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Identification of an ADPG-dependent trehalose synthase in Saccharomyces.
Uridine diphosphoglucose is not the sole donor for trehalose synthesis in yeast cells: an ADPG-dependent trehalose synthase, has been identified in mutant strains with undetectable UDPG-dependent trehalose-6-P synthase activity. Genetic and chromatographic studies indicate that the two activities correspond to different proteins. The apparent Km for the nucleotide is similar for both enzymes, and Mg2+ is also required for both activities; however, a striking difference was observed with respect to ATP.Mg activation. This newly determined enzymatic activity in Saccharomyces clarifies previous contradictory results with mutant strains that are able to accumulate trehalose during growth yet whose UDPG-dependent trehalose synthase activity is undetectable in vitro. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging in 67 321 Adults: Associations with Macular Thickness in the UK Biobank Study.
To derive macular thickness measures and their associations by performing rapid, automated segmentation of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) images collected and stored as part of the UK Biobank (UKBB) study. Large, multisite cohort study in the United Kingdom. Analysis of cross-sectional data. Adults from the United Kingdom aged 40 to 69 years. Participants had nonmydriatic SD OCT (Topcon 3D OCT-1000 Mark II; Topcon GB, Newberry, Berkshire, UK) performed as part of the ocular assessment module. Rapid, remote, automated segmentation of the images was performed using custom optical coherence tomography (OCT) image analysis software (Topcon Advanced Boundary Segmentation [TABS]; Topcon GB) to generate macular thickness values. We excluded people with a history of ocular or systemic disease (diabetes or neurodegenerative diseases) and eyes with reduced vision (<0.1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) or with low SD OCT signal-to-noise ratio and low segmentation success certainty. Macular thickness values across 9 Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfields. The SD OCT scans of 67 321 subjects were available for analysis, with 32 062 people with at least 1 eye meeting the inclusion criteria. There were 17 274 women and 14 788 men, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 55.2 (8.2) years. The mean (SD) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was -0.075 (0.087), and the refractive error was -0.071 (+1.91) diopters (D). The mean (SD) central macular thickness (CMT) in the central 1-mm ETDRS subfield was 264.5 (22.9) μm, with 95% confidence limits of 220.8 and 311.5 μm. After adjusting for covariates, CMT was positively correlated with older age, female gender, greater myopia, smoking, body mass index (BMI), and white ethnicity (all P < 0.001). Of note, macular thickness in other subfields was negatively correlated with older age and greater myopia. We report macular thickness data derived from SD OCT images collected as part of the UKBB study and found novel associations among older age, ethnicity, BMI, smoking, and macular thickness. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In situ generation of electron acceptor for photoelectrochemical biosensing via hemin-mediated catalytic reaction.
A novel photoelectrochemical sensing strategy is designed for DNA detection on the basis of in situ generation of an electron acceptor via the catalytic reaction of hemin toward H2O2. The photoelectrochemical platform was established by sequential assembly of near-infrared CdTe quantum dots, capture DNA, and a hemin-labeled DNA probe to form a triple-helix molecular beacon (THMB) structure on an indium tin oxide electrode. According to the highly catalytic capacity of hemin toward H2O2, a photoelectrochemical mechanism was then proposed, in which the electron acceptor of O2 was in situ-generated on the electrode surface, leading to the enhancement of the photocurrent response. The utilization of CdTe QDs can extend the absorption edge to the near-infrared band, resulting in an increase in the light-to-electricity efficiency. After introducing target DNA, the THMB structure is disassembled and releases hemin and, thus, quenches the photocurrent. Under optimized conditions, this biosensor shows high sensitivity with a linear range from 1 to 1000 pM and detection limit of 0.8 pM. Moreover, it exhibits good performance of excellent selectivity, high stability, and acceptable fabrication reproducibility. This present strategy opens an alternative avenue for photoelectrochemical signal transduction and expands the applications of hemin-based materials in photoelectrochemical biosensing and clinical diagnosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The chromogranin A-derived peptides vasostatin-I and catestatin as regulatory peptides for cardiovascular functions.
A range of inflammatory conditions is associated with pathologically high levels of circulating chromogranin A (CgA). This prohormone belongs to the family of uniquely acidic proteins co-stored and co-secreted with other hormones and peptides from the diffuse neuroendocrine system. Two highly conserved, CgA-derived peptides, vasostatin-I and catestatin, have been implicated as modulators of a wide range of cells and tissues, including those of the cardiovascular system. This review focuses on links between elevated circulating CgA and cardiovascular dysfunctions in inflammatory conditions in relation to potential beneficial effects of vasostatin-I and catestatin. Characteristic membrane-penetrating properties have been assigned to both peptides, and pertussis toxin sensitivity is shared by a number of their responses, notably in the vascular and cardiac endothelium. Pertussis toxin-sensitive, receptor-independent activation via heterotrimeric G proteins and Galphai/o subunits will be discussed as possible mechanisms for inhibitory effects of vasostatin-I and catestatin on vascular and cardiac responses. The accumulated evidence provides convincing support for vasostatin-I and catestatin as regulatory peptides for the cardiovascular system, converging on alleviation of significant dysfunctions as part of several inflammatory conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nonspecificity of ring enhancement in "medically cured" brain abscess.
Since the introduction of computed tomography (CT), there have been numerous reports of brain abscess treated successfully without surgery. Because pathologic confirmation was lacking in these patients, diagnosis was based on CT abnormalities, usually ring enhancement. However, our recent clinical experience and the experimental work of others indicate that the "ring sign" on contrast-enhanced CT is not absolutely diagnostic of encapsulated brain abscess. Moreover, in the reported cases of alleged brain abscess cured medically, atypical clinical features suggest that some patients may have had cerebral infarction or cerebritis. Stricter clinical and radiologic criteria are needed before concluding that encapsulated brain abscess can be cured by medical therapy alone. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
High-power stable continuous-wave single-longitudinal-mode Nd:YVO4 laser at 1342 nm.
A universal model about the sufficient condition of stable single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) operation is established and applied to the theoretical analysis of a high power unidirectional ring Nd:YVO4 laser at 1342 nm with energy transfer upconversion and excited stimulated absorption taken into account. A stable continuous-wave SLM laser with 1342 nm power of 11.3 W and 671 nm power of 0.3 W is fabricated by optimizing the transmission of output coupler and the temperature of LiB3O5 crystal. Mode-hopping-free laser operation with a power stability better than ± 0.5% and a frequency fluctuation less than ± 88 MHz is achieved during a given three hours. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
LncRNA HIF1A-AS2 positively affects the progression and EMT formation of colorectal cancer through regulating miR-129-5p and DNMT3A.
LncRNAs were a group of RNAs, which can be a regulator or master in biological activities of cancer cells. HIF1A-AS2 belongs to this group, and it has been verified to be able to affect cell activities in several kinds of cancers. In this study, we tried to study the functions of HIF1A-AS2 exerted in colorectal cancer. In order to clearly know about the expression of HIF1A-AS2, miR-129-5p and DNMT3A in CRC tissues and cells, we employed qRT-PCR. The relevance among those three genes was examined by the use of Pearson correlation analysis. With the aid of bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase reporter assays, the combinations between them were verified one by one MTT, colony formation trans-well and western blotting, immunofluorescence, all those assays reflected a fact that as a ceRNA, HIF1A-AS2 could directly bind with miR-129-5p, and could positively affect cell proliferation, invasion and EMT formation by regulation of the expression of miR-129-5p and DNMT3A. Therefore, we obtained a conclusion that HIF1A-AS2 exerted the oncogenic functions in CRC through regulating miR-129-5p/DNMT3A axis, which indicates that HIF1A-AS2 might be a useful therapeutic target in CRC. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Exopolysaccharides produced by mixed culture of yeast Rhodotorula rubra GED10 and yogurt bacteria (Streptococcus thermophilus 13a + Lactobacillus bulgaricus 2-11).
The studies of the production of exopolysaccharides by lactose-negative yeast and a yogurt starter co-cultivated in a natural substrate containing lactose may be considered of interest because they reveal the possibilities for high-efficiency synthesis of biopolymers by mixed cultivation. The mixed culture Rhodotorula rubra GED10 + (Streptococcus thermophilus 13a + Lactobacillus bulgaricus 2-11) was cultivated in cheese whey ultrafiltrate (WU) (44.0 g lactose l(-1)) at initial pH 6.0, 28 degrees C, under intensive aeration (air-flow rate 1.0 l l(-1) min(-1), agitation 220 rev min(-1)) in a MBR AG fermentor. The mixed culture manifested the highest activity for synthesis of exopolysaccharides (19.3 g l(-1)) and cell mass (21.0 g l(-1)) at the 84th hour. The yogurt starter synthesized neutral exopolysaccharides, while the mixed culture yeast + yogurt starter produced acidic exopolysaccharides containing uronic acid (6%). The neutral sugar composition was identified as mannose, glucose, galactose, xylose and arabinose. Mannose dominated in the polymer composition (83%) that was produced only by the yeast (97%). Lactose in the WU can be effectively utilized by a co-culture of lactose-negative yeast-yogurt starter for synthesis of exopolysaccharides. The present findings propose an alternative use of WU as a cost-effective carbohydrate substrate, and suggest that the lactose-negative yeast Rhodotorula rubra can have industrial application as producers of exopolysaccharides. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Time course of inhibition of caffeine elimination in response to the oral depot contraceptive agent Deposiston. Hormonal contraceptives and caffeine elimination].
In the course of six months, the influence of the oral depot contraceptive, Deposiston (3 mg ethinylestradiol sulphonate and 10 mg norethisterone acetate per menstrual cycle) on the pharmacokinetics of caffeine as a model substance was studied in seven women in intraindividual comparison. The first examination began prior to administration of Deposition. The women were subjected to little challenge as saliva was used as the measuring compartment. Deposiston was found markedly delay the elimination half-life life of caffeine (p less than 0.05): t1/2 prior to therapy 4.9 +/- 2.6 h and, after as little as 2 mg ethinylestradiol sulphonate 8.0 +/- 3.5 h. In contrast to the effect observed for preparations containing less estrogen, these longer half-lives persisted throughout the trial. As expected, the AUC values were slightly elevated during this period, whereas clearance values were reduced. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Potential pitfalls in fetal neurosonography.
To present anatomic variants of the fetal brain and artifacts related to scanning techniques that could be misinterpreted as abnormalities on prenatal neurosonographic studies. The findings were derived from fetal neurosonographic studies performed routinely from 16 to 36 weeks' gestation during the last 3 years, supervised by a sonologist specialized in neonatal cranial sonography. The pitfalls were divided into three groups: brain parenchyma, ventricular system and choroid plexus. We provide images of these pseudolesions and clues to their differentiation from true brain pathology. Knowledge of misleading images seen on fetal neurosonographic studies that could be misinterpreted as lesions is essential for the proper interpretation of these studies and will help avoid the use of more invasive diagnostic tests. To the best of our knowledge, the majority of the pitfalls presented here have only been described in neonates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ganglioside-mediated modulation of cell growth. Specific effects of GM3 on tyrosine phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor.
Glycosphingolipids added exogenously to 3T3 cells in culture were shown to inhibit cell growth, alter the membrane affinity to platelet-derived growth factor binding, and reduce platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated membrane phosphorylation (Bremer, E., Hakomori, S., Bowen-Pope, D. F., Raines, E., and Ross, R. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 6818-6825). This approach has been extended to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor of human epidermoid carcinoma cell lines KB and A431. GM3 and GM1 gangliosides inhibited both KB cell and A431 cell growth, although GM3 was a much stronger inhibitor of both KB and A431 cell growth. Neither GM3 nor GM1 had any affect on the binding of 125I-EGF to its cell surface receptor. However, GM3 and, to a much lower extent, GM1 were capable of inhibiting EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in membrane preparations of both KB and A431 cells. Further characterization of GM3-sensitive receptor phosphorylation was performed in A431 cells, which had a higher content of the EGF receptor. The following results were of particular interest. (i) EGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor and its inhibition by GM3 were also demonstrated on isolated EGF receptor after adsorption on the anti-receptor antibody-Sepharose complex, and the receptor phosphorylation was enhanced on addition of phosphatidylethanolamine. (ii) Phosphoamino acid analysis of the EGF receptor indicated that the reduction of phosphorylation induced by GM3 was entirely in the phosphotyrosine and not in the phosphoserine nor phosphothreonine content. (iii) The inhibitory effect of GM3 on EGF-dependent receptor phosphorylation could be reproduced in membranes isolated from A431 cells that had been cultured in medium containing 50 nmol/ml GM3 to effect cell growth inhibition. The membrane fraction isolated from such growth-arrested cells was found to be less responsive to EGF-stimulated receptor phosphorylation. These results suggest that membrane lipids, especially GM3, can modulate EGF receptor phosphorylation in vitro as well as in situ. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Studies on retention behaviour of biopolymers on silica-based binding stationary phase in the mobile phase of acetic acid-water].
The reversed-phase chromatographic method consisting of acetic acid-water as a new mobile phase for separating biopolymers on ODS column is presented. The new mobile phase may overcome the weak points of irreversible adsorption in chromatographic separation to some degree and difficulty in concentrating proteins with lyophylization and reduce the three-component (organic solvent, ion-pairing agent and water) of typical mobile phase to two component system. Based on the retention and Z (the number of solvent molecules involving in the displacement from stationary-phase surface), log I (a constant relating to the affinity of 1 mol of solute to the bonded stationary phase), and j (a constant relating to the affinity of 1 mol of solvent to the bonded stationary phase), the elution strength of acetic acid-water mobile phase was found to be stronger than that of methanol-water-TFA. From a good linear relationship between log I and Z, it can be concluded that the interaction force between proteins and RPLC stationary phase with acetic acid-water as mobile phase is non-selective hydrophobic interaction forces. In addition, the molecular conformations of protein in acetic acid-water and methanol-trifluoroacetic acid-water were found to be different. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Basic elements in biobehavioral treatment and rehabilitation of schizophrenia.
