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pubmed_661_15421 | Isolated perfused rat kidneys were passively sensitized by addition of either mouse ascitic fluid containing monoclonal IgE against dinitrophenol (DNP) or DNP-specific purified IgE. After washing the organ, defined doses of DNP-bovine serum albumin were given as bolus injection via the kidney artery. Antigen challenge of IgE-sensitized kidneys resulted in a dose-dependent increase of perfusion pressure starting with 5 micrograms antigen (2.46 +/- 0.2 mm Hg) and reaching a maximum at dose higher than 100 micrograms (10.3 +/- 1.6 mm Hg) (N = 4, means +/- 1 SD). A decrease of glomerular filtration rate was also observed which reached a plateau at 100 micrograms antigen (-68.5 +/- 2.9%) (N = 4). Regardless of the dose of antigen used, the urinary protein excretion markedly increased for the first five minutes following antigen injection and returned to basal values after 10 minutes. The total amounts of histamine, PGE2 and paf-acether (platelet-activating factor) released upon antigen challenge (1 mg) for 15 minutes reached maximal values of 405 +/- 21.1 ng, 286 +/- 19.4 pg and 12.3 +/- 3.2 ng (N = 5), respectively. None of these hemodynamic and biochemical effects were observed using IgG1 monoclonal antibodies or when the ascitic fluid containing monoclonal IgE used to sensitize the organ was heated at 56 degrees C for two hours. Thus, we have described a pure IgE-dependent rat kidney anaphylaxis. Antigen challenge markedly altered renal parameters and triggered the release of various mediators from the organ, suggesting that type I-hypersensitivity reactions may play a role in renal pathophysiology. | 10.1038/ki.1987.197 |
pubmed_24_16153 | All animals require iron for survival. This requirement reflects the role of this mineral as a cofactor of numerous proteins. However, under physiological conditions, Fe(2+) oxidizes to Fe(3+) encouraging the formation of toxic free radicals. In mammals, the potential for oxidative damage from iron is minimized by binding iron to proteins. Mammalian iron metabolism is complex and numerous proteins are involved in iron absorption, transport, uptake and utilization. We have analyzed the Anopheles gambiae translated protein database for candidates that show identity to proteins involved in mammalian iron metabolism (Holt et al., 2002. The genome sequence of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Science 298, 129-149). Our results indicate that proteins involved in iron absorption and intracellular iron utilization are, for the most part, conserved in A. gambiae. In contrast, proteins involved in the pathways of iron export from the gut, transport in hemolymph and uptake at peripheral tissues in mosquitos differ from those for mammals. | 10.1016/j.ibmb.2006.01.006 |
pubmed_647_20862 | The photocatalytic peroxidation of E. coli cell, lipo-polysaccharide (LPS), phosphatidyl-ethanolcholine (PE), and peptidoglycan (PGN) of the E. coli membrane wall has been investigated on TiO2 porous films by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The fast reactions of the photogenerated charge carriers in TiO2 with E. coli, LPS, and PE were monitored by laser kinetic spectroscopy. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy allowed the identification of E. coli, LPS, PE, and PGN as photocatalytic peroxidation products. The PGN was observed to be the most resistant membrane wall component. Shorter peroxidation times were observed for LPS and PE. Laser photolysis shows that E. coli, LPS, and PE compete in the scavenging of a surface trapped holes (h+) with the recombination reaction of h+ with the generated electrons (e-) within times > 50 ns. This scavenging leads to the formation of organic radicals initiating the radical chain peroxidation of E. coli, LPS, PE, and PE. | 10.1021/la046983l |
pubmed_958_7101 | The purpose of this study was to improve the solubility of flurbiprofen, a poorly water-soluble drug, in an oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsion that is suitable for parenteral administration. Microemulsions with varying ratios of oil to surfactant were prepared with ethyl oleate, Tween 20 and isotonic solution. The effect of formulation variables on the particle size of microemulsion and solubility of flurbiprofen in microemulsion system was investigated. The pharmacokinetic parameters of flurbiprofen after intravenous administration of flurbiprofen-loaded microemulsion were compared with those of a solution of the drug. The mean droplet diameter of microemulsion containing less than 1% (w/w) of flurbiprofen was below 100 nm. The maximum solubility of flurbiprofen in the microemulsion system was found to be 10 mg/ml. However, the mean droplet diameters of flurbiprofen-loaded o/w microemulsions tend to be increased at room temperature. The pharmacokinetic parameters of flurbiprofen after intravenous administration of flurbiprofen-loaded microemulsion to rats were not significantly different from those of flurbiprofen in phosphate-buffered saline solution. It can be concluded that microemulsions of flurbiprofen prepared with ethyl oleate and Tween 20 can be used as a parenteral drug carrier for this and other poorly water-soluble drugs, provided that physical stability can be properly addressed. | 10.1016/s0378-5173(99)00029-0 |
pubmed_842_4961 | BACKGROUND/AIMS
Because of high vaccination rates, population immunity against measles increased in the western world. Nevertheless, outbreaks are still observed. The aim of this article is to document and describe the natural course of dermatological manifestations and compare it with the literature.
METHODS
After detecting a measles index case, the dermatological onset of the disease in the non-vaccinated siblings was prospectively monitored and documented with a digital camera.
RESULTS
Our findings show that dermatological symptoms are only limited consistently from one case to another and described heterogeneously in the literature as well.
CONCLUSION
Dermatological manifestations do not seem conclusive in our clinical data set as well as in the literature. Especially the exact onset of the Koplik spots should be further explored in detail. In future, a larger population should be observed and clinical diagnostics for measles defined. | 10.1159/000335091 |
pubmed_732_9021 | Studies have shown that early life trauma may influence neural development and increase the risk of developing psychological disorders in adulthood. We used magnetic resonance imaging to examine the impact of early life trauma on the relationship between current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and cortical thickness/subcortical volumes in a sample of deployed personnel from Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom. A group of 108 service members enrolled in the Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) were divided into those with interpersonal early life trauma (EL-Trauma+) and Control (without interpersonal early life trauma) groups based on the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. Cortical thickness and subcortical volumes were analyzed using the FreeSurfer image analysis package. Thickness of the paracentral and posterior cingulate regions was positively associated with PTSD severity in the EL-Trauma+ group and negatively in the Control group. In the EL-Trauma+ group, both the right amygdala and the left hippocampus were positively associated with PTSD severity. This study illustrates a possible influence of early life trauma on the vulnerability of specific brain regions to stress. Changes in neural morphometry may provide information about the emergence and maintenance of symptoms in individuals with PTSD. | pubmed_732_9021 |
pubmed_426_12502 | The nonoperative management of unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy by either chemotherapy or expectant observation may be appropriate in a select group of patients, as outlined above. The routine use of these management modalities as a replacement for conservative surgery is not yet justified. | 10.1097/00003081-198703000-00031 |
pubmed_923_6625 | Oxidant injury contributes to myocardial stunning, and cardiac ischemic and reperfusion injury. Vitamin E is the major--and perhaps the only--lipid soluble, chain-breaking antioxidant in the heart. Vitamin E and its analogues potentially offer significant advantages for the prevention of ischemic and reperfusion injury. Recent investigations have suggested that modified vitamin E analogues may be more efficacious than vitamin E and may permit myocardial salvage from acute myocardial ischemic injury. | pubmed_923_6625 |
pubmed_898_14078 | INTRODUCTION
The United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for extended-release and long-acting (ER/LA) opioid analgesics on 09 July 2012.
METHODS
This study compared the incidence of opioid overdose before (July 2010-June 2012) and after (July 2013-September 2016) the initiation of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for extended-release and long-acting (ER/LA) opioid analgesics. We identified patients with ≥1 ER/LA opioid dispensing in either time period in national data from the HealthCore Integrated Research DatabaseSM (HIRD) and in United States (US) Medicaid claims data from four states. We described each population, calculated the incidence rate (IR) of opioid overdose, and assessed crude and propensity score adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) comparing the overdose rate after vs before implementation of the REMS.
RESULTS
A total of 121,229 commercially insured and 11,488 Medicaid patients were included in the analysis. Rates of overdose were substantially higher in Medicaid patients than in the commercially insured patients (IR 192.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 162.60-225.18 versus 102.60, 95% CI 93.0-112.93 in the active period). The IRRs for opioid overdose were 1.01 (95% CI 0.87-1.17) in the commercially insured population and 0.70 (95% CI 0.52-0.93) in Medicaid.
CONCLUSION
This leveling off of overdose rates among commercially insured patients and decline among Medicaid patients is encouraging, but it is difficult to disentangle the specific impact of the REMS from many other ongoing initiatives with similar goals. | 10.2147/JPR.S219324 |
pubmed_150_10650 | BACKGROUND
Survival studies on head and neck cancers are frequently reported with inadequate account for competing causes of death. Realistic descriptions and predictions of postdiagnosis mortality should be based on proper competing risks methodology.
METHODS
Prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in terms of mortality from OSCC and from other causes, respectively, was analyzed according to recent methodological recommendations using cumulative incidence functions and models for cause-specific hazards and subdistribution hazards in 306 patients treated in a tertiary care center in Northern Finland.
RESULTS
More coherent and informative descriptions and predictions of mortality by cause were obtained with state-of-the-art statistical methods for competing risks than using the prevalent but questionable practice to graph "disease-specific survival."
CONCLUSION
From the patients' perspective, proper competing risks analysis offers more relevant prognostic scenarios than naïve analyses of "disease-specific survival"; therefore, it should be used in prognostic studies of head and neck cancers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Head Neck 39: 56-62, 2017. | 10.1002/hed.24536 |
pubmed_524_3561 | OBJECTIVES
This systematic review aims to investigate the efficacy of denture adhesives (DAs) for complete dentures (CDs), and to provide clinical recommendations for prosthodontists and general practitioners.
DATA/SOURCES
Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CENTRAL) and gray literatures were searched (up to March 2020) for relevant randomized and non-randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs and CCTs) evaluating the efficacy of DAs when applied to CDs. Primary outcomes were objectively assessed variables directly related to mastication (denture retention, maximum bite force and masticatory efficiency). Secondary outcomes included other objectively assessed variables and patient-reported outcomes.
STUDY SELECTION
Of the 1729 records identified, 39 studies (43 articles) were included in the analysis. Among them, 23 were RCTs and 16 were CCTs, with two multicenter clinical trials (1 RCT and 1 CCT). Meta-analysis results indicated that DAs provided significantly higher retention (SMD 1.34, 95 % CI: 0.89-1.79, P < 0.001) for CDs. Bite force (SMD 0.98, 95 % CI: 0.50-1.47, P < 0.001) and masticatory performance (SMD 0.72, 95 % CI: 0.23-1.22, P = 0.004) of the CD wearers were also improved after using DAs, but the effect size was relatively smaller.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of this systematic review, it is concluded that DAs can improve denture retention, bite force and masticatory performance of CD wearers.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This study investigated the effects of all types of DAs for CDs in terms of their effects on denture retention, masticatory performance, oral health-related quality of life and oral microorganisms for CD wearers. | 10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103638 |
pubmed_403_15673 | Angular leaf spot (ALS), caused by Pseudocercospora griseola, is one of the most devastating diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in tropical and subtropical production areas. Breeding for ALS resistance is difficult due to the extensive virulence diversity of P. griseola and the recurrent appearance of new virulent races. Five major loci, Phg-1 to Phg-5, conferring ALS resistance have been named, and markers tightly linked to these loci have been reported. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have also been described, but the validation of some QTLs is still pending. The Phg-1, Phg-4, and Phg-5 loci are from common bean cultivars of the Andean gene pool, whereas Phg-2 and Phg-3 are from beans of the Mesoamerican gene pool. The reference genome of common bean and high-throughput sequencing technologies are enabling the development of molecular markers closely linked to the Phg loci, more accurate mapping of the resistance loci, and the comparison of their genomic positions. The objective of this report is to provide a comprehensive review of ALS resistance in common bean. Furthermore, we are reporting three case studies of ALS resistance breeding in Latin America and Africa. This review will serve as a reference for future resistance mapping studies and as a guide for the selection of resistance loci in breeding programs aiming to develop common bean cultivars with durable ALS resistance. | 10.2135/cropsci2018.09.0596 |
pubmed_932_1521 | OBJECTIVE
To discuss the effect of repairing of palatum durum defects following maxillectomy using nasal septum tissue flap.
METHODS
Twenty-six patients underwent maxillectomy and the defects were repaired by using full (16 cases) and partial (10 cases) nasal septum tissue flaps.
RESULTS
Twenty-one patients were healed by first intention, recovering swallowing and pronunciation function. Five patients suffered from fistula holes, and 2 healed after dressing while 2 of the other 3 patients healed after second suturing with 1 still got a small fistula hole. Facial deformity include 4 exterior cheek mild concave and 6 complained about unsuited false teeth and no dorsal subsidence was found. The 3, 5, 10 year survival rate was 46.2%, 30.8% and 11.5% respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Repairing defects with nasal septum tissue flap has advantages. Nasal septum can not be invaded easily, and the material can be got with ease, with rich blood supply, being resistant to infection, easy to heal and less chance of leading to fistula holes. With the cartilage of nasal septum as support, facial deformity can be reduced. And the method is worth spreading and exploiting. | pubmed_932_1521 |
pubmed_605_23707 | OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effectiveness of video resources in increasing patient knowledge during preoperative orientation for cardiac surgery compared to standard orientation.
METHOD:
Randomized clinical trial. Patients in the intervention group (IG) received bedside orientation with the aid of a short video and a slide presentation on the day prior to surgery. Patients in the control group (CG) received standard orientation. Allocation and analysis of knowledge were blinded. Analysis was performed according to the intention to treat principle.
RESULTS:
We included 90 patients, 45 in each group; 27.8% had incomplete primary education. There were no differences between groups in the baseline. After orientation, IG scored 7.20 (±1.56) and scored CG 2.71 (±1.96, p<0,001). The topic "surgical room" had the lowest proportion of correct answers in CG (6.7%), compared to IG (68.9%). The question about "postoperative unit" was the one with the highest proportion of correct answers in IG (93.3%), while in CG the proportion was 22.2%. "Ventilatory support" had a low proportion of correct answers in IG (60%), but still much higher than the correct answers in CG (17.8%).
