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pubmed_718_6022 | Equatorial X-ray diffraction techniques have been successfully applied to the intact single muscle fibre preparation under length clamp and "fixed end" conditions. 10 and 11 intensity changes and stiffness have been measured in the same preparation. Under isometric conditions, equatorial signals and stiffness led force by 14-20ms during the rise of tetanic tension. During relaxation, stiffness and equatorial signals lagged force. The time course of the intensity changes suggests a low force crossbridge state is present to a greater extent during the rise of tetanic tension and during relaxation than at the tetanus plateau. During isotonic shortening at Vmax, stiffness fell to 30% of its isometric level, while equatorial signals fell to 60%. Since stiffness and equatorial signals are thought to detect attached crossbridges, either the average stiffness per attached bridge measured at 4kHz during shortening is less than at the plateau, or the relation between equatorial intensities and the proportion of attached crossbridges during isotonic shortening differs from that measured under isometric conditions. Active tension also affects the lattice spacing. The myosin lattice was compressed during the development of longitudinal force. This implies a radial component of crossbridge tension. The lattice compression was smaller in a compressed lattice and larger in an expanded lattice. | 10.1007/978-1-4615-2872-2_38 |
pubmed_249_8140 | In a 24-year-old woman, an iliac pseudoaneurysm following lumbar discectomy was successfully treated by percutaneous placement of a self-expanding stent-graft. A postprocedural angiogram demonstrated complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm without leakage of contrast agent. | 10.1007/s002700010108 |
pubmed_547_16548 | The standard convolution model of disease natural history posits an asymptomatic (preclinical) and a symptomatic (clinical) state. An augmented model includes, in both the preclinical and clinical states, an early and late stage of disease. In the case of cancer, the early stage would generally correspond to the organ-confined stages before there is evidence of cancer spread. We compute the number of screen-detected (preclinical) and clinical cases in the early and late stages expected under a given screening program and show how the model can be fit to data from a screening trial using maximum likelihood. We also develop expressions for sojourn time, lead time, and overdiagnosis in the context of the model, where each of the above concepts incorporates disease stage. As an example, we fit the model to data from the Mayo Lung Cancer Screening trial. | 10.1111/j.0006-341X.2004.00023.x |
pubmed_147_12463 | BACKGROUND
To better define the cytomorphologic spectrum of endosalpingiosis in peritoneal washings (PWs) and thereby facilitate their distinction from well differentiated serous carcinoma, the authors examined PWs from women who underwent surgery and pathologic staging of lesions other than Mullerian malignancies and correlated the findings with surgical specimens.
METHODS
This was a retrospective review of medical records and PW specimens from 100 consecutive patients who had PWs coded as both "endosalpingiosis" and "negative for carcinoma" between 2002 and 2012. Thirty-eight of these patients had no gynecologic malignancies. Specimens had been prepared using cytocentrifugation and were stained using the Papanicolaou method. The cytologic findings evaluated were cell arrangement, number of cell groups per case, cellular atypia, and psammoma bodies. Smears also were assessed for paired box-8 (PAX8) immunostaining. The authors compared patients' staging biopsy findings with the findings from a review of the PWs.
RESULTS
PW specimens from 35 of 38 patients (92%) exhibited classic endosalpingiosis features: tubular or small branching papillary structures, some with psammoma bodies. Specimens from the 3 remaining patients displayed nonclassic features consistent with dislodged fallopian tube epithelium or endometriosis. From 2 to 20 clusters per slide and from 4 to 50 groups per case were identified. In a few cases, some cell clusters exhibited up to moderate cytologic atypia. Surgical findings included endometriosis, endosalpingiosis, both endometriosis and endosalpingiosis (12 patients; 31.6%), and a variety of unrelated pelvic lesions. All cases were PAX8-positive, confirming their Mullerian origin.
CONCLUSIONS
Endosalpingiosis in PWs can be diagnostically challenging. Awareness of intraoperative techniques and correlation with surgical biopsy findings are necessary to avoid a misdiagnosis of malignancy. | 10.1002/cncy.21302 |
pubmed_613_20174 | Regulation of gene expression can occur at many different levels. One important step in the gene expression process is the transport of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. In recent years, studies have described how nuclear mRNA export depends on the steps preceding and following transport through nuclear pore complexes. These include gene activation, transcription, mRNA processing and mRNP assembly and disassembly. In this review, we summarise recent insights into the links between these steps in the gene expression cascade. | 10.1016/j.ceb.2010.12.002 |
pubmed_409_4496 | Crede's method was evaluated using of ofloxacin (OFLX) and gentamicin (GM) to show the clinical significance of chemoprophylaxis against ophthalmia neonatorum occurring through vertical infection. The obtained results are summarized as follows. 1. OFLX and GM were separately instilled using Crede's original method to 260 cases selected from all the cases of delivery encountered in this hospital during a period of 6 months from 1987 to 1988. Both groups had similar backgrounds. 2. OFLX and GM were effective in 123 of 129 cases and in 116 of 131 cases, respectively. No side effects were found. 3. OFLX to which recent isolates of Staphylococci and Escherichia coli from obstetric clinics were sensitive was more effective for the prevention than GM to which many isolates were tolerant. These findings indirectly proved the clinical significance of Crede's method. 4. Cases showing ineffectiveness of the prophylaxis may have been due to nosocomial infections. | pubmed_409_4496 |
pubmed_905_15143 | The tetradentate ligand dppH3, which features a half-porphyrin and two electron-rich phenol moieties, was prepared and chelated to manganese. The mononuclear Mn(iii)-dipyrrophenolate complex 1 was structurally characterized. The metal ion lies in a square pyramidal environment, the apical position being occupied by a methanol molecule. Complex 1 displays two reversible oxidation waves at 0.00 V and 0.47 V vs. Fc+/Fc, which are assigned to ligand-centered processes. The one-electron oxidized species 1+ SbF6- was crystallized, showing an octahedral Mn(iii) center with two water molecules coordinated at both apical positions. The bond distance analysis and DFT calculations disclose that the radical is delocalized over the whole aromatic framework. Complex 1+ SbF6- exhibits an Stot = 3/2 spin state due to the antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn(iii) and the ligand radical. The zero field splitting parameters are D = 1.6 cm-1, E/D = 0.18(1), g⊥ = 1.99 and g∥ = 1.98. The dication 12+ is an integer spin system, which is assigned to a doubly oxidized ligand coordinated to a Mn(iii) metal center. Both 1 and 1+ SbF6- catalyze styrene oxidation in the presence of PhIO, but the nature of the main reaction product is different. Styrene oxide is the main reaction product when using 1, but phenylacetaldehyde is formed predominantly when using 1+ SbF6-. We examined the ability of complex 1+ SbF6- to catalyze the isomerization of styrene oxide and found that it is an efficient catalyst for the anti-Markovnikov opening of styrene oxide. The formation of phenylacetaldehyde from styrene therefore proceeds in a tandem E-I (epoxidation-isomerization) mechanism in the case of 1+ SbF6-. This is the first evidence of control of the reactivity for styrene oxidation by changing the oxidation state of a catalyst based on a redox-active ligand. | 10.1039/c6dt02163h |
pubmed_719_20195 | The adoptive transfer of human T cells or genetically-engineered T cells with cancer-targeting receptors has shown tremendous promise for eradicating tumors in clinical trials. The objective of this study was to develop a novel T cell biomanufacturing platform using stirred-tank bioreactor for large-scale and high-quality cellular production. First, various factors, such as bioreactor parameters, media, supplements, stimulation, seed age, and donors, were investigated. A serum-free fed-batch bioproduction process was developed to achieve 1000-fold expansion within 8 days after first stimulation and another 500-fold expansion with second stimulation. Second, this biomanufacturing process was successfully scaled up in bioreactor with dilution factor of 10, and the robustness and reproducibility of the process was confirmed by the inclusion of different donors' T cells of various qualities. Finally, T cell quality was monitored using 12 surface markers and 3 intracellular cytokines as the critical quality assessment criteria in early, middle and late stages of cell production. In this study, a new biomanufacturing platform was created to produce reliable, reproducible, high-quality, and large-quantity (i.e. > 5 billion) human T cells in stirred-tank bioreactor. This platform is compatible with the production systems of monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and other therapeutic cells, which provides not only the proof-of-concept but also the ready-to-use new approach of T cell expansion for clinical immune therapy. | 10.1186/s13036-019-0167-2 |
pubmed_807_10075 | The eukaryotic DNA replication protein Mcm10 associates with chromatin in early S-phase and is required for assembly and function of the replication fork protein machinery. Xenopus laevis (X) Mcm10 binds DNA via a highly conserved internal domain (ID) and a C-terminal domain (CTD) that is unique to higher eukaryotes. Although the structural basis of the interactions of the ID with DNA and polymerase alpha is known, little information is available for the CTD. We have identified the minimal DNA binding region of the XMcm10-CTD and determined its three-dimensional structure by solution NMR. The CTD contains a globular domain composed of two zinc binding motifs. NMR chemical shift perturbation and mutational analysis show that ssDNA binds only to the N-terminal (CCCH-type) zinc motif, whose structure is unique to Mcm10. The second (CCCC-type) zinc motif is not involved in DNA binding. However, it is structurally similar to the CCCC zinc ribbon in the N-terminal oligomerization domain of eukaryotic and archaeal MCM helicases. NMR analysis of a construct spanning both the ID and CTD reveals that the two DNA binding domains are structurally independent in solution, supporting a modular architecture for vertebrate Mcm10. Our results provide insight in the action of Mcm10 in the replisome and support a model in which it serves as a central scaffold through coupling of interactions with partner proteins and the DNA. | 10.1074/jbc.M110.131276 |
pubmed_115_13105 | Oxalate oxidase (EC 1.2.3.4) catalyzes the conversion of oxalate and dioxygen to hydrogen peroxide and carbon dioxide. In this study, glycolate was used as a structural analogue of oxalate to investigate substrate binding in the crystalline enzyme. The observed monodentate binding of glycolate to the active site manganese ion of oxalate oxidase is consistent with a mechanism involving C-C bond cleavage driven by superoxide anion attack on a monodentate coordinated substrate. In this mechanism, the metal serves two functions: to organize the substrates (oxalate and dioxygen) and to transiently reduce dioxygen. The observed structure further implies important roles for specific active site residues (two asparagines and one glutamine) in correctly orientating the substrates and reaction intermediates for catalysis. Combined spectroscopic, biochemical, and structural analyses of mutants confirms the importance of the asparagine residues in organizing a functional active site complex. | 10.1074/jbc.M510256200 |
pubmed_354_10056 | AIMS
Violacein (VIO), a bacterial pigment produced by Chromobacterium violaceum, was examined to evaluate the antichagasic activity and its action mechanism against Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Violacein was tested against the epimastigote, trypomastigote and amastigote forms of T. cruzi Y strain (benznidazole-resistant strain). VIO inhibited all T. cruzi developmental forms, including amastigotes, which is implicated in the burden of infection in the chronic phase of Chagas disease (CD). VIO induced cell death in T. cruzi through apoptosis, as determined by flow cytometry analyses with specific molecular probes and morphological alterations, such as involvement of reactive oxygen species and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and cell shrinkage.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest antichagasic activity of VIO against T. cruzi Y strain with apoptotic involvement.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY
The treatment of CD has limited efficacy and side effects that restrict patient tolerability and compliance. The VIO molecule could be used as a model for therapeutic alternatives for this disease. | 10.1111/jam.14391 |
pubmed_595_8550 | There is increasing interest from a social learning perspective in understanding the role of parental factors on adult health behaviors and health outcomes. Our review revealed no studies, to date, that have evaluated the effects of parental substance abuse on reports of chronic pain and coping in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). We explored the effects of parental substance (alcohol or drug) abuse on reports of the sensory, affective and summary indices of pain in 67 adult patients, mean age 38.9 (13.5), with SCD. We also explored the effects of parental substance abuse on psychopathology associated with pain and active coping. Twenty-four percent of patients reported that their parent(s) abused substances. Patients whose parent(s) were characterized as substance abusers reported greater sensory (p=0.02), affective (p=0.01) and summary (VAS; p=0.02) indices of pain as compared to their counterparts, whose parent(s) were not characterized as substance abusers. Patients did not differ in average age, education or the propensity to respond in a socially acceptable manner. There was a significant trend towards patients who characterized their parents as abusers scoring higher than their counterparts on active coping. We propose a Social Learning Theory to explain the current findings and suggest a need for additional prospective research to simultaneously explore biological (genetic) and social factors that influence the interpretation, experience and reporting of chronic pain in adult patients with chronic disease. | pubmed_595_8550 |
pubmed_573_6340 | Nanoparticles are promising aids for drug delivery for previously challenging diseases, and many incurable ones. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a pleiotropic molecule having various target molecules in the body. Despite its effects, curcumin-based drugs are not readily available in the market because of their low bioavailability. Although dietary intake and knowledge about the potential of curcumin are high in countries like India, studies indicate that the bioavailability problem still persists. However, administration of curcumin through inhalation has received little consideration. In this review we discuss the potential of curcumin, approaches made to overcome the bioavailability challenges, and novel approaches that could be applied in order to deliver curcumin in a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI). | pubmed_573_6340 |
pubmed_403_5209 | Background and Case: Amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a potentially life-threatening condition that exists in two main subtypes - AIT Type 1 (AIT1) and AIT Type 2 (AIT2). AIT1 is a form of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism with increased thyroid hormone synthesis, while AIT2 is a form of destructive thyroiditis with increased release of pre-formed thyroid hormone. This case report describes a patient with cyanotic congenital heart disease, who developed AIT with severe biochemical thyrotoxicosis. Due to complications to corticosteroids and thionamides, second-line treatment with cholestyramine and lithium was given which eventually restored euthyroidism, averting the need for thyroidectomy and its associated risks. Due to the presence of both typical and unusual features, the final diagnosis of AIT2 could only be retrospectively elucidated after a prolonged clinical course. Conclusion: Corticosteroids are well-recognized to be the first-line treatment for AIT2. This case illustrates a rare phenomenon: successful treatment of AIT2 with lithium and cholestyramine. In patients who develop complications from first-line therapy, prompt treatment with alternative agents may successfully avert thyroidectomy and its associated risks. | 10.3389/fcvm.2020.574391 |
