, there is little research on psychotherapeutic interventions for reducing substance use amongst MDR-TB patients, in general, and on their delivery by non-specialist health workers in particular.
OBJECTIVES
To explore the feasibility and acceptability of a non-specialist health worker-delivered 4-session brief motivational interviewing and relapse prevention (MI-RP) intervention for problem substance use and to obtain preliminary data on the effects of this intervention on substance use severity, depressive symptoms, psychological distress and functional impairment at 3 months after hospital discharge.
METHODS
Between December 2015 and October 2016, consenting MDR-TB patients admitted to Brewelskloof Hospital who screened at moderate to severe risk for substance-related problems on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) were enrolled, and a baseline questionnaire administered. In the 4 weeks prior to planned discharge, trained counsellors delivered the MI-RP intervention. The baseline questionnaire was re-administered 3 months post-discharge and qualitative interviews were conducted with a randomly selected sample of participants (n = 10).
RESULTS
Sixty patients were screened: 40 (66%) met inclusion criteria of which 39 (98%) were enrolled. Of the enrolled patients, 26 (67%) completed the counselling sessions and the final assessment. Qualitative interviews revealed participants' perceptions of the value of the intervention. From baseline to follow-up, patients reported reductions in substance use severity, symptoms of depression, distress and functional impairment.
CONCLUSION
In this feasibility study, participant retention in the study was moderate. We found preliminary evidence supporting the benefits of the intervention for reducing substance use and symptoms of psychological distress, supported by qualitative reports of patient experiences. Randomised studies are needed to demonstrate efficacy of this intervention before considering potential for wider implementation.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
South African National Clinical Trials Register ( DOH-27-0315-5007 ) on 01/04/2015 ( http://www.sanctr.gov.za ). | 10.1186/s40814-020-00764-1 |
pubmed_1020_16101 | BACKGROUND
Work-related lower back pain (WrLBP) is a global health issue and a rising concern in the State of Kuwait. The prevalence and the risk factors of WrLBP among radiographers are not well documented.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to determine the one-year prevalence, characteristics, impact, and physical risk factors of WrLBP among radiographers in the State of Kuwait.
METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 200 radiographers. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, physical risk factors, and the occurrence of WrLBP in the previous 12 months. Descriptive statistics, frequency calculations, and chi-square analyses were performed.
RESULTS
One hundred forty-six radiographers completed and returned the questionnaires with a response rate of 73% (146/200). The one-year prevalence of WrLBP was 16%. The prevalence of WrLBP was not significantly associated with the participants' demographics. Although WrLBP was significantly associated with work demands, the overall impact of WrLBP on work duties was minimal.
CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of WrLBP among radiographers in Kuwait was low, particularly when compared to healthcare providers involved in more patient handling and direct contact. However, various physical risk factors were identified. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of a treatment and prevention program on the prevalence of WrLBP. | 10.1155/2021/5365260 |
pubmed_250_15679 | Many species learn the sun's daily pattern of azimuthal movement (the solar ephemeris function) for use in sun-compass orientation. In honeybees, this learning is accomplished with much innate guidance and yields stubborn, imprinting-like retention of certain aspects of the stored information. One such case involves the failure of transplanted bees to update their memories of the relationship between the solar ephemeris and a new landscape, even after many days' experience at the new site. In the present study, I ask whether the bees in previous transplantation experiments failed to update their memories of the relationship between the sun and landscape because the source and recipient landscapes were (rotated) panoramic twins of each other, each dominated by a conspicuous treeline. To test this hypothesis, I transplanted bees from their natal site at the bottom of a valley to a panoramically different, treelined site and later tested the bees' knowledge of the sun's course in relation to the treeline. The test involved observing the bees' communicative dances under overcast skies at a second treeline that was a mirror image of the first. The cloudy-day dances show that the bees had indeed learned the relationship between sun's pattern of movement and the (panoramically novel) treelined site, indicating that the bees' memory of the relationship between the ephemeris function and the landscape is not incapable of revision as the earlier results had suggested. I discuss these results in the context of a brief summary of our current understanding of solar ephemeris learning in bees. | 10.1242/jeb.003640 |
pubmed_192_5591 | OBJECTIVE
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, prevalent, and highly impairing psychiatric illness. Although the pathophysiology of OCD remains unknown, pathways involved in oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) have been implicated. The present study aims to systematically review the literature for quantitative evidence that patients with OCD have altered measures of blood O&NS markers.
METHODS
Independent random-effects meta-analyses using standardized mean differences were conducted to assess each marker separately. Additionally, data from multiple markers were pooled together in a meta-analysis for measures of oxidant activity and another for measures of antioxidant activity.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria, involving 433 OCD patients and 459 controls. Eleven blood O&NS markers were eligible for independent quantitative analyses. We found that, in OCD patients, the oxidant markers 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde, and the antioxidants glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, were significantly increased while total antioxidant status, vitamin C, and vitamin E were significantly decreased, when comparing with controls. Regarding pooled meta-analyses, we found a statistically significant increase in oxidant markers, but non-significant results regarding antioxidant markers.
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis suggests that OCD patients have a systemic oxidative imbalance that is not adequately buffered by the antioxidant system. Additional studies are needed in order to support this association. | 10.1111/acps.13026 |
pubmed_1053_7123 | A blunted pressure natriuretic response is present in Dahl salt sensitive rats. To determine whether this results from tubular or glomerular mechanisms, late proximal, early distal, and late distal micropuncture were performed in salt resistant (R), salt sensitive (S), or salt sensitive rats with renal perfusion reduced to that of R rats (S-AC). Differences in neuro-endocrine background between groups were eliminated by renal denervation and by fixing plasma aldosterone, norepinephrine, and vasopressin levels by infusion. Renal perfusion pressure was greater (P less than 0.05) and inulin clearance less (P less than 0.05) in S than R rats. Urinary sodium excretion, however, was not different. S-AC had renal perfusion pressures that were similar to R rats and inulin clearance similar to S rats. Urinary NaCl excretion was less (P less than 0.05) than either group. Single nephron inulin clearance, fluid, and chloride delivery to late proximal sites were not different between groups. Absolute and fractional chloride delivery to early distal sites was less (P less than 0.05) in S-AC than R or S but not different between R and S. Late distal chloride delivery was not different between any group. Calculated loop chloride reabsorption was greater in S-AC than R or S. Thus, the lower urinary NaCl excretion in S-AC rats is in part due to increased loop chloride reabsorption. This effect is probably intrinsic to the S kidney as it occurs despite renal denervation when plasma levels of vasopressin, norepinephrine, and aldosterone are fixed. The increased loop chloride uptake is abolished when perfusion pressure increases. | 10.1681/ASN.V12180 |
pubmed_30_14039 | A cDNA clone encoding human angiotensinogen was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from human liver mRNA and used to isolate the angiotensinogen gene. The complete exon sequence of this gene together with extensive intron and flanking sequences are reported. The human angiotensinogen gene contains five exons interrupted by four intervening sequences. We compared the intron-exon structure of this human gene with that of the rat gene or the genes coding for proteins such as alpha 1-antitrypsin and antithrombin III, whose primary amino acid sequences show similarities. The human angiotensinogen gene shows identical organization with the alpha 1-antitrypsin gene, but is different from the antithrombin III gene. The 5'-flanking sequence (-500 to -1 bp) of the human angiotensinogen gene was examined for hormone regulatory elements (HRE), which may be implicated in the interaction with the hormone receptor complexes. | 10.1089/dna.1.1989.8.87 |
pubmed_1005_2776 | Low salinity waterflooding has proven to accelerate oil production at core and field scales. Wettability alteration from a more oil-wetting to a more water-wetting condition has been established as one of the most notable effects of low salinity waterflooding. To induce the wettability alteration, low salinity water should be transported to come in contact with the oil-water interfaces. Transport under two-phase flow conditions can be highly influenced by fluids topology that creates connected pathways as well as dead-end regions. It is known that under two-phase flow conditions, the pore space filled by a fluid can be split into flowing (connected pathways) and stagnant (deadend) regions due to fluids topology. Transport in flowing regions is advection controlled and transport in stagnant regions is predominantly diffusion controlled. To understand the full picture of wettability alteration of a rock by injection of low salinity water, it is important to know i) how the injected low salinity water displaces and mixes with the high salinity water, ii) how continuous wettability alteration impacts the redistribution of two immiscible fluids and (ii) role of hydrodynamic transport and mixing between the low salinity water and the formation brine (high salinity water) in wettability alteration. To address these two issues, computational fluid dynamic simulations of coupled dynamic two-phase flow, hydrodynamic transport and wettability alteration in a 2D domain were carried out using the volume of fluid method. The numerical simulations show that when low salinity water was injected, the formation brine (high salinity water) was swept out from the flowing regions by advection. However, the formation brine residing in stagnant regions was diffused very slowly to the low salinity water. The presence of formation brine in stagnant regions created heterogeneous wettability conditions at the pore scale, which led to remarkable two-phase flow dynamics and internal redistribution of oil, which is referred to as the "pull-push" behaviour and has not been addressed before in the literature. Our simulation results imply that the presence of stagnant regions in the tertiary oil recovery impedes the potential of wettability alteration for additional oil recovery. Hence, it would be favorable to inject low salinity water from the beginning of waterflooding to avoid stagnant saturation. We also observed that oil ganglia size was reduced under tertiary mode of low salinity waterflooding compared to the high salinity waterflooding. | 10.1038/s41598-019-45434-2 |
pubmed_1047_1981 | An algorithm for recovering a function from essentially localized values of its Radon transform and sparse nonlocal values was outlined in Reference 13. That algorithm utilized the time-frequency properties of wavelets, coupled with the range theorems for the Radon transform, to localize essentially the dependence of the Radon transform. In this paper we utilize alternative time-frequency projections which were introduced by Coifman and Meyer (4). We present evidence that these bases are optimal according to our criterion for localized tomography. These bases require significantly less data than the wavelet bases that were used in Reference 13. Finally, we present numerical results supporting this work. | 10.1007/BF02584461 |
pubmed_201_3211 | The interplay of strong interactions and magnetic fields gives rise to unusual forms of superconductivity and magnetism in quantum many-body systems. Here, we present an experimental study of the two-dimensional Fermi-Hubbard model-a paradigm for strongly correlated fermions on a lattice-in the presence of a Zeeman field and varying doping. Using site-resolved measurements, we revealed anisotropic antiferromagnetic correlations, a precursor to long-range canted order. We observed nonmonotonic behavior of the local polarization with doping for strong interactions, which we attribute to the evolution from an antiferromagnetic insulator to a metallic phase. Our results pave the way to experimentally mapping the low-temperature phase diagram of the Fermi-Hubbard model as a function of both doping and spin polarization, for which many open questions remain. | 10.1126/science.aam7838 |
pubmed_582_12340 | BACKGROUND
The majority of patients with potentially survivable combat-related injuries die from hemorrhage. Our objective was to determine whether the use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) decreased mortality in combat casualties with severe trauma who received massive transfusions and if its use was associated with increased severe thrombotic events.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed a database of combat casualty patients with severe trauma (Injury Severity Score [ISS] >15) and massive transfusion (red blood cell [RBCs] >/=10 units/24 hours) admitted to one combat support hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, between December 2003 and October 2005. Admission vital signs and laboratory data, blood products, ISS, 24-hour and 30-day mortality, and severe thrombotic events were compared between patients who received rFVIIa (rFVIIa) and did not receive rFVIIa (rFVIIa).
