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pubmed_1084_7656 | CONTEXT
The galls of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) frequently appear in many Thai Lanna medicinal plant recipes for promotion of longevity.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the skin anti-aging of gel containing niosomes loaded with a semi-purified fraction containing gallic acid from T. chebula galls.
METHOD
The semi-purified fraction containing phenolic compounds including gallic acid isolated from T. chebula galls loaded in non-elastic or elastic niosomes, and its developed gel, were evaluated for rabbit skin irritation by the closed patch test and skin anti-aging in human volunteers by measuring skin elasticity and roughness.
RESULTS
Gel containing the fraction unloaded (SS) or loaded in non-elastic (SN) or elastic (SE) niosomes and gallic acid loaded in non-elastic (GN) or elastic (GE) niosomes showed no skin irritation, whereas the unloaded gallic acid (GS) gave the irritation in rabbit's skin by the closed patch test. The % parameter changes of skin elastic recovery and skin elastic extension when applied with SN and SE gels were +28.73 and +32.57; -21.25 and -22.63%, respectively. SN and SE gel also showed a significant decrease of the maximum and average roughness values with the parameter changes of -29.43 and -32.38; -39.47 and -35.28%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The semi-purified fraction loaded in niosomes indicated not only higher chemical stability of gallic acid containing in the fraction, but also more in vivo anti-aging activities than the unloaded fraction when incorporated in gel. | 10.3109/13880209.2011.576347 |
pubmed_107_3630 | We isolated immunoglobulin (Ig) VH4 genes that were rearranged in the genomic DNA of 160 day human fetal spleen. Productively rearranged VH 4-21 genes were cloned into pRTM1, a human IgM expression vector. This allowed us to generate IgM kappa-expressing transfectomas by co-transfecting each of these constructs with pSVG-V kappa 3, an Ig kappa light-chain expression vector that has a variable region encoded Humkv325, a conserved V kappa gene that is frequently expressed early B cell ontogeny. We find that all transfectomas expressing IgM kappa encoded by VH 4-21 make IgM autoantibodies reactive with i, a linear poly-N-acetyllactosamine determinant present on neonatal red blood cells and a B cell-restricted isoform of the CD45 surface molecule. In contrast, a transfectoma expressing pSVG-V kappa 3 and pRTM1 containing a rearranged VH4-59 (V71-4) gene isolated from a chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cell population, designated WIL, produced IgM kappa antibodies that had no detectable anti-i binding activity. However, transfectomas expressing VH 4-21 fused onto the Ig heavy-chain third complementarity determining region (CDR3) of WIL are found to make anti-B cell autoantibodies with anti-i activity. These studies indicate that VH 4-21 genes rearranged in human fetal B cell ontogeny can encode anti-B cell autoantibodies with a binding specificity that does not require in vivo somatic selection. | 10.1002/eji.1830241204 |
pubmed_536_2476 | Using taxa as indicators of environmental impacts is widespread. Indicators are chosen because they are considered to be easy to measure, sensitive to stresses and respond to stresses in predictable ways. Here, we review these criteria by addressing the nature of the relationships between some characteristic of taxa and the environmental variables they are supposed to indicate. It is crucial that variables measured as indicators be strongly and consistently correlated (through space and time) with levels of the environmental variables. Appropriate experiments must be done to establish that an observed correlation is causal, or the correlation cannot be considered sufficient to identify a useful indicator. Finally, it is necessary to establish that the taxa directly respond to changes in the environmental variables they are supposed to indicate. Appropriate methodologies to establish these criteria are considered and we evaluate studies in which these criteria have or have not been met. | 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.10.011 |
pubmed_447_19560 | The heterodimer GPIIb/IIIa, formed by the Ca(2+)-dependent association of glycoproteins IIb (GPIIb) and IIIa (GPIIIa), is the major integrin at the platelet surface, where it serves as the receptor for fibrinogen and other adhesive proteins and plays a central role in platelet aggregation and in platelet adhesion to the subendothelium. Here we describe a procedure for the isolation of GPIIb/IIIa using as starting material either the whole particulate fraction, obtained by differential centrifugation after hypoosmotic lysis of glycerol-loaded platelets, or any of the fractions obtained by density gradient centrifugation of the whole particulate fraction. The procedure consists simply of differential extraction with Triton X-100 of the starting particulate fraction, anion-exchange chromatography of the 4% Triton X-100 supernatant, and size-exclusion chromatography of the GPIIb/IIIa-rich fraction retained in the ion-exchange column. The use of particulate fractions instead of whole platelets as the starting material for extraction together with differential extraction with Triton X-100 (two steps that are simple and inexpensive to perform) results in the early removal of many unwanted proteins, which otherwise would have to be removed at later stages at the expense of severely impairing the final yield of GPIIb/IIIa. Pure GPIIb/IIIa is obtained with a yield of about 48%, the highest so far reported, calculated with respect to the GPIIb and GPIIIa content in the starting particulate fraction. The final product can be stored in freeze-dried form without apparent changes in its physical and chemical properties.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | 10.1016/1046-5928(91)90080-3 |
pubmed_568_10552 | INTRODUCTION
Behcet's Disease (BD) is an inflammatory disease characterized by multisystemic involvement and featured by a chronic, relapsing disease course. Recurrent ocular inflammation and macular involvement may lead to severe loss of visual acuity. Prolonged use of local and systemic corticosteroids lead to numerous side effects and complications. Very often other immunosuppressive therapies are needed. Biologic agents are promising for the treatment of Behcet's disease-associated uveitis.
AIM
To report successful treatment of paediatric uveitis due to incomplete Behçet's disease with administration of adalimumab, after failing to react to all other modalities of treatment.
CASE REPORT
We present the case of a 15-year-old girl who was treated for reccurent uveitis in both eyes with developed complications on anterior and posterior ocular segment. She was earlier treated with topical and systemic steroids for uveitis, laser photocoagulation and methotrexate, however, relapses occurred inspite all treatment modalities. Patient was diagnosed with incomplete Behcet's disease, and adalimumab therapy was initiated. Inflammation was well-controlled by adalimumab administration without need for local or systemic corticosteroids.
CONCLUSION
Adalimumab is effective for treating children with Behcet's disease-associated uveitis. Control of ocular inflammation in our case was achieved without need for continuing local or systemic corticosteroids, thus preventing further complications and possible significant vision loss. | 10.5455/msm.2021.33.78-81 |
pubmed_442_4352 | Bologna is one of the most ancient cradles of medical knowledge, as the city hosts one of the oldest medical faculties in the world. Among its best known institutions there is the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, founded in the late nineteenth century, whose history is strictly connected with the evolution and development of the Italian orthopaedic practice of the last 120 years. The present manuscript acknowledges the main contributions by Francesco Rizzoli, Alessandro Codivilla and Vittorio Putti, who prompted the foundation and the international recognition of the Rizzoli Institute and the related Bolognese Orthopaedic School. | 10.1007/s00264-016-3252-x |
pubmed_836_20055 | Weakly basic drugs, such as verapamil hydrochloride, that are poorly soluble in neutral/alkaline medium may have poor oral bioavailability due to reduced solubility in the small intestine and colon. Film coated pellets were prepared using two strategies to enhance drug release at high pH values. Firstly, pellets were coated with Eudragit RS/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HMAS) mixtures in proportions of 10:1 and 10:3, respectively. The enteric polymer, HMAS, would dissolve in medium at pH > 6 creating pores through the insoluble Eudragit RS membrane to increase drug release. Secondly, an acidic environment was created within the core by the inclusion of fumaric acid at concentrations of 5 and 10% in order to increase drug solubility. Both strategies enhanced drug release into neutral medium in dissolution studies using the pH change method to simulate GIT transit. Dissolution profiles of samples tested in pH 1.2 for 12 hr were compared with those using the pH change method (pH 1.2 for first 1.5 hr, pH raised to 6.8 for remaining 10.5 hr) using the area under the dissolution curve (AUC), the dissolution half-life (t50%), and the amount of drug released in 3 hr (A3hr) values. Both strategies enhanced drug release into neutral medium although the strategy using HMAS in the film was more effective. The formulation least affected by pH change was a combination of the two strategies, i.e., pellets containing 5% fumaric acid coated with Eudragit RS 12% w/w and HMAS 1.2% w/w. | 10.1081/ddc-120018646 |
pubmed_495_7325 | Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase is an enzyme that functions in the signaling pathways downstream from multiple cell surface receptors. The p85 regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase binds to phosphotyrosine residues of various phosphoproteins including the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor, the insulin receptor, and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). Using NIH-3T3 cells overexpressing the human insulin receptor, we demonstrate that the p85 regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase binds to phosphorylated PDGF receptor in cells incubated in the absence of insulin. When insulin is added, p85 is released from phosphorylated PDGF receptors and binds to phosphorylated insulin receptors and insulin receptor substrate-1. Moreover, insulin-induced dissociation of PDGF receptors from binding sites on PI 3-kinase requires a functional insulin receptor and is not prevented by vanadate treatment. In contrast, insulin activation does not displace PDGF receptors from binding sites on Ras GTPase-activating protein. This competition for binding to PI 3-kinase provides a mechanism for cross-talk among signaling pathways initiated by distinct peptide hormones and growth factors such as insulin and PDGF. | 10.1074/jbc.270.50.30018 |
pubmed_60_11825 | The role of satellite glial cells (SGCs) of sensory ganglia in chronic pain begins to receive interest. The present study aims to investigate the contribution of SGC activation to the development of neuropathic pain. A neuropathic pain model was established by lumbar 5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was used as a marker of SGC activation. It was found that SGCs were activated in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) increased significantly as early as 4h following SNL, gradually increased to a peak level at day 7, and then stayed at a high level to the end of the experiment at day 56. SGC activation in the SNL group was significantly higher than that in the sham group at days 1, 3 and 7 after operation. Immunofluorescent double labeling showed that the activated SGCs encircled large, medium-sized and small neurons. The SGCs surrounded the small and medium-sized neurons were preferentially activated in the early phase, but shifted to large diameter neurons as time went on. Continuous infusion of fluorocitrate, a glial metabolism inhibitor, to the affected DRG via mini-osmotic pump for 7d significantly alleviated mechanical allodynia at day 7. These results suggest that SGCs in the DRG were activated after SNL. SGC activation contributed to the early maintenance of neuropathic pain. | 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.10.016 |
pubmed_561_12339 | Interactions between thymocytes and thymic epithelial cell (TEC) can be modulated by growth hormone via insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). In this study, we showed IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor mRNA expression by human and murine TEC and thymocytes. Functionally, IGF-1 stimulates extracellular matrix production by human TEC. Moreover, pretreatment of murine TEC with IGF-1 increases their adhesion to thymocytes. Interestingly, we observed an increase in the frequency of CD4-CD8-CD90+ T cells which adhered to pretreated TEC, supporting the concept that IGF-1 may also act indirectly on intrathymic T cell differentiation and migration through the thymic epithelium. | 10.1159/000048230 |
pubmed_437_17519 | This study primarily aimed to identify future actions required to promote palliative care in Japan. The future actions regarded as effective by the general population were "improve physicians' skill in palliative care" (61%), "create a counseling center for cancer" (61%), and "improve nurses' skill in palliative care" (60%). In contrast, future actions regarded as effective by the health care professionals were "set up a Web site that provides information about cancer" (72%), "promote consultation with specialists in palliative care" (71%), and "open an outpatient department specializing in palliative care" (70%). The results suggest (1) development and maintenance of settings; (2) enhancement of palliative care education and training programs for health care providers; and (3) improvement in distributing information about cancer and regional palliative care resources to the general population. | 10.1177/1049909114532341 |
pubmed_232_660 | 4-Amino-2-mercaptopyrimidine self-assembled monolayer (AMP SAMs/Au) was prepared on a gold electrode. The AMP SAMs/Au was characterized by using attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and A.C. Impedance. The electrochemical behavior of brucine on AMP SAMs/Au was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The modified electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the redox of brucine. The catalytic current increased linearly with the concentration of brucine in the range of 4.0 x 10(-7) to 2.0 x 10(-4) mol l(-1) by square wave voltammetry response. The detection limit was 6.0 x 10(-8) mol l(-1). | 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2004.06.001 |
pubmed_504_12114 | The separation of adjacent lanthanides continues to be a challenge worldwide because of the similar physical and chemical properties of these elements and a necessity to advance the use of clean-energy applications. Herein, a systematic structure-performance relationship approach toward understanding the effect of N-alkyl group characteristics in diglycolamides (DGAs) on the separation of lanthanides(III) from a hydrochloric acid medium is presented. In addition to the three most extensively studied DGA complexants [N,N,N',N'-tetra(n-octyl)diglycolamide, TODGA; N,N,N',N'-tetra(2-ethylhexyl)diglycolamide, TEHDGA; N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-di(n-octyl)diglycolamide, DMDODGA], 12 new extracting agents with varying substitution patterns were designed to study the interplay of steric and electronic effects that control rare-earth element extraction. Subtle changes in the structure around diglycolamide carbonyl oxygen atoms result in dramatic shifts in the lanthanide extraction strength and selectivity. The effects of the chain length and branching position of N-alkyl substituents in DGAs are elaborated on with the use of experimental, computational, and solution-structure characterization techniques. | 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c02861 |
pubmed_621_23258 | We report the case of an adult referred to our center with an initial diagnosis of stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). A preoperative investigation disclosed an atrial septal defect (ASD) with pulmonary artery hypertension. The angiographic studies confirmed the diagnosis and showed external compression of the LMCA by an enlarged pulmonary artery. Surgical closure of the ASD and tricuspid valve ring annuloplasty with coronary artery bypass surgery (left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending artery) were undertaken. Six months after the surgery, the patient is doing well. | 10.1532/HSF98.20111144 |
pubmed_799_11877 | The enzyme activity of serotonin and dopamine synthesis--tryptophan hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase respectively--as well as content of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in the brain structures of Wistar and August rat strains were studied in normal conditions and during long-term amphetamine administration (21 day) in dosage of 1.0 mg/kg. Between-strain differences were observed both in normal conditions and during amphetamine using. Inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase activity, decrease of DOPA and activation of tryptophan hydroxylase activity in the brain structures were found in August rats under amphetamine action. On the contrary, inhibition of tryptophan hydroxylase activity, activation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity and increase of DOPA were revealed in Wistar rats. A relationship between neuronmediator systems metabolism in the brain and peculiarities of behavior and emotional reactivity of the animals during pathological influence was demonstrated. | pubmed_799_11877 |
pubmed_411_21926 | Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent during wars and other man-made disasters, and contributes significantly to the overall death toll. War-related AKI may develop as a result of polytrauma, traumatic bleeding and hypovolemia, chemical and airborne toxin exposure, and crush syndrome. Thus, prerenal, intrinsic renal, or postrenal AKI may develop at the battlefield, in field hospitals, or tertiary care centers, resulting not only from traumatic, but also nontraumatic, etiologies. The prognosis usually is unfavorable because of systemic and polytrauma-related complications and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. Measures for decreasing the risk of AKI include making preparations for foreseeable disasters, and early management of polytrauma-related complications, hypovolemia, and other pathogenetic mechanisms. Transporting casualties initially to field hospitals, and afterward to higher-level health care facilities at the earliest convenience, is critical. Other man-made disasters also may cause AKI; however, the number of patients is mostly lower and treatment possibilities are broader than in war. If there is no alternative other than prolonged field care, the medical community must be prepared to offer health care and even perform dialysis in austere conditions, which in that case, is the only option to decrease the death toll resulting from AKI. | 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2020.06.001 |
pubmed_71_21392 | OBJECTIVES
As many as 40% of those with serious mental illness (SMI) do not attend any outpatient visits in the 30 days following discharge. We examined engagement-focused care (EFC) versus treatment as usual in a university-based transitional care clinic (TCC) with a 90-day program serving individuals with SMI discharged from hospitals and emergency rooms. EFC included a unique group intake process (access group) designed to get individuals into care rapidly and a shared decision-making coach.
