index
stringlengths 10
17
| text
stringlengths 101
29.2k
| doi
stringlengths 2
94
|
|---|---|---|
pubmed_839_10930 | After nearly 2 decades of research and experimentation with laser-assisted angioplasty, the xenon-hydrogen chloride excimer laser emerged as the laser device best suited for the treatment of peripheral artery disease. Emitting light at a wavelength of 308 nm, this laser utilizes a nonthermal mechanism of action to ablate plaque and thrombus in powerful discrete pulses. The excimer laser is particularly useful for the treatment of complex conditions, such as long chronic occlusions in the superficial femoral artery and in those patients with below-the-knee disease and critical limb ischemia who may not be good candidates for bypass surgery. A number of investigators have noted that the excimer laser will often uncover distinct, more focal lesions in what appears to be an extensive and complex occlusion, potentially simplifying treatment of these segments. The Laser Angioplasty for Critical Limb Ischemia phase 2 trial, a prospective registry of 145 patients at 11 US and 3 German sites, achieved good procedural success (86%) and an excellent 6-month limb salvage rate (93%). A new specialized deflecting sheath designed to direct excimer ablation in blockages of the larger main arteries above the knee has produced clinical improvement in a single-center feasibility study and a 16-center prospective registry. Less promising results were reported in a single-center real-world retrospective registry, warranting careful case selection with this device for patients with diabetes and renal failure. | 10.1583/08-2655.1 |
pubmed_801_4193 | There is increasing concern regarding a possible adverse interaction between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and clopidogrel that could lead to reduced cardiovascular protection by clopidogrel. We performed a literature search for relevant original studies and systematic reviews. PPIs likely affect the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel as measured in vitro, and this may be a class effect. We conclude that the pharmacodynamic effect has not been translated into any clinically meaningful adverse effect. PPI cotherapy reduces the incidence of recurrent peptic ulcer and of upper gastrointestinal bleeding among patients on clopidogrel. | 10.1016/j.giec.2011.07.005 |
others_373_12521 | This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different levels of phytase enzyme upon the growth performance, carcass traits and some biochemical parameters of local Japanese quail during the growth period. A total 120 local Japanese quail at 10 days old assigned to 4 treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment had 5 replicates (cages of multi floor battery) accommodating 6 birds per replication. The four dietary treatments were: 1) control diet with no phytase enzymes, 2) diet containing 0.01 % (100 gm/ton diet) phytase enzymes, 3) diet containing 0.02 % (200 gm/ton diet) phytase enzymes, 4) diet containing 0.03 % (300 gm/ton diet) phytase enzymes. Results showed that birds fed diet containing phytase enzymes was significantly (pd<0.05) better than control group for the feed intake, body weight gain and feed converter ratio, while the difference were no-significant for the carcass parts and some internal organs percentage, Also treatments containing phytase enzymes increased significantly (pd<0.05) in serum glucose, cholesterol, total protein and phosphor while showed no-significant in serum calcium between all treatments. © 2019 Plant Archives. All rights reser | others_373_12521 |
pubmed_617_19319 | Interactions of host cell factors with RNA sequences and structures in the genomes of positive-strand RNA viruses play various roles in the life cycles of these viruses. Our understanding of the functional RNA elements present in norovirus genomes to date has been limited largely to in vitro analysis. However, we recently used reverse genetics to identify evolutionarily conserved RNA structures and sequences required for norovirus replication. We have now undertaken a more detailed analysis of RNA structures present at the 3' extremity of the murine norovirus (MNV) genome. Biochemical data indicate the presence of three stable stem-loops, including two in the untranslated region, and a single-stranded polypyrimidine tract [p(Y)] of variable length between MNV isolates, within the terminal stem-loop structure. The well-characterized host cell pyrimidine binding proteins PTB and PCBP bound the 3'-untranslated region via an interaction with this variable sequence. Viruses lacking the p(Y) tract were viable both in cell culture and upon mouse infection, demonstrating that this interaction was not essential for virus replication. However, competition analysis with wild-type MNV in cell culture indicated that the loss of the p(Y) tract was associated with a fitness cost. Furthermore, a p(Y)-deleted mutant showed a reduction in virulence in the STAT1(-/-) mouse model, highlighting the role of RNA structures in norovirus pathogenesis. This work highlights how, like with other positive-strand RNA viruses, RNA structures present at the termini of the norovirus genome play important roles in virus replication and virulence. | 10.1128/JVI.02053-09 |
pubmed_273_2293 | Cocoa, a good source of dietary antioxidative polyphenols, exhibited anticarcinogenic activity in animal models, but the molecular mechanisms of the chemopreventive potential of cocoa remain unclear. Inhibition of gap-junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is strongly related to tumorigenesis. Cocoa polyphenol extracts (CPE) dose dependently attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced inhibition of GJIC in rat liver epithelial (RLE) cells. CPE inhibited the H(2)O(2)-induced phosphorylation and internalization of connexin 43, which is a regulating protein of GJIC in RLE cells. The H(2)O(2)-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase were inhibited by CPE treatment. However, CPE did not block H(2)O(2)-induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. An ex vivo kinase assay demonstrated that CPE inhibited the H(2)O(2)-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) 1 activity in RLE cell lysates. Ex vivo pull-down assay data revealed that CPE directly bound with MEK1 to inhibit MEK1 activity. These results indicate that CPE protects against the H(2)O(2)-induced inhibition of GJIC through antioxidant activity and direct inhibition of MEK activity, which may contribute to its chemopreventive potential. | 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2009.03.014 |
pubmed_920_10943 | Hazard analysis methods such as HAZOP and STPA have proven to be effective methods for assurance of system safety for years. However, the dimensionality and human factors uncertainty of many assistive robotic applications challenges the capability of these methods to provide comprehensive coverage of safety issues from interdisciplinary perspectives in a timely and cost-effective manner. Physically assistive tasks in which a range of dynamic contexts require continuous human-robot physical interaction such as e.g., robot-assisted dressing or sit-to-stand pose a new paradigm for safe design and safety analysis methodology. For these types of tasks, considerations have to be made for a range of dynamic contexts where the robot-assistance requires close and continuous physical contact with users. Current regulations mainly cover industrial collaborative robotics regarding physical human-robot interaction (pHRI) but largely neglects direct and continuous physical human contact. In this paper, we explore limitations of commonly used safety analysis techniques when applied to robot-assisted dressing scenarios. We provide a detailed analysis of the system requirements from the user perspective and consider user-bounded hazards that can compromise safety of this complex pHRI. | 10.3389/frobt.2021.667316 |
pubmed_99_9793 | The comparison of the ultrastructural features of endometriotic implants in 96 patients before and after suppressive therapy by danazol showed that the glands of the ectopic endometrium had a wide range of morphologic development. In about one-third of the pretreatment biopsies significantly different ultrastructural patterns were observed in the same specimen, ranging from poorly to highly differentiated endometrial glands. Adequate morphological changes during the menstrual cycle were found in implants only in 14 patients during the proliferative phase, but adequate, homogeneously performed secretory changes were completely missing during the luteal phase. Besides incomplete or delayed secretory changes the majority was proliferative rather than secretory. After 6 months of endocrine suppression laparoscopic biopsies of endometriosis were repeated, and the ultrastructural findings lead to three conclusions. 1. Poorly differentiated endometriotic foci do not respond to danazol. 2. Endometriotic implants consisting of highly differentiated epithelium with adequate cyclic variations respond well to danazol and disappear in nearly 80% of cases. 3. In endometriosis with mixed areas consisting of various degrees of glandular differentiation the hormonal suppression can eliminate endometriotic implants or arrest them at a proliferative stage. If the morphological appearance of the ectopic implants depends not simply upon the endocrine stimulus, but primarily on the degree of differentiation and maturity of the cell, then perhaps cyclic modulation is only a secondary phenomenon, and hormones play only a secondary role in therapy. If this hypothesis is correct, only complete elimination of endocrine influence can cure endometriosis. Transient or incomplete suppression may lead only to partial regression. | 10.1016/0028-2243(84)90143-6 |
pubmed_795_23066 | We propose that the use of public information about the quality of environmental resources, obtained by monitoring the sampling behaviour of others, may be a widespread social phenomenon allowing individuals to make faster, more accurate assessments of their environment. To demonstrate this (i) we define public information and distinguish it from other kinds of social information; (ii) we review empirical work demonstrating the benefits and costs of using public information to estimate food patch quality; (iii) we examine recent work showing that individuals may also be using public information to improve their estimates of the quality of such disparate environmental parameters as breeding patches, opponents and mates; and finally (iv) we suggest avenues of future work to better understand the nature of public information use and when it might be used or ignored. Such work should lead to a more complete understanding of the behaviour of individuals in social aggregations. | 10.1098/rstb.2002.1064 |
pubmed_1072_20303 | BACKGROUND
Avenanthramides (AVN) are a relatively unstudied family of phytochemicals that could be novel chemotherapeutics. These compounds, found in oats, are non-toxic to healthy cells and have been shown to reduce viability of human colon and liver cancers in vitro. However, these studies do not elucidate a molecular mechanism for individual AVN. In this study we aim to see the effects of AVN on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.
METHODS
An MTT assay was used to determine cell viability. Staining and analysis with a flow cytometer was used to identify cell cycle progression and apoptosis. FloJo software was used to analyze the cytometric data. In all experiments, statistical significance was determined by a two-tailed t test.
RESULTS
This study demonstrates that AVN-A, B, and C individually reduce viability in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. AVN-C has the most potent decrease in tumor cell viability, decreasing viable cells to below 25% at 400 µM when compared to control after 96 h. We demonstrate that treatment with AVN-C causes DNA fragmentation and accumulation of over 90% of cells into a sub G1 cell cycle population. Further, we conclude that AVN-C treated cells activate apoptosis because 97% of treated cells stain positive for annexin V while 91% have caspase-3/7 activity, a late marker of apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Breast cancer cells treated with AVN-C have a decrease in cell viability, an increase in the sub G1 population, and stain positive for both annexin V and caspase activity, indicating that AVN-C induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. These compounds may be able to act as chemotherapeutics as demonstrated through future in vivo studies. | 10.1186/s12935-017-0464-0 |
pubmed_373_5819 | A 13-year-old male was found dead in the woods subsequent to 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCE) inhalation. Autopsy findings included tissue congestion of lung, liver and kidney. Certain precautions were taken in collecting and storing biological samples in order to prevent loss of TCE by evaporation. The availability of volatile solvents coupled with the increase of volatile substance abuse makes it easy for abusers to obtain. | 10.1016/s0379-0738(97)00040-6 |
others_228_263 | Shaded coffee agroecosystems traditionally have few pest problems potentially due to higher abundance and diversity of predators of herbivores. However, with coffee intensification (e.g., shade tree removal or pruning), some pest problems increase. For example, coffee leaf miner outbreaks have been linked to more intensive management and increased use of agrochemicals. Parasitic wasps control the coffee leaf miner, but few studies have examined the role of predators, such as ants, that are abundant and diverse in coffee plantations. Here, we examine linkages between arboreal ant communities and coffee leaf miner incidence in a coffee plantation in Mexico. We examined relationships between incidence and severity of leaf miner attack and: (1) variation in canopy cover, tree density, tree diversity, and relative abundance of Inga spp. shade trees; (2) presence of Azteca instabilis, an arboreal canopy dominant ant; and (3) the number of arboreal twig-nesting ant species and nests in coffee plants. Differences in vegetation characteristics in study plots did not correlate with leaf miner damage perhaps because environmental factors act on pest populations at a larger spatial scale. Further, presence of A. instabilis did not influence presence or severity of leaf miner damage. The proportion of leaves with leaf miner damage was significantly lower where abundance of twig-nesting ants was higher but not where twig-nesting ant richness was higher. These results indicate that abundance of twig-nesting ants in shaded coffee plantations may contribute to maintenance of low leaf miner populations and that ants provide important ecosystem services in coffee agroecosystems | 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2008.00444.x |
pubmed_510_4065 | The major biotransformation pathway for the chiral lipid-regulating agent beclobrate is conversion to the corresponding carboxylic acid, which is then metabolized to the acyl glucuronide. An enantiospecific assay for biological material was developed that is based on chiral derivatization with N-ethyl-N'-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDAC) and the primary amine S-FLOPA, a new chiral coupling component for carboxylic acids derived from the 2-arylpropionic acid S-flunoxaprofen. Conversion of beclobric acid to the acyl chloride prior to coupling with the amine is also feasible. From plasma or urine beclobric acid was extracted into n-hexane/ethanol (9:1) at pH 4 after addition of sodium chloride. Clofibric acid was used as internal standard. Derivatization with EDAC/FLOPA was performed under addition of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole in anhydrous dichloromethane containing trace amounts of pyridine (ambient temperature/2 h reaction time). The chromatographic separation was performed on a silica gel stationary phase (Zorbax Sil) using n-hexane-chloroform-ethanol (100:10:0.75, by vol) as mobile phase [flow rate, 2 ml/min; fluorescence detection, 305/355 nm; elution order of the derivatives, (-) before (+)]. Coefficients of variation were between 1.3 and 9.3% for both plasma and urine. Limit of quantification was 20-25 ng/ml for plasma based on a sample volume of 0.2 ml. Application of the assay in a pilot pharmacokinetic study showed significant differences between the kinetics of the two enantiomers. In plasma and urine, the concentrations of the dextrorotatory enantiomer exceeded those of the levorotatory enantiomer significantly. | 10.1002/chir.530030108 |
pubmed_337_23767 | SETTING
Some studies have reported a beneficial effect of zinc sulphate in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of adjuvant zinc therapy in adult hospitalised CAP patients aged ⩾50 years on standard antibiotic treatment.
METHODS
In a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 91 hospitalised patients diagnosed with CAP using standard clinical and radiological criteria were randomised to receive 220 mg (110 mg twice daily) zinc sulphate for 4 days or placebo, in addition to antibiotics. The primary endpoint was length of hospital stay, and secondary endpoints were time to normalisation of oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and temperature. Disease severity was scored using CURB-65 (mental Confusion, Urea >20 mg/dl, Respiratory rate ⩾30/min, low Blood pressure and age ⩾65 years)
RESULTS
The results did not show significant differences in length of hospital stay, time to normalisation of respiratory rate and oxygen saturation between patients in the zinc sulphate and placebo groups (P = 0.18, 0.65 and 0.26, respectively).