CONCLUSION:
Orientation performed with the aid of video resources is more effective for knowledge retention in preoperative patients, compared to verbal orientation alone. | 10.1590/1806-9282.62.08.762 |
pubmed_723_21322 | Arrest defective 1 is an acetyltransferase that acetylates N-terminal amino acid or internal lysine residues of its target proteins. By acetylating its target proteins, ARD1 plays roles in many cellular activities, including proliferation, differentiation, autophagy, and apoptosis. In recent years, a number of investigations have emerged reporting the dysregulated expression of ARD1 in different types of cancer, including lung, liver, pancreas, breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Furthermore, the expression level of ARD1 in cancer tissues has been correlated with the progression and metastasis of the cancer and the survival of cancer patients. Consequently, mechanistic studies have revealed that ARD1-mediated protein acetylation plays an important role in modulating several cellular events that are important for cancer development, such as cell cycle progression, cell death, and migration. On the basis of this evidence, targeting of ARD1 has been proposed as a promising avenue for the development of novel cancer therapeutics. This review summarizes the biological functions of ARD1 in different types of cancer and provides a deep insight into the biochemical activities of ARD1 during tumor progression. | 10.1007/s12272-019-01195-0 |
pubmed_788_21515 | Diabetes mellitus (DM) derives from either insulin deficiency (type 1) or resistance (type 2). Insulin regulates glucose metabolism and homeostasis by binding to a specific membrane receptor (IR) with tyrosine kinase activity, expressed by its canonical target tissues. General or tissue-specific IR ablation in mice results in complex metabolic abnormalities, which give partial insights into the role of IR signaling in glucose homeostasis and diabetes development. We generated a chimeric IR (LFv2IRE) inducible on administration of the small molecule drug AP20187. This represents a powerful tool to induce insulin receptor signaling in the hormone target tissues in DM animal models. Here we use adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors to transduce muscle and liver of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice with LFv2IRE. Systemic AP20187 administration results in time-dependent LFv2IRE tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the insulin signaling pathway in both liver and muscle of AAV-treated NOD mice. AP20187 stimulation significantly increases hepatic glycogen content and muscular glucose uptake similarly to insulin. The LFv2IRE-AP20187 system represents a useful tool for regulated and rapid tissue-specific restoration of IR signaling and for dissection of insulin signaling and function in the hormone canonical and noncanonical target tissues. | 10.1089/hum.2006.116 |
pubmed_285_2153 | Chironomid midges (Diptera; Chironomidae) are found in various environments from the high Arctic to the Antarctic, including temperate and tropical regions. In many freshwater habitats, members of this family are among the most abundant invertebrates. In the present study, the genome sizes of 25 chironomid species were determined by flow cytometry and the resulting C-values ranged from 0.07 to 0.20 pg DNA (i.e. from about 68 to 195 Mbp). These genome sizes were uniformly very small and included, to our knowledge, the smallest genome sizes recorded to date among insects. Small proportion of transposable elements and short intron sizes were suggested to contribute to the reduction of genome sizes in chironomids. We discuss about the possible developmental and physiological advantages of having a small genome size and about putative implications for the ecological success of the family Chironomidae. | 10.2108/zs140166 |
pubmed_847_11743 | A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can cause reversible and delayed impairment of cognition, but the specific mechanisms are still unclear. Annexin a1 (ANXA1) is a phospholipid-binding protein. Here, we confirmed that cognition and hippocampal synapses were impaired in TIA-treated mice, and this could be rescued by multiple mild stimulations (MMS). TIA promoted the interaction of ANXA1 and CX3CR1, increased the membrane distribution of CX3CR1 in microglia, and thus enhanced the CX3CR1 and CX3CL1 interaction. These phenomena induced by TIA could be reversed by MMS. Meanwhile, the CX3CR1 membrane distribution and CX3CR1-CX3CL1 interaction were upregulated in primary cultured microglia overexpressing ANXA1, and the spine density was significantly reduced in co-cultured microglia overexpressing ANXA1 and neurons. Moreover, ANXA1 overexpression in microglia abolished the protection of MMS after TIA. Collectively, our study provides a potential strategy for treating the delayed synaptic injury caused by TIA. | 10.1007/s12264-022-00847-4 |
pubmed_954_6501 | Autophagy is a fundamental adaptive response to amino acid starvation orchestrated by conserved gene products, the autophagy (ATG) proteins. However, the cellular cues that activate the function of ATG proteins during amino acid starvation are incompletely understood. Here we show that two related stress-responsive kinases, members of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway MAPKAPK2 (MK2) and MAPKAPK3 (MK3), positively regulate starvation-induced autophagy by phosphorylating an essential ATG protein, Beclin 1, at serine 90, and that this phosphorylation site is essential for the tumor suppressor function of Beclin 1. Moreover, MK2/MK3-dependent Beclin 1 phosphorylation (and starvation-induced autophagy) is blocked in vitro and in vivo by BCL2, a negative regulator of Beclin 1. Together, these findings reveal MK2/MK3 as crucial stress-responsive kinases that promote autophagy through Beclin 1 S90 phosphorylation, and identify the blockade of MK2/3-dependent Beclin 1 S90 phosphorylation as a mechanism by which BCL2 inhibits the autophagy function of Beclin 1. | 10.7554/eLife.05289 |
pubmed_988_16680 | A study of the epidemiology of escherichiosis in two agricultural regions of the Ukraine revealed differences in the etiological structure in the limits of regions, points within a twelve-year period. It is concluded that continuous monitoring of serological pictures of pathogenic Escherichia is necessary. | pubmed_988_16680 |
pubmed_988_9279 | Twenty-four women with large, myomatous uteri, measuring between 218.7 and 2,920 cm3 were treated with gestrinone, a tri-enic steroid with antiestrogen and antiprogesterone properties. In order to saturate the receptors of the large myomata, the doses used to treat these women were twice the recommended dosage of 2.5 mg, 3 times weekly, used to treat smaller tumors. The treatment lasted 6 months to 1 year. In all cases there was a reduction in uterine volume. In the 24 patients, the mean uterine volume of 724.9 cm3 on admission decreased to 450.73 cm3 at 6 months. For 14 patients treated for a full year, the mean uterine volume of 689.73 cm3 decreased to 329.22 cm3. Menstruation was suppressed in all patients by the end of the 2nd month of treatment. Episodic bleeding occurred in 6 patients but in only 1 did this last longer than 1 week. Other symptoms such as pelvic discomfort and dysuria disappeared or were significantly alleviated by the 2nd month of treatment. Side effects included seborrhea, acne, nervousness, myalgia and arthraglia, hoarseness and mild hirsutism but all these symptoms were promptly reversed following discontinuation. The mean increase in weight was 3.4 kg in 6 months. No menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and depression developed during this trial. Six patients complained of excessive sweating. Blood glucose creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, pyruvic and glutamic transaminases remained within the normal range. | 10.1159/000293212 |
pubmed_703_2638 | Virus-host interactions play key roles in promoting efficient egress of many RNA viruses, including Ebola virus (EBOV or "e") and Marburg virus (MARV or "m"). Late- (L-) domains conserved in viral matrix proteins recruit specific host proteins, such as Tsg101 and Nedd4, to facilitate the budding process. These interactions serve as attractive targets for the development of broad-spectrum budding inhibitors. A major gap still exists in our understanding of the mechanism of filovirus budding due to the difficulty in detecting virus-host complexes and mapping their trafficking patterns in the natural environment of the cell. To address this gap, we used a bimolecular complementation (BiMC) approach to detect, localize, and follow the trafficking patterns of eVP40-Tsg101 complexes in live mammalian cells. In addition, we used the BiMC approach along with a VLP budding assay to test small molecule inhibitors identified by in silico screening for their ability to block eVP40 PTAP-mediated interactions with Tsg101 and subsequent budding of eVP40 VLPs. We demonstrated the potential broad spectrum activity of a lead candidate inhibitor by demonstrating its ability to block PTAP-dependent binding of HIV-1 Gag to Tsg101 and subsequent egress of HIV-1 Gag VLPs. | pubmed_703_2638 |
pubmed_229_23385 | PURPOSE
Proctocolectomy with ileoanal anastomosis has gained acceptance for the treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis. However, there are some patients with Crohn's disease who received ileoanal anastomosis, because some Crohn's colitis is difficult to differentiate from ulcerative colitis. The risk of cancer development at the site of ileoanal anastomosis has not been emphasized in Crohn's disease.
METHODS
A 12-year-old patient with Crohn's disease was treated by proctocolectomy with straight ileoanal anastomosis. Twenty-five years after the operation, the patient noticed the tumor that developed at the site of ileoanal anastomosis.
RESULTS
This article presents a patient with Crohn's disease who developed invasive adenocarcinoma at the site of ileoanal anastomosis 25 years after proctocolectomy with ileoanal anastomosis.
CONCLUSIONS
An ileoanal anastomosis does not eliminate the risk of cancer development, and surveillance after this operation seems advisable. | 10.1007/BF02234646 |
pubmed_794_21822 | The alfalfa leafcutting bee Megachile rotundata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is the primary pollinator for the alfalfa seed industry. It is a solitary cavity nesting bee that utilizes leaf lined brood cells provisioned with pollen for larval development and pupation into the adult stage. During development, multiple pathogens, parasitoids, and predators can prey upon or use the larvae as a host, resulting in the loss of the future adult bee. As such, the presence of invertebrate pests and fungal pathogens presents a major concern for commercial alfalfa seed growers. In the present study, we used historic data from the Parma Cocoon Diagnostic Laboratory to determine baseline rates of pathogens, parasitoids, and predators of Megachile rotundata brood cells and used this analysis to determine cutoffs for management practices to inform growers when the purchase of new bee stocks should be considered. Additionally, we compared the presence of chalkbrood, predators, and parasitoids in samples collected from both grower-produced stocks and newly purchased Canadian bees. The results of the investigation provide historic averages of the presence of chalkbrood, predators, and parasitoids, show a significant increase in chalkbrood and predators in 2007-2011, and find a significant difference in rates of chalkbrood and predators between samples from Canadian suppliers and grower stocks. We speculate that these differences may have resulted from economic conditions that increased the cost of Canadian Megachile rotundata cells and likely resulted in increased reliance on 2nd-year U.S. grower stocks and subsequently increased infection rates during this time period. | 10.1093/jee/toac082 |
pubmed_727_135 | A method of measuring thermoregulatory behavior in the rat has been developed, which allows analysis of the mechanism of action of drugs which modify body temperature. The test measures the amount of time a rat will remain exposed to an infrared heat source before making an escape and this evidence has been used to divide drugs into those which act on the central thermostats and those which act on effector systems. A peripherally acting hypothermic drug (N-methyldiphenhydramine) increased the time of exposure to the heat lamp. Tri-iodothyronine increased body temperature and decreased exposure to the heat lamp. Intraventricular oxotremorine caused hypothermia but a decreased exposure to heat suggesting it acts to lower the set-point of the central thermostats. Both effects were blocked by atropine. The possibility that central cholinergic mechanisms in the hypothalamus have a function in determining the setting of the central thermostats is discussed. | 10.1016/0091-3057(75)90015-5 |
pubmed_326_17167 | The immune systems of transplant recipients are progressively challenged with exposure to the multiple lineages of donor cells that comprise the vascularized organ allograft. Each lineage of such donor tissue constitutively expresses or can be induced to express varying densities of MHC antigens ranging from no expression of MHC to MHC class I only to both MHC class I and class II. In addition, the cell surface expression of a diverse assortment of costimulatory and cell adhesion molecules also varies in density in a tissue specific fashion within the allograft. The MHC class I/II molecules displayed on the donor cells contain within their clefts a constellation of processed protein antigens in the form of peptides derived from intracellular and to some extent extracellular sources. Therefore, the potential for each cell lineage to induce alloactivation and serve as a target for allospecific immune responses is dependent on the diversity and density of peptide-bearing MHC molecules, costimulatory molecules, and cell adhesion molecules. In addition, the T cell receptor repertoire of the recipient also contributes to the magnitude of the allogeneic response. Consequently, the variety of clinical outcomes following organ transplantation even with the institution of potent immunosuppressive (drug) therapies is not surprising, as it appears reasonable for such therapies to influence the allogeneic response against distinct lineages differentially. Our failure to prevent chronic human allograft rejection may therefore be due to our limited appreciation of the full spectrum of alloactivating experiences encountered by host T cells as they interact with donor cells of diverse tissue lineages. Investigations by our laboratory of the immunopathogenesis of chronic cardiac allograft rejection have revealed an intrinsic inability of human cardiac myocytes to process and present antigens, not only for primary but also for secondary alloimmune responses. One obvious explanation for this phenomenon is the fact that cardiac myocytes do not constitutively express MHC class II molecules and express only low levels of class I molecules. However, this immunological unresponsiveness is maintained even after the induction of MHC class II and upregulation of MHC class I on these cells by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Similar results have also been reported for cells of different tissue lineages (e.g. chondrocytes, keratinocytes, neural cells). Until now, cells have been defined as professional or nonprofessional for the purposes of defining their potential for antigen presentation to T cells. Professional antigen presenting cells have been identified as cells that are of haematopoietic origin, that constitutively express MHC class I and class II molecules as well as potent costimulatory molecules, and that are able to induce both primary and secondary immune responses, whereas nonprofessional antigen presenting cells are not bone marrow derived, do not constitutively express MHC class II, but may in some cases initiate primary and secondary immune responses after induction of MHC class II antigen by proinflammatory cytokines (e.g. IFN-gamma). The findings of our laboratory and others suggest that cells of certain lineages be considered in the separate class of 'nonantigen presenting cells'. Indeed, nonprofessional antigen presenting cells can be reclassified into three categories: semiprofessional-, nonprofessional-, or nonantigen presenting cells that are able to present antigen to and activate naive T cells, activated T cells, or no T Cells, respectively. The aim of this review is to identify and (re)examine the antigen presentation characteristics of cells of different tissue lineages in terms of their ability to activate different subsets of T cells. This approach is taken in an attempt to synthesize these concepts into a unified picture of T cell activation in the context of antigen processing and presentation by different cell types. | 10.1016/0966-3274(95)80013-1 |
pubmed_923_20338 | Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC), which accounts for 5% of all renal cell carcinomas (RCC), has a worse prognosis than conventional nonsarcomatoid RCC, making accurate diagnosis important. This study reports on the morphologic and immunocytochemical features of 15 cases of SRCC (9 primary tumors and 6 metastases) diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. All but three cases showed a dimorphic cell population consisting of varying proportions of a high-grade epithelial component, either clear or granular-cell type and a spindle cell (sarcomatoid) component, of either fibrosarcomatous, malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), or unclassified types. The sarcomatoid component in the biphasic and monophasic tumors stained positively for cytokeratin in 12 of 14 (85%) cases, for vimentin in 10 of 11 (91%) cases, and for muscle-specific action in 4 of 11 (36%) cases. Of note, the three cases that demonstrated a purely sarcomatoid morphology stained positively for cytokeratin. Unlike in studies performed on surgically resected specimens, neither the proportion of the sarcomatoid component nor the presence of necrosis had prognostic significance, the discrepancy most likely being related to the sampling. We conclude that SRCC, both primary and metastatic, can be accurately diagnosed by FNA when cytologic features are evaluated in conjunction with immunocytochemical findings. | 10.1002/dc.2840090110 |
pubmed_688_7507 | Inter-Purkinje cell distances were determined in random routine cerebellums obtained at autopsies of adults over the age of 50. There was a significant increase in the inter-Purkinje cell distances proportionate to the increase in adjacent corpora amylacea. The possibility of replacement of Purkinje cells by corpora amylacea is discussed. | 10.1093/geronj/40.6.700 |
pubmed_225_18282 | UNLABELLED
Seventeen consecutive patients undergoing 20 planned aortic valve replacements with allograft valves at Stanford University Medical Center were studied with intraoperative epicardial echocardiography and Doppler color flow mapping before and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Native aortic valves were replaced in 12 of the 20 patients, and eight patients underwent second aortic valve procedures. In 17 of 20 patients allograft selection was guided by prebypass echocardiographic estimates of annular diameter and/or length of allograft aortic root required. Other prebypass findings included unanticipated severe mitral regurgitation in one patient (which precluded allograft aortic valve replacement), left-to-right shunts in five patients, ascending aortic dissection in one, and aortic root disease necessitating coronary reimplantation or bypass in two. Postbypass echocardiography demonstrated acceptable competency of 18 of 19 allograft valves (mild or no aortic insufficiency). Postbypass echocardiography also documented successful repair of four of five shunts and mild mitral regurgitation in 15 of 19 patients (versus 11 of 19 before bypass).
CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative echocardiography-Doppler mapping is a useful adjunct for allograft aortic valve or aortic root replacement; it allows confident selection of appropriate tissue size before aortic cross clamping, which minimizes delay from allograft thawing procedures. It also provides helpful information about the extent of aortic root disease and coronary ostial anatomy before bypass, confirms allograft competency after bypass, and detects accompanying valvular and other hemodynamic lesions before and after allograft valve replacement. | pubmed_225_18282 |
pubmed_1037_25920 | INTRODUCTION
Complete removable dental prostheses' (CRDPs) appearance may vary between conventional and contemporary CAD-CAM manufacturing techniques.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this randomized survey was to analyze appreciation of CRDPs, manufactured with different techniques, by dental professionals and elder CRDP wearers.
METHODS
Four participant groups, comprised of undergraduate students (n=10), postgraduate residents (n=10), dental technicians (n=10) and elder CRDP wearers (n=10), evaluated the appearance of maxillary CRDPs manufactured by six different techniques: three conventional methods 1. flask-pack-press (FP), 2. Injection-molded (IM), 3. intrinsically colored natural gingiva finish before injection-molded (NG) and three CAD-CAM methods 4. milled base with bonded prefabricated teeth (M), 5. fully milled including milled teeth (FM) and 6. rapid-prototyped including printed teeth (P). A randomized, blinded survey included 18 pairwise comparative assessments and 12 individual judgements of the CRDPs on general appearance as well as pink and white aspects. Statistical analyses included parametric- and nonparametric tests as well as linear regression models; the level of statistical significance was set at p<.05.
RESULTS
NG was preferred by the professional groups but not by the elder CRDP wearers (p<.05). P was scored lowest by all four participant groups (p<.05). CRDP wearers' ratings were less severe and within a narrower range. The ratings of the two CAD-CAM milled CRDPs (M and FM) were ranked closer to FP and IM); the order of preference was different depending on the participant groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study revealed marked differences in the assessment of CRDP appearances between dental professionals and older CRDP wearers.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
A shared and informed approach to decision making concerning the CRDP appearance might foster denture acceptance and treatment success. | 10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103843 |
pubmed_777_8930 | We describe a case of a 51-year-old female who was incidentally noted to have a renal artery aneurysm on computed tomography (CT). The aneurysm was not seen on an abdominal CT performed 4 years prior, so the patient underwent successful percutaneous coil embolization. The indications for repair of such aneurysms are unknown, and there are a myriad of surgical and percutaneous management options. Because of the increase in abdominal imaging, the incidence of renal artery aneurysms is likely to rise. We describe the case and review the literature surrounding the epidemiology, outcome and management of renal artery aneurysms. | pubmed_777_8930 |
pubmed_680_22101 | An estimated 90% of reported sexual abuse cases result in a plea agreement. The present study investigated the perception of plea agreements involving a teacher-adolescent student child sexual assault case. A 2 (teacher gender: male or female) x 2 (student gender: male or female) x 2 (punishment type: probation or jail) within-participant design was used with participant gender included as a between-participant factor. Perceptions of the plea agreement served as the dependent variables. Participants (N = 52; 48.1% male, 51.9% female) each read the eight vignettes in a random order and then rated their perceptions (e.g., support for the judicial process, degree of justice served, how upset they were by the plea) of a plea agreement on a 7-point scale. It was found that participants showed less support for plea agreements (1) offered to male teacher offenders compared to female teacher offenders and (2) when the punishment was probation compared to jail time. Additionally, participants' emotional reactions (e.g., how upset) mediated the relationship between the independent variables (defendant gender and punishment type) and participants' perception of the plea agreements. Results and implications are discussed in terms of procedural justice and the importance of public perceptions of pleas. | 10.1080/10538712.2022.2119911 |
pubmed_201_20757 | It is of essential importance to visualize latent fingerprint (LFP) and analyze the compounds therein. For this purpose, various approaches have been developed but suffer from low imaging and/or detection efficiency. Most importantly, most of them require a necessary in-solution process and thus are not applicable to LFPs on bulky or water-sensitive substrates. In this work, we report an all-dry method to achieve simultaneous visualization and transfer of LFP and enhanced Raman analysis of multiple species therein. In this innovative approach, polydopamine (PDA) film-coated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) flake with dense plasmonic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@PDA@PDMS) was applied to cover the substrate carrying LFP. After gentle separation, the AgNPs@PDA film was transferred from PDMS to the LFP ridges to visualize a positive LFP pattern on the substrate, leaving behind a complementary (negative) LFP pattern on the PDMS flake. The compounds in the LFP were further analyzed via the AgNP-enhanced Raman technique. This approach enables high-contrast and full-feature visualization and transfer of LFP on arbitrary nonporous substrates and facilitates sensitive Raman analysis of multiple species in the sweat and thus promises great potential for practical applications. | 10.1021/acsami.7b13662 |
pubmed_710_8044 | OBJECTIVE
Sepsis represents an acute life-threatening disorder resulting from a dysregulated host response. For patients who survive sepsis, there remains long-term consequences, including impaired inflammation, as a result of profound immunosuppression. The mechanisms involved in this long-lasting deficient immune response are poorly defined. Approach and Results: Sepsis was induced using the murine model of cecal ligation and puncture. Following a full recovery period from sepsis physiology, mice were subjected to our wound healing model and wound macrophages (CD11b+, CD3-, CD19-, Ly6G-) were sorted. Post-sepsis mice demonstrated impaired wound healing and decreased reepithelization in comparison to controls. Further, post-sepsis bone marrow-derived macrophages and wound macrophages exhibited decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines vital for wound repair (IL [interleukin]-1β, IL-12, and IL-23). To evaluate if decreased inflammatory gene expression was secondary to epigenetic modification, we conducted chromatin immunoprecipitation on post-sepsis bone marrow-derived macrophages and wound macrophages. This demonstrated decreased expression of Mll1, an epigenetic enzyme, and impaired histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (activation mark) at NFκB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells)-binding sites on inflammatory gene promoters in bone marrow-derived macrophages and wound macrophages from postcecal ligation and puncture mice. Bone marrow transplantation studies demonstrated epigenetic modifications initiate in bone marrow progenitor/stem cells following sepsis resulting in lasting impairment in peripheral macrophage function. Importantly, human peripheral blood leukocytes from post-septic patients demonstrate a significant reduction in MLL1 compared with nonseptic controls.
CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that severe sepsis induces stable mixed-lineage leukemia 1-mediated epigenetic modifications in the bone marrow, which are passed to peripheral macrophages resulting in impaired macrophage function and deficient wound healing persisting long after sepsis recovery. | 10.1161/ATVBAHA.119.312754 |
pubmed_360_3393 | Sulfamethazine, a widely used antibacterial drug additive in feeds for swine, chickens, and cattle, was scheduled for toxicological evaluation because of potential human health hazards associated with its residues in edible animal tissues. Analytical chemical procedures that would ensure proper concentration, homogeneity, and stability of the drug in dosed feed and its safe usage during the animal studies were prerequisites for such toxicological tests. Electron capture gas chromatographic (EC/GC) methods were therefore devised for the analysis of sulfamethazine residues in animal feed, human urine, and wastewater at levels as low as 100, 10, and 10 ppb, respectively. Sample extracts were cleaned up by using liquid/liquid partitioning, and the extracts were subjected to two derivatizations followed by cleanup on a silica gel column. The derivatizations of sulfamethazine consisted of methylation followed by trifluoroacetylation of the primary amine function. Ancillary data concerning stability of the compound in animal feed, water, and as a dry residue on glass, extraction efficiencies, partition values with various solvents, and the analysis of residues in feed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) at levels as low as 1.0 ppm are presented. | 10.1093/chromsci/19.12.625 |
pubmed_776_20028 | OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of 12 weeks' treatment with a 24 hour transdermal nicotine patch in helping heavy smokers to stop smoking; also to assess the value of a specially written support booklet about smoking cessation and patch use compared with a simple advice pamphlet.
DESIGN
Double blind placebo controlled randomised trial with a 2 x 2 factorial design.
SETTING
19 general practices in Oxfordshire.
SUBJECTS
1686 heavy smokers aged 25-64 (mean cigarette consumption 24/day; mean duration of smoking 25 years).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Sustained cessation for the last four weeks of the 12 week treatment period, confirmed by saliva cotinine estimation (226/262 cases; 86.3%) or expired carbon monoxide concentration (36/262; 13.7%). Patients lost to follow up (155/1686; 9%) were assumed to have continued to smoke.
RESULTS
Cessation was confirmed in 163 patients (19.4%) using the nicotine patch and 99 patients (11.7%) using the placebo patch (difference 7.6% (95% confidence interval 4.2% to 11.1%); p < 0.0001). There was no significant advantage in using the more detailed written support material. The most important adverse effect of the patch was local skin irritation, which occurred in 15.8% (133/842) and 5.1% (43/844) of patients using the nicotine and placebo patches respectively, was graded as severe in 4.8% (40) and 1.1% (nine), and was stated as a reason for withdrawal from the trial in 9.5% (80) and 2.8% (24).
CONCLUSION
Nicotine patches are effective in a general practice setting with nursing support, but the extent to which this effect is sustained cannot be assessed until the results of longer term follow up are known. | 10.1136/bmj.306.6888.1304 |
pubmed_902_10478 | BACKGROUND
The increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus will result in a new epidemic of heart failure unless novel treatments able to halt diabetic cardiomyopathy early in its course are introduced. This study aimed to determine whether the activity of the Akt/Pim-1 signaling pathway is altered at critical stages of diabetic cardiomyopathy and whether supplementation with vitamin B1 analog benfotiamine (BFT) helps to sustain the above prosurvival mechanism, thereby preserving cardiomyocyte viability and function.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Untreated streptozotocin-induced type 1 or leptin-receptor mutant type 2 diabetic mice showed diastolic dysfunction evolving to contractile impairment and cardiac dilatation and failure. BFT (70 mg/kg(-1)/d(-1)) improved diastolic and systolic function and prevented left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increase and chamber dilatation in both diabetic models. Moreover, BFT improved cardiac perfusion and reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis. In hearts of untreated diabetic mice, the expression and activity of Akt/Pim-1 signaling declined along with O-N-acetylglucosamine modification of Akt, inhibition of pentose phosphate pathway, activation of oxidative stress, and accumulation of glycation end products. Furthermore, diabetes reduced pSTAT3 independently of Akt. BFT inhibited these effects of diabetes mellitus, thereby conferring cardiomyocytes with improved resistance to high glucose-induced damage. The phosphoinositide-3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 and dominant-negative Akt inhibited antiapoptotic action of BFT-induced and Pim-1 upregulation in high glucose-challenged cardiomyocytes.
CONCLUSIONS
These results show that BFT protects from diabetes mellitus-induced cardiac dysfunction through pleiotropic mechanisms, culminating in the activation of prosurvival signaling pathway. Thus, BFT merits attention for application in clinical practice. | 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.109.903450 |
pubmed_73_5511 | OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of passive smoking with respiratory symptoms and clinical correlates in married women in a rural area of Pakistan.
METHOD
A Cross-sectional study was carried out on married women of Nurpur Shahan (rural Islamabad) by means of an Interviewer administered questionnaire. Systematic sampling of households was done. A total of 296 women were surveyed. The study period extended from January to July 2009. All data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v 10.0.
RESULTS
The two major respiratory symptoms that were found to be associated with passive smoking were sinusitis [adjusted O.R(95% CI) 2.2 (1.3 - 3.5), p = 0.001] and cough [adjusted O.R (95% CI) 2.4 (1.2 - 4.8), p = 0.017]. Wood used as fuel for cooking purposes also contributed to one of the symptoms such as headache (p = 0.007). The pulse rate (79 +/- 11 beats/min) of the passive smoking women was statistically significantly higher than the pulse rate (76 +/- 9 beats/min) of the non-passive smoking women (p = 0.012).