RESULTS
Of 124 patients in this study, 49 patients received rFVIIa and 75 did not. ISS, laboratory values, and admission vitals did not differ between rFVIIa and rFVIIa groups, except for systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) 105 +/- 33 and 92 +/- 28, p = 0.02 and temperature ( degrees F) 96.3 +/- 2.1 and 95.2 +/- 2.4, p = 0.03, respectively. Interactions between all vital signs and laboratory values measured upon admission, to include systolic blood pressure and temperature, were not significant when measured between rFVIIa use and 30-day mortality. Twenty-four-hour mortality was 7 of 49 (14%) in rFVIIa and 26 of 75 (35%) in rFVIIa, (p = 0.01); 30-day mortality was 15 of 49 (31%) and 38 of 75 (51%), (p = 0.03). Death from hemorrhage was 8 of 14 (57%) for rFVIIa patients compared with 29 of 37 (78%) for rFVIIa patients, (p = 0.12). The incidence of severe thrombotic events was similar in both groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The early use of rFVIIa was associated with decreased 30-day mortality in severely injured combat casualties requiring massive transfusion, but was not associated with increased risk of severe thrombotic events. | 10.1097/TA.0b013e318162759f |
pubmed_615_14173 | BACKGROUND
An estimated 4% of global child deaths (approximately 300,000 deaths) were attributed to rotavirus in 2010. About a third of these deaths occurred in India and Ethiopia. Public finance of rotavirus vaccination in these two countries could substantially decrease child mortality and also reduce rotavirus-related hospitalizations, prevent health-related impoverishment and bring significant cost savings to households.
METHODS
We use a methodology of 'extended cost-effectiveness analysis' (ECEA) to evaluate a hypothetical publicly financed program for rotavirus vaccination in India and Ethiopia. We measure program impact along four dimensions: 1) rotavirus deaths averted; 2) household expenditures averted; 3) financial risk protection afforded; 4) distributional consequences across the wealth strata of the country populations.
RESULTS
In India and Ethiopia, the program would lead to a substantial decrease in rotavirus deaths, mainly among the poorer; it would reduce household expenditures across all income groups and it would effectively provide financial risk protection, mostly concentrated among the poorest. Potential indirect benefits of vaccination (herd immunity) would increase program benefits among all income groups, whereas potentially decreased vaccine efficacy among poorer households would reduce the equity benefits of the program.
CONCLUSIONS
Our approach incorporates financial risk protection and distributional consequences into the systematic economic evaluation of vaccine policy, illustrated here with the case study of public finance for rotavirus vaccination. This enables selection of vaccine packages based on the quantitative inclusion of information on equity and on how much financial risk protection is being bought per dollar expenditure on vaccine policy, in addition to how much health is being bought. | pubmed_615_14173 |
pubmed_210_11360 | BACKGROUND
HPV tests for the screening of cervical cancer in low-income countries (LICs) might improve early detection and preventive efforts.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the diagnostic accuracy of HPV tests for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN 2+) in LICs.
SEARCH STRATEGY
The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases were searched on June 1, 2020. References of relevant studies were hand-searched.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Diagnostic test accuracy studies were included if women had an HPV test for cervical cancer screening, followed by verification with colposcopy and colposcopy-directed biopsy. The primary target was CIN2+.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Bivariate diagnostic random-effects meta-analysis was used.
MAIN RESULTS
Eleven studies including 82 556 women were eligible, most of which were at low risk of bias. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio of hybrid capture test of samples collected from the cervix by healthcare providers for detecting CIN2+ and CIN3+ was 42.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 20.7-76.3) and 97.1 (95% CI 35.3-215.0), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence indicates that hybrid capture tests can be used for screening of cervical cancer in LICs. Future studies are warranted for self-sampling and for low-cost HPV tests. | 10.1002/ijgo.13455 |
pubmed_534_12334 | Improvement in pain management after knee replacement surgery has made progress in the last years, improving the results of this type of operation. Among these techniques, multimodal have shown the best results. In this study we try to compare the results of a combination of intravenous analgesia (IA), oral controlled analgesia (OCA) and periarticular injection (PAI) with our traditional protocol consisting in intravenous analgesia and femoral nerve block (IA/FNB). ne-hundred patients, undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty between June 2014 and June 2015 were randomized into 2 groups. Mean patient age was 69.4. The first group received the intravenous analgesia combined with continuous femoral nerve block, while the second group received the new combined protocol. We used the same technique with standard medial parapatellar approach for all patients and they all received pre-emptive analgesia and postoperative pain protocols. All patients were interviewed daily postoperatively at 3 days, at discharge and at 3 months. The 2 groups had a similar discharge period (traditional group 7.3 days, combined group 6.9 days). In both groups, the results indicated no statistical difference in regards to rest and continuous passive movement. Pain on ambulation was the only category that was statistically lower in the PAI/IA/OCA group compared to traditional group. | pubmed_534_12334 |
pubmed_491_16754 | While Schwann cells (SCs) have a significant role in peripheral nerve regeneration, their use in treatments has been limited because of lack of a readily available source. To address this issue, this study focused on the effect of guidance cues by employing micropatterned polymeric films to influence the alignment, morphology and transdifferentiation of bone marrow-derived rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) towards a Schwann cell-like fate. Two different types of polymers, biocompatible polystyrene (PS) and biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were used to fabricate patterned films. Percentages of transdifferentiated MSCs (tMSCs) immunolabeled with SC markers (α-S100β and α-p75(NTR)) were found to be similar on patterned versus smooth PS and PLA substrates. However, patterning had a significant effect on the alignment and elongation of the tMSCs. More than 80% of the tMSCs were oriented in the direction of microgrooves (0°-20°), while cells on the smooth substrates were randomly oriented. The aspect ratio [AR, ratio of length (in direction of microgrooves) and breadth (in direction perpendicular to microgrooves)] of the tMSCs on patterned substrates had a value of approximately five, as compared to cells on smooth substrates where the AR was one. Understanding responses to these cues in vitro helps us in understanding the behavior and interaction of the cells with the 3D environment of the scaffolds, facilitating the application of these concepts to designing effective nerve guidance conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration. | pubmed_491_16754 |
pubmed_0_8582 | PURPOSE
To compare anterior segment parameters between 1-piece and 3-piece acrylic foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs).
SETTING
Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
DESIGN
Prospective randomized comparative case series.
METHOD
Eyes scheduled for phacoemulsification were randomized into 2 equal groups to receive a 1-piece (AcrySof SA60AT) or 3-piece (AcrySof MA60AC) foldable acrylic IOL. Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam) was used to measure anterior segment parameters, including anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), and anterior chamber volume (ACV), preoperatively and 1 week and 3 months postoperatively.
RESULTS
The study evaluated 125 eyes (123 patients). There was a statistically significant postoperative increase in ACD, ACA, and ACV at 1 week and 3 months in both IOL groups. Although the mean ACD was significantly higher in the 3-piece group at 1 week, there was no significant between-group difference in ACD, ACA, or ACV at 3 months. There was no significant change in anterior segment parameters from 1 week to 3 months in the 1-piece group; however, the 3-piece group had statistically significant decreases in ACD, ACA, and ACV. Refraction remained stable throughout the follow-up in the 1-piece group but showed a significant myopic shift from 1 week to 3 months in the 3-piece group.
