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pubmed_1121_16029 | In this study, the roots, stems and leaves of diploid and autotetraploid Dendrobium huoshanense were used as materials to compare their contents of polysaccharides and alkaloids, and the transcriptome sequencing analysis was carried out. The results showed that the contents of polysaccharides and alkaloids in the roots, stems and leaves of tetraploid were 7.6%, 34.5%, 17.2%, 0.01%, 0.024% and 0.035% higher than those of diploid D. huoshanense, respectively. The contents of active components in different tissues were significantly different. There were 3 687 differentially expressed genes in diploid and tetraploid D. huoshanense, of which 2 346 genes were up-regulated and 1 341 down regulated. Go functional analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in growth and development, stress resistance and other related functions. KEGG pathway analysis showed that most of the differential genes were concentrated in the processes of carbon metabolism, signal transduction, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism. The differential expression of key genes involved in the metabolism of polysaccharides, terpenes and polyketones, amino acid metabolism, hormone synthesis and signal transduction in diploid and tetraploid plants may be the main reason for the high energy content, the increase of active components and the growth potential of tetraploid plants. | 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200816.101 |
pubmed_1064_1743 | This opinion of treatment for children's supracondylar humeral fractures discusses techniques of fracture reduction and stabilization. A useful method of external visualization of the fracture is reviewed. The article discusses the treatment of 95 fractures in children using crossed and two lateral pin techniques. | 10.1016/j.injury.2004.12.013 |
pubmed_463_8985 | OBJECTIVE
To assess eating habits and the level of physical activity in adolescents and develop a predictive model for the body mass index (BMI) based on these variables.
DESIGN
In this cross-sectional study, eating habits and the level of physical activity were assessed using a questionnaire validated in adolescents. Body mass and height collected during the last annual checkup were extracted from personal medical records.
SUBJECTS
The sample included 330 boys and 377 girls (mean age 15.8 ± 0.2 years) who were first-year high school students in the city of Belgrade, Serbia.
MEASURES
Responses to each of the 14 questions about eating habits and 6 questions about physical activity were scored from the least (0) to the most (3) desired behaviors. These ratings were then averaged to arrive to an aggregate score for each domain. The BMI was calculated according to the standard method. A series of regression analyses was performed to derive the best model for predicting BMI in boys and girls based on individual eating habits and physical activity items, first separately and then combined.
RESULTS
In the sample, 24.5% of boys and 9.5% of girls were overweight or obese. Girls' eating habits were better than boys (mean aggregate score 2.3 ± 0.3 and 2.1 ± 0.3, respectively, p < 0.001), whereas the level of physical activity was greater in boys than girls (2.1 ± 0.6 vs 1.9 ± 0.6, p < 0.001). The differences between boys and girls in the BMI, eating habits, and physical activity remained significant after controlling for their knowledge about healthy eating and education level of their parents. Eating habits were a better predictor of BMI than physical activity, particularly in boys (R (2) = 0.13 vs R (2) = 0.02) compared to girls (R (2) = 0.04 vs R (2) = 0.01). Combining eating habits and physical activity in the multivariate model of BMI resulted in a better predictive accuracy in boys (R (2) = 0.17) but not girls (R (2) = 0.04).
CONCLUSIONS
Eating habits and physical activity differ between adolescent boys and girls and can predict BMI, particularly in boys. The results suggest the need to develop gender-specific programs for promoting healthy lifestyle among adolescents in our country. | 10.1080/07315724.2013.791149 |
pubmed_601_22141 | Ultrastructural distribution of actin in dendrites, dendritic spines and presynaptic boutons of the hippocampal area CA3 of the guinea pig was investigated using decoration and immunocytochemical methods. The distribution of actin was non-homogeneous in all the parts of neurons. The highest concentration of this contractile protein was revealed in the spine cytoplasm. Here actin forms a dense cytoskeleton meshwork and is present also in postsynaptic densities. An intimate interaction between the spine actin cytoskeleton and the postsynaptic actin densities has been revealed. This feature may indicate the involvement of actin cytoskeleton in the organization and maintenance of dimensions, location and geometry of active zones. | pubmed_601_22141 |
pubmed_102_4192 | The findings of this study indicate that both cardiac patients and health care providers view information about medications to be important in cardiac rehabilitation programs. Although most medication topics were perceived by the patients to be complete, the completeness of several important medication topics was rated as only fair or poor. | 10.1177/875512258900500204 |
pubmed_1102_18339 | BACKGROUND
Standing surgery in horses combining intravenous sedatives, analgesics and local anaesthesia is becoming more popular. Ultrasound guided (USG) peribulbar nerve block (PB) has been described in dogs and humans for facial and ocular surgery, reducing the risk of complications versus retrobulbar nerve block (RB).
OBJECTIVE
To describe a technique for USG PB in horse cadavers.
METHODS
Landmarks and PB technique were described in two equine cadaver heads (Phase 1), with computed tomography (CT) imaging confirming contrast location and spread. In Phase 2, ten equine cadaver heads were randomised to two operators naïve to the USG PB, with moderate experience with ultrasonography and conventional "blind" RB. Both techniques were demonstrated once. Subsequently, operators performed five USG PB and five RB each, unassisted. Contrast location and spread were evaluated by CT. Injection site success was defined for USG PB as extraconal contrast, and for RB intraconal contrast.
RESULTS
Success was 10/10 for USG PB and 0/10 for RB (p < 0.001). Of the RB injections, eight resulted in extraconal contrast and two in the masseter muscle (p = 0.47).
CONCLUSIONS
The USG PB had a high injection site success rate compared with the RB technique; however, we cannot comment on clinical effect. The USG technique was easily learnt, and no potential complications were seen. The USG PB nerve block could have a wide application for use in horses for ocular surgeries (enucleations, eyelid, corneal, cataract surgeries, and ocular analgesia) due to reduced risk of iatrogenic damage. Further clinical studies are needed. | 10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e22 |
pubmed_828_4119 | Knowledge of the mechanical properties of electrospun fibers is important for their successful application in tissue engineering, material composites, filtration and drug delivery. In particular, electrospun collagen has great potential for biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and promotion of cell growth and adhesion. Using a combined atomic force microscopy (AFM)/optical microscopy technique, the single fiber mechanical properties of dry, electrospun collagen type I were determined. The fibers were electrospun from a 80 mg ml(-1) collagen solution in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluro-2-propanol and collected on a striated surface suitable for lateral force manipulation by AFM. The small strain modulus, calculated from three-point bending analysis, was 2.82 GPa. The modulus showed significant softening as the strain increased. The average extensibility of the fibers was 33% of their initial length, and the average maximum stress (rupture stress) was 25 MPa. The fibers displayed significant energy loss and permanent deformations above 2% strain. | 10.1016/j.actbio.2010.02.050 |
pubmed_76_24682 | 1. Ingestion of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli or Candida albicans by thioglycollate-elicited macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes was investigated in vitro, 2. Goat antiserum against mannose receptors caused about 50% inhibition of E. coli phagocytosis and about 90% inhibition of C. albicans phagocytosis. 3. E. coli and C. albicans uptake was inhibited by about 60% and 98%, respectively, by plating the macrophages onto substrates coated with poly-L-lysine-mannan. Further addition of 50 mM mannose to the medium significantly increased the inhibition of phagocytosis of E. coli by macrophages from 60.7 +/- 1.5 to 79.8 +/- 13.1 and by polymorphonuclear cells from 58.9 +/- 3.7 to 88.7 +/- 4.9. 4. Preincubation of phagocytic cells with antiserum against substance A of human erythrocytes reduced E. coli ingestion by 95%, but this inhibition was not observed when the antiserum was incubated with N-acetylgalactosamine (50 mM) before being added to the phagocytes. The phagocytosis of C. albicans was not inhibited by anti-substance A antiserum. 5. The phagocytosis of E. coli was inhibited by about 25% by the addition of 7.8 micrograms/ml soluble mannan to the medium, and by about 50% by the addition of 50 mMN-acetylgalactosamine; when both substances were added to the medium, an additive inhibition of about 75% was observed. 6. These results indicate that mannose receptors on the surface of phagocytic cells mediate E. coli or Candida albicans uptake and that the binding of bacteria to N-acetylgalactosamine residues from the membrane of phagocytes is also involved in the phagocytosis of E. coli. | pubmed_76_24682 |
pubmed_321_23209 | We report a case of triple elastofibromas located in the supra- and infrascapular regions. A 61-year-old female with a history of bilateral elastofibroma in the typical subscapular region (6 years before) was admitted for the evaluation of a left-sided suprascapular mass that she had first noted 3 months before. On physical examination, a firm, painless, mobile mass was palpated in the subcutaneous tissue. The patient had not observed any changes of the two known lesions over the past 6 years. The patient denied a family history of elastofibroma. The signal characteristic on T1- and T2-weighted images as well as contrast enhancement curves on dynamic study was identical in all three masses. Ultrasound-guided biopsy performed before surgical intervention confirmed the diagnosis of elastofibroma. This case report has a teaching value as, to our knowledge, it is the only one in the literature with images of synchronous elastofibromas documented by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. In cases of elastofibroma with diagnostic difficulties, particularly in uncommon sites, a dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI may help to establish the proper diagnosis. This case report gives an example of rare multiple elastofibromas, presents current diagnostic imaging methods, and reminds us that elastofibroma is not exclusive to the posterior thoracic region. | 10.1007/s00256-017-2813-4 |
pubmed_175_687 | Attention allows us to select important sensory information and enhances sensory information processing. Attention and our motor system are tightly coupled: attention is shifted to the target location before a goal-directed eye- or hand movement is executed. Congruent eye-hand movements to the same target can boost the effect of this pre-movement shift of attention. Moreover, visual information processing can be enhanced by, for example, auditory input presented in spatial and temporal proximity of visual input via multisensory integration (MSI). In this study, we investigated whether the combination of MSI and motor congruency can synergistically enhance visual information processing beyond what can be observed using motor congruency alone. Participants performed congruent eye- and hand movements during a 2-AFC visual discrimination task. The discrimination target was presented in the planning phase of the movements at the movement target location or a movement irrelevant location. Three conditions were compared: (1) a visual target without sound, (2) a visual target with sound spatially and temporally aligned (MSI) and (3) a visual target with sound temporally misaligned (no MSI). Performance was enhanced at the movement-relevant location when congruent motor actions and MSI coincide compared to the other conditions. Congruence in the motor system and MSI together therefore lead to enhanced sensory information processing beyond the effects of motor congruency alone, before a movement is executed. Such a synergy implies that the boost of attention previously observed for the independent factors is not at ceiling level, but can be increased even further when the right conditions are met. | 10.1007/s00221-019-05714-9 |
others_56_769 | Polarization sensitivity (PS), which arises from the orthogonal arrangement of microvilli in the retina, has long been known in shallow-water cephalopods. Micrographs presented herein signify that some deep-water cephalopods may also possess PS. Precise measurements of the angles of microvilli in the retinas of shallow-water octopus, squid and cuttlefish revealed neuroanatomical differences that may explain variation in the limits of polarization angular discrimination in different species and habitats. A question yet unanswered is whether cephalopods can discriminate between polarization and intensity. Recent behavioral experimentation has illustrated that one clear function of PS is enhanced predation: it enables better detection of transparent, opaque, or silvery-reflecting prey. The use of PS for navigation in cephalopods is still controversial, and our recent experiment on squids failed to support this notion. It is possible that cephalopods show polarization patterning produced in their skin as a mode of communication that cannot be detected by polarization-insensitive predators such as many fishes and marine mammals | 10.1080/10236240290025617 |
pubmed_89_19209 | Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) and its derivatives have attracted a great deal of attention in the field of electrocatalysis. In this paper, a series of tin (Sn)-modified ZIF-based composites (ZSO-X/Y) are synthesized and used as catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to produce low-carbon fuels. Among the catalysts obtained, ZSO-2/8 shows the best formate (HCOO-) selectivity compared with others. A faradaic efficiency of 76.70% and a catalytic current density of -9.81 mA cm-2 can be respectively achieved at a potential of -1.16 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE). The high catalytic performance can be attributed to the stable coexistence of two-phase components of SnO2/ZnO inside the catalyst. This work provides an insight into the development of high performance ZIF-based catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. | 10.1039/d2dt00906d |
pubmed_914_254 | An SIS/SAS model of gonorrhea transmission in a population of highly active men-having-sex-with-men (MSM) is presented in this paper to study the impact of safe behavior on the dynamics of gonorrhea prevalence. Safe behaviors may fall into two categories-prevention and self-awareness. Prevention will be modeled via consistent condom use and self-awareness via STD testing frequency. Stability conditions for the disease free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium are determined along with a complete analysis of global dynamics. The control reproductive number is used as a means for measuring the effect of changes to model parameters on the prevalence of the disease. We also find that appropriate intervention would be in the form of a multifaceted approach at overall risk reduction rather than tackling one specific control individually. | 10.1016/j.jtbi.2010.07.027 |
pubmed_793_12956 | Vascular injury during lumbar laminectomy is an uncommon event. It is most often secondary to a biting instrument, such as a pituitary rongeur. Its diagnosis must be made rapidly in order to save the patient from exsanguination. This is well within the province of the general surgeon, who should be prepared to treat it at any time. | pubmed_793_12956 |
pubmed_347_3599 | BACKGROUND
Knowledge and awareness are important in promoting healthy sexual behaviour in the face of a continuing trend of high prevalence and disproportionate increase in new incidences of HIV infection among sexually active young adults.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate the global knowledge, awareness and perception on AIDS, and elucidate sexual practices among students in a tertiary institution in Nigeria.
METHODS
Students in a College of Education (N= 382) were surveyed using a 52-item questionnaire that solicited information on sociodemographics, knowledge on AIDS, perceptions about AIDS epidemic, information sources, sexual activity, and condom use.