METHODS
Assessments of quality of life, symptomatology, and shared decision-making preferences were conducted at baseline, at 3 months corresponding to the end of TCC treatment and 6 months after TCC discharge. Communication among the patients and providers was assessed at each visit as was service utilization during and after TCC.
RESULTS
Subjective quality of life improved in EFC. Prescribers and patients saw communication more similarly as time went on. Ninety-one percent of patients wanted at least some say in decisions about their treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
SDM coaching and improved access improve quality of life. Most people want a say in treatment decisions. | 10.2147/PPA.S132339 |
pubmed_889_884 | With the existence of numerous rehabilitation systems, classification and comparison becomes difficult, especially due to the many factors involved. Moreover, most current reviews are descriptive and do not provide systematic methods for the visual comparison of systems. This review proposes a method for classifying systems and representing them graphically to easily visualize various characteristics of the different systems at the same time. This method could be an introduction for standardizing the evaluation of gait rehabilitation systems. It evaluates four main modules (body weight support, reciprocal stepping mechanism, pelvis mechanism, and environment module) of 27 different gait systems based on a set of characteristics. The combination of these modular evaluations provides a description of the system "in the space of rehabilitation." The evaluation of each robotic module, based on specific characteristics, showed diverse tendencies. While there is an augmented interest in developing more sophisticated reciprocal stepping mechanisms, few researchers are dedicated to enhance the properties of pelvis mechanisms. | 10.1109/RBME.2018.2886228 |
pubmed_74_6360 | PURPOSE
The goal of this study is to evaluate the association between MMP-2, 3, TIMP-2, 3 polymorphisms and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Chinese Han population.
METHODS
Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were genotyped in 505 CRC patients and 510 controls. The association between candidate SNPs and risk of CRC were evaluated using odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (95% CI).
RESULTS
The minor allele frequency of rs1053605 in cases was significantly lower than controls (p = 0.005). The CT genotype frequency of rs1053605 in cases was significantly lower than those in controls, while the frequencies of rs4789936-CT and rs715572-AG genotype of in cases were significantly higher than those in controls (p < 0.05). Genetic model analysis showed that rs522616 was associated with decreased risk of CRC under recessive model (p = 0.041); rs1053605 was correlated with decreased risk of CRC under dominant (p = 0.012) and additive (p = 0.009) models; rs4789936 also has association with decreased risk of CRC under recessive model (p = 0.021); while rs715572 was associated with increased risk of CRC under dominant (p = 0.007) and additive (p = 0.011) models.
CONCLUSION
Our results shed new light on association between MMP and TIMP polymorphisms and CRC risk. | 10.1016/j.gene.2019.144320 |
pubmed_83_13858 | Delirium is a multifactorial syndrome and is described as an acute brain dysfunction seen commonly in post-cardiac surgery patients. The prevalence of post-operative Delirium (POD) ranges from 11.4% to 55%, depending on the diagnostic tool and type of study. Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) are the two most used and recommended tools by the Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Annual delirium-related healthcare costs in the United States (US) range from 6.6 to 20.4 billion USD in ICU patients. However, delirium in cardiac ICU (CICU) is underdiagnosed and warrants vigorous workup. The risk factors for delirium in CICU can be classified as modifiable, non-modifiable, and cardiac surgical causes. After cardiac procedures, delirium is associated with increased mortality, increased length of hospital stay, loss of functional independence, increased hospital costs, and an independent predictor of death 10 years postoperatively. Non-pharmacological measures such as avoiding delirium-risk medications, early physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and sleep improvement strategies have shown significant benefits in decreasing delirium. Pharmacological options are limited for use in CICU, and a need for future studies in this topic is in demand. | 10.7759/cureus.10096 |
pubmed_1011_5982 | The ultafine structure of the Malpighian tubes in O. papillipes (Argasidae) was studied. It has been shown that the cells of different parts of the Malpighian tubes have their own peculiarities. The distal cells are characterized by the inclusions which can be interpreted as mucopolysaccharide ones. The main part of the tube was found to contain cells of two types. Most of the cells belonging to the first type have well developed microvilli and poorly developed basal invaginations. The cells of the second type, the number of which increases towards the proximal end of the tube, have small microvilli and narrow folds of the basal labyrinth entering deeply the cytoplasm. The cells of the second type are rich in mitochondria. The ultrastructure of the rectal sac has been studied. The cells of this organ have a polar structure: the apical surface is covered with microvilli, the plasmotic membrane forms deep folds at the base. | pubmed_1011_5982 |
pubmed_93_15464 | CONTEXT
Aperio Technologies, Inc (Vista, California) provides a new immunohistochemistry (IHC) HER2 Image Analysis (IA) system that allows tuning of the intensity thresholds of the HER2/ neu scoring scheme to adapt to the staining characteristics of different reagents.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the trainable IHC HER2 IA system for different reagents to conventional manual microscopy (MM) in a multisite study.
DESIGN
Two hundred sixty formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast cancer specimens from 3 clinical sites were assayed: 180 specimens stained with Dako's HercepTest (Carpinteria, California), and 80 specimens stained with Ventana's PATHWAY HER-2/neu (Tucson, California). At each site, 3 pathologists performed a blinded reading of the glass slides with the use of a light microscope. The glass slides were then scanned and after a wash-out period and randomization, the same pathologists outlined a representative set of tumor regions to be analyzed by IHC HER2 IA. Each of the methods, MM and IA, was evaluated separately and comparatively by using κ statistics of negative HER2/neu scores (0, 1+) versus equivocal HER2/neu scores (2+) versus positive HER2/neu scores (3+) among the different pathologists.
RESULTS
κ Values for IA and MM were obtained across all sites. MM: 0.565-0.864; IA: 0.895-0.947; MM versus IA: 0.683-0.892 for site 1; MM: 0.771-0.837; IA: 0.726-0.917; MM versus IA: 0.687-0.877 for site 2; MM: 0.463-0.674; IA: 0.864-0.918; MM versus IA: 0.497-0.626 for site 3.
CONCLUSION
Aperio's trainable IHC HER2 IA system shows substantial equivalence to MM for Dako's HercepTest and Ventana's PATHWAY HER-2/neu at 3 clinical sites. Image analysis improved interpathologist agreement in the different clinical sites. | 10.1043/2010-0418-OAR1.1 |
others_341_5882 | Infection by larval parasites can have severe consequences on intermediate hosts that affect transmission, fecundity and fitness of the host, and host population structure. This study examines the pathogenic effects of cysticercoid larvae of the hymenolepidid cestode Microsomacanthus hopkinsi (Schiller, 1951) on its amphipod intermediate host, Hyalella azteca Saussure, 1858. There was a significant, positive relationship between oncosphere consumption, cysticercoid burden, and age in short-term experiments in which groups of H. azteca were exposed individually to single egg packets of M. hopkinsi during instars 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9; however, there was no correlation between oncosphere consumption and the intensity of infection in the amphipod hosts within each instar. The mean number of moults over a 14 day experimental period was significantly less in infected amphipods than in their respective controls. In short-term experiments, the greatest mortality appeared to be limited to amphipods exposed during the earliest instars; little mortality was observed in amphipods exposed during instar 4 or later. Long-term experiments revealed a significant negative effect of infection on the overall life span of both male and female H. azteca exposed individually to a single egg packet during instar 4. Of 72 females infected during instar 4 and provided with mates during instar 6, only 1 and 4 produced broods in instars 8 and 9, respectively, compared with 58 and 57 of 72 control females. Broods produced by infected females were significantly smaller than those of control females. Infected individuals were less likely to mate successfully. The results are discussed in terms of their consequences for transmission, host fitness, and potential effects on host populations. © 2006 NRC | 10.1139/z05-173 |
pubmed_1034_1834 | INTRODUCTION
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are the major cause of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, and monobactams. They are derived from the narrow-spectrum beta-lactamases (TEM-1, TEM-2, or SHV-1) by mutations that alter the amino acid configuration around the enzyme active site.
AIM
To determine the prevalence of ESBL (blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and blaSHV) genes among the members of Enterobacteriaceae.
METHODOLOGY
The present prospective study was carried out from January 2015 to June 2015 in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine of a Teaching Tertiary Care Hospital. A total of 526 urine samples were studied. Seventy-eight isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction for detection of ESBL genes.
RESULTS
In our study, ESBL genes were detected among 18 (45%) phenotypically confirmed ESBL producers and 20 (52.5%) phenotypically confirmed non-ESBL producers. The gene that predominated was blaTEM (48.7%), followed by blaCTX-M (7.6%) and blaSHV (5.1%).
CONCLUSION
Definitive identification of ESBL genes is only possible by molecular detection methods. Phenotypic tests need to be evaluated periodically as their performance may change with the introduction of new enzymes. | 10.4103/2231-0770.197508 |
others_281_2037 | Motile sperm cells of land plants are released directly into the environment and encounter numerous constraints on their way to the egg. Sperm cell organization, shape, size, and plasticity are crucial to the processes associated with fertilization. We conducted an ultrastructural investigation to detail insemination (sperm release, swimming and movement within the archegonium) and fertilization in the model fern Ceratopteris richardii. Gametophytes were grown from spores using sterile culture techniques and flooded in water when sexually mature. Materials were examined at different stages post-flooding. During insemination in C. richardii, the sperm cytoskeleton and flagella rearrange, and the coils of the cell extend while entering the neck canal. In this nearly linear configuration, the dense ridge, a densely compacted band of filaments presumed to be actin, expands to surround the leading edge of the sperm cell. This ridge fuses with the receptive site on the female gamete and is the sperm component that initiates contact with the egg nuclear envelope. All cellular components, except plastids, enter the egg cytoplasm. Sperm mitochondria are distinguishable from those of the egg because they are encased by two or three additional membranes and are sequestered from the zygote cytoplasm. During karyogamy, the sperm components, including the microtubule cytoskeleton (spline) and flagella, maintain their spatial integrity. Microtubules play key roles not only in sperm cell structure but also in facilitating karyogamy in this fern. After karyogamy is completed, microtubule arrays of the sperm cell and the components of the locomotory apparatus are disassembled. We provide the first demonstration of the likely involvement of sperm actin in egg penetration in land plants and new insights into the fate of paternal organelles. This study points to the roles sperm cell structure and dynamics play in the intricate processes of insemination and fertilization in land plants. © 2008 Springer-Verl | 10.1007/s00497-008-0068-x |
pubmed_164_18357 | Scatter hoarders are not able to defend their caches. A longer hoarding distance combined with lower cache density can reduce cache losses but increase the costs of hoarding and retrieving. Scatter hoarders arrange their cache density to achieve an optimal balance between hoarding costs and main cache losses. We conducted systematic cache sampling investigations to estimate the effects of food availability on cache patterns of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). This study was conducted over a five-year period at two sample plots in a Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis)-dominated forest with contrasting seed production patterns. During these investigations, the locations of nest trees were treated as indicators of squirrel space use to explore how space use affected cache pattern. The squirrels selectively hoarded heavier pine seeds farther away from seed-bearing trees. The heaviest seeds were placed in caches around nest trees regardless of the nest tree location, and this placement was not in response to decreased food availability. The cache density declined with the hoarding distance. Cache density was lower at sites with lower seed production and during poor seed years. During seed mast years, the cache density around nest trees was higher and invariant. The pine seeds were dispersed over a larger distance when seed availability was lower. Our results suggest that 1) animal space use is an important factor that affects food hoarding distance and associated cache densities, 2) animals employ different hoarding strategies based on food availability, and 3) seed dispersal outside the original stand is stimulated in poor seed years. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0080632 |
pubmed_1052_25362 | BACKGROUND
Treating pain associated with acute coccyx fractures can be challenging. Intranasal calcitonin has been used to treat acute pain after vertebral fracture, and may even accelerate fracture healing. However, intranasal calcitonin has never previously been published as part of the treatment of acute coccyx fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To examine a series of cases in which intranasal calcitonin was used to treat coccydynia related to coccyx fractures.
STUDY DESIGN
Case series and literature review.
SETTING
Outpatient university-based coccyx pain center.
RESULTS
After use of intranasal calcitonin, pain levels decreased, adverse events were minimal, and the medication was generally well tolerated.
LIMITATIONS
As this is not a randomized control trial, the patients treated with intranasal calcitonin were not compared to a control group. Additionally, the sample size of 8 patients is relatively small.