CONCLUSIONS
After phacoemulsification, the 1-piece acrylic foldable IOL showed little axial movement and provided stable refraction throughout the follow-up. The 3-piece IOL had significant forward movement and led to a myopic shift within 3 months postoperatively. Results indicate that spectacles can be prescribed earlier in eyes with a 1-piece IOL. | 10.1016/j.jcrs.2010.05.013 |
pubmed_959_17098 | Infectious diseases of humans and wildlife are increasing globally but the contribution of novel artificial anthropogenic entities such as nano-sized plastics to disease dynamics remains unknown. Despite mounting evidence for the adverse effects of nanoplastics (NPs) on single organisms, it is unclear whether and how they affect the interaction between species and thereby lead to ecological harm. In order to incorporate the impact of NP pollution into host-parasite-environment interactions captured in the "disease triangle", we evaluated disease outcomes in the presence of polystyrene NP using an ecologically-relevant host-parasite system consisting of a common planktonic cyanobacterium and its fungal parasite. NP at high concentrations formed hetero-aggregates with phytoplankton and inhibited their growth. This coincided with a significant reduction in infection prevalence, highlighting the close interdependency of host and parasite fitness. Lower intensity of infection in the presence of NP indicates that reduced disease transmission results from the parasite's diminished ability to establish new infections as NP formed aggregates around phytoplankton cells. We propose that NP aggregation on the host's surface acts as a physical barrier to infection and, by reducing host light harvesting, may also hamper parasite chemotaxis. These results demonstrate that the consequences of NP pollution go well beyond toxic effects at the individual level and modulate the intensity of species interactions, thereby potentially eliciting diverse cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. | 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116781 |
pubmed_69_13012 | Hermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894), a great German scientist and philosopher, made his mark during the exciting twilight period from the Enlightenment and Romanticism to the beginnings of modern neuroscience and offered new perspectives through his work. His early inclination was for physics, which he found more attractive than purely geometric and algebraic studies, but his father was not able to make it possible for him to study physics, and so he studied medicine in order to earn a living. His lecture before the Physical Society in Berlin on July 23, 1847, 'about the conservation of the force' marked an epochal turn, even though his intention had been to deliver 'merely, some critical investigations and arrangement of facts in favor of the physiologists' as well as good arguments for the refusal of the theory of 'vitality'. Even though these new concepts were at first dismissed as fantastic speculation by some of the authorities in physics and philosophy of the day, they were enthusiastically welcomed by younger students of philosophy and the older men soon had to allow themselves to be persuaded that the effectiveness of vitality, though great and beautiful, is actually always dependent on some source of energy. Helmholtz critically assessed Goethe as a physical scientist but he did not dispute his great importance as a poet. | 10.1159/000345273 |
pubmed_687_11409 | Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may contribute to kidney injury by activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is reduced by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. A biomarker in the urine that reflects renal RAS activity could identify patients at risk of kidney injury and monitor their response to CPAP therapy. Nine patients with OSA and six matched control subjects without OSA were recruited. Renal RAS activity was measured by the renovasoconstrictor response to Angiotensin II challenge, a validated marker of RAS activity, and urine samples were collected in all subjects at baseline and repeated in those with OSA following treatment with CPAP. A broad range (1,310) of urine analytes was measured including 26 associated with the RAS signaling pathway. The OSA group was a similar age and weight as the control group (48.7 ± 10.4 vs. 47.7 ± 9.3 yrs; BMI 36.9 ± 7.2 vs. 34.7 ± 2.5 kg/m2 ) and had severe sleep apnea (ODI 51.1 ± 26.8 vs. 4.3 ± 2/hour) and nocturnal hypoxemia (mean SaO2 87 ± 5.2 vs. 92.6 ± 1.1%). CPAP corrected OSA associated with a return of the renovasocontrictor response to Angiotensin II to control levels. Partial least squares (PLS) logistic regression analysis showed significant separation between pre- and post-CPAP levels (p < .002) when all analytes were used, and a strong trend when only RAS-associated analytes were used (p = .05). These findings support the concept that urine analytes may be used to identify OSA patients who are susceptible to kidney injury from OSA before renal function deteriorates and to monitor the impact of CPAP therapy on renal RAS activity. | 10.14814/phy2.14376 |
pubmed_114_15894 | The metabolism of sodium phenytoin (PHT) in the cat was studied by gas-liquid chromatographic analyses of the drug and its metabolites extracted from plasma, urine, and feces during a 5-month course of daily oral administration. Plasma PHT levels of 15-18 micrograms/ml were observed. Urine contained 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin, 5-(3,4-dihydroxy-1,5-cyclohexadien-1-yl)-5-phenylhydantoin, 1-deoxy-1-(5,5-diphenylhydantoin-3-yl)-beta-D-glucopyranuronate, and unmetabolized PHT. Large quantities of PHT (32-63% of the daily dose) were observed in feces. We suggest that gastrointestinal malabsorption, extensive N-glucuronidation, and limited hydroxylation determine the fate of orally administered PHT in the cat. This is not the case in humans. | 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1984.tb03461.x |
pubmed_944_16182 | In most process accounts of the Implicit Association Test (IAT), it is assumed that compatible and incompatible IAT blocks require different amounts of working memory capacity (WMC) and recruit executive functions such as task switching and inhibition to different extents. In the present study (N= 120), cognitive load during the completion of an IAT was experimentally manipulated by means of an oral random-number generation secondary task. Cognitive load led to slower latencies and more errors, especially in the incompatible block. However, different IAT scores, including conventional scores and D-scores, were affected differentially by the load manipulation: scores based on raw data of task performance such as latencies and errors were increased whereas scores that use transformations such as log-latency scores and D-scores were decreased. A number of analyses shed light on the reasons for the unexpected dissociation between scoring algorithms. Remarkably, external correlations of the IAT scores were not affected by the experimental manipulation. | 10.1111/j.2044-8309.2011.02057.x |
pubmed_112_1470 | It has been suggested that gene product 16 of bacteriophage P22 forms a pore for DNA transfer and/or that it functions as a pilot protein guiding the DNA across the membrane. We have cloned gene 16 and determined the nucleotide sequence. Within the sequenced region there is an open reading frame that could encode a protein of 609 amino acids having a molecular weight of 64,366. The hydropathic plot of this protein does not reveal putative membrane-spanning regions as expected for a protein forming a membrane pore. Overproduction of gene product 16 in Escherichia coli was successful only in a mutant in which the La protease was inactivated. Gene 16 mutants of phage P22 were not able to infect recBCD mutants of Salmonella typhimurium nor was protein 16, synthesized in E. coli from a plasmid, able to substitute for the pilot protein of phage T4. It seems that gene product 16 is not a pilot protein in the meaning of binding to the ends of linear DNA, thus protecting it from degradation by nucleases. | 10.1016/0042-6822(92)90503-h |
pubmed_1019_11210 | Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) or class B β-lactamases are zinc-dependent enzymes capable of inactivating almost all classes of β-lactam antibiotics. To date, no MBL inhibitors are available for clinical use. Of the three MBL subclasses, B2 enzymes, unlike those from subclasses B1 and B3, are fully active with one zinc ion bound and possess a narrow spectrum of activity, hydrolyzing carbapenem substrates almost exclusively. These remain the least studied MBLs. Sfh-I, originally identified from the aquatic bacterium Serratia fonticola UTAD54, is a divergent member of this group. Previous B2 MBL structures, available only for the CphA enzyme from Aeromonas hydrophila, all contain small molecules bound in their active sites. In consequence, the mechanism by which these enzymes activate the water nucleophile required for β-lactam hydrolysis remains to be unambiguously established. Here we report crystal structures of Sfh-I as a complex with glycerol and in the unliganded form, revealing for the first time the disposition of water molecules in the B2 MBL active site. Our data indicate that the hydrolytic water molecule is activated by His118 rather than by Asp120 and/or zinc. Consistent with this proposal, we show that the environment of His118 in B2 MBLs is distinct from that of the B1 and B3 enzymes, where this residue acts as a zinc ligand, and offer a structure-based mechanism for β-lactam hydrolysis by these enzymes. | 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.06.043 |
pubmed_722_9072 | Norepinephrine (NE) is thought to play a key role in fear and anxiety, but its role in amygdala-dependent Pavlovian fear conditioning, a major model for understanding the neural basis of fear, is poorly understood. The lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA) is a critical brain region for fear learning and regulating the effects of stress on memory. To understand better the cellular mechanisms of NE and its adrenergic receptors in the LA, we used antibodies directed against dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DβH), the synthetic enzyme for NE, or against two different isoforms of the beta-adrenergic receptors (βARs), one that predominately recognizes neurons (βAR 248) and the other astrocytes (βAR 404), to characterize the microenvironments of DβH and βAR. By electron microscopy, most DβH terminals did not make synapses, but when they did, they formed both asymmetric and symmetric synapses. By light microscopy, βARs were present in both neurons and astrocytes. Confocal microscopy revealed that both excitatory and inhibitory neurons express βAR248. By electron microscopy, βAR 248 was present in neuronal cell bodies, dendritic shafts and spines, and some axon terminals and astrocytes. When in dendrites and spines, βAR 248 was frequently concentrated along plasma membranes and at post-synaptic densities of asymmetric (excitatory) synapses. βAR 404 was expressed predominately in astrocytic cell bodies and processes. These astrocytic processes were frequently interposed between unlabeled terminals or ensheathed asymmetric synapses. Our findings provide a morphological basis for understanding ways in which NE may modulate transmission by acting via synaptic or non-synaptic mechanisms in the LA. | 10.3389/fnbeh.2010.00162 |
pubmed_471_13938 | We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of Berberine on glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and identify potential factors may modifying the hypoglycemic effect. We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database to identify randomized controlled trials that investigated the effect of Berberine. We calculated weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Twenty-eight studies were identified for analysis, with a total of 2,313 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. The pool data showed that Berberine treatment was associated with a better reduction on FPG (WMD = -0.54 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.77 to -0.30), PPG (WMD = -0.94 mmol/L, 95% CI: -1.27 to -0.61), and HbA1c (WMD = -0.54 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.93 to -0.15) than control groups. Subgroup-analyses indicated that effects of Berberine on blood glucose became unremarkable as the treatment lasted more than 90 days, the daily dosage more than 2 g/d and patients aged more than 60 years. The efficiency of Berberine combined with hypoglycaemics is better than either Berberine or hypoglycaemic alone. The dosage and treatment duration of Berberine and patients' age may modify the effect. | 10.1507/endocrj.EJ18-0109 |
pubmed_893_21813 | Bone resorption after tooth extraction is a common problem in implant dentistry. Allografts are one of the therapeutic techniques used to reconstruct the deficient ridge. Although this technique eliminates the need for a surgical donor site, it has yielded contradictory results. The aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of the use of demineralized freeze-dried cancellous block allografts (DFDCBAs) in lateral ridge augmentation. Seven patients were included in this study. Lateral reconstruction of bone was performed using DFDCBA with stabilizing screws and resorbable collagen membranes. The ridge width was initially measured during the augmentation surgery. A second measurement was taken 6 months later at the time of implant placement. In addition, cone bean computed tomography images were used at both baseline and at 6-month reentry for measuring the width of bone by applying an acrylic stent with a radiopaque marker at the edentulous area. Paired t test was used to evaluate the statistical differences. The mean increase in the clinical and radiographic ridge widths were 1.70 ± 1.90 and 1.28 ± 1.52 mm, respectively, which were not statistically significant (P = 0.56 and P = 0.067, respectively). The results showed that the use of DFDCBAs in conjunction with resorbable membrane does not yield predictable results in the reconstruction of ridge width deficiencies. | 10.1615/JLongTermEffMedImplants.2017017812 |
