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pubmed_895_19861 | This article describes a pre-vocational program that was developed in a private residential skilled care pediatric facility, under the guidance of an occupational therapy consultant. This "Special Training Program" was designed to meet the needs of the few higher functioning adolescents and young adults residing within the facility who did not participate in daily community school programs. This paper presents the philosophical issues related to developing a pre-vocational program; the criteria for selecting program participants; the program structure (implementation details, work sample selection, production rate data records, program supervision, participant remuneration, physical set-up and start-up costs); and an evaluation of the benefits and disadvantages of the program following one year of the Special Training Program's initiation date. | 10.1080/J003v06n02_12 |
pubmed_357_25721 | The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of caffeine consumption (CC) on cognitive motor interference while walking and maintaining balance in middle-aged women. Twenty middle-aged women (52 ± 2.0 years; height 158 ± 2.0 cm; body mass 77 ± 14.9 kg; body mass index ±3.4 kg/m2, mean ± SD) participated in this study. Participants completed measures of a single task (ST) cognitive, a ST motor and a dual task (DT) cognitive-motor tests before and after either caffeine (100 mg) or placebo ingestion. Results showed that before CC, both motor (P < 0.0005) and cognitive (P < 0.05) performances decreased in the DT condition compared to the ST one. After CC, no significant difference in the motor performances between ST and DT conditions was observed. In fact, both standing and walking DT performances were improved as indicated by a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the dual task cost (DTC) of motor performances. In conclusion, middle-aged women showed difficulties to manage DT situations in which a cognitive and a motor task must be performed concurrently. Caffeine is an effective ergogenic aid to improve both cognitive and motor performances during DT conditions and could be an alternative to nullify the deteriorating effect of DT when maintaining balance and walking in middle-aged women. These enhancements could offer great potential for everyday functioning. | 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113437 |
pubmed_236_18174 | OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that interindividual differences in response to clozapine therapy might be attributable to the D4 dopamine receptor (DRD4) alleles they carry. Different alleles of the D4 dopamine receptor, coded by the DRD4 gene, differ in the affinity with which they bind the atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine in vitro. This may have physiologic implications. Clinical response to clozapine therapy varies among patients. The observation that, in vitro, clozapine binds the protein products of different DRD4 alleles with differing affinity characteristics suggested this hypothesis.
METHOD
The region of the DRD4 gene that encodes the putative third cytoplasmic loop of the D4 receptor contains a 48-base pair sequence repeated a variable number of times. With use of polymerase chain reaction amplification, we assessed this variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in a series of schizophrenic and schizoaffective subjects who had been treated with clozapine, and related genotype with treatment response, to test the hypothesis that DRD4 alleles lead to varying response to clozapine.
RESULTS
Allelic variation at the DRD4 locus does not predict clinical response to clozapine relative to either fluphenazine hydrochloride or placebo in subjects with treatment-refractory schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
CONCLUSIONS
DRD4 alleles do not predict therapeutic response to clozapine in schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients. There are implications from these data for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and the mechanism of clozapine's therapeutic effect are discussed. | 10.1001/archpsyc.1994.03950110072009 |
pubmed_11_20884 | AIMS
To use Mendelian randomization to assess whether alcohol intake was causally associated with cognitive function.
DESIGN
Mendelian randomization using a genetic variant related to alcohol intake (ADH1B rs1229984) was used to obtain unbiased estimates of the association between alcohol intake and cognitive performance.
SETTING
Europe.
PARTICIPANTS
More than 34 000 adults.
MEASUREMENTS
Any versus no alcohol intake and units of intake in the previous week was measured by questionnaire. Cognitive function was assessed in terms of immediate and delayed word recall, verbal fluency and processing speed.
FINDINGS
Having consumed any versus no alcohol was associated with higher scores by 0.17 standard deviations (SD) [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.15, 0.20] for immediate recall, 0.17 SD (95% CI = 0.14, 0.19) for delayed recall, 0.17 SD (95% CI = 0.14, 0.19) for verbal fluency and 0.12 SD (95% CI = 0.09, 0.15) for processing speed. The minor allele of rs1229984 was associated with reduced odds of consuming any alcohol (odds ratio = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.80, 0.95; P = 0.001; R(2) = 0.1%; F-statistic = 47). In Mendelian randomization analysis, the minor allele was not associated with any cognitive test score, and instrumental variable analysis suggested no causal association between alcohol consumption and cognition: -0.74 SD (95% CI = -1.88, 0.41) for immediate recall, -1.09 SD (95% CI = -2.38, 0.21) for delayed recall, -0.63 SD (95% CI = -1.78, 0.53) for verbal fluency and -0.16 SD (95% CI = -1.29, 0.97) for processing speed.
CONCLUSIONS
The Mendelian randomization analysis did not provide strong evidence of a causal association between alcohol consumption and cognitive ability. | 10.1111/add.12568 |
pubmed_919_15121 | STUDY OBJECTIVES
It is well known that systemic administration of corticosteroids has a dual effect on growth hormone (GH) secretion in man: acute systemic administration stimulates GH release, whereas chronic administration consistently blocks it. In this study, we evaluate whether administration of inhaled corticosteroids could acutely stimulate GH secretion, and whether this effect could be dose related.
DESIGN
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
PARTICIPANTS
Eight normal male volunteers all recruited at our institution.
INTERVENTIONS
Administration of increasing doses of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP; range, 50 to 1,500 mug) or placebo.
MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS
Blood samples for GH determinations were collected at - 15, 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, and 360 min in relation to BDP or placebo administration. The results of this study show a peak GH secretion at 240 min after the administration of BDP at doses > 100 microg. The comparisons among the peaks obtained with increasing doses showed a dose-response effect on GH secretion, starting from 100 to 1,000 microg. BDP 1,500 microg did not induce a peak significantly different from that obtained with 1,000 microg. When we calculated the GH response to BDP as an area under the curve (micrograms per liter x 6 h), the data confirmed that GH secretion was elicited in a dose-related manner.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that inhaled BDP at dose > 100 microg acutely stimulates GH secretion in a strictly dose-dependent manner. We propose this test as a surrogate for systemic absorption and as a valuable test to compare systemic effects among different inhaled steroids. | 10.1378/chest.128.2.902 |
pubmed_236_11404 | CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance program (ABLES) monitors elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in adults in the United States. Blood lead data from laboratory reports are transmitted to state-based lead surveillance programs and are compiled by NIOSH for quarterly reporting. | pubmed_236_11404 |
pubmed_377_1086 | OBJECTIVES
To assess the degree of relationship among individuals with hemangiomas and to evaluate the relative risk (RR) for family members of individuals with hemangiomas.
DESIGN
Retrospective case-control study.
SETTING
Utah Population Database.
PARTICIPANTS
Data sets of individuals of different ages with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes for hemangiomas were created from sources having medical records linked to the Utah Population Database. Controls were selected who matched cases for sex, birth year, and birthplace inside vs outside of Utah. Ten controls were selected per case, and sampling was performed without replacement. Kinship analysis tools were used to identify pedigrees having excess individuals with hemangiomas.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Using conditional logistic regression analysis, RR for hemangiomas among several kinship classes was determined.
RESULTS
Identified were 2514 distinct cases 12 years or younger with ICD-9 code 228.01, and the RR for sibs in this group was significantly increased (RR, 2.52; P < .001). Seventy-three founder families had 5 or more affected descendants with cluster P values ≤ .01; familial standardized incidence ratios ranged from 1.64 to 9.50. Family sizes ranged from 546 to 22 291 descendants.
CONCLUSIONS
Sibs have increased RR for infantile hemangiomas, suggesting a potential genetic contribution to this likely multifactorial disease. Identification of large families with distantly related individuals will be helpful for future shared segment identification analyses. | 10.1001/archoto.2011.91 |
pubmed_299_379 | Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine-like 1 (SPARCL1) is a member of the osteonectin family of proteins. In this study, immunohistochemistry for SPARCL1 was performed to obtain its distribution in the human brainstem, cervical spinal cord, and sensory ganglion. SPARCL1-immunoreactivity was detected in neuronal cell bodies including perikarya and proximal dendrites, and the neuropil. The motor nuclei of the IIIrd, Vth, VIth, VIIth, IXth, Xth, XIth, and XIIth cranial nerves and spinal nerves contained many SPARCL1-immunoreactive (-IR) neurons with medium-sized to large cell bodies. Small and medium-sized SPARCL1-IR neurons were distributed in sensory nuclei of the Vth, VIIth, VIIIth, IXth, and Xth cranial nerves. In the medulla oblongata, the dorsal column nuclei also had small to medium-sized SPARCL1-IR neurons. In addition, SPARCL1-IR neurons were detected in the nucleus of the trapezoid body and pontine nucleus within the pons and the arcuate nucleus in the medulla oblongata. In the cervical spinal cord, the ventral horn contained some SPARCL1-IR neurons with large cell bodies. These findings suggest that SPARCL1-containing neurons function to relay and regulate motor and sensory signals in the human brainstem. In the dorsal root (DRG) and trigeminal ganglia (TG), primary sensory neurons contained SPARCL1-immunoreactivity. The proportion of SPARCL1-IR neurons in the TG (mean ± SD, 39.9 ± 2.4%) was higher than in the DRG (30.6 ± 2.1%). SPARCL1-IR neurons were mostly medium-sized to large (mean ± SD, 1494.5 ± 708.3 μm(2); range, 320.4-4353.4 μm(2)) in the DRG, whereas such neurons were of various cell body sizes in the TG (mean ± SD, 1291.2 ± 532.8 μm(2); range, 209.3-4326.4 μm(2)). There appears to be a SPARCL1-containing sensory pathway in the ganglion and brainstem of the spinal and trigeminal nervous systems. | 10.1080/08990220.2016.1197115 |
pubmed_382_17913 | Previous work has provided conclusive support for a role of various protein kinases in processes underlying learning and memory formation. While these processes are not yet established in full detail, it is interesting to entertain the idea of protein phosphatases being involved in such mechanisms as well. Recent advances in this respect have provided preliminary support of this view. From the pharmacological as well as the transgenic analysis, it appears that especially the calcineurin/inhibitor-1 cascade plays an important role in the transition of intermediate-term into long-term memory formation. | 10.1007/s000180050313 |
pubmed_171_5015 | Prostaglandin E(2) is a potent lipid mediator of inflammation that effects changes in cell functions through ligation of four distinct G protein-coupled receptors (E-prostanoid (EP)1, EP2, EP3, and EP4). During pneumonia, PGE(2) production is enhanced. In the present study, we sought to assess the effect of endogenously produced and exogenously added PGE(2) on FcRgamma-mediated phagocytosis of bacterial pathogens by alveolar macrophages (AMs), which are critical participants in lung innate immunity. We also sought to characterize the EP receptor signaling pathways responsible for these effects. PGE(2) (1-1000 nM) dose-dependently suppressed the phagocytosis by rat AMs of IgG-opsonized erythrocytes, immune serum-opsonized Klebsiella pneumoniae, and IgG-opsonized Escherichia coli. Conversely, phagocytosis was stimulated by pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. PGE(2) suppression of phagocytosis was associated with enhanced intracellular cAMP production. Experiments using both forskolin (adenylate cyclase activator) and rolipram (phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor) confirmed the inhibitory effect of cAMP stimulation. Immunoblot analysis of rat AMs identified expression of only EP2 and EP3 receptors. The selective EP2 agonist butaprost, but neither the EP1/EP3 agonist sulprostone nor the EP4-selective agonist ONO-AE1-329, mimicked the effects of PGE(2) on phagocytosis and cAMP stimulation. Additionally, the EP2 antagonist AH-6809 abrogated the inhibitory effects of both PGE(2) and butaprost. We confirmed the specificity of our results by showing that AMs from EP2-deficient mice were resistant to the inhibitory effects of PGE(2). Our data support a negative regulatory role for PGE(2) on the antimicrobial activity of AMs, which has important implications for future efforts to prevent and treat bacterial pneumonia. | 10.4049/jimmunol.173.1.559 |
pubmed_1086_4917 | OBJECTIVE
Antidepressants do not differ significantly in their ability to treat depression. Excluding the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), these drugs also do not differ significantly in their incidence of adverse events. Therefore, the initial choice of antidepressant medication should be based, in part, on cost. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact on utilization and costs of a generic steptherapy edit for antidepressant drugs excluding TCAs in a health maintenance organization (HMO) in an integrated health system (IHS).
METHODS
The pharmacy department of the 440,000-member HMO in an IHS collaborated with the Behavioral Health Clinical Program to design an intervention that required generic antidepressants as first-line pharmacotherapy. Under the GenericStart! Program, a brand-name antidepressant was covered only after trial with a generic antidepressant, excluding TCAs. A step-therapy edit was added to the pharmacy claims processing system on January 1, 2005. All new starts, defined as members with no claims history of antidepressant treatment within the preceding 6 months, were required to use a generic antidepressant. The member copayment was waived for the first prescription. All generic antidepressants were in tier 1 of the drug formulary, with an average copayment of $5 to $10. All brand-name antidepressants were in either tier 2 (preferred brand), with an average copayment of $20 to $25 or 25% coinsurance, or tier 3 (nonformulary brand), with an average copayment of $40 to $45 or 50% coinsurance. Pharmacy claims data from a national pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) without interventions for antidepressants in 2004 or 2005 were used for the comparison group.
RESULTS
The generic antidepressant dispensing rate increased by 20 points (32.5% to 52.5%) in the intervention group but only 7.4 points (24.9% to 32.3%) in the comparison group in 2005 compared with 2004. The principal measure of antidepressant drug cost per day of therapy in the intervention group decreased by 11.7% (from $2.40 to $2.12) in 2005 compared with 2004 versus a 2.7% decrease (from $2.60 to $2.53) in the comparison group (P <0.001). Days of antidepressant drug therapy per member per month (PMPM) dropped by 1.5% (from 1.74 to 1.71) in the intervention group versus a decrease of 5.0% (from 1.37 to 1.30) in the comparison group in 2005 compared with 2004. The combination of change in drug cost and utilization resulted in a 13.0% decrease in antidepressant drug cost, from $4.16 PMPM in 2004 to $3.62 in 2005, compared with a 7.6% decrease (from $3.57 to $3.30 PMPM) in the comparison group. The 9.0% difference in drug cost per day represents drug cost savings of approximately $0.36 PMPM or $1,880,562 in 2005 dollars for this HMO of approximately 440,000 members.
