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pubmed_159_19558 | Take good care of yourself is a regard often said to older bereaved women. However, what does it mean? Though self-care is a well-known phenomenon within health, it is not well understood in the context of late life spousal bereavement and widowhood. We undertook an integrative review to synthesize knowledge of older women's self-care challenges, resources and activities when bereaved and in a healthy transition to widowhood. Good care refers to health-promoting self-care and can be explained as the older widows' ability to access and mobilize resources and activities that are significant for a healthy transition to widowhood. | 10.1080/08952841.2020.1753484 |
pubmed_765_18507 | Spin orbit torque (SOT) has drawn widespread attention in the emerging field of magnetic memory devices, such as magnetic random access memory (MRAM). To promote the performance of SOT-MRAM, most efforts have been devoted to enhance the SOT switching efficiency by improving the damping-like torque. Recently, some studies noted that the field-like torque also plays a crucial role in the nanosecond-timescale SOT dynamics. However, there is not yet an effective way to tune its relative amplitude. Here, we experimentally modulate the field-like SOT in W/CoFeB/MgO trilayers through tuning the interfacial spin accumulation. By performing spin Hall magnetoresistance measurement, we find that the CoFeB with enhanced spin dephasing, either generated from larger layer thickness or from proper annealing, can distinctly boost the spin absorption and enhance the interfacial spin mixing conductance Gr. While the damping-like torque efficiency increases with Gr, the field-like torque efficiency is found to decrease with it. The results suggest that the interfacial spin accumulation, which largely contributes to the field-like torque, is reduced by higher interfacial spin transparency. Our work shows a new path to further improve the performance of SOT-based ultrafast magnetic devices. | 10.1039/d0nr02762f |
pubmed_561_3363 | BACKGROUND
Malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary are often curative after conservative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Persistent tumors despite normalization of serum tumor markers may represent retroconversion to benign masses, but this is rare in ovarian tumors without teratoma elements. The management in such cases has not been defined.
CASE
A young woman with a stage IIIC mixed germ cell ovarian tumor containing endodermal and dysgerminoma elements and elevated serum tumor markers underwent conservative surgery followed by chemotherapy. Residual tumor persisted on CT despite the normalization of serum tumor markers. The residual tissue was resected and contained benign tissue.
CONCLUSIONS
In cases where masses persist and serum tumor markers normalize, attaining a histological diagnosis, and not chemotherapy, should be considered. | 10.1006/gyno.2001.6541 |
pubmed_259_7740 | Placebo controls are essential to assess anti-fracture efficacy of new osteoporosis therapies, but inclusion of a placebo arm in a subsequent clinical trial may be limited by practical or ethical considerations; in these cases, use of an historical control may be appropriate. A recent active-controlled study of risedronate 35 mg once a week demonstrated that this regimen produces increases in bone mineral density (BMD) that are comparable to those seen with the risedronate 5 mg daily dose, which has proven anti-fracture efficacy. To assess the anti-fracture efficacy of this new regimen, we have analyzed the fracture data collected in an active controlled study of risedronate dosing regimens (the Once-a-Week study) using matched historical control data from previous placebo-controlled trials. Women in the Once-a-Week study were matched for age, years since menopause, BMD, and prevalent vertebral fracture status, with placebo patients in the Vertebral Efficacy of Risedronate Therapy (VERT) trials forming an historical placebo group. We also constructed an historical active treatment group from the 5 mg daily arm of the VERT trials for comparison with the 5 mg daily and 35 mg once weekly treatment groups in the Once-a-Week study. Data were obtained from the risedronate 5 mg daily group (n=480) and 35 mg once-a-week group (n=485) in the Once-a-Week study and historical control groups representing daily placebo patients (n=114, matched from 993) and risedronate 5 mg daily patients (n=120; matched from 990) in the VERT studies. Patients received calcium supplementation (1000 mg daily); vitamin D was given if baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were low. Over 1 year, new vertebral fracture risk in the 35 mg once-a-week group was reduced by 77% relative to the historical placebo group (1.2% versus 5.0%; RR 0.23; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.91, P=0.018), similar to the 1-year risk reduction observed in the VERT trials of risedronate 5 mg daily (61-65%). The incidence of new vertebral fractures in the three active treatment groups was similar: 1.7% in the historical risedronate 5 mg group, 1.5% in the risedronate 5 mg daily group from the Once-a-Week study, and 1.2% in the 35 mg once-a-week group. Risedronate 35 mg once a week appears as effective as the 5 mg daily dose in reducing the risk of new vertebral fractures in the first year of treatment. The use of appropriate historical control data provides an approach to the assessment of fracture effects in osteoporosis trials for which placebo-controlled data are not available. | 10.1007/s00198-003-1401-8 |
pubmed_30_10559 | Patients undergoing extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for renal stones in the Dornier HM3 apparatus are immersed to the clavicles in water and anchored by abdominal and leg restraining straps. The respiratory effects of this system and sedation with midazolam were studied in 70 awake patients anesthetized with epidural blockade. On immersion, surface abdominal pressure and respiratory frequency (f) increased. Tidal volume (VT) and arterial saturation (SaO2) decreased. After intravenous midazolam 0.045 mg/kg body weight, VT decreased further to 35% below pre-immersion values and stone excursions measured by fluoroscopy diminished by more than 50%; reduction of VT and stone excursions were linearly correlated (R = 0.45). SaO2 declined sharply to 6.1% (range -1.5-13.8%) below pre-immersion values, whereas end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) increased more slowly and f remained above the pre-immersion rate. In three patients, SaO2 decreased to below 85% but was rapidly restored to 98-100% by oxygen administration. The respiratory effects of sedative drugs are exaggerated by the Dornier HM3 system, and continuous monitoring of gas exchange and appropriate oxygen administration are recommended in patients receiving regional anesthesia and sedation. | pubmed_30_10559 |
pubmed_652_18451 | We established an efficient means of probing ligand-induced conformational change in the malaria drug target AMA1 using 19F NMR. AMA1 was labeled with 5-fluorotryptophan (5F-Trp), and the resulting 5F-Trp resonances were assigned by mutagenesis of the native Trp residues. By introducing additional Trp residues at strategic sites within a ligand-responsive loop, we detected distinct conformational consequences when various peptide and small-molecule ligands bound AMA1. Our results demonstrate an increase in flexibility in this loop caused by the native ligand, as inferred from, but not directly observed in, crystal structures. In addition, we found evidence for long-range allosteric changes in AMA1 that are not observed crystallographically. This method will be valuable in ongoing efforts to identify and characterize therapeutically relevant inhibitors of protein-protein interactions involving AMA1 and is generalizable to the study of ligand-induced conformational change in a wide range of other drug targets. | 10.1021/jm500390g |
pubmed_914_21236 | INTRODUCTION
a small group of frequent attenders is responsible for a disproportional large percentage of all daytime consultations in general practice. High attendance rates are related to demographic and psychological characteristics. Differences in attendance rates are only partly explained by chronic diseases. Furthermore, lifestyles might be relevant too. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of lifestyle on attendance rates.
METHOD
this study is part of the Study of Medical Information and Lifestyles in Eindhoven, the Netherlands (SMILE). Generalized estimated equations were used to determine the relation between attendance rate and the different lifestyle factors (N = 4444).
RESULTS
a higher body mass index was related to increased attendance rate in both male [relative risk (RR) 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.03] and female patients (RR 1.01; 95% CI 1.01-1.02). Lifestyles were not related to the attendance rate, except for a sedentary lifestyle in women (RR 1.08; 95% CI 1.04-1.12).
DISCUSSION
since half of the Dutch population suffers from overweight or obesity and this number is still increasing, attendance rates will rise further. In order to relieve the GPs, nurse practitioners could play a more prominent role in lifestyle interventions concerning overweight and obesity and its related diseases. | 10.1093/fampra/cmq062 |
pubmed_1041_9992 | BACKGROUND
Many proteins that are dysregulated or mutated in cancer cells rely on the molecular chaperone HSP90 for their proper folding and activity, which has led to considerable interest in HSP90 as a cancer drug target. The diverse array of HSP90 client proteins encompasses oncogenic drivers, cell cycle components, and a variety of regulatory factors, so inhibition of HSP90 perturbs multiple cellular processes, including mitogenic signaling and cell cycle control. Although many reports have investigated HSP90 inhibition in the context of the cell cycle, no large-scale studies have examined potential correlations between cell genotype and the cell cycle phenotypes of HSP90 inhibition.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
To address this question, we developed a novel high-content, high-throughput cell cycle assay and profiled the effects of two distinct small molecule HSP90 inhibitors (XL888 and 17-AAG [17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin]) in a large, genetically diverse panel of cancer cell lines. The cell cycle phenotypes of both inhibitors were strikingly similar and fell into three classes: accumulation in M-phase, G2-phase, or G1-phase. Accumulation in M-phase was the most prominent phenotype and notably, was also correlated with TP53 mutant status. We additionally observed unexpected complexity in the response of the cell cycle-associated client PLK1 to HSP90 inhibition, and we suggest that inhibitor-induced PLK1 depletion may contribute to the striking metaphase arrest phenotype seen in many of the M-arrested cell lines.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Our analysis of the cell cycle phenotypes induced by HSP90 inhibition in 25 cancer cell lines revealed that the phenotypic response was highly dependent on cellular genotype as well as on the concentration of HSP90 inhibitor and the time of treatment. M-phase arrest correlated with the presence of TP53 mutations, while G2 or G1 arrest was more commonly seen in cells bearing wt TP53. We draw upon previous literature to suggest an integrated model that accounts for these varying observations. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0017692 |
pubmed_743_11707 | Pulmonary drug delivery is currently the focus of research and development because of its potential to produce maximum therapeutic benefit to patients by directing the drug straight to the lung disease site. Among all the available delivery options, one popular, proven and convenient inhaler device is the capsule-based dry powder inhaler (cDPI) for the treatment of an increasingly diverse range of diseases. cDPIs use a hard capsule that contains a powder formulation which consists of a mixture of a micronized drug and a carrier usually the lactose, known for its good lung tolerance. The capsule is either inserted into the device during manufacturer or by the patient prior to use. After perforating, opening or cut the capsule in the device, patients take a deep and rapid breath to inhale the powder, using air as the vector of drug displacement. The system is simple, relatively cheap and characterized by a lower carbon footprint than that of pressurized metered dose inhalers. This article reviews cDPI technology, focusing particularly on the importance of capsule characteristics and their function as a drug reservoir in cDPIs. | 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111936 |
pubmed_510_12028 | We studied suckling rats from 1 to 28 d of age to determine the normal developmental changes in the protein synthetic activity of gastrointestinal tissue. We also studied the changes that occurred in response to 10 or 18 h of fasting at 5, 10, 16 and 28 d of age. Protein synthesis was measured in vivo using a flooding dose of L-[4-3H]phenylalanine. Fractional protein synthesis rates (FSR, %/d) of stomach and small intestines increased nearly 80% during the period normally associated with weaning (d 18 to 28). Between birth and 28 d, the pancreas FSR increased approximately 6.5-fold from 46 to 302%/d. The increases in stomach, small intestinal and pancreatic FSR were largely due to increases in translational efficiency (gram protein synthesized per gram RNA). At 5, 10, 16 and 28 d postpartum, both the FSR and translational efficiency in pancreatic and small intestinal tissues were decreased after 10 h of fasting; however, measures in stomach tissue were largely unaffected. The magnitude of decline in FSR and translational efficiency in response to fasting was greater during the earlier than in the later stages of development. The results suggest that the FSR in the pancreas, small intestines and stomach of suckling rats increase during the period of development associated with weaning. Fasting affected protein synthetic activity more profoundly in pancreatic and small intestinal tissue in the early stages of development. | 10.1093/jn/121.7.1099 |
pubmed_905_13518 | A screening study of biological activity of native humic acids isolated from peat was performed; several physical and chemical parameters of their structures were studied by UV- and infrared spectroscopy. Spectroscopy yielded similar shape of light absorption curves of humic acids of different origin, which can reflect similarity of general structural principles of these substances. Alkaline humic acids have more developed system of polyconjugation, while molecular structures of pyrophosphate humic acids were characterized by higher aromaticity and condensation indexes. Biological activity of the studied humic acids was assessed by NO-stimulating capacity during their culturing with murine peritoneal macrophages in a wide concentration range. It was shown that due to dose-dependent enhancement of NO production humic acids can change the functional state of macrophages towards development of pro-inflammatory properties. These changes were associated with high activity of humic acids isolated by pyrophosphate extraction, which allows considering effects of isolation method on biological activity. | 10.1007/s10517-016-3486-z |
pubmed_1123_21185 | In the quest towards coarse-grained potentials and new water models, we present an extension of the force matching technique to parameterize an all-atom force field for rigid water. The methodology presented here allows to improve the matching procedure by first optimizing the weighting exponents present in the objective function. A new gauge for unambiguously evaluating the quality of the fit has been introduced; it is based on the root mean square difference of the distributions of target properties between reference data and fitted potentials. Four rigid water models have been parameterized; the matching procedure has been used to assess the role of the ghost atom in TIP4P-like models and of electrostatic damping. In the former case, burying the negative charge inside the molecule allows to fit better the torques. In the latter, since short-range interactions are damped, a better fit of the forces is obtained. Overall, the best performing model is the one with a ghost atom and with electrostatic damping. The approach shown in this paper is of general validity and could be applied to any matching algorithm and to any level of coarse graining, also for non-rigid molecules. | 10.1063/1.3679402 |
pubmed_225_8056 | The CVS strain of fixed rabies virus causes acute, fatal encephalomyelitis in young adult ICR mice. Variant RV194-2, which was selected from CVS virus in cell culture with a neutralizing antiglycoprotein monoclonal antibody, has a single amino acid change in the glycoprotein. The infections caused by CVS virus and RV194-2 virus were compared in mice for 14 days postinoculation of 5 x 10(7) PFU into the right masseter muscle. All CVS virus-infected mice died (mean time to death, 7.9 days), compared with a mortality rate of 8.5% for RV194-2 virus-infected mice. RV194-2 virus spread to the ipsilateral trigeminal ganglion during the first 2 days postinoculation, and both viruses spread to the ipsilateral motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in the pons. Both viruses spread centrifugally and caused infection of bilateral trigeminal ganglia on day 3. The viruses spread throughout the central nervous system (CNS) at similar rates, but CVS virus infected many more neurons than did RV194-2 virus. Rabies virus antigen was observed in only occasional CNS neurons after day 6 of RV194-2 virus infection. By this time, CVS virus had caused severe widespread infection. In this model, virulence depends on improved efficiency of viral spread between CNS neurons rather than the rate of spread or topographical distribution of the infection. | 10.1128/JVI.65.1.537-540.1991 |
pubmed_908_21262 | OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of guava and synthetic vitamin C on the development of gingival inflammation during experimental gingivitis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to three groups supplemented daily with either 200 g guava, 200 mg synthetic vitamin C or water. The study included a 14 days pre-experimental period with oral hygiene instructions, scaling, prophylaxis and supplementation. Thereafter, experiment gingivitis was initiated, while continuing supplementation. At baseline, Day 7 and Day 14 of experimental gingivitis, Plaque Index (PlI) and Gingival Index (GI) were assessed. During the entire study, dietary fruit/vegetables intake was minimal.