pubmed_660_19287 | Dimethyl-celecoxib is a celecoxib analog that lacks the capacity as cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor and therefore the life-threatening effects but retains the antineoplastic properties. The action mechanism at the molecular level is unclear. Our in vitro assays using a sarcoplasmic reticulum preparation from rabbit skeletal muscle demonstrate that dimethyl-celecoxib inhibits Ca2+-ATPase activity and ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in a concentration-dependent manner. Celecoxib was a more potent inhibitor of Ca2+-ATPase activity than dimethyl-celecoxib, as deduced from the half-maximum effect but dimethyl-celecoxib exhibited higher inhibition potency when Ca2+ transport was evaluated. Since Ca2+ transport was more sensitive to inhibition than Ca2+-ATPase activity the drugs under study caused Ca2+/Pi uncoupling. Dimethyl-celecoxib provoked greater uncoupling and the effect was dependent on drug concentration but independent of Ca2+-pump functioning. Dimethyl-celecoxib prevented Ca2+ binding by stabilizing the inactive Ca2+-free conformation of the pump. The effect on the kinetics of phosphoenzyme accumulation and the dependence of the phosphoenzyme level on dimethyl-celecoxib concentration were independent of whether or not the Ca2+-pump was exposed to the drug in the presence of Ca2+ before phosphorylation. This provided evidence of non-preferential interaction with the Ca2+-free conformation. Likewise, the decreased phosphoenzyme level in the presence of dimethyl-celecoxib that was partially relieved by increasing Ca2+ was consistent with the mentioned effect on Ca2+ binding. The kinetics of phosphoenzyme decomposition under turnover conditions was not altered by dimethyl-celecoxib. The dual effect of the drug involves Ca2+-pump inhibition and membrane permeabilization activity. The reported data can explain the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects that have been attributed to the celecoxib analog. Ligand docking simulation predicts interaction of celecoxib and dimethyl-celecoxib with the intracellular Ca2+ transporter at the inhibition site of hydroquinones. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0102083 |
pubmed_330_3279 | Streptococcus pyogenes is a major human pathogen. It is a common cause of pharyngitis, cellulitis and wound infections. Late complications like rheumatoid arthritis and glomerulonephritis are associated with certain M proteins on the surface of the bacteria. In 1987 an increase was noted in the incidence of serious infections caused by this bacterium. The increase has been associated with protein type M 1. Typing with antibodies against T proteins is simpler to perform than M typing and can give as good epidemiological information. Culture results from January 11986 to December 31 1993, from the Department of Microbiology at the National University Hospital in Reykjavik, were reviewed. T protein type of some of the strains, that had been preserved by freezing, was determined by agglutination after culture in Todd Hewitt broth as described by Efstratiou. T-protein type of 384 strains from 1991-1993 was determined and the results compared to unpublished results from 1988 and 1989. T-protein type was also determined on all S. pyogenes strains that were isolated from blood in 1989 to 1993. The following T-types were most common: 1988-1989 Tl vas 30%; 1991, T4 and T28 70% and 62% in 1992; in 1993 Tl and T3 were 59%. Thirty one strains were sent to the Streptococcal Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, for determination of M-proteins. All strains but one, that were sent to Britain for M-protein typing, had corresponding T-proteins (Mx=Tx; My=Ty and so on). Big fluctuations in the number of isolations of S. pyogenes strains was observed during the study period: Fewest in 1989 or 629, but the number was highest in 1993 or 2057. The changes in incidence seemed to correlate with certain serotypes. | pubmed_330_3279 |
pubmed_934_21731 | A number of studies have shown that HIV awareness is very high among Malawians and yet infection rates are rising. Local cultural practices have been identified as contributing to this contradictory situation. Using data from 12 focus-group discussions collected in Balaka, Zomba, Machinga and Mangochi, the paper explores the reformulation of nine cultural practices as a preventive measure against HIV. The study reveals that cultural practices that involve sexual acts for completion are mediated through condoms and HIV tests. The study also shows that traditional herbs known for healing ailments are repurposed to symbolise sexual acts. We conclude that the idea of repurposing offers an avenue in which initiation and cleansing rites that involve sexual acts are replaced by other semiotics such as a traditional medicine called mtela. We also conclude that the modifications to cultural practices do not indicate complete abandonment of associated traditions, rather, they constitute the renegotiation of cultural practices and meanings associated with particular rites of passage. Lastly, we propose that a comprehensive prevention programme needs to be part of a wider national HIV-prevention effort combining a women and child rights and empowerment agenda and, critically, lifestyle lessons in a process of cultural renegotiation. | 10.1080/13691058.2014.944569 |
pubmed_788_7535 | BACKGROUND
Individuals with vascular or valvular calcification are at increased risk for coronary events, but the relationship between calcium consumption and cardiovascular events is uncertain. We evaluated the risk of coronary and cerebrovascular events in the Women's Health Initiative randomized trial of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We randomized 36,282 postmenopausal women 50 to 79 years of age at 40 clinical sites to calcium carbonate 500 mg with vitamin D 200 IU twice daily or to placebo. Cardiovascular disease was a prespecified secondary efficacy outcome. During 7 years of follow-up, myocardial infarction or coronary heart disease death was confirmed for 499 women assigned to calcium/vitamin D and 475 women assigned to placebo (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.92 to 1.18). Stroke was confirmed among 362 women assigned to calcium/vitamin D and 377 assigned to placebo (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.82 to 1.10). In subgroup analyses, women with higher total calcium intake (diet plus supplements) at baseline were not at higher risk for coronary events (P=0.91 for interaction) or stroke (P=0.14 for interaction) if assigned to active calcium/vitamin D.
CONCLUSIONS
Calcium/vitamin D supplementation neither increased nor decreased coronary or cerebrovascular risk in generally healthy postmenopausal women over a 7-year use period. | 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.673491 |
pubmed_312_3946 | Female PVG/c strain rats maintained under specific pathogen-free conditions until weaning were found to be significantly less susceptible to the induction of autoimmune thyroiditis by thymectomy and irradiation than conventionally reared rats of the same strain. Other SPF-derived strains had a similarly low susceptibility, thus pointing to an important external factor influencing the induction of autoimmunity by this procedure. It was found that the oral administration of antibiotics followed by fresh, homogenized, intestinal contents obtained from conventionally reared rats to newly weaned SPF PVG/c rats significantly augmented their autoimmune susceptibility. The offspring of female SPF rats which had been treated in late pregnancy with oral antibiotics and conventional intestinal contents were similarly more susceptible than the offspring of non-treated counterparts. It is proposed that the composition of the normal gastrointestinal flora of conventionally reared rats profoundly influences susceptibility to the induction of autoimmune thyroiditis in this particular experimental model, possibly by antigenic cross-reactivity with thyroid tissue. | pubmed_312_3946 |
pubmed_442_17737 | Semicarbazide is a widespread food contaminant that is produced by multiple pathways. However, the toxicity of semicarbazide to human health remains unclear. Using a highly accurate and sensitive isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, we identified and quantitated in this study for the first time the DNA and RNA adduct of semicarbazide in DNA/RNA isolated from the internal organs of semicarbazide-exposed rats. The analysis revealed a dose-dependent formation of the adducts in the internal organs of the semicarbazide-dosed rats and with the highest adduct levels identified in the stomach and small intestine. Furthermore, results showed significantly higher levels of the RNA adduct (4.1-7.0 times) than that of the DNA adducts. By analyzing DNA/RNA samples isolated from rat organs in semicarbazide-dosed rats at different time points postdosing, the adduct stability in vivo was also investigated. These findings suggest that semicarbazide could have exerted its toxicity by affecting both the transcription and translation processes of the cell. | 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.6b00232 |
pubmed_0_1857 | The first line of a host's response to various pathogens is triggered by their engagement of cellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Binding of microbial ligands to these receptors leads to the induction of a variety of cellular factors that alter intracellular and extracellular environment and interfere directly or indirectly with the life cycle of the triggering pathogen. Such changes may also affect any coinfecting microbe. Using ligands to Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 5 and 9, we examined their effect on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 replication in lymphoid tissue ex vivo. We found marked differences in the outcomes of such treatment. While flagellin (TLR5 agonist) treatment enhanced replication of CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR 5)-tropic and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)-tropic HIV-1, treatment with oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) M362 (TLR9 agonist) suppressed both viral variants. The differential effects of these TLR ligands on HIV-1 replication correlated with changes in production of CC chemokines CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, and of CXC chemokines CXCL10, and CXCL12 in the ligand-treated HIV-1-infected tissues. The nature and/or magnitude of these changes were dependent on the ligand as well as on the HIV-1 viral strain. Moreover, the tested ligands differed in their ability to induce cellular activation as evaluated by the expression of the cluster of differentiation markers (CD) 25, CD38, CD39, CD69, CD154, and human leukocyte antigen D related (HLA)-DR as well as of a cell proliferation marker, Ki67, and of CCR5. No significant effect of the ligand treatment was observed on apoptosis and cell death/loss in the treated lymphoid tissue ex vivo. Our results suggest that binding of microbial ligands to TLRs is one of the mechanisms that mediate interactions between coinfected microbes and HIV-1 in human tissues. Thus, the engagement of appropriate TLRs by microbial molecules or their mimetic might become a new strategy for HIV therapy or prevention. | pubmed_0_1857 |
pubmed_317_3168 | Interfacial gas enrichment of dissolved gases (IGE) has been shown to cover hydrophobic solid surfaces in water. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) data has recently been supported by molecular dynamics simulation. It was demonstrated that IGE is responsible for the unexpected stability and large contact angle of gaseous nanobubbles at the hydrophobic solid-water interface. Here we provide further evidence of the significant effect of IGE on an attractive force between hydrophobic solid surfaces in water. The force in the presence of dissolved gas, i.e., in aerated and nonaerated NaCl solutions (up to 4 M), was measured by the AFM colloidal probe technique. The effect of nanobubble bridging on the attractive force was minimized or eliminated by measuring forces on the first approach of the AFM probe toward the flat hydrophobic surface and by using high salt concentrations to reduce gas solubility. Our results confirm the presence of three types of forces, two of which are long-range attractive forces of capillary bridging origin as caused by either surface nanobubbles or gap-induced cavitation. The third type is a short-range attractive force observed in the absence of interfacial nanobubbles that is attributed to the IGE in the form of a dense gas layer (DGL) at hydrophobic surfaces. Such a force was found to increase with increasing gas saturation and to decrease with decreasing gas solubility. | 10.1021/la504001z |
pubmed_581_24577 | BACKGROUND
For infants with very low birth weights (VLBW), their neurodevelopmental outcomes are thought to be associated with extra-uterine growth retardation (EUGR). In this study, based on a single institute, we analyzed the association between different levels or severity of EUGR of VLBW infants and their neurodevelopmental outcomes later at a corrected age of 24 months.
METHODS
This is a hospital-based retrospective cohort study. The severity of EUGR was classified into three categories according to the z-score of discharge weight: z < -2.0, <-2.5, and <-3.0. The outcomes were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II (BSID-II) at a corrected age of 24 months. We then estimated the association of EUGR with low mental developmental index (MDI) or low psychomotor developmental index (PDI). Multiple logistic regression and stratified analyses were used to adjust for the possible confounding factors.
RESULTS
In total, 224 VLBW infants were enrolled in this study from 1997 to 2006. In the univariate analysis, EUGR for weight at discharge from hospital was associated with MDI <85 at the corrected age of 24 months, and this association was related to the severity of EUGR (z < -2.5, OR: 1.92 (1.04-3.53); z < -3.0, OR: 2.83 (1.26-6.36)). In addition, the relationship was not confounded by gender nor small for gestational age. The stratified analysis against hemodynamic significant patent ductus arteriosus also revealed that EUGR was an independent predictor for neurodevelopmental outcomes.
CONCLUSION
In VLBW preterm infants, EUGR was significantly associated with low MDI scores assessed at a corrected age of 24 months. Early evaluation and recognition of EUGR should be emphasized when caring for preterm infants. | 10.1016/j.pedneo.2017.08.003 |
pubmed_836_17069 | A simple data analysis method called the Tracer-Aerosol Gradient Interpretive Technique (TAGIT) is used to attribute particulate S and SO2 at Big Bend National Park in Texas and nearby areas to local and regional sources. Particulate S at Big Bend is of concern because of its effects on atmospheric visibility. The analysis used particulate S, SO2, and perfluorocarbon tracer data from six 6-hr sampling sites in and near Big Bend National Park. The data were collected in support of the Big Bend Regional Aerosol and Visibility Observational (BRAVO) Study; the field portion was conducted from July through October 1999. Perfluorocarbon tracer was released continuously from a tower at Eagle Pass, TX, approximately 25 km northeast of two large coal-fired power plants (Carbon I and II) in Coahuila, Mexico, and approximately 270 km east-southeast of Big Bend National Park. The perfluorocarbon tracer did not properly represent the location of the emissions from the Carbon power plants for individual 6-hr sampling periods and attributed only 3% of the particulate S and 27% of the SO2 at the 6-hr sites in and near Big Bend to sources represented by the tracer. An alternative approach using SO2 to tag "local" sources such as the Carbon plants attributed 10% of the particulate S and 75% of the SO2 at the 6-hr sites to local sources. Based on these two approaches, most of the regional (65-86%) and a small fraction (19-31%) of the local SO2 was converted to particulate S. The analysis implies that substantial reductions in particulate S at Big Bend National Park cannot be achieved by only reducing emissions from the Carbon power plants; reduction of emissions from many sources over a regional area would be necessary. | 10.1080/10473289.2003.10466187 |
pubmed_608_9623 | BACKGROUND
Studies concerning on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) etiological factors have been done for several decades, however, results reported from various investigations were not consistent. The present investigation aimed to explore the presence of 3 oncogenic viruses, human papilloma virus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) in the neoplastic and non- neoplastic esophageal lesions collected from Mazandaran, a high risk area of Iran.
METHODS
In total, 168 esophageal specimens (100 with ESCC confirmed diagnosis and 68 without esophageal malignancy) were analyzed for HPV, EBV and MCPyV by Real Time PCR.