pubmed_31_2625 | Early pregnancy is associated with morphological and functional changes within the uterus, accompanied by angiogenesis, increased vascular permeability and activation of immune tolerance. Intensive angiogenesis leads to accelerated vascular leakage and accumulation of interstitial fluid in endometrium. To protect the trophoblast from the harmful effect of extracellular fluid, process known as lymphangiogenesis is crucial. These studies are focused on VEGF-C, factor responsible of lymphatic vessels creating, and its receptors: Flk1 (VEGFR2) and Flt4 (VEGFR3) during the time of implantation as well as the effect of trophoblast signals (IFNG and E2) on VEGF-C production. Endometrial samples were collected from mature gilts from days 8, 10, 12, 14 of estrous cycle and pregnancy. Real-Time PCR analysis revealed increased mRNA expression of VEGF-C on days 10, 12, 14 of pregnancy compared to corresponding days of estrous cycle. The highest VEGF-C mRNA expression was observed on 14 day of pregnancy (p < 0.05). Increased mRNA expression of Flk1 and Flt4 was noticed on day 14 of pregnancy in comparison to day 10. Enhanced Flk1 mRNA expression during 14 day of pregnancy was observed compared to corresponding day of estrous cycle (p < 0.05). No significant difference on the protein level was revealed. VEGF-C and its receptors were localized mainly in luminal and glandular epithelial cells, but their presence were confirmed also in endothelial cells of blood and lymphatic vessels and 14 d trophoblasts. In vitro studies revealed positive effect of IFNG on VEGF-C mRNA expression in stromal cells and protein content in medium after stromal cells culture (p < 0.05). Our studies demonstrated the presence of VEGF-C system in porcine endometrium and indicated its possible important role during the time of implantation. | 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.11.007 |
pubmed_82_13201 | Non-compliance with prescribed medication is a major reason for poor therapeutic outcomes, leading to unnecessary contributions to healthcare costs. Poor technique in self-administration of inhalation therapy is a special type of non-compliance associated with this route of administration. However, pulmonary drug delivery has fundamental advantages for therapy of diseases of the respiratory tract because it is site-directed. The lung is also a promising portal for drug delivery into the systemic circulation. Incorporation of microprocessors into pulmonary drug delivery systems facilitates sophisticated compliance management of chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes. Microprocessor-assisted systems afford control of patients' administration technique during the therapeutic inhalation event, thus leading to efficient and reproducible regional deposition of the inhaled drug or diagnostic agent. SmartMist is a hand-held asthma disease management device that aids patients to use optimally metered dose inhalers. It also measures pulmonary lung function and provides a long term downloadable electronic record of the therapeutic and diagnostic events. The AERx pulmonary delivery system utilizes similar microprocessor capabilities; however, it employs a novel means of generating aqueous aerosols from unit dose packages, thus providing a broad inhalation technology base for delivery of a wide variety of therapeutic and diagnostic agents into the respiratory tract, and via the lung into the systemic circulation. | 10.1016/s0168-3659(97)00260-5 |
pubmed_201_17396 | In recent years, the minimally invasive joint-preserving implant system has been developed. The main goal of this device is to unload the medial knee compartment without affecting the lateral compartment. The current authors describe a severe metallosis and elevated chromium in serum following implantation of the joint unloading implant system of a 50-year-old male patient, presented to our hospital 3 years after implantation of a KineSpring System into his left knee due to unicompartmental medial osteoarthritis (OA) in an external hospital. Radiographs showed radiological signs for loosening of the screws in the tibia and a progressive OA on the medial and patellofemoral compartments. Revision surgery with removing of the unloading device was performed at our hospital. The intraoperative situs presented a severe metallosis around the device. Five days after revision surgery, the laboratory parameters revealed an elevated value for chromium in serum, while nickel and cobalt values in serum were normal. Reliable clinical data about the long-term results of the KineSpring System is desperately needed. Further studies are warranted to work out the effects of cobalt and chromium levels and further side effects following the implantation of the extra-articular absorber system. | 10.1007/s00402-017-2813-9 |
pubmed_533_576 | The 320-detector row computed tomography (CT) system, i.e., the area detector CT (ADCT), can perform helical scanning with detector configurations of 4-, 16-, 32-, 64-, 80-, 100-, and 160-detector rows for routine CT examinations. This phantom study aimed to compare the quality of images obtained using helical scan mode with different detector configurations. The image quality was measured using modulation transfer function (MTF) and noise power spectrum (NPS). The system performance function (SP), based on the pre-whitening theorem, was calculated as MTF2/NPS, and compared between configurations. Five detector configurations, i.e., 0.5 × 16 mm (16 row), 0.5 × 64 mm (64 row), 0.5 × 80 mm (80 row), 0.5 × 100 mm (100 row), and 0.5 × 160 mm (160 row), were compared using a constant volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) of 25 mGy, simulating the scan of an adult abdomen, and with a constant effective mAs value. The MTF was measured using the wire method, and the NPS was measured from images of a 20-cm diameter phantom with uniform content. The SP of 80-row configuration was the best, for the constant CTDIvol, followed by the 64-, 160-, 16-, and 100-row configurations. The decrease in the rate of the 100- and 160-row configurations from the 80-row configuration was approximately 30%. For the constant effective mAs, the SPs of the 100-row and 160-row configurations were significantly lower, compared with the other three detector configurations. The 80- and 64-row configurations were adequate in cases that required dose efficiency rather than scan speed. | 10.1007/s12194-017-0437-y |
pubmed_392_18972 | Treatment of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma has recently received considerable attention. Here, we report a case of large esophageal MALT lymphoma that was successfully en bloc resected using endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). A 77-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with progressive dysphagia for more than 2 months. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a large rounded submucosal mass covered by normal mucosa, located at the lower esophagus. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed a well-demarcated hypoechoic mass chiefly located in the esophageal wall, but the layers of the esophageal wall were not clear. ESD was performed for diagnostic and treatment purposes. No complications occurred during or after ESD. The resected specimen measured 4.3 cm × 2.8 cm × 1.5 cm. The histologic findings were diagnostic of esophageal MALT lymphoma. Infiltration of neoplastic cells in the lateral margins of the resected specimen was not observed. However, vertical margins showed an R1 situation and mild damage to the muscularis propria. After 3 months, her dysphagia disappeared. Additional radiation therapy was then administered. After 5 months, the patient was still under surveillance and free of recurrent disease. Resection with ESD of such a large mass of MALT in the esophageal region has rarely been reported before in the literature. | 10.3389/fmed.2021.757485 |
pubmed_715_11688 | During herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1) infection, the tegument protein VP22 is exported from infected cells to the nuclei of surrounding uninfected cells. These intercellular transport characteristics have prompted the exploitation of VP22 fusion proteins for cancer gene therapy, with the goal of maximizing the bystander effect. Since solid tumors contain hypoxic cell populations that are often refractive to therapy, for efficient targeting, it would be optimal if VP22 functioned even at reduced oxygen concentrations. In the present work, VP22 activity under hypoxic conditions was examined for the first time. Plasmid-transfected human glioma U87-MG and U373-MG cells expressing VP22 fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) showed protein export to untransfected cells under tumor oxygenation conditions (0-5% O(2)). For suicide gene therapy, VP22 activity was demonstrated under hypoxia by coupling VP22 to the HSV thymidine kinase (HSVtk). In the presence of the prodrug ganciclovir, cell cultures expressing VP22-HSVtk showed a significant increase in toxicity compared with cells transfected with a construct containing HSVtk only, under all tested conditions. To allow effective suicide gene therapy and simultaneous visualization of therapeutic enzyme localization, a triple fusion protein GFP-HSVtk-VP22 was engineered. Functionality of all components was demonstrated under oxia and hypoxia. | 10.1038/sj.gt.3302482 |
pubmed_266_7688 | Silicene, as an emerging two-dimensional (2D) silicon allotrope, mainly serves in the field of electronics and energy devices but multidisciplinary studies on 2D silicene have been rarely carried out, especially the potential translational biomedical practice. In this study, we explore a high-performance photonic drug-delivery nanoplatform based on 2D ultrathin silicene nanosheets (DOX@silicene-BSA NSs) regarding effective chemotherapeutic drug loading (capacity amount of w/w%: 137.0%) while highlighting the potentiated cytosolic drug-delivery efficiency (spatiotemporally pH-/NIR-triggered drug-release) and NIR-II-activated photonic hyperthermia (η = 19.7%) performance, thus, enabling the potential synergistic chemotherapeutic and phototherapeutic outcomes. The cellular endocytotic mechanism of these nanosheets in cancer cells has been comprehensively studied and provides an essential understanding of the nano-bio interactions of silicene-based nanosheets or other emerging 2D nanostructures. Prominent suppression of tumor growth was achieved by synergistic chemotherapy and photonic hyperthermia with negligible adverse effects and expected degradability, thus addressing the several fundamental barriers of oncology-related nanotherapies. This work highlights silicene, which integrates the merits of high specific surface area endowed with 2D topology, intrinsic responsiveness toward physical/chemical stimuli, and biomedical necessity of biodegradation and biosafety, as a promising next-generation omnipotent alternative to subrogate traditional silicon-based biomaterials and non-biocompatible nanoagents in clinical translation nanomedicine. | 10.1039/d0nr05214k |
pubmed_1069_15942 | Rats were treated by moxibustion at the point of hip muscle, and intramuscular temperature was kept at 40 degrees C for 15 minutes. The rats were sacrificed under deep anesthesia and the muscular tissues were excised immediately, three hours and 24 hours after stimulation. Proteins were extracted from the homogenized and centrifuged tissues of the stimulated rats and control rats. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the proteins was carried out. Heat-shock protein (hsp) with molecular weight of 70,000 (hsp 70), 85,000 (hsp 85) and 100,000 (hsp 100) was detected in rats sacrificed three hours after the stimulation by moxibustion. Protein patterns were analyzed and the ratios of the hsps were obtained. | 10.1142/S0192415X95000390 |
pubmed_76_21367 | Klebsiella serotype K7 is found among the capsule types that are most prevalent in respiratory tract isolates. To evaluate the significance of the K7 antigen in bacteria-leucocyte interactions, K7-encapsulated Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and their non-capsulate mutants were investigated. The K7 isolates were compared to K2-capsulate strains and their respective K- derivatives. K7-capsulate bacteria were less hydrophilic, and more readily phagocytosed and killed by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) than K2 strains. Loss of the K7 antigen resulted in increased surface hydrophobicity but did not affect phagocytosis and killing, whereas loss of the K2 capsule caused greater susceptibility to the phagocytic and killing action of PMNL. Both the K7 and K2 antigen stimulated the extracellular release of lysozyme from neutrophils but not of myeloperoxidase, indicating degranulation of only secondary granules. All K- mutants induced the release of both lysozyme and myeloperoxidase. Our results suggest that, in contrast to the K2 antigen, the K7 capsular polysaccharide does not confer antiphagocytic properties on bacteria. However, the K7 antigen is able to impede the extracellular release of primary granule enzymes. | 10.1016/0882-4010(92)90080-8 |
pubmed_1072_4629 | BACKGROUND
Do coaches' leadership styles affect injury rates and the availability of players in professional football? Certain types of leadership behaviour may cause stress and have a negative impact on players' health and well-being.
AIM
To investigate the transformational leadership styles of head coaches in elite men's football and to evaluate the correlation between leadership styles, injury rates and players' availability.
METHODS
Medical staff from 36 elite football clubs in 17 European countries produced 77 reports at four postseason meetings with a view to assessing their perception of the type of leadership exhibited by the head coaches of their respective teams using the Global Transformational Leadership scale. At the same time, they also recorded details of individual players' exposure to football and time-loss injuries.
RESULTS
There was a negative correlation between the overall level of transformational leadership and the incidence of severe injuries (rho=-0.248; n=77; p=0.030); high levels of transformational leadership were associated with smaller numbers of severe injuries. Global Transformational Leadership only explained 6% of variation in the incidence of severe injuries (r2=0.062). The incidence of severe injuries was lower at clubs where coaches communicated a clear and positive vision, supported staff members and gave players encouragement and recognition. Players' attendance rates at training were higher in teams where coaches gave encouragement and recognition to staff members, encouraged innovative thinking, fostered trust and cooperation and acted as role models.