CONCLUSIONS
We propose that clinicians consider use of intranasal calcitonin for the treatment of pain due to acute coccyx fractures. | pubmed_1052_25362 |
pubmed_1048_16459 | Beetles from the genus Chrysina show vivid reflections from bright green to metallic silver-gold as a consequence of the cholesteric liquid crystal organization of chitin molecules. Particularly, the cuticle of Chrysina gloriosa exhibits green and silver stripes. By combining confocal microscopy and spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy and numerical simulations, the relationship between the reflectance and the structural parameters for both stripes at the micro- and nanoscales are established. Over the visible and near IR spectra, polygonal cells in tessellated green stripes behave as multiwavelength selective micro-mirrors and the silver stripes as specular broadband mirrors. Thermoregulation, conspecifics or intra-species communication, or camouflage against predators are discussed as possible functions. As a prerequisite to bio-inspired artificial replicas, the physical characteristics of the polygonal texture in Chrysina gloriosa cuticle are compared to their equivalents in synthetic cholesteric oligomers and their fundamental differences are ascertained. It is shown that the cuticle has concave cells whereas the artificial films have convex cells, contrary to expectation and assumption in the literature. The present results may provide inspiration for fabricating multiwavelength selective micromirrors or spatial wavelength-specific light modulators.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Many insects own a tessellated carapace with bumps, pits or indentations. Little is known on the physical properties of these geometric variations and biological functions are unknown or still debated. We show that the polygonal cells in scarab beetle Chrysina gloriosa behave as multiwavelength selective micromirrors over the visible and infrared spectra, with a variety of spatial patterns. In the context of biomimetic materials, we demonstrate that the carapace has concave cells whereas the artificial films have convex cells, contrary to expectation in the literature. Thermoregulation, communication or camouflage are discussed as advanced functions. Results may provide inspiration for fabricating spatial wavelength-specific light modulators and optical packet switching in routing technologies. | 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.11.033 |
pubmed_829_12051 | In recent years, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been recognized as a central player and regulator of cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis and, therefore, as a potentially relevant therapeutic target. Several strategies for EGFR targeting have been developed, the most succesful being represented by monoclonal antibodies, that directly interfere with ligand-receptor binding and small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, that interfere with activation/phosphorylation of EGFR. These agents have been authorized in advanced chemorefractory cancers, including colorectal cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer and head and neck cancer. However, evidence of resistance to these drugs has been described and extensive studies have been performed to investigate whether resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy is primary or secondary. Cellular levels of EGFR do not always correlate with response to the EGFR inhibitors. Indeed, in spite of the over expression and efficient inhibition of EGFR, resistance to EGFR inhibitors may occur. Moreover, given the genetic instability of cancer cells, genetic modifications could enable them to acquire a resistant phenotype to anti-EGFR therapies. Taken together, these findings support the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms affecting cancer cell sensitivity or resistance to such inhibitors. This review will focus on the most relevant mechanisms contributing to the acquisition of sensitivity/resistance to EGFR inhibitors. | 10.1111/j.1432-0436.2007.00200.x |
pubmed_220_1712 | OBJECTIVE
To identify a rare transcription mutation (C-->T) at position -90 of the beta-globin gene previously unreported in the beta-thalassemia carriers from a Chinese family.
METHODS
In phenotype analysis, standard hematological techniques were used to measure RBC counts and Hb concentration. Reverse dot blot (RDB) analysis, which can simultaneously detect 18 known types of beta-thalassemia mutations in Chinese, was used to scan beta-globin gene mutations. DNA sequence analysis of the entire human beta-globin gene was performed to characterize the underlying causative mutation of the sample and to identify its genotype. A semi-quantitative RT-PCR method was used to measure beta-globin gene expression in the form of mRNA from the subjects.
RESULTS
The proband, his brother and his mother presented a typical beta-thalassemic trait with reduced mean corpuscular volume (MCV, 68.2-73.6 fL) and elevated level of Hb A(2) (5.7%-6.4%) but no known beta-thalassemia mutations were found in the samples by RDB analysis. DNA sequencing of the beta-gene region of these three samples revealed heterozygosity for the C-->T substitution at position -90 within proximal CACCC box of the beta-globin gene promoter element, which was previously unreported in the Chinese population. Analysis of mRNA from the positive carriers demonstrated that the mutant beta-globin gene significantly reduced beta-globin transcription (mutants: 2.233 +/- 0.01 vs normal: 3.779+/-1.19; 95%CI: 3.060, 4.499), showing a level comparable with that of the other beta-thalassemia heterozygotes (2.110+/-0.53, 95%CI: 1.732, 2.488).
CONCLUSION
A rare transcriptional mutation that led to beta-thalassemia in Chinese population has been characterized. The findings enrich knowledge of the mutation spectrum of beta-thalassemia. | pubmed_220_1712 |
pubmed_282_10434 | BACKGROUND
Identifying bicornuate uterus can be challenging especially as a cause of early pregnancy bleeding. On ultrasonographic examination, it is difficult to misdiagnose pregnancy in a bicornuate uterus as an ectopic pregnancy due to the continuity of the endometrium. A rudimentary horn of a bicornuate uterus in early pregnancy can occasionally be misdiagnosed for an ectopic pregnancy especially when compounded by severe abdominal pains and supportive sonographic evidence. Myometrial invasive grading of placenta may be necessary for emergency preparedness and consenting. Hemihysterectomy is lifesaving when percreta has caused severe postpartum haemorrhage.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present a 24-year-old primigravida who presented to the maternity department with severe abdominal pains at 35 weeks. She was pale on clinical examination and haemodynamically unstable. She underwent emergency caesarean section with a preoperative diagnosis of concealed abruptio placentae. Intraoperatively we encountered a bicornuate uterus, delivered a fresh stillbirth, and noted a placenta percreta. A hemihysterectomy was done and she recovered after transfusion without complications.
CONCLUSION
A gravid horn of a bicornuate uterus may present as an ectopic pregnancy; careful assessment at laparotomy or laparoscopy is required to prevent inadvertent surgical termination of pregnancy. Placental myometrial invasive assessment is important for delivery emergency preparedness. | 10.1155/2017/4082182 |
pubmed_799_10075 | The discovery of SNPs was performed using animals from eight European sheep breeds. Eleven SNPs were further characterized using about 1,700 sheep belonging to 57 breeds. A method for the identification of loci that were likely subject to selection was applied; three of the 11 SNPs lying outside the 95% confidence region of the conditional joint distribution of F(ST) and mean heterozygosity were identified as outliers. | 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2006.01441.x |
pubmed_851_372 | The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in combination with p38 mitogen‑activated protein (MAPK) inhibition against myocardial infarction (MI) injury in rats, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. An MI model was established by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. The rats were divided into four groups: MSC transplantation, p38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580), MSC + SB203580 and model control group. HE staining and a TUNEL assay were performed to evaluate pathological changes and apoptosis. The expression levels of p38MAPK and transforming growth factor β‑activated kinase 1 (TAK1) were determined using reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. As shown by HE staining, classical morphological changes, including irregular cell arrangement and inflammatory infiltration were observed in the model rats, whereas MSC therapy or injection of the p38MAPK inhibitor ameliorated these pathological changes. Of note, the combined application of MSCs with the p38MAPK inhibitor exerted additive effects. The TUNEL assay showed that the combined application of MSCs with p38MAPK inhibitor also led to potentiation of effects, compared with either MSCs therapy or p38MAPK inhibitor injection alone. Mechanistically, the combined application of MSCs with p38MAPK inhibitor decreased the expression levels of TAK1 and p38MAPK at the mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, p38MAPK inhibition potentiated the protective effects of MSCs therapy against MI in rats. | 10.3892/mmr.2017.6973 |
pubmed_365_3024 | Cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom), which catalyzes irreversible transformation of androgens into estrogens, has been immunolocalized in mouse, brown bear and rooster germ cells. In the immature rat, P450arom is found in Sertoli cells while in the mature rat it is found in Leydig cells. In the pig, ram, and human, it is mainly present in Leydig cells. Our purpose was first to investigate the testicular presence of cytochrome P450arom mRNA in adult rat germ cells using RT-PCR. The amplified product from germ cells showed 100% homology with the corresponding fragments of the rat ovary cDNAs and was detectable not only in rat Leydig and Sertoli cells but also in pachytene spermatocytes, round spermatids and testicular spermatozoa. In purified Leydig cells and pachytene spermatocytes the P450arom mRNA level was 10-fold higher than in Sertoli cells. The amount of P450arom mRNA transcript decreased according to the stage of germ cell maturation, being more elevated in younger than in mature germ cells. By contrast, the aromatase activity in the microsomal fractions was 2- to 4-fold greater in spermatozoa than in the other enriched germ cell preparations studied. We also demonstrated the presence of a 55kDa protein in a mixed germ cell preparation and have been able to immunolocalize the P450arom on mature rat testicular slices, namely in Leydig cells and elongated spermatids. The overall data confirm the presence of a functional cytochrome P450arom in the male rat testis and consequently, the existence of an additional source of estrogens within the genital tract of the male which may likely suggest a physiological role for these hormones in the regulation of spermatogenesis. | pubmed_365_3024 |
pubmed_662_6653 | A simple culture technique was used to follow sheep reticulocyte maturation. Cells remained in good condition without lysis for at least 7 days and maintained normal intracellular ATP concentrations. Amino acid and nucleoside transport were measured during maturation together with changes in reduced glutathione (GSH), amino acid, K+ and Na+ concentrations. Reticulocytes of the genetic types high-K+ and low-K+, high-GSH and low-GSH; nucleoside-permeable and nucleoside-impermeable were indistinguishable both in transport properties and cellular constituents. Cell maturation was associated with marked decreases in L-alanine transport (Na+-dependent and independent), uridine transport and GSH and K+ concentrations. Typical mature-cell levels for all parameters were reached within the culture period, during which time predicted differences between cells of different genotypes became apparent. Loss of amino acid-transport activity from low-GSH cells was accompanied by an increase in intracellular ornithine and lysine concentrations. The rates at which different parameters changed during culture were compared. | 10.1042/bj1920033 |
pubmed_173_6181 | Pacific islanders face up to the dire health effects of global warming. Atasa Moceituba and Monique Tsang report. | 10.2471/BLT.15.021115 |
pubmed_1091_20825 | INTRODUCTION
The aetiology of congenital hearing loss is heterogeneous, and in many infants a genetic cause is suspected. Parents face a diagnostic odyssey when searching for a cause of their infant's hearing loss. Through the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, a prospective cohort of infants will be offered whole-exome sequencing (WES) with targeted analysis in conjunction with chromosome microarray to determine the genetic causes of congenital hearing loss. Parents will also be offered the opportunity to receive additional results from their infant's WES.
METHODS
Eligible infants will be identified through the Victorian Infant Hearing Screening Program and offered an appointment in a paediatrician-run clinic, a genetics assessment and enrolment in the Victorian Childhood Hearing Impairment Longitudinal Databank. If parents consent to WES, genes causing deafness will be analysed and they can choose to obtain additional findings. For the additional results component, a modified laboratory protocol has been designed for reporting of results in the absence of a relevant phenotype. Parents' experience of being offered WES will be evaluated using surveys.
DISCUSSION
This project will provide descriptive analysis of the genetic aetiology of congenital hearing loss in this cohort and may provide data on genotype-phenotype correlations. Additionally, choices regarding additional findings will be analysed. Participants will represent a diverse cross section of the population, increasing the ability to generalise results beyond the study group. Evaluation surveys will allow analysis of preferences around counselling, usefulness of a decision aid and adequacy of information provision. | 10.1136/bmjpo-2017-000119 |
pubmed_631_11063 | BACKGROUND
The Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (HM450K) measures the DNA methylation of 485,512 CpGs in the human genome. The technology relies on hybridization of genomic fragments to probes on the chip. However, certain genomic factors may compromise the ability to measure methylation using the array such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), small insertions and deletions (INDELs), repetitive DNA, and regions with reduced genomic complexity. Currently, there is no clear method or pipeline for determining which of the probes on the HM450K bead array should be retained for subsequent analysis in light of these issues.
RESULTS
We comprehensively assessed the effects of SNPs, INDELs, repeats and bisulfite induced reduced genomic complexity by comparing HM450K bead array results with whole genome bisulfite sequencing. We determined which CpG probes provided accurate or noisy signals. From this, we derived a set of high-quality probes that provide unadulterated measurements of DNA methylation.
CONCLUSIONS
Our method significantly reduces the risk of false discoveries when using the HM450K bead array, while maximising the power of the array to detect methylation status genome-wide. Additionally, we demonstrate the utility of our method through extraction of biologically relevant epigenetic changes in prostate cancer. | 10.1186/1471-2164-15-51 |
pubmed_190_12456 | OBJECTIVE
The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the detection rate of local radiorecurrent prostate cancer by using diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) and targeted biopsies. The secondary purpose was to assess the value of performing random biopsies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included 42 consecutive patients with biochemical recurrence after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). At the time of biopsy, the mean age±SD was 67±6 years, median serum prostate-specific antigen level was 4.0±3.0 ng/mL, and mean elapsed time between EBRT and biopsy was 5.6±2.8 years. MRI examination included high-resolution axial T2-weighted and DWI sequences and was classified as either negative or positive. Transrectal ultrasound-guided targeted biopsies were obtained from all patients with positive findings on MRI using a soft image fusion system. Random sextant biopsies were obtained from both lobes in patients with negative findings on MRI and from the lobe contralateral to the MRI target in patients with positive findings on MRI. The biopsy results were classified as negative or positive and defined as the criterion standard.
RESULTS
MRI findings were positive in 40 of 42 (95%) patients, and the overall positive biopsy rate was 79% (33 of 42 patients). Targeted biopsies were positive in 33 of 40 (83%) patients. Random biopsies were positive in 6 of 30 (20%) patients, all of whom had positive targeted biopsies.
CONCLUSION
DWI is highly sensitive for detecting radiorecurrent prostate cancer, and a few targeted biopsies may confirm a positive diagnosis. However, random biopsies may assess the tumor burden more exactly. | 10.2214/AJR.12.10483 |
pubmed_810_3008 | Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age that is associated with significant adverse short- and long-term health consequences. Multiple metabolic aberrations, such as insulin resistance (IR) and hyperinsulinaemia, high incidence of impaired glucose tolerance, visceral obesity, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, hypertension and dyslipidemia are associated with the syndrome. Assessing the metabolic aberrations and their long term health impact in women with PCOS is challenging and becomes more important as therapeutic interventions currently available for the management of PCOS are not fully able to deal with all these consequences. Current therapeutic management of PCOS has incorporated new treatments resulting from the better understanding of the pathophysiology of the syndrome. The aim of this review is to summarize the effect of old, new and emerging therapies used in the management of PCOS, on the metabolic aberrations of PCOS. | 10.1177/2042018812437355 |
pubmed_768_11210 | UNLABELLED
The two human neurotropic alphaherpesviruses varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) both establish latency in sensory ganglia. Human trigeminal ganglia are known to frequently harbor both viruses, and there is evidence to suggest the presence of both VZV and HSV1 DNA in the same neuron. We ask here whether VZV and HSV1 can exclude themselves and each other and whether they can productively infect the same cells in human neurons and human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF). Simultaneous infection (coinfection) or consecutive infection (superinfection) was assessed using cell-free HSV1 and VZV expressing fluorescent reporter proteins. Automated analysis was carried out to detect singly and dually infected cells. We demonstrate that VZV and HSV1 both display efficient superinfection exclusion (SE) in HFF, with each virus excluding either itself or the other virus. While SE also occurred in neurons, it was with much lower efficiency. Both alphaherpesviruses productively infected the same neurons, whether applied simultaneously or even consecutively, albeit at lower frequencies.
