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pubmed_359_1366
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Insect cell cultures are widely used in viral diagnosis and biotechnology, for the production of recombinant proteins, viral pesticides and vaccines as well as in basic research in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, endocrinology and virology. Following KRP Singh's pioneering research in 1967, a large number of cell lines from diptera, hemiptera, and lepidopteran insects were established and characterized in India. With the availability of the modern tools in molecular biology and the advancements made in biotechnology, the indigenous cell lines may prove useful in creating a future without biohazardous chemical pesticides as well as producing life saving pharmaceuticals and vaccines for many diseases. This review summarizes information gathered regarding the insect cell lines established so far in India. It also covers the familiarization of the well characterized continuous cell lines and their potential applications. Special attention is given to virus susceptibility of the cell lines, the yield of virus with a comparative analysis with other conventional systems. The potential applications of dipteran and lepidopteran cell lines in agriculture and biotechnology are also briefly discussed for prospective studies.
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pubmed_359_1366
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pubmed_187_4835
|
We present a case report of laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy in a patient with duodenal obstruction from unresectable cancer. We performed an side-to-side intracorporeal gastrojejunostomy using endoscopic stapling devices. The patient had no morbidity and he was discharge on fourth postoperative day. Laparoscopic gastric bypass is an alternative to open procedure in well selected cases.
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pubmed_187_4835
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pubmed_896_22093
|
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid whose purported therapeutic benefits and impression of a high safety profile has promoted its increasing popularity. CBD's popularity is also increasing among children and adolescents who are being administered CBD, off label, for the treatment of numerous symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression. The relative recency of its use in the adolescent population has precluded investigation of its impact on the developing brain and the potential consequences that may present in adulthood. Therefore, there's an urgency to identify whether prolonged adolescent CBD exposure has substantive impacts on the developing brain that impact behavioral and cognitive processes in adulthood. Here, we tested the effect of twice-daily intraperitoneal administrations of CBD (20 mg/kg) in male and female C57BL/6J mice during the adolescent period of 25-45 days on weight gain, and assays for locomotor behavior, anxiety, and spatial memory. Prolonged adolescent CBD exposure had no detrimental effects on locomotor activity in the open field, anxiety behavior on the elevated plus maze, or spatial memory in the Barnes Maze compared to vehicle-treated mice. Interestingly, CBD-treated mice had a faster rate of learning in the Barnes Maze. However, CBD-treated females had reduced weight gain during the exposure period. We conclude that prolonged adolescent CBD exposure in mice does not have substantive negative impacts on a range of behaviors in adulthood, may improve the rate of learning under certain conditions, and impacts weight gain in a sex-specific manner.
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10.3389/fnbeh.2021.711639
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pubmed_42_11186
|
Between 1986-1998 in University Oncology Gynecology Department in Poznan, Poland were treated 23 women with choriocarcinoma. Despite of intensive chemotherapy 3 women were dead. In the report we present the history of this choriocarcinomas making effect to answer why our therapy was ineffective.
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pubmed_42_11186
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pubmed_163_15719
|
BACKGROUND
It is unclear that whether childhood neighborhood relationship is associated with mental health among middle-aged and older adults. To overcome this research gap, this study aimed to investigate the association between childhood neighborhood relationship and mental health among the middle-aged and older adults in China.
METHODS
The data of this study was sourced from the 2014 and 2015 waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. We used ordinary least squares and logit regression models to explore the association between childhood neighborhood relationship and mental health among the middle-aged and older adults in China.
RESULTS
The regression results indicate that the middle-aged and older adults who lived in place where neighbors had close-knit relationships at childhood was significantly associated with decreased odds of suffering from depressive symptoms (OR = 0.4259, p < 0.001). Furthermore, compared to the middle-aged and older adults who lived in place where neighbors were not close-knit at childhood, those who lived in place where neighbors were close-knit at childhood had a reduced CES-D score (coefficient = - 2.7822, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates the importance of living in place where neighbors had close-knit relationships at childhood. The integrated interventions, including maintaining close-knit neighborhood relationships and strengthening the construction of community, may be useful to improve mental health.
|
10.1186/s13690-021-00714-0
|
pubmed_891_18976
|
BACKGROUND
Cystic defects that are critical sized or larger require bone replacement strategies. However, due to inherent disadvantages of the various types of grafts, none of the available materials are best suited for these defects. Among the alloplastic materials, hydroxyapatite (HA)-based grafts are the most popular, due to their osteoconductive nature and resemblance to mineral bone. The aim of the study was to assess the utility of the novel material "Chitra-HASi" as a bone substitute in the maxillofacial region.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In a single-arm, prospective study, patients with radicular and dentigerous cysts were included and the minimum defect size was standardized at 20 × 20 mm or above. The Chitra-HASi material was developed by a wet precipitation technique and adopted for use following multiple in vitro and in vivo studies, confirming its safety and biocompatibility profile. All cysts underwent enucleation, followed by peripheral ostectomy and apicectomy of the teeth involved. The HASi graft was packed inside the cystic defect in a granular form and covered with a mucoperiosteal flap. Panoramic radiographs were taken preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.
RESULTS
Twenty-three patients were included in the study, of which only 10 patients could be followed up for 12 months after graft placement. The mean preoperative bone density was found to be 14.9% ± 4.97 (standard deviation), whereas the postoperative 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month densities had a mean difference of -11.3%, -22.9%, and -37.3%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant. Minor complications such as sinus formation (n = 7) and extrusion of granules (n = 4) were noted, which were managed conservatively. Only two patients required graft removal secondary to infection, leading to a persistent sinus tract.
CONCLUSION
The results of the study suggest that Chitra-HASi granules show potential as an alternative to other bone substitutes. The addition of silica to the porous HA material offers superior strength characteristics and needs long-term evaluation to assess its stability in large cystic defects.
|
10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_816_20
|
pubmed_710_8229
|
The aim of this study was to quantify the burden of avoidable pediatric hospital admissions for Ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSC) and to identify factors related to these preventable hospitalizations. The study was conducted by retrospectively reviewing all medical records of children admitted in a non-teaching 474-bed acute care hospital located in Catanzaro (Italy) for an avoidable hospitalization diagnosis. Two control clinical records involving children hospitalized for clinical conditions not classified as ACSC were randomly selected for each clinical record that included an ACSC. Among the 4293 pediatric hospitalizations, 451 (10.5%) were judged to be preventable. Of these, the most frequent discharge diagnoses were: dehydration (29.7%), pneumonia (17.7%), seizures (15.7%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (12.9%).Children admitted for a preventable hospitalization were more likely to be females, to be younger, to be residents in the same province as the hospital and less likely to have had at least one Community-Based Pediatrician (CBP) access in the previous year and to have used the district health service. The burden of pediatric preventable hospitalizations found in this study is quite high, and the results show that there is still work that lies ahead on the way to improve interaction between hospital and community-based services.
|
10.1371/journal.pone.0221852
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pubmed_434_10875
|
Autosomal STRs, Y-chromosome markers, and mitochondrial DNA sequences were investigated in six Mbyá-Guaraní villages (Fortín M'Bororé, Yryapu, Tabay, Kaaguy Poty, Jejy, and Yaboti), all of them settled within the province of Misiones, northeastern Argentina. One hundred twenty-one unrelated individuals were analyzed. The study involved typing fifteen autosomal STRs, nine Y-chromosome STRs, and four biallele loci in the nonrecombinant region of the Y chromosome, sequencing the mtDNA of hypervariable regions I and II, and detecting the 9-bp ins/del in region V of mtDNA. All autosomal STRs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The four major native American mtDNA haplogroups were represented in the sample. Haplogroups A2 and D1 exhibited the highest frequencies (40.5% and 36.0%, respectively), and haplogroups B2 and C1 appeared to be less frequent (17.5% and 6.0%, respectively). The native American haplogroup Q1a3a was observed in a relevant proportion (88.8%). In addition, a nine-STR Y-chromosome haplo-type (DYS19*13, DYS389I*14, DYS389II*31, DYS390*24, DYS391*11, DYS392*14, DYS393*11, DYS385A*14, DYS385B*16) exhibited a frequency of more than 36%. Our results indicate that the analyzed Argentinean Guaraní individuals are genetically more closely related to Guaraní from Brazil [genetic distance (Δµ)(2) = 0.48] than to other related tribes that are geographically closer. Statistical approaches based on autosomal data do not support the hypothesis of genetic drift previously proposed; however, this apparent discrepancy might be due to the lack of sensitivity of the autosomal markers used here.
|
10.3378/027.082.0406
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pubmed_596_9077
|
Using data from national surveys of jail and prison inmates conducted in 2002 and 2004, the authors found that male veterans in the age group that entered military service in the early years of the All Volunteer Force (AVF) were at greater risk of incarceration than nonveterans of similar age and ethnicity, whereas veterans who enlisted in later years of the AVF had less risk of incarceration than nonveterans. Although White veterans tend to have greater risk of incarceration than nonveteran Whites, Black and Hispanic veterans were at less risk than their nonveteran peers, although they are at greater risk than White veterans. These patterns are best explained by changes over time and in differential effects across racial/ethnic groups of recruiting practices, accession standards, and in civilian employment opportunities rather than combat trauma or other adverse experiences in the military. For example, reductions in the relative risk for incarceration of veterans during the AVF appear to generally result from increases in recruit qualifications and socioeconomic status due to greater military pay, improved skill in recruiting, and higher accession standards.
|
10.1177/0306624X11406091
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pubmed_916_24738
|
Morphologic methods such as the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) are considered as the gold standard for response assessment in the management of cancer. However, with the increasing clinical use of antineoplastic cytostatic agents and locoregional interventional therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), conventional morphologic methods are confronting limitations in response assessment. Thus, there is an increasing interest in new imaging methods for response assessment, which can evaluate tumor biology such as vascular physiology, fibrosis, necrosis, and metabolism. In this review, we discuss various novel imaging methods for response assessment and compare them with the conventional ones in HCC.
|
10.4103/0971-3026.155835
|
pubmed_212_9108
|
A case of congenital ear dysplasia, combined with cleft palate and anomalies of the cervical spine and eyes, is described. The case belongs to the group of cervico-ocular-auditory dysplasias (Klippel-Feil syndrome). A strange feature in our case was the co-existence of conductive hypakousia in the right ear, due to congenital fixation of the stapes footplate, with perceptive deafness in the left ear, due to dysplasia of the cochlea and internal auditory meatus. The conductive hypakousia in the right ear was successfully treated by stapedectomy. A review of the literature on the Klippel-Feil syndrome has shown that, in some of them the conductive deafness was unexplained, while in others the deafness was due to dysplasia of the ossicular chain or to a combination of dysplasias of the labyrinth and middle ear in the same ear. The co-existence of middle ear dysplasia in one ear with contralateral dysplasia of the inner ear and internal auditory meatus is rare.
|
10.1017/s0022215100089210
|
pubmed_1012_1714
|
Basigin, a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, has been shown to be essential for fertilization and implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the expression and hormonal regulation of basigin gene in mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period. Basigin immunostaining and mRNA were strongly localized in luminal and glandular epithelium on day 1 of pregnancy and gradually decreased to a basal level from day 2-4 of pregnancy. Basigin mRNA expression in the sub-luminal stroma was first detected on day 3 of pregnancy and increased on day 4 of pregnancy. On day 5 of pregnancy, the expression of basigin protein and mRNA was only detected in the implanting embryos, and the luminal epithelium and sub-luminal stroma surrounding the embryos. A similar expression pattern of basigin was also induced in the delayed-implantation uterus which was activated by estrogen injection. On day 6-8 of pregnancy, although a basal level of basigin protein was detected in the secondary decidual zone, basigin mRNA expression was strongly seen in this location. Basigin mRNA was also highly expressed in the decidualized cells under artificial decidualization. Estrogen significantly stimulated basigin expression in the ovariectomized mouse uterus. A high level of basigin immunostaining and mRNA was also seen in proestrus and estrus uteri. These results suggest that basigin expression is closely related to mouse implantation and up-regulated by estrogen.
|
10.1002/mrd.10128
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pubmed_282_10274
|
Porous hypercross-linked polymers based on perbenzylated monosugars (SugPOP-1-3) have been synthesized by Friedel-Crafts reaction using formaldehyde dimethyl acetal as an external cross-linker. Three perbenzylated monosugars with similar chemical structure were used as monomers in order to tune the porosity. These obtained polymers exhibit microporous and mesoporous features. The highest Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area for the resulting polymers was found to be 1220 m2 g-1, and the related carbon dioxide storage capacity was found to be 14.4 wt % at 1.0 bar and 273 K. As the prepared porous polymer SugPOP-1 is based on hemiacetal glucose, Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be successfully incorporated into the polymer by an in situ chemical reduction of freshly prepared Tollens' reagent. The obtained AgNPs/SugPOP-1 composite demonstrates good catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) with an activity factor ka = 51.4 s-1 g-1, which is higher than some reported AgNP-containing composite materials.
|
10.3762/bjoc.13.120
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pubmed_113_22367
|
PURPOSE
To build a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of the clinical OATP1B1/OATP1B3/BCRP victim drug rosuvastatin for the investigation and prediction of its transporter-mediated drug-drug interactions (DDIs).
METHODS
The Rosuvastatin model was developed using the open-source PBPK software PK-Sim®, following a middle-out approach. 42 clinical studies (dosing range 0.002-80.0 mg), providing rosuvastatin plasma, urine and feces data, positron emission tomography (PET) measurements of tissue concentrations and 7 different rosuvastatin DDI studies with rifampicin, gemfibrozil and probenecid as the perpetrator drugs, were included to build and qualify the model.
RESULTS
The carefully developed and thoroughly evaluated model adequately describes the analyzed clinical data, including blood, liver, feces and urine measurements. The processes implemented to describe the rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics and DDIs are active uptake by OATP2B1, OATP1B1/OATP1B3 and OAT3, active efflux by BCRP and Pgp, metabolism by CYP2C9 and passive glomerular filtration. The available clinical rifampicin, gemfibrozil and probenecid DDI studies were modeled using in vitro inhibition constants without adjustments. The good prediction of DDIs was demonstrated by simulated rosuvastatin plasma profiles, DDI AUClast ratios (AUClast during DDI/AUClast without co-administration) and DDI Cmax ratios (Cmax during DDI/Cmax without co-administration), with all simulated DDI ratios within 1.6-fold of the observed values.