CONCLUSIONS
There is an association between injury rates and players' availability and the leadership style of the head coach. | 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098001 |
pubmed_1074_14319 | Corticorelin is a synthetic analog of the naturally occurring human peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). Several studies have indicated the ability of CRF to reduce the brain edema caused by brain tumors. Peritumoral brain edema (PBE), caused by an intracerebral tumor, manifests several features of vasogenic edema, which is a type of edema characterized by disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Traditionally, PBE has been treated using corticosteroids, primarily dexamethasone. Introduced more than four decades ago, dexamethasone revolutionized the treatment of PBE, but the side effects and withdrawal symptoms associated with corticosteroids propelled the investigation of other drugs. Clinical trials with the synthetic human CRF (hCRF) corticorelin (Xerecept, NEU-3002; Celtic Pharmaceutical Holdings) have indicated that this drug has a distinct advantage over classical corticosteroids in the treatment of PBE. Fewer and/or milder side effects have been reported for corticorelin compared with dexamethasone, although at higher doses of corticorelin several side effects, including hypotension and transient flushing, have been reported. Nevertheless, corticorelin was reasonably well tolerated in patients and healthy volunteers, and may be a good candidate for reducing PBE and associated neural damage, as well as improving neurological symptoms. | pubmed_1074_14319 |
pubmed_214_4386 | The Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is one of the most promising solutions for the supervision of multiple phenomena and for the digitisation of the Internet of Things (IoT). The Wake-up Receiver (WuRx) is one of the most trivial and effective solutions for energy-constrained networks. This technology allows energy-autonomous on-demand communication for continuous monitoring instead of the conventional radio. The routing process is one of the most energy and time-consuming processes in WSNs. It is, hence, crucial to conceive an energy-efficient routing process. In this paper, we propose a novel Wake-up Receiver-based routing protocol called Clustered WuRx based on Multicast wake-up (CWM), which ensures energy optimisation and time-efficiency at the same time for indoor scenarios. In our proposed approach, the network is divided into clusters. Each Fog Node maintains the routes from each node in its cluster to it. When a sink requires information from a given node, it's corresponding Fog Node uses a multicast wake-up mechanism to wake up the intended node and all the intermediate nodes that will be used in the routing process simultaneously. Measurement results demonstrate that our proposed approach exhibits higher energy efficiency and has drastic performance improvements in the delivery delay compared with other routing protocols. | 10.3390/s22093254 |
pubmed_1064_6349 | Erwinia carotovora produces the beta-lactam antibiotic, carbapenem, in response to a quorum sensing signalling molecule, N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OHHL). We have mapped the OHHL-dependent promoter upstream of the first of the biosynthetic genes, carA. We have also analysed the effect on this promoter of the known genetic regulators of carbapenem expression, carR, carI (encoding homologues of LuxR and LuxI respectively) and hor (encoding a SlyA/MarR-like transcriptional regulator). We describe a previously unknown promoter located within the carA-H operon. This promoter does not respond to CarR and is required for quorum sensing-independent expression of the carbapenem resistance determinants encoded by the carFG genes. We have mapped the carR, carI and hor transcription start points, shown that CarR is positively autoregulated in the presence of OHHL, and have demonstrated negative feedback affecting transcription of carI. In addition, various environmental and physiological factors were shown to impinge on the transcription of the car biosynthetic genes. The nature of the carbon source and the temperature of growth influence carbapenem production by modulating the level of the OHHL signalling molecule, and thereby physiologically fine-tune the quorum sensing regulatory system. | 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2004.04397.x |
pubmed_159_16044 | BACKGROUND
Mesenchymal stem cells may be used for the treatment of sepsis. Dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) are easily accessible but have not been studied in vivo or in clinical trials in sepsis models.
AIM OF THE STUDY
We aim to elucidate DFSC effects on host immunological functions in a rat cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) sepsis model.
METHODS
Adult male rats were categorized into group 1 (sham procedure SP), group 2 (SP + 1 × 106 DFSCs administered 0 h after SP), group 3 (CLP + saline), group 4 (CLP + 1 × 106 DFSCs administered 0 h after CLP), and group 5 (CLP + 1 × 106 DFSCs administered 4 h after CLP). Green fluorescent protein-labeled cells were used for imaging. Histopathological examination of ileal tissues was performed.
RESULTS
A significant increase in the percentage of CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+ Treg cells in groups 4 and 5 occurred compared with that in group 3. No significant changes in CD3+/CD4+ helper T-cells and CD3+/CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells were observed. Treatment with DFSCs at 4 h significantly decreased the level of TNF-α compared with that in group 3. No significant changes in IL-10 levels and lymphocyte proliferation suppression were observed. During histopathological examination, no high scoring (Chiu scores: 3 or 4) rats were observed in the curative treatment group (group 5).
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with DFSC after 4 h of sepsis induction downregulates tissue inflammatory responses by decreasing TNF-α levels and increasing Treg cell ratio. This also has a protective effect on intestinal tissues during sepsis. | 10.1016/j.arcmed.2020.04.010 |
pubmed_180_15870 | We perform first-principles investigations of electron transport in armchair graphene nanoribbons adsorbed on Cu(111) and Ni(111) surfaces with various contact areas. We find that the contact area between metals and graphene has different influences on the conductance. The Cu-graphene system shows an increase in differential conductance for more contact area at a low bias voltage, primarily originating from the shift of transmission peaks relative to the Fermi energy. As the bias increases, there is an irregular change of conductance, including a weak negative differential conductance for more contact area. In contrast, the conductance of the Ni-graphene junction is monotonically enhanced with increasing overlap area. The minority spin which shows a broad transmission is responsible for the conductance increase of Ni-graphene. These behaviors can be attributed to different mechanisms of the interfacial electron transport: Charge transfer between graphene and Cu largely dominates the transmission enhancement of Cu-graphene, whereas hybridization between graphene and Ni states plays a more important role in the transmission enhancement of Ni-graphene. The different behaviors of transmission increase correlate with not only the strength of the graphene-metal interaction but also the location of metal d states. | 10.1063/1.4818519 |
pubmed_643_4075 | Perhaps the rarest cause of osteomalacia is that caused by a neoplasm, so-called "tumor-induced osteomalacia" (TIO). Although very rare cases of TIO have been associated with carcinomas and syndromes such as neurofibromatosis type-1 and McCune-Albright syndrome, the overwhelming majority of TIO is caused by tumors of mesenchymal origin. Although it was historically felt that almost any mesenchymal tumor type could occasionally result in TIO, it has become increasingly clear over the past several decades that almost all cases of mesenchymal tumor-associated TIO are caused by a single entity, known as "phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor" (PMT). This article will review historical aspects of this tumor, as well as its clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic features. The distinction of PMT from its many potential morphological mimics is discussed in detail. | 10.1053/j.semdp.2019.07.002 |
pubmed_509_17094 | Although evolution is a multifactorial process, theory posits that the speed of molecular evolution should be directly determined by the rate at which spontaneous mutations appear. To what extent these two biochemical and population-scale processes are related in nature, however, is largely unknown. Viruses are an ideal system for addressing this question because their evolution is fast enough to be observed in real time, and experimentally-determined mutation rates are abundant. This article provides statistically supported evidence that the mutation rate determines molecular evolution across all types of viruses. Properties of the viral genome such as its size and chemical composition are identified as major determinants of these rates. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis reveals that, as expected, evolution rates increase linearly with mutation rates for slowly mutating viruses. However, this relationship plateaus for fast mutating viruses. A model is proposed in which deleterious mutations impose an evolutionary speed limit and set an extinction threshold in nature. The model is consistent with data from replication kinetics, selection strength and chemical mutagenesis studies. | 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002685 |
pubmed_330_17326 | Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) may be biased by population stratification (PS). We conducted empirical quantification of the magnitude of PS among human populations and its impact on GWAS. Liver tissues were collected from 979, 59 and 49 Caucasian Americans (CA), African Americans (AA) and Hispanic Americans (HA), respectively, and genotyped using Illumina650Y (Ilmn650Y) arrays. RNA was also isolated and hybridized to Agilent whole-genome gene expression arrays. We propose a new method (i.e., hgdp-eigen) for detecting PS by projecting genotype vectors for each sample to the eigenvector space defined by the Human Genetic Diversity Panel (HGDP). Further, we conducted GWAS to map expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) for the approximately 40,000 liver gene expression traits monitored by the Agilent arrays. HGDP-eigen performed similarly to the conventional self-eigen methods in capturing PS. However, leveraging the HGDP offered a significant advantage in revealing the origins, directions and magnitude of PS. Adjusting for eigenvectors had minor impacts on eQTL detection rates in CA. In contrast, for AA and HA, adjustment dramatically reduced association findings. At an FDR = 10%, we identified 65 eQTLs in AA with the unadjusted analysis, but only 18 eQTLs after the eigenvector adjustment. Strikingly, 55 out of the 65 unadjusted AA eQTLs were validated in CA, indicating that the adjustment procedure significantly reduced GWAS power. A number of the 55 AA eQTLs validated in CA overlapped with published disease associated SNPs. For example, rs646776 and rs10903129 have previously been associated with lipid levels and coronary heart disease risk, however, the rs10903129 eQTL was missed in the eigenvector adjusted analysis. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0008695 |
pubmed_877_15946 | AIMS/INTRODUCTION
Glimepiride is a sulfonylurea known to have unique insulin mimetic and sensitizing effects. We aimed to study the efficacy of glimepiride in a patient with type A insulin resistance syndrome.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A 15-year-old girl with type A insulin resistance syndrome was treated with glimpiride for 6 months. Self-monitoring of blood glucose was recorded, and oral glucose tolerance tests on glucose and insulin were measured during the treatment. Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was used to evaluate whole-body insulin sensitivity before and after the treatment.
RESULTS
A novel heterozygous missense mutation at exon 19 (c.3427A>T) in the tyrosine kinase domain of the INSR gene was identified, causing an amino acid replacement of phenylalanine for isoleucine at codon 1143 (Ile1143Phe). Before the treatment, the patient's glycated hemoglobin was 7.0%, plasma glucose during oral glucose tolerance test was 6.7, 12.8 and 17.3 mmol/L, and simultaneous serum insulin was 80.7, 137.5 and >300 μU/mL. There were no significant differences between self-monitored blood glucose measured at each time-point among different glimepiride dosages, or during the 14 weeks when glimepiride was used at its maximal dosage (6 mg/day). Oral glucose tolerance test showed little change in plasma glucose and serum insulin. Glycated hemoglobin decreased by 0.8% after the treatment. However, a euglycemic clamp study showed that the M value decreased from 5.25 to 2.90 mg/kg/min, showing increased insulin resistance.
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with glimepiride did not improve insulin sensitivity in a patient with type A insulin resistance syndrome carrying Ile1143Phe heterozygous mutation in the INSR gene. Large-scale long-term studies assembled worldwide are required to optimize treatment algorithms for patients with type A insulin resistance syndrome. | 10.1111/jdi.12824 |
pubmed_511_15993 | AIM
To investigate the effects of different concentrations of artificial tears on lipid layer thickness (LLT) and blink rate (BR) in dry eye patients.
METHODS
This study included 106 eyes of 58 patients with dry eye. The lipid deficiency type was defined as the LLT baseline <75 nm. The LLT and BR were measured at baseline and 1, 5 and 15min after the instillation of 0.1% or 0.3% sodium hyaluronate (SH) eye drops by using the LipiView ocular surface interferometer.
RESULTS
In the lipid deficiency group, the LLT increased from baseline at 1min post instillation. The LLT after the instillation of 0.1% SH was significantly higher than that after the instillation of 0.3% SH (P<0.001). The LLT returned to baseline at 15min post instillation of 0.1% SH and at 5min post instillation of 0.3% SH. In the non-lipid deficiency group, the LLT decreased from baseline at 1min and returned to baseline at 5min for both treatments. The BRs were not significantly different at different time points for both treatments.