IMPORTANCE
Superinfection exclusion by VZV for itself or the related neurotropic alphaherpesvirus HSV1 has been studied here for the first time. We find that while these viruses display classic SE in fibroblasts, SE is less efficient for both HSV1 and VZV in human neurons. The ability of multiple VZV strains to productively infect the same neurons has important implications in terms of recombination of both wild-type and vaccine strains in patients. | 10.1128/JVI.00252-14 |
pubmed_80_5052 | Although the quality of knee arthroscopy is not determined with a stopwatch, in general, an operation should not take significantly longer than average for a routine and uncomplicated procedure. On the other hand, rushing through an operation is never acceptable. Hurrying to complete an operation to meet a given time standard is not only undesirable, but also unsafe for the patient. | 10.1016/j.arthro.2019.03.023 |
pubmed_988_144 | Of 4588 pregnant women in a high-risk Haitian population, 443 (9.7%) were serologically positive for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Infants born to women who were HIV-1 seropositive were more likely to be premature, of low birth weight, and malnourished at 3 and 6 months of age than were infants born to women who were HIV-1 seronegative. Increased mortality was observed in infants born to women who were HIV-1 seropositive by 3 months of age. At 12 months of age, 23.4% of the infants born to women who were HIV-1 seropositive had died compared with 10.8% of the infants born to women who were HIV-1 seronegative; at 24 months of age, the mortality rates were 31.3% and 14.2%, respectively. Maternal HIV-1 infections resulted in an 11.7% increase in the overall infant mortality rate in this population. The estimated mother-to-infant HIV-1 transmission rate in these breast-fed infants was 25%, similar to the rates reported for non-breast-fed populations in the United States and Europe. | pubmed_988_144 |
pubmed_354_13403 | Between 1990 and 2018, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency submitted 2177 cranial elements and 1565 teeth to the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System-Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory for DNA testing. In an effort to identify missing United States service members, materials were recovered from wartime losses inclusive of World War II, the Korean War, and Southeast Asia. Using four different DNA extraction protocols, DNA testing was performed using mitochondrial DNA Sanger sequencing, modified AmpFlSTR® Yfiler™, AmpFlSTR® MiniFiler™, PowerPlex® Fusion, or Next Generation Sequencing. This paper aims to provide optimal strategies for the DNA testing of skeletonized cranial materials. Cranial elements produced the most consistent results in Sanger sequencing using an organic purification; however, teeth were most successful for the same platform with an inorganic purification. The inverse is true for STR testing of cranial bones. Of the cranial elements, the temporal provided the most consistent results. | 10.1111/1556-4029.14123 |
pubmed_740_1241 | Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a bone conserving and ligament-sparing procedure that reliably restores normal knee kinematics and function for arthritis limited either to the medial or the lateral compartment of the knee. Although there is enough evidence to demonstrate that the UKA offers good medium to long-term success given the correct patient selection, prosthesis design, and implantation technique, there are several reports to suggest inferior survival rates in comparison with the total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Furthermore, it is a specialized procedure which works well in the hands of the experienced operator and therefore different authors' tend to draw different conclusions based on the same evidence, and as a result, there is great variability in the usage of the UKA. The aim of this current concept's review is to present to the readers the history of the UKA especially with reference to implant design, discuss current controversies, and outline the future perspectives of this novel procedure. | 10.1055/s-0038-1625961 |
others_192_14802 | The physiological importance of the glucose fatty acid cycle has been controversial. Many studies have failed to demonstrate an inhibitory effect of free fatty acids (FFA) on glucose utilization. Using both hepatoma cells (Hep G2) and human erythrocytes, which have poor oxidative capacity and metabolize glucose primarily anaerobically, we have demonstrated a unique stimulatory effect on FFA on glycolysis. Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (F-2,6-P2) concentrations also increased significantly in Hep G2 cells incubated with palmitic acid. In contrast, F-2,6-P2 concentrations fell in primary cultured hepatocytes incubated with palmitic acid in association with increased oxidation of FFA and accumulation of β-hydroxybutyrate. We propose that a stimulatory effect of FFA on glycolysis reported here for the first time may have been masked in previous studies performed in tissues in which the oxidation of FFA and the accumulation of intermediates such as citrate may have decreased F-2,6-P2 concentrations. We conclude that the spectrum of FFA effects on glycolysis probably depends on tissue oxidative capacity | 10.1152/ajpendo.1990.259.3.e451 |
pubmed_247_19726 | Beta-blockers and calcium antagonists have been advocated for thyrotoxicosis induced tachyarrhythmias. Amiodarone is generally considered as contraindicated because of its high iodine content. Since amiodarone combined with propylthiouracil induced a greater fall in serum thyroid hormone concentrations than propylthiouracil alone, we treated 2 hyperthyroid patients with supraventricular arrhythmias by radioiodine (day 0) followed after 24 h by amiodarone and propylthiouracil. Serum T3 was normalized on day 2 (patient 1) and 3 (patient 2). Effective t1/2 of intrathyroidal 131I were 6.6 and 4.3 days (versus 5.9 days for 131I given alone). In patient 1, atrial fibrillation, reverted to sinus rhythm after verapamil and digoxin, and did not recur. In patient 2, conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm occurred on day 11; from day 0 to day 11, ventricular rate decreased and was significantly correlated to T3 (r = 0.82; p < 0.05). In conclusion, amiodarone may be beneficial in thyrotoxicosis associated tachyarrhythmias, given with propylthiouracil 24 h after radioiodine, it did not decrease thyroid irradiation and rapidly decreased serum T3. | pubmed_247_19726 |
others_171_15543 | Early embryonic development, the period from maturation until blastocyst formation, is one of the most critical periods of mammalian development involves various morphological, cellular, and biochemical changes related to genomic activity. During the post-fertilization period, several major developmental events occur in the embryo which are regulating by a harmonized expression of genes and strongly influenced by culture conditions. The products of these genes are involved in various biological processes including metabolism, growth factor/cytokine signaling, stress adaptation, transcription and translation, epigenetic regulation of transcription, apoptosis, compaction and blastocyst formation. Post-fertilization culture environment is known to be the most important factor determining the quality of the resulting embryos as indicated in terms of cryo-tolerance and relative abundance of transcripts. However, the exact effect of culture conditions on gene expression and subsequent influences on molecular pathways controlling early development is still unknown. A number of culture environmental factors can influence the gene expression of produced embryos such as media composition, serum supplementation, number of embryos present in the culture drop and gas atmosphere. During the last ten years several studies were concerned with differences in the transcriptome profile of embryos produced under different environmental conditions and its subsequent influence on embryo developmental competence. From these studies, several genes have been determined as candidate genes controlling preimplantation embryo development and affecting its quality. Here we will discuss results of different experiments investigated the effect of different culture conditions on the transcriptome profile of bovine blastocyst. These experiments identified molecular mechanisms and pathways that influenced by culture conditions and this will enable to launch strategies to modify culture conditions to enhance the development of competent blastocyst. © 2012 Elsevier B.V | 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.08.014 |
others_189_10369 | Cirsium arvense populations showed 2n = 2x = 34 chromosome number, forming mostly bivalents, although some amount of univalents and quadrivalents were also formed. The Ghasemloo populations showed the highest value of total and terminal chiasmata, while the Khalkhal population showed the least values of the same parameters. The Meyandoab population had the highest value of intercalary chiasmata. Meiotic abnormalities including, laggard chromosomes, stickiness, micronuclei formation, unorganized chromosomes, multipolar cell formation and desynapsis were observed in almost all the populations studied. The occurrence of large pollen grains (possibly 2n pollen grains) was observed along with smaller (normal) pollen grains in some of the populations. B-chromosome (0-1) was observed only in the Taleghan population. RAPD and ISSR primers used produced many reproducible bands. Some of the populations showed the presence of specific bands, while some bands were present in all except one population. UPGMA and NJ trees of RAPD and ISSR data grouped the populations in two different clusters/groups, indicating their genetic difference which is discussed in details | others_189_10369 |
pubmed_1059_1721 | A case report of a young girl with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is presented. The patient showed cutaneous and skeletal findings characteristic of the syndrome. Multiple basal cell carcinomas, rib abnormalities, along with clinical evidence of frontal bossing and ocular hypertelorism were the primary features of the syndrome in this patient. It is suggested that other characteristics of the syndrome, such as jaw cysts, palmar and plantar pitting and calcification of the falx cerebri will develop as the patient grows older. Careful observation, particularly for medulloblastoma and malignant degeneration and invasiveness of basal cell carcinomas, will be an integral part of this young patient's care. | pubmed_1059_1721 |
others_45_4031 | The present studies were directed toward examining the effects of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on acid secretion and on β-adrenergic-stimulated gastrin and somatostatin release using the isolated vascularly perfused rat stomach. Including pentagastrin in perfusion buffer increased acid output from 2.2 ± 0.4 μeq H+/h during control perfusion to 18.8 ± 1.8 μeq H+/h (P<0.01). No significant changes in acid secretion were detected when either GRP or specific antibodies to GRP were included in perfusate in the absence or presence of pentagastrin. Inclusion of 10-9 M isoproterenol in the perfusate did not change acid output with respect to control; however, gastrin and somatostatin release into the portal venous effluent was significantly enhanced. Peak gastrin and somatostatin concentrations observed at 15 min were 753 ± 43% (P < 0.001) and 345 ± 43% (P < 0.01), respectively, of basal levels. When antibodies to GRP were included in perfusate containing isoproterenol, gastrin and somatostatin release into the portal venous effluent was significantly inhibited. The results of these studies indicate that GRP does not affect basal or pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the isolated perfused rat stomach. However, under the conditions of these experiments, β-adrenergic stimulation of gastrin and somatostatin release appears to be mediated, at least in part, through GRP | 10.1152/ajpgi.1985.249.2.g197 |
pubmed_360_670 | The behavioural consequences of daily beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) administration for a period of 6 weeks have been examined. Rats first showed signs of the 5-HT behavioural syndrome after a single injection of PEA (50mg/kg) or 7 daily injections of PEA (25mg/kg). The syndrome reached peak intensity after 3 weeks treatment and was prevented by pre-treatment with 5-HT antagonists mianserin and methysergide or the neuroloptic clozapine but relatively unaffected by pre-treatment with haloperidol. These data provide strong evidence for an effect of PEA on brain 5-HT mechanisms. Because of the similarity between PEA and amphetamine and the suggestion that PEA may be involved in the aetiology of schizophrenia, it is proposed that the mechanisms of action of PEA be reassessed taking into account its ability to affect 5-HT systems in addition to catecholaminergic systems. | 10.1016/0028-3908(81)90098-8 |
pubmed_748_15114 | In this article, the authors report an experience developed in the Specialized Care Sevice on STD/AIDS from Porto Alegre, where one of them works. It approaches adult women, emphasizing sexuality, reproduction and vulnerability concerning STDs, mainly HIV infection. The methodology used is a data survey starting from the return to the service in order to receive female condoms within one year. Subjects are HIV-positive women linked to the service. Results show that the use of this method is incipient and that its adoption demands a change in behaviour from women already in an early stage of their development, prior to adult age, and that there is a huge importance of raising awareness among professionals, either in Education or Health fields. | 10.1590/s0034-71672003000600023 |
pubmed_390_12551 | A total of 1110 ejaculates were collected from 52 medical students over a 1-3-year period. Semen volume, sperm density, and total sperm count showed a maximum at the end of winter and beginning of spring and again in late fall. For the percentage of progressively motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa, a maximum is seen in late summer and a minimum in late winter/early spring. No bias seems responsible for these seasonal variations, which, if they are confirmed, should be taken into consideration when interpreting spermiograms. | pubmed_390_12551 |
pubmed_891_6221 | Abuse of older people is a major challenge for people who are aging. Studies into older people's perspectives on abuse focus mainly on developed countries, while the views of those in sub-Saharan Africa remain largely unheard in social research. To address this imbalance, we report a qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to examine older people's perceptions of abuse in Uganda. Thirty-three participants were selected from four districts of Uganda to reflect different locations, levels of development, cultures, and contexts. Behaviors considered abusive were categorized into five themes: economic abuse, harassment and violence, disrespect, neglect and abandonment, and discrimination. Results showed that participants largely viewed their abuse from a cultural perspective, contrary to the West's perception based on a discourse of human rights. The findings show the need for a broader definition that includes the cultural dimensions of the abuse of older people in developing societies. | 10.1080/08946566.2021.1970682 |
pubmed_933_22075 | Pregnant dogs are susceptible to chloroform administered shortly before delivery or during labor, and show the same degree of liver injury as normal dogs, or even a somewhat greater one. Chloroform anesthesia may cause more or less hyaline necrosis in the border zone between the maternal and fetal parts of the placenta that may lead to hemorrhage, placental separation, and premature delivery. Chloroform anesthesia causes no injury to the liver of the fetus nor to any other fetal organ, in spite of the fact that it can be demonstrated to be present in these tissues. These experiments raise objections to the use of chloroform in pregnant women where an anesthetic must be continued for half an hour or longer. Chloroform anesthesia may be admissible for the few minutes at the end of the delivery, but when operative measures are necessary, before or after delivery, it is a dangerous anesthetic and surely capable of producing injury to the liver in the manner recognized in the case of normal persons. Objections may be raised to the application of conclusions derived from experiments on dogs to human cases; but the similarity of the effects of chloroform in man and dog surely affords a sound basis of comparison. Two fundamental facts would seem to be now established: (1) Normal human adults may be fatally poisoned (late chloroform poisoning) by chloroform anesthesia of one half to one hour's duration. (2) Normal and pregnant dogs are equally susceptible to late chloroform poisoning, and may be fatally poisoned by an anesthesia of two hours' duration. Hence one may conclude that probably normal and pregnant human beings are equally susceptible to chloroform poisoning, that chloroform anesthesia during any part of the pregnant period is capable of causing liver necrosis, and, consequently, that chloroform is a dangerous anesthetic. | 10.1084/jem.15.3.246 |
pubmed_630_9284 | In this work, the phenomenon of the voltage generation is explored by using the molecular dynamics simulations, which is performed by driving a nano-sized droplet of room temperature ionic liquids moving along the monolayer graphene sheet for the first time. The studies show that the cations and anions of the droplet will move with velocity nonlinearly increasing to saturation arising by the force balance. The traditional equation for calculating the induced voltage is developed by taking the charge density into consideration, and larger induced voltages in μV-scale are obtained from the nano-size simulation systems based on the ionic liquids (ILs) for its enhanced ionic drifting velocities. It is also derived that the viscosity acts as a reduction for the induced voltage by comparing systems composed of two types of ILs with different viscosity and temperature. | 10.1063/1.4944611 |
pubmed_996_17965 | The two major modalities of pharmacomechanical coupling, inositol 1,4,5, trisphosphate induced Ca2+ release and modulation of Ca(2+)-sensitivity, are reviewed. Recent studies show that although changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+ play the major role in regulating smooth muscle contraction, agonists can also significantly affect the contractile state by modifying Ca(2+)-sensitivity. Inhibition of myosin light chain kinase or myosin light chain phosphatase leads to, respectively, desensitization or sensitization of the contractile apparatus to Ca2+. G-protein linked inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase and Ca2+ release mediated by the phosphatidylinol cascade are the two major pharmacomechanical coupling mechanisms. | 10.1007/978-1-4615-2946-0_4 |
pubmed_167_23035 | OBJECTIVE:
To study the long-term effectiveness of Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) or Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) combined with Physical therapy (PT) as compared to PT alone for improving arm functions in patients with acute stroke.
