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pubmed_919_2594 | The influence of Ferula hermonis root extract on sexual behavior was studied in female rats. Sexual receptivity, proceptivity and paced mating behavior were evaluated in ovariectomized females primed with estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (P) and then treated with F. hermonis extract acutely (30 and 60 mg/kg) or subchronically (1 and 10 mg/kg daily for 10 consecutive days). A significant reduction in lordosis responses was observed in rats after acute (60 mg/kg) or subchronic (1 and 10 mg/kg) administration of the plant extract. Similarly, a decrease in proceptive behaviors was exhibited by F. hermonis treated rats in comparison with EB+P controls. No difference was found in the patterns of paced mating behavior between control and treated animals. The present results demonstrate that the acute or repeated ingestion of F. hermonis specifically impairs the receptive and proceptive components of female sexual behavior. The effect could be the consequence of an antiestrogenic action of the extract in hormone-primed female rats. | 10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.06.025 |
pubmed_82_18406 | Earlier studies showed that dietary soybean lecithin increases biliary lipid secretion, which mainly comes from the contribution of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and hepatic microsomal pools of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. In addition, a lecithin diet enhances bile secretion and prevents bile acid-induced cholestasis. This study evaluated the contribution of choline, a component of lecithin, to the observed effect of lecithin on biliary secretory function. Rats were fed either a control diet (CD), a choline diet (ChD) or a lecithin-enriched diet (LD) for 2 weeks. Results showed that like LD, ChD induced an increase in bile flow and bile acid secretion rate when compared with the control diet. However, unlike LD, ChD did not significantly increase biliary phospholipids and cholesterol output. An increase of hydrophilic bile acids (i.e. ursodeoxycholic and muricholic acids) in bile of rats fed choline could explain why the biliary phospholipid and cholesterol secretion was not increased. During taurocholic acid infusion, both experimental diets increased bile flow and the bile acid secretion rate maximum (BASRm). The cholestasis usually observed after the BASRm is reached was inhibited by ChD and LD. Both diets induced a decrease in plasma cholesterol (total and HDL), however, only LD induced statistically significant changes. Analysis of total cholesterol and phospholipid content of microsomes and canalicular membranes indicated no statistically significant difference between control and experimental groups either under basal conditions or after bile acid infusion. Similarly, the phospholipid classes and fatty acid composition of biliary phosphatidylcholine were not altered by feeding ChD and LD. We conclude that choline contributes to the beneficial effect of a lecithin diet on bile secretion. It is postulated that this effect may be attributed to modulation of HDL and an enhancement of the cholesterol and phospholipid pools destined for biliary secretion. | 10.1016/s0005-2760(98)00072-1 |
pubmed_548_9255 | A lack of efficacy of some analgesic drugs has been previously described in rats with neuropathic spinal cord injury (SCI) pain. It has been suggested that repeated dosing in these animals over time may eventually lead to efficacy. However, it is also possible that efficacy may diminish over time with repeated dosing. This study evaluated the efficacy of various drugs upon repeated dosing over time in a rat model of SCI pain. Four weeks following an acute spinal cord compression at the mid-thoracic level, rats developed decreased hind paw withdrawal threshold, suggestive of below level neuropathic hypersensitivity. Either cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonist CP 55,940, the anticonvulsant carbamazepine or gabapentin, the antidepressant amitriptyline or vehicle was administered over a period of 7 days. Neither carbamazepine nor amitriptyline demonstrated efficacy either after a single or repeated dosing. Beginning with a 50% efficacious dose of gabapentin, the effect of gabapentin in SCI rats neither increased nor decreased over the treatment period. The antinociceptive effect of CP 55,940 was maintained for the entire treatment period, which was mediated by CB1 but not CB2 receptors. The current data suggest that sustained antinociception can be obtained with some drugs in rats with neuropathic SCI pain. Furthermore, the current data do not substantiate the notion that repeated treatment with initially ineffective drugs will eventually lead to efficacy; treatments that are not acutely effective are unlikely to demonstrate clinical efficacy. | 10.1002/prp2.34 |
pubmed_341_15189 | Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) was detected for the first time in 1996 in the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD) sugarcane quarantine at Montpellier by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in varieties from Brazil, Florida, Mauritius, and Réunion. Between 1997 and 2000, the virus was found by RT-PCR and/or tissue-blot immunoassay (TBIA) in additional varieties from Barbados, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Taiwan, suggesting a worldwide distribution of the pathogen. An excellent correlation was observed between results obtained for the two diagnostic techniques. However, even though only a few false negative results were obtained by either technique, both are now used to detect SCYLV in CIRAD's sugarcane quarantine in Montpellier. The pathogen was detected by TBIA or RT-PCR in all leaves of sugarcane foliage, but the highest percentage of infected vascular bundles was found in the top leaves. The long hot water treatment (soaking of cuttings in water at 25°C for 2 days and then at 50°C for 3 h) was ineffective in eliminating SCYLV from infected plants. Sugarcane varieties from various origins were grown in vitro by apical bud culture and apical meristem culture, and the latter proved to be the most effective method for producing SCYLV-free plants. | 10.1094/PDIS.2001.85.11.1177 |
pubmed_383_1872 | Since its emergence in late 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic with more than 55 million reported cases and 1.3 million estimated deaths worldwide. While epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 have been reported, risk factors underlying the transition from mild to severe disease among patients remain poorly understood. In this retrospective study, we analysed data of 879 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted to a two-site NHS Trust hospital in London, England, between January 1st and May 26th, 2020, with a majority of cases occurring in March and April. We extracted anonymised demographic data, physiological clinical variables and laboratory results from electronic healthcare records (EHR) and applied multivariate logistic regression, random forest and extreme gradient boosted trees. To evaluate the potential for early risk assessment, we used data available during patients' initial presentation at the emergency department (ED) to predict deterioration to one of three clinical endpoints in the remainder of the hospital stay: admission to intensive care, need for invasive mechanical ventilation and in-hospital mortality. Based on the trained models, we extracted the most informative clinical features in determining these patient trajectories. Considering our inclusion criteria, we have identified 129 of 879 (15%) patients that required intensive care, 62 of 878 (7%) patients needing mechanical ventilation, and 193 of 619 (31%) cases of in-hospital mortality. Our models learned successfully from early clinical data and predicted clinical endpoints with high accuracy, the best model achieving area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC-ROC) scores of 0.76 to 0.87 (F1 scores of 0.42-0.60). Younger patient age was associated with an increased risk of receiving intensive care and ventilation, but lower risk of mortality. Clinical indicators of a patient's oxygen supply and selected laboratory results, such as blood lactate and creatinine levels, were most predictive of COVID-19 patient trajectories. Among COVID-19 patients machine learning can aid in the early identification of those with a poor prognosis, using EHR data collected during a patient's first presentation at ED. Patient age and measures of oxygenation status during ED stay are primary indicators of poor patient outcomes. | 10.1038/s41598-021-83784-y |
pubmed_613_10307 | From the ripe fruits of red mamey (Pouteria sapota) sapotexanthin, a new carotenoid, was identified as (all-E,5'R)-β,κ-caroten-6'-one. | 10.1021/np1006982 |
pubmed_829_15267 | BACKGROUND.: A high homocysteine level is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease. Folate therapy has shown to reduce the homocysteine blood level, but does it decrease the risk of coronary restenosis in patients with coronary arterial disease? METHODS.: A systematic online literature search followed by a critical appraisal resulted in three suitable articles to provide an evidence-based evaluation of this clinical query. RESULTS.: The rate of coronary restenosis was reduced after folate therapy, except in patients who have had coronary stenting. An adverse effect of folate therapy on in-stent coronary restenosis was observed. CONCLUSION.: The effects of folate therapy on the rate of coronary restenosis after balloon angioplasty are contradicting. Until more clinical research has been preformed we recommend a conservative attitude towards folate therapy. (Neth Heart J 2007;15:12-5.). | 10.1007/BF03086052 |
pubmed_199_9342 | It has been reported that the first-dose response to prazosin is more common in patients who are salt-depleted or already receiving beta blockers. The relationship between the first-dose blood pressure and plasma renin responses to oral administration of 1 mg prazosin in 13 (seven male, six female) patients with essential hypertension (average blood pressure = 150/100 +/- 5/2 mm Hg) was studied. Eight of 13 patients experienced marked orthostatic decreases in blood pressure associated with nausea and dizziness. The degree of the orthostatic depressor response was inversely correlated with the baseline plasma renin activity (p less than 0.005). This unique sensitivity of low-renin essential hypertension to prazosin may reflect an underlying increased alpha tone and/or an attendant blunted renin reactivity in this form of human essential hypertension. | 10.1016/0002-9343(85)90433-4 |
pubmed_828_21156 | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Radical cystectomy is the gold standard for management of invasive and recurrent high-grade superficial bladder cancer. We present our initial experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic cystoprostatectomy (RALCP) with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy (epLAD) and intracorporeal enterourethral anastomosis (IEUA). A video demonstrating our technique is available online at www.liebertonline.com/end.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between April 2008 and March 2009, nine patients underwent RALCP with epLAD and IEUA at our institution. Operative technique, as described in detail (with video), was assessed for feasibility. A video demonstrating this technique is available online at www.liebertonline.com/end. Preoperative patient characteristics, operative data, as well as perioperative and pathologic outcomes were analyzed. All data were collected prospectively.
RESULTS
Median total operative time was 270 minutes (range 210-330): 60 minutes, bilateral epLAD; 90 minutes, RALCP; 60 minutes, open enterocystoplasty; 60 minutes (range 45-90), IEUA. Median blood loss was 400 mL (range 200-900 mL). All surgical margins were negative. Median number of lymph nodes removed was 11 (range 4-21). Postoperative complications were noted in three patients and included urinoma (n = 1), pyelonephritis (n = 1), and hematoma (n = 1).
CONCLUSION
RALCP is feasible and can be performed safely and effectively with acceptable operative, pathologic, and short-term clinical outcomes. More experience with longer follow-up is necessary to further assess clinical and oncologic outcomes of robotic assisted laparoscopic cystectomy for treatment of bladder cancer. | 10.1089/end.2009.0209 |
pubmed_681_18316 | OBJECTIVES
To study whether different information on a study may influence the reporting of symptoms suspected to be related to poor indoor climate at the workplace or at home.
METHODS
A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample (n=4,000) of the general population in Denmark. The participants were randomly allocated to two study groups, each group receiving a slightly different information letter. There were 2,710 subjects (67.8%) who completed the questionnaire, and 2,164 subjects, who were in employment, were included in the study. All subjects were informed that the purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of non-specific symptoms related to the indoor climate at work and in dwellings. However, in the letter to one study group it was stated that knowledge was especially lacking about health effects related to the indoor climate at work (n=1,468). To the other study group the words at work were replaced with at home (n=696). The questionnaires were similar for each study group.
RESULTS
The prevalence rates of symptoms were similar, but reporting of work-relatedness and home-relatedness differed considerably between the two study groups. If the information letter focused slightly more on the workplace than the home, the subjects were more likely to report that their symptoms were work-related (significant unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) between 1.8 and 5.5). We found that adjusting the results for several confounders mainly led to higher estimates of ORs. Likewise, the subjects reported more home-related symptoms if focus was on the environment at home (significant unadjusted ORs between 5.7 and 20.6).
CONCLUSIONS
The information about a study may play an important role in the reporting of symptoms. | 10.1007/s00420-003-0463-4 |
pubmed_358_14276 | The flavonol contents of 20 varieties of tomato fruit were investigated in relation to variety, size, season, and country of origin. Ten commonly consumed tomato-based food products were also assessed. Free and conjugated flavonols were identified and quantified using reversed-phase HPLC. Ninety-eight percent of flavonols detected in tomatoes were found to occur in the skin. Tomatoes contained, primarily as conjugates, quercetin and kaempferol. The main quercetin conjugate was identified as rutin (quercetin 3-rhamnosylglucoside) by LC-MS. The total flavonol content of the different varieties of tomato that were analyzed varied from 1.3 to 22.2 microgram/g of fresh weight (fw). Smaller cherry tomato fruits originating from warm sunny climates, such as Spain and Israel, were found to contain the highest concentration of flavonols. Among the tomato-based products investigated, tomato juice and tomato purée were rich in flavonols, containing 14-16 microgram/mL and 70 microgram/g fw, respectively. In contrast to fresh tomatoes, most tomato-based products contained significant amounts of free flavonols. | 10.1021/jf000070p |
pubmed_864_14534 | The key circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and their interaction in peripheral inflammation after acute cerebral ischemia are poorly understood. CD40L, IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-α were determined using multi-ELISA kit in stroke patients within 72 h of an acute ischemic attack. Leukocyte mRNAs were determined using real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Stroke severity and clinical outcomes were evaluated by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scores (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Plasma/mRNA cytokine interactions were analyzed using the Bayesian network learning procedure. Compared to controls, stroke patients had higher IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα protein in plasma and lower IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, IL-1α, and IL-1β mRNA in leukocyte within 72 h after stroke. However, only the elevation of IL-6 correlated with the severity and prognosis of their stroke. This was associated with a decreased IL-6 mRNA in leukocyte. Further study showed that Bayesian network analysis revealed that changes in the other cytokines were subsequent to IL-6 leukocyte cytokine RNA. The change of other cytokines in plasma proteins after ischemic brain injury appeared secondary to IL-6. Pro-inflammatory cytokines up-regulation in plasma and compensatory immunity depression in leukocyte involve in peripheral inflammation response to cerebral ischemia. IL-6 appears to be the key mediator of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines network. | pubmed_864_14534 |
pubmed_405_13560 | OBJECTIVES
To investigate adolescent vaccination in New York City, we assessed tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap), meningococcal conjugate (MCV4), and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake, vaccine co-administration, and catch-up coverage over time.
