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pubmed_660_15969 | BACKGROUND
Given recent assertions suggesting that gender role endorsement may be relevant in the divergence of male body image concerns, this study examined the self-reported gender role endorsement in opposing dimensional extremes of male body image disorders, namely, muscle dysmorphia and anorexia nervosa. This study further examined the relationship between gender role endorsement and eating disordered and muscle dysmorphia disorder pathology.
METHODOLOGY
Participants were 21 male muscle dysmorphia patients, 24 male anorexia nervosa patients, and 30 male gym-using controls from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. All participants completed multidimensional measures of masculinity and femininity, and measures of eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology.
RESULTS
Patients with muscle dysmorphia reported significantly elevated adherence to masculine (but not feminine) norms relative to control gym-using men and men with anorexia nervosa, whereas patients with anorexia nervosa exhibited elevated feminine (but not masculine) gender role endorsement relative to control gym-using men and men with muscle dysmorphia.
CONCLUSIONS
Masculine and feminine gender role endorsement appear to be associated with the divergence of body image concerns towards muscularity and thinness-oriented ideals respectively. | 10.1186/2050-2974-1-11 |
pubmed_203_10927 | Thirty-two vanB2 Enterococcus faecium isolates were found to harbor Tn5382. Twenty-four isolates had a 1,419-bp sequence inserted within the open reading frame (ORF) C of Tn5382. This 1,419-bp sequence contained a 638-bp ORF with a 72% amino acid sequence homology with the transposase gene of IS150. Thirty isolates had the pbp5 gene linked to Tn5382. | 10.1128/AAC.49.9.3937-3939.2005 |
pubmed_306_13753 | Tissue culture propagation was performed on the spice shrub damiana (Turnera diffusa. Willd.) using MS medium (Murashige and Skoog 1962) supplemented with different combinations of the plant growth regulators, 6-benzyl adenine (BA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Organogenesis of leaf explants from wild plants and explants from propagated cuttings was compared; only the former regenerated complete plants. The highest shooting rate (92%) occurred at a concentration of 10(-7) M BA plus 10(-6) M IBA. Regenerated shoots were rooted in MS medium without any plant growth regulators. Foliage productivity of the micropropagated plants under field cultivation was determined yearly over 3 years. The yield increased annually for the first two years. The quantity of essential oils in propagated plants was similar to that of wild plants growing nearby. We propose tissue culture propagation of damiana as a viable means of domestication of this wild plant for semi-arid agriculture in Mexico. Commercial propagation would help to conserve wild populations of damiana that are currently threatened by overharvesting. | 10.1007/BF00231623 |
pubmed_791_14625 | BACKGROUND
Fluorescence-guided surgery can provide surgeons with an imaging tool for real-time intraoperative tumor detection. SGM-101, an anti-CEA antibody labelled with a fluorescent dye, is a tumor-specific imaging agent that can aid in improving detection and complete resection for CEA-positive tumors. In this study, the performance of SGM-101 for the detection of colorectal and pancreatic liver metastases was investigated.
METHODS
In this open-label, non-randomized, single-arm pilot study, patients were included with liver metastases from colorectal origin and intraoperatively detected liver metastases from pancreatic origin (during planned pancreatic surgery). SGM-101 was administered two to four days before the scheduled surgery as a single intravenous injection. Intraoperative fluorescence imaging was performed using the Quest Spectrum® imaging system. The performance of SGM-101 was assessed by measuring the intraoperative fluorescence signal and comparing this to histopathology.
RESULTS
A total of 19 lesions were found in 11 patients, which were all suspected as malignant in white light and subsequent fluorescence inspection. Seventeen lesions were malignant with a mean tumor-to-background ratio of 1.7. The remaining two lesions were false-positives as proven by histology.
CONCLUSION
CEA-targeted fluorescence-guided intraoperative tumor detection with SGM-101 is feasible for the detection of colorectal and pancreatic liver metastases. | 10.1016/j.ejso.2020.10.034 |
pubmed_976_72 | OBJECTIVES
To study the effect of different doses of hGH (biosynthetic human growth hormone--Humatrope) administration on the profile of IGFBP-3 in hypopituitary patients with GHD and to find out the extent of production of IGFBP-3 proteases, which results in the elevated biological IGF-I activity.
STUDY DESIGN
Ten patients (after 1. collection) were randomized according to the dose of hGH, administered within three months, into group I: 3 micrograms/kg/day and group II: 6 micrograms/kg/day. After 2. collection the doses of hGH were in both groups duplicated and administered another three months (3. collection).
METHODS
RIA's were used to analyse GH, IGF-I, total IGFBP-3 and fIGF-I. The profile of IGFBP-3 forms was studied by electrophoresis with western immunoblotting.
RESULTS
Anabolic effect of administered hGH was demonstrated by significant increase of IGF-I and total IGFBP-3 in both groups of patients. It was evident that this increase is associated with the raise of proteolytic fragment of IGFBP-3 (29 kD).
CONCLUSION
The increased doses of hGH change the profile of IGFBP-3 in the sense of increasing concentrations of IGFBP-3 (29 kD). As proteolytic clipping of intact IGFBP-3 is associated with the raise of fIGF-I levels in individual patients it is possible to consider 29 kD IGFBP-3 as the marker of the therapy of hGH in our study. However, the increasing tendency to fIGF-I production after 2-fold higher administration of hGH in majority of patients in the trial is not in average significant so it means that the doses of hGH administered to each individual should be optimalized. | pubmed_976_72 |
pubmed_1004_9045 | For the neutrino mass determination experiment KATRIN, the long-term stability of the spectrometer voltage is of crucial importance. Therefore, it is planned to control the voltage continuously in a smaller spectrometer, which monitors the position of the conversion electron line emitted in the 32 keV transition in the decay of (83m)Kr. Due to the short half-life of (83m)Kr (t(1/2)=1.83h), it has to be supplied by a long-lived (83m)Kr((83)Rb) generator (t(1/2)=86d). Here, a hitherto unexploited method for the efficient production of (83)Rb and its suitability for its application in the KATRIN monitor spectrometer is described. | 10.1016/j.apradiso.2008.04.020 |
pubmed_982_11804 | Although CXCR4-tropic viruses are relatively uncommon among untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals except during advanced immunodeficiency, the prevalence of CXCR4-tropic viruses among treated patients with detectable viremia is unknown. To address this issue, viral coreceptor usage was measured with a single-cycle recombinant-virus phenotypic entry assay in treatment-naive and treated HIV-infected participants with detectable viremia sampled from 2 clinic-based cohorts. Of 182 treated participants, 75 (41%) harbored dual/mixed or X4-tropic viruses, compared with 178 (18%) of the 976 treatment-naive participants (P<.001). This difference remained significant after adjustment for CD4+ T cell count and CCR5 Delta 32 genotype. Enrichment for dual/mixed/X4-tropic viruses among treated participants was largely but incompletely explained by lower pretreatment nadir CD4 + T cell counts. CCR5 inhibitors may thus be best strategically used before salvage therapy and before significant CD4 + T cell depletion. | 10.1086/507312 |
pubmed_433_7098 | Genomic selection enables cumulative genetic gains in key production traits such as disease resistance, playing an important role in the economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture production. However, it requires genome-wide genetic marker data on large populations, which can be prohibitively expensive. Genotype imputation is a cost-effective method for obtaining high-density genotypes, but its value in aquaculture breeding programs which are characterized by large full-sibling families has yet to be fully assessed. The aim of this study was to optimize the use of low-density genotypes and evaluate genotype imputation strategies for cost-effective genomic prediction. Phenotypes and genotypes (78,362 SNPs) were obtained for 610 individuals from a Scottish Atlantic salmon breeding program population (Landcatch, UK) challenged with sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis The genomic prediction accuracy of genomic selection was calculated using GBLUP approaches and compared across SNP panels of varying densities and composition, with and without imputation. Imputation was tested when parents were genotyped for the optimal SNP panel, and offspring were genotyped for a range of lower density imputation panels. Reducing SNP density had little impact on prediction accuracy until 5,000 SNPs, below which the accuracy dropped. Imputation accuracy increased with increasing imputation panel density. Genomic prediction accuracy when offspring were genotyped for just 200 SNPs, and parents for 5,000 SNPs, was 0.53. This accuracy was similar to the full high density and optimal density dataset, and markedly higher than using 200 SNPs without imputation. These results suggest that imputation from very low to medium density can be a cost-effective tool for genomic selection in Atlantic salmon breeding programs. | 10.1534/g3.119.400800 |
pubmed_776_19134 | PURPOSE
To investigate the cause and clinical significance of arterial enhancement (AE) in contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR examinations after acute cerebral ischemia.
METHODS
Contrast MR examinations and conventional angiograms of 17 patients studied following an acute ischemic event or an internal carotid occlusion were retrospectively reviewed. MR and angiographic studies were performed within 1 day of each other. The presence of AE was correlated with both angiographic findings and patient clinical status.
RESULTS
AE was not confined to patients with angiographic evidence of complete arterial occlusion. Only 64% of patients demonstrating AE had complete occlusion angiographically. Complete arterial occlusion did not always correlate with AE. In two of nine patients with complete occlusion, no AE was identified. In five of 10 patients with AE, angiographic slow flow was identified. In patients without AE, no angiographic slow flow was identified. In the 64% of patients with AE, significant symptoms were identified. Patients without AE were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms at the time of the MR study.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data support the hypothesis that arterial slowing is the cause of AE, which appears to be an indicator of decreased brain perfusion. Such MR findings may add important supplemental information to those provided by conventional angiography. | pubmed_776_19134 |
pubmed_1121_8314 | The present moment is not the first time that America has found itself at war with a pathogen during a time of international conflict. Between crowded barracks at home and trenches abroad, wartime conditions helped enable the spread of influenza in the fall of 1918 during World War I such that an estimated 20-40% of U.S. military members were infected. While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unparalleled for most of today's population, it is essential to not view it as unprecedented lest the lessons of past pandemics and their effect on the American military be forgotten. This article provides a historical perspective on the effect of the most notable antecedent pandemic, the Spanish Influenza epidemic, on American forces with the goal of understanding the interrelationship of global pandemics and the military, highlighting the unique challenges of the current pandemic, and examining how the American military has fought back against pandemics both at home and abroad, both 100 years ago and today. | 10.1186/s40779-021-00299-3 |
pubmed_337_24145 | Cyanobacterial blooms caused by water eutrophication have become a worldwide problem. Microcystins (MCs), especially microcystin-LR (MC-LR), released during cyanobacterial blooms exert great toxicity on fish and even lead to massive death. The present study mainly investigated the pathological damage and immune response of spleen, gut and gill in zebrafish exposed to MC-LR. Fish were exposed to 0, 1, 5 and 20 μg/L of MC-LR for 30 d. In zebrafish exposed to 5 and 20 μg/L MC-LR, edematous mitochondria, deformation of the nucleus and compaction of chromatin were observed in lymphocyte of spleen; frayed gut villi, exfoliation of epithelial cells and widespread cell lyses were observed in intestines; hyperemia in gill lamellae, epithelial tissue edema and uplift and lamellar fusion were observed in gill. Varied changed gene expression was observed in spleen, intestine and gill of zebrafish. The transcriptional levels of IFN-1 and IL-8 in spleen significantly up-regulated in 20 μg/L group, and the transcription of IL-1β and TNFα in spleen increased in 1 μg/L MC-LR treated fish. In addition, the mRNA levels of IFN-1, IL-1β, IL-8, TGF-β and TNF-α dramatically increased in intestine and gill in all MC-LR treated groups. The present studies indicated that MC-LR exposure caused marked pathological damage, however, fish could adjust actively the expression of innate immune-related genes to resist the tissue damage. Our findings provided strong evidence of the recovery potential of fish exposed to microcystins. | pubmed_337_24145 |
pubmed_572_10514 | To reduce heavy metal leaching and stabilize municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash, different methods and combination of methods were tested: water washing, electrodialytic separation and thermal treatment at 1000°C. A comparison of heavy metal concentration and leaching levels of As, Cr, Pb and Zn for the different untreated and treated ashes was made. The results showed that minimizing leaching to meet the limiting values of the all the studied heavy metals can be obtained at the same time by combining water washing, electrodialytic separation and thermal treatment. The ash subjected to this combination had lower Cr than the ash solely subjected to thermal treatment or subjected to water washing prior to thermal treatment. The electrodialytic separation (EDS) of the washed ash lowered pH from alkaline to acidic, which resulted in elevated leaching of Cd and Zn, while the Cr leaching was reduced. Up to 58.6% of Zn and 5.5% of Pb were extracted by EDS compared to less than 0.6% extraction by water washing. During thermal treatment of the EDS treated ash, the ash was re-alkalized. Due to solidification and possibly evaporation, most heavy elements left in the thermally treated ash were stabilized and immobilized. However, leaching of As and/or Cr was still problematic and did not meet the limit value for the thermally treated ash being recycled in construction work. The removal of Ca and decomposition of Ca oxides and minerals during EDS was linked to the leaching patterns of As and Cr after thermal treatment. | 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.07.011 |
pubmed_1104_12028 | Two case reports in which a ventilating tube exchanger was used during tracheostomy in patients with potential for difficult reintubation are presented. We recommend leaving the ventilating tube exchanger in place for 48 hours to allow reintubation from above in the event of inadvertent decannulation in cases where difficult intubation is anticipated. Ventilating tube exchangers have been used to assist in the management of difficult airways in a variety of ways. These methods include the use of ventilating tube exchangers as malleable stylets, endotracheal tube exchangers and conduits through which oxygen can be delivered. We present two cases in which a ventilating tube exchanger was used as an adjunct to airway management in a novel fashion. | 10.1016/s0952-8180(00)00243-9 |
others_13_6978 | Hematopoietic progenitors express HLA-DR molecules. However the significance of HLA-class II molecules on CD34+ cells remains unknown. The primary role of HLA-class-II molecules is antigen presentation although a second role, that of signal transduction, has been established in B cells. The role of HLA-DR in hematopoiesis was examined by determining the ability of CD34+ progenitor cells to differentiate to 'Colony Forming Unit Granulocyte-Macrophage' (CFU-GM) and 'Burst Forming Unit Erythrocyte' (BFU-E) in the presence of anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody. We observed a reduction in the number of CFU-GM which was due in part to down regulation of granulocyte rather than monocyte differentiation. These observations suggest that HLA-DR signals can regulate myelopoiesis. We point out especially the role of the HLA-DR molecule in the switch of CFU-GM between granulocyte or monocyte lineages. Although HLA-DR mediated apoptosis has been described in mature B lymphocytes apoptosis of CD34+ cells was excluded as a mechanism | 10.1016/S0198-8859(99)00089-0 |