CONCLUSION
A step-therapy edit requiring HMO members to use a generic antidepressant, excluding tricyclics, prior to use of a brand-name antidepressant resulted in drug cost savings of 9.0% for the entire class of antidepressants, equal to $1,880,562 ($0.36 PMPM) in 2005 dollars in the first year of the intervention. A small (-1.5%) decrease in use of antidepressants occurred in the intervention group, which was less than the 5.0% decrease in utilization of antidepressants in the comparison group. | 10.18553/jmcp.2006.12.4.294 |
pubmed_940_17897 | Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important human pathogen that can cause acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, partial and entire sequence data from HCV isolates have been reported, suggesting various genotypes of HCV. The genotype may be correlated with the progression of hepatitis and maybe a prognostic marker of treatment. Thus, the availability of an assay for typing HCV RNA is important. This study developed a convenient method for genotyping HCV into six groups by PCR-RFLP with four restriction endonucleases (BstUI, HaeIII, NciI, RsaI) in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of HCV. The HCV genotypes from 169 patients with HCV infections in Korea were analysed. Two genotypes, type 1b and type 2a, accounted for 47.3% and 42.6% of HCV infections, respectively. | 10.1099/00222615-47-7-643 |
pubmed_93_7381 | As part of a study carried out for detecting Arcobacter spp. in shellfish, three mussel isolates that were Gram-negative slightly curved rods, non-spore forming, showed a new 16S rDNA-RFLP pattern with a specific identification method for the species of this genus. Sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and those of the housekeeping genes rpoB, gyrB and hsp60 provided evidence that these mussel strains belonged to an unknown genetic lineage within the genus Arcobacter. The similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the representative strain (F79-6(T)) and type strains of the other Arcobacter species ranged between 94.1% with A. halophilus and 99.1% with the recently proposed species A. defluvii (CECT 7697(T)). DDH results between strain F79-6(T) and the type strain of the latter species were below 70% (53±3.0%). Phenotypic characteristics together with MALDITOF mass spectra differentiated the new mussel strains from all other Arcobacter species. All the results indicate that these strains represent a new species, for which the name Arcobacter ellisii sp. nov. with the type strain F79-6(T) (=CECT 7837(T)=LMG 26155(T)) is proposed. | 10.1016/j.syapm.2011.04.004 |
pubmed_965_8169 | A new piezoelectric crystal impedance sensor for the determination of sulphur dioxide in aqueous solution is presented. It is realized using a series piezoelectric crystal device which is constructed by connecting an AT-cut piezoelectric crystal to a probe in series. The probe is filled with an internal electrolyte solution that is separated from sample solutions by a gas-permeable membrane. The present sensor exhibits a favourable frequency response to 1 x 10(-7)-1 x 10(-3) M sulphur dioxide. The detection limit is 1 x 10(-8) M. The effects of the sensor preparation are considered. Dynamic range, reproducibility, response time and selectivity of the sensor are also discussed. The proposed sensor has been used successfully for lamp sulphur determinations in petroleum samples. | 10.1016/0039-9140(96)01878-4 |
pubmed_434_15459 | PURPOSE
To analyze the distribution of tarsal elastic fibers, with special emphasis on the meibomian duct area.
METHODS
Nine postmortem orbits (5 right, 4 left) of 7 Asian cadavers (mean age at death: 82 years, age range: 73-94 years), fixed in 10% buffered formalin, were used. Full-thickness sagittal sections of the upper eyelid specimens were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin and cut in 7-μm-thick sagittal sections. Sliced sections were stained with elastica van Gieson.
RESULTS
Elastic fibers were demonstrated in all tarsal plates. They were mostly distributed around the meibomian ducts and much less around the acini or in the tarsal stroma. These elastic fibers were also seen in the area of the muscle of Riolan. The outer part of the meibomian acini was less surrounded by elastic fibers.
CONCLUSIONS
Tarsal elastic fibers are distributed mainly around the meibomian ducts, and much less around the acini or in the tarsal stroma. The fibers were also shown to extend to the area of the muscle of Riolan. These anatomical findings may help clarify the mechanisms involved in meibomian secretion. | 10.1097/IOP.0b013e3181f9df55 |
pubmed_540_24366 | The prescription opioid oxycodone is widely used for the treatment of pain in humans. Oxycodone misuse is more common among people with an anxiety disorder than those without one. Therefore, oxycodone might be misused for its anxiolytic properties. We investigated if oxycodone affects anxiety-like behavior in adult male and female rats. The rats were treated with oxycodone (0.178, 0.32, 0.56, or 1 mg/kg), and anxiety-like behavior was investigated in the elevated plus-maze test. Immediately after the elevated plus-maze test, a small open field test was conducted to determine the effects of oxycodone on locomotor activity. In the elevated plus-maze test, oxycodone increased the percentage of time spent on the open arms, the percentage of open arm entries, time on the open arms, open arm entries, and the distance traveled. The males treated with vehicle had a lower percentage of open arm entries than the females treated with vehicle, and oxycodone treatment led to a greater increase in the percentage of open arm entries in the males than females. Furthermore, the females spent more time on the open arms, made more open arm entries, spent less time in the closed arms, and traveled a greater distance than the males. In the small open field test, treatment with oxycodone did not affect locomotor activity or rearing. Sex differences were observed; the females traveled a greater distance and displayed more rearing than the males. In conclusion, oxycodone decreases anxiety-like behavior in rats, and oxycodone has a greater anxiolytic-like effect in males than females. | 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000690 |
pubmed_491_2119 | In this study, we investigated the in vivo effects of exogenous glutathione and buthionine sulfoximine on arsenic methylation and antioxidant capacity in mice exposed to arsenic via drinking water. Thirty-six female albino mice were randomly divided into six groups. All groups were given free access to drinking water that contained arsenic continuously except the control group. After ten days, mice were treated with different levels of glutathione or buthionine sulfoximine. The levels of the metabolites of arsenic were determined in the liver and urine. The levels of glutathione and total antioxidant capacity were determined in the whole blood and liver. Our results showed that the increase of arsenic species in the liver as well as the decrease of blood and hepatic glutathione and total antioxidant capacity, were all relieved by exogenous glutathione consistently. We also observed the involvement of glutathione in promoting arsenic methylation and urinary elimination in vivo. Increase of total arsenic in the urine was mainly due to the increase of dimethylated arsenic. Furthermore, administration of glutathione increased the first methylation ratio and secondary methylation ratio in the liver and urine, which resulted in the consequent increase of dimethylated arsenic percent and decrease of inorganic arsenic percent in the urine. Opposite effects appeared with the administration of buthionine sulfoximine, a scavenger of glutathione. Our study indicated that exogenous glutathione not only accelerated the methylation and the excretion of arsenic, but also relieve the arsenic-induced oxidative stress. This provides a potential useful chemopreventive dietary component for human populations being at risk of arsenic exposure. | 10.2131/jts.40.577 |
pubmed_721_13451 | For rational therapeutic decision making in intensive care patients with artificial ventilation and the use of vasoactive drugs, parameters such as pulmonary shunt, cardiac index and other determinants of gas exchange and circulation are often necessary. For this purpose, a BASIC program suitable for microcomputers was established which facilitates control of therapy. The formulae needed for the calculations are described, and the program is discussed. | 10.1016/0010-4825(87)90023-0 |
pubmed_263_19930 | The ADAR RNA-editing enzymes deaminate adenosine bases to inosines in cellular RNAs. Aberrant interferon expression occurs in patients in whom ADAR1 mutations cause Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) or dystonia arising from striatal neurodegeneration. Adar1 mutant mouse embryos show aberrant interferon induction and die by embryonic day E12.5. We demonstrate that Adar1 embryonic lethality is rescued to live birth in Adar1; Mavs double mutants in which the antiviral interferon induction response to cytoplasmic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is prevented. Aberrant immune responses in Adar1 mutant mouse embryo fibroblasts are dramatically reduced by restoring the expression of editing-active cytoplasmic ADARs. We propose that inosine in cellular RNA inhibits antiviral inflammatory and interferon responses by altering RLR interactions. Transfecting dsRNA oligonucleotides containing inosine-uracil base pairs into Adar1 mutant mouse embryo fibroblasts reduces the aberrant innate immune response. ADAR1 mutations causing AGS affect the activity of the interferon-inducible cytoplasmic isoform more severely than the nuclear isoform. | pubmed_263_19930 |
pubmed_692_6992 | Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell malignancy in need of new, effective, and safe therapies. The recently identified IgM receptor FcμR is overexpressed on malignant B cells in CLL and mediates the rapid internalization and lysosomal shuttling of IgM via its Fc fragment (Fcμ). To exploit this internalization and trafficking pathway for targeted drug delivery, we engineered an IgM-derived protein scaffold (Fcμ) and linked it with the cytotoxic agent monomethylauristatin F. This Fcμ-drug conjugate was selectively toxic for FcμR-expressing cell lines in vitro and for CLL cells but not autologous normal T cells ex vivo. Notably, the cytotoxic activity of the Fcμ-drug conjugate was maintained in CLL cells carrying a 17p deletion, which predicts resistance to standard chemotherapy. Next, we tested the possible therapeutic application of the Fcμ-drug conjugate in immunodeficient NOD/SCID/IL-2Rγ(null) (NSG) mice engrafted with peripheral blood cells from patients with leukemia. Three intravenous injections of the Fcμ-drug conjugate over a 10-day period were well tolerated and selectively killed the human CLL cells but not the coengrafted autologous human T cells. In summary, we developed a novel strategy for targeted cytotoxic therapy of CLL based on the unique properties of FcμR. FcμR-targeted drug delivery showed potent and specific therapeutic activity in CLL, thus providing proof of concept for FcμR as a valuable therapeutic target in CLL and for IgM-based antibody-drug conjugates as a new targeting platform. | 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-14-2030 |
pubmed_1067_24595 | In this paper, we study the controllability of a four-dimensional integrable Hamiltonian system that arises as a low-mode truncation of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation [Bishop, Phys. Lett. A 144, 17 (1990)]. The controller targets a solution of the uncontrolled dynamics. We show that in the limit of small control coupling, a Takens-Bogdanov bifurcation occurs at the control target. These results support our earlier claim that Takens-Bogdanov bifurcations will generically occur when dissipative control is applied to integrable Hamiltonian sytems. The presence of the Takens-Bogdanov bifurcation causes the control to be extremely sensitive to noise. Here, we implement an algorithm first developed in Kulp and Tracy [Phys. Rev. E 70, 016205 (2004)] to extract a subcritical noise threshold for the four-dimensional system. | 10.1103/PhysRevE.72.036213 |
pubmed_927_15084 | Some dyes of the methylene blue family serve as artificial inactivators of the sodium channels when present inside squid axons at a concentration of approximately 0.1 mM. The dyes restore a semblance of inactivation after normal inactivation has been destroyed by pronase. In fibers that inactivate normally, the dyes hasten the decay of sodium current. Many dye-blocked channels conduct transiently on exit of the dye molecule after repolarization to the holding potential. In contrast, normally inactivated channels do not conduct during recovery from inactivation. Kinetic evidence shows that inactivation of a dye-blocked channel is unlikely or impossible, which suggests that dye molecules compete with inactivation "particles" for the same site. In the absence of tetrodotoxin, the dyes do not affect the ON gating current unless the interpulse interval is very short. If sufficient equilibration time is allowed during a pulse, the initial amplitude of the OFF gating current is reduced to near zero. This suggests that a dye molecule is a Na channel completely blocks that channel's gating current, even the fraction that is resistant to normal inactivation. Dyes block INa and Ig with the same time course. This provides the strongest evidence to date that virtually all of recorded "gating current" is associated with Na channels. Tetrodotoxin greatly slows dissociation of dye molecules from Na channels and reduced gating current during both opening and closing of the channels. | 10.1085/jgp.80.5.641 |
pubmed_10_17750 | Licorice extracts containing glycyrrhizin exhibit anti-carcinogenic properties. Because glycyrrhizin induces severe hypokalemia and hypertension, we prepared a hexane/ethanol extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (HEGU) that lacks glycyrrhizin, and showed that HEGU induces apoptosis and G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibits migration of DU145 human prostate cancer cells. Our previous in vitro studies identified two active components in HEGU: isoangustone A, which induces apoptosis and G1 cycle arrest, and licoricidin, which inhibits metastasis. This study examined whether HEGU and licoricidin inhibit metastasis using the 4T1 mammary cancer model. Both HEGU and licoricidin treatment reduced pulmonary metastasis and the expression of CD45, CD31, HIF-1α, iNOS, COX-2, and VEGF-A in tumor tissues. Additionally, a decrease in protein expression of VEGF-R2, VEGF-C, VEGF-R3, and LYVE-1 was noted in tumor tissues of licoricidin-treated mice. Furthermore, the blood concentrations of MMP-9, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and VEGF-A were decreased in HEGU-treated mice. In vitro 4T1 cell culture results showed that both HEGU and licoricidin inhibited cell migration, MMP-9 secretion, and VCAM expression. The present study demonstrates that the licoricidin in HEGU inhibits lung metastasis of 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells, which may be mediated via inhibition of cancer cell migration, tumor angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis. | pubmed_10_17750 |
pubmed_286_10894 | OBJECTIVES
Congenital heart defects are common noninfectious causes of mortality in children. Bleeding and thrombosis are both limiting factors in the management of such patients. We assessed the frequency of thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients with congenital cyanotic heart disease (CCHD) and evaluated determinants of platelet count including immature platelet fraction (IPF) and their role in the pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia.
METHODS
Forty-six children and adolescents with CCHD during pre-catheter visits were studied; median age was 20.5 months. Complete blood count including IPF as a marker of platelet production and reticulated hemoglobin content (RET-He) as a marker of red cell production and iron status were done on Sysmex XE 2100 (Sysmex, Japan). C-reactive protein, prothrombin time (PT), Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were also assessed.
RESULTS
Thrombocytopenia was found in 6 patients (13%). PT was prolonged (P = .016) and IPF was significantly higher in patients with thrombocytopenia compared with patients with normal platelet count (14.15 ± 5.2% vs 6.68 ± 3.39%; P = .003). Platelet count was negatively correlated with IPF while significant positive correlations were found between IPF and hemoglobin, red blood cells (RBCs) count, hematocrit (Hct), PT, reticulocytes count, and immature reticulocyte fraction.
CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that elevated IPF in CCHD patients with thrombocytopenia may denote peripheral platelets destruction as an underlying mechanism. Hemoglobin level, RBCs count, Hct, and RET-He were not significant determinants for platelet count in CCHD. | 10.1111/chd.12530 |
pubmed_255_9101 | When a patient requires parenteral fluid or drug administration and venous cannulation cannot be performed, consider less typical routes. Intraosseus infusions are usually more effective in children than adults, but intraosseus cannulation failure may occur in as many as 20% of patients. Intra-arterial infusions are possible if pump pressures are kept high. Hypodermoclysis (infusion into the subcutaneous tissues) can correct moderate dehydration. Administering resuscitative drugs endobronchially is usually safe and effective, although pulmonary function may be somewhat compromised. A number of drugs may be given sublingually, either by injection or topical application. Finally, the corpora cavernosa of the penis may be used for short-term, large-volume fluid administration. | pubmed_255_9101 |
pubmed_842_10529 | Spider: SPecies IDentity and Evolution in R is a new R package implementing a number of useful analyses for DNA barcoding studies and associated research into species delimitation and speciation. Included are functions essential for generating important summary statistics from DNA barcode data, assessing specimen identification efficacy, and for testing and optimizing divergence threshold limits. In terms of investigating evolutionary and taxonomic questions, techniques for assessing diagnostic nucleotides and probability of reciprocal monophyly are also provided. Additionally, a sliding window function offers opportunities to analyse information across a gene, essential for marker design in degraded DNA studies. Spider capitalizes on R's extensible ethos and offers an integrated platform ideal for the analysis of both nucleotide and morphological data. The program can be obtained from the comprehensive R archive network (CRAN, http://cran.r-project.org) and from the R-Forge package development site (http://spider.r-forge.r-project.org/). | 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2011.03108.x |
pubmed_294_7802 | A congenic strain of mice with amyloidogenic apolipoprotein A-II (Apoa2c) on the genetic background of the amyloidosis-resistant SAM-R/1 strain was produced by 12 generations of backcrossing. Genome mapping using endogenous murine leukemia proviral markers was done in the congenic strain, termed R1.P1-Apoa2c. We confirmed that only a small region surrounding the apoA-II gene on chromosome 1 was transferred from the genome of the donor SAM-P/1 strain. The level and particle size of plasma high density lipoprotein were decreased in R1.P1-Apoa2c mice compared to those in the progenitor SAM-R/1 mice. The function of apoA-II can be studied using this strain of mice. | 10.1016/0014-5793(93)81277-7 |
pubmed_1046_9029 | Background: This study aims to describe the long-term patient-reported outcomes after surgery for hypothenar hammer syndrome (HTHS) and to identify factors associated with inferior outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively identified 27 patients who underwent surgical intervention for HTHS from 2002 to 2016. Fifteen patients (56%) completed outcome questionnaires: Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (CISS) survey, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity Computer Adaptive Test, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference Computer Adaptive Test. The median questionnaire follow-up was 7.2 years (interquartile range, 3.1-9.9). Outcomes were compared across different surgical techniques, and the influence of patient-related factors on outcomes was also evaluated. Results: Six (40%) patients experienced complete symptom resolution, 6 (40%) had improvement without complete resolution, 1 (7%) had resolution followed by recurrence, and 2 (13%) reported no improvement. The most common symptom after surgical intervention was cold intolerance. Questionnaire scores were similar across ligation, direct repair, and vein graft vascular reconstruction. Patients had better CISS scores if they had surgery on their nondominant hand (13.2 vs 38.6) and did not have a manual labor job (18.1 vs 40.5). Conclusions: Surgery for HTHS leads to moderate long-term improvement in patient-reported outcomes. Different surgical techniques yield similar symptomatic relief. Manual labor and surgery of the dominant hand are associated with worse CISS scores. | 10.1177/1558944718810860 |
pubmed_646_17314 | Cachexia is frequently associated with advanced or terminal cancer states, but it can also develop early during the course of neoplastic disease. This syndrome, which is characterized by body weight loss and negative nitrogen balance, significantly affects patient survival and quality of life. Studies on experimental models have shown that a complex interplay of different factors, such as anorexia, classical hormones, cytokines and other less well defined factors, concur in causing tissue wasting. On the basis of these results, it has been possible to prevent the onset of experimental cachexia by targeting therapeutic interventions at the underlying metabolic perturbations. Anticytokine treatments, either acting centrally or peripherally, have received particular attention, and are currently reaching the stage of clinical trials. | 10.1097/00075197-200005000-00003 |
pubmed_552_16851 | In vitro metabolism of the herbicide bentazon was studied in microsomal membranes isolated from 6-day-old etiolated corn shoots. Microsomes isolated from shoots of nontreated seeds did not metabolize bentazon when assayed with NADPH or peroxides. However, microsomes isolated from shoots of seeds pretreated with naphthalic anhydride formed a single bentazon metabolite when provided with NADPH. The metabolite was identified as 6-hydroxybentazon, the major phase I metabolite produced in vivo. In vitro formation of this metabolite was strongly inhibited by carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and tetcyclacis (10 microM). The results suggest that aryl hydroxylation of bentazon in corn shoots is catalyzed by a cytochrome P-450 (E.C. 1.14.14.1) and that a seed pretreatment with naphthalic anhydride is necessary for recovery of activity in vitro. | 10.1016/0006-291x(90)91695-o |
pubmed_410_21756 | Multidrug resistance in bacteria is an important issue and is increasing in frequency worldwide because of the limitations of therapeutic agents. From 2010 to 2019, 14 new systemic antibiotics received regulatory approval in the United States. However, few new antibiotics have been introduced in Republic of Korea to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens. Here, we introduce six novel antibiotics for Gram-positive bacteria and five for Gram-negative bacteria approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency from 2009 to October 2021, and recommend that they be approved for use in Republic of Korea at the earliest possible date. | 10.3904/kjim.2021.527 |
pubmed_477_6261 | The periodontal condition of a well-described group of cirrhotic patients was compared with that of a control group, matched for age, sex ratio and socio-economic background, expressed as years of education. The test group comprised 30 cirrhotic patients, 35-64 years of age. The diagnosis cirrhosis of the liver was confirmed histologically, and no other systemic diseases were present. The material was grouped according to age, 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 years of age. The examination included determination of tooth loss, a plaque index, a gingival index, retentive calculus, retentive decay and fillings, and loss of attachment. The amount of plaque was equal in test and control groups, whereas the cirrhotics had a higher degree of severity of gingival inflammation as well as a greater amount of subgingival calculus than the controls. Test and control groups exhibited no significant difference as regards loss of attachment and tooth loss, and similar correlations between loss of attachment and age were demonstrated in the two groups. Patients suffering from cirrhosis for more than 3 years showed significantly greater loss of attachment, as well as more plaque and calculus compared with those with a disease duration of less than 3 years. It is suggested that this aggravation of the periodontal condition is related to increasing neglect of the teeth, as the cirrhotic condition aggravates. | 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1981.tb00894.x |
pubmed_461_2292 | A variety of autonomic blocking agents, general anesthetics, and anticonvulsants have been shown to offer protection from seizures caused by hyperbaric oxygen. Amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA) has been shown to offer rats only minimal protection from such seizures. This study investigated whether AOAA protected cats and mice from hyperbaric-oxygen-induced seizures. Cats and mice were exposed to 100% oxygen at 5 ATA until seizures occurred or for a period of up to 60 min. Approximately half of the animals were pretreated with AOAA either 30 or 240 min before oxygen exposure. Results showed that the interval between exposure and grand mal seizures increased significantly in cats pretreated 30 or 240 min before exposure with 17 to 25 mg/kg AOAA; the number of cats remaining seizure-free for 60 min also increased markedly. However, mice received little protection even at doses up to 40 mg/kg. At higher doses the AOAA itself caused seizures even in the absence of hyperbaric oxygen. | pubmed_461_2292 |
pubmed_999_12345 | SmartBone® (SB) is a biohybrid bone substitute advantageously proposed as a class III medical device for bone regeneration in reconstructive surgeries (oral, maxillofacial, orthopedic, and oncology). In the present study, a new strategy to improve SB osteoinductivity was developed. SB scaffolds were loaded with lyosecretome, a freeze-dried formulation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-secretome, containing proteins and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Lyosecretome-loaded SB scaffolds (SBlyo) were prepared using an absorption method. A burst release of proteins and EVs (38% and 50% after 30 min, respectively) was observed, and then proteins were released more slowly with respect to EVs, most likely because they more strongly adsorbed onto the SB surface. In vitro tests were conducted using adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) plated on SB or SBlyo. After 14 days, significant cell proliferation improvement was observed on SBlyo with respect to SB, where cells filled the cavities between the native trabeculae. On SB, on the other hand, the process was still present, but tissue formation was less organized at 60 days. On both scaffolds, cells differentiated into osteoblasts and were able to mineralize after 60 days. Nonetheless, SBlyo showed a higher expression of osteoblast markers and a higher quantity of newly formed trabeculae than SB alone. The quantification analysis of the newly formed mineralized tissue and the immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that SBlyo induces bone formation more effectively. This osteoinductive effect is likely due to the osteogenic factors present in the lyosecretome, such as fibronectin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, apolipoprotein A, and TGF-β. | 10.3390/ijms22084064 |
pubmed_407_18436 | PURPOSE
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been associated with lower risk of certain cancers, but data on the effect on skin cancer risk have been limited and contradictory. We prospectively examined whether use of NSAIDS or acetaminophen was associated with a lower risk of skin cancer in women.
METHODS
The 92,125 Caucasian women in the Nurses' Health Study provided information on aspirin use in 1980. Other NSAIDs and acetaminophen were added in 1990. Medication use, frequency, and quantity were reassessed on biennial questionnaires. Through 2008, we confirmed 658 melanoma cases, 1,337 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases, and had 15,079 self-reports of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). We used COX proportional hazards models to compute relative risks (RR) adjusted for known skin cancer risk factors.
RESULTS
Neither aspirin nor non-aspirin NSAID use was associated with a lower risk of melanoma, SCC, or BCC, even for women with high quantity, frequency, or duration of use. Instead, we observed an increased risk of melanoma among current aspirin users (RR = 1.32, 95 % CI 1.03-1.70), though an increase of similar magnitude among past users and lack of a dose-response effect did not support a pharmacologic mechanism. We observed a mild reduction in SCC risk in current acetaminophen users (RR = 0.88, 95 % CI 0.75-1.02), with a linear decrease in risk with greater frequency of use (p = 0.04).
CONCLUSIONS
Aspirin and other NSAIDs were not associated with a lower risk of melanoma, SCC, or BCC in women. Our large, prospective study does not support a chemoprotective effect of NSAIDs against skin cancers. | 10.1007/s10552-012-0019-6 |
pubmed_227_3426 | We describe a patient with advanced prostate cancer who failed to achieve testosterone suppression with depot leuprolide after developing sterile abscesses at the injection sites. When the patient was switched to depot goserelin, he did not have any evidence of inflammation at the injection sites, but testosterone suppression again failed. This case suggests variable mechanisms for failure of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy and highlights the necessity of prospective testosterone monitoring in patients who have developed sterile abscesses, even if switched to another gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. | 10.1016/j.urology.2005.11.015 |
pubmed_453_10794 | We reported the relationship between subjective happiness and psychological condition to investigate which factor effects the quality of life (QOL) in 18 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and compared them with age, sex and dose of steroid matched 18 patients with chronic glomerular nephritis (CGN). The patients were evaluated in morale scale-revised (Japanese version) which is a standard method of evaluating subjective happiness in relation to QOL. State-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) of Spielberger was used for evaluation of anxiety condition with self rating depression scale (SDS) of Zung in evaluation of depressive state. We examined the relationship between morale scale and SDS and morale scale and STAI. The relationship between morale scale and age; period of the disease, dose of steroid and activity were also investigated. There were no significant differences between the groups on morale scale, SDS and STAI and there were no significant correlations between morale scale and age; period of the disease and the dose of steroid in the both groups. There were correlations between morale scale and state and trait anxiety in the group with SLE and morale scale and trait anxiety in the group with CGN. We concluded that anxiety decreased the QOL in patients with SLE and CGN. | pubmed_453_10794 |
pubmed_396_18066 | AIMS
To examine Kreitman's preventive paradox of alcohol consumption and its revisions by Stockwell and colleagues and by Skog, with regard to alcohol-related social harm in Switzerland, and to shed light on the reporting of alcohol-related social harm in the low-volume drinking, non-binging subpopulation. The paper compares occurrence and severity of social harm in four subgroups defined by average consumption (volume) and binge drinking. Stage-of-change membership was used to further distinguish low-risk drinkers who might have changed their drinking patterns from those who had not.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Telephone interviews were conducted with 1256 current drinkers of a probabilistic two-stage sample of the general population of Switzerland. Moderate and hazardous mean consumption (volume) was defined by means of a quantity-frequency instrument. Daily average consumption of 20 g was set as the cut-off point for women, and 30 g for men. Binge drinking was defined as taking four or more drinks on an occasion for women, and five or more for men. Structural equation modelling was used to construct a severity scale of six alcohol-related consequences: work problems, accidents and problems with the police, with friends, with a partner or with the family. Explanatory factor analysis was used to assign drinkers to motivational stages of change.
FINDINGS
Moderate drinkers in terms of volume reported more problems than hazardous drinkers, which confirms Kreitman's view. Binge drinkers reported more problems than non-binge drinkers, confirming the view of Stockwell and colleagues. Binge drinkers were more numerous in the moderate drinking group, which constituted the majority of drinkers, in accordance with Skog's view. Binge drinkers in the moderate-volume and hazardous-volume drinking groups did not differ significantly as to either severity or number of problems. Approximately 40% of moderate-volume, non-binge drinkers who reported alcohol-related social harm had already changed their consumption pattern, which indicated that reported harm was related to an earlier drinking pattern.