RESULTS
Overall, the students showed satisfactory knowledge, and AIDS epidemics was a serious issue to 80% of them, and of concern to 60% of them, while 49% of those who had experience with sexual intercourse seldom use condom on a consistent basis. Among the students, level of perceived seriousness about AIDS epidemics influenced condom use consistency (p<0.01), while knowledge level influenced the students' appreciation of the seriousness of AIDS epidemics (p<0.05). Male students tend to appreciate the seriousness of the epidemics and also tend to report experience with sexual intercourse and condom use more frequently than their female counterparts (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The study showed that the sexually active cohorts of young adults may not be practicing safe sexual methods and affirms the need for an all inclusive approach to facilitate improved sexual practices and behaviour among young adults in Nigeria. | pubmed_347_3599 |
pubmed_582_441 | For demonstrating that visible-light spectroscopy can be used for ice-front detection within freezing tissue, proton magnetic resonance images were correlated to time-evolving transmittance spectra as an ice front progressed across a tissue sample. The experimental apparatus was designed to be compatible with magnetic resonance imaging, to produce one-dimensional freezing, and to allow both reflectance and transillumination emitter-detector configurations about a normally progressing planar ice front in chicken muscle. This demonstration has potentially important medical applications in cryopreservation (freezing of biological materials for preservation) and cryosurgery (destruction of tissue by freezing). | 10.1364/ao.37.006006 |
pubmed_1081_11694 | A protocol for the Au-promoted anti-Markovnikov hydrothiolation of olefins using ex situ generated methanethiol is reported. The use of S-methylisothiourea hemisulfate salt as a solid precursor for methanethiol generation ensures a safe and reliable deliverance of a stoichiometric amount of this thiol. The procedure was shown to work for a broad range of olefins providing the corresponding hydrothiolated adduct in good to excellent yields. Mechanistic evaluations suggest that thiyl radicals are generated and that gold acts as an efficient but stable radical initiator. | 10.1002/anie.201809051 |
pubmed_933_21719 | 1. The increase of conductivity produced by saponin in formaldehyde-hardened blood is due to an increase in the conductivity of the corpuscles (increased permeability of the corpuscles to ions) and not, mainly at any rate, to the liberation of electrolytes from the corpuscles and a consequent increase in the conductivity of the serum. The increase in the permeability of the corpuscles is probably caused by a "corrosive," dissolving, or emulsifying action of the saponin on some non-proteid constituent of the envelope or stroma. 2. In the first stage of the action of saponin on blood (not fixed by formaldehyde) there seems also to be an increase in the permeability of the corpuscles for ions, even before any haemoglobin has been liberated. The liberation of the haemoglobin may be secondary to this, owing to the entrance, of water consequent on the disturbance of osmotic equilibrium. 3. Heating the blood to 40 degrees to 45 degrees C. intensifies the laking action of saponin, so that a dose insufficient to cause laking at ordinary temperature may do so when the blood is heated to the temperature mentioned. 4. Pus corpuscles, like red blood corpuscles, are worse conductors than the serum in which they are suspended. Unlike blood corpuscles, they show no preference for NH(4)Cl as compared with NaCl. On the other hand, the conductivity of pus is increased by the action of saponin, just as is the case with blood, and apparently very much in the same way, that is to say, by an action on the corpuscles and not on the serum. The fixing of the pus corpuscles by formaldehyde does not hinder this action of saponin. | 10.1084/jem.6.3.257 |
pubmed_834_15594 | Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are loops of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in the nucleolus and are associated with acidic proteins. They are seen in routinely processed paraffin sections by using a one-step colloidal silver (Ag) staining method; they appear as black dots termed "AgNORs". The quantitative assay of AgNORs has been used to differentiate benign from malignant neoplasms. Melanocytic lesions differ significantly in AgNOR counts between malignant melanoma and nevi. However, conflicting results have been reported as to AgNORs' prognostic value in melanoma. A recent study showed AgNOR counts to be a more accurate prognostic indicator than Breslow's thickness. In this study, we counted the AgNORs in 26 patients with primary cutaneous melanomas (CMM) between 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm thick. Of these, 14 are alive without disease (AN) at 5 years after diagnosis (group 1) and 12 are dead of disease (DD) in less than 5 years (group 2). The AgNORs were scored in 30 nuclei per tumor, and the means were calculated. For group 1, the mean number of AgNORs per nucleus was 6.88, ranging from 3.73 to 12.70. For group 2, the mean number was 6.97, ranging from 3.63 to 11.67. Statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.33). In our study, AgNOR counts did not prove to be of prognostic value in malignant melanoma. | 10.1111/j.1600-0560.1994.tb00718.x |
pubmed_165_18749 | Bovine respiratory secretions were separated into gel and sol phases to allow the identification of the gel-forming mucins. Mucins were subsequently isolated from the surface epithelium and submucosal tissue to investigate the tissue origins of the species in the secretions. Density-gradient centrifugation revealed 'high-density' and 'low-density' mucins in the gel phase of the secretions. The 'high-density' mucins were large, composed of subunits joined by disulphide bonds and contained two highly glycosylated domains of apparently different lengths, whereas the 'low-density' mucins were smaller and monomeric. The sol also contained both 'high-density' and 'low-density' species. A 'high-density' mucin similar to that in the gel was isolated from the surface epithelium, suggesting that the goblet cells produce large, gel-forming mucins. A second 'high-density' species was released from the submucosal tissue after reduction/alkylation, indicating that large mucins from the submucosal glands may also be a component of the mucus gel. In addition, two small, 'low-density' mucins were obtained from the submucosal tissue. One species was associated with the gel phase but was also present in the sol, whereas the other was present only in the sol. Bovine respiratory-tract secretions thus comprise a complex mixture of large gel-forming mucins originating from the goblet cells and submucosal glands, and smaller 'soluble' species from the submucosal glands which may interact with the gel. | 10.1042/bj3210117 |
pubmed_719_5775 | In this work, we analyze characteristics of Ohmic, Schottky forward and reverse contact through a low-frequency noise (LFN) measurement, combining two types of metals (Pd and Au) as the source and drain (S/D) contacts that enable p-type properties in multi-layer WSe₂ field effect transistors (FETs). The LFN is one of the significant factors liming the performance of nano-scale devices such as TMDCs FETs having large surface-to-volume ratio. In addition, the LFN analysis, which relates to the device reliability, can help identify sensitive areas for current transport and evaluate the analog circuit applicability. Theoretically, the multi-layer WSe₂ has reasonable electron affinity and bandgap that can make p-channel FET using the metal with a relatively high work-function. However, it is experimentally confirmed that Schottky contact characteristics are exhibited in the multi-layer WSe₂ FETs with various metals except Pd due to the metal Fermi level pinning phenomenon. Mobility (μeff, ~87.5 cm²/V·s), one of the electrical performance extracted from fabricated devices with Pd as S/D electrodes shows a great difference from that (~0.572 cm²/V·s) of devices with Au as S/D electrodes. The measured electrical characteristics show that a Schottky contact is formed at an interface between Au and WSe₂ causing the higher LFN of the FETs than that of device with Pd as S/D electrodes. This characteristic is also verified by confirming the reduction of LFN due to the decreased effect of the Schottky property as the drain bias is increased. | 10.1166/jnn.2019.17068 |
pubmed_170_467 | The effects of microfiltration and pasteurization processes on proteolysis, lipolysis, and flavor development in Domiati cheese during 2 mo of pickling were studied. Cultures of starter lactic acid bacteria isolated from Egyptian dairy products were evaluated in experimental Domiati cheese for flavor development capabilities. In the first trial, raw skim milk was microfiltered and then the protein:fat ratio was standardized using pasteurized cream. Pasteurized milk with same protein:fat ratio was also used in the second trial. The chemical composition of cheeses seemed to be affected by milk treatment-microfiltration or pasteurization-rather than by the culture types. The moisture content was higher and the pH was lower in pasteurized milk cheeses than in microfiltered milk cheeses at d 1 of manufacture. Chemical composition of experimental cheeses was within the legal limits for Domiati cheese in Egypt. Proteolysis and lipolysis during cheese pickling were lower in microfiltered milk cheeses compared with pasteurized milk cheeses. Highly significant variations in free amino acids, free fatty acids, and sensory evaluation were found among the cultures used in Domiati cheesemaking. The cheese made using adjunct culture containing Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis, Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Enterococcus faecium received high scores in flavor acceptability. Cheeses made from microfiltered milk received a higher score in body and texture compared with cheeses made from pasteurized milk. | 10.3168/jds.2009-2649 |
pubmed_201_12283 | This study aims to investigate the concentration levels, pollution characteristics and the associated potential ecological risks of the heavy metals found in dust in the metropolitan area of Beijing, China during the winter. Dust samples were collected at 49 different spatial locations of Beijing's metropolitan area from November 2013 to January 2014, in which the concentration levels of Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, V, Bi and Mo were measured by Elan DRC II type inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Test results showed that the concentrations of dust heavy metals Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn in the urban areas (147.1 mg·kg-1, 195.9 mg·kg-1, 239.2 mg·kg-1 and 713.2 mg·kg-1) were significantly higher than those in the suburbs (91.6 mg·kg-1, 125.1 mg·kg-1, 131.9 mg·kg-1 and 514.5 mg·kg-1). Enrichment factors and the geo-accumulation index were used to describe the pollution characteristics of dust heavy metals in urban and suburban areas. Results indicated that Zn and Cu were moderately polluting in both urban and suburban areas, Cd was severely polluting in urban areas and heavily polluting in the suburbs. Furthermore, potential ecological risk assessment revealed that the degrees of ecological harm of dust heavy metals were very strong in both urban and suburban areas, but especially in urban areas. The potential ecological risk of heavy metal Cd, whose single factor of ecological damage was extremely strong, accounted for about 90% of the total ecological risk. | 10.3390/ijerph14101159 |
pubmed_617_23578 | Low-intensity, pulsed infrared light provides a novel nerve stimulation modality that avoids the limitations of traditional electrical methods such as necessity of contact, presence of a stimulation artifact, and relatively poor spatial precision. Infrared neural stimulation (INS) is, however, limited by a 2:1 ratio of threshold radiant exposures for damage to that for stimulation. We have shown that this ratio is increased to nearly 6:1 by combining the infrared pulse with a subthreshold electrical stimulus. Our results indicate a nonlinear relationship between the subthreshold depolarizing electrical stimulus and additional optical energy required to reach stimulation threshold. The change in optical threshold decreases linearly as the delay between the electrical and optical pulses is increased. We have shown that the high spatial precision of INS is maintained for this combined stimulation modality. Results of this study will facilitate the development of applications for infrared neural stimulation, as well as target the efforts to uncover the mechanism by which infrared light activates neural tissue. | 10.1117/1.3257230 |
pubmed_746_12616 | Carcinoid cancers arise from the neuroendocrine cell system of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and other organs. Hepatic metastases are common, and patients often suffer from endocrinopathies secondary to tumor secretion of various hormones and peptides. As complete surgical resection is often not possible because of widespread disease, new therapeutic and palliative treatments are needed. In this study, we characterized the effects of suberoyl bishydroxamic acid (SBHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on the growth and neuroendocrine phenotype of carcinoid cancer cells. SBHA treatment of human gastrointestinal and pulmonary carcinoid cancer cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. Western blot analysis showed a decrease in cyclin D1 and an increase in p21 and p27, indicating that the mechanism of this growth inhibition is cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, SBHA treatment suppressed two neuroendocrine tumor markers, chromogranin A and achaete-scute complex-like 1. These changes in the growth and neuroendocrine phenotype of carcinoid cells were associated with activation of the Notch1 signaling cascade. We conclude that SBHA shows promise as a potential anticancer agent for the treatment of patients with advanced carcinoid tumor disease. | 10.1007/s11605-007-0249-1 |
pubmed_752_7548 | The interactions between surface plasmons (SPs) in metal nanostructures and excitons in quantum emitters (QEs) lead to many interesting phenomena and potential applications that are strongly dependent on the quantum yield of SPs. The difficulty in distinguishing all the possible exciton recombination channels hinders the experimental determination of SP quantum yield. Here, we experimentally measured for the first time the quantum yield of single SPs generated by the exciton-plasmon coupling in a system composed of a single quantum dot and a silver nanowire (NW). By utilizing the SP guiding property of the NW, the decay rates of all the exciton recombination channels, i.e., direct free space radiation channel, SP generation channel, and nonradiative damping channel, are quantitatively obtained. It is determined that the optimum emitter-NW coupling distance for the largest SP quantum yield is about 10 nm, resulting from the different distance-dependent decay rates of the three channels. These results are important for manipulating the coupling between plasmonic nanostructures and QEs and developing on-chip quantum plasmonic devices for potential nanophotonic and quantum information applications. | 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b03654 |
others_257_13811 | There is a growing need in the state of California for landscape plants that require fewer inputs of water and chemicals. To address this issue, a program was initiated at UC Davis to test the landscape potential of California native plants not currently in widespread horticultural use. Ten unused or underused California native plants were screened in open-field conditions for low water tolerance during summer 2006. In all cases, there were no significant differences in the summer growth or physical appearance between four irrigation levels. Six species maintained a favorable appearance throughout the season and were advanced to demonstration gardens in seven climate zones throughout the state, where Master Gardeners are performing further assessments on their performance. These irrigation and climate zone trials are part of an ongoing program coordinated by UC Cooperative Extension, the UC Davis Arboretum and the California Center for Urban Horticulture to introduce more low water-use and low chemical-use plants through partnerships with the commercial horticultural industry | 10.3733/ca.v062n03p97 |
pubmed_97_5801 | Until recently, the issue of job hazards has been largely ignored as a research and theoretical topic in business and management disciplines although workers' perceptions and assessments of job hazards are of significance to managers. In this paper are reported results of an experiment conducted in Egyptian chemical firms to test the generality of an implicit rational model used to explain employees' reactions to and perceptions of job hazards. Four hypotheses were tested: (1) workers' subjective estimates of their job hazards are positively related to the objective hazard, (2) workers' subjective estimates of a prospective new job hazard will vary directly with the extent of hazard communicated by the new product label, (3) workers' demand for new hazard wage premiums will vary directly with perceived prospective new work hazards, (4) workers' intention to quit the job will vary directly with subjective and objective estimates of job hazards. All hypotheses were supported. The rational worker model appears to be a general explanation for workers' responses to hazardous jobs and information on hazards. This model not only holds for USA workers but also for those in a nonwestern culture. Implications for management and the industrial setting are discussed. | 10.2466/pr0.1991.68.2.659 |
pubmed_699_2074 | Background: In southwest China, especially in Nujiang, lacquer oil from the drupes of Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F. A. Barkley, including black lacquer oil (BLO) and white lacquer oil (WLO), is one of the most important edible oils for the local people. Through the field investigation, the locals believe that lacquer oil has benefits for parturient women and for the treatment of "Yuezi" disease. However, studies on bioactivities and the chemical compositions of lacquer oil are limited. Purpose: This study was designed to reveal the mystery of lacquer oil for the treatment of "Yuezi" disease by testing its anti-inflammatory and anti-postpartum depressant activities and related bioactive compounds. Methods: The anti-inflammatory effects of lacquer oil were examined by establishing a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation model and detecting the level of pro-inflammatory factors such as NO, IL-6 and TNF-α. The antidepressant effects of lacquer oil were studied by building a mouse model of postpartum depression (PPD), and the animal behavior changes of PPD model mice were assessed by open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). The chemical profiles of BLO and WLO were detected by lipidomic and the untargeted metabolomic research methods based on UPLC-MS/MS. Results: The results showed that BLO and WLO exerted anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the release of pro-inflammatory factors and BLO had better anti-inflammatory effects than WLO. While only BLO had anti-postpartum depressant activities, as evidenced by the significantly reduced the immobility time of the BLO-treated PPD mice in TST and FST compared to the PPD model mice. The comparative lipidomic analysis revealed that BLO contained high levels of Diacylglycerols (DAG) and Diacylglyceryl trimethylhomoserines (DGTS) but low level of ceramides (Cer), sphingomyelines (SM), phosphatidylcholines (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) compared with WLO. Metabolomics analysis showed that there were 57 chemical markers between BLO and WLO, of which 17 potential biomarkers have been declared to possess anti-inflammatory and/or antidepressant activities. Conclusion: The findings of this study furnish a scientific support for the traditional uses of lacquer oil for the treatment of "Yuezi" disease from anti-inflammation and anti-postpartum depression perspective. | 10.3389/fphar.2022.914951 |
pubmed_26_22777 | A current explanation for development of chronic renal injury is the imbalance between injurious mechanism and regenerative repair. The possibility that stem cells contribute to the repair of glomerular and tubular damage is of great interest for basic and translational research. Endogenous bone marrow-derived stem cells have been implicated in the repair of renal tissue, although the lineage of stem cells recruited has not been determined. If endogenous bone marrow-derived stem cells repopulate injured nephrons directly or act indirectly over a paracrine/endocrine mechanism remains also controversial. Therapeutic administration of exogenous bone marrow derived stem cells in animal models of acute renal injury suggests that a stem cell-based therapy may improve the recovery of both glomerular and tubular compartments. Whereas the therapeutic benefit of sorted hematopoietic stem cells remains uncertain, several studies showed a beneficial effect of mesenchymal stem cell administration in models of acute tubular injury and of endothelial progenitors in acute glomerular injury. Recent studies demonstrate the presence of resident stem cells within the adult kidney. These cells are capable, when injected in animals with acute tubular injury, to localize to renal compartments and contribute to regeneration. This review summarizes the current literature on the physiological role of endogenous stem cells in renal regeneration and on the therapeutic potential of exogenous stem cell administration. Moreover, critical points that still need clarification, such as the homing mechanisms of stem cells to injured tissue, the secreted factors underlying the paracrine/endocrine mechanisms and the long-term behaviour of in vivo administered stem cells, are discussed. | 10.2174/157488809787169129 |
pubmed_719_22600 | BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a 25-kDa apolipoprotein present in 5% of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. It is suggested to be anti-atherogenic and to play a key role in sustaining endothelial barrier integrity. SLE patients have increased cardiovascular disease risk, and we aimed to investigate if apoM levels reflect endothelial function in SLE. Since apoM plasma levels decrease during inflammatory conditions, our aim was also to determine the impact of SLE disease activity on apoM plasma levels.