RESULTS
PlI increased in guava, vitamin C and control group (ΔPlI: 1.30, 1.61 and 1.79, respectively). However, the guava group developed significantly less plaque compared to the control group. The GI increase in both guava and vitamin C group was significantly less than the increase in the control group (ΔGI: 0.10, 0.24 and 0.87, respectively).
CONCLUSION
In a population of young nonsmoking adults, consumption of either 200 g guava/day or 200 mg synthetic vitamin C/day, prior to and during the oral hygiene abstention period, has a preventive effect on the development of experimental gingivitis as compared to the control group that developed the usual amount of experimental gingivitis. | 10.1111/jcpe.12922 |
pubmed_406_2870 | A case of osteogenesis imperfecta fetalis in a stillborn black male infant is described. Scanning electron microscopic studies of the skeleton showed normal intercartilaginous septa in the metaphyses of long bones, covered by uniform, calcifying globules 1 mum in diameter. In the diaphyses, however, the orientation of bone trabeculae was abnormal. The trabeculae were thin, with wide and densely packed osteocytic lacunae, and with more resorbing surfaces than in the control specimens. It is concluded that in osteogenesis imperfecta there is abnormal periosteal ossification, together with increased osteocytic resorption. | pubmed_406_2870 |
pubmed_939_6829 | BACKGROUND
Cooking interventions have increased in popularity in recent years. Evaluation by meta-analyses and systematic reviews show consistent changes in dietary quality reports and cooking confidence, but not of cardiovascular (CVD) biomarkers. Interventions evaluating or reporting behavioral mechanisms as an explanatory factor for these outcomes has been sparse. Moreover, evaluations of cooking interventions among communities with health disparities or food access limitations have received little attention in the literature.
METHODS
This study will occur over two phases. Phase 1 will assess acceptability among the target population of African-American adults living within an urban food desert. Phase 2 will consist of a 6-week cooking intervention delivered at a community kitchen setting. Pre and post intervention visits for clinical examinations and biomarker collection will be conducted, as well as dietary and cooking skill assessments. Primary outcomes include cooking behavior and feasibility measures. Secondary outcomes are related to dietary quality, psychosocial factors, CVD biomarkers, and food environment measures.
DISCUSSION
This study seeks to demonstrate feasibility of a community-based cooking intervention and to provide necessary information to plan future interventions that identify cooking behavior as an outcome of participation in cooking interventions among African-American adults, especially in relation to dietary and biomarker outcomes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04305431) on March 12, 2020. | 10.1186/s40814-020-00697-9 |
pubmed_454_19177 | Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses in the world. A large outbreak of suspected human leptospirosis began in Sri Lanka during 2008. This study investigated spatial variables associated with suspected leptospirosis risk during endemic and outbreak periods. Data were obtained for monthly numbers of reported cases of suspected clinical leptospirosis for 2005-2009 for all of Sri Lanka. Space-time scan statistics were combined with regression modelling to test associations during endemic and outbreak periods. The cross-correlation function was used to test association between rainfall and leptospirosis at four locations. During the endemic period (2005-2007), leptospirosis risk was positively associated with shorter average distance to rivers and with higher percentage of agriculture made up of farms <0·20 hectares. Temporal correlation analysis of suspected leptospirosis cases and rainfall revealed a 2-month lag in rainfall-case association during the baseline period. Outbreak locations in 2008 were characterized by shorter distance to rivers and higher population density. The analysis suggests the possibility of household transmission in densely populated semi-urban villages as a defining characteristic of the outbreak. The role of rainfall in the outbreak remains to be investigated, although analysis here suggests a more complex relationship than simple correlation. | 10.1017/S0950268811001014 |
pubmed_634_4810 | The lateral center-edge angle is a robust technique with proven clinical applicability for quantifying acetabular coverage. However, it measures only the lateral coverage of the femoral head without consideration of other important portions of the acetabulum such as the anterior or posterior wall. Three-dimensional acetabular coverage measurement techniques capable of quantifying the entire acetabulum have become available, thus posing the question of whether we should still rely on the lateral center-edge angle for the assessment of acetabular coverage. | 10.1016/j.arthro.2019.05.015 |
pubmed_142_3655 | In the present study, we investigated the protective role of ischemic postconditioning (IPOST) against intestine ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham-operation group (S), I/R group (I/R), ischemic preconditioning group (IPC), ischemic postconditioning group (IPOST). After reperfusion, small intestines were resected for histopathologic evaluations. To evaluate DNA fragmentation, resolving agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. To measure cellular apoptotic rates in intestine tissues, we performed TUNEL staining. To examine lipid peroxidation, production of superoxide radicals and tissue neutrophil infiltration, we tested the content of malondialdehyde and activities of superoxidase dismutase and myeloperoxidase in intestine tissues, respectively. Under light microscope, intestinal mucosal impairment in IPOST and IPC groups was found milder than that in I/R group (P < 0.05). The number of apoptosis cells in I/R group was significantly higher than that in IPOST and IPC groups (P < 0.05). The content of malondialdehyde and activity of myeloperoxidase were significantly reduced in IPOST group and IPC group compared with I/R group, but the activity of superoxidase dismutase in IPOST group and IPC group was enhanced compared with I/R group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that IPOST results in protection against intestine I/R injury, which may be related to reduced production of reactive oxygen species, enhanced activities of antioxidant systems and inhibited apoptosis of intestinal mucosal cells. | pubmed_142_3655 |
pubmed_28_20022 | PURPOSE
Cohort-based germline variant characterization is the standard approach for pathogenic variant discovery in clinical and research samples. However, the impact of cohort size on the molecular diagnostic yield of joint genotyping is largely unknown.
METHODS
Head-to-head comparison of the molecular diagnostic yield of joint genotyping in two cohorts of 239 cancer patients in the absence and then in the presence of 100 additional germline exomes.
RESULTS
In 239 testicular cancer patients, 4 (7.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1-17.9) of 54 pathogenic variants in the cancer predisposition and American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) genes were missed by one or both computational runs of joint genotyping. Similarly, 8 (12.1%, 95% CI: 5.4-22.5) of 66 pathogenic variants in these genes were undetected by joint genotyping in another independent cohort of 239 breast cancer patients. An exome-wide analysis of putative loss-of-function (pLOF) variants in the testicular cancer cohort showed that 162 (8.2%, 95% CI: 7.1-9.6) pLOF variants were only detected in one analysis run but not the other, while 433 (22.0%, 95% CI: 20.2-23.9%) pLOF variants were filtered out by both analyses despite having sufficient sequencing coverage.
CONCLUSION
Our analysis of the standard germline variant detection method highlighted a substantial impact of concurrently analyzing additional genomic data sets on the ability to detect clinically relevant germline pathogenic variants. | 10.1038/s41436-020-01074-w |
pubmed_656_11573 | In the anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory approach to quantum gravity, the spacetime geometry and gravitational physics of states in some quantum theory of gravity are encoded in the quantum states of an ordinary nongravitational system. Here, I demonstrate that this nongravitational system can be replaced with an arbitrarily large collection of noninteracting systems ("bits") placed in a highly entangled state. This construction makes manifest the idea that spacetime geometry emerges from entanglement between the fundamental degrees of freedom of quantum gravity and that removing this entanglement is tantamount to disintegrating spacetime. This setup also reveals that the entangled states encoding spacetimes may be well represented by a certain type of tensor network in which the individual tensors are associated with states of small numbers of bits. | 10.1126/science.aay9560 |
pubmed_540_6590 | OBJECTIVE
To examine the clinical outcomes of a percutaneous lumbar transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) with intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) navigation for the treatment of L5-S1 far-lateral lumbar disc herniation (LDH).
METHODS
A total of 30 patients with L5-S1 far-lateral LDH who underwent PTED with iCT navigation from September 2016 to October 2020 were enrolled in this study. Outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale pain score, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Japanese Orthopedic Association score, the EQ-5D-5 L and the modified Macnab criteria. Preoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.
RESULTS
The mean visual analog scale score for leg pain improved from 8.1 at baseline to 2.3, 0.9, 0.7 and 0.9 at 1 day, 1 week, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively (P < 0.01). The mean Oswestry Disability Index improved from 78.1% at baseline to 45.5%, 21.9%, 12.6%, and 11.7% at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively (P < 0.01); and the mean Japanese Orthopedic Association score improved from 8.6 at baseline to 14.2, 20.2, 24.4, and 25.6 at 1 day, 1 week, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively (P < 0.01). At 12 months postoperatively, the EQ-5D-5 L value significantly increased, from -0.061 ± 0.138 to 0.903 ± 0.064. The rate of a good or excellent modified Macnab result was 93% (26/28) at 12 months postoperatively. In the present study, combined L5-S1 foraminal stenosis tended to lead poor outcomes, which required more postsurgical treatments.
