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pubmed_200_8855 | OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between clinicoradiographic features and need for prestenting (PS) because of inability of the ureter to accommodate the ureteroscope, or ureteral access sheath, at the time of stone treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From 2009 to 2013, 120 consecutive nonstented patients underwent ureteroscopic stone treatment with preoperative computerized tomography urogram. Acute stone events with obstruction or infection were excluded. Preoperative radiographic imaging underwent radiologist review. Clinicoradiographic features were characterized, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify covariates independently associated with need for PS.
RESULTS
Of the 154 renal units treated, 25 (16%) required PS for failed primary access. PS ureters were less likely to have a history of prior ipsilateral ureteral stent (4% vs 31%) or surgery (8% vs 36%; P <.05). Radiographically, PS ureters had a narrower ureteropelvic junction (4 mm vs 5 mm) and were more likely to have <50% ureteral opacification on computerized tomography urogram (32% vs 9%; P <.05). On multivariable analysis, prior ipsilateral ureteral stent (odds ratio [OR] = 0.11) and stone surgery (OR = 0.15) reduced the need for PS; meanwhile, <50% ureteral opacification (OR = 4.41) was independently associated with an increased risk of access failure.
CONCLUSION
We report a 16% incidence of access failure requiring PS at time of ureteroscopy. Clinically, there was an 89% and 85% risk reduction in the need for PS with prior history of ipsilateral ureteral stent or surgery. Radiographically, there was a 4.4-fold increased risk of PS with <50% ureteral opacification. Accordingly, our findings may assist in counseling and operative management of the difficult ureter. | pubmed_200_8855 |
pubmed_1071_13741 | Electrochemical detection of quantum dots (QDs) has already been used in numerous applications. However, QDs have not been well characterized using voltammetry, with respect to their characterization and quantification. Therefore, the main aim was to characterize CdTe QDs using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. The obtained peaks were identified and the detection limit (3 S/N) was estimated down to 100 fg/mL. Based on the convincing results, a new method for how to study stability and quantify the dots was suggested. Thus, the approach was further utilized for the testing of QDs stability. | 10.3390/ijms140713497 |
pubmed_385_1840 | OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of propofol on spontaneous contractions of isolated human pregnant myometrial smooth muscles.
METHODS
Twenty isolated human pregnant myometrial muscle strips with rhythmic spontaneous contraction were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n=10) and propofol group (n=10). In propofol group propofol was added cumulatively. The changes of uterine contraction were monitored.
RESULTS
Propofol at concentration of 0. 5 microg/ml and 2 microg/ml had no effect on the spontaneous contraction of isolated human pregnant uterine muscles; propofol at concentration of 5 microg/ml and 10 microg/ml could significantly reduce the spontaneous contraction of isolated human pregnant uterine muscles; the higher the concentration was, the more would be the reduction. The effect could be blocked by oxytocin (140 +/- 50) microU/ml.
CONCLUSION
Propofol could significantly reduce the spontaneous rhythmic contractions of isolated human pregnant myometrial smooth muscles in concentration-dependent manner. Oxytocin could antagonize the action. | pubmed_385_1840 |
pubmed_39_7779 | UNLABELLED
Airway epithelial cells are susceptible to infection with seasonal influenza A viruses (IAV), resulting in productive virus replication and release. Macrophages (MΦ) are also permissive to IAV infection; however, virus replication is abortive. Currently, it is unclear how productive infection of MΦ is impaired or the extent to which seasonal IAV replicate in MΦ. Herein, we compared mouse MΦ and epithelial cells for their ability to support genomic replication and transcription, synthesis of viral proteins, assembly of virions, and release of infectious progeny following exposure to genetically defined IAV. We confirm that seasonal IAV differ in their ability to utilize cell surface receptors for infectious entry and that this represents one level of virus restriction. Following virus entry, we demonstrate synthesis of all eight segments of genomic viral RNA (vRNA) and mRNA, as well as seven distinct IAV proteins, in IAV-infected mouse MΦ. Although newly synthesized hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins are incorporated into the plasma membrane and expressed at the cell surface, electron microscopy confirmed that virus assembly was defective in IAV-infected MΦ, defining a second level of restriction late in the virus life cycle.
IMPORTANCE
Seasonal influenza A viruses (IAV) and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) infect macrophages, but only HPAI replicate productively in these cells. Herein, we demonstrate that impaired virus uptake into macrophages represents one level of restriction limiting infection by seasonal IAV. Following uptake, seasonal IAV do not complete productive replication in macrophages, representing a second level of restriction. Using murine macrophages, we demonstrate that productive infection is blocked late in the virus life cycle, such that virus assembly is defective and newly synthesized virions are not released. These studies represent an important step toward identifying host-encoded factors that block replication of seasonal IAV, but not HPAI, in macrophages. | 10.1128/JVI.01455-15 |
pubmed_824_18342 | BACKGROUND
Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are generally performed in adults with ischaemic heart disease, but reports of experience in the paediatric population are relatively limited.
AIMS
To report indications, interventional techniques and procedural outcomes for PCI in children treated in two French institutions.
METHODS
Medical records of all children in whom a PCI was attempted in two French tertiary institutions between 1998 and 2015 were systematically reviewed. Diagnostic procedures, including coronary angiograms, were excluded.
RESULTS
A total of 40 PCIs were attempted in 29 patients (median age 6.5 years, range three days to 17.9 years). Nineteen procedures (47.5%) were performed on an emergency basis. A total of 36/40 coronary obstructions were successfully treated, with no immediate residual postintervention stenosis. Initial balloon angioplasty was performed for all lesions, with subsequent stent placement in 23 lesions. There were two periprocedural and five late deaths. After a median follow-up of 12 months (range 1 week to 115 months), freedom from death and reintervention at 36 months were 79% and 60%, respectively. Age<1 month, emergency procedure and balloon angioplasty without stent implantation were associated with shorter survival.
CONCLUSION
PCI can be used in the paediatric population in a wide range of anatomical conditions; it may be effective in selected patients, but remains challenging when performed in emergency and/or in neonates. | 10.1016/j.acvd.2017.08.007 |
pubmed_605_17399 | PURPOSE:
To analyze the intrasession and intersession repeatability of contrast sensitivity (CS) measurements in patients with glaucoma, cataract, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and healthy controls.
METHODS:
CS measurements were performed using the OPTEC-Functional Vision Analyzer (FVA), which uses a standardized and closed (view-in) system. Measurements for patients with glaucoma, cataract, or AMD and healthy controls were repeated within 30 minutes (intrasession) and during two sessions (intersession), separated by one week to one month. Test-retest reliability and correlation were measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of repeatability (COR).
RESULTS:
Ninety subjects (90 eyes) with visual acuity of 0.17 logMAR or higher in the cataract group or 0.00 logMAR in the other groups were included. During the first session, the ICC values were 0.87, 0.90, 0.76, and 0.69, and COR values were 0.24, 0.20, 0.38, and 0.25 for the control, glaucoma, cataract, and AMD groups, respectively. The reliability scores significantly improved during the second session, except in the glaucoma group. There was an acceptable floor effect and no ceiling effect at higher frequencies in the glaucoma and AMD groups.
CONCLUSION:
In subjects with good visual acuity, the FVA system is useful for evaluating CS and demonstrates good repeatability, as shown by ICC and COR. Because there is no ceiling effect, this system is beneficial for evaluation of early changes in CS, particularly in patients with glaucoma or AMD. | 10.5935/0004-2749.20160092 |
pubmed_926_21665 | BACKGROUND
Dysregulation of microRNA(miRNAs) expression was reported in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MiR-214 has been found to acts as a tumor suppressor in some tumors including ESCC. The objective of the study was to investigate the functional effect of miR-214 on the regulation of human ESCC progression.
METHODS
The expression levels of miR-214 in 57 paired human ESCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were examined by qRT-PCR. The capacities of cell proliferation and invasion were determined after up-regulation or down-regulation of miR-214 by performing cell viability assay, colony formation assay and transwell assay. Dual luciferase assays, Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR assay were used to demonstrate the association between CDC25B and miR-214. Western blot analysis assessed relative CDC25B protein expression.
RESULTS
We observed that miR-214 expression exhibited a frequent down-regulation in ESCC tissues and cells, compared to adjacent normal tissues and cells, respectively. Furthermore, up-regulation of miR-214 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation and cell invasion capacities in Eca9706 and Eca109 cells. However, down-regulation of miR-214 exhibited an opposite effects. Dual luciferase assays showed that CDC25B was identified as a direct target of miR-214. Meanwhile, up-regulation of miR-214 decreased CDC25B expression, whereas, down-regulation of miR-214 increased the CDC25B expression in Eca9706 and Eca109 cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR-214 inhibited Eca9706 and Eca109 cells proliferation and invasion through CDC25B.
CONCLUSION
Our results indicate that miR-214 function as a tumor suppressor and may be potential therapeutic target for ESCC. | 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.09.048 |
pubmed_713_4873 | PURPOSE
Previous studies have reported different methods of estrogen administration during endometrial preparation for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). This study aimed to investigate a beneficial regimen of transdermal estrogen administration for FET.
METHODS
We investigated the reproductive and obstetric outcomes of FET by comparing the increasing dose (ID) group that mimics changes in serum estradiol during the menstrual cycle and the constant dose (CD) group. Transdermal patches were used for estrogen administration in both groups. In our hospital, we targeted 315 cycles of the ID group in which FET was performed in 2017 and 324 cycles of the CD group in which FET was performed in 2018. In all cases, single embryo transfer was performed.
RESULTS
All were singleton pregnancies. There was no difference in clinical pregnancy rate (28.9% vs 28.2%, P =.837) and live birth rate (17.3% vs 21.4%, P =.201) between the ID and CD groups. Spontaneous abortion rate was significantly lower in the CD group than in the ID group (37.2% vs 23.0%, P =.041). There was no difference in obstetrical outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
It was considered that the simple CD regimen may be more beneficial than the complicated ID regimen. | 10.1002/rmb2.12370 |
pubmed_1010_11446 | Although prolactin (PRL) and its receptor (PRLR) have been detected in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), their role in its pathogenesis remains unclear. Our aim was to explore their contribution in GBM pathogenesis. We detected PRL and PRLR in all GBM cell lines tested. PRLR activation or overexpression using plasmid transfection increased proliferation, viability, clonogenicity, chemoresistance and matrix metalloproteinase activity in GBM cells, while PRLR antagonist ∆1-9-G129R-hPRL reduced their proliferation, viability, chemoresistance and migration. Meta-analysis of transcriptomic data indicated that PRLR was expressed in all grade II-III glioma (GII-III) and GBM samples. PRL was upregulated in GBM biopsies when compared to GII-III. While in the general population tumour PRL/PRLR expression did not correlate with patient survival, biological sex-stratified analyses revealed that male patients with PRL+/PRLRHIGH GBM performed worse than PRL+/PRLRLOW GBM. In contrast, all male PRL+/PRLRHIGH GII-III patients were alive whereas only 30% of PRL+/PRLRLOW GII-III patients survived after 100 months. Our study suggests that PRLR may be involved in GBM pathogenesis and could constitute a therapeutic target for its treatment. Our findings also support the notion that sexual dimorphism should be taken into account to improve the care of GBM patients. | 10.1038/s41598-019-55860-x |
pubmed_179_20595 | New asymmetrical Schiff base series based on lateral methoxy group in a central core, (E)-3-methoxy-4-(((4-methoxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenyl 4-alkoxybenzoate (An), were synthesized and their optical and mesomorphic characteristics were investigated. The lateral OCH3group was inserted in the central ring in ortho position with respect to the azomethine linkage. FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopy as well as elemental analyses were used to elucidate their molecular structures. Their mesomorphic behaviors were characterized by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These examinations indicated that all the designed series were monomorphic and possessed nematic (N) mesophase enantiotropically, except A12 derivative which exhibited monotropic N phase. A comparative study was made between the present investigated series (An) and their corresponding isomers (Bn). The results revealed that the kind and stability of the mesophase as well as its temperature range are affected by the location and special orientation of the lateral methoxy group electric-resistance, conductance, energy-gap, and Urbach-energy were also reported for the present investigated An series. These results revealed that all electrodes exhibit Ohmic properties and electric-resistances in the GΩ range, whereas the electric resistance was decreased from 221.04 to 44.83 GΩ by lengthening the terminal alkoxy-chain to n = 12. The band gap of the An series was reduced from 3.43 to 2.89 eV by increasing the terminal chain length from n = 6 to n = 12 carbons. Therefore, controlling the length of the terminal chain can be used to improve the An series' electric conductivity and optical absorption, making it suitable for solar energy applications. | 10.3389/fchem.2021.686788 |
pubmed_881_9065 | Residual limb/prosthetic socket interface pressures and shear stresses were measured at 13 sites on two subjects with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA) using total-contact patellar-tendon-bearing prostheses. Maximal interface stresses during stance phase for each of 13 transducer sites were determined, then means for all steps calculated. Maximal pressure and resultant shear stress during stance phase were shown at anterior distal or mid-limb sites and the maxima occurred during the first 50% of stance phase. Anterior medial and lateral proximal sites showed their greatest pressure during the second 50%. At lateral mid-limb and popliteal fossa sites, resultant shear stress directions suggest that soft tissue was displaced toward the socket brim during weight-bearing. Results also suggest that skin across the distal tibial crest was in tension at the times of the first and second peaks in the shank axial force-time curve in all sessions. Significant difference (p < 0.05) in maximal stresses between sessions conducted > 3 weeks apart were apparent for both subjects. | pubmed_881_9065 |
pubmed_505_9255 | The aim of this study was to determine whether the metastatic potential of breast cancer could be related to phenotypic characteristics of the tumour. Therefore, we compared the metastatic patterns of invasive lobular (ILC) and ductal (IDC) carcinomas. In ILC, we also analysed this pattern according to the histological subtype of the primary and the E-cadherin (EC) expression level. Metastatic ILC cases (n=96) were retrospectively analysed and classified into classical, alveolar, solid, tubulo-lobular, signet ring cells or pleomorphic subtypes. Anatomical distribution of metastases was detailed for every patient and compared with that registered for IDC (n=2749). Immunostaining of EC (HECD1 antibody) was performed in 82 cases. Histologically, 78 of the 96 cases (81%) corresponded to classical ILC. The pleomorphic subtype was observed in 14 cases (15%), a rate that was higher than that expected. Others corresponded to alveolar (2 cases), signet ring cell (1 case) and solid (1 case) subtypes. EC was undetectable in 72/82 cases (88%). The rate of multiple metastases was higher in ILC (25.0%) than in IDC (15.8%) (P=0.016). Metastases were found more frequently in ILC than in IDC in the bone (P=0.02) and/or in various other sites (peritoneum, ovary, digestive tract, skin em leader ) (P<0.001). In ILC, no significant link was found between the localisation(s) of metastases, the histological subtype and the EC status in the primary. In conclusion, in breast carcinomas, the frequency of multiple metastasis was found to be higher in ILC than IDC. This fact may be related to the phenotypic trait of discohesive small cells which characterises ILC. EC loss, observed in most cases of ILC, may result in alterations in cell-cell adhesion and a preferential growth at metastatic sites. A high rate of pleomorphic tumours was observed in the group of metastatic ILC, but the pattern of metastatic site(s) was not related to the histological subtype of the primary. | 10.1016/j.ejca.2003.08.007 |
pubmed_75_216 | A patient with seizures, coma and respiratory depression after pentazocine overdose was treated successfully with naloxone and artificial ventilation. Pentazocine is an antagonist of the mu opioid receptors and a partial agonist of the kappa and sigma receptors. Because naloxone has less affinity for kappa and sigma receptors than for mu receptors, larger doses of naloxone are frequently required in the treatment of pentazocine overdose. Our case lends support to the view that large doses of the narcotic antagonist naloxone may be effective in pentazocine overdose. | pubmed_75_216 |
pubmed_755_1322 | Transesophageal color flow Doppler findings were studied in 30 patients with aortic insufficiency who had cardiac operations. Measurements were expressed as ratios of corresponding left ventricular outflow tract dimensions. Regurgitant jet proximal width ratio was significantly related to jet area ratio (r = 0.92) and correlated poorly with the degree of jet penetration into the left ventricular cavity (r = 0.32). The vectors of the regurgitant jets were variable. Nine patients had undergone aortography. Regurgitant jet proximal width and area ratios were significantly related to angiographic grade (r = 0.88 and 0.87, respectively) in these patients. We concluded that the esophagus offers a satisfactory transducer orientation for color flow Doppler assessment of aortic insufficiency. | pubmed_755_1322 |
pubmed_536_21934 | BACKGROUND
Data are limited on using 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) as a gatekeeper to cardiac catheterization in patients with mild abnormalities on myocardial perfusion stress imaging (MPI).