DESIGN:
Single blind randomized controlled trial.
SETTING:
Outpatient clinics and inpatient wards at tertiary care neurology center.
SUBJECTS:
Adult patients with acute middle cerebral artery territory ischemic stroke.
INTERVENTIONS:
60 patients were randomized into three groups of 20 each: TBS+PT; FES+PT; and PT alone. TBS group received intermittent TBS of ipsilesional hemisphere and continuous TBS of contralesional hemisphere while FES group received FES of paretic limb, both for four weeks. All groups received supervised physical therapy for four weeks followed by home physiotherapy for one year.
OUTCOME MEASURES:
Fugl Meyer Assessment upper limb score (FMA-UL) was primary outcome measure. Patients were evaluated at baseline and subsequently at one, three and six months and one year.
RESULTS:
Compared to PT group, mean FMA-UL scores were higher in TBS and FES groups at all follow-ups ( P < 0.001). From baseline to one year, mean (SD) FMA-UL scores increased from 14.9(2.1) to 55.55(2.46) in TBS group, 15.5(1.99) to 55.85(2.46) in FES group, and 14.3(2.2) to 43.3(4.22) in PT group indicating an increase of 273%, 260%, and 203% respectively. There was no difference between FES and TBS groups.
CONCLUSION:
A four-week intervention with TBS or FES combined with PT produces better long-term arm functions as compared to PT alone in patients with acute stroke. | 10.1177/0269215518820896 |
pubmed_468_364 | MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of noncoding RNAs that are believed to be important in many biological processes through regulation of gene expression. Little is known of their function in tooth morphogenesis and differentiation. MicroRNA-214 (miR-214), encoded by the polycistronic Dnm30os gene, is highly expressed during development of molar tooth germ and was selected as a target for silencing with anti-miR-214. Mandibular injection of 1-100 pmol of anti-miR-214 close to the developing first molar in newborn mice resulted in significant decrease in expression of miR-214, miR-466h, and miR-574-5p in the tooth germ. Furthermore, levels of miR-199a-3p, miR-199a-5p, miR-690, miR-720, and miR-1224 were significantly increased. Additionally, the expression of 863 genes was significantly increased and the expression of 305 genes was significantly decreased. Among the genes with increased expression was Twist-1 and Ezh2, suggested to regulate expression of miR-214. Microarray results were validated using real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Among genes with decreased expression were Amelx, Calb1, Enam, and Prnp; these changes also being reflected in levels of corresponding encoded proteins in the tooth germ. In the anti-miR-214-treated molars the enamel exhibited evidence of hypomineralization with remnants of organic material and reduced surface roughness after acid etching, possibly due to the transiently decreased expression of Amelx and Enam. In contrast, several genes encoding contractile proteins exhibited significantly increased expression. mRNAs involved in amelogenesis (Ambn, Amelx, Enam) were not found among targets of miRNAs that were differentially expressed following treatment with anti-miR-214. It is therefore suggested that effects of miR-214 on amelogenesis are indirect, perhaps mediated by the observed miR-214-dependent changes in levels of expression of numerous transcription factors. | 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00248.2010 |
pubmed_316_7760 | A long term survival case of small (oat) cell carcinoma of the rectum in a 39-year-old female is presented. She complained of anal pain and occasional anal bleeding. The tumor was located at the anterior wall in the lower rectum. Biopsy specimens revealed a carcinoid tumor. She underwent trans-anal local resection for the first time in December, 1980. Macroscopic findings of the resected specimen showed a small nodule, 0.4 by 0.4 by 0.5 cm, with yellowish cut-surface. Microscopically, the tumor deeply invaded the submucosal layer. The appearances were indistinguishable from pulmonary small (oat) cell carcinoma. Since lymphatic permeations were moderately recognized in the tumor, she underwent radical operation (Miles' operation) with lymphadenectomy. Microscopic findings of the resected rectum revealed an intramural metastatic lesion with marked lymphatic permeations in the submucosal layer 2 cm distant from the primary lesion. Up to date, there is no evidence of local recurrence or liver metastasis. Small (oat) cell carcinoma of the rectum easily metastasizes lymphogenously through the lymph system from an early stage of the development. Wide surgical resection will be needed to give a long term survival even if the tumor is extremely small. | 10.1111/j.1440-1827.1987.tb03138.x |
pubmed_184_610 | Further analysis has been made of the response of the rat pituitary gland to LHRH during the 4-day estrous cycle. LHRH was infused iv at a constant rate (50 ng/h) into phenobarbital-treated rats at different times during the estrous cycle. Infusion at this rate in proestrous rats simulates the rising and plateau phases of the spontaneous proestrous surges of LH and FSH in plasma. Plasma LH rose to similar heights during the "initial phase" of LH release (during the first 40 min of infusion) on the afternoons of estrus, diestrous day one, and proestrus and during the morning of proestrus. The increase during the afternoon of diestrous day two was significantly less than that in all the other groups. A similar response was seen in the case of FSH release. A "rapid rising" or "augmented" phase of LH release (during 40-120 min of infusion) was present in all groups and the magnitude of the response was greatest during the afternoon of proestrus. In the case of FSH, an augmented phase of release started 60 min after the start of infusion, and the response during the afternoon of proestrus was slightly greater than the responses measured at the other times tested. The responses on diestrous day one were not altered when phenobarbital was omitted or when rats were ovariectomized shortly before LHRH infusion. Other differences in the LH and FSH responses during both initial and augmented phases of release were seen in rats tested at different times during the estrous cycle with an LHRH infusion rate which caused a supraphysiological response on proestrus. The results suggest that 1) the initial rising phases in plasma LH and FSH during the spontaneous surges during proestrus are not the result of an increase in pituitary responsiveness to LHRH during the estrous cycle, 2) augmented phases of LH and FSH release can be elicited on all days of the estrous cycle, and 3) the increases in magnitude of the augmented phases of LH and FSH release on proestrus, as compared to those on other days of the cycle, are the result of an increase in pituitary responsiveness to LHRH during the estrous cycle. | 10.1210/endo-102-4-1043 |
others_192_1863 | Larvae of the terrestrial dipteran, Musca domestica, were exposed to extremely hypotonic sodium chloride solution with either 0.5 μCi 36Cl-/ml or 0.5 μCi 22Na+/ml over varying periods of time or to different osmotic concentrations, by the addition of d(+)-glucose, for a definite exposure time. These different osmotic concentrations ranged from highly diluted hypoosmotic to hyperosmotic solutions; the radioactivity added to each medium was kept constant (0.5 μCi/ml). Using normal larvae and larvae which were ligated directly behind their mouths, it was demonstrated that the semiaquatic larvae are able to absorb chloride and sodium ions from the external medium, to be specific by well-defined, specialized epithelial regions. This absorption is dependent on time, but it is independent of osmolality of the medium. The results in conjunction with supporting preliminary data of ultrastructural features and experiments on ion-adsorption suggest that these epithelial structures of M. domestica larvae are involved in ion- and osmoregulation through active ion transport. The designation of those specialized epithelial regions as chloride cells and anal chloride epithelia in accordance with comparable differentiations in other insect species proved therefore to be absolutely correct. © 1991 | 10.1016/0022-1910(91)90071-7 |
pubmed_1112_15438 | The leaf anatomy of the species Aechmea subgenus Macrochordion was analyzed to obtain valuable data on their taxonomic delimitation and to identify anatomical adaptations to their respective habitats and habits. All leaves of these species are hypostomatic, and present: peltate trichomes on both surfaces; stomata sunk in epidermal depressions; small epidermal cells with thick walls and inclusions of silica bodies; a mechanical hypodermis; an aquiferous parenchyma; chlorenchyma with fibrous clusters and air channels; and vascular bundles surrounded by a parenchymatic sheath and a cap of fibers. The results are evaluated within an adaptive and taxonomic context. Variations in hypodermic thickening, amount of water parenchyma, position of the air channels and shape of the cells filling the air channels are useful for delimiting groups of species, strengthening the relationships suggested by their external morphology. | pubmed_1112_15438 |
pubmed_22_6027 | The objective of this study was to determine the molecular identity of ion channels involved in K+ secretion by the mammary epithelium and to examine their regulation by purinoceptor agonists. Apical membrane voltage-clamp experiments were performed on human mammary epithelial cells where the basolateral membrane was exposed to the pore-forming antibiotic amphotericin B dissolved in a solution with intracellular-like ionic composition. Addition of the Na+ channel inhibitor benzamil reduced the basal current, consistent with inhibition of Na+ uptake across the apical membrane, whereas the KCa3.1 channel blocker TRAM-34 produced an increase in current resulting from inhibition of basal K+ efflux. Treatment with two-pore potassium (K2P) channel blockers quinidine, bupivacaine and a selective TASK1/TASK3 inhibitor (PK-THPP) all produced concentration-dependent inhibition of apical K+ efflux. qRT-PCR experiments detected mRNA expression for nine K2P channel subtypes. Western blot analysis of biotinylated apical membranes and confocal immunocytochemistry revealed that at least five K2P subtypes (TWIK1, TREK1, TREK2, TASK1, and TASK3) are expressed in the apical membrane. Apical UTP also increased the current, but pretreatment with the PKC inhibitor GF109203X blocked the response. Similarly, direct activation of PKC with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate produced a similar increase in current as observed with UTP. These results support the conclusion that the basal level of K+ secretion involves constitutive activity of apical KCa3.1 channels and multiple K2P channel subtypes. Apical UTP evoked a transient increase in KCa3.1 channel activity, but over time caused persistent inhibition of K2P channel function leading to an overall decrease in K+ secretion. | 10.1152/ajpcell.00342.2016 |
pubmed_529_23734 | OBJECTIVE
Opioids are being prescribed at increasing rates in primary care practices, and among individual providers there is significant variability in opioid prescribing. Primary care practices also vary significantly in complexity of their patients, ranging from healthy patients to those with multiple comorbidities. Our objective was to examine individual primary care providers for an association between their opioid prescribing and the complexity/risk of their panel of patients (a panel of patients is a group of patients whose medical care is the responsibility of a specific healthcare provider or care team).
METHODS
We retrospectively examined 12 months of opioid prescription data from a primary care practice. We obtained counts of opioids prescribed by providers in the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota primary care practice. For patients paneled (assigned) to family medicine and internal medicine, we used the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hierarchical condition category patient risk score as a measure of patient complexity. After adjusting the opioid counts for panel patient count (to get opioid counts per patient), we used linear regression analysis to determine the correlation between the hierarchical condition category risk and the amount of opioid prescribed by individual providers.
RESULTS
Among our combined 103 primary care providers, opioid unit counts prescribed per patient were highly correlated with the providers' hierarchical condition category panel risk score (r2 = 0.54). After excluding three outliers, r2 was 0.74. With and without the outliers, the correlation was very significant (p < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis of panels with hierarchical condition category ⩽ 0.45 showed no correlation of opioid prescribing volume with hierarchical condition category (r2 < 0.02; p = 0.32). Provider panels with hierarchical condition category > 0.45 showed significant correlation with hierarchical condition category (r2 = 0.26; p = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
When examining differences in primary care providers' opioid prescribing practices, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services endorsed risk score (the hierarchical condition category score) can help adjust for population differences of a provider's patients. | 10.1177/2050312117701024 |
pubmed_475_618 | The calibration factors of alpha-track radon detectors (ATDs) are essential for accurate determination of indoor radon concentrations. In this paper, the effects of atmospheric parameters on the calibration factors were theoretically studied and partially testified. Based on the atmospheric thermodynamics theory and detection characteristics of the allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39), the calibration factors for 5 types of ATDs were calculated through Monte Carlo simulations under different atmospheric conditions. Simulation results showed that the calibration factor increased by up to 31% for the ATDs with a decrease of air pressure by 35.5 kPa (equivalent to an altitude increase of 3500 m), and it also increased by up to 12% with a temperature increase from 5 °C to 35 °C, but it was hardly affected by the relative humidity unless the water-vapor condensation occurs inside the detectors. Furthermore, it was also found that the effects on calibration factors also depended on the dimensions of ATDs. It indicated that variations of the calibration factor with air pressure and temperature should be considered for an accurate radon measurement with a large dimensional ATD, and water-vapor condensation inside the detector should be avoided in field measurements. | 10.1063/1.4865155 |
pubmed_905_782 | BACKGROUND
We investigated the impact of the number of docetaxel cycles administered in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with first-line chemotherapy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Charts from 421 consecutive patients who initiated standard treatment with docetaxel-based chemotherapy (75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) between 2007 and 2013 were reviewed. Patients who received < 6 cycles of docetaxel were excluded from the analysis. Remaining patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of whether or not ≥ 9 cycles of docetaxel were administered (n = 108 and 184, respectively). Reasons for treatment discontinuation and postdocetaxel treatments were registered. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) responses were defined as a confirmed ≥ 50% decrease in baseline PSA levels. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from start of therapy using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards were calculated to estimate the effect of clinical variables on OS.