pubmed_137_13745 | A case of Hunter syndrome, 6½-year-old boy presented with persistent thrombocytopenia and bleeding diathesis. However, cytopenia is not a usual presentation in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis II. After ruling out other causes of severe thrombocytopenia, a clinical possibility of chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was considered. He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin for refractory thrombocytopenia and intracranial bleed. This was followed by oral prednisolone. The EBV serology was found positive. Platelet counts gradually recovered and no recurrence of bleeds was observed. EBV infection usually causes haematological abnormalities, mainly atypical lymphocytosis, which is a feature of infectious mononucleosis, and uncomplicated cases often present with mild decreases in platelet counts. Severe thrombocytopenia is an extremely rare complication of acute or chronic EBV infection. In Asians, EBV infection should be considered in children presenting with thrombocytopenia, bleeding diathesis and anaemia along with organomegaly. | 10.1136/bcr-2018-226518 |
pubmed_987_13796 | Industrial sectors are searching for new compounds to improve the preservation of food and blood, human tissues, and fuels used at low temperatures. Antarctic microorganisms have mechanisms to overcome injuries caused by low temperatures, making them sources of compounds with antifreeze activity. However, it is mandatory that such compounds do not pose a risk to human health. The present study evaluated the potential of Antarctic bacteria to resist freezing, produce virulence factors, their tolerance to physiological pHs/temperature and resistance to antibiotics. Sixty-five isolates were tested for antifreeze compound production, among which, 31 grew after the test. Of these, 3 strains of Arthrobacter sp. (356, 358 and 443), one Psychromonas arctica (ESH238) and one unidentified strain (363) showed positive results for hemolytic activity. Psychrobacter sp. 456 showed proteinase activity. None of the isolates showed resistance to the antibiotics. All isolates were able to grow in one of the three pHs (4, 7 and 8) and/or temperature (36, 38 and 40 ºC). Antarctic bacterial present potential for the production of antifreeze compounds and may be considered safe in industrial processes. The characterization of the genes responsible for virulence factors should be carried out to reinforce the potential applicability of such bacteria. | 10.1590/0001-3765202220210459 |
pubmed_250_6651 | With the full BABAR data sample of 465 x 10(6) B(over)B pairs, we observe the decays B+/- -->phiK_(1)(1270) +/- and B +/- -->phiK*_(2)(1430)+/-. We measure the branching fractions (6.1+/-1.6+/-1.1) x 10(-6) and (8.4+/-1.8+/-1.0) x 10(-6) and the fractions of longitudinal polarization 0.46 (+0.12+0.06) _(-0.13-0.07) and 0.80(+0.09)_(-0.10)+/-0.03, respectively. We also report on the B+/- -->phiK*_(0)(1430)+/- decay branching fraction of (7.0+/-1.3+/-0.9) x 10(-6) and several parameters sensitive to CP violation and interference in the above three decays. Upper limits are placed on the B+/- decay rates to final states with phi and K_1(1400)+/-, K*(1410)+/-, K2(1770)+/-, or K_2(1820)+/-. Understanding the observed polarization pattern requires amplitude contributions from an uncertain source. | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.161801 |
others_314_83931 | Terrestrial vertebrates have adapted to life on Earth and its constant gravitational field, which exerts load on the body and influences the structure and function of tissues. While the effects of microgravity on muscle and bone homeostasis are well described, the effects of shorter exposures to increased gravitational fields are less well characterized. Here, we exposed zebrafish to 3 and 6g hypergravity from 3-5 days post fertilisation, when key events in jaw cartilage morphogenesis occur. We did not observe changes to growth, or morphology of cartilage or muscle. However, we observed altered mechanical properties of jaw cartilages. We model the impact of these material property changes using Finite Element Analysis and show strain distribution in the jaw is altered following hypergravity. In regions of predicted altered strain we observed local changes to chondrocyte morphology, suggesting altered gravity affects chondrocyte maturation, ultimately leading to changes to cartilage structure and fun | 10.1101/2020.05.26.116046 |
pubmed_929_22017 | Environmental risk assessment (ERA) increasingly relies on speciation modeling of bioavailability. Heavy metals are the most prevalent pollutants globally, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in speciation and bioavailability of heavy metals. Due to the variation of DOM properties in natural aquatic systems, improvements to the standard one-size-fits-all approach to modeling metal-DOM interactions are needed for ERA. In this study, we investigate variations in DOM and lead (Pb)-DOM binding in Lake Tai (Taihu), a large, impacted lake in eastern China that is characterized by a complex drainage network and is an important water resource at a regional level, and we assess implications of our findings within the context of ERA needs. In our study, DOM in water samples collected from across the 2,400 km2 area of Taihu was characterized using three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy spectra, the latter being used to calculate conditional stability constants for metal binding. Parallel factor analysis and peak picking were used to assess contributions of protein- and humic-like components of DOM, and fluorescence indices indicative of diagenetic processes were calculated. These quantities calculated from spectroscopic studies, in addition to water quality parameters, were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results show that different DOM components are highly variable across different regions of Taihu, and bivariate and multivariate analyses confirm that water quality and DOM characterization parameters are strongly interrelated. This reflects the different inputs, diagenetic and transport processes across the large expanse of Taihu. We find that the conditional stability constant of Pb-DOM binding is strongly affected by the water chemical properties and composition of DOM, though the conditional stability constant is not itself a parameter that differentiates lake water properties in different regions of the lake. The variability of DOM composition and Pb-DOM binding strength across Taihu is consistent with prior findings that a one-size-fits-all approach to metal-DOM binding may lead to inaccuracies in commonly used speciation models, and therefore such generalized approaches need improvement for regional-level ERA in complex watersheds. The approach taken here to obtain site-specific metal-DOM conditional stability constants for use in increasing the accuracy of speciation modeling is fit-for-purpose for ERA applications at regional levels because the approach is relatively simple, inexpensive, and amenable to high throughput analysis. | 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115478 |
pubmed_1098_373 | BACKGROUND
Trigeminal nerve-mediated head-shaking (TNMH) in horses is a diagnosis made by exclusion. Computed tomography (CT) is frequently used to identify any disease process that could cause the clinical signs of head-shaking. Although abnormalities are frequently identified, it is unknown whether treatment of these conditions improves clinical signs.
OBJECTIVES
To ascertain the clinical significance of CT findings in horses presented with a complaint of head-shaking.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective case series.
METHODS
CT and patient records were reviewed and all abnormal findings and any treatments subsequently carried out was recorded. A questionnaire was sent to referring veterinarians and owners were contacted by telephone to establish whether treatment of the identified condition improved clinical signs.
RESULTS
This study included 103 horses presented for head CT with the complaint of head-shaking with follow-up information obtained for 84 horses (81.6%). The diagnosis of TNMH was based on a combination of positive maxillary nerve block and/or response to treatment for TNMH. Although TNMH was the most common diagnosis with 62 horses (60.2%) affected, in 22 horses (21.4%), a primary disease process was identified and treatment of the condition eliminated signs of head-shaking. Clinically relevant primary diseases included dental fracture, primary sinusitis, temporo-mandibular joint arthritis, nuchal bursitis, musculoskeletal pathologies, basisphenoid fracture, otitis externa and a mass affecting the infra-orbital nerve.
MAIN LIMITATIONS
Some clinical information was missing and follow-up information was not obtained in all cases.
CONCLUSIONS
CT was perceived as a useful diagnostic tool by most veterinarians, ruling out significant abnormalities. In over 20% of the cases, a treatable primary condition was identified leading to complete resolution of clinical signs. | 10.1111/evj.13889 |
pubmed_184_5567 | Autoantibody determinations in 1284 healthy Caucasian subjects of various age groups were made by indirect immunofluorescence for anti-nuclear, anti-gastric, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. A sex-dependent relationship between age and prevalence of anti-gastric and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies was found. No association was found between age and anti-nuclear antibodies. | 10.1016/0047-6374(79)90021-6 |
pubmed_620_2113 | 1. Synthesis of several pepstatin A derivatives was performed with the aim of increasing water solubility without altering the capacity to inhibit the renin-angiotensinogen reaction. 2. Pepstatinyl-arginine-O-methyl ester was studied in vitro and in vivo and compared with pepstatin A and with the arginine salt of pepstatin A. 3. This compound inhibited in vitro the reaction between purified hog renin and the synthetic renin N-acetyl-tetradecapeptide or the natural rat renin substrate. The inhibitory constant was of the same order of magnitude as that of pepstatin A. 4. In renal hypertensive rats, the bolus injection of pepstatinyl-arginine-O-methyl-ester or of the arginine salt of pepstatin decreased blood pressure to the same extent as a bolus injection of Sar1, Ala8-angiotensin II. | pubmed_620_2113 |
pubmed_1095_21770 | Reaction of d0 Ta(NMe2)5 (1) with O2 yields two aminoxy complexes (Me2N)(n)Ta(eta2-ONMe2)(5-n) (n = 4, 2; 3, 3) as well as (Me2N)4Ta2[eta2-N(Me)CH2NMe2]2(mu-O)2 (4) and (Me2N)6Ta3[eta2-N(Me)CH2NMe2]2(eta2-ONMe2)(mu-O)3 (5) containing novel chelating (aminomethyl)amide-N(Me)CH2NMe2 ligands. The crystal structures of 2-5 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. (Me2N)4Ta(eta2-ONMe2) (2) converts to (Me2N)3Ta(eta2-ONMe2)2 (3) in its reaction with O2. In addition, the reaction of Ta(NMe2)5 with 3 gives 2 only at elevated temperatures. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to investigate the mechanistic pathways in the reactions of Ta(NMe2)5 (1) with triplet O2. Monomeric reaction pathways in the formation of 2-5 are proposed. A key step is the oxygen insertion into a Ta-N bond in 1 through an intersystem conversion from triplet to singlet energy surface to give an active peroxide complex (Me2N)4Ta(eta2-O-O-NMe2) (A4). The DFT studies indicate that the peroxide ligand plays an important role, including oxidizing an amide to an imine ligand through the abstraction of a hydride. Insertion of Me-N=CH2 into a Ta-amide bond yields the unusual -N(Me)CH2NMe2 ligands. | 10.1021/ja075076a |
pubmed_242_15287 | PURPOSE
Calcium regulates many functions of the RPE. Its concentration in the subretinal space and RPE cytoplasm is closely regulated. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a superfamily of ion channels that are moderately calcium-selective. This study investigates the subcellular localization and potential functions of TRP channels in a first-passage culture model of human fetal RPE (hfRPE).
METHODS
The RPE isolated from 15- to 16-week gestation fetuses were maintained in serum-free media. Cultures were treated with barium chloride (BaCl2) in the absence and presence of TRP channel inhibitors and monitored by the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). The expression of TRP channels was determined using quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy.
RESULTS
Barium chloride substantially decreased TER and disrupted cell-cell contacts when added to the apical surface of RPE, but not when added to the basolateral surface. The effect could be partially blocked by the general TRP inhibitor, lanthanum chloride (LaCl3, ~75%), or an inhibitor of calpain (~25%). Family member-specific inhibitors, ML204 (TRPC4) and HC-067047 (TRPV4), had no effect on basal channel activity. Expression of TRPC4, TRPM1, TRPM3, TRPM7, and TRPV4 was detected by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. The TRPM3 localized to the base of the primary cilium, and TRPC4 and TRPM3 localized to apical tight junctions. The TRPV4 localized to apical microvilli in a small subset of cells.
CONCLUSIONS
The TRP channels localized to subdomains of the apical membrane, and BaCl2 was only able to dissociate tight junctions when presented to the apical membrane. The data suggest a potential role for TRP channels as sensors of [Ca(2+)] in the subretinal space. | 10.1167/iovs.14-15738 |
pubmed_34_19724 | The effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the expression of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in spared dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and associated dorsal horns were evaluated in cats subjected to bilateral removal of L1-L5 and L7-S2 DRG, while sparing L6 DRG and were demonstrated using Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR techniques. On the acupunctured side, there was a significant increase in the total number of PDGF positive neurons. Large neurons of the L6 DRG at 7 days post operation (dpo), and small to medium-sized neurons at 14 dpo, as well as in the lamina II of the L6 spinal cord at 14 dpo was observed. The expression of PDGF protein increased significantly in the L6 DRG at 7 and 14 dpo and in the dorsal horn of the L6 spinal cord at 14 dpo while the upregulation of PDGF mRNA was seen at 3 dpo in the L6 DRG and the dorsal horn of the L3 and L6 spinal cord. These findings demonstrate that intrinsic PDGF has been upregulated in cats subjected to partial dorsal root ganglionectomy following EA, indicating endogenous PDGF is involved in promoting spinal plasticity following EA. | 10.1007/s11064-007-9451-5 |
pubmed_513_376 | Adrenal glands from 9 twins, born before the 35th week of pregnancy were examined in order to determine the incidence of microcystic changes in the outer cortex. The lesion was found concordantly in 5 pairs of twins and discordantly in one single pair. One of these twins, discordant for the lesion, died immediately after the delivery, the other one 17 days later. The first child had microcystic changes in the outer cortex while the longer surviving brother was devoid of them. These findings favor the hypothesis that the microcystic change of the outer cortex of fetal adrenal glands is most probably caused by some systemic disorder, which affects simultaneously both twins. The lesions seen to be reversible and/or transient and heal spontaneosly if the child survives. | pubmed_513_376 |
pubmed_932_17647 | BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Certain lines of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) are more tolerant of salinity than others. The physiological basis of this difference is examined in a comparative study of a saline-tolerant and saline-intolerant line that emphasizes plant water relations.
METHODOLOGY
Effects of salt-treatment (75 mM maximum) extending from a few hours to 3 weeks were quantified in 8-day-old seedlings of a saline-sensitive wild barley line ('T-1') and a less saline-sensitive line ('20-45'). Plants were grown in nutrient culture. Levels of mRNA of the HtPIP2;4 aquaporin (AQP) gene were determined together with a range of physiological responses including root hydraulic conductivity, osmotic potential of root xylem sap, transpiration, leaf relative water content, root water content, leaf water potential, leaf sap osmolality, leaf length, leaf area and chlorophyll content.