OBJECTIVE
We compared the rate of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) within 6 months after finding mildly abnormal MPI results before and after implementing 64-slice MDCT.
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study included patients referred for follow-up based on a mildly abnormal MPI. Pre- and post-MDCT cohorts were matched according to age, sex, prior history of coronary artery disease (CAD), and presence of clinical symptoms (chest pain or exertional dyspnea or both). Case matching resulted in 154 patients in each cohort. The primary endpoint was the rate of ICA.
RESULTS
From the clinical evaluation or MDCT results, 87 patients were referred for ICA, 60 (39%) in the pre-MDCT cohort and 27 (18%) in the post-MDCT cohort. Among those referred for ICA, 22 (14%) in the pre-MDCT cohort and 17 (11%) in the post-MDCT cohort underwent revascularization. Given the similar rate of revascularizations in both cohorts, we estimate that patients in the post-MDCT cohort were 86% less likely to receive ICA compared with patients in the pre-MDCT cohort (odds ratio = 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.33). During 6 months of follow-up, no clinical events were observed in either cohort for patients not referred to ICA.
CONCLUSION
For patients with mildly abnormal MPI followed by clinical evaluation, MDCT examination was associated with a significant reduction in rate of referral to ICA. | 10.1016/j.jcct.2008.09.002 |
pubmed_443_16696 | AIM
Comparison of eye fundus changes in patients in whom malignant hypertension was diagnosed.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
14 patients (6 F, 8 M) aged 24-54 years were examined. In all cases kidney disease was the cause of arterial hypertension. 11 patients underwent kidney transplantation (0.5-20 years before the study), 2 patients was hemodialysed, 1 received only pharmacological treatment.
RESULTS
During the first examination in two patients IV grade of hypertensive retinopathy (K-W classification) was found, in the rest of the patients I/II or II grade with typical changes for malignant hypertension in the past (Elschnig's spots) was found. In control examinations (6 months-21 years) the persistence of the previously noticed changes was observed. | pubmed_443_16696 |
pubmed_306_1441 | Oilseed crop Brassica carinata BBCC is a natural allotetraploid of diploid species B. nigra BB and B. oleracea CC. To transfer the nuclear and organelle genes in a concerted manner from an alien species, B. tournefortii TT, to B. carinata, we produced somatic hybrids with genomic configuration TCBB using B. nigra and B. oleracea stocks that carried selectable marker genes. B. tournefortii TT was sexually crossed with hygromycin-resistant B. oleracea CC. Protoplasts isolated from shoot cultures of hygromycin-resistant F1 hybrids of B. tournefortiixB. oleracea TC were fused with protoplasts of kanamycin-resistant B. nigra BB. In two different fusion experiments 80 colonies were obtained through selection on media containing both hygromycin and kanamycin. Of these, 39 colonies regenerated into plants. Analysis of 15 regenerants by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers showed the presence of all three genomes, thereby confirming these to be true hybrids. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of organelle genomes with heterologous chloroplast (cp)and mitochondrial (mt) DNA probes showed that the chloroplast genome was inherited from either of the two parents while mitochondrial genomes predominantly showed novel configurations due to either rearrangements or intergenomic recombinations. We anticipate that the TCBB genomic configuration will provide a more conducive situation for recombination between the T and C genomes during meiosis than the TTCCBB or TCCBB type configurations that are usually produced for alien gene transfer. The agronomic aim of producing TCBB hybrids is to transfer mitochondrial genes conferring cytoplasmic male sterility and nuclear genes for fertility restoration from B. tournefortii to B. carinata. | 10.1007/BF00226977 |
pubmed_150_13941 | The degradation pathway of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) by Electro-Fenton process using carbon felt cathode was investigated via HPLC-UV and LC-MS, IC, TOC analysis and bioassays (Vibrio Fischeri 81.9% Microtox(®) screening tests). The TOC removal of AO7 reached 96.2% after 8 h treatment with the optimal applied current density at -8.3 mA cm(-2) and 0.2 mM catalyst concentration. The toxicity of treated solution increased rapidly to its highest value at the early stage of electrolysis (several minutes), corresponding to the formation of intermediate poisonous aromatic compounds such as 1,2-naphthaquinone (NAPQ) and 1,4-benzoquinone (BZQ). Then, the subsequent formation of aliphatic short-chain carboxylic acids like acetic acid, formic acid, before the complete mineralization, leaded to a non-toxic solution after 270 min for 500 mL of AO7 (1 mM). Moreover, a quantitative analysis of inorganic ions (i.e. ammonium, nitrate, sulfate) produced during the course of degradation could help to verify molar balance with regard to original nitrogen and sulfur elements. To conclude, a clear degradation pathway of AO7 was proposed, and could further be applied to other persistent pharmaceuticals in aquatic environment. | 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.06.108 |
pubmed_471_23187 | Copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles have been considered one of the most clinical relevant nanosystems because of their straightforward chemistry, small particle size, low toxicity, and intrinsic theranostic characteristics. In our previous studies, radioactive [64Cu]CuS nanoparticles were successfully developed to be used as efficient radiotracers for positron emission tomography and for photothermal ablation therapy of cancer cells using near-infrared laser irradiation. However, the major challenge of CuS nanoparticles as a theranostic platform is the lack of a means for effective targeted delivery to the tumor site. To overcome this challenge, we designed and synthesized angiogenesis-targeting [64Cu]CuS nanoparticles, which are coupled with cyclic RGDfK peptide [c(RGDfK)] through polyethylene glycol (PEG) linkers using click chemistry. In assessing their tumor-targeting efficacy, we found that the tumor uptakes of [64Cu]CuS-PEG-c(RGDfK) nanoparticles at 24 h after intravenous injection were significantly greater (8.6% ± 1.4% injected dose/gram of tissue) than those of nontargeted [64Cu]CuS-PEG nanoparticles (4.3% ± 1.2% injected dose/gram of tissue, p < 0.05). Irradiation of tumors in mice administered [64Cu]CuS-PEG-c(RGDfK) nanoparticles induced 98.7% necrotic areas. In contrast, irradiation of tumors in mice administered nontargeted CuS-PEG nanoparticles induced 59% necrotic areas ( p < 0.05). The angiogenesis-targeting [64Cu]CuS nanoparticles may serve as a promising platform for image-guided ablation therapy with high efficacy and minimal side effects in future clinical translation of this novel class of multifunctional nanomaterials. | 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00690 |
pubmed_220_15578 | This review provides a summary of the European Association for Cancer Research Award Lecture, presented at the ECCO12 meeting in Copenhagen in September 2003. It describes what we have learnt about the mechanisms responsible for deregulating RNA polymerase III transcription in transformed cells. A network has been discovered of unanticipated links to key tumour suppressors and oncogenes. Novel functions have been revealed for RB, p53 and c-Myc, that may help explain their profound biological effects. | 10.1016/j.ejca.2003.09.027 |
pubmed_97_2769 | Chronic exposure to high-intensity noise can produce permanent hearing loss, the amount of which depends on noise intensity, temporal and spectral characteristics, and the length of exposure. OSHA regulates workplace noise exposure in accordance with the Hearing Conservation Amendment of 1983. When noise levels equal or exceed an 85 dBA time-weighted average (TWA), the employer is required to provide annual audiometric screening. When noise levels exceed 90 dBA TWA, the worker's exposure must be reduced by engineering methods, administrative changes, or personal hearing protectors. If a worker demonstrates a standard (significant) threshold shift (10 dB or greater increased average hearing threshold at 2, 3, and 4 kHz in either ear) that is attributed to noise, the worker's exposure must be further reduced by one of the aforementioned methods. | pubmed_97_2769 |
pubmed_707_25344 | The femoral artery is the conventional access for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Patients with an anomalous persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is usually at the expense of an atrophied femoral artery. Therefore, EVAR for patients with PSA anomalies is exceptionally challenging. We report the case of a 69-year-old man with an aortoiliac aneurysm and right PSA. Preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed a tortuous infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, bilateral common-internal iliac aneurysms, and a right aneurysmal PSA with an ipsilateral atrophic femoral and superficial femoral artery. The aortoiliac aneurysm was successfully repaired through an endovascular approach with access through the right persistent sciatic artery, bilateral femoral artery, and left brachial artery. One-month postoperation, CTA revealed a type 1 endoleak originating from the proximal end of the aorta graft. The second and third operations were performed to close the endoleak through extended proximal cuff with chimney bilateral renal stents and sac embolization with coils and fibrin glue at 1 and 14 months, respectively, after the first operation. CTA performed three months after the third operation did not show any endoleaks. A persistent sciatic artery can be used as an access for endovascular repair of a complicated infrarenal aortoiliac aneurysm combined with an anomalous persistent sciatic artery and an atrophied femoral artery. | 10.1016/j.avsg.2022.02.003 |
pubmed_974_13668 | BACKGROUND
Widely varying crash circumstances have been reported for bicycling injuries, likely because of differing bicycling populations and environments. We used data from the Bicyclists' Injuries and the Cycling Environment Study in Vancouver and Toronto, Canada, to describe the crash circumstances of people injured while cycling for utilitarian and leisure purposes. We examined the association of crash circumstances with route type.
METHODS
Adult cyclists injured and treated in a hospital emergency department described their crash circumstances. These were classified into major categories (collision vs. fall, motor vehicle involved vs. not) and subcategories. The distribution of circumstances was tallied for each of 14 route types defined in an earlier analysis. Ratios of observed vs. expected were tallied for each circumstance and route type combination.
RESULTS
Of 690 crashes, 683 could be characterized for this analysis. Most (74%) were collisions. Collisions included those with motor vehicles (34%), streetcar (tram) or train tracks (14%), other surface features (10%), infrastructure (10%), and pedestrians, cyclists, or animals (6%). The remainder of the crashes were falls (26%), many as a result of collision avoidance manoeuvres. Motor vehicles were involved directly or indirectly with 48% of crashes. Crash circumstances were distributed differently by route type, for example, collisions with motor vehicles, including "doorings", were overrepresented on major streets with parked cars. Collisions involving streetcar tracks were overrepresented on major streets. Collisions involving infrastructure (curbs, posts, bollards, street furniture) were overrepresented on multiuse paths and bike paths.