CONCLUSION
A short course of zinc supplementation does not improve outcome in hospitalised patients aged ⩾50 years with CAP. In this setting, it should not be recommended as routine adjunctive treatment. | 10.5588/ijtld.15.0653 |
pubmed_778_22811 | The map of the retina onto the optic tectum is a highly conserved feature of the vertebrate visual system; the mechanism by which this mapping is accomplished during development is a long-standing problem of neurobiology. The early suggestion by Roger Sperry that the map is formed through interactions between retinal ganglion cell axons and target cells within the tectum has gained significant experimental support and widespread acceptance. Nonetheless, reports in a variety of species indicate that some aspects of retinotopic order exist within the optic tract, leading to the suggestion that this "preordering" of retinal axons may play a role in the formation of the mature tectal map. A satisfactory account of pretarget order must provide the mechanism by which such axon order develops. Insofar as this mechanism must ultimately be determined genetically, the mouse suggests itself as the natural species in which to pursue these studies. Quantitative and repeatable methods are required to assess the contribution of candidate genes in mouse models. For these reasons, we have undertaken a quantitative study of the degree of retinotopic order within the optic tract and nerve of wild-type mice both before and after the development of the retinotectal map. Our methods are based on tract tracing using lipophilic dyes, and our results indicate that there is a reestablishment of dorsoventral but not nasotemporal retinal order when the axons pass through the chiasm and that this order is maintained throughout the subsequent tract. Furthermore, this dorsoventral retinotopic order is well established by the day after birth, long before the final target zone is discernible within the tectum. We conclude that pretarget sorting of axons according to origin along the dorsoventral axis of the retina is both spatially and chronologically appropriate to contribute to the formation of the retinotectal map, and we suggest that these methods be used to search for the molecular basis of such order by using available mouse genetic models. | 10.1002/cne.20694 |
pubmed_365_20349 | BACKGROUND
Studies on nickel patch test reactivity and reproducibility of positive tests at different points of the menstrual cycle are heterogeneous.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if non-reproducibilities of positive nickel sulphate patch tests in the two different phases of ovulatory menstrual cycles with the endocrine evidence of luteal phase adequacy are statistically different.
METHODS
15 women (group 1) with positive Finn chamber(R) nickel patch test results in the follicular phase of the ovulatory cycle and 13 women (group 2) with positive Finn chamber nickel patch test results in the luteal phase of the ovulatory cycle were tested again in the counter-phases of their ovulatory cycle, with a scheduled interval of 6 weeks following the first tests. Reproducibilities of the tests in the two groups were evaluated statistically.
RESULTS
3 of the positive test results in group 1 (20%) and 2 of the positive test results in group 2 (15.4%) were non-reproducible. The difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
The reproducibility of positive Finn chamber nickel patch tests does not seem to be affected by the changes in the follicular and luteal phases of the ovulatory cycle. | 10.1159/000018003 |
pubmed_848_14860 | The nuclear fraction of rat hepatoma-derived HTC cells contained approximately 8% of the total cellular pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. HTC cells were able to metabolize [3H]pyridoxine to coenzymatically active pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate. As HTC cells did not have any demonstrable pyridoxine-5'-phosphate oxidase activity, the conversion of pyridoxine to pyridoxal 5'-phosphate must have taken place by a nonconventional route. The ratio of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate in the nonnuclear fraction of HTC cells was approximately 1:1, whereas in the nuclear fraction it was approximately 17:1, indicating that there was selective acquisition of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate by the nucleus. With the aid of a monoclonal antibody specific for the 5'-phosphopyridoxyl group, it was shown that there was one major pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-binding protein in a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)-resolved nucleoplasmic extract of HTC cells. This finding was confirmed by radioautography of an SDS-PAGE-resolved nucleoplasmic extract obtained from cells grown in a medium containing [3H]pyridoxine. Isoelectric focusing followed by SDS-PAGE also indicated the presence of one major pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-binding protein in the nucleoplasmic extract of HTC cells having a relatively high isoelectric point (approximately 7). Data were obtained indicating that the protein might exist in a higher molecular weight form, probably a dimer. Currently, these findings constitute virtually all of the available information on vitamin B6 and the cell nucleus. | pubmed_848_14860 |
pubmed_592_2871 | A few studies have indicated that adenosine terminated triggered-activity idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, but all involved a small number of cases. The effects of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on wide QRS tachycardia have thus not yet been completely clarified. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic and diagnostic utility of ATP in wide QRS tachycardia. A total of 18 patients with wide QRS tachycardia (QRS width > 120 msec, rate > or = 150 beats/min) were evaluated. ATP, 20-40 mg, was administered intravenously. An electrophysiological study and treadmill stress test were performed in all patients to elucidate the mechanism of the tachycardia. ATP terminated tachycardia or induced atrio-ventricular block in all 6 patients who had supraventricular tachycardia, but it had no effect on preexcited atrial fibrillation or pre-excited atrial flutter. Ventricular tachycardia was terminated by ATP in 5 of the 10 patients. In 4 of these 5 patients, the focus of the tachycardia was the right ventricular outflow tract. No entrainment phenomenon was demonstrated by electrophysiological study with induction of the tachycardia by stress test or isoproterenol infusion, suggesting the contribution of triggered activity to the tachycardia. In the remaining patient with complete right bundle branch block type tachycardia with right axis deviation, the mechanism of ventricular tachycardia could not be determined. In the 5 patients in whom ATP failed to terminate ventricular tachycardia, the reentry mechanism was suggested by the presence of entrainment phenomenon depicted on electrophysiological study. In summary, this study suggests that ATP terminates supraventricular wide QRS tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia due to triggered-activity, but that it has no effect on pre-excited atrial fibrillation or flutter or on ventricular tachycardia due to a reentry mechanism. These findings add to the mounting evidence regarding the therapeutic and diagnostic utility of ATP in wide QRS tachycardia. | 10.1536/ihj.37.463 |
pubmed_641_5697 | It is well known that normal rat serum (NRS) shows an antibacterial activity because of the presence of endogenous substances that are able to express a defence against pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, in former studies, we observed that NRS presents a synergistic activity with some antibiotics (thus able to lower minimum inhibitory concentration values). The aim of this research was to study the antibacterial activity and synergistic effect of neutropenic rat sera (NPRS) with gentamicin. The animals were made neutropenic by the i.p. injection of cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg on day 0 and 75 mg on day 4). At all tested concentrations (from 0.25% to 5%) NPRS showed lower antibacterial activity than NRS with differences which were always statistically significant. The synergistic activity of NPRS with gentamicin was still present and quite similar to that of NRS, in spite of many altered blood parameters showing evident immunodepression. Some possible interpretations of these results are discussed. | 10.1080/1120009x.1994.11741140 |
pubmed_146_14181 | The microRNA (miRNA) processing enzyme Dicer1 is required for zygotic and embryonic development, but the early embryonic lethality of Dicer1 null alleles in mice has limited our ability to address the role of Dicer1 in normal mouse growth and development. To address this question, we used a mouse mutant with a hypomorphic Dicer1 allele (Dicer(d/d)) and found that Dicer1 deficiency resulted in female infertility. This defect in female Dicer(d/d) mice was caused by corpus luteum (CL) insufficiency and resulted, at least in part, from the impaired growth of new capillary vessels in the ovary. We found that the impaired CL angiogenesis in Dicer(d/d) mice was associated with a lack of miR17-5p and let7b, 2 miRNAs that participate in angiogenesis by regulating the expression of the antiangiogenic factor tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1. Furthermore, injection of miR17-5p and let7b into the ovaries of Dicer(d/d) mice partially normalized tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 expression and CL angiogenesis. Our data indicate that the development and function of the ovarian CL is a physiological process that appears to be regulated by miRNAs and requires Dicer1 function. | 10.1172/JCI33680 |
pubmed_822_24604 | Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in both, men and women. The development of metastasis is very frequent, especially in patients with advanced stage, who require intensive chemotherapy that often results in poor response and significant morbidity. The undesirable effects of intensive chemotherapy on normal cells and the development of multidrug resistance are two of the main causes of treatment failure. Recent advances in nanotechnology allow to target cancer cells using cytotoxic drugs without affecting normal cells. Nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, among others, are able to improve drug distribution and bioavailability, cytotoxic concentration in the tumor mass and drug delivery to tumor tissue and, at the same time, reduce side effects. Current research studies are being conducted to develop new biomaterials that improve the characteristics of these nanomolecules. Several preclinical assays have disclosed the efficacy of nanotherapy in colon cancer, although further clinical trials will be necessary to demonstrate its efficacy. This review discusses the current status and the potential advantages of using nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems for colorectal cancer. | 10.2174/1567201813666151203232852 |
pubmed_452_9546 | Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have become one of the most prospective and promising tools in the course of cancer diagnosis and therapy. Here we describe the synthesis of a novel radioactive platform for tumor imaging using selenium nanoparticles. SeNPs were synthetized using dithionite and glutathione as reducing and capping agent respectively with 5 mmol/L sodium selenite as a precursor and then SeNPs radiolabeled with technetium-99 m, the most common and famous radioactive isotope used for imaging purposes. A characteristic profile for the synthesized SeNPs was performed including size analysis, zeta potential, antioxidant activity, radiochemical yield and in-vivo biodistribution in normal and solid tumor bearing mice. Size analysis showed amorphous SeNP cores of a mean diameter of 21 ± 5 nm with a hydrodynamic size of 43 ± 8 nm and -28 mV zeta potential. The particles also showed a superior antioxidant activity of radical scavenging activity 55.6% according to DPPH assay, in addition, satisfying radiochemical yield up to 97 ± 1.5 was achieved. In vivo studies were applied on male Swiss albino mice that demonstrated a good biodistribution pattern in normal mice with a moderate accumulation in liver at 30 min post injection. Excellent T/NT ratios were obtained in solid tumor bearing mice throughout the experimental time points. The as-synthetized selenium nanoparticles demonstrated surprising and satisfying features which make them promising enough for tumor theranosis. | 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103910 |
pubmed_260_9247 | The identification of dog genes and their accurate localization to chromosomes remain a major challenge in the postgenomics era. The 132 annotated canine genes with human orthologs remaining in the unassembled part (chrUnknown) of the dog sequence assembly (CanFam1) are of limited use for candidate gene approaches or comparative mapping studies. We used a two-step comparative analysis to infer a canine chromosomal interval for localization of the chrUn genes. We first constructed a human-dog synteny map, using 14,456 gene-based comparative anchors. We then mapped the 132 chrUn genes onto the reference (human) synteny map and identified the corresponding, orthologous segment on the canine map, based on conserved gene order. Our results show that 110 chrUn genes could be localized to short intervals on 18 dog chromosomes, whereas 22 genes remained assigned to 2 possible intervals. We extended this comparative analysis to multiple species, using the chimpanzee, mouse, and rat genome sequences. This made it possible to narrow down the intervals concerned and to increase the number of canine chrUn genes with an inferred chromosome location to 115. This study demonstrates that dog chromosomal intervals for chrUn genes can be rapidly inferred, using a reference species, and indicates that comparative strategies based on larger numbers of species may be even more effective. | 10.1093/jhered/esm027 |
pubmed_757_9557 | Kidney diseases are the most common illness for cats with a prevalence seven times higher than in dogs. Metanephros is the last of three renal systems to be formed during the embryonic period, which then becomes the permanent kidney. The current work aimed to analyse the morphology and to quantify the structures present in the development of metanephros from domestic cat (Felis catus) embryos and foetuses. For this purpose, the evaluation of the biometric parameters of metanephros from cat embryos and foetuses was performed in addition to the quantification of renal corpuscles and volume of cortical and medullary layers by stereological analysis. The evaluated biometric parameters were weight, width, height, thickness and volume. The values of the measured biometric parameters increased throughout the gestational stages. The quantity of renal corpuscles gradually increased following the embryo-foetal development, mainly during the middle of the gestational stage. It was during this phase that morphologically, a complete corticomedullary division was observed. Although the difference in the quantity of renal corpuscles between the middle and the end of the gestational stages was not statistically significant, there was an increase in the volume of the medullary layer and a decrease in the volume of the cortical layer between these two stages. These findings suggest that the metanephros presents a progressive growth with the renal corpuscles following this development until the middle of the gestational stage. Starting from this phase, the differentiation of the corticomedullary layers can be seen with a significant increase in the medullary layer. | 10.1111/ahe.12741 |
pubmed_517_14852 | Single tooth anterior dental crossbite is the commonly encountered malocclusion during the development of occlusion in children. Various treatment options such as removable and fixed appliances have been suggested by different authors in the past literature. This paper presents two cases of anterior crossbite corrected using the standard Catlan's appliance (Lower Inclined Bite Plane) in a short period of three weeks without any damage to the tooth or the periodontium. This fixed appliance is a simple and traditional method which does not depend on patient cooperation to reverse the bite. | 10.5402/2011/298931 |
pubmed_270_2855 | BACKGROUND AND AIM
The size of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the liver can be negatively influenced by the surrounding blood flow. The indocyanine green (ICG) test can be used to evaluate the effective blood flow in the liver, and distance from the hilus can affect local blood flow. The aim of this study was to assess whether the ICG test or distance from the hilus could be used to predict the size of the ablated area in liver by RFA treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules.
METHODS
The RFA measurements of 44 HCC nodules in 39 patients were retrospectively studied. Cases were included if they met the following criteria: (i) no catheter treatment before RFA; (ii) no movement of the RFA device; (iii) strict ablation time; and (iv) only one ablation. In all patients, ICG-R15 testing was done immediately before RFA and the initial therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by dynamic computed tomography scanning 2-5 days after RFA. The correlation between the maximum size of the RFA area and the ICG test results or the distance of the target area from the hilus (site of first portal vein divergence) were analyzed statistically.
