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pubmed_328_7813 | BACKGROUND
Unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) have had a rapid escalation in manageability and affordability, which can be exploited in healthcare. We conducted a systematic review examining the use of drones for health-related purposes.
METHODS
A search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Global Health, Scopus, CINAHL and SciELO. Experimental studies were selected if the population included human subjects, the intervention was the use of UAVs and there was a health-related outcome.
RESULTS
Of 500 results, five met inclusion criteria during an initial search. An updated search yielded four additional studies. Nine studies, all in high-income countries, were included for systematic syntheses: four studies addressed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest emergencies, three assessed drones for identification of people after accidents, one used drones to transport blood samples and one used drones to improve surgical procedures in war zones.
CONCLUSIONS
Research on the use of drones in healthcare is limited to simulation scenarios, and this review did not retrieve any studies from low- and middle-income countries. | 10.1017/gheg.2018.11 |
pubmed_1119_8873 | The present study investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the reflex changes in urethral outlet activity during micturition. Isovolumetric bladder contractions, urethral pressure and external urethral sphincter electromyogram (EUS EMG) activity were recorded independently in urethane-anesthetized rats. During reflex bladder contractions, the urethra exhibited reflex responses characterized by an initial decrease in urethral pressure in conjunction with a rise in bladder pressure. This was followed by a period of high frequency oscillations (HFOs) associated with maximal urethral relaxation and burst type EUS EMG activity. Administration of N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) 10 mg./kg. intravenously, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, reversibly decreased the magnitude (62%, p < 0.05) and duration (40%, p < 0.05) of reflex urethral relaxation (N = 7). In 4 additional experiments, L-NOARG (10 to 15 mg./kg. intravenously) completely eliminated reflex urethral relaxation during micturition, and this effect was reversed in all animals by the administration of L-arginine (100 to 150 mg./kg. intravenously). Administration of N-nitro-D-arginine (D-NOARG) (10 to 30 mg./kg. intravenously) had no effect on reflex urethral relaxation. Neuromuscular blockade (vecuronium bromide 5 mg./kg. intravenously) reversibly decreased resting urethral pressure and eliminated the HFOs. The urethral smooth muscle relaxation that remained after neuromuscular blockade was eliminated following administration of L-NOARG (10 mg./kg. intravenously) in 2 of 3 animals. These results suggest that reflex urethral responses during micturition involve changes in both smooth and striated muscle activity, and that the predominant neurotransmitter mechanisms that mediate reflex urethral smooth muscle relaxation involve NO. | pubmed_1119_8873 |
pubmed_687_21920 | PURPOSE
The purpose of the present paper is (1) to describe the occupational distribution of persons with incident back disorders and (2) to determine the incidence rate ratio (RR) for back pain amongst patients working in specific occupation groups.
METHODS
Using Danish registries, a total of 20,921 employed persons with incidents back disorders aged 18-64 years were identified in 2016 based on the inclusion criteria from the Danish Back Register. RR was estimated to test for differences in incident back disorder diagnoses across occupations. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to test for homogeneity in back disorder incidence across occupations.
RESULTS
The distribution of back disorder incidence for employed is above the distribution of employment in the background population for all age groups above 35 years. For employed women the three occupation groups with the highest RR of back pain incidence are: 'water, sewage and waste'; 'residential institutions and home care'; and 'transport of passengers', while similarly, amongst employed men: 'hairdressers and other personal care'; 'hospitals'; and 'cleaning'. RR of incident back pain disorders is lowest for women employed in 'universities and research' and for men employed in 'IT and telecommunications'.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to investigate the occupational status and RR of back disorder incidence across occupation groups in Denmark. The distribution of back pain disorder incidents in the cross-sectional study is weighted to occupation groups involving hard physical activity. This evidence may be useful for considering work environment or pension reforms. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material. | 10.1007/s00586-020-06382-y |
pubmed_463_21270 | Genomic imprinting is a process that causes genes to be expressed from one allele only according to parental origin, the other allele being silent. Diseases can arise when the normally active alleles are not expressed. In this context, low level of expression of the normally silent alleles has been considered as genetic noise although such expression has never been further studied. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disease involving imprinted genes, including NDN, which are only expressed from the paternally inherited allele, with the maternally inherited allele silent. We present the first in-depth study of the low expression of a normally silent imprinted allele, in pathological context. Using a variety of qualitative and quantitative approaches and comparing wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous mice deleted for Ndn, we show that, in absence of the paternal Ndn allele, the maternal Ndn allele is expressed at an extremely low level with a high degree of non-genetic heterogeneity. The level of this expression is sex-dependent and shows transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. In about 50% of mutant mice, this expression reduces birth lethality and severity of the breathing deficiency, correlated with a reduction in the loss of serotonergic neurons. In wild-type brains, the maternal Ndn allele is never expressed. However, using several mouse models, we reveal a competition between non-imprinted Ndn promoters which results in monoallelic (paternal or maternal) Ndn expression, suggesting that Ndn allelic exclusion occurs in the absence of imprinting regulation. Importantly, specific expression of the maternal NDN allele is also detected in post-mortem brain samples of PWS individuals. Our data reveal an unexpected epigenetic flexibility of PWS imprinted genes that could be exploited to reactivate the functional but dormant maternal alleles in PWS. Overall our results reveal high non-genetic heterogeneity between genetically identical individuals that might underlie the variability of the phenotype. | 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003752 |
pubmed_432_1221 | The article describes a method for the quantification of plasma fibronectin (FN) by means of electroimmunodiffusion after Laurell. By this means the fibronectin concentrations of healthy, mature newborns as well as of their mothers were determined. The average FN-level of the newborns lies at 33% related to the value for adults and at 48%, respectively, related to the maternal FN-content. There is no difference between male and female newborns. The FN-concentrations of the adults stated by us with 330 and 314 mg/l, respectively, for males and females correspond to the data in literature. Furthermore, the FN-content in plasma preparations was determined, with an average value of 2,356 mg/l this was highest in the factor-VIII-concentrate. The expediency and the prerequisites for a possible fibronectin substitution are discussed. | pubmed_432_1221 |
pubmed_840_15117 | There is a continuation of the debate on the management of dyspepsia while the role of Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer disease is being questioned with renewed vigor, specifically in the United States. The interaction of NSAIDs and H. pylori provided some interesting, if at times confusing, literature while the debate on the safety of long-term acid suppression remained unresolved. There were some interesting developments with regard to therapeutic agents during this period. A fourth proton pump inhibitor was introduced to the market while cisapride, a drug previously considered safe, was effectively withdrawn from the North American market because of safety concerns. More data on the COX-1-sparing agents became available, and their impressive gastrointestinal safety profile was confirmed. It was noted, however, that the incidence of dyspepsia, experienced by users of these drugs, may remain a problem. | 10.1097/00001574-200011000-00005 |
pubmed_765_20073 | This study compared water-heated mats (WM) and electric-heated mats (EM) with heat lamps (HL) as supplemental heat sources for suckling piglets. Forty-two litters were studied in 3 trials. In all trials, behavior of piglets was video-recorded on day 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 postpartum. Videos were scan-sampled to register postures (lying and standing) and locations (on or away from mat) to assess piglet use of heat sources. Litter size and weight at birth and weaning, and pre-weaning mortality were recorded. Data were analyzed using Glimmix Procedures of SAS. Piglets spent more time on WM than under HL (67.5% vs. 51.0%, p = 0.002). No difference in piglet performance between WM and HL was observed, except mortality tended to be higher in WM (22.9% vs. 8.9%; p = 0.06). Piglet performance and use of the heat source were comparable for HL and EM. When comparing WM with EM, piglets provided WM spent more time on the mat compared to those provided EM (21.8% vs. 17.1%; p = 0.02). No difference in pre-weaning mortality, litter weight, and individual daily gain was observed between WM and EM group. These results suggest EM and HL were comparable to maintain performance and postural behaviors of piglets. | 10.3390/ani10071155 |
pubmed_203_20265 | Cluster headache is a stereotyped primary pain syndrome characterised by strictly unilateral severe pain, localised in or around the eye and accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic features. The syndrome is characterised by the circadian rhythmicity of the short-lived attacks, and the regular recurrence of headache bouts, which are interspersed by periods of complete remission in most individuals. Headaches often start about 1-2 h after falling asleep or in the early morning, and show seasonal variation, suggesting that the hypothalamus has a role in the illness. Consequently, the vascular theory has been superseded by recognition that neurovascular factors are more important. The increased familial risk suggests that cluster headache has a genetic component in some families. Neuroimaging has broadened our pathophysiological view and has led to successful treatment by deep brain stimulation of the hypothalamus. Although most patients can be treated effectively, some do not respond to therapy. Fortunately, time to diagnosis of cluster headache has improved. This is probably the result of a better understanding of the pathophysiology in combination with efficient treatment strategies, leading to a broader acceptance of the syndrome by doctors. | 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67217-0 |
pubmed_70_3347 | Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a small vessel vasculitis which is uncommon in adults. The presentations of adult-onset disease are different from those seen in childhood. The commonly-recognised serious gastrointestinal complications of childhood are less well-documented in adults. We report three cases of adult-onset Henoch-Schönlein purpura with severe gastrointestinal involvement. All were men, aged 22, 35 and 42 years, respectively. Two of these patients had evidence of mesenteric ischaemia on computed tomography of the abdomen. All three patients were successfully treated with steroids. | pubmed_70_3347 |
pubmed_990_6177 | We describe a data reduction procedure to assign statistically accurate estimates of unknown hormone concentrations, with associated uncertainties, based on experimental uncertainties in sample replicates and the fitted calibration curve. Three mathematical calibration curve functions are considered. The one providing optimal statistical characterization of reference calibrators is chosen for unknown evaluation. Experimental error is addressed by assigning and propagating uncertainty estimates for each measured response (including zero-dose responses) by an empirically determined discrete uncertainty profile and by propagating calibration curve uncertainty. Discrete uncertainty profiles account for both response precision (replicability) and accuracy (deviation from predicted calibration curves) without relying on assumed theoretical response variance-assay response relations. The validity of assigning variable response weighting by this procedure was assessed by Monte Carlo simulations based on chemiluminescence growth hormone calibration curves. Much-improved accuracy and estimated precision are achieved for unknown hormone concentrations, particularly extremely low concentrations, by using this variable response weighting procedure. | pubmed_990_6177 |
pubmed_957_8126 | Background and Objectives
Health-care workers (HCWs) are playing an instrumental role in combating coronavirus infection (COVID-19). While rendering their services, they also run the risk of cross-contamination. Hence, it is important to evaluate and correlate the knowledge and attitude of HCWs of Saudi Arabia about COVID-19.
Materials and Methods
A prospective, nationwide, questionnaire-based survey was conducted after getting the approval from the institutional ethical board. A validated and reliable questionnaire was constructed, developed on the Qualtrics software, and circulated through an electronic medium across the country. The questionnaire had a total of 29 questions regarding knowledge and attitude about COVID-19. Through convenience sampling, the data were collected from a total sample of 1553 HCWs. Based on the primary area of expertise, the sample was categorized into three study groups with 1040 medical health-care professionals (MHCPs) (Group I), 318 dental health-care professionals (DHCPs) (Group II), and 195 allied health-care professionals (AHCPs) (Group III). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done using SPSS v. 21, where P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Female HCWs (P = 0.003) were shown to have a higher (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.46; confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.79) risk of inadequate knowledge in comparison to male HCWs. With respect to qualification, HCWs with doctorate qualification (P = 0.005) (aOR: 0.39; CI: 0.2-0.75) had shown to have adequate knowledge compared to their counterparts. AHCPs were shown inadequate knowledge (P < 0.001; aOR: 2.36; CI: 1.65-3.38), but adequate attitude (P < 0.001; aOR: 0.13; CI: 0.09-0.2) compared to MHCPs and DHCPs.
Conclusion
MHCPs were shown to have the most appropriate level of knowledge, whereas AHCPs outscore other counterparts of HCWs with respect to attitude toward COVID-19. Emphasis should be directed to the whole community of HCWs in enhancing their awareness and practice attitude toward the novel infection of COVID-19. | 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_3_22 |
pubmed_206_9896 | Both general and social cognition are important in providing endophenotypic markers and predicting real-world functional outcomes of clinical psychiatric disorders. However, to date, focus has been on general cognition, rather than on core domains of social/emotional cognition. This study sought to determine core domains of emotion processing for both explicit identification and implicit recognition and their relationships with core domains of general cognition. Age effects and sex differences were also investigated. A sample of 1,000 healthy individuals (6 to 91 years, 53.5% female) undertook the WebNeuro tests of emotion identification and recognition and tests of general cognitive function. Factor analysis revealed seven core domains of emotion processing: speed of explicit emotion identification, speed of implicit emotion recognition, implicit emotion recognition accuracy, "threat" processing, sadness-disgust identification, "positive emotion" processing, and general "face perception." Seven corresponding core domains of general cognition were identified: information-processing speed, executive function, sustained attention/vigilance, verbal memory, working-memory capacity, inhibition/impulsivity, and sensorimotor function. Factors of emotion processing generally showed positive associations with those of general cognitive function, suggesting commonality in processing speed in particular. Moreover, age had a consistent nonlinear impact on both emotion processing and general cognitive factors, while sex differences were more specific. These findings contribute to a normative and standardized structure for assessment of emotional and general cognition in clinical groups. | 10.1080/13803390802043619 |
pubmed_1031_1261 | BACKGROUND
The pulsed dye laser (PDL) has been used for the treatment of facial and leg telangiectasia, where it provides safe and effective treatment. Often, a single treatment with the PDL can provide acceptable vessel clearance. Unfortunately, the hallmark of PDL treatment is transient purpura, which can be cosmetically unacceptable to patients. A new class of PDL has been developed in an effort to reduce this transient side effect while maintaining both safety and efficacy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ability of multi-pass treatment for telangiectasia with extended pulse width (40 ms) PDL to provide effective, single-treatment vessel treatment without inducing purpura.