CONCLUSIONS
As Skog has pointed out, the second-order preventive paradox of binge drinking reappeared, in that most binge drinkers were found to occur in the drinker group with low average consumption. Findings also indicate that, with respect to social harm, a preventive strategy aimed at the majority of the population, but on heavy-drinking occasions rather than on mean consumption, may be valuable. | 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.96227311.x |
pubmed_576_4527 | We present an evaluation of the role of a link-worker trained in health promotion and aspects of chronic disease management. A shift in workload occurred from the practice nurse to link-worker, and there were improvements in asthma and diabetes care. A link-worker can be successfully trained to do traditional nursing tasks, which permits a change of role for the practice nurse and can have a beneficial effect on the processes of chronic disease management. | pubmed_576_4527 |
pubmed_1140_5800 | An understanding of chemotaxis at the level of cell-molecule interactions is important because of its relevance in cancer, immunology, and microbiology, just to name a few. This study quantifies the effects of flow on cell migration during chemotaxis in a microfluidic device. The chemotaxis gradient within the device was modeled and compared to experimental results. Chemotaxis experiments were performed using the chemokine CXCL8 under different flow rates with human HL60 promyelocytic leukemia cells expressing a transfected CXCR2 chemokine receptor. Cell trajectories were separated into x and y axis components. When the microchannel flow rates were increased, cell trajectories along the x axis were found to be significantly affected (p < 0.05). Total migration distances were not affected. These results should be considered when using similar microfluidic devices for chemotaxis studies so that flow bias can be minimized. It may be possible to use this effect to estimate the total tractile force exerted by a cell during chemotaxis, which would be particularly valuable for cells whose tractile forces are below the level of detection with standard techniques of traction-force microscopy. | 10.1039/b417245k |
pubmed_95_21016 | The biological activities of the venom of three species of spiders of the genus Loxosceles were studied (L. gaucho, L. laeta and L. intermedia). The dermonecrotic and lethal activities are shared by all three Loxosceles venoms. Only low levels of proteolytic, myotoxic and phospholipase A2 activities were demonstrable even when a large amount of venom was used. No direct hemolytic activity was detected. L. intermedia venom was the most lethal (LD50 0.48 mg/kg), the L. laeta venom was the least lethal (LD50 1.45 mg/kg) whereas L. gaucho venom showed an intermediate value (LD50 0.74 mg/kg). The anti-Loxosceles serum used (anti-arachnidic serum) was able to neutralize the most important activities (i.e., dermonecrotic and lethal activities) of the three venoms. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting using the anti-arachnidic serum showed that almost all venom antigens were recognized by this antiserum. The possible mechanisms of action of the Loxosceles venom are discussed. | pubmed_95_21016 |
pubmed_1108_1557 | Multi-population haplotype inference and block partitioning is a difficult task when dealing with mixed genotype samples. A number of studies have shown that the haplotype block structures, as well as the collections of common haplotypes and their frequencies, vary significantly among world populations. These differences are more extreme when the geographical locations for the populations are more distant. Some of the previous studies performed haplotype inference in multi-population samples with known population assignment. Others developed algorithms for clustering of the mixed haplotype or genotype samples with different block structures or genetic marker profiles. We present a new algorithm that performs haplotype inference and block partitioning in a mixed sample of genotypes from two populations when the population assignments are not known. Given a mixed genotype sample, the proposed algorithm (HAPLOCLUST) extracts two clusters of genotypes with different block structures in addition to performing haplotype inference on each of these clusters. When tested on a set of unrelated individuals, our algorithm provides correct assignments comparable to those of two state-of-the-art algorithms for population stratification. The contribution of HAPLOCLUST consists of performing haplotype/block-based population stratification and simultaneously finding the haplotype resolution and block partitioning for the extracted clusters. | 10.1142/s0219720008003898 |
pubmed_385_16832 | Pain affects people's activities of daily living especially among those with cerebral palsy. We report a case of a woman with spastic cerebral palsy who presented with chronic abdominal pain. The principles of multidisciplinary pain management are highlighted and the difficulties when dealing with patients with special needs are discussed. | pubmed_385_16832 |
pubmed_85_14279 | BACKGROUND
Improving apheresis technology may lead to an efficient and safe peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection. Recently, the Spectra Optia (Optia, Terumo BCT) was introduced as an automated apheresis instrument, but comparisons with other instruments have been few. This is the first randomized multicenter and crossover comparison of the Optia with the automated program of the established apheresis instrument, the Spectra (Spectra-Auto, Terumo BCT).
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 233 apheresis procedures performed in 46 autologous patients and 108 allogeneic donors were investigated. Apheresis performed in the first day for all subjects using the Spectra-Auto (n = 79) and the Optia (n = 75) were evaluated as first-day analysis. Seventy-nine subjects, who required another session on the second day, underwent apheresis using the other instrument than the first-day instrument and were compared with each other in a paired crossover analysis.
RESULTS
The two instruments processed similar volumes with comparable run times and volumes of acid-citrate-dextrose used. The volumes of collected products were greater in the Optia. Yields of mononuclear cells and CD34+ cells were not different, but collection efficiencies were higher in the Optia (p = 0.008 in CE1 of crossover analysis). Spectra-Auto-collected products contained more contaminating red blood cells (RBCs), whereas there was a trend of more contaminating platelets (PLTs) in the Optia-collected products. Slight reductions were noted in the RBC or PLT counts of subjects who underwent apheresis with the Spectra-Auto or the Optia, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The Optia is safe and more efficient in the PBSC collection compared with the Spectra-Auto. | 10.1111/trf.13777 |
pubmed_699_17396 | Necroptosis is a genetically regulated form of necrotic cell death that has emerged as an important pathway in cancers. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of breast cancer development. Nevertheless, few studies are reporting the effect of lncRNAs in necroptosis processes and the role of necroptosis-related lncRNAs (NRLs). The present study aimed to construct a prognostic model based on NRLs in breast cancer. NRLs were identified by combining expression profiling data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) with necroptosis-related genes. The non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering analysis was conducted to identify molecular subtypes of BC, and the clinical outcome and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in the different molecular subtypes were analyzed. Four molecular subtypes based on NRLs were identified, and these four molecular subtypes could predict clinical features, prognosis, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs). A 4-NRLs signature and nomogram were established and validated its predictive capability of overall survival (OS) in breast cancer patients. Analyses of clinicopathological features, prognosis, TIICs, tumor microenvironment (TME), somatic mutations, and drug response revealed significant differences between the two risk groups. In addition, we found that low-risk patients exhibited higher levels of immune checkpoints and showed higher immunogenicity in immunophenoscore (IPS) analysis. In conclusion, we constructed a prognostic model based on the expression profile of NRLs, which may facilitate the assessment of patient prognosis, immunotherapeutic responses, and maybe a promising therapeutic target in clinical practice. | 10.1038/s41598-022-15209-3 |
pubmed_854_7382 | BACKGROUND
Ca2+ leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) may play an important role in triggering and/or maintaining atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF). Protein kinase A (PKA) hyperphosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) resulting in dissociation of the channel-stabilizing subunit calstabin2 (FK506-binding protein or FKBP12.6) causes SR Ca2+ leak in failing hearts and can trigger fatal ventricular arrhythmias. Little is known about the role of RyR2 dysfunction in AF, however.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Left and right atrial tissue was obtained from dogs with AF induced by rapid right atrial pacing (n=6 for left atrial, n=4 for right atrial) and sham instrumented controls (n=6 for left atrial, n=4 for right atrial). Right atrial tissue was also collected from humans with AF (n=10) and sinus rhythm (n=10) and normal cardiac function. PKA phosphorylation of immunoprecipitated RyR2 was determined by back-phosphorylation and by immunoblotting with a phosphospecific antibody. The amount of calstabin2 bound to RyR2 was determined by coimmunoprecipitation. RyR2 channel currents were measured in planar lipid bilayers. Atrial tissue from both the AF dogs and humans with chronic AF showed a significant increase in PKA phosphorylation of RyR2, with a corresponding decrease in calstabin2 binding to the channel. Channels isolated from dogs with AF exhibited increased open probability under conditions simulating diastole compared with channels from control hearts, suggesting that these AF channels could predispose to a diastolic SR Ca2+ leak.
CONCLUSIONS
SR Ca2+ leak due to RyR2 PKA hyperphosphorylation may play a role in initiation and/or maintenance of AF. | 10.1161/01.CIR.0000162461.67140.4C |
pubmed_616_9779 | This data article provides the results of skin sensitization testing for emu and macadamia nut oil on 20 participants (ages 22-59 years old), including 3 men and 17 women. The test was carried out by performing a standard patch test using a Finn Chamber on Scanpor tape. The oils were applied to the participant's back using the tape and left in place for 24 h. After 1- and 24-h from removal of the tape, the reaction of the participant's skin was judged based on a scoring method recommended by Japanese Patch Test Research Group. Results are shown in table format. | 10.1016/j.dib.2017.10.026 |
pubmed_845_7415 | PURPOSE
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of multimodal postoperative pain management, performing a surgical rectus sheath (RS) block via ropivacaine injection into the surgical field after single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA).
METHODS
Patients who underwent single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) for acute appendicitis were divided into three groups and compared: group 1 (multimodal pain management that included intraoperative application of a surgical RS block), group 2 (conventional pain management with intravenous opioids), or group 3 (multimodal pain management without RS block). Forty, 53, and 42 patients were registered, respectively (Table 1).
RESULTS
Time to start a liquid (1.2 ± 0.4 h) in group 1 was statistically significantly shorter than that in group 2 (16.3 ± 8.4 h; p < 0.001) and group 3 (4.93 ± 2.3 h; p < 0.001). The median and max postoperative VAS scores in group 1 (1.6 ± 1.2 and 2.2 ± 1.8, respectively) were statistically significantly lower than that in group 2 (3.0 ± 1.2 and 4.2 ± 1.9, respectively; p < 0.001 on both accounts) and group 3 (2.9 ± 0.6 and 3.4 ± 1.2, respectively; p < 0.001 on both accounts). The postoperative hospital stay for group 1 (17.0 ± 9.4 h) was shorter than that for group 2 (44.7 ± 27.9 h; p < 0.001) and group 3 (35.4 ± 20.9 h; p < 0.001). RS block was a significant factor for reducing length of hospital stay and postoperative pain in 24 h.
CONCLUSIONS
A surgical RS block combined with multimodal pain management after SILA is a safe and effective method that results in reduced postoperative pain and shorter hospitalization. | 10.1007/s00384-020-03725-5 |
pubmed_1030_24512 | This study reviews ancestral differences in the genetics of the LPA gene, risk categories of elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] as defined by guidelines, ancestry-specific Lp(a) risk, absolute and proportional risk, predictive value of risk thresholds among different ancestries, and differences between laboratory vs clinical accuracy in Lp(a) assays. For clinical decision-making, the preponderance of evidence suggests that the predictive value of Lp(a) does not vary sufficiently to mandate the use of ancestry-specific risk thresholds. This paper interprets the literature on Lp(a) and ancestral risk to support: 1) clinicians on understanding cardiovascular disease risk in different ancestral groups; 2) trialists for the design of clinical trials to ensure adequate ancestral diversity to support broad conclusions of drug effects; 3) regulators in the evaluation of the design and interpretation of results of Lp(a)-lowering trials with different Lp(a) inclusion thresholds; and 4) clinical laboratories to measure Lp(a) by assays that discriminate risk thresholds appropriately. | 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.06.019 |
pubmed_663_5298 | An improved setup including a measuring cell was designed for time-resolved surface-enhanced resonance Raman (SERR) spectroscopy. The cell is based on a rotating disk electrode (RDE) made from electrochemically roughened Ag. Cytochrome c (cc) adsorbed on a monolayer of mercaptoethanol is investigated with respect to heterogeneous electron transfer. Cyclic voltammograms and potential-dependent static SERR spectra indicate cc to be electroactive on the Ag electrode. The standard redox potential was found to be 234 mV. Time-resolved SERR spectra were then measured triggered by periodic potential pulses changing the protein between the oxidized and reduced state at a frequency of 10 Hz. Monoexponential functions obtained from the intensity of the band at 1361 cm-1 plotted versus time yielded the rate constants of heterogeneous electron transfer to be k(ox) = 46 +/- 7 s(-1) and k(red) = 84 +/- 20 s(-1). These relatively low rates are in line with the orientation of cc on the mercaptoethanol-modified Ag electrode. In this case the heme cleft pointed away from the surface thus hampering electron transfer. | 10.1021/jp808865z |
pubmed_306_15038 | Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is an important, generally non-invasive, bacterial pathogen that causes diarrhea in humans. The microbe infects mainly the enterocytes of the small intestine. Here we have applied our newly developed infrared surface plasmon resonance (IR-SPR) spectroscopy approach to study how EPEC infection affects epithelial host cells. The IR-SPR experiments showed that EPEC infection results in a robust reduction in the refractive index of the infected cells. Assisted by confocal and total internal reflection microscopy, we discovered that the microbe dilates the intercellular gaps and induces the appearance of fluid-phase-filled pinocytic vesicles in the lower basolateral regions of the host epithelial cells. Partial cell detachment from the underlying substratum was also observed. Finally, the waveguide mode observed by our IR-SPR analyses showed that EPEC infection decreases the host cell's height to some extent. Together, these observations reveal novel impacts of the pathogen on the host cell architecture and endocytic functions. We suggest that these changes may induce the infiltration of a watery environment into the host cell, and potentially lead to failure of the epithelium barrier functions. Our findings also indicate the great potential of the label-free IR-SPR approach to study the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions with high spatiotemporal sensitivity. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0078431 |
pubmed_492_13064 | In order to determine the risk of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi by triatomines in Metztitlan municipality, Hidalgo State, Mexico, entomological indexes were calculated and the characteristics of dwellings were described. A transversal, retrospective, descriptive, and observational study was performed by means of an intentional not probabilistic and expertise sampling from January to December of 2005 in 10 localities in which presence of triatomines were investigated either intra or peridomestic environmental in 699 houses. Building material and presence of infected triatomines with T. cruzi were registered to determine entomologic indexes. The triatomine species collected were: Triatoma barberi (Usinger) and T. mexicana (Herrich-Schaeffer) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). The results indicated that natural infection index varied from 7.7% to 50%; colonization index reached 80%; infestation index varied from 7.7% to 25%; dispersion index was 70%. Stone-walled houses were more infested. We can conclude that it is necessary to establish T. cruzi transmission control measures against triatomines in localities from Metztitlan, primarily in stone-walled houses where T. barberi occurs, as it was the most important vector species in the transmission of T. cruzi in this municipality. | pubmed_492_13064 |
pubmed_965_24131 | The use of hydraulic force to condense bone particulate into the maxillary sinus is a predictable and less invasive method of site preparation for many, but not all, dental implant candidates. It is our approach in the primary indication for HSC--patients with advanced periodontitis in whom insufficient cortical bone at the alveolar ridge of the posterior maxilla stands as a detriment to effective implantation. A second indication for HSC is for those patients who suffer blood disorders or sensitivity to certain medications, such as vasoconstrictors, and in whom it is crucial to manage bleeding during surgery. In these cases, changes in the armamentarium used for the procedure can effectively accommodate special needs. Indication three refers to the patient in whom robust bone is absent in some localized area of the sinus floor, possibly as a result of a failed implant or poor post-extraction healing. Hydraulic force in this scenario is abandoned altogether in favor of a special split-thickness soft dissection and graft that has shown predictable regenerative effect. Utilizing the techniques presented in this article, real-time chair side relief is a possibility for a much wider variety of patients. All clinical cases presented were followed for 10 years to show the continued success of the Hydraulic Sinus Condensing technique, and multiple follow-ups with the patients were performed. The sinus condensing instruments referenced in this article can be purchased separately from the Dental Implant Institute. The instrument set is specifically designed to aid in performing HSC with the least risk to the patient. Suitable replacement instruments may also be found with other traditional instrument manufacturers, though it may prove difficult to use when compared to the specifically designed Hydraulic Sinus Condensing instruments. | pubmed_965_24131 |
pubmed_317_16194 | Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is a useful imaging modality which is used during RF ablation procedures to identify anatomical structures. Utilizing ICE in conjunction with myocardial elastography (ME) can provide additional information on the mechanical properties of cardiac tissue and provide information on mechanical changes caused by ablation. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that ICE can be used at high frame rate using a diverging beam transmit sequence to image myocardial strain and differentiate myocardial tissue properties before, during, and after ablation for a clinical ablation procedure. In this feasibility study, three normal canines and eight patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were studied in vivo. A 5.8-MHz ICE transducer was used to image the heart with a diverging beam transmit method achieving 1200 frames per second (fps). Cumulative axial displacement estimation was performed using 1-D cross-correlation with a window size of 2.7 mm and 95% overlap. Axial cumulative strains were estimated in the left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) using a least-squares estimator with a kernel of 2 mm on the axial displacements. In the canine case, radial thickening was detected in the lateral wall and in the interatrial septum during LA emptying. For AF patients, the mean absolute strain in the ablated region was lower (6.7 ± 3.1%) than before the ablation (17.4 ± 9.3%) in LA at the end of the LA emptying phase. In the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) region, mean absolute strain magnitude at the end of the RA emptying phase was found to be higher during ablation (43.0 ± 18.1%) compared with after ablation (33.7 ± 15.8%). Myocardial strains in the LA of an AF patient were approximately 2.6 times lower in the ablated region than before ablation. This initial feasibility indicates that ME can be used as a new imaging modality in conjunction with ICE in RF ablation guidance and lesion monitoring. | 10.1109/TUFFC.2014.006784 |
pubmed_167_12953 | Routine use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in thyroid cancer surgery is controversial. We aimed to investigate whether it improves the completeness of thyroidectomy and ensures safety. This retrospective study included 380 thyroid cancer patients who underwent thyroidectomy, by one surgeon, between July 2006 and November 2015. Patients were grouped according to the surgeon's adaptation of IONM, as follows: none (period 1; n = 92), early (period 2; n = 141), and late (period 3; n = 147). The operative time and rates of vocal cord palsy were determined. Surgical completeness was assessed by technetium-99m imaging of the thyroid remnant and serum thyroglobulin measurement before ablation. The rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy showed a decreasing trend over time. No permanent RLN palsies occurred in nerves not invaded by tumor after routine IONM was introduced. Technetium-99m uptake (periods 1-3, 0.62 vs 0.32 vs 0.20; P < 0.01) and thyroglobulin levels (periods 1 and 2, 37.93 vs 8.98 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.034; period 3, 9.10 ng/mL) progressively decreased. The mean thyroglobulin level dropped significantly after introduction of routine IONM. We conclude that routine IONM during thyroid cancer surgery improves surgical completeness and might prevent permanent RLN palsy over time. | pubmed_167_12953 |
pubmed_777_9401 | INTRODUCTION
Amisulpride appears to be an effective atypical agent for treating schizophrenia in a dose-dependent manner.