METHODS
Plasma concentrations of apoM were measured by ELISA in two patient groups with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in 79 healthy control individuals. In patient group I (n = 84), evaluation time points were selected with the objective to include a wide range of clinical and laboratory variables reflecting disease activity which was measured as SLEDAI. In patient group II consisting of 140 consecutive patients, endothelial function was measured by a finger plethysmograph. A low Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) value indicates endothelial dysfunction.
RESULTS
SLE patients had decreased levels of apoM compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01), with apoM levels correlating inversely with SLEDAI (r = - 0.31, p < 0.01) as well as with levels of CRP (r = - 0.26, p = 0.02) and positively with levels of C3 (r = 0.29, p < 0.01). ApoM levels were particularly low in patients with active disease from the kidney and skin and in patients with leukopenia or positive anti-dsDNA antibody test (p < 0.05). ApoM levels correlated with RHI values in young SLE patients (r = 0.32, p = 0.01), consistent with the important role of apoM in regulating endothelial integrity.
CONCLUSIONS
ApoM levels may be regulated by SLE-related inflammatory processes and could be a marker of disease activity and endothelial dysfunction, in particular in young SLE patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the predictive value of apoM in the development of a cardiovascular disease. | 10.1186/s13075-019-1890-2 |
pubmed_448_9241 | Contaminant concentrations in filter-feeding shellfish may indicate the health of coastal waters and consumption risks. Widespread expansion of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and its popularity as food make it a useful sentinel. We surveyed intertidal Pacific oysters in San Diego Bay, California for contaminants during summer 2018 and winter 2019. We compared contaminants in Pacific oyster to California mussel from California's State Mussel Watch Program (1993-2003) and human consumption thresholds. Contaminants such as neonicotinoid and chlorinated pesticides, selenium, and several metals were higher in Pacific oysters in summer, while PBDEs, benzylbutyl phthalate, and plastics were higher in winter. Contaminant levels were generally lower in Pacific oyster than mussel except for copper and zinc. Bay-wide PCB concentrations in oysters exceeded thresholds but individual samples (locations) also met or surpassed chlordane, PCB and PAH thresholds. Monitoring and risk assessments that consider species' biology, season, location, effects of multiple contaminants, and human consumption patterns will contribute to more effective consumption guidelines. | 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113132 |
pubmed_326_5486 | The association of seropositivity to human papillomavirus (HPV) capsids of types 11, 16, 18, or 33 with sexual behavior was investigated. Among 1002 women visiting family planning or youth clinics in Sweden, an age-matched subsample of 274 women stratified according to lifetime number of sex partners was analyzed. The proportion of HPV-16-seropositive subjects increased linearly at approximately 4% per partner (P < .001), from 4% among those with 1 lifetime partner to 35% among those with >5 lifetime partners. Also, HPV-33 and HPV-18 seroprevalences were linearly dependent on the number of partners (P < .001, increase with 4% per partner, and P = .008, increase with approximately 3% per partner, respectively), providing serologic confirmation that the important mode of transmission of HPV-16, -18, or -33 infection in women is sexual. HPV serology appears to be suitable as a marker of sexual behavior in populations. | 10.1093/infdis/173.6.1394 |
pubmed_505_10143 | Three-dimensional arrangement and subsequent transplantation of chondrocytic cells in resorbable polymers has been shown to be a promising technique for the treatment of cartilaginous defects. Engineering of artificial cartilage tissue includes dedifferentiation of chondrocytes in monolayer culture, the use of biodegradable matrices and polymer scaffolds, and re-expression of chondrocytic marker genes in three-dimensional culture. The aim of this study was to characterize molecularly the phenotypic changes occurring with autologous cartilage tissue engineering. Human articular chondrocytes were isolated, cultured in medium containing human serum, and expanded up to passage 3. Chondrocytes were embedded in human fibrinogen and in polyglactin-polydioxanon fleeces and cultured three-dimensionally up to 4 weeks. Dedifferentiation of chondrocytes in monolayers and formation of cartilage tissue in vitro or after subcutaneous transplantation into nude mice was assessed by gene expression analysis of typical chondrocytic genes, histology, and immunohistochemistry. The expansion of chondrocytes with human serum resulted in the induction of type I and type III collagens, whereas cartilage-specific type II collagen, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, cartilage link protein, and aggrecan were repressed and induced again after three-dimensional arrangement of chondrocytes in polyglactin-polydioxanon. Transplantation experiments documented the synthesis of proteoglycan and cartilage-specific type II collagen in vivo. Three-dimensional arrangement of human articular chondrocytes in resorbable polyglactin-polydioxanon fleeces supports chondrogenic differentiation and the formation of a hyaline-like cartilaginous matrix in vitro and in vivo. | 10.1007/s00132-003-0505-3 |
pubmed_678_6664 | Objective To investigate the validity of a prediction model for success of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) in an ethnically diverse population. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of women admitted at a single academic institution for a trial of labor after cesarean from May 2007 to January 2015. Individual predicted success rates were calculated using the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network prediction model. Participants were stratified into three probability-of-success groups: low (<35%), moderate (35-65%), and high (>65%). The actual versus predicted success rates were compared. Results In total, 568 women met inclusion criteria. Successful VBAC occurred in 402 (71%), compared with a predicted success rate of 66% (p = 0.016). Actual VBAC success rates were higher than predicted by the model in the low (57 vs. 29%; p < 0.001) and moderate (61 vs. 52%; p = 0.003) groups. In the high probability group, the observed and predicted VBAC rates were the same (79%). Conclusion When the predicted success rate was above 65%, the model was highly accurate. In contrast, for women with predicted success rates <35%, actual VBAC rates were nearly twofold higher in our population, suggesting that they should not be discouraged by a low prediction score. | 10.1055/s-0037-1599129 |
pubmed_72_21799 | While experts have made recommendations, information is needed regarding what genome sequencing results patients would want returned. We investigated what results women diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age would want returned and why. We conducted 60 semi-structured, in-person individual interviews with women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 or younger. We examined interest in six types of incidental findings and reasons for interest or disinterest in each type. Two coders independently coded interview transcripts; analysis was conducted using NVivo 10. Most participants were at least somewhat interested in all six result types, but strongest interest was in actionable results (i.e. variants affecting risk of a preventable or treatable disease and treatment response). Reasons for interest varied between different result types. Some participants were not interested or ambivalent about results not seen as currently actionable. Participants wanted to be able to choose what results are returned. Participants distinguished between types of individual genome sequencing results, with different reasons for wanting different types of information. The findings suggest that a focus on actionable results can be a common ground for all stakeholders in developing a policy for returning individual genome sequencing results. | 10.1111/cge.12597 |
pubmed_950_11632 | BACKGROUND
Cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), a measure of global oxygen metabolism, reflects resting cellular activity. The mechanisms underlying fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) remain unknown. If fatigue indeed reflects ongoing autoimmune activity and cortical reorganization, and cognitive decline is the result of gray matter atrophy and white matter degeneration, we postulate that changes in CMRO2 should reflect disease activity and predict these symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to utilize T2-Relaxation-Under-Spin-Tagging (TRUST) and phase-contrast (PC) MRI to measure global CMRO2 to understand its relationships to white matter microstructure, fatigue and cognitive dysfunction.
METHODS
We measured venous oxygenation (TRUST) and cerebral blood flow (PC-MRI) in superior sagittal sinus to calculate global CMRO2 and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate white matter microstructure in healthy controls (HC) and MS patients. Participants underwent neuropsychological examinations including Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and Symbol-Digit-Modalities Test (SDMT).
RESULTS
We observed lower CMRO2 in MS patients compared to HC. After controlling for demographic and disease characteristics (i.e., age, education, disability, lesion volume), CMRO2 predicted increased fatigue (MFIS) and reduced cognitive performance (SDMT) in MS patients. Finally, MS patients with higher CMRO2 have reduced FA in normal-appearing white-matter.
