text
stringlengths 1
10.9k
| meta
dict |
|---|---|
[Neurotransplantation, critical analysis and perspectives].
Basic morphological and functional properties of basal ganglia are described and their role in the development of Parkinson's disease is discussed in detail. Based on recent experimental data, the problem of human autologous adrenal medulla transplants as well as human dopaminergic neurons is analyzed and prospective approaches to successful therapeutic interventions are considered mainly from the molecular and immunobiological point of view. The relative limitations of the regenerative capacity and transplantability of the nervous tissue are assessed and compared with the critical developmental periods of human neurogenesis (Fig. 6, Ref. 47.). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Swine cell sublines with different ploidies. I. Karyotypic evolution].
Two swine kidney cell sublines, one of them IB-RS-10-I, with diploid level of chromosomes and the other, IB-RS-10-II, with tetraploid level, were studied as far as their morphology and karyotypic evolution was concerned. Both of them derived from the parental cell line after seven months in continuous culture and maintained in the same type of nutrient medium showed peculiar chromosome alterations for each subline, though in both sublines were observed losses of chromosomes belonging to the gruop GIV. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Spreads enriched with three different levels of vegetable oil sterols and the degree of cholesterol lowering in normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects.
To investigate the dose-response relationship between cholesterol lowering and three different, relatively low intake levels of plant sterols (0.83, 1.61, 3.24 g/d) from spreads. To investigate the effects on lipid-soluble (pro)vitamins. A randomized double-blind placebo controlled balanced incomplete Latin square design using five spreads and four periods. The five study spreads included butter, a commercially available spread and three experimental spreads fortified with three different concentrations of plant sterols. One hundred apparently healthy normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic volunteers participated. Each subject consumed four spreads, each for a period of 3.5 week. Compared to the control spread, total cholesterol decreased by 0.26 (CI: 0.15-0.36), 0.31 (CI: 0.20-0.41) and 0.35 (CI: 0.25-0.46) mmol/L, for daily consumption of 0.83, 1.61 and 3.24 g plant sterols, respectively. For LDL-cholesterol these decreases were 0.20 (CI: 0.10-0.31), 0.26 (CI: 0.15-0.36) and 0.30 (CI: 0.20-0.41). Decreases in the LDL/HDL ratio were 0.13 (CI: 0.04-0.22), 0.16 (CI: 0.07-0.24) and 0.16 (CI: 0.07-0.24) units, respectively. Differences in cholesterol reductions between the plant sterol doses consumed were not statistically significant. Plasma vitamin K1 and 25-OH-vitamin D and lipid standardized plasma lycopene and alpha-tocopherol were not affected by consumption of plant sterol enriched spreads, but lipid standardized plasma (alpha + beta)-carotene concentrations were decreased by about 11 and 19% by daily consumption of 0.83 and 3.24 g plant sterols in spread, respectively. The three relatively low dosages of plant sterols had a significant cholesterol lowering effect ranging from 4.9-6.8%, 6.7-9.9% and 6.5-7.9%, for total, LDL-cholesterol and the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio, respectively, without substantially affecting lipid soluble (pro)vitamins. No significant differences in cholesterol lowering effect between the three dosages of plant sterols could be detected. This study would support that consumption of about 1.6 g of plant sterols per day will beneficially affect plasma cholesterol concentrations without seriously affecting plasma carotenoid concentrations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Assessment and nursing management of homebound clients with urinary incontinence.
Home care nurses are in a unique position to identify urinary incontinence and to assist patients and their families to manage urinary incontinence in the home care setting. Investigators of this study surveyed home care nurses regarding their assessment and management of elderly homebound clients with urinary incontinence. Recommendations were made to home care nurses for how to improve their care of geriatric patients with urinary incontinence. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The emergence of zoonotic Fusarium oxysporum infection in captive-reared fingerlings of golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822) from the central Himalayan region of India.
Zoonotic Fusarium oxysporum infection was identified in captive-reared fingerlings of golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822) from the central Himalayan regions, India. Initially, fingerlings of T. putitora (mean length 10.8 ± 0.002 and weight 18.58 ± 0.054 g) were observed with cottony mass like growth completely covering the dorsal and caudal fins. The infected fingerlings were showing clinical signs such as sluggish, erratic movement, gasping, flared operculum and settling at one corner of the rearing tanks. The microscopic observation of 8-day old culture of cottony mass like growth showed the presence of septate macroconidia, randomly spread microconidia and chlamydospores in short-chain. From sequence analysis of ITS amplified fragment, the isolate was identified as Fusarium oxysporum, TPFCF 214 (MH464266.1) and clustered with F. oxysporum, strain NRRL 43504 (EF453107.1) and F. oxysporum, strain 20736 (JX 270150.1) isolated from the human in phylogenetic tree. An experimental infection of healthy golden mahseer fingerlings with 20 µl of F. oxysporum spore suspension (2.5 × 109 spore ml-1 ) showed the development of lesion 6-dpi at the site of injection. Experimental trial on EPC-2 cell culture recorded detachment in the monolayer, clumping and shrinking of the cell line 6-8 dpi with a spore suspension of F. oxysporum, TPFCF 214 (5.68 × 102 cell/ml). From the severity of its infection, there is a chance that F. oxysporum may emerge as pathogenically and pose a significant health risk on captive-reared golden mahseer in other Asian countries and world. As Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum are known to cause invasive fusariosis in human especially in immunocompromised patients, localized infection in immunocompetent individuals as well as osteomyelitis, arthritis, otitis, sinusitis and brain abscess, the global fish farmers, handlers and aquaculturist need to be aware of possible health hazards caused by Fusarium spp. and should adopt proper fish health management and animal husbandry practice to control the infection of Fusarium in culture environment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Anorectal dysfunction increases with time following radiation therapy for carcinoma of the prostate.
To characterize the prevalence and pathophysiology of anorectal dysfunction up to 2 yr following radiation therapy (RT) for localized carcinoma of the prostate. Thirty-eight patients, median age 68 (range 60-82) yr with localized prostate carcinoma randomly assigned to one of two radiation dose schedules, underwent evaluation of the following variables of anorectal function before RT, as well as 4-6 wk and 1 and 2 yr after its completion: (1) symptoms, (2) anorectal motility, (3) anorectal sensory function, and (4) anal sphincteric morphology. There was a persistent increase in anorectal symptoms after RT. At 2 yr, bowel frequency, urgency, and fecal incontinence were increased in 50%, 47%, and 26% of patients, respectively. After RT, there were progressive reductions of (1) basal anal pressures, (2) anal pressures in response to squeeze and increased intra-abdominal pressure, (3) rectal compliance, and (4) rectal volumes associated with sensory perception and the desire to defecate. The thickness of the external anal sphincter increased with time after RT. No difference was observed between the patients in the two radiation dose schedules. Anorectal dysfunction following RT for prostate carcinoma is an underestimated cause of morbidity, which progresses with time. The prevalence and pathophysiology of anorectal dysfunction is similar after treatment with two commonly used radiation dose schedules. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The potential immunogenicity of the TK suicide gene does not prevent full clinical benefit associated with the use of TK-transduced donor lymphocytes in HSCT for hematologic malignancies.
Gene therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy for genetic and acquired hematologic diseases. With the improvements in gene transfer and expression, factors affecting safety and efficacy of gene therapy can now be evaluated to establish the best clinical benefit-to-risk ratio. The induction of immune responses against gene therapy components is one of the potential limitations. We studied the occurrence of such event in 23 patients treated with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs), with lymphocytes transduced to express the HSV-TK suicide gene for relapse of hematologic malignancies occurring after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The suicide gene was used to selectively control graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Seven patients given infusions late after HSCT developed an immune response against the transgene. Immunization involved appearance of thymidine kinase (TK)-specific CD8(+) effectors and required a level of immunocompetence at the time of TK-DLI that can be achieved only several months after transplantation. This did not prevent graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect of the TK-DLI, since 5 of 7 immunized patients maintained the complete remission achieved prior to immunization. We suggest that appropriate study designs taking into account the immune suppression of the patient and time-kinetics of GvL mediated by TK-transduced donor lymphocytes may allow the full exploitation of TK-DLI. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The insulin resistance atherosclerosis study (IRAS) objectives, design, and recruitment results.
The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) is the first epidemiologic study designed to assess the relationships between insulin resistance, insulinemia, glycemia, other components of the insulin resistance syndrome, and prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a large multiethnic cohort. Over 1600 men and women were recruited from four geographic areas to represent a range of glucose tolerance (normal, impaired, and diabetic) and ethnicity (hispanic, non-Hispanic white, and African-American). Insulin resistance was assessed directly using the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test with minimal model analysis. Intimal-medial carotid artery wall thickness, an indicator of atherosclerosis, was measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Prevalent CVD was assessed by questionnaire and resting electrocardiography. This report describes the design of the study and provides the recruitment results. Forthcoming cross-sectional analyses will help to disentangle the association between insulin resistance and CVD, apart from the concomitant hyperinsulinemia and related CVD risk factors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Predictors of Mortality in People with Recent-onset Gout: A Prospective Observational Study.
To determine mortality rates and predictors of death at baseline in people with a recent onset of gout. People with gout disease duration < 10 years were recruited from primary and secondary care settings. Comprehensive clinical assessment was completed at baseline. Participants were prospectively followed for at least 1 year. Information about death was systematically collected from primary and secondary health records. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated and risk factors for mortality were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression models. The mean (SD) followup duration was 5.1 (1.6) years (a total 1511 patient-yrs accrued). Of the 295 participants, 43 (14.6%) had died at the time of censorship (SMR 1.96, 95% CI 1.44-2.62). In the reduced Cox proportional hazards model, these factors were independently associated with an increased risk of death from all causes: older age (70-80 yrs: HR 9.96, 95% CI 3.30-30.03; 80-91 yrs: HR 9.39, 95% CI 2.68-32.89), Māori or Pacific ethnicity (HR 2.48, 95% CI 1.17-5.29), loop diuretic use (HR 3.99, 95% CI 2.15-7.40), serum creatinine (per 10 µmol/l change; HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.07), and the presence of subcutaneous tophi (HR 2.85, 95% CI 1.49-5.44). The presence of subcutaneous tophi was the only baseline variable independently associated with both cardiovascular (CV) cause of death (HR 3.13, 95% CI 1.38-7.10) and non-CV cause of death (HR 3.48, 95% CI 1.25-9.63). People with gout disease duration < 10 years have an increased risk of death. The presence of subcutaneous tophi at baseline is an independent predictor of mortality, from both CV and non-CV causes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cerebral blood flow during spike-wave discharges.
We used the 133xenon method to assess cerebral blood flow (CBF) during generalized spike-wave discharges in a patient with an uncommon form of generalized epilepsy with persistent spike-wave discharges. CBF measurements were made under four conditions with repeated measures: normal EEG, continuous theta state, continuous spike-wave state at rest, and continuous spike-wave discharges during performance of a cognitive activation task. CBF was mildly reduced (5.7%) during the theta state and decreased further (12%) in the spike-wave state. Although globally diminished, CBF was less decreased in the frontal lobes and more decreased in the parietal lobes during spike-wave discharges. CBF increased to baseline levels during the cognitive activation task. The decrease in CBF suggested that the generalized spike-wave discharges caused a net decrease in cortical metabolic demand and neuronal activity. The differences in lobar CBF during spike-wave discharges may reflect lobar disparities in neuronal firing patterns. The theta state noted is novel and intermediate between normal and spike-wave. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An anti-idiotopic antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the quantification of the monoclonal anti-D BRAD-5.
We aimed to develop an anti-idiotopic antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify human monoclonal anti-D using BRAD-5 as a model system. One of the anti-idiotopic antibodies 2E6 was used to capture BRAD-5 with the other anti-idiotopic antibody 3B1 biotinylated for detection. The assay developed can detect BRAD-5 at < 2 ng/ml. Assay interference caused by heterophilic antibodies in some human sera was removed by preincubation with bovine serum. The assay is reproducible with intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variation (CV) < 10%. This ELISA should prove of benefit in developing a monoclonal anti-D for prophylactic use. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The development of the self-care ability to detect early signs of relapse among individuals who have schizophrenia.
A qualitative study using interpretive interactionism investigated how individuals with schizophrenia develop an ability to detect early signs of relapse. A purposive sample of 15 respondents were interviewed about their illness experiences. Three sequential processes were identified. Responding reactively to psychic pain, initiated by a desire to escape from overwhelming distress, resulted in the differentiation of tolerable and intolerable pain. Refining perceptions of psychic pain followed and resulted in the identification of specific thoughts, feelings and behaviors associated with different levels of distress. Finally, actively reducing psychic pain resulted in a proactive surveillance for specific signs of increasing distress. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
How to handle sales demo, reference checks, and site visits.
Although challenging and time consuming, vendor selection, product demonstrations, reference checks, and site visits can be streamlined by following the guidelines and steps presented here. A systematic and uniform approach is the best way to save time and achieve the desired results that are so important to your practice. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Application of phenological pattern recognition in ecological dynamic forecasting].