CONCLUSION
Passive smoking was found to be associated with respiratory symptoms among married women in this study. Higher pulse rate was associated with passive smoking. | pubmed_73_5511 |
pubmed_4_18304 | l-Serine biosynthesis, a crucial metabolic process in most domains of life, is initiated by d-3-phosphoglycerate (d-3-PG) dehydrogenation, a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction catalyzed by d-3-PG dehydrogenase (SerA). d-2-Hydroxyglutarate (d-2-HG) is traditionally viewed as an abnormal metabolite associated with cancer and neurometabolic disorders. Here, we reveal that bacterial anabolism and catabolism of d-2-HG are involved in l-serine biosynthesis in Pseudomonas stutzeri A1501 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. SerA catalyzes the stereospecific reduction of 2-ketoglutarate (2-KG) to d-2-HG, responsible for the major production of d-2-HG in vivo. SerA combines the energetically favorable reaction of d-2-HG production to overcome the thermodynamic barrier of d-3-PG dehydrogenation. We identified a bacterial d-2-HG dehydrogenase (D2HGDH), a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent enzyme, that converts d-2-HG back to 2-KG. Electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and ETF-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETFQO) are also essential in d-2-HG metabolism through their capacity to transfer electrons from D2HGDH. Furthermore, while the mutant with D2HGDH deletion displayed decreased growth, the defect was rescued by adding l-serine, suggesting that the D2HGDH is functionally tied to l-serine synthesis. Substantial flux flows through d-2-HG, being produced by SerA and removed by D2HGDH, ETF, and ETFQO, maintaining d-2-HG homeostasis. Overall, our results uncover that d-2-HG-mediated coupling between SerA and D2HGDH drives bacterial l-serine synthesis. | 10.1073/pnas.1619034114 |
pubmed_508_14929 | A chromosomal survey using the G-banding technique was performed on 87 subfertile male whose semen analysis demonstrated severe oligospermia and azoospermia at Yokohama City University Hospital between January 1990 and October 2002. Fourteen of these subjects demonstrated major chromosomal anomalies (16.1%). Semen analysis in these cases demonstrated azoospermia, except in one case of autosomal abnormality. Twelve patients showed sex chromosomal abnormalities including 8 Klinefelter syndrome (47XXY) and 2 XX males (46XX) and two patients had autosomal abnormalities. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) value in these patients, except for the two cases of autosomal abnormality and one case of 46XYq-, was much higher than normal. Histological examination was performed in 7 cases. In these cases, intratesticular spermatozoa were seen in only two cases (Klinefelter syndrome case and ring chromosome 21 case). Chromosome studies are important in the evaluation of subfertile patients with azoospermia and severe oligospermia. Because the abnormal genotype could be transferred to the next generation, the importance of chromosome studies before ICSI should be emphasized. | pubmed_508_14929 |
pubmed_98_18374 | Developing sensitive diagnostic methods for a longitudinal evaluation of the status of liver fibrosis is a priority. This study is aimed at assessing the significance of longitudinal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 18F-labeling tracers for assessing liver fibrosis in a rat model with bile duct ligation (BDL). Twenty-one 6-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were used in this study. Longitudinal PET images using [18F]N-2-(2-fluoroethoxy)benzyl)-N-(4-phenoxypyridin-3-yl)acetamide ([18F]FEPPA) (n = 3), [18F]fluoroacetate ([18F]FAc) (n = 3), and 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) (n = 3) were obtained at 0, 1, and 2 weeks after BDL. Biochemical assays, histological assays, immunohistochemical staining assays, and next generation sequencing analyses were also performed at 0 (n = 3), 1 (n = 3), 2 (n = 3), and 3 (n = 3) weeks after BDL, which demonstrated the severe damage in rat livers after BDL. Regarding [18F]FEPPA and [18F]FDG, there was a significantly higher uptake in the liver after BDL (both P < 0.05), which lasted until week 2. However, the uptake of [18F]FAc in the liver was not significantly different before and after BDL (P = 0.28). Collectively, both [18F]FEPPA and [18F]FDG can serve as sensitive probes for detecting the liver fibrosis. However, [18F]FAc is not recommended to diagnose liver fibrosis. | 10.1155/2021/7545284 |
pubmed_553_8821 | The protein-synthesizing apparatus of sensitive neural cells was analysed in mature mammals at cultivation. Spinal cervical ganglia of mature rabbits were cultivated by the method of rotating tubes up to 4 days in a usual medium and in an amino-acid-enriched medium. The labelling level was defined radioautographically and by radioactivity of protein and acid-solving cell fractions registered by the scintillation methods. In order to obtain the fractions, Rose's method for dividing neural and glial cells in our modification was used. The glial neural cells were demonstated by our investigation to preserve their ability to incorporate the labelled leucine during any period of cultivation. The medium enriched with precursors of protein synthesis contributes to a more intensive incorporation of amino acid into protein and into the pool on the 4th day of cultivation, while the enriched medium sharply decreases radioactivity in the pool on the 1st day of cultivation. Intensity of the labelled leucine incorporation into the neurons drops towards the center of the explantat. The results obtained by the two methods coinside. | pubmed_553_8821 |
pubmed_1140_22135 | PURPOSE
Results of radiation therapy for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) were poor in the 1970-1980s, with most reported 5-year survival rates being less than 10%. To investigate whether the prognosis of PCNSL patients treated by radiation alone remains still poor, we investigated the results of radiation monotherapy in the 1990s.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
We collected data on 132 patients with histologically proven PCNSL treated by radiation alone in the 1990s from three nationwide or regional multiinstitutional studies conducted by the Japanese Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (JASTRO) Lymphoma Study Group or the Chubu Radiation Oncology Group. Follow-up data were updated as far as possible. Eleven patients who did not complete planned radiotherapy were included. The data were analyzed in relation to patient and tumor characteristics. The median patient age was 63 years, and the World Health Organization performance status (PS) was 3 or 4 in 40% of the patients. Multiple tumors were seen in 34%. Whole-brain irradiation with or without focal boost was used in 92%. The median radiation dose to the tumor site was 50 Gy (range, 8-74 Gy).
RESULTS
For all 132 patients, the median survival time was 18 months and the 5-year survival rate was 18.0%. For 62 patients with PS 0-3 and aged 16-65 years (i.e., those eligible for the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer 20962 study), the median survival was 26 months and 5-year survival was 24%. The 5-year survival was 25% for patients 63 years old or younger, and 9.8% for those older than 63 years (p = 0.0005). The 5-year survival was 22% for patients with PS 0-2 and 13% for those with PS 3 or 4 (p = 0.0040). Multivariate analysis confirmed the negative influence of higher age on patient prognosis.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of radiation monotherapy for PCNSL appear to have improved as compared with those reported previously. The results of new treatment should be evaluated in light of this finding. Since most prospective studies on the combined treatment exclude poor PS and high-age patients, the 5-year survival rate of 30% may not be regarded as a marked improvement over radiation alone. | 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2004.12.043 |
pubmed_1004_24335 | OBJECTIVE
To construct the recombinant plasmid containing the outer membrane protein LipL32 gene of Leptospira strain 017 and to study on the cytotoxicity of the expression protein.
METHODS
By the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the LipL32 gene was amplified from Leptospira strain 017 genome and cloned into pET32a(+) with enzyme digestion, then used to transform E. coli JM109. After induced with IPTG, the target protein was expressed and used to immunize New zealand white rabbit. Western Blotting identified the immunogenicity of the expressed protein. Then the purified and renatured protein was acted on ECV304 cell so as to get its cytotoxicity detected by examining the LDH and NO (nitrogen monoxide) release from cell.
RESULTS
The full length of the LipL32 gene about 816 bp was obtained by PCR. The recombinant plasmid was identified by enzyme digestion, PCR and DNA sequencing. After induced with IPTG, the expressed protein existed mainly in the form of inclusion bodies about 52 x 10(3) (relative molecular mass) which was consistent with the expected size of the fused protein. After rabbit immunity, the titre of the produced multiclonal antibody reached 1 : 32 000 measured by ELISA. Western Blotting analysis found a positive band specifically in the target protein position. The release of the LDH and NO of the ECV304 cell treated with LipL32 had significant increase compared with the control group.
CONCLUSION
The recombinant plasmid containing LipL32 gene is successfully constructed and can express the target protein in E. coli JM109. The expressed target protein has cytotoxicity. | pubmed_1004_24335 |
pubmed_889_10964 | BACKGROUND
Recent data show that the prevalence of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis is increasing in adolescents and young adults in the USA. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of cirrhosis using an age-period-cohort approach to define birth-cohort effects on the incidence of cirrhosis in Ontario, Canada.
METHODS
We did a retrospective population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada, using linked administrative health data from the databases of ICES, formerly the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Patients aged at least 18 years with cirrhosis were identified by use of a validated case definition (defined as at least one inpatient or outpatient visit with a diagnosis of cirrhosis or oesophageal varices without bleeding). We calculated annual standardised incidence and prevalence in the general population. We used an age-period-cohort approach to assess the independent association between birth cohort and incidence of cirrhosis in men and women.
FINDINGS
Between Jan 1, 1997, and Dec 31, 2016, 165 979 individuals with cirrhosis were identified. The age-standardised incidence increased over the study (from 70·6 per 100 000 person-years in 1997 to 89·6 per 100 000 person-years in 2016) as did the prevalence (from 0·42% in 1997 to 0·84% in 2016). Using age-period-cohort modelling and the median birth year as the reference, the incidence of cirrhosis was higher in participants born in 1980 (incidence rate ratio 1·55, 95% CI 1·50-1·59, p<0·0001); and in participants born in 1990 (2·16, 95% CI 2·06-2·27, p<0·0001) compared with a person of the same age born in 1951. The increase in incidence of cirrhosis was greater in women than in men (eg, women born in 1990: 2·60, 95% CI 2·41-2·79; men born in 1990: 1·98, 1·85-2·12).
INTERPRETATION
The incidence of cirrhosis has increased over the past two decades, and more so in younger birth cohorts and in women. Future studies to define the cause and natural history of cirrhosis in these groups are essential to develop strategies that could reverse these trends for future generations.
FUNDING
Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Association New Clinician Scientist Award; American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) Foundation Clinical, Translational and Outcomes Research Award in Liver Disease (JAF). | 10.1016/S2468-1253(18)30339-X |
pubmed_935_1527 | A model for quantitating late effects of x-radiation on the large intestine utilizing the rectum of the Sprague-Dawley rat is reported. This model was constructed prefatory to establishing relative biological effectiveness for negative pions as a component of preclinical trials at the Clinton P. Anderson Meson Physics Facility, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico. The endpoint involves microscopic evaluation of the severity of the experimental lesion, compared with surgically resected bowel lesions we have studied following clinical radiation exposure of the bowel. Individual components of the overall lesion include mucosal ulceration, atypical epithelial regeneration, colitis cystica profunda, fibrosis, and vascular sclerosis. Dose response curves were established for animals receiving 1, 2, 5 and 10 fractions with groups sacrificed at both four and 12 months after completion of radiation exposures. | 10.1002/1097-0142(19800201)45:3<444::aid-cncr2820450307>3.0.co;2-# |
pubmed_868_6085 | Mass stranding of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) is a rare event in the Mediterranean Sea. In September 2014, a pod of seven sperm whales became stranded along the Adriatic coast of Southern Italy. This is the seventh occurrence of this type since 1555 in this sea basin. Total concentrations of mercury (T-Hg), methylmercury (MeHg) and selenium (Se) were measured from brain, muscle, liver and kidney of three female sperm whales, which died in this event. Analyses showed considerable, age-dependent variations in Hg and Se concentrations in the different organs. The contamination levels of T-Hg in the liver (up to 200 mg kg(-1)) and brain (up to 21 mg kg(-1)) samples were markedly higher than those in the kidney and muscle samples. The liver and brain also showed the highest Se levels. Se:Hg molar ratios ⩾1 were observed in all the organs of the three sperm whales, suggesting that Se could protect the animals from Hg toxicity. The risk of Hg-associated neurotoxicity was assessed by comparing our values to thresholds set for neurotoxicity in mammals, and the role of Se in the detoxification process of T-Hg/MeHg is discussed herein. | pubmed_868_6085 |
pubmed_259_19820 | To examine the oligomeric state and trafficking of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in different compartments of living cells, human DAT was fused to yellow (YFP) or cyan fluorescent protein (CFP). YFP-DAT and CFP-DAT were transiently and stably expressed in porcine aortic endothelial (PAE) cells, human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, and an immortalized dopaminergic cell line 1RB3AN27. Fluorescence microscopic imaging of cells co-expressing YFP-DAT and CFP-DAT revealed fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between CFP and YFP, which is consistent with an intermolecular interaction of DAT fusion proteins. FRET signals were detected between CFP- and YFP-DAT located at the plasma membrane and in intracellular membrane compartments. Phorbol esters or amphetamine induced the endocytosis of YFP/CFP-DAT to early and recycling endosomes, identified by Rab5, Rab11, Hrs and EEA.1 proteins. Interestingly, however, DAT was mainly excluded from Rab5- and Hrs-containing microdomains within the endosomes. The strongest FRET signals were measured in endosomes, indicative of efficient oligomerization of internalized DAT. The intermolecular DAT interactions were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. A DAT mutant that was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) after biosynthesis was used to show that DAT is oligomeric in the ER. Moreover, co-expression of an ER-retained DAT mutant and wild-type DAT resulted in the retention of wild-type DAT in the ER. These data suggest that DAT oligomers are formed in the ER and then are constitutively maintained both at the cell surface and during trafficking between the plasma membrane and endosomes. | 10.1074/jbc.M210652200 |
pubmed_441_13547 | Hamster intestinal hydrolase activities were studied after pancreatic duct ligation for periods of 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days. From the 7th to the 10th day, maltase and sucrase were significantly increased in the jejunoileum. Higher levels were observed on day 7 in the duodenum for all the brush-border enzyme activities (maltase, sucrase, aminopeptidase, alkaline phosphatase). Intestinal lysozyme significantly increased from the 5th to the 15th day with a maximal level at the 7th day. The increased levels of brush-border enzymes observed here are not in accordance with our description of villous atrophy after pancreatic duct ligation in the hamster. On the other hand, the important increase in lysozyme activity is in good agreement with hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the Paneth cells which we observed during our morphological study. The morphological and biochemical findings on hamster small intestine confirm the effects of exocrine pancreatic secretion both on differentiation and on enzymatic levels of the mucosa. Besides, this experiment agrees with the direct desorbing action of the pancreatic juice on the brush border and suggests another hypothetical mechanism, still worth being investigated, to explain increased brush-border activities in the duodenum and increased levels of lysozyme in the jejunoileum. | 10.1159/000198546 |
pubmed_575_12657 | Plants that produce secondary metabolites with allelopathic activity or phytotoxicity can be biotechnologically important, serving as sources of allelochemicals, and thus contributing to the agroindustrial sector. Vismia japurensis (Hypericaceae) is an Amazonian species that grows in clumps called vismiais, from which most other plants are absent. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to identify possible phytotoxicity effects of hexane and methanol extracts of Vismia japurensis leaves and branches in vivo and from seedlings grown in vitro on Lactuca sativa. In addition, fresh and dry leaves were assayed by the sandwich method in order to determine their ability to release allelochemicals. The hexanic extract from in vitro seedlings reduced germination by 10%, while the methanol extract produced a 16% reduction in germination speed. Root growth of Lactuca sativa was inhibited by 64.7% when subjected to hexane leaf extract, by 39.3% under the influence of hexane branch extract, and by 96.09% for in vitro seedling hexanic extract. When analysed by thin layer chromatography and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, extracts showed evidence of terpenes, anthraquinones and flavonoids, with greater intensity of signals in the aromatic region of in vitro seedling hexanic extract. Clearly, Vismia japurensis has a high biotechnological potential in terms of the production of substances of low polarity with capacity to interfere in plant development. | 10.1590/1519-6984.235475 |