CONCLUSION
Altogether, these results suggest that increased CMRO2 reflects ongoing demyelination and autoimmune activity which plays an important role in both fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. | 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102281 |
pubmed_1052_22332 | Bacterial flagellin molecules are strong inducers of innate immune responses in both mammals and plants. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes an alkaline protease called AprA that degrades flagellin monomers. Here, we show that AprA is widespread among a wide variety of bacterial species. In addition, we investigated the role of AprA in virulence of the bacterial plant pathogen P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000. The AprA-deficient DC3000 ΔaprA knockout mutant was significantly less virulent on both tomato and Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, infiltration of A. thaliana Col-0 leaves with DC3000 ΔaprA evoked a significantly higher level of expression of the defense-related genes FRK1 and PR-1 than did wild-type DC3000. In the flagellin receptor mutant fls2, pathogen virulence and defense-related gene activation did not differ between DC3000 and DC3000 ΔaprA. Together, these results suggest that AprA of DC3000 is important for evasion of recognition by the FLS2 receptor, allowing wild-type DC3000 to be more virulent on its host plant than AprA-deficient DC3000 ΔaprA. To provide further evidence for the role of DC3000 AprA in host immune evasion, we overexpressed the AprA inhibitory peptide AprI of DC3000 in A. thaliana to counteract the immune evasive capacity of DC3000 AprA. Ectopic expression of aprI in A. thaliana resulted in an enhanced level of resistance against wild-type DC3000, while the already elevated level of resistance against DC3000 ΔaprA remained unchanged. Together, these results indicate that evasion of host immunity by the alkaline protease AprA is important for full virulence of strain DC3000 and likely acts by preventing flagellin monomers from being recognized by its cognate immune receptor. | 10.1094/MPMI-02-14-0032-R |
pubmed_92_15522 | Cognitive impairment is often reported in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS). Using serial cognitive data from 35 individuals with pediatric-onset MS, this study examined how age at disease-onset and proxies of cognitive reserve may impact cognitive maturation over the course of childhood and adolescence. Neuropsychological evaluations were conducted at baseline and up to four more assessments. Of the 35 participants, 7 completed only one assessment, 5 completed two assessments, 13 completed three assessments, 10 completed four or more assessments. Growth curve modeling was used to assess longitudinal trajectories on the Trail Making Test-Part B (TMT-B) and the Symbol Digit Modalities (SDMT; oral version) and to examine how age at disease onset, baseline Full Scale IQ, and social status may moderate rate of change on these measures. Mean number of evaluations completed per patient was 2.8. Younger age at disease onset was associated with a greater likelihood of cognitive decline on both the TMT-B (p=.001) and SDMT (p=.005). Baseline IQ and parental social status did not moderate any of the cognitive trajectories. Findings suggest that younger age at disease-onset increases the vulnerability for disrupted performance on measures of information processing, visual scanning, perceptual/motor speed, and working memory. Proxies of cognitive reserve did not protect against the progression of decline on these measures. Young patients with MS should be advised to seek follow-up cognitive evaluation to assess cognitive maturation and to screen for the potential late emergence of cognitive deficits. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1-9). | 10.1017/S1355617714000642 |
pubmed_57_10752 | Two classes of messenger containing particles can be distinguished in cell-free extracts from dry rye (Secale cereale, L.; var. Celestijner) embryos. A part of the endogenous template activity is associated with large structures, even during in vitro translation. Treatment with detergents results in a partial solubilization of the messenger particles from the large, presumably membranous structures. The sedimentation behavior of the "soluble" mRNP particles (about 75% of the total endogenous template activity) is strongly influenced by the composition of the homogenization medium. At high Mg(2+) or Ca(2+) concentrations, and at low pH, the soluble mRNP particles form aggregates sedimenting at low centrifugal forces. This peculiar behavior is of partical interest with respect to the preparation of cell-free extracts with low endogenous template activity. | 10.1007/BF00384917 |
pubmed_968_12394 | Maternal dyslipidemia during pregnancy has been associated with suboptimal fetal growth and increased cardiometabolic diseasse risk in offspring. Altered placental function driven by placental gene expression is a hypothesized mechanism underlying these associations. We tested the relationship between maternal plasma lipid concentrations and placental gene expression. Among 64 pregnant women from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies-Singleton cohort with maternal first trimester plasma lipids we extracted RNA-Seq on placental samples obtained at birth. Placental gene co-expression networks were validated by regulatory network analysis that integrated transcription factors and gene expression, and genome-wide transcriptome analysis. Network analysis detected 24 gene co-expression modules in placenta, of which one module was correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.27, P-value = 0.03) and LDL-C (r = 0.31, P-value = 0.01). Genes in the module (n = 39 genes) were enriched in inflammatory response pathways. Out of the 39 genes in the module, three known lipid-related genes (MPO, PGLYRP1 and LTF) and MAGEC2 were validated by the regulatory network analysis, and one known lipid-related gene (ALX4) and two germ-cell development-related genes (MAGEC2 and LUZP4) were validated by genome-wide transcriptome analysis. Placental gene expression signatures associated with unfavorable maternal lipid concentrations may be potential pathways underlying later life offspring cardiometabolic traits. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT00912132. | 10.3389/fgene.2021.681095 |
pubmed_1141_11778 | OBJECTIVE
To describe a less common initial symptom of nephrolithiasis, its diagnostic pitfalls, risk factors, and mimicry of other conditions. Intervention and long-term management of nephrolithiasis is also discussed.
CLINICAL FEATURES
A Caucasian man aged 25 years had sudden bilateral inguinal and occasional periumbilical pain. The initial symptom suggested an abdominal pathologic condition; however, costovertebral angle pain followed 1 hour later with no radiation between the 2 anatomic sites. The initial urine dipstick result was negative for hematuria, but a kidney, ureter, and bladder radiograph revealed a smooth 2-mm x 3-mm stone lodged at the left: vesico-ureteral junction.
INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME
The patient was referred to a regional university medical center to receive extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy several days after his initial visit. He was given pain medicine for the waiting period and received daily lumbar spine adjustments with a mild reduction in pain. He eventually received ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy because the shock-wave unit had malfunctioned before his appointment. The fragment analysis showed a calcium oxalate composition, and the patient was advised to lower his intake of oxalates. The patient had become a vegetarian approximately 3 months before this first stone episode.
CONCLUSION
Nephrolithiasis is a condition commonly seen in chiropractic practice. Although it is usually easy to recognize, the diagnosis can be elusive if the typical historic factors and diagnostic results are absent or altered. The short-term management of nephrolithiasis is pain management, stone elimination, and the collection of a specimen to identify the composition and underlying metabolic abnormality. Long-term management is to prevent the recurrence of stones. Conservative comanagement by the chiropractic physician can be implemented through nutritional means. | 10.1016/s0161-4754(00)90249-5 |
pubmed_385_14835 | Geometries and harmonic vibrational wave numbers were calculated on a series of simple compounds that contain the atoms of elements in the groups 14-17 by density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd) level. The calculated wave numbers agree well with the observed harmonic wave numbers with substantially the same accuracy for the compounds of the different groups. The stretching force constants of the CX (X = C, Si, Ge, N, P, As, O, S, Se, F, Cl and Br) single and multiple bonds were obtained. The CX stretching force constants increase with a decrease of the bond lengths as the element X in the same period goes from left to right in the periodic table. The individual intrinsic properties of the CX bonds are lost gradually with increasing the period of the element X. The unified interpretation of Badger's rule has enabled the formulation of a common equation for universal use f = 2.8 R(-3) to relate the force constants f (10(2) N m(-1)) and the reduced bond lengths R (10(-10) m). | 10.1016/j.saa.2004.02.015 |
pubmed_636_11980 | BACKGROUND
Cord Blood (CB) are increasingly used as an alternative stem cells source in adults for allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (allo-SCT). The risk of human herpesvirus (HHV-6) reactivation is significantly higher after CB transplant vs unrelated peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) allo-SCT. Higher HHV-6 cell receptor CD46 expression on progenitor cells in CB may explain this difference.
OBJECTIVES
To prospectively compare the HHV-6 cell receptor CD46 expression on various cell subsets of three freshly harvested blood sources on one hand and of three graft sources on the other hand.
STUDY DESIGN
52 samples were used for the purpose of this study. They were issued from peripheral blood (PB, n = 10), G-CSF mobilised PB (GCSF-PB, n = 10), cord blood (CB, n = 10), unmanipulated bone marrow (uBM, n = 5), leukapheresis product (LP, n = 10) and thawed CB graft (n = 7). CD46 expression was assessed by FACS analysis on total lymphocytes, monocytes, NK cells, T and B cells subsets, plasmacytoid (pDCs) dendritic cells and stem cells.
RESULTS
As all cell subsets were found CD46 positive, CD46 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) was then considered for comparison between the three blood sources and the three graft sources. The most impressive result observed was that HHV-6 cell receptor CD46 expression was significantly reduced in almost all cell components of thawed CB graft compared to other graft sources.
CONCLUSIONS
This original study shows strong differences in term of quantitative CD46 expression between several blood and grafts samples. Our results suggest that other factors than the qualitative CD46 expression play a role in the higher HHV-6 reactivation observed after CB transplant in adults. | pubmed_636_11980 |
pubmed_589_11166 | Telomerase activity is responsible for the maintenance of chromosome end structures (telomeres) and cancer cell immortality in most human malignancies, making telomerase an attractive therapeutic target. The rationale for targeting components of the telomerase holoenzyme has been strengthened by accumulating evidence indicating that these molecules have extra-telomeric functions in tumour cell survival and proliferation. This Review discusses current knowledge of the biogenesis, structure and multiple functions of telomerase-associated molecules intertwined with recent advances in drug discovery approaches. We also describe the fertile ground available for the pursuit of next-generation small-molecule inhibitors of telomerase. | 10.1038/nrc.2016.55 |
pubmed_741_1236 | Myoglobinuria, which occurs more frequently than previously believed, may lead to acute tubular necrosis and renal failure. It may be recurrent and can result in permanent renal damage. Three cases of myoglobinuria with acute renal failure and abnormal sonograms are reported. | 10.7863/jum.1983.2.9.391 |
pubmed_1027_1420 | Reporting of the clinical relevant dose to organs at risk (OR) and other normal tissues is crucial in trials and protocols where the aim is to assess late complications and to increase the therapeutic ratio for external beam radiotherapy. The dose distribution in normal tissues and ORs are, however, most often heterogeneous, at least when more than two opposing beams are applied. To decide the most clinical relevant dose with respect to late occurring complications is therefore not a straight forward problem. In this work we discuss what parameters characterise the dose-volume-histogram (DVH) best by calculating normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCPs) by using the Lyman model and various sets of statistical parameters drawn out from the DVHs. These NTCPs are compared to NTCPs calculated from the full DVHs, when the sets of parameters are evaluated. Our calculations indicate that the NTCP based on the Lyman model is best correlated to the Dmax value for serially organised tissues such as the spinal cord. For organs, described largely as tissues organised in parallel, the Dmedian or Dmean of the DVH may be applied. Our calculations reveal that Dmean is the parameter of choice when Dmedian is quite small, but when the two parameters approach each other. Dmedian will be a better choice, using a unity volume fraction. For ORs characterised by a mixed serial and parallel functional structure, as the heart, neither Dmax, Dmedian nor Dmean may predict the actual NTCP. | 10.3109/02841869709109220 |
pubmed_674_14452 | This study presents an experimental investigation of downdraft gasification process coupled with a secondary thermal plasma reactor in order to perform experimental investigations of sewage sludge gasification, and compare process parameters running the system with and without the secondary thermal plasma reactor. The experimental investigation were performed with non-pelletized mixture of dried sewage sludge and wood pellets. To estimate the process performance, the composition of the producer gas, tars, particle matter, producer gas and char yield were measured at the exit of the gasification and plasma reactor. The research revealed the distribution of selected metals and chlorine in the process products and examined a possible formation of hexachlorobenzene. It determined that the plasma assisted processing of gaseous products changes the composition of the tars and the producer gas, mostly by destruction of hydrocarbon species, such as methane, acetylene, ethane or propane. Plasma processing of the producer gas reduces their calorific value but increases the gas yield and the total produced energy amount. The presented technology demonstrated capability both for applying to reduce the accumulation of the sewage sludge and production of substitute gas for drying of sewage sludge and electrical power. | 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.03.024 |
pubmed_898_14346 | Introduction: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has been broadly applied for optical brain imaging. This method is hemodynamic-based functional brain imaging relying on the measurement of the neurovascular coupling to detect changes in cerebral neuronal activities. The extra-cerebral hemodynamic changes are important contaminating factors in fNIRS measurements. This error signal can be misinterpreted as cerebral activities during fNIRS studies. Recently, it was assumed that temporal changes in deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration [HHb] was hardly affected by superficial blood flow, and it was proposed that the activation maps could be determined from [HHb] at large source-detector separation. Methods: In the current study, we measured the temporal changes in [HHb] using a continueswave fNIRS device at large source-detector separation, while superficial blood flow was stimulated by infrared lasers. A mesh-based Monte Carlo code was applied to estimate fNIRS sensitivity to superficial hemodynamic changes in a realistic 3D MRI-based brain phantom. Results: First, we simulated photon migration in a four-layered human-head slab model to calculate PPLs and fNIRS sensitivity. Then, the localization of the infrared laser inside a realistic brain model was studied using the Monte Carlo method. Finally, the changes in [HHb] over the prefrontal cortex of six adult males were measured by fNIRS at a source-detector separation of 3 cm. The results demonstrated that the relation between fNIRS sensitivity and an increase in S-D separation was nonlinear and a correlation between shallow and deep signals was observed. Conclusion: The presented results demonstrated that the temporal changes in the superficial blood flow could strongly affect HHb measurement at large source-detector separation. Hence, the cerebral activity map extracted from the [HHb] signal was mainly contaminated by superficial blood flow. | 10.15171/jlms.2019.S14 |
pubmed_472_19091 | Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) acts as a kind of widely-applied and non-invasive method in the intervention of some neurological disorders. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigates the effect of rTMS on 30 cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) participants, who were classified into mild and moderate groups. Neuropsychological tests were carried out using the AD Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and World Health Organization University of California-Los Angeles, Auditory Verbal Learning Test (WHO-UCLA AVLT) before, immediately after, and 6 weeks after the intervention. In this work, data from 30 AD patients revealed that there was no obvious interaction effect of time-by-group. The ADAS-cog, MMSE and WHO-UCLA AVLT score in the rTMS group was significantly improved compared with baselines at 6 weeks after treatment (all p<0.05). Meanwhile, MoCA scores were also obviously ameliorated in the mild AD patients with rTMS. Besides, subgroup analysis showed that the effect of rTMS on the memory and language of mild AD patients was superior to those of moderate AD patients. In conclusion, our findings suggested that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improves cognitive function, memory and language level of AD patients, especially in the mild stage of AD. Thus, rTMS can be recommended as a promising adjuvant therapy combined with cholinesterase inhibitors at the mild stage of AD patients. | 10.18632/oncotarget.13060 |