METHODS
We analyzed data from the Citywide Immunization Registry, a population-based immunization information system, to measure vaccine uptake and co-administration, defined as a Tdap vaccination visit where MCV4 or HPV vaccine was co-administered, among 11-year-olds. Catch-up vaccinations were evaluated through 2013 for adolescents born 1996 to 2000, by birth cohort. HPV vaccination among boys included data from 2010 to 2013.
RESULTS
Adolescent vaccine administration was greatest during the back-to-school months of August to October and was highest for Tdap. Although MCV4 uptake improved over the study years, HPV vaccine uptake among girls stagnated; boys achieved similar uptake of HPV vaccine by 2012. By 2013, 65.4% had MCV4 co-administered with Tdap vaccine, whereas 28.4% of girls and 25.9% of boys had their first dose of HPV vaccine co-administered. By age 17, Tdap and MCV4 vaccination coverage increased to 97.5% and 92.8%, respectively, whereas ≥1-dose and 3-dose HPV vaccination coverage were, respectively, 77.5% and 53.1% for girls and 49.3% and 21.6% for boys. Age-specific vaccination coverage increased with each successive birth cohort (P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
From 2007 to 2013, there were greater improvements in Tdap and MCV4 vaccination than HPV vaccination, for which co-administration with Tdap vaccine and coverage through adolescence remained lower. Parent and provider outreach efforts should promote timely HPV vaccination for all adolescents and vaccine co-administration. | 10.1542/peds.2014-1452 |
pubmed_795_2510 | We investigated a possible role of nifedipine-insensitive high voltage-activated (NI-HVA) Ca2+ channels in arterial diameter regulation in the semi-terminal branches of rabbit mesenteric artery (RMA). From these branches, NI-HVA Ca2+ currents showing almost identical properties to those previously identified in a similar region of guinea-pig [Circulation Research 1999;85:596-605] were recorded with whole-cell patch clamp recording. With video-microscopic measurement, the diameter of RMA segments perfused intraluminally at a constant rate (2-6 mL/h; 269 +/- 9 micro m, n = 27) decreased by 50-60% by raising the external K+ concentration ([K+]o) to 75 mM, a substantial part of which remained after addition of 1-10 micro M nifedipine (44 +/- 5% of initial diameter, n = 27). This nifedipine-insensitive diameter decrease (NI-DD) appeared to consist of initial transient and subsequent tonic phases (this separation was, however, not always clear), was resistant to tetrodotoxin, and was completely abolished in Ca2+-free or 100 micro M Cd2+-containing bath solutions. The magnitude of NI-DD increased depending on [K+]o with a threshold concentration of 20-40 mM. Raising the external Ca2+ concentration dose-dependently increased the magnitude of NI-DD, the extent being more prominent in the late tonic phase. Combined application of caffeine (10 mM) with ryanodine (3 micro M) produced a large transient NI-DD, which strongly attenuated the NI-DD evoked by a subsequent elevation in [K+]o. Using the fura-2 spectrofluorimetric Ca2+ imaging technique, a nifedipine-insensitive [Ca2+]i increase showing similar [K+]o-dependence and Cd2+ sensitivity to NI-DD was observed. These properties of NI-DD accord with those of NI-HVA Ca2+ channels, thus suggesting their contribution to small arterial diameter regulation in RMA. | 10.1016/s0024-3205(02)02286-5 |
pubmed_261_10321 | INTRODUCTION
Interferons, pegylated interferons (PegIFN), and oral antivirals are used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection. The number of studies comparing the efficacy of PegIFNs in the treatment of HBe antigen-negative CHB is rather limited. In this trial, the efficacy of two PegIFN products used in the treatment of CHB is compared.
METHODS
Study data were obtained from 16 tertiary healthcare service centers located in various areas of Turkey. Data of patients who were consecutively treated with PegIFN α-2a or α-2b for CHB were recorded retrospectively. Hepatitis B virus DNA and liver enzymes were analyzed at the beginning of the treatment and during weeks 12, 24, 48, and 72. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant.
RESULTS
A total of 155 patients were enrolled in this trial. Two cases were excluded because of insufficient data. Among the remaining 153 patients, 81 (53%) patients were in the PegIFN α-2a group and 72 (47%) patients were in the α-2b group. Treatment success was found to be 17.2% for the PegIFN α-2a group and 18.0% for the PegIFN α-2b group (P>0.05). In terms of efficacy (weeks 24, 48, and 72), there were no significant differences between the groups (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
According to our results, for HBe antigen-negative CHB cases, the response rate during the sixth month after the treatment with PegIFN was determined to be ∼17%. No difference was found between the efficacy rates of the two PegIFN products used in the treatment of HBe antigen-negative CHB. | 10.1097/MEG.0b013e328356eac2 |
pubmed_564_20244 | In the Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine-Varese, between March 1991 and June 1992, 74 consecutive patients undergoing elective oncologic surgery were evaluated in order to rationalize the use of antibiotics to decrease the costs of infectious complications. We divided the patients into two groups: a high infection risk group (in which every patient was submitted to antibiotic prophylaxis) and a low infection risk group (in which we didn't use any antibiotic prophylaxis). Our findings indicate that selection criteria for HIR patients are probably correct and in this group AP is necessary. In the LIR group, 45.5% of patients was not submitted to any antibiotic therapy. It's necessary to test the real efficacy of an AP in LIR patients in whom we had not a important incidence of infectious complications. In the LIR group AP should not exceed Lit. 23,251 per patient to be cost-effective. | pubmed_564_20244 |
pubmed_608_4666 | BACKGROUND/AIMS
Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is implicated in regulating calcium homeostasis in vertebrates, including sea bream, chick, and mammals. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the function of PTHrP in regulating calcium transport is still not fully investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PTHrP on the calcium uptake and its underlying molecular mechanism in rat enterocytes.
METHODS
The rat intestinal epithelial cell line (IEC-6) was used. Calcium uptake was determined by using the fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester fluorescence method. The expression levels of RNAs and proteins was assessed by RT-PCR and Western-blot, respectively.
RESULTS
PTHrP (1-40) induced rapid calcium uptake in enterocytes in a dose-dependent manner. PTHrP (1-40) up-regulated parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTHR1) protein but not 1,25D3-MARRS receptor. Pre-treatment of anti- PTHR1 antibody abolished the PTHrP (1-40)-induced calcium uptake. PTHrP (1-40) significantly up-regulated four transcellular calcium transporter proteins, potential vanilloid member 6 (TRPV6), calbindin-D9k (CaBP-D9k), sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1) and plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1 (PMCA1), in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Pre-treatment with TRPV6 or CaBP-D9k antibodies or knockout of rat TRPV6 or CaBP-D9k markedly inhibited PTHrP (1-40)-induced calcium uptake, whereas inhibition of NCX or PMCA1 by antibodies or inhibitors had no effect on PTHrP(1-40)-induced calcium uptake. Furthermore, PTHrP (1-40) treatment up-regulated protein levels of protein kinase C (PKC α/β) and protein kinase A (PKA). Pretreatment of PKC α/β inhibitor (but not PKA inhibitor) inhibited PTHrP (1-40)-induced calcium uptake.
CONCLUSION
PTHrP (1-40) stimulates calcium uptake via PTHR1 receptor and PKC α/β signaling pathway in rat enterocytes, and calcium transporters TRPV6 and CaBP-D9k are necessary for this stimulatory effect. | 10.1159/000495674 |
pubmed_15_7080 | Unveiling interactions between labeling molecules and amyloid fibrils is essential to develop new detection methods for studying amyloid structures under various conditions. This review endeavours to reflect the progress in studying interactions between molecular inhibitors and amyloid peptides using a series of experimental approaches, such as X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning probe microscopy, and electron microscopy. The revealed binding mechanisms of anti-amyloid drugs and target proteins could benefit the rational design of drugs for prevention or treatment of amyloidal diseases. | 10.1039/c2nr11508e |
pubmed_1045_17589 | BACKGROUND
The functional role of nitric oxide (NO) and the various nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in asthma is controversial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of NO in mice exposed to ozone, three known isoforms of NOS [inducible NOS (iNOS), neuronal NOS (nNOS), and endothelial NOS (eNOS)] were studied.
METHODS
The expression of iNOS, nNOS, and eNOS was determined in lung by Western blot analysis after exposure to filtered air and ozone (0.12, 0.5, 1 or 2 ppm) for 3 h. Using barometric whole-body plethysmography and increase in enhanced pause (P(enh)) as an index of airway obstruction, we measured airway responses to ozone exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed. Nitrate and nitrite were measured using a modified Griess reaction.
RESULTS
The nitrate concentration in BAL fluid, which indicates the in vivo generation of NO in airways, from the ozone-exposed group was significantly greater than that from the group exposed to filtered air (631.0 +/- 86.4 vs. 152.1 +/- 16.9 micromol/l, p < 0.05). The nitrate concentration in BAL fluid was increased more in mice exposed to 2-ppm ozone than that in mice exposed to filtered air or 0.12-, 0.5-, or 1-ppm ozone. Increases in P(enh) after exposure to ozone or filtered air were significantly higher in the ozone-exposed groups than in the group exposed to filtered air (p < 0.01). Increases in P(enh) were dependent on the ozone concentration. Although the protein levels of eNOS and iNOS determined were within normal levels, the amount of nNOS protein was markedly elevated in airway tissue homogenates of the group exposed to 2-ppm ozone.
CONCLUSION
These findings demonstrate that the nNOS isoform may be involved in airway obstruction in mice exposed to ozone. | 10.1159/000068406 |
pubmed_176_8293 | BACKGROUND
HIV/AIDS has become a full-blown development crisis affecting all sectors of the economy in most developing countries. Its social and economic consequences are felt widely not only in health but in education, industry, agriculture as well as transport.
OBJECTIVE
The study attempted to estimate the changes in worker's output and attendance associated with advancing HIV infection, and direct costs incurred by a fiber products factory due to illness and death related to HIV/AIDS.
METHODS
The study is a retrospective cohort with accounting method of cost estimation. The study subjects were factory workers enrolled in a cohort study of HIV incidence and progression in Akaki, Ethiopia since February 1997.
RESULTS
The mean incentive earnings were not significantly different between HIV positives and negatives at baseline (in 1997). However, in the following years (1998, 1999 and 2000) the incentive earnings of HIV positives were significantly lower than the incentive earnings of HIV negatives. Trend analysis showed that advancing HIV infection, as measured by drop in CD4 count and increasing viral load, is associated with reduction in productivity and increased sick leave days.
CONCLUSION
The study has shown that there is a direct negative impact of HIV infection on the productivity of factory workers and recommends institution of ART centers and programs in work places to mitigate the socio economic impact of the pandemic. | pubmed_176_8293 |
pubmed_15_15606 | Cell invasion by human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is a complex process relying on multiple host cell factors. Here we describe an investigation into the role of cellular protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) by studying the effects of the commonly used PDI inhibitor bacitracin on HPV16 infection. Bacitracin caused an unusual time-dependent opposing effect on viral infection. Enhanced cellular binding and entry were observed at early times of infection, while inhibition was observed at later times postentry. Bacitracin was rapidly taken up by host cells and colocalized with HPV16 at late times of infection. Bacitracin had no deleterious effect on HPV16 entry, capsid disassembly, exposure of L1/L2 epitopes, or lysosomal trafficking but caused a stark inhibition of L2/viral DNA (vDNA) endosomal penetration and accumulation at nuclear PML bodies. γ-Secretase has recently been implicated in the endosomal penetration of L2/vDNA, but bacitracin had no effect on γ-secretase activity, indicating that blockage of this step occurs through a γ-secretase-independent mechanism. Transient treatment with the reductant β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) was able to partially rescue the virus from bacitracin, suggesting the involvement of a cellular reductase activity in HPV16 infection. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of cellular PDI and the related PDI family members ERp57 and ERp72 reveals a potential role for PDI and ERp72 in HPV infection. | 10.1128/JVI.05493-11 |
pubmed_590_20881 | We explored the renal protective effects by a gut peptide, Ghrelin. Daily peritoneal injection with Ghrelin ameliorated renal damages in continuously angiotensin II (AngII)-infused C57BL/6 mice as assessed by urinary excretion of protein and renal tubular markers. AngII-induced increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and senescent changes were attenuated by Ghrelin. Ghrelin also inhibited AngII-induced upregulations of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), ameliorating renal fibrotic changes. These effects were accompanied by concomitant increase in mitochondria uncoupling protein, UCP2 as well as in a key regulator of mitochondria biosynthesis, PGC1α. In renal proximal cell line, HK-2 cells, Ghrelin reduced mitochondria membrane potential and mitochondria-derived ROS. The transfection of UCP2 siRNA abolished the decrease in mitochondria-derived ROS by Ghrelin. Ghrelin ameliorated AngII-induced renal tubular cell senescent changes and AngII-induced TGF-β and PAI-1 expressions. Finally, Ghrelin receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR)-null mice exhibited an increase in tubular damages, renal ROS levels, renal senescent changes and fibrosis complicated with renal dysfunction. GHSR-null mice harbored elongated mitochondria in the proximal tubules. In conclusion, Ghrelin suppressed AngII-induced renal damages through its UCP2 dependent anti-oxidative stress effect and mitochondria maintenance. Ghrelin/GHSR pathway played an important role in the maintenance of ROS levels in the kidney. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0094373 |
pubmed_388_10103 | A series of variant lines that utilize multiple pentoses for growth in place of glucose have been isolated from an 8-azaguanine resistant line of Novikoff hepatoma cells (N1S167). These variants utilize for growth ribose, xylose, arabinose, and/or deoxyribose. The variants growing on pentose containing medium (a) exhibit a density dependent cessation of growth, (b) have a morphology change to a more flattened cell type, (c) become binucleated in the presence of cyto chalasin B, and (d) show an altered sensitivity to trypsin treatment. | 10.1002/jcp.1040910105 |
pubmed_1081_8819 | Female orgasm is not necessary for coitus and reproduction from an evolutionary point of view. Furthermore, many women have difficulties in achieving an orgasm. In the present review, the authors discuss the possible benefits of female orgasm, the ability to have an orgasm in different times of the woman's life cycle and in various states of health. We further explore the effect of hormones on orgasm and evaluate different types of treatments for the improvement of female orgasm. Based on the current literature, so far there is no well-established information regarding the precise physiologic causes of female orgasm, hence the bulk of research on this theme comes from psychology or sociology sources. This, of course, does not promote the physiologic, as well as the hormonal knowledge of female orgasm. Therefore, to date, female orgasm still remains a riddle to medicine. | pubmed_1081_8819 |
pubmed_71_13576 | In this essay, I offer some reflections on how the topics were identified and approached by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, on which I had the honor to serve, in the hope that the reflections may be useful to future national bioethics commissions. In the executive order that established the bioethics commission, President Obama explicitly recognized the ethical imperative to responsibly pursue science, innovation, and advances in biomedical research and health care, and the importance of national attention to these issues. The bioethics commission prioritized practicable, actionable, targeted recommendations. Like most earlier U.S. national bioethics commissions, President Obama's commission did not undertake projects on significant and troublesome issues related to health and health care that were not associated with new science or technology. Issues such as health care access, health care delivery, opioid addiction, end-of-life care, and physician-aid-in-dying are topical and ethically complex areas of significance to bioethics, and they are also being discussed and debated by the public, the media, and policy-makers. In my view, there are good reasons to select and prioritize projects as well as a justification for confining commission efforts to issues related to novel science and emerging technologies, when there is only one national-level bioethics commission that has been established by the Office of the President. | 10.1002/hast.720 |
pubmed_470_2948 | OBJECTIVES
Our aim was to determine the effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on the prognostic value of peak oxygen consumption testing in patients with heart failure.