METHODS
29 patients suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were treated with a broad dose range of amisulpride (50-1 200 mg/day, mean: 455.2+/-278.8 mg/day). After 2 weeks, brain single photon emission tomography (SPET) scans were performed two hours after intravenous injection of 185 MBq [123I]IBZM. Clinical evaluations and ratings of extrapyramidal symptoms were performed at baseline and after steady state treatment of two weeks with amisulpride.
RESULTS
In patients treated with amisulpride, specific binding of [123I]IBZM to D2 receptors was significantly decreased (p<0.001) compared to healthy controls. D2 receptor blockade correlated well with administered doses and plasma concentrations of amisulpride. Extrapyramidal side effects, which had to be treated with biperiden, were observed in 31% of the patients. Clinical response was very good, without correlation between the response and striatal D2 occupancy.
DISCUSSION
Within the first two weeks of treatment with the atypical antipsychotic amisulpride a significant occupancy of striatal postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors was achieved. At the same time amisulpride shows an excellent tolerability with good efficacy. | 10.1055/s-2008-1076727 |
pubmed_155_5686 | Candida antibody tests for systemic candidiasis were conducted on 53 sera from patients with the disease and 170 sera from control patients by agar gel diffusion, counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), latex agglutination, and whole-cell agglutination. The agar gel diffusion test and CIE had sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of approximately 90%. The whole-cell agglutination test scored significantly lower, whereas the latex test scored in between. The agar gel diffusion test had the highest reproducibility and the whole-cell agglutination test the lowest in tests of identical sera by six independent laboratories. The agar gel diffusion and CIE tests make significant contributions to the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis. | 10.1093/ajcp/70.6.893 |
pubmed_100_5351 | A challenge for new residents and senior residents preparing for board examinations is refreshing their knowledge of basic science disciplines, such as human gross anatomy. The Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Utah School of Medicine has for many years held an annual Orthopedic Resident Anatomy Review Course during the summer months for all of its residents. The primary purpose of the course is to renew competencies in basic science disciplines so that incoming residents more quickly reach a level of functional proficiency and to afford senior residents a platform to teach their junior colleagues. Before 2005, this course was conducted with minimal participation from anyone outside of the Department of Orthopaedics. Many of the residents voiced concerns that the educational benefits were not proportionate to the time invested. To improve the teaching of orthopedic-related anatomy, an educational collaboration between the Departments of Neurobiology and Anatomy and Orthopaedics was established in 2004 and continues to the present time. The major objectives of refining the course pedagogy, developing a Course Manual and Dissection Guide, and evaluating the results by administering a course survey questionnaire are described in this article. Implementation of all facets of the revised course has resulted in better participation by orthopedic faculty and more favorable reviews by the participating residents. Based on current levels of interest and positive comments from course participants, the Anatomy and Orthopedic faculty course directors plan to continue to develop course materials and pedagogy. | 10.1002/ase.246 |
pubmed_165_16663 | Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is an abundant protein in human erythrocyte membranes which functions as a specific and constitutively active water conducting pore. Solubilized and isolated as tetramer, it forms well-ordered two-dimensional (2D) crystals when reconstituted in the presence of lipids. Several high resolution projection maps of AQP1 have been determined, but information on its three-dimensional (3D) mass distribution is sparse. Here, we present surface reliefs at 0.9 nm resolution that were calculated from freeze-dried unidirectionally metal-shadowed AQP1 crystals as well as surface topographs recorded with the atomic force microscope of native crystals in buffer solution. Our results confirm the 3D map of negatively stained AQP1 crystals, which exhibited tetramers with four major protrusions on one side and a large central cavity on the other side of the membrane. Digestion of AQP1 crystals with carboxypeptidase Y, which cleaves off a 5 kDa intracellular C-terminal fragment, led to a reduction of the major protrusions, suggesting that the central cavity of the tetramer faces the outside of the cell. To interpret the results, sequence based structure predictions served as a guide. | 10.1006/jmbi.1996.0686 |
pubmed_362_17731 | Cyclic activated sludge integrated with a rotating bed bioreactor (CASIR) was used for phenol biodegradation. The effects of phenol loading rate, mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration, media filling ratio, hydraulic retention time (HRT) and salinity were investigated for phenol degradation and COD removal. In the second phase of the study, the microbial content of the bioreactor was induced by hydrogen peroxide injection for in situ generation of peroxidase. For investigating the above-mentioned parameters, the bioreactor was operated for 535 days and residual phenol, nitrate and COD were measured daily. The variation of the dehydrogenase activity and peroxidase activity of suspended biomass and attached film were also monitored during the bioreactor operation. Complete degradation of phenol at the loading rate of 667 g m-3 d-1 was achieved in anoxic conditions. Addition of media to the bioreactor to form active attached biofilm led to the increase in tolerance of the bioreactor on organic loading shocks. It was found that increasing the salinity of the wastewater did not affect the performance of the bioreactor. Investigating dehydrogenase activity proved that the attached biofilm was more involved in phenol degradation, compared with the suspended biomass. However, after switching to peroxidase-mediated conditions, the organic loading tolerance of the bioreactor considerably increased and complete degradation of phenol at the loading rate of 2000 g m-3 d-1 was reached. After adaptation of the microorganisms for hydrogen peroxide, the peroxidase activity of 290 U gbiomass -1 was observed in the bioreactor. Accordingly, the H2O2-induced microbial cells in cyclic activated sludge could be considered as a promising technique for enzymatic degradation of phenol and corresponding COD. | 10.1039/c7ra12997a |
pubmed_60_21069 | The aim of the study was to ascertain whether the amino acid 3-methylhistidine can be used to quantify skeletal meat protein in meat trimmings. 3-Methyhistidine from different carcass trimmings was quantified by a fluorescent HPLC method. Four trimmings with three subsamples each were examined. The subsamples were analysed in duplicate. The results showed high analytical variations between duplicates and subsamples. The average concentration of 3-methylhistidine in the four trimmings was 135 μg/g fat-free and connective tissue-free meat. Compared to earlier studies this value is high. Because of the rather high analytical variation, further research must be done to evaluate the use of 3-methylhistidine as an indicator for skeletal meat proteins in whole carcass trimmings. | 10.1016/0309-1740(91)90071-W |
pubmed_762_501 | Amputated tissue maintained in a hypothermic environment can endure prolonged ischemia and improve replantation success. The authors hypothesized that local tissue hypothermia during the early reperfusion period may provide a protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury similar to that seen when hypothermia is provided during the ischemic period. A rat gracilis muscle flap model was used to assess the protective effects of exposing skeletal muscle to local hypothermia during ischemia only (p = 18), reperfusion only (p = 18), and both ischemia and reperfusion (p = 18). Gracilis muscles were isolated and exposed to hypothermia of 10 degrees C during 4 hours of ischemia, the initial 3 hours of reperfusion, or both periods. Ischemia-reperfusion outcome measures used to evaluate muscle flap injury included muscle viability (percent nitroblue tetrazolium staining), local edema (wet-to-dry weight ratio), neutrophil infiltration (intramuscular neutrophil density per high-power field), neutrophil integrin expression (CD11b mean fluorescence intensity), and neutrophil oxidative potential (dihydro-rhodamine oxidation mean fluorescence intensity) after 24 hours of reperfusion. Nitroblue tetrazolium staining demonstrated improved muscle viability in the experimental groups (ischemia-only: 78.8 +/- 3.5 percent, p < 0.001; reperfusion-only: 80.2 +/- 5.2 percent, p < 0.001; and ischemia-reperfusion: 79.6 +/- 7.6 percent, p < 0.001) when compared with the nonhypothermic control group (50.7 +/- 9.3 percent). The experimental groups demonstrated decreased local muscle edema (4.09 +/- 0.30, 4.10 +/- 0.19, and 4.04 +/- 0.31 wet-to-dry weight ratios, respectively) when compared with the nonhypothermic control group (5.24 +/- 0.31 wet-to-dry weight ratio; p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CD11b expression was significantly decreased in the reperfusion-only (32.65 +/- 8.75 mean fluorescence intensity, p < 0.001) and ischemia-reperfusion groups (25.26 +/- 5.32, p < 0.001) compared with the nonhypothermic control group (62.69 +/- 16.93). There was not a significant decrease in neutrophil CD11b expression in the ischemia-only group (50.72 +/- 11.7 mean fluorescence intensity, p = 0.281). Neutrophil infiltration was significantly decreased in the reperfusion-only (20 +/- 11 counts per high-power field, p = 0.025) and ischemia-reperfusion groups (23 +/- 3 counts, p = 0.041) compared with the nonhypothermic control group (51 +/- 28 counts). No decrease in neutrophil density was observed in the ischemia-only group (40 +/- 15 counts per high-power field, p = 0.672) when compared with the nonhypothermic control group (51 +/- 28 counts). Finally, dihydrorhodamine oxidation was significantly decreased in the reperfusion-only group (45.83 +/- 11.89 mean fluorescence intensity, p = 0.021) and ischemia-reperfusion group (44.30 +/- 11.80, p = 0.018) when compared with the nonhypothermic control group (71.74 +/- 20.83), whereas no decrease in dihydrorhodamine oxidation was observed in the ischemia-only group (65.93 +/- 10.3, p = 0.982). The findings suggest a protective effect of local hypothermia during early reperfusion to skeletal muscle after an ischemic insult. Inhibition of CD11b expression and subsequent neutrophil infiltration and depression of neutrophil oxidative potential may represent independent protective mechanisms isolated to local tissue hypothermia during the early reperfusion period (reperfusion-only and ischemia-reperfusion groups). This study provides evidence for the potential clinical utility of administering local hypothermia to ischemic muscle tissue during the early reperfusion period. | 10.1097/01.PRS.0000034936.25458.98 |
pubmed_189_20555 | Leptin and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) play an important role in regulating blood lipid concentration. Recently, they have been found to show the ability to independently regulate the immune response. Vascular immune response has an important pathological function in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) and thrombosis. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between leptin, PCSK9, and vascular endothelial cell related inflammatory factors. First, detailed clinical information were collected and analyzed for 27 patients with stable CHD and corresponding 27 healthy controls. Second, using liquid-phase protein chip technology, leptin, PCSK9, and vascular-related inflammatory factors, such as E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and interleukin-17 (IL-17), were detected on the same platform. Finally, the correlation between leptin, PCSK9, and the inflammatory factors was analyzed. Through collecting clinical information of patients, it was suggested that there was a significant positive correlation between leptin and blood lipid level in CHD. Compared with healthy people, the levels of leptin, PCSK9, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 were significantly high in patients with CHD. There was a high positive correlation between leptin and E-selectin, ICAM-1, IFN-γ, and IL-17. Also, a high positive correlation between PCSK9 and E-selectin, IFN-γ, and IL-17 concentrations was observed. In general, leptin and PCSK9 may not only be able to regulate lipid metabolism, but may also be able to regulate inflammation in CHD. | 10.1515/med-2021-0400 |
pubmed_999_3719 | BACKGROUND
To examine the association of handgrip strength (HGS) and bone mineral density (BMD) of Brazilian children and adolescents.