CONCLUSIONS
With iCT navigation, PTED is a feasible and effective minimally invasive surgery for L5-S1 far-lateral LDH. | 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.07.103 |
pubmed_773_10185 | An O-glycodipeptide was synthesized by lengthening the peptide chain on the C-terminal side of a glycosylamino acid unit. N-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-L-threonine o-nitrophenyl ester and pentachlorophenyl ester were condensed with glycine benzyl ester to give both the same glycodipeptide, [N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-L-threonyl]glycine benzyl ester (9). The two anomers, N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha- and beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-L-threonine pentachlorophenyl ester were also prepared. 1H-N.m.r. studies ascertained the structure and anomeric configuration expected. | 10.1016/s0008-6215(00)84078-1 |
pubmed_487_1349 | Differential expression of pneumococcal virulence proteins has been demonstrated. We previously demonstrated challenge route-dependent differences in pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) expression during bacteremia. In this study, we investigated differences in PspC expression during the transition of pneumococci from the peritoneum to the blood. Time course analysis of PspC expression using flow cytometry demonstrated that Streptococcus pneumoniae D39 collected from blood expressed significantly more PspC than did D39 collected from the peritoneum of intraperitoneally (i.p.)-infected mice. Various challenge models were then used to determine whether host responses originating from the peritoneum can influence PspC expressed by pneumococci in the blood. Using heat-inactivated D39 (HI-D39) and sterile peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF), we investigated whether stimulation of peritoneal responses can influence PspC expression. Injection of mice i.p. with HI-D39 or PDF immediately prior to intravenous (i.v.) infection with D39 caused a significant increase in PspC expressed by D39 in the blood. Finally, we used cytokine array analysis to investigate specific inflammatory mediators that may result in differential PspC expression. Of the 96 inflammatory cytokines assayed, D39 i.p. challenge led to increased expression of 33 cytokines in serum; whereas D39 i.v. challenge led to increased expression of 15 and decreased expression of 11 cytokines relative to serum of the uninfected control. These results indicate that PspC is differentially regulated during growth in vivo and that the level of expression varies depending on the host environment. | 10.1128/IAI.01066-07 |
pubmed_814_4498 | Recently, there has been growing interest in the miniaturization and integration of atomic-based quantum technologies. In addition to the obvious advantages brought by such integration in facilitating mass production, reducing the footprint, and reducing the cost, the flexibility offered by on-chip integration enables the development of new concepts and capabilities. In particular, recent advanced techniques based on computer-assisted optimization algorithms enable the development of newly engineered photonic structures with unconventional functionalities. Taking this concept further, we hereby demonstrate the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of an integrated nanophotonic-atomic chip magnetometer based on alkali vapor with a micrometer-scale spatial resolution and a magnetic sensitivity of 700 pT/√Hz. The presented platform paves the way for future applications using integrated photonic-atomic chips, including high-spatial-resolution magnetometry, near-field vectorial imaging, magnetically induced switching, and optical isolation. | 10.1038/s41377-021-00499-5 |
pubmed_466_5899 | The effect of immobilization of a limb on subsequent sensitivity of the diaphragm to d-tubocurarine was examined in the guinea pig. A forelimb was immobilized in a plaster cast for 1 or 3 weeks. An isolated nerve-diaphragm preparation was then set up and the sensitivity to d-tubocurarine measured. Parallel assays on a nerve-lumbrical muscle preparation from the limb in the cast were also examined for comparison. The diaphragm from unimmobilized animals showed the normal decreased sensitivity relative to the lumbrical. After immobilization the sensitivity of the lumbrical decreased, whereas that of the diaphragm did not change. Thus in contrast to previously observed behavior in limb muscles, changes in d-tubocurarine sensitivity produced by immobilization do not involve the diaphragm. | pubmed_466_5899 |
pubmed_317_24791 | Learning novel sequences constitutes an example of declarative memory formation, involving conscious recall of temporal events. Performance in sequence learning tasks improves with repetition and involves forming temporal associations over scales of seconds to minutes. To further understand the neural circuits underlying declarative sequence learning over trials, we tracked changes in intracranial field potentials (IFPs) recorded from 1142 electrodes implanted throughout temporal and frontal cortical areas in 14 human subjects, while they learned the temporal-order of multiple sequences of images over trials through repeated recall. We observed an increase in power in the gamma frequency band (30-100 Hz) in the recall phase, particularly in areas within the temporal lobe including the parahippocampal gyrus. The degree of this gamma power enhancement decreased over trials with improved sequence recall. Modulation of gamma power was directly correlated with the improvement in recall performance. When presenting new sequences, gamma power was reset to high values and decreased again after learning. These observations suggest that signals in the gamma frequency band may play a more prominent role during the early steps of the learning process rather than during the maintenance of memory traces. | 10.3389/fnsys.2014.00222 |
pubmed_943_8883 | In a study from Finland in 1986 it was shown that celiac disease was often associated with tooth enamel defects of permanent teeth. This study also showed a strong association between the time of gluten challenge in the diagnostic procedure and enamel defects. In the current study, dental examinations were carried out for a group of 40 children and adolescents suffering from celiac disease diagnosed according to the criteria of The European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (ESPGAN) at the Department of Paediatrics, Hospital of Uddevalla, Sweden. A control group made of 40 healthy children of the same age, sex and living area was examined in the same way. The results failed to show disturbances of the same type, degree of severity or frequency as was reported in Finland and no statistically significant differences concerning enamel defects were found between the patients with celiac disease and the controls. | 10.1046/j.1365-263x.2001.00260.x |
pubmed_321_8915 | Human DNA Topoisomerase II has been regarded as a promising target in anticancer drug discovery. In the present study, we designed six porphyrin-anthraquinone hybrids bearing pyrazole or pyridine group as meso substituents and evaluated their potentials as DNA Topoisomerase IIβ inhibitor. First, we investigated the binding orientation of porphyrin hybrids into DNA topoisomerase IIβ employing AutoDock 4.2 and then performed 20-ns molecular dynamics simulations to see the dynamic stability of each porphyrin-Topo IIβ complex using Amber 14. We found that the binding of porphyrin hybrids occured through intercalation and groove binding mode in addition interaction with the amino acid residues constituting the active cavity of Topo IIβ. Each porphyrin-Topo IIβ complex was stabilized during 20-ns dynamics simulations. The MM-PBSA free energy calculation shows that the binding affinities of porphyrin hybrids were modified with the number of meso substituent. Interestingly, the affinity of all porphyrin hybrids to Topo IIβ was stronger than that of native ligand (EVP), indicating the potential of the designed porphyrin to be considered in experimental research. | 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2017.10.002 |
pubmed_475_11827 | AIM
Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and T (cTnT) are the most important biomarkers in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Nevertheless, they can be elevated in the absence of AMI. It is unclear if such elevations represent irreversible cardiomyocyte-damage or leakage from viable cardiomyocytes. Our objective is to evaluate whether cTn is released from viable cardiomyocytes in response to ischemia and to identify differences in the release of cTn and its molecular forms.
METHODS AND RESULTS
HL-1 cardiomyocytes (mouse) were subjected to ischemia (modeled by anoxia with glucose deprivation). The total contents and molecular forms of cTn were determined in culture media and cell lysates. Cell viability was assessed from the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Before the release of LDH, the intracellular cTn content in ischemic cells decreased significantly compared to control (52% for cTnI; 23% for cTnT) and was not matched by a cTn increase in the medium. cTnI decreased more rapidly than cTnT, resulting in an intracellular cTnT/cTnI ratio of 25.5 after 24 h of ischemia. Western blots revealed changes in the relative amounts of fragmented cTnI and cTnT in ischemic cells.
CONCLUSIONS
HL-1 cardiomyocytes subjected to simulated ischemia released cTnI and cTnT only in combination with the release of LDH. We find no evidence of cTn release from viable cardiomyocytes, but did observe a significant decrease in cTn content, before the onset of cell death. Intracellular decrease of cTn in viable cardiomyocytes can have important consequences for the interpretation of cTn values in clinical practice. | pubmed_475_11827 |
pubmed_505_6532 | INTRODUCTION
Urogenital malformations, trauma or tumours may demand surgical reconstruction in children. Cell culture is an important technology in biomaterial research and tissue engineering. Tissue-engineering of urothelial organs is of interest in children, because the number of complications and re-operations may be reduced. Actually, monolayer cultures of urothelium are used for tissue engineering and biocompatibility testing. A culture system that more closely mimics the physiologic environment of the urothelium would be of interest. The aim of this study was to determine the biological and mechanical characteristics of urothelial mesh cultured in vitro.
METHODS
Meshes containing urothelium, lamina propria, and submucosal tissue were generated using a skin mesh graft cutter. Meshes were cultured in 6-well plates, on collagen I/III, polydioxanone/polylactic acid and silicone matrices. Cell morphology was examined by inversion microscopy, histology, and scanning electron microscopy. It was compared to urothelium cultured by methods reported in the literature. To define the basic mechanical properties, meshes were extended longitudinally by a servohydraulic testing machine and strain diagrams generated.
RESULTS
Urothelium was reproducibly cultured from meshes. Cell growth could be induced onto fibrillary collagen, polydioxanone-polylactic acid matrices and shaped polyurethane surfaces. Cells formed confluent layers of flat cells, resembling native urothelium. The meshes have unique mechanical properties, allowing for stable fixation, surgical handling and mechanical stimulation.
CONCLUSIONS
Meshes can be used for cell culture on biomaterials. They maintain epithelial-stromal integrity and mechanic stability. The small size of tissue bridges allows in vitro culture for long periods with many potential advantages for tissue engineering and biologic research. Applications are possible both in vitro and in vivo. | 10.1055/s-2003-44723 |
pubmed_156_19380 | AIMS
This study looks at trends in event rates of first and recurrent fatal and non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and 28-day case fatality in AMI within the Northern Sweden MONICA area.
METHODS
The AMI event rate and 28-day case fatality in acute myocardial infarction were registered between 1985 and 1998 in the two northernmost counties in Sweden in men and women in the age groups 25-64 years.
RESULTS
Statistically significant mean annual decreases were found in fatal and non-fatal combined event rates (4% for men and 2.3% for women), fatal event rate (7.1% for men and 5% for women), fatal first acute myocardial infarction (7.1% for men and 4.4% for women), and both non-fatal and fatal recurrent AMI for both sexes (5.5% for both men and women for non-fatal and, for fatal AMI, 7.1% for men and 5.7% for women). In addition, there were significant decreases for men in non-fatal event rate (2.4%), and non-fatal first AMI (1.4%). The decreases in case fatality were small, especially so for women.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a trend of decreasing event rates in both fatal and non-fatal AMI, and first and recurrent AMI, most pronounced for men. The case fatality also decreased although to a lesser degree, suggesting that the decreasing mortality in ischaemic heart disease mainly is caused by reduced disease incidence. | 10.1080/14034950310001388 |
pubmed_635_22021 | Onychomycosis is a frequent and challenging disease to treat. Well conducted oral therapies are commonly quite effective for a short term period. However, recurrences are frequent. Topical therapies appear globally less active. Studies in this field are rare, although the promotional advertisements to the general public abound nowadays. Various microscopic fungi (dermatophytes, yeasts, molds) should be targeted by the treatment, In addition, the distinct activity conditions of both growth and quiescence of the pathogen fungi should be influenced by the treatments. This is not frequently considered by drug companies and encountered in practice. The antifungal drug penetration inside all the nail layers is important to be performed. | pubmed_635_22021 |
pubmed_248_20039 | AIMS
A growing body of evidence in the literature suggests that the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity including suicide is high among physicians. Suicidal ideas are the most important predictors of suicides and suicide attempts. The prevalence of suicidal ideas is higher among physicians compared to the general population. Our goal was to search the factors of suicidal ideas among Hungarian physicians on basis of nationwide representative survey, helping to elaborate prevention programs.
METHODS
Data were collected from 298 female and 109 male physicians using questionnaires. 1,754 white-collar workers from a representative survey (Hungarostudy 2002) served as controls. Statistical analysis examined background factors of suicidal thoughts.
RESULTS
We found that the prevalence of suicidal ideas among both female (20,3%) and male physicians (12,1%) was significantly higher than that in the respective control groups (12,3% - 7,6%). Female physicians also exhibited significantly higher prevalence of suicidal ideas (p=0.0058 és OR=1,901). Suicidal ideas were associated with work-related stress. Correlation analyses confirmed a significant relationship between high prevalence of suicidal ideas and long working hours (>8 hours), severe anxiety and work-related stress, and role conflict. Further examination of the background factors of suicidal thoughts may help to elaborate more effective health-prevention and conflict-dealing methods. | pubmed_248_20039 |
pubmed_1055_15695 | Although the process of reverse transcription is well elucidated, it remains unclear if viral core disruption provides a more cellular or viral milieu for HIV-1 reverse transcription. We have devised a method to require mixing of viral cores or core constituents to produce infectious progeny virus by a bipartite subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) system, in which HIV-1 cplt_R/U5/gag/Δpol and nfl sgRNAs are complementary to each other and when together can complete viral reverse transcription. Only the heterodiploid virus containing both the nfl and cplt_R/U5/gag/Δpol sgRNAs can complete reverse transcription and propagate infectious virus upon de novo infection. Dual exposure of U87.CD4.CXCR4 cells with high titers of the homodimeric nfl and cplt_R/U5/gag/Δpol virus particles did not result in productive virus infection. On the other hand, in early endosomes, the HIV-1 sgRNAs released from viral cores can retain function and complete the reverse transcription and result in productive infection. These findings confirm the assumptions that, in natural infection, HIV-1 cores, and likely other retrovirus cores, remain largely intact and do not mix/fuse in the cytoplasm during the reverse transcription process, and circulating cytoplasmic HIV-1 sgRNA (produced through transfection) could not help the complementary sgRNA in the viral core to complement the reverse transcription process. | pubmed_1055_15695 |
pubmed_16_16059 | Most eukaryotic messenger RNA precursors (pre-mRNAs) undergo extensive maturational processing, including cleavage and polyadenylation at the 3'-end. Despite the characterization of many proteins that are required for the cleavage reaction, the identity of the endonuclease is not known. Recent analyses indicated that the 73-kDa subunit of cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF-73) might be the endonuclease for this and related reactions, although no direct data confirmed this. Here we report the crystal structures of human CPSF-73 at 2.1 A resolution, complexed with zinc ions and a sulphate that might mimic the phosphate group of the substrate, and the related yeast protein CPSF-100 (Ydh1) at 2.5 A resolution. Both CPSF-73 and CPSF-100 contain two domains, a metallo-beta-lactamase domain and a novel beta-CASP (named for metallo-beta-lactamase, CPSF, Artemis, Snm1, Pso2) domain. The active site of CPSF-73, with two zinc ions, is located at the interface of the two domains. Purified recombinant CPSF-73 possesses RNA endonuclease activity, and mutations that disrupt zinc binding in the active site abolish this activity. Our studies provide the first direct experimental evidence that CPSF-73 is the pre-mRNA 3'-end-processing endonuclease. | 10.1038/nature05363 |
pubmed_275_10827 | BACKGROUND
The relationship between thrombophilic polymorphisms and intrauterine growth restriction remains unclear. Whereas a subset of these polymorphisms have received some attention, others have not.
METHODS
We conducted a case-control study of 493 cases of intrauterine growth restriction (birthweight less than the 10th percentile for gestational age and sex) and 472 controls (greater than the 10th percentile). We also conducted a family study including approximately 250 case trios (affected newborn, mother, and father) for each studied gene. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) 4G/5G and Factor XIII Val134Leu variants were compared between maternal and newborn cases and controls. Relative risks for newborn and maternal PAI-1 and Factor XIII genotypes in case trios were estimated using a log-linear model. Transmission of MTHFR C677T and 1298C haplotypes was analyzed in case trios, and the estimated haplotype distribution compared between cases and controls. Finally, we explored pairwise gene-gene interactions between all measured polymorphisms, including Factor V Leiden G1691A and Prothrombin G20210A.