pubmed_361_19906 | Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) are a component of the inflammatory response to neurogenic mediators. Using the micropore filter approach, the authors studied the chemoattracting properties of tachykinins, including substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB), and that of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) for human PMNL in vitro and now show that SP in near nanomolar concentrations stimulates locomotion of human PMNL. Locomotion of PMNL is induced by SP, aminoterminal SP (1-9) and the SP receptor antagonist [D-pro2, D-trp7,9]-SP (DPDT) but not by carboxyterminal SP (3-11), NKA, NKB, or CGRP suggesting that the aminoterminal amino acids arginine and proline are essential residues of SP in activation of PMNL locomotion. In contrast, the migratory effect of SP on monocytes resides in the carboxyterminal SP amino acid sequence, which is in agreement with carboxyterminal, SP receptor-mediated chemotaxis of human monocytes previously shown by others. From the known structure-activity relationships for SP receptors it is concluded that induction of PMNL migration by SP does not involve neurokinin-1 (NK-1), NK-2 or NK-3 receptors. "Checkerboard" analysis reveals that PMNL locomotion by SP is not dependent on concentration gradients and thus represents chemokinesis, which is enhancement of speed and/or frequency of locomotion. One cannot exclude that this action of SP on PMNL is mediated by the aminoterminal sequence via yet unknown SP "receptors".(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | 10.1007/BF00168967 |
pubmed_86_15994 | A female infant of 22 months was referred to the Hospital for Sick Children, London, because of delayed psychomotor development. Extensive investigations revealed no cause, but eventually trypanosomiasis was diagnosed. The infant had not been outside the UK, but her mother came from Zaire, where the disease is endemic, but had lived in Kinshasa, where there is no sleeping sickness. It is thought, that the mother may have been asymptomatically infected by a fresh-blood transfusion four years earlier, since no other source of infection was apparent. | 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1985.tb14141.x |
pubmed_575_6028 | Pyroptosis is a caspase-dependent programmed cell death pathway that initiates and sustains inflammation through release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 following formation of gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated membrane pores. To determine the possible pathogenic contributions of pyroptosis toward development of full-thickness retinal necrosis during AIDS-related human cytomegalovirus retinitis, we performed a series of studies using an established model of experimental murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) retinitis in mice with retrovirus-induced immunosuppression (MAIDS). Initial investigations demonstrated significant transcription and translation of key pyroptosis-associated genes within the ocular compartments of MCMV-infected eyes of mice with MAIDS. Subsequent investigations compared MCMV-infected eyes of groups of wildtype MAIDS mice with MCMV-infected eyes of groups of caspase-1-/- MAIDS mice, GSDMD-/- MAIDS mice, or IL-18-/- MAIDS mice to explore a possible contribution of pyroptosis towards the pathogenesis of MAIDS-related MCMV retinitis. Histopathologic analysis revealed typical full-thickness retinal necrosis in 100% of MCMV-infected eyes of wildtype MAIDS mice. In sharp contrast, none (0%) of MCMV-infected eyes of MAIDS mice that were deficient in either caspase-1, GSDMD, or IL-18 developed full-thickness retinal necrosis but instead exhibited an atypical pattern of retinal disease characterized by thickening and proliferation of the retinal pigmented epithelium layer with relative sparing of the neurosensory retina. Surprisingly, MCMV-infected eyes of all groups of deficient MAIDS mice harbored equivalent intraocular amounts of infectious virus as seen in MCMV-infected eyes of groups of wildtype MAIDS mice despite failure to develop full-thickness retinal necrosis. We conclude that pyroptosis plays a significant role in the development of full-thickness retinal necrosis during the pathogenesis of MAIDS-related MCMV retinitis. This observation may extend to the pathogenesis of AIDS-related HCMV retinitis and other AIDS-related opportunistic virus infections. | 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108651 |
pubmed_916_9253 | We report an experimental observation of aggregation-induced enhanced luminescence upon three-photon excitation in aggregates formed from a class of unsymmetrical cyanostilbene derivatives. Changing side chains (-CH3, -C6H13, -C7H15O3, and folic acid) attached to the cyanostilbene core leads to instantaneous formation of aggregates with sizes ranging from micrometer to nanometer scale in aqueous conditions. The crystal structure of a derivative with a methyl side chain reveals the planarization in the unsymmetrical cyanostilbene core, causing luminescence from corresponding aggregates upon three-photon excitation. Furthermore, folic acid attached cyanostilbene forms well-dispersed spherical nanoaggregates that show a high three-photon cross-section of 6.0 × 10(-80) cm(6) s(2) photon(-2) and high luminescence quantum yield in water. In order to demonstrate the targeted bioimaging capability of the nanoaggregates, three cell lines (HEK293 healthy cell line, MCF7 cancerous cell line, and HeLa cancerous cell line) were employed for the investigations on the basis of their different folate receptor expression level. Two kinds of nanoaggregates with and without the folic acid targeting ligand were chosen for three-photon bioimaging studies. The cell viability of three types of cells incubated with high concentration of nanoaggregates still remained above 70% after 24 h. It was observed that the nanoaggregates without the folic acid unit could not undergo the endocytosis by both healthy and cancerous cell lines. No obvious endocytosis of folic acid attached nanoaggregates was observed from the HEK293 and MCF7 cell lines having a low expression of the folate receptor. Interestingly, a significant amount of endocytosis and internalization of folic acid attached nanoaggregates was observed from HeLa cells with a high expression of the folate receptor under three-photon excitation, indicating targeted bioimaging of folic acid attached nanoaggregates to the cancer cell line. This study presents a paradigm of using organic nanoaggregates for targeted three-photon bioimaging. | 10.1021/nn507072r |
pubmed_56_20283 | As camouflaged targets share visual characteristics with the environment within which they are embedded, searchers rarely have access to a perfect visual template of such targets. Instead, they must rely on less specific representations to guide search. Although search for camouflaged and non-specified targets have both received attention in the literature, to date they have not been explored in a combined context. Here we introduce a new paradigm for characterizing behavior during search for camouflaged targets in natural scenes, while also exploring how the fidelity of the target template affects search processes. Search scenes were created from forest images, with targets a distortion (varied size) of that image at a random location. In Experiment 1 a preview of the target was provided; in Experiment 2 there was no preview. No differences were found between experiments on nearly all measures. Generally, reaction times and accuracy improved with familiarity on the task (more so for small targets). Analysis of eye movements indicated that performance benefits were related to improvements in both Search and Target Verification time. Combined, our data suggest that search for camouflaged targets can be improved over a short time-scale, even when targets are poorly defined. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0152502 |
pubmed_852_2369 | INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the most common type of urinary incontinence (UI) in pregnant women and is known to have detrimental effects on the quality of life in approximately 54.3 %. Pregnancy is the main risk factor for the development of SUI. This review provides details of the pathophysiology leading to SUI in pregnant women and SUI prevalence and treatment during pregnancy.
METHODS
We conducted a PubMed search for English-language and human-study articles registered from January 1990 to September 2012. This search was performed for articles dealing with prevalence and treatment of SUI during pregnancy. In the intervention studies, we included studies that used a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design or studies comparing a treatment intervention to no treatment.
RESULTS
A total of 534 articles were identified; 174 full-text articles were reviewed, and 28 of them met eligibility criteria and are reported on here. The mean prevalence of SUI during pregnancy was 41 % (18.6-60 %) and increased with gestational age. The increasing pressure of the growing uterus and fetal weight on pelvic-floor muscles (PFM) throughout pregnancy, together with pregnancy-related hormonal changes, may lead to reduced PFM strength as well as their supportive and sphincteric function. These cause mobility of the bladder neck and urethra, leading to urethral sphincter incompetence. Pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) is a safe and effective treatment for SUI during pregnancy, without significant adverse effects.
CONCLUSIONS
Understanding these issues can be useful for health-care professionals when informing and counseling pregnant women to help prevent SUI during pregnancy and the postpartum period. | 10.1007/s00192-013-2061-7 |
pubmed_1097_8124 | The incidence of serious fungal infections, particularly invasive Candida infections exhibit an increasing trend in the last decades since the number of patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment is increasing. This situation eventually results in an increment in resistance to antifungal agents. The aim of this study was to compare the standard broth microdilution (BMD) and E-test methods for antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida species isolated from blood cultures in our hospital, against fluconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin and amphotericin B. A total of 46 Candida strains isolated from the blood cultures by BACTEC 9000 (Becton Dickinson, USA) and identified by conventional techniques and API 20C AUX (BioMerieux, France) during January 2006-December 2007, were included into this study. The identification results of the isolates were as follows: C. albicans (23), C. parapsilosis (10), C. tropicalis (5), C. krusei (3), C. famata (2), C. glabrata (1), C. guilliermondii (1), C. kefyr (1). The antifungal susceptibilities were determined by BMD method described in Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M27-A3 document and E-test. Only two isolates (C. albicans and C. globrata) were found to be resistant to fluconazole with E-test but susceptible with BMD. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of caspofungin were higher (MIC = 1-2 microg/ml) in C. parapsilosis compared to other Candida species using E-test. Only one C. albicans was resistant to voriconazole by E-test (MIC = 4 microg/ml), but it was susceptible by BMD (MIC = 0.08 microg/ml). Since definite resistance breakpoints do not yet exist for amphotericin B, MIC values were considered for amphotericin B and it was found that all strains had identical low MIC values (< 0.002-0.5). When E-test results were compared with the standard BMD results, MIC values were in agreement 80.4% for fluconazole, 84.7% for amphotericin B, 95.6% for voriconazole and 93.4% for caspofungin. These results indicated that the most frequently isolated Candida species among blood cultures was C. albicans, followed by C. parapsilosis and these isolates had low antifungal resistance rates. When voriconazol and caspofungin susceptibilities were considered, both E-test and BMD susceptibility results were in good aggreement in comparison to fluconazol and amphotericin B. E-test can be considered as a compatible method for the antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida species compared to standard broth microdilution method. | pubmed_1097_8124 |
pubmed_1013_24666 | The true extent of tick-borne disease (TBD) incidence and risk among humans is largely unknown, posing significant public health challenges. This study offers an exploratory analysis of a multimodal dataset and is part of a larger ongoing project to determine if entomological data, canine serological reports, self-reported human tick bite encounters (TBEs), and/or associated TBD diagnoses can serve as proxies for human disease risk. Focusing on the United States (U.S.), it characterizes self-reported TBD diagnoses (specifically, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease), co-infections, and their frequency and distribution across U.S. counties in relation to the presence of other factors related to TBD risk. Survey data was used to construct a list of TBEs localizable to individual U.S. counties. National data regarding these counties-namely the presence of official Lyme Disease (LD) case reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the tick vectors I. scapularis and I. pacificus within a given county-were then linked with survey-reported TBEs, tabulated by diagnosis (including co-infections), to determine the distribution of county-level endpoints across diagnostic categories. In addition, data on the presence of positive serological diagnostic tests conducted in canines were considered due to their potential utility as a proxy for TBD and TBE risk. The final dataset contained 249 TBEs localized to a total of 144 counties across 30 states. Diagnostic categories included respondents with LD (n = 70) and those with anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis diagnoses and co-infections (n < 20 per diagnostic category). TBEs also were indicated by respondents who did not report TBD diagnoses, with some indicating uncertainty. The distribution of respondent-reported TBEs varied between canine TBDs, with LD-positive respondents reporting noticeably larger proportions of TBEs in counties with canine LD and smaller proportions in counties with canine anaplasmosis, compared to respondents without an LD diagnosis; a notional logistic regression suggests these differences may be significant (canine LD: Odds Ratio [OR] = 6.04, p = 0.026) (canine anaplasmosis: OR = 0.50, p = 0.095). These results suggest that certain widely available diagnostic TBD data in animals (in this case, domesticated dogs) may be sensitive to differences in human TBD risk factors and thus may have utility as proxies in future research. In the absence of an available standardized, unified, and national TBD database, such proxies, along with relevant surveys and reports, may provide a much-needed working solution for scientists and clinicians studying TBDs. | 10.3390/microorganisms10040832 |
pubmed_487_18842 | Henry Norman Bethune was a physician and surgeon from Canada. He had a highly impressive medical career in Montreal but did his most important work in China where he cared for soldiers on the battlefield. He died in 1939 and was recognized as a hero, but only much later received recognition in Canada. He was a skilled doctor, both as a physician and as a surgeon. However, he was much more and will serve as an inspiration for this series. He was an innovator, an idealist and a perfectionist. It is hoped that this series will gather expert commentaries on a range of issues critical to the subspecialty from fundamental science to clinical care so that future directions can be defined. | 10.3748/wjg.14.174 |
pubmed_3_4451 | The present article outlines the potential benefits to the treatment of stuttering, if altered auditory feedback methods, especially frequency-shifted feedback, were to be combined with behaviour modification techniques. A potential framework for understanding the integration of these approaches is presented in the context of assessing the limitations of each approach in isolation. A number of suggestions concerning the use of partial prompting and partial reinforcement, drawn from the animal conditioning literature, that may promote the efficacy of such a treatment are also made. | 10.1080/15021149.2000.11434158 |
pubmed_1031_12501 | BACKGROUND
Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is a disease in which immune system function disorders play an important role. The aim of the study was an assessment of intracellular expression of cytokines in primary NS including assessment of intracellular expression of monokines (TNF-alpha, IL-8) in non-specific LPS stimulation system and intracellular expression of lymphokines (IL-2, INF-gamma, IL-4, IL-6) in experimental system with application of stimulation with ionomycin and PMA.
METHODS
The study included 47 children with NS aged 2-16 years. After activation of whole blood cells in the presence of brefeldin A the cells were labelled with monoclonal antibodies against surface antigens. In the second phase the cells underwent permeabilisation and were labelled with monoclonal antibodies against individual cytokines.
RESULTS
The studies performed demonstrated in children with NS relapse an increase of intracellular synthesis of cytokines characteristic of Th1 system (IL-2) and a decrease of synthesis of cytokines characteristic of Th2 system (IL-4, IL-6). In these patients an increase was also found of intracellular synthesis of proinflammatory monokines (TNF-alpha and IL-8). The studies performed, confirmed the earlier observations concerning abnormal cellular response in NS and demonstrated that differences in serum concentrations of individual cytokines may result from disturbances in their intracellular synthesis. | pubmed_1031_12501 |
pubmed_1140_23821 | OBJECTIVE
To examine the two to eight-year results associated with the use of this hip system.
METHODS
Between November 1996 and January 2001, 56 revision total hip arthroplasties with insertion of a Zweymüller BICON-PLUS cup and a cementless SLR-PLUS stem were performed in 55 consecutive patients (average age, fifty-nine years old, range, thirty to eighty years old).
RESULTS
At the time of the latest follow-up, 23 patients (24 hips) had lost to follow-up, leaving 32 patients for a minimum of 2 years of clinical and radiographical follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 4 years. Only 3 peri-operative complications occurred, including 1 great trochanter fracture during implant removal, 1 dislocation 2 d after operation with successful closed reduction, and 1 deep wound infection which necessitated reentry and debridement. No femoral stems or cups needed re-revision surgery. The average Harris hip score increased from 40.6 points preoperatively to 80.4 points at final follow-up. Radiographic analysis demonstrated that the position of stems and cups was unchanged and all showed radiographic evidence of bone ingrowth.
CONCLUSION
The favourable medium-term clinical results with the cementless Zweymüller hip system show that it is suitable as a revision system for total hip failures of both cemented and cementless primary fixation. | pubmed_1140_23821 |
pubmed_32_16330 | BACKGROUND
Meningiomas are generally solid tumors and are easily diagnosed by CT scans and MRI scans. Rarely are these tumors associated with cysts that can cause a confusion in the pre- and intraoperative diagnosis. Cysts associated with meningiomas may be intratumoral or peritumoral.