RESULTS
HPV DNA was detected in 27 out of the 100 neoplastic esophageal lesions (27.0%) and 28 out of the 68 samples from non-neoplastic group (41.2%). EBV DNA was detected in esophageal specimens of 10 out of the 100 neoplastic cases (10%) and 3 out of the 68 samples in non- neoplastic group (4.4%). MCPyV DNA was detected in esophageal specimens of 30 out of the 100 neoplastic cases (30.0%) and 24 out of the 68 samples in non- neoplastic group (35.3%). There was no statistically significant difference in HPV (p=0.066), EBV (p=0.143) and MCPyV (p=0.471) DNA positivity between neoplastic and non-neoplastic groups.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that HPV, EBV and MCPyV can be detected in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic esophageal tissues and weakens the hypothesis of the pathogenic role of these viruses in esophageal malignant transformation. | 10.22088/cjim.9.4.353 |
pubmed_769_6741 | This descriptive phenomenological study examines career adaptability of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants include 30 parents (18 fathers and 12 mothers; 6 of them were couples) ranging in age from 26 to 45 years, selected by a purposive sampling method. The semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers based on the Career Construction Theory was used to collect data after receiving expert verification on the questions. In addition, to triangulate data sources, the Participant Feedback Form filled by the participants on the day following the interview and the Researcher Diary filled by the interviewer during the data collection process were utilized. Colaizzi's seven-step method was followed to analyze the data. Four major domains emerged, highlighting traumas/changes in work-life after ASD, career adaptability, influences of COVID-19 pandemic, and post-interview awareness of this particular sample. Results from the study highlighted looking ahead, being persistent, career decision-making, career-exploration accompanied by some expectations such as more time, income and flexibility, and coping skills build upon the ASD, along with postponement and abandonment of previous career goals, alteration of future career plans, and lack of self-exploration. The results contributed to the theory by providing evidence for career adaptability of parents of children with individual differences, including career adaptability resources and needs. Findings also implied the need for interventions to foster career adaptability skills of parents regarding looking ahead in a positive way, decision-making, self-exploration, and coping with career barriers and difficulties. | 10.1007/s12144-021-02649-9 |
pubmed_934_12988 | OBJECTIVES
During the earlier years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, initial reports described sensorineural hearing loss in up to 49% of individuals with HIV/AIDS. During those years, patients commonly progressed to advanced stages of HIV disease and frequently had neurological complications. However, the abnormalities on pure-tone audiometry and brainstem-evoked responses outlined in small studies were not always consistently correlated with advanced stages of HIV/AIDS. Moreover, these studies could not exclude the confounding effect of concurrent opportunistic infections and syphilis. Additional reports also have indicated that some antiretroviral medications may be ototoxic; thus, it has been difficult to make conclusions regarding the cause of changes in hearing function in HIV-infected patients. More recently, accelerated aging has been suggested as a potential explanation for the disproportionate increase in complications of aging described in many HIV-infected patients; hence, accelerated aging-associated hearing loss may also be playing a role in these patients.
DESIGN
We conducted a large cross-sectional analysis of hearing function in over 300 patients with HIV-1 infection and in 137 HIV-uninfected controls. HIV-infected participants and HIV-uninfected controls underwent a 2-hr battery of hearing tests including the Hearing Handicap Inventory, standard audiometric pure-tone air and bone conduction testing, tympanometric testing, and speech reception and discrimination testing.
RESULTS
Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and logistic regression analysis of 278 eligible HIV-infected subjects stratified by disease stage in early HIV disease (n = 127) and late HIV disease (n = 148) and 120 eligible HIV-uninfected controls revealed no statistically significant differences among the three study groups in either overall 4-frequency pure-tone average (4-PTA) or hearing loss prevalence in either ear. Three-way ANOVA showed significant differences in word recognition scores in the right ear among groups, a significant group effect on tympanogram static admittance in both ears and a significant group effect on tympanic gradient in the right ear. There was significantly larger admittance and gradient in controls as compared to the HIV-infected group at late stage of disease. Hearing loss in the HIV-infected groups was associated with increased age and was similar to that described in the literature for the general population. Three-way ANOVA analysis also indicated significantly greater pure-tone thresholds (worse hearing) at low frequencies in HIV patients in the late stage of disease compared with HIV-uninfected controls. This difference was also found by semi-parametric mixed effects models.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite reports of "premature" or "accelerated" aging in HIV-infected subjects, we found no evidence of hearing loss occurring at an earlier age in HIV-infected patients compared to HIV-uninfected controls. Similar to what is described in the general population, the probability of hearing loss increased with age in the HIV-infected subjects and was more common in patients over 60 years of age. Interestingly, HIV-infected subjects had worse hearing at lower frequencies and have significant differences in tympanometry compared to HIV-uninfected controls; these findings deserve further study. | 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000064 |
pubmed_659_22757 | Wear particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis is the primary complication of the total joint replacement; however, no conservative treatment except for reversal surgery is available for this disease. During the past decade, Chinese herbal medicines have been widely investigated to inhibit osteoclast differentiation, which may exhibit the potential to treat wear particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis. The present study was aimed at the investigation of the effects of forsythiaside on osteocytes. The current data revealed that the forsythiaside treatment notably inhibited the titanium (Ti) particle-induced inflammation through impaired NF-κB signaling, thereby inhibiting TNF-α and IL-1β. In addition, the in vitro study demonstrated that forsythiaside effectively prevented the RANKL-induced differentiation of osteoclasts and inhibited the expression of osteoclast-specific genes in osteoclasts via inhibition of the JNK signaling pathway. The in vivo study of Ti particle-induced implant-associated osteolysis indicated that forsythiaside could also inhibit osteoclastogenesis. In summary, forsythiaside could inhibit osteoclastogenesis and particle-induced inflammation, resulting in decreased secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β. On the other hand, forsythiaside could inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and Ti particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis via JNK, ERK and p38 signaling pathways. Both the abovementioned biofunctions of forsythiaside contributed to the implant-associated particle-induced osteolysis. Thus, forsythiaside can act as a candidate drug for the precaution of implant-associated particle-induced osteolysis. | 10.1039/c8ra10007a |
pubmed_989_23986 | A reference library of ITS PCR/RFLP profiles was collated and augmented to evaluate its potential for routine identification of domestic brewing yeast and known 'wild' yeast contaminants associated with wort, beer and brewing processes. This library contains information on band sizes generated by restriction digestion of the ribosomal RNA-encoding DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region consisting of the 5.8 rRNA gene and two flanking regions (ITS1 and ITS2) with the endonucleases CfoI, HaeIII, HinfI and includes strains from 39 non-Saccharomyces yeast species as well as for brewing and non-brewing strains of Saccharomyces. The efficacy of the technique was assessed by isolation of 59 wild yeasts from industrial fermentation vessels and conditioning tanks and by matching their ITS amplicon sizes and RFLP profiles with those of the constructed library. Five separate, non-introduced yeast taxa were putatively identified. These included Pichia species, which were associated with conditioning tanks and Saccharomyces species isolated from fermentation vessels. Strains of the lager yeast S. pastorianus could be reliably identified as belonging to either the Saaz or Frohberg hybrid group by restriction digestion of the ITS amplicon with the enzyme HaeIII. Frohberg group strains could be further sub-grouped depending on restriction profiles generated with HinfI. | 10.1002/j.2050-0416.2011.tb00504.x |
pubmed_223_15717 | AIM
To examine the association between heat index (HI) during the induction, maintenance, and rewarming periods of targeted temperature management (TTM) and neurologic outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors.
METHODS
Adult (≥18 years) comatose OHCA survivors who underwent TTM at 33 °C between 2016 and 2018 were included. We collected data on water temperature (WT) recorded every minute during TTM. We calculated HI during induction as the inverse of the average WT × induction time (h) × 100 and HI of maintenance and rewarming as the inverse of the average WT × 100. The primary outcome was a poor neurologic outcome, based on Cerebral Performance Category 3-5 after 6 months.
RESULTS
Of the 118 included patients, 78 (66.1%) had poor outcome. Poor outcome group had lower HI during each of three periods than good outcome group. The areas under the curves for poor outcome of HI during the induction, maintenance, and rewarming periods were 0.819 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.737-0.883), 0.781 (95% CI, 0.696-0.852), and 0.844 (95% CI, 0.765-0.904), respectively. Induction time (odds ratio [OR], 0.991; 95% CI, 0.983-0.999) and HI during induction (OR, 0.916; 95% CI, 0.854-0.983), maintenance (OR, 0.082; 95% CI, 0.011-0.589), and rewarming (OR, 0.009; 95% CI, 0.000-0.285) were associated with poor outcome.
CONCLUSIONS
Heat generation was independently associated with neurologic outcome in OHCA survivors who underwent TTM at 33 °C. The performance of HI was higher in the rewarming period than in the induction or maintenance period in association with poor neurologic outcomes. | 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2020.06.014 |
pubmed_628_14652 | Intraoperative tumour detection has been used in many applications. The examined tumour forms have varied and different detector systems and radiopharmaceuticals have also been used. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the ability of an NaI(T1) scintillation detector to detect primary tumours and metastases in patients with different endocrine tumour types (e.g. carcinoid tumours, endocrine pancreatic tumours and thyroid tumours) and in patients with breast carcinoma or benign thyroid lesions, on the basis of their somatostatin receptor expression after i.v. injection of 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide. Thirty patients were injected with 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide intravenously. Scintigraphic images were taken 1 day after injection of the radiopharmaceutical, and surgery was performed 1-7 days post injection. An NaI(T1) scintillation detector was used for intraoperative tumour detection. Tissue samples were collected during surgery for determination of 111In activity concentration and histopathological examination. The scintigraphic images were positive in 29 out of 30 patients. Intraoperative tumour detection was successful in 43 of 66 collected biopsies: 10 out of 11 for carcinoid tumours, 7 out of 10 for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and 14 out of 22 for breast cancer. On the basis of our findings we conclude that intraoperative tumour detection with 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide using this NaI(T1) detector can be successful especially for carcinoid tumours and endocrine pancreatic tumours, due to the relatively high activity concentrations in these tumour types, but is less successful in other forms of thyroid cancer, including MTC, and breast cancer. For successful intraoperative detection, the detector characteristics are also very important, and further improvement of the detector systems is required to increase the sensitivity and specificity. | 10.1007/s002590100600 |
pubmed_176_3994 | It is often assumed that mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mammalian cells, but there is no convincing experimental evidence for this in the literature. What evidence there is suggests mitochondria are a significant source for ROS, which may have physiological and pathological effects. But quantitatively, endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes have a greater capacity to produce ROS than mitochondria, at least in liver. In most cells and physiological or pathological conditions there is a lack of evidence for or against mitochondria being the main source of cellular ROS. Mitochondria can rapidly degrade ROS and thus are potential sinks for ROS, but whether mitochondria act as net sources or sinks within cells in particular conditions is unknown. | 10.1016/j.mito.2011.02.001 |
pubmed_924_13860 | Sickness absence due to psychiatric problems is on the increase. Many sickness absentees do not recover and end up on a permanent disability pension (DP). A prospective cohort study of 12,283 women and 7099 men with a spell of sickness absence longer than 8 weeks, certified with a psychiatric diagnosis, was carried out. Diagnoses and socioeconomic data for each case were obtained from a national insurance research database. Socio-demographic data characterising each of Norway's 19 counties were obtained from Statistics Norway, and a deprivation index was constructed. Cox regression models with county-level variables only and combinations of variables at individual and county level were estimated separately for each gender as predictors of DP. Men had the highest risk of disability. Several individual-level variables predicted permanent disability. Contextual factors had a marginal effect among women also, after adjustment for individual-level variables. No such effect was present among the men. | 10.1016/j.healthplace.2008.06.004 |
pubmed_353_1709 | This study is part of the effort to test and to establish Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBP) using benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators of the water quality of wadeable streams in south-east Brazil. We compared the cost-effectiveness of sampling devices frequently used in RBPs, Surber and Kick-net samplers, and of three mesh sizes (125, 250 and 500 microm). A total of 126,815 benthic macroinvertebrates were collected, representing 57 families. Samples collected with Kick method had significantly higher richness and BMWP scores in relation to Surber, but no significant increase in the effort, measured by the necessary time to process samples. No significant differences were found between samplers considering the cost/effectiveness ratio. Considering mesh sizes, significantly higher abundance and time for processing samples were necessary for finer meshes, but no significant difference were found considering taxa richness or BMWP scores. As a consequence, the 500 microm mesh had better cost/effectiveness ratios. Therefore, we support the use of a kick-net with a mesh size of 500 microm for macroinvertebrate sampling in RBPs using family level in streams of similar characteristics in Brazil. | pubmed_353_1709 |
pubmed_316_19731 | Extrathyroidal deiodination of the thyroidal main secretory product L-T4, which may have prohormone functions, reveals hormonally active and potentially regulatory potent triiodothyronines. The regulation of these enzyme reactions is still unknown but three deiodinase isoenzymes can be classified based on their physicochemical, kinetic, pharmacological and physiological properties. The purification to homogeneity and cloning of the substrate binding 27kDa subunit of 5'-deiodinase type I is currently performed and these experiments suggest a close similarity of this subunit in 5'D I and II, no evidence is found yet supporting a structural relationship to other ITH binding, transport, metabolizing or receptor proteins, in spite of a high similarity of the hormone binding sites of 5'D I and hTBPA. | pubmed_316_19731 |
pubmed_1129_17830 | The induction of bulk autophagy by nitrogen starvation in baker's yeast (S. cerevisiae) involves the upregulation of many autophagy related proteins, including Atg7. One way to investigate the importance of this upregulation is to measure the size and number of autophagosomes formed when insufficient amounts of that protein are available. Atg8 is known to affect autophagosome size, consistent with its role in phagophore expansion. Atg7 is upstream of Atg8, and might therefore be expected to affect only autophagosome size. We used electron microscopy to measure the size and number of autophagosomes formed with limiting amounts of Atg7 and found them to be both smaller and fewer than normal. This suggests that Atg7 may have an Atg8-independent role in autophagosome initiation in addition to its Atg8-dependent role in autophagosome expansion. We also present an improved simulation for estimating original autophagic body number based on the number of cross-sections observed in ultrathin sections. | 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.06.056 |
pubmed_333_11149 | An outbreak of botulism in four yearlings of a single herd is reported. One animal recovered spontaneously. The other animals underwent euthanasia (animal A) or were slaughtered (animals B and C). Cl. botulinum toxin type C was detected in the sera of animals A and B as well as in the liver and abomasal contents of animal A. In addition, Cl. botulinum was isolated from the liver of animal A. The symptoms are described. Total muscular weakness, also resulting in lingual paralysis and inability to swallow, was the most important clinical feature. The mechanism of action of Cl. botulinum toxin, possible methods of treatment and aspects of meat inspection are discussed. | pubmed_333_11149 |
pubmed_686_24087 | With the improved survival of HIV-infected patients, there are increased concerns about the long-term effects of treatment, including protease inhibitor (PI)-related dyslipidemia. Some 50-70% of patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) involving PIs develop lipid abnormalities consisting of elevated levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides that are well-known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Treatment of HIV dyslipidemia should include lifestyle modifications such as a low-fat diet, increased exercise, reduced alcohol consumption and smoking cessation. In many patients, however, these changes alone will not correct lipid levels. In some patients, changing the PI component of ART to another PI or non-PI and/or lipid-lowering drugs has proven successful. Each approach is associated with advantages and limitations and the need to maintain viral suppression must be balanced with the need to treat abnormal lipid levels. | 10.1080/09540120500161843 |
pubmed_374_24430 | Cognitive training (CT) is an increasingly popular, non-pharmacological intervention for improving cognitive functioning in neurodegenerative diseases and healthy aging. Although meta-analyses support the efficacy of CT in improving cognitive functioning, the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of CT are still unclear. We performed a systematic review of literature in the PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO databases on controlled CT trials (N > 20) in aging and neurodegenerative diseases with pre- and post-training functional MRI outcomes up to November 23rd 2018 (PROSPERO registration number CRD42019103662). Twenty articles were eligible for our systematic review. We distinguished between multi-domain and single-domain CT. CT induced both increases and decreases in task-related functional activation, possibly indicative of an inverted U-shaped curve association between regional brain activity and task performance. Functional connectivity within 'cognitive' brain networks was consistently reported to increase after CT while a minority of studies additionally reported increased segregation of frontoparietal and default mode brain networks. Although we acknowledge the large heterogeneity in type of CT, imaging methodology, in-scanner task paradigm and analysis methods between studies, we propose a working model of the effects of CT on brain activity and connectivity in the context of current knowledge on compensatory mechanisms that are associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. | 10.1007/s11065-020-09440-w |
pubmed_866_9174 | BACKGROUND
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) has not been extensively performed in preschool children, possibly because of the difficulty in cooperating with the tests. We sought to determine the usefulness and safety of methacholine bronchial provocation test (MCh-BPT) for BHR assessment in preschool children.