RESULTS
The ICG-R15 result was significantly correlated with the maximum diameter of the ablated area both in 2 cm-electrode tip length (R2 = 0.35, P = 0.0012), and in 3 cm-tip length (R2 = 0.26, P = 0.0377). Multiple-regression analysis showed that the electrode tip length (P = 0.0010) and ICG-R15 (P = 0.0046) were independent factors that could predict the maximum diameter of the RFA area.
CONCLUSION
The results of ICG testing can be used to predict the size of the area that will be ablated at a target liver site before RFA treatment. | 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04417.x |
pubmed_1004_8505 | Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) is the treatment of choice for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) because it improves survival, is cost-effective, and can mitigate secondary complications of diabetes. Patient-reported outcomes such as quality of life (QoL) have recently received increased attention among transplant recipients. However, the impact of erectile dysfunction on patient QoL has not been investigated in this high-risk group with a history of diabetes and uremia. We applied the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to describe the prevalence and severity of self-reported changes in erectile function after transplantation, comparing the quality of well-being (QWB) index of subgroups of 101 consecutive male SPK recipients with varying degrees of erectile function. Only 21% of patients did not suffer from erectile dysfunction; 18% were classified as mild erectile dysfunction, 31% as mild to moderate, 21% as moderate, and 9% as severe according to the IIEF scores. Forty-one percent of patients reported subjective overall improvement in erectile dysfunction compared with their pretransplant status; 7% considered their sexual function to be worse than before, and 51% did not note any change. The QWB index was highest among the group of patients without erectile dysfunction, decreasing gradually but significantly with increasing severity. A direct impact of erectile dysfunction on QoL, as well as a confounding effect of underlying vascular comorbidities, could explain this finding. | 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.03.037 |
others_267_12107 | The distribution data were numerically analyzed for the extraction of trace lead(II) from 1·0 mol dm−3 (Li,H)NO3 media with toluene solutions of acidic organophosphorus compounds (HR), including di(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and 2‐ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono‐2‐ethylhexyl ester (HEHEHP). The complex formulations were determined to be \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \overline {{\rm PbR}_2 {\rm (HR)}},{\rm }\overline {{\rm PbR}_2 {\rm (HR)}_4 },{\rm and }\overline {{\rm Pb(NO}_3 {\rm )R}} $\end{document} for the D2EHPA system and to be \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \overline {{\rm PbR}_2 {\rm (HR)}_{\rm 3} },{\rm }\overline {{\rm PbR}_2 {\rm (HR)}_4 },{\rm and }\overline {{\rm Pb(NO}_3 {\rm )R(HR)}} $\end{document} for the HEHEHP system. In this work, the equilibrium constants for the formation of these complexes were also given at 298 K. Copyright © 1994 SCI | 10.1002/jctb.280600110 |
pubmed_468_2948 | Human scent can be collected by either contact or non-contact sampling mode. The most frequently used human scent evidence collection device known as the Scent Transfer Unit (STU-100) is a dynamic sampling device and is often used in a non-contact mode. A customized human scent collection chamber was utilized in combination with controlled odor mimic permeation systems containing five standard human scent volatiles to optimize the flow rate, collection material and geometry of the absorbent material. The scent collection method which yielded the greatest amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected included the use of a single layer of Johnson and Johnson gauze/multiple layers of Dukal gauze with the STU-100 on the lowest flow rate setting. The correlation of the resulting VOC profiles demonstrate that collection of standard VOCs in controlled conditions yielded reproducible VOC profiles on all materials studied with the exception of polyester. Finally, the method was tested using actual human subjects under optimized set of conditions. | 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.01.010 |
pubmed_1065_8161 | Hansch analysis of some antimalarial cyclic peroxy ketals (IV) having structural variations at the para substituted phenyl ring and an alicyclic ring of different size reveals that electronic and steric parameters of the phenyl ring substituents are important for explaining the variation in the activity while hydrophobicity parameter is of little significance. Electron withdrawing substituents with higher MR (molar refractivity) or V(W) (van der Waals volume) are preferred for the activity. Use of structural descriptors suggests that presence of a seven membered alicyclic ring attached to the peroxy bridge containing ring is conducive to the activity. Application of electrotopological state atom index (ETSAI) suggests a pharmacophore containing the peroxy bridge. This is corroborated by earlier observation on importance of oxygen atoms of the peroxy linkage of artemisinin for antimalarial activity. Although incorporation of ETSAI into Hansch model does not improve the relations, the electronic parameter sigma is found to be significantly correlated with it. | pubmed_1065_8161 |
pubmed_107_3954 | Sixty-two patients affected by MGUS underwent fat tissue aspirate examination for diagnosis of AL amyloidosis. Nine out of the 62 were found to be Congo red positive. MGUS had already been diagnosed for quite a long time in about 60% of these patients, while this prevalence decreased to 24% among the Congo red negative patients. The follow-up of the positive patients is reported. | pubmed_107_3954 |
pubmed_268_6444 | The time to platelet engraftment (platelets greater than 50 x 10(9)/l for 3 successive days without transfusions) is a major endpoint in treatment regimens of high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue. A number of transplanted patients die before recovery of platelets. To include such patients appropriately in an analysis to identify prognostic factors for engraftment, a proportional odds model was employed. The outcome measure was a categorization of patients into four levels based on time to engraftment: early (0-40 days), intermediate (41-70 days), late (greater than 70 days) or died without engraftment. Of 45 women with advanced breast cancer who underwent high dose chemotherapy and autologous transplantation, there were: 10 early, 11 intermediate and eight late engrafters and 16 who died before platelet engraftment. Based on the proportional odds model applied to these data, four significant and independent prognostic factors for later or non-engraftment were revealed: lower numbers of mononuclear cells/kg harvested (p = 0.002), lower serum albumin level (p = 0.003), prior cisplatin chemotherapy (p = 0.006), and the existence of bone marrow malignancy (p = 0.025). | pubmed_268_6444 |
pubmed_306_18248 | Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have deficits in perceptual timing, or the perception and estimation of time. PD patients can also have cognitive symptoms, including deficits in executive functions such as working memory, planning, and visuospatial attention. Here, we discuss how PD-related cognitive symptoms contribute to timing deficits. Timing is influenced by signaling of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the striatum. Timing also involves the frontal cortex, which is dysfunctional in PD. Frontal cortex impairments in PD may influence memory subsystems as well as decision processes during timing tasks. These data suggest that timing may be a type of executive function. As such, timing can be used to study the neural circuitry of cognitive symptoms of PD as they can be studied in animal models. Performance of timing tasks also maybe a useful clinical biomarker of frontal as well as striatal dysfunction in PD. | 10.3389/fnint.2013.00075 |
pubmed_576_20369 | This paper gives a brief review of the physical interaction and bio-effects of exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) along with guidelines on limits of exposure to 50/60 Hz electric and magnetic fields. | pubmed_576_20369 |
pubmed_63_23608 | Increased stake of boards in the leadership of the hospitals makes them play a significant role in the financial health of their institutions. Understanding of the correct approach to successfully fulfill this purpose is critical for preparing their organizations for positioning adequately in the health care market. Governmental agencies and public companies, including insurers, will be interested in the extent to which hospital boards have adopted the provisions of accounting reform laws like those introduced by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. It will remain for the boards to balance their oversight role for financial performance with the pressures of financial accountability. | 10.3390/ijerph6030862 |
pubmed_239_19794 | Folding-unfolding imparts fluorescence dual color switching, thus a novel concept to switch fluorescence between two distinct colors while avoiding traditional bond rupturing and bond forming in photoswitching. Because folding and unfolding minimize the wear and tear on molecular structures, the new systems have excellent reversibility and fatigue resistance. | 10.1039/c7cc01643c |
pubmed_964_9221 | The paper presents the efficiency of the Raverdino operatorial technique, which creates a large anastomosis between the lacrimal sac and nose, followed by an effective drainage in those cases with persistent obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. The paper also exposes clinical cases in which the mentioned technique was used as first intervention or as reintervention after an inefficient dacryocystorhinostomy. The Raverdino technique offers a successful, long lasting result, without major intra- or postoperative complications. | pubmed_964_9221 |
pubmed_63_5077 | The reorientation mechanism of core-shell nanowires is investigated and our theoretical studies reveal the significance of the structural configuration. In nanowires which have a larger lattice in the core region than in the shell, for example, Au-core and Pd-shell, the surface stress and interfacial stress may synergistically cause them to reorient spontaneously, but they can revert back to the original state upon an appropriate tensile loading. In contrast, the misfit interface is detrimental to spontaneous reorientation in nanowires which have a smaller lattice in the core than in the shell such as the Pd-core and Au-shell structure, but uniaxial tensile loading causes the nanowires to transform in another way. This asymmetrical reorientation is caused by the different intrinsic stress as well as distinctive slipping characteristics, namely partial slipping and perfect slipping in the compressive and tensile processes. | 10.1088/0957-4484/20/4/045601 |
pubmed_205_18490 | A new chitinase inhibitor, named argifin, was isolated from the cultured broth of a fungal strain Gliocladium sp. FTD-0668. Argifin was purified from the cultured mycelium by the combination of cation exchange, anion exchange, adsorption, and gel filtration chromatographic methods. The structure of argifin was elucidated as cyclo(N(omega)-(N-methylcarbamoyl)-L-arginyl-N-methyl-L-phenylalan yl-beta-L-aspartyl-beta-L-aspartyl-D-alanyl) by NMR experiments and other spectroscopic analyses. | 10.7164/antibiotics.53.609 |
pubmed_556_20155 | BACKGROUND
Reflux esophagitis (RE) impairs the squamous epithelium that normally lines the esophagus, and contributes to the replacement of the damaged squamous lining by the intestinal metaplasia of Barrett's esophagus (BE), which is considered as a precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the balance of Th17/Treg and the related key molecules in the pathogenesis of RE and BE and evaluate the diagnostic and predictive value of the molecules in patients with these diseases.
METHODS
The proportions of Th17 and Treg in RE and BE patients were estimated using flow cytometric analysis. Key molecules involving in the Th17/Treg balance, including RORγt, Foxp3, IL-17, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β, were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and ELISA analyses. The diagnostic and predictive value of the Th17/Treg ratio and its key regulators was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic assay (ROC). In addition, the Spearman correlation analysis explored the relationship between the Th17/Treg ratio and the clinical characteristics.
RESULTS
An increased ratio of Th17/Treg was observed in RE and BE compared with the normal controls, and the proportion of Th17/Treg in BE was further increased compared with RE patients. Moreover, the expression levels of RORγt, IL-17, IL-6, and TGF-β were elevated, while the levels of Foxp3 and IL-10 were reduced in patients when compared to the controls. Compared with the RE groups, the levels of IL-17 were significantly higher in BE patients, while the Foxp3 levels were significant decreased. In addition, the Th17/Treg ratio also showed high diagnostic significance and considerable predictive value for the clinical outcomes in patients with RE and BE.
CONCLUSION
The balance of Th17/Treg was impaired in patients with RE and BE. Th17/Treg may be involved in the development of both RE and BE through regulating the release of inflammatory cytokines, but the concrete mechanisms maybe different in the two diseases. The imbalance of Th17/Treg ratio and the related key molecules had a certain clinical diagnosis and prediction potential for RE and BE. | 10.1007/s10388-020-00773-2 |
pubmed_83_24634 | Modeling of surface electromyographic (EMG) signal has been proven valuable for signal interpretation and algorithm validation. However, most EMG models are currently limited to single muscle, either with numerical or analytical approaches. Here, we present a preliminary study of a subject-specific EMG model with multiple muscles. Magnetic resonance (MR) technique is used to acquire accurate cross section of the upper limb and contours of five muscle heads (biceps brachii, brachialis, lateral head, medial head, and long head of triceps brachii). The MR image is adjusted to an idealized cylindrical volume conductor model by image registration. High-density surface EMG signals are generated for two movements - elbow flexion and elbow extension. The simulated and experimental potentials were compared using activation maps. Similar activation zones were observed for each movement. These preliminary results indicate the feasibility of the multi-muscle model to generate EMG signals for complex movements, thus providing reliable data for algorithm validation. | 10.1109/EMBC44109.2020.9175286 |
pubmed_425_14540 | PURPOSE
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy is highly effective for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations; however, little is known about the efficacy and safety of this combination compared with that of standard therapy with EGFR- tyrosine kinase inhibitors alone.
METHODS
We randomly assigned 345 patients with newly diagnosed metastatic NSCLC with EGFR mutations to gefitinib combined with carboplatin plus pemetrexed or gefitinib alone. Progression-free survival (PFS), PFS2, and overall survival (OS) were sequentially analyzed as primary end points according to a hierarchical sequential testing method. Secondary end points were objective response rate (ORR), safety, and quality of life.
RESULTS
The combination group demonstrated a better ORR and PFS than the gefitinib group (ORR, 84% v 67% [P < .001]; PFS, 20.9 v 11.9 months; hazard ratio for death or disease progression, 0.490 [P < .001]), although PFS2 was not significantly different (20.9 v 18.0 months; P = .092). Median OS in the combination group was also significantly longer than in the gefitinib group (50.9 v 38.8 months; hazard ratio for death, 0.722; P = .021). The rate of grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events, such as hematologic toxicities, in the combination group was higher than in the gefitinib group (65.3% v 31.0%); there were no differences in quality of life. One treatment-related death was observed in the combination group.
CONCLUSION
Compared with gefitinib alone, gefitinib combined with carboplatin plus pemetrexed improved PFS in patients with untreated advanced NSCLC with EGFR mutations with an acceptable toxicity profile, although its OS benefit requires further validation. | 10.1200/JCO.19.01488 |
pubmed_230_17546 | AIMS
This study was performed to elucidate whether mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in the modulation of the proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle cells by fatty acids.
MAIN METHODS
C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in differentiation medium containing 2% horse serum for 3 days, and treated with each fatty acid. Phosphorylation levels of MAPKs were examined by immunoblot analysis.