This paper described the principles, methods, and procedures of ecological dynamic forecasting by the automation techniques of pattern recognition and mathematical logic judgment on the basis of phenological data and model output maps from T42L9 numerical weather prediction model. This new forecasting method proposed on the basis of modern meteorology and automation techniques enables the classic phenology to apply to a new field ecological forecasting. It enables phenological forecasting to develop from single-station forecasting stage to regional forecasting stage, which is greatly corresponded to the development stage from single station forecasting stage to synoptic stage in weather forecasting, and enables agro-meteorological forecasting to develop from qualitative and statistical forecasting stage to ecological dynamic forecasting stage. With this new qualitative forecasting method, both the predicted objective and predictors are of considerable bio-physical interests. The ecological dynamic forecasting method could be applied to crop sowing, crop growth, irrigation and fertilization, and diseases and pests | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
L-rhamnose induces browning in 3T3-L1 white adipocytes and activates HIB1B brown adipocytes.
Induction of the brown adipocyte-like phenotype in white adipocytes (browning) is considered as a novel strategy to fight obesity due to the ability of brown adipocytes to increase energy expenditure. Here, we report that L-rhamnose induced browning by elevating expression levels of beige-specific marker genes, including Cd137, Cited1, Tbx1, Prdm16, Tmem26, and Ucp1, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Moreover, L-rhamnose markedly elevated expression levels of proteins involved in thermogenesis both in 3T3-L1 white and HIB1B brown adipocytes. L-rhamnose treatment in 3T3-L1 adipocytes also significantly elevated protein levels of p-HSL, p-AMPK, ACOX, and CPT1 as well as reduced levels of ACC, FAS, C/EBPα, and PPARγ, suggesting its possible role in enhancement of lipolysis and lipid catabolism as well as reduced adipogenesis and lipogenesis, respectively. The quick technique of efficient molecular docking provided insight into the strong binding of L-rhamnose to the fat-digesting glycine residue of β3 -adrenergic receptor (AR), indicating strong involvement of L-rhamnose in fat metabolism. Further examination of the molecular mechanism of L-rhamnose revealed that it induced browning of 3T3-L1 adipocytes via coordination of multiple signaling pathways through β3 -AR, SIRT1, PKA, and p-38. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that L-rhamnose plays multiple modulatory roles in the induction of white fat browning, activation of brown adipocytes, as well as promotion of lipid metabolism, thereby demonstrating its therapeutic potential for treatment of obesity. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(6):563-573, 2018. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of acute hypothermia and serum potassium concentration on potassium cardiotoxicity in anesthetized rats.
We examined the effects of hypothermia on serum K+ concentration and the interaction of body temperature and K+ load on cardiac toxicity in anesthetized rats. Serum K+ concentration significantly decreased to 2.61 +/- 0.13, 2.59 +/- 0.19 and 2.39 +/- 0.14 mmol/l at 31.0 degrees C, 28.0 degrees C and 25.0 degrees C, respectively, from the control value of 2.80 +/- 0.15 mmol/l at 37.0 degrees C. We used a 300% increase in baseline QRS duration as evidence of cardiac toxicity. Serum K+ concentrations of 4.95 +/- 0.12, 4.71 +/- 0.10, 4.45 +/- 0.14 and 4.07 +/- 0.14 mmol/l resulted in cardiac toxicity at 37.0 degrees C, 31.0 degrees C, 28.0 degrees C, and 25.0 degrees C, respectively. These data indicate that the level at which an elevation of serum K+ concentration causes cardiac toxicity diminishes with progressive hypothermia. We conclude that hypothermia induces hypokalemia, possibly through redistribution, and that the myocardium appears to be more sensitive to the toxic effects of K+ as hypothermia deepens. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Determinants of macroscopic anal cancer and precancerous lesions in 1206 HIV-infected screened patients.
Anal screening is recommended in HIV-positive patients, especially men who have sex with men (MSM), due to an increased incidence of anal cancer. The optimal screening methods are not generally agreed. Screening for anal lesions by anorectal examination, including anoscopy, was offered to HIV-positive outpatients in a tertiary care university hospital regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Among the 1206 screened patients (701 MSM, 247 heterosexual men, 258 women), 311 (26%) had histologically proven lesions related to human papilloma virus (HPV) (34% MSM, 14% heterosexual men, 14% women); 123 (10%) had low-grade dysplasia and 70 (6%) high-grade dysplasia. Seven anal cancers were also diagnosed. Determinants of any lesion were age < 45 years [OR = 1.56 (95% CI, 1.16-2.11)], a CD4 count of < 200/mm3 [OR = 2.54 (1.71-3.78)], receptive anal intercourse [OR =3.03 (2.06-4.47)], sub-Saharan African origin [OR = 0.53 (0.33-0.85)], and history of HPV-related lesion [OR = 1.84 (1.35-2.51)]. These determinants were similar for all different grades of dysplasia. In patient subgroup analysis, receptive anal intercourse, the CD4 cell count and a history of HPV lesions were determinants of HPV-positivity in all patients, whereas age was only a determinant in men. Anoscopy is an alternative method for anal screening in an HIV-positive population. This screening has to be compared with other tools in populations at high risk of anal cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Looking around houses: attention to a model when drawing complex shapes in Williams syndrome and typical development.
Drawings by individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) typically lack cohesion. The popular hypothesis is that this is a result of excessive focus on local-level detail at the expense of global configuration. In this study, we explored a novel hypothesis that inadequate attention might underpin drawing in WS. WS and typically developing (TD) non-verbal ability matched groups copied and traced a house figure comprised of geometric shapes. The house was presented on a computer screen for 5-s periods and participants pressed a key to re-view the model. Frequency of key-presses indexed the looks to the model. The order that elements were replicated was recorded to assess hierarchisation of elements. If a lack of attention to the model explained poor drawing performance, we expected participants with WS to look less frequently to the model than TD children when copying. If a local-processing preference underpins drawing in WS, more local than global elements would be produced. Results supported the first, but not second hypothesis. The WS group looked to the model infrequently, but global, not local, parts were drawn first, scaffolding local-level details. Both groups adopted a similar order of drawing and tracing of parts, suggesting typical, although delayed strategy-use in the WS group. Additionally both groups drew larger elements of the model before smaller elements, suggested a size-bias when drawing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
What we do and do not know about women and kidney diseases - questions unanswered and answers unquestioned: Reflection on World Kidney Day and International Woman's Day.
Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 10% of the world's adult population: it is within the top 20 causes of death worldwide, and its impact on patients and their families can be devastating. World Kidney Day and International Women's Day in 2018 coincide, thus offering an opportunity to reflect on the importance of women's health and specifically their kidney health, on the community, and the next generations, as well as to strive to be more curious about the unique aspects of kidney disease in women so that we may apply those learnings more broadly. Girls and women, who make up approximately 50% of the world's population, are important contributors to society and their families. Gender differences continue to exist around the world in access to education, medical care, and participation in clinical studies. Pregnancy is a unique state for women, offering an opportunity for diagnosis of kidney disease, but also a state where acute and chronic kidney diseases may manifest, and which may impact future generations with respect to kidney health. There are various autoimmune and other conditions that are more likely to impact women with profound consequences for child bearing, and on the fetus. Women have different complications on dialysis than men, and are more likely to be donors than recipients of kidney transplants. In this editorial, we focus on what we do and do not know about women, kidney health, and kidney disease, and what we might learn in the future to improve outcomes worldwide. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mycobacterial lipoarabinomannans modulate cytokine production in human T helper cells by interfering with raft/microdomain signalling.
Lipoarabinomannans (LAMs) are major lipoglycans of the mycobacterial envelope and constitute immunodominant epitopes of mycobacteria. In this paper, we show that mannose-capped (ManLAM) and non-mannose-capped (PILAM) mycobacterial lipoglycans insert into T helper cell rafts without apparent binding to known receptors. T helper cells modified by the insertion of PILAM responded to CD3 cross-linking by decreasing type 1 (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) and increasing type 2 (IL-4 and IL-5) cytokine production. Modification by the mannose-capped ManLAMs had similar, but more limited effects on T helper cell cytokine production. When incorporated into isolated rafts, PILAMs modulated membrane-associated kinases in a dose-dependent manner, inducing increased phosphorylation of Src kinases and Cbp/PAG in Th1 rafts, while decreasing phosphorylation of the same proteins in Th2 rafts. Mycobacterial lipoglycans thus modify the signalling machineries of rafts/microdomains in T helper cells, a modification of the membrane organization that eventually leads to an overall enhancement of type 2 and inhibition of type 1 cytokine production. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The Egyptian mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon, is a possible reservoir host of visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Sudan.
Investigations were made on possible reservoir hosts of Leishmania donovani in 2 zoonotic foci of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Dinder National Park (DNP) and the peri-domestic habitats of adjacent villages of eastern Sudan. Animals were captured, in November 1997-1998 and April-May 1999 and examined for L. donovani infection using light microscopy and 2 sensitive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) systems. Microscopy and PCR investigations were also used to determine the infection rates of L. donovani in Phlebotomus orientalis captured from the uninhabited site of DNP. Infections of L. donovani were detected in 2 out of 14 Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon), 1 out of 168 Arviconthus niloticus and 1 out of 8 Mastomys natalensis. Samples from 68 other animals captured from the study area were all negative for the infection. Active zoonotic transmission of L. donovani at the time of animal sampling in the uninhabited site of DNP was demonstrated by finding the parasite in 3.4% (7 out of 184) and 3.2% (5 out of 157) of flies collected in March 1998 and May 1999, respectively. We suggest that the Egyptian mongoose is a possible reservoir host of L. donovani. The importance of other animals in maintaining the infection is also discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Patients' expectations of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a treatment for MS.
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) receives increasing attention as a treatment option for MS. However, as there are no randomized controlled trials comparing aHSCT to best medical treatment as yet, aHSCT is not generally advised and implemented as a treatment option for MS. Neurologists are increasingly faced with patients asking questions regarding aHSCT and seeking commercially offered aHSCT abroad. The aim of this study is to evaluate MS patients' knowledge and expectations of aHSCT and their actual and desired sources of information. 137 MS patients visiting the Amsterdam University Medical Center MS clinic, completed a self-developed questionnaire with items on disease history, knowledge about aHSCT, expectations of aHSCT, information sources and the role they assign to their neurologists. Fifty-four percent is considering aHSCT either now or in the future, especially those who are dissatisfied with current treatment, have a shorter disease duration (≤ 10 years) or are more disabled (EDSS > 3.5). Only 25% report to have sufficient knowledge about aHSCT. Patients mainly use potentially unreliable information sources such as the internet and television, although they prefer information from their neurologist. Half of the patients think aHSCT to be superior to highly effective DMT. Expectations of efficacy in patients interested in aHSCT are significantly higher than in patients not wanting to undergo aHSCT. Only about one third of patients are able to mention at least one side effect. Many MS patients are considering aHSCT as a treatment option, although they think that they are not well-informed regarding aHSCT. They prefer their neurologist as a source of information. Therefore, neurologists should pro-actively inform their patients about the potential benefits and risks of aHSCT to enable them to choose the best treatment option. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A developmental perspective on personality in emerging adulthood: childhood antecedents and concurrent adaptation.
Personality and competence were examined in a community sample of 205 children ages 8-12 who were followed up 10 years later in emerging adulthood (ages 17-23). Adult Positive Emotionality (PEM), Negative Emotionality (NEM), and Constraint (CON) were presaged by childhood personality. PEM was associated with current success in social and romantic relationships. Low CON was associated with childhood and current antisocial conduct. NEM was broadly linked to childhood and current maladaptation, consistent with the possibility that failure in major developmental tasks increases NEM. Findings highlight the pervasive linkage of NEM to maladaptation and suggest that adult personality may develop from processes embedded in childhood adaptation as well as childhood personality. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The meaning of religious beliefs for a group of cancer patients during rehabilitation.
The objective of this exploratory study was to identify how religion influences the survival of a group of cancer patients. The study consisted of an ethnographic case with the participation of six laryngectomized male and female patients between 51 and 72 years old, who had been operated on two to five years earlier. Data were collected by semistructured interviews and analyzed on the basis of the concepts of culture and religion. The results were synthesized into three descriptive categories: the moral representation of cancer, religious beliefs about the cancer trajectory, and negotiation with religion for survival. These categories give rise to the meaning "the hope for a second chance", which emphasizes the importance of religion as part of the support networks that articulate with the patient's coping with the stigma of cancer, with the hope for cure, and with the ways of organizing everyday life, during survival. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cyclic chiral silyl derivatives for the determination of the absolute configuration of aliphatic diols by gas chromatography.
[reaction: see text] Chiral bidentate silyl reagents have been developed for the GC analysis of aliphatic 1,3- and 1,4-diols. These reagents react with the diols to cyclic siloxanes, which allow the determination of their enantiomeric composition even in complex mixtures. The absolute configuration of 4,6-nonadecanediol 7, occurring in the lipids of sunflower pollen, has been determined to be (4S,6R) by comparison with derivatized synthetic enantiomers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Behavioral interaction between nicotine and ethanol: possible modulation by mouse cerebellar glutamate.