RESULTS
PAI-1 and Factor XIII polymorphisms were not associated with an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction in the case-control analysis, and the case-parent analysis showed no newborn or maternal excess genotype relative risk. No excess transmission of the MTHFR haplotypes was observed in case newborns, and the distribution of MTHFR haplotypes was similar between cases and controls. Some results were suggestive of interactions between genes.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, there seems to be little or no indication that thrombophilic genes, at least individually, have an effect on intrauterine growth restriction. | 10.1097/01.ede.0000158199.64871.b9 |
pubmed_347_23953 | BACKGROUND
Metachronous hernia has been reported to develop unexpectedly in children after negative evaluation for contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) by transinguinal laparoscopy. Scarce data exist regarding such phenomena following laparoscopic unilateral hernia repair and negative findings for CPPV in transumbilical laparoscopy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A retrospective study was performed to investigate metachronous hernia development in a cohort of consecutive children who had undergone laparoscopic unilateral hernia repair with negative findings of CPPV by transumbilical laparoscopy 5 or more years ago.
RESULTS
Study subjects included 293 children 1 month to 15 years old at the time of laparoscopic unilateral hernia repair (left, n=116; right, n=177). There were 246 boys and 47 girls. Nine children (3.1%), all boys, developed metachronous hernia at a median of 24 months (range, 6-42 months) from the time of negative laparoscopic evaluation for CPPV. There was no statistical difference between the genders and laterality of the initial hernia in the development of metachronous hernia.
CONCLUSIONS
False-negative CPPV evaluation by transumbilical laparoscopy during laparoscopic unilateral hernia repair can occur and result in unexpected metachronous hernia development. Further prospective studies are warranted to develop effective maneuvers in addition to inspection alone to reduce false-negative laparoscopic assessment. | 10.1089/lap.2012.0365 |
pubmed_268_16124 | The hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic insulin clamp technique was used to compare insulin sensitivity in lactating ewes at two levels of feeding. Clamps were performed at two (restricted intake) or three (ad libitum intake) stages of lactation and also 30 d after drying off. Dose response curves for insulin were constructed using the glucose metabolic clearance rate (MCR) as the measure of glucose metabolism and these were statistically compared between stages of lactation within the feeding levels, and also between feeding regimes. Animals on a restricted feed intake showed a weight loss throughout lactation, coupled with a lower insulin sensitivity as measured by the ED50 (concentration of insulin required to produce a half maximal increase in MCR), while those on ad libitum feeding showed a weight gain and a decreased insulin sensitivity in the dry period. Endogenous glucose production was less sensitive to inhibition by insulin in the animals subjected to restricted food intake, compared with those on the ad libitum regime, which suggested a major role for the plane of nutrition in adjusting the homeorhetic control of metabolism during lactation. | 10.1017/s0022029900029514 |
pubmed_269_7745 | BACKGROUND
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common peripheral nerve compressive neuropathies. The clinical symptoms and physical examinations of CTS are widely recognised, however, there is still debate around what is the best approach for assessment of CTS. Clinical assessment is still considered the gold standard, however, controversies do exist regarding the need for investigations such nerve conduction studies (NCS) to aid with management decisions.
AIM
To correlate the severity of NCS results to a scoring system which included symptoms, signs and risk factors.
METHODS
This was a prospective correlation study. We scored patients' signs and symptoms using our CTS scoring system. This was then correlated with the findings of the NCS. The scoring system included - four symptoms (2 Katz hand diagrams - one for tingling and one for numbness; nocturnal paresthesia and bilateral symptoms) and four clinical signs (weak thumb abduction test; Tinel's sign; Phalen sign and hypoalgesia in median nerve territory) and two risk factors (age more than 40 years and female sex). We classified the NCS results to normal, mild, moderate and severe.
RESULTS
There were 61 scores in 59 patients. The mean scores for the categories were as follows: 6.75 for normal NCS; 5.50 for mild NCS; 9.17 for moderate NCS and 9 for severe NCS. All scores of 8 or more matched with NCS results of moderate and severe intensity apart from three scores which were greater than seven that had normal NCS. Eta score was 0.822 for the CTS score being the dependent value and the NCS category being the independent variable showing a strong association between the scoring system and the NCS group.
CONCLUSION
We feel that this simple scoring system can be used to predict and correlate the severity of NCS in patients with CTS. | 10.5312/wjo.v13.i2.171 |
pubmed_817_15968 | RATIONALE
Lipoleiomyoma is a rare neoplasm of the uterus. It is considered a variant of uterine myomas. Its reported incidence varies from 0.03% to 0.2%. Lipoleiomyoma consists of variable proportions of mature lipocytes and smooth muscle cells. These tumors generally occur in asymptomatic obese perimenopausal or postmenopausal women. About 90.7% of lipoleiomyomas arise from the uterine corpus, with only 6.5% arising from the cervix. When it occurs in the cervix, it is difficult to diagnose and treat it. We report an uncommon case of pelviscopic resection of uterine cervical lipoleiomyoma showing continuous growth after menopause.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 55-year-old postmenopausal woman was diagnosed with 40 mm-sized uterine myoma 4 years ago. The size of the mass increased to 58 mm in the last year.
DIAGNOSES
An ultrasound scan revealed a 58 × 34-mm-sized round hyperechogenic and barely vascularity mass that appeared to have originated on the left side of the uterine cervix. Final pathologic findings showed lipoleiomyoma.
INTERVENTIONS
After admission to the hospital, we performed pelviscopic removal of uterine lipoleiomyoma and both tubes. Microscopic examination revealed a significant amount of fat cells between muscle cells.
OUTCOMES
Surgeries were successful. The patient had been followed up regularly for three years after surgery. She did not experience any complications. She remained disease-free.
LESSONS
Although lipoleiomyomas mainly occur in postmenopausal women, they can also occur in the uterine cervix. They can increase in size after menopause. They can be removed laparoscopically. If a hyperechoic mass occurred in the uterus after menopause that keeps growing without symptoms, a differential diagnosis of lipoleiomyomas must be performed. | 10.1097/MD.0000000000030665 |
pubmed_570_24141 | By its incidence, the polymorphism of its clinical presentation, its potential gravity, the difficulty of realization of urine culture in children, the frequency of the subjacent urologic abnormalities, the urinary tract infection (UTI) is an important problem in paediatrics. This work relates to a retrospective study carrying 121 episodes of UTI in 111 children taken care in paediatrics services of the Teaching Hospital Mohammed VI in Marrakech between March 2005 and March 2009. The age of our children varied between one month and 15 years with an average of 31 months, girls were more touched than boys with a sex ratio at 1.9. E. coli was the most common causative agent in our study (72 %), followed by Klebsiella in 14 % and Proteus in 5.8 % of cases. The study of antimicrobial susceptibility showed that the majority of the isolates were resistant to amoxicilline in 2/3 of cases. Third generation cephalosporins and aminosides kept their effectiveness on the majority of isolates (E. coli was susceptible to 3GC in 91.2 % and to gentamycin in 88 %). E. coli was sensible to the TSU in 54.4 % of cases. | 10.1016/S0929-693X(10)70921-0 |
pubmed_226_26418 | Bcl-2-modifying factor (Bmf) functions to mediate follicular atresia and oocyte growth in mice. It has been proven that TGF-β can induce Bmf expression via the Smad4 pathway in a variety of cells, and then induce cell apoptosis. Based on this, we hypothesized that Smad4 and Bmf may play important roles in the apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) in domestic animals. This study used small-tailed Han sheep follicular GCs cultured in vitro as a model system, and overexpression or interference experiments, to explore the biological roles of Bmf and reveal the preliminary regulatory mechanisms between Smad4 and Bmf in the process of GCs' apoptosis. We found that the proliferation rate of sheep GCs was significantly increased after the knockdown of Bmf, whereas overexpressing Bmf increased the apoptosis rate of GCs, results also verified by the expression patterns of PCNA, Bcl-2, and Bax genes. After the Smad4 knockdown, the apoptosis rate of GCs was increased, while the mRNA and protein expression of Bmf was significantly up-regulated. A rescue experiment verified that the Bmf knockdown could alleviate GCs' apoptosis induced by Smad4 knockdown. In conclusion, our study not only elucidated an important role for Bmf in the apoptosis of sheep GCs but also revealed a new regulatory pathway between Smad4 and Bmf in this process. | 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146231 |
pubmed_902_16667 | Bluetongue is a serious hemorrhagic disease of sheep, cattle and other ruminants causing economic losses worldwide. Recent invasion of multiple bluetongue virus serotypes (BTV) in various countries warrants immediate development of efficacious vaccine that targets more than one serotype. In the present study, the cross-protective efficacy of binary ethylenimine (BEI)-inactivated BTV-1 vaccine was evaluated in Indian native sheep against virulent heterologous BTV-23 serotype challenge. BTV-1 vaccination induced significant cell-mediated immunity (CMI) as determined by lymphoproliferative responses, and increased CD8 T cell, IL-2 and IFN-gamma responses. Both naïve and immunized sheep also showed increased CD4 T cell, IL-12 and IFN-alpha responses. Collectively, these data suggested that inactivated BTV-1 vaccine induced appreciable CMI and greatly reduced the severity of heterologous BTV-23 infection. | 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.01.039 |
pubmed_449_14298 | A series of experiments with a thinfilm multichannel cochlear implant is presented. A number of surgical difficulties at implantation on temporal bones were experienced. In vitro measurements of the electrode's technical properties revealed 1) large variations in the impedance, and 2) good separation between channels. From a theoretical point of view this complicated type of electrode is interesting, but a number of modifications are necessary before it may be used for implantation in man. | 10.3109/00016488309130938 |
pubmed_589_20724 | BACKGROUND
Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to infer the mental states of others in order to understand and predict their behaviour. This ability is thought to be essential to social functioning and interpersonal relationships. As major depression is characterized by considerable social and interpersonal difficulties, exploration of the quality of ToM functioning can be particularly relevant in this and in related disorders. We aim to review the current state of research on ToM in depressive disorders in order to find out the extent to which ToM impairment is associated with these illnesses.
METHODS
An internet database search was carried out to collect all publications on the subject.
RESULTS
A total of 32 publications in English met our inclusion criteria: (a) 17 studies on ToM in major depression, (b) 4 studies on ToM in psychotic depression, (c) 3 studies on ToM in dysphoria or mild depression, (d) 4 studies on ToM in euthymic major depression, (e) 2 studies on ToM in chronic versus episodic depression, and (f) 2 studies on ToM in another psychiatric disorder with comorbid major depression.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite an increased interest in the research of the topic in recent years, no firm conclusions can be drawn, as the reviewed articles present some conflicting results. Acutely depressed patients have been found to be impaired on tasks involving both ToM social-perceptual and social-cognitive components. On the other hand, a number of studies have not reported significant between-group differences between depressed patients and healthy controls or have found minimal differences. Further research is needed in order to confirm and extend these results. | 10.1159/000446707 |
pubmed_674_4798 | Dysfunctional microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression. In the present study, we performed next-generation sequencing for miRNA profiling of the OSCC tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues in two patients with OSCC. We observed that 45 miRNAs were substantially up-regulated and 17 miRNAs were down-regulated in OSCC tissues. Since information on the biological role of miR-21-3p (passenger strand) in OSCC is limited, the expression levels of miR-21-3p were further evaluated in 95 OSCC tissue samples by a stem-loop real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our results revealed that miR-21-3p is significantly overexpressed in the OSCC tissues compared with the corresponding adjacent normal tissues (p<0.001). High miR-21-3p expression levels were significantly correlated with N classification (p=0.042). After transfection with a miR-21-3p inhibitor (antagomir), the invasive ability of the OSCC cells was significantly abrogated. Altogether, our findings indicated that miR-21-3p plays a crucial oncogenic role in cell metastasis during OSCC progression. | 10.21873/anticanres.11417 |
pubmed_1088_5401 | In the present paper, we applied Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and second derivative infrared spectroscopy to establish a rapid and efficient analytical method for a preliminary quality control of medicinal herb extracts. The commonly used Chinese herb medicine, Rhizoma coptidis, was taken as an example. The main component-berberine in rhizoma coptidis was analyzed as target compound. The results indicated that the IR spectra of rhizoma coptidis herb, its water and alcohol extracts, exhibit their macroscopic fingerprint characters with fine repeatability, and the corresponding secondary derivative spectra further confirmed the spectral characteristics of the original IR spectra by enhancing spectral resolution. The typical and strongest absorption band of IR spectrum of berberine is at 1,505 cm(-1), which is assigned to aromatic skeleton vibration band, and its intensities in spectra of rhizoma coptidis herb and its different extracts become the main identification standard of the contents of berberine in those samples. In addition, comparing the IR spectra of the medicinal herb and its extracts, it was shown that the main bioactive components, alkaloids in rhizoma coptidis herb, are enriched by extraction, and the contents of berberine in alcohol extracts of rhizoma coptidis are higher than those in water extracts. The spectroscopic technique described is a simple and rapid analytical technique, which could provide valuable information about chemical constituents of medicinal extracts for guiding further chromatographic analysis and separation improvement. | pubmed_1088_5401 |
pubmed_1088_7846 | These 2 case reports describe the use of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) nerve blocks for analgesia following emergency cesarean delivery. Bilateral single shot TAP blocks provided prolonged and extremely effective analgesia. Patients displayed early oral intake, early ambulation, and low pain scores. No postoperative narcotics were used by either patient throughout their hospital stay. A technique for TAP blocks is described with discussion of risks and suggested uses. | pubmed_1088_7846 |
pubmed_757_12453 | Agricultural production is one of most important activities for food supply and demand, that provides a source of raw materials, and generates commercial opportunities for other industries around the world. It may be both positively and negatively affected by climatic and biological factors. Negative biological factors are those caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Given the serious problems posed by phytoparasitic nematodes for farmers, causing crop losses globally every year, the agrochemical industry has developed compounds with the capacity to inhibit their development; however, they can cause the death of other beneficial organisms and their lixiviation can contaminate the water table. On the other hand, the positive biological factors are found in biotechnology, the scientific discipline that develops products, such as nematophagous fungi (of which Purpureocillium lilacinum and Pochonia chlamydosporia have the greatest potential), for the control of pests and/or diseases. The present review focuses on the importance of nematophagous fungi, particularly sedentary endoparasitic nematodes, their research on the development of biological control agents, the mass production of fungi Purpureocillium lilacinum and Pochonia chlamydosporia, and their limited commercialization due to the lack of rigorous methods that enable the anticipation of complex interactions between plant and phytopathogenic agents. | 10.1007/s11274-021-03151-x |
pubmed_99_8677 | The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) uses five different electronic networks for interlibrary loan (ILL) request transmission. The advantages and problems of using electronic networks for ILL request transmission are discussed. Advantages include speed of request transmission, improved capabilities for locating documents, lower labor costs, improved turnaround time, and production of user reports and statistics. Disadvantages include increased work load, additional staff training, coordination of non-standard networks, determining access protocols, and establishing priorities for handling requests. | pubmed_99_8677 |
pubmed_387_5891 | We have analyzed early and late T4 gene expression at the levels of transcription and translation in rpoH+ (sigma 32+) and rpoH mutant cells infected under heat shock conditions. We found, as expected, that Escherichia coli cells must be adapted before infection to high temperature by the heat shock response to allow early T4 transcription, subsequent late gene expression, and progeny production at 42 degrees C. Unexpectedly, we found in addition that when rpoH mutant (sigma 32 mutant) cells were shifted from 30 to 42 degrees C 10 min after infection, late T4 genes were not expressed, even though DNA synthesis appeared to be normal. | 10.1128/jb.170.3.1384-1388.1988 |
pubmed_570_12968 | In the last decade, an impressive amount of clinical research data has shed new light on pathogenesis and management of the chronic prostatitis syndrome. A new classification and a validated symptom score have enabled urologists worldwide to speak a "common language", thus greatly improving the amount and quality of focused research in this field. In Europe, a large number of groups and experts have been actively involved in this research, and have developed in many cases a genuine view on prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain etiology, diagnosis and treatment. The present paper, written by a panel of researchers from Europe and Far East Russia, reviews the most recent findings, discusses the most controversial contemporary topics on prostatitis syndromes, and highlights a number of unresolved issues requiring further research and study. | pubmed_570_12968 |
pubmed_580_12624 | BACKGROUND
Two biological forms of the mosquito Culex pipiens s.s., denoted pipiens and molestus, display behavioural differences that may affect their role as vectors of arboviruses. In this study, the feeding patterns of molestus and pipiens forms were investigated in Comporta (Portugal), where high levels of inter-form admixture have been recorded.