CONCLUSIONS
These data supplement our previous analyses of relative risks by route type by indicating the types of crashes that occur on each route type. This information can guide municipal engineers and planners towards improvements that would make cycling safer. | 10.1186/1471-2458-14-1205 |
pubmed_94_8492 | Herein, molecular modeling techniques were used with the main goal to obtain candidates from a drug database as potential targets to be used against SARS-CoV-2. This novel coronavirus, responsible by the COVID-19 outbreak since the end of 2019, became a challenge since there is not vaccine for this disease. The first step in this investigation was to solvate the isolated S-protein in water for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, being observed a transition from "up" to "down" conformation of receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S-protein with angle of 54.3 and 43.0 degrees, respectively. The RBD region was more exposed to the solvent and to the possible drugs due to its enhanced surface area. From the equilibrated MD structure, virtual screening by docking calculations were performed using a library contained 9091 FDA approved drugs. Among them, 24 best-scored ligands (14 traditional herbal isolate and 10 approved drugs) with the binding energy below -8.1 kcal/mol were selected as potential candidates to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 S-protein, preventing the human cell infection and their replication. For instance, the ivermectin drug (present in our list of promise candidates) was recently used successful to control viral replication in vitro. MD simulations were performed for the three best ligands@S-protein complexes and the binding energies were calculated using the MM/PBSA approach. Overall, it is highlighted an important strategy, some key residues, and chemical groups which may be considered on clinical trials for COVID-19 outbreak. [Formula: see text]Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma. | 10.1080/07391102.2020.1772885 |
pubmed_1133_3861 | Growth factor receptor bound protein-7 (Grb7) is a multi-domain adaptor protein that is co-opted by numerous tyrosine kinases involved in various cellular signaling. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of Grb7 and its clinicopathological significance in cervical cancer. Utilising immunohistochemical staining, we examined the expression of Grb7 in 120 cases of human cervical cancer tissue and 10 cases of adjacent non-cancerous cervical tissue. The positive rate of Grb7 protein expression was 34.2%, which was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-cancerous cervical tissue (0%, p<0.05). The expression of Grb7 was found to be correlated with age, tumor size, serosal invasion, differentiated degree, tumor stage, early or advanced stage and lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with positive Grb7 protein expression had a lower overall survival rate than patients without Grb7 expression. In addition, Grb7 plays an important role in promoting tumor progression, including invasion and anti-apoptosis, in cervical cancer cell line. Down-regulation of Grb7 repressed the expression of MMP-9 and Bcl-2, and increased the expression of Bax in Grb7 knockdown Hela cells. Cell invasion assay showed decreased number of Grb7 knockdown Hela cells (18.7±2.1) compared to Hela cells (65.3±2.5, P<0.05). Our results indicated that Grb7 over-expression may facilitate invasion and inhibit apoptosis in cervical cancer and Grb7 is a potentially molecular target of cervical cancer chemotherapy. | 10.1016/j.prp.2017.05.013 |
pubmed_491_12364 | The photoelectrochemical splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen requires a semiconductor to absorb light and generate electron-hole pairs, and a catalyst to enhance the kinetics of electron transfer between the semiconductor and solution. A crucial question is how this catalyst affects the band bending in the semiconductor, and, therefore, the photovoltage of the cell. We introduce a simple and inexpensive electrodeposition method to produce an efficient n-Si/SiOx/Co/CoOOH photoanode for the photoelectrochemical oxidation of water to oxygen. The photoanode functions as a solid-state, metal-insulator-semiconductor photovoltaic cell with spatially non-uniform barrier heights in series with a low overpotential water-splitting electrochemical cell. The barrier height is a function of the Co coverage; it increases from 0.74 eV for a thick, continuous film to 0.91 eV for a thin, inhomogeneous film that has not reached coalescence. The larger barrier height leads to a 360 mV photovoltage enhancement relative to a solid-state Schottky barrier. | 10.1038/nmat4408 |
pubmed_361_1814 | Some basic proteins enable microtubule protein to form special assembly products in vitro, known as double-walled microtubules. Using histones (H1, core histones) as well as the human encephalitogenic protein to induce the formation of double-walled microtubules, we made the following electron microscopic observations: (1) Double-walled microtubules consist of an "inner" microtubule which is covered by electron-dense material, apparently formed from the basic protein, and by a second tubulin wall. (2) The tubulin of the second wall seems to be arranged as protofilaments, surrounding the inner microtubule in a helical or ring-like manner. (3) The surface of double-walled microtubules lacks the projections of microtubule-associated proteins, usually found on microtubules. (4) In the case of protofilament ribbons (incomplete microtubules), H1 binds exclusively to their convex sides that correspond to the surface of microtubules. Zn2+-induced tubulin sheets, consisting in contrast to microtubules of alternately arranged protofilaments, are covered by H1 on both surfaces. Furthermore, multilayered sheet aggregates appeared. The results indicate that the basic proteins used interact only with that protofilament side which represents the microtubule surface. In accordance with this general principle, models on the structure of double-walled microtubules and multilayered tubulin sheets were derived. | pubmed_361_1814 |
pubmed_272_9642 | Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 catalyzes the rate-limiting step in heme degradation releasing iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin. Induction of HO-1 occurs as an adaptive and protective response to oxidative stress. Ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury seems to be mainly caused by the oxidative stress. In this study, we have examined whether prior induction of HO-1 with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a glutathione (GSH) depletor, affects the subsequent renal IR injury. BSO (2 mmol/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally into rats, the levels of HO-1 protein increased within 4 h after the injection. When BSO was administered into rats at 5 h prior to the renal 45 min of ischemia, the renal IR injury was assessed by determining the levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, markers for renal injury, after 24 h of reperfusion. The renal injury was significantly improved as compared to the rats treated with IR alone. Administration of zinc-protoporphyrin IX, an inhibitor of HO activity, reduced the efficacy of BSO pretreatment on the renal IR injury. Our findings suggest that the prior induction of HO-1 ameliorates the subsequent renal IR injury. | 10.1016/s0014-5793(01)03270-7 |
pubmed_188_7340 | Microvascular invasion (MVI) is regarded as one of the independent risk factors for recurrence and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The presence of MVI in HCCs was evaluated on the basis of pathological reports of surgical specimens and was defined as tumor within a vascular space lined by endothelium that was visible only on microscopy. The aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in predicting MVI of HCC. Preoperative IVIM DW imaging and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) of 51 patients were analyzed. Standard apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), D (the true diffusion coefficient), D* (the pseudodiffusion coefficient) and f (the perfusion fraction), relative enhancement (RE) and radiological features were evaluated and analyzed. Univariate analysis revealed that HCCs with MVI had a higher portion of an irregular tumor shape than HCCs without MVI (p = 0.009), the Standard ADC, D value were significantly lower in HCCs with MVI (p = 0.022, p = 0.007, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that an irregular shape (p = 0.012) and D value ≤ 1.16×10-3mm2/sec (p = 0.048) were independent predictors for MVI. Combining the two factors of an irregular shape and D value, a sensitivity of 94.4% and specificity of 63.6% for predicting MVI was obtained. In conclusion, we found that an irregular shape and D value ≤ 1.16×10-3mm2/sec may suggest the presence of MVI in HCCs. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0197488 |
pubmed_17_6716 | The present study was undertaken to analyse duodenal contractility in adult dystrophic (mdx) mice. The spontaneous changes of the isometric tension and the responses of longitudinal duodenal muscle to nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) nerve stimulation and to exogenous drugs were compared between normal and mdx mice. Duodenal segments from mdx mice displayed spontaneous contractions with higher frequency than normals. N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) increased the frequency of contractions in normals without affecting that in mdx mice. In normals, NANC nerve stimulation elicited a transient relaxation abolished by L-NAME. In mdx mice a frank relaxation was not observed, the inhibitory response consisted just in the suppression of the phasic activity. This response was reduced by L-NAME and abolished by the subsequent addition of alpha-chymotrypsin. In normals, alpha-chymotrypsin hardly affected NANC relaxation, whilst it significantly antagonised that in mdx mice. Mdx duodenal muscle also showed a reduced responsiveness to sodium nitroprusside, and to 8-bromoguanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate in comparison with normal preparations. The results indicate that mdx mice experience duodenal contractile disturbances due to an impairment of NO function with defective responsiveness of the muscle to NO. The reduction in NO influence is functionally compensated by the peptidergic system. | 10.1046/j.1365-2982.2003.00438.x |
pubmed_400_1924 | Unlike traditionally used acyclic 1,2-disubstituted alkenes, the reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated phenyl sulfones with aryl iodides under Heck reaction conditions (Pd(OAc)(2) as catalyst, Ag(2)CO(3) as base in DMF at 120 (0)C) takes place mainly by a cascade process, involving one unit of the alkene and three units of the aryl iodide, to afford a substituted 9-phenylsulfonyl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene. The dominant formation of this 3:1 coupling product, instead of the Heck trisubstituted olefin, shows that aromatic C-H bond activation processes can compete with the usually fast syn beta-hydrogen elimination step in the Heck arylation of an acyclic olefin. The structural scope of this palladium-catalyzed cascade arylation of alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones has proved to be wide with regard to substitution at the beta-position (alkyl, aryl, or alkenyl substitution), substitution at the sulfone unit (alkyl or phenyl sulfones), and configuration at the CdoublebondC bond (trans or cis). Moreover, although less favored than in the case of the arylation of alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones, similarly substituted 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes have also been obtained in the case of alpha,beta-unsaturated phosphine oxides and alpha,beta-unsaturated phosphonate esters. A Pd(0)-Pd(II)-Pd(IV) mechanistic pathway involving the successive formation of highly electrophilic sigma-alkylpalladium intermediates and palladacycles is proposed for this multicomponent arylation. | 10.1002/chem.200390173 |
pubmed_994_9720 | OBJECTIVE
This study examined the impact of a low-cost contingency management (CM) delivered by program clinicians on treatment attendance and utilization for patients enrolled in outpatient psychosocial substance abuse treatment.
METHODS
The study used a pre-posttest design to compare substance abuse patients who received Reinforcement-Based Treatment (RBT) plus low cost CM (n=130; RBT+CM) to patients who received RBT only (n=132, RBT). RBT+CM participants received a $10 incentive for returning to treatment the day following intake assessment (day one), and a $15 incentive for attending treatment on day five following admission. RBT clients received standard care intervention without the addition of the CM procedures. Groups were compared on proportion of participants who returned to treatment on day one, mean days of treatment attendance, individual sessions attended, and treatment utilization during the first week and the first month following treatment admission.
RESULTS
Both the RBT+CM and RBT group participants returned to the clinic on day one at high rates (95% versus 89%, respectively). However, the RBT group participants were more likely to attend the intake assessment only (i.e., never return to treatment) compared to the RBT+CM participants. Additionally, the RBT+CM participants attended significantly more treatment days, attended more individual counseling sessions, and had higher rates of overall treatment utilization compared to the RBT participants during the one week and one month following treatment admission.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings support the feasibility and effectiveness of a CM intervention delivered by clinicians for increasing treatment attendance and utilization in a community substance abuse program. | pubmed_994_9720 |
pubmed_394_1605 | This study was aimed to analyze the hematologic and molecular biologic characteristics of 14 Wenzhou patients with minor beta-thalassemia, to find out the mutation sites responsible for the disease by detecting sequences of PCR products and to analyze the single nucleotide polymorphism. The peripheral blood of patients was collected intravenously and was anticoagulated with EDTA-K(2); then the templates from blood samples were extracted, the related primers were designed for sequencing the products amplified by PCR; finally mutation sites resulting in beta-thalassemia were found through comparison and analysis of sequences. The results indicated that the C-->T heterozygous mutation occurred at the IVS-2 -654 site in 4 cases; the TTCT deficiency appeared at CD41/42 site in 1 case; in 2 sites existed single nucleotide polymorphisms occurring at the 59th site of exon 1 (T/C, CAT/CAC, His) and IVS-2 nt 665 (T/C). It is concluded that single nucleotide polymorphism of minor beta-thalassemia patients born in Wenzhou had specificity, this study found too kinds of gene mutations which are IVS-2 -654 C-->T heterozygous mutation and CD41/CD42 site-TTCT deficiency. | pubmed_394_1605 |
pubmed_344_14384 | The Perceived Medical Condition Self-Management Scale (PMCSMS), a generic instrument developed to assess self-management self-efficacy in specific medical conditions, was tailored for use with HIV+ individuals and administered to 125 HIV+ adults, predominantly men. Cronbach's alpha was 0.78, indicating internal consistency reliability. Correlations between the Perceived HIV Self-Management Scale (PHIVSMS) and other validated psychometric instruments measuring generalized self efficacy, dispositional optimism, depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect and HIV quality of life demonstrate the validity of using this scale with an HIV population. The PMCSMS has broad utility as a generic template that can easily be adapted to different medical conditions. | 10.1177/1359105310367832 |
pubmed_670_19075 | Tuberculosis is characterised by fever, weight loss and necrosis in both lesions and tuberculin skin test sites (Koch phenomenon), although the antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are not directly toxic to the tissues. The tissue damage appears to be due to several interacting factors. First, M. tuberculosis induces an immunoregulatory disorder of which a raised percentage of agalactosyl IgG is a marker. This is seen also in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease and is associated with tissue-damaging inflammation. Subsequently, several properties of M. tuberculosis exacerbate this disorder by triggering cytokine release, and rendering tissues sensitive to the toxicity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Moreover, M. tuberculosis, but not bacillus Calmette-Guérin or several Mycobacterium avium strains, produces a factor which increases the toxicity of TNF for individual cells. Thus, M. tuberculosis may distort the normal protective role of TNF so that this cytokine becomes toxic to the host. The immunoregulatory disorder associated with agalactosyl IgG appears to be susceptible to immunotherapy, so novel types of treatment for the immunopathological component of tuberculosis are being explored. | 10.1159/000163633 |
pubmed_33_10530 | BACKGROUND
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is susceptible to the cooling effect of flowing blood. The reduced efficacy of RFA in large tumors reflects the in vivo biophysiological limitations imposed by perfusion-mediated vascular cooling.
PURPOSE
To compare the effects of RFA alone and of RFA combined with occlusion of the arterial blood supply on the tissue temperature, coagulation diameter, and histological changes in the acute phase.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The temperature at roll-off, the coagulated tissue diameter, and histologic tissue changes were compared in normal porcine kidneys subjected in situ to two pigs each were subjected to RFA alone (four kidneys) or to RFA plus balloon occlusion of the renal artery (four kidneys). The tissue temperature was measured at three sites: area I, the center of the RFA field; area II, the ischemic field 1 cm distant from the edge of the RFA field; and area III, the normal kidney. Tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Cell viability in the ablated zone was determined by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) staining of frozen sections.
RESULTS
The tissue temperatures achieved by RFA in areas I, II, and III were 101°C, 58°C, and 40°C with and 92°C, 44°C, and 38°C without balloon occlusion, respectively. The maximal coagulation diameter was 31 mm with and 23 mm without occlusion. The coagulation diameter was significantly larger and the temperature in area II was significantly higher in kidneys subjected to RFA with renal artery occlusion. H&E staining showed preservation of the normal renal parenchymal structure outside the thermal lesion and an increase in eosinophilic cells with indistinct cell borders and nuclei within the thermal lesion. H&E and NADH staining demonstrated a sharp demarcation between the ablation and normal tissue area and showed that in area II the addition of balloon occlusion did not produce histologic changes different from those in kidneys subjected to RFA alone.