Epidemiological studies show that people who drink alcoholic beverages also smoke cigarettes and vice versa. Furthermore, animal studies provide circumstantial evidence for ethanol and nicotine interaction. Previously, we demonstrated that intracerebellar nicotine attenuates ethanol ataxia. This study investigated the possible role of glutamate in modulating the interaction of nicotine and ethanol. Glutamate drugs N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and (+)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid hydrate (AMPA) as well as their antagonists were directly microinfused into the cerebellum of CD-1 male mice to evaluate their effect on ethanol (2 g/kg i.p.) ataxia. Drug microinfusions were made via stereotaxically implanted stainless-steel guide cannulas. Rotorod was used to evaluate the ataxic response of ethanol. Microinfusion of nicotine (0.3125, 1.25, 5 ng) significantly attenuated ethanol ataxia dose-dependently, confirming the functional interaction between nicotine and ethanol as reported earlier. Intracerebellar pretreatment with hexamethonium, a nicotinic receptor (nAChR) antagonist, significantly blocked nicotine-induced attenuation of ethanol ataxia suggesting participation of nAChRs. When ethanol was injected before nicotine microinfusion, nicotine failed to attenuate ethanol ataxia, indicating the critical importance of initial activation of nAChRs by nicotine. Intracerebellar microinfusion of NMDA (30, 60, 125 ng) and its antagonist, (+)-MK-801 (50, 100, 200 ng), significantly increased and decreased, respectively, the nicotine-induced attenuation of ethanol ataxia in a dose-related manner, suggesting participation of the NMDA receptor. Similarly, intracerebellar microinfusion of AMPA (7.5, 15, 30 ng) and its antagonist, nitro -2, 3-dioxobenzoquinoxaline-sulfonamide (NBQX; 25, 50, 100 ng), significantly increased and decreased, respectively, the nicotine-induced attenuation of ethanol ataxia in a dose-dependent manner. This suggests participation of the AMPA receptor and further supports involvement of the glutamate system in the ethanol-nicotine interaction. Intracerebellar nicotine failed to attenuate sodium-pentobarbital (25 mg/kg i.p.) ataxia, suggesting the relative specificity of the nicotine-ethanol interaction. The results suggested that glutamate modulates the functional interaction between nicotine and ethanol because NMDA and AMPA enhanced the nicotine-induced attenuation of ethanol ataxia, whereas (+)-MK-801 and NBQX reduced the attenuation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Therapeutic neovascularization for peripheral arterial diseases: advances and perspectives.
Recently, with the better understanding of the mechanisms of neovascularization, many new therapeutic approaches to enhance neovascularization have emerged. Of these diverse emerging methods, use of growth factors and cells are the two major ones. This review will provide an update on the present understanding of the basic mechanisms of angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, and arteriogenesis, as a basis for designing future pro-neovascularization treatments. Several angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) have been implicated in augmenting the neovascularization process. However, single growth factors are not sufficient to generate functional vessels. In synergistic or complementary manner, these factors may be used in harmony to form long-term functional vessels. Cell therapy has the potential to supply stem/progenitor cells and multiple angiogenic factors to the region of ischemia. However, the efficacy of stem cells transplantation may be impaired by low survival rate, insufficient cell number and impaired function in aging and diseases. Combination of cells or cells primed with growth factor(s) or genetic modification may augment the therapeutic efficacy. This paper reviews critical literature in depth to elucidate the mechanism of therapeutic neovascularization, angiogenic factor therapy and cell transplantation. Based on past experience and actual knowledge, we propose future strategies for clinical application and discuss the problems and controversies that need to be addressed in order to fully exploit the potential of growth factors and/or cell transplantation with clinical relevance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH: a superpotent melanotropin that "irreversibly" activates melanoma tyrosinase.
The superpotent and ultraprolonged melanotropic properties of an alpha-melanotropin analog, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH, were investigated in a Cloudman S91 (CCL 53.1) melanoma cell line. [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH is 100-fold more effective than the native hormone, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), in stimulating melanoma cell tyrosinase activity, as determined from their minimum effective doses (10(-11)M and 10(-9)M, respectively). [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH also exhibits a more sustained effect than alpha-MSH on tyrosinase after removal of the melanotropins from the incubation medium. When cells were exposed to alpha-MSH (10(-7)M) for 24 h, residual activity after removal of the hormone was minimally significant. In contrast, under the same experimental conditions [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH treatment induced tyrosinase activity 2-3 fold above basal level, and maintained remarkable stimulatory effects up to 72 h following melanotropin removal. When the exposure time to melanotropins was reduced to 4 h, alpha-MSH failed to elicit significant tyrosinase activity, whereas [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH stimulated significant tyrosinase activity during the first 24 h subsequent to melanotropin removal. Interestingly, this stimulation by the analog increased at 48 h, reached a maximum at 72 h following removal of the melanotropin analog, and remained significantly stimulated for 6 consecutive days in the absence of the analog. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The Hierarchical Continuous Pursuit Learning Automation: A Novel Scheme for Environments With Large Numbers of Actions.
Although the field of learning automata (LA) has made significant progress in the past four decades, the LA-based methods to tackle problems involving environments with a large number of actions is, in reality, relatively unresolved. The extension of the traditional LA to problems within this domain cannot be easily established when the number of actions is very large. This is because the dimensionality of the action probability vector is correspondingly large, and so, most components of the vector will soon have values that are smaller than the machine accuracy permits, implying that they will never be chosen. This paper presents a solution that extends the continuous pursuit paradigm to such large-actioned problem domains. The beauty of the solution is that it is hierarchical, where all the actions offered by the environment reside as leaves of the hierarchy. Furthermore, at every level, we merely require a two-action LA that automatically resolves the problem of dealing with arbitrarily small action probabilities. In addition, since all the LA invoke the pursuit paradigm, the best action at every level trickles up toward the root. Thus, by invoking the property of the ``max'' operator, in which the maximum of numerous maxima is the overall maximum, the hierarchy of LA converges to the optimal action. This paper describes the scheme and formally proves its ε-optimal convergence. The results presented here can, rather trivially, be extended for the families of discretized and Bayesian pursuit LA too. This paper also reports extensive experimental results (including for environments having 128 and 256 actions) that demonstrate the power of the scheme and its computational advantages. As far as we know, there are no comparable pursuit-based results in the field of LA. In some cases, the hierarchical continuous pursuit automaton requires less than 18% of the number of iterations than the benchmark LR-I scheme, which is, by all metrics, phenomenal. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Electrokinetic remediation of inorganic and organic pollutants in textile effluent contaminated agricultural soil.
The discharge from the dyeing industries constitutes unfixed dyes, inorganic salts, heavy metal complexes etc., which spoil the surrounding areas of industrial sites. The present article reports the use of direct current electrokinetic technique for the treatment of textile contaminated soil. Impressed direct current voltage of 20 V facilitates the dye/metal ions movement in the naturally available dye contaminated soil towards the opposite electrode by electromigration. IrO2–RuO2–TiO2/Ti was used as anode and Ti used as cathode. UV–Visible spectrum reveals that higher dye intensity was nearer to the anode. Ni, Cr and Pb migration towards the cathode and migration of Cu, SO42− and Cl− towards anode were noticed. Chemical oxygen demand in soil significantly decreased upon employing electrokinetic. This technology may be exploited for faster and eco-friendly removal of dye in soil environment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tolosa-Hunt syndrome with atypical intrasellar and juxtasellar lesions--two case reports.
Two patients with Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) who had atypical lesions in the intrasellar and juxtasellar regions are reported. They manifested with painful ophthalmoplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) commonly showed an increase in the volume of the cavernous sinus occupied by homogeneously well-enhanced lesions in both cases. These lesions extended to the intrasellar and juxtasellar regions with meningela enhancement. Follow-up MRI after steroid treatment demonstrated normalized or decreased size of the cavernous sinus. These findings suggested nonspecific inflammatory granulomatosis with atypical extension. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Colloidal formulations of etoposide based on poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles: preparation, physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity.
This article describes the preparation, physicochemical characterization and cytotoxicity assessment of novel colloidal formulations of etoposide based on poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were prepared by controlled emulsion polymerization of butyl cyanoacrylate in aqueous medium using two different non-ionic colloidal stabilizers (pluronic F68 and polysorbate 80). The nanoparticles were spherical in shape, with average size ranging from 110-150 nm (empty nanoparticles) to 170-260 nm (drug-loaded nanoparticles), monomodal size distributions, and negative zeta-potentials at pH 7.4. Drug loading efficiency was around 63-68%. More than 80% of the drug was released from the formulations within 6-7h of dialysis experiments. Pluronic-coated nanoparticles possessed lower magnitude of the ζ-potentials (around -4 mV) in comparison with the polysorbate-coated ones (around -12 mV). All tested etoposide formulations induced apoptosis in adenocarcinoma human epithelial (A549) cells, as evident from condensation of chromatin and fragmentation of nuclei. It was found that etoposide formulated with poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles and polysorbate 80 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity toward adenocarcinoma cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Human movement analysis as a measure for fatigue: a hidden Markov-based approach.
Fatigue influences the way a training exercise is performed and alters the kinematics of the movement. Monitoring the increase of fatigue during rehabilitation and sport exercises is beneficial to avoid the risk of injuries. This study investigates the use of a parametric hidden Markov model (PHMM) to estimate fatigue from observing kinematic changes in the way the exercise is performed. The PHMM is compared to linear regression. A top-level hidden Markov model with variable state transitions incorporates knowledge about the progress of fatigue during the exercise and the initial condition of a subject. The approach is tested on a squat database recorded with optical motion capture. The estimates of fatigue for a single squat, a set of squats, and an entire exercise correlate highly with subjective ratings. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Controlled orientation and alignment in films of single-walled carbon nanotubes using inkjet printing.
An inkjet printing procedure for depositing films of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that exhibit a very high degree of long-range mutual alignment as well as a controlled orientation with respect to the printed geometry is presented. CNT self-assembly was induced by the intrinsic lyotropic liquid crystallinity of CNT suspensions. Sufficient concentrations are reached by matching the inkjet deposition rate to the numerically modeled local evaporation rate of the printed feature and enable the CNT suspension to be printed using standard inkjet printing. Surface alignment was verified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized light microscopy. In addition, the bulk morphology was investigated and found to be composed of stacked planar layers that did not necessarily have the same long-range orientation found on the surface. The bulk morphology was characterized by removing layers through an elastomeric peeling process and by observing cross sections of the films using SEM. CNT concentration and length were spanned experimentally, and it was found that very short and very long CNTs as well as low concentration suspensions did not yield long-range alignment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reconsidering the role of private health funds in Australia: a dynamic model.
In recent years the private sector has played a more important role in the funding and provision of Australian hospital care as a consequence of federal government policies aimed at increasing participation in private health insurance (health funds). These policies include tax incentives, a 30% rebate on premiums and lifetime community rating (premiums set by age). While these policies have improved the short-term profitability of the private sector, its long-term success is not certain. This is because negotiations between health funds and private hospitals are often myopic, the nature of the insurance product may be inefficient, and there is a general lack of academic research on the private sector. This paper highlights the importance of the relationship between health funds and private hospitals in ensuring the long-term viability of the industry. It uses a simple overlapping generations model to demonstrate that it is not only the price that health funds pay that impacts on the capital value of hospitals, but also it is important how they structure their policies and attract individuals. The model demonstrates the potential benefits of implementing health insurance based on intertemporal transfers of funds rather than the current cross-subsidization. Such a policy would see health funds become an important store of capital. Also highlighted are the difficulties of discussing fundamental changes to the health care system. While recent health care reforms have been described as driven by ideology rather than evidence, in the Australian context there is little evidence on which to base policy. Researchers need to be more proactive in their consideration and evaluation of alternative health care policies. Through quality research on the private sector, academics can better guide policy makers at the national and institutional level. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Endotoxin and cytokines increase hepatic sphingolipid biosynthesis and produce lipoproteins enriched in ceramides and sphingomyelin.
Alterations in triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism often accompany inflammatory diseases and infections. We studied the effects of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) and cytokines on hepatic sphingolipid synthesis, activity of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), the first and rate-limiting enzyme in sphingolipid synthesis, and lipoprotein sphingolipid content in Syrian hamsters. Administration of LPS induced a 2-fold increase in hepatic SPT activity. The increase in activity first occurred at 16 hours, peaked at 24 hours, and was sustained for at least 48 hours. Low doses of LPS produced maximal increases in SPT activity, with half-maximal effect seen at approximately 0.3 microg LPS/100 g body weight. LPS increased hepatic SPT mRNA levels 2-fold, suggesting that the increase in SPT activity was due to an increase in SPT mRNA. LPS treatment also produced 75% and 2.5-fold increases in hepatic sphingomyelin and ceramide synthesis, respectively. Many of the metabolic effects of LPS are mediated by cytokines. Interleukin 1 (IL-1), but not tumor necrosis factor, increased both SPT activity and mRNA levels in the liver of intact animals, whereas both IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor increased SPT mRNA levels in HepG2 cells. IL- produced a 3-fold increase in SPT mRNA in HepG2 cells, and the half-maximal dose was 2 ng/mL. IL-1 also increased the secretion of sphingolipids into the medium. Analysis of serum lipoprotein fractions demonstrated that very low density lipoprotein, intermediate density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein isolated from animals treated with LPS contained significantly higher amounts of ceramide, glucosylceramide, and sphingomyelin. Taken together, these results indicate that LPS and cytokines stimulate hepatic sphingolipid synthesis, which results in an altered structure of circulating lipoproteins and may promote atherogenesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The efficacy of adult orchidopexy as a treatment of male infertility: our experience of 20 cases.