METHODS
Indoor and outdoor mosquito collections were performed in the summer of 2010. Collected Cx. pipiens s.l. females were molecularly identified to species and form by PCR and genotyped for six microsatellites. The source of the blood meal in post-fed females was determined by ELISA and mitochondrial DNA sequencing.
RESULTS
The distribution of the forms differed according to the collection method. The molestus form was present only in indoor collections, whereas pipiens and admixed individuals were sampled both indoors and outdoors. In both forms, over 90% of blood meals were made on avian hosts. These included blood meals taken from Passeriformes (Passer domesticus and Turdus merula) by females caught resting inside domestic shelters.
CONCLUSION
Genetic structure and blood meal analyses suggest the presence of a bird biting molestus population in the study area. Both forms were found to rest indoors, mainly in avian shelters, but at least a proportion of females of the pipiens form may bite outdoors in sylvan habitats and then search for anthropogenic resting sites to complete their gonotrophic cycle. This behaviour may potentiate the accidental transmission of arboviruses to humans in the region. | 10.1186/1756-3305-6-93 |
pubmed_837_2529 | Computer visualization techniques were used to map the distribution of dopaminergic neurons within midbrain tissue sections from 5 parkinsonian patients and 3 age-matched control subjects. The Parkinsonian brains had over 50% fewer dopaminergic neurons within the midbrain than age-matched normal brains. The cell loss occurred within the combined substantia nigra (dopaminergic nucleus A9) and retrorubral (dopaminergic nucleus A8) areas (greater than 61%) and the ventral tegmental area (dopaminergic nucleus A10) (greater than 42%). The cell loss was greatest within the ventral portion of the substantia nigra zona compacta. The specific pattern of cell loss is very similar to the pattern of cells that project to the striatum (as opposed to cortical and limbic sites) in animal neuroanatomical tracing experiments. These data suggest that Parkinson's disease preferentially destroys midbrain dopaminergic neurons in nuclei A8, A9, and A10, which project to the striatum. | 10.1002/ana.410260403 |
pubmed_92_10803 | Auriculocondylar syndrome is a rare craniofacial disorder comprising core features of micrognathia, condyle dysplasia and question mark ear. Causative variants have been identified in PLCB4, GNAI3 and EDN1, which are predicted to function within the EDN1-EDNRA pathway during early pharyngeal arch patterning. To date, two GNAI3 variants in three families have been reported. Here we report three novel GNAI3 variants, one segregating with affected members in a family previously linked to 1p21.1-q23.3 and two de novo variants in simplex cases. Two variants occur in known functional motifs, the G1 and G4 boxes, and the third variant is one amino acid outside of the G1 box. Structural modeling shows that all five altered GNAI3 residues identified to date cluster in a region involved in GDP/GTP binding. We hypothesize that all GNAI3 variants lead to dominant negative effects. | 10.1038/ejhg.2014.132 |
pubmed_327_16309 | The 3Dee database of domain definitions was developed as a comprehensive collection of domain definitions for all three-dimensional structures in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The database includes definitions for complex, multiple-segment and multiple-chain domains as well as simple sequential domains, organized in a structural hierarchy. Two different snapshots of the 3Dee database were analyzed at September 1996 and November 1999. For the November 1999 release, 7,995 PDB entries contained 13,767 protein chains and gave rise to 18,896 domains. The domain sequences clustered into 1,715 domain sequence families, which were further clustered into a conservative 1,199 domain structure families (families with similar folds). The proportion of different domain structure families per domain sequence family increases from 84% for domains 1-100 residues long to 100% for domains greater than 600 residues. This is in keeping with the idea that longer chains will have more alternative folds available to them. Of the representative domains from the domain sequence families, 49% are in the range of 51-150 residues, whereas 64% of the representative chains over 200 residues have more than 1 domain. Of the representative chains, 8.5% are part of multichain domains. The largest multichain domain in the database has 14 chains and 1,400 residues, whereas the largest single-chain domain has 907 residues. The largest number of domains found in a protein is 13. The analysis shows that over the history of the PDB, new domain folds have been discovered at a slower rate than by random selection of all known folds. Between 1992 and 1997, a constant 1 in 11 new domains deposited in the PDB has shown no sequence similarity to a previously known domain sequence family, and only 1 in 15 new domain structures has had a fold that has not been seen previously. A comparison of the September 1996 release of 3Dee to the Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) showed that the domain definitions agreed for 80% of the representative protein chains. However, 3Dee provided explicit domain boundaries for more proteins. 3Dee is accessible on the World Wide Web at http://barton.ebi.ac.uk/servers/3Dee.html. | pubmed_327_16309 |
pubmed_984_8645 | Recent legislation in Wisconsin mandating provision of emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault may create a conflict of conscience for some health care professionals. Although disputes exist over the exact mechanism of action of emergency contraception, those professionals who espouse a particularly strict stance may be reluctant to dispense the medication for fear that it could prevent a fertilized embryo from implanting in the uterus. While no objection of conscience clause was written into the new law, Wisconsin law has a long tradition of recognizing rights of conscience in matters of religious conflict. This legal tradition both at statutory and common law levels is summarized with application to the recent emergency contraception mandate. A case is made for a potential legal defense should a health care professional abstain from dispensing emergency contraception. | pubmed_984_8645 |
pubmed_174_1257 | Methods for isolation and culture of microvascular endothelial cells of the inner ear were devised to provide an in-vitro system for studying endothelial functions in this tissue. Capillaries from the stria vascularis and spiral ligament were treated enzymatically to free them from surrounding tissue. Contamination by extraneous tissue was minimized by banding capillary segments in Percoll gradients and culture in plasma-derived serum on a fibronectin-coated substrate. Although only small amounts of inner ear tissue were available, tritiated thymidine autoradiography demonstrated that considerable growth in culture was possible. Addition of heparin and endothelial cell growth supplement to the medium enhanced proliferation. The endothelial origin of the cultured cells was confirmed by immunofluorescent demonstration of the presence of Factor VIII-related antigen and angiotensin-converting enzyme. In addition, tight junctions between cells were observed in both thin sections and platinum replicas obtained by freeze-fracture techniques. Endothelial cells from neither the stria vascularis nor the spiral ligament allowed passage of horseradish peroxidase across the monolayer during a 5-min period. However, endothelial cells from the stria vascularis exhibited a greater amount of pinocytotic activity than those of the spiral ligament, a difference that is also observed in vivo. Methods for expanding a small population of endothelial cells with retention of specialized properties into one of sufficient size for morphologic and biochemical studies have been demonstrated for the inner ear. | 10.1007/BF00214566 |
pubmed_43_9969 | China is considered to account for nearly a third of all plastic waste discharging from land to the ocean. To overall assess microplastic pollution status in Chinese coastal and marginal seas, this study summarized the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the seawater, sediments and marine organisms. The results showed that the abundance of microplastics in the seawater of four major seas of China was 0.13-545 items/m³, and microplastic abundance in the sediments from the estuaries was 20-7900 items/kg, which are at middle level or even lower than those detected in other countries. By contrast, severe microplastic pollution was recorded in the estuaries, suggesting that plastic waste and microplastic interception measures should be conducted on the rivers to prevent the input of microplastics. In addition, microplastics were widely detected in marine fishes, mollusks, zooplankton, mammals and birds, which highlights the potential impacts of microplastic pollution on the whole marine ecosystem. Compared to the dry season, higher microplastic abundance was found in the rainy season, revealing that plastic waste recycling should be strengthened before the onset of rainy season. We suggest that all countries respond actively to the ubiquitous microplastic pollution through practical policies and measures to prevent microplastics from further damaging the marine ecosystem. | 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131677 |
pubmed_166_13333 | Zeolitic tuff constitutes a technical and economical feasible alternative to manage acidic waters in initial phases of generation. A study of cation exchange with two zeolitic tuffs from Ecuador and one from Cuba has been conducted using breakthrough curve methodology. Cations Mn2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Zn2+, and Al3+ have been chosen owing to their presence in underground water in exploration activities (decline development) in Fruta del Norte (Ecuador). Zeolites characterized by X-ray diffraction and thermal stability after heating overnight as heulandites show a similar exchange behavior for the five cations studied. The clinoptilolite sample Tasajeras shows a relevant cation exchange performance expressed in the important increment of spatial time to reach the breakthrough point in comparison with heulandite samples. The maximum length of unused beds was found for Cr3+ and Zn2+ cations showing, therefore, a lower adsorption performance in relation with Mn2+ and Cd2+. A final disposal method of metal-loaded zeolites with cement is proposed. | 10.1007/s11356-016-8177-9 |
pubmed_768_24456 | RATIONALE
Carbohydrates are highly variable in structure owing to differences in their anomeric configurations, monomer stereochemistry, inter-residue linkage positions and general branching features. The separation of carbohydrate isomers poses a great challenge for current analytical techniques.
METHODS
The isomeric heterogeneity of disaccharide ions and monosaccharide-glycolaldehyde product ions was evaluated using electrospray traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (Synapt G2 high-definition mass spectrometer) in both positive and negative ion modes.
RESULTS
The separation of isomeric disaccharide ions was observed but not fully achieved based on their mobility profiles. The mobilities of isomeric product ions, the monosaccharide-glycolaldehydes, derived from different disaccharide isomers were measured. Multiple mobility peaks were observed for both monosaccharide-glycolaldehyde cations and anions, indicating that there was more than one structural configuration in the gas phase as verified by NMR in solution. More importantly, the mobility patterns for isomeric monosaccharide-glycolaldehyde product ions were different, which enabled partial characterization of their respective disaccharide ions. Abundant disaccharide cluster ions were also observed. The results showed that a majority of isomeric cluster ions had different drift times and, moreover, more than one mobility peak was detected for a number of specific cluster ions.
CONCLUSIONS
It is demonstrated that ion mobility mass spectrometry is an advantageous method to assess the isomeric heterogeneity of carbohydrate compounds. It is capable of differentiating different types of carbohydrate ions having identical m/z values as well as multiple structural configurations of single compounds. | 10.1002/rcm.6720 |
pubmed_675_8949 | OBJECTIVES
With evidence of benefits of pediatric palliative care (PPC) integration, we sought to characterize subspecialty PPC referral patterns and end of life (EOL) care in pediatric advanced heart disease (AHD).
METHODS
In this retrospective cohort study, we compared inpatient pediatric (<21 years) deaths due to AHD in 2 separate 3-year epochs: 2007-2009 (early) and 2015-2018 (late). Demographics, disease burden, medical interventions, mode of death, and hospital charges were evaluated for temporal changes and PPC influence.