METHODS
A total of 40 patients presenting with facial or leg telangiectasia were treated with the extended pulse width PDL (595 nm), used in conjunction with refrigerated air-cooling (SmartCool; Cynosure). Treatment was given using a pulse width of 40 ms and fluences at or below the purpuric threshold (less than 16 J/cm(2)) and with high-flow air cooling at -4 degrees C. Up to three passes were given until vessel disappearance or intravascular coagulation was observed. A second treatment was done, where needed, 4-8 weeks following the initial treatment. Patients were evaluated 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the final treatment.
RESULTS
Following a single treatment, 70% of facial and 80% of leg vessels exhibited at least 75% clearance. After two treatments, 14/20 leg vessels cleared at 75-100%. In all cases, vessel clearance was associated with transient purpura lasting less than 7 days. Hyperpigmentation occurred in 5% of facial vessels and 55% of leg veins. Sub-purpuric doses did not provide acceptable single-treatment clearance.
CONCLUSIONS
Extended pulse width dye lasers significantly increase the threshold for purpura, allowing higher fluences to be employed. For the goal of single treatment vessel clearance, the extended pulse duration provided acceptable, single-treatment improvement but only in the presence of purpura. While additional, non-purpuric treatments may provide acceptable outcomes, additional improvements will be necessary to provide consistent, effective, single-treatment clearance of telangiectasia without generalized purpura. | pubmed_1031_1261 |
pubmed_965_24120 | American nurses are weighing up the policies of the candidates for next week's presidential election. | 10.7748/ns.23.8.16.s24 |
pubmed_350_3799 | In this study, the biological properties of the replication-competent viruses, F-MuLVA, present in the anemia-inducing isolate of Friend leukemia virus complex (FV-A); and F-MuLVP, present in the polycythemia-inducing isolate of Friend leukemia virus complex (FV-P) have been examined. BALB/c mice infected as newborns with clonal isolates of F-MuLVA or F-MuLVP become anemic and show splenic enlargement characterized by an increased proportion of cells that resemble immature nucleated erythroid cells. In addition, the spleens of these F-MuLVA- or F-MuLVP-infected mice contain a markedly increased proportion of both erythropoietin-dependent erythroid progenitor cells and spectrin-containing erythroid cells. These results suggest that Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) by itself can induce an erythroleukemic transformation in newborn BALB/c mice similar to that induced by the anemia-inducing spleen focus-forming virus (SFFVA) in newborn or adult mice. Kinetic studies indicated that the alterations in hemopoietic cell populations induced by F-MuLVA or F-MuLVP in newborn BALB/c mice occurred more slowly than the rapid changes observed after infection with FV-A. In addition, adult BALB/c mice were fully susceptible to the erythroleukemic transformation induced by either SFFVA or SFFVP, whereas only newborn mice were susceptible to F-MuLV. Taken together, these results suggest that, although the replication-defective Friend spleen focus-forming viruses appear to be the major determinant of erythroleukemia induction in adults, the replication-competent helper F-MuLV also have erythroleukemic potential when assayed in newborn animals. | 10.1084/jem.151.6.1493 |
pubmed_922_20347 | Salicylic acid (SA) is involved in several plant processes including responses to abiotic stresses. Although SA is thought to interact with other regulatory molecules in a complex way, currently, little information is available regarding its molecular mechanisms of action in response to abiotic stresses. In a previous work, we observed that drought-resistant oat plants significantly increased their SA levels as compared with a susceptible cultivar. Furthermore, exogenous SA treatment alleviated drought symptoms. Here, we investigated the interaction between SA and polyamine biosynthesis during drought responses in oat and revealed that SA regulated polyamine biosynthesis through changes in polyamine gene expression. Overall, SA treatment decreased the levels of putrescine under drought conditions while increased those of spermine. This correlates with the downregulation of the ADC gene and upregulation of the AdoMetDC gene. Based on the presented results, we propose that SA modulates drought responses in oat by regulating polyamine content and biosynthesis. | 10.1080/15592324.2019.1651183 |
pubmed_550_22009 | BACKGROUND
Increases in DNA transfection efficiencies for non-viral vectors can be achieved through rational design of novel cationic building blocks. Based on previous results examining DNA condensation by polyamines, novel gemini surfactants have been designed that incorporate aza or imino substituents within the spacer group in order to increase interactions with DNA and potentially improve their DNA transfection ability.
METHODS
Transfection efficiencies and cell toxicity of gemini nanoparticles constructed from plasmid DNA, gemini surfactant, and a neutral lipid were measured in COS7 cells using a luciferase assay. Structural properties of nanoparticles were examined by using circular dichroism, particle size, zeta potential, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements.
RESULTS
The incorporation of aza and imino substituents within the spacer group was observed to enhance the transfection ability of gemini surfactants. Incorporation of an imino group in the structure of the 1,9-bis(dodecyl)-1,1,9,9-tetramethyl-5-imino-1,9-nonanediammonium dibromide surfactant (12-7NH-12) resulted in a statistically significant (p < 0.01) 9-fold increase in transfection compared to an unsubstituted gemini surfactant and a 3-fold increase compared to the corresponding aza-substituted compound. A pH-dependent transition in size and zeta potential was observed to occur at pH 5.5 for complexes formed from the 12-7NH-12 compound. SAXS results show weakly ordered structures and the presence of multiple phases.
CONCLUSIONS
The incorporation of a pH-active imino group within the spacer of the gemini surfactant results in a significant increase in transfection efficiency that can be related to both pH-induced changes in nanoparticle structure and the formation of multiple phases that more readily allow for membrane fusion that may facilitate DNA release. | 10.1002/jgm.1060 |
pubmed_779_11462 | 'Who eats whom?' is a fundamental question about the ecological roles and interactions of deep-sea organisms. However, the tools needed to analyze trophic relationships remain limited, especially with regard to studying meiofauna and small macrofauna in abyssal and hadal depths. We present results from indirect molecular analyses of the gut contents of abyssal and hadal Solenogastres (Mollusca, Aplacophora) of the Northwest Pacific. Our data revealed a high food specialization and a surprising diversity of food sources among these inconspicuous worm-shaped predators. We hypothesize that Hydrozoa forms the ancestral food source of Solenogastres, and that specialization on non-cnidarian prey (such as annelids, nemerteans, and bivalves) evolved independently along with modifications in the digestive tract. Despite being intuitively advantageous in the nutrient-limited deep sea, we found only one widespread generalist feeder (potentially associated with scavenging). | 10.1016/j.cub.2021.05.031 |
pubmed_108_18312 | Nitritation-anammox treatment can be a potentially energy- and resource-efficient technology for treating mainstream wastewater. However, the issue of nitrate residue from anammox treatment remains to be addressed. Herein, external recirculation of the anammox effluent to a hybrid anaerobic reactor (HAR), which was also to provide a continuous flow with low COD/N for the nitritation-anammox reactor, was employed to decrease the residue compounds. The recirculation ratio of 50% was observed to be the optimal to achieve the best overall performance with potential savings in energy demand. Specifically, in the operation scenario of R = 50%, the highest COD removal of ~90% by the HAR was achieved. Meanwhile, the lowest COD/NH4 + -N ratio of ~2.0 in the HAR effluent ensured the lowest observed NO3 - -N/NH4 + -N ratio of ~14% in the nitritation-anammox reactor. These results have demonstrated the feasibility of applying external recirculation for nitrate residue removal via denitrification in the anaerobic pretreatment stage. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Nitritation-anammox treatment is an attractive method for mainstream wastewater treatment. Nitrate residue from anammox processes contributes to total nitrogen in the final effluent. Recirculation of anammox effluent to an anaerobic reactor can decrease nitrate residue. A recirculation ratio of 50% results in a low COD/NH4 + ratio of 2 that benefits the subsequent anammox. | 10.1002/wer.1019 |
pubmed_115_8620 | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
It is desirable to develop a bedside method for assessing cerebral development in the very premature infant to monitor the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving cerebral development. Our aim was to describe the growth trajectory of the corpus callosum (CC) on cranial sonography in very premature infants.
METHODS
We recruited 100 very-low-birth-weight infants admitted to a single regional level III neonatal intensive care unit from November 1998 to November 2000. Cranial sonography images of the CC were obtained for 64 (32 boys) infants (mean gestational age, 28 weeks; range, 23-33 weeks) in the first week of life and at term equivalency. The growth rate of the CC was compared in the 64 study infants to the expected growth rate of 0.20-0.27 mm/day from antenatal data and correlated with clinical outcome at 2 years of age by using Mental Development Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Development Index (PDI).
RESULTS
The average growth rate of the CC was half of that expected from antenatal data. Mean growth rates were similar for all gestational ages (mean, 0.11 mm/day; range, 0.05-0.29; P = .4). The CC at term equivalency was longer for those in MDI class 2 (mean, 44.3 mm) compared with MDI class 3 (mean 40.2 mm; P = .003) as well as for PDI class 2 versus 3 (P = .017).
CONCLUSION
Measurement of the length of the CC at cranial sonography is reproducible. Those with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes have a shorter CC at term equivalency. The CC grows at a much lower rate postnatally than in utero among very premature infants. | pubmed_115_8620 |
pubmed_13_5006 | Semiconductor quantum dot (QD)-sensitized lanthanide ions hold great promise in producing a broadly absorbing and sharply emitting luminophore, but their synthesis has proven to be difficult. We report the first synthesis of core/shell/shell InP/Ln xY1- xF3/ShF3 (Ln = Yb, Nd; Sh = Lu, Y) nanocrystals that exhibit a broad visible absorption coupled to a sharp near-infrared emission. Additionally, this is the first report of Nd being coupled to a QD absorber. We characterize the system with a variety of electron microscopy and X-ray techniques that prove this unique structure. Optical measurements confirm the correlation of the Ln3+ emission to the QD absorption, while the presence of a trap-state emission gives a clue as to the mechanism of energy transfer between the dot and the lanthanide. | 10.1021/jacs.8b02612 |
pubmed_132_14447 | BACKGROUND
Mitochondrial diseases are caused by the mutations in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the treatment options for patients who have mitochondrial disease are rather limited. Mitochondrial DNA is transmitted maternally and does not follow a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. Since reliable and predictable detection of mitochondrial disorders in embryos and oocytes is unattainable at present, an alternative approach to this problem has emerged as partial or complete replacement of mutated mtDNA with the wild-type mtDNA through embryo manipulations. Currently available methods to achieve this goal are germinal vesicle transfer (GVT), metaphase chromosome transfer (CT), pronuclear transfer (PNT) and ooplasmic transfer (OT).
SCOPE OF REVIEW
We summarize the state of the art regarding these technologies and discuss the implications of recent advances in the field for clinical practice.
MAJOR CONCLUSIONS
CT, PNT and GVT techniques hold promise to prevent transmission of mutant mtDNA through ARTs. However, it is clear that mtDNA heteroplasmy in oocytes, embryos and offspring produced by these methods remains as a legitimate concern.
GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE
New approaches to eliminate transmission of mutant mtDNA certainly need to be explored in order to bring the promise of clinical application for the treatment of mitochondrial disorders. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biochemistry of Mitochondria, Life and Intervention 2010. | 10.1016/j.bbagen.2011.10.014 |
pubmed_35_10713 | The endothelial cell is a key cellular component for blood vessel formation. Many signaling receptors expressed in endothelial cells play critical roles in vascular development during embryogenesis. However, downstream response genes required for vascular differentiation are still not clearly identified. Here we describe the development of a protocol for gene-trap expression screening in embryonic stem (ES) cells for endothelial-specific genes. ES cells were differentiated into endothelial cells on an OP9 feeder cell layer in 96-well plates. In a pilot screen, 5 gene-trapped ES cell lines showed an up-regulated expression of the gene trap lacZ reporter out of 864 ES clones screened. One of the trapped genes was endoglin, an endothelial-specific transforming growth factor-beta type III receptor, and another was ASPP1, a p53-binding protein. In vivo expression analysis of the lacZ reporter confirmed that both genes are specifically expressed in endothelial cells during early mouse embryogenesis. Gene-trap expression screening can thus be used to identify early endothelial-specific genes and analyze their function in mice. | 10.1182/blood-2004-01-0254 |
pubmed_923_21709 | An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP) was used to measure urinary TAP levels in standard feline models of acute oedematous pancreatitis and acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis. It has been shown that the extent of pancreatic damage as assessed histologically is significantly greater in the model of acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis. This increase in damage has been found to be associated with a significantly greater increase in the excretion of urinary TAP. | 10.1097/00006676-199303000-00009 |
pubmed_300_6230 | BACKGROUND AND AIM
The combination of photodynamic therapy and biliary stenting seems to be beneficial in the palliative treatment of unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. We aimed to assess the accuracy of photodynamic therapy in a single centre.
METHODS
Fourteen selected patients, with jaundice related to unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, underwent photodynamic therapy and biliary stenting (with or without chemotherapy). Photofrin was injected intravenously (2 mg/kg) 2 days before intraluminal photoactivation. In case of malignant progression, photodynamic therapy was repeated. The outcome parameters were overall survival and quality of life.