The psychopathology and associated disabilities experienced by persons with schizophrenia have only partially responded to conventional pharmacological and psychosocial treatment approaches. Biobehavioral therapy employs behavioral and symptomatic assessment, social learning principles, and skills training, to amplify the effects of pharmacotherapy. Comprehensive, continuous, and integrated biobehavioral therapy--aiming at early detection and treatment of schizophrenic symptoms, family and social skills training, and teaching coping and illness self-management skills--has been documented to improve the course and outcome of schizophrenia as measured by symptom recurrence, social functioning, and quality of life. Biobehavioral therapies must be delivered in the context of a collaborative relationship among patients, families and clinicians that together can optimize outcomes. Services need to be provided by assertive, outreach, community-based teams that tailor the type, frequency and scope of services to the phase of the individual's illness. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fatal myocardial infarction following therapy with prothrombin complex concentrates in a young man with hemophilia A.
A fatal myocardial infarction in a 22-year-old man with hemophilia A and a factor VIII inhibitor is described. The catastrophic event occurred while the patient was receiving high doses of unactivated prothrombin complex concentrates. Autopsy examination revealed myocardial hemorrhage with no evidence of coronary artery disease or thrombosis. There also was postmortem evidence of previous myocardial infarctions. This is the fourth documented case of myocardial infarction occurring in a young hemophiliac patient using unactivated prothrombin complex concentrates. It is concluded that utilization of prothrombin complex concentrates in hemophiliac patients must be limited and closely monitored. Therapeutic guidelines are recommended. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Polypharmacy in hospitalized older adult cancer patients: experience from a prospective, observational study of an oncology-acute care for elders unit.
A novel Oncology-Acute Care for Elders (OACE) unit that uses an interdisciplinary team to enhance recognition and management of geriatric syndromes in hospitalized older adult cancer patients has been established at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis, Missouri). The OACE team includes a clinical pharmacist whose primary role is to improve the appropriateness of prescribing. Using polypharmacy as the prototypical geriatric syndrome addressed by the OACE team, the objective of this study was to document the processes of communication of an interdisciplinary team and the impact on polypharmacy when the treating physician did not participate in the daily interdisciplinary team rounds. This was a prospective, observational study of older cancer patients admitted to the OACE unit. We tracked processes and outcomes of interdisciplinary communication regarding medications by prospectively recording OACE team recommendations and evaluating the frequency of implementation of these recommendations through a chart review. Treating physicians, who did not attend team rounds, received these recommendations on a communication form placed in the patient's chart. Forty-seven patients were included in the study. The mean (SD) age was 73.5 (7.5) years. Twenty-one percent (10/47) of patients were prescribed > or =1 Beers medication as part of their home-care regimen before admission to the OACE unit. The OACE team made 51 medication recommendations, and 42 of those recommendations (82%) were implemented. Twenty-five patients (53%) had an alteration in their medication regimen; 13 (28%) had a potentially inappropriate medication discontinued. A medication error was corrected in ~1 of every 8 patients (6/47 [13%]). We found that polypharmacy was common in older cancer patients and increased during hospitali-zation. We also found that most OACE team recommendations communicated to physicians were implemented even though the primary physicians were not members of the OACE team. Future randomized trials are needed to assess the impact of the OACE team model of care on adverse events, survival, and cost in hospitalized older adult cancer patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In utero radiation-induced changes in growth factor levels in the developing rat brain.
To investigate the role of growth factors in the compensatory response to radiation injury during development of the brain. Levels of gene expression in the embryonic rat brain were assessed for IGF-I, IGF-II, BDNF and NT-3. Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to a single dose of 10, 20 or 40 cGy X-rays on day 15 or 17 of gestation. Animals were sacrificed 4 or 24 h after exposure. IGF-I, BDNF and NT-3 proteins were detected by immunocytochemistry, while IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA by in situ hybridization, and Northern analysis respectively. In utero low dose X-irradiation led to a decrease in IGF-I gene expression and a compensatory increase in the expression of IGF-II, BDNF and NT-3 in the developing rat brain. IGF-I, BDNF and NT-3 immunopositive cells were detected among proliferating, migratory and post-mitotic neurones in the developing neuroepithelium. Low dose prenatal irradiation of the developing brain results in down-regulation of IGF-I, which could lead to cell death by apoptosis. On the other hand, IGF-II, BDNF and NT-3 gene expression is increased following irradiation, possibly as a compensatory mechanism. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Solid phase HLA antibody detection technology--challenges in interpretation.
The introduction into routine diagnostic laboratories of solid phase assays for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody detection has resulted in the application of new laboratory matching algorithms in clinical organ transplantation which have improved pre-transplant detection of immunization, in turn resulting in avoidance of rejection in many cases which until their introduction would not have been possible using the historical complement dependent serological techniques. There have been two generations of solid phase assays introduced into routine practice, namely, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and the use of fluorescent beads with HLA molecules bound to their surface which can either be used in conventional flow cytometry or in conjunction with Luminex instrumentation, the latter having become the most popular approach. The use of the fluorescent bead techniques has raised interesting questions both with respect to technical performance and the interpretation of the results obtained. The advantages of bead technology for HLA antibody determination and the technical issues requiring resolution are the subject of this review. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
George E. Brown memorial lecture. Local modulation of adrenergic neurotransmission.
The cardiovascular reflexes, by regulating the traffic in the sympathetic nerves, govern the amount of norepinephrine released from the nerve endings. However, the final adjustments in the amount of neurotransmitter available to activate the beta 1 receptors in the heart and the alpha receptors in the blood vessels take place at the sympathetic neuroeffector junction. Thus, a decrease in pH, hyperosmolarity, moderate increases in the concentration of K+ ion, adenosine and adenine nucleotides depress the release of norepinephrine at any given level of sympathetic nerve activity. These metabolic changes, which occur in active tissues, and in particular in adenosine, have been proposed as mediators of the accompanying local hyperemia. In addition, they apparently facilitate this local dilatation by disconnecting the blood vessels in the active tissues from sympathetic control. Acetylcholine, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine are present in and around certain blood vessels and can activate specific receptors on the prejunctional fibers and cause vasodilatation by reducing the output of neutrotransmitter. Some of the norepinephrine released into the synaptic cleft may depress its continued release by activating prejunctional alpha receptors. In contrast, angiotensin II, by a local action on the nerve endings, can augment the release of transmitter. Decreases in local temperature reduce transmitter release but augment the affinity of the postjunctional alpha receptors for norepinephrine. The role of these local events at the neuroeffector junction, their physiologic significance and potential clinical importance are discussed in this review. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Anabolic steroids alter the haemodynamic responses of the canine left ventricle.
The effect of an anabolic steroid on canine left ventricular function was studied by catheterization exposing control (n = 7) and methandienone-treated (n = 6) dogs to pacing, volume and isoproterenol tests at the beginning of the experiment and 6 weeks later. The physical performance of the animals was evaluated by submaximal exercise test (SMT), in which the steroid-treated dogs had lower heart rate than the sedentary controls (P less than 0.001). Heart weight was greater in the steroid than in the control group (P less than 0.05). Isoproterenol infusion increased the maximum value of the left ventricular pressure curve (dP/dtmax) less in the steroid-treated than in the control animals (P less than 0.05). Also heart rate was lower in the steroid than in the control group after inotropic load, while end-diastolic, end-systolic and stroke volumes decreased significantly more in the control group (P less than 0.05). Systemic vascular resistance decreased in the steroid treated animals, but remained unchanged in the control group (P less than 0.05 between the groups). During volume overload dP/dtmax increased in the control group but decreased slightly in the steroid group (P less than 0.05 between the groups). The pressure-volume diagram showed that the left ventricle of the steroid-treated animals worked on higher ventricular volumes than in the control group. In conclusion, long-term methandienone treatment results in cardiac hypertrophy in dogs, reduces its response to an inotropic loads and leads to working on larger ventricular volumes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sinus excision for the treatment of limited chronic pilonidal disease: results after a medium-term follow-up.
We have previously introduced a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of limited pilonidal disease. In this paper, the results for patients who had at least one year of follow-up are provided. All patients operated with the sinus excision technique were studied retrospectively and those who had a follow-up period shorter than 12 months were excluded. Demographics, perioperative and postoperative data, and patient satisfaction scores were obtained from a prospectively designed database. Limited pilonidal disease was defined as disease presenting with less than four visible pits. Sixty-two patients (56 males, 90.3 percent; mean age, 25.8 +/- 10.4 years) were included in the study. Patients returned to work in 1.9 +/- 0.7 days, and the mean healing period was 43 +/- 10.4 days. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia, and the mean operation time was 9.7 +/- 3.4 minutes. The number of outpatient procedures was 45 (72.6 percent). One patient suffered from a minor complication (bleeding that was stopped with electrocauterization; n = 1, 1.6 percent) and recurrence was observed in another case (n = 1, 1.6 percent). Patients received a satisfaction questionnaire, which revealed that 34 patients (54.8 percent) were "completely satisfied with the procedure" and 49 (79 percent) would "absolutely recommend the technique to other patients." Sinus excision is an advisable technique for the treatment of limited pilonidal disease, because it can be performed under local anesthesia mostly as an outpatient procedure and the operation time is extremely short. Although the healing period is long, the off-work period is short, and patients are generally satisfied with the procedure. After a medium-term follow-up, the complication and recurrence rates are acceptable. We believe that sinus excision technique is a simple and effective method for the treatment of limited pilonidal disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An estimation for an appropriate end time for an intraoperative intravenous lidocaine infusion in bowel surgery: a comparative meta-analysis.
There exists no commonly accepted regimen for an intravenous lidocaine infusion (IVLI). This study aims to determine an appropriate end time for an IVLI during bowel surgery. A systematic search for randomized controlled trials assessing IVLI for bowel surgery was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Google Scholar, hand-searching references, and grey literature. Data were pooled for studies that stopped IVLI ≤60 minutes (intraoperative IVLI) after skin closure and where IVLI continued >60 minutes after surgery (postoperative continued IVLI). Quantitative analysis was done using the random-effects model. Seven studies (n = 362) were identified after the systematic search. Three studies (n = 160) and 4 studies (n = 202) used an intraoperative and postoperative continued IVLI, respectively. An intraoperative IVLI significantly reduced pain scores at rest for 48 hours (standardized mean difference on a 0-10 scale, -1.24; 95% confidence interval, -1.93 to -0.56) and 72 hours (standardized mean difference, -1.12; 95% confidence interval, -1.79 to -0.44) compared with postoperative IVLI (test for interaction: P < .001 and P = .003, respectively). Although intraoperative IVLI reduced 24-hour pain scores on movement, this was not statistically different than pain scores in the postoperative IVLI group (test of interaction: P = 0.68). There were no differences between intraoperative IVLI and postoperative IVLI for postoperative in-hospital nausea, vomiting, time to bowel movement, and length of hospital stay. Continuing an IVLI beyond 60 minutes after surgery has no added analgesic or gastrointestinal benefit. Further research is needed to clarify an optimal IVLI regimen and end time. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Agreement between measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in dried blood spot samples and serum in a Chinese population in the Netherlands.
Blood for determining 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] is usually obtained through venipuncture although, as an alternative for serum, dried blood spot (DBS) can be considered. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to investigate levels of agreement between measurements of 25(OH)D3 obtained with DBS compared with serum. 301 Chinese participants were included who completed 25(OH)D3 measurement from DBS and from simultaneously collected blood samples obtained by venipuncture. Measurements of both DBS and serum 25(OH)D3 were performed using liquid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry. Agreement between the two methods was assessed with Passing and Bablok regression analysis and Bland-Altman plot. Measurements showed a good correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.929, P < 0.001) between the two methods. After recalculating for a 13% difference, a regression equation of DBS 25(OH)D3 = -1.91 + 1.00 serum 25(OH)D3 was found in Passing and Bablok regression analysis. Bland-Altman analysis showed a fixed bias of 1.7 nmol/L; upper and lower limit of agreement was 24.1 nmol/L and -20.7 nmol/L, respectively. Sensitivity of recalculated DBS for 25(OH)D3 concentrations <30 and <50 nmol/L was 87.8% and 91.1%, respectively, and specificity was 89.2% and 83.1%, respectively. In conclusion, a good agreement was found between the measurement of 25(OH)D3 obtained with DBS compared with serum. DBS may possibly be used in a future screening program, but it is less suitable for individualized vitamin D status assessment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tumor necrosis factor receptors support murine hematopoietic progenitor function in the early stages of engraftment.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family receptors/ligands are important participants in hematopoietic homeostasis, in particular as essential negative expansion regulators of differentiated clones. As a prominent injury cytokine, TNF-alpha has been traditionally considered to suppress donor hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell function after transplantation. We monitored the involvement of TNF receptors (TNF-R) 1 and 2 in murine hematopoietic cell engraftment and their inter-relationship with Fas. Transplantation of lineage-negative (lin(-)) bone marrow cells (BMC) from TNF receptor-deficient mice into wild-type recipients showed defective early engraftment and loss of durable hematopoietic contribution upon recovery of host hematopoiesis. Consistently, cells deficient in TNF receptors had reduced competitive capacity as compared to wild-type progenitors. The TNF receptors were acutely upregulated in bone marrow (BM)-homed donor cells (wild-type) early after transplantation, being expressed in 60%-75% of the donor cells after 6 days. Both TNF receptors were detected in fast cycling, early differentiating progenitors, and were ubiquitously expressed in the most primitive progenitors with long-term reconstituting potential (lin(-)c-kit(+) stem cell antigen (SCA)-1(+)). BM-homed donor cells were insensitive to apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha and Fas-ligand and their combination, despite reciprocal inductive cross talk between the TNF and Fas receptors. The engraftment supporting effect of TNF-alpha is attributed to stimulation of progenitors through TNF-R1, which involves activation of the caspase cascade. This stimulatory effect was not observed for TNF-R2, and this receptor did not assume redundant stimulatory function in TNFR1-deficient cells. It is concluded that TNF-alpha plays a tropic role early after transplantation, which is essential to successful progenitor engraftment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Analysis of HCV co-infection with occult hepatitis B virus in patients undergoing IFN therapy.
Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is characterized by the presence of HBV DNA in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the patient serum. Although such infections have been identified in patients with chronic hepatitis C, the clinical significance of those co-infections is still not understood. Our aim was, therefore, to assess the prevalence and clinical consequences of occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing antiviral therapy. The study population consisted of 53 HBsAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFN/ribavirin or IFN/ribavirin/amantadine. Nine patients experienced a viral breakthrough (BT), 30 were non-responders (NR) and 14 were responders (R). HBV-DNA detection by PCR was performed using primers specific for the S region of the HBV genome and HCV-RNA detection by PCR with primers localised in both the 5'NC and core region of HCV genome, before, during and after treatment. Viral genome sequences were also studied. Occult HBV genomes were found in the serum of four of 53 (7.5%) patients, unrelated to anti-HBc status. No significant differences in biochemical, virological, or histological markers, age, duration of infection, were observed in patients with or without HBV DNA. There was an inverse correlation in the evolution of HBV DNA and HCV RNA levels. Direct sequencing showed that S gene of occult HBV presented mutations in the "a" determinant while no specific mutation in the core region of HCV was observed. None of the four patients co-infected with HBV and HCV were responders to anti-HCV therapy. In our clinical setting, the prevalence of occult HBV co-infection among patients with chronic hepatitis C was low and independent of the presence of markers of previous HBV infection. Further studies in larger cohort of patients are warranted to determine if occult HBV co-infection may be involved in HCV resistance to combination therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing compared with 28-mm diameter metal-on-metal total hip replacement: a randomised study with six to nine years' follow-up.
A total of 219 hips in 192 patients aged between 18 and 65 years were randomised to 28-mm metal-on-metal uncemented total hip replacements (THRs, 107 hips) or hybrid hip resurfacing (HR, 112 hips). At a mean follow-up of eight years (6.6 to 9.3) there was no significant difference between the THR and HR groups regarding rate of revision (4.0% (4 of 99) vs 5.8% (6 of 104), p = 0.569) or re-operation rates without revision (5.1% (5 of 99) vs 2.9% (3 of 104), p = 0.428). In the THR group one recurrent dislocation, two late deep infections and one peri-prosthetic fracture required revision, whereas in the HR group five patients underwent revision for femoral head loosening and one for adverse reaction to metal debris. The mean University of California, Los Angeles activity scores were significantly higher in HR (7.5 (sd 1.7) vs 6.9 (sd 1.7), p = 0.035), but similar mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores were obtained (5.8 (sd 9.5) in HR vs 5.1 (sd 8.9) in THR, p = 0.615) at the last follow-up. Osteolysis was found in 30 of 81 THR patients (37.4%), mostly in the proximal femur, compared with two of 83 HR patients (2.4%) (p < 0.001). At five years the mean metal ion levels were < 2.5 μg/l for cobalt and chromium in both groups; only titanium was significantly higher in the HR group (p = 0.001). Although revision rates and functional scores were similar in both groups at mid-term, long-term survival analysis is necessary to determine whether one procedure is more advantageous than the other. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of retinoic acid (RA) on the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-inducing effect of sodium butyrate.
Sodium butyrate is a powerful inducer of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) cycle in the P3HR-1 cell line. Retinoic acid (RA) was found to reduce the butyrate induction of early antigen (EA) and viral capsid antigen (VCA) by 26-41%. This is similar to the previously reported effect of RA on IUDR and TPA induction, with certain quantitative differences between the systems. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Geographic analysis of diabetes prevalence in an urban area.
The objective of this research is to identify the sociodemographic, environmental, and lifestyle factors associated with the geographic variability of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) prevalence in the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada. An ecological regression study design was employed for this purpose. The study population included all prevalent cases of DM in 1998 for Winnipeg. Predictor and outcome data were aggregated for analysis using two methods. First, the spatial scan statistic was used to aggregate study data into highly probable diabetes prevalence clusters. Secondly, predictor and outcome data were aggregated to existing administrative health areas. Analysis of variance and spatial and non-spatial linear regression techniques were used to explore the relationship between predictor and outcome variables. The results of the two methods of data aggregation on regression results were compared. Mapping and statistical analysis revealed substantial clustering and small-area variations in the prevalence of DM in the City of Winnipeg. The observed variations were associated with variations in socioeconomic, environmental and lifestyle characteristics of the population. The two methods of data aggregation used in the study generated very similar results in terms of identifying the geographic location of DM clusters and of the population characteristics ecologically correlated to those clusters. High rates of DM prevalence are strongly correlated with indicators of low socioeconomic status, poor environmental quality and poor lifestyles. This analysis further illustrates what a useful tool the spatial scan statistic can be when used in conjunction with ecological regression to explore the etiology of chronic disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Roles of Inflammatory Reaction and Cytokines in Chronic Postsurgical Pain].
Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is characterized by high incidence,prolonged duration,multiple risk factors,and complicated pathogenesis. It seriously impairs patients' quality of life,especially after thoracotomy. Perioperative nerve injury is a major cause of CPSP. Meanwhile,the excessive neuroinflammation and inflammatory cytokines caused by surgery also accelerate the formation of CPSP. This review aims to provide an overview of the recent advances in the roles of inflammatory reaction and cytokines in the development of CPSP. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Validated Approaches for Quantification of Bone Mineral Crystallinity Using Transmission Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) FT-IR, and Raman Spectroscopy.
Bone mineral crystallinity is an important factor determining bone quality and strength. The gold standard method to quantify crystallinity is X-ray diffraction (XRD), but vibrational spectroscopic methods present powerful alternatives to evaluate a greater variety of sample types. We describe original approaches by which transmission Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), attenuated total reflection (ATR) FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy can be confidently used to quantify bone mineral crystallinity. We analyzed a range of biological and synthetic apatite nanocrystals (10-25 nm) and found strong correlations between different spectral factors and the XRD determination of crystallinity. We highlight striking differences between FT-IR spectra obtained by transmission and ATR. In particular, we show for the first time the absence of the 1030 cm-1 crystalline apatite peak in ATR FT-IR spectra, which excludes its use for analyzing crystallinity using the traditional 1030/1020 cm-1 ratio. The ν4PO4 splitting ratio was also not adequate to evaluate crystallinity using ATR FT-IR. However, we established original approaches by which ATR FT-IR can be used to determine apatite crystallinity, such as the 1095/1115 and 960/1115 cm-1 peak ratios in the second derivative spectra. Moreover, we found a simple unified approach that can be applied for all three vibrational spectroscopy modalities: evaluation of the ν1PO4 peak position. Our results allow the recommendation of the most reliable analytical methods to estimate bone mineral crystallinity by vibrational spectroscopy, which can be readily implemented in many biomineralization, archeological and orthopedic studies. In particular, we present a step forward in advancing the use of the increasingly utilized ATR FT-IR modality for mineral research. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Histologic-histochemical findings in the salivary glands of guinea pigs after sectioning the chorda tympani].
We investigated Gl. submandibularis and Gl. sublingualis of the guinea-pig 1, 2, 5, 7, 14 und 28 days after section of the Chorda tympani with histological-histochemical methods. The innervation pattern of both glands (Gl. submandibularis: aminergic-cholinergic double innervated; Gl. sublingualis: cholinergic innervated) remains unchanged. In the gland cells the following effects were observed: a) Gl. sublingualis. In the first 3 days apocrine and holocrine secretion phenomena are often seen, suggesting a maximal stimulation of the gland parenchyma. They are accompanied with cellular reactions of the interstitial space. In a second phase a new gland cell population appears that uniformly exhibits intracellular accumulation of secretion products. Involution begins from the 14th day on. Secretory cells are dedifferentiated to intercalated duct cells; autophagic processes help to degradate the accumulated secretion granules. b) Gl. submandibularis. Here the effects are less dramatic. The accumulation of the secretory granules starts as soon as 24 h after section of the Chorda and is maximal between the 5th and 8th p. o. day. Involution of the gland begins from the 14th day on. The accumulated secretory granules show high activities of two histochemically demonstrable enzymes, the cholinesterase and the peroxidase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A new triterpenoid and a new flavonoid glycoside isolated from Bupleurum marginatum and their anti-inflammatory activity.
This study to investigate chemical constituents from the aerial of Bupleurum marginatum led to the isolation of a new trierpenoid and a new flavonoid, namely 3β-hydroxy-cycloart-24-en-26-acetyloxy (1), and 3, 3', 5'-trimethoxyl-myricetin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) along with eight known compounds (3-10). Their structures were established by spectral data analyses (MS, 1D and 2D NMR), as well as by comparison of spectral data with those of the related known compounds. The 24-en-lanostane type triterpenoid with a cyclopropane ring (1 and 3) was firstly reported from this specie, which might be chemotaxonomic markers of this specie. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 were examined for their anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited the NF κB induction by 60.61% and 24.30%. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reversal of bradykinin-induced relaxation to contraction after interferon-gamma in bovine isolated mesenteric arteries.
Bovine isolated mesenteric arterial rings were preincubated for 20 h with interferon-gamma (100 U ml-1) and relaxation in response to bradykinin (10(-12) to 3 x 10(-8) M) was then measured isometrically in an organ bath. Interferon-gamma pretreatment for 20 h markedly attenuated the endothelium-dependent bradykinin relaxation in arteries precontracted with 9,11-dideoxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-epoxymethano prostaglandin F2 alpha (U46619), and the relaxation was reversed to contraction at the highest bradykinin concentrations (-72 +/- 5% for control vs. + 6 +/- 10% for interferon-gamma). Cycloheximide (20 micrograms ml-1) present during the 20-h preincubation completely prevented the interferon-gamma effect. Methyl-L-arginine (1 mM) treatment during the 20-h preincubation also inhibited the interferon-gamma effect on bradykinin relaxation (-47 +/- 18% for interferon-gamma and methyl-L-arginine), which suggests involvement of nitric oxide during the 20-h preincubation with interferon-gamma. In control arteries, des-Arg9-bradykinin, a bradykinin B1 receptor agonist, evoked contractions, which were augmented in rings preincubated for 20 h with interferon-gamma. The bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist, des-Arg9-Leu8-bradykinin (2 microM), present in the organ bath in combination with methyl-L-arginine (1 mM) only present during the 20-h preincubation with interferon-gamma completely restored the bradykinin relaxation (-79 +/- 12%). We suggest two mechanisms. Firstly, prolonged nitric oxide release induced by interferon-gamma during the 20-h preincubation may inhibit bradykinin stimulated endothelium-derived nitric oxide release and action. Secondly, interferon-gamma caused upregulation of the bradykinin B1 receptor-mediated contraction, which may contribute to the decrease in bradykinin-induced vasodilation and cause a reversal to contraction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of sodium-hyaluronate on scar tissue formation under a subconjunctival silicone implant in the rabbit.
The effect of sodium-hyaluronate on scar tissue formation under a subconjunctival silicone implant was examined in twenty rabbits. During the follow-up period histological sections for evaluation of local reaction and thickness of fibrous tissue were made at day 7, 17, 30 and 60. Although no statistically significant difference could be shown the thickness of scar tissue under the implant in hyaluronate injected eyes was greater than in control eyes during the first seventeen postoperative days, after which the difference started to diminish. Also the inflammatory response in hyaluronate injected eyes in the early postoperative period was more noticeable than in control eyes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of ozone on the cholinergic secretory responsiveness of ferret tracheal glands.
Oxidant air pollutants exacerbate several pulmonary diseases. Inhalation of ozone has been shown to induce airway smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness. Oxidant injury could also affect airway secretory mechanisms. We postulated that oxidant exposure would alter the glycoconjugate secretory function of airway submucosal glands. To test this hypothesis we examined the effects of in vivo ozone exposure on the in vitro secretory responsiveness of ferret tracheal glands. Ferrets were exposed to 1 ppm ozone, 24 hr/day for 3 or 7 days. Following exposure, glandular explants, denuded of surface epithelial cells, were prepared and incubated in medium containing 3H-glucosamine for 18 hr. Basal secretion of labeled glycoconjugates was significantly increased 31% following 3 days of ozone exposure (P less than or equal to 0.05) and remained elevated 11% after 7 days of exposure compared to the air-exposed group. After 3 or 7 days of exposure to ozone, tracheal gland responsiveness to carbachol was increased as indicated by significantly lower EC50 values (log molar concentration) of -6.43 +/- 0.04 (n = 6) and -6.50 +/- 0.11 (n = 5), respectively; compared to -6.20 +/- 0.08 (n = 6) for the air-exposed group. There was no difference in carbachol EC50 values for air and 7-day ozone-exposed animals treated with dexamethasone. Dexamethasone did not attenuate the ozone-induced increase in basal secretion. Tracheal gland responsiveness to alpha- or beta-adrenergic agonists was not changed by oxidant exposure. These experiments suggest that oxidant injury not only increases basal secretion of respiratory glycoconjugates but also increases tracheal gland sensitivity to a cholinergic agonist. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Rational synthesis of carbon-coated hollow Ge nanocrystals with enhanced lithium-storage properties.
High-capacity anode materials based on alloy-type group IV elements always have large volume expansion during lithiation when they are used in lithium-ion batteries. Designing hollow structures is a well-established strategy to accommodate the volume change because of sufficient internal void space. Here we report a facile template-free route to prepare hollow Ge nanospheres without using any templates through a quasi-microemulsion method. Ge nanocrystals are preferably self-assembled along the interface of liquid vesicles between water and tetrahydrofuran, and well-defined hollow architectures of ∼50 nm in diameter are formed. Both the wall thickness and hollow interiors can be easily tuned. After subsequent carbon coating via pyrolysis of acetylene, the as-formed Ge@C nanocomposite with hollow interiors exhibits a highly reversible capacity of about 920 mA h g(-1) at 200 mA g(-1) over 50 cycles, and excellent rate capability. The small size and the high structural integrity of hollow Ge@C structures contribute to the superior lithium-storage performances. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fractional isolation and chemical structure of hemicellulosic polymers obtained from Bambusa rigida species.