METHODS
The authors conducted a retrospective study of the seventeen meningiomas, out of a total number of 232, which were associated with cysts. The cysts were classified based on their relationship to the tumor. The patients' sex, age group, location of the tumor, and pathological type of tumor were also analyzed.
RESULTS
The 17 cases of cystic meningioma formed 7.3% of the meningiomas seen between 1984 and 1993. Eleven of these were intratumoral and 6 peritumoral. One case had both intra- and peritumoral cysts. The tumors were found mostly in the fourth and fifth decades of life. Histologically, all the peritumoral cysts except one were associated with meningotheliomatous meningiomas. Tumors with peritumoral cysts were more common in males. Intratumoral cysts, more common in females, were angioblastic or meningotheliomatous on histopathology. Only one case was an anaplastic meningioma.
CONCLUSION
Cysts associated with meningiomas, although uncommon, are certainly not rare. The peritumoral and the intratumoral cysts form distinct subtypes needing separate consideration. Cystic meningiomas are only rarely malignant. | 10.1016/0090-3019(95)80004-z |
pubmed_1103_4094 | PRL is known to be a major secretory product of the human decidua. However, the physiological role of decidual PRL during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy has not been fully defined, primarily due to the lack of an appropriate nonhuman primate model for in vivo studies. Therefore, this initial study examined the expression of PRL and its receptor in the baboon uterus during the cycle and pregnancy. PRL and PRL receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expression were detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR, and protein was localized by immunocytochemistry. PRL was shown to be expressed in myometrial smooth muscle during the follicular phase by both RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Expression of PRL messenger ribonucleic acid and protein was first observed in the epithelial cells of the deep basal glands during the late luteal phase. With the onset of pregnancy, PRL expression increased steadily and was evident primarily in the decidual tissue. In contrast to PRL, its receptor was expressed at constant levels in both the myometrium and endometrium during the cycle. An increase in receptor expression was evident in both the decidua and placenta throughout pregnancy. In summary, these results demonstrate that the baboon uterus is a site of both PRL production and action during the cycle and pregnancy. These studies establish the baboon as a nonhuman primate model to investigate the potential roles of PRL in implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. | 10.1210/jcem.84.9.5948 |
pubmed_1014_16443 | Despite extensive recent research efforts on material-specific peptides, the fundamental problem to be explored yet is the molecular interactions between peptides and inorganic surfaces. Here we used computer simulations (density functional theory and classical molecular dynamics) to investigate the adsorption mechanism of silicon-binding peptides and the role of individual amino acids in the affinity of peptides for an n-type silicon (n(+)-Si) semiconductor. Three silicon binding 12-mer peptides previously elaborated using phage display technology have been studied. The peptides' conformations close to the surface have been determined and the best-binding amino acids have been identified. Adsorption energy calculations explain the experimentally observed different degrees of affinity of the peptides for n(+)-Si. Our residual scanning analysis demonstrates that the binding affinity relies on both the identity of the amino acid and its location in the peptide sequence. | 10.1021/ci500260v |
pubmed_22_3874 | INTRODUCTION
Gallbladder perforation (GBP) is a rare disease with potential mortality. Previous series have reported an incidence of approximately 2-11% and it still continues to be a significant problem for surgeons.
AIM
To present our clinical experience with gallbladder perforation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The records of 2754 patients who received surgical treatment for cholelithiasis between 2010 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred thirty-three patients had gallbladder perforation. Age, gender, time from the onset of symptoms, diagnostic procedures, surgical treatment, morbidity and mortality rates were evaluated.
RESULTS
15.78% of patients had a body mass index > 35. 6.76% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 6.76% had cardiac disease, 10.52% had diabetes and 4.51% had sepsis. American Society of Anesthesiology scores were I in 54.13%, II in 35.33%, III in 6.01% and IV in 4.51% of the patients. 27.81% of patients were diagnosed during surgery. The perforation site was the gallbladder fundus in 69.17%, body in 17.30%, Hartman's pouch in 10.53% and cystic duct in 3% of patients. Treatment modalities were laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 82.71%, open cholecystectomy in 3%, percutaneous drainage catheters + laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 3%, laparoscopic cholecystectomy + fistula repair in 10.53% and open cholecystectomy + fistula repair in 0.75% of patients. Mean length of hospital stay was 1.69 days. Mortality and morbidity rates were 8.27% and 10.52%, respectively. Histopathology results were acute cholecystitis in 69.93%, chronic cholecystitis in 20.30% and acute exacerbation over chronic cholecystitis in 9.77% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Appropriate classification and management of perforated cholecystitis is essential. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible method to decrease morbidity in gallbladder perforations. | 10.5114/wiitm.2017.72321 |
pubmed_521_550 | A mathematical model and results of numerical simulation of the peristaltic reflex development of the small bowel are presented. The organ is modeled as a soft orthotropic cylindrical biological shell, reinforced by the smooth muscle elements. Their mechanical activity is under the control of a simple reflex arc represented by a single cholinergic neurone. The dynamical reaction starts as a response to the depolarization wave propagating along the smooth muscle layers. The muscle layers contract independently but in a coordinated way with the generation of active forces. The mechanical properties of the wall are supposed to be nonlinear. Deformations of the bioshell are finite. The governing system of equations is obtained and solved numerically. The finite-difference method of second-order accuracy over the time and space variables has been used. The dynamics of stress-strain distribution in the biological shell and shape changes are analyzed. It is shown that there is no axial symmetry in the organ's deformation during the first (preliminary) stage of motor reaction. Only with the development of propulsive contractions is the symmetry observed. | 10.3233/bir-1994-31402 |
pubmed_705_3209 | There is evidence to suggest that during ischemia adenosine acts on cardiac vagal afferent neurons to activate systemic reflexes and to modulate cardiac nociception. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adenosine receptors are present and have direct cellular electrophysiological actions on cardiac vagal afferent neurons. In radioreceptor assays of nodose ganglion tissue from rats, binding was detectable for A1 (39.6 +/- 1.2 fmol/mg protein) but not A2a adenosine receptors. These findings were confirmed using the complementary approach of receptor-labeling autoradiography. Using in situ hybridization, we saw specific labeling over approximately 50% of neurons in the nodose ganglia, but not over nonneuronal cells. In colabeling studies, cardiac vagal afferent neurons were identified by retroneuronal labeling with fluororuby. Of cardiac vagal afferents approximately one-half were strongly positive for A1 adenosine receptors (immunocytochemistry). In patch-clamping experiments, adenosine inhibited peak inward calcium current in 7 of 11 cells by 48 +/- 13%. In conclusion, adenosine A1 receptors reside on a subset of vagal afferent neurons, including cardiac vagal afferents, and have electrophysiological effects that modulate neuroexcitability in cultured nodose ganglion neurons. | 10.1152/ajpheart.1998.274.2.H441 |
others_87_13825 | The capacity of isolated tissues of the little skate (Raja erinacea) to oxidize β‐alanine, sarcosine, and taurine, and the role of amino acid oxidation in the modulation of intracellular free amino acid concentrations was investigated in vitro. Liver was found to be the primary site of β‐alanine and sarcosine oxidation. Chronic acclimation of skates to half‐strength sea water increased in vitro oxidation of β‐alanine and alanine by liver slices. Taurine oxidation could not be detected in any of the tissues tested. In vivo studies showed that taurine is excreted intact and that excretion increases significantly following acute acclimation of skates to half‐strength sea water. Copyright © 1980 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company | 10.1002/jez.1402120110 |
pubmed_51_13209 | Early life stress precipitates dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and this effect is most pronounced in females. The mechanisms that mediate female sensitivity to stress-induced HPA axis dysregulation are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex moderates the effects of chronic adolescent stress on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) translocation and moderators of the GR system. Female adolescent rats with a history of chronic stress exposure demonstrated a delayed resolution of the plasma corticosterone response to an acute stressor and this delay was accompanied by attenuated GR translocation compared to control adolescent females. The chronic stress-induced phenotype in females was similar to the baseline phenotype in male adolescent rats. Conversely, the expression patterns of GR moderators/co-chaperones became more sexually dimorphic following chronic stress, suggesting divergent function of the GR system between male and female adolescent rats. Gene expression of Ppid, a positive regulator of the GR, was predicted by plasma estradiol and 34% lower in control adolescent females than males, indicating that sex steroids may play a role in the sexually dimorphic response. After chronic adolescent stress, females displayed elevated hippocampal expression of Bag1 and Ppid genes that was not observed in males. Overall, the GR output to an acute stressor, illustrated by transcription of Nr3c1 (encoding the GR), Bag1, Fkbp5, Ppid, and Src1, was significantly upregulated and differed in a sex-specific and chronic stress-dependent manner. This study provides new evidence for sex differences during development and adaptation of the glucocorticoid receptor chaperone system. | pubmed_51_13209 |
pubmed_271_12586 | Plan-view and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images show the microstructural properties of GaN thin films grown on graphene layers, including dislocation types and density, crystalline orientation and grain boundaries. The roles of ZnO nanowalls and GaN intermediate layers in the heteroepitaxial growth of GaN on graphene, revealed by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, are also discussed. | 10.1002/adma.201103829 |
pubmed_12_19250 | Changes in muscle proteins in serum after exercise were studied to evaluate the use of such proteins as indicators of increased muscle membrane vulnerability. Seventy-one women were asked to perform bicycle exercise for 45 min at a moderate load; four proteins (creatine kinase - CK, myoglobin - Mb, aldolase - Ald and pyruvate kinase - PK) were measured in serum up to 24 h after exercise. Twenty-one women were carriers of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD); these are known to show an elevated serum CK activity at rest, as well as increased CK response after exercise. Fifty women without a family history of neuromuscular disease were tested to obtain normal values: they showed a small peak (18%) of CK activity 8 h after exercise, and an even smaller peak of Mb (9%) 1 h after exercise. The mean post-exercise increase for both CK and Mb in the 21 DMD carriers was significantly higher than in controls; the maximum of Mb, on average 70% of baseline levels, was reached 1 h after exercise and was higher than that for CK (48%), which was reached 8 h after exercise. It is concluded that myoglobin levels after exercise are a good index of increased vulnerability of the muscle membrane. | 10.1007/BF00314625 |
pubmed_713_1251 | OBJECTIVES
Pharmacy staff working in hospitals are at risk of contracting and disseminating influenza. Previous research focuses on community pharmacists' attitudes towards influenza and vaccination. This survey investigates the beliefs and attitudes of pharmacists and other pharmacy staff working in English Hospitals regarding influenza and the vaccine and how this relates to vaccine uptake.
METHODS
A self-administered survey was provided to pharmacy staff at three hospitals in the East Midlands of England. Job role, age and vaccination status (vaccinated, intended to be vaccinated, and not vaccinated) were collected alongside ratings of agreement with 20 statements regarding influenza and vaccination using a Likert scale.