RESULTS
There were eight men and six women (median age: 67 [42-81]). Unresectability was related to a low Karnofski index (n = 2), peritoneal carcinomatosis (n = 4), vascular involvement (n = 3), invasion of the hepatoduodenal ligament (n = 2) and an under-sized liver remnant (n = 3). Biliary stenting was efficient (> or = 50% total bilirubin) in 78.5% of cases. Eight patients developed cholangitis. The mean number of photodynamic therapy procedures was two (1-4). Six (43%) patients needed > or = 2 procedures. No severe toxicity was noted. Photodynamic therapy improved the Karnofski index in 64% of cases. Six (42.8%) patients received concomitant chemotherapy (gemcitabine). The median survival time was 13.8 [0.7-29.2] months. The 3-, 6- and 12-month survival rates were 85%, 77% and 77%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
These results confirm the beneficial effect of biliary drainage, photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma in selected patients with jaundice. | 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.05915.x |
pubmed_3_20749 | OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of on-treatment triglycerides (TG) on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
BACKGROUND
The PROVE IT-TIMI (Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) 22 trial demonstrated that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <70 mg/dl was associated with greater CHD event reduction than LDL-C <100 mg/dl after ACS. However, the impact of low on-treatment TG on CHD risk beyond LDL-C <70 mg/dl has not been explored.
METHODS
The PROVE IT-TIMI 22 trial evaluated 4,162 patients hospitalized for ACS and randomized to atorvastatin 80 mg or pravastatin 40 mg daily. The relationship between on-treatment levels of TG and LDL-C and the composite end point of death, myocardial infarction (MI), and recurrent ACS were assessed 30 days after initial presentation.
RESULTS
Low on-treatment TG (<150 mg/dl) was associated with reduced CHD risk compared with higher TG in univariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62 to 0.87; p < 0.001) and in adjusted analysis (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.97; p = 0.025). For each 10-mg/dl decrement in on-treatment TG, the incidence of death, MI, and recurrent ACS was lower by 1.6% or 1.4% after adjustment for LDL-C or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other covariates (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). Lower CHD risk was also observed with TG <150 mg/dl and LDL-C <70 mg/dl (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.94; p = 0.017) or low on-treatment TG, LDL-C, and C-reactive protein (<2 mg/l) (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.83; p = 0.002) compared with higher levels of each variable in adjusted analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
On-treatment TG <150 mg/dl was independently associated with a lower risk of recurrent CHD events, lending support to the concept that achieving low TG may be an additional consideration beyond low LDL-C in patients after ACS. | 10.1016/j.jacc.2007.10.038 |
pubmed_506_18602 | Post-translational modifications (PTMs) play important roles in regulating protein stability, trafficking, folding conformation, and functional activity. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) protein mediates a distinct type of PTM called SUMOylation in which the SUMO protein is covalently ligated to the target protein and modifies its activities through a series of enzymatically-catalyzed reactions. SUMOylation regulates many cellular processes like transcription, the maintenance of the ion gradient across the cell membrane, stress response, autoimmunity, etc. Several target proteins of SUMOylation are involved in the biological pathways related to various human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. This review focuses on the SUMOylation process, regulatory roles of SUMOylation in diabetes, and prospects of developing novel anti-diabetic drugs targeting the SUMOylation process. | 10.2174/1389450115666140915124747 |
pubmed_166_4374 | BACKGROUND/AIM
We sought to determine what factors cardiovascular complications (CVCs) correlate with in cancer patients with acute postoperative hypertension (APH) and to define when and how aggressively to treat this disorder in the present study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective observational study of cancer patients with postoperative hypertension at a single intensive care unit between July 2007 and June 2013 was conducted. The outcome of interest was the incidence of a CVC.
RESULTS
There were 1162 patients enrolled, of which 92 (7.9%) experienced one or more CVCs. Preexisting hypertension (OR 38.3, 95% CI 3.2-457.4, P = 0.004) and choice of vasodilator (OR 6.5, 95% CI 2.3-18.6, P = 0.000) were predictors of a CVC. Cardiovascular complications were less likely to occur if pain was relieved efficiently during the postoperative period (OR 15.9, 95% CI 1.9-130.1, P = 0.01). Furthermore, there were increased CVCs among patients with postoperative hypertensive crises compared to those with stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension with the treatment threshold for systolic blood pressure (OR 5.7, 95% CI 2.0-16.5, P = 0.001) or diastolic blood pressure (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.8-20.3, P = 0.004).
CONCLUSION
To reduce CVCs, APH may be defined and managed as a hypertensive crisis in cancer patients. | 10.3906/sag-1412-33 |
pubmed_65_15870 | Small bowel transplantation (SBT) leads to several changes in normal intestinal physiology with special reference to lymphatic disruption and graft denervation. Intestinal myoelectrical activity (MA) has been studied in different conditions, but little is known about MA in excluded bowel segments without the influence of nutrients. We performed this study to evaluate the effects of bowel exclusion on MA pattern. Fifteen Wistar rats were divided into two groups: five were used as donors and five as recipients for SBT; the remaining five underwent isolation of a jejunal segment as Thiry-Vella loop (TVL). On the 20th postoperative day, four bipolar electrodes were implanted in the small bowel of each rat: proximally and distally on the transplanted and the native intestine (SBT group); proximally and distally on the TVL and across the jejunal anastomosis (TVL group). On the 30th postoperative day, MA was recorded for 30 min after a 12 h fast. MA pattern was not altered by the exclusion of innervated jejunal segments (TVLs) with maintenance of high amplitude and migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) occurrence independent of MA in the continuity bowel. The characteristic regular spiking activity was not observed in transplanted grafts and MA analysis showed slow waves containing superimposed irregular spiking activity. | pubmed_65_15870 |
pubmed_564_4853 | Experimental data together with clinical studies have generated information about the association between sympathetic nervous system activity and immunity as measured by in vitro correlates of cellular immune function. In addition, studies on the in vivo role of central CRF in coordinating sympathetic outflow and modulating immune function have provided an opportunity to examine central mechanisms important in the link between brain, behavior, and immune function. Finally, use of CRF as a neuropeptide probe will likely continue to give information about the central mechanisms relevant to the abnormal regulation of sympathetic nervous activity and immune function in stress and possibly in aging. | 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1993.tb49933.x |
pubmed_369_15986 | Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises primarily the chronic relapsing inflammatory disorders, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, with the former affecting any part of the gastrointestinal tract and the latter mainly afflicting the colon. The precise etiology of IBD remains unclear, and it is thought that interactions among various factors, including genetic factors, the host immune system and environmental factors, cause disruption of intestinal homeostasis, leading to dysregulated inflammatory responses of the gut. As inflammation is intimately related to formation of reactive intermediates, including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), oxidative stress has been proposed as a mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of IBD. This review is intended to summarize succinctly recent new experimental and clinical evidence supporting oxidative stress as a pathophysiological component of IBD and point to the potential of using antioxidant compounds as promising therapeutic modalities of human IBD. The sources of ROS/RNS and the redox signaling mechanism underlying oxidative stress and inflammation in IBD are discussed to provide insight into the molecular basis of oxidative stress as a pathophysiological factor in IBD. | 10.1258/ebm.2011.011358 |
pubmed_714_5768 | The benefits for both doctors and patients of effective communication skills in medical care have been widely documented and are generally accepted. There has been less research on this topic with respect to dental care. However, based on available studies and the reported success of teaching communication skills at the undergraduate level in dental schools, a workshop was developed to improve the communication skills of dentists working in government clinics in Hong Kong. The patient-centred interview as used in medical care formed the basis for teaching communication skills in this workshop. Objective and subjective measures of dentists' knowledge, attitude and skills related to the patient-centred interview were obtained before, immediately and eight weeks after the workshops. Objective measures showed immediate gains in knowledge. However, attitudes declined during the period of study. Subjective evaluations revealed improved communication skills eight weeks after the workshop and that the patient-centred interview was considered relevant to the practices of these dentists. Participants made specific reference to the concept of empathy as a means of promoting more effective communication between dentists and patients. | 10.1038/sj.bdj.4800286 |
pubmed_630_19472 | UNLABELLED
β-Lapachone [β-lap; 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione] is a novel anticancer drug currently under investigation in phase I/II clinical trials. However, the mechanism underlying its clinical efficacy remains unclear. In this study, we found that β-lap provoked the cleavage of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in
NAD(P)H
quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1)-expressing lung and prostate cancer cells as well as in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). These actions of β-lap were different from that of the conventional Hsp90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin. As a consequence of Hsp90 cleavage, Hsp90-associated oncoproteins, such as receptor-interacting protein, Raf-1, AKT, and CDK4, were degraded in treated cancer cells, and key receptor tyrosine kinases such as vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor-2 and Her-2 were degraded in treated HUVECs through a proteasomal system. Further results revealed that specific inhibitors of NQO1 and reactive oxygen species could dramatically reduce β-lap-mediated Hsp90 cleavage. In addition to its cytotoxicity, β-lap effectively inhibited angiogenesis by suppressing tube formation and the invasion of HUVECs in vitro, rat aortic microvascular sprouts ex vivo, and mouse corneal neovascularization in vivo. Furthermore, β-lap markedly suppressed the growth and angiogenesis of human lung cancer xenografts in nude mice and decreased the levels of receptor-interacting protein, AKT, CDK4, and CD31 in the solid tumors. Unlike other NQO1-dependent cytotoxic quinones, such as streptonigrin, menadione, mitomycin, and 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, β-lap was the only agent that could cause Hsp90 cleavage. Taken together, our results suggest a crucial mechanism underlying the antitumor efficacy of β-lap. | 10.1124/jpet.116.232694 |
pubmed_150_15807 | The treatment of pain, particularly in infants, is today a public health priority. The mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen, colloquially known as 'gas and air' is an important analgesia for infants for short, painful procedures. Its fast action and almost immediate reversibility when the child stops inhaling facilitates its use and its tolerance. Subject to a medical prescription, it must be administered by a specially trained member of nursing staff. | pubmed_150_15807 |
pubmed_516_12071 | We have investigated separate as well as combined influence of IL-1beta TaqI, IL-1ra VNTR and CTLA-4 + 49 A/G polymorphisms on susceptibility, clinical course and progression of MS in 162 Serbian patients. We found significant independent relative risk for MS susceptibility in noncarriers of IL-1ra allele 2 (OR = 2.2, CI = 1.3-3.7, p = 0.003) and CTLA-4 + 49 AA genotype (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.2-3.5, p = 0.01) as well as their combined effect (OR = 4.4, CI = 2.0-9.7, p = 0.0003). Our result supports the significant and combined effect of IL-1ra VNTR and CTLA-4 polymorphisms on MS justifying the need for further haplotype analysis in different populations. | 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2006.05.005 |
pubmed_456_439 | OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association of pulse pressure (PP) with mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in one-year period after anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (A-STEMI).
METHODS
A total of 261 consecutive patients whose blood pressure was measured with the aid of a catheter before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) between August 2016 and February 2017 were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to pulse pressure (PP) (Group 1, PP<35 mmHg; Group 2, 35≤PP≤50 mmHg; Group 3, PP>50 mmHg).
RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 63.4±14.1 years, and 206 of them were male. The groups were similar in terms of age and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The ratio of female patients in Group 1 was higher, and their systolic blood pressure (SBP) was lower than those from the other groups (P=0.005 vs. P=0.042). The rates of MACE and mortality were higher in Group 1. The predictive PP values were calculated to be 42.5 mmHg for development of MACE and 41.5 mmHg for mortality. One-year survival ratio was worse in Group 1 than in the others according to Kaplan-Meier analysis (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The values of PP which was measured intra-aortically in patients with A-STEMI were associated with mortality and MACE in the one-year follow-up period. | 10.21470/1678-9741-2018-0106 |
pubmed_745_15735 | Four female patients, resistant to insulin administered subcutaneously, were treated with an implanted insulin infusion pump (Infusaid; constant rate infusion). They had all experienced as many as four episodes of ketoacidosis per month despite extremely high doses of insulin injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly, and none of the treatment approaches attempted--insulin delivery via subclavian catheter, Schade-port, insulin infusion with an external portable pump or various insulin additives--had been successful. After implantation of the pump the daily insulin dose, which had been between 300 and 3000 units during subcutaneous therapy, was reduced to 30 to 70 units per day. The patients' condition improved, no further episodes of ketoacidosis occurred and hospital stays were reduced significantly. In the further course of treatment pump and catheter-related complications had to be overcome. | 10.1055/s-2008-1067824 |
pubmed_635_20129 | A novel strategy for the stitching of a tripodal ligand into a bi-metallic two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer has been reported. The reaction of 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde based ligand H3L with nickel acetate resulted in the metal functionalized 2D extended network via potassium induced activation of the nitro group of the ligand. The compound is highly active towards photo-degradation of organic dyes. | 10.1039/c5dt01215e |
pubmed_752_11402 | The current recommendation for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the United States is for 3 doses to be administered over a 6 month period. In April 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended adoption of a 2-dose schedule, with doses spaced a minimum of 6 months apart, for teens who begin the series before age 15. We analyzed data from the 2013 National Immunization Survey-Teen to examine the timing of second and third dose receipt among US adolescents. All analyses were restricted to adolescents age 13-17 y who had adequate provider data. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test measured differences in time to receive vaccine doses among demographic and socioeconomic groups. Logistic regression identified socioeconomic characteristics associated with receiving the second dose of HPV vaccine at least 6 months after the first dose. The median time for teens to receive the second dose of HPV vaccine was 2.6 months after the first dose, and the median time to receive the third dose was 4.9 months after the second dose. Minority teens and teens living below the poverty level took significantly longer to receive doses. Among teens that initiated the HPV vaccine series before age 15 y, 28.6% received the second dose at least 6 months after the first dose. If these teens, who met the WHO criteria for up-to-date HPV vaccination, were classified as having completed the vaccination series, overall coverage in the US would increase 3.9 percentage points, with African American and Hispanic teens having the greatest increases in coverage. | 10.1080/21645515.2015.1110659 |
pubmed_764_12104 | Albumin was reacted with a mixture of six electrophore N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, each of which possessed an interior glycolketo linkage. The purpose of this linkage is to release the attached electrophore as a ketone when heated, due to a thermal retro-aldol reaction. The multiplex electrophore-labeled albumin was detected as a dried spot deposited on a polyimide membrane by laser desorption/capillary collection (of the released ketone electrophores)/off-line gas chromatography/electron capture-mass spectrometry. This encourages further study of such electrophore labels in immunoassays and related techniques, where there is a need to make advances in multi-analyte detection. | 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0231(19971030)11:16<1781::AID-RCM90>3.0.CO;2-F |
pubmed_279_5826 | Prohibitin is an evolutionarily conserved gene postulated to possess tumor suppressor activity and to contribute to the limited lifespan of human diploid fibroblast-like cells. Prohibitin mRNA and protein expression and its ability to become post-translationally modified were determined in human diploid fibroblast-like cells of different in vitro ages. The expression of prohibitin mRNA and protein changes little with increasing in vitro age; however, its protein product is post-synthetically modified in younger but not older cells. These results suggest that prohibitin is similar to the retinoblastoma gene product whose anti-proliferative activity remains active in older cells because it is not post-synthetically modified. | 10.1006/bbrc.1994.1716 |
pubmed_1077_25306 | Multidimensional mass spectrometry-based shotgun lipidomics (MDMS-SL) has become a foundational analytical technology platform among current lipidomics practices due to its high efficiency, sensitivity, and reproducibility, as well as its broad coverage. This platform has been broadly used to determine the altered content and/or composition of lipid classes, subclasses, and individual molecular species induced by diseases, genetic manipulations, drug treatments, and aging, among others. Herein, we briefly discuss the principles underlying this technology and present a protocol for routine analysis of many of the lipid classes and subclasses covered by MDMS-SL directly from lipid extracts of biological samples. In particular, lipid sample preparation from a variety of biological materials, which is one of the key components of MDMS-SL, is described in detail. The protocol for mass spectrometric analysis can readily be expanded for analysis of other lipid classes not mentioned as long as appropriate sample preparation is conducted, and should aid researchers in the field to better understand and manage the technology for analysis of cellular lipidomes. | 10.1007/978-1-4939-1258-2_13 |
pubmed_992_16647 | African large mammals are under extreme pressure from unsustainable hunting and habitat loss. Certain traits make large mammals particularly vulnerable. These include late age at first reproduction, long inter-birth intervals, and low population density. Great apes are a prime example of such vulnerability, exhibiting all of these traits. Here we assess the rate of population change for the western chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes verus, over a 24-year period. As a proxy for change in abundance, we used transect nest count data from 20 different sites archived in the IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. database, representing 25,000 of the estimated remaining 35,000 western chimpanzees. For each of the 20 sites, datasets for 2 different years were available. We estimated site-specific and global population change using Generalized Linear Models. At 12 of these sites, we detected a significant negative trend. The estimated change in the subspecies abundance, as approximated by nest encounter rate, yielded a 6% annual decline and a total decline of 80.2% over the study period from 1990 to 2014. This also resulted in a reduced geographic range of 20% (657,600 vs. 524,100 km2 ). Poverty, civil conflict, disease pandemics, agriculture, extractive industries, infrastructure development, and lack of law enforcement, are some of the many reasons for the magnitude of threat. Our status update triggered the uplisting of the western chimpanzee to "Critically Endangered" on the IUCN Red List. In 2017, IUCN will start updating the 2003 Action Plan for western chimpanzees and will provide a consensus blueprint for what is needed to save this subspecies. We make a plea for greater commitment to conservation in West Africa across sectors. Needed especially is more robust engagement by national governments, integration of conservation priorities into the private sector and development planning across the region and sustained financial support from donors. | 10.1002/ajp.22681 |
pubmed_247_14558 | Recently, glial cytoplasmic inclusion (GCI) has been demonstrated to be argyrophilic cytoplasmic body by silver staining in the oligodendroglia of patients with multiple system atrophy. We observed such GCIs in all 20 cases of multiple system atrophy. No GCI was noticed in all 6 cases of hereditary spinocerebellar degenerations. Immunohistochemically, GCI was stained positively with antibodies to ubiquitin, alpha-tubulin, and beta-tubulin, of which characteristics is consistent with previous reports. In addition, GCI was first demonstrated to react with an antibody to microtubule-associated protein-1B(5), which is one of the proteins of cytoskeleton organization and a component of cross-bridges between microtubular assembly. The result suggests strong relationship between the formation of the OCI and immunohistochemical expression of MAP-1B(5). | pubmed_247_14558 |
pubmed_428_15979 | BACKGROUND
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, decubitus ulcers and pressure injuries, are localised areas of injury to the skin or the underlying tissue, or both. Dressings are widely used to treat pressure ulcers and promote healing, and there are many options to choose from including alginate, hydrocolloid and protease-modulating dressings. Topical agents have also been used as alternatives to dressings in order to promote healing.A clear and current overview of all the evidence is required to facilitate decision-making regarding the use of dressings or topical agents for the treatment of pressure ulcers. Such a review would ideally help people with pressure ulcers and health professionals assess the best treatment options. This review is a network meta-analysis (NMA) which assesses the probability of complete ulcer healing associated with alternative dressings and topical agents.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of dressings and topical agents for healing pressure ulcers in any care setting. We aimed to examine this evidence base as a whole, determining probabilities that each treatment is the best, with full assessment of uncertainty and evidence quality.
SEARCH METHODS
In July 2016 we searched the Cochrane Wounds Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid Embase and EBSCO CINAHL Plus. We also searched clinical trials registries for ongoing and unpublished studies, and scanned reference lists of relevant included studies as well as reviews, meta-analyses, guidelines and health technology reports to identify additional studies. There were no restrictions with respect to language, date of publication or study setting.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Published or unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of at least one of the following interventions with any other intervention in the treatment of pressure ulcers (Stage 2 or above): any dressing, or any topical agent applied directly to an open pressure ulcer and left in situ. We excluded from this review dressings attached to external devices such as negative pressure wound therapies, skin grafts, growth factor treatments, platelet gels and larval therapy.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently performed study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction. We conducted network meta-analysis using frequentist mega-regression methods for the efficacy outcome, probability of complete healing. We modelled the relative effectiveness of any two treatments as a function of each treatment relative to the reference treatment (saline gauze). We assumed that treatment effects were similar within dressings classes (e.g. hydrocolloid, foam). We present estimates of effect with their 95% confidence intervals for individual treatments compared with every other, and we report ranking probabilities for each intervention (probability of being the best, second best, etc treatment). We assessed the certainty (quality) of the body of evidence using GRADE for each network comparison and for the network as whole.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 51 studies (2947 participants) in this review and carried out NMA in a network of linked interventions for the sole outcome of probability of complete healing. The network included 21 different interventions (13 dressings, 6 topical agents and 2 supplementary linking interventions) and was informed by 39 studies in 2127 participants, of whom 783 had completely healed wounds.We judged the network to be sparse: overall, there were relatively few participants, with few events, both for the number of interventions and the number of mixed treatment contrasts; most studies were small or very small. The consequence of this sparseness is high imprecision in the evidence, and this, coupled with the (mainly) high risk of bias in the studies informing the network, means that we judged the vast majority of the evidence to be of low or very low certainty. We have no confidence in the findings regarding the rank order of interventions in this review (very low-certainty evidence), but we report here a summary of results for some comparisons of interventions compared with saline gauze. We present here only the findings from evidence which we did not consider to be very low certainty, but these reported results should still be interpreted in the context of the very low certainty of the network as a whole.It is not clear whether regimens involving protease-modulating dressings increase the probability of pressure ulcer healing compared with saline gauze (risk ratio (RR) 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92 to 2.94) (moderate-certainty evidence: low risk of bias, downgraded for imprecision). This risk ratio of 1.65 corresponds to an absolute difference of 102 more people healed with protease modulating dressings per 1000 people treated than with saline gauze alone (95% CI 13 fewer to 302 more). It is unclear whether the following interventions increase the probability of healing compared with saline gauze (low-certainty evidence): collagenase ointment (RR 2.12, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.22); foam dressings (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.26); basic wound contact dressings (RR 1.30, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.58) and polyvinylpyrrolidone plus zinc oxide (RR 1.31, 95% CI 0.37 to 4.62); the latter two interventions both had confidence intervals consistent with both a clinically important benefit and a clinically important harm, and the former two interventions each had high risk of bias as well as imprecision.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
A network meta-analysis (NMA) of data from 39 studies (evaluating 21 dressings and topical agents for pressure ulcers) is sparse and the evidence is of low or very low certainty (due mainly to risk of bias and imprecision). Consequently we are unable to determine which dressings or topical agents are the most likely to heal pressure ulcers, and it is generally unclear whether the treatments examined are more effective than saline gauze.More research is needed to determine whether particular dressings or topical agents improve the probability of healing of pressure ulcers. The NMA is uninformative regarding which interventions might best be included in a large trial, and it may be that research is directed towards prevention, leaving clinicians to decide which treatment to use on the basis of wound symptoms, clinical experience, patient preference and cost. | 10.1002/14651858.CD011947.pub2 |
pubmed_392_7100 | OBJECTIVES
Morphologic anomalies of the feline gallbladder (GB) have been previously reported in the literature. These morphologic variants are frequently encountered on routine abdominal ultrasound examination. The aim of this study was to provide an ultrasonographic classification system of these variants and document the overall incidence in the feline population.
METHODS
A prospective, descriptive study was undertaken; cats that had an abdominal ultrasound examination that included at least one sagittal and transverse plane image of the GB were included. GB shape was evaluated and categorized based on a classification scheme of morphologic variants modified from the human literature. Septated (S), bilobed (B1, B2, B3), duplex (D) and complex (C) categories were described.
RESULTS
Of 516 cats included in the study, 389 had normal GB morphology, while 127 had anomalous GB morphology. The overall incidence rate of anomalous GB morphology was 24.61%. When examined by morphologic type, the septated (S) morphology had an incidence of 9.69%. A bilobed (B) morphology was the most commonly observed classification; incidence was 14.35% within our population; incidence of B1, B2 and B3 subtypes were 2.91%, 6.98% and 4.46%, respectively. Duplex GBs only made up 0.39% of the total population. The incidence of complex (C) morphologies was 0.19%.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The incidence of GB morphologic anomalies was higher in our population than previously reported. Identification of these anomalies on routine ultrasound evaluation is common; numerous different morphologies can be identified and a standardized classification scheme is proposed. Complete evaluation of morphology can be challenging, particularly with regard to cystic duct anatomy. Clinical significance is uncertain and future studies are warranted to determine the relationship between morphologic variants and hepatobiliary disease. | 10.1177/1098612X211055629 |
pubmed_15_13419 | In the development of novel substrates used for production of human vaccines there has been significant progress made in recent years. Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases like the recent porcine Influenza A virus (H1N1) pandemic necessitated the availability of unprecedented amounts of vaccines. In addition, the high demand for vaccines in the industrialised countries has also been paralleled by a steep increase in demand in developing countries. The manufacturing capability for viral vaccines produced in embryonated hen eggs and conventional/classical cell substrates, such as chicken embryo fibroblasts, has now reached its capacity limit. This constraint may be overcome by utilising other recognised cell substrates such as Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) (dog origin), Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) (hamster cells) or Vero cells (monkey origin) or as an alternative, introduce new cell substrates of human or avian origin. Using new cell substrates may prove to be a highly replication-proficient way of producing live viral vaccines such as Influenza A viruses. Despite some advantages, cell substrates may pose a small residual risk to humans since some of them are known to be tumourigenic in immunosuppressed animals. However, this residual risk should be considered acceptable by regulators. Safety testing requirements for cell substrates used in the manufacture of vaccines is mandated by published guidance from organisations such as World Health Organization (WHO), United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA) and International Conferences on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human use (ICH) as well as requirements laid down in compendial monographs (Ph. Eur. and USP). This paper considers the guidance contained in these regulatory documents. In addition, the safety challenges and almost arbitrary risk-based classification of cell substrates used in the production of human vaccines together with compliance to GCCP (Good Cell Culture Practice) are discussed. Even though there has been tremendous progress in the last few years, reflected mainly by revisions and updates to regulatory guidance documents, there still is still no consensus between regulators nor significant harmonisation of the guidance documents or monographs. | 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.02.015 |
pubmed_132_5030 | Abstract Each county in England and Wales has been classified as rural or urban for each of the decennial census years 1851-1951. One index has been used as the basis for these classifications, the percentage of adult males occupied in agriculture. Thus, for each census year a value, in term of this index, was fixed as the criterion to determine whether a county was rural or urban in that year. This criterion of classification varies, over time. This is to allow for the reduction in the percentage of adult males occupied in agriculture as a result of structural changes in the occupational distribution (associated with general modernization), rather than through a shift away from agriculture. The geographical patterns of urbanization in England and Wales during the period 1851-1951, and some associated social and economic changes, are discussed in the paper. | 10.1080/00324728.1970.10406138 |
pubmed_686_19214 | Synapse loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is poorly understood but evidence suggests it is a key pathological event. In order to precisely detect stable synaptic changes, we have developed methods for flow cytometry analysis of synaptosomes prepared from cryopreserved AD samples, and have previously shown that amyloid-beta (Abeta) accumulates in surviving presynaptic terminals in AD cortex. In the present experiments we have examined amyloid-containing terminals in more detail, first dual labeling synaptosomes from AD cortex for Abeta and a series of markers, and then using quadrant analysis to compare amyloid-positive and amyloid-negative terminals. Amyloid-positive synaptosomes were larger in size than amyloid-negatives (p<0.007), and significant increases were observed in mean fluorescence for the lipid raft markers cholesterol (27%; p<0.0005) and GM1 ganglioside (24%; p<0.005). SNAP-25 immunofluorescence was increased by 31% (p<0.0001) in amyloid-bearing terminals, consistent with a sprouting response to amyloid accumulation. These results suggest that Abeta accumulation in synaptic terminals may underly dysfunction prior to or independent of extracellular amyloid deposition. | 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2005.10.018 |
pubmed_927_15782 | Oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by nitrite is characterized by the presence of a lag phase followed by an autocatalysis. As reported previously (Kosaka, H., Imaizumi, K. and Tyuma, I. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 702, 237-241), in phosphate buffer nitrite produced an ESR signal at g 2.005 (hereafter referred to as the g 2 radical). The g 2 radical produced NO.2 from NO-2, then NO.2 oxidized oxyhemoglobin. Superoxide dismutase did not modify the oxidation. On the other hand in N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)iminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane (bistris) buffer, superoxide dismutase markedly elongated the lag phase and accelerated the autocatalysis, indicating O-2 production. Bistris scavenged the g 2 radical. O-2 was generated by the reduction of O2 by a radical derived from bistris. Inositol hexaphosphate inhibited the oxidation by decreasing H2O2 production from oxyhemoglobin. | 10.1016/0167-4838(82)90460-5 |
pubmed_763_22311 | INTRODUCTION
The interaction between psychosocial factors and type 1 diabetes is complex and screening for psychosocial risk factors from diagnosis of type 1 diabetes has been recommended. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis to address the following questions: (1) How prevalent are symptoms of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes? (2) Is there an association of symptoms of depression and anxiety with diabetes management and glycemic control?