BACKGROUND
Peak oxygen consumption has been shown to be a useful prognostic tool in patients with heart failure. However, studies demonstrating the utility of peak oxygen consumption were conducted before beta-blocker therapy became widespread. Thus, our objective was to determine the effect of beta-blockers on the prognostic value of peak oxygen consumption in patients with heart failure.
METHODS
Actuarial, anthropomorphic, hemodynamic and exercise ventilatory data were collected from 369 patients with heart failure. Death and orthotopic heart transplants were the events tracked. Patients were divided into those taking beta-blockers and those not taking them. Event-free survival days were calculated.
RESULTS
One hundred ninety-nine patients on beta-blockers and 170 not on beta-blockers were studied. There were 40 orthotopic heart transplants and 82 deaths during follow-up. Peak oxygen consumption (milliliters per kilogram per minute) trended toward being an independent predictor of event-free survival (p = 0.055). In patients on and not on beta-blockers, a peak oxygen consumption of >14 ml/kg.min was associated with a 1-year event rate of approximately half of that associated with a peak oxygen consumption </=14 ml/kg x min. However, for every level of peak oxygen consumption, the event rate was lower in the group taking beta-blockers.
CONCLUSIONS
Beta-blocker status does not change the predictive power of peak oxygen consumption in patients with heart failure, but beta-blocker status is important to consider when using peak oxygen consumption to predict event-free survival in patients with heart failure. | 10.1016/s1053-2498(02)00473-4 |
pubmed_808_11800 | The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) is a neuropsychological test extensively used to assess the ability to inhibit cognitive interference that occurs when the processing of a specific stimulus feature impedes the simultaneous processing of a second stimulus attribute, well-known as the Stroop Effect. The aim of the present work is to verify the theoretical adequacy of the various scoring methods used to measure the Stroop effect. We present a systematic review of studies that have provided normative data for the SCWT. We referred to both electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) and citations. Our findings show that while several scoring methods have been reported in literature, none of the reviewed methods enables us to fully assess the Stroop effect. Furthermore, we discuss several normative scoring methods from the Italian panorama as reported in literature. We claim for an alternative scoring method which takes into consideration both speed and accuracy of the response. Finally, we underline the importance of assessing the performance in all Stroop Test conditions (word reading, color naming, named color-word). | 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00557 |
pubmed_588_6992 | Metal ion binding domains are found in proteins that mediate transport, buffering or detoxification of metal ions. In this study, we have performed an in silico analysis of metal binding proteins and have identified putative metal binding motifs for the ions of cadmium, cobalt, zinc, arsenic, mercury, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum and nickel. A pattern search against the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot and UniProtKB/TrEMBL databases yielded true positives in each case showing the high-specificity of the motifs. Motifs were also validated against PDB structures and site directed mutagenesis studies. | 10.1093/bioinformatics/btl617 |
pubmed_397_19609 | OBJECTIVE
Acute respiratory failure is complicated by acidosis and altered end-organ perfusion. NOVA-LUNG iLA is an interventional lung assist (ILA) device for arteriovenous carbon dioxide removal (AVCO2R). The present study was conducted to evaluate the device for short-term CO2 removal performance and hemodynamic response.
METHODS
Six adult sheep received cannulation of the jugular vein and carotid artery. The ILA-AVCO2R circuit was placed on the sheep for 72 hours. Hemodynamics and PaCO2 were measured; CO2 removal was calculated while varying sweep gas flow rates (Qg), device blood flow rates (Qb), and PaCO2.
RESULTS
Hemodynamic variables remained normal throughout the 72 hour study. CO2 removal increased with increases in Qg or Qb. Mean CO2 removal was 119.3 ml/min for Qb 1 L/ min, Qg 5 L/min, and PaCO2 40-50 mmHg. PaCO2 was directly proportional to CO2 clearance (R=0.72, p <0.001).
CONCLUSION
NOVALUNG iLA can provide near total CO2 removal with Qb 1-2 L/min, Qg 5 L/min, and minimal flow resistance (3.88+/-0.82 mmHg/L/min). PaCO2 correlates with CO2 removal and is dependent on Qb and Qg. | 10.1191/0267659105pf838oa |
pubmed_1081_1430 | OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to identify profiles of social functioning for preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems (EBP) and examine how profiles are predictive of response to a behavioral treatment program.
METHOD
139 preschoolers with EBP participated in an 8-week Summer Treatment Program for Pre-Kindergartners (STP-PreK). Latent profiles of social functioning were created from parent and teacher rated atypicality and social skills scales, along with child performance on an emotion knowledge and hostile attribution task. Baseline and treatment outcomes included behavioral, academic, and executive functioning measures.
RESULTS
Latent profile analyses resulted in two profiles (e.g., average and low) marked by differences in social skills, emotion knowledge and rates of atypical behaviors. Children in the low social functioning group had higher teacher rated hyperactivity and attention problems at baseline (d = .44 & 1.07), as well as lower IQ (d = .39). Children in the low social functioning group also had poorer treatment response as they had lower executive functioning scores (β = -.17, p < .05) at the completion of treatment. IQ moderated the association between social functioning profiles and behavioral treatment outcomes, such that lower social functioning was only associated with higher rates of attention problems for children with average IQ.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight the differential impact of social functioning in predicting treatment outcomes. | 10.1007/s10862-018-9646-x |
pubmed_974_10008 | The last several years have seen an increased interest in the use of remote sensing to identify the location of penguin colonies in Antarctica, and the estimation of the abundance of breeding pairs contained therein. High-resolution (sub-meter) commercial satellite imagery (e.g., Worldview-1, Quickbird) is capable of colony detection and abundance estimation for both large and small colonies, and has already been used in a continental-scale survey of Adélie penguins. Medium-resolution Landsat imagery has been used successfully to detect the presence of breeding penguins, but has not been used previously for abundance estimation nor evaluated in terms of its minimum colony size detection threshold. We report on the first comprehensive analysis of the performance of these two methods for both detection and abundance estimation, identify the sensor-specific failure modes that can lead to both false positives and false negatives, and compare the abundance estimates of each method over multiple spatial scales. We find that errors of omission using Landsat imagery are low for colonies larger than ∼10,000 breeding pairs. Both high-resolution and Landsat imagery can be used to obtain unbiased estimates of abundance, and while Landsat-derived abundance estimates have high variance for individual breeding colonies relative to estimates derived from high-resolution imagery, this difference declines as the spatial domain of interest is increased. At the continental scale, abundance estimates using the two methods are roughly equivalent. Our comparison of these two methods represents a bridge between the more developed high-resolution imagery, which can be expensive to obtain, and the medium-resolution Landsat-7 record, which is freely available; this comparison of methodologies represents an essential step towards integration of these disparate sources of data for regional assessments of Adélie population abundance and distribution. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0113301 |
pubmed_900_12379 | Neovascularization plays a critical role in the growth and metastatic spread of tumors and involves recruitment of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) from bone marrow as well as sprouting of preexisting endothelial cells. In this study, we examined if EPCs could promote tumor angiogenesis and would be an effective cellular target for an angiogenesis inhibitor, the recombinant kringle domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator (TK1-2). When TK1-2 was applied in the ex vivo culture of EPCs isolated from human cord blood, TK1-2 inhibited adhesive differentiation of mononuclear EPCs into endothelial-like cells. In addition, it inhibited the migration of ex vivo cultivated EPCs and also inhibited their adhesion to fibronectin matrix or endothelial cell monolayer. When A549 cancer cells were coimplanted along with ex vivo cultivated EPCs s.c. in nude mice, the tumor growth was increased. However, the tumor growth and the vascular density of tumor tissues increased by coimplanted EPCs were decreased upon TK1-2 treatment. Accordingly, TK1-2 treatment reduced the remaining number of EPCs in tumor tissues and their incorporation into the host vascular channels. In addition, overall expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and von Willebrand factor in tumor tissues were decreased upon TK1-2 treatment. Interestingly, strong VEGF expression by implanted EPCs was decreased by TK1-2. Finally, we confirmed in vitro that TK1-2 inhibited VEGF secretion of EPCs. TK1-2 also inhibited endothelial cell proliferation and migration induced by the conditioned medium of EPCs. Therefore, we concluded that EPCs, as well as mature endothelial cells, could be an important target of TK1-2. | 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-2979 |
pubmed_15_15774 | Autoantibodies against citrullinated protein Ags (ACPA) are associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This immune response against citrullinated protein Ags, which is thought to be facilitated by certain MHC HLA-DR alleles, is highly specific for this disease and has been speculated to be involved in the pathogenesis. We have previously studied cultures of B cells for the production of Abs against HLA Ags. The aim of the current study was to examine the role of B cells in the production of ACPA in patients with RA. Peripheral blood B cells from RA patients and healthy people were cultured with EL4-B5, a murine cell line expressing human CD40L, and with T cell factors to stimulate the in vitro production of Abs by B cells isolated from peripheral blood. ACPA were produced by cultured B cells from RA patients, as determined by reactivity to cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP). The results showed that 22% of the healthy persons tested also had B cells that could produce ACPA. Patients with HLA-DR alleles carrying the RA-associated shared epitope appeared to have more B cells with autoimmune potential for CCP than those without such HLA alleles (odds ratio 8.1, p = 0.001). In healthy individuals, anti-CCP-producing B cells were also observed more frequently if the RA-associated MHC genes were present (odds ratio 8.0, p = 0.01). Analysis of B cells in cultures may shed light on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors in the development of RA. | 10.4049/jimmunol.1100577 |
pubmed_1039_10856 | The clinical, haematological and biosynthetic features of subjects with Hb E variants are described. An association with red cell hypochromia and microcytosis was confirmed, although this was not invariable in Hb E trait. Imbalanced globin chain synthesis was found in the majority of Hb E carriers. A patient doubly heterozygous for Hb E and Hb S, a condition we have not previously seen reported, had a benign clinical course with minor haematological changes, despite a relatively large amount of Hb S (67%). | 10.1159/000206374 |
pubmed_471_5916 | PURPOSE
The purpose of this work is the design, implementation and evaluation of a mechanically flexible receive-only coil array for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 T that can be applied to various target organs and provides high parallel imaging performance.
METHODS
A 23-channel array was designed based on a rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB). The flexible multi-layer part contains the copper traces forming the coil elements. The rigid part of the PCB houses the solder joints and lumped elements. The coil housing consists of rigid caps mounted above the rigid parts. Adhesive PTFE sheets cover all flexible parts. The developed array was tested on the bench as well as in phantom and in vivo MRI experiments employing parallel imaging acceleration factors up to six.
RESULTS
Efficient mutual decoupling between receive elements and detuning between receive array and body coil was achieved. An increased signal-to-noise ratio in comparison to commercial reference coils is demonstrated, especially in regions close to the developed array and for high parallel imaging acceleration factors. Exemplary in vivo images of head, ankle, knee, shoulder and hand are presented.