RESULTS
Of 3409 early-epoch admissions, there were 110 deaths; the late epoch had 99 deaths in 4032 admissions. In the early epoch, 45 patients (1.3% admissions, 17% deaths) were referred for PPC, compared with 146 late-epoch patients (3.6% admissions, 58% deaths). Most deaths (186 [89%]) occurred in the cardiac ICU after discontinuation of life-sustaining therapy (138 [66%]). Medical therapies included ventilation (189 [90%]), inotropes (184 [88%]), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (68 [33%]), or mechanical circulatory support (67 [32%]), with no temporal difference observed. PPC involvement was associated with decreased mechanical circulatory support, ventilation, inotropes, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation at EOL, and children were more likely to be awake and be receiving enteral feeds. PPC involvement increased advance care planning, with lower hospital charges on day of death and 7 days before (respective differences $5058 [P = .02] and $25 634 [P = .02]).
CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric AHD deaths are associated with high medical intensity; however, children with PPC consultation experienced substantially less invasive interventions at EOL. Further study is warranted to explore these findings and how palliative care principles can be better integrated into care. | 10.1542/peds.2020-018580 |
pubmed_394_14071 | The introduced brushtail possum is a serious pest in New Zealand and there is much interest in the development of an immunocontraceptive vaccine for population control. Immunisation of female possums against recombinant possum zona pellucida protein-2 (ZP2) is known to reduce embryo production by 72-75% but successful development of fertility control will depend on a delivery system that is effective for field use. Bacterial ghost vaccine technology is a promising system to formulate a non-living vaccine for bait or aerosol delivery. The N-terminal (amino acid residues 41-316, ZP2N) and C-terminal (amino acid residues 308-636, ZP2C) regions of possum ZP2 were fused to maltose-binding protein and expressed in the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli NM522 bacterial ghosts. Female possums (n=20 per treatment group) were immunised with 20mg of either plain ghosts, ZP2N ghosts, or ZP2C ghosts in phosphate-buffered saline applied to the nostrils and eyes (nasal/conjunctival mucosa) at weeks 0, 2 and 4. Effects of immunisation on fertility were assessed following superovulation and artificial insemination. Both constructs evoked humoral (antibody) and cell-mediated immune responses in possums and significantly fewer eggs were fertilised in females immunised against ZP2C ghosts. Results in this study indicate that bacterial ghosts containing possum ZP antigens can reduce possum fertility when delivered by mucosal immunisation and offer a promising delivery system for fertility control of wild possum populations. | 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.09.088 |
pubmed_973_11468 | PURPOSE
To estimate the prevalence of punctal stenosis among patients visiting the general ophthalmology clinic for routine checkup.
DESIGN
Prospective, observational case series.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 682 patients were evaluated for evidence of punctal stenosis from May to November 2008. Any associated findings from clinical examination were recorded.
RESULTS
As many as 54.3% (370/682) of the candidates had punctal stenosis. The prevalence is associated significantly with increasing age (p=.001), and no gender predilection was found. It was due to chronic blepharitis in 97% (359/370), entropion in 1.4% (5/370) and unknown causes in 1.6% (6/370) of the patients. As many as 58.1% (215/370) did not have subjective or objective evidence of epiphora, and all of them had a tear film breakup time of less than 10 seconds and positive corneal fluorescein staining.
CONCLUSION
Punctal stenosis is a common finding among patients presenting for routine eye checkup. It increases with advancing age, and the most common predisposing factor is chronic blepharitis. A significant number of patients can be asymptomatic as they have concurrent dry eye disease. Surgical intervention is not recommended unless the patient is symptomatic after treating any associated blepharitis and dry eye disease. | 10.4103/0974-9233.53867 |
pubmed_18_2244 | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation has emerged as an alternative to conventional aortic valve replacement in high-risk patients with degenerative aortic valve stenosis. The aim of this study was to assess a potential learning curve with the former technique based on the own experience with this novel procedure.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
40 consecutive high-risk patients (82 +/- 5 years, logistic EuroSCORE 42% +/- 16%) with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis underwent transapical aortic valve implantation (balloon expandable Sapien bioprosthesis, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) in the hybrid operating room between October 2007 and May 2009 at the West German Heart Center Essen. To assess a potential learning curve, patients were allocated and compared according to the implantation date (initial n = 20: 10/2007 to 10/2008; second n = 20: 11/2008 to 05/2009).
RESULTS
All but one transapical aortic valve implantations were successful (procedural success rate 97.5%) and no prosthesis migration/embolization or coronary artery obstruction was observed. Comparing the groups, procedural time, fluoroscopy time, and contrast media volume decreased significantly (139 +/- 30 min vs. 112 +/- 41 min; 6.8 +/- 1.9 min vs. 5.5 +/- 1.5 min; 226 +/- 75 ml vs. 169 +/- 23 ml; p <or= 0,05). Predicted 30-day mortality for patients operated upon within the 1st period was 51% +/- 14% (logistic EuroSCORE) and 20% +/- 11% (STS Score [Society of Thoracic Surgeons]) compared to 32% +/- 12% and 13% +/- 7% in the 2nd period, while observed 30-day mortality decreased from 25% to 10%.
CONCLUSION
This study reflects the authors' experience with transapical aortic valve implantation in patients presenting with a high surgical risk for conventional aortic valve replacement. Within this patient cohort improved clinical outcome, and lower morbidity and mortality demonstrate a learning curve. Improved results were achieved by (1) patient selection with regard to specific procedure-related risk factors, (2) careful preoperative patient preparation, (3) an optimum interventional and surgical approach, and (4) continuous application of this new procedure. | 10.1007/s00059-009-3265-y |
pubmed_270_20550 | OBJECTIVES
To use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test the hypothesis that subjects who were born prematurely develop alternative systems for processing language.
STUDY DESIGN
Subjects who were born prematurely (n = 14; 600-1250 g birthweight) without neonatal brain injury and 10 matched term control subjects were examined with a fMRI passive listening task of language, the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF) and portions of the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP). The fMRI task was evaluated for both phonologic and semantic processing.
RESULTS
Although there were differences in CELF scores between the subjects born prematurely and control subjects, there were no significant differences in the CTOPP measures in the 2 groups. fMRI studies demonstrated that the groups differentially engaged neural systems known to process language. Children born at term were significantly more likely to activate systems for the semantic processing of language, whereas subjects born prematurely preferentially engaged regions that subserve phonology.
CONCLUSIONS
At 12 years of age, children born prematurely and children born at term activate neural systems for the auditory processing of language differently. Subjects born prematurely engage different networks for phonologic processing; this strategy is associated with phonologic language scores that are similar to those of control subjects. These biologically based developmental strategies may provide the substrate for the improving language skills noted in children who are born prematurely. | 10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.06.007 |
pubmed_410_3293 | AIM
This study aimed to explore the role of the developed nomogram in the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
METHODS
A total of 181 ESCC patients were randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 141) and a validation cohort (n = 40). Significant factors impacting overall survival (OS) were identified in the training set and integrated into the nomogram based on Cox proportional hazards regression.
RESULTS
In the training cohort, the median OS in the high group (≥222) was 49.9 months and the median OS in the low group (<222) was 14.4 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, Karnofsky performance status score, tumor stage, chemotherapy, BMI, cervical esophageal carcinoma index and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were predictors of OS.
CONCLUSION
The developed nomogram can effectively predict the survival prognosis of ESCC patients. | 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0080 |
pubmed_503_11816 | Bacterial endotoxins as contamination of biopreparations have been estimated by chromogenic LAL test. Study on some compounds (aluminium hydroxide, formaldehyde and merthiolate) being components of vaccines showed no effect on the result of LAL test. The level of endotoxins in virus vaccines with the limits defined in producers certificate was adequate, the level of endotoxin was also low in virus vaccines of undefined requirements. The concentration of endotoxin in bacterial vaccines was differentiated. Considering the results of our experiments, as well as the fact, that the requirements for endotoxin contamination of bacterial vaccines are not available it seems necessary to establish the limits for these group of biopreparations. | pubmed_503_11816 |
pubmed_812_8737 | The performance of five units of the A&D UA-767 NIBP monitor and five units of the Welch Allyn Spot Vital Signs noninvasive blood pressure monitor was evaluated with the Biotek BP Pump blood pressure simulator under a variety of conditions. Using the simulator to provide a normal blood pressure waveform at 80 bpm over a range of pressures, it was found that the mean bias for the combined results from the A&D monitors was 1.9+/-2.8 mmHg and from the Welch Allyn monitors was 0.7+/-2.4 mmHg. No individual measurement showed a bias greater than 10 mmHg. A bias of greater than 5 mmHg was present in 28 out of 150 measurements for the A&D monitor and 10 out of 150 measurements for the Welch Allyn monitor. These results are comparable with ratings achieved by the instruments when tested previously according to the British Hypertension Society protocol, but testing with a simulator allowed assessment of aspects of performance which were not included in the British Hypertension Society protocol. | 10.1038/sj.jhh.1001804 |
pubmed_841_20568 | At present there are three protein families that share a common structural domain, the alphabeta/betaalpha fold of class B beta-lactamases: zinc beta-lactamases, glyoxalases II, and A-type flavoproteins. A detailed inspection of their superimposed structures was undertaken and showed that although these proteins contain binuclear metal sites in spatially equivalent positions, there are some subtle differences within the first ligand sphere that determine a distinct composition of metals. Although zinc beta-lactamases contain either a mono or a di-zinc center, the catalytically active form of glyoxalase II contains a mixed iron-zinc binuclear center, whereas A-type flavoproteins contain a di-iron site. These variations on the type of metal site found within a common fold are correlated with the subtle variations in the nature of the ligating amino acid residues and are discussed in terms of the different reactions catalyzed by each of the protein families. Correlation of these observations with sequence data results in the definition of a sequence motif that comprises the possible binuclear metal site ligands in this broad family. The evolution of the proteins sharing this common fold and factors modulating reactivity are also discussed. | 10.1110/ps.31202 |
pubmed_211_3105 | Much has been learned about the clinical symptomatology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and ontogenic reciprocal relationships in the past few decades. It is now possible to describe and verify inexorable symptomatic sequences and corresponding temporal relationships. It is also possible to identify more variable symptoms in AD. Ontogenic models can be useful in providing a clearer understanding of the nature of AD symptomatology in terms of both consistency and variability. These models can also be informative in explicating the management needs of AD patients and the treatment possibilities of AD symptoms as well as the etiology of variability in AD symptoms. | 10.1007/978-3-7091-7508-8_2 |
pubmed_714_17755 | Environmental estrogens (endocrine disruptive chemicals) have been shown to affect reproduction in wild life and it has been reported that maternal exposure with those chemicals have adverse effects on the male reproductive tract. However, little is known about the potential effects of prepubertal or pubertal exposure with environmental estrogens on the male reproductive tract. Here we examine plasma hormone levels and histology in the testis of mice following either 4- or 8-week oral administration of bisphenol A. Plasma free testosterone levels were dramatically decreased following 8 weeks of bisphenol A treatment compared with control group and morphologically multinucleated giant cells having greater than three nuclei were found in seminiferous tubules in the testis following the 8-week bisphenol A treatment. No differences in plasma corticosterone and luteinizing hormone levels were seen between bisphenol A and control groups. Thus, exposure with bisphenol A around pubertal period may directly disrupt the male reproductive tract. These facts suggest that more detailed studies will warrant the assessment of the risk to the developing human testis from exposure to bisphenol A and other environmental estrogens in prepubertal and pubertal period. | 10.1016/s0024-3205(99)00502-0 |
pubmed_443_23348 | Late syndesmosis reconstruction was performed on a recreational athlete. The functional outcome of the patient after 2 years is reported, and the relevant literature is discussed. | 10.1177/107110079801900712 |
pubmed_944_23925 | OBJECTIVE
To review the literature concerning the risks associated with the main xenobiotics contained in military ammunition and explosive residues and damage to human and environmental health.
METHODOLOGY
Using "ammunition", "military", "environmental", "health", "explosive", "metal", "TNT", "RDX", "pollution", and "contamination" as search terms, a large database, namely ISI Web of Knowledge and PubMed, was searched for studies on military ammunition and explosive residues from 1989 to 2010. Other sources used to conduct the search included the library of the Toxicology Laboratory of the Center for Workers' Health and Human Ecology (CESTEH) at the National School of Public Health.
RESULTS
In total, 15 different combinations were used with the search words above and 708 papers were found. Among them, 76 papers concerned this review. More than 12 references of interest were discovered in the library of the CESTEH. The results were organized into metals, dinitrotoluene, trinitrotoluene (TNT), and royal demolition explosive (RDX), showing their main uses, occurrence in the environment, the current toxic effects to human and environmental health, and remediation possibilities.
CONCLUSION
Because military activities can cause the acute and chronic exposure of human beings, the public administration must aim politics towards suitable environmental management. | 10.1515/reveh.2011.014 |
pubmed_448_1917 | BACKGROUND
The pathophysiology of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) remains unclear, investigations of amide proton transfer (APT) signals in WMH disease may provide relevant pathophysiological information.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the APT signals differences and heterogeneity of WMH and adjacent normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) at different Fazekas grades and different locations.
STUDY TYPE
Prospective.
POPULATION
In all, 180 WMH patients (age, 40-76; male/female, 77/103) and 59 healthy controls (age, 42-70; male/female, 23/36).
FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE
A 3 T; 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), 3D APT-weighted (APTw).
ASSESSMENT
The mean APTw values (APTwmean ) and the APTw signals heterogeneity (APTwmax-min ) among different grades WMH and NAWM and the APTwmean of the same grade deep WMH (DWMH) and paraventricular WMH (PWMH) were calculated and compared. Regions of interests were delineated on WMH lesions, NAWM and healthy white matter.
STATISTICAL TESTS
One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); independent sample t test; Chi-square test. Significance level: P < 0.05.