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO in April 2014 with an update in May 2015. When possible, data were pooled to estimate summary effects.
RESULTS
14 studies investigated symptoms of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The pooled prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.04%, 95% CI [16.33; 43.74]. There were correlations between symptom levels and glycemic control as well as three-way interactions between HbA1c, blood glucose monitoring frequency or diabetes-specific stress and depression. Symptoms of anxiety were reported for up to 32% of patients. A negative impact on glycemic control was demonstrated.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analyses confirmed a high prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in youth with type 1 diabetes that potentially compromise diabetes management and glycemic control. In our opinion these findings support recommendations for early screening for psychological comorbidity and regular psychosocial assessment from diagnosis. Future prospective studies are warranted to further explore the interaction of symptoms of depression and anxiety with type 1 diabetes and develop evidence-based treatment models. | pubmed_763_22311 |
pubmed_871_11328 | Between seven and 21% of patients treated with the specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 have been reported to develop mild-to-moderate severity of adverse cutaneous reactions. We report a patient in the blast crisis phase of chronic myeloid leukaemia who developed a life-threatening cutaneous reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, following 1 week of STI571 therapy. This report may serve to remind the clinician about the possible severe cutaneous side-effects of STI571 before instituting more extensive clinical application of this agent in the future. | 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2002.03499.x |
pubmed_268_5080 | This study used a unique longitudinal survey of more than 3000 mother-infant pairs observed from pregnancy through infancy. The sample is representative of infants from the Cebu region of the Philippines. The sequencing of breast-feeding and diarrheal morbidity events was carefully examined in a longitudinal analysis which allowed for the examination of age-specific effects of feeding patterns. Because the work controlled for a wide range of environmental causes of diarrhea, the results can be generalized to other populations with some confidence. The addition to the breast-milk diet of even water, teas, and other nonnutritive liquids doubled or tripled the likelihood of diarrhea. Supplementation of breast-feeding with additional nutritive foods or liquids further increased significantly the risk of diarrhea; most benefits of breast-feeding alone or in combination with nutritive foods/liquids became small during the second half of infancy. Benefits of breast-feeding were slightly greater in urban environments. | pubmed_268_5080 |
pubmed_899_14254 | The objective of the present work was the comparative comprehensive immunohistochemical study of thepharyngeal tonsillar tissues taken from the children living in the regions of the Republic of Tatarstan (RT) differing in the degree of pollution of the atmospheric air. A total of 100 samples of hyperplastic adenoid vegetation tissuesdivided into three groups were available for the examination. Group 1 included pharyngeal tonsillar tissues obtained from the children (n=20) living in the regions of RT with the low level of atmospheric pollution. Groups 2 and 3 were composed of tissue samples from 48 and 32 children respectively living in the regions of TR with the moderate and high levels of environmental pollution. The analysis of the results obtained in this study demonstrated that the morphological changes in the hyperplastic pharyngeal tonsillar tissues depend on the strength of the environmental impacts. The lymphoid tissue was shown to respond to the effect of the ecopathological factors in the form of both non-specific stromal-vascular reactions and specific immunomorphological reactions. The former are apparent as microcirculatory disorders followed by sclerosis and the latter as the reduced intensity of the local immune response associated with inactivation of its T- and B-cellular components mediated through the changes in the monocytic-macrophagal system. | 10.17116/otorino201580430-33 |
pubmed_631_22769 | The CNS is prone to heterogeneous insults of diverse etiologies that elicit multifaceted responses. Acute and focal injuries trigger wound repair with tissue replacement. Diffuse and chronic diseases provoke gradually escalating tissue changes. The responses to CNS insults involve complex interactions among cells of numerous lineages and functions, including CNS intrinsic neural cells, CNS intrinsic nonneural cells, and CNS extrinsic cells that enter from the circulation. The contributions of diverse nonneuronal cell types to outcome after acute injury, or to the progression of chronic disease, are of increasing interest as the push toward understanding and ameliorating CNS afflictions accelerates. In some cases, considerable information is available, in others, comparatively little, as examined and reviewed here. | pubmed_631_22769 |
pubmed_483_13878 | Birds are the natural reservoir of viruses with zoonotic potential, as well as contributing to the evolution, emergence, and dissemination of novel viruses. In this study, we applied a high-throughput screening approach to identify the diversity of viruses in 118 samples of birds captured between October 2006 to October 2010 in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. We found nearly complete genomes of novel species of astrovirus and calicivirus in cloacal swabs of ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres) collected in Coroa do Avião islet, Pernambuco State. These viruses are positive-sense single-stranded RNA with a genome of ~7 to 8 kb, and were designated as Ruddy turnstone astrovirus (RtAstV) and Ruddy turnstone calicivirus (RTCV), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that RtAstV and RTCV grouped in a monophyletic clade with viruses identified from poultry samples (i.e., chicken, goose, and turkey), including viruses associated with acute nephritis in chickens. Attempts of viral propagation in monkey and chicken cell lines for both viruses were unsuccessful. Also, we found genomes related with viral families that infect invertebrates and plants, suggesting that they might be ingested in the birds' diet. In sum, these findings shed new light on the diversity of viruses in migratory birds with the notable characterization of a novel astrovirus and calicivirus. | 10.1038/s41598-019-42110-3 |
pubmed_992_371 | Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory, and debilitating disease of hair follicles with 1-4% prevalence and high morbidity. There is a dearth of information on the pathogenesis and immune dysregulation underlying HS; therefore, we carried out a detailed analysis of skin-infiltrating T cells. Cells isolated from skin biopsy samples and blood from HS patients and healthy control subjects were analyzed by 16-parameter flow cytometry to provide detailed profiles of CD4 T-cell subsets. We observed substantial infiltration of inflammatory T cells with a striking T helper (Th) type 17-skewed cytokine profile in HS skin; these cells expressed the Th17 lineage marker CD161 and IL-17, as well as proinflammatory cytokines GM-CSF, IL-22, IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor. Regulatory T cells were also enriched in HS lesional skin; however, the ratio of Th17 to regulatory T cells was nonetheless highly dysregulated in favor of Th17 cells. In contrast, lesional skin from anti-tumor necrosis factor-treated HS patients who showed substantial clinical improvement exhibited a significant reduction in the frequency of Th17 cells and normalization of the Th17 to regulatory T cell ratio. These data suggest that inhibition of pathogenic IL-17 via tumor necrosis factor blockade is associated with improvement in immune dysregulation in HS and may provide a rationale for targeting IL-17 in the disease. | 10.1016/j.jid.2017.05.033 |
pubmed_70_15140 | Anthropometric factors such as height, weight and body mass index are related to the occurrence of certain malignancies in women including cancers of the breast, ovary and endometrium. Several studies have investigated the relation between height and weight or body mass and the risk of cutaneous melanoma in women, but results have been inconsistent. We conducted a collaborative analysis of these factors using the original data from 8 case-control studies of melanoma in women (2,083 cases and 2,782 controls), with assessment of the potential confounding effects of socioeconomic, pigmentary and sun exposure-related factors. Women in the highest quartile of height had an increased risk of melanoma [pooled odds ratio (pOR) 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.6]. We also found an elevated risk associated with weight gain in adult life of 2 kg or more (pOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.0). Stratifying by age at melanoma diagnosis (<50, >or=50 yr), we found this risk greater among women <50 yr of age. Associations were unaffected by adjustment for other known risk factors for melanoma. There was no evidence that the effects varied for different histologic subtypes of cutaneous melanoma. There was no association with body weight per se, body mass index, or body surface area, either recent or in young adulthood. In aggregate, data from these studies suggest that greater height and weight gain may be risk factors for cutaneous melanoma in women. | 10.1002/ijc.23214 |
pubmed_60_54 | The main objectives in childhood urinary tract infections are rapid recovery from complaints, prevention of urosepsis and infection-related complications as well as the prevention of renal parenchymal damage. Calculated antibiotic therapy should take the local resistance rates of uropathogens into consideration. The current situation of bacterial resistances differs from region to region. In Escherichia coli, resistance rates against cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, nitrofurantoin und chinolones have been relatively low. In contrast, resistance rates against ampicillin have increased over the last 20 years. A similar trend has been observed for TMP/SMX. The choice of appropriate antibiotics, the duration of therapy and the form of application depend on age, severity of clinical symptoms and the presence of complicating factors. In early infancy, a combination of aminoglycoside/ampicillin or ceftazidime/ampicillin is commonly recommended as first-line treatment in pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis in young infants should always be treated in a paediatric clinic. In later infancy and childhood, an oral third-generation cephalosporin can be used. | 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2011.09.006 |
pubmed_568_11008 | BACKGROUND
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common acquired gastrointestinal emergency in premature infants. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on NEC in a neonatal rat model.
METHODS
We randomly divided 50 newborn SD rats into a control group, NEC group, NEC + 50 ng/mL EGF group, NEC + 500 ng/mL EGF group, and NEC + 1,000 ng/mL EGF group, with 10 cases in each group. The appearance of intestinal tissue, physiological status score, inflammatory factor level, HE staining, and pathological score were used to evaluate the protective effect. A one cm tissue sample from the proximal ileum of the ileocecal area of five rats from the NEC group and the group that showed a significant protective effect were extracted for transcriptome sequencing.
RESULTS
The levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the intestinal mucosa in the NEC + 500 ng/mL EGF group were significantly lower than those in the NEC + 1,000 ng/mL EGF group (P<0.05). Transcriptome sequencing suggested that EGF effects the intestinal barrier, apoptosis, and inflammation of the NEC intestine.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the oral administration of 500 ng/mL EGF effectively inhibits intestinal inflammation in NEC neonatal rat models, thereby affecting the barrier function of the intestinal tract. | 10.21037/tp-21-81 |
pubmed_166_1137 | While tumour cells are classically known to communicate via direct cell-to-cell contact and the secretion of soluble protein-based factors such as cytokines and growth factors, alternative novel mechanisms that promote tumour progression have recently emerged. Now, new critical components of the secretome thought to be involved in tumour progression are exosomes, small vesicles of endocytic origin that carry a variety of bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, RNA, as well as DNA molecules. Cancer cell-derived exosomes have been shown to participate in crucial steps of metastatic spread of a primary tumour, ranging from oncogenic reprogramming of malignant cells to formation of pre-metastatic niches. These effects are achieved through the mediation of intercellular cross-talk and subsequent modification of both local and distant microenvironments in an autocrine and paracrine fashion. Here, we summarise the recent findings that implicate this non-canonical signalling within the tumour as a critical driver of metastatic disease progression, and discuss how understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in exosome-mediated metastasis is of great value for the development of new therapeutic strategies to prevent cancer progression. | 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.01.004 |
pubmed_51_1453 | INTRODUCTION
Extended facial tissue defects are difficult to reconstruct because of the anatomical and functional complexity of the area. Recently, composite facial allotransplantation was used for reconstruction. This could be performed because of specific facial blood supply and its facial and maxillary anastomoses. Could a composite naso-labio-mental flap rely on the sole blood supply of a facial artery anastomosis? We performed an anatomic study of a naso-labio-mental composite flap vascularized by the facial artery.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
The study relied on arteriographies made on cadaveric heads and in vivo. The following data was analyzed: caliber of facial and maxillary arteries, terminal branch of facial arteries, and vascular territories.
RESULTS
Sixteen facial arteries and six maxillary arteries were studied. The mean facial artery caliber was 2.06 mm (1-3.2mm). The facial artery ended in the nasal area in 68.8% of the cases. The latero-nasal artery was always present; it was a branch of the facial artery in 66.7% of cases. The two facial arteries, when injected bilaterally, always allowed complete facial composite flap circulation. The nasal territory of the flap was not opacified by the homolateral facial artery in 16.7% of the cases.