KEY FINDINGS
The mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), oleic acid (OA) and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs), linoleic acid (LA), gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), and arachidonic acid (AA) increased the proliferation of C2C12 cells. On the other hand, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SFs) did not affect the proliferation of C2C12 cells. In addition, the treatment of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (c9,t11 CLA) showed an increased cell proliferation. However, trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10,c12 CLA) significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Treatment of C2C12 cells with LA, OA, and c9,t11 CLA increased phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK during proliferation. During cell differentiation, OA, LA, and c9,t11 CLA stimulated differentiation of C2C12 cells, whereas t10,c12 CLA inhibited differentiation. We also found that OA, LA, and c9, t11 CLA increased phosphorylation level of ERK1/2, but not JNK during differentiation.
SIGNIFICANCE
These results suggest that fatty acids are able to modulate the proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle and MAPKs may be involved in the modulation of the proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle cells by fatty acids. | 10.1016/j.lfs.2009.01.004 |
pubmed_675_1589 | BACKGROUND
Eliciting doses (EDs) (eg, ED01 or ED05 values, which are the amounts of allergen expected to cause objective symptoms in 1% and 5% of the population with an allergy, respectively) are increasingly being used to inform allergen labeling and clinical management. These values are generated from food challenge, but the frequency of anaphylaxis in response to these low levels of allergen exposure and their reproducibility are unknown.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine (1) the rate of anaphylaxis in response to low-level peanut exposure and (2) the reproducibility of reaction thresholds (and anaphylaxis) at food challenge.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of studies that reported at least 50 individuals with peanut allergy reacting to peanut at double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) and were published between January 2010 and September 2020. Risk of bias was assessed by using National Institute for Clinical Excellence methodologic checklists.
RESULTS
A total of 19 studies were included (covering a total of 3151 participants, 534 of whom subsequently underwent further peanut challenge). At individual participant data meta-analysis, 4.5% (95% CI, 1.9% to 10.1%) of individuals reacted to 5 mg or less of peanut protein with anaphylaxis (moderate heterogeneity [I2 = 57%]). Intraindividual thresholds varied by up to 3 logs, although this variation was limited to a half-log change in 71.2% (95% CI, 56.2% to 82.6%) of individuals. In all, 2.4% (95% CI, 1.1% to 5.0%) of patients initially tolerated 5 mg of peanut protein but then reacted to this dose at subsequent challenge (low heterogeneity [I2 = 16%]); none developed anaphylaxis.
CONCLUSION
Around 5% of individuals reacting to an ED01 or ED05 level of exposure to peanut might develop anaphylaxis in response to that dose. This equates to 1 and 6 anaphylaxis events per 2500 patients exposed to an ED01 or ED05 dose, respectively, in the broader population of individuals with peanut allergy. | 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.01.025 |
pubmed_158_1643 | We have found that electroacupuncture-like stimulation of defined sites in the hindlimb of the rat inhibits a nociceptive withdrawal reflex. The lightly anaesthetized rat was used and tall withdrawal from a noxious radiant heat stimulus was the nociceptive reflex. Standard stimulation of hindlimb meridian points femur-futu (ST-32), fengshi (GB-31), and zusanli (ST-36) consisted of a 2-ms square voltage pulse at 4 Hz for a duration of 20 min, applied at 20 times the threshold to evoke muscle twitch. This produced two types of inhibition of the reflex; one was an increase in the latency of up to 80% during the stimulation, termed the brief antinociception, and the other was a post stimulation increase of up to 60% lasting greater than 1 h, termed the persistent antinociception. When the stimulus intensity was reduced to 10 times threshold, the latency during stimulation increased up to 50%, but the persistent response did not occur. Stimulation at threshold produced neither effect. When the train duration was altered, 10 min of stimulation produced only the brief effect, whereas 40 min of stimulation produced both effects, although the persistent effect lasted only 20 min. Stimulation at 6 Hz produced responses similar to those at 4 Hz, whereas stimulation at 2 Hz produced smaller effects. At 8 Hz, only the brief antinociception was elicited. With a pulse duration of 0.2 ms, the brief response was observed but the persistent response was markedly attenuated, whereas 5 ms produced responses similar to those with 2 ms. These data suggest that high-intensity, low-frequency electrical stimulation of meridian points in the rat hindlimb produces both brief and persistent antinociceptive effects on the tail withdrawal reflex, and both effects are dependent upon the parameters of stimulation. The persistence of the latter effect beyond the period of stimulation suggests events occurring after direct synaptic activity, possibly mediated via plastic changes at spinal and/or supraspinal levels. | 10.1016/s0361-9230(96)00264-x |
pubmed_215_1087 | The association of autoimmune phenomena with atherosclerosis suggests that plaques may contain specialized antigen-presenting cells, dendritic cells (DCs). DC-SIGN is a C-type lectin expressed by DCs. This study assessed whether human atherosclerotic plaques expressed DC-SIGN and several other macrophage/DC markers. Plaques from human coronary and carotid arteries and aorta contained DC-SIGN-immunoreactive cells. Double-labelling showed co-expression of DC-SIGN and macrophage/DC lineage markers CD14, CD68, HLA-DR, and S100. There was no immunoreactivity for the DC activation markers CD83 or CMRF-44. Since DC-SIGN mediates adhesion to T-lymphocytes and endocytosis, its expression in atherosclerotic plaques may have functional implications. Activated DCs migrate quickly from areas of inflammation to regional lymph nodes, possibly explaining the paucity of activated DCs in atherosclerotic plaques. In conclusion, this study has shown that DC-SIGN is expressed in atherosclerosis. | 10.1002/path.1205 |
pubmed_1027_4311 | S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent O-methyltransferases (OMTs) catalyze the methylation of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives for the synthesis of methylated plant polyphenolics, including lignin. The distinction in the extent of methylation of lignins in angiosperms and gymnosperms, mediated by substrate-specific OMTs, represents one of the fundamental differences in lignin biosynthesis between these two classes of plants. In angiosperms, two types of structurally and functionally distinct lignin pathway OMTs, caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferases (CAOMTs) and caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferases (CCoAOMTs), have been reported and extensively studied. However, little is known about lignin pathway OMTs in gymnosperms. We report here the first cloning of a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) xylem cDNA encoding a multifunctional enzyme, SAM:hydroxycinnamic Acids/hydroxycinnamoyl CoA Esters OMT (AEOMT). The deduced protein sequence of AEOMT is partially similar to, but clearly distinguishable from, that of CAOMTs and does not exhibit any significant similarity with CCoAOMT protein sequences. However, functionally, yeast-expressed AEOMT enzyme catalyzed the methylation of CAOMT substrates, caffeic and 5-hydroxyferulic acids, as well as CCoAOMT substrates, caffeoyl CoA and 5-hydroxyferuloyl CoA esters, with similar specific activities and was completely inactive with substrates associated with flavonoid synthesis. The lignin-related substrates were also efficiently methylated in crude extracts of loblolly pine secondary xylem. Our results support the notion that, in the context of amino acid sequence and biochemical function, AEOMT represents a novel SAM-dependent OMT, with both CAOMT and CCoAOMT activities and thus the potential to mediate a dual methylation pathway in lignin biosynthesis in loblolly pine xylem. | 10.1073/pnas.94.10.5461 |
pubmed_957_26581 | Battery-supercapacitor hybrid (BSH) devices generally provide both high energy density and power density, but usually suffer from the serious electrochemical kinetics mismatch of cathodes and anodes mainly due to complex faradaic reactions of the unmatched battery-type electrodes used for charge storage, which inevitably degrade the rate capability and power density. To solve this, we propose a facile and efficient strategy of constructing carbon shells and oxygen vacancies. Oxygen-deficient Bi2O3 nanoflakes stabilized by N-doped carbon and supported on graphite fibers (GF@Bi2O3-NCs) were prepared to improve specific capacity, rate capability and cycling stability. The N/S-codoped carbon aerogels supported on graphite fibers (GF@NS-CAGs) provided a high capacitance of 312 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, which was mainly attributed to the microporous structure and high active N content. The flexible quasi-solid-state BSH device based on the GF@Bi2O3-NC anode and the GF@NS-CAG cathode with a stable voltage window of 2.3 V could deliver a remarkable capacity of 103 mA h g-1, an energy density of 118 W h kg-1 and capacity retention of 95.7% after 10 000 cycles, reflecting that this was a highly-efficient approach to develop high-performance flexible energy storage devices. | 10.1039/d0na00831a |
pubmed_318_1950 | Effects of beta-receptor blockade by oxprenolol, which significantly prevented subendocardial necroses during hemorrhagic shock in dogs, on shock tolerance and myocardial function were analyzed. Overall mortality was not altered by beta-receptor blockade. Cardiac output and contractility (dp/dtmax) before, during and after a hypovolemic period of 120 to 210 min with mean arterial pressure = 40 +/- 5 mmHg showed no significant difference with or without oxprenolol treatment. Increase of heart rate during hemorrhage was abolished completely by oxprenolol and as a consequence of this duration of the diastolic filling period was about three times longer (p less than 0.001) and stroke volumes were greater. Stress metabolism was improved. Hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis were diminished and arterial oxygen tension was higher in the treated group. Incidence of lethal ventricular fibrillation was higher and pulsus alternans found only in the control group. The beneficial effects of beta-receptor blockage on the course of hemorrhagic shock are explained by the prevention of the catecholamine induced tachycardia and thereby increased coronary perfusion and decreased myocardial oxygen consumption and by the intrinsic sympathicomimetic activity of oxprenolol. | pubmed_318_1950 |
others_115_1916 | Santolina impressa is an aromatic Asteraceae species endemic to Portugal, traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to characterize S. impressa secretory structures, analyze the essential oil (EO) from the aerial organs, and evaluate its antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2. Secretory structures were investigated by light and scanning microscopy, and the secretion was histochemically characterized. The EO from the aerial organs in full blooming was analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Antiviral assays were performed by direct contact with viral suspensions (virucidal effect), and in infected Vero E6 cells, at different time periods during the viral replication cycle. Two types of secretory structures were described, biseriate glandular trichomes and secretory ducts, producing an oleoresin and a resin rich in flavonoids, respectively. Fifty compounds were identified in S. impressa EO, accounting for 87% of the total constituents. Monoterpenes constituted the main EO fraction (82%), with β-pinene (13%) and β-phellandrene (10%) being their major components. The EO interacted with HSV-1 and HSV-2 in a dose-dependent manner, thereby inactivating both viral infections. The EO did not evidence a virucidal effect but inhibited the HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection in Vero cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, further studies are needed to investigate the mode of action in the replication cycle. © 2023 by the authors | 10.3390/plants12132391 |
others_184_9952 | Invertebrates can often persist in habitat patches too small to support larger, more mobile taxa, and as such, they may be strong predictors of conservation priorities for vertebrates. In the southeastern United States, the southern Appalachian Mountains are a well-known center of endemism for amphibians, and recent work has also uncovered extensive cryptic diversity in dispersal-limited forest invertebrate species. Here, intensive geographic and genetic sampling of a widely distributed centipede, Scolopocryptops sexspinosus [84 individuals from 42 sites across seven states, assayed for DNA sequence variation at a mitochondrial (632-bp) and nuclear (879-bp) locus] revealed two deeply divergent well-supported major clades (lineages A and B). Notably, the spatial distribution of each genetic lineage was largely geographically cohesive and broadly parapatric but with large areas of allopatry, and levels of mitochondrial divergence between lineages are comparable to that seen between named species within the genus. Indeed, no nuclear alleles are shared despite opportunities for interbreeding at locations where these lineages occur in close proximity. This study provides a foundation for follow-up work focusing on the description of species within the S. sexspinosus complex, and importantly, contributes to a growing body of research that identifies a high incidence of cryptic diversity in the southern Appalachian Mountains. © 2018, Springer Nature Switzerland AG | 10.1007/s10841-018-0107-3 |
pubmed_569_18664 | An efficient moisture-electric-energy transformation is discovered by means of establishing an oxygen functional group gradient in a graphene oxide film. The moisture variation serves as an energy source to generate electric power with an energy-conversion efficiency of up to ≈62%. Based on this finding, a prototype power generator and a self-powered respiratory monitor are demonstrated under the stimulus of the human breath. | 10.1002/adma.201501867 |