PRINCIPAL RESULTS
Salt treatment inhibited transpiration and hydraulic conductivity more in salt-tolerant '20-45' plants than in salt-sensitive 'T-1'. In '20-45', the effect was paralleled by a fast (within a few hours) and persistent (3 days) down-regulation of aquaporin. In salt-sensitive 'T-1' plants, aquaporin down-regulation was delayed for up to 24 h. Greater tolerance in '20-45' plants was characterized by less inhibition of leaf area, root fresh weight, leaf water content and chlorophyll concentration. Leaf water potentials were similar in both lines.
CONCLUSIONS
(i) Decline in hydraulic conductivity in salt-treated barley plants is important for stomatal closure, (ii) lowered transpiration rate is beneficial for salt tolerance, at least at the seedling stage and (iii) changes in AQP expression are implicated in the control of whole plant hydraulic conductivity and the regulation of shoot water relations. | 10.1093/aobpla/plq006 |
pubmed_686_12631 | The objective of this research was to develop a robust preservation method for stabilizing inorganic As(IlI/V) species in synthetic and actual groundwaters. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), H2SO4, H3PO4, and EDTA-acetic acid (HAc) were evaluated in synthetic groundwater containing 3 mg/L Fe(ll) in the pH range 6.5-8.4 and Eh range -100 to +200 mV at room temperature. In the absence of strong UV light, only EDTA-HAc was found to be an effective preservative under all the experimental conditions tested. A total of 89 samples (including 16 samples in triplicate) from 55 drinking waterwells in Minnesota, California, and North Dakota were preserved with a combination of EDTA-HAc and speciated to evaluate its effectiveness for preserving inorganic arsenic species in actual groundwater samples. The preserved and field-speciated samples were repeatedly speciated and analyzed in the laboratory for up to 85 days after collection. Field-speciated As(lll) concentrations were compared with the As(lll) concentrations in the preserved samples. The results were highly correlated (slope 0.9773, R2 = 0.9986), which indicates that during sample transportation and storage the distribution of arsenic species did not change for samples preserved with EDTA-HAc. | 10.1021/es051185i |
pubmed_164_2184 | OBJECTIVES
The goals of this study were to determine the content of organic acids and inorganic anions in human saliva by using an ion chromatography method, to compare the organic acid and inorganic anion concentrations before and after a sugar rinse, and to investigate the relationships between the levels of each compound.
DESIGN
Saliva samples were obtained from 37 subjects before and up to 60min after intake of a 10% glucose solution. Concentrations of seven organic acids (lactate, acetate, propionate, formate, butyrate, pyruvate, and valerate) and four inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, sulphate, and phosphate) were determined via anion-exchange chromatography with an anion-suppressed conductivity detector.
RESULTS
The current analytical method showed good precision and accuracy. Organic acid levels increased after the sugar rinse and recovered to control levels within 20min. Acetate was the predominant organic acid detected in the saliva before the sugar rinse, and lactate was the predominant organic acid detected after the sugar rinse. The overall organic acid content generated by the sugar rinse was positively correlated with the chloride, sulphate, and phosphate concentration, but somewhat negatively correlated with the fluoride concentration.
CONCLUSIONS
Organic acid levels are increased in human saliva by glucose metabolism. Furthermore, the formation of organic acids following glucose intake is influenced by the prevailing anion content. | pubmed_164_2184 |
pubmed_33_19467 | This study aimed to investigate homogeneity disorders of ventricular repolarization and atrial conduction via QT dispersion and P-wave dispersion in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Three groups of 20 each were generated and involved in this study. The first group included 20 children with both CHD and PAH. The second group consisted of 20 children with CHD but no PAH, and the third group was composed of 20 age- and sex-matched healthy children. Electrocardiographic records were used to determine P-wave, QT, and corrected QT (QTc) dispersions. The pulmonary hypertension group compared with the group having no pulmonary hypertension and the control group showed a significantly longer P-wave dispersion duration (39.10 ± 9.54 vs. 26.30 ± 4.99 ms, p < 0.001; and 24.80 ± 6.94 ms, p < 0.001, respectively) and QT dispersion duration (52.80 ± 15.11 vs. 37.60 ± 6.00 ms, p < 0.001; and 35.00 ± 7.77 ms, p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, the durations of maximum QTc and QTc dispersion were significantly longer in pulmonary hypertension group than in the other two groups. The risk of atrial and ventricular arrhythmia was found to be increased in the patients with both CHD and PAH. Physicians should pay close attention to possible atrial and ventricular arrhythmias during the treatment and follow-up evaluation of these patients. | 10.1007/s00246-012-0503-5 |
pubmed_888_795 | Antibodies specific for self-antigens mediate life-threatening pathology in several autoimmune diseases. Clearly the ability to target the plasma cells (PCs) producing the autoantibodies would be of great clinical benefit. Current immunosuppressive therapies are based on the premise that autoreactive PCs are short-lived and replenished from ongoing immune responses. However, recent results question this assumption and suggest that optimizing the treatment of severe autoimmune conditions will require a significant investment in elucidating the details of PC biology. | 10.1084/jem.20040719 |
pubmed_392_17670 | Under the impact of COVID-19, the status and mechanisms of post-traumatic growth among medical workers facing challenges related to family-work conflict are of great concern. In view of the complex relationship between family-work conflict and post-traumatic growth, the present study sought to explore the specific relationships between family-work conflict and post-traumatic growth as well as the specific roles of positive psychological capital, perceived social support, and suppression. We recruited 1,347 participants. The results revealed that positive psychological capital and perceived social support played mediating roles, while suppression strategies moderated the mediating effect. Compared with the low suppression group, the negative impact of family-work conflict on positive psychological capital and perceived social support was reduced in the high suppression group. Thus, a higher level of suppression was more conducive to post-traumatic growth. The current study enriches and expands the findings of previous studies in theory and provides practical ways to promote post-traumatic growth in medical workers. | 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.743970 |
pubmed_614_2795 | Senegal has a high rate of tuberculosis and a low HIV seropositivity rate and aspergilloma, life-threatening fungal infections, dermatophytosis and mycetoma have been reported in this study. All published epidemiology papers reporting fungal infection rates from Senegal were identified. Where no data existed, we used specific populations at risk and fungal infection frequencies in each to estimate national incidence or prevalence. The results show that tinea capitis is common being found in 25% of children, ~1.5 million. About 191,000 Senegalese women get recurrent vaginal thrush, ≥4 times annually. We estimate 685 incident cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) following TB and prevalence of 2160 cases. Asthma prevalence in adults varies from 3.2% to 8.2% (mean 5%); 9976 adults have allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and 13,168 have severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS). Of the 59,000 estimated HIV-positive patients, 366 develop cryptococcal meningitis; 1149 develop Pneumocystis pneumonia and 1946 develop oesophageal candidiasis, in which oral candidiasis (53%) and dermatophytosis (16%) are common. Since 2008-2010, 113 cases of mycetoma were diagnosed. In conclusion, we estimate that 1,743,507 (12.5%) people in Senegal suffer from a fungal infection, excluding oral candidiasis, fungal keratitis, invasive candidiasis or aspergillosis. Diagnostic and treatment deficiencies should be rectified to allow epidemiological studies. | 10.1111/myc.12381 |
pubmed_216_7525 | The profile of both infectious and non-infectious lung diseases in South Africa over the past century reflects prevailing sociopolitical and economic forces. The lung, perhaps more than any other organ system is influenced by poverty, occupation and personal habits. These influences are seen in the association between tuberculosis and pneumoconiosis first described in miners, the increasing prevalence of asthma and smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the current dual epidemics of tuberculosis and infections associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The global prediction for developing countries is that by the year 2020 respiratory diseases (including infections) will account for a large majority of deaths and a considerable burden of disability adjusted life years. The country-wide Demographic and Health Surveys of 1998 and 2003 have provided data on symptom prevalence in South Africa. The Lung Health Survey 2002 performed in Cape Town provides disease prevalence and has identified complex interactions between causative factors and disease. Consistent and biologically plausible associations between smoking and susceptibility to tuberculosis and pneumonia in HIV-infected patients have been reported. These findings are relevant both to the planners of public health interventions, and to researchers exploring disease mechanisms and potential remedies. | pubmed_216_7525 |
pubmed_285_12922 | BACKGROUND
Modern medicine has created a need for innovative methods of training that create safe, proficient specialists with adequate experience, and who are fit for purpose in this new system. Patient safety and patient-focused care are central to current practice and promoted by the use of simulation, human factors, team-based, multidisciplinary and interspecialty training. An acknowledgement that postgraduate training occurs within the work environment underlies the need to create systems that support learning within the workplace. Supervision, protected time for adequate induction and the opportunity to be involved in workplace learning are the key. It is also important that robust mechanisms to assure the quality of postgraduate education are in place.
METHODS
Available reports were researched, and the particularities of anaesthetic training were outlined and summarised. Then, in a translational approach, we examined how to apply the lessons learned from anaesthesiological training to surgical training.
RESULTS
The trend towards reducing the working hours of junior doctors, whilst still providing excellent training, creates a need for innovative, efficient, concentrated training programmes, where trainers and trainees are engaged in a seamless, constant educational endeavour.
CONCLUSION
Within this review we offer the system of anaesthetic training in the UK, and some of its recent changes, as a template to highlight themes in postgraduate education that exemplify this innovation and are transferable not only to surgery but across different specialties. | 10.1016/j.aju.2013.12.002 |
pubmed_579_16010 | INTRODUCTION
Alcohol use is commonly reported as a short-term criminal risk factor; however there is minimal research on the effects of alcohol dependence on crime. Canadian Aboriginal offenders exhibit both disproportionate crime and alcohol disorder prevalence. This study aims to examine the impact of diagnosed alcohol dependence on Aboriginal ethnicity and criminal sentencing in British Columbia.
METHODS
We used an administrative linkage database of social, health and justice system variables to develop a retrospective cohort of 70,035 offenders sentenced through courts in British Columbia from 2001-2010. We used a coefficient difference mediation analysis to evaluate the mediating effect of alcohol dependence on the association between self-reported Aboriginal status and sentencing rate.
RESULTS
Aboriginal offenders had 1.92 (95% C.I.: 1.79,2.06) times higher odds of alcohol dependence than Caucasian offenders. Adjustment for health, social and demographic factors resulted in a 27% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 15%, 33%) reduction in the association of Aboriginal ethnicity on sentencing. Adjustment for alcohol dependence resulted in only a further reduction of 2% (95% CI: -12%, 15%). Although alcohol dependence was associated both with Aboriginal ethnicity and sentencing, it did not have a significant mediating impact on sentencing rate.
CONCLUSION
Alcohol dependence was not a mediator for the relationship between sentencing rate and Aboriginal ethnicity. However, due to the proportion of offenders diagnosed with alcohol dependence, these results support alcohol misuse as an important public health policy target in this population. | pubmed_579_16010 |
pubmed_693_11248 | In a group of 400 epileptic inpatients of the Neurological Clinic of Parma, 82 were over 60 years of age. Only 59 of them presented fits for the first time after the 60th year of age and in 78% of these, a definite anatomical damage could be demonstrated (neuroradiological investigations). One half of the epileptic syndromes with known etiology were thought to be related to cerebrovascular disease, but only few cases followed a stroke with persistent neurological symptoms. Intracranial space-occupying lesions were found to be the cause of epilepsy in 17% of cases. Partial epileptic seizures, secondarily generalized seizures, clinical signs of neurological damage, slow focal changes in the E.E.G. were the main features of this group of patients. In 22% of cases, miscellaneous causes were found: head injuries, exogenous intoxications due to accidental or iatrogenic ingestion, or alcoholic abuse. Relatively frequent were the seizures appearing in the course of degenerative or slow viruses induced encephalopathies. In 22% no demonstrable cause was found. Adequate follow-up may help us to discover etiological factors which at present are not obvious, but some form of idiopathic epilepsy with onset in this age range cannot be definitively ruled out. Only in 15% of cases interictal E.E.G. changes consisted in specific generalized or focal paroxysmal discharges (spikes, polyspikes, polyspike-and-wave). In about half of the cases the interictal E.E.G. failed to provide valuable informations, but an ictal E.E.G. could be obtained in 13 cases out of 59. | pubmed_693_11248 |
pubmed_240_18261 | Reduced thymopoiesis and continuous mobilization of naive T cells into the effector-memory pool can lead to severe alterations of the naive T cell compartment. However, maintenance of the naive T cell population is essential to mount effective immune responses. Evidence of homeostatic regulation of naive T cells is currently debated in animal models. In humans, the situation remains unresolved, in particular with advanced age. In this study, we analyzed the CD4(+) and CD8(+) naive T cell compartments from elderly, young adults thymectomized during early childhood, and HIV-1-infected patients, which are characterized by T lymphocytopenia. We show a direct association between increased turnover and decreased frequency of naive T cells. Moreover, the IL-7-induced pathway was fully functional in naive T cells from elderly and young adults thymectomized during early childhood, who are characterized by elevated IL-7 plasma levels. Our findings support the establishment of homeostatic regulation of naive T cell proliferation in humans. This regulation is particularly active in lymphopenic hosts, such as elderly and thymectomized patients. | 10.4049/jimmunol.1201235 |
pubmed_996_15657 | The 2-microns plasmid of industrial and laboratory strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exists as two main polymorphic forms designated type I and type II. Polymorphism is restricted to the 3200-bp right unique region where types I and II show approximately 10% nucleotide divergence in trans-acting REP1 and RAF loci and 30% divergence in the cis-acting STB locus. In addition, the cis-acting STB plasmid partition locus of type II plasmids varies in sequence and copy number of a 125-bp repeat. We devised chimeric and 2-microns plasmid stability experiments to evaluate the effect of STB polymorphism on plasmid fitness in amphiploid industrial and haploid laboratory strains. Reciprocal experiments of type-II STB chimeric plasmids in type-I bakers' yeast or a type-I chimeric plasmid in type-II distillers', wine, or haploid strains showed similar partition efficiencies. However, chimeric and 2-microns plasmids carrying a 250-bp STB from a type-II haploid strain had reduced fitness in a type-II industrial wine strain. These results in conjunction with molecular analyses of 2-microns-like and 2-microns plasmids indicates the coevolution of STB with trans-acting plasmid and host-cell factors. | 10.1139/g94-002 |
pubmed_943_5633 | The effect of superstructure, including telescope, conventional-bar and modified-bar, on the stress distribution of mandibular complete implant overdenture and its supporting tissue was investigated in this study. The results demonstrated that bar could lower the extreme principle stress of the implant, but the stress distribution of implant-bone interface was better when the implants were not linked with each other. Modified-bar is not preferred because it increases the stress of implant and its interface. | pubmed_943_5633 |
pubmed_777_1276 | Artemisinins are derived from extracts of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) and are well established for the treatment of malaria, including highly drug-resistant strains. Their efficacy also extends to phylogenetically unrelated parasitic infections such as schistosomiasis. More recently, they have also shown potent and broad anticancer properties in cell lines and animal models. In this review, we discuss recent advances in defining the role of artemisinins in medicine, with particular focus on their controversial mechanisms of action. This safe and cheap drug class that saves lives at risk from malaria can also have important potential in oncology. | 10.1016/j.tips.2008.07.004 |
pubmed_381_22712 | OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the available data on long-term kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and mortality after cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) in the pediatric population.