Water and aqueous alkali sequential treatments of delignified bamboo particles were performed to extract hemicelluloses with a high yield and weight-average molecular mass (Mw). The sequential treatment together dissolved 42% of hemicelluloses based on dry holocellulose. GPC results showed that the alkali-extractable hemicelluloses have higher Mw (35000 and 44450 g mol(-1)) than water-extractable ones (20100-28100 g mol(-1)). Structural determination based on FT-IR and (1)H, (13)C, and 2D-HSQC NMR analyses showed that both the water- and alkali-extractable hemicelluloses shared the structure composed of the (1 → 4)-linked β-D-xylopyranosyl backbone with 4-O-methyl-α-d-glucuronic acid attached to O-2 of the xylose residues and l-arabinose attached to O-3 of the xylose residues. Moreover, it revealed that the water-extractable hemicelluloses retained original structure without cleaving chemical linkages. Furthermore, it was also found that the hemicelluloses with the highest yield and Mw were obtained by the aqueous alkali treatment from the delignified bamboo. A small amount of other minor hemicelluloses (β-glucans) including xylans in the water-extractable hemicelluloses could be identified by NMR and other approaches. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hepatocyte transplantation for liver-based metabolic disorders.
Hepatocyte transplantation is being investigated as an alternative to orthotopic liver transplantation in patients with liver-based metabolic disorders. The progress made in this field to date is reviewed. Protocols have been developed using collagenase perfusion to isolate human hepatocytes from unused donor liver tissue. Hepatocytes with a high viability can often be obtained and can be cryopreserved for later use, though with loss of function on thawing. For clinical use, hepatocytes must be prepared in clean GMP conditions with cells meeting criteria of function and lack of microbial contamination before patient use. Hepatocytes are infused intraportally into the patient's liver, where a proportion of cells will engraft and replace the deficient metabolic function without the need for major surgery. Twenty patients have now received hepatocyte transplantation, including eight children at King's College Hospital. There was a range of aetiologies of liver disease: familial hypercholesterolaemia, Crigler-Najjar syndrome type 1, urea cycle defects, infantile Refsum disease, glycogen storage disease type Ia, inherited factor VII deficiency and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2. Clinical improvement and partial correction of the metabolic abnormality was observed in most cases. Considerable progress has been made in developing the technique, but hepatocyte transplantation is limited by the available supply of liver tissue. Hepatocytes derived from stem cells could provide alternative sources of cells in the future. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Non-linear relationships between the BMI and physical fitness in Polish adolescents.
Comparisons of physical fitness in normal weight and overweight/obese youth generally highlight the negative consequences of an elevated BMI. In contrast, several studies of children and adolescents highlight the importance of variation in indicators of physical fitness across the full spectrum of BMIs from low through high. The purpose of the study was to evaluate relationships between specific physical fitness items and the BMI among youth. Height, weight and six physical fitness tests were measured in 1239 males and 903 females, aged 13-16 years; BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. Fitness tests were compared by weight status using sex-specific MANCOVAs, controlling for age. Sex-specific quadratic regressions of each fitness item on the BMI were also calculated. The sprint, standing long jump and shuttle run indicated better performances in normal than in thin and overweight/obese boys; the latter groups did not differ. Thin and normal weight boys performed better than overweight/obese boys in sit-ups and distance run. Among girls, sit-ups differed as follows: normal > thin > overweight/obese. Thin and normal weight girls performed better than overweight/obese girls in the jump, distance run and shuttle run. Normal weight girls were faster in the sprint than the overweight/obese. The quadratic regressions indicated significant non-linear relationships between the BMI and all fitness items among boys and in four items among girls. Performances on fitness tests varied with weight status. Relationships between performances and the BMI were curvilinear except for the distance run and flexibility in girls. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Multivalent Recognition at Fluid Surfaces: The Interplay of Receptor Clustering and Superselectivity.
The interaction between a biological membrane and its environment is a complex process, as it involves multivalent binding between ligand/receptor pairs, which can self-organize in patches. Any description of the specific binding of biomolecules to membranes must account for the key characteristics of multivalent binding, namely, its unique ability to discriminate sharply between high and low receptor densities (superselectivity), but also for the effect of the lateral mobility of membrane-bound receptors to cluster upon binding. Here we present an experimental model system that allows us to compare systematically the effects of multivalent interactions on fluid and immobile surfaces. A crucial feature of our model system is that it allows us to control the membrane surface chemistry, the properties of the multivalent binder, and the binding affinity. We find that multivalent probes retain their superselective binding behavior at fluid interfaces. Supported by numerical simulations, we demonstrate that, as a consequence of receptor clustering, superselective binding is enhanced and shifted to lower receptor densities at fluid interfaces. To translate our findings into a simple, predictive tool, we propose an analytical model that enables rapid predictions of how the superselective binding behavior is affected by the lateral receptor mobility as a function of the physicochemical characteristics of the multivalent probe. We believe that our model, which captures the key physical mechanisms underpinning multivalent binding to biological membranes, will greatly facilitate the rational design of nanoprobes for the superselective targeting of cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Difference in the effects of low temperatures on the tension of human pulmonary artery and vein ring segments.
Although limited data suggest that pulmonary flushing with organ preservation solutions should not be performed at too low temperatures, the influence of temperature on pulmonary vascular tone is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of low temperatures of the tension of human pulmonary artery and vein ring segments and the vascular resistance of perfused rat lungs. 5 sets of human pulmonary artery and vein ring segments were suspended from a force displacement transducer at 37, 24 and 8 degrees C, and the effect of 30 mM K(+) on the tension was monitored. The effect of 30 mM K(+) on vascular resistance was also examined at low temperatures in 5 perfused rat lungs. Pulmonary artery segments dilated at 24 degrees C, and more significant vasodilatation was observed at 8 degrees C. In contrast, there was a significant constriction of pulmonary veins at 8 degrees C. Vasoconstriction induced by 30 mM K(+) at 37 degrees C was significantly inhibited at low temperatures in both pulmonary arteries and veins. In rat lungs, perfusion at 8 degrees C caused a significant increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, even though no further increase was observed in the presence of 30 mM K(+). Our data indicate that pulmonary arteries dilate and the veins constrict at 8 degrees C and may increase pulmonary vascular resistance. We conclude that the different effect of low temperatures between pulmonary arteries and veins may explain why pulmonary vascular flushing with organ preservation solutions at room temperature is more satisfactory. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Exercise and cardiovascular disease: a new perspective.
The oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been suggested as a key event in atherogenesis. Paradoxically, exercise, which imposes an oxidative stress, is an important deterrent of cardiovascular disease. In study 1 the oxidizability of LDL was enhanced in exercisers compared with sedentary controls. The lag time of isolated LDL subjected to copper-induced in vitro oxidation was significantly shortened in the exercisers compared with sedentary subjects. This increased sensitivity was not due to a decreased presence of vitamin E. Instead, these findings suggested that the LDL of exercisers may contain increased amounts of preformed lipid peroxides, which account for the increased oxidizability. In study 2, a group x sex ANOVA revealed that male exercisers had a significantly longer mean lag time than male sedentary subjects and that females had similar mean lag times regardless of exercise group. This remained the case when statistical adjustment was made for age, body mass index, blood lipid levels, LDL, and plasma alpha-tocopherol levels. Study 1 exercisers had been in training for a shorter time (< 1 year) than study 2 exercisers (> 2 years). These findings suggest that truly "chronic" exercise (aerobic intensity over several months) decreases the susceptibility of a male exerciser's LDL to undergo oxidation. Conversely, regular aerobic stress during an overall shorter time span creates a more oxidative environment in the body, thus increasing the susceptibility of LDL to undergo oxidation. The oxidative stress of aerobic exercise does not appear to adversely affect the oxidizability of LDL in women. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Taking the pulse: medical student workforce intentions and the impact of debt.
To define what factors are important to medical students as they make decisions about where they will live, work and train after graduation, and to explore the effects of student debt A mixed quantitative-qualitative questionnaire to all 5th and 6th year medical students residing in New Zealand in 2008. Questions related to students' perspectives of the workforce, debt, and workforce intentions. 372 medical students completed the survey (55% response rate from those in NZ at the time of the survey). Fifty-two percent of students planned to leave New Zealand at the start of PGY2 or 3. The average debt was $75,752. Thirty-six percent said their debt would influence their choice of vocation, 39% their choice of location of work in New Zealand and 64% their choice of locality of work in the world. Twenty-six percent and 25% believed that they would be valued by the hospital management and government respectively. Students most commonly cited financial incentives to work overseas and to locum. Strategies to counter emigration trends in the New Zealand health workforce need an holistic approach. Debt levels need to be countered, and the perceived lack of value of graduates needs to be rectified. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Serum and wound drain ropivacaine concentrations after wound infiltration in joint arthroplasty.
Ropivacaine blood and drain levels were measured in 20 hip and 15 total knee arthroplasties after intraoperative wound infiltration with 150 to 200 mL (360-400 mg) of ropivacaine, followed by a 48-hour intra-articular pain pump infusion of 1000 mg (knees) and 300 mg (hips) commencing 12 hours postoperatively. Concentrations were below 2 microg/mL over the first 12 hours before the pain pump increased levels. Peak total ropivacaine concentration ranged from 0.65 to 4.36 microg/mL with the pain pump. The high infiltration doses produced levels below or within the safe threshold of 1 to 3 microg/mL. Pain pump infusion produced some C(max) levels above 3.0 microg/mL, but there was no clinical evidence of toxicity. Wound drain amounts (0.53-26.69 mg) indicate reinfusion should be safe, although further study is needed to confirm this. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Knee morphometric and alignment measurements with MR imaging in young adults with central cartilage lesions of the patella and trochlea.
The goal of this study was to assess whether common measurements of patellar and trochlear morphology and patellar alignment are associated with central cartilage lesions of the patella and trochlea using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI examinations of 58 patients (38 women, 20 men; mean age, 28.59 years [range: 19-35 years]) with central cartilage lesions of the patella and trochlea were retrospectively compared to those obtained in 102 control subjects (57 women, 45 men; mean age, 27.05 years [range: 20-35 years]). Patients had Modified Noyes Classification grade IIA, IIB or III cartilage defects whereas control subjects had normal MRI examination of the knee as determined by two radiologists. Patellar measurements of facet asymmetry, patellar tilt, lateral patellofemoral angle, Insall-Salvati ratio, and patellotrochlear cartilage overlap were performed in patients and control subjects along with trochlear measurements of the trochlear depth and width, and sulcal angle. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age and body mass index was used to assess associations. The ratio of the lengths of the medial to lateral facets of the patella (OR=2.7×10-3; P<0.001), angle of the median eminence of the patella (OR=1.05; P=0.040), lateral patellofemoral angle (OR=0.91; P=0.048), Insall-Salvati ratio (OR=364.4; P<0.001) and edema in the superolateral aspect of Hoffa's fat pad (OR=6.52; P<0.001) were significantly associated with central cartilage lesions of the patella and trochlea. Central cartilage lesions of the patellofemoral joint are associated with patellar and trochlear morphology, and patellar alignment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Open-air preparation of cross-linked CO2-responsive polymer vesicles by enzyme-assisted photoinitiated polymerization-induced self-assembly.
The large-scale preparation of block copolymer nano-objects with tunable and reversible carbon dioxide (CO2) responsiveness is a challenging goal in the polymer community. Herein, an open-air strategy via enzyme-assisted photoinitiated polymerization-induced self-assembly (photo-PISA) in water is developed for preparing cross-linked CO2-responsive vesicles at high solids contents. The CO2 responsiveness of these vesicles can be controlled by changing the composition of the core-forming block. Finally, inorganic/organic hybrid vesicles are prepared by mixing CO2-responsive vesicles with silica (SiO2) nanoparticles, and the amount of SiO2 nanoparticles can be further increased by treating with CO2. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
High resolution analysis of functional determinants on human tissue-type plasminogen activator.
Sixty-four variants of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) were produced using recombinant DNA techniques. Charged residues were converted to alanine in clusters of from one to four changes per variant; these clusters spanned all the domains of the molecule. The variants were expressed by mammalian cells and were analyzed for a variety of properties. Variants of tPA were found that had reduced activity with respect to each tested property; in a few cases increased activity was observed. Analysis of these effects prompted the following conclusions: 1) charged residues in the nonprotease domains are less involved in fibrin stimulation of tPA activity than those in the protease domain, and it is possible to increase the fibrin specificity (i.e. the stimulation of tPA activity by fibrin compared to fibrinogen) by mutations at several sites in the protease domain; 2) the difference in enzymatic activity between the one- and two-chain forms of tPA can be increased by mutations at several sites on the protease domain; 3) binding of tPA to lysine-Sepharose was affected only by mutations to kringle-2, whereas binding to fibrin was affected most by mutations in the other domains; 4) clot lysis was influenced by mutations in all domains except kringle-2; 5) sensitivity to plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 seems to reside exclusively in the region surrounding residue 300. A model of the tPA protease domain has been used to map some of the critical residues and regions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
HYPERREFLECTIVE RETINAL SPOTS AND VISUAL FUNCTION AFTER ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR TREATMENT IN CENTER-INVOLVING DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA.
To assess and correlate early modifications in hyperreflective retinal spots (HRS), retinal sensitivity (RS), fixation stability, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment in naive center-involving diabetic macular edema. Cross-sectional comparative case-control series. Twenty diabetic patients underwent 3 consecutive intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections in the study eye (20 fellow eyes served as control), full ophthalmologic examination including spectral domain optical coherence tomography (Retinascan RS-3000; Nidek, Gamagori, Japan), and microperimetry (MP1; Nidek) at baseline (Visit-V1), 1 month after each injection (V2, V3, V4), and at 6 months (V5). Central retinal thickness, inner and outer retinal thickness, number of HRS, BCVA, RS, and bivariate contour ellipse area were evaluated by analysis of variance test with Bonferroni post hoc test. Correlation analyses were performed by Spearman correlation. In treated eyes, central retinal thickness and inner retinal thickness significantly decreased at V2, V3, V4 versus V1 (P < 0.03 at least for all); the mean number of HRS significantly decreased in both inner and outer retina at all follow-up visits versus V1 (P < 0.008 at least for all); mean RS and bivariate contour ellipse area remained statistically unchanged during the follow-up; BCVA significantly improved at V3, V4, and V5 versus V1 (P = 0.009 at least for all). In fellow eyes, central retinal thickness, HRS, RS, and BCVA did not change at any follow-up. The number of HRS correlated inversely with RS, directly with bivariate contour ellipse area, and not significantly with BCVA. A significant decrease in HRS in the retina after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment is documented. A decrease in HRS correlates with functional parameters, specifically RS. New parameters may be used for treatment evaluation in center-involving diabetic macular edema. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Predicting the risk of recurrence of duodenal ulcer after vagotomy].