CONCLUSION
SH eye drops induce a short-term increase in LLT of patients with lipid deficiency. A low concentration of artificial tears have a stronger effect than a high concentration of artificial tears on the increase in LLT. In comparison, SH eye drops induce a transient and slight decrease in LLT of patients without lipid deficiency. A low concentration of artificial tears might be better for patients with lipid deficiency. | 10.18240/ijo.2018.03.07 |
pubmed_724_19656 | The large burden of sulfate aerosols injected into the stratosphere by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 cooled Earth and enhanced the destruction of polar ozone in the subsequent few years. The continuous injection of sulfur into the stratosphere has been suggested as a "geoengineering" scheme to counteract global warming. We use an empirical relationship between ozone depletion and chlorine activation to estimate how this approach might influence polar ozone. An injection of sulfur large enough to compensate for surface warming caused by the doubling of atmospheric CO2 would strongly increase the extent of Arctic ozone depletion during the present century for cold winters and would cause a considerable delay, between 30 and 70 years, in the expected recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole. | 10.1126/science.1153966 |
pubmed_34_886 | Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) have been implicated in normal mammalian kidney development. To confirm a role for the IGF system in podocyte and glomerular integrity, we generated a transgenic mouse that expresses a dominant-negative type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-IR) and determined the structural and functional consequences. Using a 4.25kb fragment of the murine nephrin promoter, the dominant-negative construct was expressed exclusively in the kidney, confirmed by Southern blot and RT-PCR analysis. IGF-Ir486(FLAGstop) protein localized specifically to the glomerular podocyte based on FLAG immunohistochemistry and on co-localization with nephrin and podocin. Wild type and transgenic glomeruli expressed both the alpha- and beta-subunits of the endogenous IGF-IR, with normal expression of both nephrin and podocin. Although the animals were viable and phenotypically normal, histological analysis of the kidneys revealed abnormal and small glomeruli with dilated glomerular capillaries and condensed podocyte nuclei, while ultra-structural examination revealed diffuse but segmental podocyte foot process broadening, fusion, and effacement. Explanted glomeruli from transgenic animals demonstrated a significant inhibition of podocyte cell outgrowth when compared to controls. These studies suggest that IGF signaling is essential for maintaining the integrity of the podocyte and that alterations of IGF signaling may play a role in progressive glomerular disease. | 10.1016/j.ghir.2007.06.003 |
pubmed_506_22438 | The evaluation of the acoustic performance of noise control treatments is of great importance in many engineering applications, e.g., aircraft, automotive, and building acoustics applications. Numerical methods such as finite- and boundary elements allow for the study of complex structures with added noise control treatment. However, these methods are computationally expensive when used for complex structures. At an early stage of the acoustic trim design process, many industries look for simple and easy to use tools that provide sufficient physical insight that can help to formulate design criteria. The paper presents a simple and tractable approach for the acoustic design of noise control treatments. It presents and compares two transfer matrix-based methods to investigate the vibroacoustic behavior of noise control treatments. The first is based on a modal approach, while the second is based on wave-number space decomposition. In addition to the classical rain-on-the-roof and diffuse acoustic field excitations, the paper also addresses turbulent boundary layer and point source (monopole) excitations. Various examples are presented and compared to a finite element calculation to validate the methodology and to confirm its relevance along with its limitations. | 10.1121/1.4861361 |
pubmed_1123_16321 | Decreased physical activity is undoubtedly significantly associated with obesity. Similarly, the proper hormones secretion, the proper weight and body development. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body mass composition and leptin concentration in relation to the degree of physical activity expressed in MET-h/week (metabolic equivalent per week). The study included 59 girls, aged 9-16 years (12.55±1.67) and divided into two groups: 1) PA: a physically active group of 29 girls and 2) PI: a group of 30 physically inactive girls. In all, physical activity was assessed using modified questionnaire concerning "activity for adolescents" and expressed in MET-h/week. Serum blood leptin concentrations in fasting girls were determined by RIA. Anthropometric parameters were measured and fatness indices calculated (BMI, SF, WHtR). Body composition (%BF, FM, FFM) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis method (BIA). Statistical analysis showed significant differences between groups of PA and PI concerning values of BMI, WHtR, %BF, WC and MET-h/week as well as in leptin concentrations. In both groups of girls negative correlations between physical activity measured in MET and leptin concentrations and in WHtR were observed. The concentration of leptin was directly proportional to the degree of body fat and to the body composition expressed by BMI, WHtR, log SF, WC and %BF, FM and FFM, respectively. Increased physical activity was associated with lower body fat ratios and WHtR, BMI, WC, %BF, but did not affect significantly the changes in the values of log SF, FM and FFM. Higher values of BMI, WHtR and WC can provide not only a greater risk of obesity in general, but also cause excessive accumulation of fat in the central part of the body (abdominal obesity). | pubmed_1123_16321 |
pubmed_13_11447 | Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite which can be grown in vivo and in vitro. Various cell lines are used for T. gondii culture in vitro. In this study, four cell lines of HeLa, Vero, RBK and A549 were compared with each other for T. gondii tachyzoites culture. The four cell lines were cultured and infected with 5,000,000 tachyzoites, respectively. The number of tachyzoites and viable host cells and pH of the media were assessed in each culture. The highest tachyzoite yield was seen in HeLa cell culture. The lowest number of viable host cells and the lowest pH were seen in HeLa cell line culture. The lowest tachyzoite yield, the highest viable cell and the highest pH were observed in Vero cell line culture. HeLa and Vero cell lines are thus appropriate for rapid and long-term propagations of T. gondii tachyzoites, respectively. | pubmed_13_11447 |
pubmed_807_15603 | BACKGROUND
Automatically measurements of retinal thickness by optical coherence tomography (OCT) facilitate the assessment of various retinal diseases.The aim of this retrospective study was to report macular thickness measurements in eyes with vascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by using two different commercially available spectral domain (SD) OCT instruments and to consequently point out differences in their algorithm software.systems.
METHODS
OCT images of patients with vascular PED due to AMD, obtained with Cirrus and Spectralis OCT, were retrospectively analyzed. Main objectives were to observe differences in central retinal thickness (CRT) values and failures in automated threshold delineation, as well as central point thickness values obtained after manual correction of threshold lines. Scanning with the Cirrus HD OCT was performed with the 512 × 128 scan pattern; scans performed with the Spectralis OCT were 20 × 15 degree raster scans consisting of 19 high-speed line scans.
RESULTS
OCT images of 34 eyes of 28 patients with a mean age of 71 years and a mean distance visual acuity (VA) of 0.70 ETDRS were analyzed. Mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was 262.38 μm ± 133.18 (176-507 μm) in Cirrus and 337.82 μm ± 137.75 (277-790 μm) in Spectralis scans,mainly caused by different software approaches in positioning the posterior threshold line, following the PED in Cirrus OCT whereas remaining unelevated in Spectralis OCT. There were failures in positioning the outer retinal boundary line in 50% of Cirrus scans and in 73.52% of Spectralis scans. We obtained the mean value of central point neurosensory retinal thickness of each central single scan after manual delineation, and found a significant correlation (r = 0.819, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates that there are significant differences in CRT values in patients with vascular PED, due to different segmentation algorithms and a high error rate in automatically set threshold lines. When planning and conducting multicenter studies, one has to be especially aware of the differences in delineating threshold algorithm lines by different SD OCT devices. | 10.1007/s00417-010-1415-9 |
pubmed_418_17802 | Cigarette smoking (CS) and betel quid (BQ) chewing are two known risk factors that have synergistic potential for the enhancing the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Taiwan. Most mutagens and carcinogens are metabolically activated by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) to exert their mutagenicity or carcinogenicity. Previous studies have shown that metabolic activation of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), by CYP2A6 activity determines NNK-induced carcinogenesis. In addition, safrole affects cytochrome P450 activity in rodents. However, the effect of BQ safrole on the metabolism of tobacco-specific NNK and its carcinogenicity remains elusive. This study demonstrates that safrole (1 mg/kg/d) induced CYP2A6 activity, reduced urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) levels, and increased NNK-induced DNA damage, including N7-methylguanine, 8-OH-deoxyguanosine and DNA strand breaks in a Syrian golden hamster model. Furthermore, altered NNK metabolism and increased NNK-induced DNA damage were also observed in healthy subjects with CS and BQ chewing histories compared to healthy subjects with CS histories. In conclusion, BQ containing safrole induced tobacco-specific NNK metabolic activation, resulting in higher NNK-induced genotoxicity. This study provides valuable insight into the synergistic mechanisms of CS- and BQ-induced OSCC. | 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.080 |
pubmed_412_7143 | We previously reported that the heavy chain of ferritin was required for loading it with iron using ceruloplasmin as a ferroxidase [J.-H. Guo, M. Abedi, and S. D. Aust (1996) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 335, 197-204]. Site-directed mutagenesis, K58E and G61H, on recombinant rat liver L chain ferritin (rL-Ft) was performed to construct a proposed iron-loading channel in the alpha-helix bundle similar to rat liver H chain ferritin (rH-Ft). Conversely, the channel in rH-Ft was closed by mutations E62K and H65G to form a K62 to E107 salt bridge, which is believed to exist in the L chain. Both variants were expressed in insect cells and were soluble and able to form multi-subunit homopolymers. The rH-Ft mutant homopolymer could not be loaded, whereas the rL-Ft mutant homopolymer could be loaded with iron by ceruloplasmin. However, we found that the initial rate of iron loading into the rL-Ft mutant homopolymer by ceruloplasmin was less than that into the rH-Ft homopolymer. When 500 atoms of iron per ferritin were used for loading, 98% was loaded into the rH-Ft homopolymer by ceruloplasmin in 15 min, but only 30% was loaded into the rL-Ft mutant homopolymer in the same time. Moreover, the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin was enhanced in the presence of the rH-Ft and the rH-Ft mutant homopolymers, but not in the presence of the rL-Ft or the rL-Ft mutant homopolymers. These observations suggested that the four alpha-helix bundle channel of ferritin is required for iron loading, but an additional factor, i.e. , a site which stimulate the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin, is also essential. | 10.1006/abbi.1998.0581 |
pubmed_431_15110 | In the 1990s, phentermine was combined with either fenfluramine or its active enantiomer dexfenfluramine to promote weight loss. Appetite suppressants are known to alter pain reactivity. The current experiment examined the acute impact of phentermine (0, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) on paw-lick/jump latencies recorded just before and at 10, 20, and 30 min after phentermine injection. In addition, separate groups of rats were treated with 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg dexfenfluramine or with selected combinations of phentermine with dexfenfluramine. Phentermine induced significant analgesia in rats at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, whereas only the 4.0 mg/kg dose of dexfenfluramine induced significant analgesia. Combinations of 1 mg/kg dexfenfluramine or 2 mg/kg dexfenfluramine with phentermine were mostly additive in terms of changes in analgesia scores. The present results characterize the analgesic action of phentermine, further confirm the analgesic action of dexfenfluramine and suggest an additive analgesic effect for the combination of dexfenfluramine with phentermine. | 10.1016/j.pbb.2008.03.009 |