RESULTS
APTwmean among different grade WMH (from grade 0 to 3, 0.58 ± 0.14% vs. 0.29 ± 0.23% vs. 0.37 ± 0.24% vs. 0.61 ± 0.22%, respectively) were significantly different except between grade 1 and 2 (P = 0.27) and between grade 0 and 3 (P = 0.97). The differences in APTwmean between WMH and NAWM were significant (WMH vs. NAWM from grade 1 to 3, 0.29% ± 0.23% vs. 0.55% ± 0.27%; 0.37% ± 0.24% vs. 0.59% ± 0.22%; 0.61% ± 0.22% vs. 0.42% ± 0.24%, respectively). Lower APTwmean values were found only in grade 3 NAWM than other grades NAWM and controls. The APTwmax-min values of grade 1-3 WMH (0.38% ± 0.27% vs. 0.51% ± 0.31% vs. 0.67% ± 0.34%, respectively) were significantly different. Higher APTmean values were found only in grade 2 PWMH (0.47% ± 0.22% vs. 0.32% ± 0.24%).
DATA CONCLUSION
Significant differences of APT signals were found in WMH of different Fazekas grades and different locations.
EVIDENCE LEVEL
2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3. | 10.1002/jmri.28013 |
pubmed_357_21916 | In Japan, mobility restrictions were enforced by the government to abate the spread of COVID-19. The current study examined whether experiences of such mobility restrictions affected motivation for future going-out activities. To this end, we conducted a one-time online survey of 1,000 adults in Tokyo to measure going-out activities in four different time periods at once: before the spread of infection, during and after the emergency declaration, and after the end of the pandemic (future desire). In addition, to examine the impact of preferences for online services that make it easier to stay home, we measured the usage history of online services to obtain food during the mobility restriction period. Results indicated that desire for going-out activities after the end of the pandemic increased compared with those before the pandemic, particularly for leisure-related purposes. In addition, the use of online services to obtain food tended to suppress the increased desire for future going-out activities, although this effect was not significant. In conclusion, mobility restrictions resulted in motivational arousal for going-out activities after the end of the pandemic. Our findings indicate that psychological reactance plays a role in determining going-out activities in the future. | 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.655022 |
pubmed_304_6517 | An international panel reviewed the methodology for clinical trials of spinal cord injury (SCI), and provided recommendations for the valid conduct of future trials. This is the second of four papers. It examines clinical trial end points that have been used previously, reviews alternative outcome tools and identifies unmet needs for demonstrating the efficacy of an experimental intervention after SCI. The panel focused on outcome measures that are relevant to clinical trials of experimental cell-based and pharmaceutical drug treatments. Outcome measures are of three main classes: (1) those that provide an anatomical or neurological assessment for the connectivity of the spinal cord, (2) those that categorize a subject's functional ability to engage in activities of daily living, and (3) those that measure an individual's quality of life (QoL). The American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale forms the standard basis for measuring neurologic outcomes. Various electrophysiological measures and imaging tools are in development, which may provide more precise information on functional changes following treatment and/or the therapeutic action of experimental agents. When compared to appropriate controls, an improved functional outcome, in response to an experimental treatment, is the necessary goal of a clinical trial program. Several new functional outcome tools are being developed for measuring an individual's ability to engage in activities of daily living. Such clinical end points will need to be incorporated into Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials. QoL measures often do not correlate tightly with the above outcome tools, but may need to form part of Phase 3 trial measures. | 10.1038/sj.sc.3102008 |
pubmed_917_5157 | The angiotensin II competitive antagonist [125I]-Sar1, Ile8-angiotensin II was not transported from the vascular space to the cerebroventricular space in either intact or nephrectomized rats. In addition [125I]Sar1, Ile8-angiotensin II lacked the capacity to move in the opposite direction over a 20-min collection period following cerebroventricular infusion. These data suggest that angiotensins lack the capacity to move freely between the blood and cerebrospinal fluid compartments and are consistent with the notion that blood-borne and cerebroventricular angiotensins access different receptor populations. | 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1988.tb02946.x |
pubmed_1041_23326 | In this study, we aimed to determine whether morphine alone or in combination with HIV-1 Tat or gp120 affects the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by astrocytes and to assess whether TLRs expressed by astrocytes function in the release of inflammatory mediators in vitro. TLR profiling by immunofluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, in-cell westerns, and RT-PCR showed that subpopulations of astrocytes possessed TLR 2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9 antigenicity. Exposure to HIV-1 Tat, gp120, and/or morphine significantly altered the proportion of TLR-immunopositive and/or TLR expression by astroglia in a TLR-specific manner. Subsets of astroglia displayed significant increases in TLR2 with reciprocal decreases in TLR9 expression in response to Tat or gp120 ± morphine treatment. TLR9 expression was also significantly decreased by morphine alone. Exposing astrocytes to the TLR agonists LTA (TLR2), poly I:C (TLR3), LPS (TLR4) and unmethylated CpG ODN (TLR9) resulted in increased secretion of MCP-1/CCL2 and elevations in reactive oxygen species. TLR3 and TLR4 stimulation increased the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, and RANTES/CCL5, while activation of TLR2 caused a significant increase in nitric oxide levels. The results suggest that HIV-1 proteins and/or opioid abuse disrupt the innate immune response of the central nervous system (CNS) which may lead to increased pathogenicity. | 10.3109/08820139.2011.561904 |
pubmed_430_9684 | The levels of neutral protease activity associated with allantoic and amniotic fluids of embryonated eggs during the replication of influenza strains A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) and A/turkey/Ontario/7732/66 (H5N9) were investigated. A sensitive fluorometric technique proved useful for characterization and monitoring changes of protease activities in egg fluids. The predominant type of protease in allantoic and amniotic fluids had trypsin-like specificities. Variation in protease levels of both fluids occurred throughout the course of virus replication irrespective of the virus strain or the route of inoculation used. Concomitant with the production of high levels of infectious virus there was a marked decrease in neutral protease activity in the fluid from the cavity initially infected. Translocation of virus also occurred especially with amniotically infected eggs, as evidenced by high infectious virus titers and decreased protease activities in allantoic fluids. | pubmed_430_9684 |
pubmed_954_7092 | PURPOSE
Our purpose was to investigate the effect of posterior scleral reinforcement (PSR) combined with patching therapy for pre-school children with unilateral high myopia.
METHODS
A total of 32 pre-school children with unilateral high myopia were recruited. They were randomly divided into the PSR and control group, each of which had 16 patients. The patients in the PSR group underwent the simplified PSR surgery followed by rigid gas permeable contact lens wear and traditional patching therapy, while the patients in the control group were only prescribed contact lens wear and patching. Patients were reviewed and the axial length, refraction, best-corrected visual acuity, and stereoscopic vision were respectively examined postoperatively at yearly intervals for three years.
RESULTS
The best-corrected visual acuity was significantly higher in the PSR group than that in the control group at any study visit. A statistically significant difference in axial length was found between the PSR group (27.38 ± 1.30 mm) and the control group (28.29 ± 0.74 mm) at the postoperative three-year (p = 0.03) time point. There was a statistical difference in refractive error between the PSR group (-13.13 ± 2.55 D) and the control group (-15.42 ± 1.83 D) at 3-year follow-up. No significant difference was found between the two groups with respect to the stereoscopic vision by the end of follow-up at 3 years (p =0.103).
CONCLUSIONS
PSR combined with the patching therapy has the potential to arrest the progression of high myopia and to help the treatment for amblyopia. | 10.1007/s00417-015-2963-9 |
pubmed_669_11280 | BACKGROUND
Burns are one of the most important childhood injuries that can be controlled and prevented. Mothers play an important role in preventing child burns. Health education and promotional theories facilitate a precise recognition of the behavioral factors in mothers that help preventing burn injury in their children. Burns in children under five years old and the factors in prevention of burn by their mothers were examined using PRECEDE Model. The study environment was rural and urban areas of Kermanshah, Iran.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 mothers in urban and rural areas of Kermanshah County in the west of Iran. The participants were randomly selected among mothers who had at least one child younger than five years old. Data was collected through interviewing the mothers using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on demographic characteristics, PRECEDE Model, and history of burn. The data were analyzed using SPSS-16.
RESULTS
The mean age of the mothers in urban areas (29.33 ± 5.987) was higher than that of those in rural areas (28.77 ± 6.236). More than 90% of the mothers were housewives, both in urban and rural areas. The rate of a history of burn in rural children under the age of five (8.3%) was greater than that in urban children (5.2%). Most of the burn cases in urban areas were mild whereas those in rural areas were moderate. The majority of burn cases had happened at home in children 1-3 years' age range; this rate was higher in boys. The majority of burns cases had happened when the child was playing (urban: 64.3%, rural: 100%). In addition, liquids and hot objects were the main causes of the burns (urban: 78.5%, rural: 100%). Among the constructs of PRECEDE models in the urban areas, knowledge (P < 0.001), attitudes (P = 0.027), and environmental factors (P = 0.03) had a significant relationship with burn-preventive behaviors in mothers. In addition, in the rural areas, attitudes (P = 0.038) had a significant relationship with burn-preventive behaviors in mothers.
CONCLUSION
Burn was an important injury in the study population, especially in the rural areas. The PRECEDE model can help us to identify the factors in burn injuries in children and the preventive behaviors in mothers. The findings can be used to develop preventive interventional programs to better protect this vulnerable group in society. | 10.1016/j.burns.2021.01.013 |
pubmed_183_1531 | Epidermal keratins, a diverse group of structural proteins, form intermediate filament networks responsible for the structural integrity of keratinocytes. The networks extend from the nucleus of the epidermal cells to the plasma membrane where the keratins attach to linker proteins which are part of desmosomal and hemidesmosomal attachment complexes. The expression of specific keratin genes is regulated by differentiation of the epidermal cells within the stratifying squamous epithelium. Progress in molecular characterization of the epidermal keratins and their linker proteins has formed the basis to identify mutations which are associated with distinct cutaneous manifestations in patients with genodermatoses. The precise phenotype of each disease apparently reflects the spatial level of expression of the mutated genes, as well as the types and positions of the mutations and their consequences at mRNA and protein levels. Identification of specific mutations in keratinization disorders has provided the basis for improved diagnosis and subclassification with prognostic implications and has formed the platform for prenatal testing and preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Finally, precise knowledge of the mutations is a prerequisite for development of gene therapy approaches to counteract, and potentially cure, these often devastating and currently intractable diseases. | 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.03.029 |
pubmed_609_20761 | Papilloma virus infections are common in patients with immune defect/suppression. We describe a case of regional localised epidermodysplasia verruciformis in combination with genital intraepithelial neoplasia, refractory anaemia, and impaired immunity as demonstrated by lymphopenia with reduced B-cell/T-cell ratio, but normal T-helper/T-suppressor (CD4/CD8) ratio, and neutrophils with reduced spontaneous migration and chemotaxis. The regional localisation of the lesion and the changes in the cell mediated immunity are not classical for epidermodysplasia verruciformis. It is concluded that an increased tendency to papilloma virus infections and/or intraepithelial neoplasia should alert the clinician to the possibility of an immune defect. | pubmed_609_20761 |
pubmed_135_8857 | Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are of significant public health importance because of their ability to transmit major diseases to humans and animals, and are considered as the world's most deadly arthropods. In recent decades, climate change and globalization have promoted mosquito-borne diseases' (MBDs) geographic expansion to new areas, such as North African countries, where some of these MBDs were unusual or even unknown. In this review, we summarize the latest data on mosquito vector species distribution and MBDs affecting both human and animals in North Africa, in order to better understand the risks associated with the introduction of new invasive mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus. Currently, 26 mosquito species confirmed as pathogen vectors occur in North Africa, including Aedes (five species), Culex (eight species), Culiseta (one species) and Anopheles (12 species). These 26 species are involved in the circulation of seven MBDs in North Africa, including two parasitic infections (malaria and filariasis) and five viral infections (WNV, RVF, DENV, SINV and USUV). No bacterial diseases have been reported so far in this area. This review may guide research studies to fill the data gaps, as well as helping with developing effective vector surveillance and controlling strategies by concerned institutions in different involved countries, leading to cooperative and coordinate vector control measures. | 10.3390/insects13100962 |
pubmed_360_7327 | The histochemical localization of cholesterol using oxidized diaminobenzidine as the final reaction product was studied at the electron microscopical level and compared with the digitonin method of cholesterol localization based on cholesterol digitonide as the final reaction product. Tissue chopper sections of fixed rat adrenal glands were incubated at 37 degrees C in a medium consisting of 0.8 units/ml cholesterol oxidase, 1.4 units/ml cholesterol ester hydrolase, 50 units/ml horseradish peroxidase, 0.5 mg/ml diaminobenzidine, 0.1% v/v Triton X-100 (or Surfal) and an endogenous peroxidase inhibitor in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. An electron-dense osmiophilic reaction product was observed in many lipid droplets, intracellular vesicles and focally around mitochondria. Appropriate control experiments indicated that deposition of reaction product depended on the presence of cholesterol and the necessary enzymes. Comparison studies using digitonin confirmed the presence of cholesterol in the lipid droplets, but ultrastructural distortion limited the resolution of the more discrete deposits of cholesterol than the digitonin method because it does not cause distortion of cellular ultrastructure attributed to the formation of cholesterol digitonide. The enzyme method or a combination of enzyme and digitonin enable localization of free, esterified or total cholesterol. | 10.1007/BF01002641 |