The author suggests a multifactor program for decoding the variant of the course of the postoperative period in patients with duodenal ulcer. It was tested in 199 patients. Three groups of patients with a favourable prognosis, an uncertain prognosis, and with a high risk of recurrent ulcer were distinguished. An individual therapeutic program with consideration for the risk group allows the incidence of postoperative recurrence of ulcer to be reduced by more than three times. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The secular trend in the incidence of hemorrhagic stroke in the region of Osijek, Eastern Croatia in the period 1988-2000--a hospital based study.
The purpose of the study was to establish the possible environmental influences in the observed peculiar rising and falling oscillations in the numbers of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) in Eastern Croatia (region of Osijek) during the last thirteen-years' period (1988-2000). In this period 1,222 HS were registered and treated. A constant increase in the incidence of HS was observed, from 60 (in 1988) to 139 (in 1998), with an average annual proportion of 16.5% of all stroke cases. A sharp increase in proportion of HS in total stroke incidence was recorded during the war in Croatia (1991-1995), with a peak incidence of 27.4% in 1993. Typical hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was the most common (57.1%), atypical ICH occurred in 26.4%, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 16.5%. Analysis of the annual number of hypertensive-ICH and SAH disclosed peculiar rising and falling oscillations. These variations were in correlation with heavy living conditions. During the war-period the SAH incidence sharply rose. Immediately after the war it suddenly decreased. The authors named this phenomenon a "pool depletion", supposing the relatively stable proportion of the bearers of aneurysms in population. The observed variations seem to be the consequence of the war stress and other negative psychosocial and economic factors in post-war period, which increases the risk for SAH and typical hypertensive-ICH through complex pathophysiological mechanisms. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The comprehensive sexual assault assessment tool.
The Comprehensive Sexual Assault Assessment Tool (CSAAT) was developed for collection of data about the victims and offenders in cases of rape and sexual assault. The CSAAT provides a systematic guide for victim assessment, evidence documentation, and initial treatment. Use of the CSAAT facilitates collection of investigative data about the victim and the offender that are critical components of victim interviews and crime investigations, as well as victim forensic data. The CSAAT can be used by health care professionals who care for the victims of sexual assault. The tool reflects the major concepts of the Roy Adaptation Model and was designed as a victim evaluation report for clinical and forensic purposes. The CSAAT can also be used to compile agency statistics, as part of the training for sexual assault nurse examiners, and to collect research data. A case study involving two victims illustrates the importance of evidence collection and use of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) for linking victims by offender DNA. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Evaluating Current Scar Assessment Methods.
Current scar surveys have included many questions to evaluate the physical characteristics of scars, with some expanding to include physical implications and patient opinions. This review provides an analysis of frequently used scar assessment methods to date and highlights potential areas for improvement. We build the case that a new assessment tool is necessary, specifically one that centers on psychosocial consequences of scars that influence patient decision making for treatment, allowing physicians to individualize treatment conversations with patients. We postulate that survey techniques used in consumer product marketing, such as choice-based conjoint analysis, may be effective in determining the factors strongly influencing patient decision making and spending in scar treatment; therefore, more research in this area is warranted. By incorporating these psychosocial and economic considerations driving scar treatment decisions, future scar assessment tools may accomplish much more than characterizing/documenting the clinical aspects of scars. Rather, these patient-centered, holistic tools may be implemented by plastic surgeons and other clinicians specifically to provide patients with personalized treatment options that maximize long-term patient satisfaction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Familial hypercholesterolemia among unselected contemporary patients presenting with first myocardial infarction: Prevalence, risk factor burden, and impact on age at presentation.
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a hereditary disease carrying a substantial lifetime risk of coronary heart disease. To assess the prevalence of FH and its impact on age at presentation among unselected patients with first myocardial infarction (MI). In a multi-center cross sectional study, we identified 1381 unselected patients presenting with a first MI between 2010 and 2012. Clinical FH was assessed using both the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria and the Simon Broome criteria. Based on the DLCN criteria, 2.0% of patients with first MI had "probable/definite" FH, whereas 4.7% had "possible" FH according to the Simon Broome criteria. In the 291 (21%) patients with premature MI, 6.9% had "probable/definite" FH (DLCN criteria), and 11.0% had "possible" FH (Simon Broome criteria). Nearly all premature "probable/definite" and "possible" FH patients had at least one additional marker of high cardiovascular risk including current smoking (72%-80%) and hypertension (40%-44%). In multivariable-adjusted linear regression modeling, patients with "probable/definite" FH using DLCN criteria had their first MI 14.6 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.6-19.6 years) earlier than non-FH patients. Likewise, "possible" FH patients using Simon Broome criteria were associated with having an MI 9.1 years (95% CI = 6.3-12.4) earlier than non-FH patients. Clinical FH is common and associated with markedly earlier age of first MI, especially when combined with additional markers of high risk, indicating an unmet need for earlier identification of FH to ensure global risk factor control. First MI constitutes a unique opportunity to detect families with unknown FH. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
2-styrylchromones as novel inhibitors of xanthine oxidase. A structure-activity study.
The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition produced by some synthetic 2-styrylchromones. Ten polyhydroxylated derivatives with several substitution patterns were synthesised, and these and a positive control, allopurinol, were tested for their effects on XO activity by measuring the formation of uric acid from xanthine. The synthesised 2-styrylchromones inhibited xanthine oxidase in a concentration-dependent and non-competitive manner. Some IC50 values found were as low as 0.55 microM, which, by comparison with the IC50 found for allopurinol (5.43 microM), indicates promising new inhibitors. Those 2-styrylchromones found to be potent XO inhibitors should be further evaluated as potential agents for the treatment of pathologies related to the enzyme's activity, as is the case of gout, ischaemia/reperfusion damage, hypertension, hepatitis and cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Intramuscular electrical stimulation for hemiplegic shoulder pain: a 12-month follow-up of a multiple-center, randomized clinical trial.
Assess the effectiveness of intramuscular electrical stimulation in reducing hemiplegic shoulder pain at 12 mos posttreatment. A total of 61 chronic stroke survivors with shoulder pain and subluxation participated in this multiple-center, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Treatment subjects received intramuscular electrical stimulation to the supraspinatus, posterior deltoid, middle deltoid, and upper trapezius for 6 hrs/day for 6 wks. Control subjects were treated with a cuff-type sling for 6 wks. Brief Pain Inventory question 12, an 11-point numeric rating scale was administered in a blinded manner at baseline, end of treatment, and at 3, 6, and 12 mos posttreatment. Treatment success was defined as a minimum 2-point reduction in Brief Pain Inventory question 12 at all posttreatment assessments. Secondary measures included pain-related quality of life (Brief Pain Inventory question 23), subluxation, motor impairment, range of motion, spasticity, and activity limitation. The electrical stimulation group exhibited a significantly higher success rate than controls (63% vs. 21%, P = 0.001). Repeated-measure analysis of variance revealed significant treatment effects on posttreatment Brief Pain Inventory question 12 (F = 21.2, P < 0.001) and Brief Pain Inventory question 23 (F = 8.3, P < 0.001). Treatment effects on other secondary measures were not significant. Intramuscular electrical stimulation reduces hemiplegic shoulder pain, and the effect is maintained for > or =12 mos posttreatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dopamine-dependent responses to cocaine depend on corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtypes.
The effects on locomotor response to cocaine challenge, acquisition of cocaine conditioned place preference and cocaine-induced dopamine (DA) release in nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area by the non-specific corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors antagonist alpha-helical CRF, the selective CRF receptor subtype 1 antagonist CP-154,526 and the selective CRF receptor subtype 2 antagonist anti-sauvagine-30 (AS-30) were investigated in rats. Both alpha-helical CRF (10 microg, i.c.v.) and CP-154,526 (3 microg, i.c.v.) decreased the cocaine-induced distance travelled, whereas AS-30 (3 microg, i.c.v.) did not show such an effect. The CRF receptor antagonists also have significant effects on stereotype counts induced by cocaine injection, in which the alpha-helical CRF or CP-154,526 but not AS-30 did significantly reduce the stereotype counts. alpha-Helical CRF (10 microg) prior to each injection of cocaine blocked cocaine conditioned place preference with no significant difference observed in the time spent in the drug-paired side between post- and pre-training and both 1 and 3 microg CP-154,526 also had significant inhibitory effects on cocaine-induced place preference. However, pre-treatment with an i.c.v. infusion of AS-30 (1 or 3 microg) prior to each injection of cocaine did not affect the acquisition of conditioned place preference. The alpha-helical CRF and CP-154,526 reduced extracellular DA levels of nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area in response to the injection of cocaine. However, both alpha-helical CRF and CP-154,526 did not modify extracellular DA levels under basal conditions. In contrast, the i.c.v. infusion of AS-30 had no effects on either the basal DA or the cocaine-induced increase in DA release in nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area. These findings demonstrate that activation of the CRF receptor is involved in behavioral and neurochemical effects of cocaine challenge and cocaine reward and that the role of CRF receptor subtypes 1 and 2 in cocaine-induced locomotion, reward and DA release is not identical. The CRF receptor subtype 1 is largely responsible for the action of the CRF system on cocaine locomotion and reward. These results suggest that the CRF receptor antagonist, particularly the CRF receptor subtype 1 antagonist, might be of some value in the treatment of cocaine addiction and cocaine-related behavioral disorders. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Perilymphatic fistula of the round window.
To highlight diagnostic and treatment pitfalls in perilymphatic fistula. Two cases of round-window fistula are reported, detailing clinical aspect, treatment and outcome. The triad comprising sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo with associated fistula sign is classical but in fact rarely encountered. Imaging is of limited contribution, but may reveal anatomic abnormalities suggestive of perilymphatic fistula. Outcome is improved by early management, especially in case of moderate hearing loss. Diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula is challenging, but enables effective treatment. On any suspicion, surgical exploration should be undertaken, being the only reliable guide to diagnosis and etiologically adapted management. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Differential inhibition of estrogen and antiestrogen binding to the estrogen receptor by diethylpyrocarbonate.
Diethylpyrocarbonate differentially inhibited the specific binding, in lamb uterine cytosol, of estradiol (inhibition approximately 90% with 4 mM reagent) and 4-hydroxytamoxifen (inhibition approximately less than 50% with 4-16 mM reagent), a potent triphenylethylene antiestrogen. Saturation analysis experiments indicated that the effects of diethylpyrocarbonate were due to progressive but differing decreases in the concentration of binding sites for the two ligands, with no apparent change in the affinity constants. However, competitive binding and dissociation experiments evidenced that steroidal and nonsteroidal estrogens still bound, but with very low affinities, to diethylpyrocarbonate-modified receptor (greater than 1000-fold decrease in affinity) whereas the affinities of triphenylethylene antiestrogens were much less affected (less than 10-fold decrease). Both ligands prevented the inactivation of the estrogen receptor by diethylpyrocarbonate, estradiol being more efficient than 4-hydroxytamoxifen. These data indicate that the action of diethylpyrocarbonate results in the formation of two populations of estrogen receptor that are quantitatively nearly equivalent: the first does not bind estrogens or antiestrogens; the second does not bind estrogens significantly but still interacts with antiestrogens at a high affinity. The simplest interpretation is that these two populations arise from mutually exclusive modifications by diethylpyrocarbonate of at least two aminoacid residues located at or close to the ligand binding site; modification of one residue totally prevents the binding of estrogens and antiestrogens; the modification of the second impairs only the binding of estrogens. Considering that (i) hydroxylamine, which specifically reverses the diethylpyrocarbonate-induced modification of histidine and tyrosine residues, restored a large part (greater than 80%) of the estradiol- and 4-hydroxytamoxifen-binding capacity of diethylpyrocarbonate-inactivated cytosol, and that (ii) similar differential inhibition of estrogen and antiestrogen binding was observed following the action of tetranitromethane, it is likely that these residues are histidine(s) and/or tyrosine(s). These results evince a marked difference in the interaction of estrogens and triphenylethylene antiestrogens with the estrogen receptor, which could account for the altered activation of the receptor by triphenylethylene antiestrogens. Consequently, the screening of ligands with modified steroid receptors could be a useful method for distinguishing between potential hormone agonists and antagonists. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Defects of mitochondrial electron transport chain in bipolar disorder: implications for mood-stabilizing treatment.
Converging lines of evidence indicate that defects in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) are associated with bipolar disorder (BD), and that mood-stabilizing drugs produce neuroprotective effects. Our objective is to review the most recent findings regarding this research. We searched MEDLINE and have reviewed here the most recently published articles. There are deletions, mutation, and decreased expression of mitochondrial ETC complexes in BD. Because ETC is a major source of reactive oxygen species, these factors, along with decreased expression of antioxidant enzymes in BD, suggest the presence of oxidative damage in this disorder. Numerous recent studies have shown that mood-stabilizing drugs produce neuroprotective effects against oxidative damage and increase expression and activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in the rat brain. These findings indicate that the process of oxidative damage could be a significant therapeutic target for the treatment of BD with mood-stabilizing drugs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Goniothalamin prevents the development of chemically induced and spontaneous colitis in rodents and induces apoptosis in the HT-29 human colon tumor cell line.
Colon cancer is the third most incident type of cancer worldwide. One of the most important risk factors for colon cancer development are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), thus therapies focusing on IBD treatment have great potential to be used in cancer prevention. Nature has been a source of new therapeutic and preventive agents and the racemic form of the styryl-lactone goniothalamin (GTN) has been shown to be a promising antiproliferative agent, with gastroprotective, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. As inflammation is a well-known tumor promoter, the major goal of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic and preventive potentials of GTN on chemically induced and spontaneous colitis, as well as the cytotoxic effects of GTN on a human colon tumor cell line (HT-29). GTN treatments inhibited TNBS-induced acute and chronic colitis development in Wistar rats, reducing myeloperoxidase levels and inflammatory cells infiltration in the mucosa. In spontaneous-colitis using IL-10 deficient mice (C57BL/6 background), GTN prevented colitis development through downregulation of TNF-α, upregulation of SIRT-1 and inhibition of proliferation (PCNA index), without signs of toxicity after three months of treatment. In HT-29 cells, treatment with 10μM of GTN induced apoptosis by increasing BAX/BCL2, p-JNK1/JNK1, p-P38/P38 ratios as well as through ROS generation. Caspase 8, 9 and 3 activation also occurred, suggesting caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, culminating in PARP-1 cleavage. Together with previous data, these results show the importance of GTN as a pro-apoptotic, preventive and therapeutic agent for IBD and highlight its potential as a chemopreventive agent for colon cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Using religious services to improve health: findings from a sample of middle-aged and older adults with multiple sclerosis.