The objective of this study was to determine whether adult orchidopexy and testicular sperm extraction are effective or not as a treatment of infertility. In this study, we could not show the efficacy of orchidopexy as a treatment of infertility in adulthood, and testicular sperm extraction can be a useful treatment for adult patients with unilateral undescended testis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Total Syntheses of Multi-substituted Carbazole Alkaloids and Phenolic Related Compounds, and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activities.
This review describes the syntheses and antioxidant activities of carbazole alkaloids carquinostatin A, carbazomadurin A and carbazomadurin B and their related carbazoles. The key step was an allene-mediated electrocyclic reaction involving an indole [b]-bond for the construction of a highly substituted carbazole ring. Antioxidant activities of 3-oxygenated and 3,4-dioxygenated carbazole alkaloids and their related carbazoles were comprehensively evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS)+ radical scavenging assays, and cupper reducing power. Furthemore, the antioxidant activities of simple phenolic carbazoles were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging assays. After this, bond dissociation energies (BDE) and highest occupied molecule orbital energy levels (EHOMO) of a series of phenolic carbazoles, including phenolic carbazole alkaloids, were also calculated and then examined for correlation with their antioxidant activities. The phenolic carbazole core possessing a hydroxyl group at the 1-, 3-, 6-, or 8-positions could play an important role in the antioxidant activity of carbazole alkaloids. The results suggest that these compounds could serve as useful clues for designing and developing novel antioxidants. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Statins and modulation of oxidative stress.
Statins inhibit the activity of a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, converting 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A to mevalonate, and are widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Statins decrease the synthesis of cholesterol and other nonsteroid isoprenoids originating from mevalonate, such as farnesyl- and geranylgeranylpyrophosphate, dolichol, and ubiquinone. Recent studies indicate that the beneficial effect of statins on cardiovascular risk also occurs in persons with normal plasma cholesterol because of the pleiotropic cholesterol-independent activities of statins. Among these effects, modulation of oxidative stress is one of the most important. Statins reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species by vascular NAD(P)H oxidase, inhibit the respiratory burst of phagocytes, antagonize the prooxidant effect of angiotensin II and endothelin-1, and increase the synthesis of vascular nitric oxide. Some statins and their metabolites posses direct free radical scavenging activity. The antioxidant effect of statins contributes to inhibition of atherogenesis, stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque, inhibition of myocardial hypertrophy and remodeling, and modulation of vascular tone. However, the prooxidant effect of statins resulting from the inhibition of ubiquinone synthesis has also been reported in some experimental models. This effect may contribute to side effects of statins, such as myopathy and hepatotoxicity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH)--An uncommon precursor of a common cancer?
Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rare, likely under recognized entity. We report on six cases of DIPNECH that were seen in Saskatoon, SK. The cases largely have the characteristics of the typical patient profile thus far described in the literature, consistent with the limited information reported to date. Furthermore, one case had co-existing squamous cell carcinoma, which has not been previously described, and one case had concomitant adenocarcinoma. In this context, we explore the hypothesis of whether DIPNECH could play a role as an uncommon precursor in pulmonary tumorigenesis. We also propose improved diagnostic criteria for DIPNECH, which are currently ill-defined. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sex does not seem to influence the formation of aortic lesions in the P-407-induced mouse model of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Coronary heart disease secondary to atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death for men in the United States. Using a new, nontransgenic, non-fat-fed mouse model of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis developed in our laboratory, we investigated the effect of sex on lipid profiles and subsequent aortic atherosclerotic lesion formation. Female and male C57BL/6 mice, which consumed a low-fat diet, were treated with either normal saline or poloxamer 407 (P-407), a triblock copolymer comprised of poly(oxyethylene) and poly(oxypropylene) units, for 4 months. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 months, whereas hearts and livers were harvested only at 4 months, because this model requires approximately 4 months for significant atheroma formation. P-407-treated mice of either sex demonstrated a profound increase in plasma cholesterol and triglyceride; at 3 and 4 months the plasma lipids were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for male mice compared with female mice. Aortas retrieved from P-407-treated mice of either sex after 4 months demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the mean atherosclerotic lesion size compared with their respective saline-treated controls, but there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between lesion sizes for P-407-treated male mice (1.02 +/- 0.074 x 10(5) microm(2)) compared with P-407-treated female mice (1.14 +/- 0.28 x 10(5) microm(2)). Livers harvested at 4 months from either sex of P-407-treated mice displayed no damage to hepatocytes but increased proliferation of macrophages (Kupffer cells), which contained sequestered lipids. Thus, male C57BL/6 mice form atherosclerotic lesions as extensive as female mice in the P-407 mouse model of atherosclerosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Family-centered maternity care for deaf refugees: the patient-centered medical home in action.
The intersection of 2 underserved populations-refugees and deaf individuals-presents novel challenges to health care systems and has not been described previously. A patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is uniquely equipped to provide outstanding primary care to disadvantaged groups. As an illustrative case study, we present our experience applying principles of the PCMH to address an extremely challenging clinical situation: providing high-quality maternity care to a recently immigrated Vietnamese refugee couple lacking formal language skills. We describe how enhanced access, continuity, coordination, and cultural appropriateness can facilitate favorable outcomes in even daunting circumstances. By collaborating with multiple interpreters, the health center staff, and the extended family, we effectively mobilized an expanded system of care to ensure informed consent and shared decision making, ultimately culminating in a successful labor and vaginal delivery. Through organizational and individual commitment to the tenets of the PCMH, we demonstrate the particular strengths of family medicine training sites in caring for similar patients and families with complex cultural and linguistic barriers to care. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Arteriosclerosis in zero-time biopsy is a risk factor for tacrolimus-induced chronic nephrotoxicity.
Calcineurin inhibitors reduce the acute rejection rate and greatly improve renal allograft survival. However, they are associated with some adverse events, including nephrotoxicity, a risk factor for allograft failure. Chronic calcineurin inhibitor-induced nephrotoxicity causes irreversible damage to renal components, such as arteriolar hyaline thickening. The aim of this study is to investigate the risk factors for tacrolimus-induced chronic nephrotoxicity using zero-time biopsy specimens. Between January 2001 and December 2010, 483 patients who underwent living-related kidney transplantation and had also been placed on a tacrolimus-based regimen were enrolled in this study. There were 1859 specimens evaluated comprising 483 zero-time biopsy specimens and 1376 protocol and for-cause biopsy specimens. De novo arteriolar hyaline thickening due to tacrolimus-induced chronic nephrotoxicity was scored according to the Banff classification aah score. In this study, tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity was defined as a positive aah score. Of the 483 patients, 108 patients (22.4%) had biopsy-proven tacrolimus-induced chronic nephrotoxicity. Multivariate analysis showed that interlobular arteriosclerosis proven by zero-time biopsy (OR: 2.23, 95%CI: 1.38-3.58, P < 0.01) and acute rejection episodes (OR: 1.58, 95%CI: 1.00-2.47, P = 0.04) were independent risk factors for tacrolimus-induced chronic nephrotoxicity. However, tacrolimus-induced chronic nephrotoxicity did not affect long-term graft survival. This is the first report showing that arteriosclerosis in zero-time biopsy specimens is a risk factor for histological tacrolimus-induced chronic nephrotoxicity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Grating Discs: a simplified method of testing vision in infants and young children.
We have developed a simple new method of evaluating visual function in young children about 15 to 36 months of age. Our Grating Discs system consists of six discs with a striped pattern and one homogeneous disc. One striped disc and the homogeneous disc are presented simultaneously, and the examiner observes whether the subject can discriminate between the two. The patterned discs have vertical stripes of different widths from 16 to 0.5 mm. At a testing distance of 57 cm, the visual resolution required for discriminating the grating ranges from 96 min of arc (0.01) to 3 min of arc (0.33) in one-octave steps; at a testing distance of 114 cm the required resolution ranges from 48 min (0.02) to 1.5 min (0.67). Using this system, we evaluated the visual acuity of normal infants and young children. Their ability to discriminate the finer gratings improved with increasing age, and more than 90% of the normal subjects in the 36-month group tested at 0.67. We also examined young children with known ocular pathologies and compared the results with acuity measurements obtained with the preferential looking test. The latter method gave acuities slightly better than those from the Grating Disc system, but the finding with the two techniques were generally in good agreement. Grating Discs are a simple, compact, effective tool for rapid assessment of visual function in young children. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chlamydial serology among patients with tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy in Alexandria, Egypt.
Little is known about the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in the etiology of tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy in Egypt. To assess the association between past chlamydial infection, tubal factor infertility, and ectopic pregnancy in an Egyptian population. This report consists of two concurrent case-control studies. First, 51 patients with tubal factor infertility were compared with 48 healthy subjects who did not have tubal factor infertility and 53 pregnant subject subjects. Second, 66 patients with ectopic pregnancy were compared with 51 pregnant control subjects. Geometric mean titers for Chlamydia trachomatis were higher among patients with tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy, and they were more likely to have high antichlamydial titers (> or = 1:128 immunoglobulin G). Serum titer was significantly correlated with histologic evidence of salpingitis among the patients with an ectopic pregnancy. Our findings, similar to those from Western societies, suggest that among Egyptian women, prior chlamydial infection is associated with an increased risk of tubal factor infertility and possibly ectopic pregnancy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Impact of pre- and postprocedural mitral regurgitation on outcomes after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty for mitral stenosis.
Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) is an effective therapy in patients with significant mitral stenosis. Few studies have examined the effect of mitral regurgitation (MR), a frequent periprocedural finding, on PMV outcomes. We examined the effects of pre- and postprocedural MR after PMV. Contrast left ventriculography was performed before and after PMV, and the MR severity was assessed using Sellers' classification. Clinical, hemodynamic, and morphologic variables were collected for all patients. Consecutive patients (n = 876) undergoing a first PMV procedure at a single tertiary center were evaluated. An increasing preprocedural MR severity was associated with reduced PMV success (no MR, 75%; 1+ MR, 65%; 2+ MR, 44%; p <0.0001), increased in-hospital mortality (0.6% vs 2.8% vs 4.9%, respectively; p = 0.007), and other complications. Increasing grades of pre- and postprocedural MR predicted, independently and in a grade-dependent manner, the composite outcome of mortality, mitral valve surgery, or redo PMV (preprocedural MR >or=1+, relative risk [RR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2 to 1.8; preprocedural MR >or=2+, RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4; postprocedural MR >or=1+, RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0; postprocedural MR >or=2+, RR 2.2, 95% CI 1.7 to 2.7; and postprocedural MR >or=3+, RR 4.6, 95% CI 3.4 to 6.2, respectively). In conclusion, increasing pre- and postprocedural MR grades independently predicted the long-term clinical outcomes after PMV. Patients with moderate preprocedural MR, in particular, appeared to have suboptimal short- and long-term outcomes, necessitating careful monitoring and early referral for mitral valve surgery, when appropriate. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Protective action of acupuncture and moxibustion on gastric mucosa in model rats with chronic atrophic gastritis.
To probe the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in atrophic gastritis so as to provide a basis for clinical treatment. Observe the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion at the points of Zusanli, Zhongwan and Tianshu on gastric mucosa in model rats with chronic atrophic gastritis. Acupuncture and moxibustion can increase the contents of PGE2alpha, PGF2alpha and cAMP, and decrease the content of cGMP in the tissue of gastric mucosa. Acupuncture and moxibustion shows cytoprotection on gastric mucosa, so it is an effective method for treating chronic atrophic gastritis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Kinetics of a model for zymogen activation: the case of high activating enzyme concentrations.
Transient phase and steady state equations have been derived for the following enzyme activation mechanism: (formula; see text) in which the concentrations of activating enzyme, E, and substrate, A, are greatly in excess of that of zymogen, Ei. EEi, EEa, EaA and EaY are four intermediates; W is a peptide related from Ei during EEa formation and X and Y are the products of Ea reaction on A. From the general equations, approximate solutions under certain simplifying conditions have been derived. Finally, some formal particular cases of the above mechanism are considered. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
New method to identify nociceptor units innervating glabrous skin of the human hand.
A new technique is described for detecting nociceptor activity in microelectrode recordings from cutaneous fascicles of the human median nerve. The search strategy involves combined intraneural microstimulation and microneurographic recording in intrafascicular sites, where a critically low electrical stimulus amplitude evokes a threshold sensation of pain. From the subject's projection of pain to a small area of skin, the experimenter is guided to receptive fields of recordable nociceptor units. This technique has allowed, for the first time, to identify and study receptive properties of very high threshold nociceptors with A and C fibers in the glabrous skin of the human hand. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synergistic effects of systemic trefoil factor family 1 (TFF1) peptide and epidermal growth factor in a rat model of colitis.