DISCUSSION
Both facial artery anastomoses are recommended as blood supply for composite midfacial flaps. Preoperative imaging should be used systematically to assess the vascular network before harvesting. | 10.1016/j.stomax.2012.03.001 |
pubmed_1088_20640 | In this study, hydroxyapatite (HA) was coated on both thermal treated and untreated Ti-40Zr substrates by means of electrolytic deposition. It was predicted that the HA layer would increase the bioactivity and osteoconductivity of the Ti-40Zr substrate, and a thermal treatment would improve the bonding strength between the HA layer and Ti-40Zr substrate, and prevent the corrosion of the Ti-40Zr substrate. First, the Ti-40Zr samples were annealed at various temperatures (200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 degrees C respectively). After annealing, samples were immersed in a Ca(NO(3))(2).4H(2)O and (NH(4))(3)PO(4).3H(2)O solution for the electrolytic deposition of the HA coating. Various analyses of the coating were conducted, including surface morphology, phase structure, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and bond strength between HA and Ti-40Zr. Experimental results indicated that the bonding strength of the HA coating on the thermal treated Ti-40Zr was markedly improved when compared to that of the HA coating on an untreated Ti-40Zr alloy. The corrosion resistance of Ti-40Zr was also improved by the use of the thermal treatment, as shown by a potentiodynamic polarization test. Finally, osteoblast-like cells cultured on the HA coating surface were found to have proliferated on all samples. | 10.1007/s10856-009-3757-6 |
pubmed_324_2292 | The scototaxis test has been introduced recently to assess anxiety-like phenotypes in fish, including zebrafish. Parametric analyses suggest that scototaxis represents an approach-avoidance conflict, which hints at anxiety. In this model, white avoidance represents anxiety-like behavior, while the number of shuttling events represents activity. Acute or chronic fluoxetine, buspirone, benzodiazepines, ethanol, caffeine and dizocilpine were assessed using the light-dark box (scototaxis) test in zebrafish. Acute fluoxetine treatment did not alter white avoidance, but altered locomotion in the higher dose; chronic treatment (2 weeks), on the other hand, produced an anxiolytic effect with no locomotor outcomes. The benzodiazepines produced a hormetic (inverted U-shaped) dose-response profile, with intermediate doses producing anxiolysis and no effect at higher doses; clonazepam, a high-potency benzodiazepine agonist, produced a locomotor impairment at the highest dose. Buspirone produced an anxiolytic profile, without locomotor impairments. Moclobemide did not produce behavioral effects. Ethanol also produced a hormetic profile in white avoidance, with locomotor activation in 0.5% concentration. Caffeine produced an anxiogenic profile, without locomotor effects. These results suggest that the light-dark box is sensitive to anxiolytic and anxiogenic drugs in zebrafish. | 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2011.01.006 |
pubmed_364_22675 | There is clear evidence that micro- and nanoplastics are accumulating in the environment, and their increasing concern of potential harm to wildlife has been identified as a major global issue. However, identification of nanoplastics in environmental samples remains a great challenge, and thus highlighting the great need for new approach. Herein, for the first time, we show that surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) offered a feasible approach to identify trace polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics, which is the most produced nanoplastics and also widely presented in the natural environment. We found that when PS nanoplastics were surrounded by SERS-active silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), a set of Raman spectra with chemical information could be obtained via SERS mapping. This map showed the potential PS distribution of the nanoplastics on a silicon wafer, allowing a quick and detailed analysis of the nanoplastics. Moreover, the proposed method was able to identify previously undetectable plastic particles as small as ~50 nm spiked in real water, demonstrating the power of SERS to probe nanoplastics. Our work is thus an important step in nanoplastic research, and we believe that this approach can be further developed to study the occurrence, formation, and transports of nanoplastics in the natural environment. | 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121552 |
pubmed_292_18095 | A processing advantage for emotional words relative to neutral words has been widely demonstrated in the monolingual domain (e.g., Kuperman et al., 2014). It is also well-known that, in bilingual speakers who have a certain degree of proficiency in their second language, the effects of the affective content of words on cognition are not restricted to the native language (e.g., Ferré et al., 2010). The aim of the present study was to test whether this facilitatory effect can also be obtained during the very early stages of word acquisition. In the context of a novel word learning paradigm, participants were trained on a set of Basque words by associating them to their Spanish translations. Words' concreteness and affective valence were orthogonally manipulated. Immediately after the learning phase and 1 week later, participants were tested in a Basque go-no go lexical decision task as well as in a translation task in which they had to provide the Spanish translation of the Basque words. A similar pattern of results was found across tasks and sessions, revealing main effects of concreteness and emotional content as well as an interaction between both factors. Thus, the emotional content facilitated the acquisition of abstract, but not concrete words, in the new language, with a more reliable effect for negative words than for positive ones. The results are discussed in light of the embodied theoretical view of semantic representation proposed by Kousta et al. (2011). | 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00976 |
pubmed_498_2989 | The fundamental basis in the development of novel radiotherapy methods is in-vitro cellular studies. To assess different endpoints of cellular reactions to irradiation like proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and cell death, several assays are used in radiobiological research as standard methods. For example, colony forming assay investigates cell survival and Caspase3/7-Sytox assay cell death. The major limitation of these assays is the analysis at a fixed timepoint after irradiation. Thus, not much is known about the reactions before or after the assay is performed. Additionally, these assays need special treatments, which influence cell behavior and health. In this study, a completely new method is proposed to tackle these challenges: A deep-learning algorithm called CeCILE (Cell Classification and Lifecycle Evaluation), which is used to detect and analyze cells on videos obtained from phase-contrast microscopy. With this method, we can observe and analyze the behavior and the health conditions of single cells over several days after treatment, up to a sample size of 100 cells per image frame. To train CeCILE, we built a dataset by labeling cells on microscopic images and assign class labels to each cell, which define the cell states in the cell cycle. After successful training of CeCILE, we irradiated CHO-K1 cells with 4 Gy protons, imaged them for 2 days by a microscope equipped with a live-cell-imaging set-up, and analyzed the videos by CeCILE and by hand. From analysis, we gained information about cell numbers, cell divisions, and cell deaths over time. We could show that similar results were achieved in the first proof of principle compared with colony forming and Caspase3/7-Sytox assays in this experiment. Therefore, CeCILE has the potential to assess the same endpoints as state-of-the-art assays but gives extra information about the evolution of cell numbers, cell state, and cell cycle. Additionally, CeCILE will be extended to track individual cells and their descendants throughout the whole video to follow the behavior of each cell and the progeny after irradiation. This tracking method is capable to put radiobiologic research to the next level to obtain a better understanding of the cellular reactions to radiation. | 10.3389/fonc.2021.688333 |
pubmed_129_19912 | Specimens for the determination of adhesive bond strength to dentine were prepared using suitable surfaces of freshly extracted teeth from 15 patients who were having immediate dentures fitted. As soon as possible after extraction, shallow cavities were cut into the dentine to a depth of 1 mm using a high-speed round bur (diameter 4.2 mm) under water coolant. The cavities were restored using dentine bonding agents and single increments of light activated composite resin. The restored teeth were cut down to approximately 5 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick and were either placed in previously prepared sites in the buccal or occlusal surfaces of their respective dentures or in containers of tap water. Patients were instructed to remove their dentures only for cleaning with a soft nylon brush and toilet soap, while the laboratory specimens were stored at ambient temperature. After one week, the tensile force needed to dislodge each restoration from its cavity was determined using a universal testing machine. Previously reported laboratory methods for bond strength determination have usually employed a flat dentine surface. However, this study more closely resembled the clinical situation in that the smear layer was produced by a rotary cutting instrument, and the effects of polymerization shrinkage when curing the composite resin were simulated. Furthermore, it was easier to confine the bonding agent to the desired dentine surface. | 10.1111/j.1834-7819.1990.tb05429.x |
pubmed_975_19458 | Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) increases the number of colonies surviving methotrexate (MTX) exposure in a dose-dependent manner upon short incubation with Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Seventy percent of the isolated colonies showed increased copy number for the dihydrofolate reductase gene. EGTA prevents the increase in resistance triggered by TPA. Calcium ionophore A23187 and angiotensin II also increase this resistance, suggesting that calcium is involved in this process. Protein kinase C (PKC) from CHO cells is rapidly activated by TPA, A23187 and angiotensin II. PKC inhibitors, 1-(5-Isoquinolinylsulphonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine (H-7), glycyrrhetinic acid, staurosporine and calphostin C decrease the generation of resistant colonies to MTX upon incubation with TPA. However, 5 nM staurosporine on its own increases resistance to MTX while having the ability to translocate CHO PKC. In vitro, H-7, staurosporine and calphostin C inhibit PKC activity translocated by TPA incubation with CHO cells. We conclude that PKC, the activity of which is dependent on calcium and phospholipids, is part of the pathway that leads to development of increased resistance to MTX. Thus, inhibition of PKC prevents the appearance of this resistance. Our results suggest the possibility of using non-toxic PKC inhibitors as resistance modulators in MTX chemotherapy. | 10.1016/0006-2952(95)00147-r |
pubmed_133_14258 | BACKGROUND
Trigger mechanisms for the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients without structural heart disease are not well established. New analysis methods of heart rate (HR) variability based on nonlinear system theory may reveal features and abnormalities in R-R interval behavior that are not detectable by traditional analysis methods. The purpose of this study was to reveal possible alterations in the dynamics of R-R intervals before the spontaneous onset of paroxysmal AF.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Traditional time and frequency domain HR variability indices, along with the short-term scaling exponent alpha(1) and approximate entropy (ApEn), were analyzed in 20-minute intervals before 92 episodes of spontaneous, paroxysmal AF in 22 patients without structural heart disease. Traditional HR variability measures showed no significant changes before the onset of AF. A progressive decrease occurred both in ApEn (1.09+/-0.26 120 to 100 minutes before AF; 0.88+/-0.24 20 to 0 minutes before AF; P<0.001) and in alpha(1) (1.01+/-0.28 120 to 100 minutes before AF, 0.89+/-0.28 20 to 0 minutes before AF; P<0.05) before the AF episodes. Both ApEn (0. 89+/-0.27 versus 1.02+/-0.30; P<0.05) and alpha(1) (0.91+/-0.28 versus 1.27+/-0.21; P<0.001) were also lower before the onset of AF compared with values obtained from matched healthy control subjects.
CONCLUSIONS
A decrease in the complexity of R-R intervals and altered fractal properties in short-term R-R interval dynamics precede the spontaneous onset of AF in patients with no structural heart disease. Further studies are needed to determine the physiological correlates of these new, nonlinear HR variability measures. | 10.1161/01.cir.100.20.2079 |
pubmed_58_15711 | Patient satisfaction surveys are an increasingly common element of efforts to evaluate the quality of healthcare. Many patient satisfaction surveys in low/middle-income countries frame statements positively and invite patients to agree or disagree, so that positive responses may reflect either true satisfaction or bias induced by the positive framing. In an experiment with more than 2200 patients in Nigeria, we distinguish between actual satisfaction and survey biases. Patients randomly assigned to receive negatively framed statements expressed significantly lower levels of satisfaction (87%) than patients receiving the standard positively framed statements (95%-p<0.001). Depending on the question, the effect is as high as a 19 percentage point drop (p<0.001). Thus, high reported patient satisfaction likely overstates the quality of health services. Providers and policymakers wishing to gauge the quality of care will need to avoid framing that induces bias and to complement patient satisfaction measures with more objective measures of quality. | 10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000694 |
pubmed_976_4384 | Insight of patients with schizophrenia seems to be a complex phenomenon that includes elements of a psychological, psychopathological, neurocognitive, and interactional nature. The purpose of this research was to study two of these areas (psychopathology and interpersonal relationships) in order to determine their influence on insight and their interrelation. Eighty-two outpatients fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were studied using the Schedule for the Assessment of Insight (SAI), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the Social Cognitions and Object Relations Scale (SCORS). Bivariate correlations and multiple regression tests were performed. The positive component of the PANSS and the understanding of social causality (SCORS) appeared as the most significant variables related to level of insight. Positive symptoms were inversely related to insight, whereas understanding of social causality was directly associated with an appropriate awareness of illness. These results support the idea that insight is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon. In this respect, the study of the psychopathological dimension of insight should be accompanied by the consideration of interactional and social factors, because awareness of illness can be considered ultimately as an index of concordance between patients' views of the illness and cultural standards regarding mental disorders. | 10.1093/oxfordjournals.schbul.a006940 |
pubmed_424_12010 | BACKGROUND
The physician treating patients with migraine is now able to choose from among seven triptans-almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan and zolmitriptan. These differ, to greater or lesser degrees, on a range of clinical attributes important for treatment selection.
OBJECTIVE
To outline the basic principles of Multiattribute Decision Making (MADM) and describe how one such method-TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution)-can be applied to evaluate the currently available triptans.
METHODS
In an example application, summary data from a recent meta-analysis of 53 published and unpublished placebo-controlled trials of the oral triptans were combined in TOPSIS models with computer-generated attribute importance weights representing the entire range of possible values, That is, the relative performance of the triptans was explored across all logically possible combinations of relative importance of the treatment attributes available from the meta-analysis, and uncertainty was assessed based on the confidence intervals from the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
When compared across the entire range of values for relative attribute importance, almotriptan, eletriptan and rizatriptan were more similar to a hypothetical ideal triptan and were more likely to appear in the top three closest to the hypothetical ideal, than were naratriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan.