CONCLUSION
A technique that combines RFA and partial renal artery occlusion may be useful in treatment of the non-resectable renal tumors with sizes appropriate for RF ablation. | 10.1258/ar.2012.110530 |
pubmed_232_20389 | This review is aimed at providing readers with a comprehensive reference article about the distribution and function of P2 receptors in all the organs, tissues, and cells in the body. Each section provides an account of the early history of purinergic signaling in the organ?cell up to 1994, then summarizes subsequent evidence for the presence of P2X and P2Y receptor subtype mRNA and proteins as well as functional data, all fully referenced. A section is included describing the plasticity of expression of P2 receptors during development and aging as well as in various pathophysiological conditions. Finally, there is some discussion of possible future developments in the purinergic signaling field. | 10.1016/S0074-7696(04)40002-3 |
pubmed_686_22442 | BACKGROUND
Effect of percutaneous transluminal septal ablation (PTSA) with ethanol injection on electromechanical remodeling of left ventricule still remains unknown. This study was conducted to assess the potential significance of cardiac electromechanical mapping (CEMM) in analyzing the left ventricular remodeling before and immediately after percutaneous transseptal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).
METHODS
Eight patients with drug-refractory HOCM and 6 patients with hypertrophic cardiopathy (HM) without increased left ventricular outtract gradien (LVOTG) were enrolled into the present study. CEMM was undergone in patients with HOCM before and immediately after PTSA procedure, and in patients with HM.
RESULTS
PTSA was successful in all patients with HOCM, LVOTG significantly decreased from (62.87 +/- 21.16) mmHg to (12.73 +/- 3.05) mmHg immediately after ablation procedure. Value of UVP in septal-base segment in HM group was higher than that in HOCM group [(22.79 +/- 2.34) mV vs (18.54 +/- 1.76) mV]. In patients with HOCM, lateral-middle and -base segments had lowest value of UVP [(15.93 +/- 1.11) mV and (15.83 +/- 1.07) mV] before PTSA. Value of UVP at posterior-middle segment decreased from (23.58 +/- 2.21) mV pre-PTSA to (18.89 +/- 1.91) mV post-procedure, PTSA led to significant increase of UVP at lateral-middle segment. Septal region in patients with HM and septal-middle, septal-base, posterior-base segments in HOCM had lower value of local linear shortening (LLS) among all patients in both HOCM and HM groups. PTSA resulted in significant reduction of LLS in anterior region and at septal-apex segment. Anterior-base and septal-middle segments in patients with HM had lowest value of local active time (LAT), and significantly differentiated from that in patients with HOCM [(-8.57 +/- 0.68) ms vs (-18.61 +/- 1.02) ms, (-6.75 +/- 0.37)ms vs (-21.90 +/- 0.96) ms, respectively]. LAT at septal-middle and -base segments in patients with HOCM was decreased significantly [(-21.90 +/- 0.96) ms vs (-13.80 +/- 1.04) ms, P < 0.002; and (-15.20 +/- 1.06) ms vs (-6.33 +/- 0.52) ms, respectively] immediately after PTSA.
CONCLUSIONS
Posterior-lateral and anterior region probably played important roles in electromechanical remodeling. Significant electromechanical remodeling disassociation (uncoupling) was detected in most left ventricular regions, which would be important in differentiating of HOCM from HM, and in predicting the prognosis in patients with HOCM after PTSA procedure. | pubmed_686_22442 |
pubmed_1102_18889 | OBJECTIVE
Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. is a food plant used in African traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases and related conditions. We assessed the hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerogenic properties of the aqueous extract of I. batatas leaves in a rat model of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.
METHODS
Hypercholesterolemia was induced in male Wistar rats by exclusive feeding with a cholesterol-enriched (1%) standard diet for four weeks. Then, rats were treated once daily (per os) with I. batatas extract at doses of 400, 500 and 600 mg/kg or with atorvastatin (2 mg/kg), for four weeks. Following treatment, animals were observed for another four weeks and then sacrificed. Aortas were excised and processed for histopathological studies, and blood glucose level and lipid profile were measured.
RESULTS
Hypercholesterolemic animals experienced a 21.5% faster increase in body weight, significant increases in blood glucose and blood lipids (148.94% triglycerides, 196.97% high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 773.04% low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 148.93% very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and 210.42% total cholesterol), and increases in aorta thickness and atherosclerotic plaque sizes compared to rats fed standard diet. Treatment of hypercholesterolemic rats with the extract mitigated these alterations and restored blood glucose and blood lipid levels to normocholesterolemic values.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that I. batatas leaves have hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerogenic properties and justify their use in traditional medicine. | 10.1016/j.joim.2021.02.002 |
pubmed_38_10229 | BACKGROUND
With the improvements in newer chemotherapeutic agents, the role of primary tumour resection in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer is controversial. In many cases primary tumour resection is still favoured as first-line management. However, a detailed understanding of independent prognostic factors related to survival is necessary before making this decision.
METHOD
A literature search was conducted using Medline and Embase. Studies that performed multivariate analysis on overall survival of patients with incurable stage IV colorectal cancer were included in this review.
RESULTS
Fourteen retrospective studies involving 3209 patients were included. Clinical variables analysed to consistently have independent prognostic significance for long-term survival included the patients' performance status (<2), volume of liver metastases (<50%), nodal stage (N0), disease-free resection margins, and treatment with chemotherapy and/or primary tumour resection. Cancer antigen (CA) 19-9, low albumin, elevated ALP levels, apical lymph node involvement, presence of ascites, and postoperative transfusion were each assessed by only one study and found to be independently associated with survival. Factors inconsistently reported to have independent prognostic significance were age, ASA score, preoperative CEA levels, primary tumour location, tumour size and differentiation, peritoneal dissemination, and extrahepatic metastases.
CONCLUSION
Each patient should be reviewed individually on the basis of the above independent prognostic factors before deciding to resect the primary tumour. Patients with a poor performance status, extensive hepatic metastases, and extensive nodal disease detected preoperatively are less likely to have a survival benefit. Nonsurgical approaches to manage these patients should be given careful consideration. | 10.1007/s00268-010-0891-8 |
pubmed_27_16487 | A biodegradable drug delivery system containing 5% sanguinarium (Sa) was compared to vehicle control (VC), scaling and root planing (SRP), and supragingival plaque control (SPC) in the treatment of adult periodontitis in 2 well-controlled clinical trials. Studies were 4-quadrant (split mouth) designs at 2 centers each, having 94 (Study A) and 107 (Study B) patients. All patients had at least 3 pockets between 5 and 9 mm that bled on probing, in each quadrant. Probing pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment level (AL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index were recorded at baseline, 14, 30, 60, and 90 days. All treatments gave statistically significant reductions from baseline for PD and BOP, and significant gains for AL. For PD reduction, SRP was superior to all test groups at all time points in both studies (p < 0.001). Sa was superior to VC in Study A at 14 and 30 days and to SPC at all time points. For AL gain at 90 days, in both studies, SRP gave gains of 0.42 and 0.78 mm respectively with superiority seen over the SPC group at 90 days (p < 0.001) in study A only, For BOP reduction, in Study A SRP was superior to Sa, VC, and SPC at 60 and 90 days (p < 0.005) and in Study B superiority to Sa and VC was at 90 days and to SPC at 60 days (p < 0.05). Sa was superior to VC for pocket depth in deep pockets only. Sa failed to demonstrate superiority over VC on a consistent basis. Analysis of residual Sa indicates that Sa potency was insufficient to show an advantage beyond clinical effects inherent in treatments with VC and SPC. | 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1996.tb00610.x |
pubmed_917_4285 | The precise molecular characteristics and the mode of action of the T cell derived lymphokines which augment antibody production in vitro remain uncertain. The use of ill-defined culture supernatants to dissect the cellular interactions in vitro involved in antibody production can lead to ambiguous results as the factors may act either on a contaminating non-B-lymphoid population or directly on the B lymphocyte. We report herein the development of a system for measuring in vitro primary antibody responses by murine spleen cells in which endogenous lymphokine production has been minimized by the in vivo administration of cytotoxic antibodies to deplete T lymphocytes and the addition of the glucocorticosteroid, dexamethasone, throughout the culture period. Using such an assay, a lymphokine activity was detected which was capable of augmenting the plaque forming cell response. This lymphokine was present in culture supernatant derived from the lectin activation of the T cell lymphoma, LBRM-33 and was distinct from other known B cell activators, notably IL-2 and IFN gamma. Biochemical purification of this activity indicated that it might be identical to granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The use of recombinant-derived GM-CSF protein unambiguously showed the role of this lymphokine in antibody production. These experiments demonstrated for the first time, the involvement of a hematopoietic factor in antigen-specific immune responses. Moreover, these results demonstrated an important regulatory circuit in the generation of antibody producing B cells in which GM-CSF, derived from activated T cells, stimulates macrophage function. | pubmed_917_4285 |
pubmed_840_16893 | The diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) is based on the measurement of peak GH responses to pharmacological stimuli. Pharmacological stimuli, however, lack precision, accuracy, are not reproducible, are invasive, non-physiological and some may even be hazardous. Furthermore, different GH commercial assays used to measure GH in serum yield results that may differ considerably. In contrast to GH, IGF-I can be measured on a single, randomly-obtained blood sample. A review of the available data indicates that IGF-I measurement in the diagnosis of childhood-onset isolated GHD has a specificity of up to 100%, with a sensitivity ranging from about 70 to 90%. We suggest an algorithm in which circulating levels of IGF-I together with the evaluation of auxological data, such as growth rate and growth, may be used to assess the likelihood of GHD in pre-pubertal children. | 10.1007/BF03344184 |
pubmed_161_12393 | IgM antibody to hepatitis B virus core antigen (IgM anti-HBc) develops during acute hepatitis B but frequently persists in chronic infections. To characterize persistent IgM anti-HBc better, 7-8S and 19S immunoglobulin fractions were prepared by rate-zonal centrifugation of sera from 17 patients with persistent hepatitis B (chronic active hepatitis) and were tested for IgM anti-HBc by a specific radioimmunoassay. In 16 sera peak activity was found in 7-8S fractions, although in 11 sera a minor peak was also present in 19S fractions. The low molecular weight of the predominant IgM anti-HBc was confirmed by gel filtration. In competition experiments, the binding of 7-8S antibody to an anti-IgM-coated solid phase was blocked more effectively by purified IgM than by purified IgG. These findings indicate that hepatitis B carriers with chronic active hepatitis have predominantly 7-8S IgM anti-HBc and represent a novel demonstration of naturally occurring 7-8S IgM with defined antiviral specificity. | 10.1093/infdis/148.3.445 |
pubmed_892_19811 | We investigated the effect of herbimycin A on the monolayer growth of 4 human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines and a normal renal tubular cell line (RTC 13) using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiszol-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide)] assay. Herbimycin A induced remarkable growth inhibition in each RCC cell line tested, without any morphological changes of the cells. At the concentration of 500 ng/ml, herbimycin A caused more than a 30% growth inhibition in all RCC cells (p < 0.005 vs RTC 13), while less than 7% growth inhibition was observed in RTC 13 at the same herbimycin A concentration. The cell cycle was estimated by analysing DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) content using a FACS. A DNA histogram of RCC cells treated at herbimycin A showed a block in the cell cycle at the S and G2M phases. However, little effect by herbimycin A on RTC 13 cells was observed. Our results suggest that protein tyrosine kinases inhibitors, like herbimycin A, may offer a new treatment option for RCC patients. | pubmed_892_19811 |
pubmed_440_13429 | Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the long-term results of crossover bypass (CB) for iliac atherosclerotic lesions in the era of endovascular treatment (EVT). Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was performed. CB was performed in 242 patients between 2003 and 2014 by vascular surgeons at multiple medical centers in Japan. Results: Perioperative mortality was 1.7%. Primary patency rates were 86% at 5 years and 82% at 8 years. Univariate analysis showed that critical limb ischemia (Rutherford class 4-6), vein graft, and superficial femoral artery occlusion were significantly associated with low primary patency. In multivariate analysis, only critical limb ischemia influenced primary patency. The secondary patency rate was 87% at both 5 and 8 years. The limb salvage rate was 98% at both 5 and 8 years. The overall survival rates were 71% at 5 years and 49% at 8 years. Conclusion: The long-term results of CB were good in our study, compared with previous reports. Our results suggest that CB remains an option for the arterial reconstruction in unilateral iliac occlusive disease after EVT failed. | 10.3400/avd.oa.18-00007 |
pubmed_425_22822 | New nanostructure means new nanotechnology and nanoscience. The need of complex nanostructure-based advanced functional nanomaterials has promoted the appearance of several kinds of multifluid electrospinning processes, such as tri-axial electrospinning, quad-fluid coaxial electrospinning, tri-fluid side-by-side electrospinning, and coaxial electrospinning with a side-by-side core. These multifluid processes can greatly expand the capability of electrospinning in generating new types of nanostructures with different organization manner of the inner parts, and from both spinnable and unspinnable working fluids. The key elements for conducting a multifluid electrospinning lie in a well-designed spinneret, compatibility of the working fluids, and special operational parameters. The complex nanostructures can be created through direct electrospinning of multiple fluids, through after-treatment of the electrospun products, and through ingenious design of the components, compositions and their spatial distributions as well. This article provides a simple review on the most recent publications about the multifluid electrospinning processes and the corresponding complex nanostructures. This article is characterized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants. | 10.1002/wnan.1601 |
pubmed_638_11382 | Simultaneous generation of second-harmonic light with orthogonal polarizations in the blue spectral region is demonstrated by use of typeII and typeI quasi-phase matching for the nonlinear coefficients d(33) , d(24) , and d(32) in periodically poled KTP. The second-harmonic power ratio in both polarization states can be tuned by the fundamental polarization and (or) the periodically poled KTP temperature. Femtosecond pulse frequency-doubling efficiencies of as much as 39.5% W (-1) and 8.1% W (-1) are demonstrated in 7-mm periodically poled KTP for typeI and typeII processes, respectively. The efficiency limitations caused by various effects of the group-velocity mismatch are discussed. | 10.1364/ol.27.001628 |
pubmed_506_21589 | PURPOSE
Among some local side effects of prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy (PAP), deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus (DUES) is the most prominent clinical feature, and is one of the most significant adverse cosmetic events. Here, we prospectively investigated the incidence of DUES in Japanese open-angle glaucoma patients initially treated with latanoprost (Xalatan 0.005%) ophthalmic solution.