CONCLUSION
Based on high sensitivity close to the array and low g-factors, this flexible coil is well suited for studies of occipital and temporal cortex, as well as musculoskeletal targets like knee, ankle, elbow and wrist. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0206963 |
pubmed_780_1299 | Imidazolines have been shown to be neuroprotective in focal and global ischemia in the rat. However, their mechanism of action is still unclear. We have studied the neuroprotective effects of imidazolines against NMDA-induced neuronal death and hypoxic insult in cerebellar and striatal neuronal cultures. All of the imidazolines tested decreased the NMDA-mediated neurotoxicity in a non-competitive manner. Antazoline was the most effective (IC(50) of 5 microM, maximal neuroprotection reaching 90% at 100 microM). The neuroprotective effects were still present when the imidazolines were applied during the post-insult period. Antazoline, idazoxan and guanabenz also showed neuroprotective effects against hypoxia-induced neuronal death (neuroprotection reaching 95% for antazoline at 100 microM). Antazoline was still active if applied during the reoxygenation period (15% neuroprotection). To determine the mechanism of the neuroprotective effects, the possible interaction of imidazolines with NMDA receptors was studied. Imidazolines dose-dependently and non-competitively inhibited NMDA currents. As found for the neuroprotective effects, antazoline was the most effective imidazoline, with an IC(50) of 4 microM and a maximal inhibition of 90% at 100 microM. This blockade was rapid, reversible and voltage-dependent. We compared these effects to those of the classical non-competitive antagonist of NMDA channels, MK-801. In contrast to imidazolines, blockade of the NMDA current by MK-801 was voltage-independent and reversible only at positive potentials. When co-applied with MK-801, antazoline prevented the long lasting blockade of the NMDA current by MK-801. These results are consistent with the existence of overlapping binding sites for these drugs on the NMDA receptor channel. They indicate that imidazolines exert a strong neuroprotective effect against excitotoxicity and hypoxia in cerebellar and striatal primary neuronal cultures by inhibiting NMDA receptors. Since these effects were non-competitive, imidazolines appear to be interesting new drugs with therapeutic potential. | 10.1016/s0028-3908(00)00085-x |
pubmed_559_14004 | OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence, distribution and risk factors of hypertension among rural residents in Ghana.
DESIGN AND SETTING
Cross sectional study in four rural communities in the Ga District of Ghana.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
All adults aged > or = 18 years in four rural communities were asked to participate. The average of two blood pressure readings taken with a mercury sphygmomanometer after 10 minutes of rest was used in the analysis. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure > or = 140/90 mm Hg.
RESULTS
362 subjects with a mean age of 42.4 +/- 18.6 years participated in the study. The prevalence of hypertension was 25.4%. Of those with hypertension, only 32.3% (n-30) had prior knowledge of their condition, and less than half of these (n=12) were on treatment. Of those on treatment 16.7% were well controlled (blood pressure < or = 140/90 mm Hg). The adjusted odds ratios for developing hypertension for overweight or obesity were 5.8 (95% confidence interval 1.4-24.3) and 6.9 (95% confidence interval 1.7-28.2), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for hypertension for age groups 45-54, 55-64, and > or = 65 years were 31.9 (95% confidence interval 1.88-539.11), 31.8 (95% confidence interval 1.6-624.2), and 58.8 (95% confidence interval 2.9-1168.7), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for hypertension with respect to smoking, alcohol consumption, job-related physical activity, family history, education, occupation, and diabetes status did not attain statistical significance.
CONCLUSION
Hypertension is now of public health significance in rural Ga District of Ghana. The high rate of hypertension was associated with low levels of awareness, drug treatment, and blood pressure control. Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for hypertension that can be addressed through lifestyle interventions. Additionally, integrating hypertension care into primary care in rural health facilities may prove beneficial. | pubmed_559_14004 |
pubmed_556_25408 | INTRODUCTION
The iliopsoas muscle is a rare place for an abscess to collect. While these abscesses can have high mortality, they are often misdiagnosed. The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can aid in earlier diagnosis.
CASE REPORT
A 45-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with severe lower back pain. The pain radiated to both of his legs and was associated with fever, weight loss, and malaise. The differential diagnosis for this patient was broad. A POCUS was performed at the bedside and revealed bilateral iliopsoas abscesses. This finding was then confirmed by computed tomography.
CONCLUSION
In this case report we will discuss how to identify an iliopsoas abscess using POCUS in ED patients, and the utility of POCUS to facilitate an expedited diagnosis. | 10.5811/cpcem.2020.5.45255 |
pubmed_482_5527 | BACKGROUND
Mistletoe therapy is frequently administered as a supportive treatment in diverse pediatric cancer entities including brain tumors. Medulloblastoma is the most common brain tumor in childhood. Its high risk to metastasize and its long-term sequelae caused by aggressive chemo- or radiotherapies are still challenging.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Effects of a lectin-rich mistletoe extract, abnobaVISCUM Fraxini, were investigated in two medulloblastoma cell lines (Daoy and ONS-76). Responsiveness of tumor cells was assessed by cell viability assays and xCELLigence real-time analyses. Moreover, impacts on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were investigated. Apoptosis was studied by staining of vital mitochondria and assessing the involvement of caspases. In addition, effects on migration and invasion were analyzed.
RESULTS
Both medulloblastoma cell lines were more susceptible to treatment with the mistletoe extract than a nontumorigenic fibroblast cell line. In mistletoe-sensitive Daoy cells, reduction of proliferation and induction of caspase-mediated apoptosis were observed upon administration of 0.05 and 0.5 mg/mL abnobaVISCUM Fraxini treatment, respectively. Furthermore, mistletoe extract inhibited migration and invasion properties in Daoy and significantly impaired invasive capabilities of ONS-76 cells.
CONCLUSION
AbnobaVISCUM Fraxini has cell line dependent antitumoral effects in medulloblastoma models. These results call for further investigations, to reveal mechanistic insights into antitumorigenic properties of mistletoe extracts. | 10.1159/000507318 |
pubmed_92_2339 | Paper spray mass spectrometry ambient ionization is utilized for rapid discrimination of bacteria without sample preparation. Bacterial colonies were smeared onto filter paper precut to a sharp point, then wetted with solvent and held at a high potential. Charged droplets released by field emission were sucked into the mass spectrometer inlet and mass spectra were recorded. Sixteen different species representing eight different genera from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were investigated. Phospholipids were the predominant species observed in the mass spectra in both the negative and positive ion modes. Multivariate data analysis based on principal component analysis, followed by linear discriminant analysis, allowed bacterial discrimination. The lipid information in the negative ion mass spectra proved useful for species level differentiation of the investigated Gram-positive bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria were differentiated at the species level by using a numerical data fusion strategy of positive and negative ion mass spectra. | 10.1021/ac501254b |
pubmed_344_22721 | BACKGROUND
Effective influenza pandemic management requires understanding of the factors influencing behavioral changes. We aim to determine the differences in knowledge, attitudes and practices in various different cohorts and explore the pertinent factors that influenced behavior in tropical Singapore.
METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional knowledge, attitudes and practices survey in the Singapore military from mid-August to early-October 2009, among 3054 personnel in four exposure groups--laboratory-confirmed H1N1-2009 cases, close contacts of cases, healthcare workers, and general personnel.
RESULTS
1063 (34.8%) participants responded. The mean age was 21.4 (SE 0.2) years old. Close contacts had the highest knowledge score (71.7%, p = 0.004) while cases had the highest practice scores (58.8%, p < 0.001). There was a strong correlation between knowledge and practice scores (r = 0.27, p < 0.01) and knowledge and attitudes scores (r = 0.21, p < 0.01). The significant predictors of higher practice scores were higher knowledge scores (p < 0.001), Malay ethnicity (p < 0.001), exposure group (p < 0.05) and lower education level (p < 0.05). The significant predictors for higher attitudes scores were Malay ethnicity (p = 0.014) and higher knowledge scores (p < 0.001). The significant predictor for higher knowledge score was being a contact (p = 0.007).
CONCLUSION
Knowledge is a significant influence on attitudes and practices in a pandemic, and personal experience influences practice behaviors. Efforts should be targeted at educating the general population to improve practices in the current pandemic, as well as for future epidemics. | 10.1186/1471-2458-10-442 |
pubmed_702_24224 | Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy remain the first choice treatment of chronic or recurrent acute infections of the upper respiratory tract in children. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the combination of thiamphenicol glycinate acetylcysteinate plus beclomethasone, administered as aerosol, in children awaiting tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. The study comprised 204 children, aged 1 to 12 years, with chronic adenotonsillitis who had been listed for surgery due to obstructive symptoms and recurrent acute infections. Patients were randomized to treatment with thiamphenicol glycinate acetylcysteinate, dosage 250 mg/day in 2 administrations plus beclomethasone with a dosage of 400 microg/day in 2 administrations, or no treatment, control group, unless required. The drugs were administered by aerosol for 10 days/month over a period of 6 months. Clinical visits were at 4, 7 and 12 months after the start of treatment. The primary efficacy outcome was the reduction in the number of patients requiring surgery. Secondary efficacy measures were the reduction of nasal obstruction, the decrease in the number of infectious episodes and the tolerability of the treatment. Aerosol treatment with thiamphenicol glycinate acetylcysteinate plus beclomethasone resulted in a significantly lower proportion of patients requiring surgery (29 of 101; 29 percent) compared to patients in the control group (100 of 103; 97 percent) (p < 0.0001). Treatment was also associated with a reduction of nasal obstruction and a decrease in the number of infectious episodes. No treatment-related adverse events were reported and the aerosol therapy proved easy to administer to children. The aerosol therapy with the combination of thiamphenicol glycinate acetylcysteinate plus beclomethasone was able to prevent or postpone surgery in a substantial percentage of patients, without adverse events. These preliminary results suggest that this novel approach could play a role in the antibiotic prophylaxis of chronic infectious diseases of the upper airways. | 10.1177/039463200902200207 |
pubmed_470_15148 | Patients with extensive ulcerative colitis (UC) of longer than 8 years duration are at high risk for the development of colorectal cancer. The cancers in these patients appear to develop in a stepwise manner with progressive histological changes from negative for dysplasia --> indefinite for dysplasia --> dysplasia --> cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the timing and extent of genomic instability in the progression of UC dysplasia and cancer. Using two polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA fingerprinting methods, arbitrarily primed PCR and intersimple sequence repeat PCR, we assessed DNA sequence variation in biopsies across the spectrum of cancerous, dysplastic, and nondysplastic mucosa. UC patients with dysplasia/cancer had substantial genomic instability in both their dysplastic and nondysplastic colonic mucosa, whereas instability was not present in the majority of UC patients without dysplasia/cancer. The degree of instability in nondysplastic tissue was similar to that of dysplastic/cancerous mucosa from the same patient, suggesting that this instability was widespread and reached the maximum level early in neoplastic progression. These results suggest that UC patients who develop dysplasia or cancer have an underlying process of genomic instability in their colonic mucosa whereas UC patients who are dysplasia-free do not. | 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)63860-6 |
pubmed_953_20484 | Extraction of teeth leads to bone resorption that can result in asymmetrical hard and soft tissue topography. This article describes a technique to enhance a pontic site in the anterior maxilla by using forced eruption as an alternative to conventional hard and soft tissue augmentation surgeries. Forced eruption is a well-known procedure and its use in developing a pontic site for a fixed dental prosthesis is described in this clinical report. | pubmed_953_20484 |
pubmed_827_7300 | OBJECTIVE
We have previously demonstrated the ability to construct 3-dimensional microvascular beds in vitro via angiogenesis from isolated, intact, microvessel fragments that retain endothelial cells and perivascular cells. Our objective was to develop and characterize an experimental model of tissue vascularization, based on the implantation of this microvascular construct, which recapitulated angiogenesis, vessel differentiation, and network maturation.
METHODS AND RESULTS
On implantation in a severe combined-immunodeficient mouse model, vessels in the microvascular constructs rapidly inosculated with the recipient host circulation. Ink perfusion of implants via the left ventricle of the host demonstrated that vessel inosculation begins within the first day after implantation. Evaluation of explanted constructs over the course of 28 days revealed the presence of a mature functional microvascular bed. Using a probe specific for the original microvessel source, 91.7%+/-11% and 88.6%+/-19% of the vessels by day 5 and day 28 after implantation, respectively, were derived from the original microvessel isolate. Similar results were obtained when human-derived microvessels were used to build the microvascular construct.
CONCLUSIONS
With this model, we reproduce the important aspects of vascularization, angiogenesis, inosculation, and network remodeling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the model accommodates human-derived vessel fragments, enabling the construction of human-mouse vascular chimeras. | 10.1161/01.ATV.0000124103.86943.1e |
pubmed_1091_1637 | Foods that are commonly consumed in the diet are considered to provide more than 40 different carotenoids. However, the content in carotenoids varies considerably in both qualitative and quantitative terms as a consequence of different genotypes, climatic conditions of the production area, and agronomic factors, among others. In this paper, analytical data, obtained by HPLC or UHPLC, of carotenoids in fruits and vegetables produced in Ibero-America have been compiled from peer-reviewed journals, organized in food categories, and documented in relation to the sampling and analytical quality system used. In addition to common products of the diet of the Ibero-American countries, other wild or little used fruit and vegetables have been included with the aim of contributing to promote and to value species and local varieties. The importance of the commodities containing carotenoids in food, health, agriculture, and biodiversity, and the need of their preservation, was evidenced in this work namely by the large differences in carotenoid content related to the locals of production and varieties, and the high levels of carotenoids in native fruits and vegetables. The contribution of these compounds to meet the needs of vitamin A as well as the necessity of establishing recommendation for the daily intakes of theses bioactive compounds were also discussed. | 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b06148 |
pubmed_1066_20696 | Water vapor is very common in contaminated streams, which has a great influence on the adsorption of low-concentration volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to the competition between water and VOCs. Understanding adsorption mechanisms and predicting adsorption of VOCs under different relative humidity (RH) are of great importance to design effective adsorption unit. In this study, we comprehensively investigated the effects of RH on the surface properties of hyper-cross-linked polymeric resin (HPR) and adsorption of 18 VOCs at low concentration on HPR under five levels of RH using inverse gas chromatography (IGC). Further, a promising RH-dependent poly-parameter linear free energy relationships (PP-LFERs) model was developed. It was found that water vapor caused the decrease of surface free energy (γst) of HPR due to the occupation of active sites by water molecules, resulting in the decrease of adsorption partition coefficients (K). Moreover, the γst could accurately quantify the effects of RH on the surface properties of HPR. Therefore, the RH-dependent PP-LFERs model was established by correlating RH and γst. The developed model overcame the limited predictive ability of existing models only under a specific RH level, and excellently predicted the lnK values of VOCs (R2 = 0.944, RMSEt = 0.36 and RMSEv = 0.47) under various RH. | 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126335 |
pubmed_748_18048 | OBJECTIVES
To examine the relationship between life events and survival for people with dementia. To investigate whether this relationship differs from that for people without dementia. To identify which psychiatric and social factors are associated with survival in people with dementia.