STUDY DESIGN
PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for eligible studies published from inception through March 2022. Long-term outcomes after pediatric cardiac surgery complicated by AKI and those without were investigated.
RESULTS
We identified 14 studies published between 2013 and 2022 that included a total of 6701 patients (AKI: 1376 patients; no AKI: 5325 patients). These studies used different well-established classifications to define AKI. All the studies suggested that AKI after heart surgery is common in the pediatric patient population and reported a potential link between cardiac surgery-associated AKI and important clinical outcomes. However, only 4 out of 11 studies found a strong association between (absence of recovery from) cardiac surgery-associated AKI and risk of developing chronic kidney disease, and 3 out of 5 studies found a significant increase in mortality rates for pediatric patients who developed AKI after cardiac surgery. Only 1 out of 4 studies found an association between AKI and hypertension at 12 months postoperatively, but found no association at later follow-up times.
CONCLUSIONS
Although there is a trend, evidence on the long-term consequences of cardiac surgery-associated AKI in the pediatric population is mixed. Genetic syndromes, preexisting kidney disease, univentricular or cyanotic heart conditions, and/or high-complexity surgery may be more important for the development of kidney dysfunction by adolescence and early adulthood. Regardless, these children may benefit from a long-term kidney follow-up. | 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.09.005 |
pubmed_83_264 | Opioids, like morphine and naloxone, regulate the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in a receptor-independent and ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase (TET1)-dependent manner in vitro. Whether naloxone regulates hippocampal NSCs and contextual learning in vivo in a similar manner was determined. Naloxone infusion increased the Ki67 and Doublecortin positive cells in subgranular zone of wild type mice, which suggested the increased proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal NSCs in vivo and was consistent with the in vitro functions of naloxone. In addition, naloxone infusion also facilitated the contextual learning and memory of wild type mice. To determine the contribution of μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) and TET1 to these functions of naloxone, several types of knockout mice were used. Since Tet1-/- mice have high deficiency in contextual learning and memory, Tet1+/- mice were used instead. The abilities of naloxone to regulate NSCs and to facilitate contextual learning were significantly impaired in Tet1+/- mice. In addition, these abilities of naloxone were not affected in Oprm1-/- mice. Therefore, naloxone facilitates contextual learning and memory in a receptor-independent and Tet1-dependent manner, which provides new understanding on the receptor-independent functions of opioids. | 10.1007/s10571-020-00970-8 |
pubmed_1089_7000 | Sirolimus and its derivate everolimus are two immunosuppressive drugs with similar chemical structure that inhibit the proliferation of T cells by interfering with a serine-threonine kinase, called mTOR. Apart from their immunosuppressive effects, these agents may also inhibit endothelial intimal proliferation, the replication of cytomegalovirus, and the development of certain cancers. The main dose-dependent adverse events of mTOR inhibitors are hyperlipidemia, thrombocytopenia, mucositis, edema, and proteinuria. The use of mTOR inhibitors in renal transplantation may allow to reduce the doses of calcineurin inhibitors. Withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitors is also possible and may improve renal function, but some patients do not tolerate this regimen because of side effects. Further studies are needed to assess the role of mTOR inhibitors in the long-term. | 10.1586/1744666X.2014.872562 |
pubmed_212_12389 | We have obtained the complete sequence of cloned full-length DNA (NS DNA) derived from influenza virus gene 8, which codes for two unique polypeptides, NS1 and NS2, and the sequence of the NS2 mRNA. Previously we showed that the mRNA for NS1 (approximately 860 nucleotides) is colinear with the viral RNA and maps from 0.05--0.95 units of the cloned NS DNA, and the body of the NS2 mRNA (approximately 340 nucleotides) maps from 0.59--0.95 units, suggesting that the two mRNAs are 3' co-terminal and share the same poly(A) addition site. Sequencing studies have shown that the NS2 mRNA contains an interrupted sequence of 473 nucleotides. The nucleotide sequences at the junctions of the interrupted segments are similar to those of the consensus sequences at the splicing sites of intervening regions in eucaryotic mRNAs. The first approximately 56 virus-specific nucleotides at the 5' end of the NS2 mRNA are the same nucleotides as are found at the 5' end of the NS1 mRNA, and this leader sequence of the NS2 mRNA contains the initiation codon for protein synthesis and coding information for nine amino acids which would be common to NS1 and NS2. In addition, both mRNAs contain 10--20 heterogeneous nonviral nucleotides at their 5' ends. The approximately 340 nucleotide body region of the NS2 mRNA can be translated in the +1 reading frame, and the sequence indicates that NS1 and NS2 overlap by 70 amino acids that are translated from different reading frames. | 10.1016/0092-8674(80)90484-5 |
pubmed_1052_13343 | Diffuse pulmonary lymphangiomatosis (DPL) is a rare lymphatic disorder characterized by lymphatic channel proliferation. It is mostly reported in children and young adults. Here, we report a case involving a 52-year-old asymptomatic woman who presented with increased interstitial markings, as seen on a chest radiograph. Diffuse interstitial septal thickening was found on a serial follow-up chest computed tomography scan, and lymphangitic metastasis was the primary radiologic differential diagnosis. However, histologic sections of wedge resected lung revealed diffuse pleural and interlobular septal lymphatic proliferation characteristic of DPL. | 10.3348/kjr.2014.15.2.295 |
pubmed_984_13486 | HetN, a putative ketoacyl reductase, is required for heterocyst pattern maintenance in the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. The hetN gene, when present on a multicopy plasmid, is able to suppress heterocyst differentiation. Little is known about the biochemical properties of HetN. In the present study, we found that HetN could hydrolyze ATP or GTP in vitro, and that this activity was dependent on the presence of magnesium in the reaction mixture. Mutations of the conserved active Ser(142)-Tyr(155)-Lys(159) triad, predicted as necessary for the reductase activity of HetN, had only weak effect on the hydrolysis of ATP. The residue Lys(159) is shown to be necessary for the heterocyst-suppressing activity of HetN, as the corresponding mutant allele present on a replicative plasmid failed to block heterocyst differentiation in contrast to the wild type. This result suggests that the reductase activity of HetN is involved in the HetN-mediated inhibition of heterocyst formation. | 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2009.01644.x |
pubmed_779_17582 | We present a stepwise synthetic strategy for the preparation of the unprecedented heteroleptic 2+2 neutral metallacycle [{t,c,c-RuCl2(CO)2}2(4'cisDPyP)(3'cisDPyP)] (5), in which two different 5,10-meso-dipyridylporphyrins, 4'cisDPyP [i.e., 5,10-bis(4'-pyridyl)-15,20-diphenylporphyrin] and 3'cisDPyP [i.e., 5,10-bis(3'-pyridyl)-15,20-diphenylporphyrin], are joined through equal 90°-angular Ru(II) connectors. The synthesis of 5 was accomplished through the preparation of a reactive ditopic intermediate in which one of the two pyridylporphyrins is linked to two neutral ruthenium fragments, each having one residual readily available coordination site (a dmso-O). Thus, compound 5 was obtained under mild conditions through two complementary routes: either by treatment of [{t,c,c-RuCl2(CO)2(dmso-O)}2(4'cisDPyP)] (3) with 1 equiv of 3'cisDPyP or, alternatively, by treatment of [{t,c,c-RuCl2(CO)2(dmso-O)}2(3'cisDPyP)] (4) with 1 equiv of 4'cisDPyP. Heteroleptic metallacycle 5 was isolated in pure form in acceptable yield and fully characterized. Spectroscopic data and a molecular model show that 5 has an L-shaped geometry, with the two porphyrins almost orthogonal to one another. The modular approach that we established is highly flexible and opens the way to several possible exciting developments. | 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01511 |
others_140_7076 | This study was designed to identify the cellular component of the intestinal villus where transcobalamin II (TCII) is synthesized, because this protein provides an essential function in the intestinal absorption of vitamin B12 (cobalamin, Cbl). When a segment of proximal or distal small intestine of the guinea pig is cultured in medium containing [57Co]Cbl, TCII[57Co]Cbl appears within 15 min. Northern blot analysis of RNA from both proximal and distal small intestine identified the TCII transcript. In situ hybridization of the distal ileum with 35S-labeled TCII antisense transcript localized grains predominantly in crypts and in the lower third and central core of the villi. Grains were also evident at the base of the enterocytes in close apposition with the vascular network, whereas few grains appeared in the apical region of the columnar cells. This study provides evidence that TCII is constitutively expressed in the intestinal villi where vascular endothelium is abundant. In the distal ileum, where the intrinsic factor (IF) receptor is expressed, after uptake of IF-Cbl and the subsequent binding of free Cbl to TCII synthesized in the villi, the TCII-Cbl complex enters the microcirculation and passes into the portal bl | 10.1152/ajpgi.1999.277.1.g161 |
pubmed_324_14923 | Recent advances in genotyping technologies have enabled genomewide association studies (GWAS) of many complex traits including autoimmune disease, infectious disease, cancer and heart disease. To facilitate interpretations and establish biological basis, it could be advantageous to identify alleles of functional genes, beyond just single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within or nearby genes. Leslie et al. ([2008] Am J Hum Genet 82:48–56) have proposed an Identity-by-Decent method (IBD-based) for predicting human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles (multiallelic and highly polymorphic) with SNP data, and predictions have achieved a satisfactory accuracy on the order of 97%. Building upon their success, we introduce a complementary method for predicting highly polymorphic alleles using unphased SNP data as the training data set. Due to its generality and flexibility, the new method is readily applicable to large population studies. Applying it to HLA genes in a cohort of 630 healthy individuals as a training set, we constructed predictive models for HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 and DQB1. Then, we performed a validation study with another cohort of 630 healthy individuals, and the predictive models achieved predictive accuracies for HLA alleles defined at intermediate or high resolution ranging as high as (100%, 97%) for HLA-A, (98%, 96%) for B, (98%, 98%) for C, (97%, 96%) for DRB1 and (98%, 95%) for DQB1, respectively. These preliminary results suggest the feasibility of predicting other polymorphic genetic alleles, since HLA loci are almost certainly among most polymorphic genes. | 10.1002/gepi.20549 |
pubmed_976_365 | The physiological effects and efficacy of dietary intake of antioxidant supplements in humans remains controversial. Experiments involving dietary, often high, intake of a single antioxidant or vitamin may be seriously flawed given the interactive nature of antioxidants in vivo. The present studies were conducted on individuals (35-60 years of age) taking a commercial antioxidant mixture in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Intake was two capsules per day, for 4 weeks, with a 4-week washout period in between active dose or placebo. Intake of antioxidants was associated with little change in superoxide dismutase activity, but an increase in glutathione peroxidase was noted. Haemolysis of red blood cells (erythrocytes) induced by the free radical generator AAPH was significantly reduced in individuals on antioxidant supplements. In lymphocytes isolated from individuals taking supplements, there was a marked increase, as compared with individuals on placebo, in the synthesis of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) following heat shock from 37 degrees C to 42.5 degrees C. We conclude that dietary intake of a mixed antioxidant supplement leads to modulation of cellular redox status resulting in decreased oxidative stress and increased ability of lymphocytes to mount a stress response. | 10.1179/135100002125000857 |
pubmed_85_17997 | Ultraviolet light(UV)-sensitive disorders refer to a group of diseases due to damages to the nucleotide excision repair mechanism which cannot effectively repair DNA damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. The inheritance pattern of such diseases, mainly including xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome and trichothiodystrophy, is autosomal recessive and known to involve 13 genes. As proteins encoded by such genes are involved in DNA repair and transcription pathways. There is overlap between the symptoms of such diseases, and their genotype - phenotype correlations are quite complex. To facilitate genetic and prenatal diagnosis for such diseases, a summary of the research progress is provided, which mainly focused on mutation research and genotype - phenotype correlation studies. We also propose a strategy for their genetic diagnosis based on recent findings of our group. | 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1003-9406.2016.05.029 |
pubmed_473_2493 | Infection with human parvovirus B19 causes fifth disease, acute and chronic red cell aplasia, fetal hydrops, arthropathy, and other disorders. Antiviral antibodies limit B19 infection in vivo; however, the identification of serologic markers of protection has been hampered by the lack of a quantitative assay for parvovirus neutralization. A novel in vitro test for parvovirus neutralization has been developed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to detect viral transcripts in a B19-permissive cell line. Parvovirus neutralizing activity was measured in sera from naturally infected individuals, and common features of sera with high neutralizing capacity were identified as protection correlates. Sera that suppressed B19 replication in vitro demonstrated IgG reactivity with capsid proteins VP1 and VP2, but no linear relationship between antibody titer and neutralizing capacity was observed. Sera from experimental animals and human volunteers immunized with a virus-like particle vaccine candidate exhibited B19 neutralizing titers equal to or greater than those observed in natural infections. | 10.1086/314648 |
pubmed_232_226 | The thyroidal sodium iodide symporter (NIS) in combination with various radioactive isotopes has shown promise as a therapeutic gene in various tumor models. Therapy depends on adequate retention of the isotope in the tumor. We hypothesized that in the absence of iodide organification, isotope trapping is a dynamic process either due to slow efflux or re-uptake of the isotope by cells expressing NIS. Iodide efflux is slower in ARH-77 and K-562 cells expressing NIS compared to a thyroid cell line. Isotope retention half times varied linearly with the number of cells expressing NIS. With sufficient NIS expression, iodide efflux is a zero-order process. Efflux kinetics in the presence or absence of perchlorate also supports the hypothesis that iodide re-uptake occurs and contributes to the retention of the isotope in tumor cells. Iodide organification was insignificant. In vivo studies in tumors composed of mixed cell populations confirmed these observations. | 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.09.219 |
pubmed_141_7538 | Simultaneous brainstem auditory and somatosensory evoked potential studies to median nerve stimulation were performed in two comatose patients, having diffuse alpha-pattern in their EEGs. CT scan of the brain in both cases did not reveal any mass lesion. In Case 1, the clinical and evoked potential studies suggested a brain stem lesion, and in Case 2 there was diffuse encephalopathy, with asymmetric dysfunction of the brainstem as seen in the evoked potential patterns. The suggested separation of alpha-pattern into two distinct groups, based on the reactivity and the presence or absence of sleep activities, into brainstem and diffuse cortical lesions could not be supported by our evoked potential studies. Our study, based on the observations of the evoked potential studies, indicated that the reactivity to sensory stimulation and intermittent attenuation of diffuse alpha-like activity relate to the integrity of the ascending sensory inputs to the thalamus. In the absence of evoked potential data, the localization of lesion(s) in alpha-coma pattern may be imprecise. Moreover, the circadian sleep rhythms and the presence or absence of "sleep spindles" appeared to depend on the inputs of the ascending sensory pathways to the structures generating the sleep activities. The specific neuronal structures generating the alpha-pattern still remain unidentified; however, this pattern seems to be originating from the structures rostral to the mesencephalon, possibly in the thalamic-thalamocortical circuits. | pubmed_141_7538 |
pubmed_753_4000 | BACKGROUND
The role of alcohol in fatal motor vehicle crashes involving children has been well established. However, the nonfatal injury burden of alcohol on child passengers has not been comprehensively assessed.