CONCLUSIONS
A whole-body PBPK model of rosuvastatin was built and qualified for the prediction of rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics and transporter-mediated DDIs. The model is freely available in the Open Systems Pharmacology model repository, to support future investigations of rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics, rosuvastatin therapy and DDI studies during model-informed drug discovery and development (MID3).
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10.1007/s11095-021-03109-6
|
pubmed_422_18958
|
Glutamate (L-glu) is the most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Its action is terminated by transporters located in the plasma membrane of neurons and glial cells, which have a critical role in preventing glutamate excitotoxicity under normal conditions. The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Venoms of solitary wasps and orb-spiders are composed of large proteins, medium-size peptides, polyamine amides (PAs), and other neuroactive components that are highly selective to nervous tissues. The abnormal operation of uptake systems is involved in several failures. Several studies indicate alterations in extracellular GABA and glutamate concentrations in epilepsy conditions that may relate to transporter functions. The effects of the crude and boiled venom of the social wasp Agelaia vicina, "cassununga," on GABA and L-glu uptake in rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes are related. The venom uncompetitively inhibited high- and low-affinity GABA uptake by 91.2% and by 76%, respectively. This kind of inhibition was also found to affect high- (99.6%) and low-affinity (90%) uptake of L-glu. These results suggest that the effects observed in these experiments indicate the venom of A. vicina to be a useful tool to further characterize GABA- and L-glu-uptake systems.
|
10.1002/(sici)1099-0461(2000)14:2<88::aid-jbt4>3.0.co;2-g
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pubmed_1090_2605
|
J. W. Franz graded exercise test (GET) was employed to examine healthy subjects, untreated patients with stage I and II essential hypertension and hypertensive subjects treated with hydrochlorthiazide, alpha-methyldopa, prazosine, dilthiazem resultant in normal resting values of blood pressure. Hydrochlorthiazide did not protect the patients from a pathological hypertensive response to GET, whereas alpha-methyldopa and prazosine furnish a physiological hypertensive response in much less number of patients and dilthiazem made possible normal response in the majority of treated patients. GET is suggested for assessing effectiveness of hypertension treatment and individual choice of antihypertensive drugs.
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pubmed_1090_2605
|
pubmed_152_8588
|
It has been reported that the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Methanococcus jannaschii, possesses two FKBP (FK506 binding protein) genes in the genome, one being 26 kDa FKBP (long-type FKBP) and the other, 18 kDa FKBP (short-type FKBP). FKBP is a family of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases (PPIases). In order to clarify the difference between their roles in archaeal cells, they were expressed in Escherichia coli, and their PPIase and chaperone-like protein-folding activities were investigated. The catalytic efficiency of the PPIase activity of the long-type FKBP was significantly lower than that of short-type FKBP (less than 1/1000) which is comparable to that of human FKBP12. Both FKBPs showed chaperone-like protein-folding activity to enhance the refolding yield of an unfolded protein (Thermoplasma citrate synthase) in vitro. The chaperone-like protein-folding activity of the short type was higher than that of the long type. While the intracellular content of long-type FKBP in M. jannaschii tended to increase, that of short-type FKBP obviously decreased at growth temperatures higher than the optimum of 85 degrees C. In Pyrococcus horikoshii, another hyperthermophilic archaeon, the intracellular content of long-type FKBP did not change with temperature (80-102 degrees C). These results suggest that long-type FKBP functions at any temperature in the cells as a chaperone to maintain the folding states of intracellular proteins. On the other hand, short-type FKBP may be required at lower temperatures. Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerization is known to be a rate-limiting step in protein-folding and is slower at low temperature. Since the PPIase activity of short-type FKBP was much stronger than that of the long type, it may be required to accelerate the folding of intracellular proteins and for the hyperthermophilic cell to live at low growth temperatures.
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10.1016/s0378-1119(02)00674-1
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pubmed_294_11950
|
This study was performed to elucidate whether endometriotic lesions can affect peripheral blood lymphocyte-subsets. Changes of lymphocyte-subsets of normal healthy women and patients with uterine myoma or endometriosis before and after operation were also examined by using two-color assay methods. The percentage and absolute number of CD57+CD16+ cells [moderately differentiated natural killer (NK) cells] of NK cell subsets in peripheral blood from patients with endometriosis were significantly lower than values from normal healthy women and patients with uterine myoma, while there was no difference in CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte-subsets between normal healthy women and patients with uterine myoma or endometriosis. In patients with endometriosis the percentage and absolute number of CD8+CD11+ cells (suppressor T-cells) was significantly increased after operation, while those in patients with urine myoma did not change. On the other hand, resection of endometriotic lesions resulted in a significant decrease of the percentage of CD57+CD16- cells (immature NK cells) and a significant increase of not only the percentage but also the absolute number of CD57+CD16+ cells (moderately differentiated NK cells), suggesting that existence of endometriotic lesions disturbs differentiation of the NK cells. Furthermore, suppressor inducer T-cells as shown by measuring CD4+2H4+ and CD4+4B4- cells were significantly increased after operation of endometriosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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10.3109/00016349309013364
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pubmed_643_4837
|
OBJECTIVES
To test if the partially digital workflow by digitalisation of the impression reveals a comparable accuracy as the indirect digitalisation of the gypsum cast for 4-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A titanium model with a tapered full veneer preparation of a molar and premolar was used as analysis model. To receive a virtual three-dimensional reference dataset (REF), it was digitised by industrial computed tomography. Three impression materials were used with individual impression trays (N = 36, n/material = 12): (1) PE (Impregum Penta), (2) PVS-I (Imprint 4 Penta: Super Quick Heavy plus Super Quick Light), and (3) PVS-D (Dimension Penta: H Quick plus L). For partially digital workflow (group IMP), two desktop scanners were used: (1) D810 (3Shape D810) and (2) ZZ (Zirkonzahn S600ARTI). For indirect digitalisation (group CAST), gypsum master casts were manufactured and digitalised using the same desktop scanners. Virtual datasets were superimposed by best fit algorithm, and accuracy was analysed by calculating the Euclidean distances (ED) to the REF (Geomagic Qualify). Statistic was determined (Kruskal-Wallis H test, Mann-Whitney U post hoc analysis, two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, p < 0.05).
RESULTS
ZZ showed for positive deviations superior accuracy for IMP than for CAST. PE and PVS-I showed superior accuracy than PVS-D. D810 showed partially significant better performance with PVS-I and PVS-D than ZZ.
CONCLUSIONS
The partially digital workflow by digitalisation of the impression can be used for clinical indications of small-span fixed dental prostheses. However, for this indication, the impression material and the desktop scanner are more decisive for the accuracy of virtual model datasets.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Despite the rapid advancement of the computer-aided technology for dental therapy purposes, the implementation of this technique is not as fast as the technical development. In order to combine the well-established procedure to use elastomeric materials for a conventional impression and to avoid the drawbacks of casting it by gypsum, the digitalisation of the impression itself by a desktop scanner may be a logical procedure as an access point to the digital workflow. However, there is only limited information about the accuracy of this partially digital workflow by the digitalisation of modern impression materials in comparison to the well-known process of indirect digitalisation of gypsum casts.
|
10.1007/s00784-019-02995-w
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pubmed_866_6956
|
In the south of France, the so-called climate hiatus from 1998 to 2013 was associated with a late winter cooling which has affected the phenology of several reptiles and amphibian species, delaying their dates of first appearances in spring. This episode has been related to a period of frequently negative values of the North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAOi). The recent increase of this index after this episode marks the end of the "hiatus" and provides an opportunity to verify the impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the fauna of the North Mediterranean region. Most of the emergence dates of amphibians and reptiles in spring have rapidly advanced from 1983 to 1997 and then receded or stabilized from 1998 to 2010. They began to advance again since 2010. These phenological changes covary with the temperature of February-March in the study area, which is itself related to the variations of the NAO index. These changes confirm the influence of the NAO on the phenology of terrestrial organisms in northern Mediterranean where its influence is sometimes assumed to be attenuated.
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10.1007/s00484-019-01827-6
|
pubmed_783_5213
|
OBJECTIVE
Placement of peritoneal drainage catheters intra-operatively has been shown to help prevent fluid overload in children recovering from surgery for two-ventricle heart disease. We aimed to determine whether this practice is also helpful in children recovering from Fontan palliation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A retrospective review was performed on children with single-ventricle anatomy undergoing Fontan palliation at our institution from 2007 to 2011. Variables in those with peritoneal drainage were compared with those without using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests, chi-square tests, or analysis of variance for repeated measures as appropriate. Data were represented as mean with standard deviation unless otherwise noted.
RESULTS
A total of 43 children were reviewed, 21 (49%) with peritoneal drainage catheters. No complications from catheter placement occurred. The groups did not differ with regard to cardiopulmonary bypass duration, dominant ventricle, pre-operative haemodynamic data, fenestration use, and initial intensive care unit ventilation index. Central venous pressures, vasoactive medication use, and diuretic use during the first 48 hours were also not statistically different. At 48 hours, the median fluid balance was -9 (interquartile range : -50, +20) in those with peritoneal drainage and +77 cc/kg (interquartile range : +22, +96) in those without (p < 0.001), yet median duration of mechanical ventilation was 40 hours (range: 19-326) in those with peritoneal drainage and 23 hours (range: 9-92) in those without, p = 0.01.
CONCLUSION
Patients with peritoneal drainage recovering from Fontan palliation achieved negative fluid balance as compared with those without peritoneal drainage, although this difference was associated with a longer duration of mechanical ventilation.
|
10.1017/S1047951113000693
|
pubmed_761_6693
|
People often inhibit or override their dominant response tendencies in order to complete tasks successfully. Exerting such self-control has been shown to influence attentional breadth differently depending on approach-motivated tendencies, as indexed by individuals' behavioral activation system (BAS) scores. Approach motivation and attentional breadth have previously been associated with frontal alpha asymmetry (i.e., lateralized cortical activity in the frontal regions) where greater left-frontal activation is associated with greater approach motivation and reduced attentional breadth. The process model of self-control posits that exercising self-control leads to a subsequent increase in approach behavior in high BAS individuals, and this could be due to a shift towards left-hemisphere-frontal processing. This was the first study to examine both frontal asymmetry and attentional breadth before and after exercising self-control in low and high BAS individuals. Greater BAS, and greater difficulty exercising self-control, both positively related to more narrowed attentional breadth after completing the manipulation relative to before, but only after exercising self-control. However, breadth of attention and changes in attentional breadth were unrelated to frontal asymmetry, suggesting that the influence of self-control on individuals' attentional breadth was not due to changes in frontal activation patterns.
|
10.3758/s13414-018-1610-z
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pubmed_373_9665
|
Temporal trend and migrant studies have indicated that the etiology of colorectal cancer is predominantly environmental and, hence, modifiable. Animal fat intake has been frequently, but inconsistently, associated with the risk of this disease. We conducted a population-based case-control study in Hawaii (United States) among ethnic groups at different risks of the disease to evaluate the role of dietary lipids and foods of animal origin on the risk of colorectal cancer. We interviewed 698 male and 494 female Japanese, Caucasian (White), Filipino, Hawaiian, and Chinese patients diagnosed during 1987-91 with pathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum, and 1,192 population controls matched to cases on age, gender and ethnicity. Odds ratios (OR), adjusted for caloric intake and other dietary and non-dietary risk factors, were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Intakes of total fat, saturated fat (S) and polyunsaturated fat (P) were not related to the risk of colorectal cancer. However, an inverse association was found for the P/S ratio, with ORs of 0.6 in both genders (95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 0.4-1.0 for males; CI = 0.3-0.9 for females) for the highest compared with the lowest quartile (P < 0.05 for trend). Intakes of red meat and processed meat were associated with the risk of cancer in the right colon and rectum, respectively, in men only. Fat-trimmed red meat and fish intakes were not related to risk. Chicken eaten without skin was associated inversely with risk in both genders. The strongest association was found for eggs, with an OR of 2.7 (CI = 1.7-4.0) and 2.3 (CI = 1.4-3.7) for the highest compared with the lowest quartile of intake in men and women, respectively (P < 0.001 for trend). This association was dose-dependent, not explained by known confounders or other dietary variables, and was very consistent between genders, among ethnic groups, and across all segments of the large bowel. These data suggest that the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat may be a better indicator of colorectal cancer risk than the absolute amount of specific fats in the diet. They also suggest that eggs and, possibly, untrimmed red meat and processed meat increase, and chicken eaten without skin decreases, colorectal cancer risk.
|
10.1023/a:1018406716115
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pubmed_142_20555
|
We report the counterintuitive mechanism of increasing boiling heat transfer by incorporating low-conductivity materials at the interface between the surface and fluid. By embedding an array of non-conductive lines into a high-conductivity substrate, in-plane variations in the local surface temperature are created. During boiling the surface temperature varies spatially across the substrate, alternating between high and low values, and promotes the organization of distinct liquid and vapor flows. By systematically tuning the peak-to-peak wavelength of this spatial temperature variation, a resonance-like effect is seen at a value equal to the capillary length of the fluid. Replacing ~18% of the surface with a non-conductive epoxy results in a greater than 5x increase in heat transfer rate at a given superheat temperature. This drastic and counterintuitive increase is shown to be due to optimized bubble dynamics, where ordered pathways allow for efficient removal of vapor and the return of replenishing liquid. The use of engineered thermal gradients represents a potentially disruptive approach to create high-efficiency and high-heat-flux boiling surfaces which are naturally insensitive to fouling and degradation as compared to other approaches.
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10.1038/srep13145
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pubmed_408_6434
|
Immunoelectron microscopy was performed on live, cultured early postnatal mouse cerebellar cells to identify and ultrastructurally characterize those cells which express nervous system antigen-1 (NS-1) and beta-D-galactocerebroside (GalCer) on their surfaces. These two antigens are expressed on oligodendroglia with similar ultrastructural features. These cells are mainly of the immature type, possessing numerous polysomes, mitochondria and microtubules. Filaments are not observed. These oligodendroglia are sometimes surrounded by NS-1 and GalCer-positive membranous material, Few (less than 5%) mature oligodendrocytes are present in the dissociated cerebellar cultures.