The purpose of this study is to examine the use of religious services to improve health among middle-aged and older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Data from the study "Aging With MS: Unmet Needs in the Great Lakes Region" were used to investigate religious service use among 1,275 adults with MS. The findings indicate that nearly two thirds of the sample currently use religious services to improve their health or well-being. Individuals whose MS is stable and those who have had the disease longer are significantly more likely to use religious services to improve their health. Religious organizations should continue providing out-reach and increasing accessibility for individuals with disabling conditions. In addition, health care professionals should be aware of the importance of religious services to individuals with MS and do their part to facilitate participation for those who desire it. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The gastrointestinal absorption of 'biologically incorporated' plutonium-239 in the rat.
Growing potatoes have been labelled by foliar applications of plutonium citrate. Approximately 0.4% of the radioactivity was taken up by the tubers. The potatoes were fed to rats and the gastrointestinal uptake of plutonium was estimated to be 0.34%. The significance of these results in relation to the uptake by humans is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Peptide Self-Assembled Biofilm with Unique Electron Transfer Flexibility for Highly Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalysis.
Inspired by natural photosynthesis, biomaterial-based catalysts are being confirmed to be excellent for visible-light-driven photocatalysis, but are far less well explored. Herein, an ultrathin and uniform biofilm fabricated from cold-plasma-assisted peptide self-assembly was employed to support Eosin Y (EY) and Pt nanoparticles to form an EY/Pt/Film catalyst for photocatalytic water splitting to H2 and photocatalytic CO2 reduction with water to CO, under irradiation of visible light. The H2 evolution rate on EY/Pt/Film is 62.1 μmol h(-1), which is about 5 times higher than that on Pt/EY and 1.5 times higher than that on the EY/Pt/TiO2 catalyst. EY/Pt/Film exhibits an enhanced CO evolution rate (19.4 μmol h(-1)), as compared with Pt/EY (2.8 μmol h(-1)) and EY/Pt/TiO2 (6.1 μmol h(-1)). The outstanding activity of EY/Pt/Film results from the unique flexibility of the biofilm for an efficient transfer of the photoinduced electrons. The present work is helpful for designing efficient biomaterial-based catalysts for visible-light-driven photocatalysis and for imitating natural photosynthesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Caffeic acid-assisted cross-linking catalyzed by polyphenol oxidase decreases the allergenicity of ovalbumin in a Balb/c mouse model.
Ovalbumin (OVA) is the most abundant egg white protein, but is also a major egg allergen. Desensitization of OVA may be a good way to control an egg allergy. In this study, caffeic acid-assisted cross-linked OVA catalyzed by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was prepared, the effect of cross-linking on the allergenicity of OVA was tested in a Balb/c mouse model. Mice were orally sensitized with OVA or cross-linked OVA using cholera toxin as adjuvant. Clinical signs of allergy, specific antibody levels, serum histamine levels, mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) concentrations, morphological structure of duodenum, and cytokines were determined after mice were challenged with OVA or cross-linked OVA. Both OVA and cross-linked OVA induced allergic diarrhea in Balb/c mice, however, histological symptoms of small intestine were much milder in mice fed with cross-linked OVA than in those fed with OVA. A tendency toward decreased allergen-specific IgE, IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a levels, as well as serum histamine and mMCP-1 concentration were observed in cross-linked OVA group, accompanied by an inhibition of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-γ production in the stimulated spleen cell. It could be concluded that caffeic acid-assisted PPO-catalyzed cross-linking significantly reduced the potential allergenicity of OVA, but may not completely eliminate it. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Susceptibility of Trichopyton mentagrophytes to Visible Light Wavelengths.
To determine whether a blue light (405 nm) could inhibit the growth of Trichopyton mentagrophytes without using a photosensitizing material as part of the treatment protocol. Basic physiologic randomized trial using laboratory specimens (T mentagrophytes). Plated on a growth medium, T mentagrophytes were exposed to 3 to 5 administrations of blue light at 20 J/cm over 28 hours. Following 7 days of incubation, colony-forming units were counted and compared with nonirradiated controls. The study found 3, 4, and 5 administrations of blue light produced significant inhibition of T mentagrophytes (P < .05); 4 and 5 applications produced the greatest inhibition of growth (84.7% and 93.6% kill rates, respectively). The application of 405-nm light at a dose of 20 J/cm is an effective in vitro inhibitor of T mentagrophytes. To give results similar to those seen when a photosensitizing material is included, 3 to 5 applications of this wavelength and dose condition delivered over 28 hours is likely needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Self-magnetized effects in relativistic cold plasmas due to ponderomotive forces: application to relativistic magnetic guiding of light.
Nonlinear equations are derived relevant to describe the propagation of powerful electromagnetic fields launched within a plasma. The nonlinear generation of self-induced collective electromagnetic perturbations are obtained with matter lying in the relativistic regime. Our main result is the self-consistent treatment of the coupled equations between the pump and its self-induced fields. In particular, a mechanism is pointed out for self-generation of quasistatic magnetic field that is due to the relativistic ponderomotive force. This process is found to be more efficient to produce quasistatic magnetic fields, as confirmed by recent experiments, as compared to known effects such as the inverse Faraday effect. As an application, we investigate conditions for relativistic magnetic guiding of light to occur under the combined action of the self-induced density and magnetic field. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
What is the clinical yield of capsule endoscopy in the management of obscure bleeding in emergency service?
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of capsule endoscopy (CE) performed on patients who presented to emergency room with clinically evident gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding from unknown source and were hospitalized for follow-up. Total of 38 patients who underwent CE and were followed-up for evaluation of clinically perceptible GI bleeding with no obvious etiology in Istanbul Medical Faculty emergency surgery department were included in the study. Patient data, which were collected between January 1, 2007 and June 1, 2015, were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 38 patients included in this study, 12 (32%) patients were women and 26 (68%) were men. Average age was 55.57 years (range: 20-88 years). Nine patients were using anticoagulants. Ten patients were followed-up in intensive care, and 7 patients underwent angiography. Angioembolization was performed for 1 patient who was diagnosed as having active bleed with CE. Average erythrocyte suspension replacement was 20.7 units. Total of 13 patients underwent surgery for bleeding found with CE. Eleven (34%) patients underwent double-balloon endoscopy, during which 5 patients were treated with cauterization and sclerotherapy was performed on 2. Four (18%) patients died during the study period: 2 died as result of bleeding from unknown source, 1 died of cholangiocarcinoma recurrence, and 1 died of anastomotic leakage. One patient was readmitted to hospital due to recurrence of bleeding. Nineteen (50%) patients were treated successfully based on CE findings. Diagnostic yield of CE was determined to be 78.9%. Average length of hospital stay was 32.68 days (range: 3-153 days). CE is an effective tool to detect source of GI bleeding. CE should be first choice of evaluation method for patients admitted to emergency room with obscure overt GI bleeding once radiological imaging determines absence of obstruction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Simulation of long-term environmental dynamics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans using the dynamic multimedia environmental fate model and its implication to the time trend analysis of dioxins.
Long term environmental fate of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) were studied using the fugacity-based dynamic multimedia environmental fate model. New formulation about soil wind erosion into air was included into the model. Effect of process assumption, sensitivity analysis for parameters, and tentative validation against the measured sediment core analysis was performed. Mass fluxes between compartments were estimated by the dynamic modeling. From the model estimates, major mass fluxes coming from emission source were shown to go to the soil and water through wet/dry deposition, then go to degradation mainly in the soil and sediment. Major mass fluxes of TCDD and OCDD come from the impurities in CNP (Chlornitrofen) and PCP (Pentachlorophenol) directly into the soil. Consideration about multimedia environmental dynamics using the modeled mass fluxes was shown in the discussion. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Stepwise transition of a topological defect from the smectic film to the boundary of a dipolar inclusion.
Cholesteric droplets accompanied by a topological defect are studied in free standing smectic C;{ *} films. We observed a transition between two droplet-defect configurations with the defect in the film and on the droplet boundary. We found that the distance between the droplet surface and the topological defect decreases continuously with increasing temperature and above a certain critical temperature the defect jumps to the droplet boundary. We relate this stepwise change in the defect position to the change in the anchoring on the droplet boundary. This transformation leads to a decrease in the interparticle distances in self-organized chains from droplets. Our simple theory allows us to estimate the value of the anchoring energy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The need for epidural analgesia is related to birthweight - a population-based register study.
To investigate the relation between use of epidural analgesia (EDA) and maternal and fetal characteristics. Population-based register study. Nationwide study in Sweden. All 106,775 primiparous women who in 2002-2005 delivered a singleton infant vaginally at term. Register study with data from the Medical Birth Registry and the Swedish Register of Education. Use of EDA during vaginal delivery. A total of 47,810 women (45%) received EDA during labor. EDA was used more often in women who were either young or short, had a high body mass index or a short education, or gave birth to an infant with high birthweight. After adjustment, the positive correlation with birthweight persisted. The use of EDA was twice as high in women with infant birthweight >4,500 g, 60% higher in those with infants weighing between 4,000 and 4,500 g and 25% lower when infants weighed <3,000 g, when compared to those with newborns weighing between 3,000 and 3,500 g. The woman's need for EDA is strongly related to birthweight. Prolonged duration of labor and instrumental delivery usually ascribed to EDA may be due to large infants. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Growth factors in the repair of partial thickness porcine skin wounds.
In 28 porcine partial thickness excisional wounds, the presence of several growth factors was first studied by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay on wound fluid collected in sealed wound chambers. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) peaked on day 1 at 31.4 pg/ml; platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB on day 3 reached 45.2 pg/ml, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on day 7 was 726.1 pg/ml. The same chamber system was used in 48 partial thickness excisional wounds for delivery of nanogram doses of bFGF, PDGF-AB, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and cholera toxin. PDGF and EGF accelerated healing (1.1 days and 0.3 days, respectively), whereas bFGF and IGF-1 had no effect. Cholera toxin retarded healing by 1.9 days. Furthermore, in 100 excisional wounds EGF in the concentration range of 10 to 1,000 ng/ml had the same stimulating effect on healing. EGF at 10,000 ng/ml significantly delayed healing. The wound chamber model is useful for detecting of endogenous growth factors as well as for delivering exogenous factors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Laparoscopic pyeloplasty with concomitant pyelolithotomy: technique and outcomes.
Coexisting renal calculus disease may pose technical challenges in the surgical management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. We report our experience with laparoscopic pyelolithotomy at the time of laparoscopic pyeloplasty and compare outcome data with a cohort of patients undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty without coexistent stone disease. We reviewed data on 117 patients undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the last 3 years at our institution. Fifteen (10.6%) patients underwent concomitant ipsilateral pyelolithotomy at the time of laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Laparoscopic graspers alone were used in 11 (73.3%) patients, flexible nephroscopy in 2 (13.3%) patients, and laparoscopic irrigation in 2 (13.3%) patients for renal stone removal. Patients in the group undergoing pyelolithotomy were compared with 15 matched patients undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty without concomitant calculus disease. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters were compared between the groups. Overall stone-free rate after laparoscopic pyelolithotomy was 80%. Mean operative time was 174 minutes nu 170 minutes for the pyelolithotomy nu control group, respectively (P = 0.81). Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy, primarily using laparoscopic graspers, is an efficient procedure with associated high stone-free rates without significant increase in operative time or morbidity. Intraoperative flexible nephroscopy may be necessary only occasionally for stone retrieval. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vitamin B-6 vitamers in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.
Vitamin B-6 comprises a group of 6 interrelated vitamers and is essential for numerous physiologic processes, including brain functioning. Genetic disorders disrupting vitamin B-6 metabolism have severe clinical consequences. To adequately diagnose known and novel disorders in vitamin B-6 metabolism, a reference set is required containing information on all vitamin B-6 vitamers in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Concentrations of vitamin B-6 vitamers in the plasma and CSF of 533 adult subjects were measured by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The relative vitamin B-6 vitamer composition of plasma [pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) > pyridoxic acid (PA) > pyridoxal] differed from that of CSF (pyridoxal > PLP > PA > pyridoxamine). Sex influenced vitamin B-6 vitamer concentrations in plasma and CSF and should therefore be taken into account when interpreting vitamin B-6 vitamer concentrations. The strict ratios and strong correlations between vitamin B-6 vitamers point to a tight regulation of vitamin B-6 vitamer concentrations in blood and CSF. Given the unique design of this study, with simultaneously withdrawn blood and CSF from a large number of subjects, reliable CSF:plasma ratios and correlations of vitamin B-6 vitamers could be established. We provide an extensive reference set of vitamin B-6 vitamer concentrations in plasma and CSF. In addition to providing insight on the regulation of individual vitamers and their intercompartmental distribution, we anticipate that these data will prove to be a valuable reference set for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with altered vitamin B-6 metabolism. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Factors affecting in vitro protein binding of etoposide in humans.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that the plasma protein binding of etoposide, a widely used anticancer drug, is extensive (approximately 94%), highly variable among patients (10-fold range), and significantly related to serum albumin and total bilirubin concentration. The present study was designed to more thoroughly evaluate factors likely to affect etoposide protein binding under controlled in vitro conditions where single variables could be changed. Protein binding was determined using an equilibrium dialysis method with tritiated etoposide. The binding of etoposide was similar in serum or plasma, and heparin had no effect on binding. Etoposide binding decreased with increased pH, but no clinically significant difference was noted within the range of physiologic pH. Etoposide binding evaluated in single-source donor plasma was concentration-dependent over a concentration range of 1 to 250 micrograms/mL. Etoposide binding parameters determined in normal human plasma were characterized by a single class of binding sites of moderate affinity (K = 2.88 +/- 0.47 x 10(4)) and high capacity (nP = 5.07 +/- 0.5 x 10(-4); where n is the number of binding sites). The etoposide binding ratio was significantly correlated with albumin concentration (r2 = 99%, p less than 0.05). The characteristics of etoposide binding in a 4.0-g/dL solution of human serum albumin (K = 3.56 +/- 1.22 x 10(4) and nP = 5.58 +/- 0.16 x 10(-4)) suggest that the single class of binding sites is on albumin. Bilirubin caused a significant decrease in K, consistent with competitive binding, but only at higher bilirubin concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Intellectual decline after stroke: the Framingham Study.