METHOD
A prospective cohort study with external controls. One hundred and sixteen people with dementia and 50 fit, elderly controls were assessed for life events over a 6-month period. They were followed-up at 5 years and data collected on length of survival.
RESULTS
There was an association between two or more severe life events and reduced survival. This association appeared stronger for controls than people with dementia although the interaction was not significant (p = 0.052). The only psychiatric or social factor associated with poor survival in dementia was depression. Other factors associated with reduced survival in the dementia group were male sex, older age, poor physical health, later age of onset and a poorer level of functioning.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides some evidence that having two or more stressful and negative life events may reduce survival in older people with and without dementia. If replicated, this finding will have implications for our understanding of the clinical course of dementia. | 10.1111/j.1440-1614.2004.01443.x |
pubmed_217_11046 | Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a widely used animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). EAE pathogenesis involves various cell types, cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. Given the complexity of the inflammatory response in EAE, it is likely that many immune mediators still remain to be discovered. To identify novel immune mediators of EAE pathogenesis, we performed an Affymetrix gene array screen on the spinal cords of mice at the onset stage of disease. This screening identified the gene encoding lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) as being significantly upregulated. Lcn2 is a multi-functional protein that plays a role in glial activation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) stabilization, and cellular iron flux. As many of these processes have been implicated in EAE, we characterized the expression and role of Lcn2 in this disease in C57BL/6 mice. We show that Lcn2 is significantly upregulated in the spinal cord throughout EAE and is expressed predominantly by monocytes and reactive astrocytes. The Lcn2 receptor, 24p3R, is also expressed on monocytes, macrophages/microglia, and astrocytes in EAE. In addition, we show that EAE severity is increased in Lcn2(-/-) mice as compared with wild-type controls. Finally, we demonstrate that elevated levels of Lcn2 are detected in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in MS and in immune cells in CNS lesions in MS tissue sections. These data indicate that Lcn2 is a modulator of EAE pathogenesis and suggest that it may also play a role in MS. | 10.1002/glia.22342 |
pubmed_857_531 | Neoplasms of the foot are relatively rare problems. Because of their rarity, many physicians are not familiar with their diagnosis or treatment. In addition, there is a diversity of opinions about the histogenesis, nomenclature, and treatment of these tumors. A systematic approach to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment is necessary to ensure prompt, appropriate management of these problems. Topics discussed in this article included the initial evaluation, staging, biopsy, surgical resection, and postoperative care. | pubmed_857_531 |
pubmed_616_13043 | This article identifies three relevant and valid constructs that are associated with personal and organisational performance that can be used in the training of current and future health service managers: personal engagement at work, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution. A review was undertaken of the literature in human resources management to identify key concepts that bind and strengthen the management of organisations. A curriculum content analysis was then performed of postgraduate health management courses in Australia to assess the extent of inclusion in these areas. Three concepts and practices of relevance to the human dimension of health management, namely personal engagement at work, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution, were found to: (1) have concept validity; (2) be associated with personal and organisational performance; and (3) be capable of being imparted by training. The analysis indicated that none of the competencies and/or skills identified has been given emphasis in postgraduate health management courses in Australia. Competence in the management of human relationships in health services has been given low priority in university postgraduate training in health management in Australia. The current situation poses challenges to all stakeholders of health services. | 10.1071/AH17063 |
pubmed_955_11795 | The influence of progesterone at the physiological concentration on normal donor and malignant patient peripheral blood lymphocytes incubated with interleukin 2 (IL-2) was investigated. Analysis of the phenotypes of IL-2-activated lymphocytes revealed that there was a difference in the positive rates of CD4+ and CD8+ cells between normal donors and patients with malignancies. Activated lymphocytes of normal adults older than 35 years of age consisted of 60-100% of CD4+ cells and 0-30% of CD8+ cells. Donors younger than 35 years of age showed a positive rate of CD4+ cells, ranging from 0-100%, while CD8+ cells were between 0-60%. However, in patients with malignancies both CD4+ and CD(8+)-activated lymphocytes diffused from 0-100%. Activated lymphocytes of most patients were CD8+ cell dominant, which reversed the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. Almost all patients at clinical stage IV showed a deviation of the positive rates of CD4+ and CD8+ cells from the normal range. It is an open question whether the prognosis of the patients with normal positive rates of CD(4+)- and CD(8+)-activated lymphocytes is favorable or not. | 10.1016/0304-3835(93)90058-h |
pubmed_602_19770 | Since its earliest applications, hair transplantation has been used for treating not only the scalp in pattern baldness but also other parts of the body, commencing with eyebrow reconstruction. The earliest micrografts were applied to the eyebrow more than 30 years before their application to the scalp became the standard of care. Today hair transplantation is applied to a number of other areas. The principle behind transplanting these areas is the same-once transplanted, the hairs continue to grow because of the phenomenon of donor dominance. This article reviews the role and technique of hair transplantation to the eyebrows and eyelids, chest, beard and moustache, and pubic escutcheon. | 10.1016/j.fsc.2003.12.002 |
pubmed_1100_20712 | Potassium channels share a highly conserved stretch of eight amino acids, a K+ channel signature sequence. The conserved sequence falls within the previously defined P-region of voltage-activated K+ channels. In this study we investigate the effect of mutations in the signature sequence of the Shaker channel on K+ selectivity determined under bi-ionic conditions. Nonconservative substitutions of two threonine residues and the tyrosine residue leave selectivity intact. In contrast, mutations at some positions render the channel nonselective among monovalent cations. These findings are consistent with a proposal that the signature sequence contributes to a selectivity filter. Furthermore, the results illustrate that the hydroxyl groups at the third and fourth positions, and the aromatic group at position seven, are not essential in determining K+ selectivity. | 10.1016/S0006-3495(94)80887-2 |
pubmed_146_21458 | The G(s) and G(i) pathways interact to control the levels of intracellular cAMP. Although coincident signaling through G(s) and G(i)-coupled receptors can attenuate G(s)-stimulated cAMP levels, it is not known if prior activation of the G(i) pathway can affect signaling by G(s)-coupled receptors. We have found that activated Galpha(o/i) interact with RGS20, a GTPase activating protein for members of the Galpha(omicron/i) family. Interaction between Galpha(o/i) and RGS20 results in decreased cellular levels of RGS20. This decrease was induced by activated Galpha(o) and Galpha(i2) but not by Galpha(q), Galpha(i1) or Galpha(i3.) The Galpha(o/i)-induced decrease in RGS20 can be blocked by proteasomal inhibitors lactacystin or MG132. Activated Galpha(o) stimulates the ubiquitination of RGS20. The serotonin-1A receptor that couples to G(o/i) reduces the levels of RGS20 and this effect is blocked by lactacystin, suggesting that G(o/i) promotes the degradation of RGS20. Expression of RGS20 attenuates the inhibition of beta-adrenergic receptor-induced cAMP levels mediated by the serotonin-1A receptor. Prior activation of the serotonin-1A receptor results in loss of the RGS20-mediated attenuation, and the loss of attenuation is blocked when lactacystin is included during the prior treatment. These observations suggest that G(o/i)-coupled receptors, by stimulating the degradation of RGS20, can regulate how subsequent activation of the G(s) and G(i) pathways controls cellular cAMP levels, thus allowing for signal integration. | 10.1016/j.cellsig.2008.02.008 |
pubmed_1134_1409 | A model of hole transfer in DNA molecules has been proposed, which takes into account changes in the reorganization energy and orbital coupling between the neighboring bases during the charge transfer in different molecular sequences. It is shown that the rate of hole transfer by the superexchange and hopping transfer mechanisms is limited by the relaxation of the geometries of nucleobases participating in charge migration and the dynamics of solvent molecules. The rate of charge transfer in the DNA molecule is found to be dependent on the height of the potential barriers between the nucleotide and the molecular sequences. The inclusion of the interchain charge transfer, which is characterized by weak coupling between the nucleotides located in opposite strands, does not affect the general charge transport in DNA. The increase in the number of the parallel components of the hopping mechanism leads to a rise in the charge transfer rate in the double helix. | pubmed_1134_1409 |
pubmed_770_11301 | Extraskeletal bone formation can be induced in rodents by implantation of demineralised bone matrix and such implantation has been used to treat bone defects in man, but it is uncertain if induction or merely conduction occurs. We studied bone induction in primates by excising segments of the fibulae of adult squirrel monkeys, defatting and demineralising them before reimplanting them into the quadriceps of the same animal. As a control experiment, rat matrix was prepared in exactly the same way and implanted in rats. After six weeks the implants were harvested and either ashed and analysed for calcium content or prepared for histology. In the rats, the calcium content indicated that about 20% of the original matrix had been replaced by new bone. In the monkeys the calcium content was about the same as that in normal body fluid and no bone was seen in histological sections. This result casts doubt on the use of demineralised human bone matrix as a bone inductor, although it may function by other mechanisms. | 10.1302/0301-620X.70B4.3403612 |
pubmed_876_20605 | Giant pulmonary cyst is a rare clinico-pathological entity. It was described as a "windy tumor" by John Floyer in 1726. Since that time, there have been numerous reports on this unique manifestation of emphysema by many authors. In this report, we report one such interesting case who was diagnosed as tension pneumothorax. | pubmed_876_20605 |
pubmed_64_11460 | High levels of microvesicles (MVs), a type of extracellular vesicles, are detected in several pathological conditions. We investigated the connection between coronary flow reserve (CFR), a prognostic clinical parameter that reflects blood flow in the heart, with levels of MVs and their cargo, from plasma of patients with cardiovascular disease. The PROFLOW study consists of 220 patients with prior myocardial infarction and measured CFR with transthoracic echocardiography. The patients were divided into high and low CFR groups. Plasma MVs were captured with acoustic trapping. Platelet- and endothelial-derived MVs were measured with flow cytometry, and vesicle lysates were analyzed with proteomic panels against cardiovascular biomarkers. Flow cytometry was further applied to identify cellular origin of biomarkers. Our data show a negative correlation between MV concentration and CFR values. Platelet and endothelial MV levels were significantly increased in plasma from the low CFR group. CFR negatively correlates with the levels of several proteomic biomarkers, and the low CFR group exhibited higher concentrations of these proteins in MVs. Focused analysis of one of the MV proteins, B cell activating factor (BAFF), revealed platelet and not leukocyte origin and release upon proinflammatory stimulus. Higher levels of MVs carrying an elevated concentration of proatherogenic proteins circulate in plasma in patients with low CFR, a marker of vascular dysfunction, reduced blood flow, and poor prognosis. Our findings demonstrate a potential clinical value of MVs as biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets against endothelial deterioration.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigated how microvesicles (MVs) from patients with cardiovascular diseases are related to coronary flow reserve (CFR), a clinical parameter reflecting blood flow in the heart. Our results show a negative relationship between CFR and levels of platelet and endothelial MVs. The pattern of MV-enriched cardiovascular biomarkers differs between patients with high and low CFR. Our findings suggest a potential clinical value of MVs as biomarkers of reduced blood flow and proatherogenic status, additional to CFR. | 10.1152/ajpheart.00869.2020 |
pubmed_1130_221 | Measurements of methotrexate have been made in the liver and plasma of 4 patients and in the bile and plasma of 1 patient receiving [(3)H]methotrexate. Projections from a theoretical model of concentration of methotrexate in liver are confirmed but projections of biliary excretion are not. | 10.1038/bjc.1973.190 |
pubmed_952_3333 | This study was undertaken to evaluate the recurrence risks for sibs of patients with symmetrical spasticity (either quadriplegia or diplegia) in the absence of factors known to cause spastic cerebral palsy (e.g. pre-term birth, perinatal hypoxia). Among 669 children in the West Midlands with spastic cerebral palsy, 24 had symmetrical spasticity and normal birth histories. This group was clinically and genetically heterogenous. Among their 55 sibs, six had a spastic disorder similar to that in the index patient, and one further sib, who had died young, had been mentally retarded. Of particular interest were two families with an autosomal recessive condition of post-natal microcephaly, myoclonic epilepsy and spastic quadriplegia; and one family, and possibly a sporadic case of X-linked athetoid cerebral palsy. The recurrence risk in this series of approximately 1 in 9 suggests that about half the children with symmetrical spastic cerebral palsy and a normal birth history may have a recessive condition. | 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1977.tb07968.x |
pubmed_486_17740 | OBJECTIVES
In the management of multiple sclerosis (MS), defining criteria for identification of suboptimal therapy responses and switching treatment is essential to avoid worsening. Despite the lack of a standardised definition, criteria for first-line treatment are well documented in the literature, based on clinical measures or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (gadolinium enhancing [Gd+] lesions or new/enlarging T2 lesions) assessed during the first 6-18 months after treatment initiation. However, it is unknown whether the same criteria can be used for second-line treatment failure.
METHODS
Five regional boards involving 36 French MS experts were convened to discuss published literature regarding criteria for first- and second-line treatment failure, and to identify differences in local therapeutic practices. A national board of 11 experts was subsequently conducted to identify convergences and differences between regions, and to propose second-line criteria for the definition of therapeutic failure.