METHODS
We recruited 252 preschool children (190 healthy and 62 with wheezing) who underwent MCh-BPT at baseline. MCh-BPT was re-scheduled in case initial attempts failed. Forced expiratory volumes in 0.5 (FEV0.5), 0.75 (FEV0.75) and one second (FEV1) were measured. We recorded the provocative dose causing 15% (PD15) or 20% reduction (PD20) in FEV0.5, FEV0.75 and FEV1, thus allowing for comparison of the diagnostic value of PD15 and PD20.
RESULTS
A total of 209 children [156 (82.1%) healthy, 53 (85.5%) with wheezing] successfully completed MCh-BPT. Compared with healthy children, a significantly greater proportion of children with wheezing had measurable PD15FEV0.5, PD15FEV0.75 and PD15FEV1 (P<0.01), and PD20FEV0.5, PD20FEV0.75 and PD20FEV1 (P<0.05). The sensitivity was 92.5% and 94.3% for PD20FEV1, and PD15FEV1 and the specificity was 93.6% and 93.6% respectively, for discriminating asthmatic from healthy children.
CONCLUSIONS
Most preschool children successfully and safely complete MCh-BPT, with higher success rate in larger age group. PD20FEV0.5 and PD20FEV0.75 can be surrogates of PD20FEV1 among children whose expiration lasted for less than one second. PD15 has a good diagnostic value as PD20 for diagnosing of BHR in preschool children, which are also more suitable for children five years old or elder. | 10.21037/jtd.2019.09.47 |
pubmed_40_19679 | BACKGROUND
Inadequate treatment of painful conditions in children is a significant and complex problem. The wide range of cognitive abilities associated with a child's age is a particular challenge for providers treating children with painful conditions.
STUDY OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of patient age on the provision of analgesic medicines at discharge in children treated emergently for a long bone fracture.
METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of all patients during a 1-year period with a long bone fracture treated in two urban pediatric Emergency Departments (EDs).
RESULTS
Eight hundred seventy-eight patients were identified who met our inclusion criteria. Nearly 60% of patients received a prescription for an opioid-containing medicine and 19% received a prescription for an over-the-counter analgesic medicine at ED discharge. Patients younger than 4 years old had lower pain scores, less severe fractures, and overall were significantly less likely to receive an opioid-containing prescription compared to children 4 years old or greater. In children with more severe fractures requiring reduction in the ED, no significant age-related differences were noted in opioid prescription rates. No age-related significant differences were noted for over-the-counter prescription analgesic medicines provided at discharge.
CONCLUSION
Young patient age is associated with different analgesic prescription patterns in children treated in the ED for a long bone fracture. | pubmed_40_19679 |
others_413_27961 | Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is also associated with other co-morbidities in people who have previously or currently have pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). PTB is a risk factor for COVID-19, both in terms of severity and mortality, regardless of HIV status. However, there is less information available on COVID-19 and PTB in terms of incidence and mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a high-burden TB region. This systematic review provided a data synthesis of available evidence on COVID-19/PTB incidence and case fatality rates, as well as mortality rates found in clinical and post-mortem COVID-19/PTB diagnostics in SSA.
MethodsWe conducted an electronic search in the PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Medrxix, and COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease databases for studies involving COVID-19 and PTB in Sub-Saharan Africa. The primary outcomes were the incidence proportion of people with COVID-19 who had current or previous PTB, as well as the case fatality rate associated with COVID-19/PTB. Based on methodological similarities in the included random effect model studies, the combination method was developed using Stata version 16 and Prometa 3 software. We also performed sensitivity analysis and meta-regression.
ResultsFrom the 548 references extracted by the literature search, 25 studies were selected and included in the meta-analysis with a total of 191, 250 COVID-19 infected patients and 11, 480 COVID-19 deaths. The pooled COVID-19/PTB incidence was 3% [2%-5%] and a case fatality rate of 13% [4%-23%]. The pooled estimates for case fatality rate among COVID-19/PTB were 7% [1%-12%] for clinical PTB diagnostic and 25% [3%-47%] for post-mortem PTB diagnostic. Previous TB had the highest incidence and fatality rates with 46 [19-73] per 1, 000 population and 8% [3%-19%], respectively. Meta-regression model including the effect sizes and cumulative COVID-19 cases (P= 0.032), HIV prevalence (P= 0.041), and TB incidence (P= 0.002) to explain high heterogeneity between studies.
ConclusionTo summarize, the incidence of TB associated with COVID-19 is higher in SSA, as are the case fatality rates, when compared to the rest of the world. However, because the post-mortem TB diagnostic was higher, COVID-19 associated with TB may have been underreported in studies conducted in SSA. To confirm COVID-19/TB incidence and case fatality rates in SSA, large-scale cohort studies that adequately clear tools on previous and/or current TB diagnostic tools are required.
Review registrationPROSPERO (CRD42021233387) | 10.1101/2022.01.11.22269065 |
pubmed_156_17986 | A theoretical model of wavelength modulation spectroscopy that uses a laser diode on a Lorentzian absorption line is presented. This theory describes the general case of a current-modulated semiconductor laser, for which a combined intensity and frequency modulation with an arbitrary phase shift occurs. On the basis of this model, the effect of several modulation parameters on the detected signals is evaluated. Experimental signals measured on an absorption line of CO2 by use of a 2-microm distributed-feedback laser are also presented and validate this analysis. These experimental results agree with the calculated signals, confirming the relevance of the model. | 10.1364/ao.42.006728 |
pubmed_923_12159 | We studied the natriuretic effects of a combined mannitol and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) infusion in chronic caval dogs (TIVC) either responsive or unresponsive to an initial ANP infusion (75 ng.kg-1.min-1). The increment in urinary Na+ excretion (delta UNaV) to the initial ANP infusion in 11 TIVC responders was 127 and 1 mu eq/min in 7 nonresponders. A modest mannitol dose was then infused so as to augment distal Na+ delivery to the distal nephron but not flood the terminal inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) with enormous quantities of salt and water. After mannitol, UNaV was 26 +/- 8 mu eq/min in TIVC responders and 24 +/- 4 mu eq/min in nonresponders. In these two groups of dogs, delta UNaV after manitol was 13 and 10 mu eq/min, respectively, from the previous experimental phase. During this stable mannitol-induced modest natriuresis, ANP was reinfused at initial dose levels. In TIVC responders, delta UNaV was 186 mu eq/min, a value greater than that obtained initially (P < 0.05), and delta UNaV in nonresponders was now 52 mu eq/min (P < 0.05). Because control and postmanitol UNaV was equivalent for each group, in the face of similar levels of glomerular filtration rate, blood pressure, and renal perfusion, it is difficult to conclude that only augmented delivery of Na+ to the IMCD converted TIVC nonresponders into responding dogs after mannitol and ANP. Other modulating factors may be involved. | 10.1152/ajprenal.1993.264.2.F206 |
pubmed_753_17461 | Propionibacterium acnes plays an important role in the development of acne, and inflammatory lesions are improved by antibiotics. Long-term use of antibiotics may result in development of resistant strains and treatment failure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the isolation rate of P. acnes and to evaluate its antibiotic susceptibility to widely used antibiotics in acne in Korea. Among 46 patients, 31 P. acnes strains were cultured. Isolated P. acnes was measured for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, erythromycin and clindamycin using an Epsilometer test. Age, disease duration and previous history of antibiotic therapy for acne were compared in relation to the MIC. The mean MIC of tetracycline, minocyclines, doxycycline, clindamycin and erythromycin were all below the breakpoint of antibiotic resistance. The patients with acne vulgaris with disease duration of more than 2 years documented higher MIC values in doxycycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin than those of less than 2 years. The patients who were previously treated with topical or systemic antibiotics showed higher MIC in doxycycline. Antibiotic resistance of P. acnes is still low in Korea, but at this point, there is an increasing trend of MIC. Caution and acknowledgement of increased risk of antibiotic resistant P. acnes should be advised in acne antibiotic treatment to minimize and avoid the emergence of the resistant strain. | 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2010.01109.x |
pubmed_192_4775 | Homologous Recombination (HR) is a high-fidelity process with a range of biologic functions from generation of genetic diversity to repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). In mammalian cells, BRCA2 facilitates the polymerization of RAD51 onto ssDNA to form a presynaptic nucleoprotein filament. This filament can then strand invade a homologous dsDNA to form the displacement loop (D-loop) structure leading to the eventual DSB repair. Here, we have found that RAD51 in stoichiometric excess over ssDNA can cause D-loop disassembly in vitro; furthermore, we show that this RAD51 activity is countered by BRCA2. These results demonstrate that BRCA2 may have a previously unexpected activity: regulation of HR at a post-synaptic stage by modulating RAD51-mediated D-loop dissociation. Our in vitro results suggest a mechanistic underpinning of homeostasis between RAD51 and BRCA2, which is an important factor of HR in mammalian cells. | 10.1038/s41598-019-41054-y |
pubmed_862_10412 | Hydrogen-bonded oligoamide foldamers represent a large family of peptide mimics. Pioneered by Gellman and Seebach (Appella , J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 13071- 13072; Seebach , Helv. Chim. Acta 1996, 79, 913- 941), aliphatic amino acid-based mimic structures have been extensively studied. Results of these studies have found many useful applications in areas including chemical biology and drug design. This Account describes our efforts in creating arylamide-based foldamers whose compact conformations are stabilized by hydrogen bonding. The aim of our study was to test whether this class of mimic structures is sufficiently rigid to lead to new interesting functions. It was envisioned that, if our approach was workable, it might be developed into a new family of useful soft frameworks for studies toward molecular recognition, self-assembly, and materials science. Three classes of mimic structures, that is, folded or helical, zigzag, and straight oligomers, have been constructed by simply changing the positions of the substituents at the benzene rings in the backbones. Both amide and hydrazide units have been employed to construct the frameworks. In most cases, O...H-N hydrogen bonding was chosen to stabilize the compact conformations. Notably, for the first time the F...H-N hydrogen-bonding pattern has been used to tune the size of the cavity. To test their usefulness, these frameworks have been extensively modified and functionalized. (1)H NMR, UV-vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism, and X-ray diffraction techniques have all been employed to establish the compact structures and their interactions with guest molecules. The properties or functions of the mimic structures have been studied in seven aspects. (1) Acyclic molecular receptors: The amide foldamers can bind amine cations, while the hydrazide foldamers can complex saccharides. (2) Acceleration of anisole hydrolysis: Several folded oligomers are able to bind alkali metal cations and consequently promote the hydrolysis of the nitro-substituted anisole by alkali hydroxides. (3) Facilitation of macrocyclization: The straight and zigzag backbones can be readily functionalized, from which two classes of macrocycles have been prepared. (4) Homoduplex assembly: Zigzag oligomers that are appended with amide units at one side can form stable homoduplexes through the cooperative self-binding of the amide units. (5) Assembly of molecular tweezers: Discrete binding moieties are introduced at the ends of the oligomers, which can bind structurally matched guests. (6) Assembly of nano networks: F...H-N hydrogen-bonded foldamers can stack with fullerenes; thus a mixture of fullerenes with a trifoldamer generates honeycomb-styled nanoarchitectures. (7) Assembly of dynamic [2]catenanes: A preorganized porphyrin tweezer has been synthesized, from which dynamic three-component [2]catenanes have been assembled in high yields. Our results demonstrate that hydrogen-bonding-driven arylamide oligomers are a class of structurally unique mimic structures. The folded oligomers themselves can be used as synthetic receptors for binding different guest molecules, while incorporation of different segments into one system can produce many desired shapes. In addition, all of the rigid frameworks can be readily functionalized at specific sites. We believe that our results have helped to open the door for some new chemistry in molecular recognition, self-assembly, and other related areas. | 10.1021/ar700219m |
pubmed_840_7173 | PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The complexity of pain processing in clinical pain conditions and in animal models has revealed many time-related changes and an abundance of molecular drug targets. There continues to be insecurity, however, about new target validation in clinical pain and thus most analgesia development is of high risk for evolving new pain therapies. The present review highlights a number of molecular targets being pursued for pain control.
RECENT FINDINGS
Many pain targets are critically dependent on the pain model/lesion type. Neural and glial plasticity, ranging from changes in molecular expression and receptor phosphorylation to profound morphological reorganization, has been described under these conditions. Pain modulation has been shown to involve all major families of regulatory proteins such as the G-protein coupled receptors, ion channels, regulatory enzymes, neurotrophins, and kinases, offering an abundance of targets and therapeutic opportunities for symptomatic pain relief.
SUMMARY
Many molecular targets have been highlighted with some being the focus of current analgesia research. Some of these (e.g. vanilloid receptor 1, cannabinoid receptor 1, sodium channel NaV 1.8) have been evaluated in animal studies and in preliminary clinical studies, but others are highly novel and riskier analgesia pain targets (e.g. metabotropic glutamate receptors, sensory neurone specific receptors, kinase inhibitors). | 10.1097/00001503-200310000-00013 |
pubmed_532_15428 | PURPOSE
To investigate the associations between plasma miR-34b/c expression levels and osteosarcoma (OS).