The causes and characteristics of cognitive decline after stroke are poorly defined, because most studies have relied on the diagnosis of dementia after stroke, without measurement of prestroke cognitive function. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess the cognitive performance of 74 subjects from the Framingham Study cohort who had suffered a stroke during a 13-year period. We compared their poststroke cognitive performance with the prestroke MMSE scores collected during their biennial examinations, and their prestroke/poststroke changes in MMSE score were then compared with those of 74 control subjects matched for age and sex. Cases and controls underwent testing for symptoms of depression using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression (CES-D) scale, and these findings were correlated with their cognitive performance. Changes in cognitive performance in the cases were correlated with the CT-documented characteristics of the stroke. The cases had a significantly lower mean+/-SE MMSE score at prestroke baseline (27.28+/-0.34) than did the control subjects (28.08+/-0.21), a difference that became more pronounced (23.57+/-0.92 versus 28.31+/-0.25; P<.001) after stroke. The poststroke decline in cognitive function in the cases was correlated only with a large, left-sided stroke on CT. The CES-D scores were significantly higher in the cases, but nondepressed cases had significantly lower MMSE scores than nondepressed controls. Stroke is followed by a significant decline in cognitive performance when prestroke and poststroke measurements are compared. Although depression is more frequent in the stroke patients, their intellectual decline appears to be independent from the presence of depression. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Exacerbation of antigen-induced arthritis in IFN-gamma-deficient mice as a result of unrestricted IL-17 response.
Proinflammatory Th1 responses are believed to be involved in the induction and perpetuation of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the role of IFN-gamma, the major cytokine produced by Th1 cells, is still incompletely defined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of IFN-gamma deficiency (IFN-gamma(-/-)) on the course of experimental murine Ag-induced arthritis (AIA). In the acute stage of disease, IFN-gamma(-/-) AIA mice showed significantly increased inflammatory responses compared with wild-type C57BL/6 AIA mice, i.e., exacerbated joint swelling, increased delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, and increased histopathological scores of arthritis. Intraarticular administration of exogenous IFN-gamma at induction of AIA significantly suppressed these acute aggravation effects. Stimulated cells isolated from lymph nodes and spleen of IFN-gamma(-/-) AIA mice showed increased production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, but most prominently of IL-17. These elevations were paralleled by decreased humoral immune responses, with low serum levels of total and Ag-specific IgG (IgG1, IgG2a(b), IgG2b, IgG3). At immunohistology, the knee joints of IFN-gamma(-/-) AIA mice showed massive neutrophil granulocyte infiltration. Treatment with mAbs neutralizing IL-17 diminished the acute inflammation. In vitro, Th cell expansion and production of IL-17 upon restimulation were effectively and dose dependently inhibited by IFN-gamma. These results clearly demonstrate that IFN-gamma has anti-inflammatory properties during the initial phase of AIA, and indicate that IFN-gamma deficiency exerts disease-promoting effects, preferentially via IL-17-modulated pathways. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The relationship between hereditary characteristics in the blood (Phi-PO2-Pgd) and susceptibility to stress in swine. A pilot study].
Deaths during transport and the incidence of a poor quality of the meat in pigs were the most important reasons for studying the stress-syndrome (MHS) during the past twenty years. MHS is controlled by an autosomal Hal locus with two alleles N and n. Only pigs of genotype nn are sensitive to halothane and susceptible to stress. As a standard test for use in practice, the halothane test was developed in the Netherlands in 1974 and only this test is used to detect MHS. Heterozygotes can not be detected using this test. Since 1986, additional blood typing was carried out for the systems Phi, Po2 en Pgd in litters including at least one halothane-positive reactor. Blood typing was carried out in 533 pigs of four different lines of breeding company Cofok in Oosterhout and was found to be very successful (using the linkage groups) in identifying the heterozygotes. In 15.5 per cent of the offspring, it could not be stated whether the genotype was HalNN or HalNn. This was due to the fact that in these Nn x Nn matings the two haplotypes of one or both parents were identical. In this population, the haplotype PhiB-Po2S-PgdB was strongly (72-89 per cent) linked to the Haln-allele. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cost of hospitalization for and risk factors associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infection and colonization.
The increase in costs of hospitalization for patients with drug-resistant infection may be associated with drug resistance itself or with the severity of the underlying illness that predisposes patients to acquire the drug-resistant infection. To address this issue, risk factors and cost of hospitalization were compared for patients infected or colonized with vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium (VSEF) or vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VREF) in a large tertiary-care hospital in New York City. From January 1995 through December 1996, 157 patients with VSEF and 262 patients with VREF were identified. CMI (case-mix index) was assigned to each patient as a measure of severity of illness, with a CMI of 1 considered to represent illness of average severity. For all patients who were assigned a CMI of <3, the cost per day of hospitalization for patients with VREF was significantly greater than that for patients with VSEF. However, for patients with a CMI of >3, there was no difference between cost of hospitalization for patients with VREF and that for patients with VSEF. These observations indicate that, although vancomycin resistance is associated with an increased cost of hospitalization for less severely ill patients with VREF, patients with severe underlying illness, regardless of vancomycin resistance, incur similar hospitalization costs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hydroview lens implant calcification: 186 exchanges at a district general hospital.
This paper describes the experience at a district general hospital of coping with an abrupt onset of calcification of Hydroview intraocular lens (IOL) implants requiring exchange surgery mostly for symptoms of glare, even though the visual acuities were relatively good. In this retrospective study, the operative details of 174 consecutive lens exchanges by one surgeon were retrieved from the surgeon's notes. Of these, pre and post-operative details of 106 consecutive patients were obtained from the hospital notes. Of the 174 lens exchanges, all were sutureless except one and 31 eyes (18%) had had previous capsulotomies. Of 143 eyes with intact posterior capsules, eight (5.6%) needed anterior vitrectomy. Lens replacements were in the bag in 136 (95%), in the sulcus in five (3.5%), and in the anterior chamber in two (1.5%). Of the 31 eyes with previous capsulotomies, 10 (32%) needed anterior vitrectomy. Lens replacements were in the bag in 22 (71%) and in the sulcus in the remaining nine cases (29%). Postoperatively the best-corrected visual acuity was improved in 53%, remained the same in 35%, and deteriorated in 12%. The lens exchange procedure was mostly predictable with satisfactory visual results allowing preoperative counselling of risks to be similar to that for cataract surgery. The onset and resolution of the period of implantation of lenses requiring exchange has not been explained. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Surgical treatment of brain metastases from renal cell carcinoma.
Between January 1976 and December 1986, 22 patients with renal cell carcinoma underwent surgical resection of brain metastases at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Ten of the patients had metastases limited to the brain and 12 also had extracranial metastases. Twenty patients received external radiotherapy. Five had craniotomy after failing radiation therapy and 15 had adjuvant radiotherapy. Two patients died within thirty days following craniotomy; the median survival of the remaining 20 patients was 20.9 +/- 6.8 months calculated according to a Weibull survival model. Variables examined in relation to survival included absence or presence of extracranial metastases at time of craniotomy, time interval between nephrectomy and diagnosis of cerebral metastases, neurologic status prior to craniotomy, location of the brain tumor, and patient age. None of the variables was significant at the 10 percent level by the Weibull analysis. However, three favorable prognostic factors, namely metachronous brain metastasis more than one year after nephrectomy, minimal or no neurologic deficit at time of craniotomy, and infratentorial lesions show a trend toward improved survival with p less than 0.20. The data suggest that surgical resection of a single and occasionally multiple brain metastases is warranted in selected patients with renal cell carcinoma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Punjabi orchard farmers: an immigrant enclave in rural California.
Examination of the adaptation patterns of Punjabi Sikh orchard farmers in rural California provides further evidence of ways in which strong ethnic enclaves help to promote rapid economic self-sufficiency among immigrant groups. The discussion emphasizes the need to consider not only the cultural traditions of group members, but also the historical context of immigration and the immigrants' perceptions of their particular situation. The Punjabi case indicates, too, how the 1965 Immigration Act, with its preference for family reunification, has promoted the formation of immigrant enclave. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A model for the assessment of static and dynamic factors in sexual offenders.
A sample of 519 sexual offenders who were consecutive admissions to the Ontario Region of Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) were assessed with reference to a large series of variables thought to be related to sexual offending. We grouped these variables into five domains: criminality, social competence, sexual deviance, substance abuse and treatment readiness. We standardized scores on each of these domains to facilitate the calculation of total scores for each domain. We then performed a variety of analyses to determine whether these domains might constitute a reasonable model for the comprehensive evaluation of sexual offenders. Analyses indicated that overall the model received a moderate level of support. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Layered stimulus response training improves motor imagery ability and movement execution.
This study aimed to test Lang's bioinformational theory by comparing the effects of layered stimulus and response training (LSRT) with imagery practice on improvements in imagery ability and performance of a motor skill (golf putting) in 24 novices (age, M = 20.13 years; SD = 1.65; 12 female) low in imagery ability. Participants were randomly assigned to a LSRT (introducing stimulus and response propositions to an image in a layered approach), motor imagery (MI) practice, or visual imagery (VI) practice group. Following baseline measures of MI ability and golf putting performance, the LSRT and MI practice groups imaged successfully performing the golf putting task 5 times each day for 4 days whereas the VI practice group imaged the ball rolling into the hole. Only the LSRT group experienced an improvement in kinesthetic MI ability, MI ability of more complex skills, and actual golf putting performance. Results support bioinformational theory by demonstrating that LSRT can facilitate visual and kinesthetic MI ability and reiterate the importance of imagery ability to ensure MI is an effective prime for movement execution. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reproducibility of acoustic rhinometry in the investigation of occupational rhinitis.
To diagnose occupational rhinitis, it is mandatory to conduct an objective assessment of changes in nasal patency during specific inhalation challenge (SIC). The reproducibility of acoustic rhinometry measurements in the setting of occupational challenges has never been examined. This study assessed the reproducibility of acoustic rhinometry during SIC investigation of occupational rhinitis. Twenty-four subjects underwent acoustic rhinometry measurements during SIC investigation of occupational rhinitis. Subjects attended 3-6 days of SIC within a week by means of a realistic or closed-circuit apparatus methodology All of the within-day intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for nasal volume (2-5 cm) and minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) based on a different number of measurements (2-7) were above 0.85; all of the coefficients of variation (CVs)for the same parameters were low (below 10%). The between-day CVs based on different numbers of SIC sessions ranged from 8.0 to 8.8% and from 6.8 to 8.8%for nasal volume and MCA, respectively. The between-day ICCs ranged from 0.80 to 0.88 and from 0.83 to 0.94 for nasal volume and MCA, respectively. Acoustic rhinometry showed good within- and between-day reproducibility and can be recommended for the objective monitoring of nasal patency during SIC investigating occupational rhinitis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cytochemical profile of human haematopoietic biopsy cells and derived cell lines.
Twenty-three human haematopoietic cell lines, normal and mitogen stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes and tumour material from fresh leukaemias, myelomas and lymphomas were investigated with a panel of cytochemical reactions. Normal and mitogen stimulated lymphocytes, non-neoplastic lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL), lymphoma lines with B-lymphocyte characteristics, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and fresh lymphocytic lymphomas reacted weakly or negatively with all stains. T-lymphocyte acute leukaemia lines were PAS and alpha-naphtyl acetate esterase positive. Myeloma lines and fresh myelomas were strongly beta-glucoronidase positive. A histiocytic lymphoma cell line was strongly esterase positive with naphtol AS-D acetate esterase inhibited by NaF. The three fresh histiocytic lymphomas, however, reacted as the lymphocytic lymphomas suggesting a lymphoid origin. A myeloid leukaemia line was strongly positive for acid phsophatase. No major disagreement was noted between the reactivity of established neoplastic lines and the corresponding fresh biopsy cells indicating an unaltered qualitative expression of enzyme production after prolonged in vitro culture. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Transcription attenuation.
Prokaryotic transcription attenuation mechanisms are described in which different metabolic signals and sensing events are used to regulate transcription termination at sites preceding structural genes. Suggestive eukaryotic examples also are mentioned. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Management of difficult germ-cell tumors.
Although testicular cancer is a rare disease accounting for only 1% of all male neoplasms, it represents a paradigm for cancer curability. Overall, more than 95% of patients can expect to be cured of their disease with minimal long-term toxicity. Given these expectations, it is critical that cancer care providers are familiar with the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges encountered in these rare patients. In particular, clinicians managing these patients should be aware of some of the pitfalls encountered when determining relapse. In a series of case presentations, we review the evaluation and management of patients with persistent elevation of serum tumor markers and postchemotherapy residual radiographic abnormalities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Examining the cultural validity of fear survey schedule for children: the contemporary fears of Turkish children and adolescents.
The authors examined the cultural validity of Fear Survey Schedule for Children (FSSC-AM) developed by J. J. Burnham (2005) with Turkish children. The relationships between demographic variables and the level of fear were also tested. Three independent data sets were used. The first data set comprised 676 participants (321 women and 355 men) and was used for examining factor structure and internal reliability of FSSC. The second data set comprised 639 participants (321 women and 318 men) and was used for testing internal reliability and to confirm the factor structure of FSCC. The third data set comprised 355 participants (173 women and 182 men) and used for analyses of test-retest reliability, inter-item reliability, and convergent validity for the scores of FSSC. The sum of the first and second samples (1,315 participants; 642 women and 673 men) was used for testing the relationships between demographic variables and the level of fear. Results indicated that FSSC is a valid and reliable instrument to examine Turkish children's and adolescents' fears between the ages of 8 and 18 years. The younger, female, children of low-income parents reported a higher level of fear. The findings are discussed in light of the existing literature. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The epidemiology of agriculture-related osteoarthritis and its impact on occupational disability.