RESULTS
Published information is lacking regarding second-line treatment failure criteria. In light of this, regional differences in current therapeutic practices are justifiable. Due to the risk-benefit ratio of these treatments and limited options for third-line treatments, the authors recommend a different therapeutic approach when assessing second-line treatment failure. The treatment switch for second-line treatment should be informed by confirmed disease progression, after 6 months, or combined clinical and MRI outcomes, but only after at least 1 year of treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Experts compared therapeutic attitudes and practices regarding second-line treatment failure between French regions. They identified convergences that were used to propose a national agreement on second-line treatment failure criteria, which should be evaluated in real-life prospective cohorts. | 10.1016/j.msard.2019.101406 |
pubmed_364_7509 | Mechanical signals transmitted through the cytoplasmic actin cytoskeleton must be relayed to the nucleus to control gene expression. LIM domains are protein-protein interaction modules found in cytoskeletal proteins and transcriptional regulators. Here, we identify three LIM protein families (zyxin, paxillin, and FHL) whose members preferentially localize to the actin cytoskeleton in mechanically stimulated cells through their tandem LIM domains. A minimal actin-myosin reconstitution system reveals that representatives of all three families directly bind F-actin only in the presence of mechanical force. Point mutations at a site conserved in each LIM domain of these proteins disrupt tensed F-actin binding in vitro and cytoskeletal localization in cells, demonstrating a common, avidity-based mechanism. Finally, we find that binding to tensed F-actin in the cytoplasm excludes the cancer-associated transcriptional co-activator FHL2 from the nucleus in stiff microenvironments. This establishes direct force-activated F-actin binding as a mechanosensing mechanism by which cytoskeletal tension can govern nuclear localization. | 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.09.022 |
pubmed_236_18294 | Ophthalmology as a specialty finds itself at the center of change in health care delivery. During the Bush Administration, concerns for the profession mounted as the administration constrained ophthalmic surgical fees, limited surgical assistants, and experimented with cataract preferred provider organizations. Now, the Clinton Administration's proposed Health Security Act magnifies such concerns. This article discusses some of the specific worries that trouble ophthalmologists within the context of health system reform. | 10.1001/archopht.1994.01090220043021 |
pubmed_710_14886 | Some coronaviruses (CoVs) have an extra furin cleavage site (RRKR/S, furin-S2' site) upstream of the fusion peptide in the spike protein, which plays roles in virion adsorption and fusion. Mutation of the S2' site of QX genotype (QX-type) infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) spike protein (S) in a recombinant virus background results in higher pathogenicity, pronounced neural symptoms and neurotropism when compared with conditions in wild-type IBV (WT-IBV) infected chickens. In this study, we present evidence suggesting that recombinant IBV with a mutant S2' site (furin-S2' site) leads to higher mortality. Infection with mutant IBV induces severe encephalitis and breaks the blood-brain barrier. The results of a neutralization test and immunoprotection experiment show that an original serum and vaccine can still provide effective protection in vivo and in vitro. This is the first demonstration of IBV-induced neural symptoms in chickens with encephalitis and the furin-S2' site as a determinant of neurotropism. | 10.3390/v11100972 |
pubmed_481_19721 | Three cases of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis developing in lung allograft recipients are reported. In each case, repeated bouts of alveolar damage from harvest/reperfusion injury, rejection, and infection were observed before the development of intraalveolar accumulation of granular, periodic acid-Schiff-positive material in the allograft lungs. It is speculated that iatrogenic immunosuppression combined with defective clearance of alveolar material by alveolar macrophages created a milieu conducive to the accumulation of surfactant, lipoprotein, and fibrinous debris that was morphologically identical to alveolar proteinosis. | 10.1016/s0046-8177(97)90228-8 |
pubmed_134_18927 | In this paper, soluble sugar content of Neosinocalamus affinis was measured by anthrone colorimetry at two levels of module and ramet in order to reveal its ecological and physiological adaptability. The results showed that soluble sugar content decreased in the order of leaf > branch > culm. As for soluble sugar content, different modules responded to ramet age and position in different ways. The branch and culm of 1-year-old ramets contented more soluble sugar than those of other four ages, but soluble sugar content in leaf was independent to ramet age. For leaf and culm, lower parts of ramet contented more soluble sugar than middle and upper parts. Under high irradiance, the soluble sugar content of Neosinocalamus affinis leaf was more than that under low irradiance. Seasonal change had significant effect on soluble sugar content. The soluble sugar content of leaf presented a monthly change, with a bottom and upper value in January and in April, respectively, but there was no obvious difference between 2-year-old and 3-year-old ramets. The soluble sugar content of parent ramet leaves was positively correlative to that of daughter ramet in upper and middle parts of ramets. There was no significant difference between ramet ages at ramet level. Hierarchical response of physiological character to environmental changes existed at the module and ramet levels of Neosinocalamus affinis. | pubmed_134_18927 |
pubmed_1011_2838 | 1. The dependence of the rate of accumulation of methyl-alpha-D-glucoside on its extracellular concentration was studied in the tgl mutant of Escherichia coli K12, isolated earlier. It has been shown that the kinetics of methyl-alpha-D-glucoside transport differ sharply from those in wild-type bacteria. 2. The beta-galactosidase synthesis in tgl strain is much less sensitive both to permanent and transient glucose catabolite repression. The level of cyclic AMP in mutant cells under the conditions of glucose catabolite repression is several times higher than in the parent strain. 3. The tgl mutation does not affect the manifestation of catabolite inhibition and inducer exclusion with glucose. 4. The data obtained are discussed in the light of a hypothesis concerning the existence of two sites, binding and pecific enzyme II of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system. The tgl mutation alters the first site, and the second one is damaged by the pgt mutation. 5. It is suggested that the products of the tgl and gpt genes are necessary for the manifestation of the phenomena of glucose permanent and transient repression. The effects of catabolite inhibition and inducer exclusion are realized irrespective of the existence or absence of the tgl product. | 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1977.tb11232.x |
pubmed_1141_18084 | INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate oncological and functional results after reconstruction of the anterior floor of the mouth using free flaps.
METHODS
From 1992 to 1998, 30 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior floor of the mouth underwent surgical excision and primary reconstruction with either free forearm- or bone-composed flaps. Functional assessment included evaluation by the Karnofsky scale, Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HNC), articulation test and videofluoroscopic examination.
RESULTS
16 patients underwent reconstruction with a free forearm flap, 13 with an iliac crest flap and 1 with a fibula flap. The most serious local complication was partial flap necrosis in two cases. Local control was 90% at 24 months and the specific survival rate was 92% at five years. Functional evaluation was performed on 19 patients: PSS-HNC median score for diet was 70 (range 50-100), the score for speech was 70 (range 50-100) and the score for "eating in public" was 65 (range 25-100). Patients with a major mobile tongue resection had a lower score compared to patients with minor or no mobile tongue resection. Videofluoroscopy showed swallowing alterations following large resections of soft tissues.
DISCUSSION
Our study confirms that wide resection of mobile tongue is associated decreased rehabilitation quality. Mandibulectomy does not influence rehabilitation. | pubmed_1141_18084 |
pubmed_635_6893 | BACKGROUND
To evaluate self-reported outcomes after a brief course of skills-based individual therapy for inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN).
METHODS
In this case series study 37 adults with AN participated in cognitive remediation and emotion skills training (CREST) sessions, and completed social anhedonia, alexithymia and motivational measures before and after the intervention.
RESULTS
The CREST primary outcome measures were total scores on the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale (RSAS), which decreased significantly (p = 0.03) with an effect size of 0.31, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), which also decreased significantly (p = 0.05) with an effect size of 0.35. The secondary outcome measures focused on motivation: perceived 'importance to change' and 'ability to change'; the second of which increased significantly (p < 0.001) with a medium effect size (d = 0.71).
CONCLUSIONS
The individual format of CREST led to a decrease in patients' self-reported social anhedonia, an improvement in the ability to label their emotions, and increased confidence in their ability to change. Considering the limited number of individual sessions, this is a promising preliminary finding which warrants further research. | 10.1186/s12888-015-0434-9 |
pubmed_982_8584 | Antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are essential for the immunotherapy against cancer or infection diseases although, conventionally, immunization with antigens in soluble form cannot induce CTL. In the present study, we have demonstrated for the first time that ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CTL can be induced without any adjuvants by immunization with soluble OVA with negative charges through scavenger-mediated delivery of antigens to antigen presenting cells (APC). Succinylated, maleylated and aconitylated derivatives were synthesized to allow the introduction of negative charges. All these derivatives can induce OVA-specific CTL and, especially, the CTL activity of mice immunized with maleylated derivatives was comparable with that with OVA emulsified with CFA, known to be the strongest adjuvant. Efficient antigen-specific T cell proliferation and IFN-gamma production were also observed for the OVA derivatives. The OVA derivatives also showed significant protective effects on the growth of OVA-expressing E.G7 tumor cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the introduction of negative charges to soluble antigens will be a useful strategy for the development of vaccines. | 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.07.017 |
pubmed_26_9308 | This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the epidemiologic, clinical and arthroscopic features of discoid meniscus variant in Greek population. We reviewed the cases of 2,132 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy between 1986 and 2004 and diagnosis of discoid lateral meniscus was established in 39 patients with mean age of 31.7 +/- 9.4 years old. Incidence of the discoid lateral meniscus variant was recorded at rate of 1.8% presenting no significant differences according to patient gender or lesion body side. Regarding the type of discoid dysmorphy, 23 cases attributed to complete type, 15 were incomplete and in one case, Wrisberg type was observed. Predictive values of the most commonly recorded physical signs in the clinical diagnosis of the discoid meniscus were analysed. Comparative evaluation of the long-term results of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy performed in patients with intact or torn discoid lateral meniscus and torn normally shaped lateral meniscus was carried out using Lysholm and IKDC scoring systems. Also, we investigated any correlation between dysmorphy type and tear pattern analysing the arthroscopic findings. Results demonstrated that the discoid meniscus lesion represents an atypical clinical entity in adults and no significant predictive value of the signs encountered in the clinical examination of the patients with discoid meniscus was observed. Clinical outcome after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy regarding the intact discoid meniscus group was superior in comparison with that of torn discoid meniscus cases. On other hand, no difference in the result of partial meniscectomy between discoid and normal lateral meniscus tear groups was found. No statistically significant relationship between the type of discoid menisci and tear pattern or incidence rate of concomitant intraarticular lesions was confirmed. | 10.1007/s00167-008-0703-y |
pubmed_289_9000 | A 54-year-old woman with metastatic colorectal carcinoma underwent liver radioembolization with (90)Y resin microspheres. Microsphere biodistribution was assessed 2 h after the treatment through a 20-min long (90)Y PET scan. Isodose map and lesion dose-volume histogram (DVH) were then evaluated using a MATLAB-based code. Response to therapy was assessed performing a (18)F-FDG PET 6 months after the treatment. At (90)Y PET the patient showed a well-defined horseshoe-shaped hepatic lesion with hot margins and a cold core. The lesion presented a heterogeneous DVH with a hot margin receiving an average radiation dose as high as 287 Gy and a cold area receiving an average radiation dose of 70 Gy approximately. Six months after the treatment the patient reported a complete remission of tumour areas which received a high radiation dose, while progression of metastases was observed in the area that presented scarce microsphere localization at (90)Y PET. According to our experience, the use of (90)Y PET voxel dosimetry may provide a useful tool to assess possible correlations between microsphere biodistribution and clinical outcome of the treatment. In agreement with current literature findings, an average radiation dose greater than approximately 100 Gy may be required to sterilize liver metastases. | 10.1007/s12149-013-0726-4 |
pubmed_541_9467 | A prospective descriptive study was carried out to establish reference values for gestational age assessment in the first trimester by measuring embryonic length in dated human embryos, by using transvaginal ultrasound. In 160 pregnant women who had undergone assisted reproductive procedures, 139 singleton embryos and 46 embryos from 21 multiple pregnancies were studied between the 35th and 98th day after the last menstrual period. Transvaginal ultrasound examination, including inspection of embryonic structures and measurement of greatest embryonic length (L), was performed in these women. Estimation of gestational age (t) by measurement of L in singletons is best described by the equation t = 35.72 + 1.082L(1)/(2) + 1.472L - 0.09749L(3)/(2). Mean 95% confidence interval and 95% prediction interval were 4.3 and 9.3 days, respectively. There was no significant change in the estimation curve when multiple measurements in singletons were taken nor when embryos from multiple pregnancies were measured. Accuracy of embryonic age estimation from a single measurement of greatest embryonic length was evaluated. | 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1994.04060457.x |
pubmed_131_6938 | The influence of thyroidectomy on the renin-angiotensin system was studied in the rat. From 1-6 weeks after thyroidectomy, PRA and plasma renin substrate (PRS) decreased, but the plasma renin concentration remained unchanged, and the renal renin content increased. T3 injection corrected the changes in the plasma renin-angiotensin system of thyroidectomized rats within 20-40 h. After ethinylestradiol treatment, the PRS in thyroidectomized rats rose in the same proportion as that in normal rats, but remained below the normal level. After binephrectomy, on the other hand, the PRS was high, and PRS levels in normal and thyroidectomized animals were similar. Isoproterenol increased PRA and plasma renin concentration in control animals but had no effect on thyroidectomized rats. From the above results it may be concluded that angiotensinogen production is dependent on thyroid hormones and that renin release depends on beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity to catecholamines, which is reduced by thyroidectomy. (Endocrinology 108: 647, 1981) | 10.1210/endo-108-2-647 |
pubmed_36_15890 | Due to their high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and robustness to artifacts, steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) are a popular technique for studying neural processing in the human visual system. SSVEPs are conventionally analyzed at individual electrodes or linear combinations of electrodes which maximize some variant of the SNR. Here we exploit the fundamental assumption of evoked responses--reproducibility across trials--to develop a technique that extracts a small number of high SNR, maximally reliable SSVEP components. This novel spatial filtering method operates on an array of Fourier coefficients and projects the data into a low-dimensional space in which the trial-to-trial spectral covariance is maximized. When applied to two sample data sets, the resulting technique recovers physiologically plausible components (i.e., the recovered topographies match the lead fields of the underlying sources) while drastically reducing the dimensionality of the data (i.e., more than 90% of the trial-to-trial reliability is captured in the first four components). Moreover, the proposed technique achieves a higher SNR than that of the single-best electrode or the Principal Components. We provide a freely-available MATLAB implementation of the proposed technique, herein termed "Reliable Components Analysis". | pubmed_36_15890 |
pubmed_457_5531 | BACKGROUND
Coercion is not uncommon phenomenon among mental health service users during their admission into psychiatric hospital. Research on perceived coercion of psychiatric patients is limited from India.