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
A case-control study was conducted in 133 patients with OS and 133 controls. MiR-34b/c levels were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. Genotyping of SNP rs4938723 was done using the TaqMan assay. The causal association was examined by mendelian randomization analysis.
RESULTS
Plasma miR-34b level was significantly lower in OS patients than in controls (P = 0.001). Expression levels of miR-34b in OS tissues decreased (P = 3.22 × 10(-4)) and was significantly related with its expression in plasma (r = 0.21, P = 0.004). Compared with wild-type TT genotype, the variant genotypes of rs4938723 TC/CC were significantly associated with increased OS risk (TC vs. TT: OR, 1.97 [95% CI: 1.40-2.55], P = 0.021; CC vs. TT: OR, 2.76 [95% CI: 2.00-3.53], P = 0.009; TC + CC vs. TT: OR, 2.16 [95% CI: 1.61-2.70], P = 0.006), consistent with its decreased effect on plasma miR-34b (TC vs. TT: -0.32 (-0.43, -0.21), P < 0.001; CC vs. TT: -0.70 (-0.84, -0.56), P < 0.001; TC + CC vs. TT: -0.42 (-0.53, -0.32), P < 0.001). Adjustment for miR-34b completely abolished the association between SNP rs4938723 and OS risk (P > 0.05). In addition, plasma expression levels of miR-34b were significantly decreased in the metastatic patients compared with that in the non-metastatic ones (P = 0.004).
CONCLUSION
Plasma miR-34b was causally associated with OS risk and related with its metastatic status, suggesting that plasma miR-34b might be a novel biomarker and a potential treatment target for OS. | pubmed_532_15428 |
pubmed_944_2533 | This paper uses a finite element method (FEM) to compare predictions of the attenuation and sound speeds of acoustic modes in a fluid-filled pipe with those of the analytical model presented in the first paper in this series. It explains why, when the predictions of the earlier paper were compared with experimental data from a water-filled PMMA pipe, the uncertainties and agreement for attenuation data were worse than those for sound speed data. Having validated the FEM approach in this way, the versatility of FEM is thereafter demonstrated by modeling two practical applications which are beyond the analysis of the earlier paper. These applications model propagation in the mercury-filled steel pipework of the Spallation Neutron Source at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Tennessee), and in a long-standing design for acoustic sensors for use on planetary probes. The results show that strong coupling between the fluid and the solid walls means that erroneous interpretations are made of the data if they assume that the sound speed and attenuation in the fluid in the pipe are the same as those that would be measured in an infinite volume of identical fluid, assumptions which are common when such data have previously been interpreted. | 10.1121/1.3598463 |
pubmed_411_25099 | Performance-based assessment evaluates a health professional student's performance as they integrate their knowledge and skills into clinical practice. Performance-based assessment grades, however, are reported to be highly variable due to the complexity of decision-making in the clinical environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a training workshop based on frame-of-reference principles on grading of student performance by physiotherapy practice educators. This was a prospective cross-sectional study which used a single group pre-test, post-test design. Fifty-three practice educators rated two video vignettes depicting a poor and very good student performance, using a subsection of a physiotherapy performance-based assessment tool before and after training. Overall, results showed that participants amended their scores on approximately half of all scoring occasions following training, with the majority decreasing the scores awarded. This impacted positively on scoring for the poor performance video, bringing scores more in line with the true score. This study provides evidence of the benefit of a training workshop to influence decision-making in performance-based assessment as part of a wider education program for practice educators. | 10.1111/nhs.12768 |
pubmed_509_22532 | Neuropsychological assessment is a performance-based method to assess cognitive functioning. This method is used to examine the cognitive consequences of brain damage, brain disease, and severe mental illness. There are several specific uses of neuropsychological assessment, including collection of diagnostic information, differential diagnostic information, assessment of treatment response, and prediction of functional potential and functional recovery. We anticipate that clinical neuropsychological assessment will continue to be used, even in the face of advances in imaging technology, because it is already well known that the presence of significant brain changes can be associated with nearly normal cognitive functioning, while individuals with no lesions detectable on imaging can have substantial cognitive and functional limitations. | pubmed_509_22532 |
pubmed_224_1126 | We have isolated actin genes from genomic libraries of two highly diverged plants, maize and soybean. The complete nucleotide sequences of a maize actin gene, MAc1, and a soybean actin gene, SAc1, were determined. The nucleotide sequences of these two actin genes and of a previously sequenced soybean actin gene were compared with the actin gene sequences from a wide spectrum of evolutionarily diverged eukaryotes. Some striking features pertinent to the evolution and function of the plant actin gene families have emerged. The deduced amino acid sequence of the plant actins resembles both cytoplasmic- and muscle-specific actins. DNA sequence analysis as well as genomic blotting experiments using cloned actin sequences as probes show that large sequence heterogeneity exists among members of the plant actin multigene families and between genes from two highly diverged plant species. The sequences of the first nine amino acids at the amino terminal end of the plant actins are far more conserved between distant plant actins than the corresponding sequences in distantly related animal actin genes, suggesting a unique and conserved function for the NH2 terminal sequence in higher plants. The soybean and maize actin genes examined each contain three introns in precisely the same positions, quite contrary to the divergent placement of introns observed in animal, protozoan, and fungal actins. The position of the first intron in soybean and maize actin genes corresponds precisely to the position of an intron found in a nematode actin gene. The position of the second intron coincides with one found in rat and chicken skeletal actin genes. These data suggest that the numerous introns found in all actins are of ancient origin. The degree of silent substitution and replacement substitution was compared among plant actin genes and to those of animal, protozoan, and yeast actin genes. It is clear that the silent substitution sites are saturated among all the genes compared, whereas the replacement sites have diverged in only 5-17% of their possible positions. By these criteria the most distant animal actins are only 6% diverged. The three plant actin genes examined are 8-10% diverged in replacement sites from each other and approximately 14% diverged in replacement sites from any of the animal actins examined. The data in this manuscript suggest that the families of soybean and maize actin genes may have diverged from a single common ancestral actin gene long before the divergence of monocots and dicots. | pubmed_224_1126 |
pubmed_1132_17241 | BACKGROUND
Emaciation, depression and lethargy were observed in two flocks of Chinese local breed and one flock of commercial layer chicken infected naturally from 2010 to 2011. The aims of this study were to diagnose.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Gross observation showed that severe enlargement of liver, spleen and kidney, and hemorrhage of thymus, muscle and glandular stomach in all submitted birds. The liver and lung of one flock had diffuse, multifocal white raised foci on the surface as well as on the cut-surface. Numerous erythrocytoblasts with bigger volume, basophilic cytoplasm and round nucleus were observed in blood and bone marrow smears. The same erythrocytoblasts were also found crowded in blood vessels and mesenchym of tissues by histological examination, and some had mitotic figures. PCR results showed that three flocks were positive for ALV-J with specific fragment of 924 bp, negative for AEV, ALV-A, ALV-B, Marek's disease virus (MDV) and Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that cytoplasm of histiocytes and erythrocytoblasts in lung and spleen sections was positive for ALV-J antigen.
CONCLUSION
These data demonstrated that erythroblastosis was all induced by ALV-J in the three different flocks. This is the first document report of erythroblastosis induced by ALV-J in China flocks. | 10.1186/1743-422X-10-92 |
pubmed_213_17665 | Age-related changes ('maturation') of the distal latency (L) and conduction velocity (CV) along the axilla-to-wrist segment have been analysed in the regenerating median and ulnar nerves of 24 children with brachial plexus palsy and have been compared with developmental changes in healthy nerves. Results show that maturation of L and CV is more rapid after regeneration than during normal development. Up to three years of age, when L and CV in regenerating nerves reached their maximum maturity, CV values were within normal limits for both nerves in about half of the cases, indicating good regeneration ability in newborns. No specific differences were found between L and CV in the time taken to reach full maturation in the same and in different regenerating nerves, which is contrary to normally developing nerves. The results also demonstrate that the maturation process of regenerating nerves does not lead to the attainment of different specific L values characteristic of normally developing median and ulnar nerves, but to uniform non-specific values close to the mean between them. This was explained by the lack of specific afferent inflow to developing motor neurons (the result of a sensory fibre lesion), which causes the non-specific development of motor units. | 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1989.tb08412.x |
pubmed_669_20188 | 2-Acetamidophenol (AAP) is an aromatic product with promising activities in agricultural applications and medical research. At present, AAP is synthesized by chemical methods from nonrenewable fossil fuel resources, which cause environmental pollution and the reaction conditions are harsh. In this study, we constructed the artificial biosynthetic pathway of AAP with five different expressed proteins in Escherichia coli for the first time. By introducing the hydrogen peroxide degrading enzyme catalase and improving cell tolerance to toxic intermediates or products, the yield of AAP reached 33.54 mg/L using shaking-flask culture. The best-engineered strain could produce 568.57 mg/L AAP by fed-batch fermentation from glucose and precursor (2-aminophenol, 2-AP) addition. Furthermore, a one-pot whole-cell cascade biocatalytic pathway to AAP and analogues was developed and optimized. This method can efficiently produce 1.8 g/L AAP using the methyl anthranilate hydrolysis product as the substrate. This study provides not only the de novo artificial biosynthetic pathway of AAP in E. coli but also a promising sustainable and efficient strategy to enable the synthesis of AAP on a gram scale. | 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c06910 |
pubmed_1007_23040 | Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) continues to be the most important long-term complication of allogeneic HSCT. Responses to immunomodulation are often partial, and patients continue to experience reflares of the disease and symptoms that can significantly impair quality of life. The definition of 'ancillary therapy and supportive care' embraces the most frequent immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory interventions used with topical intent, and any other interventions directed at organ-specific control of symptoms or complications resulting from GVHD and its therapy. This chapter will focus on ancillary and supportive care for the most frequent manifestations of chronic GVHD, including skin and appendages, eyes, oral mucosa, vagina, and immunologic and infectious complications. The level of recommendation of all interventions is based on an evidence-based system developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Project on Criteria for Clinical Trials in Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease. | 10.1016/j.beha.2008.02.014 |
pubmed_334_13338 | The goal of the therapy for necrosis of the femoral head in adults is the preservation of the femoral head and, therefore, avoidance of total joint replacement. Core decompression is known to reduce the intraosseous pressure and additionally provides the opportunity to introduce bioactive materials, substances and cells into the core tract. These include vascularized and non-vascularized bone grafts, allogenic and synthetic bone substitutes, osteogenic and angiogenic growth factors, as well as different progenitor cells. In particular, the use of cell-based strategies has great therapeutic potential and could play an important role in the treatment of femoral head necrosis in adults in the future. In this article, we summarize the existing clinical experience of current cell-based strategies for the treatment of femoral head necrosis in adults, and present a therapeutic approach using bone marrow stem cells (TRCs: tissue repair cells). in combination with a beta-TCP matrix. | 10.1007/s00132-007-1087-2 |
pubmed_82_15344 | It is a cross-sectional study, comparing the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection (prevalence of IgG antibodies to H. pylori) in the healthy population of Ubrique and Grazalema (mountain location, mortality from stomach cancer 20/100,000) and in Barbate, (coastal location, mortality from stomach cancer 10/100,000) in the province of Cadiz, southern Spain. The subjects were randomly selected, 163 men and 169 women, 18 years or older; 179 persons were studied in the inland, and 154 in the littoral in January 1997. Of the 332 subjects investigated, 43% were positive, a mean antibody titer of 337 IU/1 (95 % CI: 254-420), and 56% were negative, with a mean titer of 18 IU/1 (95% CI: 15-19). In the coastal population, 30% has positive titers and 54% in the mountain location. By age: 18-40 years, 30% of littoral and 41% of inland population had positive titers; 41-60 years, 35% of those living in the littoral and 58% of inland population had positive titers; > 60 years, 24% of coastal inhabitants and 62% of those living in the inland had positive titers. Living in mountain locations in the province of Cadiz involves a greater ecological risk for H. pylori infection (p < 0.05). | 10.1023/a:1007485815609 |
pubmed_65_11622 | A dual drug-loaded hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) matrix tablet simultaneously containing drug in inner tablet core and outer coated layer was formulated using drug-containing aqueous-based polymeric Eudragit RS30D dispersions. Effects of coating levels, drug loadings in outer layers, amount and type of five plasticizers and talc concentration on the release characteristics were evaluated on the characteristics in simulated gastric fluid for 2 h followed by a study in intestinal fluids. Melatonin (MT) was selected as a model drug. The surface morphology of dual drug-loaded HPMC tablets using scanning electron microscope (SEM) was smooth, showing the distinct coated layer with about 75-microm coating thickness at the 15% coating level. Unlike the uncoated and conventionally coated HPMC tablet, the dual drug-loaded HPMC matrix tablet gave a biphasic linear release, showing a zero-order for 4 h (first) followed by another zero-order release when fitted using linear regression (r(2) = 0.99). As the coating levels (15, 25%) increased, the release rate was further decreased. The biphasic release profiles of dual drug-loaded HPMC matrix tablet was unchanged except when 25% coating level containing 0.5% drug concentration was applied. As the drug concentration in polymeric coating dispersion increased (0.25-1.0%), the amount of drug released increased. The time for the first linear release was also advanced. However, the biphasic release pattern was not changed. The biphasic release profiles of dual drug-loaded HPMC matrix tablet were highly modified, depending on the amount and type of five plasticizers. Talc (10-30%) in coating dispersion as an anti-sticking material did not affect the release profiles. The current dual drug-loaded HPMC matrix tablet, showing biphasic release profiles may provide an alternative to deliver drugs with circadian rhythmic behaviors in the body but needs to be further validated in future in human studies. The dual drug-loaded coating method is also interesting for the modified release of poorly water-soluble drugs because solubilizers and other additives can be added in drug-containing polymeric coating dispersions. | 10.1016/s0378-5173(99)00204-5 |
pubmed_1043_5132 | Thirty of the 39 patients treated at the Blacktown Dialysis Centre, the first "satellite" dialysis centre in the greater metropolitan Sydney, had been referred from four Sydney renal units for long-term dialysis therapy. The move save approximately 150 kilometres in travelling and eight hours time each week for each of these patients. The cost of running the unit was approximately $10,000 per patient per year in the first year--no greater than that of home dialysis, and less than that of dialysis in a teaching hospital. The advantages of establishing satellite dialysis centre, the method of operation, and the results of the first year of operation of the Blacktown Dialysis Centre are described. | 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1979.tb126961.x |
pubmed_317_13380 | Lactobacillus species have been shown to enhance intestinal epithelial barrier function, modulate host immune responses, and suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria, yeasts, molds, and viruses. Thus, lactobacilli have been used as probiotics for treating various diseases, including intestinal disorders, and as biological preservatives in the food and agricultural industries. However, the molecular mechanisms used by lactobacilli to suppress pathogenic bacterial infections have been poorly characterized. We previously isolated Lactobacillus plantarum JSA22 from buckwheat sokseongjang, a traditional Korean fermented soybean food, which possessed high enzymatic, fibrinolytic, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens. In this study, we investigated the effects of L. plantarum JSA22 on the growth of S. Typhimurium and S. Typhimurium-induced cytotoxicity by stimulating the host immune response in intestinal epithelial cells. The results showed that coincubation of S. Typhimurium and L. plantarum JSA22 with intestinal epithelial cells suppressed S. Typhimurium infection, S. Typhimurium-induced NF-kappaB activation, and IL-8 production, and lowered the phosphorylation of both Akt and p38. These data indicated that L. plantarum JSA22 has probiotic properties, and can inhibit S. Typhimurium infection of intestinal epithelial cells. Our findings can be used to develop therapeutic and prophylactic agents against pathogenic bacteria. | 10.4014/jmb.1501.01006 |
pubmed_103_3227 | PURPOSE
To evaluate the blood flow changes of the central retinal artery measured with color Doppler imaging (CDI) in infants receiving intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) for treatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
METHODS
Patients with type 1 ROP were assessed prospectively by CDI following IVA. Color Doppler imaging was used to measure the peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI), and resistivity index (RI) of the central retinal artery (CRA) before IVA injection and 1 hour, 1 week, and 1 month after injection.