pubmed_911_19219 | This study examined whether active commuting to and from school was associated with more frequent walking and cycling to other neighborhood destinations. Parents reported on free-time physical activity and frequency of active commuting among 1,643 South Australians (9-15 years), as well as their perceptions of risk associated with active commuting in the neighborhood. Groups were formed on the basis of active and motorized transport to and from school and compared on the frequency of walking and cycling to other neighborhood destinations. Those who actively commuted between home and school were approximately 30% more likely to actively commute to other neighborhood destinations, independent of age, free-time physical activity, and neighborhood risk. Active commuting to and from school is part of a broader habit of walking and cycling in the neighborhood among school age South Australians. The advantages of promoting active transport between home and school might extend beyond the energy expenditure of that journey alone. | 10.1123/pes.19.4.436 |
pubmed_749_8607 | Amino acids play critical roles in metabolism, cell function, body composition and immunity, but little data on plasma amino acid concentrations in HIV are available. We evaluated plasma amino acid concentrations and associations with CD4 counts and inflammatory biomarkers in HIV-infected youth. HIV-infected subjects with a high (≥500 cells/mm3) and low (<500 cells/mm3) current CD4+ T cell counts were compared to one another and to a matched healthy control group. Plasma concentrations of 19 amino acids were determined with an amino acid analyzer. Plasma levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor receptor-I, and soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-I were also measured. Seventy-nine HIV-infected subjects (40 and 39 with high and low CD4+ T cell counts, respectively) and 40 controls were included. There were no differences in amino acid concentrations between HIV-infected subjects with high or low CD4+ T cell counts. When combined, the HIV-infected group exhibited significantly lower median plasma concentrations compared to controls for total, essential, branched-chain and sulfur amino acids, as well as for 12 individual amino acids. Glutamate was the only amino acid that was higher in the HIV-infected group. There were no significant correlations between amino acid endpoints and inflammatory biomarkers for either HIV-infected group or controls. Plasma amino acid concentrations were lower in HIV-infected youth compared to healthy controls, regardless of immune status, while glutamate concentrations were elevated. These findings can inform future interventional studies designed to improve metabolic and clinical parameters influenced by amino acid nutriture. | 10.1089/AID.2015.0369 |
pubmed_1060_4246 | The scope of clinical problems presented to the neonatologist by the antenatal diagnosis of a central nervous system anomaly is presented. The possibility of a missed fetal diagnosis and the need for careful clinical examination and judicious use of other diagnostic means are also stressed. | 10.1159/000262240 |
pubmed_744_22189 | We observed the behavior and ecology of Chaetodon capistratus infected and uninfected with the ectoparasitic isopod Anilocra chaetodontis to assess whether there may be parasite induced alterations in host biology, host defenses against infection, and/or pathology related to infection. We also examined habitat related differences in infection rates. Infected fish had higher rates of interaction with conspecifics and spent more time in low flow environments (which might improve transmission of juvenile parasites to new hosts). Butterfly fish without isopods were chased more frequently by damselfishes, fed more, and had larger territories. Time spent near conspecifics, and fish condition and gonadosomatic index did not vary between infected and uninfected fish. These results suggest that foureye butterfly fish behavior is altered by the isopod parasite in order for the isopods to more easily gain mates or transmit offspring to new hosts. | pubmed_744_22189 |
pubmed_83_24129 | The proper segregation of basic elements such as the compartmentalization of the genome and the shuttling of macromolecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm is a crucial mechanism for homeostasis maintenance in eukaryotic cells. XPO1 (Exportin 1) is the major nuclear export receptor and is required for the export of proteins and RNAs out of the nucleus. STK38 (also known as NDR1) is a Hippo pathway serine/threonine kinase with multifarious functions in normal and cancer cells. In this review, we summarize the history of the discovery of the nucleo/cytoplasmic shuttling of proteins and focus on the major actor of nuclear export: XPO1. After describing the molecular events required for XPO1-mediated nuclear export of proteins, we introduce the Hippo pathway STK38 kinase, synthetize its regulation mechanisms as well as its biological functions in both normal and cancer cells, and finally its intersection with XPO1 biology. We discuss the recently identified mechanism of XPO1 activation by phosphorylation of XPO1_S1055 by STK38 and contextualize this finding according to the biological functions previously reported for both XPO1 and STK38, including the second identity of STK38 as an autophagy regulator. Finally, we phrase this newly identified activation mechanism into the general nuclear export machinery and examine the possible outcomes of nuclear export inhibition in cancer treatment. | 10.1080/15384101.2020.1826619 |
pubmed_1033_16046 | This study was focused on distinguishing L- and D-enantiomers of amino acids using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) of ternary complexes with Cu(II) and chiral derivatives of bipyridine. A pinene-annulated derivative of 2,2'-bipyridine, (5R,7S,8S)-(--)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-6,6,8-trimethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-5,7-methanoquinoline, called a chiragen, was used as the auxiliary ligand bound to Cu(II) to study the complexation of D- and L-phenylalanine and D- and L-tryptophan and their detection by MS. NMR studies showed that the D- and L-amino acid complexes can be distinguished in solution by the difference in the amount of band broadening of the alpha-carbon proton, with the D-complex showing greater broadening from a more intense interaction with the paramagnetic copper center. In ESI-MS studies, the ion abundances for the analyte complexes were compared with those of internal standards to investigate competition in binding to Cu(II)chiragen between the internal standard and D- and L-amino acids. The D-Phe complex showed stronger binding than the L-Phe complex, although differences in response related to solvent effects were also apparent. In studies involving two separate internal standards, the Trp enantiomers were practically indistinguishable in all but one solvent environment. In 100% methanol, the L-Phe and D-Phe complexes were readily distinguished and the L-Phe complex out-competed the L-Phe complex by a factor of two. Density functional theory calculations were performed on D- and L-complexes of Phe and Trp to determine the optimized geometries and the most energetically favorable structures. Calculations agreed with experiments, where the D-Phe complex was the most stable structure, while the L-Trp and D-Trp complexes were comparably stable in the gas phase. | 10.1002/jms.675 |
pubmed_12_2943 | The time Texas nurses spend reading professional literature is similar with physicians, yet they also read almost twice as much general material. A significant relationship was demonstrated between nurses who are members of nursing organizations and reading. Supervisor encouragement also influences reading but was reported as often not occurring. | pubmed_12_2943 |
pubmed_1015_6304 | Mechanical vibration encountered in land transports was assessed objectively through measurement of vertical acceleration experienced by neonates in transit. Vibration was most predominant in the hazardous low frequency range of 3 to 18 Hz. The peak acceleration amplitudes (intermittent thrusts) ranged from 5 to 13 m/sq sec. The root mean square acceleration (averaged vibration) ranged from to 6 m/sq sec. These vibration levels are high when compared with adult vibration tolerance limits, and may jeopardize the safety of the transported infants, particularly in long-distance transports. Further research is needed to understand the possible effects of mechanical vibration in neonates and to define safe vibration thresholds in all modes of transport. Careful-evaluation of vibratory stress and its attenuation in newer designs of transport equipment may be desirable to enhance the safety of the transported infants. | pubmed_1015_6304 |
pubmed_228_22115 | A 4f optical system with a single-sideband filter has been used for electronic holographic displays in order to obtain a reconstructed image without a conjugate image and zero-order diffraction light. However, the viewing region is inclined, and the viewing region in which an entire reconstructed image can be viewed is limited. In the present study, one of the Fourier transform lenses constituting the 4f optical system is shifted to correct the viewing region inclination. Moreover, a screen lens is added in the image plane of the 4f optical system to maximize the viewing region. The inclination of the viewing region can also be corrected by shifting the screen lens instead of shifting the Fourier transform lens. Experimental verifications of these corrections are described. | 10.1364/OE.19.017621 |
pubmed_1029_1600 | In 1972, a drug incidence survey was conducted at a private southern university. Pooled results of this random survey of 1,032 students revealed that on at least one occasion, 90% of the students had tried alcohol, 70% had used tobacco, and 61% had experimented with marijuana. Use of amphetamines (38%), hallucinogens (28%), barbiturates (19%), and cocaine (10%) was much lower. To evaluate the apparent change in trends of drug usage, a follow-up study was undertaken in 1986 at the same school. The results showed a decline in amphetamine and barbiturate use. The greatest differences were seen in the nearly fourfold increase in one-time use of cocaine between 1972 and 1986 and the sixteenfold increase in students who used cocaine more than 10 times. It was noteworthy that one-third of the students who used marijuana had done so by the 9th grade. Similar early experimentation was noted with a majority of the other drugs. | 10.3109/00952999809001549 |
pubmed_767_8289 | Wintering Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) concentrate in wetlands along the Atlantic coast where natural and anthropogenic disturbances have increased over the last 50 years, a period in which the population of Black Ducks has declined. We studied the sensitivity of Black Ducks to perturbations in food supply that often result from disturbances by storms, predators, and people. In the paper, we characterize the responses of captive Black Ducks to shifts in food quality and availability during winter and apply those measures to a comparison of wild birds. Captive ducks that were fed intermittently (3 consecutive days/week) compensated for fasted days to achieve similar body mass and body fat to control birds that were fed every day on both animal- and plant-based diets. However, birds that were fed intermittently expended 15% more energy each day than controls when both groups were fed (536 vs. 464 kJ/kg0.75), which indicates that variable food supply increases the costs of maintenance and thus reduces the number of birds that can be supported on the same resource of food without interruptions to foraging. Egg production was not affected by diet quality provided in spring or by the frequency of feeding during the preceding winter months. Black Ducks lost body fat through winter in captivity and in the wild. Fat stores of birds in New Jersey were greater than those of birds in Maine (13.3 vs. 8.3% of body mass) in January, which reflected the high energy demands of cold temperatures in Maine. Values for ∂15N were greater in Maine than in New Jersey for both red blood cells and plasma, which indicated a consistent diet of marine invertebrates in Maine. Greater isotopic variation in red blood cells indicated that diets were more diverse in New Jersey than in Maine for both ∂15N (9.7 ± 1.1 vs. 11.2 ± 0.4‰) and for ∂13C (- 15.1 ± 2.2 vs. - 13.8 ± 1.4‰). Plasma ∂13C was enriched over red blood cells in wild birds especially those with low fat stores, which suggested birds with low energy stores were shifting diets. Black Ducks can compensate for disturbances in feeding by increasing intakes if they have access to high quality wetlands where they are able to find abundant food. High energy demands at cold temperatures may constrain fat stores and thus the tolerance of feeding disturbances especially at the northern limits of the winter range. We hypothesize that decreasing variation in diet may indicate an increase in vulnerability to disturbance in winter when body fat is low. Recent efforts to assess and improve habitat quality of Black Ducks could be enhanced by monitoring the body composition and diet of birds to assess their vulnerability to disturbances in food supply and energy demands. | 10.1007/s00360-018-1163-4 |
pubmed_196_1367 | An approach to culturing attached and suspended forms of Rhodopseudomonas faecalis by using compound fish feed with tap water in transparent containers is reported in this study. The ratio of fish feed to tap water was 14.3-50.8 g/L, and no other inoculum or substances were added during the culture process. When the ratio of fish feed to tap water was 14.3 g/L, the highest total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total dissolved carbon content recorded in the water in the containers were approximately 730 mg/L, 356 mg/L, and 1,620 mg/L, respectively, during the process of feed decay. Comamonas, Rhodopseudomonas, and Clostridium successively dominated during the culture process. Rhodopseudomonas was the most common dominant genus in both the attached and suspended forms when the water was dark red, and the relative operational taxonomic unit abundance reached 80-89% and 24.8%, respectively. The dominant species was R. faecalis. The maximum thickness of attached bacteria and the biomass of attached Rhodopseudomonas reached up to 0.56 mm and 7.5 mg/cm2 , respectively. This study provides a method for the mass culture of Rhodopseudomonas by using the fermentation of aquatic compound fish feed. | 10.1002/mbo3.924 |
pubmed_352_474 | A monensin-resistant clone (Monr-31) shows a related series of differences from its parental Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line in the cellular response to several ligands. The uptake and metabolism of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in the mutant cells are defective. Accumulation of fluorescent-labeled LDL as well as internalization and degradation of 125I-LDL are greatly reduced in Monr-31 cells. The receptor number for LDL on the cell surface of Monr-31 is about one-third that for CHO cells, but affinity constants for both cell lines are similar. Electrophoretic analysis shows a slightly reduced molecular weight of LDL receptor in Monr-31 cells in comparison to that in CHO cells. The internalization index (internalization plus degradation per binding) of LDL of the mutant is about one-half that of CHO cells, suggesting a failure of internalization of LDL as well as LDL binding. Hybrids (hyb-1, -2, and -3) between CHO and Monr-31 cells show LDL binding and LDL internalization activities comparable to that of CHO cells, suggesting that the altered LDL response in Monr-31 cells is recessive. Addition of exogenous LDL to culture medium down-regulates the LDL receptor activity of CHO, hyb-2, and hyb-3 cells, whereas no such down-regulation is seen in Monr-31 cells. Probably as a result of the failure of down-regulation, the prominent inhibition of sterol synthesis from acetate and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase observed in CHO cells is scarcely detectable in Monr-31 cells. As a correlated result, sterol synthesis from acetate is 6-fold higher in the mutant. The failure of down-regulation of LDL receptors in Monr-31 cells is discussed in relation to the altered binding and internalization of LDL. | pubmed_352_474 |
pubmed_128_1681 | Belief in free will is a pervasive phenomenon that has important consequences for prosocial actions and punitive judgments, but little research has investigated why free will beliefs are so widespread. Across 5 studies using experimental, survey, and archival data and multiple measures of free will belief, we tested the hypothesis that a key factor promoting belief in free will is a fundamental desire to hold others morally responsible for their wrongful behaviors. In Study 1, participants reported greater belief in free will after considering an immoral action than a morally neutral one. Study 2 provided evidence that this effect was due to heightened punitive motivations. In a field experiment (Study 3), an ostensibly real classroom cheating incident led to increased free will beliefs, again due to heightened punitive motivations. In Study 4, reading about others' immoral behaviors reduced the perceived merit of anti-free-will research, thus demonstrating the effect with an indirect measure of free will belief. Finally, Study 5 examined this relationship outside the laboratory and found that the real-world prevalence of immoral behavior (as measured by crime and homicide rates) predicted free will belief on a country level. Taken together, these results provide a potential explanation for the strength and prevalence of belief in free will: It is functional for holding others morally responsible and facilitates justifiably punishing harmful members of society. | 10.1037/a0035880 |