PURPOSE
This study sought to determine injury burden and restraint use in child passengers aged 1-15 years in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes.
METHODS
A retrospective cohort study including all people involved in all crashes with an injury or at least $1000 property damage occurring in Wisconsin in 2007 and involving at least one child passenger aged 1-15 years.
RESULTS
A total of 22,464 child passengers were involved in motor vehicle crashes in Wisconsin in 2007; 2.5% (n=570) were in alcohol-related crashes. Child passengers in alcohol-related crashes experienced twice the risk of injury compared to non-alcohol-related crashes (risk ratio [RR]=2.42, 95% CI=2.08, 2.80). Two-vehicle crashes that were alcohol-related were more than two times more likely to result in child injury than those that were not (RR=2.78, 95% CI=2.30, 3.35). In alcohol-related crashes, the risk of injury in children was higher if they were passengers in the alcohol-related vehicle compared to the non-alcohol-related vehicle (RR=1.35, 95% CI=1.01, 1.79). Inappropriate restraint of child passengers was higher in alcohol-related vehicles (34.5% vs 17.1%, p<0.00005), particularly in the group aged 4-7 years (70.8% vs 44.9% inappropriately restrained).
CONCLUSIONS
Motor vehicle crashes resulting from alcohol-related driving significantly increased child passenger injury and were associated with inappropriate child passenger restraint. Several evidence-based policies are recommended to address this public health problem. | 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.11.005 |
pubmed_248_5120 | AIM
To examine the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of regular and white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) ex vivo by the single-cell gel (comet) assay and trypan blue exclusion test, respectively.
METHODOLOGY
Aliquots of 1 x 10(4) Chinese hamster ovary cells were incubated at 37 degrees C for 3 h with grey and white forms of MTA at final concentrations ranging from 1 to 1,000 microg mL(-1). The negative control group was treated with vehicle control phosphate buffer solution for 3 h at 37 degrees C and the positive control group was treated with methyl metasulfonate (at 1 microg mL(-1)) for 1 h at 37 degrees C. After incubation, the cells were centrifuged at 180 g for 5 min and washed twice with fresh medium and resuspended with fresh medium. Each individual treatment was repeated three times consecutively to ensure reproducibility. Parameters from single-cell gel (comet) and cytotoxicity assays were assessed by the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test.
RESULTS
Neither compounds produced genotoxic effects with respect to the single-cell gel (comet) assay in all concentrations evaluated. In the same way, the dose-response relationships of all compounds tested at concentrations ranging from 1 to 1,000 microg mL(-1) on cell viability assessed by the trypan blue assay displayed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) for either endodontic material.
CONCLUSIONS
Regular (grey) and white MTA are not genotoxins and do not induce cellular death. | 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2005.01043.x |
pubmed_585_8013 | Pre-existing donor-specific HLA antibodies in patients undergoing HLA-mismatched SCT have increasingly been recognized as a risk factor for primary graft failure. However, the clinical implications of the presence of HLA antibodies in donors remain unknown. We prospectively examined 123 related donors for the presence of HLA antibodies by using a Luminex-based single antigen assay. Of these, 1/57 (1.8%) male, 6/27 (22%) parous female and 0/39 (0%) nonparous female donors were HLA antibody-positive. Then, we determined the presence of HLA antibodies in seven patients who received SCT from antibody-positive donors. Of these, four became HLA antibody-positive after SCT. The specificities of the antibodies that emerged in the patients closely resembled those of the antibodies found in the donors, indicating their production by donor-derived plasma cells. Moreover, the kinetics of the HLA antibody levels were similar in all four patients: levels started increasing within 1 week after SCT and peaked at days 10-21, followed by a gradual decrease. These results suggest that donor-derived HLA antibody production frequently occurs in patients undergoing SCT from antibody-positive donors. Further studies are warranted for clarifying the clinical significance of donor-derived HLA antibodies, including the role of these antibodies in post transplant platelet transfusion refractoriness. | 10.1038/bmt.2012.28 |
pubmed_323_3197 | The purpose of this study was to assess the cytotoxic effect of the non-fractionated aqueous extract of A. sylvaticus mushroom in cultures of non-tumor cells (NIH3T3) and tumor cells (OSCC-3). The cells were maintained in DMEN cell culture medium added of 10% of fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotic. For the cytotoxicity test we prepared the aqueous mushroom extract at concentrations of 0.01 mg.ml⁻¹, 0.02 mg.ml⁻¹, 0.04 mg.ml⁻¹, 0.08 mg.ml⁻¹, 0.16 mg.ml⁻¹, and 0.32 mg.ml⁻¹. For the culture, 2 x 10⁵ cells/ml was deposited in 96-well microplates during 24 hour incubation with subsequent exchange of medium by another containing the mushroom concentrations. After 24 hour incubation the medium was discarded and 100 ml of tetrazolium blue (MTT) was added at a concentration of 5 mg.ml⁻¹. The microplates were incubated for 2 h at 37° C. Spectrophotometric analysis was performed using 570 nm wavelength. From the values of the optical densities we determined the drug concentration capable of reducing cell viability by 50%. Therefore, the mushroom A. sylvaticus, at all concentrations tested, did not show cytotoxic effects, once the inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) obtained for tumor cells OSCC-3 was 0.06194 mg.ml⁻¹, and the IC₅₀ checked for non-tumor cells NIH3T3 was 0,06468 mg.ml⁻¹. This test made it possible to determine that A. sylvaticus mushroom has no cytotoxic effects, suggesting its use safe for human consumption. | 10.3305/nh.2013.28.4.6461 |
pubmed_336_13629 | Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the cause of a wide range of acute suppurative and, following a latent period, non-suppurative diseases such as rheumatic fever and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. Diagnosis of the latter group requires evidence of preceding GAS infection. The bacteria produce a range of extracellular antigens, including streptolysin O, which induce an antibody response in the host. A rise in antistreptolysin O titre (ASOT) is indicative of preceding GAS infection. In clinical practice, often only a single ASOT measurement is available and its timing in relation to a possible GAS infection is unknown. Interpretation of the result in this context is liable to misdiagnosis. In order to optimise diagnosis of preceding GAS infection, at least two sequential ASOT measurements, together with simultaneous assay for anti-DNase B, a second antistreptococcal antibody, is recommended. | 10.1136/archdischild-2013-304884 |
pubmed_118_4396 | This work presents the design, manufacturing process, calibration and validation of a new microwave ten-port waveguide reflectometer based on the use of neural networks. This low-cost novel device solves some of the shortcomings of previous reflectometers such as non-linear behavior of power sensors, noise presence and the complexity of the calibration procedure, which is often based on complex mathematical equations. These problems, which imply the reduction of the reflection coefficient measurement accuracy, have been overcome by using a higher number of probes than usual six-port configurations and by means of the use of Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural networks in order to reduce the influence of noise and non-linear processes over the measurements. Additionally, this sensor can be reconfigured whenever some of the eight coaxial power detectors fail, still providing accurate values in real time. The ten-port performance has been compared against a high-cost measurement instrument such as a vector network analyzer and applied to the measurement and optimization of energy efficiency of microwave ovens, with good results. | 10.3390/s8127833 |
pubmed_799_17473 | Legumes form symbioses with rhizobia, which initiate the development of a new plant organ, the nodule. Flavonoids have long been hypothesized to regulate nodule development through their action as auxin transport inhibitors, but genetic proof has been missing. To test this hypothesis, we used RNA interference to silence chalcone synthase (CHS), the enzyme that catalyzes the first committed step of the flavonoid pathway, in Medicago truncatula. Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation was used to create hairy roots that showed strongly reduced CHS transcript levels and reduced levels of flavonoids in silenced roots. Flavonoid-deficient roots were unable to initiate nodules, even though normal root hair curling was observed. Nodule formation and flavonoid accumulation could be rescued by supplementation of plants with the precursor flavonoids naringenin and liquiritigenin. The flavonoid-deficient roots showed increased auxin transport compared with control roots. Inoculation with rhizobia reduced auxin transport in control roots after 24 h, similar to the action of the auxin transport inhibitor N-(1-naphthyl)phthalamic acid (NPA). Rhizobia were unable to reduce auxin transport in flavonoid-deficient roots, even though NPA inhibited auxin transport. Our results present genetic evidence that root flavonoids are necessary for nodule initiation in M. truncatula and suggest that they act as auxin transport regulators. | 10.1105/tpc.105.038232 |
pubmed_438_21249 | DNA triplex and quadruplex structures have been successfully detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Circular dichroism and UV-melting experiments show that these structures are stable in 150 mM ammonium acetate at pH 7 for the quadruplexes and pH 5.5 for the triplexes. The studied quadruplexes were the tetramer [d(TGGGGT)](4), the dimer [d(GGGGTTTTGGGG)](2), and the intramolecular folded strand dGGG(TTAGGG)(3), which is an analog of the human telomeric sequence. The absence of sodium contamination allowed demonstration of the specific inclusion of n - 1 ammonium cations in the quadruplex structures, where n is the number of consecutive G-tetrads. We also detected the complexes between the quadruplexes and the quadruplex-specific drug mesoporphyrin IX. MS/MS spectra of [d(TGGGGT)](4) and the complex with the drug are also reported. As the drug does not displace the ammonium cations, one can conclude that the drug binds at the exterior of the tetrads, and not between them. For the triplex structure the ESI-MS spectra show the detection of the specific triplex, at m/z values typically higher than those typically observed for duplex species. Upon MS/MS the antigene strand, which is bound into the major groove of the duplex, separates from the triplex. This is the same dissociation pathway as in solution. To our knowledge this is the first report of a triplex DNA structure by electrospray mass spectrometry. | 10.1002/rcm.778 |
pubmed_893_25231 | INTRODUCTION
Reporter cells expressing a chimeric receptor that activates a reporter can be used for screening ligand-mediated signal transduction. In this study, we used reporter cells harboring an NFAT/lacZ construct that express β-galactosidase when the chimeric receptor is stimulated. A colorimetric β-galactosidase substrate, chlorophenol-red β-d-galactopyranoside (CPRG), was used to detect enzymatic activity. Sub-optimal conditions have unfortunately extensively been reported with such reporter-based β-galactosidase assays. Here, we aimed to improve the CPRG-based colorimetric assay such that receptor ligands could be effectively screened with reporter cells.
METHODS
After stimulation of reporter cells, we determined β-galactosidase activity by absorbance measurement of β-galactosidase-dependent CPRG hydrolysis. We systematically examined each component in a standard lysis buffer most commonly reported for this type of reporter cells. Furthermore, we evaluated literature in the field.
RESULTS
An increased CPRG substrate concentration combined with a different detergent, Saponin, and an optimal wavelength recording markedly increased the sensitivity for the detection of β-galactosidase activity (≈4-fold increase). Moreover, the improved protocol resulted in increased linear time-dependent recording of enzymatic activity once cells had been lysed, and a more stable and reproducible assay to detect a ligand-stimulus with the reporter cells. The optimal time length of exposure to a stimulus was ligand-dependent.