RESULTS
OS was longer in patients treated with ≥ 9 cycles of docetaxel (21.9 months vs. 17.2 months; P < .0001, log rank). Survival also favored patients treated with ≥ 9 cycles of docetaxel when only patients ending docetaxel because of toxicity or treatment conclusion (22.3 vs. 19.4 months; P = .048, log rank) or patients who achieved a PSA response (22.3 vs. 18.7 months; P = .012, log rank) were evaluated. mCRPC-related prognostic factors and patients who received ≥ 1 subsequent line of therapy post-docetaxel were well balanced.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of our retrospective findings, a superior OS was found in patients treated with ≥ 9 cycles of docetaxel when adjusting for known prognostic factors. Dose reductions might increase the number of docetaxel cycles administered. | 10.1016/j.clgc.2016.08.019 |
pubmed_14_6882 | The paradox of the species in evolutionary thought has promoted much debate and numerous incompatible definitions and concepts. This chapter argues that although the phylogenetic species concept (the author's version of it, at least) is no more accurate a description of "speciesness" than any other species concept (indeed, the notion of accuracy is irrelevant, as will be seen), it links species definition to species diagnosis via explicit criteria, which renders phylogenetic species more amenable to empirical testing than species defined by other concepts. The practical implications of cladistic species concepts for determining the boundaries between geographically differentiated sister taxa are explored using the example of Heliconius, based on my work and the recent studies of Mallet and others. The problem of circumscription is also addressed, with particular reference to the concepts of subspecies and geographical races. | 10.1007/978-3-0348-8114-2_1 |
pubmed_494_5410 | BACKGROUND
Acute episodes of hypoxemia in ventilated preterm infants are triggered by changes in ventilation, lung volume (LV) and respiratory system compliance (C(RS)) that are not prevented by conventional synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV).
OBJECTIVE
To assess in a rabbit model of episodic hypoxemia the individual and combined efficacy of targeted tidal volume (V(T)) and minute ventilation (V'(E)) by automatic adjustment of peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and ventilator rate, respectively.
METHODS
Six young New Zealand white rabbits were ventilated with SIMV, targeted V(T), targeted V'(E), and combined targeted V'(E) + V(T) in random sequence. Hypoxemia episodes were induced by apnea alone or by apnea combined with a reduction in LV and C(RS). Apnea was induced by a bolus of propofol. The reduction in LV and C(RS) was induced by chest compression with a cuff. PaO(2) and PaCO(2) were measured continuously by an indwelling arterial electrode.
RESULTS
During SIMV, apnea caused a decrease in ventilation and PaO(2). This was attenuated during targeted V'(E) and targeted V'(E) + V(T). Apnea plus a reduction in LV and C(RS) caused a greater decrease in ventilation and PaO(2) during SIMV. These changes were attenuated during targeted V(T) and targeted V'(E). The attenuation was more pronounced during targeted V'(E) + V(T).
CONCLUSION
In this animal model, targeted V'(E) was effective in reducing hypoxemia caused by apnea. When apnea was accompanied by a reduction in LV and C(RS), the combined adjustment of PIP and ventilator rate was more effective than each individually. This combined strategy may be effective in ameliorating acute episodes of hypoxemia in preterm infants but this remains to be proven. | 10.1159/000153097 |
pubmed_842_20385 | Starburst Amacrine Cells (SACs) play a major role in the detection of directional motion in the biological retina. The starburst amacrine cell has intrinsic electrical mechanisms for producing directional selectivity (DS). GABA transmitter-receptor interactions between two overlapping SACs make DS more robust. We present a compartmentalized CMOS neuromorphic circuit that models a portion of two biological starburst amacrine cells in the retina and includes a simplified model of reciprocal interaction between the dendritic branches of SACs. We demonstrate that a neuromorphic circuit incorporating the reciprocal synapses enhances the responses in the neuromorphic dendritic tip and generates robust directional selectivity. | 10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6091373 |
pubmed_368_22294 | PURPOSE
We compared outcomes in patients treated with radio frequency ablation or partial nephrectomy for clinical cT1b renal cell carcinoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients who underwent radio frequency ablation or nephrectomy between February 2006 and December 2010. Radiographic followup with contrast imaging was performed 7 days, 3 and 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter after radio frequency ablation sequentially. The followup protocol for partial nephrectomy was every 6 months in the initial 3 years and annually thereafter. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to generate survival curves, which were compared with the log rank test. Multivariable regression analysis was done to determine predictors of survival.
RESULTS
A total of 56 patients who met selection criteria were included in study. Patients in the radio frequency ablation group had relatively higher mean age and a higher mean ASA® score than those in the partial nephrectomy group. Mean tumor diameter was significantly larger in the partial nephrectomy cohort. For radio frequency ablation vs partial nephrectomy 5-year overall, cancer specific and disease-free survival was 85.5% (95% CI 72.2-98.8) vs 96.6% (95% CI 95.9-97.3), 92.6% (95% CI 82.4-98.1) vs 96.6% (95% CI 95.9-97.3) and 81.0% (95% CI 66.2-95.8) vs 89.7% (95% CI 78.5-97.9), respectively. The percent decrease in the glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in the radio frequency ablation group at early and last followup.
CONCLUSIONS
In appropriately selected patients with stage cT1b renal cell carcinoma radio frequency ablation is an effective treatment option that provides 5-year overall, cancer specific and disease-free survival comparable to that of partial nephrectomy as well as better renal function preservation than partial nephrectomy. | pubmed_368_22294 |
pubmed_656_9665 | To examine variation in employment and economic outcomes before, during, and after the great recession by disability and mental health status. Using a sample of adults in the 1999 to 2016 National Health Interview Survey (N = 419,336), we examined changes in labor force and economic outcomes by mental health and physical disability status. We employed difference-in-differences analyses to determine whether the changes in these outcomes during and after the recession for each comparison group (those with moderate mental illness, serious psychiatric disability, or physical disability) were significantly different from the changes for persons with neither a mental illness nor a disability. While the recession impacted all groups, those with mental illnesses or physical disabilities were hardest hit. Persons with disabilities were disadvantaged on all outcomes at each period, but persons with mental illnesses were the most disadvantaged. Unemployment, poverty, and use of food stamps increased for all groups, but the increase was greatest for persons with mental health problems who also saw a more substantial decline in wage income. The effects of the recession persist well after the recovery period. Practitioners should be aware that although most persons with mental illnesses want to work, they face significant barriers to employment. Following economic shocks such as those brought on by the current coronavirus pandemic, interventions should focus on people who are the most vulnerable, especially those with mental health problems. Renewed focus on employment for people with mental disorders is important. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved). | 10.1037/prj0000458 |
pubmed_829_13803 | OBJECTIVES
Previous studies have shown a low but meaningful survival rate in cases of prehospital cardiac arrest with an initial rhythm of asystole. There may be, however, an identifiable subgroup in which resuscitation efforts are futile. This study identified potential field criteria for predicting 100% nonsurvival when the presenting rhythm is asystole in a Basic Life Support-Defibrillation (BLS-D) system.
METHODS
This prospective cohort study, a component of Phases I and II of the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS) Study, was conducted in 21 Ontario communities with BLS-D level of care, and included all adult arrests of presumed cardiac etiology according to the Utstein Style Guidelines. Analyses included descriptive and appropriate univariate tests, as well as multivariate stepwise logistic regression to determine predictors of survival.
RESULTS
From 1991 to 1997, 9899 consecutive cardiac arrest cases with the following characteristics: male (67.2%), bystander-witnessed (44.7%), bystander CPR (14.2%), call response interval (CRI) </= 8 minutes (82%) and overall survival (4.3%) were enrolled. Of 9529 cases with available rhythm strip recordings, initial arrest rhythms were asystole in 40.8%, pulseless electrical activity in 21.2% and ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia in 38%. Of 3888 asystolic patients, 9 (0.2%) survived to discharge; 3 of these cases were unwitnessed arrests with no bystander CPR. There were no survivors if the CRI exceeded 8 minutes. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that independent predictors of survival to admission were "CRI in minutes" (odds ratio [OR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-0.98) and "bystander-witnessed" (OR = 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5-4.4).
CONCLUSIONS
In a BLS-D system, there is a very low but measurable survival rate for prehospital asystolic cardiac arrest. CRIs of over 8 minutes were associated with 100% nonsurvival, whereas unwitnessed arrests with no bystander CPR were not. These data add to the growing literature that will help guide ethical decision-making for protocol development in emergency medical services systems. | 10.1017/s1481803500005522 |
pubmed_1061_5942 | The purpose of this study was two-fold: I) to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of meloxicam (MLX) in geese after intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) administration and II) to assess tissue residues in muscle, heart, liver, lung, and kidney. Ten clinically normal female Bilgorajska geese were divided into two groups (treated, n = 8; control, n = 2). Group 1 underwent a 3-phase parallel study with a 1-week washout period. In phase I, animals received MLX (0.5 mg/kg) by IV administration; the blood was collected up to 48 hr. In phases II and III geese were treated orally at the same dosage for the collection of blood and tissue samples, respectively. Group 2 served as control. After the extraction procedure, a validated HPLC method with UV detection was used for plasma and organ analysis. The plasma concentrations were quantifiable up to 24 hr after both the administrations. The elimination phase of MLX from plasma was similar in both the administration groups. The clearance was slow (0.00975 L/hr*Kg), the volume of distribution small (0.0487 L/kg), and the IV half-life was 5.06 ± 2.32 hr. The average absolute PO bioavailability was 64.2 ± 24.0%. Residues of MLX were lower than the LOQ (0.1 µg/kg) in any tested tissue and at any collection time. The dosage used in this study achieved the plasma concentration, which provides analgesia in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots for 5 out of 24 hr after PO administration. MLX tissue concentrations were below the LOD of the assay in tissue (0.03 µg/ml). A more sensitive technique might be necessary to determine likely residue concentrations in tissue. | 10.1111/jvp.12817 |
pubmed_867_2448 | The onset of bundle branch block during acute myocardial infarction is indicative of ischemia in the distribution of the left anterior descending coronary artery. However, whether patients with chronic coronary artery disease and bundle branch block have a predominance of left anterior descending artery lesions is not known. Similarly, the prognostic implications of bundle branch block have been studied primarily in the setting of acute myocardial infarction, and the independent prognostic implications of bundle branch block in patients with chronic coronary artery disease are not known. The electrocardiograms (ECGs) of 15,609 patients with chronic coronary artery disease who underwent coronary and left ventricular angiography as part of the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) were reviewed, and 522 patients with bundle branch block were identified. Patients with bundle branch block had both more extensive coronary artery disease and worse left ventricular function than did patients without bundle branch block. However, no particular location of coronary artery stenosis or left ventricular wall motion abnormality predominated in patients with bundle branch block. During a follow-up period of 4.9 +/- 1.3 years, 2,386 patients died. Actuarial probability of mortality at 2 years in patients with left bundle branch block was more than five times that in patients without bundle branch block (p less than 0.0001), and in patients with right bundle branch block the mortality rate was approximately twice that in patients without bundle branch block (p less than 0.0001). Stepwise Cox regression analysis showed that left bundle branch block, but not right bundle branch block, was a strong predictor of mortality, independent of degree of heart failure, extent of coronary disease and other variables (p less than 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | 10.1016/s0735-1097(87)80162-6 |
pubmed_181_5531 | Chronic skin ulcers are frequently encountered in clinical practice and are often due to very heterogeneous etiologies. Cryofibrinogenemia is an unusual cause of non-healing skin ulcers. It is a small-vessel occlusive vascular disorder that results from the precipitation of cryofibrinogens in plasma. The lack of definitive diagnostic criteria means cryofibrinogenemia remains an under-diagnosed entity that causes significant morbidity. One of the most common manifestations of cryofibrinogenemia is skin ulceration. The presence of non-healing ulcers in otherwise healthy patients with no evidence of large-vessel disease should raise the suspicion of essential cryofibrinogenemia. An important clinical feature is the presence of microlivedo, which represents short hyperpigmented linear streaks around the ulcer or even distally about the foot. Histopathologic findings are microthrombi in the dermis and not confined exclusively to the ulcerated area. Cryofibrinogenemia can be secondary to an underlying disorder, so careful investigation to exclude other etiologies is always necessary. | 10.1007/s40257-016-0228-y |
pubmed_516_4646 | OBJECTIVE
To explore the potential mechanism of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD).
METHODS
Ten GAD patients and 10 sex- and age-matched healthy persons underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in 2 stages by block design: auditory presentation of the stimulation task. In experiment 1 emotionally neutral words were given and then alternated with a no word period for 8 cycles. In experiment 2 emotionally neutral words and threat-related words were given alternately for 8 cycles. The subjects were asked to listen carefully and then judge their subjective feeling in mind. By the end of experiment they were asked to fill in a state anxiety inventory (STAI-S) so as to calculate the STAI-S scores.
RESULTS
The mean STI-S score of the patients in the experiment 1 was 57 +/- 5, significantly higher than that of the healthy persons (37 +/- 3, P < 0.01); and the mean STAI-S score in the experiment 2 of the patients was 66 +/- 6, significantly higher than that of the healthy persons (41 +/- 4, P < 0.01). The fMRI findings showed that in the experiment 1 the activated cerebral regions of the 2 groups were mostly overlapped, including bilateral superior temporal gyri (BA22/42) and middle temporal gyri (BA21), premotor areas (B46), and supplementary motor areas (BA6), and cerebellar hemisphere, and left inferior prefrontal gyrus (BA44/45). However, the activation intensity levels (mean T values) of the bilateral superior temporal gyri of the patients were both significantly higher than those of the control (for the left side: P = 0.051, and for the right side: P = 0.035). In addition, activation of the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (BA8/9) and bilateral inferior parietal lobules (BA39/40). In the experiment 2 activation of brain areas could be seen only in the patients, including bilateral superior temporal gyri, middle temporal gyri, inferior prefrontal gyri, inferior parietal lobules, anterior motor areas, supplemental motor areas, and anterior cingulate gyri (BA8/24/32), and left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex. No significantly activated brain area could be shown in the control at the same stringent statistic level (P < 0.01, uncorrected); however, when the threshold value (P value) was reduced to 0.01, the left anterior cingulate gyrus (BA24/32), posterior cingulate gyrus (BA29/30), and inferior parietal lobules (BA40) were all significantly activated.