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10.1016/0304-3940(82)90211-7
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pubmed_31_5494
|
BACKGROUND
Anti-RhD administration can prevent de novo anti-RhD formation following RhD+ red blood cell (RBC) exposure, termed antibody-mediated immunosuppression (AMIS). Recent studies suggest that AMIS may occur through target antigen alterations, known as antigen modulation. However, studies suggest that AMIS may occur independent of antigen modulation. In particular, AMIS to RBCs that transgenically express the fusion hen egg lysozyme-ovalbumin-Duffy (HOD) antigen have been shown to occur independent of activating Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) thought to be required for antigen modulation. Therefore, we sought to determine the mechanism behind AMIS following HOD RBC exposure.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
Following transfer of HOD RBCs into wild-type or FcγR-chain knockout recipients in the presence or absence of monoclonal anti-hen egg lysozyme (HEL) antibody, individually or in combination, HOD antigen levels and anti-HOD antibody formation were examined.
RESULTS
Our results demonstrate that anti-HEL antibodies individually or in combination suppressed anti-HOD IgM, which correlated with the rate of detectable decrease in HEL on HOD RBCs. Furthermore, exposure to anti-HEL antibodies alone or in combination equally suppressed anti-HOD IgG formation. Unexpectedly, combination or individual anti-HEL antibodies induced AMIS and antigen modulation in an FcγR-independent manner. Pre-exposure of HOD RBCs to anti-HEL antibodies reduced antigen levels and suppressed anti-HOD antibody formation following HOD RBC exposure.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that antibody-mediated antigen modulation may reflect a mechanism of AMIS that can occur independent of activating FcγRs and may provide a surrogate to identify antibodies capable of inducing AMIS against different RBC antigens.
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10.1111/trf.14939
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pubmed_835_15083
|
BACKGROUND
The neonatal period is the most vulnerable time for survival in which children face the highest risk of dying in their lives. Neonatal mortality (NM) remains a global public concern, especially in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Although, better progress has been made in reducing NM before 2016, Ethiopia is currently one of the top ten countries affected by NM. Studies are limited to secondary data extraction in Ethiopia which focus only on survival status during admission, and no study has been conducted in the study area in particular.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the survival status and predictors of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted to the NICU of WURH and Nekemte Specialized Hospital, Western Ethiopia.
METHODS
An institution-based prospective cohort study was conducted among a cohort of 412 neonates admitted to the NICU of WURH and Nekemte Specialized Hospital from September 1, 2020 to December 30, 2020. All neonates consecutively admitted to the NICU of the two hospitals during the study period were included in the study. Data entry was performed using Epidata version 3.0 and the analysis was performed using STATA version 14. A Kaplan Meier survival curve was constructed to estimate the cumulative survival probability. A cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the predictors of NM. Hazard Ratios with 95% CI were computed and all the predictors associated with the outcome variable at p-value ≤ 0.05 in the multivariable cox proportional hazards analysis were declared as a significant predictor of NM.
RESULTS
A total of 412 neonates were followed for a median of 27 days with an IQR of 22-28 days. During the follow-up period, a total of 9249 person day observations (PDO) were detected. At the end of follow-up, 15.3% of neonates died with an overall incidence rate of death 6.81/1000 PDO. The median time to death was 10 days, and the highest incidence rate of death was observed during the first week of the neonatal period. The study found that rural residence (AHR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.14, 3.66), lack of ANC visits (AHR = 7.77, 95%CI: 3.99, 15.11), neonatal hypothermia (AHR = 3.04, 95%CI: 1.36, 6.80), and delayed initiation of breastfeeding (AHR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.56) as independent predictors of NM. However, a decreased number of pregnancies decrease the risk of NM.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The incidence rate of neonatal death was high particularly in the first week of life in the study area. The study found that lack of ANC visit, neonatal hypothermia, increased number of pregnancies, rural residence, and delayed initiation of breastfeeding positively predicted NM. Therefore, there is a need to encourage programs that enhance ANC visits for pregnant mothers and community-based neonatal survival strategies, particularly for countryside mothers.
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10.1371/journal.pone.0268744
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pubmed_201_18628
|
Macrophages are the key cells in metabolic syndrome and are also a risk factor for metabolic disease. Macrophages have different functions and transcriptional profiles, but all are required for maintaining homeostasis. It is well known that macrophages play a key role in inflammation and early atherogenesis, and are present in two phenotypes: pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2). Osteoclast stimulatory transmembrane protein (oc-stamp) is a multiple-pass transmembrane protein; however, its function remains unclear. In this study, we explored the role of oc-stamp in macrophages physiology. The results showed that oc-stamp was notably decreased under LPS and IFN-γ stimulation, while it was increased with IL-4 treatment. Furthermore, oc-stamp induced a phenotypic switch in macrophage polarization, suppressing the M1 pro-inflammatory state in the overexpression group, and promoting the M1 pro-inflammatory state in the knockdown group. Further study revealed that oc-stamp regulated macrophage polarization possibly via STAT6. Taken together, our results are the first to demonstrate that oc-stamp may play an important role in macrophage polarization and inhibit the M1 pro-inflammatory state.
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10.1093/abbs/gmx092
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pubmed_324_15706
|
BACKGROUND
An important imaging technique that has advanced decision-making for noninvasive preoperative evaluation is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Preoperative fMRI imaging based on blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) fMRI is routinely used to map a variety of eloquent cortex brain functions such as language, visual, and sensory-motor regions.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the regional volumes of sensory and motor cortex (SMC) activation by two widely used fMRI motor tasks: a simple hand squeeze (HS) versus a more complex finger-to-thumb (FTT) opposition.
METHODS
Ten right-handed (five males; five females) subjects were studied using a block design BOLD fMRI technique at 1.5T. A region of interest analysis was performed in the right and left SMC following a HS and FTT task with the dominant right hand.
RESULTS
Results show the total volume of motor and sensory activation for ipsilateral and contralateral areas for the FTT task was statistically larger than the HS task (P= .02).
CONCLUSION
Due to the greater degree of activation of the SMC with the FTT task, we suggest use of this task over the HS task if a patient can adequately perform the more complex FTT task. The greater SMC activation using FTT task compared to the HS task was primarily due to an increase in activation in the post-central sensory cortex. There was less lateralization, and therefore a greater degree of bilateral SMC activation, in the FTT task compared to the HS task. These results show the importance of optimization and fMRI task selection for presurgical SMC mapping.
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10.1111/j.1552-6569.2010.00492.x
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pubmed_448_9809
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A large amount of heavy metal-contained wastewater (HMW) was discharged during Chinese industry development, which has caused many environmental problems. This study reviewed discharge, management and treatment of HMW in China through collecting and analyzing data from China's official statistical yearbook, standards, technical specifications, government reports, case reports, and research paper. Results showed that industry wastewater discharged by an amount of about 221.6 × 108 t (in 2012), where emission of heavy metals including Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), T-Cr was around 388.4 t (in 2012). Heavy metal emission with wastewater in east China and central south China was observed to be graver than that in other areas. However, control of heavy metals in Pb and Cd in northwest China was more difficult compared with other areas. In terms of management, China's government has issued many wastewater discharge standards, strict management policies for controlling HMW discharge in recent years, resulting in reduced HMW discharge. In addition, main HMW treatment technology in China was chemical precipitation, and other technologies such as membrane separation, adsorption, ion exchange, electrochemical and biological methods were also occasionally applied. In the future, chemical industries will be concentrated in northwest China, therefore control of HMW discharge should be paid much more attention in those areas. In addition, more effective and environment-friendly heavy metal removal and regeneration technologies should be developed, such as biomaterials adsorbent.
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10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152091
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pubmed_1017_20198
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INTRODUCTION
Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis is a symptom free condition characterized by the circulation of small clonal population of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood (less than 5x10(9)/L) expressing an immunophenotype similar to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Different studies based on big hospital series have manifested a higher risk in subjects with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis to progress to a chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The behavior of this hematologic entity is unknown therefore its frequency in sporadic chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient relatives was determined.
METHODS
Transversal descriptive study, 8 color flow cytometry was performed using two of the tubes of the Euro Flow recommended panel, with modifications, for the diagnose of chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of B lymphocytes; besides, a fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed. univariate and bivariate analyses of the information were performed.
RESULTS
Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis frequency found in 51 analyzed relatives was 2%, it was a female participant, 59 years old, with a total leukocyte count of 7.7x10(9)/L and a B lymphocyte count of 0.124x10(9)/L; from these, 0.04x10(9)/L were clonal cells with restrictions of the kappa light chain. Rearrangements of the IGH gene (14q32) were found.
CONCLUSION
Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis was detected in one relative of a patient with sporadic chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a frequency similar to the one reported in general population.
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pubmed_1017_20198
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pubmed_203_7150
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Open statistical ensemble simulations are used to study the mechanism of nucleation of atmospheric water on sodium-chloride ion pair in a wide range of temperature and relative humidity values. The extended simple point-charge model is used for water molecules. Ions-water nonadditive interactions are taken into account by introducing the mutual polarization of ions and water in the field of each other. Gibbs free-energy variations are calculated from Na+-Cl- pair-correlation function and used as a criterion for determining the possible stable states of the cluster. In this relation, it was found that the dissociation of ion pairs in water clusters occurs even at vapor pressures of only a few millibars. In the conditions under consideration solvent-separated ion-pair states are found to be more probable than contact ion-pair configurations. The susceptibilities of water and ions are found to play an essential role in the stabilization of ions at large separations. The structure of ion-induced clusters is analyzed in terms of binary correlation functions. The non-pair interactions influence essentially the structure of ion solvation shells. The results of simulation show that the separation of the charges in water clusters containing simple ions can take place under atmospheric conditions.
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10.1063/1.1979476
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pubmed_780_3362
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The time-resolved fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decays of the immunophilin domain of FKBP59 (FKBP59-I)--a protein containing two tryptophan residues (the W89, buried in a hydrophobic pocket and the W59, water exposed)--were studied using the time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) technique. The synchrotron radiation machine Super-ACO (Orsay, France) was used as a pulsed light source (approximately 8MHz). A mainly dual and discrete excited state lifetime distribution was previously evidenced (Rouvière et al., 1997). The lifetime heterogeneity has been suggested to be relevant to the topological tryptophan heterogeneity. Indeed, taking into account the spectroscopic properties of the single tryptophan residue of the immunophilin FKBP12, a highly homologous protein containing a single tryptophan residue, the short- and the long-lived lifetime species were assumed to be related to the solvent-buried and to the solvent-exposed fluorescent residues, respectively. We definitely demonstrate this point by describing the dynamical properties of each tryptophan residue of the FKBP59-I as a function of the emission wavelength. The data of the polarized components of the fluorescence emission were analyzed by the Maximum Entropy Method using a one-dimensional model (each excited-state lifetime tau being associated with each rotational correlation time theta) and a two-dimensional model (without any a priori association constraint between the tau's and the theta's). The two dimensional analysis of the polarized fluorescence intensity decays by MEM show the existence of a correlation between fast picosecond dynamics of the indole ring with the shortest-lived and blue emitting species. Conversely, the long-lived and red emitting population is mainly associated to the Brownian motion of the protein. A protein flexibility of the region located around the W59 residue, but slightly contributing to the light depolarization process, is also evidenced and can be specifically attributed to the red emitting population.
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pubmed_780_3362
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pubmed_1005_18421
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Lipid mediators including classical arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids (e.g. prostaglandins and leukotrienes) and more recently identified specialized pro-resolving-mediator metabolites of the omega-3 fatty acids play essential roles in initiation, self-limitation, and active resolution of acute inflammatory responses. In this study, we examined the bioactive lipid mediator profile of human skeletal muscle at rest and following acute resistance exercise. Twelve male subjects completed a single bout of maximal isokinetic unilateral knee extension exercise and muscle biopsies were taken from the m.vastus lateralis before and at 2, 4, and 24 h of recovery. Muscle tissue lipid mediator profile was analyzed via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based targeted lipidomics. At 2 h postexercise, there was an increased intramuscular abundance of cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived thromboxanes (TXB2 : 3.33 fold) and prostaglandins (PGE2 : 2.52 fold and PGF2α : 1.77 fold). Resistance exercise also transiently increased muscle concentrations of lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway-derived leukotrienes (12-Oxo LTB4 : 1.49 fold and 20-COOH LTB4 : 2.91 fold), monohydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids (5-HETE: 2.66 fold, 12-HETE: 2.83 fold, and 15-HETE: 1.69 fold) and monohydroxy-docosahexaenoic acids (4-HDoHE: 1.69 fold, 7-HDoHE: 1.58 fold and 14-HDoHE: 2.35 fold). Furthermore, the abundance of CYP pathway-derived epoxy- and dihydroxy-eicosatrienoic acids was increased in 2 h postexercise biopsies (5,6-EpETrE: 2.48 fold, 11,12-DiHETrE: 1.66 fold and 14,15-DiHETrE: 2.23 fold). These data reveal a range of bioactive lipid mediators as present within human skeletal muscle tissue and demonstrate that acute resistance exercise transiently stimulates the local production of both proinflammatory eicosanoids and pathway markers in specialized proresolving mediator biosynthesis circuits.
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10.14814/phy2.14108
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pubmed_844_10751
|
Rapid and complete reperfusion is important for the reduction of infarct size and mortality in acute myocardial infarction. The optimum reperfusion therapy with regard to the recanalization rate and the time elapsing between onset and complete reperfusion was evaluated. One hundred fifty-four patients with total occlusion of the infarct-related artery within 6 hours of the onset were classified into four therapy groups: PTCA group (n = 58) undergoing primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), t-PA-IC group (n = 44) receiving tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) intracoronary infusion, t-PA-IV group (n = 14) receiving intravenous t-PA infusion, and mt-PA-IV group (n = 38) receiving intravenous mutant t-PA infusion. Although the recanalization rate was high in the PTCA group, there were no differences between the four groups as a supplement to immediate or rescue PTCA. The time elapsing between initiation of thrombolysis and complete reperfusion was shorter in the mt-PA-IV group than in the t-PA-IV group. Assuming the time from hospital arrival to initiation of intravenous thrombolysis was 20 min, the recanalization rate at 60 min after arrival in hospital was higher in the mt-PA-IV group than the PTCA and t-PA-IC groups. Although additional coronary angiography and PTCA may be required to improve the low recanalization rate compared with primary PTCA, intravenous infusion of mutant t-PA was the most promising therapy to achieve early reperfusion.