pubmed_44_6817 | Live attenuated HIV vaccines offer a means to introduce exogenous sequences into the viral genome to target the virus elimination in vivo. Foreign genes inserted into the nef region of HIV-1 NL4-3 were found to be rapidly deleted following virus infection and/or replication, in a size dependent manner, in the human fetal Thymus/Liver implants of severe combined immunodeficient mouse (SCID-hu) model. When the murine heat stable antigen (HSA) of 283 bp was substituted into HIV-1 nef region, the viral loads in vivo were comparable to the negative control nef attenuated HIV-1, and the reporter HSA gene was not deleted upon infection. However, the murine Thy1.2 gene (505 bp) substituted into the nef attenuated HIV-1, upon infection and replication, deleted 441 bp in vitro and 437 bp in vivo, of the inserted Thy1.2 gene. When the enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) gene (720 bp) was substituted for nef, virus replication was aborted in vivo in the Thy/Liv implants, as seen by the background levels of viral loads, comparable to mock infected implants, and the eGFP gene was deleted. When the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene, HSV-TK (1.15 kbp), or HSA gene, was substituted into the viral vpr gene, TK but not HSA gene was deleted, upon infection in vitro. Moreover, NL-TKI reporter virus with both intact nef and vpr genes shows deletion of TK gene both in vitro and in vivo. Excision of foreign genes occurred within the exogenous segments but not in the viral own regions. These results suggest that larger "suicide" genes introduced via HIV-1 can be deleted upon infection. However, smaller size nucleotide sequences or genes (approximately 300 bp) inserted in place of viral nef or vpr gene may be used to target the virus or its components, for attack and elimination in vivo, and thus have implications for the development of live attenuated HIV vaccines. | 10.2174/157016205774370410 |
pubmed_216_15519 | We compared the abundance, population structure and palatability of bilberry ramets on vole-free islands, islands with voles but no predators (predator-free islands) and mainland sites with both voles and predators. As expected, bilberry biomass was strongly correlated with the herbivory pressure exerted by the voles, since it was significantly lower on the mainland, and much (>80%) lower on the predator-free islands, than on the vole-free islands. However, another finding, which conflicts with hypotheses postulating that herbivory generally induces plant defenses, was that voles preferred ramets from predator-free islands. Bilberry plants were fairly tolerant to grazing since they compensated for some of the lost tissue by producing more new ramets. This response should promote stability in the plant-herbivore interaction by reducing the impact of past grazing on current food production and thus minimizing time delays in the interactions that could potentially generate population cycles. | 10.1007/s00442-007-0664-8 |
pubmed_130_26368 | Initially described as lytic bodies due to their degradative and recycling functions, lysosomes play a critical role in metabolic adaptation to nutrient availability. More recently, the contribution of lysosomal proteins to cell signaling has been established, and lysosomes have emerged as signaling hubs that regulate diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation and cell fate. Deciphering these signaling pathways has revealed an extensive crosstalk between the lysosomal and cell cycle machineries that is only beginning to be understood. Recent studies also indicate that a number of lysosomal proteins are involved in the regulation of embryonic and adult stem cell fate and identity. In this review, we will focus on the role of the lysosome as a signaling platform with an emphasis on its function in integrating nutrient sensing with proliferation and cell cycle progression, as well as in stemness-related features, such as self-renewal and quiescence. | 10.3390/ijms23042290 |
pubmed_988_20020 | Recent studies have again shown the beneficial effects of breast-feeding in preventing morbidity and mortality from diarrhoea in infants. A case-control study in Brazil has shown that young infants who are not breast-fed have a 25-time greater risk of dying of diarrhoea than those who are exclusively breast-fed. A longitudinal study in the urban slums of Lima, Peru found that exclusively breast-fed infants have a reduced risk of diarrhoeal morbidity when compared with infants receiving only water in addition to breast-milk. Both these studies, along with numerous others in developing countries, point to the need to extend the duration of exclusive breast-feeding to at least 4-6 months. A review of concerned studies throughout the world shows that even in malnourished women, breast-milk output is sufficient to maintain growth of infants up to this age. The addition of early food supplements to infants fed under prevailing environmental conditions in developing countries leads to their increased diarrhoeal attacks and associated reduced food intake. This results in worsened nutritional status of the affected infants. Breast-feeding helps maintain hydration status during diarrhoeal episodes. Studies in Peru, India, and Nigeria have shown that breast-feeding can be continued during diarrhoea when the infants often refuse other foods, specially non-human milk. Thus, breast-feeding is important in providing necessary calories and protein during a time when a loss of appetite for other foods is common. Diarrhoeal disease control programmes need to modify service delivery to ensure that breast-feeding mothers are not separated from their infants while being treated with oral rehydration therapy (ORT) as inpatients or outpatients. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) should be given to infants with cup and spoon rather than bottles, in order not to interfere with suckling. When in a health system bottles are used for treatment, an implicit credibility is given to their role in modern treatment. Programmes also need to include breast-feeding promotion as a part of their activities. This should comprise hospital practices supporting and ensuring breast-feeding immediately after delivery of the infants and subsequently while they are treated in the hospital: immediate breast-feeding after delivery; Mothers and infants rooming together; On demand breast-feeding; No bottle feedings of water or infant formula; No pre-lacteal feeds. In addition, health professionals need to understand the skills for the management of breast-feeding, so that mothers are given appropriate advice on how to breast-feed and counteract breast-feeding problems. | pubmed_988_20020 |
pubmed_564_14039 | The success rate and duration of lid akinesia after adding hyaluronidase and/or epinephrine to pH-adjusted bupivacaine was examined in a double-blind fashion in patients undergoing cataract surgery under local anaesthesia. A two-injection-site technique was used. For globe akinesia all patients (n = 120) received an inferolateral intraconal injection (3 ml) of pH-adjusted bupivacaine 0.75% and hyaluronidase. Lid akinesia was obtained with a medial extraconal injection (3.5 ml) of alkalinized bupivacaine with or without an adjunct. The patients were randomized to four groups as follows: a medial injection of plain bupivacaine (n = 31), with added hyaluronidase (n = 30), with added epinephrine (n = 29) or with both epinephrine and hyaluronidase (n = 30). The final solutions had a pH of 6.7. Lid akinesia was supplemented with periosteal injections if needed. The degree of akinesia from clinical assessment was graded from 0-2 and also measured with electromyography at ten minute intervals for 30 min after surgery, and three hours after the block. The least satisfactory result (P < 0.01) and shortest duration of the lid block (P < 0.05) was obtained with plain pH-adjusted bupivacaine. No differences in the success rate or duration of the block among the other groups were seen. The duration of the block was longer in the epinephrine groups than in the two other groups (P < 0.01) and longer in the epinephrine and hyaluronidase group than in the group receiving only hyaluronidase (P < 0.05). We conclude that the best initial results and longest duration of blocks were shown in the groups receiving epinephrine or epinephrine and hyaluronidase. | 10.1007/BF03009472 |
others_218_15992 | We present two unusual presentations of decompression sickness manifesting at previous injury sites after deep mixed-gas recreational diving. While previous injury is often cited as a predisposing factor in decompression illness, formal case reports of this phenomenon are rare in the diving literatur | others_218_15992 |
pubmed_77_3584 | Recent controlled clinical trials have documented the development of acute pancreatitis in 5% of patients receiving azathioprine for Crohn's disease, by far the highest incidence of drug-induced pancreatitis recorded to date. In an effort to evaluate the effects of azathioprine on the pancreas, the isolated ex vivo perfused canine pancreas model was used. No significant changes in gross appearance, weight, or serum amylase occurred in azathioprine-treated glands compared to controls. Azathioprine administration, however, resulted in a significant increase in secretory volume (two fold) and bicarbonate output (two fold), and a profound depression of trypsin output compared to controls. These preliminary studies demonstrate that azathioprine has marked effect on pancreatic function in this model. | 10.1016/0022-4804(83)90055-0 |
pubmed_3_16468 | The ovarian fibroma is a rare benign tumor originating from the connective tissue of the ovarian cortex. On occasion, the general surgeon may encounter ovarian fibroma while operating an acute abdomen. We present a series of 15 ovarian fibromas encountered in 13 patients over 11 years experience in our general surgical ward. Only four cases required emergency operations due to either tumors or adnexal torsion. High-resolution ultrasound scan with color Doppler suggested an ovarian fibroma in only ten cases, while CT and MRI were suggestive for the diagnosis in three other cases. Surgical treatment consisted of five ovarectomies, three adnexal resections and five total hysterectomies with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Seven patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, four of them for an ovarian resection and in three for an adnexectomy. Laparoscopic approach has significant advantages by limiting parietal aggression with better cosmetic results, short hospital admission, lower costs, few postoperative adhesions and rapid recovery. | 10.1080/00015458.2007.11680143 |
pubmed_559_9825 | OBJECTIVES
Patients who fail to achieve sufficient vestibular compensation after acute vestibular deafferentation show a tendency to deviate toward the affected side. This study evaluated the effectiveness of wedge shoes specially manufactured with a 4mm inclination on the affected side to patients with chronic vestibular insufficiency.
METHODS
Subjects comprised 13 patients with chronic vestibular insufficiency for >6 months after acute unilateral vestibular dysfunction and 9 healthy volunteers. Subjects underwent vestibular tests wearing wedge shoes and regular shoes. Differences in results were compared.
RESULTS
Patients showed significant improvements in the straight gait test (p<0.01), Unterberger-Fukuda stepping test (p<0.01) and posturography test (p=0.015) when wearing wedge shoes compared with wearing regular shoes.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggested that raising the lateral sole of shoes on the affected side could effectively ameliorate the effects of chronic vestibular insufficiency. | 10.1016/j.anl.2006.09.004 |
pubmed_866_14203 | BACKGROUND
Pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy carries high mortality rate. The relatively long-acting, specific pulmonary vasodilator treprostinil has been used to improve survival in these parturients. Slow uptitration is performed in most cases, and rapid titration has not been reported in the postpartum period.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 17 pregnant patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension who were treated with intravenous treprostinil in our institution between 2014 and 2016. Patients' demographic characteristics, etiology, functional status, mode of delivery, anesthetic administration, medical therapy, echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements, subsequent clinical course, and maternal-fetal outcomes were assessed. The a priori primary outcome is maternal mortality in this study.
RESULTS
Rapid titration of intravenous treprostinil was initiated at 1.25 ng/kg/min and increased to effective dose of 10 ng/kg/min by 1.25-2.5 ng/kg/min every 3 hours. In the next 24 hours, we adjusted the dosage to a median maximum dose of 15 ng/kg/min (interquartile range, 15-20 ng/kg/min) over a median uptitration period of 34 hours (interquartile range, 24-41 hours) for 17 parturients with severe pulmonary hypertension. Treprostinil was weaned off by 0.50-1.25 ng/kg/min every 3 hours in 94.3 ± 42.4 hours. Fifteen patients survived to discharge, and only 2 patients died of pulmonary hypertensive crisis (maternal mortality rate, 11.7%). No treprostinil infusion-related postpartum complication was observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Our experience suggested that rapid uptitration of intravenous treprostinil combined with oral sildenafil in the postpartum period may be a safe and effective approach for these very sick parturients with severe pulmonary hypertension. | 10.1213/ANE.0000000000003827 |
pubmed_297_19565 | Germinal centers (GCs) are major sites of clonal B cell expansion and generation of long-lived, high-affinity antibody responses to pathogens. Signaling through TLRs on B cells promotes many aspects of GC B cell responses, including affinity maturation, class switching, and differentiation into long-lived memory and plasma cells. A major challenge for effective vaccination is identifying strategies to specifically promote GC B cell responses. Here, we have identified a mechanism of regulation of GC B cell TLR signaling, mediated by αv integrins and noncanonical autophagy. Using B cell-specific αv-KO mice, we show that loss of αv-mediated TLR regulation increased GC B cell expansion, somatic hypermutation, class switching, and generation of long-lived plasma cells after immunization with virus-like particles (VLPs) or antigens associated with TLR ligand adjuvants. Furthermore, targeting αv-mediated regulation increased the magnitude and breadth of antibody responses to influenza virus vaccination. These data therefore identify a mechanism of regulation of GC B cells that can be targeted to enhance antibody responses to vaccination. | pubmed_297_19565 |
pubmed_32_20662 | OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to determine which patients will have systolic and diastolic improvement after beta-blockade with metoprolol.
BACKGROUND
Beta-adrenergic blocking agents improve systolic and diastolic function in patients with heart failure. However, it is unclear which patients will respond best to therapy.
METHODS
We retrospectively examined baseline characteristics of 24 patients who underwent double-blind then open-label treatment with metoprolol to determine which characteristic predicted improvement in systolic and diastolic function. Degree of improvement in systolic function (22 patients) was defined by the change in left ventricular ejection fraction after 3 months of therapy. Degree of improvement in diastolic function (15 patients) was defined as the change in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and change in the slope of the isovolumetric relaxation rate-end-systolic pressure relation.