DISCUSSION
In conclusion, we provide an improved protocol with an optimized lysis buffer that gives up to a six-fold higher and more robust specific signal when NFAT/lacZ-based receptor-expressing reporter cells are exposed to a stimulus. | 10.1016/j.vascn.2017.11.004 |
pubmed_829_11996 | The cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (35S) promoter is used extensively for transgene expression in plants. The promoter has been delineated into different subdomains based on deletion analysis and gain-of-function studies. However, cis-elements important for promoter activity have been identified only in the domains B1 (as-2 element), A1 (as-1 element) and minimal promoter (TATA box). No cis-elements have been described in subdomains B2-B5, although these are reported to be important for the overall activity of the 35S promoter. We have re-evaluated the contribution of three of these subdomains, namely B5, B4 and B2, to 35S promoter activity by developing several modified promoters. The analysis of beta-glucuronidase gene expression driven by the modified promoters in different tissues of primary transgenic tobacco lines, as well as in seedlings of the T(1) generation, revealed new facets about the functional organization of the 35S promoter. This study suggests that: (i) the 35S promoter truncated up to -301 functions in a similar manner to the -343 (full-length) 35S promoter; (ii) the Dof core and I-box core observed in the subdomain B4 are important for 35S promoter activity; and (iii) the subdomain B2 is essential for maintaining an appropriate distance between the proximal and distal regions of the 35S promoter. These observations will aid in the development of functional synthetic 35S promoters with decreased sequence homology. Such promoters can be used to drive multiple transgenes without evoking promoter homology-based gene silencing when attempting gene stacking. | 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2007.00274.x |
pubmed_46_19584 | Bacterial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract is central to current concepts of endogenous sepsis. Studies were designed to evaluate the potential relevance of translocation to the high incidence of infection in obstructive jaundice. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent laparotomy and division of the bile duct or sham ligation. In Study 1, rats were sacrificed after 24 hr, 1 week, and 3 weeks and the mesenteric lymph node complex, cecum, and blood were cultured and plasma endotoxin was measured. In Studies 2 and 3, sham-and bile duct-ligated rats were challenged after 1 week with operative trauma and intravenous endotoxin, respectively. Animals were sacrificed after a further 24 hr. No translocation was observed in sham-operated rats. Although colonization of the mesenteric lymph nodes was not seen in bile duct-ligated rats after 24 hr, this was evident in 75% of rats after 1 and 3 weeks. Surgical trauma and endotoxin produced bacterial translocation in 33 and 40%, respectively, of sham-operated animals; this was enhanced in bile duct-ligated rats to 75% (P < 0.01 vs shams) and 93% (P < 0.001 vs shams), respectively. Endotoxin resulted in positive blood cultures in 71% of jaundiced rats compared with none of the sham group injected with endotoxin (P < 0.001). Biliary obstruction produces bacterial translocation and this process is enhanced by surgical trauma and endotoxin. The data support the thesis of gut barrier failure in jaundice and suggest that therapies targeted toward decreasing bacterial translocation may merit evaluation in the prophylaxis and treatment of infection in the jaundiced patient. | 10.1006/jsre.1996.0165 |
pubmed_1037_1993 | OBJECTIVE
To compare outcomes between minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) at L5/S1.
METHODS
Primary, elective, single, MIS-TLIF, or ALIF with posterior fixation at L5/S1 were identified. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected. Coarsened exact matching was used to control for significant differences. Achievement of minimum clinically important difference [MCID] was determined by comparing ΔPROM scores with threshold values. Demographic/perioperative characteristics were compared between MIS-TLIF and ALIF cohorts using χ2 Student t tests. Differences in mean PROM scores, MCID rates, and postoperative complications were evaluated using an unpaired t test.
RESULTS
After coarsened exact matching, 93 patients received MIS-TLIF and 50 received ALIF. Cohorts differed in operative time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative narcotic consumption on postoperative day 0 (P < 0.034, all). Mean PROMs differed significantly on 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Summary at 6 weeks and 1 year, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function at 6 weeks, Oswestry Disability Index at 6 weeks, and visual analog scale (VAS) back at 6 weeks, with the ALIF cohort showing significantly improved mean PROMs (P ≤ 0.044, all). Significantly greater rates were reported of MCID achievement for PROMs for the ALIF cohort: VAS back at 6 weeks, Oswestry Disability Index at 12 weeks, 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Summary at 6 weeks, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function at 12 weeks (P ≤ 0.047, all). A greater rate of MCID achievement for the MIS-TLIF cohort was seen for 6-week and overall VAS leg (P < 0.046, all). Postoperative fever was greater in the TLIF cohort (9.6% vs. 2.0%; P < 0.047).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients undergoing ALIF showed significantly improved rates of MCID achievement for disability, physical function, and back pain during the early postoperative period. However, the overall MCID achievement rate for leg pain was higher for the MIS-TLIF cohort. | 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.09.108 |
pubmed_313_14200 | Among substance abusers in the US, the discrepancy in the number who access substance abuse treatment and the number who need treatment is sizable. This results in a major public health problem of access to treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine characteristics of Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) that either hinder or facilitate access to treatment. 2646 participants were administered the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA) and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. The RBA included the dependent variable which was responses to the question "During the last year, have you ever tried, but been unable, to get into a drug treatment or detox program?" In multivariate analysis, factors associated with being unable to access treatment included: Previously been in drug treatment (OR=4.51), number of days taken amphetamines in the last 30days (OR=1.18), traded sex for drugs (OR=1.53), homeless (OR=1.73), Nonplanning subscale of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (OR=1.19), age at interview (OR=0.91), and sexual orientation, with bisexual men and women significantly more likely than heterosexuals to have tried but been unable to get into treatment. The answers to the question on "why were you unable to get into treatment" included: No room, waiting list; not enough money, did not qualify, got appointment but no follow through, still using drugs, and went to jail before program start. As expected, findings suggest that limiting organizational and financial obstacles to treatment may go a long way in increasing drug abuse treatment accessibility to individuals in need. Additionally, our study points to the importance of developing approaches for increasing personal planning skills/reducing Nonplanning impulsivity among PWUDs when they are in treatment as a key strategy to ensure access to additional substance abuse treatment in the future. | 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.11.004 |
pubmed_567_13255 | We propose that impaired complement function enhances a pathogenetic vicious circle in SLE. In this process, induction and clearance of apoptotic cells is central. Apoptosis could be triggered by various etiological factors, such as infection, UV light, and drug reactions. Clearance of apoptotic material is reduced when complement function is impaired. Apoptosis leads to increased exposure of nuclear antigens to the immune system, to which estrogenic hormones could contribute. This could in turn lead to activation of autoreactive B cells, autoantibody production, and immune complex formation, all of which is accelerated by hypocomplementemia. Immune complexes may, at least partly via complement dependent mechanisms, accelerate apoptosis. | pubmed_567_13255 |
pubmed_804_25323 | The enzymatic extracellular mixtures of two new microorganisms - Streptomyces flavogriseus AE64X and AE63X - isolated from Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Populus nigra and producing cellulase and xylanase, were characterized and applied to hydrolysis of pretreated Arundo donax, Populus nigra and Panicum virgatum (10% w/v) replacing the commercial enzymes Accelerase 1500 and Accelerase XY (5.4 and 145 U/g of pretreated biomass, respectively). It is worth of noting that the newly developed extracellular enzymatic mixtures, without any purification step and at the same dosage, presented saccharification yields that are higher (86% for S. flavogriseus AE64X) than those of commercial enzymes (81%). Moreover, these enzymatic mixes allowed us to hydrolyse both cellulose and xylan within the different lignocellulose biomasses substituting both the cellulase and xylanase of commercial source. The produced sugars were also fermentable by Basfia succiniciproducens BPP7 into succinic acid with high yield. | 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.03.027 |
pubmed_492_2208 | Three outstanding effects of ionisation density on the thermoluminescence (TL) mechanisms giving rise to the glow peaks of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) are currently under investigation: (1) the dependence of the heavy charged particle (HCP) relative efficiency with increasing ionisation density and the effectiveness of its modelling by track structure theory (TST), (2) the behaviour of the TL efficiency, f(D), as a function of photon energy and dose. These studies are intended to promote the development of a firm theoretical basis for the evaluation of relative TL efficiencies to assist in their application in mixed radiation fields. And (3) the shape of composite peak 5 in the glow curve for various HCP types and energies and following high-dose electron irradiation, i.e. the ratio of the intensity of peak 5a to peak 5. Peak 5a is a low-temperature satellite of peak 5 arising from electron-hole capture in a spatially correlated trapping centre/luminescent centre (TC/LC) complex that has been suggested to possess a potential as a solid-state nanodosemeter due to the preferential electron/hole population of the TC/LC at high ionisation density. It is concluded that (1) the predictions of TST are very strongly dependent on the choice of photon energy used in the determination of f(D); (2) modified TST employing calculated values of f(D) at 2 keV is in agreement with 5-MeV alpha particle experimental results for composite peak 5 but underestimates the 1.5-MeV proton relative efficiencies. Both the proton and alpha particle relative TL efficiencies of the high-temperature TL (HTTL) peaks 7 and 8 are underestimated by an order of magnitude suggesting that the HTTL efficiencies are affected by other factors in addition to radial electron dose; (3) the dose-response supralinearity of peaks 7 and 8 change rapidly with photon energy: this behaviour is explained in the framework of the unified interaction model as due to a very strong dependence on photon energy of the relative intensity of localised recombination and (4) the increased width and decrease in T(max) of composite peak 5 as a function of ionisation density is due to the greater relative intensity of peak 5a (a low-temperature component of peak 5 arising from two-energy transfer events, which leads to localised recombination). | 10.1093/rpd/ncq381 |
pubmed_893_24657 | BACKGROUND
Availability of basic mental health services is limited in rural areas of India. Health system and individual level factors such as lack of mental health professionals and infrastructure, poor awareness about mental health, stigma related to help seeking, are responsible for poor awareness and use of mental health services. We implemented a mental health services delivery model that leveraged technology and task sharing to facilitate identification and treatment of common mental disorders (CMDs) such as stress, depression, anxiety and suicide risk in rural areas of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The intervention was delivered by lay village health workers (Accredited Social Health Activists - ASHAs) and primary care doctors. An anti-stigma campaign was implemented prior to this activity. This paper reports the process evaluation of the intervention using mixed methods.
METHODS
A mixed methods pre-post evaluation assessed the intervention using quantitative service usage analytics from the server, and qualitative interviews with different stakeholders. Barriers and facilitators in implementing the intervention were identified.
RESULTS
Health service use increased significantly at post-intervention, ASHAs could followup 78.6% of those who had screened positive, and 78.6% of the 1243 Interactive Voice Response System calls made, were successful. Most respondents were aware of the intervention. They indicated that knowledge received through the intervention empowered them to approach ASHAs and share their mental health symptoms. ASHAs and doctors opined that EDSS was useful and easy to use. Medical camps organized in villages to increase access to the doctor were received positively by all. However, some aspects or facilitators of the intervention need to be improved, including network connectivity, booster training, anti-stigma campaigns, quality of mental health services provided by doctors, provision of psychotropic medications at primary health centers and frequency of health camps.
CONCLUSION
The respondents' views helped to understand the barriers and facilitators for improving the likely effectiveness of the intervention using Andersen's Modified Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, and identify the mechanisms by which those factors affected mental health services uptake in the community.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study is registered with Clinical Trials Registry India (Applied - 16/07/14-Ref2014/07/007256; registration received - 04/10/17-CTRI/2017/10/009992 ). | 10.1186/s12888-017-1525-6 |
pubmed_396_11819 | BACKGROUND
Unresectable colorectal liver metastases are a significant clinical problem. Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) is a regional treatment technique that delivers high dose chemotherapy, biologic agents, and hyperthermia via a completely isolated vascular recirculating perfusion circuit as a means of regionally treating liver tumors. This study presents our results of IHP with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plus melphalan or IHP with melphalan alone followed by infusional floxuridine (FUDR) and leucovorin in patients with advanced or refractory unresectable hepatic colorectal metastases.
METHODS
Fifty-one patients with unresectable colorectal hepatic metastases underwent a 60-minute IHP with 1.5 mg/kg melphalan and hyperthermia (39 degrees C to 40 degrees C). Thirty-two patients received IHP with 1 mg TNF with melphalan and 19 patients had IHP with melphalan alone followed by monthly hepatic intra-arterial infusional (HAI) FUDR (0.2 mg/kg/day) and leucovorin (15 mg/M(2)/day) for 14 days monthly for up to 12 months. Twenty-six patients failed 1 or more previous treatment regimens for established hepatic metastases and 27 had greater than 25% hepatic replacement (PHR) by tumor. Patients were monitored for response, toxicity, and survival.
RESULTS
There was 1 perioperative death (2%), and only 2 patients (4%) had measurable perfusate leak during IHP (both less than 4%). In the 32 patients treated with IHP alone there were no detectable systemic TNF or melphalan levels during perfusion. The overall objective radiographic response rate (all partial [PR]) was 76% (38 of 50 assessable patients) with a median duration of 10.5 months (range, 2 to 21 months). Twenty-four of 31 patients (77%) had a PR after IHP alone and 14 of 19 (74%) after IHP with postperfusion HAI. Median duration of response was 8.5 months after IHP alone and 14.5 months after IHP and HAI; median survival was 16 and 27 months, respectively. There were 18 PRs in 26 patients (69%) whose prior therapy had failed and 18 PRs in 27 patients (67%) with PHR of 25 or greater.