CONCLUSION
Using the TOPSIS model, almotriptan, eletriptan and rizatriptan were more likely to appear in the top three closest to the hypothetical ideal triptan. | 10.1007/s00415-005-0769-0 |
pubmed_449_10789 | ICP being a very significant parameter of intracranial pathology, it needs to be recorded continuously. ICP of 7 cases of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and 6 postoperative patients, for whom relationship between REM sleep and ICP was under discussion, was monitored at night and recorded by Brock's method. Polygraphic records also were obtained. Increased ICP was related to REM sleep in 3 of 6 postoperative cases. In the remaining 3 cases, REM sleep could not be observed the first postoperative night, and ICP was lower and stable all night. This fact may be an effect of anesthetic drugs. NPH patients were divided into 2 groups by pressure profile during night recording of ICP. One group of 2 cases demonstrated irregular ICP during REM sleep while the other group of 5 cases did not. The former 2 cases showed neurological improvement after shunt operations. In NPH cases, ICP has significance in deciding whether surgery is necessary. It appears reasonable to suggest that the augumentation of ICP during REM sleep in cases of hydrocephalus and postoperative condition is related to an increase in cerebral blood flow and an exhaustion of the absorptive mechanisms of CSF. | pubmed_449_10789 |
pubmed_614_25081 | This paper describes a method to estimate mechanical properties of soft, anisotropic materials from measurements of shear waves with specific polarization and propagation directions. This method is applicable to data from magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), which is a method for measuring shear waves in live subjects or in vitro samples. Here, we simulate MRE data using finite element analysis. A nearly incompressible, transversely isotropic (ITI) material model with three parameters (shear modulus, shear anisotropy, and tensile anisotropy) is used, which is appropriate for many fibrous, biological tissues. Both slow and fast shear waves travel concurrently through such a material with speeds that depend on the propagation direction relative to fiber orientation. A three-parameter estimation approach based on directional filtering and isolation of slow and fast shear wave components (directional filter inversion, or DFI) is introduced. Wave speeds of each isolated shear wave component are estimated using local frequency estimation (LFE), and material properties are calculated using weighted least squares. Data from multiple finite element simulations are used to assess the accuracy and reliability of DFI for estimation of anisotropic material parameters. | 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.09.009 |
pubmed_456_21045 | The nargenicin family of antibiotics are macrolides containing a rare ether-bridged cis-decalin motif. Several of these compounds are highly active against multi-drug resistant organisms. Despite the identification of the first members of this family almost 40 years ago, the genetic basis for the production of these molecules and the enzyme responsible for formation of the oxa bridge, remain unknown. Here, the 85 kb nargenicin biosynthetic gene cluster was identified from a human pathogenic Nocardia arthritidis isolate and this locus is solely responsible for nargenicin production. Further investigation of this locus revealed a putative iron-α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase, which was found to be responsible for the formation of the ether bridge from the newly identified deoxygenated precursor, 8,13-deoxynargenicin. Uncovering the nargenicin biosynthetic locus provides a molecular basis for the rational bioengineering of these interesting antibiotic macrolides. | 10.1002/anie.201900290 |
pubmed_10_14954 | Fractures are common among aged people, and rapid assessment of the coagulation status is important. The thromboelastography (TEG) test can give a series of coagulation parameters and has been widely used in clinics. In this research, we looked at fracture patients over 60 and compared their TEG results with those of healthy controls. Since there is a paucity of studies comparing TEG assessments with conventional coagulation tests, we aim to clarify the relationship between TEG values and the values given by conventional coagulation tests.Forty fracture patients (27 femur and 13 humerus) over 60 years old were included in the study. The change in their coagulation status was evaluated by TEG before surgery within 4 hours after the fracture. Changes in TEG parameters were analyzed compared with controls. Conventional coagulation test results for the patients, including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), international normalized ratio (INR), fibrinogen, and platelets, were also acquired, and correlation analysis was done with TEG parameters, measuring similar aspects of the coagulation cascade. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of TEG parameters for detecting raised fibrinogen levels were also analyzed.The K (time to 20 mm clot amplitude) and R (reaction time) values of aged fracture patients were lower than controls. The values for angle, maximal amplitude (MA), and coagulation index (CI) were raised compared with controls, indicating a hypercoagulable state. Correlation analysis showed that there were significant positive correlations between fibrinogen and MA/angle, between platelets and MA, and between APTT and R as well. There was significant negative correlation between fibrinogen and K. In addition, K values have better sensitivity and specificity for detecting elevated fibrinogen concentration than angle and MA values.Aged fracture patients tend to be in a hypercoagulable state, and this could be effectively reflected by a TEG test. There were correlations between TEG parameters and corresponding conventional tests. K values can better predict elevated fibrinogen levels in aged fracture patients. | 10.1097/MD.0000000000003934 |
pubmed_1027_7621 | The functional electrical stimulation (FES) assisted gait of paraplegic patients is inferior to that of healthy subjects. The difference can be observed in terms of speed, upright balance, biomechanical energy consumption, and generation of propulsion forces in the direction of walking. The biomechanical structure of paraplegic subjects is the same as that of normal ones; however, the mode of walking differs significantly because of the reduced number of activated muscles and primitive control. The healthy subject is utilizing a 2-point dynamically stable gait. The paraplegic patient is using 4-channel FES and utilizing a 4-point statically stable gait. We believe that the FES gait can be improved if converted into a semidynamically or dynamically stable gait. The gait is considered statically stable if the center of gravity (COG) projection on the ground (PCOG) is inside the supporting area. For a quadruped, this is only possible if it is utilizing a creeping crawl gait. In this paper, the relationship between PCOG and the supporting area are discussed as a criterion for dynamic stability assessment. Results are shown for 3 different modes of 2-point and 4-point gaits. | 10.1111/j.1525-1594.1997.tb04650.x |
pubmed_481_4682 | BACKGROUND
Free radicals such as superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) play a key role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Mechanical forces such as pulsatile stretch may be involved in free radical production. We studied superoxide production by pulsatile stretch in human endothelial cells.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Human cultured aortic endothelial cells were exposed to pulsatile stretch up to 24 hours, and superoxide production was examined. Short-term stretch for 1 hour (10% average elongation, 50 cycles per minute) increased superoxide production 2.2-fold. This effect was reduced by diphenyleneiodonium chloride, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, but not by the xanthine oxidase inhibitor oxypurinol or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Prolonged stretch up to 6 hours increased superoxide production, but it returned to near the control level after 24 hours of stretch. However, after blockade of NO production, 24 hours of stretch did increase superoxide production 2.4-fold compared with 24 hours of stretch alone. Moreover, 24-hour stretch doubled NO synthase (NOS) (III) protein and mRNA expression. The tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis inhibitor 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine had no effect on unstretched cells but doubled superoxide production compared with 24-hour stretch alone; this increase was halved by cotreatment with 6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterine, a lipid-soluble form of tetrahydrobiopterine.
CONCLUSIONS
Short-term stretch increased superoxide production from human aortic endothelial cells via NADPH oxidase and NOS (III), whereas prolonged stretch increased both superoxide and NO production. The increase in NOS (III) protein with prolonged stretch acts as a scavenger mechanism whereby NO inactivates superoxide. Tetrahydrobiopterin determines the balance of superoxide and NO production from NOS (III) after prolonged stretch in which NOS (III) level is upregulated. | 10.1161/01.cir.96.10.3610 |
pubmed_1052_8776 | OBJECTIVE
To assess whether a Smarter Lunchroom intervention based on behavioural economics and adapted for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities would increase the selection and consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and reduce the selection and consumption of refined grains.
DESIGN
The 3-month intervention took place at a residential school between March and June 2012. The evaluation employed a quasi-experimental, pre-post design comparing five matched days of dietary data. Selection and plate waste of foods at lunch were assessed using digital photography. Consumption was estimated from plate waste.
SETTING
Massachusetts, USA.
SUBJECTS
Students (n 43) aged 11-22 years with intellectual and developmental disabilities attending a residential school.
RESULTS
Daily selection of whole grains increased by a mean of 0·44 servings (baseline 1·62 servings, P = 0·005) and refined grains decreased by a mean of 0·33 servings (baseline 0·82 servings, P = 0·005). The daily consumption of fruits increased by a mean of 0·18 servings (baseline 0·39 servings, P = 0·008), whole grains increased by 0·38 servings (baseline 1·44 servings, P = 0·008) and refined grains decreased by a mean of 0·31 servings (baseline 0·68 servings, P = 0·004). Total kilojoules and total gram weight of food selected and consumed were unchanged. Fruit (P = 0·04) and vegetable (P = 0·03) plate waste decreased.
CONCLUSIONS
A Smarter Lunchroom intervention significantly increased whole grain selection and consumption, reduced refined grain selection and consumption, increased fruit consumption, and reduced fruit and vegetable plate waste. Nudge approaches may be effective for improving the food selection and consumption habits of adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. | 10.1017/S1368980014000305 |
pubmed_745_9613 | Levels of ornithine decarboxylase activity were measured in brain regions and in adrenal glands of adult male rats exposed to electroshock. Five hours after shock at levels causing transient loss of consciousness and fore and hindlimb tonic extensor seizures, major increases in ornithine decarboxylase activity were found in adrenals, hippocampus, brain stem, frontal cortex, and cerebellum, but striatal levels were unchanged. These increases were reversed by 24 h after electroshock. When lower levels of shock, which caused no loss of consciousness, were also used, a clear dose-response relationship of shock intensity and ornithine decarboxylase activity was found for hippocampus and brain stem. The ornithine decarboxylase response in brain increased with higher shock levels. However, the changes of ornithine decarboxylase in adrenal glands were maximal at intermediate, and diminished at maximal shock values, as were levels of circulating testosterone. These data suggest a differing role for cerebral and adrenal ornithine decarboxylase in the mature rat. The brain enzyme may be primarily related to metabolic repair processes, whereas adrenal ornithine decarboxylase may function in the activation of secretion. | 10.1007/BF02834213 |
pubmed_23_1374 | Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) is a major form of tea catechin and has a variety of biological activities, including antitumor as well as antimicrobial activity against some pathogens. Although the biological activities of EGCg have been extensively studied, its immunological effects are not well known. In the present study, the ability of EGCg to modulate macrophage immune functions in an in vitro Legionella pneumophila infection model of macrophages was examined. The study showed that EGCg inhibited the growth of L. pneumophila in macrophages at a concentration as low as 0.5 microg/ml without any direct antibacterial effect on the organisms. The EGCg selectively upregulated the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and downregulated IL-10 production of macrophages induced by L. pneumophila infection in a dose-dependent manner, but did not alter IL-6 production even at a high dose. The upregulation of the levels of macrophage gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) mRNA by EGCg was also demonstrated. Treatment of macrophage cultures with anti-TNF-alpha and anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibodies markedly abolished the anti-L. pneumophila activity of macrophages induced by the EGCg treatment. These results indicate that EGCg selectively alters the immune responses of macrophages to L. pneumophila and leads to an enhanced anti-L. pneumophila activity of macrophages mediated by enhanced production of both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. However, the enhancement of in vitro anti-L. pneumophila activity by EGCg may not be directly mediated by IL-10 and IL-12 production modulation. Thus, the results of this study revealed the immunomodulatory effect of EGCg on macrophages, which have a critical role in infections. | 10.1128/IAI.69.6.3947-3953.2001 |
pubmed_1121_21928 | The temperature dependence of nanomechanical properties of adsorbed poly-NIPAm microgel particles prepared by a semibatch polymerization process was investigated in an aqueous environment via indentation-based atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods. Poly-NIPAm microgel particles prepared by the classical batch process were also characterized for comparison. The local mechanical properties were measured between 26 and 35 °C, i.e., in the temperature range of the volume transition. Two different AFM tips with different shapes and end radii were utilized. The nanomechanical properties measured by the two kinds of tips showed a similar temperature dependence of the nanomechanical properties, but the actual values were found to depend on the size of the tip. The results suggest that the semibatch synthesis process results in the formation of more homogeneous microgel particles than the classical batch method. The methodological approach reported in this work is generally applicable to soft surface characterization in situ. | 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03386 |
pubmed_214_7881 | PURPOSE
To identify risk factors associated with intraocular lens (IOL) decentration after uneventful phacoemulsification with IOL implantation.
DESIGN
A prospective cohort study.
METHODS
All patients underwent a general ophthalmologic examination. One month postoperatively, the magnitude and orientation of IOL decentration relative to the visual axis center were assessed using an OPD-Scan III aberrometer, and the vertical and horizontal decentration values were determined. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the IOL decentration and ocular biometric parameters.
RESULTS
In total, 143 eyes of 143 patients were enrolled. The mean decentration magnitude was 0.27 ± 0.15 mm, and the decentration axis appeared at any orientation, with no orientation tendency. The horizontal and vertical decentration were -0.02 ± 0.22 mm and 0.01 ± 0.22 mm, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the white-to-white distance and the magnitude of angle α were positively associated with the decentration magnitude (P < .001, adj. R2 = 0.121), the horizontal angle κ and horizontal angle α were positively associated with the horizontal decentration (P < .001, adj. R2 = 0.209), and the anterior chamber depth and vertical angle κ were positively associated with the vertical decentration (P < .001, adj. R2 = 0.152).