METHODS
This was an open-label prospective study. Facial photographs and subjective reports of the recognition of DUES were obtained at the beginning of latanoprost treatment and at 2, 4, and 6 months thereafter. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at three consecutive visits before and after treatment with latanoprost. The incidence of DUES was evaluated objectively by three blinded investigators who compared the series of photographs.
RESULTS
A total of 52 eyes of 52 newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma Japanese patients (28 males, 24 females) were evaluated. The objective rate of DUES was 1/52 (2%; 95% CI 0.05 to 10.7%) at 2 months, 2/52 (4%; 95% CI 0.5 to 13.9%) at 4 months, and 3/52 (6%; 95% CI 1.2 to 16.9%) at 6 months. During this period, no patient self-reported an occurrence of DUES. Mean IOPs before and after treatment were 16.5±2.9 and 13.8±3.0 mm Hg, respectively. Latanoprost reduced the IOP significantly (P<0.0001, paired t-test).
CONCLUSIONS
Latanoprost caused DUES rarely and had a robust IOP-lowering effect in Japanese glaucoma patients. | 10.1038/eye.2014.224 |
pubmed_323_18633 | OBJECTIVE
In vitro studies showed that insulin stimulates the production of apolipoprotein AI (apoAI). Thus, we hypothesized that chronic hyperinsulinemia could contribute to the increase in the production of high-density lipoprotein apoAI that is observed in metabolic syndrome.
APPROACH AND RESULTS
We performed an in vivo kinetic study with stable isotope in 7 patients with insulinoma who showed hyperinsulinemia but no insulin resistance, 8 patients with insulin resistance, and 16 controls. Insulinemia was 3.1× (P<0.01) higher in patients with insulinoma or insulin resistance than in controls in the fasting state and, respectively, 3.5× and 2.6× (P<0.05) higher in the fed state. The high-density lipoprotein apoAI pool size was smaller in patients with insulin resistance than in controls (49.3 ± 5.4 versus 59.6 ± 7.7 mg · kg(-1); P<0.01), whereas both the high-density lipoprotein apoAI fractional catabolic rate and the high-density lipoprotein apoAI production rate were higher (0.30 ± 0.07 versus 0.20 ± 0.04 pool · d(-1); P<0.0001 and 14.6 ± 1.5 versus 11.5 ± 1.9 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1); P<0.01, respectively). In contrast, no significant difference was observed for these parameters between patients with insulinoma and controls. In patients with insulinoma, the apoAI pool size tended to be greater than in patients with insulin resistance (56.3 ± 8.6 versus 49.3 ± 5.4 mg · kg(-1); P=0.078), whereas both the apoAI fractional catabolic rate and the production rate were lower (0.20 ± 0.06 versus 0.30 ± 0.07 pool · d(-1); P<0.01 and 11.1 ± 1.6 versus 14.6 ± 1.5 mg·kg(-1) · d(-1); P<0.01, respectively). The apoAI fractional catabolic rate was the only variable associated with the apoAI production rate in multivariate analysis and explained 80% of its variance.
CONCLUSIONS
Chronic endogenous hyperinsulinemia does not induce any increase in the apoAI production rate, which seems to be more dependent on the apoAI fractional catabolic rate. | 10.1161/ATVBAHA.113.301597 |
pubmed_343_3183 | The development of sample preparation procedures is still a dynamic process despite a number of already proposed techniques. The main challenge in this research field is to fully replace classical procedures like liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction in gas chromatographic analysis. Some progress has been already achieved for the last 20 years when miniaturized techniques were incorporated in ISO standards. The current review is focused on novel approaches in sample treatment that appeared since 2010. It includes research studies describing non-conventional instrumental design available to inspire future progress in the field. A combination of a few extraction principles and supporting with additional treatment are the main core suggested for improvement of sample preparation efficiency. This requires good compatibility of extraction media, assessment of multiple experimental parameters, and potential automatization possibilities. | 10.1002/jssc.201900685 |
pubmed_201_845 | Semiconductor photocatalysis attracts widespread interest in water splitting, CO2 reduction, and N2 fixation. N2 reduction to NH3 is essential to the chemical industry and to the Earth's nitrogen cycle. Industrially, NH3 is synthesized by the Haber-Bosch process under extreme conditions (400-500 °C, 200-250 bar), stimulating research into the development of sustainable technologies for NH3 production. Herein, this study demonstrates that ultrathin layered-double-hydroxide (LDH) photocatalysts, in particular CuCr-LDH nanosheets, possess remarkable photocatalytic activity for the photoreduction of N2 to NH3 in water at 25 °C under visible-light irradiation. The excellent activity can be attributed to the severely distorted structure and compressive strain in the LDH nanosheets, which significantly enhances N2 chemisorption and thereby promotes NH3 formation. | 10.1002/adma.201703828 |
pubmed_582_5408 | Fas-mediated apoptosis plays an important role in normal tissue homeostasis, and disruption of this death pathway contributes to many human diseases. Induction of apoptosis via Fas activation has been associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and down-regulation of FLICE inhibitory protein (FLIP); however, the relationship between these two events and their role in Fas-mediated apoptosis are unclear. We show herein that ROS are required for FLIP down-regulation and apoptosis induction by Fas ligand (FasL) in primary lung epithelial cells. ROS mediate the down-regulation of FLIP by ubiquitination and subsequent degradation by proteasome. Inhibition of ROS by antioxidants or by ectopic expression of ROS-scavenging enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase effectively inhibited FLIP down-regulation and apoptosis induction by FasL. Hydrogen peroxide is a primary oxidative species responsible for FLIP down-regulation, whereas superoxide serves as a source of peroxide and a scavenger of NO, which positively regulates FLIP via S-nitrosylation. NADPH oxidase is a key source of ROS generation induced by FasL, and its inhibition by dominant-negative Rac1 expression or by chemical inhibitor decreased the cell death response to FasL. Taken together, our results indicate a novel pathway of FLIP regulation by an interactive network of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that provides a key mechanism of apoptosis regulation in Fas-induced cell death and related apoptosis disorders. | 10.4049/jimmunol.180.5.3072 |
pubmed_716_839 | OBJECTIVE
Our study aimed to investigate the influence of pregnancy on the course of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and to explore the independent predictors of pregnancy-related attacks.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of patients with NMOSD based on the Wingerchuk 2006 or the revised Wingerchuk 2015 criteria. Demographic, clinical, and pregnancy data were recorded. We compared the annualized relapse rate (ARR) before, during, and after pregnancy. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was used to assess the degree of disability. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the independent risk factors that predict pregnancy-related attacks.
RESULTS
There were 202 informative pregnancies following symptom onset in 112 women with NMOSD. The ARR in the first-trimester postpartum period (1.44 ± 2.04) was higher than that before pregnancy (0.23 ± 0.48; p < 0.001) and during pregnancy. The EDSS score increased from 1.40 ± 1.38 before pregnancy to 1.99 ± 1.78 postpartum (p = 0.004). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models indicated that increased disease activity 1 year before conception (HR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.09-2.92, p = 0.021) and lack of immunotherapy during pregnancy and the postpartum period (HR = 5.25, 95% CI 1.91-14.42, p = 0.001) were independent risk factors that predicted pregnancy-related attacks.
INTERPRETATION
The postpartum period is a particularly high-risk time for the onset and relapse of NMOSD. Pregnancy exerted detrimental effects on the disease courses of NMOSD. Immunotherapy during pregnancy and the postpartum period might be recommended to decrease the risk of pregnancy-related attacks. Larger-scale prospective studies are warranted to confirm our findings. | 10.1002/acn3.51683 |
pubmed_510_2308 | The influence of colchicine-hypotonic treatment on interchromosomal aberrations at metaphase was studied in bone marrow cells of BALB mice irradiated by X-rays within the dose range from 0.25 to 1.50 Gy. In was found that after 30 min treatment with 0.002% colchicine of cells dividing 10 h following irradiation, the frequency both of chromosomal exchanges and interchromosomal contacts decrease about 3.5 times, the amount of chromosomal breaks increasing. It is calculated from the data of this experiment that two breaks induced by irradiation, which were scored at the same K metaphase as independent ones, appeared to be associated with each other at high frequency through exchange in the absence of colchicine or hypotonic treatment. It is assumed that regions of interchromosomal contacts at native metaphase are the most radiation-sensitive zones of the genome preferentially involved in chromosomal aberrations of X-irradiated cells. | pubmed_510_2308 |
pubmed_57_17358 | OBJECTIVE
To systematically examine the evidence relating to the performance of rotational viscoelastic testing in companion animals, to develop assay guidelines, and to identify knowledge gaps.
DESIGN
Multiple questions were considered within 5 parent domains, specifically system comparability, sample handling, assay activation and test protocol, definitions and data reporting, and nonstandard assays. Standardized, systematic evaluation of the literature was performed. Relevant articles were categorized according to level of evidence and assessed for quality. Consensus was developed regarding conclusions for application of concepts to clinical practice.
SETTING
Academic and referral veterinary medical centers.
RESULTS
Databases searched included Medline, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux abstracts, and Google Scholar. Worksheets were prepared evaluating 28 questions across the 5 domains and generating 84 assay guidelines.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence-based guidelines for the performance of thromboelastography in companion animals were generated through this process. Some of these guidelines are well supported while others will benefit from additional evidence. Many knowledge gaps were identified and future work should be directed to address these gaps and to objectively evaluate the impact of these guidelines on assay comparability within and between centers. | 10.1111/vec.12144 |
pubmed_864_23261 | Skeletal dysplasias are challenging to diagnose because of their phenotypic variability, genetic heterogeneity, and diverse inheritance patterns. We conducted whole exome sequencing of a Turkish male with a suspected X-linked skeletal dysplasia of unknown etiology as well as his unaffected mother and maternal uncle. Bioinformatic filtering of variants implicated in skeletal system development revealed a novel hemizygous mutation, c.341-(11_9)delAAT, in an intron of TRAPPC2, the causative locus of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDT). We show that this deletion leads to the loss of wild-type TRAPPC2 and the generation of two functionally impaired mRNAs in patient cells. These consequences are predicted to disrupt function of SEDLIN/TRAPPC2. The clinical and research data were returned, with appropriate caveats, to the patient and informed his disease status and reproductive choices. Our findings expand the allelic repertoire of SEDT and show how prior filtering of the morbid human genome informed by inheritance pattern and phenotype, when combined with appropriate functional tests in patient-derived cells, can expedite discovery, overcome issues of missing data and help interpret variants of unknown significance. Finally, this example shows how the return of a clinically confirmed mutational finding, supported by research allele pathogenicity data, can assist individuals with inherited disorders with life choices. | 10.1111/cge.12189 |
pubmed_918_8841 | mRNA has broad potential as a therapeutic. Current clinical efforts are focused on vaccination, protein replacement therapies, and treatment of genetic diseases. The clinical translation of mRNA therapeutics has been made possible through advances in the design of mRNA manufacturing and intracellular delivery methods. However, broad application of mRNA is still limited by the need for improved delivery systems. In this review, we discuss the challenges for clinical translation of mRNA-based therapeutics, with an emphasis on recent advances in biomaterials and delivery strategies, and we present an overview of the applications of mRNA-based delivery for protein therapy, gene editing, and vaccination. | 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.02.012 |
pubmed_869_8309 | OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the existence of an association between cervicovaginal infections and precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix, through determination of prevalent cervicovaginal micro-organisms, alone and in association with human papillomavirus (HPV), in patients with abnormal and normal vaginal cytology.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Patients with abnormal vaginal cytology were divided into three study groups according to cytological findings: ASC-US, L-SIL and H-SIL. All patients underwent colposcopic examination and exoendocervical and vaginal sampling for microbiological and molecular analysis for detection of HPV-DNA, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, mycetes and common bacteria. Results were compared with the patient group asymptomatic for cervicovaginal inflammation with negative vaginal cytology and colposcopy.
RESULTS
A high association between Ureaplasma urealyticum infection and the grade of cytological cervical lesion (27% for ASC-US, 35% for L-SIL and 45% for H-SIL) was found. Furthermore, 19% of the control group samplings were positive for Ureaplasma urealyticum, significantly less than that observed in the positive cytology groups. An interesting association of HPV with Ureaplasma urealyticum in patients with H-SIL vaginal cytology (83%), much higher than that observed in patients with slightly abnormal or normal vaginal cytology (56% for ASC-US, 49% for L-SIL, 40% for normal cytology) was also identified. In contrast, the association between Papillomavirus and multiple microorganisms seemed to decrease with the level of cellular dysplasia in 30% of controls, 33% of ASC-US, 32% of L-SIL and 17% of H-SIL.