pubmed_1117_12871 | The risks of complications like death, myocardial infarction and stroke increase continuously with increasing age. Therefore, the chances of detecting effects of treatment in trials also increase when patients get older. The relationships between different end-points change with age, e.g. the ratio between stroke and MI increases with age. However, interventions not related to the interventions under study may also increase, causing dilution of effects. The older subject may also be more vulnerable to the side-effects of treatment. Side-effects, and quality-of-life measures, which indeed may vary with age, must be properly balanced against effects on 'hard' end-points. A review of trials in patients with hypertension and myocardial infarction shows that effects of various interventions have been at least as great in older as in younger patients. However, metabolic side effects such as impaired glucose metabolism, increased serum creatinine, and increased uric acid levels have not been negligible, and such effects may turn out to be more hazardous in the elderly than in younger patients. The balance between positive and negative effects must be properly assessed in relation to the prognosis of the untreated condition. Patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction have, in general, a more serious prognosis than most hypertensives, and more side-effects of treatment may therefore be accepted in patients with myocardial infarction. | 10.1093/oxfordjournals.eurheartj.a062484 |
pubmed_680_18045 | Spent coffee grounds (SCG) disposal is an environmental problem. These residues from coffee brewing and instant coffee production have potential to produce novel alcoholic beverages. SCG valorization through sequential alcoholic and malolactic fermentation was investigated using a yeast, Lachancea thermotolerans Concerto and a lactic acid bacterium (LAB), Oenococcus oeni Lalvin 31 in this study. Our results showed that sequential inoculation prevented early death of yeast confronted when simultaneous inoculation was adopted, allowing for growth and persistence of both yeast and LAB till the end of fermentation. Adequate ethanol production (4.91 ± 0.13 %, v/v) with low residual sugar content was also attained. In addition, relatively lower levels of acetic, lactic, and succinic acids were produced by sequential inoculation than that of simultaneous inoculation. Furthermore, SCG hydrolysates fermented via sequential inoculation had the widest variety of volatiles (e.g. esters and ketones). Overall, our results indicated that sequential inoculation of L. thermotolerans and O. oeni in SCG hydrolysates might be a way to develop novel beverages with pleasant flavor profiles. | 10.1016/j.crfs.2022.08.002 |
pubmed_24_19471 | Both L- and D-beta-3'-deoxy-3',3'-difluoronucleosides were synthesized starting from the key intermediate difluorohomoallyl alcohol 11. Deoxo-Fluor was accidentally found to be efficient in reversing the hydroxyl configuration of 34, and the desired product 41 was provided in good yield. | 10.1021/jo052652h |
pubmed_444_18576 | The antioxidative activity of natural products has commonly been studied by free radical scavenging methods. However, the mechanisms by which antioxidation is explored by free radical scavenging methods remain largely unknown. This study analyzed the composition of walnut-derived pentapeptides PW5 with potential biological activity and its oxidation reaction products in 2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) test by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The amino acid sequence of PW5 peptide successfully characterized as Proline-Proline-Lysine-Asparagine-Tryptophan exhibited significant antioxidant activity with lower IC50 value (0.2210 ± 0.0032 mM) compared to glutathione (GSH, 0.2567 ± 0.0023 mM, p < 0.001). Furthermore, we found that the tryptophan residue was the only residue in PW5 with obvious alteration after treatment with ABTS free radicals, which was linked to its potential antioxidant properties. These findings revealed how NMR-characterized structures and oxidation reaction products may be used to explore the antioxidative mechanisms of food-derived peptides as well as other natural products. | 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128047 |
pubmed_202_12421 | The determination of relationships among and the identification of potyviruses with polyclonal antibodies does not always lead to a proper conclusion. The potyvirus specific monoclonal PTY 1 does not detect all potyviruses tested. | 10.1007/978-3-7091-6920-9_9 |
pubmed_98_4181 | Acetabular fractures are complex injuries with an annual incidence of approximately 4 per 100,000 (Laird and Keating, 2005 [1]. Although the open reduction is currently advocated for treating acetabular fractures, some acetabular fractures can be treated by minimally invasive surgery, with the advantages of minor trauma, less bleeding, reduced infection, and shorter operation time. Therefore, we report a case of a patient with a transverse fracture involving the acetabulum treated with a new method of cannulated screw fixation combined with a personalized 3D printed guide to achieving minimally invasive and precise treatment of acetabular fractures while we review the relevant papers. | 10.1016/j.tcr.2021.100580 |
pubmed_520_24429 | Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) families have expanded our understanding of who counts as family, to include legal as well as chosen ties. Yet, nonbiological parents in LGBTQ families are vulnerable to invalidation and erasure in social institutions, including health care, legal, and educational settings, where genetic and gestational linkages are privileged. The current study was guided by a queer phenomenological perspective to examine how LGBTQ parents experience and respond to dominant norms related to family relatedness and membership and thus queer the family. This mixed-methods study sampled 250 LGBTQ parents (including cisgender women and trans/nonbinary participants) to examine the question: In what ways does genetic asymmetry matter for families? The qualitative and quantitative analyses yielded three primary findings that revealed experiences of erasure and discrimination, as well as proactive strategies and active resistance used to counteract these difficulties. Themes were organized by (a) encountering marginalization and invalidation: health care, schools, and beyond; (b) strategic actions and discursive practices toward parental equality; and (c) confronting and resisting the need for legal, symbolic, and parenting strategies. This study documents ways in which nonbiological LGBTQ parents, in particular, embrace and resist societal norms for biological connectedness. Implications for nursing professionals include our finding that reproductive and perinatal contexts were particular sites of invalidation, necessitating education about the range of queer, nonbiological, and trans/nonbinary parents so that all parents are included in professional health care encounters. | 10.1177/10748407221123062 |
pubmed_229_18953 | AIM
The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how psychiatric nurses experience patient autonomy in relation to their professional role in depot clinics.
BACKGROUND
The administration of depot neuroleptics at outpatient clinics is a common task for psychiatric nurses in many countries. The procedure is characterized by brief contacts often allowing little opportunity for adequate monitoring of the treatment and a dialog between nurses and patients. As nurses have an important role in involving patients in decision-making, there is a need to analyse the nurses' attitudes towards giving depot neuroleptics from the perspective of autonomy.
METHOD
Nine experienced psychiatric nurses were interviewed using open-ended questions. The steps of a phenomenological descriptive method guided the data analysis.
FINDINGS
The structure describes how benevolent attitudes towards patient autonomy motivated the nurses' interventions in relation to how they experienced their own professional authority. The structure consists of four variations: (1) Beneficent interventions used with patients perceived as co-operative when the nurses experienced a high degree of professional authority. (2) Paternalistic interventions used with patients perceived as ambiguous towards medication when the nurses experienced an arbitrary professional authority in collaboration with team members. (3) Weak paternalistic interventions used with patients perceived as unwilling when the nurses experienced having sufficient professional authority in the treatment situation. (4) Nonmaleficent interventions used with patients perceived as being resigned when the nurses experienced a low degree of professional authority within the team.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that psychiatric nurses' experience of their professional authority is closely related to the organization of the depot treatment and that brief contacts do not favour the establishment of collaborative relationships with patients. When injection-giving nurses, as patients' key workers, have overall responsibility for co-ordinating the patients' treatment they can encourage patient autonomy by helping patients understand the meaning of depot medication and its benefits. Further clinical research regarding the involvement of nurses in the treatment as well as patients' experiences of treatment with depot neuroleptics is needed to allow suggestions about improvements of the organization of the treatment. | 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2001.01877.x |
pubmed_1092_12169 | There is a need for miniature optical-sectioning microscopes to enable in vivo interrogation of tissues as a real-time and noninvasive alternative to gold-standard histopathology. Such devices could have a transformative impact for the early detection of cancer as well as for guiding tumor-resection procedures. Miniature confocal microscopes have been developed by various researchers and corporations to enable optical sectioning of highly scattering tissues, all of which have necessitated various trade-offs in size, speed, depth selectivity, field of view, resolution, image contrast, and sensitivity. In this study, a miniature line-scanned (LS) dual-axis confocal (DAC) microscope, with a 12-mm diameter distal tip, has been developed for clinical point-of-care pathology. The dual-axis architecture has demonstrated an advantage over the conventional single-axis confocal configuration for reducing background noise from out-of-focus and multiply scattered light. The use of line scanning enables fast frame rates (16 frames/sec is demonstrated here, but faster rates are possible), which mitigates motion artifacts of a hand-held device during clinical use. We have developed a method to actively align the illumination and collection beams in a DAC microscope through the use of a pair of rotatable alignment mirrors. Incorporation of a custom objective lens, with a small form factor for in vivo clinical use, enables our device to achieve an optical-sectioning thickness and lateral resolution of 2.0 and 1.1 microns respectively. Validation measurements with reflective targets, as well as in vivo and ex vivo images of tissues, demonstrate the clinical potential of this high-speed optical-sectioning microscopy device. | 10.1364/BOE.7.000251 |
pubmed_962_13516 | [reaction: see text] Various pseudo-oligosacchardies and amino acid glycoconjugates were synthesized via an intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition ("click") reaction using easily accessible carbohydrate and amino acid derived azides and alkynes as building blocks. It is pertinent to mention that the conjugation reaction is highly regioselective and high yielding and can be carried out under mild reaction conditions. | 10.1021/jo051731q |
pubmed_168_7065 | A new bioassay for comparing the palatability to avian predators of monarch butterflies reared on various asclepiadaceous food plants containing cardiac glycosides indicates a palatability spectrum. The monarchs reared on one plant species are six times as emetic as those fed another, while those raised on an asclepiad which lacks cardiac glycosides are not emetic at all. | 10.1126/science.161.3848.1349 |
pubmed_767_8886 | Staphylococcus aureus as a pathogen in human gestational membranes, a rather rare phenomenon, has recently been the focus of several researches. S. aureus forms biofilms on these membranes and potentially causes chorioamnionitis in pregnant women. We report a case of persistent methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteremia owing to placental infection, causing chorioamnionitis and preterm birth. A 29-year-old Japanese woman at the 27th gestational week was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia and underwent all-trans retinoic acid therapy. Soon after hospitalization, the patient presented with persistent MRSA bacteremia of unknown origin. Despite various antimicrobial therapies, she experienced 12 MRSA bacteremia episodes over 6 weeks. However, after child birth, MRSA bacteremia disappeared without any complications. A pathologic examination of her placenta revealed placenta abscess, resulting in a diagnosis of MRSA-associated chorioamnionitis. Molecular analysis proved that a single MRSA strain (SCCmec Type IVa), which tested negative for Panton-Valentine leukocidin and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1, caused the obstinate infection. We should be aware that persistent MRSA bacteremia in pregnant women can originate from placental abscess. | 10.1016/j.jiac.2018.05.001 |