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pubmed_844_10751
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pubmed_847_7683
|
Silk is the strongest natural biopolymer produced by silk worms possessing superior adsorbent properties and thus extensively used in various applications. The present study involved the preparation of powder form of a silk fibroin materials and their application in adsorption of heavy metals, particularly, iron from aqueous solution. The morphological and structural characteristic properties of this promising materials were examined by using different analytical techniques. Batch experiments were conducted within feasible parametric ranges to understand the effect of dose, time, concentration, pH, and reusability. Silk fibroin was effective for iron adsorption over a wide range of pH 6 to 10. The adsorption removal efficiency of 98% was attained for removal of iron from contaminated water at moderate dose of 0.25 g and contact time of 60 min, which is unprecedented by considering the environment benign nature of the material. The data was examined in different isotherm models wherein it fitted best in Langmuir adsorption model. Similarly, Langmuir isotherm model, with R2 value of 0.984 and KL 0.412 and maximum adsorption capacity as 12.82 mg g-1, suggests monolayer adsorption. Kinetic study with better R2 value of 0.941 represented the pseudo-second order kinetics governed by the chemisorption reaction. To understand the practical applicability of silk fibroin, the repeatability study up to 5 cycles were performed. The findings are very encouraging which confirmed the usage of silk fibroin as adsorbent for multiple cycles with marginal decrease in adsorption efficiency. Eventually, the material was tested for iron removal in real contaminated water which revealed its potential and selectivity for removal of iron in different matrix.
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10.1007/s11356-022-19833-4
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pubmed_623_1592
|
RATIONALE
Prescription opioid abuse and transition to heroin use are growing problems in the USA. However, the long-term consequences of adolescent prescription opioid abuse on subsequent drug use and affective-like behavior are unknown.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to determine if adolescent exposure to oxycodone alters the rewarding effects of morphine, anxiety-like behavior, and reward-related gene expression later in adulthood.
METHODS
Adolescent male C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to oxycodone (3 mg/kg/day) via osmotic minipumps for 28 days. Following a 28-day withdrawal period, mice were tested in morphine-conditioned place preference paradigm (CPP), morphine sensitization, open field, marble burying, and forced swim (FST) tests. To determine if effects were specific to adolescent exposure, adult mice were exposed to oxycodone for 28 days and underwent 28 days of withdrawal prior to the same behavioral testing schedule. Expression of reward-related genes including dopamine receptor 1 (D1) and dopamine transporter (DAT) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) was examined.
RESULTS
Adolescent oxycodone exposure significantly increased (300 %) response to morphine CPP during adulthood and significantly reduced D1 expression (30 %) in the NAc and DAT expression (75 %) in the VTA. Adult oxycodone exposure did not affect subsequent responses to morphine CPP. Oxycodone exposure did not affect the development of morphine sensitization or affective-like behaviors. Corticosterone response to a stressor (FST) was significantly reduced (65 %) in mice exposed to oxycodone during adolescence but not adulthood.
CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent oxycodone exposure enhances rewarding effects of morphine in adulthood with no effect on other affective-like behaviors.
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10.1007/s00213-016-4425-4
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pubmed_848_18316
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Histamine is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and an important modulator of gastric acid secretion, vasomotor control, inflammation, and allergic reactions. In biological systems the formation of histamine from its precursor histidine is catalyzed by the enzyme L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC; L-histidine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.22). We have cloned HDC-encoding cDNA from a fetal rat liver cDNA library (phage lambda gt11) have deduced the amino acid sequence from the nucleotide sequence. The clone was proven to be HDC cDNA by expression of active recombinant enzyme in COS cells and by chromosomal mapping. The cDNA encodes a protein of Mr 73,450 (655 amino acid residues). The discrepancy between this molecular weight and the size of the purified fetal liver protein subunits [Taguchi, Y., Watanabe, T., Kubota, H., Hayashi, H. & Wada, H. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 5214-5221] (Mr = 54,000) suggests that HDC may be posttranslationally processed. The 469 amino acid residues from the amino-terminal portion of the protein share 50% identity with rat and Drosophila L-dopa decarboxylases and much less homology with other characterized amino acid decarboxylases.
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10.1073/pnas.87.2.733
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pubmed_24_21403
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The ProHeat(trade mark) reusable hot pack is being used increasingly as a substitute for the standard hydrocollator steam pack. This study evaluated the effects of these two modalities on skin temperature. Seventeen subjects were studied during separate 30-minute applications of a ProHeat pack with a wet barrier, a ProHeat pack with a dry barrier, a hydrocollator pack, and a control pack on their nondominant calf. We measured the skin interface temperature and pack surface temperature during each application with surface thermocouples. The skin interface temperature rise time to the minimum therapeutic temperature (104 degrees F) and the total time at and above the minimum therapeutic temperature, for each application, were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures (p<.05). The ProHeat pack application, with one layer of wet toweling as a barrier, was not significantly different from the hydrocollator steam pack application. We conclude that the ProHeat pack, prepared with a wet barrier, can be considered a viable alternative to the standard hydrocollator steam pack.
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pubmed_24_21403
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pubmed_832_16820
|
The genus Parkia (Fabaceae, Subfamily, Mimosoideae) comprises about 34 species of mostly evergreen trees widely distributed across neotropics, Asia, and Africa. This review aims to provide an overview of the current status of the species from the genus Parkia in terms of its relationship between its phytochemistry and medical uses. Comprehensive information on Parkia species was retrieved from electronic databases, which were Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar. This review identified nine species from genus Parkia with properties of medicinal use. They are used traditionally to treat several ailments, such as diabetes, diarrhea, wounds, hypertension, cough, chronic piles, conjunctivitis, and measles. The most common species studied are P. biglobosa, P. speciosa, P. javanica, P. bicolor, P. biglandulosa, P. filicoidea, and P. clappertoniana. A considerable number of secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids (aglycone and glycosides), and numerous volatile compounds have been identified in this genus, which are responsible for their diverse pharmacological activities. Their extracts, pure compounds and seed lectins have been reported for their anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antiulcer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, and antidiarrheal activities. The information gathered in this review might be of help for future studies in terms of the current knowledge on the link between the phytochemical components and medicinal uses. This could facilitate more discoveries on its potentials particularly in the pharmacological characteristics and potential to be developed into modern medicines.
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10.3390/ijms22020618
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pubmed_323_17971
|
The Human Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Allele Nomenclature Committee (http:www.imm.Ki.se/CYPalleles/cyp21.htm) has created a CYP21A2 database which include a list of all reported CYP21A2 mutations and the last update of this database was in 2006. The most up to date list of the CYP21A2 mutations reported over the last four years was published in a recent article by Concolino et al. We report a previously undescribed mutation detected by sequence analysis of CYP21A2 gene in an infant resulting in salt wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
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pubmed_323_17971
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pubmed_750_7976
|
Present study is carried out to observe and analyze the curative effect of Yousiyue (Drospirenone and Ethinylestradiol tablets) on endometrium regeneration after superconducting visual abortion and explore the nursing mode. A total of 150 patients who underwent superconducting visual abortion in our hospital were enrolled and divided into study and reference groups with 75 patients each according to random grouping. Both groups were treated with vaginal ultrasonography-mediated abortion. The study group was treated with Yousiyue after the operation plus comprehensive nursing intervention program. The reference group only received general routine nursing and treatment. The treatment outcomes of the two groups were compared. Comparison of endometrial thickness, menses return time and menstrual reduction rate reveals significant advantage of study group over reference group, p<0.05; study group has an overall satisfaction significantly higher than the reference group, p<0.05. The implementation of Yousiyue in endometrium regeneration after superconducting visual abortion can receive good results, which is worthy of popularization and application.
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pubmed_750_7976
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pubmed_567_10858
|
We investigated the chemosensitivity of anticancer agents against primary (230 patients, 268 tumors) and recurrent breast cancer (40 patients, 51 tumors) using histoculture drug response assays (HDRA) of surgical specimens. Of the 40 recurrent breast cancer patients, 26 were pretreated with anthracycline. The efficacy of the agents was assessed according to an inhibition index of optical density detected by an ELISA reader. The inhibition rate of docetaxel against recurrent tumors was similar that against primary ones, although the rates of adriamycin, 5 fluorouracil, mitomycin and cisplatin against recurrent tumors were significantly lower than those against primary ones. The clinical response of docetaxel was also evaluated in ten patients with recurrent breast cancer. Of the ten patients with recurrent breast cancer, eight were pretreated with anthracycline, and seven showed a partial response. These results indicate that docetaxel is effective against recurrent breast cancer, even anthracycline-resistant breast cancer.
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pubmed_567_10858
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pubmed_1094_12487
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Biofilms present challenges to numerous industries. Herein, a simple approach was developed based on chloride-accelerated Fenton chemistry, where copper oxide nanoparticles facilitate efficient generation of reactive chlorine species for biofilm removal.
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10.1039/c7cc00928c
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pubmed_202_20497
|
Tuberculomas of the lung are one of the more common lesions presenting a solitary pulmonary nodule, roentgenographically. We treated 36 patients with such nodules and describe here the radiologic-pathologic correlations and surgical treatment. In 21 patients, lung cancer was suspected preoperatively, based on radiographic findings of an ill-defined margin, pleural indentation and spicular radiation. Histologically, the tuberculous granuloma proliferated in the alveolar septa of the surrounding normal lung, often seen as a spicular radiation resembling lung cancer. In eight patients, tuberculoma was suspected because of radiographic findings of calcification and satellite nodules, and anti-tuberculous chemotherapy was prescribed for a few months. As this treatment was ineffective, surgical resection had to be done. Postoperative complications were nil and all of these patients are doing well at the time of preparation of this report. Anti-tuberculous chemotherapy was prescribed for 28 of 36 patients, postoperatively. We believe that surgical intervention is required for selected patients.
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10.1016/s0954-6111(06)80011-9
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pubmed_596_12929
|
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES
Testing for cytochrome P450-2C9 (CYP2C9) and vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) variant alleles is recommended by the FDA for dosing of warfarin. However, dose prediction models derived from data obtained in one population may not be applicable to another. We therefore studied the impact of genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 on warfarin dose requirement in Malaysia.
METHODS
Patients who were attending clinics at our hospital and prescribed warfarin with stabilized INR levels of 2-4 were selected. DNA was extracted from blood samples and subsequently genotyped for CYP2C9*1, *2, *3, VKORC1 (G-1639A) and VKORC1 C1173T. Linear regression modelling using age, CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypes, sex, weight and height was undertaken to define a warfarin dosing algorithm. An initial model was developed using data from one cohort of patients and validated using data from a second cohort.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A model which included age and variants of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 account for about 37% of the variability in warfarin dose required to achieve INR of 2-4. Among the parameters evaluated, only VKORC1 (G-1639A) and (C1173T) alleles, and age correlated with warfarin dose at 6 month. The mean dose predicted using the algorithm derived from cohort 1 was lower than the actual dose for cohort 2 (3·30mg, SD 0·84 vs. 3·45mg, SD 1·42). There was no relationship between INR values and the dose taken by the patients. Race, sex, weight and height did not correlate with dose.
WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION
This study identifies factors which affect warfarin dosing in the Malaysia population. However, our best model does not account sufficiently for the variability in dose requirements for it to be used in dose prediction for the individual patient. Other important influential factors affecting warfarin dose requirement remain to be identified.
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10.1111/j.1365-2710.2011.01262.x
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pubmed_920_14304
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AISI 316L stainless steels are widely employed in applications where durability is crucial. For this reason, an accurate prediction of its behaviour is of paramount importance. In this work, the spotlight is on the cyclic response and low-cycle fatigue performance of this material, at room temperature. Particularly, the first aim of this work is to experimentally test this material and use the results as input to calibrate the parameters involved in a kinematic and isotropic nonlinear plasticity model (Chaboche and Voce). This procedure is conducted through a newly developed calibration procedure to minimise the parameter estimates errors. Experimental data are eventually used also to estimate the strain-life curve, namely the Manson-Coffin curve representing the 50% failure probability and, afterwards, the design strain-life curves (at 5% failure probability) obtained by four statistical methods (i.e., deterministic, "Equivalent Prediction Interval", univariate tolerance interval, Owen's tolerance interval for regression). Besides the characterisation of the AISI 316L stainless steel, the statistical methodology presented in this work appears to be an efficient tool for engineers dealing with durability problems as it allows one to select fatigue strength curves at various failure probabilities depending on the sought safety level.
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10.3390/ma14133588
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pubmed_844_1222
|
mms4-1 is one of several Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants that exhibit an increased sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), but not to UV or X-rays. We have isolated the MMS4 gene by functional complementation of the MMS-sensitive phenotype in the mms4-1 strain. The MMS4 gene encodes a 691-amino acid, 78.7-kDa protein. The deduced Mms4 protein does not show significant homology to any of the known proteins in the database. However, several putative functional domains suggest that it may be a nuclear protein capable of interacting with other proteins. Examination of the mms4delta mutant phenotype indicates that the mutation not only sensitizes DNA to methylating and ethylating agents, but also to other DNA damage that blocks DNA replication. However, the mms4delta mutant appears to be more sensitive to chronic treatment than to acute treatment by DNA-damaging agents. Furthermore, the spontaneous mutation rate increases significantly in the mms4delta mutant. Mms4 alone, when fused to a Gal4 DNA-binding domain, is able to activate P(GAL1)-lacZ and P(GAL1)-HIS3 reporter genes in a two-hybrid system; the Mms4 transactivation domain maps to the highly acidic N-terminal region. These results collectively suggest that Mms4 may function as a transcriptional (co)activator and play an important role in DNA repair and/or synthesis.
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10.1007/s004380050689
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pubmed_75_9639
|
The guinea pig temporalis muscle is sexually dimorphic, classified histochemically as a fast-red muscle in the female, but as a fast-white muscle in the adult male. Since this sexual difference in metabolic properties is related to plasma testosterone levels, we asked if testosterone also affected the contractile protein isoforms. In the newborn guinea pig, both male and female temporalis muscles contained a fast-red isoform of the myosin heavy chain and approximately equal amounts of alpha- and beta-tropomyosins. At puberty, the male began to replace the fast-red isoform with a fast-white isoform of the heavy chain and by 120 days the muscle contained predominantly the fast-white myosin heavy chain. This transition in myosins in the male was accompanied by a shift to greater than 90% alpha-tropomyosin. No changes in myosins or tropomyosins were observed in the female. The changes in the male could be reversed by castration and could be mimicked in the female by the injection of testosterone. Although these same myosins and tropomyosins could be detected in other fast-twitch muscles, postpartum transitions in contractile protein isoforms in those muscles were testosterone-insensitive, and no sexual dimorphism of these proteins was seen in other muscles.