AIM
To investigate perceived coercion of psychiatric patients during admission into a tertiary care psychiatric hospital.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey carried out among randomly selected psychiatric patients (n = 205) at a tertiary care center. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaire.
RESULTS
Our findings revealed that participants experienced low levels of coercion during their admission process. However, a majority of the participants were threatened with commitment (71.7%) as well as they were sad (67.8%), unpleased (69.7%), confused (73.2%), and frightened (71.2%) with regard to hospitalization into a psychiatric hospital. In addition, the participants expressed higher levels of negative pressures (mean ± standard deviation, 3.76 ± 2.12). Participants those were admitted involuntarily (P > 0.001), diagnosed to be having psychotic disorders (P > 0.003), and unmarried (P > 0.04) perceived higher levels of coercion.
CONCLUSION
The present study showed that more formal coercion was experienced by the patients those got admitted involuntarily. On the contrary, participants with voluntary admission encountered informal coercion (negative pressures). There is an urgent need to modify the Mental Health Care (MHC) Bill so that treatment of persons with mental illness is facilitated. Family member plays an important role in providing MHC; hence, they need to be empowered. | 10.4103/0976-3147.193527 |
pubmed_438_11051 | Poorer outcomes of treatment are reported in patients with spinal disorders who receive worker's compensation. The reason for their suboptimal outcomes is unclear. No study has examined the relationship between worker's compensation and SF-36 health status of patients with neck pain. The aim of our study was to compare the self-perceived health status of patients with neck pain receiving worker's compensation, with that of patients not receiving worker's compensation. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2356 patients with neck pain who were evaluated at the 27 centers comprising the National Spine Network, between January 1998 and April 2000. The outcome measures used were the eight individual and two component scores of the SF-36 health survey. Of the 2356 patients, 171 (7%) were receiving worker's compensation. Bivariate analyses revealed seven individual scores (except General Health) and two summary scores of the SF-36 were significantly lower in patients receiving worker's compensation. After controlling for confounding covariates, worker's compensation status was a significant predictor of lower SF-36 scores for Physical Functioning ( P<0.05). The results of this study indicate that worker's compensation status is associated with poorer Physical Functioning in patients presenting with neck pain. Another significant finding of the study is that confounding factors can exert major effects on the SF-36 scores obtained on normal validated instruments. | 10.1007/s00586-002-0431-9 |
pubmed_837_4574 | The effect of Ca2+ ion concentration on the 25 hydroxylation of tritiated cholecalciferol (3HD3) was investigated using homogenates of ovine liver from vitamin D replete sheep. A significant decrease in the production of 25 hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3) was observed when the concentration of Ca2+ in the homogenate was raised above 0.68 mmol/l by the addition of calcium gluconate. Similarly, a final concentration of 37 mumol EGTA/1 (equivalent to a Ca2+ concentration of 26.5 nmol/l) was associated with a 50% reduction of 25OHD3 production. That is, a broad bell-shaped relationship was observed between the production of 25OHD3 and the Ca2+ concentration in the homogenate. These changes in the rate of production of 25OHD3 were reproduced with hepatocytes from vitamin D replete rats, prepared by collagenase perfusion, using the drugs dantrolene sodium (DaNa) to reduce (ED50 = 57 mmol/l) and veratridine to increase (ED50 = 550 mmol/l) the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Hepatocytes from vitamin D replete rats also showed a reduction in 25 hydroxylation of D3 (ED50 = 6 ng/ml) in response to the addition of 1-25 dihydroxycholecalciferol (1-25 (OH)2D3). The calmodulin antagonists; W7, compound 48/80, trifluoperazine (TFP) and calmidazolium (R24571) were all found to effect a dose response inhibition of the 25 hydroxylation of cholecalciferol by homogenates of ovine liver. R24571 had a similar inhibitory effect (ED50 = 70 mumol/l) upon the 25 hydroxylase enzyme of rat hepatocytes. It is concluded that the 25 hydroxylation of cholecalciferol in liver of vitamin D replete rats and sheep is calcium sensitive and is reduced in the presence of increased concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3. Calmodulin may also be involved in the regulation of hepatocyte 25-hydroxylase activity by Ca2+. | 10.1016/0143-4160(87)90001-7 |
pubmed_491_7158 | This study was designed to examine the vasorelaxant effects of hexahydrocurcumin (HHC), one of the major natural metabolites of curcumin from Curcuma longa, on rat isolated aortic rings, and the underlying mechanisms. Isometric tension of the aortic rings was recorded using organ bath system. HHC (1 nM to 1 mM) relaxed the endothelium-intact aortic rings pre-contracted with PE and KCl in a concentration-dependent manner. Removal of the endothelium did not alter the effect of HHC-induced relaxation. In Ca(2+)-free Krebs solution, HHC significantly inhibited the CaCl2-induced contraction in high K(+) depolarized rings and suppressed the transient contraction induced by PE and caffeine in a concentration-dependent manner. HHC was also observed to relax phobal-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), precontracted aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner with EC50 values equivalent to 93.36 ± 1.03 μM. In addition, pre-incubation with propranolol (a β-adrenergic receptor blocker) significantly attenuated the HHC-induced vasorelaxation. These results suggest that the vasorelaxant effect of HHC is mediated by the endothelium-independent pathway, probably because of the inhibition of extracellular Ca(2+) influx through voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels and receptor-operated Ca(2+) channels, the inhibition of Ca(2+) mobilization from intracellular stores, as well as inhibition of PKC-mediated Ca(2+)-independent contraction. Moreover, HHC produces vasorelaxant effects probably by stimulating the β-adrenergic receptor. | 10.1002/ptr.5448 |
pubmed_518_12332 | BACKGROUND
Free jejunal transfer has become the standard technique for reconstruction of the pharynx and hypopharynx, especially with proximal neoplastic lesions, whereas gastric tube interposition is the technique of choice for reconstruction of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus when resection extends below the thoracic inlet.
HYPOTHESIS
Surgical ablation is a viable option for advanced hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal neoplasms, with stomach interposition a safe and preferred method of reconstruction.
DESIGN
Retrospective analysis.
SETTING
University hospital that is a regional referral institution for esophageal cancer treatment and complex digestive reconstructions after esophagectomy.
PATIENTS
We reviewed the records of 209 patients who underwent total pharyngolaryngectomy between May 1982 and July 1999. The majority of patients had advanced cancer: hypopharyngeal in 131 cases and cervical esophageal in 78 cases.
INTERVENTIONS
Pharyngolaryngectomy and total esophagectomy with pharyngogastric anastomoses (n = 127); pharyngolaryngectomy, cervical esophagectomy, and reconstruction with free jejunal transplant (n = 77); and pharyngolaryngectomy and total esophagectomy with pharyngocolic anastomoses (n = 5).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Postoperative mortality and morbidity, long-term survival, and prognostic factors influencing survival.
RESULTS
The postoperative in-hospital mortality rate was 4.8% (10 patients), with a postoperative morbidity rate of 38.3%. Alimentary continuity was achieved using the stomach (127 patients), colon (5 patients), or free jejunal autograft (77 patients). The 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 62% and 24%, respectively. There was no significant difference with regard to the survival between gastric transposition and free jejunal autograft, but there were fewer complications in the gastric pull-up group (33% vs 47%, P<.05). The significant adverse factors affecting survival were tumor cervical localization, postoperative complications, disease stages pT3 and pT4 for the cervical esophageal tumors, microscopic pharyngeal penetration, or incomplete resection. The significant beneficial factors were tumor hypopharyngeal localization and postoperative radiotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS
Surgical ablation is a viable option for advanced hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal neoplasms, with stomach interposition the preferred method of reconstruction. Although the prognosis is poor, satisfactory short-term palliation can be achieved. The significant adverse factors affecting survival should be taken into account to select the candidates for surgery. | 10.1001/archsurg.136.10.1164 |
pubmed_463_21668 | BACKGROUND
The objectives of the survey were to identify the level of influenza vaccination coverage in China in three influenza seasons 2009/10 to 2011/12, and to find out potential predictors for seasonal influenza vaccination.
METHODS
In September and October 2011, representative urban household telephone surveys were conducted in five provinces in China with a response rate of 6%. Four target groups were defined for analysis: 1) children ≤ 5 years old; 2) elderly persons aged ≥ 60 years old; 3) health care workers (persons working in the medical field) and 4) chronically ill persons.
RESULTS
The overall mean vaccination rate was 9.0%. Among the four target groups, the rate of vaccination of children aged ≤ 5 years old (mean = 26%) was highest and the rate of elderly people aged ≥ 60 years old (mean = 7.4%) was the lowest, while the rates of persons who suffer from a chronic illness (mean = 9.4%) and health care workers (9.5%) were similar. A subsidy for influenza vaccination, age group, health care workers, suffering from a chronic illness and living in Eastern China were independent significant predictors for influenza vaccination.
CONCLUSIONS
The seasonal influenza vaccination coverage rates among urban populations in selected cities and provinces in China were far below previously reported rates in developed countries. Influenza vaccination coverage rates differed widely between different target groups and provinces in China. Subsidy policy might have a positive effect on influenza vaccination rate, but further cost-effectiveness studies, as well as the vaccination rate associated factors studies are still needed to inform strategies to increase coverage. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0073724 |
pubmed_915_10003 | OBJECTIVE
To report the incidence and risk factors of urosepsis after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 1,421 patients who underwent URSL for ureteral calculi between July 2015 and June 2018 at our department to identify factors predicting postoperative urosepsis. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, operative information, and complications were compared, and risk factors of postoperative urosepsis were identified and analyzed.
RESULTS
Of the 1,421 patients treated with URSL using holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, 12 (0.8%) developed a urosepsis after operation. The positive preoperative multidrug resistance (MDR) urine culture and operative duration were statistically different between those who did and did not develop a urosepsis (4.61 vs. 25%, p = 0.017; 70 vs. 62 min, p < 0.001). However, patient age, sex, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, history of urolithiasis, positive preoperative urine cultures, stone size and location, degree of hydronephrosis, and prior stent placement were similar in 2 groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that positive preoperative MDR urine culture and long operation duration significantly increased the risk of postoperative urosepsis (OR 5.090, 95% CI 1.312-19.751, p = 0.019; OR 1.034, 95% CI 1.004-1.063; p = 0.024). Matched-pair analysis demonstrated that positive preoperative MDR urine culture and operation duration were significantly associated with postoperative urosepsis (OR 15.77, 95% CI 1.033-240.7, p = 0.047; OR 1.087, 95% CI 1.011-1.169, p = 0.025).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with positive preoperative MDR urine culture or long operation duration had a higher risk of developing urosepsis after URSL. When treating patients who present with positive preoperative MDR urine culture or long operation duration, urologists should be vigilant and aware of the potential risk of urosepsis. | 10.1159/000502159 |
pubmed_501_5007 | The clinical data of two patients are reported at whom after endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) acute pancreatitis has evolved. In the development of this acute pancreatitis the membrane rupture and parenchymography do not play a role, however the duct of Wirsungian did not fill with contrast material. The pathogenesis of complications and the possibilities of prophylaxis are described. | pubmed_501_5007 |
pubmed_12_2300 | Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to be important in regulating the growth of breast cancer cells in vivo because of its mitogenic action on some breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Immunocytochemical analysis of EGF receptor (EGFr) was carried out on frozen sections in 134 primary breast cancer patients. Overall 68 of 134 (51%) of the tumors were EGFr positive. There was no correlation between EGFr positivity and menopausal status. Regarding the histopathological features, no significant correlations were observed between EGFr expression and tumor size, grading and lymph nodes status. Estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors were detected by an immunocytochemical assay and an equal distribution of EGFr was found regarding steroid hormonal receptors expression. Finally, there was only a positive trend between the proliferative activity of the tumors, as measured by Ki-67 antibody, and the amount of EGFr. Our results suggest the presence of a subclass of breast tumors, characterized by the absence of ER and/or PgR and the presence of EGFr, whose growth appears to be mediated by autocrine growth factors rather than by steroid hormones. The overall picture is that of an independent relationship between EGFr expression and the known prognostic factors in breast cancer. | 10.1159/000226840 |
pubmed_469_24113 | A 74-year-old woman presented to her local physician with hematochezia. Colonoscopy showed a locally advanced 30 mm cancer adjacent to the anus. She refused abdominoperineal resection because of the necessity for a permanent stoma and decided to receive proton beam therapy (70.4 Gy equivalent) as an alternative treatment in another hospital. After proton beam therapy, the rectal cancer was eradicated at colonoscopy, and she was referred for surveillance. One year later, she developed frequent hematochezia. Colonoscopy revealed dilated vessels with oozing hemorrhage in the tumor scar. This was diagnosed as hemorrhagic radiation proctitis induced by proton beam therapy. Over 8 months, endoscopic hemostatic therapy was performed five times using argon plasma coagulation for refractory hemorrhagic disease. The patient's hemoglobin level dropped to as low as 4.5 g/dl requiring blood transfusion. Thereafter, the radiation proctitis gradually improved and there is no evidence of recurrent tumor for over 10 years. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports of proton beam therapy eradication of locally advanced rectal cancer. Clinicians should be aware that radiation-induced proctitis with refractory hemorrhage could develop. | 10.1007/s12328-022-01652-2 |
pubmed_737_18505 | OBJECTIVES
Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a high risk of lung cancer and of postsurgical complications. We studied outcomes after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with severe COPD, as defined by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, and performed a systematic review of the literature on outcomes after SBRT or surgery in these patients.