RESULTS
A total of 29 eyes of 15 infants were included in this study. The mean gestational age at birth was 28.62 ± 2.48 weeks and the mean birthweight was 1,198.62 ± 348.99 g. All treated eyes showed complete regression of ROP and peripheral retinal vascularization continued. Measurements of EDV-CRA, RI-CRA, and PI-CRA showed significant changes after IVA treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that IVA is an effective treatment for type 1 ROP. After IVA treatment, vascular resistance increases, ocular blood flow decreases, and changes in hemodynamic parameters of CRA may remain for a month. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents on ocular hemodynamics in infants with ROP. | 10.5301/ejo.5000938 |
pubmed_874_7926 | The applications of inorganic nanomaterials as biomimetic catalysts are receiving much attention because of their high stability and low cost. In this work, Co3O4 nanomaterials including nanoplates, nanorods, and nanocubes were synthesized. The morphologies and compositions of the products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The catalytic properties of Co3O4 nanomaterials as catalase mimics were studied. The Co3O4 materials with different morphology exhibited different catalytic activities in the order of nanoplates > nanorods > nanocubes. The difference of the catalytic activities originated from their different abilities of electron transfer. Their catalytic activities increased significantly in the presence of calcium ion. On the basis of the stimulation by calcium ion, a biosensor was constructed by Co3O4 nanoplates for the determination of calcium ion. The biosensor had a linear relation to calcium concentrations and good measurement correlation between 0.1 and 1 mM with a detection limit of 4 μM (S/N = 3). It showed high selectivity against other metal ions and good reproducibility. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of calcium in a milk sample. | 10.1021/am406033q |
pubmed_73_15247 | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Caffeine exacerbates the hyperthermia associated with an acute exposure to 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecstasy') in rats. The present study investigated the mechanisms mediating this interaction.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with caffeine (10 mg x kg(-1); i.p.) and MDMA (15 mg x kg(-1); i.p.) alone and in combination. Core body temperatures were monitored before and after drug administration.
KEY RESULTS
Central catecholamine depletion blocked MDMA-induced hyperthermia and its exacerbation by caffeine. Caffeine provoked a hyperthermic response when the catecholamine releaser d-amphetamine (1 mg x kg(-1)) was combined with the 5-HT releaser D-fenfluramine (5 mg x kg(-1)) or the non-selective dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine (1 mg x kg(-1)) was combined with the 5-HT(2) receptor agonist DOI (2 mg x kg(-1)) but not following either agents alone. Pretreatment with the dopamine D(1) receptor antagonist Schering (SCH) 23390 (1 mg x kg(-1)), the 5-HT(2) receptor antagonist ketanserin (5 mg x kg(-1)) or alpha(1)-adreno- receptor antagonist prazosin (0.2 mg x kg(-1)) blocked MDMA-induced hyperthermia and its exacerbation by caffeine. Co-administration of a combination of MDMA with the PDE-4 inhibitor rolipram (0.025 mg x kg(-1)) and the adenosine A(1/2) receptor antagonist 9-chloro-2-(2-furanyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-C]quinazolin-5-amine 15943 (10 mg x kg(-1)) or the A(2A) receptor antagonist SCH 58261 (2 mg x kg(-1)) but not the A(1) receptor antagonist DPCPX (10 mg x kg(-1)) exacerbated MDMA-induced hyperthermia.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
A mechanism comprising 5-HT and catecholamines is proposed to mediate MDMA-induced hyperthermia. A combination of adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonism and PDE inhibition can account for the exacerbation of MDMA-induced hyperthermia by caffeine. | 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00660.x |
pubmed_934_15159 | Due to the lack of objective examination method, the diagnosis of Meniere's disease mainly relies on subjective symptoms. MRI of the inner ear after gadolinium injections had become a new technology in otology in recent years. The image can clearly distinguish perilymph from endolymph in the labyrinth and can be applied to the imaging diagnosis, evaluation of treatment and the pathogenesis research of Meniere's disease. This article is a review of the development and the application in clinical research of this new technology. | pubmed_934_15159 |
pubmed_1009_642 | Traditional psychiatric treatment approaches have not been very successful with the "revolving door patient." A variety of findings suggest that the social network, as opposed to the individual patient, may be a more viable locus for intervention. A conceptual review and analysis of the literature reveals two constructs salient to understanding social networks: flexibility and stability. The networks of revolving door patients are frequently characterized as inflexible and/or unstable. Assessment methods as well as strategies for balancing flexibility and stability are described. Enlarging the network, increasing multiplexity, and/or reducing the negative effects of attitudinal inflexibility encompass the strategies for increasing flexibility, while developing connections between individuals, generating spans between clusters of people in the network, and increasing multiplexity are recommended for increasing stability. The assets and liabilities of each of these strategies are discussed. | 10.1093/schbul/12.2.262 |
pubmed_403_9826 | Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading adult malignant tumor. Recent research has shown that speckle-type BTB/POZ protein (SPOP) mutant is the top frequently mutated gene in PCa, which makes it an important biomarker. In this paper, we aimed at identifying critical genes and pathways related to SPOP mutation in PCa. Recent The Cancer Genome Atlas data showed that 12% of patients with PCa were SPOP mutant. There were 1,570 differentially expressed genes, and online enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly enriched in metabolism, pathways in cancer and reactive oxygen species. INS, GNG13, IL6, HTR5A, SAA1, PPY, CXCR5, CXCL13, CD19 and CCL20 were identified as hub genes. The lower SPOP expression level was associated with poor prognosis. In all, our findings showed that various pathways and genes could play critical roles in SPOP mutation in PCa, providing potential options for individualized treatment. | 10.1515/med-2020-0237 |
pubmed_918_8436 | INTRODUCTION
In recent years, new drug delivery systems have attempted to overcome the undesirable pharmacokinetic problems of various drugs. Among them, cyclodextrin nanosponges (CDNSs) attract great attention from researchers for solving major bioavailability problems such as inadequate solubility, poor dissolution rate, and the limited stability of some agents, as well as increasing their effectiveness and decreasing unwanted side effects. This novel system can also be prepared as different dosage forms.
AREAS COVERED
This review will give an insight into the effects of CDNSs on the pharmacokinetic parameters and permeability of active agents. Different classes of drugs delivered by this system are mentioned and we designate which CD is used most widely in their production process. We also inform why this carrier can be introduced as a versatile carrying system in pharmaceutical fields. Registered patents about this novel system in various fields are also mentioned.
EXPERT OPINION
The readers will be informed on CDNSs as a novel carrier especially for the delivery of drugs. Versatile characteristics and applications of them can also be known by this review. Finally, CDNSs may be introduced as a remarkable vehicle in the pharmaceutical market in coming years. | 10.1080/17425247.2019.1591365 |
pubmed_548_14151 | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in industrialized countries. The increasing prevalence of NAFLD mirrors the outbreak of obesity in western countries, highlighting the connection between these two conditions. Nevertheless, there is currently no specific pharmacotherapy for its treatment. Accepted management begins with weight loss and exercise. Moreover, exercise can provide metabolic benefits independently of weight loss. It is known how long-term aerobic training produces improvements in hepatic triglycerides, visceral adipose tissue and free fatty acids, even if there is no weight reduction. A recent study from Boström et al. unravels a potential molecular mechanism that may explain how exercise, independently of weight loss, can potentially improve metabolic parameters through a new messenger system (irisin) linking muscle and fat tissue. Irisin has been proposed to act as a hormone on subcutaneous white fat cells increasing energy expenditure by means of a program of brown-fat-like development. Moreover, it was also shown that irisin plasma concentration was higher in people who exercise, suggesting a molecular mechanism by which exercise may improve metabolism. The present systematic review is based on the possibility that irisin might represent a hypothetical connection between NAFLD pathogenesis and disease progression. | 10.3390/ijms151223163 |
pubmed_1134_13634 | During endochondral ossification, the production of hyaluronan (HA) is strictly and selectively regulated by chondrocytes, with a temporal peak at the hypertrophic stage. This study was conducted to clarify the effects of HA on expression and activity of runt-related gene 2 (Runx2), a potent transcription factor for chondrocyte differentiation in hypertrophic chondrocytes. Immature chondrocytes from an ATDC5 cell line were cultured and differentiated in DMEM/Ham's F12 with pre-defined supplements. Using real-time PCR, the gene expressions of type II collagen, MMP-13, HAS2, and Runx2 in cultured chondrocytes were analysed from days 0 to 18 of cell differentiation. The activity and expression of Runx2 in hypertrophic chondrocytes were analysed after the treatment with HA oligosaccharide (HAoligo) using AML-3/Runx2 binding, real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. The effects of pre-incubation of anti-CD44 antibody on Runx2 expression were also examined. Expression of type X collagen and Runx2 mRNAs reached a maximum at the terminal differentiation of chondrocytes. The activity and expression of Runx2 was significantly inhibited in hypertrophic chondrocytes treated with HAoligo compared to the untreated controls. High molecular weight-HA did not affect the expression or activity of Runx2. The expression of Runx2 mRNA was significantly decreased in hypertrophic chondrocytes treated with anti-CD44 antibody. These results suggest that HAoligo may affect the terminal differentiation of chondrocytes during the endochondral ossification by inhibiting the expression and activity of Runx2. | 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2007.12.007 |
pubmed_849_12538 | Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome, which carries a high mortality (60%), occurs usually after immunosuppressive therapy. Cellular immunosuppression allows the parasite to reactivate and stimulate its cycle of auto-infection. It is therefore important to prevent this syndrome by screening at risk patients at risk for chronic strongyloidiasis before starting immunosuppressive treatment and especially before treatment with corticosteroids, even that of short duration. Ivermectine is the treatment of choice. | pubmed_849_12538 |
others_102_184 | It is well known that, the health of humans is mainly depends on the physical, social and nutrient factors. The health of humans requires safe, proper and sufficient supply of nutrients through the foods. This quality of foods mainly depends on the biology, fertility and quality of soils, in which crops were cultivated. Thus, the biology of soils has direct and/or indirect effects on the health of humans through the exposure to soils and their microorganisms, extract different medicines from soils and deficiency of nutrients through food chain. The biology of soils also has a close relationship with the nutrition of both plants and humans. Therefore, soil quality and its biology is a crucial issue towards sustainable agriculture. Thus, the main purpose of this book chapter is to emphasize the link between soil quality through its biology and human health. The great roles of soils in our life also will be highligh | 10.1007/978-3-319-95516-2_10 |
pubmed_596_19753 | OBJECTIVE
As biomedical technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, researchers can probe ever more subtle effects with the added requirement that the investigation of small effects often requires the acquisition of large amounts of data. In biomedicine, these data are often acquired at, and later shared between, multiple sites. There are both technological and sociological hurdles to be overcome for data to be passed between researchers and later made accessible to the larger scientific community. The goal of the Biomedical Informatics Research Network (BIRN) is to address the challenges inherent in biomedical data sharing.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
BIRN tools are grouped into 'capabilities' and are available in the areas of data management, data security, information integration, and knowledge engineering. BIRN has a user-driven focus and employs a layered architectural approach that promotes reuse of infrastructure. BIRN tools are designed to be modular and therefore can work with pre-existing tools. BIRN users can choose the capabilities most useful for their application, while not having to ensure that their project conforms to a monolithic architecture.
RESULTS
BIRN has implemented a new software-based data-sharing infrastructure that has been put to use in many different domains within biomedicine. BIRN is actively involved in outreach to the broader biomedical community to form working partnerships.
CONCLUSION
BIRN's mission is to provide capabilities and services related to data sharing to the biomedical research community. It does this by forming partnerships and solving specific, user-driven problems whose solutions are then available for use by other groups. | 10.1136/amiajnl-2010-000032 |
pubmed_1057_10802 | OBJECTIVES
This study aimed at developing a convolutional neural network (CNN) able to automatically quantify and characterize the level of degeneration of rotator cuff (RC) muscles from shoulder CT images including muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration.
METHODS
One hundred three shoulder CT scans from 95 patients with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis undergoing anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty were retrospectively retrieved. Three independent radiologists manually segmented the premorbid boundaries of all four RC muscles on standardized sagittal-oblique CT sections. This premorbid muscle segmentation was further automatically predicted using a CNN. Automatically predicted premorbid segmentations were then used to quantify the ratio of muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration, secondary bone formation, and overall muscle degeneration. These muscle parameters were compared with measures obtained manually by human raters.
RESULTS
Average Dice similarity coefficients for muscle segmentations obtained automatically with the CNN (88% ± 9%) and manually by human raters (89% ± 6%) were comparable. No significant differences were observed for the subscapularis, supraspinatus, and teres minor muscles (p > 0.120), whereas Dice coefficients of the automatic segmentation were significantly higher for the infraspinatus (p < 0.012). The automatic approach was able to provide good-very good estimates of muscle atrophy (R2 = 0.87), fatty infiltration (R2 = 0.91), and overall muscle degeneration (R2 = 0.91). However, CNN-derived segmentations showed a higher variability in quantifying secondary bone formation (R2 = 0.61) than human raters (R2 = 0.87).