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pubmed_75_9639
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pubmed_633_8115
|
The objective of this study was to regenerate the tracheal epithelium using autologous nasal respiratory epithelial cells in a sheep model. Respiratory epithelium and fibroblast cells were harvested from nasal turbinates and cultured for 1 week. After confluence, respiratory epithelium and fibroblast cells were suspended in autologous fibrin polymerized separately to form a tissue-engineered respiratory epithelial construct (TEREC). A 3 × 2 cm² tracheal mucosal defect was created, and implanted with TEREC and titanium mesh as a temporary scaffold. The control groups were divided into 2 groups: polymerized autologous fibrin devoid of cells (group 1), and no construct implanted (group 2). All sheep were euthanized at 4 weeks of implantation. Gross observation of the trachea showed minimal luminal stenosis formation in the experimental group compared to the control groups. Macroscopic evaluation revealed significant mucosal fibrosis in control group 1 (71.8%) as compared to the experimental group (7%). Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed the presence of minimal overgrowth of fibrous connective tissue covered by respiratory epithelium. A positive red fluorescence staining of PKH26 on engineered tissue 4 weeks after implantation confirmed the presence of cultured nasal respiratory epithelial cells intercalated with native tracheal epithelial cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of short microvilli representing immature cilia on the surface of the epithelium. Our study showed that TEREC was a good replacement for a tracheal mucosal defect and was able to promote natural regenesis of the tracheal epithelium with minimal fibrosis. This study highlighted a new technique in the treatment of tracheal stenosis.
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10.1159/000318675
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pubmed_909_9045
|
A 21-year-old collegiate gymnast presented with midline pain at the thoracolumbar junction upon back extension and a "gritty" sensation at that level. Ultrasound revealed an area of hyperechogenicity, representing a calcification, within the interspinous ligament at the area of maximal tenderness at the T12-L1 level. Under ultrasound guidance, multiple fenestrations were made into the calcification and a mixture of lidocaine and triamcinolone was injected. The patient experienced immediate improvement in her symptoms, and resolution occurred during the subsequent 6 weeks; she was able to make a gradual return to gymnastics. Interspinous ligament calcification in a young athlete has not been previously reported.
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pubmed_909_9045
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pubmed_710_18240
|
BACKGROUND
Infection with the human immune deficiency virus (HIV) is still a prevalent problem in Africa.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypocortisolism among patients with HIV and their clinical profile at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, Nigeria.
METHOD
Three hundred and fifty adult patients with HIV infection were recruited from the HIV clinic of AKTH, Kano. Blood samples for serum electrolytes, and cortisol both before and after the short Synacthen test were taken for estimation. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 20.0 software.
RESULTS
One hundred and eight (30.9%) of participants had low baseline serum cortisol levels, while 57 (16.3%) had a low serum cortisol after short synacthen test. There was no significant relationship between the cortisol levels and clinical features of hypocortisolism, WHO clinical stage of HIV, hypernatremia or HAART regimen. There was a negative correlation between the stimulated serum cortisol and duration of diagnosis of HIV, participants BMI and CD4 counts.
CONCLUSION
The biochemical evidence of hypocortisolism was common among patients infected with HIV, associated with a longer duration of HIV infection. However, none of CD4 counts, clinical features or HAART regimen were associated with hypocortisolism.
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10.4314/ahs.v19i2.18
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pubmed_408_6120
|
Subchronic treatment with phenobarbital induces renal cortical microsomal monooxygenase activities (e.g., ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, benzphetamine N-demethylase and arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase) and cytochrome P-450 content in rabbits but not in rats. The mechanism responsible for this species-specific difference in renal cortical enzyme induction remains unknown, but may be the result of differences in the renal cortical accumulation of phenobarbital by these two species. Rabbit kidneys may be capable of accumulating more phenobarbital than rat kidneys. In the present study, accumulation of phenobarbital by renal cortical slices and the disposition of phenobarbital in vivo were determined. Both rat and rabbit renal cortical accumulation of phenobarbital was partially energy-dependent and inhibited by SKF-525A. Renal cortical accumulation of phenobarbital in rats was also inhibited by piperonyl butoxide. Accumulation of phenobarbital in rabbit renal cortical slices was not greater than that in rat renal cortical slices. Furthermore, rabbit renal cortex did not accumulate more phenobarbital in vivo than rat renal cortex. These results suggest that the different enzyme inducing effects of phenobarbital in rat and rabbit kidneys is not due to quantitative differences in accumulation of phenobarbital in renal cortex.
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pubmed_408_6120
|
pubmed_1127_20043
|
The authors examined the relationships between variables included in the Norm Activation Model (NAM; S. H. Schwartz, 1977) of prosocial behavior. Specifically, they evaluated the strength of 2 commonly used interpretations of this model: the NAM as a mediator model and the NAM as a moderator model. For the most part, 5 studies focusing on a variety of prosocial intentions and behavior support the NAM as a mediator model. Furthermore, these studies validate past research by showing that variables included in the NAM are powerful in explaining a diversity of prosocial intentions and behavior in the social and environmental contexts.
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10.3200/SOCP.149.4.425-449
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pubmed_520_22712
|
Background Myocardial fibrosis contributes to adverse cardiovascular events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Purpose To explore the characteristics of cardiac fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT imaging and its relationship with the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in HCM. Materials and Methods In this prospective study from July 2021 to January 2022, participants with HCM and healthy control participants underwent cardiac fluorine 18 (18F)-labeled FAPI PET/CT imaging. Myocardial FAPI activity was quantified as intensity (target-to-background uptake ratio), extent (the percent of FAPI-avid myocardium of the left ventricle [LV]), and amount (the percent of FAPI-avid myocardium of LV × target-to-background ratio). Regional wall thickness was analyzed at cardiac MRI. The 5-year SCD risk score was calculated from the 2014 European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify factors related to the FAPI amount. The correlation between FAPI amount and 5-year SCD risk was explored. Results Fifty study participants with HCM (mean age, 43 years ± 13 [SD]; 32 men) and 22 healthy control participants (mean age, 45 years ± 17; 14 men) were included. All participants with HCM had intense and inhomogeneous cardiac FAPI activity in the LV myocardium that was higher than that in healthy control participants (median target-to-background ratio, 8.8 vs 2.1, respectively; P < .001). In HCM, more segments with FAPI activity were detected than the number of hypertrophic segments (median, 14 vs five, respectively; P < .001); 84% of nonhypertrophic segments showed FAPI activity. Log-transformed FAPI amount had a positive relationship with log-transformed N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide, high-sensitive troponin I, and left atrial diameter and a negative relationship with LV ejection fraction z-score. Degree of FAPI activity positively correlated with the 5-year SCD risk score (r = 0.32; P = .03). Conclusion Fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT imaging indicated intense and heterogeneous activity in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and FAPI uptake was associated with 5-year risk of sudden cardiac death. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
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10.1148/radiol.221052
|
pubmed_1034_5579
|
PURPOSE
To identify Heptocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated antigens by proteomics, and validate whether autoantibodies against tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) could be used for diagnosis and conditional monitoring.
RESULTS
The 78 kDa glucose regulated protein (GRP78) was selected as a candidate TAA. The titers of autoantibodies against 78 kDa glucose regulated protein (GRP78) from patients with HCC, liver cirrhosis (LC), and chronic hepatitis (CH) were significantly higher than that from normal controls (P<0.05, P<0.001, and P<0.01, respectively). The expression of autoantibodies against GRP78 was associated with clinical stage (P<0.01), portal vein invasion (P<0.05), and metastasis (P<0.05). The expression of anti-GRP78 antibodies was significantly higher 1 month after surgery in recurrent patients who had accepted hepatic resection 1 month after surgery compared to patients who had surgery before surgery or within 1 week after surgery (P<0.01 and P<0.001). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed higher expression of GRP78 in HCC compared to the non-HCC liver tissues (P <0.05).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
HCC serum with high titer of autoantibodies against TAAs were screened and used for a proteome-based approach to identify HCC associated antigens. Indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was used to detect the corresponding autoantibodies against TAAs.
CONCLUSION
GRP78 is an autoantigen that could stimulate autoimmune responses and serve as a potential marker for recurrent and metastatic progression in HCC.
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10.18632/oncotarget.15192
|
pubmed_16_16869
|
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Treatment of acute ischemic stroke within three hours with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has been recently approved by the European Drug Agency. We present the development of an internal organization system that has permitted thrombolytic treatment in our center without previous experience as well as the results of the first year.
PATIENTS AND METHOD
Development of the thrombolysis educational program for the staff informed, of the internal organization system, and combined care protocols among the participating services. Prospective registry of patients treated with t-PA within the period 1/2004-2/2006. We collected demographic data, stroke assessment scales score (NIHSS), time to treatment, seven day and three months mortality, symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation, systemic bleedings, functional independency at three months, early significant improvement and significant deterioration.
RESULTS
Fifty-three patients were treated. Mean age: 65 +/- 13 years; 56% women. Mean NIHSS pre-treatment: 14 +/- 4.7. Mean time to hospital arrival: 62 +/- 40 minutes; door-to-treatment: 68 +/- 22 minutes, and mean time from stroke onset to treatment: 130 +/- 31 minutes. Symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation: 5.8%. Systemic bleeding: 3.8%. Seven day mortality: 5.6%; three months mortality: 15.1%. Early significant improvement: 51%. Significant neurological deterioration: 7.5%. Functional independency at three months: 51%.
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of acute ischemic stroke within three hours with intravenous t-PA is safe and is associated with a favourable outcome when it is applied by neurologists specifically trained in acute stroke management.
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10.1157/13094896
|
pubmed_692_10358
|
In a natural infection, human papillomavirus (HPV) replicates in a stratified and differentiated epithelium. We have developed an in vitro organotypic raft culture system that allows researchers to study HPV in its natural environment. Not only does this system reproduce the differentiation-dependent replication cycle of HPV, but it also allows for the production of high titers of native HPV virions. Currently, much of the HPV research has been done utilizing synthetic particles produced in transfection systems. However, by production of native virions, this research can now be continued using native particles. This chapter presents methods for producing, titering, and qualitating, via infectivity assay, native virus produced from organotypic raft culture.
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10.1007/978-1-4939-2013-6_24
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pubmed_1124_2045
|
Three cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in patients with IIIV/AIDS are being reported. The three patients are of young age group and they presented with cardiac symptoms for the first time. They were all heterosexuals and not known was as intravenous drug abuser. There was no history of rheumatic fever or hypertension or diabetes mellitus and ischaemic heart disease. Examination confirmed cardiac failure and investigations including chest x-ray, echocardiograph and electrocardiograph confirmed dilated heart. All the patients tested positive to HIV-1 antibodies. They were managed with the usual anticardiac failure regimen. Two of the patients died on admission, one developed multi organ failure and the other had tonic-clonic seizure. In other parts of Africa reports have also emerged describing the cardiovascular involvement in HIV/AIDS.
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pubmed_1124_2045
|
pubmed_785_2280
|
Corn grits are used for various purposes such as flakes, snacks, livestock feed, hominy, extruded products, beer, etc. The grit size proportion varies according to the hybrid, and thus, once the use of the grits is linked to the particle size, determining the genetic effects is essential to develop hybrids for any specific use. For this purpose a complete diallel series of crosses, involving eight parents, was performed near Maringá, PR, Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities of 28 progeny for selection of hybrids for breeding programs and extraction of inbred lines for hybrid development. The response variables, such as plant height, ear insertion height, crop stand, grain yield, and grits, small grits and bran production, were gauged and appraised for each of the 28 progeny. The trait effects and GCA were significant for all response variables, while for SCA, only grain yield and crop stand showed significance (P < 0.05), according to Griffing (1955) analysis. A significant weak negative partial correlation was found between grain yield and grits conversion. In relation to the hybrid selection for breeding programs, the parent IAC Nelore was highly recommended for recurrent selection and the hybrids IPR 119 x HT 392 and IAC Nelore x HD 332 for the extraction of pure lines for hybrid development.
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10.4238/2014.August.26.5
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pubmed_589_22800
|
In regions of strong sea surface temperature (SST) gradients, the surface "geostrophic" currents have a vertical shear aligned with the surface density front defined by the temperature. This surface geostrophic ("thermal wind") shear can balance a portion of the surface wind stress, altering the classic Ekman response to wind forcing. Here we show that these frontal effects cannot be ignored in the Tropics or in strong frontal regions in the extratropics, such as found in coastal regions and in western boundary currents of all basins. Frontal effects also dominate the classic Ekman response in the regions of both hemispheres where Trade winds change to westerlies. Implications for vertical motion and global heat transport are discussed.
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10.1038/srep28842
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pubmed_738_19636
|
The Japanese black cattle breed (Wagyu) has an improved metabolism, which allows them to have a higher marbling score when compared with other cattle breeds. However, this may affect other aspects of the animal's physiology, including hormone secretion and their reproductive success, such as their response to synchronization protocols and embryo production. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to test a superovulation protocol (SOV) developed with low doses of FSH and to evaluate the outcome and economic viability of embryo production using the SOV and in vitro fertilization (IVF) approaches in the Wagyu cattle breed. For that, ten Wagyu cows were submitted to five SOVs over a period of 15 months using a standard protocol: CIDR + 3 mg estradiol benzoate (D0), 35 mg FSH (Folltropin®) a.m. and p.m. (D4), 35 mg Folltropin® a.m. and 20 mg p.m. (D5), 20 mg Folltropin® a.m. and 10 mg p.m. (D6), 10 mg Folltropin® and 0.5 mg cloprostenol, both a.m. and p.m., + CIDR removal (D7), 0.05 mg GnRH + insemination 12 and 24 h after (D8) and embryo collection + 0.5 mg of cloprostenol (D16). Thirty days after each SOV, a follicular aspiration was conducted to produce IVF embryos without any pre-synchronization using standard semen in the same group of animals. The average number of embryos produced was 7.63 ± 5.61 (SOV) and 4.52 ± 2.44 (IVF) (p = 0.303). There was no significant correlation between the number of embryos produced by the different techniques (SOV and IVF), indicating that cows that respond well to SOV did not respond well to IVF and vice versa (r = 0.379, p = 0.529). The total cost of each embryo produced by SOV was R$215.00 and R$410.00 for IVF. Therefore, cows that produce less than five embryos by SOV are not economically viable due their lack of response to FSH, and the use of IVF in those animals may be more effective.