pubmed_862_15582 | The DNA mediated assembly of complementary DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (DNA-AuNP) was investigated by means of UV/Vis-spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The melting temperature of the aggregates was determined to be T(m) = 31 degrees C. Characterization of the assembly at 20 degrees C, 25 degrees C and 30 degrees C showed a decrease of the initial assembly growth rate with increasing temperature. The correlation of the wavelengths at the absorbance maxima lambda(max) and the hydrodynamic radii R(h) of the AuNP assemblies proved the dependence of the optical properties on the assembly size while at higher assembly temperature (30 degrees C) a larger redshift of lambda(max) with increasing R(h) was observed than at lower temperatures. This tendency might give information about the dependence of the internal structure of the DNA-AuNP assemblies on assembly temperature. It is assumed that at higher temperatures more compact assemblies are built than at lower temperatures of 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic time-resolved in situ investigation of DNA-mediated AuNP assembly by UV/Vis-spectroscopy and DLS. | 10.1039/b719762d |
pubmed_449_513 | An electron microscope examination of the liver of the crab-eating monkey revealed small crystalloids occurring occasionally in the thicker portion of the cytoplasmic extension of the sinusoidal endothelium. They were uniformly encased in a membrane sac which was mostly smooth-surfaced but was at several points continuous to ribosome-studded cisternae of the RER. The crystalloids were mostly polygonal in configuration and were classified into three types. Type I crystalloids, according to the grade of the complexity of their composition, represented the simplest, or original, form and were composed purely of a compact bundle of tubules measuring about 300 A in diameter. Types II and III crystalloids were composed of tubules and an electron lucent matrix. In type II crystalloids, the tubules were embedded parallel to one another in two sets of matrix layers which crossed each other at a right angle, while in type III, the matrix layers embedding the tubules cut each other at about 70 degrees. The crystalloids are presumed to have developed from a substance synthesized in the cisternae of the RER in the sinusoidal endothelial cell and their investigation may aid in elucidating the proteinic products of this RER-rich cell which have thus far remained-under dispute. | 10.1679/aohc.46.523 |
pubmed_30_19727 | Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was attempted in 67 patients with total coronary arterial occlusion but without associated acute transmural infarction. No patient received concomitant streptokinase therapy. The duration of occlusion was one week or less in 22 patients, one week to one month in 24 patients, one to three months in 13 patients, and more than three months in eight patients. The occluded vessel was the left anterior descending artery in 38 (57%), the right coronary artery in 22 (33%), and the circumflex coronary artery in seven (10%). A steerable system was used in 29 patients whereas a fixed guide wire system was used in 38. Dilation was successful in 44 patients (66%). When a steerable system was used, PTCA was successful in 76% of the patients, compared with 58% when a nonsteerable system was used. The average size of stenosis after dilation was 32%. In the patients with a recent occlusion (one week or less in duration), PTCA was successful in 82%, which was significantly better than in patients with an older occlusion (greater than 12 weeks), in whom dilation was successful in only 25% (p less than 0.01). In patients with an occlusion of one to three months, PTCA was successful in 65%. During a mean follow-up of 1.6 years in the 44 patients with successful dilation, 37 were asymptomatic without angina, although five had required repeat dilation or coronary bypass surgery. In selected patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease and recent coronary occlusion but without associated myocardial infarction, PTCA alone is an effective means of restoring flow. After successful dilation, the majority of patients remain asymptomatic. | pubmed_30_19727 |
pubmed_92_22554 | The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of myopia-inducing and myopia recovery conditions on the scleral biomechanics of enucleated eyes of young chicks. Enucleated eyes from 5-day old chicks, with fiducial markers attached at 5 locations on the external sclera, were placed in a custom-built chamber filled with phosphate-buffered saline, and subjected to controlled increments in intraocular pressure (IOP). IOP was initially ramped from 15 to 100 mmHg and then maintained at 100 mmHg for one hour, with eyes photographed at a rate of 0.1 Hz over the same period. There were two experimental groups, one in which chicks were monocularly form deprived for four days to induce myopia, and the other in which chicks were allowed two days of recovery from myopia induced by two days of form deprivation. For all chicks, the contralateral (fellow) eyes served as controls. Myopic eyes showed less initial deformation relative to their fellows, while no difference was recorded between recovering eyes and their fellows over the same time frame. With exposure to sustained elevated pressure, eyes in all groups displayed time-dependent changes in creep behavior, which included a linear region of secondary, steady creep. The creep deformation of myopic eyes was significantly higher than that of their fellows, consistent with results of previous studies using uniaxial loading of scleral strips. When allowed only 2 days to recover from induced myopia, previously myopic eyes continued to show increased creep deformation. Compared to results reported in studies involving scleral strips, our whole globe testing yielded higher values for creep rate. Whole globe inflation testing provides a viable, less anatomically disruptive and readily adaptable method for investigating scleral biomechanics than uniaxial tensile strip testing. Furthermore, our results suggest that elastic stretching does not contribute to the increased axial elongation underlying myopia in young chick eyes. They also confirm the very limited involvement of the sclera in the early recovery from myopia, reflecting the well documented lag in scleral versus choroidal recovery responses. | pubmed_92_22554 |
pubmed_369_7682 | Elevated levels of p130(Cas)/BCAR1 (Crk-associated substrate/breast cancer antiestrogen resistance 1) are found in aggressive breast tumors and are associated with tamoxifen resistance of mammary cancers. p130(Cas) promotes the integration of protein complexes involved in multiple signaling pathways frequently deregulated in breast cancer. To elucidate mechanisms leading to p130(Cas) up-regulation in mammary carcinomas and during acquired tamoxifen resistance, the regulation of p130(Cas)/BCAR1 was studied. Because multiple putative binding motifs for the inducible transcription factor EGR1 were identified in the 5' region of BCAR1, the p130(Cas)/BCAR1 regulation by EGR1 and its coregulator NAB2 was investigated. Overexpression or short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated down-regulation of EGR1 or NAB2, and chromatin immunoprecipitations indicated that EGR1 and NAB2 act in concert to positively regulate p130(Cas)/BCAR1 expression in breast cancer cells. p130(Cas) depletion using siRNA showed that, in tamoxifen-sensitive MCF-7 cells, p130(Cas) regulates EGR1 and NAB2 expression, whereas in the derivative tamoxifen-resistant TAM-R cells, only NAB2 levels were influenced. BCAR1 messenger RNA and p130(Cas) protein were upregulated by phorbol esters following the kinetics of late response genes in MCF-7 but not in TAM-R cells. Thus, in MCF-7 cells, we identified a positive feedback loop where p130(Cas) positively regulates EGR1 and NAB2, which in turn induce p130(Cas) expression. Importantly, compared with MCF-7, enhanced NAB2 expression and increased EGR1 binding to the BCAR1 5' region observed in TAM-R may lead to the constitutively increased p130(Cas)/BCAR1 levels in TAM-R cells. The uncovered differences in this EGR1/NAB2/p130(Cas) network in MCF-7 versus TAM-R cells may also contribute to p130(Cas) up-regulation during acquired tamoxifen resistance. | 10.1593/neo.111760 |
pubmed_262_2437 | Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a major public health problem because their incidence is increasing worldwide despite prevention campaigns and because they raise the risk of HIV infection. Anorectal localisations of STD are common among men who have sex with men (MSM) but can also be seen among heterosexuals (men or women). Transmission of such infections is due to anal sex or to other sexual behaviours like "fisting". Although some pathogens (like Human Papillomavirus-HPV) are common in gastroenterologist/proctologist consultations, others are not so well-known. Furthermore during the last years, sexual risky behaviours have led to resurgence of old affections (like syphilis) or to emergence of unknown diseases (like lymphogranuloma venereum) in our countries. This presentation tends to focus on clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of different STD: HPV, Herpes Simplex Virus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis (in particularly lymphogranuloma venereum) and Treponema pallidum. | pubmed_262_2437 |
pubmed_1015_1914 | Studies establishing the validity, safety, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of dilatation and curettage (D&C) performed in the office have been published for 60 years. Major obstacles to office D&Cs have been third-party payers, congressional action and governmental regulations, social mores, medicolegal practices, and specialization. Analysis of 310 offices D&Cs in a private gynecologic practice reveals a 300% reduction of patient short-term disability, 90% patient acceptability, 98% diagnostic accuracy, 450% improved physician time, approximately 450% cost reduction, and improved cost savings and income to patient and physician. The gynecologist has the substantial role in medical care decision-making. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that these very personal and individualized decisions must involve the patient as well. In order to maintain the most beneficial perspective and medical care decision-making, a hierarchy of values is presented: quality medical care, patient and physician satisfaction, economies of cost, and replicability. It is suggested that this praxeologic approach to the office D&C can be applied to other medical care decisions. | 10.1016/0002-9378(81)90106-x |
pubmed_1086_3847 | The techniques and procedures for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are reviewed in the context of the information process central to treatment planning and delivery of IMRT. A presentation is given of the evolution of the information based radiotherapy workflow and dose delivery techniques, as well as the volume and planning concepts for relating the dose information to image based patient representations. The formulation of the dose shaping process as an optimization problem is described. The different steps in the calculation flow for determination of machine parameters for dose delivery are described starting from the formulation of optimization objectives over dose calculation to optimization procedures. Finally, the main elements of the quality assurance procedure necessary for implementing IMRT clinically are reviewed. | 10.1088/0031-9155/51/13/R22 |
pubmed_1105_4472 | Since the incidence of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) in renal allografts varies from 1% to 23%, we sought to examine its incidence, to analyze treatment options, and to ascertain its outcomes. Retrospective analysis of 793 kidney allograft recipients transplanted between 1996 and 2004 revealed an incidence of 0.9% (n = 7). Time from kidney transplantation to the first symptoms varied from 1 week to 3 years (median, 4 months). Three patients experiences refractory hypertension and six patients developed allograft dysfunction. Screening color Doppler ultrasonography showed hemodynamic changes in six patients with the definitive diagnosis confirmed by angiography in all patients. One patient with an anastomotic stenosis was treated with a surgical operation and six patients, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), with stenting in three cases. Both surgical as well as PTA treatment were successful in all but one patient, who underwent PTA alone, developed chronic renal insufficiency necessitating hemodialysis and finally lost his allograft. In the other patients all symptoms resolved after treatment and the patients are doing well with functioning allografts. Although TRAS was an uncommon complication, if recognized promptly it could be treated by surgery or PTA with a high success rate. | 10.1016/j.transproceed.2005.11.097 |
pubmed_282_15982 | BACKGROUND
Tuberculous lymphadenitis is most common cause of lymphadenopathy in developing countries. Although enormous literature is available on various aspects of the disease including cytological patterns and its incidence in others parts of India and in other countries, only limited literature is available regarding its incidence and morphological spectrum on cytology in eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh in Gorakhpur region.
AIM
The present study was undertaken to estimate the incidence of tuberculous lymphadenitis in our settings along with its morphological spectrum on cytology as well as to determine the utility of culture of fine needle aspirates in addition to cytology and Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Four hundred cases of superficial lymphadenopathy were subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and in case, smears were stained with Hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), Giemsa, and ZN stain and categorized into three cytomorphological patterns. All the aspirates were inoculated on two sterile Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium.
RESULT
Out of 400 cases of consecutive lymph nodes aspirated, 180 cases (45%) showed features of tuberculous lymphadenitis. Smears revealed epithelioid granulomas with caseous necrosis in maximum cases (40%). On statistical analysis, difference between group I and group II was found to be significant (P < 0.05); while comparison between groups II and III as well as between groups I and III was found to be statistically insignificant. Overall, acid fast bacilli positivity was seen in 51.6% of the cases.
CONCLUSION
FNAC has been proved very safe, highly sensitive, and first line investigation in diagnosing tubercular lymphadenitis. The sensitivity can be further be increased by complementary cytomorphology with acid fast staining. Diagnostic accuracy can further be increased by culture. | 10.4103/JOC.JOC_207_15 |
pubmed_94_7694 | OBJECTIVES
Many MET rearrangements have been identified in various tumor types. However, the frequencies and characteristics of MET rearrangements are not well defined in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We sought to illustrate the distribution of MET kinase domain rearrangements (KDREs) in NSCLC, and to uncover novel targets for further drug development in these patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Targeted sequencing using a 1021-gene panel or a 59-gene panel was performed in 5965 NSCLC cases. We sequenced all MET exons and used bioinformatics techniques to identify fusions.
RESULTS
Fifteen MET KDREs were identified from all patients. The incidence of MET KDRE was 0.26% (15/5695) in the cohort; 60% (9/15) of the fused partners were the genes upstream or downstream of MET. All the fusions of the MET gene with upstream genes or specific regions within them were due to inversions, while the fusions with downstream genes or their encompassed regions were caused by duplications or intra-chromosomal translocations. In the MET KDRE-positive NSCLC cases who did not receive targeted therapies, 75% (6/8) harbored no actionable mutation referring to the NCCN guideline.
CONCLUSION
Our study illustrated the MET KDRE in NSCLC cases among the Chinese population and unearthed novel targets to develop new effective therapies for patients with MET KDRE. | 10.1016/j.lungcan.2020.04.040 |
pubmed_581_13280 | It has been proposed that we are now living in a new geological epoch known as the Anthropocene, which is specifically defined by the impacts that humans are having on the Earth's biological diversity and geology. Although the proposal of this term was borne out of an acknowledgement of the negative changes we are imparting on the globe (e.g. climate change, pollution, coastal erosion, species extinctions), there has recently been action amongst a variety of disciplines aimed at achieving a 'good Anthropocene' that strives to balance societal needs and the preservation of the natural world. Here, we outline ways that the discipline of conservation physiology can help to delineate a hopeful, progressive and productive path for conservation in the Anthropocene and, specifically, achieve that vision. We focus on four primary ways that conservation physiology can contribute, as follows: (i) building a proactive approach to conservation; (ii) encouraging a pragmatic perspective; (iii) establishing an appreciation for environmental resilience; and (iv) informing and engaging the public and political arenas. As a collection of passionate individuals combining theory, technological advances, public engagement and a dedication to achieving conservation success, conservation physiologists are poised to make meaningful contributions to the productive, motivational and positive way forward that is necessary to curb and reverse negative human impact on the environment. | 10.1093/conphys/cox003 |
pubmed_698_16984 | OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of clioquinol on the optic nerve and retina of rhesus monkeys by ophthalmoscopy, electrophysiology and histopathology.