RESULTS
Both systolic blood pressure at baseline (r = 0.54, p = 0.009) and the maximal positive value of the first derivative of left ventricular pressure with respect to time (peak +dP/dt) at baseline (r = 0.39, p = 0.07) correlated with improvement in ejection fraction after metoprolol treatment. Stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that only peak systolic pressure was an independent predictor of systolic improvement. Baseline heart rate, ventricular volumes, ejection fraction and adrenergic activation, as reflected by coronary sinus norepinephrine, did not predict response. Patients with the most diastolic impairment at baseline had the most favorable diastolic improvement. Those with the lowest myocardial respiratory quotient (most fatty acid utilization) at baseline also had the most marked reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that those patients with the highest peak systolic pressure, highest left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and most prolonged isovolumetric relaxation at baseline will respond best to therapy with metoprolol. However, other patients without these characteristics may also benefit. | 10.1016/0735-1097(94)00340-v |
pubmed_612_11886 | Presbyphagia is age-related changes in swallowing function, which imposes a high risk of aspiration in older adults. Considering olfactory stimulation (OS) can influence behavioral activities by modulating neuronal excitability, the present study aims to determine whether OS could improve the swallowing function of aged rats through activating the central neuronal networks and downstream muscular activities participated in the control of swallowing. Aged male Wistar rats received OS by inhaling a mixture of plant-based volatile molecules twice a day for 12 days were subjected to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and c-fos, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunostaining to detect the neuronal activities of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and medullary nuclei engaged in swallowing control, respectively. The functional effects of OS on downstream pharyngeal muscle activity were examined by evaluating the dihydropyridine receptor-ryanodine receptor (DHPR-RyR)-mediated intramuscular Ca2+ expression, and analyzing the amplitude/frequency of muscle contraction, respectively. In untreated rats, only moderate signal of fMRI and mild c-fos/ChAT expression was detected in the OFC and medullary nuclei, respectively. However, following OS, intense signals of fMRI and immunostaining were clearly expressed in the orbitofronto-medullary networks. Functional data corresponded well with above findings in which OS significantly enhanced DHPR-RyR-mediated intramuscular Ca2+ expression, effectively facilitated a larger amplitude of pharyngeal muscle contraction, and exhibited better performance in consuming larger amounts of daily dietary. As OS successfully activates the neuromuscular activities participated in the control of swallowing, applying OS may serve as an effective, easy, and safe strategy to greatly improve the swallow function of aging populations. | 10.1093/gerona/glab229 |
pubmed_137_23006 | Adipose stem cells (ASCs) are the basis of procedures intended for tissue regeneration. These cells are heterogeneous, owing to various factors, including the donor age, sex, body mass index, and clinical condition; the isolation procedure (liposuction or fat excision); the place from where the cells were sampled (body site and depth of each adipose depot); culture surface; type of medium (whether supplemented with fetal bovine serum or xeno-free), that affect the principal phenotypic features of ASCs. The features related to ASCs heterogeneity are relevant for the success of therapeutic procedures; these features include proliferation capacity, differentiation potential, immunophenotype, and the secretome. These are important characteristics for the success of regenerative tissue engineering, not only because of their effects upon the reconstruction and healing exerted by ASCs themselves, but also because of the paracrine signaling of ASCs and its impact on recipient tissues. Knowledge of sources of heterogeneity will be helpful in the standardization of ASCs-based procedures. New avenues of research could include evaluation of the effects of the use of more homo1geneous ASCs for specific purposes, the study of ASCs-recipient interactions in heterologous cell transplantation, and the characterization of epigenetic changes in ASCs, as well as investigations of the effect of the metabolome upon ASCs behavior in culture. | 10.1007/978-3-030-11096-3_8 |
pubmed_433_5705 | Fresh water scarcity has been a worldwide problem to be solved urgently. Inspired by the outstanding hydrophobic-hydrophilic patterns on the back of Namib desert beetles, hierarchical CuO@TiO2-coated surface with alternating hydrophilic-hydrophobic chemistry patterns were fabricated utilizing the photocatalysis of titanium dioxide through ultraviolet irradiation. The results indicated that the as-prepared hybrid dual-coated copper mesh enhanced the fog-collection efficiency compared with the uniformly superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic surface. This enhancement can be regulated by controlling the deposition cycle times of TiO2 multilayers on CuO and UV irradiation time. The best water harvesting behavior was determined at the deposition cycle times of 10 times and UV irradiation time of 4 h. This work findings offer new insights into the fabrication of hybrid hydrophilic-hydrophobic surfaces for highly efficient water harvesting. | 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03224 |
pubmed_313_8253 | Myofibroblasts, the primary effector cells that mediate matrix remodeling during pulmonary fibrosis, rapidly assemble an extracellular fibronectin matrix. Tensin (TNS) 1 is a key component of specialized cellular adhesions (fibrillar adhesions) that bind to extracellular fibronectin fibrils. We hypothesized that TNS1 may play a role in modulating myofibroblast-mediated matrix formation. We found that TNS1 expression is increased in fibroblastic foci from lungs with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β profoundly up-regulates TNS1 expression with kinetics that parallel the expression of the myofibroblast marker, smooth muscle α-actin. TGF-β-induced TNS1 expression is dependent on signaling through the TGF-β receptor 1 and is Rho coiled-coiled kinase/actin/megakaryoblastic leukemia-1/serum response factor dependent. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of TNS1 disrupted TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation, without affecting TGF-β/Smad signaling. In contrast, loss of TNS1 resulted in disruption of focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation, focal adhesion formation, and actin stress fiber development. Finally, TNS1 was essential for the formation of fibrillar adhesions and the assembly of nascent fibronectin and collagen matrix in myofibroblasts. In summary, our data show that TNS1 is a novel megakaryoblastic leukemia-1-dependent gene that is induced during pulmonary fibrosis. TNS1 plays an essential role in TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation and myofibroblast-mediated formation of extracellular fibronectin and collagen matrix. Targeted disruption of TNS1 and associated signaling may provide an avenue to inhibit tissue fibrosis. | 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0104OC |
pubmed_769_4077 | The Korea National Cancer Screening Program (KNCSP) provides fecal immunochemical test-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening for people aged ≥50 years. Our study aimed to investigate the long-term survival effects of CRC screening based on screening history and interval time since screening. The study cohort was obtained by linking three national databases, namely the Korea Central Cancer Registry, KNCSP database and Death Certificate. We included 32 509 CRC patients diagnosed in 2008 to 2009, who underwent CRC screening via the KNCSP between 2004 and 2009. The patients were followed-up until 2019, and their survival was assessed according to their CRC screening history. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compare time to deaths among CRC patients according to CRC screening history, after adjusting for covariates. Of the 32 509 patients, 20 022 (61.5%) patients were alive by the end of 2019. Long-term survival was significantly higher among screened patients (68.2%) than nonscreened (57.2%) individuals. Compared to never-screened patients, the hazard ratio (HR) for CRC-specific death in screened patients was 0.77 (95% CI%, 0.73-0.80). Lowest HR was observed in screened, localized CRC patients (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.42-0.56); HR for CRC-specific death was the lowest in patients screened within 12 months of diagnosis (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.66-0.74), following which, the HRs increased with increasing time interval. CRC screening was positively associated with favorable prognosis in CRC patients aged 50 to 79 years. The effects on long-term survival according to interval time was the best among individuals screened within 1 year before diagnosis. | 10.1002/ijc.33953 |
pubmed_697_3465 | BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a significant inflammatory component and may have significant gray matter (GM) pathophysiology. Brain oxygenation is a sensitive measurement of the balance between metabolic need and oxygen delivery. There is evidence that inflammation and hypoxia are interdependent. In this paper, we applied novel, implanted PO2 sensors to measure hypoxia in cortical and cerebellar GM, in an inflammation-induced mouse model of MS.
OBJECTIVE
Quantify oxygenation in cortical and cerebellar GM in the awake, unrestrained experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model and to relate the results to symptom level and disease time-course.
METHODS
C57BL/6 mice were implanted with a fiber-optic sensor in the cerebellum (n = 13) and cortex (n = 24). Animals were induced with stimulation of the immune response and sensitization to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Controls did not have MOG. We measured PO2 in awake, unrestrained animals from pre-induction (baseline) up to 36 days post-induction for EAE and controls.
RESULTS
There were more days with hypoxia than hyperoxia (cerebellum: 34/67 vs. 18/67 days; cortex: 85/112 vs. 22/112) compared to time-matched controls. The average decline in PO2 on days that were significantly lower than time-matched controls was -8.8±6.0 mmHg (mean ± SD) for the cerebellum and -8.0±4.6 for the cortex. Conversely, the average increase in PO2 on days that were significantly hyperoxic was +3.2±2.8 mmHg (mean ± SD) for the cerebellum and +0.8±2.1 for the cortex. Cortical hypoxia related to increased behavioral deficits. Evidence for hypoxia occurred before measurable behavioral deficits.
CONCLUSIONS
A highly inflammatory condition primed to a white matter (WM) autoimmune response correlates with significant hypoxia and increased variation in oxygenation in GM of both cerebellum and cortex in the mouse EAE model of MS. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0167196 |
pubmed_313_6487 | Human and mouse chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) develops from CD5+ B cells that in mice and macaques are known to define the distinct B1a B-cell lineage. B1a cells are characterized by lack of germinal center (GC) development, and the B1a cell population is increased in mice with reduced GC formation. As a major mediator of follicular B-cell migration, the G protein-coupled receptor Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2 or GPR183) directs B-cell migration in the lymphoid follicles in response to its endogenous ligands, oxysterols. Thus, upregulation of EBI2 drives the B cells toward the extrafollicular area, whereas downregulation is essential for GC formation. We therefore speculated whether increased expression of EBI2 would lead to an expanded B1 cell subset and, ultimately, progression to CLL. Here, we demonstrate that B-cell-targeted expression of human EBI2 (hEBI2) in mice reduces GC-dependent immune responses, reduces total immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG levels, and leads to increased proliferation and upregulation of cellular oncogenes. Furthermore, hEBI2 overexpression leads to an abnormally expanded CD5+ B1a B-cell subset (present as early as 4 days after birth), late-onset lymphoid cancer development, and premature death. These findings are highly similar to those observed in CLL patients and identify EBI2 as a promoter of B-cell malignancies. | 10.1182/blood-2016-02-697185 |
pubmed_176_6645 | BACKGROUND
To identify factors influencing place of death among home palliative care patients with advanced cancer, focusing on the timing of referrals from hospital to home care settings.
METHODS
A cross-sectional nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted on home palliative care patients at 1000 randomly selected home care agencies in Japan. A total of 568 responses were analyzed (effective response rate, 69%).
RESULTS
Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that (i) predischarge health care supports in hospital (e.g. early referral 8 days or more before discharge; clear explanation by hospital staffs to patients and families regarding discharge to live and die at home) and (ii) postdischarge health care supports after transferring home care (e.g. signing a 24-h support insurance contract of network between primary physician and nurse as a home palliative care team; primary nurse consultation with primary physician >3 times during the first week after discharge) have an effect on place of death among home palliative care patients.
CONCLUSION
An early and carefully coordinated referral support system for smooth discharge by hospital staffs as well as intensive and highly qualified support just after discharge by the home care team would help to increase the number of patients who could die at home. | 10.1093/annonc/mdq719 |
pubmed_1021_8359 | Advanced age among the elderly has been hypothesized to be a risk factor for depression, yet extant data do not uniformly support this hypothesis. The paucity of sufficiently large and representative samples of both the young-old and old-old and the failure to control for critical variables known to confound the association between advanced age and depression have prevented testing this hypothesis. The Duke EPESE (Establishment of a Population for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly) assessed 3,998 community-dwelling elders (65+) for depressive symptoms using a modified version of the CES-D and relevant control variables. Depressive symptoms were associated in bivariate analysis with increased age, being female, lower income, physical disability, cognitive impairment, and social support. In a multiple regression analysis, the association of age and depressive symptoms reversed when the above confounding variables were simultaneously controlled. The oldest old suffered fewer depressive symptoms when factors associated with both increased age and depressive symptoms were taken into account. Because many of these factors can be prevented (such as decreased income, physical disability, and social support), the uncontrolled association between age and depressive symptoms can potentially be modified. | 10.1093/geronj/46.6.m210 |
pubmed_140_15505 | Background
Studying personality traits and patterns is of significant importance in adopting healthy behaviors. Therefore, the current study investigates the relationship between Enneagram personality types and perceived risk of heart disease and readiness to lifestyle modification.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 190 noncardiac patients (82.3% female) in an outpatient clinic in western Iran were selected using a simple random sampling method to fill out standard questionnaires. The obtained data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis.
Results
The findings show that the performer personality (Type 3) can directly predict increasing readiness to lifestyle modification (P < 0.001). In contrast, there is a reverse significant relationship between the challenger personality (Type 8) and readiness to lifestyle modification (P = 0.019). Moreover, the helper personality (Type 6) is able to directly predict increasing the perceived risk of heart disease (P = 0.012).
Conclusions
In the Enneagram system, unique personality types possess a unique risk perception and readiness to adopt healthy behaviors. The results of the current study can provide valuable information for healthy lifestyle programs professionals with regard to preventing cardiovascular diseases. | 10.4103/aca.ACA_115_18 |
pubmed_1071_16679 | In neurons, binding of calmodulin (CaM) or calcium-binding protein 1 (CaBP1) to the CaV1 (L-type) voltage-gated calcium channel IQ domain endows the channel with diametrically opposed properties. CaM causes calcium-dependent inactivation and limits calcium entry, whereas CaBP1 blocks calcium-dependent inactivation (CDI) and allows sustained calcium influx. Here, we combine isothermal titration calorimetry with cell-based functional measurements and mathematical modeling to show that these calcium sensors behave in a competitive manner that is explained quantitatively by their apo-state binding affinities for the IQ domain. This competition can be completely blocked by covalent tethering of CaM to the channel. Further, we show that Ca(2+)/CaM has a sub-picomolar affinity for the IQ domain that is achieved without drastic alteration of calcium-binding properties. The observation that the apo forms of CaM and CaBP1 compete with each other demonstrates a simple mechanism for direct modulation of CaV1 function and suggests a means by which excitable cells may dynamically tune CaV activity. | pubmed_1071_16679 |
pubmed_16_9720 | PURPOSE
In this study an evaluation of the performance of the Philips MOSAIC small animal PET scanner is presented, with special emphasis on the ability of the system to provide quantitatively accurate PET images.
METHODS
The performance evaluation was structured according to NEMA-like procedures.
RESULTS
The transaxial spatial resolution of the system (radial component) ranged between 2.7 mm FWHM at the centre and 3.2 mm FWHM at a radial offset of 45 mm from the centre. The axial spatial resolution of the system ranged between 3.4 mm FWHM at the centre and 5.8 mm FWHM at a radial offset of 45 mm from the centre. The scatter fraction was determined for a mouse- as well as for a rat-sized phantom, and the values obtained were 9.6% and 16.8%, respectively. For the mouse phantom, the maximum count rate measured was 560 kcps at 93 MBq; the maximum NEC rate equalled 308 kcps at 1.7 MBq/ml. For the rat phantom, these values were 400 kcps at 100 MBq and 129 kcps at 0.24 MBq/ml, respectively. The sensitivity of the system was derived to be 0.65%. An energy window between 410 and 665 keV was used in all experiments.
CONCLUSION
The MOSAIC system exhibits moderate spatial resolution and sensitivity values, but good NEC performance. In combination with its relatively large field of view, the system allows for high-throughput whole-body imaging of mice and rats. The accurate measurement of relative changes in radiotracer distributions is feasible. | 10.1007/s00259-006-0271-7 |
pubmed_16_2715 | The CEGRM was initially conceived as a simple, concise, visual representation of the social interaction domains of information, tangible services and emotional exchanges (Kenen, R., & Peters, J. (2001). J Genet Counsel, 10, 289-309). A blend of the genetic pedigree, genogram, and ecomap, the CEGRM was developed to facilitate contemporary genetic counseling goals. An exploratory pilot study of 20 subjects showed that it was feasible, comfortable and efficiently accomplished, and that the process was useful both for assessment and as an intervention with study participants (Peters, J. A., Kenen, R., Giusti, R., Loud, J., Weissman, N., & Greene, M. H. (2004). Am J Med Genet Part A, 130A, 258-264). Subsequently, we have extended the CEGRM to 150 women from hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) families; three different investigators have successfully administered this tool. The preliminary findings from the exploratory study were confirmed in the larger sample. Engaging in the interactive, insight-promoting CEGRM process provides a novel tool for assessing the social context of genetic testing, and helping high-risk women better understand and integrate genetic information into their personal and family identities, health beliefs, and decisions. | 10.1007/s10897-006-9042-7 |
pubmed_453_5326 | BACKGROUND
beta-Lactoglobulin (beta-Lg) is the major whey protein in the milk of ruminants and many other mammals. Its function is not known, but it undergoes at least two pH-dependent conformational changes which may be important. Bovine beta-Lg crystallizes in several different lattices, and medium-resolution structures of orthorhombic lattice Y and trigonal lattice Z have been published. Triclinic lattice X and lattice Z crystals grow at pH values either side of the pH at which one of the pH-induced conformational changes occurs. A full understanding of the structure is needed to help explain both the conformational changes and the different denaturation behaviour of the genetic variants.