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10.3390/vetsci7020058
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pubmed_494_6868
|
The specification of the Caenorhabditis elegans endomesoderm has been the subject of study for more than 15 years. Specification of the 4-cell stage endomesoderm precursor, EMS, occurs as a result of the activation of a transcription factor cascade that starts with SKN-1, coupled with input from the Wnt/beta-catenin asymmetry pathway through the nuclear effector POP-1. As development proceeds, transiently-expressed cell fate factors are succeeded by stable, tissue/organ-specific regulators. The pathway is complex and uses motifs found in all transcriptional networks. Here, the regulators that function in the C. elegans endomesoderm network are described. An examination of the motifs in the network suggests how they may have evolved from simpler gene interactions. Flexibility in the network is evident from the multitude of parallel functions that have been identified and from apparent changes in parts of the corresponding network in Caenorhabditis briggsae. Overall, the complexities of C. elegans endomesoderm specification build a picture of a network that is robust, complex, and still evolving.
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10.1016/j.bbagrm.2008.07.013
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pubmed_805_17650
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A case of a large symptomatic intrasellar arachnoid cyst with suprasellar extension is reported. A 53-year-old man was admitted because of decreased visual acuity. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large intrasellar cyst extending into the suprasellar cistern, with compression of optic nerves. The intensity of the cyst was identical to that of the surrounding subarachnoid space on both T1-, T2-, and proton density-weighted images. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed, but subsequent refilling of the cyst required additional transcranial surgery. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid-like cystic fluid revealed high levels of protein and pituitary hormones. Histological study revealed that the cyst wall was composed of connective tissue and arachnoid cells, which were ultrastructurally characterized by a number of desmosomes. Diagnostic, surgical, and pathological features of intrasellar arachnoid cysts are discussed.
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10.1016/0090-3019(91)90044-a
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pubmed_1134_4700
|
A method used to provide gain variation with received echo range to compensate for tissue attenuation in standard B-mode ultrasound imaging systems achieves signal multiplication by first logarithmically compressing the complete dynamic range of the received echo. The time-gain correction method described here is a modification of this method. It performs the time-gain correction operation digitally between the digital scan converter and the display. The overall system transfer function can be specified by means of a software interface without changing the characteristics of the analog front end. This interface can be automated to almost any degree, and it can include preset settings for typical imaging requirements. This method also allows the gain function to be changed even when new images are not being generated.
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10.1109/42.34718
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pubmed_257_2657
|
18 elderly patients submitted to major surgery for malignancies or other disease were studied to assess the relationship between changes of blood coagulation factors and inhibitors in the early post-operative period and the appearance of lower limb deep vein thrombosis. A decrease in serum antithrombin III (AT III) Protein C antigen (PC: Ag) and Plasminogen activity (PLG) levels from the second to the fourth postoperative day, together with a simultaneous increase in serum fibrinogen (FG) and von Willebrand Factor (vWF:Ag) antigen levels was observed. In 8 patients, PC:Ag levels dropped below the limit considered at risk to develop DVT (less than 60 U/dl). A patient with the lowest PC:Ag levels had deep vein thrombosis From the analysis of data it was concluded that in the postoperative period, blood coagulation changes occur in elderly patients, predisposing to the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
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pubmed_257_2657
|
pubmed_289_3898
|
INTRODUCTION
To prevent oral chemotherapy prescription errors, we enhanced a prescription-writing module in an ambulatory electronic medical record. We sought to describe the enhancement, examine its performance to date, and identify opportunities for improvement.
METHODS
Enhancements to the oral chemotherapy writing module included weight- and body surface area-based dosing, fields for cancer diagnosis and intent of therapy (curative v palliative), and dose-limit warnings. We studied all prescriptions for 18 oral chemotherapies generated by oncology clinicians during the first 17 months after the safe prescribing enhancements were introduced, from May 1, 2010, to October 1, 2011. We examined the frequency with which clinicians used the new features, the number and type of alerts generated, and clinician actions in response to alerts.
RESULTS
Six hundred clinicians generated 6,673 prescriptions for 2,043 patients. Six drugs-temozolomide, capecitabine, lenalidomide, hydroxyurea, imatinib, and erlotinib-accounted for 5,512 of all oral chemotherapy prescriptions (83%). Prescribers indicated the intent of therapy 13% of the time and listed the patient's cancer diagnosis 46% of the time. Prescribers customized their instructions using a free-text field in 64% of prescriptions. Clinicians' 6,673 prescription attempts triggered 395 dose-limit warnings (5%), mostly for temozolomide. Clinicians ignored most (96%) warnings, because current dosing recommendations exceeded the dose-limit warnings for the alerted medications.
CONCLUSION
Oncology clinicians readily accepted features designed to enhance oral chemotherapy safety. Additional enhancements are needed to facilitate prescriptions with complex dosing regimens and to provide dose-limit warnings that reflect current clinical practice.
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10.1200/JOP.2012.000677
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pubmed_425_14646
|
Cervical cancer (CC) is a prevalent gynecological cancer, and the patients with CC usually suffer from dismal prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are demonstrated to serve as promising biological targets in human cancers. Gastric carcinoma proliferation enhancing transcript 1 (GHET1) has been revealed to function as an oncogene in several cancers, but it has never been investigated in CC. We proposed to examine the biological role of GHET1 in CC and the underlying mechanism and validated the up-regulated expression of GHET1 in CC cell lines. Loss-of-function assays demonstrated that down-regulation of GHET1 inhibited cell growth, migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CC. Furthermore, we validated that GHET1 down-regulation could inactivate AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, and that respective activation of these two pathways abrogated the inhibitive effect of GHET1 knockdown on CC cell growth, migration and EMT. Moreover, we unfolded a preliminary investigation on the modulation of GHET1 on AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. We found that GHET1 stabilized E2F6 mRNA through interacting with IGF2BP2, so as to regulate the activity of AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Rescue assays also proved that GHET1 regulated these two pathways and CC cell growth, migration and EMT through E2F6. In conclusion, we revealed that down-regulation of GHET1 suppresses cervical cancer progression through regulating AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, indicating GHET1 as a promising molecular biomarker for CC treatment improvement.
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10.1042/BSR20191265
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pubmed_929_19519
|
Etiology of early onset scoliosis as described by C-EOS does not predict pulmonary function. Further study is required to provide granularity with regard to specific C-EOS classifications.
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10.1016/j.jspd.2017.09.005
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pubmed_13_9170
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The evidence of negative impacts of agricultural pesticides on non-target organisms is constantly growing. One of the most widely used group of pesticides are neonicotinoids, used in treatments of various plants, e.g. oilseed crops, corn and apples, to prevent crop damage by agricultural insect pests. Treatment effects have been found to spill over to non-target insects, such as bees, and more recently also to other animal groups, among them passerine birds. Very little is known, however, on the presence of neonicotinoids in other wild species at higher trophic levels. We present results on the presence of neonicotinoid residues in blood samples of a long-distant migratory food-specialist raptor, the European honey buzzard. Further, we investigate the spatial relationship between neonicotinoid residue prevalence in honey buzzards with that of crop fields where neonicotinoids are typically used. A majority of all blood samples contained neonicotinoids, thiacloprid accounting for most of the prevalence. While neonicotinoid residues were detected in both adults and nestlings, the methodological limit of quantification was exceeded only in nestlings. Neonicotinoids were present in all sampled nests. Neonicotinoid presence in honey buzzard nestlings' blood matched spatially with the presence of oilseed plant fields. These are the first observations of neonicotinoids in a diurnal raptor. For better understanding the potential negative sub-lethal of neonicotinoids in wild vertebrates, new (experimental) studies are needed.
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10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.185
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pubmed_585_6431
|
Because CRP is a strong independent predictor of various diseases, it was hypothesized that CRP may be a useful predictor or treatment target for medical-care expenditures. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CRP and medical-care expenditures in a community-dwelling elderly population. This prospective cohort study was conducted including 925 Japanese subjects aged ≥70 years. A high-sensitivity CRP assay was used by applying the nephelometric method. Hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and expenditures were ascertained through computerized linkage with claims lodged between August 2002 and March 2008 with the Miyagi National Health Insurance (NHI) Association. Since medical-care expenditures were not normally distributed, the category of high medical-care expenditures (>75th percentile of medical-care expenditures: inpatient expenditures >$494/month; outpatient expenditure >$522/month; total expenditures >$1103/month) was used to examine the relation of CRP levels with medical-care expenditures. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between CRP cutoff points (low concentrations: <1.0mg/L; intermediate concentrations: 1.0-3.0mg/L; or high concentrations: ≥3.0 mg/L) and medical-care expenditures during 6 year-follow up period. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, a positive association of CRP with hospitalization, and total expenditures (p for trend=0.03 and 0.02, respectively) was found. An elevated baseline CRP level is an independent predictor of increases in prospective medical-care expenditures among community-dwelling elderly. Further study is required to clarify whether reducing CRP by intervention is a cost-effective measure.
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10.1016/j.archger.2012.01.014
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pubmed_892_5350
|
We have identified a new member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, growth/differentiation factor-10 (GDF-10), which is highly related to bone morphogenetic protein-3 (BMP-3). The nucleotide sequence of GDF-10 encodes a predicted protein of 476 amino acids with a molecular weight of approximately 52,000. The GDF-10 polypeptide contains a potential signal sequence for secretion, a putative RXXR proteolytic processing site, and a carboxy-terminal domain with considerable homology to other known members of the TGF-beta superfamily. In the mature carboxy-terminal domain GDF-10 is more homologous to BMP-3 (83% amino acid sequence identity) than to any other previously identified TGF-beta family member. GDF-10 also shows significant homology to BMP-3 (approximately 30% amino acid sequence identity) in the pro- region of the molecule. Based on these sequence comparisons, GDF-10 and BMP-3 define a new subgroup within the larger TGF-beta superfamily. By Northern analysis, GDF-10 mRNA was detected primarily in murine uterus, adipose tissue, and brain and to a lesser extent in liver and spleen. In addition, GDF-10 mRNA was present in both neonatal and adult bone samples, with higher levels being detected in calvaria than in long bone. These results suggest that GDF10 may play multiple roles in regulating cell differentiation events, including those involved in skeletal morphogenesis. Gdf10 was mapped to the proximal region of mouse chromosome 14 close to a region known to contain a spontaneous recessive mutation that is associated with a craniofacial defect.
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10.3109/08977199509028956
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pubmed_589_22112
|
AIMS
To analyse the long-term safety of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients discharged within 24 h or after 2- 5-day hospitalization, respectively, after complication-free implantation, in circumstances of actual care.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Patients in the multicentre, nationwide German DEVICE registry were contacted 12-15 months after their first ICD implantation or device replacement. Data were collected on complications, potential arrhythmic events, syncope, resuscitation, ablation procedures, cardiac events, hospitalizations, heart failure status, change of medication, and quality of life. Of 2356 patients from 43 centres, 527 patients were discharged within 24 h and 1829 were hospitalized routinely for >24 h after complication-free implantations. The disease profiles and rates of co-morbidities were similar at baseline for both cohorts. During between 384 and 543 days of follow-up, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of complications, hospitalizations, or quality of life. One-year rates of death were 4.5% in patients discharged early compared with 7.2% in hospitalized patients (hazard ratio 0.65; 95% confidence interval 0.42-1.02; P = 0.052). Rates of major adverse cardiovascular events or defibrillator events were not higher in patients discharged after 24 h. In both groups, a high rate of patients declared that they would opt for the procedure again in the same situation.
CONCLUSION
Data from a large-scale registry reflecting current day-to-day practice in Germany suggest that most patients can be discharged safely within 24 h of successful ICD implantation if there are no procedure-related events. Follow-up data up to 1.5 years after implantation did not raise long-term safety concerns.
|
10.1093/europace/euw117
|
pubmed_213_9552
|
Twenty-five isolates of F. acuminatum, 38 of F. avenaceum, 1 of F. culmorum, 31 of F. oxysporum and 56 of F. sambucinum were obtained in 1983, 1984 and 1986 from cereal grains and soil from various parts of Norway. The isolates were grown on an autoclaved Uncle Ben's parboiled rice medium and examined for production of trichothecenes and other toxins and for toxicity in rat feeding tests. F. culmorum N46C(2) and Fusarium sambucimum 45-86-A produced zearalenone (F-2) 864 and 665 ppm, respectively and caused uterine enlargement in rats. Most of these isolates produced no known trichothecene mycotoxins that could account for the toxicity that was demonstrated in the rat feeding tests. All but F. avenaceum N26B produced fusarin C (1.5 ppm) but caused no toxic effects in rat feeding test. None of the isolates produced fusarochromanone (TDP-1). Thirteen isolates of F. acuminatum, 16 of F. avenaceum, 14 of F. oxysporum and 3 of F. sambucinum produced a cytotoxic factor which we named HM-8. One isolate of F. avenaceum, 12 of F. oxysporum and 46 of F. sambucinum produced a hemorrhagic factor which we named H-1 (wortmannin). Twenty isolates of F. acuminatum, 22 of F. avenaceum, 17 of F. oxysporum and 1 of F. sambucinum produced moniliformin. Four isolates of F. acuminatum, 9 of F. avenaceum, 25 of F. oxysporum and 52 of F. sambucinum caused death to rats. Three isolates of F. avenaceum, 19 of F. oxysporum and 47 of F. sambucinum induced hemorrhage in various organs. All isolates caused decreased weight gain, relative to the control diets.
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10.1007/BF00437246
|
pubmed_579_3005
|
Solitary crossed renal ectopia (SCRE) represents an exceedingly rare congenital disorder. Although skeletal and genitourinary abnormalities most commonly accompany this condition, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has been described in only a few cases. Here, we present two unique cases of SCRE complicated by high-grade VUR concomitant with posterior urethral valve in one case and hypospadias in the other one. We also provide a brief review of the literature on this subject.