Hip and knee osteoarthritis and undiagnosed chronic joint pain are more prevalent in agricultural workers than other occupational groups, significantly impacting the ability of small farm operators and farm workers to maintain a livelihood. Agricultural risk factors, economic impacts, national and state AgrAbility data, gender, and farm/non-farm prevalence differences of arthritis and joint arthropathy in a Wisconsin farm cohort are reviewed. Agricultural workers (primarily male) are at increased risk for developing osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. In Wisconsin, the prevalence rate of osteoarthritis is higher in a male farm vs. a male rural non-farm cohort. Arthritis comprises 10%-12% of the disability referrals to state and national AgrAbility programs. Back pain, joint injury, and orthopedic injury account for another 38%. The ability to perform agricultural job duties is significantly affected by arthritis and lack of access to health care. Obesity is an additional independent risk factor for osteoarthritis in the rural population. The agricultural work force is at particular risk for arthritis-related disability. Improved access to health care for diagnosis and treatment can lessen disability. Prevention of arthritis is multi-factorial, involving ergonomic improvements, lifestyle modification to prevent obesity, and adequate medical treatment of arthritis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fully automated computer-aided volume estimation system for thyroid planar scintigraphy.
Patient-specific dosimetry calculations are often performed for radioiodine therapy in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism. The radioiodine doses are typically calculated to deliver the desired amount of radiation based on gland size and radioactive iodine uptake. Thus the estimation of thyroid gland volume is of great importance for radioiodine therapy. In clinical practice, thyroid volume determinations are usually performed with ultrasonography (US) or with planar scintigraphy (PS). In traditional planar scintigraphic studies, the thyroid boundary is estimated using a fixed threshold value if the shape of the thyroid is well-defined or a manually drawn region of interest (ROI) if the thyroid shape is irregular. The thyroid volume is then calculated based on the area thus determined. Delineating the thyroid area on a planar scintigram is not easy when applying a fixed threshold value. Moreover, hand-drawn ROIs are time consuming, tedious, and highly operator-dependent. In this study, for a PS image, a fully automated thyroid volume estimation system mainly consisting of four steps, i.e. preprocessing, image contrast enhancement, image segmentation, and automated ROI finding, was proposed to obtain the maximum height and area of each thyroid lobe, and thus calculate the thyroid volume using either Himanka-Larsson's formula or Allen-Goodwin's formula. A set of 40 Graves's disease patients regarded as training set were used to determine empirically some parameters operated in the system. A set of 30 Graves's disease patients being independent of the training set, regarded as test set for thyroid volume measurements were used for comparisons and performance analyses. In this study, the US was adopted as a standard reference. The statistical analyses were performed with bias, precision, and relative differences. The results of thyroid volume estimation from the proposed approach correlated well with those from US, and the statistical performance analyses showed good agreement between them. In comparison, our automated approach with Allen-Goodwin's formula had not only good correlation with US (R(2)=0.99) but also the best bias (0.8), precision (±2.32 ml), and low relative differences (2.2 ± 6.1%). It is expected that this automated computer-assisted approach can help physicians in the determination of patient-specific administered activities for treatment of thyroid disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The development of spatial capacity in piloting and dead reckoning by infant rats: use of the huddle as a home base for spatial navigation.
Two forms of spatial navigation, piloting using external cues and dead reckoning using self-movement cues, are manifest in the outward and homeward trips of adult rats exploring from a home base. Here, the development of these two forms of spatial behavior are described for rats aged 14-65 days using a new paradigm in which a huddle of pups or an artificial huddle, a small heat pad, served as a home base on an open circular table that the rats could explore. When moving away from both home bases, the travel distance, path complexity, and number of stops of outward trips from the home base increased progressively with age from postnatal day 16 through 22. When returning to the home bases, the return trips to the home base were always more direct and had high travel velocities even though travel distance increased with age for the longest trips. The results are discussed in relation to the ideas that: (1) the pups pilot on the outward portion of their excursion and dead reckon on the homeward portion of their excursion, and (2) the two forms of navigation and associated spatial capacity are interdependent and develop in parallel and in close association with locomotor skill. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Eruption cyst treated with a laser powered hydrokinetic system.
Eruption cysts are benign cysts that appear on the mucosa of a tooth shortly before its eruption. The majority disappear on their own. If they hurt, bleed or are infected they may require surgical treatment to expose the tooth and drain the content. Here we present a clinical case of a six-year-old child with an eruption cyst on the permanent maxillary central left incisor, which was handled using treatment with an Er,Cr-YSGG laser. It did not require suture, there was no haemorrhage, swelling, infection or postoperative pain. The treatment of eruption cysts with this technique facilitates obtaining the cooperation of pediatric patients and makes behavior management by the pediatric dentist easier. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Incidence of port site hernias and/or dehiscence in robotic-assisted procedures in gynecologic oncology patients.
The incidence of port site hernia and/or dehiscence using bladeless trocars is 0-1.2%. Robotic surgery uses additional port sites and increases manipulation of instruments, raising the concern for more complications. We sought to characterize the incidence of port site complications following robotic surgery when fascia was not routinely closed. Robotically-assisted (RA) procedures performed for suspected gynecologic malignancy between 1/2006 and 12/2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Bladeless 12 mm and 8mm robotic trocars were used. Fascial closure was not routinely performed except after specimen removal through the port site. The decision to close the fascia remained at the discretion of the surgeon. Data from 842 procedures were included. Mean patient age was 55.6 years. Mean Body Mass Index was 33.6 kg/m(2). RA-total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH)± unilateral or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO)± lymphadenectomy (LND) accounted for 91.6% of procedures. Final pathology confirmed malignancy in 58.6% of cases, primarily endometrial cancer. In 35 cases, the specimen was removed through the port site; fascia was closed in 54.3% of them and no port site hernias or dehiscences occurred. Only one patient underwent a RA-TLH/BSO/LND for endometrial adenocarcinoma and had a port site dehiscence of the 8mm trocar site. No port site hernias occurred. Port site hernias and dehiscences are rare in RA gynecologic oncology procedures. When bladeless dilating trocars are used, routine closure of even up to a 12 mm port site is unnecessary, even in cases requiring removal of the specimen through the trocar sites. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Risk factors for cancer of the oesophagus in Kerala, India.
A case-control study of oesophageal cancer was carried out in Trivandrum, Kerala, involving 267 cases and 895 controls. Risk factors studied in males were pan (betel)-tobacco chewing, bidi and cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol and taking snuff. Only pan-tobacco chewing was investigated in females as very few indulged in the other habits. Among males significant associations with higher risk were observed for bidi smoking (p less than 0.001), bidi plus cigarette smoking (p greater than 0.05) and drinking alcohol (p less than 0.001). While a significant effect of duration of pan-tobacco chewing (p less than 0.005) was observed in males, there was no significant trend, the risk first falling then rising as duration of use increased. This was partly due to confounding with smoking. No effect of pan-tobacco use was observed in females. A step-wise model was fitted, retaining only those risk factors which were significant when adjusted for other factors; the risk factors included were duration of pan-tobacco chewing, duration of bidi smoking, daily frequency of bidi and cigarette smoking and alcohol use (yes or no). An adjusted relative risk of 2.03 was observed for a pan-tobacco habit of more than 40 years' duration, of 4.70 for more than 20 years of bidi smoking, of 4.80 for more than 20 bidis/cigarettes per day, and of 2.33 for regular alcohol use (in each category relative to a baseline of those never indulging in the relevant habit). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Meiosis in chromosomally heteromorphic goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa (Artiodactyla, Bovidae).
Chromosomal-pairing behaviour was studied in the spermatocytes of individual goitered gazelles which were heteromorphic for a 14/15 Robertsonian translocation and which possessed an autosome-to-X translocation. Both translocations exhibited trivalent pairing configurations in pachytene and diakinesis/metaphase I nuclei. Synapsis of the sex chromosomes during pachynema was followed by end-to-end association of the X and Y during diakinesis/metaphase I. The only univalents identified were of the Y chromosome; Y univalency ranged from 15.9% at pachynema to 5.7% at diakinesis/metaphase I. Robertsonian trivalents exhibited evidence of synaptic adjustment in the paracentromeric region. Chiasmata were formed in most bivalents and trivalents; chiasmata were restricted to the autosomal portion of the autosome-to-XY trivalent. Analysis of metaphase II configurations (secondary spermatocytes) revealed no nondisjunction in individuals homozygous or heterozygous for the Robertsonian translocation. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that neither the autosomal nor the gonosomal heteromorphism reduces the meiotic fitness of male goitered gazelles. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of a cold-water stressor on psychomotor and cognitive functioning in humans.
The effects of an acute stressful and painful stimulus, cold water, on psychomotor and cognitive functioning, was assessed in 14 healthy volunteers. Subjects immersed their forearm in ice-cold water (2-3 degrees C) and luke-warm water (37 degrees C) for 3 min, and during this time period a psychomotor or cognitive test was performed. These immersions were done over the course of two experimental sessions, spaced at least 2 days apart, with six trials in each session. Within each session, cold and warm water immersions alternated. Results indicated that flicker-from-fusion threshold from the critical flicker frequency test was higher in the cold-water condition than in the luke-warm-water condition, indicative of increased alertness from the cold stimulus. Short-term memory was attenuated, however, in the cold-water condition. Performance on other tests including those that required speed and/or concentration were not affected by the manipulation. Subjects rated the cold-water stimulus as painful and bothersome, and their blood pressure was significantly elevated by the stimulus. We conclude that a painful stimulus may affect psychomotor and/or cognitive functioning, but the relationship is somewhat complex and depends on the particular tests used. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gene cloning, expression, and substrate specificity of an imidase from the strain Pseudomonas putida YZ-26.
A gene-encoding imidase was isolated from Pseudomonas putdia YZ-26 genomic DNA using a combination of polymerase chain reaction and activity screening the recombinant. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed that an open reading frame (ORF) of 879 bp encoded a protein of 293 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 33712.6 kDa. The deduced amino-acid sequence showed 78% identity with the imidase from Alcaligenes eutrophus 112R4 and 80% identity with N-terminal 20 amino-acid imidase from Blastobacter sp. A17p-4. Next, the ORF was subcloned into vector pET32a to form recombinant plasmid pEI. The enzyme was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity by Ni(2+)-NTA column, with 75% activity recovery. The subunit molecular mass of the recombinant imidase as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was approximately 36 kDa, whereas its functional unit was approximately 141 kDa with four identical subunits determined by size-exclusion chromatography. The purified enzyme showed the highest activity and affinity toward succinimide, and some other substrates, such as dihydrouracil, hydantoin, succinimide, and maleimde, were investigated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
n-3 fatty acids and blood glucose control in diabetes mellitus.
Our knowledge of the effects of n-3 fatty acids on the glucose homeostasis in diabetes mellitus is at present incomplete. The results are in certain respects conflicting. Several studies have shown that addition of n-3 fatty acids, especially in type-2 diabetes, may increase blood glucose concentrations without a concomitant increase of insulin or C-peptide concentrations. The glucose/insulin ratio is increased in fasting as well as after meals. On the other hand, some data indicate that, in spite of increased or unchanged glucose concentrations, there may be an improved peripheral insulin sensitivity. The stimulated insulin response may be reduced after mixed meals, although there are no indications of significant impairments of the response to intravenous glucose. The reasons for the observed changes are still obscure. More controlled studies, during prolonged periods of time, are needed. At present it would seem important to closely follow diabetic patients with respect to glucose and lipid metabolism if treated with n-3 fatty acids. As for now, diabetic patients are recommended to increase their intake of fish in the diet. The use of pharmacological doses of n-3 fatty acids remains investigational. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis with a unique imaging finding: multiple encephaloceles.
Osteopetrosis is a hereditary form of sclerosing bone dysplasia with various radiological and clinical presentations. The autosomal recessive type, also known as malignant osteopetrosis, is the most severe type, with the early onset of manifestations. A 5-month-old infant was admitted to our hospital with recurrent respiratory tract infections. Chest X-ray and skeletal survey revealed the classic findings of osteopetrosis, including diffuse osteosclerosis and bone within a bone appearance. At follow-up, the patient presented with, thickened calvarium, multiple prominent encephaloceles, and dural calcifications leading to the intracranial clinical manifestations with bilateral hearing and sight loss. Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis is one of the causes of encephaloceles and this finding may become dramatic if untreated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Kinetic analysis of the bisubstrate cysteine desulfurase SufS from Bacillus subtilis.
Cysteine is the major sulfur donor for thio cofactors in bacterial and eukaryotic systems. The first step in sulfur mobilization involves a PLP-dependent enzymatic mechanism. During catalysis, free cysteine is converted into alanine with the concomitant formation of a persulfide bond with the catalytic cysteine residue, thus forming a covalent enzyme intermediate. Cysteine desulfurases in their persulfurated forms serve as donors at the intersection of various cellular sulfur-requiring pathways. Most Gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis, contain a cysteine desulfurase gene sufS located adjacent to the gene encoding the proposed Fe-S cluster scaffold SufU. In this work, we identified the participation of SufU as a substrate in the SufS catalytic mechanism. Development of a sensitive method for detection of alanine formed in the SufS reaction enabled the identification of its associated mechanistic features. Steady-state kinetic analysis of alanine formation provided evidence of a double-displacement mechanism (ping-pong) of the cysteine:SufU sulfurtransferase reaction catalyzed by SufS. Results from site-directed mutagenesis of the catalytic cysteine (SufS(C361A)) and iodoacetamide alkylation of SufU support the occurrence of persulfide sulfur transfer steps in the mechanism of SufS. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Surgical treatment of tumor metastases in the lungs, brain or liver].
Metastases are generally an expression of widespread disease and therefore warrant systemic treatment. However, clinical observations have revealed that local surgical treatment might be beneficial in the case of organ-confined metastatic disease. Randomised studies have revealed that in the case of brain metastases, metastasectomy followed by radiotherapy, has a favourable outcome with respect to both the quality of life and overall survival. Retrospective non-randomised studies in selected patient groups show prolonged post-treatment survival in the case of both lung and liver metastasectomy. The most important prognostic factors for metastasectomy are: disease control elsewhere in the body, tumour species, the patient's general condition, and the possibility of a total resection of the metastasis. These factors form the basis of the separate decision-making process for each individual patient. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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