CONCLUSIONS
The IOL decentration magnitude was greater in patients with a larger white-to-white distance and a larger angle α, the horizontal decentration was greater in patients with a larger horizontal angle κ and a larger horizontal angle α, and the vertical decentration was greater in patients with a deeper anterior chamber depth and a larger vertical angle κ. In these patients, premium IOLs should be implanted cautiously. | 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.05.005 |
pubmed_279_17377 | Permethrin-impregnated bed nets were evaluated as a control measure for malaria in northern Guatemala. Twelve hundred forty participants were allocated to one of three experimental groups (impregnated bed nets [IBN], untreated bed nets [UBN], and controls) and followed up for a period of 13 months. The incidence density of malaria was significantly lower in both IBN (86 cases/1,000 person-years) and UBN groups (106/1,000) compared with that in controls (200/1,000). No difference in malaria incidence was noted between the IBN and UBN groups. Complaints of fever and chills were less frequent in the IBN group compared with controls. The participants were enthusiastic about the nets, which they saw as a means for avoiding nuisance insects more than for preventing malaria. Most (85%) wanted to wash their nets every 4-12 weeks, a practice known to shorten the duration of residual insecticide action. Larger studies are needed to determine whether or not impregnated bed nets offer an advantage over untreated nets in this setting. | 10.4269/ajtmh.1993.49.410 |
pubmed_572_8739 | Hepatorenal tyrosinemia is a treatable metabolic disease characterized by progressive liver failure, renal damage and pronounced coagulopathy. Its clinical diagnosis is difficult because of its low prevalence and heterogeneous symptoms. In developed countries, expanded newborn screening, based on succinylacetone quantification by tandem mass spectrometry, has been very valuable in the early detection of hepatorenal tyrosinemia, providing the opportunity for rapid treatment of affected patients. In developing countries without systematic expanded newborn screening, however, diagnosis and treatment of this disease remain major challenges, as genetic diseases in these countries are not a health priority and there are few referral centers for infants with inherited errors of metabolism. This chapter describes the diagnosis, follow-up and outcome of 20 Mexican patients with hepatorenal tyrosinemia. This chapter also constitutes a call to action to pediatricians, gastroenterologists, geneticists and other health professionals, and to academic organizations, health authorities and patient advocacy groups, to promote early patient detection and treatment, reducing the unacceptably high mortality rate (75%) in Mexican infants with this potentially deadly but eminently treatable condition. | 10.1007/978-3-319-55780-9_14 |
pubmed_135_24787 | Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting cognitive and memory abilities and is believed to be linked to the formation and accumulation of neurotoxic aggregates of the Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). In particular, it is the formation of soluble pre-fibrillar oligomers within the early stage of Aβ aggregation which is thought to represent a key step in the development of AD, thus underlining the interest in characterizing the aggregation process and the nature of these aggregates. In this context, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) has emerged as a valuable alternative for the study of these systems in solution. Indeed, the use of FCS to study terminally labelled Aβ provides a means to detect changes in the size and concentration of initially monomeric Aβ samples by monitoring these fluorescently labelled species freely diffusing in solution with single-molecule resolution. Herein, we show how to employ FCS to study the early aggregation process of Aβ(1-42) and how this can be used to estimate the critical concentration for oligomer formation and to characterize the aggregates formed. | 10.1007/978-1-0716-2597-2_1 |
pubmed_515_22856 | Radiotherapy plays a key role in the management of early stage and locally advanced head and neck squamous-cell carcinomas (HNSCC) either alone or, more frequently combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Several approaches have been developed to improve its efficacy while maintaining acceptable toxicities, such as altered fractionated radiotherapy or concomitant chemoradiotherapy which have both improved the anti-tumor efficacy of radiotherapy. Of particular interest is concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CT-RT) which is the most commonly used approach in locally advanced disease. Taxanes and platinum-based induction chemotherapy could constitute an option in the treatment of locally advanced HNSCC and it's contribution before concomitant RT-CT is currently under investigation. More recently, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) molecular targeting with cetuximab combined with radiotherapy has been successfully tested in a large randomized trial and this combination constitutes a new option, especially for patients with medical co-morbidities. Finally management of treatment related acute or late toxicity remains an important issue and in the last decade major achievements have been obtained in this field especially using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). | 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2009.01.010 |
pubmed_734_513 | Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a rare proliferative process, especially in children. Pigmented villonodular synovitis can affect the synovial joint, tendon sheaths, and bursa membranes. Within synovial joint involvement, it is commonly seen in the knee joint but hip, ankle, shoulder, wrist, and other joints can be involved. The appearance characteristic is found on a magnetic resonance imaging scan. Complete excision and synovectomy are the usual treatment. In this article, we report a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee in a 12- year-old girl who underwent total synovectomy after the diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. Three years after surgery, neither recurrence nor joint degeneration was found. The osteochondral defect at the tibial plateau was filled with calcium phosphate bone paste. | 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.03.006 |
pubmed_525_14691 | Although captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, has been shown to exert a beneficial effect on cardiac function in heart failure, its effect on the status of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) transport in the failing heart has not been examined previously. In order to determine whether captopril has a protective action on cardiac function, as well as cardiac SR Ca(2+)-pump activity and gene expression, a rat model of heart failure due to myocardial infarction was employed in this study. Sham operated and infarcted rats were given captopril (2 g/l) in drinking water; this treatment was started at either 3 or 21 days and was carried out until 8 weeks after the surgery. The untreated animals with myocardial infarction showed increased heart weight and elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure, reduced rates of pressure development and pressure fall, as well as depressed SR Ca(2+) uptake and Ca(2+)-stimulated ATPase activities in comparison with the sham control group. These hemodynamic and biochemical changes in the failing hearts were prevented by treatment of the infarcted animals with captopril. Likewise, the observed reductions in the SR Ca(2+) pump and phospholamban protein contents, as well as in the mRNA levels for SR Ca(2+) pump ATPase and phospholamban, in the failing heart were attenuated by captopril treatment. These results suggest that heart failure is associated with a defect in the SR Ca(2+) handling and a depression in the gene expression of SR proteins; the beneficial effect of captopril in heart failure may be due to its ability to prevent remodeling of the cardiac SR membrane. | 10.1006/jmcc.1999.1000 |
pubmed_613_16999 | AIM
This study aims to analyse the association between ethnicity, elevated metabolic parameters and metabolic syndrome (MS) in a multiethnic cohort of overweight to obese children and adolescents.
METHODS
For 1053 patients, standard deviation of body mass index (BMI-SDS) was calculated and metabolic parameters (fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment-IR, lipids, blood pressure) were measured. MS was defined by WHO criteria. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Adjusted differences in BMI-SDS and metabolic parameters between different migration groups were assessed with linear regression models. The risk for MS was calculated with multiple logistic regression models.
RESULTS
Forty-eight per cent of the children were German, 25% Turkish and 27% had another ethnicity. Concerning weight status, 23% are overweight, 31% obese and 46% extremely obese with higher rates among the immigrant population. Multivariable models indicate significant associations between elevated metabolic parameters and higher BMI-SDS values. Overall prevalence of MS was 32.3%. MS was detected significantly more often among Turkish patients (40.4%) compared to Germans (27.3%; p=0.02). Logistic regression analysis showed a greater risk for MS with older age (OR=1.09; p=0.003) and Turkish ethnicity (OR=1.62; p=0.02).
CONCLUSION
Nearly all patients had symptoms of MS, and 40% had MS showing that this highly health-threatening condition is quite common. Therefore, effective therapy and prevention efforts must be developed for this high risk group. More migration-specific research regarding insulin resistance, MS and Type 2 DM is needed. | 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.02119.x |
pubmed_255_6207 | We live in an age of information. Almost every element of society is dominated by information and the need for information. No person can expect to thrive in the future unless he or she knows and understands information processing, particularly computerized information processing. The growth of medical informatics in the health care field is a further indication of the pervasiveness of the information age. With this technology, however, comes a new and very different cadre of employees. Physician executives who desire to succeed in this new and changing world will have to understand how these employees are different and how management must change to accommodate them. Marilyn Kennedy begins the understanding process in this column. | pubmed_255_6207 |
pubmed_87_1289 | Secondary metabolites are often highly biologically active molecules and are widely used from antibacterial to anticancer drugs. In this issue of Chemistry and Biology, Zaehle and coworkers describe the gene cluster and biosynthesis of the polyketide terrein, a secondary metabolite produced by the soil-borne fungus Aspergillus terreus. | pubmed_87_1289 |
pubmed_943_6695 | The short-term prognosis of acutely ill patients with cirrhosis is influenced by the degree of hepatic insufficiency and by dysfunction of extrahepatic organ systems. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the prognostic accuracy of the Child-Pugh classification, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II system and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) for predicting hospital mortality in patients with cirrhosis when used 24 hours after admission to a medical intensive care unit (ICU). Prospective data were recorded on 143 patients. Cumulative mortality rates were 36% in the ICU, 46% in the hospital, and 56% at 6-month follow-up. By using the area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves, the SOFA showed an excellent discriminative power (AUROC 0.94), which was clearly superior to the APACHE II (AUROC 0.79) and the Child-Pugh system (AUROC 0.74). Hospital mortality rates below and above a cutoff of 8 SOFA points were 4% and 88%, respectively (P <.0005). The SOFA score also reflected resource use during the ICU treatment as measured by daily workload and length of stay. The SOFA is an easily applied tool with excellent prognostic abilities and can be used to enhance clinical judgment of prognosis as well as providing patients and families with objective information. | 10.1053/jhep.2001.26522 |
pubmed_608_22448 | OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to compare the oncological and functional outcomes in localized prostate cancer patients who received non-whole-gland high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with those in patients who received whole-gland HIFU therapy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Eighty-six patients from September 2012 to January 2017 in our center were retrospectively analyzed. Oncological outcomes included histological absence of prostate cancer, biochemical disease-free survival (BDFS) as well as the absence of lesions suspected for harboring prostate cancer in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). Regarding functional outcomes, we determined international prostate symptom score (IPSS), pad-free rate, pad-free and leakage-free rates as well as international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5).
RESULTS
Of the 86 patients, 25 patients who underwent non-whole-gland HIFU and 61 patients who underwent whole-gland HIFU were enrolled in our 1-year follow-up study. There were no significant differences in histological absence of prostate cancer (p = 0.655), BDFS (p = 0.820), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir (p = 0.453), and absence of suspicious lesions in mpMRI (p = 0.633) between non-whole-gland HIFU group and whole-gland HIFU group. However, compared with the whole-gland HIFU, the non-whole-gland HIFU group had fewer IPSS at 1 month (8.64 ± 3.63 vs 10.85 ± 6.10), a longer time to PSA nadir (5.04 ± 2.07 vs 3.83 ± 1.65), less temporary urine retention rate (20.0% vs 44.3%), less complication rate especially urinary tract strictures (4% vs 26.2%), whereas pad-free rate, pad-free and leakage-free rates, and IIEF scores were comparable.
CONCLUSION
Non-whole-gland HIFU is a promising type of treatment for localized prostate cancer with satisfactory oncological results with less impairment of functional outcomes and complications compared with whole-gland HIFU, but it requires longer follow-up and larger samples of randomized control trials. | 10.1089/end.2018.0468 |
pubmed_621_14112 | We present a rare case of severe unilateral corneal melt after uneventful phacoemulsification. A 38-year-old woman presented one week after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery complaining of pain and blurred vision in her operated eye. Our differential diagnosis included peripheral ulcerative keratitis, Mooren's ulcer and herpetic keratitis. The patient was started on oral acyclovir and topical steroids. An extensive blood work-up was done to rule out autoimmune diseases. Purified protein derivative test demonstrated 15 mm of erythema. Because the clinical picture was progressing, the patient was started on triple anti-tuberculosis therapy. Despite treatment, the patient was complaining of excruciating eye pain that was relieved only with intramuscular prednisone injections. The corneal melt healed after approximately three months without any other intervention, leaving a 90 per cent thickness loss in its central area. Idiopathic corneal melt after uneventful phacoemulsification is a rare complication, which must be managed in a multidirectional treatment approach to prevent devastating corneal perforation. | 10.1111/j.1444-0938.2012.00750.x |
pubmed_60_11422 | The constitutive cycling of plant plasma membrane (PM) proteins is an essential component of their function and regulation under resting or stress conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants that express GFP fusions with AtPIP1;2 and AtPIP2;1, two prototypic PM aquaporins, were used to develop a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) approach. This technique was used to discriminate between PM and endosomal pools of the aquaporin constructs, and to estimate their cycling between intracellular compartments and the cell surface. The membrane trafficking inhibitors tyrphostin A23, naphthalene-1-acetic acid and brefeldin A blocked the latter process. By contrast, a salt treatment (100 mm NaCl for 30 min) markedly enhanced the cycling of the aquaporin constructs and modified their pharmacological inhibition profile. Two distinct models for PM aquaporin cycling in resting or salt-stressed root cells are discussed. | 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2011.04841.x |
pubmed_693_11419 | Intraperitoneal injection of DMSO in rats significantly lowered level of serum sialoproteins and caused appearance of seromucoid fractions devoid of NANA (asialoproteins). The influence of DMSO on sialoprotein metabolism in the liver is discussed. | pubmed_693_11419 |
pubmed_867_4069 | There have been anecdotal reports describing patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inappropriately elevated secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), but no systematic studies of ADH and its metabolism in SLE have been performed. We measured plasma ADH levels in 36 stable SLE patients with normal renal function and examined the relationship of the circulating ADH concentration to clinical disease activity and effective extracellular fluid volume as reflected by peripheral plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration. The mean ADH level was elevated, 11.4 +/- 1.0 microU/ml (normal 0.4-1.4 microU/ml), while mean PRA and aldosterone were 5.4 +/- 0.6 ng/ml/h and 10.6 +/- 1.6 ng/100 ml, respectively. When patients were divided into two groups according to disease duration, those with SLE for 2 years or more had significantly higher plasma ADH levels (13.9 +/- 1.4 vs. 7.7 +/- 0.9 microU/ml; p less than 0.001 and urinary osmolality (697 +/- 63 vs. 445 +/- 49 mosm/kg; p less than 0.02) compared to those with SLE of less than 2 years duration. No differences in serum Na+, K+, PRA, plasma aldosterone concentration, C3, or 24-hour urinary protein excretion were noted between these two groups. Six patients with SLE for less than 2 years underwent a standard water load (20 ml/kg); in 3/6 there was a paradoxical increase in the plasma ADH concentration. These findings indicate that SLE is associated with elevated plasma ADH levels that increase with prolonged disease duration. This abnormality is unrelated to the usual serologic indices of SLE activity, effective extracellular fluid volume status, or any apparent renal unresponsiveness to ADH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | 10.1159/000184305 |
pubmed_954_22419 | Dendritic growth in fungi and neurons requires that multiple axes of polarity are established and maintained within the same cytoplasm. We have discovered that transcripts encoding key polarity factors including a formin, Bni1, and a polarisome scaffold, Spa2, are nonrandomly clustered in the cytosol to initiate and maintain sites of polarized growth in the fungus Ashbya gossypii. This asymmetric distribution requires the mRNAs to interact with a polyQ-containing protein, Whi3, and a Pumilio protein with a low-complexity sequence, Puf2. Cells lacking Whi3 or Puf2 had severe defects in establishing new sites of polarity and failed to localize Bni1 protein. Interaction of mRNAs with Whi3 and Puf2 promotes enrichment of transcripts at established sites of polarized growth and clustering of polarity transcripts throughout the cell body. Thus, aggregation-prone proteins make functional assemblies to position polarity transcripts, and nonrandom positioning of transcripts is required for symmetry-breaking events. This reveals a physiological function for polyQ-driven assemblies in regulating cell polarity. | 10.1083/jcb.201407105 |
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