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10.1155/2015/748139
|
pubmed_113_15563
|
Extensive stage small cell lung cancer carries extremely poor prognosis and adding immune checkpoint inhibitor to platinum etoposide combination in first line only improved outcomes modestly. Once disease recurs, treatment response is only transient in nature. Various strategies that are being explored include dual checkpoint blockade, BiTE and CAR-T cell approaches. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are being combined with PARP inhibitors. Other approaches currently being investigated include liposomal irinotecan and combining known active agents for SCLC in relapsed setting such as newly approved lurbinectedin with doxorubicin, paclitaxel, irinotecan or topotecan with ATR inhibitor (Berzosertib). Temozolomide has also been tested in combination with a Parp inhibitor. New antibody or small molecule drug conjugates are being actively investigated, so is a biomarker based approach. Better understanding of small cell lung cancer disease biology via high through-put genomic, proteomic and methylation profiling offer glimpse of hope in our efforts to contain this deadly disease. A table of representative molecular targets under investigation is provided in the end.
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10.1016/j.cllc.2021.09.003
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pubmed_402_6007
|
PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficacy of paclitaxel and carboplatin (PC) in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients resistant to cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide (CDE).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We performed a phase II study with PC in SCLC patients who relapsed within 3 months after first-line treatment with CDE. Paclitaxel administration (175 mg/m2 by a 3-hour intravenous infusion) was followed by a 30-minute infusion of carboplatin (area under the curve 7; Chatelut formula) once every 3 weeks for five cycles. Dexamethasone, clemastine, and ranitidine were standard premedication before every cycle.
RESULTS
Included were 35 patients (median age, 59 years; 16 with limited disease and 19 with extensive disease; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of < or = 1; median time off treatment 6 weeks) who were previously treated with CDE (n = 33), oral etoposide (n = 2), and reinduction CDE (n = 15); only one patient had received three CDE treatments of five cycles. The CDE regimen was followed by local thoracic radiotherapy in seven patients. Hematologic toxicity of grade 3 or 4, for leukopenia was 27% and 6%, for thrombocytopenia 21% and 13%, and for anemia 17% and 0%, respectively, for a total of 132 cycles. Two patients had neutropenic fever; no toxic death occurred. Nonhematologic toxicity was paresthesia CTC grade 3, diarrhea grade 4, and myalgia grade 3 in one patient each. Reversible paresthesia (CTC grade 1 and 2) in toes and fingers was reported in 69% of patients. Thirty-four patients were assessable for response: complete response in two patients, partial response in 23 patients, stable disease in eight patients, and progressive disease in one patient (response rate, 73.5%; 95% confidence interval, 59% to 88%). One patient was found to have atypical carcinoid at pathologic review and was excluded. Median time to progression was 21 weeks (range, 3 to 40 weeks). Median survival was 31 weeks (range, 6 to 112 weeks). One-year survival was 9%.
CONCLUSION
Second-line PC in CDE-resistant SCLC patients yields a high response rate and seems non-cross-resistant to CDE. Toxicity was mild in these poor-prognosis patients.
|
10.1200/JCO.1999.17.3.927
|
pubmed_464_24986
|
Nicotine pouches to be put under the upper lip are a new category of products that are being rapidly developed and marketed as consumer goods with little research or regulatory oversight. We have identified research gaps in assessing their harm and benefit potential, and possible regulatory science approaches to inform the policies that can allow a maximization of the category's public health potential while minimizing unintended consequences. Implications: This commentary presents a potential blueprint for a comprehensive assessment of the nicotine pouches category. Data from the proposed research areas can better inform the regulatory policy decisions around the category, with the aim to maximize the category's tobacco harm reduction potential while minimizing unintended harms.
|
10.1093/ntr/ntab198
|
pubmed_169_4062
|
To evaluate the pathogenetic significance of impaired cellular immunity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we have measured the cutaneous responsiveness to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) among 58 patients with IBD, 33 with Crohn's disease and 25 with ulcerative colitis, 63 of their clinically normal relatives, 24 additional ileitis and colitis patients who had undergone resection of all visibly diseased bowel, and 23 control subjects. Cutaneous anergy to DNCB was demonstrated among 70% of the patients with CD and 48% of those with UC, as against only 9% of the controls (p less than 0.001). There was no increased incidence of anergy among either 44 first-degree relatives (7%) or 19 spouses (3%), nor was there any special proclivity toward anergy among six pairs of patients with familial inflammatory bowel disease. In Crohn's disease, anergy was still present after bowel resection in six of 10 patients (60%), while in ulcerative colitis anergy was found after colectomy in only two of 14 patients (14%). Our data suggest that the immune defect in patients with inflammatory bowel disease may be a secondary phenomenon. In ulcerative colitis, the defect appears to reverse after colectomy, but in Crohn's disease it persists despite resection. This finding is consistent with the observed tendency of Crohn's disease, but not ulcerative colitis, to inexorable postoperative recurrence.
|
10.1136/gut.19.4.249
|
pubmed_490_12531
|
One of the main drawbacks in the application of metal-oxide nanoparticles as lubricant additives is their poor stability in organic media, despite the good anti-wear, friction-reducing and high-load capacity properties described for these materials. In this work, we present a novel procedure to chemically cap the surface of ZrO2 nanoparticles (ZrO2NPs) with long hydrocarbon chains in order to obtain stable dispersions of ZrO2NPs in non-aqueous media without disrupting their attributes as lubricant additives. C-8, C-10 and C-16 saturated flexible chains were attached to the ZrO2NP surface and their physical and chemical characterization was performed by transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. The dispersion stability of the modified ZrO2NPs in non-aqueous media was studied using static multiple light scattering. Tribological tests demonstrated that dispersions of the long-chain capped ZrO2NPs in base lubricating oils exhibited low friction coefficients and improved the anti-wear properties of the base oil when compared with the raw lubricating oil.
|
10.1088/1361-6528/aa93ca
|
pubmed_291_10378
|
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is a leading cause of otitis media infections, which are often chronic and/or recurrent in nature. NTHI and other bacterial species persist in vivo within biofilms during otitis media and other persistent infections. These biofilms have a significant host component that includes neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These NETs do not mediate clearance of NTHI, which survives within NET structures by means of specific subpopulations of lipooligosaccharides on the bacterial surface that are determinants of biofilm formation in vitro. In this study, the ability of NTHI and NTHI components to initiate NET formation was examined using an in vitro model system. Both viable and nonviable NTHI strains were shown to promote NET formation, as did preparations of bacterial DNA, outer membrane proteins, and lipooligosaccharide (endotoxin). However, only endotoxin from a parental strain of NTHI exhibited equivalent potency in NET formation to that of NTHI. Additional studies showed that NTHI entrapped within NET structures is resistant to both extracellular killing within NETs and phagocytic killing by incoming neutrophils, due to oligosaccharide moieties within the lipooligosaccharides. Thus, we concluded that NTHI elicits NET formation by means of multiple pathogen-associated molecular patterns (most notably endotoxin) and is highly resistant to killing within NET structures. These data support the conclusion that, for NTHI, formation of NET structures may be a persistence determinant by providing a niche within the middle-ear chamber.
|
10.1128/IAI.00660-10
|
pubmed_3_8297
|
When a narrow laser beam illuminates a strongly scattering medium, the effective pointlike source of diffusing photons appears inside the medium. By the method worked out, which is based on measurements of the diffusive intensity of light emerging from a turbid spherical sample, the depth of this source site (the penetration depth) is determined relatively to the sample diameter, which is known accurately. By using this method of locating the effective source, we have discovered that its position inside the medium is unexpectedly deep. We obtained the penetration depth D(0) = 4.6 l* +/- 0.7 l* instead of one transport mean free path, where l* is the value of D(0) in the standard diffusion theory. Information about this source dipping is useful in diffusing-photon correlation spectroscopy because of its influence on the geometric factor calculated from the diffusion equation.
|
10.1364/ao.36.007577
|
pubmed_71_3832
|
A massage with the potent counter-inflammatory material, cerium dioxide nanoparticles, is promising and the antioxidant properties of CeO2 are considered the main, if not the only, mechanism of this action. Nevertheless, the elimination of ceria nano-particles from the organism is very slow and there is a strong concern for toxic effect of ceria due to its accumulation. To overcome this problem, we engineered a combined material in which cerium nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of silica nanoparticles (CeO2 NP), which is shown to be easily removed from an organism and could be used as carriers for nano-ceria. In our study particle size was 220±5nm, Zeta-potential -4.5mV (in water), surface charge density -17.22μC/cm2 (at pH 7). Thirty-six male Wistar rats, 5 months old and 250-290g were divided into four groups: 1) control; 2) CeO2 NP treatment; 3) experimental pneumonia (i/p LPS injection, 1mg/kg); and 4) experimental pneumonia treated with CeO2 NP (4 times during the study in dosage of 0.6mg/kg with an orogastric catheter). Gas exchange and pulmonary ventilation were measured four times: 0, 1, 3 and 24h after LPS injection in both untreated and CeO2 NP-treated animals. The mRNA of TNF-α, Il-6, and CxCL2 were determined by RT-PCR. ROS-generation in blood plasma and lung tissue homogenates were measured by means of lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Endotoxemia in the acute phase was associated with: (1) pathological changes in lung morphology; (2) increase of ROS generation; (3) enhanced expression of CxCL2; and (4) a gradual decrease of VO2 and VE. CeO2 NP treatment of intact animals did not make any changes in all studied parameters except for a significant augmentation of VO2 and VE. CeO2 NP treatment of rats with pneumonia created positive changes in diminishing lung tissue injury, decreasing ROS generation in blood and lung tissue and decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (TNF-α, Il-6 and CxCL2). Oxygen consumption in this group was increased compared to the LPS pneumonia group. In our study we have shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CeO2 NP. In addition, this paper is the first to report that CeO2 NP stimulates oxygen consumption in both healthy rats, and rats with pneumonia. We propose the key in understanding the mechanisms behind the phenomena lies in the property of CeO2 NP to scavenge ROS and the influence of this potent antioxidant on mitochondrial function. The study of biodistribution and elimination of СеО2NP is the purpose of our ongoing study.
|
10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.064
|
pubmed_1027_1154
|
BACKGROUND
It has been suggested that the dopaminergic system is involved in the inhibitory control of secretion of pituitary hormones and in the regulation of motor function in the striatum. To elucidate the specific role of the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) in the pituitary and brain, we generated D2R deficient (D2R mutant) mice using the gene targeting method.
RESULTS
Electrophysiological studies as well as ligand binding assays show no functional D2R in mutant mice. The D2R mutant mice display a hypoactivity and a slow, creeping movement. The expression of enkephalin mRNA in the striatum is increased in the mutant mice, but not that of dynorphin and substance P. D2R mutant mice have significantly darker coat colour than their wild-type littermates and show an elevation of plasma alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) levels. We found corresponding hyperplastic changes of intermediate lobe of the pituitary and the increased expression of pro opiomelanocortin (POMC) in the pituitary in D2R mutant mice.
CONCLUSIONS
D2R plays a critical role in the inhibitory regulation of endocrine cell proliferation and the transcription of POMC mRNA, and consequently in the regulation of alpha-MSH in plasma. D2R might be involved in the regulation of enkephalin expression in the striatum, and hence might affect the movement and the behaviour.
|
10.1046/j.1365-2443.1996.d01-238.x
|
pubmed_223_1128
|
Central nervous system (CNS) disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD), stroke, epilepsy, depression, and bipolar disorder have a high impact on both medical and social problems due to the surge in their prevalence. All of these neuronal disorders share some common etiologies including disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis and accumulation of misfolded proteins. These misfolded proteins further disrupt the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis by disrupting the activity of several ion channels including transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. TRP channel families include non-selective Ca2+ permeable channels, which act as cellular sensors activated by various physio-chemical stimuli, exogenous, and endogenous ligands responsible for maintaining the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. TRP channels are abundantly expressed in the neuronal cells and disturbance in their activity leads to various neuronal diseases. Under the pathological conditions when the activity of TRP channels is perturbed, there is a disruption of the neuronal homeostasis through increased inflammatory response, generation of reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, there is a potential of pharmacological interventions targeting TRP channels in CNS disorders. This review focuses on the role of TRP channels in neurological diseases; also, we have highlighted the current insights into the pharmacological modulators targeting TRP channels.
|
10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105026
|
pubmed_128_608
|
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is characterized by infertility and hypogonadism associated with increased prevalence of osteoporosis, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is produced in the Leydig cells. INSL3 has been suggested to play a role in bone health. Here, we studied INSL3 in relation to bone markers, body composition, the metabolic syndrome and diabetes. This was a case-control study. Sex hormones, anthropometric measures, vitamin D metabolites, parathyroid hormone, growth factors, muscle strength, maximal oxygen consumption and BMD were measured. We included 70 adult KS patients and 71 age-matched controls. INSL3 was lower in testosterone-treated KS compared with untreated KS. Correlation analyses showed a positive correlation between INSL3 and osteocalcin among KS, but not in controls; a significant positive correlation between INSL3 and testosterone in controls and in untreated KS, but not in treated KS men. Among controls a negative correlation was found between INSL3 and lipids, and glucose, but not in KS. HOMA2-B and impaired fasting glycaemia was positively correlated with INSL3 in controls. Among KS males we found a negative correlation between INSL3 and BMI, weight and waist/hip ratio, as well as positive correlations between INSL3 and FSH, LH, SHBG and testis volume. Multivariate analyses showed that age, testosterone and HDL cholesterol were the principal independent variables among healthy controls, whereas the determinants of INSL3 concentration among KS were age, LH, current testosterone treatment and testicular volume. INSL3 in KS is influenced by testosterone treatment and INSL3 is correlated with measures of bone metabolism, body composition and the metabolic syndrome. This may suggest that low INSL3 concentration is related to the pathogenesis behind an unfavourable change in body composition and bone metabolism among KS patients.
|
10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00204.x
|
pubmed_969_6750
|
The Hox-2.1 gene is one of homeobox-containing genes located in the Hox-2 cluster on mouse chromosome 11. In this study, we have examined transcription of the Hox-2.1 gene during differentiation of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells induced by treatment with retinoic acid. The level of Hox-2.1 mRNA increases rapidly after induction of differentiation and then falls. Nuclear run-on experiments demonstrate that the rate of transcription for the Hox-2.1 gene also increases upon differentiation. Treatment of F9 cells with a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide (VP-16) during differentiation blocks the accumulation of Hox-2.1 mRNA. Nuclear run-on analyses reveal that etoposide inhibits transcription of the Hox-2.1 gene during F9 cell differentiation. Measurements of the level of Hox-2.1 mRNA after blocking transcription by actinomycin D show that etoposide does not affect stability of the mRNA. These observations indicate that DNA topoisomerase II is involved in the control of Hox-2.1 gene transcription.