CONCLUSION
The presence of a high Ureaplasma urealyticum level seems to be a cofactor of HPV infection, a necessary cause of precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. The presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum may play a role both in initiating viral cellular anomalies and in viral persistence. It can be hypothesized that these initial processes are helped by a state of cervical inflammation, also supported by multiple microorganisms. It would, thus, be suggested for all patients who present with an abnormal PAP test to undergo a cervicovaginal microbiological examination to detect potentially pathogenic microbes for correct diagnosis and treatment, as well as a more complete follow-up of cervical cytological lesions. | pubmed_869_8309 |
pubmed_896_17276 | Telemedicine refers to the use of information and communication technologies for providing health care at a distance. Through the use of telecommunication technologies such as cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices, health care providers are able to conduct patient visits, mentor/train other providers, and monitor patients' chronic diseases remotely, potentially hundreds or thousands of miles away. Over the past 2 decades, the use of telemedicine has grown in the field of hepatology. In this review, we provide a focused primer on telemedicine and its current applications in hepatology. In particular, we discuss the use of telemedicine in the management of chronic hepatitis C, the complications of liver disease, as well as preliver transplantation evaluation and posttransplantation care. In addition, we provide a synopsis of the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the use of telemedicine in hepatology. | 10.1002/lt.26293 |
pubmed_914_3656 | Ground reaction forces (GRFs) are often used in inverse dynamics analyses to determine joint loading. These GRFs are usually measured using force plates (FPs). As an alternative, instrumented force shoes (FSs) can be used, which have the advantage over FPs that they do not constrain foot placement. This study tested the FS system in one normal weight subject (77kg) performing 19 different lifting, pushing and pulling and walking tasks. Kinematics were measured with an optoelectronic system and the GRFs and the positions of the centre of pressure (CoP) were synchronously measured with FPs and FSs. Differences between the outcomes of the two measurement systems (i.e. CoP and GRFs) and the resulting ankle and L5/S1 joint moments were determined at the instant of the peak GRF (DaPF). For most lifting and pushing and pulling tasks, the difference between the FP and FS measurements remained small: GRF DaPF remained below 3% body weight, CoP DaPF remained below 10mm, ankle moment DaPF remained below 7% of the peak total ankle moment that occurred during normal walking and L5/S1 moment DaPF remained below 7% of the peak total L5/S1 moment that occurred during normal symmetric lifting. More substantial differences were only found in the maximal pushing tasks. For the walking tasks, peak vertical GRFs were somewhat underestimated. However, differences in ankle and L5/S1 moments remained small, i.e. DaPF below 7% of the peak total moment that occurred during normal walking. | 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.06.005 |
pubmed_900_4680 | The Monte Carlo method provides the most accurate dose calculations on a patient computed tomography (CT) geometry. The increase in accuracy is, at least in part, due to the fact that instead of treating human tissues as water of various densities as in analytical algorithms, the Monte Carlo method allows human tissues to be characterized by elemental composition and mass density, and hence allows the accurate consideration of all relevant electromagnetic and nuclear interactions. On the other hand, the algorithm to convert CT Hounsfield numbers to tissue materials for Monte Carlo dose calculation introduces uncertainties. There is not a simple one to one correspondence between Hounsfield numbers and tissue materials. To investigate the effects of Hounsfield number conversion for proton Monte Carlo dose calculations, clinical proton treatment plans were simulated using the Geant4 Monte Carlo code. Three Hounsfield number to material conversion methods were studied. The results were compared in forms of dose volume histograms of gross tumor volume and clinical target volume. The differences found are generally small but can be dosimetrically significant. Further, different methods may cause deviations in the predicted proton beam range in particular for deep proton fields. Typically, slight discrepancies in mass density assignments play only a minor role in the target region, whereas more significant effects are caused by different assignments in elemental compositions. In the presence of large tissue inhomogeneities, for head and neck treatments, treatment planning decisions could be affected by these differences because of deviations in the predicted tumor coverage. Outside the target area, differences in elemental composition and mass density assignments both may play a role. This can lead to pronounced effects for organs at risk, in particular in the spread-out Bragg peak penumbra or distal regions. In addition, the significance of the elemental composition effect (dose to water vs. dose to tissue) is tissue-type dependent and is also affected by nuclear reactions. | 10.1118/1.2715481 |
pubmed_794_1543 | Environmental fate of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds at the aquatic terrestrial boundary are largely unexplored. Aquatic insects connect aquatic and terrestrial food webs as their life cycle includes aquatic and terrestrial life stages, thus they represent an important inter-habitat linkage not only for energy and nutrient flow, but also for contaminant transfer to terrestrial environments. We measured the concentrations of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds in the larval and adult tissues (last larval stages and teneral adults) of five Odonata species sampled in a wastewater-impacted river, in order to examine their bioaccumulation and bioamplification at different taxonomic levels. Twenty different compounds were bioaccumulated in insect tissues, with majority having higher concentrations (up to 90% higher) in aquatic larvae compared to terrestrial adults (reaching 88 ng/g for 1H-benzotriazole). However, increased concentration in adults was observed for seven compounds in at least one suborder (41% of the accumulated), confirming contaminants bioamplification across the metamorphosis. Both, bioaccumulation and bioamplification differed at various taxa levels; the order (Odonata), suborder (Anisoptera and Zygoptera) and species level. Highest variability was observed between Anisoptera and Zygoptera, due to the underlying differences in their ecology. Generally, Zygoptera had higher concentrations of contaminants in both larvae and adults. Additionally, we aimed at predicting effects of contaminant properties on bioaccumulation and bioamplification patterns using the commonly used physicochemical and pharmacokinetic descriptors on both order and suborder levels, however, neither of the two processes could be consistently predicted with simple linear models. Our study highlights the importance of taxonomy in studies aiming at advancing the understanding of contaminant exchange between aquatic and terrestrial food webs, as higher taxonomic categories include ecologically diverse groups, whose contribution to "the dark side of subsidies" could substantially differ. | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156208 |
pubmed_1096_9863 | CONTEXT
Gonadotropin therapy using a human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and FSH preparation is an effective regimen in inducing masculinization and spermatogenesis in men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). However, the high cost of medication and frequent injections affect compliance.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of sequential use of highly purified urinary FSH (uFSH)/hCG in men with IHH.
DESIGN AND SETTING
A randomized, open-label, prospective, controlled noninferiority trial with an 18-month follow-up was conducted in 9 tertiary hospitals.
PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION
A total of 67 Chinese men with IHH were randomly allocated into group A receiving continual uFSH (75 U, 3 times a week) and hCG (2000 U, twice a week) injection and group B receiving sequential uFSH (75 U, 3 times a week every other 3 months) and hCG (2000 U, twice a week) injection.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
The primary outcome was the proportion of subjects with a sperm concentration of ≥ 1.0 × 10(6)/mL during the 18 months. The efficacy between groups A and B was compared for noninferiority.
RESULTS
Of the patients, 17/33 (51.5%) receiving continual uFSH/hCG and 19/34 (55.9%) receiving sequential uFSH/hCG achieved sperm concentrations of ≥ 1.0 × 10(6)/mL. The efficacy in the sequential uFSH/hCG group was not inferior to that in the continual uFSH/hCG group (noninferiority, P = .008) by intention-to-treat analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of the sequential uFSH/hCG regimen is not inferior to that of the continual uFSH/hCG regimen in inducing spermatogenesis and masculinization of patients with IHH. | 10.1210/jc.2014-3802 |
pubmed_1013_11240 | The deposition of solid phosphorus-based mineral particles is a common problem in urine diversion systems, which occurs in transport systems, particularly in horizontal pipelines. In this work, particle deposition behaviour in turbulent flow in a 3D horizontal pipe was simulated by using the Euler-Lagrange method. The effects of particle diameter, particle density, particle shape factor and fluid flow velocity on particle deposition behaviour were investigated. The results showed that the deposition rate increased by 9.92%,6.88% and 6.88% with increasing particle diameter (10-90 ), particle density (1400 kg/m3-2300 kg/m3), and particle shape factor (0.2-1), respectively. For particles with larger diameters (>90 ) or larger density (>2300 kg/m3), the deposition rate of these particles was almost reached 100%. It was found that gravitational sedimentation was the dominant deposition mechanism in low fluid flow velocity range (0.1-0.5 m/s). As fluid flow velocity increased (>0.5 m/s), turbulent fluctuation became the dominant factor that affected particle motion behaviour, whereas the effect of gravitational sedimentation on particle deposition behaviour declined significantly, and the increase in fluid flow velocity no longer significantly affects deposition rate. It was found that the deposition rate decreased by 29.13% as the fluid flow velocity was increased from 0.1 m/s to 0.5 m/s, while the corresponding deposition rate only decreased by 14.24% when the fluid flow velocity was increased from 0.5 m/s to 2 m/s. The optimal flow velocity was found to range between 0.75 and 1.25 m/s, which may mitigate the deposition of mineral solids in urine diversion systems. | 10.1080/09593330.2022.2068378 |
pubmed_602_22347 | Among individuals with a history of head and neck cancer and tobacco abuse the risk of second primary cancers in the upper aerodigestive tract is high. Chemoprevention of oral squamous cell carcinomas is based on two conditions: Premalignant mucosa lesions are treated with chemopreventive agents in order to prevent malignant conversion (primary prevention). In secondary prevention of oral cancer, after curative therapy patients are treated by chemoprevention in order to reduce the rate of second primaries. This paper presents a comprehensive clinical review of oral cancer prevention studies, highlighting the agents mostly used, such as beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and retinoids. Although most intervention trials showed good overall response with these substances, high relapse rates and serious side effects, in most cases related to the retinoid compounds were noticed. In addition, in all prospective randomized chemoprevention trials (CARET, ATBC and PHS) no significant evidence of benefit for supplementation with alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene or retinyl palmitate was reported. | 10.1159/000076911 |
pubmed_774_2354 | Compression therapy is the mainstay of treatment for patients with venous leg ulcers. Current gold standard is 4 layer bandaging, which has a significant impact on patients comfort, ability to wear their own shoes, and quality of life, as well as taking significant time to apply, and losing compression over time. This systematic review aims to evaluate the use of Velcro wrap devices for the treatment of venous ulceration. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to identify articles reporting the use of Velcro wrap devices in patients with venous ulceration. Sixteen articles were identified (14 case series, 1 randomised trial, and 1 audit) reporting on 192 patients. There were reports of improved time to healing, reduced cost by >50%, reduced number and duration of nursing appointments, and improved quality of life in patients in Velcro wrap devices. Although the evidence remains poor, Velcro devices have potential to improve outcomes for patients with venous ulceration and further good quality studies should be undertaken to evaluate these further. | 10.1111/iwj.13116 |
pubmed_90_11945 | Modern manometric and scintigraphic techniques were employed in an effort to determine the relationships between esophageal contractions and esophageal transit and clearance. The effects of direct cholinergic stimulation with bethanechol and blockade with atropine were evaluated in a total of 20 normal subjects and 13 patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Bethanechol increased the amplitudes of deglutition-induced and distention-induced esophageal contractions, but diminished their propagation velocities. Both esophageal transit and clearance were decreased in patients with reflux, but both were improved after bethanechol. Atropine sulfate decreased the amplitudes of contractions, accelerated their propagation velocities, and delayed esophageal transit and clearance. Both transit and clearance were diminished significantly when reflux patients were compared with normal subjects. The amplitudes of esophageal contraction were significantly lower in patients with reflux than in normal subjects. Neither bethanechol nor atropine affected the incidence of deglutition-induced esophageal contractions. These studies suggest that the efficiency of esophageal emptying may be determined by the amplitudes of esophageal contractions. | pubmed_90_11945 |
pubmed_418_20334 | Furocoumarins are a group of phototoxic compounds found in numerous edible plants. Data from cohort studies have suggested that consumption of certain furocoumarin-rich foods may increase skin cancer risk. However, no study has specifically tested this hypothesis by estimating furocoumarin intake and assessing its relationship with skin cancer. This study aimed to estimate average daily furocoumarin intake of US adults using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2012 and to examine the relationship between furocoumarin intake and melanoma history. A database of the contents of seven furocoumarins in 29 popular foods was linked to dietary data in NHANES 2003-2012. Mean total intake of the selected furocoumarins among US adults was 81.4 μg/day (standard error = 5.5). A total of 75 participants reported a history of melanoma. Using non- and low consumers (<50th percentile) as a reference, and after adjusting for potential confounders, OR (with 95% confidence interval) of melanoma history for the top 10 percent, 80-90th percentiles, and 50-80th percentiles were 1.75 (0.43-7.20), 1.66 (0.39-7.16), and 0.90 (0.45-1.78), respectively. Furocoumarins are widely consumed among US adults, and a trend towards higher odds of melanoma history was observed among those with higher furocoumarin intake, although this relationship was not statistically significant. | 10.1080/01635581.2019.1612928 |
pubmed_467_11900 | This document is designed to provide a framework for assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs that meet or exceed the requirements suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for certification of ART laboratories. This document replaces the document, "Revised Minimum Standards for Practices Offering Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Committee Opinion," published in 2014. | 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.11.024 |
pubmed_720_3671 | BACKGROUND
Activity levels and disturbances of the sleep-wake pattern affect health and quality of life and need to be further explored in patients with stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate activity levels and their association with sleep-wake patterns in patients with stroke.
METHODS
Ten adults with (51±6 years) and 10 without stroke (52±7 years) participated in the study; they were matched on age, sex and educational level. Neurological status, motor function, sleep quality, and activity levels were measured. The groups were compared using Student t-tests and the association between the measures was assessed using Pearson's correlation.
RESULTS
Compared to people without stroke, those with stroke had worse sleep quality (p = 0.044), twice lower 24h-activity levels (p < 0.0001), higher interdaily stability and intradaily variability, lower activity during the most active 10 h and during the least active 5 h. Sleep quality was associated with activity level (r= -0.72) and with within-day activity variability (r= 0.53).
CONCLUSIONS
Activity level and fragmentation are associated with sleep-wake patterns and sleep quality in patients with stroke. | 10.3233/NRE-182665 |
pubmed_1018_13414 | OBJECTIVES
Previous studies have shown that oral sodium polystyrene sulfonate lowers plasma lithium concentrations after acutely administered oral doses of lithium chloride. However, a significant proportion of lithium overdose cases resulting in morbidity and mortality are those in which exposure to lithium is chronic. This study was designed to determine whether multiple oral doses of sodium polystyrene sulfonate are effective in reducing plasma lithium concentrations after chronic dosing.
DESIGN
Placebo-controlled animal study.
INTERVENTIONS
One hundred thirty mice were given 75 mM lithium chloride in their drinking water for a period of 14 days. At the end of that period, half of the animals were given orogastric sodium polystyrene sulfonate at 5 g/kg/dose 0, 60, 120, 180, and 360 minutes after the cessation of lithium chloride; the remaining half received orogastric water at equivalent times. Subgroups of each group were sacrificed at 90, 150, 330, 480, 1440, and 2880 minutes after lithium chloride cessation and plasma analyzed for lithium content. Lithium concentrations were compared by analysis of variance and single degree of freedom contrasts. Significance was set at an alpha level of 0.05.