CONCLUSIONS
IHP can be performed with acceptably low morbidity and has significant antitumor activity in patients with unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer including those with refractory disease or PHR of 25 or greater. HAI appears to prolong the duration of response after IHP, and this combined treatment strategy deserves additional clinical evaluation as a therapeutic modality in this setting. | 10.1067/msy.2001.110365 |
pubmed_240_5661 | In our initial experience the failure rate in totally dry ear Tympanoplasty were more as compared to wet Tympanoplasty. Hence we suspected the avascularity of totally dry tympanic membrane is the cause for such failures. So we did histopathological study of both types of remnant tympanic membrane & compared the finding. According to the results we infer that graft take up rate is better in wet central perforation than totally dry perforation following tympanoplasty, so is the success rate. This also correlates with our clinical experience. We have further seen that such types of failures can he prevented, if(i) the central perforation is converted to subtotal perforation by removing the necrotic portion of the TM, (ii) stabilization of the underlay graft by antero-superior anchoring myringoplasty in which a window in the anterior canal skin is made at about 3 O'clock position in right ear & 9 O'clock position in left ear and the graft is tucked under it. | 10.1007/BF03050776 |
pubmed_879_15950 | Globally swine influenza is one of the most important diseases of the pig industry, with various subtypes of swine influenza virus co-circulating in the field. Swine influenza can not only cause large economic losses for the pig industry but can also lead to epidemics or pandemics in the human population. We provide an overview of the pathogenic characteristics of the disease, diagnosis, risk factors for the occurrence on pig farms, impact on pigs and humans and methods to control it. This review is designed to promote understanding of the epidemiology of swine influenza which will benefit the control of the disease in both pigs and humans. | 10.1186/s44149-021-00024-6 |
others_314_179459 | -cell repertoires are characterized by a diverse set of receptors of distinct specificities generated through two processes of somatic diversification: V(D)J recombination and somatic hypermutations. B cell clonal families stem from the same V(D)J recombination event, but differ in their hypermutations. Clonal families identification is key to understanding B-cell repertoire function, evolution and dynamics. We present HILARy (High-precision Inference of Lineages in Antibody Repertoires), an efficient, fast and precise method to identify clonal families from high-throughput sequencing datasets. HILARy combines probabilistic models that capture the receptor generation and selection statistics with adapted clustering methods to achieve consistently high inference accuracy. It automatically leverages the phylogenetic signal of shared mutations in difficult repertoire subsets. Exploiting the high sensitivity of the method, we find the statistics of evolutionary properties such as the site frequency spectrum and dN/dS ratio do not depend on the junction length. We also identify a broad range of selection pressures scanning two orders of magnitud | 10.1101/2022.12.22.521661 |
pubmed_570_4128 | Ultrasound assisted solution cocrystallization (USSC) has been studied using a non-congruently soluble pair of caffeine and maleic acid in methanol. USSC was compared with solvent cooling and slurry sonication using different molar ratios of caffeine:maleic acid (1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:3.5) in solution/slurry. Products were characterized by PXRD and Raman spectroscopy techniques. In USSC trials, the content of cocrystal in the product was observed to increase with increase in amount of maleic acid in solution. Only USSC offered pure caffeine/maleic acid 2:1 cocrystal product when caffeine:maleic acid; 1:3.5 molar ratio was taken in solution. Caffeine/maleic acid 1:1 cocrystal and maleic acid were not obtained in neither of the techniques. Products of solvent cooling and slurry sonication experiments were mixtures of caffeine and caffeine/maleic acid 2:1 cocrystal in varying amounts. In USSC, ultrasound application must have attained simultaneous supersaturation of cocrystal components in solution due to altered supersaturation conditions resulting in cocrystal formation. For this simultaneous attainment of supersaturation, molar ratio of cocrystal components in solution was identified as an important parameter while designing experiments for a non-congruently soluble pair having large solubility difference. | 10.1016/j.ejps.2010.08.012 |
pubmed_625_280 | Xiuyan Jade, produced in Xiuyan County, Liaoning Province, China is one of the four famous jade in China. King Jade, which is deemed the largest jade body of the world, was broken out from a hill. The local government planned to build a tourism site based on the jade culture there. The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the stability of subsurface foundation, and the possible positions of mined-out zones to prevent the further rolling of the jade body. Cross-hole radar tomography is the key technique in the investigation. Conventional travel time and attenuation tomography based on ray tracing theory cannot provide high-resolution images because only a fraction of the measured information is used in the inversion. Full-waveform inversion (FWI) can provide high-resolution permittivity and conductivity images because it utilizes all the information provided by the radar signals. We deduce the gradient expression of the time-domain FWI with respect to the permittivity and conductivity using a method that is different from that of the previous work and realize the FWI algorithm that can simultaneously update the permittivity and conductivity by using the conjugate gradient method. Inverted results from synthetic data show that time-domain FWI can significantly improve the resolution compared with the ray-based tomogram methods. FWI can distinguish targets that are as small as one-half to one-third wavelength and the inverted physical values are closer to the real ones than those provided by the ray tracing method. We use the FWI algorithm to the field data measured at Xiuyan jade mine. Both the inverted permittivity and conductivity can comparably delineate four mined-out zones, which exhibit low-permittivity and low-conductivity characteristics. Furthermore, the locations of the interpreted mined-out zones are in good agreement with the existing mining channels recorded by geological data. | 10.3390/s18093114 |
others_113_3545 | The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of iodine concentration of contrast material on detection of hepatocellular carcinoma with multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) by using double-arterial phase and portal venous phase enhanced scanning. Ninety-four (94) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were examined by hepatic plain CT and contrast-enhanced CT including early arterial phase (EAP), late arterial phase (LAP) and portal venous phase (PVP) scanning. Patients were randomized into two groups to receive Iopamidol 370 mg /ml (47 patients) and 300 mg /ml (47 patients). The images were interpreted by two experienced radiologists together prospectively. The detection sensitivity for tumors of two size categories (≤2 or >2 cm) and iodine concentration groups were calculated and analyzed. A total of 318 lesions were detected with 86 ≤ 2 cm in size and 232 >2 cm. For EAP and LAP, the sensitivity of Iopamidol 370 mg I/ml group was significantly higher than Iopamidol 300 mg I/ml group for tumors ≤ 2 cm and all tumors. For PVP, there were no significant differences between groups. We concluded that high-iodine-concentration contrast material could improve the detection of HCC for EAP and LAP, especially for tumor ≤ 2 cm. © 2010 Academic Journals | others_113_3545 |
pubmed_837_3900 | Adriamycin has a wide variety of biological actions on susceptible cells, several of which may be integrally involved in cytotoxicity. In this paper, we present evidence that one of the alterations in cell function that occurs in the presence of Adriamycin is an elevation in the production of diacylglycerol. The effect is rapid, reaches a peak within 10 min of exposure of Sarcoma 180 cells to Adriamycin, and can thus be classified among the earliest alterations that occur in cells damaged by Adriamycin. Concomitant with the rise in diacylglycerol is an increase in cytosolic protein kinase C activity. Although Adriamycin does not appear to modulate the activity of this enzyme by direct binding, drug-exposed Sarcoma 180 cells have a 56% increase in intrinsic cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) activity, with no change in the activity of the membrane form. Experiments with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate suggest that the PKC effect is linked to Adriamycin action, since activation of the enzyme by short 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate exposure enhances Adriamycin's cytotoxicity as well as its ability to provoke DNA damage (measured by alkaline elution). Likewise, down-regulation of PKC by extended 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate exposure partially protects the cells from Adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity as well as from DNA damage. Thus, the ability of cells to be injured by Adriamycin appears to be correlated with the activity of PKC. Multidrug-resistant subline Sarcoma 180A10 cells have the same total quantity of membrane-recruitable PKC as the sensitive parent Sarcoma 180 cells, as determined by [3H]phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate binding. However, the resistant cells have a significantly higher intrinsic PKC activity and an altered ability to translocate the enzyme to the cell surface. Taken together, the results raise the possibility that cell signaling mechanisms, particularly those involving protein kinase C, may play an important role in mediating the biological action of the anticancer drug Adriamycin. | pubmed_837_3900 |
pubmed_752_20673 | More than 2 billion individuals globally suffer some degree of deficiency of one or more micronutrients, with the largest numbers in Africa and Asia. Fortification of foods with vitamins and minerals is a proven public health intervention. In Asia, salt iodization, fortified flour and condiments such as fish sauce and soy sauce are reaching hundreds of millions. However, many individuals still do not have adequate intakes of numerous micronutrients, and better fortification strategies and practices will help to alleviate these deficiencies. The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) has supported research and scientific dialog about technical and health issues related to micronutrients. Recent studies have indicated widespread vitamin D deficiency among children in SE Asia, and in India. A new trial shows the efficacy of vitamin D-fortified milk in addressing deficiencies, which may have applicability in school feeding programs in India and other parts of Asia. Infant nutrition is also critical, and complementary foods can play an important role after exclusive breastfeeding in providing critical nutrients. A formulation developed in China, Ying Yang Bao, has shown significant reduction of anemia and improved growth in infants. Fortification in Asia has the potential to greatly reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve health, but more structured efforts are needed to achieve these goals. | 10.3177/jnsv.61.S183 |
pubmed_1039_12394 | To determine the long-term effect of exercise training on glucose control, 13 subjects with type I diabetes and 7 control subjects performed 45 min of cycle exercise three times per wk for 12 wk. The acute blood glucose response, the long-term effect on glucose control (glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose), and changes in nutrient intake were assessed. Fitness as measured by VO2 MAX increased in both control (33.8 +/- 1.7 to 43.2 +/- 3.5 ml/min/kg) and diabetic (38.7 +/- 3.3 to 46.5 +/- 3.6 ml/min/kg) (P less than 0.05) subjects although body weight remained unchanged. In the diabetic subjects, an acute glucose-lowering effect occurred with each exercise session throughout the 12-wk training period (225.8 +/- 16.1 to 148.5 +/- 16.8 mg/dl, P less than 0.001). However, fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin remained essentially unchanged (pretraining, 193.7 +/- 27.5 mg/dl and 10.7 +/- 0.3%; 6-wk training, 192.5 +/- 27.1 mg/dl and 10.7 +/- 0.03%; 12-wk training, 202 +/- 30.1 mg/dl and 10.3 +/- 0.8%). Total caloric intake as assessed by diet history increased significantly on exercising days (2569-2849 kcal, P less than 0.05). Although plasma glucose decreases acutely with exercise, increased caloric intake on exercising days obviates a long-term effect of training on glucose control. More precise guidelines and recommendations as to exercise timing and nutrient intake, likely based on self-monitoring of blood glucose, are required to achieve a beneficial effect of exercise training on metabolic control in type I diabetes. | 10.2337/diacare.7.6.515 |
pubmed_1048_6136 | BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to provide research and collaboration overview of Iranian research efforts in the field of traditional medicine during 2010-2014.
METHODS
This is a bibliometric study using the Scopus database as data source, using search affiliation address relevant to traditional medicine and Iran as the search strategy. Subject and geographical overlay maps were also applied to visualize the network activities of the Iranian authors. Highly cited articles (citations >10) were further explored to highlight the impact of research domains more specifically.
RESULTS
About 3,683 articles were published by Iranian authors in Scopus database. The compound annual growth rate of Iranian publications was 0.14% during 2010-2014. Tehran University of Medical Sciences (932 articles), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (404 articles) and Tabriz Islamic Medical University (391 articles), were the leading institutions in the field of traditional medicine. Medicinal plants (72%), digestive system's disease (21%), basics of traditional medicine (13%), mental disorders (8%) were the major research topics. United States (7%), Netherlands (3%), and Canada (2.6%) were the most important collaborators of Iranian authors.
CONCLUSION
Iranian research efforts in the field of traditional medicine have been increased slightly over the last years. Yet, joint multi-disciplinary collaborations are needed to cover inadequately described areas of traditional medicine in the country. | pubmed_1048_6136 |
pubmed_748_19025 | HCM continues to be a challenging disease for veterinarians. Acute cases with ATE or CHF are difficult to manage, and we still lack the tools to advise owners well with regard to their pet's prognosis. Nevertheless, it appears that the historical view of HCM as a serious disease with a poor prognosis is now being adjusted to accommodate the apparently large numbers of asymptomatic cats with much longer survival times. Although there is evidence of a genetic cause of the disease in at least several families of cats, no disease-associated mutation has been found to be causative of feline HCM. Prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic or mildly affected cats continues to be empiric, but a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study on chronic therapy of symptomatic HCM cats should provide new guidance for practitioners managing these cases. | 10.1016/j.cvsm.2004.06.005 |
pubmed_240_16785 | An inverted left atrial appendage is a rare phenomenon post cardiac surgery. The lesion presents as an additional mass in the left atrium, which would trigger unnecessary concerns and frequently, a battery of tests. The lesion can be easily diagnosed using echocardiography. We report a case of inverted left atrial appendage in a patient post repair of common arterial trunk. Echocardiographic pictures and features which help to identify this lesion as well as to differentiate it from other possible left atrial mass are described. This article aimed to improve the awareness of sonographers toward this rare but possible post operative lesion. | 10.1111/echo.12044 |
pubmed_857_7391 | A patient with active stable idiopathic polymyositis received a 4-week supervised right quadriceps and biceps isometric strengthening program. He demonstrated a significant increase in isometric peak torque without a sustained rise in creatinine phosphokinase (CPK). A significant decrease in postexercise CPK occurred at the end of the exercise program. We conclude a randomized clinical trial using a nonexercised patient group vs an exercised patient group may be useful. | pubmed_857_7391 |
others_10_17372 | The capitellum is the lateral part of the humeral condyle that articulates with the radial head. It is the first ossification center in the elbow to ossify and used as a landmark when assessing elbow trauma in a pediatric patient on X-ray. Fracture of the capitellum is much less common compared to other elbow fractures. The physician must have a keen eye when assessing the capitellum and be able to differentiate from a supracondylar fracture. The “double arc” sign is helpful to diagnose the capitellar fracture, as it may not be otherwise apparent; and a capitellar fracture necessitates surgical repair rather than casting. © 2021 | 10.1016/j.visj.2021.101232 |
pubmed_74_20467 | Article 25 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right to health and well-being for every individual. However, universal access to high-quality healthcare remains the purview of a handful of wealthy nations. This is no more apparent than in peri-operative care, where an estimated five billion individuals lack access to safe, affordable and timely surgical care. Delivery of surgery and anaesthesia in low-resource environments presents unique challenges that, when unaddressed, result in limited access to low-quality care. Current peri-operative research and clinical guidance often fail to acknowledge these system-level deficits and therefore have limited applicability in low-resource settings. In this manuscript, the authors priority-set the need for equitable access to high-quality peri-operative care and analyse the system-level contributors to excess peri-operative mortality rates, a key marker of quality of care. To provide examples of how research and investment may close the equity gap, a modified Delphi method was adopted to curate and appraise interventions which may, with subsequent research and evaluation, begin to address the barriers to high-quality peri-operative care in low- and middle-income countries. | 10.1111/anae.14921 |
pubmed_889_6311 | The new recently described provisional lymphoma category Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration comprises cases similar to Burkitt lymphoma (BL) on morphological, immunophenotypic and gene-expression levels but lacking the IG-MYC translocation. They are characterized by a peculiar imbalance pattern on chromosome 11, but the landscape of mutations is not yet described. Thus, we investigated 15 MYC-negative Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration (mnBLL,11q,) cases by copy-number analysis and whole-exome sequencing. We refined the regions of 11q imbalance and identified the INO80 complex-associated gene NFRKB as a positional candidate in 11q24.3. Next to recurrent gains in 12q13.11-q24.32 and 7q34-qter as well as losses in 13q32.3-q34, we identified 47 genes recurrently affected by protein-changing mutations (each ≥3 of 15 cases). Strikingly, we did not detect recurrent mutations in genes of the ID3-TCF3 axis or the SWI/SNF complex that are frequently altered in BL, or in genes frequently mutated in germinal center-derived B-cell lymphomas like KMT2D or CREBBP An exception is GNA13, which was mutated in 7 of 15 cases. We conclude that the genomic landscape of mnBLL,11q, differs from that of BL both at the chromosomal and mutational levels. Our findings implicate that mnBLL,11q, is a lymphoma category distinct from BL at the molecular level. | 10.1182/blood-2018-07-864025 |
pubmed_86_8684 | The cardiac mechanisms responsible for endotoxin-mediated disruptions in left ventricular (LV) contraction-relaxation dynamics have been controversial. Recently, a combination of clinical cardiodynamic studies in patients along with experimental cardiodynamic studies in endotoxemic/septic animals and isolated heart tissue has yielded corroborating evidence for a consistent deleterious alteration(s) of intrinsic LV contractility during shock syndromes. Cardiac dysfunction in shock patients and intact animals was characterized by reduced LV ejection fraction in the presence of unchanging LV stroke volume, or by reduced LV end-systolic pressure-volume ratio. In hearts isolated from experimental shock subjects, LV contractile abnormality was characterized by reduced isovolumetric intraventricular pressure development and stroke volume, even in the presence of maximally effective increments in end-diastolic volume or preload. Cardiodynamic changes developed early in experimental septicemic shock syndromes (less than 4 hr) and were not irreversible. Furthermore, and this is a key element, both clinical and experimental study indicated that coronary perfusion inadequacy was not an obligatory etiologic factor in the shock-associated loss of cardiac contractile function. Thus, clinical and experimental data are now available to assemble a consensus that 1) intrinsic LV contractile reserves are diminished early during endotoxemia and sepsis and 2) this diminution is not simply a consequence of global myocardial ischemia. | pubmed_86_8684 |
pubmed_1029_12820 | A series of experiments was performed to investigate differing predictions from the spatial mapping hypothesis of hippocampal function proposed by O'Keefe and Nadel (1978) and the working memory hypothesis proposed more recently by Olton and his colleagues (Olton, Becker, & Handelmann, 1979). Each of two groups of rats was trained to use a different strategy to locate a submerged platform in a tank of opaque water. The MAP group used a spatial mapping strategy to reach a platform in a fixed location over trials; whereas the CUE group used a guidance strategy, which involved following a cue that signaled the location of a randomly placed platform on each trial. Following acquisition, one-half of each group was given low-level unilateral electrical stimulation of the dentate gyrus and immediately tested on the water maze task. The results of Experiment 1 showed that both the MAP and CUE groups were impaired by stimulation. However, it was observed that there was an inadvertent spatial element involved in the CUE task. When this element was eliminated in Experiment 3, the same CUE animals were not affected by a second series of stimulation trials, whereas the MAP animals continued to show impairment. These results are interpreted as strongly supporting the cognitive mapping hypothesis, while at the same time providing little support for the working memory hypothesis of hippocampal function. | 10.1037//0735-7044.102.5.653 |
pubmed_808_20843 | It is well known that athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) may experience altered autonomic physiology that impacts their exercise capacity and sports performance. This is particularly relevant given the ever-increasing number of individuals with SCI who are actively engaged in sports at all levels, from community-based adaptive sports to elite Paralympic competitions. As such, the purpose of this article is to review the present literature regarding the implications of altered autonomic control on the safety and performance of athletes with SCI. A particular emphasis will be placed on the autonomic aspects of cardiovascular and thermoregulatory control in the athlete population, as well as the implications of autonomic dysreflexia in enhancing sports performance. Further research is needed to understand the autonomic factors that influence athletes with SCI in order to ensure optimal and safe sports competition. Additionally, this information is crucially relevant to the coaches, sports administrators, and team medical staff who work closely with athletes with SCI. | 10.1016/j.autneu.2017.03.006 |
pubmed_14_2552 | RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES
The authors' purpose was to elucidate the various computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in intracranial aspergillosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Retrospective analysis of cranial imaging findings was performed in eight proved cases of central nervous system aspergillosis. The patients ranged in age from 17 to 75 years. Four patients were immunocompromised, and four were immunocompetent. CT was performed in all eight patients, and MR imaging in five.