|
10.1093/nar/19.22.6087
|
pubmed_512_6203
|
Prescribing safe and effective medications is a challenge in psychiatry. While clinical use of pharmacogenomic testing for individual genes has provided some clinical benefit, it has largely failed to show clinical utility. However, pharmacogenomic testing that integrates relevant genetic variation from multiple loci for each medication has shown clinical validity, utility and cost savings in multiple clinical trials. While some challenges remain, the evidence for the clinical utility of "combinatorial pharmacogenomics" is mounting. Expanding education of pharmacogenomic testing is vital to implementation efforts in psychiatric treatment settings with the overall goal of improving medication selection decisions.
|
10.1016/j.atg.2015.03.001
|
pubmed_598_2234
|
Imaging Fourier-transform spectroscopy (IFTS) is a powerful method for biological hyperspectral analysis based on various imaging modalities, such as fluorescence or Raman. Since the measurements are taken in the Fourier space of the spectrum, it can also take advantage of compressed sensing strategies. IFTS has been readily implemented in high-throughput, high-content microscope systems based on wide-field imaging modalities. However, there are limitations in existing wide-field IFTS designs. Non-common-path approaches are less phase-stable. Alternatively, designs based on the common-path Sagnac interferometer are stable, but incompatible with high-throughput imaging. They require exhaustive sequential scanning over large interferometric path delays, making compressive strategic data acquisition impossible. In this paper, we present a novel phase-stable, near-common-path interferometer enabling high-throughput hyperspectral imaging based on strategic data acquisition. Our results suggest that this approach can improve throughput over those of many other wide-field spectral techniques by more than an order of magnitude without compromising phase stability.
|
10.1364/OPTICA.4.000546
|
pubmed_605_9502
|
Nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role in growth and disease resistance in plants. It also acts as a secondary messenger in signaling pathways for several plant hormones. Despite its clear role in regulating plant development, its role in fruit development is not known. In an earlier study, we described a short root (shr) mutant of tomato, whose phenotype results from hyperaccumulation of NO. The molecular mapping localized shr locus in 2.5 Mb region of chromosome 9. The shr mutant showed sluggish growth, with smaller leaves, flowers and was less fertile than wild type. The shr mutant also showed reduced fruit size and slower ripening of the fruits post-mature green stage to the red ripe stage. Comparison of the metabolite profiles of shr fruits with wild-type fruits during ripening revealed a significant shift in the patterns. In shr fruits intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were differentially regulated than WT indicating NO affected the regulation of TCA cycle. The accumulation of several amino acids, particularly tyrosine, was higher, whereas most fatty acids were downregulated in shr fruits. Among the plant hormones at one or more stages of ripening, ethylene, Indole-3-acetic acid and Indole-3-butyric acid increased in shr, whereas abscisic acid declined. Our analyses indicate that the retardation of fruit growth and ripening in shr mutant likely results from the influence of NO on central carbon metabolism and endogenous phytohormones levels.
|
10.3389/fpls.2016.01714
|
pubmed_189_2089
|
During the past decade, next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have become widely adopted in cancer research and clinical care. Common applications within the clinical setting include patient stratification into relevant molecular subtypes, identification of biomarkers of response and resistance to targeted and systemic therapies, assessment of heritable cancer risk based on known pathogenic variants, and longitudinal monitoring of treatment response. The need for efficient downstream processing and reliable interpretation of sequencing data has led to the development of novel algorithms and computational pipelines, as well as structured knowledge bases that link genomic alterations to currently available drugs and ongoing clinical trials. Cancer centers around the world use different types of targeted solid-tissue and blood based NGS assays to analyze the genomic and transcriptomic profile of patients as part of their routine clinical care. Recently, cross-institutional collaborations have led to the creation of large pooled datasets that can offer valuable insights into the genomics of rare cancers.
|
10.1002/gcc.23023
|
pubmed_126_14663
|
Peroxyloxalate chemiluminescence is well established as a tool for improvement of selectivity and sensitivity for chemiluminophores and their derivations in HPLC eluates. Chemiluminescence in the far-red spectral region was investigated in this work to further enhance the sensitivity of chemiluminescence through more efficient singlet excitation energy transfer and to enhance the selectivity of the approach through a reduction in matrix and scatter interference. A number of fluorescent compounds that can be excited in the UV, visible and far red spectral regions were investigated for chemiluminescence yield using the bis(2,4,6-trichlorphenyl) oxylate reaction. It was found that a trend of increasing chemiluminescence with increasing excitation wavelength could be observed with cy5 providing the most efficient chemiluminescence. The succinate ester of cy5 was used to derivatize amantadine hydrochloride, an antiparkinsons drug, to form the derivative. The derivative was separated from reaction by products by C18 reversed phase HPLC and detected using a Soma S-3400 chemiluminescence detector. The detection limit for the diluted derivative was 200 femtomoles on column and sufficient for plasma analysis. Selectivity in plasma was demonstrated through derivatization of extracts of plasma that had been spiked with amantadine hydrochloride.
|
10.1002/(SICI)1099-0801(199801/02)12:1<8::AID-BMC709>3.0.CO;2-2
|
pubmed_389_19924
|
Microalgae lipids are potential candidates for the production of renewable biodiesel. The combination of plant hormones and two-step cultivation regulates lipid production in microalgae. A strategy for promoting lipid accumulation in Monoraphidium sp. QLY-1 by combining exogenous melatonin (MT) and photoinduction was developed. The effects of melatonin on the lipid content, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and activities of three key fatty acid biosynthetic enzyme in Monoraphidium sp. QLY-1 were investigated. The lipid content increased by 1.32-fold under 1μM melatonin treatment. The maximum lipid content achieved was 49.6%. However, the protein and carbohydrate contents decreased rapidly from 57.21% to 47.96% and from 53.4% to 37.71%, respectively. Biochemical and physiological analyses suggested that the ROS and lipid biosynthesis-related enzyme activities correlated with increased lipid accumulation under photo-melatonin induction conditions.
|
10.1016/j.biortech.2017.03.114
|
pubmed_948_12280
|
The aim of this study carried out on 33 uremic diabetic patients submitted to chronic hemodialytic treatment was to assess the kind of complications related to the vascular approach used as well as their short- and long-term incidences. Out of the 46 anastomoses prepared, 39 were arteriovenous fistulae according to Brescia-Cimino and 7 were PTFE grafts. The actuarial survival rate was 88%, 79%, and 63% after one, two and four years, respectively. The most frequent compliance was thrombosis. Our experience demonstrates that the distal arteriovenous fistula may be considered a valid vascular access for hemodialysis also in diabetic patients.
|
pubmed_948_12280
|
pubmed_888_2351
|
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that the prescribing behaviour of doctors would improve after having experience with a computerised rule based prescribing system.
DESIGN
A prospective observational study of changes in prescribing habits resulting from the use of a computerised prescribing system in (1) a cohort of experienced users compared with a new cohort, and (2) a single cohort at the beginning and after 3 weeks of computer aided prescribing.
SETTING
64 bed renal unit in a teaching hospital.
INTERVENTION
Routine use of a computerised prescribing system by doctors and nurses on a renal unit from 1 July to 31 August 2001.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Number of warning messages generated by the system; proportion of warning messages overridden; comparison between doctors of different grades; comparison by doctors' familiarity with the system.
RESULTS
A total of 51,612 records relating to 5995 prescriptions made by 103 users, of whom 42 were doctors, were analysed. The prescriptions generated 15,853 messages, of which 6592 were warning messages indicating prescribing errors or problems. Doctors new to the system generated fewer warning messages after using the system for 3 weeks (0.81 warning messages per prescription v 0.42 after 3 weeks, p = 0.03). Doctors with more experience of the system were less likely to generate a warning message (Spearman's rho = -0.90, p = 0.04) but were more likely to disregard one (Spearman's rho = -1, p<0.01). Senior doctors were more likely than junior doctors to ignore a warning message.
CONCLUSIONS
Doctors are influenced by the experience of using a computerised prescribing system. When judged by the number of warning messages generated per prescription, their prescribing improves with time and number of prescriptions written. Consultants and registrars are more likely to use their clinical judgement to override warning messages regarding prescribed drugs.
|
10.1136/qhc.13.3.186
|
pubmed_921_14805
|
Frataxin deficiency is the primary cause of Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), an autosomal recessive cardiodegenerative and neurodegenerative disease. Frataxin is a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein that is widely conserved among eukaryotes. Genetic inactivation of the yeast frataxin homologue (Yfh1p) results in mitochondrial iron accumulation and hypersensitivity to oxidative stress. Increased iron deposition and evidence of oxidative damage have also been observed in cardiac tissue and cultured fibroblasts from patients with FRDA. These findings indicate that frataxin is essential for mitochondrial iron homeostasis and protection from iron-induced formation of free radicals. The functional mechanism of frataxin, however, is still unknown. We have expressed the mature form of Yfh1p (mYfh1p) in Escherichia coli and have analyzed its function in vitro. Isolated mYfh1p is a soluble monomer (13,783 Da) that contains no iron and shows no significant tendency to self-associate. Aerobic addition of ferrous iron to mYfh1p results in assembly of regular spherical multimers with a molecular mass of approximately 1. 1 MDa (megadaltons) and a diameter of 13+/-2 nm. Each multimer consists of approximately 60 subunits and can sequester >3,000 atoms of iron. Titration of mYfh1p with increasing iron concentrations supports a stepwise mechanism of multimer assembly. Sequential addition of an iron chelator and a reducing agent results in quantitative iron release with concomitant disassembly of the multimer, indicating that mYfh1p sequesters iron in an available form. In yeast mitochondria, native mYfh1p exists as monomer and a higher-order species with a molecular weight >600,000. After addition of (55)Fe to the medium, immunoprecipitates of this species contain >16 atoms of (55)Fe per molecule of mYfh1p. We propose that iron-dependent self-assembly of recombinant mYfh1p reflects a physiological role for frataxin in mitochondrial iron sequestration and bioavailability.
|
10.1086/303056
|
pubmed_846_6917
|
Adult male hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) did not increase their food consumption in a 5 hr feeding test when injected with doses of 5-thioglucose (5-TG) ranging up to 500 mg/kg, although insulin (50 U/kg) did produce hyperphagia. However, 5-TG did produce significant increases in both plasma glucose and plasma free fatty acids. Thus the hamster's failure to eat in response to 5-TG administration cannot be ascribed to a simple failure to detect the metabolic consequences of 5-TG. Hypotheses are proposed which may account not only for the hamster's failure to eat in response to 5-TG, but also for other well-established peculiarities in the feeding behavior of hamsters.
|
10.1016/0031-9384(82)90328-6
|
pubmed_950_3309
|
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic infection due to the spread of a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), resulting in a wide range of clinical features, from asymptomatic carriers to ARDS. The gold standard for diagnosis is nucleic acid detection by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in nasopharyngeal swabs. However, due to limitations in this technique's sensitivity, thoracic imaging plays a crucial, complementary role in diagnostic evaluation and also allows for detection of atypical findings and potential alternative targets for sampling (eg, pleural effusion). Although less common, pleural involvement has been described in a minority of patients. This report describes the first case of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in pleural fluid obtained by means of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis, and its main characteristics are detailed. Pleural effusion is not a common finding in COVID-19 infection, but a prompt recognition of this potential localization may be useful to optimize diagnostic evaluation as well as the management of these patients.
|
10.1016/j.chest.2020.05.583
|
pubmed_1021_9277
|
The 5'-upstream region of the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein E protein (snRNP E) gene has multiple sequence similarities to elements found to be integral in the transcriptional regulation of some mouse ribosomal protein genes (G + C block, CTTCCG motifs) as well as U1 snRNA genes (U1 "B," U1 "D," and SPH enhancers). Furthermore, the immediate upstream region of the snRNP E protein gene lacks typical TATA and CAAT sequence motifs but contains one copy of a GC box characteristic of a housekeeping promoter. By transfection of constructs containing various amounts of the 5'-upstream region of the snRNP E protein gene linked to the bacterial gene for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT), we determined that the 5' boundary of sequence needed for transcription was within the first 153 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site. Further deletions to within 51 base pairs reduced CAT expression by 2.5-fold. Mutational analysis within this 51-base pair region revealed that direct repeats of the hexamer CTTCCG were essential for CAT expression. Gel shift assays and DNase I footprinting experiments confirmed this conclusion by demonstrating specific binding of proteins to the CTTCCG motifs. This suggests that the direct repeats of the CTTCCG hexamer sequence play a key role in transcriptional regulation of the snRNP E protein gene.
|
pubmed_1021_9277
|
pubmed_1007_1213
|
OBJECTIVE
To observe the number and activities of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with in-stent restenosis.
METHODS
Peripheral blood samples were collected from 15 patients with angiographically restenosis, and 17 baseline characteristics-matched patients without angiographically restenosis (control group). Mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll density-gradient centrifugation and plated on dishes coated with human fibronectin. After 7 days in culture, the nature of EPCs was characterized with anti-CD34 and anti-KDR, specific surface antibodies of EPC, and confirmed further with the use of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (FITC-UEA-I) and DiI (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine percolate)-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein (DiI-acLDL) by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The number of EPCs was counted in a blinded manner. EPCs were inoculated onto the culture plate and 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay was used to measure the A value by enzyme labeling instrument to evaluate the proliferation. The migration of EPCs was assayed by scratch assay. EPC adhesion was performed by replating cells on fibronectin-coated dishes and then counting the adherent cells. Results The number of EPCs of the patients with in-stent restenosis was 4.97 +/- 1.42/well, significantly lower than that of the control group (17.2 +/- 3.90/well, P = 0.001). MTT assay showed that the proliferative activities of the in-stent restenosis group was 1.37 +/- 0.32 times the baseline value, significantly lower than that of the control group (2.01 +/- 0.62, P < 0.05). The number of migrating EPCs of the in-stent restenosis group was remarkably lower than that of the control group. There was no significant difference in the adherent activity between the two groups. Conclusion The number, proliferation activity, and migration activity of the EPCs patients with in-stent restenosis are all significantly lower, which may contribute to the mechanism of in-stent restenosis.
|
pubmed_1007_1213
|
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