Novel therapies for the treatment of colitis are required. We therefore examined the potential value of the trefoil factor family 1 (TFF1) peptide and epidermal growth factor (EGF) alone and in combination. Effects of TFF1- Cys58 +/- EGF on an in vitro HT29 cell wounding model of restitution showed synergistic activity when used in combination. In addition, animals had colitis induced by adding 4% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) to the drinking water for 7 days and they also received twice daily subcutaneous injections of test peptides. Treatment with TFF1-Cys58 alone (100 microg/kg) reduced histological colitis score by 22%, but the TFF1-Ser58 variant was ineffective. In a second study, TFF1-Cys58 reduced histological colitis score by 15%, EGF (600 microg/kg) by 26%, and an additive response (42% reduction) was demonstrated when used together (P < 0.01 versus either peptide given alone). Similar results were found using tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity as a marker of inflammation. Where clinical risk/benefit seems justified, these initial studies suggest that combination therapy of systemic EGF and TFF peptides may prove useful for treatment of colitis in patients with disease extending beyond the reach of topical (enema) therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A comparison of beta-carotene and vitamin A effects on a hepatocarcinogenesis model.
The effects of beta-carotene (beta C) or vitamin A (VA) administration for 8 consecutive weeks were compared in male Wistar rats submitted to the resistant hepatocyte model (RH model) of hepatocarcinogenesis. Animals treated with corn oil (CO), instead of carotenoid or retinoid, served as controls. At the end of the study, beta C treatment resulted in a substantial reduction in the hepatocyte nodule incidence, total number of nodules and in the nodule multiplicity, as well as in the number and size of hepatic gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma GT)-positive foci. In contrast, animals administered with VA presented a 100% nodule incidence and only a moderate decrease in the total number of hepatocyte nodules. These showed to be in the great majority larger than nodules observed after beta C treatment. Moreover, VA administration resulted in similar number and size of gamma GT-positive foci than controls. In addition, the hepatic concentrations of total VA increased in both, beta C and VA treated animals. However, as expected, increases in the hepatic carotenoid concentrations could be only observed after beta C application. Therefore, changes in the hepatic levels of beta C, and not of VA, resulted in appreciable inhibitory effects on preneoplastic lesions of the liver. The evidence implies that the chemopreventive property of beta C is unrelated to its provitamin A activity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Determination of the dissociation constants of ropinirole and some impurities and their quantification using capillary zone electrophoresis.
Ropinirole, 4-[2-(dipropylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one, is a potent anti-Parkinson's disease drug developed by SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was used for the determination of the dissociation constants of ropinirole and five structurally related impurities, potentially formed during its synthesis and for separation and quantification of these substances. The dissociation constants obtained from the CZE measurements were confirmed by UV spectrophotometry for some of the test compounds, obtaining a good agreement between the values. Careful optimization of the running buffer composition permitted base-line resolution of the six compounds in a borate buffer containing acetonitrile and magnesium sulfate (a 100 mM borate buffer containing 30 mM MgSO4 and 20 vol.% of acetonitrile). It was shown that CZE can determine the level of these impurities, down to a level of 0.05% of the main component within 15 min. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences offspring wool production and wool follicle development.
The effects of maternal nutrition on offspring wool production (quality and quantity) were evaluated. Primiparous Rambouillet ewes (n = 84) were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial design. Selenium treatment [adequate Se (ASe, 9.5 μg/kg of BW) vs. high Se (HSe, 81.8 μg/kg of BW)] was initiated at breeding, and maternal nutritional intake [control (CON, 100% of requirements) vs. restricted (60% of CON) vs. overfed (140% of CON)] was initiated at d 50 of gestation. Lamb birth weight was recorded at delivery, and all lambs were placed on the same diet immediately after birth to determine the effects of prenatal nutrition on postnatal wool production and follicle development. At 180 ± 2.2 d of age, lambs were necropsied and pelt weights were recorded. Wool samples were collected from the side and britch areas, whereas skin samples were collected from the side of each lamb only. Although Se status did not influence side staple length in males, female lambs born from ewes on the ASe treatment had a shorter staple length (P < 0.05) when compared with females from ewes on the HSe treatment. Maternal nutritional intake and Se status did not influence (P ≥ 0.23) wool characteristics on the britch. However, at the britch, wool from female lambs had a reduced comfort factor (P = 0.01) and a greater (P = 0.02) fiber diameter compared with wool from male lambs. Maternal Se supplementation, maternal nutritional plane, sex of the offspring, or their interactions had no effect (P > 0.13) on primary (29.10 ± 1.40/100 µm(2)) and secondary (529.84 ± 21.57/100 µm(2)) wool follicle numbers. Lambs from ASe ewes had a greater (P = 0.03) secondary:primary wool follicle ratio compared with lambs from HSe ewes (20.93 vs. 18.01 ± 1.00). Despite similar postnatal diets, wool quality was affected by maternal Se status and the maternal nutritional plane. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A palladium and gold catalytic system enables direct access to O- and S-linked non-natural glyco-conjugates.
Here we report a straightforward cross-coupling method for the synthesis of non-natural glycoamino acids from alkyne-bearing monosaccharides and p-iodophenylalanine. Pd/Au-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling is tolerant to both O- and S-glycosides without any epimerization. In addition, no racemization of the amino acid was observed allowing direct access to the homogeneous glyco-conjugate in a single step. Notably, this Pd/Au catalytic system presents enhanced catalytic activity than conventional Pd/Cu and Pd-only platforms, and it further enables the convergent synthesis of glycodipeptides. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Consensus Statement on Use of Ambulatory Glucose Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Receiving Oral Antidiabetic Drugs.
Glucose monitoring is an important aspect of diabetes care. The traditional methodologies of blood glucose monitoring such as fasting plasma glucose, post prandial glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and self-monitoring of blood glucose do not adequately address hypoglycemia and glycemic variability, which are two important risk factors for diabetes-related complications. Ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) developed from a continuous glucose monitoring system is a simplified report, with standardized statistics and targets and visual representation of time in standardized glycemic ranges, glucose variability, and glycemic exposure over a single 24-h day. The role of AGP in T2DM patients who are on oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) is still not clearly defined. An expert group of endocrinologists and diabetologists met in Pune, India to discuss the role of AGP in T2DM patients on OADs. This article aims to discuss the consensus of the expert group on the role of AGP in T2DM patients on OADs and also reviews the various aspects of AGP and its interpretation; and the available evidences for disease management including treatment options based on AGP report. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Biochip for determination of genetic markers of sporadic Alzheimer's disease in the Russian Slavic population].
A biological microchip (biochip) for the genetic predis- position to sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease studying has been developed. The biochip allows determina- tion of ten genetic polymorphisms within APOE, TOMM40, APOJ, EXOC3L2, GAB2, A2M, CR1, BIN1 and PICALM genes. The genotyping assay includes the amplification of loci of interest and further allele-specific hybridization of the fluorescent labeled amplicons with oligonucleotides immobilized on a biochip. Based on the results of genotyping of 166 patients and 128 controls APOE epsilon4 allele was found to be significantly associated with Alzheimer's disease susceptibility (OR = 2.275, 95% CI = 1.045-4.954,p = 0.034). Additionally, protective effects for the APOE epsilon2 allele and CLUT-allele (rs11136000) were observed (OR = 0.215, 95% CI = 0.090-0.516, p = 0.001 and OR = 0.679, 95% CI = 0.47-0.99, p = 0.042, respectively). Gene-gene interaction revealed two genotype combinations associated with Alzheimer's disease: APOE E3/E4 GAB2 G/G (OR = 2.49; CI = 1.43-4.32, p = 0.001) and APOE epsilon4 GAB2 G/G (OR = 3.55, CI = 1.23-10.24,p = 0.015). Based on the results of the combined multivariate analysis the algorithm for identifying of individuals at increased risk of Alzheimer's disease was developed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Paradoxical aggravation of vasospasm with papaverine infusion following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case report.
Reports of intraarterial papaverine infusion as treatment for cerebral vasospasm are few and documented complications are uncommon. The authors report the case of a patient with paradoxical aggravation of cerebral arterial narrowing during selective intraarterial papaverine infusion intended to treat vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 48-year-old man presented to the authors' service with symptomatic vasospasm 10 days after experiencing an SAH. The ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm was surgically obliterated the following day, and thereafter maximum hypervolemic and hypertensive therapies were used. However, the patient remained lethargic, and a stable xenon-computerized tomography (CT) cerebral blood flow (CBF) study revealed CBF to be 15 cc/100 g/minute in the left anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and 25 cc/100 g/minute in the right ACA territories. Cerebral arteriography demonstrated diffuse severe left ACA and mild left middle cerebral artery (MCA) vasospasm. In response intraarterial papaverine was infused into the internal carotid artery just proximal to the ophthalmic artery. During the infusion the patient became aphasic and exhibited right hemiplegia. Arteriography performed immediately after the intraarterial papaverine infusion revealed diffuse exacerbation of vasospasm in the distal ACA and MCA territories. A repeat xenon-CT CBF study showed that CBF in the left ACA and the MCA had drastically decreased (2 cc/100 g/minute and 10 cc/100 g/minute, respectively). Despite aggressive management, infarction ultimately developed. This is the first clinical case to illustrate a paradoxical effect of intraarterial papaverine treatment for vasospasm following aneurysmal SAH. The possible mechanisms of this paradoxical response and potential therapeutic reactions are reviewed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Analysis of large-scale gene expression data.
The advent of cDNA and oligonucleotide microarray technologies has led to a paradigm shift in biological investigation, such that the bottleneck in research is shifting from data generation to data analysis. Hierarchical clustering, divisive clustering, self-organizing maps and k-means clustering have all been recently used to make sense of this mass of data. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prospective evaluation of the acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation score and an extended clinicopathological profile in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
To investigate the prognostic value of the acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation (APPLE) score and relevant clinicopathological markers in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Prospective observational cohort study. Veterinary teaching hospital. Thirty-three dogs with SIRS admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were compared to 35 healthy control dogs. Dogs with SIRS were divided into septic (n = 20) and nonseptic (n = 13) etiologies and as survivors (alive to discharge, n = 22) and nonsurvivors (n = 11: died, n = 6, or humanely euthanized, n = 5). For all dogs, physiological and laboratory parameters were prospectively collected for the calculation of the APPLE fast score. No difference between septic and nonseptic SIRS dogs was detected for any parameter evaluated. Survivors had significantly higher total protein, albumin concentrations, antithrombin activity (ATA), and base excess (BE), as well as significantly lower lactate, urea, creatinine concentrations, urinary protein to creatinine ratio and APPLE fast score compared to nonsurvivors. Higher values of creatinine, lactate, anion gap, alanine transaminase (ALT), and APPLE fast score were significantly associated with an increased risk of death in SIRS dogs, while higher values of total protein, albumin, ATA, and BE were associated with a significantly reduced risk of mortality. When a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed, the APPLE fast score was the only significant parameter retained. The determination of the APPLE fast score in clinical setting, as well as the measurement of APP, ATA, lactate, BE, anion gap, ALT, urinary proteins, and electrolytes may be beneficial for a better assessment of dogs with SIRS. Identified parameters were significantly related with the presence of SIRS and their evaluation should be considered for the assessment of disease severity, and guidance of the decision-making process in critically ill dogs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synthesis of L-glucose from D-gulono-1,4-lactone.
An efficient method for the synthesis of L-glucose from D-gulono-1,4-lactone via 1,2,3,4,5-penta-O-benzyl/acetyl/benzoyl-D-gulitol is described in 34-53% overall yield. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Helper CD4 T cells expressing granzyme B cause glial fibrillary acidic protein fragmentation in astrocytes in an MHCII-independent manner.
During inflammatory processes of the central nervous system, helper T cells have the capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier and injure or kill neural cells through cytotoxic mechanisms. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intermediate filament protein that is part of the astrocyte cytoskeleton that can become fragmented in neuroinflammatory conditions. The mechanism of action by which helper T cells with cytotoxic properties injure astrocytes is not completely understood. Primary human astrocytes were obtained from fetal brain tissue. Human helper (CD4+ ) T cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and activated with the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin E (SEE). Granzyme B was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and intracellular flow cytometry. GFAP fragmentation was monitored by western blotting. Cell death was monitored by lactic acid dehydrogenase release and terminal biotin-dUTP nick labeling (TUNEL). Astrocyte migration was monitored by scratch assay. Adult human oligodendrocytes were cultured with sublethally injured astrocytes to determine support function. Helper T cells activated with SEE expressed granzyme B but not perforin. Helper T cells released granzyme B upon contact with astrocytes and caused GFAP fragmentation in a caspase-dependent, MHCII-independent manner. Sublethally injured astrocytes were not apoptotic; however, their processes were thin and elongated, their migration was attenuated, and their ability to support oligodendrocytes was reduced in vitro. Helper T cells can release granzyme B causing sublethal injury to astrocytes, which compromises the supportive functions of astrocytes. Blocking these pathways may lead to improved resolution of neuroinflammatory lesions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Studies of the role of opioids in control of human pancreatic secretion.