METHODS
The sample included 243 children and adolescents aged from 4 to 15 years (9.3 ± 2.2 years), 171 males and 72 females. The following measurements were performed: weight, height, trunk length, and years to the peak height velocity (PHV). The percentage lean soft tissue (PLST), percentage fat mass (PFM), and BMD were obtained using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and HGS using a dynamometer.
RESULTS
In girls, HGS was positively associated with higher BMD, even after the adjustments, by arms [β = 0.006; p < 0.001], legs [β = 0.014; p < 0.001], pelvis [β = 0.019; p < 0.001], trunk [β = 0.013; p < 0.001], spine [β = 0.013; p = 0.008], and total body [β = 0.009; p < 0.001]. The same occurred in the boys, even after the adjustments a positive relationship was observed, whereas higher HGS was related to greater BMD in arms [β = 0.006; p < 0.001], legs [β = 0.017; p < 0.001], pelvis [β = 0.014; p < 0.001], trunk [β = 0.009; p < 0.001], spine [β = 0.008; p < 0.001], and total body [β = 0.007; p < 0.001].
CONCLUSION
HGS was positively associated to BMD in boys and girls, regardless of age, PHV, PLST, and PFM. | 10.1186/s12887-021-02669-1 |
pubmed_795_20209 | The increasing use of tellurium compounds in organic synthesis, industrial applications, and as a possible component in pesticides means that its introduction into the environment will increase in the future. Therefore, knowledge of the relative toxicity and mode of toxic action of tellurium-containing compounds is important. The studies detailed here used three model compounds: diphenyl ditelluride, 3,3'-diaminodiphenyl ditelluride, and 4,4'-diisopropyldiphenyl ditelluride. Experiments with human promyelocytic (line HL-60) cells indicate that all of the organotellurium compounds induce an apoptotic form of cell death. The induction of apoptosis occurs in a time- and dose-dependent manner as assayed by three different analytical methods: fluorescence microscopy, gel electrophoresis, and flow cytometry. Apoptotic cells were evident as early as 2 h following treatment with 1x10(-6) M concentrations of the compounds. Based on these results, future care should be afforded these compounds in laboratory as well as industrial settings. | 10.1007/s00204-002-0407-x |
pubmed_484_7218 | Achalasia has been described following fundoplication and is attributed to vagal nerve damage during surgery. Similarly, other traumatic events to the distal esophagus may be linked to the development of achalasia. Operative and nonoperative trauma as a possible factor in the development of achalasia was studied. A retrospective analysis of patients with achalasia (n = 64) at our institution was performed. Collected data included age, gender, symptoms, and history of operative and nonoperative traumatic events. Comparisons were made to a group of patients with similar symptoms but normal esophageal manometry (n = 73). Achalasia was diagnosed by manometry in 125 patients over a 6-year period. All patients with complete medical records (n = 64) were studied. A history of operative or nonoperative trauma to the upper gastrointestinal tract prior to the development of symptomatic achalasia was present in 16 of 64 (25%). Significantly fewer patients (9.5%) with symptoms of dysphagia, but normal manometry and upper endoscopy, had precedent trauma to the upper gastrointestinal tract (P < 0.05). All cases of nonoperative trauma occurred in motor vehicle accidents. Cases of operative trauma included coronary artery bypass surgery (n = 4), bariatric surgery (n = 2), fundoplication (n = 3), heart/lung transplantation (n = 1), and others (n = 5). Patients with proven achalasia and a history of trauma were more likely to have chest pain (RR, 4.5; P = 0.012) but less likely to have regurgitation (RR, 0.51; P = 0.01) or nausea/vomiting (RR, 0.0; P = 0.27) than those without a history of antecedent trauma. In this series, significantly more patients with achalasia had a history of preceding trauma than did patients with similar symptoms and normal esophageal manometry. Following trauma, patients may be at increased risk for developing achalasia, possibly from neuropathic dysfunction due to vagal nerve damage. Patients with posttraumatic achalasia may have symptoms which differ from those of other achalasia patients. | 10.1007/s10620-004-9577-0 |
pubmed_313_166 | BACKGROUND
Diagnostic upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy has been regarded as a safe procedure.
CASE REPORT
We report of a 67-year-old woman who developed epigastric pain and dyspeptic complaints following an uneventful upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The diagnosis of an acute reversible duodenitis was made on the basis of imaging studies. A duodenal diverticulum was also found on CT images, which raised the suspicion that duodenal diverticulum could be a predisposing factor for duodenitis.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite significant inflammation the patient demonstrated rapid clinical improvement with conservative treatment. Presence of a duodenal diverticulum may predispose to acute duodenitis following diagnostic UGI endoscopy. | 10.12659/PJR.898251 |
pubmed_1023_18122 | There is some controversy in the long-term use of anticonvulsants for all postoperative cases. In order to establish the appropriate use of anticonvulsants, postoperative convulsion was studied concerning its incidence, onset and relevance with site of aneurysm, focal neurological deficits, CT findings and anticonvulsants in 169 cases of aneurysmal surgery under surgical microscope in the period of 1 to 11 years postoperatively. Convulsion was noted in 26 cases among 169 cases, and convulsion more than 1 week after operation (late convulsion) was noted in 20 cases (11.8%). Onset of late convulsion was most common during 6 to 12 months after operation and in 90 percent of cases it was developed within 2 years. In 2 of 5 cases with convulsion within 1 week late convulsion developed. On the site of aneurysm, middle cerebral artery aneurysmal cases showed high occurrence (20.5%) without statistical significance. Focal neurological deficit was one of predisposing factors for late convulsion with statistical significance (29.8%). On CT, 8 of 9 studied cases of late convulsion showed focal low density area involving cortex, although this was also noted in the cases without convulsion. Occurrence of late convulsion was significantly low (6.5%) in the cases without anticonvulsants. This suggests that there is low risk of late convulsion in the cases of uneventful postoperative course, no focal neurological signs and no abnormal findings on CT, even without anticonvulsants. Late convulsion occurred in about one third of cases treated with anticonvulsants. This is probably due to high risk and poor control of anticonvulsants plasma levels in some cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | pubmed_1023_18122 |
pubmed_464_12810 | ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Ervatamia coronaria, a popular garden plant in India and some other parts of the world is known traditionally for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The molecular bases of these functions remain poorly understood.
AIM OF THE STUDY
Efficacies of the existing therapies for colorectal cancer (CRC) are limited by their life-threatening side effects and unaffordability. Therefore, identifying a safer, efficient, and affordable therapeutic is urgent. We studied the anti-CRC activity of an alkaloid-rich fraction of E. coronaria leaf extracts (AFE) and associated underlying mechanism.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Activity guided solvant fractionation was adopted to identify the activity in AFE. Different cell lines, and tumor grown in syngeneic mice were used to understand the anti-CRC effect. Methodologies such as LCMS, MTT, RT-qPCR, immunoblot, immunohistochemistry were employed to understand the molecular basis of its activity.
RESULTS
We showed that AFE, which carries about six major compounds, is highly toxic to colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. AFE induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and p21 and p27 genes, while those of CDK2, CDK-4, cyclin-D, and cyclin-E genes were downregulated in HCT116 cells. It predominantly induced apoptosis in HCT116p53+/+ cells while the HCT116p53-/- cells under the same treatment condition died by autophagy. Notably, AFE induced upregulation of AMPK phosphorylation, and inhibition of both of the mTOR complexes as indicated by inhibition of phosphorylation of S6K1, 4EBP1, and AKT. Furthermore, AFE inhibited mTOR-driven conversion of cells from reversible cell cycle arrest to senescence (geroconversion) as well as ERK activity. AFE activity was independent of ROS produced, and did not primarily target the cellular DNA or cytoskeleton. AFE also efficiently regressed CT26-derived solid tumor in Balb/c mice acting alone or in synergy with 5FU through inducing autophagy as a major mechanism of action as indicated by upregulation of Beclin 1 and phospho-AMPK, and inhibition of phospho-S6K1 levels in the tumor tissue lysates.
CONCLUSION
AFE induced CRC death through activation of both apoptotic and autophagy pathways without affecting the normal cells. This study provided a logical basis for consideration of AFE in future therapy regimen to overcome the limitations associated with existing anti-CRC chemotherapy. | 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114666 |
pubmed_218_20744 | During the climax of amphibian metamorphosis many tadpole organs remodel. The different remodeling strategies are controlled by thyroid hormone (TH). The liver, skin, and tail fibroblasts shut off tadpole genes and activate frog genes in the same cell without DNA replication. We refer to this as "gene switching". In contrast, the exocrine pancreas and the intestinal epithelium dedifferentiate to a progenitor state and then redifferentiate to the adult cell type. Tadpole and adult globin are not present in the same cell. Switching from red cells containing tadpole-specific globin to those with frog globin in the liver occurs at a progenitor cell stage of development and is preceded by DNA replication. Red cell switching is the only one of these remodeling strategies that resembles a stem cell mechanism. | 10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.10.041 |
pubmed_786_1697 | The present study was undertaken among 258 subjects belonging to 152 houses of two tribal communities (Kani and Malampandaram) settled in Kottoor and Achankovil areas, respectively of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts in Kerala, South India. The survey covered people of all age groups and both the sexes from the study population. Out of the total 258 stool samples examined, 60 showed ova of one or more intestinal helminthes, showing the overall prevalence of 23.3% with a confidence interval of 18.5-28.45. Among the tribal populations of two areas studied, Achankovil area showed an increased overall prevalence rate (26.15%) as compared to Kottoor area (22.27%). The difference in prevalence rates of the two areas is found to be statistically significant (p-value 0.01). Hookworm infestation was found to be predominant (58.82%) in Achankovil and the remaining (41.1%) was due to only roundworm. Whereas in Kottoor area, roundworm infestation predominated (74.41%) followed by hookworm (18.6%) and other types (6.97%). Analysis of haemoglobin (Hb) level of the 190 study population showed that 66.32% were anaemic (<11 gm/dl) from both the areas. The proportions of subjects either moderately anaemic (7 gm/dl-11 gm/dl) or severely anaemic (<7 gm/dl) were almost same in the two study groups, showing a similar pattern in both the areas with no statistically significant difference. Haemoglobin level in relation to helminthic infestation revealed that in the worm infested group, 81.1% (43/53) was anaemic, as compared to only 60% (83/137) of non-worm infested group, showing significant difference (p value=0.01). Hb level in relation to helminthic infestation also seemed to differ in both the areas. Among the environmental factors studied in relation to helminthic infestation, the practice of hand wash alone was found out to be statistically significant, showing that habit of proper hand wash considerably reduces the risk of helminthic infestation. | pubmed_786_1697 |
pubmed_463_15316 | A facile method, cool microcontact printing (cool μCP), of fabricating microgel patterns under ambient conditions is developed. By using spontaneously condensed water on the surface of cold items and the phase transition of polymer microgels below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), a cool poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamp can be easily decorated with a thin layer of water ink and its pattern can substantially transfer to a substrate that is assembled with microgels. As a proof of concept, one kind of thermosensitive microgel (i.e., poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM)) is selected to demonstrate our method. A series of pNIPAM microgel patterns with various geometries can be easily generated by featured PDMS stamps through a cool μCP method. The results of control experiment using room-temperature PDMS stamps or patterning the pNIPAM microgel-incorporated fluorescent probe reveal that condensed cold water on a cool PDMS stamp plays an important role when microgel particles are lifted off. In addition, it is also observed that both humidity and contact pressure have effects on the shapes of the pattern fabricated by cool μCP, and more precise or sophisticate patterns can be obtained by adjusting the conditions. It is envisioned that this practically available method, as a good extension to μCP, can facilitate the design of complex patterns, affording great convenience for many inherent applications ranging from photonics to chemical sensing to biotechnology. | 10.1021/la402953s |
pubmed_922_16948 | BACKGROUND
The prevalence rate of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the community Down syndrome (DS) children is not clear. Moreover, the impact of OSA and sleep structure on the cognitive function is inconclusive. The present study aimed to investigate 1) the prevalence rate of OSA in the community DS children and 2) the impact of OSA and sleep structure on cognitive performance.
METHODS
Thirty DS children aged 6-18 years were recruited and evaluated with the performance of the language domain and sensorimotor domain, combining neuropsychological tests and parent-rated behavior. The outcomes were the age-adjusted scores, of which the lower the score was, the better was the patient's ability. The association of score with OSA and sleep structures was determined by linear regression. To diminish the age-related difference, all analyses were conducted separately for all subjects and 6-12-year-old subjects.
RESULTS
The median age was 11.3 years and median Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) was 44. The prevalence of OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 1/h) was 80% and 62.5% in all subjects and 6-12-year-old subjects, respectively. For 6-12-year-old subjects, after adjustment for age and FSIQ, both %REM and OSA were associated with lower score of the subtest of language domain, WPPSI-R Vocabulary, while %REM was also associated with lower score of VABS-II Communication - Expressive. In contrary, % slow wave sleep was not associated with any subtest.