CONCLUSIONS
Deep learning provides a rapid and reliable automatic quantification of RC muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration, and overall muscle degeneration directly from preoperative shoulder CT scans of osteoarthritic patients, with an accuracy comparable with that of human raters.
KEY POINTS
• Deep learning can not only segment RC muscles currently available in CT images but also learn their pre-existing locations and shapes from invariant anatomical structures visible on CT sections. • Our automatic method is able to provide a rapid and reliable quantification of RC muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration from conventional shoulder CT scans. • The accuracy of our automatic quantitative technique is comparable with that of human raters. | 10.1007/s00330-020-07070-7 |
pubmed_1097_21331 | Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB) was covalently attached onto poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) monosize beads for removal of bilirubin from hyperbilirubinemia human serum. PGMA beads were produced by dispersion polymerization (1.6 μm in diameter). CB loading was 1.73 mmol/g. Bilirubin adsorption experiments were performed by stirred-batch adsorption. The non-specific adsorption of bilirubin was low (0.4 mg/g polymer). CB attachment onto the PGMA beads significantly increased the bilirubin adsorption (241.5 mg/g) from aqueous solutions. The maximum bilirubin adsorption was observed at pH 6.0. With an increase of the aqueous phase concentration of sodium chloride, the adsorption amount of bilirubin decreased drastically. The equilibrium adsorption of bilirubin significantly increased with increasing temperature. Much higher adsorption values up to 332 mg bilirubin/g were achieved in the case of the PGMA/CB beads from human plasma. | 10.1163/092050610X496594 |
pubmed_20_794 | BACKGROUND
In May 2015, an imported case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection occurred in China, so rapid and reliable diagnosis of suspected cases was necessary.
OBJECTIVES
An external quality assessment (EQA) program for the molecular detection of MERS-CoV was organized by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories (NCCL).
STUDY DESIGN
MS2 virus-like particles (VLPs) encapsulating specific RNA sequences of MERS-CoV were prepared as positive specimens. The assessment panel, which comprised of three negative and seven positive samples with different concentrations of VLPs, was distributed to 56 laboratories from 16 provinces, municipalities, or autonomous regions for molecular detection.
RESULTS
Among the received data sets, three employed an in-house-developed real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay and the others applied various commercial rRT-PCR kits. Overall, the majority of laboratories (46/56, 82.1%) could achieve 100% accuracy for MERS-CoV detection, but three laboratories (5.4%) still had room for improvement. Consequently, all negative samples were identified correctly, reaching 100% specificity. The false-negative rate was 3.1%, and most of the false-negative results were obtained from samples with relatively low concentration, indicating an urgent need to improve detection in weak-positive specimens.
CONCLUSIONS
The majority of participants possessed reliable diagnostic capacity for the detection of MERS-CoV. Moreover, EQA is indispensable because it can help enhance the diagnostic capability for the surveillance of MERS-CoV infections and allow comparison of the results among different laboratories. | pubmed_20_794 |
pubmed_759_7456 | In order to determine if acromegaly per se may be associated with abnormalities in thyroidal economy, serum thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), resin T3 uptake, total and free T4, T3, and reverse T3 concentrations were measured in 21 patients with active acromegaly. Mean (+/- SE) total T4, T3, and reverse T3 levels were 7.1 +/- 0.2 microgram/dl, 111 +/- 4 ng/dl, and 45 +/- 2 ng/dl, respectively, and the mean TBG concentration was 3.6 +/- 0.2 mg/dl. Similarly, mean free T4, T3, and reverse T3 concentrations were 2.4 +/- 0.09 ng/dl, 383 +/- 22 pg/dl, and 118 +/- 7 pg/dl, respectively. None of these values is significantly different from normal and the thyrotropin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone was also normal. In contrast to several earlier reports, these data suggest that parameters of thyroid function are generally normal in patients with active acromegaly. | 10.1016/0026-0495(78)90166-x |
pubmed_211_13130 | The biochemical composition of the apical membranes of epithelial M cells overlying the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) is still largely unknown. We have prepared monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against carbonate-washed plasma membranes from epithelial cells detached with EDTA from rabbit appendix, a tissue particularly rich in GALT. As determined by immunofluorescence microscopy, several MAbs specifically recognized either M cells or enterocyte-like cells of the domes from rabbit appendix, sacculus rotundus, and Peyer's patches. M cells were identified by their large ventral pocket containing lymphoid cells and by specific labeling with antivimentin. Among various characterized MAbs, MAb 104 recognized rabbit immunoglobulins and was used as an apical marker for M cells in the rabbit appendix, MAb 58 selectively stained an integral membrane glycoprotein of greater than 205 kDa located at the apex of M cells, and MAb 214 stained a smaller soluble glycoprotein associated with the apical surfaces from neighboring enterocytes. In addition, both MAbs 58 and 214 also labeled luminal mucus and secretory granules in goblet cells. The selective association of mucin-related molecules at the surfaces of either M cells or enterocyte-like cells of the follicle-associated epithelium suggests that specific carbohydrate antigens are differentially expressed by epithelial cells and could account for the differential binding properties of pathogens. | 10.1128/IAI.67.1.357-367.1999 |
pubmed_1074_22300 | We demonstrate a homodyne coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) technique based on femtosecond laser pulse shaping. This technique utilizes fast phase cycling to extract nonlinear Raman signatures with a self-generated reference signal acting as a local oscillator. The local oscillator is generated at the focus and is intrinsically stable relative to the Raman signal even in highly scattering samples. We can therefore retrieve phase information from the Raman signal and can suppress the ubiquitous non-resonant background. | 10.1364/OE.18.025825 |
pubmed_457_17007 | Anaphylactic reaction (type I hypersensitivity) following Mantoux test with purified protein derivative was observed in a 17 year old girl, who had no evidence tuberculosis in her. Repeated injections of the test antigen produced more and more severe hypersensitivity reactions. | pubmed_457_17007 |
pubmed_788_23110 | BACKGROUND
We detected human bocavirus (HBoV) infection in 4.5% of hospitalized patients with pneumonia in rural Thailand. However, the role of HBoV as a pathogen is unclear.
METHODS
We compared HBoV infection in patients with pneumonia with that in asymptomatic control patients enrolled between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005 in the same hospitals in Thailand. We examined outpatients with influenza-like illness for HBoV infection and tested for 13 additional respiratory viruses. Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of HBoV infection are described.
RESULTS
HBoV infection was detected in 20 (3.9%) of 512 outpatients and 3 (1%) of 280 control patients. Coinfection with other viruses was detected in 83% of patients with pneumonia and in 90% of outpatients. Compared with control patients, HBoV infection was significantly associated with pneumonia requiring hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio, 3.56 [95% confidence interval, 1.06-11.91]; P=.04). Eighty-three percent of HBoV infections were detected in patients with pneumonia who were <5 years old. More patients with pneumonia associated with HBoV-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) coinfections had wheezing than patients with RSV and HPIV infections alone (9 [53%] of 17 vs. 32 [23%] of 138]; P=.01).
CONCLUSIONS
HBoV infection was epidemiologically associated with pneumonia among young children in rural Thailand, but infection and illness may be dependent on coinfection with other viruses. | 10.1086/512163 |
pubmed_207_14428 | Moderate physical activity has a beneficial effect on health. On the other hand, physical and psychological stress may have a suppressive effect on the immune system, implying that intense physical activity may possibly enhance the appearance of infectious diseases. There are no studies showing any effect on the immune system, nor on the frequency of infections, from physical training of low to moderate intensity. However, in several cases, high intensity training has been shown to produce chronic overtraining, which may impair general health. It is suggested that the extreme physical exertion of elite athletic training may suppress the immune system and thus lead to enhanced susceptibility to infectious diseases. Furthermore physical activity during the incubation period of several serious infectious diseases seems to be especially disadvantageous for the course of the disease. | pubmed_207_14428 |
pubmed_240_26 | PURPOSE
Our objective is to analyze the variables that influence the outcome of Small Bowel Transplantation (SBT) in rats in an experimental microsurgery program. The surgical technique and perioperative care are described in detail.
METHODS
Retrospective study of the SBT in rats conducted in our experimental surgery laboratory from 2002 to 2010. The animals were divided into group A (those who survived more than 48 hours) and group B (those who died earlier without justificable cause). We compared in both groups: number of transplants performed by the surgeon, warm ischemia time, cold ischemia time and duration of the procedure.
RESULTS
Five surgeons with different degrees of microsurgical training participated in the study. A total of 521 SBT were performed with an overall survival of 48%. The first successful transplant was performed after a median of 46 (25-68) transplants. Total procedure time (3.5 vs 2.9 hours) and warm ischemia time (51 vs 35 minutes) were higher in group B (p < 0.05).
DISCUSSION
The number of transplants required for learning the technique is high. However, survival is acceptable when the time needed for vascular anastomosis is reduced. The SBT in rats is a valuable model for surgical training and research of the phenomena related to SBT. | pubmed_240_26 |
pubmed_700_6816 | Sl/Sld mutant mice are profoundly deficient in tissue mast cells as a result of a defect in the microenvironment promoting the development of these cells. To facilitate the analysis of the Sl mutation, we attempted to establish an in vitro system in which the in vivo defect of Sl/Sld mice could be reproduced. 3T3 cell lines were established from 17-day-old embryos of Sl/Sld and congenic +/+ genotypes and were cocultured with mast cells obtained in vitro from the bone marrow of +/+ mice. All eight 3T3 cell lines derived from +/+ of T-cell-derived growth factors. By contrast, none of eight 3T3 cell lines from Sl/Sld embryos supported mast cells under similar conditions. The defect in Sl/Sld 3T3 cells was further characterized as a failure to induce the G1-to-S transition in synchronized mast cells upon contact, suggesting that the Sl gene product is indispensable for this activity. When 3T3 cells of +/+ genotype, grown on pieces of cellulose acetate membrane, were transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of Sl/Sld mice, mast cells appeared locally in the transplanted 3T3 cell layers. These results suggested an essential role of fibroblasts in vivo as the tissue microenvironment promoting the development of mast cells and that they are defective in Sl/Sld mice. The present coculture system duplicated mast-cell deficiency of Sl/Sld mice in vitro and should prove useful for analysis of the Sl gene product. | 10.1073/pnas.86.8.2888 |
pubmed_18_11308 | Nanoscale topography was constructed on a thermally responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) surface by grafting the polymer from silicon nanowire arrays via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The as-prepared surface showed largely reduced platelet adhesion in vitro both below and above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAAm ( approximately 32 degrees C), while a smooth PNIPAAm surface exhibited antiadhesion to platelets only below the LCST. Contact angle and adhesive force measurements on oil droplets (1,2-dichloroethane) in water demonstrated that the nanoscale topography kept a relatively high ratio of water content on the as-prepared surface and played a key role in largely reducing the adhesion of platelets; however, this effect did not exist on the smooth PNIPAAm surface. The results can be used to extend the applications of PNIPAAm in the fields of biomaterials and biomedicine under human physiological temperature and provide a new strategy for fabricating other blood-compatible materials. | 10.1021/ja9019935 |
pubmed_978_21290 | Gangliosides, which are complex glycosphingolipids containing sialic acid, are found in cell membranes and have been implicated in a variety of cell surface events including cellular adhesion. Complex gangliosides were observed to inhibit the adhesion of thrombin-activated platelets to substrates of fibronectin, von Willebrand factor, and fibrinogen. This adhesion, which is mediated by the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex, was differentially inhibited by gangliosides depending on the number of sialic acid residues present within the ganglioside. The observed order of effectiveness was GT1b greater than GD1a greater than GM1 greater than asialo-GM1. Another structurally related glycosphingolipid, globoside, exhibited little inhibitory activity. In contrast to the inhibition of platelet adhesion to von Willebrand factor mediated by the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex, gangliosides had no detectable effect on the ristocetin-dependent adhesion of platelets to von Willebrand factor mediated by glycoprotein Ib. These results suggest that the function of the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex may be modulated by gangliosides in a manner similar to that previously described for the closely related vitronectin receptor. | pubmed_978_21290 |
pubmed_415_11933 | BACKGROUND
The SYNTAX score is a useful tool to evaluate percutaneous coronary intervention risk regarding the number, complexity, and location of lesions. Despite its proven value in the prognosis of three-vessel disease, there are few data about its usefulness in other selected subsets of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the SYNTAX score in a population of patients who underwent unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) angioplasty in our hospital.
METHODS
This was a single-center study that included 118 patients (79.7% male; mean age, 66 ± 12 years) who underwent ULMCA angioplasty between March 1999 and December 2008. Multivariate Cox logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relation of SYNTAX score to the incidence of cardiovascular death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) - an endpoint comprised of cardiovascular death, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization.