METHODS
Clioquinol was given orally to 5 monkeys, gradually increasingly from 100 mg/kg/day up to 14 months(total dosage 227 g/kg). Ophthalmoscopy, erectroretinogram(ERG), visual evoked potential(VEP) and histopathological examination of enucleated eyeballs were done periodically up to 10 years.
RESULTS
The margin of the optic disc was not clear at the early stage, but the colour became atrophic at the late stage. VEP maximum amplitude decreased quickly at the early stage and the amplitude of ERG a and b waves and oscillatory potential decreased gradually. 37 months after the discontinuation of administration of VEP, ERG amplitude increased gradually. Swelling of axons and disorganization of the myelin sheath were noticed 2.5 months after beginning treatment. Swelling of the peripapillary nerve fiber layer was seen 5.5 months after beginning treatment. Karyorrhexis was seen in the inner layer of the retina after 12.5 months. Axonal swelling disappeared and the myelin sheath became reorganized 9 months after the discontinuation of treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Clioquinol produced an early decrease of electrophysiological function, but recovery of function was seen after discontinuation of treatment. The degeneration of axons and myelin sheath continued during treatment, and interruption of the degeneration was seen after discontinuation of treatment. | pubmed_698_16984 |
pubmed_1035_4063 | The Winnipeg Children's Hospital Child Protection Centre program for helping physically, sexually and emotionally abused children and their families is presented. The Protection Centre strongly advocates and works within a multidisciplinary approach which includes the hospital, child welfare agencies, the police and the justice system in case management and in carrying out intervention strategies and treatment plans. This approach is considered a most effective means of ensuring the care and protection of children. | pubmed_1035_4063 |
pubmed_1004_22638 | In the presence of high-dimensional predictors, it is challenging to develop reliable regression models that can be used to accurately predict future outcomes. Further complications arise when the outcome of interest is an event time, which is often not fully observed due to censoring. In this article, we develop robust prediction models for event time outcomes by regularizing the Gehan's estimator for the accelerated failure time (AFT) model (Tsiatis, 1996, Annals of Statistics 18, 305-328) with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalty. Unlike existing methods based on the inverse probability weighting and the Buckley and James estimator (Buckley and James, 1979, Biometrika 66, 429-436), the proposed approach does not require additional assumptions about the censoring and always yields a solution that is convergent. Furthermore, the proposed estimator leads to a stable regression model for prediction even if the AFT model fails to hold. To facilitate the adaptive selection of the tuning parameter, we detail an efficient numerical algorithm for obtaining the entire regularization path. The proposed procedures are applied to a breast cancer dataset to derive a reliable regression model for predicting patient survival based on a set of clinical prognostic factors and gene signatures. Finite sample performances of the procedures are evaluated through a simulation study. | 10.1111/j.1541-0420.2008.01074.x |
pubmed_646_17132 | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The extent of abnormalities on T2-weighted MR images of the brain of patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) at presentation is associated with an increased risk of developing clinically definite MS (CDMS). We evaluated whether subtle changes outside T2-visible lesions are present in the brain of these patients and whether their extent increases the risk of subsequent development of CDMS.
METHODS
Dual-echo, T1-weighted, and magnetization transfer (MT) images of the brain were obtained from 24 patients with CIS at presentation. These patients were followed up for a mean period of 33 months (range, 25-42 months). Twenty age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers served as control subjects. To create MT histograms of the normal-appearing brain tissue (NABT), macroscopic lesions were segmented from dual-echo images, were superimposed automatically, and were nulled out from the coregistered and scalp-stripped MT ratio (MTR) maps. The following MTR histogram-derived measures were considered: average MTR, MTR(25), MTR(50), MTR(75), peak height, and peak position. T2 and T1 lesion loads, average lesion MTR, and brain volume were also measured.
RESULTS
Patients with CIS had lower average NABT-MTR (P < .0001) and peak position (P = .002) than did control volunteers, but patient brain size was similar to that of volunteers. At follow-up, 10 (41%) patients developed CDMS. Patients who developed CDMS during the follow-up period had higher T2 lesion volume (P = .003) and lower average NABT-MTR (P = .005) and peak position (P = .006) than did those who did not develop CDMS. T2 lesion volume (odd ratio, 3.54; P = .0005) and average NABT-MTR (odd ratio, 0.81; P = .01) were independent predictors of the subsequent development of CDMS.
CONCLUSION
Subtle changes occur outside lesions visible on conventional MR images among patients with CIS suggestive of MS at presentation. The greater the extent of such abnormalities is, the higher is the risk of subsequent development of CDMS. | pubmed_646_17132 |
pubmed_328_23621 | In this work, we present a new framework for the stylization of text-based binary images. First, our method stylizes the stroke-based geometric shape like text, symbols and icons in the target binary image based on an input style image. Second, the composition of the stylized geometric shape and a background image is explored. To accomplish the task, we propose legibilitypreserving structure and texture transfer algorithms, which progressively narrow the visual differences between the binary image and the style image. The stylization is then followed by a contextaware layout design algorithm, where cues for both seamlessness and aesthetics are employed to determine the optimal layout of the shape in the background. Given the layout, the binary image is seamlessly embedded into the background by texture synthesis under a context-aware boundary constraint. According to the contents of binary images, our method can be applied to many fields.We show that the proposed method is capable of addressing the unsupervised text stylization problem and is superior to stateof- the-art style transfer methods in automatic artistic typography creation. Besides, extensive experiments on various tasks, such as visual-textual presentation synthesis, icon/symbol rendering and structure-guided image inpainting, demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. | 10.1109/TIP.2018.2873064 |
pubmed_725_428 | RNA polymerase transcribed the hutUH operon of Klebsiella aerogenes if the catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) were present or if the DNA template was derived from a promoter mutant in which hutUH expression was independent of the need for positive effectors. In the absence of CAP or cAMP, not only was hutUH transcription absent, but transcription in the opposite direction (toward hutC) was initiated at a site (pC) ca. 70 base pairs from the site (pUH) of hutUH mRNA initiation. When the pC promoter was cloned in front of a promoterless galK gene, active expression of galK was observed. Thus, the pC promoter is active in vivo as well as in vitro. Transcription from pUH and pC may be mutually exclusive, with the major effect of CAP and cAMP being to prevent transcription from pC, thus relieving the antagonistic effect on transcription from pUH. This "double-negative" control by CAP-cAMP is supported by two observations: (i) CAP-cAMP was unable to activate transcription from pUH if RNA polymerase had been previously bound to pC and (ii) a mutation that allowed transcription from pUH in the absence of positive effectors simultaneously eliminated the activity of pC. An alternative model, in which CAP-cAMP is required for pUH expression and RNA polymerase binding at pC serves to modulate this control in some unknown way, is also considered. The physiological role of the transcript from pC other than regulation of pUH is unknown. | 10.1128/jb.159.3.934-939.1984 |
pubmed_152_1515 | Several genes, such as alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and Cbfa1/Osf2, are known to be regulated during osteoblastic differentiation and are commonly used as "osteoblast markers" for in vitro or in vivo studies. The number of these genes is very limited, however, and it is of major interest to identify new genes that are activated or repressed during the process of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation as well as to extend the available information on gene families relevant to this particular differentiation pathway. To identify such genes, we have implemented a genome-wide analysis by determining changes in expression levels of 27,000 genes during in vitro differentiation of primary osteoblasts isolated from mouse calvaria. This study focuses on the description of the analytical and filtering process applied; on the transcriptional analysis of well-established "bone," "adipocyte," and "muscle" pathway markers; and on a description of the regulation profiles for genes recently described in the Skeletal Gene Database. We also demonstrate that new array technologies constitute reliable and powerful tools to monitor the transcription of genes involved in osteoblastic differentiation, allowing a more integrated vision of the biological pathways regulated during osteoblast commitment, differentiation, and function. | 10.1016/s8756-3282(02)00781-0 |
pubmed_854_1859 | OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the ability of endoscopic extended transsphenoidalapproach for treatment of gigantic pituitary adenoma.
METHOD
The clinical data of 13 cases with gigantic pituitary adenoma treated by endoscopic extended transsphenoidalapproach was studied retrospectively.
RESULT
The tumor of all patients was total resection in endoscopes. Postoperative 10 Patients received radiotherapy. In postoperative MRI examination, there was remnant of tumor in 6 patients. There were no regrowth or recurrence during 12 months postoperative. Six patients occurred transient diabetes insipidus, 2 patients with transient cerebrospinal rhinorrhoea cured by conservative therapy. One patient occurred acute hypopituitarism postoperatively. There were no death or intracranial infection and nasal complication such as nasal adherence in all patients.
CONCLUSION
The extended transsphenoidalapproach can be used for treatment of gigantic pituitary tumor. The surgeon should be familiarity with the sellar and parasellar anatomy and skilled with transsphenoidal surgery. | pubmed_854_1859 |
pubmed_832_18427 | PURPOSE
This prospective longitudinal study quantifies health-related quality of life (HRQoL) up to 10 years following permanent iodine-125 (125I) prostate brachytherapy alone for localized prostate cancer.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In total, 120 patients completed a validated expanded prostate cancer index composite (EPIC) questionnaire pre-treatment and at 8 time points after treatment (6 weeks, 6, 10, 18 months, and 2, 3, 5, 10 years). At each time point, clinically relevant small, moderate, and severe declines in HRQoL were defined as 0.2-0.5 SD, 0.5-0.8 SD, and > 0.8 SD of baseline function for each of urinary, bowel, and sexual domains, respectively.
RESULTS
Response rates in the first two years were > 90%, but thereafter dropped to 75% and 48% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. 50 patients (41.6%) responded at all stages. Maximal deterioration in mean urinary and sexual summary scores was noted 6 weeks after implant, with severe urinary symptoms and moderate bowel/sexual symptoms. At 6 months, urinary and bowel quality of life (QoL) had improved to mild impairment, which then fully resolved at 10 months. Sexual QoL remained mildly impaired throughout the 10 years of follow-up. At 10 years, new mild impairment of urinary and bowel QoL was found.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinically mild changes in urinary, bowel, and sexual QoL are found 10 years after 125I monotherapy. The impairment in sexual function persists from treatment, but urinary and bowel symptoms are new at 10 years. | 10.5114/jcb.2020.101686 |
pubmed_400_32 | The National Nutrition Survey in Japan (J-NNS), an annual nationwide survey on nutrition and diet of the Japanese people, is reviewed. J-NNS was started in the Tokyo Metropolitan area in 1945 following the end of World War II. The survey area was gradually expanded and became nationwide in 1948. The current survey obtains data from more than 12,000 persons of approximately 5,000 randomly selected households. The survey consists of three parts: a physical examination, a dietary intake survey and a dietary habit questionnaire. The physical examination includes anthropometric measurements and a blood test, the dietary intake survey examines nutrient/food intake with a semi-weighed recording method, and the dietary habit questionnaire monitors nutrition/diet-consciousness and dietary habits. In this review, the aim and brief history of the survey are outlined in the first section. The following section, explains its administrative framework, target population, sampling method, annual schedule and question items, focusing on their historical transition. Then the findings of the J-NNS are summarized, which highlights annual changes in the intake of energy, macronutrients, micronutrients and food groups. The current findings of the dietary habit questionnaire are also given in brief. | 10.3177/jnsv.48.423 |
pubmed_946_13164 | The lipids of mammalian stratum corneum are known to be important regulators of skin permeability. Since the human stratum corneum displays remarkable regional variations in skin permeability, we assessed the total lipid concentration, the distribution of all major lipid species, and the fatty acid composition in Bligh-Dyer extracts from four skin sites (abdomen, leg, face, and sole) that are known to display widely disparate permeability. Statistically significant differences in lipid weight were found at the four sites that were inversely proportional to their known permeability. In all four sites, among the polar lipids, the stratum corneum contained negligible phospholipids, but substantially more cholesterol sulfate (1-7%) than previously appreciated. As in the stratum corneum from other mammals, the bulk of the lipids consisted of neutral (60-80%) and sphingolipids (15-35%). Of the neutral lipids, free sterols (4- to 5-times greater than esterified sterols), free fatty acids, triglycerides, and highly nonpolar species (n-alkanes and squalene) predominated. n-Alkanes, which were present in greater quantities than previously appreciated, comprised a homologous series of odd- and even-chained compounds ranging from C19 to C34. The sphingolipids comprised over 80% ceramides vs. lesser quantities of glycosphingolipids. In all four sites, the sphingolipids were the major repository of long-chain, saturated fatty acids. The neutral lipid:sphingolipid ratio generally was proportional to the known permeability of each site: higher neutral lipids and lower sphingolipids generally were associated with superior barrier properties. These studies provide: 1) the first detailed, quantitative analysis of human stratum corneum lipids and 2) information about the variability in lipid composition at four skin sites with known differences in permeability. The latter results suggest that variations in neutral lipids, rather than sphingolipids, may underlie local variations in skin permeability. | pubmed_946_13164 |
pubmed_1069_7915 | The clinical efficacy of oral and intravenous (iv) artesunate was compared in an open randomized trial in 50 male adult patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Kibaha, Tanzania. Oral artesunate treatment was started with 2 x 50 mg initially followed by 50 mg 12 hr later and then 50 mg twice a day for four days (total dose = 550 mg or 9.6 mg/kg). Intravenous artesunate administration began with 2 x 0.8 mg/kg initially followed by 0.8 mg/kg 12 hr later and then 0.8 mg/kg twice a day for four days (total dose = 8.8 mg/kg). The mean +/- SD parasite clearance times (PCTs) were nearly identical at 23.4 +/- 5.9 hr and 24.2 +/- 7.2 hr after oral and iv administration, respectively. Mean +/- SD fever subsidence times (FSTs) were also similar at 18.7 +/- 8.3 hr and 21.0 +/- 4.8 hr, respectively. All patients remained negative for P. falciparum for at least 14 days. Recrudescence/reinfection occurred between days 21 and 28 in five of 25 patients (20%) after oral treatment and in four of 25 patients (16%) after iv treatment. The mean erythrocyte count and hemoglobin concentration were slightly reduced after iv treatment but remained in the normal range. Otherwise, there was no change in blood biochemistry, hematology, and electrocardiograms monitored prior to and during the last dose. It is concluded that treatment with oral and iv artesunate was equally efficacious and well tolerated. A 24-hr in vitro susceptibility test of P. falciparum to artemisinin, chloroquine, and mefloquine was performed in samples from all patients. The three compounds exhibited 100% inhibition with the exception of three isolates, which showed chloroquine resistance. Parameter estimates of a sigmoid Emax model (drug concentration at which 50% of the growth inhibition occurs [EC50]), the sigmoidicity factor s and EC95 fitted to the growth inhibition data differed between compounds and isolates, indicating different sensitivity of P. falciparum isolates. There was no correlation between artemisinin and mefloquine EC50 values, while artemisinin and chloroquine EC50 values showed weak correlation (r2 = 0.223, P = 0.006). There was no correlation between parameters describing clinical outcome (the PCT, the time needed for reduction of the parasite density to 50% and 95% of the initial parasitemia, and the FST) and those describing in vitro susceptibility. | 10.4269/ajtmh.1995.53.639 |
pubmed_142_15961 | A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 275 and 760 randomly selected senior officers (SOs) and managerial assistants (MAs) aged between 30 and 60 years. Sum of scores of efforts, rewards, and overcommitment and effort-reward ratio assessed job stress. Blood pressure was measured and classified using JNC-7 guidelines. The response rates of SOs and MAs were 98.9% and 97.2%, respectively. The prevalence of job stress based on high effort-rewards imbalance among SOs and MAs was 74.6% and 80.5%, respectively. The prevalence of overcommitment among SOs and MAs was 35.3% and 29%, respectively. Statistically significant differences (P = .05) were observed between the prevalence of effort-reward imbalance and overcommitment among SOs and MAs. Multivariate analysis indicated effort-reward imbalance (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-7.4), high efforts (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.2-5.3), and overcommitment (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1-5.6) were significantly associated with hypertension among SOs. Similarly, effort-reward imbalance and high efforts increased the risk of hypertension by 2-fold (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1-4.2) and 3-fold (OR = 3.02; 95% CI = 1.9-4.8), respectively, among the MAs. A significant number of administrators are afflicted by job stress, and job stress was significantly associated with hypertension. | 10.1177/1010539515598834 |
pubmed_178_8644 | A prospective study of 114 patients with DMD provided data for "power" calculations for future therapeutic trials. There was a decline in strength of 0.4 units per year (on a 0-10 scale). Contractures of the iliotibial bands, hip flexors, and heel cords developed before 6 years. Contractures of other joints accompanied the increased use of wheelchairs. All children walked until 8 years with functional "improvement" between 3-6 years. Children of the same age varied widely in their strength, degree of contracture, and functional abilities. Fifteen percent of the patients appear to have a milder variety of the disease and are termed "outliers." To test a drug which might slow the disease to 25% of its original rate of progression, two groups (placebo and treatment) of 40 patients each would have to be followed for one year. | 10.1002/mus.880060204 |
pubmed_169_10220 | The data on 27 cases of parenchymatous jaundice resulting from acute virus hepatitis (16) chronic hepatitis (6), primary biliary liver cirrhosis (5) are analyzed in this work. All the patients underwent diagnostic laparotomy. The authors have come to the conclusion that the stress induced by surgical interventions results, as a rule in a rapid favorable change in the clinical course of virus hepatitis. Surgical interventions are not likely to exert a therapeutic effect upon patients with chronic hepatitis and primary biliary liver cirrhosis. | pubmed_169_10220 |
pubmed_122_18663 | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Ventricular enlargement in elderly raises a challenging differential diagnosis to physicians. While Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) constitutes a potentially reversible syndrome. iNPH has a unique pathophysiology pertaining to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and periventricular white matter. We aimed to determine the effects of iNPH on periventricular white matter bundles and to further characterize its ventricular and sulcal CSF distribution by using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) and CSF volumetrics on high resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data.