pubmed_908_19955 | Creating and maintaining an accurate description of data assets and the relationships between assets is a critical aspect of making data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). Typically, such metadata are created and maintained in a data catalog by a curator as part of data publication. However, allowing metadata to be created and maintained by data producers as the data is generated rather then waiting for publication can have significant advantages in terms of productivity and repeatability. The responsibilities for metadata management need not fall on any one individual, but rather may be delegated to appropriate members of a collaboration, enabling participants to edit or maintain specific attributes, to describe relationships between data elements, or to correct errors. To support such collaborative data editing, we have created ERMrest, a relational data service for the Web that enables the creation, evolution and navigation of complex models used to describe and structure diverse file or relational data objects. A key capability of ERMrest is its ability to control operations down to the level of individual data elements, i.e. fine-grained access control, so that many different modes of data-oriented collaboration can be supported. In this paper we introduce ERMrest and describe its fine-grained access control capabilities that support collaborative editing. ERMrest is in daily use in many data driven collaborations and we describe a sample policy that is based on a common biocuration pattern. | 10.1109/eScience.2017.83 |
pubmed_385_17149 | Phenyldimethylsilyllithium reacts with N,N-dimethylamides in a variety of ways, depending upon the stoichiometry, the temperature and, most subtly, on the structure of the amide, with quite small-seeming changes in structure leading to profound changes in the nature of the products. When equimolar amounts of the silyllithium reagent and N,N-dimethylamides 6 are combined in THF at -78 degrees C, and the mixture quenched at -78 degrees C, the product is the corresponding acylsilane . If the same mixture is warmed to -20 degrees C before quenching, the product is a cis enediamine 11. The enediamines are easily isomerised from cis to trans, easily oxidised to dienediamines , and, with more difficulty, hydrolysed to alpha-aminoketones 13. If two equivalents of the silyllithium reagent are used, the product is an alpha-silylamine 20. The mechanism of formation of the enediamines appears to be by way of a Brook rearrangement of the tetrahedral intermediate 17 followed by loss of a silanoxide ion to give a carbene or carbene-like species. The 'carbene' combines with the Brook-rearranging nucleophile to give an intermediate 28, which loses another silanoxide ion to give the enediamine. The same carbene can be attacked by a second equivalent of the silyllithium reagent to give the alpha-silylamine 20. Other nucleophiles, like alkyllithiums, phenyllithium, and tributylstannyllithium also trap the carbene to give products 48-52. The intermediate anions in these reactions, when benzylic, can be further trapped with alkylating agents to give the products 33, 34 and 53-55. In special cases, the anion formed by attack on the carbene can be trapped by intramolecular reactions displacing internal leaving groups, as in the formation of the enamine 37 and the cyclopentane 41, or attacking a carbonyl group, as in the formation of the indanone 61, or attacking a double or triple bond, as in the formation of the cyclopentanes 71 and 75. In another special case, the carbene reacts with vinyllithium to give an allyllithium intermediate 56, which selectively attacks another molecule of carbene to give eventually the gamma-aminoketone 58. Small changes in the structure of the amide lead to a variety of other pathways each of which is discussed in the text. Notably, each member of the homologous series of amides Ph(CH2)nCONMe2 gives rise to a substantially different product: when n= 0, the reaction is normal, and the yield of the alph]-silylamine 20e is high; when n=1, proton transfer in the intermediate anion 64 and displacement of the phenyl group leads to the silaindane 66; when n=2, fragmentation of the intermediate anion 80, and capture of the carbene by benzyllithium leads to the 1,4-diphenylbut-2-ylamine 83; and when n=3, proton transfer in the intermediate anion 67 and displacement of the phenyl group leads to the silacyclopentane 69. | 10.1039/B412768D |
pubmed_746_7268 | UNLABELLED
Porphyria cutanea tarda is a liver disease characterized by elevated hepatic iron and excessive production of uroporphyrin (URO). Phlebotomy is an effective treatment that probably acts by reducing hepatic iron. Here we used Hfe(-/-) mice to compare the effects on hepatic URO accumulation of two different methods of hepatic iron depletion: iron chelation using deferiprone (L1) versus iron-deficient diets. Hfe(-/-) mice in a 129S6/SvEvTac background were fed 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which results in hepatic URO accumulation, and increasing doses of L1 in the drinking water. Hepatic URO accumulation was completely prevented at low L1 doses, which partially depleted hepatic nonheme iron. By histological assessment, the decrease in hepatic URO accumulation was associated with greater depletion of iron from hepatocytes than from Kupffer cells. The L1 treatment had no effect on levels of hepatic cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2). L1 also effectively decreased hepatic URO accumulation in C57BL/6 Hfe(-/-) mice treated with ALA and a CYP1A2 inducer. ALA-treated mice maintained on defined iron-deficient diets, rather than chow diets, did not develop uroporphyria, even when the animals were iron-supplemented either directly in the diet or by iron dextran injection.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that dietary factors other than iron are involved in the development of uroporphyria and that a modest depletion of hepatocyte iron by L1 is sufficient to prevent URO accumulation. | 10.1002/hep.21903 |
pubmed_458_8533 | OBJECT
As one of the aspects of the International Surgical Trial in Intracerebral Haemorrhage (STICH), prerandomization computerized tomography (CT) scans were collected. In the present study the authors determined the inter-and intraobserver variability of various parameters pertinent to CT scans obtained in patients with intracerebral hematomas (ICHs).
METHODS
A protocol was devised to analyze CT scans in a uniform and systematic manner. Each observer evaluated the same set of scans twice, with a minimum 2-month interval between assessments. In addition to noting the side and the sites of involvement, the observers measured the scale present on the scan itself and the length, breadth, height, and depth of the spontaneous ICH as well as the midline shift. The intraclass correlation was very high (kappa 0.8-1) for the measurements of volume, depth, and midline shift. Good interobserver agreement (kappa 0.8-1) was demonstrated with regard to involvement of basal ganglia or thalamus, presence of intraventricular extension, and the side of the hematoma. Agreement was substantial (kappa 0.61-0.8) with regard to identifying primary involvement of particular lobes. Agreement was moderate (kappa 0.41-0.6) on the presence or absence of hydrocephalus. When comparing the first and the second sets of readings, the intraobserver agreement was good (80-100%).
CONCLUSIONS
The study quantifies the degree of inter- and intraobserver agreement regarding evaluation of CT scans in patients with ICH when conducted in accordance with a set protocol. | 10.3171/foc.2003.15.4.6 |
pubmed_718_12151 | When a crude extract of rat pineal glands (the 1000 x g supernatant of a homogenate) was incubated with arachidonic acid, 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid was found as a major product. The 12-lipoxygenase of rat pineal gland also reacted with linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids at 35% and 101% the rate of arachidonate 12-oxygenation, respectively. Upon Western blot analysis using polyclonal antibody against porcine leukocyte 12-lipoxygenase, the cytosol fraction of rat pineal gland showed a positive band with a molecular weight of approx. 74 kDa. A full-length cDNA for this enzyme was cloned from a cDNA library of rat pineal gland and the identity of the 12-lipoxygenase cDNA was confirmed by its expression in E. coli. The amino acid sequence of the enzyme was deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA, encoding 663 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 75,305. The enzyme showed 72% identity of amino acid sequence with porcine leukocyte 12-lipoxygenase and 73% with bovine tracheal 12-lipoxygenase, but only 59% with human platelet 12-lipoxygenase. Taken together, the high reactivity with C-18 fatty acids, the immunoreactivity and the amino acid homology data indicate that the rat pineal 12-lipoxygenase is more closely related to leukocyte 12-lipoxygenase than to platelet 12-lipoxygenase. Upon RNA blot analysis, by far the highest content of 12-lipoxygenase mRNA was observed in the pineal gland and negligible amounts of mRNA were detected in other parts of the brain. The predominant presence of 12-lipoxygenase mRNA in pineal gland was confirmed by in situ hybridization of rat brain. Significant amounts of 12-lipoxygenase mRNA were also detected in rat spleen, aorta, lung and leukocytes. | 10.1016/0005-2760(94)90272-0 |
pubmed_1046_4561 | There is now considered to be no safe limit for alcohol intake. Studies have shown that risk of mouth cancer increases with greater alcohol intake (in particular when associated with the use of tobacco). This paper reviews the role for alcohol in the aetiology of mouth cancer both in terms of how it may give rise to cancerous change and the relative risk it carries (arising from various systematic and meta-analyses reported over the last decade). While obtaining a reliable alcohol history can be problematic (with under reporting frequently suspected) greater awareness of the role of alcohol in both local and systemic disease (in particular that of cancer in an ever increasing number of sites) may serve as a motivator for behaviour change within our patients. To that end patients should be aware of the alcohol content in the drinks they consume and consider recording their alcohol intake over a defined period (eg, use of a diary or app over a two to four week period). | 10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.921 |
pubmed_749_6262 | Kiosk-facilitated HIV self-testing has been shown to be accurate and well accepted by emergency department (ED) patients. We investigated factors associated with patients who preferred self-testing over testing performed by health professionals in an ED-based HIV screening program. This opt-in program evaluation studied 332 patients in an inner-city academic ED from February 2012 to April 2012, when a kiosk-based HIV self-testing program was standard of care. The first kiosk in the 2-stage system registered patients and assessed their interest in screening, while the second kiosk gathered demographic and risk factor information and also provided self-testing instructions. Patients who declined to self-test were offered testing by staff. Broad eligibility included patients aged 18-64 years who were not critically ill, English-speaking, able to provide informed consent, and registered during HIV program operational hours. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and Chi squared tests; 160 (48.2%) of 332 patients consenting to testing chose to use a kiosk to guide them performing self-testing. Patients aged 25-29 years and those whose primary ED diagnosis was not infectious disease-related were more likely to prefer HIV self-testing (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.17-4.10; OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.03-3.12). HIV self-testing in the ED could serve as a complementary testing approach to the conventional modality. | 10.1177/0956462416689629 |
pubmed_1084_18467 | We have evaluated the capacity of two human blood fractions to substitute for FBS as growth medium supplement for human and animal cell cultures. Non-anticoagulated blood from volunteer donors (N = 13) was centrifuged to isolate a supernatant serum (SS) and a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) clot which was squeezed to extract the releasate (PRFR). Both materials were characterized for the content in PDGF-AB, TGF-β1, VEGF, bFGF, EGF, IGF, total protein, albumin, IgG, IgM IgA, fibrinogen, cholesterol, triglycerides, various chemistry analytes and hemoglobin. Cell growth promoting activity of pooled SS and PRFR at 1, 5, and 10% in growth medium was evaluated over 7 days using human (HEK293, MG-63) and animal (SIRC, 3T3) cell lines and two human primary cultures (gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligaments). Viable cell count was compared to that in cultures in FBS free-medium and 10% FBS supplement. SS and PRFR at 1-10% stimulated cell growth significantly more than FBS-free medium and in a way similar to 10% FBS in all cultures apart from 3T3. These two human blood-derived fibrin releasates are equally efficient to substitute for FBS as supplement for cell cultures and could be useful for specialized applications in regenerative medicine, dentistry and oral implantology, or cell therapy. | 10.1016/j.biologicals.2011.09.017 |
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