Opioids, both endogenous and exogenous, have been shown to exert a modulating influence on many gastrointestinal functions. Animal studies suggest an inhibitory role for opioids in the control of pancreatic secretion, which may be exerted through their inhibitory effect on acetylcholine release from intramural neurons. We studied pancreatic secretion in six healthy male volunteers (mean age 42 years) by means of duodenal aspiration using PEG-4000 as a recovery marker. Pancreatic secretion was stimulated with duodenal perfusion of mannitol (510 mosmol/kg) and an equimolar solution (0.3 M/liter) of L-phenylalanine and L-tryptophan and also with an intravenous bolus of secretin and cholecystokinin (each 1 CU/kg). Each subject underwent six studies on separate days with intravenous infusion of saline, naloxone 40 micrograms/kg/hr, morphine sulfate 40 micrograms/kg/hr, morphine and naloxone combined, naloxone and atropine 13 micrograms/kg/hr, and morphine and bethanechol 16 micrograms/kg/hr. Naloxone caused a significant increase in amylase outputs during the basal period and in response to all stimuli, without affecting bicarbonate outputs. This effect was blocked by atropine. Morphine caused significant reductions in both amylase and bicarbonate outputs with all stimuli. This was accompanied by a reduction in amylase concentrations but not in those of bicarbonate. Bethanechol counteracted these effects of morphine. The combination of morphine and naloxone had no significant effect on pancreatic secretion. Changes in pancreatic polypeptide levels did not explain the observations. In conclusion, these studies suggest that endogenous opioids exert a modulating influence on human pancreatic secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Use of nitrates in coronary heart disease including acute myocardial infarct].
Nitroglycerin and its derivatives are among the most potent drugs to treat angina pectoris. The compounds relax all smooth muscle cells by stimulating the soluble guanylate cyclase. The clinical application takes advantage of the different sensitivities of the vascular smooth muscles (veins > arteries > arterioles) to nitrates. Selective vasodilation of capacity veins and coronary arteries leads to reduced myocardial oxygen consumption and improved myocardial perfusion. Hypotension due to effective dilation of resistance arteries limits the antianginal effects because of reduced coronary perfusion. Treatment of symptoms in stable angina is well established and unquestioned as long as the dose regimen avoids tolerance; however, there is no evidence of reducing mortality with nitrates in these patients. In acute coronary syndromes such as unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction nitrates, but not nitroprusside, can be applied safely to relief symptoms and to treat vasospasm, if the dose is titrated to avoid hypotension. Recent large multicenter trials (GISSI-3, ISIS-4) have not confirmed the postulate derived from previous studies, that nitrates reduce the mortality from acute myocardial infarction within the first month. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Properties of basis functions generated by shift invariant sparse representations of natural images.
The idea that a sparse representation is the computational principle of visual systems has been supported by Olshausen and Field [Nature (1996) 381: 607-609] and many other studies. On the other hand neurons in the inferotemporal cortex respond to moderately complex features called icon alphabets, and such neurons respond invariantly to the stimulus position. To incorporate this property into sparse representation, an algorithm is proposed that trains basis functions using sparse representations with shift invariance. Shift invariance means that basis functions are allowed to move on image data and that coefficients are equipped with shift invariance. The algorithm is applied to natural images. It is ascertained that moderately complex graphical features emerge that are not as simple as Gabor filters and not as complex as real objects. Shift invariance and moderately complex features correspond to the property of icon alphabets. The results show that there is another connection between visual information processing and sparse representations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Molecular mechanisms of celery seed extract induced apoptosis via s phase cell cycle arrest in the BGC-823 human stomach cancer cell line.
Mechanisms of apoptosis in tumor cells is an important field of tumor therapy and cancer molecular biology. Loss of cell cycle control, leading to uncontrolled proliferation, is common in cancer. Therefore, the identification of potent and selective cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors is a priority for anti-cancer drug discovery. There are at least two major apoptotic pathways, initiated by caspase-8 and caspase-9, respectively, which can activate caspase cascades. Apoptosis triggered by activation of the mitochondrial-dependent caspase pathway represents the main programmed cell death mechanism. This is activated by various intracellular stresses that induce permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane. Anti-tumor effects of celery seed extract (CSE) and related mechanisms regarding apoptosis were here investigated in human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells. CSE was produced by supercritical fluid extraction. Cell viability was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and apoptosis by flow cytometry using Annexin/PI staining and DAPI staining and a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). Cell cycling was evaluated using PI staining with flow cytometry and expression of cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins cyclin A, CDK2, bcl-2 and bax was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. CSE had an anti-proliferation effect on human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After treatment, the apoptotic rate significantly increased, with morphological changes typical of apoptosis observed with LSCM by DAPI staining. Cell cycle and apoptosis related proteins, such as cyclin A, CDK2 and bcl-2 were all down-regulated, whereas bax was up-regulated. The molecular determinants of inhibition of cell proliferation as well as apoptosis of CSE may be associated with cycle arrest in the S phase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Aggressive condylar resorption.
This article describes the clinical and radiographic findings in a patient with unilateral aggressive condylar resorption that was diagnosed as osteoarthritis. We present a comprehensive documentation of the clinical manifestations, the appearance on conventional and advanced imaging, and the histopathologic findings. We discuss the systematic approach to develop a differential diagnosis, with specific emphasis on osteoarthritis and idiopathic condylar resorption. Finally, we also discuss the factors that play a role in management of this condition. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ionization Avalanching in Clusters Ignited by Extreme-Ultraviolet Driven Seed Electrons.
We study the ionization dynamics of Ar clusters exposed to ultrashort near-infrared (NIR) laser pulses for intensities well below the threshold at which tunnel ionization ignites nanoplasma formation. We find that the emission of highly charged ions up to Ar^{8+} can be switched on with unit contrast by generating only a few seed electrons with an ultrashort extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) pulse prior to the NIR field. Molecular dynamics simulations can explain the experimental observations and predict a generic scenario where efficient heating via inverse bremsstrahlung and NIR avalanching is followed by resonant collective nanoplasma heating. The temporally and spatially well-controlled injection of the XUV seed electrons opens new routes for controlling avalanching and heating phenomena in nanostructures and solids, with implications for both fundamental and applied laser-matter science. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Is external palliative radiotherapy for gallbladder carcinoma effective?
Gallbladder carcinoma is characterized by delayed diagnosis, ineffective treatment and poor prognosis. Surgical resection has been thought to be the treatment of choice, while the role of radiotherapy as adjuvant or palliative treatment has not been fully clarified in the literature. We present the case of a 45-year-old female, with unresectable gallbladder carcinoma, grade IV, histologically diagnosed during laparotomy. The patient was treated with palliative intent with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Furthermore, she received external radiotherapy by (60)Co, using a three-field technique (anterior-posterior and right lateral). The total dose was 3,000 cGy in 10 fractions, with 300 cGy per fraction, 5 days weekly. The patient showed clinico-laboratory improvement and was discharged with a permanent percutaneous transhepatic endoprosthesis. During follow-up (10 and 12 months postirradiation), abdominal CTs showed no local extension of the tumor, while the patient had a good performance status. So far, 1 year after the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer she is still alive. External radiotherapy seems to be a safe and effective method of palliative management of gallbladder carcinoma. However, further studies are necessary to determine the role of radiotherapy in palliative or adjuvant treatment of gallbladder carcinoma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Antivenom therapy after a black mamba snakebite].
A 24-year-old man was bitten on his right forefinger by his black mamba while he was feeding the animal. The primary symptoms caused by a full injection of the snake's venom therefore presented a life-threating situation. Due to pre-hospital troubleshooting of the emergency medical service and the timely administration of the antivenom further potentially harmful effects caused by the snakes venom were avoided. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Metabolomics of postprandial plasma alterations: a comprehensive Japanese study.
While endogenous metabolites in plasma can be used as clinical biomarkers, intra-day variations should be carefully considered. The postprandial effect is a large contributing factor and is dependent on regional features (e.g. meals, ethnicity). Thus, for clinical application, regional-specific postprandial baseline data are required. In this study, 10 healthy Japanese volunteers of different ages and genders ate the same meal, and blood samples were taken 30 min before and 1 h after the meal challenge. Plasma metabolomics was conducted and metabolites that significantly changed with the meal challenge were extracted. Principal component analysis of the data from 1101 metabolites showed a postprandial shift with a common direction despite marked individual variation. Pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated known postprandial effects, including the energy utilization shift from lipolysis to glycolysis and the elevation of bile acids for lipid absorption. Other postprandial metabolic changes were observed, including decreases in orexigenic signals and increases of food-derived components. The postprandial alteration accumulated in this study will be used for the understanding of Japanese clinical metabolomics for health promotion in Japan. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
1500 cases of renal and ureteric calculi treated in an integrated stone centre.
Fifteen hundred consecutive cases of renal and ureteric calculi were treated in an integrated stone centre; 1464 of these were treated by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, ureterorenoscopy and ureteroscopic lasertripsy. Only 36 (2.4%) required open surgery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Increased frequencies of CD4(+)CD25(high) T(regs) correlate with disease relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia.
The therapeutic efficacy of allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) largely relies on the graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect exerted by donor T cells. CD4(+)CD25(high) regulatory T cells (T(regs)) have been shown to downregulate antitumor responses but their role on GvL has not been evaluated. We performed a cross-sectional study in which we enumerated and characterized CD4(+)CD25(high) T(regs) in the peripheral blood of CML patients undergoing allogeneic SCT. We documented higher frequencies of T(regs) in patients after transplant as compared to normal controls and newly diagnosed patients. The increment was particularly evident in patients who had received their SCT 18 months before. In vitro functional studies demonstrated that the T(regs) purified from SCT patients exhibited a more potent suppressive activity than T(regs) isolated from healthy volunteers. Patients in whom T(regs) numbers were higher than controls more than 18 months after SCT showed evidence of disease relapse. Although the increment in T(regs) might have an advantageous effect on graft rejection in the early phase post-transplant, our data suggest that T(regs) exert an inhibitory effect on GvL. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Quality of life of patients who undergone myocardial revascularization surgery.
to evaluate the quality of life of patients who underwent revascularization surgery. a descriptive, cross sectional study, with quantitative approach carried out with 75 patients. The questionnaire WHOQOL-Bref was used to evaluate the quality of life (QOL). patients' QOL evaluation presented a moderate result, with need of improvement of all domains. Low income patients had the worst evaluation of QOL in the domain environment (p=0,021), and the ones from Recife/metropolitan area, in the domain social relationship (p=0,021). Smoker (p=0,047), diabetic (p=0,002) and alcohol consumption (p=0,035) patients presented the worst evaluation of the physical domain. Renal patients presented the worst evaluation of QOL in the physical (P=0,037), psychological (p=0,008), social relationship (p=0,006) domains and total score (p=0,009). the improvement of QOL depends on the individual's process of behavioral change and the participation of health professionals is essential to formulate strategies to approach these patients, especially concerning health education. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reduced urinary estriol levels with erythromycin therapy.
Several pharmacologic agents are known to interfere with urinary estriol levels in pregnancy. This report implicates erythromycin as yet another agent responsible for such interference. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis. A retrospective, clinical and radiological study of fixation with a single screw.
We conducted a retrospective, clinical and radiological study of fixation with a single screw in slipped upper femoral epiphysis. Forty children (53 hips) who had a slipped upper femoral epiphysis were managed by in-situ pinning with a single cannulated screw. The average age of these patients was 12.7 years and their average weight was above the 50th centile at the time of diagnosis. There were three acute slips, eight acute-on-chronic slips and 35 chronic slips. They were followed for an average of 2 years. Fifty-eight percent of patients had an excellent clinical result, 36% a good result, 4% a fair result and 2% a poor result. The complication rate was 5.3%. Our experience with single cannulated screw fixation of slipped upper femoral epiphysis is encouraging. No complications resulted from the choice of the fixation device. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ouabain, Na(+)-free and K(+)-free solutions and relaxations to nitric oxide and nitrovasodilators.
1. Experiments were designed to determine the effect of inhibition of Na+, K+ ATPase by ouabain, Na(+)-free and K(+)-free solutions on the relaxations induced by nitric oxide, nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside in coronary smooth muscle. 2. Rings without endothelium of canine left anterior descending coronary artery were suspended for isometric tension recording in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution, in the presence of indomethacin, propranolol, and phenoxybenzamine. The rings were incubated with ouabain, Na(+)-free or K(+)-free solutions prior to contractions with prostaglandin F2 alpha. 3. Nitric oxide induced transient relaxations which were significantly depressed by ouabain but were not affected by Na(+)- or K(+)-free solutions. Thus, the inhibitory effect of ouabain on relaxations to nitric oxide is not due to inhibition of the Na+, K+ pump. 4. The relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside was impaired both in the presence of ouabain and after incubation in Na(+)- or K(+)-free solution, suggesting that it may involve in part activation of Na+, K+ pumping. 5. Only high concentration of ouabain and Na(+)-free solution decreased the relaxation evoked by nitroglycerin, indicating that the mechanism of action of nitroglycerin on vascular smooth muscle does not involve the Na(+)-K+ pump. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Basaloid tumors in nevus sebaceus revisited: the follicular stem cell marker PHLDA1 (TDAG51) indicates that most are basal cell carcinomas and not trichoblastomas.