RESULTS
Lithium concentration was lower overall in the animals treated with sodium polystyrene sulfonate (p < .0001) and specifically at 150, 330, and 480 minutes after lithium chloride cessation (p < .05).
CONCLUSIONS
Repetitive oral doses of sodium polystyrene sulfonate effectively lowered plasma lithium concentrations. Further study may ultimately define a role for the use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate in the treatment of patients with chronic lithium toxicity. | 10.3109/15563659809028026 |
pubmed_517_10030 | This article reports the needs of relatives whose family member is unexpectedly admitted to an Intensive Care Unit. The Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI) was used to measure and rank a series of need statements by family members (n = 25) and social workers (n = 42). Comparative analysis reveals that there were need statements that showed a significant difference in mean scores. Minor differences in both the rank order of individual need statements and the five-factor analysis categories were found. Implications for clinical social work practice are discussed. | 10.1080/00981389.2011.590874 |
pubmed_21_17101 | A cationic 7-aminomethyl-7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine (7amG) was incorporated site-specifically into the self-complementary duplex d(G¹A²G³A⁴X⁵C⁶G⁷C⁸T⁹C¹⁰T¹¹C¹²)₂ (X = 7amG). This construct placed two positively charged amines adjacent to the major groove edges of two symmetry-related guanines, providing a model for probing how cation binding in the major groove modulates the structure and stability of DNA. Molecular dynamics calculations restrained by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data revealed that the tethered cationic amines were in plane with the modified base pairs. The tethered amines did not form salt bridges to the phosphodiester backbone. There was also no indication of the amines being capable of hydrogen bonding to flanking DNA bases. NMR spectroscopy as a function of temperature revealed that the X⁵ imino resonance remained sharp at 55 °C. Additionally, two 5'-neighboring base pairs, A⁴:T⁹ and G³:C¹⁰, were stabilized with respect to the exchange of their imino protons with solvent. The equilibrium constant for base pair opening at the A⁴:T⁹ base pair determined by magnetization transfer from water in the absence and presence of added ammonia base catalyst decreased for the modified duplex compared to that of the A⁴:T⁹ base pair in the unmodified duplex, which confirmed that the overall fraction of the A⁴:T⁹ base pair in the open state of the modified duplex decreased. This was also observed for the G³:C¹⁰ base pair, where αK(op) for the G³:C¹⁰ base pair in the modified duplex was 3.0 × 10⁶ versus 4.1 × 10⁶ for the same base pair in the unmodified duplex. In contrast, equilibrium constants for base pair opening at the X⁵:C⁸ and C⁶:G⁷ base pairs did not change at 15 °C. These results argue against the notion that electrostatic interactions with DNA are entirely entropic and suggest that major groove cations can stabilize DNA via enthalpic contributions to the free energy of duplex formation. | 10.1021/bi400695r |
pubmed_140_243 | The remarkably diverse affinity of alginate (ALG) macromolecules for polyvalent metal ions makes cross-linked alginate gels an outstanding biomaterial. Surprisingly, however, very little is known about their interactions and structural transformations in physiological environments. To bridge this gap, we prepared a set of ALG gels cross-linked by various ions and monitored their structural changes at different media simulating gastric and intestinal fluids and cellular environments. For these studies, we used multinuclear solid-state NMR (ss-NMR) spectroscopy, which revealed a range of competitive ion-exchange and interconversion reactions, the rate of which strongly depended on the nature of the cross-linking metal ions. Depending on the environment, ALG chains adopted different forms, such as acidic (hydro)gels stabilized by strong hydrogen bonds, and/or weakly cross-linked Na/H-gels. Simultaneously, the exchanged polyvalent ions extensively interacted with the environment even forming in some cases insoluble phosphate microdomains directly deposited in the ALG bead matrix. The extent of the transformations and incorporation of secondary phases into the alginate beads followed the size and electronegativity of the cross-linking ions. Overall, the applied combination of various macroscopic and biological tests with multinuclear ss-NMR revealed a complex pathway of alginate beads transformations in physiological environments. | 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01052 |
pubmed_1014_16071 | Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play a critical role in T cell maturation and tolerance induction. The generation of TECs from in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) provides a platform on which to study the mechanisms of this interaction and has implications for immune reconstitution. To facilitate analysis of PSC-derived TECs, we generated hESC reporter lines in which sequences encoding GFP were targeted to FOXN1, a gene required for TEC development. Using this FOXN1 (GFP/w) line as a readout, we developed a reproducible protocol for generating FOXN1-GFP(+) thymic endoderm cells. Transcriptional profiling and flow cytometry identified integrin-β4 (ITGB4, CD104) and HLA-DR as markers that could be used in combination with EpCAM to selectively purify FOXN1(+) TEC progenitors from differentiating cultures of unmanipulated PSCs. Human FOXN1(+) TEC progenitors generated from PSCs facilitate the study of thymus biology and are a valuable resource for future applications in regenerative medicine. | 10.1016/j.stemcr.2014.04.009 |
pubmed_784_7222 | The genotoxic potential of 'gudakhu', a paste-like tobacco preparation that is used widely in Orissa, India, was evaluated using the micronucleus test in exfoliated cells of the buccal mucosa. Cells from 120 habitual users and from 102 non-users were examined. The incidence of micronuclei (MN) was increased in the mucosa cells of users, and the increase was significant in those who had used gudakhu for more than 5 yr. The increased incidence of MN was significantly correlated with the period of use of gudakhu, as well as with the frequency of daily use. There were no significant differences between the results for men and women. | 10.1016/0278-6915(92)90115-2 |
pubmed_35_16364 | Orangutans are the only great ape in Asia. Since orangutan densities vary between habitat types within regions and within similar habitat types among regions, it is important to determine areas with high densities for their protection. In this paper we show that orangutan density in old-growth dryland forests in the Leuser Ecosystem, Sumatra is significantly related to the density of large strangling figs and topsoil pH. In addition, large fig density depends on topsoil pH. Provided that orangutans are present and no hunting or logging occur, topsoil pH seems a promising method for rapid assessment of potential orangutan density over large areas. | 10.1007/s10329-004-0080-1 |
pubmed_470_18390 | BACKGROUND
Anticancer drug-induced apoptosis is one of the important mechanisms in the effectiveness of chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated apoptosis induced by topoisomerase inhibitors and its relationship with chemosensitivity, the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins and p53 status in human lung cancer cells.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of six human lung cancer cell lines, i.e., two small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and four non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, were used. For induction of apoptosis, these cell lines were treated with SN-38 (DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor) or etoposide (DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor). Drug sensitivity was determined using a microculture tetrazolium assay. The rates of apoptosis and alterations of Bcl-2 and Bax expression were analyzed by flow cytometry.
RESULTS
Apoptotic cells increased in a time-dependent manner after exposure to topoisomerase inhibitors. Induction of apoptosis was accompanied by the down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression, but there was little alteration of Bax expression. These events were significantly more extensive in SCLC cell lines, which are more sensitive to topoisomerase inhibitors, than in NSCLC cell lines, which are more resistant to these inhibitors. However, neither induction of apoptosis nor chemosensitivity correlated with p53 status in the lung cancer cell lines studied.
CONCLUSION
The more extensive induction of apoptosis with Bcl-2 down-regulation in SCLC than in NSCLC might explain, at least in part, the higher clinical sensitivity to topoisomerase inhibitors in the former disease. | pubmed_470_18390 |
pubmed_849_11608 | The cAMP pathway is a universal signaling pathway regulating many cellular processes including metabolic routes, growth and differentiation. However, its effects on xenobiotic biotransformation and transport systems are poorly characterized. The effect of cAMP on expression and activity of GST and MRP2 was evaluated in Caco-2 cells, a model of intestinal epithelium. Cells incubated with the cAMP permeable analog dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP: 1,10,100 μM) for 48 h exhibited a dose-response increase in GST class α and MRP2 protein expression. Incubation with forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase, confirmed the association between intracellular cAMP and upregulation of MRP2. Consistent with increased expression of GSTα and MRP2, db-cAMP enhanced their activities, as well as cytoprotection against the common substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Pretreatment with protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors totally abolished upregulation of MRP2 and GSTα induced by db-cAMP. In silico analysis together with experiments consisting of treatment with db-cAMP of Caco-2 cells transfected with a reporter construct containing CRE and AP-1 sites evidenced participation of these sites in MRP2 upregulation. Further studies involving the transcription factors CREB and AP-1 (c-JUN, c-FOS and ATF2) demonstrated increased levels of total c-JUN and phosphorylation of c-JUN and ATF2 by db-cAMP, which were suppressed by a PKA inhibitor. Co-immunoprecipitation and ChIP assay studies demonstrated that db-cAMP increased c-JUN/ATF2 interaction, with further recruitment to the region of the MRP2 promoter containing CRE and AP-1 sites. We conclude that cAMP induces GSTα and MRP2 expression and activity in Caco-2 cells via the PKA pathway, thus regulating detoxification of specific xenobiotics. | 10.1016/j.taap.2015.06.003 |
pubmed_867_1487 | This study investigated impairment of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria isolated from the liver of hexachlorobenzene (HCB)-treated rats. Partial and reversible uncoupling of the phosphorylative process was found in liver mitochondria from rats dosed with HCB for 60 days. Pentachlorophenol, endogenously formed by HCB metabolism, was detected in the mitochondria at a concentration of 0.3-0.4 nmol/mg protein. Based on the effect of pentachlorophenol, added in vitro at a concentration similar to that found in vivo, it was concluded that the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation under these experimental conditions was almost completely due to the presence of pentachlorophenol. | pubmed_867_1487 |
pubmed_688_9813 | Under study were results of radiation therapy for local recurrent lung cancer after extended and combined resections in 62 out of 960 (6,5 %) of operated patients. The most effective treatment is considered to be radiation therapy for a recurrence under conditions of a usual (by 2 Gr) fractional irradiation up to the total dose of 50-60 Gr. An improvement was obtained in half of the patients. In a third of patients with a local recurrent cancer after operation the life was two years longer than in patients without radiation therapy. | pubmed_688_9813 |
pubmed_336_9547 | The biological activities of gibberellin A9 (GA9), gibberellin A12 (GA12) and monofluoro-analogues (F-GA9 and F-GA12), substituted in the 1 β-methyl group, were compared in the barley endosperm, cucumber hypocotyl, lettuce hypocotyl, 'Meteor' dwarf pea, dwarf-5 maize and Rumex leaf disc assays. In most cases the fluorosubstituted compounds had a potency similar to, or less than, the relevant unmodified gibberellin but, in the lettuce assay, F-GA9 was approximately 5 times more active than GA9 up to a dose rate of 10(-1) μg.A 27-30% mixture of fluorogibberellin A3 (F-GA3) in GA3 had a lower activity than 100% GA3 in the barley endosperm, lettuce hypocotyl and dwarf maize assays. This suggested that pure F-GA3 may be a competitive inhibitor of GA3 action. The findings are discussed in the context of the structure/activity relationships of the gibberellins. | 10.1007/BF00398016 |
pubmed_879_22760 | Drought is a common abiotic stress for terrestrial plants and often affects crop development and yield. Recent studies have suggested that lignin plays a crucial role in plant drought tolerance; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. Here, we report that the rice (Oryza sativa) gene CINNAMOYL-CoA REDUCTASE 10 (OsCCR10) is directly activated by the OsNAC5 transcription factor, which mediates drought tolerance through regulating lignin accumulation. CCR is the first committed enzyme in the monolignol synthesis pathway, and the expression of 26 CCR genes was observed to be induced in rice roots under drought. Subcellular localisation assays revealed that OsCCR10 is a catalytically active enzyme that is localised in the cytoplasm. The OsCCR10 transcript levels were found to increase in response to abiotic stresses, such as drought, high salinity, and abscisic acid (ABA), and transcripts were detected in roots at all developmental stages. In vitro enzyme activity and in vivo lignin composition assay suggested that OsCCR10 is involved in H- and G-lignin biosynthesis. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsCCR10 showed improved drought tolerance at the vegetative stages of growth, as well as higher photosynthetic efficiency, lower water loss rates, and higher lignin content in roots compared to non-transgenic (NT) controls. In contrast, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated OsCCR10 knock-out mutants exhibited reduced lignin accumulation in roots and less drought tolerance. Notably, transgenic rice plants with root-preferential overexpression of OsCCR10 exhibited higher grain yield than NT controls plants under field drought conditions, indicating that lignin biosynthesis mediated by OsCCR10 contributes to drought tolerance. | 10.1111/pbi.13752 |
pubmed_529_8877 | The influence of N2 plasma on the antibacterial properties of polystyrene/fullerene (C60/PS) nanocomposite films with two concentrations is investigated. A comparison is made between the surface characteristics of the films before and after plasma irradiation for different time intervals. The alterations induced on the surface of the films after treatment are analyzed by contact angle and surface energy measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The antibacterial properties, growth, biofilm formation, and adhesion of the nanocomposite films against two multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus KT337489 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa KT337488, are investigated before and after plasma irradiation. The results indicate that P. aeruginosa is more sensitive to treatment than S. aureus as well as an enhancement of the anti-adhesion of both strains to treated surfaces through exposure. | 10.1007/s10867-017-9447-6 |
pubmed_363_22713 | Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) was investigated in a canine lymphoma case with hypercalcemia by means of immunoradiomentric assay (IRMA) and molecular analysis. The plasma calcium level of the patient dog was 13.7 mg/dl. The PTHrP concentration examined by IRMA was 6.1 pmol/L in the plasma sample from the dog, but it was undetectable (< 1.1 pmol/L) in plasma samples from 4 lymphoma cases without hypercalcemia or 5 normal dogs. The PTHrP concentration examined in the culture supernatant of the lymphoma cells from this case was 1.3 pmol/L, whereas those of the lymphoma cells from a lymphoma case without hypercalcemia was undetectable. PTHrP mRNA was clearly detected not only in the lymphoma cells from this dog with hypercalcemia but also in lymphoma cells from 4 lymphoma cases without hypercalcemia and 2 canine lymphoma cell lines. | 10.1292/jvms.64.835 |
pubmed_405_15098 | Though expressed in relatively few neurons in insect nervous systems, pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) plays many roles in the control of behavior and physiology. PDF's role in circadian timekeeping is its best-understood function and the focus of this review. Here we recount the isolation and characterization of insect PDFs, review the evidence that PDF acts as a circadian clock output factor, and discuss emerging models of how PDF functions within circadian clock neuron network of Drosophila, the species in which this peptide's circadian roles are best understood. | 10.1016/j.cois.2014.05.002 |