CONCLUSION
This study identified that OSA may be highly prevalent in community DS children. Among 6-12-year-old DS children, OSA and % REM were associated with their language function. | 10.1016/j.jfma.2019.07.015 |
pubmed_367_23374 | The pathophysiological mechanism of the pain in ALS is still unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the laser evoked potentials (LEPs) in ALS patients in relation to their clinical features. Twenty-four ALS patients were selected. Pain features were assessed and their intensity was measured by a 0-10 VAS. LEPs were recorded in all patients and in 23 healthy subjects. The dorsum of both hands was stimulated, at laser stimuli intensity of 7.5 W, with 10s inter-stimulus interval and 25 ms duration. Four electrodes were placed at Cz, T3, T4 and Fz positions, with the reference electrode at the nasion; T3 and T4 electrodes were referred off-line to Fz, in order to detect the N1 component. Latencies of N2, P2 and N1 waves were significantly higher in ALS than in controls. N1 amplitude was significantly increased in ALS patients compared to controls, with a similar trend for the N2-P2 complex. No correlation was found between LEP abnormalities, pain intensity and clinical features. A degeneration of subcortical structures may subtend a delay in the afferent input to the nociceptive cortex in ALS. On the other hand, an increase of pain processing at the cortical level may derive from a potential sensory compensation to motor cortex dysfunction. | 10.1016/j.jns.2009.09.023 |
pubmed_218_11684 | The uptake of insulin pen use has been slow in the United States, despite their advantages over the vial/ syringe. We present results of a United States subset of 150 patients with type 1/type 2 diabetes, who were enrolled in an open-label study, that assessed usability, pen features, and patient preferences for four prefilled insulin pens: SoloSTAR, FlexPen, Lilly disposable pen, and a prototype, Pen X. Overall, the SoloSTAR and FlexPen were more user-friendly; 95 and 88% of patients, respectively, completed the steps correctly (without safety/attach-needle step-deemed independent of device) versus the Lilly disposable pen (60%) and Pen X (61%; all p < 0.05). The SoloSTAR was rated highest most frequently for pen feature comparisons. Results suggest that the SoloSTAR and FlexPen could potentially facilitate insulin use in the United States. | 10.1177/193229680800200626 |
pubmed_239_23324 | The aim of the study was determination of bacterial viability in saliva samples and finding a correlation between microbiological and volatile profiles of saliva depending on incubation time. Bacteria colonizing healthy oral cavities were also identified. Twelve healthy adults donated unstimulated saliva samples. Flow cytometry, optical density measurements and colony-forming unit (CFU) counting method were employed for analyses of native and inoculated saliva after 0, 1, 2, 24, and 48 h of incubation. Volatile profiles were acquired using headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). Oral bacteria were the most viable within 2 h after collection of saliva. Extension of incubation time to 48 h caused considerable decrease in live bacteria counts and sharp increase in dead bacteria counts. The most prevalent strain was Sphingomonas paucimobilis (26.67%). The number of volatiles raised from 5 to 27 with incubation time and most of them were putrefaction products, such as methanethiol, indole and pyrrole. HS-SPME-GC/MS method is insufficient for volatile profiling of "fresh" saliva and should be directed rather to investigation of bacterial metabolites. | 10.1002/elps.201700057 |
pubmed_837_20013 | In summary, the surges of glucagon and epinephrine at birth, coupled with the fall in insulin secretion, are in accord with appropriate receptor changes, as well as genetic ontogenic patterns of enzyme development. Enzyme activities are further stimulated by the hormonal changes at birth; phosphorylase is activated by glucagon and epinephrine, while PEPCK is activated by glucagon and its expression is facilitated by the fall in insulin. In concert, these changes permit rapid activation of catabolic processes and the mobilization and utilization of endogenous fuel stores. Glucose homeostasis is maintained by glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis supported by the appropriate enzyme inductions. The free fatty acids released, via lipolysis, also serve to sustain gluconeogenesis, since hepatic fatty acid oxidation is necessary for gluconeogenesis by providing the essential cofactors. This framework permits a rational interpretation of the mechanisms underlying the remarkable transition from intrauterine dependence on maternal glucose to extrauterine autonomy of newborn energy integration. This framework can also explain several causes of neonatal hypoglycemia and act as a base for future investigations. | pubmed_837_20013 |
pubmed_108_2958 | The fecal morphology, defecation frequency, bowel function, intestinal motility, and fecal bacterial composition were evaluated to investigate the laxative effect of probiotic chocolate containing Streptococcus thermophilus MG510 and Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC5193 (LYC) on loperamide-induced constipated rats. Daily oral administration of LYC in constipated rats for two weeks was shown to significantly increase (n = 14) the defecation frequency, fecal moisture content, and relative abundance of fecal Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Moreover, histological analysis of the distal colon of constipated rats revealed that LYC treatment can also increase the thickness of the colonic mucosa and muscle layers, and crypt of Lieberkühn. LYC also significantly increased (n = 5) the intestinal motility and modulated (n = 9) mRNA expression levels of colonic ZO-1 and Cldn-1 in the constipated rats. Altogether, these results demonstrate that probiotic chocolate has potential as a dietary adjunct for the treatment of constipation. | 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.09.062 |
pubmed_333_1933 | The authors present the case of an adolescent who, despite his youth and relatively unaffected lacrimo-salivary secretion, was classified within the context of Sjögren's syndrom on the basis of paraclinical investigations, in particular the detection of salivary and lacrimal immunoglobulins. During a long course, the progresssive appearance of new lupoid type signs led to further complex immunological examinations, including examination for anti-E.C.T. antibodies. This case would appear to be an incomplete Sharp's syndrome and should be classified amongst the mixed connective tissue diseases. | pubmed_333_1933 |
pubmed_159_12458 | A stirring solution hydrothermal approach is widely used to rationally grow elongated oxide nanostructures with controllable aspect ratios. Depending on the synthesis conditions, the following are observed: (i) no nanostructure formation (the system exists as a pure liquid), (ii) formation of nanostructure starting from a critical powder/initial volume of the liquid solution, and (iii) monotonic increase in the nanostructure's aspect ratio (towards asymptotic value) with stirring rate. Despite these experimental observations, the theoretical understanding of the process is limited. Herein, using an athermal ballistic atomic jump model, we develop a phenomenological theory of nanostructure growth under different stirring rates, demonstrating the conditions necessary for breaking the equilibrium Wulff shape, the formation of elongated one-dimensional structures, and explaining regimes (i-iii) reported experimentally. Moreover, the comparison of the phenomenological models without and with the account of ripening effects in the open ensemble of nanowires under stirring provides the theoretical guidance for the controllable growth of elongated nanostructures by the stirring solution hydrothermal approach. | 10.1039/c9cp06337d |
pubmed_229_20440 | AIMS
Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer is related to germline mutations of DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1 and MSH2, which result in microsatellite instability and loss of protein expression of the corresponding mutated gene in the tumour tissue.
METHODS AND RESULTS
MLH1 and MSH2 protein expression was studied by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded surgical samples of 100 colorectal adenocarcinomas occurring before 50 years of age. Absence of tumour cell nuclear staining with positive internal control (normal mucosa, lymphoid follicles) was considered negative. Loss of MLH1 or MSH2 expression was found in 20 cases with microsatellite instability in 15 cases. Twelve of these patients had a family history of colorectal cancer. Compared with MLH1- and MSH2-positive cases, MLH1- or MSH2-deficient colorectal adenocarcinomas were significantly associated on multivariate analysis with a younger age (38 vs. 43 years, P;0.0224), a larger tumour size (60 +/- 6 vs. 46 +/- 2 mm, P=0.0291), an expanding margin (85% vs. 51%, P=0.0159), a higher number of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes assessed by CD3 immunostaining (202 +/- 48 vs. 33 +/- 4 CD3+ lymphocytes/10 high-power fields, P=0.0039), and a grade 2 Crohn's like lymphoid reaction (70% vs. 9%, P=0.0037). The two groups were not different for tumour site, differentiation, pTNM stage, vascular and perineural invasion, peripheral adenomatous residue, and 5-year survival rates.
CONCLUSIONS
MLH1- or MSH2-deficient colorectal carcinomas of young patients exhibit pathological and molecular features similar to hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. This suggests that MLH1 and MSH2 immunohistochemistry is valuable for detecting hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer in young patients. | 10.1046/j.1365-2559.2001.01203.x |
pubmed_726_23987 | BACKGROUND
Emotional intelligence has a major role in mental health and life skills training, and could be viewed as a bridge relating to emotional intelligence and mental health.
AIM
The present study is aimed at determining the effect of life skills training on the emotional intelligence among the first year students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IN THIS EXPERIMENTAL STUDY, THE SUBJECTS WERE SELECTED BY RANDOM SAMPLING AND ALLOCATED INTO TWO GROUPS: Case group (n=20) and control group (n=19); they matched for gender, experience of stressful life events in the past six months, level of interest in the field of study, and level of emotional intelligence. The two groups responded to Bar-on Emotional Quotient Inventory before starting the experiment. Subsequently, the case group underwent life skills training. After the training, Bar-on Emotional Quotient Inventory was responded by the case and control groups again. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics including Chi-square test, paired and independent t-tests, using SPSS software version 15.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
In the case group, the scores of emotional intelligence after life skills training were significantly improved (t=11.703 df=19 P=0.001), while no significant difference was observed in the control group (t=0.683 df =18 P=0.503). By performing programs such as life skills training, the levels of emotional intelligence of the students could be increased, which itself could lead to academic success, reduced substance abuse, and increased stress tolerance in the students. | 10.4103/0253-7176.108217 |
pubmed_445_8688 | The existence of a nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase specific for ITP has been demonstrated in the cytosol fraction of a variety of rat tissues. The enzyme, stable to moderate heat treatment, was present in erythrocytes as well as brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ovaries, spleen, testes and thymus. The specific activity of the enzyme ranges from 26 to 150 mumoles/min/g protein. In addition, evidence is given for a heat labile nucleoside diphosphate (IDP) phosphohydrolase present in most rat tissues, and particularly high in the adrenal (137 mumoles/min/g protein). An "ITP-IMP cycle" is proposed as a rgulating mechanism for intracellular levels of ATP. | 10.1002/jcp.1040860118 |
pubmed_310_8912 | Chemical studies of organic extracts from cultures of the coprophilous fungus Bombardioidea anartia have led to the discovery of bombardolides A--D (1--4), a series of new antifungal and antibacterial metabolites. Three of these metabolites (1--3) were obtained as inseparable pairs of geometric isomers. A new 3-substituted phenol (5) and the known compound asterriquinone B4 were also encountered. The structures of compounds 1--5 were determined by analysis of NMR and MS data. | 10.1021/np000617u |
pubmed_580_3849 | 3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-nitro-7H-benz[d,e]anthracen-7-one, 3-NBA) is a potent environmental mutagen that is found in diesel exhaust fumes and airborne particulates. It is known to produce several DNA adducts, including three major adducts N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-N-ABA), 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dA-N(6)-C2-ABA), and 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-N(2)-C2-ABA) in mammalian cells. In the present study, we measured the quantity of the formation and subsequent reduction of these adducts in human hepatoma HepG2 cells that had been treated with 3-NBA using LC-MS/MS analysis. As a result, dG-C8-N-ABA and dG-N(2)-C2-ABA were identified as major adducts in the HepG2 cells, and dA-N(6)-C2-ABA was found to be a minor adduct. Treatment with 1μg/mL 3-NBA for 24h induced the formation of 2835±1509 dG-C8-N-ABA and 3373±1173 dG-N(2)-C2-ABA per 10(7) dG and 877±330 dA-N(6)-C2-ABA per 10(7) dA in the cells. The cellular DNA repair system removed the dG-C8-N-ABA and dA-N(6)-C2-ABA adducts more efficiently than the dG-N(2)-C2-ABA adducts. After a 24-h repair period, 86.4±11.1% of the dG-N(2)-C2-ABA adducts remained, whereas only 51.7±2.7% of the dG-C8-N-ABA adducts and 37.8±1.7% of the dA-N(6)-C2-ABA adducts were present in the cells. We also evaluated the efficiency of bypasses across these three adducts and their mutagenic potency by introducing site-specific mono-modified plasmids into human cells. This translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) assay showed that dG-C8-N-ABA blocked DNA replication markedly (its replication frequency was 16.9±2.7%), while the replication arrests induced by dG-N(2)-C2-ABA and dA-N(6)-C2-ABA were more moderate (their replication frequencies were 33.3±6.2% and 43.1±7.5%, respectively). Mutagenic TLS was observed more frequently in replication across dG-C8-N-ABA (30.6%) than in replication across dG-N(2)-C2-ABA (12.1%) or dA-N(6)-C2-ABA (12.1%). These findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanism of 3-NBA-mutagenesis. | pubmed_580_3849 |
pubmed_526_11065 | Dissociative recombination (DR) rate coefficients for the naphthalene cation, C10H8(+), and WF5(+), and mutual neutralization (MN) rate coefficients for these species and five CnFm(+) ions, were determined at 300 K using variable electron and neutral density attachment mass spectrometry (VENDAMS). DR proceeds at 9 ± 3 × 10(-7) cm(3) s(-1) for C10H8(+) and at 6.1 ± 1.4 × 10(-7) cm(3) s(-1) for WF5(+). Consistent with previous results, MN for the polyatomic cations with the halide anions Cl(-), Br(-), and I(-) exhibits an approximate μ(-1/2) reduced mass dependence of the reactant partners, demonstrating that ion collision velocities influence the rate coefficients. This work is an extension of VENDAMS to systems, where low reactant concentrations are necessary to avoid significant reaction of product ions with the neutral precursor, i.e., conditions not suitable for traditional flowing afterglow measurements, as well as to ions of masses > ∼ 100 Da, which are not amenable to the study of DR in magnetic storage rings. Our results expand the sparse literature on DR and MN of heavier ions. | 10.1063/1.4913829 |
pubmed_962_11162 | The relationship between salmonid gill bacteria and Neoparamoeba sp., the aetiological agent of amoebic gill disease (AGD) was determined in vivo. Fish were divided into 4 groups and were subjected to following experimental infections: Group 1, amoebae only; Group 2, Staphylococcus sp. and amoebae; Group 3, Winogradskyella sp. and amoebae; Group 4, no treatment (control). Fish (Groups 1, 2 and 3) were exposed to potassium permanganate to remove the natural gill microflora prior to either bacterial or amoebae exposure. AGD severity was quantified by histological analysis of gill sections to determine the percentage of lesioned filaments and the number of affected lamellae within each lesion. All amoebae infected groups developed AGD, with fish in Group 3 showing significantly more filaments with lesions than other groups. Typically lesion size averaged between 2 to 4 interlamellar units in all AGD infected groups. The results suggest that the ability of Neoparamoeba sp. to infect filaments and cause lesions might be enhanced in the presence of Winogradskyella sp. The possibility is proposed that the prevalence of more severe AGD is due to the occurrence of Winogradskyella sp. at high concentrations on the gills. | 10.3354/dao067055 |
pubmed_1023_17091 | In aggregate, older spouses report moderate to high levels of marital satisfaction; however, it is not clear whether these evaluations continue throughout the duration of the marital career or if there are declines at different age stages of late life. Mean factor scores on frequency of positive interaction and negative sentiment with spouse were computed from questionnaire responses of 318 married persons aged 55 to 90 years in a quasilongitudinal design. Contrasts in levels of interaction and sentiment were apparent between three successive age groups, with greatest marital satisfaction found in 63- to 69-year-old group. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated continuity in social and personal predictors of marital satisfaction across all three old age groups, with greatest predictivity for 55- to 62-year-old group. Fewest predictors and least predictivity emerged for oldest group, aged 70 to 90 years. Results suggest greater potential for happiness as well as vulnerability than has heretofore been attributed to older marriages. | 10.1093/geronj/39.3.325 |
pubmed_839_23703 | BACKGROUND
Artificial language studies have revealed the remarkable ability of humans to extract syntactic structures from a continuous sound stream by mere exposure. However, it remains unclear whether the processes acquired in such tasks are comparable to those applied during normal language processing. The present study compares the ERPs to auditory processing of simple Italian sentences in native and non-native speakers after brief exposure to Italian sentences of a similar structure. The sentences contained a non-adjacent dependency between an auxiliary and the morphologically marked suffix of the verb. Participants were presented four alternating learning and testing phases. During learning phases only correct sentences were presented while during testing phases 50 percent of the sentences contained a grammatical violation.