RESULTS
We have redetermined the structure of beta-Lg lattice Z at 3.0 A resolution by multiple isomorphous replacement and have partially refined it (R factor = 24.8%). Using the dimer from this lattice Z structure as a search model, the triclinic crystal form grown at pH 6.5 (lattice X) has been solved by molecular replacement. Refinement of lattice X at 1.8 A resolution gave an R factor of 18.1%. The structure we have determined differs from previously published structures in several ways.
CONCLUSIONS
Incorrect threading of the sequence in the published structures of beta-Lg affects four of the nine beta strands. The basic lipocalin fold of the polypeptide chain is unchanged, however. The relative orientation of the monomers in the beta-Lg dimer differs in the two lattices. On raising the pH, there is a rotation of approximately 5 degrees, which breaks a number of intersubunit hydrogen bonds. It is not yet clear, however, why the stability of the structure should depend so heavily upon the external loop around residue 64 or the beta strand with the free thiol, each of which shows genetic variation. | 10.1016/s0969-2126(97)00205-0 |
others_314_51753 | Methanogenic sludge granules are densely packed, small (diameter, approx. 0.5-2.0 mm) spherical biofilms found in anaerobic digesters used to treat industrial wastewaters, where they underpin efficient organic waste conversion and biogas production. A single digester contains millions of individual granules, each of which is a highly-organised biofilm comprised of a complex consortium of likely billions of cells from across thousands of species - but not all granules are identical. Whilst each granule theoretically houses representative microorganisms from all of the trophic groups implicated in the successive and interdependent reactions of the anaerobic digestion process, parallel granules function side-by-side in digesters to provide a meta-organism of sorts. Granules from a full-scale bioreactor were size-separated into small, medium and large granules. Laboratory-scale bioreactors were operated using only small (0.6-1 mm), medium (1-1.4 mm) or large (1.4-1.8 mm) granules, or unfractionated (naturally distributed) sludge. After >50 days of operation, the granule size distribution in each of the small, medium and large bioreactor types had diversified beyond - to both bigger and smaller than - the size fraction used for inoculation. New granules were analysed by studying community structure based on high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Methanobacterium, Aminobacterium, Propionibacteriaceae and Desulfovibrio represented the majority of the community in new granules. H2-using, and not acetoclastic, methanogens appeared more important, and were associated with abundant syntrophic bacteria. Multivariate integration analyses identified distinct discriminant taxa responsible for shaping the microbial communities in different-sized granules, and along with alpha diversity data, indicated a possible biofilm life cycle.\n\nImportanceMethanogenic granules are spherical biofilms found in the built environment, where despite their importance for anaerobic digestion of wastewater in bioreactors, little is understood about the fate of granules across their entire life. Information on exactly how, and at what rates, methanogenic granules develop will be important for more precise and innovative management of environmental biotechnologies. Microbial aggregates also spark interest as subjects in which to study fundamental concepts from microbial ecology, including immigration and species sorting affecting the assembly of microbial communities. This experiment is the first, of which we are aware, to compartmentalise methanogenic granules into discrete, size-resolved fractions, which were then used to separately start up bioreactors to investigate the granule life cycle. The evidence, and extent, of de novo granule growth, and the identification of key microorganisms shaping new granules at different life-cycle stages, is important for environmental engineering and microbial ecology | 10.1101/667386 |
pubmed_603_19488 | We consider heat transfer between two thermal reservoirs mediated by a quantum system using the generalized quantum Langevin equation. The thermal reservoirs are treated as ensembles of oscillators within the framework of the Drude-Ullersma model. General expressions for the heat current and thermal conductance are obtained for arbitrary coupling strength between the reservoirs and the mediator and for different temperature regimes. As an application of these results we discuss the origin of Fourier's law in a chain of large but finite subsystems coupled to each other by the quantum mediators. We also address a question of anomalously large heat current between the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip and substrate found in a recent experiment. The question of minimum thermal conductivity is revisited in the framework of scaling theory as a potential application of the developed approach. | 10.1103/PhysRevE.86.021116 |
pubmed_629_5901 | OBJECTIVES
To identify rat cavernous nerve and establish a rat model of erectile dysfunction caused by injury of cavernous nerve.
METHODS
Ten rats were undergone dissections. 30 experimental rats were randomized into 2 groups, cavernous nerve were identified by electrical stimulation. One month after surgery, rat models were evaluated by electrical stimulation.
RESULTS
The anatomic structure of cavernous nerve in rats are highly similar to human beings, the erection can be evoked by stimulating cavernous nerves, and after cavernous nerve injury it can not be evoked (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Because of the highly similarity of cavernous nerve between rats and human beings, so as the suitable price, rat should be used as the ideal ED experimental animal. The model of ED caused by cavernous nerve injury is reliable. | pubmed_629_5901 |
pubmed_1048_8201 | Chitosan/cellulose nanocrystals (CH-CN) films were obtained by casting of dispersions, and treated with NaOH for neutralization proposes. The composition of films was varied from 1 to 10wt.% of CN. Changes in the morphology of the systems were correlated with the different properties studied. FTIR revealed the presence of a weak interaction between the polymer matrix and nanofiller, confirmed by a slightly increase in thermal stability. SEM images suggested that incorporating CN amounts higher than 3wt.% generates phase-segregated systems, and SAXS showed that CH avoid the typical organization of CN at concentrations below 5wt.%. Improved performance against water was obtained in composite materials comparing to the pure polymer matrix, as well as CH and CH-CN films did not show antibacterial activity demonstrating that remnant acetic acid, when no neutralization step is done, plays an important role in this property. | 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.09.031 |
pubmed_828_21251 | OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the effects of a 5-IU oxytocin bolus and placebo infusion versus a 5-IU oxytocin bolus and 30 IU infusion on the control of blood loss at elective lower segment caesarean section (C/S).
METHODS
Participants with indication for elective C/S were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A, 360 women, received oxytocin 5 IU bolus and placebo; group B, 360 women received oxytocin 5 IU bolus and 30 IU infusion. Blood loss was estimated based on the haematocrit values before and 48 h after delivery. The primary outcome was the incidence of excessive bleeding (estimated blood loss of >1000 mL), while secondary outcomes included use of additional uterotonics, estimated blood loss, need for blood transfusion, duration of hospital stay and the incidence of adverse effects.
RESULTS
No demographic difference was observed between groups. Mean estimated blood loss (P < 0.001) and the proportion of women with blood loss estimated to be greater than 1000 mL were significantly less for group B than for group A (relative risk (RR) 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.63). In addition, more women in the group A required additional uterotonic agents (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.22-0.56) and blood transfusion (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01-0.98).
CONCLUSION
An additional oxytocin infusion after 5 IU oxytocin bolus infusion at elective C/S may reduce blood loss and required blood transfusion. | 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2009.01106.x |
others_413_42179 | Demographic and Health Surveys timing-based measure is commonly used in Low and Middle Income Countries to estimate unintended pregnancy despite its limitations, including ambivalent responses and failure to consider the partners intention, while LMUP, which can address these limitations, is not widely used in LMICs and is yet to be administered in Bangladesh. This study compared unintended pregnancy rates measured by the DHS timing-based measure and LMUP, as well as explored the extent of discordance between the measures and their determinants.
MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in four districts of Bangladesh using two-stage stratified random sampling. Data was collected from 1,200 postnatal women. The study focused on discordance in reporting pregnancy intention between DHS timing-based measure and LMUP. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of discordant responses in reporting pregnancy intention.
ResultsThe prevalence of unintended pregnancy was found to be 24.3% through the DHS timing-based measure and 31.0% through the LMUP. Discordance in responses to pregnancy intention in the two measures was around 28%. Key predictors of discordance included older age, female last child, more than two children, poorer wealth quintile, and rural residence. Conclusions: Prevalence of unintended pregnancy in Bangladesh and other LMICs, measured by DHS timing-based measure, may grossly underestimated. This suggests that the negative effects of unintended pregnancy are even more significant than currently believed, further highlighting the need to strengthen the family planning program in Bangladesh | 10.1101/2023.05.17.23290108 |
pubmed_910_5713 | OBJECTIVES
As a parenchymal cell, the photoreceptor is more susceptible to alterations in outer micro-environmental conditions than other cells. In the present study, we aimed to investigate inhibitory effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in murine photoreceptor-derived cells.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We investigated effects of ZnO nanoparticles on murine photoreceptor cell viability and on expression and activity of MnSOD using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, immunofluorescence analysis, flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS
ZnO nanoparticles were found to have higher cytotoxic effects in concentration- and time-dependent manners, to elevate intracellular levels of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, and thus to induce overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to cell damage. Moreover, ZnO nanoparticles also significantly reduced expression of MnSOD at both the mRNA and protein levels, reduced its activity, and further aggravated oxidative stress-mediated cell damage.
CONCLUSION
Overall, ZnO nanoparticle-induced cytotoxicity was associated with elevated levels of oxidative stress due to overproduction of ROS and reduced expression and activity of MnSOD. | 10.1111/cpr.12257 |
pubmed_656_25981 | Several new amino-substituted aza-acridine derivatives bearing a basic side chain have been designed and synthesized. The antiproliferative activity of the target compounds has been evaluated against three cancer cell lines-namely HCT-116 (colorectal), the uterine sarcoma MES-SA, and its doxorubicin-resistant variant MES-SA/Dx5. A limited number of the new acridines showed marginal cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines; nevertheless, these analogues possessed a similar substitution pattern. The moderate biological activity of these derivatives was attributed to their instability in aqueous media, which has been studied by mass spectrometry and computational chemistry experiments at the density functional level of theory (DFT). | 10.3390/molecules25194584 |
pubmed_611_6130 | Biological systems that produce or are exposed to nitric oxide (NO radical) exhibit changes in the rate of oxygen free radical production. Considering that mitochondria are the main intracellular source of oxygen radicals, and based on the recently documented production of NO(radical) by intact mitochondria, we investigated whether NO(radical), produced by the mitochondrial nitric-oxide synthase, could affect the generation of oxygen radicals. Toward this end, changes in H(2)O(2) production by rat liver mitochondria were monitored at different rates of endogenous NO(radical) production. The observed changes in H(2)O(2) production indicated that NO(radical) affected the rate of oxygen radical production by modulating the rate of O(2) consumption at the cytochrome oxidase level. This mechanism was supported by these three experimental proofs: 1) the reciprocal correlation between H(2)O(2) production and respiratory rates under different conditions of NO(radical) production; 2) the pattern of oxidized/reduced carriers in the presence of NO(radical), which pointed to cytochrome oxidase as the crossover point; and 3) the reversibility of these effects, evidenced in the presence of oxymyoglobin, which excluded a significant role for other NO(radical)-derived species such as peroxynitrite. Other sources of H(2)O(2) investigated, such as the aerobic formation of nitrosoglutathione and the GSH-mediated decay of nitrosoglutathione, were found quantitatively negligible compared with the total rate of H(2)O(2) production. | 10.1074/jbc.M007625200 |
pubmed_444_9922 | Iran is one of the earliest countries involved with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the present short report, we have presented our experiences as a cardiovascular tertiary center during the COVID-19 outbreak. At the beginning, we have pursued our activities in four field of administrative, preventative, therapeutic, and research. Then by gaining new experiences, we have tailored our strategies. Finally, we have described our challenges and future strategies on returning to normal activities. | 10.1111/jocs.15033 |
pubmed_1091_18826 | PURPOSE
To describe a patient with flap complications after LASIK who was subsequently treated using phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) and an autologous lenticule transplant obtained via small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).
METHODS
A 23-year-old man experienced free flap and partial flap loss in the left eye following LASIK, resulting in corneal stroma opacity 1 month later. The manifest refraction was -3.25 diopters sphere (DS)/-0.50 diopters cylinder (DC) × 100° in the right eye and +2.50 DS/-1.25 DC × 155° in the left eye. His left eye was treated with PTK and transplantation of an autologous lenticule obtained from his right eye using the SMILE procedure.
RESULTS
At the 2-year follow-up visit, the uncorrected distance visual acuity of the left eye had improved from 20/100 to 20/22 and the corrected distance visual acuity had improved from 20/25 to 20/18. Central corneal thickness had increased from 464 to 499 µm. The mean keratometry value had decreased from 45.00 diopters (D) at the 1-month follow-up visit to 39.40 D at the 2-year follow-up visit. Optical coherence tomography examination revealed that the lenticule remained transparent and exhibited a visible demarcation line.