pubmed_431_22215 | In response to DNA damage, NFBD1/MDC1 induces the accumulation of DNA repair machinery such as MRN complex at the sites of damaged DNA to form nuclear foci. In this study, we found that NFBD1 directly interacts with MDM2 and increases its stability. During adriamycin (ADR)-mediated apoptosis, expression levels of NFBD1 reduced in association with the down-regulation of MDM2. Enforced expression of NFBD1 resulted in a significant stabilization of MDM2. Consistent with these observations, siRNA-mediated knockdown of the endogenous NFBD1 decreased the amounts of the endogenous MDM2. Immunoprecipitation and in vitro pull-down assays demonstrated that NFBD1 interacts with MDM2 through its COOH-terminal BRCT domains. In accordance with our recent results, enforced expression of NFBD1 rendered cells resistant to DNA damage. Similar results were also obtained in cells expressing exogenous MDM2. Taken together, our present findings suggest that NFBD1-mediated stabilization contributes to cell survival in response to DNA damage. | 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.04.155 |
pubmed_936_16135 | American canine hepatozoonosis (ACH) represents an important but relatively uncommon differential diagnosis in a dog with fever, muscle wasting, profound leukocytosis, and/or musculoskeletal pain. Despite this, obtaining a definitive diagnosis can prove difficult. Peripheral blood smears and whole-blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) rely on rare parasitemia, and the gold standard diagnostic test (skeletal muscle biopsy) is uncommonly pursued due to its invasive and costly nature. Demonstration of characteristic periosteal proliferative lesions aids diagnosis. The lesions typically involve the more proximal long bones of the appendicular skeleton. The periosteal proliferation is of currently unknown pathogenesis, but its distribution is characteristic of this disease with few differential diagnoses. This case series describes the findings on computed tomography (CT) in 4 dogs with PCR- or cytologically-confirmed Hepatozoon americanum. All dogs had multifocal, bilaterally asymmetric, irregularly marginated, non-destructive, non-articular, periosteal proliferative lesions. Recognition of this unusual CT finding and awareness of this disease could assist in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of dogs with ACH and may offer an additional indication for CT in cases of fever, muscle wasting, and myalgia. | 10.3389/fvets.2022.872778 |
pubmed_2_6416 | Sports efficiency in activities in which strength and speed are the determining factors has been associated to the ACTN3 gene, which is responsible for the expression of α-actinin-3. Soccer is a mainly aerobic sport because of its long duration, but the acute actions that define the game demand a lot of strength and speed. The purpose of the present study was to compare the performance capacity of soccer players with different genotype groups of ACTN3 (XX, RX, and RR) in strength, speed, and endurance tests. Two hundred professional players of Brazilian soccer first division teams participated in this study. Speed, jump, and endurance test results were compared with the polymorphisms of the ACTN3 gene. It was noticed that RR individuals spent less time to run a 10-m path, compared with XX individuals (p < 0.05). The RR individuals also presented lower time rates at the 20- and 30-m path, compared with RX and XX individuals (p < 0.05). In jump tests, RR individuals presented higher rates, compared with RX and XX individuals (p < 0.05). As for aerobic tests, the XX individuals presented higher rates of V[Combining Dot Above]O2 max, compared with the RR group (p < 0.05), and did not differ from the RX group. The main conclusion of this study is that soccer players of genotype ACTN3/RR are the fastest in short distances and present higher jump potential. ACTN3/XX individuals presented the highest aerobic capacity. These findings can be used in training load adjustment and can influence the development of tactical schemes in soccer matches. | 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182915e66 |
pubmed_699_17091 | Short Birth Interval (SBI) is one of the main causes of adverse maternal and child health outcomes. A 33-month birth-to-birth interval between two successive live births should be followed to minimize the risk of adverse maternal and child health. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of SBI and the associated factors in rural India. Information on 98,522 rural mothers from the fourth round of National Family Health Survey data was analyzed. Bivariate statistics, logistic regression, Moran's I, and Cluster and Outlier Analysis have been used to assess the prevalence and spatial pattern of SBI in rural India. Results revealed that about half of the mothers in rural India had experienced SBI. Rural Indian mothers whose child was not alive (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.63-1.90), were not using any contraceptive methods (OR = 1.42, 95 % CI = 1.37-1.48) and not breastfeeding (OR = 2.73, 95% CI = 2.50-2.97) were more likely to experience SBI. On the other hand, rural mothers from the middle, richer and richest wealth quintiles (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86-0.97; OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.80-0.92; OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.55-0.66) and of age over 30 years (OR = 0.38., 95% CI = 0.36-0.39) were less likely to experience SBI. Analysis of spatial patterns revealed clear east-west differences in the prevalence of SBI. There was strong clustering of high values of SBI in most districts across the central, northern, western, and southern regions. The study suggests the need to introduce appropriate interventions and programs focused on reducing the prevalence of SBI in rural India. | 10.1017/S0021932022000256 |
pubmed_130_784 | Multiple lines of research provide compelling evidence for a role of the cerebellum in a wide array of cognitive and affective functions, going far beyond its historical association with motor control. Structural and functional neuroimaging studies have further refined understanding of the functional neuroanatomy of the cerebellum beyond its anatomical divisions, highlighting the need for the examination of individual cerebellar subunits in healthy variability and neurological diseases. This paper presents a standardized pipeline for examining cerebellum grey matter morphometry that combines high-resolution, state-of-the-art approaches for optimized and automated cerebellum parcellation (Automatic Cerebellum Anatomical Parcellation using U-Net Locally Constrained Optimization; ACAPULCO) and voxel-based registration of the cerebellum (Spatially Unbiased Infra-tentorial Template; SUIT) for volumetric quantification. The pipeline has broad applicability to a range of neurological diseases and is fully automated, with manual intervention only required for quality control of the outputs. The pipeline is freely available, with substantial accompanying documentation, and can be run on Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The pipeline is applied in a cohort of individuals with Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), and representative results, as well as recommendations on group-level inferential statistical analyses, are provided. This pipeline could facilitate reliability and reproducibility across the field, ultimately providing a powerful methodological approach for characterizing and tracking cerebellar structural changes in neurological diseases. | 10.3791/63340 |
pubmed_129_21650 | We compared serum Pepsinogen I (PG I) levels in 25 bleeding duodenal ulcer patients, 25 non bleeding duodenal ulcer (DU) patients and 25 healthy subjects, matched by age and sex. Mean values of PG I in bleeding DU patients were slightly higher than those in non bleeding DU patients, such difference was not statistically significant. Nevertheless, it must be pointed out that 88% of hemorrhagic patients had increased PG I levels compared to 72% of non hemorrhagic patients. The difference between these two groups and the healthy group was highly significant (p < 0.001). We conclude that determination of serum PG I levels is a sensitive complementary diagnostic test in the ulcerous patient. Its capacity, however, to discriminate between bleeding and non bleeding DU patients failed to be found in these study. So, hemorrhage is always a challenge in the natural history of the duodenal ulcer patient. | pubmed_129_21650 |
pubmed_489_11688 | The effect of short-time aerobic digestion on bioflocculation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) from waste activated sludge (WAS) was investigated. Bioflocculation of the EPS was found to be enhanced by 2∼6 h of WAS aerobic digestion under the conditions of natural sludge pH (about 7), high sludge concentration by gravity thickening, and dissolved oxygen of about 2 mg/L. With the same EPS extraction method, the total suspended solid content reduction of 0.20 and 0.36 g/L and the volatile suspended solid content reduction of 0.19 and 0.26 g/L were found for the WAS samples before and after aerobic digestion of 4 h. It indicates that more EPS is produced by short-time aerobic digestion of WAS. The scanning electron microscopy images of the WAS samples before and after aerobic digestion of 4 h showed that more EPS appeared on the surface of zoogloea by aerobic digestion, which reconfirmed that WAS aerobic digestion induced abundant formation of EPS. By WAS aerobic digestion, the flocculating rate of the EPS showed about 31 % growth, almost consistent with the growth of its yield (about 34 %). The EPSs obtained before and after the aerobic digestion presented nearly the same components, structures, and Fourier transform infrared spectra. These results revealed that short-time aerobic digestion of WAS enhanced the flocculation of the EPS by promoting its production. | 10.1007/s11356-013-1887-3 |
pubmed_758_12332 | This article reviews the causes of childhood obesity and suggests different approaches to treatment and prevention. | 10.7748/ns2004.01.18.20.47.c3537 |
pubmed_1039_2711 | Filiform nasoduodenal nutrition tubes in connection with portable infusion pumps are now available and by this way continuous enteral nutrition is given to a certain number of patients, thus avoiding expensive parenteral nutrition which demands a great deal of nursing care and bears a greater risk of complications. In order to study the acceptance and effects of this nutrition, 10 healthy persons were fed by the new system with a fiber-free, low molecular peptide diet. The probands had to write a daily protocol and, at the end of the test, had to answer a questionnaire regarding the effectivity and social consequences of the system and their subjective sensations. Before and after the enteral nutrition phase, different serum parameters were also determined. The results show that a continuous intraduodenal nutrition by tube can be achieved outside the clinic allowing to exercise the profession. The general well-being of the probands was moderately disturbed only by the tube whereas the other points from the questionnaire were less disturbing. Regarding the serum parameters only a reduction in the serum potassium was remarkable. | pubmed_1039_2711 |
pubmed_810_23310 | HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome (HALS), comprising metabolic and morphological alterations, is a known side effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Evidence for the role of nutrition in the management of the systemic parameters of HALS is currently limited. In the present paper we review the current knowledge base surrounding HALS, focusing particularly on the role of nutrition in mitigating the systemic parameters of the syndrome. Reported prevalence of HALS was found to vary from 9 to 83 % due to lack of a standardised definition, as well as variations in assessment methods and in the study population used. HALS is associated with both morphological (lipoatrophy, lipohypertrophy) and metabolic (dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance, diabetes, hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis) alterations, which may occur singly or in combination, and are associated with an increased risk of CVD. HAART-induced adipocyte inflammation, oxidative stress and macrophage infiltration, as well as altered adipocyte function and mitochondrial toxicity, have been shown to be central to the development of HALS. The adipocyte, therefore, represents a plausible target for treatment. Pharmacological and surgical treatment interventions have shown effect. However, their use is associated with numerous adverse effects and complications. Targeted lifestyle interventions may provide a useful alternative for managing HALS owing to their safety and tolerability. A Mediterranean-style diet has been found to be effective in improving the systemic parameters of HALS. Furthermore, the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation are encouraging and future randomised controlled trials investigating the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA in HALS are justified. | 10.1017/S0954422411000138 |
pubmed_952_10755 | A newly conceived voiding through drain is presented. It seems efficient in maintaining permeability of the drainage tube, without exclusion and thus allows for long standing irrigation and washout of the peritoneal cavity. | pubmed_952_10755 |
pubmed_182_10553 | BACKGROUND
Patients with a biopsy diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) might be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at excision, a phenomenon known as underestimation. Patients with DCIS are treated based on the risk of underestimation or progression to invasive cancer. The aim of our study was to expand the knowledge on underestimation and to develop a prediction model.
METHODS
Population-based data were retrieved from the Dutch Pathology Registry and the Netherlands Cancer Registry for DCIS between January 2011 and June 2012.
RESULTS
Of 2892 DCIS biopsies, 21% were underestimated invasive breast cancers. In multivariable analysis, risk factors were high-grade DCIS (odds ratio (OR) 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.95), a palpable tumour (OR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.76-2.81), a BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) score 5 (OR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.80-3.09) and a suspected invasive component at biopsy (OR 3.84, 95% CI: 2.69-5.46). The predicted risk for underestimation ranged from 9.5 to 80.2%, with a median of 14.7%. Of the 596 invasive cancers, 39% had unfavourable features.
CONCLUSIONS
The risk for an underestimated diagnosis of invasive breast cancer after a biopsy diagnosis of DCIS is considerable. With our prediction model, the individual risk of underestimation can be calculated based on routinely available preoperatively known risk factors ( https://www.evidencio.com/models/show/1074 ). | 10.1038/s41416-018-0276-6 |
pubmed_532_20762 | This paper presents the mixing modelling results for the hydrogeochemical characterisation of groundwaters in the Laxemar area (Sweden). This area is one of the two sites that have been investigated, under the financial patronage of the Swedish Nuclear Waste and Management Co. (SKB), as possible candidates for hosting the proposed repository for the long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. The classical geochemical modelling, interpreted in the light of the palaeohydrogeological history of the system, has shown that the driving process in the geochemical evolution of this groundwater system is the mixing between four end-member waters: a deep and old saline water, a glacial meltwater, an old marine water, and a meteoric water. In this paper we put the focus on mixing and its effects on the final chemical composition of the groundwaters using a comprehensive methodology that combines principal component analysis with mass balance calculations. This methodology allows us to test several combinations of end member waters and several combinations of compositional variables in order to find optimal solutions in terms of mixing proportions. We have applied this methodology to a dataset of 287 groundwater samples from the Laxemar area collected and analysed by SKB. The best model found uses four conservative elements (Cl, Br, oxygen-18 and deuterium), and computes mixing proportions with respect to three end member waters (saline, glacial and meteoric). Once the first order effect of mixing has been taken into account, water-rock interaction can be used to explain the remaining variability. In this way, the chemistry of each water sample can be obtained by using the mixing proportions for the conservative elements, only affected by mixing, or combining the mixing proportions and the chemical reactions for the non-conservative elements in the system, establishing the basis for predictive calculations. | pubmed_532_20762 |
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