RESULTS
170 pharmacy staff responded; 50.6% had been vaccinated, 17.1% intended to be vaccinated and 32.4% were not vaccinated. Increasing age showed a significant (p = 0.017) positive correlation with increased vaccine uptake as did the beliefs that vaccination protects the individual from influenza (p = 0.049) and that vaccination should be mandatory for NHS staff (p = 0.006). Fear of needles and believing their immune system is strong enough to protect against influenza were negatively correlated with vaccine uptake (p = 0.016 and p = 0.010, respectively). Job role was also strongly correlated with vaccine uptake (p = 0.001), with those holding a pharmacy degree more likely to report being vaccinated or intending to be vaccinated compared to all other pharmacy staff groups.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first survey to focus on vaccine behaviours of all pharmacy staff groups working in hospitals. Current uptake of the influenza vaccine may be increased through engagement of senior pharmacy colleagues and providing education on influenza, vaccines, and vaccination. Similar studies should be undertaken on a larger scale to fully interrogate the differences between pharmacy staff groups. | 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.03.091 |
pubmed_307_2753 | Aim of the study was to examine the specific morphological changes of brain cortex in fetal alcoholic intoxication model. The latter was performed in male and female animals by substituting water with 15% ethyl alcohol during 1 month period, which was followed by putting pregnant females on alcohol of the same concentration for the duration of the whole period of pregnancy (21 days). 24 experimental and 10 control (intact) animals were subjected to study overall. The study material applied the samples of brain convexital cortex from foetus and newborn rats. Paraffin-embedded slices (films) were dyed by the method of Nissle and hematoxylin eosin. After immersion fixation in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 1% osmium acid solutions followed by double contrasting, the ultrathin slices were studied in the electron microscope Tesla BS 500. Macroscopic study demonstrated the hyperemia of pia with partial incorporation, different types of neuroorganogenesis disturbance, also, leptomeningeal heterotopia and microcephaly in 6 cases from 24 (25%) in the experimental group. Morphology of cortical damage to fetal brain in alcoholic intoxication was demonstrated by progressive massive destruction of neuronal mitochondria, involutional changes in dendrites and their processes and glial proliferation, which possibly account for the structural basis of energetic and informational deficit in neurons. Acquired data may be extrapolated on human model of alcoholic embryopathy with subsequent cognitive problems. | pubmed_307_2753 |
pubmed_377_24424 | The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a cluster of factors that confer an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity as well as mortality. It is established that physical activity (PA) has a protective role in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, mainly through favorable effects on traditional risk factors such as body mass and blood pressure. We assessed the prevalence of MetS in a population-based sample of 64-year-old women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) with respect to leisure-time PA (LTPA). The results showed an inverse linear association (P < .05) between LTPA and MetS in this group. In conclusion, this study suggests that an increased PA level has an important role in preventing MetS in women with IGT. | 10.1177/0003319711414867 |
others_52_18454 | The phosphate-specific transporter (Pst) in bacteria is a multi-subunit system which belongs to the ABC family of transporters. The gene forms part of an operon and it is involved in phosphate uptake in pro-karyotes. Its import function is known to be operative only under conditions of phosphate starvation. However, we found overexpression of this transporter in a Mycobacterium smegmatis strain selected for ciprofloxacin resistance (CIP(r)) which was grown under conditions in which the phosphate-scavenging function of this operon was inoperative. In CIP(r) cells, active efflux of the drug plays a predominant role in conferring high levels of fluoroquinolone resistance. We therefore investigated the role of this transporter in the process of efflux-mediated drug resistance by inactivating the pst operon in the CIP(r) strain. Phenotypic characterization of the resulting strain, CIP(rd), showed a striking reduction in the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin and in the drug extrusion profile as well. Genotype analysis, on the other hand, revealed partial disruption of the pst operon in CIP(rd) as a consequence of transporter gene amplification. Furthermore, disruption of this operon in wild-type cells resulted in hypersensitivity to ciprofloxacin and other xenobiotics to which CIP(r) cells exhibited cross-resistance. Thus our results provide strong evidence that Pst is a natural membrane transport system that has the ability to promote drug efflux in addition to its phosphate-scavenging function in the CIP(r) stra | 10.1007/PL00008663 |
others_314_44087 | We delineate a KMT2E gene-related neurodevelopmental disorder based on 38 individuals in 36 families. This includes 31 distinct heterozygous variants in the KMT2E gene (28 ascertained from Matchmaker Exchange and 3 previously reported), and 4 individuals with chromosome 7q22.2-22.23 microdeletions encompassing the KMT2E gene (1 previously reported). Almost all variants occurred de novo, and most were truncating. Most affected individuals with protein-truncating variants presented with mild intellectual disability. One-quarter of individuals met criteria for autism. Additional common features include macrocephaly, hypotonia, functional gastrointestinal abnormalities, and a subtle facial gestalt. Epilepsy was present in about one-fifth of individuals with truncating variants, and was responsive to treatment with anti-epileptic medications in almost all. Over 70% of the individuals were male and expressivity was variable by sex, with epilepsy more common in females and autism more common in males. The four individuals with microdeletions encompassing KMT2E generally presented similarly to those with truncating variants, but the degree of developmental delay was greater. The group of four individuals with missense variants in KMT2E presented with the most severe developmental delays. Epilepsy was present in all individuals with missense variants, often manifesting as treatment-resistant infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Microcephaly was also common in this group. Haploinsufficiency versus gain-of-function or dominant negative effects specific to these missense variants in KMT2E may explain this divergence in phenotype, but requires independent validation. Disruptive variants in KMT2E are an under-recognized cause of neurodevelopmental abnormalities | 10.1101/566091 |
pubmed_382_19211 | Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder whose hallmark is the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Senile plaques are mainly composed of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) fibrils and several proteins including acetylcholinesterase (AChE). AChE has been previously shown to stimulate the aggregation of Abeta1-40 into amyloid fibrils. In the present work, the neurotoxicity of different amyloid aggregates formed in the absence or presence of AChE was evaluated in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Stable AChE-Abeta complexes were found to be more toxic than those formed without the enzyme, for Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42, but not for amyloid fibrils formed with AbetaVal18-Ala, a synthetic variant of the Abeta1-40 peptide. Of all the AChE-Abeta complexes tested the one containing the Abeta1-40 peptide was the most toxic. When increasing concentrations of AChE were used to aggregate the Abeta1-40 peptide, the neurotoxicity of the complexes increased as a function of the amount of enzyme bound to each complex. Our results show that AChE-Abeta1-40 aggregates are more toxic than those of AChE-Abeta1-42 and that the neurotoxicity depends on the amount of AChE bound to the complexes, suggesting that AChE may play a key role in the neurodegeneration observed in Alzheimer brain. | 10.1016/s0014-5793(99)00468-8 |
pubmed_845_18040 | Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is an important oil, food, and feed crop worldwide. The USDA peanut germplasm collection currently contains 8,982 accessions. In the 1990s, 812 accessions were selected as a core collection on the basis of phenotype and country of origin. The present study reports genotyping results for the entire available core collection. Each accession was genotyped with the Arachis_Axiom2 SNP array, yielding 14,430 high-quality, informative SNPs across the collection. Additionally, a subset of 253 accessions was replicated, using between two and five seeds per accession, to assess heterogeneity within these accessions. The genotypic diversity of the core is mostly captured in five genotypic clusters, which have some correspondence with botanical variety and market type. There is little genetic clustering by country of origin, reflecting peanut's rapid global dispersion in the 18th and 19th centuries. A genetic cluster associated with the hypogaea/aequatoriana/peruviana varieties, with accessions coming primarily from Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, is consistent with these having been the earliest landraces. The genetics, phenotypic characteristics, and biogeography are all consistent with previous reports of tetraploid peanut originating in Southeast Bolivia. Analysis of the genotype data indicates an early genetic radiation, followed by regional distribution of major genetic classes through South America, and then a global dissemination that retains much of the early genetic diversity in peanut. Comparison of the genotypic data relative to alleles from the diploid progenitors also indicates that subgenome exchanges, both large and small, have been major contributors to the genetic diversity in peanut. | 10.1534/g3.120.401306 |
pubmed_496_18899 | In the present study, we analyzed how high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the primary motor hand area (M1-Hand) shapes anticipatory motor activity in frontal areas as indexed by the contingent negative variation (CNV). Eight right-handed volunteers received real or sham 5Hz rTMS at an intensity of 90% resting motor threshold (1,500 stimuli per session). Real but not sham rTMS to left M1-Hand induced a site-specific increase in amplitude of the late component of the CNV at the electrode C3 overlaying the site of stimulation. The increase in pre-movement activity in the stimulated cortex may reflect an increase in facilitatory drive from connected motor areas, enhanced responsiveness of the stimulated cortex to these inputs or both. | 10.1016/j.neulet.2005.09.018 |
pubmed_531_15393 | Three patients with unilateral asterixis associated with different vascular lesions of thalamus, basal ganglia and internal and external capsules of contralateral hemisphere are described. Unilateral asterixis is a highly indicative sign of focal cerebral lesion. Its pathophysiology is still unknown. It has been postulated that asterixis is a myoclonic phenomenon resulting from malfunction within neuronal circuits of central nervous system responsible for the active maintenance of posture. | pubmed_531_15393 |
pubmed_192_13554 | RATIONALE
Cervical ribs are rare conditions, occurring in 0.05% to 3.0% of the population. This manuscript reports a case of arterial thoracic outlet syndrome (ATOS) associated with this congenital anomaly.
PATIENT CONCERNS
We report a 32-year-old female worker presenting pain in her left upper-extremity for 7 months. Her left hand became paler and cold when the temperature decreased, and the symptoms could not be eased through rest, physiotherapy and drugs medication.
DIAGNOSES
Compression of left subclavian artery with axillary and brachial arteries thrombosis was confirmed by duplex ultrasound and computed tomography angiography. ATOS caused by cervical ribs was confirmed by medical history, physical examination, and imaging.
INTERVENTIONS
The patients underwent acute thrombolysis and balloon angioplasty.
OUTCOMES
Symptoms of pain and weakness disappeared after surgery. The patient had not experienced any apparent symptom recurrence at 1-year follow-up.
LESSONS
Successful treatment of ATOS depends upon urgent assessment, accurate identification of causative factors and compression site and early diagnosis before the event of arterial thrombosis. The surgery combined with anticoagulation treatment can improve the treatment outcome of ATOS. | 10.1097/MD.0000000000014778 |
pubmed_27_4784 | Thirty-eight children (2 months to 26 years of age) underwent esophageal replacement at our institution between 1962 and 1993. Twenty-four patients had esophageal atresia, with the replacement performed at a mean age of 17 months. The remaining patients (37%) had strictures and were older (mean, 7.4 years). Replacement procedures involved the right colon in 61% of cases and the transverse left colon in the others (39%). Sixty-three percent were placed substernally and 37% were done in transthoracic fashion. The average length of stay in the hospital was 34 days (range, 11 to 256 days.) Early complications (within 30 days) included cervical anastomotic leaks (11 patients; 29%) pneumonia (4), would infection (2), pneumothorax/hemothorax (3), wound dehiscence (1), prolonged ventilation (2), vocal cord paralysis (1), Horner's syndrome (1), pancreatitis (1), and perforated graft (1). Despite the incidence of early leaks, only two persisted long-term (more than 3 months). Other late complications included significant proximal strictures (5), and cologastric strictures developed in five patients. Seven cases were considered graft failures (18%), and all of these eventually require graft replacement. Additional problems included redundant graft requiring revision (4) and dumping syndrome (2). There were six cases of intestinal obstruction caused by adhesions. Four of these involved intrathoracic obstruction of the graft and two involved small bowel obstruction. There was only one death, which occurred late and was not related to the primary disease or procedure. Long-term follow-up data were available for 20 patients (53%). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 33 years (mean, 12 years). Fourteen had excellent results after the initial interposition, being able to eat and function well without any further intervention. Seven patients (18%) have had poor results and 17 (45%) required additional procedures to obtain good functional results. In our experience, the colon continues to be a good option for esophageal replacement, but additional procedures frequently are necessary to optimize the functional outcome. Good results can be expected in the majority of cases, but late problems (ie, redundant colon and poor emptying) are not unusual, and careful follow-up is essential in the management of such patients. | 10.1016/s0022-3468(96)90078-0 |
pubmed_744_9715 | In the present study, the authors examined the extent to which familiarity and feedback (auditory and/or articulatory) might be beneficial to proofreading. Participants proofread unfamiliar and familiar (repeated) passages while (a) concurrently reading either aloud or silently, (b) concurrently listening to the passages being read to them, or (c) reading without either auditory or articulatory feedback. Errors were one-letter changes that transformed function words into contextually inappropriate words. Familiarity improved reading times largely irrespective of feedback, and it enhanced error detection only when auditory feedback was available to participants. Proofreaders' enhanced error detection in familiar text reflected a change in their sensitivity to errors rather than any change in the placement of the response criterion for reporting errors. These findings suggest that familiarity can produce two kinds of functional fluency, one involving speed of processing, which is largely independent of feedback, and the other concerned with accuracy of processing, which relies on feedback. | 10.3200/GENP.131.3.242-267 |
pubmed_632_12546 | Bamboo macromolecules were pretreated with bamboo vinegar, which has an antibacterial property, and processed into antibacterial bioboard (ABB) by hot pressing. The ABB was then analyzed by conducting Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. Results showed that ABB samples had average density of 1.0 g/cm3, which is appropriate for application. The physical and mechanical properties were best for the ABB sample pretreated with bamboo vinegar and hot pressed at 165 °C for 10 min. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the optimum conditions for hot pressing were a temperature of 165 °C, duration of 10 min, and the addition of bamboo vinegar. Thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis curves indicated that the thermal degradation of the ABB was less than that of bamboo, revealing that hot pressing increased the thermal stability of ABB samples. Analysis revealed that pretreatment with bamboo vinegar improved the antibacterial property of the ABB. | 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.08.010 |
pubmed_16_18914 | The gastroprotective effect of the sesquiterpene cyperenoic acid and seven semi-synthetic derivatives was assessed in the HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in mice. At doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg kg(-1), cyperenoic acid showed a dose-dependent gastroprotective effect reducing the lesions by 45 and 75% at 50 and 100 mg kg(-1), respectively. Seven derivatives of the sesquiterpene were prepared and their gastroprotective activity compared at 50 mg kg(-1). The cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated in fibroblasts and AGS cells. At 50 mg kg(-1), patchoulan-15-oic acid (compound 8) presented the best gastroprotective effect, reducing the gastric lesions by 86%, with a similar effect to lansoprazole at 20 mg kg(-1). The gastroprotective effect of cyperenol, cyperenoic acid methyl ester and the ethylamide and butylamide from cyperenoic acid were in the same range, reducing the gastric lesions by 72-77%. Cyperenol and cyperenoic acid methyl ester, however, were more cytotoxic with IC50 (concentration that produces a 50% inhibitory effect) values of 44 and 75, 48 and 75 microM against AGS cells and fibroblasts, respectively. The best gastroprotective effect with lower cytotoxicity was found for the compound 8, cyperenoic acid and the p-anisidyl derivative 7. | 10.1211/jpp.58.11.0012 |
pubmed_1032_19943 | Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) detection in the paranasal sinuses may help to prevent or postpone bacterial aspiration to the lower airways (LAW) and chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF). We assessed the ability of an ELISA test for measurement of specific Pa secretory IgA (sIgA) in saliva (a potential marker of sinus colonization) to early detect changes in the Pa LAW status (indicated by microbiological sputum or cough swab culture and specific serum IgG levels) of 65 patients for three years, in different investigation scenarios. Increased sIgA levels were detected in saliva up to 22 months before changes in culture/serology. Patients who remained Pa-positive had significantly increased sIgA levels than patients who remained Pa-negative, both at the baseline (39.6 U/mL vs. 19.2 U/mL; p = 0.02) and at the end of the follow-up (119.4 U/mL vs. 25.2 U/mL; p < 0.001). No association was found between sIgA levels in saliva and emergence or recurrence of Pa in the LAW. A positive median sIgA result in the first year of follow-up implied up to 12.5-fold increased risk of subsequent Pa exposure in the LAW. Our test detected early changes in the P. aeruginosa LAW status and risk of exposure to P. aeruginosa in the LAW with two years in advance. Comparison with sinus culture is needed to assess the test's ability to identify CF patients in need of a sinus approach for Pa investigation, which could provide opportunities of Pa eradication before its aspiration to the lungs. | 10.1007/s00430-019-00578-w |
pubmed_521_14713 | Increasing cell size, lipid accumulation, and altered antigen expression are features of sebaceous differentiation in vivo. Enhanced lipid synthesis with progressive differentiation is also present in cultured human sebocytes. This study was conducted to investigate the evolution of cell size and antigen expression of human sebocytes with progressive differentiation in vitro. Subconfluent human sebocyte cultures were examined for sebocyte differentiation evaluated on cytocentrifuge preparations by light microscopy and classified in stages according to morphological criteria described for sebocytes in vivo. Rates of 5.1 +/- 2.2% undifferentiated sebocytes, 29.2 +/- 4.9% early differentiated, 20.7 +/- 4.1% advanced differentiated, 37.6 +/- 6.4% fully differentiated, and 5.9 +/- 1.9% mature sebocytes were calculated in secondary cultures. The size of cultured sebocytes measured by computer-assisted planimetry significantly increased with progressive differentiation up to 4-5.5 times. The low rates of mature sebocytes and the only moderate increase of their size with progressive differentiation indicate an incomplete terminal differentiation in vitro. Sebocytes were subsequently stained with a series of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to determine antigen expression using the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase technique. The number of sebocytes labeled with the anti-keratin mAb CK8.12 and KL1, and the mAb 34D11 (82 kD protein) increased with progressive differentiation; significant differences were found after comparing early and advanced differentiated sebocytes. Sebocytes were positively stained with the anti-keratin mAb 6B10 (K 4), RPN1162 (K 7), CK13 (K 13), RPN1165 (K 19), CK8.60, and the mAb 115F5 (MAM-6c), OM-1 (sebaceous gland antigen), and 24F10 (basic polypeptides) only at late-stage differentiation. The expression of keratins 4, 7, 13, and 19 was confirmed by gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The data obtained were used to study the effects of the duration of cultivation and of the retinoids isotretinoin and tretinoin on sebocyte differentiation in vitro. Subcultivation of sebocytes upregulated, and treatment with isotretinoin but not with tretinoin downregulated labeling with mAb which recognize indicating progressive and late-stage differentiation. | 10.1111/j.1600-0625.1994.tb00271.x |
pubmed_271_10501 | A metK gene encoding S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase was cloned from the non-Streptomyces actinomycetes, Actinoplanes teichomyceticus ATCC31121. In order to evaluate the effect of the metK expression on antibiotic production in actinomycetes, an expression vector harboring the metK gene was constructed and introduced into Streptomyces lividans TK24 and A. teichomyceticus, and the antibiotic production of the exconjugants was assessed. As a result, it was determined that the expression of metK induced 17-fold and 2.2-fold increases in actinorhodin production from S. lividans TK24 and teicoplanin production from A. teichomyceticus, respectively, compared with the control strains. | 10.4014/jmb.1101.01018 |
pubmed_868_1770 | BACKGROUND
A subclavian intraaortic balloon pump (SC-IABP) can help to optimize patients with advanced congestive heart failure as a bridge to definitive therapy. We retrospectively reviewed our experience to assess the application and safety of this technique.