CONCLUSIONS
The transplantation of an autologous lenticule obtained via SMILE combined with PTK improved uncorrected and corrected acuity in this patient with flap loss after LASIK. [J Refract Surg. 2018;34(4):281-285.]. | 10.3928/1081597X-20180130-01 |
pubmed_825_9203 | We studied in the rat epididymis the presence of membrane-bounded vesicles in the stereociliar areas of the epithelial cells. The intimate contact between principal cell stereocilia and luminal spermatozoa was also explored. The epididymidis of adult male albino rats were fixed with Mollenhauer's fixative via the thoracic aorta; they were removed and the caput and the cauda were separated and fixed for 4 additional hours at 4 degrees C. After fixation, the samples were processed with routine techniques for transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The study showed membrane-bounded vesicles in the lumen of the caput and cauda epididymidis. They are present between stereocilia, in the most peripheral regions of the epididymal lumen, and in a stereocilia-free zone in the apical plasma membrane of the principal cells. The smaller vesicles are located near the apical surface of the latter, and the larger ones are located near the tips of the stereocilia. Their contents are electron lucent in some images and electron dense in others. In several thin sections some of the vesicles are observed to have a stalk. This suggests that the possible mode of production may be an exocytotic process. Some membrane-bounded vesicles were found to be in contact with the head or the tail of maturating spermatozoa. Moreover, an intimate contact was found to exist in the epididymidis between the plasma membranes of the spermatozoa and the stereocilia. These observations seem to suggest two possible mechanisms for sperm-epididymal cell relations: 1) release of a secretion product via the membrane-bounded vesicles and 2) direct contact between stereocilia and spermatozoa. | 10.1002/ar.1092310207 |
pubmed_419_10114 | Although humans are hard-wired to pursue sensory pleasure, they show considerable heterogeneity in their moral evaluations of sensory pleasure. In some societies, sensory pleasure is pursued without any moral inhibition, but in other societies, it is considered to be immoral and actively suppressed. This research investigates the moral motives behind the suppression of sensory consumption. Is the suppression of sensory consumption caused by the moral motive to promote social justice or the moral motive to promote social order? We test these two competing accounts through country-level archival data and seven preregistered controlled experiments. We find robust evidence that the social-order emphasizing binding moral foundations (authority, loyalty, and purity; Haidt, 2007) suppress sensory consumption. Consequently, individuals and societies that adhere to the binding values are less likely to consume sensory products such as alcohol, tobacco, soda, fragrances, and sex toys. These effects are mediated by prescriptive moral beliefs and feelings of shame. We also identify several moderators of the moral suppression of sensory consumption. Binding values do not suppress sensory consumption after moral licensing. The effects of binding values on sensory consumption attenuate when the products are framed as status-affirming. Finally, while binding values suppress sensory consumption that is personal, they do not suppress sensory consumption that is shared. Altogether, our findings show that social-order emphasizing moral beliefs in society can inhibit the pursuit of pleasure and change consumption patterns in the economy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved). | 10.1037/pspp0000450 |
pubmed_1134_4828 | The ability to monitor transcription factor (TF) activation in the central nervous system (CNS) has the potential to provide novel information regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying a wide range of neurobiological processes. However, traditional biochemical assays limit the mapping of TF activity to select time points. In vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) has emerged as an attractive technology for visualizing internal molecular events in the same animal over time. Here, we evaluated the utility of BLI, in combination with virally mediated delivery of reporter constructs to cardiovascular nuclei, for monitoring of TF activity in these discrete brain regions. Following viral gene transfer of NF-kappaB-driven luciferase reporter to the subfornical organ (SFO), BLI enabled daily measurements of baseline TF activity in the same animal for 1 mo. Importantly, systemic endotoxin, a stimulator of NF-kappaB activity, induced dramatic and dose-dependent increases in NF-kappaB-dependent bioluminescence in the SFO up to 30 days after gene transfer. Cotreatment with a dominant-negative IkappaBalpha mutant significantly prevented endotoxin-dependent NF-kappaB activation, confirming the specificity of the bioluminescence signal. NF-kappaB-dependent luminescence signals were also stable and inducible 1 mo following delivery of luciferase reporter construct to the paraventricular nucleus or rostral ventrolateral medulla. Lastly, using targeted adenoviral delivery of an AP-1 responsive luciferase reporter, we showed similar baseline and endotoxin-induced AP-1 activity in these same brain regions as with NF-kappaB reporters. These results demonstrate that BLI, in combination with virally mediated gene transfer, is a powerful method for longitudinal monitoring and quantification of TF activity in targeted CNS nuclei in vivo. | 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00296.2007 |
pubmed_644_17370 | New and innovative educational approaches are needed to prepare a workforce that responds to diverse needs of people from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, languages, and worldviews. Despite some movement toward standardization of cultural curricular content, there remains a lack of consensus regarding pedagogical approaches to cultural education in nursing. An increasing number of nurse scholars have identified significant limitations in the process of cultural education in nursing and transcultural nursing theory. These critiques reflect a schism in the discipline regarding foundational theoretical perspectives and conceptualizations of culturally competent health care. This article offers a synthesis of transcultural nursing critiques that have appeared in the nursing literature over the past decade and explicates the philosophical tensions that underlie the varying pedagogical approaches to cultural education in nursing. | 10.3928/01484834-20080701-02 |
pubmed_757_18199 | Disease caused by antibiotic-resistant Salmonella is a serious clinical problem that poses a great threat to public health. The present study is aimed at assessing differences in bacterial kinetics with different antibiotic resistance profiles under environmental stress and at developing microbial tolerance models in lettuce during storage from 4 to 36°C. The drug-resistance phenotypes of 10 Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) isolates were examined using the broth microdilution method. The results of 10 S. Typhimurium isolates in the suspensions showed that a slow trend towards reduction of drug-sensitive (DS) isolates in relation to the others though without statistical difference. Compared to DS S. Typhimurium SA62, greater bacterial reduction was observed in multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. Typhimurium HZC3 during lettuce storage at 4°C (P < 0.05). It was likely that a cross-response between antibiotic resistance and food-associated stress tolerance. The greater growth in lettuce at 12°C was observed for DS S. Typhimurium SA62 compared to MDR S. Typhimurium HZC3 and was even statistically different (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed for bacterial growth between MDR S. Typhimurium HZC3 and DS S. Typhimurium SA62 strains in lettuce storage from 16 to 36°C (P > 0.05). The goodness-of-fit indices indicated the Log-linear primary model provided a satisfactory fit to describe the MDR S. Typhimurium HZC3 and DS S. Typhimurium SA62 survival at 4°C. A square root secondary model could be used to describe the effect of temperature (12, 16, 28, and 36°C) on the growth rates of S. Typhimurium HZC3 (adj - R 2 = 0.91, RMSE = 0.06) and S. Typhimurium SA62 (adj - R 2 = 0.99, RMSE = 0.01) derived from the Huang primary model. It was necessary to pay attention to the tolerance of antibiotic resistant bacteria under environmental stress, and the generated models could provide parts of the input data for microbial risk assessment of Salmonella with different antibiotic resistance profile in lettuce. | 10.1155/2021/5604458 |
others_256_12975 | Maternal phenylketonuria (PKU) in untreated women has resulted in offspring with microcephaly, mental retardation, congenital heart disease (CHD), and intrauterine growth retardation. The Maternal Phenylketonuria Collaborative Study (MPKUCS) was designed to determine the effect of dietary control of blood phenylalanine (Phe) during pregnancy in preventing damage to the fetus associated with untreated Maternal PKU. A cohort of offspring from MPKUS pregnancies was ascertained and examined to evaluate malformations, including CHD, craniofacial abnormalities, microcephaly, intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, other major and minor defects, and early abnormal neurological signs. For analysis, the women were grouped according to their mean Phe levels in μmol/liter, ±360, 361-600, 601-900, or >900, during critical gestational weeks of 0-8 (N = 203) and 8-12 (N = 190), and average for Phe exposure throughout pregnancy (N = 183). Frequencies of congenital abnormalities increased with increasing maternal Phe levels. Significant relationships included average Phe 0-8 weeks and CHD (P = 0.001); average Phe 8-12 weeks and brain, fetal, and postnatal growth retardation (P < 0.0005 for all), wide nasal bridge (P < 0.0005), and anteverted nares (P = 0.001); and average Phe exposure during the entire pregnancy and neurological signs (P < 0.0005). Although 14% of infants had CHD, none of the CHD occurred at 120-360 μmol/liter and only one (3%) at 361600 μmol/liter. At levels of 120-360 μmol/liter, there were three infants (6%) with microcephaly, two (4%) with post-natal growth, and none with intrauterine growth retardation, in contrast to 85%, 51%, and 26%, respectively, with Phe above 900 μmol/liter. These data support the concept that women with PKU should begin a low-phenylalanine diet to achieve Phe levels of <360 μmol/liter prior to conception and should maintain this throughout pregnancy | 10.1002/(SICI)1096-8628(19970303)69:1<89::AID-AJMG17>3.0.CO;2-K |
pubmed_893_8099 | BACKGROUND
Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are major causes of morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospital stay in patients after surgery. Using effective strategies to prevent its occurrence is essential to improve outcome. However, despite various efforts, the incidence of PPCs remains elevated in high-risk patients. Anticholinergic inhalation is used to reduce high airway resistance and improve pulmonary function; it may be helpful to decrease the risk of PPCs. Penehyclidine is a long-acting anticholinergic agent which selectively blocks M1 and M3 receptors. We hypothesize that, in high-risk patients, prophylactic penehyclidine inhalation may decrease the incidence of PPCs.
METHODS
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with two parallel arms. A total of 864 patients at high risk of PPCs will be enrolled and randomized to receive prophylactic inhalation of either penehyclidine or placebo (water for injection). Study drug inhalation will be administered from the night (7 pm) before surgery until the second day after surgery, in an interval of every 12 hours. The primary outcome is the incidence of PPCs within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes include the time to onset of PPCs (from end of surgery to first diagnosis of PPCs), the number of PPCs (indicates the number of diagnosed individual PPCs), the incidence of postoperative extrapulmonary complications, the length of stay in hospital after surgery, and the 30-day all-cause mortality.
DISCUSSION
Results of the present study will provide evidence to guide clinical practice in using prophylactic inhalation of an anticholinergic to prevent PPCs in high-risk patients.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was registered prospectively in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn , ChiCTR-IPC-15006603 ) on 14 May 2015 and retrospectively in ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02644876 ) on 30 December 2015. | 10.1186/s13063-017-2315-7 |
pubmed_414_22851 | AIM
Recombinant human growth/differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5) is being evaluated as a candidate therapy in support of periodontal regeneration. The objective of this study was to evaluate cementum and alveolar bone formation, and aberrant healing events following surgical implantation of rhGDF-5 in an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) carrier using an established periodontal defect model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Bilateral 4 x 5 mm (width x depth), one-wall, critical-size, intrabony periodontal defects were surgically created at the mandibular second and fourth pre-molar teeth in 15 Beagle dogs. Five animals received 1 microg/defect and five animals 20 microg/defect rhGDF-5 in unilateral defect sites. Contralateral sites received treatments reported elsewhere. Five animals received rhGDF-5/ACS with 0 (buffer control) and 100 microg/defect rhGDF-5 in contralateral defect sites. The animals were euthanized at 8 weeks post-surgery for histologic and histometric evaluation.
RESULTS
Surgical implantation of rhGDF-5 stimulated significant periodontal regeneration. Cementum formation was significantly enhanced in sites implanted with rhGDF-5 (1 and 100 microg) compared with control (p<0.05). Similarly, bone formation height was significantly greater in sites receiving rhGDF-5 (1 and 100 microg) compared with control (p<0.05). There were no significant or remarkable differences in bone and cementum formation within the selected dose interval (1, 20 and 100 microg rhGDF-5). None of the control or the rhGDF-5 sites exhibited root resorption, ankylosis, or other aberrant tissue reactions.
CONCLUSION
Surgical implantation of rhGDF-5/ACS may be used safely to support periodontal wound healing/regeneration in intrabony periodontal defects without complications. | 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01420.x |
pubmed_652_1033 | Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) play an important role as a formidable contender for next-generation lighting sources and rapidly replace conventional lighting sources. In this report, the growth of high density inclined ZnO nanorods (NRs) on the N-face n-GaN surface for high efficiency vertical light-emitting diodes (VLEDs) is demonstrated based on oxygen plasma pretreatment and hydrothermal growth. Surface modification by oxygen plasma pretreatment efficiently produces GaOx nanoparticles on the N-face n-GaN surface and they play an important role in the hydrothermal growth of dense and inclined ZnO NRs. The optical output power of ZnO NR VLEDs following oxygen plasma pretreatment is strongly enhanced by a factor of 3.25 at an injection current of 350 mA, compared to that of planar VLEDs. The large enhancement of optical power is attributed to the dense ZnO NR layer which efficiently reduces the total internal reflection and enhances the waveguide effect in ZnO NRs. | 10.1039/c4nr01503g |
pubmed_1136_5628 | UNLABELLED
Noise-induced hearing loss has been studied for many years and today many experts also investigate the synergic action of chemical products, since they can be potentially ototoxic.
AIM
to investigate the audiological findings in workers exposed to occupational noise and pesticide and to compare it to data from noise-exposed workers.
STUDY DESIGN
Clinical retrospective.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
individuals that had been exposed to pesticide and noise (group I), and individuals that had been exposed to noise only (group II).
RESULTS
The classification of the audiometric findings showed in that group I: 35% had normal hearing thresholds, 53.75% had degree 1 hearing loss and 11.25% had degree 2 hearing loss; and group II had 57.5% of normal hearing, 40% had degree 1 hearing loss and only 2.5% had degree 2 hearing loss. The analysis of the audiometric findings also showed a significant worsening after comparing groups I and II thresholds, in the frequency of 3 kHz on the left ear and 4 kHz on both ears.
CONCLUSION
The analysis showed that group I had worse audiometric thresholds compared to group II. | pubmed_1136_5628 |
pubmed_1057_20528 | Musculoskeletal dysfunctions are highly prevalent due to increasing life expectancy. Consequently, novel solutions to optimize treatment of patients are required. The current major research focus is to develop innovative concepts for single tissues. However, interest is also emerging to generate applications for tissue transitions where highly divergent properties need to work together, as in bone-cartilage or bone-tendon transitions. Finding medical solutions for dysfunctions of such tissue transitions presents an added challenge, both in research and in clinics. This review aims to provide an overview of the anatomical structure of healthy adult entheses and their development during embryogenesis. Subsequently, important scientific progress in restoration of damaged entheses is presented. With respect to enthesis dysfunction, the review further focuses on inflammation. Although molecular, cellular and tissue mechanisms during inflammation are well understood, tissue regeneration in context of inflammation still presents an unmet clinical need and goes along with unresolved biological questions. Furthermore, this review gives particular attention to the potential role of a signaling mediator protein, transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase-1 (TAK1), which is at the node of regenerative and inflammatory signaling and is one example for a less regarded aspect and potential important link between tissue regeneration and inflammation. | 10.3390/ijms21155177 |
pubmed_972_12474 | We report a case of a 70-year-old man with renal cell carcinoma and metastasis to the pancreas. Symptomatic patients usually present with obstructive jaundice, abdominal pain, or GI bleeding. The diagnosis usually occurs in asymptomatic patients during followup for renal cell carcinoma. It usually befalls slowly from 2 to 18 years after the onset of the primary tumor of the kidney. A 70-year-old man presented in our department with weight loss, anorexia, and elevated blood glucose, having a large tumor on the head of the pancreas treated successfully by pancreatoduodenectomy. Three years after his treatment, the patient is doing well and without recurrence of the tumor. In conclusion, metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the pancreas is a rare neoplasm accounting for 0.25-3% of all pancreatic tumors. | 10.1155/2012/464808 |
Subsets and Splits
No saved queries yet
Save your SQL queries to embed, download, and access them later. Queries will appear here once saved.