pubmed_739_2340 | This paper reports the occurrence of renal disease in six young Japanese Black cattle. Their kidneys were atrophic and of granular appearance. Histologically, they exhibited interstitial fibrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration, clusters of atrophic and cystic tubules, and thickening of tubular and Bowman's basement membranes. Glomeruli were markedly reduced in numbers and were hypercellular due to mesangial proliferation. The affected cattle had a common male ancestor, suggesting a familial basis for this disease. | 10.1016/s0021-9975(97)80048-5 |
pubmed_120_12428 | Homomeric complexes of 5-HT(3A) receptor subunits form a ligand-gated ion channel. This assembly does not fully reproduce the biophysical and pharmacological properties of native 5-HT(3) receptors which might contain the recently cloned 5-HT(3B) receptor subunit. In the present study, heteromeric assemblies containing human 5-HT(3A) and 5-HT(3B) subunits were expressed in HEK 293 cells to detail the functional diversity of 5-HT(3) receptors. We designed patch-clamp experiments with homomeric (5-HT(3A)) and heteromeric (5-HT(3AB)) receptors to emphasize the kinetics of channel activation and desensitization. Co-expression of the 5-HT(3B) receptor subunit reduced the sensitivity for 5-HT (5-HT(3A) receptor: EC(50) 3 micro M, Hill coefficient 1.8; 5-HT(3AB) receptor: EC(50) 25 micro M, Hill coefficient 0.9) and markedly altered receptor desensitization. Kinetic modeling suggested that homomeric receptors, but not heteromeric receptors, desensitize via an agonist-induced open-channel block. Furthermore, heteromeric 5-HT(3AB) receptor assemblies recovered much faster from desensitization than homomeric 5-HT(3A) receptor assemblies. Unexpectedly, the specific 5-HT(3) receptor agonist mCPBG induced an open-channel block at both homomeric and heteromeric receptors. Because receptor desensitization and resensitization massively affect amplitude, duration, and frequency of synaptic signaling, these findings are evidence in favor of a pivotal role of subunit composition of 5-HT(3) receptors in serotonergic transmission. | 10.1016/S0006-3495(03)74980-7 |
pubmed_49_10385 | Plastic embedding of bone core biopsy specimens has been promoted as providing superior morphology, primarily because semi-thin sections can thereby be cut at 1-2 mu. The major disadvantages of plastic embedding are that it increases the technical load, is more expensive, and potentially has its own intrinsic problems, including difficulties in performing special stains and immunoperoxidase studies. In order to investigate the possibility that semi-thin paraffin sections may provide similar morphological results without the intrinsic disadvantages of plastic sections, we examined 45 bone core biopsy specimens that were sufficiently large to process one half in plastic and the other half in paraffin following decalcification. Both were cut at 1-2 mu. Although many plastic sections appear esthetically more pleasing, semi-thin paraffin sections of very high quality can also be obtained routinely. Additional advantages of paraffin sections were the ability to perform peroxidase studies, lower cost, less technologist time, and avoidance of problems occasionally arising with plastic, such as difficulties with impregnation or problems with polymerization. Peroxidase studies were particularly useful in patients with possible myeloma that was not overt on hematoxylin-and-eosin section and in confirming the presence or source of metastatic carcinoma. We therefore recommend the use of semi-thin (1-2 mu) paraffin sections for routine examination of bone core biopsy specimens. | 10.1097/00000478-198904000-00009 |
pubmed_122_4448 | Objectives: Based on a gero-salutogenic approach, we investigated the stability of the sense of coherence over a time span of four years in active older individuals and long-term effects of this life orientation on three different indicators of positive aging-subjective well-being, psychological health and physical health. This is the first study to explore associations between gain in sense of coherence and future positive aging. Methods: Our longitudinal sample consisted of 125 physically active individuals (73.5% women) at the mean age of 71 years at follow-up (range: 64 to 87 years; response rate: 73.5%), who completed our questionnaire twice. There were no systematic differences between the follow-up responders and non-responders. Results: The sense of coherence increased over four years, disclosing a small effect size. The baseline sense of coherence had a substantial predictive value for future subjective well-being and psychological health, but not for physical health. Stepwise hierarchical regression analyses showed that both the baseline sense of coherence and gain in sense of coherence predicted future subjective well-being and psychological health. With respect to future physical health, only gain in sense of coherence was significant. Conclusion: Consistent with gero-salutogenic theory, the baseline sense of coherence is an effective predictor of future positive aging, and growth in sense of coherence within a time span of four years is reflected in improved positive aging. It is important to encourage experiences in older age that cultivate the three components of the sense of coherence-feelings of comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness. | 10.1080/13607863.2018.1501667 |
pubmed_591_11132 | PURPOSE
To advance translational research of potential therapeutic small molecules against infectious microbes, the compounds must display a relative lack of mammalian cell cytotoxicity. Vero cell cytotoxicity (CC50) is a common initial assay for this metric. We explored the development of naïve Bayesian models that can enhance the probability of identifying non-cytotoxic compounds.
METHODS
Vero cell cytotoxicity assays were identified in PubChem, reformatted, and curated to create a training set with 8741 unique small molecules. These data were used to develop Bayesian classifiers, which were assessed with internal cross-validation, external tests with a set of 193 compounds from our laboratory, and independent validation with an additional diverse set of 1609 unique compounds from PubChem.
RESULTS
Evaluation with independent, external test and validation sets indicated that cytotoxicity Bayesian models constructed with the ECFP_6 descriptor were more accurate than those that used FCFP_6 fingerprints. The best cytotoxicity Bayesian model displayed predictive power in external evaluations, according to conventional and chance-corrected statistics, as well as enrichment factors.
CONCLUSIONS
The results from external tests demonstrate that our novel cytotoxicity Bayesian model displays sufficient predictive power to help guide translational research. To assist the chemical tool and drug discovery communities, our curated training set is being distributed as part of the Supplementary Material. Graphical Abstract Naive Bayesian models have been trained with publically available data and offer a useful tool for chemical biology and drug discovery to select for small molecules with a high probability of exhibiting acceptably low Vero cell cytotoxicity. | 10.1007/s11095-018-2439-9 |
pubmed_323_20926 | Liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue malignant tumor. It mostly arises in the subcutaneous tissue of shoulders, limbs and neck, and retroperitoneal space, but head occurrence is very rare. Atypical lipomatous tumor (ALT) is a well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS) and constitutes 40-45% of all liposarcoma cases. A case of 57-year-old woman with a tumor of the left cheek, causing a discreet face asymmetry is presented. The tumor was soft and caused no tenderness. The patient reported no previous injury of the region. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) revealed atypical cells suspected of liposarcoma. MR examination showed fascicles of adipose tissue, which made the left cheek prominent. The patient was operated under general anaesthesia. Adipose tissue of the left cheek was removed. Postoperative course was uneventful. The final histopathological diagnosis - was atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDLPS). The patient remains under laryngological care. No recurrence of the disease has been observed during the 5 years follow-up. | pubmed_323_20926 |
pubmed_1090_20115 | Two cases of pancerebellar syndrome following hyperpyrexia are described and the relevant literature reviewed. Cranial computed tomography demonstrated morphologic evidence of cerebellar degeneration while the patients were showing satisfactory clinical progress. | 10.1111/j.1440-1673.1990.tb02664.x |
pubmed_859_10350 | Herein, via crystallographic overlay-based molecular hybridization strategy, a series of disubstituted pyrimidine-5-carboxamide derivatives were designed by introducing an amide moiety to the central core of the lead etravirine. All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-HIV-1 potencies in MT-4 cells using the MTT method. Most of the synthesized compounds displayed promising antiviral activities against the wild-type (IIIB) and a panel of HIV-1 NNRTIs-resistant strains. Especially, 21c exhibited the most potent activity (EC50 = 0.009-0.065 μM) against HIV-1 IIIB, L100I, K103N, Y181C, Y188L, and RES056, being comparable to those of etravirine. The inhibitory activity to reverse transcriptase (RT) was evaluated by ELISA method, and the target of the compounds was proved to be RT. Moreover, the molecular docking was investigated to clarify the binding mode of 21c with RT. Overall, the results demonstrated that 21c could serve as a lead for further modification to develop novel HIV-1 NNRTIs. | 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114957 |
pubmed_764_11472 | Methylglucose can be used to assay brain glucose levels because the equilibrium brain-to-plasma distribution ratio for methylglucose (Ce*/Cp*) is quantitatively related to brain (Ce) and plasma (Cp) glucose contents. The relationship between Ce and Ce*/Cp* predicted by Michaelis-Menten kinetics has been experimentally confirmed when glucose utilization rate (CMRGlc) is maintained at normal, resting levels and Cp is varied in conscious rats. Theoretically, however, Ce and Ce*/Cp* should change when CMRGlc is altered and Cp is held constant; their relationship in such conditions was, therefore, examined experimentally. Drugs were applied topically to brains of conscious rats with fixed levels of Cp to produce focal alterations in CMRGlc, and Ce and Ce*/Cp* were measured. Plots of Ce as a function of Ce*/Cp* for each Cp produced straight lines; their slopes decreased as Cp increased. The results confirm that a single theoretical framework describes the relationship between Ce and Ce*/Cp* as either glucose supply or demand is altered over a wide range; they also validate the use of methylglucose to estimate local Ce under abnormal conditions. | 10.1152/ajpendo.1997.273.5.E839 |
pubmed_829_6908 | BACKGROUND
The Brückner test is usually performed at a distance of 1 m. Due to optical reasons, the test should detect ametropia more sensitively at an extended distance. We compared the sensitivity of the test to detect unilateral ametropia at a distance of 4 m versus the traditional distance of 1 m.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
In this study, five blinded experienced observers (experts) performed the Brückner transillumination test on five emmetropic subjects (age 22.3 +/- 2.3 years) at a distance of 1 m which was then extended up to 4 m. Unilateral ametropia was simulated by both spherical and cylindrical lenses of -1, -2, -3, -4, and +1, +2, +3, +4 diopters in front of one eye and a plano lens in front of the other eye in a randomised order. Controls with plano lenses in front of both eyes were interspersed. The test was considered positive in case of any difference between the red reflexes of both eyes. For spherical ametropia, the procedure was repeated with 25 medical students who examined one subject each.
RESULTS
At a distance of 1 m, unilateral myopia/hypermetropia of more than 1 diopter was detected in 78.7%/71.3% by experts and in 34.7%/53.3% by students. At 4 m, detection rates increased to 99.3%/96.0% and 98.7%/100% respectively. Rates of false positive findings for experts vs students were 3.1% vs 1.5% at 1 m and 4.0% vs 3.0% at 4 m. For unilateral astigmatism, experts' detection rates were similar at 1 m (64.7%/70.0%) and lower at 4 m (91.7%/90.3%), depending on the astigmatism axis.
CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity of the Brückner reflex for anisometropia improves by extension of the examination distance, especially in the hands of less experienced observers. To detect ametropia more sensitively, a test distance of 4 m is recommended. | 10.1007/s00417-007-0608-3 |
pubmed_300_23030 | BACKGROUND
The one-leg standing (OLS) test is one of the balance tests used to diagnose musculoskeletal ambulation disability symptom complex (MARS), a condition newly defined by three professional Japanese medical societies in 2006 to help identify the symptoms of motor organ deterioration and establish preventive strategies. Although many studies have used the OLS test, none has shown conclusively that the test can be used as a practical marker of frailty among elderly people, especially in community settings. Based on the type of epidemiological study -- i.e., descriptive epidemiology and analytical epidemiology (observational and intervention studies) -- we reviewed evidence on three fundamental issues related to the OLS test: (1) testing procedures and reference values; (2) the associations between the OLS time and negative events; (3) improvement of the OLS time by intervention. These issues are key to any discussion of whether the OLS test can be used as a practical marker for predicting frailty in community-dwelling elderly populations.
METHODS
Articles were collected from MEDLINE databases using the search terms "one- leg standing" and the other names included in the same category.
RESULTS
Because various procedures are used to carry out the OLS test, the measured values for the OLS time varied widely from study to study. Some observational studies showed that the OLS time is related to negative events such as falls, declines in activity of daily living, and other morbidity. OLS times could be improved by several interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
This review suggests that the OLS test can be a tool for predicting frailty in community-dwelling elderly populations. However, our review should be interpreted with caution because we did not confirm the evidence level of each of the studies we selected. Further research on this topic is needed. | 10.1007/s00776-009-1371-6 |
pubmed_597_2886 | Recent work has shown that observers are remarkably effective in searching displays of randomly moving items. In two experiments, we combined working memory tasks with visual search, to test whether search through such complex motion displays, as compared with search through static items, places an extra burden on spatial working memory. In our first experiment, we show that the dual-task interference observed for motion search is specific to spatial working memory, in line with earlier work for static search. In our second experiment, we found dual-task interference for both static and motion search, but no difference between them. The results support the suggestion that the same search process is active during search among static and search among moving items. | 10.3758/s13423-013-0537-6 |
pubmed_347_1788 | Orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts (OOCs) are relatively uncommon developmental cysts lined with orthokeratinized epithelium consisting of a prominent granular layer and a basal layer of low cuboidal flattened cells that show no tendency for nuclear palisading. These cysts have been considered a distinct entity from odontogenic keratocysts since they exhibit a less aggressive behavior and a very low rate of recurrence. Developmental odontogenic cysts can become infected but serious complications, such as potentially life-threatening cellulitis, are rare. This report describes a rare case of facial cellulitis secondary to an infected OOC located in the mandible of a 27-year-old man. The relevant literature about the clinical-pathological features of OOC is reviewed. | pubmed_347_1788 |
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