CONCLUSION
Dysfunction of superior temporal lobe and dorsal prefrontal cortex, characterized by hyperactivity in response to outer stimuli, may play an important role in the psychopathologic mechanism of GAD. | pubmed_516_4646 |
pubmed_448_2110 | BACKGROUND
Early diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) is an important clinical challenge.
PURPOSE
To summarize the latest diagnostic performance of different ultrasonic (US) features for BA.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
MeSH terms "biliary atresia" and "ultrasonography" and related hyponyms were used to search PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Eligible articles were included and data were retrieved. The methodologic quality was assessed by version 2 of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool. Estimated sensitivity and specificity of each US feature were calculated by Stata 14.0.
RESULTS
Fifty eligible studies on 5622 patients were included. Respective summary sensitivity and specificity were 77% (95% CI=69-84) and 98% (95% CI=96-99) for triangular cord sign (TCS) in 32 studies, 86% (95% CI=78-92) and 86% (95% CI=72-94) for shear wave elastography (SWE) in seven studies, 75% (95% CI=65-83) and 92% (95% CI=86-95) for gallbladder and biliary system abnormality (GBA) in 25 studies, and 81% (95% CI=69-90) and 79% (95% CI=67-87) for hepatic artery (HA) enlargement in seven studies. The overall US features from 11 studies yielded a summary sensitivity of 84% (95% CI=72-92) and specificity of 86% (95% CI=77-92).
CONCLUSION
TCS and GBA were the two most widely accepted US features currently used for differential diagnosis of BA. The newly developed SWE was an objective and convenient method with good diagnostic performance. HA enlargement can be used as an auxiliary sign. | 10.1177/02841851211055820 |
others_210_232 | Introduction: IGRT in cervical cancer treatment delivery is complex due to significant target and organs at risk (OAR) motion. Implementing image assessment of soft-tissue target and OAR position to improve accuracy is recommended. We report the development and refinement of a training and competency programme (TCP), leading to on-line Radiation Therapist (RTT) led soft-tissue assessment, evaluated by a prospective audit. Methods and materials: The TCP comprised didactic lectures and practical sessions, supported by a comprehensive workbook. The content was decided by a team comprised of Clinical Oncologists, RTTs, and Physicists. On completion of training, RTT soft-tissue review proficiency (after bony anatomy registration) was assessed against a clinician gold-standard from a database of 20 cervical cancer CBCT images. Reviews were graded pass or fail based on PTV coverage assessment and decision taken in concordance with the gold-standard. Parity was set at ≥80% agreement. The initial TCP (stage one) focussed on offline verification and decision making. Sixteen RTTs completed this stage, four achieved ≥80%. This was not sufficient to support clinical implementation. The TCP was redesigned, more stringent review guidelines and greater anatomy teaching was added. TCP stage two focussed on online verification and decision making supported by a decision flowchart. Twenty-one RTTs completed this TCP, all achieved ≥80%. This supported clinical implementation of RTT-led soft-tissue review under prospective audit conditions. The prospective audit was conducted between March 2017 and August 2017. Daily online review was performed by two trained RTTs. Online review and decision making proficiency was evaluated by a clinician. Results: Thirteen patients were included in the audit. Daily online RTT-led IGRT was achieved for all 343 fractions. Two-hundred CBCT images were reviewed offline by the clinician; the mean number of reviews per patient was 15. 192/200 (96%) RTT image reviews were in agreement with clinician review, presenting excellent concordance. Discussion and conclusion: Multidisciplinary involvement in training development, redesign of the TCP and inclusion of summative competency assessment were important factors to support RTT skill development. Consequently, RTT-led cervical cancer soft-tissue IGRT was clinically implemented in the hospital. © 2019 The Author(s) | 10.1016/j.tipsro.2019.10.007 |
pubmed_1100_13248 | The three-dimensional structure of erabutoxin b, a short-chain neurotoxic peptide purified from the venom of the sea snake Laticauda semifasciata, was determined in aqueous solution by two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance and simulated annealing-based calculations. On the basis of 883 assigned nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) connectivities, 676 final distance constraints were derived and used together with 38 torsion angle (phi, chi 1) constraints, four distance constraints derived from disulfide bridges and 30 distance constraints derived from hydrogen bonds. A total of 14 converged structures were obtained from 50 runs of calculations. The atomic root-mean-square difference about the mean coordinate positions (excluding the residues 18 to 22) is 0.60 A for backbone atoms (N, C alpha and C'). The protein consists of a core region from which three finger-like loops emerge outwards. It includes a short, two-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet of residues 2 to 5 and 13 to 16, a three-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet involving residues 23 to 30, 35 to 41 and 50 to 56, and four disulfide bridges in the core region. Comparison with two crystal structures of erabutoxin b at 1.4 A and 1.7 A resolution indicated that the solution and the crystal structures were very similar, but less defined regions were observed at the localized region of the tip of the central loop and the outside of the third loop in solution. Other short-chain alpha-neurotoxins showed structural characteristics similar to those of erabutoxin b. | 10.1006/jmbi.1994.1429 |
pubmed_1060_5993 | Elastic bending (flexure) theory, although apparently extendable to the arch wire, incorporates assumptions that are violated in orthodontic application, and neglects several influences confined to the clinical arena. The standard elastic-bending test for orthodontic wires uses a passively straight segment of wire, and a rotational bending stiffness rather than the force-deflection ratio akin to the transverse deformation of a leveling wire is determined. In this study the transverse flexural stiffnesses of five preformed arch wires were quantified in each of three activation directions at five separate sites on simulated dental arches to which appliances were affixed. The influences of elastic moduli, numbers of strands, and interbracket distances were found to be less substantial than theory suggests. Other parameters, including wire curvature at the activation site, malalignment direction relative to that curvature, bracket-wire friction, and preactivation fit of the preformed arch to the dentition, also affected the localized, transverse, flexural stiffnesses. | 10.1016/0002-9416(86)90072-2 |
pubmed_56_10898 | Understanding responses of marine algae to changing ocean temperatures requires knowledge of the impacts of elevated temperatures and the likelihood of adaptation to thermal stress. The potential for rapid evolution of thermal tolerance is dependent on the levels of heritable genetic variation in response to thermal stress within a population. Here, we use a quantitative genetic breeding design to establish whether there is a heritable variation in thermal sensitivity in two populations of a habitat-forming intertidal macroalga, Hormosira banksii (Turner) Descaisne. Gametes from multiple parents were mixed and growth and photosynthetic performance were measured in the resulting embryos, which were incubated under control and elevated temperature (20°C and 28°C). Embryo growth was reduced at 28°C, but significant interactions between male genotype and temperature in one population indicated the presence of genetic variation in thermal sensitivity. Selection for more tolerant genotypes thus has the ability to result in the evolution of increased thermal tolerance. Furthermore, genetic correlations between embryos grown in the two temperatures were positive, indicating that those genotypes that performed well in elevated temperature also performed well in control temperature. Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements showed a marked decrease in maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) under elevated temperature. There was an increase in the proportion of energy directed to photoinhibition (nonregulated nonphotochemical quenching) and a concomitant decrease in energy used to drive photochemistry and xanthophyll cycling (regulated nonphotochemical quenching). However, PSII performance between genotypes was similar, suggesting that thermal sensitivity is related to processes other than photosynthesis. | 10.1111/jpy.12067 |
pubmed_278_8679 | A growing body of evidence suggests that opioid use may affect consumer's offspring by second-hand passive smoke exposure, as well as by transgenerational impacts mediated by genetic and epigenetic alterations of paternal gametes. In human studies, these effects are limited to investigating the neural, behavioral and cognitive characteristics of offspring. Only animal studies have investigated the metabolic parameters influenced by passive opium smoke exposure. Here, we conducted population-based analyses aimed to estimate the association of paternal opioid consumption, started before or after child birth, with BMI status and plasma lipid profile of young adult offspring. The present study includes 840 parents-offspring trios (offspring aged 15-35, parents aged 35-70) who participated in the prospective Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS)-a city in the south-east of Iran-as one of the district areas of the PERSIAN cohort (Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN). All procedures for interviews, anthropometric measurements and physical examinations, biological sample collection and laboratory tests for blood biochemical parameters were conducted according to the PERSIAN cohort protocol, and in the well-established RCS setting. Crude and adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess the relationship of paternal regular opioid use with offspring's BMI status, and plasma lipid factors. The prevalence of fathers who use opioids regularly among the studied trios was 42.8% (360/840). Our regression analyses demonstrated that paternal opioid use started pre-fatherhood is associated with 76% higher adjusted odds ratio (OR) of overweight/obesity in young offspring (adjusted OR 1.76 (95% CI 1.15-2.71)), adjusting for sex, age, parental BMIs, paternal smoking status and socioeconomic status index (WSI). This relationship persisted when fathers who used opioid by routes other than inhaling (oral) were excluded from logistic analysis (adjusted OR 1.73 (95% CI 1.12-2.68)). Interestingly, sex stratified analysis displayed a 201% increased odds ratio of overweight/obesity in sons of fathers who use opioid regularly, started after child birth (Adjusted OR 3.01 (95% CI 1.68-5.39), while no significant association was found in daughters (adjusted OR 0.74 (95% CI 0.35-1.54)). Additionally, increasing exposure-response relationships were observed between odds ratios of overweight/obesity and the number of years of paternal opioid use after birth (p-trend = 0.0008). Paternal regular opioid use started pre-fatherhood was associated with 54% lowered risk of underweight [adjusted OR 0.46 (95% CI 0.24-0.86)]. Finally, paternal opioid consumption started either before or after child birth did not show a significant association with the high level of the three parameters of plasma lipid factors (triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol) in offspring. Our results suggest that the environmental impacts of paternal regular opioid use may be sufficient to make an effect on male offspring metabolism independent of genetic and epigenetic impact on gametes. | 10.1038/s41598-021-88781-9 |
pubmed_516_19006 | BACKGROUND
Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly used in intensive care medicine, but only little information is available how different NIV interfaces affect the performance of a ventilatory system. Therefore, we compared delay times, pressure time products (PTPs), and wasted efforts during inspiration among patients receiving invasive ventilation and NIV with a helmet (NIV-h) or a face mask (NIV-fm).
METHODS
Using an in vitro lung model capable of simulating spontaneous breathing, gas flow and airway pressure were measured with varying positive end-expiratory pressure and pressure support (PS) levels. Wasted efforts were determined while lung compliance, respiratory rate (RR), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and PS levels were changed.
RESULTS
Delay times were more than twice as long with a helmet compared to NIV-fm or invasive ventilation (p < 0.001), but decreased during NIV-h with increasing CPAP (p < 0.001) and PS levels (p < 0.001). During the initial inspiratory phase, PTP was smaller with NIV-h compared to NIV-fm or invasive ventilation, but not so when a complete inspiration with PS was evaluated. Wasted efforts occurred earlier during NIV-h and were aggravated with rising PS, RR, and compliance.