RESULTS
Six patients (75%) had multiple lesions seen on the imaging studies, with a total of 27 focal brain lesions demonstrated. The lesions were most commonly seen in the cerebral hemispheres (n = 21), with lesser involvement of the basal ganglia (n = 2) and the posterior fossa (n = 4). Seven lesions were hemorrhagic on CT and/or MR images. There was a correlation between lesion size and hemorrhage, with hemorrhage more likely in larger lesions (>15 mm). At pathologic examination, foci of hemorrhage were noted within both infarcts and abscesses. Enhancement was noted in five lesions, four of which were confirmed abscesses. Contrast enhancement of the lesions was vague and week in immunocompromised patients but solid and strong in immunocompetent patients. There were 18 lesions without hemorrhage or enhancement; they were either infarcts or abscesses at pathologic examination. Some of these small nonhemorrhagic nonenhancing brain lesions in the subcortical white matter mimicked lacunar infarcts.
CONCLUSION
Typical imaging findings of intracranial aspergillosis include multifocal lesions involving the cerebral hemispheres, with hemorrhage in approximately 25% of lesions. Lesional contrast enhancement tends to be stronger in immunocompetent hosts. | 10.1016/s1076-6332(03)80166-6 |
pubmed_247_9294 | Attenuated poliovirus strains induce less interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in human leukocyte cultures than their parental wild-type strains or other neurovirulent strains. We have used a set of type 3 Leon/Sabin recombinant poliovirus strains to show that production of IFN in this system is closely associated with the genomic region that codes for capsid protein VP3; a mutation in this gene also causes the temperature sensitivity of the attenuated Sabin 3 strain and is partly responsible for the loss of neurovirulence of this vaccine strain. Sixteen independent poliovirus isolates, derived from the Sabin 3 virus but showing in vitro and in vivo markers of neurovirulence, were also tested. These gave IFN yields equivalent to or higher than those obtained with the neurovirulent Leon type 3 poliovirus. The relatively low IFN yields with the Sabin 3 virus seem not to be a direct consequence of its temperature sensitivity, but the two properties coincide with all the type 3 poliovirus strains tested. | pubmed_247_9294 |
pubmed_311_20379 | A dual-process model of temperament, incorporating the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS), Behavioural Activation System (BAS) and effortful control (EC), may help to predict hedonic responses to palatable food and trait disinhibition.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to determine if the BIS, BAS and EC predicted liking and wanting for high-fat, sweet foods in adults with overweight and obesity, and if collectively, these variables predicted the eating behaviour trait of Disinhibition.
METHODS
168 adults (104 females, mean BMI = 33.3 kg/m2) completed the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Carver and White BIS/BAS scales, the Adult Temperament Questionnaire-Effortful Control Scale - Short Form and the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire. The strength of the BIS, BAS and EC in predicting wanting and liking for high-fat sweet foods, and trait Disinhibition was assessed using hierarchical multiple regression.
RESULTS
Both the BIS and EC predicted liking, F (6, 161) = 5.05, p < .001, R2 = 0.16, and EC inversely predicted wanting, F (6, 161) = 3.28, p = .005, R2 = 0.11. The BIS, EC and liking predicted, F (8, 159) = 11.0, p < .001, R2 = 0.36, and explained 36% of Disinhibition. The BAS did not predict wanting, liking or Disinhibition.
CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that a sensitive BIS and a lower level of effortful control predicts food reward and Disinhibition in overweight and obese adults. Consequently, interventions that aim to increase effortful control and reduce BIS reactivity may be beneficial for reducing hedonically motivated, disinhibited eating behaviour. | 10.1016/j.appet.2018.12.011 |
pubmed_234_5471 | We describe a case involving spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma caused by rupture of an aneurysm of the right ovarian artery 4 days after delivery in a multiparous woman. Diagnosis was achieved by arteriography. Bleeding was stopped by embolization via selective arteriography. Hematoma was drained by lomboscopy. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying development and treatment of these aneurysms are discussed. | 10.1007/s100169900281 |
pubmed_1129_2707 | Surf zones, classified from reflective to dissipative, separate the ocean from shore and subsidies from the coastal ocean must pass through surf zones to reach the shore. We have observed that variations in phytoplankton concentrations in the water over the intertidal zone varied with surf-zone hydrodynamics and we hypothesized that this variation would alter growth rates, population structure, and reproductive output of Mytilus californianus and Balanus glandula. From May 2016 to April 2017, along 7 km of Cape Arago, Oregon, USA surf-zone phytoplankton concentrations were determined weekly at nine sites with varying surf-zone hydrodynamics as indicated by surf-zone widths. Throughout the year, concentrations of phytoplankton in wider, more dissipative surf zones were, on average, 16× higher than in narrow, more reflective surf zones. Similar to previous observations, surf-zone width explained >90% of the variability in phytoplankton concentrations in the surf-zone. On average, ~83% of B. glandula had egg lamellae at more dissipative shores compared to only 8% at more reflective. An index of potential reproductive output by barnacle populations as measured by ash free dry mass (AFDM) of egg lamellae was ~243× larger at more dissipative than at reflective shores and surf-zone phytoplankton concentrations and surf-zone width explained ~96 and 92% of the variability in this index. On average, density of M. californianus was ~2× higher at more reflective shores, but 60% of these individuals were smaller and non-reproductive compared to only 24% at the more dissipative sites. The gonad tissue mass/m2 of medium sized mussels was ~5× greater at more dissipative than reflective shores. Surf-zone phytoplankton concentrations and surf-zone width explained ~80% and 65% of the variability in individual mussel gonad mass and ~69% and 56% of the variability in mussel population gonad mass, respectively. M. californianus were out-planted to assess growth rates and, after 5 months, average body mass was ~3× greater at more dissipative than reflective shores. Surf-zone phytoplankton concentrations and width explained ~85% and 92% of the mass increase, respectively. Phytoplankton subsidies varied with surf-zone hydrodynamics altering the growth and reproductive output of two ecologically important intertidal filter feeders. | 10.1002/ecy.2415 |
pubmed_187_2674 | We have investigated the formation of 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (HCY) and deschloroethylcyclophosphamide (DCCY) from cyclophosphamide (CY) in human liver microsomes. For HCY, the estimated values (mean +/- SD; n = 3) of Km1 and Km2 were 0.095 +/- 0.072 and 5.09 +/- 4.30 mM, and the estimated values of Vmax1 and Vmax2 were 0.138 +/- 0.070 and 1.55 +/- 0.50 nmol/min/mg protein. For DCCY, Km1 and Km2 were 0.046 +/- 0.017 and 8.58 +/- 5.84 mM, and Vmax1 and Vmax2 were 0.006 +/- 0.003 and 0.274 +/- 0.214 nmol/min/mg protein. At CY concentrations of 0.1, 0.7, and 5 mM, HCY respectively accounted for 95.7 +/- 1.3, 95.1 +/- 2.4, and 90.7 +/- 2.7% of the total products of CY (HCY + DCCY; n = 6). In a separate experiment, 98.7 +/- 11.9% (n = 3) of CY loss could be accounted for by the formation of HCY at 0.1 mM CY. On the basis of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform-specific chemical inhibitor and cDNA-expressed human P450 isozyme studies, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4/5 seemed to be the major P450 isoforms responsible for HCY formation at low (0.1 mM) and high (0.7 and 5 mM) concentrations of CY, respectively. Although orphenadrine inhibition was observed in human liver microsomes (which has been taken to indicate CYP2B6 catalysis), orphenadrine inhibited cDNA-expressed CYP3A4 formation of HCY to the same extent observed in human liver microsomes, and the addition of orphenadrine to incubations containing sulfaphenazole (a specific inhibitor of CYP2C9) or troleandomycin (a specific CYP3A inhibitor) did not increase inhibition beyond that observed with sulfaphenazole or troleandomycin alone. Similar studies indicated that CYP3A4/5 was the major P450 isoform responsible for DCCY formation at high (0.7 and 5 mM) concentrations of CY. The P450 isoform responsible for DCCY formation at 0.1 mM CY could not be identified due to its very low formation rate. | pubmed_187_2674 |
pubmed_742_14301 | The use of vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) is well developed in France and other countries for the treatment of wastewaters from small communities. The patented Azoé® process has been developed by a French company, SCIRPE, in order to improve denitrification and phosphorus removal as compared to classical VFCWs. It includes a biological trickling filter pretreatment followed by two stages of partially flooded VFCW. The performances of partially flooded VFCW are well demonstrated for the removal of organic matter and nitrogen. The system is now being considered for phosphorus removal as well. In this article, sludge and granular materials sampled from the filters of a municipal plant where the Azoé® system has been operated for 8 years were analyzed in order to provide data that may contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of phosphorus retention. Elemental analyses showed that phosphorus was predominantly captured in the sludge layer accumulated at the surface of the first stage. The progressive mineralization of the sludge over time was also clearly highlighted. The phosphate phases were mainly associated with iron and calcium. The transport of phosphorus via the migration of fine particles through the porous medium in the first stage was also observed. | 10.2166/wst.2013.485 |
pubmed_311_10180 | Topographical cues presented by aligned nanofibers have been demonstrated to stimulate peripheral nerve regeneration across long gaps, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Because macrophages play a crucial role in peripheral nerve regeneration and can be phenotypically modulated by topographical cues, we hypothesized that aligned nanofibers might induce the development of macrophage phenotypes that facilitate the regeneration of peripheral nerves. Here, macrophages were seeded on aligned and random poly(l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) nanofibers and their morphology and phenotypes were compared. Aligned nanofibers drastically stimulated macrophage elongation along the nanofibers, and, more importantly, induced the development of a pro-healing macrophage phenotype (M2 type), whereas random nanofibers induced a proinflammatory phenotype (M1 type). Notably, the macrophages polarized by aligned nanofibers potently promoted the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells in vitro. Thus, we constructed nerve-guidance conduits by using aligned and random nanofibers and evaluated their effects on macrophage polarization and nerve regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve defect model. Our in vivo results showed that the ratio of pro-healing macrophages was again higher in the aligned-nanofiber group, and further that Schwann cell infiltration and axon numbers were 2.0- and 2.84-fold higher in the aligned group than in the random group, respectively. This study demonstrates that nanofiber arrangement differentially regulates macrophage activation and that nerve-guidance conduits constructed from aligned nanofibers markedly facilitate peripheral nerve regeneration at least partly by promoting the pro-healing phenotype in macrophages. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The effect of aligned nanofibers on peripheral nerve regeneration has been well established. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Since macrophages play an important role in peripheral nerve regeneration, and can be phenotypically modulated by topographical cues, we hypothesized that aligned nanofibers may exert their beneficial effects via modulating macrophage phenotypes. This study demonstrates for the first time that nanofiber arrangement differentially modulates macrophage shape and polarization, and this subsequently influences the outcome of peripheral nerve regeneration. These findings reveals a novel relationship between biomaterial structure and macrophage activation, contributes to clarifying the mechanism of surface topography in tissue regeneration, and highlight the potential application prospect of aligned nanofiber scaffolds in nerve regeneration and wound healing. | 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.10.040 |
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