METHODS
A single-institution cohort of 176 patients with COPD GOLD III-IV and Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with SBRT was evaluated. A systematic review identified studies reporting outcomes after SBRT or surgery for Stage I NSCLC in patients with GOLD III-IV or a predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of ≤40%.
RESULTS
In the single-institution cohort, median follow-up was 21 months and median overall survival (OS) was 32 months. Actuarial 3-year local control was 89%, and 1- and 3-year OS were 79% and 47%, respectively. COPD severity correlated with OS (p = 0.01). The systematic review identified four other studies (two surgical, two SBRT, n = 196 patients). SBRT studies were published more recently and included older patients than surgical studies. Mean 30-day mortality was 0% post-SBRT and 10% after surgery. Local or locoregional control was high (≥89%) after both treatments. Post-SBRT, actuarial OS was 79-95% at 1 year and 43-70% at 3 years. Postsurgical actuarial OS was 45-86% at 1 year and 31-66% at 3 years.
CONCLUSIONS
SBRT and surgery differ in risk of 30-day mortality in patients with severe COPD. Despite the negative selection of SBRT patients, survival at 1 and 3 years is comparable between the two treatments. | 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2011.03.005 |
pubmed_983_7248 | Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a distinct disease entity of the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which often occurs in HIV-positive patients. The immunophenotype of this lymphoid neoplasm is characterized by the presence of plasma cell-associated markers VS38c and CD138 antigens and the absence of B-cell markers such as CD20 and CD45. The most frequent site of involvement is the oral cavity and the jaw, while several reports describe the development of PBL in extra-oral sites including the lymph nodes, the anal canal, the soft tissue, the skin and the gastrointestinal tract as less frequent. Epstein-Barr virus is often associated with PBL pathogenesis and the neoplastic cells contain this virus genome. Here we review the epidemiological, clinical, immunological, histopathological and virological characteristics and their prognosis and outcome in a series of five patients with diagnoses of HIV/AIDS and PBL. | 10.1258/ijsa.2011.011235 |
pubmed_643_15807 | The shell of Mytilus edulis is a multilayered system for protecting this bivalve. In contrast to well-developed research on the nacre materials, the protective function of the complete M. edulis shell has not been widely studied. In particular, the question of why nacre is situated on the inner side of the shell rather than on the outer side remains unclear. Herein, the acid resistance of different shell layers was compared using etching tests and the mechanical protection performance of the shell was tested using three-point bending. Two bending loads, including static and dynamic, were applied on the shell samples from outside in (i.e. out-in bending) and from inside out (i.e. in-out bending), respectively. Our etching results show that the external prismatic calcite endows M. edulis with stronger acid resistance than if nacre was on the outside. In contrast, the static out-in and in-out bending tests reveal that a better mechanical protection of the shell against slow mechanical attacks is achieved if the nacre is on the outside. However, the shell has the same mechanical properties against dynamic mechanical attacks regardless of nacre location. Briefly, the nacre should be on the outside of the shell for better mechanical protection while the outside location of the prismatic layer offers a stronger resistance against etching. The inside natural location of nacre is a compromise between mechanical and chemical protection mechanisms against a complex survival environment. This strongly contributes to our understanding of biological design principles and further development of shell-inspired protective materials. | 10.1242/jeb.201103 |
pubmed_446_17429 | BACKGROUND
The Institute of Medicine recommended that survivors of cancer and their primary care providers receive survivorship care plans (SCPs) to summarize cancer treatment and plan ongoing care. However, the use of SCPs remains limited.
METHODS
Oncology providers at 14 National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program hospitals completed a survey regarding their perceptions of SCPs, including barriers to implementation, strategies for implementation, the role of oncology providers, and the importance of topics in SCPs (diagnosis, treatment, recommended ongoing care, and the aspects of ongoing care that the oncology practice will provide).
RESULTS
Among 245 providers (response rate of 70%), 52% reported ever providing any component of an SCP to patients. The most widely reported barriers were lack of personnel and time to create SCPs (69% and 64% of respondents, respectively). The most widely endorsed strategy among those using SCPs was the use of a template with prespecified fields; 94% of those who used templates found them helpful. For each topic of an SCP, although 87% to 89% of oncology providers believed it was very important for primary care providers to receive the information, only 58% to 65% of respondents believed it was very important for patients to receive the information. Furthermore, 33% to 38% of respondents reported mixed feelings regarding whether it was the responsibility of oncology providers to provide SCPs.
CONCLUSIONS
Practices need additional resources to overcome barriers to implementing SCPs. We found resistance toward SCPs, particularly the perceived value for the survivor and the idea that oncology providers are responsible for SCP dissemination. | 10.1002/cncr.28472 |
pubmed_718_4828 | To evaluate the pharmacological action of ginseng, its effects on the proliferative activity of mesangial cells, which are thought to play an important role in the regulation of renal function, were determined in terms of [3H]thymidine uptake. When the extract was added to the medium of mesangial cell cultures, it suppressed the proliferation of mesangial cells, and similar proliferation-inhibitory activity was found in the total saponin and ginsenoside-Rd fractions, consistent with the renal effects observed in our previous in vivo studies. The inhibition of mesangial cell proliferation by the extract can thus be explained by the action of ginsenoside-Rd. | pubmed_718_4828 |
pubmed_931_20264 | Screening for blood cholesterol levels has become an essential need in many countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Reflotron analyzer in screening for blood cholesterol in terms of its precision and accuracy. We have compared the results obtained by the Reflotron with those obtained by a standard hospital laboratory procedure for the same samples. An optimal precision that met the 1992 LSP standards for precision was observed (CV = 2.27%). On the other hand, a suboptimal accuracy of Reflotron was detected, where more than 80% of the Reflotron values differed from the reference laboratory values by more than 5%. As a consequence, 21% of individuals were misclassified as normal due to the very low sensitivity in spite of the optimum specificity observed for the Reflotron. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimum cut-off points giving the best validity values for the test were 170 mg/dl and 190 mg/dl (4.4 mmol/L and 4.9 mmol/L) for the border-line and true hypercholesterolemia, respectively. At these levels, sensitivity was 0.89 and 0.86, specificity 0.93 and 0.93, and positive predictive value was 0.91 and 0.82, respectively. Considering some limitations of the study, it is concluded that the Reflotron could be of more potential validity for the use in cholesterol measurement surveys when the recommended cut-off points are used. | pubmed_931_20264 |
pubmed_407_13817 | Several children presenting with mild symptoms of respiratory tract infection were diagnosed with unclassified interstitial pneumonia with fibrosis. Their clinical and radiological findings were similar to those of acute interstitial pneumonia, but there were some differences in the pathological findings. Unclassified interstitial pneumonia with fibrosis is characterized by histological findings of centrilobular distribution of alveolar damage and bronchiolar destruction with bronchiolar obliteration. This report describes two different series of familial cases of unclassified interstitial pneumonia with fibrosis, which developed almost simultaneously in the spring. Some of the individual cases showed rapidly progressive respiratory failure of unknown cause, with comparable clinical courses and similar radiological and pathological features, including lung fibrosis. Each family member was affected almost simultaneously in the spring, different kinds of viruses were detected in two patients, and all members were negative for bacterial infection, environmental and occupational agents, drugs, and radiation. These findings implicate a viral infection and/or processes related to a viral infection, such as an exaggerated or altered immune response, or an unknown inhaled environmental agent in the pathogenesis of unclassified interstitial pneumonia with fibrosis. | 10.4168/aair.2012.4.4.240 |
pubmed_4_3557 | In this report, we discuss an unusual case of pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG), a rare form of angiocentric and angiodestructive lymphoproliferative disorder. This disease is thought to be caused by Epstein-Barr virus-induced lymphoproliferation. A 39-year-old male with no signi ficant past medical history presented with flu-like symptoms. Upon further evaluation, laboratory studies noted pancytopenia, and a chest X-ray showed bilateral nodular densities. A computerized tomography (CT) scan demonstrated bilateral pulmonary nodules and splenomegaly. A biopsy of the pulmonary nodules revealed polymorphous, CD3-positive, lymphohistiocytic, inflammatory in filtrate within the walls of the arterioles and venules with associated necrosis. This histopathology is consistent with LYG. The patient was started on a regimen of rituximab, and he signi ficantly improved within a few weeks after the initiation of therapy, including resolution of the pancytopenia. A repeat CT scan showed the decreased size of the lung nodules. This case was histopathologically consistent with LYG but negative for Epstein-Barr virus ribonucleic acid. This demonstrates the potential for diagnostic difficulty in a case presentation of multiple pulmonary nodules. Extensive work-up for neoplastic, infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune etiologies needs to be done in such cases. A prompt diagnosis of LYG is necessary for optimal management and improved patient outcomes. | pubmed_4_3557 |
pubmed_837_11202 | The structure of integrated viral DNA in a hepatocellular carcinoma of a duck from Chi-tung county in China was analyzed. Three different clones of integrated viral DNA, lambda DHS 6-1, lambda DHS 6-2, and lambda DHE 6-2, were obtained from the neoplastic portion of the liver by molecular cloning. One of the three clones, lambda DHS 6-1, showed inverted repetition of integrated viral DNA with chromosomal flanking sequences. Another clone, lambda DHS 6-2, showed a head-to-head configuration of the core and surface gene regions of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) DNA. The virus-chromosome junctions were often located near direct repeat 1 or 2 of DHBV DNA in three independent clones. Nucleotide sequences at the virus-virus junctions in two clones, lambda DHS 6-1 and 6-2, indicated the possible rearrangement of chromosomal DNA and recombination of viral DNA. DHBV DNA appears to be integrated into the genome of hepatocytes in a manner similar to that of human and woodchuck hepatitis viruses. Thus, the duck system may serve as a useful animal model for the study of human hepatocarcinogenesis. | 10.1128/JVI.62.3.861-865.1988 |
pubmed_967_7831 | When evaluating the closed waterseal drainage system, the nurse should check water-seal for fluctuation, fluid level of 2 cm; presence of air leak volume, character, and rate of drainage development tubing for clots, kinks, and obstructions to drainage (dependent loops) suction control chamber for desired level of water column; continuous bubbling during entire respiratory cycle. | 10.1016/s0001-2092(07)63520-0 |
pubmed_73_12497 | Using a supercomputer, the authors studied the effect of vessel wall pulsation on flow dynamics with a three-dimensional model simulating both a rigid and pulsatile style. The design of the aneurysm models was set with a 5 mm dome diameter and a 1 or 3 mm orifice size to simulate a carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm. Flow dynamics were analyzed according to flow pattern, wall pressure and wall shear stress. The flow pattern in the aneurysm sac showed the great difference between rigid and pulsatile models particularly in the small-neck aneurysm model. The arterial wall tended to be exposed to a higher pressure peak in the pulsatile model than in the rigid one, especially at its bifurcation and curved regions. Sites of shear stress peak were found on the aneurysmal dome as well as at the distal end of the orifice in both rigid and pulsatile models. The effects of vessel-wall pulsation should be considered whenever evaluating conditions in and around an aneurysm. | 10.1177/15910199040100S127 |
pubmed_1113_4845 | Psychotropic medication is used by a growing number of women of reproductive age. Although necessary in some cases, in many others non-pharmacological treatments offer valid alternatives for the pregnant woman. The noxious effects of antidepressants and anxiolytics urge the physician to look for other solutions. The efficacy of alternative treatment is enhanced by early detection that requires monitoring for mood disorders from the earliest stages of pregnancy, and multidisciplinary professional care. | 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2007.06.010 |
pubmed_218_6903 | We conducted an evidence-based review of information about [corrected] amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). The estimated incidence of AFE is 1:15,200 and 1:53,800 deliveries in North America and Europe, respectively. The case fatality rate and perinatal mortality associated with AFE are 13-30% and 9-44%, respectively. Risk factors associated with an [corrected] increased risk of AFE include advanced maternal age, placental abnormalities, operative deliveries, eclampsia, polyhydramnios, cervical lacerations, [corrected] and uterine rupture. The hemodynamic response in [corrected] AFE is biphasic, with initial pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure, followed by left ventricular failure. Promising therapies include selective pulmonary vasodilators and recombinant activated factor VIIa. Important topics for future research are presented. | 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.04.052 |
pubmed_377_25136 | Previously, we characterized a zinc finger protein gene HZF1 (ZNF16) and demonstrated that it played a significant role in the erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells by knockdown of the gene. In this study, we examined the effect of HZF1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of K562 cells and identified the possible mechanism for this effect. By lentivirus-mediated gene transfer, we obtained stable K562 transductants with HZF1 overexpression (K562/WPXL-HZF1) and stable control transductants (K562/WPXL). Significantly rapid cell amplification was observed in K562/WPXL-HZF1 cells compared to K562/WPXL cells. The cell cycles of the two transductants were analyzed and the results demonstrated that HZF1 overexpression promoted the S to G2/M phase transition. Additionally, we found that the overexpression of HZF1 slightly inhibits the apoptosis of K562 cells induced by sodium arsenate. Furthermore, using a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system we identified the HZF1-interacting proteins and screened 29 potential binding partners of HZF1. Using a co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay, we confirmed the interaction between HZF1 and the inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) interacting with cyclin A1 (INCA1), and proved that this interaction leads to the inhibition of INCA1 function, which rescued the activity of CDK2 inhibited by INCA1. In conclusion, our results identified novel functions of the HZF1 gene and revealed a possible mechanism through which HZF1 affects K562 cell proliferation. | 10.3892/mmr.2011.564 |
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