Until the 1990s, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was viewed as the most common epithelial neoplasm developing in association with nevus sebaceus (NS). Currently, trichoblastoma is thought of as the most prevalent basaloid neoplasm in NS. The follicular stem cell marker pleckstrin homology-like domain, family A, member 1 (PHLDA1) also known as T-cell death-associated gene 51 (TDAG51) labels trichoepithelioma (TE) but not BCC. Therefore, we explored its usefulness in basaloid neoplasms developing in NS. We studied immunohistochemically PHLDA1 in 10 nodular BCCs, 11 TEs, 11 trichoblastomas and 25 NS with basaloid tumors. Additionally, we examined the expression of BCC marker BerEP4 and the distribution of Merkel cells that function as surrogate markers for benign follicular neoplasms. Nineteen of the 25 basaloid tumors in NS were PHLDA1-negative comparable to BCC arising de novo and six tumors were PHLDA1-positive comparable to solitary trichoblastomas and TEs. Fewer Merkel cells were seen in BCCs associated with NS when compared with trichoblastoma. BerEP4 did not discriminate between the neoplasms. We raise concern that the unquestioned assessment that basaloid tumors developing in association with NS represent mostly trichoblastomas and not BCC may not be true. This influences clinical care, as it is paramount in the decision of whether to excise these lesions or not. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Preparation of the cDNA microarray on the differential expressed cDNA of senescence-accelerated mouse's hippocampus].
Alzheimer' s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. AD is an invariably fatal neurodegenerative disorder with no effective treatment. Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) is a model for studying age-related cognitive impairments and also is a good model to study brain aging and one of mouse model of AD. The technique of cDNA microarray can monitor the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously and can be used to study AD with the character of multi-mechanism, multi-targets and multi-pathway. In order to disclose the mechanism of AD and find the drug targets of AD, cDNA microarray containing 3136 cDNAs amplified from the suppression subtracted cDNA library of hippocampus of SAMP8 and SAMR1 was prepared with 16 blocks and 14 x 14 pins, the housekeeping gene beta-actin and G3PDH as inner conference. The background of this microarray was low and unanimous, and dots divided evenly. The conditions of hybridization and washing were optimized during the hybridization of probe and target molecule. After the data of hybridization analysis, the differential expressed cDNAs were sequenced and analyzed by the bioinformatics, and some of genes were quantified by the real time RT-PCR and the reliability of this cDNA microarray were validated. This cDNA microarray may be the good means to select the differential expressed genes and disclose the molecular mechanism of SAMP8's brain aging and AD. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Unifying theoretical framework for deciphering the oxygen reduction reaction on platinum.
Rapid conversion of oxygen into water is crucial to the operation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells and other emerging electrochemical energy technologies. Chemisorbed oxygen species play double-edged roles in this reaction, acting as vital intermediates on one hand and site-blockers on the other. Any attempt to decipher the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) must first relate the formation of oxygen intermediates to basic electronic and electrostatic properties of the catalytic surface, and then link it to parameters of catalyst activity. An approach that accomplishes this feat will be of great utility for catalyst materials development and predictive model formulation of electrode operation. Here, we present a theoretical framework for the multiple interrelated surface phenomena and processes involved, particularly, by incorporating the double-layer effects. It sheds light on the roles of oxygen intermediates and gives out the Tafel slope and exchange current density as continuous functions of electrode potential. Moreover, it develops the concept of a rate determining term, which should replace the concept of a rate determining step for multielectron reactions, and offers a new perspective on the volcano relation of the ORR. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Modulating Biopolymer Electrical Charge to Optimize the Assembly of Edible Multilayer Nanofilms by the Layer-by-Layer Technique.
The aim of this work was to study the influence of biopolymer (alginate, ALG; chitosan, CHI) charge on the formation of multilayer nanofilms by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. The electrical charge of ALG and CHI (high, medium, or low) was modulated by adjusting the pH of biopolymer solutions. The amount of biopolymer deposited in multilayers depended on the charge of ALG and CHI solutions. The lower the charge the higher the deposition rate due to the higher number of biopolymer molecules needed to neutralize the previous layer. Medium and low charge biopolymers led to a drastic change in the wettability of multilayers, with ALG layers being strongly hydrophilic and CHI layers strongly hydrophobic. The surface ζ-potential alternatively changed from negative to positive using ALG or CHI. This effect was more pronounced using highly charged biopolymers. Results obtained in this study evidenced that the multilayers properties can be tuned by controlling the biopolymer electrical charge. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Familial sacrococcygeal teratoma].
Familial sacrococcygeal teratomas are very rare. Up to now, only 8 kindreds (31 patients, including 1 Japanese kindreds) have been reported. All cases are Altman type IV variety. The tumor complex consists of a presacral teratoma and sacrococcygeal bony anomalies. The most common symptoms are constipation and anorectal stenosis. Two patients died. One died of meningitis following removal of a large benign tumor because of communication with a spinal arachinoid space. The other, with a large benign tumor, died as a result of malignant change, 10 years later after the first operation. The incidence of malignant change of familiar sacrococcygeal teratoma is rare in comparison with that of non-familiar sacrococcygeal teratomas. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dissociation of body weight and lean body mass during cancer chemotherapy.
Body weight and lean body mass are different reflections of the nutritional status of patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. In the present study, the relation between lean body mass and body weight during cytostatic treatment was investigated in 3 groups of newly-diagnosed children and young adults with acute lymphocytic leukemia, osteosarcoma, or a small round cell sarcoma. Body weight and lean body mass were determined before and after an initial period of cytostatic treatment. Lean body mass was derived from total body water volume, which was assessed by deuterium oxide dilution. A significant dissociation between body weight and lean body mass was observed in leukemia patients (n = 8, P = 0.008, paired t-test), and in osteosarcoma patients (n = 13, P = 0.001). No dissociation was found in patients with a small round cell sarcoma (n = 8, P = 0.839). We conclude that during cancer chemotherapy periodic assessment of body weight may give a false picture of the preservation of lean body mass. Considering the course of body weight alone may prevent the establishment of a timely diagnosis of malnutrition, which is mandatory for optimal supportive care. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Responses of lean and obese Zucker rats to centrally administered leptin.
Obese (Lepr(fa)/Lepr(fa)) Zucker rats have a missense mutation in the leptin receptor gene. One amino acid substitution in the extracellular domain common to all known leptin receptor proteins results from this mutation. Obese Zucker rats are unable to respond behaviorally to leptin which is peripherally administered. However, conflicting reports exist on whether obese Zucker rats can respond to centrally administered leptin. The purpose of this study was to determine whether obese Zucker rats responded behaviorally and metabolically to intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered leptin and to compare the responses of lean and obese Zucker rats. We found that both lean and obese Zucker rats had similar body weight and food intake responses when administered a single i.c.v. leptin injection in a range of doses (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 microg), as well as daily i.c.v. administered leptin for five consecutive days. Both single and daily leptin administration also decreased respiratory quotient (RQ) similarly in lean and obese Zucker rats, indicating mobilization of fat as an energy source for leptin-treated rats. After withdrawal of daily leptin treatment, lean and obese Zucker rats exhibited different recovery responses. It is concluded that obese Zucker rats can respond to exogenous leptin when leptin is delivered into the brain ventricles. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Kjelland's forceps in the new millennium. Maternal and neonatal outcomes of attempted rotational forceps delivery.
The use of Kjelland's forceps is now uncommon, and published maternal and neonatal outcome data are from deliveries conducted more than a decade ago. The role of Kjelland's rotational delivery in the 'modern era' of high caesarean section rates is unclear. To compare the results of attempted Kjelland's forceps rotational delivery with other methods of instrumental delivery in a tertiary hospital. Retrospective review of all instrumental deliveries for singleton pregnancies 34 or more weeks gestation in a four-year birth cohort, with reference to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The outcomes of 1067 attempted instrumental deliveries were analysed. Kjelland's forceps were successful in 95% of attempts. Kjelland's forceps deliveries had a rate of adverse maternal outcomes indistinguishable from non-rotational ventouse, and lower than all other forms of instrumental delivery. Kjelland's forceps also had a lower rate of adverse neonatal outcomes than all other forms of instrumental delivery. Prudent use of Kjelland's forceps by experienced operators is associated with a very low rate of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Training in this important obstetric skill should be reconsidered urgently, before it is lost forever. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Physiotherapy home exercise program for haemophiliacs.
Regular physiotherapy can improve the stability and flexibility of joints and decrease the bleeding risk in patients with haemophilia. To reduce the appointments for the patients and to make exercising a part of daily live, an individualized home exercise program (HEP) was designed. Retrospectively the number of bleedings during the HEP was compared to number of bleedings before. 8 patients aged between 4 and 16 years with haemophilia A were evaluated. At start and after 13 month patients had a motion analysis via topographic ultrasound. According to the results and clinical findings an individualized HEP was created. Standardised scores for clinical evaluation and the patient based evaluation of exercises were designed. At every appointment exercises were individually adjusted. Patients exercised in median 1.7 times a week. No training related bleeds occurred. 7 of 8 patients showed reduced joint and/or muscle bleeds (p<0.02). Clinical scores raised slightly in every patient. However the second motion analysis of squat and gait showed a worsening in 7 of 8 patients (p>0.05). A HEP can help to advance in physical fitness and coordination and may reduce bleeding tendency, but needs to be accomplished regularly. Patients are interested but the motivation to exercise at home is low. Disorders measured by motion analysis seem not to be sufficiently influenced by our surrogate training program. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Future time perspective as predictor of cannabis use: exploring the role of substance perception among French adolescents.
This study explored the relation of Future time perspective (FTP) to cannabis use and tested the potential mediating role of cannabis perception, with a sample of 276 French adolescents. FTP was assessed using ZTPI subscale, cannabis perception was evaluated from a list of nine items related to drug-oriented perception (DOP), and participants were asked to report both their cannabis use and the level of use. Results showed that FTP acts as a significant predictor of cannabis use, and is significantly linked to DOP. A significant relationship between DOP and cannabis use also appeared. Regression analyses showed that DOP acts as a mediator in the link between FTP and cannabis use. These findings confirm the protective role of FTP in cannabis use and suggest the indirect nature of this role. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Expression of beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase gene and retinol status in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.
The vitamin A status has been studied in type 2 diabetes and it is known that plasma retinol levels of patients with type 2 diabetes are elevated. However, the details of vitamin A metabolism in type 2 diabetes are unclear. beta-Carotene exhibits biological activity as provitamin A and beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase (BCM) cleaves beta-carotene to form retinal. We studied BCM gene expression in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. BCM gene expression was analyzed in the liver, intestine, and testis of 8- and 13-week-old GK rats and Wistar rats (control). The plasma and liver retinol levels were measured, and plasma retinol-binding protein (RBP) was detected. BCM gene expression in the liver, intestine and testis of GK rats was increased compared with that in controls. Plasma retinol levels and RBP levels were increased in GK rats, but hepatic retinol levels did not differ between GK rats and controls. BCM gene expression in the liver and intestine might affect retinol levels in type 2 diabetes. Conversion of beta-carotene to retinal might be accelerated in the presence of insulin resistance status, so that plasma retinol levels are increased in type 2 diabetes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gross vertebral collapse associated with long-term disodium etidronate treatment for pelvic Paget's disease.
Inhibition of skeletal mineralisation is a well-recognized complication of disodium etidronate therapy that was identified in the earliest studies of its use in osteoporosis and Paget's disease. The effect is seen at lower doses in Paget's disease than in osteoporosis. Several cases of spontaneous fractures occurring in unaffected bones of Paget's patients have been reported. However, we believe the case described here is the most severe example of etidronate-induced osteomalacia published in the literature, featuring widespread vertebral collapse occurring as a consequence of nearly 10 years of uninterrupted etidronate treatment for isolated hemipelvic Paget's disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
HCaRG increases renal cell migration by a TGF-alpha autocrine loop mechanism.