RESULTS
The non-native speakers successfully learned the dependency and displayed an N400-like negativity and a subsequent anteriorily distributed positivity in response to rule violations. The native Italian group showed an N400 followed by a P600 effect.
CONCLUSION
The presence of the P600 suggests that native speakers applied a grammatical rule. In contrast, non-native speakers appeared to use a lexical form-based processing strategy. Thus, the processing mechanisms acquired in the language learning task were only partly comparable to those applied by competent native speakers. | 10.1186/1471-2202-10-89 |
pubmed_880_16617 | BACKGROUND
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), a frequently encountered disease caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is often diagnosed in formaldehyde-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) punch biopsies. Since it is known that this procedure strongly affects the water-soluble proteins contained in the cervical tissue we decided to investigate whether a water-soluble protein-saving biopsy processing method can be used to support the diagnosis of normal and CIN.
METHODS
Cervical punch biopsies from 55 women were incubated for 24 h at 4°C in RPMI1640 medium for protein analysis prior to usual FFPE processing and p16 and Ki67-supported histologic consensus diagnosis was assessed. The biopsy supernatants were subjected to surface-enhanced laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) for identifying differentially expressed proteins. Binary logistic regression and classification and regression trees (CART) were used to develop a classification model.
RESULTS
The age of the patients ranged from 26 to 40 years (median 29.7). The consensus diagnoses were normal cervical tissue (n = 10) and CIN2-3 (n = 45). The mean protein concentration was 1.00 and 1.09 mg/ml in the normal and CIN2-3 group, respectively. The peak detection and clustering process resulted in 40 protein peaks. Many of these peaks differed between the two groups, but only three had independent discriminating power. The overall classification results were 88%.
CONCLUSIONS
Water-soluble proteins sampled from punch biopsies are promising to assist the diagnosis of normal and CIN2-3. | 10.1007/s13402-011-0047-3 |
pubmed_1026_17398 | BACKGROUND
Ingrowing Nail is an ailment in the toe area. This problem is observed in 20% of the population, in all age groups, but most often occurs in teenagers and young adults. The process of ingrowing nail stimulates natural defense mechanisms of the body in the form of inflammation and severe pain.
AIMS
The aim of this paper was to make the VHO-Osthold® Perfect buckle effective as an alternative to nail plate surgery and to determine the patient's comfort during this method of treatment.
PATIENTS/METHODS
A descriptive case study conducted in a 15-year-old patient who had ingrowing nails in the big toes of both feet.
RESULTS
It has been shown that the VHO-Osthold® Perfect buckle therapy constitutes an effective method for ingrowing nails and one in a few conservative methods in orthonyxia, as an alternative to surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
The study and clinical experience confirm that the therapy of ingrowing nails with the VHO-Osthold® Perfect buckle is painless and noninvasive. This treatment can be safely and effectively carried out by a qualified podiatrist or cosmetologist in podological practice. | 10.1111/jocd.13495 |
pubmed_105_11617 | In breast cancer radiotherapy treatment with Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), the respiratory motion may lead to underdosing of the target and overdosing of critical organs such as the heart and lungs. This study aims to investigate the effect of using Virtual Bolus with different thicknesses on VMAT plan quality for patients with 20 advanced left-sided breast cancers. The result of the study showed that using Virtual Bolus for VMAT treatment planning is a viable method to avoid any missing target coverage. | 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110416 |
pubmed_756_2727 | In the face of global warming, budgetary austerity and impoverished Arctic residents, the nations of the circumpolar region are presented with a number of difficult choices regarding the provision of health care to the far-flung and isolated regions of their northernmost provinces. Complicating that picture is the reality of neglected tropical diseases in areas far from their perceived normal equatorial range as well as endemic food-borne diseases, including protozoan and helminth parasites, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases and vaccine-preventable illnesses. This paper discusses the problems of caring for the health and well-being of indigenous populations suffering from extreme poverty, isolation and discrimination in the circumpolar region. After presenting difficulties as supported by the extant literature, the paper continues by suggesting solutions that include novel telenursing applications, targeted distance-educational programs and local community-based health care assistant (HCA) vocational training. These programs will provide cost-effective care that increases life-spans, improves quality of life and provides opportunities to distressed populations in isolated rural communities of the Far North. The toolkit presented in the paper is intended to spur discussion on community health programs that could be adopted to provide proper and humane care for marginalized Arctic populations in an extreme and rapidly changing environment. | 10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21161 |
pubmed_115_10644 | A simple, rapid, and reproducible microtiter-based chondroitinase (CSase) assay is reported here, based on the competition of chondroitin sulfate (CS) with immobilized hyaluronan (HA) for the binding of TSG-6 protein, the product of TNF-inducible gene 6. Although the catabolic reaction of bacterial and other prokaryotic CSase enzymes, often referred to as the chondroitin lyases, can be followed by tracking the generation of unsaturated bonds by the spectrophotometrical determination of the absorbance at 232 nm, no rapid, sensitive, and simple assay has been devised to date for measuring the activity of the vertebrate enzymes that cleave their substrate exclusively by hydrolysis. We provide data demonstrating that the CSase assay described here is suitable for the determination of the activities of both classes of enzymes. For the bacterial enzyme CSase ABC, both the determination of the absorbance at 232 nm and the assay based on TSG-6 binding are suitable using the same range of enzyme activities. However, for testicular hyaluronidase, considerably higher enzyme activities were needed to cleave CS than to cleave HA. Using the HA-binding domain of aggrecan for a comparison, we determined that the interaction between TSG-6 and chondroitin sulfate is uniquely suited for this CSase assay. | 10.1016/j.ab.2005.09.038 |
pubmed_151_5344 | OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between the stenosis degree of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and each artery within the scope of aorto-iliac artery in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic occlusive disease (LEAOD).
METHODS
Images of 70 patients who had undergone the aorta-iliac-femoral arteries CT angiography (CTA) examination and had a definite diagnosis of LEAOD due to intermittent claudication or resting pain admitted to Tianjin Hospital from January to December in 2017 were enrolled. The arteries in the aorta as well as iliac were surface-reconstructed, which were analyzed by advanced vascular analysis (AVA) combined with the original images, including SMA trunk, abdominal aorta (AA), left and right common iliac artery (LCIA, RCIA), left and right internal iliac artery (LIIA, RIIA), left and right external iliac artery (LEIA, REIA). The normal reference plane and the maximal stenosis plane were selected, and the stenosis rate of each artery in the reconstruction range was automatically calculated with software. The patient's imaging data were divided into groups with two methods: (1) according to the degree of SMA stenosis, the patients were divided into group I (stenosis degree ≤70%) and group II (stenosis degree > 70%); (2) LEAOD patients with different gender were respectively divided into three groups: middle-aged group (45-59 years old), pre-elderly group (60-74 years old) and elderly group (75-89 years old). The comparison between the stenosis degree of SMA and each artery within the scope of aorto-iliac artery was analyzed with Pearson simple correlation analysis.
RESULTS
The incidence of SMA stenosis in all LEAOD patients was 100%. Correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between the stenosis degree of SMA and AA, LCIA, RCIA, LIIA, RIIA, LEIA, or REIA in group I (n = 64) and group II (n = 6), respectively (r value was -0.021, 0.023, 0.023, -0.137, 0.182, -0.113, 0.141, respectively, in group I, and it was 0.020, -0.560, 0.010, 0.306, -0.204, -0.381, 0.393, respectively, in group II, all P > 0.05). In 52 male patients, there was no correlation between the stenosis degree of SMA and AA, LCIA, RCIA, LIIA, RIIA, LEIA, or REIA in middle-aged group (n = 16), pre-elderly group (n = 27) and elderly group (n = 9), respectively (r value was -0.032, 0.024, 0.324, 0.146, 0.312, 0.008, 0.344, respectively, in middle-aged group, it was -0.108, -0.116, -0.040, -0.249, -0.082, -0.052, 0.096, respectively, in pre-elderly group, and it was 0.182, 0.311, 0.400, 0.360, 0.688, 0.498, 0.406, respectively, in elderly group, all P > 0.05). In 18 female patients, there was also no correlation between the stenosis degree of SMA and above each artery within the scope of aorto-iliac artery in pre-elderly group (n = 11) and elderly group (n = 6), respectively (the r value was -0.170, 0.040, -0.019, 0.152, 0.508, 0.042, 0.456, respectively, in pre-elderly group, and it was -0.660, 0.008, -0.055, -0.056, -0.213, 0.344, 0.011, respectively, in elderly group, all P > 0.05). The correlation in middle-aged group was not analyzed because there was only 1 patient.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the atherosclerotic changes in LEAOD patients can affect SMA and aorto-iliac artery at the same time, there was no correlation between the stenosis degree of SMA and each artery within the scope of aorto-iliac artery which may due to the differences in the histological structure and hemodynamics among different arteries. SMA atherosclerotic stenosis and occlusion is a relatively independent disease process for LEAOD. | 10.3760/cma.j.issn.2095-4352.2018.07.004 |
pubmed_699_6968 | We analyzed the PubMed, Scopus databases and the eLIBRARY electronic library regarding appropriate literature data. In the first part, modern classifications of endoleaks type 1 and 2 after stenting of infrarenal aortic aneurysm are considered. We described causes, risk factors and effectiveness of various treatment options. | 10.17116/hirurgia202207177 |
pubmed_913_10670 | One hundred forty nine subjects have their echocardiography recorded by Echoview apparatus, Picker firm. The echocardiographic parameters found in 72 patients in pure or almost pure mitral stenosis were confronted to those of 77 healthy subjects. The high sensitivity of the echocardiographic method is stressed upon in the differentiation of mitral stenosis. The most important echocardiographic criterion of mitral stenosis is the slowed down speed of the early diastolic movement, EF of the anterior mitral cusp and the shifting of the posterior mitral cusp forward from the line, passing through the point of the mitral closing. Confirmed diagnosis of mitral stenosis could only be obtained by the combination of those two echocardiographic changes. Echocardiographic significance is stressed in the establishment of the thickness of the two mitral cusps, increased number of component echolines and amplitude decrease in anterior mitral cusp opening in the assessment of the presence of mitral fibrosclerosis and calcinosis. | pubmed_913_10670 |
pubmed_738_16688 | BACKGROUND/AIM
Understanding of the molecular events associated with progression and survival differences in patients with lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) is still unclear. The comparison of findings across studies using different datasets and methods is essential for a new molecular-based classification system. The aim of the study was to identify biomarkers for prognostic classification of patients with LGGs, and furthermore to lay a foundation for future development of targeted therapies for LGGs.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Using information-theoretic and statistical approaches, we analyzed mRNA expression data for 18,413 genes from LGG samples in order to identify candidate biomarkers for survival. The candidate genes were then evaluated for their potential as prognostic biomarkers using multivariable Cox regression analyses that adjusted for the effects of age and grade.
RESULTS
WEE1, EMP3, E2F7, CD58 and NSUN7 genes were identified as candidate biomarkers of LGGs and their high expression was associated with significantly shorter survival. The hazard ratios for mortality were 5.02 (95% CI=3.40-7.40) for WEE1, 5.45 (95% CI=3.63-8.18) for EMP3, 4.49 (95% CI=3.03-6.66) for E2F7, 4.77 (95% CI=3.22-7.06) for CD58 and 4.38 (95% CI=2.97-6.47) for NSUN7. In addition, the expression pattern of these genes, associated with shorter survival in LGGs, was also observed in glioblastoma multiforme.
CONCLUSION
Identification of genes associated with poor outcomes will provide insights into novel biological mechanisms that may lead to improvement in progression and survival for patients with LGGs. | 10.21873/anticanres.14250 |
pubmed_1067_7605 | Metastases are the most common malignant tumors of the liver. In the files of the Institute of Pathology of the University of Cologne 12,161 liver tissue cases are registered. Of them, 1,357 cases (11.2%) showed tumors or tumor like masses. Liver metastases of solid tumors were the largest group of the neoplasias with 611 cases (5.0%) followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (380 cases; 3.1%). Other entities were rare and include cholangiolar carcinoma (0.5%), vascular tumors (0.4%), lymphomas (0.4%), focal nodular hyperplasias (0.36%) and liver cell adenomas (0.23%). Adenocarcinomaa are the largest group of metastases with 400 cases (65.5%). 48.2% of this group were metastases of colorectal cancer, 13.5% of pancreatic cancer, 13% of breast cancer, 6.2% of gastric cancer, 4.5% of lung cancer and 3.7% of esophageal cancer. Neuroendocrine carcinomas are the second largest group with 16% of liver filiae. Other entities were rarely found. Metastases in cirrhotic livers are seldom. The gross findings, the histology, the differential diagnosis including immunohistochemistry and the value of the liver biopsy is discussed. | 10.1055/s-2005-858576 |
pubmed_1081_14173 | BACKGROUND
Excessive fluid administration for saving patients from hypovolemic shocks is one of the main causes of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). The purpose of this paper is to survey the relationship between fluid resuscitation and increase intra-abdominal pressure (IAP).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present descriptive-analytical study recruited 100 patients with confirmed abdominal trauma and presenting to emergency departments. The cases with high IAP measured through the bladder were identified as developing ACS in case of having comorbidities involving two of the following systems: respiratory system, renal system or cardiovascular system. The volume of the fluids administered was compared in the first 24 h in subjects with and without ACS.
RESULTS
Of 100 patients with abdominal trauma, whose IAP was measured, 28 cases developed ACS. The mean volume of the fluids received was found to be significantly higher in the patients with ACS (8772 ml) compared to in those without (5404 ml). As a complication of excessive fluid administration, IAH can seriously threaten the patient's life.
CONCLUSIONS
Excessive fluid resuscitation causes ACS among the critically ill or injured patients such as abdominal trauma, pelvic fracture and intra-abdominal organ injuries hence to prevent this complication in all patients requiring short-term excessive administration of fluids, great care, and sensitivity are required to constantly control IAP and adjust the fluid administration. | 10.4103/IJCIIS.IJCIIS_17_18 |
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