CONCLUSIONS
Although delay times are prolonged during NIV-h, PTP is initially smaller compared to NIV-fm and invasive ventilation, indicating less work of breathing due to the high volume the patient can access. Increasing the CPAP or PS level decreases delay times in NIV-h and should therefore be considered whenever possible. Wasted inspiratory efforts occurred at higher RRs and should carefully be monitored during NIV. | 10.1378/chest.129.6.1424 |
pubmed_563_1345 | Up to 15% and 17% of the world population is selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) deficient, respectively. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important staple legume with a high potential for Se and Zn biofortification in seeds. A 2-year pot experiment investigated two pea varieties (Ambassador and Premium) following foliar-applied sodium selenate (0/50/100 g of Se/ha) and zinc oxide (0/375/750 g of Zn/ha) at the flowering stage. Selenate and zinc oxide had minimal overall effects on growth parameters. Zinc oxide did not improve Zn accumulation in both seed varieties, while selenate improved Se accumulation in both seed varieties dose-dependently. Premium accumulated greater amounts of Se in seeds than Ambassador (p < 0.001). Selenium concentrations were highest in seeds of Premium treated with 100 g of Se/ha [7.84 mg/kg DW vs. the control (0.16 mg/kg DW), p < 0.001]. The predominant Se species in Se-enriched seeds was selenomethionine (40%-76% of total Se). Furthermore, a significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation was found between Zn and S concentrations in Ambassador (r 2 = 0.446) and Premium (r 2 = 0.498) seeds, but not between Se and S. Consuming as little as 55 g/day of pea biofortified by 50 g of Se/ha would cover 100% of the adult RDA (55 µg) for Se. Findings are important for improving foliar biofortification of pea with Se and Zn. | 10.3389/fpls.2022.968324 |
others_34_10263 | Strains (49) of Escherichia coli were isolated from 100 samples of mutton collected from dressed sheep carcasses by excision method. Biochemical characterization revealed minor variation from typical E.coli in fermentation of certain sugars. The isolates were typed into 12 different 'O' serogroups. The most frequent serotype isolated was O101, followed by O152, O76, O23, O139, O88, O110, O126, O8, O9, O15 and O133; 2 strains were untypable while 1 was rough. Whole bacterial cultures as well as cell free filtrate of randomly selected strains of O8, O88, O101, O133, O139 and O152 serogroup caused mortality in mice. Zoonotic significance of these strains is discuss | others_34_10263 |
others_368_6494 | Decreased concentrations of glycosamino-glycan (GAGs) have been documented in experimental models of equine osteoarthritis and naturally occurring idiopathic cystitis in both cats and humans. These fndings have led to investigations into the effcacy of exogenous supplementation of GAGs in veterinary medicine. A-cyst®a is a commercially available veterinary medical product designed for intravescicular administration into the urinary bladder containing 100 mg/ mL of chondroitin sulfate and 5 mg/mL of hyaluronic acid in a 10% solution of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG), a GAG precursor. Administration of A-cyst® to cats at the the dose used in this study for this length of time appears to be safe and well tolerated. Somedegree in improvement in oxidative stress was demonstrated by a reduction of oxidized glutathione but there may be an increase in the proinfammatory state if the increase in mRNA expression encoding for TNF-alpha and IFN-alpha occurs in diseased animals as well. Down regulation of CD44 expression may have applications in control of tumor metastasis, a non-traditional application of glycosaminoglycans. However, as this study was performed in a small number of healthy animals and overall lymphocyte populations, further more detailed investigations in varying disease states should be pursu | others_368_6494 |
pubmed_899_7889 | This study examined the interaction between pre-, side- and back-loading drinking behaviors and their relationship to risky drinking, modeling to account for demographic characteristics. The study was based on an online non-probability panel survey of Victorian adults (18+) who purchased packaged liquor for off premises consumption in the previous 12months. Initially, 2545 participants entered the study, with 536 screened out, leaving a sample of 2008 respondents. While pre-loading was the most commonly reported loading behavior, back-loading and side-loading were reported almost as frequently. We found a clear association between loading and risky drinking behavior. Respondents who reported engaging in all loading behaviors were more likely to report regular very risky drinking. Age and sex were significant factors influencing the relationship between loading types and risky drinking behavior; income, marital status, and the interaction between sex and age were not significant factors. We show a broad range of loading behaviors associated with increased levels of risky drinking. Future research should seek to investigate these loading behaviors among a general population sample. | pubmed_899_7889 |
pubmed_813_11145 | It is well known that reactions are commonplace occurrences during the course of leprosy disease. Stigmatization may even be attributable to reactions which are also responsible for the worsening of neural lesions. A cohort of 162 newly-diagnosed baciloscopically positive patients from the Leprosy Care Outpatient Clinic of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) was selected for this study. While 46% of the multibacillary (MB) patients submitted to the 24 fixed-dose multidrug therapy (MDT) regimen suffered reactions during treatment, it was found that all MBs were susceptible and that constant attention and care were required at all times. Fourteen per cent were classified as BB, 52% as BL, and 33% as LL. None of the variables under study, such as, sex, age, clinical form, length of illness, length of dermatological lesions, baciloscopic index (BI), or degree of disability proved to be associate with reaction among the patients studied. Reversal Reaction (RR) occurred in 45%, and Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) occurred in 55%. Among BB patients who developed reactions (15 patients), 93% presented RR; while among the LL patients who developed reactions (34 patients), 91% presented ENL. Likewise, ENL was very frequent among those with disseminate lesions, while RR was most often observed in patients with segmentary lesions. RR was also most likely to occur during the initial months of treatment. It was demonstrated that the recurrence rate of ENL was significantly higher than that of RR. Neither grade of disability nor BI was shown to be associated with RR and ENL reaction. However, the RR rate was significantly higher among patients showing BI < 3, while ENL predominated among those patients with BI > 3. | 10.1590/s0036-46651998000600005 |
pubmed_315_14815 | Oral Streptococcus species belong to facultative aerobes,and are easily inhibited by metabolic products of oxygen.Our study uses continues culture technique through adding oxygen in order to observe growing states of S.sanguis 34 and S.mutans Ingbritt(c) The result is that the resistance to oxygen of S.sanguis 34 is stronger than S.mutans Ingbritt(c).This result is in accordance with the phenomenon that S.sanguis is a pioneer colonizing germ of dental plaque.The lower resistance to oxygen of S.mutans indicates that the growth and cariogenic action of S.mutans are dependent on the internal circumstance of plaque. | pubmed_315_14815 |
pubmed_801_23316 | Approximately 4 million children attend emergency departments (ED) in England, United Kingdom, per annum. It is important for children and young people to have an active say in their assessment and treatment during each emergency care episode. However the reality of hearing the child or young person's voice within active participation in health care consultations remains low at approximately 6% of voices recorded. In the context of policy drivers and patient benefits, there is a need to increase the level of participation by children and young people within the emergency care environment. However, noise, child and parental anxiety and distress, professional time pressure, and severity of child illness or injury add to the inherent complexity of triadic communication (parent, child, healthcare professional) in the ED. Research examining child participation in decision-making in ED is sparse and guidance for all parties is limited. Therefore methods drawn from the wider literature on child participation are discussed which may be implemented, validated and evaluated with an ED context. | 10.1016/j.ienj.2011.06.003 |
pubmed_210_26018 | To determine the electrode impedance dynamics changes in the postoperative period after cochlear implantation as well as the time of their stabilization.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
75 patients with a bilateral sensorineural deafness aged from 1 to 4 years (average age - 1.5 years) were included in the study. 50 patients were implanted with Nucleus cochlear implants (Cochlear - Australia) and other 25 patients - with Advanced Bionics implants (Switzerland).
RESULTS
The impedance dynamics analysis in two groups of patients implanted with «Cochlear» and «Advanced Bionics» cochlear implants demonstrated that statistically significant decrease in impedance (p<0.05) was observed after the beginning of electrical stimulation and the reduction of postoperative inflammatory process in the inner ear. The stabilization of the impedance levels in both groups of patients was obtained in 3-6 months after the switch-on of speech processor. | 10.17116/otorino20208505129 |
pubmed_1050_13580 | BACKGROUND
Data regarding injuries in community-based wheelchair sport athletes is limited and long-term management of injuries and their impact upon participation unexplored. Little data examines benefits and barriers to wheelchair sports participation across the community.
HYPOTHESIS
The prevalence and nature of injuries sustained by wheelchair sports participants and injury prevention and management strategies will be associated with level of sports participation.
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional survey.
METHODS
Members of Wheelchair Sports New South Wales (WSNSW) completed a questionnaire developed from interviews with sports participants. Items examined demographics, sports played, injuries sustained, prevention and management practices, benefits and barriers to participation. Injury types and their management were collected for the previous 12 months.
RESULTS
Seventy-one questionnaires were returned. Injuries were sustained by 59% of respondents, with 28% reporting injuries in the past twelve months. Injuries most frequently affected the shoulder (25%), were primarily muscle strains (32%), and commonly caused by contact (48%). Injury prevention strategies were reported by 75% of respondents most commonly involving warm-up and stretching activities. Participation benefits included improvements in fitness (85%), opportunities for friendship (83%), improvements in self-care abilities (83%) and setting/achieving goals (91%). Barriers included cost of sports wheelchairs (68%), availability of competitions/competitors (62%), and distance required for travel for training/competition (71%).
CONCLUSION
Injuries in wheelchair sports participants and benefits and barriers to participation are multi-faceted. Injury types, their management and prevention strategies were identified. Perceived benefits were found in the domains of health, socialisation and skills. Strategies aimed at raising participation rates should focus on promoting the physical, social and skill-related benefits. | 10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.101044 |
pubmed_191_15522 | There is growing interest in developing criteria that will allow efficient prospective discrimination between cancer patients at high and at low risk for complex fever and neutropenia. The objective of this study was to determine whether there were differences in patterns of documented infections and outcome of episodes of fever and neutropenia in pediatric patients with leukemia and those with solid tumors, a potential risk factor. A total of 283 febrile neutropenia episodes in pediatric cancer patients at a single center were retrospectively reviewed; 38% of the patients concerned had leukemia and 62% had solid tumors. Fever of unexplained origin was seen in 73% and 74% of episodes in patients with leukemia and solid tumor, respectively. Bacteremia occurred in 18% and 16% of patients in these respective groups. There was no difference in the type of microorganisms that were isolated in the groups, with gram positives predominating in both. The median duration of fever was 2 days in both groups. The depth of neutropenia was similar, with 75% of leukemia patients and 70% of solid tumor patients presenting with ANC of 100 cells/microl or lower. The median duration of neutropenia was 9 days in patients with leukemia and 6 days in solid tumor patients. The median duration of antibiotic treatment was 9 days and 7.5 days in the same respective groups. Antibiotic modification occurred in 25% episodes of febrile neutropenia in leukemia patients and in 11% of episodes in solid tumor patients. No deaths occurred in either group. Subgroup analysis of leukemic patients suggested that patients in the induction phase of therapy have a higher rate of bacteremia and pneumonia. No substantial difference in course or outcome was seen between the leukemia and solid tumor groups, possibly because of the intensive treatment administered to pediatric patients with solid tumors. Risk assessment strategies based on chemotherapy dose intensity and patient comorbidities rather than underlying malignancy should be prospectively studied. | 10.1007/s005200100277 |
pubmed_418_14115 | Is there a clear line between normal and abnormal mood? Studies of manifest and latent structure provide strong support for a continuum that extends from asymptomatic to subsyndromal to syndromal cases of increasing severity. Subsyndromal symptoms are impairing, predict syndrome onset and relapse, and account for more doctor's visits and suicide attempts than the full syndromes, yet they are not recognized in the current classification. For most research and some clinical activities, dimensional diagnoses are recommended, and examples are offered for how such diagnoses could be made. For clinical activities requiring decisions, a multithreshold model is proposed in which both lower (e.g., mild depression, capturing subsyndromal cases) and upper (e.g., major depression, capturing clinically significant cases) diagnostic categories are used to inform clinical care. Beyond its implications for diagnosis, the dimensionality of depression and anxiety has implications for etiology and for research aimed at understanding how emotions become disrupted in psychopathology. | 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050718-095644 |
pubmed_24_9742 | A recent study of breast cancer patients with and without BRCA1 gene mutations found significantly lower levels of VEGF in serum from patients with BRCA1 mutations (Tarnowski, B., Chudecka-Glaz, A., Gorski, B., and Rzepka-Gorska, I. (2004) Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 88, 287-288). Here, we describe a possible mechanistic explanation for this correlation. Because hypoxia in tumors stimulates VEGF expression and secretion we hypothesized that altered BRCA1 protein levels in breast tumors could affect hypoxia-stimulated VEGF promoter activity. This possibility was tested in cells transfected with various combinations of expression plasmids for BRCA1, BRCA1 specific inhibitory RNAs (BRCA1-siRNAs), HIF-1alpha, and a VEGF promoter-reporter and then incubated in normoxia (21%, O2) or hypoxia (0.1%, O2). As predicted, increased BRCA1 levels enhanced both hypoxia-stimulated VEGF promoter activity and the amounts of VEGF mRNA, as determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR and quantitative real time PCR. Using the ChIP assay, we discovered that BRCA1 could be recruited to the endogenous human VEGF promoter along with HIF-1alpha following hypoxia. An interaction between BRCA1 and HIF-1alpha was found in human breast cancer cells. We also found that hypoxia-stimulated VEGF promoter activity and secretion was reduced in cells containing reduced amounts of endogenous BRCA1 protein (obtained by transfecting with BRCA1 siRNAs). A mechanistic explanation for these effects is provided by our finding a reduced half-life and reduced accumulation of HIF-1alpha in hypoxic cells transfected with BRCA1-siRNAs and that proteasome inhibitors blocked these effects of BRCA1-siRNAs. Thus, our results suggest that normal amounts of BRCA1 function in hypoxia to regulate HIF-1alpha stability, probably by interacting with HIF-1alpha. | 10.1074/jbc.M513033200 |
pubmed_99_23 | Milacemide (2-n-pentylaminoacetamide . HCl) is an anti-epileptic which improves the mood, vigilance and sociability of treated patients. By metabolic charting with radioactive deoxyglucose it is possible to estimate local consumption of glucose in the various regions of the brain in rats treated with milacemide in comparison with rats treated with a placebo. It would seem that milacemide exerts an appreciable activating effect principally on pathways with sensory functions. The activation of the metabolism of cerebral energy in these regions may explain the behavioural improvements observed in the rat and in the first clinical trials in man. | pubmed_99_23 |
pubmed_716_19427 | Roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid, ROX), widely used as a livestock feed additive, is excreted untransformed in large concentrations. Accumulation of this manure in the open environment increases dissolved organic matter (DOM) and ROX in soil within the aeration zone. And microbial action plays a dominant role in the transformation of ROX. However, the specific effect of DOM on the biotransformation of ROX is not known. In this paper, we investigated the transformation rate, metabolite content, and microbial community response of ROX in soils with different DOM concentrations (71.61, 100, 200, 500, and 800 mg L-1). The transformation of ROX was consistent with first-order transformation kinetics. DOM promoted the transformation of ROX, and with high DOM (DOM ≥200 mg L-1), ROX was transformed almost completely within two days. In this case, DOM provided nutrients to microorganisms and promoted their growth, accelerating the transformation of ROX. Also, the solubility of ROX was enhanced by DOM to increase its bioavailability. The microbial diversity was negatively correlated with DOM concentration and ROX transformation time; during the transformation of ROX, Bacillus, Arthrobacter, Enterococcus, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas became dominant in the soil with anomalously high levels of DOM. This study demonstrates the transformation process of ROX under actual environmental conditions where organic matter coexists with ROX, and this understanding is important for the prevention and control of arsenic pollution in soil within the aeration zone with anomalously high levels of DOM. | 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137118 |
pubmed_501_4168 | When oligonucleosomes (8-10 N) were incubated under conditions favoring poly(ADP-ribosylation) with concentrations of [32P]NAD 10 microM and higher, the labeled chromatin components migrated in 3-8% gradient native chromatin polyacrylamide gels, in positions of far greater size than the starting nucleosomes. Only a small fraction of chromatin and/or oligonucleosome components was found to be involved in this aggregation. This phenomenon could be demonstrated as well by the increased sedimentation of ADP-ribosylated chromatin components in velocity sucrose gradients. In contrast, at [32P]NAD concentrations less than or equal to 1 microM, the modified nuclear proteins were found strictly associated with the original oligonucleosomes. The extent of aggregation was proportional to both substrate concentration and time of incubation with NAD. During this process, progressively longer chains of poly (ADP-Rib) (10-60 N) were generated on chromatin proteins correlating with the level of complex formation. Analysis of protein by either acid-urea or Na-DodS4O-gel electrophoresis indicated that at NAD concentrations favoring aggregation, poly(ADP-Rib) induced ADP-ribosylated complexes of histone H1, and possibly core histones were observed. Poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase requires both DNA and nuclear proteins for activity. The presence of this enzyme in the high molecular weight complexes was demonstrated on sucrose gradients and also by direct enzyme assays, in situ, in regions of 3-8% gradient chromatin gels containing the complexed chromatin components. | 10.1021/bi00564a013 |
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