METHODS
We studied 88 patients with decompensated advanced congestive heart failure who received SC-IABP placement between January 2011 and December 2014. The SC-IABP was placed through a graft in the subclavian artery. The intended therapeutic goals for SC-IABP were bridge to transplant (n = 61), mechanical circulatory support (n = 21), or recovery (n = 6). Success was defined as stroke-free survival, achievement of therapeutic goal, and maintenance or improvement in renal function, hemodynamics, and physical conditioning through ambulation and rehabilitation.
RESULTS
Eighty patients were successfully bridged to the next therapy (transplant 93.4%, mechanical circulatory support 95.3%, recovery 50%). There was no mortality related to SC-IABP placement. Duration of SC-IABP support was 4 to 135 days (median 21). Failure was attributed to escalation of support (n = 5), stroke (n = 2), and sepsis (n = 1). Mean pulmonary artery pressure significantly improved from 33 ± 11 mm Hg to 28 ± 8 mm Hg (p < 0.05). Eighty-four patients (95.5%) ambulated more than 3 times a day. Two-minute step test demonstrated significant improvement, from 50 ± 9 steps to 90 ± 23 steps (n = 16, p < 0.001). Specific complications of SC-IABP included exchange/repositioning (n = 26, 29.5%), subclavian artery thrombosis (n = 1, 1.1%), and reexploration for hematoma (n = 4, 4.5%) and infection (n = 2, 2.3%). No distal thromboembolic events were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The SC-IABP provided excellent hemodynamic support with minimal morbidity and mortality, allowed for extensive rehabilitation, and permitted more than 90% of patients to receive their intended therapy. Therefore, SC-IABP is a compelling bridge device for patients with advanced congestive heart failure. | pubmed_868_1770 |
pubmed_748_241 | PURPOSE
This report is an analysis of the effects of local indomethacin delivery on uterine activity in vitro.
METHODS
Isolated strips of time-dated pregnant rats' myometrium were placed within controlled tissue baths. Spontaneous muscular activity was recorded by a force transducer connected to a polygraph at cumulative concentrations of indomethacin. Statistical analysis was by single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), with P values of less than.05 considered significant.
RESULTS
Within a narrow concentration range, the effects of indomethacin on frequency and amplitude of myometrial contractions were nonmonotonic, with an increase in frequency at levels that began to depress amplitude. However, both amplitude and frequency were significantly depressed and eventually totally abolished at most concentrations studied (P <.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Indomethacin administered in situ consistently inhibits or completely arrests overall myometrial activity. The concept of local myometrial delivery of indomethacin, possibly via slow release systems, may prove clinically useful as an adjuvant to its systemic administration in preterm labor prevention after fetal surgery, warranting further trials in vivo. | 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2004.04.006 |
pubmed_480_442 | Recurrent mutations in the splicing factor U2AF35 are found in several cancers and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). How oncogenic U2AF35 mutants promote transformation remains to be determined. Here we derive cell lines transformed by the oncogenic U2AF35(S34F) mutant and identify aberrantly processed pre-mRNAs by deep sequencing. We find that in U2AF35(S34F)-transformed cells the autophagy-related factor 7 (Atg7) pre-mRNA is abnormally processed, which unexpectedly is not due to altered splicing but rather selection of a distal cleavage and polyadenylation (CP) site. This longer Atg7 mRNA is translated inefficiently, leading to decreased ATG7 levels and an autophagy defect that predisposes cells to secondary mutations, resulting in transformation. MDS and acute myeloid leukemia patient samples harboring U2AF35(S34F) have a similar increased use of the ATG7 distal CP site, and previous studies have shown that mice with hematopoietic cells lacking Atg7 develop an MDS-like syndrome. Collectively, our results reveal a basis for U2AF35(S34F) oncogenic activity. | pubmed_480_442 |
pubmed_969_13053 | 10 derivations of rat tracheal epithelial (RTE) cells, including normal cells, normal primary cultures, 7 tumorigenic cell lines and 1 nontumorigenic cell line transformed in vitro by treatment with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and/or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) were examined for oncogene alterations. No abnormalities of Ha-ras or Ki-ras were seen that were suggestive of amplification, rearrangement or the presence of RFLPs. Analysis of specific-point mutations in Ha-ras using Pst I digestion (codon 12, GGA to GCA) or Ha-ras and Ki-ras using Xba I (codon 61, CAA to CTA) were negative. In one cell line derived by DMBA treatment, changes in the c-myc restriction digest pattern were seen after incubation with Bam HI and Hind III. Northern analysis revealed consistent differences between normal and transformed cells when probed with Ha-ras; c-myc expression was of low intensity, and the expression of Ki-ras could not be detected. Transfection of RTE cell DNAs into NIH/3T3 cells did not result in the appearance of morphologic transformants. The studies suggest that Ha-ras or Ki-ras codon 61 A to T transversions (CAA to CTA) are not associated with the immortal/tumorigenic phenotype in RTE cells transformed by DMBA or TPA, and are in contrast to results reported in some other biological systems. | 10.1016/0165-7992(90)90145-a |
pubmed_497_3667 | AIMS
Acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common and serious problem with an associated mortality of some 10%. It is desirable, both for optimising outcomes and for the efficient use of resources, that some form of risk assessment be made early and management be stratified accordingly. A risk scoring system was recently proposed and validated by Rockall and colleagues from the UK. We wished to assess its validity in a New Zealand setting.
METHODS
565 consecutive patients treated for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding at Wellington Hospital between 1988 and 1991 were the subject of a major prospective study. All patients were retrospectively assigned a score of 0-7 based on presentation criteria as suggested by Rockall and colleagues. The score is a composite one having regard to age, haemodynamic variables on presentation and associated serious co-morbidity. Correlation was sought between the score and the in hospital mortality risk.
RESULTS
The overall 30-day mortality was 11%. Of the 60.5% of patients with a total score of less than 4 ('low risk'), the group mortality was 3.2%. Of the 39.5% of patients with a total score of 4-7 ('high risk'), the group mortality was 22.4%.
CONCLUSIONS
The scoring system appears as valid in a New Zealand patient population as in the UK. We suggest that this scoring system be adopted in hospitals for patients with acute upper GI bleeding to efficiently direct the use of 'intensive care' type facilities to those most at risk, and thereby optimise management. | pubmed_497_3667 |
pubmed_101_14732 | Three species of Xenosporium producing ellipsoidal or ovoid conidia were collected from decaying culms of Miscanthus floridulus submerged in freshwater streams of Alishan area, Chiayi County, Taiwan. Xenosporium formosiforme and X. parvulum are described and illustrated as new species. Xenosporium africanum is described in this paper as a new record for Taiwan. The phylogenetic relationships of Xenosporium species and related taxa were sought by comparing the sequences of their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) barcode, 28S rDNA, and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) gene segments. Phylogenetic analysis of these Xenosporium species supports their placement in the Tubeufiaceae. A synopsis of Xenosporium species producing ellipsoidal or ovoid conidia is given. The criteria used to differentiate species are discussed. | 10.1080/00275514.2020.1837566 |
pubmed_873_2874 | Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) belongs to the genus Morbillivirus that causes an acute and highly contagious disease in goats and sheep. Virus infection can trigger the change in the cellular microRNA (miRNA) expression profile, which play important post-transcriptional regulatory roles in gene expression and can greatly influence viral replication and pathogenesis. Here, we employed deep sequencing technology to determine cellular miRNA expression profile in goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) infected with Nigeria 75/1 vaccine virus, a widely used vaccine strain for mass vaccination programs against Peste des petits ruminants. Expression analysis demonstrated that PPRV infection can elicit 316 significantly differentially expressed (DE) miRNA including 103 known and 213 novel miRNA candidates in infected PBMC at 24 hours post-infection (hpi) as compared with a mock control. Target prediction and functional analysis of these DEmiRNA revealed significant enrichment for several signaling pathways including TLR signaling pathways, PI3K-Akt, endocytosis, viral carcinogenesis, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. This study provides a valuable basis for further investigation of the roles of miRNA in PPRV replication and pathogenesis. | 10.1186/s13567-018-0565-3 |
pubmed_415_10975 | PURPOSE
Recently, antioxidants have taken centre stage in media and advertising messages. While 80% of Canadians think they are well-informed about nutrition, many are confused about the health effects of specific nutrients. Forty-six percent of Canadians seek information from newspapers and books, and 67% of women rely on magazines. We examined the content and accuracy of antioxidant health messages in Canadian women's magazines.
METHODS
The top three Canadian magazines targeted at women readers were selected. A screening tool was developed, pilot tested, and used to identify eligible articles. A coding scheme was created to define variables, which were coded and analyzed.
RESULTS
Seventy-seven percent of 36 magazine issues contained articles that mentioned antioxidants (n=56). Seventy-one percent (n=40) of articles reported positive health effects related to antioxidant consumption, and 36% and 40% of those articles framed those effects as definite and potential, respectively (p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
The articles sampled conveyed messages about positive antioxidant health effects that are not supported by current evidence. Improved standards of health reporting are needed. Nutrition professionals may need to address this inaccuracy when they develop communications on antioxidants and health risk. | 10.3148/72.4.2011.e197 |
pubmed_778_11293 | An educational system has been developed which consists of a module to help both teachers to design courses with different levels of knowledge regarding epidemiology and students to get acquainted with the field of epidemiology.The software development product Director was used to develop the software application. The capacity required to install the software is 130MB although each individual component is not greater than 1.2 megabytes in order to facility its handling. The user interface of the system employs colour, text, complementary voices and animation. Moreover, exercises have been designed to facilitate the learning process and to allow students and teachers to interchange information with it.The system has been evaluated by a number of 65 students both graduate and undergraduate. Half of them were attending the undergraduate course in Nursing. The rest were graduate students attending a Master's Course in Health Informatics and Health Management. The first group of students had some prior knowledge of Epidemiology. The latter group had different levels of knowledge (none, little prior knowledge or an intermediate level of knowledge), of Epidemiology. The scope of this research is to prove the efficiency of Multimedia in teaching the rather difficult subject of Epidemiology. | pubmed_778_11293 |
pubmed_126_14120 | OBJECTIVE
To study the physical and psychological stressors in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to correlate stressors with different demographic variables.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional analytical survey.
SETTING
Intensive care unit of a private hospital.
PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS
50 randomly selected ICU patients during the first week of their ICU stay.
MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS
The Intensive Care Unit Environmental Stressor Scale was administered to 50 patients. Pain and the impossibility of sleeping due to noise and having tubes in the nose and mouth were considered the most important physical stressors. Loss of self control and lack of understanding about the attitudes and procedures were the main psychological stressors.
CONCLUSIONS
Interventions should be aimed at relieving the patient's pain and at controlling the level of noise to make sleep possible. From the psychological standpoint, the independence of the patient should be encouraged, thus stimulating the recovery of self-control. The team should also inform the patient about the procedures which will be carried out. | 10.1007/s001340050500 |
pubmed_1067_11198 | BACKGROUND
Following initial healing of erosive oesophagitis, most patients require maintenance therapy to prevent relapse.
AIM
To compare endoscopic and symptomatic remission rates over 6 months' maintenance therapy with esomeprazole or pantoprazole (both 20 mg once daily) in patients with healed erosive oesophagitis.
METHODS
Patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and endoscopically confirmed erosive oesophagitis at baseline were randomized to receive esomeprazole 40 mg or pantoprazole 40 mg for up to 8 weeks. Patients with healed erosive oesophagitis and free of moderate/severe heartburn and acid regurgitation at 4 weeks or, if necessary, 8 weeks entered the 6-month maintenance therapy phase of the study.
RESULTS
A total of 2766 patients (63% men; mean age 50 years) received esomeprazole 20 mg (n = 1377) or pantoprazole 20 mg (n = 1389) and comprised the intention-to-treat population. Following 6 months of treatment, the proportion of patients in endoscopic and symptomatic remission was significantly greater for those receiving esomeprazole 20 mg (87.0%) than pantoprazole 20 mg (74.9%, log-rank test P < 0.0001). Esomeprazole 20 mg produced a higher proportion of patients free of moderate to severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms and fewer discontinuations because of symptoms than pantoprazole 20 mg (92.2% vs. 88.5%, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Esomeprazole 20 mg is more effective than pantoprazole 20 mg for maintenance therapy following initial healing of erosive oesophagitis and relief of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms. | 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02643.x |
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