We have shown previously that the hypertension-related, calcium-regulated gene (HCaRG) is involved in the control of renal cell proliferation and differentiation (Devlin AM, Solban N, Tremblay S, Gutkowska J, Schurch W, Orlov SN, Lewanczuk R, Hamet P, and Tremblay J. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 284: F753-F762, 2003). To determine whether HCaRG plays a role in kidney repair after injury, we extended our studies on the cellular function of HCaRG by comparing cell migration of two kidney cell lines [HEK293 and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)-C7] stably transfected with the plasmid alone or with a plasmid containing HCaRG cDNA. HCaRG-expressing HEK293 cells, which undergo lower proliferation, migrated faster than control cells and presented greater adhesiveness to the extracellular matrix. Faster migration was also observed for the MDCK-C7 cells, after they were stably transfected with HCaRG cDNA. HCaRG overexpression induced major morphological changes in HEK293 cells, including the formation of lamellipodia. Expression microarrays of HCaRG-expressing HEK293 cells revealed the elevated expression of several genes known to be involved in cell migration and lamellipodia formation, including transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), galectins, autotaxins and fibronectin. These cells exhibited augmented synthesis and release of activated TGF-alpha. Conditioned medium from HCaRG-expressing cells stimulated the migration and induced significant morphological changes in control cells, in part, through activation of the TFG-alpha/EGF receptor. Together, these data support a role for HCaRG in kidney repair after injury through its effect on renal cell migration and TGF-alpha secretion. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The redistribution of collagen in expanded pig skin.
Silicone tissue expanders were inserted subcutaneously in the buttocks of nine young pigs and gradually inflated to maximum capacity over 5 weeks. On the control side the expanders were left uninflated. Island buttock flaps were then raised, the expanders removed and the flaps spread into the same sites for 10 days. The tissue was harvested. Area measurements and full thickness skin biopsies were taken 10 days after flap inset in order to study the changes in collagen composition and isotypes in the skin layers. Ten days after inset of the flap the expanded skin had a mean 47% increase in surface area, was 9% thinner (from surface to implant), mostly due to thinning of the subcutaneous zone, but was not significantly different in water content, relative to the control skin. The expanded skin had a significant 9.3% increase (p less than 0.01, t test) in collagen content of the dermis. The relative proportions of Types I and III were not significantly changed by skin expansion in either the dermal/epidermal or subcutaneous/capsular zones. It is speculated that tensile factors during expansion stimulate the biosynthetic activity and/or mitotic activity of fibroblasts in the dermis to produce this gain in collagen in the expanded compared with unexpanded tissue. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Case report of tetanus in an immunized, healthy adult and no point of entry.
We report the case of a 58-year-old man born in the United States with a history of complete childhood immunizations who presented to the Emergency Department with trismus. Past medical history was significant only for Elephantiasis. After an exhaustive workup the patient was found to have Tetanus, with no identifiable portal of entry. The patient was successfully treated for Tetanus with complete recovery. Tetanus is caused by the organism Clostridium Tetani, which usually requires an open lesion to cause infection. Our patient was unique in that he was previously immunized with no obvious lesion. Tetanus should be suspected and treated empirically in any patient presenting with typical signs and symptoms even without an apparent entry site. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hepatic angiomyoma: CT and MRI findings.
Angiomyoma is a benign tumor that arises from soft muscular tissue within the blood vessel wall. This lesion has been found in different organs. The preferential location of these tumors is the lower extremity. We describe the rare case of a hepatic angiomyoma and present the radiologic findings of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Effects of the loss of alveolar bone on the areas of periodontal ligament, mechanical fulcrum and fracture resistance of root and post-core system].
To assess the effects of loss of alveolar bone on the areas of periodontal ligament (PL), mechanical fulcrum and fracture resistance of root and post-core system. One hundred and eight simulated roots in the same length, taper and diameter were made of polymethylmethacrylate and were divided into 13 groups. Then the wax patterns of post-cores were casted and cemented. Each specimen was embedded in acrylic resin in accordance with different loss of alveolar bone and different mechanical fulcrum. Base on the anatomic and physiological special features of the periodontal tissues, three mechanical methods were designed. The compress test was run by the speed of 1 mm/min and the fracture resistance was recorded. The areas of periodontal ligament were measured and calculated. When the loss of alveolar bone and the mechanical fulcrum were 0 mm and 12/12 group, 1 mm and 11/12 group, 2 mm and 10/12 group, 3 mm and 9/12 group, 3.5 mm and 8.5/12 group, 4 mm and 8/12 group, 4.5 mm and 7.5/12 group, 5 mm and 7/12 group,5. 5 mm and 6.5/12 group, 6 mm and 6/ 12 group, 7 mm and 5/12 group, 8 mm and 4/12 group, 9 mm and 3/12 group, the means of the areas of PL (mm2) and fracture resistance (N) were 178.95 and 232. 90 +/- 25. 93, 159. 64 and 195.58 +/- 12.46, 141.18 and 173.92 +/- 13.51, 123.27 and 154.00 +/- 11.74, 106.14 and 123.25 +/- 14.29, 89.67 and 96.86 +/- 6. 20, 73.90 and 59.14 +/- 7.28, 58.82 and 52.52 +/- 5. 82, 44.44 and 45.90 +/- 7.40, 30.76 and 58.60 +/- 6.63 (mm, N). The linear correlations were found between the percentage of the loss of alveolar bone and surplus areas of PL, the loss of alveolar bone and the fracture resistance of root and post-core system, the percentage of the areas of PL and the fracture resistance of root and post-core system, the distance of the fulcrum and the percentage of the loss of alveolar bone. The loss of alveolar bone caused the decrease in areas of PL, the dessent of mechanical fulcrum, and the diminution of the fracture resistance of root and post-core system. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immunotoxins containing glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase with tumoricidal properties: in vitro killing effectiveness in a mouse plasmacytoma cell model.
We have tested the tumoricidal potency of enzyme immunotoxins constructed of antibodies conjugated to glucose oxidase and to lactoperoxidase. Murine plasmacytoma cells were targeted in vitro with the use of affinity-purified rabbit anti-plasmacytoma membrane antibodies (conjugated to glucose oxidase or lactoperoxidase) or rabbit serum raised against plasmacytoma microsome membranes followed by goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin conjugates (to glucose oxidase or lactoperoxidase). Cytotoxicity was generated subsequently by incubation of the washed cells in a medium supplemented with glucose and sodium iodide, which were the substrates of these enzymes. This resulted in the presumed metabolic release of highly toxic reduced oxygen species and iodinated derivatives. Targeting of tumor cells with both conjugates, as opposed to one of them alone, produced a synergistic killing effect. The gain of specific versus unspecific cytotoxicity was upwards of 10,000-fold. The killing rates were elevated (t10 values less than 30 min) and linear over time. The resultant reduction in tumor cell viability was in the order of 5 to 6 logs after only 20 to 90 min of incubation in the glucose/NaI medium. Cytotoxicity was enhanced by the gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase inhibitor buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine and by the glutathione reductase inhibitor 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, while catalase was inhibitory. The results suggest that these enzyme immunotoxins may be suitable for the ex vivo purging of autologous bone marrow grafts. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[PECULIARITIES OF TRACHEAL EXTUBATION IN PATIENTS, OPERATED ON FOR PHLEGMON OF THE NECK].
The results of anesthesiological support of 75 patients, operated on for phlegmon of the neck, were presented. An acute respiratory insufficiency rate, occurring after tracheal extubation, necessitating an emergent tracheostomy conduction, have constituted 13.5%. Preliminary conduction of diagnostic direct laryngoscopy and the "air source" test permits to predict a noncomplicated tracheal extubation trustworthy. Tracheal extubation after the operation must be conducted not earlier than in 10 - 72 h. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Betanodavirus infection in bath-challenged Solea senegalensis juveniles: A comparative analysis of RGNNV, SJNNV and reassortant strains.
Senegalese sole has been shown to be highly susceptible to betanodavirus infection, although virulence differences were observed between strains. To study the mechanisms involved in these differences, we have analysed the replication in brain tissue of three strains with different genotypes during 15 days after bath infection. In addition, possible portals of entry for betanodavirus into sole were investigated. The reassortant RGNNV/SJNNV and the SJNNV strain reached the brain after 1 and 2 days postinfection, respectively. Although no RGNNV replication was detected until day 3-4 postinfection, at the end of the experiment this strain yielded the highest viral load; this is in accordance with previous studies in which sole infected with the reassortant showed more acute signs and earlier mortality than the RGNNV and SJNNV strains. Differences between strains were also observed in the possible portals of entry. Thus, whereas the reassortant strain could infect sole mainly through the skin or the oral route, and, to a minor extent, through the gills, the SJNNV strain seems to enter fish only through the gills and the RGNNV strain could use all tissues indistinctly. Taken together, all these results support the hypothesis that reassortment has improved betanodavirus infectivity for sole. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Development of retinal neovascularisation in vascular occlusive disease.
Retinal neovascularisation in 80 non-diabetic patients with occlusive retinal vascular disease appeared to be related at least as frequently to arterial as to venous occlusive disease. Intraretinal, preretinal and prepapillary neovascularisation had developed in 76 per cent, 47 per cent and 49 per cent respectively of the specimens. Neovascularisation in the adult retina is thought to develop in the following sequence of histopathologic features: plasmatic insudation and transudation of the vessel walls (100 per cent of the specimens), endothelial cell proliferation (97 per cent) and capillary formation (76 per cent). Intramural newly-formed capillaries in thickened hyalinized vessels were observed in 68 per cent of the specimens. Not only retinal vein occlusion but also slowly progressive arterial and arteriolar occlusive diseases may produce retinal neovascularisation, originating from arterioles, venules and capillaries which are involved in a hypoxic degenerative endothelial process which gives rise to endothelial proliferation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Cost-effectiveness and safety of telaprevir and boceprevir for chronic hepatitis C in real-world clinical practice].
Triple therapy with telaprevir or boceprevir has proven to be effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with response rates of up to 88%. However, the treatment may be associated with important adverse effects and a high economic impact. To assess the cost-effectiveness and safety of triple therapy with telaprevir or boceprevir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Retrospective observational study. We included all patients who had started treatment with protease inhibitors before July 31(st), 2013. We evaluated sustained virological response, the cost per patient achieving sustained virological response, and the cost of the supportive treatment for adverse events associated with triple therapy. Fifty-nine patients were included; 35 had been treated with telaprevir (59.3%) and 24 with boceprevir (40.7%). Sustained virological response was achieved by 38 (64.4%) patients: 24 (68.6%) patients in the telaprevir treatment arm and 14 (58.3%) patients in the boceprevir treatment arm. The cost per patient with sustained virological response was 43,555 € (95% CI 35,389-51,722 €). There were no statistically significant differences between the overall costs of therapy with telaprevir, 43,494 € (95% CI 34,795 €-55,092 €) versus boceprevir, 42,005 € (95% CI 32,122-64,243€). The mean cost of supportive care per patient was 1,500 €, while the maximum cost was 11,374 €. Due to adverse events, 8 (13.6%) patients required hospital admission, 22 (37.3%) patients attended the accident and emergency department, and 26 (44.1%) patients needed additional medical consultations. The treatment of triple therapy with telaprevir or boceprevir resulted in high cost per patient with sustained virological response. Due to adverse events, a high number of patients required supportive care, whose costs should be added to those of triple therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Radiologist's Guide to Diagnosis of Fetal Cardiac Anomalies on Prenatal Ultrasound Imaging.
Congenital cardiac anomalies are a common finding during prenatal anatomical survey ultrasound examination. Cardiac anomalies are a major cause of prenatal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. If the anomaly is not lethal, most would require surgical correction. Therefore, early recognition of these abnormalities is essential for parental counseling and delivery planning, as well as analysis of neonatal treatment options. Although prenatal ultrasound plays an important role in identification of such anomalies, diagnosis and interpretation of imaging findings require familiarity and knowledge of the common imaging features. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of ultrasound appearance of common fetal cardiac anomalies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A gain-of-function mutation of JAK2 in myeloproliferative disorders.
Polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and idiopathic myelofibrosis are clonal myeloproliferative disorders arising from a multipotent progenitor. The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on the short arm of chromosome 9 (9pLOH) in myeloproliferative disorders suggests that 9p harbors a mutation that contributes to the cause of clonal expansion of hematopoietic cells in these diseases. We performed microsatellite mapping of the 9pLOH region and DNA sequencing in 244 patients with myeloproliferative disorders (128 with polycythemia vera, 93 with essential thrombocythemia, and 23 with idiopathic myelofibrosis). Microsatellite mapping identified a 9pLOH region that included the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene. In patients with 9pLOH, JAK2 had a homozygous G-->T transversion, causing phenylalanine to be substituted for valine at position 617 of JAK2 (V617F). All 51 patients with 9pLOH had the V617F mutation. Of 193 patients without 9pLOH, 66 were heterozygous for V617F and 127 did not have the mutation. The frequency of V617F was 65 percent among patients with polycythemia vera (83 of 128), 57 percent among patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis (13 of 23), and 23 percent among patients with essential thrombocythemia (21 of 93). V617F is a somatic mutation present in hematopoietic cells. Mitotic recombination probably causes both 9pLOH and the transition from heterozygosity to homozygosity for V617F. Genetic evidence and in vitro functional studies indicate that V617F gives hematopoietic precursors proliferative and survival advantages. Patients with the V617F mutation had a significantly longer duration of disease and a higher rate of complications (fibrosis, hemorrhage, and thrombosis) and treatment with cytoreductive therapy than patients with wild-type JAK2. A high proportion of patients with myeloproliferative disorders carry a dominant gain-of-function mutation of JAK2. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.