RESULTS
At 30 days, there were 5 cardiovascular deaths (4.2%). In the mean follow-up of 32 ± 24 months, there were 17 cardiovascular deaths (14.4%) and 30 MACE (25.4%). At 30 days, SYNTAX score had no predictive value, but at long-term follow-up, it significantly predicted the occurrence of cardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.069; 95% CI, 1.030-1.109; P<.0001) and MACE (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.044; 95% CI, 1.013-1.076; P=.005), even after adjustment for potential confounders. Area under the curve for the occurrence of cardiovascular death and MACE was 0.75 (P=.0006) and 0.63 (P=.032), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In this population of patients undergoing ULMCA angioplasty, SYNTAX score was demonstrated to be a valuable tool to predict long-term cardiovascular mortality. | pubmed_415_11933 |
pubmed_63_20044 | Insulin-induced severe hypoglycemia causes brain damage. The hypothesis to be tested was that diabetes portends to more extensive brain tissue damage following an episode of severe hypoglycemia. Nine-week-old male streptozotocin-diabetic (DIAB; n = 10) or vehicle-injected control (CONT; n = 7) Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to hyperinsulinemic (0.2 U.kg(-1).min(-1)) severe hypoglycemic (10-15 mg/dl) clamps while awake and unrestrained. Groups were precisely matched for depth and duration (1 h) of severe hypoglycemia (CONT 11 +/- 0.5 and DIAB 12 +/- 0.2 mg/dl, P = not significant). During severe hypoglycemia, an equal number of episodes of seizure-like activity were noted in both groups. One week later, histological analysis demonstrated extensive neuronal damage in regions of the hippocampus, especially in the dentate gyrus and CA1 regions and less so in the CA3 region (P < 0.05), although total hippocampal damage was not different between groups. However, in the cortex, DIAB rats had significantly (2.3-fold) more dead neurons than CONT rats (P < 0.05). There was a strong correlation between neuronal damage and the occurrence of seizure-like activity (r(2) > 0.9). Separate studies conducted in groups of diabetic (n = 5) and nondiabetic (n = 5) rats not exposed to severe hypoglycemia showed no brain damage. In summary, under the conditions studied, severe hypoglycemia causes brain damage in the cortex and regions within the hippocampus, and the extent of damage is closely correlated to the presence of seizure-like activity in nonanesthetized rats. It is concluded that, in response to insulin-induced severe hypoglycemia, diabetes uniquely increases the vulnerability of specific brain areas to neuronal damage. | 10.1152/ajpendo.91041.2008 |
pubmed_1110_4443 | Mobile phone providers use electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with frequencies ranging from 900 to 1800 MHz. The increasing use of mobile phones has been accompanied by several potentially pathological consequences, such as neurological diseases related to hippocampal (HIPPON) and dorsal root ganglion neuron (DRGN). The TRPV1 channel is activated different stimuli, including CapN, high temperature and oxidative stress. We investigated the contribution TRPV1 to mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis in HIPPON and DRGN following long term exposure to 900 and 1800 MHz in a rat model. Twenty-four adult rats were equally divided into the following groups: (1) control, (2) 900 MHz, and (3) 1800 MHz exposure. Each experimental group was exposed to EMR for 60 min/ 5 days of the week during the one year. The 900 and 1800 MHz EMR exposure induced increases in TRPV1 currents, intracellular free calcium influx (Ca2+), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization (JC-1), apoptosis, and caspase 3 and 9 activities in the HIPPON and DRGN. These deleterious processes were further increased in the 1800 MHz experimental group compared to the 900 MHz exposure group. In conclusion, mitochondrial oxidative stress, programmed cell death and Ca2+ entry pathway through TRPV1 activation in the HIPPON and DRGN of rats were increased in the rat model following exposure to 900 and 1800 MHz cell frequencies. Our results suggest that exposure to 900 and 1800 MHz EMR may induce a dose-associated, TRPV1-mediated stress response. | 10.1007/s11011-017-0180-4 |
pubmed_1039_2923 | The long term results in 43 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement with a bioprosthesis are reported. The average age of the patient was 25, and nearly half of them were under fifteen. The underlying valvular disease was rheumatic in the great majority. Small bioprostheses were used in 40 p. 100 of cases. Hospital mortality was nil. Two patients developed atrioventricular block and needed permanent pacing; this was the principal complication observed in this study. After 34 months, 17 serious complications were recorded including two episodes of thromboembolism. The main problem arose from restenosis of the bioprosthesis, either because of its small size (3 cases) or because of degeneration (6 cases), all in children (33 p. 100 of our paediatric cases). The actuarial survival rate without degeneration shows only 48,2 p. 100 of patients to be without this problem at 5 years. Late mortality reached 29 p. 100 and the five year survival rate showed only 57 p. 100 of patients to be still alive, and only 35 p. 100 with their bioprosthesis. The haemodynamic profile of these prostheses with regards to transvalvular pressure gradient and mitral surface area, was very good for the large size valves, in contrast to the small size. In the absence of degeneration, the gradient was found to be stable. This study has shown that small bioprosthetic valves should be avoided in mitral valve replacement because of the risk of stenosis. Despite the low incidence of thromboembolism, they should not be used in children because of the high incidence of degeneration in paediatric patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | pubmed_1039_2923 |
pubmed_894_9955 | Characterization of specific vasopressin binding sites to rat hippocampal membranes has been assayed using tritiated lysine-vasopressin labelled on the tyrosyl residue. At 30 degrees C specific [3H]vasopressin binding was saturable. The estimated equilibrium dissociation constant was 7.1 nM, the mean maximal binding capacity was 78 fmol/mg protein. Arginine-vasopressin has a high affinity (Kd = 2.8 nM) and dDAVP has a low affinity (Kd = 249 nM) for hippocampal synaptic membranes. (OH)AVP and Phe2Orn8VT are at least as active as AVP in inhibiting [3H]vasopressin binding. Adenylate cyclase was activated by VIP and inhibited by PIA, but not affected by lysine-vasopressin. | 10.1016/0014-5793(83)80795-9 |
others_274_6924 | Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) isolates were recovered from local retail markets and the Osaka Municipal Central Wholesale Market in Japan. Retail food samples were collected for analysis in Osaka Japan from 2005 to 2008 and consisted of 32 beef, 28 pork, 20 poultry, 136 fish, 66 fruits and vegetables and 51 ready–to-eat (RTE) food samples. A total of 82 DEC strains were recovered from 64 (19%) food samples with the highest prevalence in poultry (100%, 20/20), followed by pork (54%, 15/28), beef (28%, 9/32), fruits and vegetables (12%, 8/66), fish (6.6%, 9/136) and RTE foods (5.9%, 3/51). Most of the strains belonged to E. coli possessing the enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) gene (EAST1EC; n = 62, P < 0.0001) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC; n = 16, P < 0.01), whereas only 1 strain belonged to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), 1 to EAEC and 2 to enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains. Of the 82 DEC isolates, 22 O and 13H serogroups were detected, including some specific serogroups (O91, O103, O115, O119, O126, and O157) which have been associated with human diarrheal infections. Phylogenetic group A and B1 were predominant among the DEC isolates. Antimicrobial resistance to tetracycline was most common (49%), followed by nalidixic acid (28%), ampicillin (24%), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (20%), and cephalothin (18%). All isolates were susceptible to aztreonam. Of the resistant strains, 44% (22/50) demonstrated resistance to > 3 antimicrobial agents. Isolates resistant to > 5 antimicrobials were only found in the meat samples, while isolates from the fruits and vegetables as well as RTE foods showed resistance to only 1 or 2 antimicrobial agents. Sixty one percent of EAST1EC, 56% of EPEC and all of the EAEC and ETEC were resistant to at least 1 antimicrobial agent. Multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) was used in this study for genotyping of DEC. The 82 isolates collected for this study showed 77 distinct MLVA profiles located among 3 branches. The Simpson's Index of Diversity (D) was 99.9% at its highest. The high diversity of these food strains would suggest their originating from a variety of sources and environments. In conclusion, retail food samples in Japan were contaminated with DEC; EAST1EC, a putative DEC, were detected at high rates in poultry, pork and beef. Isolates resistant to > 3 antimicrobials were found only in raw meat and fish. Food animals may act as the reservoir for multi-resistant bacteria. Due to the finding that nearly 1/3 of EAST1EC strains were resistant to > 3 antimicrobials, additional surveillance for EAST1EC should be initiated. © 2017 | 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.03.003 |
pubmed_940_7845 | Men and women value different characteristics in potential partners. It was hypothesized that women feel they have less control over traits relevant to their desirability than men feel they have over traits related to male desirability. In Study 1, undergraduates (N = 150) completed questionnaires measuring (a) the importance they attributed to 64 characteristics when choosing a mate and (b) their perceived control over these traits. Men selected partners on the basis of traits that are relatively uncontrollable (e.g., youth, attractiveness), whereas women selected partners on the basis of traits that are more controllable (e.g., status, industriousness; d = 1.75). In Study 2, these findings were replicated in an older, representative community sample (N = 301; d = 1.03). Greater uncontrollability of traits relevant to female mate value may place women at elevated risk for negative affect, depression, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction. | 10.1037//0022-3514.75.4.953 |
pubmed_700_20684 | 1. Intracellular recordings were obtained from retinal neurons of the mudpuppy, Necturus, while superfusing the eyecup with various pharmacologic agents. In most experiments, the retina was continuously stimulated with a small spot of red light that was centered over the recording electrode and flickering at rates too fast for amphibian rods to follow. The retina was additionally stimulated intermittently with a dim, spatially diffuse background field of 520 nm wavelength. 2. In general, the dim background greatly enhanced flicker responsiveness. We (16) previously called this effect suppressive rod-cone interaction (SRCI) and showed it reflects a tonic suppressive influence on cone pathways that is removed by selective rod-light adaptation. 3. Lead chloride has been claimed to selectively block rod-related retinal responses (13, 35). While recording from horizontal cells lead chloride decreases responses to the dim, diffuse light flashes, enhances the frequency entrained response attributable to cones, and eliminates a background influence on flicker responses. 4. O-phospho-D-serine (DOP), kynurenic acid (KyA), and piperidine dicarboxylic acid are known to act on horizontal cells as antagonists of the photoreceptor neurotransmitter (26, 32, 33). In both depolarizing and hyperpolarizing bipolar cells, these agents enhance flicker responsiveness with no background present and prevent background enhancement of flicker. 5. Mudpuppy cones were found to have a receptive-field surround, which under our stimulus conditions is attributable to rod input. KyA, which is unknown to have any direct influence on photoreceptors, totally blocks this surround mechanism. This indicates that the cone-surround mechanism is attributable to horizontal cell feedback. The influence of KyA on SRCI in cones is similar to that observed in recordings from depolarizing bipolar cells. 6. Most sustained third-order neurons demonstrate SRCI. In these cells, SRCI is blocked by DOP or KyA. Most ON-OFF neurons fail to demonstrate SRCI under control circumstances. The ON-response of these cells is blocked by 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (31) which leaves the OFF-response intact. While their ON-response is blocked, ON-OFF neurons demonstrate SRCI. 7. The foregoing results indicate that SRCI reflects a tonic, inhibitory influence of horizontal cells on cone pathways that is removed by light-adapting rods. In part, SRCI must involve horizontal cell feedback onto cones. SRCI in third-order neurons appears to largely reflect distal retinal processing. | 10.1152/jn.1989.61.4.866 |
pubmed_930_4085 | Old (24-months) rats have lower activities of hepatic delta-aminolevulinic synthase and the microsomal cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase activities--aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase--as compared to young (2-months) animals. In contrast, the activity of the heme degradative enzyme, heme oxygenase, is higher in the old rats. Cytochrome P-450 and microsomal heme contents were maintained in the old. When inducibility and inhibition of these enzymes were studied, the old rats responded to the same degree as the young. These results indicate that the ability of the heme synthetic and degradative enzymes to respond to decreasing cellular heme levels is not significantly altered with age. The observations that there is a lower baseline activity of ALA-synthase and good maintenance of microsomal heme and cytochrome P-450 content, in spite of elevated heme oxygenase activity in the old, suggest that, at least in the senescent rat, hepatic heme utilization and degradation are only loosely coupled to heme production. It appears, therefore, that alternate sources of heme for cytochrome P-450 are available in the old animals. Furthermore, it is suggested that the old rat has a baseline change in ALA-synthase, heme oxygenase, and cytochrome P-450 that may be overcome under the appropriate conditions. | 10.1016/0531-5565(85)90053-1 |
pubmed_832_7318 | Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous disorder. Our hypothesis is that neurological symptoms correlate with the severity of MDD symptoms. One hundred eighty-four outpatients with MDD completed a self-report questionnaire on past and present medical history. Patients were divided into three roughly equal depression severity levels based on scores from the APA Severity Measure for Depression-Adult (n = 66, 58, 60, for low, medium, high severity, respectively). We saw a significant and gradual increase in the frequency of "muscular paralysis" (1.5-5.2-16.7%) and "balance problems" (21.2-36.2-46.6%) from low to medium to high severity groups. We repeated the analysis using only the two most extreme severity categories: low severity (66 samples) vs. high severity (60 samples). High severity patients were also found to experience more "angina" symptoms than low severity patients (27.3 vs. 50%). The three significant clinical variables identified were introduced into a binary logistic regression model as the independent variables with high or low severity as the dependent variable. Both "muscular paralysis" and "balance problems" were significantly associated with increased severity of depression (odds ratio of 13.5 and 2.9, respectively), while "angina" was associated with an increase in severity with an odds ratio of 2.0, albeit not significantly. We show that neurological exam or clinical history could be useful biomarkers for depression severity. Our findings, if replicated, could lead to a simple clinical scale administered regularly for monitoring patients with MDD. | 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.567394 |
pubmed_707_2618 | BACKGROUND
There is a significant variability in reported fetal fraction (FF), a common cause for no-calls in cell-free (cf)DNA based non-invasive prenatal screening. We examine the effect of imprecision in FF measurement on the performance of cfDNA screening for Down syndrome, when low FF samples are classified as no-calls.
METHODS
A model for the reported FF was constructed from the FF measurement precision and the underlying true FF. The model was used to predict singleton Down syndrome detection rates (DRs) for various FF cut-offs and underlying discriminatory powers of the test.
RESULTS
Increasing the FF cut-off led to slightly increased apparent DR, when no-calls are excluded, and an associated larger decrease in effective DR, when no-calls are included. These effects were smaller for tests with higher discriminatory power and larger as maternal weight increased.
CONCLUSIONS
Most no-calls due to a low reported FF have a true FF above the cut-off. The discriminatory power of a test limits its effective DR and FF precision determines the tradeoff between apparent and effective DR when low FF is used to discard samples. Tests with high discriminatory power do not benefit from current FF measurements. | 10.1002/pd.6126 |
pubmed_531_14179 | The wide availability, metabolism by the same cytochrome P450 as debrisoquine and, above all, the inocuity of dextromethorphan (DMP) favour the frequent choice of this drug as the test substance in determining oxidation phenotypes. 100 healthy Burundian volunteers (94 m and 6 f) in this study ingested 50 mg DMP bromhydrate, i.e. 38.5 mg of DMP base. Urine was collected for 8 h following the dose and TLC was used to analyse it. The method was particularly useful in view of its low cost, speed and the ease of applying it to a large study group. 5% of the Burundian subjects were poor metabolizers. | 10.1007/BF00280112 |
pubmed_908_24336 | Recently, antlion larvae with greater behavioural asymmetry were shown to have improved learning abilities. However, a major evolutionary question that remained unanswered was why this asymmetry does not increase in all individuals during development. Here, we show that a trade-off exists between learning ability of larvae and their hunting efficiency. Larvae with greater asymmetry learn better than those with less, but the latter are better able to sense vibrational signals used to detect prey and can capture prey more quickly. Both traits, learning ability and hunting efficiency, present obvious fitness advantages; the trade-off between them may explain why behavioural asymmetry, which presumably stems from brain lateralization, is relatively rare in natural antlion populations. | 10.1007/s10071-018-1190-2 |
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