METHODS
Deterministic DTT and validated volumetric parcellation were performed on 20 healthy elderly, 13 Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 9 iNPH patients. The superior thalamic radiation, corticospinal tract, and dentatorubrothalamic tract were traced and quantified using DTI studio software. Cloud-based volumetric parcellation was also performed on 138 healthy subjects across the lifespan, 13 AD, and 9 iNPH-patients. Ventricular and sulcal CSF volumes in the three groups were compared.
RESULTS
Combining increased mean diffusivity of the superior thalamic radiation with ventricular volume resulted in clear separation of iNPH from the AD and age-matched healthy subject groups. Additionally, ventricular to sulcal CSF ratio, utilizing fully automated methods, was significantly greater in the iNPH patients compared to AD and healthy age-matched controls.
CONCLUSIONS
Combined microstructural (DTT) and macrostructural (ventricular volume) changes is a promising radiological approach in studying ventriculomegaly. Automated estimation of the disproportionate ventricular and sulcal CSF ratio in patients presenting with ventriculomegaly may be important as radiologic markers in differentiating iNPH from other causes of ventriculomegaly. | 10.1111/jon.12581 |
pubmed_442_10857 | The authors present the results and describe the methods of the experimental studies aimed at the evaluation of the biological effects of laser-assisted treatment of ENT pathologies at the wavelengths of 810 nm, 980 nm, and 1470 nm in comparison with the results obtained with the use of a radiofrequency scalpel in biological tissues having different optical and mechanical properties.Special emphasis is placed on the peculiarities of the action of laser irradiation and healing of radiation-induced wounds depending on the treatment regimens, viz. contact, remote, pulsed and continuous ones. The results of the analysis of the experience gained during the study and of the experimental findings provided a basis on which the main principles of the choice of the optimal parameters of the laser radiation action on the biological tissues have been formulated. | 10.17116/otorino201681414-18 |
pubmed_341_12834 | Previously published work on joint estimation/detection tasks has focused on the area under the estimation receiver operating characteristic (EROC) curve as a figure of merit (FOM) for these tasks in imaging. Another FOM for these joint tasks is the Bayesian risk, where a cost is assigned to all detection outcomes and to the estimation errors, and then averaged over all sources of randomness in the object ensemble and the imaging system. Important elements of the cost function, which are not included in standard EROC analysis, are that the cost for a false positive depends on the estimate produced for the parameter vector, and the cost for a false negative depends on the true value of the parameter vector. The ideal observer in this setting, which minimizes the risk, is derived for two applications. In the first application, a parameter vector is estimated only in the case of a signal present classification. For the second application, parameter vectors are estimated for either classification, and these vectors may have different dimensions. In both applications, a risk-based estimation receiver operating characteristic curve is defined and an expression for the area under this curve is given. It is also shown that, for some observers, this area may be estimated from a two alternative forced choice test. Finally, if the classifier is optimized for a given estimator, then it is shown that the slope of the risk-based estimation receiver operating characteristic curve at each point is the negative of the ratio of the prior probabilities for the two classes. | 10.1117/1.JMI.6.1.015502 |
pubmed_279_6497 | Metastasis to the eye represents by far the most common form of intraocular and orbital cancer. This form of malignant disease may present with a variety of signs and symptoms including pain, vision loss, visual field defect, and proptosis. This varied clinical presentation is described, and available treatment modalities are discussed. | pubmed_279_6497 |
pubmed_807_8703 | BACKGROUND
The development of new wireless communication technologies that emit radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is ongoing, but little is known about the RF-EMF exposure distribution in the general population. Previous attempts to measure personal exposure to RF-EMF have used different measurement protocols and analysis methods making comparisons between exposure situations across different study populations very difficult. As a result, observed differences in exposure levels between study populations may not reflect real exposure differences but may be in part, or wholly due to methodological differences.
METHODS
The aim of this paper is to develop a study protocol for future personal RF-EMF exposure studies based on experience drawn from previous research. Using the current knowledge base, we propose procedures for the measurement of personal exposure to RF-EMF, data collection, data management and analysis, and methods for the selection and instruction of study participants.
RESULTS
We have identified two basic types of personal RF-EMF measurement studies: population surveys and microenvironmental measurements. In the case of a population survey, the unit of observation is the individual and a randomly selected representative sample of the population is needed to obtain reliable results. For microenvironmental measurements, study participants are selected in order to represent typical behaviours in different microenvironments. These two study types require different methods and procedures.
CONCLUSION
Applying our proposed common core procedures in future personal measurement studies will allow direct comparisons of personal RF-EMF exposures in different populations and study areas. | 10.1186/1476-069X-9-23 |
pubmed_184_3001 | Using both stock and clinical isolates, the Enterotube system was examined for reproducibility of its biotype identification. Fifty stock strains of Enterobacteriaceae were tested on each of 22 separate days (interrun evaluation), and ten Enterotubes per strain were inoculated from one subculture (intrarun evaluation). It was found that 2 of the 50 strains (4 percent) demonstrated reproducibility of biotypes, defined as no variation in the results of the 22 interrun Enterotubes. Twenty-one of the 50 strains (42 percent) demonstrated reproducibility of biotypes, defined as no variation in the results of the ten intrarun Enterotubes. In addition, 20 replicate Enterotube biotype identifications were performed on each of 114 urine cultures which had greater than 10(5) morphologically identical colonies per milliliter of urine. Forty-two of these 114 clinical urine cultures (34 percent) demonstrated no variation in biochemical test results with the 20 replicate Enterotubes. In 47 (44 percent) of the 20 replicate urine cultures, one biochemical test result varied. Two or more biochemical test results were different in the 20 Enterotubes from 25 (22 percent) of the urine cultures. | pubmed_184_3001 |
pubmed_1098_24290 | Objectives
Studies have demonstrated that Latinx populations face significant health disparities in access to mental health care. The objective of this study was to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health needs of Latinx families, from the perspectives of direct service providers working with Latinx communities.
Methods
Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually with direct service providers to the Latinx community from August to October 2020. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results
Two-thirds of providers were female, with a median age of 33 years, and provided direct services to Latinx clients and had extensive experience working with immigrant families, particularly in Massachusetts. Key themes identified describing the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health needs of Latinx families included: (1) exacerbation of mental health symptoms, (2) financial stressors, (3) preoccupation regarding transnational lives, (4) secondary needs becoming more salient, and (5) immigration status as a main driver of inequality.
Conclusions
Our findings highlight the importance of focusing on the mental health needs of Latinx immigrants and ensuring their access to mental health services. Telehealth seems to be a potential tool that promotes mental health access among Latinx clients. Future research needs to continue investigating the role of telehealth in decreasing mental health access disparities. | 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1000233 |
pubmed_250_18182 | INTRODUCTION
The prolactin-Janus-kinase-2-signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (JAK2-STAT5) pathway is essential for the development and functional differentiation of the mammary gland. The pathway also has important roles in mammary tumourigenesis. Prolactin regulated target genes are not yet well defined in tumour cells, and we undertook, to the best of our knowledge, the first large genetic screen of breast cancer cells treated with or without exogenous prolactin. We hypothesise that the identification of these genes should yield insights into the mechanisms by which prolactin participates in cancer formation or progression, and possibly how it regulates normal mammary gland development.
METHODS
We used subtractive hybridisation to identify a number of prolactin-regulated genes in the human mammary carcinoma cell line SKBR3. Northern blotting analysis and luciferase assays identified the gene encoding heat shock protein 90-alpha (HSP90A) as a prolactin-JAK2-STAT5 target gene, whose function was characterised using apoptosis assays.
RESULTS
We identified a number of new prolactin-regulated genes in breast cancer cells. Focusing on HSP90A, we determined that prolactin increased HSP90A mRNA in cancerous human breast SKBR3 cells and that STAT5B preferentially activated the HSP90A promoter in reporter gene assays. Both prolactin and its downstream protein effector, HSP90alpha, promote survival, as shown by apoptosis assays and by the addition of the HSP90 inhibitor, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), in both untransformed HC11 mammary epithelial cells and SKBR3 breast cancer cells. The constitutive expression of HSP90A, however, sensitised differentiated HC11 cells to starvation-induced wild-type p53-independent apoptosis. Interestingly, in SKBR3 breast cancer cells, HSP90alpha promoted survival in the presence of serum but appeared to have little effect during starvation.
CONCLUSIONS
In addition to identifying new prolactin-regulated genes in breast cancer cells, we found that prolactin-JAK2-STAT5 induces expression of the HSP90A gene, which encodes the master chaperone of cancer. This identifies one mechanism by which prolactin contributes to breast cancer. Increased expression of HSP90A in breast cancer is correlated with increased cell survival and poor prognosis and HSP90alpha inhibitors are being tested in clinical trials as a breast cancer treatment. Our results also indicate that HSP90alpha promotes survival depending on the cellular conditions and state of cellular transformation. | 10.1186/bcr2193 |
pubmed_719_15804 | OBJECTIVES
Type III aortic arch configuration consistently presents anatomical and biomechanical characteristics which have been associated with an increased risk of type B aortic dissection (TBD). Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of type III arch in patients with TBD and type B intramural haematoma (IMH-B).
METHODS
A multicentre retrospective analysis was performed on patients with TBD and IMH-B observed between 2002 and 2017. The computed tomographic images were reviewed to identify the type of aortic arch. Exclusion criteria included previous arch surgery, presence of aortic dissection or aneurysm proximal to the left subclavian artery and bovine arches. An ad hoc systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to assess the prevalence of type III arch in non-TBD and non-aneurysmal patients.
RESULTS
Two hundred and sixty-one patients with TBD/IMH-B were found to be suitable for the study and were stratified according to aortic arch classification. The ad hoc literature search provided 10 relevant articles, from which a total of 7983 control cases were retrieved. TBD/IMH-B patients were significantly younger than controls [64.3, standard error: 0.74 (62.84-65.76) vs mean pooled age 70.5, standard error: 0.40 (69.71-71.28)]. Patients with TBD/IMH-B presented with a significantly higher prevalence of type III arch [41.0% (107/261) (35.2-47.1)] than controls [16% (1241/7983) (10-22)].
CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate an association between type III arch configuration and the occurrence of TBD/IMH-B. These findings warrant further studies to disclose the potential role of type III arch configuration as an anatomical risk factor for TBD/IMH-B. | 10.1093/ejcts/ezz137 |
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